Abstract: A fiducial includes complementary patterns that are situated symmetrically about a common axis. The complementary patterns permit location of the common axis as an axis that is equidistant from the complementary patterns. The complementary patterns are displaced from the common axes by different distances so that the common axis is located using the complementary patterns nearest the common axis to accurately locate the common axis. The complementary patterns include etch-compensation features that permit the common axis to be accurately located even if an etch process defines the fiducial and the etch process exhibits a process error or variation such as underetching or overetching. The fiducial may be produced by transferring a fiducial pattern from a mask such as a photomask. The fiducial pattern may also be defined on the mask using a computer-aided design program.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit dual gate structure using only one mask is disclosed. In one embodiment, a substrate is prepared for the fabrication of a dual gate structure, a first gate structure having an NWELL is formed without using a mask, and a second gate structure having a PWELL is formed using only one mask. In an alternate embodiment, a substrate is prepared for the fabrication of a dual gate structure, a first gate structure having a PWELL is formed without using a mask, and a second gate structure having an NWELL is formed using only one mask.

Abstract: Output optical energy pulses including relatively high energy magnitudes at the beginning of each pulse are disclosed. As a result of the relatively high energy magnitudes which lead each pulse, the leading edge of each pulse includes a relatively large slope. This slope is preferably greater than or equal to 5. Additionally, the full-width half-max value of the output optical energy distributions are between 0.025 and 250 microseconds and, more preferably, are about 70 microseconds. A flashlamp is used to drive the laser system, and a current is used to drive the flashlamp. A flashlamp current generating circuit includes a solid core inductor which has an inductance of 50 microhenries and a capacitor which has a capacitance of 50 microfarads.

Abstract: Conductive contacts in a semiconductor structure, and methods for forming the conductive components are provided. The contacts are useful for providing electrical connection to active components beneath an insulation layer in integrated circuits such as memory devices. The conductive contacts comprise boron-doped TiCl4-based titanium nitride, and possess a sufficient level adhesion to the insulative layer to eliminate peeling from the sidewalls of the contact opening and cracking of the insulative layer when formed to a thickness of greater than about 200 angstroms.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed toward an optical excitation/detection device that includes an arrayed plurality of photodetectors and discrete photoemitters, as well as a method for making such a device. A CMOS fabricated photodetector array includes an arrayed plurality of photoreceptor areas and photoemitter areas, wherein each photoreceptor area includes a CMOS integrated photoreceptor and each photoemitter area includes at least two buried electric contact pads. The CMOS array is selectively etched back at the locations of the photoemitter areas for regions to reveal the buried contact pads. A plurality of discrete semiconductor photoemitter devices (such as, for example, light emitting diodes) are inserted into, and mechanically retained within, the regions of the CMOS fabricated photodetector array.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition for use in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia including a saw palmetto extract provided in an oral controlled release formulation which allows release of active ingredients in the intestinal tract and which allows the maintenance of therapeutic levels of active agents in the bloodstream for prolonged periods of time. This invention also relates to a composition for improving the efficacy of a saw palmetto extract, a method of treating benign prostatic hypertrophy, and a method of improving the efficacy of a saw palmetto extract treatment.

Abstract: Capacitors, DRAM circuitry, and methods of forming the same are described. In one embodiment, a capacitor comprises a first container which is joined with a substrate node location and has an opening defining a first interior area. A second container is joined with the node location and has an opening defining a second interior area. The areas are spaced apart from one another in a non-overlapping relationship. A dielectric layer and a conductive capacitor electrode layer are disposed operably proximate the first and second containers. In another embodiment, the first and second containers are generally elongate and extend away from the node location along respective first and second central axes. The axes are different and spaced apart from one another. In yet another embodiment, a conductive layer of material is disposed over and in electrical communication with a substrate node location. The layer of material has an outer surface with a first region and a second region spaced apart from the first region.

Abstract: A method for generating and distributing telephonic traffic. The method includes receiving a call profile from a user interface, generating a traffic distribution from the call profile. The method then creates a traffic profile from the traffic distributions and receives at least one call hold time from a user interface, and then transmits the traffic profile and the at least one call hold time to a call generator. Also included is a traffic distribution generator. The traffic distribution generator includes a traffic graphical user interface, user input controls on the traffic graphical user interface and a processor to generate traffic distributions and the distribution and create a traffic profile from the distributions, and a port operable to transmit the traffic profile to a bulk call generator.

Abstract: A drill/injector combination is provided to inject plants that are grown in containers such as blocks at lift with plant growth modulators. The drill/injector combination is comprised of a seedlings holder, a block restraint, a cavity tool apparatus, a metering apparatus, an injection apparatus and optionally, a bore closing apparatus. The combination may be manually operated or may be automated.

Abstract: A trench capacitor includes an electrode having a first conductive area formed in a trench provided in a substrate, and a second conductive area extending from a bottom of the trench, the second conductive area being electrically coupled to the first conductive area and spaced apart from the first conductive area; a storage node having a first conductive extension extending into a first dielectric space provided between the first conductive area and the second conductive area of the electrode, and a second conductive extension extending into a second dielectric space provided within the second conductive area of the electrode; and a dielectric layer electrically insulating the electrode from the storage node.

Abstract: A switching apparatus provides 1×2 and 2×2 switching functions having significantly reduced crosstalk levels using an imaging arrangement of three arms combined with two star couplers. In another 1×2 switching element embodiment, the input star coupler is replaced with an optical signal splitter. Application of the 1×2 and 2×2 switching elements include the realization of a variety of dilated N×N broadband switches with negligible crosstalk over very wide wavelength stopband characterized by two or more equally spaced zeros. The very wide crosstalk stopband enables the N×N broadband switch to switch a broadband wavelength division multiplexed input signal to the desired output port with very low crosstalk at the other output ports.

Abstract: Interpolation along an axis is performed on a Correlation Surface Array that was created from counting the instances of difference (XOR) between corresponding pixels of single bit resolution images having trial displacements. The interpolation is performed by finding the intersection of two straight line segments that are identified by the shape of the cross section of the Correlation Surface along the axis of interest. In the case of nine trial shifts there are three values in such a cross section, and they may seen as representing three points whose abscissas are the pixel shift amounts minus one, no shift, and plus one, and whose ordinates are the corresponding correlation values. In situations where navigation (and interpolation) is possible, these three points will have certain properties. The ususal case is that two of the points determine one line having a slope m, and the other point determines the other line (assumed to have slope −m).

Abstract: A hand wheel actuator for a steer-by-wire steering system having a steering feel that meets drivers' expectations is provided with a housing having an aperture, a steering shaft extending through the aperture and rotatably supported by the housing, an electric motor, a position sensor and torque sensor, and a mechanical steering feel enhancement device. The mechanical steering feel enhancement device is attached to the housing and provides a positive stop function, a return-to-center function, and/or a friction/weight function. The mechanical steering feel enhancement device is in mechanical communication with the steering shaft and may exist as a separate unitary subassembly prior to being installed on the housing. The electric motor has an output shaft that is in mechanical communication with the steering shaft for imparting a torque to the steering shaft.

Abstract: A combination starter-generator system for use in a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has an internal combustion engine and a battery. The system includes a starter-generator electrically coupled to the battery to generate a current and to start the internal combustion engine. A drive mechanism connects the starter-generator machine and the internal combustion engine. The starter-generator machine generates the current by receiving a charging torque from one side of the drive mechanism and starts the internal combustion engine by imparting a starting torque to a different side of the drive mechanism. The charging torque or the starting torque is a greater torque. A passive tensioning system cooperates with the drive mechanism to tension the drive mechanism only at the side of the greater torque.

Abstract: An ATM switch for transmitting a multicast ATM cell includes a memory, a control circuit, and a cell memory. The control circuit maintains in the memory a connection table which includes a multicast master entry and one or more multicast member entries associated with the multicast master entry. The cell memory stores one or more ATM cells, including the multicast ATM cell. The multicast master entry holds an address of the cell memory at which the multicast ATM cell is stored. The multicast member entries are linked to each other through a circular double linked list.

Abstract: A method and assembly (10) for conducting heat from a semiconductor device, such as a power flip chip (12). The assembly (10) is generally constructed to dissipate heat from the flip chip (12) when mounted to a flexible or rigid substrate (20). Heat is conducted from the flip chip (12) through upper and lower pedestals (26, 28) each of which includes a pliable pre-cured silicone adhesive pad (32, 36). The pre-cured silicon adhesive pads (32, 36) promote thermal contact while also decoupling any lateral mechanical strains that may arise as a result of different thermal expansion and movement between the flip chips (12). The housing portions (16, 18) form a housing (14) when assembled, with each housing portion (16, 18) including a configured edge (37, 41) that controls the travel of the pedestals (26, 28) toward each other, to thereby limit the pressure exerted on the flip chip (12) disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing a high efficiency seal in an electrical connector. The seal prevents the transmission or migration of components in the environment at one end of the electrical connector to the environment at the other end of the electrical connector. The electrical connector may be incorporated into an over-mold that contains other components. The electrical connector achieves the highly efficient seal through a combination of torturous path design, the incorporation of melt ribs, and may further involve the technique of impregnation.

Abstract: Systems, data paths and methods of transferring data. By utilizing the systems, data paths, and methods, data can be transferred at a single or double rate. One embodiment of the present invention provides a system having a data unit, an output register, and a holding register. The output register is coupled to the data unit. The holding register is coupled to the data unit and the output register. Data from the data unit is passed to the output register and the holding register substantially simultaneously and data from the holding register is then passed to the output register. Data can be output from the output register.

Abstract: Field emitter display (FED) assemblies and methods of forming field emitter display (FED) assemblies are described. In one embodiment, a substrate is provided having a column line formed and supported thereby. A plurality of field emitter tip regions are formed and disposed in operable proximity to the column line. At least some of the regions define different pixels of the display. A continuous resistor is interposed between the column line and at least two different pixels. In another embodiment, a column line is formed and supported by a substrate. A plurality of field emitter tip regions are formed and disposed in operable proximity to the column line. The regions define different pixels of the display. A single current-limiting resistor is operably coupled with the column line and at least two different pixels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging parts in compartments of a carrier tape and affixing a cover tape over the carrier tape to trap the parts in the compartments. The method and apparatus provide for deflecting a flange of the carrier tape and sealing the cover tape to the deflected flange. The cover tape is tightened across the carrier tape when the carrier tape flange returns to its undeflected condition.