Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method for forming a tungsten-containing layer on a substrate is provided which includes positioning a substrate containing a barrier layer disposed thereon in a process chamber, exposing the substrate to a first soak process for a first time period and depositing a nucleation layer on the barrier layer by flowing a tungsten-containing precursor and a reductant into the process chamber. The method further includes exposing the nucleation layer to a second soak process for a second time period and depositing a bulk layer on the nucleation layer.

Abstract: Methodologies for determining one or more staged topologies for a communication network, communication networks implementing one or more staged topologies, and systems for determining one or more staged topologies for a communication network are provided.

Abstract: A smart card comprising: a memory for storing information; at least one transmitting or receiving antenna; and a low frequency circuit, for handling information associated with said antenna and said memory, which information is modulated at a modulation frequency of between 5 kHz and 100 kHz. Preferably the antenna is an acoustic antenna.

Abstract: Novel articles and methods to fabricate same with self-assembled nanodots and/or nanorods of a single or multicomponent material within another single or multicomponent material for use in electrical, electronic, magnetic, electromagnetic, superconducting and electrooptical devices is disclosed. Self-assembled nanodots and/or nanorods are ordered arrays wherein ordering occurs due to strain minimization during growth of the materials. A simple method to accomplish this when depositing in-situ films is also disclosed. Device applications of resulting materials are in areas of superconductivity, photovoltaics, ferroelectrics, magnetoresistance, high density storage, solid state lighting, non-volatile memory, photoluminescence, thermoelectrics and in quantum dot lasers.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a computer-implemented interactive system and methods allowing the interactive production and/or sharing of content. In an illustrative implementation, a computing environment comprises a content production/content engine having at least one instruction providing for the production and/or sharing of content according to one or more elected content production/sharing paradigms. In the illustrative implementation, the content production/sharing paradigm can comprise content production guidelines that provide threshold requirements including community feedback for use to assist participating users in producing content. Further, in the illustrative implementation, the content production/sharing paradigm can comprise a content distribution/sharing model operating to distribute revenue of the sale/purchase of content according using multi-level commission principles.

Abstract: A method and system for protecting against side channel attacks on cryptographic systems that attempt to recover information from externally detectable signals, such as electromagnetic fields or power input variations. A system operates in accordance with the subject invention to process a message using a cryptographic protocol involving a secret key d.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the manufacture of sachets (1) in a plurality of lanes in a form fill and seal machine, one or more edges of said sachets comprising non-linear profiles (7) over at least 10% of the length of the edge, said sachets manufactured by a process comprising: (i) sealing two films (9,10) in the longitudinal direction to form a plurality of tubes parallel to each other; (ii) sealing the tubes along one end; (iii) filling the tubes with the desired material; (iv) sealing the tubes at the second end to form a plurality of sachets (1), and (v) punching out portions (8) of the sealed edges of the sachets to define the non-linear edges (7).

Abstract: A method and system for protecting against side channel attacks on cryptographic systems that attempt to recover information from externally detectable signals, such as electromagnetic fields or power input variations. A system operates in accordance with the subject invention to process a message using a cryptographic protocol involving a secret key d. The protocol includes a step for computing the result of iteratively performing a binary operation [op] on a digital quantity G, where a secret key d is taken as an integer value, such as elliptic curve scalar point multiplication or modular exponentiation.

Abstract: A camera is configured to adaptively determine camera settings. The camera includes a plurality of sensors elements configured to acquire a current image of a scene according to a current set of camera settings. A number of sensor elements having a set of desirable properties is measured. Then, a next set of camera settings that maximize an overall number of sensor elements having the set of desirable properties is determined to acquire a next better image.

Abstract: A process for the estimation of volatile substances which comprises the steps of: (i) heating distilled water in a flask to a first temperature, (ii) adding the sample to be tested into said heated water, (iii) closing the flask, (iv) maintaining the flask containing the sample at a second temperature lower than said first temperature, (v) purging with air, (vi) drawing the volatile vapours and subjecting it to analysis.

Abstract: A frame fragmentation method for digital communications over error prone channels is presented. The technique maximizes data throughput based on the bit error rate and frame overhead. The technique can be used to determine optimum fragmentation thresholds for wireless links that are characterized by significant bit error rates.

Abstract: An optimization of the two-phase commit protocol employed in distributed systems. Each cohort component of the distributed system augments messages that are accessible to the coordinator component with state information indicating whether the cohort is read-only with regard to a transaction that the coordinator is coordinating. The coordinator retains the most recent state information. The coordinator reads the retained state information for the cohorts and when the transaction terminates, the coordinator reads the retained state information. Where the cohort's state is read-only, the coordinator simply sends an abort message instead of performing the full two-phase commit protocol with regard to the read-only cohort. In the trees of distributed system components that are defined by transactions, any cohort which has children in the tree is a local coordinator for its children.

Abstract: Techniques for testing software applications in stack-based computing environments are discussed. A tested application is executed at predetermined logical positions in a stack, such as at a layer of the OSI reference model. An expected result of an operation performed by the application is identified. A first set of computer-executable instructions is installed at a first position logically above the tested application, and a second set of computer-executable instructions is installed at a second position logically below the tested application. One or both sets of instructions simulate inputs to the application. The application is executed based on the simulated inputs, and one or both sets of instructions are used to compare outputs from the application with the expected result. Various, virtually unlimited tests can be performed on the software application without the use of extensive test infrastructure.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polycarbonate nanocomposite comprising forming a reactant mixture comprising a nanomaterial, a solvent, a dihydroxy compound and an activated carbonate; and polymerizing the dihydroxy compound and the activated carbonate in the presence of the solvent to form the polycarbonate nanocomposite is disclosed. Also disclosed are polycarbonate nanocomposites prepared in accordance with this method, and thermoplastic compositions comprising the polycarbonate nanocomposites. Also disclosed are polycarbonate compositions comprising the nanomaterial.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving search results is provided. The method works by delineating sections of a document that are not relevant to the main content. The document content is subjected to ranking analysis in entirety. In response to a query results are recalled omitting terms included in the no-recall sections. Terms in the no-recall sections are not used in titles and abstracts of the results. The results are ordered at least in part by the rankings attributed to the identified no-recall sections.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle assembly (20) having: a locking assembly (22) and an integrally formed cover (26) to receive the locking assembly, the locking assembly and cover having a plurality of guiding and stabilizing members (160, 100, 110, 190, 109, 194, 150, 70a,c) configured to prevent specific relative motion between the cover and the locking assembly.

Abstract: In addition to other aspects disclosed, a portable base station requests assignment of a portion of a code space from a remotely located control station. The assignment is based upon the location of the portable base station. The portable base station is also capable of transmitting an identification signal using the assigned code space portion to uniquely identify the portable base station to one or more access terminals.

Abstract: A mobile device comprising a first casing portion, a second casing portion comprising circuitry, first and second separated pivotable hinge portions connecting the first and second casing portions to allow the first casing portion to be hingedly openable and closable with respect to the second casing portion, and a fixed hinge portion interposed between the first and second pivotable hinge portions. The fixed hinge portion is formed with a cavity in which is mounted a mating connection suitably configured such that a hardware accessory adapted to increase mobile device functionality is coupleable therewith. The hardware accessory preferably has an independent processor which is automatically recognizable and configurable by a mobile device main processor when the hardware accessory is coupled with the fixed hinge portion. The mobile device is therefore operable when the hardware accessory is not coupled therewith.