Abstract: A guiding grid is disclosed and includes plural circumferential elements and plural radial elements. The circumferential elements are disposed concentrically relative to a central axis, spaced apart from each other in a radial direction, and form different heights relative to a bottom surface. One of the circumferential elements forms a top height relative to the bottom surface, so that the circumferential elements are divided into an outer-ring region and a central region in the radial direction. The circumferential elements located in the central region are increased in height relative to the bottom surface along the radial direction. The circumferential element located in the outer ring region are reduced in height relative to the bottom surface along the radial direction. The radial elements are connected between each of two adjacent circumferential elements. At least one of the radial elements is misaligned and discontinuous in the radial direction.

Abstract: An electronic device for face recognition is provided. The electronic device is used to exclude an ineligible object to be identified according to the relative relationship between object distances and image sizes, the image variation with time and/or the feature difference between images captured by different cameras to prevent the possibility of cracking the face recognition by using a photo or a video.

Abstract: Among other things, advertisements are received for brands or products of brands. Criteria for placement of the advertisements are received at online retail sites. The online retail sites are controlled independently from one another. Inventory data for the products at the online retail sites is received and stored. Data about propensities of the consumers to favor one or more of the brands or one or more products of the brands, from activities of consumers on the online retail sites, is stored. Activity data about current activities of the consumers on the online retail sites is received. One or more of the advertisements are placed on pages served to the online retail sites based on the placement data, the inventory data, the propensity data, and the activity data. Conversion data is received indicating that consumers engaged in conversion events with respect to products associated with the brands or products of brands being advertised.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for loop-filter processing of reconstructed video are disclosed. According to one method, multiple CC-ALF (Cross-Component Adaptive Loop Filter) filters are used. Selection of the multiple CC-ALF filters can be signalled in one APS (Adaptation Parameter Set). According to another method, the CC-ALF can be implemented according to the difference between a to-be-process sample and its neighbouring sample.

Abstract: Video processing methods and apparatuses for coding a current block generate a final predictor by combining multiple predictors of the current block. One of the predictors for the current block is a motion compensated predictor, which is generated according to one candidate selected from a first candidate list. The construction of the first candidate list includes deriving an average candidate by averaging motion information of existing candidates in the first candidate list. A second predictor for the current block is another motion compensated predictor or an intra predictor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, two source/drain features over the substrate, channel layers connecting the two source/drain features, and a gate structure wrapping around each of the channel layers. Each of the two source/drain features include a first epitaxial layer, a second epitaxial layer over the first epitaxial layer, and a third epitaxial layer on inner surfaces of the second epitaxial layer. The channel layers directly interface with the second epitaxial layers and are separated from the third epitaxial layers by the second epitaxial layers. The first epitaxial layers include a first semiconductor material with a first dopant. The second epitaxial layers include the first semiconductor material with a second dopant. The second dopant has a higher mobility than the first dopant.

Abstract: A method of forming a gas spacer in a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device including the same are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes forming a gate stack over a substrate; forming a first gate spacer on sidewalls of the gate stack; forming a second gate spacer on sidewalls of the first gate spacer; removing the second gate spacer using an etching process to form a first opening, the etching process being performed at a temperature less than 0° C., the etching process using an etching solution including hydrogen fluoride; and depositing a dielectric layer over the first gate spacer and the gate stack, the dielectric layer sealing a gas spacer in the first opening.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second semiconductor fins extending from a substrate and a source/drain region epitaxially grown in recesses of the first and second semiconductor fins. A top surface of the source/drain region is higher than a surface level with top surfaces of the first and second semiconductor fins. The source/drain region includes a plurality of buffer layers. Respective layers of the plurality of buffer layers are embedded between respective layers of the source/drain region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer. A gate structure is disposed over the semiconductor layer. A spacer is disposed on a sidewall of the gate structure. A height of the spacer is greater than a height of the gate structure. A liner is disposed on the gate structure and on the spacer. The spacer and the liner have different material compositions.

Abstract: A test structure on a wafer is provided. The test structure includes a plurality of cells under test, a first output pad and a second output pad coupled to different cells, a plurality of first input pads, and a plurality of second input pads. The cells are arranged in rows and columns of a test array. Each of the first input pads is coupled to the cells in respective column of the test array. Each of the second input pads is coupled to the cells in respective row of the test array. A first voltage is applied to one of the first input pads and a second voltage is applied to one of the second input pads to turn on a cell, and a current flowing through the turned-on cell is measured.

Abstract: A memory device including bit lines, auxiliary lines, selectors, and memory cells is provided. The word lines are intersected with the bit lines. The auxiliary lines are disposed between the word lines and the of bit lines. The selectors are inserted between the bit lines and the auxiliary lines. The memory cells are inserted between the word lines and the auxiliary lines.

Abstract: A package substrate and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The package substrate includes a substrate and an electronic component. The substrate includes a cavity. The electronic component is disposed in the cavity. The electronic component includes a first region and a second region, and an optical recognition rate of the first region is distinct from that of the second region.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a first dielectric layer over the substrate, a first conductive feature in the first dielectric layer, and an etch stop layer over the first dielectric layer. The etch stop layer includes metal-doped aluminum nitride. The device further includes a second dielectric layer over the etch stop layer, and a second conductive feature in the second dielectric layer. The second conductive feature extends into the etch stop layer and contacts the first conductive feature.

Abstract: A method includes providing a first channel layer and a second channel layer over a substrate; forming a first patterned hard mask covering the first channel layer and exposing the second channel layer; selectively depositing a cladding layer on the second channel layer and not on the first patterned hard mask; performing a first thermal drive-in process; removing the first patterned hard mask; after removing the first patterned hard mask, forming an interfacial dielectric layer on the cladding layer and the first channel layer; and forming a high-k dielectric layer on the interfacial dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor structure includes forming a first fin and a second fin over a substrate. The method includes forming one or more work function layers over the first and second fins. The method includes forming a nitride-based metal film over the one or more work function layers. The method includes covering the first fin with a patternable layer. The method includes removing a second portion of the nitride-based metal film from the second fin, while leaving a first portion of the nitride-based metal film over the first fin substantially intact.

Abstract: An automated beverage preparation apparatus includes: multiple pumps for extracting multiple fluid materials stored in multiple material containers, and pushing the extracted fluid materials to move forward; a fluid output device coupled with the multiple pumps and arranged to operably dispense fluid materials to a beverage container; a user control interface arranged to operably generate a control command; a processing circuit arranged to operably generate a corresponding control signal according to the control command; and a pump control circuit arranged to operably control the multiple pumps according to the control signal. The pump control circuit conducts a layered drink making operation under control of the processing circuit to cause the fluid output device to dispense different fluid materials to the beverage container, so as to automatically form a layered drink/gradient drink having at least two color layers within the beverage container.

Abstract: An electronic device and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are provided. The electronic device includes a storage module and a processing module. The storage module is configured to store at least one program instruction. The processing module is coupled to the storage module, and is configured to load the at least one program instruction to perform the following steps: parsing a plurality of cells in an analysis area in a data sheet to identify each of the cells as a formula cell or a non-formula cell; classifying the formula cells so that the formula cells having similar formula expressions fall into the same formula group; analyzing a formula structure of the formula expressions of each formula group to output at least one recommended chart option.

Abstract: A system for providing wireless electrical stimulation to muscles and nerves for the treatment of medical and non-medical conditions. The electrical stimulation is delivered to the stimulated object (individual) by small neuromuscular electrical stimulation devices attached to wearable supports featuring electrically conductive material rendered on the inside and acting as electrodes. The control of the electrical stimulation devices is provided by a dedicated application running on a mobile device by means of a Bluetooth Low Energy interface.

Abstract: An angle sensing device includes a base, a rotation shaft, a detected target, and a proximity sensor. The rotation shaft is rotatably arranged on the base, and includes a side surface and a virtual axis. The detected target is arranged on the side surface, and an outer contour of a cross section of the detected target along a radial direction of the rotation shaft includes a first detected position and a second detected position, where a distance of the first detected position with respect to the virtual axis is different from that of the second detected position. The proximity sensor is fixedly arranged on the base and faces the detected target. When the detected target rotates together with the rotation shaft, the proximity sensor emits light toward the detected target and detects reflected light from the outer contour of the detected target to generate measurement data.

Abstract: A motion synchronized multi-tier pallet rack and a battery formation apparatus are provided. The pallet rack includes a fixation rack, two movable frames, and two actuators. The movable frames are coupled to two corresponding sides of the fixation rack and each includes telescopic arms, a motor, and a drive rod. The actuators are disposed on other the two corresponding sides of the fixation rack to drive the movable frames to move toward or away from each other. The telescopic arms are kinematically connected to the motor through the drive rod to extend from or retract into the movable frame. The battery formation apparatus includes a motion synchronized multi-tier pallet rack, a conveyor module, a formation cabinet, and a controller. The conveyor module carries a battery module. The controller controls the pallet rack to obtain the battery module from the conveyor module and place the battery module in the formation cabinet.