Abstract: An active matrix display device comprises an array of display pixels, each pixel comprising a current-driven light emitting display element (2), a drive transistor (22) for driving a current through the display element (2) and a storage capacitor (30) for storing a voltage to be used for addressing the drive transistor (22). A discharge transistor (36) is used for discharging the storage capacitor (30) thereby to switch off the drive transistor in dependence on the light output of the display element (2). Reading circuitry (70) is used for monitoring the charge on a discharge capacitor (40), the pixel data is corrected in response to the reading circuitry measurements. This can extend the lifetime of the display.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microelectronic device with an array (10) of field electrodes (11) that are individually addressable and can for example generate dielectrophoretic forces on particles (2) above the array (10). In a preferred embodiment, the field electrodes (1) can selectively be put to one of two phase-inverted potentials (+,?) or a floating potential (Z). Various space saving circuits are described that allow the operation of the field electrodes (11) with a minimal number of components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for analyzing one or more samples for the presence, amount or identity of one or more target molecules in the samples, comprising one or more capture sites whereby the device comprises a gas evolving means. The gas evolved by the gas evolving means moves unbound target molecules away from the capture site and therefore helps to increase the efficacy of the analysis.

Abstract: An active matrix display device comprises an array of display pixels, each pixel comprising a current-driven light emitting display element (2), a drive transistor (22) for driving a current through the display element (2) and a storage capacitor (30) for storing a voltage to be used for addressing the drive transistor (22). A discharge transistor (36) is used for discharging the storage capacitor (30) thereby to switch off the drive transistor in dependence on the light output of the display element (2). The storage capacitor (30) is adapted to store a voltage which is a function of the threshold voltage of the drive transistor (22). In this way, two-level compensation is provided for threshold voltage variations of the drive transistor, one using a current sampling approach and one using optical feedback. This can extend the lifetime of the display.

Abstract: In an array for temperature controlled cells the cells are driven in an active matrix array. A temperature processing array may be employed in biochip, such as underneath a biosensor or underneath reaction chambers. Due to the active matrix complex driver circuitry may be positioned outside the actual array of cells. Each cell is provided with a switch for coupling the cell circuitry to the driver circuitry. When coupled to the driver circuitry, a memory element in the cell circuitry may be provided with a heating setting. Then, the cell circuitry is uncoupled from the driver circuitry and a heating element is controlled to heat the cell in accordance with the setting stored in the memory element.

Abstract: A transistor control circuit (74) comprises a source-gated thin film transistor (70), an input for receiving a drive voltage representing a desired control of the source-gated transistor and a current source (82) for causing a known current to pass through the source-gated transistor (70). A first capacitor (78) stores a resulting gate-source voltage of the source-gated transistor when the known current is passed through the source-gated transistor The drive voltage is modified using the resulting gate-source voltage, and the modified voltage is used in the control of the source-gated transistor This control can provide a translational shift in the operating characteristics of the transistor, and it has been found that this can compensate for ageing of the transistor, for non-uniformity between different devices, and for temperature variations.

Abstract: Physical barriers (210) are present between neighboring pixels (200) on a circuit substrate (100) of an active-matrix display device, such as an electroluminescent display formed with LEDs (25) of organic semiconductor materials. The invention forms at least parts of the barriers (210) with metal or other electrically-conductive material (240) that is insulated (40) from the LEDs but connected to the circuitry (4, 5, 6, 9, 140, 150, 160, T1, T2, Tm, Tg, Ch etc.) within the substrate (100). This conductive barrier material (240) may back up or replace, for example, matrix addressing lines (150) and/or form an additional component either within the pixel array or outside. The additional component comprising the conductive barrier material (240) is advantageously a capacitor (Ch), or an inductor (L) or transformer (W), or even an aerial.

Abstract: A secure method for updating computer firmware online is described. The firmware storage locations are write protected prior to loading the operating system. Updating the firmware after loading the operating system helps to reduce downtime.

Abstract: Physical barriers (210) are present between neighbouring pixels (200) on a circuit substrate (100) of an active-matrix electroluminescent display device, particularly with LEDs (25) of organic semiconductor materials. In order to reduce parasitic capacitance in the circuit substrate, the invention forms these barriers (210) with metal or other electrically conductive material (240) that provides at least part of the signal lines (160) at a higher level than the circuit substrate (100). This conductive barrier material (240) is connected to the matrix circuitry within the substrate (100) but is insulated (40) at least at the sides adjacent to the LEDs (25). Preferably, an inter-capacitance guard line (9) is included in the circuit substrate (100) between the signal lines (160) and the circuitry in the substrate (100).

Abstract: A data processing system features a processor, random access memory (RAM), flash memory, a disk drive, an operating system (OS), and platform software. The platform software is capable of intercepting an attempt by the OS to read a storage location of the disk drive during a process of transitioning the data processing system from an inactive mode to an active mode. In response to intercepting the attempt by the OS to read the disk drive, the platform software may automatically determine whether the storage location for the read corresponds to a disk area reserved for power state transition data. If the storage location corresponds to the area reserved for power state transition data, the platform software may automatically read data from the flash memory instead of the disk drive, and pass that data to the OS. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Physical barriers (210) are present between neighbouring pixels (200) on a circuit substrate (100) of an active-matrix electroluminescent display device, particularly with LEDs (25) of organic semiconductor materials. The invention forms these barriers (210) with metal or other electrically-conductive material (240) that serves as an interconnection between a first circuit element (21, 4, 5, 6, 140, 150, 160, T1, T2, Tm, Tg, Ch) of the circuit substrate and a second circuit element (400, 400s, 23), for example, a sensor (400s) of a sensor array supported over the pixel array. The conductive barrier material (240) is insulated (40) at the sides of the barriers adjacent to the LEDs and has an un-insulated top connection area (240t) at which the second circuit element is connected to the conductive barrier material (240).

Abstract: An active matrix electroluminescent (EL) display device has a switching circuit for each display pixel which has a drive transistor (30) and a cascode transistor (32) in series with the associated EL display element (20). The switching circuit is operable in two modes, a first mode in which an input current is sampled by the drive transistor (30) and a second mode in which the drive transistor drives a current corresponding to the input current through the EL display element (20). This configuration uses the same transistor for current sampling as for current driving, thereby avoiding the need for matched transistors. The cascode transistor increases the output impedance and ensures that no voltage fluctuations pass to the drive transistor, so that a constant current supply is maintained.

Abstract: Physical barriers (210) are present between neighbouring pixels (200) on a circuit substrate (100) of an active-matrix electroluminescent display device, particularly with LEDs (25) of organic semi conductor materials. The invention forms these barriers (210) with metal or other electrically-conductive material (240), that is insulated (40) from the LEDs but connected to the circuitry within the substrate (100). This conductive barrier material (240) backs-up or replaces at least a part of the drive supply line (140,240) to which the LEDs are connected by a drive element T1. This transfers the problem of line resistance and associated voltage drop from within the circuit substrate (100), where it is severely constrained, to the much freer environment of the pixel barriers (210) on the substrate (100) where the conductive barrier material (240) can provide much lower resistance. Very large displays can be made with low voltage drops along this composite drive supply line (140,240).

Abstract: Methods and architectures for performing hardware error handling using coordinated operating system (OS) and firmware services. In one aspect, a firmware interface is provided to enable an OS to access firmware error-handling services. Such services enable the OS to access error data concerning platform hardware errors that may not be directed accessed via a platform processor or through other conventional approaches. Techniques are also disclosed for intercepting the processing of hardware error events and directing control to firmware error-handling services prior to attempting to service the error using OS-based services. The firmware services may correct hardware errors and/or log error data that may be later accessed by the OS or provided to a remote management server using an out-of-band communication channel. In accordance with another aspect, the firmware intercept and services may be performed in a manner that is transparent to the OS.

Abstract: A temporary memory of a computer system is configured during a boot mode. Page tables are generated for the temporary memory. System memory of the computer system is initialized. Contents of the temporary memory are migrated to the system memory.

Abstract: Secure variable/image storage and access schemes for storing data in non-volatile stores. Firmware-based interfaces are provided to support secure storage of data, such as asset management data and executable images, on platforms in a manner that prevents access to any entity other than the principle that originally stored the data. In one embodiment, an extension to the Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) variable storage scheme is disclosed. In another embodiment, a management chip that is not present on the platform is emulated by firmware such that the management chip appears to be present to entities accessing a third-party storage area of a non-volatile store.

Abstract: A method for casting metal strip by controlling the distance between the confining side plates confining the casting pool and the outer nozzle ends of discrete nozzle pieces of the delivery nozzle delivering the molten melt. The nozzle pieces defining the outer nozzle ends may be moved and control separately from the position of the confining plates, or with the position of the confining plates, by a nozzle delivery drive. The distance between the outer nozzle ends and the confining plates may be set before casting and maintained during casting with wear and thermal expansion of the confining plates, nozzle pieces, or both, or varied during the casting operation, to inhibit the formation of skulls in the casting pool and the formation of “snake eggs” in the cast strip.

Abstract: A method and system for content pre-fetching during a processing system pre-boot runtime. First, it is determined when a processor of a processing system is in one of a busy wait state and an idle state during a pre-boot runtime of the processing system. Then, content is pre-fetched from a data storage unit of the processing system. The content is pre-fetched based upon a pre-fetch profile. The content is loaded into system memory of the processing system.

Abstract: A method and system for content pre-fetching during a processing system pre-boot runtime. First, it is determined when a processor of a processing system is in one of a busy wait state and an idle state during a pre-boot runtime of the processing system. Then, content is pre-fetched from a data storage unit of the processing system. The content is pre-fetched based upon a pre-fetch profile. The content is loaded into system memory of the processing system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, computer system is disclosed. The computer system includes a central processing unit (CPU) to simultaneously operate a trusted environment and an untrusted environment and a chipset coupled to the CPU.