Abstract: A method of laser welding a workpiece stack-up that includes at least two overlapping metal workpieces is disclosed. The method includes advancing a beam spot of a laser beam relative to a top surface of the workpiece stack-up and along a beam travel pattern to form a laser weld joint, which is comprised of resolodified composite metal workpiece material, that fusion welds the metal workpieces together. And, while the beam spot is being advanced along the beam travel pattern, between a first point and a second point, which may or may not encompass the entire beam travel pattern, at least one of the following laser beam parameters is repeatedly varied: (1) the power level of the laser beam; (2) the travel speed of the laser beam; or (3) the focal position of the laser beam relative to the top surface of the workpiece stack-up.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a personalized Bluetooth device (e.g., headset) and a voice interaction control method thereof are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, the Bluetooth device is caused to maintain a voice contact list. Each item in the voice contact list corresponds to a phone number associated with a set of audio data (e.g., a voice or a predefined audio). Instead of dialing a phone number on a calling device (e.g., a cellular phone) being paired with the Bluetooth device, a user can speak to the Bluetooth device that is caused to search a corresponding phone number in the voice contact list. The number is then sent to the calling device to make a call.

Abstract: Resistance spot welding of a thin-gauge steel workpiece to another steel workpiece is achieved through the combined use of specific spot welding electrodes and a pulsating welding current. Each of the spot welding electrodes has a weld face that is smaller in diameter than a typical steel spot welding electrode. And the pulsating welding current that is used in conjunction with the smaller-sized spot welding electrodes includes at least two stages of electrical current pulses.

Abstract: A method for treating various types of cancer/tumor by administering the combination of SDF-1 antagonist, in particular, that specifically binds to human CXCR4, and another chemotherapeutic agent, or a radiation therapy, during an embolization therapy. Such combination therapies exhibit synergistic effects compared to the treatment with either agent alone. Thus, the method is particularly beneficial for cancer patients who have low tolerance to the side effects caused by high dosages required for the treatment by either agent alone.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a personalized Bluetooth device (e.g., headset) and a voice interaction control method thereof are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, the Bluetooth device is caused to maintain a voice contact list. Each item in the voice contact list corresponds to a phone number associated with a set of audio data (e.g., a voice or a predefined audio). Instead of dialing a phone number on a calling device (e.g., a cellular phone) being paired with the Bluetooth device, a user can speak to the Bluetooth device that is caused to search a corresponding phone number in the voice contact list. The number is then sent to the calling device to make a call.

Abstract: A bonding system comprising a first substrate, a first substrate (110) having a first contact surface (115) including a plurality of grooves (140), a second substrate (120) having a second contact surface (125), an adhesive (200) in contact with the first contact surface (115), and the second contact surface (125), and a plurality of solder balls (300) positioned at least partially in the adhesive (200) and in contact with the first contact surface (115).

Abstract: Methods for welding a joint are disclosed herein. One example of the method involves welding the joint between two workpieces. Energy is focused onto the joint to weld the joint. The focus of the energy moves relative to the joint. A vaporized material is displaced from a keyhole created by the welding. The vaporized material is vaporized by the energy. A pool of molten material is formed adjacent the keyhole during operation of the energy at the joint. The pool of molten material is manipulated by displacing a portion of the molten material from a near end of the pool and from lateral sides of the pool to a far end of the pool. The far end of the pool is distal to the near end.

Abstract: Techniques for a personalized Bluetooth headset and a voice interaction control method thereof are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, the Bluetooth headset is caused to maintain a voice contact list. Each item in the voice contact list corresponds to a phone number associated with a set of audio data (e.g., a voice or a predefined audio). When a paired mobile device receives a call, the voice contact list is searched per the caller number. A corresponding audio is played back when an item is located in the voice contact list. As such a user of the Bluetooth headset knows who is calling and determines whether the call shall be answered or not.

Abstract: A workpiece stack-up that includes at least a steel workpiece and an aluminum-based workpiece can be resistance spot welded by a spot welding method in which the welding current is controlled to perform one or more stages of weld joint development. When it is desired to terminate weld current flow and to solidify a liquid weld pool into a weld nugget (of mostly aluminum-based composition), additional cooling is applied to the outer surface of the aluminum-based workpiece around the contact area of the spot welding electrode engaging the surface of the aluminum-based workpiece surface. The additional cooling is applied and controlled so as to increase the rate of solidification of the liquid aluminum-based material and to control the direction of solidification of the weld nugget to better confine impurities, and the like, originally in the melt, at the surface of the steel workpiece.

Abstract: A welding method includes the following steps: (a) determining a martensite tempering temperature of the at least two workpieces based, at least in part, on the chemical composition and microstructure of the woworkpieces; (b) applying sufficient energy to the workpieces to melt the workpieces at a target location, thereby creating a weld pool; (c) determining, via the control module, a target temperature and cooling range of a coolant and cooling range based, at least in part, on the martensite tempering temperature and HAZ width; and (d) cooling the first and second workpieces with the coolant such that a temperature of the workpieces at heat-affected zones is controlled below the martensite tempering temperature in order to minimize softening at the heat-affected zones. The present invention also relates to a welding system for minimizing HAZ softening.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a contact formed to a source or drain region of a “finned” field-effect transistor (FinFET). An epitaxial material is formed over the source or drain region, which includes a diamond-shaped cross-section with top and bottom surfaces. A capping layer is formed over the top and bottom surfaces. The source or drain region is subjected to a first etch to remove the capping layer surrounding the top surfaces of the diamond-shaped cross-section. A protective layer is formed within the top surfaces. A second etch of the capping layer is performed to remove the capping layer surrounding the bottom surfaces of the diamond-shaped cross-section, while using the protective layer to prevent etching of the top surfaces by the second etch. A contact is formed to the source or drain region, which surrounds the source or drain region on the top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A portable unit with an endfire antenna and operating at 60 GHz makes an optimum communication channel with an endfire antenna in an array of antennas distributed over the area of a ceiling. The portable unit is pointed towards the ceiling and the system controlling the ceiling units selects and adjusts the positioning of an endfire antenna mounted on a 3-D adjustable rotatable unit. Several transceivers can be mounted together, offset from one another, to provide a wide coverage in both azimuth direction and elevation direction. These units can be rigidly mounted as an array in a ceiling, apparatus. The system controlling the ceiling array selects one of the transceivers in one of the units to make the optimum communication channel to the portable unit. The system includes the integration of power management features by switching between Wi-Fi in favor of the 60 GHz channel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are a method of forming a semiconductor device and methods of patterning a semiconductor device. An embodiment is a method of forming a semiconductor device, the method including pattering a mandrel layer disposed over a semiconductor device layer to form a mandrel, forming a first set of spacers on sidewalls of the mandrel using a first material, selectively removing the mandrel disposed between the first set of spacers. The method further includes after removing the mandrel, using the first set of spacers as a first set of mandrels, forming a second set of spacers on sidewalls of the first set of mandrels using a second material, the second material having a different etch selectivity from the etch selectivity of the first material, the second set of spacers have substantially flat top surfaces, and selectively removing the first set of mandrels disposed between the second set of spacers.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating a graph of parameters of a virtualized computing environment. The method includes generating a first graph depicting a timeline of aggregate health of a virtual machine grouping; generating a second graph depicting types of user activity for one of the plurality of time frames; and generating a third graph depicting aggregate health of the virtual machine grouping for one of the plurality of time frames, wherein the second graph is overlaid with the third graph, and wherein the first graph, the second graph, and the third graph are for display in a single view.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a contact formed to a source or drain region of a “finned” field-effect transistor (FinFET). An epitaxial material is formed over the source or drain region, which includes a diamond-shaped cross-section with top and bottom surfaces. A capping layer is formed over the top and bottom surfaces. The source or drain region is subjected to a first etch to remove the capping layer surrounding the top surfaces of the diamond-shaped cross-section. A protective layer is formed within the top surfaces. A second etch of the capping layer is performed to remove the capping layer surrounding the bottom surfaces of the diamond-shaped cross-section, while using the protective layer to prevent etching of the top surfaces by the second etch. A contact is formed to the source or drain region, which surrounds the source or drain region on the top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating a graph of parameters of a virtualized computing environment. The method includes accessing parameters from virtual machine groupings, generating a first graph depicting overall allocation of resources and overall current usage of resources for the virtual data centers, generating a second graph depicting aggregate health of the virtual machine groupings, and generating a third graph depicting allocation of resources of the virtual data centers overlaid with the current usage of resources of the virtual data centers, wherein the first graph, the second graph and the third graph are for display in a single view.

Abstract: Hollow porous metal oxide microspheres are provided. The microspheres may be used as a support for a catalyst, particularly an exhaust treatment catalyst for an internal combustion engine. Also provided are methods of making the microspheres, methods of using the microspheres as catalyst supports, and methods of exhaust treatment using catalyst articles comprising the microspheres.

Abstract: Techniques for a personalized Bluetooth headset and a voice interaction control method thereof are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, the Bluetooth headset is configured to create and maintain a voice-based table. Each item in the table includes a phone number paired with a set of audio data (e.g., a voice or a predefined audio), where the audio data is created by a user. When a paired mobile device receives a call, the table is searched per the caller number. A corresponding audio is played back first when an item is located in the table. As such a user of the Bluetooth headset knows who is calling and determines whether the call shall be answered or not.

Abstract: Techniques for a personalized Bluetooth headset and a voice interaction control method thereof are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, the Bluetooth headset is caused to maintain a voice contact list. Each item in the voice contact list corresponds to a phone number associated with a set of audio data (e.g., a voice or a predefined audio). When a paired mobile device receives a call, the voice contact list is searched per the caller number. A corresponding audio is played back when an item is located in the voice contact list. As such a user of the Bluetooth headset knows who is calling and determines whether the call shall be answered or not.

Abstract: A method of spot welding a workpiece stack-up that includes a steel workpiece and an adjacent aluminum alloy workpiece involves passing an electrical current through the workpiece stack-up and between facially aligned welding electrodes in contact with opposed sides of the stack-up. The formation of a weld joint between the adjacent steel and aluminum alloy workpieces is aided by an intruding feature located in an aluminum alloy workpiece that provides and delineates one side of the workpiece stack-up and against which a welding electrode is pressed over the intruding feature at the weld site. The intruding feature affects the flow pattern and density of the electrical current that passes through the overlapping workpieces and is also believed to help minimize the effects of any refractory surface oxide layer(s) that may be present on the aluminum alloy workpiece that lies adjacent to the steel workpiece.