Abstract: Provided are a pressure difference sensor, and a manufacturing method and an application thereof. A manner of bonding three layers of wafers is adopted, and the sensor includes an upper structure, an intermediate structure and a lower structure. Each of the upper structure and the intermediate structure is manufactured by a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer, the lower structure is manufactured by patterned doped intrinsic silicon; and a lead pad of each of the upper electrode, and the intermediate electrode and the lower electrode is located on a corresponding one of three-stepped steps at a side of the pressure difference sensor. Annular through holes are formed around the upper electrode and the lower electrode. A constant capacitance of a capacitance signal outputted by an upper capacitor of the sensor by extending an electric field line path of the constant capacitor part.

Abstract: Provided are a pressure difference sensor, and a manufacturing method and an application thereof. A manner of bonding three layers of wafers is adopted, and the sensor includes an upper structure, an intermediate structure and a lower structure. Each of the upper structure and the intermediate structure is manufactured by a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer, the lower structure is manufactured by patterned doped intrinsic silicon; and a lead pad of each of the upper electrode, and the intermediate electrode and the lower electrode is located on a corresponding one of three-stepped steps at a side of the pressure difference sensor. Annular through holes are formed around the upper electrode and the lower electrode. A constant capacitance of a capacitance signal outputted by an upper capacitor of the sensor by extending an electric field line path of the constant capacitor part.

Abstract: A device comprises a substrate having at least one active region, an insulating layer above the substrate, and an electrode in a gate electrode layer above the insulating layer, forming a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitor. A first contact layer is provided on the electrode, having an elongated first pattern extending in a first direction parallel to the electrode. A contact structure contacts the substrate. The contact structure has an elongated second pattern extending parallel to the first pattern. A dielectric material is provided between the first and second patterns, so that the first and second patterns and dielectric material form a side-wall capacitor connected in parallel to the MOS capacitor.

Abstract: A device comprises a substrate having at least one active region, an insulating layer above the substrate, and an electrode in a gate electrode layer above the insulating layer, forming a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitor. A first contact layer is provided on the electrode, having an elongated first pattern extending in a first direction parallel to the electrode. A contact structure contacts the substrate. The contact structure has an elongated second pattern extending parallel to the first pattern. A dielectric material is provided between the first and second patterns, so that the first and second patterns and dielectric material form a side-wall capacitor connected in parallel to the MOS capacitor.

Abstract: A device comprises a substrate having at least one active region, an insulating layer above the substrate, and an electrode in a gate electrode layer above the insulating layer, forming a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitor. A first contact layer is provided on the electrode, having an elongated first pattern extending in a first direction parallel to the electrode. A contact structure contacts the substrate. The contact structure has an elongated second pattern extending parallel to the first pattern. A dielectric material is provided between the first and second patterns, so that the first and second patterns and dielectric material form a side-wall capacitor connected in parallel to the MOS capacitor.

Abstract: A device comprises a substrate having at least one active region, an insulating layer above the substrate, and an electrode in a gate electrode layer above the insulating layer, forming a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitor. A first contact layer is provided on the electrode, having an elongated first pattern extending in a first direction parallel to the electrode. A contact structure contacts the substrate. The contact structure has an elongated second pattern extending parallel to the first pattern. A dielectric material is provided between the first and second patterns, so that the first and second patterns and dielectric material form a side-wall capacitor connected in parallel to the MOS capacitor.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and reporting sound pressure level exposure for a user of a first communication device (104) is implemented in one embodiment when the device measures a sound pressure level (SPL) of the surrounding environment. The device stores at least the SPL measurement in a memory, producing an SPL exposure record, and displays a visual representation of the SPL exposure record on a display screen (212). In another embodiment, the SPL is measured by a second communication device (102) and combined with a known SPL for an output audio transducer (306) of the second device, producing a user sound exposure level. The user sound exposure level is transmitted to the first communication device. The user is notified when the user sound exposure level exceeds a predetermined threshold. A server (112) may also be used to track SPLs over time and recommend corrective action when exposure limits are exceeded.

Abstract: A photoplethysmographic sensing system for determining a user's pulse rate includes a light emitting device (100, 201, 310, 500) including a first plurality of light emitting particles (108, 208, 317) having a first diameter and emitting light having a first wavelength. A detector (118, 218, 500) is positioned to receive light emitted from the plurality of light emitting particles (108, 208, 317) and a processing device (500) determines the pulse rate. The light emitting device (100, 201, 310, 500) and the detector (118, 218, 500) are disposed on a flexible polymeric material (102, 202, 334). The light emitting device (100, 201, 310, 500) may include a second plurality of light emitting particles (108, 208, 317) having a second diameter and emitting light having a second wavelength, wherein the processing device (500) determines the user's blood oxygen level. The light emitting particles (108, 208, 317) may comprise one of quantum dots, electroluminescent particles, or organic particles.

Abstract: A multi-domain ESD protection circuit structure is described. The preferred embodiment of the present invention selects power lines of an internal circuit as ESD buses. The power lines of the remaining internal circuits are coupled with the ESD buses through the ESD connection cells. In another embodiment of the preferred invention, the VDD power line from one internal circuit and the VSS power line from another circuit are selected as ESD buses. In yet another embodiment, either a VDD power line or a VSS power line of an internal circuit is selected as an ESD bus.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and reporting sound pressure level exposure for a user of a first communication device (104) is implemented in one embodiment when the device measures a sound pressure level (SPL) of the surrounding environment. The device stores at least the SPL measurement in a memory, producing an SPL exposure record, and displays a visual representation of the SPL exposure record on a display screen (212). In another embodiment, the SPL is measured by a second communication device (102) and combined with a known SPL for an output audio transducer (306) of the second device, producing a user sound exposure level. The user sound exposure level is transmitted to the first communication device. The user is notified when the user sound exposure level exceeds a predetermined threshold. A server (112) may also be used to track SPLs over time and recommend corrective action when exposure limits are exceeded.

Abstract: A multi-functional wireless headset may include a heart rate sensing assembly configured to detect heart rate data of a wearer of the headset, and a wireless communication unit configured to communicate heart rate data to a gateway device.

Abstract: Software (100, 600, 1000, 1100) for automatically designing and optimizing signal processing networks (e.g., 200, 700, 800, 900) is provided. The software use genetic programming e.g., gene expression programming in combination with numerical optimization, e.g., a hybrid differential evolution/genetic algorithm numerical optimization to design and optimize signal processing networks.

Abstract: An I/O circuit is disclosed for tolerating a high voltage input without incurring a leakage current. An ESD current bypass module is coupled between a power supply node and a circuit pad. A high voltage tolerant charge module is used for disabling the ESD current bypass module when the circuit pad receives a high voltage input that is higher than a voltage at the power supply node. In addition, a high voltage tolerant discharge module may be included for alleviating the ESD current bypass module from a voltage overstress when the circuit pad receives a low voltage input that is lower than the voltage at the power supply node.

Abstract: Biometric sensors such as electromyographic sensors 21A and 21B sense muscle flexing. The resultant signals are sensed 11 and utilized to establish 13 a corresponding angle of movement and to establish 15 magnitude of movement for an on-screen display indicator such as an on-screen cursor 61. In one embodiment, the electromyographic sensor signals are shifted and scaled 31. Wireless transmissions can be utilized to increase portability of the sensor interface.

Abstract: An I/O circuit is disclosed for tolerating a high voltage input without incurring a leakage current. An ESD current bypass module is coupled between a power supply node and a circuit pad. A high voltage tolerant charge module is used for disabling the ESD current bypass module when the circuit pad receives a high voltage input that is higher than a voltage at the power supply node. In addition, a high voltage tolerant discharge module may be included for alleviating the ESD current bypass module from a voltage overstress when the circuit pad receives a low voltage input that is lower than the voltage at the power supply node.

Abstract: A multi-domain ESD protection circuit structure is described. The preferred embodiment of the present invention selects power lines of an internal circuit as ESD buses. The power lines of the remaining internal circuits are coupled with the ESD buses through the ESD connection cells. In another embodiments of the preferred invention, the VDD power line from one internal circuit and the VSS power line from another circuit are selected as ESD buses. In yet another embodiment, either a VDD power line or a VSS power line of an internal circuit is selected as an ESD bus.

Abstract: An electromyogram device (10) have a conformable housing (11) that houses or otherwise supports an electromyogram signal processor (13), electromyogram sensors (14), and a display (15) that provides, for example, information corresponding to one or more muscle condition parameters such as muscular fatigue. In various embodiments, the device can further include additional displays (34), memory (31), audible alarm mechanisms (32), and/or a wireless receiver and/or transmitter (33). In one embodiment, such devices can communicate amongst one another to permit central and/or remote display of the resultant electromyogram information.

Abstract: A wireless biopotential sensor includes an adhesive strip having a lower surface for placement against the skin of a patient and an upper surface. A pair of conductive electrodes are applied to the lower surface of the adhesive strip. A sensor substrate is applied to the upper surface. The sensor substrate includes first and second conductive contact pads that are placed in registry with the pair of conductive electrodes, with the contact pads arranged in electrical contact with the conductive electrodes. An electronics module is applied to the sensor substrate and arranged in electrical contact with the contact pads. The electronics module comprises a power supply and electronics for generating a wireless signal containing biopotential signals detected by the pair of conductive electrodes.

Abstract: A wireless biopotential sensor includes an adhesive strip having a lower surface for placement against the skin of a patient and an upper surface. A pair of conductive electrodes are applied to the lower surface of the adhesive strip. A sensor substrate is applied to the upper surface. The sensor substrate includes first and second conductive contact pads that are placed in registry with the pair of conductive electrodes, with the contact pads arranged in electrical contact with the conductive electrodes. An electronics module is applied to the sensor substrate and arranged in electrical contact with the contact pads. The electronics module comprises a power supply and electronics for generating a wireless signal containing biopotential signals detected by the pair of conductive electrodes.

Abstract: Biometric sensors such as electromyographic sensors 21A and 21B sense muscle flexing. The resultant signals are sensed 11 and utilized to establish 13 a corresponding angle of movement and to establish 15 magnitude of movement for an on-screen display indicator such as an on-screen cursor 61. In one embodiment, the electromyographic sensor signals are shifted and scaled 31. Wireless transmissions can be utilized to increase portability of the sensor interface.