Abstract: The present invention is a supporting structure for decorative Christmas lights. The main structure of the present invention is a center pole with a fixed hub at the top, and a movable hub, which can move along the center pole. A plurality of hanging bars are connected to the fixed hub at one end, and connected to the supportive struts at the other end. The other ends of the supportive struts are hooked to the movable hub. This forms an umbrella-like structure. By moving the movable hub along the center pole, the structure can be easily opened up or display or fold to save storage space. It could also form a multi-level structure and a number of variations. The lights can be hanged, or clipped to the structure. When the structure is implemented with hollow tubes, the lights can be inserted inside the tubes. The different styles of attaching lights to the supporting structure can be combined to achieve various desirable visual effects.

Abstract: An image auto-adjusting system calibrates digital image capturing apparatuses. An image capturing module of the apparatus adjusts displayed images according to a set of image adjusting variables. The system comprises a adjusting controller built in the apparatus and a light-path channel. The adjusting controller comprises a set of testing image files and a set of corresponding standard image files. The light-path channel enables a light beam of a testing image displayed on a display module to be captured by the image capturing module and to be an captured image file. The adjusting controller controls the testing image file to be displayed as the testing image on the display module, and the testing image is transmitted to the image capturing module via the light-path channel so as to generate the captured image file. The adjusting controller compares the captured image file with the standard image file to adjust the variables.

Abstract: The invention provides a device and method to determine the exposure setting for an image of a scene with human-face area. Human-face-contour-like patterns are provided in advance. The human-face area of the scene is approximately determined according to a rule, and the specific unit of an exposure metering matrix for the image is also determined. The specific unit relates with the human-face area in the scene. Changing the weighting of the specific unit helps to modify the exposure metering matrix. The exposure setting of the image being captured is then determined according to the modified exposure metering matrix.

Abstract: A decorative lighting structure includes a plurality of lighting tubes which are pivotally fastened end to end by a plurality of convex joints and concave joints, thereby enabling the lighting tubes to be spread out or folded so as to take various forms.

Abstract: A new method is provided for the formation of silicided layers over points of electrical contact that are required in MOSFET devices. The structure of the MOSFET gate electrode is formed, including LDD regions, gate spacers and source/drain regions. A layer of Resist Protective Oxide (RPO) is deposited over the structure and patterned leaving the RPO in place where the silicided layers are not to be formed and exposing surfaces on which salicided layers are to be formed. These surfaces are the surfaces of the substrate overlying the source and drain regions and the surface of the gate electrode. An extra As or BF2 implant is performed into the surface of the exposed regions after which the process of salicidation is performed following conventional processing steps.