Abstract: An electronic device includes a substrate with a resistive element located thereover. The resistive element includes a semiconductor region. A read module is configured to determine a resistance of the resistive element. A programming module is configured to cause a current to flow through the semiconductor region. The current is sufficient to induce a change of morphology of at least a portion of the semiconductor region.

Abstract: An optical device includes a substrate and a semiconductor layer located over the substrate. The optical path includes a semiconductor layer that further includes a waveguide core region. The core region includes a first semiconductor region with a morphology of a first type and a first refractive index. The first semiconductor region is located adjacent a second semiconductor region that has a morphology of a second type and a second refractive index that is different from the first refractive index.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for detecting if a person has attempted to tamper with an integrated circuit (IC). The apparatus is located on the IC and comprises detection circuitry that detects a build up of electrical charge on the IC and disablement circuitry that disables the IC when the detection circuitry detects a build up of electrical charge on the IC. The method comprises detecting if a build up of electrical charge on the IC has occurred and disabling the IC when a build up of electrical charge on the IC has been detected.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and services that utilize telephone system Central Office recognition of specifically programmed user-initiated signaling to turn on and to turn off one or more muting functions for transmission and/or receipt functions of the user's or another's telephone. Particular embodiments include the use of such methods, systems and services in multi-party conference calls, including where a leader of such conference call can, by pressing keypad commands, actuate the enabling and disabling of transmission and/or receipt paths for one or more other members of the conference call.