Abstract: A friction drive transmission includes a drive pulley having an engaging face, a tip plate that supports the drive pulley and is configured to pivot about a pivot axis that is parallel to an axis of rotation of the engaging face of the drive pulley, and a friction ring that drives an axle. The friction ring may contact the engaging face of the drive pulley and may be moveable relative to the engaging face of the drive pulley to transition between forward rotation and reverse rotation. When the friction ring moves into a reverse rotation position for reverse rotation of the axle, the tip plate may pivot, with the drive pulley, about the pivot axis from a first position into a second position. The first position may be different from the second position.

Abstract: A friction drive transmission includes a drive pulley having an engaging face, a tip plate that supports the drive pulley and is configured to pivot about a pivot axis that is parallel to an axis of rotation of the engaging face of the drive pulley, and a friction ring that drives an axle. The friction ring may contact the engaging face of the drive pulley and may be moveable relative to the engaging face of the drive pulley to transition between forward rotation and reverse rotation. When the friction ring moves into a reverse rotation position for reverse rotation of the axle, the tip plate may pivot, with the drive pulley, about the pivot axis from a first position into a second position. The first position may be different from the second position.

Abstract: In one aspect, a semiconductor device includes a first region, a second region and a trench separating the first and the second regions. The trench includes a trench liner that includes a dielectric, and a semiconductor material surrounded by the trench liner. The first region includes a first buried layer implanted in a substrate, a first stack of layers that includes a first middle layer located above the first buried layer, a first well located on and in contact with the first middle layer and a second well in contact with the first well. The second region includes a second stack of layers. In response to a voltage difference between the first and the second regions exceeding a threshold voltage, a conduction current is formed. A distance of the first stack of layers to the trench controls the conduction current to activate a transistor to function as a voltage clamp.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a device that includes a circuit, such as a memory cell, and an isolation structure to electrically isolate the circuit cell. The isolation structure can include a p-type substrate, a first series of p-type material extending to the p-type substrate, and a second series of p-type material extending to the p-type substrate. The first series of p-type material, the p-type substrate, and the second series of p-type material surrounds a first side, a second side, and a bottom of the circuit cell to electrically isolate the circuit cell with continuous p-type material. In some embodiments, the first series of p-type material comprises p-type well regions. In some embodiments, the first series of p-type material comprises deep trench isolation.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle (10) may include a chassis supporting a storage tank (14) in which an aqueous solution is contained, a mobility assembly operably coupled to the chassis to provide mobility for the robotic vehicle (10) about a service area, a positioning module configured to provide guidance for the robotic vehicle (10) during transit of the robotic vehicle (10) over the service area, a spray assembly and control circuitry. The spray assembly may be operably coupled to the storage tank to spray the aqueous solution via a nozzle and a pump during the transit of the robotic vehicle (10) over the service area. The control circuitry (12) may be operably coupled to the spray assembly. The control circuitry (12) may be configured to determine characteristics of the nozzle to control an amount of the aqueous solution applied to the service area based on the characteristics of the nozzle.

Abstract: In one aspect, a flash memory cell includes a well having a first-type dopant, a source having a second-type dopant and formed within the well, a drain having the second-type dopant and formed within the well, a floating gate above the well, a control gate above the floating gate, an oxide compound disposed between the floating gate and the control gate, and a tunnel oxide disposed between the floating gate and the well. The flash memory cell is configured, in one of a program mode or an erase mode, to move an electron from the source to the floating gate. The flash memory cell is configured, in the other one of the program or the erase mode, to move an electron is from the floating gate to the drain.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle (10) charging station (40) may include a charge interface configured to charge a battery (210) of a robotic vehicle (10) responsive to docking of the robotic vehicle (10) at the charging station (40), and a mixing assembly (240) configured to facilitate mixing a solid material and a liquid to form an aqueous solution for provision to a storage tank (14) of the robotic vehicle.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle (10) may include a chassis supporting a storage tank in which an aqueous solution is contained, a mobility assembly operably coupled to the chassis to provide mobility for the robotic vehicle about a service area (20), a positioning module (60) configured to provide guidance for the robotic vehicle (10) during transit of the robotic vehicle (10) over the service area (20), a spray assembly (90) and control circuitry (12).

Abstract: A method comprising: performing a first read from an address in a data storage module by using a first read voltage; storing, in a first register, data that is retrieved from the data storage module as a result of the first read; performing a second read from the address by using a second read voltage; storing, in a second register, data that is retrieved from the data storage module as a result of the second read; detecting whether a weak bit condition is present at the address based on the data that is stored in the first register and the data that is stored in the second register; and correcting the weak bit condition, when the weak bit condition is present at the address.

Abstract: A traffic light and speed camera notification system and method. The traffic light and speed camera notification system includes a user device with a GPS unit that is able to locate a position of the user device. A server is in communication with the user device and able to transmit to the user device traffic light camera location information and speed camera location information. When the user device crosses a threshold distance of a speed or traffic camera, an alert is generated on the user device. The alert is an audible sound from the user device and/or displays a notification text message box. Further, the traffic light and speed camera notification system does not require a destination location to be input or a route to be programed for the alert to be generated.

Abstract: A method for use in a memory device including a first memory matrix is provided, the method comprising: receiving a write request that is associated with a first memory cell, the first memory cell being part of the first memory matrix; copying a content of a second memory cell into a register, the second memory cell being part of the first memory matrix; overwriting the second memory cell with the content of the register when the content of the second memory cell is different from the content of the register; and writing, to the first memory cell, at least a portion of data that is associated with the write request.

Abstract: A method for use in a memory device including a first memory matrix is provided, the method comprising: receiving a write request that is associated with a first memory cell, the first memory cell being part of the first memory matrix; copying a content of a second memory cell into a register, the second memory cell being part of the first memory matrix; overwriting the second memory cell with the content of the register when the content of the second memory cell is different from the content of the register; and writing, to the first memory cell, at least a portion of data that is associated with the write request.

Abstract: A method comprising: performing a first read from an address in a data storage module by using a first read voltage; storing, in a first register, data that is retrieved from the data storage module as a result of the first read; performing a second read from the address by using a second read voltage; storing, in a second register, data that is retrieved from the data storage module as a result of the second read; detecting whether a weak bit condition is present at the address based on the data that is stored in the first register and the data that is stored in the second register; and correcting the weak bit condition, when the weak bit condition is present at the address.

Abstract: A traffic light and speed camera notification system and method. The traffic light and speed camera notification system includes a user device with a GPS unit that is able to locate a position of the user device. A server is in communication with the user device and able to transmit to the user device traffic light camera location information and speed camera location information. When the user device crosses a threshold distance of a speed or traffic camera, an alert is generated on the user device. The alert is an audible sound from the user device and/or displays a notification text message box. Further, the traffic light and speed camera notification system does not require a destination location to be input or a route to be programed for the alert to be generated.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating an integrated circuit having a plurality of gate dielectrics. The methods are provided to include: forming one or more isolation trenches and a first active region and a second active region in a substrate; depositing hard mask material on the substrate; removing a first portion of the hard mask material over the first active region; forming a first oxide layer having a first thickness over the first active region; removing a second portion of the hard mask material over the second active region; and forming a second oxide layer having a second thickness over the first and second active regions such that a thickness of oxide formed over the first active region comprises a sum of the thickness of the first oxide layer and the second oxide layer, and a thickness of oxide formed over the second active region comprises the second thickness.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating an integrated circuit having a plurality of gate dielectrics. The methods are provided to include: forming one or more isolation trenches and a first active region and a second active region in a substrate; depositing hard mask material on the substrate; removing a first portion of the hard mask material over the first active region; forming a first oxide layer having a first thickness over the first active region; removing a second portion of the hard mask material over the second active region; and forming a second oxide layer having a second thickness over the first and second active regions such that a thickness of oxide formed over the first active region comprises a sum of the thickness of the first oxide layer and the second oxide layer, and a thickness of oxide formed over the second active region comprises the second thickness.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for plants, said apparatus that features a planter with a closed bottom, sidewalls, and an open top, wherein a protruding lip is defined on an exterior surface of the sidewalls in proximity to the open top; and a first cover with an open bottom, sidewalls, and a closed top, wherein a set of clasping mechanisms are located on two opposing sidewalls in proximity to the open bottom, and wherein the clasping mechanism reversibly attaches the cover to the lip of the planter. The invention further provides a second, insulating cover with an open bottom, sidewalls, and a closed top, wherein the second cover is received by the first cover after the first cover is reversibly attached to the planter.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for plants, said apparatus that features a planter with a closed bottom, sidewalls, and an open top, wherein a protruding lip is defined on an exterior surface of the sidewalls in proximity to the open top; and a first cover with an open bottom, sidewalls, and a closed top, wherein a set of clasping mechanisms are located on two opposing sidewalls in proximity to the open bottom, and wherein the clasping mechanism reversibly attaches the cover to the lip of the planter. The invention further provides a second, insulating cover with an open bottom, sidewalls, and a closed top, wherein the second cover is received by the first cover after the first cover is reversibly attached to the planter.

Abstract: A substrate protection and transport system and method for transitioning a substrate from atmospheric pressure to vacuum in a lithography tool. The system includes one or more removable substrate transport cassettes that support a substrate. The cassette can include a base portion and top portion, and can include a seal. Each cassette has at least one vent and at least one filter. The system further includes a box having a base and lid. The box holds one or more cassette-substrate arrangements. A storage rack having shelves for holding the box-cassette-substrate arrangement is also provided. Further, an entry-exit module having a loadlock is provided for transitioning the cassette-substrate arrangement from atmospheric pressure to vacuum. The entry-exit module can include a shuttle and/or elevator for transporting the cassette-substrate arrangement.

Abstract: A reticle protection and transport system and method for a lithography tool. The system includes an indexer that stores a plurality of reticles and a removable reticle cassette. The removable reticle cassette is comprised of an inner chamber and an outer chamber. The system further includes an end effector coupled to a robotic arm. The end effector engages one of the plurality of reticles to enable the reticle to be positioned within the removable reticle cassette and thereafter transported. The system further includes a seal, coupled to the end effector and the robotic arm. To transport the reticle, the reticle is first loaded onto the end effector. Next, the end effector is used to create an arrangement wherein the reticle is loaded into the removable reticle cassette. Importantly, the reticle and removable reticle cassette do not come into contact with one another.