Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing content to users of a network that can be selectively recorded via the user's equipment. In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, and on-demand (OD) sessions are used to provide high-speed download of the requested content to the users. The user's equipment (e.g., set-top box) is equipped with a high-density recording device which can both record the content onto a selected medium (e.g., DVD) and optionally provide copyright protection via one or more means such as limiting the number of copies that can be made, and/or digital watermarking. The network operator can also restrict the establishment of the on-demand sessions and/or release of the content to subscribers based on parameters including prior purchase of the content by the user, and the timing of the release of the same content via other distribution channels such as rental and retail.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing dynamic compensation for delays over extant infrastructure within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and the infrastructure comprises that nominally used for on-demand (OD) services such as VOD. The method includes periodically or situationally assessing variable delays within the system associated with functional commands (such as “trick mode” commands), and dynamically compensating for these variable delays in order to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the user's trick mode command. This approach increases user satisfaction, and obviates the issuance of additional compensatory trick mode commands that only further degrade the performance of the network.

Abstract: A chip having at least one electrical contact having a first end proximate to the chip and a second end removed from the chip, the second end including a pattern configured to facilitate penetration of the at least one contact into a malleable contact on another chip, the pattern comprising a non-planar surface having a perimeter and a surface area, the surface area being larger than a planar surface of an identical perimeter.

Abstract: An electrical connection between two chips includes an IC pad on a first chip, an IC pad on a second chip, a first barrier metal over the IC pad of the first chip, a second barrier metal over the IC pad of the second chip, a malleable electrically conductive metal, different from the barrier metals, trapped between the first barrier metal and the second barrier metal, the first barrier metal, the malleable conductive metal and the second barrier metal forming a complete electrically conductive path between the IC pad of the first chip and the IC pad of the second chip.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing dynamic compensation for delays over extant infrastructure within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and the infrastructure comprises that nominally used for on-demand (OD) services such as VOD. The method includes periodically or situationally assessing variable delays within the system associated with functional commands (such as “trick mode” commands), and dynamically compensating for these variable delays in order to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the user's trick mode command. This approach increases user satisfaction, and obviates the issuance of additional compensatory trick mode commands that only further degrade the performance of the network.

Abstract: A method of electrically joining a first contact on a first wafer with a second contact on a second wafer, the first contact, a rigid material, and the second contact, a material that is malleable relative to the rigid material, such that when brought together the rigid material will penetrate the malleable material, the rigid and malleable materials both being electrically conductive involves bringing the rigid material into contact with the malleable material, applying a force to one of the first contact or the second contact so as to cause the rigid material to penetrate the malleable material, heating the rigid and malleable material so as to cause the malleable material to soften, and constraining the malleable material to within a pre-specified area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating images, compressing image data, decompressing image data, and processing the decompressed image data so that it can be used by a rendering circuit of a device, e.g., a set top box, are described. Images are generated in the native format used by the rendering circuit of the device which will ultimately control the display of the image avoiding the need to perform processing associated with converting color component information from one format to another. Uncompressed image data is arranged in a file with color component values being grouped separately from alpha values to facilitate compression by a standard file compression technique. The file is compressed using a conventional file compression operation. The compressed image file is decompressed when needed and the alpha data and color component data is reorganized so that the color component values and alpha value(s) corresponding to individual pixels are grouped together.

Abstract: A chip contact functionally having an IC pad, a barrier layer over the IC pad, and a malleable material over the barrier layer. An alternative chip contact functionally having an IC pad, a barrier layer over the IC pad, and a rigid material over the barrier layer.

Abstract: A method of physically and electrically joining two chips to each other involves aligning an electrically conductive contact of a first chip with a corresponding electrically conductive contact on a second chip, the electrically conductive contact of the first chip being a rigid material and the electrically conductive contact of the second chip being a material that is malleable, bringing the aligned electrically conductive contact of the first chip into contact with the corresponding electrically conductive contact on the second chip, elevating the contact of the chips to a temperature that is below a liquidus temperature for both the rigid material and the material that is malleable while applying pressure to the chips so as to cause the rigid material to penetrate the malleable material and form an electrically conductive connection, and, following the forming of the electrically conductive connection, cooling the contacts to an ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method involves pattern etching a photoresist that is located on a wafer that contains a deposited seed layer to expose portions of the seed layer, plating the wafer so that plating metal builds up on only the exposed seed layer until the plating metal has reached an elevation above the seed layer that is at least equal to a thickness of the seed layer, removing the solid photoresist, and removing seed layer exposed by removal of the photoresist and plated metal until all of the exposed seed layer has been removed.

Abstract: A video content system includes a server module, a video content network coupled to the server module, and a digital set-top terminal coupled to the video content network. The digital set-top terminal in turn includes a processor; an interface coupled to the processor and the video content network; and a memory module. The memory module has at least a partitioned hard disk with a first partition containing digital video programming received over the video content network, and a second partition containing supplemental resources.

Abstract: A method of providing programming content from a video server to a client coupled to the video server by a video content network includes the steps of sending, to the client, a playlist describing an interrelationship between at least one program segment and at least one related segment; sending, from the video server to the client over the video content network, video content comprising the at least one program segment and the at least one related segment; and modifying the playlist via communication to the client. The steps of sending the playlist, sending the content, and modifying the playlist are all accomplished within a single video-on-demand session per user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating images, compressing image data, decompressing image data, and processing the decompressed image data so that it can be used by a rendering circuit of a device, e.g., a set top box, are described. Images are generated in the native format used by the rendering circuit of the device which will ultimately control the display of the image avoiding the need to perform processing associated with converting color component information from one format to another. Uncompressed image data is arranged in a file with color component values being grouped separately from alpha values to facilitate compression by a standard file compression technique. The file is compressed using a conventional file compression operation. The compressed image file is decompressed when needed and the alpha data and color component data is reorganized so that the color component values and alpha value(s) corresponding to individual pixels are grouped together.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating images, compressing image data, decompressing image data, and processing the decompressed image data so that it can be used by a rendering circuit of a device, e.g., a set top box, are described. Images are generated in the native format used by the rendering circuit of the device which will ultimately control the display of the image avoiding the need to perform processing associated with converting color component information from one format to another. Uncompressed image data is arranged in a file with color component values being grouped separately from alpha values to facilitate compression by a standard file compression technique. The file is compressed using a conventional file compression operation. The compressed image file is decompressed when needed and the alpha data and color component data is reorganized so that the color component values and alpha value(s) corresponding to individual pixels are grouped together.

Abstract: A method involves pattern etching a photoresist that is located on a wafer that contains a deposited seed layer to expose portions of the seed layer, plating the wafer so that plating metal builds up on only the exposed seed layer until the plating metal has reached an elevation above the seed layer that is at least equal to a thickness of the seed layer, removing the solid photoresist, and removing seed layer exposed by removal of the photoresist and plated metal until all of the exposed seed layer has been removed.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes first circuitry and sleep transistor circuitry. The first circuitry receives input signals and processes the input signals. The first circuitry also retains data in a sleep state that has low leakage. The sleep transistor circuitry is coupled to the first circuitry and receives a sleep signal. The sleep circuitry reduces power consumption of the first circuitry in the sleep state to have low leakage based on the sleep signal while retaining the data in the first circuitry.

Abstract: An emission control module (14) includes a housing (52) that includes an atmospheric air opening (102) and a vapor emission inlet (104) for communication with a vapor region (32) of a fuel reservoir (16). A hydrocarbon filter (56) is disposed between the atmospheric air opening (102) and the vapor emission inlet (104) to passively filter vapor emissions within the vapor region (32). The housing (52) is configured for purging of the hydrocarbon filter (56) due to a low-pressure draw from the vapor emission inlet (104).

Abstract: A pneumatic prize dispensing system for an arcade game. The game includes a pneumatically-controlled method of suspending and controlling the movement encapsulated prizes within a vertically-oriented transparent tube by means of differential air pressure. A player controls the vertical position of the prize by means of a pneumatic control valve. The object of the game is to control the position of the prize capsule to match a target position zone presented to the contestant via a set of visual cues for a predetermined period of time. The game dispenses the encapsulated prize or alternatively, prize tokens, if the game-winning criteria are achieved.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating program guides and restricting access to programs as a function of program ratings and/or program content are described. Methods of billing for services are also described. Multiple remote controls, e.g., of different types or assigned different identifiers are used. Access to program guide content and actual program content is restricted based on which remote control device is used. Program guide content and program access can be restricted based on a rating level and/or particular attributes of the program, e.g., sex, violence, adult language. For example PG-13 programs with sexual content may be restricted while PG-13 programs with violent content may be allowed to be viewed depending on what restrictions are set. Program attributes may be included in program guide information. Remotes used to provide restricted access may use different control signals from remotes used to provide unrestricted access and can be implemented as simplified remotes.

Abstract: A method for controlling a quantity of medium transferable from a screen roller of a printing machine onto a roller that is in contact with the screen roller includes exerting an influence upon a difference in circumferential speed between the screen roller and the roller in contact therewith, and further includes controlling the difference in the circumferential speed as a function of the printing speed of the printing machine, so that printed medium density remains at least approximately constant at least within a wide printing speed range.