Abstract: The systems and methods directed towards a centralized control system for managing multiple displays associated with one or more devices. A user is capable of controlling what types of information is displayed on one or more displays. A user may also customize and upgrade functionalities of the various displays through the implementation of upgrades (e.g., software applications) that can be downloaded and installed into the user device. The functionalities may be obtained from a central network.

Abstract: A wireless receiver can be connected to a user device, such as a smartphone or a tablet device. The wireless receiver can receive a wireless data communication from a wireless transmitter. The wireless data communication can include a message code that can be compared by the wireless receiver to a receiver code stored at the wireless receiver to determine whether the wireless transmitter was authorized to transmit the wireless data communication, and/or whether the wireless receiver is authorized to use the wireless data communication. The wireless receiver can then decode a message from the wireless data communication and transmit the message to the user device for viewing through an application.

Abstract: Systems and methods for notifying game-based clocks and players associated with a sporting event using one or more digital whistles are described. More specifically, the one or more digital whistles, for example used by referees, transmit one or more digital signals upon being used. The transmitted digital signals are received by a whistle processor that processes the transmitted digital signals and transmits instructions to the game-based clocks and players in the sporting event for controlling timekeeping and facilitating a flow of the sporting event.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying recorded playbook plays are described. The method includes recording locations of one or more players during execution of a play and evaluating the recorded locations with one or more known plays in a playbook. Based on the evaluation, one or more plays can be identified as being most correlated with the recently executed play. The evaluation can also be used to compare how a particular player has been executing the playbook play (e.g., deviations). Use of the identified play can also be used to produce one or more counter-plays.

Abstract: Event venues include multiple seats for eventgoers, and each seat may be coupled to a seat beacon. The seat beacon may identify the ticket of an eventgoer sitting in them, either by scanning it, interfacing with a user mobile device, or accepting manual input at an interface provided at the seat. A centralized event venue controller may check the ticket identifier against seat identifiers in a ticket purchase information database. If the eventgoer is in the wrong seat, the seat may identify itself locally by lighting a light or remotely by notifying an administrator device. If the eventgoer is in the correct seat, the seat beacon may be used by the eventgoer to order food, drinks, Wi-Fi access, or seat customizations such as a seat heater or a name tag or a cooling cup holder. Such seat customizations can also be provided at the time of ticket purchase.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for providing automatic personal assistance on a user device (e.g., mobile phone). In some embodiments, a personal assistant on a first user device may respond automatically to a received input communication from a second user device. In some embodiments, the personal assistant may perform a local search of data stored on the first user device in order to retrieve data responsive to the received input. In some embodiments, the personal assistant may perform a local load of an entry into an application on the first user device in order to perform an action responsive to the received user input. In some embodiments, the automatic response may include sending a responsive output communication to the second user device. The automatic personal assistance may be customized based on user-editable automatic personal assistance settings.

Abstract: A system and a method of publishing an product document for clients for the purpose of publicly disclosing an invention to end users on the Global Information Network. The system includes a first Web site system having a publicly accessible database for storing a plurality of product documents received from clients. The Web site also includes a search engine accessible to the end user. The search engine is in electronic communication with the database and can receive a search request the end user, allowing the end user access to one or more of the product documents. The product document preferably includes a primary text file and attachment files which may include drawing files. The product documents may be digitally notarized and time/date stamped.

Abstract: The invention relates to electro-optic displays and methods for driving such displays. The invention provides (i) electrochromic displays with solid charge transport layers; (ii) apparatus and methods for improving the contrast and reducing the cost of electrochromic displays; (iii) apparatus and methods for sealing electrochromic displays from the outside environment and preventing ingress of contaminants into such a display; and (iv) methods for adjusting the driving of electro-optic displays to allow for environmental and operating parameters.

Abstract: A method of reviewing inventions using a review board made up of two or more members to determine a final disposition for the invention such as retaining the invention as a trade secret or filing a patent application for the invention. The review is conducted so that no unacceptable comments are made about the inventor or his/her invention. The method further involves identifying problems solved by the invention, identifying the elements of the invention in view of the problems and then drafting a claim in view of the elements. The claim is modified during the review process based on one or more parameters such as business value, prior art and operability of the invention. The review process may be performed by a computer program including user interfaces that facilitate review of the invention and determination of a final disposition for the invention.

Abstract: A plasma processing system includes an automated electrode retention mechanism (130) for providing automated engagement of a source electrode (152) with a drive electrode (154). In addition, an automated electrode handling system (320) is provided that has the ability to remove a source electrode (152) from the electrode retention mechanism and replace it with a second source electrode (152′) that is stored in a staging area (340) outside the plasma processing system vacuum chamber. The system may operate automatically under program control of a computer system (200) coupled thereto.

Abstract: A ceiling tile transmitter and receiver system having at least one transmitter/receiver device located in a ceiling panel either during or after the ceiling panel fabrication process. In one embodiment one or more pockets of variable size and shape are created on a surface of the ceiling panel during or after the ceiling panel manufacturing process and then a transmitter/receiver device, such as an RF antenna, is inserted in the pocket. In another embodiment, the transmitter/receiver device is embedded in the front side (lower surface) of the ceiling tile and a “scrim” covering is placed over it to secure it in place. The transmitter/receiver device can also be embedded inside the ceiling tile or on an upper, lower or side surface of the ceiling tile. Various combinations of these embodiments can be used with a single ceiling tile.

Abstract: A plasma processing system includes an automated electrode retention mechanism (130) for providing automated engagement of a source electrode (152) with a drive electrode (154). In addition, an automated electrode handling system (320) is provided that has the ability to remove a source electrode (152) from the electrode retention mechanism and replace it with a second source electrode (152′) that is stored in a staging area (340) outside the plasma processing system vacuum chamber. The system may operate automatically under program control of a computer system (200) coupled thereto.

Abstract: A structure and method for connecting two levels of interconnect vertically spaced from each other by another level of interconnect by forming a first interconnect region to which contact is to be made, a first insulating layer over the interconnect region, and an etch-stop layer over the first insulating layer, and etching the etch stop layer to form an opening at a position over the first interconnect region. A second interconnect region is formed in contact with the first insulating layer and above the first interconnect region, a second insulating layer is formed over the first insulation layer and the etch stop layer, and an opening is formed in the second insulating layer overlapping the opening in the etch stop layer. The opening in the second insulating layer is extended through the first insulating layer and the openings in the first and second insulating layers are filled with a conductor to create a connection between the first interconnect region and a region above the second insulating layer.

Abstract: A method for temporarily attaching an electrical component to a pad, testing the component, removing and replacing the component if necessary, and making a final attachment of the component to the pad. The method provides for attachment and removal of components, to and from pads located on the substrate of a printed circuit board, wherein the method enables components to be easily removed prior to final assembly without damaging the circuit board or components mounted thereon. The method utilizes a layer of conductive, radiation-curable adhesive placed between the component's lead and the pad. Radiation is then directed through a mask onto a portion of the adhesive layer, which cures the portion while leaving a remaining area of the adhesive layer uncured.

Abstract: A method of etching multiple films with a dual layer hard mask wherein one layer is totally removed and the other layer partially removed during deep trench etching of the silicon substrate. In particular, a method of deep trench etching silicon substrates comprising the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate capable of being etched, with HBr/NF3/He/O2, having a layer of pad dielectric disposed depositing a layer of material capable of selective removability with respect to the pad dielectric, preferably BSG; depositing a layer of material having a slower etch rate than the semiconductor substrate and the layer of material capable of selective removability with respect to the pad dielectric, preferably, silicon oxide deposited by PECVD; patterning at least one of the layers, and etching the semiconductor substrate to form a trench and removing the layer of material having a slower etch rate than the semiconductor substrate, wherein trenches are of close proximity to each other.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features a system for facilitating conception of inventions in a directed manner. The system preferably includes a computer processor programmed to execute one or more of the following; requesting and accepting data input; aggregating and storing the input data; and providing output displaying the aggregated input data. The input data may include the following: mess statements; data statements relating to the mess statements; problem statements relating to the data statements; elements relating to the problem statements, mess statements and/or data statements; solutions to the problem statements; limitations of problem-element-solution combinations; and solutions to the limitations.

Abstract: A pair of directly coupled Field Effect transistors (FETs), a latch of directly coupled FETs, a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell including a latch of directly coupled FETs and the process of forming the directly coupled FET structure, latch and SRAM cell. The vertical FETs, which may be both PFETs, NFETs or one of each, are epi-grown NPN or PNP stacks separated by a gate oxide, SiO2. Each device's gate is the source or drain of the other device of the pair. The preferred embodiment latch includes two such pairs of directly coupled vertical FETs connected together to form cross coupled invertors. A pass gate layer is bonded to one surface of a layer of preferred embodiment latches to form an array of preferred embodiment SRAM cells. The SRAM cell may include one or two pass gates. The preferred embodiment SRAM process has three major steps. First, preferred embodiment latches are formed in an oxide layer on a silicon wafer.

Abstract: A system and a method of publishing an product document for clients for the purpose of publicly disclosing an invention to end users on the Global Information Network. The system includes a first Web site system having a publicly accessible database for storing a plurality of product documents received from clients. The Web site also includes a search engine accessible to the end user. The search engine is in electronic communication with the database and can receive a search request the end user, allowing the end user access to one or more of the product documents. The product document preferably includes a primary text file and attachment files which may include drawing files. The product documents may be digitally notarized and time/date stamped.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor structure that comprises a substrate; a conductor; and insulating layer separating the conductor from the substrate; and a removable conductive strap coupled to the conductor and the substrate for maintaining a common voltage between the conductor and substrate during ion beam and/or plasma processing; and a method for fabricating.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method of facilitating conception of inventive concepts by an inventor, preferably including the following steps. First, interviewing an inventor to identify or otherwise characterize a basic invention. Second, facilitating conception of inventive elements using creative stimulus comprising how-type questions relating to the functioning of the invention identified in the first step. Third repeating the second and third steps.