Abstract: An electrode controls transmittance of a blocking layer over a photodiode of a pixel sensor (e.g., a photodiode of a small pixel detector) by changing oxidation of a metal material included in the blocking layer. By using the electrode to adjust transmittance of the blocking layer, pixel sensors for different uses and/or products may be produced using a single manufacturing process. As a result, power and processing resources are conserved that otherwise would have been expended in switching manufacturing processes. Additionally, production time is decreased (e.g., by eliminating downtime that would otherwise have been used to reconfigure fabrication machines.

Abstract: Provided are structures and methods for forming structures with sloping surfaces of a desired profile. An exemplary method includes performing a first etch process to differentially etch a gate material to a recessed surface, wherein the recessed surface includes a first horn at a first edge, a second horn at a second edge, and a valley located between the first horn and the second horn; depositing an etch-retarding layer over the recessed surface, wherein the etch-retarding layer has a central region over the valley and has edge regions over the horns, and wherein the central region of the etch-retarding layer is thicker than the edge regions of the etch-retarding layer; and performing a second etch process to recess the horns to establish the gate material with a desired profile.

Abstract: A normally closed disc clamp system includes a housing with a rotating disc, a brake ring and a pressure-enhancing ring arranged therein. When only a first chamber is supplied with fluid, the fluid pushes the brake ring to release the rotating disc. When only a second chamber is fed with fluid, the fluid pushes the brake ring to keep the rotating disc in the braking state, and pushes the pressure-enhancing ring to compress an elastic unit. The energy generated by the compression of the elastic unit acts on the brake ring through the fluid, so that the brake ring achieves a double pressurization effect. If the action of the fluid fails, the brake ring can still provide a braking effect to the rotating disc through the elastic unit to improve operational safety. Further, the present invention further provides a rotating table using the normally closed disc clamp system.

Abstract: Methods of cutting gate structures and fins, and structures formed thereby, are described. In an embodiment, a substrate includes first and second fins and an isolation region. The first and second fins extend longitudinally parallel, with the isolation region disposed therebetween. A gate structure includes a conformal gate dielectric over the first fin and a gate electrode over the conformal gate dielectric. A first insulating fill structure abuts the gate structure and extends vertically from a level of an upper surface of the gate structure to at least a surface of the isolation region. No portion of the conformal gate dielectric extends vertically between the first insulating fill structure and the gate electrode. A second insulating fill structure abuts the first insulating fill structure and an end sidewall of the second fin. The first insulating fill structure is disposed laterally between the gate structure and the second insulating fill structure.

Abstract: An electrode controls transmittance of a blocking layer over a photodiode of a pixel sensor (e.g., a photodiode of a small pixel detector) by changing oxidation of a metal material included in the blocking layer. By using the electrode to adjust transmittance of the blocking layer, pixel sensors for different uses and/or products may be produced using a single manufacturing process. As a result, power and processing resources are conserved that otherwise would have been expended in switching manufacturing processes. Additionally, production time is decreased (e.g., by eliminating downtime that would otherwise have been used to reconfigure fabrication machines.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor fabrication method. The method includes forming a gate stack in an area previously occupied by a dummy gate structure; forming a first metal cap layer over the gate stack; forming a first dielectric cap layer over the first metal cap layer; selectively removing a portion of the gate stack and the first metal cap layer while leaving a sidewall portion of the first metal cap layer that extends along a sidewall of the first dielectric cap layer; forming a second metal cap layer over the gate stack and the first metal cap layer wherein a sidewall portion of the second metal cap layer extends further along a sidewall of the first dielectric cap layer; forming a second dielectric cap layer over the second metal cap layer; and flattening a top layer of the first dielectric cap layer and the second dielectric cap layer using planarization operations.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor fin. The semiconductor device includes first spacers over the semiconductor fin. The semiconductor device includes a metal gate structure, over the semiconductor fin, that is sandwiched at least by the first spacers. The semiconductor device includes a gate electrode contacting the metal gate structure. An interface between the metal gate structure and the gate electrode has its side portions extending toward the semiconductor fin with a first distance and a central portion extending toward the semiconductor fin with a second distance, the first distance being substantially less than the second distance.

Abstract: A mouse includes a main body, a supporting component, a stopping structure and an elastic component. The main body has a receiving chamber penetrating through one end of the main body. An upper portion of the main body is equipped with a magnetic attraction component located to a top of the receiving chamber. The supporting component is slidably arranged in the receiving chamber to be retracted into or be pulled out from the receiving chamber. A top of the supporting component is equipped with a magnetic attraction element. The stopping structure is arranged between the main body and the supporting component for limiting the supporting component from being retracted into the main body. One end of the elastic component is connected to the main body, and the other end of the elastic component is connected to the supporting component.

Abstract: A mouse includes a main body, a supporting component, a stopping structure and an elastic component. The main body has a receiving chamber penetrating through one end of the main body. An upper portion of the main body is equipped with a magnetic attraction component located to a top of the receiving chamber. The supporting component is slidably arranged in the receiving chamber to be retracted into or be pulled out from the receiving chamber. A top of the supporting component is equipped with a magnetic attraction element. The stopping structure is arranged between the main body and the supporting component for limiting the supporting component from being retracted into the main body. One end of the elastic component is connected to the main body, and the other end of the elastic component is connected to the supporting component.

Abstract: A game joystick includes a lower half body, an upper half body covering on the lower half body, a battery cover covering on the upper half body and elastic elements mounted in the upper half body. The upper half body is concaved downward to form a plurality of buckling slots. An opening is opened in one sidewall of each buckling slot. The battery cover protrudes downward to form a plurality of buckling strips of which each defines a first pushing surface and a second pushing surface. The elastic element has a first elastic arm fastened in the upper half body, and a second elastic arm passing through the opening to elastically project in the buckling slot. The second elastic arms cooperate with the first pushing surfaces and the second pushing surfaces of the buckling strips inserted into the buckling slots to close or open the battery cover easily.

Abstract: A push-button structure includes a circuit board, a conductive adhesive mounted on the circuit board, a base column, a splinter and a button body. The base column has an assembling portion. A bottom end of the assembling portion is mounted to the circuit board through the conductive adhesive. The splinter mounted to a top end of the base column has a base plate. Several portions of an outer periphery of the base plate meander outward to form a plurality of elastic arms. A free end of the elastic arm is bent upward to form a fastening piece. The button body has a base portion. Several portions of an outer periphery of the bottom surface of the base portion protrude downward to form a plurality of propping plates. The propping plate hooks a top end of the fastening piece to keep a balance of the button body.

Abstract: A game joystick includes a lower half body, an upper half body covering on the lower half body, a battery cover covering on the upper half body and elastic elements mounted in the upper half body. The upper half body is concaved downward to form a plurality of buckling slots. An opening is opened in one sidewall of each buckling slot. The battery cover protrudes downward to form a plurality of buckling strips of which each defines a first pushing surface and a second pushing surface. The elastic element has a first elastic arm fastened in the upper half body, and a second elastic arm passing through the opening to elastically project in the buckling slot. The second elastic arms cooperate with the first pushing surfaces and the second pushing surfaces of the buckling strips inserted into the buckling slots to close or open the battery cover easily.

Abstract: A push-button structure includes a circuit board, a conductive adhesive mounted on the circuit board, a base column, a splinter and a button body. The base column has an assembling portion. A bottom end of the assembling portion is mounted to the circuit board through the conductive adhesive. The splinter mounted to a top end of the base column has a base plate. Several portions of an outer periphery of the base plate meander outward to form a plurality of elastic arms. A free end of the elastic arm is bent upward to form a fastening piece. The button body has a base portion. Several portions of an outer periphery of the bottom surface of the base portion protrude downward to form a plurality of propping plates. The propping plate hooks a top end of the fastening piece to keep a balance of the button body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable apparatus for storing and selectively positioning a portable electronic device in one of a plurality of viewing or operational positions. The apparatus has front and back covers and a connection member hingedly attached to each of the front and back covers. The front cover of the apparatus is preferably provided with bendable structures along first and second diagonals and a midline to provide a plurality of cover segments that can be arranged in different positions to form three-dimensional structures for supporting the device by folding or bending the front cover along the first and second diagonals and the midline. The back cover is adapted for removable interconnection with the electronic device.

Abstract: A trace-detecting computer input device such as a touch input device, optical tracing module, or optical tracing plate includes a trace-detecting module and a microswitch. The trace-detecting module has a neutral position and a depressed position. A first control signal is generated when an object moves across the top of the trace-detecting module. When the trace-detecting module is in the depressed position, the microswitch is activated to generate a second control signal which is in addition to the trace-detecting first control signal.

Abstract: An input device has a body for receiving a circuit board therein. The body has a retaining device which is moved to secure or release a wireless receiver in or from an exterior-facing compartment in the body.

Abstract: An input device has a body for receiving a circuit board therein. The body has a retaining device which is moved to secure or release a wireless receiver in or from an exterior-facing compartment in the body.

Abstract: An optical trace detecting module includes a light-pervious plate, a circuit board, and a light guiding element. The light-pervious plate contacts an object and allows the object to move on a surface thereof. The circuit board is electrically disposed with an optical sensor and a light source. The light guiding element is disposed between the light source and the light-pervious plate. A sensing light projected from the light source is converged and guided by the light guiding element so as to be projected onto a contact region of the light-pervious plate.

Abstract: A notebook handbag includes an anti-vibration chassis for being set a notebook, a shelter board corresponding to the anti-vibration chassis, a first side board deformably formed between the first shelter side and the first bottom side, a second side board formed on the second shelter side, a third side board formed on the third shelter side, a fourth side board formed on the fourth shelter side, and a slide fastener formed between the second bottom side and the second side board, between the third bottom side and the third side board, and between the fourth bottom side and the fourth side board, wherein an opening side of the notebook on the anti-vibration chassis is corresponding to the third side board.

Abstract: A trace-detecting computer input device such as a touch input device, optical tracing module, or optical tracing plate includes a trace-detecting module and a microswitch. The trace-detecting module has a neutral position and a depressed position. A first control signal is generated when an object moves across the top of the trace-detecting module. When the trace-detecting module is in the depressed position, the microswitch is activated to generate a second control signal which is in addition to the trace-detecting first control signal.