Abstract: A spherical puzzle for learning knowledge about geography is disclosed. The spherical puzzle comprises a plastic sphere and a plurality of plastic puzzle pieces. The plastic puzzle pieces are arranged on the plastic sphere by a user and are held to the sphere by magnetism. The puzzle pieces are formed in the shape of specific land masses. Metal mesh is provided on either the plastic puzzle pieces or the plastic sphere to attract magnets on the puzzle pieces or the plastic sphere. A base is provided for holding the sphere and allows the sphere to be rotated or turned.

Abstract: A secure access system and method is disclosed, the access system utilizing a powered secure card with access rights codes that allows an authorized user to gain access to an elevator, an area behind a door, or a particular floor in a building without requiring the user to retrieve the secure card and physically present the secure card to a sensor. Sensors in the access system communicate with a wireless transceiver in the secure card. Each sensor is capable of reading only the type of access code or codes that the sensor has been authorized for reading. A sequence of sensors for allowing or, denying access to areas or functions for the secure card increases security and prevents illicit copying of the access codes and duplication of the secure card.

Abstract: A sanitary dispensing device for dispensing and storing products is disclosed. The sanitary dispensing device comprises a product display area for displaying products or pictures of products, product selection switches for selecting a product for purchase, a payment exchange area for receiving payment, and a product retrieval area for retrieving purchased products. The sanitary dispensing device further comprises a removable display for displaying information such as product information, instructional information, or dynamic advertising. The sanitary dispensing device further comprises an ultraviolet light module for performing sterilization procedures on the products, product packages, and currency. The sanitary dispensing device further comprises a hands sterilization module for sterilizing a user's hands.

Abstract: A self-locking single use syringe comprising a plunger arm, plunger tip, syringe body, and locking sleeve is disclosed. The locking sleeve surrounds tip retaining arms of the plunger arm allowing the tip retaining arms to grasp the plunger tip. When the plunger arm is pulled backwards, sleeve flanges of the locking sleeve protrude into a sleeve lock of the syringe body and the locking sleeve is prevented from moving in a forward direction. As the plunger arm is pushed forward, the tip retaining arms are no longer surrounded by the locking sleeve and the tip retaining arms move outwards and release the plunger tip. After the plunger tip has been released from the plunger arm, the plunger tip and the plunger arm cannot be reconnected and the self-locking single use syringe cannot be reused.

Abstract: A method of semiconductor device fabrication including forming a plurality of gate structures in a first portion of a substrate, wherein the plurality of gate structures have a first height. A first metal gate structure is formed in a second portion of the substrate, the first metal gate structure being surrounded by an isolation region. A plurality of dummy gate structures is formed in the second portion of the substrate. The plurality of dummy gate structures are configured in a ring formation encircling the metal gate structure and the isolation region. The plurality of dummy structures have a top surface that is substantially planar with the plurality of gate structures and covers at least 5% of a pattern density of the second portion of the substrate.

Abstract: A communication device for a multiple language translation system is disclosed. The communication device allows users to communicate with others using their own preferred language and the communication device provides a translation for each user in their preferred language. The communication device comprises a wireless transceiver for communicating with other users, networks, and the Internet. Operation switches are provided for controlling operation of the communication device. Signal indicators visually show status or conditions. A user hears the translation via an earphone or sees the translation on a display. A remote control allows the communication device to be controlled remotely.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing and storing disposable hand-held dental tools is disclosed. The hand-held dental tool dispensing device comprises a product display area for displaying dental tools or pictures of dental tools, product selection switches for selecting a dental tool for purchase, a payment exchange area for receiving payment, and a product retrieval area for retrieving purchased dental tools. The hand-held dental tool dispensing device further comprises a removable display for displaying information such as product information, instructional information, or advertising. The hand-held dental tool dispensing device further comprises an ultraviolet light module for performing sterilization procedures on the hand-held dental tools.

Abstract: A multiple language translation system is disclosed. A code stream that is transmitted between users comprises a language code indicating the language used, a sentence code indicating a sentence structure, and at least one word code. The word codes are codes representing a word in the language that the language code represents. Each word code comprises a number code representing a unique word and a grammar code indicating grammatical usage the word. During translation of the code stream, the sentence code is used to format the word codes or the words represented by the word codes in a correct sentence. The code stream is translated by identifying the language code and translating the word codes into a second language. The sentence code is then used to arrange the words of the second language into a grammatically correct sentence.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided which includes a semiconductor substrate having a first portion and a second portion, transistors formed in the first portion of the substrate, each transistor having a gate structure with a high-k dielectric and a metal gate, a device element formed in the second portion of the substrate, the device element being isolated by an isolation region, and a polishing stopper formed adjacent the isolation region and having a surface that is substantially planar with a surface of the gate structures of the transistors in the first region.

Abstract: An illuminated emblem comprising a back cover for protection from weather, a top cover attaching to the back cover, at least one light emitting diode (LED) disposed between the top cover and the bottom cover, and at least one light affecting piece attaching to the top cover is disclosed. The top cover comprises a transparent, semi-transparent, translucent, or colored material. The at least one light affecting piece blocks light, colors light, or affects brightness of the light emitted by the at least one LED light source. Various light patterns are created by shapes of the light affecting pieces. Light emitted by the LED light source shines through the top cover and is affected by the composition of the top cover. At the same time, light emitted by the LED light source shines onto the light affecting piece and is affected by the light affecting piece.

Abstract: A hand-held dental tool with a main body, an isolated weight inside the main body, and at least one implement. The at least one implement is partially molded inside the main body leaving part of the implement exposed. A main body cap with threads that mate with threads on the main body is provided to allow the cap to be screwed into the main body and retain the isolated weight inside an unthreaded hollow chamber of the main body. A use indicator indicates that the dental tool has been used once. As a result a patient can determine whether or not the dental tool has been previously used on another patient. The main body, implement, the use indicator, and main body cap are disposed of after a single use and the weight is kept for future use.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided that includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region, transistors having metal gates formed in the first region, an isolation structure formed in the second region, at least one junction device formed proximate the isolation structure in the second region, and a stopping structure formed overlying the isolation structure in the second region.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes providing a substrate; forming a transistor in the substrate, the transistor having a dummy gate; forming a dielectric layer over the substrate and transistor; forming a contact feature in the dielectric layer; and after forming the contact feature, replacing the dummy gate of the transistor with a metal gate. An exemplary contact feature is a dual contact.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a source and a drain region formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a gate structure disposed on the substrate between the source and drain regions. The gate structure includes an interfacial layer formed over the substrate, a high-k dielectric formed over the interfacial layer, and a metal gate formed over the high-k dielectric that includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer, where the first metal layer is formed on a portion of the sidewalls of the gate structure and where the second metal layer is formed on another portion of the sidewalls of the gate structure.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes providing a substrate; forming a transistor in the substrate, the transistor having a dummy gate; forming a dielectric layer over the substrate and transistor; forming a contact feature in the dielectric layer; and after forming the contact feature, replacing the dummy gate of the transistor with a metal gate. An exemplary contact feature is a dual contact.

Abstract: A spherical puzzle for learning knowledge about geography is disclosed. The spherical puzzle comprises a sphere and a plurality of puzzle pieces. The puzzle pieces can be arranged on the sphere by a user and are held to the sphere by magnetism. The puzzle pieces are formed in the shape of specific land masses and/or water masses. A base is provided for holding the sphere and allows the sphere to be rotated or turned.

Abstract: A spherical puzzle for learning knowledge about geography is disclosed. The spherical puzzle comprises a plastic sphere and a plurality of plastic puzzle pieces. The plastic puzzle pieces are arranged on the plastic sphere by a user and are held to the sphere by magnetism. The puzzle pieces are formed in the shape of specific land masses. Metal mesh is provided on either the plastic puzzle pieces or the plastic sphere to attract magnets on the puzzle pieces or the plastic sphere. A base is provided for holding the sphere and allows the sphere to be rotated or turned.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate stack on the semiconductor substrate; forming a gate spacer adjacent to a sidewall of the gate stack; thinning the gate spacer; and forming a secondary gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate spacer after the step of thinning the gate spacer.

Abstract: A secure card comprising biometric data of an individual for identifying or confirming authority of the individual. Prior to issuing the secure card a cardholder's biometric data is stored in the secure cards memory. When the secure card is used the cardholder inputs biometric data. This input biometric data is then compared to the biometric data stored in the card. If the input biometric data matches the stored biometric data the identity of the cardholder is confirmed. The secure card also comprises a transparent input area to separate the cardholder from an identity verification machine.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a substrate including a dummy gate structure formed thereon, removing the dummy gate structure to form a trench, forming a first metal layer over the substrate to fill a portion of the trench, forming a protection layer in a remaining portion of the trench, removing a unprotected portion of the first metal layer, removing the protection layer from the trench, and forming a second metal layer over the substrate to fill the trench.