Abstract: A memory device and a method for manufacturing the memory device are provided. The memory device includes a substrate, a plurality of first gate structures, a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, a third dielectric layer and a contact plug. The first gate structures are formed on an array region of the substrate. The first dielectric layer is formed on top surfaces and sidewalls of the first gate structures. The second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer and in direct contact with the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer and the first dielectric layer are made of the same material. The third dielectric layer is formed between the first gate structures and defines a plurality of contact holes exposing the substrate. The contact plug fills the contact holes.

Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming the interconnect structure are provided. A dielectric layer and openings therein are formed over a substrate. A conductive seed layer is formed over the top surface and along a bottom and sidewalls of the openings. A conductive fill layer is formed over the seed layer. Metal oxide on the surface of the seed layer may be reduced/removed by a surface pre-treatment. The cleaned surface is covered by depositing fill material over the seed layer without exposing the surface to oxygen. The surface treatment may include a reactive remote plasma clean using hydrogen radicals. If electroplating is used to deposit the fill layer, then the surface treatment may include soaking the substrate in the electrolyte before turning on the electroplating current. Other surface treatments may include active pre-clean (APC) using hydrogen radicals; or Ar sputtering using a metal clean version xT (MCxT) tool.

Abstract: Native file encryption support is integrated into an existing file system that does not provide such support, such as the FAT family of file systems, while maintaining backwards compatibility with previous implementations of these file systems.

Abstract: A video processing method includes receiving a bitstream, and decoding, by a video decoder, the bitstream to generate a decoded frame. The decoded frame is a projection-based frame that has a 360-degree image/video content represented by triangular projection faces packed in a triangle-based projection layout. An omnidirectional image/video content of a viewing sphere is mapped onto the triangular projection faces via a triangle-based projection of the viewing sphere. An equator of the viewing sphere is not mapped along any side of each of the triangular projection faces.

Abstract: A driver blade, for use with a powered fastener driver, includes an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis. The body includes a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. A first edge extends between the top surface and the bottom surface. The driver blade further includes a plurality of teeth formed along the first edge and extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The driver blade is manufactured using a metal injection molding process.

Abstract: A food processing device, comprising a bowl with a lid, the lid is provided with a food feed tube. The device also has a spiral cutting means provided at the top of the bowl such that as food enters the bowl via the food feed tube it is cut into continuous ribbons or strips. The spiral cutting means comprises a spiral cutter disc base having a disc-set with a plurality of different types of spiral cutting discs, each of which can be separately aligned with the food feed tube to cut the food into a different shaped continuous ribbon or strip. By rotating the spiral cutter disc base the user can line up a first cutting disc with the food feed tube, make some food cuts, then turn the spiral cutter disc base so that a second cutter disk is lined up with the feed tube and then make a different food cut. In this way the user can cut food into different sizes of ribbon, spaghetti, etc. to achieve a superior presentation of food (e.g. fruits and vegetables).

Abstract: Provided is a landing pad structure including a substrate, a plurality of landing pads, a guard ring, and an edge pattern. The substrate includes a cell region, a periphery region, and a guard ring region located between the cell region and the periphery region. The landing pads are arranged on the substrate in the cell region in a hexagonal close packing (HCP) configuration. The guard ring is disposed on the substrate in the guard ring region in a strip form. The edge pattern is disposed on the substrate in the cell region and close to the guard ring region. A method of manufacturing the landing pad structure is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a core structure, a first pattern and a second pattern. The core structure is disposed on a substrate. The first pattern covers a sidewall of a bottom portion of the core structure. The top surface of the first pattern is lower than a top surface of the core structure. The second pattern is disposed on the first pattern and covering a top portion of the core structure. A sidewall of the top portion of the core structure and the top surface of the core structure are covered by the second pattern. The second pattern has an upper portion tapered away from the substrate. A material of the first pattern is different from a material of the second pattern.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for detecting skin conditions, and the method includes the steps of: capturing a skin image from a suspected subject; decomposing the skin image into an RBX image through RBX color-space transformation; and determining skin condition of the subject according to a parameter of a color model of the RBX image.

Abstract: A video processing method includes receiving a bitstream, and decoding, by a video decoder, the bitstream to generate a decoded frame. The decoded frame is a projection-based frame that has a 360-degree image/video content represented by triangular projection faces packed in an octahedron projection layout. An omnidirectional image/video content of a viewing sphere is mapped onto the triangular projection faces via an octahedron projection of the viewing sphere. An equator of the viewing sphere is not mapped along any side of each of the triangular projection faces.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The manufacturing method includes the following steps. A core structure and a first material layer are formed on a substrate in order. A top surface of the first material layer is lower than a top surface of the core structure. A second pattern is formed on an exposed surface of the core structure. The method of forming the second pattern includes forming a second material layer on the exposed surface of the core structure and the top surface of the first material layer and performing an anisotropic etching on the second material layer. The first material layer is patterned by using the second pattern as a mask to form a first pattern. The step of forming the second material layer and the step of performing an anisotropic etching on the second material layer are performed in the same etching chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure illustrates a temperature sensing device capable of automatically switching mode, and a method thereof. The temperature sensing device includes a control unit configured to determine that the temperature sensing device is to enter or leave from a first mode or a second mode; a power supply unit configured to provide power required by the temperature sensing device; a power circuit including the power supply unit and is electrically connected to the control unit for power supply. The power circuit includes a detection unit electrically connected to the power supply unit and the control unit, and the detection unit is configured to detect when the temperature sensing device is moved from a standing state, and enable the control unit to determine that the temperature sensing device is to leave from the first mode and enter the second mode.

Abstract: Various examples of the present disclosure provide a high efficient battery system, and systems and methods for intelligently discharging and charging the battery system such that an output voltage of the battery system is maintained within a predetermined voltage range. In some examples, a base board controller (BMC) is used to manage charging and discharging of the battery system. The BMC can provide both over-charging protection and over-discharging protection for the battery system.

Abstract: The present disclosure illustrates a temperature sensing device capable of automatically switching mode, and a method thereof. The temperature sensing device includes a control unit configured to determine that the temperature sensing device is to enter or leave from a first mode or a second mode; a power supply unit configured to provide power required by the temperature sensing device; a power circuit including the power supply unit and is electrically connected to the control unit for power supply. The power circuit includes a detection unit electrically connected to the power supply unit and the control unit, and the detection unit is configured to detect when the temperature sensing device is moved from a standing state, and enable the control unit to determine that the temperature sensing device is to leave from the first mode and enter the second mode.

Abstract: An optical encoding device includes a code disc, an optical signal generator, (K+1) optical sensors and an encoding circuit. The code disk has K gratings arranged in a row. The total width of the optical sensors is equal to the total width W of the gratings. The optical sensor receives the optical signal through the code disk. Each optical sensor converts the optical signal into a voltage signal and outputs the voltage signal. The encoding circuit receives and normalizes the voltage signals to generate (K+1) voltage values. During a period in which the code disk rotates by a distance of 2W/K, the encoding circuit compares the voltage values with a preset value to generate at least two binary codes. When K is odd, the preset value is 0.5, and when K is even, the preset value is 0.55. The present invention can increase an absolute row resolution of the code disc.

Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming the interconnect structure are provided. A dielectric layer and openings therein are formed over a substrate. A conductive seed layer is formed over the top surface and along a bottom and sidewalls of the openings. A conductive fill layer is formed over the seed layer. Metal oxide on the surface of the seed layer may be reduced/removed by a surface pre-treatment. The cleaned surface is covered by depositing fill material over the seed layer without exposing the surface to oxygen. The surface treatment may include a reactive remote plasma clean using hydrogen radicals. If electroplating is used to deposit the fill layer, then the surface treatment may include soaking the substrate in the electrolyte before turning on the electroplating current. Other surface treatments may include active pre-clean (APC) using hydrogen radicals; or Ar sputtering using a metal clean version xT (MCxT) tool.

Abstract: A power supply unit that allows measurement of the capacitance without interrupting operation of the unit is disclosed. The unit includes a controller that causes a voltage change of a capacitor from a first threshold voltage between two periods of time. The time difference of when the voltage reaches a second threshold voltage is measured and the capacitance is determined from the time measurement, voltage change and power dissipation. The determination of capacitance may be performed while the power supply unit is actively supplying power.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided to efficiently detect the position and angular velocity of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of a UAV system including a transmitter antenna array and a receiver antenna array. In one example, a method includes establishing a wireless link between a UAV controller and a UAV using at least one transmitter antenna array and/or at least one receiver antenna array, communicating link state data corresponding to the established wireless link over the established wireless link, generating UAV operational data based, at least in part, on the link state data, wherein the UAV operational data is configured to control operation of the UAV, and controlling operation of the UAV using the UAV operational data.