Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an underlying structure is formed over a substrate. A film is formed over the underlying structure. Surface topography of the film is measured and the surface topography is stored as topography data. A local etching is performed by using directional etching and scanning the substrate so that an entire surface of the film is subjected to the directional etching. A plasma beam intensity of the directional etching is adjusted according to the topography data.

Abstract: A method includes forming a package, which includes forming a plurality of redistribution lines over a carrier, and forming a thermal dissipation block over the carrier. The plurality of redistribution lines and the thermal dissipation block are formed by common processes. The thermal dissipation block has a first metal density, and the plurality of redistribution lines have a second metal density smaller than the first metal density. The method further includes forming a metal post over the carrier, placing a device die directly over the thermal dissipation block, and encapsulating the device die and the metal post in an encapsulant. The package is then de-bonded from the carrier.

Abstract: An offset overlap type of a modulated ferromagnetic pole piece ring and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The modulated ferromagnetic pole piece ring comprises a plurality of ring pieces overlapped with each other. At least one ring piece comprises a plurality of main ribs, a plurality of inner ribs, and a plurality of outer ribs. The main ribs are arranged in a circular manner with intervals in between, and a plurality of first gaps and a plurality of second gaps are formed alternately between the main ribs, wherein the inner ribs are respectively located in the first gaps, and the outer ribs are respectively located in the second gaps.

Abstract: Event intensity assessment can include detecting an event description within textual input received via a data communication network. An event-correlated data structure based on the event can be generated, the event-correlated data structure including an event descriptor corresponding to the event. An event sentiment can be determined based on the event descriptor and an event impact based on a quantitative temporal-spatial measure corresponding to the event. An event intensity can be determined based on the event sentiment and event impact. A GUI can be modified in response to the event intensity exceeding a predetermined threshold. The GUI can be modified to indicate the event and the event intensity.

Abstract: Event intensity assessment can include detecting an event description within textual input received via a data communication network. An event-correlated data structure based on the event can be generated, the event-correlated data structure including an event descriptor corresponding to the event. An event sentiment can be determined based on the event descriptor and an event impact based on a quantitative temporal-spatial measure corresponding to the event. An event intensity can be determined based on the event sentiment and event impact. A GUI can be modified in response to the event intensity exceeding a predetermined threshold. The GUI can be modified to indicate the event and the event intensity.

Abstract: An endoscope particularly suited for endocranial procedures and a method of using the endoscope. In some examples the endoscope is rigid except for a bend/tilt portion near a distal end of a rigid tube that is inserted in a patient's cranium, which distal end is controlled in a degree and direction of tilt with a finger operated controller at the endoscope's handle. Some examples use telescoping tubes that allow customizing the endoscope size for specific procedures. A distal portion of the endoscope can be disposable, supplied in a sterile package for a single procedure, thus taking into account contamination dangers that are particularly high for intracranial and certain other interventions and the fact that it can be difficult or impossible to effectively autoclave heat-sensitive components of certain endoscopes or effectively sterilize them using other techniques.

Abstract: A security system includes a physical unclonable function circuit, a write-in protection circuit, a memory, and a readout decryption circuit. The physical unclonable function circuit provides a plurality of random bit strings. The write-in protection circuit receives a write-in address and original data, and includes an address scrambling unit. The address scrambling unit generates a scrambled address by scrambling a write-in address according to a random bit string provided by the physical unclonable function circuit. The memory stores the storage data corresponding to the original data according to the scrambled address. The readout decryption circuit reads out the storage data from the memory according to the write-in address to derive the original data.

Abstract: Various examples with respect to method and apparatus for active stereo vision are described. An apparatus may include an electromagnetic (EM) wave emitter, a first sensor and a second sensor. During operation, the EM wave emitter emits EM waves toward a scene, the first sensor captures a first image of the scene in an infrared (IR) spectrum, and the second sensor captures a second image of the scene in a light spectrum. The first image and second image, when processed, may enable active stereo vision.

Abstract: A sensing amplification circuit includes a sensing amplifier and a trigger control circuit. The sensing amplifier receives a data voltage and a reference voltage, and outputs a first data signal and a second data signal by comparing the data voltage and the reference voltage. The trigger control circuit includes a logic circuit and a set-reset latch. The logic circuit receives the first data signal and the second data signal, and changes a first control signal from a first voltage level to a second voltage level when one of the first data signal and the second data signal changes its state. The first set-reset latch receives the first control signal and a second control signal, and generates a trigger signal to enable the sensing amplifier when the second control signal changes state and disable the sensing amplifier when the first control signal changes state.

Abstract: A security system with entropy bits includes a physically unclonable function circuit, and a security key generator. The physically unclonable function circuit provides a plurality of entropy bit strings. The security key generator generates a security key by manipulating a manipulation bit string derived from the plurality of entropy bit strings according to an operation entropy bit string. Each bit of the operation entropy bit string is used to determine whether to perform a corresponding operation to the manipulation bit string.

Abstract: A sensing amplification circuit includes a sensing amplifier and a trigger control circuit. The sensing amplifier receives a data voltage and a reference voltage, and outputs a first data signal and a second data signal by comparing the data voltage and the reference voltage. The trigger control circuit includes a logic circuit and a set-reset latch. The logic circuit receives the first data signal and the second data signal, and changes a first control signal from a first voltage level to a second voltage level when one of the first data signal and the second data signal changes its state. The first set-reset latch receives the first control signal and a second control signal, and generates a trigger signal to enable the sensing amplifier when the second control signal changes state and disable the sensing amplifier when the first control signal changes state.

Abstract: An endoscope particularly suited for endocranial procedures and a method of using the endoscope. In some examples the endoscope is rigid except for a bend/tilt portion near a distal end of a rigid tube that is inserted in a patient's cranium, which distal end is controlled in a degree and direction of tilt with a finger operated controller at the endoscope's handle. Some examples use telescoping tubes that allow customizing the endoscope size for specific procedures. A distal portion of the endoscope can be disposable, supplied in a sterile package for a single procedure, thus taking into account contamination dangers that are particularly high for intracranial and certain other interventions and the fact that it can be difficult or impossible to effectively autoclave heat-sensitive components of certain endoscopes or effectively sterilize them using other techniques.

Abstract: Various examples with respect to method and apparatus for active stereo vision are described. An apparatus may include an electromagnetic (EM) wave emitter, a first sensor and a second sensor. During operation, the EM wave emitter emits EM waves toward a scene, the first sensor captures a first image of the scene in an infrared (IR) spectrum, and the second sensor captures a second image of the scene in a light spectrum. The first image and second image, when processed, may enable active stereo vision.

Abstract: An endoscope particularly suited for endocranial procedures and a method of using the endoscope. In some examples the endoscope is rigid except for a bend/tilt portion near a distal end of a rigid tube that is inserted in a patient's cranium, which distal end is controlled in a degree and direction of tilt with a finger operated controller at the endoscope's handle. Some examples use telescoping tubes that allow customizing the endoscope size for specific procedures. A distal portion of the endoscope can be disposable, supplied in a sterile package for a single procedure, thus taking into account contamination dangers that are particularly high for intracranial and certain other interventions and the fact that it can be difficult or impossible to effectively autoclave heat-sensitive components of certain endoscopes or effectively sterilize them using other techniques.

Abstract: A security system includes a physical unclonable function circuit, a write-in protection circuit, a memory, and a readout decryption circuit. The physical unclonable function circuit provides a plurality of random bit strings. The write-in protection circuit receives a write-in address and original data, and includes an address scrambling unit. The address scrambling unit generates a scrambled address by scrambling a write-in address according to a random bit string provided by the physical unclonable function circuit. The memory stores the storage data corresponding to the original data according to the scrambled address. The readout decryption circuit reads out the storage data from the memory according to the write-in address to derive the original data.

Abstract: A security system with entropy bits includes a physically unclonable function circuit, and a security key generator. The physically unclonable function circuit provides a plurality of entropy bit strings. The security key generator generates a security key by manipulating a manipulation bit string derived from the plurality of entropy bit strings according to an operation entropy bit string. Each bit of the operation entropy bit string is used to determine whether to perform a corresponding operation to the manipulation bit string.

Abstract: A physically unclonable function unit includes and anti-fuse transistor and a control circuit. The anti-fuse transistor has a first terminal, a second terminal, and a gate terminal. The control circuit is coupled to the anti-fuse transistor. During an enroll operation, the control circuit applies an enroll voltage to the gate terminal of the anti-fuse transistor and applies a reference voltage to the first terminal and the second terminal of the anti-fuse transistor. The enroll voltage is higher than the reference voltage, and is high enough to create a rupture path on the gate terminal to the first terminal or to the second terminal.