Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor device includes a first layer of dielectric material disposed upon an upper surface of a substrate of a semiconductor device and a first non-conductive layer of metal disposed upon an upper surface of the dielectric material. The first layer of dielectric material and the first non-conductive layer of metal act as an optical trap for electromagnetic radiation received by the first non-conductive layer of metal. In particular embodiments, the semiconductor device may further comprise a second layer of dielectric material disposed upon an upper surface of the first non-conductive layer of metal and a second non-conductive layer of metal disposed upon an upper surface of the second layer of dielectric material.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an interface between an incumbent local exchange carrier's central office terminal and a competitive local exchange carrier's remote terminal is provided by an Integrated Services Digital Network interconnection. Such a connection provides two basic data channels of 64 Kbps each and at least one utility channel. The ISDN signal can be carried over a single wire pair. The interface may be used to interconnect one or two digital channels. The channel units may be designed to remove the robbed bits from the data channels and place them in the utility channels. Further, the utility channel may be employed to transmit frame phasing information so that the networks can synchronize their robbed bit signaling so that both networks use the same bit positions for robbed bit signaling thus minimizing data bandwidth reduction due to robbed bit signaling.

Abstract: Disclosed is an input device and method for interacting with motion pictures incorporating content-based haptic response. Content data relating to the motion picture is stored in a content data storage device while motion picture data is stored in a prerecorded image data storage device. A viewer input device is provided so that a viewer (end-user) can advance and reverse the frames on a display screen while substantially simultaneously, the content data is accessed and braking commands are sent to the viewer input device. The result is that the viewer is provided with haptic responses to the viewer's input through the viewer input device.

Abstract: Arbitrary input sounds are analyzed and the coefficients of a low-dimensional representation, such as LPC or MFCC, are determined as a measure of the timbre of the sounds. The coefficients can be employed in different ways to control output events, such as the generation of synthesized sounds. In one approach, the individual coefficients are mapped to the control parameters of a sound synthesizer, to enable highly complex output sounds to be generated in response to simple input sounds. In another approach, pattern recognition techniques are employed with respect to the coefficients, to classify the input sounds. Each classification is mapped to a control parameter, to cause different events to occur in response to the respective input sounds. In one example, the sounds of different musical instruments are generated in dependence upon the classification of the input sounds. These analysis techniques have low latency, and thereby allow events to be controlled without perceptible delay.

Abstract: A signal mapping system maps sensor signals into control signals that control the operation of a music synthesizer. A "one to many" mapping technique is used, allowing at least some of the sensor signals to each be mapped into numerous music synthesizer control signals. Physical gestures by a user are mapped into a large set of music synthesizer control signals, some of which continuously vary in value as the user moves through the gestures. Signal mapping functions are used to map the sensor signals into note number and velocity values for at least one voice to be generated by the music synthesizer. The note number and velocity values are sent to the music synthesizer as note-on events when predefined note-on and note-off trigger conditions, defined with respect to specified ones of the sensor signals, are satisfied. Other ones of the signal mapping functions are used to generate asynchronous control signals that are sent to the music synthesizer independent of the note-on and note-off events.

Abstract: A control instrument for a system for generating acoustic output which includes a processor for receiving user input signals and control the acoustic output in response to the user input signals. The control instrument includes an instrument body, and at least one sensor element carried by the instrument body. The sensor element generates user input signals upon tactile actuation of the sensor element by a user. The user input signals indicate the location of contact and amount of force applied to the sensor element by the user. A music synthesis system and a sound processing system each including the control instrument are also provided.

Abstract: An input device and method for interacting with motion pictures incorporating content-based haptic response is provided. Content data relating to the motion picture is stored in a content data storage device while motion picture data is stored in a prerecorded image data storage device. A viewer input device is provided so that a viewer (end-user) can move forwards and backwards through the frames on a display screen while substantially simultaneously, the content data is accessed and braking commands are sent to the viewer input device. The result is that the viewer is provided with haptic responses to the viewer's input through the viewer input device.

Abstract: An improved I/O interrupt sequencing method and apparatus including generation of an instruction priority request signal to indicate that a real time task requires programmed I/O service. Generating an end of chain signal to suspend burst I/O control of the I/O bus and allow programmed I/O service to a real time device, and resetting the instruction priority request signal to allow burst mode data transfer to continue at the count positions at which it was suspended.

Abstract: Method of providing a thinned layer of epitaxial semiconductor material having a substantially uniform reverse breakdown voltage characteristic (RVBV) on a substrate, wherein stringent control is necessary in the determination of the thickness of the epitaxial layer. This method has particular application to the fabrication of high performance Read-IMPATT diodes of gallium arsenide where it is desirable to achieve a device structure in which substantially equal reverse breakdown voltage values exist across the entire substrate. A particular GaAs Read-IMPATT diode has two epitaxial layers including a relatively lightly doped first epitaxial layer disposed on the substrate and a second top epitaxial layer whose thickness must be controlled as to uniformity and as to magnitude to enable proper microwave operation of the device.