Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip may comprise a first metal line disposed over a substrate. A via may be disposed directly over a top of the first metal line and the via may comprise a first lower surface and a second lower surface above the first lower surface. A first dielectric structure may be disposed laterally adjacent to the first metal line and may be disposed along a sidewall of the first metal line. A first protective etch-stop structure may be disposed directly over a top of the first dielectric structure and the first protective etch-stop structure may vertically separate the second lower surface of the via from the top of the first dielectric structure.

Abstract: Examples of an integrated circuit with an interconnect structure and a method for forming the integrated circuit are provided herein. In some examples, the method includes receiving a workpiece that includes a substrate and an interconnect structure. The interconnect structure includes a first conductive feature disposed within a first inter-level dielectric layer. A blocking layer is selectively formed on the first conductive feature without forming the blocking layer on the first inter-level dielectric layer. An alignment feature is selectively formed on the first inter-level dielectric layer without forming the alignment feature on the blocking layer. The blocking layer is removed from the first conductive feature, and a second inter-level dielectric layer is formed on the alignment feature and on the first conductive feature. The second inter-level dielectric layer is patterned to define a recess for a second conductive feature, and the second conductive feature is formed within the recess.

Abstract: An interconnect structure includes a dielectric layer, a first conductive feature, a hard mask layer, a conductive layer, and a capping layer. The first conductive feature is disposed in the dielectric layer. The hard mask layer is disposed on the first conductive feature. The conductive layer includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the conductive layer is disposed over at least a first portion of the hard mask layer, and the second portion of the conductive layer is disposed over the dielectric layer. The hard mask layer and the conductive layer are formed by different materials. The capping layer is disposed on the dielectric layer and the conductive layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes preparing a dielectric structure formed with trenches respectively defined by lateral surfaces of the dielectric structure, forming spacer layers on the lateral surfaces, filling an electrically conductive material into the trenches to form electrically conductive features, selectively depositing a blocking layer on the dielectric structure, selectively depositing a dielectric material on the electrically conductive features to form a capping layer, removing the blocking layer and the dielectric structure to form recesses, forming sacrificial features in the recesses, forming a sustaining layer to cover the sacrificial features; and removing the sacrificial features to obtain the semiconductor structure formed with air gaps confined by the sustaining layer and the spacer layers.

Abstract: In vivo lactate concentrations may be monitored to determine a rate of lactate clearance as one metric of an individual's physical fitness. The rate of lactate clearance may guide further training. Lactate may be monitored using a sensing system comprising a lactate-responsive sensor, and a signal from the sensor may be communicated to a processor for calculating the lactate concentrations and a rate of lactate clearance. Some methods for determining physical fitness may comprise: measuring a plurality of lactate concentrations in a biological fluid with a sensing system comprising a lactate-responsive sensor over a period of time while the lactate concentrations are decreasing following a peak lactate level; and specifying that a second exercise event be conducted after a recovery period in which the lactate level has fallen to a predetermined concentration.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intelligent POS machine. The intelligent POS machine comprises a housing, a card reading module, a turning plate, and a rear work module; the housing is internally provided with an embedding groove; the card reading module is located in the embedding groove; the rear work module is installed on the turning plate; the turning plate is hinged on an inside wall of the embedding groove and located above the card reading module; the housing is internally provided with a control board; the card reading module is connected with the control board, and the rear work module is connected with the control board through an FPC board. In this way, the whole exterior of the POS machine is more integrated and more elegant.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a wireless device, which includes a substrate and an antenna. The antenna includes a printed antenna element and a 3-dimensional antenna element. The printed antenna element is printed on the substrate, while the 3-dimensional antenna element is disposed on the substrate and coupled to the printed antenna element. The printed antenna element and the 3-dimensional antenna element jointly have a physical length of a desired frequency.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a wireless device, which includes a substrate and an antenna. The antenna includes a printed antenna element and a 3-dimensional antenna element. The printed antenna element is printed on the substrate, while the 3-dimensional antenna element is disposed on the substrate and coupled to the printed antenna element. The printed antenna element and the 3-dimensional antenna element jointly have a physical length of a desired frequency.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a wireless device, which includes a substrate and an antenna. The antenna includes a printed antenna element and a 3-dimensional antenna element. The printed antenna element is printed on the substrate, while the 3-dimensional antenna element is disposed on the substrate and coupled to the printed antenna element. The printed antenna element and the 3-dimensional antenna element jointly have a physical length of a desired frequency.

Abstract: A transmission device having a data storage function and capable of being in a folded state by a magnetic force includes a first transmission port (e.g., a Lightning plug) at one end, a second transmission port (e.g., a USB plug) at the other end, a flexible bending portion in the middle section, two magnetically attractive portions respectively adjacent to two opposite ends of the bending portion, and a card reader or data storage unit. Once the first transmission port is connected to a portable device (e.g., a smartphone) to allow the portable device to read data from the transmission device, the bending portion can be bent so that, by the magnetic force of the magnetically attractive portions, the transmission device is rendered into a folded state and is partially hidden behind the portable device to facilitate holding and avoid getting loose and falling off.

Abstract: A silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) includes a first-type field, a second-type first field and a second-type second field disconnectedly formed in a first-type well; an entire first-type doped region formed within the first-type field; a segmented second-type doped region formed within the second-type first field; and a segmented first-type doped region formed within the second-type second field.

Abstract: A silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) includes a first-type field, a second-type first field and a second-type second field disconnectedly formed in a first-type well; an entire first-type doped region formed within the first-type field; a segmented second-type doped region formed within the second-type first field; and a segmented first-type doped region formed within the second-type second field.

Abstract: A sleep aid system and an operation method thereof are disclosed. The sleep aid system includes a sleep aid device including a retrieving module, a processing module, and a transmitting module, and a server. The retrieving module retrieves a brainwave signal including specific frequency band signals. The processing module analyzes the brainwave signal to obtain an index in each of the specific frequency band signals and calculates a sleepless degree parameter representing one of at least five brainwave states regarding sleep accordingly. The transmitting module transmits a parameter signal corresponding to the sleepless degree parameter. The server receives the parameter signal from the transmitting module. The server stores comparison data, compares the parameter signal to the comparison data, and generates a first feedback signal according to a comparison result. The first feedback signal includes a command to switch an audio file or stream which is currently being played.

Abstract: A silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) includes a first-type field, a second-type first field and a second-type second field disconnectedly formed in a first-type well; an entire first-type doped region formed within the first-type field; a segmented second-type doped region formed within the second-type first field; and a segmented first-type doped region formed within the second-type second field.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a wireless device, which includes a substrate and an antenna. The antenna includes a printed antenna element and a 3-dimensional antenna element. The printed antenna element is printed on the substrate, while the 3-dimensional antenna element is disposed on the substrate and coupled to the printed antenna element. The printed antenna element and the 3-dimensional antenna element jointly have a physical length of a desired frequency.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a wireless device, which includes a substrate and an antenna. The antenna includes a printed antenna element and a 3-dimensional antenna element. The printed antenna element is printed on the substrate, while the 3-dimensional antenna element is disposed on the substrate and coupled to the printed antenna element. The printed antenna element and the 3-dimensional antenna element jointly have a physical length of a desired frequency.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) processing circuit used in a wireless communication device for processing a plurality of wireless signals is disclosed. The RF processing circuit comprises an RF front-end circuit and a control unit. The RF front-end circuit is coupled to a plurality of antennas and a plurality of communication modules and is used for switching connections between the plurality of antennas and the plurality of communication modules according to a control signal. The control unit is coupled to the RF front-end circuit and is used for generating the control signal according to a frequency band and operation conditions of each communication module. The RF front-end circuit further comprises a switch module and a frequency multiplexing module.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a wireless device. The wireless device includes a housing, formed by a metal material, a wireless module disposed inside the housing, and an antenna, disposed outside the housing, coupled to the wireless module via a external socket interface disposed on the housing, for transmitting and receiving signals corresponding to the wireless module.

Abstract: A flexible transmission device, for transmitting radio-frequency (RF) signals between a first communication module and a second communication module in a communication device, comprising a flexible substrate; a first metal sheet, formed on a plane of the flexible substrate and coupled between ground terminals of the first communication module and the second communication module; and a second metal sheet, formed on a plane of the flexible substrate different from the first metal sheet, and coupled between signal terminals of the first communication module and the second communication module, for transmitting the RF signals.

Abstract: A sleep aid system and an operation method thereof are disclosed. The sleep aid system includes a sleep aid device including a retrieving module, a processing module, and a transmitting module, and a server. The retrieving module retrieves a brainwave signal including specific frequency band signals. The processing module analyzes the brainwave signal to obtain an index in each of the specific frequency band signals and calculates a sleepless degree parameter representing one of at least five brainwave states regarding sleep accordingly. The transmitting module transmits a parameter signal corresponding to the sleepless degree parameter. The server receives the parameter signal from the transmitting module. The server stores comparison data, compares the parameter signal to the comparison data, and generates a first feedback signal according to a comparison result. The first feedback signal includes a command to switch an audio file or stream which is currently being played.