Abstract: Disclosed is a lens mechanism made of a flexible support with a lens positioned on the support. A sensor is positioned below the lens so that it senses photons passing through the lens. At least one actuator is positioned around the lens such that a change in an electric charge on the actuator causes the lens to move. In one embodiment, the lens moves along its optical axis. In another embodiment, the lens moves so that its optical axis tips from the original orientation. In yet another embodiment, the lens moves due to a change in electric charge on an electrostatic charge layer that is substantially coincident with the lens. Embodiments of the invention can provide a dynamic actuator mechanism for positioning a small lens.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a MEMS zoom lens device. The device is formed substantially on a silicon substrate and includes control circuitry formed on the substrate, multiple actuators having charge areas for creating electrostatic fields, a flexible support for flexibly coupling a lens to the substrate, an electrostatic layer coupled to the lens. The charge areas act in response to the control circuitry to apply an electrostatic force to the electrostatic layer to move the lens with respect to the substrate and optical sensors or detectors. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible support is formed in a serpentine shape from silicon nitride. A stop support is formed to underlie the flexible support to prevent damage to the flexible support in a rest (i.e., non-zoomed) position.

Abstract: Inter-wafer structures are formed using semiconductor fabrication methods so as to provide precise, uniform distance between die on a bottom wafer and die on a top wafer. An inter-wafer structure layer is patterned to form one or more inter-wafer structures surrounding an active circuit area on a bottom die, or over an active circuit area on the bottom die, or both. The inter-wafer structures are formed as straight line shapes or as angled shapes. An adhesive layer is patterned to form an adhesive portion over the inter-wafer structures. The adhesive portion over the inter-wafer structures bonds a top die to the inter-wafer structures. The die include, for example, CMOS circuits and MEMS devices.

Abstract: A MEMS microphone is formed on a single substrate that also includes microelectronic circuitry. High-temperature tolerance metals are used to form contacts in a metallization step before performing deep reactive ion etching and back patterning steps to form a MEMS microphone. High-temperature tolerant metals such as titanium, tungsten, chromium, etc. can be used for the contacts. Another approach uses laser annealing in place of deep reactive ion etching so that high-temperature tolerant metals do not need to be used in earlier metallization steps. Different orderings for device, circuit, and metallization series of steps are presented.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microelectromechanical (MEM) speaker device. In one embodiment, the MEM speaker device includes: (i) a base layer; (ii) a device controller; (iii) a coil layer connected to magnetic material; (iv) an oscillator connected to a spring and the magnetic material; (v) a spring between the oscillator and a support layer; (vi) a protective layer over the oscillator; and (vii) a support post connected to the oscillator, the base layer, the protective layer, and the coil layer. Embodiments of the invention can provide a MEM speaker device where control of the oscillator by electromagnetic force produces sound energy.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a MEMS zoom lens device. The device is formed substantially on a silicon substrate and includes control circuitry formed on the substrate, multiple actuators having charge areas for creating electrostatic fields, a flexible support for flexibly coupling a lens to the substrate, an electrostatic layer coupled to the lens. The charge areas act in response to the control circuitry to apply an electrostatic force to the electrostatic layer to move the lens with respect to the substrate and optical sensors or detectors. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible support is formed in a serpentine shape from silicon nitride. A stop support is formed to underlie the flexible support to prevent damage to the flexible support in a rest (i.e., non-zoomed) position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lens mechanism made of a flexible support with a lens positioned on the support. A sensor is positioned below the lens so that it senses photons passing through the lens. At least one actuator is positioned around the lens such that a change in an electric charge on the actuator causes the lens to move. In one embodiment, the lens moves along its optical axis. In another embodiment, the lens moves so that its optical axis tips from the original orientation. In yet another embodiment, the lens moves due to a change in electric charge on an electrostatic charge layer that is substantially coincident with the lens. Embodiments of the invention can provide a dynamic actuator mechanism for positioning a small lens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and program for purchasing merchandise which one desires to purchase anonymously from a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, via a campaign, and without using troublesome purchase methods. A user ID stored in a user information storage can be referred to in accordance with access by the mobile phone. In addition, the merchandise code of a purchase target can be specified by referring to a master information storage, and campaign money provided by others can be accepted. A campaign status storage stores content accepted by the campaign, the merchandise costs and the amount of money that needs to be collected. A server specifies the merchandise code of the desired merchandise from the campaign status storage, updates the amount of money that needs to be collected in accordance with the amount of money collected in the campaign, and purchases the merchandise when the amount of money collected reaches the cost of the merchandise.

Abstract: A present giving system gives a present corresponding to a category within an estimated cost on an occasion for presents and allows a present receiver to accept or reject the present selected by a present sender. A server conducting the electronic commercial transaction requests input of information of a date, information uniquely specifying a second client device, and selection items associated with the date information from a first client device, and reminds the first client device of an the date and details of the selection items associated with the date information at a proper date and time before the input date. Then, the server device notifies the second client device of the selected items in accordance with the selected items selected by the first client, notifies the first client device of an item selected by the second client device, and allows the first client device to determine acceptance and rejection of the selected item.

Abstract: A resistor (45) of semiconductor material is formed on an insulating layer (42), then a silicon nitride film (46) is deposited on the entire surface including the resistor (45), and a silicon dioxide film (47) is sequentially deposited thereon, and thereafter electrodes (49A) and (49B)of the resistor (45) are formed, thereby preventing the fragility of the insulating layer (51) at step portions of the resistor (45), preventing the breakage of the electrodes and interconnections, and improving a withstand voltage between the resistor (45) and the interconnections crossing over it to thereby improve yield of a semiconductor device.

Abstract: A process for producing an aromatic dicarboxylic acid which comprises subjecting a "K-region" arene to liquid phase oxidation with hydrogen peroxide in a water-insoluble organic solvent in the presence of a tungsten compound and a phase transfer catalyst and optionally a mineral acid.

Abstract: There is provided a pouring cap for use with a liquid container, which is characterised by its having a lower peripheral end flange formed with a plurality of radial slits around the whole circumference thereof. Thus, the flange may be made relatively large enough in width to permit the pouring cap not only to be easily fitted into an outer container cap but also to be able to remain in secure engagement with the spout portion of the liquid container even after the outer container cap has been removed from the container.