Abstract: A semiconductor device is fabricated with a selected critical dimension. A gate dielectric layer is formed over a semiconductor body. A gate layer comprised of a conductive material, such as polysilicon, is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate layer is patterned to form a gate electrode having a first horizontal dimension. One or more growth-stripping operations are performed to reduce a critical dimension of the gate electrode to a second horizontal dimension, where the second horizontal dimension is less than the first horizontal dimension.

Abstract: A system and method allowing one application to implement diverse AutoID tags interchangeably, by unifying all AutoID technologies into a single object model. The single object model interacts with all AutoID technologies, with only a lowest level device tailored to the specific AutoID technology, the single object model thereby persisting through the middleware, up to an application, carrying all necessary information from any AutoID technology. The single object model can interact with a tag many times, as necessary to complete an operation. A reader interface allows an application to communicate with multiple readers of diverse AutoID tags, and to communicate with individual servers communicating with individual readers of diverse AutoID tags. The reader interface also provides a single interface for hardware communication with a radio, for an application interacting with an entire network of readers, sensors, interpretation steps, product lookup, and information storage providing a single virtual reader.

Abstract: A method comprises forming a gate stack comprising a polysilicon layer, a metal layer and a polysilicon layer over a gate dielectric and substrate. The metal layer is buried inside the gate stack to alloy the silicon and metal at the bottom of the gate. The gate stack is then etched to form a gate. A silicidation is then performed to form a silicide at the bottom of the gate. Optionally, a second metal layer may be formed on top of the gate stack. As such, during silicidation, a silicide may be formed at the top of the gate.

Abstract: A bangle or handle for supporting a mobile station that includes a continuous loop of resiliently compressible material. A portion of the length of the handle is configured to fit within a channel defined in a housing of the mobile station. A second length portion extends from the housing to form a loop of the handle that can be gripped by the user, or otherwise used to suspend the mobile station. The handle may also include a conducting element that extends through the loop and is in communication with a conducting contact of the loop. The conducting contact of the continuous loop can be positioned in overlying contact with a conducting contact of the housing of the mobile station. Such contact supplies power or signals to, and receives power or signals from, a device such as a light, fan, noise generator or camera, connected to the second length portion.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved RFID system. The system provides a tag having a power management unit that selectively powers a transmission unit to transmit at least a first signal having a first frequency. The tag can be configured to transmit a second signal having a second frequency as well. The power management unit selectively powers the transmission unit based on the level of power stored in the tag, a duty cycle associated with the tag, or a combination of the two.

Abstract: A method of providing telephone response unit (TRU)-based services includes receiving from a point-of-sale (POS) device a request at a host computer system to activate TRU-based services. The request includes an identifier that indicates the specific TRU-based services to be activated. The method also includes confirming the availability of the specific TRU-based services to be activated and storing at the host computer system information that indicates the services are activated. The method also includes returning a message to the POS that indicates that the TRU-based services have been activated.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of activating a plurality of disparate stored value accounts utilizes a set of multiple presentation instruments redeemable at different merchants. Each presentation instrument includes a unique presentation instrument identifier used to associate value with the presentation instrument. Also, the set includes a set identifier, which may be included on a package that secures the presentation instruments together. In one embodiment, the set identifier is received over an electronic network, a list of the presentation instruments in the set is accessed from a computer database, and each of the presentation instruments is activated.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of activating a plurality of gift cards utilizes a package of multiple presentation instruments. Each presentation instrument includes a unique presentation instrument identifier used to associate funds with the presentation instrument. Also, the package includes a package identifier. In one step, the package identifier is read from the package and is transmitted over an electronic network to a host computer system which evaluates the package identifier to determine whether the package identifier is valid. If so, each of the presentation instruments in the package is activated for a certain activation amount.

Abstract: A method of providing telephone response unit (TRU)-based services includes receiving from a point-of-sale (POS) device a request at a host computer system to activate TRU-based services. The request includes an identifier that indicates the specific TRU-based services to be activated. The method also includes confirming the availability of the specific TRU-based services to be activated and storing at the host computer system information that indicates the services are activated. The method also includes returning a message to the POS that indicates that the TRU-based services have been activated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for authorizing lottery transactions comprises receiving an account identifier for a stored value lottery account from a lottery system. The account identifier is authenticated at a host computer system and an authentication is transmitted to the lottery system. A cost associated with one or more lottery picks for a lottery transaction is received from the lottery system, a determination is made at the host computer system that the cost does not exceed an account balance associated with the account identifier, and an authorization for the lottery transaction is transmitted to the lottery system.

Abstract: A method of determining the position and emission rate of at least one source of emanations into an intervening medium, which method comprises measuring the concentration of the emanations in the intervening medium at selected measurement locations to obtain observed data, and measuring the velocity of the intervening medium; postulating a dispersion model; postulating a source model containing source parameters, such as the position(s) of assumed source(s) and assumed emission rate(s); calculating with the dispersion model for a postulated source model the concentration that would arise at the measurement location(s) to obtain synthetic data for the postulated source model; comparing the synthetic data with the observed data to obtain the source model that gives the closest fit; and outputting the position and emission rate of the at least one source assumed in the source model that gives the closest fit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system is provided for activating a plurality of cards. A first card number and a total number of cards can be provided to an activation system to process the activation of the plurality of cards.

Abstract: A method of refinancing a mortgage loan is provided. The method of refinancing a mortgage loan comprises pre-approving a customer for refinancing of a mortgage loan. This customer is sent a pre-screened offer. The offer comprises materials setting forth the terms of the refinanced mortgage loan, materials providing all required pre-acceptance disclosures, and instructions describing how the customer may accept the offer. Upon receiving an indication of acceptance of the offer from the customer, a closing package is sent to the customer to be executed by the customer. The execution of the closing package by the customer creates a refinancing loan agreement. Also provided is a closing package for a mortgage loan comprising closing documents and a format and instructions providing specific guidance to the customer for completion and execution of the closing documents.

Abstract: A method of refinancing a mortgage loan is provided. The method of refinancing a mortgage loan comprises pre-approving a customer for refinancing of a mortgage loan. This customer is sent a pre-screened offer. The offer comprises materials setting forth the terms of the refinanced mortgage loan, materials providing all required pre-acceptance disclosures, and instructions describing how the customer may accept the offer. Upon receiving an indication of acceptance of the offer from the customer, a closing package is sent to the customer to be executed by the customer. The execution of the closing package by the customer creates a refinancing loan agreement. Also provided is a closing package for a mortgage loan comprising closing documents and a format and instructions providing specific guidance to the customer for completion and execution of the closing documents.

Abstract: A method of determining the position and emission rate of at least one source of emanations into an intervening medium, which method comprises measuring the concentration of the emanations in the intervening medium at selected measurement locations to obtain observed data, and measuring the velocity of the intervening medium; postulating a dispersion model; postulating a source model containing source parameters, such as the position(s) of assumed source(s) and assumed emission rate(s); calculating with the dispersion model for a postulated source model the concentration that would arise at the measurement location(s) to obtain synthetic data for the postulated source model; comparing the synthetic data with the observed data to obtain the source model that gives the closest fit; and outputting the position and emission rate of the at least one source assumed in the source model that gives the closest fit, wherein the concentrations of the emanations are measured by point measurements using an ultra-sensitive

Abstract: An on-line halogen analyzer system and method of use for semiconductor processing effluent monitoring. The system includes sampling the effluent stream into an absorption cell, and passing UV-Visible light through the effluent sample in the cell. After passing through the sample the light is collected by a photo detector for real-time wavelength-selective absorption analysis. The system provides simultaneous determination of the concentrations of multiple halogen gases (e.g. F2, Cl2, Br2, and I2) in semiconductor processing effluent streams. The invention can be used for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chamber cleaning endpoint determination and to improve fluorine utilization efficiency in remote plasma downstream CVD chamber cleaning processes.

Abstract: A fibrous blanket, formed with a profiled weight and thickness across the width and/or along the length of the blanket, may be used for various thermal and/or acoustical applications or formed through molding into a molded part having: a uniform thickness and variable density; a variable thickness and a uniform density; or a variable thickness and a variable density. When forming the fibrous blanket on a collection surface, the deposition of fibers on the collection surface is controlled, by manipulating the fiber containing gas stream and the fibers in the gas stream with secondary gas streams, to obtain a desired weight and thickness profile for the fibrous blanket.

Abstract: An on-line halogen analyzer system and method of use for semiconductor processing effluent monitoring. The system includes sampling the effluent stream into an absorption cell, and passing UV-Visible light through the effluent sample in the cell. After passing through the sample the light is collected by a photo detector for real-time wavelength-selective absorption analysis. The system provides simultaneous determination of the concentrations of multiple halogen gases (e.g. F2, Cl2, Br2, and I2) in semiconductor processing effluent streams. The invention can be used for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chamber cleaning endpoint determination and to improve fluorine utilization efficiency in remote plasma downstream CVD chamber cleaning processes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a part temperature profile by optimizing response characteristics based on control parameters acquires part temperature response characteristics at selected conditions to form an index value and calculates linear relationships between the index and its corresponding control parameters. The method searches for the minimum index thereby determining its corresponding optimal control parameters for thermal processing of parts in order that the part temperature profile responds within the target specification range with the greatest margin available. The apparatus determines the minimum index value and its corresponding the optimum control parameters.