Abstract: Embodiments provide a dielectric inter block disposed in a metallic region of a conductive line or source/drain contact. A first and second conductive structure over the metallic region may extend into the metallic region on either side of the inter block. The inter block can prevent etchant or cleaning solution from contacting an interface between the first conductive structure and the metallic region.

Abstract: Improved conductive contacts, methods for forming the same, and semiconductor devices including the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer over a transistor structure; a first contact extending through the first ILD layer, the first contact being electrically coupled with a first source/drain region of the transistor structure, a top surface of the first contact being convex, and the top surface of the first contact being disposed below a top surface of the first ILD layer; a second ILD layer over the first ILD layer and the first contact; and a second contact extending through the second ILD layer, the second contact being electrically coupled with the first contact.

Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate over a semiconductor fin; forming a source/drain epitaxial structure over the semiconductor fin and adjacent to the dummy gate; depositing an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer to cover the source/drain epitaxial structure; replacing the dummy gate with a gate structure; forming a dielectric structure to cut the gate structure, wherein a portion of the dielectric structure is embedded in the ILD layer; recessing the portion of the dielectric structure embedded in the ILD layer; after recessing the portion of the dielectric structure, removing a portion of the ILD layer over the source/drain epitaxial structure; and forming a source/drain contact in the ILD layer and in contact with the portion of the dielectric structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate having a first fin structure. The semiconductor device structure includes a first source/drain structure over the first fin structure. The semiconductor device structure includes a first dielectric layer over the first source/drain structure and the substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first conductive contact structure in the first dielectric layer and over the first source/drain structure. The semiconductor device structure includes a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and the first conductive contact structure. The semiconductor device structure includes a first conductive via structure passing through the second dielectric layer and connected to the first conductive contact structure. A first width direction of the first conductive contact structure is substantially parallel to a second width direction of the first conductive via structure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a power generating system operated by gravity, which is a self-perpetuating system achieved by gravity to enable mass to result in a moment of force to convert into energy, with the energy being then fed back to the system to assist in the dynamic operation, and redundant energy being able to work outward to generate electricity. The system includes a central shaft to support plural load brackets which are mechanisms in a long shape and are distributed radially and isotropically. Each load bracket is provided with a counterweight unit which displaces along a longitudinal centerline according to the action of gravity.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a livestock power generation system which generates electricity by using the habit of the livestock to produce rotational power to cut through electric current. The livestock power generation system is provided with equiangular radial levers to generate a moment of force by the marching of the livestock, which drives the livestock power generation system to rotate to generate electricity. In addition, by the assistance and management of an urging device and a stopping device, the operation of power generation by the livestock can be more stable.

Abstract: A gyrator includes a gyrator core and at least one common mode feedback circuit. The gyrator core includes four inverters mutually connected in a loop configuration between a pair of input ends and a pair of output ends. The common mode feedback circuit is provided between the pair of input ends and/or the pair of output ends and includes a forward-reverse connection inverter set and a backward-reverse connection inverter set. The forward-reverse connection inverter set has a first inverter, a second inverter connected in reverse series with the first inverter, and a first feedback resistor connected in parallel with the second inverter. The backward-reverse connection inverter set has a third inverter, a fourth inverter connected in reverse series with the third inverter, and a second feedback resistor connected in parallel with the fourth inverter.

Abstract: An image reading device is activated by the light interference of a light path. The image reading device comprises at least an image sensing element, a picture and an image changing mechanism such as a picture conveying module, picture rotating module, a hole or a soft button with a picture in the inner side. The user may use a finger or other objects to interfere with the image generated in the image sensing element. By detecting the changes of the image, a predetermined activation process of the image reading device is therefore started.

Abstract: A gyrator includes a gyrator core and at least one common mode feedback circuit. The gyrator core includes four inverters mutually connected in a loop configuration between a pair of input ends and a pair of output ends. The common mode feedback circuit is provided between the pair of input ends and/or the pair of output ends and includes a forward-reverse connection inverter set and a backward-reverse connection inverter set. The forward-reverse connection inverter set has a first inverter, a second inverter connected in reverse series with the first inverter, and a first feedback resistor connected in parallel with the second inverter. The backward-reverse connection inverter set has a third inverter, a fourth inverter connected in reverse series with the third inverter, and a second feedback resistor connected in parallel with the fourth inverter.

Abstract: A image reading device is activated by the light interference of a light path. The image reading device comprises at least a image sensing element, a picture and a image changing mechanism such as a picture conveying module, picture rotating module, a hole or a soft button with picture in the inner side. The user may use finger or other objects to interfere the image generated in the image sensing element. By detecting the changes of the image, a predetermined activation process of the image reading device is therefore started.

Abstract: A image reading device is activated by the light interference of a light path. The image reading device comprises at least a image sensing element, a picture and a image changing mechanism such as a picture conveying module, picture rotating module, a hole or a soft button with picture in the inner side. The user may use finger or other objects to interfere the image generated in the image sensing element. By detecting the changes of the image, a predetermined activation process of the image reading device is therefore started.

Abstract: A digital phase frequency discriminator has a first SR latch for generating a first output signal when set to a predetermined state, a second SR latch for generating a second output signal when set to the predetermined state, a predetermined state-detecting circuit for detecting the first and the second output signals and for outputting an RCM signal, a first predetermined state control circuit for setting the first SR latch to the predetermined state according to the RCM signal, and a second predetermined state control circuit for setting the second SR latch to the predetermined state according to the RCM signal. Both the first SR latch and the first predetermined state control circuit have a first inputting terminal for receiving a first input signal, and both the second SR latch and the second predetermined state control circuit have a second inputting terminal for receiving a second input signal.

Abstract: An FM demodulator has a differential output demodulator for receiving an FM signal and for outputting a positive differential signal and a negative differential signal of a demodulated signal of the FM signal, a DC offset detector electrically connected to the differential output demodulator for generating a DC offset signal according to peak signals of the positive differential signal and the negative differential signal, and a correction circuit electrically connected to the differential output demodulator and the DC offset detector to compensate for the demodulated signal according to the DC offset signal.

Abstract: An FM demodulator has a differential output demodulator for receiving an FM signal and for outputting a positive differential signal and a negative differential signal of a demodulated signal of the FM signal, a DC offset detector electrically connected to the differential output demodulator for generating a DC offset signal according to peak signals of the positive differential signal and the negative differential signal, and a correction circuit electrically connected to the differential output demodulator and the DC offset detector to compensate for the demodulated signal according to the DC offset signal.

Abstract: The image reading device includes a scanning module and a light interference module. The user may use the light interference module to interfere the light path to trigger the scanning processes from a standby mode. When the light path is interfered, the image sensor would generate different image signal output. In this case, by detecting the difference of image signal output pattern, the image reading device would be triggered to load specific scanning control parameters to perform the scanning, such as starting the scanning programs and driving the scanning module to an initial position for completing the scanning.

Abstract: A multimedia data file producer for use with a personal computer is disclosed. The multimedia data file producer includes an image pickup device for obtaining desired image information, and a sound pickup device for obtaining desired sound or voice information. The resulting analog signals representing the image and sound information are converted into digital signals and then produced into a multimedia data file incorporated therein the image and sound information. The multimedia data file can be provided for a personal computer connected to the multimedia data file producer for further processing.

Abstract: A test image has a black bias on a white background. The black bias is a line set at about 45 degrees to the scan lines of a scanner. Boundary points of the scanned bias are found. A regression line is calculated from the positions of the boundary points. Differences in the positions of adjacent boundary points, together with the slope reciprocal of the regression line, are used to determine error values. The error values are compared with a gate value to determine if there are any occurrences of scan line misalignment.

Abstract: The focus controlling system of the present invention can include a calibration paper, an image capturing device, an input interface, and a processing and controlling device. The image capturing device is employed for scanning the calibration paper. The image capturing device has a focus point adjusting mechanism. The input interface is utilized for receiving a location data of a scanning point. The processing and controlling device is responsive to the input interface and the image capturing device to control the focus point adjusting mechanism. The focus controlling method of the present invention includes the following steps. First, a scanning point is set or detected and a compensated magnification ratio for the scanning point is then calculated. A focus point of a image capturing device is adjusted and a calibration paper is scanned. The adjusting step and the scanning step are then repeated until a magnification ratio of the calibration paper is about the value of the compensated magnification ratio.

Abstract: The focus controlling system of the present invention can include a calibration paper, an image capturing device, an input interface, and a processing and controlling device. One or more calibration papers can be employed in the focus controlling system. The image capturing device is employed for scanning the calibration paper. The image capturing device has a focus point adjusting mechanism. The input interface is utilized for receiving a location data of a scanning point. The processing and controlling device is responsive to the input interface and the image capturing device to control the focus point adjusting mechanism by evaluating a resolution index. As an example, the image capturing system can be a flatbed scanning system. One of the focus controlling method of the present invention includes the steps as follows. At first, a scanning point is set or detected and the position of an image capturing device is adjusted to scan a selected calibration paper of two or more calibration papers.

Abstract: A test image has a black bias on a white background. The black bias is a line set at about 45 degrees to the scan lines of a scanner. Boundary points of the scanned bias are found. A regression line is calculated from the positions of the boundary points. Differences in the positions of adjacent boundary points, together with the slope reciprocal of the regression line, are used to determine error values. The error values are compared with a gate value to determine if there are any occurrences of scan line misalignment.