Abstract: A method for the separation of multiple dies during semiconductor fabrication is described. On an upper surface of a semiconductor wafer containing multiple dies, metal layers are deposited everywhere except where a block of stop electroplating material exists. The stop electroplating material is obliterated, and a barrier layer is formed above the entire remaining structure. A sacrificial metal element is added above the barrier layer, and then the substrate is removed. After the semiconductor material between the individual dies is eradicated, any desired bonding pads and patterned circuitry are added to the semiconductor surface opposite the sacrificial metal element, a passivation layer is added to this surface, and then the sacrificial metal element is removed. Tape is added to the now exposed barrier layer, the passivation layer is removed, the resulting structure is flipped over, and the tape is expanded to separate the individual dies.

Abstract: A method of flushing a wellbore fluid from a downhole tool containing a bearing package includes pumping hydraulic oil through at least one of a hydraulic inlet line and at least one of a pneumatic inlet line connected to the main housing and into an annulus formed between the bearing package and a main housing of the downhole tool, wherein the hydraulic oil replaces the wellbore fluid in the annulus, removing the wellbore fluid from the annulus through at least one hydraulic outlet line and at least one pneumatic outlet line connected to the main housing, pumping air through the at least one pneumatic inlet line connected to the main housing and removing the hydraulic oil from the at least one pneumatic inlet line connected to the main housing, and removing the hydraulic oil through at least one pneumatic outlet line connected to the main housing.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) device having a substantially conformal wavelength-converting layer for producing uniform white light and a method of making said LED at both the wafer and individual die levels are provided. The LED device includes a metal substrate, a p-type semiconductor coupled to the metal substrate, an active region coupled to the p-type semiconductor, an n-type semiconductor coupled to the active region, and a wavelength-converting layer coupled to the n-type semiconductor.

Abstract: A technique to monitor software thread performance and update software that issues or uses the thread(s) to reduce performance-inhibiting events. At least one embodiment of the invention uses hardware and/or software timers or counters to monitor various events associated with executing user-level threads and report these events back to a user-level software program, which can use the information to avoid or at least reduce performance-inhibiting events associated with the user-level threads.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for forming a vertical semiconductor light-emitting diode (VLED) device having an active layer between an n-doped layer and a p-doped layer; and securing a plurality of balls on a surface of the n-doped layer of the VLED device.

Abstract: A retaining ring can be shaped by machining or lapping the bottom surface of the ring to form a shaped profile in the bottom surface. The bottom surface of the retaining ring can include flat, sloped and curved portions. The lapping can be performed using a machine that dedicated for use in lapping the bottom surface of retaining rings. During the lapping the ring can be permitted to rotate freely about an axis of the ring. The bottom surface of the retaining ring can have curved or flat portions.

Abstract: Prior to deposition of a silicon nitride (SiN) layer on a structure, a non-plasma enhanced operation is undertaken wherein the structure is exposed to silane (SiH4) flow, reducing the overall exposure of the structure to hydrogen radicals. This results in the silicon nitride being strongly bonded to the structure and in improved performance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for video image pruning. An apparatus includes a data pruner for pre-processing a picture prior to, and in preparation for, compression by encoding. The data pruner selectively removes, in the spatial domain, at least one region within the picture. At the decoder end, an apparatus includes a data restorer for receiving a decompressed picture subsequent to decompression by decoding, and post-processing the decompressed picture by selectively restoring, in the spatial domain, at least one region in the decompressed picture based on information indicating a removal of the at least one region prior to a previously performed encoding process.

Abstract: A system is provided that enables customers to search for event tickets for purchase. A computer interacts with the user to allow the user to specify criteria for event tickets the user wishes to purchase. The system presents relevant event ticket results, and provides filters for the user to further refine those search results. The user selects an event, and then selects tickets for that event. Ticket availability is shown, with seat locations indicated directly on an interactive venue map. For purchase, the user is directed to the selling ticket provider.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a power supply that is efficient in both high and low power conditions. An integrated power supply regulates current on a regulated bus to maintain a regulated bus voltage under varying load conditions. The integrated power supply includes a first power supply rated to provide full load power to the load and second power supply rated to provide power at levels below a minimum power threshold. The second power supply includes switching elements that have lower switching losses than switching elements of the first power supply. A sensing module measures power. A switching module starts up the second power supply and shuts down the first power supply if the measured power falls below the minimum power threshold, and starts up the first power supply and shuts down the second power supply if the measured power rises above the minimum power threshold.

Abstract: A microfluidic sensor is disclosed that has a first inlet channel for a first fluid, a second inlet channel for a second fluid, and a measurement channel intersecting with both first inlet channel and the second inlet channel. A signal source system is provided for receiving a signal from a signal emitter, as is a signal detection system for receiving the signal from the signal source system. The signal source system and the signal detection system are for recording physical characteristics of at least one of the droplets in the measurement channel. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides small scale capacitors (e.g., DRAM capacitors) and methods of forming such capacitors. One exemplary implementation provides a method of fabricating a capacitor that includes sequentially forming a first electrode, a dielectric layer, and a second electrode. At least one of the electrodes may be formed by a) reacting two precursors to deposit a first conductive layer at a first deposition rate, and b) depositing a second conductive layer at a second, lower deposition rate by depositing a precursor layer of one precursor at least one monolayer thick and exposing that precursor layer to another precursor to form a nanolayer reaction product. The second conductive layer may be in contact with the dielectric layer and have a thickness of no greater than about 50 ?.

Abstract: A method of computing a collision-free velocity (117, 217) for an agent (110) in a crowd simulation environment (100) comprises identifying a quadratic optimization problem that corresponds to the collision-free velocity, and finding an exact solution for the quadratic optimization problem by using a geometric approach.

Abstract: A sealing unit includes a mismatched metal-to-metal seal and an o-ring seal with a vent hole therebetween. The mismatched metal-to-metal seal may provide a sealing surface between two metals that may withstand high temperatures and pressure while avoiding leakage over many cycles. The sealing units of the present invention may provide a seal capable of withstanding pressures greater than about 5,000 psig, and typically greater than 6,000 psig, and more typically greater than 7,000 psig; and temperatures greater than about 300° F., and typically greater than about 400° F., and more typically greater than about 500° F. over a service life of more than 5,000 cycles. By providing a vent hole between the metal-to-metal seal and the o-ring seal, should either seal leak, damage to the other/good seal may be prevented by expelling the leak out of the system.

Abstract: A method for the separation of multiple dies during semiconductor fabrication is described. On an upper surface of a semiconductor wafer containing multiple dies, metal layers are deposited everywhere except where a block of stop electroplating material exists. The stop electroplating material is obliterated, and a barrier layer is formed above the entire remaining structure. A sacrificial metal element is added above the barrier layer, and then the substrate is removed. After the semiconductor material between the individual dies is eradicated, any desired bonding pads and patterned circuitry are added to the semiconductor surface opposite the sacrificial metal element, a passivation layer is added to this surface, and then the sacrificial metal element is removed. Tape is added to the now exposed barrier layer, the passivation layer is removed, the resulting structure is flipped over, and the tape is expanded to separate the individual dies.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method of call handling comprising a first communications device having an acceptor of call purpose from a first party for a call, a communications channel including a conveyor of call purpose and a second communications device coupled to the first communications device via the communications channel and having a presenter of call purpose to a second party.

Abstract: The present invention is related to methods and apparatus that allow a chalcogenide glass such as germanium selenide (GexSe1-x) to be doped with a metal such as silver, copper, or zinc without utilizing an ultraviolet (UV) photodoping step to dope the chalcogenide glass with the metal. The chalcogenide glass doped with the metal can be used to store data in a memory device. Advantageously, the systems and methods co-sputter the metal and the chalcogenide glass and allow for relatively precise and efficient control of a constituent ratio between the doping metal and the chalcogenide glass. Further advantageously, the systems and methods enable the doping of the chalcogenide glass with a relatively high degree of uniformity over the depth of the formed layer of chalcogenide glass and the metal. Also, the systems and methods allow a metal concentration to be varied in a controlled manner along the thin film depth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions, methods, and kits for eliciting an immune response to at least one antigen, in particular for enhancing antigen immunogenicity.

Abstract: A bone fixation device is provided with an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and having a flexible state and a rigid state, a plurality of grippers disposed at longitudinally spaced locations of the elongated body, a curved rigid hub connected to the elongated body, and an actuator operably connected to the grippers to deploy the grippers from a first shape to an expanded second shape. Methods of repairing a fracture of a bone are also disclosed. One such method comprising inserting a bone fixation device into an intramedullary space of the bone to place at least a portion of an elongate body of the fixation device in a flexible state on one side of the fracture and at least a portion of a curved rigid hub on another side of the fracture, and operating an actuator to deploy a plurality of grippers of the fixation device to engage an inner surface of the intramedullary space to anchor the fixation device to the bone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to gather or scatter operations in a multi-level cache are described. In some embodiments, a logic may determine whether to perform gather or scatter operations at a first memory or a second memory, based in part on a relative performance of performing the gather or scatter operations at the first memory and the second memory. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.