Abstract: A method for forming a floating gate semiconductor device such as an electrically erasable programmable read only memory is provided. The device includes a silicon substrate having an electrically isolated active area. A gate oxide, as well as other components of a FET (e.g., source, drain) are formed in the active area. A self aligned floating gate is formed by depositing a conductive layer (e.g., polysilicon) into the recess and over the gate oxide. The conductive layer is then chemically mechanically planarized to an endpoint of the isolation layer so that all of the conductive layer except material in the recess and on the gate oxide is removed. Following formation of the floating gate an insulating layer is formed on the floating gate and a control gate is formed on the insulating layer.

Abstract: A method to detect leaks in a rotating control device includes positioning a leak detection device in communication with a chamber located between an upper sealing element and a lower sealing element of the rotating control device, and signaling with the leak detection device when a pressure of the chamber exceeds a selected critical pressure.

Abstract: Photoresist additive polymers and photoresist formulations that can be used in immersion lithography without the use of an additional topcoat. The resist compositions include a photoresist polymer, at least one photoacid generator, a solvent; and a photoresist additive polymer. Also a method of forming using photoresist formulations including photoresist additive polymers.

Abstract: The invention includes a process whereby a solvent is utilized to remove soluble portions of a resist, and subsequently the solvent can be removed with a gas-fortified liquid. In particular aspects, the gas-fortified liquid emits bubbles during the removal of the solvent. Additionally, the gas-fortified liquid can be utilized to remove residual resist scum, and in such aspects the gas-fortified liquid can emit bubbles during the scum removal.

Abstract: The cartridge can include a mixing component for mixing different solutions so as to form a product solution. A mixture of different solutions can be transported into the mixing component where they combine to form a product solution. The mixing component includes a plurality of variable volume reservoirs in liquid communication with one another. The product solution can be repeatedly transported from one of the variable volume reservoirs to another of the variable volume reservoirs until the desired degree of mixing is achieved. Once the desired degree of mixing is achieved, the product solution can be transported directly to a product chamber within the cartridge or can be treated further before being transported to the product chamber.

Abstract: An ovonic phase-change semiconductor memory device having a reduced area of contact between electrodes of chalcogenide memories, and methods of programming the same are disclosed. Such memory devices include a lower electrode including non-parallel sidewalls. An insulative material overlies the lower electrode such that an upper surface of the lower electrode is exposed. In one embodiment, the insulative material and lower electrode may have a co-planar upper surface. In another embodiment, an upper surface of the lower electrode is within a recess in the insulative material. A chalcogenide material and an upper electrode are formed over the upper surface of the lower electrode. This allows the memory cells to be made smaller and allows the overall power requirements for the memory cell to be minimized.

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: A bone fixation device is provided with an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and having a first state in which at least a portion of the body is flexible and a second state in which the body is generally rigid, an actuateable gripper disposed at one or more locations on the elongated body, a hub located on a proximal end of the elongated body, and an actuator operably connected to the gripper(s) to deploy the gripper(s) from a retracted configuration to an expanded configuration. Methods of repairing a fracture of a bone are also disclosed. One such method comprises 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 hub on another side of the fracture, and operating an actuator to deploy at least one gripper of the fixation device to engage an inner surface of the intramedullary space to anchor the fixation device to the bone.

Abstract: A deadbolt knob restrictor used to prevent the rotation of the inside knob on the deadbolt lock. The restrictor includes a ring member designed to fit between the cover plate located on the inside surface of the door. Attached to the ring member are two perpendicularly aligned support arms with a pin-style hinge formed on their distal ends. Attached to the hinge is an L-shaped latch. Formed on the latch is a cam surface which presses against a spring loaded piston disposed between the cam surface and the support arm. The latch includes a long leg that may be disposed transversely over the ring member, and a short leg that may be placed adjacent to the wide surface of the deadbolt lock's turn knob to prevent its rotation. During assembly, the ring member is placed under the locks inside cover plate. During use the piston forcibly holds the latch in a locked or unlocked position against the turn knob.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems to decrease the energy consumption of a memory chip while increasing its effect bandwidth during the execution of any workload. Methods, apparatuses and systems may allow a memory chip utilize a plurality of virtual row buffers to respond to requests for data included in a memory array block. Methods, apparatuses and systems may further eliminate or reduce the cost associated with transferring unnecessary data from a memory array block to row buffers by altering the data transfer size between a memory array block and a row buffer.

Abstract: A dual line active automatic transfer switch (ATS) is provided. A first switch structure is connected to a first PSU of the plurality of PSUs, and operable between a first position connecting a first input line of the dual line and a second position connecting a second input line of the dual line with the one PSU. A second switch structure is connected to at least one additional PSU of the plurality of PSUs, and operable between a third position connecting the first input line and a fourth position connecting the second input line with the at least one additional PSU. The first and second switch structures are operable between each of the first, second, third, and fourth positions to alternatively connect each of the plurality of PSUs to one of the first and second input lines and connect, when each of the dual lines is charged, both of the first and second input lines to at least one of the plurality of PSUs.

Abstract: A method of using a controller unit to access content stored on a digital content storage device having one or more records containing metadata associated with the content on the storage device. The method includes downloading from the storage device to a controller unit at least some of the metadata; storing the downloaded metadata in a database accessible to the controller unit; and accessing content on the storage device from the controller unit using at least a portion of the downloaded metadata in the database.

Abstract: An entertainment system comprising a base unit with a transceiver for interacting, at times, with a control unit via a communications link, and a control unit for controlling the base unit, the control unit being dockable with the base unit to establish direct electrical connection between them, and including a transceiver for interacting with the control unit via said link when undocked. The control unit is a separate aspect of the invention or system. The base unit may contain a tuner, preferably with bandless tuning capability, and may be designed to receive into a universal docking arrangement a digitally controllable auxiliary audio source such as a portable MP3 player or other device. The base unit may further provide alarm clock functionality with numerous features including a “fail-safe’ volume control system and fail-safe alarm time setting capability.

Abstract: An electrical connector adaptor system for connecting a base media device which has at least one integral electrical connector with one or more detachable second media devices, each having a connector that may differ from a connector of another second media device. A detachable electrical connector adaptor module is provided, for creating at least one bi-directional electrical connection between the base media device and one or more attachable and detachable second media devices, each of the second media devices having at least one integral connector. The adaptor module has a first electrical connector for mating with the base media device integral electrical connector and a second electrical connector for mating with the second media device integral electrical connector.

Abstract: A media appliance for docking with a detachable Auxiliary Source Module (ASM), each type of ASM delivering for media stream or file in one or more of a plurality of different forms acceptable to the media appliance, at least one of those forms being digital. The appliance includes an instruction processor, memory, and at least one of digital signal processing circuitry or instructions for execution by the processor for processing media streams or files; a controller unit; and electrical contacts for connecting the media appliance with any of multiple types of ASMs.

Abstract: An electrical connector adaptor system for connecting a base media device having at least one integral electrical connector with one or more detachable second media devices. The integral connector is located within a mechanical adaptor for protecting a second media device from mechanical damage and/or to prevent lateral movement of the second media device. Each second media device has a connector that may differ from a connector of other second media devices, or the second media device may have a different form factor from other second media devices. The system includes a detachable electrical connector adaptor module which has a first electrical connector for mating with the base media device integral connector and a second electrical connector for mating with the second media device.

Abstract: A method of using a media device operable in first and second modes, the first mode including operation as a system for accessing a media source co-house with or directly connected to the media device. The source is configured to stream media files or media streams for output by the media device. The second mode comprises operating the media device as a remote controller system for controlling over a network a media source remote from the media device.

Abstract: A media entertainment system including an appliance that has first and second communications interfaces. The first interface is configured to convey communications between the appliance and at least one content source device, such that the appliance can control the device to receive at least one of media content and media metadata. The second interface is configured to communication bi-directionally with a control unit to convey control information and/or media metadata between the appliance and the control unit. The system further includes a control unit separate or separable from the appliance and the device and having a bi-directional communications interface and a graphical user interface configured to control the appliance and the device.

Abstract: An entertainment system comprising a base unit with a transceiver for interacting, at times, with a control unit via a communications link, and a control unit for controlling the base unit, the control unit being dockable with the base unit to establish direct electrical connection between them, and including a transceiver for interacting with the control unit via said link when undocked. The control unit is a separate aspect of the invention or system. The base unit may contain a tuner, preferably with bandless tuning capability, and may be designed to receive into a universal docking arrangement a digitally controllable auxiliary audio source such as a portable MP3 player or other device. The base unit may further provide alarm clock functionality with numerous features including a “fail-safe' volume control system and fail-safe alarm time setting capability.

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.