Abstract: A method, system and apparatus of managing context is provided. A current context is determined. It is determined if a context object associated with the current context exists in a shared memory and, if not, the context object is created in the shared memory. Data associated with the current context is collected while the current context is active. Data associated with the current context is stored in the context object associated with the current context.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus of controlling at least one application on an electronic device. Interfacing occurs between a context object and the at least one application. Context data is retrieved from the context object. At least one of the following further occurs: the context object is updated with new context data derived from interactions with the at least one application; the behaviour of the at least one application is modulated based on the context data; and at least one data field in the application is populated with the context data.

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: A method and apparatus for removing conductive material from a microelectronic substrate. In one embodiment, the method can include engaging a microelectronic substrate with a polishing surface of a polishing pad, electrically coupling a conductive material of the microelectronic substrate to a source of electrical potential, and oxidizing at least a portion of the conductive material by passing an electrical current through the conductive material from the source of electrical potential. For example, the method can include positioning first and second electrodes apart from a face surface of the microelectronic substrate and disposing an electrolytic fluid between the face surface and the electrodes with the electrodes in fluid communication with the electrolytic fluid. The method can further include removing the portion of conductive material from the microelectronic substrate by moving at least one of the microelectronic and the polishing pad relative to the other.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods of making a vertical diode structure are provided. The vertical diode structure may have associated therewith a diode opening extending through an insulation layer and contacting an active region on a silicon wafer. A titanium silicide layer may be formed over the interior surface of the diode opening and contacting the active region. The diode opening may initially be filled with an amorphous silicon plug that is doped during deposition and subsequently recrystallized to form large grain polysilicon. The silicon plug has a top portion that may be heavily doped with a first type dopant and a bottom portion that may be lightly doped with a second type dopant. The top portion may be bounded by the bottom portion so as not to contact the titanium silicide layer. In one embodiment of the vertical diode structure, a programmable resistor contacts the top portion of the silicon plug and a metal line contacts the programmable resistor.

Abstract: Digestible compositions of inulin for managing blood glucose levels in a patient are disclosed. The compositions can include an inulin, a sucrose and an amylase, wherein the inulin is configured to lower blood glucose in the patient and wherein the sucrose is presented in sufficient amount to at least partially counteract the blood glucose lowering effect of the inulin. Several embodiments disclosed in the present application include a vegetable mixture comprising burdock root, carrots and daikon radish and additional constituents such as dimethyl sulfoxide, lentinan and D-eritadenine. Additionally, methods of preparing a digestible composition of inulin are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a container capacitor structure and method of constructing it. An etch mask and etch are used to expose portions of an exterior surface of electrode (“bottom electrodes”) of the container capacitor structure. The etch provides a recess between proximal pairs of container capacitor structures, which recess is available for forming additional capacitance. Accordingly, a capacitor dielectric and a top electrode are formed on and adjacent to, respectively, both an interior surface and portions of the exterior surface of the first electrode. Advantageously, surface area common to both the first electrode and second electrodes is increased over using only the interior surface, which provides additional capacitance without a decrease in spacing for clearing portions of the capacitor dielectric and the second electrode away from a contact hole location.

Abstract: A first precursor gas is flowed to the substrate within the chamber effective to form a first monolayer on the substrate. A second precursor gas different in composition from the first precursor gas is flowed to the first monolayer within the chamber under surface microwave plasma conditions within the chamber effective to react with the first monolayer and form a second monolayer on the substrate which is different in composition from the first monolayer. The second monolayer includes components of the first monolayer and the second precursor. In one implementation, the first and second precursor flowings are successively repeated effective to form a mass of material on the substrate of the second monolayer composition. Additional and other implementations are contemplated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing electronic payment transaction information. A transaction software engine operating in a server at a merchant's site effectuates the authorization of electronic payment requests and the settlement of authorized electronic payments. Authorization requests are sent by a terminal at the merchant's site to the server as each transaction occurs. Batches of settlement requests are processed after a predetermined time, although the transactions are processed on a transaction-by-transaction basis. The transaction software engine is capable of accepting data of varying formats and re-encoding such data so that it can be processed by a host associated with a data transaction provider. Accordingly, the transaction software engine processes data received from a variety of terminals as well as data sent to and received from a variety of data transaction providers.

Abstract: A two-optic accommodative lens system. The first lens has a negative power and is located posteriorly within the capsular bag and lying against the posterior capsule. The periphery of the first lens is attached to a ring-like structure having sloping sides. The second lens is located anteriorly to the first lens within of the capsular bag and is of a positive power. The peripheral edge of the second lens contains a plurality of haptics that project posteriorly from the second lens and toward the first lens. The haptics are relatively firm, yet still flexible and ride within the sloping sides of the ring-like structure, so that flattening or steepening of the capsule in reaction to movement of the ciliary muscle and corresponding shrinkage of the capsular bag causes the second lens to move along the optical axis of the lens system.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a method is illustrated as retrieving a plurality of search queries and defining relationships between search queries in the plurality of search queries based on semantic data associated with the search queries. A visual representation of the of the plurality of search queries may be generated and the visual representation may be partitioned into a plurality of tiles, each title representing a predefined portion of the visual representation.

Abstract: A process is provided for forming vertical contacts in the manufacture of integrated circuits and devices. The process eliminates the need for precise mask alignment and allows the etch of the contact hole to be controlled independent of the etch of the interconnect trough. The process includes the steps of: forming an insulating layer on the surface of a substrate; forming an etch stop layer on the surface of the insulating layer; forming an opening in the etch stop layer; etching to a first depth through the opening in the etch stop layer and into the insulating layer to form an interconnect trough; forming a photoresist mask on the surface of the etch stop layer and in the trough; and continuing to etch through the insulating layer until reaching the surface of the substrate to form a contact hole. The above process may be repeated one or more times during the formation of multilevel metal integrated circuits.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods of making a vertical diode structure are provided. The vertical diode structure may have associated therewith a diode opening extending through an insulation layer and contacting an active region on a silicon wafer. A titanium silicide layer may be formed over the interior surface of the diode opening and contacting the active region. The diode opening may initially be filled with an amorphous silicon plug that is doped during deposition and subsequently recrystallized to form large grain polysilicon. The silicon plug has a top portion that may be heavily doped with a first type dopant and a bottom portion that may be lightly doped with a second type dopant. The top portion may be bounded by the bottom portion so as not to contact the titanium silicide layer. In one embodiment of the vertical diode structure, a programmable resistor contacts the top portion of the silicon plug and a metal line contacts the programmable resistor.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a semiconductor light-emitting diode (LED) device with increased light extraction are provided. The method generally includes applying a mask to a surface of an LED wafer, etching the surface of the LED wafer such that etched pits are formed in the surface, removing the mask, and roughening or texturing the surface of the LED wafer including the etched pits. In this manner, the surface area of the LED device may be increased when compared to a conventional LED device, and less emitted light may experience total internal reflection (TIR) according to Snell's law, thereby leading to increased light extraction.

Abstract: A microfluidic network provides active control of characteristics of at least one micro-droplet. The microfluidic network includes at least one junction of at least one first channel and at least one second channel; and an electrically controlled actuator at or adjacent the junction to induce a change in the characteristics of the at least one micro-droplet. A corresponding method employs an electrically controlled actuator at or adjacent a junction to induce a change in the characteristics of a micro-droplet.

Abstract: A method for forming a single damascene and/or dual damascene, contact and interconnect structure, comprising: performing front end processing, depositing copper including a copper barrier, annealing the copper in at least 90% N2 with less than 10% H2, performing planarization, performing in-situ low-H NH3 plasma treatment and low Si—H SiN etch stop layer deposition, and performing remaining back end processing.

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: An image sensor pixel that includes a photoelectric conversion unit supported by a substrate and an insulator adjacent to the substrate. The pixel includes a light guide that is located within an opening of the insulator and extends above the insulator such that a portion of the light guide has an air interface. The air interface improves the internal reflection of the light guide. Additionally, the light guide and an adjacent color filter are constructed with a process that optimizes the upper aperture of the light guide. These characteristics of the light guide eliminate the need for a microlens.