Abstract: An optical system affixed to an electronic apparatus is provided, including a first optical module, a second optical module, and a third optical module. The first optical module is configured to adjust the moving direction of a first light from a first moving direction to a second moving direction, wherein the first moving direction is not parallel to the second moving direction. The second optical module is configured to receive the first light moving in the second moving direction. The first light reaches the third optical module via the first optical module and the second optical module in sequence. The third optical module includes a first photoelectric converter configured to transform the first light into a first image signal.

Abstract: Exemplary video processing methods and apparatuses for encoding or decoding a current block by inter prediction are disclosed. Input data of a current block is received and partitioned into sub-partitions and motion refinement is independently performed on each sub-partition. A reference block for each sub-partition is obtained from one or more reference pictures according to an initial motion vector (MV). A refined MV for each sub-partition is derived by searching around the initial MV with N-pixel refinement. One or more boundary pixels of the reference block for a sub-partition is padded for motion compensation of the sub-partition. A final predictor for the current block is generated by performing motion compensation for each sub-partition according to its refined MV. The current block is then encoded or decoded according to the final predictor.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes an interconnect structure overlying a semiconductor substrate and comprising a conductive wire. A passivation structure overlies the interconnect structure. An upper conductive structure overlies the passivation structure and comprises a first conductive layer, a dielectric layer, and a second conductive layer. The first conductive layer is disposed between the dielectric layer and the passivation structure. The second conductive layer extends along a top surface of the dielectric layer and penetrates through the first conductive layer and the passivation structure to the conductive wire.

Abstract: Provided are structures and methods for forming structures with sloping surfaces of a desired profile. An exemplary method includes performing a first etch process to differentially etch a gate material to a recessed surface, wherein the recessed surface includes a first horn at a first edge, a second horn at a second edge, and a valley located between the first horn and the second horn; depositing an etch-retarding layer over the recessed surface, wherein the etch-retarding layer has a central region over the valley and has edge regions over the horns, and wherein the central region of the etch-retarding layer is thicker than the edge regions of the etch-retarding layer; and performing a second etch process to recess the horns to establish the gate material with a desired profile.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating semiconductor structures are provided. An exemplary method includes forming a first transistor structure and a second transistor structure over a substrate, wherein each transistor structure includes at least one nanosheet. The method further includes depositing a metal over each transistor structure and around each nanosheet; depositing a coating over the metal; depositing a mask over the coating; and patterning the mask to define a patterned mask, wherein the patterned mask lies over a masked portion of the coating and the second transistor structure, and wherein the patterned mask does not lie over an unmasked portion of the coating and the first transistor structure. The method further includes etching the unmasked portion of the coating and the metal over the first transistor structure using a dry etching process with a process pressure of from 30 to 60 (mTorr).

Abstract: Methods of cutting gate structures and fins, and structures formed thereby, are described. In an embodiment, a substrate includes first and second fins and an isolation region. The first and second fins extend longitudinally parallel, with the isolation region disposed therebetween. A gate structure includes a conformal gate dielectric over the first fin and a gate electrode over the conformal gate dielectric. A first insulating fill structure abuts the gate structure and extends vertically from a level of an upper surface of the gate structure to at least a surface of the isolation region. No portion of the conformal gate dielectric extends vertically between the first insulating fill structure and the gate electrode. A second insulating fill structure abuts the first insulating fill structure and an end sidewall of the second fin. The first insulating fill structure is disposed laterally between the gate structure and the second insulating fill structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, including a substrate, a first source/drain region, a second source/drain region, and a gate structure, is provided. The substrate has an extra body portion and a fin protruding from a top surface of the substrate, wherein the fin spans the extra body portion. The first source/drain region and the second source/drain region are in the fin. The gate structure spans the fin, is located above the extra body portion, and is located between the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor fabrication method. The method includes forming a gate stack in an area previously occupied by a dummy gate structure; forming a first metal cap layer over the gate stack; forming a first dielectric cap layer over the first metal cap layer; selectively removing a portion of the gate stack and the first metal cap layer while leaving a sidewall portion of the first metal cap layer that extends along a sidewall of the first dielectric cap layer; forming a second metal cap layer over the gate stack and the first metal cap layer wherein a sidewall portion of the second metal cap layer extends further along a sidewall of the first dielectric cap layer; forming a second dielectric cap layer over the second metal cap layer; and flattening a top layer of the first dielectric cap layer and the second dielectric cap layer using planarization operations.

Abstract: An optical system affixed to an electronic apparatus is provided, including a first optical module, a second optical module, and a third optical module. The first optical module is configured to adjust the moving direction of a first light from a first moving direction to a second moving direction, wherein the first moving direction is not parallel to the second moving direction. The second optical module is configured to receive the first light moving in the second moving direction. The first light reaches the third optical module via the first optical module and the second optical module in sequence. The third optical module includes a first photoelectric converter configured to transform the first light into a first image signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor fin. The semiconductor device includes first spacers over the semiconductor fin. The semiconductor device includes a metal gate structure, over the semiconductor fin, that is sandwiched at least by the first spacers. The semiconductor device includes a gate electrode contacting the metal gate structure. An interface between the metal gate structure and the gate electrode has its side portions extending toward the semiconductor fin with a first distance and a central portion extending toward the semiconductor fin with a second distance, the first distance being substantially less than the second distance.

Abstract: A dielectric structure is formed over a layer than contains a conductive component. An opening is formed in the dielectric structure. The opening exposes an upper surface of the conductive component. A first deposition process is performed that deposits a first conductive layer over the dielectric structure and partially in the opening. A treatment process is performed on a first portion of the first conductive layer formed over the dielectric structure. The treatment process introduces a non-metal material to the first portion of the first conductive layer. After the treatment process has been performed, a second deposition process is performed that at least partially fills the opening with a second conductive layer without trapping a gap therein.

Abstract: An electrocardiogram detector including a pad, an electrical connection unit, a plurality of retaining members, and a plurality of electrode pieces is disclosed. The pad has a first face, a second face, and a plurality of through-holes. The electrical connection unit has an electrical connection port and a plurality of conducting lines electrically connected to the electrical connection port. The plurality of conducting lines is arranged on the first face of the pad. The plurality of retaining members is fixed to the first face of the pad and electrically connected to the plurality of conducting lines. The plurality of electrode pieces is electrically connected to the plurality of retaining members. The plurality of electrode pieces is fixed by the plurality of retaining members. In this arrangement, convenient operation of the electrocardiogram detector is improved.

Abstract: A power saving control method for an electronic communication device having a wireless communication module and a control software is provided. The control software includes at least a detection mode and executes the steps of detecting the action of the wireless communication module and obtaining a result. The power supply status of the wireless communication module is controlled via the control software according to the obtained result, thereby preventing waste of electricity.

Abstract: A power saving control method for an electronic communication device having a wireless communication module and a control software is provided. The control software includes at least a detection mode and executes the steps of detecting the action of the wireless communication module and obtaining a result. The power supply status of the wireless communication module is controlled via the control software according to the obtained result, thereby preventing waste of electricity.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method for debugging keyboard basic input/output system (KB-BIOS) in a development notebook computing system, a serial PS/2 port, that is connected to a KB-BIOS processor and that serves as a communications channel, of the development notebook computing system is coupled to a host computer so as to establish communication between the KB-BIOS and the host computer. Thereafter, a debug command is sent from the host computer to the development notebook computing system via the serial PS/2 port. Subsequently, at the development notebook computing system, the debug command sent by the host computer via the serial PS/2 port is directed to the KB-BIOS processor so as to enable the latter to execute the debug command according to program instructions in a debug engine module that resides in a memory of the KB-BIOS, and to send debug data associated with the development notebook computing system to the host computer via the serial PS/2 port in response to execution of the debug command.