Abstract: A backfill prevention system for a gas flow conduit, comprising a gas flow monitor circuit which measures the rate and direction of gas flow through a gas flow conduit and converts the measured data into a voltage signal. A valve control circuit operably connected to a valve or valves in the gas flow conduit receives the voltage signal from the gas flow monitor circuit and closes the valve or valves in the event that the voltage signal indicates backflow of a gas through the gas flow conduit. The valve control conduit may further be provided with a first light emitting diode (LED) which is illuminated during normal flow of the gas through the conduit, and a second LED which is illuminated in the event of gas backflow through the conduit. The system is typically used in conjunction with a mass flow controller in the conduit.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a peripheral circuit and an AFE device. The peripheral circuit is coupled to a display card, and the display signals may be inputted to the AFE device, which processes the display signals, via the peripheral circuit. The image signals outputted from the display card are single-ended analog signals including a red signal, a green signal and a blue signal. The AFE device receives the signals and then utilizes its red, green and blue converters to convert the signals into digital ones. It is to be noted that the red, green, and blue converters share the same ground, which is electrically connected to another ground of the peripheral circuit. Thus, the peripheral circuit and the AFE device have the same reference ground level so as to avoid the distortion caused when the image signals are converted from single-ended ones into the differential ones.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for clock adjustment in a receiving end of a communication system. The receiving end includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) and a frequency/phase error estimator. The ADC receives a transmitting signal and converts to a digital signal. The frequency/phase error estimator receives the digital signal and accordingly outputs a phase error signal. The device for clock adjustment includes a shaping filter and a phase adjuster. The shaping filter outputs a phase adjustment signal in accordance with the phase error signal and has a noise shaping property. The phase adjuster is connected to the shaping filter for outputting a clock signal in accordance with the phase adjustment signal.

Abstract: The line driver with active termination includes: a differential amplifier having an inverting output terminal, a non-inverting output terminal, an inverting input terminal, and a non-inverting input terminal; a first resistor unit coupled to the inverting input terminal; a impedance matching resistor unit coupled to the non-inverting output terminal; and a resistive feedback network, having a plurality of resistors in symmetric configuration. The resistive feedback network further includes: a second resistor unit coupled to the impedance matching resistor unit and the inverting input terminal; a third resistor unit coupled to the non-inverting output terminal and the inverting input terminal; a fourth resistor unit coupled to the impedance matching resistor unit and the inverting input terminal; and a fifth resistor unit coupled to the inverting output terminal and the inverting input terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of automatic identification an external audio input/output device. The external device connected to an audio jack is identified as an audio output or input device, according to the impedance thereof. Furthermore, the present invention automatically selects the most suitable internal circuit to connect to the external device.

Abstract: A microchip fabrication chamber has a pedestal adapted to retain a wafer during processing steps conducted within the chamber. A lift mechanism including a plurality of lift mechanism pins engages and disengages a wafer to the pedestal. A sensor associated with the tip of at least one of the lift mechanism pins detects the presence of the wafer.

Abstract: A new and improved gas distribution plate for a processing chamber for substrates. The gas distribution plate is provided with multiple gas distribution openings which are larger in size in the peripheral or edge regions of the plate than are the openings in the central region of the plate. The larger openings in the peripheral or edge regions of the plate provide a greater area for gas distribution through the plate than the smaller openings in the central region of the plate in order to compensate for the normally higher rate of plasma flow through the center region of the plate.

Abstract: A backfill prevention system for a gas flow conduit, comprising a gas flow monitor circuit which measures the rate and direction of gas flow through a gas flow conduit and converts the measured data into a voltage signal. A valve control circuit operably connected to a valve or valves in the gas flow conduit receives the voltage signal from the gas flow monitor circuit and closes the valve or valves in the event that the voltage signal indicates backflow of a gas through the gas flow conduit. The valve control conduit may further be provided with a first light emitting diode (LED) which is illuminated during normal flow of the gas through the conduit, and a second LED which is illuminated in the event of gas backflow through the conduit. The system is typically used in conjunction with a mass flow controller in the conduit.

Abstract: A composite shadow ring that is constructed of an upper ring and a lower ring assembled together by a plurality of dowel pins and a method for using the ring. The upper ring and the lower ring each has a predetermined outside diameter that is substantially the same, a planar top surface and a planer bottom surface parallel to the planar top surface. Each of the planar bottom surface of the upper ring and the planar top surface of the lower ring has at least two blind holes formed therein. A plurality of dowel pins are used to frictionally engage the at least two blind holes in the upper ring and the at least two blind holes in the lower ring.

Abstract: An Audio Codec which comprises a power selecting circuit an audio compiler circuit and a control amplifier circuit The power selecting circuit receives at least a primary power source and an auxiliary power source and outputs a working power selected from the power sources. The auxiliary power source is selected and output to the control amplifier circuit only when the computer is at a power-off status. When the computer is power-on, the primary power source will be selected and output to both the audio compiler circuit and the control amplifier circuit. Therefore, the Audio Codec of the present invention only needs one set of internally furnished control amplifier circuit to both operate on the normal power-on status and perform the Power OFF CD function.

Abstract: A cover or housing which spans an output port of a first station and an input port of a second station in a manufacturing facility, for example, and covers or houses a conveyor extending between the stations for conveying articles from the first station to the second station. A source of nitrogen gas or clean dry air is provided in communication with the housing interior, and at least one exhaust fan is provided on the housing. As articles are conveyed from the first station to the second station, nitrogen gas or clean dry air is blown into the housing and drawn therefrom through the exhaust fan or fans, such that the flowing gas or air removes particles from the articles as they are carried to the second station.

Abstract: A microchip fabrication chamber has a pedestal adapted to retain a wafer during processing steps conducted within the chamber. A lift mechanism including a plurality of lift mechanism pins engages and disengages a wafer to the pedestal. A sensor associated with the tip of at least one of the lift mechanism pins detects the presence of the wafer.

Abstract: The present invention offers an over-sampling digital-to-analog converter with variable sampling frequencies to process input signals of variable sampling frequencies. The over-sampling digital-to-analog converter comprises an expander, which expands said input signals with a fixed rate of M to produce over-sampling signals; a digital low-pass filter, which filters out high-frequency ingredients of over-sampling signals and then outputs data with a first rate; a data buffer, which receives the outputted data by said digital low-pass filter with the first rate and outputs the data with a second rate; a modulator, which reads data in said data buffer with the second rate and modulates the data; a digital-to-analog converter, which converts the modulated data to analog signals; and an analog low-pass filter, which filters out high-frequency ingredients of said analog signals for producing output signals.

Abstract: An audio converting device including a digital high-pass filter, an expander, a digital low-pass filter, a delta-sigma modulator, a digital-to-analog converter, an analog low-pass filter and a gain control unit is provided. The digital high-pass filter in this invention can filter out a direct-current component of digital audio data such that the production of noise is avoided when the volume is adjusted by users.