Abstract: A method of electrochemical deposition (ECD) provides a barrier and a seed layer on a substrate. The surfaces of the substrate are pre-treated before a metal layer is electrochemically deposited thereon in an electrochemical plating cell with a physical or a chemical surface treatment process. The electrochemical plating cell is covered by a cap to prevent evaporation of the electrolyte solution. The electrochemical plating cell includes a substrate holder assembly with a lift seal, e.g., with a contact angle ? less than 90° between the lift seal and the substrate. The substrate holder assembly includes a substrate chuck at the rear side of the substrate.

Abstract: An omnidirectional broadband monopole antenna comprises a ground plane, a radiating member, and a feed member. The ground plane is made of a metal plate. The radiating member comprises a first sub-radiating member, a second sub-radiating member connected to one side of the first sub-radiating member to provide a first angle therebetween, and a third radiating member connected to another side of the first sub-radiating member opposite the second sub-radiating member; a second angle is provided by the first and third sub-radiating members. The feed member is made of a metal rod with one end connected to the radiating member and the other to a signal source. Gain variations of the antenna's horizontal radiation pattern across the operating bandwidth are less than 3 dB.

Abstract: An antenna. The antenna comprises a convex ground unit, a radiating member disposed above the ground unit and a feed member connected to the radiating member. The radiating member comprises a first sub-radiating member and a second sub-radiating member having a feed point to which the feed member is connected.

Abstract: A hose with multiple through holes is used to convey fluid, has a hose body having two ends, multiple through holes arranged abreast passing through the hose body longitudinally and two enlarged annular flanges. Some of the multiple through holes maintain fluid flow when the hose body is bent or twisted. The two enlarged annular flanges may be attached respectively to standard connectors so the hose can be readily attached to a standard outlet and sprinkling nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention describes an integrated image detecting apparatus with low noise, which transforms optical current to voltage and comprises an optical detecting element, an integrated circuit, a correlated double sampling circuit, and an output circuit. The present invention is a CMOS process and is designed for different CMOS image application systems, which keeps the advantages of low power consumption and better integration. Shifts of circuit characteristics caused by process variation are furthermore eliminated.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for metal electroplating. The apparatus for metal electroplating includes an electroplating tank for containing an electrolyte at a first temperature, a substrate holder for holding a semiconductor substrate, and a heater for heating the portion of the electrolyte adjacent to the substrate holder to a second temperature higher than the first temperature.

Abstract: An image sensing module capable of fast transferring signal and a method thereof are proposed. The image sensing module comprises an optical sensor set, a plurality of readout circuits and a plurality of amplifying circuits. Each readout circuit has a plurality of input terminals and an output terminal. Each amplifying circuit has an input terminal and an output terminal. The input terminals of each readout circuit are connected with the optical sensor set. The output terminal of each readout circuit is connected to the input terminal of one of the amplifying circuits. These readout circuits simultaneously capture output signals of the optical sensor set and then transfer to corresponding amplifying circuits in a parallel way. These amplifying circuits then output the amplified signals one by one in an orderly and time-sharing way to accomplish quick transmission of signals of the image sensing module.

Abstract: A hose with multiple through holes is used to convey fluid, has a hose body having two ends, multiple through holes arranged abreast passing through the hose body longitudinally and two enlarged annular flanges. Some of the multiple through holes maintain fluid flow when the hose body is bent or twisted. The two enlarged annular flanges may be attached respectively to standard connectors so the hose can be readily attached to a standard outlet and sprinkling nozzle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing copper from wafer edge. The apparatus of the invention includes a bath tank for containing a chemical bath, a rotatable wafer chuck for holding a wafer vertical to the chemical bath, wherein at least the edge of the wafer is covered with a metal layer, and a sliding element is disposed on one end of the rotatable wafer chuck such that the rotatable wafer chuck can move in a vertical direction to the chemical bath.

Abstract: A reeling device has a base, two reeling wheels, a connector assembly and two handlebars. The base has two chambers and two notches communicate respectively with the chambers. The reeling wheels are rotatably attached respectively inside the chambers for hoses being mounted around the reeling wheels. The connector assembly is attached to the reeling wheels and the base and has an input connector and an output connector. Each one of the input connector and the out connector has a combining end combined with each other. The handlebars are pivotally attached respectively to the reeling wheels. Accordingly, the hoses can be expanded in different way to make the reeling device convenient and versatile in use.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tone event detector first determines whether the presence of a tone is indicated on the input signal, and then, based on this determination, selectively determines whether a tone has been detected on the input signal. For example, in one embodiment, tone detection is performed only when the presence of a tone is first indicated, such that if the presence of a tone is not indicated, tone detection need not be performed. This may help reduce complexity of a tone event detector since a simplified method may be used to indicate the presence of a tone, and the more complex algorithms for tone detection may be enabled only when needed. Also, in one embodiment, detection of a tone includes generating one or more tone characteristics corresponding to the detected tone which may then be used to determine whether the detected tone corresponds to a valid tone event.

Abstract: A pivotal counter assembly for a shoe has a base, a pivot, a counter plate, a torsion spring, a push button, an engaging device and a biasing member. The pivot is pivotally mounted in the base with a pivot pin. The counter plate extends upward from the pivot. The torsion spring is mounted around the pivot pin to provide a recoil force to the pivot. The push button is slidably mounted in the base. The engaging device is mounted between the push button and the pivot to hold the counter plate at a desired position. The biasing member is mounted between the push button and the base to provide a restitution force to the push button. In such an arrangement, the user does not need to manually push the push button, and the use of the counter assembly is easy and convenient.

Abstract: A display comprises a base, a display module and a sensing device. The base has a sensing region and the display module has a control device. The sensing device is electrically connected with the control device and the display module is rotatably coupled to the base. The control device can determine that an angle of rotation of the display module with respect to the base according to a corresponding relation between the sensing device and the sensing region of the base.

Abstract: A loadlock. The loadlock for wafers includes a chamber, a pedestal, a retractable shaft, and a bellows. The chamber has a plurality of walls and a bottom surface. The pedestal supports a cassette and is disposed in the chamber. The retractable shaft has a top end and a bottom end. The top end is connected to the pedestal and the bottom end is connected to the bottom surface as a reference for positioning the pedestal. The bellows has a first end and a second end. The first end is disposed on the pedestal and the second end is sealed at the bottom end of the retractable shaft. Preferably, the retractable shaft is fully enclosed by the bellows.

Abstract: A method for limiting the number of times that software can be installed on different computers is provided. The method is suitable for PC with disk ROMs. With the USB flash drive connected to PC, the method includes the steps of: (a) the CD in the Disk ROM starting the software installation process; (b) the installation process requesting a hardware identification from the PC; (c) comparing the hardware identification of USB flash drive to determine if continuing the software installation process; (d) decoding the identification file in the USB flash drive; (e) checking if the hardware identification being already stored in decoded identification file; and (f) determining if finishing the software installation process in response to the checking step.

Abstract: A pivotal counter assembly for a shoe has a base, a pivot, a counter plate, a torsion spring, a push button, an engaging device and a biasing member. The pivot is pivotally mounted in the base with a pivot pin. The counter plate extends upward from the pivot. The torsion spring is mounted around the pivot pin to provide a recoil force to the pivot. The push button is slidably mounted in the base. The engaging device is mounted between the push button and the pivot to hold the counter plate at a desired position. The biasing member is mounted between the push button and the base to provide a restitution force to the push button. In such an arrangement, the user does not need to manually push the push button, and the use of the counter assembly is easy and convenient.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding polypeptides from a human, reagents related thereto (including purified polypeptides specific antibodies) are provided. Methods of using said reagents and diagnostic kits are also provided.

Abstract: An improvement in a copper damascene process is disclosed. The improvement comprises the step of projecting an electron beam on to a chemical mechanically polished material surface having copper filled etched trenches at a known angle of incidence with respect to the material surface for a known period of time, the electron beam having a beamwidth substantially covering the material surface and a known intensity.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid sequences encoding novel human proteins. These novel nucleic acids are useful for constructing the claimed DNA vectors and host cells of the invention and for preparing the claimed nucleic acids, recombinant proteins and antibodies that are useful in the claimed methods and medical uses.

Abstract: A copper filled semiconductor feature and method of forming the same having improved bulk properties the method including providing a semiconductor process wafer having a process surface including an opening for forming a semiconductor feature; depositing at least one metal dopant containing layer over the opening to form a thermally diffusive relationship to a subsequently deposited copper layer; depositing said copper layer to substantially fill the opening; and, thermally treating the semiconductor process wafer for a time period sufficient to distribute at least a portion of the metal dopants to collect along at least a portion of the periphery of said copper layer including a portion of said copper layer grain boundaries.