Abstract:
The invention describes a method and system for conducting online marketing research keeping in consideration the specified budget for the experiment. The invention describes a methodology for effective data collection and optimised utilization of budget through the use of efficient sampling and grouping of users.
Abstract:
Within an online shopping environment, a hosting server supports shoppers and merchants from whom the shoppers purchase goods or services. The hosting server enables an individual user to shop or browse the merchant sites and also enables a group of users to coordinate their shopping or browsing activities. A set of profiling tools build separate profiles based on individual and group shopper activity, as well as the interaction of an individual shopper with one or more groups of shoppers. A targeting tool uses the shopper profiles and information regarding previous promotions (if any) from a promotions library to make recommendations to individual shoppers and shopper groups based also on parameters specified by the merchant/s. The recommendations are directed to shoppers, in accordance with algorithms stored in a repository.
Abstract:
An integrated circuit fabrication method begins with semiconductor devices formed on a substrate. A patterned metal layer is deposited on the substrate to connect the semiconductor devices. A nitride layer is deposited over the metal layer and substrate. The nitride layer topography comprises hills located over metal regions and valleys located over non-metal regions. Spin-on-glass (SOG) is deposited over the nitride layer, thereby filling the valleys and covering the hills. The SOG layer and the nitride layer hills are etched back at substantially the same etch rate, using plasma etching, to form a planar surface. An oxide layer is then deposited over the planar surface to encapsulate the semiconductor devices, metal layer, nitride layer and SOG layer. Vias may then be etched through the oxide layer and the nitride layer to expose portions of the underlying metal layer and facilitate upper layer metal connections thereto. A second metal layer is deposited on the oxide layer and the fabrication process continues until the integrated circuit is complete.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an integrated circuit including one or more amorphous silicon layers for neutralizing charges which occur in various dielectric layers during fabrication. The amorphous silicon layers include dangling silicon bonds which neutralize charges which would otherwise cause isolation breakdown, impair integrated circuit performance and increase manufacturing costs.
Abstract:
A method for making an anti-fuse structure characterized by the steps of forming a conductive base layer; forming an anti-fuse layer over the base layer; patterning the anti-fuse layer to form an anti-fuse island; forming an insulating layer over the anti-fuse island; forming a via hole through the insulating layer to the anti-fuse island; forming a conductive connection layer over the insulating layer and within the via hole; and patterning the conductive connection layer to form a conductive contact to the anti-fuse island. Preferably, the anti-fuse island comprises amorphous silicon which can optionally be covered with a thin layer of a titanium-tungsten alloy.