Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Jonathan A. Small
  • Patent number: 8347787
    Abstract: A printhead subsystem is disclosed for selectively removing portions of a layer of dampening fluid disposed over an arbitrarily reimageable surface in a variable data lithographic system. The subsystem comprises a thermal printhead element disposed proximate the arbitrarily reimageable surface, and driving circuitry communicatively connected to the thermal printhead for selectively temporarily heating the thermal printhead to an elevated temperature. Portions of the dampening fluid layer proximate the thermal printhead are vaporized and driven off the arbitrarily reimageable surface by the thermal printhead when the thermal printhead is at the elevated temperature, to thereby form voids in the dampening fluid layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignees: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated, Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Stowe, Steven Moore
  • Patent number: 8330144
    Abstract: A structure and method for producing same provides a solid-state light emitting device with suppressed lattice defects in epitaxially formed nitride layers over a non-c-plane oriented (e.g., semi-polar) template or substrate. A dielectric layer with “window” openings or trenches provides significant suppression of all diagonally running defects during growth. Posts of appropriate height and spacing may further provide suppression of vertically running defects. A layer including gallium nitride is formed over the dielectric layer, and polished to provide a planar growth surface with desired roughness. A tri-layer indium gallium nitride active region is employed. For laser diode embodiments, a relatively thick aluminum gallium nitride cladding layer is provided over the gallium nitride layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Andre Strittmatter, Noble M. Johnson, Mark Teepe, Christopher L. Chua, Zhihong Yang, John E. Northrup
  • Patent number: 8288799
    Abstract: A thin film field effect transistor is disclosed which provides improved time-based channel stability. The field effect transistor includes first and second disordered semiconductor layers separated by an insulator. In an embodiment a carrier injection terminal is provided in a thin semiconductor layer closest to the gate terminal. An electric field is established in the thin semiconductor layer. At sufficient field strength, the electric field extends into the second semiconductor layer, which is in contact with the source and drain terminals. At sufficient field strength a channel is established in the second semiconductor layer, permitting current to flow between source and drain terminals. Above a certain gate voltage, there is sufficient free charge is induced in the first semiconductor layer so that the field does not extend into the second semiconductor, effectively shutting off current between source and drain. Single-device transition detection (as well as other applications) may be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Sanjiv Sambandan, Ana Claudia Arias, Gregory Lewis Whiting
  • Patent number: 8285521
    Abstract: A computer-implemented subsystem and method is disclosed for receiving user qualification data, comparing that data to certification criteria, and providing user certification according thereto, in the context of a system for designing a structure. A variety of users may be certified, including architects, designers, component and service providers, permitting authorities, builders, financers, future tenants, etc. A wide variety of certifications may be provided including by trade, by attributes of the structure, by intended use of the design system, etc. Certification may be based on general experience, references, time spent with the design system, training completed, examination passed, other certifications, etc. Certification may be stand-alone or may be part of an ongoing continuing education process. The design system may limit actions a user may perform on a design based on certification and certification level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Chim, Eric Teller, Eli Attia, Michelle Kaufmann, Alena Fong, Augusto Roman, Jennifer Carlile, Cedric Dupont
  • Patent number: 8247249
    Abstract: A structure and method for producing same provides a solid-state light emitting device with suppressed lattice defects in epitaxially formed nitride layers over a non-c-plane oriented (e.g., semi-polar) template or substrate. A dielectric layer with “window” openings or trenches provides significant suppression of all diagonally running defects during growth. Posts of appropriate height and spacing may further provide suppression of vertically running defects. A layer including gallium nitride is formed over the dielectric layer, and polished to provide a planar growth surface with desired roughness. A tri-layer indium gallium nitride active region is employed. For laser diode embodiments, a relatively thick aluminum gallium nitride cladding layer is provided over the gallium nitride layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Andre Strittmatter, Noble M. Johnson, Mark Teepe, Christopher L. Chua, Zhihong Yang, John E. Northrup
  • Patent number: 8227928
    Abstract: A thermo-electro-acoustic engine comprises a sealed body having a regenerator, hot and cold heat exchangers, an acoustic source, and an acoustic energy converter. An acoustic pressure wave is generated in a gas in the region of the regenerator. The converter converts a portion of the acoustic pressure into electrical energy. A portion of the electrical energy is used to drive the acoustic source. The acoustic source is controllably driven to produce acoustic energy which constructively adds to that of the acoustic pressure wave in the region of the regenerator. The remaining electrical energy produced by the converter is used external to the engine, such as to drive a load or for storage. The resonant frequency of the engine and the frequency of the energy output can be controlled electronically or electromechanically, and is not limited solely by the physical structure of the engine body and its elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Sean Garner, David Eric Schwartz
  • Patent number: 8229715
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system for coordinating the design and implementation of a structure is disclosed. The system includes a design workspace, a design engine which receives various inputs and produces a structure design for display in the design workspace, first and second interfaces permitting first and second users, respectively, to view and manipulate a design, either independently or concurrently, and a library of design elements and editing tools accessible to the first and second users. One or more users may be provided with controls limiting the manipulations that other user(s) may make to the design. Change tracking and error and conflict checking are provided to assist with merging design manipulations originating from separate users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Teller, Nicholas Chim, Augusto Roman, Jennifer Carlile, Alena Fong, Eli Attia, Michelle Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 8211782
    Abstract: A first patterned contact layer, for example a gate electrode, is formed over an insulative substrate. Insulating and functional layers are formed at least over the first patterned contact layer. A second patterned contact layer, for example source/drain electrodes, is formed over the functional layer. Insulative material is then selectively deposited over at least a portion of the second patterned contact layer to form first and second wall structures such that at least a portion of the second patterned contact layer is exposed, the first and second wall structures defining a well therebetween. Electrically conductive or semiconductive material is deposited within the well, for example by jet-printing, such that the first and second wall structures confine the conductive or semiconductive material and prevent spreading and electrical shorting to adjacent devices. The conductive or semiconductive material is in electrical contact with the exposed portion of the second patterned contact layer to form, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Jurgen H. Daniel, Ana Claudia Arias
  • Patent number: 8212287
    Abstract: A structure method for producing same provides suppressed lattice defects when epitaxially forming nitride layers over non-c-plane oriented layers, such as a semi-polar oriented template layer or substrate. A patterned mask with “window” openings, or trenches formed in the substrate with appropriate vertical dimensions, such as the product of the window width times the cotangent of the angle between the surface normal and the c-axis direction, provides significant blocking of all diagonally running defects during growth. In addition, inclined posts of appropriate height and spacing provide a blocking barrier to vertically running defects is created. When used in conjunction with the aforementioned aspects of mask windows or trenches, the post structure provides sign0ificant blocking of both vertically and diagonally running defects during growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventor: Andre Strittmatter
  • Patent number: 8205459
    Abstract: A thermo-electro-acoustic refrigerator comprises a sealed body having a regenerator, hot and cold heat exchangers, an acoustic source, and an acoustic energy converter. A first drive signal drives the acoustic source to produce an acoustic pressure wave in the region of the regenerator. The converter converts a portion of the acoustic pressure into a second drive signal which is fed back to and further drives the acoustic source. The pressure wave produces a thermal gradient between the cold and hot heat exchangers, permitting heat extraction (cooling) within at least one of the heat exchangers. The resonant frequency of the refrigerator can be controlled electronically, and is not limited by the physical structure of the refrigerator body and its elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Sean Garner, David Eric Schwartz
  • Patent number: 8183649
    Abstract: A buried aperture in a nitride light emitting device is described. The aperture is formed in an aperture layer, typically an amorphous or polycrystalline material over an active layer that includes a nitride material. The aperture layer material typically also includes nitride. The aperture layer is etched to create an aperture which is filled with a conducting material by epitaxial regrowth. The amorphous layer is crystallized forming an electrically resistive material during or before regrowth. The conducting aperture in the electrically resistive material is well suited for directing current into a light emitting region of the active layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher L. Chua, Zhihong Yang
  • Patent number: 8164122
    Abstract: A thin film field effect transistor is disclosed which provides improved time-based channel stability. The field effect transistor includes first and second disordered semiconductor layers separated by an insulator. In an embodiment a carrier injection terminal is provided in a thin semiconductor layer closest to the gate terminal. An electric field is established in the thin semiconductor layer. At sufficient field strength, the electric field extends into the second semiconductor layer, which is in contact with the source and drain terminals. At sufficient field strength a channel is established in the second semiconductor layer, permitting current to flow between source and drain terminals. Above a certain gate voltage, there is sufficient free charge is induced in the first semiconductor layer so that the field does not extend into the second semiconductor, effectively shutting off current between source and drain. Single-device transition detection (as well as other applications) may be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Sanjiv Sambandan, Ana Claudia Arias, Gregory Lewis Whiting
  • Patent number: 8154009
    Abstract: A GaN/AlN superlattice is formed over a GaN/sapphire template structure, serving in part as a strain relief layer for growth of subsequent layers (e.g., deep UV light emitting diodes). The GaN/AlN superlattice mitigates the strain between a GaN/sapphire template and a multiple quantum well heterostructure active region, allowing the use of high Al mole fraction in the active region, and therefore emission in the deep UV wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: William S. Wong, Michael A. Kneissl, Zhihong Yang, Mark Teepe, Cliff Knollenberg
  • Patent number: 8139277
    Abstract: Two integrated multi-beam sources are positioned and disposed such that each emits light toward an optical splitter. The emitted light is polarized such that the splitter brings the optical paths of the two integrated multi-beam sources generally parallel to one another such that the optical system aperture throughput for the two integrated multi-beam sources is roughly the same as for a single integrated multi-beam source. The splitter may be such that a portion of the optical energy from each source is directed into an imaging path and a portion of the optical energy is directed toward one or more non-polarizing splitters and optical sensors for, inter alia, controlling the output of the sources. In various embodiments, the number of splitters, and hence the extent of optical loss, may be reduced by use of a combined polarized and non-polarized splitter, dual polarized splitters, and time-sequenced beam generation and monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center. Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick Yasuo Maeda, Philipp Helmut Schmaelzle
  • Patent number: 8088637
    Abstract: A GaN/AlN superlattice is formed over a GaN/sapphire template structure, serving in part as a strain relief layer for growth of subsequent layers (e.g., deep UV light emitting diodes). The GaN/AlN superlattice mitigates the strain between a GaN/sapphire template and a multiple quantum well heterostructure active region, allowing the use of high Al mole fraction in the active region, and therefore emission in the deep UV wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: William S. Wong, Michael A. Kneissl, Zhihong Yang, Mark Teepe, Cliff Knollenberg
  • Patent number: 8053818
    Abstract: A thin film field effect transistor is disclosed which provides improved time-based channel stability. The field effect transistor includes first and second disordered semiconductor layers separated by an insulator. In an embodiment a carrier injection terminal is provided in a thin semiconductor layer closest to the gate terminal. An electric field is established in the thin semiconductor layer. At sufficient field strength, the electric field extends into the second semiconductor layer, which is in contact with the source and drain terminals. At sufficient field strength a channel is established in the second semiconductor layer, permitting current to flow between source and drain terminals. Above a certain gate voltage, there is sufficient free charge is induced in the first semiconductor layer so that the field does not extend into the second semiconductor, effectively shutting off current between source and drain. Single-device transition detection (as well as other applications) may be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Sanjiv Sambandan, Ana Claudia Arias, Gregory Lewis Whiting
  • Patent number: 8023544
    Abstract: The AlGaN upper cladding layer of a nitride laser diode is replaced by a non-epitaxial layer, such as metallic silver. If chosen to have a relatively low refractive index value, the mode loss from absorption in the non-epitaxial cladding layer is acceptably small. If also chosen to have a relatively high work-function, the non-epitaxial layer forms an electrical contact to the nitride semiconductors. An indium-tin-oxide layer may also be employed with the non-epitaxial cladding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Christopher L. Chua, Noble M. Johnson, Zhihong Yang
  • Patent number: 8023546
    Abstract: A semiconductor light-emitting device has, in place of a traditional separate cladding layer and contact structure, a non-epitaxial contact and waveguide layer. The non-epitaxial contact and waveguide layer is formed of a conductive material and such that it has a recess therein and over the injection region. Air filling the region together with appropriate choice of material for the non-epitaxial contact and waveguide layer creates desired lateral waveguiding. Metallic silver in one choice for this material. The recess may also be filled with a low-loss material having a refractive index higher than that of the material forming the non-epitaxial contact and waveguide layer. Transparent conductive oxides (e.g., indium tin oxide (ITO), zinc oxide (ZnO), etc.), appropriate metal (e.g., gold), or a composite comprising a conductive oxide and a metal, provide low absorption in the UV and near-IR wavelengths of interest, and are thus good candidate materials for within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Andre Strittmatter, Christopher L. Chua, Noble M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8000371
    Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting device includes a pump light source, a gain structure, and an out-coupling mirror. The gain structure is comprised of InGaN layers that have resonant excitation absorption at the pump wavelength. Light from the pump light source causes the gain structure to emit light, which is reflected by the out-coupling mirror back to the gain structure. A distributed Bragg reflector causes internal reflection within the gain structure. The out-coupling mirror permits light having sufficient energy to pass therethrough for use external to the device. A frequency doubling structure may be disposed between the gain structure and the out-coupling mirror. Output wavelengths in the deep-UV spectrum may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Andre Strittmatter, Christopher L. Chua, Peter Kiesel, Noble M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8000366
    Abstract: A semiconductor laser diode with a high indium content is provided with a lattice matched cladding layer or layers. One or both of the cladding layers may comprise bulk aluminum gallium indium nitride in the ratio of AlxGa1-x-yInyN and/or a short period superlattice structures of, for example, a plurality of alternating layer pairs of aluminum gallium indium nitride in the ratio of AlxGa1-x-yInyN and gallium indium nitride in the ratio of GasIn1-sN, providing a multi-quantum barrier (MQB) effect. Lattice matching of the cladding layer(s) and active layer reduce or eliminate strain, and the materials chosen for the cladding layers optimizes optical and carrier confinement. Alternatively, the lattice parameters may be selected to provide strain balanced MQBs, e.g., where the barrier layers are tensile-strained and the well layers compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Christopher L. Chua, Noble M. Johnson, Zhihong Yang