Abstract: An edge termination structure includes a final dielectric trench containing permanent charge. The final dielectric trench is surrounded by first conductivity type semiconductor material (doped by lateral outdiffusion from the trenches), which in turn is laterally surrounded by second conductivity type semiconductor material.

Abstract: An image display system with one or more client computers in selective communication with a visual server having image processing capabilities. The client computer generates image modifying data corresponding to a generated image, and transmits the data to the visual server. The visual server receives the image-modifying data, generates a modified image based upon the image-modifying data, and transmits the modified image as compressed data to the client. The client decompresses the modified image data and displays the modified image. In the system, the visual server and client can provide a sequential display of modified frames on client to support animation with complex 3-dimensional graphics.

Abstract: A method of modeling of the visible world using full-surround image data includes steps for selecting a view point within a p-surface, selecting a direction of view within the p-surface, texture mapping full-surround image data onto the p-surface such that the resultant texture map is substantially equivalent to projecting full-surround image data onto the p-surface from the view point to thereby generate a texture mapped p-surface, and displaying a predetermined portion of the texture mapped p-surface. An apparatus for implementing the method is also described.

Abstract: Improved highly reliable power RFP structures and fabrication and operation processes. The structure includes plurality of localized dopant concentrated zones beneath the trenches of RFPs, either floating or extending and merging with the body layer of the MOSFET or connecting with the source layer through a region of vertical doped region. This local dopant zone decreases the minority carrier injection efficiency of the body diode of the device and alters the electric field distribution during the body diode reverse recovery.

Abstract: A DMOS transistor is fabricated with its source/body/deep body regions formed on the walls of a first set of trenches, and its drain regions formed on the walls of a different set of trenches. A gate region that is formed in a yet another set of trenches can be biased to allow carriers to flow from the source to the drain. Lateral current low from source/body regions on trench walls increases the active channel perimeter to a value well above the amount that would be present if the device was fabricated on just the surface of the wafer. Masking is avoided while open trenches are present. A transistor with a very low on-resistance per unit area is obtained.

Abstract: A lateral high-voltage device in which conductive trench plates are inserted across the voltage-withstand region, so that, in the on state, the current density vectors have less convergence. This can help reduce on-resistance.

Abstract: An architecture in which data outputs from an application program into a communication interface are diverted, by changing their address to a reserved address, and then are processed further by an added program which is invisible to the application program. The added program can provide authentication, privacy, data reformatting, or other such desired features to the data outputs without requiring it to be integrated with the application program.

Abstract: A tile-oriented graphics processing system in which an additional level of caching is provided locally, at the output of a patch-processing graphics computation block. This additional local storage buffers the current tile, so that repeated accesses to the same tile can avoid pipelining delays connected with access to the main cache. (Even an on-chip cache, in a large chip, can impose access delays which are significant in relation to the computation speeds involved.

Abstract: A 3D graphics accelerator in which vertex data is locally cached, at individual rendering subsystems, in circular buffers which are NOT large enough to hold the maximum number of data fields for the maximum number of vertices which can be parallel-processed. Instead, the circular buffers are preferably made large enough to hold the maximum number of data fields for a minimum useful number of vertices; the same buffers can also be used to hold a smaller number of data fields for the maximum number of vertices.

Abstract: A graphics accelerator architecture in which instructing on a data stream which includes a mixture of scalars and short vectors (i.e. 2-, 3- or 4-vectors) are defined with an argument in the opcode which specifies the data type(s) being manipulated. The sequencer expands each of these opcodes on the fly to produce an appropriate series of instructions for the scalar processor to execute. This is particularly advantageous with the limited set of vector lengths handled in rendering operations.

Abstract: A rock bit seal in which the shape of the retainer lip (which restrains the seal from axial motion in response to pressure differentials) is optimized, with respect to the as-deformed shape of the seal in place, to achieve a preload stress which is everywhere nonzero. Preferably the ratio of maximum to minimum stress in the as-installed condition is kept to a small ratio, e.g. less than 2:1.

Abstract: In the seal gland in a rotating cone drill bit, the O-ring is initially compressed between the journal and a central portion of the gland which has a cross-section parallel to the journal. These two concentric surfaces provide a minimum amount of contact pressure for a given amount of squeeze than other configurations. Chamfers connect the central portion to the sidewalls of the gland, so that after the seal has worn in use, it will ride up onto the chamfers, where additional squeeze to the seal. This allows the seal to operate in a standard regime during the first part of its lifetime and to automatically shift to a more compressed mode as the seal wears.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and reporting downhole bit failure. Sensors are located on a sub assembly (which is removable from the drill bit) and send data to neural net or other adaptive filter. The neural net uses past sensor readings to predict future sensor readings. The value predicted for the sensors is subtracted from the actual value to produce a prediction error. Increases in prediction error are used to indicate bit failure. The results of this are transmitted to the operator by varying the pressure in the drilling mud flow.

Abstract: A specialized processing chip (e.g. a graphics accelerator) in which the host interface provides access to the diagnostic registers in most of the complex logic on the chip, except for the host interface itself. This advantageously permits the host CPU to obtain direct access to register contents in the specialized chip.

Abstract: A fixed-cutter drill bit is optimized so that cutter torques are evenly distributed not only during drilling of homogeneous rock, but also in transitional formations.

Abstract: A drill string is equipped with a downhole assembly having an instrumented sub and a drill bit. The instrumented sub has a power source that requires no electrical chemical batter. A mass-spring system is used, which during drilling causes a magnet to oscillate past a coil. This induces current which is used to power downhole instruments.

Abstract: A graphics system in which the dedicated graphics memory is doubly virtualized: it can be paged into host physical memory, and also, beyond that, into host bulk storage. Portions of host physical memory which are needed to support the graphics memory management process can be locked down.

Abstract: An apparatus and accompanying method for monitoring and reporting downhole bit failure. Individual sensors are placed on a sub which is separate from the drill bit itself, and are powered by a vibration driven power system. The sensor readings are used to compute values which represent the ratios of sensor readings on one sensor in relation to the readings of one or more other sensors. This creates a self-calibrating sensor system that accounts for changes in downhole conditions which might cause sensor readings to fluctuate, but which do not indicate failure.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting the wear of a roller bit bearing on a roller drill bit body where the roller element has a plurality of cutting elements and is rotatably attached to the roller drill bit body at the bearing. In the invention, a rotation impeder is in between the roller element and roller drill bit body and upon uneven rotation of the roller element which indicates that the roller element bearing may fail, the rotation impeder impedes the rotation of the roller element. The drill rig operator at the surface can cease drilling operations upon detection of the cessation of rotation of the roller element. The rotation impeder can also be seated in a drilling fluid outlet and cause a detectable loss in drilling fluid pressure when dislodged to otherwise cease rotation of the roller drill bit.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting the wear of a roller bit bearing between a roller drill bit body and a roller bit rotatably attached to the roller drill bit body. A valve-plug is placed between the roller drill bit body and roller bit such that the valve-plug is removably fitted in a drilling fluid outlet in the roller drill bit body, and the valve-plug extends into a channel in the roller bit whereby uneven rotation or vibration of the roller bit causes the valve-plug to impact the sides of the channel which removes the valve-plug from the drilling fluid outlet to cause drilling fluid to flow through the drilling fluid outlet. The drop in pressure from the drilling fluid flowing through the drilling fluid outlet indicates that the roller bit is worn and may fail.