Patents Examined by Cuong Luu
  • Patent number: 8447580
    Abstract: Methods and systems for modeling a multiprocessor system in a graphical modeling environment are disclosed. The multiprocessor system may include multiple processing units that carry out one or more processes, such as programs and sets of instructions. Each of the processing units may be represented as a node at the top level of the model for the multiprocessor system. The nodes representing the processing units of the multiprocessor system may be interconnected to each other via a communication channel. The nodes may include at least one read element for reading data from the communication channel into the nodes. The node may also include at least one write element for writing data from the nodes into the communication channel. Each of the processing unit can communicate with other processing unit via the communication channel using the read and write elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
    Inventor: John Ciolfi
  • Patent number: 8433552
    Abstract: A exemplary aspect of the present invention is a simulation method for a semiconductor circuit that includes: a semiconductor resistor; a plurality of contacts arranged at regular intervals in a longitudinal direction and in a width direction of the semiconductor resistor on a terminal region of the semiconductor resistor; and a wiring line formed on the plurality of contacts, the simulation method including: defining a ratio of a parasitic-resistance by the semiconductor resistor between two of the contacts neighboring in the longitudinal direction to a resistance of one of the plurality of contacts as a constant k; and modeling a parasitic-resistance net by using the constant k, the parasitic-resistance net including the terminal region of the semiconductor resistor and the plurality of contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kenta Yamada
  • Patent number: 8428924
    Abstract: A method is disclosed having application notably towards ranking earth models responsive to dynamic heterogeneity. A plurality of earth models representing a subsurface reservoir are provided. Streamline analysis for each of the plurality of earth models is conducted. Flow Capacity (F) vs. Storage Capacity (?) curves are constructed for each of the plurality of earth models based on the streamline analysis. Dynamic heterogeneity for each of the plurality of earth models is computed from the Flow Capacity (F) vs. Storage Capacity (?) curves constructed for each of the plurality of earth models. The plurality of earth models are ranked responsive to dynamic heterogeneity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: George Michael Shook, Kameron Monroe Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8423342
    Abstract: A simulation parameter extracting method of a MOS transistor according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes evaluating a measured value that includes a true gate-overlap capacitance by measuring a capacitance between the gate and the drain in each of a plurality of layout patterns at a predetermined bias voltage, only the number of contact plugs being different for each layout pattern, evaluating a gate-overlap capacitance calculation value of each layout pattern by subtracting a contact parasitic capacitance between the contact plug and the gate from the measured value, the contact parasitic capacitance being obtained by a simulation with varying a model parameter for evaluating a parasitic capacitance between the contact plug and the gate, and extracting the gate-overlap capacitance calculation value as the true gate-overlap capacitance at the model parameter when the gate-overlap capacitance calculation value is about constant regardless of the number of the contact plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhisa Naruta
  • Patent number: 8417504
    Abstract: A system and method are described for converting a circuit description into transaction-based description at a higher level of abstraction. Thus, a designer can readily view a series of transactions that occurred in the simulation of a circuit. In one aspect, the simulated signals are analyzed and converted into messages of a protocol used by the design. A combination of the messages represents a transaction. Thus, the simulated signals are then converted into a series of protocol transactions. In another aspect, a message recognition module performs the analysis of the simulated signals and converts the simulated signals into messages (e.g., request for bus, bus acknowledge, etc.). A transaction recognition module analyzes the messages and converts the messages into transactions (e.g., Read, Write, etc.). Using both the system and method the circuit description is converted into a higher level of abstraction that allows more comprehensive system-level analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Yossi Veller, Vasile Hanga, Alexander Rozenman, Rami Rachamim
  • Patent number: 8412495
    Abstract: The method for adjusting a hearing device (11) to the hearing preferences of a user of the hearing device comprises a) adjusting at least one of N parameters (P1, P2), preferably with 2?N?4; b) obtaining a gain model (G), which is identical with the output of a fitting rationale (F) applied to a model audiogram (A), wherein the model audiogram depends on the N parameters and is independent of possibly existing audiogram values measured for the user; and c) using the gain model (G) or a gain model derived therefrom in said hearing device (11). Preferably, the model audiogram (A) is an approximation to an audiogram occurring in a pre-defined empirical sample of individual audiograms. The user preferably carries out the method by himself and without external equipment. A corresponding arrangement (1) is disclosed, too. A simple and efficient hearing device fitting can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventor: Michael Boretzki
  • Patent number: 8396693
    Abstract: A general, computational-mathematical modeling method for the solution of large, boundary-coupled transport problems involving the flow of mass, momentum, energy or subatomic particles is disclosed. The method employs a modeling processor that extracts a matrix operator equation (or set of equations) from a numerical transport code (NTC). The outputs of software codes, available for modeling physical problems governed by conservation laws in the form of differential equations, can be processed into closed-form operator equations with the method. Included is a numerical transport code functionalization (NTCF) model which can be determined numerically, based on a system of solutions of an NTC, evaluating outputs for a given set of inputs. The NTCF model is a linear or nonlinear, multi-variable operator equation or set of such equations. The NTCF model defines relationships between general, time-variable inputs and outputs, some known and some unknown, considered as boundary values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventor: George Danko
  • Patent number: 8392152
    Abstract: A method is provided for automatically identifying a disease outbreak indicative of a potential bio-terror attack. Patient records are mined from structured and unstructured clinical sources. The patient records are then analyzed by correlating selected patient data contained in the patient records with disease indicia for each of a plurality of diseases. A probability of a disease outbreak is estimated at least in part based on these correlations. Suspicion may also be indicated if anomalous disease clusters are found. If any of the estimated probabilities exceeds a threshold value, a disease outbreak alert is outputted. The disease indicia may be defined by disease progression models, which may be stored in a disease knowledge base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Bharat Rao
  • Patent number: 8386226
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and instructions encoded in a computer-readable medium can perform operations related to stochastic simulation of subterranean fracture propagation. A plurality of subterranean formation models, each representing a subterranean formation, are analyzed to obtain information on predicted results of applying an injection treatment to the subterranean formation. Each of the analyzed subterranean formation models is generated by simulating forces acting on rock blocks of the subterranean formation during the injection treatment. Each simulation has an input parameter value determined for that simulation based on sampling a distribution of values for a characteristic of the subterranean formation. The characteristic may include, for example, a natural fracture parameter. The information on the predicted results of applying the injection treatment may include, for example, an output probability distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David P. Craig
  • Patent number: 8380477
    Abstract: The present invention certifies control modules of engineered safety feature instruments for a power plant automatically. The control modules can be tested before storing or operating. The test is done with enhanced testing speed and saved cost. Thus, safety of the control modules is confirmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council—Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventors: Ben-Ching Liao, Yuan-Chang Yu, Huei-Wen Hwang, Tsung-Chieh Cheng, Minh-Huei Chen
  • Patent number: 8380481
    Abstract: A system and method is described for connecting a logic circuit simulation to a hardware peripheral that includes a computer running software for communicating data to and from the hardware peripheral. The software transmits the data received from the hardware peripheral to the device being simulated by the logic circuit simulation. The computer also transmits the data received from the device being simulated by the electronic circuit simulation to the hardware peripheral. This allows the user to test the device being simulated using real hardware for input and output instead of simulated hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ionipas Transfer Company, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Marc Zeidman
  • Patent number: 8374834
    Abstract: A statistical methodology is disclosed to provide time-to-event estimates for oilfield equipment. A method according to the present invention extracts unbiased information from equipment performance data and considers parameters interactions without recourse to data thinning. The analysis explicitly accounts for items of equipment that are still operational at the time of analysis. A method according to the present invention may also be utilized to apply survival analysis to any oilfield equipment components where time-to-event information has been recorded. The method of the present invention allows comparative reckoning between different components present in the system comprising several or many individual components and allows analysis of these components either individually or simultaneously, i.e., in the presence of other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Bailey, Benoit Couet, James R. Hogan, Iain S. Weir
  • Patent number: 8370114
    Abstract: The invention is a novel method and apparatus for optimal placement of actuators responsible for shaping of elastically deformable structures into desired target shapes using sparse number of actuators such that the discrepancy between deformed surfaces and target shapes is minimized. The invention utilizes a computational algorithm for optimal placement of actuators using particle swarm optimization, a biologically inspired evolutionary optimization paradigm that searches for the minima (or maxima) of objective functions with possibly large number of parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventor: Payam Saisan
  • Patent number: 8364446
    Abstract: System and method for approximating a system. A multi-parameter representation of a family of systems is stored. An embedding of the family into an abstract geometrical continuous space with a metric and defined by the parameters is determined. Coordinates of the space specify values for the parameters of systems of the family. The space includes a grid of points representing respective discrete approximations of the systems. A first point corresponding to a desired instance of a system is determined. The first point's coordinates specify values for the parameters of the instance. The space is sampled using a mapping of a well-distributed point set from a Euclidean space of the parameters to the abstract space. A nearest discrete point to the first point is determined which specifies values for parameters for an optimal discrete approximation of the desired instance, which are useable to implement the discrete approximation of the desired instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Lewis, Michael D. Cerna, Kyle P. Gupton, James C. Nagle, Yong Rao, Subramanian Ramamoorthy, Darren R. Schmidt, Bin Wang, Benjamin R. Weidman, Lothar Wenzel, Naxiong Zhang
  • Patent number: 8346528
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for modeling a plurality of devices of an integrated circuit design as a single statistically equivalent wide device. An integrated circuit design is analyzed to identify a portion of the integrated circuit design having the plurality of devices. For the plurality of devices, a statistical model of a single statistically equivalent wide device is generated which has a statistical distribution of at least one operating characteristic of the single statistically equivalent wide device that captures statistical operating characteristic distributions of individual devices in the plurality of devices. At least one statistical operating characteristic of the single statistically equivalent wide device is a complex non-linear function of the statistical operating characteristics of the individual devices. The integrated circuit design is modeled using the single statistically equivalent wide device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rajiv V. Joshi, Rouwaida N. Kanj, Sani R. Nassif
  • Patent number: 8332204
    Abstract: A computer-readable medium encoded with an instruction check program for making a computer to check a status of execution of an instruction by an I/O simulator that performs an operation simulation according to a structure of an I/O area of a microcomputer, the instruction check program when executed by a computer causes the computer to perform a method including obtaining specification information of the microcomputer describing an input and an output condition of a hardware resource in the I/O area, detecting a simulation of a reference instruction to the hardware resource executed by the I/O simulator, determining correctness of the reference instruction by comparing a content of the simulation of the reference instruction detected by the detecting with the input and output condition of the hardware resource included in the obtained specification information, and outputting an error signal when it is determined that the reference instruction is incorrect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Manabu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8326594
    Abstract: A method analyzes a model of a balanced power distribution system by transforming a model of the balanced distribution system with zero impedance branches to an equivalent model of the balanced power distribution system with non-zero impedance branches. Decoupled power mismatch equations with second orders are generated for each bus in the equivalent model. Power mismatches are determined using the bus power flow equations. The power mismatches are compared to a predetermined threshold. Then, for each bus, solving iteratively, if the comparing is true, the power mismatch equations to obtain a bus voltage magnitude correction and a bus phase angle correction until the comparing is false.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Hongbo Sun
  • Patent number: 8315837
    Abstract: A computer-aided method of obtaining a preliminary ply model of a composite component to be used in the manufacture of industrial parts by stacking and joining a plurality of plies of composite materials, comprising the following steps: a) obtaining from stress calculations a ply stacking sequence for the component subdivided into panels; b) automatically generating a stacking table containing the ply sequence for each different zone (defined by its ply sequence); c) automatically generating a grid table; d) optimizing said stacking table; e) performing the plies drop-off distribution by means of a tool that allows carrying out said distribution automatically according to a predetermined staggering rule; f) obtaining an output table containing the data required for representing the ply model in a CAD program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.L.
    Inventors: Guillermo Martín Menayo, Antonio Bolinches Quero
  • Patent number: 8311785
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to minimize saturation in a ground fault detection device are disclosed. An example method includes connecting a capacitor simulator to a node of the ground fault detector device to prevent saturation, and monitoring power-line conductors for ground fault conditions with the ground fault detector device. An example apparatus to simulate a saturation capacitance in a ground fault device includes a sense coil induced by power-line conductors, and at least one of an amplifier or a current detector including an input connected to the sense coil and an output connected to a ground fault detector. The example apparatus also includes a saturation capacitor simulator connected to a node of at least one of the amplifier or the current detector to prevent saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Artur J. Lewinski, Ross Teggatz, Thomas Edward Cosby
  • Patent number: 8306802
    Abstract: A method for digital circuit design. The first step of the process is the step of providing a circuit design in the form of a hardware definition language. Then, the process produces a binary simulation of the design by setting out for each unit of time during execution of the hardware design the a control state and a program state of the design and assigns a symbol to each signal of the design. The process proceeds by executing a symbolic simulation of the design, concluding with identifying and capturing the combinational logic expression of the simulation output and the next state functions of the simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventors: Yunshan Zhu, James Herbert Kukula, Robert F. Damiano, Joseph T. Buck