Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Benman & Collins
  • Patent number: 5636428
    Abstract: A blade arrangement for cutting dados that includes magnetic dado spacers, which firmly adhere through magnetic attraction to the dado blades, is disclosed. Also, with the blade arrangement of the present invention, problems due to blade vibrations are reduced. The cutting width is conveniently measured and adjusted without having to repeatedly install and remove the nut, since the magnetic dado spacers hold adjacent blades firmly together, before they are tightened. Additionally, the use of magnetic dado spacers reduces the possibility of the spacers falling into and becoming caught in the thread of an arbor. A further advantage is that the magnetic dado spacers are much quicker and easier to install than prior art dado spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Tom Decker
    Inventor: Johannes Van Mourik
  • Patent number: 5635737
    Abstract: A gate array architecture is disclosed that utilizes significantly less silicon area than the prior art. The core cell includes a four transistor arrangement in which a substrate tap is located adjacent to the transistor pair. This provides for a more "symmetric" cell array than those in the prior art. Through the placement of the taps outside of the transistors the power line connections can be routed in a simple and efficient manner. The architecture includes an extension portion in the contact region of the cell to further reduce wiring complexity. In addition the gate array architecture mirrors pairs of transistor columns to allow for the sharing of substrate taps between pairs of columns. This mirroring feature further reduces routing complexity. The architecture further includes a plurality of probe lines that are located within the architecture to facilitate testability of the outputs of the architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Aspec Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Yin
  • Patent number: 5636140
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a flexible medium access control device. The medium access control (MAC) device includes four configurable transmit and receive modes for communicating with a physical layer signaling control device. The four modes are controlled by a processor and a transceiver interface. In operation, the modes enable the MAC device to transmit and receive MAC data to and from the physical layer signaling control device, and to optionally transmit and receive PHY data to and from the physical layer signaling control device, thereby providing compatibility between a MAC device and a radio, regardless of the physical layer functionality of the radio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Lee, Matthew Fischer
  • Patent number: 5633882
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the need in the art by providing a novel approach to the correction of errors in check bits in an encoded data word. The invention consists of a check bit output latch 16 which stores check bits generated by a check bit generator 14 and outputs the newly generated check bits to memory 12 when a single error occurs in the word located in the check bits. The data is corrected so the newly generated check bits are correct and can be latched out to memory 12 at the same time the data is latched out. The invention includes a syndrome generator 18, an error corrector 34, and an error detector 36. The present invention provides a powerful performance boost to error detection and correction circuits by correcting check bits in memory with newly generated check bits when no errors in the data word are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan J. Babb, Steven B. Sidman
  • Patent number: 5633687
    Abstract: A system and method for removing motion artifacts from an interlaced image is disclosed. The interlaced image comprises an odd and an even field. The system and method includes providing one of the odd and the even fields on every other line of the display and then providing a set of constant signal level lines to the remaining lines of the display. The method and system further includes shifting the location of the constant signal levels lines by a scan line responsive to a timing signal from the display, and providing the other of the odd and the even field to the display responsive to the shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: C-Cube Microsystems
    Inventors: Dhimant N. Bhayani, Phani Chandrupatla
  • Patent number: 5630857
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical device having a profile of refractive indices along its optical axis. A desired volume of each of a plurality of types of optical material are dispensed into a mold of known plan area in the form of a frit or a melt and the mold is heated to cause the materials to melt and fuse together to define a contiguous body of optical material having a desired profile. As the optical materials melt, the different types of material separate out so that they are arranged with the most dense material closest to the bottom of the mold and the least dense material closest to the top of the mold. To enhance this effect, the optical materials are layered in the mold in decreasing order of density of the materials from the bottom to the top so that the layers of optical material with the greater densities are closer to the bottom of the mold than the layers of materials with lesser densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Lightpath Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaojie Xu, Michael E. Savard
  • Patent number: 5628075
    Abstract: A portable vertically adjustable lavatory assembly includes a box member. Inside the box member is a vertically movable platform positioned and has a lavatory connected thereto. A lavatory is positioned outside of the box member and includes a sink portion having an outlet opening thereto. A drain line is in fluid flow communication with an outlet of the sink and a sewer line and is adapted to accommodate changes in height of the sink member. The box member can be attached directly to the wall member, thereby minimizing modification of the wall or the like. The lavatory can also include a system for pumping waste water out of the sink when the drain line is below the sink and/or sewer line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Inventors: George Dudnik, Yana Doppelt
  • Patent number: 5629893
    Abstract: A FLASH EPROM cell in accordance with the present invention is disclosed in which the erasure is accomplished under a constant electric field. The FLASH EPROM cell includes a semiconductor device including a source, a drain and a gate and a constant current circuit coupled to the source. The constant current circuit ensures that a constant field is applied to the tunneling oxide of the FLASH EPROM cell during erasure thereof. In so doing, the FLASH EPROM cell can be erased with a minimum of stress to the device. In addition, the FLASH EPROM cell of the present invention can be used with various power supplies without affecting the characteristics thereof. Finally, through the FLASH EPROM cell of the present invention, the short channel effect associated with smaller device sizes can be substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan Tang, Chi Chang, James C. Yu
  • Patent number: 5625231
    Abstract: A process for applying a TiN contact/via adhesion layer to high aspect ratio contact/via openings etched in a dielectric comprises providing a first layer of TiN on the bottom of the contact/via openings and then depositing the second layer of TiN on the first layer of TiN and on the sidewalls of the contact/via openings. The second layer of TiN serves as the contact/via adhesion layer for structurally supporting the adhesion of a tungsten plug in the contact/via openings. In the case where a contact is etched in the dielectric down to a junction with a titanium silicide layer on top, the first layer of TiN on the bottom of the contact opening is provided by a rapid thermal anneal in a nitrogen-containing atmosphere which converts the top part of the titanium silicide layer in the contact into a barrier TiN layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Huang, Robin W. Cheung
  • Patent number: 5624859
    Abstract: A method and system for providing a semiconductor device with device isolation and leakage current control which entails processing a semiconductor substrate to form a semiconductor circuit, and providing at least one high energy implant on the semiconductor circuit is disclosed. The high energy implant is provided at an angle to source and drain regions of the semiconductor circuit so as to allow a dosage from the at least one high energy implant below and away from the surface of the active device region. In so doing, a profile is provided in which dopant distribution is substantially uniform. Therefore, the breakdown characteristics are increased and the junction capacitance of the device is reduced. Accordingly, a device manufactured in accordance with the present invention has significant advantages over devices manufactured in accordance with conventional processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Y. Liu, Mark T. Ramsbey
  • Patent number: 5623450
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for saving power dissipated during the recharge of large arrays, such a domino SRAMS, by activating only the recharge circuits for the parts of the array that was accessed during the previous cycle. This is accomplished by intercepting the recharge signals and deactivating the signals for the non-accessed portions of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Larry B. Phillips, Robert P. Masleid, John S. Muhich
  • Patent number: 5623599
    Abstract: The present invention relates to event synchronization in asynchronous remote data duplexing, the synchronization being non-disruptive to application execution at a host device and to data copying at a remote site. The event sequence is characterized by embedding labeled tokens of write operations including addresses and periodic checkpoint lists there establishing a total ordering. Event synchronization is achieved by embedding at the host a synchronization request having a higher sequence number than that of some prior predetermined event and generating a responsive synchronization reply from the remote site to the host. The present invention finds use in the communication and remote duplex recording of financial events such as the rare event transfer of large monetary sums in a population of transfers of small sums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Shomler
  • Patent number: 5623696
    Abstract: The present invention constructs SCSI device support code so that it can be ported to multiple operating system environments. The present invention also allows support for a device to be coded only once, and yet be supported on multiple operating system environments. Accordingly, a method and system for supporting a plurality of devices utilized with a data processing system is disclosed. This method and system allows for a plurality of devices to be utilized on a plurality of operating system platforms. The method and system comprises receiving a request from a user for a particular device, formatting the request into at least one common packet and then providing the at least one common packet to each of the plurality of operating system platforms. In so doing, any of the plurality of operating system platforms can utilize the at least one common packet to provide a device driver for the particular device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard H. Johnson, Rosa O. Voncina, Douglas Noddings, Christopher J. Emberley
  • Patent number: 5622385
    Abstract: A removable, reusable, wrap-around cover for a paperback book consisting of a single sheet of semi-rigid synthetic plastic material, vertically scored with multiple lines to allow it to fit around varying thickness of book, with two pairs of flaps on each side and a single loop of elastic at the center of the sheet. The main sheet wraps around the covers and spine of the book, and folds over the edges of the front and rear covers to keep the cover on the book. The flaps are formed such that when the main sheet has been folded around the book, they can be folded onto the insides of the covers and linked together so that the two pairs of flaps form a pair of bands that keeps the edges of the main sheet folded around the covers of the book. The elastic loop stretches around the entire assembled cover and book, and keeps the book shut to protect it from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventor: Christopher S. Yeh
  • Patent number: 5619441
    Abstract: A high speed dynamic binary incrementer is provided that requires only two stages regardless of the bit width of the incrementer. The binary incrementer utilizes the inverse of logical carry expressions to provide for a first stage. A sum stage receives the inverted carry and the input signals to provide the incremented value. Dynamic wired OR Logic is utilized advantageously to provide the dynamic binary incrementer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Steven C. Bartling
  • Patent number: 5616967
    Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) capable of operating at first and second predetermined voltage levels including a plurality of metal layers, one of the metal layers being divided to provide two electrically isolated sections, the two electrically isolated sections being on substantially the same plane; one of the electrically isolated sections being associated with the first predetermined voltage level and the other of the electrically isolated sections being associated with the second predetermined voltage level. The PCB includes a first plurality of signal pins coupled to the one of the electrically isolated sections. The PCB also includes at least one capacitor coupled to a ground plane, the first plurality of signal pins and the one of the electrically isolated metal sections, wherein an alternating current path is provided. The PCB in a preferred embodiment is an expansion board utilized in a personal computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Sherman Lee, Mark Mah
  • Patent number: 5615160
    Abstract: A system and method for improving a domino SRAM that eliminates the need for additional transistors in series with evaluation transistors. The regular structure inherent in RAM arrays is used to minimize both the effective recharge cycle time and the recharge power required to recharge the various levels of domino SRAM circuits. Using a clock signal as a reference, recharge signals are timed to each other and to other functional signals. By adjusting buffers and wiring delays associated with each recharge signal, the recharge signals sent to each level of logic are delayed until the recharge of the previous level is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Larry B. Phillips, Robert P. Masleid, John S. Muhich
  • Patent number: 5615221
    Abstract: An inexpensive, high performance error detecting and correcting system capable of handling multiple errors with high throughput. Digital data is provided to a reconfigurable decoder which is initially set for a low level of correction and a high throughput. On detection of an error, a signal is generated which is used to dynamically reconfigure the decoder. The decoder is reconfigured at a higher correction level. The data is then reprocessed through the reconfigured decoder. In a specific implementation, the invention uses a Blahut decoder. N and K values to reconfigure the decoder are provided by a microprocessor. The invention contemplates use of an encoder operating at the highest level of correction required. Use of an initial low level of correction provides for a high throughput. Reconfigurability allows for high corrective power and associated lower throughput only when necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Karp, Stephen C. West
  • Patent number: 5614845
    Abstract: A clock regulator that provides two controlled timing references per clock cycle on a single clock distribution. The regulator includes two phase detectors and phase aligner pairs to independently regulate both rising and falling edges of the clock distribution, rather than regulating only one edge as conventional regulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Robert P. Masleid
  • Patent number: 5612730
    Abstract: A system is provided that enhances the interactivity of multimedia information in a closed cable network such as a hotel system or the like. The system includes a multimedia processing system, a telephone switching system, a video control system, a service operations platform, and a plurality of interactive devices. This system has the advantage of providing compression and/or transmission algorithms to maximize enhancement of the multimedia information. The system allows for enhanced interactivity within a closed cable system with minimum modification to the existing network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Multimedia Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Scott W. Lewis