Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Beyer & Weaver, LLP
-
Patent number: 7346863Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for implementing a programmable device including a processor core, a hardware accelerator, and secondary components such as memory. A designer efficiently selects one or more code sequences for acceleration. A hardware accelerator is generated with multiple master ports to allow efficient access to memory. Profiling information can be provided to allow efficient selection of code sequences.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2005Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Altera CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Orion Pritchard, David James Lau, Timothy P. Allen
-
Patent number: 7345753Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for facilitating procedures implemented on an analysis tool are provided herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an analyzer module arranged for managing an analyzer tool and causing a high resolution image generated by the analyzer tool to be presented in a display. The apparatus also includes an inspector interface module arranged for simulating an inspector interface in the display. The inspector interface includes features that are available on a corresponding inspection tool, and the inspector interface is based at least in part on defect results from the inspection tool. In one embodiment, the analyzer module executes without knowledge of the inspector interface module and visa versa, and the apparatus includes a synchronization mechanism that knows about these two modules and also is capable of communicating with these two modules.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies CorporationInventors: Kris Bhaskar, Ardis Liang, Michael J. Van Riet
-
Patent number: 7346226Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for reducing mosquito noise in an image frame of a video signal. A window of the image frame is provided. The window includes a plurality of pixel values. One of the pixel values is selected from the pixel values in the window to define a modified window of pixel value differences. A local mean (DC) value is computed based on the pixel value differences. A mosquito noise reduction value is also computed based on the pixel value differences. An artifact attenuation factor is computed as a function of a dynamic range measure of the pixel value differences. A weighted sum of the mosquito noise reduction value and the local mean value, applying the artifact attenuation factor, and the selected pixel value, is computed to generate a modified pixel value.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Genesis Microchip Inc.Inventor: Vyacheslav Shyshkin
-
Patent number: 7346878Abstract: Disclosed are techniques and apparatus for providing metrology or inspection targets in-chip. That is, targets are integrated within the product device or die area. In general terms, the present invention provides techniques for enabling inspection or metrology on targets within the die or active area. Said in another way, target structures are inserted within the die or active area. In one embodiment, a set of rules are provided for integrating test structures within the die. For example, these rules may be implemented by one or more design engineers or by place-and-route tools which automatically generate the die layout pattern and thereafter insert the target structures into the die layout pattern based on these rules. Location data of each target is then retained during the layout generation and provided to one or more inspection or metrology tools and/or metrology engineers so that each target may be found and then inspected or measured.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2004Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies CorporationInventors: Avi Cohen, Mark Ghinovker, Michael E. Adel
-
Patent number: 7344996Abstract: Plasma etch processes incorporating helium-based etch chemistries can remove dielectric a semiconductor applications. In particular, high density plasma chemical vapor etch-enhanced (deposition-etch-deposition) gap fill processes incorporating etch chemistries which incorporate helium as the etchant that can effectively fill high aspect ratio gaps while reducing or eliminating dielectric contamination by etchant chemical species.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2005Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.Inventors: Chi-I Lang, Wenxian Zhu, Ratsamee Limdulpaiboon, Judy H. Huang
-
Patent number: 7345585Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide middleware functionality integrated into a module of a network device, such as a router or switch, that is configured to provide application-oriented network (“AON”) services. Some preferred implementations of the invention provide policy-based application services for RFID data, such as conditional routing, security (encryption, identification, authentication and authorization), data translation and/or transformation, data compression, data caching, etc. Some preferred implementations can interpret an application request and route to an appropriate network address of an RFID reader. Preferably, ALE (application-level event) aggregation and filtering can also be performed on behalf of the application. Some methods of the invention allow event data to be sent to applications (including but not limited to business applications) as request-response messages.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2005Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Rajiv Singhal, Christopher Wiborg
-
Patent number: 7345506Abstract: A method and computer readable medium for implementing redundancy on a programmable logic device with improved interconnect efficiency. The method and medium includes: determining if a first wire segment of a first wire channel requires a programmed connection to a resource in the row furthest from the buffer driving the first wire segment and spanned by the first wire segment; reserving a next segment in the first channel if the first wire segment of the first wire channel requires a programmed connection to a resource in the row furthest from the buffer driving the first wire segment and spanned by the first wire segment; and assuming a maximum delay path including the programmable signal propagation delay of the reserved next segment and a stitching element coupled between the first segment and the reserved next segment of the first channel.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2006Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Altera CorporationInventor: Bruce B. Pederson
-
Patent number: 7341761Abstract: Methods of preparing a carbon doped oxide (CDO) layers having a low dielectric constant are provided. The methods involve, for instance, providing a substrate to a deposition chamber and exposing it to one or multiple carbon-doped oxide precursors having molecules with at least one carbon—carbon triple bond, or carbon—carbon double bond, or a combination of these groups and depositing the carbon doped oxide dielectric layer under conditions in which the resulting dielectric layer has a dielectric constant of not greater than about 2.7.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2004Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.Inventors: Qingguo Wu, Haiying Fu, Xingyuan Tang
-
Patent number: 7343268Abstract: When creating three-dimensional electronic map data, three-dimensional modeling of a building is performed as follows without measuring height of the building. Firstly, a building is photographed and the photographing position and photographing parameters (camera direction, angle of view) are recorded. Secondly, in a virtual space prepared on a computer, a photograph is arranged so as to reproduce the state upon the photographing according to these data. In combination with this, a plan view of the building is arranged according to the two-dimensional map data. Thirdly, the plan view is moved in the height direction until it is overlapped with the photograph, thereby modeling the building. Thus, it is possible to realize three-dimensional modeling without measuring the height.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Zenrin Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kiyonari Kishikawa
-
Patent number: 7341953Abstract: A method for etching features into a dielectric layer over a substrate and existent below a polymeric hard mask is provided. The substrate is placed in a plasma processing chamber. Mask features are etched into the polymeric hard mask and necks are formed inadvertently. A plasma treatment process performed before the dielectric etch step process can selectively etch away the necks. As a result, neckless features are created into the polymeric hardmask. Features etched into the underneath dielectric layer through the neckless polymeric hard mask have straight profiles.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2006Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: LAM Research CorporationInventor: Camelia Rusu
-
Patent number: 7342346Abstract: A microfabricated actuator of the vertical comb-drive (AVC) type or staggered vertical comb-drive type for torsional or linear applications includes torsion springs which permit self-aligned deformation of the device (micromirror) structure of the actuator through the heating of the torsional springs to plasticity. The torsional springs can include perpendicular-beam springs or double folded beams which allow axial movement of the spring when heated. Heating of the springs can be by bulk heating of the actuator structure or by Joule heating to the torsional springs by passing an electrical current therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2006Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Jongbaeg Kim, Liwei Lin
-
Patent number: 7342641Abstract: Improved autofocusing (“AF”) methods and devices for lithography are provided. Some embodiments of the invention provide an AF system that includes one or more interferometers for measuring a distance to a wafer surface or a reticle surface. The invention includes methods and devices for calibrating the interferometer(s) according to known distances to a target. According to some embodiments of the invention, a spatial filter reduces the amount of undesired signal coming from the wafer or reticle surface. In some such embodiments, higher orders of diffracted light from the wafer or reticle multilayer surfaces are eliminated with a pinhole filter oriented to reject light that is not vertically directed. Other embodiments include a spatial filtering system that passes a selected diffraction order, e.g., the first order of diffracted light, from the target.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2005Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Michael Sogard
-
Patent number: 7342297Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a lead-frame is designed for use in IC packages such as those conforming to the TO 220 standard or other standards for power packages. The device areas of the lead-frame are arranged in columns, and each column is molded so as to expose a portion of the leads. The device areas can then be singulated by sawing, as in conventional QFN packages. In this manner, packages conforming to power package standards such as the TO 220 standard can be produced much quicker and cheaper than they can in conventional trim and forming methods.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2004Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Eng Hwa Tan, Santhiran S/O Nadarajah, Peng Soon Lim
-
Patent number: 7341520Abstract: A gaming apparatus may include a primary display unit, a value input device, a first controller coupled to the primary display unit and the value input device, a microprocessor and associated memory, and a second display unit. The secondary display unit may include a viewing window, a first object coupled to a movable member, and a second object. The secondary display unit may also include a semitransparent mirror positioned to reflect an image of either of the first or second objects and to transmit an image of the other object, such that both objects are viewable through the viewing window. The secondary display unit may additionally include a motor coupled to the movable member to move the first object such that a depth of the image of the first object changes relative to a depth of the image of the second object as viewed through the viewing window.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2003Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: IGTInventors: Harold E. Mattice, Christian E. Gadda
-
Patent number: 7338908Abstract: An etching process for selectively etching exposed metal surfaces of a substrate and forming a conductive capping layer over the metal surfaces is described. In some embodiments, the etching process involves oxidation of the exposed metal to form a metal oxide that is subsequently removed from the surface of the substrate. The exposed metal may be oxidized by using solutions containing oxidizing agents such as peroxides or by using oxidizing gases such as those containing oxygen or ozone. The metal oxide produced is then removed using suitable metal oxide etching agents such as glycine. The oxidation and etching may occur in the same solution. In other embodiments, the exposed metal is directly etched without forming a metal oxide. Suitable direct metal etching agents include any number of acidic solutions. The process allows for controlled oxidation and/or etching with reduced pitting.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2003Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel A. Koos, Steven T. Mayer, Heung L. Park, Timothy Patrick Cleary, Thomas Mountsier
-
Patent number: 7340648Abstract: Online support is given for operation of a device. First, a client system equipped with the device is connected to a user support server that gives online support for operation of the device. Next, the client system transmits device information for which the device model can be specified and use environment information indicative of an operation environment of the device to the user support server system. Finally, using the information transmitted to the user support server system, the device support information for supporting operation of the device that the client system has is generated, and the device support information is transmitted to the client system.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Noboru Asauchi
-
Patent number: 7340181Abstract: A semiconductor device of the invention includes an integrated circuit formed on a semiconductor substrate having first and second surfaces and a notch region along the edges. The first surface includes electrical contact pads electrically connected with the integrated circuit. The first surface of the semiconductor substrate includes a top protective layer that has a surface portion extending beyond the edges of the semiconductor substrate. The second surface of the semiconductor substrate includes a bottom protective layer with electrical connectors. The surface portion of the top protective layer includes electrical contact pads that are electrically interconnected with electrical contact pad extensions. The electrical contact pad extensions are interconnected with electrical connectors via a backside electrical connector that overlaps the electrical contact pad extensions forming a lap connection. Methods for constructing such devices and connections are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2002Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Ashok Prabhu, Sadanand R. Patil, Shaw Wei Lee, Alexander H. Owens
-
Patent number: 7336163Abstract: A passive transponder is started up by receiving an interrogation signal and returning a requested response signal. The startup is controlled by an interrogator using a startup control method by judging presence or absence of a return of the response signal while monotonically increasing transmission power of the interrogation signal from an initial value by an amount which is made smaller stepwise every time presence of the return is judged and maintaining the transmission power, after presence of the return is judged, at its value as of the time when presence of the return was judged.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2004Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: OMRON CorporationInventor: Masaki Fujii
-
Patent number: 7337279Abstract: According to the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for increasing the efficiency of data access in a multiple processor, multiple cluster system. Mechanisms for reducing the number of transactions in a multiple cluster system are provided. In one example, owning node information is used to limit the number of probes transmitted in a particular cluster.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Newisys, Inc.Inventor: David B. Glasco
-
Patent number: 7335744Abstract: This invention provides novel prostate cancer specific internalizing human antibodies. The antibodies are useful by themselves to prevent growth and/or proliferation of prostate cancer cells. The antibodies can also be formulated as chimeric molecules to direct an effector (e.g. a cytotoxin, an imaging reagent, a drug, etc.) to a prostate tumor site.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: The Regents of the California UniversityInventors: Bin Liu, James D. Marks