Patents Represented by Attorney Beyer Weaver & Thomas LLP
  • Patent number: 7168089
    Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine may securely communicate with devices over a public network such as the Internet. The gaming machine utilizes a combination of symmetric and asymmetric encryption that allows a single gaming machine to securely communicate with a remote server using a public network. The secure communication methods may be used to transfer gaming software and gaming information between two gaming devices, such as between a game server and a gaming machine. For regulatory and tracking purposes, the transfer of gaming software between the two gaming devices may be authorized and monitored by a software authorization agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Binh T. Nguyen, Michael M. Oberberger, Gregory Hopkins Parrott
  • Patent number: 7166791
    Abstract: In a portable multimedia device, a method, apparatus, and system for providing user supplied configuration data are described. In one embodiment, a hierarchically ordered graphical user interface are provided. A first order, or home, interface provides a highest order of user selectable items each of which, when selected, results in an automatic transition to a lower order user interface associated with the selected item. In one of the described embodiments, the lower order interface includes other user selectable items associated with the previously selected item from the higher order user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Robbin, Steve Jobs, Timothy Wasko, Greg Christie, Imran Chaudhri
  • Patent number: 7166531
    Abstract: Porous dielectric layers are produced by introducing pores in pre-formed composite dielectric layers. The pores may be produced after the barrier material, the metal or other conductive material is deposited to form a metallization layer. In this manner, the conductive material is provided with a relatively smooth continuous surface on which to deposit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Willibrordus Gerardus Maria van den Hoek, Nerissa S. Draeger, Raashina Humayun, Richard S. Hill, Jianing Sun, Gary William Ray
  • Patent number: 7167185
    Abstract: Faster and more accurate techniques for displaying images are described. The techniques can be applied in various applications that include semiconductor fabrication processes. The invention uses preprocessed images to generate a user-selected image in order to increase the speed of image processing. The invention displays the pixels forming an image using grayscale shading in order to improve the accuracy of displaying the patterns used in photolithography processes. The techniques of the present invention can be used to display images that represent lithography patterns stored within memory devices or to display images captured by inspection or metrology devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: KLA- Tencor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Lih-Huah Yiin, Yen-Wen Lu, George Q. Chen
  • Patent number: 7168090
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for authenticating a mobile node are disclosed. A server is configured to provide a plurality of security associations associated with a plurality of mobile nodes. A packet identifying a mobile node may then be sent to the server from a network device such as a Home Agent. A security association for the mobile node identified in the packet may then be obtained from the server. The security association may be sent to the network device to permit authentication of the mobile node. Alternatively, authentication of the mobile node may be performed at the server by applying the security association.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent K. Leung
  • Patent number: 7165362
    Abstract: A monolithic glass member for supporting loads is disclosed. The glass member includes a plurality of glass sheets that are laminated together with one or more bonding layers. One of the glass sheets has a cut out at an edge thereof to receive a connector. The connector provides a means for connecting and supporting the glass member relative to other structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Jobs, Karl Backus, Rosa Sheng, Ben McDonald, Michael Waltner, Colleen Caulliez, James O'Callaghan, Graham Coult, Damian Rogan, Scott Nelson
  • Patent number: 7168047
    Abstract: A mouse for controlling movements on a display screen is disclosed. The mouse includes a housing that is gripped by a user during manipulation of the mouse and a sensor configured to detect the presence of a user's hand or portions thereof located outside of and in close proximity to a predetermined portion of the housing. The signals produced by the sensor are used to control functionalities of the mouse, as for example, switching between a cursor control mode and a scroll/pan control mode of the mouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Q. Huppi
  • Patent number: 7165827
    Abstract: Images are printed up to the edges of printing paper while preventing ink droplets from depositing on the platen. According to the present invention, an area R for ejecting image-forming ink droplets is specified for a region lying beyond the edges of a printing paper P. The pixels of an external upper edge portion Rfp extending beyond the upper edge Pf are recorded solely by the nozzles disposed opposite the downstream slot of the platen. An internal upper edge portion Rfq, which is disposed downstream of the external upper edge portion Rfp, is recorded solely by the nozzles disposed opposite the downstream slot. When dots are recorded, blank spaces are prevented from forming in the edge portions of the printing paper, and ink droplets are prevented from depositing on the platen when the printing paper P deviates from its intended position, provided the upper edge of the printing paper P remains on the inside of the external upper edge portion Rfp or internal upper edge portion Rfq.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Otsuki
  • Patent number: 7167022
    Abstract: Disclosed is an LE that can provide a number of advantageous feature. For example, the LE can provide efficient and flexible use of LUTs and input sharing. The LE may also provide for flexible use of one or more dedicated adders and include register functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: James Schleicher, Richard Yuan, Bruce Pedersen, Sinan Kaptanoglu, Gregg Baeckler, David Lewis, Mike Hutton, Andy Lee, Rahul Saini, Henry Kim
  • Patent number: 7163896
    Abstract: Biased plasma etch processes incorporating H2 etch chemistries. In particular, high density plasma chemical vapor etch-enhanced (deposition-etch-deposition) gap fill processes incorporating etch chemistries which incorporate hydrogen as the etchant that can effectively fill high aspect ratio gaps while reducing or eliminating dielectric contamination by etchant chemical species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenxian Zhu, Jengyi Yu, Siswanto Sutanto, Pingsheng Sun, Jeffrey Chih-Hou Lowe, Waikit Fung, Tze Wing Poon
  • Patent number: 7164503
    Abstract: A specific number of adjacent pixels are combined into blocks. The tone values of the pixels in a target block are detected when the dot on-off state is determined, and the fact that the target block does or does not satisfy specific processing conditions is confirmed based on the relation between the magnitudes of the tone values thus detected. The dot on-off state is determined for the target block in block units if the target block satisfies the processing conditions. The conversion procedure can be rapidly performed by adopting this approach. The dot on-off state is determined for the pixels of the target block if the processing conditions are not satisfied. Image quality is thereby prevented from being adversely affected. Image quality can thus be preserved and image data rapidly converted to a specific expression format based on the dot on-off state by performing the conversion procedure in accordance with an appropriate method selected based on whether the processing conditions are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Kakutani
  • Patent number: 7165229
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for securely generating IP cores. A designer selects and configures parameterizable IP cores provided for implementation on a programmable chip. The IP cores are processed using mechanisms such as scripts to parameterize and customize the IP cores while removing option and parameter information. IP core, related scripts, and results are provided in encrypted form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Yogesh Gathoo, Bradley Grove
  • Patent number: 7163889
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low dielectric constant copper diffusion barrier film suitable for use in a semiconductor device and methods for fabricating such a film. Some embodiments of the film are formed of a silicon-based material doped with boron. Other embodiments are formed, at least in part, of boron nitride. Some such embodiments include a moisture barrier film that includes oxygen and/or carbon. Preferred embodiments of the copper diffusion barrier maintain a stable dielectric constant of less than 4.5 in the presence of atmospheric moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongsik Yu, Karen Billington, Robert Hepburn, Michael Carris, William Crew
  • Patent number: 7163899
    Abstract: A densified dielectric film is formed on a substrate by a process that involves annealing a film deposited on the substrate by application of a localized energy pulse, such as a laser pulse, for example one of about 10 to 100 ns in duration from an excimer laser, that raises the temperature of the film above 1000° C. without raising the substrate temperature sufficiently to modify its properties (e.g., the substrate temperature remains below 550° C. or preferably in many applications below 400° C.). The dielectric deposition may be by any suitable process, for example CVD, SOG (spin-on glass), ALD, or catalyzed PDL. The resulting film is densified without detrimentally impacting underlying substrate layers. The invention enables dielectric gap fill and film densification at low temperature to the 45 nm technology node and beyond, while maintaining oxide film properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Seon-Mee Cho, George D. Papasouliotis
  • Patent number: 7160936
    Abstract: An ultraviolet radiation absorbent for thermoplastic polymer materials such as polyethylene terephthalate or polycarbonate contains cyclic imino ester compound of a specified structure in an amount of over 99.5 weight % and less than 100 weight % and having an acid value in the range of 1×10?3–1 and/or a chlorine ion content in the range of 1×10?1–1×103 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignees: Takemoto Yushi Kabushiki Kaisha, Teijin Dupont Films Japan Limited
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Osaki, Tetsuo Ichihashi
  • Patent number: 7161828
    Abstract: A static random access memory (SRAM) is provided including a plurality of SRAM state elements and SRAM environment circuitry. The SRAM environment circuitry is operable to interface with external asynchronous circuitry and to enable reading of and writing to the SRAM state elements in a delay-insensitive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Fulcrum Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Uri Cummings, Andrew Lines
  • Patent number: 7162036
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for generating a gaming application signature which uniquely represents a gaming application having a plurality of gaming application objects associated therewith. A subset of the plurality of gaming application objects are retrieved. An object signature is generated for each of the retrieved gaming application objects. The object signatures are combined to generate the gaming application signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Richard E. Rowe
  • Patent number: 7161600
    Abstract: An unprocessed cluster index and its amount of parallel movement are acquired. The order of processing clusters does not matter as long as the frame is the same. Subsequently, with respect to an unprocessed vertex corresponding to this acquired cluster index, a vertex index and the weight w of this vertex are obtained. Then, according to the amount of parallel movement and weight w in the same frame, the values of coordinates of the vertex buffer are changed. Since the cluster transformation is effected by parallel movement here, the order of processing clusters does not matter, and it is thereby possible to calculate the vertex coordinates after transformation by simple multiplication and addition alone without matrix operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Square Enix
    Inventor: Ryusuke Sasaki
  • Patent number: D534921
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Richard P. Howarth, Steve Jobs, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Douglas B. Satzger, Calvin Q. Seid, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer
  • Patent number: D535308
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Richard P. Howarth, Steve Jobs, Jonathan P. Ive, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Douglas B. Satzger, Calvin Q. Seid, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer