Patents Represented by Attorney Hoffman, Warnick & D'Alessandro
  • Patent number: 7683786
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an article case for accessing information on an RFID tag attached to an article enclosed in the case, and an RFID system using the case. An article case in accordance with an embodiment includes: a built-in antenna communicating with the RFID tag attached to the article; and a communication structure connected to the built-in antenna and disposed on an outer surface of the case, for communicating with an external RFID reader/writer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Fukuda Kaoru
  • Patent number: 7469401
    Abstract: A mask reuse methodology process in which the soft logic is implemented with a generic array type cell structure mask and a custom blocking mask. A method is provided comprising printing a set of component cores onto a die at predetermined locations with a reusable mask set; providing a custom blocking mask that includes opaque regions that positionally correspond with the component cores on the die; superimposing the custom blocking mask with a generic array type cell mask to form superimposed masks; and using the superimposed masks to print generic array type cells onto the die with the exception of the predetermined locations where the set of component cores reside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Subhrajit Bhattacharya, John Darringer, Daniel L. Ostapko
  • Patent number: 7462139
    Abstract: A ski-exercising and rehabilitation apparatus of the invention wherein the down-hill-run unit (22), has a system of rotatable rolls (25) mounted with bearings in external clamping beams (20) and (21) and in the central beam (26) so that their rotation axes lie in one arched plane, whereas said central beam (26) is supported on its ends with shock absorbers (27), whereas the ends of external clamping beams (20 and 21) are jointed at one end with the shorter articulated connecting rods (18 and 19) of variable lengths and at the other end with the longer articulated connecting rods (23 and 24) of variable lengths, the other ends of which are rotatably connected with respective discs of the gear wheels (13, 14, 15 and 16) mounted on the front drive shaft (11) and rear drive shaft (12), said external clamping beams (20 and 21) being also jointed to rocking levers (34 and 35) which are connected to actuators (36) mounted in the frame base (1) of the apparatus, whereas the light signs (54), imitating the positions o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Inventors: Andrzej Stafiej, Ireneusz Rabczak, Jan Szostak, Jan Kozdraƛ
  • Patent number: 7427550
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating a passive element and a semiconductor device including the passive element are disclosed including the use of a dummy passive element. A dummy passive element is a passive element or wire which is added to the chip layout to aid in planarization but is not used in the active circuit. One embodiment of the method includes forming the passive element and a dummy passive element adjacent to the passive element; forming a dielectric layer over the passive element and the dummy passive element, wherein the dielectric layer is substantially planar between the passive element and the dummy passive element; and forming in the dielectric layer an interconnect to the passive element through the dielectric layer and a dummy interconnect portion overlapping at least a portion of the dummy passive element. The methods eliminate the need for planarizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anil K. Chinthakindi, Timothy J. Dalton, Ebenezer E. Eshun, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Anthony K. Stamper, Kunal Vaed
  • Patent number: 7415714
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of source code development and in particular a method and system for generating a tutorial application from one or more selected source code elements. The invention provides for a user to select one or source code elements and one or more data elements to be tagged to one or more source code elements. The selected source code elements are tagged using a mark-up language and a tutorial application is generated displaying the tagged selected source code elements and the data elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Douglas Chapman
  • Patent number: 7411593
    Abstract: A system, method and program product for rotating a first image in an image buffer such that the resulting, rotated image is substantially free of an aliasing error, i.e., broken lines, stair stepped edges, etc., is disclosed. An algorithm is applied to the first image that uses weighted sums of data points of the first image to create the rotated image. The weighting is based on the skew angle and data point location of the first image. The resulting rotated image also has a reduced data storage space requirement compared to rotated images created by prior art techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ravi Prakash, Clair Frederick Rohe, Robert E. Shirley
  • Patent number: 7409954
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the treatment of either endo-cavital infections or abnormal surface tissue conditions, particularly destructive bacterial infections, post major invasive surgery abscesses and skin infections such as vitiligo and psoriasis. If required, a catheter system is used, which allows the simultaneous drainage of an infected locus and irradiation of the infected locus with laser-generated pulsed ultraviolet light. The laser light wavelength is chosen so as to require radiation, which is lethal to the microorganisms causing the infection, at the lowest possible dose which will provide ameliorative therapty. Alternatively, a diode-pumped solid state Raman laser device is used which can be configured to provide in sequence a selected number of output wavelengths in the ultraviolet spectral range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Genestho Inc.
    Inventors: Vadim G. Dobkine, Alexander E. Dudelzak, Guennadi P. Kouzmine, Mark A. Miller, Olga V. Lovacheva
  • Patent number: 7406183
    Abstract: A document processing system and method for using image quality to sort documents. The document processing system comprises: a document sorting system that designates a destination pocket for each document based on data gathered from each document; a document imaging system that captures an image of each document; and an image quality analysis system that analyzes each image and causes any document having an unacceptable image to be redirected to an unacceptable destination pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey A. Emerson, Rodney G. Moon, Gerald C. Rector, Raymond F. Stokes, Andrew H. Sutton
  • Patent number: 7401055
    Abstract: A system and method for calculating a special wholesale pricing between a wholesaler and a reseller for a transaction between the reseller and an end-user. A wholesale discount pricing system is provided that comprises: a system for inputting a special pricing request from a reseller, wherein the special pricing request includes a product identifier and an end-user discount the reseller intends on applying to the transaction with the end-user; a product mapping system that maps the product identifier to a set of pricing parameters; and a calculation system that calculates the special wholesale pricing based on the set of pricing parameters and the inputted end-user discount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Glenn W. Melzer
  • Patent number: 7400162
    Abstract: Methods for testing a semiconductor circuit (10) including testing the circuit and modifying a well bias (14, 18) of the circuit during testing. The methods improve the resolution of voltage-based and IDDQ testing and diagnosis by modifying well bias during testing. In addition, the methods provide more efficient stresses during stress testing. The methods apply to ICs where the semiconductor well (wells and/or substrates) are wired separately from the chip VDD and GND, allowing for external control (40) of the well potentials during test. In general, the methods rely on using the well bias to change transistor threshold voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anne Gattiker, David A. Grosch, Marc D. Knox, Franco Motika, Phil Nigh, Jody Van Horn, Paul S. Zuchowski
  • Patent number: 7400268
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing RFID tags to manage automotive parts. A system is provided that includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader configured to read data from RFID tags affixed to parts located throughout a vehicle, wherein each RFID tag uniquely identifies a part; a data processing system configured to process the data obtained by the RFID reader; and a service application that provides service related information to an end user based on an installation or removal of a part from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tijs I. Wilbrink, Edward E. Kelley
  • Patent number: 7398172
    Abstract: A method and system of providing a dynamic sampling plan for integrated metrology is disclosed. The method may include modeling a sampling plan for use with a factory level advanced processing control (FL-APC) system and sending a recommended sampling plan, in response to receiving a request for a sampling plan, wherein the recommended sampling plan is based upon the modeling and the request. The recommended sampling plan may be sent to an equipment interface (EI) and on to a tool for implementation in a manufacturing environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary W. Behm, Emily M. Hwang, Yue J. Li, Teresita Q. Magtoto, Derek C. Stoll
  • Patent number: 7398228
    Abstract: The wishes of purchasers and sellers of particular comodity items are matched using a computer database. Hopeful purchasers submit requests during a predetermined sale time frame. The requests include a desired purchase price and a desired purchase quantity for the particular commodity item. After the predetermined period, purchaser information is used to produce a purchase wish list in a predetermined order. An optimum combination of intending purchasers, selling quantities, selling prices, commodity suppliers, supply quantities, and supply prices is created by comparing the purchase wish list with a supply list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyofusa Egashira, Noriaki Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7397718
    Abstract: A system, method and program product for determining a relative amount of usage of a data retaining device are disclosed. A charge storing device is coupled to a data retaining device in a manner that a use of the data retaining device triggers a charging of the charge storing device. In a period that the data retaining device idles, charges in the charge storing device decay due to natural means. As such, a potential of the charge storing device may be used to indicate an amount of usage of the data retaining device. A comparison of the potentials of two charge storing devices coupled one-to-one to two data retaining devices may be used as a basis to determine a relative amount of usage of each of the two data retaining devices comparing to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kerry Bernstein, Kenneth J. Goodnow, Clarence R. Ogilvie, Sebastian T. Ventrone, Keith R. Williams
  • Patent number: 7395530
    Abstract: Under the present invention, program code is examined (statically or dynamically) for characteristics indicative of a potential to generate multiple threads. If none are found, single threaded optimization(s) such as desynchronization, optimization of globals, etc., can be implemented. In addition, if the program code is later revealed to have the potential to generate multiple threads, the single threaded optimization(s) can be corrected to avoid incorrect execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Derek B. Inglis, Trent A. Gray-Donald, Kevin A. Stoodley, Vijay Sundaresan
  • Patent number: 7395465
    Abstract: Memory array repair where the repair logic cannot operate at the same operating condition as the memory array is presented. In one embodiment, a test is run with the memory array configured in a first operating condition that repair logic for the memory array cannot achieve, and test data is accumulated from the test in the memory array. The memory array is then read with the memory array configured in a second operating condition that the repair logic can achieve using the test data from the test at the first operating condition. As a result, repairs can be achieved even though the repair logic is incapable of operating at the same condition as the memory array. A method, test unit and integrated circuit implementing the testing are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: William R. J. Corbin
  • Patent number: 7394131
    Abstract: Methods for forming or etching silicon trench isolation (STI) in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) region and a bulk silicon region, and a semiconductor device so formed, are disclosed. The STI can be etched simultaneously in the SOI and bulk silicon regions by etching to an uppermost silicon layer using an STI mask, conducting a timed etch that etches to a desired depth in the bulk silicon region and stops on a buried insulator of the SOI region, and etching through the buried insulator of the SOI region. The buried insulator etch for this process can be done with little complexity as part of a hardmask removal step. Further, by choosing the same depth for both the bulk and SOI regions, problems with a subsequent CMP process are avoided. The invention also cleans up the boundary between the SOI and bulk regions where silicon nitride residuals may exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Steigerwalt, Mahender Kumar, Herbert L. Ho, David M. Dobuzinsky, Johnathan E. Faltermeier, Denise Pendleton
  • Patent number: 7392430
    Abstract: Under the present invention, a configurable dictionary is provided. The configurable dictionary includes a set of objects that identify: (1) attribute conditions of the computer system to be checked; (2) associated locations within the computer system for checking the attribute conditions; and (3) actions to be taken based on results of the checks for the computer system. The health of the computer system is checked by processing the set of objects in the configurable dictionary. Specifically, the attribute conditions identified in the configurable dictionary are checked at their associated locations, and any necessary action are implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gordan Greenlee, Victoria Hanrahan-Locke, James A. Martin, Jr., Douglas G. Murray
  • Patent number: 7390615
    Abstract: An integrated circuit, a fuse therefor and fuse opening method are disclosed. The method implements fuse opening using a wet etchant. As a result, there is no explosion that causes damage to surrounding material. In addition, use of the wet etchant allows positioning of a fuse in any metal layer including any non-last metal layer, thus increasing design possibilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen E. Greco
  • Patent number: 7392348
    Abstract: Under the present invention, when a request for a web page is received from a client on a server, the web page is built and analyzed for cacheablity. If the web page is cacheable, an entity tag is generated. The entity tag generally identifies the various sources of dynamic content in the web page, and includes cacheability flags and time values associated with the dependencies. The entity tag is sent to the client with the web page where it is stored in local cache memory. If a subsequent request for the same web page is issued from the client, the request is accompanied with the entity tag (e.g., in a header). The entity tag is decoded and analyzed by the server to determine whether the cached web page is still valid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Charles E. Dumont