Patents Represented by Attorney Hoffman, Warnick & D'Alessandro
  • Patent number: 7353472
    Abstract: A system and method for generating test patterns for a pattern sensitive algorithm. The method comprises the steps extracting feature samples from a layout design; grouping feature samples into clusters; selecting at least one area from the layout design that covers a feature sample from each cluster; and saving each pattern layout covered by the at least one area as test patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David L. DeMaris, Timothy G. Dunham, William C. Leipold, Daniel N. Maynard, Michael E. Scaman, Shi Zhong
  • Patent number: 7352064
    Abstract: Methods of forming a metal line and/or via critical dimension (CD) in a single or dual damascene process on a semiconductor substrate, and the resist scheme implemented, are disclosed. The method includes forming a multiple layer resist scheme including a first planarizing layer of a first type material over the substrate, a second dielectric layer of a second type material over the planarizing layer, and a third photoresist layer of a third type material over the dielectric layer. The types of material alternate between organic and inorganic material. The third layer is patterned for the metal line and/or via CD. Sequential etching to form the metal line and/or via critical dimension using a tailored etch recipe particular to each of the first photoresist layer, the second dielectric layer and the third planarizing layer as each layer is exposed is then used. Accurate CD formation and adequate resist budget are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas C. M. Fuller, Timothy J. Dalton, Raymond Joy, Yi-hsiung Lin, Chun Hui Low
  • Patent number: 7353405
    Abstract: For optimizing Internet access resources, a method and systems for sharing network access capacities across Internet service providers is disclosed. According to the method of the invention, a client service provider (CSP) may hire accesses to points of presence belonging to a master service provider (MSP) while maintaining a constant security level and providing connection accounting means. When a CSP's subscriber sends an access request to a MSP, the MSP analyzes the subscriber's realm and checks the capacities allocated to the subscriber's CSP. If connection is allowed, the MSP sends an authentication request to the CSP. If the subscriber is authenticated, the MSP launches an accounting process based on the subscriber's realm while the CSP may launch an accounting process associated with the subscriber identifier. Thus, the MSP does not need to maintain a database comprising information relative to the CSP's subscribers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Denis Chevalier, Gerard Marmigere, Zsolf Szalai
  • Patent number: 7353394
    Abstract: The invention allows SMS messages authentication through the use of a digital signature computed with the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) as a key. Particularly, a text messaging system having the ability to send SMS messages to remotely managed wireless terminal equipment is disclosed and includes a system to generate such digital signature and to store it in available Information Element fields of the TP-User Data of the SMS message. Receiving wireless terminal equipment that are configured for IMEI-based signature security, still keep the option to process both SMS messages having the IMEI-based signature or not. Receiving wireless terminal equipment not enabled for IMEI-based signature security process the SMS normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machine Corporation
    Inventors: Gerard Marmigere, Zsolt Szalai
  • Patent number: 7352478
    Abstract: Methods and related program product for assessing and optimizing metrology instruments by determining a total measurement uncertainty (TMU) based on precision and accuracy. The TMU is calculated based on a linear regression analysis and removing a reference measuring system uncertainty (URMS) from a net residual error. The TMU provides an objective and more accurate representation of whether a measurement system under test has an ability to sense true product variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles N. Archie, G. William Banke, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7353128
    Abstract: Optimizing a measurement system under test (MSUT) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes selecting a first set of adjustable parameters of the MSUT that affect a quality metric for the MSUT, calculating the quality metric over a range of values of each adjustable parameter in the first set of adjustable parameters, generating a first multidimensional response space based on the calculating step, and determining which value of each adjustable parameter optimizes the quality metric based on the first multidimensional response space. The multidimensional response space may be stored for later recall for other optimization exercises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles N. Archie, George W. Banke, Jr., Eric P. Solecky
  • Patent number: 7352170
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for diagnosing a bridging defect in an integrated circuit including multiple nodes are disclosed. Quiescent power supply current (IDDQ) of the integrated circuit (IC) is measured under multiple test vectors. Logic states of the nodes on the IC are also obtained under the multiple test vectors. The nodes are partitioned into sets based on their logic states under low-current test vectors. Large sets are further divided into subsets (“state-count subsets”) based on the logic states of nodes under high-current test vectors. For large sets, explicit evaluation under the IDDQ bridge fault model is performed only on pairs of nodes belonging to subsets having complementary state counts, to save system resources in computation. Exhaustive diagnosis considering all pairs of nodes on the IC is thus feasibly achieved due to the saving of system resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas C. Heaberlin
  • Patent number: 7349919
    Abstract: A computerized method, system and program product for generating a data mining model. A user can provide objectives for the model and sample data to train, validate, and test the model. A rules system can automatically select a set of algorithms based on the objectives and/or sample data. A plurality of datasets can also be created from the sample data. Using the datasets, the set of algorithms can be optimized for the particular data on which it is intended to be used. The data mining model can then be generated from the optimized set of algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Feng-wei Chen Russell, Ameet M. Kini, John A. Medicke, Jr., Betsy M. Plunket, Ashish Sureka
  • Patent number: 7349968
    Abstract: Under the present invention, a request for a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is received from a client on a server. Upon receipt, a corresponding session object is obtained, and a response identifier is generated. Based on the response identifier, it is determined whether the URL was previously requested by the client. If not, generation of a final response begins. As the response is being generated, a response refresh header is generated and returned to the client with a temporary response. The response refresh header contains a time value for causing the client to automatically send a subsequent request for the URL. After generation of the final response is complete, it is stored in a cache according to the response identifier. Then, when the subsequent request is received from the client, the final response is retrieved from the cache and served to the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: David Phillip Johnson
  • Patent number: 7348635
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device having dual nitride liners, which provide an increased transverse stress state for at least one FET and methods for the manufacture of such a device. A first aspect of the invention provides a method for use in the manufacture of a semiconductor device comprising the steps of applying a first silicon nitride liner to the device and applying a second silicon nitride liner adjacent the first silicon nitride liner, wherein at least one of the first and second silicon nitride liners induces a transverse stress in a silicon channel beneath at least one of the first and second silicon nitride liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dureseti Chidambarrao, Ying Li, Rajeev Malik, Shreesh Narasimha, Haining Yang, Huilong Zhu
  • Patent number: 7348606
    Abstract: A method of producing nitride based heterostructure devices by using a quaternary layer comprised of AlInGaN. The quaternary layer may be used in conjunction with a ternary layer in varying thicknesses and compositions that independently adjust polarization charges and band offsets for device structure optimization by using strain compensation profiles. The profiles can be adjusted by altering profiles of molar fractions of In and Al.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad Asif Khan, Remigijus Gaska, Michael Shur, Jinwei Yang
  • Patent number: 7348633
    Abstract: A substrate for a semiconductor device is disclosed including, in one embodiment, a plurality of semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) wafers bonded to one another in a single stack. A distal end of the stack includes a first SOI region with a first semiconductor layer having a thickness and a first surface orientation. A surface of the single stack may further include a non-SOI region and/or at least one second SOI region. The non-SOI region may include bulk silicon that extends through all of the insulator layers of the single stack and has a thickness different than that of the first silicon layer. Each second SOI region has a second semiconductor layer having a thickness different than that of the first semiconductor layer and/or a different surface orientation than the first surface orientation. The substrate thus allows formation of different devices on optimal substrate regions that may include different surface orientations and/or different thicknesses and/or different bulk or SOI structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Junedong Lee, Devendra K. Sadana, Dominic J. Schepis, Ghavam G. Shahidi
  • Patent number: 7349853
    Abstract: A method and system for routing hardcopy mail is provided. Specifically, a recipient is assigned a unique identifier. The recipient can electronically designate a mailing address to be associated with the assigned identifier. A sender wishing to send the recipient a piece of hardcopy mail can obtain the recipient's identifier and affix the same to the piece of hardcopy mail. The identifier will be read and the piece of hardcopy mail will be routed to the recipient at the mailing address associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventor: Clark Thurston Hill
  • Patent number: 7346910
    Abstract: Provided are a computer program, method and system providing simplified administration of groups of computer programs. Command target qualifiers are defined which enable a command to be targeted at either an individual computer program or all members of a group of computer programs. Additionally, scope parameters are defined which enable a command to be targeted at specific computer system resources managed by the computer programs within the group. The computer system resources which are to be accessible to all members of a group have an associated scope parameter defining shared or group access and are held in shared storage, whereas computer system resources to be accessed by only one computer program in the group have a corresponding scope parameter and are held in the local storage of the individual computer program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Incorporation
    Inventors: John Edmund Ahern, Keith Andrews, Arndt Douglas Eade, Hazel Heather Fix, Paul Kettley, Daniel Noel Millwood, Sharuff Morsa, Peter Siddall
  • Patent number: 7344679
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for providing point of care testing for osmolarity of a bodily fluid. An apparatus is disclosed as having a fluid pathway passing through it for receiving and testing a sample fluid. The invention permits osmolarity testing of a sample fluid wherein the sample fluid has a volume of less than approximately 30 nL, and implements a method and device to measure fluid osmolarity in a clinical setting quickly and accurately, while also reducing evaporation of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Govindarajan Natarajan, James N. Humenik, Scott D. Partington, Srinivasa S. N. Reddy
  • Patent number: 7346413
    Abstract: Method, system and program product are disclosed for determining productivity for a tool including a plurality of processing modules. The invention provides an understanding of a relationship between measured variables and overall tool speed by calculating computational components for any empty module, any module speed diversity and any idle tool event, i.e., the potential productivity detractors for the tool. An overall productivity based on each of the computational components may also be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Beverly S. Bortnick, Donald P. Martin, James R. Morrison
  • Patent number: 7340374
    Abstract: Methods, systems and program products are disclosed for determining whether a measurement system under test (MSUT) matches a fleet including at least one other measurement system. The invention implements realistic parameters for analyzing a matching problem including single tool precision, tool-to-tool non-linearities and tool-to-tool offsets. A bottom-line tool matching precision metric that combines these parameters into a single value is then implemented. The invention also includes methods for determining a root cause of a matching problem, and for determining a fleet measurement precision metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines corporation
    Inventors: Charles N. Archie, George W. Banke, Jr., Eric P. Solecky
  • Patent number: 7340347
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for displaying geological formation data obtained through well logging in the technical field of petroleum engineering. In one embodiment of this invention, two or more cylindrical surfaces are provided each representing a depth of investigation. The cylindrical surfaces can be dissected into different sectors along azimuths of interest to the human operator. Images of formation information data are attached to (or exposed by) cylindrical surfaces and wings exposed by dissection. Each sector can be displayed individually or together with other sectors so that the human operator can easily analyze the results. Further, the systems and methods can be used to display not only raw well logging data or processed well logging data, but also interpretations of the analysis so that a person unfamiliar with well logging analysis can easily comprehend the results of the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Frank P. Shray, JingKun Yu
  • Patent number: 7336102
    Abstract: The invention includes an error correcting logic system that allows critical circuits to be hardened with only one redundant unit and without loss of circuit performance. The system provides an interconnecting gate that suppresses a fault in one of at least two redundant dynamic logic gates that feed to the interconnecting gate. The system is applicable to dynamic or static logic systems. The system prevents propagation of a fault, and addresses not only soft errors, but noise-induced errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kerry Bernstein, Philip G. Emma, John A. Fifield, Paul D. Kartschoke, William A. Klaasen, Norman J. Rohrer
  • Patent number: 7336813
    Abstract: A system and method for determining skew of a document image. An image processing system is provided, comprising: an image segmentation system that identifies and segments a line of printed characters; and a skew processing system that determines the skew by calculating slope values for pairs of characters in the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ravinder Prakash, Madhura Sathe