Patents Represented by Attorney Martine Penilla Group, LLP
  • Patent number: 8253172
    Abstract: A cell of a semiconductor device includes a substrate portion including a plurality of diffusion regions, including at least one p-type diffusion region and at least one n-type diffusion region separated by one or more non-active regions. The cell includes a gate electrode level including a number of conductive features defined to extend in only a first parallel direction. Each of the conductive features is fabricated from a respective originating rectangular-shaped layout feature. A width of the conductive features is less than a wavelength of light used in a photolithography process for their fabrication. Some of the conductive features form respective PMOS and/or NMOS transistor devices. A number of the PMOS transistor devices is equal to a number of the NMOS transistor devices in the gate electrode level. The cell also includes a number of interconnect levels formed above the gate electrode level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Tela Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott T. Becker, Michael C. Smayling
  • Patent number: 8250616
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing multimedia content captured from a plurality of locations via one or more capturing devices include obtaining multimedia content from one or more capturing devices. The capturing devices identify a type of content being captured and/or location of capture. An interest type for multimedia content is obtained from a consuming user. The multimedia content from the capturing devices are searched based on the interest type of the consuming user. A subset of the multimedia content conforming to the interest type is presented in substantial real-time at the receiving devices of the consuming users. Feedback regarding the presented multimedia content is obtained from consuming users and communicated to the capturing devices in substantial real-time so as to influence future capture of multimedia content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Davis, Joseph O'Sullivan, Chris W. Higgins, Ron Martinez, Athellina Athsani
  • Patent number: 8247846
    Abstract: A rectangular-shaped interlevel connection structure is defined to electrically connect a first structure in a first chip level with a second structure in a second chip level. The rectangular-shaped interlevel connection structure is defined by an as-drawn cross-section having at least one dimension larger than a corresponding dimension of either the first structure, the second structure, or both the first and second structures. A dimension of the rectangular-shaped interlevel connection structure can exceed a normal maximum size in one direction in exchange for a reduced size in another direction. The rectangular-shaped interlevel connection structure can be placed in accordance with a gridpoint of a virtual grid defined by two perpendicular sets of virtual lines. Also, the first and/or second structures can be spatially oriented and/or placed in accordance with one or both of the two perpendicular sets of virtual lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Tela Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott T. Becker
  • Patent number: 8247977
    Abstract: The plasma generator of our invention comprises of the induction coil which is symmetric with respect to the reference plane between two terminal ends. Plasma processing gas is supplied to a predetermined space, and high frequency electricity is supplied to the induction coil, thereby the plasma generator generates plasma in the space. The reference plane passes between the two terminal ends and through longitude axis of the induction coil. The plasma generator can generate plasma with high quality of homogeneous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Georgy K. Vinogradov, Vladimir M. Menagarishvili, Tetsuhiko Shimamura, Masayuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8250096
    Abstract: A method to access trusted user generated content (UGC) is provided. User registration information containing one or more identities is obtained. Each identity corresponds to an internet social network that is facilitated by one of a plurality of social network sites. The social relationships are collected using the provided user identities at the different social network sites and user extended social networks are created for each user by joining the social relationships collected. Then, UGC is collected from the plurality of social network sites and the collected UGC is correlated with the extended social networks. The correlated UGC is filtered according to the user configuration of a user making a request, and then the results are presented to the requesting user. A search function is provided to obtain information on demand, or alternatively, a user receives feeds of information according to configured information regarding the user's extended social network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Su, Wendell Baker
  • Patent number: 8246454
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for converting television commercials into interactive network video games are presented. In one method, a broadcast or streamed commercial is accompanied by an interactive segment. A media player coupled to the broadcast or streaming media source identifies the existence of the interactive segment and presents the user with an enhanced and interactive mini-game commercial that can be played with other “viewers” in a common or disperse demographic. Multiple methods for content delivery are provided, including a model where television commercial is inserted within consecutive frames of the television program, and a model where the commercial is overlaid on frames of the television program allowing the user to play the game while the television program is displayed. In a preferred embodiment, the termination of the interactive mini-game commercial is set within a fixed time period commensurate with traditional spot television advertising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
    Inventor: Gary M. Zalewski
  • Patent number: 8246755
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, a wet system delivers a flow of cleaning foam through a channel in a proximity head to a meniscus interfacing with a semiconductor wafer. The wet system diverts a sample of the flow from the channel through a transparent cell that is connected to the channel by an input passage that leads from the channel to the transparent cell and by an output passage that leads from the transparent cell back to the channel. The wet system illuminates the sample in the transparent cell with an LED from the top or the back and captures an image of the illuminated sample with a CCD camera. The image shows a morphological attribute of the cleaning foam such as bubble diameter or spacing. The wet system generates a statistical characterization from the morphological attribute and adjusts other attributes of the cleaning foam based on the statistical characterization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Arnold Kholodenko, Gregrory A. Tomasch, Leonid Ginzburg, Cheng-Yu (Sean) Lin
  • Patent number: 8241116
    Abstract: A method for testing a new feature of an online gaming application is provided. According to the method, a gaming application request is received from a user, and it is determined whether to add the user to a live test for a new game feature. If the user is added to the live test, then the user is assigned to a test group or a control group. If the user is assigned to the test group, then a gaming application is provided including the new game feature enabled. If the user is assigned to the control group, then the gaming application is provided without the new game feature enabled. User social graph data identifying co-users of the user is obtained, and gaming activity and social network activity of the user is evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Justin Driemeyer
  • Patent number: 8245180
    Abstract: A set of layout nanopatterns is defined. Each layout nanopattern is defined by relative placements of a particular type of layout feature within a lithographic window of influence. A design space is defined as a set of layout parameters and corresponding value ranges that affect manufacturability of a layout. Layouts are created for the set of layout nanopatterns such that the created layouts cover the design space. The layouts for the set of layout nanopatterns are then optimized for manufacturability. A point in the design space is selected where the set of layout nanopatterns are co-optimized for manufacturability. A circuit layout is created based on the selected point in design space using the corresponding set of co-optimized layout nanopatterns. The optimized layouts for the set of layout nanopatterns and the associated circuit layout can be recorded in a digital format on a computer readable storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Tela Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Smayling, Scott T. Becker
  • Patent number: 8241521
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lithium ion cathode material lithium iron phosphate having oxygen vacancy and doped in the position of Fe and a preparation method of quick micro-wave sintering for the same. The molecular formula of the product in present invention is expressed as LiFe1-x-aMeaMxPO4-yNz, wherein Me is one or more elements selected from Mg, Mn or Nd, and M is one or more elements selected from Li, Na, K, Ag or Cu; 0?x?0.1, 0<a?0.1, 0<y?0.5, 0?z?0.5, wherein x and z can not be 0 simultaneously. The quick micro-wave sintering preparation method in the present invention has advantages of high production efficiency, low energy consumption, good batch stability of the prepared product, excellent rate performance and cycle performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hengdian Group DMEGC Magnetic Limited Company
    Inventors: Jiangjian Jin, Guoguang Wang, Jun Xu, Daxin Bao
  • Patent number: 8241701
    Abstract: The embodiments fill the need to enhance electro-migration performance, provide lower metal resistivity, and improve metal-to-metal interfacial adhesion for copper interconnects by providing improved processes and systems that produce an improved metal-to-metal interface, more specifically barrier-to-copper interface. An exemplary method of preparing a substrate surface of a substrate to deposit a metallic barrier layer to line a copper interconnect structure of the substrate and to deposit a thin copper seed layer on a surface of the metallic barrier layer in an integrated system to improve electromigration performance of the copper interconnect is provided. The method includes cleaning an exposed surface of a underlying metal to remove surface metal oxide in the integrated system, wherein the underlying metal is part of a underlying interconnect electrically connected to the copper interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Yezdi Dordi, John Boyd, Tiruchirapalli Arunagiri, Hyungsuk Alexander Yoon, Fritz C. Redeker, William Thie, Arthur M. Howald
  • Patent number: 8242067
    Abstract: A cleaning compound is disclosed for removing particulate contaminants from a semiconductor substrate surface. The cleaning compound includes a liquid and carboxylic acid solid components dispersed in a substantially uniform manner in the liquid. A concentration of the carboxylic acid solid components in the liquid exceeds a solubility limit of the carboxylic acid solid components in the liquid. In one embodiment, a concentration of the carboxylic acid solid components in the liquid is within a range extending from about 3 percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight. In one embodiment, the carboxylic acid solid components are defined by a carbon number of at least four. The carboxylic acid solid components are defined to interact with the particulate contaminants on the semiconductor substrate surface to remove the particulate contaminants from the semiconductor substrate surface. The cleaning compound is viscous and may be formed as a gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Mikhail Korolik, Erik M. Freer, John M. de Larios, Katrina Mikhaylichenko, Mike Ravkin, Fritz Redeker
  • Patent number: 8236379
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a chemical vapor deposition method of depositing layers of materials to provide super-hydrophilic surface properties, or super-hydrophobic surface properties, or combinations of such properties at various locations on a given surface. The invention also relates to electronic applications which make use of super-hydrophobic surface properties, and to biological applications which make use of super-hydrophilic surface properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Microstructures, Inc.
    Inventors: Boris Kobrin, Jeffrey D. Chin, Benigno A. Janeiro, Romuald Nowak
  • Patent number: 8238310
    Abstract: A system and method for relaying Multicast Broadcast Service (MBS) are provided. The system for relaying MBS includes a base station; and a plurality of relay stations, wherein the relay stations forms multi-hop relay network, and wherein the base station selects a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) level among a plurality of MCS levels based on channel condition between the base station and the respective relay stations. The MBS relay system of the present invention provides improved data throughput and stable broadcast services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Sungkyunkwan University
    Inventors: Hee Yong Youn, Chi Hyun Cho, Kyung Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 8235782
    Abstract: A method of operating slot machines permits a machine to be identified as available for team play. Upon being identified for team play, the machine is grouped with other slot machines and subject to bonus conditions dependent on the team play. Bonus conditions typically including selected bonus outcomes and a bonus time period, during which bonus time period all outcomes of the grouped machines are monitored to determine the total bonus outcomes. If the total bonus outcomes of the team meet the bonus conditions within the bonus time period, then a bonus payout is awarded to all of the players. Players are thus encouraged to participate in a social, team environment with others of the team to win the group bonus. The invention is applicable to all slot machines, including video poker machines wherein the bonus outcomes include selected video poker hand ranks, and reeled slot machines wherein the bonus outcomes include selected reel outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena M. Fincham, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Stephen C. Tulley, Daniel E. Tedesco, Robert C. Tedesco
  • Patent number: 8236382
    Abstract: A method for preparing a surface of a substrate is provided. The method includes scanning the surface of the substrate by a meniscus, preparing the surface of the substrate using the meniscus, and performing a next preparation operation on the surface of the substrate that was prepared without performing a rinsing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Ravkin, John M. de Larios, Mikhail Korolik, Michael G. R. Smith, Carl Woods
  • Patent number: 8234539
    Abstract: A computer system for correction of errors in a memory array includes an error correction algorithm and a memory. The error correction algorithm is capable of correcting errors up to a first bit error rate in a correctable group of memory cells having a standard size. The memory is operative to store a first set of ECC bits having information corresponding to a first group of memory cells having a first size larger than the standard size, and to store a second set of ECC bits having information corresponding to a second group of memory cells having a second size smaller than said first size and being a portion of said first group. The error correction algorithm is operative to correct errors in the second group based on the second set of ECC bits if a failure occurs in correction of the first group based on the first set of ECC bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: SanDisk IL Ltd.
    Inventor: Eran Erez
  • Patent number: 8229726
    Abstract: An object-oriented software analysis framework is provided for enabling software engineers and hardware engineers to gain insight into the behavior of software applications on emerging hardware platforms even before the hardware is fabricated. In this analysis framework, simulation data containing instruction, address and/or hardware register information is sent to interchangeable and parameterizable analyzer and profiler modules that decode the data and perform analysis of the data according to each module's respective analysis function. This detailed analysis is performed by constructing a tree of such modules through which the data travels and is classified and analyzed or filtered at each level of the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tariq Magdon-Ismail, Razvan Cheveresan, Matthew D. Ramsay
  • Patent number: 8230198
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable code embodied on the computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable code including: program code for delivering, in response to a CPU request, from a host-system processor of a host system, for a command code, an SWI that is different than the command code. Preferably, the computer-readable code further includes: program code for selecting between providing the command code and providing the SWI based on an availability of the command code. Preferably, the computer-readable code further includes: program code for distinguishing between a command-code read-request and a data read-request according to a built-in command-codes table, wherein the command-code read-request and the data read-request are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sandisk IL Ltd.
    Inventor: Amir Mosek
  • Patent number: 8226014
    Abstract: A card-shaped data carrier includes a card body provided with a graphical element displayed thereon. The card body is provided with a plastic material for converting irradiated light into secondary light and for retransmitting the secondary light within the plastic material to the graphical element or to a portion of the graphical element. The card-shaped data carrier has a shaped body which is made of the plastic material for displaying the graphical element and is at least partially arranged in at least one cavity of the card body and/or includes a laterally extended area inside which the shaped body exhibits optical properties different from the properties outside the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Kluge