Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Reneé Michelle Larson
  • Patent number: 6837293
    Abstract: An interface block (300) carries a removable electrical connection (310, 312) that can be quickly connected and removed from a high speed machine for picking and placing electronic components. The interface block is attached to a vacuum ported tool changer (200) which further couples to a heated end effector (100) to create a removable heated nozzle assembly (50). The entire assembly can be easily plugged into and removed from a high speed placement machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventors: Swee M. Mok, Janice M. Danvir, Chi-haur Wu
  • Patent number: 6586821
    Abstract: A lead frame of a plastic integrated circuit package is fabricated in two steps. First, from a rectangular sheet of metal, lead fingers of the lead frame are formed. Second, the die pad of the lead frame is clamped and is simultaneously separated and downset from the lead fingers of the lead frame by shearing the lead frame with a mated punch die pair. Performing the separation and downset of the die pad from the lead fingers results in essentially no horizontal gap between the lead fingers and the die pad. The downset of the die pad with respect to the lead fingers results in a vertical separation between the die pad and the lead fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Hundt, Tiao Zhou
  • Patent number: 6518746
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure provides a burn-in stress test mode that facilitates stress testing of an integrated circuit device in a burn-in oven. The integrated circuit structure is capable of disabling a time-out feature of an IC memory device during a stress test mode of the device in order to facilitate stress testing of the device in a burn-in oven. The test mode structure of the IC memory device has a number of bipolar transistors, a number of ETD transistors coupled to the bipolar transistors, and a logic element coupled to the bipolar and ETD transistors at a node. The ETD transistors operate to ensure that the emitter of corresponding bipolar transistors have a voltage of Vb−Vbe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David Charles McClure
  • Patent number: 6313878
    Abstract: A hardware-implemented screen-saver prevents burn-in of an image displayed on a screen of a display product by automatically reducing the video gain, and therefore the contrast, of the image when the portion of the image within a two-dimensional detection window has changed by less than a predetermined amount for a predetermined period of time. A lack of change of the incoming video signal of the image is detected and used to invoke a reduction in contrast of the image displayed on the display product. This allows the image to remain visible, yet reduces the possibility of burn-in of the image in the screen of the display product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Joseph Jankowiak
  • Patent number: 6310485
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure and method provides a burn-in stress test mode that facilitates stress testing of an integrated circuit device in a burn-in oven. The integrated circuit structure and method is capable of disabling a time-out feature of an IC memory device during a stress test mode of the device in order to facilitate stress testing of the device in a burn-in oven. The integrated circuit structure provides for entry into the burn-in stress test mode when a supply voltage supplied to the integrated circuit device exceeds a predetermined voltage level and/or the temperature of the integrated circuit device exceeds a predetermined temperature level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David Charles McClure
  • Patent number: 6255961
    Abstract: A remote control unit in an audio/visual system has a two-way communications link with one or more audio/visual devices. The bi-directional flow of information between the remote control unit and the audio/visual device(s) provides for the creation of remote control commands that are customized based upon the characteristics of the particular A/V device being controlled by the remote control unit. The remote control unit may additionally have another two-way communications link with one or more information-providing devices, such as a personal computer capable of accessing the Internet, that can provide the remote control unit with information available outside the audio/visual environment. The bi-directional flow of information of the two-way communications links is accomplished with a two-way infra-red link or a two-way serial link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Van Ryzin, Peter Douma
  • Patent number: 6246731
    Abstract: Parallel processing in the form of two PR4 Viterbi Detectors connected in parallel operates to increase the maximum channel speed of a given data channel of a magnetic media. According to a target equation defined as Read(D)=(1−D2)2Written(D), in which D is the delay of a data of the channel, a first Viterbi Detector processes even data samples of the channel that have been equalized according to the target equation and a second Viterbi Detector connected in parallel processes odd data samples of the channel that have likewise been equalized according to the target equation. The use of two parallel-connected Viterbi Detectors in this fashion allows data to be processed at half-rate rather than full-rate, thereby increasing the overall channel speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Francesco Brianti, Hakan Ozdemir
  • Patent number: 6237846
    Abstract: A body-wearable keyboard features an optimized key layout that can be used in a conventional configuration or a body-wear configuration. By rotating one or more key clusters, the keyboard can be used in a vertical lengthwise position resting flat on the body on the user in the body-wear configuration. Multiple placement of frequently used keys in the key clusters provides for ease of use, whether the keyboard is in the conventional configuration or the body-wear configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Wayne Lowell, Kazuhiko Inagaki
  • Patent number: 6069959
    Abstract: An active headset providing for reduction of external noise over a given frequency range by means of a microphone which generates an external noise representative signal processed and fed to a loudspeaker to produce an external noise cancellation signal spectrum, wherein a bridge amplifier circuit is interposed between the microphone and the loudspeaker and the gain of the bridge amplifier for peak amplitude of the noise cancellation signal is user adjustable without substantially reducing the breadth of the given frequency range over which noise reduction is effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Noise Cancellation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Owen Jones
  • Patent number: 6014050
    Abstract: According to the present invention, by setting the logic state of one or more delay signals to appropriate values, the resistive value of a plurality of power supply delay elements throughout an integrated circuit having distributed circuit blocks may be modified to produce desired delay times or pulse width adjustments throughout the integrated circuit. Setting delay signals to desired logic states may be accomplished by a variety of means including forcing test pads to a logic level, blowing fuses, or entering into a test mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David Charles McClure
  • Patent number: 5995903
    Abstract: A digital computer system for displaying a computer generated terrain representing a 3-dimensional depiction of the real world terrain surrounding a vehicle in real-time while the vehicle is in motion. This 3-D (3-Dimensional) image is rendered in real time while the vehicle is in motion and uses Global Positioning System (GPS) or differential GPS (dGPS) data available from a GPS unit and translates that data into virtual space within an Image Generation Processing block of the digital computer system. The digital computer system generates a virtual world 3-D image representing the eye-point position of the vehicle and directional vector into a terrain database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventors: Eric L. Smith, Kurt Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5841876
    Abstract: A vibration control system includes a processor-based circuit which monitors and controls an analog vibration control circuit. The system include, a sensor to detect the undesirable vibrations and a synchronous pulse generator for determining the fundamental frequency of the vibrations emitted by the source. An actuator produces anti-noise to counter unwanted vibrations. The processor circuit tests the system, monitors system functions, and adjusts various parameters to provide optimal performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Noise Cancellation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl S. Gifford, Owen Jones, Michael Charles John Trinder
  • Patent number: 5818180
    Abstract: A circuit for driving a voice coil motor used to position the heads of a disk drive is disclosed. The circuit consists of a an H-bridge circuit, a controller, and a feedback loop. The feedback loop prevents the BEMF from driving a voltage on the voice coil motor above the supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Athos Canclini
  • Patent number: 5808870
    Abstract: A plastic pin support of a plastic PGA package is used to hold conductor pins in alignment, for electrical contact, with a printed circuit board and a socket. The printed circuit board is mounted on the plastic pin support which is electrically connected to respective conductor pins of the plastic pin support. A first adhesive layer, containing silver fillers, connects a silicon chip housed in the plastic PGA package to a heat sink and conducts heat from the silicon chip to the heat sink. The first adhesive layer also absorbs thermal expansion variations between the silicon chip and the heat sink during thermal cycles. A second adhesive layer connects the printed circuit board to the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony M. Chiu
  • Patent number: 5802679
    Abstract: A circular cleat apparatus allows a user to quickly and easily adjust in both directions the length and tension of an elongated cord. The circular cleat apparatus employs a circular cleat where a portion of the circular cleat provide engaging members to grip the elongated cord. The other half of the circular cleat is smooth. The elongated cord is guided through a rope guide on the circular cleat and positioned between the lateral walls of the circular cleat to provide a simple positive anchor. The circular cleat could be used alone simply for the purpose of securing ropes, bungie cords, and similarly configured flexible elongated cords or to tightening elongated cords together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Michael Joseph Neeley
  • Patent number: 5804472
    Abstract: The cross-sectional area of a thin-film transistor (TFT) is decreased in order to minimize bitline to supply leakage of the TFT. This is accomplished by utilizing a spacer etch process to manufacture a TFT having a very narrow and thin channel in a controllable manner. The spacer dimensions of the TFT may be adjusted by simply modifying the thicknesses of the poly gate and the channel poly. The channel thickness is limited by the thickness of the deposited channel polysilicon which may be as thin as approximately 300 .ANG. to 500 .ANG., and the channel width of the TFT corresponds to the height of the spacer etched along the polysilicon gate of the device which may be as small as approximately 0.15 to 0.25 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Artur P. Balasinski, Kuei-Wu Huang
  • Patent number: 5653665
    Abstract: According to the present invention, at least one adjustable resilient elastic cable interconnects a generally flat lower elongated rigid member and an upper elongated rigid member. The resilient elastic cable is attached to the lower elongated rigid member by at least one retention structure and is attached to the upper elongated rigid member by at least one connection member. Use of the back exercising apparatus in conjunction with selected exercises subjects the user's spine to vertical compression and, if desired, rotation, thereby placing traction on the spine. One or more masses may be optionally attached to the upper elongated rigid member to further increase the compression of the spine. Following termination of exercise, decompression of the user's spine yields relief of back pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: Michael Joseph Neeley
  • Patent number: 5638022
    Abstract: A control system for controlling periodic disturbances employing a delayed inverse filter (5), a variable delay (6), a controller, a system model (4) and a comb filter (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Noise Cancellation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Graham P. Eatwell
  • Patent number: 5628914
    Abstract: A closed system for reclaiming ink, solvent, and water from waste lithographic ink, or other ink types, without generating hazardous by-products is disclosed. The recycling process is performed under vacuum conditions on standard equipment, such as an agitation station, an evaporator chamber, a grinder, a condensation tank, and a vapor exhaust recovery condenser, readily available in the ink industry. Waste ink containing ink solids, solvent, water, and possibly foreign material such as debris, lint, paper, and dust, is first mixed to create a homogeneous slurry mixture of the ink, solvent, water and foreign materials. Next, water and solvent is evaporated from the slurry mixture and collected so that it may condensate and then settle. The slurry mixture is ground and heated up in order to evaporate any remaining water and solvent from the slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Inventor: Frank Prasil
  • Patent number: 5440178
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a time filter prevents unintentional static entry into a test mode. Static entry is delayed an appropriate period of time after receipt of the required stimulus to enter the test mode. The delay period is chosen to be longer than transient conditions present in noisy operating environments such that static entry into the test mode is not accidentally triggered. Only when a super voltage condition is applied to an integrated circuit pin for the duration of a predetermined delay time can static entry to a test mode be accomplished. Exit from a test mode occurs immediately after the stimulus is removed. Delay circuitry of the present invention comprises a plurality of transistors, a schmitt trigger, and a delay element, and the delay circuitry determines the value of the predetermined voltage level and the predetermined delay time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. McClure