Patents Represented by Attorney Safran & Cole, P.C.
  • Patent number: 8233345
    Abstract: A phase change memory (PCM) cycle timer and associated method are disclosed. A system includes at least one reference phase change element (PCE). The system also includes a circuit that performs a write operation on the at least one reference PCE and substantially immediately thereafter continuously senses and returns a value of a resistance of the at least one reference PCE throughout a settling time of the at least one reference PCE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John A Gabric, Mark C. Lamorey, Thomas M. Maffitt
  • Patent number: 8232649
    Abstract: A design structure is provided for interconnect structures containing various capping materials for electrical fuses and other related applications. The structure includes a first interconnect structure having a first interfacial structure and a second interconnect structure adjacent to the first structure. The second interconnect structure has second interfacial structure different from the first interfacial structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Louis L. Hsu, William R. Tonti, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 8234597
    Abstract: A tool and method is provided to graphically correlate process and test data with specific chips on a multi-project wafer. The tool and method is configured and implemented to select certain sites and export these sites to an industry standard map that can be used in a variety of chip picking or test tools. In one embodiment, the method includes importing a wafer floor plan with chips of different design parameters and importing manufacturing logistical information of the chips. The method further includes graphically rendering each chip on the wafer to scale within a unit cell using the imported wafer floor plan and the manufacturing logistical information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark J. Flemming, Alexander J. Franz, Tyler D. Kieft, Raghav Kohli, Karl V. Swanke, Matthew S. Turnbull, Matthew Walker
  • Patent number: 8227870
    Abstract: A method and structure to scale metal gate height in high-k/metal gate transistors. A method includes forming a dummy gate and at least one polysilicon feature, all of which are formed from a same polysilicon layer and wherein the dummy gate is formed over a gate metal layer associated with a transistor. The method also includes selectively removing the dummy gate while protecting the at least one polysilicon feature. The method further includes forming a gate contact on the gate metal layer to thereby form a metal gate having a height that is less than half a height of the at least one polysilicon feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Chudzik, Ricardo A. Donaton, William K. Henson, Yue Liang
  • Patent number: 8227774
    Abstract: A method and system for photomask pattern generation is provided, and more specifically, a method and system for feature function aware priority printing is provided. The method of printing a photolithographic mask includes fracturing mask design data into write shapes that are multiples of a spot size and passing fractured mask design data to a write tool. Additionally, the method includes writing one or more non-critical shapes according to one or more time-saving rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian N. Caldwell, Emily E. F. Gallagher, Steven C. Nash, Jed H. Rankin
  • Patent number: 8230253
    Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium. The computer executable code is operable to dynamically adjust quorum requirements for a voting set V of a server cluster, including a plurality of servers, to ensure that a response of the server cluster to a client request remains Byzantine fault tolerant when at least one of: a failed server of the server cluster is replaced with at least one new server, such that a total set S of servers that have ever been members of the server cluster is increased, and an existing server is removed from the voting set V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Henry E. Butterworth
  • Patent number: 8230441
    Abstract: A system and method of decreasing server loads and, more particularly, to decrease server load by automatically determining subgroups based on object interactions and computational expenditures. The system includes a plurality of servers; a subgroup optimization module configured to segment a plurality of objects into optimal subgroups; and a server transfer module configured to apportion one or more of the optimal subgroups between the plurality of servers based on a load of each of the plurality of servers. The method includes determining a relationship amongst a plurality of objects; segmenting the objects into optimized subgroups based on the relationships; and apportioning the optimized subgroups amongst a plurality of servers based on server load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kulvir S. Bhogal, Rick A. Hamilton, II, James R. Kozloski, Brian M. O'Connell, Clifford A. Pickover
  • Patent number: 8227336
    Abstract: A structure is provided with a self-aligned resist layer on a surface of metal interconnects for use in forming air gaps in an insulator material and method of fabricating the same. The non-lithographic method includes applying a resist on a structure comprising at least one metal interconnect formed in an insulator material. The method further includes blanket-exposing the resist to energy and developing the resist to expose surfaces of the insulator material while protecting the metal interconnects. The method further includes forming air gaps in the insulator material by an etching process, while the metal interconnects remain protected by the resist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel C. Edelstein, Elbert E. Huang, Robert D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8226064
    Abstract: A sliding torque between a pivot portion and a fitting portion may be preferably secured. In an inner mirror device, pivot portions are arranged on both end portions in an axis line direction of a stay formed by a resin material. One pivot portion is fitted in a fitting hole of a holder main body, and the other pivot portion is fitted in a fitting hole of a device main body. In this manner, the holder and the device main body are connected to each other through the stay. In this case, plural notches are formed in the pivot portions, and outside dimensions of the pivot portions may be elastically expanded and reduced. A metal spring pin is pressed into the stay, and the spring pin biases the pivots in a dimension-expansion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Masatsugu Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8230185
    Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code having programming instructions tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium. The programming instructions are operable to determine whether a target disk of a map contains data unavailable to a downstream disk from an upstream disk in a FlashCopy cascade and detect whether the downstream disk has a copy of the data. Additionally, the programming instructions are operable to copy the data from the target disk to the downstream disk, if the target disk of the map contains data unavailable to the downstream disk from the upstream disk and the downstream disk does not have the copy of the data. Furthermore, the programming instructions are operable to refrain from copying the data from the target disk to the downstream disk, if the target disk of the map does not contain data unavailable to the downstream disk from the upstream disk or the downstream disk does have the copy of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Agombar, Christopher B. E. Beeken, Carlos F. Fuente, William J. Scales
  • Patent number: 8225518
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a manual surveying instrument that allows easily performing a collimating operation and allows performing a high precision measurement in a short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sokkia Topcon Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yanobe, Yutaka Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8229691
    Abstract: A method includes passing a lot through a production process and evaluating a statistical quality of the production process. Additionally, the method includes calculating an advanced process control (APC) recipe parameter adjustment (RPA) distribution value and determining if sampling is indicated. Furthermore, the method includes, if sampling is indicated, performing a measurement process of the lot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary W. Behm, Malek Ben Salem, Yue Li
  • Patent number: 8220455
    Abstract: A dispensing device having a storage device and an air pump for dispensing a medical formulation. The storage device has multiple inserts, each insert containing a single dose of the formulation. Each insert is located in a separate and sealed cavity. The cavities can be individually opened for dispensing the respective dose from the respective insert. At least one lifespan blocking device is provided for preventing operating of the dispensing device after a predetermined number of uses corresponding to the number of receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Rohrschneider, Jens Besseler, Timo Von Brunn, Ralf Thoemmes, Thomas Sowden Reinhold
  • Patent number: 8220776
    Abstract: A normally opened solenoid valve includes: a coil; a fixed core; a movable core; a valve seat located at one of openings of a through hole formed in the fixed core; and a valve body inserted into the through hole. The valve body includes: a shaft part inserted into the through hole and pressed by the movable core; a valve part seated on or separated from the valve seat; and a connection part configured to connect the shaft part with the valve part. The connection part includes a conical portion increased in diameter toward the shaft part from the valve part. A plurality of reduced thickness portions, each having a concave shape as viewed in an axial direction, are formed in the conical portion. The reduced thickness portions are located at equal intervals in a circumferential direction of the conical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Tagata, Tetsuo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8220217
    Abstract: A joint for connecting two adjacent flooring panels together in a substantially vertical manner includes a rotatable locking member made of plastic, metal or another resilient material. The rotatable locking member is located within a groove or opening of one flooring panel and the second flooring panel has a tongue shaped to mate with the rotatable locking member. Upon installation, the rotatable member rotates and locks around the back of the tongue via a groove above the tongue. The rotatable locking member includes a resilient arm which is bent away from its initial rest position upon installation, so that when the rotatable locking member locks onto the tongue, the resilient arm is bent providing a biasing force which holds the panel securely in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Innovaris AG
    Inventor: Moritz Muehlebach
  • Patent number: 8224840
    Abstract: A system and method of sensing and responding to service discoveries on a consumer's machine and, more particularly, to a system and method of sensing (discovering) service needs on a consumer's machine using a resident Daemon, and responding to the service discoveries using an extension of UDDI. The method comprises receiving a keyword from a local machine, locating a service associated with the keyword, and notifying the local machine about the service that matches the keyword.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zhendong Bao, William P. Shaouy
  • Patent number: 8219971
    Abstract: A system and method of managing source code and, more particularly, a system and method for locking sections of source code to eliminate conflicts during concurrent use by multiple users. The method includes locking a first section of a file and at least a second section of the file to permit editing thereof by different users to the exclusion of other users. The method further includes merging edits of the locked first section with remaining sections of the file including any edits made to the at least second section without overwriting any edits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew H. Cao, Danny Y. Chen, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Fabian F. Morgan, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 8216912
    Abstract: A method, structure, and design structure for a through-silicon-via Wilkinson power divider. A method includes: forming an input on a first side of a substrate; forming a first leg comprising a first through-silicon-via formed in the substrate, wherein the first leg electrically connects the input and a first output; forming a second leg comprising a second through-silicon-via formed in the substrate, wherein the second leg electrically connects the input and a second output, and forming a resistor electrically connected between the first output and the second output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Alvin J. Joseph, Wayne H. Woods, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8219616
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to virtual environments, and more particularly to systems and methods for communicating in virtual environments. A method of providing communication in a virtual universe (VU) includes instantiating and assigning an information channel to a first client of the VU, associating at least one additional client of the VU to the information channel, and conveying data placed on the information channel to the first client and the at least one additional client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Dawson, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Michael J. Osias, Biran W. Sledge
  • Patent number: 8217259
    Abstract: Enhanced efficiency solar cells and methods of manufacture of such cells are described herein. In an illustrative example, the solar cell includes at least one or more collector lens bars each of which extend on sides of front contacts and positioned over a respective active area of one or more active areas in such as position as to guide light onto the one or more active areas. A protective layer covers the at least one or more collector lens bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Gambino, Scott W. Jones, Robert K. Leidy, Mark J. Pouliot