Abstract: A system, method, and program product for re-parameterizing one or more three-dimensional Catmull-Clark models is disclosed. Each of the models has one or more surfaces and one or more extraordinary vertices. One or more adjacent iso-parameter lines of the model have a spacing between them that increases as the iso-parameter lines approach the extraordinary vertex. A re-parameterization process that re-parameterizes the model so that one or more of the extraordinary vertices have adjacent iso-parameter lines with spacing that does not increase as the lines approach the extraordinary vertex.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 25, 2003
Date of Patent:
May 6, 2008
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for securely proving ownership of pseudonymous or anonymous electronic credentials. A credential system is described consisting of users and organizations. An organization knows a user only by a pseudonym. The pseudonyms of the same user, established for use with different organizations, cannot be linked. An organization can issue a credential to a pseudonym, and the corresponding user can prove possession of this credential to another organization that knows him under another pseudonym. During the prove of possession of the credential nothing besides the fact that he owns such a credential is revealed. A refinement of the credential system provides credentials for unlimited use, so called multiple-show credentials, and credentials for one-time use, so called one-show credentials.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 2, 2001
Date of Patent:
April 15, 2008
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Inventors:
Jan Leonhard Camnisch, Anna Lysyanskaya
Abstract: An integrated circuit and method for fabrication includes first and second structures, each including a set of sub-lithographic lines, and contact landing segments connected to at least one of the sub-lithographic lines at an end portion. The first and second structures are nested such that the sub-lithographic lines are disposed in a parallel manner within a width, and the contact landing segments of the first structure are disposed on an opposite side of a length of the sub-lithographic lines relative to the contact landing segments of the second structure. The contact landing segments for the first and second structures are included within the width dimension, wherein the width includes a dimension four times a minimum feature size achievable by lithography.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 17, 2006
Date of Patent:
April 1, 2008
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Inventors:
Toshiharu Furukawa, Mark Charles Hakey, Steven J. Holmes, David V. Horak, Charles William Koburger, III, Chung Hon Lam
Abstract: Methods for fabricating a semiconductor device include forming a first layer on an underlying layer, forming a hardmask on the first layer, and patterning holes through the hardmask and first layer. An overhang is formed extending over sides of the holes. A conformal layer is deposited over the overhang and in the holes until the conformal layer closes off the holes to form a void/seam in each hole. The void/seam in each hole is exposed by etching back a top surface. The void/seam in each hole is extended to the underlying layer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 19, 2006
Date of Patent:
April 1, 2008
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Inventors:
Toshiharu Furukawa, Mark Charles Hakey, Steven J. Holmes, David V. Horak, Charles W. Koburger, III, Chung Hon Lam
Abstract: There are provided relaxation oscillators and methods for controlling the same. A relaxation oscillator includes a load device, a switching device, a fine-tuning varactor, and a current source. The load device is configured to provide a variable oscillator output based on a variable input reference voltage. The switching device is connected in signal communication with the load device and is configured to become active and inactive based on the variable oscillator output. The fine-tuning varactor is connected in signal communication with the switching device and is configured to provide fine-tuning of the variable oscillator output when the switching device is active. The current source is connected in signal communication with the switching device and is configured to provide coarse-tuning of the variable oscillator output when the switching device is active.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 13, 2006
Date of Patent:
March 25, 2008
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Inventors:
Woogeun Rhee, Daniel J. Friedman, Babak Soltanian
Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a memory element includes modeling the memory element using a simulation method and determining component response characteristics for components of the memory element. Safety regions are computed in a state space of the memory element, which indicate stable states. A transient analysis is performed to determine a path and time needed to reach one of the safety regions. Based on the path and time needed to reach one of the safety regions, a clock waveform or waveforms are determined which place a corresponding state in that safety region.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 1, 2005
Date of Patent:
March 25, 2008
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Inventors:
Bhavna Agrawal, Peter Feldmann, Sani R. Nassif, Tomasz J. Nowicki, Grzegorz Michal Swirszcz
Abstract: A weldable workpiece having a surface deposition including an absorber dye possessing strong absorption and a high extinction coefficient. The dye is deposited at a uniform density and thereby has the capacity to convert inbound radiant energy over about 0.1 J per square millimeter into thermal energy via vibronic relaxation and exothermic decomposition. In optical applications, the workpiece forms welds of high photopic and optical transmission. The improved transmission results from the solvent residues, additives, dyes and by-products being mutually miscible with the workpiece surface. A method for preprocessing the workpiece describes steps for selecting polymers, dyes and vehicles.
Abstract: A device, system and method for evaluating reliability of a semiconductor chip are disclosed. Strain is determined at a location of interest in a structure. Failures are evaluated in a plurality of the structures after stress cycling to determine a strain threshold with respect to a feature characteristic. Structures on a chip or chips are evaluated based on the feature characteristic to predict reliability based on the strain threshold and the feature characteristic. Predictions and design changes may be made based on the results.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 12, 2005
Date of Patent:
March 18, 2008
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Inventors:
Ronald Gene Filippi, Lynne Marie Gignac, Vincent J. McGahay, Conal Eugene Murray, Hazara Singh Rathore, Thomas M. Shaw, Ping-Chuan Wang
Abstract: A nanoprobe includes a substrate having a layer, which forms a projected portion. A plurality of conductive lines is adhered to the projected portion and the lines extend beyond an end of the projected portion by a distance to form contact points, wherein the lines are connected to material of the projected portion to provide stiffness and the contact points provide flexibility during use.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 17, 2005
Date of Patent:
March 4, 2008
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Abstract: Disclosed is a probe unit for nuclear magnetic resonance. The probe unit includes a cylindrical outer conductor, a cylindrical central conductor concentrically disposed in the outer conductor, a membrane assembly and fluid paths guiding the flow of fluid in the space between the central and outer conductors. By applying a RF current between the outer and central conductors, a sensing magnetic field is generated in a radial direction. Accordingly, it is possible to detect in real time and in situ, variations of characteristics as well as spatial distribution changes, of a fluid under reaction and/or passing through the fluid paths in the space between the central and outer conductors.
Abstract: A memory storage structure includes a memory storage device, and a first meta-structure having a first size and operating at a first speed. The first speed is faster than a second speed for storing meta-information based on information stored in a memory. A second meta-structure is hierarchically associated with the first meta-structure. The second meta-structure has a second size larger than the first size and operates at the second speed such that faster and more accurate prefetching is provided by coaction of the first and second meta-structures. A method is provided to assemble the meta-information in the first meta-structure and copy this information to the second meta-structure, and prefetching the stored information from the second meta-structure to the first meta-structure ahead of its use.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 1, 2003
Date of Patent:
February 26, 2008
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Inventors:
Philip George Emma, Allan Mark Hartstein, Brian R. Prasky, Thomas Roberts Puzak, Moinuddin Khalil Ahmed Qureshi, Vijayalakshmi Srinivasan
Abstract: An adjustable putter head for a golf putter is designed having an elongated line of sight marking on a top surface of the putter head to aid in aligning the putter head in a putting direction toward a target point, and a putter face which is pivotally connected to the putter head to allow selective adjustment of an angular position of the putter face relative to the line of sight for purposes such as adjusting a face angle orientation to compensate for improper putting strokes, or lining up breaking putts using the line of sight to aim the putt at the hole as a fixed target while adjusting the face angle orientation to align the ball striking face square to an off-line direction of intended ball movement.
Abstract: An electrical device includes a plurality of interconnects passing through a plane. The interconnects have a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the plane and including an arrangement pattern which reduces or eliminates cross-talk between nearest neighboring interconnects, wherein the interconnects include a first differentially driven signal conductor pair and at least one other signal conductor, and the arrangement includes the at least one other signal conductor disposed at a substantially same distance from each conductor of the first differentially driven signal conductor pair.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 25, 2005
Date of Patent:
February 26, 2008
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Abstract: There is provided a surface mount parallelepiped condenser microphone. In the surface mount parallelepiped condenser microphone, a case has a rectangular box shape with an opening, a backplate has a circular shape with a sound hole, a spacer has thin ring shape, an insulation ring has a hollow cylindrical shape with top and bottom openings, a diaphragm faces the backplate with disposing the spacer therebetween, and a PCB has a rectangular shape with a sound hole at a center portion, the PCB being electrically connected with the diaphragm through a conductive ring, wherein a metal ring, the backplate, the spacer, the insulation ring, the diaphragm, the conductive ring, and the PCB are sequentially disposed in the case, and the case is curled at the opening. Therefore, the direction of the surface mount condenser microphone can be easily detected when mounting on a main PCB.
Abstract: An exercise apparatus is provided, either in assembled or kit form, particularly for emulating and improving a golf swing. The apparatus includes an elongate bar having hand grips each disposed at opposite ends thereon, and a neck support disposed at a substantially central portion of the bar. The bar includes at least one forearm plate permanently or removably attached on an underside near either end of the bar. At least one resistance band is provided, although a plurality is preferably provided in the kit form, for removable attachment of the forearm plate with a foot brace. Such removable attachment advantageously facilitates changing of resistance bands to different levels of resistance/length, switching of the foot brace, as well as, e.g., in an embodiment including two forearm plates, switching between attachment of the resistance band to either forearm plate. Accordingly, a user may work both the right or left side muscle groups.
Abstract: Plastic injection-compression multi-cavity molding of flash-free improved-cleanliness thermoplastic spectacle lenses (16) are suitable to be robotically dip hardcoated. Special spring-loaded (25, 26) molds having variable-volume mold cavities are used in an injection-compression molding process to form, without parting line flash, pairs of a wide range of differing optical power of polycarbonate Rx spectacle lenses (16). These pairs have special molded-on design features which are specially suited for full automation, starting with a novel way for ejection out of the mold into a takeout robot which is integrated via full automation with subsequent dip hardcoating. A molded-on tab with each pair of lenses is specially suited for manipulation by SCARA type robot.