Patents Assigned to Progressant Technologies, Inc.
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Patent number: 6686631Abstract: An n-channel metal-insulator-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MISFET) that exhibits negative differential resistance in its output characteristic (drain current as a function of drain voltage) is disclosed. The MISFET includes a dynamically variable and reversible threshold voltage which is controlled by a source-drain bias. A channel region of the MISFET is doped so as to enhance an electric field associated with the source-drain bias, and thus cause charge carriers to tunnel out of the channel and into a trapping region. A net charge in the trapping region results from the source-drain bias which can be used as an additional control mechanism for conduction in the MISFET.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Progressant Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Tsu-Jae King, David K. Y. Liu
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Patent number: 6686267Abstract: A process for forming a dual mode FET and a logic circuit to include a negative differential resistance (NDR) characteristic is disclosed. In a FET embodiment, an NDR characteristic is selectively enabled/disabled by forming a body contact bias, thus permitting a dual behavior of the device. Larger collections of such FETs can be synthesized to form dual mode logic circuits as well, so that a single circuit can perform more than one logic operation depending on whether an NDR mode is enabled or not.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Progressant Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Tsu-Jae King
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Patent number: 6680245Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing process is disclosed that is suitable for making both negative differential resistance (NDR) and non-NDR devices at the same time. An NDR process is thus integrated within a conventional CMOS process so that compatibility with existing fabrication procedures is maintained. In addition, many of the NDR process steps and non-NDR process steps are shared in common to form features of such devices at the same time.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Progressant Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Tsu-Jae King, David K. Y. Liu
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Patent number: 6664601Abstract: A process for operating a dual mode FET and a logic circuit to include a negative differential resistance (NDR) characteristic is disclosed. In a FET embodiment, an NDR characteristic is selectively enabled/disabled by biasing a body contact, thus permitting a dual behavior of the device. Larger collections of such FETs can be synthesized to form dual mode logic circuits as well, so that a single circuit can perform more than one logic operation depending on whether an NDR mode is enabled or not.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2002Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: Progressant Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Tsu-Jae King
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Patent number: 6596617Abstract: A method of making an n-channel metal-insulator-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MISFET) that exhibits negative differential resistance in its output characteristic (drain current as a function of drain voltage) is disclosed. By implanting ions into a substrate that is later thermally oxidized, a number of temporary charge trapping sites can be established above a channel region of a transistor. The channel is also heavily doped, so that a strong electrical field can be generated to accelerate hot carriers into the temporary charge trapping sites. The insulating layer formed during the oxidation step is made sufficiently thick to prevent quantum tunnelingo of the hot carriers into a gate electrode. Other suitable and conventional processing steps are used to finalize completion of the fabrication of the NDR device so that the entire process is compatible and achieved with CMOS processing techniques.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2000Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Progressant Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Tsu-Jae King, David K.Y. Liu
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Patent number: 6594193Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a charge pump for providing a bias signal to a field effect transistor (FET) that is capable of operating in a negative differential resistance mode. The bias signal is applied to a gate of the NDR FET to control the characteristics of the NDR behavior.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Progressent Technologies, Inc.Inventor: King Tsu-Jae
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Patent number: 6567292Abstract: An active negative differential resistance element (an NDR FET) and a memory device (such as an SRAM) using such elements is disclosed. Soft error rate (SER) performance for NDR FETs and such memory devices are enhanced by adjusting a location of charge traps in a charge trapping layer that is responsible for effectuating an NDR behavior. Both an SER and a switching speed performance characteristic can be tailored by suitable placement of the charge traps.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Progressant Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Tsu-Jae King
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Patent number: 6559470Abstract: An improved negative differential resistance field effect transistor (NDR-FET) is disclosed. The NDR FET includes a charge trapping layer formed at or extremely near to an interface between a substrate (which can be silicon or SOI) and a gate insulation layer. In this fashion, charge traps can be optimized for extremely rapid trapping and de-trapping of charge because they are extremely close to a channel of hot carriers. The NDR-FET is also useable as a replacement for conventional NDR diode and similar devices in memory cells, and enables an entire family of logic circuits that only require a single channel technology (i.e., instead of CMOS) and yet which provide low power.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Progressed Technologies, Inc.Inventor: King Tsu-Jae
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Patent number: 6518589Abstract: An electronic device includes a FET that is capable of operating in a negative differential resistance mode as well as in a conventional FET mode. The selection of the mode can be accomplished by providing a control signal to a body terminal of the FET as needed for a particular application. By providing two different operating modes a multi-function logic gate is effectuated that can perform two or more different logical functions on an input signal. Furthermore the device can be used as an element of a new logic family and synthesized into suitable configurations so that more sophisticated and complex functions are achieved with increased density, lower power, etc. over conventional semiconductor FETs.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Progressant Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Tsu-Jae King
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Patent number: 6512274Abstract: An n-channel metal-insulator-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MISFET) that exhibits negative differential resistance in its output characteristic (drain current as a function of drain voltage) is disclosed. For a fixed gate voltage, the MISFET channel current, which flows between the drain and source terminals of the transistor, firstly increases as the drain-to-source voltage increases above zero Volts. Once the drain-to-source voltage reaches a pre-determined level, the current subsequently decreases with increasing drain-to-source voltage. In this region of operation, the device exhibits negative differential resistance, as the drain current decreases with increasing drain voltage. The drain-to-source voltage corresponding to the onset of negative differential resistance is also tunable. In addition, the drain current and negative differential resistance can be electronically tailored by adjusting the gate voltage.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2000Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Progressant Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Tsu-Jae King, David K. Y. Liu
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Patent number: 6479862Abstract: A charge trapping structure for use with an n-channel metal-insulator-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MISFET) is disclosed. A dielectric layer is formed close to a channel region of the MISFET, and includes a number of trapping sites which are arranged and have a concentration sufficient to temporarily store energetic electrons induced by an electric field to move from the channel into the trapping sites. The trapped electrons set up a counter field that depletes the channel of carriers, and as a bias voltage across the channel increases, the device exhibits negative differential resistance (NDR). The charge trapping structure, as well as the rest of the device, are formed using conventional CMOS processing techniques.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Progressant Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Tsu-Jae King, David K. Y. Liu
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Patent number: 5630057Abstract: A computer architectural and apparatus system for preventing software copying or alteration, and providing enhanced computational capabilities, physical information security, and physical environment protection is disclosed. The system comprises an Independent Computer Module (ICM), and an Interface Unit. The ICM comprises a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a memory switching means, a communications port, and a connectorless interface contained within a sealed cartridge. The Interface Unit comprises a receptacle for receiving the ICM, which contains a matching connectorless interface, and wiring to a host computer's port and power. The connectorless interface uses directional electro-magnetic emitters and sensors to prevent signal leakage. The memory switching means turns off the entire secure memory, enabling non-secure programs to be run from another section of RAM. Reactivation of secure memory by a non-secure program causes program control to be transferred to a fixed address within the secure program.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1996Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: Progressive Technology Inc.Inventor: John N. Hait
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Patent number: 5626674Abstract: The method of treating the surfaces of malleable light metal cylinder bores or other objects by blasting the surfaces with extremely high water jets for preparing such surfaces for subsequent coating with wear-resistant materials such as a thermal spray coating. The water not only cleans the surface but roughens it to produce a pitted surface with undercuts so that coating material fills the pits and undercuts to provide a smooth layer of coating material with a strong mechanical/adhesive bond.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1994Date of Patent: May 6, 1997Assignee: Progressive Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lewis L. VanKuiken, Jr., Larry E. Byrnes, Martin S. Kramer
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Patent number: 5581763Abstract: A portable secure computer architecture, apparatus, and method for protecting information and at least one program for controlling that information is disclosed comprising: a computer protected inside of a single sealed cartridge, the computer having a CPU, Memory, and a communications means for communicating with a host computer outside of the cartridge. All internal information and external communications are exclusively controlled by the internal program. Provision is also made for running a second program inside the architecture, while protecting secure information from that second program. Secure information is placed in a bank switched subdivision of memory. The subdivision is switched off by the information controlling program before the second program is permitted to run. Reactivating the protected subdivision causes a simultaneous non-maskable interrupt halting the second program and transferring control back to the first program.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Progressive Technology Inc.Inventor: John N. Hait
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Patent number: 5526664Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for imparting a textured surface to a work piece, particularly a metal plate or platen used to impress a textured surface on a sheet of plastic laminate or the like. According to one form of the invention, a stream of balls having substantially uniform size, shape, and weight are propelled against a surface of the work piece at a velocity sufficient for the balls to create an impact impression on the surface of the work piece. Particular characteristics of the texture may be varied by changing the velocity, size, shape, weight, size of the stream, distance travelled by the steel balls, and the sweep rate over the work surface. A suction blast gun having a particular size air jet and nozzle projects the balls against the work piece which are fed to the gun through a magazine. The balls are propelled against the surface by a pressurized fluid.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1994Date of Patent: June 18, 1996Assignee: Progressive Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Kirk R. Vetter
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Patent number: 5180076Abstract: A waste container includes a generally cylindrical double-wall drum having separate spaced-apart inner and outer sidewalls and separate spaced-apart inner and outer bottom walls. The inner and outer sidewalls are continuously connected along their upper ends and the inner and outer bottom walls are connected at a plurality of spaced-apart locations. A double-wall lid is provided to seal the container. A neck portion is formed at the upper end of the drum and includes a series of buttress threads on the interior face thereof adapted to engage buttress threads on the lid. A vertically-oriented annular trough is formed below and inwardly of the threads in the neck portion and is adapted to engage an annular toe depending from the lid. An upwardly projecting annular lid is formed immediately adjacent to and inwardly of the annular trough in the drum portion, so as to form an annular S-shaped surface with the annular trough.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1991Date of Patent: January 19, 1993Assignee: Progressive Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Gary Hundt
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Patent number: 5080152Abstract: A versatile woodworking device for hobbyist or professional use which is rugged, reliable, precise, and portable, wherein woodworking accessory equipment may be selectively and quickly mounted thereto for use therewith, as hand-held circular saws, routers, shapers, radial arm saws, and the like.A pair of spaced rails are provided having a slidable carriage therebetween, wherein a desired woodworking power tool is mounted upon a mounting plate carried by and detachable from the slidable carriage. The tool mounting plate is rotatable with respect to the carriage thereby to position the tool as desired with respect to the workpiece and the carriage, and fixed in position if desired. The carriage itself may also be releasably fixed with respect to the slide rails. Scale indicia means permit precise positioning and repositioning of the carriage as desired with accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1990Date of Patent: January 14, 1992Assignee: Progressive Technology, Inc.Inventors: Michael Collins, Jerry M. Multop
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Patent number: 4604007Abstract: Apparatus is provided for guiding a powered cutting tool as a function of a traced preselected pattern. The apparatus preferably includes a table member for supporting both of work piece and a paper or the like, exhibiting the pattern of interest. A first pair of rail members are fixedly mounted to or adjacent opposite sides of the table member, in parallel with each other, and on opposite sides of both the work piece and the paper exhibiting the pattern. In addition, a carriage assembly is slidably positioned on the first pair of rails, for movably supporting a stylus above the paper exhibiting the pattern, and for movably supporting the cutting tool and its driving mechanism adjacent the work piece.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1985Date of Patent: August 5, 1986Assignee: Progressive Technology, Inc.Inventors: Luke Hall, Jerry M. Multop
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Patent number: D264520Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1980Date of Patent: May 25, 1982Assignee: Progressive Technology, Inc.Inventor: William E. Garrett