Patents Assigned to STMicroelectronics, Inc.
  • Variable latency interface for read/write channels
    Patent number: 8522067
    Abstract: A variable latency interface and method for managing variable latency. An apparatus includes a storage device controller and a read/write channel coupled to the storage device controller by a variable latency interface. The variable latency interface includes a media control component configured for read and write operations. The variable latency interface also includes a data transfer component configured for read and write operations. A read or write operation in the media control component is offset from a respective read or write operation in the data transfer component by a latency period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Cecilia Ozdemir
  • WIDE INPUT VOLTAGE RANGE POWER FACTOR CORRECTION CIRCUIT
    Publication number: 20130214756
    Abstract: A boost circuit is used for power factor correction (PFC). In a low power application, transition mode control is utilized. However, switching frequency varies with different input voltages, and over a wide input voltage range, the switching frequency can become too high to be practical. To address this issue, a boost circuit is provided whose effective inductance changes as a function of input voltage. By changing the inductance, control is exercised over switching frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
  • ENDPOINT DETECTOR FOR A SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING STATION AND ASSOCIATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20130218316
    Abstract: A semiconductor processing apparatus includes a semiconductor processing station for a semiconductor wafer, and an endpoint detector associated with the semiconductor processing station. The endpoint detector includes a non-contact probe configured to probe the semiconductor wafer, an optical transmitter configured to transmit an optical signal to the non-contact probe, and an optical receiver configured to receive a reflected optical signal from the non-contact probe. The controller controls the semiconductor processing station based on the reflected optical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. ZHANG, Cindy GOLDBERG
  • MULTI-CHANNEL INTER BASE-STATION COMMUNICATION
    Publication number: 20130215873
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for spectrum sharing and communication among several wireless communication networks with overlapping service areas (or cells), especially to Wireless Regional Area Networks (WRANs). Particular embodiments of the invention disclose using a conference channel to communicate between base stations. Other embodiments use slotted coexistence windows within frames to transmit and receive information, including for reserving transmission times within subsequent frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
  • Flat Panel Display Driver Method and System
    Publication number: 20130219210
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for enabling display system data transmission during use. An integrated circuit package includes input interface circuitry configured to receive an audio-video data stream having a video signal and timing information and timing extraction circuitry that can identify blanking patterns for the video signal. The package includes input processing circuitry for receiving audio-video signal and converting the audio-video data stream input into a low voltage differential signal (LVDS). The package includes a timing controller having timing extraction circuitry, a set of symbol buffers, a scheduler, and timing control circuitry. All configured to implement LVDS data transfer and in some implementation enable point to point data transfer from data buffers to associated column drivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
  • De-rotation adaptor and method for enabling interface of handheld multi-media device with external display
    Patent number: 8514331
    Abstract: Methods, systems and circuit elements that enable improved interface between a source electronic devices that generate rotatable image frames and an external sink device. In particular, aspects of the invention enable image de-rotation and/or improved speed in horizontal and V-scaling of image data supplied to an external sink device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Osamu Kobayashi
  • Frequency and symbol locking using signal generated clock frequency and symbol identification
    Patent number: 8516234
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for displaying video data after a hot plug event during a start-up dead period. In particular, approaches for receiving data, determining whether link training can be performed and, if not, self-configuring a receiver to display the information in a proper format even during the dead period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Osamu Kobayashi
  • Motion vector based image segmentation
    Patent number: 8514328
    Abstract: One or more digital video frames are interpolated using motion compensated temporal interpolation (MCTI). The quality of motion vectors corresponding to object motion between the two adjacent second video frames is detected. An average of forward motion vectors and an average of backward motion vectors representing motion of the object are compared by calculating the absolute value difference of the averaged forward and backward motion vectors to detect the quality of the motion vectors and a control signal is generated corresponding to the detected quality. Customized Image segmentation based on a first mode of image processing, a second mode of image processing or a combination of the first and second modes of image processing is then performed based on the detected accuracy to generate the interpolated frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Anatoliy Vasilevich Tsyrganovich
  • Method and apparatus for accessing content protected media streams
    Patent number: 8510851
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering a content signal from media stream protected by a digital rights management (DRM) system. A content access device includes a network interface configured to receive the protected media stream from a remote content provider via a network and a plurality of distinct DRM components corresponding to DRM systems supported by the content access device. A content extraction unit is operable to select a DRM component of the plurality of DRM components and execute the selected DRM component to recover a content signal from the protected media stream. When a search engine is used to discover available content, a list of references to available content is presented to the user, the presentation being dependent upon whether or not the content is protected by a DRM system supported by the content access device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Darryn D. McDade, Sr.
  • System and method for map detector for symbol based error correction codes
    Patent number: 8510642
    Abstract: A system for decoding data includes a symbol based error correction code device. The error correction code device includes a channel detector configured to generate probability mass function (PMF) information. The error correction code device further includes a decoder coupled to the channel detector. The decoder is configured to use the PMF information from the channel detector to perform an error correction code operation. The decoder also is configured to generate PMF information. The channel detector is configured to receive extrinsic PMF information in a turbo equalization scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Risso, Mustafa N. Kaynak, Patrick Khayat
  • DRYING APPARATUS WITH EXHAUST CONTROL CAP FOR SEMICONDUCTOR WAFERS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20130199580
    Abstract: A drying apparatus for drying a semiconductor wafer includes a processing chamber including a rinsing section and a drying section adjacent thereto. The rinsing section has a chamber loading slot associated therewith for receiving the semiconductor wafer. The drying section has a chamber unloading slot associated therewith for outputting the semiconductor wafer. An exhaust control cap is carried by the processing chamber and includes a bottom wall, a top wall, at least one intermediate wall between the bottom and top walls, and a side wall coupled to the top, bottom and the at least one intermediate wall to define stacked exhaust sections. The exhaust control cap has a cap loading slot aligned with the chamber loading slot, a cap unloading slot aligned with the chamber unloading slot, and at least one exhaust port configured to be coupled to a vacuum source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: JOHN H. ZHANG
  • PRESENCE DETECTION DEVICE
    Publication number: 20130201347
    Abstract: A user presence detection device includes a camera module with a silicon-based image sensor adapted to capture an image and a processing device configured to process the image to detect the presence of a user. The camera module further includes a light filter having a lower cut-off wavelength of between 550 nm and 700 nm and a higher cut-off wavelength of between 900 nm and 1100 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicants: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., STMICROELECTRONICS (ROUSSET) SAS
    Inventors: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS, STMicroelectronics, Inc.
  • ADJUSTABLE BRUSH CLEANING APPARATUS FOR SEMICONDUCTOR WAFERS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20130199563
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a semiconductor wafer includes a rotary brush to be positioned to clean the semiconductor wafer, and an optical sensing device associated with the rotary brush to sense a separation distance between a reference position thereon and the semiconductor wafer. An actuator is coupled to the optical sensing device to position the rotary brush based upon the sensed separation distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.,
    Inventor: John H. Zhang
  • WIRELESS STRAIN GAUGE/FLOW SENSOR
    Publication number: 20130204202
    Abstract: A flow rate sensor is provided in a wireless, leadless package. The flow rate sensor includes a MEMs sensor coupled to an ASIC and an antenna. The flow rate sensor is powered by radiation received from a control module adjacent the flow rate sensor. The flow rate sensor is placed within a fluid and monitors the flow rate of the fluid. The control module is not in the fluid and receives flow rate data from the flow rate sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Trombly, Patrick Furlan
  • Method of inter-system coexistence and spectrum sharing for dynamic spectrum access networks-on-demand spectrum contention
    Patent number: 8503383
    Abstract: This invention relates to cognitive radio based wireless communications of dynamic spectrum access networks, and more particularly to a method of addressing inter-systems (cells) coexistence and spectrum sharing. The described method of spectrum sharing called On-Demand Spectrum Contention, integrates Dynamic Frequency Selection and Transmission Power Control with iterative on-demand spectrum contentions and provides fairness, adaptability, and efficiency of spectrum access for dynamic spectrum access systems using active inter-system coordination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendong Hu, George A. Vlantis
  • METHOD TO ENABLE THE FORMATION OF SILICON GERMANIUM CHANNEL OF FDSOI DEVICES FOR PFET THRESHOLD VOLTAGE ENGINEERING
    Publication number: 20130193514
    Abstract: An SOI substrate has a first region isolated from a second region. An SiGe layer is deposited on top of the SOI substrate in the second region. The substrate is subjected to a thermal oxidation process which drives in Ge from the SiGe layer to form an SiGeOI structure in the second region and an overlying oxide layer. If the SOI substrate is exposed in the first region, the thermal oxidation process further produces an oxide layer overlying the first region. The oxide layer(s) is(are) removed to expose an Si channel layer in the first region and an SiGe channel layer in the second region. Transistor gate stacks are formed over each of the Si channel layer and SiGe channel layer. Raised source and drain regions are formed from the Si channel layer and SiGe channel layer adjacent the transistor gate stacks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Nicolas Loubet, Prasanna Khare, Qing Liu
  • TRANSISTOR WITH COUNTER-ELECTRODE CONNECTION AMALGAMATED WITH THE SOURCE/DRAIN CONTACT
    Publication number: 20130193494
    Abstract: The field effect device includes an active area made from semi-conducting material and a gate electrode separated from the active area by a dielectric gate material. A counter-electrode is separated from the active area by a layer of electrically insulating material. Two source/drain contacts are arranged on the active area on each side of the gate electrode. One of the source/drain contacts is made from a single material, overspills from the active area and connects the active area with the counter-electrode. The counter-electrode contact is delineated by a closed peripheral insulating pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicants: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Maud Vinet, Qing Liu
  • VHT TDLS
    Publication number: 20130194920
    Abstract: TDLS support in VHT devices is enabled through the use of added VHT fields in the TDLS frames. A VHT TDLS direct link can be setup through a respective TDLS Setup Request/Response with added field announcing VHT Capabilities of the VHT device and the peer device. Added VHT Operation field in the TDLS Setup Confirm frame adds supports between VHT peer devices for non-VHT BSS and VHT BSS. Two VHT STAs can establish wider TDLS channel than BSS operating channel through TDLS establishment. VHT off channel support is enabled by adding Wide Bandwidth Channel Switch field in the TDLS Channel Switch Request frame and no changes to TDLS Channel Switch Response. A VHT Capabilities field is also added to TDLS Discovery Response frame to inform peer devices of device capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Liwen Chu, George A. Vlantis
  • THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE
    Publication number: 20130186446
    Abstract: A thermoelectric device includes a plurality of thin-film thermoelectric elements. Each thin-film thermoelectric element is a Seebeck-Peltier device. The thin-film thermoelectric elements are electrically coupled in parallel with each other. The thermoelectric device may be fabricated using conventional semiconductor processing technologies and may be a thin-film type device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
  • Dual thin film precision resistance trimming
    Patent number: 8493171
    Abstract: A trimmable resistor for use in an integrated circuit is trimmed using a heater. The heater is selectively coupled to a voltage source. The application of voltage to the heater causes the heater temperature to increase and produce heat. The heat permeates through a thermal separator to the trimmable resistor. The resistance of the trimmable resistor is permanently increased or decreased when the temperature of the resistor is increased to a value within a particular range of temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, Inc., STMicroelectronics (Grenoble) SAS
    Inventors: Olivier Le Neel, Pascale Dumont-Girard, Chengyu Niu, Fuchao Wang, Michel Arnoux