Patents Assigned to STMicroelectronics, Inc.
  • SIZE-CONTROLLABLE OPENING AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME
    Publication number: 20130093289
    Abstract: A support structure includes an internal cavity. An elastic membrane extends to divide the internal cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber. The elastic membrane includes a nanometric-sized pin hole extending there through to interconnect the first chamber to the second chamber. The elastic membrane is formed of a first electrode film and a second electrode film separated by a piezo insulating film. Electrical connection leads are provided to support application of a bias current to the first and second electrode films of the elastic membrane. In response to an applied bias current, the elastic membrane deforms by bending in a direction towards one of the first and second chambers so as to produce an increase in a diameter of the pin hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
  • System and method for microeconomic multiplexing of data over communication channels
    Patent number: 8422392
    Abstract: A system and method for optimal allocation of bandwidth in a multichannel transmission channel. In an embodiment, a system may allocate a specific amount of bandwidth in the transmission channel in order to maximize the value of the data that is transmitted on a per-channel basis. Typically, a transmission channel has enough bandwidth to accommodate the minimum bandwidth for all data across all channels. The excess bandwidth may be allocated in an optimal manner so as to provide additional bandwidth for the most valuable channels. The maximum allocation of bandwidth is a point in which allocating additional bandwidth to a channel does not yield any additional value. Such an allocation may be accomplished using an iterative analysis of the available bandwidth and a microeconomic-based analysis of the subjective value of each channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Srebranig
  • Programmable dithering for video displays
    Patent number: 8416256
    Abstract: In a liquid crystal display (LCD) driver circuit, harmonizing a pixel inversion pattern and a dither pattern is disclosed. The pixel inversion pattern and the cooperating dither pattern interact with each other in such a way that there is substantially no discernable video artifacts generated. The cooperating dither pattern can be selected from a plurality of dither patterns using a programmable dither block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Neal, Dinesh Shedge
  • COMPRESSION ERROR HANDLING FOR TEMPORAL NOISE REDUCTION
    Publication number: 20130083245
    Abstract: A video processor includes a spatio-temporal noise reduction controller to determine current and previous image edge slopes and adaptively control a spatio-temporal noise reduction processor to blend current and previous images dependent on the current and previous image edge slope values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics, Inc., STMicroelectronics Pvt Ltd.
    Inventors: Vatsala GOPALAKRISHNA, Ravi ANANTHAPURBACCHE, Peter SWARTZ
  • Frame-based, on-demand spectrum contention source resolution
    Patent number: 8411630
    Abstract: A method and system by which a base station in a Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN), and more generally a transceiver in a cognitive radio (CR) system, can communicate with other transceivers to fairly share transmission and reception of scheduled use (“occupancy”) of frames on a single channel within a frame-based, on demand spectrum contention system. The method and system disclose how the base station can initiate contentions for an increased share of the frames available in the following superframe of the CR system. The method and system assure fair and efficient access to the transmission channel by a random number based contention process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Wendong Hu
  • Programmable pulse width discriminator
    Patent number: 8410819
    Abstract: Disclosed is a programmable pulse width discriminator circuit operable to receive a set of parameters from a user and indicate when an input signal satisfies conditions set by the user-defined parameters. The input signal is sampled by the pulse width discriminator circuit to detect a desired state of the input signal. The user may set the parameters such that the pulse width discriminator indicates the condition wherein the number of consecutive samples for which the input signal is the desired state is (i) greater than a first threshold value, (ii) less than a second threshold value, or (iii) between the first and second threshold values. In these embodiments, the user sets the first and second threshold values and selects which set of conditions are indicated by the output of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent Himpe
  • Multi-channel inter base-station communication
    Patent number: 8411622
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Wendong Hu
  • Error-locator-polynomial generation with erasure support
    Patent number: 8413023
    Abstract: A system and method for correcting errors in an ECC block using erasure-identification data when generating an error-locator polynomial. In an embodiment, a ECC decoding method, uses “erasure” data indicative of bits of data that are unable to be deciphered by a decoder. Such a method may use an Berlekamp-Massey algorithm that receives two polynomials as inputs; a first polynomial indicative of erasure location in the stream of bits and a syndrome polynomial indicative of all bits as initially determined. The Berlekamp-Massey algorithm may use the erasure identification information to more easily decipher the overall codeword when faced with a error-filled codeword.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Brendan Ashe, Hakan C. Ozdemir, Razmik Karabed, Richard Barndt
  • PWM timer for power supply
    Patent number: 8412965
    Abstract: A forward converter circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding. A first transistor is coupled in series with the primary winding and a second transistor is coupled in series with the secondary winding. A control circuit generating control signals for controlling operation of the first and second transistors. The control signals are generated responsive to the values in certain triggered counting circuits satisfying programmable thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Hopkins
  • MEMS packaging scheme using dielectric fence
    Patent number: 8405202
    Abstract: A packaging scheme for MEMS device is provided. A method of packaging MEMS device in a semiconductor structure includes forming an insulation fence that surrounds the MEMS device on the semiconductor structure. The method further includes attaching a wafer of dielectric material to the insulation fence. The lid wafer, the insulation fence, and the semiconductor structure enclose the MEMS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Mohanakrishnaswamy, Loi N. Nguyen, Venkata Ramana Yogi Mallela
  • Low-complexity soft-decision decoding of error-correction codes
    Patent number: 8407563
    Abstract: A system and method for correcting errors in an ECC block using soft-decision data. In an embodiment, a soft-decision ECC decoding method, uses “soft” data indicative of how reliable bits of data are when read out. Such reliability information may be used to identify particular symbols with a higher likelihood of error such that these symbols may be changed in an attempt to reduce the total number of errors in the data. In an embodiment, a soft-decision ECC decoding path may include a reliability checker operable to receive bits of data read from a data store and operable to associate a reliability factor with each bit of data. Then, an update module may iteratively change bits or groups of bits based upon an ordering of the reliability factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Razmik Karabed, Hakan C. Ozdemir, Vincent Brendan Ashe, Richard Barndt
  • Thermoelectric device
    Patent number: 8404959
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: William B. Donley
  • METHOD OF REPAIRING PROBE PADS
    Publication number: 20130072011
    Abstract: A method that includes forming a first level of active circuitry on a substrate, forming a first probe pad electrically connected to the first level of active circuitry where the first probe pad having a first surface, contacting the first probe pad with a probe tip that displaces a portion of the first probe pad above the first surface, and performing a chemical mechanical polish on the first probe pad to planarize the portion of the first probe pad above the first surface. The method also includes forming a second level of active circuitry overlying the first probe pad, forming a second probe pad electrically connected to the second level of active circuitry, contacting the second probe pad with a probe tip that displaces a portion of the probe pad, and chemically mechanically polishing the second probe pad to remove the portion displaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicants: IBM SEMICONDUCTOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (SRDC), STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: John H. Zhang, Laertis Economikos, Robin Van Den Nieuwenhuizen, Wei-Tsu Tseng
  • Via-less thin film resistor with a dielectric cap
    Patent number: 8400257
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a thin film resistor structure that includes a resistive element electrically connecting first conductor layers of adjacent interconnect structures. The resistive element is covered by a dielectric cap layer that acts as a stabilizer and heat sink for the resistive element. Each interconnect includes a second conductor layer over the first conductive layer. The thin film resistor includes a chromium silicon resistive element covered by a silicon nitride cap layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics PTE Ltd, STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ting Fang Lim, Chengyu Niu, Olivier Le Neel, Calvin Leung
  • Computing element virtualization
    Patent number: 8402191
    Abstract: System and method for virtualization of computing elements. A hypervisor provides virtualization of one or more peripherals for one or more computing elements. The hypervisor may further allow separate instances of an operating system to be suspended on one computing element to allow another application to be processed by replacing the state information of the computing element. The suspended instance may be resumed on the same or a different computing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Godwin, Shaun McMaster
  • DIGITAL INPUT BUFFER
    Publication number: 20130063195
    Abstract: A digital input buffer and method. The input buffer includes a voltage regulator configured for operating in weak inversion and outputting a regulated potential, an inverter having as its power source the regulated potential and configured for receiving an input signal, a first latch having its input coupled to the inverter input, and a second latch having its input coupled to the inverter's output, having its output coupled to the first latch's enable input, and having its enable input coupled to the first latch's output. A first latch output signal from the first latch output and a second latch output signal from the second latch output enable switching the first latch output signal to the complement of the input signal and switching the second latch output signal to that of the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Tom Youssef
  • METHOD OF REPAIRING PROBE PADS
    Publication number: 20130063173
    Abstract: A method that includes forming a first level of active circuitry on a substrate, forming a first probe pad electrically connected to the first level of active circuitry where the first probe pad having a first surface, contacting the first probe pad with a probe tip that displaces a portion of the first probe pad above the first surface, and performing a chemical mechanical polish on the first probe pad to planarize the portion of the first probe pad above the first surface. The method also includes forming a second level of active circuitry overlying the first probe pad, forming a second probe pad electrically connected to the second level of active circuitry, contacting the second probe pad with a probe tip that displaces a portion of the probe pad, and chemically mechanically polishing the second probe pad to remove the portion displaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicants: IBM Semiconductor Research and Development Center (SRDC), STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Zhang, Laertis Economikos, Robin Van Den Nieuwenhuizen, Wei-Tsu Tseng
  • Encoding apparatus, system, and method using low density parity check (LDPC) codes
    Patent number: 8397125
    Abstract: A system and method is capable of performing a Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) coding operation on-the-fly without using a generator matrix. The system and method includes an input configured to receive data and an output configured to output a plurality of codewords. The system and method also includes a processor coupled between the input and the output. The processor is configured to encode the received data and produce the plurality of codewords using a plurality of parity bits. The processor creates the plurality of parity bits on-the-fly using a portion of an LDPC matrix and a protograph matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Shayan Srinivasa Garani
  • Frame based, on-demand spectrum contention destination resolution
    Patent number: 8391225
    Abstract: A method and system by which a base station in a Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN), and more generally a transceiver in a cognitive radio (CR) system, can communicate with other transceivers to fairly share transmission and reception of scheduled use (“occupancy”) of frames on a single channel within a frame-based, on demand spectrum contention system. The method and system disclose how the base station currently occupying a channel responds to requests from other base stations for an increased share of the frames available in a subsequent superframe of the CR system. The method and system assure fair and efficient access to the transmission channel by a random number based contention process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Wendong Hu
  • Fluorescent lamp assembly having multiple settings and method
    Patent number: RE44101
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp assembly includes a fluorescent lamp ballast capable of detecting at least one of a plurality of input signals and generating an output signal. The output signal is associated with a power level that is based on the at least one detected input signal. The fluorescent lamp assembly also includes a fluorescent lamp capable of receiving the output signal and generating light. An intensity of the light is based on the power level associated with the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Hopkins