Patents Examined by Binh C. Tat
  • Patent number: 11568633
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for comparing a first version of a floorplan of a design for an integrated circuit with a second version. The method comprises (i) generating a timing information for each net in the second version by determining whether timing information is available for the net in the first version; (ii) in case no timing information is available in the first version, generating the timing information for the second version by calculating a spatial distance and timing information between two points of the net using wire length differences between the first version and the second version; (iii) otherwise, generating the timing information for the second version by calculating a spatial distance and timing information between two points of the net using a wire reach table to obtain a wire delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Siegmund Schlechter, Manuel Beck
  • Patent number: 11568101
    Abstract: Predictive multi-stage modelling for complex semiconductor device manufacturing process control is provided. In one aspect, a method of predictive multi-stage modelling for controlling a complex semiconductor device manufacturing process includes: collecting geometrical data from metrology measurements made at select stages of the manufacturing process; and making an outcome probability prediction at each of the select stages using a multiplicative kernel Gaussian process, wherein the outcome probability prediction is a function of a current stage and all prior stages. Machine-learning models can be trained for each of the select stages of the manufacturing process using the multiplicative kernel Gaussian process. The machine-learning models can be used to provide probabilistic predictions for a final outcome in real-time for production wafers. The probabilistic predictions can then be used to select production wafers for rework, sort, scrap or disposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Halle, Kyong Min Yeo, Robin Hsin Kuo Chao, Derren Dunn
  • Patent number: 11568123
    Abstract: A method for determining an etch profile is described. The method includes determining a masking layer profile. Loading information can be determined. The loading information indicates dependence of an etch rate for the masking layer profile on a quantity and pattern of material being etched. Flux information can be determined. The flux information indicates dependence of the etch rate on an intensity and a spread angle of radiation incident on the masking layer profile. Re-deposition information can be determined. The re-deposition information indicates dependence of the etch rate on an amount of material removed from the masking layer profile that is re-deposited back on the masking layer profile. An output etch profile for the layer of the wafer is determined based on the loading information, the flux information, and/or the re-deposition information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Chi-Hsiang Fan, Feng Chen, Wangshi Zhao, Youping Zhang
  • Patent number: 11556689
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to the layout of photonic integrated circuits using fixed coordinate grids. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a request to place a first photonic component within a layout of a photonic integrated circuit. Positionings of components within the layout are represented in a design database utilizing a grid with fixed coordinates. The method further includes calculating, by a processor, precise coordinates and snapped coordinates for positioning of the first photonic component. The snapped coordinates have a precision consistent with the fixed coordinate grid and the precise coordinates have a higher precision than the snapped coordinates. The method further includes, in a design database, representing the positioning of the first photonic component utilizing both the precise coordinates and the snapped coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventors: Francesc Vila Garcia, Remco Stoffer
  • Patent number: 11556692
    Abstract: Techniques for designing and implementing networks-on-chip (NoCs) are provided. For example, a computer-implemented method for programming a network-on-chip (NoC) onto an integrated circuit includes determining a first portion of a plurality of registers to potentially be included in a NoC design, determining routing information regarding datapaths between registers of the first portion of the plurality of registers, and determining an expected performance associated with the first portion of the plurality of registers. The method also includes determining whether the expected performance is within a threshold range, including the first portion of the plurality of registers and the datapaths in the NoC design after determining that the expected performance is within the threshold range, and generating instructions configured to cause circuitry corresponding to the NoC design to be implemented on the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg William Baeckler, Martin Langhammer, Sergey Vladimirovich Gribok
  • Patent number: 11556677
    Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate scalable runtime validation for on-device design rule checks is disclosed. The apparatus includes a memory to store a contention set, one or more multiplexors, and a validator communicably coupled to the memory. In one implementation, the validator is to: receive design rule information for the one or more multiplexers, the design rule information referencing the contention set; analyze, using the design rule information, a user bitstream against the contention set at a programming time of the apparatus, the user bitstream for programming the one or more multiplexors; and provide an error indication responsive to identifying a match between the user bitstream and the contention set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Furkan Turan, Patrick Koeberl, Alpa Trivedi, Steffen Schulz, Scott Weber
  • Patent number: 11550984
    Abstract: A method for analyzing an analog circuit controlled by a plurality of digital inputs is presented. The circuit is represented with a data structure with nodes connected via edges, which represent a circuit component. The data structure can be traversed across all connected nodes; and said digital inputs can be toggled between two or more input states. The method steps include identifying a set of boundary nodes in the data structure which are at a digital-analog boundary of the data structure; for each digital input, identifying associated boundary nodes which are coupled with the digital input; grouping digital inputs into input sets, where each of the different input sets are associated with mutually exclusive sets of associated boundary nodes, and analyzing the circuit by successively analyzing one or more of the input sets for all possible combinations of inputs states within that set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Indrajit Manna, Russell Christopher Giles, Peter Robert Bell
  • Patent number: 11550985
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: receiving data representative of an electrical circuit including an arrangement of devices, inputs, outputs, and power sources; pairing the devices based on a complimentary feature shared between the devices, the complimentary feature being associated to an operational characteristic of the devices; grouping the paired devices into device clusters based on common features shared between two or more of the paired devices; arranging the device clusters based on locations of input, outputs, or power connections of the device clusters to optimize electrical isolation or electrical connections between the device clusters; and generating discrete portions of the arranged device clusters to form a physical layout representative of a physical manifestation of the electrical circuit, such that when the discrete portions are integrated together they form a physical manifestation of the electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Lars Liebmann
  • Patent number: 11544440
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a process model and training an inverse process model of a patterning process. The training method includes obtaining a first patterning device pattern from simulation of an inverse lithographic process that predicts a patterning device pattern based on a wafer target layout, receiving wafer data corresponding to a wafer exposed using the first patterning device pattern, and training an inverse process model configured to predict a second patterning device pattern using the wafer data related to the exposed wafer and the first patterning device pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Marinus Aart Van Den Brink, Yu Cao, Yi Zou
  • Patent number: 11545858
    Abstract: A battery charging system suitable for charging mobile devices is presented. The system includes a plurality of charging stations. The system also includes a charging station location identification system coupled with the plurality of charging stations. Further, the system includes a communications platform configured to provide a communication means for the plurality of charging stations. Additionally, the system includes a wayfinding system configured to provide prioritization information for potential users of the battery charging system and arranged to couple with the charging station location identification system and the plurality of charging stations. The system includes an alerting system configured to provide system status of a mobile device and arranged to interact with the wayfinding system. The system also includes a merchandising module configured to provide economic data and purchasing functions for the potential users of the battery charging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Clinton Hanson
  • Patent number: 11531803
    Abstract: A static timing analysis system for finding and reporting timing violations in a digital circuit design prior to circuit fabrication, and associated methods, use exhaustive path-based analysis (EPBA) that is informed by infinite-depth path-based analysis (IPBA) to provide analysis results that are driven full-depth, in contrast to conventional EPBA systems and methods, which can terminate after reaching a maximum depth of analysis as a way of avoiding prolonged or infinite runtimes. The IPBA-driven full-depth EPBA functions for hold-mode as well as setup-mode analysis and achieves reduced pessimism as compared to systems or methods employing IPBA alone, and more complete analysis of designs as compared to systems or methods employing EPBA alone. Improved IPBA signal merging using multidimensional zones for thresholding of signal clustering mitigates the occasional optimism of IPBA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Umesh Gupta, Naresh Kumar, Marut Agarwal, Rakesh Agarwal
  • Patent number: 11501051
    Abstract: A memory device includes at least one bit line, at least one word line, and at least one memory cell comprising a capacitor and a transistor. The transistor has a gate terminal coupled to the word line, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The capacitor has a first end coupled to the first terminal of the transistor, a second end coupled to the bit line, and an insulating material between the first end and the second end. The insulating material is configured to break down under a predetermined break-down voltage or higher applied between the first end and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Meng-Sheng Chang, Chia-En Huang, Chien-Ying Chen
  • Patent number: 11494186
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a digital signal processing (DSP) block that includes a plurality of columns of weight registers and a plurality of inputs configured to receive a first plurality of values and a second plurality of values. The first plurality of values is stored in the plurality of columns of weight registers after being received. Additionally, the DSP block includes a plurality of multipliers configured to simultaneously multiply each value of the first plurality of values by each value of the second plurality of values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Langhammer, Dongdong Chen, Jason R. Bergendahl
  • Patent number: 11489355
    Abstract: A battery pack (2000) includes a secondary battery (2020), a sensor (2040), and a control device (2060). The secondary battery (2020) supplies electric power to a flying object (10). The sensor (2040) outputs a measurement value related to a force applied to the secondary battery (2020) or a periphery of the secondary battery. The control device (2060) has a determination unit (2062). The determination unit (2062) determines a danger level of the secondary battery (2020) based on the measurement value of the sensor (2040).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Envision AESC Energy Devices Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11489360
    Abstract: A wireless charging circuit, a wireless charging method, a wireless charging system and a mobile terminal are provided. The wireless charging circuit includes: an acquisition unit that acquires voltage information of a battery in the mobile terminal; a charging control unit that obtains the voltage information of the battery, and determine current information of the battery according to the voltage information during a charging process of the battery; a first communication unit that transmits the voltage information and the current information of the battery to an external wireless charging device; a receiving unit that generates a charging Direct Current (DC) by inducing an electrical signal generated by the external wireless charging device according to the voltage information and the current information of the battery; and a switching unit configured to, when the switching unit is an on state, input the charging DC into the battery through the acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: VIVO MOBILE COMMUNICATION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhitao Ding
  • Patent number: 11481536
    Abstract: A method includes the following operations: receiving design rule violations of a first layout; classifying, according to first chip features of the first layout, a first violation of the design rule violations into a first class of predefined classes; generating a first vector array for at least one of the first chip features of the first layout, that is associated with the first violation; selecting, according to the first vector array, first operations from pre-stored operations; generating a second layout based on the first layout and the first operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yi-Lin Chuang, Song Liu, Pei-Pei Chen, Heng-Yi Lin, Shih-Yao Lin, Chin-Hsien Wang
  • Patent number: 11482886
    Abstract: One or more disclosed embodiments relate to a wireless charging transmitter and a wireless power transfer method. The wireless charging transmitter includes a first charging pad including a first wireless power circuit, a second charging pad including a second wireless power circuit, and a controller configured to, in response to detection of a first electronic device being placed on the first charging pad, transfer power at a first designated wireless power level via the first wireless power circuit, in response to detection of a second electronic device being placed on the second charging pad, transmit a first command for decreasing power transferred to the first electronic device, and transfer, upon receipt of a first request for power at a second designated wireless power level from the first electronic device in response to the first command, the power at the second designated wireless power level via the first and second wireless power circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yunjeong Noh, Dongzo Kim, Mincheol Ha, Kwangseob Kim, Kihyun Kim, Jihye Kim, Kyungmin Lee, Wooram Lee, Yongsang Yun
  • Patent number: 11455452
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for adjusting implant parameter conditions in semiconductor processing by wafer and by wafer zone using in-line measurements from previous operations and a feed-forward computer model. The feed-forward model is based on a sensitivity map of in-line measured data and its effect of electrical performance. Feed-forward computer models that adjust implant parameters by wafer and by zone improve both wafer-to-wafer and within wafer electrical uniformity in semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mahalingam Nandakumar, Murlidhar Bashyam, Alwin Tsao, Douglas Newman
  • Patent number: 11451490
    Abstract: VLSI layouts of generalized multi-stage and pyramid networks for broadcast, unicast and multicast connections are presented using only horizontal and vertical links with spacial locality exploitation. The VLSI layouts employ shuffle exchange links where outlet links of cross links from switches in a stage in one sub-integrated circuit block are connected to inlet links of switches in the succeeding stage in another sub-integrated circuit block so that said cross links are either vertical links or horizontal and vice versa. Furthermore the shuffle exchange links are employed between different sub-integrated circuit blocks so that spatially nearer sub-integrated circuit blocks are connected with shorter links compared to the shuffle exchange links between spatially farther sub-integrated circuit blocks. In one embodiment the sub-integrated circuit blocks are arranged in a hypercube arrangement in a two-dimensional plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Konda Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Venkat Konda
  • Patent number: 11451068
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for battery-specific adjustments to maximum battery voltage. In one embodiment, an example device may include a battery, at least one memory that stores computer-executable instructions, and at least one processor. The device may be configured to determine a first value indicative of a first length of time the battery was at a first voltage and a first temperature, determine a second value indicative of a second length of time the battery was at a second voltage and a second temperature, determine that a sum of the first value and the second value satisfies a first threshold, and cause a maximum output voltage value to be reduced from a first maximum output voltage value to a second maximum output voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ramez Nachman, Bryan Holmdahl, Don Brunnett, Benjamin Thomas Gaide