Patents Examined by Tifney Skyles
  • Patent number: 8391648
    Abstract: An imaging system compensates for mask frame misalignment with non-mask frames in an image sequence of patient anatomy. The system includes an image data processor. The image data processor determines a compensation zoom factor for individual image frames of an image sequence of an object of interest in response to data indicating distance between the object and a radiation detector for the individual image frames. The processor then associates individual zoom factors with corresponding individual image frames of the image sequence. The individual zoom factors associated with corresponding individual image frames of the image sequence are stored in a repository. An individual determined zoom factor is applied to align an associated corresponding image frame with a mask frame to provide an aligned image frame. Data representing an image difference frame, comprising a difference between data representing the aligned image frame and a mask frame, is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: David Janes
  • Patent number: 8391529
    Abstract: An apparatus for reduction of wind noise comprised of an electro-acoustic transducer arrangement with at least two and preferably three omni-directional transducer elements. The exposed structure is covered with a thin layer of acoustic-resistive material. The electrical outputs of the elements are added together to provide an output signal with increased signal to noise ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Audio-Gravity Holdings Limited
    Inventor: David Herman
  • Patent number: 8383483
    Abstract: The present invention relates to complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuits that each contains at least a first and a second gate stacks. The first gate stack is located over a first device region (e.g., an n-FET device region) in a semiconductor substrate and comprises at least, from bottom to top, a gate dielectric layer, a metallic gate conductor, and a silicon-containing gate conductor. The second gate stack is located over a second device region (e.g., a p-FET device region) in the semiconductor substrate and comprises at least, from bottom to top, a gate dielectric layer and a silicon-containing gate conductor. The first and second gate stacks can be formed over the semiconductor substrate in an integrated manner by various methods of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Arnold, Glenn A. Biery, Alessandro C. Callegari, Tze-Chiang Chen, Michael P. Chudzik, Bruce B. Doris, Michael A. Gribelyuk, Young-Hee Kim, Barry P. Linder, Vijay Narayanan, Joseph S. Newbury, Vamsi K. Paruchuri, Michelle L. Steen
  • Patent number: 8368071
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for preparing the same that can solve crack of a semiconductor film, capacitance electrodes and the like due to stress when forming a source electrode and a drain electrode in a semiconductor device having a thin film transistor and a holding capacitance with three or more capacitance electrodes is provided. Before forming the source electrode and the drain electrode, a crystalline silicon film for relaxing the stress is formed, then a contact hole connecting to the semiconductor film of the thin film transistor is opened, and a metal film to be the source electrode and the drain electrode is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8362503
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a nucleation layer on the substrate, a compositionally graded layer on the nucleation layer, and a layer of a nitride semiconductor material on the compositionally graded layer. The layer of nitride semiconductor material includes a plurality of substantially relaxed nitride interlayers spaced apart within the layer of nitride semiconductor material. The substantially relaxed nitride interlayers include aluminum and gallium and are conductively doped with an n-type dopant, and the layer of nitride semiconductor material including the plurality of nitride interlayers has a total thickness of at least about 2.0 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam William Saxler, Albert Augustus Burk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8357953
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a bipolar transistor with low resistance base contact and method of manufacturing the same. The bipolar transistor includes an emitter, a collector, and an intrinsic base between the emitter and the collector. The intrinsic base extends laterally to an extrinsic base. The extrinsic base further includes a first semiconductor material with a first bandgap and a second semiconductor material with a second bandgap that is smaller than the first bandgap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Francois Pagette, Kathryn Turner Schonenberg
  • Patent number: 8344347
    Abstract: An electrode structure including two parallel electrical paths. A plurality of electrode layers, generally tabular in form is formed in a stack, the outermost layers providing electrical contacts, and defining a first electrical current path through the stack. Two sidewall conductor layers are formed to abut either end of the electrode layer stack, two sidewall conductor layers defining a second electrical current path. The ends of the sidewall conduction layers lie in the same planes as the electrode layer electrical contacts, such that electrode structure electrical contacts are each formed from one set of sidewall layer ends and an electrode layer electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 8344447
    Abstract: A composite semiconductor structure and method of forming the same are provided. The composite semiconductor structure includes a first silicon-containing compound layer comprising an element selected from the group consisting essentially of germanium and carbon; a silicon layer on the first silicon-containing compound layer, wherein the silicon layer comprises substantially pure silicon; and a second silicon-containing compound layer comprising the element on the silicon layer. The first and the second silicon-containing compound layers have substantially lower silicon concentrations than the silicon layer. The composite semiconductor structure may be formed as source/drain regions of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsien-Hsin Lin, Weng Chang, Chien-Chang Su, Kuan-Yu Chen, Hsueh-Chang Sung, Ming-Hua Yu
  • Patent number: 8320572
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for directing operation of a microphone system. In one embodiment, the microphone system comprises a plurality of component modules. First, a diagnostic test is performed to determine a diagnostic result indicating whether the component modules have failed the diagnostic test. Whether a plurality of required component modules corresponding to a current application mode for operating the microphone system have failed the diagnostic test is then determined according to the diagnostic result, wherein the application mode requires cooperation of the required component modules selected from the component modules of the microphone system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Guangnuan Liu, Shiang Steve Charng, Tom Hsia
  • Patent number: 8319265
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory array includes a first nonvolatile memory cell having a first charge storage layer and a first gate electrode and a second nonvolatile memory cell, adjacent to the first memory cell in a first direction, having a second charge storage layer and a second gate electrode. The first and second electrodes extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first electrode has a first contact section extending toward the second electrode in the first direction, and the second electrode has a second contact section extending toward the first electrode in the first direction. The first and second contact positions are shifted in the second direction, respectively, and the first electrode and the first contact section are electrically separated from the second electrode and the second contact section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Okazaki, Daisuke Okada, Kyoya Nitta, Toshihiro Tanaka, Akira Kato, Toshikazu Matsui, Yasushi Ishii, Digh Hisamoto, Kan Yasui
  • Patent number: 8299501
    Abstract: In the nitride semiconductor device using the silicon substrate, the metal electrode formed on the silicon substrate has both ohmic contact property and adhesion, so that the nitride semiconductor device having excellent electric properties and reliability is obtained. The nitride semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate (2), a nitride semiconductor layer (10) formed on the silicon substrate (2), and metal electrodes (8, 8?) formed in contact with the silicon substrate (2). The metal electrodes (8, 8?) has first metal layers (4, 4?) which are formed in a shape of discrete islands and in contact with the silicon substrate (2), and second metal layers (6, 6?) which are in contact with the silicon substrate (2) exposed among the islands of the first metal layers (4, 4?) and are formed to cover the first metal layers (4, 4?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Nichia Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Watanabe, Shunsuke Minato, Giichi Marutsuki
  • Patent number: 8294251
    Abstract: A semiconductor die and a low profile semiconductor package formed therefrom are disclosed. The semiconductor package may include at least first and second stacked semiconductor die mounted to a substrate. The first and/or second semiconductor die may be fabricated with localized cavities through a bottom surface of the semiconductor die, along a side edge of the semiconductor die. The one or more localized cavities in a side take up less than the entire side. Thus, the localized cavities allow low height stacking of semiconductor die while providing each die with a high degree of structural integrity to prevent cracking or breaking of the die edge during fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Hem Takiar, Shrikar Bhagath, Cheemen Yu, Chih-Chin Liao
  • Patent number: 8283726
    Abstract: A system and method for electrostatic discharge protection. The system includes a first transistor coupled to a first system and including a first gate, a first dielectric layer located between the first gate and a first substrate, a first source, and a first drain. The first system includes or is coupled to a core transistor, and the core transistor includes a second gate, a second dielectric layer located between the second gate and a second substrate, a second source, and a second drain. The first transistor is selected from a plurality of transistors, and the plurality of transistors include a plurality of gate regions, a plurality of source regions, and a plurality of drain regions. A plurality of polysilicon regions are disposed in an proximity of at least one of the plurality of gate regions. The plurality of polysilicon regions are separated from the first substrate a plurality of dielectric layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventors: Ting Chieh Su, Min Chie Jeng, Chin Chang Liao, Jun Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 8283711
    Abstract: Provided are a non-volatile memory device, which may have a stacked structure and may be easily integrated at increased density, and a method of fabricating and using the non-volatile memory device. The non-volatile memory device may include at least one pair of first electrode lines. At least one second electrode line may be between the at least one pair of first electrode lines. At least one data storage layer may be between the at least one pair of first electrode lines and the at least one second electrode line and may locally store a resistance change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-gu Jin, Yoon-dong Park, Won-joo Kim, Seung-hoon Lee, Suk-pil Kim
  • Patent number: 8273605
    Abstract: There is provided an electronic device manufacturing method capable of manufacturing a device having a preferable communication characteristic at a low cost with a high productivity. The manufacturing method is for manufacturing an electronic device including a plurality of IC chips 100, each having external electrodes formed on a pair of opposing surfaces. One 102 of the electrodes is arranged on an antenna circuit 201 in a transmission/reception antenna having a slit. Furthermore, a bridging plate 300 is arranged for separately and electrically connecting the other external electrode 103 to a predetermined position of the corresponding antenna circuit 301. The method is characterized in that by positioning at least one of the IC chips 100 with the predetermined position on the corresponding antenna circuit 201 to be mounted, it is possible to arrange the retraining IC chips 100 at the predetermined positions on the antenna circuit 201 all at once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Tasaki, Hironori Ishizaka, Masahito Shibutani, Kousuke Tanaka, Masahisa Shinzawa
  • Patent number: 8242546
    Abstract: A pixel and a pixel array of an image sensor device of the present invention have small pixel sizes by resetting sensed charge using a diode built vertically above a substrate. The pixel and the pixel array also have low noise performance by using a JFET as a source follower transistor for sensing charge. The pixel includes a floating diffusion node configured to sense photo-generated charge, a reset diode configured to reset the floating diffusion node in response to a reset signal, and a junction field effect transistor configured to output a signal having an output voltage level corresponding to a charge level of the floating diffusion node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC
    Inventor: Jaroslav Hynecek
  • Patent number: 8242557
    Abstract: The invention provides a trench gate type transistor in which the gate capacitance is reduced, the crystal defect is prevented and the gate breakdown voltage is enhanced. Trenches are formed in an N? type semiconductor layer. A uniformly thick silicon oxide film is formed on the bottom of each of the trenches and near the bottom, being round at corner portions. A silicon oxide film is formed on the upper portion of the sidewall of each of the trenches, which is thinner than the silicon oxide film and round at corner portions. Gate electrodes are formed from inside the trenches onto the outside thereof. The thick silicon oxide film reduces the gate capacitance, and the thin silicon oxide film on the upper portion provides good transistor characteristics. Furthermore, with the round corner portions, the crystal defect does not easily occur, and the gate electric field is dispersed to enhance the gate breakdown voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Satoru Shimada, Yoshikazu Yamaoka, Kazunori Fujita, Tomonori Tabe
  • Patent number: 8227888
    Abstract: A semiconductor component including a first integrated circuit in a substrate which is adapted to produce electrical signals with a high-frequency signal component, wherein the substrate is such that the high-frequency signal component can propagate on a substrate surface and/or in the substrate interior, a second integrated circuit in the same substrate which is such that its function can be compromised by high-frequency signals, and a countersignal circuit in the same substrate which is adapted to deliver an electrical countersignal which at least at a selected location of the substrate surface and/or the substrate interior attenuates or eliminates the high-frequency electrical signal component emanating from the first integrated circuit, wherein the countersignal circuit includes a receiver which is adapted to produce an electrical signal dependent on the instantaneous field strength of the high-frequency signal component, and a shielding transistor provided in the substrate and having a control electrode
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: IHP GmbH—Innovations for High Performance Microelectronics
    Inventors: Gunther Lippert, Gerald Lippert
  • Patent number: 8223991
    Abstract: An amplification circuit for driving an audio signal diffuser that includes a generation circuit of a first pre-charging signal, the generation circuit including an amplifier provided with an input terminal for receiving the first pre-charging signal and provided with an output terminal for providing a second pre-charging signal as a function of the first pre-charging signal, and a decoupling capacitor of the amplifier from the diffuser, the capacitor connected to the output terminal for charging by the second pre-charging signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Federico Forte
  • Patent number: 8211740
    Abstract: To arrange diffusion-inhibitory films 5a, 5b, and 5c for inhibiting the diffusion of a wiring material absent in a region on or above a light receiving unit 2, the diffusion-inhibitory films 5a, 5b, and 5c formed on a region above the light receiving unit 2 are selectively removed. Alternatively, the diffusion-inhibitory films are arranged only on top surfaces of wirings 4a, 4b, and 4c, and only a passivation film 12 and interlayer insulating films 3a, 3b, and 3c are arranged in the region on or above the light receiving unit 2. Thus, with less interface between different insulation films and less reflection of incident light in an incident region, the incident light 13 highly efficiently passes through these insulating films and comes into the light receiving unit 2. The light receiving unit 2 can thereby receive a sufficient quantity of the incident light 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Ikuhiro Yamamura