Patents Examined by Toan Le
  • Patent number: 9830106
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a storage device including a storage media and a controller coupled thereto through a high speed interface. The storage media includes one or more byte-addressable persistent memory devices, one or more block-addressable persistent memory devices, a hybrid reserved area spanning at least a portion of the one or more byte-addressable persistent memory devices, and a hybrid user area spanning at least a portion of the one or more block-addressable persistent memory devices. The controller uses the hybrid reserved area to store private data. Each of the one or more byte-addressable persistent memory devices may include one or more magnetic random access memory (MRAM) arrays. Each of the one or more block-addressable persistent memory devices may include one or more NAND flash memory arrays. The high speed interface may be a universal flash storage (UFS) interface that operates in the full-duplex mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Avalanche Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ngon Van Le, Berhanu Iman, Siamack Nemazie, Ravishankar Tadepalli
  • Patent number: 9830975
    Abstract: A semiconductor device enabling expansion of a noise margin. For example, in a memory area in which each memory cell MC is coupled to a word line WLA for a first port and a word line WLB for a second port, and a plurality of memory cells MC are disposed in a matrix shape, each word line is disposed in the order of WLA0, WLB0, WLB1, WLA1, WLA2. Further, a pitch d2 between WLA-WLA and between WLB-WLB is made smaller than a pitch d1 between WLA-WLB. As such, the word lines of an identical port are disposed at the pitch d2 on one of both sides of a certain word line and the word lines of different ports are disposed at the pitch d1 on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyotada Funane, Ken Shibata, Yasuhisa Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 9831287
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory devices having a wordline, a bitline, a memory element selectively configurable in one of three or more different resistive states, and a diode configured to allow a current to flow from the wordline through the memory element to the bitline responsive to a voltage being applied across the wordline and the bitline and to decrease the current if the voltage is increased or decreased. Some embodiments include memory devices having a wordline, a bitline, memory element selectively configurable in one of two or more different resistive states, a first diode configured to inhibit a first current from flowing from the bitline to the wordline responsive to a first voltage, and a second diode comprising a dielectric material and configured to allow a second current to flow from the wordline to the bitline responsive to a second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Chandra Mouli
  • Patent number: 9823179
    Abstract: Detection of corrosion and other defects in piping is needed to prevent catastrophic pipeline failure. Sensors, systems and methods are provided to enable detection of such defects. These apparatus and methods are configured to characterize pipe protected by insulation and conductive weather protection. The sensors may utilize inductive and/or solid state sensing element arrays operated in a magnetic field generated in part by a drive winding of the sensor. Multiple excitation frequencies are used to generate the magnetic field and record corresponding sensing element responses. Relatively high excitation frequencies may be used to estimate the properties of the weather protection and sensor lift-off while lower frequencies may be used to detect internal and external pipe damage. Linear arrays may be moved to generate damage images of the pipe providing size and location information for defects. Two dimensional sensor arrays may be used to provide imaging without moving the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Jentek Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Denenberg, Todd M. Dunford, Neil J. Goldfine, Yanko K. Sheiretov
  • Patent number: 9824776
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes: a plurality of memory blocks; a plurality of bit-line sense amplifiers shared by neighboring memory blocks among the plurality of the memory blocks, and suitable for sensing and amplifying data read from memory cells coupled to activated word lines through bit lines, and outputting the amplified data through a plurality of segment data lines; a word line driver suitable for activating word lines of memory blocks that do not share the bit-line sense amplifiers during a test mode; and a weak cell detection circuit suitable for compressing the amplified data transferred through the plurality of the segment data lines for generating compressed data and detecting a weak cell based on the compressed data during the test mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Youk-Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 9823233
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the octane rating of a fuel from a plurality of measurements at a test engine. The measurements may include a plurality of measurements regarding individual knock events, from which waveform attributes regarding the knock events can be determined and used in the calculation of the octane rating. The measurements may also include one or more environmental measurements, such as temperature, humidity, exhaust oxygen, etc., according to which the octane rating may be normalized or that may otherwise be applied into the calculation of the octane rating. The measurements may also include one or more engine property measurements corresponding to the condition of the test engine, according to which the octane rating may be normalized or that may otherwise be applied into the calculation of the octane rating, and that may be used to advise of maintenance events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Chad Alan Michaelis
  • Patent number: 9823134
    Abstract: A decoupling radiant and convective heat sensing device, and a decoupling radiant and convective heat sensing device with a means for performing calculations and then determining a heat flux and an ambient temperature using formulas or reference tables, and also with a means for alerting a person of hazardous fire conditions based on a calculated heat flux and ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TDA Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Girish Srinivas, Michael Karpuk, Steven Gebhard, Joe Fredrickson
  • Patent number: 9823281
    Abstract: A method for determining electric voltage u(t) and/or electric current i(t) of an RF signal in the time domain in a calibration plane, wherein by at least one directional coupler having two outputs and one signal input a first component of a first RF signal that runs from the signal input in the direction of the calibration plane, and a second component of a second RF signal that runs from the calibration plane in the direction of the signal input is decoupled. For a two-port error of the directional coupler, the error terms e00, e01, e10 and e11, are determined as a function of a frequency f and the signal values v1(t) and v2(t) are transformed into the frequency domain as wave quantities V1(f) and V2(f), and absolute wave quantities a1 and b1 in the frequency domain in the calibration plane are calculated from the wave quantities V1(f) and V2(f) by the error terms e00, e01, e10 and e11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gunnar Armbrecht, Christian Zietz
  • Patent number: 9818490
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a word line coupled to a mask ROM memory cell, a bit line pair coupled to the memory cell, a differential sense amplifier for amplifying the potential difference of the bit line pair, and a logic circuit for detecting whether the logic states of the bit line pair match or not. In this way, when there is a failure in the memory cell, it is possible to prevent the semiconductor device from passing the test as a result of the determination that the actual value is the same as the expected value in the test even if there is no potential difference in the bit line pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiki Tsujihashi
  • Patent number: 9816900
    Abstract: A device for measuring equipment performance having one or more sensors that measure functionality of equipment without interactive communication between the sensors and equipment. The one or more sensors generate and transmit data related to functionality of the equipment to a microprocessor. The microprocessor contains an algorithm that converts the data related to functionality of the equipment into equipment utilization metrics. These equipment utilization metrics are transmitted by a transmitter to an equipment operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Raven Telemetry Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Cloake
  • Patent number: 9814828
    Abstract: An intravenous (IV) fluid monitoring system and method are provided to facilitate notification that a replacement IV fluid bag should be prepared. In this regard, an IV fluid monitoring system includes a bag sensing element carried by an IV fluid bag. The IV fluid monitoring system further includes first and second sensing elements positioned on opposite sides of the IV fluid bag and configured to interact with the bag sensing element. The first and second sensing elements are physically separate from the IV fluid bag. The bag sensing element and the first and second elements are positioned such that a line of sight between at least the first sensing element and the bag sensing element extends through the IV fluid within the IV fluid bag while the IV fluid bag is in a filled state. A method and apparatus are also provided to facilitate preparation of an IV fluid bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Aesynt Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeff Thompson, David Deutsch, Preeti Churbock, Kevon Garrison, John Barickman, Bruce Thompson, Randy Rossi, Gregoire Aby-Eva
  • Patent number: 9811265
    Abstract: A memory module includes at least two rows of memory device packages on a substrate and coupled to a control signal line. A first memory device package in a first row is connected to the control signal line at a first point closest to the proximal end of the control signal line and a second memory device in a second row is connected to the control signal line at a second point next closest to the first point. A signal trace length between the first memory device and the second memory device may be greater than a signal trace length between the first memory device package and a third memory device package immediately adjacent the first memory device package in the first row or a signal trace length between the second memory device package and a fourth memory device package immediately adjacent the second memory device package in the second row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji-Woon Park, Kwang-Soo Park, Byung-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 9805815
    Abstract: A bit cell includes a program device comprising a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region separated by a first channel. The first source/drain region, the second source/drain region, and the first channel are positioned along a first direction. The bit cell also includes an electrical fuse (eFuse) having a conduction path along the first direction. A conductive element is electrically connected with the first source/drain region and one end of the eFuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Hung Chen, Liang Chuan Chang, Wei-Fen Pai, Bai-Mei Chang, Shao-Yu Chou, Ren-Fen Tsui, Dian-Sheg Yu, Shih-Guo Shen
  • Patent number: 9806363
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for soft-sensing a fuel cell system. The apparatus includes: a connecting unit detachable from a control unit for being connected to an outside of a stationary fuel cell system; a collecting unit connected to the connecting unit and receiving data of the stationary fuel cell system; a quality variable predicting unit connected to the collecting unit and predicting a quality variable of the stationary fuel cell system based on the received data; and a monitoring unit connected to the quality variable predicting unit and outputting the predicted quality variable. The quality variable predicting unit is configured to predict the quality variable predictable including at least any one of a concentration of carbon monoxide in a reformed gas at a rear end of a fuel converting system, and a concentration of methane in the reformed gas at the rear end of the fuel converting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: KOREA INSITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Minjin Kim, Young-Jun Sohn, Gu-Gon Park, Byungchan Bae, Sung-Dae Yim, Young-Woo Choi, Seok-Hee Park, Tae-Hyun Yang, Won-Yong Lee, Chang-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 9805796
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a first floating gate unit, a second floating gate unit, a selecting gate unit and a comparator. The first floating gate unit is configured to generate a first current according to a first bit signal and a control electric potential. The second floating gate unit is connected with the first floating gate unit in parallel, and configured to generate a second current according to a second bit signal and the control electric potential. The selecting gate unit is connected to the first floating gate unit and the second floating gate unit, and configured to generate the control electric potential according to a source signal and a word signal. The comparator is electrically connected to the first floating gate unit and the second floating gate unit, and configured to compare the first current with the second current, so as to generate a data-stored state signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Copee Technology Company
    Inventors: Chrong-Jung Lin, Ya-Chin King
  • Patent number: 9807153
    Abstract: A mechanism is described for provisioning remote desktops in a cloud based infrastructure while maintaining user personalization. In cloud based systems, a user may not always reconnect to the same VM endpoint. In one embodiment, the virtual hard disk assigned to a user is mounted to the endpoint assigned to the user. The virtual hard disk includes the user's personal data and personalization information (e.g., settings, profiles, files, etc.). When the user disconnects from the remote desktop, the virtual hard disk is demounted from the endpoint. The virtual hard disk thus provides information regarding the user's state when the user is disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Manuvir Das, Sudarshan Yadav, Arvind Kandhare, Jimmy Narang, Ranjana Rathinam, Srinivas Duvvuri, Amit Lal
  • Patent number: 9806727
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses featuring an injection-locked oscillator (ILO) are described. In some embodiments, an ILO can have multiple injection points and a free-running frequency that is capable of being adjusted based on a control signal. In some embodiments, each injection point of an ILO can correspond to a phase tuning range. In some embodiments, a circuit can include circuitry to detect a phase boundary between two adjacent phase tuning ranges. In some embodiments, a circuit can use the detected phase boundary to switch between the two adjacent phase tuning ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: RAMBUS INC.
    Inventors: Marko Aleksić, Brian S. Leibowitz
  • Patent number: 9805795
    Abstract: A non-volatile data retention circuit, which is configured to store complementary volatile charge states of an external latch, comprises a coupled giant spin hall latch configured to generate and store complementary non-volatile spin states corresponding to the complementary volatile charge states of the external latch in response to receiving a charge current from the external latch, and to generate a differential charge current signal corresponding to the complementary non-volatile spin states in response to application of a read voltage, a write switch coupled to the coupled giant spin hall latch and configured to selectively enable flow of the charge current from the external latch to the coupled giant spin hall latch in response to a sleep signal, and a read switch coupled to the coupled giant spin hall latch and to selectively enable the application of the read voltage to the coupled giant spin hall latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Titash Rakshit, Borna Obradovic
  • Patent number: 9797867
    Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting a hole in a laminated structure. An exemplary system includes a transducer assembly configured to direct sound waves substantially parallel to a surface of the hole. The system further includes a controller that collects A-scan data for multiple rotational positions of the transducer assembly as the transducer assembly is rotated within the hole. The controller processes the A-scan data for the multiple rotational positions of the transducer assembly to generate B-scan data, and displays the B-scan data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Kollgaard, William J. Tapia
  • Patent number: 9799404
    Abstract: A memory device is provided as follows. A memory cell region includes a plurality of blocks, each block including a plurality of NAND strings. A control logic divides the plurality of blocks into a plurality of block regions based on a smaller distance of a first distance with respect to a first edge of the memory cell region and a second distance with respect to a second edge of the memory cell region and controls an operation performed on the memory cell region using a plurality of bias sets of operation parameters for the operation. Each bias set is associated with one of the block regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang-Wan Nam, Doo-Hyun Kim, Dae-Seok Byeon, Chi-Weon Yoon