Patents by Inventor Eric Frank

Eric Frank has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220167082
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed in which a playback device transmits a first sound signal including a predetermined waveform. In one example, the playback device receives a second sound signal including at least one reflection of the first sound signal. The second sound signal is processed to determine a location of a person relative to the playback device, and a characteristic of audio reproduction by the playback device is selected, based on the determined location of the person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventor: Eric Frank
  • Patent number: 11184702
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed in which a playback device transmits a first sound signal including a predetermined waveform. In one example, the playback device receives a second sound signal including at least one reflection of the first sound signal. The second sound signal is processed to determine a location of a person relative to the playback device, and a characteristic of audio reproduction by the playback device is selected, based on the determined location of the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Frank
  • Patent number: 11134598
    Abstract: Methods and systems for low-force, low-temperature thermocompression bonding. The present application teaches new methods and structures for three-dimensional integrated circuits, in which cold thermocompression bonding is used to provide reliable bonding. To achieve this, reduction and passivation steps are preferably both used to reduce native oxide on the contact metals and to prevent reformation of native oxide, preferably using atmospheric plasma treatments. Preferably the physical compression height of the elements is set to be only enough to reliably achieve at least some compression of each bonding element pair, compensating for any lack of flatness. Preferably the thermocompression bonding is performed well below the melting point. This not only avoids the deformation of lower levels which is induced by reflow techniques, but also provides a steep relation of force versus z-axis travel, so that a drastically-increasing resistance to compression helps to regulate the degree of thermocompression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: SET North America, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Frank Schulte
  • Publication number: 20210227735
    Abstract: Methods and systems for low-force, low-temperature thermocompression bonding. The present application teaches new methods and structures for three-dimensional integrated circuits, in which cold thermocompression bonding is used to provide reliable bonding. To achieve this, reduction and passivation steps are preferably both used to reduce native oxide on the contact metals and to prevent reformation of native oxide, preferably using atmospheric plasma treatments. Preferably the physical compression height of the elements is set to be only enough to reliably achieve at least some compression of each bonding element pair, compensating for any lack of flatness. Preferably the thermocompression bonding is performed well below the melting point. This not only avoids the deformation of lower levels which is induced by reflow techniques, but also provides a steep relation of force versus z-axis travel, so that a drastically-increasing resistance to compression helps to regulate the degree of thermocompression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: SET North America, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Frank Schulte
  • Publication number: 20210227734
    Abstract: Methods and systems for low-force, low-temperature thermocompression bonding. The present application teaches new methods and structures for three-dimensional integrated circuits, in which cold thermocompression bonding is used to provide reliable bonding. To achieve this, reduction and passivation steps are preferably both used to reduce native oxide on the contact metals and to prevent reformation of native oxide, preferably using atmospheric plasma treatments. Preferably the physical compression height of the elements is set to be only enough to reliably achieve at least some compression of each bonding element pair, compensating for any lack of flatness. Preferably the thermocompression bonding is performed well below the melting point. This not only avoids the deformation of lower levels which is induced by reflow techniques, but also provides a steep relation of force versus z-axis travel, so that a drastically-increasing resistance to compression helps to regulate the degree of thermocompression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: SET North America, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Frank Schulte
  • Publication number: 20210227733
    Abstract: Methods and systems for low-force, low-temperature thermocompression bonding. The present application teaches new methods and structures for three-dimensional integrated circuits, in which cold thermocompression bonding is used to provide reliable bonding. To achieve this, reduction and passivation steps are preferably both used to reduce native oxide on the contact metals and to prevent reformation of native oxide, preferably using atmospheric plasma treatments. Preferably the physical compression height of the elements is set to be only enough to reliably achieve at least some compression of each bonding element pair, compensating for any lack of flatness. Preferably the thermocompression bonding is performed well below the melting point. This not only avoids the deformation of lower levels which is induced by reflow techniques, but also provides a steep relation of force versus z-axis travel, so that a drastically-increasing resistance to compression helps to regulate the degree of thermocompression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: SET North America, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Frank Schulte
  • Publication number: 20210227732
    Abstract: Methods and systems for low-force, low-temperature thermocompression bonding. The present application teaches new methods and structures for three-dimensional integrated circuits, in which cold thermocompression bonding is used to provide reliable bonding. To achieve this, reduction and passivation steps are preferably both used to reduce native oxide on the contact metals and to prevent reformation of native oxide, preferably using atmospheric plasma treatments. Preferably the physical compression height of the elements is set to be only enough to reliably achieve at least some compression of each bonding element pair, compensating for any lack of flatness. Preferably the thermocompression bonding is performed well below the melting point. This not only avoids the deformation of lower levels which is induced by reflow techniques, but also provides a steep relation of force versus z-axis travel, so that a drastically-increasing resistance to compression helps to regulate the degree of thermocompression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: SET North America, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Frank Schulte
  • Publication number: 20210219475
    Abstract: Methods and systems for low-force, low-temperature thermocompression bonding. The present application teaches new methods and structures for three-dimensional integrated circuits, in which cold thermocompression bonding is used to provide reliable bonding. To achieve this, reduction and passivation steps are preferably both used to reduce native oxide on the contact metals and to prevent reformation of native oxide, preferably using atmospheric plasma treatments. Preferably the physical compression height of the elements is set to be only enough to reliably achieve at least some compression of each bonding element pair, compensating for any lack of flatness. Preferably the thermocompression bonding is performed well below the melting point. This not only avoids the deformation of lower levels which is induced by reflow techniques, but also provides a steep relation of force versus z-axis travel, so that a drastically-increasing resistance to compression helps to regulate the degree of thermocompression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: SET North America, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Frank Schulte
  • Publication number: 20210219474
    Abstract: Methods and systems for low-force, low-temperature thermocompression bonding. The present application teaches new methods and structures for three-dimensional integrated circuits, in which cold thermocompression bonding is used to provide reliable bonding. To achieve this, reduction and passivation steps are preferably both used to reduce native oxide on the contact metals and to prevent reformation of native oxide, preferably using atmospheric plasma treatments. Preferably the physical compression height of the elements is set to be only enough to reliably achieve at least some compression of each bonding element pair, compensating for any lack of flatness. Preferably the thermocompression bonding is performed well below the melting point. This not only avoids the deformation of lower levels which is induced by reflow techniques, but also provides a steep relation of force versus z-axis travel, so that a drastically-increasing resistance to compression helps to regulate the degree of thermocompression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: SET North America, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Frank Schulte
  • Patent number: 11060316
    Abstract: A collapsible enclosure and an insert, where the collapsible enclosure includes a body formed by a plurality of walls including a front, a back, a first side, a second side, a top, and a bottom wall coupled to one another to form an interior. Each wall includes at least one of a plurality of deformable frame members. A door is defined in one of the front, back, first side, and second side wall, and is further selectively engageable with the respective wall such that the door is disposable between an open and closed position. The insert includes a body formed by a plurality of walls including a front, a back, a first side, and a second side coupled to one another to form an interior. Each wall includes at least one of a plurality of deformable frame members. A door is defined in one of the front, back, first side, and second side wall, and is further selectively engageable with the respective wall such that the door is disposable between an open and closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Inventor: Eric Frank Pescovitz
  • Patent number: 10995852
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having a plurality of friction elements selectively engageable to establish power flow paths within the transmission. A controller of the vehicle is programmed to, during a boost phase of a shift, command a first hydraulic boost pressure for a plurality of control loop cycles to an oncoming one of the friction elements (oncoming friction element) and subsequently command a second hydraulic boost pressure less than the first hydraulic boost pressure for only a single control loop cycle that defines an end of the boost phase to the oncoming friction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jaewon Choi, Stephen Michael Cicala, Bradley D Riedle, Eric Frank Banners, Cory Benson Laroche, Kurt Howard Nickerson
  • Patent number: 10985024
    Abstract: Methods and systems for using the downstream active residuals of a reducing-chemistry atmospheric plasma to provide multiple advantages to pre-plating surface preparation with a simple apparatus. As the downstream active species of the atmospheric plasma impinge the substrate surface, three important surface preparation processes can be performed simultaneously: 1. Organic residue is removed from the surface of the plating base. 2. Oxidation is removed from the surface of the plating base. 3. All surfaces on the substrate are highly activated by the downstream active residuals thus creating a highly wettable surface for subsequent plating operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: ONTOS Equipment Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Frank Schulte
  • Patent number: 10909176
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating dictionary migration or dictionary mapping from a first vocabulary or a first dictionary of terms to a second vocabulary includes one or more computers configured to carry out the steps of mapping a subset of the first set of terms to respective terms in an interface terminology and flagging another subset as not mapped to respective terms in the interface terminology. The system then may provide suggested mappings for the non-mapped terms, relying on user-supplied indications in order to map those terms. The system and method also may map the first dictionary terms to a reference terminology, an administrative terminology, or a clinical terminology or, conversely, may use those external terminologies to assist in mapping to the interface terminology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Intelligent Medical Objects, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Naeymi-Rad, Regis Charlot, Andrew Kanter, Matthew Cardwell, Eric Frank, Michael Ericksen, Fred Masarie, Andre Young, Gregory Aldin, Curtis Winn, Jose Maldonado
  • Patent number: 10895091
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel personal pop-up pods designed for a single user. The personal pop-up pods can provide a user with privacy and/or protection from the surrounding elements. The personal pop-up pods are designed such that a user can remain mobile, i.e., able to move from one location to another while using a personal pop-up pod. The personal pop-up pods are designed such that a user can selectively gain access to the area surrounding the pop-up pod by opening windows and other points of access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Inventor: Eric Frank Pescovitz
  • Publication number: 20210006893
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed in which a playback device transmits a first sound signal including a predetermined waveform. In one example, the playback device receives a second sound signal including at least one reflection of the first sound signal. The second sound signal is processed to determine a location of a person relative to the playback device, and a characteristic of audio reproduction by the playback device is selected, based on the determined location of the person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventor: Eric Frank
  • Publication number: 20200386279
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having a plurality of friction elements selectively engageable to establish power flow paths within the transmission. A controller of the vehicle is programmed to, during a boost phase of a shift, command a first hydraulic boost pressure for a plurality of control loop cycles to an oncoming one of the friction elements (oncoming friction element) and subsequently command a second hydraulic boost pressure less than the first hydraulic boost pressure for only a single control loop cycle that defines an end of the boost phase to the oncoming friction element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Jaewon CHOI, Stephen Michael CICALA, Bradley D RIEDLE, Eric Frank BANNERS, Cory Benson LAROCHE, Kurt Howard NICKERSON
  • Patent number: 10791396
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed in which a playback device transmits a first sound signal including a predetermined waveform. In one example, the playback device receives a second sound signal including at least one reflection of the first sound signal. The second sound signal is processed to determine a location of a person relative to the playback device, and a characteristic of audio reproduction by the playback device is selected, based on the determined location of the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Frank
  • Publication number: 20200234958
    Abstract: Methods and systems for using the downstream active residuals of a reducing-chemistry atmospheric plasma to provide multiple advantages to pre-plating surface preparation with a simple apparatus. As the downstream active species of the atmospheric plasma impinge the substrate surface, three important surface preparation processes can be performed simultaneously: 1. Organic residue is removed from the surface of the plating base. 2. Oxidation is removed from the surface of the plating base. 3. All surfaces on the substrate are highly activated by the downstream active residuals thus creating a highly wettable surface for subsequent plating operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: Ontos Equipment Systems
    Inventor: Eric Frank Schulte
  • Patent number: 10672594
    Abstract: An atmospheric pressure plasma system includes an atmospheric pressure plasma source that generates a glow discharge-type plasma. The atmospheric pressure plasma source comprises a plasma head, a heating element and an active cooling element and the heating element and active cooling element control the plasma head temperature to a set-point temperature independent of variations in plasma generating power or plasma power ON/OFF status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: ONTOS EQUIPMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Emmett Hughlett, Matthew Sheldon Phillips, Eric Frank Schulte, Michael Dow Stead
  • Publication number: 20200131797
    Abstract: A collapsible enclosure and an insert, where the collapsible enclosure includes a body formed by a plurality of walls including a front, a back, a first side, a second side, a top, and a bottom wall coupled to one another to form an interior. Each wall includes at least one of a plurality of deformable frame members. A door is defined in one of the front, back, first side, and second side wall, and is further selectively engageable with the respective wall such that the door is disposable between an open and closed position. The insert includes a body formed by a plurality of walls including a front, a back, a first side, and a second side coupled to one another to form an interior. Each wall includes at least one of a plurality of deformable frame members. A door is defined in one of the front, back, first side, and second side wall, and is further selectively engageable with the respective wall such that the door is disposable between an open and closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Under the Weather, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Frank Pescovitz