Patents by Inventor Eric Miller

Eric Miller 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).

  • USING A SAME MASK FOR DIRECT PRINT AND SELF-ALIGNED DOUBLE PATTERNING OF NANOSHEETS
    Publication number: 20220102153
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a nanosheet stack including alternating layers of a sacrificial material and a channel material over a substrate, the layers of channel material providing nanosheet channels for one or more nanosheet field-effect transistors. The method also includes forming a hard mask stack over the nanosheet stack, and forming a patterning layer over the hard mask stack. The method further includes patterning a lithographic mask over the patterning layer, the lithographic mask defining (i) one or more first regions for direct printing of one or more fins of a first width in the nanosheet stack and the substrate and (ii) one or more second regions for setting the spacing between two or more fins of a second width in the nanosheet stack and the substrate using self-aligned double patterning. The second width is less than the first width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Stuart Sieg, Daniel James Dechene, Eric Miller
  • INTERLOCKING BLENDING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20220087480
    Abstract: A blending system is shown and described herein. The blending system may include a base including a motor, a blade selectively and operably engaged with the base, where the motor rotates the blade, a container having an open end and a lid configured to cover the open end. The blending system may also include an interlock system that may include a plurality of induction coils positioned on the base and the container and be in electrical communication with at least one lid sensor, wherein the power is translated through the induction coils to engage a switch device to complete a power circuit to allow a user to operate the motor of the blender.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: David J. Kolar, Saifur Tareen, Eric Miller
  • X-Ray Tube with Multi-Element Target
    Publication number: 20220093358
    Abstract: An x-ray source can have increased x-ray flux and can simultaneously provide characteristic peaks and from multiple, different chemical elements. The target can include multiple layers of different chemical compositions. These layers can be distinguished by a higher atomic number, a higher energy K-alpha x-ray characteristic line, and a higher density in one layer compared to another layer. The layer that is lower in these characteristics can face the x-ray window. The layers can be formed by sputter deposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Eric Miller, Mike Ossofsky
  • Parachute architecture for low-altitude VTOL aircraft
    Patent number: 11273919
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system to deploy a plurality of parachutes includes a plurality of parachute canopies each packed in a canister, a plurality of rockets adapted to extract an associated canopy from the canister, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine that an aircraft is at least one of: in a hover mode of operation and a forward flight mode of operation. In response to the determination that the aircraft is in the hover mode of operation, the controller applies a hover deployment sequence including by instructing the plurality of parachutes to deploy substantially simultaneously. In response to the determination that the aircraft is in the forward mode of operation and above a threshold airspeed, the controller applies a forward deployment sequence including by instructing the plurality of parachutes to deploy in a predefined sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Western, Amy Qian, Damon Vander Lind, Timothy Mattson, Eric Miller, Peter A. Swan
  • Motor magnetic interference ring
    Patent number: 11266271
    Abstract: A blender system that includes a base that is selectively and operatively engaged with a container is shown and described herein. The blender system may include a container. The container may include a magnet and may be engagable with a blade base. The blade base may include a switch that responds to the magnet. The blender system may include a shield that shields the magnet and switch from a magnetic field generated by operation of a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Vita-Mix Management Corporation
    Inventors: Brenton Krivos, David Kolar, Eric Miller, Saifur Tareen
  • BOTTOM SOURCE/DRAIN ETCH WITH FIN-CUT-LAST-VTFET
    Publication number: 20220069106
    Abstract: A technique relates to a semiconductor device. A first epitaxial material is formed under a bottom surface of a set of fins, the first epitaxial material being under fin channel regions of the set of fins. A second epitaxial material is formed adjacent to the first epitaxial material and remote from the fin channel regions, a combination of the first epitaxial material and the second epitaxial material forming a bottom source or drain (source/drain) layer. A top source/drain layer is formed on an upper portion of the set of fins, gate material being disposed around the set of fins between the top source/drain layer and the bottom source/drain layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Tao Li, Indira SESHADRI, NELSON FELIX, ERIC MILLER
  • X-Ray Source Voltage Shield
    Publication number: 20220059308
    Abstract: A shield around an x-ray tube, a voltage multiplier, or both can improve the manufacturing process by allowing testing earlier in the process and by providing a holder for liquid potting material. The shield can also improve voltage standoff. A shielded x-ray tube can be electrically coupled to a shielded power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: David S. Hoffman, Vincent F. Jones, Eric Miller
  • Interlocking blending system
    Patent number: 11253106
    Abstract: A blender system that includes a base that is selectively and operatively engaged with a container and an open and closable enclosure is shown and described herein. The base may include an interlock component that may interact with an interlock component of an enclosure or a container. The base also includes a motor that is selectively and operatively engaged with a blade disposed within the container. The motor may be controlled based on arrangement of the base, the enclosure, or the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Vita-Mix Management Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Kolar, Saifur T. Tareen, Eric Miller, Alan Pilch, David Kanning
  • Using a same mask for direct print and self-aligned double patterning of nanosheets
    Patent number: 11257681
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a nanosheet stack including alternating layers of a sacrificial material and a channel material over a substrate, the layers of channel material providing nanosheet channels for one or more nanosheet field-effect transistors. The method also includes forming a hard mask stack over the nanosheet stack, and forming a patterning layer over the hard mask stack. The method further includes patterning a lithographic mask over the patterning layer, the lithographic mask defining (i) one or more first regions for direct printing of one or more fins of a first width in the nanosheet stack and the substrate and (ii) one or more second regions for setting the spacing between two or more fins of a second width in the nanosheet stack and the substrate using self-aligned double patterning. The second width is less than the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart Sieg, Daniel James Dechene, Eric Miller
  • Self-aligned uniform bottom spacers for VTFETS
    Patent number: 11251287
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same include forming a bottom source/drain structure around a fin. A multi-layer bottom spacer is formed on the bottom source/drain structure, around the fin. Each layer of the multi-layer bottom spacer has a respective vertical height above the bottom source/drain structure, with a layer of the multi-layer bottom spacer that is farthest from the fin having a greater vertical height than a layer that is closest to the fin, to address parasitic capacitance from the bottom source/drain structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ruilong Xie, Hemanth Jagannathan, Jay William Strane, Eric Miller
  • Cable carrier crossover supplying four non-static locations
    Patent number: 11247349
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying cables to robots at non-static locations. A work platform for supporting one or more humans is positioned above a base platform for supporting one or more are robots independently of the work platform. A cable carrier system for providing cables to the robots is positioned underneath the work platform and above the base platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John Eric Miller, Dennis R. Mathis
  • Bottom source/drain etch with fin-cut-last-VTFET
    Patent number: 11245027
    Abstract: A technique relates to a semiconductor device. A first epitaxial material is formed under a bottom surface of a set of fins, the first epitaxial material being under fin channel regions of the set of fins. A second epitaxial material is formed adjacent to the first epitaxial material and remote from the fin channel regions, a combination of the first epitaxial material and the second epitaxial material forming a bottom source or drain (source/drain) layer. A top source/drain layer is formed on an upper portion of the set of fins, gate material being disposed around the set of fins between the top source/drain layer and the bottom source/drain layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tao Li, Indira Seshadri, Nelson Felix, Eric Miller
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTELLIGENTLY MANAGING STORAGE SPACE OCCUPIED BY MEDIA ASSETS
    Publication number: 20220038768
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided reducing storage space occupied by a media asset by adjusting quality levels of the media asset downward over time. This may be accomplished by a media guidance application that store, at a given time, the media asset in a first format having a first quality level. The media guidance application retrieves, from a database, a data entry corresponding to the media asset and determines, based on the data entry, a threshold period of time for storing the media asset in the first format. The media guidance application detects whether the threshold period of time since the given time has passed and responds by altering a first portion of the media asset from the first format having the first quality level to a second format having a second quality level that is inferior to the first quality level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Clayton Kim, Lucas Waye, Richard Eric Miller, Matthew John Emerson
  • LASER-BASED RANGEFINDING INSTRUMENT
    Publication number: 20220026204
    Abstract: A laser-based rangefinding instrument for, inter alia, golfing or hunting activities having an unique ergonomic design and an external multi-function switch for controlling display brightness, selectable display of differing distance units and a slope selection switch for enabling display of line of sight distance or angle of slope and “Compensated Golf Distance” slope distance to a target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicants: Laser Technology, Inc., Kama-Tech (HK) Limited
    Inventors: Jordan T. Vermillion, Scott M. Peterson, Neil T. Heeke, Eric A. Miller, Jeremy G. Dunne, David W. Williams
  • Partial Wrap Around Top Contact
    Publication number: 20220020634
    Abstract: Contact designs for semiconductor FET devices are provided. In one aspect, a contact structure includes: a metal line(s); a first ILD surrounding the metal line(s), wherein a top surface of the first ILD is recessed below a top surface of the metal line(s); a liner disposed on the first ILD and on portions of the metal line(s); a top contact(s) disposed over, and in direct contact with, the metal line(s), wherein an upper portion of the top contact(s) has a width W1 and a height H1, wherein a lower portion of the top contact(s) has a width W2 and a height H2, and wherein W1<W2 and H1>H2; and a second ILD disposed over the liner and surrounding the top contact(s). A semiconductor FET device and methods for fabrication thereof are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Ruilong Xie, Julien Frougier, Ekmini Anuja De Silva, Eric Miller
  • X-Ray Tube Insulation, Window, and Focusing Plate
    Publication number: 20220013321
    Abstract: X-ray transparent insulation can be sandwiched between an x-ray window and a ground plate. The x-ray transparent insulation can include aluminum nitride, boron nitride, or polyetherimide. The x-ray transparent insulation can include a curved side. The x-ray transparent insulation can be transparent to x-rays and resistant to x-ray damage, and can have high thermal conductivity. An x-ray window can have high thermal conductivity, high electrical conductivity, high melting point, low cost, and matched coefficient of thermal conductivity with the anode. The x-ray window can be made of tungsten. For consistent x-ray spot size and location, a focusing plate and a filament can be attached to a cathode with an open channel of the focusing plate aligned with a longitudinal dimension of the filament. Tabs of the focusing plate bordering the open channel can be bent to align with a location of the filament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Todd S. Parker, Eric Miller
  • PROTECTIVE SHIELD FOR USE WITH A STAPLE GUN
    Publication number: 20220001521
    Abstract: A staple gun and a method of using the same. A stapling mechanism in the housing is activated to deliver a staple through an aperture in a housing wall and drive the staple into a surface around a stack of one or more electric cables. The gun includes a reciprocating cable guide for centering the gun on the stack of cables and closing a safety switch to permit the gun's trigger to be activated. A spacer extending outwardly from the housing wall rests on the upper surface of the cable stack. The spacer and a bumper that engages a hammer of the stapling mechanism provide for automatic depth adjustment when driving the staple into the surface. A reciprocating cable guard extending outwardly from the housing wall is positioned between the stack of cables and the staple to aid in preventing the staple from piercing the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Brahma Industries LLC
    Inventors: Mark Ferris, Eric A. Miller, JR., John D. Fiegener, Marcus R. Hanna, Ryan Thompson, William P. Liteplo
  • Recovery system using vehicle state information
    Patent number: 11208214
    Abstract: A selection is made between single stage and multistage parachute deployment for a vehicle based at least in part on vehicle state information. In the event multistage parachute deployment is selected, a drogue parachute is deployed during a first deployment stage and afterwards, a main parachute is deployed during a second deployment stage. In the event single stage parachute deployment is selected, at least the main parachute is deployed in a single stage where in the event the drogue parachute is deployed during the single stage, the drogue and main parachute are deployed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Western, Damon Vander Lind, Eric Miller, James Thomas Yaru, Timothy Mattson, Andrew David Goessling
  • X-ray source voltage shield
    Patent number: 11195687
    Abstract: A shield around an x-ray tube, a voltage multiplier, or both can improve the manufacturing process by allowing testing earlier in the process and by providing a holder for liquid potting material. The shield can also improve voltage standoff. A shielded x-ray tube can be electrically coupled to a shielded power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Hoffman, Vincent F. Jones, Eric Miller
  • Dual width finned semiconductor structure
    Patent number: 11189532
    Abstract: A finned semiconductor structure including sets of relatively wide and relatively narrow fins is obtained by employing hard masks having different quality. A relatively porous hard mask is formed over a first region of a semiconductor substrate and a relatively dense hard mask is formed over a second region of the substrate. Patterning of the different hard masks using a sidewall image transfer process causes greater lateral etching of the relatively porous hard mask than the relatively dense hard mask. A subsequent reactive ion etch to form semiconductor fins causes relatively narrow fins to be formed beneath the relatively porous hard mask and relatively wide fins to be formed beneath the relatively dense hard mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yi Song, Jay W. Strane, Eric Miller, Fee Li Lie, Richard A. Conti