Patents by Inventor John A. Shannon
John A. Shannon 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).
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Publication number: 20130246825Abstract: A system and method of power scaling cache memory (110) of a multi-core processing system includes a plurality of core processors (100), a cache memory (110) and a controller (125). The cache memory (110) includes partitioned cache (120) and shared cache (115). The shared cache (115) can be partitioned into the partitioned cache (120). Each core processor (100) is communicatively coupled to at least one corresponding partitioned cache (120) and the shared cache (100). The controller (125) is communicatively coupled to each of the core processors (100), to the partitioned cache (120), and to the shared cache (115). The controller (125) is configured to cause the at least one corresponding partitioned cache (120) to power down in response to the corresponding core processor (100) powering down. The controller (125) can also be configured to flush the cache lines of the partitioned cache (125) prior to powering down the partitioned cache (125) in response to the corresponding processor (100) powering down.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2011Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventor: Christopher John Shannon
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Patent number: 7592191Abstract: A field emission backplate formed by laser crystallizing of an area of amorphous semiconductor based material. Emitter sites result from the rough surface texture caused by the crystallization process. The crystallization may be localized using laser interferometry, and profiled emitter tips grown on the localized crystalline areas. Such backplates can be used in field emission devices emitting into either a vacuum or a wide band gap light-emitting polymer. Furthermore, a backplate having self-aligned gates can be formed by depositing an insulator layer and a metal layer over the emitter tips, removing the top of the metal layer and etching away the insulator, leaving each tip surrounded by a metal rim. A planarizing agent can be used to refine this process.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2004Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: The University Court of the University of DundeeInventors: Mervyn John Rose, Ravi Silva, John Shannon
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Patent number: 7349070Abstract: A method is provided for performing photolithography on a substrate which has a first region on a lower level and a second region on an upper level, wherein a first pattern area exists within said first region, a second pattern area exists within said second region, and at least said first and second regions are coated with a photoresist, the method comprising: a) exposing the photoresist through a first mask so as to expose said first region including said first pattern area, and thus create a first pattern in said first pattern area, but not expose said second pattern area; and b) exposing the photoresist through a second mask so as to expose said second pattern area, and thus create a second pattern in said second pattern area, but not expose said first pattern area, and also to expose an area of said first region which lies adjacent said second region.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2005Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: X-Fab Semiconductor Foundries AGInventors: Brian Martin, John Perring, John Shannon
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Patent number: 7304420Abstract: A field emission device having improved properties and which finds use in display devices, such as a flat panel displays. Known devices and displays suffer from problems such as complexity of fabrication and limited color gamut. The present device provides a field emission backplate which is made from a substantially semiconductor based material and has a plurality of grown tips. The device also includes at least one electro-luminescent or photo-luminescent material having a fluorescent material such as a fluorescent dye doped material chemically attached thereto.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: The University Court of the University of DundeeInventors: Mervyn John Rose, Ravi Silva, John Shannon, Janos Peter Hajto
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Publication number: 20070151994Abstract: A heater unit for dispensing metered portions of molten lead includes a cavity capable of selectively receiving a metered portion of molten lead from the lead reservoir. The heater unit is moveable between a first position for receiving lead into the lead reservoir and a second position for dispensing molten lead from the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2006Publication date: July 5, 2007Applicant: MITEK HOLDINGS, INC.Inventor: John Shannon
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Publication number: 20070131975Abstract: A transistor has a source electrode (22) on the opposite side of a semiconductor body layer (10) to a gate electrode (4) insulated from the body layer (10) by gate insulator (8). The source electrode (22) has a potential barrier to the semiconductor body layer (10), for example a Schottky barrier. At least one drain electrode (54) is also connected to the semiconductor body layer (10). A suitable source-drain voltage and gate voltage depletes the region of the semiconductor body layer adjacent to the source electrode (22), and then source-drain current is controlled by the gate voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2003Publication date: June 14, 2007Inventors: John Shannon, Edmund Gerstner
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Publication number: 20060208979Abstract: In an active matrix display, each pixel has a storage capacitor for storing a voltage to be used for addressing a drive transistor. A discharge transistor is provided for discharging the storage capacitor thereby to switch off the drive transistor. The timing of this is controlled by a light-dependent device which is illuminated by the display element. The drive transistor is controlled to provide a constant light output from the display element, and the duration is controlled in dependence on the data voltage. Optical feedback is used to alter further the timing of operation of the discharge transistor to provide ageing compensation of the display element and compensation for changes in the drive transistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2004Publication date: September 21, 2006Inventors: David Fish, John Shannon, Steven Deane, Jason Hector
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Publication number: 20060119320Abstract: Current control circuitry for controlling current supplied from a current source to a load and a battery. A circuit path connects the source and the load. Current on the circuit path is limited to a predetermined amount. A voltage on the circuit path is monitored and in response, current to be supplied to the battery from the circuit path is controlled so as to maintain the current on the circuit path within the predetermined amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2005Publication date: June 8, 2006Inventors: Samuel Nork, Trevor Barcelo, Roger Zemke, John Shannon
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Publication number: 20060050255Abstract: A method is provided for performing photolithography on a substrate which has a first region on a lower level and a second region on an upper level, wherein a first pattern area exists within said first region, a second pattern area exists within said second region, and at least said first and second regions are coated with a photoresist, the method comprising: a) exposing the photoresist through a first mask so as to expose said first region including said first pattern area, and thus create a first pattern in said first pattern area, but not expose said second pattern area; and b) exposing the photoresist through a second mask so as to expose said second pattern area, and thus create a second pattern in said second pattern area, but not expose said first pattern area, and also to expose an area of said first region which lies adjacent said second region.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2005Publication date: March 9, 2006Inventors: Brian Martin, John Perring, John Shannon
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Publication number: 20060007719Abstract: The described DC to AC inverter efficiently controls the amount of electrical power used to drive a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL). The output is a fairly pure sine wave which is proportional to an input control voltage. The output waveform purity is ensured by driving a symmetrical rectangular waveform into a second-order, low pass filter at the resonant frequency of the filter for all conditions of line voltage and delivered power. Operating stress on the step-up transformer is minimized by placing the load (lamp) directly across the secondary side of the transformer. When configured to regulate delivered power, the secondary side may be fully floated which practically eliminates a thermometer effect on the operation of the lamp. All of the active elements, including the power switches, may be integrated into a monolithic silicon circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2005Publication date: January 12, 2006Inventors: John Shannon, James Moyer, Michael Hsing
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Patent number: 6949330Abstract: A method is provided for performing photolithography on a substrate which has a first region on a lower level and a second region on an upper level, wherein a first pattern area exists within said first region, a second pattern area exists within said second region, and at least said first and second regions are coated with a photoresist, the method comprising: a) exposing the photoresist through a first mask so as to expose said first region including said first pattern area, and thus create a first pattern in said first pattern area, but not expose said second pattern area; and b) exposing the photoresist through a second mask so as to expose said second pattern area, and thus create a second pattern in said second pattern area, but not expose said first pattern area, and also to expose an area of said first region which lies adjacent said second region.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Zarlink Semiconductor LimitedInventors: Brian Martin, John Perring, John Shannon
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Publication number: 20050179366Abstract: A field emission device having improved properties and which finds use in display devices, such as a flat panel displays. Known devices and displays suffer from problems such as complexity of fabrication and limited color gamut. The present device provides a field emission backplate which is made from a substantially semiconductor based material and has a plurality of grown tips. The device also includes at least one electro-luminescent or photo-luminescent material having a fluorescent material such as a fluorescent dye doped material chemically attached thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2004Publication date: August 18, 2005Inventors: Mervyn Rose, Ravi Silva, John Shannon, Janos Hajto
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Patent number: 6883975Abstract: The invention includes a ferrule having a layer of material on an inner surface of a hole therein which is selected to be preferentially softenable relative to the bulk material of the ferrule. The ferrule according to the present invention can be fused to optical fibers, capillaries and the like while reducing deformation of the fused component and the ferrule.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2001Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: Polymicro Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James P. Clarkin, John Shannon, Michael Swengler
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Publication number: 20050066518Abstract: A method of dispensing metered portions of molten lead comprises the steps of providing a heater body with a lead reservoir that produces sufficient heat to form molten lead and providing a lead dispensing shuttle plate with at least two lead metered cavities that are filled with molten lead in a fill position. The heater body is movable between a dispense position and a feed position. At least one of the metered cavities releases the molten lead when the heater body is moved to the dispense position. In one aspect, the method comprises supplying a strip of lead so that when the heater body moves to the feed position, it receives a portion of the strip of lead. In another aspect, the method comprises injecting inert gas over the lead reservoir and into the dispensing metered cavity to prevent air from entering the metered cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2004Publication date: March 31, 2005Applicant: MiTek Holdings, Inc.Inventor: John Shannon
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Publication number: 20050060567Abstract: An administration system for use within a server system is provided. The server system having a server that provides host management functions and the server system being able to accept computer cards inserted therein. The administration system comprises a computing system that is inserted in the server system, the computing system having a controller that assumes control over the communications bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2004Publication date: March 17, 2005Applicant: Symbium CorporationInventors: John Shannon, Thane Brown, John McCarthy, David Watson, Anthony White
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Publication number: 20040248268Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and organisms for concentrating and recovering metals and minerals from aqueous media. In the inventive method, a eucaryotic aquatic organism capable of concentrating a metal or mineral is contacted an aqueous medium containing the metal or mineral, in order to concentrate the metal or mineral in the organism. Following concentration, the metal or mineral accumulated by the organism may be recovered. Sponges are very preferable organisms for isolating metals, e.g., gold and silver, from seawater.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventors: John Shannon, John R. Huffman
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Patent number: 6806081Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and organisms for concentrating and recovering metals and minerals from aqueous media. In the inventive method, a eucaryotic aquatic organism capable of concentrating a metal or mineral is contacted an aqueous medium containing the metal or mineral, in order to concentrate the metal or mineral in the organism. Following concentration, the metal or mineral accumulated by the organism may be recovered. Sponges are very preferable organisms for isolating metals, e.g, gold and silver, from seawater.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2001Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Inventors: John Shannon, John R. Huffman
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Publication number: 20040197942Abstract: A field emission backplate formed by laser crystallizing of an area of amorphous semiconductor based material. Emitter sites result from the rough surface texture caused by the crystallization process. The crystallization may be localized using laser interferometry, and profiled emitter tips grown on the localized crystalline areas. Such backplates can be used in field emission devices emitting into either a vacuum or a wide band gap light-emitting polymer. Furthermore, a backplate having self-aligned gates can be formed by depositing an insulator layer and a metal layer over the emitter tips, removing the top of the metal layer and etching away the insulator, leaving each tip surrounded by a metal rim. A planarizing agent can be used to refine this process.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Mervyn John Rose, Ravi Silva, John Shannon
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Patent number: 6752537Abstract: The invention includes a ferrule having a layer of material on an inner surface of a hole therein which is selected to be preferentially softenable relative to the bulk material of the ferrule. The ferrule according to the present invention can be fused to optical fibers, capillaries and the like while reducing deformation of the fused component and the ferrule. A fiber Bragg grating device and a flow cell device are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Polymicro Technologies, LLCInventors: James P Clarkin, John Shannon, Michael Swengler
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Publication number: 20040023131Abstract: A reticle for use in the production, using photo-lithography, of a MEMS or IC device containing one or more contact or via holes, comprises one or more apertures corresponding to said holes, and arranged to define said holes during the photo-lithography process, the reticle being characterised in that said apertures are substantially circular in shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Inventors: Brian Martin, John Perring, John Shannon