Patents by Inventor Lu Zhou

Lu Zhou 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).

  • Patent number: 8242806
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a write operation are described. The systems include a logic element (LE) including an N-input look-up table (LUT) having a configurable random access memory (CRAM) including 2N memory cells. The systems further include a write address decoder coupled to the LE and a write address hard logic register that stores an address of one of the memory cells. N is an integer. The hard logic register removes a dependency of a timing relationship between a write address launch and a write to the CRAM on a design of an integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: David Cashman, David Lewis, Lu Zhou
  • Publication number: 20120039142
    Abstract: An integrated circuit having a logic element that includes an array of storage elements convertibly functioning as either a configuration random access memory (CRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM) is provided. The logic element includes first and second pairs of data paths having dedicated multiplexers. In one embodiment, the first and second pairs of data paths are multiplexed into bit lines of a row of the array. The logic element also includes a data path control block generating control signals for each of the dedicated multiplexers. The control signals determine whether the storage elements function as a CRAM or a SRAM. A method for selectively configuring a memory array between a CRAM mode and SRAM mode are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Philip Pan, Andy L. Lee, Lu Zhou, Aniket Kadkol
  • Patent number: 8081502
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with memory elements is provided. The memory elements may have memory element transistors with body terminals. Body bias control circuitry may supply body bias voltages that strengthen or weaken memory element transistors to improve read and write margins. The body bias control circuitry may dynamically control body bias voltages so that time-varying body bias voltages are supplied to memory element transistors. Address transistors and latch transistors in the memory elements may be selectively strengthened and weakened. Process variations may be compensated by weakening fast transistors and strengthening slow transistors with body bias adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Irfan Rahim, Jun Liu, Andy L. Lee, William Bradley Vest, Lu Zhou, Qi Xiang, Yanzhong Yu, Jeffrey Xiaoqi Tung, Albert Ratnakumar
  • Patent number: 8064280
    Abstract: An integrated circuit having a logic element that includes an array of storage elements convertibly functioning as either a configuration random access memory (CRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM) is provided. The logic element includes first and second pairs of data paths having dedicated multiplexers. In one embodiment, the first and second pairs of data paths are multiplexed into bit lines of a row of the array. The logic element also includes a data path control block generating control signals for each of the dedicated multiplexers. The control signals determine whether the storage elements function as a CRAM or a SRAM. A method for selectively configuring a memory array between a CRAM mode and SRAM mode are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Pan, Andy L. Lee, Lu Zhou, Aniket Kadkol
  • Patent number: 7948792
    Abstract: There are provided methods and devices for providing overdrive voltages to address lines to help prevent leakage current in semiconductor memories, such as configuration memories used with programmable logic devices. Specifically, for example, there is provided a memory that includes an array of memory cells. Each memory cell includes a retainer circuit. An access transistor is coupled to the retainer circuit. An overdrive voltage level may be applied to the access transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Andy L. Lee, Lu Zhou
  • Patent number: 7920410
    Abstract: Memory elements are provided that exhibit immunity to soft error upset events when subjected to radiation strikes such as high-energy atomic particle strikes. The memory elements may each have four inverter-like transistor pairs that form a bistable element and a pair of address transistors. There may be four nodes in the transistor each of which is associated with a respective one of the four inverter-like transistor pairs. There may be two control transistors each of which is coupled between the transistors in a respective one of the inverter-like transistor pairs. During data writing operations, the two control transistors may be turned off to temporarily decouple the transistors in two of the four inverter-like transistor pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Andy L. Lee, Irfan Rahim, Lu Zhou, Madhuri Mailavaram, Srinivas Perisetty
  • Publication number: 20100079234
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a thermistor and at least two electrodes electrically connected to the thermistor and to which a source of electrical power is applied to cause current to flow through the thermistor. The thermistor may be a composite and includes a polymer material; and a plurality of conductive carbon nanotubes distributed in the polymer material. The electrical device employed with the thermistor performs not only PTC property, but also NTC property. Moreover, the method for fabricating the electrical device is also simple and easy to carry out because of the simple process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicants: Tsinghua University, HON HAI Precision Industry Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Lu-Zhou Chen, Chang-Hong Liu, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Publication number: 20070248261
    Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods are provided by which multiple persons in remote physical locations can collaboratively interactively visualize a 3D data set substantially simultaneously. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, there can be, for example, a main workstation and one or more remote workstations connected via a data network. A given main workstation can be, for example, an augmented reality surgical navigation system, or a 3D visualization system, and each workstation can have the same 3D data set loaded. Additionally, a given workstation can combine real-time imagining with previously obtained 3D data, such as, for example, real-time or pre-recorded video, or information such as that provided by a managed 3D ultrasound visualization system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: Bracco Imaging, S.p.a.
    Inventors: Lu Zhou, Luis Serra, Lin Goh