Patents by Inventor Neil Gershenfeld
Neil Gershenfeld 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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Patent number: 8041037Abstract: A cryptographic method and systems using a keyed one-way function. A sending device uses the keyed one-way function to authenticate one or more receiving devices prerequisite to communication. A multidimensional hypercube is generated, from which is formed a multidimensional vector by randomly selecting one corner of the multidimensional hypercube. The keyed one-way function is computed using the multidimensional vector.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2005Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Benjamin H. Recht, Neil A. Gershenfeld, Ali Rahimi
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Patent number: 8035414Abstract: A family of reconfigurable, charge-conserving asynchronous logic elements that interact with their nearest neighbors permits design and implementation of circuits that are asynchronous at the bit level, rather than at the level of functional blocks. These elements pass information by means of charge packets (tokens), rather than voltages. Each cell is self-timed, and cells that are configured as interconnect perform at propagation delay speeds, so no hardware non-local connections are needed. An asynchronous logic element comprises a set of edges for asynchronous communication with at least one neighboring cell, each edge having an input for receiving tokens from neighboring cells and an output for transferring an output charge packet to at least one neighboring cell, and circuitry configured to perform a logic operation utilizing received charge packets as inputs and to produce an output charge packet reflecting the result of the logic operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2009Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Neil Gershenfeld, Kailiang Chen, David Allen Dalrymple
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Patent number: 8013629Abstract: A family of reconfigurable asynchronous logic elements that interact with their nearest neighbors permits reconfigurable implementation of circuits that are asynchronous at the bit level, rather than at the level of functional blocks. These elements pass information by means of tokens. Each cell is self-timed, and cells that are configured as interconnect perform at propagation delay speeds, so no hardware non-local connections are needed. A reconfigurable asynchronous logic element comprises a set of edges for communication with at least one neighboring cell, each edge having an input for receiving tokens from neighboring cells and an output for transferring tokens to at least one neighboring cell, circuitry configured to perform a logic operation utilizing received tokens as inputs and to produce an output token reflecting the result of the logic operation, and circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: David Allen Dalrymple, Erik Demaine, Neil Gershenfeld, Forrest Green, Ara Knaian
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Publication number: 20110192227Abstract: In exemplary embodiments of this invention, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) includes a cantilevered proof mass and electrostatic drive. The electrostatic drive puts the proof mass into a controlled trajectory in which it oscillates rapidly, for example, by vibrating back and forth in a plane or traveling in a circular or elliptical orbit. The IMU detects lateral or angular acceleration of the IMU, by measuring the perturbations of the proof mass trajectory from the expected motion in a fixed, non-rotating inertial frame. In exemplary embodiments of this invention, the proof mass position and motion are measured by methods of differential potential measurement (with constant slope voltage), differential displacement current measurement, or phase-sensitive or synchronous detection of motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2011Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Ernest Post, Neil Gershenfeld
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Patent number: 7918244Abstract: Fluid-based no-moving part logic devices are constructed from complex sequences of micro- and nanofluidic channels, on-demand bubble/droplet modulators and generators for programming the devices, and micro- and nanofluidic droplet/bubble memory elements for storage and retrieval of biological or chemical elements. The input sequence of bubbles/droplets encodes information, with the output being another sequence of bubbles/droplets or on-chip chemical synthesis. For performing a set of reactions/tasks or process control, the modulators can be used to program the device by producing a precisely timed sequence of bubbles/droplets, resulting in a cascade of logic operations within the micro- or nanofluidic channel sequence, utilizing the generated droplets/bubbles as a control. The devices are based on the principle of minimum energy interfaces formed between the two fluid phases enclosed inside precise channel geometries.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2008Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Manu Prakash, Neil Gershenfeld
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Publication number: 20110048543Abstract: A method for implementing a logic operation employs an all fluid-based no-moving part micro-mechanical logic family of microfluidic bubble logic devices that are constructed from complex sequences of microfluidic channels, microfluidic bubble modulators for programming the devices, and microfluidic droplet/bubble memory elements for chemical storage and retrieval. The input is a sequence of bubbles/droplets encoding information, with the output being another sequence of bubbles/droplets. For performing a set of reactions/tasks, the modulators program the device by producing a precisely timed sequence of bubbles/droplets, resulting in a cascade of logic operations within the microfluidic channel sequence, utilizing the generated bubbles as a control. The devices are based on the principle of minimum energy interfaces formed between the two fluid phases enclosed inside precise channel geometries.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Manu Prakash, Neil Gershenfeld
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Patent number: 7860687Abstract: Methods for applications such as signal processing, analysis, and coding/decoding replace digital signal processing elements with analog components are implemented by combining soft logic gates and filters, permitting the functionality of complex finite state machines to be implemented.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2007Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Benjamin Vigoda, Neil Gershenfeld
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Patent number: 7848838Abstract: A digital assembler for creating three-dimensional objects from digital materials made out of discrete components comprises an assembly head, error correction mechanism, parts feeder, and a controller. The assembly head comprises several blades, each with a different function, that move in a linear direction as a unit, assembling the object line-by-line. One blade adds digital materials, another performs error recognition, another performs error removal, and another fills in new digital material where previously removed. In a method for building a structure out of digital materials, a new line is fed to the assembly head and added to the structure. Simultaneously, the new line is pressed down, the last line is checked for errors, the line before last is removed if errors were found during the last cycle, and the line second before last is replaced if it was removed during the previous cycle.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Neil Gershenfeld, Patrik Kunzler, George Alex Popescu
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Publication number: 20100289359Abstract: An electropermanent magnet-based motor includes a stator having at least one electropermanent magnet, at least one coil around the electropermanent magnet configured to pass current pulses that affect the magnetization of the magnet, and a rotor that is movable with respect to the stator in response to changes in the magnetization of the electropermanent magnet. A wobble motor has a stator with a centrally-located core from which arms radiate outward, an electropermanent magnet and coil on each arm, and a rotor exterior to the stator such that the rotor can rotate around the stator arms. A rotary motor has a centrally-located rotor that rotates about its axis and a stator exterior to the rotor such that the rotor may rotate within the stator arms, the stator including an anteriorly-located stator core from which stator arms radiate inward toward the rotor, and an electropermanent magnet and coil on each stator arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Ara Knaian, Neil Gershenfeld, Maxim Lobovsky
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Publication number: 20100292836Abstract: Cellular automotion digital material is useable for rapid prototyping and fabrication of continuous string conformations and two- or three-dimensional shapes through actuation of a string, surface, or volume composed of identical discrete units. Each unit is an actuated joint having a single degree of freedom. The actuated joint includes a two-part actuator having an inner active portion and an outer passive portion that are controllably rotatable relative to each other, the outer portion being configured to fit within the housing of an adjacent cellular automotion unit, and a linkage element that includes a main strut and a housing and is connected to the actuator by a pin connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Kenneth C. Cheung, Ara Knaian, Neil Gershenfeld
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Patent number: 7784495Abstract: An all fluid-based no-moving part micro-mechanical logic family of microfluidic bubble logic devices is constructed from complex sequences of microfluidic channels, microfluidic bubble modulators for programming the devices, and microfluidic droplet/bubble memory elements for chemical storage and retrieval. The input is a sequence of bubbles/droplets encoding information, with the output being another sequence of bubbles/droplets. For performing a set of reactions/tasks, the modulators program the device by producing a precisely timed sequence of bubbles/droplets, resulting in a cascade of logic operations within the microfluidic channel sequence, utilizing the generated bubbles as a control. The devices are based on the principle of minimum energy interfaces formed between the two fluid phases enclosed inside precise channel geometries. Various devices, including logic gates, non-volatile bistable memory, shift registers, multiplexers, and ring oscillators have been designed and fabricated.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Manu Prakash, Neil Gershenfeld
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Publication number: 20100185837Abstract: A family of reconfigurable asynchronous logic elements that interact with their nearest neighbors permits reconfigurable implementation of circuits that are asynchronous at the bit level, rather than at the level of functional blocks. These elements pass information by means of tokens. Each cell is self-timed, and cells that are configured as interconnect perform at propagation delay speeds, so no hardware non-local connections are needed. A reconfigurable asynchronous logic element comprises a set of edges for communication with at least one neighboring cell, each edge having an input for receiving tokens from neighboring cells and an output for transferring tokens to at least one neighboring cell, circuitry configured to perform a logic operation utilizing received tokens as inputs and to produce an output token reflecting the result of the logic operation, and circuitry.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2009Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: Massachussetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: David Allen Dalrymple, Erik Demaine, Neil Gershenfeld, Forrest Green, Ara Knaian
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Patent number: 7755765Abstract: An inertial sensor consisting of an electrodynamic trap for suspending one or more charged particles and a readout device for measuring variations in the position or motion of the particles when the trap is subjected to acceleration forces. Particle may be measured by optical interferometry, optical leverage, resonant electric field absorption, or by producing an image of the particle motion and processing the image data to obtain values representing the acceleration forces on the trap in one to six degrees of freedom. The electrodynamic trap employs electrodes to which a time-varying potential are applied to produce a quadupole field that constrains the charged particles to a specific location between said electrodes by a substantially linear, tunable restoring force.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2004Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Ernest Rehmi Post, Neil Gershenfeld
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Publication number: 20100102848Abstract: A family of reconfigurable, charge-conserving asynchronous logic elements that interact with their nearest neighbors permits design and implementation of circuits that are asynchronous at the bit level, rather than at the level of functional blocks. These elements pass information by means of charge packets (tokens), rather than voltages. Each cell is self-timed, and cells that are configured as interconnect perform at propagation delay speeds, so no hardware non-local connections are needed. An asynchronous logic element comprises a set of edges for asynchronous communication with at least one neighboring cell, each edge having an input for receiving tokens from neighboring cells and an output for transferring an output charge packet to at least one neighboring cell, and circuitry configured to perform a logic operation utilizing received charge packets as inputs and to produce an output charge packet reflecting the result of the logic operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2009Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Neil Gershenfeld, Kailiang Chen, David Allen Dalrymple
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Publication number: 20100033228Abstract: A distributed, reconfigurable statistical signal processing apparatus comprises an array of discrete-time analog signal processing circuitry for statistical signal processing based on a local message-passing algorithm and digital configuration circuitry for controlling the functional behavior of the array of analog circuitry. The input signal to the apparatus may be expressed as a probabilistic representation. The analog circuitry may comprise computational elements arranged in a network, with a receiving module that assigns probability values when an input signal arrives and communicates the probability values to one of the computational elements, the computational elements producing outputs based on the assigned probability values. The signal processing apparatus may be an analog logic automata cell or an array of cells, wherein each cell is able to communicate with all neighboring cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2009Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Neil Gershenfeld, Kailiang Chen, Jonathan Leu
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Patent number: 7560927Abstract: An electromagnetic field sensor or generator employing a radio frequency microstrip transmission channel formed by a low-loss dielectric substrate sandwiched between a non-resonant microstrip conductor and a conductive ground plane. A discontinuity in said microstrip conductor that substantially alters its cross-sectional dimensions causes electrical signals in the microstrip conductor to be inductively coupled to near field electromagnetic radiation in the vicinity of the discontinuity. The discontinuity may be defined by one or more holes, slots, slits or stubs in the microstrip. The sensor/generator may be used in numerous applications, including NMR spectrometry, as a near field scanning device to inspect operating integrated circuits, or to read or write data on magnetic materials.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2004Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yael Maguire, Neil Gershenfeld, Issac L. Chuang
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Publication number: 20080185057Abstract: Fluid-based no-moving part logic devices are constructed from complex sequences of micro- and nanofluidic channels, on-demand bubble/droplet modulators and generators for programming the devices, and micro- and nanofluidic droplet/bubble memory elements for storage and retrieval of biological or chemical elements. The input sequence of bubbles/droplets encodes information, with the output being another sequence of bubbles/droplets or on-chip chemical synthesis. For performing a set of reactions/tasks or process control, the modulators can be used to program the device by producing a precisely timed sequence of bubbles/droplets, resulting in a cascade of logic operations within the micro- or nanofluidic channel sequence, utilizing the generated droplets/bubbles as a control. The devices are based on the principle of minimum energy interfaces formed between the two fluid phases enclosed inside precise channel geometries.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2008Publication date: August 7, 2008Inventors: Manu Prakash, Neil Gershenfeld
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Publication number: 20080109103Abstract: A digital assembler for creating three-dimensional objects from digital materials made out of discrete components comprises an assembly head, error correction mechanism, parts feeder, and a controller. The assembly head comprises several blades, each with a different function, that move in a linear direction as a unit, assembling the object line-by-line. One blade adds digital materials, another performs error recognition, another performs error removal, and another fills in new digital material where previously removed. In a method for building a structure out of digital materials, a new line is fed to the assembly head and added to the structure. Simultaneously, the new line is pressed down, the last line is checked for errors, the line before last is removed if errors were found during the last cycle, and the line second before last is replaced if it was removed during the previous cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2007Publication date: May 8, 2008Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Neil Gershenfeld, Patrik Kunzler, George Alex Popescu
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Publication number: 20070188354Abstract: Methods for applications such as signal processing, analysis, and coding/decoding replace digital signal processing elements with analog components are implemented by combining soft logic gates and filters, permitting the functionality of complex finite state machines to be implemented.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2007Publication date: August 16, 2007Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Benjamin VIGODA, Neil GERSHENFELD
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Patent number: 7221275Abstract: Wireless tags with a plurality of non-equivalent current pathways altered to collectively represent encoded information, each of which responds differently to an interrogation signal. The element is subjected to a signal stimulating the current pathways, each of which contributes to an overall element response. The information may be recovered from the salient features of this overall response. These salient features include resonant frequency, amplitude, relative peak position, relative peak amplitude, damping, and Q factor.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2003Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Richard Fletcher, Neil Gershenfeld