Patents by Inventor Richard Stephens
Richard Stephens 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: 20150279780Abstract: A wavy line interconnect structure that accommodates small metal lines and enlarged diameter vias is disclosed. The enlarged diameter vias can be formed using a self-aligned dual damascene process without the need for a separate via lithography mask. The enlarged diameter vias make direct contact with at least three sides of the underlying metal lines, and can be aligned asymmetrically with respect to the metal line to increase the packing density of the metal pattern. The resulting vias have an aspect ratio that is relatively easy to fill, while the larger via footprint provides low via resistance. An interconnect structure having enlarged diameter vias can also feature air gaps to reduce the chance of dielectric breakdown. By allowing the via footprint to exceed the minimum size of the metal line width, a path is cleared for further process generations to continue shrinking metal lines to dimensions below 10 nm.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: John H. Zhang, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Carl Radens, Yiheng Xu, Richard Stephen Wise, Akil K. Sutton, Terry Allen SPOONER, Nicole A. SAULNIER
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Publication number: 20150279784Abstract: A wavy line interconnect structure that accommodates small metal lines and large vias is disclosed. A lithography mask design used to pattern metal line trenches uses optical proximity correction (OPC) techniques to approximate wavy lines using rectangular opaque features. The large vias can be formed using a self-aligned dual damascene process without the need for a separate via lithography mask. Instead, a sacrificial layer allows etching of an underlying thick dielectric block, while protecting narrow features of the trenches that correspond to the metal line interconnects. The resulting vias have an aspect ratio that is relatively easy to fill, while the larger via footprint provides low via resistance. By lifting the shrink constraint for vias, thereby allowing the via footprint to exceed the minimum size of the metal line width, a path is cleared for further process generations to continue shrinking metal lines to dimensions below 10 nm.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation, STMicroelectronics, Inc.Inventors: John H. Zhang, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Carl Radens, Yiheng Xu, Richard Stephen Wise, Terry Spooner, Nicole A. Saulnier
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Publication number: 20150256367Abstract: A communication device includes a communication interface and a processor configured to generate, transmit, receive, and process signals. The communication device generates orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) frame(s) that include a two-dimensional (2D) start burst marker (BM), a data payload, and a 2D stop BM, and transmits the OFDM frame(s) to another communication device. Alternatively, the communication device receives OFDM frame(s) that include a 2D start BM and a 2D stop BM, and then identifies a data payload within those OFDM frame(s) based on the 2D start burst marker and a 2D stop BM. The 2D start and stop BMs are based on predetermined sequences having particular formats based on corresponding 2D sub-carrier and OFDM/A frame based structure. A receiver communication device then detects the 2D start BM and 2D stop BM within the received OFDM frame(s) based on knowledge of these predetermined sequences and particular formats.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2015Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATIONInventors: Richard Stephen Prodan, Mark Edward Laubach, Leo Montreuil
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Patent number: 9127604Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a spark module and a fuel module. The spark module advances spark timing of a cylinder R degrees past a spark limit for N consecutive cylinder firing events, and retards spark timing of the cylinder past the spark limit for M consecutive cylinder firing events after the N consecutive cylinder firing events. The fuel module supplies a rich fuel-air charge to the cylinder for the M consecutive cylinder firing events. According to the system, R is a real number greater than zero, N and M are integers greater than zero, and the spark limit is a control value used to limit an amount of spark advance to prevent spark-knock. A method for controlling an engine is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2011Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Inventor: Richard Stephen Davis
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Patent number: 9124477Abstract: A communication device includes a communication interface and a processor. In one example, the processor generates an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol that includes information modulated within sub-carriers and then interleaves the sub-carriers of the OFDM symbol to generate an interleaved OFDM symbol. This interleaving of the sub-carriers operates to write the plurality of sub-carriers to rows of a two dimensional (2D) array and read the plurality of sub-carriers from columns of the 2D array. This interleaving also operates to read a column of the columns using a bit-reversed address of the column when the bit-reversed address is less than a number of the columns and using the address of the column when the bit-reversed address is greater than or equal to the number of the columns. The processor transmits, via the communication interface, the interleaved OFDM symbol to another communication device.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2014Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Avraham Kliger, Tak Kwan Lee, Richard Stephen Prodan, Ba-Zhong Shen, Yitshak Ohana
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Publication number: 20150206863Abstract: A first package includes a laminate layer, an overmold layer above and in direct contact with the laminate layer, and a logic circuit-through-silicon via (TSV) layer including a first logic die and TSVs. The logic circuit-TSV layer is within the overmold layer, and the TSVs are electrically exposed at a top surface of the overmold layer. The first package may be fabricated and tested by a first party prior to being provided to a second party. A second package includes a second logic die. The second party may attach the second package to the first package at the electrically exposed TSVs of the first package to realize a complete and functional semiconductor device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2014Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Richard Stephen Graf, David Justin West
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Patent number: 9072505Abstract: An improved flexible endoscopic instrument to precisely and efficiently obtains samples of flat polyps and multiple polyps from a patient by debriding one or more polyps and retrieving the debrided polyps without having to alternate between using a separate cutting tool and a separate sample retrieving tool and may be used with an endoscope. In one aspect, the cutting tool is coupled to a flexible torque coil or torque rope that is configured to transfer rotational energy from a powered actuator through the length of the endoscope onto the cutting tool.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2014Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Interscope, Inc.Inventors: Cosme Furlong, Michael W. Marcoux, Richard Stephen Wisdom, William R. Rebh, Jr., Evan Costa, Stephen C. Evans
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Publication number: 20150162277Abstract: Ultra-low-k dielectric materials used as inter-layer dielectrics in high-performance integrated circuits are prone to be structurally unstable. The Young's modulus of such materials is decreased, resulting in porosity, poor film strength, cracking, and voids. An alternative dual damascene interconnect structure incorporates air gaps into a high modulus dielectric material to maintain structural stability while reducing capacitance between adjacent nanowires. Incorporation of an air gap having k=1.0 compensates for the use of a higher modulus film having a dielectric constant greater than the typical ultra-low-k (ULK) dielectric value of about 2.2. The higher modulus film containing the air gap is used as an insulator between adjacent metal lines, while a ULK film is retained to insulate vias. The dielectric layer between two adjacent metal lines thus forms a ULK/high-modulus dielectric bi-layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation, STMicroelectronics, Inc.Inventors: John H. Zhang, Yann Mignot, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Carl Radens, Richard Stephen Wise, Yiheng Xu, Yannick Loquet, Hsueh-Chung Chen
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Publication number: 20150162278Abstract: Ultra-low-k dielectric materials used as inter-layer dielectrics in high-performance integrated circuits are prone to be structurally unstable. The Young's modulus of such materials is decreased, resulting in porosity, poor film strength, cracking, and voids. An alternative dual damascene interconnect structure incorporates deep air gaps into a high modulus dielectric material to maintain structural stability while reducing capacitance between adjacent nanowires. Incorporation of a deep air gap having k=1.0 compensates for the use of a higher modulus film having a dielectric constant greater than the typical ultra-low-k (ULK) dielectric value of about 2.2. The higher modulus film containing the deep air gap is used as an insulator and a means of reducing fringe capacitance between adjacent metal lines. The dielectric layer between two adjacent metal lines thus forms a ULK/high-modulus dielectric bi-layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation, STMicroelectronics, Inc.Inventors: John H. Zhang, Hsueh-Chung Chen, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Yann Mignot, Carl Radens, Richard Stephen Wise, Yannick Loquet, Yiheng Xu
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Patent number: 9049069Abstract: A sparse equalizer system is disclosed. One or more multiple tapped delay lines (e.g., equalizers and/or pre-equalizers) are implemented to service one or more respective channels with which a communication device operates to support communications with at least one other communication device. Adaptive selection of which subsets of taps of the one or more multiple tapped delay lines is made to control those particular taps of which contribute to one or more subsequent slicer inputs. Those taps which are not currently operating to contribute to the slicer input may undergo processing, updating, etc. in parallel with or simultaneously with the processing of a signal to generate the outputs to be provided to the one or more subsequent slicers.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2013Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Kolze, Richard Stephen Prodan
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Patent number: 9038912Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates servicing a portion of a trade card via a web service. A web service can provide a portion of data to enhance a trade card, wherein the portion of data is at least one of a portion of trade card document-specific data, an intelligent gadget, or a feed driven component. A build component can leverage the web service to utilize the portion of data with the trade card.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Tomasz Kasperkiewicz, Blaise Aguera y Arcas, Brett D. Brewer, Steven Drucker, Karim Farouki, Gary W. Flake, Stephen L. Lawler, Donald James Lindsay, Adam Sheppard, Richard Stephen Szeliski, Jeffrey Jon Weir, Julio Estrada
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Patent number: 9033864Abstract: An endoscope for removing tissue at a surgical site includes an elongated tubular body insertable within a mammalian cavity of a patient. An instrument channel extends between a first opening at a distal end and a second opening at a proximal end of the tubular body and is sized and configured to receive a surgical cutting assembly that includes an aspiration channel configured to remove material entering the endoscope via a distal end of the surgical cutting assembly. A torque generation component configured to generate torque is positioned within the distal end and configured to provide the generated torque to a coupling component. The coupling component is positioned at the distal end of the elongated tubular member and configured to actuate a cutting component of the surgical cutting assembly responsive to actuation of the torque generation component.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Interscope, Inc.Inventors: Cosme Furlong, Michael W. Marcoux, Richard Stephen Wisdom, William R. Rebh, Jr., Evan Costa, Stephen C. Evans
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Patent number: 9033895Abstract: An endoscope for removing tissue at a surgical site includes an elongated tubular body insertable within a mammalian cavity of a patient. An instrument channel extends between a first opening at a distal end and a second opening at a proximal end of the tubular body and is sized and configured to receive a surgical cutting assembly that includes an aspiration channel configured to remove material entering the endoscope via a distal end of the surgical cutting assembly. A torque generation component configured to generate torque is positioned within the distal end and configured to provide the generated torque to a coupling component. The coupling component is positioned at the distal end of the elongated tubular member and configured to actuate a cutting component of the surgical cutting assembly responsive to actuation of the torque generation component.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Interscope, Inc.Inventors: Cosme Furlong, Michael W. Marcoux, Richard Stephen Wisdom, William R. Rebh, Jr., Evan Costa, Stephen C. Evans
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Patent number: 9028424Abstract: An endoscope for removing tissue at a surgical site includes an elongated tubular body insertable within a mammalian cavity of a patient. An instrument channel extends between a first opening at a distal end and a second opening at a proximal end of the tubular body and is sized and configured to receive a surgical cutting assembly that includes an aspiration channel configured to remove material entering the endoscope via a distal end of the surgical cutting assembly. A torque generation component configured to generate torque is positioned within the distal end and configured to provide the generated torque to a coupling component. The coupling component is positioned at the distal end of the elongated tubular member and configured to actuate a cutting component of the surgical cutting assembly responsive to actuation of the torque generation component.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Interscope, Inc.Inventors: Cosme Furlong, Michael W. Marcoux, Richard Stephen Wisdom, William R. Rebh, Jr., Evan Costa, Stephen C. Evans
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Patent number: 8977091Abstract: Multimode optical fiber systems with adjustable chromatic modal dispersion compensation are disclosed, wherein the system includes a VCSEL light source and primary and secondary optically coupled multimode optical fibers. Because the VCSEL light source has a wavelength spectrum that radially varies, its use with the primary multimode optical fiber creates chromatic modal dispersion that reduces bandwidth. The compensating multimode optical fiber is designed to have a difference in alpha parameter relative to the primary multimode optical fiber of ?0.1?????0.9. This serves to create a modal delay opposite to the chromatic modal dispersion. The compensation is achieved by using a select length of the compensating multimode optical fiber optically coupled to an output end of the primary multimode optical fiber. The compensating multimode optical fiber can be configured to be bend insensitive.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Xin Chen, Ming-Jun Li, Dale Robert Powers, Richard Stephen Vodhanel
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Publication number: 20150065911Abstract: An improved flexible endoscopic instrument to precisely and efficiently obtains samples of flat polyps and multiple polyps from a patient by debriding one or more polyps and retrieving the debrided polyps without having to alternate between using a separate cutting tool and a separate sample retrieving tool and may be used with an endoscope. In one aspect, the cutting tool is coupled to a flexible torque coil or torque rope that is configured to transfer rotational energy from a powered actuator through the length of the endoscope onto the cutting tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Cosme Furlong, Michael W. Marcoux, Richard Stephen Wisdom, William R. Rebh, JR., Evan Costa, Stephen C. Evans
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Publication number: 20150066961Abstract: A computing device can automatically generate a flow diagram showing statuses that objects in a system can possess, and the possible transitions between these statuses. Using snapshots of database data, the device can determine how the statuses of these objects have changed over time. The device can analyze the data to suggest which database fields likely represent object status. The device can render the flow diagram to illustrate system states at different selected times. Each rendered flow diagram can indicate, for the selected time point, the quantity of objects that possessed each status at that time, and, for a selected time interval, the quantity of objects that changed from each status to each other status during that time interval. The statuses can be represented in the flow diagram as status bubbles having sizes that are based on the quantities of objects have those bubble's statuses at the selected time point.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Oracle International CorporationInventors: RICHARD STEPHEN GRIEVE, Martin Hogg, Simon Leaver Lord, Conor O'Neill, James Steadman, Adam Chesney, Suman Karmakar, Stephen Vangasse
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Publication number: 20150067553Abstract: A computing device can automatically generate a flow diagram showing statuses that objects in a system can possess, and the possible transitions between these statuses. Using snapshots of database data, the device can determine how the statuses of these objects have changed over time. The device can analyze the data to suggest which database fields likely represent object status. The device can render the flow diagram to illustrate system states at different selected times. Each rendered flow diagram can indicate, for the selected time point, the quantity of objects that possessed each status at that time, and, for a selected time interval, the quantity of objects that changed from each status to each other status during that time interval. The statuses can be represented in the flow diagram as status bubbles having sizes that are based on the quantities of objects have those bubble's statuses at the selected time point.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Oracle International CorporationInventors: RICHARD STEPHEN GRIEVE, Martin Hogg, Simon Leaver Lord, Conor O'Neill, James Steadman, Adam Chesney, Suman Karmakar, Stephen Vangasse
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Publication number: 20150066898Abstract: A computing device can automatically generate a flow diagram showing statuses that objects in a system can possess, and the possible transitions between these statuses. Using snapshots of database data, the device can determine how the statuses of these objects have changed over time. The device can analyze the data to suggest which database fields likely represent object status. The device can render the flow diagram to illustrate system states at different selected times. Each rendered flow diagram can indicate, for the selected time point, the quantity of objects that possessed each status at that time, and, for a selected time interval, the quantity of objects that changed from each status to each other status during that time interval. The statuses can be represented in the flow diagram as status bubbles having sizes that are based on the quantities of objects have those bubble's statuses at the selected time point.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Oracle International CorporationInventors: Richard Stephen Grieve, Martin Hogg, Simon Leaver Lord, Conor O'Neill, James Steadman, Adam Chesney, Suman Karmakar, Stephen Vangasse
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Publication number: 20150066856Abstract: A computing device can automatically generate a flow diagram showing statuses that objects in a system can possess, and the possible transitions between these statuses. Using snapshots of database data, the device can determine how the statuses of these objects have changed over time. The device can analyze the data to suggest which database fields likely represent object status. The device can render the flow diagram to illustrate system states at different selected times. Each rendered flow diagram can indicate, for the selected time point, the quantity of objects that possessed each status at that time, and, for a selected time interval, the quantity of objects that changed from each status to each other status during that time interval. The statuses can be represented in the flow diagram as status bubbles having sizes that are based on the quantities of objects have those bubble's statuses at the selected time point.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Oracle International CorporationInventors: Richard Stephen Grieve, Martin Hogg, Simon Leaver Lord, Conor O'Neill, James Steadman, Adam Chesney, Suman Karmakar, Stephen Vangasse