Patents by Inventor Robert A. Groves

Robert A. Groves 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).

  • Publication number: 20140223210
    Abstract: A wide bandwidth resonant clock distribution comprises a clock grid configured to distribute a clock signal to a plurality of components of an integrated circuit and a tunable sector buffer configured to receive the clock signal and provide an output to the clock grid. The tunable sector buffer is configured to set latency and slew rate of the clock signal based on an identified resonant or non-resonant mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Bucelot, Alan J. Drake, Robert A. Groves, Jason D. Hibbeler, Yong I. Kim, Liang-Teck Pang, William R. Reohr, Phillip J. Restle, Michael G.R. Thomson
  • Publication number: 20140218087
    Abstract: A wide bandwidth resonant clock distribution comprises a clock grid configured to distribute a clock signal to a plurality of components of an integrated circuit, a tunable sector buffer configured to receive the clock signal and provide an output to the clock grid, at least one inductor, at least one tunable resistance switch, and a capacitor network. The tunable sector buffer is programmable to set latency and slew rate of the clock signal. The inductor, tunable resistance switch, and capacitor network are connected between the clock grid and a reference voltage. The at least one tunable resistance switch is programmable to dynamically switch the at least one inductor in or out of the clock distribution to effect at least one resonant mode of operation or a non-resonant mode of operation based on a frequency of the clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Bucelot, Alan J. Drake, Robert A. Groves, Jason D. Hibbeler, Yong I. Kim, Liang-Teck Pang, William R. Reohr, Phillip J. Restle, Michael G.R. Thomson
  • Patent number: 8754736
    Abstract: Disclosed is an inductor structure. The inductor structure includes a base material, at least one bottom spiral conductor disposed on the base material, a middle spiral conductor disposed on the bottom spiral conductor, a top spiral conductor disposed on the middle spiral conductor, and dielectric material separating the bottom, middle and top spiral conductors. The at least one bottom spiral conductor is connected electrically in parallel to the middle spiral conductor and the middle spiral conductor is connected electrically in series to the top spiral conductor. The top spiral conductor is thicker, narrower and less tightly wound than the middle spiral conductor and the bottom spiral conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Groves, Arvind Narayanan, Venkata N. R. Vanukuru
  • Patent number: 8728063
    Abstract: Light-source treatment devices such as dermatological or cosmetic devices include a skin contacting surface layer that is antimicrobial. The antimicrobial skin contacting surface layer enhances the cleanliness of the device and helps reduce infection and contamination risks associated with use of the devices, particularly where the treatment of multiple individuals occurs. The antimicrobial layer may be titanium dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Tria Beauty, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey I-Heng Liu, Robert Grove, Mark V. Weckwerth
  • Publication number: 20140110821
    Abstract: A semiconductor inductor structure may include a first spiral structure, located on a first metal layer, having a first outer-spiral electrically conductive track and a first inner-spiral electrically conductive track separated from the first outer-spiral electrically conductive track by a first dielectric material. A second spiral structure, located on a second metal layer, having a second outer-spiral electrically conductive track and a second inner-spiral electrically conductive track separated from the second outer-spiral electrically conductive track by a second dielectric material may also be provided. The first outer-spiral electrically conductive track may be electrically coupled to the second outer-spiral electrically conductive track and the first inner-spiral electrically conductive track may be electrically coupled to the second inner-spiral electrically conductive track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert L. Barry, Robert A. Groves, Venkata N.R. Vanukuru
  • Patent number: 8704576
    Abstract: A wide bandwidth resonant clock distribution comprises a clock grid configured to distribute a clock signal to a plurality of components of an integrated circuit, at least one inductor, at least one tunable resistance switch, and a capacitor network. The inductor, tunable resistance switch, and capacitor network are connected between the clock grid and a reference voltage. The at least one tunable resistance switch is programmable to dynamically switch the at least one inductor in or out of the clock distribution to effect at least one resonant mode of operation or a non-resonant mode of operation based on a frequency of the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Bucelot, Alan J. Drake, Robert A. Groves, Jason D. Hibbeler, Yong I. Kim, Liang-Teck Pang, William R. Reohr, Phillip J. Restle, Michael G. R. Thomson
  • Patent number: 8645898
    Abstract: Structures with high-Q value inductors, design structure for high-Q value inductors and methods of fabricating such structures is disclosed herein. A method in a computer-aided design system for generating a functional design model of an inductor is also provided. The method includes: generating a functional representation of a plurality of vertical openings simultaneously formed in a substrate, wherein a first of the plurality of vertical openings is used as through silicon vias and is etched deeper than a second of the plurality of vertical openings used for high-Q inductors; generating a functional representation of a dielectric layer formed in the plurality of vertical openings; and generating a functional representation of a metal layer deposited on the dielectric layer in the plurality of vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Mete Erturk, Robert A. Groves, Zhong-Xiang He, Peter J. Lindgren, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Publication number: 20140033149
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for capturing mutual coupling effects between an integrated circuit chip and chip package using electronic design automation (EDA) tools. Specifically, a method is provided that is implemented in a computer infrastructure for designing an integrated circuit chip. The method includes compiling process technology parameters that describe electrical behavior for a chip-package coupling and a package of the integrated circuit chip. The method also includes generating a parasitic technology file to include the compiled process technology parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert A. Groves, Wan Ni, Stephen A. St. Onge, Jiansheng Xu
  • Patent number: 8640077
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for capturing mutual coupling effects between an integrated circuit chip and chip package using electronic design automation (EDA) tools. Specifically, a method is provided that is implemented in a computer infrastructure for designing an integrated circuit chip. The method includes compiling process technology parameters that describe electrical behavior for a chip-package coupling and a package of the integrated circuit chip. The method also includes generating a parasitic technology file to include the compiled process technology parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Groves, Wan Ni, Stephen A. St. Onge, Jiansheng Xu
  • Publication number: 20130338736
    Abstract: Light-source treatment devices such as dermatological or cosmetic devices include a skin contacting surface layer that is antimicrobial. The antimicrobial skin contacting surface layer enhances the cleanliness of the device and helps reduce infection and contamination risks associated with use of the devices, particularly where the treatment of multiple individuals occurs. The antimicrobial layer may be titanium dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Harvey I-Heng Liu, Robert Grove, Mark V. Weckwerth
  • Publication number: 20120267794
    Abstract: Structures with high-Q value inductors, design structure for high-Q value inductors and methods of fabricating such structures is disclosed herein. A method in a computer-aided design system for generating a functional design model of an inductor is also provided. The method includes: generating a functional representation of a plurality of vertical openings simultaneously formed in a substrate, wherein a first of the plurality of vertical openings is used as through silicon vias and is etched deeper than a second of the plurality of vertical openings used for high-Q inductors; generating a functional representation of a dielectric layer formed in the plurality of vertical openings; and generating a functional representation of a metal layer deposited on the dielectric layer in the plurality of vertical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hanyi DING, Mete ERTURK, Robert A. GROVES, Zhong-Xiang HE, Peter J. LINDGREN, Anthony K. STAMPER
  • Publication number: 20120239016
    Abstract: A self-contained, hand-held device for providing radiation-based dermatological treatments includes a device body configured to be handheld by a user; a laser device supported in the device body, the laser device including a laser beam source configured to emit laser radiation; an application end configured to be manually moved across the surface of the skin during a treatment session; and electronics configured to control the laser beam source to emit laser radiation toward the skin to provide a dermatological treatment; wherein the device includes no optics downstream of the laser source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Harvey I-Heng Liu, Patrick Reichert, Tobin C. Island, Robert Grove
  • Publication number: 20120232538
    Abstract: A self-contained, hand-held device for providing fractional treatment to the skin includes a device body configured to be handheld by a user; a radiation source supported in the device body, the radiation source including a single beam source configured to emit a single energy beam; an application end configured to be manually moved across the skin during a treatment session; and electronics configured to pulse the single beam source to emit a sequence of pulsed energy beams to the skin while the application end is manually moved across the skin, thereby generating an array of treatment spots on the skin, wherein adjacent treatment spots generated on the skin are spaced apart from each other by areas of non-treated skin between the adjacent treatment spots, thereby providing a fractional treatment. Each pulsed energy beam emitted by the beam source has the same, fixed propagation path with respect to the device body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Harvey I-Heng Liu, Tobin C. Island, Patrick Reichert, Robert Grove
  • Publication number: 20120232537
    Abstract: A self-contained, hand-held device for delivering fractional radiation-based treatment to the skin includes a device body configured to be handheld by a user; a radiation source supported in the device body, the radiation source including a beam source configured to generate an energy beam; an application end configured to be manually moved across the surface of the skin during a treatment session; and electronics configured to control the radiation source during the treatment session such that the beam source emits a sequence of pulsed energy beams to the skin to generate an array of treatment spots on the skin, wherein adjacent treatment spots generated on the skin are spaced apart from each other by areas of non-treated skin between the adjacent treatment spots. Each energy beam emitted by the pulsed beam source has the same, fixed propagation path with respect to the device body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Harvey I-Heng Liu, Tobin C. Island, Mark V. Weckwerth, Robert Grove
  • Patent number: 8232173
    Abstract: Structures with high-Q value inductors, design structure for high-Q value inductors and methods of fabricating such structures is disclosed herein. A method in a computer-aided design system for generating a functional design model of an inductor is also provided. The method includes: generating a functional representation of a plurality of vertical openings simultaneously formed in a substrate, wherein a first of the plurality of vertical openings is used as through silicon vias and is etched deeper than a second of the plurality of vertical openings used for high-Q inductors; generating a functional representation of a dielectric layer formed in the plurality of vertical openings; and generating a functional representation of a metal layer deposited on the dielectric layer in the plurality of vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Mete Erturk, Robert A. Groves, Zhong-Xiang He, Peter J. Lindgren, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Publication number: 20120188047
    Abstract: Disclosed is an inductor structure. The inductor structure includes a base material, at least one bottom spiral conductor disposed on the base material, a middle spiral conductor disposed on the bottom spiral conductor, a top spiral conductor disposed on the middle spiral conductor, and dielectric material separating the bottom, middle and top spiral conductors. The at least one bottom spiral conductor is connected electrically in parallel to the middle spiral conductor and the middle spiral conductor is connected electrically in series to the top spiral conductor. The top spiral conductor is thicker, narrower and less tightly wound than the middle spiral conductor and the bottom spiral conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: ROBERT A. GROVES, Arvind Narayanan, Venkata N.R. Vanukuru
  • Publication number: 20120126792
    Abstract: Electrical structures, methods, and computer program products for radio frequency (RF) de-embedding are provided. A structure includes a first test device, a first through structure corresponding to the first test device, and a first open structure corresponding to the first test device. The structure also includes a second test device having at least one different physical dimension than the first test device but otherwise identical to the first test device, a second through structure corresponding to the second test device, and a second open structure corresponding to the second test device. A method includes determining a first electrical parameter of the first test device in a first DUT structure and a second electrical parameter of the second test device in a second DUT structure based on measured electrical parameters of the first and the second DUT structures, through structures, and open structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert A. GROVES, Ning LU, Christopher S. PUTNAM, Eric THOMPSON
  • Publication number: 20120104546
    Abstract: Structures with high-Q value inductors, design structure for high-Q value inductors and methods of fabricating such structures is disclosed herein. A method in a computer-aided design system for generating a functional design model of an inductor is also provided. The method includes: generating a functional representation of a plurality of vertical openings simultaneously formed in a substrate, wherein a first of the plurality of vertical openings is used as through silicon vias and is etched deeper than a second of the plurality of vertical openings used for high-Q inductors; generating a functional representation of a dielectric layer formed in the plurality of vertical openings; and generating a functional representation of a metal layer deposited on the dielectric layer in the plurality of vertical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hanyi DING, Mete ERTURK, Robert A. GROVES, Zhong-Xiang HE, Peter J. LINGREN, Anthony K. STAMPER
  • Patent number: 7851923
    Abstract: A backside contact structure and method of fabricating the structure. The method includes: forming a dielectric isolation in a substrate, the substrate having a frontside and an opposing backside; forming a first dielectric layer on the frontside of the substrate; forming a trench in the first dielectric layer, the trench aligned over and within a perimeter of the dielectric isolation and extending to the dielectric isolation; extending the trench formed in the first dielectric layer through the dielectric isolation and into the substrate to a depth less than a thickness of the substrate; filling the trench and co-planarizing a top surface of the trench with a top surface of the first dielectric layer to form an electrically conductive through via; and thinning the substrate from a backside of the substrate to expose the through via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mete Erturk, Robert A. Groves, Jeffrey Bowman Johnson, Alvin Jose Joseph, Qizhi Liu, Edmund Juris Sprogis, Anthony Kendall Stamper
  • Patent number: 7739636
    Abstract: Design structure embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing a design. The design structure includes active circuitry on a substrate, a bond pad carried by the substrate, and a shielding structure disposed between the substrate and the bond pad. The shielding structure includes a plurality of electrically characterized devices configured to reduce noise transmission from the active circuitry to the bond pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Collins, Mete Erturk, Edward J. Gordon, Robert Groves, Robert M. Rassel