Patents by Inventor Steven Maxwell

Steven Maxwell 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: 8515159
    Abstract: Over the past few years there has been a dramatic proliferation of digital cameras, and it has become increasingly easy to share large numbers of photographs with many other people. These trends have contributed to the availability of large databases of photographs. Effectively organizing, browsing, and visualizing such .seas. of images, as well as finding a particular image, can be difficult tasks. In this paper, we demonstrate that knowledge of where images were taken and where they were pointed makes it possible to visualize large sets of photographs in powerful, intuitive new ways. We present and evaluate a set of novel tools that use location and orientation information, derived semi-automatically using structure from motion, to enhance the experience of exploring such large collections of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Microsoft Corporation, University of Washington
    Inventors: Keith Noah Snavely, Steven Maxwell Seitz, Richard Szeliski
  • Patent number: 8463071
    Abstract: Over the past few years there has been a dramatic proliferation of digital cameras, and it has become increasingly easy to share large numbers of photographs with many other people. These trends have contributed to the availability of large databases of photographs. Effectively organizing, browsing, and visualizing such .seas. of images, as well as finding a particular image, can be difficult tasks. In this paper, we demonstrate that knowledge of where images were taken and where they were pointed makes it possible to visualize large sets of photographs in powerful, intuitive new ways. We present and evaluate a set of novel tools that use location and orientation information, derived semi-automatically using structure from motion, to enhance the experience of exploring such large collections of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignees: Microsoft Corporation, University of Washington
    Inventors: Keith Noah Snavely, Steven Maxwell Seitz, Richard Szeliski
  • Patent number: 8445385
    Abstract: Memory cells, and methods of forming such memory cells are provided that include a steering element coupled to a carbon-based reversible resistivity-switching material. In particular embodiments, methods in accordance with this invention etch a carbon nano-tube (“CNT”) film formed over a substrate, the methods including coating the substrate with a masking layer, patterning the masking layer, and etching the CNT film through the patterned masking layer using a non-oxygen based chemistry. Other aspects are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: April D. Schricker, Andy Fu, Michael Konevecki, Steven Maxwell
  • Patent number: 8428390
    Abstract: A “Blur Remover” provides various techniques for constructing deblurred images from a sequence of motion-blurred images such as a video sequence of a scene. Significantly, this deblurring is accomplished without requiring specialized side information or camera setups. In fact, the Blur Remover receives sequential images, such as a typical video stream captured using conventional digital video capture devices, and directly processes those images to generate or construct deblurred images for use in a variety of applications. No other input beyond the video stream is required for a variety of the embodiments enabled by the Blur Remover. More specifically, the Blur Remover uses joint global motion estimation and multi-frame deblurring with optional automatic video “duty cycle” estimation to construct deblurred images from video sequences for use in a variety of applications. Further, the automatically estimated video duty cycle is also separately usable in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Yunpeng Li, Sing Bing Kang, Neel Suresh Joshi, Steven Maxwell Seitz
  • Patent number: 8410582
    Abstract: A semiconductor p-i-n diode and method for forming the same are described herein. In one aspect, a SiGe region is formed between a region doped to have one conductivity (either p+ or n+) and an electrical contact to the p-i-n diode. The SiGe region may serve to lower the contact resistance, which may increase the forward bias current. The doped region extends below the SiGe region such that it is between the SiGe region and an intrinsic region of the diode. The p-i-n diode may be formed from silicon. The doped region below the SiGe region may serve to keep the reverse bias current from increasing as result of the added SiGe region. In one embodiment, the SiGe is formed such that the forward bias current of an up-pointing p-i-n diode in a memory array substantially matches the forward bias current of a down-pointing p-i-n diode which may achieve better switching results when these diodes are used with the R/W material in a 3D memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Abhijit Bandyopadhyay, Kun Hou, Steven Maxwell
  • Patent number: 8389375
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a method of forming a memory cell is provided, the method including: (1) forming a pillar above a substrate, the pillar comprising a steering element and a metal hardmask layer; (2) selectively removing the metal hardmask layer to create a void; and (3) forming a carbon-based switching material within the void. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventor: Steven Maxwell
  • Patent number: 8389971
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a memory cell is provided that includes a storage element formed from an MIM stack including (1) a first conductive layer; (2) an RRS layer formed above the first conductive layer; and (3) a second conductive layer formed above the RRS layer, at least one of the first and second conductive layers comprising a first semiconductor material layer. The memory cell includes a steering element coupled to the storage element, the steering element formed from the first semiconductor material layer of the MIM stack and one or more additional material layers. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Yung-Tin Chen, Chuanbin Pan, Andrei Mihnea, Steven Maxwell, Kun Hou
  • Patent number: 8268678
    Abstract: A method of making a non-volatile memory device includes providing a substrate having a substrate surface, and forming a non-volatile memory array over the substrate surface. The non-volatile memory array includes an array of semiconductor diodes, and each semiconductor diode of the array of semiconductor diodes is disposed substantially parallel to the substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Steven Maxwell, Michael Konevecki, Mark H. Clark, Usha Raghuram
  • Publication number: 20120228579
    Abstract: A semiconductor p-i-n diode and method for forming the same are described herein. In one aspect, a SiGe region is formed between a region doped to have one conductivity (either p+ or n+) and an electrical contact to the p-i-n diode. The SiGe region may serve to lower the contact resistance, which may increase the forward bias current. The doped region extends below the SiGe region such that it is between the SiGe region and an intrinsic region of the diode. The p-i-n diode may be formed from silicon. The doped region below the SiGe region may serve to keep the reverse bias current from increasing as result of the added SiGe region. In one embodiment, the SiGe is formed such that the forward bias current of an up-pointing p-i-n diode in a memory array substantially matches the forward bias current of a down-pointing p-i-n diode which may achieve better switching results when these diodes are used with the R/W material in a 3D memory array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Abhijit Bandyopadhyay, Kun Hou, Steven Maxwell
  • Publication number: 20120193756
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a vertical semiconductor diode is provided that includes (1) a first semiconductor layer formed above a substrate; (2) a second semiconductor layer formed above the first semiconductor layer; (3) a first native oxide layer formed above the first semiconductor layer; and (4) a third semiconductor layer formed above the first semiconductor layer, second semiconductor layer and first native oxide layer so as to form the vertical semiconductor diode that includes the first native oxide layer. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Steven Maxwell, Abhijit Bandyopadhyay, Kun Hou, Er-Xuan Ping, Yung-Tin Chen, Li Xiao
  • Publication number: 20120169770
    Abstract: Over the past few years there has been a dramatic proliferation of digital cameras, and it has become increasingly easy to share large numbers of photographs with many other people. These trends have contributed to the availability of large databases of photographs. Effectively organizing, browsing, and visualizing such .seas. of images, as well as finding a particular image, can be difficult tasks. In this paper, we demonstrate that knowledge of where images were taken and where they were pointed makes it possible to visualize large sets of photographs in powerful, intuitive new ways. We present and evaluate a set of novel tools that use location and orientation information, derived semi-automatically using structure from motion, to enhance the experience of exploring such large collections of images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicants: University of Washington, Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Noah Snavely, Steven Maxwell Seitz, Richard Szeliski
  • Publication number: 20120169734
    Abstract: Over the past few years there has been a dramatic proliferation of digital cameras, and it has become increasingly easy to share large numbers of photographs with many other people. These trends have contributed to the availability of large databases of photographs. Effectively organizing, browsing, and visualizing such .seas. of images, as well as finding a particular image, can be difficult tasks. In this paper, we demonstrate that knowledge of where images were taken and where they were pointed makes it possible to visualize large sets of photographs in powerful, intuitive new ways. We present and evaluate a set of novel tools that use location and orientation information, derived semi-automatically using structure from motion, to enhance the experience of exploring such large collections of images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicants: University of Washington, Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Noah Snavely, Steven Maxwell Seitz, Richard Szeliski
  • Patent number: 8207064
    Abstract: A semiconductor p-i-n diode and method for forming the same are described herein. In one aspect, a SiGe region is formed between a region doped to have one conductivity (either p+ or n+) and an electrical contact to the p-i-n diode. The SiGe region may serve to lower the contact resistance, which may increase the forward bias current. The doped region extends below the SiGe region such that it is between the SiGe region and an intrinsic region of the diode. The p-i-n diode may be formed from silicon. The doped region below the SiGe region may serve to keep the reverse bias current from increasing as result of the added SiGe region. In one embodiment, the SiGe is formed such that the forward bias current of an up-pointing p-i-n diode in a memory array substantially matches the forward bias current of a down-pointing p-i-n diode which may achieve better switching results when these diodes are used with the R/W material in a 3D memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Abhijit Bandyopadhyay, Kun Hou, Steven Maxwell
  • Patent number: 8183121
    Abstract: Methods in accordance with aspects of this invention form microelectronic structures in accordance with other aspects this invention, such as non-volatile memories, that include (1) a bottom electrode, (2) a resistivity-switchable layer disposed above and in contact with the bottom electrode, and (3) a top electrode disposed above and in contact with the resistivity-switchable layer; wherein the resistivity-switchable layer includes a carbon-based material and a dielectric filler material. Numerous additional aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: April D. Schricker, Steven Maxwell
  • Publication number: 20120091418
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a memory cell is provided that includes (1) a bipolar storage element formed from a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) stack including (a) a first conductive layer; (b) a reversible resistivity switching (RRS) layer formed above the first conductive layer; (c) a metal/metal oxide layer stack formed above the first conductive layer; and (d) a second conductive layer formed above the RRS layer and the metal/metal oxide layer stack; and (2) a steering element coupled to the storage element. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Yung-Tin Chen, Franz Kreupl, Steven Maxwell, Kun Hou
  • Patent number: 8160400
    Abstract: Over the past few years there has been a dramatic proliferation of digital cameras, and it has become increasingly easy to share large numbers of photographs with many other people. These trends have contributed to the availability of large databases of photographs. Effectively organizing, browsing, and visualizing such .seas. of images, as well as finding a particular image, can be difficult tasks. In this paper, we demonstrate that knowledge of where images were taken and where they were pointed makes it possible to visualize large sets of photographs in powerful, intuitive new ways. We present and evaluate a set of novel tools that use location and orientation information, derived semi-automatically using structure from motion, to enhance the experience of exploring such large collections of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Noah Snavely, Steven Maxwell Seitz, Richard Szeliski
  • Publication number: 20110304687
    Abstract: A “Blur Remover” provides various techniques for constructing deblurred images from a sequence of motion-blurred images such as a video sequence of a scene. Significantly, this deblurring is accomplished without requiring specialized side information or camera setups. In fact, the Blur Remover receives sequential images, such as a typical video stream captured using conventional digital video capture devices, and directly processes those images to generate or construct deblurred images for use in a variety of applications. No other input beyond the video stream is required for a variety of the embodiments enabled by the Blur Remover. More specifically, the Blur Remover uses joint global motion estimation and multi-frame deblurring with optional automatic video “duty cycle” estimation to construct deblurred images from video sequences for use in a variety of applications. Further, the automatically estimated video duty cycle is also separately usable in a variety of applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neel Suresh Joshi, Sing Bing Kang, Yunpeng Li, Steven Maxwell Seitz
  • Patent number: 8076056
    Abstract: A method of making a device includes forming an underlying mask layer over an underlying layer, forming a first mask layer over the underlying mask layer, patterning the first mask layer to form first mask features, undercutting the underlying mask layer to form underlying mask features using the first mask features as a mask, removing the first mask features, and patterning the underlying layer using at least the underlying mask features as a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Chun-Ming Wang, Steven Maxwell, Paul Wai Kie Poon, Yung-Tin Chen
  • Publication number: 20110193042
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a method of forming a memory cell is provided, the method including: (1) forming a pillar above a substrate, the pillar comprising a steering element and a metal hardmask layer; (2) selectively removing the metal hardmask layer to create a void; and (3) forming a carbon-based switching material within the void. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Steven Maxwell
  • Patent number: 7927977
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a first layer comprising a seed material over an underlying layer, forming a second layer comprising a sacrificial material over the first layer, the sacrificial material being different from the seed material, patterning the first layer and the second layer into a plurality of separate features, forming an insulating filling material between the plurality of the separate features, removing the sacrificial material from the separate features to form a plurality of openings in the insulating filling material such that the seed material is exposed in the plurality of openings, and growing a semiconductor material on the exposed seed material in the plurality of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Raghuveer S. Makala, Vance Dunton, Yoichiro Tanaka, Steven Maxwell, Tong Zhang, Steven J. Radigan