Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Morf

Thomas E. Morf 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: 10637234
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit for providing ESD protection to an ESD protected circuit. The protection circuit comprises a signal pad and a crossover network for separating wanted electrical data signals and ESD signals according to their frequency. The protection circuit further comprises a first branch configured to transmit at least a spectral part of the wanted electrical data signals between the signal pad and the ESD protected circuit and a second branch configured to receive the ESD signals from the signal pad. Additionally there is provided a corresponding method, a corresponding integrated circuit chip and a corresponding design structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Morf, Thomas H. Toifl, Jonas R. Weiss
  • Patent number: 10516485
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided to reduce the wake-up time of a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) used in a data communication link. For example, in one aspect, a method for optical communications includes, in an optical communication device including a light-emitting device, applying a bias current to the light-emitting device and transmitting a pulse to the light-emitting device before transmitting a preamble signal or data signal to the light-emitting device, wherein the pulse has a voltage greater than a highest voltage of the preamble signal or data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alessandro Cevrero, Daniel M. Kuchta, Christian I. Menolfi, Thomas E. Morf, Ilter Özkaya, Marc A. Seifried
  • Publication number: 20190123830
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided to reduce the wake-up time of a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) used in a data communication link. For example, in one aspect, a method for optical communications includes, in an optical communication device including a light-emitting device, applying a bias current to the light-emitting device and transmitting a pulse to the light-emitting device before transmitting a preamble signal or data signal to the light-emitting device, wherein the pulse has a voltage greater than a highest voltage of the preamble signal or data signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Alessandro Cevrero, Daniel M. Kuchta, Christian I. Menolfi, Thomas E. Morf, Ilter Özkaya, Marc A. Seifried
  • Patent number: 10250332
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided to reduce the wake-up time of a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) used in a data communication link. For example, in one aspect, a method for optical communications includes, in an optical communication device including a light-emitting device, applying a bias current to the light-emitting device and transmitting a pulse to the light-emitting device before transmitting a preamble signal or data signal to the light-emitting device, wherein the pulse has a voltage greater than a highest voltage of the preamble signal or data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alessandro Cevrero, Daniel M. Kuchta, Christian I. Menolfi, Thomas E. Morf, Ilter Özkaya, Marc A. Seifried
  • Publication number: 20180287707
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided to reduce the wake-up time of a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) used in a data communication link. For example, in one aspect, a method for optical communications includes, in an optical communication device including a light-emitting device, applying a bias current to the light-emitting device and transmitting a pulse to the light-emitting device before transmitting a preamble signal or data signal to the light-emitting device, wherein the pulse has a voltage greater than a highest voltage of the preamble signal or data signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Alessandro Cevrero, Daniel M. Kuchta, Christian I. Menolfi, Thomas E. Morf, Ilter Özkaya, Marc A. Seifried
  • Publication number: 20180267140
    Abstract: A novel system that allows for 3D radar detection that simultaneously captures the lateral and depth features of a target is disclosed. This system uses only a single transceiver, a set of delay-lines, and a passive antenna array, all without requiring mechanical rotation. By using the delay lines, a set of beat frequencies corresponding to the target presence can be generated in continuous wave radar systems. Likewise, in pulsed radar systems, the delays also allow the system to determine the 3D aspects of the target(s). Compared to existing solutions, the invention, in embodiments, allows for the implementation of simple, reliable, and power efficient 3D radars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: DAN CORCOS, Danny Elad, Ofer Markish, Thomas E. Morf, Jakob Vovnoboy
  • Patent number: 9857231
    Abstract: A sensor and method of making a sensor for detecting an incident signal is provided. The sensor includes a frame, an antenna and a platform configured to detect the incident signal, and a holding arm connected to the frame, the holding arm configured to structurally support the antenna and the platform, and further configured to operably connect the platform to an electronic device external to the frame. The holding arm includes a conductor having an axial length and a plurality of disturbance elements formed along the axial length of the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dan Corcos, Danny Elad, Bernd W. Gotsmann, Thomas E. Morf
  • Publication number: 20170373493
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit for providing ESD protection to an ESD protected circuit. The protection circuit comprises a signal pad and a crossover network for separating wanted electrical data signals and ESD signals according to their frequency. The protection circuit further comprises a first branch configured to transmit at least a spectral part of the wanted electrical data signals between the signal pad and the ESD protected circuit and a second branch configured to receive the ESD signals from the signal pad. Additionally there is provided a corresponding method, a corresponding integrated circuit chip and a corresponding design structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas E. Morf, Thomas H. Toifl, Jonas R. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20170336506
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention allow for radar imaging that is not range dependent for resolution. Arrays of cells comprised of antennas and true delays can be placed behind the target. The signal reflected by the individual cells provides information on whether the cell is blocked by the target. Additional information can be determined from the radar returns, such as material properties and target thickness. Similar structures can be constructed to act as wireless barcodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: DAN CORCOS, DANNY ELAD, OFER MARKISH, THOMAS E. MORF
  • Publication number: 20170199082
    Abstract: A sensor and method of making a sensor for detecting an incident signal is provided. The sensor includes a frame, an antenna and a platform configured to detect the incident signal, and a holding arm connected to the frame, the holding arm configured to structurally support the antenna and the platform, and further configured to operably connect the platform to an electronic device external to the frame. The holding arm includes a conductor having an axial length and a plurality of disturbance elements formed along the axial length of the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Dan Corcos, Danny Elad, Bernd W. Gotsmann, Thomas E. Morf
  • Patent number: 9397087
    Abstract: A distributed electrostatic discharge protection circuit includes a plurality of electrostatic discharge protection elements and a current balancing network connecting the plurality of electrostatic discharge protection elements. The current balancing network is configured in a return path of the distributed electrostatic discharge protection circuit such that during an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event, the circuit provides predefined current density within each of the electrostatic discharge protection elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lukas Kull, Thomas E. Morf, Jonas R. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20150241281
    Abstract: A bolometer device for use in a bolometer array. The bolometer device of the present invention measures radiation-induced temperature and includes a bolometer sensor and at least one holding element. The bolometer sensor includes at least two antenna elements. The antenna elements are coupled together with one of their ends at a center position. The bolometer sensor also includes a temperature sensing element attached at the center position of the at least two antenna elements, and detects a temperature at the center position. The temperature sensing element also provides an electrical measure in response to the temperature it detects. The holding elements provide support for the bolometer sensor at an end portion of one of the antenna elements. At least one of the holding elements is made of electrically conductive material so an electrical measure can be read out through the holding element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Corcos, Danny Elad, Noam Kaminski, Bernhard Klein, Lukas Kull, Thomas E. Morf
  • Patent number: 8957378
    Abstract: A THz radiation detector comprising a vertical antenna separated from a suspended platform by an isolating thermal air gap for concentrating THz radiation energy into a smaller suspended MEMS platform upon which a thermal sensor element is located. THz photon energy is converted into electrical energy via a thermally isolated air gap between plates of a coupling capacitor separated by a plurality of nano-tip spacers that determine the gap distance. The capacitor couples energy from the antenna to the thermal sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Corcos, Michel Despont, Danny Elad, Bernd Gotsmann, Lukas Kull, Thomas E. Morf
  • Publication number: 20140355204
    Abstract: Electronic circuit device (ECD) and method for conveying clock signal in an ECD. The ECD includes: a cooling fluid conduit network (CFCN) including at least one conduit adapted for conveying an electromagnetic signal, wherein the CFCN is arranged in thermal communication with a first set of one or more components of the ECD and is in signal communication with a second set, and wherein the CFCN is configured to convey both a cooling fluid in the at least one conduit and an electromagnetic signal via the at least one conduit; a clock signal injection unit configured to inject an electromagnetic clock signal (ECS) at an input location of the CFCN; and a clock signal collection unit configured to collect at an output location of the CFCN, an ECS for one or more components of the second set, wherein the ECS is conveyed via a conduit of the CFCN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mircea Gusat, Bruno Michel, Thomas E. Morf, Maria Soimu
  • Publication number: 20140355983
    Abstract: An electronic circuit device, including a combined optical transmission and cooling fluid conduit network. The network includes at least one cooling conduit having an optical transmission medium. The network is configured to convey a cooling fluid via the at least one cooling conduit and to convey an electromagnetic signal via the optical transmission medium. The network is in thermal communication with a first set of one or more components of the electronic circuit device and in signal communication with a second set of one or more components of the electronic circuit device. The first set and second set of components are at least partly overlapping. A method for conveying optical signal in such an electronic circuit device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mircea Gusat, Bruno Michel, Thomas E. Morf, Sebastien Ragot, Maria Soimu
  • Patent number: 8861064
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a device (10, 10a-10d) comprising: a set of on-chip circuits (110-160, 170, 180), each of the circuits configured to generate a magnetic field (300) perpendicular to a planar surface of the set when energized; a ferrofluidic layer (40) interfaced to the planar surface; and a logic circuit (50) configured to selectively energize (200, 200a) one ore more circuits of the set such as to generate a magnetic field at the energized circuits and a deformation (41, 44, 45) of the ferrofluidic layer in response thereto and to modulate optical beams (IR1, IR2) directed to the ferrofluid layer. Preferably, an additional liquid layer (60) is interfaced to the ferrofluid layer, opposite to the on-chip circuits, which is not miscible with the ferrofluid layer. The invention can be applied to micro-display/projection devices, programmable optical reflecting lenses, or to micro-molding applications for surface replication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tobias P. Lamprecht, Thomas E. Morf, Jonas R. Weiss
  • Patent number: 8717138
    Abstract: An inductor including a primary coil coaxially arranged and operated in parallel with isolated secondary coils each including at least one loop winding with two open-circuited ports. At least one phase shifting device is arranged between open-circuited ports of at least one secondary coil. A method to operate an inductor by combining primary and secondary coils with phase shifting devices to get a wide tuning range is also provided. The method includes the step of phase shifting open-circuited ports of at least one secondary coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marcel A. Kossel, Thomas E. Morf, Martin Leo Schmatz, Jonas R. Weiss
  • Patent number: 8543961
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing a device to operate in a coupling mode, a detection mode, or a reflection mode for incident light. The incident light has a wavelength ? and is incident upon a semiconductor structure of the device at an angle of incidence (?i). A voltage (V) is applied to the device. Each mode may be designed for an ON state and/or OFF state. For the coupling mode and detection mode, the ON state and OFF state is characterized by high and low absorption of the incident light, respectively, by the semiconductor structure in conjunction with the applied voltage V and angle of incidence ?i. For the reflection mode, the OFF state and ON states is characterized by a shift in the optical path length of ?/2 and about zero, respectively, in conjunction with the applied voltage V and angle of incidence ?i.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthias Fertig, Nikolaj Moll, Thomas E. Morf, Thomas Pflueger
  • Patent number: 8421573
    Abstract: An inductor including a primary coil coaxially arranged and operated in parallel with isolated secondary coils each including at least one loop winding with two open-circuited ports. At least one phase shifting device is arranged between open-circuited ports of at least one secondary coil. A method to operate an inductor by combining primary and secondary coils with phase shifting devices to get a wide tuning range is also provided. The method includes the step of phase shifting open-circuited ports of at least one secondary coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marcel A. Kossel, Thomas E. Morf, Martin Leo Schmatz, Jonas R. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20130082181
    Abstract: A THz radiation detector comprising a vertical antenna separated from a suspended platform by an isolating thermal air gap for concentrating THz radiation energy into a smaller suspended MEMS platform upon which a thermal sensor element is located. THz photon energy is converted into electrical energy via a thermally isolated air gap between plates of a coupling capacitor separated by a plurality of nano-tip spacers that determine the gap distance. The capacitor couples energy from the antenna to the thermal sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Corcos, Michel Despont, Danny Elad, Bernd Gotsmann, Lukas Kull, Thomas E. Morf