Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080222018 | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS FOR THE HOUSING MARKET - A first financial instrument defines an interest in a property, where one or more buyers are given rights on at least part of a selling price of the property. The interest is purchasable by the interest buyers independently of time of sale of the property and independently of change of occupants of the property. A second financial instrument separates habitational rights in a habitable property from non-habitational rights in that property. A combination between the two financial instruments is also provided. | 09-11-2008 |
20080222143 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING LINKS TO SEARCH RESULTS WITH CORRESPONDING IMAGES - Methods and systems for displaying search engine results where the file links are displayed with corresponding images of things that fall within a given category are disclosed. Object detection software can be used with a search engine to provide search results to a user that contain specific images found within the result pages (i.e. the pages of the websites returned as the results). For a given class of objects, the user can be presented with images that contain that class of object along with the result hyperlinks, allowing the user to make a more informed choice as to which hyperlink is the most appropriate search result, without being inundated with all of image files present in the result pages. For example, a search engine geared toward searching on the Internet for information about people could be augmented to show images of the people associated with each of the page results, allowing the user to see the faces of the people described in the pages before selecting the hyperlinks and visiting those pages. | 09-11-2008 |
20080222144 | SEARCH ENGINE REFINEMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM - Methods for displaying Web search engine results are disclosed. A method for refining search results based on selecting icons indicating which links or keywords are appropriate or not appropriate for the desired results is disclosed. A method for refining search results based on a telephone reverse-lookup of an incoming call is also disclosed. A method for refining search results based on an input document, like a resume or job application, is also disclosed. | 09-11-2008 |
20110307547 | ELECTRONIC QUEUING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present disclosure describes methods and systems of allowing entities to create virtual queues that correspond to actual queue in an electronic queue-managing system, and allowing individuals to join the virtual queues using electronic devices (e.g., cell phone technology, wireless network communication technology). The queue-managing system updates the virtual queues based on information from an entity. The queue-managing system also sends messages and notifications of updated status of the virtual queues to the user periodically, automatically or in response to the user's request. | 12-15-2011 |
20120042386 | REPUTATION SYSTEM FOR WEB PAGES AND ONLINE ENTITIES - A method for providing a measure of trust for each participant in a network is disclosed, together with a method to calculate it automatically. In particular, a method for rating online entities, such as online identities is provided, which also takes into account the reputation of the raters. | 02-16-2012 |
20120296972 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VIRTUAL INTERACTIONS - Systems and methods for virtual interactions are described. One or more users can view or listen to media, react to the media and share such media experience virtually with others. The media experience can take place synchronously, asynchronously or both. | 11-22-2012 |
20130159098 | SELLER-DRIVEN METHOD FOR A BID SET SYSTEM - A method for automatically bidding on multiple on-line auction items up for bid where the number of items the bidder wishes to buy is less than the number of items up for bid is disclosed. A method of a seller or auction site giving a bidder the ability to add a listing to a set of listings that can be processed as above is also disclosed. | 06-20-2013 |
20140343995 | ELECTRONIC QUEUING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present disclosure describes methods and systems of allowing entities to create virtual queues that correspond to actual queue in an electronic queue-managing system, and allowing individuals to join the virtual queues using electronic devices (e.g., cell phone technology, wireless network communication technology). The queue-managing system updates the virtual queues based on information from an entity. The queue-managing system also sends messages and notifications of updated status of the virtual queues to the user periodically, automatically or in response to the user's request. | 11-20-2014 |
20150106720 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VIRTUAL INTERACTIONS - Systems and methods for virtual interactions are described. One or more users can view or listen to media, react to the media and share such media experience virtually with others. The media experience can take place synchronously, asynchronously or both. | 04-16-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080199282 | CLUSTER TOOL ARCHITECTURE FOR PROCESSING A SUBSTRATE - Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool). In one embodiment, the cluster tool is adapted to perform a track lithography process in which a photosensitive material is applied to a substrate, patterned in a stepper/scanner, and then removed in a developing process completed in the cluster tool. In one embodiment of the cluster tool, substrates are grouped together in groups of two or more for transfer or processing to improve system throughput, reduce the number of moves a robot has to make to transfer a batch of substrates between the processing chambers, and thus increase system reliability. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to increase the reliability of the substrate transfer process to reduce system down time. | 08-21-2008 |
20080223293 | CLUSTER TOOL ARCHITECTURE FOR PROCESSING A SUBSTRATE - A cluster tool for processing a substrate includes a cassette and a processing module including a first process chamber that is configured to perform a chill process on a substrate, a second processing chamber that is configured to perform a bake process on the substrate, and an input chamber. The first processing chamber, the second processing chamber, and the input chamber are substantially adjacent to each other. The processing modules also includes a robot that is configured to receive the substrate in the input chamber and transfer and position the substrate in the first processing chamber and second processing chamber. The robot includes a robot blade, an actuator, and a heat exchanging device. The heat exchanging device includes a chilled transfer assembly. The cluster tool also includes a 6-axis articulated robot configured to transfer the substrate between the cassette and the input chamber. | 09-18-2008 |
20090064928 | CLUSTER TOOL ARCHITECTURE FOR PROCESSING A SUBSTRATE - Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, substrates processed in the cluster tool have a more repeatable wafer history, and also the cluster tool has a smaller system footprint. In one embodiment, the cluster tool is adapted to perform a track lithography process in which a substrate is coated with a photosensitive material, is then transferred to a stepper/scanner, which exposes the photosensitive material to some form of radiation to form a pattern in the photosensitive material, which is then removed in a developing process completed in the cluster tool. In track lithography type cluster tools, since the chamber processing times tend to be rather short, and the number of processing steps required to complete a typical track system process is large, a significant portion of the time it takes to process a substrate is taken up by the processes of transferring the substrates in a cluster tool between the various processing chambers. In one embodiment of the cluster tool, the cost of ownership, is reduced by grouping substrates together and transferring and processing the substrates in groups of two or more to improve system throughput, and reduces the number of moves a robot has to make to transfer a batch of substrates between the processing chambers, thus reducing wear on the robot and increasing system reliability. In one aspect of the invention, the substrate processing sequence and cluster tool are designed so that the substrate transferring steps performed during the processing sequence are only made to chambers that will perform the next processing step in the processing sequence. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to improve the coater chamber, the developer chamber, the post exposure bake chamber, the chill chamber, and the bake chamber process results. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to increase the reliability of the substrate transfer process to reduce system down time. | 03-12-2009 |
20090064929 | CLUSTER TOOL ARCHITECTURE FOR PROCESSING A SUBSTRATE - Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, substrates processed in the cluster tool have a more repeatable wafer history, and also the cluster tool has a smaller system footprint. In one embodiment, the cluster tool is adapted to perform a track lithography process in which a substrate is coated with a photosensitive material, is then transferred to a stepper/scanner, which exposes the photosensitive material to some form of radiation to form a pattern in the photosensitive material, which is then removed in a developing process completed in the cluster tool. In track lithography type cluster tools, since the chamber processing times tend to be rather short, and the number of processing steps required to complete a typical track system process is large, a significant portion of the time it takes to process a substrate is taken up by the processes of transferring the substrates in a cluster tool between the various processing chambers. In one embodiment of the cluster tool, the cost of ownership is reduced by grouping substrates together and transferring and processing the substrates in groups of two or more to improve system throughput, and reduces the number of moves a robot has to make to transfer a batch of substrates between the processing chambers, thus reducing wear on the robot and increasing system reliability. In one aspect of the invention, the substrate processing sequence and cluster tool are designed so that the substrate transferring steps performed during the processing sequence are only made to chambers that will perform the next processing step in the processing sequence. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to improve the coater chamber, the developer chamber, the post exposure bake chamber, the chill chamber, and the bake chamber process results. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to increase the reliability of the substrate transfer process to reduce system down time. | 03-12-2009 |
20090067956 | CLUSTER TOOL ARCHITECTURE FOR PROCESSING A SUBSTRATE - Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, substrates processed in the cluster tool have a more repeatable wafer history, and also the cluster tool has a smaller system footprint. In one embodiment, the cluster tool is adapted to perform a track lithography process in which a substrate is coated with a photosensitive material, is then transferred to a stepper/scanner, which exposes the photosensitive material to some form of radiation to form a pattern in the photosensitive material, which is then removed in a developing process completed in the cluster tool. In track lithography type cluster tools, since the chamber processing times tend to be rather short, and the number of processing steps required to complete a typical track system process is large, a significant portion of the time it takes to process a substrate is taken up by the processes of transferring the substrates in a cluster tool between the various processing chambers. In one embodiment of the cluster tool, the cost of ownership, is reduced by grouping substrates together and transferring and processing the substrates in groups of two or more to improve system throughput, and reduces the number of moves a robot has to make to transfer a batch of substrates between the processing chambers, thus reducing wear on the robot and increasing system reliability. In one aspect of the invention, the substrate processing sequence and cluster tool are designed so that the substrate transferring steps performed during the processing sequence are only made to chambers that will perform the next processing step in the processing sequence. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to improve the coater chamber, the developer chamber, the post exposure bake chamber, the chill chamber, and the bake chamber process results. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to increase the reliability of the substrate transfer process to reduce system down time. | 03-12-2009 |
20120180983 | CLUSTER TOOL ARCHITECTURE FOR PROCESSING A SUBSTRATE - The present invention generally provides a cluster tool for processing a substrate. In one embodiment, the cluster tool comprises at least one processing rack, which comprises a first plurality of substrate processing chambers that are positioned adjacent to each other and aligned in a first direction, a second plurality of substrate processing chambers that are positioned adjacent to each other and adjacent to at least one of the first plurality of substrate processing chambers, the second plurality of substrate processing chambers being positioned in a second direction relative to the first direction, a first shuttle robot movable in the first direction for moving substrates between each of the first plurality of substrate processing chambers, and a second shuttle robot movable in the second direction for moving substrates between each of the second plurality of substrate processing chambers. | 07-19-2012 |
20120320361 | CLUSTER TOOL ARCHITECTURE FOR PROCESSING A SUBSTRATE - Embodiments of the invention generally include a robot assembly comprising a robot operable to position a substrate at one or more points within a plane, and a motion assembly having a motor operable to position the robot in a direction generally parallel to a first direction. The motion assembly comprises a robot support interface having the robot coupled thereto, and one or more walls that form an interior region in which the motor is enclosed. The walls define an elongated opening through which the robot support interface travels, and the motor is operable to move the robot support interface laterally in the elongated opening. The motion assembly further comprises one or more fan assemblies that are in fluid communication with the interior region. The fan assemblies are operable to create a subatmospheric pressure in the interior region thereby causing gas to flow through the elongated opening into the interior region. | 12-20-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110319173 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COLLABORATION - Techniques are disclosed for facilitating a shared activity conducted by multiple participants via remote devices, particularly when there are more players then available remote devices. For example, the shared activity may be users playing electronic versions of a variety of card games or board games (or other game types). Users interact with a central device and one or more remote devices. The central device may be used to present “public” information on a central game play field—such as a game board, draw and discard piles, place cards, current scores, whose turn it is, etc. And the remote devices are used to present “private” game information to individual players—such as a player's “hole cards” or letter tiles. Further, users may make game choices and provide game input by interacting with the handheld device. | 12-29-2011 |
20120007808 | Interactive game pieces using touch screen devices for toy play - There is provided a system and method for facilitating an interaction using first and second peripheral devices and related structures. Each of the first and second peripheral devices have a plurality of touch points for touching a touch surface of a touch-sensitive system. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method comprises detecting a plurality of contemporaneous touches on the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system. One of the first and second peripheral devices is identified based on the plurality of contemporaneous touches as compared to the plurality of touch points of one of the first and second peripheral devices. In some embodiments, orientation of the one of the first and second peripheral devices can be determined based on the plurality of contemporaneous touches as compared to the plurality of touch points of the one of the first and second peripheral devices. | 01-12-2012 |
20120007817 | Physical pieces for interactive applications using touch screen devices - There are provided systems and methods for facilitating an interaction with a first peripheral device using a touch-sensitive system having a processor and a touch surface. An example method includes detecting, using the processor, the first peripheral device touching the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system, identifying, using the processor, the first peripheral device touching the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system, and determining, using the processor, that the first peripheral device has an accessory attached thereto. A method may include determining, using the processor, transformation of the first peripheral device. Another method may include determining, using the processor, a position of the first peripheral device with respect to digital elements displayed on the touch surface, and interacting with the first peripheral device based on the position of the first peripheral device with respect to the digital elements displayed on the touch surface. | 01-12-2012 |
20120062490 | Game Pieces for Use with Touch Screen Devices and Related Methods - There is provided a system and method for communicating with a first peripheral device, of a plurality of peripheral devices, using a touch-sensitive system that has a processor and a touch surface. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method includes detecting, using the processor, a plurality of touches on the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system that are made by the first peripheral device. The method further includes identifying, using the processor, the first peripheral device based on the plurality of touches on the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system that are made by the first peripheral device. The method additionally includes communicating data, using the processor, to a receptive circuit of the first peripheral device in response to the identifying of the first peripheral device. | 03-15-2012 |
20130303279 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COLLABORATION - Techniques are disclosed for facilitating a shared activity conducted by multiple participants via remote devices, particularly when there are more players then available remote devices. For example, the shared activity may be users playing electronic versions of a variety of card games or board games (or other game types). Users interact with a central device and one or more remote devices. The central device may be used to present “public” information on a central game play field—such as a game board, draw and discard piles, place cards, current scores, whose turn it is, etc. And the remote devices are used to present “private” game information to individual players—such as a player's “hole cards” or letter tiles. Further, users may make game choices and provide game input by interacting with the handheld device. | 11-14-2013 |