| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080225993 | HYBRID PILOT CONFIGURATION - Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate employing a hybrid pilot configuration in a wireless communications network. A hybrid pilot configuration includes common pilot symbols and dedicated pilots multiplexed together within a time transmission interval. The multiplexed pilot symbols can be received and utilized to demodulate channels. Common pilot symbols can be employed to demodulate control channels and dedicated pilot symbols can be utilized to demodulate data channels. Moreover, the dedicated pilot symbols can be employed to generate a channel estimate. The common pilot channels can be utilized in combination with the dedicated pilot symbols to augment the channel estimate. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20090016459 | USING CODEWORDS IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - Systems, methodologies, and devices are described that can facilitate bandwidth efficient non-coherent signaling for uplink control channel transmissions. A communication device (e.g., a mobile device, base station) can be configured to utilize or generate a set of complex orthogonal codewords to facilitate transmission of control channel information using non-coherent signaling in a bandwidth efficient manner. A complex orthogonal codeword set can comprise a first subset of codewords where such codewords have a desirable cross-correlation property and another subset(s) of codewords that can include expurgated codewords, where the expurgated codewords can include discarded codewords and/or codeword pairs that produce a worst-case cross-correlation property. The codeword set and subsets are determined based at least in part on a predefined codeword criterion. A portion of the discarded codewords can be used for other purposes, such as erasure decoding, interference-level estimation, and/or multi-mode control channel operation. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20110280333 | DEDICATED REFERENCE SIGNAL - Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate utilizing dedicated reference signal in connection with downlink transmissions. A dedicated reference signal can comprise a set of dedicated reference symbols, which are inserted into a resource block in accordance with a specification provided by a dedicated reference signal structure. The dedicated reference signal structure can vary according to a rank utilized in the downlink transmission. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110280345 | TAIL-BITING CONVOLUTIONAL DECODING - Methods and apparatuses for enhanced processing of received channels in a mobile communications system is described. Particularly, convolutionally encoded tail biting data in a mobile communications system is efficiently decoding by replicating the received encoded signal N times, where N equals a number of iterations. A Viterbi decoding algorithm is applied and a most likely survivor path is obtained. The ensuing decoding window is set as a fixed decoding window and placed at a mid-section of the most likely survivor path. Simulations have shown codeword accuracy to be comparable to MLSE with less complexity. A high degree of accuracy has been obtained for N=3. | 11-17-2011 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20110044188 | TIMING ADJUSTMENTS IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - Methods, systems, apparatus and computer program products are provided to improve synchronization of information units communicated in a wireless communication system. Timing misalignment in the transmission of adjacent information units can produce gaps or overlaps in the transmitted information. In a long-term evolution (LTE) wireless communication system, such gaps and overlaps can be eliminated or reduced by adjusting the lengths of a cyclic prefix portion of one or more transmitted symbols. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the disclosed subject matter. Therefore, it is to be understood that it should not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110129009 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EFFICIENT CHANNEL ESTIMATION - Aspects of the present disclosure describe an efficient channel estimation algorithm for high-speed processing of dedicated reference signals. The channel estimation algorithm may utilize one or more compressed interpolation matrices. The compressed interpolation matrices may be selected based on the Doppler value and signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the channel. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110141927 | PRECODING CONTROL CHANNELS IN WIRELESS NETWORKS - Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate precoding signals transmitted over downlink control channels to provide transmit diversity. A dedicated reference signal (DRS) related to a wireless device can additionally be precoded such that the wireless device can determine a precoder or related parameters based at least in part on performing a channel estimate for the precoded DRS signal. The wireless device can utilize the determined precoder or related parameters to decode precoded signals received over downlink control channel resources. Additionally or alternatively, an access point can signal a sequence of precoders to the wireless device. The access point can cycle through the sequence of precoders to precode signals for transmission over downlink control channel resources, and the wireless device can decode the signals based at least in part on similarly cycling through the precoders for received signals. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110170436 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RELAY TRANSITION TIME - An apparatus and method for establishing a relay transition time in a network node in a wireless communication system comprising comparing a network node transmit/receive (TX/RX) switch time to a switch threshold; and using a fraction of the cyclic prefix (CP) as a guard period if the network node TX/RX switch time is less than or equal to the switch threshold, or using a sounding reference signal (SRS) configured channel to blank out a last symbol if the network node TX/RX switch time is greater than the switch threshold. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110170458 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PHYSICAL CONTROL FORMAT INDICATOR CHANNEL (PCFICH) INFORMATION SHARING OVER RELAY BACKHAUL LINK - An apparatus and method for communicating information in a relay downlink backhaul between a base station and at least one relay node comprising: determining a first starting symbol index of at least one control channel in the relay downlink backhaul; determining a second starting symbol index of at least one data channel in the relay downlink backhaul; and communicating information using the at least one control channel based on the first starting symbol index and the at least one data channel based on the second starting symbol index in the relay downlink backhaul. In one example, the apparatus and method comprise receiving information using a control channel based on a first starting symbol index and a data channel based on a second starting symbol index in the relay downlink backhaul. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110182385 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RELIABILITY-AIDED PRUNING OF BLIND DECODING RESULTS - Reliability metric(s), based on output of a decoder module, associated with each possible hypothesis associated with blind decoding are provided that aids a pruning process by rejecting unreliable CRC-passed hypotheses. In an aspect, a downlink control channel carries scheduling assignments and other control information. As location, size, and CRC masking associated with downlink control information are not known to a receiver, blind decoding over possible hypotheses may be performed. The complex structure of the downlink control channel blind decoding results in increasing false alarm(s). Intelligent rules for pruning the decoding results are employed so that unreliable CRC-passed hypotheses are rejected as a function of respective reliability metric. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110190024 | INTERFERENCE MITIGATION BY PUNCTURING TRANSMISSION OF INTERFERING CELLS - Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate controlling interference in a heterogeneous wireless communication environment. A Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) transmission from an interfering base station can be punctured based upon a puncturing pattern as a function of a cell identifier (ID) and a transmit time. Puncturing can be effectuated by applying power control. Thus, a punctured symbol or subframe can have a reduced transmit power or a transmit power set to zero. Further, the puncturing pattern can be defined on a subframe basis or on a symbol basis. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110216842 | TRANSMISSION OF UE-SPECIFIC REFERENCE SIGNAL FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION - Techniques for transmitting UE-specific reference signals (UE-RSs) in a wireless network are described. In an aspect, a UE-RS may be transmitted in different manners depending on the number of layers used for data transmission. In one design, a cell may determine subcarriers for a UE-RS based on a frequency shift if data is transmitted on one layer and based on a predetermined set of subcarriers (with no frequency shift) if data is transmitted on multiple layers. In another aspect, a UE-RS may be transmitted on subcarriers determined based on a frequency shift for data transmission on multiple layers. In yet another aspect, a UE-RS may be transmitted from a plurality of cells to a UE for coordinated multi-point (CoMP). In yet another aspect, a UE-RS may be transmitted in a data section of a subframe including only the data section. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110255450 | MULTIPLEXING OF PEER-TO-PEER (P2P) COMMUNICATION AND WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN) COMMUNICATION - Techniques for supporting peer-to-peer (P2P) communication and wide area network (WAN) communication are disclosed. In one aspect, P2P communication may be supported on an uplink spectrum. A user equipment (UE) may communicate (i) with a base station on both a downlink spectrum and an uplink spectrum for WAN communication and (ii) with another UE on only the uplink spectrum for P2P communication. In another aspect, P2P communication may be supported by time division multiplexing the downlink and uplink (or transmit and receive links) for two UEs. In yet another aspect, WAN communication and P2P communication may be time division multiplexed, so that both can be concurrently supported by a UE. In yet another aspect, transmission gaps may be provided between WAN transmissions and P2P transmissions in order to avoid interference between these transmissions. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20120036416 | LIST VITERBI DECODING OF TAIL BITING CONVOLUTIONAL CODES - A low complexity List Viterbi algorithm (LVA) for decoding tail biting convolutional codes (TBCCs) has lower complexity than a solution of running the LVA algorithm for all states. In one aspect, a low complexity LVA-TBCC process includes finding a list of states from a single Viterbi algorithm and finding a list of potential codewords for each state in the state list using the LVA. A cyclic redundancy check may prune out false solutions. The disclosed method may be applied to many communication systems to improve error performance similar to LTE downlink PBCH decoding enhancements. | 02-09-2012 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090091540 | Method and apparatus for controlling timing of status change of electronics apparatus based on user's finger location and input speed - A method and apparatus adjusts a timing of state change of an electronics apparatus having an input device by measuring user's input speed for the input device and a distance of user's finger from the input device. The method includes the steps of measuring a current interval CI between recent two input operations in a series of input operations conducted through the input device, calculating an average interval AI of the series of input operations, calculating a reference interval RI determined from the equation: RI=K×AI, where K denotes a proportional coefficient, determining whether a current interval CI is equal to or less than the reference interval, and suspending an occurrence of the second system state change until a first system state has been responded in case when the current interval CI is equal to or less than the reference interval RI. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20100268448 | Dynamic destination map display for navigation system - A map display apparatus and method for a navigation changes a map scale dynamically to help the driver visualize the environment of the destination when the vehicle is approaching the destination. The map scale is changed dynamically to display the destination along with at least one map attribute near the destination to provide more information to the driver. The navigation system includes, among others, a searching unit and a scale changing unit to change the map scale to display the destination along with at least one map attribute when the vehicle is approaching the destination. The navigation system also includes a priority table to prioritize the map attributes and the searching unit searches the map attributes near the destination according to order in the priority table. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20110246056 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EFFICIENTLY USING A BATTERY IN A SMARTPHONE HAVING A NAVIGATION SYSTEM - This invention relates to a method and apparatus to optimize energy consumption in a mobile phone having a navigation system. More specifically, this invention relates to a navigation-based method and apparatus to efficiently use a smartphone battery to deliver the highest possible location accuracy to the driver. In one embodiment, when the driver is travelling from a complex route segment to a less complex route segment, a current location sensor is switched to another location sensor with lower location accuracy which consumes less battery power. In another embodiment, when the driver is travelling from a less complex route segment to a complex route segment, the navigation system continues to use a location sensor with lower accuracy until the navigation system determines that switching to higher accuracy location sensor is necessary to conserve more battery power. The navigation system can determine a best timing to switch according to the driver's familiarity with the route segment or geographical area. | 10-06-2011 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090233696 | OFFLINE PAYOUT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method and computer program product for a method includes defining a first data set and a second data set on a handheld device. The first data set defines at least an identity of a winner at an electronic gaming device, The second data set defines at least an amount of winnings. At least a portion of the first data set and at least a portion of the second data set are stored for subsequent submission to a casino management system. The portions stored define transaction data. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090283582 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING MEMBERSHIP - A method, system, and computer program product for defining identification information for a patron on a handheld device. The identification information for the patron is provided to an enrollment process. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20100063861 | PROMOTIONAL ASSOCIATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method, system, and computer program product for defining an identity of a patron. An account associated with the patron is determined, and either the account or the identity is associated with a promotion. The association defines promotional association data. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100131369 | GROUP ASSOCIATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method, system, and computer program product defines an identity of a patron of a casino. Whether the patron has an account within the casino is determined. If the patron has an account, the account associated with the patron is determined. If the patron does not have an account, an account is generated and associated with the patron. The account is associated with a group of patrons. | 05-27-2010 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080281302 | DETACHABLE ANEURYSM NECK BRIDGE - In one embodiment, a neck bridge for bridging the neck of an aneurysm includes a junction region, a number of radially extending array elements attached to the junction region, and a cover attached to one or both of the junction region and an array element. The array elements are configured to be positioned within the aneurysm after the neck bridge is deployed from a delivery device. In a second embodiment, the neck bridge includes a junction region and a braided or mesh-like structure secured to the junction region. The braided or mesh-like structure is made from an elastic material. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20100222804 | DETACHABLE ANEURYSM NECK BRIDGE - In one embodiment, a neck bridge for bridging the neck of an aneurysm includes a junction region, a number of radially extending array elements attached to the junction region, and a cover attached to one or both of the junction region and an array element. The array elements are configured to be positioned within the aneurysm after the neck bridge is deployed from a delivery device. In a second embodiment, the neck bridge includes a junction region and a braided or mesh-like structure secured to the junction region. The braided or mesh-like structure is made from an elastic material. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20110118768 | OCCLUSIVE CINCHING DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE - Methods and devices for blocking orifices and occluding cavities within a patient are provided. The device in one variation comprises first and second tubular members attached to a collapsible sealing element. The device can be placed through an orifice and the collapsible sealing element can be collapsed to seal the orifice. An embolic may be introduced distal to the sealing element to occlude a cavity. The device may incorporate a locking mechanism which can be engaged to lock the sealing element into the collapsed position. The device may incorporate a valve to prevent flow through the tubular members, for example to prevent egress of the embolic from a cavity. The device can be detached to provide a permanent seal of the orifice, and can retain the embolic within the cavity. The device may be used in conjunction with a stent or other retention device to assist the sealing element in maintaining the seal. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110282378 | DETACHABLE ANEURYSM NECK BRIDGE - A device for bridging a neck of an aneurysm, comprises a junction region, one or more radially extending array elements secured to the junction region, each array element having an unfolded shape and a delivery shape; and a cover attached to the junction region, and extending over the delivery shape of the array elements, wherein each array element is attached at one end to the junction region and the array elements are constructed and arranged to unfold the cover when assuming their unfolded shape, and wherein the device further comprises a tip, and each array element is attached at another end to the tip, the tip comprising an opening through which a vaso-occlusive device or occlusion fluid may be delivered. | 11-17-2011 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20110225232 | Service Cloud Console - Various embodiments described or referenced herein are directed to different devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for providing contextual information via a user interface provided in a web browser. The user interface may display a plurality of components including a first component displaying object record information associated with an object record stored in a database and a second component displaying contextual information related to the stored object record information. Edited object record information may be received at the client machine. An indication of the edited object record information may be provided to the second user interface component of the user interface in the web browser. A request for updated contextual information related to the edited object record information may be transmitted from the client machine to the server. The updated contextual information may be displayed in the second user interface component of the user interface. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110225233 | Service Cloud Console - Various embodiments described or referenced herein are directed to different devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for providing cross-domain communication via a user interface provided in a web browser. A first one or more trusted data network domains for a first user interface component may be identified. A second user interface component provided from a second data network domain accessible via a second one or more servers may be opened for display. A first event message may be transmitted from the second user interface component to the first user interface component. If the second data network domain is within the first one or more trusted data network domains, one or more operations may be performed within the first user interface component in response to the first event message. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110225495 | Service Cloud Console - Various embodiments described or referenced herein are directed to different devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for processing a call via a user interface in a web browser. An incoming call directed to a client machine may be identified. The call may comprise a communication from an individual associated with an account. Object record information associated with the account may be stored in a communicably accessible database. A user interface component may be opened, responsive to the incoming call, at the client machine for display in the user interface in the web browser. The opened user interface component may display object record information associated with the account. Edited object record information comprising a modification to the object record information associated with the opened user interface component may be received at the client machine. The edited object record information may be displayed in the opened user interface component. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110225500 | Service Cloud Console - Various embodiments described or referenced herein are directed to different devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for processing information entered via a user interface provided in a web browser on a display device of a client machine in communication with a server. The user interface may be capable of displaying a plurality of components, including a first component that may display object record information associated with an object record stored in a database. Edited object record information may be received at the client machine and displayed in the first user interface component. The first user interface component may be designated as unsaved. An interrupt event associated with possible loss of the edited information may be detected. A warning message indicating the detection of the interrupt event may be displayed in the web browser, and one or more selections for responding to the warning message may be provided. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110225506 | Service Cloud Console - Various embodiments described or referenced herein are directed to different devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for displaying object record information via a user interface provided in a web browser. A request to display a user interface component may be received. The user interface component may include first stored object record information associated with a first object record in a database stored on a server. Whether the requested user interface component including the first stored object record information is open in the user interface may be determined. When it is determined that the requested user interface component is not open in the user interface, the first stored object record information may be retrieved from the server. The requested user interface component at the client machine may be generated without reloading the user interface. | 09-15-2011 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20100010606 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD INCLUDING A SENSOR - Disclosed herein is an implantable medical lead. In one embodiment, the lead includes a tubular body, a sensor module, and a distal crimp sleeve. The tubular body includes a distal end and a proximal end. The sensor module includes a sensor and a housing enclosing the sensor. The housing is operably coupled to the tubular body and includes a distal end cap. The distal crimp sleeve is operably coupled to the distal end cap and extends proximally therefrom. The longitudinal axis of the distal crimp sleeve is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100049290 | MRI COMPATIBLE LEAD - Disclosed herein is an implantable medical lead. In one embodiment, the lead includes a ring electrode, a tip electrode, first and second helically wound coaxial conductor coils, and a distal coil transition. The coils extend between the proximal and distal ends of the lead. The distal coil transition is proximal to the ring electrode and near the distal end and is where the first coil transitions from being outside the second coil proximal of the distal coil transition to being inside the second coil distal of the distal coil transition. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100211144 | LEAD CONNECTOR PIN AND BODY ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - An implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the lead includes a body, at least one electrode and a lead connector end. The body includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The at least one electrode is on the distal portion. The lead connector end is on the proximal portion and includes a pin contact and a retainer assembly. The pin contact is electrically coupled to the at least one electrode and proximally extends from the lead connector end. The retainer assembly retains the pin contact as part of the lead connector end and includes a collar and a cap. The cap is secured within the collar via an interference fit arrangement and includes a hole through which the pin contact extends. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100211149 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD HAVING AN ANCHOR PROVIDING ENHANCED FIXATION - An implantable medical lead is disclosed herein wherein the lead employs a helical distal tip anchor having improved fixation capabilities. The implantable medical lead may include a body and a helical anchor. The body may include a distal end and a proximal end. The helical anchor may be at least one of extending and extendable from the distal end. The helical anchor may include at least one loop including first and second straight sides that intersect at a first corner. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20110106231 | MRI-COMPATIBLE IMPLANTABLE LEAD HAVING A HEAT SPREADER AND METHOD OF USING SAME - An implantable lead is provided that comprises a lead body and a header assembly. The lead body has a distal end and a proximal end. The lead body is configured to be implanted in a patient. The header assembly is provided at the distal end of the lead body and includes an internal chamber and a tissue engaging end. An electrode is provided on the header assembly. The electrode is configured to deliver a stimulating pulse. A resonant inductor is located within the chamber in the header assembly. An electrically floating heat spreader is provided on the header assembly. The heat spreader is located proximate to the resonant inductor and is positioned on the header assembly to cover at least a portion of the resonant inductor. The heat spreader is thermally coupled to the resonant inductor to convey thermal energy away from the header assembly. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110125240 | BIOCOMPATIBLE INDUCTOR FOR IMPLANTABLE LEAD AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A biocompatible inductor for an implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. In one embodiment the biocompatible inductor may include a biocompatible bobbin and a wire wound about a barrel of the biocompatible bobbin to form a coil. The wire may include an electrically conductive core, an electrically conductive biocompatible jacket extending over the core, and a coating of high dielectric strength insulation material extending over the jacket. Additionally, the biocompatible inductor may include medical adhesive located in gaps within the coil and a polyester shrink tube covering the coil. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110152990 | MRI COMPATIBLE LEAD EMPLOYING MULTIPLE MINIATURE INDUCTORS - An implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. The lead includes a first electrode and a first electrical circuit. The first electrode is near a distal portion of the lead. The first electrical circuit extends through the lead to the first electrode and includes at least one conductor and a first band stop filter coupled between the distal end of the conductor and the electrode. The first band stop filter includes a first group of inductors in parallel and a second group of inductors in parallel. The first group is in series with the second group. The first group of inductors may include a self resonant L. The first group of inductors may include a self resonant tank LC. The first group of inductors may include a miniature self resonant L or miniature self resonant tank LC. The first group of inductors may include an integrated circuit of L and C components. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110238102 | TRANSSEPTAL DELIVERY INSTRUMENT - Access to the left side of the heart is gained through a heart wall. A delivery instrument includes a guide that may include or carry a puncturing instrument that is adapted to be directed toward the heart wall. In some embodiments a distal portion of the delivery instrument may be adapted to be co-located with the coronary sinus. In addition, the guide may be located a known distance from the portion of the delivery instrument that is co-located with the coronary sinus. Access to the left side of the heart may thus be readily gained by positioning the delivery instrument relative to the coronary sinus. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110245842 | LEFT CHAMBER PRESSURE SENSOR LEAD DELIVERY SYSTEM - An apparatus for and method of measuring pressure through a septum in a patient's heart. A lead inserted into the right side of a heart is routed through the septum to gain access to the left side of the heart. The lead includes a mounting mechanism that secures the lead to one or both sides of the septal walls. The lead also includes one or more sensors for measuring cardiac pressure on the left side of the heart and, as necessary, the right side of the heart. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20120101558 | IMPLANTABLE LEADS HAVING COILED CONDUCTORS TO REDUCE RF-INDUCED CURRENT - An implantable lead assembly includes an outer jacket, first and second coiled conductors, and first and second electrodes. The outer jacket is elongated along a center axis and includes a body that radially extends between opposite interior and exterior surfaces. The interior surface defines an elongated lumen. The coiled conductors are held within the body of the outer jacket between the interior and exterior surfaces of the outer jacket and are wrapped around the lumen and the center axis. The electrodes are coupled with the outer jacket and electrically coupled to the coiled conductors in order to at least one of deliver stimulus pulses or sense electrical activity. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120109273 | IMPLANTABLE LEAD ASSEMBLY HAVING A PLURALITY OF INDUCTORS - An implantable lead assembly includes an elongated body, a bobbin, and a conductor. The elongated body includes a distal end having an electrode and a proximal end having a header connector portion for coupling the elongated body with an implantable medical device. The bobbin is disposed in the elongated body. The conductor is disposed in the elongated body and is electrically coupled with the header connector portion and the electrode. The conductor is wound around the bobbin to form first and second inductive coils that are axially separated from each other by an inter-coil gap formed from the bobbin. The first and second inductive coils have different self resonant frequencies. | 05-03-2012 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20100019388 | METHOD FOR AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT CONTACT - A process for forming vertical contacts in the manufacture of integrated circuits and devices eliminating the need for precise mask alignment and allowing the etching of the contact hole controlled independent of the etching of the interconnect trough that may be repeated during the formation of multilevel integrated circuits. The process includes forming an insulating layer on the surface of a substrate; forming an etch stop layer on the surface of the insulating layer; forming an opening in the etch stop layer; etching to a first depth through the opening in the etch stop layer and into the insulating layer to form an interconnect trough; forming a photoresist mask on the surface of the etch stop layer and in the trough; and continuing to etch through the insulating layer until reaching the surface of the substrate to form a contact hole. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100102433 | APPARATUS FOR USE IN SEMICONDUCTOR WAFER PROCESSING FOR LATERALLY DISPLACING INDIVIDUAL SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER - A chip-scale or wafer-level package, having passivation layers on substantially all surfaces thereof to form a hermetically sealed package, is provided. The package may be formed by disposing a first passivation layer on the passive or back side surface of a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer may be attached to a flexible membrane and diced, such as by a wafer saw, to separate the semiconductor devices. Once diced, the flexible membrane may be stretched so as to laterally displace the individual semiconductor devices away from one another and substantially expose the side edges thereof. Once the side edges of the semiconductor devices are exposed, a passivation layer may be formed on the side edges and active surfaces of the devices. A portion of the passivation layer over the active surface of each semiconductor device may be removed so as to expose conductive elements formed therebeneath. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100282164 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING TEMPERATURE DURING MICROFEATURE WORKPIECE PROCESSING, E.G., CVD DEPOSITION - The present disclosure provides methods and systems for controlling temperature. The method has particular utility in connection with controlling temperature in a deposition process, e.g., in depositing a heat-reflective material via CVD. One exemplary embodiment provides a method that involves monitoring a first temperature outside the deposition chamber and a second temperature inside the deposition chamber. An internal temperature in the deposition chamber can be increased in accordance with a ramp profile by (a) comparing a control temperature to a target temperature, and (b) selectively delivering heat to the deposition chamber in response to a result of the comparison. The target temperature may be determined in accordance with the ramp profile, but the control temperature in one implementation alternates between the first temperature and the second temperature. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20110163416 | METHODS FOR FORMING SMALL-SCALE CAPACITOR STRUCTURES - The present disclosure provides small scale capacitors (e.g., DRAM capacitors) and methods of forming such capacitors. One exemplary implementation provides a method of fabricating a capacitor that includes sequentially forming a first electrode, a dielectric layer, and a second electrode. At least one of the electrodes may be formed by a) reacting two precursors to deposit a first conductive layer at a first deposition rate, and b) depositing a second conductive layer at a second, lower deposition rate by depositing a precursor layer of one precursor at least one monolayer thick and exposing that precursor layer to another precursor to form a nanolayer reaction product. The second conductive layer may be in contact with the dielectric layer and have a thickness of no greater than about 50 Å. | 07-07-2011 |
