Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130001136 | Processes and Systems For Solvent Extraction of Bitumen From Oil Sands - Processes and systems are described for solvent extraction of bitumen from oil sands. Fines agglomeration is employed to simplify subsequent separation. A high quality bitumen product can be formed, which meets or exceeds downstream processing and pipeline requirements. An embodiment comprises combining a first solvent and a bituminous feed to form an initial slurry, which is optionally separated into fine solids and coarse solids. Slurry solids are agglomerated. A low solids bitumen extract from the agglomerated slurry is mixed with a second solvent having a similar or lower boiling point than the first. The mixture is separated, solvent recovered, and a high grade bitumen product is formed. Exemplary systems comprise a mixbox, agglomerator, separator unit with optional countercurrent washer and deep cone settler, and TSRU. Processes are provided for fractionating a hydrocarbon fluid into heavier and lighter fractions. The lighter fraction may be used in solvent extraction of bitumen. | 01-03-2013 |
20130075306 | MULTI-STAGE COUNTER-CURRENT FROTH SETTLER AND METHOD OF USE - A method for recovery of bitumen from a bitumen-containing froth utilizes solvent and a single, froth settling vessel having a plurality of internals therein. The froth is first diluted with enough solvent to reduce the viscosity of the froth and the diluted froth is added to the vessel above the internals. Additional of the solvent is added to the vessel, either below the internals, intermediate the internals or both and is flowed counter-current to the diluted froth which is flowing downwardly over the plurality of internals. A gradient of solvent concentration relative to hydrocarbon concentration is formed through the internals which act as multiple stages of separation. The product, being bitumen and other light components, are carried with the solvent to the top of the vessel. The heavier components such as water, solids and asphaltene aggregates fall to the bottom of the vessel by gravity. Where paraffinic solvents are used, the solvent to bitumen ratio for the initial dilution of the froth is kept below a ratio at which the asphaltenes are rejected. Substantially all of the asphaltene rejection occurs in the settling vessel as the solvent to bitumen ratio increases therein. | 03-28-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130006910 | CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS, APPARATUS, AND METHODS - A system includes a centralized repository for tracking rule content and managing subscriptions to rule content by organizations and providers utilizing the system; a rule-evaluation server for receiving requests for rule-evaluations for specific patients, wherein the server determines content needing to be evaluated and retrieves the content to be used; a rule engine for performing the evaluations, wherein content, patient data, and rule evaluation parameters are provided to the engine, and the engine returns recommendations triggered by the evaluation, if any; an aggregator for aggregating recommendations from multiple sources, detecting and coordinating related recommendations, and applying configuration settings based on the patient and/or provider in context; and a client component for coordinating communication between an electronic health records system, the server, and the aggregator. | 01-03-2013 |
20130006911 | CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS, APPARATUS, AND METHODS - A system includes a centralized repository for tracking rule content and managing subscriptions to rule content by organizations and providers utilizing the system; a rule-evaluation server for receiving requests for rule-evaluations for specific patients, wherein the server determines content needing to be evaluated and retrieves the content to be used; a rule engine for performing the evaluations, wherein content, patient data, and rule evaluation parameters are provided to the engine, and the engine returns recommendations triggered by the evaluation, if any; an aggregator for aggregating recommendations from multiple sources, detecting and coordinating related recommendations, and applying configuration settings based on the patient and/or provider in context; and a client component for coordinating communication between an electronic health records system, the server, and the aggregator. | 01-03-2013 |
20130006912 | CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS, APPARATUS, AND METHODS - A system includes a centralized repository for tracking rule content and managing subscriptions to rule content by organizations and providers utilizing the system; a rule-evaluation server for receiving requests for rule-evaluations for specific patients, wherein the server determines content needing to be evaluated and retrieves the content to be used; a rule engine for performing the evaluations, wherein content, patient data, and rule evaluation parameters are provided to the engine, and the engine returns recommendations triggered by the evaluation, if any; an aggregator for aggregating recommendations from multiple sources, detecting and coordinating related recommendations, and applying configuration settings based on the patient and/or provider in context; and a client component for coordinating communication between an electronic health records system, the server, and the aggregator. | 01-03-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080202885 | ANTI-PINCH SYSTEM - An anti-pinch system of a vehicle closure includes a detection system for detecting pinching and a clutch to disconnect the vehicle closure from a closure driving mechanism following detection of pinching by the detection system. The closure drive mechanism can be disengaged to prevent an increase in pinching during the time required to reverse the movement of the closure driving mechanism. | 08-28-2008 |
20090199605 | LATCH ASSEMBLY - A latch assembly includes a chassis, a latch bolt moveably mounted on the chassis and having a closed position for retaining a striker and an open position for releasing the striker, a pawl having an engaged position at which the pawl is engaged with the latch bolt to hold the latch bolt in the closed position and a disengaged position at which the pawl is disengaged from the latch bolt, thereby allowing the latch bolt to move to the open position, an eccentric arrangement defining an eccentric axis and a pawl axis remote from the eccentric axis. The eccentric arrangement is rotatable about the eccentric axis, and the pawl is rotatable about the pawl axis. When the pawl moves from the engaged position to the disengaged position, the eccentric arrangement rotates in one of a clockwise and a counter-clockwise direction about the eccentric axis. With the pawl in the engaged position, a force applied to the pawl by the latch bolt creates a turning moment on the eccentric arrangement in the one of the clockwise and counter-clockwise direction, and the eccentric arrangement is prevented from rotating in said one of the clockwise and counter-clockwise direction by a moveable abutment. | 08-13-2009 |
20100032968 | MOTOR ARRANGEMENT - A motor arrangement includes a rotor with a north rotor magnetic pole and a south rotor magnetic pole, the rotor being rotatable about a rotor axis between a first rotor position and a second rotor position. The rotor includes a first rotor abutment and a second rotor abutment. The motor arrangement includes a stator having a first stator magnetic pole and a second stator magnetic pole, the stator having a first stator condition in which the first stator magnetic pole is a north stator magnetic pole and the second stator magnetic pole is a south stator magnetic pole, and a second stator condition in which the first stator magnetic pole is a south stator magnetic pole and the second stator magnetic pole is a north stator magnetic pole. The first stator condition corresponds to the first rotor position in which the north rotor magnetic pole is proximate the second stator magnetic pole and the south rotor magnetic pole is proximate the first stator magnetic pole, and the second stator condition corresponds to the second rotor position in which the north rotor magnetic pole is proximate the first stator magnetic pole and the south rotor magnetic pole is proximate the second stator magnetic pole. The motor arrangement includes an output member rotatable about the rotor axis and having a first output abutment engageable by the first rotor abutment to move the output member in a first rotational direction and having a second output abutment engageable by the second rotor abutment to move the output member in a second rotational direction. The output member is rotatable relative to the rotor to a limited extent defined by the first and second output abutments and the first and second rotor abutments. The motor arrangement includes a first stop to limit movement of the rotor past the first rotor position and a second stop to limit movement of the rotor past the second rotor position. | 02-11-2010 |
20150211266 | LATCH ASSEMBLY - A latch assembly includes a chassis, a latch bolt moveably mounted on the chassis and having a closed position for retaining a striker and an open position for releasing the striker, a pawl having an engaged position at which the pawl is engaged with the latch bolt to hold the latch bolt in the closed position and a disengaged position at which the pawl is disengaged from the latch bolt, thereby allowing the latch bolt to move to the open position, an eccentric arrangement defining an eccentric axis and a pawl axis remote from the eccentric axis. The eccentric arrangement is rotatable about the eccentric axis, and the pawl is rotatable about the pawl axis. When the pawl moves from the engaged position to the disengaged position, the eccentric arrangement rotates in one of a clockwise and a counter-clockwise direction about the eccentric axis. With the pawl in the engaged position, a force applied to the pawl by the latch bolt creates a turning moment on the eccentric arrangement in the one of the clockwise and counter-clockwise direction, and the eccentric arrangement is prevented from rotating in said one of the clockwise and counter-clockwise direction by a moveable abutment. | 07-30-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100011515 | LAUNDRY APPLIANCE - A laundry appliance having a perforated rotatable drum for spin dehydrating a wet textile load, an electric motor for providing an accelerating force which in use causes the drum to rotate, load sensors for detecting any static dynamic imbalance in the rotation of the drum, and a controller which receives inputs from the load sensors and is programmed to, in a spin-up phase, energise said electric motor so as to evenly distribute the load within the drum and thereby minimise any static or dynamic imbalance when the drum rotates. | 01-21-2010 |
20100313609 | SLOW SPEED DRIVE METHOD FOR AN ELECTRONICALLY COMMUTATED MOTOR, CONTROLLER IMPLEMENTING SAME, WASHING MACHINE INCORPORATING SAME - Provided is a method of operating a motor at a low speed. The method includes sensing an event corresponding to an angular position of the motor. If the event occurs between a first time threshold and a second time threshold, the method includes slowing the motor. If the event has not occurred by the first time threshold, the method includes increasing driving power to the motor. | 12-16-2010 |
20110185772 | VARIABLE PRESSURE WATER DELIVERY SYSTEM - A variable pressure water delivery device having an inlet valve fluidly connected to a reservoir, and connectable to a water supply, the inlet valve is at least operable between an open and closed position. The reservoir has a volume that increases elastically with increasing pressure. At least one outlet valve is fluidly connected to the reservoir and a pressure sensor is actuated by the fluid pressure in the reservoir. A controller receives an output of said pressure sensor and provides control signals to operate said inlet valve according to the output of said pressure sensor, and a desired reservoir pressure parameter. | 08-04-2011 |
20120089258 | LAUNDRY MACHINE - A laundry machine includes a drum supported at least two spaced apart support locations for rotation about a rotation axis. A balance correction system is able to apply a variable amount of a balance correction mass at a selectable angular location of the drum at least two spaced apart locations along the drum rotation axis. A controller receives outputs of a set of sensors, and is programmed to continuously calculate balance corrections to apply. | 04-12-2012 |
20120228079 | SPEED DEPENDENT CLUTCH - The present invention relates to a clutch for a laundry appliance. The clutch selectively connects a laundry vessel to a variable speed drive. A driven member is rotationally coupled to the variable speed drive and an un-driven member is rotationably coupled to the laundry vessel. The un-driven member is at least partially rotationally coupled to the driven member by friction. At least one locking element is moveable from an unlocked position to a locking position. The un-driven member and the driven member are rotationally coupled together once the un-driven member accelerates to a rotational speed above a first rotational speed, connecting the laundry vessel to the variable speed drive. | 09-13-2012 |
20140042946 | LAUNDRY APPLIANCE - A laundry appliance having a perforated rotatable drum for spin dehydrating a wet textile load, an electric motor for providing an accelerating force which in use causes the drum to rotate, load sensors for detecting any static dynamic imbalance in the rotation of the drum, and a controller which receives inputs from the load sensors and is programmed to, in a spin-up phase, energise said electric motor so as to evenly distribute the load within the drum and thereby minimise any static or dynamic imbalance when the drum rotates. | 02-13-2014 |
20150101600 | SENSING AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR RESPIRATORY DEVICE - Various characteristics of a gas flow can be sensed at the end of a respiratory conduit near the patient interface using a sensing module. The sensing module can be removable from the patient end of the respiratory conduit for ease of use and ease of cleaning. The sensor module can transmit sensor data over the same wires used to heat the respiratory conduit. | 04-16-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140101494 | Chronic ATMs (new definition) - A method of tracking repeated performance problems in a machine is disclosed. The method comprises storing the faults in a computer memory, and assigning a classification value to the machine based on the frequency and number of the faults. Based on the classification value of the cash handing device it is determined whether the cash handing device needs to be serviced. The faults can be related to one of the hardware, the cash reject rate, image handling, crash rate, user claim rate, and check handling accuracy of the machine. | 04-10-2014 |
20140108244 | MEDIA HANDLING DEVICE REJECT RATE - A system and method of providing reject rate data and monitoring media handling device performance related to the reject rate data is disclosed, wherein the media handling device may be an automated teller machine. The system and methods may include determining a reject rate; analyzing a set of reject rate data for trending and statistical comparative analysis; transferring the set of reject rate data from one or more ATMs; and loading the set of rejection rate data into a data warehouse. The method may further include analyzing the set of reject rate data for trending and statistical comparative analysis to gain insight and make improvements to the customer experience at the ATM. The method may further include providing predictive fault tracing to predict in advance when the ATM needs maintenance. | 04-17-2014 |
20140332339 | DUAL VALIDATOR SELF-SERVICE KIOSK - Apparatus and methods are provided for a dual validator self-service kiosk (“SSK”). The SSK may include a first validator. The first validator may examine a deposit inserted into the SSK. The SSK may include a second validator. The second validator may examine a tangible item before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The SSK may retract the tangible item if the tangible item in not collected by a customer. The second validator may examine the tangible item after being retracted by the SSK. The first validator may apply a first examination routine to the deposit. The second validator may apply a second examination routine before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The second validator may apply a third examination routine to a tangible item retracted by the SSK. | 11-13-2014 |
20140332341 | SELF-SERVICE KIOSK VALIDATOR BRIDGE - Apparatus and methods for a self-service kiosk (“SSK”) validator bridge are provided. The SSK may include a bridge linking a dispenser and a validator. The bridge may be configured to transfer a tangible item from the validator to the dispenser. The validator may examine the tangible item prior to a dispensing of the tangible item to a SSK customer. The tangible item may be retracted by the dispenser. The bridge may transfer the tangible item from the dispenser to the validator. The SSK may include an acceptor. The bridge may link the acceptor to the validator. The bridge may be configured to transfer a deposit from the acceptor to the validator. The validator may examine the deposit. | 11-13-2014 |
20140337211 | AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE ("ATM") CURRENCY STAMPER - Apparatus and methods for an automated teller machine (“ATM”) currency stamper are provided. The currency stamper may be configured to mark currency retracted by the ATM. The mark may include one or more attributes of the currency. The mark may include transaction information associated with a dispensing and/or retraction of the currency. Marked currency may be stored in the ATM. Marked currency may be scanned. A scanning of marked currency may read the attributes of the currency and the transaction information included in the mark. The scanning of the marked currency may erase the mark. A value of the marked currency may be calculated. The value may be determined based on the currency attributes and transaction information included in the mark applied to the currency. | 11-13-2014 |
20140337212 | SENSOR SYSTEM FOR DETECTION OF A PARTIAL RETRIEVAL OF DISPENSED CURRENCY AT AN AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE - Apparatus and methods for a sensor system are provided. The system may be configured to detect a dispensing of cash from an automated teller machine (“ATM”). The system may be configured to orient one or more sensors to capture a first information stream that includes the dispensing of cash. The system may be configured to detect a retraction of cash by the ATM. The system may orient one or more sensors to capture a second information stream that includes the retraction. The system may be configured to determine an estimate of cash collected by an ATM customer. The estimate may be based on a comparison of the first information stream and the second information stream. | 11-13-2014 |
20140338986 | PURGE-BIN WEIGHING SCALE - Apparatus and methods for a self-service device (“SSD”) purge-bin weighing scale are provided. The SSD may include a dispenser. The dispenser may disburse one or more tangible items to a customer. The dispenser may retract at least one of the tangible items disbursed to the customer. The SSD may include a purge-bin. The purge-bin may hold at least one tangible item. The purge-bin may hold the tangible item after the tangible item is retracted by the dispenser. The SSD may include a scale. The scale may measure a weight. The weight may be the weight of at least one tangible item. The scale may measure the weight after the tangible item is retracted by the dispenser. The scale may measure the weight of the tangible item prior to a transfer of the tangible item to the purge-bin. | 11-20-2014 |
20140339755 | STACKING PURGE-BIN - Apparatus and methods for a stacking purge-bin (“SPB”) are provided. The SPB may be configured to rotate. The SPB may include a plurality of receiving sections. One or more tangible items retracted by the SSK may be stored in each receiving section. Rotating the SPB between each retraction may prevent tangible items from two consecutive retractions from being stored in a single receiving section. Preventing tangible items from two consecutive retractions from being stored in a single receiving section may allow each tangible item to be associated with transaction information corresponding to a retraction. The SPB may store separators. A separator may be inserted between tangible items received from two consecutive retractions. Separating between tangible items received from two consecutive retractions may allow each tangible item to be associated with transaction information corresponding to a retraction. Transaction information associated with a retraction may be marked on the separator. | 11-20-2014 |
20140372285 | TRANSACTION TIME MONITORING - To monitor transaction time, a first plurality of events is received. A transaction is associated with the first plurality of events. A time is determined for each event of the first plurality of events in the transaction to occur. An average time is calculated for a second plurality of events to occur based on the time of events in the first plurality of events. The second plurality of events is determined from a plurality of transactions and is based on one or more attributes, and the second plurality of events includes events from the first plurality of events. A standard deviation and a coefficient of variation are calculated for each event in the second plurality of events. | 12-18-2014 |
20150144456 | DUAL VALIDATOR SELF-SERVICE KIOSK - Apparatus and methods are provided for a dual validator self-service kiosk (“SSK”). The SSK may include a first validator. The first validator may examine a deposit inserted into the SSK. The SSK may include a second validator. The second validator may examine a tangible item before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The SSK may retract the tangible item if the tangible item in not collected by a customer. The second validator may examine the tangible item after being retracted by the SSK. The first validator may apply a first examination routine to the deposit. The second validator may apply a second examination routine before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The second validator may apply a third examination routine to a tangible item retracted by the SSK. | 05-28-2015 |
20160117654 | DUAL VALIDATOR SELF-SERVICE KIOSK - Apparatus and methods are provided for a dual validator self-service kiosk (“SSK”). The SSK may include a first validator. The first validator may examine a deposit inserted into the SSK. The SSK may include a second validator. The second validator may examine a tangible item before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The SSK may retract the tangible item if the tangible item in not collected by a customer. The second validator may examine the tangible item after being retracted by the SSK. The first validator may apply a first examination routine to the deposit. The second validator may apply a second examination routine before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The second validator may apply a third examination routine to a tangible item retracted by the SSK. | 04-28-2016 |
20160117655 | STACKING PURGE-BIN - Apparatus and methods for a stacking purge-bin (“SPB”) are provided. The SPB may be configured to rotate. The SPB may include a plurality of receiving sections. One or more tangible items retracted by the SSK may be stored in each receiving section. Rotating the SPB between each retraction may prevent tangible items from two consecutive retractions from being stored in a single receiving section. Preventing tangible items from two consecutive retractions from being stored in a single receiving section may allow each tangible item to be associated with transaction information corresponding to a retraction. The SPB may store separators. A separator may be inserted between tangible items received from two consecutive retractions. Separating between tangible items received from two consecutive retractions may allow each tangible item to be associated with transaction information corresponding to a retraction. Transaction information associated with a retraction may be marked on the separator. | 04-28-2016 |
20160117880 | STACKING PURGE-BIN - Apparatus and methods for a stacking purge-bin (“SPB”) are provided. The SPB may be configured to rotate. The SPB may include a plurality of receiving sections. One or more tangible items retracted by the SSK may be stored in each receiving section. Rotating the SPB between each retraction may prevent tangible items from two consecutive retractions from being stored in a single receiving section. Preventing tangible items from two consecutive retractions from being stored in a single receiving section may allow each tangible item to be associated with transaction information corresponding to a retraction. The SPB may store separators. A separator may be inserted between tangible items received from two consecutive retractions. Separating between tangible items received from two consecutive retractions may allow each tangible item to be associated with transaction information corresponding to a retraction. Transaction information associated with a retraction may be marked on the separator. | 04-28-2016 |
20160117894 | DUAL VALIDATOR SELF-SERVICE KIOSK - Apparatus and methods are provided for a dual validator self-service kiosk (“SSK”). The SSK may include a first validator. The first validator may examine a deposit inserted into the SSK. The SSK may include a second validator. The second validator may examine a tangible item before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The SSK may retract the tangible item if the tangible item in not collected by a customer. The second validator may examine the tangible item after being retracted by the SSK. The first validator may apply a first examination routine to the deposit. The second validator may apply a second examination routine before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The second validator may apply a third examination routine to a tangible item retracted by the SSK. | 04-28-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110062793 | TRANSMISSION-GUARD SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN INDUCTIVE POWER SUPPLY - A transmission-guard is disclosed for preventing an inductive power outlet from transmitting power in the absence of an inductive power receiver. A transmission lock is associated with an inductive power outlet and a transmission key is associated with an inductive power receiver. The transmission lock is configured to prevent a primary inductor from connecting to the power supply unless triggered by a release signal via the transmission key. | 03-17-2011 |
20140125146 | TRANSMISSION-GUARD SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN INDUCTIVE POWER SUPPLY - A transmission-guard is disclosed for preventing an inductive power outlet from transmitting power in the absence of an inductive power receiver. A transmission lock is associated with an inductive power outlet and a transmission key is associated with an inductive power receiver. The transmission lock is configured to prevent a primary inductor from connecting to the power supply unless triggered by a release signal via the transmission key | 05-08-2014 |
20140125147 | TRANSMISSION-GUARD SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN INDUCTIVE POWER SUPPLY - A transmission-guard is disclosed for preventing an inductive power outlet from transmitting power in the absence of an inductive power receiver. A transmission lock is associated with an inductive power outlet and a transmission key is associated with an inductive power receiver. The transmission lock is configured to prevent a primary inductor from connecting to the power supply unless triggered by a release signal via the transmission key | 05-08-2014 |
20150244182 | EMBEDDED INTERFACE FOR WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER TO ELECTRICAL DEVICES - A system and method is disclosed for integrating inductive power outlet functionality to provide power transfer to electrical devices, as an in-surface wireless charging system, embedded into a host such as a furniture item. An inductive power outlet may include a body casing for containing a primary inductor a driving unit and a fastening mechanism. The body casing may have dimensions suitable for introduction into a passageway through a plate of the item of furniture. The fastening mechanism may be utilized to secure the body casing to the plate of the item of furniture. | 08-27-2015 |
20150326032 | TRANSMISSION-GUARD SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN INDUCTIVE POWER SUPPLY - Wireless power transfer between a power transmitter and a power receiver may include a power transfer established by a detector of the wireless power transmitter detecting a magnetic field from a wireless power receiver in proximity to the wireless power transmitter and activating the wireless power transmitter to transfer power to the wireless power receiver. | 11-12-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130285183 | DUAL-FACING CAMERA ASSEMBLY - Embodiments of the invention relate to a camera assembly including a rear-facing camera and a front-facing camera operatively coupled together (e.g., bonded, stacked on a common substrate). | 10-31-2013 |
20140035089 | PAD DESIGN FOR CIRCUIT UNDER PAD IN SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - Embodiments of a semiconductor device that includes a semiconductor substrate and a cavity disposed in the semiconductor substrate that extends at least from a first side of the semiconductor substrate to a second side of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device also includes an insulation layer disposed over the first side of the semiconductor substrate and coating sidewalls of the cavity. A conductive layer including a bonding pad is disposed over the insulation layer. The conductive layer extends into the cavity and connects to a metal stack disposed below the second side of the semiconductor substrate. A through silicon via pad is disposed below the second side of the semiconductor substrate and connected to the metal stack. The through silicon via pad is position to accept a through silicon via. | 02-06-2014 |
20140312447 | LATERAL LIGHT SHIELD IN BACKSIDE ILLUMINATED IMAGING SENSORS - A backside illuminated image sensor includes a semiconductor layer and a trench disposed in the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer has a frontside surface and a backside surface. The semiconductor layer includes a light sensing element of a pixel array disposed in a sensor array region of the semiconductor layer. The pixel array is positioned to receive external incoming light through the backside surface of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer also includes a light emitting element disposed in a periphery circuit region of the semiconductor layer external to the sensor array region. The trench is disposed in the semiconductor layer between the light sensing element and the light emitting element. | 10-23-2014 |
20140319639 | NEGATIVELY CHARGED LAYER TO REDUCE IMAGE MEMORY EFFECT - An image sensor pixel includes a photodiode region having a first polarity doping type disposed in a semiconductor layer. A pinning surface layer having a second polarity doping type is disposed over the photodiode region in the semiconductor layer. The second polarity is opposite from the first polarity. A first polarity charge layer is disposed proximate to the pinning surface layer over the photodiode region. A contact etch stop layer is disposed over the photodiode region proximate to the first polarity charge layer. The first polarity charge layer is disposed between the pinning surface layer and the contact etch stop layer such that first polarity charge layer cancels out charge having a second polarity that is induced in the contact etch stop layer. A passivation layer is also disposed over the photodiode region between the pinning surface layer and the first polarity charge layer. | 10-30-2014 |
20140327102 | NEGATIVELY CHARGED LAYER TO REDUCE IMAGE MEMORY EFFECT - An image sensor pixel includes a photodiode region having a first polarity doping type disposed in a semiconductor layer. A pinning surface layer having a second polarity doping type is disposed over the photodiode region in the semiconductor layer. A first polarity charge layer is disposed proximate to the pinning surface layer over the photodiode region. A contact etch stop layer is disposed over the photodiode region proximate to the first polarity charge layer. The first polarity charge layer is disposed between the pinning surface layer and the contact etch stop layer such that first polarity charge layer cancels out charge having a second polarity that is induced in the contact etch stop layer. The first polarity charge layer is disposed between a first one of a plurality of passivation layers and a second one of the plurality of passivation layers disposed over the photodiode region. | 11-06-2014 |
20150054106 | DUAL-FACING CAMERA ASSEMBLY - Embodiments of the invention relate to a camera assembly including a rear-facing camera and a front-facing camera operatively coupled together (e.g., bonded, stacked on a common substrate). | 02-26-2015 |
20150091119 | COLOR FILTER INCLUDING CLEAR PIXEL AND HARD MASK - Embodiments of an apparatus including a color filter arrangement formed on a substrate having a pixel array formed therein. The color filter arrangement includes a clear filter having a first clear hard mask layer and a second clear hard mask layer formed thereon, a first color filter having the first clear hard mask layer and the second hard mask layer formed thereon, a second color filter having the first clear hard mask layer formed thereon, and a third color filter having no clear hard mask layer formed thereon. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed. | 04-02-2015 |
20150236058 | IMAGE SENSOR PIXEL CELL WITH SWITCHED DEEP TRENCH ISOLATION STRUCTURE - A pixel cell includes a photodiode disposed in an epitaxial layer in a first region of semiconductor material to accumulate image charge. A floating diffusion is disposed in a well region disposed in the epitaxial layer in the first region. A transfer transistor is coupled to selectively transfer the image charge from the photodiode to the floating diffusion. A deep trench isolation (DTI) structure disposed in the semiconductor material. The DTI structure isolates the first region of the semiconductor material on one side of the DTI structure from a second region of the semiconductor material on an other side of the DTI structure. The DTI structure includes a doped semiconductor material disposed inside the DTI structure that is selectively coupled to a readout pulse voltage in response to the transfer transistor selectively transferring the image charge from the photodiode to the floating diffusion. | 08-20-2015 |
20150349004 | DIE SEAL RING FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT SYSTEM WITH STACKED DEVICE WAFERS - An integrated circuit system includes a first device wafer bonded to a second device wafer at a bonding interface of dielectrics. Each wafer includes a plurality of dies, where each die includes a device, a metal stack, and a seal ring that is formed at an edge region of the die. Seal rings included in dies of the second device wafer each include a first conductive path provided with metal formed in a first opening that extends from a backside of the second device wafer, through the second device wafer, and through the bonding interface to the seal ring of a corresponding die in the first device wafer. | 12-03-2015 |
20160027837 | VISIBLE AND INFRARED IMAGE SENSOR - A pixel array including an Si | 01-28-2016 |
20160111468 | METHOD OF FABRICATING MULTI-WAFER IMAGE SENSOR - A method of fabricating an image sensor includes forming a pixel array in an imaging region of a semiconductor substrate and forming a trench in a peripheral region of the semiconductor substrate after forming the pixel array. The peripheral region is on a perimeter of the imaging region. The trench is filled with an insulating material. An interconnect layer is formed after filling the trench with insulating material. A first wafer is bonded to a second wafer. The first wafer includes the interconnect layer and the semiconductor substrate. A backside of the semiconductor substrate is thinned to expose the insulating material. A via cavity is formed through the insulating material. The via cavity extends down to a second interconnect layer of the second wafer. The via cavity is filled with a conductive material to form a via. The insulating material insulates the conductive material from the semiconductor substrate. | 04-21-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140370377 | Treated Current Collector Foil - In at least one embodiment, a battery is provided comprising an electron beam-treated current collector having an increased surface energy compared to an untreated current collector and an electrode disposed on a treated surface of the current collector. The electrode may include a water-soluble binder uniformly coating a surface of the current collector and the treated current collector may have a contact angle with the water-soluble binder of 70 degrees or less. The electron beam treatment may be applied to a moving current collector foil as part of a battery production process, prior to application of an electrode slurry. | 12-18-2014 |
20150034861 | Anode Active Material For Lithium-Ion Batteries - In at least one embodiment, a rechargeable battery is provided comprising an anode having an active material including MSb | 02-05-2015 |
20150283504 | TEMPERATURE MAINTENANCE AND REGULATION OF VEHICLE EXHAUST CATALYST SYSTEMS WITH PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS - A vehicle exhaust system is provided and comprises a catalyst positioned in an exhaust passage of a vehicle. The catalyst is in the form of a washcoat supported on a substrate. The system includes a phase change material located adjacent to the catalyst to maintain the temperature of the catalyst between engine shut-down and subsequent start-up as well as to regulate the temperature during engine operation. In some embodiments, the phase change material comprises particles of a metal or metal alloy encapsulated in a ceramic material. The metal or metal alloy is adapted to have a phase change that occurs within a temperature range wherein the catalyst is active. | 10-08-2015 |
20150285121 | TEMPERATURE MAINTENANCE AND REGULATION OF VEHICLE EXHAUST CATALYST SYSTEMS WITH PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS - A vehicle exhaust system is provided and comprises a catalyst positioned in an exhaust passage of a vehicle. The catalyst is in the form of a washcoat supported on a substrate. The system includes a phase change material located adjacent to the catalyst to maintain the temperature of the catalyst between engine shut-down and subsequent start-up as well as to regulate the temperature during engine operation. In some embodiments, the phase change material comprises particles of a metal or metal alloy encapsulated in a ceramic material. The metal or metal alloy is adapted to have a phase change that occurs within a temperature range wherein the catalyst is active. | 10-08-2015 |
20150318527 | PLASMA TREATMENT OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL MEMBRANE - A method for treating an electrochemical membrane includes providing a porous film having a first outer surface and a second opposed outer surface, and treating at least a portion of the first outer surface with an air plasma jet at atmospheric pressure to functionalize the at least a portion of the first outer surface with a plurality of oxygen functional groups. A battery separator has an ionically conductive separator film having a first functionalized outer surface with a plurality of oxygen atoms providing one to twenty percent of the total atoms present on the surface to provide a greater electrolytic uptake than a non-functionalized film. An electrochemical membrane has an ionically conductive microporous film with at least a portion of the first side having a plurality of polar functional groups introduced by air plasma treatment at atmospheric pressure. | 11-05-2015 |
20160036037 | BATTERIES PREPARED BY SPINNING - A method of forming a lithium-ion battery by spinning and a battery formed thereby are disclosed. The spinning may include electrospinning A first anode layer may be spun, followed by a first separator layer, a first cathode layer, and a second separator layer. Each layer may be spun directly onto the previously spun layer to provide a battery that does not include metal current collectors. The anode and/or cathode layers may include polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers. To render the anode and cathode layers conductive, they may be carbonized using a heat source (e.g., a laser). The disclosed method may allow for the incorporation of high capacity materials, such as sulfur and/or silicon, in the electrode active materials. | 02-04-2016 |
20160104887 | Anode Active Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries - In at least one embodiment, a rechargeable battery is provided comprising an anode having an active material including MSb | 04-14-2016 |