Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080318740 | RESISTANCE SYSTEM FOR FITNESS EQUIPMENT - A resistance system for an exercise device includes a frame, a resistance element such as elastic bands, coil springs, weight plates, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders. An interference element such as a plate, chain or one or more links is supported by a support plate mounted on the frame. Selective engagement with the resistance element is provided by actuation of a dial, other actuator or controller or directly by the user. Thereby the resistance element can be selectively engaged or disengaged to vary the resistance to the user. | 12-25-2008 |
20090023561 | RESISTANCE SYSTEM FOR FITNESS EQUIPMENT - A resistance system for fitness equipment includes a frame, a resistance source such as an elastic cord, coil or any other type of spring, weight, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders. The resistance source is mounted to a resistance block with a load support. A support disk is provided that is movably mounted to the frame and adapted to enable selective engagement with the load support. A transmission member, including a pliable member such as a cable, belt or other member, is coupled to the resistance source. Movement of the support disk enables selective engagement of the resistance source. In this way one or more individual resistance sources can be selectively engaged or disengaged to vary the resistance to the user by actuation of a dial or other actuator as directed by the user. | 01-22-2009 |
20100062906 | Exercise device - An exercise device is provided, having a frame, an arm link pivotally coupled to the frame, a leg link pivotally coupled to the frame and a countermovement mechanism coupling the arm link and the leg link to enable substantially opposite direction of movement of the arm link relative to the leg link. A first and second set of the arm and leg links may be provided and positioned each adjacent a seat adapted to support a user. The range of motion of the arm links and therefore the leg links are controlled by the user as well as the direction of movement of the first set relative to the second set. This enables the user to perform a simulated walking gait exercise by moving the first and second arm links in generally opposing directions or an abdominal exercise by moving the first and second arms links in substantially the same direction. | 03-11-2010 |
20100285934 | Exercise device enabling rotational movement - An exercise device for simulation of the action familiar to “tire flipping” is provided, having a base frame with a rail, a carriage including a pair of supports and a guide arm coupled to the base frame and the carriage. The guide arm allows guided rotational displacement of the carriage relative to the base frame with the carriage also being supported by at least one support received by the rail of the base frame at all time. One or more weight horns may be used to add additional mass to the carriage. A brake may be used to control the downward movement of the carriage after the carriage is actuated over vertical by a user or a lift that is “missed” causing the carriage to be safely lowered to a starting position. | 11-11-2010 |
20100287816 | Insect trap - A flying insect trap uses one or more attractants desirable to a particular insect, such as many species of mosquitoes. The insect trap uses a carbonic compound and an acid to produce carbon dioxide with water vapor thereby also providing some airborne acid. The chemicals are combined in a liquid trap to which airflow is directed. A fan or other airflow generator provides the wind. The device has an intake port and an exhaust vent. The intake port may be positioned directly above the exhaust vent. A light, such as a light emitting diode (LED) is positioned near the intake port. This illuminates the intake port, the light being another mosquito attractant. The color of the light may be a variety of colors such as blue or green but may also be white. A second trap in the form of a glue trap may also be used. This trap may include a sticky surface where airflow is also directed. The liquid trap provides an acidic and watery capture for the vacuumed insects and the glue trap is the second trap. Those that happen to avoid both traps are run through the fan. Exhausted gasses of carbon dioxide, one or more of specific acids and water vapor exhaust near the intake to lure mosquitoes to the area. The light and wind are also attractants. The mosquitoes are then drawn into the intake port by the wind from the fan and directed toward one or more of the traps. | 11-18-2010 |
20110039662 | EXERCISE DEVICE WITH VARIED GAIT MOVEMENTS - An exercise device for performing a variety of movement patterns is provided, having an upper link pivotally mounted to a lower leg link and a foot support on a distal end of the lower leg link. A first transfer system is movably coupled to a frame and including a first transfer member coupled to the first upper leg link and a second transfer member coupled to the second upper leg link, thereby enabling substantially reciprocating motion of the first leg link relative to the second leg link. A second transfer system is also provided and may be movably coupled to the frame and including a pair of third transfer members coupled to each of a pair of fourth transfer members by way of each of a pair of transfer couplings, each movably mounted to the frame. The fourth transfer members may be coupled to the first lower leg link and the second lower leg link, whereby movement of the first lower leg link causes movement of the second lower leg link irrespective of movement of the upper leg links thereby providing a stable platform for the user and also enabling an infinite number of gait patters by the user. | 02-17-2011 |
20120100963 | VARIED GAIT EXERCISE DEVICE WITH PIVOT BAR TRANSFER SYSTEM - An exercise device for performing a variety of movement patterns is provided, having upper right and left leg links pivotally mounted to lower right and left leg links respectively. The upper leg links are pivotally coupled to the frame. A foot support is provided on the distal end of the lower leg links. The device includes first and second transfer systems for coordinating movement of the right and left sets of upper and lower leg links. The first transfer system is movably coupled to the frame and includes a first transfer member coupled to the first upper leg link, a second transfer member coupled to the second upper leg link, and a pivot bar pivotally mounted to the frame between a first end and a second end thereof with the first end coupled to the first transfer member and the second end coupled to the second transfer member. | 04-26-2012 |
20120149535 | Functional exercise device - An exercise device is provided, having a frame with a first end opposite to a second end and a top portion opposite to a bottom portion, thereby defining four opposing corners. One or more pins may be coupled to the frame between the first end and the second end, the pins adapted to receive weight plates. A bumper may be coupled to each of the four opposing corners. The bumper may be a substantially longitudinal hollow member which may include a plurality of treads on a side opposite to that coupled to the frame. The device may then be supported by two of the bumpers and flipped over to be supported by the other two bumpers. The lifting and flipping of the device provides an exercise which employs many of the major muscles groups of the body. Weight plates may be added or removed to accommodate different users. | 06-14-2012 |
20140306502 | Lounge Chair - A lounge chair may include a seat including an arcuate rail supported by a pair of roller axles rotatably coupled to a base frame. The roller axles may include a pair of rollers adapted to receive the arcuate rail, thereby allowing movement of the seat relative to the base frame such that the seat may be altered from an upright position to a reclining position. A top roller axle may be provided which may be movably coupled to the base frame and include a pair of rollers also adapted to receive the arcuate rail. Altering the relative position of the top roller axle to the base frame may alter the force applied to the arcuate rail by the rollers and therefore the frictional force between the arcuate rail and the base frame, thereby changing the resistance to movement of the seat relative to the base frame. | 10-16-2014 |
20150202489 | EXERCISE DEVICE PROVIDING USER DEFINED PEDAL MOVEMENTS - An exercise device for performing a variety of movement patterns is provided, having an upper link pivotally mounted to a lower leg link and a foot support on a distal end of the lower leg link. A first transfer system is movably coupled to a frame and including a first transfer member coupled to the first upper leg link and a second transfer member coupled to the second upper leg link, thereby enabling substantially reciprocating motion of the first leg link relative to the second leg link. A second transfer system is also provided and may be movably coupled to the frame and including a pair of third transfer members coupled to each of a pair of fourth transfer members by way of each of a pair of transfer couplings, each movably mounted to the frame. The fourth transfer members may be coupled to the first lower leg link and the second lower leg link, whereby movement of the first lower leg link causes movement of the second lower leg link irrespective of movement of the upper leg links thereby providing a stable platform for the user and also enabling an infinite number of gait patters by the user. | 07-23-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100096101 | STACKED/BAR PLATE CHARGE AIR COOLER INCLUDING INLET AND OUTLET TANKS - The present invention provides a charge air cooler for transferring heat between a coolant and charge air including a charge air inlet tank, a charge air outlet tank spaced from the inlet tank, a housing connecting the inlet and outlet tanks to define a charge air flow path from the inlet tank to the outlet tank, and a plurality of plate pairs extending into the charge air flow path from, and substantially perpendicular to, a first wall of the housing. Each of the plate pairs can define a multi-pass path for the coolant. Elongated spacers can be positioned between adjacent plate pairs to define the first wall of the housing. The housing can include a second wall opposite the first wall, and the plate pairs can be spaced away from the second wall in order to accommodate differences in thermal expansion between the plate pairs and the housing. | 04-22-2010 |
20110067837 | HEAT EXCHANGER - A heat exchanger includes a bundle of tubes, which can be inserted into a tubular housing. Exhaust gas can flow through the tubes. A coolant duct can be arranged between the tubes. The bundle of tubes can have at least one grid-like securing structure which supports the bundle in the housing. The behavior of the heat exchanger with respect to vibrations is affected by outwardly curved metallic springs attached to the bundle of tubes which may be deformed in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the bundle into the housing. The spring force is directed against the housing in order to dampen vibrations. The heat exchanger can also include an elastic device for permitting a change in length caused by temperature changes. | 03-24-2011 |
20110186276 | HEAT EXCHANGER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD - A heat exchanger is described and illustrated, and in some embodiments includes a casing, a fluid flow path extending between first and second ends of the casing; first and second bundles of heat exchanger tubes in first and second portions of a fluid flow path extending through the casing, and a third section of the fluid flow path connecting the first and second sections and having a sealing plate with one or more apertures for the fluid flow path to pass therethrough. In some embodiments, by virtue of the sealing plate and its relationship with the adjacent structure of the heat exchanger, adjacent ends of the two bundles of tubes are each movable in at least one direction with respect to the casing and the other bundle of tubes. | 08-04-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120313778 | CONTROLLING PRINTING OF A DOCUMENT THAT MAY CONTAIN MICR CHARACTERS - A technique includes in a machine, processing data indicative of a document to be printed by a printer and which may contain magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) characters to determine whether the data indicates any MICR characters. The technique includes comparing a result of the determination to an intent indicated by a job ticket associated with the document; and controlling the printing of the document by the printer, including selectively performing corrective action in response to the comparison. | 12-13-2012 |
20120313988 | APPLYING BONDING AGENT FOR SUPPLEMENTAL INK - A method for applying a bonding agent for supplemental ink includes, with a control system of a printing apparatus, determining regions of an image corresponding to regions where a supplemental ink is to be printed, and with the control system, adding an amount of pixels of a standard color channel to portions of a bitmap representing the image, the portions corresponding to the regions where the supplemental ink is to be printed. The amount of pixels is sufficient to trigger application of a bonding agent at the regions. | 12-13-2012 |
20140111818 | Data Flow to a Printing Device - A method of increasing data flow to a printing device includes, with a first raster image processor, converting a document into a first bitmap having a first dot density and representing a black color plane of the document; with a second raster image processor, converting the document into a second bitmap at a second dot density that is a relatively lower dot density than that of the first bitmap, the second bitmap representing other color planes of the document; and transmitting data of the first and second bitmaps to a printing device for printing to a print medium. | 04-24-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090027076 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TESTING INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DICE IN AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT MODULE - An IC module, such as a Multi-Chip Module (MCM), includes multiple IC dice, each having a test mode enable bond pad, such as an output enable pad. A fuse incorporated into the MCM's substrate connects each die's test mode enable bond pad to one of the MCM's no-connection (N/C) pins, and a resistor incorporated into the substrate connects the test mode enable bond pads to one of the MCM's ground pins. By applying a supply voltage to the test mode enable bond pads through the N/C pin, a test mode is initiated in the dice. Once testing is complete, the fuse may be blown, and a ground voltage applied to the test mode enable bond pads through the ground pins so the resistor disables the test mode in the dice and initiates an operational mode. As a result, dice packaged in IC modules may be tested after packaging. | 01-29-2009 |
20100072532 | Recessed Access Device For A Memory - Semiconductor memory devices having recessed access devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of forming the recessed access device includes forming a device recess in a substrate material that extends to a first depth in the substrate that includes a gate oxide layer in the recess. The device recess may be extended to a second depth that is greater that the first depth to form an extended portion of the device recess. A field oxide layer may be provided within an interior of the device recess that extends inwardly into the interior of the device recess and into the substrate. Active regions may be formed in the substrate that abut the field oxide layer, and a gate material may be deposited into the device recess. | 03-25-2010 |
20100276742 | RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY DEVICE UTILIZING A VERTICALLY ORIENTED SELECT TRANSISTOR - A memory structure has a vertically oriented access transistor with an annular gate region. A transistor is fabricated such that the channel of the transistor extends outward with respect to the surface of the substrate. An annular gate is fabricated around the vertical channel such that it partially or completely surrounds the channel. A buried annular bitline may also be implemented. After the vertically oriented transistor is fabricated with the annular gate, a storage device may be fabricated over the transistor to provide a memory cell. | 11-04-2010 |
20120001245 | Recessed Access Device for a Memory - Semiconductor memory devices having recessed access devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of forming the recessed access device includes forming a device recess in a substrate material that extends to a first depth in the substrate that includes a gate oxide layer in the recess. The device recess may be extended to a second depth that is greater that the first depth to form an extended portion of the device recess. A field oxide layer may be provided within an interior of the device recess that extends inwardly into the interior of the device recess and into the substrate. Active regions may be formed in the substrate that abut the field oxide layer, and a gate material may be deposited into the device recess. | 01-05-2012 |
20130062678 | Recessed Access Device for a Memory - Semiconductor memory devices having recessed access devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of forming the recessed access device includes forming a device recess in a substrate material that extends to a first depth in the substrate that includes a gate oxide layer in the recess. The device recess may be extended to a second depth that is greater that the first depth to form an extended portion of the device recess. A field oxide layer may be provided within an interior of the device recess that extends inwardly into the interior of the device recess and into the substrate. Active regions may be formed in the substrate that abut the field oxide layer, and a gate material may be deposited into the device recess. | 03-14-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100035338 | Holder for culture plates with de-nesting feature - A holding structure for holding a plurality of culture plates in a stacked arrangement includes a feature for de-nesting the bottom culture plate from the plate above it. The de-nesting feature is preferably a structure which urges a plate to move laterally relative to the plate above it. The de-nesting of the bottom culture plate from the adjacent culture plate facilitates withdrawal of the bottom culture plate from the base via a robotic plate transfer mechanism. The de-nesting feature can be entirely passive, such as ramps formed in the base of the holding structure. | 02-11-2010 |
20100062522 | Incubation system with low temperature enclosure - An incubator is fitted with an enclosure which surrounds the incubator. A cold air generation system supplies relatively cold air to a space formed between enclosure and the incubator. The system supplying the cold air can be embodied in a cart or base upon which the incubator sits. The enclosure is also placed on the base in a manner such that it substantially envelops the incubator. The top of the cart has openings for egress of cold air and return of air so that air may circulate in a closed loop. The incubator, cold air supply system and enclosure present a solution for incubating samples in a nominal 20-25° C. temperature environment. The enclosure, which is preferably insulated, may include a void or opening which exposes doors or other access device of the incubator, allowing direct access to the samples in the incubator while the rest of the incubator is enveloped by the enclosure. | 03-11-2010 |
20130192036 | INCUBATION SYSTEM WITH LOW TEMPERATURE ENCLOSURE - An incubator is fitted with an enclosure which surrounds the incubator. A cold air generation system supplies relatively cold air to a space formed between enclosure and the incubator. The system supplying the cold air can be embodied in a cart or base upon which the incubator sits. The enclosure is also placed on the base in a manner such that it substantially envelops the incubator. The top of the cart has openings for egress of cold air and return of air so that air may circulate in a closed loop. The incubator, cold air supply system and enclosure present a solution for incubating samples in a nominal 20-25° C. temperature environment. The enclosure, which is preferably insulated, may include a void or opening which exposes doors or other access device of the incubator, allowing direct access to the samples in the incubator while the rest of the incubator is enveloped by the enclosure. | 08-01-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080206604 | Washer Fluid System for Fuel Cell Vehicles - A washer fluid system provides washer fluid by blending concentrated washer fluid with waste water produced in the operation of a fuel cell. The concentrated washer fluid is stored in a replenishable container. A mixing pump automatically meters the appropriate ratio of concentrated washer fluid to water (i.e., 1:10), preferably by a dual chamber arrangement, wherein the waste water from the fuel cell and the concentrated washer fluid are drawn from their respective sources and mixed, creating a mixed washer fluid having the proper ratio of water to washer fluid concentrate. In a first embodiment, the system creates the mixed washer fluid in real-time on demand of the wiper system; in a second embodiment a storage reservoir holds mixed washer fluid for stand-by use of the wiper system. | 08-28-2008 |
20090121520 | Enhanced Functionality Vehicle Closure Panel Assembly - A closure panel assembly is positioned within a through-opening of a vehicle body and provides access to a cargo area. The closure panel assembly has a hinged panel that pivots within the through-opening, a window portion that stows within the hinged panel, and an engagement device for selectively coupling the window portion with the hinged panel. The window portion connects to a surface of the vehicle body adjacent to the through-opening when the window portion is not stowed, and the hinged panel is pivotable irrespective of whether the window portion is stowed therewithin. A frame portion defines the through-opening, and the closure panel assembly is a midgate separating a passenger compartment from the cargo area. The engagement device has a ball detent assembly, and the window portion is connectable to the vehicle body using a push-push type connector. A drive motor positions the window portion and the hinged panel. | 05-14-2009 |
20090250962 | DEPLOYABLE STORAGE SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE BED - A deployable storage system for a vehicle bed is provided. The vehicle bed is partly defined by a tailgate, first and second opposing side walls and a floor. The deployable storage system includes a panel assembly secured to and that may be nested within at least one of the tailgate, the side walls and the floor of the vehicle, and movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The panel assembly does not enclose the bed when in the stowed position and generally defines along with the tailgate, the walls and the floor, an enclosure of a portion of the bed adjacent the tailgate when in the deployed position. Because the deployable storage system encloses a rear portion of the vehicle bed, air drag on the vehicle is reduced. | 10-08-2009 |
20090315358 | COVER HAVING COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE BINS - A cover configured to overlay a space and secure at least one item, includes selectively collapsible storage bins, and preferably includes a retraction mechanism operable to stow the cover, and a guide for automatically causing the bins to collapse as the cover is stowed. | 12-24-2009 |
20100052931 | GESTURE CONTROL KEY FOB - A key fob for a vehicle that provides a certain vehicle function depending on the motion applied to the key fob. The key fob includes a switch that is pressed when the vehicle operator wishes to transmit a command. Pressing the switch causes a device, such as a camera or accelerometer, to be put in a motion detecting mode, where a subsequent motion of the key fob causes the key fob to transmit a command associated with that motion. For example, the vehicle operator can press the switch on the key fob and make an upward motion, which will cause the vehicle door locks to unlock. Likewise, pressing the switch on the key fob and making a downward motion may cause the door locks to lock. | 03-04-2010 |
20100301580 | VEHICLE WITH STEP ASSEMBLY - A vehicle includes a vehicle body. The body defines a wheel well and has a body panel that at least partially defines an opening of the wheel well. A wheel is operatively connected to the vehicle body, is selectively rotatable about an axis, and is at least partially disposed within the wheel well. A member has a first end and a second end. The first end is rotatably mounted with respect to the body panel forward of the axis. The second end is rotatably mounted with respect to the body panel rearward of the axis. | 12-02-2010 |
20110109114 | SEAT FOR A VEHICLE - A vehicle seat includes a lower seat cushion and a seatback. The vehicle seat includes a pivot point that is configured for rotating generally horizontally from an inboard position to an outboard position. An extended seat track may extend within an interior of the vehicle between a front row and a rear row. The vehicle seat is movably attached to the extended seat track and is configured to move along the extended seat track between the front row and the rear row. The vehicle seat may also be configured to provide individualized comfort to the user. The lower seat cushion and the seatback each include a surface. A controller is configured to actuate the lower seat and the seatback to selectively change a contour of the respective surface to match contours of the user. | 05-12-2011 |
20110240696 | ROOF RACK BOWS WITH MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC EXTENSION AND RETRACTION - A roof rack assembly includes first and second roof rails spaced from one another, each roof rail having a respective deployable roof rack bow and a respective drive mechanism operatively connected to the roof rack bow that causes the roof rack bow to extend in length by a predetermined amount when pivoted from a stowed position to a deployed position and retract in length by the predetermined amount when pivoted from the deployed position to the retracted position. The predetermined amount that the bows extend when pivoted is sufficient to cause the respective roof rack bows to span from the first roof rail to the second roof rail when in the deployed position. | 10-06-2011 |
20110293385 | VEHICLE ADAPTED TO CARRY ELONGATE CARGO - A vehicle adapted to carry elongate cargo includes, but is not limited to, a body having a cargo support surface having a first opening. A first support member is housed within the first opening and is configured to move inwardly and outwardly with respect to the first opening. A first restraining member is connected to the first support member and oriented generally transversely thereto. The first restraining member is configured to move towards and away from the cargo support surface as the first support member moves inwardly and outwardly with respect to the first opening, and to compress the elongate cargo against the cargo support surface. The body is configured to engage the first support member and to inhibit the first support member from moving away from the body. The first restraining member and the cargo support surface cooperate to restrain the elongate cargo. | 12-01-2011 |
20120024922 | ROOF RACK ASSEMBLY WITH TRANSLATION OF PIVOTABLE ROOF RACK BOW - A roof rack assembly includes a first roof rail and a second roof rail spaced a first distance from one another on the vehicle roof. The first roof rail has a first slot extending partially along the length of the first roof rail. A first bow member is connected at a first pivot member to the first roof rail at the first slot. A first linkage member has a first portion connected at a second pivot member to the first bow member and a second portion connected at a third pivot member to the first roof rail. The first linkage member pulls the first pivot member toward the third pivot member so the first bow member translates in the first slot as the first bow member is pivoted away from the first rail. | 02-02-2012 |
20120103467 | COLLAPSIBLE FUNNEL WITH INTEGRAL CAP FOR FILLING VEHICLE FLUID RESERVOIR - An apparatus for a vehicle having a fluid reservoir fillable with fluid from a container includes a fill tube that empties into the reservoir. A funnel is fixed to the fill tube. The funnel collapses to a stowed position and extends to a use position. The funnel collapses and extends only outside of the fill tube. A cap is connected to the funnel and seals the fill tube opening when the funnel is in the stowed position. The cap is removable from the fill tube opening and has an extension that opens a seal of the container when the funnel is in the use position to permit filling of the reservoir through the funnel and the fill tube. | 05-03-2012 |
20130073338 | CUSTOMER INPUT APPLICATION - A method of submitting customer-identified insights for improving a fleet of vehicles. A capturing application is distributed that allows a customer to record a customer identified insight. The capturing application is configured to transmit a recorded customer-identified insight to a receiving unit. Customer-identified insights are received at the receiving unit via a communication system. The customer-identified insights are aggregated in a storage database. The customer-identified insights in the storage database are analyzed to identify potential vehicle improvements. | 03-21-2013 |
20130221685 | SELF PRESENTING SECONDARY HOOD RELEASE - A hood release assembly for a vehicle. The hood release assembly may include a primary hood release and a secondary hood release. The secondary hood release may include a secondary latch including a secondary catch to hold the hood in a partial release position; a secondary release lever pivotally mounted to the secondary latch and including a release handle having an extended position wherein the release handle extends forward past a front edge of the hood and a retracted position; a hood release spring biases the secondary release lever toward the extended position; and a secondary cam lever having a camming surface slidably engaged with the secondary release lever and configured to cause the secondary release lever to be in the retracted position when the hood is in the closed position and in the extended position when the hood is in the partial release position. | 08-29-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090063061 | MONITORING DEGRADATION OF CIRCIUT SPEED - A circuit, method, and computer readable medium that enables on-chip monitoring of transistor degradation. The circuit includes an on-chip reference ring oscillator electrically coupled to an on-chip reference counter. An on-chip stressed ring oscillator is electrically coupled to an on-chip test counter. A test enable input is electrically coupled with the reference counter, the test counter, and the reference ring oscillator. When the test enable input is asserted the reference ring oscillator places a bit sequence proportional to the reference ring oscillator frequency on the reference counter simultaneously while the stressed ring oscillator places bit sequence proportional to the stressed ring oscillator frequency on the test counter. A difference in bit sequence between the reference counter and the test counter is compared to determine a relative difference there between. | 03-05-2009 |
20090116325 | ON-CHIP CHARACTERIZATION OF NOISE-MARGINS FOR MEMORY ARRAYS - A circuit, method, and computer readable medium for on-chip measuring of noise margins in a memory device memory device are disclosed. The on-chip method includes electrically coupling at least a first circuit to a memory cell. A voltage divider is electrically coupled to at least a first voltage and a second voltage. A multiplexer circuit is electrically coupled to the voltage divider. The multiplexer selects one of the first voltage and second voltage for producing a test voltage. A selecting line is electrically coupled to a force\measure network. A comparator is coupled to the force\measure network. The force-measure network supplies the test voltage to the comparator and a measured voltage to the comparator for determining when the measured voltage exceeds the test voltage. | 05-07-2009 |
20120126870 | CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR RAS-ENABLED AND SELF-REGULATED FREQUENCY AND DELAY SENSOR - Circuits and methods are provided for a reliability, availability and serviceability (RAS) enabled and self-regulated frequency and delay sensor of a semiconductor. A circuit for measuring and compensating for time-dependent performance degradation of an integrated circuit, includes at least one critical functional path of the integrated circuit, and Wearout Isolation Registers (WIR's) connected to boundaries of the critical functional path. The circuit also includes a feedback path connected to the WIR's, and a sensor control module operable to disconnect the critical functional path from preceding and succeeding functional paths of the integrated circuit, connect the critical functional path to the feedback path to form a critical path ring oscillator (CPRO), and enable the CPRO to generate an operating signal. A delay sensor module is operable to measure a frequency of the operating signal to determine and compensate for a degradation of application performance over a lifetime of a semiconductor product. | 05-24-2012 |
20150338454 | CIRCUIT TO DETECT PREVIOUS USE OF COMPUTER CHIPS USING PASSIVE TEST WIRES - A test structure and method to detect open circuits due to electromigration or burn-out in test wires and inter-level vias. Electromigration occurs when current flows through circuit wires leading to a circuit interruption within the wire. The test structure is a passive test wire arranged in one of several configurations within the circuit of a computer chip. The dimensions and resistances of test wires can vary according to the test structure configuration. Each test wire is measured for an electrical discontinuity after the computer chip is powered-on. If a wiring interruption is detected, it is concluded that the chip had been powered-on before. | 11-26-2015 |