Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130097018 | METHODS FOR AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO A PURCHASER - The present invention provides methods and apparatus for assisting a Purchaser in making a decision related to a Purchase. The decision may include which Product or Service will most satisfy a Purchaser in the event that the Purchaser acquires the Product or Service. The assistance is based upon emotional motivators associated with the Purchaser. | 04-18-2013 |
20130097051 | METHODS FOR AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ADVICE BASED UPON EMOTIONAL MOTIVATORS - The present invention provides methods and apparatus for associating Products with Emotional Qualifiers and Purchasers with Emotional Motivators. The associations may then be used to provide advice on a decision to Purchase or other decision. | 04-18-2013 |
20130159101 | METHODS FOR AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED SALES REFERRALS LOCAL TO A PURCHASER - The present invention provides methods and apparatus for associating Emotional Motivators with a Product. The Emotional Motivators associated with the Products are correlated with Emotional Motivators associated with a Purchaser. Advice regarding a Purchase may be provided based upon the correlated Emotional Motivators. | 06-20-2013 |
20130246174 | METHODS FOR AND APPARATUS FOR ASSOCIATING EMOTIONAL MOTIVATORS WITH PRODUCTS - The present invention provides methods and apparatus for associating Emotional Motivators with a Product. The Emotional Motivators associated with the Products are correlated with Emotional Motivators associated with a Purchaser. Advice regarding a Purchase may be provided based upon the correlated Emotional Motivators. | 09-19-2013 |
20140012667 | METHODS FOR AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO A PURCHASER - The present invention provides methods and apparatus for assisting a Purchaser in making a decision related to a Purchase. The decision may include which Product or Service will most satisfy a Purchaser in the event that the Purchaser acquires the Product or Service. The assistance is based upon emotional motivators associated with the Purchaser. | 01-09-2014 |
20140012700 | METHODS FOR AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ADVICE BASED UPON EMOTIONAL MOTIVATORS - The present invention provides methods and apparatus for associating Products with Emotional Qualifiers and Purchasers with Emotional Motivators. The associations may then be used to provide advice on a decision to Purchase or other decision. | 01-09-2014 |
20140074651 | METHODS FOR AND APPARATUS FOR ASSOCIATING EMOTIONAL MOTIVATORS WITH PRODUCTS - The present invention provides methods and apparatus for associating Emotional Motivators with a Product. The Emotional Motivators associated with the Products are correlated with Emotional Motivators associated with a Purchaser. Advice regarding a Purchase may be provided based upon the correlated Emotional Motivators. | 03-13-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110166019 | DIRECT THERMAL MEDIA AND REGISTRATION SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE IN A COLOR THERMAL PRINTER - Provided is a direct thermal media containing a regular repeating pattern of color-forming thermally-imageable stripes printed parallel to the print head element line and a system for using such direct thermal media in color direct thermal printers including an optical registration system optimized for use with this media and an image processing unit that monitors the position of the stripe pattern relative to the print head and synchronizes the start of the printing process. This direct thermal media together with the optical registration system and image processing unit comprise an operative system in that the design of the thermal media, the optical registration system and image processing unit used to control printing are optimized for use with each other. This system may be utilized, for example, in color thermal printers for documents, receipts, tags, tickets or labels. | 07-07-2011 |
20130244872 | DIRECT THERMAL MEDIA AND REGISTRATION SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE IN A COLOR THERMAL PRINTER - Provided is a direct thermal media containing a regular repeating pattern of color-forming thermally-imageable stripes printed parallel to the print head element line and a system for using such direct thermal media in color direct thermal printers including an optical registration system optimized for use with this media and an image processing unit that monitors the position of the stripe pattern relative to the print head and synchronizes the start of the printing process. This direct thermal media together with the optical registration system and image processing unit comprise an operative system in that the design of the thermal media, the optical registration system and image processing unit used to control printing are optimized for use with each other. This system may be utilized, for example, in color thermal printers for documents, receipts, tags, tickets or labels. | 09-19-2013 |
20150099625 | DIRECT THERMAL MEDIA AND REGISTRATION SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE IN A COLOR THERMAL PRINTER - Provided is a direct thermal media containing a regular repeating pattern of color-forming thermally-imageable stripes printed parallel to the print head element line and a system for using such direct thermal media in color direct thermal printers including an optical registration system optimized for use with this media and an image processing unit that monitors the position of the stripe pattern relative to the print head and synchronizes the start of the printing process. This direct thermal media together with the optical registration system and image processing unit comprise an operative system in that the design of the thermal media, the optical registration system and image processing unit used to control printing are optimized for use with each other. This system may be utilized, for example, in color thermal printers for documents, receipts, tags, tickets or labels. | 04-09-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110236594 | In-Situ Deposition of Film Stacks - Methods and hardware for depositing film stacks in a process tool in-situ (i.e., without a vacuum break or air exposure) are described. In one example, a method for depositing, on a substrate, a film stack including films of different compositions in-situ in a process station using a plasma is described, the method including, in a first plasma-activated film deposition phase, depositing a first layer of film having a first film composition on the substrate; in a second plasma-activated deposition phase, depositing a second layer of film having a second film composition on the first layer of film; and sustaining the plasma while transitioning a composition of the plasma from the first plasma-activated film deposition phase to the second plasma-activated film deposition phase. | 09-29-2011 |
20110236600 | Smooth Silicon-Containing Films - Methods and hardware for depositing ultra-smooth silicon-containing films and film stacks are described. In one example, an embodiment of a method for forming a silicon-containing film on a substrate in a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition apparatus is disclosed, the method including supplying a silicon-containing reactant to the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition apparatus; supplying a co-reactant to the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition apparatus; supplying a capacitively-coupled plasma to a process station of the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition apparatus, the plasma including silicon radicals generated from the silicon-containing reactant and co-reactant radicals generated from the co-reactant; and depositing the silicon-containing film on the substrate, the silicon-containing film having a refractive index of between 1.4 and 2.1, the silicon-containing film further having an absolute roughness of less than or equal to 4.5 Å as measured on a silicon substrate. | 09-29-2011 |
20120142172 | PECVD DEPOSITION OF SMOOTH POLYSILICON FILMS - Smooth silicon and silicon germanium films are deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The films are characterized by roughness (Ra) of less than about 4 Å. In some embodiments, smooth silicon films are undoped and doped polycrystalline silicon films. The dopants can include boron, phosphorus, and arsenic. In some embodiments the smooth polycrystalline silicon films are also highly conductive. For example, boron-doped polycrystalline silicon films having resistivity of less than about 0.015 Ohm cm and Ra of less than about 4 Å can be deposited by PECVD. In some embodiments smooth silicon films are incorporated into stacks of alternating layers of doped and undoped polysilicon, or into stacks of alternating layers of silicon oxide and doped polysilicon employed in memory devices. Smooth films can be deposited using a process gas having a low concentration of silicon-containing precursor and/or a process gas comprising a silicon-containing precursor and H | 06-07-2012 |
20130171834 | IN-SITU DEPOSITION OF FILM STACKS - Disclosed herein are methods of forming a film stack which may include the plasma accelerated deposition of a silicon nitride film formed from the reaction of nitrogen containing precursor with silicon containing precursor, the plasma accelerated substantial elimination of silicon containing precursor from the processing chamber, the plasma accelerated deposition of a silicon oxide film atop the silicon nitride film formed from the reaction of silicon containing precursor with oxidant, and the plasma accelerated substantial elimination of oxidant from the processing chamber. Also disclosed herein are process station apparatuses for forming a film stack of silicon nitride and silicon oxide films which may include a processing chamber, one or more gas delivery lines, one or more RF generators, and a system controller having machine-readable media with instructions for operating the one or more gas delivery lines, and the one or more RF generators. | 07-04-2013 |
20130316518 | PECVD DEPOSITION OF SMOOTH SILICON FILMS - Smooth silicon films having low compressive stress and smooth tensile silicon films are deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) using a process gas comprising a silicon-containing precursor (e.g., silane), argon, and a second gas, such as helium, hydrogen, or a combination of helium and hydrogen. Doped smooth silicon films and smooth silicon germanium films can be obtained by adding a source of dopant or a germanium-containing precursor to the process gas. In some embodiments dual frequency plasma comprising high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) components is used during deposition, resulting in improved film roughness. The films are characterized by roughness (Ra) of less than about 7 Å, such as less than about 5 Å as measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and a compressive stress of less than about 500 MPa in absolute value. In some embodiments smooth tensile silicon films are obtained. | 11-28-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130157466 | SILICON NITRIDE FILMS FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE APPLICATIONS - The embodiments herein relate to plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition methods and apparatus for depositing silicon nitride on a substrate. The disclosed methods provide silicon nitride films having wet etch rates (e.g., in dilute hydrofluoric acid or hot phosphoric acid) suitable for certain applications such as vertical memory devices. Further, the methods provide silicon nitride films having defined levels of internal stress suitable for the applications in question. These silicon nitride film characteristics can be set or tuned by controlling, for example, the composition and flow rates of the precursors, as well as the RF power supplied to the plasma and the pressure in the reactor. In certain embodiments, a boron-containing precursor is added. | 06-20-2013 |
20130267081 | POST-DEPOSITION SOFT ANNEALING - The methods and apparatus disclosed herein concern a process that may be referred to as a “soft anneal.” A soft anneal provides various benefits. Fundamentally, it reduces the internal stress in one or more silicon layers of a work piece. Typically, though not necessarily, the internal stress is a compressive stress. A particularly beneficial application of a soft anneal is in reduction of internal stress in a stack containing two or more layers of silicon. Often, the internal stress of a layer or group of layers in a stack is manifest as wafer bow. The soft anneal process can be used to reduce compressive bow in stacks containing silicon. The soft anneal process may be performed without causing the silicon in the stack to become activated. | 10-10-2013 |
20140357064 | TENSILE STRESSED DOPED AMORPHOUS SILICON - The method and apparatus disclosed herein relate to preparing a stack structure for an electronic device on a semiconductor substrate. A particularly beneficial application of the method is in reduction of internal stress in a stack containing multiple layers of silicon. Typically, though not necessarily, the internal stress is a compressive stress, which often manifests as wafer bow. In some embodiments, the method reduces the internal stress of a work piece by depositing phosphorus doped silicon layers having low internal compressive stress or even tensile stress. The method and apparatus disclosed herein can be used to reduce compressive bow in stacks containing silicon. | 12-04-2014 |
20150013607 | IN-SITU DEPOSITION OF FILM STACKS - An apparatus for depositing film stacks in-situ (i.e., without a vacuum break or air exposure) are described. In one example, a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition apparatus configured to deposit a plurality of film layers on a substrate without exposing the substrate to a vacuum break between film deposition phases, is provided. The apparatus includes a process chamber, a plasma source and a controller configured to control the plasma source to generate reactant radicals using a particular reactant gas mixture during the particular deposition phase, and sustain the plasma during a transition from the particular reactant gas mixture supplied during the particular deposition phase to a different reactant gas mixture supplied during a different deposition phase. | 01-15-2015 |
20150325435 | PECVD DEPOSITION OF SMOOTH SILICON FILMS - Smooth silicon films having low compressive stress and smooth tensile silicon films are deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) using a process gas comprising a silicon-containing precursor (e.g., silane), argon, and a second gas, such as helium, hydrogen, or a combination of helium and hydrogen. Doped smooth silicon films and smooth silicon germanium films can be obtained by adding a source of dopant or a germanium-containing precursor to the process gas. In some embodiments dual frequency plasma comprising high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) components is used during deposition, resulting in improved film roughness. The films are characterized by roughness (Ra) of less than about 7 Å, such as less than about 5 Å as measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and a compressive stress of less than about 500 MPa in absolute value. In some embodiments smooth tensile silicon films are obtained. | 11-12-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110289003 | Electronic License Management - In one aspect, this application describes a method for determining a license status of a software application. The method includes receiving a license status request to obtain an indication of whether a software application is licensed for use on a client computing device. The method also includes identifying identity information that corresponds to user identity information, device identity information, or both. The method also includes sending a communication generated from the license status request and the identity information to a licensing service, the communication being used by the licensing service to generate the indication based at least in part on the identity information and licensing information associated with the software application. The method also includes receiving a license status response from the licensing service that includes the indication. The method also includes sending the license status response to the software application for processing by the software application. | 11-24-2011 |
20120023596 | Electronic License Management - In one aspect, this application describes a method for determining a license status of a software application. The method includes receiving a license status request to obtain an indication of whether a software application is licensed for use on a client computing device. The method also includes identifying identity information that corresponds to user identity information, device identity information, or both. The method also includes sending a communication generated from the license status request and the identity information to a licensing service, the communication being used by the licensing service to generate the indication based at least in part on the identity information and licensing information associated with the software application. The method also includes receiving a license status response from the licensing service that includes the indication. The method also includes sending the license status response to the software application for processing by the software application. | 01-26-2012 |
20130024851 | Multiple Application Versions - In one aspect, this application describes a method for determining a version of a software application targeted for a computing device. The method includes receiving, at an application marketplace system and from a user associated with a computing device that operates remotely from the application marketplace system, a request that corresponds to a software application distributed by the application marketplace system, the software application having multiple versions on the application marketplace system. The method also includes determining one or more device attributes that are associated with the computing device, and identifying a particular version of the software application, from among the multiple versions on the application marketplace system, that is targeted for the computing device based on the device attributes. The method also includes providing, for display to the user and in response to the request, information related to the particular version of the software application. | 01-24-2013 |
20130024852 | Multiple Application Versions - In one aspect, this application describes a method for determining a version of a software application targeted for a computing device. The method includes receiving, at an application marketplace system and from a user associated with a computing device that operates remotely from the application marketplace system, a request that corresponds to a software application distributed by the application marketplace system, the software application having multiple versions on the application marketplace system. The method also includes determining one or more device attributes that are associated with the computing device, and identifying a particular version of the software application, from among the multiple versions on the application marketplace system, that is targeted for the computing device based on the device attributes. The method also includes providing, for display to the user and in response to the request, information related to the particular version of the software application. | 01-24-2013 |
20140173585 | Multiple Application Versions - In one aspect, this application describes a method for determining a version of a software application targeted for a computing device. The method includes receiving, at an application marketplace system and from a user associated with a computing device that operates remotely from the application marketplace system, a request that corresponds to a software application distributed by the application marketplace system, the software application having multiple versions on the application marketplace system. The method also includes determining one or more device attributes that are associated with the computing device, and identifying a particular version of the software application, from among the multiple versions on the application marketplace system, that is targeted for the computing device based on the device attributes. The method also includes providing, for display to the user and in response to the request, information related to the particular version of the software application. | 06-19-2014 |
20150149363 | Electronic License Management - In one aspect, this application describes a method for determining a license status of a software application. The method includes receiving a license status request to obtain an indication of whether a software application is licensed for use on a client computing device. The method also includes identifying identity information that corresponds to user identity information, device identity information, or both. The method also includes sending a communication generated from the license status request and the identity information to a licensing service, the communication being used by the licensing service to generate the indication based at least in part on the identity information and licensing information associated with the software application. The method also includes receiving a license status response from the licensing service that includes the indication. The method also includes sending the license status response to the software application for processing by the software application. | 05-28-2015 |
20150287003 | Multiple Application Versions - In one aspect, this application describes a method for determining a version of a software application targeted for a computing device. The method includes receiving, at an application marketplace system and from a user associated with a computing device that operates remotely from the application marketplace system, a request that corresponds to a software application distributed by the application marketplace system, the software application having multiple versions on the application marketplace system. The method also includes determining one or more device attributes that are associated with the computing device, and identifying a particular version of the software application, from among the multiple versions on the application marketplace system, that is targeted for the computing device based on the device attributes. The method also includes providing, for display to the user and in response to the request, information related to the particular version of the software application. | 10-08-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100024001 | Securing Blade Servers In A Data Center - Securing blade servers in a data center, the data center including a plurality of blade servers installed in a plurality of blade server chassis, the blade servers and chassis connected for data communications to a management module, each blade server chassis including a chassis key, where securing blade servers includes: prior to enabling user-level operation of the blade server, receiving, by a security module, from the management module, a chassis key for the blade server chassis in which the blade server is installed; determining, by the security module, whether the chassis key matches a security key stored on the blade server; if the chassis key matches the security key, enabling, by the security module, user-level operation of the blade server; and if the chassis key does not match the security key, disabling, by the security module, operation of the blade server. | 01-28-2010 |
20100115252 | AUTOMATED FIRMWARE RECOVERY - According to one embodiment, a corrupted network hardware device may be automatically inspected and repaired. A default boot sequence may be suspended, and an external recovery device may inspect and repair the corrupted code by selectively repairing files and configuration settings in a minimally invasive manner, to preserve as many user settings as practicable. The network hardware device may then be re-booted from the repaired firmware. | 05-06-2010 |
20110058674 | Secure Communication Of Information Over A Wireless Link - Secure communication of information over a wireless link with apparatus including a blade management module and a plurality of blade servers, the blade servers connected for data communications with the blade management module through at least one wired link, the blade servers also connected for data communications with the blade management module through at least one wireless link, including sharing an encryption key between the blade management module and one or more of the blade servers only through the at least one wired link connecting the blade management module to the one or more blade servers; encrypting information by the blade management module with the encryption key; transmitting the encrypted information by the blade management module to the one or more blade servers through the at least one wireless link; and decrypting the encrypted information by the blade server with the encryption key. | 03-10-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110253581 | Molten metal leakege confinement and thernal optimization in vessels used for containing molten metal - Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a vessel used for containing molten metal, e.g. a trough section for conveying molten metal from one location to another. The vessel has a refractory liner made of at least two refractory liner units positioned end to end, with a joint between the units, the units each having an exterior surface and a metal-contacting interior surface. A housing at least partially surrounds the exterior surfaces of the refractory liner units with a gap present between the exterior surfaces and the housing. Molten metal confinement elements, impenetrable by molten metal, are positioned on opposite sides of the joint within the gap, at least below a horizontal level corresponding to a predetermined maximum working height of molten metal held within the vessel in use, to partition the gap into a molten metal confinement region between the elements and at least one other region that may be used to hold equipment such as electrical heaters that may be damaged by contact with molten metal. Another embodiment employs refractory liner units of different thermal conductivity to maximize heat penetration into the molten metal from heaters in the gap, but to minimize heat loss at the inlet and outlet of the vessel where the end units contact the housing. | 10-20-2011 |
20140117596 | MOLTEN METAL LEAKAGE CONFINEMENT AND THERMAL OPTIMIZATION IN VESSELS USED FOR CONTAINING MOLTEN METALS - A vessel used for containing molten metal, e.g. a trough section for conveying molten metal from one location to another. In some embodiments, the vessel employs refractory liner units of different thermal conductivity to maximize heat penetration into the molten metal from heaters in the gap, but to minimize heat loss at the inlet and outlet of the vessel where the end units contact the housing. | 05-01-2014 |
20160052053 | SUPPORT AND COMPRESSION ASSEMBLIES FOR CURVILINEAR MOLTEN METAL TRANSFER DEVICE - A curvilinear metal transfer device with support and compression assemblies that help maintain a constant force on the transfer device's metal outer casing and refractory as the outer casing and refractory expand and contract due to temperature fluctuations. In one embodiment, the support assemblies are configured to apply force to the refractory to keep the refractory in tension with the outer casing to suspend the refractory relative the outer casing. Also disclosed are clamp plates that help hold the refractory in place, and nested lids that cover the curvilinear metal transfer device. | 02-25-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090288795 | Oxide restraint during co-casting of metals - A method and apparatus is disclosed for casting a composite ingot made of metals that are susceptible to surface oxide formation when molten. The method involves co-casting at least two metal layers from at least two molten metal pools formed within a direct chill casting apparatus. During the casting operation, movement of metal oxide formed on the upper surface of at least one of the pools towards an edge of the pool is restrained by an oxide skimmer positioned close to an edge of the pool above an external surface or metal-metal interface of the ingot. The apparatus provides a DC caster with at least one oxide skimmer that operates in this manner. | 11-26-2009 |
20090301683 | Method and apparatus for removal of cooling water from ingots by means of water jets - The exemplary embodiments relate to the removal of cooling water used to cool the surface of an ingot as it is formed during casting. The cooling water is removed from the surface by directing jets of water onto the surface at an angle, and with a momentum, that causes the cooling water to be stripped from the surface when contacted with the jets, and to follow a path that prevents the cooling water from again coming into contact with the ingot surface at a position beyond the point of removal. The apparatus for this includes nozzles to create the water jets, and equipment for supplying water under sufficient pressure and rate of flow to the nozzles. | 12-10-2009 |
20110139799 | Method of forming sealed refractory joints in metal-containment vessels, and vessels containing sealed joints - An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method of preparing a reinforced refractory joint between refractory sections of a vessel used for containing or conveying molten metal, e.g. a metal-contacting trough. The method involves introducing a mesh body made of metal wires into a gap between metal-contacting surfaces of adjacent refractory sections of a vessel so that the mesh body is positioned beneath the metal conveying surfaces, and covering the mesh body with a layer of moldable refractory material to seal the gap between the metal-contacting surfaces. Other embodiments relate to a vessel formed by the method and a vessel section with a pre-positioned mesh body suitable for preparing a sealed joint with other such sections. | 06-16-2011 |
20110140322 | Compressive rod assembly for molten metal containment structure - Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a compressive rod assembly for applying force to a refractory vessel positioned within an outer metal casing. The assembly includes a rigid elongated rod having first and second opposed ends, a threaded bolt adjacent to the first opposed end of the elongated rod, and a compressive structure positioned operationally between the elongated rod and the bolt. Compressive force applied by the bolt to the elongated rod passes through the compressive structure which allows limited longitudinal movements of the elongated rod to be accommodated by the compressive structure without requiring corresponding longitudinal movements of the bolt. Exemplary embodiments also relate to rod structure forming a component of the assembly, and to a metal containment structure having a vessel supported and compressed by at least one such assembly. | 06-16-2011 |