Semiconductors

Lee De Forest's Early Radio Telegraphy System

A 1908 patent by radio pioneer Lee De Forest describing methods for transmitting and receiving wireless telegraphy signals using early vacuum tube technology.

2 citations

How Ernest Lawrence Invented the Cyclotron Particle Accelerator

This 1934 patent describes the cyclotron, a machine that uses magnetic and electric fields to whip particles into high speeds for scientific research.

114 citations

How Arnold Beckman Invented the Modern pH Meter

A 1936 invention by Arnold Beckman that created the first reliable, portable device for measuring the acidity of chemical solutions using electronic sensors.

17 citations

How Pulse Code Modulation Digitizes Analog Signals

A foundational 1938 patent describing how to convert continuous sound waves into a stream of digital numbers for transmission.

181 citations

Chester Carlson's Original Xerography Patent

Chester Carlson's 1942 patent for xerography, the dry copying process that became the foundation for Xerox machines.

737 citations

How the ENIAC Computer Processes Data Using Electronic Pulses

A foundational 1964 patent describing how the ENIAC computer used sequences of electronic pulses to store, read, and process numerical and qualitative data.

16 citations

The Invention of the Transistor

Bell Labs' 1950 patent for the point-contact transistor, the fundamental electronic component that makes all modern computing possible.

130 citations

The Invention of the Junction Transistor

William Shockley's 1951 patent for the junction transistor, the fundamental building block of all modern digital electronics.

145 citations

How Wang An Invented the Magnetic Pulse Memory Core

A 1949 invention by An Wang that used magnetic cores to store and transfer binary data, forming the backbone of early computer memory.

74 citations

How Alan Turing Designed Early Computer Memory Systems

A 1951 patent by Alan Turing and colleagues describing methods for moving data between different storage types in early digital computers.

17 citations

How the First Practical Silicon Solar Cell Works

A 1954 invention by Bell Labs researchers that created the first silicon-based solar cell capable of converting sunlight into enough electricity to power everyday devices.

59 citations

How the First Laser Was Invented

The foundational 1960 patent by Schawlow and Townes that describes how to amplify light waves to create a laser, moving beyond microwave technology.

145 citations

How Jack Kilby Invented the First Integrated Circuit

Texas Instruments' 1959 patent for the first integrated circuit, which combined transistors and resistors on a single piece of semiconductor material.

27 citations

How Robert Noyce Invented the Modern Integrated Circuit

Robert Noyce's 1959 patent for a semiconductor device that uses evaporated metal leads to connect components directly on a single silicon chip.

165 citations

The Invention of the Modern Field-Effect Transistor

This 1960 patent describes the fundamental structure of the MOSFET, the tiny electronic switch that powers every modern computer processor.

37 citations

How the First Infrared LED Was Invented

Texas Instruments' 1962 patent for the first practical semiconductor diode that emits infrared light when electricity passes through it.

54 citations

How Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) Were Invented

This 1962 patent describes the first practical way to use organic liquid crystals to create a display that scatters light when an electric current is applied.

90 citations

How Robert Dennard Invented the One-Transistor DRAM Memory Cell

IBM's 1967 patent for a memory cell using a single transistor and a capacitor, which became the foundation for all modern computer RAM.

191 citations

Gordon Gould's Early Concepts for High-Frequency Radiation Devices

A 1968 patent by Gordon Gould describing methods to generate and amplify radiation at frequencies exceeding visible light, building on his foundational laser work.

53 citations

How Early Hard Disk Drives Accessed Data Quickly

A 1970 patent detailing a mechanical system for moving read-write heads across magnetic disks to retrieve stored information rapidly.

9 citations

How the Floppy Disk's Protective Jacket Cleans the Disk

An IBM patent from 1972 describing a protective, non-removable cover for a magnetic disk that uses a built-in cleaning material to wipe the disk surface while it spins.

79 citations

Hamilton's Early Digital Watch with LED Display

Hamilton's 1972 patent for a digital watch that uses electronic circuits and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to show time, instead of gears and hands, powered by a rechargeable battery.

118 citations

How Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags Were Invented

A 1970 patent describing a remote tag that powers itself using incoming radio signals to read and write data, forming the foundation of modern RFID technology.

185 citations

Early Automatic Cash Dispenser Using Credit Cards

This 1973 patent describes a machine that dispenses cash using a coded credit card, verifies the card's validity, and updates its code after each transaction to prevent fraud.

36 citations

How Early CT Scans Created Detailed Body Images

This 1973 patent describes a method for using X-rays from many angles to build a detailed 2D image of the inside of a body, like a slice of a CT scan.

163 citations

Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance to Detect Cancer in Tissue

This 1974 patent describes a method and apparatus using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to measure how quickly certain atomic nuclei in a tissue sample return to their normal energy state, helping to distinguish cancerous from healthy tissue.

83 citations

How Laser Printers Use Rotating Mirrors to Write Information

A 1972 Xerox patent describing how to use a spinning mirror to scan a laser beam across a page, adjusting the speed of the data to keep the image sharp.

22 citations

How Texas Instruments Invented the Handheld Electronic Calculator

This 1972 patent describes the architecture for the first truly portable, battery-powered electronic calculator that could fit in a pocket.

18 citations

How Buried Channel CCDs Move Data Deep Inside Silicon Chips

A foundational 1974 invention that improved how computer chips store and move electrical charges by keeping them away from messy surface defects.

22 citations

How Early Cell Phones Handled Calls Across Different Towers

This patent describes a system for early portable phones to automatically find the strongest signal from a base station and switch channels as the user moves, reducing battery drain and interference.

206 citations

How Multiple Computers Share a Network Cable Without Crashing

This patent describes how multiple computers can share a single communication cable by listening for other transmissions and stopping their own if a collision occurs, then trying again later.

301 citations

Early Lithium-Ion Battery Design Using Chalcogenides

This 1977 patent describes an early rechargeable battery design using lithium as one electrode and titanium disulfide as the other, a key step towards modern lithium-ion technology.

93 citations

How Amorphous Silicon Changed Solar Power

This 1976 patent describes using a specific form of non-crystalline silicon to create cheap, thin semiconductor devices like solar cells.

197 citations

How Early Cochlear Implants Used Digital Signals to Restore Hearing

A 1977 patent describing an electronic device that converts sound into digital pulses to stimulate the auditory nerve, bypassing a damaged inner ear.

55 citations

How Wozniak Made the Apple II Display Color Graphics

Steve Wozniak's 1977 patent for a circuit that allowed a home computer to display stable, sharp color graphics on a standard television screen.

29 citations

The First Digital Camera's Core Technology

Kodak's 1978 patent on the fundamental technology for capturing, processing, and storing digital images using a CCD sensor and magnetic tape.

106 citations

How to Create a Secret Code Key Without Meeting First

This 1980 patent describes a way for two people to create a secret code key over a public channel, like the internet, without ever meeting or sharing the key directly.

708 citations

How Jarvik's Artificial Heart Uses Electric Motors to Pump Blood

A 1977 invention by Robert Jarvik that uses a reversible electric motor to power a hydraulic pump, enabling artificial hearts to mimic the natural pumping action of a human heart.

68 citations

How Scientists First Made DNA Replicate in New Cells

This 1980 patent describes a method for cutting and pasting DNA pieces in a lab to create new, self-replicating genetic material that can be inserted into bacteria, a foundational technique for genetic engineering.

346 citations

How Organic Diodes Make Light Using Special Molecules

Eastman Kodak's 1982 patent on creating light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) using organic materials, specifically a layer of porphyrinic compounds to help inject electrical charges.

1,031 citations

How Flash Memory Cells Use an Erase Gate to Clear Data

This 1985 patent describes the foundational structure of flash memory, introducing an 'erase gate' that allows data to be electrically wiped from a memory cell.

27 citations

How Computers Use Hardware to Stop Software Piracy and Cracking

A 1982 hardware-based security system that prevents software from being copied or cracked by destroying sensitive data if the computer detects unauthorized access or execution.

280 citations

How Self-Healing Data Loops Automatically Elect a New Master Controller

A communication system where multiple nodes in a loop can automatically take over as the master controller if the current one fails, ensuring the network stays synchronized.

83 citations

How Hopfield Networks Use Resistors to Mimic Brain-Like Memory

A foundational patent describing an electronic circuit that uses a grid of resistors to perform computations, effectively creating an artificial neural network that can store and recall patterns.

167 citations

How Canon's Bubble Jet Printers Make Ink Droplets

Canon's 1988 patent on bubble jet printing uses a tiny heater to instantly vaporize ink, creating a bubble that pushes out a droplet of ink from the printer head.

1,806 citations

Using Heat-Resistant Enzymes to Read DNA Sequences Faster

This patent describes using a heat-stable enzyme from a bacterium that lives in hot springs to make the process of reading DNA code much more reliable and efficient.

146 citations

How to Speed Up Neural Network Training Using Momentum

A 1988 method for training artificial neural networks that uses an 'activating variable' to speed up how quickly the network learns from its mistakes.

29 citations

How a Modern Camera Sensor Captures Light and Converts It to Data

This patent describes a camera sensor technology that combines light-capturing elements with a special circuit to read out the image data quickly and efficiently, all on a single chip.

620 citations

How Nichia Created the First Practical Blue LED Electrodes

A foundational patent describing the specific metal contacts needed to make gallium nitride LEDs efficient and commercially viable.

251 citations

How Xilinx Chips Quickly Check If Memory Is Completely Erased

A method for programmable chips to instantly verify that all memory cells are wiped clean using a simple, high-speed logic gate circuit.

5 citations

How IBM's Storage Controllers Keep Data Backups in the Right Order

A method for storage controllers to track and sequence data updates in a specific order, ensuring that remote backups remain consistent with the original data during a system failure.

145 citations

Logitech's Method for Using Two Fingers on a Touchpad

Logitech's 1998 patent describes how a touchpad can detect two fingers touching it in a specific sequence to perform actions like clicking or dragging, going beyond single-finger mouse emulation.

1,577 citations

How Multi-Level Cell Memory Stores More Data in Less Space

Toshiba's 1999 patent describes a method for storing multiple bits of data in a single memory cell by precisely controlling voltage levels during programming.

326 citations

Tiny Capsules for Electronic Paper Displays

MIT's 1999 patent on a special ink made of tiny capsules that can change color when an electric field is applied, forming the basis for early e-readers.

508 citations

How GPS Receivers See Weak Signals by Combining Data

A method for improving GPS sensitivity by mathematically combining multiple, weak signal samples to extract navigation data that would otherwise be lost in noise.

76 citations

How Cable Modems Fix Signal Distortions Before Sending Data

A method for cable modems to pre-filter data so it arrives clearly at the central office, preventing signal errors caused by the messy physical wires between them.

188 citations

How Intel's Memory Hub Manages Graphics Data Across Different Memory Types

A hardware design for a computer memory hub that lets a processor treat different types of memory as one unified space for graphics tasks.

25 citations

How a Multi-Touch Screen Detects Multiple Fingers and Palms

This patent describes the underlying electronic circuits and methods for a multi-touch surface that can track multiple fingers and palms simultaneously, even before they fully touch the screen.

2,641 citations

How Silicon Microphones Use Layers to Shrink Sound Sensors

A design for a tiny, silicon-based microphone that stacks a sound-sensing chip and an electronic processor chip together with an intermediate layer to save space.

4 citations

How a Server Updates Smart Card Apps and Shows Ads

This patent describes a system where a central server authenticates a smart card user, identifies the specific smart card, allows the user to update applications on it, and then sends an advertisement to the user's computer.

1 citation

How Multi-Touch Screens Track Multiple Fingers at Once

Apple's 2010 patent describes a touch screen that uses two layers of transparent conductive lines to detect several fingers touching the screen simultaneously.

1,995 citations

Using Heat to Move Tiny Mirrors for Controlling Light Beams

A system that uses tiny, heat-powered mechanical arms to move mirrors into the path of light beams, effectively acting as a switch for fiber optic networks.

1 citation

How Graphics Processors Switch Between Different Tasks Efficiently

A method for graphics chips to pause and swap between different programs or tasks without waiting for every single part of the processor to finish its current job.

6 citations

How Touchscreens Save Battery by Sleeping Between Touches

A power-saving method for touchscreens that puts the main processor to sleep when not in use and wakes it up only when a touch is detected.

21 citations

How Touchscreens Precisely Align Signals to Detect Your Touch

Apple's patent describes a way for touchscreens to adjust the timing of internal electrical signals so they perfectly match the signals coming from your finger, making touch detection more accurate.

13 citations

How to Send Data Streams Independently Without Connection Overload

A method for sending multiple streams of data between devices using independent, reliable paths that keep data in the correct order without needing a constant connection.

42 citations

How Nanoparticles Form Adaptive Neural Network Connections

This patent describes how to build and strengthen a physical neural network using tiny nanoparticles suspended in a liquid, where electric fields make the connections learn and adapt.

12 citations

How Touchscreens Tell Real Touches From False Ghost Touches

A method for capacitive touchscreens to distinguish between actual finger presses and false ghost signals that occur when multiple points are touched simultaneously.

2 citations

How Apple Embeds Haptic Actuators Directly Into Device Layers

A design for touchscreens that embeds vibration-producing actuators directly into a nonconductive material layer, paired with force sensors to detect how hard a user presses.

18 citations

How Smartphones Use Light Sensors to Detect When You Are Talking

Apple's patent on using light sensors to help a phone accurately detect when it is pressed against your ear, preventing accidental screen touches.

59 citations

How Smartphones Calibrate Their Radio Power Across Different Temperatures

A method for testing and calibrating a phone's wireless radio performance in a temperature-controlled chamber to ensure it stays accurate as the device heats up or cools down.

47 citations

How to Split Computer Tasks Between Different Types of Processors

A system that uses a physical backplane to connect two different types of computer processors—one for general tasks and one for real-time tasks—to improve efficiency.

11 citations

Device That Adjusts Power for Charging Multiple Devices

This 2016 patent describes a system that intelligently adjusts the power supplied to charge multiple devices, ensuring one device gets a steady charge while another can receive a variable amount.

How Databases Keep Read-Only Copies Up-to-Date

Amazon's 2016 patent describes a system for efficiently updating read-only copies of a distributed database by sending specific change notifications, ensuring read-only nodes show accurate data.

108 citations

How Devices Negotiate Power Sharing When Connected Together

A system for host devices like laptops to automatically set and update power-sharing rules with connected accessories based on identity and real-time power needs.

6 citations

How to Automatically Expand Neural Networks by Adding New Nodes

A method for growing artificial intelligence models by identifying underperforming parts of a network and adding new nodes based on the behavior of existing ones.

3 citations

How to Save and Reuse Skills Learned by Artificial Intelligence Hardware

A method for capturing the internal settings of a neuromorphic AI chip after it learns a task, allowing that 'skill' to be exported and loaded onto another AI chip.

1 citation

How Microsoft Organizes Data in Multi-Tier Storage Systems

A method for organizing computer data into three specific tiers—log, hash, and journal stores—to make writing and reading data faster and more efficient.

4 citations

Managing External Network Hardware as if It Were Inside the Switch

A method for managing external network service hardware by treating it as part of the main switch's internal system using a virtual connection.

1 citation

How Stylus Ring Electrodes Detect Pen Tilt and Orientation

Apple's patent for a stylus design that uses specific ring-shaped sensors to accurately measure the angle and tilt of a pen against a touchscreen.

3 citations

How a Single Electronic Component Can Learn and Process AI Data

This patent describes a tiny electronic component called a resistive processing unit (RPU) that acts like a brain cell in an artificial intelligence network, storing and processing information directly within its changing electrical resistance.

11 citations

How to Make AI Run Faster on Smaller Computer Chips

A method to shrink complex AI models by converting their high-precision math into simpler, faster formats that run efficiently on mobile devices.

17 citations

Securing Data Storage Commands with Passcodes

This patent describes a system for securely executing commands on data storage systems by requiring a generated passcode, which is based on user authentication and specific storage entity attributes.

89 citations

How Touchscreens Predict Where Your Finger Will Land Before You Touch

Apple's patent describes a touch controller that tracks an object's path through the air to predict where it will land on a screen before it actually makes physical contact.

8 citations

How Chips Save Power by Managing Individual Parts Separately

A method for computer chips to save energy by monitoring how busy specific internal parts are and adjusting their power and speed individually rather than as a whole.

1 citation

A Solid-State Oxygen Thruster for Spacecraft Propulsion

A compact space thruster that generates thrust by electrically pulling oxygen ions out of a solid material using memristor-like switching behavior.

How SK Hynix Builds Artificial Synapses for Brain-Like Computer Chips

A design for a tiny hardware component that mimics biological brain connections to help computers learn and process information like a human brain.

How IBM Uses Resistive Memory Chips to Speed Up AI Training

A method for running AI neural networks directly on specialized hardware chips that store data as electrical resistance, making them faster and more energy-efficient than standard processors.

7 citations

How to Fix Faulty Memory Cells in AI Chips

This patent describes a system that tests individual memory cells in AI chips for uneven behavior and then permanently disables the faulty ones before the chip starts learning, making AI training more efficient.

3 citations

How to Build Thin, Flat Light-Focusing Panels

A design for a thin, flat light-guiding panel that uses tiny built-in lenses and notches to turn trapped light into a focused, directional beam.

2 citations

How to Sequence DNA from Tiny Samples Using Specialized Plates

A method for preparing DNA for genetic sequencing by splitting tiny samples into a 5184-well plate to ensure accurate data from very few cells.

1 citation

How to Use Air-Gaps to Insulate High-Voltage Semiconductor Chips

A design for semiconductor chips that uses empty air-filled trenches to provide better electrical insulation for high-voltage transistors without needing complex filling materials.

How D-Wave Clears Magnetic Noise in Quantum Computers

A method for improving quantum computer accuracy by actively clearing out magnetic interference that builds up during calculations.

13 citations

How Mobile Devices Automatically Manage Data Retransmission Errors

A method for mobile devices to efficiently track and fix data transmission errors by mathematically assigning ID tags to recurring data packets.

How to Stop Transistors from Wearing Out in Radio Frequency Chips

A method for extending the lifespan of silicon-on-insulator transistors by using a special sink to drain away charge that causes gate oxide breakdown.

How LG Chem Makes Plastic Films That Block UV Light

A specialized plastic film made of alternating chemical segments that blocks harmful ultraviolet light while remaining perfectly clear.

How Samsung Makes Better Transistor Gates Using Two-Layer Metal Stacks

A design for a transistor gate electrode that uses a two-layer metal structure to improve electrical performance and reliability in modern microchips.

Using Transcendental Math to Generate Better Random Numbers

A method for creating high-quality random numbers by using complex transcendental math equations to process raw data.

How to Embed Tiny Optical Components Directly into Circuit Boards

A design for embedding light-emitting components and light-guiding paths directly into the layers of a circuit board to make devices smaller and more efficient.

How Rohm Designs Compact Semiconductor Packages for Better Heat Management

A semiconductor packaging design by Rohm that arranges multiple chips and specific lead terminals to optimize space and thermal performance in electronic devices.

How a Chip Uses Memory to Speed Up AI Calculations

This patent describes a specialized computer chip that uses non-volatile memory and analog signals to quickly perform calculations for artificial intelligence, especially for neural networks that need to remember past information.

How to Make Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Last Longer Using Polymer Coatings

A new way to coat sulfur battery cores with a special polymer to prevent them from degrading, helping them hold a charge for more cycles.

Making Neural Networks Faster by Skipping Unnecessary Calculations

A method to speed up AI training by keeping data sparse, meaning it ignores zeros to save memory and processing power during both forward and backward passes.

1 citation

How Tiny Water-Powered Thrusters Steer Small Satellites

A method for building microscopic water-based rocket engines that use heat to push water through tiny nozzles to steer small satellites in space.

How Vehicle Radar Systems Correct Phase Errors for Better Object Detection

A radar system for cars that switches between two modes with different pulse speeds to fix phase errors, helping the vehicle more accurately track the direction and speed of objects.

How TSMC Makes Advanced Silicon-Based Light Sensors

A manufacturing process for high-performance light sensors that use alternating doped regions within a silicon-on-insulator structure to improve detection efficiency.

How Wireless Radios Automatically Adjust to Avoid Signal Overload

A method for wireless devices to automatically rearrange their internal signal-processing components when incoming radio signals are too strong and threaten to overwhelm the hardware.

Industrial Equipment Data Organized into Smart Knowledge Graphs

Honeywell's patent describes a system that collects data from industrial equipment, makes sense of it using rules, and organizes it into a smart graph for better control and actions.

1 citation

How to Fix Color Uniformity in Digital Screens Using Math

A method for smoothing out color and brightness inconsistencies across a display screen by mathematically adjusting pixels based on their distance from a reference point.

How Foldable Screens Use Electrochromic Layers to Improve Color and Contrast

A method for foldable display panels to adjust their light-filtering properties using electrochromic layers that change color or opacity based on whether the screen is stretched or folded.

How to Save Memory Power by Grouping Error-Correction Data

A method for memory controllers to reduce power consumption by fetching multiple sets of error-checking data in a single memory row access instead of one-by-one.

Making AI Smarter by Focusing on Unsure 'Nodes'

This 2025 patent from D5AI LLC describes a way to train AI models more effectively by boosting the learning signal for 'nodes' that aren't making clear decisions on data.

1 citation