(19)

(11)

EP 1 665 049 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 26.01.2006 (43) Date of publication: 07.06.2006 Bulletin 2006/23 (21) Application number: 04784098.8 (22) Date of filing: 13.09.2004

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G06F 11/00(1968.09) G01R 31/3185(1995.01) H01L 21/66(1974.07) (86) International application number: PCT/US2004/030127 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/029329 (31.03.2005 Gazette 2005/13)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL HR LT LV MK (30) Priority: 15.09.2003 US 503710 P 18.12.2003 US 740779 18.12.2003 US 740722 18.12.2003 US 740721 18.12.2003 US 740723 23.06.2004 US 876340 (71) Applicant: NVIDIA Corporation Santa Clara, CA 95050 (US)	(72) Inventors: DIAMOND, Michael, B. Los Gatos, CA 95032 (US) MONTRYM, John, S. Cupertino, CA 95014 (US) VAN DYKE, James, M. Austin, TX 78750 (US) NAGY, Michael, B. Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (US) TREICHLER, Sean, J. Mountain View, CA 94040 (US) (74) Representative: Ebner von Eschenbach, Jennifer et al LADAS & PARRY LLP Dachauerstrasse 37 80335 München 80335 München (DE)