Patents by Inventor Bruce L. Davidson

Bruce L. Davidson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6042101
    Abstract: An automated media transport apparatus and method includes a load module for loading media plates from a flat cassette through one end of an internal drum of an imaging module. Sensors detect the presence of interleaved paper sheets from the media plates being loaded, and paper assemblies remove any interleaved paper sheets. An unload module unloads imaged media plates from the other end of the drum, and position the unloaded plates onto a multi-directional conveyor of the unload module. The conveyor is capable of moving the imaged media plate in one of several directions to other devices for further processing of the media plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Gerber Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Alan W. Menard, Timothy P. MacDonald, John M. Davies, Mark C. Schwartz, David P. Squires, Bruce L. Davidson
  • Patent number: 5938187
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding media to an internal drum imaging system includes a pair of parallel rails secured to a support frame that is mechanically isolated from the imaging system. The tracks are parallel to the outer circumferential edges of the internal drum. The feeding apparatus further includes a plurality of media engagement means movably coupled between the tracks. The engagement means are adapted to transport the medium to and from the internal drum along the tracks. Each engagement means includes a rail extending between the tracks and a pair of drive means pivotally connected to the ends of the rail for advancing the rail along the tracks. Each engagement means further includes a lifting means for raising and lowering the rail and a coupling means disposed to the undersurface of the rail for securing the media to the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Gerber Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J. Conlan, James M. Diener, Alan W. Menard, John R. Masotta, Richard S. Lech, Michael T. Silva, Bruce L. Davidson
  • Patent number: 5739843
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a media handler which is capable of processing a supply of media sheets which can take the form of plates, aluminum or plastic used in lithographic printing presses or the like, or can be film which is advanced to a drum and scanned by a scanning process and thereafter removed from the drum surface by appropriate handling means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Gerber Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Straayer, Bruce L. Davidson
  • Patent number: 5619246
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a media handler which is capable of processing a supply of media sheets which can take the form of plates, aluminum or plastic used in lithographic printing presses or the like, or can be film which is advanced to a drum and scanned by a scanning process and thereafter removed from the drum surface by appropriate handling means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Gerber Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Straayer, Bruce L. Davidson, Alan W. Menard, Thomas J. Suhr, Uri Bin-Nun, Timothy P. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5608453
    Abstract: A method and apparatus used with a printed circuit board (PCB) defect detection system generates a reference database image of the PCB having tolerances for each individual PCB feature, The invention is characterized by a tolerance database of at least three states in which each color is weighted and adjacent pixels are grouped into arrays or "bins". An error signal is generated when the sum of the pixel weights in a bin exceeds a preselected threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Gerber Systems Corporation
    Inventors: H. Joseph Gerber, Ronald J. Straayer, Bruce L. Davidson, Scott P. Snietka, Peter M. Walsh, Dana W. Seniff, James P. Kohler
  • Patent number: 5517234
    Abstract: A method and apparatus used with a printed circuit board (PCB) defect detection system generates a reference database image of the PCB having tolerances for each individual PCB feature wherein a tolerance database of at least three states in which each color is weighted and adjacent pixels are grouped into arrays or "bins". An error signal is generated when the sum of the pixel weights in a bin exceeds a preselected threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Gerber Systems Corporation
    Inventors: H. Joseph Gerber, Ronald J. Straayer, Bruce L. Davidson, Scott P. Snietka, Peter M. Walsh, Dana W. Seniff, James P. Kohler
  • Patent number: 5291392
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in improving the accuracy of optical systems such as internal drum photoplotters includes a raster scanner responsive to control signals for advancing relative to a substrate an optical beam across a substrate surface in a first direction forming a scan line and for cooperatively advancing relative to the substrate the optical beam in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A signal generator provides a clock signal configured to control the advancement of the optical beam in a first direction. There is a memory for storing error signals indicative of deviations of the curved surface from a preferred value of curvature. The apparatus is characterized by a controller for generating control signals in dependence on the error signals such that the phase of the clock signal is adjusted, thereby removing the curvature error for a segment of the scan line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Gerber Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Heinz J. Gerber, Ronald J. Straayer, Bruce L. Davidson
  • Patent number: 5274761
    Abstract: An image buffer for use with laser imagers is configured to receive image signals from a raster image processor (RIP). The image buffer comprises a two by two data switch and two memories for storing image data signals as generated by the RIP. The stored image data signals are presented to the laser imager in accordance with command signals provided by an image buffer controller. The image buffer controller utilizes a video interface that includes a SCSI controller and line buffer to reformat the stored image data signals before presentation to the laser imager, thereby allowing for independent operation of the RIP and laser imager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Gerber Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce L. Davidson, Robert V. DeMartino, Ronald J. Straayer
  • Patent number: 4940641
    Abstract: An indexing system for selectively orienting one of a series of arcuately oriented different sized and/or shaped apertures formed around an aperture disc used in a photohead for exposing upon a photosensitive surface detailed graphic information using a light beam. The aperture disc has formed thereon, equidistantly spaced indicators in the form of slots allowing radiant energy generated by a light emitter to impede upon and energize a split cell photosensitive detector. A control system rotates an aperture wheel to a next selected position at a first velocity until a selected aperture is within the vicinity of the next selected position and subsequently rotates the aperture disc at a second slower velocity to precisely position the next selected position in registry with the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: The Gerber Scientific Instrument Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Pavone, Bruce L. Davidson, Henry F. Berdat
  • Patent number: 4841316
    Abstract: An indexing system for selectively orienting one of a series of arcuately oriented different sized and/or shaped apertures formed around an aperture disc used in a photohead for exposing upon a photosensitive surface detailed graphic information using a light beam. The aperture disc has formed thereon, equidistantly spaced indicators in the form of slots allowing radiant energy generated by a light emitter to impede upon and energize a split cell photosensitive detector. A control system rotates an aperture wheel to a next selected position at a first volocity until a selected aperture is within the vicinity of the next selected position and subsequently rotates the aperture disc at a second slower velocity to precisely position the next selected position in registry with the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: The Gerber Scientific Instrument Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Pavone, Bruce L. Davidson, Henry F. Berdat
  • Patent number: 4450269
    Abstract: Selected mono-5-substituted-3-chloro-4H-1,2,6 thiadiazin-4-ones having the general formula ##STR1## are described which are useful for control of fungal disease in plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Clinton J. Peake, Wayne N. Harnish, Bruce L. Davidson
  • Patent number: 4201780
    Abstract: Selected mono-5-substituted-3-chloro-4H-1,2,6-thiadiazin-4-ones having the general formula ##STR1## are described which are useful for control of fungal disease in plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Clinton J. Peake, Wayne N. Harnish, Bruce L. Davidson
  • Patent number: 4196284
    Abstract: Selected mono-5-substituted-thio-3-chloro-4H-1,2,6-thiadiazin-4-ones having the formula ##STR1## wherein X is substituted thio, are described which are useful for control of fungal disease in plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Clinton J. Peake, Wayne N. Harnish, Bruce L. Davidson
  • Patent number: 4143138
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## in which R is an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring having 6 members and containing 1 or 2 hetero N atoms, their fungicidal use and preparation are described and exemplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1979
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Clinton J. Peake, Wayne N. Harnish, Bruce L. Davidson