Patents by Inventor Edwin Hirahara

Edwin Hirahara 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: 6470623
    Abstract: A method of attaching an end seal (20) to a manufactured seed (22). The method including the steps of positioning a first manufactured seed on a surface (42). The first manufactured seed including a seed coat (24) having an opening (12) and an embryo (30) disposed within the opening. The opening having a location relative to the surface. The method further including prestressing an area (38) of a sheet (50) and positioning the sheet on the first manufactured seed to substantially center the area over the opening, such that the embryo is located below the area. The method also including the step of attaching the sheet to the first manufactured seed to seal the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Weyerhauser Company
    Inventor: Edwin Hirahara
  • Patent number: 5252991
    Abstract: A system is described for providing positional information regarding a media sheet in an image forming apparatus. The system includes a laser for providing a beam of collimated light and a mechanism for moving a media sheet along an imprinting path. Beam sensors are placed in the imprinting path, and positioned so as to be partially shaded by a media sheet when it is moved along the imprinting path. A scanning system moves the light beam across the media sheet and past its edges to cause the beam to fall on the beam sensors, when the media sheet is partially shadowing the beam sensors. A processor is responsive to outputs from the beam sensors to determine positional information regarding the media sheet. Positional information is derived by determining the time during which the scanned beam is incident on a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Chris A. Storlie, Edwin Hirahara