Patents by Inventor Michael B. Heaney

Michael B. Heaney 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: 8217869
    Abstract: The present exemplary embodiment relates to an improved flexible display system. One form of the display may use various types of switchable materials contained in micro cells formed from a fabric or mesh material. These cells may serve as a spacer between two opposing electrode sheets and may be individually sealed to the electrode sheets on each face. Moreover, the fabric may, in some forms, be implemented as an electrical grid for addressing the micro cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael C. Weisberg, Michael B. Heaney, John Dunec
  • Patent number: 8018410
    Abstract: An improved electric paper structure is provided. A ground plane assembly having discontinuous grounding elements is used to render electric paper applications more flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory P. Schmitz, Michael B. Heaney
  • Patent number: 7663582
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment for an electric paper application is provided. The embodiment utilizes a disordered percolation layer for forming conductive islands on electric paper. The percolation layer is comprised of a disordered mixture of conductive and non-conductive particles that are attached to a non-conductive surface to provide conductive islands therein so that the electric charge can be appropriately held near the media plane of the electric paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory P. Schmitz, Michael B. Heaney
  • Patent number: 7477443
    Abstract: An electric paper apparatus comprised of a single sheet of components, and a method of forming same, are provided. The single layer includes display elements, such as bi-stable pixel structures, and conductive particles, both preferably embedded in an insulating matrix of material (e.g. non-conductive particles). The display elements, or bi-stable pixel structures, take the exemplary form of microencapsulated bichromal spheres. The conductive particles serve as both conductive islands and as a ground plane. In this regard, the conductive particles form a discontinuous random pattern of conductive islands on one side of the sheet, and a continuous electrically conductive percolative network, or ground plane, on the other side of the sheet. This is accomplished by varying the effective percolation threshold across the thickness of the sheet. Doing so will provide particles on one side that are below the percolation threshold (e.g. the conductive islands) while the particles on the other side (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael B. Heaney, Gregory P. Schmitz
  • Patent number: 7357978
    Abstract: The present exemplary embodiment relates to the use of electronic display materials for electric paper applications. It utilizes an elastomeric ground plane to render electric paper applications more flexible than has been heretofore realized. In other forms, all layers of the electric paper are formed with elastomeric material to provide further flexibility and stretchability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory P. Schmitz, Michael B. Heaney, Eric J. Shrader
  • Patent number: 7139114
    Abstract: The presently described embodiments provide electric paper, in one form, that is bisymmetrical, both sides of the paper have the same thicknesses of mylar layers and the same thicknesses and patterns of ITO islands. In another form, a disordered layer of conductive particles, non-conductive particles and display elements has the same percolation threshold throughout, and thus is bisymmetrical. In either form, in a system for printing all asymmetries in the printing process are transferred to the printhead, just like in conventional ink printers and paper. As a result, both sides of the electric paper are equally capable of being printed on, just like conventional paper, and the electric paper has the same flexural properties when flexed in a concave or convex manner, just like conventional paper. This construction has the additional practical advantage that there is no longer any need to ensure the electric paper is oriented “right side up” before printing on it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory P. Schmitz, Michael B. Heaney
  • Patent number: 6597551
    Abstract: A polymer current limiting device is provided that has a wider operating temperature range and a lower thermal derating than conventional current limiting devices. The device may include pure lead (Pb) electrodes and a perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) polymer mixed with carbon black that achieve the wide temperature range and the low thermal derating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Huladyne Corporation
    Inventor: Michael B. Heaney
  • Publication number: 20020070842
    Abstract: A polymer current limiting device is provided that has a wider operating temperature range and a lower thermal derating than conventional current limiting devices. The device may include pure lead (Pb) electrodes and a perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) polymer mixed with carbon black that achieve the wide temperature range and the low thermal derating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Michael B. Heaney
  • Patent number: 4833392
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the electric properties of solid matter which provides data for determining the polarizability of the electron distributions contained therein is disclosed. A sample of the solid to be studied is placed between the plates of a capacitor where it acts as a dielectric. The sample is excited by the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with an atomic species contained in the sample. The voltage induced across the capacitor is then measured as a function of time with the aid of a high Q circuit tuned to a frequency related to the frequency of the applied electromagnetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Erwin L. Hahn, John Clarke, Tycho Sloater, Claude Hilbert, Michael B. Heaney