Patents Represented by Attorney Mark P. Watson
  • Patent number: 6890304
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for diagnosing physiological state based on blood pulse waves detected in the body. It is the objective of the present invention to provide a device which correctly diagnoses the current physiological state based on changes in physiological state measured over a specified period of time in the past while taking into consideration the cyclical variation exhibited in physiological state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Amano, Kazuo Uebaba, Hitoshi Ishiyama
  • Patent number: 6891254
    Abstract: A sealing process in a manufacturing method for semiconductor devices improves product reliability. A die pad 14 with a semiconductor chip 32 mounted thereon is placed between first and second molding dies 40, 42 such that the die pad 14 is supported above the second molding die 42. A sealant 30 is then injected between the first and second molding dies 40, 42 to seal the semiconductor chip 32. Part of the die pad 14 has one or more protrusions 16 projecting in the direction of the second molding die 42. Injecting the sealant 30 presses the protrusions 16 against the second molding die 42 and seals the semiconductor chip 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 6885471
    Abstract: A printer controller, printer control method, and data storage medium detect a real-time command pattern in the print data to prevent unintended real-time commands from being executed by the printer. The evaluating unit detects whether a command data stream for printing image data sent to a printer contains a specific data sequence. When the specific data sequence, such as the data sequence of a real-time command, is present in the command data stream, the generating unit generates a plurality of command data stream segments not containing the specific data sequence but producing printing image data identical to the image data of the original data stream to the printer; the sending unit then sends the plurality of command data stream segments generated by the generating unit to the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Minowa, Asahiro Oguchi, Teruaki Oguchi
  • Patent number: 6879068
    Abstract: Protrusions (260) for adjusting the cogging torque of a rotor (21) are formed on a stator (22) in a small-size power generator (20). Since the protrusions (260) are formed on an inner periphery of a rotor accommodation hole (230) within an angular range of ±45° around a magnetic flux direction of a first magnetic circuit (100) having a smaller magnetic reluctance at a rotation center of the rotor (21), the cogging torque can be effectively reduced. Accordingly, even when the size of components such as an oscillating weight and a power spring is reduced for making a thin timepiece, rotation startability of the rotor can be improved, thus improving power generation efficiency of the small-size power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kinya Matsuzawa
  • Patent number: 6863375
    Abstract: A silicon nozzle plate includes nozzles each with a first nozzle portion having a circular cross-section and a second nozzle portion having a circular cross-section wherein the circular cross-section of the first nozzle portion is smaller than the circular cross-section of the second nozzle portion. In one embodiment the nozzle plate is utilized in an inkjet head and includes a recess having a flat bottom surface that commonly communicates with a plurality of first nozzle portions and a through hole that exposes terminal portions that supply control signals to pressure generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Makigaki, Taro Takekoshi, Masahiro Fujii, Koji Kitahara, Seiichi Fujita
  • Patent number: 6842184
    Abstract: A dither matrix generator defines a three-dimensional array of pixels referred to as the “cluster array” in which each pixel is designated based on its value as a “cluster pixel” or a “void pixel”. The dither matrix generator also defines a three-dimensional array referred to as the “dither matrix,” and assigns rank values to the dither matrix in two stages. In the first stage, the dither matrix generator identifies the largest cluster in the cluster array, identifies a cluster pixel located in the largest cluster, assigns a rank value to the element in the dither matrix corresponding to the cluster pixel and removes the cluster pixel from the cluster array. The process is repeated until the cluster array contains no cluster pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Jincheng Huang, Joseph Shu
  • Patent number: 6832723
    Abstract: A multifunction device having a pressure feed roller opposite a scanner that advances a sheet while holding it against the scanning glass and avoids sheets being caught by the pressure feed roller and prevents jams and shifts in the feed pitch using a retraction mechanism. The multifunction device 10 has a transportation path 15 for guiding the check P. Located along the transportation path 15 are print heads 21, 23 for printing on the check P, a scanner head 25 for scanning the printed side of the check P, scanner feed rollers 26 for advancing while pressing the check P against the scanner head 25, and a roller retraction mechanism 32 for retracting the scanner feed rollers 26 from the scanner head 25 to open the transportation path 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Sadao Murata, Hideki Furihata
  • Patent number: 6831446
    Abstract: Protrusions (260) for adjusting the cogging torque of a rotor (21) are formed on a stator (22) in a small-size power generator (20). Since the protrusions (260) are formed on an inner periphery of a rotor accommodation hole (230) within an angular range of ±45° around a magnetic flux direction of a first magnetic circuit (100) having a smaller magnetic reluctance at a rotation center of the rotor (21), the cogging torque can be effectively reduced. Accordingly, even when the size of components such as an oscillating weight and a power spring is reduced for making a thin timepiece, rotation startability of the rotor can be improved, thus improving power generation efficiency of the small-size power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kinya Matsuzawa
  • Patent number: 6819633
    Abstract: To provide an electronic unit which can prevent brake control from stopping a generator. An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece, which is an electronic unit, includes a generator 2 driven by a coil spring 1 to generate electric power, and a rotation control unit 50 driven by electric energy of the generator to control the rotation period of the generator 2. The rotation control unit 50 is provided with a brake control unit 55 for comparing a reference signal fs with a rotation-detection signal FG1 corresponding to the rotation period of the generator 2 to apply brake control to the generator 2, and a generator-stop preventing unit 56 for setting the amount of brake to be applied to the generator 2 to a first brake setting value to prevent the generator 2 from being stopped, when the rotation period of the generator 2 is equal to or longer than a first setting period which is longer than a reference period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eisaku Shimizu, Kunio Koike, Hidenori Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6806881
    Abstract: A graphics controller for high speed transmission for memory read commands. The graphics controller chip includes a logic circuit coupled to a first memory. The logic circuit is adapted to respond to a first issued command from a CPU by determining whether the condition that a first command is a memory read command is true. If the condition is true, the logic circuit causes the graphics controller chip to store the first command in the first memory and to begin carrying out the first command. If the condition is false, the logic circuit causes the graphics controller chip to check whether the graphics controller chip is ready to carry out the first command. If the graphics controller chip is not ready to carry out the first command, the logic circuit causes the graphics controller chip to continue checking and to send a signal to the CPU indicating that the graphics controller chip is ready to receive a second command from the CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Barinder Singh Rai
  • Patent number: 6804182
    Abstract: When subcodes included in a CD format are reproduced, jitter is removed when the subcodes are synchronized with signal data. The data is connected together by using the subcode data to prevent interruptions of sound and pictures. An error correction unit performs error correction processing for signal data reproduced (read) from a CD. A memory stores the signal data whose error is corrected and a data output unit reads out the signal data stored in the memory according to a reference clock. A subcode detection/jitter removal unit detects subcode data reproduced from the CD and outputs the subcode data to the memory in synchronism with outputting of the signal data whose error is corrected by the error correction unit, to thereby remove jitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Saito
  • Patent number: 6799834
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrostatic actuator comprises a vibrating plate, an electrode plate facing the vibrating plate, and a vibrating chamber formed between the electrode plate and the vibrating plate, wherein the vibrating plate is displaced by electrostatic force, by applying voltage between the vibrating plate and the electrode plate, the method comprises: a process for forming a pressure compensating chamber communicating with the vibrating chamber; a process for forming a displacement plate at a portion of the pressure compensating chamber, displaceable according to external atmospheric pressure, into a warped form curved so as to protrude in a direction away from the facing inner wall of the pressure compensating chamber; and a process for shutting off and sealing the pressure compensating chamber from the external atmosphere, along with the vibrating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Fujii, Hiroyuki Maruyama, Kazuhiko Sato, Koji Kitahara, Tomohiro Makigaki, Shigeo Nojima, Taro Takekoshi
  • Patent number: 6795378
    Abstract: An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece, which is an electronic device, is equipped with a generator 2 for converting the mechanical energy transmitted from a mainspring through the intermediary of a wheel train into electrical energy, and a rotation control unit for controlling the rotation cycle of the generator 2. The rotation control unit is equipped with a count-up/down counter 60 that compares a reference signal with a rotation detection signal of the generator 2 thereby to adjust a braking time for the generator 2, and a brake control signal generating circuit 81 that corrects the time set at the count-up/down counter 60 on the basis of the rotation cycle of the generator 2. If the rotation cycle of the generator 2 significantly deviates from a reference signal cycle, then the braking time is adjusted on the basis of the rotation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eisaku Shimizu, Kunio Koike, Hidenori Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6793977
    Abstract: A primitive display plate includes a supporting portion having a positioning structure formed to be positioned by engagement with another member, a display plate shape portion formed to have a predetermined positional relation to the positioning structure and to have the planar shape of a display plate to be manufactured, and a connecting portion for integrally connecting the display plate shape portion and the supporting portion, and wherein an ink-receiving layer is formed on the surface of the display plate shape portion, for holding the received ink droplets thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Sachio Kasahara, Akio Magario, Koichi Karasawa, Haruyuki Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 6782118
    Abstract: A system for measuring the distance traveled by bodies in flight during sports events, the bodies executing trajectories having a common predetermined take-off area, and a variable landing point within a landing surface. The system includes a fixed image acquisition device positioned at a predetermined distance from the take-off area for acquiring the image of the landing surface, a recorder for recording the landing surface image at least from the moment of initiation of the flight to completion of the flight, an identifying device for identifying a landing point of the body within the landing surface, and a calculating device for calculating the distance of the landing point from the take-off area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Antonio Verga
  • Patent number: 6767329
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnosis apparatus for analyzing arterial pulse waves comprising a database 26 in which is stored data showing the relationship between data representing a pulse wave of a living body and teaching data representing conditions of the living body; and a micro-computer 21 for outputting teaching data corresponding to the pulse wave detected from the living body in the teaching data on the basis of the pulse wave detected from the living body and the stored data inside database 26. As a result, it becomes possible to perform diagnoses equivalent to a skilled doctor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Amano, Hiroshi Kasahara, Hitoshi Ishiyama, Kazuo Kodama
  • Patent number: 6765581
    Abstract: A system for translating a portrait-oriented software address to a portrait-oriented yet landscape-configured display address. Based on the orientation of a display device, a address translation system either passes the software address “as is” or translates the address to represent a portrait-oriented display address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Brett Cheng
  • Patent number: 6766362
    Abstract: A computer network server provides a customized newspaper to a recipient according to recipient profile preferences. The server searches for and obtains article content that is deemed to be of greatest interest to the recipient according to topical preferences, generates a representation of the selected content according to a layout preference, and delivers the representation to the recipient according to a designated schedule. Recipient preferences are received and stored in a profile database using facilities that assist a recipient to specify preferred topics, newspaper layout, delivery schedule and destination. Topical designations are mapped into hierarchical structures that facilitate searching content databases. Newspaper articles are arranged according to relative priorities of designated topics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Miyasaka, Toshio Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6763915
    Abstract: A winding stem (10) is connected to an inner end (11a) of a mainspring (11), and an outer end (11b) of the mainspring (11) is connected to a barrel drum (12). A braking plate (15) is placed inside a braking case (14), and the braking case (14) is filled with a fluid (16). An uneven joint portion (10b) is formed at the lower end of the winding stem (10), and is engaged with an uneven joint portion (15b) of the braking plate (15) placed in the braking case (14). By adopting the above configuration which can simplify the structure of the mainspring mechanism having the braking plate and which can reduce the number of components, the size and production cost of the mainspring mechanism can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shoichi Nagao, Eiji Morikuni, Taro Matsunaga
  • Patent number: RE38622
    Abstract: A new parts handling apparatus is provided which can shorten the index time and increase working ability without increasing the number of components and can restrict the rise of manufacturing cost. X driving member 12 to be moved rightward and leftward in correlation to the rotation of a ball screw 2 by a servomotor 1 is provided with a pair of right and left movable members 7 mounted movably in the Z direction. Two contact hands 5 are attached to each movable member 7 through aligning mechanisms 8 respectively. Each movable member 7 is provided with a Z driving member 6 mounted slidably in the X direction. The Z driving member 6 is engaged with a ball screw 4, and the ball screw 4 is connected to a servomotor 3. When the ball screw 4 is rotated by the servomotor 3, the Z driving member 6 moves vertically in the figure, thereby also moving the movable member 7 vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Fujimori