Patents Represented by Law Firm Merchant, Gould, Smith, Edell, Welter & Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5930117
    Abstract: A printed circuit, chip carrier or other substrate for an electronic power circuit can comprise a heat transfer device engineered to dissipate heat generated from the electrical operation of the circuit. The heat transfer characteristic or heat sink capacity of the device results from formation in a polymer film of an array of cylindrical metallic portions in the film that draw heat from the circuit package. We have found that by forming such an array of metallic cylinders wherein each cylinder has a diameter less than about 25 .mu.m, the array defined by a distance on center of about 50-125 .mu.m has a substantial heat transfer characteristic. We have found that when the polymer film has the array of metallic cylinders within the film to a degree that at least about 8%, preferably 10-15% of the surface area of the film is occupied by the metallic cylinder, that the heat transfer characteristics of the film is virtually identical to copper metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Sheldahl, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn W. Gengel
  • Patent number: 5928196
    Abstract: A medical infusion pump system includes a clamshell housing, a plate, and a pump. The clamshell housing includes a first shell and a second shell hingedly connected together allowing the housing to be in an open position or in a closed position. The housing defines one open end and an interior space. A plate releasably engages the housing at the open end when the housing is in the closed position. The plate defines an opening communicating with the interior space and includes attachment structure. The pump is removably attachable to the attachment structure of the plate and includes a retaining portion. When the pump is attached to the plate, the retaining portion retains the housing in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: SIMS Deltec, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Gregory Johnson, Orbert S. Smith
  • Patent number: 5929562
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an organic electroluminescent display, which includes laminating together a plurality of self-supporting organic light-emitting devices, each of which is capable of functioning separately as an individual device; wherein each of the organic light-emitting devices in the display emits radiation differently from one another in respect of color, pattern and/or direction; and wherein each of the organic light-emitting devices in the display includes a substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one of which electrodes is at least semi-transparent, and an organic electroluminescent layer between the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Cambridge Display Technology Limited
    Inventor: Karl Pichler
  • Patent number: 5925376
    Abstract: An improved method of treating psoriasis involves controlling the enhanced proliferation and terminal differentiation of psoriatic epidermis through the activity of epidermal phosphorylase kinase. In general, the method involves contacting psoriatic epidermal cells with a combination of substances affecting the activity of phosphorylase kinase. The combination can be: (1) a calmodulin inhibitor together with a stimulator of cAMP-dependent protein kinase II, (2) a calmodulin inhibitor together with a calcium channel blocker; (3) a stimulator of cAMP-dependent protein kinase II together with a calcium channel blocker; or (4) a calmodulin inhibitor together with a calcium channel blocker and a stimulator of cAMP-dependent protein kinase II. Alternatively, a selective phosphorylase kinase inhibitor such as curcumin can be administered, alone or with an agent such as vitamin D.sub.3 or an analogue thereof, etretinate, diltiazem, or anthralin. The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: Madalene C. Y. Heng
  • Patent number: 5924766
    Abstract: A vehicle seat temperature conditioner includes a Peltier element, a heat exchanger for performing a heat exchange between heat generated or absorbed by the Peltier element and air transferred from a blower, and a case housing the Peltier element and heat exchanger together so as to provide the temperature conditioner as an independent self-contained unit or module. The housing case is made of a resilient and flexible material and functions also as a connector for coupling with an air intake pipe to introduce air from a blower into the vehicle seat temperature conditioner and with an air discharge pipe to discharge temperature-conditioned air from the temperature conditioner to air holes formed in the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidenori Esaki, Tomohide Kudo, Takeshi Shiba
  • Patent number: 5926343
    Abstract: A slider air bearing surface design which significantly reduces the fly height sensitivity to contamination in the crossbar area. A structural feature at the leading edge provides contamination protection to the air bearing surface. The slider includes a slider body having an air bearing surface formed on a lower surface, wherein the air bearing surface comprises a crossrail and a central rail extending from the crossrail toward a leading edge for diverting debris from the air bearing surface to prevent accumulation thereon. The leading central rail includes a flared edge connecting the central rail to the crossrail, wherein the flared edge expands the width of the central rail toward the crossrail. A trailing center rail extends from the crossbar toward the trailing edge, and is narrower than the leading central rail. Further, the trailing center rail may be skewed relative to the sides of the slider body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lee Kevin Dorius, Paul R. Peck
  • Patent number: 5924519
    Abstract: An electric power steering device includes a steering torque detector for detecting a steering torque in a steering system by detecting relative rotation between an input shaft and an output shaft, an electric motor for generating an auxiliary torque corresponding to a detection signal from the steering torque detector, and a torque transmitting mechanism for transmitting the auxiliary torque from the electric motor to the output shaft. The steering torque detector is composed of a detector body directly attached to the input shaft, and an actuator engaged with the output shaft for activating the detector body. With the steering torque detector thus arranged, an adjustment of the neutral position of the steering torque detector can be performed after the input and output shafts, the steering torque detector, and the torque transmitting mechanism are assembled together to form a single semi-finished steering assembly, and before the semi-finished steering assembly is received in a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Shimizu, Katsuji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5924239
    Abstract: A controller for agricultural sprayers utilises a detector (23, 123, 148) to generate red, blue and green colour signals across a field of view. The colour signals are used to generate a `its green` or `not green` output to switch a spray nozzle (13) detection of something deemed to be green. The algorithm which determines if there is something which is `green`, rather than `not green`, looks at the level of green component over the red and blue components in the colour signal and if both are exceeded then the decision is that it is `green`. The level of green over each of red and blue can be compared against preset values to determine the `green`, `not green` output. The level of green can be established by summing pixel by pixel over an area within the field of view under consideration to see if the sum for the area exceeds a set level to decide that the area is `green` and requires spraying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Rees Equipment Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven James Rees, James Ian Rees, Andrew Muir Kinmont
  • Patent number: 5925976
    Abstract: A cathode for an electron tube is described that has little deterioration of emission current after long operation, is used as a long-life oxide cathode even with high current density in a CRT, and is economical. An emissive material is adhered onto a substrate that is positioned at one opening of a cylindrical sleeve having a built-in heater coil and that includes nickel as a main component by thermally decomposing carbonate including an alkaline earth metal oxide and at least one element selected from the group consisting of titanium, nickel, zirconium, vanadium, niobium and tantalum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiki Hayashida, Tetsuro Ozawa, Hiroshi Sakurai, Masaki Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 5926049
    Abstract: A low power line driver uses a dynamic biasing scheme together with single ended architecture to achieve low power, fast speed and high return loss. The line driver includes a first and second operation amplifier each having an output port for generating an output pulse signal having a rising and falling edge. The load is coupled to the first and second output port by a transformer. A first and second digital control circuit is coupled to the first and second operational amplifiers to control the operational amplifiers. The first and second operational amplifiers further include a pulse circuit for generating the output pulse signal and a selectable current source having a first mode for injecting a high current to the pulse circuit to provide a high slew rate for the rising edge of the output pulse signal and a second mode for injecting a second current to the pulse circuit during the generation of the remaining portion of the output pulse signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Level One Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Xudong Shi
  • Patent number: 5925601
    Abstract: A method of lubricating conveyors with a lubricating concentrate formulated to contain about 0.5 wt-% to 90 wt-% of a fatty amide ethoxylate phosphate ester diluted to a use solution formulated to contain about 5 ppm to 1000 ppm of a fatty amide ethoxylate phosphate ester is described. The use solution is applied to an intended surface for lubrication. The lubricant can contain a variety of other chemical agents to provide additional desired properties including surfactants, chelating agents, sanitizing agents, and others. The lubricant concentrate or use solution is especially useful on conveyor systems with moving beverage containers such as glass, metal or plastic containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: David Daniel McSherry, Guang-jong Jason Wei
  • Patent number: 5923491
    Abstract: The present invention determines whether a filter is used for reading and writing on a disk to correct repeatable runout. The invention estimates the magnitude of repeatable runout for each disk by measuring the maximum absolute value of a state variable of a filter when the disk is turned on or when the disk returns from a sleep mode, and compares the measured value to a predetermined criterion such as the track width. If the magnitude of the repeatable runout is less than or equal to the predetermined criterion, the filter is not used. If the magnitude of the repeatable runout exceeds the predetermined criterion, the invention reads and writes data using the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Kisaka, Nobuyuki Kitazaki, Takashi Nakamura, Yuji Yokoe, Isao Yoneda
  • Patent number: 5923016
    Abstract: A computer implemented consumer transaction point accumulation system in which a consumer earns and accumulates points immediately for immediate use during transactions at participating retailer outlets, wherein at each transaction, a customer's identification number is transmitted to a host data base which stores customer records including a customer balances of points accumulated to date. The system processing each consumer transaction during the consumer visit to the retailer outlet to determine points awarded for each transaction and to determine whether the item purchased is a redeemable item for which points may be redeemed for a reduction of the price of the redeemable item. The system updating said customer records immediately by adding points awarded or subtracting points redeemed from the customer balance of transaction points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Carlson Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Willard R. Fredregill, Harold E. Schrum
  • Patent number: 5923107
    Abstract: A vibrator comprising an engagement face (11) which is adapted to engage a part of a body, and which is driven by an electric motor (18). The vibrator moreover comprises a housing (1) comprising a shaft (9) connected with the motor, and the vibrator has a frequency regulating device and an amplitude regulating device (2) for regulating the frequency and the amplitude, respectively, of the upward and downward movement of the engagement face. The vibrator is characterized in that the amplitude regulating device (2) comprises an inclined shaft (15) in extension of the shaft (9) connected with the motor, said inclined shaft being slidably mounted in a conversion element (14) having a through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Multicept APS
    Inventor: Henrik Franck
  • Patent number: 5923949
    Abstract: Fluorine bearing spacers on the sidewalls of gate electrodes of a semiconductor device are provided to suppress hot carrier injection in the semiconductor device. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a semiconductor device is formed by forming at least one gate electrode on a surface of a substrate and forming fluorine bearing spacers on the sidewalls of the gate electrode. The fluorine bearing spacers may, for example, be formed of an NF.sub.3 -doped glass material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices
    Inventors: Mark I. Gardner, Mark C. Gilmer
  • Patent number: 5924089
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture which provides for the display of database management information on a computer in a user-friendly way to minimize errors and maximize database usership. The invention displays a window in a graphical user interface on a computer display. The window allows the user to enter database tables, fields, and database commands selected from a displayed menu. The window also displays a natural language translation of the current status of the database command, allowing the user to see, in real time, the scope of the request and the databases affected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl Jon Mocek, Kester Li, Jonathan Michael Levine
  • Patent number: 5924097
    Abstract: A system and method for balancing database transaction request distribution between various hosts in a multiprocessor transaction processing system is provided. The transaction processing system includes a database and multiple host processors each coupled to at least one database transaction request unit. Database transaction requests sent from the host processors are collectively entered into a commonly-accessible load balancing queue. Each database transaction request is accompanied by a source identifier that identifies the database transaction request unit which initiated the corresponding database transaction request. The queued database transaction requests from the load balancing queue are processed by currently-available host processors, regardless of which host processor initiated the database transaction request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Michael James Hill, Thomas Pearson Cooper, Dennis Richard Konrad, Thomas L. Nowatzki
  • Patent number: 5921647
    Abstract: A new concept of assembly furniture comprises frame components and panels which fit in grooves in the frame components together with fixing members for fixing frame components to each other at their ends, for example, parallelepedic furniture units. The frame components furthermore have formations in them, for example, a set of holes of standardized pitch into which elongate members which have matching formations at their ends can fit when the frame components are assembled. These elongate members with formations at their ends allow for the mounting of hinges, drawer runners and shelf supports and the like without the necessity for drilling, screwing or any other fastening approach. The key feature of the assembly furniture is that it is capable of being disassembled and reassembled into different kinds of furniture by the owner thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Vavarian Design Concept CC
    Inventors: Franz Alois Schneider, Gerd Rainer Fichtner
  • Patent number: 5922331
    Abstract: An improved skin cream composition according to the present invention provides protection against lumpiness, edema, and other effects of liposuction and cosmetic surgery, as well as increasing the smoothness of the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Chanel, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Mausner
  • Patent number: 5922399
    Abstract: A coating line system has a main coating line including at least a main coating booth for coating a workpiece, and a coating repairing line branched from the main coating line downstream of an inspecting section for inspecting the coated workpiece for a coating defect thereof. The coating repairing line has a coating repairing booth for repairing a coating defect of the workpiece which is caused in the main coating line, and a drying furnace disposed downstream of the coating repairing booth along the coating repairing line, for drying the workpiece which has been repaired in the coating repairing booth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mikio Kobayashi