Patents Represented by Law Firm Reed Smith Shaw & McClay
  • Patent number: 5956249
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for selective alteration and control of door movement modes utilizing an apparatus that is primarily non-hydraulic and incorporated with a known mechanism which is functional independently from the apparatus in one mode of operation and which includes a piston for controlling door closing characteristics by selected fluid flow within the mechanism. The apparatus includes a motor driven lead screw having a linearly movable shuttle unit mounted thereon, the shuttle unit being positioned relative to the piston of the mechanism to accommodate nonattached contact with the piston to urge the piston, when the shuttle unit is moved, in a direction that will at least provide selective assistance with door opening in another mode of operation. Operation of the apparatus is controlled by programming of a related controller including non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Dorma Door Controls Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Beran, Davide Andrea
  • Patent number: 5952122
    Abstract: A multi-layer label for a dry-cell battery having at least one layer of plastic, at least one layer of adhesive and at least one layer of primer, wherein the primer layer and adhesive layer both lie either between a plastic layer and the battery body or between two plastic layers, and wherein no reaction harmful to said label's function or appearance takes place between the chemicals of said primer layer and those of said adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: National Label Company
    Inventor: James H. Shacklett, III
  • Patent number: 5953502
    Abstract: A security enhanced computer system arrangement includes a coprocessor and a multiprocessor logic controller inserted into the architecture of a conventional computer system. The coprocessor and multiprocessor logic controller is interposed between the CPU of the conventional computer system to intercept and replace control signals that are passed over certain of the critical control signal lines associated with the CPU. The multiprocessor logic controller arrangement thereby isolates the CPU of the conventional computer system from the remainder of the conventional computer system, permitting separate control over the CPU and separate control over the remainder of the computer system. By controlling the control signals that are normally passed between the CPU and the remainder of the computer system, the multiprocessor logic controller permits the coprocessor to perform highly secure operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Walter A Helbig, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5947115
    Abstract: Apparatus for delivering pressurized gas to the airway of a patient including: a gas flow generator for providing a flow of gas, a breathing appliance for sealingly communicating with the airway of the patient, and a conduit for delivery of the gas flow to the airway of the patient, the conduit having a first end connected to the gas flow generator and a second end connected to the breathing appliance. The apparatus further includes at least one sensor in fluid communication with the conduit and located substantially at the gas flow generator for detecting conditions corresponding to breathing patterns of the patient and generating signals corresponding to the conditions, and an information processor for receiving the signals and for controlling the output of the gas flow generator responsive to the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Respironics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Lordo, John H. Fiore
  • Patent number: 5949117
    Abstract: In a semiconductor fabrication method for forming a transistor structure upon a semiconductor substrate, a nitride layer is also formed over the semiconductor substrate. A gate oxide layer is formed over a region of the semiconductor substrate. The gate oxide layer has a relatively thinner oxide region over the nitride layer and a relatively thicker oxide region over the substrate adjacent the nitride layer. A transistor gate is formed extending over the relatively thinner oxide region and over the relatively thicker oxide region. The transistor thus formed is therefore asymmetric. A first transistor active region is formed in the vicinity of the relatively thicker oxide region and a second transistor active region is formed in the vicinity of the relatively thinner oxide region. The nitride layer can be formed by rapid thermal nitridization of the semiconductor substrate. The relatively thinner oxide region can be one-half as thick as the relatively thinner oxide region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej Singh Sandhu, Pierre Fazan
  • Patent number: 5946221
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system for controlling a fume hood with a face. The system comprises a device for controlling air flow through the fume hood based on air flow face velocity. The controlling device has a device for measuring pressure at the face of the fume hood which produces a signal corresponding to the pressure. Additionally, the system comprises a controller. The controller is remote from the fume hood controlling device but in communication with the controlling device. The present invention also pertains to a system for controlling a fume hood having a face. The system comprises a pitot tube assembly for determining a desired face velocity. The pitot tube produces a pitot signal corresponding to the face velocity. The system comprises a device for converting the pitot signal into a face velocity signal. The converting device is connected to the pitot tube. Additionally, the system comprises a processor for controlling air flow through the fume hood based on the face velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: American Auto-Matrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Fish, Jr., Bruce D. Arnold
  • Patent number: 5942312
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pre-inked thermoplastic foam which is utilized to form a relief image wherein the image bearing thermoplastic foam has open cells in the area that is designed to transfer ink and closed or sealed cells in the area which is designed to be impermeable to ink or other print medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Identity Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Venkataraman, Russell Moss
  • Patent number: 5942467
    Abstract: A drilling fluid system that combines a carbon black/asphaltite/lignite mixture with a fish oil/glycol mixture; and a method for manufacturing a drilling fluid system that could be utilized with pre-existing water based muds during drilling and excavating applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Drilling Products Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry J. Rayborn, Sr., John J. Rayborn
  • Patent number: 5937851
    Abstract: A swivel exhaust conduit for rotatably connecting a patient mask to the delivery conduit of a positive pressure air supply. The swivel exhaust conduit design provides an exhaust port that utilizes the rotating bearing of the swivel conduit's rotating two-piece design for permitting and directing exhaust of CO.sub.2 laden air. A baffle chamber formed in the clearance of the two pieces provides an area where noise is reduced. As CO.sub.2 laden exhaust exits the swivel exhaust conduit, it is directed away from the patient mask and down the outside of the delivery conduit via a slit pattern on the swivel conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Respironics, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Serowski, John Raymond Pujol, Jeffrey Kenneth Anthony Fusaro, Timothy Gabriel Halloran
  • Patent number: 5937294
    Abstract: A method of forming a polysilicon electrode having at least one roughened surface is performed by roughening a template layer to form a roughened template layer. A layer of polysilicon is next deposited on top of the roughened template layer. The polysilicon electrode is then formed by etching away the roughened template layer, and thereby exposing a roughened surface on the polysilicon electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej Singh Sandhu, Randhir P.S. Thakur
  • Patent number: 5936715
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a condition of a fluid which circulates within a fluid circuit in which the optical characteristics of the fluid change dynamically due to the presence of physical contaminates in the fluid. An optical source is provided for generating light, and an optical detector is provided for receiving the light from the optical source. The fluid is positioned between the optical source and the optical detector. A signal analyzer is coupled to the optical detector. The signal analyzer monitors an output of the optical detector and determines the condition of the fluid in accordance with the output of the optical detector. Such fluid circuits are used in liquid type electrical transformers used for power distribution in the electrical power industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Art Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent F. Shapanus, Kevin J. Phipps, Tomislav Posavec
  • Patent number: 5932860
    Abstract: A high speed non-contact beam scanning device sized and shaped to provide the ergonomic benefits of a pen or wand, yet can scan a wide angle moving beam across an information-bearing target in one or two dimensional scan patterns such as lines, rasters or other patterns in order to read information therefrom. The device is well suited for reading one or two dimensional bar-code or other printed matter. In order to achieve the high density optical packaging necessary for its high performance to size benefits the device employs a novel in-line or "axial" gyrating, or "axial" scan element. The axial scan element can accept an input light beam at one end and cause the light beam to emerge from its opposite end as a scanned beam, propagating in the same general forward direction the light beam had upon entering the element. Reflected light, which carries information contained on the target, is collected by an internal non-imaging light collector and is processed by signal processing electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: GEO Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: George A. Plesko
  • Patent number: 5933288
    Abstract: An externally operable electronic switch which is entirely located within a housing but which is in no way mechanically or physically attached to the inside or the outside of the housing, has no moving parts, nothing to wear out, requires no holes or special treatments to the housings of equipment into which it may be incorporated and has no optical parts to fog or become dirty which could lead to unreliable operation is disclosed. The switch is operated without mechanical force. It is unnecessary to touch anything to operate it and it consumes extremely low stand by power. It is suited for sealed and portable battery operated equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: GEO Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: George A. Plesko
  • Patent number: 5926558
    Abstract: A method of monitoring and inspecting one or more operational characteristics of a knife includes providing at least one image producer having a field of view that substantially frames the knife, using the at least one image producer to form a first series of images of the knife while the knife is in use, and analyzing the first series of images to determine whether the one or more operational characteristics of the knife are within one or more preliminary operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Asko, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert R. Zelt, III, Robert M. Klawonn, Paul S. Laskey
  • Patent number: 5925480
    Abstract: A battery tester device that may be integrated into a label of battery. The battery tester device includes first dielectric layer, a conductive layer adjacent the first dielectric layer, a temperature sensitive indicator layer in thermal contact with the conductive layer, and thermal insulation adjacent the conductive layer. The thermal insulation includes a second dielectric layer and thermally insulative material combined with the second dielectric layer for enhancing the structural strength of the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: National Label Company
    Inventors: James H. Shacklett, III, Philip M. Henry, Richard Snyder
  • Patent number: 5926742
    Abstract: A method for correcting the shape of a semiconductor structure. According to the method the shape of a semiconductor structure is initially determined to discern the presence, location and magnitude of structural deformities including warp and bow. Information derived from the topography of the structure is then used to control a heating apparatus. More particularly, individual zones or elements of a multiple zone heating assembly are selectively controlled to direct heat radiation of nonuniform intensities toward different regions of the structure to effect non-isothermal conditions within the structure and thereby reduce deformities that were determined to be present in the structure prior to shape correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Randhir P. S. Thakur, Annette L. Martin
  • Patent number: 5920488
    Abstract: A system for maintaining a desired air flow through a fume hood having a sash. The system comprises a mechanism for controlling air flow through the fume hood based on at least one gain. The system is also comprised of a mechanism for automatically tuning the gain connected to the controlling mechanism. Additionally, the system is comprised of a mechanism for manually inputting information to the tuning mechanism so the tuning mechanism automatically provides a desired gain to the controlling mechanism based on information received from the input mechanism. Additionally, the present invention pertains to a qualitative tuning system for a processor. The present invention also pertains to a method for controlling air flow through a fume hood with a sash. The method comprises the steps of providing information concerning flow of air through the fume hood to a processor. Then, there is the step of manually inputting information concerning gain into a qualitative tuning system connected to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: American Auto-Matrix, INc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. Arnold, David M. Fisher, David C. McMasters, Christopher E. Kikta
  • Patent number: 5913830
    Abstract: An improved inductive plethysmography sensor involving a conductor having alternating active and inactive segments. The active segments preferably have a narrow diamond shape which minimizes the possibility of artifact. Because of the conductor design, the sensors can be placed completely about the chest and abdomen with any overlap arranged so that active segments overlap inactive segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Respironics, Inc.
    Inventor: Laughton E. M. Miles
  • Patent number: 5913763
    Abstract: A method for selective alteration and control of door movement modes utilizing an apparatus that is primarily non-hydraulic and incorporated with a known mechanism which is functional independently from the apparatus in one mode of operation and which includes a piston for controlling door closing characteristics by selected fluid flow within the mechanism. The apparatus includes a motor driven lead screw having a linearly movable shuttle unit mounted thereon, the shuttle unit being positioned relative to the piston of the mechanism to accommodate nonattached contact with the piston to urge the piston, when the shuttle unit is moved, in a direction that will at least provide selective assistance with door opening in another mode of operation. Operation of the apparatus is controlled by programming of a related controller including non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Dorma Door Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Beran, Davide Andrea
  • Patent number: D411891
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Aromatic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bell, Stuart A. Zlotnik