Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Sidley & Austin
  • Patent number: 6347267
    Abstract: Even if a power source is cut OFF while a failure is present and then the power source is turned back ON with the failure uncorrected, the details of the same failure will not be recorded as failure history data, thus permitting correct failure history data to be stored. In an on-vehicle controller failure diagnosing method in which, if a vehicle failure happens, the time at which the failure happened and the details of the failure are stored as failure history data, the details of a detected failure are stored as failure history data only if the details of the failure which existed when the power source of the on-vehicle controller was cut OFF are different from the details of the failure detected during a failure diagnosis carried out when the power source is turned back ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Takanobu Murakami
  • Patent number: 6332170
    Abstract: A printing environment is provided, in which the user can obtain prints of special print jobs without stagnation of ordinary print jobs which otherwise might be caused by the loading of a special print job requiring manual sheet feed or sheet change. A controller for managing the print job schedule is operated in such a manner that print jobs J1 designating ordinary paper are routinely carried out in priority over print jobs J2 requiring special paper. Upon instruction from an operation input unit, at least one of the previously-loaded print jobs J2 requiring special paper is carried out in priority over the print jobs J1 designating ordinary paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Ban
  • Patent number: 6322185
    Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus having a print head and a control system to control the discharge of variable size ink drops from the print head. The control system controls a print operation to divide the printing of an image into steps, wherein at least a first step includes the printing of dots having diameters within a specified range and at least a second step includes the printing of dots having diameters within another specified range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Asano, Shoichi Minato
  • Patent number: 6306581
    Abstract: A method establishes for the first time a HHV-8 producing immortalized lymphoma cell line, which is free of EBV, CMV, and HIV. Large quantities of uncontaminated HHV-8 are produced by the cells, and the virus or immunogenic fragments thereof are used to obtain specific polyclonal and monoclonal antibody. Assays and kits are useful for detecting viral infection in mammalian samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
    Inventors: H. Phillip Koeffler, Jonathan W. Said
  • Patent number: 6305791
    Abstract: An ink-jet recording device (1) comprises a first wall member or partition (24a) adjacent to an ink material (38a) and a second wall member or partition (24b) adjacent to an ink material (38b). An elasticity of the first wall member (24a) is different from that of the second wall member (24b). Arranged adjacent to the first and second wall members (24a, 24b) are first and second piezoelectric members (34), respectively. Once the piezoelectric members (34) are biased, they deform to force the adjacent ink materials through the wall members (24a,24b), ejecting ink droplets of different sizes. This ensures the ink-jet recording head to print a halftone image with a high gradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Hotomi, Keishi Sawada, Yasuhiro Sando, Kusunoki Higashino, Naoki Matsui
  • Patent number: 6293907
    Abstract: A removable cover of an endoscope shaft (2) includes a sleeve (4) of elastic material having a low friction external surface configured so that the frictional resistance to forward displacement of the endoscope shaft is less than the frictional resistance to reverse movement of the endoscope shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventors: Anthony Thomas Roger Axon, Patrick Robert Axon, Andrew Eliot Axon
  • Patent number: 6288732
    Abstract: In an information processor which stores and manages objects with attribute information added to the objects, an object is selected and attribute information of the object is stored in a storage medium. Then, in response to a command issued for copying the selected attribute information, the attribute information stored in the storage medium is added to another object. Thus, the same attribute information can be added to a different object easily. When the same attribute information is added to a plurality of objects, the attribute information selected are added to each of the objects at the same time and stored in a relation to each of the objects in the storage medium. Thus, the load for adding attribute information by a user is reduced largely. Beside a main dictionary which registers attribute information, a sub-dictionary registers data for identifying attribute information for a part of the attribute information registered in the main dictionary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kagumi Moriwaki
  • Patent number: 6283076
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a torsionally compliant sprocket system which absorbs crankshaft torsional vibrations and minimizes their transfer to other components in the engine system. In particular, the present invention includes a sprocket formed with an elastomeric member located between hub and rim portions. The hub has splines which cooperatively engage with keyways formed in the rim portion through the elastomeric member. A method of forming the compliant sprocket includes forming the hub and rim portions and injection molding an elastomeric material into a gap between the hub and rim portions. While in the mold, heat is applied to the sprocket assembly. The elastomeric member is thus vulcanized in place, creating a one-piece compliant sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Roger T. Simpson
  • Patent number: 6285420
    Abstract: An illuminated display system having a display member and a light guiding member faces and extends in parallel with the display member. The display member includes a displaying element and a structural element. A light source illuminates the side ends of the display member and the light guiding member so that light which is transmitted by multiple internal reflections through both the display member and the light guiding member to illuminate the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Mizumo, Makoto Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6282035
    Abstract: An image forming optical system minimizes the effects of ghosts in an image. In one embodiment of the present invention, light is at an intermediate point of the optical system. Introducing light in this manner can result in ghosts being produced in the imaged data or in data being missing from the imaged data, both of which are undesirable conditions. The present invention minimizes ghosting and loss of data by maintaining one or more optical relationships to within set ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mituaki Shimo
  • Patent number: 6278526
    Abstract: An external computer is connected to a main control unit of a copying machine via a control unit. The external computer starts a mode setting application and transmits various commands to the control unit. A ROM of the control unit stores a translation program and programs for data processing which cannot be performed by the copying machine. A CPU of the control unit reads necessary programs from the ROM, translates commands sent from the external computer, and transmits the translated commands to the main control unit to perform a designated copy mode. The control unit itself performs data processing which cannot be performed by the main control unit so that various copy modes are available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Kurozasa
  • Patent number: 6274208
    Abstract: A liquid crystal composition which contains a liquid crystal tolan compound, a liquid crystal ester compound, a liquid crystal phenylcyclohexane compound and at least one chiral agent. A reflective type liquid crystal display has the liquid crystal composition and a columnar structure between substrates with ITO electrodes thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masako Iwamatsu, Nobuyuki Kobayashi, Hideaki Ueda
  • Patent number: 6272334
    Abstract: A multi-site dispatch communication network includes a hub controller programmed to expedite the connection between multiple radio cells to accomplish a broadcast of the radio transmission. A routing table is employed to provide an association between the various group identification codes and the respective mobile radio cell sites servicing members of the group. A connection table is employed to identify the resources utilized in the dispatch communication connection. When a dispatch communication is initiated, the routing table is accessed to determine which mobile radio cell sites service the various members of the group. When a connection is made to establish the dispatch communication, the connection table is written with information concerning the resources utilized to complete the dispatch communication. In this manner, dispatch communications can be quickly established and terminated. The resources of the network are thereby optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Uniden America Corporation
    Inventor: Suresh K. Rao
  • Patent number: 6269736
    Abstract: A disposable infuser for brewing beverages within an associated container. The infuser includes a centrally located well portion for receiving a charge of particulate flavoring material, like tea leaves. The well includes a filter portion which has a plurality of openings. The openings are formed without scrap “flash” or waste by shearing a tab or flap of material away from the filter portion of the well or piercing the filter portion of the well with a needle-shaped or knife-shaped protrusion in the mold. The resulting tabs or punctures serve to keep the particulate flavoring material out of the brewed beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Espire Incorporated
    Inventor: Bruce W. Melton
  • Patent number: 6265934
    Abstract: A Q-switched parametric cavity microwave amplifier has input and output ports for receiving an input signal and producing a switched amplified output signal. A pump signal, preferably at a harmonic of the input signal, is received through a pump signal port and provided to a pump signal cavity within a housing. The pump signal interacts with a non-linear medium to produce carriers. A frequency selective layer reflects the pump signal but permits the input signal to pass therethrough. The input signal interacts with the carriers produced in the non-linear medium to enhance the signal present within the resonant cavity for the input signal. This transfers energy from the pump signal to the lower frequency input signal. A Q-switch is positioned in series with the output waveguide to cause energy to be stored within the input signal cavity. When the Q-switch is opened, a pulse is produced representing an amplified version of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: James Richard Wood
  • Patent number: 6260973
    Abstract: The present invention is a projector having a photosensing means for detecting light entering the optical system from outside the optical system, wherein the photosensing means is capable of detecting only the light reflected from within a predetermined area on the screen. According to one aspect, the projector of the present invention includes a linear CCD as a photosensing means resulting in a long, thin area on a screen being detectable by the photosensing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Minato, Hideki Nagata
  • Patent number: 6259569
    Abstract: An objective optical system has at least three lens units having positive, negative, and positive optical powers. A fourth lens unit can have either negative or positive optical power. The system satisfies at least one of: (A) 0.15≦&bgr;4W/FLWobj≦0.28, where &bgr;4W represents image forming magnification of fourth lens unit at wide angle end, and FLWobj represents focal length of the system at wide angle end, and (B) the third lens unit being a biconvex lens element which satisfies the relationship Nd3≧1.6, where Nd3 represents d-line refractive index of lens material of the biconvex lens element. The system can also satisfy the relationship 0.038≦1/FL1≦0.068 where FL1 represents focal length of first lens unit. The third lens unit can have at least one aspherical surface which, relative to a height Y in an optional direction perpendicular to the optical axis such that 0.7Ymax<Y<Ymax, satisfies the relationship −0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ichiro Kasai
  • Patent number: 6259539
    Abstract: A facsimile device having a copy mode includes an image reader and a recording device and forms an image with the recording device based on a received signal from a communication network or a read signal from the image reader. In the copy mode, data processing of the read image is performed in accordance with the resolution and half tone expression characteristic of the image reader and the recording device. In a facsimile mode, data processing of the image is performed with a reproduction characteristic according to the half tone and text images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hamano, Keiji Nakatani
  • Patent number: RE37331
    Abstract: A comparative dual-control strategy actuates forward and aft control devices simultaneously to significantly improve a missile's maneuverability/dynamic capability. A substantial, and measurable, operational effect of the inventive control strategy is a dramatic improvement in a missile's divert capability. To effect a maneuver in accordance with the inventive strategy, a missile's aft fins are initially deflected to generate a force OPPOSITE that conventionally used (pushing the missile's tail in the direction of the commanded maneuver) which simultaneously actuating forward thrusters to also push the missile's nose in the direction of the commanded maneuver but at a faster rate than the tail section. This causes the missile body to simultaneously rotate and translate in the direction of the commanded maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne K. Schroeder
  • Patent number: RE37456
    Abstract: The period for which advertisements are displayed on display screens is monitored by coupling the displaying time with the time of a telephone call from a public telephone booth near the display panel. Preferably, the call made from this booth is paid with a pre-payment memory card. This memory card also has a memorizing zone in which it is possible to record an advertisement which is precisely the advertisement to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventor: Pierre Brisson