Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Thomas F. Lebens
  • Patent number: 6756730
    Abstract: A field emission display (FED) consists of a cathode plate including a plurality of emitter lines formed on a cathode substrate, a gate frame positioned over the cathode plate, the gate frame including a plurality of gate wires, and an anode plate including a plurality of phosphor lines positioned over the gate frame. The plurality of phosphor lines are aligned with the plurality of emitter lines. In some variations, the FED includes a plurality of linear isolation barriers separating one or more of the plurality of emitter lines. In some variations, the linear isolation barriers are in the form of ribs or trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Edward Russ, Jack Barger
  • Patent number: 6747416
    Abstract: An electron emitting structure having deflectable electrodes, such as found in grating light valves (GLVs) is provided. In one implementation, the structure includes a substrate having base electrodes and gate electrodes coupled thereto and insulated from each other, and an emitting material deposited on active regions of the base electrodes. Upon applying a voltage potential difference between a base electrode and a gate electrode, a portion of one of the base electrode and the gate electrode deflects through electrostatic force positioning the portion of the one of the base electrode and the gate electrode relative to another one of the base electrode and the gate electrode such that an electric field is produced that is sufficient to cause an emission from an emitting material deposited on the base electrode. In preferred form, lower drive voltages are required to provide the electric field without requiring sub-micron spacing between electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Barger, James Qian Wang, Benjamin Edward Russ, Jean-Pierre Guillou
  • Patent number: 6738663
    Abstract: An implantable electrical method and apparatus for the treatment of cancer tumors based on the usage of various levels of electrical fields and current to assist in specific ways to reduce tumor size. The appropriate voltage, currents, and time duration as well as the usage of adjunctive pharmacological therapy are taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: OncoStim, A Minnesota corporation
    Inventors: Edward A. Schroeppel, Mark W. Kroll
  • Patent number: 6730923
    Abstract: An apparatus for carrying a target object having a plurality of surfaces, within a pulsed light sterilization chamber including a treatment zone within which pulsed sterilizing light is emitted, comprises: a transmissive carrier within the treatment zone detachably coupled to the target object, the transmissive carrier having a transmissivity of at least about 10% to light within the 250 to 350 nm wavelength range; and moving means coupled to the transmissive carrier for moving the target object on the transmissive carrier through the treatment zone, the plurality of surfaces of the target object being sterilized by the pulsed sterilizing light in the treatment zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: PurePulse Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard May, Andrew H. Bushnell, William Fries
  • Patent number: 6715404
    Abstract: A sprinkler for a fermenting system comprises a nozzle having an inlet opening and an outlet opening with a support arm having a first end attached to the nozzle. The support arm is shaped in a fashion to position a second end of the support arm substantially centered below the outlet opening of the nozzle. A plurality of vanes form a vane structure which is rotatably attached to the second end of the support arm. It has an axis of rotation through the center of the inlet opening and outlet opening. A conical shaped structure is attached to the center of the top planar surface of the vane structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Anthony L. Pratt
  • Patent number: 6708286
    Abstract: A computer system comprising a first computer coupled to a primary PCI bus via a first PCI bus switch and a second computer coupled to the primary PCI bus via a second PCI bus switch. A monitor system is coupled to both the first and second computers as well as the first and second PCI bus switches. In the event of a malfunction in the first computer, the monitor system decouples the first computer from the primary PCI bus, by opening the first PCI bus switch and coupling the second computer to the primary PCI bus by closing the second PCI bus switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: I-Bue Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis R. Alexander, Alonso Perez, Thang Doan
  • Patent number: 6691648
    Abstract: A radial cam driven internal combustion engine has connecting rod guide pins that slide into ends of the connecting rods, allowing the connecting rods to slide freely linearly while applying side loads on the connecting rods to the crankcase. The stationary guide pins protrude out from a center ring that floats over the central drive shaft. These pins are grooved to allow the pressure inside the connecting rod to escape. Each piston dwells at top dead center long enough to create a fixed volume environment and for all the fuel in the cylinder to be consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Mark H. Beierle
  • Patent number: 6691483
    Abstract: A panel pet door is an insert into a sliding glass door and has a panel door frame and a movable door flap assembly mounted on the panel door frame. The door flap assembly can slide vertically on the panel door frame along tracks in the vertical stiles of the panel door frame. A plurality of riser spacer panels are also mounted on the panel door frame and are also vertically slidable on the frame via the vertical tracks. The door flap assembly and spacers are selectively removable and replaceable to effect a change in the rise of the door flap assembly and the height of the door flap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: E. Alan Lethers
  • Patent number: 6686541
    Abstract: A cable management device includes a cable management channel having a cable rest slot for routing a cable into and out of the cable management channel and a mounting bracket coupled to the cable management channel for fastening the cable management channel to a surface, such as an equipment enclosure rail, and for moving the cable management channel and the cable between a first position and a second position. The cable management channel may be advantageously released from the mounting bracket for moving the cable management channel between the first position and the second position to service an area of the equipment enclosure normally covered by the cable management channel. Alternatively, the cable management channel may be rotated on the mounting bracket to move the cable management channel away from the area of the equipment enclosure normally covered by the cable management channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: I-Bus Corporation
    Inventor: Johni Chan
  • Patent number: 6668873
    Abstract: The present invention can be characterized as a tamper proof apparatus for dispensing liquid or cleaning product for use in a environment where abuse or vandalism may occur and a method of operating the apparatus. The apparatus includes a first chamber, a second chamber coupled to the first chamber, a first lockable door recessed within one of the first chamber and the second chamber such that a first hinge pin is not removable, a mixing unit within the first chamber. An output hose in one of the first chamber and the second chamber is coupled to the mixing unit and to a feed-through such that the output hose is not exposed outside the chambers. A faceplate with an indentation within the first chamber prevents filling large containers with liquid while also preventing damage to the mixing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Keene Sanitary Supply, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Wertheim
  • Patent number: 6668028
    Abstract: A first amplifier amplifies a radio frequency signal into a first stage signal, a detector produces a bypass signal based on the environment in which the receiver is operating. A switch provides the first stage signal or the first stage signal filtered by a radio frequency filter based on the bypass signal is not asserted. Optionally, the detector also produces a bias control signal and bias generators set the bias levels of the amplifiers according to the bias control signal. The invention increases linear range RF amplification stages. Power consumption is reduced by reducing the amplification (and optionally the bias levels) used under typical conditions. The invention is advantageous for applications where power is at a premium and the receiver, or at least its front end, operates while the device is in standby mode. Such applications include mobile, portable and hand held pagers and wireless telephones and Internet connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Peter Wieck
  • Patent number: 6657563
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an encoded signal with an encoder. The encoder includes an encoding stage and a selection stage. The encoder receives a first external encoded signal, a first external unencoded signal and an external selection signal. The encoding stage encodes the first external unencoded signal to generate a first internal encoded signal. The selection stage internally routes within the encoder one of the first external encoded signal and the first internal encoded signal to an output of the encoder in response to the external selection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Jensen Read
  • Patent number: 6646878
    Abstract: A method for cooling electronic components comprising drawing air into a chassis; causing the air to come in contact with a corrugated deflector; and cooling electronic components with the air before the air exits the chassis. A fail safe system for cooling electronic components comprising a corrugated deflector; a plurality of fans, positioned such that they cause air to come in contact with the corrugated deflector; and an electronic component; wherein the electronic component is cooled by the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: I-Bus Corporation
    Inventor: Johni Chan
  • Patent number: 6639329
    Abstract: An isolated power input architecture that includes hot swappable input modules that are electrically isolated from each other so that each may provide input power to power supplies for an electronic device without adverse interactions between the voltages provided by each input module. The isolated input modules are each configured to lock the other out so that only one input module is providing power to the power supplies for the electronic device. The power supply for the electronic device preferably includes N+1 power supplies where N power supplies are required by the electronic device. Either of the isolated input modules provides enough power to supply power to all the N+1 power supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: I-Bus Corporation
    Inventors: Johni Chan, Guy Thrap
  • Patent number: 6624590
    Abstract: The method of driving a field emission display comprising the step of applying a potential between one or more gate wires positioned over a plurality of emitter lines of a cathode substrate and one of the plurality of emitter lines, wherein producing an electric field that releases electrons from a portion of the one of the plurality of emitter lines. For example, a positive voltage is applied to two adjacent gate wires with respect to the one of the plurality of emitter lines, wherein releasing the electrons from a portion of the one of the plurality of emitter lines between the two adjacent gate wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Edward Russ, Jack Barger
  • Patent number: 6625238
    Abstract: A radio frequency receiver includes an amplifier and a detector that produces a bias control signal based on a signal environment. A bias level of the amplifier is set according to the bias control signal. Bias levels of other receiver circuits may have similarly adjusted bias levels, including buffers, IF oscillators, mixers, and converters. The invention can be used to increase range of linearity, intermodulation immunity and reduce power consumption by reducing the bias level under typical conditions and relying on the bias control to increase bias levels under adverse signal conditions. The invention has advantages where power is at a premium, particularly when a device is in standby mode, including mobile, portable and hand held pagers and wireless telephones and Internet connections. If standby mode operation in non-maximum signal environments dominates the usage of the receiver, then the invention can substantially increase battery life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Peter Wieck
  • Patent number: 6612467
    Abstract: The present invention can be characterized as a tamper-proof apparatus for dispensing a liquid comprising a chamber for storing the liquid; an outlet in the chamber for dispensing the liquid; and an outlet shield protecting the outlet from damage. The present invention can be characterized as a method of dispensing liquid from a dispensing unit comprising storing a liquid in a supply reservoir within a locked chamber; applying pressure to a plate within the locked chamber through a hole in a top of the locked chamber; and dispensing the liquid through an outlet in the locked chamber, the outlet being covered by an outlet shield to protect the outlet from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Keene Sanitary Supply, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S Wertheim
  • Patent number: 6611958
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for displaying broadcast history information of a plurality of episodes of a program on an audio-visual system, which enable a viewer to select a program for which the history information of each episode will be stored. In response to the viewer's selection, the audio-visual system stores the history information for the episodes of the selected program that has been received by the audio-visual system. The audio-visual system can display the history information when the viewer watches the current episode of the program in a future time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Shintani, Hisafumi Yamada
  • Patent number: D486748
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Crystal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Cain
  • Patent number: D487939
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Epilight Technology Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Dean Smith