Patents Assigned to Precision, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5737245
    Abstract: A distance measurement device includes a distance measurement device for measuring a distance to an object, a processor for determining which respective measurement zone a measurement result of the distance measurement device is in, from a plurality of measurement zones within a range of distance measurement of the distance measurement device; and a plurality of output terminals for outputting, based on the determination by the processor, a predetermined output signal corresponding to the respective measurement zones. The output terminals output a signal which is not representative of any respective measurement zone for a predetermined period of time at the time of the end of a distance measurement operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Hajime Oda, Takuma Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5736702
    Abstract: A pneumatically actuated switching device is disclosed for forming a momentary electrical signal circuit with a receptacle of a patient call system utilizing a conductive plunger which slides in response to a pulse of pressurized air delivered to an internal chamber through a housing connection which provides for optional assembly orientations. A spring is used to maintain separation between a conductive plunger and the electrical components when the pneumatic switching device is not activated by a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Dwyer Precision, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Roberts, Bert W. Wechtenheiser
  • Patent number: 5737649
    Abstract: A camera powered by a battery has a first memory area for storing first data used in operating the camera and for retaining the first data irrespective of a power source interruption in the camera, and a second memory area powered by the battery for storing second data which is dependent upon the first data. A power interruption in the camera, such as occurs when the battery is exhausted or replaced, is detected by comparing the first data stored in the first memory area with the second data stored in the second memory area. After detection of a power interruption, the camera is initialized and the first data stored in the first memory area is then copied into the second memory area. Since the first memory area and the second memory area are compared each time the camera is activated, the state of the battery can be reliably checked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Iwamatsu, Isamu Ishii, Shinichi Endo
  • Patent number: 5732295
    Abstract: A camera with a battery checking function is provided with a timer for generating an output signal at predetermined time intervals, a memory for storing a calculated time value, an external switch for generating an activating signal for activating the camera, and a microcomputer for activating the camera in response to the activating signal generated by the external switch, for updating the content of the memory in accordance with the output of the timer at first time intervals when the camera is activated, for placing the camera in a standby mode when the activating signal has not been detected for a predetermined period of time, and for updating the content of the memory in accordance with the output of the timer means at second time intervals, longer than the first time intervals, when the camera is in a standby mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Yoichi Seki, Hiroyuki Saito, Teruyo Miyata, Tetsumi Kaneoka
  • Patent number: 5729343
    Abstract: A film measurement apparatus having a stage with a support surface on which a substrate coated with a film may rest. An extended light source faces the stage, and an imager is aimed at the stage to capture the reflection of the light source. The imager includes a receiver upon which an image of at least an extended portion of the substrate may be generated, and a processor in communication with the imager is operable to calculate the thickness of the film at plurality of locations. The stage may be tilted to empirically measure an average illumination and the contrast between interference fringes, avoiding theoretical estimates provided by Fresnel'equation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Nikon Precision Inc.
    Inventor: Arun A. Aiyer
  • Patent number: 5726531
    Abstract: An electroluminescent element has an enhanced luminosity when incorporated in a desired range. Interposed between a transparent electrode and a rear electrode is a luminescent layer and an insulating layer for providing thermal stability. The luminescent layer contains a luminescent material and a binder having a high dielectric constant. The luminescent layer contains 82.0 to 85.5% of a luminescent material in order to maximize the luminosity of an electroluminescent element. When a fluorescent pigment is added, i.e., a yellow pigment, green pigment or orange pigment, in a proportion not greater than 1.9% by weight, the luminosity of the electroluminescent element is enhanced even further. Optimal results are achieved when the average particle diameter of the luminescent material is restricted to 21 microns. An electroluminescent element produced as described is visually identical to a known element yet capable of emitting a greater amount of light under a smaller load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Hirose, Shigehiko Aoki
  • Patent number: 5719663
    Abstract: An active type range finder apparatus comprises a light projecting element having a base, a lead frame disposed on the base, at least one light emitting member disposed on the lead frame for emitting light to a subject, and at least one control terminal disposed on the base for controlling the light emitting member. A light receiving element is disposed at a base length from the light projecting element for receiving light reflected by the subject. The lead frame and the control terminal of the light projecting element have end portions arranged outside an extension region of the light emitting member in a direction of the base length. When the light emitting member is illuminated, scattered light is prevented from being projected within the extension region of the light emitting member in the direction of the base length, thereby preventing distance measurement errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Hirai, Atsushi Takami
  • Patent number: 5710949
    Abstract: A lens driving device for controlling the position of a lens setting member according to a distance to an object to be photographed has a lens barrel mounted to undergo movement in the direction of an optical axis, a lens setting member mounted to undergo rotation about the lens barrel and to move the lens barrel in the direction of the optical axis, a biasing spring for applying a biasing force for biasing the lens setting member in one direction, a ratchet engaging with the lens setting member to undergo rotation therewith, a retaining member having a pair of engaging pawls disposed to alternately engage with the ratchet to prevent rotation of the ratchet due to the biasing force of the biasing spring, an electromagnetic actuator for applying a first driving voltage for maintaining the retaining member in an engaged state and a second driving voltage for rocking the retaining member to alternately engage the pawls with the ratchet to cause the biasing spring to rotate the ratchet in a stepwise manner during
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: SEIKO Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Akimoto, Miyoshi Tanikawa, Hiroki Kusumi
  • Patent number: 5706043
    Abstract: In a driving method of a thermal printer, in which method heating elements are driven by strobe pulses consisting of preheat pulses and subsequent drive pulses that depend on a gradation level, the preheat pulse width and the frequency of basic clock pulses that are used to generate the strobe pulses are switched linearly with the temperature of a thermal head unit. In particular, based on data of preheat pulse widths and basic clock pulse frequencies for respective experimental head temperatures, preheat pulse widths and basic clock pulse frequencies for the other temperatures are calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Takayuki Okada, Mitsuo Tashiro
  • Patent number: 5704605
    Abstract: A printer in which a paper feeder (a cut sheet feeder or continuous sheet tractor feeder) is mounted as an option, and wherein the driving power of a paper conveying motor is transmitted to a gear 110 via a clutch mechanism C2. The gear 110 meshes with the driving gear of the mounted paper feeder. A paper conveyance path is switchable between a plurality of levels by means of a switching lever 90. The paper supply is enabled from the paper feeder at one switching position thereamong. The clutch mechanism C2 is interlinked with the switching lever 90 such that at one switching position, the driving power of the motor is transmitted to the paper feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventor: Tadashi Yasuoka
  • Patent number: 5700297
    Abstract: An apparatus (40) for providing consistent, non-jamming registration of a notched semiconductor wafer (46) undergoing multiple sequential process work includes a plate (41) upon which the wafer (46) is laid flat. The notch (45) of the notched semiconductor wafer (46) is registered against a first roller (42) that is fixedly mounted to the plate (41). A second roller (43), also fixedly mounted to the plate (41), registers a first point (47) along the circumference of the wafer (46). A third roller (48) is fixedly mounted to a bracket (50) that is movable approximately along the radius of the wafer (46). A force (52) is applied to this bracket (50) resulting in the third roller (48) applying a force against the wafer (46). This resultant force, coupled with the rotating capability of the rollers (42,43,48), allows the wafer (46) to rotate into a proper registration position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: IPEC Precision, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Vollaro
  • Patent number: 5701537
    Abstract: A camera shutter includes a driving member rotated in forward and reverse directions by a motor and having first and second control portions. A switching circuit switches an operating starting position of the driving member between first and second positions. An opening member is controlled by the first control portion of the driving member and a first biasing member biases the opening member in the direction of opening the shutter. A first restraint member restrains an operation of the opening member and resists the bias of the first biasing member. A closing member is controlled by the second control portion of the driving member and a second biasing member biases the closing member in the direction of closing the shutter. A second restraint member restrains an operation of the closing member and resists the bias of the second biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Akimoto, Seiichi Imano
  • Patent number: 5699280
    Abstract: A distance measurement device comprises distance measurement device for measuring a distance to an object, a processor for judging a result of the distance measurement of the distance measurement device, a first digital switch connected to the processor for setting a first division point where a measurement range of the distance measurement means is divided into a first long distance side and a first short distance side, a second digital switch for setting a second division point where a range between the first division point and the first short distance side is further divided into a second long distance side and a second short distance side. Based on the set states of the first and second digital switches, the processor determines which area the measurement result of the distance measurement device belongs to, from the plurality of distance areas into which the measurement result of the distance measurement device is divided with the first division point and the second division point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Hajime Oda, Takuma Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5698069
    Abstract: A method of detecting particles on a wafer support surface comprising positioning a wafer in a first position on the surface with the wafer in the first position, generating a first pattern on the wafer, and moving the wafer. Then, after moving the wafer, generating a second pattern on the wafer to generate a moire pattern by the interaction of the second pattern with the first pattern. The moire pattern is inspected to identify any visual distortion in the moire pattern due to physical distortion of the wafer caused by a particle on the support surface during the generation of the first pattern. The patterns may be ruled parallel lines, and the second pattern may be moved during inspection to shift the moire pattern to reveal distortions over a wide area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Arun A. Aiyer, Kyoichi Suwa
  • Patent number: 5688415
    Abstract: A system for the formation of circuit patterns on a large flat panel display (78) using plasma assisted chemical etching to achieve a uniform or controllably nonuniform etch depth over the entire area of the display. An overlying film (60) is provided on a large flat panel display substrate (12) with a photolithographic mask (62) overlying the film and having a predetermined pattern of openings (64) therethrough. The substrate is placed adjacent a plasma etching tool which has a projected area which is smaller than the area of the surface of the substrate. The etching tool is scanned across the surface of the substrate to transfer the pattern of the photolithographic mask into the film on the surface thereof. Thereafter, the photolithographic mask is removed from the surface of the overlying film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Ipec Precision, Inc.
    Inventors: David Bollinger, Jim Nester
  • Patent number: 5684628
    Abstract: An orthogonal motion stage provides Z axis motion, along an optical axis independently of translational motion in an orthogonal, X-Y axis reference plane. Conversely, motion in the X-Y reference plane does not induce unwanted motion in the Z axis. Straight line mechanisms interconnect the Z axis carrier to a base plate. Flexible connections are used in the straight line mechanisms to ensure accurate orthogonal motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Applied Precision, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Gerhard
  • Patent number: 5681124
    Abstract: This invention provides a printer in which the printer head can be removed easily and reduction of printer size can be realized. This is achieved because a displaceable trailing roller can be moved to a location where it does not interfere with the removal of the printing head. Therefore, a paper feed roller can be disposed in close proximity to the printing head, which is effective in reducing the size of a printer. A displaceable trailing roller 61 a is rotatably engaged with a rockable switching lever 66 by a pin 66 a and this displaceable trailing roller flexibly contacts a paper feed roller 61 by means of a spring 68 during paper feed. The switching lever 66 is rockable so as to be displaced from a paper feed position where the displaceable trailing roller flexibly contacts the paper feed roller to a non-paper feed position (see FIG. 8), i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventor: Tadashi Yasuoka
  • Patent number: 5680649
    Abstract: A lens driving device comprises a lens driving member mounted for rotation between an initial position and a preselected focus position, an urging member for urging the lens driving member in a first direction of rotation to control a rotational position of the lens driving member in accordance with the preselected focus position, and a ratchet operably rotatable with the lens driving member. A retaining member is mounted for back and forth rocking movement and has retaining portions for alternate engagement with the ratchet during back and forth rocking movement of the retaining member. A control mechanism controls the rocking movement of the retaining member. A holding member holds the lens driving member from rotation in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation when the lens driving member is in the initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Akimoto, Miyoshi Tanikawa
  • Patent number: 5679988
    Abstract: A rocking motor comprises a coil wound around a hollow coil bobbin. A rotor is rotatably mounted at a position close to an end portion of the coil bobbin. The rotor has a center shaft and a permanent magnet and is magnetized with two poles such that the positions of the poles are located close to the coil and the magnetization angle is greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees. The positions of the poles of the rotor and the coil are adjacent to one another so that a rotary torque can be efficiently obtained by a magnetic force generated by the coil. The rocking motor can generate a high power output with a relatively low power supply and its operational performance is not adversely affected by an external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Akihiro Ito, Miyoshi Tanikawa, Kazuo Akimoto, Shigeru Tagami, Masaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5669557
    Abstract: A system for spraying air-dryable liquid materials such as adhesives and paints and a method of using the system is disclosed. The system includes a hot air gun connected to both a source of hot pressurized air and a source of flowable liquid material. The gun includes a body having a handle assembly and a spraying assembly. The handle assembly includes a depressible trigger and first knob for adjusting the amount of liquid material in the spray and a second knob for adjusting the pattern of the spray. The spraying assembly includes a spray nozzle and control valves operably connected with the trigger for controlling the flow of pressurized hot air and liquid material. The spraying assembly also includes an air routing insert for routing air currents to the nozzle and a liquid material tube for routing liquid material to the nozzle. An air diverter assembly is also included for diverting an amount of heated air out of the front of the gun to aid in the drying of sprayed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Tram-7 Precision, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Barrett, Coy Barrett