Patents Assigned to Vision
  • Patent number: 6264574
    Abstract: A game ball is provided for primarily practicing throwing a football in a passing spiral motion to impact a vertical wall, and then via a reactive force, the game ball returns in a passing opposite spiral motion to be caught by the person, who is practicing throwing a football. The body of the game ball has an external appearance looking somewhat like a football, except having only one conical pointed end, referred to as the trailing end, and having the other end, referred to as the leading end, being a substantially planar wall contacting surface. The body is made to absorb a substantial portion of the wall impact energy, and to quickly release a substantial amount of this absorbed energy, which is then directed in the opposite direction, successfully causing the body, serving as the game ball, to return in a passing opposite spiral motion to the locale, where the game ball was initially thrown by a person in a passing spiral motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Play Visions, Inc.
    Inventors: Webb T. Nelson, Michael E. McGonigle
  • Patent number: 6262761
    Abstract: A modular, submersible video viewing system. The system includes a viewing monitor, camera and interconnecting multi-conductor cable that store at a portable housing and deploy for underwater viewing. Webs at the camera housing interconnect to cable clips, bottom support plates, a swivel coupler or steering guide and/or pole to control camera orientation when towed or during stationary or pole directed viewing. Alternative rudders and/or hydrodynamic ballast weights (with or without a keel) mount to the webs to control camera tracking. A multi-aperture reflection suppressor and etched lens mount to the camera and cooperate with a series of LED's to direct light relative to the viewing field of the camera lens. Various sunshields, lights and/or lenses and filters are optionally mountable to the monitor housing or camera. Alternative monitor housings are disclosed that contain the viewing monitor, battery and attendant control circuitry and camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Nature Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Zernov, Anthony L. Capra
  • Patent number: 6258322
    Abstract: Specimen preparation apparatus (10) for preparing a specimen smear on a microscope slide (28) includes a single drive shaft in the form of a horizontal screw (17). A smearer chuck assembly (15) threadably engages the screw whereby rotation of the screw causes, due to friction, rotation of the chuck assembly. Respective stop shafts (21, 22) limit the rotational movement of the chuck assembly and consequently when the assembly bears on one or the other of the stop shafts, continued rotation of the screw causes movement of the assembly axially along the screw. In this manner axial and limited rotational movement of the assembly in either direction is controlled by rotation of the screw in either direction and a smearer blade (19) mounted in the assembly may be moved between a smearing station (27), a rinsing station (30), a cleaning station (31) and a drying station (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Vision Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter John Meikle
  • Patent number: 6259568
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical imaging system for imaging an object with progressively adjustable magnification. The inventive system comprises an imaging plane for projecting an image field originating from the object and an imaging optical system situated on the object side in front of the imaging plane, preferably with a fixed focal length for producing the image field on the imaging plane. Said imaging optical system and/or said imaging plane are arranged so that they can move in the direction of the optical axis in order to adjust the magnification and/or focus the image appearing on the imaging plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Zbig Vision Gesellschaft für neue Bildgestaltung mbH
    Inventor: Zbigniew Rybczynski
  • Patent number: 6254242
    Abstract: A position sensing device for a mirror assembly displaced by an electric motor for a mirror assembly having a memory unit which relies upon position information. The position sensing device connects directly between the housing reinforcement member and the mirror glass. The position sensing device also includes inherent damping capabilities. A dampening assembly provides additional damping capabilities, thereby further limiting vibration of the mirror due to road and wind vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Britax Vision Systems (North America) Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Henion, James S. Sturek
  • Patent number: 6255035
    Abstract: A process for forming T-shaped metal contacts on a dielectric substrate. The process includes deposition of first and second photoresist layers onto a substrate; individually overall electron beam exposure of both layers; with subsequent imagewise UV exposure and development of both layers to form hollow cavities in the layers. By concentrating the electron beam radiation on the mid-point in the thickness of each photoresist layer, the radiation is distributed throughout each layer, resulting in solubility properties which lead to the formation of hollow cavities of a certain desired shape. In one embodiment of the invention, three-dimensional structures are formed in the photoresist layers by filling the hollow cavities with metal. Subsequent removal of unwanted portions of the photoresist layers produces a dielectric substrate having T-shaped metal contacts on its surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Electron Vision Corporation
    Inventors: Jason P. Minter, John R. Lee
  • Patent number: 6256089
    Abstract: A sample cell for imaging a tissue sample includes a base member formed with a pedestal and a base window. A retainer ring is engaged with the pedestal to retain the tissue sample on the pedestal. A housing with a housing window is engageable with the base member to create a fluid chamber and establish an optical path extending through the base window, tissue sample, retainer ring and housing window. A light source directs a first light beam along the optical path to illuminate the tissue sample. Also, an optical detector outside the housing window receives the first light beam after it has be transmitted through the tissue sample. Additionally, the housing has a side window distanced from the optical path and oriented at an angle, &agr;. A second light beam configured as a slit having a length that extends across the breadth of the tissue sample and a width that is approximately equal to the depth of the tissue sample can separately illuminate the tissue sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Eyetech Vision, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip C. Baker
  • Patent number: 6253817
    Abstract: An apparatus for the processing and segmenting of a cover-forming laminate web or sheeting structure which is adapted to interconnect a plurality of containers, such as the base members of blister packages each of which is designed to contain a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically disclosed is an apparatus for the imprinting, perforating, slitting and cutting the laminated web structure such that the severed laminate segments constitute printed covering label for an array of such containers, and whereby the laminated web or sheeting segment may be severed along weakening or perforation lines so as to provide a separable packaging arrangement for individual of the containers which are subsequently adhered thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell James Edwards, Masao Funo, Richard Wayne Abrams, Kiyoshi Imai, Hirokazu Kitagawa, Borge Peter Gundersen, William Edward Holley, Thomas Christian Ravn, Mark Edward Schlagel, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang
  • Patent number: 6254805
    Abstract: A phosphor comprises, in atomic percentages, 90% to 100% of a mixed metal oxide MxTyOz, wherein M is a metal selected from Zn, Sn, In, Cu, and combinations thereof, T is a refractory metal selected from Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, and combinations thereof, and O is Oxygen, x, y, and z being chosen such that z is at most stoichiometric for MxTyOz; and 0% to 10% of a dopant comprising a substance selected from a rare earth element of the lanthanide series, Mn, Cr, and combinations thereof, or stoichiometrically excess zinc, copper, tin, or indium. Cathodoluminescent phosphor compositions stimulable by electrons of very low energy are prepared from metal oxides treated with refractory metals in various processes disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Vision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Potter
  • Patent number: 6250757
    Abstract: The invention provides lenses incorporating both birefringent material and zones of more than one optical power, or focal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Roffman, Khalid Chehab
  • Patent number: 6250783
    Abstract: An exterior rear view mirror assembly is disclosed which incorporates a warning light actuatable in conjunction with the vehicle turn signals to alert adjacent motor vehicles of an anticipated turn. The warning light is integrated into a first decorative cover member and may be connected to the vehicle turn signal circuit by way of connectable electrical leads or by an integrally formed plug and outlet arrangement. A second decorative cover member may be substituted for the first decorative cover member when it is not desired to incorporate the warning light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Britax Vision Systems (North America) Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Stidham, Dale Gathergood, Charles Furlotte
  • Patent number: 6250790
    Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight, in particular a foglight, has a lamp which is mounted with a reflector, together with a cover lens. The lamp has mounting means, such as an end cap, for engagement in a plane at right angles to the optical axis of the reflector. The reflector is made of injection moulded plastics, and is stripped from the mould in a direction parallel to the optical axis. The reflector comprises a base portion and at least one adjacent further portion. The further portion has a lamp hole formed through it, and an external surface of a wall of the reflector surrounding the lamp hole makes a rake angle with the direction of stripping the reflector from the mould. Between this external surface and the mounting means of the lamp itself, adapter means have surfaces for engagement by the mounting means of the lamp in a plane parallel to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Maurice Montet
  • Patent number: 6248734
    Abstract: Photodynamic therapy to prevent secondary cataracts is effected using photosensitizers such as green porphyrins as photoactive agents to destroy remnant lens epithelial cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignees: QLT, Inc., The University of British Columbia, Ciba Vision Opthalmics
    Inventors: Howard E. Meadows, Danielle Wenkstern, David R. Mallek, Marcello Nick Bussanich, Anna M. Richter, Julia G. Levy, Claude A. A. Hariton, Gustav Huber, Jack Rootman
  • Patent number: 6244764
    Abstract: A method of verifying data matrix print quality utilizing center offset for dot peen or inkjet marks, and size offset for laser etched or printed marks. The method of the present invention builds on the AIM specification and provides additional measures to determine the quality of the data matrix marks. Center offset and size offset measurements are employed to determine the data matrix quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Lei, Raymond Ackaouy
  • Patent number: 6246062
    Abstract: A system for determining the presence and optionally the position of an ophthalmic product such as a contact lens in a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Denwood F. Ross, III, Timothy P. Newton
  • Patent number: 6241922
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for producing ophthalmic lens by casting resin layers onto an optical preform. Resin containment in the mold assembly is achieved by the use of a high viscosity resin bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Andrew Bishop, Charles Foster
  • Patent number: 6241911
    Abstract: A phosphor comprises, in atomic percentages, 90% to 100% of a mixed metal oxide MxTyOz, wherein M is a metal selected from Zn, Sn, In, Cu, and combinations thereof, T is a refractory metal selected from Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, and combinations thereof, and O is Oxygen, x, y, and z being chosen such that z is at most stoichiometric for MxTyOz; and 0% to 10% of a dopant comprising a substance selected from a rare earth element of the lanthanide series, Mn, Cr, and combinations thereof, or stoichiometrically excess zinc, copper, tin, or indium. Cathodoluminescent phosphor compositions stimulable by electrons of very low energy are prepared from metal oxides treated with refractory metals in various processes disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Vision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Potter
  • Patent number: 6242065
    Abstract: A polymeric front optical element blank is provided which may be laminated to a rear optical element blank. The polymeric front blank comprises an optical element having an exterior convex surface and an interior concave surface, with an edge between the exterior convex surface and the interior concave surface. The optical is provided with at least two projections which extend away from and higher than the edge on a side of the optical element having the concave surface. These projections assist in aligning an back optical element during lamination so that the two lenses will not move out of optical registry during lamination, especially where centrifugal forces are used to spread an adhesive between the front and rear lenses. It is preferred that there are at least three projections extending away from and higher than the edge on a side of the optical element having the concave surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: BMC Vision-Ease Lens, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Blomberg, Gert Levin, Sujal Bhalakia
  • Patent number: 6242877
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling operation of a processing machine has a computer preferably with a computer aided design program configurable to model a kinematic velocity profile of a point of interest on a machine to be controlled. A graphical user interface on the computer enables an operator to select desired velocity points for a motor drive controlling motion of the point on the machine. A curve fit is applied to the velocity points to realize a desired velocity profile for the motor drive and the point on the machine. The desired velocity profile is then integrated and scaled in order to obtain a scaled velocity profile that realizes an actual, or target displacement of the point as dictated by operation of the machine. By controlling operation of elements of a machine with velocity profiles, coordination of associated elements and points on the machine can be visualized by an operator selecting the velocity points for each drive of the machine. A method for implementing same is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: The Vision Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jere F. Irwin, Gary A. Curry, Marian J. Fisk, Andrew Roy, David L. Roberts, Stephanie L. Roberts, Todd W. Rudberg
  • Patent number: 6241629
    Abstract: A hand held mechanical apparatus for propelling a ball toward a person so that the person can gain experience in hitting and fielding, the apparatus has a tube for holding the ball and a spring for generating the energy to propel the ball from the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Sports Vision, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary D. Otto