Patents Examined by Charles H. Nolan, Jr.
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Patent number: 6927583Abstract: A sensor (20) includes a single capacitor (30) that operates in two different modes to obtain capacitance and conductance information when a mixture flows between the electrodes (32, 34) of the capacitor. Two different oscillators (180, 182) are selectively used to obtain the conductance and capacitance information. In a disclosed embodiment, a capacitor includes an outer electrode (32) that is received around an inner electrode (34) such that there is spacing between the electrodes through which the mixture flows. The mixture acts as a dielectric of the capacitor allowing the conductance and capacitance measurements to be made. A glass member (36) seals off the spacing between the electrodes and provides physical support to position the inner electrode to keep the electrodes electrically isolated.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.Inventors: David M. Vanzuilen, Gerard Mouaici, Francois-Xavier Bernard, Isabelle McKenzie
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Patent number: 6927562Abstract: Measurement of power factor to diagnose the condition of high powered stand-off insulators, which include a roll of insulating material carrying an intermediate layer of conductor between layers of the insulating material around a central HV conductor in a hollow insulator body, is accomplished while the power system is subject to full voltage. Coupling means provides a capacitive voltage divider with a tap at a low voltage point on the conductor within the insulator structure. The divider with the coupling means is also provided with an external low voltage connector and a ground connector. A computer is connected to the external connections of the coupling means and contains software to convert a received analog signal to digital, and subject the digital signal to a fast Fourier transform analysis to produce an output signal representative of the power factor. The computer is arranged to calculate, process and store the bushing insulator power factor at periodic intervals.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: On-Line Monitoring, Inc.Inventors: Ramesh Anand, Jeffrey D. Benach, Emidio Cimini, Jan C. Heyneke
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Patent number: 6923583Abstract: A computer keyboard to control a remote computer includes a housing that contains a printer assembly. The printer assembly includes a printhead support having a number of ink galleries and a pagewidth printhead supported by the printhead support and supplied by the ink galleries. A port to receive an ink cartridge is formed in the housing and communicates with the ink galleries in order to replenish them. In a preferred embodiment the pagewidth printhead comprises a multi-color printhead and each of the ink galleries is dedicated to store different color inks.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2004Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Silverbrook Research PTY LTDInventors: Tobin Allen King, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 6923581Abstract: A plurality of current patterns with regard to driving current which flows in a driving motor for a ribbon winding shaft are set in advance. The driving motor is driven based on the current pattern selected from a plurality of current patterns on an operation panel. The plurality of current patterns are set in advance so that the tension applied to the ink ribbon, which is between a printing head and a ribbon winding shaft, is an approximate predetermined value from the start to the end of ribbon winding according to the kind of the ink ribbon installed on a ribbon supply shaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2002Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiko Ueda, Tetsuya Yamamoto
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Patent number: 6921221Abstract: A combination keyboard and printer apparatus includes a housing having a print media entry slot and a print media ejection slot. A printer assembly is located within a chamber defined by the housing on a print media transport path between the entry slot and the ejection slot. A print media exit tray extends outwardly from the ejection slot and is formed as a unitary piece with the housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2004Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Silverbrook Research PTY LTDInventors: Tobin Allen King, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 6918339Abstract: First, densities are measured of a set of detecting patches having an equal number of lines and different area ratios between a printing area and a non-printing area, a set of detecting patches having an equal area ratio between a printing area and a non-printing area and different numbers of lines, and solid patches. Next, area ratios S relating to quantities of dampening water are calculated by using density of the set of detecting patches having the equal number of lines and different area ratios between the printing area and non-printing area, and density of the solid patches. Then, coefficients N relating to emulsification rates of ink are calculated by using density of the set of detecting patches having the equal area ratio between the printing area and non-printing area and different numbers of lines, and the density of the solid patches. Finally, a feed rate of dampening water is adjusted by using the area ratios S and coefficients N.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2004Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takaharu Yamamoto, Kazuki Fukui
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Patent number: 6918707Abstract: A printer includes a housing having an upper side bearing a computer keyboard comprised of a plurality of keypads. The keypads are arranged to interact with a keyboard circuit board located within the housing. A print media entry slot is formed through a first side of the housing and a print media ejection slot through a second opposite side. A print media transport assembly is located between the keyboard circuit board and an underside of the housing. The transport assembly operates to draw print media through the entry slot into the printer during use. Preferably the print media transport assembly includes a belt disposed about at least two rollers and arranged to transport print media from the entry slot to a printhead assembly. A planar member in the form of a sprung metal plate is biased to maintain planarity of the belt.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2004Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Silverbrook Research PTY LTDInventors: Tobin Allen King, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 6915737Abstract: In an ink supply amount control method for a printing press, ink is supplied from the gap between a plurality of ink fountain keys and an ink fountain roller to an ink supply path in accordance with rotation of the ink fountain roller. The swing operation of an ink ductor roller is temporarily stopped. When the swing operation should intermittently be stopped, the operation of the ink fountain key or the ink fountain roller is controlled to control the ink supply amount to the ink ductor roller. Ink in a corrected amount is supplied to a printing plate attached to a plate cylinder through the ink supply path by the swing operation of the ink ductor roller. An ink supply amount control apparatus is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2003Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Komori CorporationInventors: Masahiro Hirano, Toshikazu Tomita
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Patent number: 6916127Abstract: The object is to print continuously in the specified order by one operation a series of print jobs printed in any timing by a plurality of host computers for the same printer even if a usual print job is spooled together in a print server. In a method for solving the problem, a print server identifies ordered print jobs for which print order is to be specified and non-ordered print jobs out of a plurality of print jobs transmitted in any timing from a client, the print order for each print job identified as such is rearranged and aligned in specified order, and the output order for each print job aligned for a printer based on the state of alignment.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koichiro Wanda
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Patent number: 6914437Abstract: A method for calibrating a filter begins with the filter filtering a first signal having a first frequency to produce a first filtered signal, wherein the first frequency is in a known pass region of the filter. The processing continues by measuring signal strength of the first filtered signal to produce a first measured signal strength. The processing continues with the filter filtering a second signal having a second frequency to produce a second filtered signal, wherein the second frequency is at a desired corner frequency of the filter. The processing continues by measuring signal strength of the second filtered signal to produce a second measured signal strength. The processing continues by comparing the first measured signal strength with the second measured signal strength to determine whether the filter has attenuated the second signal by a desired attenuation value with respect to the first signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2003Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: Broadcom Corp.Inventors: Brima B. Ibrahim, Hea Joung Kim
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Patent number: 6911828Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the effectiveness of a coating on a substrate surface and indicating the failure of the coating to adequately protect the surface from corrosion, degradation, and the like. The system includes a sensor array positioned in contact with the coating utilizing a number of sensor electrodes connected to a single integrated circuit or a number of separate individual sensor circuits. The electrodes of the sensor array make measurements of the electrochemical impedance characteristics of the coating and provide such data by way of telemetry to a data interrogation device that is periodically be placed in proximity to the sensor array. The interrogation device may serve to both power the sensor array and trigger it to acquire data.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2002Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Christopher S. Brossia, Darrell S. Dunn
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Patent number: 6910817Abstract: Data in the host device that was processed before a data interrupt process could run, and data that was already being sent to the printer, can be reliably deleted when an error occurs.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2004Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Kazuko Fukano
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Patent number: 6904842Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for adaptively controlling printer functions of a dot matrix printer in response to sensing the type of printer ink cartridge being used. An identifying resistive value is applied to surface of the cartridge and installed within the printer. The printer includes contacts that include sensors and sensor circuitry useful to detect a presence of the resistive indicator and the resistive value thereof. The sensed resistive value is used to directly control printer functions, and/or to access stored data or printer control routines specific to the type of cartridge, or desired performance characteristics. Stored information, which may be appended by other sensed information such as printer usage data, is used to selectively regulate printer operation to achieve maximum efficiency and performance from the particular ink cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2004Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Amano Cincinnati, Inc.Inventors: Peter Jakubowski, Frank Benna
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Patent number: 6903554Abstract: An apparatus for measuring an operating parameter of a relay armature operating a pair of relay contacts, and for controlling the voltage that occurs between the pair of relay contacts when they open or close. The apparatus includes a microcontroller that senses a reference voltage, and a sensed voltage signal that comprises a voltage component representing a relay coil voltage, a power supply voltage component, and a voltage component induced by a motion of the armature. The microcontroller uses discrete digital samples of the signals to deduce the operating parameter. The microcontroller provides a control signal to cause the relay to open or close the relay contacts at a time when a predefined voltage occurs therebetween. The predefined voltage can be substantially zero volts. Methods of use of the apparatus to control the opening and closing of relay contacts are described.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2003Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: James Douglas Wilson, Jason Shain Breland
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Patent number: 6894501Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a setting specified from a plurality of the settings for a function provided in an integrated circuit, wherein the setting is specified by connecting an external measurement resistor to a measurement terminal of the integrated circuit, comprises applying a direct current to the measurement terminal of the integrated circuit, thereby producing a measurement voltage at the measurement terminal; applying the direct current to a reference terminal of the integrated circuit, wherein the reference terminal has an external reference resistor connected thereto, thereby producing a reference voltage at the reference terminal; quantizing a voltage level of a difference voltage representing a voltage difference between the reference voltage and the measurement voltage, thereby producing a quantized voltage; and providing control signals to a functional module within the integrated circuit, the control signals representing the one of the settings corresponding to the quantized voltaType: GrantFiled: May 21, 2002Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy M. Flasck, Andrew J. Burstein, David B. Lidsky, Michael D. McJimsey
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Patent number: 6894506Abstract: The spectral content of the interference response at a sensor array is taken into account and used to advantage in remote sensing or imaging an object or scene. The phase relationship between sensor elements is preserved, enabling the natural interference spectrum to be processed to generate a particular spatial response of the aggregate beam pattern. The method applies to diverse forms of broadband illumination or emissions including acoustic and electromagnetic radiation, and provides remote sensing capabilities linked to the sensor elements appropriate to the wavelength band of interest (e.g., acoustic, RF or optical). Since the relative geometry between the source, scene and sensing array is responsible for the generation of a desirable interference response, the source of illumination need only maintain a small degree of coherence (some finite correlation length), and can operate in a pulsed or continuous (CW) mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2002Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Veridian SystemsInventors: Paul L. Mohan, James E. Poplawski
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Patent number: 6890113Abstract: The present invention relates to a tape printing system for printing an image on an image receiving tape comprising means for receiving a supply of image receiving tape; means for generating a plurality of labels from a data source, said generating means comprising means for receiving said data, means for processing said data to identify individual label data to be printed on said plurality of labels and means for generating label date from the identified individual label data; and means for printing said plurality of labels.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: EsselteInventor: David Block
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Patent number: 6891383Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the concentration of soot particles in engine oil. A microwave signal having a varying frequency is applied to a transmission line having a probe tip exposed to the engine oil. A voltage is read at a stationary detection point along the length of the transmission line for each applied frequency. The applied frequency when the probe voltage is equal to a null voltage of a standing wave within the transmission line is compared to a reference frequency determined when the probe voltage is equal to a null voltage for a known concentration of soot particles. The concentration is calculated based upon the result of the comparison. Preferably, a reference probe receives the same input signal. A known relationship between the reference probe and the transmission line is then used to eliminate temperature effects on the applied frequency.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2003Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Warren Baxter Nicholson, Louis L. Nagy
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Patent number: 6891379Abstract: A wiring harness is provided for conveying signals representing measurements made at a first location to a measuring instrument remotely located from the first location. The harness includes a first cable having an outer sheath with a first diameter and a plurality of coaxial cables arranged within the outer sheath of the first cable. A plurality of contacts is arranged on the outer sheath of the first cable. Each of the contacts is electrically connected to a respective inner conductor of one of the plurality of coaxial cables.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2003Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Draeger Medical System, Inc.Inventors: Clifford Mark Kelly, Bernd Rosenfeldt
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Patent number: 6891361Abstract: The present invention is a method, system, and product for testing operating characteristics of a continuous-time or discrete-time device under test, which is included within a circuit. The operating characteristics of the continuous-time or discrete-time device are tested utilizing electronic components that already exist within the circuit such that a test circuit is not utilized to test the device. The circuit includes a variable gain amplifier and an automatic gain correction (AGC) circuit. The operating characteristics of the device are tested utilizing the variable gain amplifier and said AGC circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: LSI Logic CorporationInventor: Gregory Scott Winn