Patents Examined by Edward P. Westin
  • Patent number: 6043500
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus, which has a projection optical system, a Z-stage movable in the optical axis direction of the projection optical system, an X-Y stage movable in a planar direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and a sensor for measuring the positional relationship between a substrate placed on the Z-stage and a predetermined position in the optical axis direction and/or any tilt of the substrate, sequentially moves and aligns the X-Y stage to change the area to be exposed on the substrate, executes a measurement using the sensor, and exposes while correcting the positional relationship between the substrate and the predetermined position in the optical axis direction and/or any tilt of the substrate in accordance with the measurement result, has a control unit for adjusting the measurement start timing of the sensor in correspondence with a change in area to be exposed on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Akimoto
  • Patent number: 6040566
    Abstract: A device to control the aiming and focusing of laser systems on a target comprises at least one reflecting false target (21) positioned and oriented substantially identically to the target (3), a lens (12) for the focusing of the beam on this false target, a separator device (11), a wavefront analyzer (35), a mirror (33) and a semi-reflective plate (32), the beam (1) getting focused, at the end of the system, on the false target (21) after getting reflected on the separator device (11). A part (31) of the beam with the same wavelength as that of the part reflected by the separator device (11) goes through this device and the semi-reflective plate (32) to get directed towards the wavefront analyzer (35). The beam reflected by the false target (21) goes through the separator grating (11) to get reflected on the mirror (33) and the semi-reflective plate (32) to get directed towards the wavefront analyzer (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Thomson-CSF
    Inventors: Jacques Rioland, Paul Thibout, Patrice Jano
  • Patent number: 6040664
    Abstract: In a television receiver, a higher beam current is enabled and a brighter image is provided, without adversely effecting the life of the cathode ray tube or endangering the high-tension transformer. The high-tension transformer includes a temperature sensor which acts with a control circuit for reducing the beam current when the temperature of the transformer rises above a specific temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Deutsche-Thompson Brandt GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Dieterle, Martin Laufer
  • Patent number: 6040586
    Abstract: A data collection method for scanning a scan window comprising one or more channels is described. In the method of the invention an integrated signal (S) is measured across a scan window including one or more channels using an integrating detector. Next, a velocity-normalized integrated signal (Sn) is determined based on the integrated signal (S) and a scan velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer Corporation
    Inventor: Tor Slettnes
  • Patent number: 6040570
    Abstract: The invention relates to an extended dynamic range imager. An array of pixels provides an output signal for each pixel related to an amount of light captured for each pixel during an integration period. A row of extended dynamic range (XDR) sample and hold circuits having an XDR sample and hold circuit for each column of the array captures an XDR signal related to a difference between the output signal and an XDR clamp level to which the pixel is reset at a predetermined time before the end of the integration period. A row of linear sample and hold circuits having a linear sample and hold circuit for each column of the array captures a linear signal related to a difference between the output signal and an initial output signal to which the pixel is reset at the beginning of the integration period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Sarnoff Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Alan Levine, Donald Jon Sauer, Nathaniel Joseph McCaffrey
  • Patent number: 6040584
    Abstract: A method and system for determining the extent of deterioration of a bill includes generating transmitted and reflected light images. The reflected and transmitted light intensities of the transmission and reflection light intensity images are used to determine one or more disorder curve lengths for each image of the bill. Each disorder curve length is compared with a corresponding predetermined disorder curve length for a corresponding image of a reference bill to generate an evaluation factor. The positions of the evaluation factors on an evaluation map indicate the extent of deterioration of the bill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: MTI Corporation
    Inventors: Jiancheng Liu, Kazuo Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6040580
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing radioactive transmission measurements to form multi-dimensional attenuation correction data with a point source of radiation, such as required in positron emission tomography applications. This involves the passing of the point source proximate the face of each of the tomograph units for the formation of a 3-D image, or a selected portion of the tomograph units for a 2-D image. As such, attenuation data, transmission data, detector performance data, etc., can be obtained. This point source of radiation, in one embodiment, is rapidly circulated through a conduit that passes across each detector face under the influence of a transport fluid in, for example, an oscillatory motion to achieve a selected radiation field whereby calculation of transmission measurements within a body positioned within the tomograph scanner is achieved. When not being circulated, the radiation source is held within a shield. In another embodiment, the point source is a CT device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: CTI Pet Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Watson, William F. Jones
  • Patent number: 6040572
    Abstract: A housing for a portable scanning device is described having a front side and back side, with a scanning device sized to fit within the housing. A transparent platen located on the front side of the housing allows an object positioned adjacent the transparent platen to be scanned by the scanning device. A window located on the back side of the housing allows a user to view at least a portion the object positioned adjacent the transparent platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Modest Khovaylo, Michael A. Puyot, James C. Dow, Scott Henderson, Davin Stowell
  • Patent number: 6037595
    Abstract: A cross-strip radiation detector for detecting ionizing radiation with two non-parallel sets of signal strips formed on the same side of the detector. The detector includes a semiconductor having at least two sides. A bias electrode is formed on one side of the semiconductor. A signal electrode is formed on a side of the semiconductor and is used to detect the energy level of the ionizing radiation. A third electrode (the control electrode) is also formed on the semiconductor. The control electrode shares charges induced by the ionizing radiation with the signal electrode, shielding the signal electrode until the charge clouds are close to the signal electrode. The control electrode also alters the electric field within the semiconductor, such that the field guides the charge clouds toward the signal electrode when the clouds closely approach the signal electrode. Large detector arrays can be formed by butting such coplanar cross-strip detectors side-by-side without little dead area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Digirad Corporation
    Inventor: Clinton L. Lingren
  • Patent number: 6037583
    Abstract: A control system for a scanner is disclosed, especially for a laser scanning microscope, with an oscillating motor for driving an oscillating mirror serving for the linearly oscillating deflection of a beam bundle, with a control unit for supplying the oscillating motor with an exciting current which is variable with respect to the control frequency, frequency curve, and amplitude, with a function generator which is connected with the control unit, and with a measurement value transducer for obtaining a sequence of information about the deflection positions of the oscillating mirror.The measurement value transducer is connected with the function generator by way of a logic unit for determining correction values for the exciting current. Accordingly, it is advantageously possible, by evaluating the information supplied by the measurement value transducer about the actual deflection position of the oscillating mirror, to determine correction values with the assistance of the logic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Moehler, Guenter Schoeppe, Sebastian Tille
  • Patent number: 6037597
    Abstract: Described are preferred devices and systems useful in the non-destructive detection of predetermined substances, such as plastique explosives, in objects under interrogation. The devices and systems are readily constructed and can be manufactured as self-contained, portable detection devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Neutech Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo Karavolos
  • Patent number: 6037581
    Abstract: A turbine configuration includes a turbine shaft having a surface, and/or turbine blades fastened to the turbine shaft and having surfaces, and a turbine casing surrounding the turbine blades. When the turbine is in operation, a radial gap occurring between the turbine casing and the turbine shaft or between the turbine casing and a turbine blade is monitored. A device for recording a change in position at the turbine configuration includes a glass fiber probe led through the turbine casing, a measurement reference point applied to the surface of at least one turbine blade and/or to the surface of the turbine shaft and formed of nonoxidizing material, for reflecting light from the glass fiber probe, a device for recording differences in intensity in the reflected light, and a device for comparing a difference in intensity with a reference value determined at a previous time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Walter Zorner
  • Patent number: 6037596
    Abstract: A photoconductive, high energy photon beam detector/monitor for detecting x-rays and gamma radiation, having a thin, disk-shaped diamond substrate with a first and second surface, and electrically conductive coatings, or electrodes, of a predetermined configuration or pattern, disposed on the surfaces of the substrate. A voltage source and a current amplifier is connected to the electrodes to provide a voltage bias to the electrodes and to amplify signals from the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Deming Shu, Tuncer M. Kuzay
  • Patent number: 6037602
    Abstract: A solid state photovoltaic generator circuit includes a source of activating radiation, an array of photodiodes responsive to the radiation, a switching device coupled to the photodiode array for responding to an electrical signal therefrom, and a high-impedance resistor which is made of substantially single-crystal silicon and is formed during the formation of the switching device. The fabrication of the circuit is thus significantly simplified and the resistor performance is stable over a wide range of operating temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: C.P. Clare Corporation
    Inventor: Nestore Polce
  • Patent number: 6037584
    Abstract: A scanner includes a photodetector, and encoder and an exposure control. For each line of pixels detected by the photodetector, the exposure control starts the exposure time and then stops the exposure time after a specified amount of relative motion has been detected. Thus, variations in the amount of relative motion cause inversely proportional variations in the exposure time to ensure that exposure time for each line of pixels corresponds to the same displacement. The exposure control can compensate for unavoidable position and velocity errors encountered in a dc motor drive and thereby allows a dc motor drive to be used in low cost commercial scanning products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Craig Thomas Johnson, Joseph Scott McCoy
  • Patent number: 6037598
    Abstract: An arrangement for an ultraviolet sterilization system disposed on a packaging machine for processing a series of cartons is disclosed herein. The system may have an ignitor for expediting the commencement of the ultraviolet lamp. Additionally, the system may have an ultraviolet monitor for monitoring the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation being directed to a series of cartons being processed on the packaging machine. The monitor will alert an operator to a change in the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation thereby ensuring properly sterilized cartons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SA
    Inventor: John Cicha
  • Patent number: 6034709
    Abstract: Disclosed is a photographic printer with bi-directional sweeping of a monochrome CRT to expose a photosensitive medium. Image data from a host system is received by the printer and stored in a data drive system. The data drive system converts the data into a series of rows of dot row data to produce the appropriate image desired. Linear deflection amplifiers sweep the CRT's electron beam across the face of the CRT to expose the medium utilizing the dot row data. The present invention sweeps and writes data bi-directionally, eliminating the retrace period associated with sweeping and writing in one direction, and without any hold periods once printing starts. The data in every other dot row is processed in reverse order so that the dot row data utilized in the reverse writing sweep will be exposed onto the medium in proper relationship to the rows written above and below it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Sienna Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Kerry L. Shaklee, Daniel C. O'Brien, Kurt A. Leniger, Gary L. Brackett, Richard W. Denny
  • Patent number: 6031346
    Abstract: To correct a deterioration by a deflection aberration of an electron beam spot at a peripheral portion of an image plane and to promote the resolution, a cathode ray tube is proposed which is composed of an acceleration electrode 32 and a first kind and a second kind of focusing electrode group 311, 313, 312 and 314 which are applied with a first and a second focusing voltage, wherein a first electron lens in which a first focusing force for focusing the electron beam in the horizontal direction is always stronger than a second focusing force for focusing in the vertical direction, and a second electron lens wherein the focusing force for focusing the electron beam in the horizontal direction or in the vertical direction is stronger than the other depending on the relative sizes of a first focusing voltage applied on the first kind of focusing electrode group and a second focusing voltage applied on the second kind of focusing electrode group, are formed among the first kind and the second kind of electrode g
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Shirai, Kenichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6031221
    Abstract: A machine is disclosed for inspecting the profile and wall of a bottle which is delivered by a conveyor sequentially to two inspection stations. A pair of light sources, when fully illuminated, define two images of the bottle on a CCD camera image, so that the wall can be inspected. Portions of the light sources are darkened so that two different images of the bottle will be imaged on the CCD camera image so that the profile can be inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventor: William J. Furnas
  • Patent number: 6029495
    Abstract: In an inventive analyzing system (e.g. liquid chromatograph), an analyzing schedule includes data on whether or not to carry out a self-check for each sample, and data on what process to follow the self-check according to the check result, in addition to data on the analyzing order and analyzing condition of a series of analyses on a plurality of samples. In carrying out the analysis according to the schedule, a self-check is carried out after an analysis of a sample for which the self-check is scheduled. In the self-check, a data collecting unit 17 collects data on the degree of degradation of expendable parts and on the wavelength error of a spectrophotometric detector 14, etc., and a checking unit 18 detects abnormality by comparing the data to preset tolerable values. For example, in the case where the process specified to follow the detection of abnormality is "stop analysis on detecting abnormality", a control unit 15 stops each part of the system so that the rest of the analyses are deferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Keisuke Munetaka