Patents Examined by Jason D. Vierra Eisenberg
  • Patent number: 5737078
    Abstract: A cytoanalyzer includes a flow cell for aligning cells and permitting the same to pass therethrough, a semiconductor light emitting device for emitting a laser beam to the cells passing through the flow cell, and a light-detecting device having at least two separate photosensing portions capable of sensing two types of light scattered by each of the cells. The alignment of the cytoanalyzer may be achieved by comparing intensities of light on the at least two separate photosensing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: TOA Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Takarada, Takashi Sakata, Yoshihiro Hyosa, Chihiro Kouzuki
  • Patent number: 5734467
    Abstract: A bottle inspection method is provided which is capable of compensating for random variations in the orientation and position of objects being inspected, such as glass bottles on a conveyor. The inspection device creates an image of the object and then analyzes the image to determine the amount of variation in orientation and position. The desired measurements are made from the image and then adjusted relative to the variation previously determined. Also provided is an improved housing for the imaging devices which eliminates the need for clear panels which are prone to dirtying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventor: Philip John Lucas
  • Patent number: 5731875
    Abstract: The new particle sensor is used for assaying particles and includes a light source comprising one or a plurality of light-emitting laser diodes. Light from each diode propagates along a flexible conduit or "light pipe," preferably a separate fiber optic strand. The sensor has a low voltage power supply and drives the diodes at 1-5 VDC. Light from one or bundled fiber optic strand(s) is focused by a focusing lens to provide an intense light beam for small-particle detection. For improved design flexibility, the light source may be mounted independently of the light beam long axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Venturedyne. Ltd.
    Inventors: David L. Chandler, Raymond J. Felbinger, Gerhard Kreikebaum
  • Patent number: 5731874
    Abstract: A diffraction grating, diffraction structure or Fresnel zone device is formed on a first substrate for diffracting light components of different wavelengths. An array of detectors is formed on a second substrate for detecting different wavelength components diffracted where the second substrate is spaced apart from the grating, structure or device to form a spectrometer. Spectrometers sensitive to the particular spectral lines may be used for detecting the presence of substances. The spectral resolution at such spectral lines may be increased relative to other regions to enhance the sensitivity of detection. This is done by inverse Fourier transform of the desired discrete spectrum to obtain a desired transmission function and by half-toning the aperture function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventor: Nadim I. Maluf
  • Patent number: 5731867
    Abstract: An analyzer for analyzing urine material components includes: a sheath flow cell for forming a sample stream containing the urine material components; a light source for illuminating the sample stream; a section for detecting optical information from the illuminated material component particles; and an analyzing section for analyzing the material components; the analyzing section including section for extracting parameters from the detected optical information, a section for generating first and second distribution diagrams on the basis of the extracted parameters, an inputting section for inputting a domain in the first distribution diagrams, a domain determining section for clustering the material component particles according to the kind of material component to define a domain for each of the material components in at least one of the first and second distribution diagrams, and a section for computing the number of data points of material component particles simultaneously belonging to a domain in the fir
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: TOA Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Katayama
  • Patent number: 5729334
    Abstract: A fraud-proof identification system is provided with a point-to-point in focus imaging system preferably a line tracking arrangement for imaging skin profiles particularly of the thumb-top which contains relatively many continuous lines and avoids mental association with criminal finger print actions. Characteristics from skin profiles, preferably mutual line distances progressively measured along a selected skin line are compared with such information stocked in the system in order to discriminate upon authorization. A line tracking system is preferably provided with a servo-mechanism, a control signal of which acting as measuring signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Inventor: Lodewijk Johan Van Ruyven
  • Patent number: 5726755
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an optical filter which resolves electromagnetic radiation into a sequence of resolved polarization components. The apparatus is also comprised of an imaging device having a storage device. The imaging device is disposed adjacent to the optical filter to receive the sequence of resolved polarization components from the optical filter and store them in the storage device for subsequent processing. The present invention pertains to an apparatus for viewing. The apparatus comprises a frame. The apparatus also is comprised of a first optical filter mounted on the frame to cover one eye of a viewer when the viewer wears the frame. The first optical filter resolves electromagnetic radiation into a sequence of resolved polarization components so the viewer can view the sequence of resolved polarization components. The present invention also pertains to an apparatus for viewing. The apparatus is comprised of a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: Lawrence B. Wolff
  • Patent number: 5724136
    Abstract: An interferometric system for measuring motions of a stage 16 relative to fixed reflectors 24, 25 comprises a source 10 of a single frequency, linearly polarized, frequency stabilized light beam which is launched into an optical fiber 12 to deliver the beam to a module 14 on the moving stage 16. The module 14 contains an acousto-optical device 42 or single to two frequency generator, for generating a beam with a frequency difference between the two orthogonal polarization components states of the beam exiting the generator 42, as well as beam shaping and splitting optics 40, 46, a pair of interferometers 52, 54, optical mixers, and focusing optics 32, 34 for launching the output beams 55, 57 of the interferometers 52, 54 onto optical fibers 26, 28 which deliver the interference signals to photoelectric detectors 36, 38 and processing electronics which provide data for the stage 16 motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Zygo Corporation
    Inventor: Carl A. Zanoni
  • Patent number: 5719678
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for automatically determining the volume of an object. The volume system includes a height sensor and a width sensor positioned in generally orthogonal relationship and each constructed to reflect light from a corresponding surface of the object. The height sensor and the width sensor each include a plurality of charge coupled devices for sensing light reflected from the object. The output from the height sensor and the width sensor are provided to a data processor for evaluating the data to determine a plurality of incremental volume of the object as the object is displayed in relation to the height and width sensors. The plurality of incremental volume are then added to determine the volume of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Intermec Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew E. Reynolds, William M. McDonald, Gregory J. Newberry
  • Patent number: 5719667
    Abstract: An optical illuminator assembly for an analytical instrument, such as a clinical hematology or a flow cytometer instrument, including a laser diode having a diverging laser beam output, a collimating lens to collimate the diverging laser beam, a spatial filter operating on the collimated laser beam to spatially filter the beam, and a focussing lens to focus the spatially filtered beam into a flow cell containing particles suspended in a moving stream. A beam shaping aperture is preferably inserted between the spatial filter and the focussing lens to shape the laser beam. The spatial filter preferably includes an objective lens, a collimating lens, and a filter aperture interposed between the objective and imaging lenses. The filter aperture is preferably rectangular, having a height to width ratio in the range of 1:2 to 1:3 such that each dimension is on the order of tens of micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventor: David R. Miers
  • Patent number: 5719665
    Abstract: A method of determining the content of insolubles in oils using (a) a relation for measuring either absorbance or transmittance from the intensity of transmitted light, (b) a calibration curve for determining the content of insolubles on calibration curve in an oil sample of interest from a measured intensity of scattered light as obtained with a standard sample, (c) the first correlationship for determining the first coefficient of quantification for correcting the effects of the color intensity of the oil sample and the content of insolubles in it, and (d) the second correlationship for determining the second coefficient of quantification for correcting the effects of the particle size distribution of the insolubles and an apparatus for determining the content of insolubles in oils including basically a light source, an interference filter, a sample cell, a measuring device for the intensities of scattered and transmitted components from a sample, a computing unit for performing processing operations based
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignees: Cosmo Research Institute, Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seigo Yamazoe
  • Patent number: 5719666
    Abstract: A particle analyzer includes a flow cell including first and second cells for containing an electrolyte with various types of biological particles floating therein. The first and second cells are connected to each other by a pore to allow the particles to flow from the first cell to the second cell through the pore. A first and a second electrode are provided in the electrolyte in the first and second cells respectively. A first detector detects an electric resistance between the first and second electrodes which changes according as the particle passes through the pore to generate an electric resistance signal representative of the electric resistance. A light source emits a beam of light to the flowing particle and a second detector detects scattered light from the particle receiving the beam of light to generate a scattered light signal representative of an intensity of the scattered light. A clock device clocks a period of time during which the scattered light signal is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Toa Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Fukuda, Hiroyuki Nakamoto, Masaaki Oka
  • Patent number: 5719679
    Abstract: A method is for inspecting a vial in the course of conveying the vial by a rotary table, comprising the steps of inspecting the vial's lower half at a station of the vial's lower portion while the vial is rotated from above with its head being chucked, inspecting the vial's upper half at a station of the vial's upper portion while the vial is supported and rotated from below by a rotary belt adapted to be brought into contact with the vial, and combining these inspections of lower and upper halves to inspect the whole vial from its head to its bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Eisai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Shimizu, Kazumi Maruoka
  • Patent number: 5717486
    Abstract: To detect damage in the bottom region of a plastic bottle a picture of the bottom region is taken by means of a camera. The resulting image is then tested for brightness pixel by pixel in a predetermined inspection area. Large deviations of the test curve from the average value are indicative of a damaged bottle. The process is meaningful, and it can be carried out on existing bottle inspection machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Elpatronic AG
    Inventors: Karl-Georg Burri, Petr Pavlik
  • Patent number: 5715052
    Abstract: Methods wherein a partial region of a fine foreign matter which is detected first in a particle counter is detected again, observed, analyzed and evaluated by irradiating a spot of beam light to the region, observing a scattered light from a dark field or a dark part in the spot from a blight field, a coordinate of the analyzer being linked with a coordinate of the partial counter and registered in the analyzer. Thereby semiconductor devices or liquid crystal display devices are inspected accurately and immediately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naohiko Fujino, Isamu Karino
  • Patent number: 5710745
    Abstract: A bias coil assembly for use in combination with a magnetomotive generator such as employed in a magneto-optical disc drive. The assembly includes a return yoke having a body portion and a tip having a predetermined thickness and extending beyond the body portion. A winding for receiving electric current is wound around the body portion of the yoke so that the winding is contained below the tip. A first plate is disposed on the winding and includes at least one heat-radiating finger extending substantially around the winding without increasing the vertical height of the assembly. A second plate is disposed on the winding in a magnetic circuit with the first plate and the return yoke so that when the winding is connected to a source of power, the tip receives lines of magnetic flux that are channeled through the body portion while the at least one flange radiates thermal energy thereby produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Discovision Associates
    Inventor: Kurt W. Getreuer
  • Patent number: 5708503
    Abstract: A spectroradiometer for analyzing chemicals located within a panorama comsed of hyperboloid mirrors for directing light received from the panorama through a collimator and via an interferometer to an array of detectors, the signals from which are subjected to parallel discrete Fourier transform and parallel spectra pattern recognition systems. Transmissions of data is achieved by using an interferometer having modulated photoelastic modulators positioned between linear polarizers, directing laser light through the interferometer to the hyperboloid mirrors and providing a receiver comprised of a linear polarizer, a detector, a plurality of band pass amplifiers, and a processor for recognizing the different patterns in the output of the amplifier that result from rotating at least one of the photoelastic modulators and polarizers to a different position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Arthur H. Carrieri
  • Patent number: 5708492
    Abstract: A progressive power multifocal lens by which a substantially good "broad field of view" can be obtained for an eyeglass wearer without increasing time and cost required to produce the prescribed surface thereof. This progressive power multifocal lens belongs to a group of progressive power multifocal lenses designed under a certain rule in such a manner that fundamental elements such as a far vision power measuring position F and a near vision power measuring position N thereof meet a common wearing object. Further, in the case of this lens, a surface refractive power (in units of diopters) at the far vision power measuring position F is employed as a base curve (Bi). Moreover, a difference in surface refractive power between the far vision power measuring position F and the near vision power measuring position N is employed as an addition Di (in units of diopters).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignees: Hoya Corporation, Hoya Lens Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Kitani
  • Patent number: 5706259
    Abstract: In a magneto-optical recording medium for super resolution reproduction, a recording layer having a Curie temperature of 300.degree. C. or higher is used. An inhibition force for inhibiting movement of a domain wall in the recording layer is enhanced, while the magnetization is sufficiently increased such that a contraction force, which decreases a surface area of the domain wall, can be decreased. Thus, recording domains become stable during recording and erasing. Further, cross erasing characteristics can be improved, while maintaining previously used recording and erasing powers. The inhibition force becomes larger than the contraction force, even if the Curie temperature is low, when the recording layer is made of a first magnetic material for forming recording domains which have a compensation temperature between 0.degree. and 200.degree. C., or when the compensation temperature of the recording layer is between 0.degree. and 200.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Fukamachi, Masahiro Birukawa
  • Patent number: 5706080
    Abstract: A tester which can measure both the air bearing thickness and the dynamic electrical characteristics of a head gimbal assembly (HGA) of a hard disk drive. The tester has a disk that is rotated by a spindle motor. The disk has a transparent portion that is used to measure the air bearing thickness and a magnetic portion that used to measure the electrical characteristics. The HGA is moved adjacent to the transparent and magnetic portions by a loader mechanism. The HGA is separated from the rotating disk by an air bearing. The tester has an optical system which measures the thickness of the air bearing when the HGA is adjacent to the transparent portion of the disk. The tester also has an electrical tester which measures the electrical characteristics when the HGA is adjacent to the magnetic portion. The loader mechanism moves the HGA between the transparent and magnetic portions so that the air bearing thickness and the electrical characteristics of an HGA can be measured in the same tester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Phase Metrics
    Inventors: David F. Pekin, Ashok Machcha