Patents Examined by Thomas Pham
  • Patent number: 8128830
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide relatively permanent labeling of an imprint lithography template. The imprint lithography template generally has first and second sides, one side having a pattern to imprint a substrate and the other being optically smooth to unobstructably pass UV light. In one embodiment, a method of labeling the imprint lithography template includes placing a masking layer on a portion of the first side (e.g., the optically smooth side) of the template, forming a liftoff layer on the remainder of the first side of the template, removing the masking layer to expose the portion of the first side of the template, and placing a polymer mark on the exposed portion of the first side of the template. The method also includes depositing an opaque material on the first side of the template and removing the liftoff layer and the mark to form a label on the first side of the template with the deposited opaque material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands, B.V.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lille, Scott A. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8092704
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a c-aperture or E-antenna plasmonic near field source for thermal assisted recording applications in hard disk drives is disclosed. A c-aperture or E-antenna is built for recording head applications. The technique employs e-beam lithography, partial reactive ion etching and metal refill to build the c-apertures. This process strategy has the advantage over other techniques in the self-alignment of the c-aperture notch to the c-aperture internal diameter, the small number of process steps required, and the precise and consistent shape of the c-aperture notch itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Hamid Balamane, Thomas Dudley Boone, Jr., Jordan Asher Katine, Barry Cushing Stipe
  • Patent number: 8083957
    Abstract: Disclosed is a decorative material in which a metal layer (e.g., a radio-wave-transmitting metal layer) on a non-metallic-lustrous part can be removed readily and sufficiently even when the metal layer is formed partially by a process involving an etching treatment, and can decorate a molded article with a desired pattern readily and satisfactorily. Also disclosed is a method for producing the decorative material. Further disclosed is a molded article produced by using the decorative material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Nissha Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Susumu Innan
  • Patent number: 8070967
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a patterned magnetic recording medium that allows processing only required sites with high precision, in a dry etching process during formation of an uneven pattern in an interlayer. The method includes forming sequentially, on a substrate, a soft magnetic layer, an etching stop layer, a seed layer, an interlayer, a hard mask layer and a resist; obtaining a resist pattern by patterning the resist; obtaining a patterned hard mask layer by etching the hard mask layer using the resist pattern as a mask; stripping the resist pattern; obtaining a patterned interlayer by etching the interlayer using the patterned hard mask layer as a mask; stripping the patterned hard mask layer; and forming a magnetic recording layer by forming a perpendicular orientation section on the patterned interlayer, and forming a random orientation section on the seed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsumi Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 8066893
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a stepped, recessed, high magnetic moment pole connected with a write pole. The stepped pole structure helps to channel magnetic flux to the write pole without leaking write field to the magnetic medium. This allows the write head to maintain a high write field strength at very small bit sizes. The method includes depositing a dielectric layer and a first CMP layer over substrate that can include a magnetic shaping layer. A mask is formed over the dielectric layer, the mask having an opening to define the stepped pole structure. The image of the mask is transferred into the dielectric layer. A high magnetic moment material is deposited and a chemical mechanical polishing is performed to planarize the magnetic material and dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Amanda Baer, Wen-Chien David Hsiao, John I. Kim, Yinshi Liu, Vladimir Nikitin, Trevor W. Olson, Hicham Moulay Sougrati, Yuan Yao
  • Patent number: 7984421
    Abstract: A user accessing a first web application can request to clone that application to form a second web application, where the first web application may be owned by another user. The cloning operation involves copying at least part of a directory for the first web application to a new directory for the second web application. For example, non-private content types, queries, and/or hard-coded images and strings can be copied from the parent directory to the clone directory. The clone web application is then rendered in accordance with the content in its directory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Ning, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc L. Andreessen, Steven Vassallo, Diego Doval
  • Patent number: 7286894
    Abstract: A handheld computer device for data acquisition is described. The device includes a hardware interface to be connected to a processing device and to an attachable sensor. The device also includes a data module to interact with the sensor and with the processing device and a display module to display data collection results on a display of the processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: PASCO scientific
    Inventors: Wayne Clinton Grant, David Kent Johnson, Paulo Raffaelli, Rhonda Laureen Rosales
  • Patent number: 7277763
    Abstract: A configurable controller, comprising a configurable digital unit having a synchronization control module; a plurality of signal acquisition modules connected with said synchronization control module for receiving reference control data therefrom; and a control logic connected with said plurality of signal acquisition modules; a plurality of input cells respectively connected with said plurality of signal acquisition modules, each input cell additionally connected with a respective input pin of said controller; and a synchronizing signal generator connected with said synchronization control module and with said plurality of input cells, for sending synchronization signals to said input cells, wherein each input cell is operable to convert input signal parameters to time-based parameters; and wherein each signal acquisition module is configured to convert said time-based parameters to a required digital form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Kodak IL, Ltd.
    Inventor: Vitaly Burkatovsky
  • Patent number: 7253942
    Abstract: A lighting system is disclosed comprised of a plurality of image projection lighting devices including a first image projection lighting device. The first image projection lighting device is typically comprised of a microprocessor and a camera. The microprocessor and/or a command from a central controller can cause the camera to capture a first image of the projection surface and can cause the first image projection lighting device to produce a projected light which substantially reduces the nonuniformity of light intensity on the projection surface from the plurality of image projection lighting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Richard S. Belliveau
  • Patent number: 7218973
    Abstract: The invention includes an adaptive control system used to control a plant. The adaptive control system includes a hedge unit that receives at least one control signal and a plant state signal. The hedge unit generates a hedge signal based on the control signal, the plant state signal, and a hedge model including a first model having one or more characteristics to which the adaptive control system is not to adapt, and a second model not having the characteristic(s) to which the adaptive control system is not to adapt. The hedge signal is used in the adaptive control system to remove the effect of the characteristic from a signal supplied to an adaptation law unit of the adaptive control system so that the adaptive control system does not adapt to the characteristic in controlling the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Norman Johnson, Anthony J. Calise
  • Patent number: 7209966
    Abstract: A mediation system as disclosed herein is capable of performing a method for facilitating mediated communication. In at least one embodiment of the method for facilitating mediated communication, the method includes receiving a service selection from a mediation subscriber communication device, determining a context associated with the service selection, and preparing plurality of contextual arrangement options in response to determining the context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Openwave Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Schwartz, Stuart Evans
  • Patent number: 7206651
    Abstract: A mixer engine control program is executable by a computer for performing a method of displaying and editing a mixer configuration which specifies a mixing process of a signal processing apparatus. Logging on is made to the mixer engine control program with a user authority. Mixer configuration is read from a storage. The read mixer configuration is displayed and edited within a scope permitted by the user authority with which the mixer engine control program has been logged on. The edited mixer configuration is written back to the storage. The storage may store a protected mixer configuration created and supplied by a vendor, such that the mixer configuration created by the vendor is protected with a vendor authority higher than the user authority with which the user is able to log on the mixer engine control program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Takemura, Mitsutaka Goto
  • Patent number: 7206643
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for performing automation is disclosed. An apparatus configured to control an automation function includes one or more automation modules connectable into an assembly. The automation modules include a data interface for exchanging data with other automation modules and a processor coupled to the data interface. A functional component is operable by the processor for performing an independent automation task. The data interfaces of the automation modules are coupled to exchange data communications for coordinating the respective functional components of the automation modules to perform the automation function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jussi Ruutu, Ville Ruutu
  • Patent number: 7206657
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for real-time measurement of tool forces. A relationship between a motor characteristic and tool forces is determined by first directly measuring tool forces for a standard tool, work piece, and part program in a central facility. A force profile indicative of the tool forces and the standard tool, work piece, and part program are provided to a user at a user facility. The motor characteristic for a CNC machine at the user facility is then measured for the standard tool, work piece, and part program. Based on the force profile determined at the central facility, the relationship between the motor characteristic and tool forces is determined. Thereafter, the motor characteristic of the CNC machine is measured for a desired tool, work piece, and part program and converted to tool forces using the relationship between the motor characteristic and tool forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Vulcan Craft LLC
    Inventor: Donald M. Esterling
  • Patent number: 7203555
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adjusting control signal values for use in controlling a plant to conform a system parameter to a set-point are disclosed. To adjust control signal values, a reference trajectory for the set-point is generated based on a set-point tracking tuning parameter. A current disturbance value for the system parameter is estimated based on a robustness tuning parameter, a model prediction value resulting from a control signal value associated with the system parameter, and an actual system value associated with the system parameter. A future disturbance value is predicted based on the estimated current disturbance value and a disturbance rejection tuning parameter. The control signal value associated with the system parameter is then adjusted based on the reference trajectory, the model prediction value, the future disturbance value, and an aggressiveness tuning parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Babatunde A. Ogunnaike, Kapil Mukati
  • Patent number: 7200450
    Abstract: A system and method of determining and displaying a failure in an electronic appliance control system employs diagnostic codes which indicate both a primary system where a fault occurs and a subsystem in fault. The diagnostic codes are displayed so that repair personnel may be able to more accurately replace only the faulty part, as opposed to replacing an entire appliance control system. The diagnostic codes are established to include a plurality of digits represented by a combination of letters and numbers. The electronic appliance control also preferably records a specific series of diagnostic steps taken to verify replacement of only an actual faulty component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Boyer, Tony E. Kendall, Brian A. Lard, Jeffrey C. Strickland
  • Patent number: 7197374
    Abstract: A method of assembling an object using a component that has coded data on it, or in it. The coded data is indicative of the components identity and at least one of: i) a position of the sensed coded data portion; ii) a position of the sensing device relative to the interface surface; iii) an orientation of the sensed coded data; and, iv) an orientation of the sensing device relative to the interface surface. The coded data is read by a sensing device. The method involves using the sensing device to generate indicating data to identify the component and orientation data of the component, then transferring the indicating data to at least one of: an assembly system which is responsive to the indication to assemble the object; and, a computer system which is responsive to the indication to cause an assembly system to assemble the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun
  • Patent number: 7194339
    Abstract: A motor-controlling method includes the steps of: preparing a motor control device provided with a motor for moving an object to be moved and causing the motor to move the object to a target position by first accelerating the object and then moving the object at a constant velocity; storing in advance an acceleration-period power consumption value corresponding to a power consumption of the motor during the accelerating movement; storing in advance a current value of a current flowing through the motor when the object is moved at the constant velocity; detecting a time for which the object is moved at the constant velocity when the object is moved to the target position; calculating a constant-velocity-period power consumption value corresponding to a power consumption of the motor during the constant velocity movement of the object based on the time that has been detected and the current value; and calculating a power consumption of the motor for a period during which the object is moved to the target positi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoyoshi Kakegawa
  • Patent number: 7187988
    Abstract: An automated method and system that uses a Web service to make real-time production status available to customers from a manufacturing environment. Each time Work in Process (WIP) data is updated from manufacturing execution systems to a central database, a database trigger checks the alert conditions. These conditions are automatically compared to the WIP data to see if the user-defined conditions have been met. If so, a function is called which automatically sends an alert to the customer via the internet and either e-mail, pager, or mobile phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsu Ming Ta
  • Patent number: RE39716
    Abstract: A system and method for creating a controlling device. In response to a user specifying one or more operating criteria for the controlling device, the system selects executable instructions from a library of executable instructions and command code sets from a library of command code sets that are to be stored in the memory of the controlling device. In addition, the system uses the criteria to suggest command key/command code mappings for use within the controlling device. The user may interact with the system to modify the selected executable instructions, command code sets, and command key/command code mappings. When stored in the memory of the controlling device, the executable instructions are to be used to perform various operations and functions within the controlling device and the command codes are to be transmitted from the controlling device to command the operation of controllable devices in response to activation of one or more of the command keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Lan-Ping Huang, Kim-Thoa Thi Nguyen, Han-Sheng Yuh, JianJun Cao, My Thien Do