Patents by Inventor C. Thomas

C. Thomas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20010050633
    Abstract: A system and method for providing precise TIME and TIME OF DAY information from the GPS network to mobile receiving units in an efficient and cost effective manner which includes the capability of including reliable real-time position data in cell phones that will meet the FCC requirement of electronic location of 911 calls from cell phones (E9-1-1). The invention operates over a dedicated radio frequency band using two radio channels. Base and Slave Models are used which time share the common radio spectrum. Transmitters are programmed to transmit only in their assigned time slot so as to prevent radio signal interference in any given geographic area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Leonard C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6330382
    Abstract: A single mode waveguide coupling to a multimode fiber of a high-bandwidth local optical network is made by a tapered coupler that expands the spot size of the propagating beam to fill additional modes of the multimode fiber. The tapered coupler has a core surrounded by inner and outer layers of cladding. The core and the inner cladding layer are drawn down along their length to force light from the core into the surrounding inner cladding layer. The outer cladding layer confines the expanded beam within the core and inner cladding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas E. Harshbarger, Daniel A. Nolan, Leo C. Thomas, Carlton M. Truesdale
  • Publication number: 20010046541
    Abstract: A peeling apparatus includes a frame, and at least one set of abrasive rollers carried by the frame to define at least one peeling chamber. Each abrasive roller includes an elongate body portion having an abrasive outer surface and may have a pair of mounting stubs permanently affixed to respective opposing ends of the elongate body portion. The elongate body portion and the pair of mounting stubs may each comprise metal, and the pair of mounting stubs may be welded to respective ends of the elongate body portion to provide the permanent fixation. The abrasive outer surface may include a plurality of knurls arranged in a pattern. Each knurl may also comprise a leading edge portion being steeper than a trailing edge portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Thomas, Gregory W. Schrader, Michael L. Suter
  • Publication number: 20010046483
    Abstract: The present invention provides the use of IFN&agr;21 in the manufacture of medicaments for use in activating Th2 helper cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Graham R. Foster, Howard C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6324026
    Abstract: A storage media is disclosed and comprises a storage body and a readable indelible mark formed in the body such that portions thereof are indelibly altered. The mark is read by writing first data to the body in the region of the mark, and reading second data from the body in such region. The written first data is not accepted where the portions of the body are indelibly altered. Accordingly, the read second data corresponds to the written first data with segments thereof missing. The missing segments of the first data correspond to the portions of the body indelibly altered. In a preferred embodiment, the storage media comprises a magnetic rotatable disk having a substantially planar substrate and a magnetizable layer deposited thereon. The reading and writing are therefore performed magnetically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventor: Fred C. Thomas, III
  • Patent number: 6317292
    Abstract: A disk cartridge comprising a rotatable disk having upper and lower surfaces; an outer casing for rotatably housing the disk, the casing comprising upper and lower shells that mate to form the casing, each of the upper and lower shells having an inner surface disposed in facing relation to a respective surface of the disk; and a spun fabric liner comprising a plurality of PTFE fibers, the fabric liner being attached to the inner surface of one of the upper and lower shells, a main body of the fabric liner lying against the inner surface of the one shell and being spaced a predetermined distance from the respective surface of the disk, whereby the fibers wipe the surface of the disk while the main body of the liner remains spaced from the disk, thereby reducing drag on the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Fred C. Thomas, III, Yiping Ma
  • Publication number: 20010038512
    Abstract: A disk cartridge has a various means for clearly delineating the cartridge from foreign objects which may cause damage to a disk drive. In one embodiment. one or more serial reflectors are embedded within a cartridge so as to return a reflected illuminance pattern distinguishable from a flat specular or flat diffuse surface. In another embodiment, optical pipes carry light from an disk drive mounted emitter to a location where the light is detected by the drive such that the light is not mistaken for reflective light. In another embodiment, a light emitting source such as an LED is embedded in a cartridge such that the intensity of light emitted from the LED in cooperation with reflected light is sufficiently intense to identify the cartridge as a valid cartridge. These embodiments may be rotatable so that a single cartridge may be compatible with more than one drive type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: Iomega Corporation
    Inventor: Fred C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6301777
    Abstract: An applicator die for crimping open loop type terminals to wire leads comprising applicator housing, a plurality of blades and a plurality of housing. An applicator housing is provided which is extended or retracted vertically in response to an applicator force applied thereto. An insulation blade housing with an insulation blade and a core blade housing, with a core blade are movingly disposed inside the applicator housing. Prior to a crimping operation, the applicator housing is retracted and a terminal is moved into position and aligned with the insulation and core blades. A lead wire is also positioned inside the terminal. As the applicator housing descends in response to the applicator force, it pushes the lead wire down into contact with the terminal. A cam lever, acting under the influence of the applicator force, moves a cam vertically, bringing together complementary members of an insulation anvil and a core anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Autoliv Asp, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip D. Sigler, Nathan J. Dickamore, Kelly C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6303275
    Abstract: A method of forming a resist layer of uniform thickness across a surface patterned with a varying density of high aspect ratio features. A selected material layer having an affinity to a resist coat to be applied over the selected material layer is applied to a wafer having a plurality of recesses before applying a resist coat. After the resist coat is applied over the selected material layer, the selected material diffuses partially into the resist coat to condition a portion of the resist coat to be insoluble in the presence of a developer which is applied after the resist coat. Those portions of the resist coat into which the selected material layer has not diffused then are removed by a developer leaving a uniform resist coat thickness across the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Coles, John W. Golz, Qinghuang Lin, Alan C. Thomas, Christopher J. Waskiewicz, Teresa J. Wu
  • Patent number: 6297924
    Abstract: A system and method which is used to identify and discriminate the type of data storage cartridge that has been inserted into a disk drive. A system for identifying a type of data storage cartridge having a marker comprises a light source for emitting light to illuminate the marker, a first photodetector for measuring a first intensity of light received from the marker, a second photodetector for measuring a second intensity of light received from the marker; and a microprocessor for determining the type of data storage cartridge responsive to said first intensity and said second intensity. The determination is made responsive to a comparison of the first and second intensities. An optical detection mechanism is provided so that it can be ascertained with near certainty that an inserted object is an appropriate disk cartridge of a certain type or generation. Sensor comparison (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Fred C. Thomas, III, Todd L. Graves, Todd R. Shelton, Paul Smith
  • Publication number: 20010024337
    Abstract: A storage media is disclosed and comprises a storage body and a readable indelible mark formed in the body such that portions thereof are indelibly altered. The mark is read by writing first data to the body in the region of the mark, and reading second data from the body in such region. The written first data is not accepted where the portions of the body are indelibly altered. Accordingly, the read second data corresponds to the written first data with segments thereof missing. The missing segments of the first data correspond to the portions of the body indelibly altered. In a preferred embodiment, the storage media comprises a magnetic rotatable disk having a substantially planar substrate and a magnetizable layer deposited thereon. The reading and writing are therefore performed magnetically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Applicant: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Fred C. Thomas, Refael Bar, Daniel Alfonsi, Dai Feng, Jeff G. Carter, Charlie M. Monroe, Ronald F. Hales, George T. Krieger
  • Patent number: 6292319
    Abstract: A cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a thin retroreflective marker. Light from a source is reflected from the marker almost exactly on its incident path. A planar light shaping optical structure such as a holographic light shaping diffuser (LSD) ruled or blazed diffraction grating, holographic diffraction grating, binary optics or holographic diffraction grating directs light to the detector. The LSD has degrees of angular diffusion in different orthogonal axes. This property makes possible unique identification of different types of cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventor: Fred C. Thomas, III
  • Publication number: 20010017280
    Abstract: A three zone, reinforced, continuous, geometrically symmetrical microporous membrane including a porous support material encapsulated within a middle zone disposed between an upper zone and a lower zone wherein at least one of the three zones has a pore size at least about twenty (20%) percent greater than the pore size of the other two zones is disclosed. Apparatus and methods for fabricating three zone reinforced, continuous, geometrically symmetrical, microporous membrane are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Mark T. Meyering, Jack H. Vining, C. Thomas Badenhop
  • Patent number: 6281346
    Abstract: The rat ob receptor gene has been isolated and cloned. Two different alleles have been identified: the wild-type, and the fa-allele which differs from the wild type by only one base pair. The base pair change, however introduces an MspI restriction site into the DNA sequence, and also results in an amino acid change. Also part of the invention are the receptors, vectors containing the nucleic acid encoding the receptors, host cells transformed with this gene, and assays which use the gene or protein and identify new ligands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Hess, C. Thomas Caskey, Qingyun Liu, Michael Sean Phillips
  • Patent number: 6282060
    Abstract: A cartridge for use in a data drive is disclosed. The cartridge comprises at least one optical pipe for transmitting light incident on one point along the exterior of the cartridge to another point on the exterior of the cartridge where the light is illuminated from the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventor: Fred C. Thomas, III
  • Patent number: 6268907
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an optical lithographic system which eliminates the standing wave effect typically observed in photoresists without the need for altering the thickness of the photoresist, utilizing an anti-reflective coating material, or changing the light source. Specifically, the present invention compensates for standing waves by exposing the photoresist with light from a light source at different phases. That is, in the present invention there is a change in light exposure from a single dose at one phase to a plurality of doses at different phases; therefore dispersing the effects of the standing wave at each of those phases which in turn eliminates the standing wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Samuels, Alan C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6264107
    Abstract: An object or an article for a detector or reader has a latent illuminance marker. A light source illuminates the marker and the marker emits illuminance as phosphorescence. A photosensor detects the emitted illuminance, and the decay time is determined. The decay time is checked to provide identification and/or authentication of different types or generations of objects or articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Fred C. Thomas, III, Glenn B. Dixon
  • Patent number: 6264044
    Abstract: A three zone, reinforced, continuous, geometrically symmetrical microporous membrane including a porous support material encapsulated within a middle zone disposed between an upper zone and a lower zone wherein at least one of the three zones has a pore size at least about twenty (20%) percent greater than the pore size of the other two zones is disclosed. Apparatus and methods for fabricating three zone reinforced, continuous, geometrically symmetrical, microporous membrane are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Cuno, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T Meyering, Jack H. Vining, Jr., C. Thomas Badenhop
  • Patent number: 6266211
    Abstract: A data storage cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a latent illuminance marker. A light source illuminates the marker and the marker emits illuminance as phosphorescence. A photosensor detects the emitted illuminance, and the decay time is determined. The decay time is checked to provide identification of different types or generations of data storage cartridges or provides a secure keying mechanism for authorized access to proprietary software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Fred C. Thomas, III, Glenn B. Dixon, Todd R. Shelton, Todd L. Graves
  • Patent number: 6258944
    Abstract: The ob receptor has numerous isoforms resulting from alternative splicaing; three novel isoforms, designated c′, f, and g are disclosed. The nucleic acids encoding these isoforms are taught. Also part of the invention are vectors containing the nucleic acid encoding the receptors, host cells transformed with these genes, and assays which use the genes or protein isoforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: C. Thomas Caskey, Patricia Hey, John W. Hess, Michael Sean Phillips