Patents by Inventor Joe C. Hlebasko

Joe C. Hlebasko 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).

  • Patent number: 6166371
    Abstract: A Diffuse Reflective Light Curtain System comprises at least one light curtain defining a border of a work zone for a robotic machine. Each light curtain comprises a primary board having multiple wells formed therein. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) and light detectors are alternately placed in the multiple wells. The LEDs shine light up from the wells to form a curtain of light above the primary board. If an object comes into contact with the curtain of light emitted from the LEDs, the light is reflected back to toward the board and enters the wells of the board where the light detectors sense the presence of LED light. When the light detectors in the wells sense the presence of LED light, they send a signal to a controller to indicate that the light curtain has been breached by a foreign object. The controller, in turn, suspends the operation of the robotic machine that is protected by the light curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry J. Milbrath, Jonn R. Hitch, Joe C. Hlebasko, Steven H. Mersch