Patents by Inventor Michael Harms

Michael Harms 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: 20060269451
    Abstract: Methods and devices for thermal processing of multiple samples at the same time are disclosed. The assemblies include carriers and sample processing devices with process arrays that include conduits useful in distributing sample materials to a group pf process chambers located in fluid communication with the main conduits. The sample processing devices may include one or more of the following features in various combinations: deformable seals, process chambers connected to the main conduit by feeder conduits exiting the main conduit at offset locations, U-shaped loading chambers, and a combination of melt bonded and adhesively bonded areas. The carriers may be used to apply selective compression to the sample processing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: William Bedingham, Chad Carter, Robert Harkins, Michael Harms, Christopher Kokaisel, Diane North, Kenneth Wood
  • Publication number: 20060228811
    Abstract: Methods and devices for thermal processing of multiple samples at the same time are disclosed. The sample processing devices provide process arrays that include conduits useful in distributing sample materials to a group pf process chambers located in fluid communication with the main conduits. The sample processing devices may include one or more of the following features in various combinations: deformable seals, process chambers connected to the main conduit by feeder conduits exiting the main conduit at offset locations, U-shaped loading chambers, and a combination of melt bonded and adhesively bonded areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: William Bedingham, Chad Carter, Robert Harkins, Michael Harms, Christopher Kokaisel, Diane North, Kenneth Wood
  • Patent number: 7111213
    Abstract: Techniques for isolating and repairing failures on a programmable circuit are provided. An error on programmable circuit may be caused by a defect on the chip. The error is located, and the circuit elements effected by the defect are isolated. By identifying operable circuit elements near the defect, the number of circuit elements that are adversely effected by the defected can be narrowed down. The failed circuit elements adversely effected by the defect are then shut down and cut off from the rest of the programmable circuit. The functionality performed by the failed circuit elements is transferred to an unused portion of the programmable circuit. The se techniques reduce the amount of circuit elements that need to be shut down as a result of a defect on a programmable circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Jayabrata Ghosh Dastidar, Michael Harms
  • Patent number: 7062685
    Abstract: Techniques for monitoring the performance of a programmable circuit and to provide an early warning of a potential failure are provided. A processor monitors the performance of components on a programmable circuit over time. The processor stores performance characteristics for the components in memory. If the performance characteristics for particular components fall outside tolerance ranges, these components may to fail to operate according to specifications. Once the performance characteristics for particular components are outside the tolerance ranges, the processor sends out an alert signal. The alert signal indicates the possibility that the performance of the programmable circuit may violate the specifications in the future. The processor may repair the programmable circuit by re-routing around the problem components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan Plofsky, Jayabrata Ghosh Dastidar, Michael Harms
  • Patent number: 7058534
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for application specific testing of PLDs. The PLD has a number of resources, less than all of which are used for implementing a customer application. The method includes the following steps. The set of resources that is used for implementing the customer application is identified. A test is then performed only on the set and a test result is generated. Defective resources may be replaced. The PLD is identified as defective only if one of the resources associated with the customer application is defective. Such application specific testing allows the ability of the customer to perform in-system testing, the reduction of the time required for testing the PLD, and the testing of PLDs based on knowledge of the customer's application, among other advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Tracy, Michael Harms, Jayabrata Ghosh Dastidar, Steven Perry
  • Patent number: 7024327
    Abstract: Programmable circuits have a programmable interconnect structure that connects programmable circuit elements. Tests patterns can be automatically generated for the programmable circuit elements and interconnections on a programmable circuit. A connectivity graph represents programmable interconnections and functions as nodes. Tests routes are generated that connect the nodes in the connectivity graph between control points and observation points on the programmable circuit. The routes are grouped into configuration patterns that can be tested in one test cycle. Test vectors are then applied to the routes to determine if the interconnects and circuit functions are operable. Systems and methods of the present invention automatically create test patterns for a programmable circuit to reduce engineer time. The present invention also reduces test time and resources by increasing the number of interconnections and circuit elements tested in each configuration pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Jayabrata Ghosh Dastidar, Adam Wright, Hung Hing Anthony Pang, Binh Vo, Ajay Nagarandal, Paul J. Tracy, Michael Harms
  • Publication number: 20050097751
    Abstract: Dry shaving apparatus comprises a drive source provided in a housing; a first shaving unit (111) having a first outer cutter and a first undercutter coupled to the drive source and mounted for movement beneath said first outer cutter, and a second shaving unit (112, 113), having a second outer cutter and a second undercutter coupled to the drive source and mounted for oscillatory movement beneath said second outer cutter. The first outer cutter is coupled to the drive source and is mounted for oscillatory movement to serve as a skin agitation member; and the first outer cutter and the second undercutter are arranged to be driven at the same frequency by the drive source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Ray Parsonage, Terry Royle, Peter Soul, Andre Nauber, Michael Harms, Michael Odemer
  • Publication number: 20050031494
    Abstract: Methods and devices for thermal processing of multiple samples at the same time are disclosed. The assemblies include carriers and sample processing devices with process arrays that include conduits useful in distributing sample materials to a group pf process chambers located in fluid communication with the main conduits. The sample processing devices may include one or more of the following features in various combinations: deformable seals, process chambers connected to the main conduit by feeder conduits exiting the main conduit at offset locations, U-shaped loading chambers, and a combination of melt bonded and adhesively bonded areas. The carriers may be used to apply selective compression to the sample processing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Harms, William Bedingham, Christopher Kokaisel, Barry Robole, Kenneth Wood
  • Publication number: 20040154113
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush having a handpiece, a bristle holder which is arranged on a head portion of the handpiece and is rotatable about an axis of rotation of the bristle holder, and a drive mechanism for the bristle holder. The drive mechanism includes a motor which is arranged on the handpiece, and a transmission member which transfers a driving motion from the motor to the bristle holder. A drive rocker is provided as transmission member, and is arranged to rock in multiple axes and is driven by the motor such that it approximately traverses a double conical path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Drossler, Thomas Fritsch, Michael Harms, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20040007244
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush handle is disclosed that includes a housing with a first part and a second part, and an electric motor contained within the housing and operably connected to a shaft extending from the housing for driving a brush. The second housing part is removably connectable to the first housing part by a manually releasable latch that opens to disconnect the second housing part from the first housing part in response to squeezing the first housing part adjacent the latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Harms
  • Patent number: 6615492
    Abstract: Dry shaving apparatus comprises a drive source provided in a housing; a first shaving unit (111) having a first outer cutter and a first undercutter coupled to the drive source and mounted for movement beneath said first outer cutter, and a second shaving unit (112, 113), having a second outer cutter and a second undercutter coupled to the drive source and mounted for oscillatory movement beneath said second outer cutter. The first outer cutter is coupled to the drive source and is mounted for oscillatory movement to serve as a skin agitation member; and the first outer cutter and the second undercutter are arranged to be driven at the same frequency by the drive source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Ray Parsonage, Terry Royle, Peter Soul, Andre Nauber, Michael Harms, Michael Odemer
  • Publication number: 20030163881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush with a brush head holder on which a bristle holder having a bristle cluster is movably arranged. It is provided that locking means are provided on the attachment section of the brush head holder, which, when the brush head holder is pushed onto the handpiece of the toothbrush with a linear, axial motion engage with the engaging means provided thereon. In order to achieve more efficient cleaning, it is further provided that several groups of bristle tufts are fixed on the motorized drivable bristle holder, and are inclined in different directions, and have different cross-sections, preferably also varying from the circular cross-sections, in order to better penetrate the gaps between teeth and effectively remove plaque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Thomas Fritsch, Michael Harms, Peter Hilfinger, Lars Lieberwirth, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20030154567
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush having a handpiece, a bristle holder which is arranged on a head portion of the handpiece and is rotatable about an axis of rotation of the bristle holder, and a drive mechanism for the bristle holder, wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor which is arranged on the handpiece, and a transmission member which transfers a driving motion from the motor to the bristle holder. According to the invention, a drive rocker is provided as transmission member, and is arranged to rock in multiple axes and is driven by the motor such that it approximately traverses a double conical path. The connection between the drive rocker and the bristle holder is realised in jointed manner about an articulated axis that is parallel to the bristle holder's axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Drossler, Thomas Fritsch, Michael Harms, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Patent number: 6560875
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a dry shaving apparatus with a housing, comprising a housing part (G), at least one cutter element capable of reciprocating in a horizontal plane (E) and a removable frame (WR) having at least one cutter element (S) and detachably held on the housing part (G) by at least two detent mechanisms (R1, R2; R3, R4), said detent mechanisms (R1, R2; R3, R4) being formed by a seating surface (20, 21) provided on the removable frame (WR) and a seating surface (80, 90) of a resiliently mounted detent element (18, 19) exerting a locking force (FR), wherein the detent mechanisms (R1, R2; R3, R4) are capable of exerting a holding function and a vibration-free positioning function of thee removable frame (WR) on the housing part (G).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhold Eichhorn, Michael Harms, Sebastian Hottenrott, Peter Junk, Michael Odemer, Jens Störkel, Jürgen Wolf
  • Patent number: 6530793
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a multipole connector assembly for connection of a low voltage to an electric appliance (E) of personal use, with a plug (6) insertable into a socket (5) and with contactable contact elements (1 to 4, 10, 20, 30, 40) for a polarized voltage transfer, wherein the socket (5) and the plug (6) are constructed as polygonal profile bodies (M1 to M12) reversible from one plug-in position to at least one further plug-in position about a symmetry axis (S), wherein provision is made on each polygonal profile body (M1 to M12) for contact elements (1 to 4, 10, 20, 30, 40) of at least one first pole (+) and one second pole (−), wherein the contact elements of the first pole (+) and of the second pole (−) are provided on the polygonal profile body faces of the polygonal profile bodies (M1 to M12) in alternating sequence in a direction of rotation (U), and wherein on at least one of the polygonal profile bodies (M1 to M12) the contact elements have a relatively large contac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhold Eichhorn, Michael Harms, Sebastian Hottenrott, Peter Junk, Michael Odemer, Jens Störkel, Roland Ullmann, Jürgen Wolf
  • Patent number: 6490799
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a long-hair cutter unit (LHS) for a dry shaving apparatus (TR), with a dimensionally stable cutting comb (11) having one cutting teeth row (17) and at least one bearing surface (110) for at least one engagement surface (120) of an arcuately curved, hardened cutting blade (12) having one cutting teeth row (18) and held in engagement with the cutting comb (11) by a pressure of at least one spring element (19, wherein the curvature of the hardened cutting blade (12) is partially configured by means of a forming process such as to ensure conformance and slidable contact of the engagement surface (120) of the cutting blade (12) with the bearing surface (110) of the cutting comb (11) by means of the partial curvatures as well as their restoring forces under the action of the pressure of the spring element (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Eich, Reinhold Eichhorn, Michael Harms, Sebastian Hottenrott, Peter Junk, Rudolf Majthan, Michael Odemer, Jens Störkel, Michael Vankov, Jürgen Wolf
  • Publication number: 20020092177
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a long-hair cutter unit (LHS) for a dry shaving apparatus (TR), with a dimensionally stable cutting comb (11) having one cutting teeth row (17) and at least one bearing surface (110) for at least one engagement surface (120) of an arcuately curved, hardened cutting blade (12) having one cutting teeth row (18) and held in engagement with the cutting comb (11) by a pressure of at least one spring element (19, wherein the curvature of the hardened cutting blade (12) is partially configured by means of a forming process such as to ensure conformance and slidable contact of the engagement surface (120) of the cutting blade (12) with the bearing surface (110) of the cutting comb (11) by means of the partial curvatures as well as their restoring forces under the action of the pressure of the spring element (19).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Stefan Eich, Reinhold Eichhorn, Michael Harms, Sebastian Hottenrott, Peter Junk, Rudolf Majthan, Michael Odemer, Jens Storkel, Michael Vankov, Jurgen Wolf
  • Patent number: 6415513
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a dry shaving apparatus with a housing, comprising a housing part (G), at least one cutter element capable of reciprocating in a horizontal plane (E) and a removable frame (WR) having at least one cutter element (S) and detachably held on the housing part (G) by at least two detent mechanisms (R1, R2; R3, R4), said detent mechanisms (R1, R2; R3, R4) being formed by a seating surface (20, 21) provided on the removable frame (WR) and a seating surface (80, 90) of a resiliently mounted detent element (18, 19) exerting a locking force (FR), wherein the detent mechanisms (R1, R2; R3, R4) are capable of exerting a holding function and a vibration-free positioning function of the removable frame (WR) on the housing part (G).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhold Eichhorn, Michael Harms, Sebastian Hottenrott, Peter Junk, Michael Odemer, Jens Störkel, Jürgen Wolf
  • Publication number: 20020081880
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a multipole connector assembly for connection of a low voltage to an electric appliance (E) of personal use, with a plug (6) insertable into a socket (5) and with contactable contact elements (1 to 4, 10, 20, 30, 40) for a polarized voltage transfer, wherein the socket (5) and the plug (6) are constructed as polygonal profile bodies (M1 to M12) reversible from one plug-in position to at least one further plug-in position about a symmetry axis (S), wherein provision is made on each polygonal profile body (M1 to M12) for contact elements (1 to 4, 10, 20, 30, 40) of at least one first pole (+) and one second pole (−), wherein the contact elements of the first pole (+) and of the second pole (−) are provided on the polygonal profile body faces of the polygonal profile bodies (M1 to M12) in alternating sequence in a direction of rotation (U), and wherein on at least one of the polygonal profile bodies (M1 to M12) the contact elements have a relatively large contac
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Reinhold Eichhorn, Michael Harms, Sebastian Hottenrott, Peter Junk, Michael Odemer, Jens Storkel, Roland Ullmann, Jurgen Wolf
  • Publication number: 20020078571
    Abstract: Dry shaving apparatus comprises a drive source provided in a housing; a first shaving unit (111) having a first outer cutter and a first undercutter coupled to the drive source and mounted for movement beneath said first outer cutter, and a second shaving unit (112, 113), having a second outer cutter and a second undercutter coupled to the drive source and mounted for oscillatory movement beneath said second outer cutter. The first outer cutter is coupled to the drive source and is mounted for oscillatory movement to serve as a skin agitation member; and the first outer cutter and the second undercutter are arranged to be driven at the same frequency by the drive source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: Braun GmbH, Gemany corporation
    Inventors: Ray Parsonage, Terry Royle, Peter Soul, Andre Nauber, Michael Harms, Michael Odemer