Patents by Inventor Rolf Schaefer

Rolf Schaefer 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: 20060126229
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor having at least a first and at least a second structure of soft-magnetic material that are spatially separated and define a first gap therebetween. The first and second structure of soft-magnetic material are adapted to form a gap magnetic field pointing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the elongation of the first gap in the vicinity of the first gap in response to an external magnetic field. Additionally, the magnetic sensor comprises at least a first magnetoresistive layered structure that is positioned in the vicinity of the first gap including inside the first gap and that is sensitive to the gap magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Hubert Grimm, Jan Marien, Rolf Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20060087318
    Abstract: A method, a magnetic field sensor, and an electronic device measure and determine the magnitude and/or the direction of a magnetic field. The magnetic sensor is based on at least a first magnetoresistive-layered structure having an electric resistance depending on the magnitude of the magnetic field. The magnetic sensor generates at least a first offset magnetic field. The magnitude and the direction of the offset magnetic field can be modified to compensate the magnetic field. The electric resistance of the magnetoresistive-layered structure depends on the superposition of magnetic field and offset magnetic field. A maximum electric resistance indicates that the magnetic field is compensated by the offset magnetic field. In this case the magnitude of the magnetic field corresponds to the magnitude of the offset magnetic field, and the direction of the magnetic field is given by the reversed direction of the offset magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Guenther Crolly, Thorsten Muehge, Rolf Schaefer, Ernst-Diester Weissenberger
  • Publication number: 20060044700
    Abstract: Methods of reorienting ferromagnetic layers of a plurality of magnetoresistive elements and structures formed by the methods. The plurality of magnetoresistive elements, preferably GMR multilayer elements, are manufactured and arranged on a planar substrate. The method effectively allows selective orientation and reorientation of distinct ferromagnetic layers of a subset of the magnetoresistive elements on the substrate. The methods make either use of subsequent annealing processes making use of magnetic fields pointing in different directions. Prior to application of a subsequent annealing process, a complimentary subset of magnetoresistive elements is effectively shielded by selective deposition of a soft-magnetic shielding layer. Alternatively, a single annealing process can be performed when an externally applied magnetic field is locally modified by soft-magnetic structures, such as fluxguides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Johannes Paul, Rolf Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20050140363
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor having at least a first and a second magnetoresistive element being non-parallel provides determination of the direction of a magnetic field. The at least first and second magnetoresistive elements are positioned along at least a first and a second elongated gap each of which separating at least a first and a second closely spaced planar area of soft-magnetic material serving as flux guides. The flux guides provide amplification of magnetic field components being perpendicular to the elongated direction of each gap. A variety of various magnetoresitive elements such as AMR elements or GMR-multilayer systems can effectively be used in order to detect the magnitude and/or the direction of the magnetic field. By appropriately designing the geometry of the flux guides, direction dependent gain factors can effectively be realized. This allows for a large detection range and sensitivity of the magnetic sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hubert Grimm, Johannes Paul, Rolf Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20050134261
    Abstract: A non-contact magnetic sensor system according to one embodiment includes a substrate and a magnetic medium spaced from the substrate and having a data track thereon. A sensor element is mounted to the substrate. A guiding element biases the substrate towards the magnetic medium. A first magnetic track is positioned on the substrate. A second magnetic track is positioned on the magnetic medium. Orientations of the magnetizations of the magnetic tracks are such that the substrate experiences a vertical force away from the magnetic medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventor: Rolf Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20040027715
    Abstract: A method for multi-layer electrodeposition in a single bath is also provided. A substrate is immersed in a bath. An electrodeposition operation is initiated for depositing a first layer of material on the substrate. The electrodeposition operation includes agitating the bath and applying current pulses. The electrodeposition operation is later altered for depositing a second layer of material on the first layer, where the second layer is of a different composition than the first layer. In the altered mode, the current density is changed for altering a composition of material deposited on the substrate, the duration and/or frequency of the current pulses are altered, and the bath is agitated at a different rate of agitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES
    Inventors: April Dawn Hixson-Goldsmith, Matthew Walter Last, Murali Ramasubramanian, Rolf Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6199160
    Abstract: The invention relates to a computer system and method for performing multiple tasks. The computer system comprises a host (2), a communication subsystem (3), a plurality of application programs (1, 2), virtual terminal manager (5), virtual terminals (9, 4), an application programming interface (6), and a cross application program (7) as well as a real terminal T. The logical connections L1, L2 of the application programs to their associated virtual terminals are independent from the logical connections of the respective virtual terminals to the real terminal T. The logical connections l3T, l2T are user selectable by positioning of the software controllable switch 11. A plurality of application programs, for example applications programs (A1, A2), are integrated by the cross application program (7) which has access to the respective virtual terminals (4, 9) via the application programming interface (6) and the virtual terminal manager (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Heimo Echensperger, Wolfgang Eibach, Michael Fox, Hans H. Harz, Rolf Schaefer, Ralf Streit
  • Patent number: 5151522
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing polycarboxylic acid imidazolines of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein X is --Cl, --OH, --O--SO.sub.3 H, --O--PO.sub.3 H.sub.2, --O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --COOH, --NH.sub.2, --NHalk or --N(alk).sub.2, alk being an alkyl radical containing up to 6 carbon atoms, n is a whole number of from 2 to 4, R is a C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 hydrocarbon radical which is straight-chained, branched, saturated or one to three times unsaturated, m is a whole number of from 2 to 5, R' is a hydrogen atom or a carboxyl group and R" is a hydrogen atom or a methyl radical. In the process, a compound of the formula ##STR2## in which R, X and n are as defined above, is condensed with about a 2- to 5-fold excess of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignees: Chemisches Institut Schaefer AG, Joh. A. Benckiser GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Hitz, Rolf Schaefer, Heinrich Baust, Wolfgang Gross
  • Patent number: 5049315
    Abstract: The present invention provides polycarboxylic acid imidazolines of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein X is --Cl, --OH, --O--SO.sub.3 H, --O--PO.sub.3 H.sub.2, --O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --COOH, --NH.sub.2, --NHalk or --N(alk).sub.2, alk being an alkyl radical containing up to 6 carbon atoms, n is a whole number of from 2 to 4, R is a C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 hydrocarbon radical which is straight-chained, branched, saturated or one to three times unsaturated, m is a whole number of from 2 to 5, R' is a hydrogen atom or a carboxyl group and R" is a hydrogen atom or a methyl radical. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of these compounds and cleaning agents containing them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignees: Chemisches Instutut Schaefer AG, Joh. A. Benskiser GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Hitz, Rolf Schaefer, Heinrich Baust, Wolfgang Gross
  • Patent number: 4631203
    Abstract: A sharp imaging, non-smearing system for latent imaging and subsequent visual development of printed text or the like is provided which can be used on a variety of substrates (e.g., paper, metal, cloth, synthetic resins) and is extremely stable and easy to use. The system involves first imaging a substrate with an invisible ink containing a dissociable transition metal salt such as CuSO.sub.4, with subsequent application of a liquid developer containing a solubilized color precursor such as thiooxalic amide which complexes with dissociated transition metal ion to give a sharp, virtually instantaneously developing, long lasting color. Depending upon the metal salt selected, different colors can be obtained upon development. The system of the invention can be used in a variety of contexts, such as in self-testing materials or novelty items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Inventors: Rolf Schaefer, Haywood A. Walker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4569743
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the selective deposition of metal layers on a substrate. At least one metal layer is deposited in a self-aligned manner on conductive regions on the surface of isolating or semiconductive substrates, for which purpose the conductive regions are arranged facing a metal plate having at least one layer of the metal to be deposited, and Tesla currents are generated between the metal plate and the regions to be coated. The apparatus for implementing the method includes a metal plate, a Tesla transformer which is coupled to the metal plate or to a metal grid, spaced apart from the surface of the metal plate away from the conductive regions, having closely adjacent and regularly distributed spikes pointing towards the metal. This method may be used, for example, to produce conductors on or in ceramic modules, circuit cards and semiconductor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Bayer, Georg Kraus, Ulrich Kuenzel, Gisela Renz, Rolf Schaefer
  • Patent number: 4557796
    Abstract: According to this method, copper is dry etched in a glow discharge containing compounds with at least one methyl or methylene group, particularly at temperatures close to room temperature.The method is applied in particular for making conductors on or in module substrates or circuit cards, solder spots, and the wiring of magnetic thin films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Druschke, Georg Kraus, Ulrich Kuenzel, Wolf D. Ruh, Rolf Schaefer