Patents by Inventor Scott A. Elrod

Scott A. Elrod 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: 20100289655
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting efforts to thwart discovery of a thing, the methods including: using a detector system in an area to detect a reaction product of a thing with descenter; producing with the detector system a detected reaction product level; comparing the detected reaction product level to a normal level of the reaction product in the area; and upon determining that the detected reaction product level is different from the normal level, providing an indication of possible presence of the thing based on said different level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Scott A. Elrod, Peter C. Rooney
  • Publication number: 20100233147
    Abstract: A method and system for affecting a thrombus after ischemic stroke. The method may include injecting a plurality of magnetic particles into a bloodstream and moving or distorting a thrombus formed or lodged in the bloodstream using a magnetic force to manipulate the magnetic particles. The method may include conjugating ferromagnetic particles, paramagnetic particles, or superparamagnetic particles to a thrombus-specific attachment agent such as an anti-fibrin antibody, and injecting the conjugated particles into the bloodstream. Thereafter, the thrombus may be agitated, broken apart, or dissolved using a magnetic field to exert a magnetic force on the conjugated particles. The method may also include injecting a thrombolytic agent into the bloodstream to interact with and further dissolve the thrombus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: DAVID ERIC SCHWARTZ, SCOTT A. ELROD, RICHARD H. BRUCE, DANIEL L. LARNER
  • Publication number: 20100226819
    Abstract: The present invention, in certain aspects, discloses systems and methods for treating a human being and/or items with descenting material, the systems, in certain aspects, including a generator for producing descenting material, and, in certain aspects at least one direction apparatus in communication with the generator for receiving produced descenting material from the generator and for directing said descenting material in a desired direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventor: Scott A. Elrod
  • Publication number: 20100225722
    Abstract: A printing system and method combine conventional print and reusable print media functionality in a shared stand-alone system to allow a user flexibility in deciding whether to print a temporary document or an archival permanent document. The system integrates and shares functionality to reduce manufacturing and operating costs, as well as to reduce the device's footprint. Commonality may include a common printhead shuttling mechanism (traversing carriage) and portions of the mechanism for moving paper. Pre-conditioning and printzone conditioning stations may also be shared to achieve precondition heating and/or erasing of media sheets prior to printing and maintaining of an elevated temperature during printing. In embodiments, separate feed trays are provided for each media sheet type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicants: Xerox Corporation, Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott A. Elrod, Gerald A. Domoto, Eric J. Shrader, Gabriel Iftime
  • Patent number: 7763794
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a solar photovoltaic device is disclosed. The semiconductor material of the solar photovoltaic device is a heterostructure of two different binary compounds of the same metal. One or both of the two different binary compounds of the same metal are doped so that they have a conduction band edge offset of greater than about 0.4 eV. The binary compound acting as the optical absorbing material of the solar photovoltaic device has a bandgap of about 1.0 eV to about 1.8 eV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas Hantschel, Karl A. Littau, Scott A. Elrod
  • Publication number: 20100149263
    Abstract: Features described herein relate to ejecting drops from a thin layer of fluid. Piezoelectric elements can generate a uniform high acoustic field, which is transferred through a segmented metal support structure and an acoustic horn. The sound waves generate capillary waves on a thin layer of fluid on a top surface of the acoustic horn. At sufficiently high amplitudes, the capillary waves begin to break apart, resulting in the ejection of drops from the thin layer of fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Scott A. Elrod
  • Patent number: 7727768
    Abstract: A method for detecting chemical reactions uses a nanocalorimeter having a substrate including thermal isolation capability residing on the substrate, thermal equilibration regions residing within the thermal isolation capability, and thermal measurement capability residing within each of the thermal equilibration regions. The thermal measurement device is connected to detection electronics. The method includes depositing drops of potentially reactive chemical solutions within the thermal equilibration region. These potentially reactive solution drops are merged through the use of drop merging electrodes residing within the thermal isolation region. The thermal change occurring within the merged solution drops is then measured with the detection electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Alan G. Bell, Richard H. Bruce, Scott A. Elrod, Eric Peeters, Francisco E. Torres
  • Publication number: 20100130014
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for surface texturing multicrystalline silicon using drop jetting technology to form mask or etch patterns on a surface of a multicrystalline silicon substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kenta Nakayashiki, Baomin Xu, Scott A. Elrod
  • Publication number: 20100124619
    Abstract: Inline methods for forming a photovoltaic cell electrode structure, wherein the photovoltaic cell includes a semiconductor substrate having a passivation layer thereon, includes providing a plurality of contact openings through the passivation layer to the semiconductor substrate, selectively plating a contact metal into the plurality of contact openings by printing electroless plating solution into the plurality of contact openings to deposit the contact metal, depositing a metal containing material on the deposited contact metal, and firing the deposited contact metal and the deposited metal containing material. The metal containing material may include a paste containing a silver or silver alloy along with a glass frit and is substantially free to completely free of lead. The methods may also use light activation of the passivation layer or use seed layers to assist in the plating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Baomin XU, Karl A. LITTAU, Scott A. ELROD
  • Publication number: 20100107991
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting presence of a thing, the thing treated with a descenter, one method including in an area in which it is possible that a thing treated with a descenter is present, using a detector to detect a descenter level in the area, producing a detected descenter level, comparing the detected descenter level to a normal descenter level for the area, determining that the detected descenter level is different from the normal descenter level, said determining indicating the possible presence of a thing treated with a descenter; and using a trained service animal to facilitate such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Scott A. Elrod, Peter C. Rooney
  • Patent number: 7574787
    Abstract: A method of producing at least one piezoelectric element includes depositing a piezoelectric ceramic material onto a surface of a first substrate to form at least one piezoelectric element structure. Then an electrode is deposited on a surface of the at least one piezoelectric element structure. Next, the at least one piezoelectric element structure is bonded to a second substrate, the second substrate being conductive or having a conductive layer. The first substrate is then removed from the at least one piezoelectric element structure and a second side electrode is deposited on a second surface of the at least one piezoelectric element structure. A poling operation is performed to provide the at least one piezoelectric element structure with piezoelectric characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Baomin Xu, Steven A. Buhler, Michael C. Welsberg, William S. Wong, Scott E. Solberg, Karl A. Littau, John S. Fitch, Scott A. Elrod
  • Publication number: 20090113685
    Abstract: A method of producing at least one piezoelectric element includes depositing a piezoelectric ceramic material onto a surface of a first substrate to form at least one piezoelectric element structure. Then an electrode is deposited on a surface of the at least one piezoelectric element structure. Next, the at least one piezoelectric element structure is bonded to a second substrate, the second substrate being conductive or having a conductive layer. The first substrate is then removed from the at least one piezoelectric element structure and a second side electrode is deposited on a second surface of the at least one piezoelectric element structure. A poling operation is performed to provide the at least one piezoelectric element structure with piezoelectric characteristics. In another embodiment, a material for a thick film element is deposited onto a surface of a first substrate to form a thick film element structure having a thickness of between greater than 10 ?m to 100 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Baomin Xu, Steven A. Buhler, Michael C. Welsberg, William S. Wong, Scott E. Solberg, Karl A. Littau, John S. Fitch, Scott A. Elrod
  • Patent number: 7495721
    Abstract: Several methods of printing filter material on a substrate to fabricate a color filter are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) providing a substrate with a framework forming a cell, b) providing a liquid filter material ejection system with an inkjet print head, a liquid filter material, and a table supporting the substrate, and c) ejecting liquid filter material drops in the cell from the inkjet print head using a drop size printing process. The drops include smaller and larger drops. A color filter for a display device is also provided. In one embodiment, the color filter includes: a substrate, a framework attached to the substrate forming a cell, and a cured filter material fixed to the cell. The cured filter material is formed by ejecting multiple sizes of liquid filter material drops from an inkjet print head using a drop size switching printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Scott A. Elrod
  • Patent number: 7467542
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a cantilever of a probe-based instrument is deflected by directing a beam of ultrasonic acoustic energy at the cantilever to apply acoustic radiation pressure to the cantilever. The energy is generated by an acoustic actuator. The transmitted beam preferably is focused using a cylindrical lens, providing a beam tightly focused in one dimension and unfocused in a second dimension. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a power source such as an RF signal generator is operated so as to spread the spectrum of acoustic radiation on a time scale that is short or comparable to the acoustic roundtrip time. Such a design diminishing the resonance effects and sensitivity to spacing between the cantilever and the acoustic source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventor: Scott A. Elrod
  • Patent number: 7347533
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, a printhead includes a printed circuit board having at least one base layer, with at least one electrical trace, at least one fluidic passage and at least one fluidic chamber as part of the printed circuit board. The at least one electrical trace, fluidic passage and fluidic chamber are formed using printed circuit board manufacturing processes. An integrated circuit control chip is attached to the printed circuit board using known printed circuit board techniques. At least one fluidic actuator arrangement and aperture plate are attached to the printed circuit board using known PCB attachment processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott A. Elrod, John S. Fitch, David K. Biegelsen
  • Patent number: 7234214
    Abstract: A method of producing at least one thick film element, including depositing a material on a surface of at least one first substrate to form at least one thick film element structure having a thickness of approximately greater than 10 ?m to 100 ?m. Then, then the at least one thick film element structure is bonded to a second substrate, and the at least one first substrate is removed from the at least one thick film element structure using a lift-off process employing radiation energy. The lift-off process including emitting, from a radiation source, a radiation beam through the first substrate to an attachment interface formed between the first substrate and the at least one thick film element structure at the first surface of the first substrate. The first substrate being substantially transparent at the wavelength of the radiation beam, permitting the radiation beam to generate sufficient energy at the interface to break the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Baomin Xu, Steven A. Buhler, Michael C. Weisberg, William S. Wong, Scott E. Solberg, Karl A. Littau, John S. Fitch, Scott A. Elrod
  • Patent number: 7147763
    Abstract: A device for effecting motion of liquid droplets on a surface through the use of electrostatic field force includes a single substrate on which are disposed a plurality of spaced-apart electrodes. A dielectric material surrounds the electrodes on the substrate. The surface on which the liquid droplets are deposited is fabricated from a material that facilitates motion of the liquid droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott A. Elrod, Eric Peeters, Francisco E. Torres, David K. Biegelsen, John L. Dunec, Alan G. Bell
  • Patent number: 7141210
    Abstract: A nanocalorimeter array for detecting chemical reactions includes at least one thermal isolation region residing on a substrate. Each thermal isolation region includes at least one thermal equilibration region, within which resides a thermal measurement device connected to detection electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Alan G. Bell, Richard H. Bruce, Scott A. Elrod, Eric Peeters, Francisco E. Torres
  • Patent number: 7126134
    Abstract: A sample manipulator that utilizes electrostatic traveling waves to selectively displace one or more samples deposited on its face is disclosed. The sample manipulator enables an operator to perform a wide variety of processes upon the deposited samples. Also disclosed are strategies for separating two or more samples, focusing a sample, and passing a reagent through a sample, all conducted on the face of the sample manipulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Meng H. Lean, Francisco E. Torres, Huangpin Ben Hsieh, Armin R. Völkel, Bryan Preas, Scott A. Elrod, John S. Fitch, Richard H. Bruce
  • Patent number: 7118990
    Abstract: A method for producing a detection/test tape includes depositing a material onto a surface of at least one first substrate to form a plurality of element structures. Electrodes are deposited on a surface of each of the plurality of element structures, and the element structures are bonded to a second substrate, where the second substrate is conductive or has a conductive layer, and the second substrate is carried on a carrier plate. The at least one first substrate is removed from the element structures and second side electrodes are deposited on a second surface of each of the plurality of element structures. An insulative material is inserted around the element structures to electrically isolate the two substrates used to bond the element structures. A second side of the element structures is then bonded to another substrate, where the other substrate is conductive or has a conductive layer. Thereafter, the carrier plate carrying the second substrate is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Baomin Xu, Steven A. Buhler, William S. Wong, Michael C. Weisberg, Scott E. Solberg, Karl A. Littau, Scott A. Elrod