Patents by Inventor Sean Wheeler

Sean Wheeler 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: 9255894
    Abstract: A wafer crack detection system includes a rotational wafer stage assembly configured to secure a wafer and selectively rotate the wafer, a light source positioned on a first side of the wafer and configured to direct a light beam through the wafer, a sensor positioned on a second side of the wafer and configured to monitor one or more characteristics of light transmitted through the wafer as the wafer is rotated, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and a portion of the rotational wafer stage assembly, the controller configured to: determine the presence of one or more cracks in the wafer based on the monitored one or more characteristics of light transmitted through the wafer, and, responsive to the determination of the presence of one or more cracks in the wafer, direct the rotational stage assembly to adjust the rotational condition of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: William VanHoomissen, Sean Wheeler
  • Publication number: 20140152976
    Abstract: A wafer crack detection system includes a rotational wafer stage assembly configured to secure a wafer and selectively rotate the wafer, a light source positioned on a first side of the wafer and configured to direct a light beam through the wafer, a sensor positioned on a second side of the wafer and configured to monitor one or more characteristics of light transmitted through the wafer as the wafer is rotated, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and a portion of the rotational wafer stage assembly, the controller configured to: determine the presence of one or more cracks in the wafer based on the monitored one or more characteristics of light transmitted through the wafer, and, responsive to the determination of the presence of one or more cracks in the wafer, direct the rotational stage assembly to adjust the rotational condition of the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: William VanHoomissen, Sean Wheeler
  • Publication number: 20130310227
    Abstract: A method and device for strengthening a human foot includes a bladder, a pressure gauge, a check valve for allowing air to flow into the bladder while preventing air from flowing out, and a release valve. The bladder is coupled to the pressure gauge by a flexible tubing. The bladder is placed on the floor under the first and second toes of a user's foot, and the pressure gauge and valve assembly are held in the user's hand. The first and second toes are contracted to squeeze the bladder and thereby cause an increase in pressure in the tubing and at the pressure gauge. The user observes the pressure reading on the pressure gauge and then operates the release valve to release the pressure. The process of contracting the toes, squeezing the bladder, observing the pressure gauge, and releasing the pressure is then repeated for a desired number of repetitions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: SEAN WHEELER
  • Patent number: 7934224
    Abstract: A system, method, Application Programming Interface (API) and device for discovering a location of a device, for example, to provide location information for a Location Based Service (LBS). The device includes a memory, a display, and a processor operably coupled to the memory and the display. The processor may be arranged to provide a user interface (UI) on the display, retrieve location cues in response to a location request, forward location cues to a location server and receive location information back from the location server. The location information may be a location query page associated with a new place ID if the location cues do not correspond to the location server cues or the location information may be a previously discovered place ID associated with the server location cues if one or more of the location cues correspond to one or more of the server's location cues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: France Telecom
    Inventors: Stephen Pomeroy, Pascal Chesnais, John Watlington, Patrick Sean Wheeler
  • Patent number: 7620404
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for gathering, organizing and displaying contact information in a mobile communications network. In one embodiment, a method for operating a mobile communication network includes an information server and a mobile communications device coupled to the service via a wireless connection. The method comprises transmitting a location identifier message including a current location from the mobile communications device to the server via the wireless link. The mobile device also transmits a list of contacts to the server via the wireless link. The contacts are matched with the location using a location database maintained for other mobile communications devices in order to generate a list of proximate users. Alternatively, the contact list can be based upon cognitive or psychographic proximity (versus merely physical proximity). The list of proximate users is transmitted to the mobile communications device, and the list is displayed in an easily perceived fashion based on user preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventors: Pascal Chesnais, Sean Wheeler, Steven Pomeroy
  • Publication number: 20090106778
    Abstract: A system, method, Application Programming Interface (API) and device for discovering a location of a device, for example, to provide location information for a Location Based Service (LBS). The device includes a memory, a display, and a processor operably coupled to the memory and the display. The processor may be arranged to provide a user interface (UI) on the display, retrieve location cues in response to a location request, forward location cues to a location server and receive location information back from the location server. The location information may be a location query page associated with a new place ID if the location cues do not correspond to the location server cues or the location information may be a previously discovered place ID associated with the server location cues if one or more of the location cues correspond to one or more of the server's location cues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: FRANCE TELECOM
    Inventors: Stephen Pomeroy, Pascal Chesnais, John Watlington, Patrick Sean Wheeler
  • Publication number: 20070150444
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for gathering, organizing and displaying contact information in a mobile communications network. In one embodiment, a method for operating a mobile communication network includes an information server and a mobile communications device coupled to the service via a wireless connection. The method comprises transmitting a location identifier message including a current location from the mobile communications device to the server via the wireless link. The mobile device also transmits a list of contacts to the server via the wireless link. The contacts are matched with the location using a location database maintained for other mobile communications devices in order to generate a list of proximate users. Alternatively, the contact list can be based upon cognitive or psychographic proximity (versus merely physical proximity). The list of proximate users is transmitted to the mobile communications device, and the list is displayed in an easily perceived fashion based on user preferences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Pascal Chesnais, Sean Wheeler, Steven Pomeroy
  • Publication number: 20060150119
    Abstract: In order to reduce or eliminate ergonomic inefficiencies arising when an automated information agent is accessed from a device having a streamlined graphical user interface, the present invention provides a mechanism for selecting and interacting with automated information agents over a text-based messaging network by means of a conversational interface that can respond to queries in accordance with the location of the device. A server sends an electronic message identifying each of a plurality of agents to the device. The streamlined graphical user interface displays an agent selection screen showing identity information for each of the plurality of agents identified in the electronic message. The device includes an input mechanism capable of accepting a user's selection of an agent. Upon receiving a first input specifying a first selected agent, the device displays an agent interaction screen for the first selected agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: France Telecom
    Inventors: Pascal Chesnais, Sean Wheeler