Patents by Inventor Steven C. Reed

Steven C. Reed 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: 20130113919
    Abstract: An inspection device comprises a camera assembly including an objective lens that captures and collimates light associated with an object being inspected, an image forming lens that forms an image of the object based on the collimated light, and a camera that renders the image. The camera assembly defines a focal point distance from the objective lens that defines a focal point of the camera assembly. The inspection device comprises an optical sensor positioned to detect an actual distance between the objective lens and the object, an actuator that controls positioning of the objective lens to control the actual distance between the objective lens and the object, and a control unit that receives signals from the optical sensor indicative of the actual distance. Control signals from the control unit can control the actuator to adjust the actual distance such that the actual distance substantially equals the focal point distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Yi Qiao, Jack W. Lai, Jeffrey J. Fontaine, Steven C. Reed, Catherine P. Tarnowski, David L. Hofeldt
  • Patent number: 7893410
    Abstract: A method including providing a substrate having thereon a layer including a multiphoton polymerizable composition, applying a light beam to at least one region of the layer, wherein the light beam cures or initiates cure of the multiphoton curable photoreactive composition; and processing a portion of the light beam reflected off the substrate to obtain a location signal of an interface between the layer and the substrate at each region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Craig R. Sykora, Steven C. Reed, Serge Wetzels, Catherine A. Leatherdale, Matthew R. C. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20090250635
    Abstract: A method including providing a substrate having thereon a layer including a multiphoton polymerizable composition, applying a light beam to at least one region of the layer, wherein the light beam cures or initiates cure of the multiphoton curable photoreactive composition; and processing a portion of the light beam reflected off the substrate to obtain a location signal of an interface between the layer and the substrate at each region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Craig R. Sykora, Steven C. Reed, Serge Wetzels, Catherine A. Leatherdale, Matthew R. C. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 6230421
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying grain in which a plurality of conveyors are mounted one above the other. The discharge end of one conveyor feeds the input end of the next lower conveyor. The conveyors have a porous top surface and are vibrated to move the grain. Warm air is conveyed beneath the top conveyor and every other conveyor thereafter. Cool air is conveyed beneath the conveyor beneath the top conveyor and every other conveyor thereafter. The warm and cool air passes through the porous top surfaces of the conveyors. Thus the conveyors alternately heat and cool the grain to remove moisture to the desired level. The apparatus can be free standing or mounted as part of a combine or harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventors: Steven C. Reed, Sr., Matthew G. Reed