Patents by Inventor Vincent D. Cannella

Vincent D. Cannella 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: 5061040
    Abstract: There are disclosed liquid crystal displays each having at least one pixel element formed on an insulative substrate including at least two conductive electrodes and liquid crystal display material disposed between the electrodes. The pixel elements further include at least a pair of isolation devices formed from a deposited semiconductor material which facilitates selective excitation of of the pixel elements and applied potential reversal across the electrodes during alternate display frames. The isolation devices can include a plurality of series connected diodes. The isolation devices can be formed as diode rings. A method of making the displays is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: OIS Optical Imaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zvi Yaniv, Vincent D. Cannella, Gregory L. Hansell, Louis D. Swartz
  • Patent number: 4929569
    Abstract: There are disclosed liquid crystal displays each having at least one pixel element formed on an insulative substrate including at least two conductive electrodes and liquid crystal display material disposed between the electrodes. The pixel elements further include at least a pair of isolation devices formed from a deposited semiconductor material which facilitates selective excitation of the pixel elements and applied potential reversal across the electrodes during alternate display frames. The isolation devices can include a plurality of series connected diodes. The isolation devices can be formed as diode rings. A method of making the displays is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Ovonic Imaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zvi Yaniv, Vincent D. Cannella, Gregory L. Hansell, Louis D. Swartz
  • Patent number: 4907088
    Abstract: A copying system which includes the combination of a digitizing unit formed of an array of thin film photosensitive elements adapted to generate electrical signals indicative of a detectible image on an image-bearing surface and a replicating unit responsive to the photogenerated electrical signals for reproducing one or more hard copies of that detectible image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent D. Cannella, Zvi Yaniv
  • Patent number: 4889609
    Abstract: A system and method for dry etching an etchable material from a substrate, are disclosed. The system includes an etching chamber including means for establishing a dry etching process therein, a substrate chamber for storing the substrate, and transport means for advancing the substrate from the substrate chamber to the etching chamber. First coupling means couple the interior of the substrate chamber to the interior of the etching chamber to provide an opened passageway therebetween during the etching process. The transport means preferably continuously advances the substrate from the substrate chamber to the etching chamber. Also disclosed are means for maintaining unidirectional gas flow from the substrate chamber to the etching chamber to isolate the etching process from the substrate chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Ovonic Imaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent D. Cannella
  • Patent number: 4868616
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display electronic matrix array has first and second diodes connected together with the cathode of the first diode electrically connected to the anode of the second diode. The diodes are connected between substantially parallel address leads with the anode of the first diode connected to one of the address leads. The anode of the other diode connects to the other of the address leads. The diodes have a PIN structure of amorphous silicon alloy material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Johnson, Vincent D. Cannella, Zvi Yaniv
  • Patent number: 4868664
    Abstract: Apparatus for the photogeneration of electrical signals representative of a detectable condition of an image-bearing surface. The apparatus includes a transparent substrate upon which an array of spaced, thin film photosensitive elements is deposited. A substantially loss-free, light transmitting faceplate, preferably formed from a fused array of oriented optical fibers is operatively spaced from that array of photosensitive elements by a layer of optical grease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Zvi Yaniv, Vincent D. Cannella, John McGill
  • Patent number: 4827084
    Abstract: A solid state, touch sensitive position sensor, which sensor includes a conductive surface along the boundaries of which are disposed at least two sets of two elongated current distribution and collection means. The touch sensitive position sensor further includes resistance means operatively disposed so as to interconnect said current distribution and collection means with said conductive surface. The current distribution and collection means and resistance means are configured, so as to (1) provide a substantially linear electric field distribution of equipotential lines and (2) sequentially turn one set of said current distribution and collection means on while turning the other sets off. In an important embodiment, the conductive surface is formed immediately atop a copyboard and by utilizing erasable, felt tip markers having metallic inserts therein, visual images as well as electrical signals, indicative of X-Y coordinate location, may be simultaneously generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Ovonic Imaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zvi Yaniv, Clive Catchpole, Vincent D. Cannella, John C. McGill, Mike Prewarski, Ronald G. Mulberger
  • Patent number: 4792859
    Abstract: Digitizing apparatus for reproducing information from an image-bearing member, said apparatus including a wand removably mounted on a base station. The wand is adapted for independent operation to manually scan said image-bearing member or the wand can be secured to the base station for automatically scanning said image-bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Ovonic Imaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Wicker, Louis D. Swartz, Daniel H. O'Donnell, John A. Heslip, Vincent D. Cannella, Olivier Prache, Mark H. McCormick-Goodhart, Marvin C. Barnes
  • Patent number: 4777534
    Abstract: Apparatus for the photogeneration of electrical signals representative of a detectable condition of an image-bearing surface. The apparatus includes an array of spaced, photosensitive elements formed from semiconductor alloy material and operatively disposed on a substantially loss-free, light transmitting faceplate preferably formed from a fused array of oriented optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Zvi Yaniv, Vincent D. Cannella
  • Patent number: 4768096
    Abstract: A manually operable, portable, digitizing wand adapted to replicate an image on an image-bearing surface when moved across said surface. The portable wand includes an array of photosensitive elements fabricated from thin film semi-conductor alloy material. Each of the elements are non-light transmissive, non-apertured, continuous and adapted to receive illumination from a corresponding small area portion of an image-bearing surface and generate detectable electrical signals representative of the amount of received illumination. Light is proximity focused onto the array of photosensitive elements from corresponding small area portions of the surface and the portable wand is sized and shaped to provide for manual movement across the image on the image-bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent D. Cannella, Zvi Yaniv
  • Patent number: 4766500
    Abstract: A method of reading detectable conditions of a non-planar, image bearing surface by utilizing an array of discrete thin film photosensitive elements which are formed on a flexible substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Ovonic Imaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zvi Yaniv, Vincent D. Cannella
  • Patent number: 4746989
    Abstract: Apparatus for scanning the image on an image-bearing member moved past an array of thin film light sensitive elements, said apparatus relying upon the concept of "proximity focusing" in order to generate electrical signals for replicating said image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent D. Cannella, Zvi Yaniv, Robert R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4728172
    Abstract: Light influencing subassemblies and displays each having a structure in which all of the addressed pixel electronic circuitry including an optimized capacitance and including isolation devices where utilized, are located at one electrode side of each pixel electrode combination. The structure includes the subdivision of one pixel electrode into at least two spaced apart side-by-side electrode segments opposite a common electrode. The displays include light influencing material disposed between the segmented and common electrodes which form a first capacitance. A second capacitance is formed electrically in parallel with the first capacitance. The second capacitance can include an additional capacitance electrode formed separated from the segmented electrode by an insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent D. Cannella
  • Patent number: 4725889
    Abstract: Line imaging apparatus for generating signals representative of detectable conditions of a surface. The apparatus includes an arm adapted to move over at least a portion of the surface, the arm hving an elongated array of discrete photosensitive elements mounted thereupon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Ovonic Imaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zvi Yaniv, Vincent D. Cannella
  • Patent number: 4725890
    Abstract: An imaging system including at least one array of discrete photosensitive elements is formed on a flexible substrate so as to read detectable conditions of a non-planar, image bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Ovonic Imaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zvi Yaniv, Vincent D. Cannella
  • Patent number: 4691243
    Abstract: Image scanning apparatus includes an array of thin film light sensitive elements and relies upon the concept of "proximity focusing" in order to generate electrical signals for replicating an image on an image-bearing member. Included herein is an abrasion-resistant, transparent coating overlying said light sensitive elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent D. Cannella, Zvi Yaniv, Robert R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4691244
    Abstract: Image scanning apparatus including an array of thin film light sensitive elements, said apparatus relying upon the concept of "proximity focusing" in order to generate electrical signals for replicating an image on an image-bearing member. Included is a shielding layer operatively disposed between the abrasion-resistant, transparent coating and the upper electrode of said light sensitive elements for dissipating the harmful affects of static charge build-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent D. Cannella, Zvi Yaniv, Robert R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4677738
    Abstract: A method of making a photovoltaic panel which includes the continuous deposition of silicon films onto a continuously moving substrate web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Masatsugu Izu, Vincent D. Cannella, Stanford R. Ovshinsky
  • Patent number: 4675739
    Abstract: An incident radiation sensing apparatus comprises an array of photosensitive elements formed as an integrated circuit on a substrate. Each of the photosensitive elements includes a capacitor for storing charge, a conductive means for charging the capacitor to a preselected magnitude, a blocking means for inhibiting the discharge of charge stored on the capacitor; and a photoresponsive means formed from deposited semiconductor material for generating charge carriers at a rate responsive to the intensity of radiation incident upon the photoresponsive means. The photoresponsive means is connected to the capacitor so that the charge carriers generated in the photoresponsive means reduce the magnitude of the charge on the capacitor as a function of the magnitude of, and the time incidence of, the incident radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Clive Catchpole, Zvi Yaniv, Vincent D. Cannella, John Keem, Louis D. Swartz
  • Patent number: 4672454
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing electrical signals representative of an image formed by X-rays projected thereon includes a two-dimensional array of spaced apart light sensitive sensors formed from deposited semiconductor material. The elements are capable of effecting a detectable electrical characteristic responsive to the intensity of light received thereon. A phosphorescent layer overlying the light sensitive elements receives the projected X-ray image and produces light in response to the impingement of the X-rays thereon. Isolation elements enable the selective addressing of the light sensitive elements. A method of converting an image from electromagnetic energy to a plurality of electrical signals is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent D. Cannella, Zvi Yaniv, Robert R. Johnson