Patents by Inventor William An

William An 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).

  • Method and apparatus for magnetically guiding neutral particles
    Patent number: 6657188
    Abstract: Neutral particles, such as atoms and molecules, transported along a path having at least one curved region are selectively conveyed or filtered according to each particle's velocity by generating an inhomogeneous magnetic field across a cross-section of the path. The neutral particles may be transported through a physical tube or simply through the region defined by the magnetic field. The path may have more than one curved region and may additionally have one or more straight regions. The magnetic field may be generated for example by homogeneously or inhomogeneously magnetized permanent magnets or by current carrying elements. The magnetic elements may additionally be used in conjunction with at least one piece of a high permeability magnetic material for focussing or containing the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventors: Randall Gardner Hulet, Kevin Edwin Strecker, Jordan Mitchell Gerton, William Ian McAlexander, Curtis Charles Bradley, Jeffrey J Tollett, Charles Ackley Sackett, Bita Ghaffari, Stephen Calvin Moss
  • Decorative assembly for a floral grouping
    Patent number: 6655085
    Abstract: A decorative assembly for a floral grouping comprising a floral holding material and a sheet of material. The floral holding material is constructed of a material capable of receiving a portion of a floral grouping and supporting the floral grouping. The sheet of material is extended about a portion of the floral holding material and a crimped portion is formed in the sheet of material with the crimped portion cooperating to hold the sheet of material about the floral holding material to provide a decorative covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter, Michael J. King, Franklin J. Craig, Michael R. Klemme
  • Self-diagnosing and self-correcting data entry components with dependency behavior
    Patent number: 6658622
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture, and a memory structure for accepting data input into a computer is disclosed. The method presents an independent component and a dependent component to the user. The independent component comprises an input area for accepting independent input data. The dependent component comprises a dependent component input area for accepting dependent component input data and is associated with a dependent component constraint that is at least partially dependent on the independent component input data. User input is accepted into the dependent component input area, and an assistance policy associated with the dependent component is followed when the user input violates the dependent component constraint. The article of manufacture comprises a program storage device tangibly embodying instructions for performing the method steps defined above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Holland Aiken, Frederick Thomas Sharp
  • Cell adhesion solution
    Patent number: 6657003
    Abstract: A cell adhesion solution of a cross-linked polymer for substrates includes an amino acid polymer, a buffered cross-linking agent, and deionized water (DI H2O). In one example, the amino acid polymer is selected from a neutral or basic amino acid, such as poly l-lysine or poly l-arginine. In another example, the amino acid polymer includes poly l-lsine. In another example, the amino acid polymer includes poly l-lsine of molecular weight of 100,000 or higher. The cross-linking agent can be selected from an aldehyde functional group, a buffered formaldehyde solution or a 10% neutral buffered formalin solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Tripath Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: William Alan Fox
  • Configurable rack rail system for dual mount configurations
    Patent number: 6655534
    Abstract: A rail system for an equipment rack includes a removable bracket on each rail of the system which can be exchanged between the rails to enable the rail system to be coupled between the posts of an equipment rack in multiple configurations. Each rail additionally includes a front bracket, a fixed center bracket, and a rear bracket. In one mounting configuration, the front bracket and the removable center bracket are coupled to a post of the equipment rack. In a second configuration, the removable center brackets of the rails are exchanged with one another so that the rail system can be mounted in a center mount configuration in which the removable center bracket and the fixed center bracket are mounted on opposite sides of the post. The rail system includes a rear bracket with cable management features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Tiffany J. Williams, Clarence L. Langlinais, Jr.
  • Articulating water monitor cleaning device
    Patent number: 6655397
    Abstract: An articulating water monitor-cleaning device for cleaning internal surfaces of large-scale combustion devices. The device is mounted to the exterior of a wall of a combustion device and positions a water spray lance to direct a stream of water against internal surfaces over a range of position. Pairs of orthogonally oriented four-bar linkage assemblies are provided, each having rotary actuators. The relative position between a pair of joints affixed to the lance tube allows the position of the lance to be set over a range of positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Diamond Power International, Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton A. Brown, William E. Hellyer, Stephen L. Shover, Ryan M. Tooill
  • Benzo thiadiazine matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors
    Patent number: 6656932
    Abstract: Selective MMP-13 inhibitors are benzo thiadiazines of the Formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R2 is hydrogen or alkyl; R1 and R3 include hydrogen, alkyl, and aryl, with the proviso that R3 is not (CH2)m biphenyl or (CH2)m substituted biphenyl; X is O or NH, n is 0, 1, or 2. The compounds of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is useful for treating diseases mediated by an MMP-13 enzyme, including diseases selected from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, inflammation, and heart failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: Joseph Armand Picard, Michael William Wilson
  • Adjustable blood filtration system
    Patent number: 6656204
    Abstract: A modular blood filter apparatus and methods of use. The modular filter apparatus includes an adjustable frame capable of assuming enlarged and contracted conditions and a frame sizing mechanism associated with the frame. Certain embodiments include a filter cartridge to protect the adjustable filter device therein. The cartridge may be removably introduced into a blood vessel, and the adjustable filter device may be deployed through the device into the vessel. The adjustable frame may be self-adjusting or externally adjusted to fit the vessel and to capture embolic material in the filter. The frame may be collapsed to the contracted condition, and may be removed from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Embol-X, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Ambrisco, Richard O. Murphy, Timothy J. Wood, Roman Turovskiy, Tracy D. Maahs, Bruce S. Addis
  • Method to find a value within a range using weighted subranges
    Patent number: 6657512
    Abstract: A method of finding an unknown value from within a range of values is disclosed that divides the range into weighted subranges and then, beginning with an arbitrary search value within the range, performs a number of simple comparisons to determine the value for each subrange that will result in a match with the target value. This method can also detect those cases where the target value lies outside the range. In one embodiment, the method of finding an unknown value within a range of values is applied to impedance matching. In this embodiment, the output impedance of a pin on an integrated circuit is automatically matched to the impedance of the load connected to it. The output driver has a controllable impedance that can be adjusted within a specific range of impedances to match the external load impedance it is to drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William N. Thompson, John D. Porter, Larren Gene Weber
  • High speed threshold voltage and average surface doping measurements
    Patent number: 6657454
    Abstract: A method for measuring threshold voltage and average surface doping concentration of a semiconductor wafer begins by exposing a measurement site to a high intensity light immediately before a measurement sweep begins. A CV measurement sweep is made with the voltage increasing to a maximum voltage, and the response of the semiconductor wafer to CV measurement sweep is recorded. When the voltage is at the maximum voltage, the light is turned off and the capacitance of the measurement site in the absence of light is measured until the capacitance reaches equilibrium. From the recorded response, the threshold voltage and the average surface doping concentration are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Solid State Measurements, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Howland
  • Polarization-independent, configurable optical multiplexer
    Patent number: 6658212
    Abstract: The frequency-selective optical multiplexer comprises, an LC polarization controller, a spectral demux/mux and input/output optics including two ports, a first optical path spatially separated from a second optical path and polarization-dispersive optics. The polarization dispersive optics are disposed between the ports and the optical paths; generate from an optical signal a pair of polarization components, composed of a first polarization component and a second polarization component having orthogonal polarizations; and output the first and second polarization components via the first and second optical paths, respectively. The first and second polarization components have first and second polarizations when the optical signal is received at one port, and have the second and the first polarizations, respectively, when the optical signal is received at the other port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Trutna, Jr., Charles D. Hoke
  • Packet switching fabric having a segmented ring with token based resource control protocol and output queuing control
    Patent number: 6658016
    Abstract: A packet switching fabric includes means forming a data ring, means forming a control ring, and means forming a plurality of data communication network links each having at least one network node coupled thereto. The fabric further includes a plurality of output queuing controlled switching devices coupled together by the data ring means and the control ring means so that the network links can be selectively communicatively coupled. Each of the output queuing controlled switching devices includes control ring processing means operative to develop, transmit and receive control messages to and from adjacent ones of the devices via the control ring means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: William Dai, Jason Chao, Yao-Ching Liu
  • Stair module support and leveling system
    Patent number: 6655098
    Abstract: An improvement to a stair module support system includes a flexible engagement between a post and a channel attached to the underside of a stair module. The flexible engagement enables the stair module support system to be assembled and placed into a stored configuration with each post received by a corresponding channel. The system may then be shipped to an installation site where the posts may be rotated to a deployed position without requiring further assembly or tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Quaker Plastic Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Dillen, II, Donald E. Dahowski, Allen L. Kinner, Matthew A. Cramer, James G. Wilson
  • Low pressure tire with a low angle restrictor belt
    Patent number: 6655430
    Abstract: A low pressure tire 20 for off road use has a carcass 21 reinforced with carcass plies 22 and a composite structure including a tread 32, a belt or breaker reinforcement 26 and one or more low angle cord reinforced layers 60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William Michael Hopkins, Lewis Timothy Lukich, Terry John Waibel
  • Fracture and wear resistant rock bits
    Patent number: 6655478
    Abstract: A fracture and wear resistant rock bit is disclosed, which includes a bit body, and at least one roller cone disposed on the bit body adapted such that at least one row of cutting elements disposed on the at least one roller cone defines a gage row. At least one cutting element disposed on the gage row has a fracture toughness of at least 20 ksi (in)0.5 and a wear number of at least 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Dah-Ben Liang, Gary Portwood, Paul E. Cox, John L. Williams
  • Spring loaded bollard
    Patent number: 6655310
    Abstract: A spring loaded bollard assembly for the selective engagement and/or disengagement of a cable (as hereinbefore defined) includes a base member which is adapted to be mounted on or to a given surface, as for example a boat hull, pier, jetty or the like, and a cable receiving and retaining means releasably attachable to that base member, the cable receiving and retaining means including a housing which is releasably attachable to the base member, that housing including guide roller means for controlling the direction of movement of the cable and means for capturing that cable, the capture means being spring loaded to allow for selective and progressive relaxation and/or tightening of the cable, subject to the vagaries of the elements, including tide and weather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Rex William Francis
  • Thickness measuring device for use within a mail handling system, and a method of using the same
    Patent number: 6655683
    Abstract: A thickness measuring device for measuring the thickness dimension of an article being conveyed along a conveyor system comprises a rotary encoder, and a lever arm pivotally mounted upon the shaft of the rotary encoder. The lever arm has an end portion thereof disposed adjacent to the conveyor path so as to be deflected by an article conveyed along the conveying path. Deflection of the lever arm causes the rotary shaft of the rotary encoder to undergo a predetermined amount of rotation which is indicative of the thickness dimension of the article being conveyed. The system is also operatively associated with a storage bin such that when a plurality of articles, having a predetermined cumulative thickness dimension, are detected, further conveyance of articles to the storage bin is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Edward S. Engarto, William A. Arno
  • System and method providing backward compatibility of radio link protocols in a wireless network
    Patent number: 6657984
    Abstract: There is disclosed, for use in a wireless network comprising base stations that communicate with mobile stations, a system for controlling the transmission of data in a traffic channel between a base station and a mobile station. The system comprises a radio link protocol (RLP) controller for causing the base station to transmit to the mobile station a first data transfer control message according to a first radio link protocol version, and a timer coupled to the RLP controller for providing the RLP controller an elapsed time after the transmission of the first data transfer control message. The RLP controller, in response to a determination that an acknowledgment message has not been received from the mobile station before the elapsed time has exceeded a maximum value, transmits to the first mobile station a second data transfer control message according to a second radio link protocol version.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: William J. Semper
  • External system and method for rocket exhaust plume signature tailoring
    Patent number: 6655124
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for tailoring rocket exhaust plume signatures of fuel-propelled vehicles. An uncombusted fuel is injected or sprayed into the exhaust plume of an ignited rocket. The injected or sprayed fuel modifies the rocket exhaust plume to simulate an exhaust plume of a different vehicle. One or more parameters associated with the injected or sprayed fuel can be modified, so that appropriate tailoring can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Charles A. Vickery, William D. Kruse, Mark Olmos
  • Tire tread
    Patent number: D483009
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: William Earl Rayman