Patents by Inventor William J. Kaiser
William J. Kaiser 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).
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Patent number: 6859831Abstract: The Wireless Integrated Network Sensor Next Generation (WINS NG) nodes provide distributed network and Internet access to sensors, controls, and processors that are deeply embedded in equipment, facilities, and the environment. The WINS NG network is a new monitoring and control capability for applications in transportation, manufacturing, health care, environmental monitoring, and safety and security. The WINS NG nodes combine microsensor technology, low power distributed signal processing, low power computation, and low power, low cost wireless and/or wired networking capability in a compact system. The WINS NG networks provide sensing, local control, remote reconfigurability, and embedded intelligent systems in structures, materials, and environments.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2000Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Sensoria CorporationInventors: David C. Gelvin, Lewis D. Girod, William J. Kaiser, William M. Merrill, Fredric Newberg, Gregory J. Pottie, Anton I. Sipos, Sandeep Vardhan
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Patent number: 6832251Abstract: The Wireless Integrated Network Sensor Next Generation (WINS NG) nodes provide distributed network and Internet access to sensors, controls, and processors that are deeply embedded in equipment, facilities, and the environment. The WINS NG network is a new monitoring and control capability for applications in transportation, manufacturing, health care, environmental monitoring, and safety and security. The WINS NG nodes combine microsensor technology, low power distributed signal processing, low power computation, and low power, low cost wireless and/or wired networking capability in a compact system. The WINS NG networks provide sensing, local control, remote reconfigurability, and embedded intelligent systems in structures, materials, and environments.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2000Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Sensoria CorporationInventors: David C. Gelvin, Lewis D. Girod, William J. Kaiser, William M. Merrill, Fredric Newberg, Gregory J. Pottie, Anton I. Sipos, Sandeep Vardhan
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Patent number: 6826607Abstract: The Wireless Integrated Network Sensor Next Generation (WINS NG) nodes provide distributed network and Internet access to sensors, controls, and processors that are deeply embedded in equipment, facilities, and the environment. The WINS NG network is a new monitoring and control capability for applications in transportation, manufacturing, health care, environmental monitoring, and safety and security. The WINS NG nodes combine microsensor technology, low power distributed signal processing, low power computation, and low power, low cost wireless and/or wired networking capability in a compact system. The WINS NG networks provide sensing, local control, remote reconfigurability, and embedded intelligent systems in structures, materials, and environments.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2000Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Sensoria CorporationInventors: David C. Gelvin, Lewis D. Girod, William J. Kaiser, William M. Merrill, Fredric Newberg, Gregory J. Pottie, Anton I. Sipos, Sandeep Vardhan
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Patent number: 6735630Abstract: The Wireless Integrated Network Sensor Next Generation (WINS NG) nodes provide distributed network and Internet access to sensors, controls, and processors that are deeply embedded in equipment, facilities, and the environment. The WINS NG network is a new monitoring and control capability for applications in transportation, manufacturing, health care, environmental monitoring, and safety and security. The WINS NG nodes combine microsensor technology, low power distributed signal processing, low power computation, and low power, low cost wireless and/or wired networking capability in a compact system. The WINS NG networks provide sensing, local control, remote reconfigurability, and embedded intelligent systems in structures, materials, and environments.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2000Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Sensoria CorporationInventors: David C. Gelvin, Lewis D. Girod, William J. Kaiser, William M. Merrill, Fredric Newberg, Gregory J. Pottie, Anton I. Sipos, Sandeep Vardhan
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Publication number: 20030154262Abstract: A wireless integrated network sensor (WINS) system is provided that integrates articulating tracking systems with WINS network components including visual or infrared sensors and imaging devices to enable precise tracking and targeting of objects moving through a sensor field or past a single integrated sensing and targeting unit. Further, arrays of sensors together with local signal processing are used to trigger cameras and tracking systems, and to provide an alternative location capability for improved robustness. The system is self-configuring and remotely controllable, and enables remote systems and operators to query for collected data, including sensory and image data, and control the system in response to the collected data.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2002Publication date: August 14, 2003Inventors: William J. Kaiser, Lars Fredric Newberg, Gregory J. Pottie
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Publication number: 20030012168Abstract: A multi-radio sensor node is provided that includes two or more communication devices. The communication devices include radio frequency (RF) devices like radios. Each communication device supports simultaneous communications among multi-radio sensor nodes of respective independent network clusters. A network structure is provided that includes two or more local network clusters. Each local network cluster includes numerous multi-radio sensor nodes. Each communication device of a multi-radio sensor node supports communication among the multi-radio sensor nodes of a different one of the local network clusters so that simultaneous communications are supported among the multi-radio sensor nodes of the local network clusters. The multi-radio sensor nodes of the local network clusters determine their locations relative to the other multi-radio sensor nodes of the independent network clusters with which they communicate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2002Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Jeremy Elson, Lewis D. Girod, William J. Kaiser, William Merrill, Lars Fredric Newberg, Brian Schiffer, Katayoun Sohrabi
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Publication number: 20030014521Abstract: An open platform architecture and methods for shared resource access management are provided. A redirection module in kernel space receives requests for access to resources from applications in user space. The redirection module routes signals representative of the received requests to a device driver interface in user space. Components of the device driver interface include resource management modules and device drivers that correspond to available resources. The resource management modules generate queries to the device drivers regarding availability of the requested resources. Upon receipt of resource status information from the device drivers, components of the device driver interface generate schedules for granting access to the requested resources. Further, the device driver interface components control access to the resources in accordance with the generated schedules including issuing responses to the requesting applications and the device drivers of the requested resources.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2002Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Jeremy Elson, Lewis D. Girod, William J. Kaiser, Josef Kriegl, Gregory J. Pottie, Guillaume Francois Rava
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Patent number: 6085594Abstract: A pressure sensor has a high degree of accuracy over a wide range of pressures. Using a pressure sensor relying upon resonant oscillations to determine pressure, a driving circuit drives such a pressure sensor at resonance and tracks resonant frequency and amplitude shifts with changes in pressure. Pressure changes affect the Q-factor of the resonating portion of the pressure sensor. Such Q-factor changes are detected by the driving/sensing circuit which in turn tracks the changes in resonant frequency to maintain the pressure sensor at resonance. Changes in the Q-factor are reflected in changes of amplitude of the resonating pressure sensor. In response, upon sensing the changes in the amplitude, the driving circuit changes the force or strength of the electrostatic driving signal to maintain the resonator at constant amplitude.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1998Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Roman C. Gutierrez, Christopher B. Stell, Tony K. Tang, Vatche Vorperian, Jaroslava Wilcox, Kirill Shcheglov, William J. Kaiser
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Patent number: 5894090Abstract: When embodied in a microgyroscope, the invention is comprised of a silicon, four-leaf clover structure with a post attached to the center. The whole structure is suspended by four silicon cantilevers or springs. The device is electrostatically actuated and capacitively detects Coriolis induced motions of the leaves of the leaf clover structure. In the case where the post is not symmetric with the plane of the clover leaves, the device can is usable as an accelerometer. If the post is provided in the shape of a dumb bell or an asymmetric post, the center of gravity is moved out of the plane of clover leaf structure and a hybrid device is provided. When the clover leaf structure is used without a center mass, it performs as a high Q resonator usable as a sensor of any physical phenomena which can be coupled to the resonant performance.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1996Date of Patent: April 13, 1999Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Tony K. Tang, William J. Kaiser, Randall K. Bartman, Jaroslava Z. Wilcox, Roman C. Gutierrez, Robert J. Calvet
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Patent number: 5659195Abstract: Improved microsensors are provided by combining surface micromachined substrates, including integrated CMOS circuitry, together with bulk micromachined wafer bonded substrates which include at least part of a microelectromechanical sensing element. In the case of an accelerometer, the proof mass is included within the wafer bonded bulk machined substrate, which is bonded to the CMOS surface machine substrate, which has corresponding etch pits defined therein over which the wafer bonded substrate is disposed, and in the case of accelerometer, the proof mass or thin film membranes in the case of other types of detectors such as acoustical detectors or infrared detectors. A differential sensor electrode is suspended over the etch pits so that the parasitic capacitance of the substrate is removed from the capacitance sensor, or in the case of a infrared sensor, to provide a low thermal conductance cavity under the pyroelectric refractory thin film.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: William J. Kaiser, Kristofer S. J. Pister, Oscar M. Stafsudd, Phyllis R. Nelson, Amit Burstein
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Patent number: 5563344Abstract: The use of a dual element approach provides high resolution position sensors based on electron tunneling. This approach allows miniaturization while utilizing the position sensitivity of electron tunneling to give high resolution. The dual-element tunneling structure overcomes the narrow bandwidth limitations of a single-element structure. A sensor with an operating range of 5 Hz to 10 kHz, which can have applications as an acoustic sensor, is disclosed. Noise is analyzed for fundamental thermal vibration of the suspended masses and is compared to electronic noise. It is shown that miniature tunnel accelerometers can achieve resolution such that thermal noise in the suspended masses is the dominant cause of the resolution limit. With a proof mass of order 100 mg, noise analysis predicts limiting resolutions approaching 10.sup.-9 g/.sqroot.Hz in a 300 Hz band and 10.sup.-8 g/.sqroot.Hz at 1 kHz.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1995Date of Patent: October 8, 1996Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: William J. Kaiser, Thomas W. Kenny, Howard K. Rockstad, Joseph K. Reynolds, Thomas R. Van Zandt
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Patent number: 5449909Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring gravitational and inertial forces, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy acting on an object or fluid in space provide an electric tunneling current through a gap between an electrode and that object or fluid in space and vary that gap with any selected one of such forces, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy acting on that object or fluid. These methods and apparatus sense a corresponding variation in an electric property of that gap and determine the latter force, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy in response to that corresponding variation, and thereby sense or measure such parameters as acceleration, position, particle mass, velocity, magnetic field strength, presence or direction, or wave or radiant energy intensity, presence or direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1993Date of Patent: September 12, 1995Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: William J. Kaiser, Steven B. Waltman, Thomas W. Kenny
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Patent number: 5436452Abstract: An uncooled infrared tunneling sensor in which the only moving part is a diaphragm which is deflected into contact with a micromachined silicon tip electrode prepared by a novel lithographic process. Similarly prepared deflection electrodes employ electrostatic force to control the deflection of a silicon nitride, flat diaphragm membrane. The diaphragm exhibits a high resonant frequency which reduces the sensor's sensitivity to vibration. A high bandwidth feedback circuit controls the tunneling current by adjusting the deflection voltage to maintain a constant deflection of the membrane. The resulting infrared sensor can be miniaturized to pixel dimensions smaller than 100 .mu.m. An alternative embodiment is implemented using a corrugated membrane to permit large deflection without complicated clamping and high deflection voltages.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1993Date of Patent: July 25, 1995Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Thomas W. Kenny, William J. Kaiser, Judith A. Podosek, Erika C. Vote, Richard E. Muller, Paul D. Maker
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Patent number: 5393698Abstract: A process for fabricating gold/gallium arsenide structures, in situ, on molecular beam epitaxially grown gallium arsenide. The resulting interface proves to be Ohmic, an unexpected result which is interpreted in terms of increased electrode interdiffusion. More importantly, the present invention surprisingly permits the fabrication of Ohmic contacts in a III-V semiconductor material at room temperature. Although it may be desireable to heat the Ohmic contact to a temperature of, for example, 200 degrees Centigrade if one wishes to further decrease the resistance of the contact, such low temperature annealing is much less likely to have any deleterious affect on the underlying substrate. The use of the term "in situ" herein, contemplates continuously maintaining an ultra-high vacuum, that is a vacuum which is at least 10.sup.-8 Torr, until after the metallization has been completed.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1989Date of Patent: February 28, 1995Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: William J. Kaiser, Frank J. Grunthaner, Michael H. Hecht, Lloyd D. Bell
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Patent number: 5364185Abstract: An uncoated interdigitated transducer is cooled from a temperature above the dew point to a temperature below the dew point, while a parameter of a signal of the transducer is measured. The reduction in temperature causes a monotonic change in transducer signal because that signal is sensitive primarily to the water loading of the transducer surface as water forms on that surface due to the reduction in temperature. As the dew point is approached with temperature reduction, the slope of the curve of transducer signal with respect to temperature, remains relatively constant. However, as the dew point is reached the slope of that curve increases and because of changes in the structure of the water layer on the surface of the transducer, at the dew point the transducer responds with a clear shift in the rate at which the transducer signal changes. The temperature at which the second derivative of signal vs. temperature peaks can be readily used to identify with extreme accuracy, the precise dew point.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1993Date of Patent: November 15, 1994Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Thomas R. VanZandt, William J. Kaiser, Thomas W. Kenny, David Crisp
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Patent number: 5315247Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring gravitational and inertial forces, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy acting on an object or fluid in space provide an electric tunneling current through a gap between an electrode and that object or fluid in space and vary that gap with any selected one of such forces, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy acting on that object or fluid. These methods and apparatus sense a corresponding variation in an electric property of that gap and determine the latter force, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy in response to that corresponding variation, and thereby sense or measure such parameters as acceleration, position, particle mass, velocity, magnetic field strength, presence or direction, or wave or radiant energy intensity, presence or direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1992Date of Patent: May 24, 1994Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: William J. Kaiser, Steven B. Waltman, Thomas W. Kenny
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Patent number: 5298748Abstract: An uncooled infrared tunneling sensor in which the only moving part is a diaphragm which is deflected into contact with a micromachined silicon tip electrode prepared by a novel lithographic process. Similarly prepared deflection electrodes employ electrostatic force to control the deflection of a silicon nitride, flat diaphragm membrane. The diaphragm exhibits a high resonant frequency which reduces the sensor's sensitivity to vibration. A high bandwidth feedback circuit controls the tunneling current by adjusting the deflection voltage to maintain a constant deflection of the membrane which would otherwise change deflection depending upon incident infrared radiation. The resulting infrared sensor will meet or exceed the performance of all other broadband, uncooled, infrared sensors and can be miniaturized to pixel dimensions smaller than 100 .mu.m. The technology is readily implemented as a small-format linear array suitable for commercial and spacecraft applications.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1992Date of Patent: March 29, 1994Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Thomas W. Kenny, William J. Kaiser, Judith A. Podosek, Erika C. Vote, Howard K. Rockstad, Joseph K. Reynolds
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Patent number: 5293781Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring gravitational and inertial forces, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy acting on an object or fluid in space provide an electric tunneling current through a gap between an electrode and that object or fluid in space and vary that gap with any selected one of such forces, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy acting on that object or fluid. These methods and apparatus sense a corresponding variation in an electric property of that gap and determine the latter force, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy in response to that corresponding variation, and thereby sense or measure such parameters as acceleration, position, particle mass, velocity, magnetic field strength, presence or direction, or wave or radiant energy intensity, presence or direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1992Date of Patent: March 15, 1994Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: William J. Kaiser, Steven B. Waltman, Thomas W. Kenny
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Patent number: 5290102Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring gravitational and inertial forces, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy acting on an object or fluid in space provide an electric tunneling current through a gap between an electrode and that object or fluid in space and vary that gap with any selected one of such forces, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy acting on that object or fluid. These methods and apparatus sense a corresponding variation in an electric property of that gap and determine the latter force, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy in response to that corresponding variation, and thereby sense or measure such parameters as acceleration, position, particle mass, velocity, magnetic field strength, presence or direction, or wave or radiant energy intensity, presence or direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1992Date of Patent: March 1, 1994Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: William J. Kaiser, Steven B. Waltman, Thomas W. Kenny
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Patent number: 5265470Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring gravitational and inertial forces, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy acting on an object or fluid in space provide an electric tunneling current through a gap between an electrode and that object or fluid in space and vary that gap with any selected one of such forces, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy acting on that object or fluid. These methods and apparatus sense a corresponding variation in an electric property of that gap and determine the latter force, magnetic fields, or wave or radiant energy in response to that corresponding variation, and thereby sense or measure such parameters as acceleration, position, particle mass, velocity, magnetic field strength, presence or direction, or wave or radiant energy intensity, presence or direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1991Date of Patent: November 30, 1993Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: William J. Kaiser, Steven B. Waltman, Thomas W. Kenny