Patents Issued in February 20, 2003
  • Publication number: 20030034405
    Abstract: A shower device having a hollow body is disclosed. The body has a water inlet end and a water outlet end configured with respect to the water inlet end. The hollow body is installed with filtering materials. The water inlet end is installed with a ball joint which can rotate through 360 degrees for being connected with a water supply tube. The ball joint has channel; water flows through the channel to the body. The water outlet end is installed with a cover. The cover is installed with a plurality of water outlet holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Elvis Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20030034406
    Abstract: A twin discharge conveyor mounted on a spreader truck is shown including two parallel mounted conveying mechanisms such as augers, belt conveyors and chain conveyors contained within a conveyor trough that is mounted laterally on a truck chassis adjacent the front end of a frame mounted material storage container. The conveying mechanism are independently controlled by separate hydraulic motors so that material can be discharged to the left and to the right of the truck simultaneously and in varying amounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Amiya kumar Mishra
  • Publication number: 20030034407
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flow splitter that includes an outer fluid conduit for receiving an incoming fluid flow that is the bulk flow of effluent from a liquid chromatographic column, flowing at an input flow rate. The flow splitter further includes an inner fluid conduit coaxially mounted within the outer fluid conduit so that a portion of the incoming fluid is split off into the inner fluid conduit and flows into the input end thereof. The inner fluid conduit extends beyond the exterior of the outer fluid conduit to provide an output fluid flow having an output flow rate that is less than the input flow rate. The outer fluid conduit further includes a fluid outlet that provides an outlet for the portion of the incoming fluid that is not split by the inner fluid conduit. A restriction valve can be coupled to the fluid outlet to finely adjust the output flow rate. The input end of the inner fluid conduit is positioned so as to be substantially free of turbulence from the fluid outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Eric Gangl, Paul Vouros
  • Publication number: 20030034408
    Abstract: A method for chemically recycling organic garbage, materials made of the organic garbage and a recycling device used therefor, which comprises of mixing hydroxide (A) having a property of saponifying fats and oils into organic garbage to obtain a decreased gelled mixture (C) by vaporizing water through reaction heat, mixing a given additive (D) into the gelled mixture (C), and step of manufacturing materials (F).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Hirofumi Kurosaki
  • Publication number: 20030034409
    Abstract: An ice-grinding device comprising a top cover, a helical pressing core, a disk cutter and container, whereby the disk cutter is mountable on the container, the helical pressing core is locatable within the disk cutter, the top cover is mountable on the disk cutter so as to engage the helical pressing core and it is also directly mountable on the container. The ice-grinding device may include means to control the fineness of the processed ice particles. The ice-grinding device may be adapted to process food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Yan Kwong Wong
  • Publication number: 20030034410
    Abstract: A document shredder can be equipped with a shredding system for very high security. The shredding system can be made up of a first cutting stage with two corresponding cutting cylinders. After the first cutting stage a second cutting stage is provided for material cut in the first cutting stage. The second cutting stage can be made up of another pair of cutting cylinders. Alternatively, the second cutting stage can be made up of a third cutting cylinder reaching into one of the cutting cylinders of the first cutting stage, thereby establishing the second cutting stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: J. Larry Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20030034411
    Abstract: A spice crusher comprising a main body, a handle pivotally mounted on the main body, a crushing plate, a gear driving mechanism and a fineness control mechanism. The crushing plate, gear driving mechanism and fineness control mechanism are arranged within the main body so that the gear driving mechanism and the fineness control mechanism co-operate with the crushing plate. The driving gear mechanism enables the spice crusher to be operated easily by one hand. The fineness control mechanism controls the fineness of the crushed spices. The spice crusher may be used to crush peppercorns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Yan Kwong Wong
  • Publication number: 20030034412
    Abstract: A compact and light-weight jaw crusher, in which life span of parts enduring abrasion is long, and an outlet clearance of a crushing chamber is easily adjusted, is provided. For this purpose, the jaw crusher includes a stationary jaw (3) fixedly provided at a frame (2), a movable jaw (5) which is provided to oppose the stationary jaw and attached swingably with an eccentric drive shaft (4), a movable jaw load receiving section (10) attached to the frame, and a coupling joint (23) which is a connecting member for connecting a lower portion of the movable jaw and the movable jaw load receiving section and swingably connects the lower portion of the movable jaw and the movable jaw load receiving section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Ryoichi Togashi, Mitsunobu Yamada
  • Publication number: 20030034413
    Abstract: A tubular paper yarn carrier for carrying a yarn strand includes a carrier wall defining inner wall surface and outer wall surfaces on opposite sides thereof. One end of the carrier wall defines a top and an opposed end of the carrier wall defines a base. An annular lip is formed on a terminal portion of the base and extends outwardly therefrom for strengthening the base and preventing slippage of the yarn strand off of the base of the carrier. In addition, an annular nose is formed on the inner wall surface proximate the top of the carrier. The annular nose has an outermost edge defining a diameter less than a diameter defined by the inner wall surface for nesting in the base of a like yarn carrier. The lip and nose are integrally formed on the carrier by a rotating tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Shawn E. Pederson, Jean George Ruffet
  • Publication number: 20030034414
    Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette and a guide roller in which the magnetic tape can stably travel and the magnetic head can read/write the record correctly, and a method of manufacturing the guide roller are provided. The magnetic tape cassette of the present invention comprises a guide roller 106 rotatably supported by the lower cassette half. The guide roller is almost in the shape of a barrel of which a coefficient of curvature T expressed by the expression [1] representing the extent of curvature of the circumferential surface is in the range between 0.001 and 0.01, and comprises a primary molding and injected resin injected within the primary molding for bulging said primary molding into the shape of said barrel shaped cavity that has a largest diameter at the parting line by the injection pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuki Asano, Masavoshi Moriwaki, Shigeru Nishiyama
  • Publication number: 20030034415
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor of a vehicle with a belt reel for the seat belt has a frame with two frame legs in which a belt reel is rotatably mounted. A torque rod is arranged in the belt reel with one end if the torque rod connected to a first belt reel part arranged inside an aperture in a frame leg. Another end of the torque rod is connected to a second belt reel part which receives the wound seat belt. A blocking device capable of engagement with the first belt reel part with support in one of the two planes of the two frame legs. In the event of an excessive force issuing from the seat belt the second belt reel part can be rotated with respect to the first belt reel part blocked on the frame by torsion of the torque rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Klaus Junker
  • Publication number: 20030034416
    Abstract: A belt retractor has a locking pawl actuated by an electromagnet The electromagnet is operated with a holding power that is reduced in comparison to its actuation power. The holding power may be provided by a series device in the current supply of the electromagnet. The series device may generate a holding voltage that is limited to a predefined value, or it may provide a pulse duration modulated d.c. supply voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co.KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Holbein
  • Publication number: 20030034417
    Abstract: A hose cart combining the features of an off-set handle, to permit any easier retrieval of paid out hose, a hose tracker, to permit hose to be neatly wound onto a reel, and a storage system comprising a protective housing, to provide storage and protection for a hose kept within, is provided. The invention includes the use of a crank to turn a reel which causes paid out hose to be drawn into the protective box onto a reel. The use of a plurality of gears permits the crank to be offset from the center of the reel, such that it is elevated to a more convenient cranking position. Further, the use of gears permits the same movement of the crank, which causes hose to be collected, causes a hose guide to move laterally, along the axis of the reel, such that hose is neatly layered onto the reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas A. Tisbo, Brian R. Moon, Lyle A. Rosine, Joseph Gormley, Torrence Anderson, Michael Uffner
  • Publication number: 20030034418
    Abstract: A coil assembly includes a spool and a connector keyed thereto. To wind a coil on the spool, the spool is moved linearly with respect to the connector until the connector does not interfere with the winding bay on the spool. Thereafter, a wire is wound around the spool within the winding bay to form the coil. Once the coil is complete, the spool can be moved linearly with respect to the connector until a keying structure on the spool engages an opposing keying structure on the connector and a locking mechanism on the spool engages a corresponding locking mechanism on the connector. Thus, a complete coil assembly can be manufactured in one operation with minimal manufacturing steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Roberto Gutierrez, Samuel S. Newcomer, Alvaro J. Carrillo, German Alvizouri
  • Publication number: 20030034419
    Abstract: One or more issue web rolls are transferred from the core shaft on which they are carried by an apparatus that includes a roll change tube that is moved into coaxial alignment with one end of the core shaft and engages the end of the shaft to support it. A pusher device pushes the tissue web rolls from the core shaft onto the roll change tube. The roll change tube is then pivoted to move the roll change tube away from the core shaft to position the tissue web rolls for delivery to a downstream process, and simultaneously a core change tube is moved into coaxial alignment with the core shaft so that new cores can be pushed from the core change tube onto the core shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Jukka Joutsjoki
  • Publication number: 20030034420
    Abstract: In order to provide a compact, high-performance drive device for aircraft, in particular for power gliders, which comprise a propeller which is driven by a motor, preferably by an electric motor, and the blades (6) of which can be tilted towards the propeller shaft (15) by way of a joint and in the tilted-out position pass through a running gap (5) for the propeller formed between the nose (4) of the aircraft and the fuselage (2) by displacement of the said nose, in which the generally minimal conditions of space are utilized in an optimum manner and which ensures the necessary aerodynamic properties of the aircraft, the invention proposes that the motor (10) should be arranged in front of the propeller in the space bounded by the nose (4). In this way, the interior of the aircraft as far as the running gap (5) for the propeller is made available for the pilot or the aircraft passengers, so as to ensure optimum use of the said interior and the length of the aircraft can be kept short.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Helmut Konig
  • Publication number: 20030034421
    Abstract: A system for controlling an aircraft includes an airframe, a first airfoil, and a second airfoil. At least a portion of the first airfoil and the second airfoil are controllably deflectable so that, during a roll maneuver, the first airfoil generates increased lift and a consequent increased drag, and the second airfoil generates negative lift and a consequent increased drag, the increased lift and the decreased lift generating a roll moment, and the increased drag of the second airfoil producing a yaw moment that counteracts the yaw moment produced by the increased drag of the first airfoil such that no substantial change in aircraft yaw moment occurs. The drag on the down-going wing may counteract the drag on the up-going wing by having a reduced area providing the down-going force so that it has to deflect to the point that it is producing not only less, but actually negative lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Walter D. Clark
  • Publication number: 20030034422
    Abstract: Boeing achieves satellite diversity by having a large discrimination angle for a MEO constellation of communications satellites to limit interference in the Ku-band with GSO communications systems. Each satellite entering an exclusion zone over a GSO ground station terminates all transmissions to provide EPFD within acceptable limits. The Boeing MEO constellation preferably comprises 20 satellites, 5 in each orbit. The four orbits are inclined at about 57° with respect to the equator. Services include an Integrated Digital Service (IDS) and Backhaul Data Service (BDS) to accommodate the needs of different users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert P. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20030034423
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling, a response to an operator, a consist of at least first and second locomotives having discrete operating modes. The system and method comprises an operator control, a first controller, a second controller, and a communication link. Alternatively, the system and method includes control modules which may be retrofitted to an existing consist control. The power operating modes of the locomotives within a consist are selected to optimize the operation of the consist. The operation of the consist may be optimized for any number of factors including optimizing for braking capacity, as a function of the location, base on a performance parameter which is a function of a performance profile or the location of a crew member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gerald James Hess, Jan Alan Nagle, Shuo Chen
  • Publication number: 20030034424
    Abstract: A duct supporting device for more easily hanging ducting throughout a structure. The duct supporting device includes a support member. The support member includes a first bar and a pair of upstanding bars. Each of the upstanding bars is integrally coupled to and extending outwardly from opposite ends of the first bar. The invention includes a pair of brackets for securing the support member to the pair of joists. Each of the brackets includes a base wall and a pair of side walls integrally coupled thereto and extending away therefrom in a generally parallel direction. A bottom surface of each of the base members is securably attached to one of a second end of the pair of upstanding members. Each of the side walls includes an opening extending therethrough. A plurality of securing means for releasably fastening each of the brackets to one of the joists. Each of the securing means is removably positionable in one of the openings of the pair of side walls of the brackets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Gerald D. Collins
  • Publication number: 20030034425
    Abstract: Docket No. WR-602A bracket for mounting a push-button piezo igniter to a gas valve on a water heater, while also providing electrical ground connection of the piezo igniter to the gas valve. In particular, the present invention provides a bracket that snugly receives the push-button piezo igniter and contacts to an external conductive end of the piezo igniter to provide grounding through a clip that engages and securely attaches to the gas valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Gary M. Hueser
  • Publication number: 20030034426
    Abstract: A wall mountable device has a body of predetermined shape for forming a wall feature and a flat, peripheral flange of predetermined width projecting outwardly from the perimeter of the body. The body may be a light sconce or valance, niche, shelving unit, bas-relief, or other wall feature. The flange has a periphery of predetermined shape for mounting in a wall opening of corresponding shape and dimensions with the outer face of the flange flush with the surrounding wall surface, and the seam or joint between the flange and wall opening is finished such that the body appears to be molded integrally with the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Bernard L. Chadwick
  • Publication number: 20030034427
    Abstract: The nature of the invention is to facilitate the complete use of substances that are packaged in containers with odd or irregular shaped tops that double as the dispenser for the substance in the container. As is the rule with gravity, when a container of glue, for example, with a small cone-shaped top/dispenser is placed in storage, the glue settles to the bottom of the container. In order to use as much of the glue as possible, and do so in a timely manner (the value of which increases as the container nears empty), it becomes necessary to either lean or prop the container against a solid object while waiting for the glue to settle on the inverted top prior to dispensing, an action not always desirable or feasible. The cube-shaped invention with varying openings in each side allows for storage in the inverted position of a variety of odd-shaped top/dispenser containers; thereby, permitting easy, rapid use of the substance within a container, especially as the container nears empty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Luke Stahlberg
  • Publication number: 20030034428
    Abstract: A rotatable hook mount apparatus for suspending a utility light includes a first locking member attached to a light guard of the utility light and a second locking member attached to a shaft portion of a hook. The shaft portion is rotatably received in a bore formed in the first locking member. Adjacent faces of the locking members have cooperating teeth for preventing relative rotation. A spring biases the teeth into engagement and the second locking member with the attached hook can be moved against the spring bias to disengage the teeth for rotation of the hook relative to the light guard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: James D. Kovacik, Paul S. Blanch, Joseph J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030034429
    Abstract: A mounting platform having first and second frame members being slidably interconnected along a first direction, at least one of the first and second frame members including a device mounting surface positioned relative to the first direction; one or more clamping members coupled to each of the first and second frame members, each of the clamping members including a clamping surface being spaced above and inclined toward the device mounting surface; and a biasing member coupled between the first and second frame members for biasing the first and second frame members toward one another along the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Carnevali
  • Publication number: 20030034430
    Abstract: With the use of an absorbent pad in a plastic coster body we are able to wick away condensation from the bottom of a drinking vessel and in doing so will reduce or eliminate a mess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Terry Lee Hailey, George Andrew Beard
  • Publication number: 20030034431
    Abstract: This invention provides an angled-dual-axis confocal scanning microscope comprising a fiber-coupled, angled-dual-axis confocal scanning head and a vertical scanning unit. The angled-dual-axis confocal scanning head is configured such that an illumination beam and an observation beam intersect optimally at an angle &thgr; within an object and the scanning is achieved by pivoting the illumination and observation beams using a single scanning element, thereby producing an arc-line scan. The vertical scanning unit causes the angled-dual-axis confocal scanning head to move towards or away from the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Michael J. Mandella, Mark H. Garrett, Gordon S. Kino
  • Publication number: 20030034432
    Abstract: A free space optical communication system is disclosed whereby the optics of a transmit telescope are manipulated using adaptive optics to precompensate for wave front distortion of a light beam transmitted by a transmit telescope. Wave front distortion is manifested at the receive telescope as a change in at least one characteristic of the image of the received signal such as, for example, a reduction in the amplitude of the received signal. A mirror of the transmit telescope is deformed in such a way as to reduce the wave front distortion and correspondingly increase the resulting amplitude of the received signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Herman Melvin Presby, John Anthony Tyson
  • Publication number: 20030034433
    Abstract: An improved image sensor constructed from a photodiode and a transimpedance amplifier having an input connected to the photodiode. The present invention utilizes a clamping circuit to prevent the potential at the input of the transimpedance amplifier from causing the photodiode to become forward biased. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transimpedance amplifier includes a transistor connecting the input to the output, and the clamping circuit includes a circuit for holding the gate of the transistor at a clamping potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Boyd Fowler
  • Publication number: 20030034434
    Abstract: A CMOS active pixel for image sensors has a photosensitive element, a capacitive feedback element with a capacitance CF, and four transistors, namely a first transistor, two reset transistors and a transistor for the selection of the pixel. These transistors are laid out and controlled in such a way that the first transistor is mounted as an amplifier during the pixel reset phase and as a follower during the read phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.A.
    Inventor: Laurent Simony
  • Publication number: 20030034435
    Abstract: A 128(H)×64(V)×RGB CMOS imager is integrated with region-of-interest selection, RGB-to-HSI transformation, HSI-based pixel segmentation, 36-bins×12 bits HSI histogramming and sum-of-absolute-difference template matching. 32 learned color templates are stored and compared to each image. Running at 30 fs, it uses 1 mW.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Ralph Roque Etienne-Cummings, M. Anthony Lewis, Philippe Olivier-Marie Pouliquen
  • Publication number: 20030034436
    Abstract: A semiconductor photodetecting apparatus 1 comprises a base 2 and a CCD chip 4. The CCD chip 4 is secured to the base 2 when a resin 8 is supplied and cured. The base 2 is formed with a gas supply path 15 and a gas exhaust path 16. Each of the gas supply path 15 and gas exhaust path 16 has one end opening to the upper face 2d of the base 2, and the other end opening to an end face of a mounting portion 2a. A gas storage section 19 and a gas supply pump 20 are connected to the gas supply path 15, whereby the gas supply pump 20 supplies N2 gas stored in the gas storage section 19 to a space within the base 2 by way of the gas supply path 15. The N2 gas supplied to the space is discharged from the gas exhaust path 16 after being refluxed through the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: HAMAMATSU PHOTNICS K.K.
    Inventors: Masaharu Muramatsu, Katsumi Shibayama, Tomohisa Itoh
  • Publication number: 20030034437
    Abstract: A method of precision calibration of magnification of scanning microscopes with the use of a test diffraction grating has the steps of positioning an orientation of a test object on a stage of microscope so that strips of a test diffraction grating are perpendicular to a directional on which a calibration is performed, scanning of a selected portion of the test object along axes X and Y; measuring values of a signal S versus coordinates x and y in a plane of scanning and storing said values S(x, y) in a digital form as a two-dimensional digital array; transforming the two-dimensional array of signals S(x, y) into a two-dimensional array S(u, v) by turning of the axes so that a direction of a new axis U is perpendicular to the strips of the grating and a direction of a new axis V coincides with the strips of the grating; line-by-line mathematical processing in a new manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Dmitriy Yeremin, Arkady Nikitin
  • Publication number: 20030034438
    Abstract: A connector for optically connecting an array of optoelectronic device (e.g. VCSELS or photodetectors) and an array of optical waveguides (e.g. optical fibers or integrated optical waveguides). The device has a submount chip for holding the optoelectronic device. The submount chip has a micromachined pit and the OE device is disposed in the pit. The pit has sidewalls that provide mechanical alignment for the OE device. The submount also has holes for receiving guide pins. The connector also has a waveguide array such as a V-groove optical fiber array. The waveguide array has edges of holes for contact with the guide pins. When the guide pins are inserted into the submount chip, the waveguides are automatically aligned with the optical waveguides. The present invention is also directed to the submount chip and OE device combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: David W. Sherrer, Noel A. Heiks, Dan A. Steinberg
  • Publication number: 20030034439
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting the presence of an object at a touch pad device, wherein the touch pad device has a designated interaction area for allowing a user to use the object to interact with the touch pad device for inputting one or more functions in an electronic device. One or more groups of optical sensor components, each including an optical receiver and two light emitters positioned at opposite sides of the receiver such that when an object is present at the touch pad device, the changes in the receiver output can be used to determine the location of the object as a function of time. Preferably, the light emitters are operated in a pulsed mode so that the changes in the receiver output contain a frequency component so as to distinguish the changes due to the presence of the object and those of ambient light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerd Reime, Terho Kaikuranta
  • Publication number: 20030034440
    Abstract: The disclosed roller switch has a roller, a flag arm, and a photoelectric detector. The roller is connected to the flag arm and vertical movement of the roller causes the flag arm to move. The movement of the flag arm causes the photoelectric detector to send a signal. The signal may be used to measure the length of a material passing under the roller. The inventive roller switch has a pair of flag arms, and the roller is mounted on a shaft extending between the pair of flag arms. By providing a pair of flag arms connected by the roller, the roller switch is more robust and durable. The roller switch is also capable of pivoting across a conveyor belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Brian Darrell Hollis, Robert Albert Lammlein, Thomas Alan Murray, Raymond Patrick Eckman, William George Burton
  • Publication number: 20030034441
    Abstract: A sub chip on board for an optical mouse is disclosed. The chip on board has a sub PCB having both a plurality of input/output pads and a plurality of pin holes. A sensor die has an optical sensor wire-bonded to said input/output pads for sensing received light, and is attached to a bottom surface of the sub PCB. A transparent resin covers the sensor die at the bottom surface of the sub PCB. A cap is attached to the bottom surface of the sub PCB such that the cap covers the transparent resin, and has a hole for guiding the received light to said optical sensor. A main PCB has both a hole for guiding the received light to the optical sensor and a plurality of pin holes corresponding to the pin holes of the sub PCB. A plurality of pins are commonly inserted into the pin holes of both the main PCB and the sub PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong-Hoon Kang, Joon-Ki Paik
  • Publication number: 20030034442
    Abstract: A control device comprising a mobile component such as a lever mounted on a ball pivot, wherein the lever is displaceable in rotation around three different axes and the device comprises two arrays of photodetectors for detecting points uniformly distributed over supports with the shape of a portion of a sphere, the arrays being fixed and the supports being borne by the lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Emmanuel Robert
  • Publication number: 20030034443
    Abstract: A method for determining a drying cycle includes the steps of measuring absolute humidity within a drying apparatus before the drying apparatus starts a drying cycle and determining a baseline absolute humidity from the measured absolute humidity. Drift is compensated for using the baseline absolute humidity and the absolute humidity is measured within the drying apparatus after the drying apparatus starts the drying cycle. The end of the drying cycle is determined using the measured absolute humidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Andrian I. Kouznetsov, Anthony E. Jenkins, Audrey Nelson, Rod J. Valenta
  • Publication number: 20030034444
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting objects. In one embodiment, a person entering a secured or “Safe Zone™” is illuminated with low-power polarized radio waves. Differently polarized waves which are reflected back from the person are collected and measured. In a preferred embodiment, concealed weapons are detected by calculating the difference of a pair of differences (Delta A and B) of different polarized reflected energy (upper and lower curves in the two graphs) in the time domain, and by using signal processing methods and apparatus to improve the reliability of the detection process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: George G. Chadwick, Jerry Hausner
  • Publication number: 20030034445
    Abstract: A light guide including a light guide body having a light re-directing side positioned opposite from a light output side. A plurality of elongate prisms are located adjacent the light output side of the light guide body. The prisms extend side-by-side relative to one another along lengths. The prisms include upper edges defining heights of the prisms. The upper edges extend along the lengths of the prisms. Each upper edge includes a plurality of edge segments having different magnitudes of slope. The light guide also includes a plurality of light extraction structures located adjacent the light re-directing side of the light guide body for reflecting light toward the light output side. The light extraction structures include elongated projections each having a plateau segment and first and second facets. The elongated projections are separated by lands that are recessed relative to the plateau segments. The first and second facets extend from the plateau segments to the lands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Gary T. Boyd, Keith M. Kotchick, Kenneth A. Epstein, Sanford Cobb, Philip E. Watson, David J. Lamb, Mark E. Gardiner
  • Publication number: 20030034446
    Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring optical pulses are described. In one aspect, an optical pulse measurement system includes an optical signal divider and an optical signal conversion system. The optical signal divider has an optical input for receiving an input optical signal, multiple optical outputs, and a set of multiple optical channels. The optical channels are coupled between the optical input and respective optical outputs and are operable to delay propagation of optical signals, which are divided from the input optical signal, from the optical input to respective optical outputs by different respective amounts of time. The optical signal conversion system is coupled to the optical signal divider optical outputs and is operable to convert temporal intensity distributions of light received from the optical signal divider optical outputs into respective spatial intensity distributions in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Satoshi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20030034447
    Abstract: A line scan camera comprises a printed circuit board upon which a charge-coupled device (CCD) is mounted. A lens component is fixed within a lens mount, and the base of the lens mount is adjustably mounted upon an optical bench. Calibration devices adjustably interconnect the lens mount to the printed circuit board and to the optical bench so as to calibrate the positional location of the lens component relative to the charge-coupled device (CCD) and to an object plane past which objects to be scanned and photographed are conveyed. In this manner, the focus distance defined between the lens component and the charge-coupled device (CCD) as well as the focal distance defined between the lens component and the object plane are fixed and do not need any further calibration. The object plane is defined upon the front surface of a sealed housing enclosure and all of the components are disposed within the housing enclosure so as to prevent dust and contaminants from collecting upon the optical components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert M. Krohn, Glenn L. Kehley
  • Publication number: 20030034448
    Abstract: Adjustment systems, methods, computerized methods and computer readable-mediums that can be used in time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) to account for thermal drift or mechanical strain are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: George Yefchak, Carl Myerholtz, Gangqiang Li
  • Publication number: 20030034449
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for identification of chemical compounds in a sample based on differences in ion mobility, wherein the filter and detector electrodes are formed radially spaced on facing substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Raanan A Miller, Mark C. Terrell
  • Publication number: 20030034450
    Abstract: A universal interface for continuous on-line liquid sample introduction directly to the time-of-flight mass spectrometer, which can further promote throughput and utility of MALDI-TOF MS, is disclosed. Preferably, the liquid sample includes a matrix, either solid or liquid, for use in matrix-assisted-laser-desorption-ionization, most particularly in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer which can further promote throughput and utility of MALDI-TOF MS. In the method of the invention, the same samples and matrices, both solid and liquid, can be used as in conventional MALDI. In practice of the method of the invention, a solution of sample containing, e.g., peptide and matrix is infused directly into the source chamber of a mass spectrometer at subatmospheric pressure, deposited on a moving sample holder, such as a rotating quartz wheel, and desorbed by, e.g., a nitrogen laser. The method of the invention is particularly amenable to multiplexing, the parallel deposition of multiple samples, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Barry L. Karger, Frantisek Foret, Jan Preisler
  • Publication number: 20030034451
    Abstract: A multipole ion guide which begins in one pumping stage and extends continuously into one or more subsequent pumping stages has been incorporated into an atmospheric pressure ion source mass spectrometer system. Ions delivered into vacuum from an Electrospray, Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization or Inductively Coupled Plasma ion source are guided and focused into a mass analyzer with high efficiency using the multipole ion guide. The background pressure over a portion of the multipole ion guide length is high enough to cause kinetic energy cooling of ions traversing the ion guide length due to ion collisions with neutral background gas molecules. This ion kinetic energy cooling lowers energy spread of ions traversing the multipole ion guide length. The multipole ion guide DC offset potential can be used to adjust the mean ion energy and the ion guide an and qn values can be set to reduce or expand the range of ion mass to charge which will be transmitted through the ion guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Craig M. Whitehouse, Erol Gulcicek
  • Publication number: 20030034452
    Abstract: For delivery of ions from a higher pressure ion source to a mass analyzer operating at high vacuum, high pass ion filtration is effected within a dielectric capillary interface between the higher pressure ionization chamber and the lower pressure environment of a mass analyzer, by application of electrical potentials to end electrodes and to at least one electrode associated with the dielectric capillary between the ends, to create an end-to-end electric field generally opposing gas flow-assisted movement of ions from the upstream end to the downstream end, and to create a steeper voltage gradient along an upstream portion than along a downstream portion of the capillary. The voltage gradient along the steeper upstream portion of the capillary is sufficiently steep to cause ions having drift velocities below a lower limit to stall within the capillary. The respective potentials may be adjusted to increase the steepness of the upstream voltage gradient to increase the drift velocity lower limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Steven M. Fischer, Robert K. Crawford, Charles W. Russ
  • Publication number: 20030034453
    Abstract: A coaxial probe includes a coaxial cable including an electrical conductor extending therethrough and projecting therefrom at an end thereof, a planar waveguide on which the electrical conductor projecting from the coaxial cable is mounted, and a sensor electrically connected to the electrical conductor through the planar waveguide. The planar waveguide may be comprised of a substrate, and a strip line formed on the substrate, the strip line being electrically connected at one end to the sensor and at the other end to the electrical conductor. The sensor may be comprised of a cantilever supported at a distal end thereof on the planar waveguide, and a probe mounted on a free end of the cantilever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Norio Ookubo, Noriyuki Kodama, Hiroaki Kikuchi, Yuichi Naitou
  • Publication number: 20030034454
    Abstract: A multi-component analyzing apparatus for measuring a concentration ratio of gas components of fron gas is provided, while the fron gas is constituted by several sorts of single gas components of fron gas, and the fron gas is employed as a measuring subject sample made by mixing a plurality of measuring subject components with each other, whose sort and quantity are limited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: HORIBA, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Nomura, Hiroji Kohsaka, Ichiro Asano