Patents Issued in October 14, 2003
  • Patent number: 6631970
    Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus is provided which can detect ink in a print head highly precisely with a simple construction. The apparatus includes: a detection electrode to detect, through the ink on the ink jet print head board, a voltage change between print elements and drive elements which is produced as the print elements are driven; a periodical driver to drive the print elements at a predetermined drive frequency; a voltage detector to periodically detect an output voltage of the detection electrode at a timing corresponding to the drive frequency; and a state check device to check an ink ejection state of the ink jet print head according to a result of the detection by the voltage detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomonori Sato, Shinji Takagi, Kentaro Yano, Tetsuhito Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6631971
    Abstract: A method of calculating at least a component of ink drop velocity in an ink jet printer includes jetting at least one first ink drop from a printhead firing plane. It is detected when the first ink drop is a first predetermined distance away from a reference plane. A first time period between the jetting and the detecting of the first ink drop is measured. At least one second ink drop is jetted from the printhead firing plane. It is detected when the second ink drop is a second predetermined distance away from the reference plane. A second time period between the jetting and the detecting of the second ink drop is measured. A difference between the first predetermined distance and the second predetermined distance is divided by a difference between the first time period and the second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Adkins, Mark Joseph Edwards, Michael Anthony Marra, III, John Thomas Writt
  • Patent number: 6631972
    Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus for effecting recording using an ink-jet recording head is capable of forming large dots and small dots. The number of times of discharge operation for forming large dots and the number of times of discharge operation for forming small dots are separately counted, and a total ink discharge amount is calculated on the basis of these count values. The total ink discharge amount which is compared with a predetermined value to perform appropriate suction processing. According to the invention, an ink suction operation from a discharge port is started with appropriate timing, thereby controlling consumption of ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Yazawa
  • Patent number: 6631973
    Abstract: A tube pump is continuously driven to set an interior of a cap at a target negative pressure, and then driving and stopping of the tube pump is repeated to maintain a predetermined suction pressure. Therefore, a suction operation can be performed without mixing bubbles in a liquid chamber or wasting inks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Edamura
  • Patent number: 6631974
    Abstract: A wiping mechanism removing foreign substances adhered to a nozzle surface without deteriorating durability of an ink-repellent coating applied on the nozzle surface. A wiper has first and second wiping members that are integrated into one piece. During normal wiping operation, the nozzle surface is wiped to remove the foreign substances therefrom, using the first wiping member, with a wiping force that is weaker than that required during a powerful wiping operation. Therefore, the normal wiping operation has little effect on the ink-repellent coating on the nozzle surface, thereby increasing the durability of the ink-repellant coating. During the powerful wiping operation, the nozzle surface is wiped, with a force stronger than that during the normal wiping operation, using the second wiping member, so that stubborn foreign substances, such as ink solidifying on the nozzle surface 24a, can be surely removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuya Shindo
  • Patent number: 6631975
    Abstract: A position of a nozzle forming surface 15a of a recording head is varied by an adjusting operation of a platen gap. Accordingly, an amount of interference (L1, L2) of a wiping member (11), which wipes the nozzle forming surface (15a), against the nozzle forming surface (15a), varies. With this, a sliding contact of the wiping member (11) against the nozzle forming surface (15a) varies. When the platen gap is large, the wiping effect decreases. Accordingly, when the platen gap is large, the wiping speed is decreased, and the decrease of the wiping effect is compensated for by increasing the number of wiping operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Sekio Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shigenori Fukasawa, Atsushi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6631976
    Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus which performs printing by using a print head. The print head has at least a predetermined number of nozzles to eject ink. The apparatus includes a first prefiring mechanism for causing the print head to perform a prefiring operation to eject ink from nozzles of the print head for maintaining printing quality after a first time interval during a printing operation. The apparatus also includes a driving mechanism for driving nozzles of the print head based on data to be printed, and a second prefiring mechanism for causing the print head to perform the prefiring operation in a case where a number of the nozzles to be driven is changed. Preferably, the apparatus further includes a shifting mechanism for causing the driving mechanism to drive the nozzles of the print head based on the first time interval during the printing operation so as to enhance a power of ejecting ink and continue the printing operation after the first time interval without performing the prefiring operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiko Hamamoto, Akitoshi Yamada, Hiromitsu Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 6631977
    Abstract: A method of making a laser ablated article includes forming an article of one or more layers, each of which absorbs radiation within the wavelength range of from about 210 nm to about 360 nm and at least one of which is a hydrophobic fluorine-containing graft copolymer derived from at least one fluorine-containing monomer and at least one comonomer containing at least one aromatic group, and processing the article with a laser that outputs radiation at a wavelength of between about 210 nm and about 360 nm. The graft copolymer is surprisingly absorptive to radiation within the specified wavelength range. Articles formed using laser ablation include a nozzle plate of an ink jet printhead, wherein the nozzle plate contains ink jet openings formed by laser ablation and has a polymer substrate coated with the laser ablatable hydrophobic fluorine-containing graft copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Andrews
  • Patent number: 6631978
    Abstract: An ink tank holding member for holding ink tanks containing ink is made freely attachable and detachable, at the same time, having ink lead-out members for leading out ink from ink supply ports provided for the ink tanks. For this ink tank holding member, gap complementary members are made mountable to complement the difference in shapes of ink tanks to be installed on the holding member. With the structure thus arranged, it becomes possible to use the ink tank holding member for each of the cartridges commonly, hence attempting the common use of parts, at the same time, preventing effectively the ink tanks from being inclined by the provision of the gap complementary members, thus enhancing the reliability of ink supply portion, as well as preventing the degradation of performance that may be caused by erroneous insertion of ink tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenjiro Watanabe, Osamu Morita
  • Patent number: 6631979
    Abstract: An apparatus for a thermal actuator for a micromechanical device, especially a liquid drop emitter is disclosed. The disclosed thermal actuator includes a base element and a cantilevered element extending from the base element a length L and normally residing at a first position before activation. The cantilevered element includes a layer constructed of an electrically resistive material, patterned to have a uniform resistor portion extending a length L, from the base element, wherein 0.3L≦LH≦0.7L. The cantilevered element includes a second layer constructed of a dielectric material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion attached to the first layer. A pair of electrodes connected to the uniform resistor portion to apply an electrical pulse to cause resistive heating, resulting in a thermal expansion of the uniform resistor portion of the first layer relative to the second layer and deflection of the cantilevered element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John A. Lebens, Antonio Cabal, David S. Ross
  • Patent number: 6631980
    Abstract: A liquid jetting head of the invention includes a flowing-path plate through which a flowing-path space is formed as a flowing-path for a liquid. A nozzle plate is provided on one side surface of the flowing-path plate, said nozzle plate having a nozzle that is communicated with the flowing-path space. A sealing plate is provided on the other side surface of the flowing-path plate for sealing the flowing-path space. A portion of the other side of the flowing-path space forms a pressure-chamber space. A portion of the other side of the flowing-path plate including at least a portion of the pressure-chamber space is formed by electrocasting. A pressure-generating unit is provided at a portion of the other side of the sealing plate corresponding to the pressure-chamber space for changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure-chamber space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Kitahara
  • Patent number: 6631981
    Abstract: Odd-numbered piezoelectric sheets 22, 21b, 21d, and 21f are formed with a plurality of individual electrodes 24. Even-numbered piezoelectric sheets 21a, 21c, 21e, and 21g are formed with a common electrode 25. These odd-numbered and even-numbered piezoelectric sheets are alternatively arranged one on the other to form a laminated body. A top sheet 23 is mounted on the laminated body. Surface electrodes 30, 31 are formed on the top sheet 23. Through holes 32, 33 are opened to the piezoelectric sheets 21a through 21g for providing electrical connection of the individual electrodes 24 and the common electrodes 25, but not to the piezoelectric sheet 22 that is laminated on a cavity plate 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Isono, Atsuhiro Takagi
  • Patent number: 6631982
    Abstract: In a liquid ejecting apparatus in which ink is supplied from an ink tank to a print cartridge detachably mounted on a carriage through a tube, connection between an ink needle at a tube side and an interconnecting member at a cartridge side can sealingly be effected positively, and ink supplying and connecting means can be made compact. A closing film having a small hole and a central slit is provided at a tip end of an interconnecting member made of soft material and fitted into an ink flow-in projection portion of the print cartridge into which an ink needle is inserted. Further, a notched needle tip end avoiding configuration is provided at a lower part of a tip end of the projection portion so that abutment between the projection portion and the ink needle can be avoided when the print cartridge is mounted and dismounted, thereby reducing a shifting amount of a needle holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Sasaki, Yutaka Koizumi, Akihiro Yamanaka, Hiroyuki Maeda, Akira Goto, Hiroki Tajima, Yasushi Iijima
  • Patent number: 6631983
    Abstract: An improved continuous ink jet printing system which continually recirculates its ink through an ion-exchange treatment is disclosed. The system includes collecting guttered ink for reconstitution and recirculation and propelling said collected and recircultating ink through an ion-exchange column and then to an ink supply reservoir and on through the nozzle bores of continuous ink jet print heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles E. Romano, Jr., David P. Trauernicht, Richard C. VanHanehem
  • Patent number: 6631984
    Abstract: A method of printing using an ink or meltable ink layer which comprises dyes, pigments or other colorants. Bonding and/or crosslinking of the colorants is provided by the reaction between compounds selected from each of two chemical groups. The first group comprises compounds with functional groups capable of reacting with active hydrogen. The second group comprises compounds with functional groups containing active hydrogen, or compounds with functional groups containing active hydrogen after a conversion process. Either the first group or the second group is present in the ink, and an image is printed with the ink onto a substrate. The substrate comprises either the first or second group, as appropriate, to set up a later reaction with the ink. The reaction is delayed until the image is subsequently transferred to another substrate or is permanently fixed on the substrate, by the presence of protecting or blocking agents, which are removed by the application of heat or other energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventors: Kimberlee Thompson, Barbara Wagner, Ming Xu
  • Patent number: 6631985
    Abstract: An ink-jet textile printing system includes an ink-jet printing mechanism capable of textile printing on a printing object formed by a cloth product such as a T-shirt, a printing tray for holding a printing target range of the printing object flat, and conveying the printing object while positioning the printing target range with respect to the ink-jet printing mechanism, and a printing object formed by a cloth product such as a T-shirt having a partial pre-process portion obtained by partially pre-processing only the printing target range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignees: Canon Denshi Kabushiki Kaisha, Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeki Koizumi, Shoji Koike, Makoto Aoki, Koromo Shirota, Minoru Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6631986
    Abstract: A transport roller for moving printable media, the transport roller having a sleeve and a rotary driver. The sleeve has a substantially cylindrical outer portion and an internal cavity. The rotary driver is adapted to rotate the sleeve and is at least partially housed within the internal cavity of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 6631987
    Abstract: Eyewear include lenses having spectral transmittances selected for viewing an object with respect to a background The spectral transmittances are selected to provide a natural feel to scenes viewed with the eyewear. In one example, a lens for viewing a white golf ball includes an object-contrast spectral window that transmits radiation at wavelengths of about 440 nm, a background window that transmits wavelengths at about 550 nm, and a spectral-width window that transmits wavelengths between about 620 nm and 700 nm. Similar eyewear can be configured for other activities. Methods for selecting filters and lenses for such eyewear are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Reichow, Karl Citek, Robert L. Yolton
  • Patent number: 6631988
    Abstract: Disclosed is a manufacturing method of a spectacle lens. The entire range of available vertex power of a spectacle lens is divided into a plurality of sections, and at least one type of semifinished lens blank whose front surface is finished is prepared for each of the sections. On the basis of required specification, one type of the semifinished lens blank is selected. Further, an aspherical shape design for processing the back surface of the selected semifinished lens blank is determined according to the required specification. The aspherical shape of the back surface is optimized such that average power errors or astigmatisms of the finished lenses having different vertex powers within the same section are approximately balanced. Finally the back surface is processed based on the determined aspherical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Pentax Corporation
    Inventors: Moriyasu Shirayanagi, Yoshimi Obara
  • Patent number: 6631989
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a subject for medical conditions includes causing light to impinge on at least one eye of the subject, directing reflected light from such light beam to photosensors, converting the received reflected light to corresponding electrical signals which are delivered to a processor. Processing the signals by effecting a comparison between stored information regarding the medical condition and the data provided by the monitoring to determine if an undesired medical condition exists and, if so, communicating such result. The cycle is repeated at predetermined intervals which may be short or prolonged. The stored information may be information relating to the specific subject or general information regarding normal and abnormal conditions of the eye representative of toxicity. The eyes may be monitored sequentially or simultaneously. Related apparatus is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: West Virginia University
    Inventors: James V. Odom, James E. Smith, Robert P. M. Craven
  • Patent number: 6631990
    Abstract: A measurement system is provided for measuring distances in the anterior chamber of an eye in conjunction with a slit lamp ophthalmologic microscope table. The measurement system includes a linearly movable interface assembly operative to pick up motions of the microscope assembly in a direction along an optical axis of the eye. A linear measurement assembly is coupled to the interface assembly and operative to determine a distance traveled by the interface. The measurement system may further be provided with a three-axis motion assembly and an optical microscope assembly mounted on the motion assembly. An image recording device is optically aligned with the optical microscope assembly to record images from the optical microscope assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Acmed, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred A. Schippert, Michael A. Chang, Oscar K. Hollander, Sheldon H. Moll, Gerald T. Cameron, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6631991
    Abstract: An improved ophthalmic instrument including a wavefront sensor that estimates aberrations in reflections of the light formed as a spot image on the retina of the human eye, wherein the wavefront sensor includes at least one subaperture that spatially samples incident light; at least one optical element that focuses each sample to a spot; and an image sensor and image processor for measuring location of the spot. The image sensor captures image data of an pixel subaperture defined around the spot and provides the image data to the image processor. The image processor analyzes the image data to identify a subarray of pixels around a peak in the pixel subaperture, fits a predetermined function to the image data for the subarray of pixels, and derives an estimate for spot location based upon location of the fit of the predetermined function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Adaptive Optics Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan Wirth
  • Patent number: 6631992
    Abstract: A system for adjusting the color of a light source comprises a first polarizer to polarize the light source, a fixed retarder with its optical axis at a first angle to the polarized light, an electronically variable retarder with its optical axis at a second angle to the polarized light and a second polarizer to polarize the resultant light. This light source may be used where light of adjustable color is needed, for example in a theatrical spotlight or a liquid crystal projection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Matthew Scott Brennesholtz
  • Patent number: 6631993
    Abstract: A projecting display system includes a light source (101) which produces light which is spatially modulated by a number of spatial light modulators (105, 107). A splitting means (103) is provided in the light path between the light source (101) and the spatial light modulators (105 and 107) such that the overall luminous flux produceable by the system is not determined by the maximum luminous flux which each spatial light modulators (105, 107) can accommodate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Raymond G. Fielding
  • Patent number: 6631994
    Abstract: A refracting optical lens 15 is provided to project light from transmitting means onto a convex mirror 16 to correct for pincushion distortion of the convex mirror 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Kohei Teramoto, Jiro Suzuki, Shinsuke Shikama
  • Patent number: 6631995
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of generating an image having a desired brightness, which image is generated by means of a device provided with at least one light source, at least one electro-optical light modulation panel and at least one light-control device. The light from the light source is converted into an image having a desired brightness via at least the electro-optical light modulation panel and the light-control device. The image to be projected is analyzed in a regulator, whereafter the electro-optical light modulation panel and the light-control device are driven, while a too bright image is generated by means of the electro-optical light modulation panel, which image is converted by means of the light-control device into an image having a desired brightness and a desired contrast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Stanton, Martinus V. C. Stroomer, Adrianus J. S. M. De Vaan
  • Patent number: 6631996
    Abstract: A method of operating a projection system with at least one high intensity discharge lamp (HID lamp), a rotatable color disc with at least three segments of different colors, and an array (DMD) comprising a plurality of individually movable mirrors, wherein the current strength of the electrical operating current supplied to the HID lamp is varied in time such that the light arc of the lamp is stabilized, is to be constructed such that the power and operational life of the HID lamp used are optimized. The current strength of the operating current for the HID lamp is for this purpose varied such that the current strength reaches a maximum when a given segment of the color disc, and preferably exclusively this segment, is present in the radiation path of the light rays used for the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Holger Moench, Xaver Riederer
  • Patent number: 6631997
    Abstract: A light-source device comprising: a rod integrator having an injection end and an emitting end; a lens unit for collecting a luminous flux emitted from the emitting end; and, a diaphragm. The rod integrator forms a plurality of imaginary light-source points, each of which virtually emits the luminous flux toward the emitting end. The diaphragm is disposed in the vicinity of a plane on which the lens unit forms the images of the imaginary light-source points, and selectively blocks luminous flux emitted from each of the images of the imaginary light-source points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihisa Miyata, Shinji Okamori, Shinsuke Shikama
  • Patent number: 6631998
    Abstract: A spread illuminating apparatus provides a uniform illuminance, an accurate illumination, an improved visibility, and an expanded screen size. Light sources (5a, 5b) comprising bar-like light conductive members (3a, 3b) and spot-like light sources (4a, 4b), respectively, are disposed close to end surfaces (8a, 8b) of a transparent substrate (2). A light reflection pattern (29) is formed on a surface of the transparent substrate (2) along the length of the light conductive members (3a, 3b). The light reflection pattern (29) comprises grooves (27) and flat portions (28) adjacent to the grooves. The grooves (27) are shaped trapezoidal in section, and the depth thereof increases in proportion to the increase in distance from the light sources (5a, 5b) and measures maximum at the center of the transparent substrate (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoji Egawa, Takahiro Shimura, Shingo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6631999
    Abstract: A wall lamp with a rotating inner shade includes a lamp body having a housing and a shade attached to the housing. A stand is attached to the housing within and by means of the shade. An inner shade in balanced on a free end of the stand. The inner shade has a closed upper end and multiple blades formed on the upper end. A passage is defined adjacent blades. Hot air is generated by the burning light bulb and rises in the inner shade. The inner shade rotates when the hot air impinges the blades and passes through the passages. Consequently, the light radiated from the wall lamp is vivid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Taitech International Corporation
    Inventor: Tony Chang
  • Patent number: 6632000
    Abstract: A pen or flashlight for receiving eyeglasses includes a pen barrel or housing and a writing tip unit or flashlight unit. The pen barrel or housing includes a body which is adapted to receive a pair of eyeglasses therein, and which has open front and rear ends, and a fixed rear cap which is mounted fixedly on and which closes the rear end of the barrel body or housing. The writing tip or flashlight unit includes an openable front cap which has a front end and a rear end that is attached to and that closes the front end of the barrel body or housing. The writing tip unit also includes a writing tip which is confined within the front cap and which extends from the front end of the front cap. In another embodiment, the flashlight unit is secured to a sidewall of the housing and the housing is formed as two separable portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Contour Optik, Inc.
    Inventor: David Chao
  • Patent number: 6632001
    Abstract: A closet hanging rod structure with an illumination function is provided having a voltage-regulating device, two fixing units, two adjustment units, and a hanging rod. The voltage-regulating device is fixedly disposed at a predetermined position inside a closet or a wardrobe. The two fixing units are fixedly disposed on a partition board of the closet or the wardrobe. The adjustment units can be joined with the two fixing units. Two ends of the hanging rod are joined at one end of the two adjustment units. The adjustment units can be used to adjust the height of the hanging rod. The voltage-regulating device is used to provide a stable voltage for supplying required electricity for the lamp tube in the hanging rod, hence achieving an untrammeled and high-brightness illumination effect and avoiding the problem of insufficient light required for selecting or discriminating clothes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Chia-Teh Chen
  • Patent number: 6632002
    Abstract: A method to improve the probability for good health and decrese the risk of cancer and disease comprising: controlling the indoor spectral radiation environment partial body exposure in an amount above 0.06 MED, but not exceeding 0.2 MED per day by irradiating the body with an artificial light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventors: Charles R. Chubb, Lisa C. Rottler
  • Patent number: 6632003
    Abstract: A signal apparatus is disclosed which permits flexible use of the individual signal apparatus components. According to the invention, a holder and a signal generator for the connection to the holder are provided. The signal generator includes a base housing made of plastic and penetrated by at least two contact elements, and the function elements of the signal apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: WERMA Signaltechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Erich Marquardt, Steffen Rudischhauser, Reinhard Mordau
  • Patent number: 6632004
    Abstract: A lighting device is disclosed which comprises an illuminating light source for illuminating an object, a first optical unit disposed on the side of the object of the illuminating light source and having an optical action section for diverging light or an optical action section for converging light, and a second optical unit disposed on the side of the object of the optical action section of the first optical unit and having an optical action section for exhibiting a characteristic opposite to a characteristic of the optical action section, wherein the optical action section of the second optical unit overlies the optical action section of the first optical unit in varying areas to change light distribution characteristic on the side of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Saburo Sugawara, Yoshiharu Tenmyo, Takayuki Uchida, Nobuhisa Kojima
  • Patent number: 6632005
    Abstract: A lighting fixture component is in spaced relationship with a decorative material so as to leave the front and back side of the decorative material unobstructed. The decorative material is fixedly attached to, and enclosed by, the frame with a plurality of fasteners for attaching the decorative material to the frame by one edge wherein the edge is of sufficient thickness and hardness to support the decorative material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Quorum International, LP
    Inventor: Aaron Johnson
  • Patent number: 6632006
    Abstract: A finishing section of a recessed wall wash light fixture has a heat conducting side wall. The inner surface of the side wall has a reflective finish. A lamp is non-centrally aligned within the finishing section. The reflective sides cooperate with the off axis location of the lamp to operate as a kick reflector to kick a portion of the light emitted outward from the fixture at high angles to illuminate a nearby wall close to the ceiling line. The finishing section functions as a lamp support, heat shield and kick reflector reducing the number of parts and complexity of assembly typical of wall wash light fixtures. The finishing section is mounted substantially within a rough-in section housing. An aperture cone section, lens, hinge and bias mechanism, and rotatable collar improve performance and functionality of the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group LLC
    Inventors: Graham M. Rippel, Daniel F. Francis, Brian Roberge, Erik B. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6632007
    Abstract: A light fixture includes a housing, a lens, a lens frame, and at least one mounting spring. The mounting spring is mountable to the lens frame and includes a first member configured to retain the lens in the lens frame and a second member configured to attach the lens frame to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: James V. Agro
  • Patent number: 6632008
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide light-pipes having improved alignment and light collection capability. In one embodiment, a light-pipe is provided that has a first end for collecting light from a light source, a second end for outputting the light collected at the first end, and a shaft interconnecting the first and second end for transferring the light from the first end to the second end. The first end has a concavity for receiving a lens of the light source therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: ADC Broadband Access Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter R. Kalkbrenner
  • Patent number: 6632009
    Abstract: An extruder has a housing and a screw rotatable in the extruder housing about an axis. A drive has a drive housing fixed to the extruder housing, an extension fixed directly to the screw and extending along the axis into the drive housing, and a sleeve-shaped rotor centered on the axis in the drive housing and coaxially surrounding the screw extension. Structure rotation-ally fixes the rotor directly to the screw extension. A sleeve-shaped stator centered on the axis and fixed in the drive housing coaxially surrounds the rotor. The stator and rotor together form a motor that can rotate the screw about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Reifenhauser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Helmut Meyer
  • Patent number: 6632010
    Abstract: A fluid holding apparatus including a vessel capable of holding a load including a fluid and a sensor coupled to the vessel. The sensor is operable to sense the load held by the vessel and to generate a signal having a relation to the load. The fluid holding apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the sensor. The controller is operable to initiate a control signal in response to a variation in the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: A.O. Smith Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald P. Bartos
  • Patent number: 6632011
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus 1 comprising a chamber 12 with at least one inlet 16 allowing entry of a solute and a liquid solvent, at least one outlet 52 allowing exit of a solution of said solute and solution, and at least a separator 22 having at least one generally upwardly facing surface 40 and one generally downwardly facing surface 38a, wherein said surfaces define a passageway 50 allowing the solution of the solute and the solvent to pass through and out of the chamber 12, and wherein undissolved solute is descendable along the generally upwardly facing surface 40a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Process Automation International Limited
    Inventors: Paul Henington, Kwok Wai Wen
  • Patent number: 6632012
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems and apparatus are provided for accomplishing mixing of chemistries, such as those used in polishing materials used in semiconductor manufacturing. A manifold is provided that combines chemistries with a mixing element, for example, so that the stability of the chemical solution can be maintained so as to facilitate polishing. The mixing element can be oriented in a stationary position, or alternatively, it can be agitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Wafer Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Vogtmann, Michael S. Wisnieski
  • Patent number: 6632013
    Abstract: A blender having a base, a container, and a blade base includes a motor, a microcontroller, memory, a sensor and a user interface. The blade base connects the container to the base and includes a blade unit having at least a first blade and a second blade of a different design from the first blade. The microcontroller is in communication with the memory, sensor, motor, and user interface. Programs with preprogrammed motor commands for desired operations are stored in the memory. The user interface includes a liquid crystal display, or function switches and light emitting diodes. Upon selection of a particular pre-defined function, the microcontroller retrieves the appropriate program from the read only memory and specifies the preprogrammed motor commands to accomplish the selected function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John Douglas Wulf, Gerald J. Lozinski, Matthew Craig Denton, Jerry Lee McColgin, Michael Morton
  • Patent number: 6632014
    Abstract: A method and device for mixing a liquid with another substance are presented. The mixing is based on creation of a turbulent flow of the liquid, by providing curvilinear trajectories of the flow and providing a polymer material in the liquid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Yeda Research and Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Victor Steinberg, Alexander Groisman
  • Patent number: 6632015
    Abstract: With input compensation-type differential scanning calorimeters of the related art, the power supplied fluctuated even with non-endothermic reference materials, and the reference material side temperature therefore also fluctuated. Mutual interference between feedback loops also made precise temperature control difficult. In the present invention, power supplied to the sample side is changed to compensate for a temperature difference between the sample side and the reference material side using a differential thermal feedback loop, power to be supplied to the reference material side heater to make the reference material side temperature correspond to the program temperature is controlled, and the same amount of the power is also supplied to the sample side with the average temperature feedback loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 6632016
    Abstract: A method of stabilizing a clinical thermometer and the apparatus thereof are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of pre-heating the surrounding temperature to a pre-set temperature prior to using the clinical thermometer for measuring temperature; and providing compensational temperature by way of heat energy by a control circuit such that the surrounding temperature is maintained and stabilized at the pre-set temperature so as to avoid the change of the surrounding temperature from affecting the measured temperature. The stabilizing devices for a clinical thermometer comprises a clinical thermometer probe head which is a material capable of producing heat energy; and a heating controller connected to the probe head which provides cavity heating for the probe head prior to temperature measuring to the pre-set surrounding temperature, thereby the heating controller causes the surrounding temperature to maintain at a constant and stable temperature such that the precision of measuring is accurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventors: Min-Ying Chen, Sanlian Chen
  • Patent number: 6632017
    Abstract: A thermocouple sensing element comprising a first electrically conductive member formed of one of two dissimilar metals and a second electrically conductive member formed of the second of the two dissimilar metals attached to the first electrically conductive member, and located within the first electrically conductive member, the first electrically conductive member and the second electrically conductive member forming two elements which generate an electrical potential difference under varying conditions of heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Steven B. Cress
  • Patent number: 6632018
    Abstract: A thermocouple-type temperature-detecting device excellent in the temperature measurement responsiveness constituted of an outer protective pipe 1 and an inner protective pipe 2, the outer protective pipe 1 is formed in a laminated layer structure of a 2nd layer 10 made of a ceramic containing molten metal-repelling BN and a 1st layer 11 made of a ceramic, the inner protective pipe 2 is formed of a front protective pipe 3 made of a ceramic having a good heat conductivity and a heat-shielding rear protective pipe 4 extending into the outer protective pipe 1 through an air layer 17, furthermore, the head portion 5 of the front protective pipe 3 is projected from the outer protective pipe 1, and a temperature-sensitive portion 20 of a thermocouple is disposed in the inside of the head portion 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Isshiki, Takayuki Suzuki, Hideki Kita
  • Patent number: 6632019
    Abstract: In a radiographic apparatus, a pole to which an X-ray tube device is fixed is independently evacuated on a head side or a foot side of a top board through an operation of an X-ray tube pole evacuating switch. A subject or patient is laid on a top board, and a secondary X-ray tube device suspended from an overhead traveling portion is moved to be positioned over a concerned portion of the subject. Then, an X-ray image detecting portion moving switch is operated so that an X-ray image detecting portion is moved to a position, corresponding to the concerned portion under the top board. Under the state, remote radiographing, such as chest radiographing, is carried out. Thus, the remote radiographing can be carried out by a radiographic stand capable of fluoroscopying and radiographing without separately installing a radiographing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Mikihiko Katoh