Patents Issued in March 6, 2007
  • Patent number: 7186954
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for detecting and controlling an abnormal rise in temperature associated with a combination of a cooking utensil (10) and a cooking surface (4) overlying an electric heater (6). A temperature-responsive device (24) monitors the temperature of the cooking utensil (10), while cooking utensil detection means (26) detects the location of the cooking utensil (10). Control means (30) is adapted to control energizing of the heater (6) whereby an abnormal rise in temperature associated with an event within the cooking utensil (10) is distinguished from an abnormal rise in temperature sensed by the temperature-responsive device (24) and associated with removal of the cooking utensil (10) from the cooking surface (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Ceramaspeed Limited
    Inventor: Peter Ravenscroft Wilkins
  • Patent number: 7186955
    Abstract: In one aspect, a cooktop heating system that include a first cooktop heating element, a second cooktop heating element, and an interface device. The system also includes a controller for selectively associating the interface device with any one or both of the first cooktop heating element and the second cooktop heating element. In another aspect, the system includes at least one cooktop heating element, a potentiometer, and controller arrangement operatively connected between the potentiometer and the at least one cooktop heating element to determine heating of the at least one cooktop heating element responsive to the input provided by the potentiometer and control power provision to the at least one cooktop heating element responsive to the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Fisher, Chris Ray Blackson
  • Patent number: 7186956
    Abstract: A fuser-controlling apparatus for generating a power synchronization signal and detecting a power voltage. The fuser-controlling apparatus comprises a power synchronization signal generation circuit for outputting a power synchronization signal for synchronizing fuser operations with a power voltage, a power voltage detection circuit for detecting a level of the power voltage and for outputting a level of the power voltage, and a control unit for controlling a voltage to the fuser in a phase control manner based on the power synchronization signal and the detected level of the power voltage. The fuser-controlling apparatus can produce a power synchronization signal at the zero-crossing points of the power voltage regardless of the levels and frequencies of the power voltage. Accordingly, the fuser-controlling apparatus can instantaneously perform phase and power controls based on such a power synchronization signal, resulting in improvements to the power factor and flicker characteristics of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-min Chae
  • Patent number: 7186957
    Abstract: Temperature regulated clothing with a thermo-electric module that can be configured to transfer heat to or from the inside of the clothing. The clothing can include, e.g., a control system to maintain a desired internal clothing temperature. The clothing can have, e.g., a circulating coolant system to enhance the rate and/or efficiency of heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Phoenix Consultants, Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard Martin
  • Patent number: 7186958
    Abstract: There is an apparatus having a housing, a heating element, a heating element switch, a heating chamber, a heating chamber cover, and a controller. The housing is handheld. The heating element is disposed within the housing. The heating element switch may be electrically coupled with the heating element. The heating chamber is disposed within the housing. The heating chamber cover may be adapted to at least partially eject the heating chamber from the housing when the heating chamber cover is displaced relative to the housing. The controller is electrically coupled with the heating element switch. The controller is adapted to control a transfer of energy to the heating element. The controller may be adapted to prevent the transfer of energy to the heating element if the heating chamber cover is not in a closed position relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Zhao Wei, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen G. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7186959
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus an aspect of the present invention includes, a heating object which generates the heat by a magnetic flux produced from a coil which generates a predetermined magnetic flux by electromagnetic induction in accordance with a frequency of an input current, and a pressurization mechanism which can provide a predetermined pressure to the heating object, and a coil of the heating object is formed of a litz wire obtained by twisting the number of conductors having a small cross section which are not affected by the skin effect caused due to the frequency of the input current, the number of which allows passage of a quantity of current to be inputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Takagi, Satoshi Kinouchi
  • Patent number: 7186960
    Abstract: Coffee maker and microwave oven, and method for controlling the same, the coffee maker and microwave oven including a cabinet forming an exterior, a cooking chamber in the cabinet, an outfit room in the cabinet for mounting various electric components on an inside thereof, a case at one side of the outfit room for mounting a water tank, a heater, a funnel, a water supply pipe, and a water supply tube on an inside thereof for extraction of coffee, a fan for preventing transmission of heat from the heater to the electric components, and a control unit for putting the fan into operation after the extraction of coffee is completed, thereby preventing transmission of heat from the heater to the outfit room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Wan Je Cho, Dae Sik Kim, Man Su Park, Jung Ju Kwon, Wang Lim Lee
  • Patent number: 7186961
    Abstract: One object of the invention is to provide a container for cooking foods that (1) enables cooking while maintaining an appropriate moisture content, even when the container is heated by an external heating means such as a microwave oven, and (2) can be opened easily. Another object is to provide a container that is equipped with a separate seasoning means that enables the foods to be seasoned automatically, without that needing to be done manually by a user, and for the seasoning means to be removed easily. The container, which is formed of a polyolefin-based sheet, comprises a container body and a cover and is provided with a pressure-releasing part whose adhesion strength is weak enough so that it can be opened by the vapor pressure that is generated inside the container when it is heated. Also provided is a packet that contains liquid seasoning and that can be opened by the vapor pressure that is generated by heating the container, so as to make the liquid seasoning flow out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Shigeo Ozawa
  • Patent number: 7186963
    Abstract: A method of obtaining information about radiation arising from within an environment includes providing a directionally sensitive radiation detector which has a field of view and providing a visual image capturing device which has an area of vision. The radiation for a field of view is measured, the field of view including a part of the environment. The measurement of radiation is recorded together with an indication of the space or position of the respective field of view relative to the detector. A visual image of an area of vision is obtained, the area of vision including the part of the environment within the field of view. The image is recorded together with an indication of the spatial position of that field of view relative to the detector. Selecting the set of data from the measurement of radiation according to a criteria set after completion of the measurements of radiation. The information is overlaid from one or more of the measurements of radiation with one of the visual images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: BNFL (IP) Ltd.
    Inventors: Karl Anthony Hughes, John Adrian Lightfoot, Andrew Stuart Chesterman
  • Patent number: 7186964
    Abstract: A row driver circuit is disclosed for supplying a reset voltage to a plurality of reset transistors of an active pixel sensor array while minimizing gate induced drain leakage (GIDL). The row driver circuit is configured to supply a high voltage level (e.g., Vdd or higher) to the reset transistors of the array during a reset operation. The row driver circuit is further configured to supply a low voltage level (e.g., a voltage level higher than ground) to the reset transistors of the array when the pixels are not being reset (e.g., during integration). The reduced potential difference realized between the respective gates of the reset transistors and the respective photodiodes of the pixels, when the pixels are not being reset, results in reduced GIDL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Sandor L. Barna
  • Patent number: 7186965
    Abstract: An indirect detection of the reflected radiation pulses, when measuring a distance by means of the photoeffect, allows considerably expanding the usability of the distance sensor and the distance measuring method, wherein the adaption to a new field of application only requires little design changes. Since in the external photoeffect the photoelectrons are ejected from the material irradiated photon by photon or quantum by quantum and the photons, when being ejected, only require a certain minimum energy and correspondingly the radiation used for irradiation only requires a sufficiently small wavelength, the external photoeffect allows detecting radiation over a large spectral range. When interferences occur in a certain wavelength range in a certain field of application, the operating wavelength range of the distance sensor technology may at first simply be set to another spectral range by using such an irradiation source having a spectrum outside the spectral range containing the interferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandton Forschung e.V
    Inventors: Olaf Schrey, Werner Brockherde, Bedrich Hosticka
  • Patent number: 7186966
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include systems and methods for indicating an amount of use of a pulse oximetry sensor. According to one embodiment, the system includes an oximeter that monitors the amount of use for a given sensor. The oximeter and/or the sensor may advantageously include a visual alarm, an audio alarm, a vibrational alarm, a power down function, or the like, which can be activated when a predetermined amount of use has expired. According to another embodiment, the system includes a sensor having a memory device storing a unique identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventor: Ammar Al-Ali
  • Patent number: 7186967
    Abstract: An optical transducer includes a light emitting unit, a light detecting unit, light radiating sensor heads and light receiving sensor heads; the light radiating sensor heads and light receiving sensor heads are alternately arranged at intervals, and moving objects pass through the intervals in such a manner as to intersect light beams between the sensor heads; since the light emitting unit and light detecting unit are remote from the sensor heads, the light emitting unit and light detecting units are optically coupled to the sensor heads through optical fibers; a bundle of optical fibers is clipped on a predetermined route, and the optical fibers swerve from predetermined points of the bundle so that the optical fibers are surely warped so as to exert the resilient force on the inner surfaces of the optical devices, thereby being kept stable during the adhesion therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Tadaharu Kato
  • Patent number: 7186968
    Abstract: A polarization sensitive solid state image sensor includes an integrated photodetector and polarizing assembly. The polarizing assembly is formed directly on an upper dielectric surface of the photodetector as a metal grid. The integral form of the device improves polarization operation and reduces manufacturing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Raynor
  • Patent number: 7186969
    Abstract: A displacement measuring device including a scale, and an optical readhead including an index pattern and a light receiving element is provided. A bright/dark pattern arising from a scale grating is detected by the readhead to measure displacement. In various embodiments, a magnification of the pattern is adjusted by the spacing between at least a lens element, aperture element, and detection plane of the readhead. An aperture can be designed to provide a diffraction-limited telecentric imaging configuration that filters an image of the scale grating to provide a sinusoidal intensity pattern that supports highly interpolated measurements. An aperture dimension, selected in relation to the grating pitch and other parameters, can provide a desirable combination of readhead operating characteristics including one or more of a desired depth of field; degree of spatial filtering; and optical signal power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Toshitaka Shimomura, Shingo Nihommori, Miyako Mizutani, Eric Herbert Altendorf, Joseph Daniel Tobiason
  • Patent number: 7186970
    Abstract: An optical scanning system including a resonant oscillating device having a first magnetic field and a mirrored surface. The system includes first and second light sources for directing first and second beams of light to the mirrored surface of the resonant oscillating device to provide first and second reflected scan beams. The second reflected scan beam is offset a first distance from the first reflected scan beam. A second magnetic field is included for interacting with the first magnetic field to provide torque to the resonant oscillating device for scanning the first and second reflected scan beams across a surface to provide first and second scan lines on the surface substantially simultaneously as the resonant oscillating device oscillates under the influence of the first and second magnetic fields. The optical scanning system is effective to increase scan efficiency of the resonant oscillating device over that of a system using a single light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger S. Cannon, Daniel E. Pawley
  • Patent number: 7186971
    Abstract: A pulsed neutron source irradiates an earth formation. The irradiation produces N16 from O16 in a fluid in the borehole, and the gamma rays produced by the subsequent decay of N16 are detected by a plurality of spaced apart detectors. The count rates of the detectors are accumulated over a time sampling interval to produce temporal signals. Processing of the temporal signals using correlation, differentiation and/or semblance techniques is used for determination of the flow velocity of one or more fluids in the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen Riley, Benoit J. Guivarch, Darryl E. Trcka, David M. Chace
  • Patent number: 7186972
    Abstract: A time-of-flight mass analyzer having improved mass resolution without mandating a corresponding increase in instrument size is disclosed. The analyzer includes an ionizer that generates the ions that are to be analyzed. These ions are introduced to an ion flight path, at least a portion of which is aligned with a linear axis. The portion of the ion path that is aligned with the linear axis includes a region having a substantially static electric field with non-linear equipotential field lines that circumvent the linear axis. Ions either enter the substantially static electric field with a velocity component that is directed along the linear axis or have such a velocity component imparted to them once they have been trapped in the substantially static electric field. As a result of the combined effects of the linear velocity component and the non-linear field, the ions make multiple circumnavigating trips about the linear axis as they concurrently travel in the direction of the linear axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent R. Farnsworth
  • Patent number: 7186973
    Abstract: An “ion trap-TOF/MS” capable of calibrating the observed mass for each of an ion trap and a TOF. In the ion trap-TOF/MS, sample ions having known mass numbers and ionized by an ion source are trapped within an ion trap. Auxiliary AC voltages having a frequency component ? are applied to the end cap electrodes of the ion trap to expel unwanted ions out of the ion trap. A measurement process is carried out by applying DC voltages to the ring electrode and the end cap electrodes to expel an ion remaining within the ion trap, and measuring the mass number of the expelled ion by the time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The measurement process is repeated while changing the frequency component ?, and the ion signal intensity measured by the time-of-flight mass spectrometer is compared with a previously stored threshold, thereby making calibration of the frequency component ? for the ion having the known mass number. Thus, the calibrating of the observed mass can be realized for each of the ion trap and the TOF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Terui, Toyoharu Okumoto, Tsukasa Shishika, Shinji Nagai, Masaru Tomioka
  • Patent number: 7186974
    Abstract: This invention relates to an electrospray emitter which comprises an emitter body comprising an inlet orifice, an outlet orifice and a channel connecting the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice; and a coating formed at least on the outer surface of the exit end of the emitter body with a material of low surface energy. The emitters can produce stable electrospray without the aid of any nebulizing gas in the flow rate range of micro-to nano-liters, depending on the surface tension of solvent including distilled water with a high surface tension. The electrically non-conductive nature of their tips virtually eliminates electrical discharge and allows stable electrospray in the negative ion mode. To prevent loss of analytes during delivery between the emitter and analytical devices, e.g., liquid chromatography, a method of coating the inner surface of the connecting line with chemically inert material of low surface energy is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Hiromasa Tojo
  • Patent number: 7186975
    Abstract: In orer to supply a scanning charged-particle microscope that can achieve both the improvement of resolution and that of focal depth at the same time, a scanning charged-particle microscope is supplied which is characterized in that a passage aperture for limiting the passage of the charged-particle optical beam is located between the charged-particle source and the scanning deflector, and in that a member for limiting the passage of the charged-particle optical beam is provided at least in the center of the passage aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohru Ishitani, Hideo Todokoro, Mitsugu Sato
  • Patent number: 7186976
    Abstract: There is provided a reconfigurable scanning electron microscope (RSEM) (100) comprising: (a) a gun assembly (110) and an associated electron optical column (120) for generating an electron beam (600), for demagnifying the electron beam (600) to generate an electron probe (C3) and for scanning the probe (C3) across a sample (190); (b) an electron detector (550) for detecting emissions from the sample (190) in response to scanned electron probe irradiation thereof and for generating a corresponding detected signal (Sd) indicative of the magnitude of the emissions; and (c) a display (170) for receiving the detected signal (Sd) and scanning signals (x, y) indicative of the position of the probe (C3) relative to the sample (190) for generating the image of the sample (190).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT Limited
    Inventors: Michael Frank Dean, Giles Adam Edward Martin
  • Patent number: 7186977
    Abstract: A method (and system) for non-destructive measurement of a depth of a feature in a structure, includes using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image to navigate to find the feature in an X-ray image, using an electron beam to produce a fluorescent emission in the feature, and using an X-ray count made at a position of the feature in the X-ray image, to determine a depth of the feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yves C. Martin, Anthony Santiago, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Patent number: 7186978
    Abstract: A hand-held, fleet deployable infrared camera with integrated hardware and software providing real time processing of infrared images. The camera senses variable temperature images over a selected object of interest and senses variable emissivities over the object. The camera also measures and corrects for reflected environmental radiation as well as corrections for the atmospheric path through which the object is viewed. A calibrated reference patch having known emissivity and reflectance is attached to an object of interest and viewed through the camera. The calibrated patch is used to provide correction for the environmental radiation reflected off the object. Once the environmental radiation correction is known, it can be used to correct measurements taken from the rest of the object of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Millennium Enginerring and Integration Company
    Inventors: Edward James Bevan, Max Michael Briggs, John DiDomenico, Robert W. Gedridge, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7186979
    Abstract: A fire detector with a passive CO2 sensor generates a detector signal based upon a 15? absorption band of CO2 and a signal processor generates an alarm signal when a preselected criterion is met. The passive CO2 sensor has a passive infrared source with a source temperature, a waveguide sample chamber with a gas medium temperature (which is less than the source temperature), a heat exchanger (that reduces the temperature of CO2 gas as it passes into the waveguide sample chamber and may be thermally coupled to the sample chamber) and an infrared detector assembly with a detector temperature (which is less than the source temperature). An exterior surface of the passive infrared source has a high emissivity while the detector assembly and the sample chamber (which can be thermally coupled to each other but not the passive infrared source) have a low emissivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Airware, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Y. Wong
  • Patent number: 7186980
    Abstract: To efficiently generate image data by using correction data. First offset data is obtained in advance for each of a plurality of imaging times, and is stored in a second image storage unit. The imaging time requested by a user is selected from the plurality of imaging times by a control unit, and an object is shot in the selected imaging time so as to store image data in a first image storage unit. A correction processing unit offset-corrects the image data by using first offset data corresponding to the selected imaging time and outputs first image data (preview image). In parallel with an output of the first image data, an imaging operation without irradiation is performed to have second offset data on approximately the same conditions as actual imaging obtained by the control unit, and the image data is offset-corrected by using the obtained second offset data so as to output second image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Nonaka
  • Patent number: 7186981
    Abstract: A pulse controller device for controlling the excitation of a heat source used in thermographic imaging is disclosed. The pulse controller device comprises a power supply, a heat source coupled to the power supply, a device coupled to the power supply signaling the power supply to deliver electrical power to the heat source, a sensor for sensing the delivery of electrical power to the heat source, a flash duration module coupled to said sensor for measuring a duration of time, and a gate device coupled to said flash duration module for gating the electrical power utilized by the heat source. A method for thermographically evaluating a sample is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Thermal Wave Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Shepard, Timothy Young
  • Patent number: 7186982
    Abstract: A method for calibrating at least some individual light sensor elements of a linear sensor array of a scanner, wherein output values of first and second pluralities of elements are carried, respectively, by first and second output channels. A relative gain (Stored Gain) for each of such elements is calculated from a scan of a light calibration strip area of substantial uniformity. Output values of such elements are obtained from a scan of a light calibration strip area of unknown uniformity. An average is calculated of the obtained output values of the first elements (First Light Average) and an average is calculated of the obtained output values of the second elements (Second Light Average). A final gain for each first and second element is calculated using at least its Stored Gain and for second elements only also using the First and Second Light Averages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry L. Kiser
  • Patent number: 7186983
    Abstract: There is provided a projection objective for a projection exposure apparatus that has a primary light source for emitting electromagnetic radiation having a chief ray with a wavelength ?193 nm. The projection objective includes an object plane, a first mirror, a second mirror, a third mirror, a fourth mirror; and an image plane. The object plane, the first mirror, the second mirror, the third mirror, the fourth mirror and the image plane are arranged in a centered arrangement around a common optical axis. The first mirror, the second mirror, the third mirror, and the fourth mirror are situated between the object plane and the image plane. The chief ray, when incident on an object situated in the object plane, in a direction from the primary light source, is inclined away from the common optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Mann, Wolfgang Singer, Joerg Schultz, Johannes Wangler, Karl-Heinz Schuster, Udo Dinger, Martin Antoni, Wilhelm Ulrich
  • Patent number: 7186984
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process of quantification of the radioactivity of living tissue structures by emission tomography to determine the concentration of a radioactive tracer. It includes the acquisition of images in three dimensions, the determination of the point dispersion function of the imaging system, its convolution with a high-resolution model to obtain a low resolution model, a readjustment, an appraisal of the match between the low-resolution model and the images, in case of a negative test, iterative steps of deformation of the high-resolution model and of performing the preceding steps until the test remains negative, the segmentation of the images into regions, the calculation of the activity of the regions, the determination of a geometrical transfer matrix, its inversion and the multiplication, so as to obtain data for correction of the partial volume effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Segami
    Inventors: Maleaume Bonnin, Jean-Paul Esquerre, Pierre Gantet, Pierre Payoux
  • Patent number: 7186985
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating in a thermal evaporation system a polycrystalline film capable of directly detecting radiation. Source material is placed in a container, and the container is evacuated to create vacuum within the container. The source material is heated to evaporate the source material for depositing on a substrate. The polycrystalline film is used in as deposited form to detect the radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: DxRay, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan S. Iwanczyk, Bradley E. Patt
  • Patent number: 7186986
    Abstract: A high efficiency radiation detector employs longitudinally extending converter elements receiving longitudinally propagating radiation to produce high-energetic electrons received by detector structures in interstitial spaces. The secondary electron generation in this architecture allows great freedom in selection of converter materials and thickness. A variety of detector mechanisms may be used including ionization-type detectors or scintillation-type detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ralf Hinderer, Harald Keller, Thomas R. Mackie, Jeffrey Kapatoes, David W. Pearson, Paul J. Reckwerdt, Richard C. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7186987
    Abstract: A ?-conjugated organic material for detecting ionizing radiation, and particularly for detecting low energy fission neutrons. The ?-conjugated materials comprise a class of organic materials whose members are intrinsic semiconducting materials. Included in this class are ?-conjugated polymers, polyaromatic hydrocarbon molecules, and quinolates. Because of their high resistivities (?109 ohm·cm), these ?-conjugated organic materials exhibit very low leakage currents. A device for detecting and measuring ionizing radiation can be made by applying an electric field to a layer of the ?-conjugated polymer material to measure electron/hole pair formation. A layer of the ?-conjugated polymer material can be made by conventional polymer fabrication methods and can be cast into sheets capable of covering large areas. These sheets of polymer radiation detector material can be deposited between flexible electrodes and rolled up to form a radiation detector occupying a small volume but having a large surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sandia National Laboratories
    Inventors: F. Patrick Doty, Douglas A. Chinn
  • Patent number: 7186988
    Abstract: In a method for analyzing a chemical and/or biological sample, particularly in high- and medium throughput screening systems, an observation beam (12) is focused in an observation volume (24) of the sample. For analyzing the sample, the observation beam (12) is moved in the sample. According to the inventions, to improve the quality of the measurement, the observation beam is moved continuously in the observation volume (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Evotec OAI AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Müller, Stefan Hummel
  • Patent number: 7186989
    Abstract: The present invention provides core technologies necessary for a portable, low cost, thermal-regulating LED-based handheld fluorometer. The regulated fluorometer is based on a low thermal mass infrared heater, and an orthogonal geometry LED based filter fluorometer. Power is supplied through an external power supply and data is collected in real-time through standard serial interfaces of personal computers or personal digital assistants. Thermal regulation is automatically maintained using temperature sensor feedback control. Optical excitation relies on LED light source(s) and optical detection is through an adjustable integrating photodetector. Such a handheld system can allow applications requiring temperature sensitive photometric measurements for real time analyte detection to be performed in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Andrew Farmer, David P. Fries, Bill Flanery
  • Patent number: 7186990
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the detection of biological material on non-living surfaces in which samples are exposed to electromagnetic radiation of specific energies capable of exciting various intrinsic fluorophores, and these fluorophores emit fluorescence that can be measured. The signal from the background, scattered excitation light and reflected excitation light is removed from the fluorescence signals due to the intrinsic fluorophores from the biological material and the intensities of the signals from the intrinsic fluorophores are required to lie within expected ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Microbiosystems, Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Linda S. Powers, Christopher R. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 7186991
    Abstract: A mixed irradiation evaluation support system for supporting judgment and determination of allocation of contribution in mixed irradiation using proton beams and X-rays. According to a composition ratio designated by a composition ratio scroll bar 107, a dose distribution by a proton beam and a dose distribution by an X-ray are composed, and the result of the composition is displayed three-dimensionally in a three-dimensional display part 104. Further, when a cross section is designated in the three-dimensional display part 104, an isodose map 115 in the designated cross section is displayed in a cross section window 114.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chiaki Kato, Jun′ichi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 7186992
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a polarizing layer using a gas cluster ion beam apparatus (GCIB) is disclosed. The method includes generating a metal-organic gas that includes a metal-organic compound. The metal-organic compound includes a polarizing material, such as iron Fe, Co, or CoFe, for example. The metal-organic gas and a carrier gas are combined to form a composite gas that is supplied to the GCIB. The GCIB processes the composite gas to form a beam of gas cluster ions that include the polarizing material. The beam irradiates an interface surface of a layer of material and at least a portion of the polarizing material remains in contact with the interface surface to form the polarizing layer on the interface surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Janice H. Nickel
  • Patent number: 7186993
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container system for the transport and storage of highly reactive materials, which comprises an outer container (1) that encompasses at least one inner container (2) in which the radioactive material is disposed. The inner container (2) is resiliently received in the inner container so as to absorb shocks. The outer container (1) comprises a cylinder (4) whose jacket (5) consists of prestressed reinforced concrete molded by centrifugal action and is provided with a lid (6) and a bottom pate (7) that consist of reinforced concrete. Like the outer container (1), an intermediate container may consist of prestressed reinforced concrete molded by centrifugal action and may encompass the inner container (2). Preferably, the concrete parts of the outer container (1) and the intermediate container (3) are provided with, e.g., boroxyde as an additional neutron absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Polygro Trading AG
    Inventor: Friedhelm Timpert
  • Patent number: 7186994
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for shipping hazardous materials, such as radioactive liquids and materials, that comply with certain international and national regulations for the transport of hazardous materials. According to one embodiment, hazardous material samples are placed inside inner containers, such as glass bottles. Inner containers are placed inside secondary containers, surrounded and cushioned by high density polyethylene (“HDPE”) foam inserts. Secondary containers are placed inside cutouts in a HDPE custom insert. Custom insert is inside an outer container made with HDPE and held together with extruded aluminum hardware, closed-end aluminum and steel rivets, and a sealant applied to the seams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: The S.M. Stoller Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Spruce
  • Patent number: 7186995
    Abstract: A medical image recording apparatus comprising: a recording medium to record an X-ray transmitted through a subject; and an anti-scattering member for X-rays transmitted through the recording medium or an X-ray absorbing member for the X-rays transmitted through the recording medium, wherein the anti-scattering member or the X-ray absorbing member contains a composite material containing a metal or a compound having a specific gravity of not less than 3 excluding lead or a lead compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Tomoko Saito, Satoshi Honda
  • Patent number: 7186996
    Abstract: A system has been described for reading out stimulable phosphor screens, plates or panels, whether or not differing from each other in phosphor composition or phosphor layer arrangement, after exposing said screens to X-rays. Said system comprises at least one source of stimulating radiation, an array of transducer elements arranged for detecting light emitted upon stimulation and for converting said light into a signal representation of said image. Said system further comprises filtering means for preventing light, emitted by said source of stimulation light, from being detected by said transducer elements, wherein said filtering means transmits light with a high transmission efficiency for emitted blue light upon stimulation and low transmission for radiation from the stimulating laser source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert
    Inventors: Luc Struye, Luc Vanmaele, Paul Leblans
  • Patent number: 7186997
    Abstract: A device and a method for reading out information stored in a storage layer (15), and an X-ray cassette are proposed which make use for the purpose of erasing information stored in the storage layer (15) of an erasing means (11, 12, 14) which generates an erasure radiation (17). This erasure radiation (17) can have both a first and a second intensity, the first intensity being larger than the second intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert HealthCare GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Gebele, Jurgen Muller, Hans Schaller, Werner Stahl
  • Patent number: 7186998
    Abstract: A multi-terminal logic device. The device includes a phase change material having crystalline and amorphous states in electrical communication with three or more electrical terminals. The phase change material is able to undergo reversible transformations between amorphous and crystalline states in response to applied electrical energy where the amorphous and crystalline states show measurably distinct electrical resistances. Electrical energy in the form of current or voltage pulses applied between a pair of terminals influences the structural state and measured electrical resistance between the terminals. In the instant devices, independent input signals are provided between different pairs of terminals and the output is measured as the resistance between yet another pair of terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Boil Pashmakov
  • Patent number: 7186999
    Abstract: An error reduction circuit for use in arrays of chalcogenide memory and computing devices. The error reduction circuit reduces the error associated with the output response of chalcogenide devices. In a preferred embodiment, the output response is resistance and the error reduction circuit reduces errors or fluctuations in the resistance. The error reduction circuit includes a network of chalcogenide devices, each of which is nominally equivalent and each of which is programmed into the same state having the same nominal resistance. The inclusion of multiple devices in the network of the instant error reduction circuit provides for a reduction in the contributions of both dynamic fluctuations and manufacturing fluctuations to the error in the output response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Morrel H. Cohen
  • Patent number: 7187000
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for its manufacture are provided. In one example, the structure includes a well region doped with a first type dopant (e.g., a P-type or N-type dopant). A gate pedestal formed over the well region has two ends, one of which at least partially overlies the well region and is doped with the first type dopant. A dielectric layer is positioned between the gate pedestal and the well region. Source and drain regions formed on opposite sides of the gate pedestal within the well region are doped with a second type dopant opposite in type to the first type dopant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo-Nan Yang, Yi-Ling Chang, You-Lin Chu, Hou-Yu Chen, Fu-Liang Yang, Chenming Hu
  • Patent number: 7187001
    Abstract: An organic light emitting display and method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The light emitting display includes: a substrate having a display region and a circuit measuring pad region; source and drain electrodes arranged above the display region and a first conductive layer arranged above the circuit measuring pad region on the same layer as the source and drain electrodes; a first insulating layer on the source and drain electrodes and the first conductive layer; first and second via holes formed in the first insulating layer, the first via hole exposing the source or drain electrode, the second via hole exposing the first conductive layer; a pixel electrode contacting the source or drain electrode through the first via hole, and a second conductive layer contacting the first conductive layer through the second via hole; and a pixel defining layer which exposes the pixel electrode and formed on the second conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mu-Hyun Kim, Keum-Nam Kim
  • Patent number: 7187002
    Abstract: A wafer collective reliability evaluation device comprises a wafer collective probe disposed so as to face a reliability evaluation wafer and including a wiring substrate, a conductive elastic sheet provided on a surface of the wiring substrate facing the reliability evaluation wafer and a plurality of metal terminals provided in a surface of the conductive elastic sheet and electrically connected to the reliability evaluation wafer. The reliability evaluation wafer comprises a plurality of reliability evaluation elements formed on a main body of a semiconductor wafer, a plurality of electrodes for applying voltage or current to the respective reliability evaluation elements via the respective metal terminals and a plurality of heating elements formed in the vicinity of the respective reliability evaluation elements and serving to control temperatures of the respective reliability evaluation elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 7187003
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thin film transistor substrate and a system for inspecting the same. The thin film transistor substrate comprises gate wiring formed on an insulation substrate and including gate lines, and gate electrodes and gate pads connected to the gate lines; a gate insulation layer covering the gate wiring; a semiconductor layer formed over the gate insulation layer; data wiring formed over the gate insulation layer and including data pads; a protection layer covering the data wiring; auxiliary pads connected to the data pads through contact holes formed in the protection layer; and a pad auxiliary layer formed protruding a predetermined height under the data pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyang-Shik Kong, Sung-Wook Huh, Young-Bae Park
  • Patent number: 7187004
    Abstract: An electronic circuit, a driving method for an electronic circuit, an electro-optical device, a driving method for an electro-optical device, and an electronic apparatus are provided to reduce the dispersion of the threshold voltages of transistors. A driving transistor, first and second switching transistors, an adjustment transistor, a coupling capacitor, and a holding capacitor form a pixel circuit. The threshold voltage of the adjustment transistor is applied to the gate of the driving transistor. According to various embodiments, the luminance gradation of a display element, such as an organic EL element, can be precisely controlled according to a data voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Miyazawa