Patents Issued in August 7, 2007
  • Patent number: 7253362
    Abstract: A closure housing includes a plurality of housings. At least one of the housings is a concave housing with an open face. At least one layer, such as for example an elastomeric film, surrounds one or more cables to define one or more wrapped cables. A portion of each of the wrapped cables is adapted to be interposed between the housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William V. Dower, Kenneth D. Rebers
  • Patent number: 7253363
    Abstract: A circuit board including a base member, an interconnect layer formed on a part of the base member, an electrically-floating conductive layer formed on a substantially remaining part of the base member and having an edge adjacent to an edge of the interconnect layer, and a dielectric layer covering a part of the interconnect layer and an entire surface of the electrically-floating conductive layer and filling a gap between the edge of the interconnect layer and the edge of the electrically-floating conductive layer. In accordance with the present invention, almost all the surface of the base member is covered with the interconnect layer and the floating conductive layer disposed parallel to each other on a substantially single plane. In the circuit board, the moisture does not enter into the rear surface of the dielectric layer through the externally exposed portion to improve the packaging rank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Shota Iwasaki, Takehito Inaba
  • Patent number: 7253364
    Abstract: A circuit board and a fabrication method thereof. Providing the insulating layer with a first conductive layer formed thereon; wherein the insulating layer was formed on a core substrate with at least one patterned circuit layer thereon. A first resist layer is applied on a first conductive layer, forming first openings to expose the first conductive layer. A first patterned circuit layer, including conductive pads and traces, is formed in the first openings. A second resist layer is applied to cover the traces, and a conductive post is formed on each conductive pad. The first and second resist layers and the first conductive layer underneath the first resist layer are removed. A dielectric material layer is formed on the insulating layer with first patterned circuit layer, forming second openings to expose the conductive posts. A second conductive layer is formed on the dielectric material layer and in the second openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Phoenix Precision Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Sao-Hsia Tang, Shing-Ru Wang
  • Patent number: 7253365
    Abstract: A die carrier for holding a die, such as a microdisplay die, may be electrically connected to a substrate by pressing the substrate against flexible, resilient leads of the die carrier. The package includes a housing and a shroud mounted to the housing. The substrate is inserted through a slot in the shroud and, within the shroud, engages against the flexible, resilient leads, thereby establishing an electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Quantum Leap Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford W. Crane, Jr., Myoung-soo Jeon, Charley Takeshi Ogata
  • Patent number: 7253366
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a patient on a hospital bed includes load cells and a controller for detecting patient movement on, exit from, and impending exit from the hospital bed, including movement across or outside a virtual boundary or region located on the bed. The controller is configured to detect changes in the distribution of patient weight among the load cells. The controller is also configured to accommodate the installation or removal of medical equipment or other tare weights on the bed, head incline adjustment, and bed frame deformation or other changes in the system causing redistribution of weight among the load cells, while minimizing false alarms. A caregiver may select between various patient monitoring modes and remotely monitor patient movement relative to a reference load cell distribution, impending patient exit from the bed and patient exit from the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Aziz A. Bhai
  • Patent number: 7253367
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an information input system for a terminal and a multifunctional button assembly for use in the information input system and methods for operating the same. The multifunctional button assembly can include a lever control button, a rotary button and a switch that can be mounted on a substrate. The multifunctional button assembly of the invention can provide advantages in that since the number of functions provided by the multifunctional button assembly is relatively increased, more functions can be concurrently employed, and a terminal employing the multifunctional button assembly can be manufactured to be light, thin, short and compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chan Hoon Park, Min Young Song
  • Patent number: 7253368
    Abstract: A pin anchoring structure for button switches has a wiring space in an insulation seat to hold a first pin and a second pin that are separated. Through a pressing action, the first pin and the second pin form an electric connection via a conductive connection member. The second pin has a pressed coupling section which is formed in a bulged curve. The seat has a bottom which also is formed in another bulged curve corresponding to the pressed coupling section. Thereby the second pin can be anchored securely on the bottom of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Chin-Wen Chou
  • Patent number: 7253369
    Abstract: A backlight button assemblage includes an opaque button, a light-guiding element, and a light-emitting element. The light-emitting element is disposed under the button and light emitted from the light-emitting element is guided to the front side of the button via the light-guiding element surrounding the button. Light can therefore be evenly distributed over the light-guiding element, and uniformity of light achieved, so that partial dazzling spots are avoided, the quantity of light-emitting elements is reduced, and fabrication costs are saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Chi Fu, Tai-Li Chang
  • Patent number: 7253370
    Abstract: A computer button apparatus includes a switch (30), an opening (12) defined in a panel (11), a bracket (40) receiving the switch, and a button (20). A plurality of flanges extends from the edges of the opening. A plurality of protrusions (134) is formed on the flanges. The bracket includes a pair of hooks (43). The button comprises a pair of clasps (25) for actuating the switch. The bracket is mounted on one side of a panel corresponding to the opening by the hooks engaging with the flanges and the protrusions retaining the bracket. The button is mounted on the opposite side of the panel corresponding to the opening by the clasps engaging with the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Quan-Guang Du
  • Patent number: 7253371
    Abstract: A normally closed (on) switch with an on-off fixed structure comprises at the center a seat having a sleeve inside which a push part and an elastic component; a top cover provided on the seat, of which the center is formed with a piercing hole corresponding to the sleeve; a movable ring provided in the hole, of which one end is formed with a flange around that is provided with a guidance groove corresponding to each pillar, and inside which more than one recessed portions are formed; and a movable button provided in the ring and associated with the push part, of which one end is formed with a raised part corresponding to more than one recessed portion formed inside the fringe of ring and the other end is formed with a groove. The button is pushed, rotated at a certain angle, and released to enable and disable the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Chao-Tung Kuo
  • Patent number: 7253372
    Abstract: One method for welding includes obtaining a heat-exchanger tube having an outward fold. The tube is inserted at least partially through the orifice of a tubesheet with the fold contacting one of the outward and inward facing sides of the tubesheet. A first electrode is positioned in contact with the outward fold and a second electrode in contact with the one side of the tubesheet. Another method for welding includes obtaining a heat-exchanger tube having a tube end. The tube is inserted at least partially through the orifice of a tubesheet. A first electrode is positioned in contact with the first tube end and a second electrode is positioned in contact with one of the outward and inward facing sides of the tubesheet. The first electrode is moved against the first tube end to create an outward fold with the outward fold contacting the one side of the tubesheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan, James M. Payne, Deepak K. Sharma, Kenneth E Johnson, Andrzej Marian Pawlak
  • Patent number: 7253373
    Abstract: A welding implement, such as a TIG welding torch. The welding implement comprises a torch head and a thermal storage member. The torch head is operable to conduct electricity to a welding electrode disposed therein. The thermal storage member is adapted to store heat from the torch head during operation of the torch and to release the heat when the torch is not operated. The thermal storage member is electrically isolated from the torch head by an electrical insulator. The welding implement may comprise a tube coupled to the torch head to conduct gas and electricity to the torch head. The welding implement may also comprise a second tube disposed around the tube proximate to the torch head to increase heat transfer from the torch head to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: David Delgado
  • Patent number: 7253374
    Abstract: Method of welding a metal sheet and metal tubing as well as a welded sheet-to-tube welded structure wherein the tube-to-sheet gage ratio may be reduced to permit use of metal tubing having a reduced wall thickness. One or more intermediate metal bridging members is/are first welded to a metal tube using a relatively rapid welding process that reduces heat input and residual tensile stress imparted to the tube. A metallic sheet then is spot welded directly to the one or more bridging members, rather than to the metallic tube, to form a welded sheet-to-tube structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Schmidt, Pei-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 7253375
    Abstract: A method for joining components of thermostatic systems and thermal relays for low-voltage circuit breakers, the components being constituted by at least one bimetallic element constituted by a lamina with a first face and a second face and at least one connection element that has a substantially flat end part with a third face and a fourth face, its particularity consisting of the fact that it comprises the steps that consist in:—overlapping and coupling the end part of the first face of the bimetallic element with respect to the third face of the end part of the connection element;—subjecting the end part of the second face of the bimetallic element to the welding action of laser means to provide a weld between the bimetallic element and the connection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: ABB Service S.r.l.
    Inventors: Massimo Maura, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 7253376
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for truncating an image formed with coherent radiation. The optical relay system is adapted to form a line image at the image plane. The image is truncated by a variable aperture at or near the aperture plane conjugate to the image plane, to block progressively increasing portions of an incident coherent radiation beam used to form the line image. An apodizing pupil filter having a maximum transmission or reflection in the center and a transmission or reflection profile that varies with direction corresponding to long direction of the line image is provided in the pupil plane. The apodization is designed to prevent hot-spots from forming in the truncated image and ensures a relatively smooth, flat intensity profile. Thus, one end or another of a coherent line image scanned over a substrate can be truncated during scanning without substantially changing the image intensity extending into the product area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Ultratech, Inc.
    Inventors: Shiyu Zhang, Igor Landau, Arnold Lungershausen, David A. Markle, Casey Donaher
  • Patent number: 7253377
    Abstract: An improved fusion welding system having a perforating device and a heating combination is adapted for welding in tandem a set of adjacent overlapping workpieces. The system preferably includes a first laser that perforates the workpieces to produce an opening spaced from the edges; and the combination preferably includes a second laser and electrode for cooperatively melting fusible material into the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Pei-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 7253378
    Abstract: A base sheet is spanned over a lower roller, and an upper roller pulls a cover sheet along a path and presses it against the base sheet at the lower roller. A preheater housing along the path upstream of the rollers is formed with a chamber open toward the path. A radiant heater in the chamber is directed transversely at the path so as to heat the cover sheet passing along the path. A sensor along the path adjacent the chamber detects atmosphere around the chamber and generates an output when the detected atmosphere indicates an unsafe hot condition of the cover sheet. A shutter can shift between a retracted position offset from the chamber and an advanced position closing the chamber. A controller connected to the sensor shifts the shutter from the retracted position to the advanced position when the output is generated by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Detlev Gertitschke, Bernd Zoller, Jörg Knüppel
  • Patent number: 7253379
    Abstract: In order to dissipate heat losses from the inner conductor (21), the circuit breaker (20) having an elongated inner conductor (21) and an outer conductor (22) which surrounds the inner conductor (21) like a housing has at least one heat pipe (1) which extends from the inner conductor (21) to the outer conductor (22) and has an insulating hollow body (5) in order to form an electrical insulating gap (7). The heat pipe (1) advantageously has a flexibly deformable section (9). The heat pipe (1) can run in a supporting insulator (24) which supports the inner conductor (21). In addition to a working medium, the heat pipe (1) advantageously also contains an auxiliary gas which results in an enhanced dielectric strength at low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin Lakner, Daniel Chartouni, Jean-Claude Mauroux, Thomas Schoenemann, Jochen Kiefer, Lukas Zehnder, Marc Mollenkopf
  • Patent number: 7253380
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for preheating welds uses a centered induction plate (12) having preferably a plurality of induction coils (30, 32) to impart the generation of heat in the materials to be welded (14), being interactively controlled by at least a temperature sensor (90, 92) and power supply control loop (16) so that even preheating can be obtained for a selected length of time given the parameters of the weld desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Holland LP
    Inventor: Richard Miller
  • Patent number: 7253381
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for multi-frequency induction heat treatment of workpieces including gears. High frequency power is applied to an induction coil that surrounds the workpiece so that a high frequency magnetic field couples with the workpiece to inductively heat the workpiece. A C-core inductor is coupled to a coil that has low frequency power applied to it. The workpiece is inserted in a gap in the C-core inductor magnetic circuit so that it experiences low frequency Joule effect heating when the low frequency current is applied to the coil coupled with the C-core inductor. Alternatively the workpiece may be inserted around the C-core inductor when the workpiece has an opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Inductoheat, Inc.
    Inventors: Don L. Loveless, Valery I. Rudnev
  • Patent number: 7253382
    Abstract: A container (10) for preparing a comestible article in a microwave oven includes a storage chamber (18) into which a comestible article (c) cooked by exposure to microwave energy is displaced, the storage chamber (18) being characterized by the presence of a microwave shielding material (28) disposed therearound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Kurt Douglas Raughley
  • Patent number: 7253383
    Abstract: A transformer assembly for a microwave oven having a magnetron, including a transformer to apply voltage to the magnetron of the microwave oven; a container receiving the transformer therein and having a base plate coupled to the microwave oven and a cover body coupled to the base plate; and a cooling material contained in the container to cool the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heui Seag Park
  • Patent number: 7253384
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a movable optical element having an optical axis and including one or more focusing elements, an image sensor positioned along the optical axis and substantially normal thereto, and a radiation source attached to the movable optical element, wherein the radiation source directs a beam of radiation onto the sensor at a selected angle relative to the optical axis. A process comprising positioning a sensor along, and normal to, an optical axis of a movable optical element, projecting a radiation beam onto the sensor from a radiation source attached to the movable optical element, wherein the radiation beam is at a selected angle relative to the optical axis, and adjusting the position of the movable optical element until the position where the radiation beam falls on the sensor corresponds to the position where the radiation beam is expected to fall on the sensor when the movable optical element is in focus. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Microscan Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Danny S. Barnes, David A. Marks, Gordon W. Lam
  • Patent number: 7253385
    Abstract: A microscope digital image acquiring system 1 includes a microscope 2 composed of a microscope unit 10 forming an enlarged image of an object O and a microscope controller 20 controlling movement of the microscope unit 10, an imaging instrument 3 composed of a camera head unit 30 that is attached to the microscope 2 and has an imaging device detecting the enlarged image of the object O and a camera controller 40 that receives a detected signal output from the imaging device and outputs image information of the object O. The microscope controller 20 and the camera controller 40 operate cooperatively in response to control commands sent externally. The system 1 has a connecting cable 52 connecting with both instruments 20 and 40 to carry out communication with each other. Both instruments 20 and 40 operate cooperatively by communicating control commands with each other through the connecting cable 52.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Tanemura, Tomotaka Shinoda
  • Patent number: 7253386
    Abstract: A laser intensity monitoring and control apparatus and method. One or more laser diodes emit laser light at an intensity depending upon a supplied drive current. A collimating lens collimates the emitted laser light. An aperture clips portions of the collimated laser light striking the aperture outside the predetermined beam contour and reflects part or all of the clipped portion of the collimated laser light to a focusing lens. A monitoring detector senses the focused laser light and generates an electrical signal depending on the intensity of the focused laser light, wherein a feedback circuit monitors the electrical signal and adjusts the drive current of the laser diode as necessary to maintain a predetermined laser light intensity. A ROS scanner optics system receives and images the beam contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Steven L. Ernst
  • Patent number: 7253387
    Abstract: A digital list mode multichannel analyzer (MCA) built around a programmable FPGA device for onboard data analysis and on-the-fly modification of system detection/operating parameters, and capable of collecting and processing data in very small time bins (<1 millisecond) when used in histogramming mode, or in list mode as a list mode MCA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel E. Archer, S. John Luke, G. Joseph Mauger, Vincent J. Riot, David A. Knapp
  • Patent number: 7253388
    Abstract: The substrate includes an alignment slot in at least one of its side edges, and includes metallization coupled electrically to the micro component and extending from the front surface of the substrate to its back surface via at least one of the alignment slots. The assembly also includes a cover attached to the substrate so as to encapsulate the micro component. The cover includes at least one protrusion on its underside such that each protrusion mates with a respective alignment slot in the side edges of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Hymite A/S
    Inventors: Jochen Kuhmann, Matthias Heschel
  • Patent number: 7253389
    Abstract: A mobile body surrounding surveillance 1A apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image capturing section 2; a particular region setting section 31 for setting a particular region for image data captured by the image capturing section; an own mobile body movement direction detection section 11 for detecting a movement direction of the own mobile body and outputting a movement direction information indicating the detected movement direction; a movement vector information extraction section for taking the image data of the particular region for each of one or a plurality of frame images captured by the image capturing section in time series and adjusting a detection sensitivity based on the movement direction information so as to extract a movement vector information on another mobile body; and a change detection section 35 for detecting a moving state of the other mobile body which is present in the surrounding of the own mobile body based on the movement vector information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7253390
    Abstract: Microelectronic imagers with prefabricated housings and methods of packaging microelectronic imagers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a microelectronic imager can include a microelectronic die, an image sensor, and an integrated circuit operatively coupled to the integrated circuit. The microelectronic imager also includes an optic unit having an optic member. The microelectronic imager further includes a prefabricated housing having a first mounting site and a second mounting site. The die is seated within the housing at the first mounting site and the optics unit is seated within the housing at the second mounting site in a fixed, preset position in which the optic member is situated at a desired location relative to the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, Sidney B. Rigg, David R. Hembree, William M. Hiatt
  • Patent number: 7253391
    Abstract: In an optical sensor device employing an amorphous silicon photodiode, an external amplifier IC and the like are required due to low current capacity of the sensor element in order to improve the load driving capacity. It leads to increase in cost and mounting space of the optical sensor device. In addition, noise may easily superimpose since the photodiode and the amplifier IC are connected to each other over a printed circuit board. According to the invention, an amorphous silicon photodiode and an amplifier configured by a thin film transistor are formed integrally over a substrate so that the load driving capacity is improved while reducing cost and mounting space. Superimposing noise can be also reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Koyama, Takeshi Osada, Takanori Matsuzaki, Kazuo Nishi, Junya Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7253392
    Abstract: A photodiode has a photodiode gate structure on the surface of the substrate. The photodiode may be located in a pixel sensor cell comprising a substrate having a first surface level. The photodiode has a first doped region of a first conductivity type and a second doped region of a second conductivity type located beneath the first surface level of the substrate. A photodiode gate is formed of a first dielectric substance layer formed over the first surface of the substrate, thereby forming a second surface, and a second polysilicon layer formed over the second surface of the first layer. A transistor is located adjacent to the photodiode. The photodiode gate improves charge transfer from the photodiode to the transfer gate and floating diffusion region. The improved charge transfer minimizes image lag and leakage and reduces energy barriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sungkwon (Chris) Hong, Jeff A. McKee
  • Patent number: 7253393
    Abstract: A method for controlling a photosensitive cell including a photodiode connected to a read node via a MOS transfer transistor, the read node being connected to a source of a reference voltage via a MOS reset transistor, cyclically including a waiting phase at the end of which the photodiode is isolated from the reference voltage; an integration phase during which the voltage of the photodiode varies from a reset voltage to a useful voltage that depends on the lighting; and a phase of reading a voltage representative of the useful voltage, wherein the isolation of the photodiode of the read node at the end of the waiting phase includes the steps of setting the transfer transistor to the on state, the reset transistor being off; turning off the transfer transistor; and setting the reset transistor to the on state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Yvon Cazaux, Didier Herault
  • Patent number: 7253394
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a substrate in which photoelectric elements have been formed, and an array of optical path conversion elements formed at a light so that the optical path converted light may be incident on the substrate, wherein each of the optical path conversion elements has different tangent line gradients on the corresponding parts of incident surfaces according to distances from the center of the image sensor in order to compensate for differences of incident angles of incident light according to the distances from the center of the image sensor. In addition, a method for fabricating the image sensor fabricates the optical path conversion elements according to a photolithography process using a gray scale mask, combinations of the photolithography process and a reactive ion etching process, or combinations of the photolithography process, the reactive ion etching process, and an UV-molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignees: Optomecha Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinill Kang
  • Patent number: 7253395
    Abstract: An absolute encoder employs multiple sub-encoders of different resolutions and a linking algorithm for combining the sub-encoder outputs to form an accurate, high-resolution position estimate. The sub-encoders can utilize edge modulation of a main grating track, sloped patterns of successively higher periods, and other types of scale patterns. The sub-encoders can also use a variety of detector types suitable for the patterns being used. In one linking approach, pairs of tracks are linked together successively by applying a phase shift to the coarser track and then combining it with the finer track such that the transitions of the coarse track estimates become aligned with those of the finer track, whereupon the values can be combined to form a linked position estimate. In another approach, beat tracks are calculated from physical tracks of similar period, and the beat tracks are used as the coarser tracks in the linking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: GSI Group Corporation
    Inventors: Alva E. Hare, William G. Thorburn, Keith M. Hinrichs
  • Patent number: 7253396
    Abstract: Cooled photosensitive cell (80) comprising a table (50), sensors (66) which are fitted on the table, a screen (80) to prevent parasitic radiation on the sensors, and at least one Joule-Thomson cooler (41, 42) to cool the table and the screen. The table (50) and the screen (80) are cooled by convection, the table (50) being provided with apertures (55) for passage of the cooling flow, which communicate with an annular cavity (63) for cooling of the screen (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Sagem SA
    Inventor: Joseph Loiseau
  • Patent number: 7253397
    Abstract: Microelectronic imagers and methods of packaging microelectronic imagers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a microelectronic imager can include a microelectronic die, an image sensor, an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the image sensor, and a plurality of terminals electrically coupled to the integrated circuit. The microelectronic imager can further include a single unitary member cover unit having a window and a side member projecting from the window. The side member is attached to the die. A plurality of electrically conductive interconnects can extend through the microelectronic die and/or the cover unit and are electrically coupled to corresponding terminals. The microelectronic imager can further include an optics unit having an optic member attached to the cover unit, with the optic member positioned at a desired location relative to the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle K. Kirby
  • Patent number: 7253398
    Abstract: A sensor system includes a sensor payload (20) capable of generating image signals, an electronic control unit (ECU) (40) for controlling the sensor payload and a hand held control unit (80) in communication with the ECU for use by an operator to input control commands to the ECU. The hand held control unit (80) includes a front facing control panel surface (84) having control elements distributed thereon and an orthogonally disposed bottom surface (94). A handle (96) extends from the enclosure bottom surface (94) with the handle longitudinal axis disposed at an angle (A) of between 175 and 135 degrees with respect to the control panel surface (84). In a second embodiment, the senor system includes a lap top control unit (LCU) (300) reconfigurable by an operator to swap movable control module (312, 306) from a base unit left side receiving port (320) to a base unit right side receiving port (318) to accommodate both left and right-handed users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Flir Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Hughes, Thomas M. Sommer
  • Patent number: 7253399
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes a plurality of light-receiving elements arranged in a light-receiving area, and a plurality of micro-lenses corresponding to the light-receiving elements, and has a flattening film formed on the plurality of the micro-lenses. At a center of the light-receiving area, the micro-lenses are placed in positions directly above corresponding photodiodes, and placed in positions which are progressively offset from positions directly above the corresponding photodiodes, towards a center of the light receiving area, as micro-lenses are located farther from the center of the light-receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakoh, Masato Kobayashi, Nobukazu Teranishi
  • Patent number: 7253400
    Abstract: A reference surface for calibrating cooled infra red detectors includes a plurality of corner cube units which reflect radiation incident directly on them. The surface of each corner cube unit is partially reflective and partially emissive such that, when imaged by a cryogenically cooled detector, the reference surface appears as a black body source at a lower temperature than the actual temperature thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems Limited
    Inventors: Norman Frederick Watson, Michael Grant McGuigan
  • Patent number: 7253401
    Abstract: A method for determining concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive elements in earth formation by analysis of gamma ray energy spectra measured by at least one gamma ray detector while the borehole is being drilled. Gain of the gamma ray detector is controlled automatically through analysis of the spectra. The one or more gamma ray detectors are disposed at the periphery of the downhole instrumentation to maximize sensitivity. Elemental concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive elements such as potassium, uranium and thorium are measured either as a function of depth in the borehole, or as a function of aximuthal sectors around the borehole wall, or as a function of both depth and azimuthal sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford Canada Partnership
    Inventors: Medhat W. Mickael, Dale A. Jones, Donald A. Phelps, John E. Wright
  • Patent number: 7253402
    Abstract: A well logging instrument including a plurality of detectors having different precisions and accuracies, the more precise detectors generally having lower accuracies. The detectors are responsive to the interaction of radiation from a suitable source on the instrument with earth formations. Outputs from the plurality of detectors are smoothed and combined to provide processed measurements with improved accuracy and precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Allen Gilchrist, Darryl E. Trcka
  • Patent number: 7253403
    Abstract: A control system (12) for a power supply (14), such as a high voltage power supply, includes a control circuit (16) and a feedback circuit (18, 28, 30). The feedback circuit (18, 28, 30) is configured to produce a feedback signal indicative of the voltage of the power supply output. The control circuit (16) is configured to control the power supply (14) based on the feedback signal and a predetermined voltage value to maintain the output of the power supply (14) at about the predetermined voltage value. A portion of the feedback circuit (18, 28, 30) may be included in an isolation shield (88) to improve the accuracy of the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Reilly, Noah P. Christian
  • Patent number: 7253404
    Abstract: High-intensity, spiked noise is reduced in chromatography-mass spectrometry data by applying a nonlinear filter such as a moving median filter to the data. The filter is applied to individual mass chromatograms, plots of ion abundance versus retention time for each detected mass-to-charge ratio, and the filtered chromatograms are combined to form a filtered total ion current chromatogram. Standard linear filters are not effective for reducing noise in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) data because they assume a normal distribution of noise. LC-MS noise, however, is not normally distributed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: PPD Biomarker Discovery Sciences, LLC
    Inventor: Curtis Hastings
  • Patent number: 7253405
    Abstract: A mass analysis apparatus comprising a first ion source which ionizes a sample and produces sample ions, a second ion source which produces reactant ions having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the sample ions, and a mass spectrometer, wherein said second ion source is provided between said first ion source and said mass spectrometer apart from the axis of a flow of the sample ions discharged from said first ion source and emits reactant ions to the flow of sample ions discharged from said first ion source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kato
  • Patent number: 7253406
    Abstract: An improved ion source for collecting and focusing dispersed gas-phase ions from a reagent source at sub-atmospheric or intermediate pressure, having a remote source of reagent ions separated from a low-field sample ionization region by a barrier, comprised of alternating laminates of metal and insulator, populated with a plurality of openings, wherein DC potentials are applied to each metal laminate necessary for transferring reagent ions from the remote source into the low-field sample ionization region where the reagent ions react with neutral and/or ionic sample forming ionic species. The resulting ionic species are then introduced into the vacuum system of a mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer. Embodiments of this invention are methods and devices for improving sensitivity of mass spectrometry when gas and liquid chromatographic separation techniques are coupled to sub-atmospheric and intermediate pressure photo-ionization, chemical ionization, and thermal-pneumatic ionization sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Chem-Space Associates, Incorporated
    Inventors: Edward W Sheehan, Ross C Willoughby
  • Patent number: 7253407
    Abstract: A probe assembly suited for use in a scanning probe microscope (SPM) system includes a cantilever having an attachment to a main body portion. A suitable tip disposed at the free end of the cantilever provides various functions. According to various embodiments of the invention, an interference structure is provided to limit the range of deflection of the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: General Nanotechnology LLC
    Inventor: Victor B. Kley
  • Patent number: 7253408
    Abstract: An environmental cell for use with a scanning probe microscope includes a cell chamber, a probe mounted to the cell chamber, a puck selectively connected to the cell chamber, a sample holder selectively inserted in the puck, and a translation mechanism coupled to the sample holder to move the sample holder. Gasses or liquids may be introduced to the environmental cell through channels formed in either the puck, sample holder, or cell chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Paul E. West
  • Patent number: 7253409
    Abstract: The present invention provides nano-patterning based on flow of an ion current within an ionic conductor to bring ions in proximity to a microscope probe tip touching a surface of the conductor. These ions are then electrochemically reduced to form one or more features on the surface. Ion current flow and the electrochemical reaction are driven by an electrical potential difference between the tip and the ionic conductor. Such features can be erased by reversing the polarity of the potential difference. Indentations can be formed by mechanically removing features formed as described above. The ions in the ion current can be provided by the ionic conductor and/or by oxidation at a counter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Minhwan Lee, Ryan O′Hayre, Turgut M. Gur, Friedrich B. Prinz
  • Patent number: 7253410
    Abstract: One embodiment described relates to a method of electron beam imaging of a target area of a substrate. An electron beam column is configured for charge-control pre-scanning using a primary electron beam. A pre-scan is performed over the target area. The electron beam column is re-configured for imaging using the primary electron beam. An imaging scan is then performed over the target area. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk J. Bertsche, John Greene
  • Patent number: 7253411
    Abstract: An Array of detectors can be configured to be read as separate detectors, or to be connected into larger groups, e.g. groups of four (a 2×2 array). This allows the formation of a relatively high definition image, and a much faster formation of a lower resolution image. This may be used with in an automobile to control deployment of safety airbags in accordance with a drivers position relative to the airbags. Preferably the array is a 64×64 array of thermal detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: QinetiQ Limited
    Inventors: Tej Paul Kaushal, Paul Antony Manning, John Peter Gillham