Patents Issued in December 18, 2007
  • Patent number: 7310149
    Abstract: A system for measuring properties of small volume samples includes a source of electromagnetic radiation; a first optical system; an optical delivery system; a sample holding assembly; a second optical system; a detecting system; an optical transmission system; a data collector interface component operatively connected to the detecting system; at least one processor; and at least one computer readable medium being capable of causing the at least one processor to: receive data from the detecting system corresponding to a measurement, calculate characteristics from the received data, organize the calculated characteristics in a predetermined ordering and output the organized predetermined ordering to the at least one computer readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Siqun Wang, John C. Kralik
  • Patent number: 7310150
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for performing low coherence ranging of a sample with high transverse resolution and large depth of focus can be provided. For example, an optical ranging system including a light source can be used. Certain exemplary arrangement can be provided, e.g., a first arrangement for directing light from the light source to the sample, a second arrangement for directing reflected light from the sample to a detector, at least one detector, and a third arrangement for processing light data received by the detector and which generates an image can be utilized. Further, for example, an optical element can be provided which can have a transverse resolution defined as .?ris less than or equal to about ?5 m, and a depth of focus ?z of at least about 50 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Tearney J. Guillermo, Brett E. Bouma
  • Patent number: 7310151
    Abstract: A system and method of optical reflectometry and optical coherence tomography (OCT) is provided by using a wavefront-division interferometer where a beam is split into side-by-side beam portions. The interference is tuned by changing the phase difference between the beam portions. The interference contrast is adjusted by changing the ratio of the beam portions. The structure of the optical reflectometry and OCT is compact and insensitive to environmental changes. Methods are also provided for multi-level and multi-layer optical data storage systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Chian Chiu Li
  • Patent number: 7310152
    Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features apparatus that include an interferometer including a main assembly having two laterally displaced polarizing beam splitter interfaces, wherein the interfaces are positioned to receive two spatially separated beams and direct them each to make at least two passes to one or more remote objects. Each interface reflects and transmits each beam at least once, and the interferometer is configured to combine the two beams after they make the at least two passes to the one or more remote objects to produce an output beam including information about an optical path length difference between paths traveled by the two beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Zygo Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Eric Carlson
  • Patent number: 7310153
    Abstract: A chip-size wavelength detector includes a film with laterally varying transmission properties and a position-sensitive detector. The film transmits a different wavelength as a function of lateral position across the film. The position of a spot of light transmitted through the film will shift, depending on the wavelength of the light. The shift is measured by the position-sensitive detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center, Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter Kiesel, Oliver Schmidt, Oliver Wolst
  • Patent number: 7310154
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus for capturing an image of an object. The image capturing apparatus includes a correspondence detector which detects a correspondence of characteristic points of an object based upon captured images of the object. A motion detector detects a motion of the image capturing device. The motion detector includes magnetic sensors. Further, a shape calculator calculates a shape of the object based upon the captured image data, captured attitude information, a translation component, and the correspondence of the characteristic points. The motion detector may further include acceleration sensors and angle speed sensors. A disturbance detector may further be provided to detect a disturbance in acceleration signals output by the acceleration sensors and a disturbance in magnetic signals output by the magnetic sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kitaguchi, Norihiko Murata
  • Patent number: 7310155
    Abstract: A system that facilitates extraction of line edge roughness measurements that are independent of proprietorship of a metrology device comprises a structure patterned onto silicon with known line edge roughness values associated therewith. A metrology device obtains line edge roughness measurements from the structure, and a correcting component generates an inverse function based upon a comparison between the known line edge roughness values and the measured line edge roughness values. The metrology device can thereafter measure line edge roughness upon a second structure patterned on the silicon, and the inverse function can be applied to such measured line edge roughness values to enable obtainment of line edge roughness measurements that are independent of proprietorship of the metrology device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Luigi Capodieci, Amit P. Marathe, Bhanwar Singh, Ramkumar Subramanian
  • Patent number: 7310156
    Abstract: Conventionally, when due to running out of a battery or paper the printing designated in advance is not completed and when the interrupted printing is to be resumed, the images from the beginning must be printed, or images to be printed must be selected again using the camera. To resolve this problem, a printing system, which continuously performs printing on a plurality of sheets based on print setting information including, at the least, information for designating an image to be printed, comprises input means for entering image data that are to be printed printing means for printing the image data entered by the input means, storage means for, when printing based on the print setting information is halted, storing interrupt information concerning the printing completed before the interrupt, and control means for employing the interrupt information stored in the storage means to resume printing based on the print setting information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Watanabe, Takatoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7310157
    Abstract: A method of generating a two-dimensional code includes the steps of allocating a number of background entries on a carrier for a constant background pattern detectable by a reader. Background dots are printed on the carrier to define the background pattern. A number of data entries are allocated on the carrier for a data area in which data represented by the two-dimensional code is carried. An array of data dots, detectable by the reader, is printed in the data area to represent said data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Simon Robert Walmsley, Paul Lapstun
  • Patent number: 7310158
    Abstract: Wireless mode between a scanner and an image communication apparatus is changed when the scanner completes read of an image, when the image is sent from the scanner to the image communication apparatus by the operation of the scanner, or depending on presence or absence of read original, and for example, low power consumption mode and communication mode are switched to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Muneki Nakao, Tomoyuki Takeda, Naomi Nakamura, Koji Okamura, Makoto Mikuni, Michihiro Izumi, Yoshiyuki Hirai
  • Patent number: 7310159
    Abstract: An image outputting system that can keep the printed image quality always in good condition by correcting printing color tone based on printing color correcting information received via a network. The image outputting system comprises: an image outputting apparatus including a flat-bed scanner for reading an image, printers for printing the image, a network interface or a modem connectable with external devices via a network, and a correcting device for correcting printing color tone based on printing color correcting information received via the network; and a network server connected to the network for sending the printing color correcting information to the image outputting apparatus via the network. Thus, the network server controls the printing unit based on status information acquired from the image outputting apparatus and always keep the printed image quality in good condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Haruo Soeda, Yoshiki Kawaoka, Hiroyuki Yoshinaga
  • Patent number: 7310160
    Abstract: This invention is to provide a facsimile communication apparatus and method in which when a receiver which supports V.34 communication receives a call, transmits an ANSam signal, and receives a CM signal indicating V.17 communication from the transmitter, V.17 communication can reliably be established. A facsimile communication apparatus for executing a protocol defined in ITU-T recommendation V.8 with respect to a partner apparatus and setting an image transmission mode executable with respect to the partner apparatus on the basis of the protocol includes an ANSam signal transmission unit, a CM signal reception units, and a control unit for, when a CM signal indicating V.17 communication is received after transmission of an ANSam signal, executing control so as not to respond to the CM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7310161
    Abstract: A combined flat bed scanner/printer machine having: a moving body; a scan module connected to the moving body to read a document; and a recording head connected to the moving body adjacent to the scan module, to print on a paper. The moving body is moved by a moving body transfer unit made up of a belt to which the moving body is secured, a guide rod to guide the moving body, and a motor to move the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-wook Kang, Seung-jae Lee
  • Patent number: 7310162
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing documents on a networked system. The method includes creating at least one print job associated with a user identification code, sending the at least one job to a print queue and separately conveying the user identification code to a printing device. This method could be accomplished either with a tag system or by direct data entry at the site of a printing device. The device then obtains and prints the at least one job associated with the user identification code from the print queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Morris-Jones
  • Patent number: 7310163
    Abstract: An information input/output system includes printer servers and facsimile servers, connected with the Internet respectively, and printers and facsimile apparatuses connected with the printer and facsimile servers, respectively. A terminal is configured to access information contents on the Internet and to transmit printing request data including at least a contents ID specifying information contents for printing from among the information contents on the Internet and a print outputting destination ID specifying one of the printers or facsimile apparatuses for printing therewith the information contents for printing. A printing request administration server is configured to receive the printing request data transmitted from the terminal and to transmit the printing request data to one of the facsimile or printer servers determined according to the print outputting destination ID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Uchiyama, Takahiro Asai
  • Patent number: 7310164
    Abstract: When a command for the status response is issued from a host computer to a printer, a data-receipt administration portion adds, to the received command, an ID peculiar to each command, and stores the commands and the peculiar ID; and a data-transmission administration portion immediately returns the ID added to the command to the host computer. A printer-language analyzing portion analyzes the received command, while a status-response processing portion produces information that must be responded to the command. The produced response information is, together with the previously-stored ID added to the corresponding command, returned from the data-transmission administration portion to the host computer. The host computer collates the previous-received ID and the ID received together with the response information with each other so that the command and the corresponding response can be made correspond to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Matoba
  • Patent number: 7310165
    Abstract: Dynamic Color Render Dictionaries are provided to automatically switch color rendering behavior between object types. The implementation resides entirely within the Color Render Dictionary (CRD) and require no changes to the state of the Postscript interpreter (There are no required “C” code changes and Postscript operator redefinitions.) The different color rendering behaviors are accomplished by concatenating multiple color transform tables into a single/RenderTable within the CRD. The different rendering behaviors are accessible to single graphics state by simply accessing different regions of the /RenderTable. By having the color rendering behavior “switch” without changing the graphic state makes the implementation very fast. Since the entire implementation is limited to the Color Rendering Dictionary, dynamic CRDs may be implemented on any existing Postscript printer. Even on ones that have been in the field for years.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Michael T. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7310166
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus, in which a printer driver is installed for transmitting a print job to be printed to a printer, includes a display for displaying a printer setting window activated by the printer driver, a print medium designator for designating a print medium from the printer setting window, a mirror image print designator for designating a mirror image print via the printer setting window on which it can be designated whether the mirror image print is performed or not when a transparent medium has been designated by the print medium designation means, and a print job command setter for setting a paper type designation command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouichi Sugiyama, Hiroshi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 7310167
    Abstract: A color converting device converts input CMYK data into output color data in a predetermined different format. The color converting device comprises a contrast emphasizing unit emphasizing a contrast of the output color data corresponding to the CMYK data representing a black-character color more than a contrast of the output color data corresponding to the CMYK data representing a non-black-character color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisao Shirasawa
  • Patent number: 7310168
    Abstract: A digital halftoning technique for controlling a spot function is disclosed. A method for generating a spot for use in halftoning according to the present invention includes defining a spot function that combines two functions selected to provide a predetermined spot shape for use in a halftone cell and scaling the spot function using a scaling function that varies according to a value of a first and second spot function ordinate. Asymmetric modulation of spot functions is used to control the touching of adjacent spots, and to change the shape of the spots with the gray region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: InfoPrint Solutions Company LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer Quirin Trelewicz, Danielle K. Dittrich, Yue Qiao, Gerhard Robert Thompson, Chai Wah Wu
  • Patent number: 7310169
    Abstract: An image communication apparatus aims to prevent that an original is damaged in case of sharing an edge sensor, a driving motor and a transportation roller in both a reading operation and a recording operation, and thus includes a control means. In a case where an operation state stored in a non-volatile memory is not “in-reading (i.e., the reading operation is being performed)” when a power supply is turned on, the control means controls to discharge a recording paper if the recording paper in question is detected by an original/recording paper detection means. On one hand, in a case where the operation state stored in the non-volatile memory is “in-reading”, the control means controls not to discharge an original even if the original in question is detected by the original/recording paper detection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoki Sugawara
  • Patent number: 7310170
    Abstract: A sampling unit samples plural input signals, and detects a point (change point) at which one of the sampled input signals shows a change in the logic level. In case the logic level after the detection of the change point continues for a predetermined time, the plural sampled data are respectively latched or outputted after the lapse of the predetermined time, and, in any other timing, the sampled data are held, thereby obtaining plural noise-eliminated signals. One of the plural input signals is a clock signal, and, in case of data transmission in synchronization with such clock signal, the transmission is executed with a timing synchronized with the noise-eliminated signal. The predetermined time is selected equal to or less than ¼ of the cycle period of the communication synchronization clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidekazu Tominaga
  • Patent number: 7310171
    Abstract: A document surface micro-adjust mechanism for an optical scanner. The optical scanner has an outer casing with a transparent document platform in the upper section. An optical lens is enclosed inside the outer casing. The document surface micro-adjust mechanism uses a carrier chassis to embed the transparent document platform. One end of the carrier chassis is hinged upon the upper wall of the outer casing while the other end of the carrier chassis has a through hole to be engaged to a locking hole on a latching structure attached to the upper section of the outer casing. A locking element passes through the through-hole to engage with the locking hole. An elastic element is positioned between the carrier chassis and the latching structure. Depth of the locking element inside the locking hole may be adjusted to vary optical distance from the document surface of the transparent document platform to the optical lens inside the scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Transpacific IP, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yin-Chun Huang, Shu-Ya Chiang
  • Patent number: 7310172
    Abstract: A transparency adapter includes a frame configured to removably receive and support a transparent media to be scanned, and a housing cooperating with the frame to position the frame at a comfortable viewing angle. A method of scanning an image residing on transparent media and a system for improving the scanning of transparencies on the platen of a reflective scanner are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jacklyn M. Dowdy, Modest Khovaylo, Philipp Refior, Tony Aguilar
  • Patent number: 7310173
    Abstract: In the hologram recording and hologram-record reproduction using a one-dimensional optical modulator, the one-dimensional optical modulator where a plurality of light-modulating pixels are arranged modulates a laser beam to record a digital-data signal on a hologram recording medium, and part of the light-modulating pixels record sync signals in two or more positions on the hologram recording medium with retaining a predetermined interval, thereby improving hindrance to reproduction or readout of information recorded on the hologram recording medium, a decrease in S/N, and so on due to deformation or the like of the hologram recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomiji Tanaka, Mikio Sugiki, Shigeo Kobayashi, Koji Ishioka, Kazuo Takahashi, Toshiyuki Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7310174
    Abstract: A beam scanner is operable to scan light in two or more axes, typically in a raster pattern that includes a fast scan axis and a slow scan axis. Plural beams of light are scanned, each beam of light producing a scanned region that at least partially overlaps at least one adjoining scanned region. Scanned regions may be aligned to adjoin and overlap along a dimension corresponding to the slow scan axis. The beam scanner may comprise a scanned beam display and/or a scanned beam image capture device. In a display, the power level of overlapping displayed pixels may be scaled to provide smooth transitions between adjoining regions to improve the image quality presented to a viewer. In an image capture device, one or more detectors is operable to collect light scattered from adjoining regions and a controller is operable to produce an image from the scanned regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Wine, Mark P. Helsel, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Patent number: 7310175
    Abstract: A method of forming a MEMS device includes depositing a conductive material on a substructure, forming a first sacrificial layer over the conductive material, including forming a substantially planar surface of the first sacrificial layer, and forming a first element over the substantially planar surface of the first sacrificial layer, including communicating the first element with the conductive material through the first sacrificial layer. In addition, the method includes forming a second sacrificial layer over the first element, including forming a substantially planar surface of the second sacrificial layer, forming a support through the second sacrificial layer to the first element after forming the second sacrificial layer, including, filling the support, and forming a second element over the support and the substantially planar surface of the second sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael G. Monroe, Eric L. Nikkel, Dennis M. Lazaroff
  • Patent number: 7310176
    Abstract: A light deflector for scanning with light from a light source comprises a support body, an oscillation system and a drive means for driving the oscillation system. The oscillation system includes a first movable element and a second movable element having a light deflecting body. The first movable element is resiliently supported by the support body by means of a single first torsion spring. The second movable element is resiliently supported by the first movable element by means of a plurality of second torsion springs located vis-à-vis with the second movable element interposed between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahisa Kato, Yukio Furukawa
  • Patent number: 7310177
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electro-optic reflective element with an overhang region at an edge region of a first substrate that extends beyond a corresponding edge region of a second substrate. A transparent electrical conductor is disposed at a second surface of the first substrate and a mirror reflector is disposed at a third surface of the second substrate. The mirror reflector includes a tab portion that at least partially encompasses an edge dimension of the second substrate. A non-conductive seal is disposed between the first and second substrates and encompasses at least a portion of the mirror reflector and at least a portion of a non-conductive perimeter region of the third surface. A first electrical connector connects to the transparent electrical conductor via the overhang region and a second electrical connector is in electrical connection with the tab portion of the mirror reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Ian A. McCabe, Desaraju Varaprasad, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 7310178
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprises an electro-optic mirror unit whose reflectivity is variable in response to an electrical voltage applied thereto. The mirror unit includes a first substrate and a second substrate with an electro-optic medium sandwiched therebetween. The second substrate includes a recess at a perimeter region thereof. The mirror assembly includes at least one light sensor disposed behind the first substrate of the mirror unit and generally at the recessed perimeter region of the second substrate. The at least one light sensor is operable to receive light through the first substrate and unobstructed by the second substrate of the mirror unit. The light may be received through a bezel of the mirror assembly and through the first substrate and unobstructed by the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J Lawlor, Niall R Lynam, John P Desmond, Patrick J Dowling
  • Patent number: 7310179
    Abstract: The width and location of a hysteresis window of an interferometric modulator may be altered by adjusting various physical characteristics of the interferometric modulator. Thus, depending on the particular application for which the interferometric modulators are manufactured, the width and location of the hysteresis window may be altered. For example, in some applications, reducing the power required to operate an array of interferometric modulators may be an important consideration. In other applications, the speed of the interferometric modulators may be of more importance, where the speed of an interferometric modulator, as used herein, refers to the speed of actuating and relaxing the moveable mirror. In other applications, the cost and ease of manufacturing may be of most importance. Systems and methods are introduced that allow selection of a width and location of a hysteresis window by adjusting various physical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari
  • Patent number: 7310180
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a capacitive micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device includes a dielectric spacer between a bottom electrode and a movable member. The movable member may serve as a top electrode. A gap separates the top electrode from the dielectric spacer. The movable member may be actuated to deflect towards the bottom electrode by electrostatic force. The dielectric spacer reduces the height of the gap that would otherwise be formed between a top surface of the bottom electrode and a bottom surface of the movable member, thereby improving squeeze-film damping. The movable member may be a ribbon of a ribbon-type diffractive spatial light modulator, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Light Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander P. Payne, Omar S. Leung
  • Patent number: 7310181
    Abstract: An optical deflection device includes an optical deflection element having a pair of transparent boards arranged in a mutually opposing manner. A liquid crystal layer is filled between the boards and forms a chiral smectic C phase. An orientation film orients liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the liquid crystal layer. Electrodes generate an electric field in a substantially parallel direction with respect to the liquid crystal layer. A first voltage application part applies, to the electrodes, an ac voltage of a deflection frequency switching the optical deflection direction of the optical deflection element. A second voltage application part applies, to the electrodes, an ac voltage of a higher frequency than the deflection frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yumi Matsuki, Hiroyuki Sugimoto, Toshiaki Tokita, Shigeaki Nimura, Masanori Kobayashi, Yasuyuki Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 7310182
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for modulating an optical beam by modulating a photonic band gap of a photonic crystal lattice. In one embodiment, an apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention includes a photonic crystal lattice in first semiconductor material. The first semiconductor material has a plurality of holes defined in the first semiconductor material. The plurality of holes are periodically arranged in the first semiconductor material with a hole pitch and a hole radius that define the photonic crystal lattice. The apparatus also includes second semiconductor material regions disposed proximate to and insulated from respective inside surfaces of the plurality of holes defined in the first semiconductor material and charge modulated regions, which are to be modulated in the second semiconductor material regions. An optical beam is to be directed through the photonic crystal lattice and is to be modulated in response to a modulated effective photonic band gap of the photonic crystal lattice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Michael S. Salib
  • Patent number: 7310183
    Abstract: A diffractive outcoupler, for use in a cavity of a laser, includes a surface phase grating for receiving radiation from a laser source and has rectangular grooves with a depth D, a first reflector located to receive a first diffracted portion of the radiation from the grating and to reflect the first diffracted portion back toward the grating, and a second reflector located to receive a second diffracted portion of the radiation from the grating and to reflect the second diffracted portion back toward the grating. The depth D of the grooves satisfies a relationship with the refractive index of the grating to permit transmission of the second harmonic of the radiation through the grating while causing portions of the first harmonic passing through the grooves and elevations of the grating to destructively interfere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventor: Oleg M. Efimov
  • Patent number: 7310184
    Abstract: A cylindrical body of a Newton reflective telescope includes a first cylindrical body and a second cylindrical body combined together. The first cylindrical body has an eyepiece fixed on an outer surface, and a reflective mirror fixed in its interior. A joint member is connected between the first and the second cylindrical body to enable the first cylindrical body to rotate relative to the second cylindrical body as a pivot in such a way that the first and the second cylindrical body have coincident center axes. Therefore, a person other than a first user can also look in the eyepieces by rotating the first cylindrical body without need for the first user to leave the location of the eyepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Sun Long Optics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Paul Kuo
  • Patent number: 7310185
    Abstract: A display device is disclosed, wherein the display device comprises a light source configured to emit light, a projection lens configured to transfer the light to a display surface, at least one other optical element, and a lens disposed optically between the light source and the projection lens, wherein the lens is configured to enable a first transfer of the light from the light source to the at least one other optical element, and the lens is configured to enable a second transfer of the light from the at least one other optical element to the projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Gohman
  • Patent number: 7310186
    Abstract: A method and apparatus emits light from multiple light sources and combines the etendue of the light sources such that the etendue is substantially uniformly distributed over an area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott A. Lerner, Anurag Gupta
  • Patent number: 7310187
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a projection objective permits the projection objective to be adjusted between an immersion configuration and a dry configuration with few interventions in the system, and therefore to be used optionally as an immersion objective or as a dry objective. The projection objective has a multiplicity of optical elements which are arranged along an optical axis of the projection objective, the optical elements comprising a first group of optical elements following the object plane and a last optical element following the first group, arranged next to the image plane and defining an exit surface of the projection objective which is arranged at a working distance from the image plane. The last optical element is substantially without refracting power and has no curvature or only slight curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventors: Alexander Epple, Paul Graeupner, Winfried Kaiser, Reiner Garreis, Wilhelm Ulrich
  • Patent number: 7310188
    Abstract: A projection lens includes, in order from a magnification side, a first lens group, a second lens group and a third lens group. The first lens group includes, in order from the magnification side, a negative lens whose lens made of a non-resin, a plastic lens at least one surface of which is aspheric and a positive lens. The second lens group includes a plastic lens at least one surface of which is aspheric, a positive lens and a negative lens. The third lens group includes a positive lens. The following conditional expressions are satisfied; 1.0<Bf/f?1.8 2.0<f1/f 2.0<f2/f where Bf denotes a air-conversion back focus of the entire system, f denotes a focal length of the entire system, f1 denotes a focal length of the first lens group and f2 denotes a focal length of the second lens group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Chikara Yamamoto, Hiroshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 7310189
    Abstract: A beam-shaping element includes a cavity, a first fluid and a second fluid having different indices of refraction. An optical axis extends through the cavity. The cavity has at least one curved surface extending transverse the optical axis. At least one pump is arranged to pump the fluids between a first configuration in which the first fluid occupies the cavity, and a second configuration in which the second fluid occupies the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Teunis Willem Tukker, Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Stein Kuiper
  • Patent number: 7310190
    Abstract: An imaging system for use in a vehicle is disclosed wherein the imaging system images an object spaced apart from the vehicle in a first configuration and images an object supported by the vehicle in a second configuration. The imaging system may include a fluid lens. An imaging system for use in a vehicle is disclosed wherein the imaging system has a first configuration corresponding to a first imaging application and a second configuration corresponding to a second imaging application. The imaging system may include a fluid lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen H. Fox
  • Patent number: 7310191
    Abstract: A zoom lens system comprising a first lens unit of negative power, a second lens unit of positive power and a third lens unit of positive power, wherein in zooming, the lens units move respectively along an optical axis so that an interval of first lens unit and second lens unit decreases while an interval of second lens unit and third lens unit changes with variable magnification, the first lens unit comprises one object side negative lens element and one image side positive lens element, which have an aspheric surface, and the conditions: n12>1.88, ?12<26 and 3.0<f3/fW<5.5 (?W>30, n12 and ?12 are refractive index and Abbe number, respectively, of the image side positive lens element of the first lens unit, f3 is a composite focal length of the third lens unit, fW is a focal length of the entire zoom lens system at a wide-angle limit) are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kurioka
  • Patent number: 7310192
    Abstract: A zoom lens is equipped with: a first lens group having an overall negative refractive power and a second lens group having an overall positive refractive power in sequence from the object side to the image plane side. Zoom magnification is changed from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end by moving the first lens group to the image plane side and then reversing the motion to the object side while the second lens group is moved to the object side. The condition (1) 0.90<=(DG1+DG2)/fw<=2.30 and the condition (2) 0.5<=|fG1|/fG2<=1.6 are met, where DG1 is the thickness of the first lens group; DG2 is the thickness of the second lens group; fw is the focal length of the lens system at the wide-angle and; fG1 is the focal length of the first lens group; and fG2 is the focal length of the second lens group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Youhei Nagai, Yasuhiko Abe
  • Patent number: 7310193
    Abstract: Described is an assembly, which includes a housing and a window member therein. Also, described is a method and system for manufacturing such assembly. In particular, a first part and a second part are approximated into a molding configuration to create a first mold therebetween. The first mold includes first and second molding cavities. When the first and second parts are in the molding configuration, the second molding cavity is sealed with respect to the first molding cavity. Then, a first molding material is added into the first molding cavity to create a housing. A window member is inserted into the second molding cavity. The second part is replaced with a third molding cavity surrounding a perimeter of the window member. Subsequently, a second molding material is added to the third molding cavity to create a seal surrounding the perimeter of the window member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wulff, Robert Spano, Tim Austin
  • Patent number: 7310194
    Abstract: A disk drive includes a drive housing, a storage disk, a slider and a drive circuitry. The slider magnetically interacts with the storage disk, and includes a read/write head that is positioned to have an actual head-to-disk spacing greater than zero nanometers during rotation of the storage disk. The drive circuitry can determine and/or monitor the actual head-to-disk spacing at any time during the operation of the disk drive based on an amplitude or a change in the amplitude of a signal such as a variable gain amplifier signal. In one embodiment, the slider includes a slider mover that receives current via the drive circuitry and causes a deformation of a portion of the slider to change the head-to-disk spacing based on the amplitude of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce C. Schardt, Erhard Schreck, Jingbo Yu, Michael Mallary, Scott Hughes, Duc Banh, Kazuhiro Saito, Donald J Brunnett, Tim Glassburn, Chris Hawks, Thao Anh Nguyen, Andrew LeFebvre, Joerg Ferber, Richard K. Oswald, Brian Strom
  • Patent number: 7310195
    Abstract: A disk drive includes a drive housing, a storage disk, a slider and a drive circuitry. The storage disk has an inner and an outer diameter. The slider includes a read/write head and a slider mover that receives power from the drive circuitry to position the read/write head at a predetermined head-to-disk spacing during radial movement of the slider relative to the storage disk. The drive circuitry can direct a varying level of power to the slider mover during radial movement of the slider. In addition, the drive circuitry can increase the power to the slider mover as the read/write head nears a target track in order to decrease the head-to-disk spacing at the appropriate time. The drive circuitry can adjust the power to the slider mover so that the head-to-disk spacing remains within a predetermined range as the slider moves radially relative to the storage disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Erhard Schreck, Francis P. Crimi, Andrew LeFebvre, Duc Banh, Thao Anh Nguyen, Brian Strom, Bruce C. Schardt
  • Patent number: 7310196
    Abstract: A disk drive includes a rotatable data storage disk, an interface, a transducer, a write buffer, an actuator, and a controller. The transducer is configured to read and write data on the disk. The interface is configured to receive data with associated write commands and a park signal. The write buffer is configured to temporarily store the data and associated write commands while the data waits to be written on the disk via the transducer. The actuator is configured to move the transducer between a parked position and tracks on a disk where data is read and written. The controller is configured to execute the buffered write commands by positioning the transducer relative to tracks on the disk while writing data from the write buffer to the disk, and is configured to respond to the park signal, which is indicative of an imminent transducer to disk contact condition, by moving the transducer to the park position without completing execution of the buffered write commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Erhard Schreck, Robert Jackson, Timothy Glassburn, Donald E. Adams
  • Patent number: 7310197
    Abstract: A method for simultaneously measuring contact potential and slider body clearance in a hard disk drive. In embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of direct current (DC) pulses are applied between a slider body and a hard disk of a magnetic disk drive. The contact potential voltage between the slider body and the hard disk is determined in response to applying the plurality of direct current (DC) pulses. The voltage of the plurality of direct current (DC) pulses is increased until a contact between the slider body and the hard disk is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands, B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Michael Baumgart, Malk Duwensee, Bernhard E. Knigge
  • Patent number: 7310198
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring slider body clearance in a hard disk drive using positive and negative electrical pulses. In one embodiment, at least one positive direct current (DC) pulse is applied between a slider body and a hard disk of the hard disk drive. Furthermore, at least one negative direct current (DC) pulse is applied between the slider body and the hard disk. A contact potential voltage between said slider body and said hard disk is then determined in response to applying the at least one positive direct current (DC) pulse and the at least one negative direct current (DC) pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands, B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Michael Baumgart, Maik Duwensee, Bernhard E. Knigge