Did You Know...
...that the video game, Pong, was invented by a guy who graduated at the bottom of his engineering class? Nolan Bushnell spent more time running the games at a local amusement park than he did on his studies at the University of Utah. His dreams of working for Disney's amusement empire were dashed when the company wouldn't hire him. Taking a boring job, Nolan daydreamed about electronic versions of popular games. He invented Pong, the first video game, and went on to found Atari Co.
PatentStorm News
Make the Most of Our Site
See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.
Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.
Registered users: Manage your profile.
| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8110790 | Large depth of field line scan camera A system for imaging an object comprising a surface for receiving the object to be imaged and an imaging device. The imaging device comprises a housing and a fixed focusing optical device mounted to the housing, whereby the fixed focusing optics comprises a lens for... | 02/07/2012 |
| 7436316 | Method and system to detect tampering using light detector An optical anti-tamper system including a light emitting layer located within a chassis, a light detecting layer located within the chassis and one or more detectors optically coupled to the light detecting layer. The one or more detectors are in communication with ... | 10/14/2008 |
| 7409906 | Optical sensor apparatus and method for sensing ink errors in optical disk manufacturing An apparatus, system and method for detecting ink errors in optical disk printing are provided. The apparatus, system and method include a sensor mount structure and a plurality of optical sensors mounted on the mount structure and in registration with a print table... | 08/12/2008 |
| 7405676 | Method and system for detecting with laser the passage by a vehicle of a point for monitoring on a road The invention relates to a method for detecting the passage by a vehicle of a determined point for monitoring on a road, wherein from a remotely situated location a laser beam is transmitted continuously to the point for monitoring, reflections from the transmitted ... | 07/29/2008 |
| 7388486 | Method and system to detect tampering using light detector An optical anti-tamper system that includes at least one array of light sources located within a chassis and at least one array of photosensitive elements located within the chassis. The array of photosensitive elements are in communication with an alarm. The alarm ... | 06/17/2008 |
| 7356428 | Overhead traveling vehicle testing and calibration A method, system and test fixture for allowing testing and calibration of various operation parameters of an overhead traveling vehicle (hereinafter “OTV”) are disclosed. The invention implements a test fixture that includes a rotatable bearing set for rotatably... | 04/08/2008 |
| 7343220 | Optical vend-sensing system for control of vending machine For ensuring that a vending machine motor will continue to operate until a product has descended through a vending space or an established time interval has elapsed, an optical beam is established across the vend space through which a product must drop. A change in ... | 03/11/2008 |
| 7306239 | Height control system and sensor therefor A sensor for a height control system uses a transducer to detect changes in position of an arm relative to a vehicle and sends a proportional signal to a microprocessor that, in turn, actuates a pneumatic valve operably connected to an air spring between the arm and... | 12/11/2007 |
| 7265370 | Sensing light A method and apparatus senses light reflected off of a surface of an object at angles with respect to incident light. ... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7231273 | Substrate processing apparatus and method including obstacle detection A camera is fixed to a camera fixture extending forward and upward from a rear end of an arm mechanism. The camera picks up the direction of extension of the arm mechanism when the substrate is carried in and out. If a normal still image in a hot plate unit previous... | 06/12/2007 |
| 7173233 | Counter A lite-counting apparatus counts lites in a longitudinal array. During a traversal by the apparatus of a peripheral portion of the array, a beam of radiation is passed from at least one source to at least one detector. Based upon changes in the relative path taken b... | 02/06/2007 |
| 7130709 | Manufacturing information and alarming system and method Systems and methods for providing alarming indications and troubleshooting indications and actions in connection with a web converting manufacturing process such as that used for manufacturing disposable absorbent garments. Some of the disclosed embodiments include ... | 10/31/2006 |
| 7054714 | Installation for processing a semiconductor wafer and method for operating the installation An installation for processing a semiconductor wafer includes a semiconductor fabrication device having a load port, on which an identity code that can be read optically or through an effective electromagnetic field is stored. A mobile device, for example, a contain... | 05/30/2006 |
| 7021796 | Light engine apparatus and method A light engine includes a light source disposed at a focus of four ellipsoidal reflectors, where the reflectors are arranged at 90 degrees relative to one another. A condensing lens is used with each reflector to focus forwardly directed, low angle light rays onto a... | 04/04/2006 |
| 6979815 | Folding apparatus of a web-fed printing press including a conveyor belt monitoring device A folding apparatus (30) having at least one conveyor belt (10) which is used to convey signatures (64) at least on a section of a path (66, 68) of the signatures (64) through the folding apparatus (30). The folding apparatu... | 12/27/2005 |
| 6920372 | Audit monitoring and product drop system for retrofitting vending machines An audit monitoring and product drop system for retrofitting into an existing vending machine and a method of operating a vending machine is disclosed. A product drop sensor is provided to detect when a product to be dispensed drops through a product drop area of th... | 07/19/2005 |
| 6900795 | Unitary molded lens filter for touch screen interface A durable unitary lens filter is provided for use with a touch sensitive display device for associated control process equipment. A front cover secures the unitary lens filter to the machine. The lens assembly includes a mounting bezel that supports an intermediate ... | 05/31/2005 |
| 6884989 | Overhead-traveling carrying apparatus This invention has as an object thereof to provide an overhead-traveling carrying apparatus which is capable of inexpensively incorporating countermeasures for detecting the presence of an obstacle such as a human being or a carelessly placed object during the lower... | 04/26/2005 |
| 6794634 | Optical vend-sensing system for control of vending machine For ensuring that a vending machine motor will continue to operate until a product has descended through a vending space or an established time interval has elapsed, an optical beam is established across the vend space through which a product must drop. A change in ... | 09/21/2004 |
| 6785635 | Apparatus and method for predicting failures of spinning disks in turbo-machinery An apparatus is described for detecting the early signs of cycle-induced fatigue and thereby predicting failure of the rotating disk in turbo-machinery. It identifies change in shape of the entire disk in radial, tangential and axial directions. It examines these de... | 08/31/2004 |
| 6779760 | Safety system for overhead transport vehicle A safety system for an overhead transport (OHT) vehicle. In one embodiment, the safety system may include a pair of safety panels provided on opposite sides of the load and unload ports on a tool or stocker. An overhead sensor is provided on the OHT and is operably ... | 08/24/2004 |
| 6707027 | Method of measuring the movement of an input device An optical input device for an apparatus generates input signals by moving the device and an object (15) relative to each other and measures the movement by the effects of self-mixing in a diode laser (3, 5) and Doppler shift caused by the movement. Fo... | 03/16/2004 |
| 6504144 | Overhead-traveling carrying apparatus This invention has as an object thereof to provide an overhead-traveling carrying apparatus which is capable of inexpensively incorporating countermeasures for detecting the presence of an obstacle such as a human being or a carelessly placed object durin... | 01/07/2003 |
| 6317514 | Method and apparatus for inspection of patterned semiconductor wafers Novel method and apparatus are disclosed for inspecting a wafer surface to detect the presence thereon of exposed conductive material, particularly for determining the integrity of contact holes and vias, in semiconductor wafer manufacturing. The method c... | 11/13/2001 |
| 6055059 | System and method for measuring the density of fibers projecting from a planar surface A system and a method for determining the density in which fibers are disposed along a planar surface employs a source of irradiance and a detector of irradiance in optical communication. A planar surface is positioned slightly below the optical path betw... | 04/25/2000 |
| 5909210 | Keyboard-compatible optical determination of object's position A method of determining an object's position and associated apparatus provides positional information in a form that may be conveniently communicated to a computer to calculate the object's position. In a preferred embodiment, representatively incorporate... | 06/01/1999 |
| 5880954 | Continous real time safety-related control system A safety-related control system (SRCS) designed to safeguard personnel operating hazardous production equipment. The SRCS integrates the safety-related part of a machine into one homogenous system for the purpose of increasing safety. In so doing, the SRC... | 03/09/1999 |
| 5837997 | Structure and method for detecting plants in a field using a light pipe An optical proximity sensor generates information indicative of a distance to an object in a field and in some embodiments also generates information indicative of a spectral reflectance characteristic of the object. The information indicative of the spec... | 11/17/1998 |
| 5804830 | Three-dimensional non-contact scanning apparatus and method using at least one circular, planar array of a plurality of radiant energy sensors, and a rotating energy source A method of scanning and mapping the outer contour of a three-dimensional object, for example a person's foot, by locating a plurality of radiant-energy sensors in a circular array around the object, rotating a transmitter about the object to transmit rad... | 09/08/1998 |
| 5760413 | Method and apparatus for inspecting pipe thickness A plurality of radiation receiving elements disposed outside a pipe at equal distances from the axis thereof so that radiation from a radiation source is received through the pipe wall. As the thickness of the pipe wall varies, the received radiation vari... | 06/02/1998 |
| 5745050 | Obstacle detection apparatus for vehicles An obstacle detecting apparatus including a light projecting assembly for projecting the laser light generated in a laser light emitting element through a light emitting path, a light introducing assembly for introducing the laser light reflected by an ob... | 04/28/1998 |
| 5719679 | Method and apparatus for inspecting a rotating medicine vial with cameras A method is for inspecting a vial in the course of conveying the vial by a rotary table, comprising the steps of inspecting the vial's lower half at a station of the vial's lower portion while the vial is rotated from above with its head being chucked, in... | 02/17/1998 |
| 5686729 | Device for counting products stacked side-by-side This invention relates to a device for counting products (1) that are thin, stacked side by side and arranged edgewise in trays (2) packaged under a translucent shrink-on film, characterized in that it comprises: means (7) for illuminating the tray; means (91)... | 11/11/1997 |
| 5636026 | Method and system for contactless measurement of railroad wheel characteristics All critical wheel wear measurements on a static or in-motion train wheel are taken using a non-contact method/system. The train wheel is measured using a modulated point beam of energy impinging the wheel surface from an orthogonal direction, moving the ... | 06/03/1997 |
| 5631460 | Sorting machine using dual frequency optical detectors A photo-optical detector for use in a multi-chromatic sorting machine, each detector including at least two separate photodiode materials responsive to a different spectral range and a multi-peak optical filter having transmission response characteristics... | 05/20/1997 |
| 5615777 | Egg candling system A light beam such a laser beam is used to scan the surface of an egg for flaws such as pin holes, cracks, thinned shell regions, etc. The light beam is vibrated with a rocking/rotating movement to describe a closed curve such as a circle, ellipse or an el... | 04/01/1997 |
| 5606129 | Process for scanning inspection of rotationally symmetrical, particularly cylindrical, receptacles using a dynamic gas bearing, and inspection device for said process In order to perform all-around inspection of vials in particular, it is proposed that said vials (1) be dynamically mounted in an air-cushion bearing (13) with bearing shells (21a, 21b), that they be rotated with the air of a suction cup (15) that is radi... | 02/25/1997 |
| 5508512 | Sorting machine using dual frequency optical detectors A photo-optical detector for use in a multichromatic sorting machine, each detector including at least two separate photodiode materials responsive to a different spectral range and a multipeak optical filter having transmission response characteristics t... | 04/16/1996 |
| 5507455 | Automatic control device for flying state of remote-control toy airplane The present invention relates to an automatic detector for a control device for controlling the flying state of a remote-control toy airplane, which can provide automatic correction to maintain the remote-control toy airplane in a flying state in a level ... | 04/16/1996 |
| 5440397 | Apparatus and method for exposure An exposure apparatus and an exposure method capable of performing high-precision superposition exposure by preventing the thermal deformation of a position measurement target, for controlling positioning of a moved member, from influencing the correction... | 08/08/1995 |
