Did You Know...
...that the Slinky toy was the result of a failed attempt by engineer Richard James to produce an antivibration device for ship instruments? His goal was to develop a spring that would instantaneously counterbalance the wave motion that rocks a ship at sea. Instead, he developed the Slinky.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7538335 | Spectral filter with dye-impregnated resonant nano-spheres Embodiments of spectral filters with dye-impregnated nano-spheres are described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, a spectral filter comprises a host material that includes a plurality of nano-particles embedded within. The ... | 05/26/2009 |
| 7349075 | Machine for detecting sheet-like object, and validating machine using the same A validating machine 30 according to the present invention is provided with a validation sensor 2 having a first-side light emitting device 8 and a first-side light receiving device 10 disposed closely to each other and a validation senso... | 03/25/2008 |
| 7339702 | Picture reading device for discriminating the type of recording medium and apparatus thereof Provided is a picture reading device that is suited for discriminating the type/surface condition of a recording medium while requiring only a small circuit scale and less memory, and an image forming apparatus that uses the picture reading device. In a CMOS area se... | 03/04/2008 |
| 7315379 | Evaluating method and apparatus thereof A measurement apparatus measures the spatial distributed characteristic of reflection of an object. Evaluate parameters used to evaluate the gloss character of the object are extracted based on the measurement result. An evaluate value indicating the gloss character... | 01/01/2008 |
| 7301142 | Optical encoder photodetector array with multiple resolutions A photodetector for an optical encoder has plural sets of segmented photodiodes, each set of which is made by two adjoining segmented photodiodes capable of coping with a scale slit having a reference resolution. Output lines of the two adjoining segmented photodiod... | 11/27/2007 |
| 7300218 | System and method for improving print quality on mail pieces having low reflectivity A printing system is provided that dynamically adjusts the method of printing an image based on the lightness or darkness of the medium upon which the image will be printed. The reflectivity of the medium upon which an image is to be printed is determined, and the w... | 11/27/2007 |
| 7285771 | Optical sensor An optical sensor assembly includes a housing and a light source within the housing and a plurality of sensors within the housing, the sensors being configured to detect reflections of the light from a piece of media or other object adjacent the housing. ... | 10/23/2007 |
| 7253904 | Method and device for in-line measurement of characteristics of the surface coating of a metallurgy product To measure the characteristics of the surface coating of a moving metal strip, such as the alliation level of a coating including zinc and iron, the product is exposed to the radiation of a radiative source with a predetermined wavelength directed orthogonally to th... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7214955 | Media recognition using a single light detector Media type is detected. A light beam is produced. The intensity of a specular reflectance component of the light beam is detected. The specular reflectance component results from the light beam being reflected off media. An indication of detected intensity of the sp... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7215418 | Inspection of transparent substrates for defects Methods, apparatus and systems for the detection of defects in transparent substrates such as glass sheets are disclosed. The methods, apparatus and systems are capable of detecting optical path length variations in transparent substrates smaller than 100 nm. ... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7205561 | Media sensor apparatus using a two component media sensor for media absence detection An imaging apparatus includes a media support surface. A light source and a light detector are positioned in relation to a reflective surface such that when a sheet of print media covers the reflective surface, a reflected specular light component of a light beam is... | 04/17/2007 |
| 7196777 | Global laser rangefinder profilometry Two light beams from respective light-emitting devices (e.g., lasers or lamps) cross each other and strike a surface (e.g., of a fluid) at respective oblique orientations relative to the surface (e.g., oblique but nearly vertical orientations that are equal and oppo... | 03/27/2007 |
| 7195727 | Extruded automotive trim and method of making same An automotive trim product is made as follows. A single or multiple layer sheet is extruded so as to include at least one color pigmented and/or metallized layer therein. Optionally, a clear coat may be laminated to the sheet, or may even be coextruded therewith. In... | 03/27/2007 |
| 7183534 | Photodetector, method of using the same, and image forming apparatus A photodetector includes a light emitting portion for applying light, a light receiving portion for sensing the light, and a light guiding member 3 for guiding the light from the light emitting portion to a surface to be measured and guiding detection light f... | 02/27/2007 |
| 7173709 | Multi-grade object sorting system and method A paper sorting system allows the high speed determination of color, glossiness and the presence of printed matter for individual sheets of paper in a stream of waste paper. Sorting criteria may be selected from a plurality of predefined options to sort the paper st... | 02/06/2007 |
| 7166856 | Apparatus and method to inspect display panels An apparatus and method to inspect a display panel that can correctly detect a defect of the display panel itself. In the method of inspecting the display panel, a first image is captured from the display panel in a state in which no pattern is applied to the displa... | 01/23/2007 |
| 7157725 | Discrimination device for types or configurations of discrimination subjects A discrimination device which is disposed on a conveyance path of conveyed items, such as planographic printing plates, slip sheets and the like. The discrimination device is structured with a first sensor, which detects presence or absence of the conveyed items, an... | 01/02/2007 |
| 7154111 | Cornea characteristics measuring device An apparatus for measuring characteristics of a substance is provided. The apparatus includes a light source to generate light to form an image. A splitter transmits the light from the light source to a first lens, which collimates the light. A second lens receives ... | 12/26/2006 |
| 7145160 | Method and apparatus to discriminate the class of medium to form image A method and an apparatus to determine a class of a medium on which an image is formed. The method includes emitting light to the medium; sensing the light affected by the medium; collecting a first predetermined number of features which are represented by a relatio... | 12/05/2006 |
| 7130573 | Image forming apparatus In an image forming apparatus that judges the type of sheet by using an image pickup device, it is possible to read an image which does not blur and is excellent in precision even if the shutter period of time of the image pickup device is made long, and even in the... | 10/31/2006 |
| 7118187 | Inkjet recording apparatus having an adjusting mechanism for adjusting moving of a recording medium An inkjet recording apparatus having therein: a recording head, a recording head moving device, a recording medium feeding device, a mark recording device to print a predetermined ... | 10/10/2006 |
| 7109507 | Optical object identifying device and printing apparatus An optical object identifying device has a light-emitting device, a first photodetector and a second photodetector. In the optical object identifying device, an angle of 10 to 30 degrees is formed between the optical axis of the light-emitting device and the surface... | 09/19/2006 |
| 7104627 | Varying printing speed based upon the differentiation between porous and swellable media via ink/toner dry time profiles This invention relates to a method for varying a printing speed based upon ink/toner dry time profiles, comprising the steps of: determining a gloss reading of an ink/toner located on a media; determining an actual ink/toner dry time profile for the media; determini... | 09/12/2006 |
| 7084418 | Process and device for recognition of substrate stock by means of light-sensitive sensors Recognizing a substrate stock by light-sensitive sensors inside a printing unit, by a sensor that can recognize several ranges of light wavelengths. By separate recognition of various ranges of light wavelengths, a substrate stock is recognized whenever the total re... | 08/01/2006 |
| 7049620 | Media type sensing method for an imaging apparatus A method of correcting for sensitivity variation of media sensors includes determining a first signal level corresponding to a first calibration media having a first glossiness; determining a second signal level corresponding to a second calibration media having a s... | 05/23/2006 |
| 7041997 | Device and method for optical control under diffuse illumination and observation means of crockery items or any glazed ceramic products The invention concerns a method and a device for controlling the surface of ceramic tableware products/ceramic crockery items (and the like, in accordance with the general definition provided in the introduction). The invention is characterised in that it consists, ... | 05/09/2006 |
| 7034324 | Apparatus for sensing optical characteristics of a banknote The optical characteristics of a banknote are measured by using first and second sets of optical devices positioned on respective sides of the banknote path. Each device includes a transmitter and an adjacent pair of receivers, the receivers being capable of receivi... | 04/25/2006 |
| 7024031 | System and method for inspection using off-angle lighting A system for inspecting components is provided. The system includes an axial lighting system that illuminates the component with axial lighting to allow one or more features of the component to be located, such as by causing protruding features to be brighter than t... | 04/04/2006 |
| 7005661 | Optical object identification apparatus, and printing apparatus and object classification apparatus using same An optical object identification apparatus has a light emitting-side optical system (23), a light receiving-side optical system (26), and a signal processing section (29). The light emitting-side optical system (23) irradiates light from ... | 02/28/2006 |
| 6979953 | Auto-operated dip switching mechanism An auto-operated dip switching mechanism includes a strong-light detector, a strong-light signal circuit, and a switching control circuit. The strong-light detector is mounted to a front end of a car to detect light projected from an opposite coming car. The strong-... | 12/27/2005 |
| 6951375 | Large area marking device and method for printing A method and apparatus for printing an image on a large surface area or walkway provides for imagewise marking of the surface with a color marking solution, to form a visible image on the surface during an image recording mode of a marking engine. The marking engine... | 10/04/2005 |
| 6900449 | Media type sensing method for an imaging apparatus A media type sensing method for an imaging apparatus includes the steps of changing a light intensity of a light source by changing a drive signal, while monitoring for an output change of a comparator; determining a drive signal value of the drive signal at a point... | 05/31/2005 |
| 6850264 | Edge detection apparatus and method An edge detection apparatus for detecting an edge on a surface. The apparatus comprises a source of coherent radiation for generating a radiation beam and directing the beam onto the surface. A radiation detector is located so as to detect radiation diffusely reflec... | 02/01/2005 |
| 6838687 | Identification of recording media The present invention is a method and device for identifying recording media in a printer. The invention utilizes fine structure of the media revealed by illumination from one or more directions to distinguish among different kinds of plain papers, coated papers, su... | 01/04/2005 |
| 6825484 | Surface reflectivity discriminating device Apparatus and method for discriminating between plate and interleave paper in a CTP device having a cassette with printing plates and interleave paper. The device uses a light source for illuminating the topmost object in the cassette, a first optical sensor for rec... | 11/30/2004 |
| 6794669 | Media sensing apparatus for detecting an absence of print media A media sensing apparatus includes a media sensor including a light source for generating a light beam, and a diffuse detector positioned in relation to the light source for detecting diffuse light components reflected from a sheet of print media. A media support is... | 09/21/2004 |
| 6713775 | Method to correct for sensitivity variation of media sensors A method of correcting for sensitivity variation of media sensors includes the steps of determining a first reflectance ratio of a first calibration media having a first glossiness; determining a second reflectance ratio of a second calibration media having a second... | 03/30/2004 |
| 6697152 | Surface cleaning and particle counting A method and an apparatus for detecting removable particulates initially on a test surface or surface to be inspected. The removable particles are transferred to a portion of a tacky surface on a carrier by adhering and then removing the portion of the ta... | 02/24/2004 |
| 6291829 | Identification of recording medium in a printer The present invention is a method and device for identifying recording media in a printer. The invention utilizes fine structure of the media revealed by illumination from one or more directions to distinguish among different kinds of plain papers, coated... | 09/18/2001 |
| 6292319 | Thin retroreflective marker for identifying an object A cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a thin retroreflective marker. Light from a source is reflected from the marker almost exactly on its incident path. A planar light shaping optical structure such as a holographic light shaping diffuser (LSD) ... | 09/18/2001 |
