Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140142363 | MEMBRANE SEPARATION PROCESS USING MIXED VAPOR-LIQUID FEED - The present invention pertains to a pervaporation membrane process for the separation of high octane fuel components from a gasoline feed stream comprising feeding a mixed phase vapor-liquid feed to a cyclone separation means to separate the liquid from the vapor, then sending the saturated vapor to the membrane, thereby extending the useful life of the membrane. | 05-22-2014 |
20150353853 | FUEL SEPARATION METHOD - A fuel separation method by which auxiliary fuel is separated from blended gasoline fuel for a flexible fuel vehicle capable of using ethanol-blended gasoline fuel, the method including the following steps (a) and (b): (a) a step in which, when the ethanol concentration is low, the blended gasoline fuel is separated by a polar separating membrane member at a relatively high separation temperature to obtain, at the permeation side of the membrane, a first auxiliary fuel enriched with the aromatic gasoline components and ethanol component, and (b) a step in which, when the ethanol concentration is high, the blended gasoline fuel is separated by a polar separating membrane member at a relatively low second separation temperature to obtain, at the permeation side of the membrane, a second auxiliary fuel enriched with the non-aromatic high-volatile gasoline components. | 12-10-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080241844 | Devices and Methods for the Performance of Miniaturized In Vitro Assays - This invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. The invention specifically provides devices and methods for performing miniaturized in vitro assays on biological samples, such as the polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing reactions. Methods specific for the apparatus of the invention for performing PCR are provided. | 10-02-2008 |
20160038932 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR ACOUSTIC TREATMENT OF SAMPLES - A treatment vessel may allow a user, or automated system, to manipulate sample material within a treatment area during processing (e.g., focused acoustic treatment), as well as subject the sample material to a staged processing protocol. The vessel may include openings for receiving/discharging the sample material. Walls within the vessel may be movable between various positions, to permit or obstruct flow of sample material into or out from a treatment area. The wall(s) may push the sample material within the vessel, as well as adjust pressure levels within the treatment area. In some embodiments, an acoustic treatment system may include a flexible coupling medium that may be deformed toward the vessel upon an application of suitable pressure thereto. When the medium presses up against the vessel, defects (e.g., particles, bubbles, interfaces, etc.) that may otherwise be present along the acoustic wave path may be reduced. | 02-11-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090023603 | Methods for rapid multiplexed amplification of target nucleic acids - A fast, multiplexed PCR system is described that can rapidly generate amplified nucleic acid products, for example, a full STR profile, from a target nucleic acid. Such systems include, for example, microfluidic biochips and a custom built thermal cycler, which are also described. The resulting STR profiles can satisfy forensic guidelines for signal strength, inter-loci peak height balance, heterozygous peak height ratio, incomplete non-template nucleotide addition, and stutter. | 01-22-2009 |
20090059222 | Integrated nucleic acid analysis - The present disclosure provides fully integrated microfluidic systems to perform nucleic acid analysis. These processes include sample collection, nucleic acid extraction and purification, amplification, sequencing, and separation and detection. The present disclosure also provides optical detection systems and methods for separation and detection of biological molecules. In particular, the various aspects of the invention enable the simultaneous separation and detection of a plurality of biological molecules, typically fluorescent dye-labeled nucleic acids, within one or a plurality of microfluidic chambers or channels. The nucleic acids can be labeled with at least 6 dyes, each having a unique peak emission wavelength. The present systems and methods are particularly useful for DNA fragment sizing applications such as human identification by genetic fingerprinting and DNA sequencing applications such as clinical diagnostics. | 03-05-2009 |
20090229983 | Ruggedized apparatus for analysis of nucleic acid and proteins - The invention provides methods and systems for ruggedizing a nucleic acid analyzing apparatus. The ruggedized apparatus can be used reliably and effectively in uncontrolled environments, such as, for example at a crime scene to collect and analyze forensic data, as well as in semi-controlled environments, such as, for example at a point of care location. | 09-17-2009 |
20110312614 | METHODS FOR RAPID MULTIPLEXED AMPLIFICATION OF TARGET NUCLEIC ACIDS - A fast, multiplexed PCR system is described that can rapidly generate amplified nucleic acid products, for example, a full STR profile, from a target nucleic acid. Such systems include, for example, microfluidic biochips and a custom built thermal cycler, which are also described. The resulting STR profiles can satisfy forensic guidelines for signal strength, inter-loci peak height balance, heterozygous peak height ratio, incomplete non-template nucleotide addition, and stutter. | 12-22-2011 |
20120267247 | Ruggedized Apparatus for Analysis of Nucleic Acid and Proteins - The invention provides methods and systems for ruggedizing a nucleic acid analyzing apparatus. The ruggedized apparatus can be used reliably and effectively in uncontrolled environments, such as, for example at a crime scene to collect and analyze forensic data, as well as in semi-controlled environments, such as, for example at a point of care location. | 10-25-2012 |
20130155403 | Integrated Nucleic Acid Analysis - The present disclosure provides fully integrated microfluidic systems to perform nucleic acid analysis. These processes include sample collection, nucleic acid extraction and purification, amplification, sequencing, and separation and detection. The present disclosure also provides optical detection systems and methods for separation and detection of biological molecules. In particular, the various aspects of the invention enable the simultaneous separation and detection of a plurality of biological molecules, typically fluorescent dye-labeled nucleic acids, within one or a plurality of microfluidic chambers or channels. The nucleic acids can be labeled with at least 6 dyes, each having a unique peak emission wavelength. The present systems and methods are particularly useful for DNA fragment sizing applications such as human identification by genetic fingerprinting and DNA sequencing applications such as clinical diagnostics. | 06-20-2013 |
20130199933 | Ruggedized Apparatus for Analysis of Nucleic Acid and Proteins - The invention provides methods and systems for ruggedizing a nucleic acid analyzing apparatus. The ruggedized apparatus can be used reliably and effectively in uncontrolled environments, such as, for example at a crime scene to collect and analyze forensic data, as well as in semi-controlled environments, such as, for example at a point of care location. | 08-08-2013 |
20130213810 | Ruggedized Apparatus for Analysis of Nucleic Acid and Proteins - The invention provides methods and systems for ruggedizing a nucleic acid analyzing apparatus. The ruggedized apparatus can be used reliably and effectively in uncontrolled environments, such as, for example at a crime scene to collect and analyze forensic data, as well as in semi-controlled environments, such as, for example at a point of care location. | 08-22-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130091014 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR INTERFACING SOFTWARE ENGINES - A system, method and computer program product for interfacing a decision engine and a marketing engine in order to provide vendor-related data in response to decision-related data is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the system and method may include providing a decision engine on a user-accessible network; interfacing a marketing engine with the decision engine on the network; receiving a plurality of user inputs with the decision engine; processing decision-related data with the decision engine in accordance with the plurality of user inputs; sharing the decision-related data with the marketing engine; processing the decision-related data with the marketing engine; and transmitting vendor-related data via the network. | 04-11-2013 |
20130211927 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR COMPARING DECISION OPTIONS - A method for comparing decision options includes storing a set of decision options. The method includes determining for each decision option of the set of decision options, a plurality of factors, wherein each of the plurality of factors defines a respective metric. The method includes receiving a plurality of user preference indicators, each indicator corresponding to a respective factor of the plurality of factors. The method includes ranking the set of decision options in response to receiving a first user preference indicator. The method includes providing the user with a ranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the first user preference indicator. The method includes reranking the set of decision options in response to receiving a second user preference indicator and providing the user with a reranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the second user preference indicator. | 08-15-2013 |
20150112775 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR INTERFACING SOFTWARE ENGINES - A system, method and computer program product for interfacing a decision engine and a marketing engine in order to provide vendor-related data in response to decision-related data is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the system and method may include providing a decision engine on a user-accessible network; interfacing a marketing engine with the decision engine on the network; receiving a plurality of user inputs with the decision engine; processing decision-related data with the decision engine in accordance with the plurality of user inputs; sharing the decision-related data with the marketing engine; processing the decision-related data with the marketing engine; and transmitting vendor-related data via the network. | 04-23-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090159667 | CARDS WITH SERIAL MAGNETIC EMULATORS - A card is provided, such as a credit card or security card, that may transmit information to a magnetic stripe reader via a magnetic emulator. The emulator may transmit the information serially in order to reduce the amount of circuitry needed to emulate a particular block of information. Additionally, for example, a serial encoder may send any amount of information through a single emulation segment. Such a magnetic emulator may be provided on a credit card. A dynamic credit card number may be provided by, for example, coding a number with a different coding scheme for different periods of time. The magnetic emulator may be utilized to transmit a particular coded number for a particular period of time. In this manner, a dynamic credit card number may be provided such that to help secure, and progress, a payment transaction. | 06-25-2009 |
20090159669 | CARDS WITH SERIAL MAGNETIC EMULATORS - A card is provided, such as a credit card or security card, that may transmit information to a magnetic stripe reader via a magnetic emulator. The emulator may transmit the information serially in order to reduce the amount of circuitry needed to emulate a particular block of information. Additionally, for example, a serial encoder may send any amount of information through a single emulation segment. Such a magnetic emulator may be provided on a credit card. A dynamic credit card number may be provided by, for example, coding a number with a different coding scheme for different periods of time. The magnetic emulator may be utilized to transmit a particular coded number for a particular period of time. In this manner, a dynamic credit card number may be provided such that to help secure, and progress, a payment transaction. | 06-25-2009 |
20090159672 | CARDS WITH SERIAL MAGNETIC EMULATORS - A card is provided, such as a credit card or security card, that may transmit information to a magnetic stripe reader via a magnetic emulator. The emulator may transmit the information serially in order to reduce the amount of circuitry needed to emulate a particular block of information. Additionally, for example, a serial encoder may send any amount of information through a single emulation segment. Such a magnetic emulator may be provided on a credit card. A dynamic credit card number may be provided by, for example, coding a number with a different coding scheme for different periods of time. The magnetic emulator may be utilized to transmit a particular coded number for a particular period of time. In this manner, a dynamic credit card number may be provided such that to help secure, and progress, a payment transaction. | 06-25-2009 |
20110272473 | CARDS WITH SERIAL MAGNETIC EMULATORS - A card is provided, such as a credit card or security card, that may transmit information to a magnetic stripe reader via a magnetic emulator. The emulator may transmit the information serially in order to reduce the amount of circuitry needed to emulate a particular block of information. Additionally, for example, a serial encoder may send any amount of information through a single emulation segment. Such a magnetic emulator may be provided on a credit card. A dynamic credit card number may be provided by, for example, coding a number with a different coding scheme for different periods of time. The magnetic emulator may be utilized to transmit a particular coded number for a particular period of time. In this manner, a dynamic credit card number may be provided such that to help secure, and progress, a payment transaction. | 11-10-2011 |
20110272480 | CARDS WITH SERIAL MAGNETIC EMULATORS - A card is provided, such as a credit card or security card, that may transmit information to a magnetic stripe reader via a magnetic emulator. The emulator may transmit the information serially in order to reduce the amount of circuitry needed to emulate a particular block of information. Additionally, for example, a serial encoder may send any amount of information through a single emulation segment. Such a magnetic emulator may be provided on a credit card. A dynamic credit card number may be provided by, for example, coding a number with a different coding scheme for different periods of time. The magnetic emulator may be utilized to transmit a particular coded number for a particular period of time. In this manner, a dynamic credit card number may be provided such that to help secure, and progress, a payment transaction. | 11-10-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080275468 | SKIN PERMEATION DEVICE FOR ANALYTE SENSING OR TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY - Devices, systems, kits and methods for increasing the skin's permeability controlled by measured skin electrical parameter are described herein. They may be used for transdermal drug delivery and/or analyte extraction or measurement. The controlled abrasion device contains (i) a hand piece, (ii) an abrasive tip, (iii) a feedback control mechanism, (iv) two or more electrodes, and (v) an electrical motor. The feedback control mechanism may be an internal feedback control mechanism or an external feedback control. The kit contains the controlled abrasion-device, one or more abrasive tips, optionally with a wetting fluid. The method for increasing the skin's permeability requires applying the controlled abrasion device to a portion of the skin's surface for a short period of time, until the desired level of permeability is reached. Then the abrasion device is removed, and a drug delivery composition or device or an analyte sensor is applied to the treated site. | 11-06-2008 |
20110130706 | SEQUENTIAL BODY SURFACE TREATMENT - The present methods and systems provide treatment of a preselected body surface by injuring a portion of the body surface, optionally applying a composition such as a pharmaceutical agent to the injured portion of the body surface, and selection of a further portion on the body surface for the same or different injury and optional contacting with the same or different composition, wherein the further portion has a preselected geometry with respect to the first injured portion. The repetition of the selection, injury, and optional exposure to a composition with respect to successive portions of the body surface, optionally under partial or total computer control, provides efficient treatment of the body surface pursuant to the objective of regeneration, remodeling, resurfacing, restoration, follicular neogenesis, neocollagenesis, stem cell recruitment, activation, or differentiation, reepitheliazation, wound healing, or any other desired biological or physical modification. | 06-02-2011 |
20110130711 | HAIR GROWTH TREATMENT - The present disclosure provides methods and systems for increasing hair growth in subjects in need thereof due to male- or female-pattern hair loss, pathological hair loss, or hair loss after injury. By any use of any appropriate mechanical, electromagnetic, or chemical means, the present disclosure pertains to the segmentation of hair follicles into two or more disunited subunits in order to form new follicles from the respective subunits. In contrast with known techniques for bisecting hair follicles and as described more fully herein, the present methods and systems permit the bisection of single follicles or populations of follicles with a high degree of efficiency, and thereby represent an effective treatment option for those in need of increased hair growth. | 06-02-2011 |
20110130748 | BODY SURFACE TREATMENT - The present methods and systems provide the induction of preselected injury types to target areas of tissue in an iterative manner in order to provide beneficial treatment with respect to a desired body surface. The methods and systems disclosed herein may include the precise selection of target areas for treatment, which may itself involve identifying physical features that require treatment, distinguishing areas or features that are not suitable for treatment, or both. The present modalities are distinguishable from prior methodologies having lower rates of success because of the failure of the latter to match treatment or treatment type with specific physical features. | 06-02-2011 |
20130137951 | Skin Permeation Device for Analyte Sensing or Transdermal Drug Delivery - Devices, systems, kits and methods for increasing the skin's permeability controlled by measured skin electrical parameter are described herein. They may be used for transdermal drug delivery and/or analyte extraction or measurement. The controlled abrasion device contains (i) a hand piece, (ii) an abrasive tip, (iii) a feedback control mechanism, (iv) two or more electrodes, and (v) an electrical motor. Preferably the feedback control mechanism is an internal feedback control mechanism. In this embodiment, the abrasive tip contains two electrodes, i.e. both the source electrode and the return electrode. In another embodiment, the feedback control mechanism is an external feedback control. In the preferred embodiment for external feedback control, the device contains a co-axial or concentric arrangement of the two electrodes. In this embodiment, the abrasive tip contains the source electrode and the return electrode is located at the proximal end of the hand piece. The abrasive tip can be made of any material with a surface that can abrade skin. The material can be conductive or non-conductive. The controlled abrasion device may be provided in a kit, where the kit contains the device, one or more abrasive tips, optionally with a wetting fluid. The method for increasing the skin's permeability requires applying the controlled abrasion device to a portion of the skin's surface for a short period of time. The desired level of skin impedance, and thus the resulting permeability of the treated site, can be set at a predetermined value. Alternatively, the level of skin impedance can be selected based on the desired level of skin integrity, the subject's sensation of discomfort, or the duration of the application. The device contains a control mechanism which uses an appropriate algorithm or signal processing on the conductivity information provided by the electrodes to determine when the desired level of skin permeability has been reached. Once the desired level has been reached, the abrasion device is removed and either a drug delivery composition or device or an analyte sensor is applied to the treated site. | 05-30-2013 |
20130204238 | COMBINATION THERAPY - The present methods, systems, and kits permit the induction of multimodal injury to a subject's skin. This approach maximizes the responsiveness of the treated area to treatments for producing hair follicles; exciting, activating, and dispersing existing hair-producing structures; and bringing about other physiological changes that correspond to increased hair growth and/or the growth of more robust hairs. In contrast with conventional methodologies, the present methods and systems provide heretofore unattainable advantages through use of a multi-pronged approach of de novo hair follicle production, in combination with reorganization of existing structures to produce new follicular units, as well as pharmaceutical enhancement of both processes, and other gainful techniques. | 08-08-2013 |
20140079686 | Methods For Treating Baldness And Promoting Hair Growth - The invention relates to methods of treating baldness, treating alopecia, promoting hair growth, and/or promoting hair follicle development and/or activation or stimulation on an area of the skin of a subject (for example, a human) by subjecting said area of the skin to integumental perturbation. Integumental perturbation can be used in combination with other treatments for promoting hair growth. The invention provides devices for integumental perturbation for promoting hair growth, and provides pharmaceutical compositions for use in combination with integumental perturbation for promoting hair growth. | 03-20-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110084207 | Charged Particle Beam System Having Multiple User-Selectable Operating Modes - A method for performing milling and imaging in a focused ion beam (FIB) system employing an inductively-coupled plasma ion source, wherein two sets of FIB system operating parameters are utilized: a first set representing optimized parameters for operating the FIB system in a milling mode, and a second set representing optimized parameters for operating in an imaging mode. These operating parameters may comprise the gas pressure in the ICP source, the RF power to the ICP source, the ion extraction voltage, and in some embodiments, various parameters within the FIB system ion column, including lens voltages and the beam-defining aperture diameter. An optimized milling process provides a maximum milling rate for bulk (low spatial resolution) rapid material removal from the surface of a substrate. An optimized imaging process provides minimized material removal and higher spatial resolutions for improved imaging of the substrate area being milled. | 04-14-2011 |
20110198511 | Plasma Igniter for an Inductively Coupled Plasma Ion Source - A focused ion beam (FIB) system is disclosed, comprising an inductively coupled plasma ion source, an insulating plasma chamber containing the plasma, a conducting source biasing electrode in contact with the plasma and biased to a high voltage to control the ion beam energy at a sample, and a plurality of apertures. The plasma within the plasma chamber serves as a virtual source for an ion column comprising one or more lenses which form a focused ion beam on the surface of a sample to be imaged and/or FIB-processed. The plasma is initiated by a plasma igniter mounted near or at the column which induces a high voltage oscillatory pulse on the source biasing electrode. By mounting the plasma igniter near the column, capacitive effects of the cable connecting the source biasing electrode to the biasing power supply are minimized. Ion beam sputtering of the apertures is minimized by proper aperture materials selection. | 08-18-2011 |
20110272592 | Encapsulation of Electrodes in Solid Media for use in conjunction with Fluid High Voltage Isolation - An inductively-coupled plasma source for a focused charged particle beam system includes a conductive shield that provides improved electrical isolation and reduced capacitive RF coupling and a dielectric fluid that insulates and cools the plasma chamber. The conductive shield may be enclosed in a solid dielectric media. The dielectric fluid may be circulated by a pump or not circulated by a pump. A heat tube can be used to cool the dielectric fluid. | 11-10-2011 |
20120032092 | Plasma Igniter for an Inductively Coupled Plasma Ion Source - A focused ion beam (FIB) system is disclosed, comprising an inductively coupled plasma ion source, an insulating plasma chamber containing the plasma, a conducting source biasing electrode in contact with the plasma and biased to a high voltage to control the ion beam energy at a sample, and a plurality of apertures. The plasma within the plasma chamber serves as a virtual source for an ion column comprising one or more lenses which form a focused ion beam on the surface of a sample to be imaged and/or FIB-processed. The plasma is initiated by a plasma igniter mounted near or at the column which induces a high voltage oscillatory pulse on the source biasing electrode. By mounting the plasma igniter near the column, capacitive effects of the cable connecting the source biasing electrode to the biasing power supply are minimized. Ion beam sputtering of the apertures is minimized by proper aperture materials selection. | 02-09-2012 |
20120091360 | CHARGED PARTICLE BEAM SYSTEM HAVING MULTIPLE USER-SELECTABLE OPERATING MODES - A method for performing milling and imaging in a focused ion beam (FIB) system employing an inductively-coupled plasma ion source, wherein two sets of FIB system operating parameters are utilized: a first set representing optimized parameters for operating the FIB system in a milling mode, and a second set representing optimized parameters for operating in an imaging mode. These operating parameters may comprise the gas pressure in the ICP source, the RF power to the ICP source, the ion extraction voltage, and in some embodiments, various parameters within the FIB system ion column, including lens voltages and the beam-defining aperture diameter. An optimized milling process provides a maximum milling rate for bulk (low spatial resolution) rapid material removal from the surface of a substrate. An optimized imaging process provides minimized material removal and higher spatial resolutions for improved imaging of the substrate area being milled. | 04-19-2012 |
20120261587 | Encapsulation of Electrodes in Solid Media for use in conjunction with Fluid High Voltage Isolation - An inductively-coupled plasma source for a focused charged particle beam system includes a conductive shield that provides improved electrical isolation and reduced capacitive RF coupling and a dielectric fluid that insulates and cools the plasma chamber. The conductive shield may be enclosed in a solid dielectric media. The dielectric fluid may be circulated by a pump or not circulated by a pump. A heat tube can be used to cool the dielectric fluid. | 10-18-2012 |
20130015765 | Methods and Structures for Rapid Switching Between Different Process Gases in an Inductively-Coupled Plasma (ICP) Ion SourceAANM Graupera; AnthonyAACI HillsboroAAST ORAACO USAAGP Graupera; Anthony Hillsboro OR USAANM Kellogg; SeanAACI PortlandAAST ORAACO USAAGP Kellogg; Sean Portland OR USAANM Utlaut; Mark W.AACI ScappooseAAST ORAACO USAAGP Utlaut; Mark W. Scappoose OR USAANM Parker; N. WilliamAACI HillsboroAAST ORAACO USAAGP Parker; N. William Hillsboro OR US - An openable gas passage provides for rapid pumpout of process or bake out gases in an inductively coupled plasma source in a charged particle beam system. A valve, typically positioned in the source electrode or part of the gas inlet, increases the gas conductance when opened to pump out the plasma chamber and closes during operation of the plasma source. | 01-17-2013 |
20130134855 | System for Attachment of an Electrode into an Inductively Coupled Plasma Source - An inductively coupled plasma charged particle source for focused ion beam systems includes a plasma reaction chamber with a removably attached source electrode. A fastening mechanism connects the source electrode with the plasma reaction chamber and allows for a heat-conductive, vacuum seal to form. With a removable source electrode, improved serviceability and reuse of the plasma source tube are now possible. | 05-30-2013 |
20130187058 | Determination of Emission Parameters from Field Emission Sources - The state of an emitter can be determined by measurements of how the current changes with the extraction voltage. A field factor β function is determined by series of relatively simple measurements of charged particles emitted at different conditions. The field factor can then be used to determine derived characteristics of the emission that, in the prior art, were difficult to determine without removing the source from the focusing column and mounting it in a specialized apparatus. The relations are determined by the source configuration and have been found to be independent of the emitter shape, and so emission character can be determined as the emitter shape changes over time, without having to determine the emitter shape and without having to redefine the relation between the field factor and the series of relatively simple measurements, and the relationships between the field factor and other emission parameters. | 07-25-2013 |
20130250293 | Method and Apparatus for Actively Monitoring an Inductively-Coupled Plasma Ion Source using an Optical Spectrometer - A method and apparatus for actively monitoring conditions of a plasma source for adjustment and control of the source and to detect the presence of unwanted contaminant species in a plasma reaction chamber. Preferred embodiments include a spectrometer used to quantify components of the plasma. A system controller is provided that uses feedback loops based on spectral analysis of the plasma to regulate the ion composition of the plasma source. The system also provides endpointing means based on spectral analysis to determine when cleaning of the plasma source is completed. | 09-26-2013 |
20130256553 | Automated Ion Beam Idle - An improved method and apparatus for shutting down and restoring an ion beam in an ion beam system. Preferred embodiments provide a system for improved power control of a focused ion beam source, which utilizes an automatic detection of when a charged particle beam system is idle (the beam itself is not in use) and then automatically reducing the beam current to a degree where little or no ion milling occurs at any aperture plane in the ion column. Preferred embodiments include a controller operable to modify voltage to an extractor electrode and/or to reduce voltage to a source electrode when idle state of an ion source of the charged particle beam system is detected. | 10-03-2013 |
20130320229 | IMAGING AND PROCESSING FOR PLASMA ION SOURCE - Applicants have found that energetic neutral particles created by a charged exchange interaction between high energy ions and neutral gas molecules reach the sample in a ion beam system using a plasma source. The energetic neutral create secondary electrons away from the beam impact point. Methods to solve the problem include differentially pumped chambers below the plasma source to reduce the opportunity for the ions to interact with gas. | 12-05-2013 |
20140306607 | Methods and Structures for Rapid Switching Between Different Process Gases in an Inductively-Coupled Plasma (ICP) Ion Source - An openable gas passage provides for rapid pumpout of process or bake out gases in an inductively coupled plasma source in a charged particle beam system. A valve, typically positioned in the source electrode or part of the gas inlet, increases the gas conductance when opened to pump out the plasma chamber and closes during operation of the plasma source. | 10-16-2014 |
20150102230 | High Voltage Isolation of an Inductively Coupled Plasma Ion Source with a Liquid that is not Actively Pumped - An inductively-coupled plasma source for a focused charged particle beam system includes a plasma chamber and a fluid that is not actively pumped surrounding the plasma chamber for providing high voltage isolation between the plasma chamber and nearby parts which are at ground potential, such as a conductive shield. One or more cooling devices cool the plasma chamber by using evaporative cooling and heat pipes to dissipate the heat from the plasma chamber into a surrounding environment. | 04-16-2015 |
20150357166 | METHOD FOR ATTACHMENT OF AN ELECTRODE INTO AN INDUCTIVELY-COUPLED PLASMA - An inductively coupled plasma charged particle source for focused ion beam systems includes a plasma reaction chamber with a removably attached source electrode. A fastening mechanism connects the source electrode with the plasma reaction chamber and allows for a heat-conductive, vacuum seal to form. With a removable source electrode, improved serviceability and reuse of the plasma source tube are now possible. | 12-10-2015 |
20150380204 | IMAGING AND PROCESSING FOR PLASMA ION SOURCE - Applicants have found that energetic neutral particles created by a charged exchange interaction between high energy ions and neutral gas molecules reach the sample in a ion beam system using a plasma source. The energetic neutral create secondary electrons away from the beam impact point. Methods to solve the problem include differentially pumped chambers below the plasma source to reduce the opportunity for the ions to interact with gas. | 12-31-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110225200 | PRIVACY-PRESERVING METHOD FOR SKIMMING OF DATA FROM A COLLABORATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE - A method and system for harvesting collaboration data in accordance with a privacy policy is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises defining a privacy policy for collaboration data, said privacy policy including a list of fields associated with the collaboration data to be harvested; harvesting the collaboration data associated with the fields specified as allowable under the privacy policy; transforming the collaboration data associated with the fields specified as allowable if said collaboration data can be transformed in accordance with a set of rules defined in the privacy policy; and storing the harvested collaboration data in a database. | 09-15-2011 |
20150031002 | RECOMMENDING REESTABLISHMENT OF DISCONTINUED PRODUCTIVE HABITS - A method, system and computer program for recommending reestablishment of discontinued productive habits. An example method includes recording behaviors over time in pursuit of an identified goal, measuring progress towards an identified goal over time, identifying one or more periods of time where positive progress toward the identified goal resulted, identifying one or more periods of time where negative progress toward an identified goal resulted, identifying, by an electronic computer processor, differences in the behaviors between the periods of time where the positive progress resulted and the periods of time where the negative progress resulted, and recommending behavior changes based on the identified differences of the behaviors. | 01-29-2015 |
20150074109 | CREATION AND USE OF CLOSELY-MATCHED GROUPS TO AID IN INITIATING AND SUSTAINING BEHAVIORAL CHANGE - A method and system for sharing data between a plurality of users in an online group on a communications system includes receiving data from a plurality of users. The data includes personal characteristics about the users. The personal characteristics are analyzed to determine groups of personal characteristics. The users are clustered into closely matched groups based on the groups of personal characteristics. A plurality of activity information is generated about the users in each of the closely matched groups. The activity information may include a physical activity, a location, and a time of day. User may be allowed access to the activity information about other users in each of the closely matched groups, respectively. | 03-12-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080301295 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USAGE-BASED MISINFORMATION DETECTION AND RESPONSE - Methods of detecting, and providing a notification of, the existence of misinformation using usage patterns of a network service enable an organization to respond to the misinformation. The method includes establishing common usage patterns of the network service, identifying an irregular usage pattern, determining that the irregular usage pattern was caused by misinformation, and responding to the misinformation. | 12-04-2008 |
20090292578 | Articulation Workload Metrics - A method for determining an allocation of a workload includes identifying an employee in an organization having the workload, associating the employee with an articulation workload metric, and determining the allocation of the workload to the employee according to the articulation workload metric. | 11-26-2009 |
20130253969 | Broadcast Messaging of Incentives Based on Value - A method for a provider to generate incentives for users to perform tasks includes the following steps. The tasks are assigned to the users to obtain a matrix of task assignments in which each of the users is assigned to at least one of the tasks and each of the tasks is assigned to at least one of the users, wherein each of the task assignments has a value and a cost to the provider, wherein for a given one of the task assignments the value less the cost to the provider is an economic utility to the provider, and wherein the step of assigning the tasks to the users is done so as to maximize a net benefit to the provider which is a sum of the economic utility for all of the task assignments. Incentives are offered to the users to perform the task assignments. | 09-26-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140122154 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING TEXT MESSAGING CONFIRMATION - A method for providing confirmation of a request for a target communicated using text messaging includes receiving, by a sending system, a request for a target. The method further includes selecting, by the sending system, a telephone number from a list of telephone numbers, wherein a mapping is created between the request, the selected telephone number, the target, and a target contact. Additionally, the method includes sending, by the sending system to the target contact using the selected telephone number, a text message indicating the request for the target. Moreover, the method includes receiving a reply message from the target contact using the selected telephone number, and determining that the reply message comprises a reply to the request for the target by comparing the target contact and the selected telephone number for the reply message to the mapping. | 05-01-2014 |
20140236350 | INTEGRATED REAL ESTATE SHOWING SCHEDULING AND KEY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A system and method for dispensing a key from a key kiosk disposed at a realtor's office near a real property based on a showing appointment scheduled with a showing scheduling system. The appointment, including a date and time, as well as an authorized user is communicated from the showing scheduling system to the key kiosk. The user then authenticates herself or himself to the kiosk at the appropriate time, and the key is dispensed. The kiosk authenticates the user by scanning a QR code or using the physical location of the user. The kiosk will not dispense the key if the user has a different key that is checked out, but not returned yet. The key can be returned to the kiosk where it is dispensed, or a different key kiosk. The kiosk also dispenses a single common key when the user shows multiple properties. | 08-21-2014 |