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Norton, CA
Adam Norton, Palo Alto, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20100085576 | AUTO FOCUS OF A WORKPIECE USING TWO OR MORE FOCUS PARAMETERS - Provided is a method for focusing a workpiece in the Z-axis for optical metrology. The auto focusing subsystem includes a focus detector having a tilt angle, a capture range, and a plurality of sensors. A processor coupled to the focus detector is configured to utilize the plurality of focus signals measured using the focus detector to determine two or more focus parameters. The two or more focus parameters and calibration data are used to determine an initial position of the workpiece and to generate instructions to move the workpiece to a best focus position. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100201981 | CALIBRATION METHOD FOR OPTICAL METROLOGY - A zoned order sorting filter for a spectrometer in a semiconductor metrology system is disclosed with reduced light dispersion at the zone joints. The order sorting filter comprises optically-transparent layers deposited underneath, or on top of thin-film filter stacks of the order sorting filter zones, wherein the thicknesses of the optically-transparent layers are adjusted such that the total optical lengths traversed by light at a zone joint are substantially equal in zones adjacent the zone joint. A method for wavelength to detector array pixel location calibration of spectrometers is also disclosed, capable of accurately representing the highly localized nonlinearities of the calibration curve in the vicinity of zone joints of an order sorting filter. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100202055 | DIFFRACTION ORDER SORTING FILTER FOR OPTICAL METROLOGY - A zoned order sorting filter for a spectrometer in a semiconductor metrology system is disclosed with reduced light dispersion at the zone joints. The order sorting filter comprises optically-transparent layers deposited underneath, or on top of thin-film filter stacks of the order sorting filter zones, wherein the thicknesses of the optically-transparent layers are adjusted such that the total optical lengths traversed by light at a zone joint are substantially equal in zones adjacent the zone joint. A method for wavelength to detector array pixel location calibration of spectrometers is also disclosed, capable of accurately representing the highly localized nonlinearities of the calibration curve in the vicinity of zone joints of an order sorting filter. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100243859 | APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ANGLE OF INCIDENCE OF MULTIPLE ILLUMINATION BEAMS - Provided is an apparatus for projecting multiple beams to a structure on a workpiece comprising a first light source generating a first illumination beam and a second light source generating a second illumination beam, an illumination primary mirror configured to reflect the first illumination beam onto the structure of the workpiece at a first angle of incidence, generating a first detection beam, and configured to reflect the second illumination beam onto the workpiece at a second angle of incidence, generating a second detection beam, a separate illumination secondary mirror positioned relative to the illumination primary mirror so as make the first angle of incidence substantially the same or close to a calculated optimum first angle of incidence and make the second angle of incidence substantially the same or close to a calculated optimum second angle of incidence. The first and second detection beams are diffracted off the structure at the corresponding angle of incidence to a detection primary mirror, reflected onto a separate secondary detection mirror and other optical components on the detection path, and onto spectroscopic detectors. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100243860 | CONTROLLING ANGLE OF INCIDENCE OF MULTIPLE- BEAM OPTICAL METROLOGY TOOLS - Provided is a method of controlling multiple beams directed to a structure in a workpiece, the method comprising generating a first illumination beam with a first light source and a second illumination beam with a second light source, projecting the first and second illumination beams onto a separate illumination secondary mirror, reflecting the first and second illumination beams onto an illumination primary mirror, the reflected first and second illumination beams projected onto the structure at a first and second angle of incidence respectively, the reflected first and second illumination beams generating a first and second detection beams respectively. The separate illumination secondary mirror is positioned relative to the illumination primary mirror so as make the first angle of incidence substantially the same or close to a calculated optimum first angle of incidence and make the second angle of incidence substantially the same or close to a calculated optimum second angle of incidence. The first and second detection beams are diffracted off the structure at the corresponding angle of incidence to a detection primary mirror, reflected onto a separate secondary detection mirror and other optical components on the detection path, and onto spectroscopic detectors. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100245807 | OPTIMIZING SENSITIVITY OF OPTICAL METROLOGY MEASUREMENTS - Provided is a method of optimizing sensitivity of measurements of an optical metrology tool using two or more illumination beams directed to a structure on a workpiece comprising selecting target structures for measurement, obtaining diffraction signals off the selected structures as a function of angle of incidence for each illumination beam, determining a selected angle of incidence for each of the two or more illumination beams, setting sensitivity objectives for optical metrology measurements, developing a design for the optical metrology tool to achieve the corresponding selected angle of incidence of the two or more illumination beams, obtaining sensitivity data using the optical metrology tool, and if the sensitivity objectives are not met, adjusting the selection of target structures, the selected angle of incidence of the two or more illumination beams, the sensitivity objectives, and/or the design of the optical metrology tool, and iterating the developing of the design, obtaining sensitivity data, and comparing sensitivity data to sensitivity objectives until the sensitivity objectives are met. | 09-30-2010 |
Donovan K. Norton, La Veme, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20100001041 | MAGNETIC PLUG WELD TOOL - A magnetic plug weld tool includes an arm, a copper alloy plate that is rotatably connected to one end of the arm, and a magnetic base that is connected to the arm. The arm is configured to apply a force to the copper alloy plate using the magnetic base. | 01-07-2010 |
Donovan K. Norton, La Verne, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20090084829 | MAGNETIC PLUG WELD TOOL - A magnetic based welding tool having an adjustment knob, a pivot arm, and a copper alloy pad, designed to assist with welding holes, for example, in sheet metal, that are to be welded closed with a MIG or TIG welder, by providing a backup to the hole, to keep the welding material from coming through the hole in excess amounts, and a magnetic base to hold the tool onto a ferrous metal panel, such as steel, with an adjustable arm to keep the copper alloy pad away from the magnetic base and in firm contact with the surface to be welded. | 04-02-2009 |
Gray Salmon Norton, Portola Valley, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20100191521 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EVALUATING SEMANTIC PROXIMITY - Methods and apparatus to evaluate the semantic proximity between reference free-form text entry and a candidate free-form text request. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20110235797 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN COMPUTER-TO-HUMAN ESCALATION - A system and method are provided for escalating a user or customer to a live agent from a conversational agent when predetermined criteria are met. The conversational agent textually converses in so-called natural language interaction and can run on a computer, such as a server. Upon receiving a first query, the conversational agent creates a new case, and interacts with the customer, in an attempt to resolve the case and satisfy the user. The predetermined criteria for escalation may include a determination that the conversational agent is unable to satisfy a computer-to-computer information request. Alternatively, the predetermined criteria may include patterns and/or words associated with frustration, for example, and/or unrecognized query subject matter, high priority queries, for example to increase sales, etc. | 09-29-2011 |
James R. Norton, Santa Ana, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20080317634 | FLUIDIC CIRCUITS FOR SAMPLE PREPARATION INCLUDING BIO-DISCS AND METHODS RELATING THERETO - A fluidic circuit for receiving a fluid and separating a component of a fluid from the fluid comprises a separation chamber for receiving the fluid, an air chamber in fluid communication with the separation chamber, and a return channel in fluid communication with the separation chamber. In an advantageous embodiment, the fluidic circuit is subjected to a force, such as a centrifugal force, so that substantially all of the component of the fluid is moved to the return channel while substantially all remaining portions of the fluid are moved to the separation chamber. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090316547 | OPTICAL DISCS FOR MEASURING ANALYTES - This invention directs to an optical disc assembly configured to receive an analyte which can be detected by a standard optical disc reader or an optical disc reader modified therefrom. The optical disc assembly may preferably be designed so that the optical disc reader can track the disc and detect the analyte concurrently and discriminably. The optical disc assembly contains or encodes optically readable features which are trackable by the optical disc reader and which have encoded speed information enabling the optical disc reader to rotate the optical disc assembly at a determinable speed. The optical disc assembly also includes an analyte section capable of receiving the analyte that can be detected by the optical disc reader. | 12-24-2009 |
Kenneth Norton, San Carlos, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20100318513 | USER INTERFACE FOR NAVIGATING A KEYWORD SPACE - The present invention relates to systems, methods, and user interfaces for browsing a collection of content items saved by a user or by one or more buddies associated with a given user. The method of the present invention comprises saving one or more content items and one or more associated keywords as specified by a user. An interface is generated that displays the one or more saved content items and the one or more associated keywords, as well as the one or more buddies associated with a given user. A user indication of the selection of a given keyword or the selection of a given buddy by the user is received. The one or more displayed content items are filtered according to the selected keyword, buddy, or combination of selected keyword and buddy. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20120041961 | USER INTERFACE FOR NAVIGATING A KEYWORD SPACE - The present invention relates to systems, methods, and user interfaces for browsing a collection of content items saved by a user or by one or more buddies associated with a given user. The method of the present invention comprises saving one or more content items and one or more associated keywords as specified by a user. An interface is generated that displays the one or more saved content items and the one or more associated keywords, as well as the one or more buddies associated with a given user. A user indication of the selection of a given keyword or the selection of a given buddy by the user is received. The one or more displayed content items are filtered according to the selected keyword, buddy, or combination of selected keyword and buddy. | 02-16-2012 |
Kenneth Norton, Mill Valley, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20100217820 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR SENDING AND RECEIVING MESSAGES - A system and method for enabling the interchange of enterprise data through an open platform is disclosed. This open platform can be based on a standardized interface that enables parties to easily connect to and use the network. Services operating as senders, recipients, and in-transit parties can therefore leverage a framework that overlays a public network. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100218245 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR MANAGING INTERCHANGE OF ENTERPRISE DATA MESSAGES - A system and method for enabling the interchange of enterprise data through an open platform is disclosed. This open platform can be based on a standardized interface that enables parties to easily connect to and use the network. Services operating as senders, recipients, and in-transit parties can therefore leverage a framework that overlays a public network. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100306536 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ROUTING MESSAGES BETWEEN APPLICATIONS - A system and method for enabling the interchange of enterprise data through an open platform is disclosed. This open platform can be based on a standardized interface that enables parties to easily connect to and use the network. Services operating as senders, recipients, and in-transit parties can therefore leverage a framework that overlays a public network. | 12-02-2010 |
Kenneth S. Norton, San Carlos, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20110184768 | AUTOMATICALLY DETERMINE SUGGESTED MEETING LOCATIONS BASED ON PREVIOUSLY BOOKED CALENDAR EVENTS - A method and system for determining suggested meeting locations based on previously booked calendar events is described. One aspect of the invention involves: receiving a meeting request including one or more participants, determining preferred meeting locations based on previously booked calendar events for at least some of the participants, determining suggested meeting locations based on the preferred meeting locations, and preparing them for presentation. The determining may be based on historical calendar activity or on previously booked calendar events during a time period corresponding to the request. Locations used most often by all the participants, or just one important participant, such as the meeting requestor may be preferred. Sometimes locations near the previously booked calendar events occurring before or after the meeting request time are preferred. Sometimes locations near the participant's base locations are preferred. Sometimes locations used by groups of a similar size are preferred. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110184772 | AUTOMATICALLY SCHEDULE AND RE-SCHEDULE MEETINGS THROUGH SEARCH INTERFACE - A method and system for scheduling or re-scheduling calendar events is described. One aspect of the invention involves: receiving a calendar search request to schedule a calendar event including at least one participant and a time of meeting constraint; obtaining information identifying one or more preferences associated with the at least one participant, at least one of the preferences based on the at least one participant's historical calendar activity over a predetermined period of time; searching one or more databases in a calendaring system to obtain a set of candidate calendar events that meet at least a subset of the plurality of constraints; ranking the set of candidate calendar events based on the plurality of constraints and the one or more preferences; and preparing for presentation at least a subset of the ranked set of candidate calendar events, each candidate calendar event including a specified start time. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110184943 | AUTOMATICALLY SCHEDULE AND RE-SCHEDULE MEETINGS USING RESCHEDULE FACTORS FOR CONFLICTING CALENDAR EVENTS - A method for scheduling calendar events includes receiving a search request with a plurality of constraints, searching the calendaring system databases to obtain a set of candidate calendar events that meet at least some of the constraints, calculating event reschedule factors for each candidate calendar event for which at least one participant has a conflicting calendar event, ranking the set of candidate calendar events based in part of the event reschedule factors, and preparing them for presentation. In various embodiments and circumstances, event reschedule factors correspond to one or more of: the ease of rescheduling a conflicting calendar event, an ease of overwriting a conflicting calendar event, the response status of the participants, the number of participants in the conflicting calendar event. | 07-28-2011 |
Kirkpatrick W. Norton, San Diego, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20100034434 | DETECTING FORGED MAGSTRIPE DATA THROUGH RELATIVE VARIATIONS IN FLUX TRANSITION LOCATION, SYSTEM AND METHOD - Systems and methods for detecting forged magnetic stripe data through relative variations in flux transition location are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for detecting forged magnetic stripe data. The method provides for reading a magnetic strip multiple times to obtain multiple signatures and then generating a signature mask and weight based on the multiple signatures. These signatures are then compared with a known authentic signature. Based on the comparison results, a forged magnetic stripe may be detected. Additional embodiments focus on variations in the placement of the flux data transitions on the magnetic slurry rather than on the noise inherent in the slurry. | 02-11-2010 |
Melissa D. Norton, Valencia, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20090036870 | INFUSION MEDIUM DELIVERY DEVICE AND METHOD WITH DRIVE DEVICE FOR DRIVING PLUNGER IN RESERVOIR - A delivery device includes first and second housing portions that selectively engage and disengage. A reservoir on one housing portion operatively engages a drive device and/or a needle inserting device on the other housing portion. Upon proper engagement of the housing portions, the reservoir operatively couples to the drive device and/or the needle inserting device. A first magnet on the first housing portion and a second magnet (or a magnetically-attractive material) on the second housing portion are positioned to magnetically interact with each other, upon operative engagement of the housing portions. A third magnet on the second housing portion may be opposed to the first magnet to help align the housing portions for connection. A magnet-responsive device may be on one or both housing portions to detect alignment and/or connection of the housing portions. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090270811 | INFUSION MEDIUM DELIVERY DEVICE AND METHOD WITH DRIVE DEVICE FOR DRIVING PLUNGER IN RESERVOIR - A delivery device includes first and second housing portions that selectively engage and disengage. A reservoir on one housing portion operatively engages a drive device and/or a needle inserting device on the other housing portion. Upon proper engagement of the housing portions, the reservoir operatively couples to the drive device and/or the needle inserting device. A first magnet on the first housing portion and a second magnet (or a magnetically-attractive material) on the second housing portion are positioned to magnetically interact with each other, upon operative engagement of the housing portions. A third magnet on the second housing portion may be opposed to the first magnet to help align the housing portions for connection. A magnet-responsive device may be on one or both housing portions to detect alignment and/or connection of the housing portions. | 10-29-2009 |
Mike Norton, Riverside, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20090131997 | AUTOMATIC DEFIBRILLATOR MODULE FOR INTEGRATION WITH STANDARD PATIENT MONITORING EQUIPMENT - A defibrillator module is described which includes a cardiac sensor, a pulse generator and a controller that generates commands responsive to intrinsic cardiac signals for the operation of said pulse generator. The defibrillator module synergistic and arranged so that it can be coupled to a generic patient monitor so that the two can share certain functions. For example, operational parameters and other signals indicative of the operation of the defibrillator module can be shown to the clinician by the patient monitor. Data between the defibrillator module and the patient monitor is exchanged using either a standard or a customized protocol. | 05-21-2009 |
Peter Norton, Berkeley, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20110241706 | NON-CONTACT DETECTION OF SURFACE FLUID DROPLETS - A system for detecting fluid on a substrate is provided. The system includes, but is not limited to, a sensor board, a first capacitive sensor, and a platform upon which the substrate is to be placed. The first capacitive sensor is mounted on the sensor board. The first capacitive sensor has a transmit sensor pad for transmitting a signal, a receive sensor pad for receiving the signal, and an analog-to-digital convertor connected with the receive sensor pad for analyzing the received signal. The platform is a first distance from the transmit and receive sensor pads. | 10-06-2011 |
Pierce O. Norton, Morgan Hill, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20080291425 | Removable sorting cuvette and nozzle - A flow cell and flow cytometer in which a nozzle at the end of a flow channel is disposed on a removable substrate held at a registered location on a flow cell. Other elements including illumination optics, light collection optics, and the flow cell may then be positioned at fixed locations and would not require subsequent periodic adjustment. The registered location for positioning the nozzle allows removal and replacement of the nozzle key with the nozzle subsequently positioned in the identical location. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20120103112 | DUAL FEEDBACK VACUUM FLUIDICS FOR A FLOW-TYPE PARTICLE ANALYZER - The present invention relates to a vacuum-driven fluidic system for a flow-type particle analyzer. The system includes a vacuum pump which creates a pressure drop downstream of the flow cell, which pulls sheath fluid and sample fluid through the flow cell. A variable-resistance fluidic resistor is configured to control the ratio of sample fluid flow to sheath fluid flow. Dual feedback circuits, one configured to modulate the vacuum pump power in response to the pressure drop across the flow cell, referred to as the dynamic pressure drop, and a second configured to modulate the vacuum pump power in response to the pressure drop created by the vacuum pump relative to ambient pressure, referred to as the static pressure drop, are used to automatically control the system. The present invention enables adjustment of the sample fluid flow rate while maintaining a constant total fluid flow through the flow cell, and further, enables pausing the system without significant fluctuations in the vacuum. | 05-03-2012 |
Ralph C. Norton, Mission Viejo, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20120043259 | Extraction of Mercaptans in the Absence of Oxidation Catalyst - Processes for the extractive removal of mercaptan compounds from hydrocarbon feeds, in which the contact between oxidation catalyst with oxygen and mercaptan in the feed is reduced or eliminated, are described. Oxidation of mercaptan compounds to disulfides in the extraction zone is prevented, thereby overcoming separation inefficiencies associated with the inability to extract disulfides in this zone. The invention advantageously relies on the use of a fixed bed of catalyst in the oxidation or regeneration zone, which is coupled to the extraction zone. | 02-23-2012 |
Ralph Charles Norton, Mission Viejo, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20120116134 | METHODS FOR CO-PROCESSING BIORENEWABLE FEEDSTOCK AND PETROLEUM DISTILLATE FEEDSTOCK - Methods for co-processing a biorenewable feedstock and a petroleum distillate feedstock are provided. The petroleum distillate feedstock containing sulfur is reacted with hydrogen gas in the presence of a hydrotreating catalyst thereby forming an effluent mixture comprising hydrogen sulfide. A combined feed comprising the effluent mixture, optionally a recycle liquid, and the biorenewable feedstock is contacted with hydrogen gas in a reaction zone with a deoxygenation catalyst under reaction conditions to provide a reaction product comprising a hydrocarbon fraction. The combined feed comprises greater than 50 weight percent biorenewable feedstock. | 05-10-2012 |
Scott J. Norton, San Jose, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20080271027 | Fair share scheduling with hardware multithreading - An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus and method for fair share scheduling with hardware multithreading. The apparatus and method include the acts of: executing, by a first hardware thread in a processor core, a first software thread belonging to a fair share group; and permitting a second hardware thread in the processor core to execute a second software thread if that second software thread belongs to the fair share group. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080271043 | Accurate measurement of multithreaded processor core utilization and logical processor utilization - An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus and method for accurate measurement of utilizations in a hardware multithreaded processor core. The apparatus and method perform the acts including: determining idle time spent cycles which are cycles that are spent in idle by a hardware thread in a processor core; determining idle consumed cycles which are cycles that are consumed in the idle time spent cycles, by the hardware thread; and determining at least one of a processor core utilization and a logical processor utilization based upon at least one of the idle time spent cycles (d | 10-30-2008 |
Susan Norton, Bonsall, CA US
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 20100069721 | ROTATABLE FERRULES AND INTERFACES FOR USE WITH AN OPTICAL GUIDEWIRE - The invention is directed to devices and methods for passing optical radiation into and out of a body lumen. In particular, the invention is directed to a rotatable ferrule for use in an optical guidewire and methods for using a rotatable ferrule. The rotatable ferrule may be either rotatably captured by and free to rotate within a guidewire, or may rotate upon release from a releasable, mechanically stable friction-fit engagement with a guidewire. The invention is further directed to sterile interfaces for readily connecting and disconnecting an optical guidewire with and from other optical instrumentation while maintaining the sterility of the guidewire, and methods for using a sterile interface device. The invention is also directed to interface devices that provide either direct or indirect optical and mechanical connection between an optical guidewire and peripheral instrumentation. | 03-18-2010 |