Milton Russell Latta

Title: Innovations by Milton Russell Latta

Introduction

Milton Russell Latta is a prominent inventor based in San Jose, California. He has made significant contributions to the field of technology and engineering, holding a total of 22 patents throughout his career. His work primarily focuses on tools for inspecting planar surfaces, specifically for use in disk drives, which has greatly impacted the quality control processes in the industry.

Latest Patents

Among his latest innovations is a laser-based inspection tool (LIT) designed to inspect planar surfaces. This tool can simultaneously assess both sides of disks utilized in disk drives. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tool directs an incident beam onto the surface at a slight angle, allowing the reflected beam to be physically separated from the original beam. This reflected beam is then sent to a detector that alters the beam's intensity into an analog signal. This signal is subsequently sampled and digitized to produce pixel data that is stored in a buffer. The data is thoroughly analyzed, including the calculation of the rate of change in the pixel data, which helps identify potential defects if significant changes occur within the data area of the disk.

Another version of this surface inspection tool involves routing light reflected from the surface through a telecentric lens to a detector. This mechanism also converts the intensity of the reflected beam into an analog signal, which is then digitized and analyzed similarly to the first embodiment. A median filter may be applied to the pixel data to identify any discrepancies that could indicate defects. Additionally, an optional calibration system is integrated to ensure precise reflectivity measurements.

Career Highlights

Latta has spent a significant part of his professional journey working at the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), where he has further developed his skills and expertise in innovation. His contributions to patent filings and technological advancements have established him as an influential figure within the company and the broader industry.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Milton has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Wayne Isami Imaino and Anthony Juliana. These collaborations have enhanced his innovative capabilities and fostered a creative environment for developing cutting-edge technologies.

Conclusion

Milton Russell Latta's extensive patent portfolio and his groundbreaking work on surface inspection tools reflect his dedication to advancing technology. His inventions at IBM continue to make a significant impact in the field, demonstrating the importance of innovation in ensuring quality within the technology sector.