Photonics Corporation

Other

Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.

Hover-davis, Inc.

John N Piccone

Richard C Allen

Bernard E Stewart

Stanley L Fickes

Robert J Grady

John W Toor

James E Sacherman

Walter S Johnson

James L Konsevich

Louis R Janis

Gary M Cisneros

Gary N Hughes

Peter Gregory Davis

Robert F LeVeen

Eric G LeVeen

David W Lyndaker

James G Miller

Scott C Proctor

Rick L Reagan

Vincent A Piccone

Alan R Reinnagel

Charles L Cranshaw

Patrick Leigh Simpson

Louis A Piccone

Louis Tandle

Charles L Crawshaw

Gregory A Holcomb

The present invention is a method and apparatus for the automatic loading and advancement of component feeder tape in a component feeder for use with a pick-and-place system. The feeder employs sensing technology to determine when a component tape leader is inserted into a tape guide, and subsequently auto-loads the feeder with the tape, including initiating the peeling of cover tape. Subsequently, the feeder operates to sense the presence of parts or components in the component tape pockets and to advance the component tape to a position where the first component is presented at the pick location. The feeder is also capable of detecting repeatable features in the component tape in order to automatically determine the component tape pitch.

Self-threading component tape feeder

A method and apparatus for the handling and containment of a cover tape peeled from a pocket tape in a component feeder are disclosed. A single folding pulley comprising inclined sides and an undercut at the hub folds the adhesive contaminated edges back onto themselves so as to captivate the adhesive therebetweeen. A cover tape reservoir, having an internal cavity defined by a curved perimeter and treated sides, stores the folded cover tape. The remaining reservoir capacity is monitor in software for fullness. The cover tape is corrugated to allow for maximum packing density with a minimum of voids as it is pushed into the reservoir.

Component feeder having a high density cover tape reservoir

The present invention is a method and apparatus for cutting the cover tape on a component carrier tape in order to allow component retrieval by an automated assembly system. More specifically, the cover tape is cut using a radiant energy beam that vaporizes the cover tape layer so as to partially expose the component below. The cover tape flap(s) created by the cutting operation may then be folded back so as to expose the component for retrieval at the pick-up location. Subsequent to the pick-up location, the carrier tape with the parted cover tape flap(s) attached thereto, are directed to a waste receptacle or similar disposal mechanism.

Cover tape cutting system using a thermal energy source

The present invention is a method and apparatus for parting and peeling-back the cover tape on a carrier tape (consisting of a component tape with pockets therein and cover tape thereover) in order to expose the component for retrieval by an automated assembly system. More specifically, the cover tape is parted along one edge, or slit in the middle for wider component tapes. The cover tape flap(s) created by the parting operation are then retracted back away from the region above the component, whereby the component is exposed for retrieval at the pick-up location. Subsequent to the pick-up location the carrier tape, with the parted cover tape flap(s) still attached thereto, is directed to a waste receptacle or similar disposal mechanism, avoiding the need for a separate cover tape take-up reel.

Carrier tape feeder with cover tape parting

In a variable-pitch tape feeder for feeding parts to a pick and place machine used to produce electronic circuit boards, a switch assembly is provided which controls the limits of a shutter movement and the tape advance distance dependent upon the desired pitch. The tape feeder uses a carrier tape to deliver parts to the pick and place machine. The parts are inserted into depressions at regular intervals along the length of the tape. To accommodate tapes of varying pitches, i.e., distances between parts, the feeder uses an electronic control unit to drive the tape feed mechanism and actuate a shutter. The shutter prevents small parts from escaping their respective depressions prematurely. The switch provides a stop surface which limits the rearward travel of the shutter and a flag which is detected by optical sensors to determine the position of the switch and thus the pitch desired by the operator. By limiting the rearward travel of the shutter, especially when using small-pitch parts, parts subsequent to the one positioned at the pick-up point will be prevented from escaping their respective recesses in the carrier tape. A control unit electronically advances the carrier tape the desired distance according to the position of the switch.

Variable pitch tape feeder and pitch selection switch therefor

A diffuse infrared communication link provides for communication directly between nodes each having a transceiver. A repeater may be present to facilitate communication. Each node is automatically reconfigurable between operation with or without a repeater. When a repeater is present each node automatically ignores any transmission by another node.

Infrared communication repeater architecture

The present invention is for a radiation transmitter which transmits radiation to an illumination spot for forming reflected radiation. The transmitter includes a plurality of radiation transmission sources. Each of the sources transmits to a portion of the illumination spot. The transmitter includes means for alternately activating a portion of the transmission sources to illuminate a portion of the illumination spot for aligning a radiation receiver to receive the reflected radiation. Each resident of network transmits in turn its address and the address of each resident that it recognizes. Once a prospective resident can recognize each resident of the network it announces that it is joining the network and states its new address and the address of each resident it can see. Every resident then amends its list of recognized residents to include the new member.

Infrared network entry permission method and apparatus

Infrared data tranceiver

The present invention is for an illumination transmitter. The transmitter projects a signal onto a planar reflective surface such as the ceiling of an open office environment. The transmitter includes a plurality of illumination sources positioned in a line wherein the line has a predetermined orientation to the planar surface. The illumination sources are preferably infrared LEDs. The transmitter has means for jointly aiming the illumination sources toward a desired location on the planar surface. The location on the planar surface is usually used to allow multiple transmitters coupled to infrared receivers to allow communication between computers in a LAN. The transmitter also includes means for maintaining the predetermined orientation between the planar surface and the line. The orientation is usually parallel to allow transmitters located large distances from the illumination to project a relatively small illumination spot onto the planar surface.

Infrared network transceiver apparatus

An infrared RS 232 communication link protocol is particularly suited for correcting any errors introduced during a transmission of information. The information is transmitted from a transmitting station to a receiving station. Each of the stations has a control counter each of which toggles between a logic 0 and 1. The control counter for the transmitter and the receiver are phase locked so that all errors may be corrected. The receiver echoes each data bit back to the transmitter which compares the echoed data to the transmitted data. If there is a match, the transmission was successful. If there is no match, the data must be retransmitted. A retransmit control character RTXx is sent to indicate that the receiver should discard the previous character and prepare for a retransmission of the character having the error. Under the proper circumstances and if the counters are still phase locked, the receiver then discards the previously stored character and inverts the counter. If the receiver detects that it has received an erroneous character, such as one having multiple or no PPM pulses, the receiver will simply respond with the reject control character REJ. In such a case, the transmitter will respond with an RTXx which causes the receiver to discard the previously stored character and invert the counter.

Link protocol for RS 232 communications

Infrared network entry permission apparatus

A low-power personal epilepsy seizure warning system is disclosed based on the clinical observation that while the brain potentials marking the onset of epilepsy vary from patient to patient, indicative brain potentials in any one patient are highly likely to remain constant. The system includes an implantable monitor to detect brain potentials and recognize the onset of a seizure, and an external warning unit to warn the patient when a seizure is imminent. The monitor is configured to recognize a patient's indicative potentials after preoperative EEG observation, and may include relatively simple analog circuitry to recognize simple forms, or a microprocessor and programmed memory to recognize complex forms utilizing algorithms such as the fast Fourier transform. An external program adjustment unit may also be utilized to increase or decrease the sensitivity of the monitor corresponding to the patient's experience of insufficient or excessive warnings after implantation. Since the implanted monitor uses high power for transmission only during warnings or sensitivity adjustment, its overall consumption of power is low and it may be expected to operate without the need for replacement over a period of several years.

Implantable epilepsy monitor apparatus

Growing community of inventors

Staten Island, NY, United States of America

John N Piccone