The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 09, 2007
Filed:
Nov. 16, 2004
Marcin B. Bauza, Charlotte, NC (US);
Robert J. Hocken, Concord, NC (US);
Stuart T. Smith, Charlotte, NC (US);
Marcin B. Bauza, Charlotte, NC (US);
Robert J. Hocken, Concord, NC (US);
Stuart T. Smith, Charlotte, NC (US);
Insitutec, Inc., Charlotte, NC (US);
Abstract
An oscillating probe of an elongated rod, having a first free end, and a second end that is attached to at least one actuator to apply oscillation cycles to the rod. Oscillation of the elongated rod during at least one complete cycle of oscillation of the actuator causes the free end to move in at least one-dimensional envelope, producing a defined virtual probe tip geometry at the free end. The probe is connected to a system for utilizing information sensed as the free end is placed near a surface.