Fully digitally controller for cantilever-based instruments

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 9689890
SERIAL NO

14590150

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

See full text

A controller for cantilever-based instruments, including atomic force microscopes, molecular force probe instruments, high-resolution profilometers and chemical or biological sensing probes. The controller samples the output of the photo-detector commonly used to detect cantilever deflection in these instruments with a very fast analog/digital converter (ADC). The resulting digitized representation of the output signal is then processed with field programmable gate arrays and digital signal processors without making use of analog electronics. Analog signal processing is inherently noisy while digital calculations are inherently “perfect” in that they do not add any random noise to the measured signal. Processing by field programmable gate arrays and digital signal processors maximizes the flexibility of the controller because it can be varied through programming means, without modification of the controller hardware.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

See full text

Family

Loading Family data... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

  • OXFORD INSTRUMENTS AFM, INC;OXFORD INSTRUMENTS PLC

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Bocek, Dan Goleta, US 27 205
Callahan, Clint Santa Barbara, US 6 22
Cleveland, Jason Ventura, US 43 293
Day, Todd Santa Barbara, US 7 23
Proksch, Roger Santa Barbara, US 56 349
Viani, Mario Santa Barbara, US 10 49

Cited Art Landscape

Load Citation

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cite Landscape

Load Citation

Maintenance Fees

Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee due date
7.5 Year Payment $3600.00 $1800.00 $900.00 Dec 27, 2024
11.5 Year Payment $7400.00 $3700.00 $1850.00 Dec 27, 2028
Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee
Surcharge - 7.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge - 11.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unavoidable $700.00 $350.00 $175.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unintentional $1,640.00 $820.00 $410.00