Patents by Inventor Charles E. Roos
Charles E. Roos has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7763820Abstract: A piece of material that includes low-Z elements is classified based on photonic emissions detected from the piece of material. Both XRF spectroscopy and OES techniques, for example, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and spark discharge spectroscopy, may be used to classify the piece of material. A stream of pieces of material are moved along a conveying system into a stimulation and detection area. Each piece of material, in turn, is stimulated with a first and second stimulus, of a same or different type, causing the piece of material to emit emissions, for example, photons, which may include at least one of x-ray photons (i.e., x-rays) and optical emissions. These emissions then are detected by one or more detectors of a same or different type. The piece of materials is then classified, for example, using a combination of hardware, software and/or firmware, based on the detected emissions, and then sorted.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2007Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Spectramet, LLCInventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley, Richard E. Hill, Robert H. Parrish, Charles E. Roos
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Publication number: 20100111252Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2009Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: Spectramet, LLCInventors: Edward J. Sommer, JR., Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
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Patent number: 7616733Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2008Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Spectramet, LLCInventors: Edward J. Sommer, Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
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Publication number: 20090261024Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2009Publication date: October 22, 2009Applicant: SPECTRAMET, LLCInventors: Edward J. Sommer, JR., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley
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Patent number: 7564943Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2006Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Spectramet, LLCInventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer, R. Lynn Conley
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Publication number: 20090102680Abstract: A multifunction data port is located in or attached to the utility meter or the meter box. The installation or removal of the data port requires opening the meter seal. The data port interface can provide broad band access to a digital network and the Internet. It can provide the utility customer with a secure computer terminal for commerce and telecommunications. It can provide the electric utility load management and time of use metering of electrical power.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Inventor: Charles E. ROOS
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Patent number: 7486782Abstract: A multifunction data port is located in or attached to the utility meter or the meter box. The installation or removal of the data port requires opening the meter seal. The data port interface can provide broad band access to a digital network and the Internet. It can provide the utility customer with a secure computer terminal for commerce and telecommunications. It can provide the electric utility load management and time of use metering of electrical power.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2000Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Inventor: Charles E. Roos
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Publication number: 20080279329Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2008Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: Spectramet, LLCInventors: Edward J. Sommer, JR., Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
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Patent number: 7286634Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for screening articles such as baggage, utilizing a computerized touch sensitive screen or other computerized pointing device for operator identification and electronic marking of objects within the article to be further examined. Baggage is electromagnetically scanned while traveling on a conveyer and an electronic image is taken of each article and stored in a computer. The present system utilizes a plurality of visual display devices, each with an examiner, which are likely located remotely of the screening operation. Each examination continues independently of the scanning such that there is no interruption in the flow of articles should an examiner detect an object of interest and worthy of further examination, either by screen or by physical examination.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2004Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Select Technologies, LLCInventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Richard E. Hill, Charles E. Roos
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Patent number: 7244941Abstract: A method and apparatus for screening articles utilizing a plurality of operators, with each operator utilizing an interactive display to identify and electronically mark objects within an article to be further examined. An operator positioned at an interactive display views electronic images of an article to be screened after it has been conveyed past a sensor array which transmits sequences of images of the series either directly or through a computer to the interactive display. The operator selects objects within the article displayed on the screen for further examination using the interactive feature of the display thereby registering the objects selected within the computer. The computer then provides sequential information identifying actions to be taken and information and data to be recorded.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: National Recovery Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Roos, Edward J. Sommer, Jr.
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Patent number: 7099433Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2005Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Spectramet, LLCInventors: Edward J. Sommer, Charles E. Roos, David B. Spencer
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Patent number: 7012256Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for screening articles utilizing a computerized touch sensitive screen or other computerized pointing device for operator identification and electronic marking of objects within the article to be further examined. An operator positioned at a computerized touch sensitive screen views electronic images of the articles to be screened as they are conveyed past a sensor array which transmits sequences of images of the series either directly or through a computer to the touch sensitive display screen. The operator manually “touches” objects within the articles displayed on the screen to be identified on coupled interactive screens thereby registering the objects selected within the computer. The computer then provides sequential information identifying actions to be taken and information and data to be recorded.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: National Recovery Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Roos, Edward J. Sommer, Jr.
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Patent number: 6888917Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2003Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Spectramet, LLCInventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
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Publication number: 20030147494Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2003Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
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Patent number: 6519315Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Spectramet, LLCInventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
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Publication number: 20010022830Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2001Publication date: September 20, 2001Inventors: Edward J. Sommer, Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
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Patent number: 6266390Abstract: A system and process for classifying a piece of material of unknown composition at high speeds, where the system connected to a power supply. The piece is irradiated with first x-rays from an x-ray source, causing the piece to fluoresce x-rays. The fluoresced x-rays are detected with an x-ray detector, and the piece of material is classified from the detected fluoresced x-rays. Detecting and classifying may be cumulatively performed in less than one second. An x-ray fluorescence spectrum of the piece of material may be determined from the detected fluoresced x-rays, and the detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be conditioned such that accurate determination of the x-ray fluorescence spectrum is not significantly compromised, slowed or complicated by extraneous x-rays. The piece of material may be classified by recognizing the spectral pattern of the determined x-ray fluorescence spectrum. The piece of material may be flattened prior to irradiation and detection.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Spectramet, LLCInventors: Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Robert H. Parrish, David B. Spencer, Charles E. Roos
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Patent number: 6124560Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for classifying materials utilizing a computerized touch sensitive screen or other computerized pointing device for operator identification and electronic marking of spatial coordinates of materials to be extracted. An operator positioned at a computerized touch sensitive screen views electronic images of the mixture of materials to be sorted as they are conveyed past a sensor array which transmits sequences of images of the mixture either directly or through a computer to the touch sensitive display screen. The operator manually "touches" objects displayed on the screen to be extracted from the mixture thereby registering the spatial coordinates of the objects within the computer. The computer then tracks the registered objects as they are conveyed and directs automated devices including mechanical means such as air jets, robotic arms, or other mechanical diverters to extract the registered objects.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1999Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: National Recovery Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Roos, Edward J. Sommer, Robert H. Parrish, James R. Russell
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Patent number: 5699276Abstract: A utility meter interface apparatus is connected between a utility company and a home. The utility meter interface includes a utility meter for measuring utility usage and a computer located external to the home. The computer is connected to the utility meter and provides an interface between a communication network and a device located inside the home. The computer may be adapted to communicate with the device over the home's internal wiring.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1995Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Inventor: Charles E. Roos
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Patent number: RE40394Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for classifying materials utilizing a computerized touch sensitive screen or other computerized pointing device for operator identification and electronic marking of spatial coordinates of materials to be extracted. An operator positioned at a computerized touch sensitive screen views electronic images of the mixture of materials to be sorted as they are conveyed past a sensor array which transmits sequences of images of the mixture either directly or through a computer to the touch sensitive display screen. The operator manually “touches” objects displayed on the screen to be extracted from the mixture thereby registering the spatial coordinates of the objects within the computer. The computer then tracks the registered objects as they are conveyed and directs automated devices including mechanical means such as air jets, robotic arms, or other mechanical diverters to extract the registered objects.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1997Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: National Recovery Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Roos, Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Robert H. Parrish, James R. Russell