Patents by Inventor Christopher Townsend

Christopher Townsend 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).

  • Publication number: 20160161332
    Abstract: A sensor system includes an array of pixels, each pixel including a first pixel and a second pixel. A first color filter provided over the first pixel is configured to pass a first color portion within and less than a visible portion of the spectrum. An infra-red color filter provided over the second pixel is configured to pass a near infra-red portion and an infra-red portion of the spectrum, but not the visible portion of the spectrum. An interference filter is provided over the first and second pixels, wherein the interference filter is configured to pass the visible portion of the spectrum and the near infra-red portion of the spectrum. The first pixel detects light sensed in the first color portion and the second pixel detects light sensed in the near infra-red portion. A processing circuit corrects the sensed first color portion as a function of the sensed near-infra-red portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Townsend
  • Publication number: 20160126737
    Abstract: A converter arrangement and a method of controlling a three-phase converter arrangement connected to a transmission grid are provided. The converter arrangement includes three phase legs and an energy transfer circuit. The method includes providing a varying respective output phase voltage to the transmission grid by selecting energy storage elements of both the phase legs and the energy transfer circuit and connecting the selected energy storage elements to the transmission grid output. The method further includes selecting energy storage elements for performing a transfer of energy between the energy storage elements during the control period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: ABB Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Frans DIJKHUIZEN, Alireza NAMI, Hector ZELAYA DE LA PARRA, Christopher TOWNSEND
  • Patent number: 8572650
    Abstract: A receiver for television signals is arranged to receive video signals comprising video data and information data. The receiver is arranged to respond to viewer operation of a control device. The receiver includes a processor for processing selected information data to convert the same into signals representative thereof for output to a television in combination with the video signals. The receiver is arranged to respond to the information data to output for display data derived from said image data and said information data and representing an inter-active image. The receiver is responsive to viewer manipulation of the control device to vary the interactive image and to establish a telecommunications link to a remote site for on-line interaction via the interactive image between the viewer and the remote site. The interactive image may form part of an interactive services interface comprising a broadcast entry level and plural broadcast interactive levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: British Sky Broadcasting Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Townsend, David Holliday, Robin Crossley, Alun David Webber, Nicholas James
  • Patent number: 7661543
    Abstract: A hitch device holding assembly for organized and efficient storage of one or more hitch devices includes a panel adapted for being attached to a wall. One or more receiver hitches extend outwardly from the panel for receiving hitch devices. The hitch devices are secured by a pin extending through the hitch device and the receiver hitch of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Townsend
  • Patent number: 7639135
    Abstract: Substantially related objects are identified by providing a first wireless sensing device having a first sensor and providing a second wireless sensing device having a second sensor. Next, comparing data derived from the second sensor with data derived from the first sensor to determine whether data from the first sensor is substantially related to data from the second sensor. The first wireless sensing device is identified as substantially related to the second wireless sensing device if data derived from the first sensor is substantially related to data derived from the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: MicroStrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Willard Arms, Christopher Townsend, David Lawrence Churchill
  • Publication number: 20090049483
    Abstract: A receiver for television signals is arranged to receive video signals comprising video data and information data. The receiver is arranged to respond to viewer operation of a control device. The receiver includes a processor for processing selected information data to convert the same into signals representative thereof for output to a television in combination with the video signals. The receiver is arranged to respond to the information data to output for display data derived from said image data and said information data and representing an inter-active image. The receiver is responsive to viewer manipulation of the control device to vary the interactive image and to establish a telecommunications link to a remote site for on-line interaction via the interactive image between the viewer and the remote site. The interactive image may form part of an interactive services interface comprising a broadcast entry level and plural broadcast interactive levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher TOWNSEND, David HOLLIDAY, Robin CROSSLEY, Alun David WEBBER, Nicholas JAMES
  • Patent number: 7389253
    Abstract: A receiver for television signals is arranged to receive video signals comprising video data and information data. The receiver is arranged to respond to viewer operation of a control device. The receiver includes a processor for processing selected information data to convert the same into signals representative thereof for output to a television in combination with the video signals. The receiver is arranged to respond to the information data to output for display data derived from said image data and said information data and representing an inter-active image. The receiver is responsive to viewer manipulation of the control device to vary the interactive image and to establish a telecommunications link to a remote site for on-line interaction via the interactive image between the viewer and the remote site. The interactive image may form part of an interactive services interface comprising a broadcast entry level and plural broadcast interactive levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: British Sky Broadcasting Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Townsend, David Holliday, Robin Crossley, Alun David Webber, Nicholas James
  • Patent number: 7356828
    Abstract: A receiver for television signals is arranged to receive video signals comprising video data and information data. The receiver is arranged to respond to viewer operation of a control device (28). The receiver includes a processor (23) for processing selected information data to convert the same into signals representative thereof for output to a television in combination with the video signals. In one mode of operation the decoder responds to manipulation of the control device by causing brief scheduling information pertaining to programmes transmitted in the received signal to be displayed. In another mode of operation the receiver is arranged to display detailed scheduling information pertaining to plural different television signals. The receiver is operable to receive signals containing video data representing a plurality of video clips. The processor is arranged to process the signals and to cause simultaneous display of the clips on a television screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: British Sky Broadcasting Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Townsend, David Holliday, Robin Crossley, Alun David Webber
  • Publication number: 20080074254
    Abstract: One embodiment of an electronic system includes a network having a first sensing device with a first address and a second sensing device with a second address. The first sensing device includes first sensors, a first processor, a first memory, and a first communications device. The first sensors include a first dry bulb temperature sensor, a first relative humidity sensor, and a first radiant energy sensor. The second sensing device includes a second sensor, a second processor, a second memory, and a second communications device. The second processor includes a program to use the second communications device to communicate the second address and data derived from the second sensor to the first communications device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher Townsend, Steven Arms, David Churchill, Jacob Galbreath
  • Publication number: 20080047363
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present patent application is a method of monitoring a rotating part. The method includes providing a shaft, a sensor, a processor, an energy storage device, and a transmitter. The method further includes mounting the sensor directly on the shaft and mounting said processor, said energy storage device, and said transmitter to rotate with said shaft. The method further includes rotating the shaft and waking the processor for a period of time and drawing energy to the processor from the energy storage device to provide the processor in an active mode during the period of time. The method also includes sampling the sensor during the period of time. It also includes returning the processor to sleep mode. The method also includes transmitting data derived from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Steven Arms, Christopher Townsend, David Churchill, Michael Hamel
  • Publication number: 20070285248
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a reader and a remotely powered and remotely interrogated sensor transponder. The sensor transponder includes a reader and a remotely powered and remotely interrogated sensor transponder. The sensor transponder includes a sensor and a radiation receiving device. Data from the sensor is conditioned to provide sensor data ratiometric with magnitude of excitation voltage provided by the radiation receiving device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Hamel, Steven Arms, Christopher Townsend
  • Publication number: 20070246044
    Abstract: A dry powder inhaler comprises an airway (1) along which, in use, air is drawn from an upstream, inlet end (2) to a downstream, outlet end (3). The airway (1) includes a medicament presentation region (4) at which, in use, a dose of medicament is presented to the airway (1), a primary air inlet (10), and a barrel (5) extending from the medicament presentation region (4) to the outlet end (3) of the airway (1). The inlet end of the barrel (5) is of reduced internal dimension relative to the medicament presentation region (4) and relative to the outlet end of the barrel (5), such that the inlet end of the barrel (5) constitutes a constriction of the airway (1). At least one secondary air inlet (11) is disposed such that, in use, air enters the airway (1) from the secondary air inlet (11) in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the direction of flow of air along said barrel (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: INNOVATA BIOMED LIMITED
    Inventors: Weidong Peng, Christopher Townsend
  • Publication number: 20070169364
    Abstract: A system for measuring a living subject having a spine comprises a flexible strip, a first sensor, a processor, and a data storage device. The flexible strip, the first sensor, the processor, and the data storage device are located along the spine of the living subject. The first sensor, the processor and the data storage device are connected for collecting data related to bending of the flexible strip for determining a curvature of the spine of the living subject. The data from the first sensor is processed in the processor and stored in the storage device. One embodiment includes a transmitter for transmitting the data. Other embodiments include feedback and provide information about time duration in a posture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Christopher Townsend, Steven Arms
  • Publication number: 20060265178
    Abstract: A miniature, self-contained solid state orientation sensor is described. One aspect is a solid state inclinometer sensor system, comprising a digital network of devices. Each device of the network includes a solid state inclinometer attached to a mounting structure. The inclinometer includes gravity sensors and a processor. The gravity sensors are mounted to provide components of earth's gravity. The processor uses data derived from the gravity sensors to calculate inclination of the mounting structure and provide a digital output for transmission on the digital network. Each device can use three magnetometers and three accelerometers to calculate pitch, roll, and yaw (compass heading) angles relative to the earth's magnetic and gravitational fields. The three orientation angles can be output in digital RS232 or optional multi-drop RS485. The device can also be programmed to provide raw accelerometer and magnetometer data in true physical units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: Christopher Townsend, Steven Arms
  • Publication number: 20060213278
    Abstract: A structure includes a structure surface and a protective cover. The protective cover includes a circuit having a component, a moisture detector, and a radio frequency transmitter. The component is adhesively connected to the structure surface with an adhesive connection. The moisture detector is positioned to provide information about moisture in the protective cover. The circuit is for providing data derived from the component and from the moisture detector to the radio frequency transmitter for external transmission. The component may be a strain sensor. The moisture detector may be a capacitor. A moisture barrier may also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Arms, Christopher Townsend, Steven Mundell, David Churchill
  • Publication number: 20060195868
    Abstract: A receiver for television signals is arranged to receive video signals comprising video data and information data. The receiver is arranged to respond to viewer operation of a control device (28). The receiver includes a processor (23) for processing selected information data to convert the same into signals representative thereof for output to a television in combination with the video signals. In one mode of operation the decoder responds to manipulation of the control device by causing brief scheduling information pertaining to programmes transmitted in the received signal to be displayed. In another mode of operation, the receiver is arranged to display detailed scheduling information pertaining to plural different television signals. The receiver is operable to receive signals containing video data representing a plurality of video clips. The processor is arranged to process the signals and to cause simultaneous display of the clips on a television screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Applicant: British Sky Broadcasting, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Townsend, David Holliday, Robin Crossley, Alun Webber
  • Patent number: D633982
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Poolrite Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Ross Leslie Palmer, Christopher Townsend
  • Patent number: D634399
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Poolrite Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Ross Leslie Palmer, Christopher Townsend
  • Patent number: D667351
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher Townsend
  • Patent number: D696164
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher Townsend