Patents by Inventor Colin C. Oliver

Colin C. Oliver 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).

  • Patent number: 4952905
    Abstract: A communication system utilizing the electrical-supply wiring of mains circuit has an interface unit for an intruder-sensor. Unit has a transmitter for sending FSK-modulated messages and a capacitor to store adequate energy to power transmitter only for the time-duration of a message. The system also has a interface unit for a temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: EMI Limited
    Inventor: Colin C. Oliver
  • Patent number: 4904090
    Abstract: A temperature sensor is incorporated within a housing having a silicon window through which infra-red radiation can enter. Mounted on a support structure is a semiconductor fabrication consisting of a reference junction and a sensing junction, covered with a black absorber. The reference junction is responsive to the temperature of the housing, whereas the sensing junction is responsive to the temperature of the housing and also the temperature of a remote zone from which infra-red radiation can enter the housing via the window. A Peltier heater/cooler controls the temperature of the housing, which temperature is monitored by a sensor to provide a measure of that of the remote zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventor: Colin C. Oliver
  • Patent number: 4578801
    Abstract: A radiographic apparatus contains at least one source and at least one detector bank mounted on respective concentric annular rings; the patient's body being disposed inside the smaller ring. The rings are rotated in opposite directions and at such respective angular velocities that the effect of a lateral sweep of the detectors and source across the body is achieved with purely rotational movements. Advantageously, one ring carries two sources disposed diametrically opposite one another and the other ring carries three banks of detectors distributed equi-angularly therearound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: EMI Limited
    Inventor: Colin C. Oliver
  • Patent number: 4377867
    Abstract: A radiographic apparatus contains at least one source and at least one detector bank mounted on respective concentric annular rings; the patient's body being disposed inside the smaller ring. The rings are rotated in opposite directions and at such respective angular velocities that the effect of a lateral sweep of the detectors and source across the body is achieved with purely rotational movements. Advantageously, one ring carries two sources disposed diametrically opposite one another and the other ring carries three banks of detectors distributed equi-angularly therearound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1983
    Assignee: EMI Limited
    Inventor: Colin C. Oliver
  • Patent number: 4366395
    Abstract: The output of the circuit is connected to the grid of an X-ray tube (X) by a long cable having a large capacitance (C.sub.c). A 25 kHz variable amplitude drive circuit (1) applies a continuous DC regulating voltage to a first rail (RL2) via a first transformer (T1), rectifier (D1, D2) and a filter (F1). A 25 kHz fixed amplitude drive circuit (2) periodically generates a blanking voltage which is applied to a second rail (RL3) via a second transformer (2), rectifier (D3, D4) and a Zener diode (Z1). The first rail (RL2) is coupled to the second rail (RL3) via a clamping diode (D.sub.c) which is reversed biased by the blanking voltage, so that the regulating voltage is overriden. In order to quickly discharge the large capacitance (C.sub.c) to achieve a rapid transition from blanking voltage to regulating voltage, a discharge path is connected across the output, the path including a transistor (T1). A control circuit (3) comprises a capacitor (C2) which stores an actuating voltage (V.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: EMI Limited
    Inventors: Richard G. Gillard, Colin C. Oliver
  • Patent number: 4298799
    Abstract: In a computerized tomographic radiographic apparatus a source directs a fan distribution of radiation through a patient to be detected by a bank of detector devices. The detector devices are disposed on a circular path centered on an axis about which the source orbits. The detectors are fixed relative to the body so that the radiation is incident on different detectors as the source orbits. Each detector devices receives radiation in different orientations, in the fan distribution, at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: EMI Limited
    Inventor: Colin C. Oliver
  • Patent number: 4172978
    Abstract: In a computerized tomographic apparatus, different detectors are caused to receive radiation along substantially the same beam path through the body in order to permit the evaluation of differences in performance of the detectors. This evaluation is average with other evaluations made in respect of the same detector for other beam paths so as to reduce the risk that erroneous performance differences may be evaluated in the event that any of the relevant beam paths lies adjacent a bone edge in a patient's body. Also disclosed are techniques for electronically deflecting the radiation so that part at least of the radiation is taken clear of the body and can be detected to provide reference signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1979
    Assignee: EMI Limited
    Inventors: Godfrey N. Hounsfield, Colin C. Oliver, Stephen R. Bates, Brian H. Lill
  • Patent number: 4123659
    Abstract: In a radiographic apparatus in which a scanning X-ray tube is used it is desirable to properly relate the scanning of the X-ray origin with other scanning motions of the apparatus. In this arrangement a scan progress detector is inserted partly into the radiation to detect its scan motion. In one eXample it is a collimator block to provide a sinusoidal output as the scan progresses. Pulses derived from the sinusoid are compared with signals representing an ideal scan and the differences between them used to correct the source scan control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: EMI Limited
    Inventor: Colin C. Oliver