Patents by Inventor David C. Toms

David C. Toms 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).

  • Variable depth automated dynamic water profiler
    Patent number: 7040157
    Abstract: A winch-based system is used to raise and lower a hydrological probe into a water column to automatically dynamically obtain measurement data of a water column at incremental depths over selected time intervals. The winch-based system can be powered by a relatively low-power power source to cause the electric motor to controllably operate to wind and unwind the cable at a desired rate in a manner which can pause the upward and downward movement of the probe at incremental measurement depths. The disclosure also describes related systems. Additionally, a method for enhancing the life of a hydroglogical probe by storing the probe at an immersed subsurface depth is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Howard Glasgow, Jr., Robert E. Reed, David C. Toms, JoAnn Burkholder
  • System and method for automated monitoring, recognizing, supporting, and responding to the behavior of an actor
    Publication number: 20040030531
    Abstract: An automated system and method for monitoring and supporting and actor in an environment, such as a daily living environment. The system includes at least one sensor, at least one effector and a controller adapted to provide monitoring, situation assessment, response planning, and plan execution functions. In one preferred embodiment, the controller provides a layered architecture allowing multiple modules to interact and perform the desired monitoring and support functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Miller, Wende L. Dewing, Karen Z. Haigh, David C. Toms, Rand P. Whillock, Christopher W. Geib, Stephen V. Metz, Rose Mae M. Richardson, Stephen D. Whitlow, John A. Allen, Lawrence A. King, John A. Phelps, Victor A. Riley, Peggy Wu
  • Variable depth automated dynamic water profiler
    Publication number: 20030037602
    Abstract: A winch-based system is used to raise and lower a hydrological probe into a water column to automatically dynamically obtain measurement data of a water column at incremental depths over selected time intervals. The winch-based system can be powered by a relatively low-power power source to cause the electric motor to controllably operate to wind and unwind the cable at a desired rate in a manner which can pause the upward and downward movement of the probe at incremental measurement depths. The disclosure also describes related systems. Additionally, a method for enhancing the life of a hydroglogical probe by storing the probe at an immersed subsurface depth is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Howard Glasgow, Robert E. Reed, David C. Toms, JoAnn Burkholder