Patents by Inventor Douglas J. Kern

Douglas J. Kern 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).

  • Synthesis of metamaterial ferrites for RF applications using electromagnetic bandgap structures
    Patent number: 7256753
    Abstract: By configuring a high impedance frequency selective surface (HZ-FSS) structure for the appropriate values of surface impedance (surface resistance and surface reactance), a high frequency artificial ferrite metamaterial can be synthesized with almost any desired value of real and imaginary permeability. Materials with these properties have not previously been physically realizable at frequencies above 1 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Douglas H. Werner, Douglas J. Kern
  • Merchandise return system with value added returns processing (dispositioning)
    Publication number: 20040193438
    Abstract: A method that facilitates customer returns of merchandise. The method makes use of a distributed system of returns centers. Customer returns are made using machine readable return labels. The labels are addressed so that they are initially shipped to a returns center closest to the customer, thereby enabling “reverse zone skipping”. The labels also identify the package, such as by invoice number. Once a package is received at the returns center, the label is scanned into a processing system that also stores various returns “rules”, including rules for dispositioning returns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Edward J. Stashluk, Michael J. Stevens, Jennifer A. Milch, Phillip J. Sidari, Terry Combs, Douglas J. Kern
  • Merchandise return system with value added returns processing (data communications)
    Publication number: 20040181310
    Abstract: A method that facilitates customer returns of merchandise. The method makes use of a distributed system of returns centers. Customer returns are made using special machine readable return labels. The labels are addressed so that they are initially shipped to a returns center closest to the customer, thereby enabling “reverse zone skipping”. The labels also identify the package, such as by invoice number. Once a package is received at the returns center, the label is scanned into a processing system that also stores various returns “rules”, including rules for notifying the merchant and/or the returnee and for other data communications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Edward J. Stashluk, Michael J. Stevens, Jennifer A. Milch, Phillip J. Sidari, Terry Combs, Douglas J. Kern
  • Synthesis of metamaterial ferrites for RF applications using electromagnetic bandgap structures
    Publication number: 20040140945
    Abstract: By configuring a high impedance frequency selective surface (HZ-FSS) structure for the appropriate values of surface impedance (surface resistance and surface reactance), a high frequency artificial ferrite metamaterial can be synthesized with almost any desired value of real and imaginary permeability. Materials with these properties have not previously been physically realizable at frequencies above 1 GHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Douglas H. Werner, Douglas J. Kern