Patents by Inventor Richard Fletcher

Richard Fletcher 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: 20160040413
    Abstract: A disposal system includes a sink; a disposal unit located under the sink and connected in fluid communication with a drain of the sink; a control unit configured to operate the disposal unit; and means for detecting an unintended object that passes through the drain of the sink and enters the disposal unit, resulting in stopping operation of the disposal unit. The means for detecting an unintended object that enters the disposal unit resulting in stopping operation of the disposal unit comprises a sensor and associated circuitry that detects an unintended object and triggers the control unit to stop operation. In different preferred embodiments the sensor respectively includes a capacitive sensor; a capacitive plate; magnetic shielding surrounding the disposal unit in the area of the sensor; a double ā€œDā€ coil arrangement; a concentric detection coil for detecting magnetic ringdown; an ultrasonic sensor; a microphone; and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Michael STARKEY, Juan Carlos PEREZ, Raeshon MCNEIL, Kurt Alan JORDAN, Richard Fletcher
  • Patent number: 9185861
    Abstract: Brassica plants producing oils with a low alpha-linolenic acid content and methods for producing such plants are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Daren Kenneth Coonrod, Kevin Brandt, Honggang Zheng, Zhizheng Chen, Richard Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20140328660
    Abstract: A wheelchair platform comprises a tilting platform for a wheelchair comprising a base to support the wheelchair in use and a back wall. The platform is pivotably connected between a pair of side supports in a compact construction. Actuators, such as hydraulic rams, are operable to tilt the platform. The pivot axis for the platform is forward of the back wall and above the base. The actuators are also forward of the back wall. The platform swings forward when tilting. The base may be hinged approximately half way along its length to allow the front half to be folded over for storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Design Specific Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard Fletcher, John Godwin Walters
  • Patent number: 8764372
    Abstract: A wheelchair platform comprises a tilting platform for a wheelchair comprising a base to support the wheelchair in use and a back wall. The platform is pivotably connected between a pair of side supports in a compact construction. Actuators, such as hydraulic rams are operable to tilt the platform. The pivot axis for the platform is forward of the back wall and above the base. The actuators are also forward of the back wall. The platform swings forward when tilting. The base may be hinged approximately half way along its length to allow the front half to be folded over for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Design Specific Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard Fletcher, John Godwin Walters
  • Patent number: 8655441
    Abstract: In an exemplary implementation of this invention, a user wears comfortable biosensors. These sensors gather physiological data from the user and transmit this data to another radio-enabled device. This other device may be a mobile phone. The data is further transmitted, via this other radio-enabled device, to one or more networks (such as wireless networks or the Internet). A processor analyzes this transmitted data, in real time, to recognize patterns in the data that indicate the need for therapeutic intervention. Upon recognition of such a pattern, the processor outputs instructions for a transducer to deliver therapeutic stimuli. These instructions are transmitted, over one or more wired or wireless networks, to a transducer which delivers the therapeutic stimuli to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Richard Fletcher, Rosalind Picard, Hoda Eydgahi, Clayton Williams
  • Patent number: 8525677
    Abstract: A blister package with an integrated RFID tag is provided. The conductive lidding material is modified to serve not only to seal some contents within some formed blister film, but also to act as an RFID tag antenna. An electronic circuit is electrically connected to the lidding film antenna. Methods of manufacture which integrate with conventional blister package manufacturing processes are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: TagSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Ahlkvist Scharfeld, Richard Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20130031678
    Abstract: Brassica plants producing oils with a low total saturated fatty acid content and methods for producing such plants are described. The oils have a low total saturated fatty acid in combination with a low, mid, or high oleic acid content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Honggang Zheng, Kevin Brandt, Richard Fletcher, Daren Kenneth Coonrod
  • Publication number: 20120216319
    Abstract: Brassica plants producing oils with a low alpha-linolenic acid content and methods for producing such plants are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Daren Kenneth Coonrod, Kevin Brandt, Honggang Zheng, Zhizheng Chen, Richard Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20120145573
    Abstract: A blister package with an integrated RFID tag is provided. The conductive lidding material is modified to serve not only to seal some contents within some formed blister film, but also to act as an RFID tag antenna. An electronic circuit is electrically connected to the lidding film antenna. Methods of manufacture which integrate with conventional blister package manufacturing processes are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicants: TagSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Ahlkvist Scharfeld, Richard Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20120121370
    Abstract: A wheelchair platform comprises a tilting platform for a wheelchair comprising a base to support the wheelchair in use and a back wall. The platform is pivotably connected between a pair of side supports in a compact construction. Actuators, such as hydraulic rams are operable to tilt the platform. The pivot axis for the platform is forward of the back wall and above the base. The actuators are also forward of the back wall. The platform swings forward when tilting. The base may be hinged approximately half way along its length to allow the front half to be folded over for storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: DESIGN SPECIFIC LTD.
    Inventors: Richard Fletcher, John Godwin Walters
  • Patent number: 8120492
    Abstract: A blister package with an integrated RFID tag is provided. The conductive lidding material is modified to serve not only to seal some contents within some formed blister film, but also to act as an RFID tag antenna. An IC chip is electrically connected to the lidding film antenna. Methods of manufacture which integrate with conventional blister package manufacturing processes are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignees: Tagsense, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Ahlkvist Scharfeld, Richard Fletcher
  • Patent number: 8033478
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a means of automatically detecting and recording a person's use of magazines, i.e. printed media exposure, for the purpose of market research. The present invention comprises one or more electrically conductive marker regions applied to certain specific locations on one or more magazine pages. In one general embodiment, the presence and relative separation of the marker regions are detected by a capacitive sensors and electronic device that stores, processes and communicates the data wirelessly to an external device. In another embodiment, a passive chip less tag is used to indirectly measure the change in conductivity of the conductive regions caused by prolonged exposure to air or light. Exemplary methods are described for acquiring readership and exposure data using the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: GFK Mediamark Research and Intelligence, LLC
    Inventors: Jay Mattlin, Richard Fletcher
  • Patent number: 7959086
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a means of automatically detecting and recording a person's use of magazines, i.e. printed media exposure, for the purpose of market research. The present invention comprises one or more electrically conductive marker regions applied to certain specific locations on one or more magazine pages. In one general embodiment, the presence and relative separation of the marker regions are detected by a capacitive sensors and electronic device that stores, processes and communicates the data wirelessly to an external device. In another embodiment, a passive chip less tag is used to indirectly measure the change in conductivity of the conductive regions caused by prolonged exposure to air or light. Exemplary methods are described for acquiring readership and exposure data using the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: GFK Mediamark Research & Intelligence, LLC
    Inventors: Jay Mattlin, Richard Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20110004072
    Abstract: In an exemplary implementation of this invention, a user wears comfortable biosensors. These sensors gather physiological data from the user and transmit this data to another radio-enabled device. This other device may be a mobile phone. The data is further transmitted, via this other radio-enabled device, to one or more networks (such as wireless networks or the Internet). A processor analyzes this transmitted data, in real time, to recognize patterns in the data that indicate the need for therapeutic intervention. Upon recognition of such a pattern, the processor outputs instructions for a transducer to deliver therapeutic stimuli. These instructions are transmitted, over one or more wired or wireless networks, to a transducer which delivers the therapeutic stimuli to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Richard Fletcher, Rosalind Picard, Hoda Eydgahi, Clayton Williams
  • Publication number: 20100206949
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a means of automatically detecting and recording a person's use of magazines, i.e. printed media exposure, for the purpose of market research. The present invention comprises one or more electrically conductive marker regions applied to certain specific locations on one or more magazine pages. In one general embodiment, the presence and relative separation of the marker regions are detected by a capacitive sensors and electronic device that stores, processes and communicates the data wirelessly to an external device. In another embodiment, a passive chip less tag is used to indirectly measure the change in conductivity of the conductive regions caused by prolonged exposure to air or light. Exemplary methods are described for acquiring readership and exposure data using the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Jay Mattlin, Richard Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20100170037
    Abstract: A device for lifting and lowering a person in a confined space which comprises an inflatable cushion with a seating surface and an inflatable back rest attached thereto. The back rest is movable relative to the cushion and attached so that when the device is inflated the back rest is biased into an open position such that it extends in substantially the same plane as the seating surface of the cushion. The device is also provided with at least one aperture located between the back rest and the cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Fletcher, Richard Rimington, Chris Bolger
  • Patent number: 7740179
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a means of automatically detecting and recording a person's use of magazines, i.e. printed media exposure, for the purpose of market research. The present invention comprises one or more electrically conductive marker regions applied to certain specific locations on one or more magazine pages. In one general embodiment, the presence and relative separation of the marker regions are detected by a capacitive sensors and electronic device that stores, processes and communicates the data wirelessly to an external device. In another embodiment, a passive chip less tag is used to indirectly measure the change in conductivity of the conductive regions caused by prolonged exposure to air or light. Exemplary methods are described for acquiring readership and exposure data using the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Mediamark Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Mattlin, Richard Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20080198015
    Abstract: An RFID system including a battery powered RFID reader configured to detect an RFID tag. The RFID reader include a mounting surface configured to be affixed relative to an external structure, and is capable of being wirelessly coupled to a receiver for transmitting data to the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel Lawrence, Richard Fletcher, Richard Redemske
  • Publication number: 20080198016
    Abstract: An RFID system and network including an RFID reader capable of detecting an RFID tag. The RFID system further includes an intermediate device configured to be wirelessly coupled to the RFID reader. A third device is configured to be coupled to the intermediate device for communicating with the RFID reader via the intermediate device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel Lawrence, Richard Fletcher, Richard Redemske
  • Publication number: 20080177591
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a means of automatically detecting and recording a person's use of magazines, i.e. printed media exposure, for the purpose of market research. The present invention comprises one or more electrically conductive marker regions applied to certain specific locations on one or more magazine pages. In one general embodiment, the presence and relative separation of the marker regions are detected by a capacitive sensors and electronic device that stores, processes and communicates the data wirelessly to an external device. In another embodiment, a passive chip less tag is used to indirectly measure the change in conductivity of the conductive regions caused by prolonged exposure to air or light. Exemplary methods are described for acquiring readership and exposure data using the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Jay Mattlin, Richard Fletcher