Patents by Inventor Robert Ponto

Robert Ponto 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: 9190960
    Abstract: Improvements to U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,642 including use of a single clock providing a first frequency to drive a power supply and a second frequency, twice the first frequency, to dual channel pulse width modulators and audio amplifiers. The power supply is improved to provide enough output voltage that the amplifier stays below 90% modulation and the first frequency driver eliminates the dead band, thereby improving efficiency. Current limiting, even against shorts in the load, is provided by inductor inputs to the clipper circuits, where the inductors are in the magnetic fields of the output chokes. The audio amplifiers are isolated by optical couplers for the audio signal and by an optical coupler and isolation transformers for the clock. One clock amplifier supplies both amplifier channels. The pulse width modulator uses the optically isolated clock and receives clipped audio directly. Two channels fit in the space of one old channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Innovative Electronic Designs, LLC
    Inventors: Hardison G. Martin, Robert A. Ponto
  • Publication number: 20150270810
    Abstract: Improvements to U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,642 including use of a single clock providing a first frequency to drive a power supply and a second frequency, twice the first frequency, to dual channel pulse width modulators and audio amplifiers. The power supply is improved to provide enough output voltage that the amplifier stays below 90% modulation and the first frequency driver eliminates the dead band, thereby improving efficiency. Current limiting, even against shorts in the load, is provided by inductor inputs to the clipper circuits, where the inductors are in the magnetic fields of the output chokes. The audio amplifiers are isolated by optical couplers for the audio signal and by an optical coupler and isolation transformers for the clock. One clock amplifier supplies both amplifier channels. The pulse width modulator uses the optically isolated clock and receives clipped audio directly. Two channels fit in the space of one old channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: INNOVATIVE ELECTRONIC DESIGNS, LLC
    Inventors: Hardison G. Martin, Robert A. Ponto
  • Publication number: 20140373239
    Abstract: ‘Pontovia’ is a distinctive variety of Liriope gigantea which is characterized by the combination of: foliage variegation ranging from gold striations at and near the leaf margins with lime-green striations concentrated at or near the leaf midrib in immature foliage, to near-silver striations at and near the leaf margins with dark green striations concentrated at and near the leaf midrib in mature foliage and varying amounts of each color at intermediate stages of leaf development; dark violet flowers; and taller inflorescences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Ponto
  • Patent number: 8903099
    Abstract: An end-of-branch (EOB) module system for an audio signal distribution system having a wired trunk and a plurality of wired branches extending communicatively from such trunk, the EOB module system including: a plurality of EOB modules including one EOB module electronically coupled at each distal end of each branch and trunk of the audio signal distribution system, where each EOB module of the plurality of EOB modules has a unique address together forming a plurality of unique addresses; a test system able to send a test carrier signal encoded with any one unique address of the plurality of unique addresses at a time onto the trunk; and a switch within each EOB module, responsive to its unique address to place an end-of-line (EOL) load on its respective branch or trunk, and where power for operation of each EOB module is provided by rectification of the test signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mitek Corp., Inc.
    Inventors: Hardison G. Martin, Robert A. Ponto, John David Johnson, William Brown
  • Publication number: 20130089210
    Abstract: An end-of-branch (EOB) module system for an audio signal distribution system having a wired trunk and a plurality of wired branches extending communicatively from such trunk, the EOB module system including: a plurality of EOB modules including one EOB module electronically coupled at each distal end of each branch and trunk of the audio signal distribution system, where each EOB module of the plurality of EOB modules has a unique address together forming a plurality of unique addresses; a test system able to send a test carrier signal encoded with any one unique address of the plurality of unique addresses at a time onto the trunk; and a switch within each EOB module, responsive to its unique address to place an end-of-line (EOL) load on its respective branch or trunk, and where power for operation of each EOB module is provided by rectification of the test signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: MITEK CORP., INC.
    Inventors: Hardison G. Martin, Robert A. Ponto, John David Johnson, William Brown
  • Patent number: 7602282
    Abstract: An end-of-line module provided at the end of the line of an audio circuit provides a load in response to a test signal. The load is detectable by an announcement control system so that a fault indication may be triggered in the event the announcement control system does not sense the end-of-line module as being connected to the audio circuit and detects an interruption in the audio circuit. In addition, the end-of-line module may include an over-temperature sensor or protection device to prevent the audio circuit from exceeding a predetermined limit, for example, a temperature level assigned to insure compliance with fire, safety and other standards or specifications. A fault or other indication may be reported to or sensed by the announcement control system and may be further processed in a manner appropriate for the application and/or facility having the announcement control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Innovative Electronic Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Hardison G. Martin, Robert A. Ponto
  • Publication number: 20080144845
    Abstract: An end-of-line module provided at the end of the line of an audio circuit provides a load in response to a test signal. The load is detectable by an announcement control system so that a fault indication may be triggered in the event the announcement control system does not sense the end-of-line module as being connected to the audio circuit and detects an interruption in the audio circuit. In addition, the end-of-line module may include an over-temperature sensor or protection device to prevent the audio circuit from exceeding a predetermined limit, for example, a temperature level assigned to insure compliance with fire, safety and other standards or specifications. A fault or other indication may be reported to or sensed by the announcement control system and may be further processed in a manner appropriate for the application and/or facility having the announcement control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Hardison G. Martin, Robert A. Ponto
  • Patent number: 6804504
    Abstract: The instant invention provides a digital audio processing system that includes a mainframe chassis, a central processor card, a plurality of analog input cards, and a plurality of analog output cards for accepting a plurality of audio inputs and producing a plurality of mixed audio outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Innovative Electronic Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Johnson, Patrick B. Mullaney, Robert A. Ponto, Brian E. Flinn
  • Patent number: 6093887
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for high-frequency opaque shielding of walls, or portions thereof, of a housing, wherein the walls or their portions include a plate-form basic element (12) having a shielding function, with, if appropriate, wall prongs (16) projecting from these into the housing, and wherein in at least one side margin region (14) extending perpendicularly to the front face (18) of the basic element, extend a first groove (20) with sidewall (24, 26) disposed in the proximity of or remote from the front face as well as a groove bottom (28) into which a first prong (42), U-form in section, of a spring element (40) can be emplaced which with a further prong (48) extends in regions along the side margin region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: AEG Intermas GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Ponto, Willy Bohnenberger, Gerd Haxel
  • Patent number: 5428642
    Abstract: A signal conditioning and signal power amplification system with digital signal attenuation and signal amplification with signal modification by clipping and filtering followed by pulse width modulation. The signal is then amplified and demodulated to generate similar signals in sequence which provide an amplified regenerated signal. A timer system is provided to sequence the phase of signal conditioning and amplification which adds an adjustable dead band to prevent destructive enforcement of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: Robert Ponto
  • Patent number: 4571554
    Abstract: A signal amplifier device providing output power independent of change in output characteristics or common mode interference including a signal input source to provide an input signal, a first power supply and second power supply having a transformer with a secondary coil and a reference power, first differential amplifier powered by the first power supply to receive the input signal and provide first and second complementary output signals, first and second output amplifiers driven by the reference power supply and each having an input to receive one of the first and second signals and amplify same to provide first and second output signals at the respective outputs so that upon imposition of a transient signal at the output of one of the first and second output amplifiers an isolation network prevent the transient signal from appearing as a differential signal on either output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Innovative Electronic Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Hardison G. Martin, Robert Ponto
  • Patent number: 4374300
    Abstract: A multiple program input audio system including a plurality of input channels each adapted to provide an output program signal. Each channel comprises an actuator which compares a rectified program signal with a reference signal and generates an actuator output signal when the rectified signal is greater than the reference signal. A zero crossing detector also receives the program signal and generates an initiator pulse when the voltage of the program signal is zero. A master control switch receives the actuator output signal and generates a first master control output signal when pulsed by the initiator pulse and generates a second master control output signal when no signal is received from the actuator. A program switch receives the program signal and in response to the first master control output signal applies the program signal to an audio program buss where the program signals from all the channels are summed and applied to a digital attenuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Innovative Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ponto, Hardison G. Martin
  • Patent number: 4359600
    Abstract: A low impedance digital attenuator to selectively attenuate an alternating current composite program signal composed of output program signals from different input channels in accordance with the number of active input signals where each input channel includes an input channel control device to provide an actuating signal when the channel is in selected operating mode and a program output signal. The actuating signals of the channels are summed and converted to a digital signal. The digital signal is supplied to a converter to generate a digital control signal where the relationship between the digital signal and the digital control signal is nonlinear. First and second digital to analog converters are provided to receive the digital control signal and a reference signal. The first digital to analog converter attenuates the composite program signal as a function of the digital control signal and provides an attenuated composite program signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Inventors: Robert Ponto, Hardison G. Martin
  • Patent number: 4359602
    Abstract: Multiple input sound amplifying and activation system including at least two microphones where an input channel is provided for each microphone. Each input channel provides a rectified signal to a summing device which sums the signals from the channels to generate a reference signal. Each input channel also includes a comparator to compare the reference signal with the signal received by the channel and provides a first control signal and second control signal in response to ratio between the reference signal and the channel input signal. The control signals operate a program signal amplifier to provide a program signal to an attenuator which attenuates the signal in response to the number of active channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Inventors: Robert A. Ponto, Hardison G. Martin
  • Patent number: 4239938
    Abstract: A digital attenuator to stepwise modify multiple controlled signals including generator to provide counter signals at selected frequency, a counter to count the signals having multiple counter outputs to provide a counter output signal when activated and adapted to selectively activate each counter output in selected sequence in response to selected numbers of counter signals so the counter provides a repeated pattern of output signals at the output means to provide a counter output control cycle, multiplexer having a selected number of multiplex signal inputs each adapted to receive binary input signals from selected signal generator multiplex control means to selectively connect each of the multiplex inputs is connected to the multiplex outputs during each counter output control cycle, signal storage device having an input connected to the multiplex outputs to store the multiplex output signals to provide a stored binary signal indicative of the sum of the number of multiplex output signals received during
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: Innovative Electronics Design
    Inventor: Robert A. Ponto
  • Patent number: PP25670
    Abstract: ‘Pontovia’ is a distinctive variety of Liriope gigantea which is characterized by the combination of: foliage variegation ranging from gold striations at and near the leaf margins with lime-green striations concentrated at or near the leaf midrib in immature foliage, to near-silver striations at and near the leaf margins with dark green striations concentrated at and near the leaf midrib in mature foliage and varying amounts of each color at intermediate stages of leaf development; dark violet flowers; and taller inflorescences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Ponto