Patents by Inventor W. Kurt Dobson

W. Kurt Dobson 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: 9104977
    Abstract: A system configured to predict characteristics of an artificial heart is described. The system includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor, and an artificial neural network configured to receive an input vector of a predetermined length to train the artificial neural network, produce an output vector based on the input vector, and compare the output vector with a target vector of the predetermined length. When the output vector does not match the target vector within a predetermined error rate, the network is configured to adjust at least one weight, and when the output vector matches the target vector within the predetermined error rate, the network is configured to execute the input vector to produce an estimate at least one characteristic of the artificial heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: World Heart Corporation
    Inventors: W. Kurt Dobson, Ken Poppleton
  • Publication number: 20150006453
    Abstract: A system configured to predict characteristics of an artificial heart is described. The system includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor, and an artificial neural network configured to receive an input vector of a predetermined length to train the artificial neural network, produce an output vector based on the input vector, and compare the output vector with a target vector of the predetermined length. When the output vector does not match the target vector within a predetermined error rate, the network is configured to adjust at least one weight, and when the output vector matches the target vector within the predetermined error rate, the network is configured to execute the input vector to produce an estimate at least one characteristic of the artificial heart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: W. Kurt Dobson, Ken Poppleton
  • Patent number: 8880450
    Abstract: A system configured to predict characteristics of an artificial heart is described. The system includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor, and an artificial neural network configured to receive an input vector of a predetermined length to train the artificial neural network, produce an output vector based on the input vector, and compare the output vector with a target vector of the predetermined length. When the output vector does not match the target vector within a predetermined error rate, the network is configured to adjust at least one weight, and when the output vector matches the target vector within the predetermined error rate, the network is configured to execute the input vector to produce an estimate at least one characteristic of the artificial heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: World Heart Corporation
    Inventors: W. Kurt Dobson, Ken Poppleton
  • Patent number: 8706431
    Abstract: There are disclosed systems and methods of determining a fault location on a wire. In an embodiment, a system includes a PN code having a chip-time. Software code is provided for delaying the PN code a series of delays to form delayed PN samples, a sum of the series of delays being less than one chip-time. Software code is provided for summing the delayed PN samples with the PN code to form a summed sequence. Software code is provided for transmitting the summed PN sequence to the wire. Software code is provided for receiving a signal from the wire related to the summed PN sequence. Software code is provided for mixing the signal received from the wire with a delayed copy of the summed PN sequence so as to form a mixed signal. Software code is provided for integrating the mixed signal to map faults. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: World Heart Corporation
    Inventors: W. Kurt Dobson, Gill Bearnson
  • Publication number: 20120303564
    Abstract: A system configured to predict characteristics of an artificial heart is described. The system includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor, and an artificial neural network configured to receive an input vector of a predetermined length to train the artificial neural network, produce an output vector based on the input vector, and compare the output vector with a target vector of the predetermined length. When the output vector does not match the target vector within a predetermined error rate, the network is configured to adjust at least one weight, and when the output vector matches the target vector within the predetermined error rate, the network is configured to execute the input vector to produce an estimate at least one characteristic of the artificial heart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: World Heart Corporation
    Inventors: W. Kurt Dobson, Ken Poppleton
  • Publication number: 20110313691
    Abstract: There are disclosed systems and methods of determining a fault location on a wire. In an embodiment, a system includes a PN code having a chip-time. Software code is provided for delaying the PN code a series of delays to form delayed PN samples, a sum of the series of delays being less than one chip-time. Software code is provided for summing the delayed PN samples with the PN code to form a summed sequence. Software code is provided for transmitting the summed PN sequence to the wire. Software code is provided for receiving a signal from the wire related to the summed PN sequence. Software code is provided for mixing the signal received from the wire with a delayed copy of the summed PN sequence so as to form a mixed signal. Software code is provided for integrating the mixed signal to map faults. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: WORLDHEART, INC.
    Inventors: W. Kurt Dobson, Gill Bearnson
  • Patent number: 7539235
    Abstract: A spread spectrum communications system using long, scalable PN sequences to achieve variable communication rates using a low-complexity and scalable matched filter architecture to provide a large processing gain, robust recovery of multiple devices in long reach, high ambient-noise environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: S5 Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Kurt Dobson, Dirk Ostermiller, Sy Prestwich, Scott Bevan
  • Patent number: 7339522
    Abstract: A method and system for determining the location of a mobile transmitting device that uses three dimensional location coordinates to triangulate the location using a time difference of arrival method, with diminishing errors, error correction and which takes advantage of global positioning systems without the requirement of highly accurate clocks in the mobile transmitting device and the base stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: S5 Wireless, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Kurt Dobson
  • Patent number: 7280579
    Abstract: A transmitter for a spread spectrum communications system may include a data source, a first multiplier/mixer spreading data from said data source with a first pseudo noise source, a second multiplier/mixer spreading data from said first mixer with a second pseudo noise source, and an RF transmitter. A receiver for a spread spectrum communications system may include an RF receiver, a first matched filter receiving data from said RF receiver, a plurality of phase/frequency shifters receiving a signal from said first matched filter, a plurality of second matched filters receiving data from said plurality of phase/frequency shifters, and an equalizer/decoder receiving signals from said plurality of second matched filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Inventors: W. Kurt Dobson, Dirk Ostermiller, Sy Prestwich, Scott Bevan
  • Patent number: 7236510
    Abstract: A spread spectrum communications system adapted to receive simultaneous signals from multiple transmitters, separates frequency error and equalizes and decodes continuous streams of data sets from a plurality of matched filters with frequency correction and which sorts through data and successfully decodes data bits. The spread spectrum communications system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver includes an RF receiver. At least one PNB matched filter receives signals from the RF receiver. A plurality of frequency shifters receives a signal from the at least one PNB matched filter. A plurality of PNA matched filters receives data from the at least one PNB matched filter and the plurality of frequency shifters. An equalizer/decoder receives signals from the plurality of PNA matched filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: S5 Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Kurt Dobson, Dirk Ostermiller, Sy Prestwich, Scott Bevan
  • Patent number: 7092426
    Abstract: A spread spectrum communications system uses long, scalable PN sequences to achieve variable communication rates. A low-complexity and scalable matched filter architecture is used to provide a large processing gain and robust recovery of multiple devices in long reach, high ambient-noise environments. The spread spectrum communications system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver includes an RF receiver and a first matched filter receiving data from the RF receiver. A plurality of phase/frequency shifters receives a signal from the first matched filter. A plurality of second matched filters receive data from the plurality of phase/frequency shifters. An equalizer/decoder receives signals from the plurality of phase/frequency shifters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: S5 Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Kurt Dobson, Dirk Ostermiller, Sy Prestwich, Scott Bevan
  • Patent number: 6943729
    Abstract: A method and system for determining the location of a mobile transmitting device that uses three dimensional location coordinates to triangulate the location using a time difference of arrival method, with diminishing errors, error correction and which takes advantage of global positioning systems without the requirement of highly accurate clocks in the mobile transmitting device and the base stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: S5 Wireless, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Kurt Dobson
  • Publication number: 20030081654
    Abstract: A frequency-hopping system is disclosed, in which the band for frequency hopping is dynamically changed in response to changing channel conditions or a command. Simultaneously with the change of the band of operation the output power may be changed as well, so that the system satisfies at all times the regulatory requirements of the country it operates in.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Todor Cooklev, W. Kurt Dobson, Dirk Ostermiller, Sy Prestwich
  • Patent number: 4943980
    Abstract: A modem system includes a transmitter section having generators for successively generating sets of carrier signals where each carrier signal of a set has a different frequency and a modulator for modulating each carrier signal of a set with a different portion of digital data to be transmitted where all such portions used to modulate a set of carrier signals comprise a frame of digital data. Also included are an adder for successively combining together the modulated carrier signals of each set to produce a frame waveform, an inverse Fast Fourier Transform circuit for transforming each waveform from a frequency domain signal to a time domain signal, a rotate and match buffer circuit for rotating each transform waveform so that its beginning point amplitude and slope substantially match the ending point amplitude and slope of the immediately preceding transformed waveform, and a transmitter for successively and continuously transmitting the transformed and rotated waveforms over a telephone channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Intelligent Modem Corporation
    Inventors: W. Kurt Dobson, Donald L. Chaffee