Patents by Inventor William E. Jennings

William E. Jennings 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: 11166404
    Abstract: Systems and methods for virtual agronomic sensing are provided. In embodiments methods comprise receiving first agronomic data for a first geographic location comprising sensor data from agronomic sensors at the first geographic location; receiving first agronomic information for the first geographic location; and generating first predictive agronomic data for the first geographic location using the first agronomic data for the first geographic location and the first agronomic information for the first geographic location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: FarmX Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Oaklander, Kentaro Fitzgerald Kuwata, Robin Woodby, William E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 10983489
    Abstract: Systems and methods for harmonic analysis of soil are provided herein. Some methods include converting a first frequency of an operating signal into a second, higher frequency relative to the first frequency to create a stimulating signal, transmitting the stimulating signal into soil, and determining attenuation based on a comparison of a responsive signal and the operating signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: FarmX Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Jennings, Zachary Gentry
  • Patent number: 10746720
    Abstract: Soil moisture monitoring systems and methods for measuring mutual inductance of area of influence using radio frequency stimulus are disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving a first inductance frequency sample from a first oscillator circuit, the first oscillator circuit being coupled with one or more reference inductors; receiving a second inductance frequency sample from a second oscillator circuit, the second oscillator circuit being coupled with one or more mutual inductors that sense soil moisture inductance in an area of soil; receiving a temperature reading from a thermometer, the temperature reading being obtained when the first inductance frequency sample and the second inductance frequency sample were obtained. The example method further includes transmitting the first inductance frequency sample, the second inductance frequency sample, and the temperature reading to a receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: FarmX Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Jennings
  • Publication number: 20200068784
    Abstract: Systems and methods for virtual agronomic sensing are provided. In embodiments methods comprise receiving first agronomic data for a first geographic location comprising sensor data from agronomic sensors at the first geographic location; receiving first agronomic information for the first geographic location; and generating first predictive agronomic data for the first geographic location using the first agronomic data for the first geographic location and the first agronomic information for the first geographic location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Peter Oaklander, Kentaro Fitzgerald Kuwata, Robin Woodby, William E. Jennings
  • Publication number: 20200026250
    Abstract: Systems and methods for harmonic analysis of soil are provided herein. Some methods include converting a first frequency of an operating signal into a second, higher frequency relative to the first frequency to create a stimulating signal, transmitting the stimulating signal into soil, and determining attenuation based on a comparison of a responsive signal and the operating signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: William E. Jennings, Zachary Gentry
  • Patent number: 10533956
    Abstract: According to some exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure is related in general to a soil moisture monitoring system comprising a first PVC pipe holding one or more sensing units, a top of the first PVC pipe mated to a “T” intersection, and a base of the “T” intersection mated to a rodent resistant cord. The first PVC pipe is generally round in shape with one or more flat surfaces of approximately six inches in length, each flat surface at an approximately 90 degree angle relative to a next closest flat surface. Each of the one or more sensing units further comprises a controller communicatively coupled between two antennas. In most exemplary embodiments, four sensing units may be vertically stacked on the first PVC pipe and configured to transmit eight separate directional radio frequencies into nearby dirt, each of the eight separate directional radio frequencies vertically spaced six inches apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: FarmX Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 10527530
    Abstract: A venting cap is disclosed for pressure vessels for microwave-assisted chemistry. The venting cap includes a flexible circular cover for closing the mouth of a reaction vessel, a flexible annular wall depending from the circular cover, and a flexible annular ring at the bottom of the annular wall and parallel to the circular cover for positioning the cap on a reaction vessel. At least one indentation in the circular cover minimizes distortion when any contents of a reaction vessel exert pressure against the cap, and at least one opening in the annular wall provides a ventilation path through the cap when gas pressure in a reaction vessel flexes the cap sufficiently to partially disengage at least a portion of the cap from the mouth of the reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventors: David A. Barclay, Joseph J. Lambert, William E. Jennings, David L. Herman
  • Patent number: 10509378
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic irrigation for a micro-climate areas and subterranean soil modeling are provided herein. Some methods include receiving collection of micro-climate data having weather data from a weather station that is proximate a target area, canopy imaging for the target area, depth-specific soil data for the target area, plant health data that includes stomatal conductance and evapotranspiration for plants in the target area, and selectively adjusting operation of an irrigation system so as to increase or decrease water applied to the target area based on analysis of the micro-climate data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: FarmX Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Jennings, Zachary Gentry
  • Patent number: 10067043
    Abstract: An instrument and method for high pressure microwave assisted chemistry are disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying microwave radiation to a sample in a sealed vessel while measuring the temperature of the sample and measuring the pressure generated inside the vessel and until the measured pressure reaches a designated set point, opening the vessel to release gases until the pressure inside the vessel reaches a lower designated set point, closing the vessel, and repeating the steps of opening the vessel at designated pressure set points and closing the vessel at designated pressure set points to the sample until the sample reaction reaches a designated high temperature. The designated set points can controllably differ from one another as the reaction proceeds. Microwave energy can be applied continuously or intermittently during the opening and closing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: CEM Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Barclay, Joseph J. Lambert, William E. Jennings, David L. Herman
  • Publication number: 20180229208
    Abstract: A venting cap is disclosed for pressure vessels for microwave-assisted chemistry. The venting cap includes a flexible circular cover for closing the mouth of a reaction vessel, a flexible annular wall depending from the circular cover, and a flexible annular ring at the bottom of the annular wall and parallel to the circular cover for positioning the cap on a reaction vessel. At least one indentation in the circular cover minimizes distortion when any contents of a reaction vessel exert pressure against the cap, and at least one opening in the annular wall provides a ventilation path through the cap when gas pressure in a reaction vessel flexes the cap sufficiently to partially disengage at least a portion of the cap from the mouth of the reaction vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: CEM Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Barclay, Joseph J. Lambert, William E. Jennings, David L. Herman
  • Publication number: 20180202988
    Abstract: Soil moisture monitoring systems and methods for measuring mutual inductance of area of influence using radio frequency stimulus are disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving a first inductance frequency sample from a first oscillator circuit, the first oscillator circuit being coupled with one or more reference inductors; receiving a second inductance frequency sample from a second oscillator circuit, the second oscillator circuit being coupled with one or more mutual inductors that sense soil moisture inductance in an area of soil; receiving a temperature reading from a thermometer, the temperature reading being obtained when the first inductance frequency sample and the second inductance frequency sample were obtained. The example method further includes transmitting the first inductance frequency sample, the second inductance frequency sample, and the temperature reading to a receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventor: William E. Jennings
  • Publication number: 20180164230
    Abstract: According to some exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure is related in general to a soil moisture monitoring system comprising a first PVC pipe holding one or more sensing units, a top of the first PVC pipe mated to a “T” intersection, and a base of the “T” intersection mated to a rodent resistant cord. The first PVC pipe is generally round in shape with one or more flat surfaces of approximately six inches in length, each flat surface at an approximately 90 degree angle relative to a next closest flat surface. Each of the one or more sensing units further comprises a controller communicatively coupled between two antennas. In most exemplary embodiments, four sensing units may be vertically stacked on the first PVC pipe and configured to transmit eight separate directional radio frequencies into nearby dirt, each of the eight separate directional radio frequencies vertically spaced six inches apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventor: William E. Jennings
  • Publication number: 20180129175
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic irrigation for a micro-climate areas and subterranean soil modeling are provided herein. Some methods include receiving collection of micro-climate data having weather data from a weather station that is proximate a target area, canopy imaging for the target area, depth-specific soil data for the target area, plant health data that includes stomatal conductance and evapotranspiration for plants in the target area, and selectively adjusting operation of an irrigation system so as to increase or decrease water applied to the target area based on analysis of the micro-climate data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: William E. Jennings, Zachary Gentry
  • Patent number: 9943823
    Abstract: An instrument and method for high pressure microwave assisted chemistry are disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying microwave radiation to a sample in a sealed vessel while measuring the temperature of the sample and measuring the pressure generated inside the vessel and until the measured pressure reaches a designated set point, opening the vessel to release gases until the pressure inside the vessel reaches a lower designated set point, closing the vessel, and repeating the steps of opening the vessel at designated pressure set points and closing the vessel at designated pressure set points to the sample until the sample reaction reaches a designated high temperature. The designated set points can controllably differ from one another as the reaction proceeds. Microwave energy can be applied continuously or intermittently during the opening and closing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: CEM Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Barclay, Joseph J. Lambert, William E. Jennings, David L. Herman
  • Publication number: 20170108415
    Abstract: An instrument and method for high pressure microwave assisted chemistry are disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying microwave radiation to a sample in a sealed vessel while measuring the temperature of the sample and measuring the pressure generated inside the vessel and until the measured pressure reaches a designated set point, opening the vessel to release gases until the pressure inside the vessel reaches a lower designated set point, closing the vessel, and repeating the steps of opening the vessel at designated pressure set points and closing the vessel at designated pressure set points to the sample until the sample reaction reaches a designated high temperature. The designated set points can controllably differ from one another as the reaction proceeds. Microwave energy can be applied continuously or intermittently during the opening and closing steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: CEM Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Barclay, Joseph J. Lambert, William E. Jennings, David L. Herman
  • Publication number: 20160096162
    Abstract: An instrument and method for high pressure microwave assisted chemistry are disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying microwave radiation to a sample in a sealed vessel while measuring the temperature of the sample and measuring the pressure generated inside the vessel and until the measured pressure reaches a designated set point, opening the vessel to release gases until the pressure inside the vessel reaches a lower designated set point, closing the vessel, and repeating the steps of opening the vessel at designated pressure set points and closing the vessel at designated pressure set points to the sample until the sample reaction reaches a designated high temperature. The designated set points can controllably differ from one another as the reaction proceeds. Microwave energy can be applied continuously or intermittently during the opening and closing steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: CEM Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Barclay, Joseph J. Lambert, William E. Jennings, David L. Herman
  • Patent number: 9237608
    Abstract: An instrument and method for high pressure microwave assisted chemistry are disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying microwave radiation to a sample in a sealed vessel while measuring the temperature of the sample and measuring the pressure generated inside the vessel and until the measured pressure reaches a designated set point, opening the vessel to release gases until the pressure inside the vessel reaches a lower designated set point, closing the vessel, and repeating the steps of opening the vessel at designated pressure set points and closing the vessel at designated pressure set points to the sample until the sample reaction reaches a designated high temperature. The designated set points can controllably differ from one another as the reaction proceeds. Microwave energy can be applied continuously or intermittently during the opening and closing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: CEM Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Barclay, Joseph J Lambert, William E. Jennings, David L. Herman
  • Publication number: 20120074136
    Abstract: An instrument and method for high pressure microwave assisted chemistry are disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying microwave radiation to a sample in a sealed vessel while measuring the temperature and pressure generated inside the vessel and until the measured pressure reaches a designated set point, opening the vessel to release gases until the pressure inside the vessel reaches a lower set point, closing the vessel, and repeating the steps of opening the vessel at designated pressure set points and closing the vessel at designated pressure set points to the sample until the sample reaction reaches a designated high temperature. Microwave energy can be applied continuously or intermittently during the opening and closing steps. Among other items, the instrument includes pressure and temperature sensors and means for opening and closing the vessel at the set points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: CEM CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Barclay, Joseph J. Lambert, William E. Jennings, David L. Herman
  • Patent number: 7895412
    Abstract: A programmable processing engine processes transient data within an intermediate network station of a computer network. The engine comprises an array of processing elements symmetrically arrayed as rows and columns, and embedded between input and output buffer units with a plurality of interfaces from the array to an external memory. The external memory stores non-transient data organized within data structures, such as forwarding and routing tables, for use in processing the transient data. Each processing element contains an instruction memory that allows programming of the array to process the transient data as processing element stages of baseline or extended pipelines operating in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Tehnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Kerr, Kenneth Michael Key, Michael L. Wright, William E. Jennings
  • Publication number: 20110036705
    Abstract: An instrument and method for high pressure microwave assisted chemistry are disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying microwave radiation to a sample in a sealed vessel while measuring the temperature of the sample and measuring the pressure generated inside the vessel and until the measured pressure reaches a designated set point, opening the vessel to release gases until the pressure inside the vessel reaches a lower designated set point, closing the vessel, and repeating the steps of opening the vessel at designated pressure set points and closing the vessel at designated pressure set points to the sample until the sample reaction reaches a designated high temperature. The designated set points can controllably differ from one another as the reaction proceeds. Microwave energy can be applied continuously or intermittently during the opening and closing steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: David A. Barclay, Joseph J. Lambert, William E. Jennings, David L. Herman