Patents Represented by Attorney Robert D. Varitz
  • Patent number: 6990236
    Abstract: A method of approximating a nearest neighbor includes identifying a target value in an image; selecting a range about the target value; analyzing each neighboring value to determine if the neighboring value is within the range; and expanding the range until a neighboring value is determined to be the neighboring value closest to the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Edward Boettcher
  • Patent number: 6985456
    Abstract: A method of power control for use in a communications network having plural transceiver communications nodes therein, including, in an initiator node, transmitting a first signal at a first power level to a responder node; in the responder node, measuring and storing, a first signal level for the first signal and a first signal responder noise level; determining responder reception characteristic information; and sending a second signal to the initiator node; in the initiator node, measuring and storing, the second signal signal level and second signal initiator noise level; and sending a third signal to the responder node; in both the initiator node and the responder node, determining a subsequent data transmit signal power and data rate; and transmitting data at the subsequent data transmit signal power and data rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Garold Bruce Gaskill, Sherman Leon Gavette, Carl Mansfield
  • Patent number: 6941523
    Abstract: A user interface for controlling peripheral devices including a peripheral option display for presenting peripheral options to a user immediately following selection of the peripheral device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Rono James Mathieson
  • Patent number: 6908555
    Abstract: A method of treating wastewater sludge includes pumping, continuously, raw sludge into a first digester and treating the raw sludge at a specific temperature of between about 51° C. to 60° C.; transferring the treated wastewater sludge to a batch tank; treating the wastewater sludge in the batch tank, anaerobically, at a thermophilic temperature which is not more than 2° C. warmer than the specific temperature in the first digester; and disposing of the treated wastewater sludge as a Class A biosolid. A wastewater sludge treatment system includes a first thermophilic digester for treating raw wastewater sludge at a specific temperature in a range of between about 51° C. to 60° C., and discharging a treated wastewater sludge; a batch tank for receiving the treated wastewater sludge discharged from the first digester and for thermophilically treating sludge at a temperature in a range of between about 51° C. to 60° C. and not more than 2° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Columbus Water Works
    Inventors: Clifford J. Arnett, Joseph B. Farrell, Daniel T. Hull, III, Steven J. Krugel, Perry L. Schafer, Billy G. Turner, Warren R. Uhte, John L. Willis
  • Patent number: 6859450
    Abstract: An improved method for preventing collisions in a multi-transceiver access point for use with frequency hopping RF transceivers includes determining the next channel frequencies to be used by each transceiver in the access point; and permitting only one transceiver to transmit on any particular channel frequency at any one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Mansfield
  • Patent number: 6853755
    Abstract: A method of compressing a document, includes preparing an encoded representation of a document by scanning the document to provide a scanner output; classifying the scanner output as belonging to a class of document taken from the document classes consisting of smooth, text, graphics and image; and adaptively compressing the scanner output as a function of the class of the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Xin Li
  • Patent number: 6845176
    Abstract: A video image processing system includes an image sensor for sensing an image and generating an image signal therefor; and a histogram computation mechanism for generating, on-line, a histogram from said image signal. A method of analyzing a video image includes sensing an image; generating an image signal therefor; and computing, on-line, a histogram for the image from the image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: M. Ibrahim Sezan
  • Patent number: 6839331
    Abstract: A method of changing paramenters in an 802.11 WLAN includes determining a performance metric for the WLAN; monitoring the performance of the WLAN with a monitor management entity; generating a terminate and reconvene message when the performance of the WLAN drops below a performance metric threshold; selecting a reconvene BSS having a reconvene BSSID, changed 802.11 parameters and setting a time for the reconvene BSS to become operational; transmitting the terminate and reconvene message to all STAs in the BSS; and instantiating the reconvene BSS at the set time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: William Michael Rudnick
  • Patent number: 6827403
    Abstract: A seat structure with latching-unlatching mechanism for enabling smoothly operating releaseable locking and unlocking actions between a seat-base and an inclinable seat-back hinged to the seat-base in the seat structure. Two interengageable arcs of gear teeth forming part of the mechanism engage and release selectively under rocker-lever seat-occupant control to lock and unlock the seat-back for inclinational fixation and adjustment, and, as determined by tooth-pitch in the arcs, enable positive locking to take place in a large number of specific, small-angular-difference, seat-back inclinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: MJD Innovations, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gerhard Paasche, Michael R. Dennis
  • Patent number: 6827492
    Abstract: A one-way outwardly gas and moisture vented, plural-layer bag for a product, such as a dry bulk product, in which bag a concealed valve is positioned near one side, and close to the originally open top, of the bag. Openings in the valve communicate with confronting openings in a gas and moisture impervious inner layer in the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Leland B. Cook
  • Patent number: 6812375
    Abstract: A topographically self-stabilizing, dynamic pressure-evenizing, pressure-applying, anatomical dressing which includes a pressure-applying, acceleration-rate-sensitive, temperature and pressure responsive, cushioning layer which responds during a bandaging situation, both statically and dynamically, to maintain relatively uniform all-over pressure beneath it, and against the surface of a site, such as a surgical wound site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventors: Michael R. Dennis, Michael W. Tucker, Gerhard Paasche
  • Patent number: 6803005
    Abstract: A method for making a multi-layer helmet shell wherein inner and outer, structural, load-bearing semi-rigid layers are spray-deposited onto opposite surfaces of a pre-shaped, pliable viscoelastic, acceleration-rate-sensitive, microcellular foam core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: MJD Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Mike Dennis, Russell A. Monk
  • Patent number: 6800062
    Abstract: A comprehensive vertigo management system and methodology is provided which employs a spatial maneuvering device, preferably under computer control, to orient a subject selectively differently in space, thus to create vestibular activity which is directly related to spatial motion (including acceleration) and/or orientation. Data is collected relating to such orientation and activity, along with certain subject-introduced reaction data in certain instances and video-camera data, and fed to a computer which cooperates in presenting an intuitive visual and pictorial correlation that enables physician diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation regarding elements of dysfunction of the subject's vestibular system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Epley Research, L.L.C.
    Inventor: John M. Epley
  • Patent number: 6793218
    Abstract: An output mechanism for use with an inkjet printer for printing a multi-page document, including plural paper-receiving output trays; a controller for determining the total number of pages, the number of copies of each page to be printed, and the paper-receiving tray which will receive each printed page, wherein each page is provided with sufficient time to dry before a subsequently printed page is stacked on top thereof; and a paper directing mechanism for directing the paper to a specific paper-receiving tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Michael Pickett
  • Patent number: 6789844
    Abstract: A shock-load G-force minimizing seat structure which responds principally in non-springy compression, rather than in spring-loading bending, to vertically directed shock loads. The seat structure features an anti-springy frame structure which supports a thin and very lightweight seat cushion support spanner web formed preferably of a non-stretchy material, such as a material made out of elongate carbon-fibre strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: MJD Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Michael R. Dennis
  • Patent number: 6784854
    Abstract: Apparatus and methodology utilizing nearfield microwave technology to detect contraband/forbidden substances concealed within metallic containers. Apparatus and methodologic microwave operating frequency determines the metallic thickness through which detection is possible, and also the expectable “depths” for detection within a metallic container. Special and important attention is paid to the appropriate positional and distance locating of the invention apparatus relative to a suspected “substance-containing” metallic container for detection to be most effective. Preferably, this distance is substantially equal to the closest distance from the central radiating plane of a lens/antenna (which is employed, according to a preferred practice of the invention) at which a conductive, metallic surface will regeneratively parasitize the lens/antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Spatial Dynamics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tex Yukl
  • Patent number: 6778493
    Abstract: A system for transmitting and synchronizing real-time multimedia content includes a multimedia server for generating a multimedia packet; a packet-based communication network connected to the multimedia server for receiving multimedia packets therefrom; the network having multiple routers therein to route the multimedia packets to plural destinations; a mechanism for inserting total delay information (TDI) into the multimedia packets, wherein the TDI includes total end-to-end delay (TED) and cumulative network delay (CND); and plural multimedia receivers for receiving the multimedia packets having TDI therein, wherein each multimedia receiver includes a buffer, a sequencing mechanism, and a playing mechanism for playing retrieved, sequenced multimedia packets at time TED after the multimedia packet has been transmitted by the multimedia server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Atsushi Ishii
  • Patent number: 6778852
    Abstract: A method and system for presenting time-based, comparative, patient-specific ECG data in various presentation formats, wherein color-coding is employed as a visual device to communicate vividly different, selected “changed” characteristics in that patient's current ECG-detected status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Inovise Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Galen, Damon J. Coffman, Robert A. Warner
  • Patent number: 6728533
    Abstract: In a mobile phone having a clock display therein, wherein the mobile phone is in wireless communication with a base station located in a time zone having a current local time (CLT), and wherein the base station transmits a control signal having carried therein at least a universal coordinated time (UCT) signal, a system identification (SID) signal, a network identification (NID) signals, a CLT signal, and a daylight savings time (DST) flag, wherein the mobile phone is transportable to be wireless communications with another base station in another time zone, and wherein, upon securing communications with a base station, the phone synchronizes its internal clock to the CLT of the base station; a clock includes a selection mechanism for use by a user to select a home time zone (HTZ), and to select a displayed time on the clock display from the group of displayed times consisting of CLT and HTZ; and a displayed time calculating mechanism which determines the time displayed on the clock display as a function of t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Atsushi Ishii
  • Patent number: D495728
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Greenstreet, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward E. Orner, Michael H. Dunn