Patents by Inventor Alan E. Thomas

Alan E. Thomas 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: 7293186
    Abstract: Improved approaches to providing thermal and power management for a computing device are disclosed. These approaches facilitate intelligent control of a processor's clock frequency and/or a fan's speed so as to provide thermal and/or power management for the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventors: C. Douglass Thomas, Alan E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7167993
    Abstract: Improved approaches to providing thermal and power management for a computing device are disclosed. These approaches facilitate intelligent control of a processor's clock frequency and/or a fan's speed so as to provide thermal and/or power management for the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Inventors: C. Douglas Thomas, Alan E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6487668
    Abstract: Improved approaches to providing thermal and power management for a computing device are disclosed. These approaches facilitate intelligent control of a processor's clock frequency and/or a fan's speed so as to provide thermal and/or power management for the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventors: C. Douglass Thomas, Alan E. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20010047494
    Abstract: Improved approaches to providing thermal and power management for a computing device are disclosed. These approaches facilitate intelligent control of a processor's clock frequency and/or a fan's speed so as to provide thermal and/or power management for the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: C. Douglass Thomas, Alan E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6216235
    Abstract: Improved approaches to providing thermal and power management for a computing device are disclosed. These approaches facilitate intelligent control of a processor's clock frequency and/or a fan's speed so as to provide thermal and/or power management for the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventors: C. Douglass Thomas, Alan E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6061125
    Abstract: A container inspection system wherein diffused light and collimated light provide backlighting to image a container (10) by a color camera (18). Light strobed through a ring light (36) and parabolic reflector (39) is diffused at a diffusion laminate (46). Light strobed through a ring light (60) and parabolic reflector (64) is collimated at lens (68) and aligned with the diffused light by reflector laminate (48). Diffused light is filtered by a blue band-pass filter (42) and collimated light is filtered by a red band-pass filter (66) and camera (18) segregates the container image according to blue and red color planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Insight Control Systems International
    Inventors: Alan E. Thomas, Michael C. Bagley
  • Patent number: 5974557
    Abstract: Novel techniques for controlling a processor's clock frequency and/or fan so as to prevent overheating are disclosed. The invention attempts to maximize the processing speed of the processor while preventing overheating or to reduce power consumption. In a preferred embodiment, the invention monitors a processor's activity and its temperature. When there is no activity for the processor, a slowed clock frequency is used, thereby saving power and lowering the thermal heat produced by the processor. On the other hand, when there is activity for the processor, a fast clock frequency is used. However, when prolonged activity (i.e., sustained fast clock frequency) causes the processor's temperature to become dangerously high for proper operation, the clock frequency is reduced and/or a fan is activated so as to prevent overheating. The invention may be implemented as an apparatus or a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventors: C. Douglass Thomas, Alan E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5923419
    Abstract: An optical inspection system wherein a camera (14) images recessed surfaces of a workpiece through a lens (16). Video signals to the image are provided to a computer (30) that compares selected parameters of the image with predetermined values. Based on that comparison, computer (30) selectively signals a controller (20) to activate a rejector assembly (24). Lens (16) is a microlens of the wide angle type to provide an open image of the recessed surface to camera (14). An illumination system (54) directs diffused light through a gap (52) between the lens (16) and the workpiece (10) to illuminate the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Insight Control Systems International
    Inventor: Alan E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5752011
    Abstract: Novel techniques for controlling a processor's clock frequency so as to prevent overheating are disclosed. The invention attempts to maximizes the processing speed of the processor while preventing overheating. In a preferred embodiment, the invention monitors a processor's activity and its temperature. When there is no activity for the processor, a slowed clock frequency is used, thereby saving power and lowering the thermal heat produced by the processor. On the other hand, when there is activity for the processor, a fast clock frequency is used. However, when prolonged activity (i.e., sustained fast clock frequency) causes the processor's temperature to become dangerously high for proper operation, the clock frequency is reduced so as to maintain processing speed at a reduced speed while preventing overheating. The invention may be implemented as an apparatus or a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventors: C. Douglas Thomas, Alan E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5548276
    Abstract: An automated fire extinguishing apparatus includes a turret with a nozzle connected to a water supply. A plurality of sensors are used to detect a fire monitored by the apparatus. The signals from the sensors are used to aim the nozzle toward the fire and to initiate water ejection therefrom. After the fire is extinguished the water is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Alan E. Thomas
    Inventor: Alan E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5167725
    Abstract: Ultrasonic blade coupler comprising a blade element composed of a material selected from aluminum and titanium rendered sharpenable by a surface hardening treatment. The blade coupler exhibits improved acoustical properties with reduced energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Ultracision, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Clark, Dale E. Whipple, Alan E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5059210
    Abstract: A delivery system for attaching and detaching an ultrasonic surgical blade/coupler and an acoustical mount. An adaptor sleeve receives and encapsulates the blade to avoid accidents resulting from the sharp blade edge. A cylindrical member receives the sleeve and a ratcheting mechanism is provided between the adaptor and member to facilitate rotation of the adaptor and coupler upon rotation of the member up to a predetermined torque, ensuring threaded connection between the coupler and acoustical mount sufficient for transmission of ultrasonic energy. To remove the blade/coupler, the member is rotated in the opposite direction, whereby unlimited torque may be applied through the ratchet mechanism to unthread the coupler from the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Ultracision Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Clark, Alan E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5057119
    Abstract: A delivery system for attaching and detaching an ultrasonic surgical blade/coupler and an acoustical mount. An adaptor sleeve receives and encapsulates the blade to avoid accidents resulting from the sharp edge of the blade. In a two-piece embodiment hereof, a cylindrical member receives the sleeve and a ratcheting mechanism is provided between the adaptor and member to facilitate rotation of the adaptor and coupler upon rotation of the member up to a predetermined torque, ensuring threaded connection between the coupler and acoustical mount sufficient for transmission of ultrasonic energy. To remove the blade/coupler, the member is rotated in the opposite direction, whereby unlimited torque may be applied through the ratchet mechanism to unthread the coupler from the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Ultracision Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Clark, Alan E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5026387
    Abstract: A power control arrangement for an ultrasonic surgical device such as a scalpel which provides power on demand in response to the continuous or periodic sensing of the loading condition (tissue contact or withdrawal) of the blade such that the device goes from a low power, idle state to a selectable high power, cutting state automatically depending on whether the scalpel is or is not in contact with tissue. A third, high power coagulation mode is manually selectable with automatic return to an idle power level when the blade is not in contact with tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Ultracision Inc.
    Inventor: Alan E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4906098
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the profile of portions of an article located within a predefined plane. Each portion is scanned, such as by an optical micrometer providing a beam of radiant energy, to determine its dimension. The distance between each portion and a vertical reference is also scanned to determine its dimension. The article is rotated about an axis intersecting the predefined plane within the scan of the beam and is axially moved along an axis parallel to the intersecting axis within the scan of the beam so that the dimension of each portion and its distance from the vertical reference can be determined. The apparatus may be used in combination with a cavity identification system to control manufacturing employing multiple molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Glass Technology Development Corporation
    Inventors: Alan E. Thomas, Leon E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4894210
    Abstract: Desulphurization of saturated or near saturated gaseous hydrocarbon stream is effected using a bed of a particulate adsorbent comprising zinc oxide. Condensation of the higher boiling components is avoided by heating the raw gas to a temperature at least 10.degree. C. above its dew point. This heating is effected by heat exchange with the heated desulphurized gas and by heat exchange with the combustion products of a minor part stream taken from the raw gas and/or from the desulphurized product gas stream. The absorbent particles preferably have a high BET surface area and pore volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries plc
    Inventors: Patrick J. Denny, Alan E. Thomas, Peter J. Carnell
  • Patent number: 4832181
    Abstract: The cavity tracking system employs a tracking station adjacent a screw feed with closely spaced sensors which operate on a first-in first-out memory manner. When a container passes the first sensor the actual encoder "count" obtained at that time is compared with the list of cavity numbers and associated calculated "counts" in the store and the cavity number associated with the actual count is fed to the first memory zone. When the container passes the second sensor, the cavity number is erased from the first zone and passed on to the next zone and so on. Upon passing the last sensor, the cavity number is fed to the read-out and/or further processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: American Glass Research, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Rugab, Michael E. Ortmann, Alan E. Thomas
  • Patent number: RE37493
    Abstract: An automated fire extinguishing apparatus includes a turret with a nozzle connected to a water supply. A plurality of sensors are used to detect a fire monitored by the apparatus. The signals from the sensors are used to aim the nozzle toward the fire and to initiate water ejection therefrom. After the fire is extinguished the water is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Inventor: Alan E. Thomas
  • Patent number: RE39081
    Abstract: An automated fire extinguishing apparatus includes a turret with a nozzle connected to a water supply. A plurality of sensors are used to detect a fire monitored by the apparatus. The signals from the sensors are used to aim the nozzle toward the fire and to initiate water ejection therefrom. After the fire is extinguished the water is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventor: Alan E. Thomas