Patents by Inventor Alan P. Jones

Alan P. Jones 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: 4384194
    Abstract: Documents are fed from an infeed through a stripper one at a time. Documents leaving the stripper are accelerated to provide a suitable gap between documents. A light source and phototransistor are used to count the documents. The phototransistor picks up the light passing through the documents as well as light between documents. Plural counters count in a mutually exclusive fashion, said counts representing document length and gap length between documents to count the documents to distinguish between "normal" gap lengths and perforations, tears and the like within documents, to detect the presence of overlapping or abnormally "long" documents to provide an accurate count and to terminate document feeding. The counters mutually exclusively develop counts during the presence and absence of sheets, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1983
    Assignee: Brandt, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan P. Jones
  • Patent number: 4245539
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing signals of varying volume and pitch which are functions of the magnitude and distribution respectively, of weight (or weights) placed upon a platform hinged at one corner and swingable in mutually orthogonal directions. Sensors convert the physical displacements occurring at first and second corners opposite of the platform adjacent to the hinged corner into signals for controlling the volume and pitch of an output signal. Alternatively, displacement of the platform may be controlled by the application of varying pressure by means other than full body weight, such as the operator's finger(s).The apparatus may be utilized as a unique means for producing music or musical sounds responsive to a person dancing or otherwise moving upon the platform to provide an entertainment form which is both unusual and enjoyable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1981
    Assignee: Parmac Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan P. Jones
  • Patent number: 4237378
    Abstract: Electronic counting and control means are provided which are sensitive to the transmissivity of light and include feedback means for controlling the brightness of the light source to extend its life. Additionally, integrating means are provided for determining when there is an overlap of documents being handled by the counting means. Further, specific circuit arrangements are provided for insuring that an exact count is obtained even when perforated documents are being counted and there is a gap between successive documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1980
    Assignee: Brandt-Pra, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan P. Jones
  • Patent number: 4114804
    Abstract: In an apparatus for accurately counting a stack of documents and especially legal tender (i.e., paper money), tests for authenticity are performed simultaneously with the counting operation and without in any way impeding the type of counting operation being performed. At the same time that the counting operation is being performed, at speeds of the order of 1250 bills per minute, each bill or note currency is tested for certain properties of genuineness, including fluorescence and magnetic characteristics. Notes which fail to satisfy the tests are categorized as suspect notes and automatically stop the machine and thereby temporarily halt the counting operation. The suspect note is isolated as the top-most document in the outfeed stacker greatly facilitating the handling and removal of the suspect bill for further examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: Brandt-Pra, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan P. Jones, William Sherman
  • Patent number: 4099214
    Abstract: Electronic control means for a paper handling and counting machine. An LED array provides a visual display of the number of paper documents counted during either normal counting or "batching" operations. The LED display is utilized to the exclusion of additional display devices for providing an indication of a jam condition in the event of a jam by "flashing" the zero decimal digit. A similar indication is artificially created upon turn-on of the machine. When operating in the "batching" mode the LED array, in addition to providing a visual display of a completed batch count, will display a partially completed batch count in a flashing manner. The "jam-type" display is also activated whenever the batch control selector switch is switched from the "count" mode position to any batching mode position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1978
    Assignee: Brandt-Pra, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan P. Jones
  • Patent number: 4015110
    Abstract: Electronic control means for a paper handling and counting machine. An LED array provides a visual display of the number of paper documents counted during either normal counting or "batching" operations. The LED display is utilized to the exclusion of additional display devices for providing an indication of a jam condition in the event of a jam by "flashing" the zero decimal digit. A similar indication is artificially created upon turn-on of the machine. When operating in the "batching" mode the LED array, in addition to providing a visual display of a completed batch count, will display a partially completed batch count in a flashing manner. The "jam-type" display is also activated whenever the batch control selector switch is switched from the "count" mode position to any batching mode position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1977
    Assignee: Brandt-Pra, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan P. Jones
  • Patent number: RE29470
    Abstract: In a document-handler adapted for feeding, separating and stacking sheets and the like, control means for sensing and counting separated sheets and having a capability of counting, statistically sampling and batching and including means for anticipating jam conditions to protect the counting mechanism, as well as the sheets, from being damaged. The sensing mechanism has the capability of self-adjustment to automatically compensate for any and all conditions which affect the sensitivity of the sensing device, and further has a capability of distinguishing between separated documents and apertured or mutilated documents. In accordance with the desired operation, the electronic circuitry controls the mechanical functions to achieve the desired counting, separating, batching and statistical sampling operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1977
    Assignee: Brandt-Pra, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan P. Jones