Patents by Inventor Alan R. Ford

Alan R. Ford 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).

  • Publication number: 20160103073
    Abstract: A method for utilizing polarization as a scheme for fluorescence removal from UV Raman spectra collected in a standoff detection scheme has been invented. In this scheme, a linearly polarized ultraviolet (UV) laser interacts with a material on a surface or in a container. The material generates Raman scattering with polarization contributions relative to that of the laser. The material possibly fluoresces as well, but the fluorescence is generally unpolarized. By subtracting a scaled version of the perpendicular component from the parallel component of the returned signal both relative to the laser source polarization—it is possible to generate a spectrum that is fluorescence free and contains the strongest features of the Raman scattered light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Alan R. Ford, Adam J. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 7983162
    Abstract: A network device has a port to allow the device to communicate with user devices. The network device also has a processor to assign any user devices in communication with the device to a group. The processor also monitors traffic of the user devices so as to control a traffic rate of the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco, Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Ford, John T. Chapman, Alon S. Bernstein
  • Patent number: 7010417
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for determining maximum available engine output torque includes an engine speed sensor and a control computer produce a fueling command for fueling an internal combustion engine. The computer is configured to produce a maximum available engine output torque value as a function of the engine speed signal and the fueling command. In an alternate embodiment, the system includes a control computer configured to produce the maximum available engine output torque value as a function of engine speed, at least one engine intake parameter associated an intake manifold coupled to the engine, and an engine exhaust parameter associated with an exhaust gas structure coupled to the engine. In either case, an application control strategy is responsive to the maximum available engine torque value to control an engine-driven accessory as a function thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward R. Edwards, II, David A. Bolis, Alan R. Ford, William A. Monette
  • Publication number: 20040107040
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for determining maximum available engine output torque includes an engine speed sensor and a control computer produce a fueling command for fueling an internal combustion engine. The computer is configured to produce a maximum available engine output torque value as a function of the engine speed signal and the fueling command. In an alternate embodiment, the system includes a control computer configured to produce the maximum available engine output torque value as a function of engine speed, at least one engine intake parameter associated an intake manifold coupled to the engine, and an engine exhaust parameter associated with an exhaust gas structure coupled to the engine. In either case, an application control strategy is responsive to the maximum available engine torque value to control an engine-driven accessory as a function thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Ward R. Edwards, David A. Bolis, Alan R. Ford, William A. Monette