Patents by Inventor Alexander R. Stephens

Alexander R. Stephens 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: 8150964
    Abstract: A wireless data transmission system incorporates a process sensor providing an output for process monitoring data with a transmitter connected to the output of the sensor and transmitting the data in time gated intervals. A receiver receives the data from the transmitter and a determination is made if new data is received at a gated time interval. A processor connected to the receiver calculates process parameters based on the data received and a set of the calculated process parameters is stored. The processor estimates process parameters based on the stored set of calculated process parameters responsive to a signal from the determination that data packets have not been received at the gated interval. The process parameters front actual data, if present, or from the estimates made by the processor are then output for process control. A counter responsive to the determination of lost data, provides an emergency stop signal upon reaching a predetermined number of counts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Custom Sensors & Technology
    Inventors: Alexander R. Stephens, Leslie W. Wolff, Michael B. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20080293364
    Abstract: A wireless data transmission system incorporates a process sensor providing an output for process monitoring data with a transmitter connected to the output of the sensor and transmitting the data in time gated intervals. A receiver receives the data from the transmitter and a determination is made if new data is received at a gated time interval. A processor connected to the receiver calculates process parameters based on the data received and a set of the calculated process parameters is stored. The processor estimates process parameters based on the stored set of calculated process parameters responsive to a signal from the determination that data packets have not been received at the gated interval. The process parameters front actual data, if present or from the estimates made by the processor are then output for process control. A counter responsive to the determination of lost data, provides an emergency stop signal upon reaching a predetermined number of counts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: CUSTOM SENSORS & TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Alexander R. Stephens, Michael B. Stephens, Leslie W. Wolff
  • Patent number: 7349821
    Abstract: A device and method for conversion of bi-directional signals using controlled dual value up/down counters uses a plurality of cascaded up/down counters chained together to alter the ratio of a maximum coefficient of N to N+1 for the first counter in the cascade of counters. The output count signal of each counter is connected to the clock signal input of the next counter. The signal to be converted is input to the first counter in the chain and each input pulse increments or decrements a count value for the counter until a maximum coefficient or zero is reached at which point a count pulse is output of the counter and it is then reset to zero or the maximum coefficient at the next input pulse depending on whether a direction input is high or low circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Miranova Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander R. Stephens
  • Patent number: 7336756
    Abstract: A signal converter is comprised of a plurality of counters (“macro-counters”). In turn, each of the macro-counters is comprised of a plurality of single-bit counters (“micro-counters”) that are adapted to receive configuration data in the form of bit fields. The configuration data is comprised of data corresponding to a plurality of coefficients and of data for grouping the micro-counters into the macro-counters. The coefficients are derived from an input signal/output signal ratio of the converter, and control the manner by which the macro-counters generate the output signal. Thus the converter can be programmed by an end-user in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Miranova Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander R. Stephens
  • Patent number: 6789041
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in conversion of bidirectional signals are provide. Some embodiments, use dual-value up/down counters chained together to alter the ratio of input to output signals between N and N+1 such that an averaged output is a non-integral multiple of the input. The maximum value for each counter can be N or N+1 according to the next counter. An output signal is asserted when the maximum value is reached, and a count signal is output on the next up count, resetting the counter to zero. An output signal is asserted when the counter equals zero, and a count signal is output on the next down count, setting the counter to the currently selected maximum value. Direction signal is common to counters, and count output is count input of the next counter. Output count of first counter is final circuit count output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Miranova Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander R. Stephens