Patents by Inventor B. Sean Graves

B. Sean Graves 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: 20080265029
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for providing human readable recognition of an item labeled with a machine readable identification code, such as RFID or barcodes. The terminal units have an outer casing, a microprocessor, and a machine readable identification code reader to read code placed exterior to the outer casing for display on a screen. The terminal unit can have an alignment fixture to indicate the placement of the machine readable identification code and does not require a user to contact the unit. Remote computers can be used to house the administrative software and communicate with the terminal through communication means. The administrative software consists of an administrative database, bridge software and monitor software. In other embodiments the administrative software is housed in the individual terminal units. An identification database stores the machine readable identification code and data associated with the code, communicating with the monitor and bridge software.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: B. Sean Graves
  • Patent number: 6941762
    Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Robin A. Felder, B. Sean Graves, James P. Gunderson
  • Publication number: 20040154322
    Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Robin A. Felder, B. Sean Graves, James P. Gunderson
  • Patent number: 6688123
    Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Robin A. Felder, B. Sean Graves, James P. Gunderson
  • Publication number: 20030196444
    Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Robin A. Felder, B. Sean Graves, James P. Gunderson
  • Patent number: 6581395
    Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Robin A. Felder, B. Sean Graves, James P. Gunderson
  • Publication number: 20030037556
    Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Robin A. Felder, B. Sean Graves, James P. Gunderson
  • Patent number: 6467285
    Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Robin A. Felder, B. Sean Graves, James P. Gunderson
  • Publication number: 20020023444
    Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Robin A. Felder, B. Sean Graves, James P. Gunderson