Patents by Inventor Brian C. McCormack

Brian C. McCormack 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: 5659374
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed by which the effects of a defective electromechanical pixel 20 having a beam 30 and a hinge 32,34 are mitigated. These methods may damage the hinge 32,34 or the beam 30 and comprise the step of applying a voltage sufficient to damage the hinge 32,34 or beam 30 of said electromechanical pixel 20 by mechanical overstress, thermal overstress, electrochemical reaction, or thermally induced chemical reaction. Other methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Ovid Gale, Jr., Brian C. McCormack
  • Patent number: 5387924
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed by which the effects of a defective electromechanical pixel (20) having a beam (30) and a hinge (34,36) are mitigated. These methods may damage the hinge (34,36) or the beam (30) and comprise the step of applying a voltage sufficient to damage the hinge (34,36) or beam (30) of said electromechanical pixel (20) by mechanical overstress, thermal overstress, electrochemical reaction, or thermally induced chemical reaction. Other methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard O. Gale, Jr., Brian C. McCormack
  • Patent number: 5324898
    Abstract: A detector assembly (20) detects motion by utilizing a plurality of motion detectors (22-28), each detector having a first finger (40) and a second finger (42 ). First finger (40 ) has a signal line (36) on the inner surface (32) and second finger (42) has a ground line (38) disposed on another portion of inner surface (32). Spacer (46) keeps fingers (40) and (42) out of physical contact in the normal position so that there is an open circuit between signal line (36) and ground line (38). When a moving object (50) strikes first finger (40), first finger (40) is deflected downward so that first finger (40) and second finger (42) make physical contact at contact point (48), thereby establishing a closed circuit between signal line (36) and ground line (38). In this fashion a detection pulse is generated. The substrate (30) of detector assembly (20 ) is made of a resilient, flexible material such as a synthetic resin, for enhanced sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian C. McCormack, James R. Cox, Richard H. Wallace, Kevin S. Hodge
  • Patent number: 5289172
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed by which the effects of a defective electromechanical pixel (20) having a beam (30) and a hinge (34,36) are mitigated. These methods may damage the hinge (34,36) or the beam (30) and comprise the step of applying a voltage sufficient to damage the hinge (34,36) or beam (30) of said electromechanical pixel (20) by mechanical overstress, thermal overstress, electrochemical reaction, or thermally induced chemical reaction. Other methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard O. Gale, Jr., Brian C. McCormack
  • Patent number: 5139423
    Abstract: An electronic teaching device (10) provides several mathematical activities including Place Value, Trade, Target, Solve It, Word Problems, Estimate, Select and Calculator. The Place Value activity enhances the understanding of numbers by pictorially displaying the place values. The Trade activity enhances the understanding of addition and subtraction by allowing the user to trade between the ones' place value and the tens' place value to properly perform a mathematical operation. The Target activity emphasizes logical reasoning and problem solving. The Solve It activity uses the place-value system to develop logical reasoning.The Word Problems activity tests the user's knowledge of basic mathematical terms and facts. The Estimate activity develops the ability to estimate answers to problems. The Select activity allows the user to recognize basic math operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian C. McCormack, Robert C. Greenberg, Glen A. Thornton, Veronica B. Howard, Gary G. Bitter
  • Patent number: 5137457
    Abstract: An electronic teaching device (10) provides several mathematical activities including Place Value, Trade, Target, Solve It, Word Problems, Estimate, Select and Calculator. The Place Value activity enhances the understanding of numbers by pictorially displaying the place values. The Trade activity enhances the understanding of addition and subtraction by allowing the user to trade between the ones' place value and the tens' place value to properly perform a mathematical operation. The Target activity emphasizes logical reasoning and problem solving. The Solve It activity uses the place-value system to develop logical reasoning.The Word Problems activity tests the user's knowledge of basic mathematical terms and facts. The Estimate activity develops the ability to estimate answers to problems. The Select activity allows the user to recognize basic math operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Veronica B. Howard, Robert C. Greenberg, Brian C. McCormack, Glen A. Thornton, Gary G. Bitter
  • Patent number: 5135398
    Abstract: An electronic teaching device (10) provides several mathematical activities including Place Value, Trade, Target, Solve It, Word Problems, Estimate, Select and Calculator. The Place Value activity enhances the understanding of numbers by pictorially displaying the place values. The Trade activity enhances the understanding of addition and subtraction by allowing the user to trade between the ones' place value and the tens' place value to properly perform a mathematical operation. The Target activity emphasizes logical reasoning and problem solving. The Solve It activity uses the place-value system to develop logical reasoning.The Word Problems activity tests the user's knowledge of basic mathematical terms and facts. The Estimate activity develops the ability to estimate answers to problems. The Select activity allows the user to recognize basic math operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Glen A. Thornton, Robert C. Greenberg, Brian C. McCormack, Veronica B. Howard, Gary G. Bitter