Patents by Inventor Bruce Bernard

Bruce Bernard 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: 20140197969
    Abstract: A signal or lighting system synchronizes the flashing of multiple signal or lighting assemblies. When one of the assemblies is triggered, it broadcasts a temporally staggered sequence of signals, each signal instructing the receiving assemblies to initiate flashing of their beacons a given countdown time after that particular signal is transmitted. The countdown times of the various signals all count down to the same flashing start time so that the originating and receiving beacons all being flashing at the same time. The temporal diversity of the signals enhances the ability to overcome potential interference as at least one of the signals in the sequence is likely to be received by the destination assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Carmanah Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Bruce Bernard, Darren Beckwith
  • Patent number: 8650392
    Abstract: A method for issuing tickets in a communication system comprising a plurality of nodes that are capable of establishing a communication connection between two or more clients, the method comprising a first client transmitting to a ticket-issuing service a request for a ticket authorizing the first client to establish a communication connection with a second client, the ticket-issuing service determining if the first client is authorized to establish the requested communication connection and if the first client is determined to be authorized to establish the requested communication connection, the ticket-issuing service transmitting to the first client one or more tickets designating the second client which authorizes the first client to establish the requested connection with the second client by means of one or more of the plurality of nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Bernard Lowekamp
  • Publication number: 20130169189
    Abstract: A solar lighting system includes a record of a plurality of lighting profiles. The particular profile that governs the operation of the lights of the system at any given time is selected by each lighting element according to its determination of the time of year or season. The invention allows the more efficient use of solar energy collected at various time of the year.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Carmanah Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Bruce Bernard
  • Publication number: 20120315195
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an diesel exhaust treatment device including a main body having a central longitudinal axis that extends between first and second ends of the main body. A catalyzed substrate is positioned within an interior of the main body. A side inlet is positioned at a side of the main body for directing exhaust gas into the interior of the main body. A flow distribution element is positioned within the interior of the main body at a location between the side inlet and an upstream face of the substrate. The flow distribution element extends across a direction of exhaust flow through the main body and is mounted at a side of the main body that is opposite the side inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared D. Blaisdell, Josh J. Kundert, Bruce Bernard Hoppenstedt
  • Publication number: 20120268014
    Abstract: A network of lighting elements controlled by a control system, in which the control system receives and analyzes operating conditions from the lighting elements in the network, from which it can determine whether any lighting elements are operating at unacceptable levels. The analysis is carried out by averaging the values received from the lighting elements to determine a baseline value and determining whether any deviate from the baseline value by more than a pre-determined amount. Alternatively, the analysis may be done by finding the distribution of the values and mode value, and determining whether any individual values are outside an acceptable distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Carmanah Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Brock Johnston, Bruce Bernard, Don Hargreaves
  • Patent number: 8110151
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an diesel exhaust treatment device including a main body having a central longitudinal axis that extends between first and second ends of the main body. A catalyzed substrate is positioned within an interior of the main body. A side inlet is positioned at a side of the main body for directing exhaust gas into the interior of the main body. A flow distribution element is positioned within the interior of the main body at a location between the side inlet and an upstream face of the substrate. The flow distribution element extends across a direction of exhaust flow through the main body and is mounted at a side of the main body that is opposite the side inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared D. Blaisdell, Josh J. Kundert, Bruce Bernard Hoppenstedt
  • Publication number: 20110289313
    Abstract: A method for issuing tickets in a communication system comprising a plurality of nodes that are capable of establishing a communication connection between two or more clients, the method comprising a first client transmitting to a ticket-issuing service a request for a ticket authorizing the first client to establish a communication connection with a second client, the ticket-issuing service determining if the first client is authorized to establish the requested communication connection and if the first client is determined to be authorized to establish the requested communication connection, the ticket-issuing service transmitting to the first client one or more tickets designating the second client which authorizes the first client to establish the requested connection with the second client by means of one or more of the plurality of nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Bruce Bernard Lowekamp
  • Publication number: 20110289221
    Abstract: A communication system comprising a plurality of nodes that are capable of establishing a communication connection between two or more clients, the plurality of nodes being arranged in a hierarchy in which a node comprised in one level of the hierarchy is more likely to be reachable by a client trying to establish a communication connection with another client than a node comprised in a lower level of the hierarchy, the communication system being arranged such that, when a client determines that a node is unreachable for establishing a communication connection between it and another client, that communication connection is instead established by a node comprised in a higher level of the hierarchy than the unreachable node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Bruce Bernard Lowekamp
  • Publication number: 20110204874
    Abstract: Particle populations and assays are provided which have varying amounts of magnetic material and varying particle concentrations among different subsets of particles. In particular, the particle populations and assays include at least two particle sets with distinct sums of particles which are inversely related to the magnetic material concentration comprising each of the particles within the two particle sets, respectively. A method for processing an assay having such particle sets includes routing the assay in proximity to an imaging plane within a static imaging optical analysis system and generating a magnetic field in proximity to the imaging plane. The magnetic field is sufficient to attract and immobilize a ratio of particles from the at least two discrete particle sets that is different from the ratio of particles comprising the at least two discrete particle sets in the assay as the assay is introduced into the static imaging optical analysis system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Adam Schilffarth, Bruce Bernard, Ben Mize
  • Patent number: 7781226
    Abstract: Described herein is an analyte detection device and method related to a portable instrument suitable for point-of-care analyses. In some embodiments, a portable instrument may include a disposable cartridge, an optical detector, a sample collection device and/or sample reservoir, reagent delivery systems, fluid delivery systems, one or more channels, and/or waste reservoirs. Use of a portable instrument may reduce the hazard to an operator by reducing an operator's contact with a sample for analysis. The device is capable of obtaining diagnostic information using cellular- and/or particle-based analyses and may be used in conjunction with membrane- and/or particle-based analysis cartridges. Analytes, including proteins and cells and/or microbes may be detected using the membrane and/or particle based analysis system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: John T. McDevitt, Nick Christodoulides, Pierre Floriano, Karri L. Ballard, Bruce Bernard, Glenn Simmons
  • Publication number: 20100170232
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an diesel exhaust treatment device including a main body having a central longitudinal axis that extends between first and second ends of the main body. A catalyzed substrate is positioned within an interior of the main body. A side inlet is positioned at a side of the main body for directing exhaust gas into the interior of the main body. A flow distribution element is positioned within the interior of the main body at a location between the side inlet and an upstream face of the substrate. The flow distribution element extends across a direction of exhaust flow through the main body and is mounted at a side of the main body that is opposite the side inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew S. Whitten, Bruce Bernard Hoppenstedt
  • Publication number: 20060257854
    Abstract: Described herein is an analyte detection device and method related to a portable instrument suitable for point-of-care analyses. In some embodiments, a portable instrument may include a disposable cartridge, an optical detector, a sample collection device and/or sample reservoir, reagent delivery systems, fluid delivery systems, one or more channels, and/or waste reservoirs. Use of a portable instrument may reduce the hazard to an operator by reducing an operator's contact with a sample for analysis. The device is capable of obtaining diagnostic information using cellular- and/or particle-based analyses and may be used in conjunction with membrane- and/or particle-based analysis cartridges. Analytes, including proteins and cells and/or microbes may be detected using the membrane and/or particle based analysis system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: John McDevitt, Nick Christodoulides, Pierre Floriano, Karri Ballard, Bruce Bernard
  • Publication number: 20060227963
    Abstract: A wireless conference phone system has a base station to couple at least one conference unit to a telephone network, such as the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or a digital telephone network such as a voice over internet protocol (VolP) network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Applicants: Ascalade Communications Inc., ClearOne Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Bernard, Li Kwok, Oliver Ren, Pichet Ong
  • Publication number: 20050191620
    Abstract: Described herein is an analyte detection device and method related to a portable instrument suitable for point-of-care analyses. In some embodiments, a portable instrument may include a disposable cartridge, an optical detector, a sample collection device and/or sample reservoir, reagent delivery systems, fluid delivery systems, one or more channels, and/or waste reservoirs. Use of a portable instrument may reduce the hazard to an operator by reducing an operator's contact with a sample for analysis. The device is capable of obtaining diagnostic information using cellular- and/or particle-based analyses and may be used in conjunction with membrane- and/or particle-based analysis cartridges. Analytes, including proteins and cells and/or microbes may be detected using the membrane and/or particle based analysis system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: John McDevitt, Nick Christodoulides, Pierre Floriano, Karri Ballard, Bruce Bernard
  • Patent number: 6625281
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a method for extending the length of time over which a cordless telephone system can operate without an external source of power. The method involves detecting a power supply outage, determining that a telephone call is not currently being handled, placing the portable unit into a mode of reduced power consumption, and placing the base unit into a mode of reduced power consumption. After a period of time, the base unit resumes functionality, determines whether a call is being initiated, and handles any such calls. If the system is not active, the base unit re-enters its mode of reduced power consumption, and the cycle is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Vtech Communications Ltd.
    Inventor: Bruce Bernard
  • Patent number: 5771307
    Abstract: In a passive identification apparatus for identifying a predetermined individual member of a television viewing audience in a monitored viewing area, a video image of a monitored viewing area is captured. A template matching score is provided for an object in the video image. A Eigenface recognition score is provided for an object in the video image. These scores may be provided by comparing objects in the video image to reference files. The template matching score and the Eigenface recognition score are fused to form a composite identification record from which a viewer may be identified. Body shape matching, viewer tracking, viewer sensing, and/or historical data may be used to assist in viewer identification. The reference files may be updated as recognition scores decline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Nielsen Media Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Daozheng Lu, Ceril T. Shagrin, William L. Thomas, Morris Lee, Bruce Bernard, Jia Zhang
  • Patent number: 5550928
    Abstract: In a passive identification apparatus for identifying a predetermined individual member of a television viewing audience in a monitored viewing area, a video image of a monitored viewing area is captured. A template matching score is provided for an object in the video image. A Eigenface recognition score is provided for an object in the video image. These scores may be provided by comparing objects in the video image to reference files. The template matching score and the Eigenface recognition score are fused to form a composite identification record from which a viewer may be identified. Body shape matching, viewer tracking, viewer sensing, and/or historical data may be used to assist in viewer identification. The reference files may be updated as recognition scores decline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: A.C. Nielsen Company
    Inventors: Daozheng Lu, Ceril T. Shagrin, William L. Thomas, Morris Lee, Bruce Bernard, Jia Zhang