Patents by Inventor Colin McGUINNESS

Colin McGUINNESS 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: 12194504
    Abstract: A method of sorting gemstones comprises receiving one or more gemstones at a collection location; determining, at the collection location, that one of the one or more gemstones is correctly oriented; transferring the correctly oriented gemstone from the collection location onto a moveable surface using an automated arm; transporting the gemstone upon the moveable surface to one or more measurement locations; measuring one or more properties of the gemstone at the one or more measurement locations while the gemstone is supported upon the moveable surface; and sorting the gemstone based upon the one or more measured properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: De Beers UK Ltd
    Inventors: Philip Harris, Peter Stanley Rose, Andrew Portsmouth, Trevor Anthony Harries, Colin McGuinness, David Fisher
  • Publication number: 20240326097
    Abstract: A method of sorting gemstones comprises receiving one or more gemstones at a collection location; determining, at the collection location, that one of the one or more gemstones is correctly oriented; transferring the correctly oriented gemstone from the collection location onto a moveable surface using an automated arm; transporting the gemstone upon the moveable surface to one or more measurement locations; measuring one or more properties of the gemstone at the one or more measurement locations while the gemstone is supported upon the moveable surface; and sorting the gemstone based upon the one or more measured properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Philip HARRIS, Peter Stanley ROSE, Andrew PORTSMOUTH, Trevor Anthony HARRIES, Colin MCGUINNESS, David FISHER
  • Patent number: 11541429
    Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for sorting gemstones from a batch of gemstones. The apparatus comprises one or more measurement locations, each comprising at least one measurement device configured to measure one or more properties of a gemstone. A continuously moveable surface supports the gemstones thereon and transports the gemstones to the one or more measurement locations. A separation device separates the gemstones from one another as they are transported on the moveable surface to the one or more measurement locations. A location trigger at a sensor location comprises a sensor for identifying when the gemstone passes through the sensor location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: De Beers UK Ltd
    Inventors: Andrew John Portsmouth, Colin McGuinness, Nicholas Matthew Davies, David Fisher
  • Publication number: 20200094289
    Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for sorting gemstones from a batch of gemstones. The apparatus comprises one or more measurement locations, each comprising at least one measurement device configured to measure one or more properties of a gemstone. A continuously moveable surface supports the gemstones thereon and transports the gemstones to the one or more measurement locations. A separation device separates the gemstones from one another as they are transported on the moveable surface to the one or more measurement locations. A location trigger at a sensor location comprises a sensor for identifying when the gemstone passes through the sensor location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew John Portsmouth, Colin McGuinness, Nicholas Matthew Davies, David Fisher
  • Patent number: 10345245
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for providing an indicator for a diamond as to whether it is natural by testing for the presence or absence of one or more specific markers in the luminescence properties of the diamond, These markers are characterized by luminescence decay time and luminescence wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: De Beers UK Ltd
    Inventors: James Gordon Charters Smith, Colin McGuinness, David Fisher
  • Publication number: 20190003980
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for providing an indicator for a diamond as to whether it is natural by testing for the presence or absence of one or more specific markers in the luminescence properties of the diamond, These markers are characterised by luminescence decay time and luminescence wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: James Gordon Charters SMITH, Colin McGUINNESS, David FISHER
  • Patent number: 10082469
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for providing an indicator for a diamond as to whether it is natural by testing for the presence or absence of one or more specific markers in the luminescence properties of the diamond. These markers are characterized by luminescence decay time and luminescence wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: DE BEERS UK LTD
    Inventors: James Gordon Charters Smith, Colin McGuinness, David Fisher
  • Publication number: 20180195970
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for providing an indicator for a diamond as to whether it is natural by testing for the presence or absence of one or more specific markers in the luminescence properties of the diamond. These markers are characterised by luminescence decay time and luminescence wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: James Gordon Charters SMITH, Colin McGUINNESS, David FISHER