Patents by Inventor Derek Ward

Derek Ward 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: 7672738
    Abstract: A programmable controller includes at least one user input interface, and an input register, at least one user output interface, programmable logic hardware and program loading means. The user input interface and input register is for connection to process plant and/or machinery to provide sampled and stored input data in digital form. The user output interface is for connection to process plant and/or machinery and receives output data in digital form. The programmable logic hardware includes a plurality of basic logic elements and electrically configurable interconnections. The interconnections are configurable to interconnect the logic elements as a user control program circuit and to connect the user control program circuit to the input and output interfaces. The program loading means enables the user to configure the programmable logic hardware as a circuit implementing a user control program prior to initiating control of the associated process plant and/or machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Derek Ward
  • Patent number: 7612582
    Abstract: A programmable device is useful for high speed operation or as a process controller or as a component for implementing PLD or FPGA applications. The programmable device includes programmable logic hardware having a plurality of basic logic elements and electrically configurable interconnections. The interconnections are configurable to interconnect the logic elements as a user control program circuit and to connect the user control program circuit to input and output interfaces. When configured, the device contains a user program circuit interfaced to a control circuit. The control circuit operates synchronously with the user program circuit. The control circuit is able to communicate with a monitoring computer to respond to commands, operate when commanded to cause the user program circuit to run, or pause, or single step, read data values from said state data storage units, and write data values to said state data storage units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Inventor: Derek Ward
  • Publication number: 20080058962
    Abstract: A programmable device is useful for high speed operation or as a process controller or as a component for implementing PLD or FPGA applications. The programmable device includes programmable logic hardware having a plurality of basic logic elements and electrically configurable interconnections. The interconnections are configurable to interconnect the logic elements as a user control program circuit and to connect the user control program circuit to input and output interfaces. When configured, the device contains a user program circuit interfaced to a control circuit. The control circuit operates synchronously with the user program circuit. The control circuit is able to communicate with a monitoring computer to respond to commands, operate when commanded to cause the user program circuit to run, or pause, or single step, read data values from said state data storage units, and write data values to said state data storage units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Derek Ward
  • Publication number: 20060079970
    Abstract: A programmable device is useful for high speed operation or as a process controller or as a component for implementing PLD or FPGA applications. The programmable device includes programmable logic hardware having a plurality of basic logic elements and electrically configurable interconnections. The interconnections are configurable to interconnect the logic elements as a user control program circuit and to connect the user control program circuit to input and output interfaces. When configured, the device contains a user program circuit interfaced to a control circuit. The control circuit operates synchronously with the user program circuit. The control circuit is able to communicate with a monitoring computer to respond to commands, operate when commanded to cause the user program circuit to run, or pause, or single step, read data values from said state data storage units, and write data values to said state data storage units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventor: Derek Ward
  • Publication number: 20050195096
    Abstract: The invention comprises, in its various embodiments and aspects, a method and apparatus for generating a dynamic mobility map. The method includes classifying a plurality of objects represented in a data set comprised of overhead imagery data; and classifying the objects through application of dynamic data pertaining to those objects. The apparatus includes a program storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computing device, perform such a method and a computing apparatus programmed to perform such a method. The method, in alternative embodiments, may be employed in generating dynamic mobility maps and in association with a ground vehicle to operate the vehicle or simulate the operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Derek Ward, Margaret Walloch
  • Publication number: 20040133257
    Abstract: Apparatus for relieving the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis comprises a fabric envelope having on one surface a plurality of projections and on an opposed surface, one or more strips of Velcro (RTM) or similar material for releasably attaching the envelope to a carpeted floor surface. A container fits within the fabric envelope and comprises two side-by-side compartments which communicate with one another through one or more openings. A mouthpiece is provided in the container to enable the compartment to be inflated. The container includes a pocket above one of the two compartments of the container to receive a heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Derek A Ward
  • Publication number: 20020099455
    Abstract: A programmable controller includes at least one user input interface, and an input register, at least one user output interface and an output register, programmable logic hardware and program loading means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Derek Ward
  • Patent number: 4802116
    Abstract: A programmed controller controls a machine or process by emulating state diagrams and executing an applications program having a number of blocks of statements, each block corresponding to a step in the operation of the machine or process, and each state diagram being represented by a program loop. Each loop has only one state active at any one time and has variables such as pointers in each of which is stored the address of an active block. When transition conditions of a state in a block are satisfied, a decision point is reached, that state is deactivated and another state activated in a desired sequence with consequent required operation of the machine or process.The transitions that occur with regard to which states are active and the order in which they occur are recorded and later retrieved and presented, for example, for debugging uses to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Limited
    Inventors: Derek Ward, David B. Steward
  • Patent number: 4069845
    Abstract: Wire wrapping apparatus for use such as in the wrapping of an insulated single strand electrical wire around a rectangular cross-section terminal tag or post is disclosed. The present apparatus provides for the insulation to be cut or severed by an interaction between a cutting edge on the tool and a corner or ridge on the terminal tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1978
    Inventor: Derek Ward
  • Patent number: 4036268
    Abstract: A tool for stripping an insulated wire and/or wrapping the wire around a terminal tag in which a sleeve member has a bit member axially slidable therein and the bit includes a longitudinal aperature adapted to receive a terminal tag; the bit member including an intermediate recess and a groove or channel in the side of the bit member between a free end and said recess; a shearing edge or face substantially adjacent the junction of said groove or channel with said recess; the sleeve member having a second insulating shearing edge or face within the sleeve member, axially at a predetermined distance from the free end of the sleeve member so that the bit member when axially advanced a portion of the recess protrudes beyond the free end of the sleeve member and an insulated wire inserted between the sleeve and the bit stripped of its insulation when the bit is withdrawn axially into the sleeve due to coaction between the shearing edges; the axial movement of the bit partially stripping a predetermined length of i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1977
    Inventor: Derek Ward