Patents by Inventor Donald L. Thompson

Donald L. Thompson 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: 9234916
    Abstract: A connector system comprising a status monitoring cable system comprising a first cable connector adapted to be connected to a generator connector, a second cable connector adapted to be connected to a UPS connector, a third cable connector adapted to be connected to the modem connector, a jumper, first and second power conductors connected between the first cable connector and the second cable connector, and a sensor module comprising a current detect module and a connector detect module. The current detect module transmits a GEN_ON signal to the modem when a current is present in at least one of the first and second power conductors. The connector detect module transmits a GEN_PRESENT signal to the modem when a current flows through the first cable connector, the generator connector, the jumper, the generator connector, and the first cable connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Alpha Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Tobias M. Peck, Jonathan D. Carpenter, Donald L. Thompson, Mike L. Foster
  • Publication number: 20140028288
    Abstract: A connector system comprising a status monitoring cable system comprising a first cable connector adapted to be connected to a generator connector, a second cable connector adapted to be connected to a UPS connector, a third cable connector adapted to be connected to the modem connector, a jumper, first and second power conductors connected between the first cable connector and the second cable connector, and a sensor module comprising a current detect module and a connector detect module. The current detect module transmits a GEN_ON signal to the modem when a current is present in at least one of the first and second power conductors. The connector detect module transmits a GEN_PRESENT signal to the modem when a current flows through the first cable connector, the generator connector, the jumper, the generator connector, and the first cable connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Alpha Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobias M. Peck, Jonathan D. Carpenter, Donald L. Thompson, Mike L. Foster
  • Patent number: 8613159
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for easy removal of potted and trained plants from a plant container. The apparatus includes an elongated support member configured to assist plant training, and an elliptical-shaped support base connected to the elongated support member and configured to removably support a plant. Embodiments of the apparatus include support arms asymmetrically disposed on the elongated support member to upwardly support a plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Inventors: Donald Thompson, Donald L Thompson
  • Publication number: 20130227882
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for easy removal of potted and trained plants from a plant container. The apparatus includes an elongated support member configured to assist plant training, and an elliptical-shaped support base connected to the elongated support member and configured to removably support a plant. Embodiments of the apparatus include support arms asymmetrically disposed on the elongated support member to upwardly support a plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Donald Thompson, Donald L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6307250
    Abstract: An electronic switch circuit switches out bad decoupling capacitors on a high speed integrated circuit chip. The circuit comprises a control device that operates in the subthreshold or off device state to detect leakage in a decoupling capacitor. This control device operates in a low impedance state if the capacitor is good and in a high impedance sate if the capacitor is bad. A feedback circuit is connected from an internal node of the capacitor to a gate of the control device so that once a state of the capacitor is detected it can be stored on the gate of the control device. A single external signal source shared by a group of capacitors activates the control device to detect leakage in the capacitor. The circuit operates to switch out capacitors that fail during normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Byron L. Krauter, Chung H. Lam, Linda A. Miller, Steven W. Mittl, Robert F. Sechler, Scott R. Stiffler, Donald L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6042447
    Abstract: A hand operated animal call includes a vibrating reed sound generator positioned to vibrate within a hollow reed housing. The reed housing is positioned within an air impervious pouch which has a restricted opening. An elongate sound modifying tube is attached to the reed housing and protrudes through the restricted opening in the pouch. The pouch is filled with a porous, compressible fiber with an elastic memory. When the pouch is manually squeezed, air is forced through the reed housing, thus vibrating the reed, which, in turn, causes the reed housing and elongate sound modifying tube to vibrate as well to simulate a deer or buck mating call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Donald L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6021049
    Abstract: A retention device for retaining the forward edge of a PCI or ISA adapter card in a computer frame is provided. The retention device has a channel mounted to the frame opposite a rearward edge of the card. The channel has upper and lower panels which define a slot for receiving the forward edge of the card. A finger is pivotally mounted to one end of the channel and has grooves on a lower surface for engaging grooves on an upper surface of the forward edge. The finger is movable between an engaged position for capturing the forward edge to retain it from moving, and a disengaged position for releasing the forward edge and allowing the card to be removed from the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Donald L. Thompson, Roy A. Rachui
  • Patent number: 5706603
    Abstract: A novel method of producing corn grain with enhanced quality traits including high oil content has been developed. Through pollination of male-sterile hybrid corn plants by nonisogenic corn plants possessing genes which control the expression of enhanced quality grain traits, grain is obtained possessing such traits much higher than would be expected for self- or cross-pollination. This method can be practiced by farmers using currently accepted farming practices to directly obtain high yields of high-oil corn grain, high-protein corn grain, and other valuable grain for animal feed and other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignees: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, Dupont TopCross International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Robert Bergquist, Douglas Stuart Nubel, Donald L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5704160
    Abstract: A novel method of producing corn grain with a high oil content has been developed. Through pollination of male-sterile hybrid corn plants by nonisogenic corn plants possessing the trait of high-oil, grain is obtained possessing an oil content much higher than would be expected for self- or cross-pollination. This method can be practiced by farmers using currently accepted farming practices to directly obtain high yields of high-oil corn grain for animal feed and other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignees: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, DuPont TopCross International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Robert Bergquist, Douglas Stuart Nubel, Donald L. Thompson