Patents by Inventor Frederick W. Roberts

Frederick W. Roberts 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: 6216114
    Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic auctions is described. A mic lot closing extension feature avoids collisions in closing times of multiple lots by dynamically extending the closing time of a subsequent lot if a preceding lot's closing time is extended to be too close to the subsequent lot's then-currently can be extended with a flexible overtime feature, in which the properties of the event triggering the extension and the of the overtime period(s) can be tailored to a particular auction, particular lots of products within an auction, and to the particular time within an auction process. t can be set to a “pending” status after the nominal closing time for submission of bids to allow bidders to alert the auction coordinator of technical problems in submission of bids. This allows the possibility for a lot to be return to bidding by all bidders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: FreeMarkets, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Alaia, David J. Becker, Anthony F. Bernard, Daniel C. Heckmann, Sam E. Kinney, Jr., Glen T. Meakem, Vincent F. Rago, Jason Reneau, Frederick W. Roberts, William D. Rupp, Robert G. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6199050
    Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic auctions is described. A dynamic lot closing extension feature avoids collisions in closing times of multiple lots by dynamically extending the closing time of a subsequent lot if a preceding lot's closing time is extended to be too close to the subsequent lot's then-currently scheduled closing time. Scheduled closing times can be extended with a flexible overtime feature, in which the properties of the event triggering the extension and the duration of the overtime period(s) can be tailored to a particular auction, particular lots of products within an auction, and to the particular time within an auction process. The bidding status of a lot can be set to a “pending” status after the nominal closing time for submission of bids to allow bidders to alert the auction coordinator of technical problems in submission of bids. This allows the possibility for a lot to be return to open status for further bidding by all bidders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Freemarkets Online Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Alaia, David J. Becker, Anthony F. Bernard, Daniel C. Heckmann, Sam E. Kinney, Jr., Glen T. Meakem, Vincent F. Rago, Jason Reneau, Frederick W. Roberts, William D. Rupp, Robert G. Stevens
  • Patent number: 3981178
    Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and process for detecting changes in the density of a gas wherein the gas to be measured is introduced into a closed casing at the rotary axis of a hollow disc wheel rotating within the casing. The disc wheel is provided with a plurality of radial vanes and the gas is centrifuged by the rotating disc. A Pitot tube positioned at the periphery of the disc measures the force exerted by the centrifuged gas to ascertain its mass which is then compared with a reference pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1974
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1976
    Assignee: Rolock Incorporated
    Inventors: Lloyd R. Jones, Frederick W. Roberts, deceased