Patents by Inventor Gerald Morrison
Gerald Morrison 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).
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Patent number: 11781556Abstract: A turbomachine includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet. A shaft is rotationally disposed in the housing. The shaft is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. An impeller is coupled to the shaft between the inlet and the outlet and rotates with the shaft. The impeller includes a single impeller inlet and an impeller outlet, a first set of vanes disposed on a first side of the impeller, and a second set of vanes disposed on a second side of the impeller. A passage is formed through a thickness of the impeller. The passage facilitates transmission of fluid from the first side of the impeller to the second side of the impeller such that fluid is supplied to the first set of vanes and the second set of vanes via the single impeller inlet. Transmission of fluid through the impeller reduces net axial thrust imparted to at least one of the impeller and the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2019Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Abhay R. Patil, Gerald Morrison, Adolfo Delgado
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Publication number: 20220099466Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for measuring parameters of a liquid, where the method includes measuring pressure drops across a flow meter, measuring pressure upstream of the flow meter, and identifying at least one liquid parameter based, at least in part, on a correlation of a change in a multiphase flow parameter to pulse output. In an additional embodiment, a measuring apparatus for measuring parameters of a liquid, where the measuring apparatus includes an electronic control operable to measure pressure drops across the measuring apparatus, measure pressure upstream of the measuring apparatus, and correlate a change in a multiphase parameter to measured pulse output of the measuring apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2020Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventors: Abhay R. Patil, Gerald Morrison, Joshua A. Vandervort
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Publication number: 20210324869Abstract: A turbomachine includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet. A shaft is rotationally disposed in the housing. The shaft is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. An impeller is coupled to the shaft between the inlet and the outlet and rotates with the shaft. The impeller includes a single impeller inlet and an impeller outlet, a first set of vanes disposed on a first side of the impeller, and a second set of vanes disposed on a second side of the impeller. A passage is formed through a thickness of the impeller. The passage facilitates transmission of fluid from the first side of the impeller to the second side of the impeller such that fluid is supplied to the first set of vanes and the second set of vanes via the single impeller inlet. Transmission of fluid through the impeller reduces net axial thrust imparted to at least one of the impeller and the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2019Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventors: Abhay R. Patil, Gerald Morrison, Adolfo Delgado
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Patent number: 10228771Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for determining an optical property of a pointer used in an interactive touch system. The interactive device having a touch area; a plurality of emitters on the periphery of the touch area; the emitters emitting an intensity of light into the touch area; a plurality of pointers having a distinct optical property responsive to the light; at least one detector having a field of view of the touch area. The processing structure, in communication with the emitters and the at least one detector, executes instructions from a memory to: transmit an emitter signal to at least one of the emitters initiating emission of light at the first frequency; receive at least one detector signal from the at least one detector; and determine the distinct optical property from the at least one detector signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2016Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULCInventors: Gerald Morrison, David Holmgren, Clinton Lam
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Publication number: 20180246617Abstract: The present invention relates to an interactive touch system on a transparent medium and more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for improving the contrast of writing on an interactive touch system on a transparent medium. The interactive device has an interactive surface having an interior side and an exterior side. The interior side is observed by at least one emitter and at least one detector. The interactive surface has a privacy layer; the privacy layer transforming between a transparent and a non-transparent state. A processing structure executing instructions detects a pointer contacting the interior side of the interactive surface; and applies a signal to the privacy layer to transform the privacy layer into the non-transparent state.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2016Publication date: August 30, 2018Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULCInventors: Gerald Morrison, Edward Tse, Sergiy Dets, Greg Hartman, Joe Wright, Michael Boyle
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Publication number: 20170090598Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for determining an optical property of a pointer used in an interactive touch system. The interactive device having a touch area; a plurality of emitters on the periphery of the touch area; the emitters emitting an intensity of light into the touch area; a plurality of pointers having a distinct optical property responsive to the light; at least one detector having a field of view of the touch area. The processing structure, in communication with the emitters and the at least one detector, executes instructions from a memory to: transmit an emitter signal to at least one of the emitters initiating emission of light at the first frequency; receive at least one detector signal from the at least one detector; and determine the distinct optical property from the at least one detector signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Gerald MORRISON, David Holmgren, Clinton Lam
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Patent number: 9442607Abstract: An interactive input system comprises imaging devices with different viewpoints and having at least partially overlapping fields of view encompassing a region of interest. At least two of the imaging devices have different focal lengths. Processing structure processes image data acquired by the imaging devices to detect the existence of a pointer and determine the location of the pointer within the region of interest.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2006Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: SMART TECHNOLOGIES Inc.Inventor: Gerald Morrison
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Patent number: 9298318Abstract: An interactive input system comprises a display panel; a first illumination source providing illumination across an outer surface of the display panel such that when a pointer is brought into proximity with the outer surface, the pointer reflects illumination from the first illumination source through the display panel; at least one imaging device having a field of view aimed at an opposite outer surface of the display panel, the at least one imaging device capturing images including illumination reflected by the pointer through the display panel; and processing structure in communication with the at least one imaging device, said processing structure processing the captured images to determine a location of the pointer relative to the outer surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: Gerald Morrison, John Newton, Gareth Bell
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Patent number: 9176627Abstract: A camera-based touch system (50) includes a passive touch surface (60) and at least two cameras (63) associated with the touch surface. The at least two cameras (63) have overlapping fields of view (FOV) encompassing the touch surface. The at least two cameras (63) acquire images of the touch surface from different locations and generate image data. A processor (54) receives and processes image data generated by the at least two cameras to determine the location of the pointer relative to the touch surface when the pointer is captured in images acquired by the at least two cameras. Actual pointer contact with the touch surface and pointer hover above the touch surface can be determined.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2010Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: Gerald Morrison, David Holmgren
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Patent number: 8902195Abstract: An input panel for an interactive input system comprises an optical waveguide; a first radiation source directing radiation into said optical waveguide, said radiation undergoing total internal reflection within said optical waveguide; a diffusion layer adjacent to and on one side of the optical waveguide, totally internally reflected light being frustrated and escaping the optical waveguide in response to pointer contacts on the diffusion layer; a second radiation source directing radiation towards another side of the optical waveguide that is opposite the one side; and at least one imaging device having a field of view looking at the optical waveguide and capturing image frames, wherein said first and second radiation sources are turned on and off in succession and wherein said first radiation source is turned off when said second radiation source is on and wherein said first radiation source is turned on when said second radiation source is off.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2010Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: Grant McGibney, Gerald Morrison, Charles Ung, Trevor Akitt, Ed Tse, Erik Benner, Jamie Duncalf
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Patent number: 8780170Abstract: A video conferencing display device a display panel, at least one imaging device and processing structure. The at least one imaging device has a field of view aimed at an inner surface of the display panel and captures images through the display panel such that when a user is positioned adjacent an outer surface of the display panel, the user appears in the captured images. The processing structure communicates with the at least one imaging device and processes the captured images to create a direct eye image for transmission to a remote device over a network.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: SMART Technologies ULCInventor: Gerald Morrison
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Patent number: 8669959Abstract: A passive touch system includes a passive touch surface and at least two cameras associated with the touch surface. The at least two cameras acquire images of the touch surface from different locations and have overlapping fields of view. A processor receives and processes images acquired by the at least two cameras to detect the existence of a pointer therein and to determine the location of the pointer relative to the touch surface. Actual pointer contact with the touch surface and pointer hover above the touch surface can be determined.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: Gerald Morrison, Mavinder Singh
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Patent number: 8537134Abstract: A touch system includes a touch surface and at least two cameras associated with the touch surface. The at least two cameras acquire images of the touch surface from different locations and having overlapping fields of view. A digital signal processor is associated with each camera. The digital signal processors process pixel data acquired by selected pixel subsets of the at least two digital cameras to generate pointer characteristic data when a pointer exists in the acquired images. The pointer characteristic data identifies edges of the pointer. A master digital signal processor triangulates the edge information in the pointer characteristic data to determine a bounding area that represents a pointer perimeter.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: Gerald Morrison, Trevor Akitt, Scott Su
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Patent number: 8446392Abstract: An interactive input system comprises a touch surface, and imaging system associated with the touch surface and processing structure. The imaging system comprises an optical sensor array that spans at least a portion of the area of the touch surface, and the processing structure communicates with the imaging system and analyzes images received by the imaging system to determine whether at least one pointer is near to the touch surface and the location of the at least one pointer in respect of the touch surface based at least in part on the edge sharpness of the at least one pointer.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2009Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: Yunqiu (Rachel) Wang, Grant McGibney, Gerald Morrison
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Patent number: 8378986Abstract: A passive touch system includes a passive touch surface and at least two cameras associated with the touch surface. The at least two cameras acquire images of the touch surface from different locations and have overlapping fields of view. A processor receives and processes images acquired by the at least two cameras to detect the existence of a pointer therein and to determine the location of the pointer relative to the touch surface. Actual pointer contact with the touch surface and pointer hover above the touch surface can be determined.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: Gerald Morrison, Mavinder Singh
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Publication number: 20120280943Abstract: A touch system includes a touch surface and at least two cameras associated with the touch surface. The at least two cameras acquire images of the touch surface from different locations and having overlapping fields of view. A digital signal processor is associated with each camera. The digital signal processors process pixel data acquired by selected pixel subsets of the at least two digital cameras to generate pointer characteristic data when a pointer exists in the acquired images. The pointer characteristic data identifies edges of the pointer. A master digital signal processor triangulates the edge information in the pointer characteristic data to determine a bounding area that represents a pointer perimeter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULCInventors: GERALD MORRISON, TREVOR AKITT, SCOTT SU
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Patent number: 8284173Abstract: A system for detecting contact on a display is provided. The system comprises a planar medium associated with the display and includes at least one edge facet and opposing surfaces. The system also includes one or more optical sources operatively coupled to the at least one edge facet for transmitting an optical signal into the planar medium such that the transmitted optical signal is totally internally reflected between the at least one edge facet and opposing surfaces. An optical sensing device is positioned to substantially face at least a portion of the edge facet and adapted to detect at least one object contacting a first surface of the opposing surfaces. The optical sensing device is operative to detect a portion of the optical signal emitted from the first surface at a location corresponding to the object contacting the first surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2012Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: SMART Technologies ULCInventor: Gerald Morrison
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Publication number: 20120249724Abstract: A video conferencing display device a display panel, at least one imaging device and processing structure. The at least one imaging device has a field of view aimed at an inner surface of the display panel and captures images through the display panel such that when a user is positioned adjacent an outer surface of the display panel, the user appears in the captured images. The processing structure communicates with the at least one imaging device and processes the captured images to create a direct eye image for transmission to a remote device over a network.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULCInventor: GERALD MORRISON
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Patent number: 8228304Abstract: A touch system includes a touch surface and at least two cameras associated with the touch surface. The at least two cameras acquire images of the touch surface from different locations and having overlapping fields of view. A digital signal processor is associated with each camera. The digital signal processors process pixel data acquired by selected pixel subsets of the at least two digital cameras to generate pointer characteristic data when a pointer exists in the acquired images. The pointer characteristic data identifies edges of the pointer. A master digital signal processor triangulates the edge information in the pointer characteristic data to determine a bounding area that represents a pointer perimeter.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: Gerald Morrison, Trevor Akitt, Scott Su
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Patent number: 8203535Abstract: A passive touch system includes a passive touch surface and at least two cameras associated with the touch surface. The at least two cameras acquire images of the touch surface from different locations and have overlapping fields of view. A processor receives and processes images acquired by the at least two cameras to detect the existence of a pointer therein and to determine the location of the pointer relative to the touch surface. Actual pointer contact with the touch surface and pointer hover above the touch surface can be determined.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: Gerald Morrison, Manvinder Singh