Patents by Inventor James C. Kennedy

James C. Kennedy 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).

  • Publication number: 20090232412
    Abstract: Systems and methods of automatically adjusting brightness of a digital image are provided. A particular method includes accessing data including a first digital image and identifying text and background in the first digital image. The method also includes calculating an average pixel value exclusive of the text and the background for the first digital image. The method further includes adjusting a brightness setting associated with the first digital image based on the calculated average pixel value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Hutchinson, Michael D. Horky, Mark A. Lee, William D. Meade, James C. Kennedy, Thomas E. Riechers, Michael J. Duncan
  • Publication number: 20090221057
    Abstract: A system for converting flue gases into useful biofuels and oxygen. The system uses flue gases and thermal energy from smokestack industries to grow algae in a controlled environment. The flue gases are used as nutrients for the growth of algae through photosynthesis which is then processed into biofuels. The algae growth occurs in a controlled environment to minimize contamination of the algae as well as to optimize the algae growth. Sunlight and artificial light is modulated to provide the optimum light source for the photosynthesis process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: James C. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7561753
    Abstract: Methodologies and systems to compare images with different levels of contrast are provided. Contrast is normalized between the images with different contrast levels and brightness is set. When normalizing contrast a derivative of gray level is determined for a first digital image having a first contrast level, and a derivative of gray level is determined for a second digital image having a second contrast level that is greater than the first contrast level. A ratio of the derivative of gray level for the first digital image to the derivative of gray level for the second digital image is determined, and the derivative of gray level for the first digital image is equalized with the derivative of gray level for the second digital image. Brightness of at least one image may be set automatically, such as by calculating an average pixel value excluding background and text, or manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Hutchinson, Michael D. Horky, Mark A. Lee, William D. Meade, James C. Kennedy, Thomas E. Riechers, Michael J. Duncan
  • Publication number: 20090064787
    Abstract: Improved apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided that use a pedestal robot mounted on a rail system, a probe extension coupler, and an inspection probe capable of performing pulse echo ultrasonic inspection. A probe may also include sled appendages and an axial braking system to inspect over holes and off edges. A probe may also include an ultrasonic pulse echo transducer array for high rate inspection; the transducer array may be mounted in a bubbler shoe for individually coupling each of the transducers in the array. A rail system may also include an optical encoder for providing location information for the robot and axial braking system. A probe extension coupler presses the inspection probe against the structure for adjusting to changes in surface contours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: James C. Kennedy, Mark L. Little, Clyde T. Uyehara
  • Publication number: 20090032789
    Abstract: An impact attenuator system includes a hyperelastic member that comprises an energy-absorbing material which behaves in a rate-independent hyperelastic manner so that its permanent set is minimized and the material can absorb tremendous amounts of impact energy while remaining fully recoverable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: James C. Kennedy, JR., Charles R. Miele, Chuck A. Plaxico, Joseph R. Preston, Jay R. Sayre, W. Scott Versluis, Carl J. Serman, Kary L. Valentine
  • Publication number: 20080312325
    Abstract: Methods of detecting and treating rapidly growing exogenous cells, such as Protista, or parasites, that preferentially accumulate a photoactivatable porphyrin in which 5-aminolevulinic acid or precursor thereof is administered to the patient, or contacted to the exogenous cells, in an amount sufficient to induce synthesis fluorescence and/or photosensitizing concentrations of a protoporphyrin IX in the exogenous cells, followed by exposure of the exogenous cells to light of photoactivating wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: James C. Kennedy, Roy H. Pottier, Robert L. Reid, Arnold Sac-Morales, Lewis L. Tomalty
  • Publication number: 20080148854
    Abstract: Ultrasonic measurements of porosity in manufactured parts or materials are calibrated using reference standards in which parallel holes are drilled in the backside of a body of material. The holes simulate voids in a part which attenuate incident ultrasonic energy. The number, size and location of the holes determine the simulated level of porosity that may be used to calibrate an ultrasonic tester. Multiple reference standards representing different levels of porosity can be produced in the form of individual coupons, or in a single body having multiple groups of holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Gary E. Georgeson, Joseph Hafenrichter, David A. Lilienthal, James C. Kennedy, Walter J. Harris
  • Patent number: 7356460
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a computer-implemented method of processing a claim. The method includes receiving information corresponding to a context free grammar expression of a provision governing claim adjudication, receiving information corresponding to a claim, and based on the received information, determining whether the at least one provision applies to the claim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: HealthEdge, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Kennedy, John Trustman
  • Patent number: 7337673
    Abstract: Improved apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided that use a probe with sled appendages and an axial braking system. The probe uses pulse echo ultrasonic signals to inspect the structure. The sled appendages permit the probe to contact and ride along the surface of the structure and are rotatably connected and curved away from the surface of the structure to compensate for contoured surfaces and inspection around holes and edges. The axial braking system, in coordination with a motion control system moving the probe, fixes the positions of the sled appendages just before the probe travels over a hole or off an edge of the structure to prevent the probe from falling through the hole or off an edge and to permit the probe to return to the surface of the structure to continue inspection of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James C. Kennedy, Mark L. Little, Clyde T. Uyehara
  • Patent number: 7300223
    Abstract: An impact attenuator system includes a hyperelastic member that comprises an energy absorbing material which behaves in a rate-independent hyperelastic manner so that its permanent set is minimized and the material can absorb tremendous amounts of impact energy while remaining fully recoverable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: James C. Kennedy, Jr., Charles R. Miele, Chuck A. Plaxico, Joseph R. Preston, Jay R. Sayre, W. Scott Versluis, Carl J. Serman, Kary L. Valentine
  • Patent number: 7295003
    Abstract: Techniques for detecting defects in the proximity of a hole of a laminate structure include inserting a generally cylindrical body portion into a hole such that a first coil of wire will reside in a plane substantially parallel to a first electrically conductive layer of the laminate material. A magnetic field produced by the first coil of wire will produce eddy-currents in the conductive layer in the plane of the first conductive layer, but damaged laminate materials will fail to produce similar eddy-currents. As the differences in eddy-currents between damages and undamaged laminate layers can be measured, damage to such laminate materials can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Clyde T. Uyehara, James C. Kennedy, Carl B. Gifford
  • Patent number: 7263889
    Abstract: A hat stringer inspection device permits continuous inspection of hat stringers as one or more probes are moved along the length of the hat stringer. Probes may be magnetically coupled to opposing surfaces of the structure, including, for example, where one of the probes is positioned inside the hat stringer and the probes are magnetically coupled across the surface of the hat stringer. The device may be autonomous with a feedback-controlled motor to drive the inspection device along the hat stringer. Magnetic coupling is also used to re-orient the position and/or alignment of the probes with respect to changes in the hat stringer or shapes, sizes, and configurations of hat stingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James C. Kennedy, Dennis P. Sarr, Michael R. Chapman, Michael D. Fogarty, Martin L. Freet, Gary E. Georgeson, Ronald E. VonWahlde
  • Patent number: 7249512
    Abstract: A hat stringer inspection device permits continuous inspection of hat stringers as one or more probes are moved along the length of the hat stringer. Probes may be magnetically coupled to opposing surfaces of the structure, including, for example, where one of the probes is positioned inside the hat stringer and the probes are magnetically coupled across the surface of the hat stringer. The device may be autonomous with a feedback-controlled motor to drive the inspection device along the hat stringer. Magnetic coupling is also used to re-orient the position and/or alignment of the probes with respect to changes in the hat stringer or shapes, sizes, and configurations of hat stingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James C. Kennedy, Dennis P. Sarr, Michael R. Chapman, Michael D. Fogarty, Martin L. Freet, Gary E. Georgeson, Ronald E. VonWahlde
  • Patent number: 7231826
    Abstract: There is provided a non-destructive inspection device having an actuating portion and at least one inspecting portion. The inspecting portion(s) are magnetically coupled to the actuating portion so that the inspecting portion(s) may be moved into limited-access areas to inspect features of a structure. The inspecting portion(s) each include at least one inspection sensor that transmits and/or receives signals that, when processed, indicate defects in the features of the structure. The actuating portion may include a handle for manual movement of the inspection device, or alternatively may include a motorized drive wheel for motorized positioning of the inspection device. A positional encoder device, such as an encoder wheel or optical encoder, may also be included in the actuating portion or inspecting portion(s) to monitor the location of the inspection device for more accurate or informative inspection results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard H. Bossi, Gary E. Georgeson, James C. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7168880
    Abstract: An impact attenuator system includes a hyperelastic member that comprises an energy absorbing material which behaves in a rate-independent hyperelastic manner so that its permanent set is minimized and the material can absorb tremendous amounts of impact energy while remaining fully recoverable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: James C. Kennedy, Jr., Charles R. Miele, Chuck A. Plaxico, Joseph R. Preston, Jay R. Sayre, W. Scott Versluis, Carl J. Serman, Kary L. Valentine
  • Patent number: 6997380
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for processing lottery sales data comprises the steps of causing display of a table on a computer, the table containing data representing lottery game attributes and lottery ticket sales for a plurality of lottery game types; enabling a user of the computer to query the data in the table based on at least one criterion from a predetermined list of criteria; and forecasting sales of a new lottery game based on results of the query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Scientific Games Royalty Corporation
    Inventors: Aman Safaei, Wen Rong, James C. Kennedy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6899621
    Abstract: A system and method of selling pre-printed lottery game tickets, on-line lottery game tickets, or a combination of pre-printed and on-line lottery game tickets in a retail store is disclosed. At least one lottery game token is provided bearing a game identification code thereon for being scanned at a POS terminal provided as a part of an in-store POS network. The scanned identification code is detected by a POS monitor in communication with the POS terminal, the POS monitor determining from the scanned code the type of lottery game to be played. The POS monitor, or a separate ticket controller in communication with the POS monitor, will then issue a dispense ticket command to a ticket dispenser located at the POS terminal for each pre-printed lottery game to be played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventors: William F. Behm, James C. Kennedy, Jr., Benjamin Eric Mitchell, Edward W. Wahler
  • Publication number: 20040157905
    Abstract: Methods of detecting and treating rapidly growing exogenous cells, such as Protista, or parasites, that preferentially accumulate a photoactivatable porphyrin in which 5-aminolevulinic acid or precursor thereof is administered to the patient, or contacted to the exogenous cells, in an amount sufficient to induce synthesis fluorescence and/or photosensitizing concentrations of a protoporphyrin IX in the exogenous cells, followed by exposure of the exogenous cells to light of photoactivating wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicants: DUSA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: James C. Kennedy, Roy H. Pottier, Robert L. Reid
  • Publication number: 20040133470
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for processing lottery sales data comprises the steps of causing display of a table on a computer, the table containing data representing lottery game attributes and lottery ticket sales for a plurality of lottery game types; enabling a user of the computer to query the data in the table based on at least one criterion from a predetermined list of criteria; and forecasting sales of a new lottery game based on results of the query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Aman Safaei, Wen Rong, James C. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20040120383
    Abstract: A system and method for verifying conductive paths in test parts and for testing the conductive paths for flaws subjects the test part to a current flow from one location to another via conduction. Sites containing dislocations cause a concentration of current around them which results in increased ohmic heating which can be detected with an infrared camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James C. Kennedy, Clyde T. Uyehara, Jeffrey G. Thompson