Patents by Inventor James L. Rodgers
James L. Rodgers 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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Publication number: 20160097370Abstract: A high-torque turbine system receives and converts low to higher speed wind or airflow into mechanical work or electric power; consisting of a number of sail or airfoil blades or blade portions located near the outer periphery having extended moment arms for increased torque, that rotate around an center axis that is parallel to the airflow, wherein the blades receive wind directly, from a center deflector that directs wind received in the center outward to the blades, or from airflow directed externally from man-made, natural or structural sources, wherein the turbine system outputs mechanical work or electrical power.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2013Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventors: James L. Rodgers, Barry H. Soloway
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Patent number: 8102382Abstract: A smart surface is disclosed that can stand alone or be contained within a portable computer or other system, for powering and communicating with single or multiple cord-free transducers. Operating or charging power is transmitted by the surface using a carrier signal that is on/off keyed or amplitude modulated with synchronization, clock, enable, address, modes, commands and other pulse width, encoded or digital data. The signal is transmitted to single or multiple cordless smart transducers located on or above the surface, such as pens with multiple pressure sensing and switch capability, pointers, stylus, cursors, pucks, mouse, pawns, implements and similar items. Overlapping resonant inductive circuits are used in the surface to transmit operating power and communicate data to the transducer(s).Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2011Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.Inventors: Steven M. Palay, James L. Rodgers
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Publication number: 20110298421Abstract: A smart surface is disclosed that can stand alone or be contained within a portable computer or other system, for powering and communicating with single or multiple cord-free transducers. Operating or charging power is transmitted by the surface using a carrier signal that is on/off keyed or amplitude modulated with synchronization, clock, enable, address, modes, commands and other pulse width, encoded or digital data. The signal is transmitted to single or multiple cordless smart transducers located on or above the surface, such as pens with multiple pressure sensing and switch capability, pointers, stylus, cursors, pucks, mouse, pawns, implements and similar items. Overlapping resonant inductive circuits are used in the surface to transmit operating power and communicate data to the transducer(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: WACOM CO., LTD.Inventors: Steven M. Palay, James L. Rodgers
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Patent number: 8022937Abstract: A smart surface is disclosed that can stand alone or be contained within a portable computer or other system, for powering and communicating with single or multiple cord-free transducers. Operating or charging power is transmitted by the surface using a carrier signal that is on/off keyed or amplitude modulated with synchronization, clock, enable, address, modes, commands and other pulse width, encoded or digital data. The signal is transmitted to single or multiple cordless smart transducers located on or above the surface, such as pens with multiple pressure sensing and switch capability, pointers, stylus, cursors, pucks, mouse, pawns, implements and similar items. Overlapping resonant inductive circuits are used in the surface to transmit operating power and communicate data to the transducer(s).Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.Inventors: Steven M. Palay, James L. Rodgers
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Patent number: 7868873Abstract: A smart surface is disclosed that can stand alone or be contained within a portable computer or other system, for powering and communicating with single or multiple cord-free transducers. Operating or charging power is transmitted by the surface using a carrier signal that is on/off keyed or amplitude modulated with synchronization, clock, enable, address, modes, commands and other pulse width, encoded or digital data. The signal is transmitted to single or multiple cordless smart transducers located on or above the surface, such as pens with multiple pressure sensing and switch capability, pointers, stylus, cursors, pucks, mouse, pawns, implements and similar items. Overlapping resonant inductive circuits are used in the surface to transmit operating power and communicate data to the transducer(s).Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2005Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.Inventors: Steven M. Palay, James L. Rodgers
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Patent number: 7633378Abstract: An object identification system includes a monitor and a plurality of transceivers that communicate over a common medium. The monitor includes a first transmitter, a first receiver, and a processor. Each transceiver includes a resonant circuit, a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna coupled to the resonant circuit. The processor performs a method for performing transceiver communication that includes the steps of: (a) transmitting from the first transmitter a first frequency for a first duration; (b) after lapse of the first duration, receiving via the first receiver a response signal from at least one of the resonant circuits; (c) determining a second frequency from the received response signal; and (d) performing transceiver communication using the second frequency.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: RF Code, Inc.Inventors: James L. Rodgers, John J. Coulthard, Billy C. Fowler, Howard K. Jaecks, Roc A. Lastinger, Paul A. Picard, Mohammad A. Rehman
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Publication number: 20080181143Abstract: A smart surface is disclosed that can stand alone or be contained within a portable computer or other system, for powering and communicating with single or multiple cord-free transducers. Operating or charging power is transmitted by the surface using a carrier signal that is on/off keyed or amplitude modulated with synchronization, clock, enable, address, modes, commands and other pulse width, encoded or digital data. The signal is transmitted to single or multiple cordless smart transducers located on or above the surface, such as pens with multiple pressure sensing and switch capability, pointers, stylus, cursors, pucks, mouse, pawns, implements and similar items. Overlapping resonant inductive circuits are used in the surface to transmit operating power and communicate data to the transducer(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: INPLAY TECHNOLOGIESInventors: Steven M. PALAY, James L. RODGERS
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Patent number: 6982646Abstract: An object identification system includes a monitor and a plurality of transceivers that communicate over a common medium. The monitor includes a first transmitter, a first receiver, and a processor. Each transceiver includes a resonant circuit, a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna coupled to the resonant circuit. The processor performs a method for performing transceiver communication that includes the steps of: (a) transmitting from the first transmitter a first frequency for a first duration; (b) after lapse of the first duration, receiving via the first receiver a response signal from at least one of the resonant circuits; (c) determining a second frequency from the received response signal; and (d) performing transceiver communication using the second frequency.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2001Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: RF Code, Inc.Inventors: James L. Rodgers, John J. Coulthard, Billy C. Fowler, Howard K. Jaecks, Roc A. Lastinger, Paul A. Picard, Mohammad A. Rehman
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Patent number: 6831562Abstract: An object identification system includes a monitor and a plurality of transceivers that communicate over a common medium. The monitor includes a first transmitter, a first receiver, and a processor. Each transceiver includes a resonant circuit, a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna coupled to the resonant circuit. The processor performs a method for performing transceiver communication that includes the steps of: (a) transmitting from the first transmitter a first frequency for a first duration; (b) after lapse of the first duration, receiving via the first receiver a response signal from at least one of the resonant circuits; (c) determining a second frequency from the received response signal; and (d) performing transceiver communication using the second frequency.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: RF Code, Inc.Inventors: James L. Rodgers, John J. Coulthard, Billy C. Fowler, Howard K. Jaecks, Roc A. Lastinger, Paul A. Picard, Mohammad A. Rehman
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Patent number: 6621410Abstract: A system includes an identification circuit, a grid antenna, a receiver, and a processor. The identification circuit includes resonant circuits formed on a substrate within a perimeter. Identification may be based on a quantity or physical arrangement of detected resonant circuits within the perimeter. One resonant circuit provides a reference signal. Any resonant circuit may be tuned in accordance with the reference signal by the addition or subtraction of reactance formed on the substrate. A capacitance of a first group of capacitors located outside a turn of an inductor is roughly equal to a capacitance of a second group of capacitors located inside the turn. Any resonant circuit may also be tuned by affixing a resonance modifying element, for example a sticker, to the identification circuit. The grid antenna provides antenna field patterns, one for each cell location. The receiver communicates with the identification circuit via the grid antenna.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1999Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: RF Code, Inc.Inventors: Roc A. Lastinger, James L. Rodgers, John J. Coulthard, Robert P. Ufford
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Patent number: 6396005Abstract: A grid consists of a first serpentine, and a second serpentine overlapping the first serpentine. Signals from the first and second serpentines are analyzed to determine transducer position. The first and second serpentines are foldback serpentines. The first serpentine is offset from the second serpentine by approximately ninety degrees.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2001Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Rodgers Technology Center, Inc.Inventors: James L. Rodgers, Howard K. Jaecks, Billy C. Fowler
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Patent number: 6362737Abstract: An object identification system includes a monitor and a plurality of transceivers that communicate over a common medium. The monitor includes a first transmitter, a first receiver, and a processor. Each transceiver includes a resonant circuit, a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna coupled to the resonant circuit. The processor performs a method for performing transceiver communication that includes the steps of: (a) transmitting from the first transmitter a first frequency for a first duration; (b) after lapse of the first duration, receiving via the first receiver a response signal from at least one of the resonant circuits; (c) determining a second frequency from the received response signal; and (d) performing transceiver communication using the second frequency.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: RF Code, Inc.Inventors: James L. Rodgers, John J. Coulthard, Billy C. Fowler, Howard K. Jaecks, Roc A. Lastinger, Paul A. Picard, Mohammad A. Rehman
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Publication number: 20020033757Abstract: An object identification system includes a monitor and a plurality of transceivers that communicate over a common medium. The monitor includes a first transmitter, a first receiver, and a processor. Each transceiver includes a resonant circuit, a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna coupled to the resonant circuit. The processor performs a method for performing transceiver communication that includes the steps of: (a) transmitting from the first transmitter a first frequency for a first duration; (b) after lapse of the first duration, receiving via the first receiver a response signal from at least one of the resonant circuits; (c) determining a second frequency from the received response signal; and (d) performing transceiver communication using the second frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2001Publication date: March 21, 2002Applicant: RF Code, Inc.Inventors: James L. Rodgers, John J. Coulthard, Billy C. Fowler, Howard K. Jaecks, Roc A. Lastinger, Paul A. Picard, Mohammad A. Rehman
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Patent number: 6351215Abstract: A monitoring system incorporates antennas that transmit signals at predetermined frequencies; the transmitted signals are received by tags located in the active monitoring area of the antenna which then transmit signals back to the antenna. The antennas are tuned to each desired frequency prior to driving the antennas to transmit at the desired frequency. The system transmits a range of frequencies in a sequence that uses overlapping frequency steps. The monitoring system is also constructed having a variable configuration resulting in the ability to be reconfigured under program control to conform to varying system requirements. The integrated monitoring system employs programmable formats for reconfiguration such that upon program input from a host computer the system can assume predetermined configurations to conform to the particular tasks for the specific application.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1999Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: RF Code, Inc.Inventors: James L. Rodgers, Billy C. Fowler, Howard K. Jaecks
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Publication number: 20020011932Abstract: An object identification system includes a monitor and a plurality of transceivers that communicate over a common medium. The monitor includes a first transmitter, a first receiver, and a processor. Each transceiver includes a resonant circuit, a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna coupled to the resonant circuit. The processor performs a method for performing transceiver communication that includes the steps of: (a) transmitting from the first transmitter a first frequency for a first duration; (b) after lapse of the first duration, receiving via the first receiver a response signal from at least one of the resonant circuits; (c) determining a second frequency from the received response signal; and (d) performing transceiver communication using the second frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2001Publication date: January 31, 2002Applicant: RF Code, Inc.Inventors: James L. Rodgers, John J. Coultherd, Billy C. Fowler, Howard K. Jaecks, Roc A. Lastinger, Paul A. Picard, Mohammad A. Rehman
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Patent number: 6340932Abstract: A carrier, as used for example to transport several radio frequency identification devices, includes a circuit having an antenna and a series capacitor for tuning the antenna. Enhanced transceiver communication results when transceivers are placed in the carrier. Alternately, a carrier may include first and second antenna circuits, each having a capacitor for tuning the respective antenna. The two circuits may cooperate so that energy received in a first pattern is re-radiated in a second pattern for further enhanced transceiver communication, such as detection of the presence of the RFID device within the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2000Date of Patent: January 22, 2002Assignee: RF Code, Inc.Inventors: James L. Rodgers, John J. Coulthard, Billy C. Fowler, Howard K. Jaecks, Roc A. Lastinger, Paul A. Picard, Mohammad A. Rehman
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Publication number: 20010038332Abstract: A monitoring system incorporates antennas that transmit signals at predetermined frequencies; the transmitted signals are received by tags located in the active monitoring area of the antenna which then transmit signals back to the antenna. The antennas are tuned to each desired frequency prior to driving the antennas to transmit at the desired frequency. The system transmits a range of frequencies in a sequence that uses overlapping frequency steps. The monitoring system is also constructed having a variable configuration resulting in the ability to be reconfigured under program control to conform to system varying requirements. The integrated monitoring system employs programmable format for reconfiguration such that upon program input from a host computer the system can assume predetermined configurations to conform to the particular tasks for the specific application.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 1999Publication date: November 8, 2001Inventors: JAMES L. RODGERS, BILLY C. FOWLER, HOWARD K. JAECKS
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Patent number: 5225637Abstract: A position resolving system is described incorporating a cordless pointing instrument such as a pen having an oscillator and battery supply therein. Electromagnetic radiations from the pen are directed onto a tablet grid having a plurality of grid loops therein. When the pen is in contact with the tablet, signals of maximum amplitude are radiated; when the pen is raised out of contact with the tablet, signal radiation is maintained but at a decreased amplitude for a predetermined time and then reduced to zero. Each loop is formed of parallel conductors joined at one end thereof by an end conductor; each loop is placed adjacent corresponding loops in the X and in the Y directions. The electromagnetic radiations are non-coherently amplitude detected to select the grid loop in the X direction and the grid loop in the Y direction having the maximum amplitudes thereon.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1991Date of Patent: July 6, 1993Assignee: Kurta CorporationInventors: James L. Rodgers, Donald F. Gray, Billy C. Fowler
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Patent number: 5218174Abstract: A digitizing system includes a tablet and a cordless pointing device including a plurality of data grid conductors in the tablet and a plurality of clock grid conductors in the tablet, all receiving a magnetic field signal transmitted by the pointing device. A data channel circuit includes a differential amplifier and demodulating and filtering circuitry coupled to an output of the differential amplifier, having a clock input. An A/D converter has an input coupled to an output of the demodulating and filtering circuitry. Multiplexing circuitry selectively couples various grid conductor signals to the data channel circuit. A clock recovery circuit responsive to the clock grid conductors includes a phase-locked-loop circuit that generates a recovered clock signal which is synchronous with the magnetic field signal and is used as a reference for demodulating the phase and amplitude of signals multiplexed from the data grid conductors to the data channel circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1991Date of Patent: June 8, 1993Assignee: Kurta CorporationInventors: Donald F. Gray, James L. Rodgers, James R. Sciacero, Charles A. Waterbury
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Patent number: D304446Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1986Date of Patent: November 7, 1989Assignee: Kurta CorporationInventors: Rick L. Hoover, James L. Rodgers