Patents by Inventor John H. Kerr

John H. Kerr 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: 11930267
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with control circuitry, wireless transceiver circuitry, and a display. The electronic device may be used to provide information to a user in response to being pointed at a particular object. The control circuitry may determine when the electronic device is pointed at a particular object using wireless control circuitry and/or motion sensor circuitry. In response to determining that the electronic device is pointed at a particular object, the control circuitry may take suitable action. This may include, for example, displaying information about an object when the electronic device is pointed at the object, displaying control icons for electronic equipment when the electronic device is pointed at the electronic equipment, and/or displaying a virtual object when the electronic device is pointed at real world object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Adam S. Meyer, Peter C. Tsoi, Duncan Robert Kerr, Martha Evans Hankey, John B. Morrell, James H. Foster
  • Patent number: 4656882
    Abstract: By making the ratios of the gear pairs in a conventional single countershaft transmissions a particularly defined sequence, and mounting the gear elements that are not affixed to the countershaft so that, that of the first gear pair is free to rotate on and couplable to the input shaft, that of the second gear pair is free to rotate on the output shaft and couplable to both the input and output shafts, with those of the remaining pairs free to rotate on and couplable to the output shaft, the number of ratios in the transmission will be enhanced by a factor of two (2) and the continuum will be in a particular geometric progression. By extending the particularly defined ratio sequence to a series arrangement of similarly constructed gearboxes, the number of continuum ratios in the resulting transmission will be enhanced by a factor of three (3) to five (5) and the continuum will again be of the same geometric progression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Inventor: John H. Kerr
  • Patent number: 4559848
    Abstract: A binary logic incrementally variable transmission is provided herein which can include a sequence of either, biratio stages, of quadriratio stages, or a combination of both. Each biratio stage has one binary selectable means, one reactive, one input, and one output component. Each quadriratio stage has two binary selectable means, two reactive, one input, and one output component. The maximum ratio of the transmission results when the reactive components of the stages are grounded to the casing. When the reactive components of the plurality of stages are coupled to their input and output components in binary logic sequence, an incrementally decreasing variable speed ratio of the input/output members of the transmission will result, that far exceeds the number of stages. The basic stage ratio is defined by the maximum ratio of, and the number of biratio stages in the particularly defined transmission sequence, with the state ratios of the stages being of a particularly defined order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Inventor: John H. Kerr
  • Patent number: 4341294
    Abstract: A spiral type one way clutching assembly and mechanism is provided herein which is insensitive to transverse forces; substantially eliminates overrunning frictional wear on the critically shaped surfaces of its members; and substantially eliminates the role of chance in establishing the clutching load distribution between its members. The clutching mode may be active or passive. The clutching mechanism utilizes monolithic annular outer and concentrically positioned annular inner body members which have mutually opposed tangentially congruent spiral surfaces defining a spiral race therebetween. The spiral race is provided with inner and outer abutments. At least one of the inner and the outer body members have a radially directed slit extending therethrough. The outer body member and the inner body member are relatively rotatably oscillatable with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Inventor: John H. Kerr