Patents by Inventor John W. Hopkins

John W. Hopkins 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: 5179576
    Abstract: Broadcasting system digitizes audio input signals before RF modulating and transmitting over airwaves to one or more remote receiving stations. Receiving station recovers the digitized signal by demodulating and exponentially expanding the received RF signal. Recovered digital signal is subsequently frequency modulated and sent, via an electrically conductive cable, to an FM radio, over which the original audio input signals are faithfully reproduced. A time switch in series with the RF receiver and the FM modulator is capable of temporarily disabling modulated transmissions to radio through the electrically conductive cable. Relay stations, (either land-based or satellite), allow for transmission beyond the range (i.e. "line-of-sight") of common FM radio transmissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Inventors: John W. Hopkins, Anthony J. Impastato
  • Patent number: 5056134
    Abstract: This invention relates to the application of an audible logo to a telecommunications call, for identifying the common carrier serving that call. A call is received in an operator assistance system. After applying a calling card prompt tone and prior to connecting the call to an operator position or receiving further digits such as those for a calling card number, the operator assistance system connects an audible logo, identifying a common carrier, to the call. Advantageously, a telephone customer receives the information necessary to identify whether his/her preferred common carrier is going to be used on this call at a sufficiently early time to make it convenient to disconnect and reoriginate. This information is particularly important for calls originated away from home or office, calls that are likely to be operator assistance (0 or 0+ directory number) calls. Subsequently, the operator assistance call is processed as in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Thomas M. Bauer, Thomas A. Dunn, Christina M. Gurke, John W. Hopkins, Richard D. Nafziger
  • Patent number: 5020309
    Abstract: A shredder attachment for use with lawn machines having vacuum or fan movement of shreddable material. The attachment comprises a frame suitably sized and shaped to be substantially mounted inside a conduit of a lawn machine. The attachment further comprises a cutter for cutting material passing through the conduit and a motor for driving the cutter. The attachment can be used in such lawn machines as a discharge conduit for a riding mower bagging system, an auxiliary cutter for a walk behind mower or a hand-held leaf vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 4930154
    Abstract: This invention relates to the application of an audible logo to a telecommunications call, for identifying the common carrier serving that call. A call is received in an operator assistance system. After applying a calling card prompt tone and prior to connecting the call to an operator position or receiving further digits such as those for a calling card number, the operator assistance system connects an audible logo, identifying a common carrier, to the call. Advantageously, a telephone customer receives the information necessary to identify whether his/her preferred common carrier is going to be used on this call at a sufficiently early time to make it convenient to disconnect and reoriginate. This information is particularly important for calls originated away from home or office, calls that are likely to be operator assistance 0 or 0+ directory number) calls. Subsequently, the operator assistance call is processed as in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Thomas M. Bauer, Thomas A. Dunn, Christina M. Gurke, John W. Hopkins, Richard D. Nafziger
  • Patent number: 4916837
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a single stage snowthrower wherein a flat rear wall section of an impeller housing, a rear wall of a chute opening and the central axis of an external chute are all aligned to more efficiently remove snow. A gate is also provided to control the recirculation of snow through the impeller housing. The gate may comprise a sliding dam movable along a straight line into the housing. In a further embodiment of the present invention a pivotable dam is disposed between sidewalls of the impeller housing to vary the throat area into the chute opening in accordance with the wet or dry conditions of the snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaroslav J. Olmr, Robert D. Batting, John W. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 4852338
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a lightweight debris collector for rotary mowers and the like. The debris collector includes a frame having two spaced apart arms which are adapted to suspend and transport a standard trash can. Means is also provided to transport debris from the mower to the trash can which together with the frame form a debris collector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Hopkins, Peter P. Knoell
  • Patent number: 4746806
    Abstract: A portable manually cranked electrical generator apparatus has a stirrup separated from the generator by a rigid support member. The support member may be adjusted vertically or angularly to accommodate differences in operator size and height while the stirrup is anchored by the operator's foot. A brace or clamp is fastened to an operator for steadying the apparatus for ease of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Carl J. Campagnuolo, Paul S. Clohan, Jr., John W. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 4153113
    Abstract: A subsea drill-thru manifold center for petroleum well completion and production is disclosed. The manifold center is compartmented so each well is within its own gas tight compartment. A removable sleeve through which the well is completed is mounted in each compartment. After each well is completed its sleeve is removable so it can be put in production in the conventional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Assignee: Lockheed Petroleum Services, Ltd.
    Inventors: John W. Hopkins, Claude A. Sellars