Patents by Inventor Joseph C. Pentland

Joseph C. Pentland 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).

  • Controllable kinetic flexible member imagery system
    Patent number: 9097316
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving one or multiple flexible members to produce kinetic imagery where the flexible members have two spaced endpoints and are suspended in a curve from the endpoints. A drive mechanism is provided for continuously lengthening and shortening the distance between the endpoints and/or for varying the lengths of the flexible members, and a control unit is present for operating the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph C. Pentland
  • Falling pattern imagery system
    Patent number: 9099017
    Abstract: An apparatus for dropping multiple objects into a visual field to create imagery including hollow ducts for conveying the objects to the visual field and computer-controlled gating devices for releasing the objects at desire times and sequences to produce the imagery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph C. Pentland
  • Method and apparatus for producing kinetic imagery
    Patent number: 8978279
    Abstract: An apparatus for repetitively lifting and lowering objects to create visual patterns having a plurality of units each with a motor, a rotary member, a cord attached at its distal end to the circumferential edge of the rotary member, an attaching mechanism affixed to the proximal end of the cord, and an object removably connected to the attaching mechanism. A computer or microprocessor is provided and programmed to selectively rotate the rotary members to move the objects between selected pre-determined positions along a generally vertical path of travel to establish a geometric pattern of repetitive elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph C. Pentland
  • Method and apparatus for producing kinetic imagery
    Patent number: 8544199
    Abstract: An apparatus for repetitively lifting and lowering objects to create visual patterns having a plurality of units each with a motor, a rotary member, a cord attached at its distal end to the circumferential edge of the rotary member, an attaching mechanism affixed to the proximal end of the cord, and an object removably connected to the attaching mechanism. A computer or microprocessor is provided and programmed to selectively rotate the rotary members to move the objects between selected pre-determined positions along a generally vertical path of travel to establish a geometric pattern of repetitive elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Joseph C. Pentland
  • Method and apparatus for controlling the spatial position of repetitive units
    Patent number: 7899576
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a system for synchronously positioning repetitive units spatially comprising a plurality of repetitive units, each attached on an end of a plurality of arms, each angularly attached on an opposing end to a computer-controlled rotating axle, each having a synchronously computer-controlled position along a path of travel by computer-controlled synchronous rotation of said plurality of axles, forming a moving geometric pattern with said plurality of repetitive units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Pentland LLC
    Inventor: Joseph C. Pentland
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE SPATIAL POSITION OF REPETITIVE UNITS
    Publication number: 20080208388
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a system for synchronously positioning repetitive units spatially comprising a plurality of repetitive units, each attached on an end of a plurality of arms, each angularly attached on an opposing end to a computer-controlled rotating axle, each having a synchronously computer-controlled position along a path of travel by computer-controlled synchronous rotation of said plurality of axles, forming a moving geometric pattern with said plurality of repetitive units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph C. Pentland