Patents by Inventor Lance Roberts

Lance Roberts 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: 9162279
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for fabricating a mold positive via additive manufacturing to form a casting mold. The mold positive material may have a first portion that undergoes a solid to gas phase transformation at a first temperature and a second portion that undergoes a solid to gas phase transformation at a second temperature. The first portion may be formed within the second portion, and the first temperature may be low relative to the second temperature. The first portion of the mold positive may thermally decompose at a lower temperature than the second portion, which may create voids within the mold positive so that during the higher temperature combustion of the second portion of the material, the second portion may expand into the newly empty spaces instead of into a ceramic casting mold. This may greatly reduce stress on the casting mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: MADESOLID, INC.
    Inventor: Lance Robert Pickens
  • Publication number: 20150295786
    Abstract: A wireless mesh network is provided with equipment and methods for monitoring and enforcement of license terms. The network includes a plurality of wireless network nodes, a wireless access point, and a network manager in communication with the access point and with the network nodes via the access point. At least one of the network nodes and the access point includes license information embedded in the device hardware, and the network manager provides services to the wireless network subject to license terms determined based on the license information embedded within the network node or access point. Additionally, the network manager is in communication with a user application external to the network, and relays communication between the user application and the wireless network. The network manager modulates communications relayed between the user application and the wireless network subject to the license information embedded within the network node or access point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Alain Pierre LEVESQUE, Lance Robert DOHERTY
  • Publication number: 20150189611
    Abstract: A system for synchronizing nodes in a wireless network comprises a first node and a second node. The first node comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a first time keeper. The second node comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a second time keeper, a timing error measurer for making a timing error measurement between the first time keeper and the second time keeper. The second timekeeper is adjusted to target minimizing the timing error measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Gordon Alexander CHARLES, Lance Robert DOHERTY, Thor Nelson JUNEAU, Mark Alan LEMKIN, Jonathan SIMON, Zhenqiang YE
  • Patent number: 8960349
    Abstract: A work vehicle is disclosed including at least one hydraulic actuator that receives hydraulic fluid, and a cooling system that promotes improved warm-up of the hydraulic fluid by directing air from an engine compartment across the hydraulic fluid in a reverse direction to warm the hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Lance Robert Sherlock
  • Patent number: 8953581
    Abstract: A system for synchronizing nodes in a wireless network comprises a first node and a second node. The first node comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a first time keeper. The second node comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a second time keeper, a timing error measurer for making a timing error measurement between the first time keeper and the second time keeper. The second timekeeper is adjusted to target minimizing the timing error measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Alexander Charles, Lance Robert Doherty, Thor Nelson Juneau, Mark Alan Lemkin, Jonathan Simon, Zhenqiang Ye
  • Publication number: 20140313909
    Abstract: The stability of a channel in a wireless network is evaluated at a node. Upon transmitting a packet from the node on a network channel, a first counter associated with the channel is incremented. Upon receiving an acknowledgment packet responsive to the transmitted packet, a second counter associated with the channel is incremented. A stability metric for the channel is computed based on values stored in the first and second counters. Additionally, interference on a channel of the network is measured at a node. Upon determining that no packet is received during a predetermined time-period on the channel, a received signal strength (RSS) is measured on the channel at an end of the predetermined time-period. Alternatively, upon determining that a packet is received during the predetermined time-period on the channel, the RSS is measured on the channel following completion of the transmission of the packet on the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: DUST NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Lance Robert DOHERTY, William Alan LINDSAY, Jonathan Noah SIMON, Alain Pierre LEVESQUE
  • Publication number: 20140305723
    Abstract: A work vehicle is disclosed including at least one hydraulic actuator that receives hydraulic fluid, and a cooling system that promotes improved warm-up of the hydraulic fluid by directing air from an engine compartment across the hydraulic fluid in a reverse direction to warm the hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Lance Robert Sherlock
  • Patent number: 8830847
    Abstract: A system for determining path stability using source routed packets in a wireless network comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to select a source route on which to send one or more probing packets, wherein the source route includes a path between a first node and a second node and calculate a stability of the path based at least in part on a success or a failure location of each of the one or more probing packets. The memory is coupled to the processor and configured to provide instructions to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance Robert Doherty, Zhenqiang Ye, Jonathan Simon
  • Patent number: 8699406
    Abstract: A system for maintaining synchronization of nodes in a wireless network comprises a child node and a parent node. The child node comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a first time keeper. The parent node comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a second time keeper. The parent node receiver is active for a guardband and wherein the guardband is adjusted to maintain synchronization of the parent node with the child node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Alexander Charles, Lance Robert Doherty, Thor Nelson Juneau, Mark Alan Lemkin, Jonathan Simon, Zhenqiang Ye
  • Patent number: 8599719
    Abstract: A system for discovering neighbors during wireless network joining comprises a first wireless network node and a second wireless network node. The first wireless network node listens for a message from a third wireless network node based at least in part on information received in a communication form the second wireless network node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Lance Robert Doherty
  • Patent number: 8189479
    Abstract: A system for congestion control for a wireless sensor network comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to determine a level of congestion at one or more nodes and indicate an adjustment to network traffic in response to the level of congestion. The adjustment to the network traffic reduces the level of congestion at the one or more nodes. The memory is coupled to the processor and configured to provide instructions to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance Robert Doherty, Jonathan Simon, Zhenqiang Ye
  • Patent number: 6347017
    Abstract: The invention is a servo compensation method and system for use in a disk storage system. The disk storage system experiences error that causes a head to become mis-aligned with the disk. The error comprises multiple spin-frequency harmonic run-out error and other servo position errors. During follow mode, a digital filter processes a position error signal to generate a compensation signal. The position error signal is comprised of components representative of the multiple spin-frequency harmonic run-out error and the other servo position errors. The compensation signal is comprised of components that cause the servo positioning system to compensate for the multiple spin-frequency harmonic run-out error and the other servo position errors. The digital filter also operates as an oscillator that provides an oscillating signal at multiples of the spin frequency of the disk during seek mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, N. V.
    Inventor: Lance Robert Carlson
  • Patent number: 6298101
    Abstract: An invention for more accurately initiating the generation of detection windows for detecting data within a stream of data pulses is disclosed. A high frequency clock, typically operating at rate corresponding to a multiple of the nominal clock rate (e.g., two or three times, is used for a portion of a decoder system. In one embodiment, a down counter and a detection window generation component of the decoder system are clocked at the higher rate, while the remaining elements are clocked at the nominal clock rate. In this manner, the detection windows are more accurately initiated, while the remaining portions of the decoder system do not require the extra expense imposed of operating at the higher clock rate. Using the present invention, synchronization delay is minimized and detection windows are more accurately aligned with data pulses which reduces the error rate and improves performance of the decoder system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Adaptec, Inc.
    Inventor: Lance Robert Carlson
  • Patent number: 6175458
    Abstract: A disk drive processing system controls a Servo Timing Mark (STM) detection window in disk drive during a head switch operation. In response to the head switch operation, the system disables a timer that closes the STM detection window during normal operation, and the system tracks the elapsed time from a time point. The system compares the elapsed time to a programmable limit value. The system resumes normal operation if an STM is detected before the elapsed time reaches the programmable limit value and initiates a recovery procedure if the elapsed time reaches the programmable limit value. Advantageously, the programmable limit value can be easily re-programmed if a larger STM detection window is required due to severe STM or head mis-alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics N.V.
    Inventor: Lance Robert Carlson
  • Patent number: 6167526
    Abstract: An invention for intelligently adjusting the timing of generation of a series of detection windows to maintain synchronization with the occurrence of data pulses within a stream of phase-encoded binary data is disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, thresholding logic is added to a limited response self-clocking decode phased locked loop to achieve a more robust data detection method and system, which is less susceptible and sensitive to noise error. In one embodiment of the system, an up/down counter is used to count to occurrence of late and early data pulses within their respective detection window, with the timing of the generated series of detection windows being adjusted when the value of this counter exceeds an upper or lower predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Adaptec, Inc.
    Inventor: Lance Robert Carlson
  • Patent number: 6163424
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing head switch operations in a magnetic disk system having a magnetic disk device that is segmented into a plurality of cylinders, which cylinders are grouped into an inner zone, a middle zone, and an outer zone. The inner zone is near the innermost area of the magnetic disk device. The outer zone is near the outermost area of the magnetic disk device. The middle zone is in between the inner zone and the outer zone. The head switch is performed from a current head to a target head. Prior to the head switch, the system determines if the current cylinder is in either the inner zone or the outer zone. When the current cylinder is in either the inner zone or the outer zone, the system seeks the current head to the middle zone, whereupon the system performs a head switch from the current head to the target head. When the current cylinder is not found to be in either the inner zone or the outer zone, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Lance Robert Carlson, Aaron Wade Wilson
  • Patent number: 6097563
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing head switch operations in a magnetic disk system with a magnetic disk device that is segmented into a plurality of cylinders. The cylinders are grouped into an inner zone, a middle zone, and an outer zone. The inner zone is near the innermost area of the magnetic disk device. The outer zone is near the outermost area of the magnetic disk device. The middle zone is in between the inner zone and the outer zone. The head switch is performed from a current head at a current cylinder to a target head at a target cylinder. Prior to the head switch, the system determines if the current cylinder is in either the inner zone or the outer zone. If the current cylinder is in either the inner zone or the outer zone, then the system determines if the target cylinder is in either the inner zone or the outer zone. If the target cylinder is in either the inner zone or the outer zone, then the system seeks the current head to the middle zone and then performs the head switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics N.V.
    Inventors: Lance Robert Carlson, Aaron Wade Wilson
  • Patent number: 6088186
    Abstract: The invention is a servo compensation method and system for use in a disk storage system. The disk storage system experiences error that causes a head to become mis-aligned with the disk. The error comprises run-out error and other servo position errors. During follow mode, a digital filter processes a position error signal to generate a compensation signal. The position error signal is comprised of components representative of the run-out error and the other servo position errors. The compensation signal is comprised of components that cause the servo positioning system to compensate for the run-out error and the other servo position errors. The digital filter also operates as an oscillator that provides an oscillating signal the spin frequency of the disk during seek mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, N.V.
    Inventor: Lance Robert Carlson
  • Patent number: D420778
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventor: Lance Roberts