Patents by Inventor Michael A. Pitcher
Michael A. Pitcher 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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Patent number: 10689297Abstract: The present invention relates to new multiferroic materials. More particularly, the present invention relates to new multiferroic single phase ceramic materials as well as to thin films formed from these materials, methods of preparing these materials and their use as multiferroic materials in electronic components and devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2016Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOLInventors: Matthew J. Rosseinsky, Pranab Mandal, Jonathan Alaria, John Claridge, Michael Pitcher
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Publication number: 20180057409Abstract: The present invention relates to new multiferroic materials. More particularly, the present invention relates to new multiferroic single phase ceramic materials as well as to thin films formed from these materials, methods of preparing these materials and their use as multiferroic materials in electronic components and devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Matthew J. Rosseinsky, Pranab Mandal, Jonathan Alaria, John Claridge, Michael Pitcher
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Patent number: 9451678Abstract: A system and methods for automatically commissioning electrical fixtures using sound are disclosed. Electrical fixtures (140-149) detect sounds produced by a sound generator moved along a path (300) through installed fixtures according to a building plan (100). Each electrical fixture may be associated with a mapped fixture location in the building plan by correlating the detected sound with the location of the sound generator along the path.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Paul Richard Simons, Alan James Davie, Aki Sakari Härmä, Stephen Michael Pitchers, Ronaldus Maria Aarts
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Publication number: 20140333206Abstract: A system and methods for automatically commissioning electrical fixtures using sound are disclosed. Electrical fixtures (140-149) detect sounds produced by a sound generator moved along a path (300) through installed fixtures according to a building plan (100). Each electrical fixture may be associated with a mapped fixture location in the building plan by correlating the detected sound with the location of the sound generator along the path.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2012Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventors: Paul Richard Simons, Alan James Davie, Aki Sakari Härmä, Stephen Michael Pitchers, Ronaldus Maria Aarts
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Patent number: 8416713Abstract: A computer algorithm (36) employing decision trees in order to assign wireless communication nodes (12-19,39-43) in a derived spatial arrangement. In a first embodiment, the algorithm (36) assigns nodes to an array of positions corresponding to the positions of luminaires (2-9) in a lighting array (1) to enable the lighting array (1) to be commissioned automatically. In a second embodiment, the algorithm (36) assigns nodes to control groups (49-51) such that the member nodes of a particular control group (49-51) may be controlled by a single switch or sensor (46-48). The use of decision trees allows the final assignment of nodes to be delayed until more information has been taken into account, thus, the algorithm (36) is able to select the best overall configuration.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2007Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Paul Richard Simons, Stephen Michael Pitchers
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Patent number: 8300577Abstract: A computer algorithm for grouping a derived spatial arrangement of wireless communication nodes. The wireless communication nodes form a wireless communication network and are configured to control the operation of luminaires in a lighting array. The position of each node in the communication network corresponds to the position of a particular luminaire in the lighting array. The algorithm divides the arrangement of nodes into a plurality of spatial groups, each of which is defined by a line which joins the group's member nodes together. The groups are ranked according to their statistical attributes and a number of groups are selected as control groups, such that the member nodes, and hence luminaires, of each control group may be controlled by a single switch or sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2007Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Paul Richard Simons, Stephen Michael Pitchers
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Patent number: 8290437Abstract: A method for matching an actual device in a wireless network to a corresponding device indicated in a plan of such devices is provided. The method is suitable for initiating the commissioning process for a lighting control network or an automated home network and it enables the program controlling the system to establish a number of reference nodes, with respect to which the coordinates of the rest of the nodes in the network are established, without the engineer having to manually enter the identification details of the reference nodes in the computer system. The method includes identifying a device in the plan having unique characteristics compared to the other devices in the plan, receiving data comprising the characteristics of the actual device from the wireless network, and in response to the characteristics of the actual device including the unique characteristics, matching the physical device with the identified device.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2007Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Paul Richard Simons, Stephen Michael Pitchers
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Publication number: 20120146943Abstract: A device having touch sensor input functionality, comprises first and second control electrodes (40,42) lying in a common plane. The device is operable in at least two modes, comprising: a first mode in which the light transmission characteristics are altered by controlling the movement of the charged particles under the influence of control signals applied to the first and second control electrodes; and a second mode in which the first and second control electrodes are coupled to a capacitance sensing means, for detecting a change in capacitance caused by the proximity of an object to be detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Peter Douglas Fairley, Paul Richard Simons, Stephen Michael Pitchers, Alwin Rogier Martijn Verschueren, Martinus Hermanus Wilhelmus Maria Van Delden, Kars-Michiel Lenssen, Manfred Muller, Leon Wilhelmus Godefridus Stofmeel
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Publication number: 20110250418Abstract: The invention provides a method for the manufacture of a sheet product comprising a substrate having a coating of an adhesion promoter, which comprises applying to said substrate a solution or suspension of an adhesion promoter comprising a polymer bearing carboxylic acid, salt, amide and/or ester groups, said solution or suspension also comprising an indicator material which is colourless under the conditions of application of said solution or suspension to said substrate but which generates visible colouration upon the application of suitable chemical means. The method may be used as part of a quality control method for monitoring the application of a coating of an adhesion promoter to a substrate. The resulting sheets are novel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2009Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: ARJO WIGGINS FINE PAPERS LIMITEDInventors: Michael Pitcher, Richard Saunders, Mark Watson
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Publication number: 20110122796Abstract: A computer algorithm for grouping a derived spatial arrangement of wireless communication nodes. The wireless communication nodes form a wireless communication network and are configured to control the operation of luminaires in a lighting array. The position of each node in the communication network corresponds to the position of a particular luminaire in the lighting array. The algorithm divides the arrangement of nodes into a plurality of spatial groups, each of which is defined by a line which joins the group's member nodes together. The groups are ranked according to their statistical attributes and a number of groups are selected as control groups, such that the member nodes, and hence luminaires, of each control group may be controlled by a single switch or sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2007Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Paul Richard Simons, Stephen Michael Pitchers
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Publication number: 20090045971Abstract: A computer algorithm (36) employing decision trees in order to assign wireless communication nodes (12-19,39-43) in a derived spatial arrangement. In a first embodiment, the algorithm (36) assigns nodes to an array of positions corresponding to the positions of luminaires (2-9) in a lighting array (1) to enable the lighting array (1) to be commissioned automatically. In a second embodiment, the algorithm (36) assigns nodes to control groups (49-51) such that the member nodes of a particular control group (49-51) may be controlled by a single switch or sensor (46-48). The use of decision trees allows the final assignment of nodes to be delayed until more information has been taken into account, thus, the algorithm (36) is able to select the best overall configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2007Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Paul Richard Simons, Stephen Michael Pitchers
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Publication number: 20070129519Abstract: The invention involves new syntheses for poly(methyl- and ethyl-silyne). The invention also includes silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics that can be produced from poly(methylsilyne), as well as other ceramics, which can be produced from these precursors by modified processing conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2007Publication date: June 7, 2007Inventors: Patricia Bianconi, Michael Pitcher, Scott Joray
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Publication number: 20060106185Abstract: The invention involves new syntheses for poly(methyl- and ethyl-silyne). The invention also includes silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics that can be produced from poly(methylsilyne), as well as other ceramics, which can be produced from these precursors by modified processing conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2005Publication date: May 18, 2006Inventors: Patricia Bianconi, Michael Pitcher, Scott Joray
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Patent number: 4922991Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making metal castings wherein a composite core assembly is utilized. The composite core assembly comprises at least one casting core and one temporary core which are in intimate contact wherein the temporary core is removed prior to casting. The improvement of the present invention comprises forming the temporary core comprising an aggregate and binder of materials such that the temporary core is sufficiently soluble in aqueous solvent for its removal prior to metal casting. The casting core is not removed by the aqueous solvent.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1986Date of Patent: May 8, 1990Assignee: Ashland Oil, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Pitcher, Albert L. Haugse, Richard L. Pelfrey, Gregory P. Sturtz