Patents by Inventor Patrick A. Smith

Patrick A. Smith 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).

  • Publication number: 20240156604
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a prosthetic device for replacing or augmenting a damaged meniscus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Patrick A. Smith, Reinhold Schmieding, Andrew Osika
  • Patent number: 11552620
    Abstract: Methods of triggering a test and measurement instrument having a plurality of inputs include the step of generating a trigger signal in response to every occurrence of any one of a plurality of specified trigger events. A first specified trigger event occurs in at least a first one of the inputs and a second specified trigger event occurs in at least a second one of the plurality of inputs. A specified trigger event may include at least one selected input from the plurality of inputs and a selected activity type. Some methods include configuring each of a plurality of event activity detectors to produce a pulse in a logic signal in response to every occurrence of one of the specified trigger events. The plurality of logic signals are combined in a logical OR circuit to generate the trigger signal. Trigger circuits configured according to these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Smith, Daniel G. Knierim
  • Patent number: 11018964
    Abstract: An apparatus and method that captures a complete history of serial network Link Training negotiations by continuously monitoring multiple analog signals representing both sides of full duplex lanes in real-time by pattern matching the Link Training Frame Marker and the subsequent negotiation request/response data values. The apparatus and method compare the digitized version of the incoming signal against a nominal pattern at the start to find the Frame Markers and Control Channel data, storing only those Control Channel data values that do not match the current compare pattern, and further by updating the current compare pattern to the new pattern just received, so that only the transitions in the data values are stored, thereby vastly reducing the amount of data presented to the user, but nonetheless retaining the complete substantive history of the Link Training negotiations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Kelly, Patrick A. Smith, Jed H. Andrews, Keith D. Rule
  • Publication number: 20200304110
    Abstract: Methods of triggering a test and measurement instrument having a plurality of inputs include the step of generating a trigger signal in response to every occurrence of any one of a plurality of specified trigger events. A first specified trigger event occurs in at least a first one of the inputs and a second specified trigger event occurs in at least a second one of the plurality of inputs. A specified trigger event may include at least one selected input from the plurality of inputs and a selected activity type. Some methods include configuring each of a plurality of event activity detectors to produce a pulse in a logic signal in response to every occurrence of one of the specified trigger events. The plurality of logic signals are combined in a logical OR circuit to generate the trigger signal. Trigger circuits configured according to these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Smith, Daniel G. Knierim
  • Patent number: 10773717
    Abstract: A method for assisting the operation of a host vehicle traveling on a roadway includes acquiring images around the host vehicle with at least one primary camera assembly having a first field of view. Visibility is detected within the first field of view. The at least one primary camera assembly is deactivated when the detected visibility is below a predetermined value. Images are acquired around the host vehicle with at least one secondary camera assembly having a second field of view until the detected visibility in the first field of view is at or above the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Nicolas Guibert De Bruet, Patrick A. Smith
  • Patent number: 10680588
    Abstract: Methods of triggering a test and measurement instrument having a plurality of inputs include the step of generating a trigger signal in response to every occurrence of any one of a plurality of specified trigger events. A first specified trigger event occurs in at least a first one of the inputs and a second specified trigger event occurs in at least a second one of the plurality of inputs. A specified trigger event may include at least one selected input from the plurality of inputs and a selected activity type. Some methods include configuring each of a plurality of event activity detectors to produce a pulse in a logic signal in response to every occurrence of one of the specified trigger events. The plurality of logic signals are combined in a logical OR circuit to generate the trigger signal. Trigger circuits configured according to these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Smith, Daniel G. Knierim
  • Patent number: 10656183
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument, such as an oscilloscope, including one or more ports to receive one or more signals from a device under test, a trigger enable logic circuit configured to output a trigger enabled signal when a trigger enable event occurs within the one or more signals, the trigger enable event being a real-time event of the one or more signals, one or more trigger logic circuits configured to generate a plurality of trigger signals when the trigger enable signal is received, each trigger signal being generated when a trigger event occurs within one of the one or more signals, and an acquisition circuit configured to acquire and store data in a memory in response to each of the trigger signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Kelly, Jed H. Andrews, Patrick A. Smith, Michael A. Martin
  • Patent number: 10481179
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument including an input port configured to receive an input signal. One or more divider circuits, coupled to the input port, employ a plurality of divide ratios such that each divide ratio scales an event signal indicating events in the input signal by a predetermined integer value. A control system is also included. The control system is configured to iteratively determine an estimated signal frequency of the event signal, and automatically select a divide ratio for the event signal based on the estimated signal frequency. The instrument may also include one or more counters to count triggers in the event signal subsequent to application of the divide ratio. The instrument may also employ frequency hysteresis to prevent chatter in divide ratio selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Kelly, Patrick A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190315344
    Abstract: A method for assisting the operation of a host vehicle traveling on a roadway includes acquiring images around the host vehicle with at least one primary camera assembly having a first field of view. Visibility is detected within the first field of view. The at least one primary camera assembly is deactivated when the detected visibility is below a predetermined value. Images are acquired around the host vehicle with at least one secondary camera assembly having a second field of view until the detected visibility in the first field of view is at or above the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: NICOLAS GUIBERT DE BRUET, PATRICK A. SMITH
  • Patent number: 10365300
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to test and measurement instruments structured to detect that a series of events occurred, and structured to generate a trigger signal in response to detecting that a final event in the series of events occurred. The trigger may be generated based on a timeout signal, or based on another event, trigger, or signal. Stored data in the acquisition memory may be marked relative to the detection of the final event. An external forced timeout signal may control which in a series of events is marked as a final event. The triggering on final event may be enabled after another trigger is satisfied, and may be used as one of many different types of triggers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Knierim, David L. Kelly, Patrick A. Smith
  • Patent number: 10213461
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a combined autologous biologic and cold therapy treatment for treating various skin injuries. The treatment may include applying autologous blood components, including but not limited to platelet rich plasma, to a skin injury in a manner that influences the healing process. A tray assembly for freezing autologous blood components includes a tray body and a plurality of compartments formed in the tray body. Each of the plurality of compartments is configured to receive an individual dose of an autologous blood component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc
    Inventors: Reinhold Schmieding, James P. Bradley, Patrick A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20180372780
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument, such as an oscilloscope, including one or more ports to receive one or more signals from a device under test, a trigger enable logic circuit configured to output a trigger enabled signal when a trigger enable event occurs within the one or more signals, the trigger enable event being a real-time event of the one or more signals, one or more trigger logic circuits configured to generate a plurality of trigger signals when the trigger enable signal is received, each trigger signal being generated when a trigger event occurs within one of the one or more signals, and an acquisition circuit configured to acquire and store data in a memory in response to each of the trigger signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Kelly, Jed H. Andrews, Patrick A. Smith, Michael A. Martin
  • Patent number: 10094868
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument, including an input configured to receive a signal-under-test, a user input configured to accept a first trigger event and a second trigger event from a user, a first trigger decoder configured to trigger on an occurrence of the first trigger event and generate a first trigger signal, a second trigger decoder configured to trigger on an occurrence of the second trigger event occurring after the first trigger event and generate a second trigger signal, and an acquisition system configured to acquire the signal-under-test in response to the first trigger signal and store the acquired signal-under-test based on whether the second trigger signal validates or invalidates the first trigger signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Knierim, David L. Kelly, Jed H. Andrews, Michael A. Martin, Patrick A. Smith
  • Patent number: 9934355
    Abstract: A test and measurement apparatus, system, and method for synchronizing an acquisition or triggering system to a specific burst of interest. The subject apparatus and method triggers on varying energy content of a signal qualified by time in the presence of high-frequency input signal bursts, by using an adjustable pulse width envelope detector, disposed in the signal path of the trigger circuitry, as a digital rectifier or to otherwise process and extract an envelope signal. An RF envelope probe having an analog envelope detector among other suitable components is disclosed. A method is implemented for isolating an interval of interest in a signal under test. An envelope detector circuit produces an envelope signal from the signal. Trigger circuitry receives the envelope signal from the envelope detector, and isolates the interval of interesting in the signal under test using the envelope signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Smith, David L. Kelly, Que T. Tran, Shane A. Hazzard
  • Publication number: 20170227581
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to test and measurement instruments structured to detect that a series of events occurred, and structured to generate a trigger signal in response to detecting that a final event in the series of events occurred. The trigger may be generated based on a timeout signal, or based on another event, trigger, or signal. Stored data in the acquisition memory may be marked relative to the detection of the final event. An external forced timeout signal may control which in a series of events is marked as a final event. The triggering on final event may be enabled after another trigger is satisfied, and may be used as one of many different types of triggers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel G. Knierim, David L. Kelly, Patrick A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170207987
    Abstract: An apparatus and method that captures a complete history of serial network Link Training negotiations by continuously monitoring multiple analog signals representing both sides of full duplex lanes in real-time by pattern matching the Link Training Frame Marker and the subsequent negotiation request/response data values. The apparatus and method compare the digitized version of the incoming signal against a nominal pattern at the start to find the Frame Markers and Control Channel data, storing only those Control Channel data values that do not match the current compare pattern, and further by updating the current compare pattern to the new pattern just received, so that only the transitions in the data values are stored, thereby vastly reducing the amount of data presented to the user, but nonetheless retaining the complete substantive history of the Link Training negotiations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: David L. Kelly, Patrick A. Smith, Jed H. Andrews, Keith D. Rule
  • Publication number: 20170201239
    Abstract: Methods of triggering a test and measurement instrument having a plurality of inputs include the step of generating a trigger signal in response to every occurrence of any one of a plurality of specified trigger events. A first specified trigger event occurs in at least a first one of the inputs and a second specified trigger event occurs in at least a second one of the plurality of inputs. A specified trigger event may include at least one selected input from the plurality of inputs and a selected activity type. Some methods include configuring each of a plurality of event activity detectors to produce a pulse in a logic signal in response to every occurrence of one of the specified trigger events. The plurality of logic signals are combined in a logical OR circuit to generate the trigger signal. Trigger circuits configured according to these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick A. Smith, Daniel G. Knierim
  • Publication number: 20170056446
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a combined autologous biologic and cold therapy treatment for treating various skin injuries. The treatment may include applying autologous blood components, including but not limited to platelet rich plasma, to a skin injury in a manner that influences the healing process. A tray assembly for freezing autologous blood components includes a tray body and a plurality of compartments formed in the tray body. Each of the plurality of compartments is configured to receive an individual dose of an autologous blood component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Reinhold SCHMIEDING, James P. BRADLEY, Patrick A. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20170003321
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument including an input port configured to receive an input signal. One or more divider circuits, coupled to the input port, employ a plurality of divide ratios such that each divide ratio scales an event signal indicating events in the input signal by a predetermined integer value. A control system is also included. The control system is configured to iteratively determine an estimated signal frequency of the event signal, and automatically select a divide ratio for the event signal based on the estimated signal frequency. The instrument may also include one or more counters to count triggers in the event signal subsequent to application of the divide ratio. The instrument may also employ frequency hysteresis to prevent chatter in divide ratio selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: David L. Kelly, Patrick A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150293170
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument, including an input configured to receive a signal-under-test, a user input configured to accept a first trigger event and a second trigger event from a user, a first trigger decoder configured to trigger on an occurrence of the first trigger event and generate a first trigger signal, a second trigger decoder configured to trigger on an occurrence of the second trigger event occurring after the first trigger event and generate a second trigger signal, and an acquisition system configured to acquire the signal-under-test in response to the first trigger signal and store the acquired signal-under-test based on whether the second trigger signal validates or invalidates the first trigger signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel G. Knierim, David L. Kelly, Jed H. Andrews, Michael A. Martin, Patrick A. Smith