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).
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Publication number: 20240156604Abstract: The present disclosure provides a prosthetic device for replacing or augmenting a damaged meniscus.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2023Publication date: May 16, 2024Inventors: Patrick A. Smith, Reinhold Schmieding, Andrew Osika
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Patent number: 11552620Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 6, 2020Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. Smith, Daniel G. Knierim
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Patent number: 11018964Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 30, 2016Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.Inventors: David L. Kelly, Patrick A. Smith, Jed H. Andrews, Keith D. Rule
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Publication number: 20200304110Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. Smith, Daniel G. Knierim
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Patent number: 10773717Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLCInventors: Nicolas Guibert De Bruet, Patrick A. Smith
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Patent number: 10680588Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 13, 2016Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. Smith, Daniel G. Knierim
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Patent number: 10656183Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.Inventors: David L. Kelly, Jed H. Andrews, Patrick A. Smith, Michael A. Martin
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Patent number: 10481179Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 3, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.Inventors: David L. Kelly, Patrick A. Smith
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Publication number: 20190315344Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2018Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventors: NICOLAS GUIBERT DE BRUET, PATRICK A. SMITH
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Patent number: 10365300Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 30, 2016Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.Inventors: Daniel G. Knierim, David L. Kelly, Patrick A. Smith
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Patent number: 10213461Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 24, 2015Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Arthrex, IncInventors: Reinhold Schmieding, James P. Bradley, Patrick A. Smith
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Publication number: 20180372780Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2017Publication date: December 27, 2018Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.Inventors: David L. Kelly, Jed H. Andrews, Patrick A. Smith, Michael A. Martin
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Patent number: 10094868Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.Inventors: Daniel G. Knierim, David L. Kelly, Jed H. Andrews, Michael A. Martin, Patrick A. Smith
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Patent number: 9934355Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 12, 2013Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. Smith, David L. Kelly, Que T. Tran, Shane A. Hazzard
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Publication number: 20170227581Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2016Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: Daniel G. Knierim, David L. Kelly, Patrick A. Smith
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Publication number: 20170207987Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2016Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: David L. Kelly, Patrick A. Smith, Jed H. Andrews, Keith D. Rule
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Publication number: 20170201239Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2016Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventors: Patrick A. Smith, Daniel G. Knierim
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Publication number: 20170056446Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Reinhold SCHMIEDING, James P. BRADLEY, Patrick A. SMITH
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Publication number: 20170003321Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: David L. Kelly, Patrick A. Smith
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Publication number: 20150293170Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2014Publication date: October 15, 2015Inventors: Daniel G. Knierim, David L. Kelly, Jed H. Andrews, Michael A. Martin, Patrick A. Smith