Patents by Inventor R. Stephens

R. Stephens 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: 20080028245
    Abstract: A portable computer system such as a laptop computer, for example, includes a first processor that may execute instructions corresponding to application software during a first mode of operation. The portable computer system also includes a second processor that may execute the instructions during a second mode of operation. The first processor and the second processor may be heterogeneous processors. Further, operation of the first processor and the second processor in the first mode and the second mode may be dependent upon which of a plurality of system preferences have been selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Ober, William T. Edwards, R. Stephen Polzin
  • Publication number: 20080022325
    Abstract: A portable computer system such as a laptop computer, for example, includes a processor and a wireless module. The wireless module may establish a wireless connection to a wireless network and may receive video data such as an MBMS video stream, for example, via one or more wireless channels. The portable computer system also includes a first display and a second display. The second display having a lower resolution than the first display, may display first video images associated with the video data. Upon request by a user of the portable computer system, the wireless module may further receive enhancement video data via one or more additional wireless channels (e.g., side channels) of the wireless connection. The first display may display second video images associated with a combination of the video data and the enhancement video data. The second video images have a higher resolution than the first video images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Ober, R. Stephen Polzin
  • Patent number: 7318380
    Abstract: A tray assembly for an infant highchair, the tray assembly including a frame having front, rear, and side peripheral edge portions defining a space therebetween having a predetermined shape and size; a tray insert having front, rear, and side peripheral lip portions supporting and connected to a bottom portion located in an area defined thereby, the tray insert having a predetermined shape and extent such that the peripheral lip portions can rest on the peripheral edge portions of the frame for supporting the bottom of the tray insert in at least substantially covering relation to the space defined by the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Gravity, Incorporated
    Inventors: Tony M. Guard, Joseph R. Stephens, James L. Tobergta
  • Publication number: 20080005783
    Abstract: A portable computer system such as a laptop computer system includes a processor coupled to a wireless module that may communicate with a computer network via a connection to a wireless network. In addition, portable computer system includes an authentication unit that may be coupled to the wireless module and configured to generate and provide authentication information to the wireless module. The wireless module may be further configured to provide the authentication information to the computer network in response to a challenge from the computer network during a initiation of the connection to the computer network without intervention of the processor. In addition, the wireless module may enable features such as authenticating a remote admin-level user, which may further enable that user to perform security related functions through the wireless module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: R. Stephen Polzin, Robert Ober
  • Publication number: 20080004039
    Abstract: A portable computer system including wireless communication functionality and global geographic positioning functionality includes a processor coupled to a wireless module, and a global positioning unit coupled to the wireless module and the processor. The wireless module may communicate with a wireless network via a wireless connection. The global positioning unit may be configured to receive geographic location information and to determine a current geographic location of the portable computer system based upon the received geographic location information. The processor may execute system software that may be configured to reconfigure system configuration settings such as security and authentication settings, and system clock settings, for example, dependent upon changes in the current geographic location information. In addition, an authenticated administrative level user may send one or more commands to the wireless module. The commands may cause a system storage to be made unreadable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Ober, William T. Edwards, R. Stephen Polzin
  • Publication number: 20080004012
    Abstract: A portable computer system such as a laptop computer, for example, includes a computing subsystem and a wireless subsystem. The computing subsystem includes a processor that may execute instructions that implement application software. The computing subsystem also includes a memory that is coupled to the processor and may be configured to store the instructions. The wireless subsystem includes a processing unit that may execute instructions and perform functions that are associated with providing a wireless connection to a wireless network such as a wireless telephone network. The processor may execute instructions that may configure and manage operation of the wireless subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: R. Stephen Polzin, Robert Ober
  • Publication number: 20080004013
    Abstract: A portable computer system such as a laptop computer system includes a computing subsystem that includes a processor that may execute instructions that implement application software, and a storage coupled to the processor that may store information. The laptop computer system also includes a wireless subsystem that may communicate with a wireless network. In addition, the wireless subsystem may receive an incoming communication and determine whether a requesting user is an authorized user. The processor may retrieve at least a portion of the information from the storage and send the retrieved information to a destination via email, for example, in response to a request by the requesting user for the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: R. Stephen Polzin, William T. Edwards
  • Patent number: 7303548
    Abstract: An intravenous catheter introducer assembly having a safety feature to prevent accidental needle sticks. The introducer assembly includes a needle assembly having a groove disposed on its outer surface. The introducer includes a protector made of a hollow member having an open distal end and an inwardly disposed resilient flange or a clip disposed thereon. The protector is coaxially slidably disposed around the needle with the flange abutting the outer surface of the needle and adapted to engage the groove when a catheter assembly is removed from the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Rhad, Mark Tsonton, Randy R. Stephens, Malcolm L. Russelburg
  • Publication number: 20070184557
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sensing the presence of at least one analyte in a medium, comprising disposing in the medium a functionalized composite material such that the at least one analyte is absorbed by the functionalized composite material, the functionalized composite material having at least one optical property that is modulated by absorption of the at least one analyte; and measuring modulation of the at least one optical property of the functionalized composite material; wherein modulation of the at least one optical property of the functionalized composite material is indicative of the presence of the analyte in the medium. The invention also relates to an optical sensor for sensing the presence of at least one analyte in a medium, and a functionalized composite material having at least one optical property that is modulated upon absorption of one or more analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Cathleen Crudden, Hans-Peter Loock, Steven Dickson, Jenny Du, Larbi Benhabib, R. Stephen Brown
  • Patent number: 7177370
    Abstract: An RF transmitter provides both GSM and EDGE capability by implementing collector voltage control over the power transistor(s) in a power amplifier. During EDGE mode, linear base-biasing a power amplifier (PA) allows collector control to provide either saturated mode PA operation (during ramp up/ramp down) or linear mode PA operation (during data burst). Collector control can therefore be used to provide the accurate ramp up and ramp down profiles required for both GSM and EDGE burst output signals, and can also be used to set the level of the constant envelope data burst of a GSM burst output signal, while linear mode PA operation can provide the non-constant envelope EDGE data burst. A variable gain amplifier is used to adjust the input signal to the power amplifier such that the desired transmission level is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Zhang, Thomas R. Apel, Christopher R. Stephens
  • Patent number: 7153274
    Abstract: The present application is directed to an image-guided, vacuum assisted, percutaneous, coring, cable driven breast biopsy instrument which may be conveniently mounted to an x-ray machine wherein the biopsy instrument incorporates a rotation knob at the proximal end of the instrument to manually rotate the distal end of the probe, thus allowing the clinician to conveniently position the tissue port next to the tissue to be sampled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Ethicon-Endo Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy R. Stephens, William A. Garrison
  • Patent number: 7108660
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a biopsy device and method for the collection of at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient. The device includes a frame and an elongated piercing element attached to the distal end of the frame. The piercing element has distal end, a proximal end and a lumen extending at least partially therethrough. The piercing element has a sharpened member at its distal end for piercing tissue, and a port proximal thereto which exposes the lumen. The device further includes an elongated cutter and tissue remover disposed coaxially and slidably within the lumen of the piercing element for harvesting a tissue mass disposed within the port of the piercing element and depositing the tissue mass proximal to the port for retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy R. Stephens, John A. Kretchman, Mark D. Hileman
  • Patent number: 7095871
    Abstract: A method of performing digital asset management of media content. In this method, a watermark reader device reads a watermark embedded into media content. The watermark conveys watermark information, such as a content identifier and creator identifier. The reader forwards the watermark information to a router. The router then uses the watermark information to find a metadata database identifier. It then sends a request for metadata along with the watermark information to the metadata database identified by the metadata database identifier. The metadata database uses the watermark information to find related metadata for the media content and sends the related metadata to the reader device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Jones, Cynthia K. Aggson, Tony F. Rodriguez, Brian Mosher, Kenneth L. Levy, R. Stephen Hiatt, Geoffrey B. Rhoads
  • Publication number: 20050217809
    Abstract: Whitened crosslinked cellulosic fibers, methods for making the fibers, and products that include the fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: R. Stephens, Shahrokh Naieni
  • Publication number: 20050217810
    Abstract: Bleached polyacrylic acid crosslinked cellulosic fibers, methods for making the fibers, and products including the fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Angel Stoyanov, R. Stephens, Shahrokh Naieni
  • Publication number: 20050217811
    Abstract: Whitened crosslinked cellulosic fibers, methods for making the fibers, and products that include the fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: R. Stephens, Shahrokh Naieni
  • Patent number: 6861448
    Abstract: Disclosed are compounds that inhibit the microbial NAD synthetase enzyme. For example, disclosed are compounds of the formula Ar1—X—Ar2—Y—L—Z—Q, wherein Q is Q1Ar3 or Ar3Q1; Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 are independently aryl or heteroaryl, optionally substituted with one or more substituents; X, Y, and Z are independently selected from the group consisting of a covalent bond or groups containing one or more of C, H, N, O, S atoms; L is a linker and Q1 is an alkylenyl, alkylenyl carbonyloxy alkyl, or alkylenyl carbonylamino alkyl group, optionally having a substituent; a covalent bond; a group containing amidine or guanidine function wherein the amidine or guanidine may be optionally N-substituted with an alkyl; or a zwitterion; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignees: Virtual Drug Development, Inc., The UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Wayne J. Brouillette, Lawrence DeLucas, Christie Brouillette, Sadanandan E. Velu, Yong-Chul Kim, Liyuan Mou, R. Stephen Porter
  • Patent number: 6856389
    Abstract: A portable testing device for comparing one reflective part with another to determine whether the reflective part has met quality standards is presented. The portable reflex comparator includes a light source for directing a beam of light to a lock-in amplifier and to a collimating lens. The collimating lens directs light to a reflex part to be tested, for example, one being manufactured by an injection molding machine to be used as an automotive lens. A light beam is reflected back out of the reflective part, through the collimating lens where it converges to the focal plane where it is processed by the amplifier. A voltmeter produces a reading for the operator to see whether the production part meets a certain standardized value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hallmark Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Stephen Mulder
  • Publication number: 20050016698
    Abstract: Glyoxal crosslinked cellulosic fibers having improved brightness and color, and methods for making the fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Angel Stoyanov, Shahrokh Naieni, R. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20050019569
    Abstract: Glyoxal crosslinked cellulosic fibers having improved brightness and color, and methods for making the fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Angel Stoyanov, Shahrokh Naieni, R. Stephens