Patents by Inventor Ralph Waters

Ralph Waters 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).

  • Dynamic non-invasive detection of analytical container features using ultrasound
    Patent number: 6347552
    Abstract: A profile of a rack, that may have zero, one, or a plurality of containers may be obtained using an ultrasonic sensor. The sensor emits a plurality of ultrasonic bursts and the rack is transported under the sensor at a slew speed that allows the sensor to detect at least first and second echoes from each of the bursts. Data points, corresponding to each of the first and second echoes, are generated and the data points are captured in a memory device. The data points, generally reflecting the levels of the rack and any containers, are processed to dynamically and non-invasively (i.e., without physically contacting the liquid with a probe) determine information about the container types, whether any container is capped, and, if one or more containers are uncapped, the liquid level in the uncapped containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. Purpura, Ralph Waters, Olivier Landier, Beri Cohen
  • Dynamic noninvasive detection of analytical container feature using ultrasound
    Patent number: 6227053
    Abstract: A profile of a rack, that may have zero, one, or a plurality of containers may be obtained using an ultrasonic sensor. The sensor emits a plurality of ultrasonic bursts and the rack is transported under the sensor at a slew speed that allows the sensor to detect at least first and second echoes from each of the bursts. Data points, corresponding to each of the first and second echoes, are generated and the data points are captured in a memory device. The data points, generally reflecting the levels of the rack and any containers, are processed to dynamically and non-invasively (i.e., without physically contacting the liquid with a probe) determine information about the container types, whether any container is capped, and, if one or more containers are uncapped, the liquid level in the uncapped containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. Purpura, Ralph Waters, Olivier Landier, Beri Cohen