Patents by Inventor Richard Blair
Richard Blair 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: 20080301746Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for programming content reconstruction in a content delivery system are described. In one embodiment, a method to repair programming content at a receiver controller includes receiving a programming content on the receiver controller from a broadcast transmission; identifying, if present, a portion of the programming content received on the receiver controller that is corrupted; determining in a broadband network, other servers and receiver controllers connected to the broadband network that have an uncorrupted version of the corrupted portion of the programming content; sending a request to one of the other servers and receiver controllers for the uncorrupted version of the corrupted portion of the programming content; and receiving the uncorrupted version of the corrupted portion of the programming content from the one of the other servers and receiver controllers. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2008Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventors: Philip R. Wiser, James Vincent Burmeister, Marc H. Goldberg, Anderson Hoyt Jackson, Richard Johnson, Richard Blair Leavell, Yagyensh C. Pati, Garry M. Paxinos, Robert Denton Silfvast, Michael Youssefmir
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Publication number: 20080140888Abstract: A modular distributed I/O system for an industrial automation network that allows one or more modules of an island to be omitted without requiring reconfiguration of the system by maintaining a consistent I/O image representation of the distributed I/O network for various physical distributed I/O configurations, and managing reconfiguration changes using Virtual Placeholder objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2007Publication date: June 12, 2008Applicant: SCHNEIDER AUTOMATION INC.Inventors: Richard Blair, Kenneth Lee, Nitin Dhayagude, Kerry Van de Steeg, Heinz Schaffner, Torsten Joachim Brune, Sascha Michael Kress, Michael Streubel
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Patent number: 7324072Abstract: A display device having a display matrix including a pixel border of width x and located around the edge locations of the matrix for improved viewability. The pixels of the border are “dummy pixels” each containing a red, a green and a blue subpixel. Each subpixel has a color filter and is manufactured with a “dummy” transistor which operates to fix open the subpixels thereby allowing a predetermined amount of “white” color brightness through the dummy pixels. The pixel border is useful for increasing viewability of characters that are displayed along the edge of the LCD matrix area in which images are generated from a frame buffer memory.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Francis James Canova, Jr., Katherine Noesen, Richard Blair
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Patent number: 7137271Abstract: An apparatus for storing ice in a container and dispensing ice from the container is provided in the form of a storage bin, having ice agitating apparatus for engaging ice to loosen the same and to keep ice particles from adhering together in a common mass. An ice dispenser is provided for delivering ice from a lower to an upper end. The ice dispenser and the ice agitator are provided with separate drives.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2003Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Follett CorporationInventors: Richard Blair Hawkes, Brian Wayne Haupt
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Patent number: 6961029Abstract: A display device having a display matrix including a pixel border of width x and located around the edge locations of the matrix for improved viewability. In particular, the border can be several pixels wide, e.g., 1<x<5. In one embodiment, the border is two pixels wide and surrounds a liquid crystal display (LCD) matrix area in which images are generated from a frame buffer memory. In one embodiment, the pixels of the border are “dummy pixels” each containing a red, a green and a blue subpixel. Each subpixel has a color filter and is manufactured with a “dummy” transistor which operates to fix open the subpixels thereby allowing a predetermined amount of “white” color brightness through the dummy pixels. In one implementation, the brightness amount is approximately 80–95 percent of the saturation brightness for the display screen.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2000Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Francis James Canova, Jr., Katherine Noesen, Richard Blair
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Patent number: 6860408Abstract: An auger apparatus for conveying ice, together with the auger itself and an apparatus for storing ice in a storage bin which uses such an auger apparatus is provided. The auger is disposed in a tube, and does not require cylindrical bearings at its ends. The auger is rotationally molded, of one-piece hollow molded construction, preferably of a plastic such as polyethylene.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Follett CorporationInventor: Richard Blair Hawkes
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Patent number: 6854220Abstract: Retaining wall blocks and the walls made from such blocks are disclosed, wherein curved landscapes (i.e. curved profiles and sloping embankments) are easily accommodated without the use of mortar. As well, a modular system of blocks and their manufacture are disclosed wherein some blocks are used in vertical orientations and some in horizontal orientations.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2002Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Pacific Precast Products Ltd.Inventors: Vernon John Dueck, Richard Blair Crooks
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Patent number: 6817417Abstract: An ROV, wireline or diver installed subsea xmas tree debris cap has an integral corrosion inhibitor/biocide provided in the form of a solid block which is wrapped in a water soluble membrane bag. The block is suspended inside the debris cap in a basket or perforated container. After installation of the debris cap, the membrane and solid block will dissolve and sanitize the stagnant water, thereby protecting all materials from corrosion for a number of years. The debris cap also includes an environmental seal in the form of a single O ring. Furthermore, the debris cap is simplified in that it does not include a conventional debris cap-to-xmas tree lockdown mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard Blair, William Crawford, Martin Forsyth, Graeme J. Collie, Kevin N. Hannigan
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Publication number: 20040079103Abstract: An apparatus for storing ice in a container and dispensing ice from the container is provided in the form of a storage bin, having ice agitating apparatus for engaging ice to loosen the same and to keep ice particles from adhering together in a common mass. An ice dispenser is provided for delivering ice from a lower to an upper end. The ice dispenser and the ice agitator are provided with separate drives.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventors: Richard Blair Hawkes, Brian Wayne Haupt
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Patent number: 6685053Abstract: An apparatus for storing ice in a container and dispensing ice from the container is provided in the form of a storage bin, having ice agitating apparatus for engaging ice to loosen the same and to keep ice particles from adhering together in a common mass. An ice dispenser is provided for delivering ice from a lower to an upper end. The ice dispenser and the ice agitator are provided with separate drives.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Follett CorporationInventors: Richard Blair Hawkes, Brian Wayne Haupt
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Publication number: 20030218025Abstract: An auger apparatus for conveying ice, together with the auger itself and an apparatus for storing ice in a storage bin which uses such an auger apparatus is provided. The auger is disposed in a tube, and does not require cylindrical bearings at its ends. The auger is rotationally molded, of one-piece hollow molded construction, preferably of a plastic such as polyethylene.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2002Publication date: November 27, 2003Inventor: Richard Blair Hawkes
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Publication number: 20030140585Abstract: Retaining wall blocks and the walls made from such blocks are disclosed, wherein curved landscapes (i.e. curved profiles and sloping embankments) are easily accommodated without the use of mortar. As well, a modular system of blocks and their manufacture are disclosed wherein some blocks are used in vertical orientations and some in horizontal orientations.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Inventors: Vernon John Dueck, Richard Blair Crooks
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Publication number: 20030088527Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining water usage for industrial facilities and residences. One method communicates with a communications network and acquires water usage information. The water usage information is acquired in real time. The method reports water usage based upon the acquired water usage information. Another embodiment acquires water usage information over a communications network. This embodiment acquires real time water usage information over the communications network at a computer. The water usage information is associated with water use of an industrial facility. The embodiment may then display the real time water usage information via a user interface on the computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2001Publication date: May 8, 2003Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Stephen Lan-Sun Hung, Timothy Mark Sivavec, James Rulon Young Rawson, Srinivas Krishnasnamy Bagepalli, Joseh Shoulian Zhu, Bang Mo Kim, Frank John Mondello, Lynn Ann DeRose, Joseph James Salvo, Richard Blair Sheldon
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Publication number: 20030042267Abstract: An apparatus for storing ice in a container and dispensing ice from the container is provided in the form of a storage bin, having ice agitating apparatus for engaging ice to loosen the same and to keep ice particles from adhering together in a common mass. An ice dispenser is provided for delivering ice from a lower to an upper end. The ice dispenser and the ice agitator are provided with separate drives.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2001Publication date: March 6, 2003Inventors: Richard Blair Hawkes, Brian Wayne Haupt
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Publication number: 20020185279Abstract: An ROV, wireline or diver installed subsea xmas tree debris cap has an integral corrosion inhibitor/biocide provided in the form of a solid block which is wrapped in a water soluble membrane bag. The block is suspended inside the debris cap in a basket or perforated container. After installation of the debris cap, the membrane and solid block will dissolve and sanitize the stagnant water, thereby protecting all materials from corrosion for a number of years. The debris cap also includes an environmental seal in the form of a single O ring. Furthermore, the debris cap is simplified in that it does not include a conventional debris cap-to-xmas tree lockdown mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2002Publication date: December 12, 2002Inventors: Richard Blair, William Crawford, Martin Forsyth, Graeme J. Collie, Kevin N. Hannigan
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Patent number: 6490837Abstract: There is provided a block (100) comprising a front wall (110); a rear wall (130); first side wall (115); second side wall (120) opposed to said first side wall (115); an upper block planar surface (140); a lower block planar surface (141); wherein said first side wall (115) and said second side wall (120) extend from said front wall (110) to said rear wall (130) to define a central through core (150) extending through the block (100) from said upper block surface (140) to said lower block surface (141), said core (150) having a front upper rim and a first front corner at the plane of said upper block surface, proximate intersection of said first side wall and said front wall; a first lug which extends downwardly from said lower block surface adjacent said first side wall, and has (i) a flat side portion flush with said first side wall and (ii) a front portion which joint said first lug side surface at an angle of 90° or less.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Pacific Precast Products Ltd.Inventors: Vernon John Dueck, Richard Blair Crooks
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Patent number: 6474417Abstract: A subsea Christmas tree coupling having a radially outer connection, for example a tree surface and a conductor housing, adapted to make a rigid joint with a conductor casing. A radially inner connection, for example a depending skirt of the subsea Christmas tree, is adapted to make a sealed joint directly with a casing hanger assembly of a mudline suspension system. The invention thus substantially eliminates the use of additional hangers besides those of the mudline suspension system, simplifying the coupling assembly, and providing the possibility of reduced stackup heights. The relatively compact and simple coupling results in shorter installation times and lower costs. The rigid joint between the coupling and the conductor casing ensures that any external loading is transferred to the conductor casing.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2000Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: Richard Blair, William Gourley Cherrie, James Tait
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Patent number: 6206338Abstract: A hydraulic actuator for a valve that fails as-is in the event of control line failure. The actuator has a housing carrying an actuator piston for actuating the valve open or closed. An elongate gripper shaft extends upward from the actuator piston. A collet member is carried within the housing and adapted to engage the gripper shaft when moved upward relative to the housing. The collet member is biased upward by a spring. A release piston abutting the dog members prevents their upward movement when actuated to a lower position. The release piston is supplied with the same hydraulic fluid pressure as the actuator piston. If pressure is removed, the spring moves the collet member into locking engagement with the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray, Inc.Inventors: Len Albert Trail, Timothy J. Otteman, Richard Blair
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Patent number: 6101240Abstract: Emergency service calls, such as 911 calls, are routed to specially trained operators at public service answering points (PSAPs). A PSAP switch, a special focus private branch exchange (PBX), is provided for interconnecting incoming PSAP calls to a PSAP position staffed by a PSAP operator. The PSAP position comprises a telephone facility for talking to the caller, and a PC for accessing and displaying data about the caller, i.e., the caller's address, and any special characteristics such as a caller's disability, etc. An ISDN, (Integrated Services Digital Network), line connects a tandem access switch used for routing PSAP calls with the PSAP switch. The ISDN facility is used for conveying information about the caller for display at the PC of the answering PSAP position. Advantageously, this arrangement provides an integrated system for communicating both the voice of the caller, and the data describing the caller to a PSAP operator.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1998Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventors: Mark Richard Blair, Eugene Gerber, Mark Thomas Miller, Ted Moulos, Christopher F. Robbins, Donald Robert Ziemann
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Patent number: 5946841Abstract: An equipment locking device is disclosed which provides ease in operation by authorized users by utilizing a sequence of locking rods for combinational locking of various trigger activated equipment, including firearms, without the need for attachment of external accessories. Indentations in the locking rods must be aligned to form a keyway which permits movement of an activation rod, which forms part of or is connected to the trigger mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1998Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Inventor: Richard Blair Roper