Patents by Inventor Robert A. Bell

Robert A. Bell 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).

  • Patent number: 7433744
    Abstract: A technique and associated software for spatially coordinating, storing, and manipulating computer aided Design (CAD) files with a master dimensional plan (MDP) file (FIG. 1, MPD File, Plan, Electrical, Structural, etc.). The plan, elevation, section, and other related files are coordinated to a single unified spatial layout referenced to the MDP file. Special “tools” are used to design, manipulate and present the information as two-dimensional drawings referenced in the working space to the MDF file. Moving between the CAD drawing files coordinated to the MDP is facilitated by using icons corresponding to standard architectural graphic symbols as switch file icons that switch the user to other view files of the displayed object based on the selected graphic symbol. The technique allows the user who is familiar with standard architectural nomenclature to move through CAD drawing files without needing to know the underlying CAD file structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Inventor: Robert A Bell
  • Publication number: 20030214411
    Abstract: A system comprised of a parent and child unit perform multiple position-dependent functions. The parent and child unit each comprises a directional antenna, power source, transceiver, processor and memory. The processor is coupled to the transceiver to control transmission and reception in each unit according to a predetermined stored protocol. The parent unit has a directional antenna and the child unit has an omnidirectional antenna. The transceivers in the units bidirectionally communicate to automatically perform one or more of the multiple position-dependent functions including electronic leash, finder, and proximity functions. Typically, a plurality of child units bidirectionally communicate with the parent unit to automatically perform the multiple position-dependent functions over a plurality of frequencies, by means of a plurality of different digital codes or both. The invention also comprises a method comprised of the steps necessary for performing the functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Ronald Jeffrey Walter, Robert A. Bell, Taylor Gahr, Gary Bann
  • Patent number: 5999838
    Abstract: A method for acquiring data from voxels in a contour of tissue includes positioning the tissue in a magnetic field. For the present method, a z-gradient is imposed on the contour tissue to spread the spectrum of all of the voxels over a same range of Larmor frequencies. Additionally, voxels in the contour tissue are selectively encoded with different x-gradients and y-gradients to distinguish the various voxels from each other. In the presence of the z-gradient, nuclei of the encoded voxel are tilted and then refocused at a rate proportional to the z-gradient. Due to this refocusing, spin echo signals are generated which are useful for acquiring data from the tissue. The intravoxel z-gradient used for the present invention is the same for all voxels and is greater than either the x-gradient or the y-gradient which are used for encoding. The z-gradient may be substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Panacea Medical Laboratories
    Inventors: Christopher W. Crowley, Freeman H. Rose, Jr., Robert A. Bell
  • Patent number: 5422852
    Abstract: A method of testing a circuit having one or more memory cells, such as a random access memory, register or latch, is disclosed herein. A selected pattern (e.g., all "1"s, all "0"s, or alternating "1"s and "0 38 s) is stored (block 10) in each memory cell of the circuit under test. The power to-each of the cells is then lowered (block 12) to a selected voltage level which is below the static holding voltage, but greater than zero volts. The voltage level may have been previously determined. After a selected time period (which may also have been previously determined), the power to each of the cells is restored (block 14) and the logical state present in each cell is compared (block 16) with the initially stored logical state to determine if any of the cells have switched to another logical state. This procedure may be repeated (blocks 18-26) a number of times. Other systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Theodore W. Houston, Larry R. Hite, Robert A. Bell
  • Patent number: 4544843
    Abstract: A device having a light emitter coupled to direct light to a portion of a photodetector to provide Built-In Test Equipment (BITE) capability for an optical sensor. A light emitting diode and a photodiode are mounted side by side on the upper surface of a conventional header with suitable electrical connections bonded thereto. A prismatic light bridge member overlies the light emitting diode and extends to cover a portion of one corner of the photodetector. This member serves as a light conduit, directing virtually all of the light from the emitter to the detector by virtue of the near total internal reflection of the surfaces of the light conduit member. An outer enclosure having a transparent glass window serves to seal and protect the respective elements while permitting external radiation to reach the photodetector.Alternative embodiments provide for coupling of light from a single emitter or a plurality of emitters to a single associated photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Santa Barbara Research Center
    Inventors: Mark T. Kern, Robert A. Bell, Max J. Riedl
  • Patent number: 4310393
    Abstract: An electrochemical catalytic carbonate process consisting essentially of contacting an alcohol, carbon monoxide, a Group VIIIB catalyst, an electrolyte containing a chloride, bromide or iodide, and a direct electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1982
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Bell
  • Patent number: 4306947
    Abstract: An electrochemical catalytic .beta.-fluoroaliphatic carbonate process comprising contacting .beta.-fluoroalcohol, carbon monoxide, a Group VIIIB catalyst, an electrolyte containing a chloride, bromide or iodide ion, and a direct electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Bell
  • Patent number: 4065659
    Abstract: The disclosed cooking device has a cooking cavity with an access opening and a door for closing same, and has a rack in the cavity to support the food to be cooked. The device has electric heating elements in the cavity, and control means that energize the heating elements approximately 10 to 45% of potential high level heat outputs thereof. The total power input of the low level energized heating elements is in the range of 15 to 30% maximum and thus provides heating of air in the cavity only to within the range of 220.degree. to 300.degree. F maximum, without food load, and at a low rate so that the cavity air temperature generally will only exceed the temperature of the food by 20.degree. to 50.degree. F aproximately during a sustained cooking cycle. This low temperature method of cooking does not require personal tending to the food and minimizes the chances of burning the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1977
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: Ronald E. Yount, Robert A. Bell