Patents by Inventor Robert A. Holland

Robert A. Holland 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: 20140218240
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cancelling interference while performing direction/location. A combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be received. A copy or sample of the interference signal may be determined. The interference signal and the combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be converted to the optical domain. The interference signal may be optically phase shifted by ?180 degrees, which may result in an optically inverted interference signal. The optically inverted interference signal may be variably optically attenuated and/or variably optically time delayed. As a result, interference cancellation of the interference signal from the combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be achieved, resulting in 50 dB or more of cancellation of the interference signal. Direction and/or location finding techniques can be applied to received signals during and/or after interference cancellation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Elias Bonaventure Kpodzo, Robert Holland
  • Publication number: 20130308940
    Abstract: An interference cancellation system (ICS) may be used with a communication system to prevent or minimize interference from one or more sources. The ICS may receive radio RF signals comprised of one or more signals of interest (SOI) and multiple interfering signals. The ICS may use a sample of the interfering signals to cancel the interfering signals from the SOI. The multiple interfering signals may be converted into a single optical signal for cancellation. One or more optical cancellation paths may be used for interference cancellation. Each optical cancellation path may include an optical attenuator and/or an optical delay to achieve phase shifts and/or delays for interference cancellation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Elias Bonaventure Kpodzo, Robert Holland, Yanhua Deng, Paul Dourbal
  • Publication number: 20130308732
    Abstract: An interference cancellation system (ICS) may be used with a communication system to prevent or minimize interference from one or more sources. The ICS may receive radio frequency (RF) signals comprised of one or more signals of interest (SOI) and multiple interfering signals. An interference estimation processor (IEP) may be used to estimate the one or more interfering signals. The interfering signals may be estimated using spatial and/or time diversity, which may be combined with statistical methods. The estimated interfering signals may be sent to the ICS, which may use the estimated interference signal to cancel the interference and output the SOI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Elias Bonaventure Kpodzo, Robert Holland, Paul Dourbal, Yanhua Deng, Paul Prucnal, Andrew McCandless
  • Publication number: 20130309975
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cancelling interference from a received signal in order to properly detect a signal of interest are disclosed. A combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be received. A copy or sample of the interference signal may be determined. The interference signal and the combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be converted to the optical domain. The interference signal may be optically phase shifted by ?180 degrees, which may result in an optically inverted interference signal. The optically inverted interference signal may be variably optically attenuated and/or variably optically time delayed, for example based on a detected output power of an optical subsystem of the interference cancellation system. As a result, interference cancellation of the interference signal from the combined signal of interest plus interference signal may be achieved, resulting in 50 dB or more of cancellation of the interference signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Elias Bonaventure Kpodzo, Robert Holland, Yanhua Deng, Paul Prucnal, Andrew McCandless, Paul Dourbal
  • Publication number: 20100060893
    Abstract: An assay apparatus having a sample vessel within which an assay may be performed. The apparatus further includes a holder having a receptacle, socket or other device configured to operatively receive the sample vessel in a precise and easily repeated location with respect to the holder. A magnet may be operatively associated with the holder such that a magnetic field generated by the magnet intersects a portion of the sample vessel defining a magnetic concentration region within the sample vessel. A separate or integrated detection or interrogation instrument, typically a spectrometer, may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Scott M. Norton, Edward Robert Holland, Ian D. Walton, Remy Cromer, Rebbeca S. Golightly
  • Publication number: 20060159979
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly comprises an ion exchange membrane, an anode positioned on one side of the membrane and a cathode positioned on the other side of the membrane so that a portion of the cathode extends outside of the anode area on the oxidant outlet side of the fuel cell such that any hydrogen leaked from the anode side to the cathode side due to any defects (holes) existing in the membrane near the oxidant outlet is recombined with the oxygen on the cathode side before it reaches the oxidant outlet and no hydrogen is present in the oxidant stream exhausted from the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Jake De Vaal, Robert Holland, Reto Corfu
  • Patent number: 6934431
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a high-resolution variable optical delay line comprises an optical switch, such as an optical micromechanical mirror switch, and an array of delay fiber paths. Each delay fiber path in the array comprises a region where the fiber is curved differently from the other fibers in the region and a reflector. Each fiber path advantageously comprises other regions where the fiber is essentially parallel to the other fibers in the region. Each fiber is curved differently from the others in order that the fiber paths each provide a different delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Linda M. Braun, William Robert Holland, Jane D. LeGrange
  • Publication number: 20050051503
    Abstract: A coalescer media flexible container for retaining coalescer media in the coalescer chamber of an oil-water separator is provided having a flexible enclosure and a randomly arranged, loosely packed coalescing medium. The flexible container has a top surface connected to a bottom surface. The flexible enclosure conforms to the shape of the coalescer chamber in which the flexible enclosure is placed. The flexible enclosure has an interior, with the flexible enclosure fabricated so as to permit liquids to easily pass into the interior of the flexible enclosure where the randomly arranged, loosely packed coalescing medium is retained. The flexible enclosure is preferably fabricated from a group of materials including plastic mesh, reinforced aerated plastic bags, wire mesh, fabric mesh, and netting. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment of the invention, a planar sheetform member is located in the interior of the flexible enclosure directly adjacent the bottom surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2003
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Holland, Jerry Waller, Daniel Martin, Steven Abrams, Stephen Fort, Charles Travelstead, Jeffery Jones
  • Publication number: 20050028721
    Abstract: A tire pressure indicator for coupling with a valve stem of a tire. The tire pressure indicator provides a first visual indication in the event that the tire pressure is below a first threshold limit and a second visual indication if the tire pressure is above a second threshold limit. The pressure indicator includes a dome shaped indicator and a dome shaped cover that is mounted over the indicator. The cover includes a plurality wedge shaped transparent viewing windows extending from near the top of the dome. The transparent viewing windows are separated by opaque portions. The indicator has a plurality of alternating wedge shaped areas of first and second colors extending from near the top of the dome to the lower peripheral edge of the indicator. The rotation of the indicator is related to the tire pressure. In one orientation of the indicator that occurs when the tire pressure is below a first predetermined limit, the first color is visible through the transparent viewing windows of the outer dome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Peter Gladstone, Jason Morris, Michael Tinstman, Marwan Aylouche, Robert Holland
  • Publication number: 20050013286
    Abstract: A query message-based call routing mechanism for a limited access cooperative telecommunication network initially determines whether the called party is commonly located at the same node as the calling party. If not, the calling party node broadcasts a query message to all other nodes in the network to locate the called party. Only the node having local knowledge of the called extension will reply to the query message. Once the node sourcing the query message has received this reply message, it will place a call to the node servicing the called extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Applicant: ADTRAN, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Holland, John Pearson
  • Publication number: 20030204993
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a hydrocarbon fuel comprises: a primary fuel processing reactor for converting a feed stream to a first reformate stream comprising hydrogen; a first hydrogen separator located downstream of the primary fuel processing reactor and fluidly connected thereto for receiving the first reformate stream, the first separator comprising a first membrane for separating the first reformate stream into a first hydrogen-rich stream and a first retentate stream; and a secondary fuel processing reactor fluidly connected to the first separator for receiving and converting the first retentate stream to a second reformate stream comprising hydrogen. A fuel cell power generation system includes the present apparatus and a fuel cell stack fluidly connected thereto for receiving hydrogen-rich streams therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Holland, Gary Schubak, Mark Bradley, Kevin O' Connor, Brant Peppley
  • Patent number: 6572837
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a hydrocarbon fuel comprises: a primary fuel processing reactor for converting a feed stream to a first reformate stream comprising hydrogen; a first hydrogen separator located downstream of the primary fuel processing reactor and fluidly connected thereto for receiving the first reformate stream, the first separator comprising a first membrane for separating the first reformate stream into a first hydrogen-rich stream and a first retentate stream; and a secondary fuel processing reactor fluidly connected to the first separator for receiving and converting the first retentate stream to a second reformate stream comprising hydrogen. A fuel cell power generation system includes the present apparatus and a fuel cell stack fluidly connected thereto for receiving hydrogen-rich streams therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Holland, Gary Schubak, Mark Bradley, Kevin O'Connor, Brant Peppley
  • Publication number: 20020067877
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a high-resolution variable optical delay line comprises an optical switch, such as an optical micromechanical mirror switch, and an array of delay fiber paths. Each delay fiber path in the array comprises a region where the fiber is curved differently from the other fibers in the region and a reflector. Each fiber path advantageously comprises other regions where the fiber is essentially parallel to the other fibers in the region. Each fiber is curved differently from the others in order that the fiber paths each provide a different delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Linda M. Braun, William Robert Holland, Jane D. LeGrange
  • Patent number: 6351587
    Abstract: A multi-fiber optical delay line incorporates a plurality of optical fibers nestedly positioned and affixed to a planar substrate. The fibers include input portions that are linearly and proximately positioned on the substrate, and of equivalent length. The fibers also include output portions that are linearly and proximately positioned on the substrate, and of equivalent length. The input and output portions of each fiber are interconnected by a u-shaped connecting portion, and each connecting portion is positioned to have a unique and predetermined length. The predetermined lengths are selected such that differences in length between a shortest fiber and another fiber in the plurality of fibers are equivalent to a fiber length that would be traversed by the input signal during a time period required for the transmission of a predetermined number of bits in the digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: William Robert Holland
  • Patent number: 5277676
    Abstract: A method for enabling a person to apply gentle gravity traction to his spine by suspending his body by the arms while supporting some of his weight with his legs. The method, which is a modified form of "long axis-extension" gravity traction, describes a procedure wherein a trained therapist designs and supervises a treatment program unique to the individual based on a number of factors. The patient is at all times able to control the amount of weight that is applied to the injured portion. The patient is instructed in carrying out a treatment program and monitored as to progress and possible changes to the program. An apparatus is disclosed that is uniquely designed for use with the method. It is preferably constructed entirely of wood except for fastener elements and may be assembled and disassembled quickly without the use of any tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Robert A. Holland
    Inventors: Robert A. Holland, Gary G. Reber
  • Patent number: 5156580
    Abstract: An apparatus for enabling a person to apply gentle gravity traction to his spine by suspending his body by the arms while supporting some of his weight with his legs. The apparatus is preferably constructed entirely of wood except for fastener elements and is designed to be assembled and disassembled quickly without the use of any tools. Included is a method of hanging from a support for treating an injured spine using a modified gravity traction procedure from that generally referred to as "long axis extension." A user grasps a support that has been positioned at a height such that he is able to maintain his spine and upper leg or thigh portions vertically aligned and with his lower leg portions horizontal to the floor and toes touching the floor enabling him to control the amount of weight to be supported by his arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Robert A. Holland
    Inventors: Robert A. Holland, Gary G. Reber