Patents by Inventor Robert C. Hughes

Robert C. Hughes 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: 8300536
    Abstract: A method for providing real time indicator of voice transmission quality in a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network is disclosed. The method allows to receive, at regular time interval during a call, a digital signature from a source call device. The received signature is compared to a referential signature stored on the destination devices, and in case the received signature falls out of the referential signature, a quality indication message is transmitted back to the source call device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Hughes, Andrew L. Massey, Frederic G. Surand
  • Patent number: 7903579
    Abstract: A method and system for automatically resolving a voice transmission problem in real time in a communication system. Service oriented architecture (SOA)-based reporter services report voice transmission characteristic measurements. An enterprise service bus aggregates the measurements into a combination of measurements. An analyzer that is a SOA service provider determines that the combination of measurements indicates a voice transmission problem. The voice transmission problem determination includes identifying a match between the combination of measurements and a pattern of predefined conditions stored in a database. The database associates the pattern with one or more corrective actions. Using the database, the analyzer identifies the one or more corrective actions that are associated with the pattern of predefined conditions. SOA-based fixer services execute the corrective action(s) to resolve the voice transmission problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Hughes, Andrew Liam Massey, William H. Tworek
  • Publication number: 20100054118
    Abstract: A method and system for automatically resolving a voice transmission problem in real time in a communication system. Service oriented architecture (SOA)-based reporter services report voice transmission characteristic measurements. An enterprise service bus aggregates the measurements into a combination of measurements. An analyzer that is a SOA service provider determines that the combination of measurements indicates a voice transmission problem. The voice transmission problem determination includes identifying a match between the combination of measurements and a pattern of predefined conditions stored in a database. The database associates the pattern with one or more corrective actions. Using the database, the analyzer identifies the one or more corrective actions that are associated with the pattern of predefined conditions. SOA-based fixer services execute the corrective action(s) to resolve the voice transmission problem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Robert C. Hughes, Andrew Liam Massey, William H. Tworek
  • Patent number: 7122684
    Abstract: The invention provides a multi-step process for preparing 1,2-diamino compounds of formula wherein R1, R1?, R2, R2?, R3 and R4 have the meaning given in the specification and pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts thereof, from 1,2-epoxides of formula wherein R1, R1?, R2 and R2? have the meaning given in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Roche Colorado Corporation
    Inventors: Jack D. Brown, Peter J. Harrington, Robert C. Hughes
  • Patent number: 7022287
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an electrochemical device for detecting single particles, and methods for using such a device to achieve high sensitivity for detecting particles such as bacteria, viruses, aggregates, immuno-complexes, molecules, or ionic species. The device provides for affinity-based electrochemical detection of particles with single-particle sensitivity. The disclosed device and methods are based on microelectrodes with surface-attached, affinity ligands (e.g., antibodies, combinatorial peptides, glycolipids) that bind selectively to some target particle species. The electrodes electrolyze chemical species present in the particle-containing solution, and particle interaction with a sensor element modulates its electrolytic activity. The devices may be used individually, employed as sensors, used in arrays for a single specific type of particle or for a range of particle types, or configured into arrays of sensors having both these attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Sandia National Laboratories
    Inventors: Joseph Schoeniger, Albert W. Flounders, Robert C. Hughes, Antonio J. Ricco, Karl Wally, Stanley H. Kravitz, Richard P. Janek
  • Patent number: 6902701
    Abstract: A chemical-sensing apparatus is formed from the combination of a chemical preconcentrator which sorbs and concentrates particular volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and one or more chemiresistors that sense the VOCs after the preconcentrator has been triggered to release them in concentrated form. Use of the preconcentrator and chemiresistor(s) in combination allows the VOCs to be detected at lower concentration than would be possible using the chemiresistor(s) alone and further allows measurements to be made in a variety of fluids, including liquids (e.g. groundwater). Additionally, the apparatus provides a new mode of operation for sensing VOCs based on the measurement of decay time constants, and a method for background correction to improve measurement precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Hughes, Ronald P. Manginell, Mark W. Jenkins, Richard Kottenstette, Sanjay V. Patel
  • Publication number: 20040180933
    Abstract: The invention provides a multi-step process for preparing 1,2-diamino compounds of formula 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Jack D. Brown, Peter J. Harrington, Robert C. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20030211637
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an electrochemical device for detecting single particles, and methods for using such a device to achieve high sensitivity for detecting particles such as bacteria, viruses, aggregates, immuno-complexes, molecules, or ionic species. The device provides for affinity-based electrochemical detection of particles with single-particle sensitivity. The disclosed device and methods are based on microelectrodes with surface-attached, affinity ligands (e.g., antibodies, combinatorial peptides, glycolipids) that bind selectively to some target particle species. The electrodes electrolyze chemical species present in the particle-containing solution, and particle interaction with a sensor element modulates its electrolytic activity. The devices may be used individually, employed as sensors, used in arrays for a single specific type of particle or for a range of particle types, or configured into arrays of sensors having both these attributes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph Schoeniger, Albert W. Flounders, Robert C. Hughes, Antonio J. Ricco, Karl Wally, Stanley H. Kravitz, Richard P. Janek
  • Patent number: 6290868
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a new class of composite materials, called field-structured composite (FSC) materials, which comprise a oriented aggregate structure made of magnetic particles suspended in a nonmagnetic medium, and to a new class of processes for their manufacture. FSC materials have much potential for application, including use in chemical, optical, environmental, and mechanical sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Martin, Robert C. Hughes, Robert A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6194769
    Abstract: A new class of sensor devices comprising field-structured conducting composites comprising a textured distribution of conducting magnetic particles is disclosed. The conducting properties of such field-structured materials can be precisely controlled during fabrication so as to exhibit a large change in electrical conductivity when subject to any environmental influence which changes the relative volume fraction. Influences which can be so detected include stress, strain, shear, temperature change, humidity, magnetic field, electromagnetic radiation, and the presence or absence of certain chemicals. This behavior can be made the basis for a wide variety of sensor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Martin, Robert C. Hughes, Robert A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6087818
    Abstract: A voltage booster device for increasing the voltage level of power received by a recreational vehicle (RV) from a separate 120-volt power source includes an electrical box, a power cord and female outlet on the box, and an encapsulated transformer within the box. The transformer (e.g., an autotransformer) is adapted to increase the actual voltage level of the separate 120-volt power source a predetermined amount. A relay is provided for switching the transformer, the power cord, and the female outlet between (i) a first circuit configuration that couples power from the power cord to the female outlet via the transformer so that the transformer increases the voltage level by the predetermined amount, and (ii) a second circuit configuration that bypasses the transformer so that the transformer does not increase the voltage level by the predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Robert C. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5834627
    Abstract: A combustible gas sensor that uses a resistively heated, noble metal-coated, micromachined polycrystalline Si filament to calorimetrically detect the presence and concentration of combustible gases. The filaments tested to date are 2 .mu.m thick.times.10 .mu.m wide.times.100, 250, 500, or 1000 .mu.m-long polycrystalline Si; some are overcoated with a 0.25 .mu.m-thick protective CVD Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 layer. A thin catalytic Pt film was deposited by CVD from the precursor Pt(acac).sub.2 onto microfilaments resistively heated to approximately 500.degree. C.; Pt deposits only on the hot filament. Using a constant-resistance-mode feedback circuit, Pt-coated filaments operating at ca. 300.degree. C. (35 mW input power) respond linearly, in terms of the change in supply current required to maintain constant resistance (temperature), to H.sub.2 concentrations between 100 ppm and 1% in an 80/20 N.sub.2 /O.sub.2 mixture. Other catalytic materials can also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Antonio J. Ricco, Robert C. Hughes, James H. Smith, Daniel J. Moreno, Ronald P. Manginell, Stephen D. Senturia, Robert J. Huber
  • Patent number: 5279795
    Abstract: An apparatus for sensing chemicals over extended range of concentrations. In particular, first and second sensors each having separate, but overlapping ranges for sensing concentrations of hydrogen are provided. Preferably, the first sensor is a MOS solid state device wherein the metal electrode or gate is a nickel alloy. The second sensor is a chemiresistor comprising a nickel alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Robert C. Hughes, W. Kent Schubert
  • Patent number: 5187980
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing a liquid-solid phase transition event is provided which comprises an acoustic plate mode detecting element placed in contact with a liquid or solid material which generates a high-frequency acoustic wave that is attenuated to an extent based on the physical state of the material is contact with the detecting element. The attenuation caused by the material in contact with the acoustic plate mode detecting element is used to determine the physical state of the material being detected. The method and device are particularly suited for detecting conditions such as the icing and deicing of wings of an aircraft. In another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided wherein the adhesion of a solid material to the detecting element can be measured using the apparatus of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Dianna S. Blair, Gregory C. Freye, Robert C. Hughes, Stephen J. Martin, Antonio J. Ricco
  • Patent number: 4976266
    Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for in vivo radiation measurements relay on a MOSFET dosimeter of high radiation sensitivity with operates in both the passive mode to provide an integrated dose detector and active mode to provide an irradiation rate detector. A compensating circuit with a matched unirradiated MOSFET is provided to operate at a current designed to eliminate temperature dependence of the device. Preferably, the MOSFET is rigidly mounted in the end of a miniature catheter and the catheter is implanted in the patient proximate the radiation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Dennis D. Huffman, Robert C. Hughes, Charles A. Kelsey, Richard Lane, Antonio J. Ricco, Jay B. Snelling, Thomas E. Zipperian
  • Patent number: 4782302
    Abstract: A detector for detecting energetic hydrogen ions and atoms ranging in energy from about 1 eV up to 1 keV in an evacuated environment includes a Schottky diode with a palladium or palladium-alloy gate metal applied to a silicondioxide layer on an n-silicon substrate. An array of the energetic-hydrogen detectors having a range of energy sensitivities form a plasma energy analyzer having a rapid response time and a sensitivity for measuring fluxes of energetic hydrogen. The detector is sensitive to hydrogen and its isotopes but is insensitive to non-hydrogenic particles. The array of energetic-hydrogen detectors can be formed on a single silicon chip, with thin-film layers of gold metal applied in various thicknesses to successive detectors in the array. The gold layers serve as particle energy-filters so that each detector is sensitive to a different range of hydrogen energies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Robert J. Bastasz, Robert C. Hughes, William R. Wampler
  • Patent number: 4631701
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for automatically refreshing a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) under a plurality of different operational conditions of an associated processor. When the processor is normally executing instructions it generates active signals which enable a generator circuit to generate timing signals. A hidden refresh circuit uses status signals and a first part of these timing signals to generate a refresh pulse during an opcode fetch cycle of each instruction being executed by the processor. A control circuit uses each refresh pulse and a second part of the timing signals to generate a row refresh signal to refresh a row in the DRAM indicated by a row address from a counter and a row address clock to increment the counter to the next row to be refreshed by the following row refresh signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald P. Kappeler, Robert C. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4622355
    Abstract: The radiation-induced conductivity of polymeric dielectrics with low electronic mobility is reduced by doping with electron donor or electron acceptor compounds at a level of 10.sup.15 to 10.sup.21 molecules of dopant/cm.sup.3. Polyesters, polyolefins, perfluoropolyolefins, vinyl polymers, vinylidene polymers, polycarbonates, polysulfones and polyimides can benefit from such a treatment. Usable dopants include 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone, tetracyanethylene, 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane, m-dinitrobenzene, 2-isopropylcarbazole, and triphenylamine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Charles Arnold, Jr., Robert C. Hughes, R. Glen Kepler, Steven R. Kurtz
  • Patent number: D414460
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Robert C. Hughes