Patents by Inventor Robert E. Stoddard

Robert E. Stoddard 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).

  • Dual beam optical turntable
    Patent number: 4972344
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical turntable system for optically playing phonograph records having a recorded signal in a groove formed by a wall having a position modulated by the recorded signal. An optical unit includes an optical source providing a first light beam incident onto the wall to provide a reflected beam from the wall forming a reflected spot at a reflected position proportional to the recorded signal and also includes an optical sensor for sensing the reflected position of the reflected spot to provide an output data signal proportional to the recorded signal. The optical unit also includes a tracking assembly which functions to position the optical unit over the section of the groove of interest as the record turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Finial Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Stoddard, Robert N. Stark
  • Optical turntable system with reflected spot position detection
    Patent number: 4870631
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical turntable system for optically playing phonograph records having a recorded signal in a groove formed by a wall having a position modulated by the recorded signal. An optical unit includes an optical source providing a first light beam incident onto the wall to provide a reflected beam from the wall forming a reflected spot at a reflected position proportional to the recorded signal and also includes an optical sensor for sensing the reflected postion of the reflected spot to provide an output data signal proportional to the recorded signal. The optical unit also includes a tracking assembly which functions to position the optical unit over the section of the groove of interest as the record turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Finial Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Stoddard