Patents by Inventor Robert J. Collins

Robert J. Collins 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: 20020107078
    Abstract: System and method that measures and displays information about the conditions of a moving object, in particular a sports object such as a golf ball. In particular, the device measures the speed and direction of movement, as well as spin rate and spin axis orientation of the object by analyzing the data generated by one or more continuous wave radar sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventor: Robert J. Collins
  • Patent number: 6368402
    Abstract: A high throughput crystallization methodology using 1,536 well microassay plate technology is described. The methodology uses mother-daughter plate technology with robotic control to deliver oil, unique crystallization cocktails, and a protein solution to each of the wells. This provides 1,536 unique microbatch crystallization experiments using as little as 6 mg of protein in 600 microliters of solution. The time required to deliver a protein solution to a prepared experiment plate is less than 10 minutes. A plate imaging system with a capacity of 28 microassay plates is also described. The imaging system digitally records the results of the experiments for later comparison to database results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: George T. DeTitta, Joseph R. Luft, Jennifer Wolfley, Robert J. Collins
  • Publication number: 20010032582
    Abstract: A high throughput crystallization methodology using 1,536 well microassay plate technology is described. The methodology uses mother-daughter plate technology with robotic control to deliver oil, unique crystallization cocktails, and a protein solution to each of the wells. This provides 1,536 unique microbatch crystallization experiments using as little as 6 mg of protein in 600 microliters of solution. The time required to deliver a protein solution to a prepared experiment plate is less than 10 minutes. A plate imaging system with a capacity of 28 microassay plates is also described. The imaging system digitally records the results of the experiments for later comparison to database results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: George T. DeTitta, Joseph R. Luft, Jennifer Wolfley, Robert J. Collins
  • Patent number: 6173075
    Abstract: A computer method and system for converting a pixmap representing a drawing into a set of points or vectors representing the drawing. Closed loops of points or vectors are traced around boundaries between edge and non-edge pixels in the pixmap; each loop is identified as defining an outer perimeter or as defining a hole associated with some particular outer perimeter; and, for each outer perimeter, an ink art region is defined by an outer perimeter minus any areas defined by any associated holes. Color art vectorization may be created interior to ink art regions. Interior ink art regions may be formed at branches in the drawing. Boundaries may be smoothed and filtered. Drawings may be sized, scaled, or rotated. Vectorization may be extended to color and gray scale drawings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: USAnimation, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Collins
  • Patent number: 6120081
    Abstract: A truck tailgate assembly is provided including an inboard portion adapted for being pivotally mounted on a rear edge of a truck. Also included is an intermediate portion being hingably mounted to the inboard portion. Next provided is an outboard portion which is hingably mounted to the intermediate portion. A locking assembly is adapted for maintaining the portions in stacked relationship while the truck is moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Robert J. Collins
  • Patent number: 5823789
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for correlating requirements of educators, guiding documents, and educational resource providers is described. The apparatus includes a central correlator accessed by each of the external entities using keys established according to a uniform protocol. The correlator includes a central database including a range of elements describing in varying levels of detail a field of study. Each of the external users correlates a set of components, such as the components of a teaching plan, to the elements in the central database. The apparatus correlates the several sets of components to the external user's set of components and provides the various correlations through a variety of outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: MediaSeek Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Jay, Robert J. Collins, Richard S. Jeffrey, Colin Ramsay
  • Patent number: 5730604
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for correlating requirements of educators, guiding documents, and educational resource providers is described. The apparatus includes a central correlator accessed by each of the external entities using keys established according to a uniform protocol. The correlator includes a central database including a range of elements describing in varying levels of detail a field of study. Each of the external users correlates a set of components, such as the components of a teaching plan, to the elements in the central database. The apparatus correlates the several sets of components to the external user's set of components and provides the various correlations through a variety of outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: MediaSeek Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Jay, Robert J. Collins, Richard S. Jeffrey, Colin Ramsay
  • Patent number: 5585182
    Abstract: A post-coalescence melt-spinning process for preparing fine undrawn hollow polyester filaments having excellent mechanical quality and uniformity at high speeds (2-5 km/min) involving selection of polymer viscosity and spinning conditions, whereby the void content of the resulting new undrawn filaments is essentially maintained or increased on cold-drawing or hot-drawing with or without post heat treatment, and the new fine hollow polyester filaments obtained thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Arun P. Aneja, David G. Bennie, Robert J. Collins, Hans Rudolf E. Frankfort, Stephen B. Johnson, Benjamin H. Knox, Elmer E. Most, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5563492
    Abstract: A vehicular battery charging switch comprising a tubular vial having a front end, a rear end, and a small amount of electrically conductive liquid material disposed therein; a coupling mechanism for coupling the vial to a vehicle such that its front end is positioned below its rear end when the vehicle is positioned on a level grade; and a pair of electrical contact pins coupled to and extended within the front end of the vial with one contact pin adapted to be connected to an alternator and the other contact pin adapted to be connected to a voltage regulator that is associated with a battery; whereby when a vehicle is travelling on level-grades and on down-grades, the front end of the vial is held below the rear end thereof such that the conductive liquid material is placed in contact with the contact pins, thereby connecting the alternator with the voltage regulator and allowing charging of the associated battery, and when a vehicle is travelling on up-grades, the front end of the vial is tilted above the r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Inventor: Robert J. Collins
  • Patent number: 5487859
    Abstract: A post-coalescence melt-spinning process for preparing fine undrawn hollow polyester filaments having excellent mechanical quality and uniformity at high speeds (2-5 km/min) involving selection of polymer viscosity and spinning conditions, whereby the void content of the resulting new undrawn filaments is essentially maintained or increased on cold-drawing or hot-drawing with or without post heat treatment, and the new fine hollow polyester filaments obtained thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Arun P. Aneja, David G. Bennie, Robert J. Collins, Hans Rudolf E. Frankfort, Stephen B. Johnson, Benjamin H. Knox, Elmer E. Most, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5417902
    Abstract: Polyester mixed fine filament yarns having excellent mechanical quality and uniformity, and preferably with a balance of good dyeability and shrinkage, are prepared by a simplified direct spin-orientation process by selection of polymer and spinning conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: David G. Bennie, Robert J. Collins, Hans R. E. Frankfort, Stephen B. Johnson, Benjamin H. Knox, Joe F. London, Jr., Elmer E. Most, Jr., Girish A. Pai
  • Patent number: 5407621
    Abstract: Polyester fine filaments having excellent mechanical quality and uniformity, and preferably with a balance of good dyeability and shrinkage, are prepared by a simplified direct spin-orientation process by selection of polymer viscosity and spinning conditions, followed by drawing and/or bulking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Collins, Hans R. E. Frankfort, Stephen B. Johnson, Benjamin H. Knox, Elmer E. Most, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5288553
    Abstract: Polyester fine filaments having excellent mechanical quality and uniformity, and preferably with a balance of good dyeability and shrinkage, are prepared by a simplified direct spin-orientation process by selection of polymer viscosity and spinning conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Collins, Hans R. E. Frankfort, Stephen B. Johnson, Benjamin H. Knox, Elmer E. Most, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5250245
    Abstract: Polyester fine filaments having excellent mechanical quality and uniformity, and preferably with a balance of good dyeability and shrinkage, are prepared by a simplified direct spin-orientation process by selection of polymer viscosity and spinning conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Collins, Hans R. E. Frankfort, Stephen B. Johnson, Benjamin H. Knox, Elmer E. Most, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4685124
    Abstract: A control and switching device which is installed at a customer's computer (local) site and which links a remote terminal by modems over telephone lines to the system console, the TTO/TTI port and the ALM/IAC port of the host computer, and to a user terminal for remote diagnosis of hardware and software problems is disclosed. The device, which is coupled by separate lines to the modem at the local site, the system console, the user terminal the TTO/TTI port and the ALM/IAC port of the host computer includes a microprocessor a memory, various logic and control circuits and a three position keyswitch. The keyswitch provides a first level of security and limits the type of access allowed by a remote caller. When the switch is in a first position, the caller has no access to the host system. When the switch is in a second position, the remote caller can connect to the ALM/IAC port or communicate with the user terminal but cannot change configuration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Data General Corporation
    Inventors: Eric L. Smitt, Robert J. Collins
  • Patent number: 4577058
    Abstract: A digitizer table is provided under the surface of which are located a set of parallel X-conductors and a set of parallel Y-conductors arranged as a grid. They may be energized by electric currents to produce patterns of magnetic field close to the surface of the table. Means enables currents of constant polarity but of varying amplitude to be applied to successive pairs of conductors. A pen or cursor having sensor means therein responds to the local component of magnetic field perpendicular to the surface of the table. The location of the sensor between a pair of current carrying conductors is given by the ratio of the amplitudes of the currents applied to the two conductors of the pair when the resultant magnetic field component perpendicular to the surface of the table passes through a null value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Inventor: Robert J. Collins
  • Patent number: 4463013
    Abstract: Conditions of inappropriate hyperhydration in warm blooded animals can be treated with an essentially water only diuretic drug compound selected from the group ##STR1## wherein m, n, p, A, E, R, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, X, Y and Z are as defined in the specification, e.g., trans-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[7-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-8 -yl]benzeneacetamide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, ##STR2## wherein R, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, P, Q, X and Y are as defined in the specification, e.g., 3,4-dichloro-N-[[8-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]-dec-8-yl]methyl]be nzeneacetamide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or ##STR3## where R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, X and Y are as defined in the specification, e.g., trans-(1)-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl] acetamide,or ##STR4## wherein p, n, q, X, Y, R, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, E, R.sub.5, R.sub.6 are as defined in the specification,or ##STR5## wherein R, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Collins, Lester J. Kaplan, James H. Ludens, Philip F. Von Voigtlander
  • Patent number: 4412607
    Abstract: A vending machine including a plurality of receptacles in which articles to be vended are stored and releasing mechanisms that selectively release the articles from the receptacles. An enabler counts money or other tender deposition in the machine and enables the releasing mechanisms associated with those receptacles containing appropriately priced articles as successive predetermined totals are reached. The money is temporarily deposited in an escrow chamber from which it is released into a bank only after a sensing device determines that an article has in fact been released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Inventors: Robert J. Collins, Erich F. Feigl
  • Patent number: 4215800
    Abstract: A dispensing mechanism releases successive articles from the front end of a module in which they are stored. It includes a trap door pivotably connected to the module along its trailing edge and movable between a retaining position and a downwardly inclined releasing position. As the articles are released, they are guided by fingers that project downwardly from the module floor, the trap door being provided with slots through which the fingers pass as it pivots.The dispensing mechanism includes a box-like frame with vertical sides that are forwardly inclined and inwardly beveled along their trailing edges to straighten mis-aligned articles as they advance along the module. A cowl joins the sides and is inclined to outwardly deflect any falling articles that strike the dispensing mechanism from above. The entire dispensing mechanism can be readily detached from the module by flexing its sides inwardly to release detents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Assignee: Rod Pierce & Associates
    Inventors: Robert J. Collins, Richard R. Stutsman, Theodore C. Youngkin
  • Patent number: 4200201
    Abstract: A dispensing machine in which a carriage moves articles along the horizontal floor of a module toward a releasing mechanism by which the articles are dispensed one at a time. The carriage includes a drive wheel that engages a track on the module floor, the wheel being driven by a spring mounted on and carried by the carriage. Rollers on the sides of the carriage ride in guide channels on the sides of the module to hold the wheel in firm contact with the track so that the spring is wound when the carriage is pushed back within the module and the carriage is advanced as the spring unwinds. The module is open along the top so that articles can be inserted between the carriage and the releasing mechanism.A plurality of such modules are mounted on horizontally movable drawers that can be withdrawn from a cabinet for loading while a latch restrains each carriage at the rear of the module during loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1980
    Assignee: Rod Pierce and Associates
    Inventors: Robert J. Collins, Richard R. Stutsman, Theodore C. Youngkin