Patents by Inventor Robert M. Gardner

Robert M. Gardner 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: 20240067238
    Abstract: A mover for an independent cart system includes a drive member for a linear drive system, a power source configured to supply electrical power to at least one device mounted on the mover, and a mounting plate secured to the mover. The mounting plate is configured to selectively receive one of multiple fixtures. The mounting plate includes at least one electrical connector configured to engage a complementary electrical connector on each of the fixtures, at least one connector configured to engage a complementary connector on each of the fixtures to positively retain each of the fixtures to the mounting plate, and a control circuit operative to either transfer at least one control signal to or receive at least one feedback signal from each of the fixtures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Shankha S. Seal, Eric M. Gardner, Jamie J. Cechvala, Robert H. Schmidt, Arun K. Guru
  • Patent number: 10454013
    Abstract: A thermoelectric device, module, and system, and method for and method for making is provided. The thermoelectric device (200) having a first and second elements (202 and 204). The first and second elements (202 and 204) having first and second portions (206 and 208), and third and fourth portions (212 and 214) with first and second regions (210 and 216) connected between the first and second portions (206 and 208) and third and fourth portions (112 and 114), respectively. The first and second portions (206 and 208) and third and fourth portions (112 and 114) are electrically coupled though regions (210 and 216) and with thermal conductance between first and second portions (206 and 208) and third and fourth portions (212 and 214) being inhibited by regions (110 and 116), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: MICROPOWER GLOBAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Thomas E. Zirkle, Robert M. Gardner, Robert S. Kilbourn
  • Publication number: 20140137918
    Abstract: A thermoelectric device, module, and system, and method for and method for making is provided. The thermoelectric device (200) having a first and second elements (202 and 204). The first and second elements (202 and 204) having first and second portions (206 and 208), and third and fourth portions (212 and 214) with first and second regions (210 and 216) connected between the first and second portions (206 and 208) and third and fourth portions (112 and 114), respectively. The first and second portions (206 and 208) and third and fourth portions (112 and 114) are electrically coupled though regions (210 and 216) and with thermal conductance between first and second portions (206 and 208) and third and fourth portions (212 and 214) being inhibited by regions (110 and 116), respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: MICROPOWER GLOBAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Thomas E. Zirkle, Robert M. Gardner, Robert S. Kilbourn
  • Patent number: 8019050
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a feedback mechanism that informs a user of a communication device to adjust the volume, pitch, tone or other characteristic of his voice so as to compensate for noise in the surrounding environment. The feedback mechanism includes feedback circuitry that analyzes audio signals from the microphone and preferably from one or more additional environmental noise sensors. From the analysis, the feedback circuitry determines characteristics of the user's voice and characteristics of the environmental noise, and provides an analysis of how the user might modify his voice to best compensate for environmental noise. This analysis results in an indication to the user, such as through a vibration, a sound, or graphical indication on the device, which tells the user whether and to what extent the user should adjust a characteristic of his voice to best overcome such environmental noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Mactavish, Robert M. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20080162120
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a feedback mechanism that informs a user of a communication device to adjust the volume, pitch, tone or other characteristic of his voice so as to compensate for noise in the surrounding environment. The feedback mechanism includes feedback circuitry that analyzes audio signals from the microphone and preferably from one or more additional environmental noise sensors. From the analysis, the feedback circuitry determines characteristics of the user's voice and characteristics of the environmental noise, and provides an analysis of how the user might modify his voice to best compensate for environmental noise. This analysis results in an indication to the user, such as through a vibration, a sound, or graphical indication on the device, which tells the user whether and to what extent the user should adjust a characteristic of his voice to best overcome such environmental noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventors: THOMAS J. MACTAVISH, ROBERT M. GARDNER
  • Patent number: 6985696
    Abstract: A radio (10) communicates compatibly with a dedicated short range roadside information service and is adapted and configured to be worn by a pedestrian or otherwise mounted on or installed in a variety of nonautomotive roaming objects. Various modes of operation are supported including a beacon mode (50), a remote transmitter mode (60), a remote disable mode (70), and a location based operating mode (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Bromham, Walter L. Davis, Robert M. Gardner, Shrirang Jambhekar, Maria Thompson
  • Publication number: 20030119445
    Abstract: A radio (10) communicates compatibly with a dedicated short range roadside information service and is adapted and configured to be worn by a pedestrian or otherwise mounted on or installed in a variety of nonautomotive roaming objects. Various modes of operation are supported including a beacon mode (50), a remote transmitter mode (60), a remote disable mode (70), and a location based operating mode (80).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Bromham, Walter L. Davis, Robert M. Gardner, Shrirang Jambhekar, Maria Thompson
  • Patent number: 6342304
    Abstract: This invention relates to binary blends of cellulose esters and aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters, cellulose esters and aliphatic polyesters as well as ternary blends of cellulose esters and/or aliphatic polyesters and/or aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters and/or polymeric compounds as well as fibers, molded objects, and films prepared therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Buchanan, Robert M. Gardner, Matthew D. Wood, Alan W. White, Steven C. Gedon, Fred D. Barlow, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6313202
    Abstract: This invention relates to a blend comprising (a) about 2% to about 98% by weight of at least one ester of cellulose comprising an alkanoyl chain having from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and having at a D.S. of about 2.3 to about 3.0, and an inherent viscosity of about 0.2 to about 3.0 deciliters/gram as measured at a temperature of 25° C. for a 0.5 g sample in 100 ml of a 60/40 parts by weight solution of phenol/tetrachloroethane, and (b) about 98% to about 2% by weight of at least one ester of cellulose comprising an alkanoyl chain having from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and having a D.S. of about 1.5 to about 2.2, and an inherent viscosity of about 0.2 to about 3.0 deciliters/gram as measured at a temperature of 25° C. for a 0.5 g sample in 100 ml of a 60/40 parts by weight solution of phenol/tetrachloroethane, said percentages being based on the weight of component (a) plus component (b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Buchanan, Robert M. Gardner, Alan W. White, Matthew D. Wood
  • Patent number: 6133439
    Abstract: This invention provides cellulose ester fibers having an intermediate degree of substitution per anhydroglucose unit (DS/AGU) along with pigments which act as photooxidation catalyst. The fibers are useful as filler materials for tobacco products. The filter materials thus provided are easily dispersible and biodegradable and do not persist in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Buchanan, Robert M. Gardner, James E. Harris, Gether Irick, Jr., David V. Strickler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6025735
    Abstract: A switch network (22) in a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) which operates as a combination of a programming transistor (34) and a ferroelectric transistor (32). The programming transistor (34) is selected to transfer a polarizing voltage to a gate terminal of the ferroelectric transistor (32) for programming the ferroelectric transistor (32) in an on-state. The ferroelectric transistor (32) functions as a nonvolatile latch and pass device to provide the electrical interconnect path that links multiple Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs). The programming transistor (34) is selected to transfer a depolarizing voltage to the gate terminal of the ferroelectric transistor (32) for programming the ferroelectric transistor (32) in an off-state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Gardner, Jerald A. Hallmark, Daniel S. Marshall, William J. Ooms
  • Patent number: 5970988
    Abstract: This invention provides cellulose ester fibers having an intermediate degree of substitution per anhydroglucose unit (DS/AGU) along with pigments which act as photooxidation catalysts. The fibers are useful as filter materials for tobacco products. The filter materials thus provided are easily dispersible and biodegradable and do not persist in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Buchanan, Robert M. Gardner, James E. Harris, Gether Irick, Jr., David V. Strickler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5923184
    Abstract: Ferroelectric transistors are combined with MOSFETs to perform logic functions. The logic functions include a non-volatile ferroelectric latch (30), a clocked non-volatile ferroelectric latch (50), a programmable switch (60), an edge-triggered complementary flip-flop (78), a tri-state logic circuit (80), a ferroelectric logic NAND-gate (100), a clocked ferroelectric logic NAND-gate (140), and a programmable logic function (150). The programmable logic function (150) includes a programming terminal (156) to select between a NOR-gate function and a NAND-gate function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Ooms, Robert M. Gardner, Jerald A. Hallmark, Daniel S. Marshall
  • Patent number: 5900322
    Abstract: This invention relates to binary blends of cellulose esters and aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters, cellulose esters and aliphatic polyesters as well as ternary blends of cellulose esters and/or aliphatic polyesters and/or aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters and/or polymeric compounds as well as fibers, molded objects, and films prepared therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Buchanan, Robert M. Gardner, Matthew D. Wood, Alan W. White, Steven C. Gedon, Fred D. Barlow, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5898317
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory array (20) monolithically integrated with a field programmable gate array (32) into a semiconductor circuit (10). The ferroelectric memory array (20) is suitable for a semiconductor manufacturer to program the configuration data that is used in the field programmable gate array (32) prior to shipment and installation in an electronic system. The memory array (20) provides the data that configures the field programmable gate array (32) for functionality of the Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs) in the field programmable gate array (32). Should the field programmable gate array (32) circuit lose power, the non-volatile memory array (20) provides a shift register (26) with the data to reconfigure the field programmable gate array (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Gardner, Jerald A. Hallmark, Daniel S. Marshall
  • Patent number: 5897627
    Abstract: A method including providing a database with a plurality of items, each item having several attributes, and developing and displaying a cluster map (SOM) attribute plane from the items and attributes, including clusters of items having similar attributes. Selecting an attribute of interest and splitting the plurality of items into clusters of interest based on distribution of the selected attribute. Utilizing rule induction to provide a rule for each cluster of interest, drawing a line around adjacent items in the SOM attribute plane for each rule to form at least one complete fenced area in the display, and comparing fenced areas to clusters to separate statistically meaningful rules from statistically meaningless rules or coincidences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Leivian, Robert M. Gardner
  • Patent number: 5825317
    Abstract: A ferroelectric transistor (72) is programmed with a gate voltage that shifts a threshold voltage of the ferroelectric transistor (72). The shifted threshold voltage generates a correction current (.DELTA.I.sub.(N-1)) in a combination circuit (52) that trims an output voltage of a DAC trim circuit (50). A ferroelectric material (32) of the ferroelectric transistor (72) stores a charge in accordance with a programming voltage and allows a dynamic adjustment of the correction current (.DELTA.I.sub.(N-1)) that is used to modify the output voltage of the DAC trim circuit (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Anderson, Robert M. Gardner, Jerald A. Hallmark
  • Patent number: 5625029
    Abstract: Novel poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates), such as poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), and blends of these with other polymers are disclosed. A novel process for producing these poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) is also disclosed which entails polymerizing one or more .beta.-substituted-.beta.-propiolactone(s) under polymerization conditions in the substantial absence of water in the presence of an anionic initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: John C. Hubbs, Marti N. Harrison, Steven Gedon, Charles Buchanan, Robert M. Gardner, Douglas C. Hoffman, Alan W. White
  • Patent number: 5599858
    Abstract: This invention relates to binary blends of cellulose esters and aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters, cellulose esters and aliphatic polyesters as well as ternary blends of cellulose esters and/or aliphatic polyesters and/or aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters and/or polymeric compounds as well as fibers, molded objects, and films prepared therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Buchanan, Robert M. Gardner, Matthew D. Wood, Alan W. White, Steven C. Gedon, Fred D. Barlow, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5594068
    Abstract: This invention relates to a blend comprising(a) about 2% to about 98% by weight of at least one ester of cellulose comprising an alkanoyl chain having from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and having at a D.S. of about 2.3 to about 3.0, and an inherent viscosity of about 0.2 to about 3.0 deciliters/gram as measured at a temperature of 25.degree. C. for a 0.5 g sample in 100 ml of a 60/40 parts by weight solution of phenol/tetrachloroethane, and(b) about 98% to about 2% by weight of at least one ester of cellulose comprising an alkanoyl chain having from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and having a D.S. of about 1.5 to about 2.2, and an inherent viscosity of about 0.2 to about 3.0 deciliters/gram as measured at a temperature of 25.degree. C. for a 0.5 g sample in 100 ml of a 60/40 parts by weight solution of phenol/tetrachloroethane, said percentages being based on the weight of component (a) plus component (b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Buchanan, Robert M. Gardner, Alan W. White, Matthew D. Wood