Patents by Inventor Robert Nelson

Robert Nelson 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).

  • Apparatus and method for optimizing a computer database query that Fetches n rows
    Publication number: 20060259457
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to optimize a query access plan in a computer database system. In preferred embodiments, the query optimizer determines the query can be optimized and generates for the query an optimized access plan that eliminates records defined by a Where clause and one or more ordering criteria prior to ordering the records (sorting or grouping) and then returning a first n rows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Muras, Robert Nelson, John Santosuosso
  • Architecture to enable search gateways as part of federated search
    Patent number: 7113939
    Abstract: An architecture to enable search gateways as part of a federated search supports searching for data in one or more heterogeneous data sources. The one or more heterogeneous data sources are within a computer system. Initially, a request for data is received at a federated data source. From the federated data source, data is retrieved from one or more of one or more terminal data repositories or one or more search gateway data sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kehsing J. Chou, Mei-Ing W. Huang, Taejae Lee, Basuki N. Soetarman, Robert Nelson Summers, Siucheong Kenny Tse, Alan Tsu-I Yaung, Mimi Phuong-Thao Vo
  • Vehicle location system using a kinetic network
    Patent number: 7091835
    Abstract: An on-board unit for a vehicle is disclosed. The unit includes a primary communication system, the primary communication system being adapted to communicate with a remote location, and being further adapted to detect a stolen condition or receive an indication of a stolen condition. The unit also includes a process for determining whether communication with a central location can be effected. A secondary communication system is provided, the secondary communication system transmitting a signal including an identification of the on-board unit when communication with the central location cannot be effected. This signal is received by a receiver, which is in direct or indirect communication with the central location, so that the central location can take the appropriate steps to recover the vehicle which includes the on-board unit that is emitting the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Boomerang Tracking, Inc.
    Inventors: André Eric Boulay, Robert Nelson
  • Architecturally partitioned automatic steering system and method
    Publication number: 20060167600
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically steering a vehicle along an intended path is provided. The system is architecturally partitioned. The partitioned design allows each of the system elements to be designed and maintained independently while allowing variation and flexibility in system configuration. An embodiment of the system elements may comprise a local navigation guidance unit, an external positioning system, a steering controller, and an installation and service computer. Additional elements of an embodiment of the system may comprise a steering position sensor, and at least one steering actuator. The system allows the operator to enter an intended target path and certain vehicle parameters. The local navigation guidance unit receives positional data from an external positioning system, preferably DGPS, indicative of a navigational path traversed by the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Applicant: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Nelson, James Hughen, David Fowler
  • Abdominal exercise machine
    Publication number: 20060166798
    Abstract: The abdominal exerciser of the present invention is an exercise device designed to work the abdominal and oblique muscle groups. The abdominal exerciser includes a sled that is supported by and slides or rolls along at least one track. The upper body support is ergonomically positioned higher than the sled, and fixed to a cross bar supported by the track. The cross bar is designed to rotate forward to simulate an abdominal exercise “crunch” motion when the knees are brought within proximity of the upper body support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Nelson
  • Breather filter
    Publication number: 20060113236
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a filter for placement over a breather opening of an enclosure, such as a headlamp. The filter includes an elastomeric body having a primary channel extending from a first end to a second end of the elastomeric body, and a plurality of secondary channels extending from the first end to the second end of the elastomeric body. A cap is configured to at least partially cover the elastomeric body, the cap having an interior surface and an exterior surface. Filter material is arranged in fluid communication with the primary and secondary channels, the filter material configured to filter air flowing through the primary and secondary channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Andrew Dahlgren, Robert Nelson
  • Roller for automated fabric layup
    Patent number: 7004219
    Abstract: An apparatus for automated fabric lay-up of composite laminates 10 is provided, including an automatic dispensing assembly 12 dispensing pre-preg fabric 14 in a dispensing direction 30. The apparatus 10 further includes a roller element 38 having a contact surface 40 in communication with the pre-preg fabric 14. The roller element 38 rotates such that the contact surface 40 induces lateral tension in the pre-preg fabric 14 over which it rolls such that wrinkles are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: W. Robert Nelson
  • Method, system, and program for improved device blocking and suspension
    Patent number: 7003706
    Abstract: Disclosed is an article of manufacture, system, and program for determining device suspension and device blocking. Local session cache usage and residual counts are compared against limit values associated with that session, wherein the limit values comprise a device blocking count, a device blocking percent, a suspend count, and a suspend percent for the local session. If a cache in trouble condition is detected based on the comparison, the cache in trouble condition is processed to determine whether one or more volumes are to be blocked or suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Edward McBride, Alan George McClure, Robert Nelson Crockett, Donald Reynold Blea
  • Safety lock for elevators
    Publication number: 20060011352
    Abstract: An elevator having a safety lock is provided to prevent the inadvertent release of a tubular. In one embodiment, the elevator includes a body for supporting the tubular and a locking apparatus activatable by an upset portion of the tubular, the safety locking apparatus adapted to prevent the tubular handling apparatus from releasing the tubular when activated. In another embodiment, the elevator is provided with a secondary override locking device for the safety lock so that jarring operations may be performed using the elevator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Nelson, Martin Jansen
  • Particulate filter and method of use
    Publication number: 20050247105
    Abstract: A particulate filter particularly suited for analytical gravimetric weighing applications is disclosed. The particulate filter includes a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) media supported by a ring and yields stable microgram and submicrogram weighing results. The support ring may be PTFE, metal foil, or another non-hygroscopic polymer such that the mass of the filter does not vary with changes in atmospheric moisture. The filter simplifies the discharge of electrostatic charge buildup such that when a conductive filter media is combined with a conductive ring device, the discharge may be accomplished by placing the filter on a grounded weighing pan or other surface. The particulate filter can simplify filter identification by including identification symbols imprinted on each side of the filter media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: David Dikken, Robert Nelson, Lloyd Keleny, Mike Kiester, Andrew Dahlgren
  • Safety feature for vehicles parked indoors
    Patent number: 6924728
    Abstract: The vehicle safety system which is for a vehicle equipped with a remote starter comprises a wireless transmitter located inside a closed space, adapted to emit a signal for disabling the remote starter. The system further comprises at least one wireless receiver located on board the vehicle, and being operatively connected to the remote starter. The wireless receiver, upon receipt of the signal, disables the remote starter, and thereby prevents remote starting of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: No-Start Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Wisnia, Robert Nelson
  • Dealing with annotation versioning through multiple versioning policies and management thereof
    Publication number: 20050160356
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for maintaining annotations for changing source documents are provided. For some embodiments, an annotation system may support multiple policies, with each policy dictating how (or if) an annotation created for a version of a source document should be applied to subsequent versions of the source document. For some embodiments, a user creating an annotation may select from a group of available policies to be applied to the annotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jordi Albornoz, Brian Cragun, Lee Feigenbaum, Kyle Henderson, Robert Nelson, Cale Rath
  • Integrated generator and transformer and associated methods
    Publication number: 20050127674
    Abstract: An electrical power generating apparatus (20) may include a housing (22), an electrical generator (24) within the housing, and a step-up transformer (30) within the housing and connected to the electrical generator. A turbine (26) may be provided exterior the housing (22) to drive the electrical generator (24). A barrier wall (38) may be provided within the housing and (22) between the electrical generator (24) and the step-up transformer (30), and a fire extinguishing system (40) may be installed within the housing (22). The step-up transformer (30) may be connected to the electrical generator (24) without use of an isolated phase bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Nelson, Stephen Cates
  • Markers used in the calculation and display of band functions
    Publication number: 20050104906
    Abstract: A user interface for an electronic instrument includes a display that displays a signal and a band marker. The band marker demarks a bandwidth of the signal by marking both a start frequency of the bandwidth and a stop frequency of the bandwidth. The electronic instrument performs a function on the bandwidth of the signal between the start frequency and the stop frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventors: Corydon Boyan, Michael Ferrel, Robert Nelson, Joseph Gorin
  • Method and apparatus for detecting a radio wave jammer
    Publication number: 20050090952
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for detecting a jamming signal. The signal is detected by analyzing a spectrum of PCS, wireless network and pager wavebands (or, in other words, any wireless network) and by looking for unusual patterns. If unusual patterns are found, it is considered that a jammer is present. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system can be aboard a recovery vehicle, or be an integral part of an on-board unit on a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Applicant: Boomerang Tracking Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Boulay, Robert Nelson
  • Method and apparatus for providing broadband wireless access services using the low voltage power line
    Publication number: 20050076149
    Abstract: A single subscriber station of a wireless metropolitan area network is shared among multiple households through a local AC power line that serves the households. The WMAN is connected to a power line network through a dual medium bridge modem located, for example, in the general proximity of a power transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventors: Russell McKown, Salvador Lopez, Robert Nelson
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS DETECTING SHORTED TURNS IN AN ELECTRIC GENERATOR
    Publication number: 20050068058
    Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide improved online detection of one or more shorts in rotor turns (18) of a field winding (22) of an electric generator. An initial reference inductance LREF is determined by an impedance-measuring circuit (50). A subsequent inductance L is determined by the impedance measuring circuit (50). A data processing system (54) compares LREF to L to determine whether they differ by a predetermined amount. If LREF and L differ by the predetermined amount, an alarm is provided to operators to indicate the presence of one or more shorted rotor turns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Nelson, Aleksandar Prole, Stephen Cates, Abraham Nieves
  • Advertising system
    Publication number: 20050060227
    Abstract: An advertising system in which an advertising entity provides advertising space to a party for the advertisement of a subject matter and charges an advertising cost for the advertising space. The advertising cost to the party incrementally decreases while simultaneously incrementally increasing the amount of advertising space being provided as the party offers a discount to the asking price of the subject matter. The greater the discount off the asking price offered by the party, the greater amount of advertising space provided at a more reduced advertising cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Nelson
  • Language for performing high level actions using hardware registers
    Publication number: 20050060525
    Abstract: A system and method that utilizes a common hardware register pseudo-language are disclosed. The present invention employs a common platform to specify hardware functionality and to execute hardware action(s). Hardware actions can be effectuated by performing a series of instructions, which comprise hardware register primitives and resources utilized by the primitives. The hardware register primitives are operations defined according to the common hardware register pseudo-language. The series of instructions can be loaded prior to boot or during initialization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: James Schwartz, Stephane Plante, Robert Nelson
  • Multitask medical treatment respiratory apparatus
    Publication number: 20050028811
    Abstract: The multitask medical treatment respiratory apparatus may have a mask defining a chamber wherein the mask may have a first port, a second port and a venting valve. A reservoir bag having a first opening may be in communication with the first port or there may be a venturi device may be in communication with a second opening of the reservoir bag. One or more gas sources may be in communication with the venturi device. A medicant device may be mounted in the second port wherein the medicant device having a mouthpiece that may be inserted and retracted relative to the mask chamber and a patients mouth. The medicant device having a medicant chamber formed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Nelson, Gary Dalhquist, John Garcia