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).

  • Publication number: 20050011812
    Abstract: An improved dried lavender processing apparatus and method comprises a multi-module system comprising a first de-stemmer unit that receives the dried lavender in bundles, separates the buds (corollas/calyxes) from the stems and leaves, collects the stems and leaves as waste, and provides the buds to a second separator/classifier unit. The second, separator/classifier unit employs air or vacuum transport to convey, separate and classify the final bud product from the minor stem, leaves and minor debris and to exhaust and remove the hazardous dust and organic particulates. The system may include a third unit comprising a dust collector system. The final product flower buds are collected in an output hopper in clean condition for immediate bagging as a potpourri or sachet product, or may be further processed for the essential oils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Nelson
  • Patent number: 6842834
    Abstract: A method for assuring consistency between a primary volume and a remote secondary volume wherein a host CPU manages track-to-track transfers using loosely-coupled, storage control unit mediated, data paths. The method includes initial volume synchronization in which concurrent updates to primary tracks are serialized by the copy progression at the secondary volume according to address. The method further includes volume resynchronization in the event of extrinsic error, fault, or the like in which the status of primary tracks updated during a volume suspension interval utilize bit maps to determine status of tracks unmodified during the suspension interval, and updated tracks and timestamps in addition to addresses. The bit maps and timestamps preserve the most recent version copy order of the tracks on the secondary volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Nelson Crockett, William Frank Micka, Robert Wesley Shomler, Warren Keith Stanley
  • Publication number: 20040243892
    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: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Edward McBride, Alan George McClure, Robert Nelson Crockett, Donald Reynold Blea
  • Patent number: 6810599
    Abstract: A method and a gauge for measuring the sharpness of the tip of an object is provided. The method includes receiving the tip of the measured object in the end of a tube. The object deflects a plunger inside the tube a finite distance proportional to the sharpness of the object inserted in the tube. A measurement of sharpness of the tip of the object is derived by measuring the deflection distance of the plunger. The measuring method may be used to measure the sharpness of a number of objects in sequence by displaying the sharpness of the object, such as where the objects being measured are pins arranged in a matrix pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin L. Obrachta, Robert Nelson, Richard J. Meusborn
  • Patent number: 6792416
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for managing results of federated searches across heterogeneous datastores with a federated result set cursor object. One or more commands are executed in a computer to perform a datastore operation at a computer. Data is located in one or more datastores. A cursor is set to the located data in each datastore. A set of cursors to the located data is returned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Basuki N. Soetarman, Robert Nelson Summers
  • Patent number: 6772303
    Abstract: Backup storage is resynchronized to primary storage, ensuring that any new updates received during resynchronization are applied in the proper order relative to resynchronization data. Under normal operations, a data mover mirrors data stored in primary storage to backup storage. If an error condition arises, preventing mirroring, the data mover stores newly received data in primary storage without mirroring the data to backup storage. The data mover also identifies this data in an update map. When the error condition ends, the data mover performs a static resynchronization process, serving to update the backup storage with the un-mirrored data, identified in the update map. When new data is received during static resynchronization, a dynamic resynchronization process is invoked to accurately process the updates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Nelson Crockett, Ronald Maynard Kern, Gregory Edward McBride
  • Patent number: 6770305
    Abstract: A gel rehydration electrolyte composition provides a convenient and effective way of replenishing lost fluid and electrolytes. The gel rehydration electrolyte composition masks unpleasant tastes of electrolyte and is readily consumed by young children and elderly who cannot tolerate the liquid or frozen forms of electrolytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: PTS Labs LLC
    Inventors: Robert Nelson, Mark Glowacki
  • Publication number: 20040135435
    Abstract: A system for preventing the unauthorized by-pass of an OEM security system is disclosed. The system includes an OEM starter for starting a vehicle; an OEM security system in communication with said starter; a by-pass kit for by-passing said OEM security system and enabling remote car starting of the vehicle without placing the key in the ignition; a remote car starter device in communication with the by-pass kit for sending a signal to the by-pass kit to start the engine; and a remote car starter transmitter in wireless communication with the remote car starter device. The signal that is sent to said by-pass kit is data, so that the by-pass kit is adapted to by-pass the OEM security system only upon receipt of the data signal. The improvement can be brought to both transponder-based bypass kits and microprocessor-based bypass kits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Automobility Distribution Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040130440
    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: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Boomerang Tracking Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Eric Boulay, Robert Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040069413
    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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: W. Robert Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040000065
    Abstract: A method and a gauge for measuring the sharpness of the tip of an object is provided. The method includes receiving the tip of the measured object in the end of a tube. The object deflects a plunger inside the tube a finite distance proportional to the sharpness of the object inserted in the tube. A measurement of sharpness of the tip of the object is derived by measuring the deflection distance of the plunger. The measuring method may be used to measure the sharpness of a number of objects in sequence by displaying the sharpness of the object, such as where the objects being measured are pins arranged in a matrix pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Kevin L. Obrachta, Robert Nelson, Richard J. Meusborn
  • Publication number: 20030222813
    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: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: Boomerang Tracking Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Eric Boulay, Robert Nelson
  • Publication number: 20030203048
    Abstract: A gel rehydration electrolyte composition provides a convenient and effective way of replenishing lost fluid and electrolytes. The gel rehydration electrolyte composition masks unpleasant tastes of electrolyte and is readily consumed by young children and elderly who cannot tolerate the liquid or frozen forms of electrolytes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Nelson, Mark Glowacki
  • Publication number: 20030177322
    Abstract: A method for assuring consistency between a primary volume and a remote secondary volume wherein a host CPU manages track-to-track transfers using loosely-coupled, storage control unit mediated, data paths. The method includes initial volume synchronization in which concurrent updates to primary tracks are serialized by the copy progression at the secondary volume according to address. The method further includes volume resynchronization in the event of extrinsic error, fault, or the like in which the status of primary tracks updated during a volume suspension interval utilize bit maps to determine status of tracks unmodified during the suspension interval, and updated tracks and timestamps in addition to addresses. The bit maps and timestamps preserve the most recent version copy order of the tracks on the secondary volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Nelson Crockett, William Frank Micka, Robert Wesley Shomler, Warren Keith Stanley
  • Patent number: 6587933
    Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and program for releasing storage space in a first and second storage devices. Updates to the first storage device are copied to the second storage device to provide secondary storage for the updates. A first and second tables map data sets to addresses in the first and second storage devices, respectively. A first command is detected to invalidate data sets in the first table. The addresses in the first table comprise virtual addresses, and a third table provides a mapping of the virtual addresses to physical storage locations in the first storage device. A second command is generated to update the second table to invalidate the data sets in the second storage device invalidated in the first table by the first command. A third command is detected to invalidate the virtual addresses in the third table used by the data sets invalidated in the first table to free the physical storage locations in the first storage device pointed to by the invalidated virtual addresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Nelson Crockett, William Frank Micka, David Michael Shackelford
  • Patent number: 6578120
    Abstract: A method for assuring consistency between a primary volume and a remote secondary volume wherein a host CPU manages track-to-track transfers using loosely-coupled, storage control unit mediated data paths. The method includes initial volume synchronization in which concurrent updates to primary tracks are serialized by the copy progression at the secondary volume according to address. The method further includes volume resynchronization in the event of extrinsic error, fault, or the like in which bit maps and timestamps are used to determine the status of primary tracks either lost while in flight to the secondary volume or updated during a volume suspension interval. The bit maps and timestamps preserve the most recent version copy order of the tracks on the secondary volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Nelson Crockett, William Frank Micka, Robert Wesley Shomler, Warren Keith Stanley
  • Patent number: 6572898
    Abstract: A gel rehydration electrolyte composition provides a convenient and effective way of replenishing lost fluid and electrolytes. The gel rehydration electrolyte composition masks unpleasant tastes of electrolyte and is readily consumed by young children and elderly who cannot tolerate the liquid or frozen forms of electrolytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: PTS Labs LLC
    Inventors: Robert Nelson, Mark Glowacki
  • Patent number: 6571111
    Abstract: In a compunctions network of low power devices, power consumption of the devices is reduced by periodically receiving a timing signal in each device from a transmitter external to the network. A real-time clock in each of the devices is synchronized to the periodically received timing signal to determine a synchronized timing interval. Transmitting and receiving of data between the devices is initiated during an awake period of the synchronized timing interval. Power consumption is reduced in each of the devices during a sleep period of the synchronized timing interval, the sleep period being significantly longer than the awake period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Nelson Mayo, William Riis Hamburgen
  • Publication number: 20030088992
    Abstract: A guide for marking or cutting at an oblique angle corrugated sheet material for buildings, decks or the like comprises a base that is mounted on the surface of corrugated sheet material by means of clamping members that grip the corrugations on the face or surface of the sheet material. A protractor rotatably mounted on the base include a straight edge that provides a guideline for a marking tool or cutting tool. The straight edge can includes a number of interconnectectable or hinged extension sections that can be used to provide a longer straight edge for marking a guide path over a considerable width of sheet material. The present invention is a lightweight, relatively inexpensive and relatively compact tool that can readily be used on the job site for making accurate, oblique cut lines in large siding panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Nelson, August Katsma
  • Patent number: 6564053
    Abstract: Satellite audio broadcasting systems include orbital constellations for providing high elevation angle coverage of audio broadcast signals from the constellation's satellites to fixed and mobile receivers within service areas located at geographical latitudes well removed from the equator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Briskman, Robert A. Nelson