Patents by Inventor Robert Shepard
Robert Shepard 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).
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Publication number: 20130024064Abstract: The present invention, when used to backed-up a trailer, indicates which direction and how much to steer to steer. The present invention is a method for rapidly determining the predicted direction where the vehicle and trailer become generally in-line. Servomechanisms can be incorporated to enable the vehicle to steer itself while the driver indicates the direction travel desired for the trailer, otherwise a pointer would indicate, for the current position of the vehicle's steering wheel, the predicted direction of the trailer. To back-up the trailer, the driver would turn the vehicle's wheel such that the pointer is kept pointing in the direction of the intended trailer destination. Furthermore, the present invention will indicated the projected directions of the left and right limits to control the direction of the trailer, particularly when maneuvering complex paths.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Inventor: Daniel Robert Shepard
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Publication number: 20130015636Abstract: The present invention is a foldable trailer that drops close to the ground and shortens in length when folded such that it can be parked below the vehicle that towed it. In this way, the trailer and vehicle can both be parked in the same, single space. During towing, the trailer is locked into its opened towing position and the weight of the device being towed helps to maintain the opened position. The trailer can be folded into its closed parking position while still hitched to the vehicle by which it was towed to facilitate moving it into its parking space before being unhitched. Once unhitched, the trailer will be parallel to and close to the ground such that the vehicle can then park above it. By sharing the same place, parking fees are reduced and preparation time (time spent in parking arrangements) is shortened.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Inventors: Daniel Robert Shepard, Britta Shepard
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Patent number: 8342458Abstract: The present invention relates to corded electric devices and more particularly to corded electric devices that move their location such as an electric lawn mower. The present invention is a device for handling the electric cord of a device such as an electric lawn mower or some other movable platform to which electric power is provided (a lawn mower is a movable platform having a device for cutting grass such as spinning blades). The present invention manages the position of a cord as the platform on which it is mounted is moved.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Inventors: Daniel Robert Shepard, Britta Shepard
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Publication number: 20120096331Abstract: The present invention is a method for accessing more than one block of correctable information at a time when it is most efficient to access more bits of information at a time on a given dimension, for example from a multiple bit per cell (MLC) memory element, than the error correction algorithm can correct. Since it may be more efficient to access more bits of information at a time on a given dimension than the error correction algorithm can correct, that access is performed in this most efficient way, but the information is divided into correctable blocks within this information such that the error correction algorithm can still compensate for a serious fault along a given dimension. Furthermore, the present invention can be employed even when the number of bits retrieved along a given dimension is less than the number of correctable bits when it is desired to protect against a given number of faults which could, in total, exceed the number of correctable bits.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Inventor: Daniel Robert Shepard
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Publication number: 20120051140Abstract: A random access memory device is disclosed having an interface that is compatible with a NAND FLASH memory device such that the device can be operated with a standard NAND memory device's controller device. This memory device is can store data internally using any random access storage technology including PRAM, MRAM, RRAM, FRAM, OTP-RAM and 3-D memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Inventors: Steven Jeffrey Grossman, Ward Parkinson, Daniel Robert Shepard, Thomas Michael Trent, Sam Ira Young
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Patent number: 8108735Abstract: Solid-state memory devices featuring pluralities of lines of data storage elements are configured for read and/or write access by alternately or simultaneously accessing different lines.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Robert Shepard
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Publication number: 20110309414Abstract: A memory-array is disclosed in which an array of non-linear conductors such as diodes is constructed having an area per memory cell of 4F2 and comprises a plurality of conductors fabricated as doped semiconductor conducting lines in the substrate such that, during normal operation, an unselected conductor has a zero bias to the substrate and a selected conductor has a reverse bias to the substrate for minimizing current leakageType: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2011Publication date: December 22, 2011Inventor: Daniel Robert Shepard
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Publication number: 20110176349Abstract: A high-density memory device is fabricated three-dimensionally in layers. To keep points of failure low, address decoding circuits are included within each layer so that, in addition to power and data lines, only the address signal lines need be interconnected between the layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2011Publication date: July 21, 2011Inventor: Daniel Robert Shepard
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Publication number: 20110107055Abstract: A memory-array decoder operably coupled to a memory array comprising a sequence of rows and receiving as input a plurality of address bits whereby these address bits are transformed by transforming logic. This transforming logic may include adders. Transforming logic may alternately include comparators or exclusive-or circuits. Transforming logic comprising adders may include overflow carry bits that are discarded, ignored, or otherwise not used or the overflow logic may be omitted altogether.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventor: Daniel Robert Shepard
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Publication number: 20110011988Abstract: The present invention relates to corded electric devices and more particularly to corded electric devices that move their location such as an electric lawn mower. The present invention is a device for handling the electric cord of a device such as an electric lawn mower or some other movable platform to which electric power is provided (a lawn mower is a movable platform having a device for cutting grass such as spinning blades). The present invention manages the position of a cord as the platform on which it is mounted is moved.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventors: Daniel Robert Shepard, Britta Shepard
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Patent number: 7715953Abstract: The present invention helps a driver steer a vehicle while backing up a trailer. A trailer being pushed wants to turn around and be pulled (i.e., to jackknife). To compensate for this instability, the driver must skillfully control his steering to cause the trailer to alternately move to be pulled from the opposite side thereby repeatedly crossing the centerline of the pushing vehicle. The moment when the trailer crosses this centerline is the moment of greatest instability and the position in which the driver would most desire to have the trailer travel. A pointer indicates in what direction the trailer is presently being directed; to backup the trailer, the driver turns the vehicle's wheel such that the pointer is kept pointing in the direction of the intended trailer destination. The present invention can be adapted to most vehicle and trailer combinations with minimal cost and complexity.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2004Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Glimpse Waters, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Robert Shepard
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Patent number: 7682981Abstract: The present invention is a method of applying a topographical surface to a part such as a substrate without the need for low temperature softening of that part while retaining high aspect ratios and densely packed features in that topography. A substrate, selected for its ability to be processed at a given desired temperature, has a layer of material applied to its surface. This layer is selected, among other reasons, for its ability to be molded. Typically, it is expected that the substrate will be able to withstand the higher temperatures of semiconductor post-processing whereas the applied layer will be moldable at low temperatures. This combination enables low cost embossing of a topography into this surface layer. The present invention comprises means to transfer this topography from the low temperature material into the higher temperature substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2006Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Robert Shepard
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Patent number: 7460384Abstract: A high density memory device is fabricated three dimensionally in layers. To keep points of failure low, address decoding circuits are included within each layer so that, in addition to power and data lines, only the address signal lines need be interconnected between the layers.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Robert Shepard
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Publication number: 20080291751Abstract: One of the simplest forms of data storage devices is the diode array storage device. However, a problem with diode array storage devices is that as the size of the array increases, the number of non-addressed diodes connected between a given selected row or column of the array and the non-addressed columns or rows of the array, respectively, also becomes very large. While the leakage current through any one non-addressed diode on the selected row or column will have little impact on the operation of the device, the cumulative leakage through multiple thousands of non-addressed diodes can become significant. This aggregate leakage current can become great enough that the output voltage can be shifted such that the threshold for distinguishing between a one state and a zero state of the addressed diode location can become obscured and can result in a misreading of the addressed diode location. The present invention is a means to manage the leakage currents in a diode array storage device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2008Publication date: November 27, 2008Inventor: Daniel Robert Shepard
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Patent number: 7376008Abstract: One of the simplest forms of data storage devices is the diode array storage device. However, a problem with diode array storage devices is that as the size of the array increases, the number of non-addressed diodes connected between a given selected row or column of the array and the non-addressed columns or rows of the array, respectively, also becomes very large. While the leakage current through any one non-addressed diode on the selected row or column will have little impact on the operation of the device, the cumulative leakage through multiple thousands of non-addressed diodes can become significant. This aggregate leakage current can become great enough that the output voltage can be shifted such that the threshold for distinguishing between a one state and a zero state of the addressed diode location can become obscured and can result in a misreading of the addressed diode location. The present invention is a means to manage the leakage currents in a diode array storage device.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2004Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Contour Seminconductor, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Robert Shepard
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Patent number: 7149934Abstract: As advances continue to be made in the area of semiconductor memory devices, high capacity and low cost will be increasingly important. In particular, it will be necessary to create memory devices for which the testing of the device must be minimized in order to minimize costs. Current memory manufacturing costs are significant and will grow as the capacity of the devices grows—the higher the memory's capacity, the more storage locations that must be tested, and the longer the testing operation will take. The cost of the testing can be calculated by dividing the amortized cost of the test equipment by the number of devices tested. As memory devices enter the Gigabyte range and larger, the number of devices that can be tested by a given piece of test equipment will go down. As a result, the cost per unit attributable to testing will rise.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2003Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Robert Shepard
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Patent number: 6956757Abstract: A high density memory device is fabricated three dimensionally in layers. To keep points of failure low, address decoding circuits are included within each layer so that, in addition to power and data lines, only the address signal lines need be interconnected between the layers.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2001Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Robert Shepard
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Patent number: 6935356Abstract: A meter coupled in close proximity to an underground storage tank fuel pipe that delivers fuel from the underground storage tank to fuel dispensers in a service station environment. The meter measures the total amount of fuel drawn from the underground storage tank. The meter may be placed in a submersible turbine pump or in the main conduit that carries fuel to the fuel dispensers. The meter measurement is compared to the meter measurements in the individual fuel dispensers that receive the fuel drawn from the underground storage tank to determine if a discrepancy exists. A discrepancy may be indicative of meter tampering, meter calibration issues, and/or a leak in the fuel pipeline between the underground storage tank and the fuel dispensers. A leak detection test may be automatically performed if such discrepancy exists and/or an alarm condition generated and communicated.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Robert Shepard, Timothy E. Dickson, David L. Kaehler, Ray J. Hutchinson
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Patent number: 6929018Abstract: A meter coupled in close proximity to an underground storage tank fuel pipe that delivers fuel from the underground storage tank to fuel dispensers in a service station environment. The meter measures the total amount of fuel drawn from the underground storage tank. The meter may be placed in a submersible turbine pump or in the main conduit that carries fuel to the fuel dispensers. The meter measurement is compared to the meter measurements in the individual fuel dispensers that receive the fuel drawn from the underground storage tank to determine if a discrepancy exists. A discrepancy may be indicative of meter tampering, meter calibration issues, and/or a leak in the fuel pipeline between the underground storage tank and the fuel dispensers. A leak detection test may be automatically performed if such discrepancy exists and/or an alarm condition generated and communicated.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2004Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Robert Shepard, Timothy E. Dickson, David L. Kaehler, Ray J. Hutchinson
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Publication number: 20040215374Abstract: The present invention, when used in conjunction with a trailer to be backed-up, will indicate to the driver which direction to steer his vehicle as well as when and how much to steer. Trailers have been around for many years, yet every summer and winter one can observe the owners of boats and snowmobiles, respectively, backing up those devices on trailers with great difficulty. The problem arises from the fact that a trailer being backed-up is an inherently unstable system. A trailer being pushed wants to turn around and be pulled (i.e., to jackknife) instead. To compensate for this instability, the driver must skillfully reverse the direction of his steering so as to cause the trailer to want to turn around and be pulled from the opposite side thereby repeatedly crossing the centerline of the pushing vehicle. The moment when the trailer crosses this centerline is the moment of greatest instability and the position in which the driver would most desire to have the trailer travel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2004Publication date: October 28, 2004Inventor: Daniel Robert Shepard