Patents by Inventor Robert To

Robert To 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).

  • Patent number: 6735146
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a memory array includes a plurality of memory cells, the memory cells each comprising one or more gates, and a word line for controlling the gates of the plurality of memory cells. A driver is coupled to the word line at a first location. The driver is operable to drive the gates of the memory cells. A load device is coupled to the word line at a second location remote from the first location. The load device is operable to pull a set of gates electrically isolated from the driver to a substantially non-floating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert L. Pitts, David Toops
  • Patent number: 6734201
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compound represented by the general formula I; wherein A, Ar, X, Z, n, x, y, R and R3 are as defined in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Old, Thang D. Dinh, Robert M. Burk
  • Patent number: 6733766
    Abstract: A substantially dry composition, especially for personal care products is provided which includes a colorant activatable in water to release a visual color, and an oil-soluble carrier. The colorant is insoluble in the carrier and the visual color is not imparted to the composition in its substantially dry state. Addition of water to the composition activates a color change which renders the visual color perceivable by a consumer. Color changes can be associated as a signal of performance by a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Edward Gott, Ewa Urszula Padlo, Craig Stephen Slavtcheff
  • Patent number: 6735704
    Abstract: A power management system and method for multiple redundant power supplies. The present invention provides management and control of N+M power supplies, where N represents the minimum number of power supplies required and where M is the number of redundant power supplies (M>1), where any one of the power supplies may be capable of supplying power to all the loads of the power subsystems. In the preferred embodiment each power subsystem includes a power supply and a controller coupled to a power bus. A communication bus is provided common to each power subsystem. During reset or power-on periods, the controllers are programmed to uniquely delay the start time of each power supply, thereby protecting against an overcurrent/overvoltage condition on the power bus during reset periods. A master controller is provided to monitor normal operating conditions of the power subsystems and communication bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Butka, Brian Gerard Goodman, Leonard George Jesionowski, Michael Philip McIntosh, Robin Daniel Roberts, Raymond Yardy
  • Patent number: 6735536
    Abstract: A battery management system used for monitoring battery pack characteristics for electric or hybrid vehicles. The battery management system includes a processing unit which is easily connected to a battery pack of a vehicle for testing the battery pack according to the test method of the present invention. The battery management system tests a battery pack and records, stores and analyzes test data. The battery management system may also transfer data to a computer unit. The computer unit can share data and analysis on a network or the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Rider
  • Patent number: 6732518
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake booster for use in a brake system having a housing with a power piston located in a first bore and a control valve located in a second bore. An input member is connected to the power piston and linked to the control valve by a lever arrangement. The input member is characterized by a cylindrical body with a shaft attached thereto. A bracket with a radial opening is carried by the shaft and urged toward a head on the shaft by a spring. The lever arrangement is characterized by a first lever with a first end pivotally secured in the housing by a first pin and a second end located in the radial opening of the bracket and a second lever pivotally secured at a fulcrum on the first lever by a second pin extending through the first and second levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Corporation
    Inventors: Robert K. Wilson, William J. Penninger, Timothy J. Albert
  • Patent number: 6733215
    Abstract: A cutting insert intended for heavy turning operations has a top side, a bottom side, a front surface disposed between the top and bottom sides, and a cutting edge disposed in the area between the top side and the front surface. The cutting insert includes a comparatively thick front part having a chip breaker positioned behind the edge and a rear part, which is thinner than the front part and tapers rearwardly therefrom. Disposed in the top side of the rear part is a recess for receiving a clamping unit to fix the cutting insert in a co-operating sear of a holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Sandvik Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Robert Isaksson
  • Patent number: 6733041
    Abstract: A height adjuster (100, 200, 400) for a seat belt system comprising a mounting bar (102, 202, 402), a carrier (120, 220,460, 460a) and a spring-loaded locking lever (170, 270,490). The mounting bar is preferably oval or rectangular in cross-section with at least one wall (side wall), which acts as an engagement or locking surface. The engagement surface can include a plurality of small teeth. The bar is adapted to be mounted to a support surface or structure. The carrier is slidably mounted on the bar and is movable to different positions. The carrier includes a main portion, which may be U-shaped in cross-section with a top, a bottom and a center wall. Each of the top and bottom walls includes a first opening through which the mounting bar extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Arnold, Richard A. Boelstler, Robert J. Desmarais, Markell Seitzman
  • Patent number: 6732804
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for a dynamic mudcap drilling and well control assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises of a tubular body disposable in a well casing forming an outer annulus there between and an inner annulus formable between the body and a drill string disposed therein. The apparatus further includes a sealing member to seal the inner annulus at a location above a lower end of the tubular body and a pressure control member disposable in the inner annulus at a location above the lower end of the tubular body. In another embodiment, the assembly uses two rotating control heads, one at the top of the wellhead assembly in a conventional manner and a specially designed downhole unit. Finally, the assembly provides a method for allowing the well to produce hydrocarbons while tripping the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: David Hosie, Ramkumar K Bansal, Robert L. Cuthbertson
  • Publication number: 20040084470
    Abstract: A dispenser is provided for dispensing stacked folded sheets. The dispenser includes a housing configured to hold the stack of sheets within an internal storage space. A cover member is pivotally attached to the housing and is movable between an open position wherein access is provided to the storage space, and a closed position wherein the cover defines a front panel of the dispenser. A dispensing opening is provided through which the folded sheets are dispensed when the cover is in its closed position. An overfill prevention device is configured within the housing. This device includes a stop member that is movably configured with a back wall of the housing and is movable between a restricting position when the cover is in its open position, and a relief position when the cover is closed. A latch mechanism is disposed in the housing in a position so as latch the stop member in its restricting position when the cover is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Antwain D. Taylor, Stephen L. Phelps, Debra N. Welchel, Victoria L. Bischoff, Robert C. Ziegenfuss
  • Publication number: 20040087242
    Abstract: A toy assembly that includes a remotely controlled vehicle is disclosed. In one embodiment, the toy assembly includes a remote control that can be used to control a toy vehicle. In one embodiment, the remote control includes a chip with pre-recorded content stored thereon. In one embodiment, the remote control can be coupled to an audio amplifier that can generate audible outputs. In another embodiment, the remote control can be used in a hand-held configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Hageman, Robert W. Jourdian
  • Publication number: 20040086159
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for sorting particles in a stream of a sample in a flow cytometer by producing from a stable sort having desirable sort characteristics multiple images of a portion of the stream; generating from the multiple images an averaged numerical reference standard representative of the stable sort; continuously collecting during the sorting multiple running images of the portion of the stream; generating from the multiple running images at least one numerical sample average representative of the sample sort of each collection of the multiple running images; and comparing each numerical sample average to the numerical reference standard and determining whether a sample average exhibits a deviation from the reference standard that requires an adjustment of the sort. The sort may then be adjusted to eliminate or reduce the deviation and maintain the stable sort of the reference histogram. A novel imaging apparatus may be employed in a flow cytometer performing this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Todd P. Lary, Christopher W. Snow, John S. Riley, Robert C. Burr
  • Publication number: 20040084088
    Abstract: A regulator for controlling the pressure of flowing fluid and also for selectively fully enabling or stopping the flow. The regulator valve includes a valve housing having an inlet passage and an outlet passage connected by a flow passage with a seat surrounding the flow passage. A valve member is movable toward and away from contact with the seat. A control housing is attached to the valve housing. An elongated rod connected at one end to the valve member has an opposite end extending into the control housing. A rod piston is connected to the opposite end of the elongated rod and is movable in the control housing in sealing engagement with the walls thereof. A compression spring is provided to bias the rod piston and the valve member in directions either toward or away from sealing engagement with the flow passage seat. An auxiliary piston is positioned in the control housing on the side of the rod piston away from the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Robert E. Callies
  • Publication number: 20040085361
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for building and displaying control and non-interactive, non-control information on a touch panel. The method can include constructing a page for display on the touch panel, configuring one or more graphical display units and one or more sub-pages for display on the page, and displaying the page, graphical display units and sub-pages, selectively, on the touch panel. The method further includes determining whether any of the graphical display units is activated by a touch message applied to a location on the touch panel. Respective graphical display units may be selectively provided with features from a group of features that includes bitmaps, icons, borders and text. Two graphical display units having respective active touch areas may be displayed on the touch panel so that their active touch areas are separated by no more than one pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph Kessler, Mark R. Lee, Robert Pittana
  • Publication number: 20040087932
    Abstract: A malleable cannula has a body with a proximal end and a distal end, the body having a wall defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. A reinforcement member extends along the lumen, the reinforcement member having an interior side facing the lumen and an exterior side facing away from the lumen. A malleable member extends along a portion of the exterior side of the reinforcement member. The malleable member may be constructed of a tube with a wire slidably received within the tube and may include an anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Lawrence, Frederick A. Shorey, Donald R. Sandmore
  • Publication number: 20040086039
    Abstract: An input module obtains a media signal to be communicated to a destination system, after which an identification module identifies a plurality of scenes within the media signal. A selection module automatically selects different codecs from a codec library to respectively compress at least two of the scenes. The codecs are automatically selected to produce a highest compression quality for the respective scenes according to a set of criteria without exceeding a target data rate. A compression module then compresses the scenes using the automatically selected codecs, after which an output module delivers the compressed scenes to the destination system with an indication of which codec was used to compress each scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Interact Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jodie L. Reynolds, Robert W. Ingraham, Lawrence S. Reznick, John E. Wilkinson, Jack A. Prock, Danny L. Mabey
  • Publication number: 20040085389
    Abstract: In one implementation, an aerosol collector for an inkjet printer includes a partial enclosure defining a central cavity. An air passage is defined within a wall forming the partial enclosure to allow air movement into an opening defined on an inside surface of the partial enclosure and out of an exhaust outlet. A fan is configured to remove a mixture of air and aerosol from the central cavity, through the air passage and through the exhaust outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Christian Smith, Lluis Valles, Antonio Monclus
  • Publication number: 20040085142
    Abstract: Circuitry for controlling the oscillation frequency of an oscillator by using a digitally tunable on-chip capacitor bank. The capacitor bank includes a plurality of on-chip capacitors, each of which is independently selectable by a control signal for providing a selectable amount of capacitance to the oscillator to control the oscillator's oscillation frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Intel Corporation, a Delaware Corporation
    Inventors: Chinnugounder Senthilkumar, Robert Fulton, Tea Lee
  • Publication number: 20040083816
    Abstract: A pressure measuring device includes a housing which retains a pressure responsive element interconnected to an indicating member that moves relative to a dial face when a change of pressure is detected. A peripheral bumper is mounted to the housing exterior, the bumper including an extending portion which creates a discontinuous path for shock or impact loads applied to the bumper relative to a continual movement mechanism. The housing can further include a discontinuous region imposed in an engagement portion of the housing, the engagement portion permitting the housing to be directly attached to an inflatable blood pressure sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Lia, Robert L. Vivenzio
  • Patent number: D489794
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Media Blast & Abrasives, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron D. Storer, Robert A. Robinson, Lance G. Nord, Stephen C. McGrady