Patents by Inventor Robin Blanton

Robin Blanton 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: 20250088575
    Abstract: A protocol adapter for providing communication between a vehicle network and an external client in one or more of a plurality of protocols. The protocol adapter includes a plurality of pins connected to a pin array on a vehicle communications port, to allow the protocol adaptor to communication with a vehicle network. The protocol adapter includes both a plurality of CAN communication paths and an ethernet communication path providing DoIP communication through the vehicle communications port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Dearborn Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark P. Zachos, Robin BLANTON
  • Patent number: 9862390
    Abstract: A protocol adapter for transferring diagnostic signals between a vehicle network and a computer including a vehicle connector, a common connector plate, and a common electronics package. The vehicle connector is interfaced with the vehicle network. The common connector plate is interfaced with the vehicle connector. The common electronics package is interfaced with the common connector plate, and wirelessly transmits the diagnostic signals from the vehicle network to the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: DEARBORN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Robin Blanton, Roger Leon Van Elslander, David M. Such
  • Patent number: 8706033
    Abstract: An adapter for providing wireless communication between a transducer and a computer. The adapter of the present invention includes a processor and a first connector operable for connecting the adapter to the transducer. The connector is in electrical communication with the processor such that the processor receives at least one measured parameter from the transducer. The present invention also includes at least one radio transmitter in electrical communication with the processor, the processor operable to transfer the measured parameter to the at least one radio transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the measured parameter to the computer. The radio transmitter is able to broadcast in one or more wireless communication protocols. The adapter of the present invention is suitable for operation with any type of transducer that functions as a sensor/detector, an actuator, or the like, and is able to transfer the measured parameter detected by the transducer wirelessly to a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Dearborn Group Technology
    Inventors: Robin Blanton, Roger Leon Van Elslander, Anthony B. Vink, Mark P. Zachos
  • Patent number: 8554896
    Abstract: A protocol adapter for simultaneously communicating with one or more remote computers over any one of a plurality of protocols. The adapter includes a motherboard having an integrated CPU, a plurality of interface modules, a plurality of device drivers and a plurality of daughter-board module slots. The protocol adapter further includes at least one daughter-board interface module mounted in one of the plurality of daughter-board slots. The at least one daughter-board modules expands the number of protocols of the adapter beyond those protocols being run by the motherboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Dearborn Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Sodergren, Robin Blanton
  • Patent number: 8538269
    Abstract: The present invention is an adapter for providing wireless communication between a digital multimeter (DMM) and a computer. The adapter has a processor as well as a transmitter operable for transmitting signals to the (DMM) from the processor. The adapter also includes a receiver operable for receiving signals from the DMM, the processor is able to receive the signals from the receiver. The adapter of the present invention also includes at least one radio transmitter operable for providing wireless communication between the processor and the computer. The data measurements obtained through communication with the DMM via the receiver and transmitter are transferred wirelessly to the adapter. The data measurements obtained by the adapter are then transferred wirelessly from the adapter to the computer through the radio transmitter. The radio transmitter is operable to communicate wirelessly with the computer in one or more communication protocols, such as Zigbee and WiFi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Dearborn Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Blanton, Roger Leon Van Elslander, Anthony B. Vink, Mark P. Zachos
  • Patent number: 8489796
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless protocol adapter assembly for diagnostics, analysis, and monitoring. The wireless protocol adapter assembly provides a common connection interface between a sealed common electronics package and a plurality of vehicle connectors that access a plurality of vehicle networks respectively for translating and transferring signals between the plurality of in-vehicle networks and a host computer. The common connection interface allows the vehicle connector compatible with a particular vehicle type to be coupled to the common electronics package. The common electronics package can recognizes when it is connected to a vehicle network running a particular protocol and automatically switch to that protocol. A wireless protocol adapter board having a standard connection pinning arrangement allows wireless links to be changed or altered as wireless standards change and evolve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Dearborn Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Blanton, Roger Leon Van Elslander, David Such
  • Publication number: 20120198120
    Abstract: A protocol adapter for transferring diagnostic signals between a vehicle network and a computer including a vehicle connector, a common connector plate, and a common electronics package. The vehicle connector is interfaced with the vehicle network. The common connector plate is interfaced with the vehicle connector. The common electronics package is interfaced with the common connector plate, and wirelessly transmits the diagnostic signals from the vehicle network to the computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Dearborn Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Blanton, Roger Leon Van Elslander, David M. Such
  • Patent number: 8152557
    Abstract: The present invention is a positive locking mechanism for a universal serial bus (USB) connector which includes at least one mounting portion connected to the USB connector with the mounting portion having an aperture. The present invention also includes at least one flange in proximity to the mounting portion, with the flange having an aperture, as well as a fastener inserted through the aperture of the flange and the aperture of the mounting portion, where the fastener is used to connect the mounting portion to a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Dearborn Group Technology
    Inventors: Robin Blanton, Roger Leon Van Elslander
  • Publication number: 20120077435
    Abstract: An adapter for providing wireless communication between a transducer and a computer. The adapter of the present invention includes a processor and a first connector operable for connecting the adapter to the transducer. The connector is in electrical communication with the processor such that the processor receives at least one measured parameter from the transducer. The present invention also includes at least one radio transmitter in electrical communication with the processor, the processor operable to transfer the measured parameter to the at least one radio transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the measured parameter to the computer. The radio transmitter is able to broadcast in one or more wireless communication protocols. The adapter of the present invention is suitable for operation with any type of transducer that functions as a sensor/detector, an actuator, or the like, and is able to transfer the measured parameter detected by the transducer wirelessly to a computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Dearborn Group Technology
    Inventors: Robin Blanton, Roger Leon Van Elslander, Anthony B. Vink, Mark P. Zachos
  • Publication number: 20120045988
    Abstract: The present invention is an adapter for providing wireless communication between a digital multimeter (DMM) and a computer. The adapter has a processor as well as a transmitter operable for transmitting signals to the (DMM) from the processor. The adapter also includes a receiver operable for receiving signals from the DMM, the processor is able to receive the signals from the receiver. The adapter of the present invention also includes at least one radio transmitter operable for providing wireless communication between the processor and the computer. The data measurements obtained through communication with the DMM via the receiver and transmitter are transferred wirelessly to the adapter. The data measurements obtained by the adapter are then transferred wirelessly from the adapter to the computer through the radio transmitter. The radio transmitter is operable to communicate wirelessly with the computer in one or more communication protocols, such as Zigbee and WiFi.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Dearborn Group Technology
    Inventors: Robin Blanton, Roger Leon Van Elslander, Anthony B. Vink, Mark P. Zachos
  • Publication number: 20110035461
    Abstract: A protocol adapter for simultaneously communicating with one or more remote computers over any one of a plurality of protocols. The adapter includes a motherboard having an integrated CPU, a plurality of interface modules, a plurality of device drivers and a plurality of daughter-board module slots. The protocol adapter further includes at least one daughter-board interface module mounted in one of the plurality of daughter-board slots. The at least one daughter-board modules expands the number of protocols of the adapter beyond those protocols being run by the motherboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Dearborn Group Technology
    Inventors: Jason Sodergren, Robin Blanton
  • Publication number: 20100121986
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless protocol adapter assembly for diagnostics, analysis, and monitoring. The wireless protocol adapter assembly provides a common connection interface between a sealed common electronics package and a plurality of vehicle connectors that access a plurality of vehicle networks respectively for translating and transferring signals between the plurality of in-vehicle networks and a host computer. The common connection interface allows the vehicle connector compatible with a particular vehicle type to be coupled to the common electronics package. The common electronics package can recognizes when it is connected to a vehicle network running a particular protocol and automatically switch to that protocol. A wireless protocol adapter board having a standard connection pinning arrangement allows wireless links to be changed or altered as wireless standards change and evolve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Dearborn Group Technology
    Inventors: Robin Blanton, Roger Leon Van Elslander, David Such
  • Publication number: 20100015838
    Abstract: The present invention is a positive locking mechanism for a universal serial bus (USB) connector which includes at least one mounting portion connected to the USB connector with the mounting portion having an aperture. The present invention also includes at least one flange in proximity to the mounting portion, with the flange having an aperture, as well as a fastener inserted through the aperture of the flange and the aperture of the mounting portion, where the fastener is used to connect the mounting portion to a structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Dearborn Group Technology
    Inventors: Robin Blanton, Roger Leon Van Elslander
  • Publication number: 20070124528
    Abstract: A protocol adapter for transferring diagnostic signals between a vehicle network and a computer including a vehicle connector, a common connector plate, and a common electronics package. The vehicle connector is interfaced with the vehicle network. The common connector plate is interfaced with the vehicle connector. The common electronics package is interfaced with the common connector plate, and wirelessly transmits the diagnostic signals from the vehicle network to the computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: Dearborn Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Blanton, Roger Van Elslander, David Such