Patents by Inventor Roger D. Thompson

Roger D. Thompson 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: 5396600
    Abstract: In a computer system, a dialog management system (DMS) provides a bridge between a business application, based on a linear processing model, and a human-computer interface (HCI) based on an event-driven processing model. The DMS comprises a set of inventories, which are used to gather and receive application parameters and HCI information asynchronously, to allow sets of data items to be assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: International Computers Limited
    Inventors: Roger D. Thompson, Ian Robertson, David F. McCabe
  • Patent number: 4814984
    Abstract: A computer network is described, consisting of a number of computers connected by a bus. Each computer in turn becomes master, and can send messages to the other computers. When it is finished its turn as master, it passes control on to the next computer by means of a relinquish message. Each computer, when it is not master, monitors the bus for messages destined for it. If it does not detect any messages within a predetermined time interval, it enters a contention mode in which it repeatedly sends a message until either (a) it receives a response to the message in which case it becomes master or (b) it receives another message, in which case it becomes a slave. Each computer sends the contention messages at a different repetition rate, chosen such that, whatever the initial phasing of the contention messages, one message from one computer will always get through within a predetermined number of transmission attempts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: International Computers Limited
    Inventor: Roger D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4706421
    Abstract: A gable rake strip is employed in tile roofs. The rake strip is disposed along the gable edges and comprises a base portion and an upstanding portion. The base portion includes a plurality of upstanding ridges disposed parallel to the gable edge. The gable edge tiles are supported upon the ridges. The inner terminal edge of the strip is coplanar with the main plane of the base portion to admit a lateral flow of water. The upper end of the upstanding portion is reversed-back to either hook over a rake trim board or to assume the appearance of such a board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Boral (USA) Inc.
    Inventor: Roger D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4418505
    Abstract: A starter strip is adapted for use on a tile roof of the type comprising a waterproof underlayment and possibly a plurality of battens disposed upon the waterproof underlayment and extending parallel to the eave course of the roof. A covering of tiles is disposed upon the battens such that head ends of the tiles rest upon the battens and nose ends of the tiles rest upon the head ends of the next lower tiles. The starter strip extends along the eave course to support the nose ends of the eave course tiles. The starter strip comprises a base portion, a cover portion extending downwardly from a front edge of the base portion to overlie an exposed portion of the roof, and a riser portion extending upwardly from the front edge of the base portion. The nose ends of the eave course tiles rests upon the bentback upper edge of the riser portion. A lower edge of the waterproof underlayment extends over the base portion to cover the anchoring nails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Boral (USA) Inc.
    Inventor: Roger D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4263612
    Abstract: A comb filter apparatus is provided with means for equalizing the delayed and undelayed signal levels at the inputs to the adding or subtracting matrix, whereby maximum cancellation and reinforcement of the undesired and desired signals is effected. An input signal is coupled to an additive or subtractive matrix by way of an undelayed signal path and a delayed signal path. The delayed and undelayed signals at the inputs to the matrix are each coupled to a detector by way of a bandpass filter, which pass frequencies at which the combing of the signal is most critical. The detectors detect the levels of the input signals and apply the detected levels as two inputs to a difference circuit. The two signal levels are compared in the difference circuit to develop a gain control signal. The gain control signal is utilized to control the gain of a gain controllable stage which is coupled in series with one of the signal paths thereby equalizing the levels of the input signals to the combining matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Walter G. Gibson, Roger D. Thompson