Patents by Inventor Roy D. Houston

Roy D. Houston 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: 7162357
    Abstract: A signal modifying device, user interface, and method of modifying a signal. The signal modifying device includes a processor, a first input coupled to the processor and an output coupled to the processor. Instructions are stored within the processor that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to provide a signal incident at the output that corresponds to a signal incident at the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Optimum Power Technology
    Inventors: Glen F. Chatfield, Roy D. Houston
  • Patent number: 7031823
    Abstract: A signal conditioning device, user interface, and method of conditioning a signal. The signal conditioning device includes a processor, a first input coupled to the processor and an output coupled to the processor. Instructions are stored within the processor that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to provide a signal incident at the output that corresponds to a signal incident at the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: OPTIMUM Power Technology L.P.
    Inventors: Glen F. Chatfield, Roy D. Houston
  • Publication number: 20040162664
    Abstract: A signal conditioning device, user interface, and method of conditioning a signal. The signal conditioning device includes a processor, a first input coupled to the processor and an output coupled to the processor. Instructions are stored within the processor that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to provide a signal incident at the output that corresponds to a signal incident at the input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Glen F. Chatfield, Roy D. Houston
  • Patent number: 6539299
    Abstract: A method and control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that allows an operator to calibrate engine performance relative to an engine operating characteristic. The control apparatus comprises a base engine control map that correlates values of the characteristic with values of a base engine control, a trim control map that correlates the values of the characteristic with values of a trim control, an engine control unit that obtains from the base engine control and trim control maps the respective base engine control and trim control values that are based on the characteristic value, and a panel that is operatively coupled with the engine control unit and includes a first switch regulating a trim signal supplied to the engine control unit. The trim control map is separated from the base control map. The engine control unit calculates an engine operating control value based on the obtained values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Optimum Power Technology
    Inventors: Glen F. Chatfield, Roy D. Houston, Philip D. McDowell
  • Patent number: 6512974
    Abstract: An engine management system for an internal combustion engine. The engine management system comprises an engine control system calculating an engine operating control value, a palm-size computer transportable relative to the engine control system, and an external computer communicating with the palm-size computer. The engine operating control value is adapted to be supplied to the internal combustion engine to vary engine performance. The palm-size computer has height, width, and thickness dimensions that are no larger than approximately 6 inches by approximately 4 inches by approximately 1 inch. The palm-size computer runs a set of engine management tools that communicate engine management data to the engine control system. The external computer downloads to the palm-size computer engine management tools and engine management files, and uploads from the palm-size computer engine management files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Optimum Power Technology
    Inventors: Roy D. Houston, Glen F. Chatfield
  • Patent number: 6483444
    Abstract: A multiport communications adapter which permits communication links with an electronic control unit from either a desktop/laptop personal computer or palmtop personal computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Optimum Power Technology
    Inventors: Russell E. Hoffman, William D. Toole, Jr., Roy D. Houston
  • Publication number: 20020116559
    Abstract: A multiport communications adapter which permits communication links with an electronic control unit from either a desktop/laptop personal computer or palmtop personal computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Russell E. Hoffman, William D. Toole, Roy D. Houston
  • Publication number: 20020052682
    Abstract: A method and control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that allows an operator to calibrate engine performance relative to an engine operating characteristic. The control apparatus comprises a base engine control map that correlates values of the characteristic with values of a base engine control, a trim control map that correlates the values of the characteristic with values of a trim control, an engine control unit that obtains from the base engine control and trim control maps the respective base engine control and trim control values that are based on the characteristic value, and a panel that is operatively coupled with the engine control unit and includes a first switch regulating a trim signal supplied to the engine control unit. The trim control map is separated from the base control map. The engine control unit calculates an engine operating control value based on the obtained values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Glen F. Chatfield, Roy D. Houston, Philip D. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20020010541
    Abstract: An engine management system for an internal combustion engine. The engine management system comprises an engine control system calculating an engine operating control value, a palm-size computer transportable relative to the engine control system, and an external computer communicating with the palm-size computer. The engine operating control value is adapted to be supplied to the internal combustion engine to vary engine performance. The palm-size computer has height, width, and thickness dimensions that are no larger than approximately 6 inches by approximately 4 inches by approximately 1 inch. The palm-size computer runs a set of engine management tools that communicate engine management data to the engine control system. The external computer downloads to the palm-size computer engine management tools and engine management files, and uploads from the palm-size computer engine management files.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Roy D. Houston, Glen F. Chatfield