Patents by Inventor Stephen Marks
Stephen Marks 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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Patent number: 6112076Abstract: A mobile telephone system has a base transceiver station (BTS) that provides radio communication with a mobile handset (MS) and also communicates with a control station (BSC) through a communication link in the form of a leased line which provides a first communication path with a predetermined bandwidth for signals communicated between the BTS and the BSC. A communication network in the form of an ISDN is used to provide a selectively connectable second communication path between the BTS and the BSC so as to augment the bandwidth available for the signals during periods of peak demand. In order to accommodate different call connection times in the system through the leased line and the ISDN, the BSC/BTS are arranged to produce all connection signals that initiate billing at the same time irrespective of the path used to make the call connection.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1998Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: British Telecommunications public limited companyInventors: Ian Goetz, Stephen Mark Gannon, Peter Robert Munday
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Patent number: 6072538Abstract: Digital image enhancement apparatus for processing an input sampled image signal having an input sample rate to generate an output, enhanced, image signal at the input sample rate comprises one or more filters for filtering and sample rate up-converting the input image signal to generate a detail signal at an intermediate sample rate higher than the input sample rate and for generating an intermediate image signal, the intermediate image signal being a sample rate up-converted version of the input image signal; a detecting circuit for detecting whether a combination of the detail signal and the intermediate image signal goes beyond predefined limits on the signal level of the output image signal and, if so, for modifying the detail signal so that a combination of the detail signal and the intermediate image signal would not go beyond the predefined limits on the signal level of the output image signal; a sample rate down-converter for converting the detail signal to a down-converted detail signal at the inputType: GrantFiled: July 22, 1997Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony United Kingdom LimitedInventor: Stephen Mark Keating
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Patent number: 6007894Abstract: A quasi-isotropic composite structure includes a multi-sheet rib projecting generally perpendicular to a multi-sheet body with at least one of the body face sheets being bent and attached in a parallel manner to the rib sheet or sheets. The sheet or sheets that are part of both the body and rib are unsevered and integrally contiguous.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1997Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: McDonnell Dougal CorporationInventors: Donald Charles Barnes, Stephen Mark Kusek, Dennis Anthony Lascola
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Patent number: 6002514Abstract: The integrated light absorber comprises a light chamber integrated in an optical chip, the chamber having upper and lower walls lying substantially parallel to the chip and peripheral walls extending there between and a light input port in a peripheral wall for receiving light to be absorbed, e.g. from a rib waveguide. At least one of the walls have light absorbing properties and the chamber is shaped so that the majority of light which enters the chamber through the light input port undergoes multiple reflections and so is absorbed by the walls of the chamber. Circular and star-shaped chambers are described.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1998Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Assignee: Bookham Technology Ltd.Inventors: Colin Paul Barrett, Stephen Mark Baxter
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Patent number: 5991295Abstract: A switch fabric is provided which comprises a shared memory, a number of switch fabric ports, and a switch fabric data controller. The switch fabric data controller routes blocks of data received at one switch fabric port to one or more other switch fabric ports and writes and reads data to and from, respectively, the shared memory. The switch fabric data controller preferentially routes a block of data from the one switch fabric port to the one or more other switch fabric ports without writing the block of data into the shared memory if the one or more other desired switch fabric ports are free or become free within a predetermined period, and otherwise writes the block of data into the shared memory for temporary storage if the one or more other switch fabric ports are busy. In this manner, the switch fabric facilitates "cut-through" of blocks of data across a switch without the need to write the blocks of data to a shared memory, thereby reducing latency.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1996Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Madge Networks LimitedInventors: Arthur James Viggo Tout, Stephen Mark Johnson
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Patent number: 5964967Abstract: A treatment process for a composite comprising a matrix of a precipitation hardenable aluminum alloy and a particulate or short fiber ceramic reinforcement. The process includes hot and/or cold working the composite, subjecting the composite to a controlled heating step in which the composite is raised from ambient temperature to a temperature of from 250 to 450.degree. C. at a rate of temperature increase less than 1000.degree. C. per hour, and subjecting the resulting heat treated composite to a solution treating step.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1994Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignees: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Defence Research AgencyInventors: Timothy Frederick Bryant, Simon Brian Dodd, Stephen Mark Flitcroft, William Sinclair Miller, Roger Moreton, Christopher John Peel
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Patent number: 5952950Abstract: This invention relates to a microcomputer used to bias an analog signal conversion circuit. The microcomputer is programmed to select between one of two possible signal processing configurations. This is done rather than populating or depopulating components on the module, thus changing the hardware configuration.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Mark Peter Friedrich, Stephen Mark Jackson
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Patent number: 5928340Abstract: This invention relates to a microcomputer used to bias an analog signal conversion circuit. The microcomputer is programmed to select between one of two possible signal processing configurations. This is done rather than populating or depopulating components on the module, thus changing the hardware configuration.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Mark Peter Friedrich, Stephen Mark Jackson
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Patent number: 5888376Abstract: A process for converting a Fischer-Tropsch light oil stream to jet fuel by reacting said stream with a hydroisomerization catalyst in a reaction zone where the stream flows countercurrent to upflowing hydrogen-containing treat gas.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1997Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.Inventors: Robert J. Wittenbrink, Stephen Mark Davis, Larry L. Iaccino
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Patent number: 5882505Abstract: A process for converting Fischer-Tropsch wax streams to lubricants by reacting said stream with a dewaxing catalyst in a reaction zone where the stream flows countercurrent to upflowing hydrogen-containing treat gas.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1997Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Robert J. Wittenbrink, Stephen Mark Davis, Larry L. Iaccino
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Patent number: 5867225Abstract: Signal processing apparatus comprises a control read only memory storing:(i) two or more sets of signal processing parameter data to control signal processing operations of the apparatus; and(ii) configuration data specifying one of the sets of signal processing parameter data stored in the control read only memory;a control read/write memory capable of storing:(i) at least one set of signal processing parameter data; and(ii) configuration data capable of specifying a set of signal processing parameter data stored in the control read only memory or a set of signal processing parameter data stored in the control read/write memory;and control logic, responsive to an input selection signal specifying whether the configuration data in the control read only memory or the configuration data in the read/write memory should be selected for use, for controlling the signal processing apparatus to perform signal processing operations in accordance with the signal processing parameter data specified by the selected confiType: GrantFiled: October 28, 1996Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony United Kingdom LimitedInventors: Stephen Mark Keating, Andrew Campbell, Alan Turner
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Patent number: 5828415Abstract: Video down-conversion apparatus in which an input, higher definition video signal is converted to an output, lower definition video signal having a smaller number of active lines and/or a smaller number of active pixels per line than the input video signal, comprises: an interpolator for receiving pixels of the input video signal at an input pixel rate and interpolating output data values at the input pixel rate, the output data values comprising active output pixel values interspersed with dummy pixel values; control logic for generating an active enable signal associated with the output data values generated by the interpolator, the active enable signal having a first state when an active output pixel value is generated and a second state when a dummy pixel value is generated; a signal processing device connected to receive the output data values generated by the interpolator, the signal processing device comprising an input latch operable to latch an output data value from the interpolator only when the acType: GrantFiled: October 28, 1996Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony United Kingdom LimitedInventors: Stephen Mark Keating, Andrew Campbell
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Patent number: 5822009Abstract: Video down-conversion apparatus in which lines of successive output video field are interpolated from lines of respective input video fields, the apparatus being selectively operable to interpolate each output field from an input field of either field polarity so that the successive output video fields can maintain a regular odd-even field polarity sequence even if there is a discontinuity in the field polarity sequence of the input video fields.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1996Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony United Kingdom LimitedInventors: Stephen Mark Keating, Andrew Campbell, James Edward Burns, Ahmad Sadjadian
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Patent number: 5782083Abstract: A hydrostatic drive comprises a motor and a gerotor pump having its annulus or its rotor axially split into two parts of unequal length, one of the two parts being angularly shiftable relative to the other to enable the drive to be shifted between forward, reverse, and neutral conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1996Date of Patent: July 21, 1998Assignee: Concentric Pumps LimitedInventor: Stephen Mark Hodge
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Patent number: 5764765Abstract: In a communication system using quantum cryptography for the distribution of a key, two stations each independently modulate a single-photon signal. The single-photon signal is transmitted to the two stations from an external source, and passes through the stations in series. The signal subsequently passes onto a third station which detects the state of the signal, and compares it with the state of the signal as originally transmitted. This third station communicates the results of the comparison to the two stations, and the two stations establish a shared secret key for the subsequent encryption of traffic between the stations. Both the source of the single-photon signal and the single-photon detector may be combined in a transmitter station (Alice).Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1996Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: British Telecommunications public limited companyInventors: Simon James Phoenix, Stephen Mark Barnett
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Patent number: 5760776Abstract: A method of manipulating one of a plurality of branches of a menu structure within a window of a menu editor in a graphical user interface is described. A handle associated with a first branch of the plurality of branches is provided. The first branch is associated with a first menu item of the menu structure. The handle is selected. The first branch is moved in response to a cursor control device to associate the first branch with a second menu item of the menu structure. The first branch is disassociated with the first menu item. The first branch is associated with the second menu item of the menu structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1995Date of Patent: June 2, 1998Assignee: Oracle CorporationInventors: Scott H. McGurrin, Steven P. Muench, Stephen Mark Andrew Clark
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Patent number: 5683797Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing inorganic membranes which are capable of separating oxygen from oxygen-containing gaseous mixtures. The membranes comprise a porous composite of a thin layer of a multicomponent metallic oxide which has been deposited onto a porous support wherein the pores of the multicomponent metallic oxide layer are subsequently filled or plugged with a metallic-based species. The inorganic membranes are formed by depositing a porous multicomponent metallic oxide layer onto the porous support to form a porous composite having a network of pores capable of transporting gases. The network of pores are plugged or filled by organometallic vapor infiltration to form an inorganic membrane having essentially no through porosity.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1996Date of Patent: November 4, 1997Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Michael Francis Carolan, Paul Nigel Dyer, Stephen Mark Fine, Alexander Makitka, III, Robin Edward Richards, Leslie Errol Schaffer
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Patent number: 5660714Abstract: Nickel-copper catalysts supported on an acidic carrier, preferably containing a binder, are used to hydroisomerize paraffins, particularly Fischer-Tropsch paraffins, boiling at 350.degree. F.+ into lighter, more valuable products.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1996Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Robert Jay Wittenbrink, Stephen Mark Davis, Kenneth Lloyd Riley
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Patent number: 4566461Abstract: A heart rate monitor device suitable for use in monitoring aerobic exercise training, automatically calculates a fitness parameter for a subject by monitoring the subject's heart rate and pacing the subject through a submaximal exercise stress test protocol. A microprocessor in the device is fed data peculiar to the individual subject, and then generates pacing signals to produce audible tones or beeps. The stride frequency, or rate of the tones varies at intervals so that the subject can exercise by running at progressively faster speeds. At the point of exhaustion, or maximum heart rate, the subject's maximal oxygen uptake capacity is calculated, based on the elapsed time, and is displayed as a fitness parameter. The subject's exercise level is automatically monitored based on his or her exercise heart rate, maximum heart rate, and rest heart rate.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1983Date of Patent: January 28, 1986Inventors: Michael Lubell, Stephen Marks
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Patent number: 3942080Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and method for applying a uniform electrostatic charge to an electrophotographic film through use of a corona discharge electrode positioned close to the film, a high voltage AC potential source connected to the electrode and having a potential greater than the corona threshold potential of the electrode, and a high voltage DC potential source connected to the electrode in series with the AC potential source for biasing the AC potential source, the DC potential source voltage being less than the difference between the voltages of the AC potential source and the corona threshold potential of the electrode. The film is subject to a series of first corona discharges of the desired polarity, of which each discharge is alternated with one of a series of second corona discharges having the opposite polarity and of lesser intensity than the first corona discharges.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1974Date of Patent: March 2, 1976Assignee: Scott Paper CompanyInventor: Stephen Mark Milewski