Patents by Inventor Thomas C. O'Rourke

Thomas C. O'Rourke 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: 20170141419
    Abstract: A fire suppression system for producing oxygen-depleted air includes a fuel cell stack formed from a plurality of fuel cells for providing power to an associated load, and a controller coupled to the plurality of fuel cells, wherein the controller is configured to regulate current output from the plurality of fuel cells to maintain a prescribed percentage level of oxygen depleted air in an exhaust stream of the plurality of fuel cells. Further, a method for maintaining an updated polarization curve for a fuel cell includes commanding step-and-hold air flow commands and associated electrical current limit commands to the fuel cell system. Upon the fuel cell reaching each successive step-and-hold steady state condition, electrical current and voltage pairs are stored and plotted to form the real-time polarization curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Peter E. Wu, Michel Loignon, Brian S. Burgess, Daniel C. Massie, Thomas C. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8555194
    Abstract: A method for creating and accessing a graphical user interface in the overscan area outside the area of the display normally utilized by the common operating systems. This normal display area is generally known as the “desktop”. The desktop serves as a graphical user interface to the operating system. The desktop displays images representing files, documents and applications available to the user. The desktop is restricted in the common environments to a predetermined set of resolutions (e.g., 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768) as defined by VGA and SVGA standards. Displayable borders outside this area are the overscan area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventors: D. David Nason, Thomas C. O'Rourke, J. Scott Campbell
  • Publication number: 20100207971
    Abstract: A method for creating and accessing a graphical user interface in the overscan area outside the area of the display normally utilized by the common operating systems. This normal display area is generally known as the “desktop”. The desktop serves as a graphical user interface to the operating system. The desktop displays images representing files, documents and applications available to the user. The desktop is restricted in the common environments to a predetermined set of resolutions (e.g., 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768) as defined by VGA and SVGA standards. Displayable borders outside this area are the overscan area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: xSides Corporation
    Inventors: David D. Nason, Thomas C. O'Rourke, Scott J. Campbell
  • Patent number: 7340682
    Abstract: An alternate display content controller provides a technique for controlling a video display separately from and in addition to the content displayed on the operating system display surface. Where the display is a computer monitor, the alternate display content controller interacts with the computer utility operating system and hardware drivers to control allocation of display space and create and control one or more parallel graphical user interfaces adjacent the operating system desktop. An alternate display content controller may be incorporated in either hardware or software. As software, an alternate display content controller may be an application running on the computer operating system, or may include an operating system kernel of varying complexity ranging from dependent on the utility operating system for hardware system services to a parallel system independent of the utility operating system and capable of supporting dedicated applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: xSides Corporation
    Inventors: D. David Nason, J. Scott Campbell, Phillip Brooks, Carson Kaan, Thomas C. O'Rourke, James Warnock, John Easton
  • Patent number: 6966036
    Abstract: A method for creating and accessing a graphical user interface in the overscan area outside the area of the display normally visible to users of the common operating systems. This normal display area is generally known as the “desktop”. The desktop serves as the graphical user interface to the operating system. The desktop displays images representing documents and applications available to the user (icons). The desktop is restricted in the common environments to a predetermined set of resolutions (e.g., 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768) as defined by VGA and SuperVGA standards. Displayable borders outside this area are the overscan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: xSides Corporation
    Inventors: D. David Nason, Thomas C. O'Rourke, J. Scott Campbell
  • Patent number: 6901464
    Abstract: The invention provides a plug-and-work sensor interface device named “puck” for fast and easy deployment of various types of serial devices, which include commercial off-the-shelf and custom-made sensors and instruments, in a distributed, dynamic oceanic observing network. In an embodiment, each puck is removably attached and electrically coupled to a specific sensor to be deployed. The puck comprises a non-volatile memory for associating and storing arbitrary binary information about the sensor and a microprocessor for controlling how the information is read from and written into the non-volatile memory. The sensor information may include unique sensor identifier, sensor metadata, sensor device driver, etc. The puck itself does not execute any of the device code; rather, a host retrieves the sensor information from the puck when the puck is plugged in. The retrieval can be done automatically or semi-automatically with user interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
    Inventors: Michael Risi, Thomas C. O'Reilly, Duane Edgington
  • Patent number: 6828991
    Abstract: A method for creating and accessing a graphical user interface in the overscan area outside the area of the display normally utilized by the common operating systems. This normal display area is generally known as the “desktop”. The desktop serves as a graphical user interface to the operating system. The desktop displays images representing files, documents and applications available to the user. The desktop is restricted in the common environments to a predetermined set of resolutions (e.g., 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768) as defined by VGA and SVGA standards. Displayable borders outside this area are the overscan area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: xSides Corporation
    Inventors: David D Nason, Thomas C O'Rourke, Scott J Campbell
  • Publication number: 20040185195
    Abstract: This invention relates to laminated glass, structural glass blocks and structural plyglass as carrying cases for solid state lighting, sensors, energy generation and storage devices and other electronics that are contained within the transparent non-glass interlayers or air cavities of the laminated glass, structural glass blocks and structural plyglass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher C. Anderson, Sheila Kennedy, Thomas C. O'Brien, Marie B. O'Regan, C. Anthony Smith
  • Publication number: 20040166335
    Abstract: This invention relates to laminated polymer as a host for solid state lighting, sensors, energy generation and storage devices and other electronics that are contained within the transparent non-glass interlayers or air cavities of the laminated polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Marie B. O'Regan, C. Warren Haas, Thomas C. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20040032423
    Abstract: An alternate display content controller provides a technique for controlling a video display separately from and in addition to the content displayed on the operating system display surface. Where the display is a computer monitor, the alternate display content controller interacts with the computer utility operating system and hardware drivers to control allocation of display space and create and control one or more parallel graphical user interfaces adjacent the operating system desktop. An alternate display content controller may be incorporated in either hardware or software. As software, an alternate display content controller may be an application running on the computer operating system, or may include an operating system kernel of varying complexity ranging from dependent on the utility operating system for hardware system services to a parallel system independent of the utility operating system and capable of supporting dedicated applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: xSides Corporation
    Inventors: D. David Nason, J. Scott Campbell, Phillip Brooks, Carson Kaan, Thomas C. O'Rourke, James Warnock, John Easton
  • Publication number: 20040027387
    Abstract: An alternate display content controller provides a technique for controlling a video display separately from and in addition to the content displayed on the operating system display surface. Where the display is a computer monitor, the alternate display content controller interacts with the computer utility operating system and hardware drivers to control allocation of display space and create and control one or more parallel graphical user interfaces adjacent the operating system desktop. An alternate display content controller may be incorporated in either hardware or software. As software, an alternate display content controller may be an application running on the computer operating system, or may include an operating system kernel of varying complexity ranging from dependent on the utility operating system for hardware system services to a parallel system independent of the utility operating system and capable of supporting dedicated applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: xSides Corporation
    Inventors: D. David Nason, J. Scott Campbell, Phillip Brooks, Carson Kaan, Thomas C. O'Rourke, James Warnock, John Easton
  • Patent number: 6686936
    Abstract: An alternate display content controller provides a technique for controlling a video display separately from and in addition to the content displayed on the operating system monitor. Where the display is a computer monitor, the alternate display content controller interacts with the computer utility operating system and hardware drivers to control allocation of display space and create and control one or more parallel graphical user interfaces adjacent the operating system desktop. An alternate display content controller may be incorporated in either hardware or software. As software, an alternate display content controller may be an application running on the computer operating system, or may include an operating system kernel of varying complexity ranging from dependent on the utility operating system for hardware system services to a parallel system independent of the utility operating system and capable of supporting dedicated applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: xSides Corporation
    Inventors: D David Nason, Thomas C O'Rourke, Scott Campbell
  • Publication number: 20040015618
    Abstract: The invention provides a plug-and-work sensor interface device named “puck” for fast and easy deployment of various types of serial devices, which include commercial off-the-shelf and custom-made sensors and instruments, in a distributed, dynamic oceanic observing network. In an embodiment, each puck is removably attached and electrically coupled to a specific sensor to be deployed. The puck comprises a non-volatile memory for associating and storing arbitrary binary information about the sensor and a microprocessor for controlling how the information is read from and written into the non-volatile memory. The sensor information may include unique sensor identifier, sensor metadata, sensor device driver, etc. The puck itself does not execute any of the device code; rather, a host retrieves the sensor information from the puck when the puck is plugged in. The retrieval can be done automatically or semi-automatically with user interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Risi, Thomas C. O'Reilly, Duane Edgington
  • Patent number: 6678007
    Abstract: An alternate display content controller provides a technique for controlling a video display separately from and in addition to the content displayed on the operating system monitor. Where the display is a computer monitor, the alternate display content controller interacts with the computer utility operating system and hardware drivers to control allocation of display space and create and control one or more parallel graphical user interfaces adjacent the operating system desktop. An alternate display content controller may be incorporated in either hardware or software. As software, an alternate display content controller may be an application running on the computer operating system, or may include an operating system kernel of varying complexity ranging from dependent on the utility operating system for hardware system services to a parallel system independent of the utility operating system and capable of supporting dedicated applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: xSides Corporation
    Inventors: D David Nason, Thomas C O'Rourke, Scott Campbell
  • Patent number: 6661435
    Abstract: A method for creating and accessing a graphical user interface in the overscan area outside the area of the display normally utilized by the common operating systems. This normal display area is generally known as the “desktop”. The desktop serves as a graphical user interface to the operating system. The desktop displays images representing files, documents and applications available to the user. The desktop is restricted in the common environments to a predetermined set of resolutions (e.g., 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768) as defined by VGA and SVGA standards. Displayable borders outside this area are the overscan area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: xSides Corporation
    Inventors: David D Nason, Thomas C O'Rourke, Scott J Campbell
  • Patent number: 6630943
    Abstract: An alternate display content controller provides a technique for controlling a video display separately from and in addition to the content displayed on the operating system display surface. Where the display is a computer monitor, the alternate display content controller interacts with the computer utility operating system and hardware drivers to control allocation of display space and create and control one or more parallel graphical user interfaces adjacent the operating system desktop. An alternate display content controller may be incorporated in either hardware or software. As software, an alternate display content controller may be an application running on the computer operating system, or may include an operating system kernel of varying complexity ranging from dependent on the utility operating system for hardware system services to a parallel system independent of the utility operating system and capable of supporting dedicated applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: xSides Corporation
    Inventors: D. David Nason, J. Scott Campbell, Phillip Brooks, Carson Kaan, Thomas C. O'Rourke, James Warnock, John Easton
  • Patent number: 6593945
    Abstract: A parallel graphical user interface (“GUI”) according to the present invention permits use of display spaces having aspect ratios greater than or equal to 3:1. In one example, a parallel GUI includes discrete cartridges which may be added, modified or deleted permitting user specific organization of the cartridges and the functions/links thereon. In another example, a preferred embodiment uses a dial tuning metaphor. A plurality of cartridges compose a bar and each cartridge may be displayed singularly by rotating the bar. Actuation of a selection device such as a button on a cartridge may initiate an application, document, file, utility, network link or simply rotation of the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: xSides Corporation
    Inventors: D. David Nason, Thomas C. O'Rourke, J. Scott Campbell
  • Patent number: 6590592
    Abstract: An alternate display content controller provides a technique for controlling a video display separately from and potentially in addition to the content displayed on the operating system monitor. Where the display is a computer monitor, the alternate display content controller interacts with the computer utility operating system and hardware drivers to control allocation of display space and create and control one or more parallel graphical user interfaces separate from the operating system desktop. An alternate display content controller may be incorporated in either hardware or software. As software, an alternate display content controller may be an application running on the computer operating system, or may include an operating system kernel of varying complexity ranging from dependent on the utility operating system for hardware system services to a parallel system independent of the utility operating system and capable of supporting dedicated applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: xSides Corporation
    Inventors: D. David Nason, Thomas C. O'Rourke, J. Scott Campbell
  • Publication number: 20020149593
    Abstract: A method for creating and accessing a graphical user interface in the overscan area outside the area of the display normally visible to users of the common operating systems. This normal display area is generally known as the “desktop”. The desktop serves as the graphical user interface to the operating system. The desktop displays images representing documents and applications available to the user (icons). The desktop is restricted in the common environments to a predetermined set of resolutions (e.g., 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768) as defined by VGA and SuperVGA standards. Displayable borders outside this area are the overscan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: xSides Corporation
    Inventors: D. David Nason, Thomas C. O'Rourke, J. Scott Campbell
  • Publication number: 20020113807
    Abstract: A method for creating and accessing a graphical user interface in the overscan area outside the area of the display normally utilized by the common operating systems. This normal display area is generally known as the “desktop”. The desktop serves as a graphical user interface to the operating system. The desktop displays images representing files, documents and applications available to the user. The desktop is restricted in the common environments to a predetermined set of resolutions (e.g., 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768) as defined by VGA and SVGA standards. Displayable borders outside this area are the overscan area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: xSides Corporation
    Inventors: D. David Nason, Thomas C. O'Rourke, Scott J. Campbell