Patents by Inventor Thomas D. Russell

Thomas D. Russell 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: 6535743
    Abstract: A communication system includes mobile units, a network switching center, and service centers to provide a variety of enhanced services to the mobile units. The service centers and/or the network switching centers determine directions from an origination location to a destination location. The directions, which may comprise multiple segments separated by separator signals, are communicated to the mobile unit using a communication network. The mobile unit may present each segment of the directions to a user. In one embodiment, the mobile unit generates a service message specifying an origination location and a destination location. The directions are determined in response to the service message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Minorplanet Systems USA, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Kennedy, III, Dale E. Beasley, Terry S. Parker, Thomas D. Russell, Larry C. Wortham, William C. Saunders
  • Patent number: 6405033
    Abstract: A communication system includes mobile units, a network switching center, and service centers to provide a variety of traditional and enhanced services to the mobile units. Using a user interface, an operator of a mobile unit issues a request for services from one or more service centers. The network switching center receives the request for services and, in response, accesses a profile table to select an appropriate service center to establish a communication session with the mobile unit. The selected service center provides enhanced services to the mobile unit to satisfy the service request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Track Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Kennedy, III, Dale E. Beasley, Terry S. Parker, Thomas D. Russell, William C. Saunders
  • Patent number: 6167255
    Abstract: A communication system includes mobile units, a network switching center, and service centers to provide a variety of enhanced services to the mobile units. In one embodiment, a service center communicates menu data to a mobile unit using a voice network. The mobile unit displays at a user interface menu options generated in response to the menu data communicated by the service center. Selecting a menu option at the user interface enables a function associated with traditional or enhanced services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: @TRACK Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Kennedy, III, Dale E. Beasley, Terry S. Parker, Thomas D. Russell, William C. Saunders
  • Patent number: 6141404
    Abstract: A communication system (10) includes mobile units (12a-12f), hosts (14a-14d), and remotes (22a-22b). The mobile units (12a-12f), hosts (14a-14d), and remotes (22a-22b) communicate data and voice using a complex (16). The complex (16) includes interfaces (52, 54, 56) and a switch (50) to communicate data and voice in the communication system (10). A routing module (70) accesses a profile database (26) to provide a routing function to the users of communication system (10). A CDR generation module (72), a CDR database (28), and a billing system (30) provide a billing function to the users of communication system (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: @Track Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Westerlage, David H. Bagley, Thomas D. Russell
  • Patent number: 6009330
    Abstract: A call delivery system (10) for delivering a call to a mobile unit (12) on a vehicle (14) includes both a data communications network (16) and a mobile voice communications network (20). The mobile unit (12) generates call delivery information and communicates this information to a platform (18) using the data communications network (16). The platform (18) receives a call for the mobile unit (12). The platform (18) retrieves call delivery information received from the mobile unit (12) and establishes communications between the platform (18) and the mobile unit (12) using the mobile voice communications network (20). The platform then completes the call between the caller (36, 40, 44) and the mobile unit (12). Alternatively, the platform (18) can generate a call back message for transmission to the mobile unit (12) using the data communications network (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: HighwayMaster Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Kennedy, III, Thomas D. Russell, Kenneth R. Westerlage
  • Patent number: 5918172
    Abstract: A communication system (10) includes a communication device (12) that supports communication using multiple number identification modules (70-74). Each NAM (70-74) supported by the communication device (12) is associated with a network (14,16) that provides a voice service or an enhanced service to the communication device (12). For outbound communication, the communication device (12) selects the appropriate NAM (70-74) in response to a request for a particular service. For inbound communication, the communication device (12) registers more than one NAM (70-74) to be able to respond to incoming pages from the networks (14, 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: HighwayMaster Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Saunders, Gordon D. Quick, Thomas D. Russell
  • Patent number: 5734981
    Abstract: A call delivery system (10) for delivering a call to a mobile unit (12) on a vehicle (14) includes both a data communications network (16) and a mobile voice communications network (20). The mobile unit (12) generates call delivery information and communicates this information to a platform (18) using the data communications network (16). The platform (18) receives a call for the mobile unit (12). The platform (18) retrieves call delivery information received from the mobile unit (12) and establishes communications between the platform (18) and the mobile unit (12) using the mobile voice communications network (20). The platform then completes the call between the caller (36, 40, 44) and the mobile unit (12). Alternatively, the platform (18) can generate a call back message for transmission to the mobile unit (12) using the data communications network (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: HighwayMaster Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Kennedy, III, Thomas D. Russell, Kenneth R. Westerlage
  • Patent number: 4791889
    Abstract: A system for controlling steam temperature in a boiler using a time delay feedback controller known as a Smith Predictor to provide control tuning of true boiler parameters which change with load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcoc Company
    Inventors: Theodore N. Matsko, Robert S. Rand, Thomas D. Russell, Thomas J. Scheib, Robert R. Walker, deceased
  • Patent number: 4665706
    Abstract: A system for the operation of once-through boilers which utilizes variable throttle pressure over a very wide load operating range is disclosed. The system utilizes a valving arrangement permitting the turbine valve (22) to be opened to a predetermined open position, typically 70 percent of its full open position, as soon as possible during the system loading process, maintaining the turbine valve (22) in this predetermined open position while the flow of steam from the boiler is being varied by a control valve (40) and the output pressure of the boiler is varying accordingly, and then allowing the turbine valve (22) to open further from the predetermined open position when the system reaches full design pressure so as to vary the flow of steam from the boiler while the output pressure thereof is maintained substantially constant. In this manner, the boiler is operated at a variable output pressure over a very wide load operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. Russell, Robert R. Walker
  • Patent number: 4450363
    Abstract: A coordinated control technique and arrangement for a steam power generating system is disclosed in which combined megawatt error and turbine pressure error signal are used to control the turbine control valve and the fuel flow to the boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. Russell, Robert R. Walker
  • Patent number: 4418541
    Abstract: A boiler loading system is disclosed which is used for loading one of a plurality of boilers in a power plant to satisfy a load demand. Each of the boilers is continuously monitored for an optimum efficiency change whether for a boiler load increase demand or boiler load decrease demand. The boiler with the largest efficiency change for a boiler load increase is selected to satisfy the plant demand and a boiler with the lowest efficiency change decrease is selected where the load demand is for a reduced load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Thomas D. Russell