Patents by Inventor Thomas S. Hemphill

Thomas S. Hemphill 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: 7834987
    Abstract: Of the “four C's,” cut has historically been the most complex to understand and assess. This application presents a three-dimensional mathematical model o study the interaction of light with a fully faceted, colorless, symmetrical round-brilliant-cut diamond. With this model, one can analyze how various appearance factors (brilliance, fire, and scintillation) depend on proportions. The model generates images and a numerical measurement of the optical efficiency of the round brilliant-called DCLR—which approximates overall fire. DCLR values change with variations in cut proportions, in particular crown angle, pavilion angle, table size, star facet length, culet size, and lower girdle facet length. The invention describes many combinations of proportions with equal or higher DCLR than “Ideal” cuts, and these DCLR ratings may be balanced with other factors such as brilliance and scintillation to provide a cut grade for an existing diamond or a cut analysis for prospective cut of diamond rough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Gemological Institute of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilene M. Reinitz, Mary L. Johnson, James E. Shigley, Thomas S. Hemphill
  • Patent number: 7260544
    Abstract: Of the “four C's,” cut has historically been the most complex to understand and assess. This application presents a three-dimensional mathematical model to study the interaction of light with a fully faceted, colorless, symmetrical round-brilliant-cut diamond. With this model, one can analyze how various appearance factors (brilliance, fire, and scintillation) depend on proportions. The model generates images and a numerical measurement of the optical efficiency of the round brilliant—called DCLR—which approximates overall fire. DCLR values change with variations in cut proportions, in particular crown angle, pavilion angle, table size, star facet length, culet size, and lower girdle facet length. The invention describes many combinations of proportions with equal or higher DCLR than “Ideal” cuts, and these DCLR ratings may be balanced with other factors such as brilliance and scintillation to provide a cut grade for an existing diamond or a cut analysis for prospective cut of diamond rough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Gemological Institute of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilene M. Reinitz, Mary L. Johnson, James E. Shigley, Thomas S. Hemphill