Patents by Inventor William A. Roberts

William A. Roberts 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: 7263688
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically managing data-type associations and relationships includes providing a first global data-type association ruleset including one or more predefined operational relationships between two or more applications, determining whether an updated global data-type association ruleset is available, and dynamically obtaining the updated global data-type association ruleset to facilitate modification of one or more predefined operational relationships between two or more applications locally installed on the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: RealNetworks, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley John Pitzel, William A. Roberts, Timothy Michael Graham
  • Patent number: 7062765
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system and a method for updating components in a client computer. The invention includes a method for upgrading software for various users, each of the users having diverse hardware and software configurations. The invention includes a method for automatically determining the hardware and software configuration of the client computer without user intervention. To begin the upgrade, the client computer reads a configuration file that identifies the components for downloading. Upon receipt of the configuration file, the client computer determines the hardware and software configuration of the client computer. The client computer automatically communicates with a component server via a network and requests one or more components for downloading to the client computer based upon the configuration file and the hardware and software conditions of the client computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: RealNetworks, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley John Pitzel, Stanislav Bobrovskiy, William A. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20040059776
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically managing data-type associations and relationships includes providing a first global data-type association ruleset including one or more predefined operational relationships between two or more applications, determining whether an updated global data-type association ruleset is available, and dynamically obtaining the updated global data-type association ruleset to facilitate modification of one or more predefined operational relationships between two or more applications locally installed on the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Bradley John Pitzel, William A. Roberts, Timothy Michael Graham
  • Patent number: 5466407
    Abstract: Residue produced by incineration of commercial, industrial or municipal waste is treated to remove oversize material and ferrous materials. The moisture content of the untreated residue is adjusted, and the residue is mixed with Portland cement to partially aggregate the residue into a free-flowing, granular material containing no more than about five percent by weight fines and having a hydraulic conductivity of at least about 0.001 cm/sec after curing for 24 hours. The treated residue can be used to form a gas-venting layer for a landfill, and retains its good hydraulic conductivity as it cures into a cohesive mass, such that leaching of hazardous materials is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Rolite, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Downs, William A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5286430
    Abstract: Residue produced by incineration of commercial, industrial or municipal waste is treated to remove oversize material and ferrous materials. The moisture content of the untreated residue is adjusted, and the residue is mixed with Portland cement to partially aggregate the residue into a free-flowing, granular material containing no more than about five percent by weight fines and having a hydraulic conductivity of at least about 0.001 cm/sec after curing for 24 hours. The treated residue can be used to form a gas-venting layer for a landfill, and retains its good hydraulic conductivity as it cures into a cohesive mass, such that leaching of hazardous materials is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Rolite, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Downs, William A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5037286
    Abstract: Residue produced by incineration of commercial, industrial or municipal waste is treated on-site at the point of generation or storage. Moist residue, such as incinerator bottom ash, is mixed in a multi-segment rotary drum with a heavy metals treatment agent in a first section of the drum. An aggregation agent is added to the mixture, and the mixture separates under the shearing force imposed by the rotating drum into individual pieces which are rolled into balls. A cementitious coating material is added to coat the balls, and the coated balls are classified by size. The classified coated balls are conveyed to a bagging plant, where they are packaged in flexible containers formed from material selected to retard water loss, and tagged with identifying information. Toxic contaminants such as cadmium, lead and mercury are immobilized in the cured balls, which can be used as a construction aggregate. Leaching of heavy metals from the incinerator residue is strongly inhibited by the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Rolite, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4654994
    Abstract: A fishing rod unit for use particularly in areas of thick vegetation. The specific device is an attachment for fishing rods and, in particular, a fishing rod combination wherein the fishing line passes along the central axis of hollow components. The attachment is a hollow elongated body having an internal diameter sufficient to accept a conventional float carried by the fishing line. The length of this body is sufficient to encase the float, a weight and the bait. Tension on the fishing line causes the float, when within the body of the attachment, to compress a coiled spring within the base thereof. The extreme end of the body carries an enlarged portion that assists a fisherman in the passing of the rod through thick vegetation. Since there is no portion of the line, or the attachments thereto, exposed to the vegetation, entanglement with the vegetation is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Inventor: William A. Roberts, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4228426
    Abstract: A monitoring system has a connecting unit that is adapted for connection between a nurse call button and a communication panel in a hospital room and is attached to a movable pressure activated switching means for placement in a bed or chair to operate an alarm in the nurse call system for remotely signaling the absence of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Inventor: William A. Roberts