Patents by Inventor William D. O'Brien
William D. O'Brien 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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Publication number: 20240082815Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a system. The system includes a substrate and a fluid capture material formed on one or more surfaces of the substrate. The fluid capture material includes a sorbent material that binds one or more fluids, the one or more fluids comprising water, carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, or a combination thereof. The fluid capture material also includes one or more binder materials, wherein the binder material is at least partially cross-linked.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2022Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Michael Joseph O'Brien, David Roger Moore, William Christopher Alberts, Jingjing Yang, Mark Daniel Doherty, Mark D. Buckley, Jack E. Howson, Bryce E. Lipinski
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Patent number: 7945064Abstract: A hearing system has a first device and a second device. The first device acoustically couples to skin of a user of the hearing system and includes a sensor to detect acoustic signals. The second device includes a hearing stimulator arrangement to stimulate hearing of the user in response to the acoustic signals detected with the first device. The first device and second device are each operable to bidirectionally communicate through an ultrasonic communication link comprising at least a portion of the body of the user.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of IllinoisInventors: William D. O'Brien, Jr., Albert S. Feng, Bruce C. Wheeler, Charissa R. Lansing, Herbert Bachler, Robert C. Bilger, Carolyn J. Bilger, legal representative
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Patent number: 7613309Abstract: System (10) is disclosed including an acoustic sensor array (20) coupled to processor (42). System (10) processes inputs from array (20) to extract a desired acoustic signal through the suppression of interfering signals. The extraction/suppression is performed by modifying the array (20) inputs in the frequency domain with weights selected to minimize variance of the resulting output signal while maintaining unity gain of signals received in the direction of the desired acoustic signal. System (10) may be utilized in hearing aids, voice input devices, surveillance devices, and other applications.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Inventors: Douglas L. Jones, Michael E. Lockwood, Robert C. Bilger, Carolyn T. Bilger, legal representative, Albert S. Feng, Charissa R. Lansing, William D. O'Brien, Bruce C. Wheeler, Mark Elledge, Chen Liu
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Patent number: 7577266Abstract: System (10) is disclosed including an acoustic sensor array (20) coupled to processor (42). System (10) processes inputs from array (20) to extract a desired acoustic signal through the suppression of interfering signals. The extraction/suppression is performed by modifying the array (20) inputs in the frequency domain with weights selected to minimize variance of the resulting output signal while maintaining unity gain of signals received in the direction of the desired acoustic signal. System (10) may be utilized in hearing, cochlear implants, speech recognition, voice input devices, surveillance devices, hands-free telephony devices, remote telepresence or teleconferencing, wireless acoustic sensor arrays, and other applications.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2006Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of IllinoisInventors: Albert S. Feng, Michael E. Lockwood, Douglas L. Jones, Carolyn J. Bilger, legal representative, Charissa R. Lansing, William D. O'Brien, Bruce C. Wheeler, Robert C. Bilger
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Patent number: 7206423Abstract: Disclosed is a hearing aid that includes a first component operable to receive an input and a second component operable to provide an output to at least one ear of a user of the hearing aid. The first component and the second component are electrically coupled together by a closed electrical circuit including at least one electrical conduction pathway formed by skin of the user between the first component and the second component. An electrical signal is transmitted from the first component to the second component with the closed electrical circuit. Communication between the first and second components can be one-way or two-way.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2000Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Board of Trustees of University of IllinoisInventors: Albert S. Feng, Douglas Jones, Bruce C. Wheeler, Robert C. Bilger, Charissa R. Lansing, William D. O'Brien
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Patent number: 7076072Abstract: System (10) is disclosed including an acoustic sensor array (20) coupled to processor (42). System (10) processes inputs from array (20) to extract a desired acoustic signal through the suppression of interfering signals. The extraction/suppression is performed by modifying the array (20) inputs in the frequency domain with weights selected to minimize variance of the resulting output signal while maintaining unity gain of signals received in the direction of the desired acoustic signal. System (10) may be utilized in hearing, cochlear implants, speech recognition, voice input devices, surveillance devices, hands-free telephony devices, remote telepresence or teleconferencing, wireless acoustic sensor arrays, and other applications.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2003Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Board of Trustees for the University of IllinoisInventors: Albert S. Feng, Michael E. Lockwood, Douglas L. Jones, Carolyn J. Bilger, legal representative, Charissa R. Lansing, William D. O'Brien, Bruce C. Wheeler, Robert C. Bilger, deceased
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Patent number: 6987856Abstract: A desired acoustic signal is extracted from a noisy environment by generating a signal representative of the desired signal with a processor. The processor receives aural signals from two sensors each at a different location. The two inputs to the processor are converted from analog to digital format and then submitted to a discrete Fourier transform process to generate discrete spectral signal representations. The spectral signals are delayed by a number of time intervals in a dual delay line to provide a number of intermediate signals, each corresponding to a different spatial location relative to the two sensors. Locations of the noise source and the desired source are determined and the spectral content of the desired signal is determined from the intermediate signal corresponding to the noise source locations. Inverse transformation of the selected intermediate signal followed by digital to analog conversion provides an output signal representative of the desired signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1998Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of IllinoisInventors: Albert S. Feng, Chen Liu, Robert C. Bilger, Douglas L. Jones, Charissa R. Lansing, William D. O'Brien, Bruce C. Wheeler
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Patent number: 6978159Abstract: A desired acoustic signal is extracted from a noisy environment by generating a signal representative of the desired signal with processor (30). Processor (30) receives aural signals from two sensors (22, 24) each at a different location. The two inputs to processor (30) are converted from analog to digital format and then submitted to a discrete Fourier transform process to generate discrete spectral signal representations. The spectral signals are delayed to provide a number of intermediate signals, each corresponding to a different spatial location relative to the two sensors. Locations of the noise source and the desired source, and the spectral content of the desired signal are determined from the intermediate signal corresponding to the noise source locations. Inverse transformation of the selected intermediate signal followed by digital to analog conversion provides an output signal representative of the desired signal with output device (90).Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2001Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of IllinoisInventors: Albert S. Feng, Chen Liu, Douglas L. Jones, Robert C. Bilger, Charissa R. Lansing, William D. O'Brien, Bruce C. Wheeler
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Publication number: 20040213415Abstract: Included in the embodiments of the present invention is a technique to detect sound with a sensor to generate a corresponding sound signal and iteratively determine two or more values with a maximum likelihood function for evaluation of reverberation time. One of these values corresponds to a time constant parameter, and another of these values corresponds to a diffusive power parameter. An estimate representative of the reverberation time is further provided as a function of an order-statistics filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2004Publication date: October 28, 2004Inventors: Ratnam Rama, Albert S. Feng, Douglas L. Jones, Charissa R. Lansing, William D. O'Brien
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Publication number: 20040202339Abstract: A hearing system has a first device and a second device. The first device acoustically couples to skin of a user of the hearing system and includes a sensor to detect acoustic signals. The second device includes a hearing stimulator arrangement to stimulate hearing of the user in response to the acoustic signals detected with the first device. The first device and second device are each operable to bidirectionally communicate through an ultrasonic communication link comprising at least a portion of the body of the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: William D. O'Brien,, Albert S. Feng, Bruce C. Wheeler, Charissa R. Lansing, Herbert Bachler, Robert C. Bilger, Carolyn J. Bilger
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Publication number: 20030138116Abstract: System (10) is disclosed including an acoustic sensor array (20) coupled to processor (42). System (10) processes inputs from array (20) to extract a desired acoustic signal through the suppression of interfering signals. The extraction/suppression is performed by modifying the array (20) inputs in the frequency domain with weights selected to minimize variance of the resulting output signal while maintaining unity gain of signals received in the direction of the desired acoustic signal. System (10) may be utilized in hearing aids, voice input devices, surveillance devices, and other applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2002Publication date: July 24, 2003Inventors: Douglas L. Jones, Michael E. Lockwood, Robert C. Bilger, Albert S. Feng, Charissa R. Lansing, William D. O'Brien, Bruce C. Wheeler, Mark Elledge, Chen Liu, Carolyn T. Bilger
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Publication number: 20010031053Abstract: A desired acoustic signal is extracted from a noisy environment by generating a signal representative of the desired signal with processor (30). Processor (30) receives aural signals from two sensors (22, 24) each at a different location. The two inputs to processor (30) are converted from analog to digital format and then submitted to a discrete Fourier transform process to generate discrete spectral signal representations. The spectral signals are delayed to provide a number of intermediate signals, each corresponding to a different spatial location relative to the two sensors. Locations of the noise source and the desired source, and the spectral content of the desired signal are determined from the intermediate signal corresponding to the noise source locations. Inverse transformation of the selected intermediate signal followed by digital to analog conversion provides an output signal representative of the desired signal with output device (90).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2001Publication date: October 18, 2001Inventors: Albert S. Feng, Chen Liu, Douglas L. Jones, Robert C. Bilger, Charissa R. Lansing, William D. O'Brien, Bruce C. Wheeler
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Patent number: 5174803Abstract: A preform tube (31) is caused to be collpased into a preform rod by causing a heat zone (54) provided by a torch assembly (50) to traverse the tube longitudinally in a plurality of passes. During this so-called collapse mode, a muffle tube (100) encloses that portion of the tube which extends through the torch assembly. Advantageously, the muffle tube projects a predetermined distance beyond one major face of the torch assembly. The torch assembly comprises annular semi-circular end plates and as annular semi-circular center portion having a plurality of exit ports through which gases are directed into engagement with the tube. The center portion is caused to be recessed between the end plates thereby causing the heat zone generated by the gases to be narrowed.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1992Date of Patent: December 29, 1992Assignee: AT&T Bell LaboratoriesInventor: William D. O'Brien, Jr.
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Patent number: 5118333Abstract: In order to provide a substrate such as an optical preform rod (24) which is suitable for insertion into a tube and which has a transverse cross section that is substantially circular and disposed concentrically about a longitudinal axis of the substrate substantially along its entire length, a force-applying means such as a graphite roller (52) is adapted to be moved incrementally toward an axis of rotation (35) about which the preform rod is turned rototably. Movement is discontinued when there is an indication that the force-applying means has been in continuous engagement with the preform rod for at least a predetermined portion of the periphery of the rod. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement of the force-applying means and the preform rod is discontinued after a predetermined time, whereafter the force-applying means again is moved toward the axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1991Date of Patent: June 2, 1992Assignee: AT&T Bell LaboratoriesInventors: Gary L. Baltzer, Brian Lynch, William D. O'Brien, Jr.
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Patent number: 5090978Abstract: A preform tube (31) is caused to be collapsed into a preform rod by causing a heat zone (54) provided by a torch assembly (50) to traverse the tube longitudinally in a plurality of passes. During this collapse mode, a muffle tube (100) encloses that portion of the tube which extends through the torch assembly. The muffle tube projects a predetermined distance beyond one major face of the torch assembly. The torch assembly comprises annular semi-circular end plates and an annular semi-circular center portion having a plurality of exit ports through which gases are directed into engagement with the tube. The center portion is caused to be recessed between the end plates thereby causing the heat zone generated by the gases to be narrowed. The narrowing of the heat zone and the substantial confinement of the heat energy within the muffle tube cooperate with increased gas flow rates to cause the tube to be collapsed in a time period which is substantially less than that achieved by prior art methods.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1990Date of Patent: February 25, 1992Assignee: AT&T Bell LaboratoriesInventor: William D. O'Brien, Jr.
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Patent number: 5030266Abstract: In order to provide a substrate such as an optical preform rod (24) which is suitable for insertion into a tube and which has a transverse cross section that is substantially circular and disposed concentrically about a longitudinal axis of the substrate substantially along its entire length, a force-applying member such as a graphite roller (52) is moved incrementally toward an axis of rotation (35) about which the preform rod is turned rotatably. Movement is discontinued when there is an indication that the force-applying member has been in continuous engagement with the preform rod for at least a predetermined portion of the periphery of the rod. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement of the force-applying member and the preform rod is discontinued after a predetermined time whereafter the force-applying member again is moved toward the axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1989Date of Patent: July 9, 1991Assignee: AT&T Bell LaboratoriesInventors: Gary L. Baltzer, Brian Lynch, William D. O'Brien, Jr.
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Patent number: 4875916Abstract: In order to provide a substrate such as an optical preform rod (24) which suitable for insertion into a tube and which has a transverse cross section that is substantially circular and disposed concentrically about a longitudinal axis of the substrate substantially along its entire length, a force-applying means such as a graphite roller (52) is adapted to be moved incrementally toward an axis of rotation (35) about which the preform rod is turned rotatably. Movement is discontinued when there is an indication that the force-applying means has been in continuous engagement with the preform rod for at least a predetermined portion of the periphery of the rod. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement of the force-applying means and the preform rod is discontinued after a predetermined time whereafter the force-applying means again is moved toward the axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1988Date of Patent: October 24, 1989Assignee: American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gary L. Baltzer, Brian Lynch, William D. O'Brien, Jr.
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Patent number: 4681334Abstract: A boat trailer having a carriage assembly which can move longitudinally with respect to its supporting wheel assembly. Due to this arrangement, the supporting wheels of the trailer do not have to be submerged in water in order to launch the boat thereby preserving the wheel bearing lift. Also provided is a retractable auxiliary wheel assembly at the rear of the carriage assembly to support the same when the carriage is moved rearward with respect to the supporting wheel assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1986Date of Patent: July 21, 1987Inventor: William D. O'Brien, Jr.
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Patent number: 4601740Abstract: A preform from which lightguide fiber is drawn is made by depositing optically suitable layers of doped silicon dioxide on an inner wall of a rotating glass tube (31) which is exposed to a moving zone of heat (56) which is provided by a torch assembly (50) during a deposition mode and during a collapse mode. After the deposition mode and generally prior to the collapse mode, one end portion of the tube is at least partially closed in order to allow pressurizing of the tube during collapse. This is accomplished with a pivotally mounted tool (70) which straddles the torch assembly to cause an internally water cooled contact device (92) to be disposed within the confines of the torch. Further, the contact device is configured to provide a curved lead-in from the tube to the at least partially closed portion. The use of separate apparatus for initially closing the tube provides control of the sealed-off portion and prevents an irregular cross-section from being propagated along the length of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1984Date of Patent: July 22, 1986Assignee: AT&T Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian Lynch, William D. O'Brien, Jr.
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Patent number: 4554078Abstract: An open end (61) of a tube (62) is disposed below a free surface of a treating solution (60) which is capable of reacting with a liquid effluent to provide a disposable reaction product. A pressurized gas which is non-reactive with the effluent and with the treating solution causes the effluent to be moved through the tube and discharged into contact with the treating solution. Also, the gas is flowed through a shroud (63) disposed concentrically about the tube. The gas envelops the effluent and the shroud prevents contact of the treating material with the effluent and the gas along a predetermined distance beyond the open end of the tube. This arrangement causes the treating material to react with the effluent at a location spaced from the end of the tube thereby preventing clogging of the tube. The discharge of the gas along with the liquid effluent into the treating solution causes a substantial mixing of the two liquids to provide a substantially complete reaction.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1984Date of Patent: November 19, 1985Assignee: AT&T Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ronald G. Huggins, William D. O'Brien, Jr., Fred P. Partus