Patents by Inventor William J. Kerns

William J. Kerns 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: 7038766
    Abstract: A system and method using reporter elements provides retrospective identification of articles. An article is marked with reporter elements such that the mark has a characteristic spectral response when exposed to energy stimulation. To verify the authenticity of the article, a reader scans the mark containing the reporter elements and obtains a spectral signature. The reader then compares the detected signature to the characteristic signature to determine the authenticity or identity of the marked article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Microtrace, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Kerns, Brian Brogger, Justin L. Esterberg
  • Publication number: 20020122878
    Abstract: A system and method using reporter elements provides retrospective identification of articles. An article is marked with reporter elements such that the mark has a characteristic spectral response when exposed to energy stimulation. To verify the authenticity of the article, a reader scans the mark containing the reporter elements and obtains a spectral signature. The reader then compares the detected signature to the characteristic signature to determine the authenticity or identity of the marked article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: William J. Kerns, Brian Brogger, Justin L. Esterberg
  • Publication number: 20010041214
    Abstract: A system and method using microcoded marks provides retrospective identification of articles. An article is marked with microparticles having multiple layers. The particles form a unique spatial pattern on the article. An image is made of the mark as applied to the article. The digitized image is stored in a database with information about the article. The database can be accessed by users to verify the authenticity of an article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Brian Brogger, William J. Kerns
  • Patent number: 6313232
    Abstract: A method of continuously polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer and a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent by using an organolithium initiator, adding to the polymerization mixture a tin compound and again adding a tin compound after the polymerization mixture has been withdrawn from the polymerization vessel. The resulting diene polymers possess a significantly reduced Payne Effect and a substantial reduction (over 10%) in tan delta at 50° C. which results in tires having decreased hysteresis loss, excellent wear resistance and rolling resistance and good wet skid resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Roggeman, Daniel F. Graves, William J. Kern, Yasuo Horikawa
  • Patent number: 6309690
    Abstract: A system and method using microcoded marks provides retrospective identification of articles. An article is marked with microparticles having multiple layers. The particles form a unique spatial pattern on the article. An image is made of the mark as applied to the article. The digitized image is stored in a database with information about the article. The database can be accessed by users to verify the authenticity of an article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Microtrace, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Brogger, William J. Kerns