Patents by Inventor William L. Robertson

William L. Robertson 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: 8146534
    Abstract: A device for holding pet food or water with a gimbal mount for use in a moving environment, comprising a conventional food or water bowl used for pet comprising multiple features to facilitate its use on a boat or similar moving vehicle is herein disclosed. The device is fastened to a smooth wall surface by a plurality of suction cups which ensures that the device does not move around, but also elevates the bowl to a comfortable mounting height to allow the pet to drink or eat more easily and allows for easy cleaning below the bowl. The bowl is connected to the suction cup mount by a gimbal that allows rotation along both the x and y axis, thus enabling the bowl to always stay level no matter how the device is moved. The bowl comprises an inwardly turned rim which prevents splashing and spilling of water during movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: William L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 6892263
    Abstract: A system and method for hot swapping daughtercards in high availability computer systems. In one embodiment, a high availability computer system includes a peripheral bus. Daughtercards may be added to the computer system by inserting them into connectors associated with the peripheral bus. The daughtercards are configured to allow their insertion or removal from the computer system without interruption to system operations. When inserted into a computer system, a daughtercard may be powered up by power control circuitry on the daughtercard. When the daughtercard is powered up, it may then assert a configuration change signal. The computer system may then respond to the assertion of the configuration change signal by establishing software communications with the daughtercard. The configuration change signal may be driven to a storage unit located within a bus interface unit of the computer system. The state of the configuration change signal may be stored within a storage location of the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 6751740
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a common power detect and presence detect signal. In one embodiment, a memory module includes a voltage regulator and a power detector circuit. The voltage regulator may be configured to provide a stable operating voltage to the various circuits of the memory module. The power detector circuit may be configured to detect the presence of the operating voltage from the output of the voltage regulator. The power detector circuit may assert an output signal in response to a detection of a voltage from the voltage regulator. The output signal asserted by the power detector circuit may then be driven through a single pin of a connector mounted to the memory module to a storage unit of the host computer system. The storage unit may be configured to store the state of the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, inc.
    Inventors: William L. Robertson, Han Y. Ko
  • Patent number: 6658530
    Abstract: A high-performance memory module. The memory module is designed for a computer system with a wide data path. The memory module is implemented using a small printed circuit board (PCB), with a plurality of memory chips and a connector mounted upon the PCB. Signal traces for control, address, and data signals are arranged in such a manner as to minimize the length of each signal trace, thereby saving PCB area. On the connector, an electrical ground pin is located between each pair of signal pins, which may allow for a low-resistance return current path, and may therefore allow the module to operate at higher clock frequencies. Furthermore, locating a ground pin between each pair of signal pins may help reduce signal interference, or “crosstalk”, thereby improving signal integrity of the memory module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Robertson, Drew G. Doblar, Steven C. Krow-Lucal
  • Patent number: 5255291
    Abstract: A packet voice/data communication system provides a frequency measurement isochronous clocking transmission capability. This is a method of transferring clock information by directly measuring the frequency of the clock relative to a reference and then reproducing that exact clock frequency at the far end relative to the reference which has been carried through the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Stratacom, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Holden, Randall M. Presuhn, William L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 5127260
    Abstract: Current state-of-the-art requires welded seams between adjacent sheets of material, e.g. polyethylene to be tested for leaks using vacuum, ultrasonic or low pressure air techniques. In general, the devices used are somewhat complicated and consequently expensive. A relatively simple method of determining the strength and integrity of a welded seam between layers of plastic, which are interconnected by welding to form a sealed passage including the step of injecting air or another gas into the passage under sufficient pressure that any weakness in the seam results in a visible distortion or total separation of the plastic in the area of such weakness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Inventor: William L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 5020058
    Abstract: A data communication system includes a repetitive pattern packet suppression technique which suppresses transmission of entire packets in a data stream when a repeating pattern has been established in the previous packet and then is found to repeat throughout the following packets. An expansion part of the technique fills the resulting hole in the data stream with the last pattern from the previously received packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Stratacom, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Holden, Randall M. Presuhn, William L. Robertson, Gaymond W. Schultz
  • Patent number: 4971217
    Abstract: Flotation covers for large bodies of liquid, e.g. reservoirs usually consist of large sheets or panels adapted to float on the surface of the liquid. Such covers are adapted to follow changes in liquid level. However, in general, the problem of covering the surface of the liquid around the periphery of the cover is not addressed. A solution to this problem involves a panel covering all but the peripheral edges of the liquid surface, cables connected to the edges of the panel and to counterweights for maintaining the panel centered on the surface, and floats for supporting the edges of the panel and the bottom edge of a skirt, which extends upwardly to the wall of the reservoir, the skirt being connected to the cables by slip rings, so that the skirt folds and unfolds as the liquid level rises and falls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventors: William L. Robertson, Neil D. McLeod, Geoffrey C. Agassiz
  • Patent number: 4142801
    Abstract: A spectral color generator is used in an optical sight for use as a gun sight, surveying instrument, or the like, with means for projecting light from the generator in the form of an illuminated reticle into the line of sight. The illumination from the generator is variable in color and intensity for maximum visibility against a variety of backgrounds, and means are provided for precise alignment, adjustment for elevation and windage and for levelling. In its basic form, the sight has long eye relief but is readily adaptable for use with telescopic attachments. The spectral color generator is also illustrated in an operational monitoring system responsive to sensing devices for monitoring a plurality of parameters including opacity and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1979
    Inventors: William E. Calder, William L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 3994597
    Abstract: An optical sight for use as a gun sight, surveying instrument, or the like, with means for projecting an illuminated reticle into the line of sight. The illumination is variable in color and intensity for maximum visibility against a variety of backgrounds, and means are provided for precise alignment, adjustment for elevation and windage and for levelling. In its basic form the sight has long eye relief, but is readily adaptable for use with telescopic attachments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1974
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1976
    Inventors: William E. Calder, Alan J. Winkelman, William L. Robertson