Patents by Inventor William McDonough

William McDonough 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).

  • Publication number: 20070167886
    Abstract: Spatial manipulator apparatus for a mammalian subject includes a stabilizing base; a hemispheroidal truss frame mounted for rotation on the stabilizing base, the truss frame supporting and stabilizing an outer generally circular rim in relation to a non-concentric hub located at its rotational axis; and a second frame mounted orthogonally within the outer rim on a second rotational axis, the second frame being configured to support a mammalian subject during spatial manipulation thereof by rotation about one or more of the orthogonal rotational axes. Preferably, the truss frame and the second frame are driven for rotation about the orthogonal rotational axes to achieve a desired mammalian-subject spatial orientation within a chair-like structure pivotally adjustably mounted within the second frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: John Epley, William McDonough
  • Publication number: 20070021877
    Abstract: A method includes transporting with a vehicle to a first location a first article addressed to a recipient associated with the first location. The first article is deposited at the first location. A second article that includes a technical nutrient is retrieved from the first location. The second article is transported with the vehicle to an intake node of a mail delivery network. The second article is transported via the mail delivery network to one of a plurality of geographically separated intake nodes of a technical nutrient redistribution network. Alternatively, the second article may include a biological nutrient or a biotechnical nutrient, and the redistribution network is a biological nutrient or biotechnical nutrient redistribution network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventors: William McDonough, Bernard David
  • Publication number: 20060217873
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for warning a user or operator about a malfunction in a pump and/or engine of a marine vessel or another suitable device or equipment, featuring steps of: comparing a sensed pressure differential at a sensed RPM when the pump/engine is running to a learned database having a pressure differential versus RPM curve; and providing an indication to the operator when there is a change in the relationship that exceeds a predetermined relationship. The apparatus may include an active intelligence unit or module for making the comparison and providing the indication according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: David Phillips, Ned Santos, William McDonough
  • Patent number: 7099882
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for the merging of multiple map databases. These multiple map databases can be stored on separate media. Each map database is comprised of whole parcels and conforms to a baseline parcelization pattern. At run time in a navigation system, a single parcel index is constructed that contains references to parcels from the multiple map databases. References to parcels use a combined media directory covering all media objects. The combined media directory is created by merging tables of contents from each media object. This method can be used to incrementally update a geographic database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Navteq North America, LLC
    Inventor: William McDonough
  • Patent number: 7096117
    Abstract: A method and system of polyline generation for rendering a representation of a geographic region is provided. Within a database containing geographic data, polyline data entities represent geographic features. Each polyline data entity is associated with a drawcode that defines attributes of the data entity, and organized within the database based on the drawcode. During a rendering process, a processor can read a group of data from a database stored on a disc that is organized to contain all polyline data entities associated with the same drawcode. The processor can then render all geographic features in an area that are similar using one or a minimum number of disc reads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Navteq North America, LLC
    Inventors: William Gale, William McDonough
  • Publication number: 20060152341
    Abstract: A method of processing a communication apparatus includes putting the communication apparatus into a distribution channel for distribution via one or more intermediaries to a user of the communication apparatus, the user of which can forward the communication apparatus to a desired recipient. The communication apparatus includes a substrate and a communication element coupled to the substrate and is constructed of one or more materials that are a bio-technical nutrient. The communication apparatus is received from a recipient directly or via one or more intermediaries. The communication apparatus is processed to prepare a second communication apparatus for distribution to another user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: William McDonough, Michael Braungart, Bernard David, Susan Lyons, Peter Walts
  • Patent number: 7054742
    Abstract: A method for route calculation using real time traffic conditions is disclosed. A transmission that includes weightings indicative of traffic conditions on roads is received. Then, a solution route is calculated by forming a list of road segments. The list is formed by expanding a search tree comprised of gates. Each gate represents a physical location on a road segment and an accessible direction relative thereto. Each gate to which a weighting applies is incremented by an amount indicated in the transmission. The solution route is determined by expanding the search tree, which includes determining and evaluating successor gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Navteq North America, LLC
    Inventors: Asta Khavakh, William McDonough, Oleg Voloshin, Yaoguang Wang
  • Publication number: 20060004515
    Abstract: A method of organizing map data on a physical storage medium is disclosed. The map data represents geographic features located in a geographic region. The method identifies at least one dense area in the geographic region. The map data representing the geographic features within the dense area have a data size exceeding a predetermined maximum size for a predetermined sized geographic area of the region. The method subdivides the map data representing the geographic features within the dense area into parcels so that the portion of map data contained in the parcel is close to a predetermined parcel size. The method subdivides the map data less the map data representing the dense area into parcels so that the portion of map data contained in the parcel is close to the predetermined parcel size. Additionally, the method locates the map data in each parcel together on the physical storage medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventor: William McDonough
  • Publication number: 20050274965
    Abstract: A method, system, and device for sterilizing a medium such as gas or liquid, by arranging light sources in relation to a container containing the medium, and by then generating ultraviolet (UV) radiation for destroying bacteria or other microorganisms in the medium. The microorganisms are preferably destroyed by interacting with the UV radiation, thus damaging the DNA of the organisms and their ability to reproduce. The light sources, such as light emitting diodes, may be powered with a low voltage source as a primary power supply. The system or device include means, such as a sleeve, for situating the LEDs with respect to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: David Phillips, William McDonough, Richard Lee
  • Publication number: 20050248930
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for controlling a search lamp using a wireless transmitter and receiver. The transmitter responds to user inputs by providing a wireless digitally encoded modulation signal containing information indicating at least one operation in a set of operations the search lamp is able to perform. The receiver responds to the wireless digitally encoded modulation signal by providing a control signal for controlling the functionality of the search lamp. The functionality may include, for example, moving the search lamp left/right and/or up/down, a sweep on/off @ ±45 degrees; X/Y/Z movement (Z when motors run simultaneously); Diagonal sweep (motors run simultaneously); Fast/Slow sweep (50%/100%). The transmitter and receiver are programmable to communicate on a unique 16 bit digital code setting that provides about 65K different code settings, which may also include a random code setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Rufino Naval, Richard Lee, William McDonough
  • Publication number: 20050027445
    Abstract: A method of organizing map data on a physical storage medium is disclosed. The map data represents geographic features located in a geographic region. The method identifies at least one dense area in the geographic region. The map data representing the geographic features within the dense area have a data size exceeding a predetermined maximum size for a predetermined sized geographic area of the region. The method subdivides the map data representing the geographic features within the dense area into parcels so that the portion of map data contained in the parcel is close to a predetermined parcel size. The method subdivides the map data less the map data representing the dense area into parcels so that the portion of map data contained in the parcel is close to the predetermined parcel size. Additionally, the method locates the map data in each parcel together on the physical storage medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventor: William McDonough
  • Publication number: 20050019134
    Abstract: A method of assembling a captive panel fastener to a printed circuit board comprises the steps of placing an axially-extending shank of a captive fastener retainer through a mounting hole in a printed circuit board, soldering the retainer to the printed circuit board, cooling the retainer, and then affixing a retractable screw assembly including a plastic screw cap to the retainer by snap attachment of the screw cap to an outside surface of the retainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: James Franco, William McDonough
  • Publication number: 20050004753
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for representing road lanes as data in a database that can be used by a system in a vehicle to provide a safety-related function. Each data representation of a physical road lane includes data indicating start and end points of the represented lane and other data attributes pertaining to the represented lane, including data indicating what physical features are adjacent to the represented lane on right and left sides thereof and data indicating a geometry of the represented lane. Further, at least some of the data representations of lanes are associated with data representations of sublanes. Each data representation of a sublane includes data indicating start and end points thereof, defined relative to the lane of which the sublane is a part. A data representation of a sublane includes at least one data attribute associated therewith that pertains to the represented sublane and that is different than the same attribute of the lane of which the sublane is a part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Weiland, Gregory Nyczak, William McDonough, Michael Tsengouras, David Shuman, Paul Ford
  • Patent number: 6836781
    Abstract: A method of representing a road network in a geographic database that facilitates determining routes between locations along the road network. In the geographic database, the road network is represented using transition point pair data. Each transition point pair data record indicates an entry point, an arm (or road segment) leading away from the entry point, an exit point, routing attributes (such as a travel cost or time), and possibly other data. Except for certain exceptions, such as multi-segment restricted driving maneuvers, the entry point and the exit point of a transition point pair are adjacent decision point intersections. A decision point intersection is an intersection at which a driver is required to make a decision which one of two or more possible road segments to take leading away from the intersection. The transition point pair data are used when calculating a route between two locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Navteq North America, LLC
    Inventor: William McDonough
  • Publication number: 20040220957
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for the merging of multiple map databases. These multiple map databases can be stored on separate media. Each map database is comprised of whole parcels and conforms to a baseline parcelization pattern. At run time in a navigation system, a single parcel index is constructed that contains references to parcels from the multiple map databases. References to parcels use a combined media directory covering all media objects. The combined media directory is created by merging tables of contents from each media object. This method can be used to incrementally update a geographic database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: William McDonough
  • Patent number: 6763301
    Abstract: A method for representing a route along a road network in a geographic region is disclosed. A database includes data representations of intersections of roads in the geographic region. Associated with the data representation for each intersection of roads are data indicating one or more nominal paths through the intersection. The nominal paths through an intersection identify, for each road segment by which the represented intersection can be entered, one and only one road segment from which the represented intersection is exited. The route is represented by indicating each intersection at which the route deviates from the nominal path into the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Navteq North America, LLC.
    Inventor: William McDonough
  • Publication number: 20040111029
    Abstract: A ultrasound platform is used to generate, process and display ultrasound images using a probe connected via a sterilizable connector. The probe is used to take ultrasound images, and can be a sterilizable finger mounted probe. The sterilizable connector includes a connector housing which has been sealed to prevent moisture from entering it, and a multi-wire cable which is electrically coupled to the probe at a first end and coupled to the connector housing at a second end. The multi-wire cable has its second end sealed with the connector housing to prevent moisture from entering the sealing between the multi-wire cable and the connector housing. A plurality of electrical contacts are formed on at least one surface of the sterilizable connector. A mating connector is used to electrically couple the sterilizable connector to a standard connector for directly connecting to the ultrasound platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth N. Bates, William McDonough, Ronald Schutz, Evan Dudik
  • Publication number: 20040054687
    Abstract: A method of representing a road network in a geographic database that facilitates determining routes between locations along the road network. In the geographic database, the road network is represented using transition point pair data. Each transition point pair data record indicates an entry point, an arm (or road segment) leading away from the entry point, an exit point, routing attributes (such as a travel cost or time), and possibly other data. Except for certain exceptions, such as multi-segment restricted driving maneuvers, the entry point and the exit point of a transition point pair are adjacent decision point intersections. A decision point intersection is an intersection at which a driver is required to make a decision which one of two or more possible road segments to take leading away from the intersection. The transition point pair data are used when calculating a route between two locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: William McDonough
  • Publication number: 20040039520
    Abstract: A program and method for route calculation for use with a navigation system and used with a map database that represents a road network in a geographic region. A route calculation program is adapted to find at least one solution route between a first location on a road network and a second location on the road network. The route calculation program includes a first search tree associated with the first location and a second search tree associated with the second location. Each search tree is adapted to hold gates. Each of the gates represents a physical position on the road network and a direction from the position to another location along a path on the road network. The route calculation program also includes at least one priority queue associated with one of the search trees. The priority queue assigns a priority to one of the gates in the associated search tree based upon an evaluation using a search algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Asta Khavakh, William McDonough, Oleg Voloshin, Yaoguang Wang
  • Patent number: 6678611
    Abstract: A program and method for route calculation for use with a navigation system and used with a map database that represents a road network in a geographic region. A route calculation program is adapted to find at least one solution route between a first location on a road network and a second location on the road network. The route calculation program includes a first search tree associated with the first location and a second search tree associated with the second location. Each search tree is adapted to hold gates. Each of the gates represents a physical position on the road network and a direction from the position to another location along a path on the road network. The route calculation program also includes at least one priority queue associated with one of the search trees. The priority queue assigns a priority to one of the gates in the associated search tree based upon an evaluation using a search algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Navigation Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Asta Khavakh, William McDonough, Oleg Voloshin, Yaoguang Wang