Patents by Inventor William R. Harper, Jr.

William R. Harper, Jr. 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: 7792952
    Abstract: A system for rating web services is disclosed. The system includes a computer with a network interface for electronic communications with a communications network. The computer is configured to process rating information input regarding a web service and use the rating information input. The computer is also configured to respond to a request for rating information. The system also includes multiple web services identifications for identifying web services. Web service information that relates to the web services is also included. The web service information is obtained through use of the rating information input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7706742
    Abstract: A communications module is disclosed for facilitating wireless electronic communications with an electronic device. The communications module includes a processor and a wireless module in electronic communication with the processor for wireless communications with the electronic device. A paging module is also included that is in electronic communication with the processor for communicating with a computer through a paging network. The communications module also includes a modem in electronic communication with the processor for communicating with the computer through a communications network. Further, memory is in electronic communication with the processor for storing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7694046
    Abstract: A communications adapter for facilitating electronic communications with an electronic device is disclosed. The adapter is remotely reprogrammable by a provider computer through a communications network. The adapter includes a communications port for electronically connecting the adapter to the electronic device. The adapter also includes communications hardware for communicating with the provider computer through the communications network. In addition, the adapter includes a processor and memory. The memory is programmed with instructions to cause the adapter to receive new data sent by the provider computer via the communications network. The new data comprises device instructions for communicating with the electronic device through the communications port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7502321
    Abstract: A system for optimizing network bandwidth based on subscription rates from a plurality of requestors is disclosed as including a provider that provides provider data. The system also includes a first requestor that has requested the provider data at a first subscription rate and a second requestor that has requested the provider data at a second subscription rate. The second subscription rate is higher than the first subscription rate. The system further includes a plurality of intervening access nodes. Each intervening access node includes request information specifying any provider data being sent through the intervening access node and a corresponding subscription rate. The plurality of intervening access nodes are configured to decrease the rate to an adjacent node when a requestor decreases a requestor subscription rate such that all the rates along a common transmit path from the provider to an end requestor are optimized to maximize available bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr., Bryant Eastham
  • Patent number: 7280643
    Abstract: An embedded device configured to provide an audio status output is disclosed. The embedded device includes a processor, an input button in electronic communication with the processor and a speaker in electronic communication with the processor for outputting an audio output. Memory is used for storing data. An audio output generator is stored in the memory and operates to generate the audio status output. The audio generator receives a generate audio command initiated by a user through use of the input button. The generator then operates to convert the status data to audio output data through use of an audio generation table. The audio output data includes multiple distinct audio signals that are machine-decipherable and that correspond to individual data elements of the status data. The audio output data is provided to the speaker such that the audio output based on the audio output data is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr., Todd H. Rytting
  • Patent number: 7242688
    Abstract: A telephone network interface is disclosed for facilitating communications through use of a telephone with an embedded device through a gateway and for facilitating communications between a remote service provider and the gateway. The telephone network interface includes a telephone interface for electronic communication with a telephone. The telephone network also includes a gateway interface for electronic communications with a gateway. An external telephone network interface is included for connecting the telephone network interface to an external telephone network. In addition, connection control is also provided. Connection control causes the telephone to be selectively in electronic communication with the external telephone network for telephone calls. The connection control also selectively causes the telephone to be in electronic communication with the gateway for communicating with an embedded device such that device requests from the telephone are communicated to the gateway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr., Stephen C. Coffin
  • Patent number: 7181606
    Abstract: A portable electronic device is disclosed that is reprogrammable through a pager network. The device includes a communications port. The device also includes a data transceiver for transmitting send data and receiving receive data from a pager network. In addition, the device has a processor. The processor is in electronic communication with the communications port for communicating through the communications port. The processor is also in electronic communication with the data transceiver for communications with the pager network. The device also includes reprogrammable memory programmed with instructions to cause the device to receive new program code from the pager network and to reprogram the reprogrammable memory with the new program code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7035719
    Abstract: A curtailment module is disclosed for enabling an energy provider to send a request to curtail energy use to a user. The curtailment module includes an interface for electronic communications with a temperature control device. A paging module is used to receive the request from the energy provider through a paging network. The curtailment module also includes a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the request from the paging module. Memory is also included and is in electronic communication with the processor for storing a curtailment message and history data. The curtailment module also includes a sound component in electronic communication with the processor for outputting an audio verification. A code generator is stored in the memory and executable by the processor to generate a verification code using the curtailment message and the history data as inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr., Todd H. Rytting
  • Patent number: 7009493
    Abstract: A curtailment module is disclosed for enabling an energy provider to send a request to curtail energy use to a user. The curtailment module includes an interface for electronic communications with a temperature control device. A paging module is used to receive the request from the energy provider through a paging network. The curtailment module also includes a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the request from the paging module. Memory is also included and is in electronic communication with the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6954850
    Abstract: A portable electronic device is disclosed that is reprogrammable through a pager network. The device includes a communications port. The device also includes a data transceiver for transmitting send data and receiving receive data from a pager network. In addition, the device has a processor. The processor is in electronic communication with the communications port for communicating through the communications port. The processor is also in electronic communication with the data transceiver for communications with the pager network. The device also includes reprogrammable memory programmed with instructions to cause the device to receive new program code from the pager network and to reprogram the reprogrammable memory with the new program code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6876628
    Abstract: A system for optimizing network bandwidth based on subscription rates from a plurality of requestors is disclosed as including a provider that provides provider data. The system also includes a first requestor that has requested the provider data at a first subscription rate and a second requestor that has requested the provider data at a second subscription rate. The second subscription rate is higher than the first subscription rate. The system further includes a plurality of intervening access nodes. Each intervening access node includes request information specifying any provider data being sent through the intervening access node and a corresponding subscription rate. The plurality of intervening access nodes are configured to decrease the rate to an adjacent node when a requestor decreases a requestor subscription rate such that all the rates along a common transmit path from the provider to an end requestor are optimized to maximize available bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: emWare, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr., Bryant Eastham
  • Patent number: 6745106
    Abstract: A curtailment module is disclosed for enabling an energy provider to send a request to curtail energy use to a user. The curtailment module includes an interface for electronic communications with a temperature control device. A paging module is used to receive the request from the energy provider through a paging network. The curtailment module also includes a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the request from the paging module. Memory is also included and is in electronic communication with the processor for storing a curtailment message and history data. The curtailment module also includes a sound component in electronic communication with the processor for outputting an audio verification. A code generator is stored in the memory and executable by the processor to generate a verification code using the curtailment message and the history data as inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: emWare, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr., Todd H. Rytting
  • Patent number: 6728804
    Abstract: A communications adapter for facilitating electronic communications with an electronic device is disclosed. The adapter is remotely reprogrammable by a provider computer through a communications network. The adapter includes a communications port for electronically connecting the adapter to the electronic device. The adapter also includes communications hardware for communicating with the provider computer through the communications network. In addition, the adapter includes a processor and memory. The memory is programmed with instructions to cause the adapter to receive new data sent by the provider computer via the communications network. The new data comprises device instructions for communicating with the electronic device through the communications port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: emWare, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6697466
    Abstract: An embedded device configured to provide an audio status output is disclosed. The embedded device includes a processor, an input button in electronic communication with the processor and a speaker in electronic communication with the processor for outputting an audio output. Memory is used for storing data. An audio output generator is stored in the memory and operates to generate the audio status output. The audio generator receives a generate audio command initiated by a user through use of the input button. The generator then operates to convert the status data to audio output data through use of an audio generation table. The audio output data includes multiple distinct audio signals that are machine-decipherable and that correspond to individual data elements of the status data. The audio output data is provided to the speaker such that the audio output based on the audio output data is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: emWare, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr., Todd H. Rytting
  • Patent number: 6601086
    Abstract: A service provider for embedded devices is disclosed for controlling, monitoring and/or updating embedded devices. The service provider includes a computer having communications hardware for communicating over a computer network. The computer also includes a storage device and a processor. The service provider further includes a database of embedded device information that contains information relating to a number of embedded devices. An embedded device communications module is used by the service provider to communicate with a number of embedded devices. The service provider further includes a computer network communications module for communicating with computers via the computer network. In addition, the service provider has a database interface module for accessing the information in the embedded device information database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: emWare, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6587736
    Abstract: A distributed object for use in a networked computer system including a host computer and a remote computer, where the remote computer is in electronic communication with a device, is disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention as including a first member component implemented and stored on the host computer, and a second member component implemented and stored on the host computer. The second member component is in electronic communication with the remote computer, and the second member component functions to access data on the remote computer. The distributed object may be part of an object hierarchy. The object hierarchy includes a base class having member data and functions common to a set of remote computers, where the base class is implemented and stored on the host computer. The object hierarchy may also include a first subclass derived from the base class. The first subclass may be implemented and stored on the host computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: emWare, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6370436
    Abstract: A distributed object for use in a networked computer system including a host computer and a remote computer, where the remote computer is in electronic communication with a device, is disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention as including a first member component implemented and stored on the host computer, and a second member component implemented and stored on the host computer. The second member component is in electronic communication with the remote computer, and the second member component functions to access data on the remote computer. The distributed object may be part of an object hierarchy. The object hierarchy includes a base class having member data and functions common to a set of remote computers, where the base class is implemented and stored on the host computer. The object hierarchy may also include a first subclass derived from the base class. The first subclass may be implemented and stored on the host computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: emWare, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6363417
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in a networked computer system that includes a host computer and a remote computer being used to access a device. The system includes a communications module for transferring data to and from a communications port of the host computer. The system also includes a data interface module for accessing an interface definition from a storage device in electronic communication with the host computer. Accessing the interface definition is accomplished through use of an interface definition identifier. A device access controller is also utilized in the system for communicating with the remote computer via the communications module. The device access controller obtains the interface definition identifier from computer program code loaded on the remote computer. In addition, the device access controller accesses the storage device through the data interface module to obtain the interface definition and uses the interface definition identifier to obtain the interface definition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: emWare, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr., Stephen W. Belisle, Devon S. Sumner, Howard S. Zollinger, Thomas A. Milligan