Patents by Inventor William R O'Brien

William R 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).

  • Publication number: 20130310190
    Abstract: A practice ball includes a ball having a hole bored partially therein. A flaccid material has a portion thereof disposed in the hole. A retainer is disposed in the hole along with the portion of the flaccid material to restrain the portion of the flaccid material in the hole of the ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: William R. O'Day, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100208938
    Abstract: A system for generating secure documents includes a station for generating a plain document and a security image generator that generates a security image. The security image is then incorporated into the plain document. Each security image consists of a plurality of secure elements, each secure element being defined by two sets of parallel lines. Each secure element defines an alphanumeric character or other unique image that is visible under certain conditions, i.e., when inspected through a viewer. The technique can also be used to provide security images on a web page as a means of indicating that the web page is genuine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Gene F. Gaffney, William R. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7740281
    Abstract: A system for generating secure documents includes a station for generating a plain document and a security image generator that generates a security image. The security image is then incorporated into the plain document. Each security image consists of a plurality of secure elements, each secure element being defined by two sets of parallel lines. Each secure element defines an alphanumeric character or other unique image that is visible under certain conditions, i.e., when inspected through a viewer. The technique can also be used to provide security images on a web page as a means of indicating that the web page is genuine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: The Ergonomic Group
    Inventors: Gene F Gaffney, William R O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20090121471
    Abstract: A system for generating secure documents includes a station for generating a plain document and a security image generator that generates a security image. The security image is then incorporated into the plain document. Each security image consists of a plurality of secure elements, each secure element being defined by two sets of parallel lines. Each secure element defines an alphanumeric character or other unique image that is visible only under certain conditions, i.e., when inspected through a viewer. The technique can also be used to provide security images on a web page as a means of indicating that the web page is genuine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Gene F. Gaffney, William R. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7500295
    Abstract: A yarn system, apparatus, and methods of reducing production loss or increasing production speed in a continuous yarn production process are provided. A yarn conveyor receives a bundle of yarn, an oven heats the yarn, and a yarn cooler cools the yarn exiting the oven to heat set the yarn. The conveyor carries the yarn through the oven and cooler. A counterband extends through the oven substantially parallel to and above the conveyor to abuttingly contact the yarn against the conveyor. The counterband is formed by hydrophobic fibers woven in a mesh pattern that form apertures to enhance flow of a heated fluid between the fibers. A cooling efficiency of the cooler is increased responsive to the hydrophobic fibers allowing the cooler to cool the yarn without moisture from the heated fluid being absorbed by the counterband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: American Linc, LLC
    Inventors: Deborah A. Laird, Edward J. Kennedy, William R. O'Bryan
  • Publication number: 20080231040
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for printing documents with a security image. The security image is formed of dots of a particular size and arranged in a pattern. The size and pattern are selected such that when the printed document is copied on a standard printer the security image is faded or invisible and therefore the resulting copy is clearly not an original document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Gene F. GAFFNEY, William R. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20080179876
    Abstract: A system for generating secure documents includes a station for generating a plain document and a security image generator that generates a security image. The security image is then incorporated into the plain document. Each security image consists of a plurality of secure elements, each secure element being defined by two sets of parallel lines. Each secure element defines an alphanumeric character or other unique image that is visible under certain conditions, i.e., when inspected through a viewer. The technique can also be used to provide security images on a web page as a means of indicating that the web page is genuine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Gene F GAFFNEY, William R. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20080005877
    Abstract: A yarn system, apparatus, and methods of reducing production loss or increasing production speed in a continuous yarn production process are provided. A yarn conveyor receives a bundle of yarn, an oven heats the yarn, and a yarn cooler cools the yarn exiting the oven to heat set the yarn. The conveyor carries the yarn through the oven and cooler. A counterband extends through the oven substantially parallel to and above the conveyor to abuttingly contact the yarn against the conveyor. The counterband is formed by hydrophobic fibers woven in a mesh pattern that form apertures to enhance flow of a heated fluid between the fibers. A cooling efficiency of the cooler is increased responsive to the hydrophobic fibers allowing the cooler to cool the yarn without moisture from the heated fluid being absorbed by the counterband.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Deborah A. Laird, Edward J. Kennedy, William R. O'Bryan
  • Patent number: 7051892
    Abstract: A plastic, blow-molded, disposable water bottle adapted for use with a dispenser, said bottle having a basically spherical or elliptical shape, a footed base portion, and a unique neck geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: William R. O'Day, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6453078
    Abstract: A method for selecting and arranging digital images to be printed from a group of thumbnail images is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of displaying the group of thumbnail images; selecting, from the group of thumbnail images, the number of images to be printed per page and the images which are to be printed on each page; automatically arranging the selected images for each page to be printed; and printing the arranged images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Walter C. Bubie, Cathryn Q. Lodine, Laurent P. Ricard, Richard Brindley, William R. O'Such, Joseph P. Rinaudo
  • Publication number: 20010014184
    Abstract: A method for selecting and arranging digital images to be printed from a group of thumbnail images is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of displaying the group of thumbnail images; selecting, from the group of thumbnail images, the number of images to be printed per page and the images which are to be printed on each page; automatically arranging the selected images for each page to be printed; and printing the arranged images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: WALTER C. BUBIE, CATHRYN LODINE, LAURENT RICARD, RICHARD BRINDLEY, WILLIAM R. O'SUCH, JOSEPH P. RINDAUDO
  • Patent number: 5896991
    Abstract: A generally planar substantially rigid backing supports a transparent plastic blister on the front surface thereof. The blister defines an open rear portion and an encircling attachment flange. The lower edge of the attachment flange defines interleaved notches and tabs extending downwardly. The blister further defines a rib having an interior groove formed therein extending along each side and across the front portion of the blister. A generally planar support sheet formed of a rigid material defines a plurality of upwardly extending retainers having engagement apparatus formed therein. A cosmetic card formed of a decorative material defines a plurality of slots aligned with the retainers and is received upon the support sheet with the retainers passing through the slots. The retainers engage the to-be-packaged articles and secure them upon the cosmetic card. The support sheet includes a plurality of interleaved tabs and notches extending downwardly from the rear edge thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Alan Hippely, William R. O'Keefe
  • Patent number: 5636741
    Abstract: A product package includes a generally rectangular box having a front face which defines a viewing aperture on one side and an elongated aperture on the opposite side. A pivot pin is secured intermediate the two apertures and closer to the elongated aperture. A generally planar image support is pivotally secured within the package interior by the pivot pin and includes a pair of image areas movable into alignment with the viewing aperture in response to rotational position of the image support. A finger aperture is defined within the image support and is accessible through the elongated aperture to permit pivotal movement and control of the image support position. The images formed upon the image support depict alternative configurations of a multiconfiguration or transformable toy product packaged within the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. O'Keefe
  • Patent number: 5130739
    Abstract: Apparatus, and an accompanying method, for use in a photographic camera for selecting a lens aperture setting for a full flash exposure of a scene based upon re-assessed depth-of-field requirements for that scene. Specifically, full flash lighting will cause the exposure of both the primary and background subjects in a scene to increase. Inasmuch as increased background illumination attributable to the full flash will render the background subject increasingly visible in the flash exposure, a lens will need to provide additional depth-of-field in order to sharply photograph the entire scene including not only the primary subject but also the background subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: William R. O'Such, Roger W. Wilson, Richard B. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 5121155
    Abstract: Apparatus, and an accompanying method, for use in a photographic camera for determining whether to utilize fill flash illumination in photographing a current scene. Specifically, fill flash illumination is used if both an initial value of the scene lighting contrast, based upon measured near primary and distanct primary (or background) subject lighting levels, indicates that a distant primary or background subject is lighter than a near primary subject and use of fill flash illumination will reduce the scene lighting contrast from its initial value. Fill flash illumination will be inhibited if the distant primary or background subject will not be adequately illuminated to generate a proper exposure thereof or if the near primary subject will be excessively illuminated relative to the distant primary or background subject so as to cause a reversal in the scene lighting contrast to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: William R. O'Such, Roger W. Wilson, Richard B. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 5099268
    Abstract: Apparatus, and an accompanying method, for use in a photographic camera for determining a lens aperture value for use during a fill flash exposure of a scene wherein the aperture value will impart a sufficient depth-of-field to a photographed image of the scene to capture both near and distant (background) subjects therein with pre-defined, typically ISO normal, exposures. Specifically, minimum and maximum aperture limit values are first determined from the permissible fastest and slowest shutter speeds that can be used to provide an ISO normal exposure of the distant subject. The fastest shutter speed is the fastest shutter speed to which a flash unit in use can be synchronized, while the slowest shutter speed is governed by the focal length of the lens in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: William R. O'Such, Roger W. Wilson, Richard B. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 5049916
    Abstract: Exposure control apparatus and methods for use in a photographic camera to improve the overall quality of photographed images over that obtainable by adherence to ISO/ANSI exposure standards. The quality improvement is attained through automatic selection of photographic exposure parameters primarily based upon scene requirements (including providing sufficient depth-of-field and avoiding image blur) and film exposure characteristics, rather than through use of the ISO/ANSI exposure standards. Specifically, the present invention: (a) determines the initial exposure settings, e.g. shutter speed and lens aperture size and, where appropriate, flash parameters, necessary to provide a baseline, typically an ISO normal exposure of a scene to be photographed; (b) ascertains corresponding exposure settings (and, where appropriate, flash parameters) that actually meet the scene requirements, such as e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: William R. O'Such, Roger W. Wilson, Richard B. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4687506
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel compounds of Formula I which are sulfonamides, agricultural compositions containing them and the method of using them as pre- and post-emergence herbicides and/or plant growth regulants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: William R. O'Grady
  • Patent number: 4400820
    Abstract: A head holder for an X-ray subject uses a rigid U-shaped receptacle having an angulated cervical extension that fastens to a patient supporting cradle. A head restraint sheet that may be preformed to a U-shape has a tie-down strap fastened to it is wrapped about the bottom and sides of a flexible foam preformed U-shaped liner that has notches for accommodating the subject's ears. The sheet and liner are deposited in the U-shaped rigid receptacle with the head of the subject in the liner and the strap ends crossed over the forehead and attached to "Velcro" pile that is fixed on the outside of the receptacle. The resilient foam liner and flexible sheet act as a pressure feedback system which restores a head to its initial relaxed position if the head has moved. A wedge is inserted between the flexible sheet and receptacle bottom to tilt the head of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William R. O'Dell, Christine M. Fletcher
  • Patent number: D513592
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Inventor: William R. O'Day