Douglas Matthew Roberts

US Patent:

7286060, Oct 23, 2007

Filed:

Aug 12, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/203077

Inventors:

Douglas H. Roberts - Bellevue WA, US
Brett A. Hertzberg - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

Roberts Retrovalve, Inc. - Bellevue WA

International Classification:

G08B 5/00

US Classification:

3408154, 330 2, 340653, 340660, 340664, 34081545

Abstract:

A vacuum tube replacement device includes an indicator. The indicator can be arranged to provide audible and/or visual indication of system performance, function, status, or any other desired indication. The vacuum tube replacement device is pin-for-pin compatible with standard vacuum tube circuit pin configurations. The replacement device may be a solid-state tube emulator device, a traditional glass envelope vacuum tube device, or some other hybrid device. The visual indicator is equally useful for non-vacuum tube replacement devices such as audio amplifier circuits.

US Patent:

7408401, Aug 5, 2008

Filed:

Feb 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/678562

Inventors:

Douglas H. Roberts - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

Roberts Retrovalve, Inc. - Bellevue WA

International Classification:

H03F 5/00

US Classification:

330 3, 330 49

Abstract:

A system is provided for a solid-state implementation of a vacuum tube replacement device. The system may derive power from a target amplifier filament supply. The system may include active or passive functions for noise reduction, voltage isolation, servo biasing, and other functions. The vacuum tube replacement device is pin-for-pin compatible with standard vacuum tube circuit pin configurations. The vacuum tube replacement device system architecture is equally useful for non-vacuum tube systems such as audio amplifier circuits.

US Patent:

7477141, Jan 13, 2009

Filed:

Nov 15, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/600702

Inventors:

Douglas Roberts - Bellevue WA, US

International Classification:

B60Q 1/44

US Classification:

340479, 340467, 34081545

Abstract:

A system, method and apparatus for modulated control of a vehicle lighting systems is useful for brake lights and/or running lights in a motor vehicle. Various vehicle operating parameters are monitored to determine an appropriate modulation control mode for the vehicle. In some examples, the engine speed (e. g. , in revolutions-per-minute or rpm) or vehicle speed (e. g. , in miles-per-hour or mph, kilometer-per-hour or kmh, etc. ) is used as a parameter for modulated control of the lighting system. The modulated control scheme is used to control any number of features of the lighting system including illumination color, illumination intensity, selection of sequence illumination pattern, and adjustment of sequence rate. The modulated control scheme may be applied to off-road buggy whip-lights or other aesthetic vehicle lights and safety enhancements. The modulated control scheme may be applicable for off-road and on-road vehicle applications where localized government ordinances permit.

US Patent:

7482863, Jan 27, 2009

Filed:

Aug 9, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/836674

Inventors:

Douglas H. Roberts - Bellevue WA, US
Brett A. Hertzberg - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

Roberts Retrovalve, Inc. - Bellevue WA

International Classification:

H03F 5/00

US Classification:

330 3, 330 49

Abstract:

Methods are provided for solid-state implementation of a vacuum tube replacement device that supplements the functional performance of the target replacement device, i. e. , a traditional glass vacuum tube. Example functions may include OEM or user adjustable parameters such as gain and/or frequency response (e. g. transfer function), current and/or voltage saturation thresholds, bias condition, input and/or output impedance, linear-to-non-linear transfer function(s) (e. g. soft clipping parameters), power dissipation, communication protocols, and audio/visual indication parameters such as signal limiting detection, safety, stress, or wear-out conditions, and tube emulation model type to name a few. The methods presented for the vacuum tube replacement device system(s) are equally useful for non-vacuum tube systems such as audio amplifier circuits.

US Patent:

8335326, Dec 18, 2012

Filed:

Oct 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/876720

Inventors:

Brett A. Hertzberg - Bellevue WA, US
Douglas H. Roberts - Bellevue WA, US

International Classification:

H03F 99/00

US Classification:

381120, 381119, 330 3, 330 49

Abstract:

Methods are provided for solid-state implementation of a vacuum tube replacement device (VTRD) that includes a communication interface. The communication interface enables the VTRD to command or retrieve information regarding VTRD performance, function, and status. A VTRD may communicate with other VTRDs in a target amplifier retrofitted with compatible VTRDs and to an external user interface for programming or query/response. The methods presented for the vacuum tube replacement device system(s) are equally useful for non-vacuum tube systems such as audio amplifier circuits.

US Patent:

8463405, Jun 11, 2013

Filed:

Jun 1, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/561334

Inventors:

Douglas Roberts - Bellevue WA, US
Kim Hansen - Renton WA, US

Assignee:

Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. - Eindhoven

International Classification:

A61N 1/3925

US Classification:

607142

Abstract:

Handling or removal of a pair of defibrillator electrode pads from their package is detected in order to effectively time the issuance of prompts to guide the user. One plate of a capacitor is embedded in the package, the electrode pads and lead wires serving as the other plate. Impedance across the capacitor in an alternating current circuit is monitored to detect an increase in the distance between the pads and the package. The impedance level is determined, in a low-cost hardware solution, by rectifying and then integrating an output voltage of the capacitor to produce a voltage signal whose magnitude attenuates as the pads are handled or removed. In one embodiment, the above methodology is time-division multiplexed with an alternative process that identifies handling or removal based on pad-to-pad impedance. In a further embodiment, the capacitive configuration is replaced with an inductive one.

US Patent:

57739617, Jun 30, 1998

Filed:

Jun 6, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/659503

Inventors:

David B. Cameron - Seattle WA
Daniel J. Powers - Issaquah WA
Douglas H. Roberts - Bellevue WA

Assignee:

Heartstream, Inc. - Seattle WA

International Classification:

H01M 1048

US Classification:

320132

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for indicating a low battery condition and for dynamically controlling the load on a battery in order to optimize battery usage. A dynamic load controller for a battery includes detection circuitry for measuring at least one condition related to battery capacity, and power control circuitry for adjusting a power load on the battery based upon the condition. The dynamic load controller may be employed to control the power load on a battery that powers an electrotherapy device, such as a defibrillator. The battery condition may include the slope of a capacity curve, which may be the product of the battery voltage and the power delivered from the battery as a function of the delivered power. Based upon this condition, the power control circuitry adjusts the power load to optimize power delivery from the battery. The controller includes circuitry for indicating a low battery condition if battery voltage falls below a battery voltage threshold and the power load falls below a power threshold, or if the optimum power falls below a power threshold.

US Patent:

46102540, Sep 9, 1986

Filed:

Mar 8, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/587439

Inventors:

Carlton B. Morgan - Seattle WA
Daniel Yerkovich - Seattle WA
Thomas D. Lyster - Redmond WA
Eric C. Hagen - Kirkland WA
Douglas H. Roberts - Lynnwood WA

Assignee:

Physio-Control Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

A61N 136

US Classification:

128419D

Abstract:

A portable, interactive medical electronic device exemplified by a defibrillator. The device obtains information about a patient's condition, such as ECG and transthoracic impedance data, directly from the patient, and information pertinent to the treatment of the patient indirectly through an operator of the device, and produces a medically appropriate action such as a defibrillation shock in response. Indirect information is obtained through information processing means that includes means for prompting the operator of the device and means for receiving the operator's responses thereto. Prompts may include both questions and instructions, and in one embodiment the information processing means obtains the assent of the operator before causing the defibrillation shock. Indirect information may include information as to whether the patient is conscious, and as to whether or not cardiopulmonary resuscitiation has been performed. The ECG and transthroacic impedance data may be collected through a common pair of electrodes.