Nicholas Gene Anderson

US Patent:

6778902, Aug 17, 2004

Filed:

Aug 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/644152

Inventors:

Daraius Hathiram - Austin TX
Bruce Cummings - Austin TX
Nicholas Anderson - Austin TX
Ronald E. Ham - Austin TX
James Chaput - Austin TX

Assignee:

Bluespan, L.L.C. - Pflugerville TX

International Classification:

G01C 2100

US Classification:

701207

Abstract:

A method, computer program product and system for monitoring and locating an object using secure communications without relying on GPS. A monitoring device may activate a monitored unit (unit monitored by monitoring device) by transmitting a seed of an algorithm and a time synchronization to the monitored unit. The seed and time synchronization may be used in conjunction with an algorithm, e. g. , frequency hopping table, stored in both the monitoring device and the monitored unit, to allow both the monitoring device and the monitored unit to communicate with one another at a uniquely synchronized time and frequency thereby making it more difficult for a third party to locate the monitored unit. An alert may be generated when the monitored unit is located beyond a predetermined zone. The monitored unit may be located by activating a directional antenna in conjunction with a digital compass on the monitoring device.

US Patent:

7050906, May 23, 2006

Filed:

Jun 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/865528

Inventors:

Daraius Hathiram - Austin TX, US
Bruce Cummings - Austin TX, US
Nicholas Anderson - Austin TX, US
Ronald E. Ham - Austin TX, US
James Chaput - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Bluespan Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G01C 21/00

US Classification:

701207, 340500

Abstract:

A method, computer program product and system for monitoring and locating an object using secure communications without relying on GPS. A monitoring device may activate a monitored unit (unit monitored by monitoring device) by transmitting a seed of an algorithm and a time synchronization to the monitored unit. The seed and time synchronization may be used in conjunction with an algorithm, e. g. , frequency hopping table, stored in both the monitoring device and the monitored unit, to allow both the monitoring device and the monitored unit to communicate with one another at a uniquely synchronized time and frequency thereby making it more difficult for a third party to locate the monitored unit. An alert may be generated when the monitored unit is located beyond a predetermined zone. The monitored unit may be located by activating a directional antenna in conjunction with a digital compass on the monitoring device.

US Patent:

7419038, Sep 2, 2008

Filed:

Jul 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/187187

Inventors:

Ramon A. Caamano - Gilroy CA, US
Christian Okonsky Gerard - Austin TX, US
Nicholas H. Anderson - Austin TX, US
Christopher A. Cogburn - Austin TX, US
James B. A. Tracey - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Great Stuff, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H02G 11/00

US Classification:

191 122R

Abstract:

A reel includes a reel drum enclosed within a housing comprising a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a middle housing portion positioned therebetween. A spindle member has a first end connected to the first housing portion and a second end connected to the second housing portion. The spindle member extends through an opening in the drum so that the drum is rotatable about a spindle axis defined by the spindle member. The middle housing portion encircles the drum and has an aperture through which linear material can extend, the linear material of a type that may be spooled on the drum. The middle housing portion is rotatable about the spindle axis independently of the drum. In preferred embodiments, the reel is a cord reel and the linear material is electrical cord. In preferred embodiments, the middle housing portion is rotatable at least 360 about the spindle axis.

US Patent:

20090057085, Mar 5, 2009

Filed:

Aug 27, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/199184

Inventors:

Ramon A. Caamano - Gilroy CA, US
Christian Okonsky Gerard - Austin TX, US
Nicholas H. Anderson - Austin TX, US
Christopher A. Cogburn - Austin TX, US
James B.A. Tracey - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

GREAT STUFF, INC. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H02G 11/02
B65H 75/44

US Classification:

191 124, 242370

Abstract:

A reel includes a reel drum enclosed within a housing comprising a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a middle housing portion positioned therebetween. A spindle member has a first end connected to the first housing portion and a second end connected to the second housing portion. The spindle member extends through an opening in the drum so that the drum is rotatable about a spindle axis defined by the spindle member. The middle housing portion encircles the drum and has an aperture through which linear material can extend, the linear material of a type that may be spooled on the drum. The middle housing portion is rotatable about the spindle axis independently of the drum. In preferred embodiments, the reel is a cord reel and the linear material is electrical cord. In preferred embodiments, the middle housing portion is rotatable at least 360 about the spindle axis. In preferred embodiments, the drum is powered by an electric motor. In preferred embodiments, the housing is substantially spherical and the reel further comprises one or more support structures that include handles and are configured to prevent the housing from contacting a flat surface such as a floor or wall. In preferred embodiments, one or more temperature-sensitive switches are configured to shut off power to a spooled electrical cord in the event that a temperature of the reel exceeds a given threshold. In preferred embodiments, a solenoid is provided for locking the middle housing portion with respect to the first and second housing portions while the motor is rotating in a direction to spool the linear material onto the drum.

US Patent:

20220388213, Dec 8, 2022

Filed:

Jun 8, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/835775

Inventors:

- Beaverton OR, US
Vojtech Holub - Lafayette CO, US
Nicholas Anderson - Colorado Springs CO, US

International Classification:

B29C 45/37
B23K 26/362
B65D 1/02

Abstract:

2D code patterns, such as digital watermark patterns, are formed on plastic objects by injection molding. In some implementations, a marked cell of the code pattern is not formed by a single mark on the mold surface, but by multiple discrete marks. Such marks can be exceedingly small (e.g., 50 microns or less—smaller than the width of a human hair), yet the resulting code pattern on the molded object is still readable from a distance. The small scale of the marks assures that the code pattern does not detract from object aesthetics, while also speeding the mold-marking process. Style transfer networks are employed in some implementations. The detailed technologies facilitate digital marking and identification of a great number of consumer plastic objects, thereby aiding recovery of such objects for recycling. Many other features and arrangements are also detailed.