Robert M O'Brien

US Patent:

6865926, Mar 15, 2005

Filed:

May 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/438517

Inventors:

Robert J. O'Brien - Clackamas OR, US
Thomas R. Smith - Portland OR, US

Assignee:

State of Oregon Acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on behalf of Portland State University - Portland OR

International Classification:

G01N030/04

US Classification:

73 2327, 73 2342

Abstract:

Methods and systems for analyzing samples, such as gas samples, are described. One method comprises providing a gas sample, increasing pressure applied to the gas sample to compress the sample to a smaller volume and provide a pneumatically focused gas sample, and analyzing the pneumatically focused gas sample using any of a variety of analytical techniques. Also disclosed are systems for gas analysis, including systems for analysis of pneumatically focused, and thereby concentrated, gas samples and for analysis of particulate matter in gas samples. Analytical systems constructed within personal computer cases also are disclosed.

US Patent:

6952945, Oct 11, 2005

Filed:

Jan 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/770942

Inventors:

Robert O'Brien - Clackamas OR, US

Assignee:

The State of Oregon Acting By and Through The State Board of Higher Education On Behalf of Portland State University - Portland OR

International Classification:

G01N030/02
G01N030/90

US Classification:

73 2335, 73 232

Abstract:

A method for analyzing a gas sample is described. The method comprises providing a gas sample, increasing pressure applied to the gas sample to compress the sample to a smaller volume and provide a pneumatically focused gas sample, and analyzing the pneumatically focused gas sample using any of a variety of analytical techniques. Pneumatic Focusing generally means increasing the pressure of the sample, column or cell to a pressure of from about 100 psi to about 15,000 psi, more typically from about 200 psi to about 2,000 psi. Examples including gas chromatography and absorption spectroscopy are illustrated herein. Numerous other examples could be given. The method is well suited for analyzing gaseous samples, such as ambient air samples, both continuously, and remotely, using computer control. Continuously sampling ambient air provides a method for real-time monitoring of air quality. Continuous monitoring allows for pollutant exposure and allows for the identification of emission sources.

US Patent:

7257987, Aug 21, 2007

Filed:

Feb 18, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/546111

Inventors:

Robert J. O'Brien - Clackamas OR, US
Thomas R. Smith - Portland OR, US

Assignee:

State of Oregon acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on behalf of Portland State University - Portland OR

International Classification:

G01N 1/00
G01N 30/04

US Classification:

73 2341, 73 2322

Abstract:

Methods and systems for analyzing samples, such as gas samples, are described. One method comprises providing a gas sample, increasing pressure applied to the gas sample to compress the sample to a smaller volume and provide a pneumatically focused gas sample, and analyzing the pneumatically focused gas sample using any of a variety of analytical techniques. Also disclosed are systems for gas analysis, including systems for analysis of pneumatically focused, and thereby concentrated, gas samples and for analysis of particulate matter in gas samples. Analytical systems constructed within personal computer cases also are disclosed.

US Patent:

7483991, Jan 27, 2009

Filed:

Mar 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/809569

Inventors:

Robert R. O'Brien - Kirkland WA, US
John T. Wilcox - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 15/16
G06F 15/173

US Classification:

709227, 709226

Abstract:

A method, system, and apparatus for providing a communications channel for inter-object communication are provided. According to the method, a request may be received from a first object executing within a managed code environment to transmit data to a second object. In response thereto, an instant message (“IM”) including the data may be transmitted to an IM server computer. The IM may be forwarded to the managed code environment in which the second object is executing. The IM may then be received by the managed code environment, the data contained therein may be extracted, and the data may be presented to the second object. A reverse path may also be utilized for return communication between objects.

US Patent:

7505574, Mar 17, 2009

Filed:

Mar 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/811325

Inventors:

Robert R. O'Brien - Kirkland WA, US
John T. Wilcox - Redmond WA, US
Garry D. Gross - Sammamish WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H04M 3/42

US Classification:

37920201, 370352, 370360, 455413

Abstract:

Methods and systems for providing an improved communications channel for telephone conference initiation and management are provided. Messages for initiating and managing a telephone conference are exchanged between a client computer and a gateway computer utilizing XML formatted messages transmitted over an instant messaging compatible protocol. The gateway computer converts the messages to web services requests and communicates with telephone conference network hardware utilizing the web services-based request. Status indicators from the telephone conference equipment is converted from web services requests to XML by the gateway and transmitted back to the client computer via the instant messaging protocol.

US Patent:

7621171, Nov 24, 2009

Filed:

Mar 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/715273

Inventors:

Robert O'Brien - Damascus OR, US

Assignee:

State of Oregon acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on behalf of Portland State University - Portland OR

International Classification:

G01N 1/00
G01N 30/04

US Classification:

73 2341, 73 2327, 73 2342

Abstract:

Methods and systems for analyzing samples, such as gas samples, are described. One method comprises providing a gas sample, increasing pressure applied to the gas sample to compress the sample to a smaller volume and provide a pneumatically focused gas sample, and analyzing the pneumatically focused gas sample using any of a variety of analytical techniques. Also disclosed are systems for gas analysis, including systems for analysis of pneumatically focused, and thereby concentrated, gas samples and for analysis of particulate matter in gas samples. Analytical systems constructed within personal computer cases also are disclosed.

US Patent:

7660856, Feb 9, 2010

Filed:

Oct 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/679819

Inventors:

Robert R. O'Brien - Kirkland WA, US
John Thomas Wilcox - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709206, 709207, 379 8812, 379 8817

Abstract:

A method and system for using web services to notify a subscriber that an event has occurred at a voice mail switch and to retrieve the event is described. A notification server receives an event and an associated identifier from the voice mail switch. The identifier is correlated to a subscriber and an alert indicating that the event occurred is generated. The alert is sent to a destination selected by the subscriber. The alert includes an event reference that links the subscriber to the event through a network via a URL. The subscriber retrieves the event through a web portal view associated with the URL.

US Patent:

8347688, Jan 8, 2013

Filed:

Oct 13, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/578575

Inventors:

Robert O'Brien - Clackamas OR, US

Assignee:

State of Oregon acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on behalf of Portland State University - Portland OR

International Classification:

G01N 30/04
G01N 30/72

US Classification:

73 2341, 73 2327, 73 2335, 73 2342

Abstract:

Methods and systems for analyzing samples, such as gas samples, are described. One method comprises providing a gas sample, increasing pressure applied to the gas sample to compress the sample to a smaller volume and provide a pneumatically focused gas sample, and analyzing the pneumatically focused gas sample using any of a variety of analytical techniques. Also disclosed are systems for gas analysis, including systems for analysis of pneumatically focused, and thereby concentrated, gas samples and for analysis of particulate matter in gas samples. Analytical systems constructed within personal computer cases also are disclosed.