Brian E O'Rourke

US Patent:

20030018745, Jan 23, 2003

Filed:

Jun 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/176469

Inventors:

Jim McGowan - Dix Hills NY, US
Mark Dresner - Dix Hills NY, US
Brian O'Rourke - New York NY, US

International Classification:

G06F015/16
H04N007/173
G06F017/00

US Classification:

709/217000, 707/104100, 725/125000

Abstract:

A system and method for creating and distributing virtual channels of digital video content. Initially, a first entity is enabled to acquire digital video content from one or more sources and store the digital video content into a database storage device. Next, the first entity is enabled to select digital video content and group the selected digital video content to form virtual specialty channels, each virtual specialty channel having content customized for a particular viewer base. The created virtual specialty channels are stored in the database storage device which is accessible by a second entity over a public communications network. The second entity comprises infrastructure for delivering virtual specialty channels to individual viewers over a broadband communications channel. The second entity receives a webcast of the virtual specialty channels, and the second entity distributes one or more virtual specialty channels to individual viewers over a broadband communications channel, where they are received by viewer television devices. Viewer interactivity is enhanced as interactive links may be embedded in the video content by the first and second entities with the links displayed on the television. The links are selectable by viewers, and when selected, a viewer is enabled to interact with third entities via their associated television set-top box and over the public communications network.

US Patent:

20130068313, Mar 21, 2013

Filed:

Sep 21, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/238155

Inventors:

Fred Albert George - Easton CT, US
Brian J. O'Rourke - Watertown CT, US
Lee D. Scott - New Fairfield CT, US

Assignee:

Accutrol, LLC - Monroe CT

International Classification:

F16K 31/02

US Classification:

137 14, 1374875

Abstract:

A flow valve with an integral pressure-independent fluid flow controller for controlling the flow of fluid and corresponding methods for controlling fluid flow are provided. The flow valve comprises a valve body, one or more valve blades arranged on the valve body for controlling fluid flow in a duct section, an actuator for modulating the one or more valve blades, a flow sensor or sensors for sensing fluid flow, a tuning calculation module adapted for determining or monitoring a pressure drop across the valve body and for calculating tuning constants based on the pressure drop, and a controller for controlling the actuator based on a difference between a fluid flow setpoint and the sensed fluid flow in accordance with the tuning constants. The pressure drop may be determined from an algorithm based on blade position and sensed fluid flow, or may be directly measured.