John A Currie

US Patent:

7020971, Apr 4, 2006

Filed:

Sep 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/942205

Inventors:

John F. Currie - Canton MI, US
Nathan Vincent Goslee - Ypsilanti MI, US
Andrew John Driscoll - Farmington MI, US

Assignee:

Yazaki North America, Inc. - Canton MI

International Classification:

G01C 17/38

US Classification:

33356

Abstract:

A compass system comprises an electronic compass capable of providing a raw compass reading, at least one adjustment factor relating to a position of the electronic compass, and a compensation device selectively providing a compensated compass reading based on the raw compass reading and the adjustment factor. Further, at least one adjustment factor relating to the position of the electronic compass is defined and may be stored in a memory.

US Patent:

20070194883, Aug 23, 2007

Filed:

Feb 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/307450

Inventors:

John Currie - Livonia MI, US

International Classification:

G05B 19/00

US Classification:

340005620, 340005610, 340005730, 340005640

Abstract:

A security system for use with furniture includes a controller, an actuator and a communication device. The controller is for querying a first signal, receiving a second signal and commanding an unlock actuation signal or a lock actuation signal. The actuator receives the actuation signal. The communication device is for transmitting the first signal received from the controller and receiving the second signal in response to transmitting the first signal, wherein the controller sends the unlock actuation signal in response to verifying that the second signal is indicative of the first signal being properly verified by a closely located verifying device. A security system that listens for a beaconing device is also provided. A method of operating a security system for use with furniture is also included.

US Patent:

49844148, Jan 15, 1991

Filed:

Feb 7, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/476245

Inventors:

George D. Pfaffmann - Farmington Hills MI
Charles S. Kubis - Palso Heights IL
John P. Currie - Boaz AL
Norbert R. Balzer - Warren MI
John Walter - Evergreen Park IL
Graham R. Adams - Boaz AL

Assignee:

Continental Can Company, Inc. - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

B65B 5122
B65B 5114
B65B 728

US Classification:

53478

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for sealing a flat lid with a lower layer of heat bondable material onto the upper, generally flat surface of a flange extending around the periphery of an access opening in a container of the type used to store a substance susceptible to deterioration when exposed to atmosphere for a prolonged time such as prepared foods, which method and apparatus moves a separate and distinct heating unit with a downwardly facing heating ring in a preselected path, preferably circular in shape, between first and second positions, includes a generally fixed high frequency power supply for energizing said heating ring, connects this fixed high frequency power supply to the individual heating rings of the moving heating unit only when the unit is moving between the first and second positions, and energizes the power supply only while the heating unit is moving between the first and second positions. The ring is forced against the lid as the power supply is energized and is released from the ring from the lid after the power supply has been de-energized and before the moving heating unit reaches the second position. Preferably the ring is an inductor and the plurality of heating units are carried by a turret to define individual heating stations on the turret which stations rotate to selectively energize the individual heating units by the single fixed high frequency power supply whereby single power supply energizes a plurality of separate heating stations.

US Patent:

49413066, Jul 17, 1990

Filed:

Oct 7, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/254837

Inventors:

George D. Pfaffmann - Farmington Hills MI
Norbert R. Balzer - Warren MI
Charles S. Kubis - Palso Heights IL
John Walter - Evergreen Park IL
John P. Currie - Boaz AL
Graham R. Adams - Boaz AL

Assignee:

Continental Can Company, Inc. - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

B65B 5122
B65B 5114
B65B 728

US Classification:

53306

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for sealing a flat lid with a lower layer of heat bondable material onto the upper, generally flat surface of a flange extending around the periphery of an access opening in a container of the type used to store a substance susceptible to deterioration when exposed to atmosphere for a prolonged time such as prepared foods, which method and apparatus moves a separate and distinct heating unit with a downwardly facing heating ring in a preselected path, preferably circular in shape, between first and second positions, includes a generally fixed high frequency power supply for energizing said heating ring, connects this fixed high frequency power supply to the individual heating rings of the moving heating unit only when the unit is moving between the first and second positions, and energizes the power supply only while the heating unit is moving between the first and second positions. The ring is forced against the lid as the power supply is energized and is released from the ring from the lid after the power supply has been de-energized and before the moving heating unit reaches the second position. Preferably the ring is an inductor and the plurality of heating units are carried by a turret to define individual heating stations on the turret which stations rotate to selectively energize the individual heating units by the single fixed high frequency power supply whereby single power supply energizes a plurality of separate heating stations.

US Patent:

50251236, Jun 18, 1991

Filed:

Dec 24, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/630802

Inventors:

George D. Pfaffmann - Farmington Hills MI
Charles S. Kubis - Palso Heights IL
John P. Currie - Boaz AL
Norbert R. Balzer - Warren MI
John Walter - Evergreen Park IL
Graham R. Adams - Boaz AL

Assignee:

Continental Can Company, Inc. - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

H05B 610

US Classification:

219 1075

Abstract:

A modular type replaceable heating unit with a downwardly facing heating ring for use in an apparatus for sealing a flat lid with a lower layer of heat bondable material onto the upper, generally flat surface of a flange extending around the periphery of an access opening in a container. The apparatus moves the heating unit between first and second positions. The apparatus includes a generally fixed high frequency power supply for energizing the heating ring, connecting the high frequency power supply to the heating ring only while the heating unit is moving between the first and second positions. The ring is forced against the lid as the power supply is energized and is released from the lid after the power supply has been de-energized. Preferably the ring is an inductor. A plurality of these heating units is carried by a turret to define individual heating stations on the turret which stations rotate to selectively energize the individual heating units.

US Patent:

52673251, Nov 30, 1993

Filed:

Sep 6, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/755722

Inventors:

Paul S. Barron - Westland MI
Wayne H. Bentley - Plymouth MI
John F. Currie - Farmington Hills MI
Steve R. Krebs - Ypsilanti Twp. MI
Roger E. Ridl - Canton MI

Assignee:

Unisys Corporation - Blue Bell PA

International Classification:

G06K 934

US Classification:

382 9

Abstract:

Characters are located in a character recognition system by providing images in response to scanning characters, and then smearing black pixels in an image in up and down and left and right directions for detecting corners which are used to produce candidate character frames. These candidate character frames are scored based on how well they correspond to character size and expected location to determine which character frames are to be submitted for character recognition.