Robert W Sparks

Address:

4713 Trl Crst Cir, Austin, TX 78735

VIN:

WBXPC93477WF06902

Make:

BMW

Model:

X3

Year:

2007

US Patent:

55120288, Apr 30, 1996

Filed:

Mar 7, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/206800

Inventors:

Robert W. Sparks - Hutto TX

International Classification:

A63N 132

US Classification:

482 92

Abstract:

Applicant's invention is of an improved flywheel exerciser and of an improved handle for engaging the exerciser's cord. The cord segments on either side of the flywheel are securely engaged by pinch grip blades within the two handles' body. Because the cord is easily disengaged from the pinch grip structure, the spatial separation of the handles is easily adjusted for different users. A two-part grommet structure eases the assembly and cord replacement for the exerciser. Applicant's handle, particularly a modified version which can be used to grasp medial sections of a cord, can be used to engage cording in many contexts other than that of use for a flywheel exerciser.

US Patent:

47528710, Jun 21, 1988

Filed:

Sep 30, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/781368

Inventors:

Robert W. Sparks - Austin TX
Phillip S. Smith - Austin TX
Brian F. Wilkie - Austin TX
Paul D. Shannon - Austin TX

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

G06F 1202

US Classification:

364200

Abstract:

A single-chip microcomputer comprises at least two separate and independent electrically erasable programmable read only memories (EEPROMs) on-board which may be independently programmed, erased and read. Each part of the split EEPROM has its own data bus and address bus. Programming and erasing is controlled by a program register which has separate bits for configuring and latching the data and address buses of a selected EEPROM array, for providing programming voltage to the array of choice and for choosing between programming and erasing the selected array. The split EEPROM provides versatility to the user in allowing one part of the EEPROM to be programmed while the program stored in another part of the EEPROM or RAM may be read and utilized. In addition, test time and effort of the microcomputer may be considerably reduced.

US Patent:

49032658, Feb 20, 1990

Filed:

Nov 28, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/276990

Inventors:

Paul D. Shannon - Austin TX
Hiroyuki Oka - Tokyo, JP
Paul E. Grimme - Dripping Springs TX
Robert W. Sparks - Austin TX

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

G01R 3128
G11C 2900

US Classification:

371 214

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for post-packaging testing of one-time programmable memories provided means for assuring that each cell of the memory will appear to a customer to be erased and that it is capable of being programmed. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a microcomputer including one-time programmable memory, but the invention also includes memory-only devices. Marginal reading method and apparatus provide for detecting the threshold voltage of memory cells below the level at which the cell appears to the customer to be erased and marginal programming method and apparatus provide for slightly increasing the threshold voltage of cells in order to ensure their programmability.

US Patent:

48092312, Feb 28, 1989

Filed:

Nov 12, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/119528

Inventors:

Paul D. Shannon - Austin TX
Hiroyuki Oka - Tokyo, JP
Paul E. Grimme - Dripping Springs TX
Robert W. Sparks - Austin TX

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

G11C 1300

US Classification:

365201

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for post-packaging testing of one-time programmable memories provides means for assuring that each cell of the memory will appear to a customer to be erased and that it is capable of being programmed. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a microcomputer including one-time programmable memory, but the invention also includes memory-only devices. Marginal reading method and apparatus provide for detecting the threshold voltage of memory cells below the level at which the cell appears to the customer to be erased and marginal programming method and apparatus provide for slightly increasing the threshold voltage of cells in order to ensure their programmability.

US Patent:

57163987, Feb 10, 1998

Filed:

Jan 23, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/376624

Inventors:

Robert Sparks - Austin TX
Chris Kingsbury - Laguna Hills CA
David W. Wieting - Costa Mesa CA

Assignee:

Baxter International, Inc. - Deerfield IL

International Classification:

A61F 224

US Classification:

623 2

Abstract:

A valve rotator comprising a body having a generally annular peripheral surface at one end of the body and a central cavity opening at such end. The annular peripheral surface substantially surrounds the central cavity and has an interlocking surface region configured to interlock with a rotor of a rotatable valve. The body had a generally annular shoulder adjacent such one end which generally faces such end of the body. The annular peripheral surface extends toward that end of the body from the annular shoulder.

US Patent:

59648007, Oct 12, 1999

Filed:

Aug 15, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/912021

Inventors:

Robert Sparks - Austin TX
Chris Kingsbury - Laguna Hills CA
David Wieting - Costa Mesa CA

Assignee:

Baxter International, Inc. - Deerfield IL

International Classification:

A61F 224

US Classification:

623 2

Abstract:

Methods for rotating a heart valve body rotatably mounted within a sewing ring. The valve body includes a plurality of drive surfaces on an inner periphery, and a rotator has a plurality of drive surfaces on an exterior periphery. The drive and driven surfaces are in registration only in discrete relative orientations of the two parts about a common axis of rotation. The drive surfaces may be greater in number than the driven surfaces, to reduce the rotational angle that the rotator must be turned before registering with the valve body. The drive and driven surfaces may be formed as flats on each respective part. In one embodiment, the rotator includes a cylindrical distal end with three pairs of diametrically opposed external flats, and the valve body includes a single pair of diametrically opposed internal flats. The rotator is designed so that a surgeon need only rotate it a maximum of 90. degree. in either direction.

US Patent:

54106338, Apr 25, 1995

Filed:

Sep 27, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/126867

Inventors:

Ken Ota - Yokohama, JP
William C. Archibald - Austin TX
Robert W. Sparks - Kyle TX

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

G06G 700

US Classification:

395 3

Abstract:

A grade calculating circuit (FIG. 1) used for fuzzy inference computation is disclosed. The circuit calculates input label grades based on the relationships between input data (Xi) and the input labels, defined by membership functions (MF) having at least one inclined line segment (FIG. 3), said grades having the upper and lower limit values (g. sub. max, g. sub. min). The circuit comprises: memory (20) for memorizing the input label membership functions by storing, for each of the membership functions, a function form type code, a bending point (Xo) at an end of the inclined line segment and a multiplication rule which designates a multiplier (2. sup. n +2. sup. m) proportional to the inclination of the inclined line segment; a horizontal distance calculating circuit (40) for calculating a horizontal distance (Xi - Xo) between an input datum (Xi) and the bending point (Xo) for said each of the membership functions; a multiplication circuit (50) for performing operation according to said multiplication rule on said horizontal distance, to provide a grade value determined by the inclined line segment with respect to the horizontal distance; and a selecting circuit ( 60) for selecting one value as an input label grade, from the grade value provided by the multiplication circuit, the upper limit grade value of the membership function and the lower limit grade value of the membership function.

US Patent:

57375666, Apr 7, 1998

Filed:

Dec 20, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/169103

Inventors:

Robert Wayne Sparks - Kyle TX
Wallace Baker Harwood - Austin TX
Thomas Jew - Austin TX
James Bradley Eifert - Austin TX

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

G06F 1200
G06F 1300

US Classification:

395427

Abstract:

A data processing system having a memory with a low power operating mode and a method of operation is described. An static random access memory (SRAM) (18) having a low power operating mode is provided for a data processing system (10). A programmable control bit is used for switching the SRAM (18) from a one clock cycle operating mode to a two clock cycle, or low power, operating mode. Initially, during the two cycle operating mode, only a bus interface unit (41) is active. During the first cycle, an address is compared to determine if the address is a valid address. If the address is valid, address decoders (42) are enabled, and a data transfer is completed on the second clock cycle. If the address is not valid, the address decoders (42) remain disabled and memory array (43) remains in a quiescent state consuming minimum power. During one cycle mode, the SRAM (18) decodes every address in order to respond in one clock cycle to a valid address.