Willcocks
Alexander Martin Willcocks, London GB
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20150086902 | THIN FILM CATALYTIC MATERIAL FOR USE IN FUEL - A catalytic material includes (i) a support material and (ii) a thin film catalyst coating having an inner face adjacent to the support material and an outer face, the thin film catalyst coating having a mean thickness of ≦8 nm, and wherein at least 40% of the support material surface area is covered by the thin film catalyst coating; and wherein the thin film catalyst coating includes a first metal and one or more second metals, and wherein the atomic percentage of first metal in the thin film catalyst coating is not uniform through the thickness of the thin film catalyst coating. | 03-26-2015 |
20150207153 | PROCESS FOR PREPARING A CATALYTIC MATERIAL - A process for preparing a catalytic material including (i) a support material and (ii) a thin film catalyst coating, the coating including one or more first metals, wherein the process includes the steps of: providing a multilayer thin film coating of a second metal on the support material; and spontaneous galvanic displacement of at least some of the second metal with the one or more first metals; wherein the second metal is less noble than the one or more first metals. | 07-23-2015 |
Ben Willcocks, Bristol GB
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20110228821 | ADAPTIVE EQUALIZING REPEATER WITH OUTPUT CONTROL - A repeater includes at least an adaptive equalizer able to equalize a received signa. An adaptation function that determines the optimal equalizer settings based on the received signal is either integrated in the repeater or closely associated with the repeater. The repeater also has the capability to mute the output signal under control of the adaptation logic, while receiving an input signal which is used to perform the adaptation function. | 09-22-2011 |
20110317752 | EQUALIZER ADAPTATION - This invention relates to methods and apparatus for equalizer adaptation for compensating for channel distortion on received data signals. The method comprises, for each bit, forming an adjusted bit signal comprising a weighted contribution from at least one other bit period. The polarity of the adjusted bit signal is determined and the bit is categorized as a hard, i.e. high confidence, bit is the bit is above an upper threshold or below a lower threshold or otherwise is categorized as a soft bit. The weightings are adjusted based on the category of the bit wherein a first adjustment is made it the bit is categorized as a soft bit but a second, different adjustment is made if the bit is categorized as a hard bit. For a soft bit the weightings may be increased for bits which have the same polarity as the bit in question and decreased for bits of opposite polarity. For a hard bit the adjustment may increase the weighting for bits of opposite polarity and decrease the weighting for bits of the same polarity as the bit in question. The adjustments for the hard and soft bits may be weighted differently according to the proportion of soft to hard bits. | 12-29-2011 |
20110317753 | EQUALIZERS - Methods and apparatus adapting equalizers for compensating for signal distortion of a received digital signal are disclosed. The method comprises deriving equalizer settings for a received signal, determining at least one signal parameter of said received signal; and storing the derived equalizer settings together with an indication of the signal parameter. The signal parameter could, for instance, comprise the data rate of the signal. If the signal parameter changes the equalizer is configured to use any stored settings which are appropriate for the new signal parameter. Thus, rather than start an entirely new equalizer adaptation routine every time the signal parameter changes the equalizer will use any stored settings which are appropriate for the changed parameter. | 12-29-2011 |
20110317789 | DIGITAL RECEIVERS - The application describes digital receivers and operation thereof with improved recovery of a received signal. A clock generator ( | 12-29-2011 |
20140369454 | DIGITAL RECEIVERS - A method for processing a received digital signal includes generating a clock signal used for sampling the received signal by comparator which compares the received signal to a reference. A phase shifter adjusts the phase of the first clock signal to maximize the vertical eye opening of the signal at the sampling time. The phase of the clock signal may be adjusted in a first direction and a measure of vertical eye opening of the signal compared to a previous measure. If the measure of vertical eye opening has increased the signal another phase adjustment may be made in the same direction whereas if the vertical eye opening of the signal has decreased a further phase adjustment in the opposite direction may be made. | 12-18-2014 |
Benjamin A. Willcocks, Bristol GB
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20140270806 | ADAPTIVE SAMPLING QUALIFICATION FOR EXTINCTION RATIO CONTROL - Techniques are described for adaptive sampling qualification for extinction ration control. The techniques may be implemented in a laser driver assembly which includes a laser driver and a sampling loop configured to facilitate sampling of photodiode current produced by a monitor photodiode (MPD) of an optical transmitter assembly. The sampling loop comprises a low pass filter with reset, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and a comparator. The filter receives transmit (Tx) data provided to the laser driver and generates an output corresponding to a number of consecutive bits of a first type received in the transmit (Tx) data. The filter resets the output when a bit of a second type is received. The digital-to-analog converter (DAC) outputs a threshold signal. The comparator compares the output from the low pass filter and the threshold signal, and outputs a signal indicating when the photodiode current is to be sampled. | 09-18-2014 |
20140376906 | DIRECT REFERENCE SUBTRACTION SYSTEM FOR CONTROL OF OPTICAL TRANSMITTERS - An optical measurement system configured to determine whether an optical transmitter signal requires calibration is disclosed. In an implementation, the system includes an optical transmitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in limited spectrums of wavelengths at amplitudes based upon one or more transmission signals, and an optical sensor configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation in the limited spectrums of wavelengths and to generate a signal in response thereto. The system includes reference current sources configured to generate a respective reference current and a switch configured to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration based upon the transmission signals. The reference currents are configured to subtract from the signal generated by the optical sensor such that a difference remains. A comparison device is configured to compare the difference portion to a reference signal and output a signal indicative of the direction in which an optical transmitter driver signal should be adjusted. | 12-25-2014 |
Carole A. Willcocks, Santa Monica, CA US
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20090209881 | Apparatus for manually retaining a urine cup while providing a urine specimen - The present invention is a hand held apparatus to manually retain a urine specimen cup between the legs of a person so that a person can provide a urine specimen into the cup while precisely holding the cup beneath his or her legs so that the urine can be precisely voided into the cup. | 08-20-2009 |
James Peter Willcocks, Oxford GB
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20120322679 | BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS INSTRUMENT - An analysis instrument comprises plural modules connected together over a data network, each module comprising an analysis apparatus operable to perform biochemical analysis of a sample. Each module comprises a control unit that controls the operation of the analysis apparatus. The control units are addressable to select an arbitrary number of modules to operate as a cluster for performing a common biochemical analysis. The control units communicate over the data network, repeatedly during the performance of the common biochemical analysis, to determine the operation of the analysis apparatus of each module required to meet the global performance targets, on the basis of measures of performance derived from the output data produced by the modules. The arrangement of the instrument as modules interacting in this manner provides a scalable analysis instrument. | 12-20-2012 |
20140296083 | BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS INSTRUMENT - An analysis instrument comprises plural modules connected together over a data network, each module comprising an analysis apparatus operable to perform biochemical analysis of a sample. Each module comprises a control unit that controls the operation of the analysis apparatus. The control units are addressable to select an arbitrary number of modules to operate as a cluster for performing a common biochemical analysis. The control units communicate over the data network, repeatedly during the performance of the common biochemical analysis, to determine the operation of the analysis apparatus of each module required to meet the global performance targets, on the basis of measures of performance derived from the output data produced by the modules. The arrangement of the instrument as modules interacting in this manner provides a scalable analysis instrument. | 10-02-2014 |
20150346149 | BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS INSTRUMENT - An analysis instrument comprises plural modules connected together over a data network, each module comprising an analysis apparatus operable to perform biochemical analysis of a sample. Each module comprises a control unit that controls the operation of the analysis apparatus. The control units are addressable to select an arbitrary number of modules to operate as a cluster for performing a common biochemical analysis. The control units communicate over the data network, repeatedly during the performance of the common biochemical analysis, to determine the operation of the analysis apparatus of each module required to meet the global performance targets, on the basis of measures of performance derived from the output data produced by the modules. The arrangement of the instrument as modules interacting in this manner provides a scalable analysis instrument. | 12-03-2015 |
Mark E. Willcocks, Sellersville, PA US
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20150109721 | CORD-MOUNTED REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE - A remote control assembly may include a housing to which a remote control device may be attached (e.g., releasably attached). The remote control assembly may be configured to mount to a cord, for example an electrical cord that includes an insulating sheath. The housing of the remote control assembly may define a path therethrough that is configured to receive a portion of the electrical cord. The housing may be configured to restrain the cord such that the housing remains in a mounted location on the cord. For example, the housing may be configured to engage the insulating sheath of the electrical cord at one or more locations along the path through the housing. The remote control assembly may include a remote control device that is configured to control a load control device, for example via wireless communication signals transmitted from the remote control device. | 04-23-2015 |
Neil Willcocks, Mclean, VA US
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20160037802 | EXTRUDER SYSTEM AND METHOD - Apparatus and methods for producing multiple extruded products having different characteristics from the extruded stream of a single main extruder are provided. A satellite extruder assembly is removably attached to a main extruder allowing for the production of a plurality of different extrusion products from a single stream from one main extruder that is divided into multiple streams channeled to a plurality of satellite extruders. Each of the extruders may be operated at different temperature, pressure, moisture and shear conditions. Additional components may be selectively added to one or more of the material streams. | 02-11-2016 |
Neil Willcocks, Brentwood, TN US
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20090047394 | VACUUM PACKED PET FOOD - A pet food packages of pet food package is chosen for visual appeal. The package includes a tray and a film that retains loose components of the pet food in a specified and consistent arrangement by vacuum conditions. | 02-19-2009 |
20090175980 | WELLNESS BASED PET DIETS THAT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BREED TYPE AND GENETIC PREDISPOSITION OF A PET - In order to improve or manage a pet's wellness and health, and promote longevity and a healthy vitality, the pet's condition is assessed. A recommended diet regimen is determined that takes into account the pet's breed type(s), genetic predisposition to a disease or disorder, lifestyle, and pet feeding preferences of the pet's owner. The owner is provided with at least one option that satisfies the recommended diet regimen. | 07-09-2009 |
20090299821 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING AND PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE PET HEALTH AND NUTRITION FEEDING PLAN - In order to provide a comprehensive pet health and nutrition feeding plan for a pet, the pet's condition is assessed using a predetermined assessment scheme. A diet suited for the pet's condition is determined using an analysis procedure or algorithm established for the assessment scheme. The assessment scheme takes into account feeding preferences of the pet's owner. A feeding plan is selected according to the determined diet, the feeding preferences, and budget considerations, if any, of the owner. Optionally, the owner may conveniently obtain the combination of foods/treats/supplements/pharmaceuticals in the selected feeding plan at a predetermined location, which is informed of the pet's feeding plan in advance of the arrival of the pet's owner. | 12-03-2009 |
20100003393 | EDIBLE PET CHEW AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - An edible pet chew is disclosed that is comprised of fibrous protein, water absorbing polymer, plasticizer and water. The pet chew provides excellent textural properties and improved solubility in the stomach and intestinal environment for improved pet safety. | 01-07-2010 |
Neil A. Willcocks, Brentwood, TN US
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20120141636 | METHOD TO PRINT MULTICOLOR IMAGES ON EDIBLE PIECES - Multicolor image, formed from at least two component images, are printed on non-planar surfaces of edible pieces by maintaining registration of the pieces from one printing station to another. The registration is maintained by firmly securing the pieces to the transporting surface by applying a pressure differential, by a combination of a pressure differential with a resilient surface, or by trapping the pieces between a retaining member and a recess portion. | 06-07-2012 |
20130216670 | HIGH RESOLUTION INK-JET PRINTING ON EDIBLES AND PRODUCTS MADE - Disclosed are methods of printing high resolution images on edible substrates with dispersed pigmented inks using a drop-on-demand ink-jet printer. Dispersed pigmented white inks useful with the inventive methods are also disclosed. White images having a resolution greater than 200 dpi can be printed on chocolate using the methods and inks disclosed herein. The inventive methods and inks may also be integrated with a consumer-driven site vending or e-commerce application in which the consumer provides the image to be printed and edibles bearing the printed image are prepared for rapid turnaround. | 08-22-2013 |
Neil A. Willcocks, Fullerton, CA US
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20110244089 | METHOD OF COLORING PANNED CONFECTIONERIES WITH INK-JET PRINTING - A color coat is formed on a hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery by placing at least one hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery, preferably having an uncolored sugar surface, in functional association with an ink-jet head, applying at least a portion of a color coat to the hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery by ink-jet printing at least one edible ink onto the surface of the hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery, and drying the color coat. The hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery may be transported and/or stored prior to the application of the color coat. | 10-06-2011 |
Neil A. Willcocks, Flanders, NJ US
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20110097451 | HIGH RESOLUTION INK-JET PRINTING ON EDIBLES AND PRODUCTS MADE - Disclosed are methods of printing high resolution images on edible substrates with dispersed pigmented inks using a drop-on-demand ink-jet printer. Dispersed pigmented white inks useful with the inventive methods are also disclosed. White images having a resolution greater than 200 dpi can be printed on chocolate using the methods and inks disclosed herein. The inventive methods and inks may also be integrated with a consumer-driven site vending or e-commerce application in which the consumer provides the image to be printed and edibles bearing the printed image are prepared for rapid turnaround. | 04-28-2011 |