Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1952 [PAGE 1366]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1952]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

1463

ceptance of the assignment. T h e form of the assignment has been checked and approved by the Legal Counsel's office. T h e P e r r y Construction Company, Inc., will remain as a contracting party and assumes jointly with Mr. Mansfield responsibility for the execution of the work. T h e bonding company has accepted both as co-principals under the bond. I concur.

On motion of Mrs. Watkins, this recommendation was approved.

PATENTABLE DISCOVERIES (12) The University Patent Committee submits the following reports and recommendations relating to potentially patentable discoveries: 1. Messrs. E. C. Jordan, H. D. Webb, and T. R. O'Meara of the Department of Electrical Engineering, in connection with their research on radio direction finding for the Office of Naval Research, have invented radio direction finding equipment which may be of interest to the armed services. The personnel engaged in this research believe the invention would have little commercial value. Since this work was supported by the Office of Naval Research, the University Patent Committee recommends that the University declare its intention not to seek patent protection on the invention and to release all rights to the Office of Naval Research. 2. Professor H. F . Johnstone of the Division of Chemical Engineering has worked on some interesting modifications of a development designed for the recovery of sulphur dioxide from dilute gases. Professors Adams and Marvel of the Department of Chemistry are both of the opinion that these inventions, which are improvements and not original developments, should not be patented by the University since no remuneration could be expected commensurate with the expense involved in securing patent coverage. At an earlier date the University secured twelve patents on processes for the recovery of sulphur dioxide, but these patents later proved of no value to the University. T h e University Patent Committee recommends that the University release the rights to the sulphur dioxide discoveries to the inventor. 3. Messrs. Grant Fairbanks and R. P. Jaeger of the Department of Speech and Dean W . L. Everitt of the College of Engineering have invented a device for time compression of acoustical signals which will make it possible to reproduce connected speech in less time than the original speaking time and still retain intelligibility and fidelity. This device appears to have sufficient utility to warrant patent coverage by the University. T h e University Patent Committee has investigated the matter and recommends that the Board of Trustees authorize patent applications for the device and for general types of use in connection with radio broadcasting and civilian and military communication systems. I concur.

On motion of Mrs. Holt, these recommendations were approved.

ILLINI FOREST PLANTATION (13) The Department of Forestry is developing a tree plantation on forty acres of the McCullough F a r m recently purchased by the University. The Department wishes to have this area designated as the "Illini Forest Plantation," and I so recommend. O n m o t i o n of M r . F o r n o f , t h i s r e c o m m e n d a t i o n w a s a p p r o v e d . A N N U A L REPORT OF THE TREASURER (14) In accordance with Article V I , Section 4, of the By-Laws of the Board of Trustees, the Treasurer of the University has submitted a report of receipts and disbursements of University funds for the period March 1, 1951, through February 29, 1952, certified by the Comptroller.

This report was received for record and a copy has been filed with the Secretary of the Board.