Patents by Inventor Alan McLean
Alan McLean has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20190392727Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for holding the generation of alarm and congratulatory messages. One method includes an operation for capturing motion data using an activity tracking device. Intervals during a day are identified, each interval including a start and an end time, and a near-end time being defined between the start and end times. Another operation is for generating a first notification for display on the activity tracking device when the near-end time of the current interval is reached and the steps taken by the user during the current interval is less than a goal of a predetermined number of steps. Further, the method includes operations for receiving a hold command with a hold period, and for suspending the generation of the first notification during the hold period. After the hold period expires, the generation of the first notification is resumed without requiring user input.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2019Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventors: Yeqing Cheng, Yasaman Baiani, Jacob Antony Arnold, Allison Maya Russell, Alan McLean
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Patent number: 10080530Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for generating alarms and congratulatory messages to reduce sedentary time. One method includes an operation for capturing motion data using an activity tracking device. The method further includes operations for storing the motion data in memory, and for identifying one or more intervals during a day. Each interval includes a start time and an end time, and a near-end time is defined between the start and the end time. For each interval, the number of steps taken during the interval is determined, and the number of steps is compared against a goal defined by a number of steps to be taken during the interval. A first notification is displayed when the number of steps is less than the goal and the near-end time has been reached. A second notification is displayed congratulating the user if the interval goal is reached.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.Inventors: Yeqing Cheng, Yasaman Baiani, Jacob Antony Arnold, Allison Maya Russell, Alan McLean, Delisa Lopez, Nicholas Myers
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Publication number: 20170243056Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for holding the generation of alarm and congratulatory messages. One method includes an operation for capturing motion data using an activity tracking device. Intervals during a day are identified, each interval including a start and an end time, and a near-end time being defined between the start and end times. Another operation is for generating a first notification for display on the activity tracking device when the near-end time of the current interval is reached and the steps taken by the user during the current interval is less than a goal of a predetermined number of steps. Further, the method includes operations for receiving a hold command with a hold period, and for suspending the generation of the first notification during the hold period. After the hold period expires, the generation of the first notification is resumed without requiring user input.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: Yeqing Cheng, Yasaman Baiani, Jacob Antony Arnold, Allison Maya Russell, Alan McLean
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Publication number: 20170238881Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for generating alarms and congratulatory messages to reduce sedentary time. One method includes an operation for capturing motion data using an activity tracking device. The method further includes operations for storing the motion data in memory, and for identifying one or more intervals during a day. Each interval includes a start time and an end time, and a near-end time is defined between the start and the end time. For each interval, the number of steps taken during the interval is determined, and the number of steps is compared against a goal defined by a number of steps to be taken during the interval. A first notification is displayed when the number of steps is less than the goal and the near-end time has been reached. A second notification is displayed congratulating the user if the interval goal is reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: Yeqing Cheng, Yasaman Baiani, Jacob Antony Arnold, Allison Maya Russell, Alan McLean, Delisa Lopez, Nicholas Myers
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Publication number: 20170243508Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for reporting sedentary time information. One method includes operations for capturing motion data using one or more sensors of an activity tracking device, and for determining one or more sedentary time periods associated where the user is sedentary. Further, the method includes an operation for determining a first set of one or more time intervals when the user is asleep, and for determining a second set of one or more time intervals when the user is not wearing the activity tracking device. The longest sedentary period for a day where the user is sedentary, awake, and wearing the activity tracking device, is calculated based on excluding the first and the second sets of one or more time intervals from the one or more sedentary time periods. Information describing the longest sedentary period is displayed on the activity tracking device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: Yeqing Cheng, Yasaman Baiani, Jacob Antony Arnold, Allison Maya Russell, Alan McLean, Sumner Paine, Nicholas Myers
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Publication number: 20170239523Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for reporting information regarding hourly steps. One method includes operations for capturing motion data using an activity tracking device, and for identifying a plurality of intervals during a day. Each interval includes a start time, an end time, and an interval goal, which is the number of steps to be taken during the interval. The method includes an operation for determining the number of steps taken during the current interval. Responsive to determining that the steps taken during the current interval is less than the interval goal, a first message is presented on the activity tracking device indicating the steps taken during the current interval. Further, responsive to determining that the user meets the interval goal during the current interval, a second message is presented indicating in how many intervals of the current day the interval goal was reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: Yeqing Cheng, Yasaman Baiani, Jacob Antony Arnold, Allison Maya Russell, Alan McLean, Delisa Lopez, Sumner Paine
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Patent number: 9109172Abstract: A low-temperature gasification system comprising a horizontally oriented gasifier is provided that optimizes the extraction of gaseous molecules from carbonaceous feedstock while minimizing waste heat. The system comprises a plurality of integrated subsystems that work together to convert municipal solid waste (MSW) into electricity. The subsystems comprised by the low-temperature gasification system are: a Municipal Solid Waste Handling System; a Plastics Handling System; a Horizontally Oriented Gasifier with Lateral Transfer Units System; a Gas Reformulating System; a Heat Recycling System; a Gas Conditioning System; a Residue Conditioning System; a Gas Homogenization System and a Control System.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: PLASCO ENERGY GROUP INC.Inventors: Andreas Tsangaris, Kenneth Craig Campbell, Douglas Michael Feasby, Thomas Edward Wagler, Alisdair Alan McLean, Scott Douglas Basham, Mao Pei Cui, Zhiyuan Shen, Ashish Chotaliya, Nipun Soni, Geoffrey Dobbs, Pascale Bonnie Marceau, Xiaoping Zou
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Patent number: 8997733Abstract: A kettle includes a water receiving chamber; a water heating chamber; and a water transfer siphon. The water transfer siphon has a siphon inlet aperture in communication with the water receiving chamber, and a siphon outlet aperture in communication with the water heating chamber. The water transfer siphon is preventable from priming with water from the water receiving chamber through a first rotation of the kettle to increase an elevation of a siphon crest of the water transfer siphon relative to a water level within the water receiving chamber, the first rotation occurring in a first direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Inventor: Iain Alan McLean
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Publication number: 20140190466Abstract: A kettle includes a water receiving chamber; a water heating chamber; and a water transfer siphon. The water transfer siphon has a siphon inlet aperture in communication with the water receiving chamber, and a siphon outlet aperture in communication with the water heating chamber. The water transfer siphon is preventable from priming with water from the water receiving chamber through a first rotation of the kettle to increase an elevation of a siphon crest of the water transfer siphon relative to a water level within the water receiving chamber, the first rotation occurring in a first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2012Publication date: July 10, 2014Inventor: Iain Alan McLean
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Publication number: 20130269252Abstract: A low-temperature gasification system comprising a horizontally oriented gasifier is provided that optimizes the extraction of gaseous molecules from carbonaceous feedstock while minimizing waste heat. The system comprises a plurality of integrated subsystems that work together to convert municipal solid waste (MSW) into electricity. The subsystems comprised by the low-temperature gasification system are: a Municipal Solid Waste Handling System; a Plastics Handling System; a Horizontally Oriented Gasifier with Lateral Transfer Units System; a Gas Reformulating System; a Heat Recycling System; a Gas Conditioning System; a Residue Conditioning System; a Gas Homogenization System and a Control System.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Andreas Tsangaris, Kenneth Craig Campbell, Douglas Michael Feasby, Thomas Edward Wagler, Alisdair Alan McLean, Scott Douglas Basham, Mao Pei Cui, Zhiyuan Shen, Ashish Chotaliya, Nipun Soni, Geoffrey Dobbs, Pascale Bonnie Marceau, Xiaoping Zou
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Patent number: 8372169Abstract: A low-temperature gasification system comprising a horizontally oriented gasifier is provided that optimizes the extraction of gaseous molecules from carbonaceous feedstock while minimizing waste heat. The system comprises a plurality of integrated subsystems that work together to convert municipal solid waste (MSW) into electricity. The subsystems comprised by the low-temperature gasification system are: a Municipal Solid Waste Handling System; a Plastics Handling System; a Horizontally Oriented Gasifier with Lateral Transfer Units System; a Gas Reformulating System; a Heat Recycling System; a Gas Conditioning System; a Residue Conditioning System; a Gas Homogenization System and a Control System.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Plasco Energy Group Inc.Inventors: Andreas Tsangaris, Scott Douglas Basham, Kenneth Craig Campbell, Ashish Chotaliya, Mao Pei Cui, Geofrey Dobbs, Douglas Michael Feasby, Pascale Bonnie Marceau, Alisdair Alan McLean, Zhiyuan Shen, Nipun Soni, Thomas Edward Wagler, Xiaoping Zou, Margaret Swain
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Patent number: 8306665Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for the conversion of carbonaceous feedstock into a gas. In particular, the control system is designed to be configurable for use in controlling one or more processes implemented in, and/or by, a gasification system for the conversion of such feedstock into a gas, which may be used for one or more downstream applications. Gasification processes controllable by different embodiments of the disclosed control system may include in various combinations, a converter, a residue conditioner, a recuperator and/or heat exchanger system, one or more gas conditioners, a gas homogenization system and one or more downstream applications. The control system operatively controls various local, regional and/or global processes related to the overall gasification process, and thereby adjusts various control parameters thereof adapted to affect these processes for a selected result.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Plasco Energy Group Inc.Inventors: Andreas Tsangaris, Kenneth Craig Campbell, Douglas Michael Feasby, Alisdair Alan McLean
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Patent number: 7564421Abstract: A compact waveguide antenna array feed system provides antenna element ports spaced along an array face by less than one free-space wavelength in at least one dimension, while retaining a thickness in a direction perpendicular to the array face of less than one and one-half free-space wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2008Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Inventors: Richard Gerald Edwards, Rory Kim Sorensen, Alan McLean Buchanan
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Patent number: 6987492Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an antenna assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises an antenna; and a positioner capable of assuming a tetrahedral shape connected to the antenna and mounted to an antenna mount pedestal. The positioner comprises a substantially flat base portion; and a triangular shaped antenna face bracket rotatably coupled to the base portion. The positioner further comprises an extendable, linear stiffening member connected between the base portion and the triangular shaped antenna face bracket; and an actuator to rotate the triangular shaped face bracket of the antenna assembly and form the positioner in combination with the linear stiffening member, triangular shaped antenna face bracket and base portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: L-3 Communications CorporationInventors: Alan McLean Buchanan, Pamela Sue Silcox
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Publication number: 20050144595Abstract: There is disclosed a method and system for generating documentation for a GUI usage scenario. There is also disclosed a method and system for assembling a GUI script from a plurality of pre-scripted parts. In an embodiment, shadow objects are created to listen to and report activities of each GUI object of interest during a GUI usage session. The shadow objects may listen to shadowed GUI object activities during playback of the GUI script, or during a live GUI usage session. GUI object activities reported by the shadow objects are identified and converted into narrative language statements, using a pre-determined conversion list, to create human-readable documentation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2004Publication date: June 30, 2005Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventor: Alan McLean
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Patent number: 5703377Abstract: Apparatus for the inspection of the end surface of a cylindrical object including a device for irradiating the end surface of the object, a detector for detecting radiation reflected by the end surface substantially parallel to the axis of the object and a calculator for calculating the proportion of the end surface which has reflected radiation directly to the detector device, wherein the means for irradiating comprises a ring source the center of the ring being substantially co-incident with the axis of the object and being substantially transparent to reflected radiation so that light reflected to the detector passes unhindered through the ring, the ring source having associated therewith a device permitting substantially uniform irradiation across the said end surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1995Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Assignee: British Nuclear Fuels plcInventors: Adam Kenneth Ainsworth, Reginald Paul Glenville, Iain Alan McLean