Patents by Inventor David S. Thompson
David S. Thompson 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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Patent number: 9625637Abstract: Extended area lighting devices include a light guide and diffractive surface features on a major surface of the light guide. The diffractive surface features provide low distortion for viewing objects through the light guide. Light from discrete light source(s) is injected into the light guide, and the diffractive surface features interact with the injected light to couple guided-mode light out of the light guide. The out-coupled light produces one or more bands whose apparent shape changes with viewing position. The bands may be bright bands that correspond to the discrete light sources, or dark bands associated with an optional non-uniform reflective structure extending along a side surface of the light guide. Multiple bands may form a pattern that changes with viewing position, the pattern of bands having a 3-dimensional appearance for at least some viewing positions. The lighting devices can be used as luminaires for general lighting or decorative lighting.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2012Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Zhaohui Yang, David S. Thompson, Vivian W. Jones
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Publication number: 20170072321Abstract: A fantasy sports interleaver may include a video segmenting device to create a plurality of video clips, a clip annotator to associate each of the plurality of video clips with at least one of achievement of an athlete, and an interleaver to associate and transmit at least some of the plurality of video clips to each of a plurality of users. The interleaver may interface with a fantasy sports platform hosting the fantasy team of the user, as well as incoming audio/video feeds from content providers, and content feeds from advertisers. In an “active bench” fantasy environment, users frequently move athletes of the user's fantasy team between “bench” and “field” to take advantage of a constantly evolving situation on actual fields of play. A user interfaces allows fantasy team control, provides updated video clips indicating potential opportunities, and updated rosters indicating whether athletes in non-fantasy games are benched or fielded.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: David S. Thompson, David A. Divine
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Publication number: 20160375365Abstract: Techniques for “scraping” and/or obtaining fantasy sports data include accessing a fantasy sports server. The access may include accessing publicly available data, accessing data for which a user's username and/or password are required, and/or accessing data by operation of an applications programming interface provided by the server(s) or by a file transfer protocol (FTP) provided by the server(s), etc. Upon gaining access, fantasy sports information may be obtained for a plurality of users. The fantasy sports information may include fantasy team roster information, fantasy team game schedule, etc. The fantasy sports information may be used to create a profile of each of a plurality of fantasy sports users. The database may be used with an interleaver or other service to determine which of a plurality of video clips of athletes should be sent to each of a plurality of users.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: David S. Thompson, David A. Divine
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Publication number: 20160368019Abstract: A microstructured article includes a nanovoided layer having opposing first and second major surfaces, the first major surface being microstructured to form prisms, lenses, or other features. The nanovoided layer includes a polymeric binder and a plurality of interconnected voids, and optionally a plurality of nanoparticles. A second layer, which may include a viscoelastic layer or a polymeric resin layer, is disposed on the first or second major surface. A related method includes disposing a coating solution onto a substrate. The coating solution includes a polymerizable material, a solvent, and optional nanoparticles. The method includes polymerizing the polymerizable material while the coating solution is in contact with a microreplication tool to form a microstructured layer. The method also includes removing solvent from the microstructured layer to form a nanovoided microstructured article.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, William Blake Kolb, Michael Benton Free, Audrey A. Sherman, John A. Wheatley, David S. Thompson, Matthew S. Stay, Encai Hao
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Patent number: 9470838Abstract: Extended area lighting devices include a light guide and diffractive surface features on a major surface of the light guide, at least some diffractive surface features adapted to couple guided-mode light out of the light guide. The diffractive features include first and second diffractive features disposed on respective first and second portions of the major surface. A patterned light transmissive layer, including a second light transmissive medium, optically contacts the second diffractive features but not the first diffractive features. A first light transmissive medium optically contacts the first but not the second diffractive features. The first and second portions may define indicia, and the first and second diffractive features provide low distortion for viewing objects through the light guide such that the indicia is not readily apparent to users when guided-mode light does not propagate within the light guide. Optical films having such diffractive features are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: David S. Thompson, Zhaohui Yang, Matthew S. Stay, Vivian W. Jones
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Patent number: 9463388Abstract: Techniques for fantasy sport score reporting include progressively updating an estimated score for a team of fantasy players. A fantasy football team includes athletes that play for professional football teams. Performance of the athletes in their real life games earns each athlete points, which aid the fantasy teams with which they are associated. In a game between the two fantasy teams, an initial estimated score is provided, based on information about the athletes' past performances. As real life games are played by the athletes, how well certain athletes performed, and therefore portions of the estimated score, become known. As the information becomes known, the estimated score is refined. Thus, as real life games progress, estimated fantasy point information becomes a progressively better estimate of the actual/eventual fantasy game score. Ultimately, the estimated score is completely replaced with an actual score.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2015Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Inventors: David S. Thompson, David A. Divine
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Publication number: 20160280403Abstract: Items may be packaged for shipping or storage using additive manufacturing techniques, also known as three dimensional (3-D) printing. Packages made by such processes may be referred to as 3-D printed packages. A packaging system may include a 3-D printer and a computing device communicatively coupled to the 3-D printer. The computing device may obtain a packaging model describing a package for one or more items. A print module of the computing device may include instructions to print the package at least partially about the item(s) according to the packaging model. The configuration of a 3-D printed package may be based at least in part on one or more other packages. A 3-D printed package may include multiple separable compartments. A unit of 3-D printed packages may include multiple separable packages.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2016Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: Shay C. Colson, David S. Thompson, David A. Divine
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Patent number: 9440152Abstract: Fantasy sports information may be integrated with video content of games or sporting events. An example technique includes determining one or more athletes on a roster of a fantasy sports team of a user, receiving video content of a game or sporting event, and identifying at least one athlete of interest that is on the roster of the fantasy sports team of the user depicted in the video content of the game or sporting event. The video content may then be displayed along with a visual indicator associated with the at least one athlete of interest to indicate that the athlete of interest is on the roster of the fantasy sports team of the user. The visual indicator may comprise a name, symbol, logo or other identifier of an entity, such as a sponsor of the game or sporting event.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Inventors: David S. Thompson, David A. Divine
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Publication number: 20160152358Abstract: Items may be packaged for shipping or storage using additive manufacturing techniques, also known as three dimensional (3-D) printing. Packages made by such processes may be referred to as 3-D printed packages and may include packing material printed at least partially around the item(s) and/or an outer cover printed about at least a portion of an exterior of the packing material and/or the item(s). A packaging system may include a 3-D printer and a computing device communicatively coupled to the 3-D printer. The computing device may obtain a packaging model describing a package for one or more items. A print module of the computing device may include instructions to print the package at least partially about the item(s) according to the packaging model.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2016Publication date: June 2, 2016Inventors: David A. Divine, David S. Thompson, Shay C. Colson
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Publication number: 20160122043Abstract: Items may be packaged for shipping or storage using additive manufacturing techniques, also known as three dimensional (3-D) printing. Packages made by such processes may be referred to as 3-D printed packages and may include packing material printed at least partially around the item(s) and/or an outer cover printed about at least a portion of an exterior of the packing material and/or the item(s). A packaging system may include a 3-D printer and a computing device communicatively coupled to the 3-D printer. The computing device may obtain a packaging model describing a package for one or more items. A print module of the computing device may include instructions to print the package at least partially about the item(s) according to the packaging model.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2016Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: David A. Divine, David S. Thompson, Shay C. Colson
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Patent number: 9248611Abstract: Items may be packaged for shipping or storage using additive manufacturing techniques, also known as three dimensional (3-D) printing. Packages made by such processes may be referred to as 3-D printed packages and may include packing material printed at least partially around the item(s) and/or an outer cover printed about at least a portion of an exterior of the packing material and/or the item(s). A packaging system may include a 3-D printer and a computing device communicatively coupled to the 3-D printer. The computing device may obtain a packaging model describing a package for one or more items. A print module of the computing device may include instructions to print the package at least partially about the item(s) according to the packaging model.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2014Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Inventors: David A. Divine, David S. Thompson, Shay C. Colson
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Publication number: 20160008723Abstract: Techniques for fantasy sport score reporting include progressively updating an estimated score for a team of fantasy players. A fantasy football team includes athletes that play for professional football teams. Performance of the athletes in their real life games earns each athlete points, which aid the fantasy teams with which they are associated. In a game between the two fantasy teams, an initial estimated score is provided, based on information about the athletes' past performances. As real life games are played by the athletes, how well certain athletes performed, and therefore portions of the estimated score, become known. As the information becomes known, the estimated score is refined. Thus, as real life games progress, estimated fantasy point information becomes a progressively better estimate of the actual/eventual fantasy game score. Ultimately, the estimated score is completely replaced with an actual score.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2015Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: David S. Thompson, David A. Divine
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Publication number: 20150375117Abstract: Fantasy sports information may be integrated with video content of games or sporting events. An example technique includes determining one or more athletes on a roster of a fantasy sports team of a user, receiving video content of a game or sporting event, and identifying at least one athlete of interest that is on the roster of the fantasy sports team of the user depicted in the video content of the game or sporting event. The video content may then be displayed along with a visual indicator associated with the at least one athlete of interest to indicate that the athlete of interest is on the roster of the fantasy sports team of the user. The visual indicator may comprise a name, symbol, logo or other identifier of an entity, such as a sponsor of the game or sporting event.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: David S. Thompson, David A. Divine
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Publication number: 20150358690Abstract: A user (e.g., a viewer of audio/video content) may select a primary or main content stream (MCS). Metadata regarding the MCS may be generated to indicate a start and a stop within the MCS of content that is not of interest to the user, such as commercials. When the MCS (e.g., a sporting event) provides undesired content, backfill content (BFC) may be provided in place of the undesired content. BFC may include content provided by a fantasy sports platform, a social media website, an email provider, a secondary content stream (e.g., highlights from a different sporting event), and/or any other content. The MCS may be presented to the user with a slight time-delay, so that the metadata identifying commercials may be determined, and to allow the primary stream to be blended seamlessly with BFC. In another example, BFC may include a second game, provided to the user's device and segmented into highlights.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: David S. Thompson, David A. Divine
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Publication number: 20150292751Abstract: Techniques for use with vent covers of furnace ductworks are described herein. A vent cover may include a fan to actively pull air from the ductwork and into a room at least in part in response to a number of open or closed vents in ductwork to which the vent cover is connected. Active air movement through the vent cover may lower air pressure and/or temperature within the ductwork and increase airflow through heat exchangers of the furnace, thereby compensating for zones created by closed vent covers. A system may monitor factors consistent with a furnace over-temperature event, such as furnace operation, closed vent covers, high air pressure or temperature in ductwork, etc. A fan of a vent cover may be turned on to actively draw air through a vent covered by the vent cover. The fan may turn off after conclusion of at least one of the monitored factors.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2015Publication date: October 15, 2015Inventors: David S. Thompson, David A. Divine
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Publication number: 20150271598Abstract: Techniques describe tuning a plurality of radio stations, buffering digital audio data from each tuner, recognizing programming segments in the buffer, identifying content (e.g., song title and artist) of at least some segments, selecting from among the identified segments, and providing the selected segments to a listener. In an example, at least two signals are simultaneously tuned from at least two radio stations. Digital audio data and metadata obtained from the tuning may be buffered. The buffered data may be segmented into programming segments. Information may be obtained about the programming segments. For example, a song title and artist may be obtained for a programming segment comprising a song. In another example, a second programming segment may be identified as a commercial or may remain unidentified. The obtained information identifying programming segments may be analyzed to identify listener-preferred programming segments. Preferred programming segments may then be provided to the listener.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2015Publication date: September 24, 2015Inventors: David S. Thompson, David A. Divine
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Patent number: 9138652Abstract: Fantasy sports information may be integrated with video content of games or sporting events. An example technique includes determining one or more athletes on a roster of a fantasy sports team of a user, receiving video content of a game or sporting event, and identifying at least one athlete of interest that is on the roster of the fantasy sports team of the user depicted in the video content of the game or sporting event. The video content may then be displayed along with a visual indicator associated with the at least one athlete of interest to indicate that the athlete of interest is on the roster of the fantasy sports team of the user. The visual indicator may be selectable to control playback of the video content and/or to display a fantasy roster of the user.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Inventors: David S. Thompson, David A. Divine
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Patent number: 9056253Abstract: Techniques for configuring and operating a fantasy sports interleaver service are described herein. In some examples, a content feed is associated with each of a plurality of games (e.g., a plurality of football games). A plurality of clips may be created from each content feed. Fantasy point information may be associated with at least some of the clips. For example, if a football quarterback throws a touchdown pass within a clip, fantasy points may be awarded to the quarterback and/or assigned to the clip. The clip may be transmitted to a client device of a user of the fantasy sports interleaver service based at least in part upon a fantasy sports account of the user (e.g., based upon an athlete on the user's fantasy roster that is depicted in the clip).Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2014Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Inventors: David S. Thompson, David A. Divine
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Publication number: 20150131297Abstract: Variable index light extraction layers (100) that contain a plurality of microreplicated posts (120) are described. The variable index light extraction layers contain a plurality of microreplicated posts (120), a first region including a first lower-index substance (130) and a second region including a second higher-index substance (140). Optical films can use the variable index light extraction layers (100) in front lit or back lit display devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: David S. Thompson, Vivian W. Jones, Michael A. Meis, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Kevin R. Schaffer, Audrey A. Sherman, Steven D. Solomonson, Matthew S. Stay, Joseph W. Woody, V, Zhaohui Yang
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Publication number: 20150096266Abstract: Items may be packaged for shipping or storage using additive manufacturing techniques, also known as three dimensional (3-D) printing. Packages made by such processes may be referred to as 3-D printed packages and may include packing material printed at least partially around the item(s) and/or an outer cover printed about at least a portion of an exterior of the packing material and/or the item(s). A packaging system may include a 3-D printer and a computing device communicatively coupled to the 3-D printer. The computing device may obtain a packaging model describing a package for one or more items. A print module of the computing device may include instructions to print the package at least partially about the item(s) according to the packaging model.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: David A. Divine, David S. Thompson, Shay C. Colson