Patents by Inventor Donald Willis

Donald Willis 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).

  • Publication number: 20220114540
    Abstract: The concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to automated tool tracking for service technicians. According to one aspect disclosed herein, a tool tracking system can collect tool data from a vehicle system of a vehicle. The tool data can be associated with a tool that is to be utilized by a service technician to provide, at least in part, a service at a customer location. The tool tracking system can store the tool data in a data store. The tool tracking system can map the tool data to the vehicle and can determine when the tool is no longer mapped to the vehicle. This can be indicative of the tool having been left, for example, at the customer location. The tool tracking system can create an alert to inform the service technician and/or another entity that the tool is no longer mapped to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicants: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P., Interwise Ltd.
    Inventors: Sreenivas Nukala, Adam Hersh, Nir Ganani, Satish Janardan, Bryan Goettsch, Donald Willis, Quang Cao, Saurav Patel, Jesse Taylor, Mirage Hamdy, Valerie Smith, Meni Sasson, Amir Benyamin, Stephen Alexander Roberts, JR.
  • Patent number: 11222308
    Abstract: The concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to automated tool tracking for service technicians. According to one aspect disclosed herein, a tool tracking system can collect tool data from a vehicle system of a vehicle. The tool data can be associated with a tool that is to be utilized by a service technician to provide, at least in part, a service at a customer location. The tool tracking system can store the tool data in a data store. The tool tracking system can map the tool data to the vehicle and can determine when the tool is no longer mapped to the vehicle. This can be indicative of the tool having been left, for example, at the customer location. The tool tracking system can create an alert to inform the service technician and/or another entity that the tool is no longer mapped to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignees: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P., Interwise Ltd.
    Inventors: Sreenivas Nukala, Adam Hersh, Nir Ganani, Satish Janardan, Bryan Goettsch, Donald Willis, Quang Cao, Saurav Patel, Jesse Taylor, Mirage Hamdy, Valerie Smith, Meni Sasson, Amir Benyamin, Stephen Alexander Roberts, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210182771
    Abstract: The concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to automated tool tracking for service technicians. According to one aspect disclosed herein, a tool tracking system can collect tool data from a vehicle system of a vehicle. The tool data can be associated with a tool that is to be utilized by a service technician to provide, at least in part, a service at a customer location. The tool tracking system can store the tool data in a data store. The tool tracking system can map the tool data to the vehicle and can determine when the tool is no longer mapped to the vehicle. This can be indicative of the tool having been left, for example, at the customer location. The tool tracking system can create an alert to inform the service technician and/or another entity that the tool is no longer mapped to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicants: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P., Interwise Ltd.
    Inventors: Sreenivas Nukala, Adam Hersh, Nir Ganani, Satish Janardan, Bryan Goettsch, Donald Willis, Quang Cao, Saurav Patel, Jesse Taylor, Mirage Hamdy, Valerie Smith, Meni Sasson, Amir Benyamin, Stephen Alexander Roberts, JR.
  • Publication number: 20080043202
    Abstract: A method for presenting video content including displaying the video content at an enhanced frame rate selectively modified to interfere with a recording of the video content by a camcorder. For example, the video content can be displayed at a frame rate of 54 pictures per second or a frame rate of 66 pictures per second. For implementation of the enhanced frame rate, a first picture can be displayed within the video content a first number of times and at least a second picture can be displayed a different number of times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: Donald Willis
  • Publication number: 20080024518
    Abstract: Within a display system that has pixel arrays displayed during first and second intervals, visible noise reduction occurs by confining the noise to one interval by combining the fractional part of each first interval pixel with the fractional part of at least one second interval pixel. If the combined fractional parts has a value of at least unity, the integer part of the at least one second interval pixel increases by unity while its fractional part becomes zero. The combination of the fractional parts less unity replaces the fractional part of the first interval pixel. While the combined value of fractional parts remains below unity, the combined value replaces the fractional part of the second interval pixel and the fractional part of the first interval pixel becomes zero. In this way, light intensity shifting occurs between intervals so that no noticeable brightness variation occurs across the overall scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Brent Hoffman, Thomas Yost, Donald Willis
  • Publication number: 20080010076
    Abstract: A method for creating a dynamic electronic publication comprises importing one or more data assets into a publication design environment and identifying one or more features associated with one or more of the data assets. Each data asset and any features associated with each data asset are converted to a browser-readable file format and arranged based on a user-defined layout. A browser-compatible file map of the data assets is created based to the user-defined layout. An electronic publication associated with the file map is generated. The electronic publication includes browser-readable code that, when executed by a web-browser, displays the one or more data assets and any features associated with each data asset in accordance with the user-defined layout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Michael McMahon, Donald Willis, Daniel Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20080001973
    Abstract: A filter and method for reducing noise in a display in which successive frames comprising corresponding successive sets of frame pixels are displayed on a digital display device are provided. Pixels of successive frames are filtered so each pixel has an intensity value comprised of an integer part and a fractional part. At least one pixel of a first frame is grouped with at least one pixel of a second frame such that the pixel of the second frame lies spatially adjacent to the pixel of the first frame. The fractional parts of the first and second frame pixel intensity values are combined. The brightness of said grouped first and second frame pixels are controlled in accordance with their combined fractional parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventor: Donald Willis
  • Publication number: 20070285351
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a system and method for dark noise reduction in pulse width modulated (PWM) displays. The system includes means for determining bright corrected pixel values for dark portions of an image corresponding to a first subframe and means for determining dark corrected pixel values for dark image portions of an image corresponding to a second sub frame of the image frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventor: Donald Willis
  • Publication number: 20070265918
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for embodiments of the invention provide improved systems and methods for evaluating electronic advertisements. In one respect, embodiments of the invention provide a more accurate measure of the effectiveness of electronic advertisements under test conditions. In another respect, embodiments of the invention enable more accurate economic valuations of electronic advertisements. In yet another respect, embodiments of the invention provide improved auditing tools that could be used to evaluate the effectiveness of electronic advertisements in the marketplace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Michael McMahon, Donald Willis, Daniel Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20070109502
    Abstract: A projection system including an integrator with an output end having a matrix of output windows therein. A pattern of red, green and blue monochromatic filters are disposed on the output windows passing a matrix of red, green, and blue monochromatic pixels of light. An imager modulates the pixels of monochromatic light A light shift device shifts the matrix of monochromatic pixels of light to temporally form a pattern of overlying pixels of light of different colors, viewable as a color image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Donald Willis, Billy Beyers, Estill Hall, Michael Deiss
  • Publication number: 20060263056
    Abstract: A video processing system adaptively generates and processes volume/file structure and navigation data of different data format and converts data between different formats for decoding, recording and other applications. The system processes the volume/file structure and navigation data in distinct modes including (a) pre-processing, (b) contemporaneous and (c) post-processing modes. In addition, the system provides navigation information supporting navigation through different images of one or more video programs by parsing encoded packetized data representative of a sequence of individual images to determine parameters to support navigation through the sequence of individual images. The determined parameters are formatted into a predetermined data structure and incorporated into a pre-formed navigation data field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: Shu Lin, Donald Willis, Mark Schultz
  • Publication number: 20060203134
    Abstract: A field sequential pulse width modulated display system comprises a digital micromirror device having a plurality of micromirrors that each selectively pivot to reflect light onto a screen to illuminate a corresponding pixel. A driver circuit controls the DMD responsive to sequences of pulse width segments formed by a processor. The processor alters the actuation state of at least one pulse in a first pulse width segment for a given color to alter the pixel brightness with a range lying between first and second pixel brightness boundaries. Further, the processor alters the actuation state of at least one pulse within at least one additional pulse width segment to alter the pixel brightness above the second brightness boundary to make nearly equal the total width of pulses becoming actuated within a segment to the total pulse width becoming de-actuated within the same segment to achieve an incremental change in brightness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventor: Donald Willis
  • Publication number: 20060192734
    Abstract: A sequential color display system includes a color changer that causes each of a set of primary colors to appear on an imager that illuminates of each of a plurality of pixels on a display screen. A controller applies control signals to the imager to control the pixel brightness for each color. Each time t h e color changer transitions from one primary color to another, a spoke occurs, and mixed light of two colors will illuminate the imager. The controller causes the imager to use such spoke light when the brightness level for each color for the associated pixel exceeds a prescribed threshold. When making use of the spoke light, the controller alters the control signal to decrease brightness of at least one primary color in substantial time proximity to the occurrence of the spoke to compensate for the brightness increase caused by using the light during the spoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventor: Donald Willis
  • Publication number: 20060082601
    Abstract: A field sequential pulse width modulated display system comprises a digital micromirror device (DMD) having a plurality of micromirrors that each selectively pivot to reflect light onto a screen to illuminate a corresponding pixel. A driver circuit controls the DMD responsive to sequences of pulse width segments formed by a processor. The processor actuates at least one pulse in a first pulse width segment for a given color to increase pixel brightness with a range lying between first and second pixel brightness values. To further increase pixel brightness, the processor actuates at least one pulse within additional pulse width segments associated with the same given color to increase pixel brightness above the second brightness boundary. The pulses within the additional segments are actuated unequally so that the additional pulse width segments closest in time to the first segment (i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Donald Willis
  • Publication number: 20060077293
    Abstract: A method (300) of converting interlaced Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) video signals to progressive video signals can include receiving an interlaced video signal representing a luma component specifying luma lines and a chroma component specifying chroma lines (310) wherein the chroma component can specify approximately one-half the number of lines of the luma component. The interlaced video signal can be decoded and the number of the chroma lines can be increased to approximately the same as the number of the luma lines (320). The number of chroma lines of the interlaced video signal then can be decreased (340), to substantially reverse the previous increase. The interlaced video signal then can be deinterlaced to produce a progressive video signal (350), which can be processed further (360) as needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventor: Donald Willis
  • Publication number: 20060050185
    Abstract: To sequentially display pictures in a television signal, a first picture is separated into sets of red, green and blue segments, with each segment of each color interleaved with the segments of the other colors in a first sequence for display in that sequence. Each successive picture is likewise separated into sets of red, green and blue segments, which each segment of each color interleaved with the segments of the other colors in a shifted sequence for display in that sequence. Shifting the color sequence of the segments of each successive picture among the primary colors so at least the first and last segment of the occurrence of motion artifacts that manifest themselves as a color distortion at the leading and trailing edges of a moving object followed by a viewer's eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventor: Donald Willis
  • Publication number: 20050074225
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and system for performing a trick mode on a video signal containing a plurality of original pictures. The method includes the steps of selectively skipping at least one of the original pictures to convert the video signal to a trick mode video signal in response to a trick mode command and selectively inserting at least one dummy predictive picture in the trick mode video signal using field-based prediction. The method can also include the steps of monitoring the trick mode video signal in which the step of selectively inserting at least one dummy predictive picture in the trick mode video signal can be done if the bit rate of the trick mode video signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventors: Shu Lin, Donald Willis
  • Publication number: 20030159315
    Abstract: Spike Protector with a foamed rubber sole plate, an elastic side wall and a semi-elastic top wall to that can snuggly retain the front half of a standard running shoe and at the same time keep the cleats from said running shoe from touching a hard surface such as cement or wood flooring or the like thereby protecting said cleats from damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Donald Willis
  • Patent number: 5661146
    Abstract: The present invention provides substituted dibenzoxazepine and dibenzthiazepine compounds of Formula I: ##STR1## which are useful as analgesic agents for the treatment of pain, pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound of Formula I in combination with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, and a method for eliminating or ameliorating pain in an animal comprising administering a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound of Formula I to the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: G.D. Searle & Co.
    Inventors: Nizal Samuel Chandrakumar, Donald Willis Hansen, Jr., Karen Berenice Peterson, Barnett Sylvain Pitzele