Patents by Inventor James Canfield

James Canfield 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).

  • Patent number: 8166996
    Abstract: A system and method for conditionally interfering with the operation of a conventional toilet tank fill valve prevents toilet overflow and conserves water. A single self-contained apparatus, located completely within the toilet tank, detects and prevents a toilet overflow and/or conserves water by conditionally interfering with or overriding the normal operation of a toilet tank fill valve to prevent a further flush. Exemplary illustrative non-limiting steps include removing the toilet tank lid to provide access to said toilet tank fill valve within the tank, manually snapping an assembly onto said fill valve protective cap, and automatically and conditionally actuating said assembly to cause the assembly to selectively interfere with or override the operation of said toilet tank fill valve. An exemplary illustrative non-limiting device comprises an attaching structure for manual attachment to said fill valve cap, and a control mechanism supported by said attaching structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: nth Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Eric L. Canfield, Scott Soma, James Canfield
  • Publication number: 20100242160
    Abstract: A system and method for conditionally interfering with the operation of a conventional toilet tank fill valve prevents toilet overflow and conserves water. A single self-contained apparatus, located completely within the toilet tank, detects and prevents a toilet overflow and/or conserves water by conditionally interfering with or overriding the normal operation of a toilet tank fill valve to prevent a further flush. Exemplary illustrative non-limiting steps include removing the toilet tank lid to provide access to said toilet tank fill valve within the tank, manually snapping an assembly onto said fill valve protective cap, and automatically and conditionally actuating said assembly to cause the assembly to selectively interfere with or override the operation of said toilet tank fill valve. An exemplary illustrative non-limiting device comprises an attaching structure for manual attachment to said fill valve cap, and a control mechanism supported by said attaching structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Eric L. Canfield, Scott Soma, James Canfield
  • Patent number: 7757708
    Abstract: A system and method for conditionally interfering with the operation of a conventional toilet tank fill valve prevents toilet overflow and conserves water. A controller connected to a water level sensor detects abnormal toilet tank water level over time and conditionally interferes with the normal operation of a toilet tank fill valve assembly, thereby preventing a further flush. The overflow and water conservation feature can be designed into a fill valve at time of manufacture and/or added later by a plumber or end user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: nth Solutions
    Inventors: Eric L. Canfield, Scott Soma, James Canfield
  • Publication number: 20080092063
    Abstract: A user interface that enables user perception of status regarding communications that leverage an instant messaging platform may be rendered on a display. The user interface includes an instant messaging application user interface that enables perception and selection of instant messages for an instant messaging user, and a status indicator that provides a perceivable indication to the user of statistics regarding concurrent instant messaging sessions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: AOL LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company (Formerly Known as America Online, Inc.)
    Inventors: James Canfield, Kenneth Carbone, David Colburn, Linda Myers, Thomas Van Lenten, Gregory Willis
  • Publication number: 20080040675
    Abstract: A user interface on a display enables user perception of information regarding a communications session that leverages an instant messaging platform. The user interface includes an instant messaging application user interface and one or more tear-off elements corresponding to ongoing instant messaging communications sessions. Each tear-off element is configured to enable perception and selection by a user of a corresponding instant messaging communications session. Also, each tear-off element is configured to be independently visually separated from other elements of the instant messaging application user interface and maintained as a separate entity on the instant messaging application user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: AOL LLC
    Inventors: James Canfield, Kenneth Carbone, David Colburn, Linda Myers, Thomas Van Lenten, Gregory Willis
  • Publication number: 20070006094
    Abstract: A user interface on a display enables user perception of information regarding a communications session that leverages an instant messaging platform. The user interface includes an instant messaging application user interface and one or more tear-off elements corresponding to ongoing instant messaging communications sessions. Each tear-off element is configured to enable perception and selection by a user of a corresponding instant messaging communications session. Also, each tear-off element is configured to be independently visually separated from other elements of the instant messaging application user interface and maintained as a separate entity on the instant messaging application user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: AOL LLC
    Inventors: James Canfield, Kenneth Carbone, David Colburn, Linda Myers, Thomas Van Lenten, Gregory Willis