Patents by Inventor John A. Willis

John A. 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).

  • Patent number: 7590743
    Abstract: A method and system for associating a process on a multi-user device with a host address unique to a user session associated with the process begins by allocating a unique host address for the user session and assigning it to a network adapter. Requests that may bind network resources are intercepted, and relevant bind request parameters are manipulated to specify the host address associated with the user session. The original target of the request is invoked with potentially modified parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Softricity, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael John Willis
  • Publication number: 20090164564
    Abstract: Devices and processes allowing users to identify media content suitable for mobilizing to a mobile device and facilitating selection and portability of such media content to the mobile device. A user viewing a web page opens a bookmark including a short first instruction configured to load at least one other instruction. The loaded instruction can be dynamically injected into the viewed web page. The injected instruction allows for the mobilization of media content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Michael John WILLIS
  • Patent number: 7488370
    Abstract: Precious metals such as gold can be extracted from a refractory ore using a conventional cyanide leaching step and with reduced cyanide consumption by pre-treating the ore prior to cyanide leaching. The refractory ore is pretreated by fine grinding and an initial leaching step which uses inexpensive limestone and lime to maintain the initial leach relatively alkaline. Oxygen is added to the initial leaching step and the conditions are carefully controlled to only partially oxidize the ground ore to between 9-15%. The initial leaching step can be carried out at temperatures of less than 100 degrees C. and at atmospheric pressures. The pre-treated ore is then leached by a conventional cyanide leaching step to recover the precious metal and cyanide consumption can be reduced by more than two thirds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Xstrata Queensland Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael M Hourn, Rodrigo U Ventura, John A Willis, David Winborne
  • Publication number: 20090029685
    Abstract: The present invention relates to mobile communications and, in particular provides a system that allows for the creation of content for such uses as ringtones for mobile phones, and systems for deploying such content, i.e., segmenting and transferring media files to a mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Michael John Willis
  • Patent number: 7459955
    Abstract: A method and system for sensing the temperature of an integrated circuit are presented. The method compares a first current that is proportional to a temperature reading of the integrated circuit to a reference current. While the first current is greater than the reference current, a counter is incremented, and the reference current is increased in response to incrementing the counter. A system for sensing the temperature of an integrated circuit includes a first current source providing a source current to a node. The first current source is based on an input from a proportional to absolute temperature device. The system also includes a second current source providing a sink current to the node, with the amount of sink current being based on an input from a digital control module. The system also includes a comparator coupled to the node to provide a comparator signal that indicates a relationship between the source current and the sink current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Sigmatel, Inc.
    Inventor: John Willis
  • Publication number: 20080270062
    Abstract: Sensors and/or transducers can exhibit nonlinear response to temperature changes in terms of offset and also in terms of sensitivity to variations in a sensed physical attribute (pressure, strain, displacement, etc.). Padé Approximant function emulators are used to model the nonlinear offset and/or nonlinear sensitivity behaviors of a given sensing means relative to one or more temperature sub-ranges and to produce temperature compensating corrections for both offset and sensitivity as may be desired. In order to avoid use of brute force division for generating the Pade' Approximant function signals, in one set of embodiments, feedback is used to provide a corresponding effect. In order to minimize the number of coefficients that are to be resolved and stored, in one set of embodiments, first or higher order Pade' Approximants with normalized denominators are used so that each function can be defined with just three coefficients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Jose Marcos LARAIA, David John Willis
  • Publication number: 20080250360
    Abstract: A hardware/software design tool converts an electronic design specification and zero or more technology specifications into realization of the electronic design in computer hardware, software and firmware. It compiles design and logic technology specifications into a model which can be utilized for behavioral analysis of logical characteristics. It translates partitions of the design and one or more logic technologies into one or more processor intermediates or binaries suitable for execution on multi-purpose processing units. It translates partitions of the design and logic technology into a collection of cells and interconnects suitable for input to physical design processes such as is required to target a FPGA, ASIC, system-on-a-chip or custom logic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: FTL Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Willis
  • Patent number: 7398173
    Abstract: Sensors and/or transducers can exhibit nonlinear response to temperature changes in terms of offset and also in terms of sensitivity to variations in a sensed physical attribute (pressure, strain, displacement, etc.). Padé Approximant function emulators are used to model the nonlinear offset and/or nonlinear sensitivity behaviors of a given sensing device relative to one or more temperature sub-ranges and to produce temperature compensating corrections for offset and/or sensitivity as may be desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: AMI Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Marcos Laraia, David John Willis
  • Patent number: 7388808
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for depth migrating seismic data. The method includes pre-stack time migrating the seismic data to form a stacked, time migrated image. The stacked, time migrated image is demigrated, and post-stack depth migration is then performed on the demigrated image. In some embodiments, the pre-stack time migration and the demigration account for ray bending in vertically transversely isotropic media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: PGS Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Shu-Schung Lee, John Willis, Yeashung Lin
  • Patent number: 7372967
    Abstract: A microphone bias circuit includes a first integrated circuit (IC) pin, a second IC pin, a first resistor, and a variable supply voltage buffer. The first resistor is operably coupled to the first IC pin and a return voltage. The second IC pin is operably coupled to receive analog signals from a microphone. The variable supply voltage buffer is operably coupled to produce a buffered supply voltage based on a variable impedance setting, wherein at least one off-chip component couples the second IC pin to the first IC pin and wherein the variable supply voltage buffer provides the buffered supply voltage to second IC pin as a microphone bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Sigmatel, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Brady Henson, Marcus W. May, John Willis
  • Patent number: 7318968
    Abstract: A method for forming an elevated temperature durable coating on a surface of a substrate includes applying an aqueous slurry comprising lithium silicate, sodium silicate, potassium silicate, zirconia powder, a fibrous agent, and a magnetic powder to a surface of a substrate in one or more layers of substantially uniform thickness to form a coating. A substantially controlled humidity environment is maintained during application of the aqueous slurry and the coating is ambient dried for a period. A drying agent is applied to the coating and formation of a dry crust is prevented on the coating during ambient drying. After the period, the coating is heat cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: John Willis, Steven J. Null
  • Patent number: 7278122
    Abstract: A hardware/software design tool converts an electronic design specification and zero or more technology specifications into realization of the electronic design in computer hardware, software and firmware. It compiles design and logic technology specifications into a model which can be utilized for behavioral analysis of logical characteristics. It translates partitions of the design and one or more logic technologies into one or more processor intermediates or binaries suitable for execution on multi-purpose processing units. It translates partitions of the design and logic technology into a collection of cells and interconnects suitable for input to physical design processes such as is required to target, a FPGA, system-on-a-chip or custom logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: FTL Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Willis
  • Publication number: 20070093234
    Abstract: An information monitoring and alert system is provided which registers subscribers and verifiers with a central alert system. The alert system provides an interface for the verifiers to submit queries relating to identification information. Information in this query is compared to the stored data submitted by the subscriber during registration and if a match occurs the subscriber is notified that the identification has been used for a certain purpose. The alert system only stores an encrypted value of the identification with only contact information which is preferably anonymous. Any other information is deleted after registration. The subscriber upon being alerted of the use of the identification is instructed to authorize or reject the transaction pertaining to the query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: John Willis, David Foster, Igor Divjak
  • Publication number: 20070018714
    Abstract: A method and system for sensing the temperature of an integrated circuit are presented. The method compares a first current that is proportional to a temperature reading of the integrated circuit to a reference current. While the first current is greater than the reference current, a counter is incremented, and the reference current is increased in response to incrementing the counter. A system for sensing the temperature of an integrated circuit includes a first current source providing a source current to a node. The first current source is based on an input from a proportional to absolute temperature device. The system also includes a second current source providing a sink current to the node, with the amount of sink current being based on an input from a digital control module. The system also includes a comparator coupled to the node to provide a comparator signal that indicates a relationship between the source current and the sink current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Applicant: SigmaTel, Inc.
    Inventor: John Willis
  • Publication number: 20070017945
    Abstract: A lifting device includes an arcuate base member adapted to attach to a body encircling belt and at least one hinged member attached to the arcuate base member to support an object being maneuvered by a wearer of the lifting device. The arcuate base member is attached to the body encircling belt using adjustable lateral straps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventor: John Willis
  • Publication number: 20060261879
    Abstract: A method and system for sensing the temperature of an integrated circuit are presented. The method compares a first current that is proportional to a temperature reading of the integrated circuit to a reference current. While the first current is greater than the reference current, a counter is incremented, and the reference current is increased in response to incrementing the counter. A system for sensing the temperature of an integrated circuit includes a first current source providing a source current to a node. The first current source is based on an input from a proportional to absolute temperature device. The system also includes a second current source providing a sink current to the node, with the amount of sink current being based on an input from a digital control module. The system also includes a comparator coupled to the node to provide a comparator signal that indicates a relationship between the source current and the sink current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Applicant: SigmaTel, Inc.
    Inventor: John Willis
  • Patent number: 7135909
    Abstract: A method and system for sensing the temperature of an integrated circuit are presented. The method compares a first current that is proportional to a temperature reading of the integrated circuit to a reference current. While the first current is greater than the reference current, a counter is incremented, and the reference current is increased in response to incrementing the counter. A system for sensing the temperature of an integrated circuit includes a first current source providing a source current to a node. The first current source is based on an input from a proportional to absolute temperature device. The system also includes a second current source providing a sink current to the node, with the amount of sink current being based on an input from a digital control module. The system also includes a comparator coupled to the node to provide a comparator signal that indicates a relationship between the source current and the sink current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sigmatel, Inc.
    Inventor: John Willis
  • Publication number: 20060241921
    Abstract: A method is taught for increasing the steady-state verification speed of analog and mixed signal design through increased simulation speed, model abstraction by probing an existing component model or actual device and formal comparison of distinct component models. The innovative method taught here incrementally generates processor instructions optimized for operating the analog solver around a specific set of values (the operating context), caches sequences and applies the currently applicable operating context at each point in the simulation. The invention discloses a method for semi-automatically generating a mixed-signal or analog model based on iterative probing of an existing device or behavioral simulation. The invention teaches a method for model abstraction to alter the level of detail present in a running simulation. A means for graphically evaluating the match quality constitutes the final innovative step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Applicant: FTL Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Willis
  • Publication number: 20060185475
    Abstract: Precious metals such as gold can be extracted from a refractory ore using a conventional cyanide leaching step and with reduced cyanide consumption by pre-treating the ore prior to cyanide leaching. The refractory ore is pretreated by fine grinding and an initial leaching step which uses inexpensive limestone and lime to maintain the initial leach relatively alkaline. Oxygen is added to the initial leaching step and the conditions are carefully controlled to only partially oxidize the ground ore to between 9-15%. The initial leaching step can be carried out at temperatures of less than 100 degrees C. and at atmospheric pressures. The pre-treated ore is then leached by a conventional cyanide leaching step to recover the precious metal and cyanide consumption can be reduced by more than two thirds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Hourn, Rodrigo Ventura, John Willis, David Winborne
  • Publication number: 20060188449
    Abstract: A stable topical aerosol foam is provided. The foam-forming formulation includes a HFA propellant and an active agent in an emulsion. The emulsion has an oil phase and an aqueous, i.e. water-containing, phase. The active agent may be present in either phase or dispersed in the emulsion. The oil phase may consist at least in part of the HFA propellant. Either or both of the oil phase and the aqueous phase may contain one or more surfactants, emulsifiers, emulsion stabilizers, buffers, and other excipients. In an alternative embodiment, the aqueous phase contains a water-soluble active agent, for example, a local anesthetic, and the oil phase contains a water-insoluble second active agent. The foam is stable on the skin, for example for at least 10 minutes at body temperature, and will disappear into the skin upon rubbing or after prolonged standing. The formulation has the advantage of an inert non-flammable hydrofluorocarbon propellant without requiring the use of additional co-solvents or co-propellants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Jane Hirsh, John Willis, Mark Hirsh