Patents by Inventor John Houston
John Houston 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: 20240132975Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of screening tilapia for increased genetic resistance to viral infection, such as Tilapia Lake Virus, as well as the use of these fish, which have been identified as having increased genetic resistance, in aquaculture breeding programs and production.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2022Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Agustin Barria GONZALEZ, John BENZIE, Ross HOUSTON
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Patent number: 11868140Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining a fleet-level objective for a vehicle associated with instructing the vehicle to travel a route according to route criteria based on the fleet-level objective. The method includes receiving a ride request from a ride requestor associated with ride criteria including a pick-up location and a drop-off location. The method includes determining that the ride requestor is a passenger for the vehicle to satisfy the fleet-level objective contingent on modifications to the ride criteria. The method includes providing incentives to the ride requestor contingent on acceptance of the modifications to the ride criteria. The method includes, after receiving the acceptance of the modifications to the ride criteria, modifying the ride criteria in accordance with the route criteria. The method includes instructing the vehicle to transport the ride requestor based on the modified ride criteria so as to fulfill the fleet-level objective.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2020Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Lyft, Inc.Inventors: Farzad Cyrus Foroughi Abari, Aaron Jacob Levine Friedman, John Houston, Adam Hart Reis, Alexander Thomas Starns
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Publication number: 20240004472Abstract: The technology provides a multi-actuator haptic vibration device that has a mounting platform and a pair of linear resonant actuators (LRAs) attached to the mounting platform. Each LRA has an axis of vibration and a moveable mass constrained to move backwards and forwards therealong, with the axes of vibration being arranged in a same direction. A controller is configured to produce haptic feedback as a combined output waveform on the mounting platform, by obtaining an input waveform corresponding to a haptic effect and computing a control component waveform for each LRA via either (i) pre-determined performance-timing tables or (ii) pre-determined performance-timing functions. The controller estimates a position of each moveable mass, controls the position of each moveable mass, and controls each LRAs with its respective computed control component waveform.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Applicant: General Vibration CorporationInventors: Nikhil Bajaj, George T.-C. Chiu, John Houston, Rob Morris
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Publication number: 20230245510Abstract: In particular embodiments, a computing system may determine a predicted amount of ride requests for a plurality of collectively-managed vehicles and determine an availability of the collectively-managed vehicles to satisfy the predicted amount of ride requests. Subsequent to determining that the availability fails to satisfy one or more predetermined criteria for servicing the predicted amount of ride requests, the system may determine status information associated with the collectively-managed vehicles and determine, based on at least the status information, one or more minimum services for servicing one or more vehicles among the plurality of collectively-managed vehicles at one or more service centers such that the availability satisfies the one or more predetermined criteria. The system may instruct the one or more vehicles that are to receive the one or more minimum services to travel to the one or more service centers to be serviced.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: Farzad Cyrus Foroughi Abari, Aaron Jacob Levine Friedman, John Houston, Adam Hart Reis, Alexander Thomas Starns
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Patent number: 11707765Abstract: A game controller including a housing with a first handgrip and a second handgrip is provided. The game controller includes a first vibration actuator integrated within the housing proximate to the first handgrip. Further included is a second vibration actuator integrated within the housing proximate to the second handgrip. A controller device is included and is configured to communicate one or more vibrational signals to one or both of the first vibration actuator and the second vibration actuator. The vibrational signals are configured to cause the housing of the game controller to vibrate in a vibrational pattern during use of the controller. The vibrational pattern is one of a plurality of vibrational patterns, and one or more of the plurality of vibration patterns are activated in correlation to one or more game actions occurring during gameplay of a video game using the game controller.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLCInventors: Nathan Delson, John Houston
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Publication number: 20230113968Abstract: An internal time of a data server is compared against respective times of each of a plurality of devices of a network. The network may require tight time synchronization. The data server utilizes a plurality of high-performance oscillators to maintain the internal time. The data server analyzes the compared times to detect that a time maintained by another device of the network has drifted more than a threshold. An ameliorative action is executed in response to detecting that the time maintained by the another device has drifted more than the threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2021Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventors: John Houston, Stephen Robert Guendert, Donald Crabtree
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Patent number: 11587373Abstract: In particular embodiments, a computing system may determine a predicted amount of ride requests for a plurality of collectively-managed vehicles and determine an availability of the collectively-managed vehicles to satisfy the predicted amount of ride requests. Subsequent to determining that the availability fails to satisfy one or more predetermined criteria for servicing the predicted amount of ride requests, the system may determine status information associated with the collectively-managed vehicles and determine, based on at least the status information, one or more minimum services for servicing one or more vehicles among the plurality of collectively-managed vehicles at one or more service centers such that the availability satisfies the one or more predetermined criteria. The system may instruct the one or more vehicles that are to receive the one or more minimum services to travel to the one or more service centers to be serviced.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Lyft, Inc.Inventors: Farzad Cyrus Foroughi Abari, Aaron Jacob Levine Friedman, John Houston, Adam Hart Reis, Alexander Thomas Starns
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Patent number: 11579698Abstract: Aspects of the technology employ synchronized arrays of low-cost, readily available vibration actuators to emulate and outperform single actuator systems, bringing together sets of actuators to create desired control effects. This approach involves coherent phase switching and modulation of a linear actuator array. A pair of linear resonant actuators (LRAs) may be employed for improved haptic waveform synthesis performance. According to one feature, energy may stored in the mechanical inertia of the LRA via velocity and stiffness of the LRA via displacement and released through modulation of the relative phase of the LRAs. Phase switching and modulation techniques may be used to control more than two LRAs, and in other arrangements than a dual LRA, including, but not limited to architectures that have LRAs arranged in multiple directions in an array spanning, for example, the two dimensions of a plane, or three dimensions of physical space.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: GENERAL VIBRATION CORPORATIONInventors: Nikhil Bajaj, George T.-C. Chiu, John Houston, Rob Morris
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Publication number: 20220395861Abstract: Aspects of the technology employ components to control and combine the vibration outputs of two vibration motors into essentially a pure vibration force, which can be controlled to output a given frequency and amplitude, produce beat frequencies, and produce brief impulses. For instance, identical attachment elements are affixed to a vibration device but do not contact each other during operation. Such attachment elements are able to cancel undesired torque vibrations to provide a combined pure force vibration output. The attachment elements may be secondary eccentric rotating masses affixed to the shaft of a vibration motor. Along with the vibration motor's primary eccentric rotating mass, these elements can cancel out unwanted parasitic torque vibrations by producing counter-torque vibrations.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2022Publication date: December 15, 2022Applicant: General Vibration CorporationInventors: Michael G. Snow, Nikhil Bajaj, John Houston
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Patent number: 11520864Abstract: Digital rights management systems and methods for audience measurement are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include enabling a media handler implemented by a media device to begin presenting first media based on a first digital license associated with the first media. Such example methods also include retrieving a second digital license different from the first digital license from a license server separate from the media device. Such example methods further include causing the media handler to perform a first media monitoring operation based on the second digital license, the first media monitoring operation being deactivated by default.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLCInventor: John Houston
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Publication number: 20220331838Abstract: A game controller including a housing with a first handgrip and a second handgrip is provided. The game controller includes a first vibration actuator integrated within the housing proximate to the first handgrip. Further included is a second vibration actuator integrated within the housing proximate to the second handgrip. A controller device is included and is configured to communicate one or more vibrational signals to one or both of the first vibration actuator and the second vibration actuator. The vibrational signals are configured to cause the housing of the game controller to vibrate in a vibrational pattern during use of the controller. The vibrational pattern is one of a plurality of vibrational patterns, and one or more of the plurality of vibration patterns are activated in correlation to one or more game actions occurring during gameplay of a video game using the game controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2021Publication date: October 20, 2022Applicant: General Vibration CorporationInventors: Nathan Delson, John Houston
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Publication number: 20220094253Abstract: The technology introduces a new type of attachment to the shaft of a vibration motor designed to have the dual properties of eccentricity and an aerodynamic shape. This aerodynamic shape is intended to enhance the performance of the ERM-based device, improve its capabilities, or both. In this disclosure the term “performance” means current draw, noise, or controllability of the aerodynamic vibration attachment. The aerodynamic vibration attachment may have additional properties such as an embedded or otherwise incorporated shape or target that facilitates the estimation or measurement of the aerodynamic vibration attachment's angular position, angular velocity, or both, by a sensor or sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2020Publication date: March 24, 2022Applicant: General Vibration CorporationInventors: John Houston, Nicholas G. Currier, Nikhil Bajaj, Rob Morris
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Patent number: 11269341Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can determine a raster representative of a surrounding environment of a vehicle, wherein the raster depicts one or more objects in the surrounding environment of the vehicle. A plurality of trajectory proposals are determined for a first object of the one or more objects. For each trajectory proposal of the plurality of trajectory proposals, a score indicative of a likelihood that the first object will take a trajectory consistent with the trajectory proposal, and an offset for modifying the trajectory proposal are generated. A predicted trajectory is determined for the first object based on the scores and the offsets for the plurality of trajectory proposals.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Woven Planet North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael Jared Benisch, John Houston
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Patent number: 11236565Abstract: A setting tool and bridge plug that are run-in-hole on wireline through a core bit while drill rods are in place can be used to plug a borehole. A setting tool can be sized to have a same or smaller diameter as a drill rod. A bridge plug can have a run-in configuration of a diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of a core bit. The bridge plug can have a set configuration that can respond to the setting tool pulling uphole. The bridge plug can be positioned below a drill bit of the drill rod in the set configuration, and the diameter of the bridge plug in the set configuration can be greater than the diameter of the drill rod.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2018Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Robert Alexander Petrie, Michael John Houston, Mark Holly, Jack Gammill Clemens, Grant Spark
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Patent number: 11203041Abstract: The disclosure relates to integrated modules for Synchronized Array of Vibration Actuators (FIG. 125A). The modules provide physical interface, power and communication interfaces. Each module may include vibration actuators (FIG. 123A) which can be precisely attached and aligned to the module housing, a microcontroller or other microprocessor, and one or more sensors for closed loop control of actuators (FIG. 126G). Interleaved pairs of ERMs having a center of mass in the same plane eliminate parasitic torque. A single module can produce a vibration force that rotates at a specific frequency and magnitude, which on its own could cancel out some types of periodic vibrations (FIG. 125B). Two modules paired together and counter-rotating with respect to each other can produce a directional vibration at a specific frequency and magnitude, which could prove even more useful for canceling out a vibration. Such modules are also employed to produce beating patterns (FIGS. 131-133).Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: General Vibration CorporationInventors: Nathan Delson, John Houston
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Publication number: 20210365123Abstract: Aspects of the technology employ synchronized arrays of low-cost, readily available vibration actuators to emulate and outperform single actuator systems, bringing together sets of actuators to create desired control effects. This approach involves coherent phase switching and modulation of a linear actuator array. A pair of linear resonant actuators (LRAs) may be employed for improved haptic waveform synthesis performance. According to one feature, energy may stored in the mechanical inertia of the LRA via velocity and stiffness of the LRA via displacement and released through modulation of the relative phase of the LRAs. Phase switching and modulation techniques may be used to control more than two LRAs, and in other arrangements than a dual LRA, including, but not limited to architectures that have LRAs arranged in multiple directions in an array spanning, for example, the two dimensions of a plane, or three dimensions of physical space.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Applicant: General Vibration CorporationInventors: Nikhil Bajaj, George T.C. Chiu, John Houston, Rob Morris
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Patent number: 11132062Abstract: Aspects of the technology employ synchronized arrays of low-cost, readily available vibration actuators to emulate and outperform single actuator systems, bringing together sets of actuators to create desired control effects. This approach involves coherent phase switching and modulation of a linear actuator array. A pair of linear resonant actuators (LRAs) may be employed for improved haptic waveform synthesis performance. According to one feature, energy may stored in the mechanical inertia of the LRA via velocity and stiffness of the LRA via displacement and released through modulation of the relative phase of the LRAs. Phase switching and modulation techniques may be used to control more than two LRAs, and in other arrangements than a dual LRA, including, but not limited to architectures that have LRAs arranged in multiple directions in a array spanning, for example, the two dimensions of a plane, or three dimensions of physical space.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2018Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: GENERAL VIBRATION CORPORATIONInventors: Nikhil Bajaj, George T.-C. Chiu, John Houston, Rob Morris
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Publication number: 20210182964Abstract: Methods and systems for verifying securities-based offers are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving security transaction data reflecting transactions of a plurality of securities within a securities account. A particular security may be identified that corresponds to an offer. A holding period of one or more shares of the particular security may be determined. The offer may be verified based on the holding period and may be transmitted to a first computing device associated with the securities account.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2020Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Jeffrey Todd Lambert, Christopher John Tromp, Michael John Houston
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Publication number: 20210132979Abstract: Initializing a software-defined server having software-defined NUMA domains includes, when booting a virtual environment defined by a set of hyper-kernels running on a plurality of physically interconnected computing nodes, accessing information associated with a software-defined NUMA domain configuration. It further includes, based at least in part on the accessed information, assigning software-defined NUMA domains to computing nodes. It further includes assigning virtualized resources to the software-defined NUMA domains. Handling a stalling event involving software-defined NUMA domains includes receiving an indication that a core or hyperthread which instantiates a virtual processor cannot access a virtualized resource needed by the core or hyperthread.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2020Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Brian D. Moffet, John Houston Gray, Jeffrey Paul Radick, Charles Joseph Levine, Isaac R. Nassi
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Patent number: 10995582Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses of the present disclosure generally relate to fluid placement tools. A fluid placement tool includes a connecting section at a proximal end of the fluid placement tool for coupling the fluid placement tool to a conveyance. The fluid placement tool also includes an actuating section coupled to the connecting section, wherein the actuating section comprises a first check valve and a piston, wherein the first check valve is positioned to allow fluid flow through the actuating section and into engagement with the piston. The fluid placement tool also includes a fluid containment section, wherein the fluid containment section comprises a fluid reservoir and a second check valve, wherein the fluid reservoir is disposed between the first check valve and the second check valve, wherein the second check valve is position to only allow flow out of the fluid containment section.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Robert Alexander Petrie, Michael John Houston, David Eugene Colburn, Jr.