Patents by Inventor John P. Kirby

John P. Kirby 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: 11921789
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for training a search engine generates synthetic search arguments and target information that are provided to the search engine as training. A search argument simulator ingests product information and historical interaction data, determines relevant descriptors, creates compound descriptors, and creates candidate search arguments. A trainer checks the candidates against historical search arguments, identifies similar search arguments and determines likely search arguments that are used for training. An evaluator monitors search engine responses and triggers retraining of the search engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: MCMASTER-CARR SUPPLY COMPANY
    Inventors: Ben C. Callanta, Deric A. Bertrand, Gracelyn R. Newhouse, John N. Rosensweig, Bina M. Vasavda, Ross P. Kelly, Larry G. Kirby, Matthew T. Hayden, Emily R. Rapport
  • Patent number: 6055375
    Abstract: A photographic apparatus for use with self-developing film wherein the apparatus comprises a light-tight housing assembly having a film unit exit for allowing the film units to exit the housing assembly; an exposure control assembly including a shutter button; the exposure control assembly includes a biased carriage assembly movable between ambient, strobe and strobe charge positions in response to manual displacement thereof; a spread roller assembly including spread rollers for spreading the processing fluid in the film units; a manually operable drive mechanism is mounted in the housing assembly for bidirectional linear movement between extended and retracted positions and carries a pick for engaging and advancing a topmost film unit of the film stack into the nip, and for rotatably driving the spread roller member in response to pulling of the drive mechanism by an operator to process the film unit and eject the same from the exit; and, an interlocking assembly cooperates with the shutter button and the d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Douglas, John P. Kirby, Kenneth J. Launie, Frank S. Silveira
  • Patent number: 5950020
    Abstract: A multiple focal length folding imaging device includes a first and second housing which are operably joined together for movement relative to one another so that the second housing is movable relative to the first housing between at least a first position and a second position. The first housing is formed to at least partially receive therein the second housing, such that when the second housing is in the first position, the second housing is at least partially received within the first housing. The second housing includes an exiting aperture for allowing exiting of at least one image recordable unit therefrom when in the second position, and when the second housing is in the first position, the exiting aperture is at least partially disposed within the first housing so that the at least one image recordable unit cannot exit from the exiting aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Alan D. Ball, Peter P. Clark, John P. Kirby, Paul F. Neely, Jason D. Silver, George D. Whiteside
  • Patent number: 4872148
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer assembly capable of being operated in a corrosive and/or abrasive environment that might otherwise degrade transducer performance and/or damage transducer related components. The assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer of the type having a vibratile diaphragm supported at its periphery by a support housing and having the diaphragm center portion spaced a predetermined distance from a protective perforated cover. A channel is provided in the transducer between opposite sides of the vibratile diaphragm to avoid temperature induced pressure differentials between gases (air) present in the space immediately adjacent opposite diaphragm surfaces. A plastic film is adhesively attached to the outer surface of this diaphragm-protecting cover and the entire transducer is enclosed within an outer housing. A flexible seal engages the plastic film and an outer housing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Kirby, Richard Paglia