Patents by Inventor Keith Jefferys
Keith Jefferys 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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Patent number: 11886343Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, a method for writing, by a computing thread, data to a ring buffer is disclosed. The method includes determining whether the ring buffer is full. If the ring buffer is not full, the method further includes: reserving an element of the ring buffer for writing the data, wherein reserving the element includes incrementing a size variable corresponding to a number of stored elements in the ring buffer; reserving a portion of the ring buffer at which the data is to be written; and determining whether a state of the portion of the ring buffer is in change by at least one other computing thread. If the state is not in change, the method further includes: marking the state of the portion of the ring buffer as being in change by the computing thread; and writing the data to the portion of the ring buffer.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLCInventor: Keith Jeffery
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Publication number: 20220327056Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, a method for writing, by a computing thread, data to a ring buffer is disclosed. The method includes determining whether the ring buffer is full. If the ring buffer is not full, the method further includes: reserving an element of the ring buffer for writing the data, wherein reserving the element includes incrementing a size variable corresponding to a number of stored elements in the ring buffer; reserving a portion of the ring buffer at which the data is to be written; and determining whether a state of the portion of the ring buffer is in change by at least one other computing thread. If the state is not in change, the method further includes: marking the state of the portion of the ring buffer as being in change by the computing thread; and writing the data to the portion of the ring buffer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2021Publication date: October 13, 2022Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLCInventor: Keith Jeffery
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Patent number: 11014194Abstract: Apparatus for distance gauging in laser material processing includes a source of laser-radiation, an electrically-conductive focusing assembly, a constant-current source, and a voltmeter. The focusing assembly focuses laser-radiation towards an electrically conductive workpiece being processed. The focusing assembly and the workpiece form a capacitive sensor. The constant current source provides a constant electrical current to the focusing assembly for a constant time. The focusing assembly and the workpiece are separated by a distance that is proportional to a change in voltage measured on the focusing assembly during the constant time.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2017Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Coherent, Inc.Inventor: Keith Jefferies
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Publication number: 20190126392Abstract: Apparatus for distance gauging in laser material processing includes a source of laser-radiation, an electrically-conductive focusing assembly, a constant-current source, and a voltmeter. The focusing assembly focuses laser-radiation towards an electrically conductive workpiece being processed. The focusing assembly and the workpiece form a capacitive sensor. The constant current source provides a constant electrical current to the focusing assembly for a constant time. The focusing assembly and the workpiece are separated by a distance that is proportional to a change in voltage measured on the focusing assembly during the constant time.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventor: Keith JEFFERIES
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Patent number: 10081078Abstract: A first source of radiation generates a first radiation to remove a coating from a component. An amount of the first radiation generated by the first source of radiation depends on an amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation. A controller receives feedback regarding removal of the coating from the component by the first radiation and regarding the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation, and adjusts the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation based on the feedback. A second source of radiation generates a second radiation capable of detecting whether the coating is encountered again. The controller restarts the first source of radiation to generate the first radiation in response to the coating being detected by the second radiation, and sets the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation based on the feedback.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2017Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: SurClean, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Sprentall, Keith A. Jefferies
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Publication number: 20170157708Abstract: A first source of radiation generates a first radiation to remove a coating from a component. An amount of the first radiation generated by the first source of radiation depends on an amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation. A controller receives feedback regarding removal of the coating from the component by the first radiation and regarding the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation, and adjusts the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation based on the feedback. A second source of radiation generates a second radiation capable of detecting whether the coating is encountered again. The controller restarts the first source of radiation to generate the first radiation in response to the coating being detected by the second radiation, and sets the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation based on the feedback.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2017Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Donald E. Sprentall, Keith A. Jefferies
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Patent number: 9573226Abstract: A removal system is configured for removing a coating from a substrate of a component. A first and second energy source are each configured to direct electromagnetic radiation onto the component the electromagnetic radiation produces a respective first and second property. A sensor detects the first and second properties produced by the first and second stream of electromagnetic radiation. A controller is configured to receive the detected first and second property from the sensor and the associated first and second power levels from the respective first and second energy sources. The controller transmits an updated power level to at least one of the first and second energy sources in response to the first and second property received from the sensor and the associated power level received from the first and second energy sources.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: SurClean, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Sprentall, Keith A. Jefferies
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Publication number: 20140305907Abstract: A removal system is configured for removing a coating from a substrate of a component. A first and second energy source are each configured to direct electromagnetic radiation onto the component the electromagnetic radiation produces a respective first and second property. A sensor detects the first and second properties produced by the first and second stream of electromagnetic radiation. A controller is configured to receive the detected first and second property from the sensor and the associated first and second power levels from the respective first and second energy sources. The controller transmits an updated power level to at least one of the first and second energy sources in response to the first and second property received from the sensor and the associated power level received from the first and second energy sources.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2012Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventors: Donald E. Sprentall, Keith A. Jefferies
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Patent number: 8405409Abstract: The high speed, high accuracy capacitive gauging system employs an oscillator fed through steep slope filter that is discriminates between very small changes in capacitance even in the presence of electrical noise. During intervals when the probe tip is retracted, the oscillator frequency is calibrated to match the sweet spot in the center of the linear operative region of the steep slope filter. This calibrates the system to overcome the effects of varying temperature and humidity in the manufacturing environment.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Laser Mechanisms, Inc.Inventors: Gerald F. Hermann, Daniel R. Buckley, Christopher R. D. Miller, Keith A. Jefferies
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Publication number: 20110089956Abstract: The high speed, high accuracy capacitive gauging system employs an oscillator fed through steep slope filter that is discriminates between very small changes in capacitance even in the presence of electrical noise. During intervals when the probe tip is retracted, the oscillator frequency is calibrated to match the sweet spot in the center of the linear operative region of the steep slope filter. This calibrates the system to overcome the effects of varying temperature and humidity in the manufacturing environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: LASER MECHANISMS, INC.Inventors: Gerald F. Hermann, Daniel R. Buckley, Christopher R.D. Miller, Keith A. Jefferies
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Patent number: 4763775Abstract: A filter rod feed comprises a fluted drum (10), a hopper (14) from which filter rods are arranged to be fed into the flutes of the drum, means (16, 18) for delivering pneumatically-fed filter rods into the hopper, an agitator (20, 22) comprising a substantially horizontal row of laterally spaced bars (20) in the hopper, the bars being parallel to the filter rods and being at or above the level at which pneumatically-fed filter rods are delivered into the hopper, and the arrangement being such that movement of the bars promotes a substantially even flow of filter rods between the bars in both upward and downward directions.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1986Date of Patent: August 16, 1988Assignee: Molins Machine Co., Inc.Inventors: Keith Jefferys, Clifford R. Marritt, Albert D. Seim, II