Patents by Inventor Lee A. Shepherd

Lee A. Shepherd 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).

  • Publication number: 20230205812
    Abstract: A system and method for managing raw files are disclosed. A plurality of image files associated with one or more raw files that include respective metadata are evaluated. A set of one or more of the images files are grouped together based on matching the respective metadata. An asset file corresponding to the raw file and the grouped set of the image files are generated. The asset file are retrieved in response to a request from a user device. At least one of the image files in the grouped set are selected and a display of the selected image file is generated for rendering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Evan Christopher Deffley, Nathan Cosmo Rahn, Bobby Yang, Kaserin Tammie Kong-Santos, Don MacAskill, Brian Fenton, David Parry, Mikkel Wilson, Kevin Boyd, Lee Shepherd, Andres Ruiz, Erik Giberti, Ivy Tsai
  • Publication number: 20210379502
    Abstract: A wall structure, comprising a panel having first and second sides, wherein the first side has a generally flat surface and the second side defines a corrugated surface, wherein the panel defines a plurality of holes; and a pliable material disposed on the corrugated surface of the second side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventor: Lee A. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 10885091
    Abstract: Approaches provide for a voice communications device to control, refine, or otherwise manage the playback of media content in response to instructions, such as spoken instructions. For example, the voice communications device receives input data associated with a command, such as a request to begin media playback. Accounts corresponding to users associated with the command are identified and one or more refinements extracted from the input data are used to filter content, such as from respective content catalogs or via trained models associated with the users. Determined content is generated that includes content from each of the content catalogs or trained models associated with the users. Thereafter, the voice communications device can initiate media playback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jane Meng, Toby Ray Latin-Stoermer, Jason Christopher Hall, Kintan Dilipkumar Brahmbhatt, Daniel Paul Ryan, Benjamin Lee Shepherd, Daren Gill, Brandon Scott Durham
  • Publication number: 20190338940
    Abstract: The invention discloses an illuminated safety rail apparatus contained within a watertight, translucent or transparent tubular-shaped housing. The housing may be manufactured from a plastic or polymer material. The shape of the safety rail may vary and be customized to accommodate various sizes and configurations of railings and ladders, such as a commonly used return-to-deck style handrails for pools and spas; safety rails for indoor and outdoor stairwells and walls of any structure; docks and dock ramps; and for travel trailers and motor homes. The housing also contains watertight maintenance access points. The apparatus contains LED or other energy efficient lights that illuminate the safety rail and the surrounding area and has the additional benefit of creating a pleasant aesthetic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventor: James Lee Shepherd
  • Patent number: 10056078
    Abstract: Speech-controlled searching and browsing for content using speech-controlled devices, or other input-limited devices, is described. A user may audibly indicate to a speech-controlled device whether the user wants to search or browse for content, along with a topic of the content/results to be retrieved. A server, located remotely from the speech-controlled device determines an appropriate endpoint device for displaying results of the requested search or browse. The server also determines an appropriate content source for the requested content, and sends a request for the content to the content source. The server receives search or browse results from the content source and forwards them to the determined endpoint device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Lee Shepherd, Joe Virgil Fernandez, Vijayabaskar Gangadaran, Mallory Ann McManamon, Peter Van Tuyl Bentley, Shailesh Srivastava
  • Patent number: 9977584
    Abstract: A computing device can periodically acquire a current track time for a media content item being played. The device can periodically compare the current track time with a respective start time and a respective end time for each line (or segment) in a plurality of lines of text (or segments of text) associated with the media content item. If the device determines that the current track time is between start and end times for a given line of text, then the device can display the given line of text. A user of the device can scroll through the lines of text associated with the media content item. If the user selects a particular line of text, the device can identify a start time for the selected line of text. The device can then play the media content item at the identified start time of the selected line of text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Toby Ray Latin-Stoermer, Jonathan Beech, Hari Gangadharan, Gabriela Ahern, Brandon Scott Durham, Darren Levi Malek, Ralph Cameron Harvey, Benjamin Lee Shepherd, Jason Christopher Hall, Andrew Powell McGoogan, Robert Richard Morse
  • Patent number: 9299331
    Abstract: Techniques are described for automatically selecting musical content for playback based on an initial “seed” of music selected by a user in a way that seamlessly extends the user's listening experience. The initially selected seed music might be, for example, an album or a playlist. Music that follows the seed music is algorithmically selected to match the music selected by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Scott Durham, Sarvesh Chandra Regmi, Vladimir Lazebny, Joshua Fredrick Lutes, Darren Levi Malek, Haowei Lu, Christopher Woolf Phillips, Kintan Dilipkumar Brahmbhatt, Toby Ray Latin-Stoermer, Gabriela Ahern, William Jarred Leslie, Xinjie Di, Benjamin Lee Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20160011761
    Abstract: A computing device can periodically acquire a current track time for a media content item being played. The device can periodically compare the current track time with a respective start time and a respective end time for each line (or segment) in a plurality of lines of text (or segments of text) associated with the media content item. If the device determines that the current track time is between start and end times for a given line of text, then the device can display the given line of text. A user of the device can scroll through the lines of text associated with the media content item. If the user selects a particular line of text, the device can identify a start time for the selected line of text. The device can then play the media content item at the identified start time of the selected line of text.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: TOBY RAY LATIN-STOERMER, JONATHAN BEECH, HARI GANGADHARAN, GABRIELA AHERN, BRANDON SCOTT DURHAM, DARREN LEVI MALEK, RALPH CAMERON HARVEY, BENJAMIN LEE SHEPHERD, JASON CHRISTOPHER HALL, ANDREW POWELL MCGOOGAN, ROBERT RICHARD MORSE
  • Patent number: 9176658
    Abstract: A computing device can periodically acquire a current track time for a media content item being played. The device can periodically compare the current track time with a respective start time and a respective end time for each line (or segment) in a plurality of lines of text (or segments of text) associated with the media content item. If the device determines that the current track time is between start and end times for a given line of text, then the device can display the given line of text. A user of the device can scroll through the lines of text associated with the media content item. If the user selects a particular line of text, the device can identify a start time for the selected line of text. The device can then play the media content item at the identified start time of the selected line of text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Toby Ray Latin-Stoermer, Jonathan Beech, Hari Gangadharan, Gabriela Ahern, Brandon Scott Durham, Darren Levi Malek, Ralph Cameron Harvey, Benjamin Lee Shepherd, Jason Christopher Hall, Andrew Powell McGoogan, Robert Richard Morse
  • Patent number: 8091563
    Abstract: A hair styling apparatus has a heating member and a cloth covering at least a portion of the heating member to define a hair-facing surface onto which hair is placed in contact therewith for heating. The cloth is constructed at least in part of a monofilament of a fluorinated polyethylene. In another embodiment, the cloth is responsive to heating of the heating member to shrink relative to the heating member in at least one of a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction of the cloth. In yet another embodiment, the cloth is unbonded to the heating member and held in tension over the portion of the heating member that defines the hair-facing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Rovcal, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen Lee Shepherd, John H. Wilcox, Chun-Man Leung
  • Publication number: 20090222334
    Abstract: A recyclable protective barrier for use in advertising is presented. The barrier comprises a single sheet of semi-rigid, recyclable, high density polyethylene fibrous web sheeting pre-cut to cover at least one surface of an article. The sheet has at least one tab extending therefrom and at least one slot for receiving the tab. The sheet has at least one surface capable of receiving at least one kind of permanent ink and a portion of this surface has printing thereon. The sheet is secured to at least one portion of the article by inserting the tab into the slot, forming a physical barrier between at least one portion of the article and a person and wherein the printing is visible to the person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Lee A. Shepherd, John M. Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20080289992
    Abstract: A kit for making a decorative structure is presented. The kit comprises a three-dimensional primary support structure having a shape of a structure. The primary support structure has at lease one panel receiving slot. The kit further comprises at lease one panel. Each panel has at least one panel tab extending therefrom. Each panel is of a shape corresponding to a portion of the primary support structure. A method for making decorative structures using the kit is also presented. In practicing the method, at least one panel, having a pliable material affixed thereto, is affixed to the three-dimensional primary support structure by inserting a panel tab into a panel receiving slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: GINGERHAUS, LLC
    Inventor: Lee A. Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20080041408
    Abstract: A hair styling apparatus has a heating member and a cloth covering at least a portion of the heating member to define a hair-facing surface onto which hair is placed in contact therewith for heating. The cloth is constructed at least in part of a monofilament of a fluorinated polyethylene. In another embodiment, the cloth is responsive to heating of the heating member to shrink relative to the heating member in at least one of a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction of the cloth. In yet another embodiment, the cloth is unbonded to the heating member and held in tension over the portion of the heating member that defines the hair-facing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: ROVCAL, INC.
    Inventors: Karen Lee Shepherd, John H. Wilcox, Chun-Man Leung
  • Patent number: 6727435
    Abstract: A powerplane for use in a backplane power distribution system. The backplane includes a conductive sheet for distributing power from a power source to a load. The powerplane further includes source locations and load locations for coupling the conductive sheet to a power source and a load. The conductive sheet has resistances with appropriate spacing and dimensions so that the resistance near the source locations is greater than the resistance farther away from the source locations. Thus, current is shared more evenly between all the load locations, and the voltage difference between distant load locations and near load locations is reduced to near zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Kevin Egan, Barry Lee Shepherd
  • Patent number: 6623280
    Abstract: A connector for effecting a permanent, solderless connection between two printed circuit boards or other devices using plated through via openings is disclosed. The connector body captures pins that project from two surfaces thereof. Each of a plurality of pins presents dual compliant connecting portions, one adjacent each body surface from which the pin projects. The connector body portion may also include bosses adjacent the projecting pins to cause the pin compliant connecting portion to have a predetermined distance of penetration into the cooperating via opening of a connected board or panel and the edge surface of the body can be notched between pin locations to enable an extended length to be partitioned into smaller units. The connector may also be formed with two spaced body portions to effect greater separation between attached boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn Ray Oldenburg, Barry Lee Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20030092296
    Abstract: A connector for effecting a permanent, solderless connection between two printed circuit boards or other devices using plated through via openings is disclosed. The connector body captures pins that project from two surfaces thereof. Each of a plurality of pins presents dual compliant connecting portions, one adjacent each body surface from which the pin projects. The connector body portion may also include bosses adjacent the projecting pins to cause the pin compliant connecting portion to have a predetermined distance of penetration into the cooperating via opening of a connected board or panel and the edge surface of the body can be notched between pin locations to enable an extended length to be partitioned into smaller units. The connector may also be formed with two spaced body portions to effect greater separation between attached boards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Glenn Ray Oldenburg, Barry Lee Shepherd
  • Patent number: 6472599
    Abstract: An electrical interface arrangement includes a buss bar having a longitudinal edge that is substantially smooth and free of conductive tabs. A conductive member is arranged adjacent to the longitudinal edge of the buss bar, and contacts the buss bar with at least 40 A-spots per inch, along substantially an entire length of the buss bar. A circuit board having a plurality of internal planes is provided, with at least one of the internal planes being an internal power plane, and with at least another one of the internal planes being an internal wiring plane having a plurality of conductive wirings. The circuit board further has an arrangement for electrically connecting the conductive member to the internal power plane without interfering with a placement of the conductive wirings, so that the circuit board and the buss bar are in electrical communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Barry Lee Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20010023144
    Abstract: An electrical interface arrangement includes a buss bar having a longitudinal edge that is substantially smooth and free of conductive tabs. A conductive member, such as an elongated coil spring, is arranged adjacent to the longitudinal edge of the buss bar, and contacts the buss bar with at least 40 A-spots (electrical connection locations) per inch, along an entire length of the buss bar. A circuit board having a plurality of internal planes is provided, with at least one of the internal planes being an internal power plane, and with at least another one of the internal planes being an internal wiring plane having a plurality of conductive wirings. The circuit board further has an arrangement for electrically connecting the conductive member to the internal power plane without interfering with a placement of the conductive wirings, so that the circuit board and the buss bar are in electrical communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Barry Lee Shepherd
  • Patent number: 6255588
    Abstract: An electrical interface arrangement includes a buss bar having a longitudinal edge that is substantially smooth and free of conductive tabs. A conductive member, such as an elongated coil spring, is arranged adjacent to the longitudinal edge of the buss bar, and contacts the buss bar with at least 40 A-spots (electrical connection locations) per inch, along an entire length of the buss bar. A circuit board having a plurality of internal planes is provided, with at least one of the internal planes being an internal power plane, and with at least another one of the internal planes being an internal wiring plane having a plurality of conductive wirings. The circuit board further has an arrangement for electrically connecting the conductive member to the internal power plane without interfering with a placement of the conductive wirings, so that the circuit board and the buss bar are in electrical communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Barry Lee Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20010000762
    Abstract: An electrical interface arrangement includes a buss bar having a longitudinal edge that is substantially smooth and free of conductive tabs. A conductive member is arranged adjacent to the longitudinal edge of the buss bar, and contacts the buss bar with at least 40 A-spots per inch, along substantially an entire length of the buss bar. A circuit board having a plurality of internal planes is provided, with at least one of the internal planes being an internal power plane, and with at least another one of the internal planes being an internal wiring plane having a plurality of conductive wirings. The circuit board further has an arrangement for electrically connecting the conductive member to the internal power plane without interfering with a placement of the conductive wirings, so that the circuit board and the buss bar are in electrical communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: May 3, 2001
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Barry Lee Shepherd