Patents by Inventor Michael Bell

Michael Bell 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: 20180290807
    Abstract: A resealable flap device in the form of a sheet, for applying to or incorporating in packaging, comprises: a base layer (30) of flexible material, and an upper layer (40) of stiff material. The sheet is cut (15) through both layers to outline a flap portion (14), the cut leaving an edge in a hinge region (18), the upper layer being removed behind the line of the hinge region (18). In this way the flexible base layer forms a hinge (18) that is easy to handle and does not spring back, while the stiff upper layer maintains the shape of the flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Ian David Michael BELL, Christopher John ELLISON
  • Publication number: 20180288139
    Abstract: Processing data in a communications system comprising a plurality of servers is provided. First data received from a communications device is directed to a given server in the plurality of servers. A server identifier identifying the given server is transmitted to the communications device. Subsequent data is received from the communications device. The subsequent data comprises the server identifier and a further parameter. The given server is selected on the basis of at least the server identifier and some of the subsequent data received from the communications device is directed to the given server. In the event of a need to redirect subsequent data to a server other than the given server, a different server is selected on the basis of at least the further parameter and further of the subsequent data received from the communications device is directed to the selected different server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: David DRYSDALE, Michael BELL
  • Publication number: 20180254470
    Abstract: A battery pack includes an enclosure containing a plurality of battery modules. A cooling system disposed among and electrically isolated from the plurality of battery modules uses a coolant solution that is a first mixture of a first liquid and a second liquid in a predetermined ratio to produce a first boiling point. Boiling of the coolant solution changes the predetermined ratio to produce a second boiling point that is higher than the first boiling point and that is sufficient to induce a thermal runaway condition for the plurality of battery module. A sensor monitors at least one operational characteristic of the plurality of battery modules and a controller determines a possible high voltage electrolysis within the enclosure based upon the at least one operational characteristic. A remediation system is responsive to the possible high voltage electrolysis to decrease risks associated with the possible high voltage electrolysis when operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco LePort, Weston Arthur Hermann, Michael Bell
  • Patent number: 10055397
    Abstract: There is provided a mechanism for synchronizing a plurality of dynamic language models residing in a plurality of devices associated with a single user, each device comprising a dynamic language model. The mechanism is configured to: receive text data representing text that has been input by a user into one or more of the plurality of devices; train at least one language model on the text data; and provide the at least one language model for synchronizing the devices. There is also provided a system comprising the mechanism and a plurality of devices, and a method for synchronizing a plurality of dynamic language models residing in a plurality of devices associated with a single user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: TOUCHTYPE LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Bell, Joe Freeman, Emanuel George Hategan, Benjamin Medlock
  • Patent number: 10052770
    Abstract: In one aspect, a vacuum alignment tool for holding and aligning a first fastener with a second fastener is provided. The vacuum alignment tool includes a main body including an end wall having an aperture disposed therein configured to receive at least a portion of the first fastener. The vacuum alignment tool also includes a vacuum receiving portion coupled to the main body. The vacuum receiving portion including a vacuum bore disposed therein, wherein a vacuum channel extends within the main body and within the vacuum receiving portion between the aperture and the vacuum bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John Richard Porter, Daniel Thomas Long, Raymond C. Eng, Bruce J. Hanninen, Kevin Michael Bell
  • Patent number: 10040101
    Abstract: Robotic surface-cleaning assemblies include a base configured to be operatively coupled to a robotic arm; a supply of cleaning fabric supported relative to the base; an applicator supported relative to the base, wherein the applicator is configured to support a portion of cleaning fabric from the supply of cleaning fabric and operatively and selectively position the portion into engagement with a surface to be cleaned; and a source of cleaning fluid supported relative to the base, wherein the source of cleaning fluid is configured to operatively and selectively (i) deliver cleaning fluid directly to the portion of cleaning fabric supported by the applicator and/or (ii) deliver cleaning fluid directly to the surface to be cleaned. Methods of cleaning a surface with a robotic surface-cleaning assembly also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeffery P. Swanberg, Kevin Michael Bell
  • Publication number: 20180181569
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide images representing a set of search results based on diversity between results of the search query. Images associated with a set of visually diverse items can be provided to provide a sample of items matching the search query across multiple types of categories. For example, search results can be grouped into types of categories and images from each of the types of categories can be grouped into subsets of visually related images (across one or more different visual attributes). A set of diverse representative images can be selected by taking at least one image from each of the groups of visually related images. The set of representative and diverse images can be displayed to provide an interesting, visually diverse, and aesthetically pleasing set of images to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Alexis Bogie Jarr, Sean Michael Bell, Erick Cantu-Paz, Apurva Charudatta Garware, Francois Huet, Tracy Holloway King, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20180176381
    Abstract: A system and method include a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions, which when executed by the processor, causes the processor to allocate interactions to a server based on a function of a criteria over time, where the server can only handle a determined number of interactions at a time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Bell Rybachenko, Ivan Lysiuk
  • Patent number: 9966590
    Abstract: An apparatus and method providing for detecting and responding to high voltage electrolysis within an electric vehicle battery enclosure to limit possible excessive thermal condition of the individual battery cells and modules. A microprocessor-implemented response system for high voltage electrolysis in a battery pack an evaluator to monitor, using the microprocessor, a high voltage electrolysis flag indicative of a possible high voltage electrolysis within an enclosure including a plurality of electrically-coupled battery modules storing energy for the battery pack and a coolant distribution system disposed among and electrically isolated from the plurality of battery modules; and a remediation system, coupled to the enclosure and responsive to the possible high voltage electrolysis when the evaluator detects a likelihood of the possible high voltage electrolysis, to decrease risks associated with the possible high voltage electrolysis when operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: TESLA, INC.
    Inventors: Francisco LePort, Weston Arthur Hermann, Michael Bell
  • Patent number: 9930106
    Abstract: Processing data in a communications system comprising a plurality of servers is provided. First data received from a communications device is directed to a given server in the plurality of servers. A server identifier identifying the given server is transmitted to the communications device. Subsequent data is received from the communications device. The subsequent data comprises the server identifier and a further parameter. The given server is selected on the basis of at least the server identifier and some of the subsequent data received from the communications device is directed to the given server. In the event of a need to redirect subsequent data to a server other than the given server, a different server is selected on the basis of at least the further parameter and further of the subsequent data received from the communications device is directed to the selected different server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: METASWITCH NETWORKS LTD
    Inventors: David Drysdale, Michael Bell
  • Patent number: 9823712
    Abstract: A backplane configured to receive electrical components is provided. The backplane in one example includes a substrate comprising an at least partially flexible material, a plurality of backplane traces formed as part of the substrate, at least one connector island formed in the substrate, with the at least one connector island located in an opening in the substrate and configured to receive at least one mating electrical component, and one or more spring elements bridging between the at least one connector island and the substrate, with traces of the plurality of backplane traces extending over the one or more spring elements to the at least one connector island and with the one or more spring elements allowing the at least one connector island to flex with respect to the substrate and absorb vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lidu Huang, Toshiki Hirano, Jeffrey Wilke, Jin Hui Ou-Yang, Michael Bell
  • Publication number: 20170332310
    Abstract: An access point that implements operating modes in which beacons may be selectively disabled. Beacons may be disabled when no device is actively associated through the access point. Beacons may be enabled in response to one or more triggers, which may include events such as a client forming an association through the access point following a probe request message identifying the access point. In addition, active beaconing may be triggered by user input or may occur during periodic brief intervals that allow client devices to discover the network identifier for the access point. Selective control of beaconing may lead to more effective wireless communication, particularly in areas where users congregate with computers implementing soft APs for personal networks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: David A. Roberts, Hui Shen, Christopher D. Gual, Anirban Banerjee, Yi Lu, John W. Archer, Michael Bell, Xiong Jiang, Anirudh Anirudh
  • Patent number: 9769731
    Abstract: An access point that implements operating modes in which beacons may be selectively disabled. Beacons may be disabled when no device is actively associated through the access point. Beacons may be enabled in response to one or more triggers, which may include events such as a client forming an association through the access point following a probe request message identifying the access point. In addition, active beaconing may be triggered by user input or may occur during periodic brief intervals that allow client devices to discover the network identifier for the access point. Selective control of beaconing may lead to more effective wireless communication, particularly in areas where users congregate with computers implementing soft APs for personal networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Roberts, Hui Shen, Christopher D. Gual, Anirban Banerjee, Yi Lu, John W. Archer, Michael Bell, Xiong Jiang, Anirudh Anirudh
  • Patent number: 9751166
    Abstract: One example of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for manipulating a fastener. The apparatus comprises a chamber that includes a first location and a second location. A first actuator is movable between a first position, contiguous with the first location, and a second position, contiguous with the second location. A second actuator is movable between a third position, contiguous with the second location, and a fourth position, contiguous with a third location. A third actuator is movable between a fifth position, contiguous with the third location, and a sixth position, contiguous with the fourth location. The third location is at least partially outside the chamber, and the fourth location is entirely outside the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel Thomas Long, Kevin Michael Bell, Theodore W. Pitt
  • Patent number: 9702333
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology relate to a temperature controllable and variable spark plug, and method of use. An example thermally controlled ignition device may comprise at least one sensor communicatively coupled to a control module for determining whether an engine characteristic is within a desired operating range and at least one heating element for adjusting the temperature of the ignition device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Eco-S Spark Plug Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Michael Bell
  • Publication number: 20170164053
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for displaying scenes included in media assets. The technique includes selecting a first scene included in a first video asset based on one or more preferences and metadata associated with multiple scenes. The first video asset is one of multiple video assets, and each scene included in the multiple scenes is included in one of the video assets included in the multiple video assets. The technique further includes displaying the first scene within a first portion of a display area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Stewart JAFFE, Rico NASOL, Michael BELL, John MCLORD, Joubert NEL
  • Patent number: D790362
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Gary Michael Bell
  • Patent number: D814188
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Gary Michael Bell
  • Patent number: D814315
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Gary Michael Bell
  • Patent number: D828869
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Inventor: Gary Michael Bell