Patents by Inventor Michael P. Nichols

Michael P. Nichols 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: 20240162007
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a system used in a semiconductor device manufacturing process. More specifically, embodiments provided herein generally include apparatus and methods for synchronizing and controlling the delivery of an RF bias signal and a pulsed voltage waveform to one or more electrodes within a plasma processing chamber. The apparatus and methods disclosed herein can be useful to at least minimize or eliminate a microloading effect created while processing small dimension features that have differing densities across various regions of a substrate. The plasma processing methods and apparatus described herein are configured to improve the control of various characteristics of the generated plasma and control an ion energy distribution (IED) of the plasma generated ions that interact with a surface of a substrate during plasma processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Deyang LI, Sunil SRINIVASAN, Yi-Chuan CHOU, Shahid RAUF, Kuan-Ting LIU, Jason A. KENNEY, Chung LIU, Olivier P. JOUBERT, Shreeram Jyoti DASH, Aaron EPPLER, Michael Thomas NICHOLS
  • Patent number: 11932512
    Abstract: A method of communication between a robot and an elevator system using a robot communication system including: collecting data on a landing of a building using a sensor system of the robot; and transmitting the data to the elevator system of the building, the data being transmitted to the elevator system directly from the robot, through a cloud computing network, or through a building system manager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen Richard Nichols, Bradley Armand Scoville, Michael P. Keenan, Jr., Nicholas Cope, James Sorrels, Mohip Joarder
  • Publication number: 20240048666
    Abstract: The application discloses various systems and methods for generating and utilizing computer animation transition methods and systems in the leveling of a video to an upright, earth normal orientation which may be used in pipe inspections. Such computer animation transitions may be generated from a single inspection image at one time in the inspection video or from subsequent inspection images at different times and points in space in the inspection video. Some leveling methods may include rotating a square GL surface in ninety degree increments that includes one or more computer animation transition. Other leveling methods may also include rotating a three dimensional GL surface that is shaped to match the shape of the pipe that includes one or more. Further methods may include rotating a GL surface that is a regular polygon in shape that includes one or more computer animation transition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Michael P. Nichols, Alexander L. Warren, Michael J. Martin
  • Publication number: 20240027646
    Abstract: Systems and methods for annotating, also known as tagging, visually identifiable objects using natural language (i.e. spoken voice) are provided. More specifically, but not exclusively, this disclosure relates to systems and methods for tagging identified objects related to underground utilities and assets, and communication systems. Once tagged, data representing identified objects can be stored, transmitted, and/or mapped. In an exemplary embodiment, a utility service worker or other personnel may walk or drive around an area of interest using utility locating equipment or systems to collect data. As data is being collected, the user may visually identify utility related or other items using a laser pointer, and then use their voice to tag items of interest. A headset including a microphone may be provided for capturing the user's voice. Hardware and/or software may be provided for processing tagged items, and relating them to a specific location, and/or utility asset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Alexander L. Warren, Michael P. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20170226812
    Abstract: A thermo-chemical bio-reactor process and apparatus for decontaminating waste well drilling fluid and waste formation fracturing fluid. A roller supported power driven rotary drum is rotated about a horizontal axis and receives waste well fluid from a hopper that conveys the waste fluid into an inlet end of the rotary drum. A burner within the rotary drum is fired by a gaseous fuel and a gaseous oxidizer and develops sufficient heat to render the waste material to a dry and substantially chemically inert finely pulverized residue during transit through the rotary drum. Angulated waste agitation vanes are positioned in helically oriented arrays within the rotary drum to lift the waste material and cause it to descend through heat and flame within the rotary drum and to be conveyed to the outlet of the drum during processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventor: MICHAEL P. NICHOLS
  • Patent number: 7152335
    Abstract: An omnidirectional torpedo level composed of non-ferrous material has a central web and parallel side flanges defining a torpedo level geometry. The central web and side flanges define windows within which are mounted vertical and horizontal tubular spirit level elements that permit selective orientation of the side flanges to determine when surfaces being engaged by the side flanges are either vertically or horizontally oriented. A rotary protractor is mounted to the central web and contains a spirit level tube for accurate positioning of the side flanges with respect to the selected angle of the protractor. Magnet members are mounted to one or both of the side flanges and serve to support the level device in hands-off relation when in contact with ferrous metal objects. A circular omnidirectional level enlargement is provided at the upper end portion of the level body and provides for support of a circular omnidirectional level device having a circular lens marked with circular positioning indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Michael P. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5491615
    Abstract: A light attachment (10) for fitting over a thermostat (T) includes a mounting flange (14) fitting behind the thermostat (T) and clamped by the thermostat (T) against the wall (W). Flange (14) includes a holder (50) extending above the top of the thermostat (T) for advertising indicia on a card (62) within a transparent cover (58) over holder (50). The advertising indicia on the card (62) within cover (58) may, for example, contain information concerning a serviceman and a telephone number. A lamp (40) for illuminating the thermostat (T) is mounted on the end of an inturned end portion (34) of a pivotally mounted telescoping arm (30). The lamp (40) may be positioned at a desired location for illuminating thermostat (T) by pivoting of the arm (30) and rotation of a hood (42) over the lamp (40). Hood (42) includes an opening (44) for directing the light to a predetermined position on the thermostat (T).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Inventor: Michael P. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5333343
    Abstract: A double brush mechanism for cleaning the grooves of the striking faces of wood and iron golf clubs comprises a housing having oppositely directed brush openings and forming an actuator slot having locking openings. A brush carrier is movable within the housing and has opposed brushes capable of being selectively projected from the housing for use. A brush carrier actuator is received in movable relation by the carrier and is urged in a locking direction by a compression spring. The actuator incorporates a manual manipulator button that is engaged and moved by the user and incorporates an actuator stem that is movable within the carrier actuator slot. The carrier is lockable at either of three positions along the length of the actuator slot to permit either of the brushes to be selectively exposed for use or locked within the housing for protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: No No, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Nichols, Philip Dunn