Patents by Inventor Michael Steffen

Michael Steffen 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: 9886487
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of user contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device determines at least two contact groups from a subset of contacts accessible by a telecommunications device. The software application executed by the processor of the telecommunications device also generates a contact display including at least one contact group associated with the subset of contacts based on a current context of a user of the telecommunications device. The current context can include, for example, one or more of a location, time, date, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jeffrey Allen Armantrout, Jared T Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Patent number: 9751545
    Abstract: A system includes a communication module and an analysis module. The communication module is configured to be operably connectable to a wayside unit of a transportation network and to transmit a simulation message to the wayside unit. The simulation message simulates at least one of a request or command from at least one transportation network element corresponding to a wayside action to be performed by the wayside unit. The simulation message is configured to elicit a wayside message from the wayside unit upon receipt of the simulation message. The analysis module is configured to obtain the wayside message and to provide a display corresponding to the wayside message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Michael Steffen, II, Jeffrey Fries, Aric Albert Weingartner, Jesse Herlocker
  • Publication number: 20170124175
    Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable media for managing contact information via a network-based interface. A network resource transmits a data request to a contact information processing service. The contact information processing service processes the data request in accordance with the parameters included in the data request and information maintained by the contact information processing service. Examples of the processing facilitated by the contact information processing service include contact identification routines, contact verification routines, group-based information routines, and communication information routines. The contact information processing service returns the results to the requesting network resource.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jeffrey Allen Armantrout, Jessi E. Alva, Teresa S. Valdez Klein
  • Publication number: 20170116532
    Abstract: Group-based information displays correspond to the collection of display objects representative of either contacts associated with a user or applications or executable components executable, or otherwise accessible, via the mobile communication device. The group-based information displays can be logically organized according to subject matter organizational criteria. The subject matter organizational criteria can include, for example, organization or other affiliates criteria, event-based, or activity based criteria, topic-based criteria and the like. Through the group-based information displays, mobile communication device users can initiate one or more actions corresponding to the selection of display objects corresponding to applications or executable components. Additionally, as applicable, the user can limit, or otherwise apply, the initiated actions to contacts identified, or otherwise associated, with the specific group-based information display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Patent number: 9503415
    Abstract: Notifications are managed in a unified notification platform that receives messages from disparate services, formats, and protocols, and with disparate attributes and meta-attributes. The unified notification platform provides for user defined meta-attributes to allow rapid classification of incoming messages accordingly to user relationships to message senders, including family, friends and co-workers. Incoming messages are received by a message queue component, serialized and prioritized according to a rules engine. Various user interfaces provide views and reports on the serialized messages. In particular a non-modal notification pop-up is disclosed. The unified notification platform exposes an application programming interface provides automatable and remotable programmatic access for application developers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Valerie Lynn Goulart, Michael Steffen Vance
  • Patent number: 9465660
    Abstract: Different types of hardware processing resources in a system are identified (102). In response to a request to perform a task, a respective one of the different types of hardware processing resources is selected (104) to perform the task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Albrecht Schroth, Subramaniam Venkata Kalambur, Michael Steffens
  • Patent number: 9369542
    Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable media for managing contact information via a network-based interface. A network resource transmits a data request to a contact information processing service. The contact information processing service processes the data request in accordance with the parameters included in the data request and information maintained by the contact information processing service. Examples of the processing facilitated by the contact information processing service include contact identification routines, contact verification routines, group-based information routines, and communication information routines. The contact information processing service returns the results to the requesting network resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jeffrey Allen Armantrout, Jessi E. Alva, Teresa S. Valdez Klein
  • Patent number: 9355382
    Abstract: Group-based information displays correspond to the collection of display objects representative of either contacts associated with a user or applications or executable components executable, or otherwise accessible, via the telecommunication device. The group-based information displays can be logically organized according to organizational criteria. The organizational criteria can include, for example, organization or other affiliates criteria, event-based or activity based criteria, topic-based criteria and the like. Through group-based information displays, telecommunication device users can initiate one or more actions corresponding to the selection of display objects. Additionally, as applicable, the user can limit, or otherwise apply, the initiated actions to contacts identified, or otherwise associated, with specific group-based information displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Patent number: 9340220
    Abstract: A system includes a determination module and a communication module. The determination module is configured to be located onboard a first vehicle that travels along a first route including a crossing corresponding to an intersection of the first route with a second route. The determination module is configured to be communicatively coupled with a remote crossing module that is configured to impede travel of a second vehicle through the crossing, and to identify an upcoming stop at a station within a range of a track detection system associated with the remote crossing module. The communication module is configured to communicatively couple the determination module to the remote crossing module, and to transmit an inhibit request message to the remote crossing module. The inhibit request message is configured to prevent the remote crossing module from activating a warning when the first vehicle is stopped at the station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Steven Ray Murphy, Michael Steffen, II, Jesse Lee Herlocker, Nels Jorgensen, Anuka Sawh
  • Publication number: 20160088139
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of user contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device determines at least two contact groups from a subset of contacts accessible by a telecommunications device. The software application executed by the processor of the telecommunications device also generates a contact display including a representation of at least a portion of the first or second contact groups and a divider display object. The divider display object partitions the first contact group from the second contact group and is positioned adjacent to at least one contact from the first or second contact groups presented in the contact display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Publication number: 20160078097
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of user contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device determines at least two contact groups from a subset of contacts accessible by a telecommunications device. The software application executed by the processor of the telecommunications device also generates a contact display including at least one contact group associated with the subset of contacts based on a current context of a user of the telecommunications device. The current context can include, for example, one or more of a location, time, date, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jeffrey Allen Armantrout, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Patent number: 9284697
    Abstract: A working device for ground compaction comprises an upper mass, a guide device coupled to the upper mass and intended to guide the working device, a lower mass which can move relative to the upper mass, which is movably coupled to the upper mass via a spring device, and which has a ground contact plate, and a vibration-generating device for producing a relative movement between the upper mass and the lower mass. Furthermore, a drive for driving the vibrating-generating device is provided, wherein the drive comprises an electric motor. The electric motor is supplied with electrical energy via an electrical energy store arranged on the guide device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Wacker Neuson Produktion GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Patent number: 9210247
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of user contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device determines at least two contact groups from a subset of contacts accessible by a telecommunications device. The software application executed by the processor of the telecommunications device also generates a contact display including a representation of at least a portion of the first or second contact groups and a divider display object. The divider display object partitions the first contact group from the second contact group and is positioned adjacent to at least one contact from the first or second contact groups presented in the contact display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: T-MOBILE USA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Patent number: 9195966
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of user contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device determines at least two contact groups from a subset of contacts accessible by a telecommunications device. The software application executed by the processor of the telecommunications device also generates a contact display including at least one contact group associated with the subset of contacts based on a current context of a user of the telecommunications device. The current context can include, for example, one or more of a location, time, date, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: T-MOBILE USA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jeffrey Allen Armantrout, Jared Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White
  • Patent number: 9175447
    Abstract: A soil compacting device has an upper mass and a lower mass that is coupled to the upper mass by a spring device and that has a soil contact element. In addition, a drive is provided for producing a working movement of the soil contact element. The drive has an electric motor, a drive frequency of a drive movement produced by the electric motor being equal to a frequency of the working movement of the soil contact element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Wacker Nenson Produktion GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Patent number: 9160828
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing communications on telecommunication devices utilizing communication categories are provided. A subset of contacts accessible by a telecommunication device are associated with one or more communication categories. Each communication category can be associated with a set of communication activities. Based on a selection of a specific contact, a telecommunication device can generate a display having display objects representative of communication categories associated with the selected contact. Additionally, based on a selection of a communication category, the telecommunication device can further generate a display including display objects representative of a set of communication activities corresponding to the selected communication category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jasdeep Singh Chugh, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White, Gordon Kar Kee Kam
  • Publication number: 20150282899
    Abstract: A dental system may be configured at least with a housing that engages a wire of a first dental assembly. The housing can have first and second portions that are connected via a fastener. A piston may be positioned within the housing and continuously extend from the housing to a mount of a second dental assembly. A compression member can be positioned within the housing to contact the first portion of the housing and the piston to apply continuous pressure on the piston in a selected direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventor: J. Michael Steffen
  • Patent number: 9150229
    Abstract: A method includes receiving an absolute time associated with movement of a vehicle system, modifying the absolute time into a relative time, and controlling one or more warning devices using the relative time. A system includes a crossing module configured to receive an absolute time associated with movement of a vehicle system. The crossing module is configured to modify the absolute time into a relative time and to control one or more warning devices using the relative time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Steffen, Jesse Herlocker, Jeffrey Michael Fries
  • Patent number: 9149251
    Abstract: A reusable needle guide suitable for an ultrasonic probe to be use for an endocavity examination of a patient is disclosed. The needle guide basically comprises at least a first and second guide members and a mounting (e.g., clamp) assembly. The clamp assembly serves to releasably mount the needle guide on the probe. The first guide member has a first passageway-forming surface. The second guide member has a second passageway-forming surface. The guide members are connected together to enable them to be pivoted from a closed orientation to an open orientation and vice versa. The first and second passageway-forming surfaces form an elongated passageway to guide a needle therethrough when in the closed orientation. The first and second passageway-forming surfaces are disposed at an angle to each other when they are in the open orientation, whereupon the first and second passageway-forming surfaces can be readily cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: CIVCO MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS CO., INC.
    Inventor: John Michael Steffen
  • Patent number: 9126609
    Abstract: A system includes a timing determination module configured to be disposed onboard an approaching vehicle system during travel of the approaching vehicle system along a first route toward a crossing between the first route and a second route. The timing determination module is configured to determine one or more arrival times of the approaching vehicle system to reach the crossing and to repeatedly communicate notification messages having the one or more arrival times to a remote crossing system that is configured to activate one or more warning devices disposed at or near the crossing to notify other vehicles on the second route that the approaching vehicle system is approaching the crossing along the first route. The timing determination module is configured to determine the one or more arrival times at different respective locations along the first route as the approaching vehicle system travels toward the crossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Steffen, II, Jeffrey Michael Fries, Aric Albert Weingartner, William Shields, Sherri Boyd