Patents by Inventor Peter R. Smith

Peter R. Smith 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: 11972086
    Abstract: A system for automatically increasing a capacity of a virtual space in a virtual world may include a processor and a module operating on the processor for detecting an attempt by an avatar to enter a virtual space in a virtual world. The system may also include another module for determining if an allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. The allowable number of avatars may be determined by at least a capacity of a server that is hosting the virtual space. Another module may be provided for increasing a capacity of the virtual space when the allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. Increasing the capacity of the virtual space may include spawning a replicate new virtual space on a different server in response to the capacity of the server that is hosting the virtual space reaching the allowable number of avatars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Haggar, Brian R. Bokor, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith, Luis J. Ostdiek
  • Patent number: 11951505
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system and method for dispensing a floor coating in a specified ratio of multiple components is disclosed. The system and method may set and maintain a desired ratio of the multiple components by controlling, with a controller, a drive rate of respective pumps configured for propelling the components from a reservoir to a mixer or a dispenser. The controller may be responsive to at least one of a measured actual drive rate, an environmental condition, an actual usage of each component, and an operational parameter of the system, for adjusting a drive rate of the respective pumps to compensate for discrepancies that may affect the ratio of the multiple components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: SWIMC LLC
    Inventors: Kyle Sanford Smith, Murty Venkata Bhamidipati, David Royston Hughes, Robert S. Smith, Peter V. Ferris, Daniel R. Allen, Charles R. Sperry, David M. Kroll
  • Publication number: 20240094120
    Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (“glyphosate”) from N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (“PMIDA”), and more particularly to methods for control of the conversion of PMIDA, for the identification of reaction end points relating to PMIDA conversion and the preparation of glyphosate products having controlled PMIDA content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Leonard AYNARDI, David Z. BECHER, Robert E. BYRD, Eduardo Aurelio CASANOVA, James P. COLEMAN, David R. EATON, Walter K. GAVLICK, Eric A. HAUPFEAR, Oliver LERCH, Carl MUMFORD, Alfredo OBA, Stephen D. PROSCH, Peter E. ROGERS, Bart ROOSE, Mark D. SCAIA, Lowell R. SMITH, Donald D. SOLETA, John WAGENKNECHT
  • Patent number: 11934161
    Abstract: System and method provide wireless distributed lighting control systems implementing a secure peer-to-peer, self-organizing and self-healing mesh network of actuators and system inputs. The system and method can be designed specifically for indoor and outdoor lighting where actuators include in-fixture, on-fixture and circuit control modules with ON/OFF and full range dimming capabilities, and system inputs include occupancy/vacancy sensors, daylight sensors and switches. A unique messaging protocol facilitates wireless and wired communication between actuators and system inputs, and provides web-based commissioning and monitoring of the lighting control system using a wireless access point accessible from a local network or Internet which can provide an intuitive and easy to use Graphical User Interface (GUI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: HLI SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Theodore E. Weber, Terrence R. Arbouw, Ronald K. Bender, Ronald J. Cummings-Kralik, Michael D. Crane, Thomas J. Hartnagel, Robert A. Martin, Peter A. Moyle, Gregory F. Smith, Stephan K. Zitz
  • Patent number: 11911764
    Abstract: The invention provides novel sample chambers, sample analysis units, multi-well plates, and imaging and analytical systems as well as methods for accurate, efficient and high-throughput imaging, measurement and analysis of diverse types of biological cells to obtain information such as cell count, cell size, cell concentration, cell sub-population, cell morphology, cell viability, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Nexcelom Bioscience LLC
    Inventors: Peter Y. Li, Jean Qiu, Leo L. Chan, Justin R. Hascup, Timothy F. Smith, Todd R. Sobolewski, Nicholas N. Shaw
  • Patent number: 8376822
    Abstract: An air curtain arrangement and method of operating the arrangement are provided. The arrangement includes at least one air curtain unit having a supply plenum, a return air duct, and an intermediate air duct therebetween and separates relatively warm and cold areas. The air curtain discharges an air stream across a doorway from an outlet aperture of a discharge plenum toward an air return duct, at a discharge angle. A portion of the air stream is received at an inlet aperture of the return air duct. The portion of the air stream that is received at the air return duct is monitored. The discharge angle is adjusted to maximize the portion of the air that is received. One embodiment controls the discharge angle based on the temperature of the received portion of the air stream. Another embodiment senses the force of the air stream received proximate the inlet aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventors: Peter R. Smith, Daniel J. Rhyner, Michael E. Pederson
  • Publication number: 20110100573
    Abstract: A stationary working surface of a one roll microcreper member is of plastic resin having low wear and friction properties. As a primary pressing member subject to concentrated force it is 0.040 inch thick. One or both opposed retarder members of a bladed microcreper are of the plastic. Thermoplastics meeting wear and friction limits, e.g. ultra high density polyethylene, are employed. Primary member extensions, some having openings, slots or holes serve as flexible retarders to engage treated material. Parallel slots, preferably formed by water jet cutting, defining machine-direction fingers provide particular advantages, often greatest when the fingers begin upstream of the creping cavity, and stated dimensional limits observed. By a load-spreading surface, the thermoplastic primary member is restrained without distortion. A primary member shown is sheet form, mounted between sheet metal members, one with a restraint surface. Sheet materials of polyolefins, wood pulp, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: J. Drew Horn, Peter R. Smith, Richard C. Walton
  • Patent number: 7854046
    Abstract: A stationary working surface of a one roll microcreper member is of plastic resin having low wear and friction properties. As a primary pressing member subject to concentrated force it is 0.040 inch thick. One or both opposed retarder members of a bladed microcreper are of the plastic. Thermoplastics meeting wear and friction limits, e.g. ultra high density polyethylene, are employed. Primary extensions, some having openings, slots or holes serve as flexible retarders to engage treated material. By a load-spreading surface, the thermoplastic primary member is restrained without distortion. By this surface being linear it slideably inserts into a mounting. By this surface being parallel to the roll axis the primary member is free for cross-machine thermal expansion. A primary member shown is sheet form, mounted between sheet metal members, one with a restraint surface. Sheet materials of polyolefins, wood pulp, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Micrex Corporation
    Inventors: J. Drew Horn, Peter R. Smith, Richard C. Walton
  • Patent number: 7767058
    Abstract: Wet wipe products are made from continuous wet wiping web material having thermoplastic fibers of type, concentration and dispersion capable of being heat-set to set the overall web material in a reformed shape. A succession of ridges and grooves is formed by passing the performed material through a dry creper apparatus in absence of adhesives, the action characterized by pressing the material with a stationary pressing surface to engage an advancing drive surface, the driven material bodily collapsing into a succession of adjacent ridges and grooves that increase the volume of the material. The wet wiping material is heat set in the ridge and groove configuration, enabling the ridge and groove configuration to be preserved when the wet wiping material is wetted and when squeezed and released. The self-restoring ridge and groove configuration provides stress concentrating edges and improves liquid delivery and wet wiping in a number of respects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Micrex Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Walton, Peter R. Smith, Drew Horn
  • Publication number: 20080278353
    Abstract: A tamper resistant user interface device includes a substantially planar sensor. The sensor includes a plurality of user activated membrane switches. At least one multilayer structure is folded around and overlays the planar sensor. The structure includes at least one layer to detect tampering with the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: MEASUREMENT SPECIALTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter R. Smith, Susan H. Zaks
  • Publication number: 20080036135
    Abstract: A stationary working surface of a one roll microcreper member is of plastic resin having low wear and friction properties. As a primary pressing member subject to concentrated force it is 0.040 inch thick. One or both opposed retarder members of a bladed microcreper are of the plastic. Thermoplastics meeting wear and friction limits, e.g. ultra high density polyethylene, are employed. Primary extensions, some having openings, slots or holes serve as flexible retarders to engage treated material. By a load-spreading surface, the thermoplastic primary member is restrained without distortion. By this surface being linear it slideably inserts into a mounting. By this surface being parallel to the roll axis the primary member is free for cross-machine thermal expansion. A primary member shown is sheet form, mounted between sheet metal members, one with a restraint surface. Sheet materials of polyolefins, wood pulp, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: J. Drew Horn, Peter R. Smith, Richard C. Walton
  • Patent number: 6960129
    Abstract: A conditioned vestibule for a cold storage doorway is disclosed. The vestibule includes a frame that supports inner and outer moveable door-forming members. The vestibule also includes a heater that circulates air between the inner and outer door-forming members and a variable-speed fan that varies flow of the air between the inner and outer door-forming members. In one embodiment, the airflow from the fan increases upon the opening of the door-forming members and decreases upon the closing of the door-forming members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: HCR Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Ashley, Colin D. Johnstone, Peter R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040192187
    Abstract: A conditioned vestibule for a cold storage doorway is disclosed. The vestibule includes a frame that supports inner and outer moveable door-forming members. The vestibule also includes a heater that circulates air between the inner and outer door-forming members and a variable-speed fan that varies flow of the air between the inner and outer door-forming members. In one embodiment, the airflow from the fan increases upon the opening of the door-forming members and decreases upon the closing of the door-forming members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Paul Ashley, Colin D. Johnstone, Peter R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040161991
    Abstract: A non-woven wet wipe product (22) comprising a sheet member, for use with a wet wiping agent (32), (18), the product comprising a segment of a non-woven self-supporting web (150) comprised of an assemblage of fibers including synthetic thermoplastic fibers and absorbent or adsorbent fibers, the non-woven web (150) being in a permanent, dry-creped, heat-set condition defining a succession of ridges (24) and grooves (26) in the overall body (30) of the web, the constituent thermoplastic fibers of the sheet member having been heat-set simultaneously during the imparting of the ridges and grooves to the web, the heat-set condition of the dry-creped thermoplastic fibers preserving the ridge and groove configuration during prolonged presence in the web of the wet agent (32). The wet wiping agent can be initially, prewet in the packaging, with liquid disposed through the body and on the surface of the dry-creped, heat-set sheet-form member and its constituent fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Richard C. Walton, Peter R. Smith, Drew Horn
  • Patent number: 6736519
    Abstract: A see-through retroreflective structure includes a transparent polymeric film, an array of retroreflective elements attached to the polymeric film, and an array of apertures through the retroreflective structure within the array of retroreflective elements. In one embodiment, the retroreflective structure includes a metalized reflective layer formed on the transparent prism elements and a support layer, such as a fabric, is attached to the metalized reflective layer. The method includes providing a transparent polymeric film. An array of retroreflective elements is attached to the polymeric film. The array of retroreflective elements and the transparent polymeric film are perforated through the retroreflective structure to form an array of apertures, thereby forming a retroreflective structure. The apertures are of sufficient size and spacing to provide a see-through capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Reflexite Corporation
    Inventor: Peter R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030021030
    Abstract: A see-through retroreflective structure includes a transparent polymeric film, an array of retroreflective elements attached to the polymeric film, and an array of apertures through the retroreflective structure within the array of retroreflective elements. In one embodiment, the retroreflective structure includes a metalized reflective layer formed on the transparent prism elements and a support layer, such as a fabric, is attached to the metalized reflective layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Peter R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6481857
    Abstract: A see-through retroreflective structure includes a transparent polymeric film, an array of retroreflective elements attached to the polymeric film, and an array of apertures through the retroreflective structure within the array of retroreflective elements. In one embodiment, the retroreflective structure includes a metalized reflective layer formed on the transparent prism elements and a support layer, such as a fabric, is attached to the metalized reflective layer. The method includes providing a transparent polymeric film. An array of retroreflective elements is attached to the polymeric film. The array of retroreflective elements and the transparent polymeric film are perforated through the retroreflective structure to form an array of apertures, thereby forming a retroreflective structure. The apertures are of sufficient size and spacing to provide a see-through capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Reflexite Corporation
    Inventor: Peter R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6398287
    Abstract: A tarpaulin includes a sheet having an outer side and an inner side. A reinforcing webbing is applied to the outer surface of the sheet. A retroreflective sheeting is incorporated onto the reinforcing webbing. A plurality of straps is joined to the retroreflective sheeting on the outer side and for attaching to a perimeter of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Reflexite Corporation
    Inventors: Peter R. Smith, Richard Zanotti
  • Publication number: 20010017731
    Abstract: A see-through retroreflective structure includes a transparent polymeric film, an array of retroreflective elements attached to the polymeric film, and an array of apertures through the retroreflective structure within the array of retroreflective elements. In one embodiment, the retroreflective structure includes a metalized reflective layer formed on the transparent prism elements and a support layer, such as a fabric, is attached to the metalized reflective layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventor: Peter R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6155689
    Abstract: A see-through retroreflective structure includes a transparent polymeric film, an array of retroreflective elements attached to the polymeric film, and an array of apertures through the retroreflective structure within the array of retroreflective elements. In one embodiment, the retroreflective structure includes a metalized reflective layer formed on the transparent prism elements and a support layer, such as a fabric, is attached to the metalized reflective layer.The method includes providing a transparent polymeric film. An array of retroreflective elements is attached to the polymeric film. The array of retroreflective elements and the transparent polymeric film are perforated through the retroreflective structure to form an array of apertures, thereby forming a retroreflective structure. The apertures are of sufficient size and spacing to provide a see-through capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Reflexite Corporation
    Inventor: Peter R. Smith