Patents by Inventor Robert A. Thompson

Robert A. Thompson 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: 10988722
    Abstract: The invention relates to a perfusion manifold assembly that allows for perfusion of a microfluidic device, such as an organ on a chip microfluidic device comprising cells that mimic cells in an organ in the body, that is detachably linked with an assembly so that fluid enters ports of the microfluidic device from a fluid reservoir, optionally without tubing, at a controllable flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: EMULATE, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Levner, Josiah Daniel Sliz, Christopher David Hinojosa, Guy Robert Thompson, II, Petrus Wilhelmus Martinus van Ruijven, Matthew Daniel Solomon, Christian Alexander Potzner, Patrick Sean Tuohy, Joshua Gomes, Norman Wen, Jacob Freake, Doug Sabin
  • Patent number: 10985951
    Abstract: The nonlinearity of power amplifiers (PAs) has been a severe constraint in performance of modern wireless transceivers. This problem is even more challenging for the fifth generation (5G) cellular system since 5G signals have extremely high peak to average power ratio. Nonlinear equalizers that exploit both deep neural networks (DNNs) and Volterra series models are provided to mitigate PA nonlinear distortions. The DNN equalizer architecture consists of multiple convolutional layers. The input features are designed according to the Volterra series model of nonlinear PAs. This enables the DNN equalizer to effectively mitigate nonlinear PA distortions while avoiding over-fitting under limited training data. The non-linear equalizers demonstrate superior performance over conventional nonlinear equalization approaches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: The Research Foundation for the State University
    Inventors: Xiaohua Li, Robert Thompson
  • Publication number: 20210106984
    Abstract: A configurable workstation includes a support frame defining a workspace for performing a scientific procedure, multiple modules that are configured to be selectively installed to the support frame for customizing a functional profile of the configurable workstation, and a server computing device hosting an application that provides a user interface for controlling operations of the configurable workstation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Shuo Robert Chen, Rodrigo DaSilva, Wilfrido Enrique Thalliens Angulo, Adam H Morales, Robert Williams, Robert Thompson, Luke Thomas Lane, Vagn Rasmussen, Timothy Stanhope
  • Patent number: 10940608
    Abstract: An adhesive and release liner application system and method. A bottom table is slidable with respect to a frame and a middle table is slidable with respect to the bottom table. An elevator drive subsystem between a top table and the middle table is configured to adjust the elevation of the top table relative to the middle table. An adhesive head, connected to an adhesive supply subsystem, a release liner applicator, a release liner cutter, and a staple gun are mounted to the top table for applying the adhesive to a surface of a structural member positioned adjacent the top table, for applying a release liner over the adhesive on the surface, for inserting at least one staple through the release liner and into the surface, and for cutting the release liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: National Lumber Company
    Inventors: Brocklyn Martin, Jansen Burkholder, Peter Bogush, David Bruce, Robert Thompson, Paul J. VanBuskirk, Steven Camacho, Michael J. Etzel, Derek Daniel Bennett
  • Publication number: 20210051924
    Abstract: A bird mister apparatus for attracting and cooling birds includes a base plate, a housing, and a reservoir within a housing inside configured to hold liquid that can be sealed and unsealed. A spout has a spout aperture extending through to the housing inside. A pump is coupled within the housing inside and is in fluid communication with the spout aperture. An inlet tube is coupled to the pump and is in fluid communication with the pump. A CPU is coupled within the housing inside and is in operational communication with the pump. A battery is in operational communication with the CPU and the pump. A power switch is in operational communication with the CPU to activate and alternatively deactivate the pump. A hanger is coupled to the housing to support the apparatus on a tree branch, a fence, or an awning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventor: Robert Thompson
  • Publication number: 20210042268
    Abstract: Within metadata of a mounted file system with a file system transaction logging capability, a set of inodes is identified, each inode in the set of inodes comprising a data structure identifying a file system storage location of a portion of a file stored in the file system. A set of unused inodes is excluded from the set of inodes. A set of changing inodes is excluded from the set of inodes, each inode in the set of changing inodes comprising a flag indicating an in-progress write operation. A consistency check is performed on the metadata of the file system excluding the set of unused inodes and the set of changing inodes, the consistency check attempting to identify an inconsistency in the metadata. Responsive to the consistency check identifying an inconsistency in the metadata, the file system is remediated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Thompson, Kenneth Anderson, Yanhua Yang, Rama Mothey Tenjarla, Roy Glenn Spencer
  • Publication number: 20210038409
    Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a bidirectional biomechanical prosthetic finger assembly. One embodiment includes a metacarpophalangeal (MCP) pivot configured for swivelable attachment to a hand of a user, a distal coupler, and an articulation assembly rotatively coupled therebetween. A multiple-finger ring configured to receive a user's residual finger and at least one adjacent finger is disposed upon the articulation assembly, and may be adjusted to a target location based on a length of the residual finger. The articulation assembly is configured to utilize vertical movements of the residual and/or adjacent finger(s) within the multiple-finger ring to articulate the distal coupler within a plane parallel to an x-z plane, and the MCP pivot is configured to utilize lateral movements of the residual finger within the ring to articulate the distal coupler within a plane parallel to an x-y plane. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Thompson, JR., Jon Bengtsson, Anthony Charles Peto, Sydney Tye Minnis, Eric Dennis Klumper, Bradley Arthur Crittenden
  • Publication number: 20210042267
    Abstract: While a mounted file system with a file system transaction logging capability is in a metadata frozen state, a file system transaction on the file system is performed, the transaction comprising a logged set of metadata updates required to implement the transaction in the file system, the performing comprising diverting the set of metadata updates from the file system to a temporary storage location outside the file system. During the metadata frozen state, a consistency check on metadata of the file system is performed, the consistency check attempting to identify an inconsistency in the metadata.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: ROBERT THOMPSON, KENNETH ANDERSON, YANHUA YANG, RAMA MOTHEY TENJARLA, ROY GLENN SPENCER
  • Patent number: 10913845
    Abstract: Provided are X-ray and metal detectable thermoset composites and methods of detecting the same. The present X-ray and metal detectable thermoset composites may be formed into trays, sheets, or other substrates suitable for use in food or pharmaceutical processing or manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: MOLDED FIBER GLASS COMPANIES
    Inventors: Routian Gao, Christine Ann Ericksen, Dailene Marie Osborn, John Robert Thompson
  • Patent number: 10917687
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for presenting caption information based on volume setting adjustments are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Bryce Gibson Reid, Robert Thompson
  • Patent number: 10912157
    Abstract: A heat generator having first and second members disposed around a shaft. One of the members has an electrically conducting portion and the other of the members has magnets mounted thereon opposite the electrically conducting portion. A passage for fluid to be heated between the magnets and the electrically conducting portions is thus formed. The magnets are arranged so that their magnetic fields intersect the electrically conducting portions. The heat generator includes an impeller and heats liquid as the high pressure drive of a hydraulic motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Rotaheat Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Malcolm Tulloch, Robert Thompson
  • Publication number: 20200392438
    Abstract: Devices, methods and systems are described for providing controlled amounts of gas, gas pressure and vacuum to microfluidic devices the culturing of cells under flow conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Rowe Lewis, Craig Henshaw, Joshua Gomes, Guy Robert Thompson II, David James Coon, Christopher David Hinojosa
  • Publication number: 20200377224
    Abstract: An uplock is disclosed including a hook configured to engage a capture pin mounted on an aircraft component. The hook is mounted for movement between a closed position and an open position. The uplock further includes an indicator system configured to detect whether a pin is engaged with the hook when the hook is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Trevor BRIGHTON, Matthew GADD, Robert THOMPSON
  • Publication number: 20200369333
    Abstract: A robot actor, or character mobility hardware platform, adapted to unleash or provide a wide variety of characters in the physical world. The robot actor enables the often screen-constrained characters to become life-like, interactive participants with nearby people in ways not presently achievable. The robot actor is an untethered, free-roaming robot that is has two (or more) legs, is adapted for high dexterity, is controlled and designed to be self-balancing, and, due to this combination of characteristics, the robot can provide characters with an illusion of life and, in many cases, in correct proportion and scale. The hardware and software of the robot actor will become a new generation of animatronic figures by providing a hardware platform capable of continuously evolving to become more capable through advances in controls and artificial intelligence (AI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: SCOTT CHRISTOPHER LAVALLEY, KYLE ROBERT THOMPSON, MICHAEL ANTHONY HOPKINS, DEXTER J. DICKINSON, JARED EDWARD BISHOP, JERRY W. REES, KYLE MICHAEL CESARE
  • Patent number: 10842652
    Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a bidirectional biomechanical prosthetic finger assembly. One embodiment includes a metacarpophalangeal (MCP) pivot configured for swivelable attachment to a hand of a user, a distal coupler, and an articulation assembly rotatively coupled therebetween. A multiple-finger ring configured to receive a user's residual finger and at least one adjacent finger is disposed upon the articulation assembly, and may be adjusted to a target location based on a length of the residual finger. The articulation assembly is configured to utilize vertical movements of the residual and/or adjacent finger(s) within the multiple-finger ring to articulate the distal coupler within a plane parallel to an x-z plane, and the MCP pivot is configured to utilize lateral movements of the residual finger within the ring to articulate the distal coupler within a plane parallel to an x-y plane. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: RCM ENTERPRISE, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Thompson, Jr., Jon Bengtsson, Anthony Charles Peto, Sydney Tye Minnis, Eric Dennis Klumper, Bradley Arthur Crittenden
  • Patent number: 10816424
    Abstract: A transmitter for measuring a process pressure includes a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor providing an input temperature signal. A first remote pressure sensitive diaphragm couples to the transmitter by a first capillary tube filled with a fill fluid having a density as a function of fill fluid temperature. An input circuit is operably connected to at least the pressure sensor and provides an intermediate pressure signal at least roughly representative of the process pressure. A correcting circuit is coupled to the temperature sensor and to the input circuit. The correcting circuit processes the intermediate pressure signal by compensating for the fill fluid density as a function of the temperature and provides a compensated output more closely representative of the process pressure. The correction circuit further performs an initial height determination based upon a pressure measurement made while no pressure is applied to the first diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT INC.
    Inventors: Paul Ryan Fadell, Scott Robert Thompson, Nathan Darrel Stokes
  • Patent number: 10806600
    Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a prosthetic finger assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a coupling tip and a distal ring coupled with the coupling tip. The assembly further includes a proximal ring coupled with the distal ring. A rocker formed in an H-shape with a first end forming a first split prong and a second end forming a second split prong may extend between the coupling tip and the proximal ring. The coupling tip, distal ring, proximal ring, and H-shaped rocker may all be hingedly connected such that movements of the residual finger within the proximal ring articulate the distal ring together with the rocker to articulate the coupling tip. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: RCM Enterprise LLC
    Inventors: Robert Thompson, Jr., Jon Bengtsson, Anthony Charles Peto, Charles Colin Macduff, Sydney Tye Minnis, Eric Dennis Klumper, Bradley Arthur Crittenden
  • Publication number: 20200295975
    Abstract: The nonlinearity of power amplifiers (PAs) has been a severe constraint in performance of modern wireless transceivers. This problem is even more challenging for the fifth generation (5G) cellular system since 5G signals have extremely high peak to average power ratio. Nonlinear equalizers that exploit both deep neural networks (DNNs) and Volterra series models are provided to mitigate PA nonlinear distortions. The DNN equalizer architecture consists of multiple convolutional layers. The input features are designed according to the Volterra series model of nonlinear PAs. This enables the DNN equalizer to effectively mitigate nonlinear PA distortions while avoiding over-fitting under limited training data. The non-linear equalizers demonstrate superior performance over conventional nonlinear equalization approaches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Xiaohua Li, Robert Thompson
  • Publication number: 20200284681
    Abstract: A remote seal assembly for a process transmitter includes a seal body containing a cavity sealed by a diaphragm. The seal body configured to be mounted to a process element containing a process fluid such that a first side of the diaphragm is exposed to the process fluid. A capillary contains a fill fluid that is in fluid communication with the cavity and a second side of the diaphragm. A coupling has a capillary recess and two cavities separated by a second diaphragm. The capillary extends through the capillary recess and connects to the coupling such that the fill fluid in the capillary is in fluid communication with one of the two cavities and the second diaphragm. A thermally conductive element preferably extends continuously along the capillary from the seal body toward the coupling and into the capillary recess without contacting the coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Michael James Hoffman, Paul Ryan Fadell, Scott Robert Thompson, Vincent Edward Cline
  • Publication number: 20200222209
    Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a biomechanical finger brace assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a coupling tip, a proximal ring configured to concentrically receive a user's finger, a distal ring configured to concentrically receive the finger, and a rocker formed in an H-shape. The distal ring and the rocker are pivotally suspended between a proximal coordinated pivot point anchored on the proximal ring and a distal coordinated pivot point anchored on the coupling tip, such that movements of the finger within the proximal ring articulate the distal ring together with the rocker to articulate the coupling tip. The coupling tip may include an open end or an enclosed recess to accept a minimally-amputated or non-amputated finger. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Thompson, JR., Jon Bengtsson, Anthony Charles Peto, Charles Colin Macduff, Sydney Tye Minnis, Eric Dennis Klumper, Bradley Arthur Crittenden