Patents by Inventor Robert E. Smith

Robert E. 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).

  • Publication number: 20240155665
    Abstract: Techniques for delegated peer-to-peer scheduling are provided. A first peer-to-peer device determines one or more wireless channels allocated for peer-to-peer communication, and receives a request indicating a set of transmission characteristics from a second peer-to-peer device that uses the first peer-to-peer device as a communications proxy. The first peer-to-peer device schedules wireless resources of the one or more wireless channels to a plurality of peer-to-peer devices based at least in part on the set of transmission characteristics, and performs peer-to-peer communications with the second peer-to-peer device in accordance with the scheduled wireless resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Brian D. HART, Malcolm M. SMITH, Pooya MONAJEMI, Jerome HENRY, Robert E. BARTON
  • Publication number: 20240151895
    Abstract: A variety of illumination devices are disclosed that are configured to manipulate light provided by one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs). In general, embodiments of the illumination devices feature one or more optical couplers that redirect illumination from the LEEs to a reflector which then directs the light into a range of angles. In some embodiments, the illumination device includes a second reflector that reflects at least some of the light from the first reflector. In certain embodiments, the illumination device includes a light guide that guides light from the collector to the first reflector. The components of the illumination device can be configured to provide illumination devices that can provide a variety of intensity distributions. Such illumination devices can be configured to provide light for particular lighting applications, including office lighting, task lighting, cabinet lighting, garage lighting, wall wash, stack lighting, and downlighting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Wilson Dau, Robert C. Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Ingo Speier, Robert V. Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York, Hans Peter Stormberg
  • Publication number: 20240155351
    Abstract: A method of authenticating a passcode entered by a user on an unstable electronic computing device. The method includes receiving an indication that an input is unstable, impacting the ability of a user to provide the input; generating a dynamic keyboard including at least one alphanumeric key, the dynamic keyboard being configured to address the unstable input; presenting the dynamic keyboard to the user; receiving the input from the user, the input comprising a selection of at least one alphanumeric character of a passcode on the dynamic keyboard; and authenticating the input received from the user by comparing the at least one alphanumeric character and a stored passcode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2024
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Graham Linn, Marjorie Summit Anzalone, Andriy Fedorchuk, Robert Glenn Hamchuk, Jason Huang, Dennis E. Montenegro, Matthew Pearce, Ramanathan Ramanathan, Rajiv Ranjan, Debarchana Roy, Adam Benjamin Smith-Kipnis
  • Publication number: 20240155710
    Abstract: Techniques for improved peer-to-peer communication are provided. A set connectivity metrics among a set of wireless devices on a plurality of wireless channels in a wireless network is collected, and a wireless channel of the plurality of wireless channels is identified, based on the set of connectivity metrics, to use for peer-to-peer communication. A request is received, from a peer-to-peer device, for peer-to-peer communications, and the wireless channel is indicated to the peer-to-peer device, where the peer-to-peer device uses the first wireless channel for peer-to-peer communications in response to the indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Brian D. HART, Malcolm M. SMITH, Pooya MONAJEMI, Jerome HENRY, Robert E. BARTON, Matthew A. SILVERMAN
  • Publication number: 20240155028
    Abstract: Techniques for improved peer-to-peer communication are provided. A roaming peer-to-peer device may identify a new access point (AP) and initiate a transition to the new AP. Initiating transition can involve sending, to the new AP, the current peer-to-peer communication schedule for approval and/or negotiating a modified peer-to-peer communication schedule with the new AP. When the roaming peer-to-peer device and the new AP agree on the peer-to-peer communication schedule, the peer-to-peer device may notify its counterpart that it has roamed to the new AP and also notify the counterpart of any updates to the peer-to-peer communication schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Jerome HENRY, Matthew A. SILVERMAN, Malcolm M. SMITH, Robert E. BARTON
  • Publication number: 20240130393
    Abstract: A Clean in Place assembly for a food processor includes a self-cleaning valve assembly, wherein the self-cleaning valve assembly is in fluid communication with a food flow path in the food processor. The self-cleaning valve assembly includes a valve receiving chamber and valve configured to selectively fluidly connect a food flow path inlet port to a food flow path outlet port; fluidly connect the food flow path inlet port to a multivalent port; and fluidly connect a treating solution to a dead space between the valve and the valve receiving cavity. Food product can be selectively drained or retained in food flow path, wherein the self-cleaning valve can be continuously or intermittently exposed to a treating solution for treating non-food flow path portions of the self-cleaning valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Robert Tuchrelo, Nathan E. Smith, Richard T. Aab
  • Publication number: 20240136721
    Abstract: A multi-antenna structure may include a monopole and a first antenna array connected to the monopole at a first location via a first mounting apparatus and including a first cellular antenna and a first radio unit. The structure may also include a second antenna array connected to the monopole at a second location via a second mounting apparatus, with a second cellular antenna and a second radio unit. The structure may include a first set of fronds arranged about an outer surface of the monopole, forming a first respective angle with the monopole and configured to obscure the first antenna array from view. The structure may include a second set of fronds arranged about the outer surface of the monopole, each of the second set of fronds forming second respective angle with the monopole. The second set of fronds may be configured to obscure the second antenna array from view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, Terry Duffield, John Crow, Clark McQueen
  • Patent number: 11967404
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a computer-implemented method that includes obtaining the medical condition of the individual based at least in part on a personal identifier associated with the individual, the medical condition being determined by performing natural language processing of medical information associated with the individual. The method further includes obtaining characteristics of the plurality of items. The method further includes comparing the characteristics of the plurality of items to a restriction associated with the medical condition of the individual. The method further includes, responsive to determining that at least one of the characteristics of the plurality of items violates the restriction associated with the medical condition of the individual, preventing the individual from obtaining the item of the plurality of items associated with the violation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kristin E. McNeil, Robert Christian Sizemore, Sterling Richardson Smith, David Blake Werts
  • Patent number: 11968242
    Abstract: Differentiated service in a federation-based access network is provided by receiving, with a request for access to a wireless network offering at least a two different service levels based on user identities, a set of user credentials from a User Equipment (UE); forwarding, for authentication, the set of user credentials to an identity provider in an identity federation with the wireless network, wherein the identity provider is independent from the wireless network; in response to determining that the set of user credentials indicate a realm known to be associated with a given service level, providing network access to the UE according to the given service level; and in response to determining that the given service level is not a highest service level in the wireless network, transmitting a list of preferred realms to the UE that are associated with higher service levels than the given service level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Henry, Robert E. Barton, Carlos M. Pignataro, Nagendra Kumar Nainar, Malcolm M. Smith, Mark Grayson, Bart A. Brinckman
  • Publication number: 20240125192
    Abstract: A regulator valve has a check valve manifold for use in subsea control circuits. For example, the regulator valve having the check valve manifold can be used in a circuit between a directional control valve and an actuator for a gate valve. The check valve manifold can have a flange that attaches to the regulator valve to communicate with the supply-side and outlet-side of the regulator valve. Internal communication inside the manifold includes a check valve. If the pressure in the circuit downstream of the regulator valve needs to be vented, the check valve can open to allow the pressure to bleed from the outlet-side back to the supply-side without needing to pass through the internal pressure control valve of the regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Chris ROY, Frank Harold HOLLISTER, Nathan ZEPEDA, Robert E. SMITH, III, Josh WILLIAMS
  • Publication number: 20240115118
    Abstract: An endoscope comprises a handpiece housing, an elongate flexible shaft extending from the handpiece housing, a pull wire extending from the handpiece housing into the elongate flexible shaft, and a tensioning mechanism configured to adjust tension in the pull wire. A method for adjusting tension in a pull wire of a controller for an endoscope comprises preparing an endoscope for use before a procedure, adjusting tension in a pull wire for deflecting a flexible elongate shaft of the endoscope to reduce knob dwell, and performing an endoscopic procedure with the endoscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Robert E. Ailinger, Kelly David Christensen, Justin Garth Tidwell, Derek Alder Hutchison, Spence Edward Cornia, Dustin Edward Gorringe, Jeffrey C. Smith
  • Patent number: 11943329
    Abstract: Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP) using non-overlapping Resource Unit (RU) groupings may be provided. A first computing device may associate to a first Access Point (AP) at a virtual Media Access Control (MAC) address. Next, the first computing device may associate to a second AP at the virtual MAC address. Then data from a data frame may be replicated to a first one or more RUs in a channel. The first one or more RUs may be assigned to the first AP. Data from the data frame may then be replicated to a second one or more RUs in the channel. The second one or more RUs may be assigned to the second AP and may not overlap the first one or more RUs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Barton, Vishal Satyendra Desai, Jerome Henry, Malcolm Muir Smith
  • Patent number: 11942776
    Abstract: A system for preventing ground fault in a three-phase electric transmission line system caused by a line break, includes: the transmission lines, a programmable relay protection system, including a plurality of existing low sensitivity (LS) relays and a corresponding set of high sensitivity (HS) relays in parallel with the is relays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Viking Protection Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert B. Stuart, Ronald E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20240091457
    Abstract: Systems and methods for continuous injection of fluid, in some examples these apparatuses may include a manifold, a pair of reciprocating pistons, and an actuation control that may apply both suction (aspiration) and injection of fluid as part of the same actuation. The systems and methods may be configured to simplify the operation of a continuous fluid injection system, including one that aspirated prior, to injection to confirm the absence/presence of blood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Robert E. MAYLE, Jr., Erik J. SHAHOIAN, Terrence C. SMITH
  • 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: 11934969
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided to implement a bias identification engine that identifies bias in the operation of a trained cognitive computing system. A bias risk annotator is configured to identify a plurality of bias triggers in inputs and outputs of the trained cognitive computing system based on a bias risk trigger data structure that specifies terms or phrases that are associated with a bias. An annotated input and an annotated output of the trained cognitive computing system is received and processed by the bias risk annotator to determine if they comprise a portion of content that contains a bias trigger. In response to at least one of the annotated input or annotated output comprising a portion of content containing a bias trigger a notification is transmitted, to an administrator computing device, that specifies the presence of bias in the operation of the trained cognitive computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kristin E. McNeil, Robert C. Sizemore, David B. Werts, Sterling R. Smith
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20240090011
    Abstract: Time Sensitive Network (TSN) Quality of Service (QoS) management may be provided. A number of Transmit Opportunities (TxOPs) to use for transmitting data between an Access Point (AP) and a client device over a wireless link may be received. An initial gate configuration to the AP for transmitting data between the AP and the client device over the wireless link for a transmit period of each cycle of a number of cycles may be provided based on the number of TxOPs. A change in a network condition of the wireless link may be detected. The initial gate configuration for the transmit period in a current cycle of the number of cycles may be adjusted in response detecting the change in the network condition of the wireless link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Muir Smith, Maik Guenter Seewald, Robert E. Barton
  • Patent number: 11920704
    Abstract: A female undersea hydraulic coupling member is equipped with a plurality of pressure-energized metal seals configured to seal between the body of the female member and the probe of a corresponding male hydraulic coupling member in response to ambient hydrostatic pressure and/or hydraulic fluid pressure. Pressure-energized metal seals may also be provided to seal between the body of the female coupling member and a removable seal retainer or seal cartridge. In one particular preferred embodiment, the pressure-energized seals are back-to-back metal C-seals separated by annular seal supports having a generally T-shaped cross section and retained on one or more shoulders in the body of the female member by a removable seal cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, III, Scott Stolle, Chris Roy
  • Patent number: 11905782
    Abstract: A regulator valve has a check valve manifold for use in subsea control circuits. For example, the regulator valve having the check valve manifold can be used in a circuit between a directional control valve and an actuator for a gate valve. The check valve manifold can be a flange that attaches to the regulator valve to communicate with the supply and outlet of the regulator valve. Internal communication inside the manifold includes a check valve. If the pressure in the circuit downstream of the regulator valve needs to be vented, the check valve can open to allow the pressure to bleed from the outlet back to the supply without needing to pass through the internal pressure control valve of the regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Roy, Frank Harold Hollister, Nathan Zepeda, Robert E. Smith, III, Josh Williams