Patents by Inventor Robert Watts

Robert Watts 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: 10239387
    Abstract: A sun visor retention system includes a vehicle that has at least one sun visor. The at least one sun visor has a support bar and a panel that is rotatably coupled to the support bar. A retainer is removably coupled to the at least one sun visor. The retainer selectively frictionally engages the support bar. The retainer engages the panel such that the retainer retains the panel at a selected angle of rotation about the support bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Watts, Eric Penn
  • Publication number: 20190075826
    Abstract: Embodiments herein include processing systems for food products and related methods. In an embodiment, the processing system includes a housing and a product conveyor. The housing defines a processing channel that includes an electromagnetic wave heating chamber. The electromagnetic wave heating chamber is at least partially filled with a fluid, such as a fluid. The conveyor mechanism can convey food products continuously along a conveyance path including a serpentine pathway that includes a plurality of hairpin corners where a direction of the conveyance path is reversed and a depth of the conveyance path is increased. The electromagnetic wave emitting apparatus emits electromagnetic energy into the pathway. The average pressure in the electromagnetic wave heating chamber changes along the conveyor mechanism. The orientation of products along the conveyance path varies minimally along at least portions of the conveyance path. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Rasheed Mohammed, Mark Robert Watts, Scott Wayne Keller
  • Patent number: 10189630
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include food products and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a food product. The food product can include a container and a food composition. The container can include a bottom wall and a side wall. The bottom wall can include a microwave reflector. The side wall can include a material that is substantially transparent to microwaves. The microwave reflector can cover at least about 80 percent of the surface area of the bottom wall. In an embodiment, the invention includes a microwaveable food container. The microwaveable food container can include a bottom wall and a side wall. The bottom wall can include a microwave reflector. The side wall can include a material that is substantially transparent to microwaves. The microwave reflector can cover at least about 80 percent of the surface area of the bottom wall. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Campbell Soup Company
    Inventors: Keswara Rao Vadlamani, Mark Robert Watts
  • Publication number: 20180345587
    Abstract: Embodiments herein include a system for joining components. The system can include a rotating base platform, a plurality of receptacles mounted to the base platform, and a rotating sonotrode platform. A plurality of sonotrodes are mounted to the sonotrode platform. Each sonotrode can correspond to a receptacle. Each sonotrode can move in a reciprocating motion between a release position distant from a corresponding receptacle and a compressing position proximal to the corresponding receptacle. The compressing position occurs at a first angular position of the sonotrode platform. Each sonotrode is energized at the compressing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Mark Robert Watts
  • Publication number: 20180346221
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to an ultrasonically weldable polymeric lid for a microwaveable polymeric container. In an embodiment, a lid for microwaveable containers can include a polymeric ring. The polymeric ring can define a central aperture having an inner diameter. The polymeric ring can also include a recessed shelf contacting the inner diameter of the central aperture and an ultrasonic bonding surface disposed to the outside of the recessed shelf. The lid can include a peelable film disposed on the recessed shelf and occluding the central aperture. The peelable film can be removably bonded to the recessed shelf, and can include a tab attached to an edge of the peelable film. In some cases the lid can contain substantially no metal content. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Mark Robert Watts
  • Publication number: 20180333475
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of bacteriology. In particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions for treatment and prevention of infection in wounds, and methods for producing and storing bacterial donor organisms for conjugation-based antibacterial agents. The present invention relates to the field of bacteriology and pharmacology. In particular, the invention relates to novel compositions (e.g., antimicrobial agents) and methods of using the same for treating tissue (e.g., lesions of the skin and other soft tissues) comprising the killing or altering (e.g., inhibiting) growth and virulence of populations of microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Caleb William Dorsey, Joshua Aaron Smith, Steven Robert Watt
  • Publication number: 20180218748
    Abstract: Input media data with an input playing speed is received and divided into input media data subsets. A first rate of audio utterance is determined for a first input media data subset in the media data subsets. A second different rate of audio utterance is determined for a second input media data subset in the media data subsets. Audio output media data is generated with an output playing speed at which audio utterance in the audio output media data is played at a preferred rate of audio utterance. The audio output media data comprises (a) a first output audio media data subset generated based on the preferred rate, the first rate, and the first input media data subset and (b) a second output audio media data subset generated based on the preferred rate, the second rate, and the second input media data subset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventor: Robert Watts
  • Publication number: 20180148209
    Abstract: Embodiments herein include surface sterilization systems and methods for sterilizing packaged food items. In an embodiment, a surface sterilization system is included. The system can have a conveying mechanism configured to move discrete food packages, the food packages having opposed top and bottom surfaces, opposed right and left surfaces, and opposed front and back surfaces. The system can further include a plurality of dielectric discharge electrodes configured to come into sliding contact with the discrete food packages as they are moved by the conveying mechanism. The system can further include an electrical current source in electrical communication with the plurality of dielectric discharge electrodes, the electrical current source delivering a current to the plurality of electrodes sufficient to generate a plasma inside of the discrete food packages. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Mark Robert Watts, Reha Onur Azizoglu
  • Patent number: 9940947
    Abstract: Input media data with an input playing speed is received and divided into input media data subsets. A first rate of audio utterance is determined for a first input media data subset in the media data subsets. A second different rate of audio utterance is determined for a second input media data subset in the media data subsets. Audio output media data is generated with an output playing speed at which audio utterance in the audio output media data is played at a preferred rate of audio utterance. The audio output media data comprises (a) a first output audio media data subset generated based on the preferred rate, the first rate, and the first input media data subset and (b) a second output audio media data subset generated based on the preferred rate, the second rate, and the second input media data subset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Watts
  • Publication number: 20170313163
    Abstract: A sun visor retention system includes a vehicle that has at least one sun visor. The at least one sun visor has a support bar and a panel that is rotatably coupled to the support bar. A retainer is removably coupled to the at least one sun visor. The retainer selectively frictionally engages the support bar. The retainer engages the panel such that the retainer retains the panel at a selected angle of rotation about the support bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Watts, Eric Penn
  • Patent number: 9767825
    Abstract: Input media data with an input playing speed is received. One or more user identities are identified based at least in part on biometric data collected from one or more users who correspond to the one or more user identities and to whom audio utterance derived from the input media data is to be played. A preferred rate of audio utterance is determined based at least in part on the one or more user identities. A rate of audio utterance is determined for a portion of the input media data. Based at least in part on the preferred rate of audio utterance and the rate of audio utterance, a portion of audio output media data is generated with an output playing speed at which audio utterance in the portion of audio output media data is rendered with the preferred rate of audio utterance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Watts
  • Publication number: 20170092291
    Abstract: Input media data with an input playing speed is received and divided into input media data subsets. A first rate of audio utterance is determined for a first input media data subset in the media data subsets. A second different rate of audio utterance is determined for a second input media data subset in the media data subsets. Audio output media data is generated with an output playing speed at which audio utterance in the audio output media data is played at a preferred rate of audio utterance. The audio output media data comprises (a) a first output audio media data subset generated based on the preferred rate, the first rate, and the first input media data subset and (b) a second output audio media data subset generated based on the preferred rate, the second rate, and the second input media data subset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Watts
  • Publication number: 20170092292
    Abstract: Input media data with an input playing speed is received. One or more user identities are identified based at least in part on biometric data collected from one or more users who correspond to the one or more user identities and to whom audio utterance derived from the input media data is to be played. A preferred rate of audio utterance is determined based at least in part on the one or more user identities. A rate of audio utterance is determined for a portion of the input media data. Based at least in part on the preferred rate of audio utterance and the rate of audio utterance, a portion of audio output media data is generated with an output playing speed at which audio utterance in the portion of audio output media data is rendered with the preferred rate of audio utterance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Watts
  • Patent number: 9569167
    Abstract: Input media data with an input playing speed is received and divided into input media data subsets. A first rate of audio utterance is determined for a first input media data subset in the media data subsets. A second different rate of audio utterance is determined for a second input media data subset in the media data subsets. Audio output media data is generated with an output playing speed at which audio utterance in the audio output media data is played at a preferred rate of audio utterance. The audio output media data comprises (a) a first output audio media data subset generated based on the preferred rate, the first rate, and the first input media data subset and (b) a second output audio media data subset generated based on the preferred rate, the second rate, and the second input media data subset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Watts
  • Patent number: 9569168
    Abstract: Input media data with an input playing speed is received. One or more user identities are identified based at least in part on biometric data collected from one or more users who correspond to the one or more user identities and to whom audio utterance derived from the input media data is to be played. A preferred rate of audio utterance is determined based at least in part on the one or more user identities. A rate of audio utterance is determined for a portion of the input media data. Based at least in part on the preferred rate of audio utterance and the rate of audio utterance, a portion of audio output media data is generated with an output playing speed at which audio utterance in the portion of audio output media data is rendered with the preferred rate of audio utterance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Watts
  • Publication number: 20160344789
    Abstract: While a stream device is streaming a media program from a multimedia device to a client device, the streaming device may be configured to send a first portion of the media program to the client device, where the first portion is transcoded from a first format into a second different format and adapted for a first playing mode of the client device. The streaming device may be configured to receive an indication of a user command from the client device specifying a second different playing mode of the client device. The streaming device may be configured to send a second different portion of the media program to the client device, where the second portion is transcoded from the first format to the second format and adapted for the second playing mode of the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Watts, Michael Minakami, Bhavya Bambhania
  • Patent number: 9414231
    Abstract: While a stream device is streaming a media program from a multimedia device to a client device, the streaming device may be configured to send a first portion of the media program to the client device, where the first portion is transcoded from a first format into a second different format and adapted for a first playing mode of the client device. The streaming device may be configured to receive an indication of a user command from the client device specifying a second different playing mode of the client device. The streaming device may be configured to send a second different portion of the media program to the client device, where the second portion is transcoded from the first format to the second format and adapted for the second playing mode of the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Watts, Michael Minakami, Bhavya Bambhania
  • Publication number: 20160183333
    Abstract: Embodiments herein include processing systems for food products and related methods. In an embodiment, a food processing system is included with a continuous processing channel divided into a come-up chamber, a main electromagnetic wave (such as microwave) heating chamber, and a cool-down chamber. The continuous processing channel can define at least two separate portions oriented for vertical product movement. In various embodiments, the come-up chamber, the main electromagnetic wave heating chamber, and the cool-down chamber are at least partially filled with liquid. The system can further include a product conveyor mechanism to convey food products to be processed continuously along a conveyance path passing from the come-up chamber through the main electromagnetic wave heating chamber and to the cool-down chamber. The system can further include an electromagnetic wave energy emitting apparatus configured to emit electromagnetic wave energy into the main heating chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Rasheed Mohammed, Mark Robert Watts, Alexander Louis Augugliaro, Scott Lane Keller
  • Patent number: D787274
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Plum, PBC
    Inventors: Joyce F. Gagnon, Mark Robert Watts, Judy Guo, Alexander Coriano, III, Martin John Kay
  • Patent number: D824720
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Plum, PBC
    Inventors: Joyce F. Gagnon, Mark Robert Watts, Judy Guo, Alexander Coriano, III, Martin John Kay