Patents by Inventor Stephen K. Smith
Stephen K. 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).
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Patent number: 11989762Abstract: Systems and methods for identity verification to provide access to restricted goods or services. A first device may receive, from a second device operated on behalf of a user, a first request to purchase a restricted good or service. The first device may transmit, to the second device responsive to the first request, a second request comprising an identification of information of the user, and an identification of validation system; and may receive the requested information of the user. The first device may generate an attestation key comprising a hash of the requested information of the user and the identification of the validation system; and may determine that a record in a centralized or distributed ledger at an address corresponding to the attestation key is associated with a non-zero transaction value. Responsive to the determination, the first device may provide the restricted good or service to the user.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: CIVIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Jonathan R. Smith, Vinodan K. Lingham, Stephen Smit
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Publication number: 20240123379Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The system includes a tank having an interior space and a media container disposed within the interior space. A valve is provided that cooperates with an element within the interior, the valve being movable between an open and a closed position. The valve being biased to the open position when the element is not positioned within the interior space, wherein the interior space is fluidly coupled to the atmosphere in the open position. The valve further being configured to move to a closed position when the element is positioned within the interior space.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Paul H. Adams, Stephen P. Huda, James M. Buckley, John Anthony Triunfo, Joseph K. Patterson, Michael T. La Tulippe, Robert Camp, Robert F. Smith
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Patent number: 11957893Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2020Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Brad C. Tischendorf, John E. Kast, Thomas P. Miltich, Gordon O. Munns, Randy S. Roles, Craig L. Schmidt, Joseph J. Viavattine, Christian S. Nielsen, Prabhakar A. Tamirisa, Anthony M. Chasensky, Markus W. Reiterer, Chris J. Paidosh, Reginald D. Robinson, Bernard Q. Li, Erik R. Scott, Phillip C. Falkner, Xuan K. Wei, Eric H. Bonde, David A. Dinsmoor, Duane L. Bourget, Forrest C M Pape, Gabriela C. Molnar, Joel A. Anderson, Michael J. Ebert, Richard T. Stone, Shawn C. Kelley, Stephen J. Roddy, Timothy J. Denison, Todd V. Smith
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Patent number: 11957894Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2020Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Anthony M. Chasensky, Bernard Q. Li, Brad C. Tischendorf, Chris J. Paidosh, Christian S. Nielsen, Craig L. Schmidt, David A. Dinsmoor, Duane L. Bourget, Eric H. Bonde, Erik R. Scott, Forrest C M Pape, Gabriela C. Molnar, Gordon O. Munns, Joel A. Anderson, John E. Kast, Joseph J. Viavattine, Markus W. Reiterer, Michael J. Ebert, Phillip C. Falkner, Prabhakar A. Tamirisa, Randy S. Roles, Reginald D. Robinson, Richard T. Stone, Shawn C. Kelley, Stephen J. Roddy, Thomas P. Miltich, Timothy J. Denison, Todd V. Smith, Xuan K. Wei
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Patent number: 11939237Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation system. The system includes a control system for controlling a fluid vapor distillation apparatus including a blow down controller for controlling a blow down valve, a source flow controller for controlling a source flow valve, and a blow down level sensor in communication with a blow down controller and a source flow controller, the blow down level sensor sends signals related to the blow down level to the blow down controller and the source flow controller indicative of the blow down level, wherein the source flow controller actuates the source flow valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, and wherein the blow down controller actuates the blow down valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, whereby the blow down level and the source flow level are maintained using the blow down level sensor signals as input.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean Kamen, Ryan K. LaRocque, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Prashant Bhat, Otis L. Clapp, Stanley B. Smith, III, Stephen M. Ent
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Publication number: 20240094120Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 11911720Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The system includes a tank having an interior space and a media container disposed within the interior space. A valve is provided that cooperates with an element within the interior, the valve being movable between an open and a closed position. The valve being biased to the open position when the element is not positioned within the interior space, wherein the interior space is fluidly coupled to the atmosphere in the open position. The valve further being configured to move to a closed position when the element is positioned within the interior space.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2019Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLCInventors: Paul H. Adams, Stephen P. Huda, James M. Buckley, John Anthony Triunfo, Joseph K. Patterson, Michael T. La Tulippe, Robert Camp, Robert F. Smith
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Patent number: 6065683Abstract: A method of conditioning a flow of fluid comprises the steps of introducing a fluid into a nozzle body having an opening defining an inlet, an opening defining an outlet, and an inner surface connecting the inlet and the outlet, directing the fluid introduced into the inlet of nozzle body over the inner surface, and applying a pressure to the fluid. The inner surface of the nozzle is asymmetric with respect to a centerline of the inlet to provide a first region outside the nozzle of relative maximum pressure and a second region outside the nozzle of relative minimum pressure, where the first and second regions are substantially the same distance from the outlet. A fluid-conditioning nozzle comprises an inlet having an edge defining a first circumference, an outlet, offset from and spaced apart from the inlet, having an edge defining a second circumference, smaller than the first circumference, and a transition surface extending between the inlet and the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1999Date of Patent: May 23, 2000Assignee: Vortexx Group, Inc.Inventors: John E. Akin, Stephen K. Smith, N. Roland Dove
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Patent number: 5992763Abstract: A nozzle 10 and method for enhancing entrainment of a fluid near a face 18 of the nozzle 10, where the nozzle 10 includes a nozzle body 18 defining a nozzle opening 14 for ejecting a fluid therethrough. At least one indentation 20 is formed in the nozzle face 18 adjacent to, but spaced from, the nozzle opening 14 and includes a contoured surface 22 defined by first and second side surfaces 24 and 26 that converge toward the nozzle opening 14 to form a leading edge 28 closest to the nozzle opening 14. The imaginary extension 30 of at least a portion of the contoured surface 22 converges at a focal point 32 distal the nozzle face 18, defining an entrainment path. The focal point 32 is closer to an imaginary projection 34 of the nozzle opening 14, extending outwardly from and normal to the nozzle face 18, than the leading edge 20 is to the nozzle opening 14. Thus, fluid near the nozzle face in the indentation 20 is entrained into the entrainment path 30 and fluid ejected through the nozzle opening 14.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1997Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Vortexx Group IncorporatedInventors: Stephen K. Smith, N. Roland Dove, J. Edward Akin
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Patent number: 5941461Abstract: A nozzle assembly is disclosed which includes a housing 12 having inlet opening 13 in fluid communication with at least one outlet opening 14 adapted to receive a nozzle body 42. The housing also includes a housing face 16 in surrounding relationship to the outlet opening 14. At least one indentation 18 is formed in the housing. The indentation 18 has a contoured surface 20 defined by first and second side surfaces 22 and 24 in the housing face 16 converging away from the outlet opening 14, and third and fourth side surfaces 26 and 28 in an internal wall 30 of the outlet opening 14 that converge away from the housing face 16. A nozzle body 42 may be releasably disposed within the outlet opening 14. The nozzle body 42 includes a nozzle opening 44 for ejecting a fluid and a nozzle face 46 in surrounding relationship to the nozzle opening 44. At least one indentation 38 is formed in the nozzle face 46 adjacent to, but spaced from, the nozzle opening 44.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1997Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Vortexx Group IncorporatedInventors: J. Edward Akin, Stephen K. Smith, N. Roland Dove
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Patent number: 5921476Abstract: A method of conditioning a flow of fluid comprises the steps of introducing a fluid into a nozzle body having an opening defining an inlet, an opening defining an outlet, and an inner surface connecting the inlet and the outlet, directing the fluid introduced into the inlet of nozzle body over the inner surface, and applying a pressure to the fluid. The inner surface of the nozzle is asymmetric with respect to a centerline of the inlet to provide a first region outside the nozzle of relative maximum pressure and a second region outside the nozzle of relative minimum pressure, where the first and second regions are substantially the same distance from the outlet. A fluid-conditioning nozzle comprises an inlet having an edge defining a first circumference, an outlet, offset from and spaced apart from the inlet, having an edge defining a second circumference, smaller than the first circumference, and a transition surface extending between the inlet and the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1997Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignee: Vortexx Group IncorporatedInventors: John E. Akin, Stephen K. Smith, N. Roland Dove
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Patent number: 5854828Abstract: A telephonic customer support utility for providing diagnostic support of a customer computer including encoding an operational status of a customer's computer to produce audible tones on a speaker corresponding to the encoded status for transmission on a standard telephone line via a standard telephone of the encoded operational status to a remote support computer, the remote support computer having a receiver electrically connected to receive the tones transmitted on the telephone line. The received tones are decoded by a decoder of the remote support computer to determine the operational status of the customer's computer, which status is displayed on a display of the remote support computer for analysis by a customer support technicians.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1996Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Dell U.S.A., L.P.Inventors: Thomas J. Kocis, Mark Larson, Charles W. Morrison, Stephen K. Smith
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Patent number: 5785258Abstract: A method of conditioning a flow of fluid comprises the steps of introducing a fluid into a nozzle body having an opening defining an inlet, an opening defining an outlet, and an inner surface connecting the inlet and the outlet, directing the fluid introduced into the inlet of nozzle body over the inner surface, and applying a pressure to the fluid. The inner surface of the nozzle is asymmetric with respect to a centerline of the inlet to provide a first region outside the nozzle of relative maximum pressure and a second region outside the nozzle of relative minimum pressure, where the first and second regions are substantially the same distance from the outlet. A fluid-conditioning nozzle comprises an inlet having an edge defining a first circumference, an outlet, offset from and spaced apart from the inlet, having an edge defining a second circumference, smaller than the first circumference, and a transition surface extending between the inlet and the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1994Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: Vortexx Group IncorporatedInventors: John E. Akin, Stephen K. Smith, N. Roland Dove
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Patent number: 5632349Abstract: A drill bit for removing a surface subject to a subsurface pressure and an environmental surface pressure at least equal to the subsurface pressure, which comprises jetting fluid through a nozzle facing and located a predetermined distance from said surface, said nozzle being shaped to eject the fluid in a steam having a higher core pressure than said environmental pressure, said higher pressure stream having adjacent thereto at least one zone of pressure negative relative to said subsurface pressure, said distance being predetermined to expose said surface to said zone of negative pressure, whereby said surface is caused to explode into said zone of negative pressure from the force of said subsurface pressure.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1996Date of Patent: May 27, 1997Inventors: Norval R. Dove, Stephen K. Smith, W. Gerald Lott
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Patent number: 5494124Abstract: A method and abstract of removing a surface subject to a subsurface pressure and an environmental surface pressure at least equal to the subsurface pressure, which comprises jetting fluid through a nozzle facing and located a predetermined distance from said surface, said nozzle being shaped to eject the fluid in a steam having a higher core pressure than said environmental pressure, said higher pressure stream having adjacent thereto at least one zone of pressure negative relative to said subsurface pressure, said distance being predetermined to expose said surface to said zone of negative pressure, whereby said surface is caused to explode into said zone of negative pressure from the force of said subsurface pressure.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1993Date of Patent: February 27, 1996Assignee: Vortexx Group, Inc.Inventors: Norval R. Dove, Stephen K. Smith