Patents by Inventor Thomas Ferry

Thomas Ferry 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: 11663928
    Abstract: The embodiments disclose a method including using an on-demand roleplay network with internet connectivity to role playing study materials and real-time role playing sessions, connecting an on-demand roleplay application installed on role playing participant digital devices with the on-demand roleplay network to facilitate role playing partners real-time practice sessions, incorporating an artificial intelligence communicator coach analyzer with the on-demand roleplay network to provide role playing participants with nonverbal communication analysis and coaching, and providing role playing participants with a means to rate live practice sessions including the nonverbal communication skills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Ferry, David Shanks, Raymond Jones
  • Publication number: 20220130278
    Abstract: The embodiments disclose a method including using an on-demand roleplay network with internet connectivity to role playing study materials and real-time role playing sessions, connecting an on-demand roleplay application installed on role playing participant digital devices with the on-demand roleplay network to facilitate role playing partners real-time practice sessions, incorporating an artificial intelligence communicator coach analyzer with the on-demand roleplay network to provide role playing participants with nonverbal communication analysis and coaching, and providing role playing participants with a means to rate live practice sessions including the nonverbal communication skills.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Ferry, David Shanks, Raymond Jones
  • Patent number: 9904690
    Abstract: A method of determining a geographic area having similar characteristics to a first geographic area associated with a user includes receiving a plurality of inputs related to characteristics of a plurality of geographic areas and constructing a feature vector for each of the geographic areas based on the plurality of inputs. The method also includes receiving a plurality of inputs related to characteristics of the first geographic area and constructing a feature vector for the first geographic area associated with the user. The method further includes receiving an input from the user related to a city of interest, comparing the feature vector for the first geographic area to feature vectors associated with geographic areas located in or adjacent to the city of interest, and ranking the geographic areas located in or adjacent to the city of interest using the comparing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: John Robert Thomas Ferries, Barrington R. Young, Michael Patrick Bueche, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8732219
    Abstract: A method of determining a geographic area having similar characteristics to a first geographic area associated with a user includes receiving a plurality of inputs related to characteristics of a plurality of geographic areas and constructing a feature vector for each of the geographic areas based on the plurality of inputs. The method also includes receiving a plurality of inputs related to characteristics of the first geographic area and constructing a feature vector for the first geographic area associated with the user. The method further includes receiving an input from the user related to a city of interest, comparing the feature vector for the first geographic area to feature vectors associated with geographic areas located in or adjacent to the city of interest, and ranking the geographic areas located in or adjacent to the city of interest using the comparing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: John Robert Thomas Ferries, Barrington R. Young, Michael Patrick Bueche, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8712805
    Abstract: A method of displaying geohazard information to a user includes providing a computer having a processor and receiving a search query from the user. The method also includes accessing, using the processor, a real estate database, determining, using the processor, a plurality of homes in the real estate database matching the search query, and displaying information related to the plurality of homes to the user. The method further includes accessing, using the processor, a geohazard database, determining, using the processor, one or more geohazards for one or more of the plurality of homes, and displaying information related to the one or more geohazards to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: John Robert Thomas Ferries, John Chandler Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 7362696
    Abstract: An automatic transfer switch includes; a housing, at least one switch for switching electrical connection from a first external power source to a second external power source, and a first and at least a second timer disposed within the housing, wherein the first and the at least a second timer have a first and at least a second time delay, respectively. The at least one switch being responsive to the first and the at least a second timer, and the at least a second time delay being nested within the first time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Ferry, Edward Kassel
  • Patent number: 6857558
    Abstract: A method of forge welding laminates of titanium and titanium alloys includes interleaving first and second pluralities of metal pieces in an enclosure, filling the enclosure with an inert gas, heating the enclosure and the first and second pluralities of metal pieces, and mechanically pressing the enclosure on a first axis with a force sufficient to cause the first and second pluralities of metal pieces to forge-weld together. The first and second pluralities of metal pieces may be metallurgically dissimilar from each other, and may each comprise a percentage of titanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Ferry, III, William Cottrell, Charles Bybee
  • Publication number: 20040076148
    Abstract: An automatic transfer switch includes; a housing, at least one switch for switching electrical connection from a first external power source to a second external power source, and a first and at least a second timer disposed within the housing, wherein the first and the at least a second timer have a first and at least a second time delay, respectively. The at least one switch being responsive to the first and the at least a second timer, and the at least a second time delay being nested within the first time delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Ferry, Edward Kassel
  • Publication number: 20030162050
    Abstract: A method of forge welding laminates of titanium and titanium alloys includes interleaving first and second pluralities of metal pieces in an enclosure, filling the enclosure with an inert gas, heating the enclosure and the first and second pluralities of metal pieces, and mechanically pressing the enclosure on a first axis with a force sufficient to cause the first and second pluralities of metal pieces to forge-weld together. The first and second pluralities of metal pieces may be metallurgically dissimilar from each other, and may each comprise a percentage of titanium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Ferry, William Cottrell, Charles Bybee
  • Patent number: 6052444
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for transferring caller information or tele-communication information to a video device adapted to convert video format signals into a medium of expression. The caller information may include Calling Identity Delivery information. A detecting device detects the presence of a communication present on an incoming tele-communication line; a decoder device decodes the information present on the tele-communication line to produce caller information or tele-communication information related to the communication; and a transfer device causes the caller information or tele-communication information to be converted to the medium of expression by the video device. A frequency band capability conversion apparatus is also disclosed which accepts a composite signal and processes the composite signal so that it falls within the frequency band of a prescribed channel of a receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Ferry, Jann Wilson
  • Patent number: 5805677
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for transferring caller information or tele-communication information to a video device adapted to convert video format signals into a medium of expression. The caller information may include Calling Identity Delivery information. A detecting device detects the presence of a communication present on an incoming tele-communication line; a decoder device decodes the information present on the tele-communication line to produce caller information or tele-communication information related to the communication; and a transfer device causes the caller information or tele-communication information to be converted to the medium of expression by the video device. A frequency band capability conversion apparatus is also disclosed which accepts a composite signal and processes the composite signal so that it falls within the frequency band of a prescribed channel of a receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Ferry, Jann Wilson