Patents by Inventor Thomas Middleton
Thomas Middleton 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: 11985803Abstract: Systems and methods for managing airflow for cooling computing devices (e.g., in a data center) are disclosed. To prevent damage to computing devices after power outages in low temperatures, a subset of the computing devices may be preheated, started, and operated in an exhaust air recirculation mode to raise the temperatures of the other computing devices. Preheating may for example use heaters or warm air temporarily diverted from external sources such as nearby buildings. Thermal mass (e.g., phase change material) may be positioned near the computing devices to capture heat that is later released in the event of a dramatic temperature drop such a cold weather power outage.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2022Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: Core Scientific Operating CompanyInventors: Lawrence Kom, Thomas Middleton Rutledge Fuller, Richard Dunne
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Patent number: 11956928Abstract: A facility (e.g., data center) for more efficient cooling of computing devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the data center comprises a set of external walls, a ceiling connected to the external walls and having circular exhaust openings, and one or more pods positioned within the external walls and below the ceiling. A set of flexible tubes are used to connect the pod exhaust openings to the ceiling openings. Actuating closures may be used (e.g., at one end of each of the tubes) to control airflow, and air pressure sensors may be placed near or inside one or more of the tubes. A controller may be configured to receive air pressure data from the air pressure sensors and adjust the actuating closures to maintain a desired air pressure level. In some examples, the actuating closure may have a normally closed position when power is not applied.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Core Scientific Operating CompanyInventors: Jacob Taylor, Thomas Middleton Rutledge Fuller, Lawrence Kom
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Patent number: 11540415Abstract: A rack and system for cooling computing devices such as in a data center is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rack supports a plurality of computing devices and comprises a plurality of planar annular sector or trapezoidal shelves, each having one or more positions for holding computing devices. A number of vertical supports may hold the shelves in a vertically spaced arrangement, and an air barrier may be affixed to the rack and have openings that permit exhaust air to flow from the computing devices through the air barrier into a hot aisle. The rack may be configured to be connected to other similar racks to form a vertical annular cylinder, which may be tapered, and the computing devices may be installed to discharge exhaust at an angle relative to a centerline of the vertical annular cylinder to improve airflow.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Core Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Devon Baldwin, Kamil Lazarowich, Thomas Middleton Rutledge Fuller, Lawrence Kom
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Publication number: 20220141987Abstract: A rack and system for cooling computing devices such as in a data center is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rack supports a plurality of computing devices and comprises a plurality of planar annular sector or trapezoidal shelves, each having one or more positions for holding computing devices. A number of vertical supports may hold the shelves in a vertically spaced arrangement, and an air barrier may be affixed to the rack. The air barrier may have openings for the computing devices to permit exhaust air to flow through the air barrier into a hot aisle. The rack maybe configured to be connected to other similar racks to form a vertical annular hyperboloid or a vertical hyperbolic annular paraboloid, and the computing devices may be installed to discharge exhaust at an angle relative to a centerline of the vertical annular hyperboloid or a vertical hyperbolic annular paraboloid to improve airflow.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2022Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Harsh Patel, Devon Baldwin, Thomas Middleton Rutledge Fuller
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Publication number: 20220124934Abstract: A rack and system for cooling computing devices such as in a data center is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rack supports a plurality of computing devices and comprises a plurality of planar annular sector or trapezoidal shelves, each having one or more positions for holding computing devices. A number of vertical supports may hold the shelves in a vertically spaced arrangement, and an air barrier may be affixed to the rack and have openings that permit exhaust air to flow from the computing devices through the air barrier into a hot aisle. The rack may be configured to be connected to other similar racks to form a vertical annular cylinder, which may be tapered, and the computing devices may be installed to discharge exhaust at an angle relative to a centerline of the vertical annular cylinder to improve airflow.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: Devon Baldwin, Kamil Lazarowich, Thomas Middleton Rutledge Fuller, Lawrence Kom
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Publication number: 20220124938Abstract: A rack and system for cooling computing devices such as in a data center is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rack supports a plurality of computing devices and comprises a plurality of planar annular sector or trapezoidal shelves, each having one or more positions for holding computing devices. A number of vertical supports may hold the shelves in a vertically spaced arrangement, and an air barrier may be affixed to the rack. The air barrier may have openings for the computing devices to permit exhaust air to flow through the air barrier into a hot aisle. The rack maybe configured to be connected to other similar racks to form a vertical annular hyperboloid or a vertical hyperbolic annular paraboloid, and the computing devices may be installed to discharge exhaust at an angle relative to a centerline of the vertical annular hyperboloid or a vertical hyperbolic annular paraboloid to improve airflow.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: Harsh Patel, Devon Baldwin, Thomas Middleton Rutledge Fuller
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System for the secure distributed firmware and configuration update of un-networked physical devices
Patent number: 11107127Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for the secure distribution of firmware and configuration updates to un-networked physical devices. A client component is provided for installation on a client device, which is configured to receive, via the client component, a status data packet including a status indication from a beacon, when the client is proximate to the beacon. A server receives the status data packet via the client component, determines whether an update is available for the beacon based at least in part on the status indication, and transmits, to the client device, an encrypted update data message relating to the update for installation at the beacon to complete the update of the beacon.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Thomas Middleton, Orin Morris -
SYSTEM FOR THE SECURE DISTRIBUTED FIRMWARE AND CONFIGURATION UPDATE OF UN-NETWORKED PHYSICAL DEVICES
Publication number: 20200242662Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for the secure distribution of firmware and configuration updates to un-networked physical devices. A client component is provided for installation on a client device, which is configured to receive, via the client component, a status data packet including a status indication from a beacon, when the client is proximate to the beacon. A server receives the status data packet via the client component, determines whether an update is available for the beacon based at least in part on the status indication, and transmits, to the client device, an encrypted update data message relating to the update for installation at the beacon to complete the update of the beacon.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Thomas Middleton, Orin Morris -
Patent number: 10559007Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for the secure distribution of firmware and configuration updates to un-networked physical devices. A client component is provided for installation on a client device, which is configured to receive, via the client component, a status data packet including a status indication from a beacon, when the client is proximate to the beacon. A server receives the status data packet via the client component, determines whether an update is available for the beacon based at least in part on the status indication, and transmits, to the client device, an encrypted update data message relating to the update for installation at the beacon to complete the update of the beacon.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Thomas Middleton, Orin Morris
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Patent number: 10486929Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting the presence of metallic objects in media to be conveyed in a medium transport system are disclosed. One or more induction sensors are included in the medium transport system to detect the presence of metal in the transported media, with detection signals sent from the sensors to a system processing unit. An ultrasonic detector is employed in some embodiments to output another detection signal. One or more microphones may also be included, for detecting the sound created as the medium is being transported. The system processing unit analyzes various detection signals and analyzes computed sound values from the microphones, to determine the presence and location of metal in the media. A position jam detector may assist in determining jams of the media along the medium transport path.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: KODAK ALARIS, INC.Inventors: Bruce Link, John Fagan, Thomas Middleton, Daniel Phinney
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Patent number: 10150633Abstract: A system and method of detecting the presence of metallic objects in media to be conveyed in a medium transport system is disclosed. One or more metal detectors are included in the medium transport system to detect the presence of metal in the medium being transported. Signals from the metal detectors are sent to a system processor, which analyzes the signals, and produces proximity, duration, and/or intensity values therefrom. One or more microphones may also be included which detect the sound created as the medium is being transported. The processor computes sound values from the microphone signals, and analyzes the computed sound values along with the proximity, duration, and/or intensity values in order determine if the conveyance of the medium along the transport path should be stopped due to the presence of metal in the media or a jam occurring within the medium transport path.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: KODAK ALARIS INC.Inventors: Bruce Link, John Fagan, Thomas Middleton, Daniel Phinney
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Patent number: 10150632Abstract: A system and method of detecting the presence of metallic objects in media to be conveyed in a medium transport system is disclosed. One or more metal detectors are included in the medium transport system to detect the presence of metal in the medium being transported. Signals from the metal detectors are sent to a system processor, which analyzes the signals, and produces proximity, duration, and/or intensity values therefrom. One or more microphones may also be included which detect the sound created as the medium is being transported. The processor computes sound values from the microphone signals, and analyzes the computed sound values along with the proximity, duration, and/or intensity values in order determine if the conveyance of the medium along the transport path should be stopped due to the presence of metal in the media or a jam occurring within the medium transport path.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: KODAK ALARIS INC.Inventors: Bruce Link, John Fagan, Thomas Middleton, Daniel Phinney
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Publication number: 20180208420Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting the presence of metallic objects in media to be conveyed in a medium transport system are disclosed. One or more induction sensors are included in the medium transport system to detect the presence of metal in the transported media, with detection signals sent from the sensors to a system processing unit. An ultrasonic detector is employed in some embodiments to output another detection signal. One or more microphones may also be included, for detecting the sound created as the medium is being transported. The system processing unit analyzes various detection signals and analyzes computed sound values from the microphones, to determine the presence and location of metal in the media. A position jam detector may assist in determining jams of the media along the medium transport path.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Applicant: Kodak Alaris Inc.Inventors: Bruce Link, John Fagan, Thomas Middleton, Daniel Phinney
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Patent number: 9945620Abstract: A room perimeter heating/cooling radiator with a non symmetrical elliptical transverse cross section, that utilizes low to medium temperature heat transfer fluid (generally water or water/glycol) in a new design with an enhanced ‘primary only’ heat transfer surface having an internal spiral or helix to circulate the water around the inside of the primary surface to enhance the heat transfer, and an internal conduit that provides both freeze damage protection and the ability to cross connect multiple identical radiators for increased efficiency. The primary intended location is within inches of the building windows.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Inventor: Thomas Middleton Semmes
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Patent number: 9938100Abstract: A system and method of detecting the presence of metallic objects in media to be conveyed in a medium transport system is disclosed. One or more metal detectors are included in the medium transport system to detect the presence of metal in the medium being transported. Signals from the metal detectors are sent to a system processor, which analyzes the signals, and produces proximity, duration, and/or intensity values therefrom. One or more microphones may also be included which detect the sound created as the medium is being transported. The processor computes sound values from the microphone signals, and analyzes the computed sound values along with the proximity, duration, and/or intensity values in order determine if the conveyance of the medium along the transport path should be stopped due to the presence of metal in the media or a jam occurring within the medium transport path.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2016Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: KODAK ALARIS INC.Inventors: Bruce Link, John Fagan, Thomas Middleton, Daniel Phinney
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Patent number: 9715698Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for providing a user with supplemental content based on the user's preferences and location. The disclosure provides a computer program that allows users to discover and organize content from a platform that is accessible from a mobile device or computer. Additionally, the disclosure provides a system for determining a user's location while indoors. The system can associate the user's location with specific content or items in a store and provide the user with supplemental content related to those items.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2013Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Swirl Networks, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Middleton, Robert Todd Boes
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Publication number: 20170158447Abstract: A system and method of detecting the presence of metallic objects in media to be conveyed in a medium transport system is disclosed. One or more metal detectors are included in the medium transport system to detect the presence of metal in the medium being transported. Signals from the metal detectors are sent to a system processor, which analyzes the signals, and produces proximity, duration, and/or intensity values therefrom. One or more microphones may also be included which detect the sound created as the medium is being transported. The processor computes sound values from the microphone signals, and analyzes the computed sound values along with the proximity, duration, and/or intensity values in order determine if the conveyance of the medium along the transport path should be stopped due to the presence of metal in the media or a jam occurring within the medium transport path.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2017Publication date: June 8, 2017Applicant: Kodak Alaris Inc.Inventors: Bruce Link, John Fagan, Thomas Middleton, Daniel Phinney
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Publication number: 20170131994Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for the secure distribution of firmware and configuration updates to un-networked physical devices. A client component is provided for installation on a client device, which is configured to receive, via the client component, a status data packet including a status indication from a beacon, when the client is proximate to the beacon. A server receives the status data packet via the client component, determines whether an update is available for the beacon based at least in part on the status indication, and transmits, to the client device, an encrypted update data message relating to the update for installation at the beacon to complete the update of the beacon.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2016Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: Thomas Middleton, Orin Morris
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Patent number: 9617097Abstract: A system and method of detecting the presence of metallic objects in media to be conveyed in a medium transport system is disclosed. One or more metal detectors are included in the medium transport system to detect the presence of metal in the medium being transported. Signals from the metal detectors are sent to a system processor, which analyzes the signals, and produces proximity, duration, and/or intensity values therefrom. One or more microphones may also be included which detect the sound created as the medium is being transported. The processor computes sound values from the microphone signals, and analyzes the computed sound values along with the proximity, duration, and/or intensity values in order determine if the conveyance of the medium along the transport path should be stopped due to the presence of metal in the media or a jam occurring within the medium transport path.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: KODAK ALARIS INC.Inventors: Bruce Link, John Fagan, Thomas Middleton, Daniel Phinney
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Patent number: 9500686Abstract: A first capacitor and a second capacitor are charged until voltage at the second capacitor settles to a settling voltage. While charging, the first capacitor is alternately switched between a current source and ground. When the settling voltage is reached, charging of the first capacitor is halted. The second capacitor continues to be charged until voltage at the second capacitor reaches a reference voltage. The amount of time it takes for the settling voltage to reach the reference voltage corresponds to a measure of capacitance on the first capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2011Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Cole Wilson, Thomas Middleton Rutledge Fuller, Mark Lee, Louis Bokma, Andrew Best