Patents by Inventor William Ballard
William Ballard 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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Publication number: 20160219099Abstract: A result for a task may be provided in response to receiving a request from, for example, a user for the result. The request specifies a desired accuracy level for the result. The accuracy of the result is determined using the individual accuracies of one or more persons that have selected the result. Each person's individual accuracy is determined based on results for prior tasks previously performed by that person. The person's individual accuracy is proportional to the number of that person's prior results that are with a consensus of other persons that have performed the same prior task. The result is provided if the accuracy of the result is equal to or greater than the desired accuracy level.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Byron William Reese, William Ballard
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Patent number: 9330393Abstract: A result for a task may be provided in response to receiving a request from, for example, a user for the result. The request specifies a desired accuracy level for the result. The accuracy of the result is determined using the individual accuracies of one or more persons that have selected the result. Each person's individual accuracy is determined based on results for prior tasks previously performed by that person. The person's individual accuracy is proportional to the number of that person's prior results that are with a consensus of other persons that have performed the same prior task. The result is provided if the accuracy of the result is equal to or greater than the desired accuracy level.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Demand Media, Inc.Inventors: Byron William Reese, William Ballard
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Publication number: 20120277887Abstract: A result for a task may be provided in response to receiving a request from, for example, a user for the result. The request specifies a desired accuracy level for the result. The accuracy of the result is determined using the individual accuracies of one or more persons that have selected the result. Each person's individual accuracy is determined based on results for prior tasks previously performed by that person. The person's individual accuracy is proportional to the number of that person's prior results that are with a consensus of other persons that have performed the same prior task. The result is provided if the accuracy of the result is equal to or greater than the desired accuracy level.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: DEMAND MEDIA, INC.Inventors: Byron William Reese, William Ballard
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Patent number: 8290812Abstract: A result for a task may be provided in response to receiving a request from, for example, a user for the result. The request specifies a desired accuracy level for the result. The accuracy of the result is determined using the individual accuracies of one or more persons that have selected the result. Each person's individual accuracy is determined based on results for prior tasks previously performed by that person. The person's individual accuracy is proportional to the number of that person's prior results that are with a consensus of other persons that have performed the same prior task. The result is provided if the accuracy of the result is equal to or greater than the desired accuracy level.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Demand Media, Inc.Inventors: Byron William Reese, William Ballard
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Publication number: 20110202390Abstract: A result for a task may be provided in response to receiving a request from, for example, a user for the result. The request specifies a desired accuracy level for the result. The accuracy of the result is determined using the individual accuracies of one or more persons that have selected the result. Each person's individual accuracy is determined based on results for prior tasks previously performed by that person. The person's individual accuracy is proportional to the number of that person's prior results that are with a consensus of other persons that have performed the same prior task. The result is provided if the accuracy of the result is equal to or greater than the desired accuracy level.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2010Publication date: August 18, 2011Inventors: Byron William Reese, William Ballard
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Patent number: 7762526Abstract: A Pendulum Valve having Independently and Rapidly Controllable Theta- and Z-axis Motion. The valve actuator used in the present invention provides the benefit of wide open unrestricted flow of a pendulum valve coupled with the high-resolution and wide dynamic range flow throttling of a ball or butterfly valve. The actuator mechanism will include motor drives and associated control system so that the drives are closely coupled to give highly controlled motion. The drive assembly introduces a concentric shaft arrangement that, when coupled with the highly controllable motor drives, exploits a cam-follower arrangement to make the relative rotation between the two concentric shafts result in highly controlled theta and z-axis motion. Finally, the plate to seal spacing afforded is greater than previously possible with prior valve actuator mechanisms, thereby substantially reducing flow turbulence through the valve as the valve plate eclipses the valve ports.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2007Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Nor-Cal Products, Inc.Inventors: Nate Coleman, John Slaney, Sean Mallory, Per Cederstav, David Kruse, William Ballard, Robert Woods
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Publication number: 20090057596Abstract: A Pendulum Valve having Independently and Rapidly Controllable Theta- and Z-axis Motion. The valve actuator used in the present invention provides the benefit of wide open unrestricted flow of a pendulum valve coupled with the high-resolution and wide dynamic range flow throttling of a ball or butterfly valve. The actuator mechanism will include motor drives and associated control system so that the drives are closely coupled to give highly controlled motion. The drive assembly introduces a concentric shaft arrangement that, when coupled with the highly controllable motor drives, exploits a cam-follower arrangement to make the relative rotation between the two concentric shafts result in highly controlled theta and z-axis motion. Finally, the plate to seal spacing afforded is greater than previously possible with prior valve actuator mechanisms, thereby substantially reducing flow turbulence through the valve as the valve plate eclipses the valve ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventors: Nate Coleman, John Slaney, Sean Mallory, Per Cederstav, David Kruse, William Ballard, Robert Woods
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Publication number: 20080015837Abstract: The database is populated with target chemicals, corresponding listings of reagent chemicals, corresponding listings of equipment and corresponding listings of procedures. The database is then searched in response to user identification of a target chemical. In response, a listing is displayed of reagent chemicals that are used to synthesize the target chemical, equipment that is used to synthesize the target chemical, and a procedure that is used to synthesize the target chemical by reacting the reagent chemicals in the equipment according to the procedure. An icon-based reaction editor and/or context-sensitive Boolean query option generators may be provided. A reaction template may be used to perform predictive chemistry. A reaction relay may be used to graphically display related chemicals and procedures using a hub and spoke arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2007Publication date: January 17, 2008Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robin Smith, William Ballard, David Coleman
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Publication number: 20060112175Abstract: The agile information technology infrastructure management system and related methods and processes provide a solution with the required flexibility to effectively and efficiently monitor and manage a wide-variety of disparate information technology and network infrastructure deployed in businesses and enterprises throughout a region or the world.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2005Publication date: May 25, 2006Inventors: Russell Sellers, Jeffrey Guillot, Gregory Carter, Nathan Atkins, Nicholas Pausback, Matthew Engle, Paul Young, Craig Roffers, Adam Herrneckar, William Ballard
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Patent number: 6814096Abstract: A closed loop pressure controller system that sets, measures and controls the process pressure within a semiconductor process is shown. The system is commonly composed of a pressure sensor to collect the pressure information, a controller box that hosts the control electronics, and a valve to physically affect the conductivity of the inlet or outlet gas line and accordingly the process pressure. The present invention differs from the prior art by using closed-loop motor control of the valve, rather than the method of the prior art, where the valve position is controlled by a stepper motor actuator driven in an open loop fashion. It is demonstrated that the utility of such prior art open-loop configurations is limited by the fact that the achievable precision of the valve position is hindered by static friction in the valve system, and the non-linear character of the torque versus shaft-angle of the motor (among other error components).Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2000Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Nor-Cal Products, Inc.Inventors: Emmanuel Vyers, William Ballard, David Kruse, Sean Mallory, Per Cederstav
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Publication number: 20040159354Abstract: A closed loop pressure controller system that sets, measures and controls the process pressure within a semiconductor process is shown. The system is commonly composed of a pressure sensor to collect the pressure information, a controller box that hosts the control electronics, and a valve to physically affect the conductivity of the inlet or outlet gas line and accordingly the process pressure. The present invention differs from the prior art by using closed-loop motor control of the valve, rather than the method of the prior art, where the valve position is controlled by a stepper motor actuator driven in an open loop fashion. It is demonstrated that the utility of such prior art open-loop configurations is limited by the fact that the achievable precision of the valve position is hindered by static friction in the valve system, and the non-linear character of the torque versus shaft-angle of the motor (among other error components).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2003Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventors: Per Cederstav, Emmanuel Vyers, William Ballard, Sean Mallory
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Patent number: 6612331Abstract: A closed loop pressure controller system that sets, measures and controls the process pressure within a semiconductor process is shown. The system is commonly composed of a pressure sensor to collect the pressure information, a controller box that hosts the control electronics, and a valve to physically affect the conductivity of the inlet or outlet gas line and accordingly the process pressure. The present invention differs from the prior art by using closed-loop motor control of the valve, rather than the method of the prior art, where the valve position is controlled by a stepper motor actuator driven in an open loop fashion. It is demonstrated that the utility of such prior art open-loop configurations is limited by the fact that the achievable precision of the valve position is hindered by static friction in the valve system, and the non-linear character of the torque versus shaft-angle of the motor (among other error components).Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Inventors: Per Cederstav, Sean Mallory, Emmanuel Vyers, William Ballard, David Kruse
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Publication number: 20020117212Abstract: A closed loop pressure controller system that sets, measures and controls the process pressure within a semiconductor process is shown. The system is commonly composed of a pressure sensor to collect the pressure information, a controller box that hosts the control electronics, and a valve to physically affect the conductivity of the inlet or outlet gas line and accordingly the process pressure. The present invention differs from the prior art by using closed-loop motor control of the valve, rather than the method of the prior art, where the valve position is controlled by a stepper motor actuator driven in an open loop fashion. It is demonstrated that the utility of such prior art open-loop configurations is limited by the fact that the achievable precision of the valve position is hindered by static friction in the valve system, and the non-linear character of the torque versus shaft-angle of the motor (among other error components).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2000Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventors: Emmanuel Vyers, William Ballard, David Kruse, Sean Mallory, Per Cederstav
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Publication number: 20020109115Abstract: A closed loop pressure controller system that sets, measures and controls the process pressure within a semiconductor process is shown. The system is commonly composed of a pressure sensor to collect the pressure information, a controller box that hosts the control electronics, and a valve to physically affect the conductivity of the inlet or outlet gas line and accordingly the process pressure. The present invention differs from the prior art by using closed-loop motor control of the valve, rather than the method of the prior art, where the valve position is controlled by a stepper motor actuator driven in an open loop fashion. It is demonstrated that the utility of such prior art open-loop configurations is limited by the fact that the achievable precision of the valve position is hindered by static friction in the valve system, and the non-linear character of the torque versus shaft-angle of the motor (among other error components).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2002Publication date: August 15, 2002Applicant: Nor-Cal Products, Inc.Inventors: Per Cederstav, Sean Mallory, Emmanuel Vyers, William Ballard, David Kruse
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Patent number: 3944107Abstract: A plug or closure for closing and substantially sealing an aperture in a vehicle body panel. The plug comprises a plate portion and a resilient spring element carrying a plurality of resilient snap-engaging legs. The plate portion and the spring are separate and can be formed from different materials. The plate portion has an undersurface and one or more bosses in the undersurface defining a plurality of side walls. The spring has a body integral with the legs defining a plurality of edges and the spring is attached to the plate by forcing the body of the spring between or over the bosses or boss respectively so that the edges of the body of the spring frictionally engage the side walls of the boss or bosses. The plug may be provided with a ring of sealing material on the periphery of the undersurface of the plate.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1975Date of Patent: March 16, 1976Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventors: John Bernard Wallace, Frederick William Ballard