Patents by Inventor William R. Miller

William R. Miller 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: 11979721
    Abstract: A wearable device can provide an audio module that is operable to provide audio output from a distance away from the ears of the user. For example, the wearable device can be worn on clothing of the user and direct audio waves to the ears of the user. Such audio waves can be focused by a parametric array of speakers that limit audibility by others. Thus, the privacy of the audio directed to the user can be maintained without requiring the user to wear audio headsets on, over, or in the ears of the user. The wearable device can further include microphones and/or connections to other devices that facilitate calibration of the audio module of the wearable device. The wearable device can further include user sensors that are configured to detect, measure, and/or track one or more properties of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Podhajny, Joshua A. Hoover, Nicholas R. Trincia, Yue Chen, Seul Bi Kim, Chad J. Miller, Kristen L. Cretella, Yi Zou, William Leith
  • Patent number: 11975539
    Abstract: A marking system includes a valve body including an orifice plate including multiple orifices and multiple micro-valves. Each micro-valve includes an actuating beam movable from a closed position in which a corresponding one of the orifices is sealed by a portion of the actuating beam such that the micro-valve is closed, into a peak position in response to application of a control signal. A controller is configured to generate a control signal for each of the actuating beams, each control signal including a drive pulse having a predetermined voltage such that the actuating beam moves from the closed position into the peak position in which the corresponding orifice is open and returns to the closed position in a characteristic period, wherein the drive pulse has a duration that substantially corresponds to the characteristic period such that the actuating beam is in the closed position after the drive pulse is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Matthews International Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Buskirk, Steven E. Flego, Charles C. Haluzak, John Whitlock, Eric R. Miller, Ken Trueba, Jeff Hess
  • Patent number: 11978337
    Abstract: A thermostat and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, multiple wireless transceivers are located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes a processor, memory, and a camera. To improve convenience, the thermostat may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display. Virtual remote control functionality for various amenities may then be provided. To improve safety, the thermostat may be incorporated into a geolocation and safety network and, under certain conditions, the thermostat may provide a video feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Raymond S. Horton, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20240139512
    Abstract: An example system includes a first lead configured to be positioned in or beside a left internal jugular vein (IJV) of a patient to deliver a first stimulation signal to a first vagus nerve, the first lead including one or more first segmented electrodes positioned on a distal portion of the first lead and a first anchoring mechanism; a second lead configured to be positioned in or beside a right IJV of the patient to deliver a second stimulation signal to a second vagus nerve, the second lead including one or more second segmented electrodes positioned on a distal portion of the second lead and a second anchoring mechanism; and circuitry configured to deliver electrical energy to the first lead to deliver the first stimulation signal and the second lead to deliver the second stimulation signal to provide bilateral stimulation to the first vagus nerve and the second vagus nerve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Randal C. Schulhauser, Richard J. O'Brien, Scott R. Stanslaski, Mark P. Ashby, Avram Scheiner, Becky L. Dolan, William Valls, JR., David J. Miller, Varun Umesh Kashyap, Peter N. Braido, Lilian Kornet
  • Publication number: 20240146571
    Abstract: A hospitality property management tool and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the system, set-top boxes are located in respective rooms at a hospitality establishment. The set-top boxes are joined in network communication with environmental amenities, such as lights and a thermostat that respectively control lighting and temperature. The set-top boxes utilize an unoccupied room profile and occupied room profile to set the environmental conditions, such as lighting and temperature, in the rooms. A guest preference profile may be activated within a room to provide guest-specific environmental conditions in the room associated with the guest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle, William C. Fang
  • Publication number: 20240124795
    Abstract: The instant disclosure is generally directed to low viscosity, low volatility lubricating compositions. The lubricating composition of the instant disclosure includes an oil of lubricating viscosity that contains a lubricating base oil and a hydrocarbon oil. The hydrocarbon oil makes up least 20 wt % of the oil of lubricating viscosity and has a kinematic viscosity of less than 3.7 c St at 100° C. and a NOACK volatility (measured by ASTM D5800) of less than 25 wt %. The lubricant composition further includes a polyalkenyl succinimide dispersant, and, optionally, other formulation additives. The lubricating compositions have been shown to increase fuel economy in internal combustion engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Burrington, John R. Johnson, William Storms-Miller, Patrick E. Mosier, Christopher M. Rasik
  • Patent number: 11943495
    Abstract: A set-top box with an interactive portal and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, the set-top box is deployed to provide an interactive portal in a hospitality establishment having multiple rooms, such as a hotel. The set-top box is associated with a room and includes a housing that secures a television input, a television output, a processor, a transceiver, and memory therein in an interconnected bus architecture. The set-top box generates a default interactive portal as well as a guest-specific interactive portal, which is generated from a guest configuration profile having information including guest identification, a guest channel preference presentation, and a guest service preference presentation with guest account information. The guest configuration profile may also enable the creation of a local area wireless network with substantially the same behavior as the guest's home wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Thomas R. Miller, William C. Fang
  • Patent number: 11938733
    Abstract: A micro-valve includes an orifice plate having a first surface, a second surface and an orifice extending from the first surface to the second surface. An actuating beam is disposed in spaced relation to the orifice plate. The actuating beam includes a base portion and a cantilevered portion. The base portion is separated from the orifice plate by a predetermined distance. The cantilevered portion extends from the base portion such that an overlapping portion thereof overlaps the orifice. The actuating beam is movable between a closed position and an open position. The micro-valve also includes a sealing structure including a sealing member disposed at the overlapping portion of the cantilevered portion. When the actuating beam is in the closed position, the cantilevered portion is positioned such that the sealing structure seals the orifice so as to close the micro-valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Matthews International Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Buskirk, Steven E. Flego, Charles C. Haluzak, John Whitlock, Eric R. Miller, Glenn J. T. Leighton
  • Publication number: 20240098322
    Abstract: A set-top box with self-monitoring and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, a housing secures a television input, a television output, a processor, memory, and storage therein, which are communicatively interconnected by a busing architecture. The memory is accessible to the processor, and the memory includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to detect when the television is not being utilized. Responsive thereto, the instructions cause the processor to scan channels received from the television input and generate a composite TV screen image data that may be resolved to a single TV screen image made from an assemblage of TV screen image captures corresponding to the scanned channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Publication number: 20240089511
    Abstract: A system and method for providing awareness in a hospitality environment are presented. In one embodiment, a vertical and horizontal array of thermostats is provided and each thermostat includes an identification corresponding to a room in which the thermostat is placed. Each thermostat includes a wireless transceiver that periodically transmits an identification beacon signal that is received by a proximate wireless-enabled programmable interactive device. The proximate wireless-enabled programmable interactive device, in turn, broadcasts data packets including an indication of the strength of thermostat identification signals received. The broadcasts are received by a server via an array of wireless routers. A location of the proximate wireless-enabled programmable interactive device is determined based on the signal strength information in the data packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Patent number: 11929466
    Abstract: Provided herein are energy storage devices. In some cases, the energy storage devices are capable of being transported on a vehicle and storing a large amount of energy. An energy storage device is provided comprising at least one liquid metal electrode, an energy storage capacity of at least about 1 MWh and a response time less than or equal to about 100 milliseconds (ms).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ambri Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Bradwell, David A. H. McCleary, Gregory A. Thompson, Allan Blanchard, Jeffrey B. Miller, Ronald Teel, William B. Langhauser, Alexander W. Elliott, Donald R. Sadoway, Michael J. McNeley, Ian Redfern
  • Patent number: 11673687
    Abstract: A compressible part having a solid portion and a compressible portion. The solid portion includes a first polymer material. The compressible portion has a lattice structure adjacent to the solid portion. The compressible portion includes a second polymer material that is an elastomeric polymer. The lattice structure is configured to provide for increased elastic deformation of the compressible part under compressive stress compared to the same compressible part made completely of the elastomeric polymer in solid form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Terrence D. Brown, William R. Miller
  • Publication number: 20210039809
    Abstract: A compressible part having a solid portion and a compressible portion. The solid portion includes a first polymer material. The compressible portion has a lattice structure adjacent to the solid portion. The compressible portion includes a second polymer material that is an elastomeric polymer. The lattice structure is configured to provide for increased elastic deformation of the compressible part under compressive stress compared to the same compressible part made completely of the elastomeric polymer in solid form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Terrence D. Brown, William R. Miller
  • Publication number: 20200191484
    Abstract: A cooling vessel for metal recovery from waste products including a first open end, a second closed end, and a sidewall extending between the first open end and the second closed end. The vessel has a longitudinal central axis extending from the first open end to the second closed end. In a plane including the longitudinal axis and extending from the first open end to the second closed end, opposing interior surfaces of the vessel are at an angle of 30°-50° to one another. The thickness of the sidewall adjacent the second closed end is greater than the thickness of the sidewall at the first open end. A diameter of the inner surface of the vessel along a first major axis may be greater than a diameter of the inner surface of the vessel along a second minor axis such that a cross-section of the vessel is oval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Detlef Klapthor, Rudolf Johan van Rooyen, William R. Miller, Michael A. Costa
  • Patent number: 8899654
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a structure, system, and method for ingress and egress. The structure includes a frame assembly defining at least one frame aperture. A removable panel may be secured to the frame assembly and define at least one removable panel aperture configured to align within the frame aperture. At least one fastener may removably couple the panel to the frame, the fastener extending through a corresponding one of the removable panel aperture and the frame aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harold Alan Ellsworth, William Henry Gross, Gail Leroy Detar, Kevin Harmon, William R Miller
  • Publication number: 20130082481
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a structure, system, and method for ingress and egress. The structure includes a frame assembly defining at least one frame aperture. A removable panel may be secured to the frame assembly and define at least one removable panel aperture configured to align within the frame aperture. At least one fastener may removably couple the panel to the frame, the fastener extending through a corresponding one of the removable panel aperture and the frame aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Harold Alan ELLSWORTH, William Henry GROSS, Gail Leroy DETAR, Kevin HARMON, William R. MILLER, General Electric Company
  • Patent number: 7942603
    Abstract: A traffic control device includes a shell body and at least one receptacle located in the shell body. The receptacle includes a dilatant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventor: William R. Miller
  • Patent number: 7623985
    Abstract: A system and method for building GUI screen screens for a time keeping and expense tracking system includes a time keeping and expense tracking (TKET) server that includes computer instructions that define logic for building GUI screen screens according to user definitions, communication channel throughput capacity, and terminal capacity. In one embodiment of the present invention, the TKET server is operable to receive communication signals transmitted by way of a wireless communication channel and to generate corresponding display screens that are responsive to the user terminal type. The TKET server is also operable to act as a remote time clock. Accordingly, the TKET server is formed to receive and interpret signals that define the user ID, an account code, and whether a start or stop timekeeping event has been selected. The TKET server also is operable to prompt an IVR to interact with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Journyx, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis L. Finch, II, William Leake, William R. Miller, Chris V. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20090285630
    Abstract: A traffic control device includes a shell body and at least one receptacle located in the shell body. The receptacle includes a dilatant material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: William R. Miller
  • Patent number: 7069498
    Abstract: A system and method for building GUI screen screens for a time keeping and expense tracking system includes a time keeping and expense tracking (TKET) server that includes computer instructions that define logic for building GUI screen screens according to user definitions, communication channel throughput capacity, and terminal capacity. Initially, the TKET server examines a user's ID to determine his group affiliations and ability levels for modifying the parameters, objects, and layout of a GUI screen. Thereafter, the TKET server allows the user to make changes according to his defined abilities. For subsequent sessions, the TKET server builds a GUI screen according to the previously defined parameters. One embodiment of the present invention, the TKET server is operable to receive communication signals transmitted by way of a wireless communication channel and to generate corresponding display screens that are responsive to the user terminal type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Journyx, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis L. Finch, II, William Leake, William R. Miller, Chris V. Anderson