Patents by Inventor A. L. Smith

A. L. 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).

  • Patent number: 10938874
    Abstract: A server receives a message from a subscriber. The message includes a subscriber identifier and one or more one or more first identifying attributes associated with a first media-work played-out by the subscriber. The server performs a first-level match between the first identifying attributes and unique identifiers included in a database. In response to the first-level match indicating that the first identifying attributes do not include any of unique identifiers, the server performs a second-level match, which compares the first identifying attributes to content attributes of different media-works linked to the unique identifiers. In response to the second-level match identifying one or more matching first identifying attributes to the content attributes that are linked to a particular unique identifier included in the database, the server selects enhanced content based on the particular unique identifier, and delivers that enhanced content to the subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Littlejohn, Bobbi Denise Schuster, Keyin Hsu, Jennifer L. Smith
  • Patent number: 10936316
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for controlling execution of memory access instructions in a block-based processor architecture using an instruction decoder that decodes instructions having variable numbers of target operands. In one example of the disclosed technology, a block-based processor core includes an instruction decoder configured to decode target operands for an instruction in an instruction block, the instruction being encoded to allow for a variable number of target operands and a control unit configured to send data for at least one of the decoded target operands for an operation performed by the at least one of the cores. In some examples, the instruction indicates target instructions with a vector encoding. In other examples, a variable length format allows for the indication of one or more targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas C. Burger, Aaron L. Smith
  • Patent number: 10921537
    Abstract: An optical communication subassembly includes one or more optoelectronic devices, one or more optical elements, and a transceiver light coupling unit. Each optical element is configured to change a divergence of the outgoing light relative to a divergence of the incoming light and is spaced apart from and optically aligned with a corresponding optoelectronic device. The transceiver light coupling unit has a mating surface configured for mating with a connector light coupling unit attached to an optical waveguide. A mating direction of the optical light coupling unit forms an angle with the mating surface of the transceiver light coupling unit such that when the connector light coupling unit mates with the transceiver light coupling unit, the angle between the mating direction of the connector light coupling unit and the mating surface of the transceiver light coupling unit causes the optical waveguide to bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Terry L. Smith, Barry J. Koch, Michael A. Haase, Alexander R. Mathews
  • Patent number: 10919655
    Abstract: A packaging system includes a first sealer and a gas flusher. The first sealer creates a first seal in packaging material along a direction of travel of the packaging material, thereby forming a packaging loop. The gas flusher flushes ambient air from the packaging loop and includes a mechanically retractable lance that can be selectively repositioned relative to the first sealer. When the mechanically retractable lance is in an operative position, the mechanically retractable lance projects into the packaging loop, with a gas flowing through the mechanically retractable lance into the packaging loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A Stenvik, Emil Bogdanov, Thomas L Smith
  • Patent number: 10918665
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides for methods and compositions for treating multiple myeloma. It relates to chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that specifically target B cell maturation antigen (BMCA), and immunoresponsive cells comprising such CARs. The presently disclosed BMCA-specific CARs have enhanced immune-activating properties, including anti-tumor activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignees: MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER, EUREKA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Renier J. Brentjens, Eric L. Smith, Cheng Liu
  • Patent number: 10918518
    Abstract: A method of neurostimulation includes delivering an electrical signal to a plurality of electrodes (215A, 215B) connected to a patient. The electrical signal is characterized by an amplitude and a carrier frequency. The method includes modulating an electrical signal based on an audio waveform. In some cases, the modulation may include modulating at least one of an amplitude and a carrier frequency based on the audio waveform. A neurostimulation device (200) comprising first and second electrodes is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Scion Neurostim, LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Lanty L. Smith, Lesco L. Rogers
  • Patent number: 10922647
    Abstract: At the time of manufacture of medical items that are to be consumed during patient care, a unique identification number is assigned to each item and the number is encoded in an RFID tag attached to the item. The manufacturer registers the unique identification number for each individual medical item in a Unique Device Identification (UDI) Serialized Tracking Database. The UDI Serialized Tracking Database maps each unique identification number to each item's UDI number that has been assigned by the Food and Drug Administration. As each item is consumed during medical treatment and its cost is billed to payers, the unique identification number of the item is reported and verified. This provides for detection of certain types of fraud in the dispensing of medical items by validating that necessary supplies were actually used during patient care.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: DeRoyal Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. DeBusk, Joe L. Smith, Mary E. Kaylor, Michael R. McBee
  • Publication number: 20210039669
    Abstract: In some examples, a method of validating operation of a vehicle, includes determining, by the vehicle, a first version of a vehicle operating parameter via a vehicle instrument employed in a first measurement approach; calculating, by the vehicle, a second version of the vehicle operating parameter based on information indicated by two or more pathway articles associated with a vehicle pathway; determining, by the vehicle, if the first version of the vehicle operating parameter is approximately equal to the second version of the vehicle operating parameter; if the first version of the vehicle operating parameter is approximately equal to the second version of the vehicle operating parameter, validating the first measurement approach; and if the first version of the vehicle operating parameter is not approximately equal to the second version of the vehicle operating parameter, performing, by the vehicle, one or more actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin W. Watson, John A. Wheatley, James B. Snyder, Kenneth L. Smith
  • Patent number: 10913794
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to antibodies and fragments thereof and humanized versions thereof having binding specificity for IL-6. Another embodiment of this invention relates to the antibodies described herein, and binding fragments thereof, comprising the sequences of the VH, VL and CDR polypeptides described herein, and the polynucleotides encoding them. The invention also contemplates conjugates of anti-IL-6 antibodies and binding fragments thereof conjugated to one or more functional or detectable moieties. The invention also contemplates methods of making said anti-IL-6 antibodies and binding fragments thereof. Embodiments of the invention also pertain to the use of anti-IL-6 antibodies, and binding fragments thereof, for the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with IL-6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: VITAERIS INC.
    Inventors: Leon F. Garcia-Martinez, Anne Elisabeth Carvalho Jensen, Katie Anderson, Benjamin H. Dutzar, Ethan W. Ojala, Brian R. Kovacevich, John A. Latham, Jeffrey T. L. Smith
  • Patent number: 10913796
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides fully human antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to FcRL5 and methods of using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignees: MEMORIAL SLOAN-KETTERING CANCER CENTER, EUREKA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Renier J. Brentjens, Eric L. Smith, Cheng Liu
  • Patent number: 10913783
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof having binding specificity for PACAP. The antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof comprise the sequences of the VH, VL, and CDR polypeptides described herein, and the polynucleotides encoding them. Antibodies and antigen binding fragments described herein bind to and/or compete for binding to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) on human PACAP as an anti-PACAP antibody. The invention contemplates conjugates of anti-PACAP antibodies and binding fragments thereof conjugated to one or more functional or detectable moieties. Methods of making said anti-PACAP antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof are also contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: H. LUNDBECK A/S
    Inventors: Maria-Cristina Loomis, Leon F. Garcia-Martinez, Benjamin H. Dutzar, Daniel S. Allison, Katherine Lee Hendrix, Ethan W. Ojala, Pei Fan, Jeffrey T. L. Smith, John A. Latham, Charlie Karasek, Jenny Mulligan, Michelle Scalley-Kim, Erica Stewart, Vanessa Lisbeth Rubin, Jens J. Billgren
  • Patent number: 10906956
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides for methods and compositions for treating multiple myeloma. It relates to chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that specifically target a G-protein coupled receptor (e.g., a G-protein coupled receptor family C group 5 member D (GPRC5D)), and immunoresponsive cells comprising such CARs. The presently disclosed CARs targeting a G-protein coupled receptor (e.g., GPRC5D) have enhanced immune-activating properties, including anti-tumor activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignees: MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER, EUREKA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Renier J. Brentjens, Eric L. Smith, Cheng Liu
  • Publication number: 20210025030
    Abstract: A piping article is provided that comprises a piping component comprising a piping body with an open end. The piping component is formed of an alloy comprising from about 12% to about 16% zinc, from about 0.5% to about 2.0% silicon, and a balance of copper (by weight). The alloy comprises an ultimate tensile strength of from about 200 N/mm2 to about 300 N/mm2, a yield strength of from about 75 N/mm2 to about 225 N/mm2, and an elongation of from about 15% to about 60%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, Rudy L. Smith, Wesley D. Coy, Kenneth Edgar McCoy, Todd Morehead
  • Patent number: 10899834
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to antagonistic antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof having binding specificity for PACAP. These antibodies inhibit, block or neutralize at least one biological effect associated with PACAP, e.g., vasodilation. In exemplary embodiments these antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof may comprise specific VH, VL, and CDR polypeptides described herein. In some embodiments these antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof bind to and/or compete for binding to specific epitope(s) on human PACAP. The invention is further directed to using these antagonistic anti-PACAP antibodies, and binding fragments thereof, for the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with PACAP and conditions where antagonism of PACAP-related activities, such as vasodilation, mast cell degranulation, and/or neuronal activation, are therapeutically beneficial, e.g., headache and migraine indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: H. LUNDBECK A/S
    Inventors: Maria-Cristina Loomis, Leon F. Garcia-Martinez, Benjamin H. Dutzar, Daniel S. Allison, Katherine Lee Hendrix, Ethan W. Ojala, Pei Fan, Jeffrey T. L. Smith, John A. Latham, Charlie Karasek, Jenny Mulligan, Michelle Scalley-Kim, Erica Stewart, Vanessa Lisbeth Rubin, Jens J. Billgren
  • Publication number: 20210020339
    Abstract: A current sense resistor and a method of manufacturing a current sensing resistor with temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) compensation are disclosed. The resistor has a resistive strip disposed between two conductive strips. A pair of main terminals and a pair of voltage sense terminals are formed in the conductive strips. A pair of rough TCR calibration slots is located between the main terminals and the voltage sense terminals, each of the rough TCR calibration slots have a depth selected to obtain a negative starting TCR value observed at the voltage sense terminals. A fine TCR calibration slot is formed between the pair of voltage sense terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: VISHAY DALE ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Clark L. Smith, Thomas L. Bertsch, Todd L. Wyatt, Thomas L. Veik
  • Publication number: 20210019905
    Abstract: The apparati, methods, and computer program products disclosed herein can be used to nondestructively detect undissolved particles, such as glass flakes and/or protein aggregates, in a fluid in a vessel, such as, but not limited to, a fluid that contains a drug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Graham F. Milne, Erwin Freund, Ryan L. Smith
  • Patent number: 10895130
    Abstract: A shifting tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore formed therethrough; a tubular mandrel disposed in the housing and longitudinally movable relative thereto; and an engagement member moveable relative to the housing between an extended position, a released position, and a retracted position, wherein: the engagement member is movable from the retracted position to the extended position in response to movement of the mandrel relative to the housing, and the engagement member is further movable from the extended position to the released position in response to movement of the mandrel relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith, Thomas F. Bailey, Christopher L. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20210011230
    Abstract: An optical ferrule includes an optical coupling member with a light redirecting element that redirects input light from a waveguide toward an output window. The optical coupling member has a mating surface configured to slidably mate with a mating optical coupling member along a longitudinal axis of the optical ferrule. The optical ferrule also includes at least one stacking member along a longitudinal edge of the optical coupling member. The stacking member has a distal end extending beyond one of the mating surface and a top surface opposed to the mating surface. The stacking member also has a contact surface opposed to the distal end. The contact surface is configured to rotatably interface with a corresponding distal end of a of an adjacently stacked optical ferrule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith
  • Patent number: 10890048
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore through a formation by injecting drilling fluid through a drill string and rotating a drill bit. The drill string includes a shifting tool, a receiver in communication with the shifting tool, and the drill bit. The method further includes retrieving the drill string from the wellbore through a casing string until the shifting tool reaches an actuator. The casing string includes an isolation valve in an open position and the actuator. The method further includes sending a wireless instruction signal to the receiver. The shifting tool engages the actuator in response to the receiver receiving the instruction signal. The method further includes operating the actuator using the engaged shifting tool, thereby closing the isolation valve and isolating the formation from an upper portion of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith, Thomas F. Bailey, Christopher L. Mcdowell, Frederick T. Tilton
  • Patent number: 10890724
    Abstract: An optical cable subassembly includes one or more optical waveguides, at least light coupling unit comprising a first attachment area permanently attached to the optical waveguides, and at least one cable retainer comprising a second attachment area permanently attached to the optical waveguides and adapted to be installed in a housing. A length of the optical waveguides between the first attachment area and the second attachment area allows a bend in the optical waveguides that provides a predetermined mating spring force at a predetermined angle of the light coupling unit when installed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith, Alexander R. Mathews, James M. Nelson