Patents by Inventor A. Thomas

A. Thomas 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: 11519385
    Abstract: A vertical wind turbine that includes a plurality of vertical vanes, each of which is secured to a respective vertical vane axis so as to be rotatable about a respective vane rotational axis independently of one another by a motor and which are mounted on a common circular path in a rotatable manner about a vertical rotor rotational axis. A method for operating a vertical wind turbine. Angular positions about a respective vertical vane axis are specified for driven vertical vanes of the vertical wind turbine. The vertical wind turbine is operated in a particularly efficient and material-preserving manner in that the angular positions of the vanes are permanently regulated by directly driving the vanes using a pitch motor arranged concentrically to the respective vane axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Hans Hug, Christian Oram
  • Patent number: 11517641
    Abstract: A sanitary method and system of providing touch interface experiences to users of public devices are disclosed. In one aspect, the system and method are configured to deploy a clean, protective barrier across a touchscreen for each user of the public device. The barrier includes a transparent membrane that permits the user to provide touch-based inputs to the touchscreen through the barrier. In cases where the touch interface is generated by a projector, the system and method are configured to deploy a membrane that serves as a disposable screen for the projected interface. Once each user completes their session, the system automatically replaces the used membrane with a fresh membrane, ensuring subsequent users are not exposed to contaminants or residue from previous user sessions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Thomas Wayne Schwarz, Jr., Jeanie Graciela Lopez, Janelle Denice Dziuk, Paula Ann Whittington, Donald Nathaniel Holloway, III, Jennifer Hunt Erickson, Will Kerns Maney, Jr., Bradly Jay Billman, Noe Alberto Martinez, Jose L. Romero, Jr., Bharat Prasad
  • Patent number: 11518752
    Abstract: A process for the purification of organic sulfur compounds involves bringing the organic sulfur compounds, in a liquid phase, into contact with an oxide of a metal from groups VIIb or VIIIb and an oxide of a metal from groups Ia to IIIa of the periodic system, or alternatively, with a mixed-oxide thereof; for a contact period of at least 1 minute. Afterwards, the oxides and the organic sulfur compounds are separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Indre Thiel, Thomas Maximilian Wurm, Peter Rudolf
  • Patent number: 11519387
    Abstract: A vertical wind turbine that includes a plurality of vertical vanes which can be rotated independently of one another about a respective vane rotational axis by a motor and which are mounted on a common circular path in a rotatable manner about a vertical rotor rotational axis. A method for operating a vertical wind turbine. Angular positions are specified for vertical wind turbine vanes which are mounted in a rotatable manner about a respective vertical rotor rotational axis and which can be rotated about a respective vane rotational axis by a motor. The vertical wind turbine is operated in a particularly efficient and material-preserving manner in that the angular positions of the vanes are specified by at least one respective pitch motor which at least partly supports the respective vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Hans Hug, Christian Oram
  • Patent number: 11520887
    Abstract: Client devices detect malware based on a ruleset received from a security server. To evaluate a current ruleset, an administrative client device initiates a ruleset evaluation of the malware detection ruleset. A security server partitions stored malware samples into a group of evaluation lists based on an evaluation policy. The security server then creates scanning nodes on an evaluation server according to the evaluation policy. The scanning nodes scan the malware samples of the evaluation lists using the rulesets and associate each malware sample with a rule of the ruleset based on the detections, if any. The security server analyzes the associations and optimizes the ruleset and stored malware samples. The security server sends the optimized ruleset to client devices such that they more efficiently detect malware samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Malwarebytes Inc.
    Inventors: Sunil Mathew Thomas, Michael Graham Malone
  • Patent number: 11523423
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for coordinated multi-AP channel access in a wireless network. A wireless AP that obtains a transmission opportunity (TXOP) (a “coordinator AP”) can grant one or more STAs or APs under control of the coordinator AP the use of some of the bandwidth granted by the TXOP. The STAs or APs that are granted the use of the bandwidth are referred to as “coordinated APs.” Thereafter, a coordinator AP or a coordinated AP can create a new basic service set (BSS) of devices for coordinating data transmissions. For example, the coordinated AP may serve as a relay, where the coordinated AP services devices in a new BSS by sending and receiving data with a coordinator AP in a different BSS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: MEDIATEK SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Yongho Seok, Jianhan Liu, James Chih-Shi Yee, James June-Ming Wang, Thomas Edward Pare, Jr., Shihchieh Lee
  • Patent number: 11521483
    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: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Enseo, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Raymond S. Horton, Thomas R. Miller, Vanessa Ogle
  • Patent number: 11519957
    Abstract: Electrical current flow in a ball grid array (BGA) package can be measured by an apparatus including an integrated circuit (IC) electrically connected to the BGA package. Solder balls connect the BGA package to a printed circuit board (PCB) and are arranged to provide a contiguous channel for a current sense wire. A subset of solder balls is electrically connected to supply current from the PCB through the BGA package to the IC. The current sense wire is attached to the upper surface of the PCB, within the contiguous channel, and surrounds the subset of solder balls. An amplifier is electrically connected to the current sense wire ends to amplify a voltage induced on the current sense wire by current flow into the BGA package. A sensing analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is electrically connected to convert a voltage at the output of the amplifier into digital output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Layne A. Berge, Matthew Doyle, Kyle Schoneck, Thomas W. Liang, Matthew A. Walther, Jason J. Bjorgaard, John R. Dangler
  • Patent number: 11522762
    Abstract: Coordinator and method for providing control applications via a communication network, wherein prior to migrating a flow control component of a control application to a server device, a coordinator checks whether a data stream for transmitting application data was set up for the control application, where the coordinator enables migration of the flow control component if a data stream has not been set up, in the event a data stream had been set up previously, a check is performed to determine whether sufficient resources for data transmission are available for paths to the server device, such that if sufficient resources are unavailable, migration of the respective flow control component is stopped, and if sufficient resources are available, the coordinator prompts set-up of the data stream to the server device and disconnection of the previously set-up data stream and enables migration of the flow control component to the server device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Harald Albrecht, Stephan Höme, Martin Rziha, Thomas Talanis
  • Patent number: 11520897
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for using a message broker that implements a publish-subscribe messaging protocol to exchange messages between a remote server and a bridge computing device of a local network of interconnected devices are disclosed. In one example, a bridge computing devices transmits to a remote server, a provisioning request in response to achieving a power-on state. The server generates and transmits, to the bridge computing device, a provisioning response that includes information indicating a channel to which the remote server will publish messages and a channel to which the bridge computing device should publish messages. The bridge computing device subscribes to the channel the server will publish to, and the server subscribes to the channel the bridge computing device will publish to. Third-party computing devices may also subscribe and publish to the channels in order to receive and provide messages to the bridge computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Delphian Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Arkadiusz Zimny, Ashok Hirpara, Thomas D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11517595
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of administering one or more Bacillus strains to poultry. The Bacillus strains improve bacterial homeostasis in the gastrointestinal tract by inhibiting bacterial pathogens such as E. coli and Clostridium. Administering the Bacillus strains also improves performance such as weight gain and feed conversion. Useful combinations of Bacillus strains and methods of using one or more Bacillus strains are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Rehberger, Evan Hutchison, Alexandra Smith, Joshua Rehberger
  • Patent number: 11520854
    Abstract: A first group of elements is element-wise multiplied with a second group of elements using a plurality of multipliers belonging to a matrix multiplication hardware unit. Results of the plurality of multipliers are added together using a hierarchical tree of adders belonging to the matrix multiplication hardware unit and a final result of the hierarchical tree of adders or any of a plurality of intermediate results of the hierarchical tree of adders is selectively provided for use in determining an output result matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuchen Hao, Krishnakumar Narayanan Nair, Ehsan Khish Ardestani Zadeh, Rakesh Komuravelli, Abdulkadir Utku Diril, Thomas Mark Ulrich
  • Patent number: 11517746
    Abstract: A stimulation system for delivery of a stimulation signal to a hypoglossal nerve of a patient to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The stimulation system includes an implantable receiver coil configured to be implanted under a mandible of the patient; a nerve electrode coupled to the implantable receiver coil, the nerve electrode configured to deliver the stimulation signal to the hypoglossal nerve of the patient; an external pulse generator configured to generate the stimulation signal; and an external transmitter coil configured to wirelessly transmit the stimulation signal from the external pulse generator to the implantable receiver coil, the external transmitter coil being carried by an adhesive patch configured to be placed on the skin adjacent the implantable receiver coil under the mandible of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: LivaNova USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Scott T. Mazar
  • Patent number: 11520299
    Abstract: A system includes a shared data center having at least one data storage unit and at least one processing unit. The shared data center is configured to service one, two, or more industrial automation systems. For each of the one, two, or more industrial automation systems, the shared data center is configured to receive process-related data associated from at least one local device in at least one local system, analyze the process-related data from the local device, and provide instructions to at least one client device associated with the local system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Francis McLaughlin, James Michael Schreder, Jason Thomas Urso, David Barry Granatelli
  • Patent number: 11520581
    Abstract: A vector processing unit is described, and includes processor units that each include multiple processing resources. The processor units are each configured to perform arithmetic operations associated with vectorized computations. The vector processing unit includes a vector memory in data communication with each of the processor units and their respective processing resources. The vector memory includes memory banks configured to store data used by each of the processor units to perform the arithmetic operations. The processor units and the vector memory are tightly coupled within an area of the vector processing unit such that data communications are exchanged at a high bandwidth based on the placement of respective processor units relative to one another, and based on the placement of the vector memory relative to each processor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: William Lacy, Gregory Michael Thorson, Christopher Aaron Clark, Norman Paul Jouppi, Thomas Norrie, Andrew Everett Phelps
  • Patent number: 11520995
    Abstract: A system described herein may provide for the adaptation and/or expansion of a natural language processing (“NLP”) platform, that supports only a limited quantity of intents, such that the described system may support an unlimited (or nearly unlimited) quantity of intents. For example, a hierarchical structure of agents may be used, where each agent includes multiple intents. A top-level (e.g., master) agent may handle initial user interactions, and may indicate a next-level agent to handle subsequent interactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Trisha Mahajan, Stephen Soltys, Neil Thomas Razzano, Sankar Shanmugam
  • Patent number: 11520799
    Abstract: Provide is a visualization system that enables generation of a “dashboard” of individual visualizations. In further embodiments, the system enables users to quickly and easily generate these visualizations and integrate complex filters, queries, aggregations, etc., with simple UI input. The visualizations can be provided as a service that requests information from an underlying database. The database itself may also be hosted as a service, permitting granular and native database functions layered with the visualization architecture. The system can support additional functionality and access management to generate visualizations that can be shared with other users and/or integrated into websites, blogs, etc. The system can handle the complex logic, data interactions, dynamic data transformation, dynamic authorization, etc., needed to manage data rules (e.g., access rules layered over database permission based control, summarization/aggregation requirements, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: MongoDB, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Hollander, Eliot Horowitz, Thomas Rueckstiess
  • Patent number: 11521285
    Abstract: A computer apparatus, such as a validator node, for validating incident-related data records in a distributed electronic ledger is configured to receive a request from an agent to add a proposed incident-related data record associated with an incident to the distributed electronic ledger. In response to the proposed incident-related data record, the computer apparatus determines, from the distributed electronic ledger, one or more attributes of the agent or incident. The computer apparatus determines whether the proposed incident-related data record satisfies validation criteria based at least partially on the one or more attributes of the agent or incident. Once validated, the computer apparatus may then append the proposed incident-related data record to the distributed electronic ledger. Alternatively, the proposed incident-related data record may be appended regardless of validity, but an indication of validity may be appended if the proposed incident-related data record is validated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Francesca Schuler, Thomas S Messerges, Bradley M. Hiben, Daniel A Law, Eric Johnson
  • Patent number: 11521274
    Abstract: The disclosure generally describes methods, software, and systems for estimating cost allocations, including a method for the following steps. Using a machine learning system, transactions are consolidated into estimated sender-receiver totals for costs transmitted by senders to receivers in an organization. A sender-receiver percentage matrix is determined from the estimated sender-receiver totals of a given sender and for each receiver of the transactions from the given sender. The sender-receiver percentage matrix includes, for each sender, estimated sender-receiver percentages. Current actual costs are determined for each sender to receivers for a given time period. Estimated cost allocations are determined for given time period using the sender-receiver percentage matrix. The estimated cost allocations are determined for each receiver in the organization based on a function of the current actual costs for each sender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Steffen Vollmert, Luisa Karl, Konrad Schenk, Olga Cherepanova, Janet Dorothy Salmon, Ralf Ille, Thomas Zuerker
  • Patent number: 11518873
    Abstract: Useful articles, such as coatings, adhesives, printed graphics, 3D printed articles and molded articles are prepared by curing compositions containing one or more salts of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids comprising six or more carbon atoms, one or more multifunctional (meth)acrylate oligomers and one or more mono(meth)acrylate esters of alcohols which, when polymerized as homopolymers, have glass transition temperatures of at least 50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Arkema France
    Inventors: Thomas W. Hazell, William Wolf, Florian J. David