Patents by Inventor Alan Thompson

Alan Thompson 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: 9216916
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a process is described for a water treatment process in which water produced from a fuel production process is treated with recycled biochar. In accordance with one aspect, process water is passed through activated carbon generated by the biomass pyrolysis and gasification. In accordance with another aspect, the process water is treated to expel gaseous compounds within the process water. In this manner both inorganics, light organics and heavy organics can be removed from the process water. No fermentation is involved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Cool Planet Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Vern S. Traxler, Timothy Alan Thompson, Paul Faust, Wilson Hago
  • Publication number: 20150325904
    Abstract: A multimedia delivery platform includes a platform manager configured to monitor status of platform resources including content acquisition resources and a managed element, visible to the platform manager, including an externally accessible contact closure. A state of the contact closure is specified by user input provided by a platform manager user. The platform includes a shaking device configured to shake a signal acquisition device such as a dish antenna. A power relay in the platform includes a control terminal coupled to the contact closure of the managed element and output terminals configured to deliver power to the shaking machine upon activation of the power relay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Todd W. Jones, Jason Gabriel Hill, Gary Alan Thompson
  • Publication number: 20150307238
    Abstract: The present invention provides syneresis negation to capture the liquid separated from the gel so that only gel is dispensed from the container. The apparatus includes a reservoir, a hollow shell and a riser tube extending under the hollow shell. When the container holding the liquid separated from the gel is inverted for dispensing, the liquid rushes to the cap. The liquid flows over the hollow shell to the reservoir, which captures the liquid. The gel then covers the liquid and is forced up into the hollow shell and flows over the riser tube to be dispensed from the cap opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Tyler Michael Richards, Jonathan Michael Alan Thompson
  • Patent number: 9152182
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a removable memory unit (RMU) that facilitates concatenation of said memory modules irrespective of their individual physical interfaces, enables encryption/decryption keys (including cryptographic ignition keys (CIKs)) to reside onboard the RMU, provides for physical separation of RED and BLACK data in cross-domain environments and implements zeroization functionality onboard the RMU. Further embodiments provide a swappable IO backplane and adapter plates for incorporation into a wide variety of platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Physical Optics Corporation
    Inventors: Shean Thomas McMahon, Robert Anthony Kunc, Kang Lee, Vladimir Esterkin, Ranjit Pradhan, Xiwen Wang, Frank T. Willis, Jr., Andrew Kostrzewski, Sookwang Ro, Thomas Forrester, Tomasz Jannson, Michael Alan Thompson
  • Publication number: 20150281743
    Abstract: A source device receives digital data comprising uncompressed video data and its associated metadata and compresses the video data. The source device generates an error code for each data word representing the compressed video data and its associated metadata. The data word and its corresponding error code are combined to form a code word. The source device organizes code words of the video data and its metadata into orthogonal data blocks and transmits the data blocks to a sink device. The sink device decodes corrupted data bits in the received data based on analysis of the error codes of the code words in the data blocks. Organizing code words into orthogonal data blocks helps isolate corrupted data bits in data blocks and enables the sink device to detect and correct corrupted data bits resulting from a single transmission error and to detect corrupted data bits resulting from multiple transmission errors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Ju Hwan Yi, Laurence Alan Thompson
  • Patent number: 9144841
    Abstract: A method of forming a surface coating on a composite article may include applying a thermal spray to a tool surface of a tool in such a manner as to form a surface coating having a releasable bond with the tool surface. The method may further include applying composite material over the surface coating, curing the composite material to form a cured composite article, and removing the cured composite article from the tool in a manner that releases the surface coating from the tool surface and retains the surface coating with the cured composite article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Arash Ghabchi, Alan Thompson, Marc J. Froning
  • Publication number: 20150245042
    Abstract: A solution for adaptively processing a digital image with reduced color resolution is described herein. A source device pre-processes a video frame with reduce color resolution by remapping luma components and chroma components of the video frame, and encodes the pre-processed video frame. The source device remaps a half of luma components on a scan line of the video frame onto a data channel of a source line to an encoder and remaps the other half of the luma components on the scan line to another data channel of the source line. The source device remaps the corresponding chroma components onto a third data channel of a source line. By using a data channel conventionally configured to transmit chroma components, the solution enables a video codec to adaptively encode a digital image with reduced color resolution without converting the digital image to full color resolution before the encoding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventor: Laurence Alan Thompson
  • Publication number: 20150139740
    Abstract: The disclosure describes, in part, apparatuses and methods for installing structures (e.g., foundations, footings, anchors, abutments, etc.) at work sites, such as difficult-access work sites. In some instances, a rotating drill assembly is assembled over a target location in order to excavate a radial array of batter-angled shafts associated with the target location in preparation for the installation of a radial array of micropiles. An operator utilizes the rotating drill in combination with a foundation pile schedule/decision matrix to design and install the radial array of batter-angled micropiles. This disclosure also describes techniques for designing, fabricating and installing structural caps to be coupled to the installed radial array batter angled micropiles. These structural caps are lightweight and, thus, more portable to difficult-access sites where they are coupled to the micropiles forming a foundation for structure to be installed at the difficult-access site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Nickolas G. Salisbury, Scott R. Tunison, Freeman Alan Thompson
  • Publication number: 20150114908
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a process is described for a water treatment process in which water produced from a fuel production process is treated with recycled biochar. In accordance with one aspect, process water is passed through activated carbon generated by the biomass pyrolysis and gasification. In accordance with another aspect, the process water is treated to expel gaseous compounds within the process water. In this manner both inorganics, light organics and heavy organics can be removed from the process water. No fermentation is involved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: COOL PLANET ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Vern S. TRAXLER, Timothy Alan THOMPSON, Paul FAUST, Wilson HAGO
  • Publication number: 20150111058
    Abstract: A method of coating a composite material and an associated coated composite structure are disclosed to provide increased wear resistance and surface protection. The edge of the composite material may be coated so as to provide protection for the edge. A method of coating a composite material includes applying an adhesion promotion layer to the composite material. The adhesion promotion layer includes a binder paint and a plurality of metal particles within the binder paint. The metal particles may be irregularly shaped. The method also includes applying a thermal spray coating to the adhesion promotion layer. The thermal spray coating may include a twin wire arc bond coating on the adhesion promotion layer and a high velocity oxygen fuel spray coating on the twin wire arc bond coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William Alan Thompson, Michael H. Ware, Neha Borkar, Marc J. Froning
  • Publication number: 20150069951
    Abstract: A multimode battery charger circuit supporting switch mode and linear mode charging operations. In various embodiments, the multimode battery charging circuit includes mode control circuitry, a linear gate driver, a pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit, a programmable constant current control loop circuit, and a programmable constant voltage control loop circuit. In operation, the mode control circuitry receives a charge mode indication signal corresponding to a desired charge mode. Based on this signal, the mode control circuitry enables either the linear gate driver or PWM control circuit to provide control signals to output transistors coupled between an adapter power port and a battery pack, thereby supporting a plurality of charging modes. In some embodiments, one or more of the output transistors are formed on a common substrate with the multimode battery charger circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xuezhen Wang, Russell Eliot Radke, Kerry Alan Thompson
  • Patent number: 8954017
    Abstract: A communications device is disclosed that implements a phase-locked-loop to multiply a clock signal provided to a power management unit (PMU) by a variable integer value. Multiplying the PMU clock signal provides a second clock signal where the second clock signal is characterized by a fundamental component with one or more harmonics of the fundamental component that differ from the fundamental component and the one or more harmonics of the PMU clock signal. The fundamental component with one or more harmonics of the second clock signal does not occupy the same communication channel as the transmission communication signal of the communications device. Thus, minimizing the degradation of the transmission communication signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Love Kothari, Ajat Hukkoo, Kerry Alan Thompson
  • Patent number: 8879410
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to WRAs that implement removable memory units (RMUs). The ability to load operational, maintenance, and mission data through RMUs is critical for avionics platform safety and logistics. However, due to strong hardware dependence, universality, or rather platform-invariance is not currently available for aircraft data acquisition (including the real-time recording of new performance, operational (flight) and environmental data) or mission data loading via prior art WRAs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Physical Optics Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Kostrzewski, Sookwang Ro, Kang Lee, Thomas Forrester, Michael Alan Thompson, Tomasz Jannson
  • Patent number: 8794117
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cutting an elastomeric laminate that may include a layer of reinforcement cords, into a desired length without cutting through the cords. The method includes the step of cutting through the gum portion of the elastomeric composite material at a desired skive angle, and then opening up the skived cut. Next, the cord reinforcement layer is cut without severing the reinforcement cords. An elastomeric composite strip cut to the desired length is produced and has cut ends. One of the cut ends has the gum portion cut at a desired skive angle adjacent an overhang portion of the reinforcement layer. The opposite end of the elastomeric composite segment also has a skived portion to mate with the skived portion of the first cut end, and a gap in the cord ply to mate with the cord overhang of the first end, resulting in a splice. An improved anvil having independently controlled vacuum zones is also provided, as well as improved cutting mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Daniel Ray Downing, David Michael Dejacimo, Dennis Alan Lundell, Steven Leonard Kitz, Mark Alan Thompson
  • Patent number: 8631618
    Abstract: The disclosure describes, in part, apparatuses and methods for installing structures (e.g., foundations, footings, anchors, abutments, etc.) at work sites, such as difficult-access work sites. In some instances, a rotating drill assembly is assembled over a target location in order to excavate a radial array of batter-angled shafts associated with the target location in preparation for the installation of a radial array of micropiles. An operator utilizes the rotating drill in combination with a foundation pile schedule/decision matrix to design and install the radial array of batter-angled micropiles. This disclosure also describes techniques for designing, fabricating and installing structural caps to be coupled to the installed radial array batter angled micropiles. These structural caps are lightweight and, thus, more portable to difficult-access sites where they are coupled to the micropiles forming a foundation for structure to be installed at the difficult-access site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Crux Subsurface, Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolas G. Salisbury, Freeman Alan Thompson
  • Patent number: 8621451
    Abstract: A computing device configured for improving the responsiveness of a computing device in connection with software distribution is described. The computing device includes a processor and executable instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The computing device receives a return code and package information from a remote computing device. The computing device also looks up a code mapping in a cache, wherein the code mapping is based on the return code. The computing device further stores the package information in a database. The computing device furthermore displays the code mapping and the package information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Crimson Corporation
    Inventors: David Bradford Morley, Blake Alan Thompson
  • Patent number: 8615612
    Abstract: An avionics data storage device and data transfer system are provided. The data storage device, has a slanted, “shark-like” door, which provides an environmental seal when not installed in the data transfer system. The storage device and data transfer system maintain environmental seals at all times other than installation. The storage device and transfer system can implement a variety of identification and authentication methods, including electrical, physical, and optical authentication or identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Physical Optics Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Kostrzewski, Kang Lee, Sookwang Ro, Thomas Forrester, Tomasz Jannson, Michael Alan Thompson
  • Patent number: 8561511
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cutting an elastomeric laminate that may include a layer of reinforcement cords, into a desired length without cutting through the cords. The method includes the step of cutting through the gum portion of the elastomeric composite material at a desired skive angle, and then opening up the skived cut. Next, the cord reinforcement layer is cut without severing the reinforcement cords. An elastomeric composite strip cut to the desired length is produced and has cut ends. One of the cut ends has the gum portion cut at a desired skive angle adjacent an overhang portion of the reinforcement layer. The opposite end of the elastomeric composite segment also has a skived portion to mate with the skived portion of the first cut end, and a gap in the cord ply to mate with the cord overhang of the first end, resulting in a splice. An improved anvil having independently controlled vacuum zones and adjustable width vacuum zones is also provided, as well as improved cutting mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Daniel Ray Downing, David Michael Dejacimo, Dennis Alan Lundell, Steven Leonard Kitz, Mark Alan Thompson
  • Patent number: 8511020
    Abstract: The disclosure describes, in part, apparatuses and methods for installing structures (e.g., foundations, footings, anchors, abutments, etc.) at work sites, such as difficult-access work sites. In some instances, a rotating drill assembly is assembled over a target location in order to excavate a radial array of batter-angled shafts associated with the target location in preparation for the installation of a radial array of micropiles. An operator utilizes the rotating drill in combination with a foundation pile schedule/decision matrix to design and install the radial array of batter-angled micropiles. This disclosure also describes techniques for designing, fabricating and installing structural caps to be coupled to the installed radial array batter angled micropiles. These structural caps are lightweight and, thus, more portable to difficult-access sites where they are coupled to the micropiles forming a foundation for structure to be installed at the difficult-access site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Crux Subsurface, Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolas G. Salisbury, Freeman Alan Thompson
  • Patent number: D681648
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Physical Optics Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Kostrzewski, Kang Lee, Sookwang Ro, Thomas Forrester, Tomasz Jannson, Michael Alan Thompson