Patents by Inventor Alex Lau

Alex Lau 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: 10634436
    Abstract: A thermal heat capture, storage, and exchange arrangement, includes at least one thermal exchange and storage (TXES) array, with each TXES array including one or more TXES elements that receive a fluid flow of a heat source fluid and a working fluid, with the TXES elements providing for a transfer of thermal energy between the heat source fluid and the TXES elements. A manifold system provides the working fluid to an input of the TXES elements and receives the working fluid from an output of the TXES elements. At least one heat engine operable with the TXES array extracts heat from the TXES array and converts it to mechanical energy, with the heat engine being selectively connected to the manifold system of a TXES array to pass the working fluid through the TXES elements, such that a transfer of thermal energy between the working fluid and the TXES elements occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Jennifer Fon Tuey, Miles L. Abarr, Brendan R. Geels, Karl Ginter, Alex Lau
  • Patent number: 10364938
    Abstract: A compressed fluid energy storage system includes a submersible fluid containment subsystem charged with a compressed working fluid and submerged and ballasted in a body of water, with the fluid containment subsystem having a substantially flat portion closing a domed portion. The system also includes a compressor and an expander disposed to compress and expand the working fluid. The fluid containment subsystem is at least in part flexible, and includes an upper portion for storing compressed energy fluid and a lower portion for ballast material. The lower portion may be tapered proximate the flat portion to prevent it from being collapsed by ballast materials. The region between the fluid and the ballast has exchange ports to communicate water between the inside and outside of the containment subsystem. In other embodiments, an open-bottomed fluid containment system is held in position underneath a ballast system by a tensegrity structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Brian Von Herzen, Alex Lau
  • Publication number: 20180320986
    Abstract: A thermal heat capture, storage, and exchange arrangement, includes at least one thermal exchange and storage (TXES) array, with each TXES array including one or more TXES elements that receive a fluid flow of a heat source fluid and a working fluid, with the TXES elements providing for a transfer of thermal energy between the heat source fluid and the TXES elements. A manifold system provides the working fluid to an input of the TXES elements and receives the working fluid from an output of the TXES elements. At least one heat engine operable with the TXES array extracts heat from the TXES array and converts it to mechanical energy, with the heat engine being selectively connected to the manifold system of a TXES array to pass the working fluid through the TXES elements, such that a transfer of thermal energy between the working fluid and the TXES elements occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Jennifer Fon Tuey, Miles L. Abarr, Brendan R. Geels, Karl Ginter, Alex Lau
  • Patent number: 10054373
    Abstract: A thermal heat capture, storage, and exchange arrangement, includes at least one thermal exchange and storage (TXES) array, with each TXES array including one or more TXES elements that receive a fluid flow of a heat source fluid and a working fluid, with the TXES elements providing for a transfer of thermal energy between the heat source fluid and the TXES elements. A manifold system provides the working fluid to an input of the TXES elements and receives the working fluid from an output of the TXES elements. At least one heat engine operable with the TXES array extracts heat from the TXES array and converts it to mechanical energy, with the heat engine being selectively connected to the manifold system of a TXES array to pass the working fluid through the TXES elements, such that a transfer of thermal energy between the working fluid and the TXES elements occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Bright Energy Storage Technolgies, LLP
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Jennifer Fon Tuey, Miles L. Abarr, Brendan R. Geels, Karl Ginter, Alex Lau
  • Publication number: 20180203995
    Abstract: A method of managing access to a plurality of applications capable of executing within a container provisioned on a computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Chun Fung YUEN, Alex LAU
  • Patent number: 9996686
    Abstract: A method for managing a master password on a network device, the method stored as a set of instructions executable by a computer processor to: store the master password in a first file in a memory of the network device; store the master password in a second file in the memory of the network device; encrypt access to the first file using a first password; encrypt access to the second file using a second password; send the second password and an identifier associated with the network device over a communications network to a registration server, the registration server configured for storing the second password for subsequent retrieval by the network device; when the first password is unavailable, send a password retrieval request including the identifier; receive the second password configured as a one-time use password; decrypt access to the second file to retrieve the master password; and, initiate a reset process for subsequent storage of the master password in the memory of the network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Alex Lau, Mihir Kapadia, Yunan Zhao
  • Publication number: 20180112820
    Abstract: A support system for a display device includes a first arm. A second arm is rotatably connected to the first arm about a first axis. A joint is rotatably connected to the second arm about a second axis. A biasing system includes a biasing member having a first end positioned in the first arm and a second end positioned in the second arm. The biasing member provides a force to balance a load applied to the second arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventor: Alex Lau
  • Patent number: 9742777
    Abstract: A system and method for confirming an application change event associated with a device infrastructure of a mobile device, the method comprising: identifying an application change event processed by the device infrastructure; disabling an application associated with the application change event; sending an application authorization request from the mobile device over a communications network, the application authorization request including application identification information which identifies the application associated with the application change event; receiving a decision instruction at the mobile device, the decision instruction being based on a comparison of the application identification information with one or more listed applications in a plurality of applications identified in an application authorization list, the application authorization list being remote from the mobile device over the communications network; and performing an action on the mobile device in respect of the application associated
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Good Technology Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Chun Fung Yuen, Wing Young Lam, Richard Segal, Alex Lau
  • Patent number: 9645861
    Abstract: A method for managing application containers, comprising: assigning a first application to a master container in a memory of a system; assigning a second application to a slave container in the memory; using a processor, assigning the master and slave containers to a container group by: delegating access to container meta-data of the slave container by a container run-time of the slave container or by the first application to a container meta-data accessor of the master container via a class loader of the master container; and, delegating interaction between the container run-time of the slave container and a container management channel of the slave container to a container management channel of the master container via the class loader of the master container; and, accessing the first and second applications via the container group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Good Technology Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Alex Lau, Namrata Jayant Bandekar, Chun Fung Yuen, Wing Young Lam
  • Patent number: 9572269
    Abstract: A support arm system for a load such as a display device. The system includes a support arm rotatable at its proximal end about a mid joint axis, monitor supporting head at the distal end of the support arm has an internal slider element and compression spring, and an arrangement of links and pivots which create a torque to oppose the torque created by a load on the head and keep a monitor plate in the same viewing plane relative to the vertical as the arm moves through its range of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Colebrook Bosson Saunders (Products) Limited
    Inventors: Alex Lau, Andrew Wills
  • Patent number: 9551292
    Abstract: Engine systems and associated methods, including systems with semi-isothermal compression devices are disclosed. An engine system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a compressor having a compressor inlet and outlet, a combustor having a combustor inlet coupled to the compressor outlet and further having a combustor outlet, a positive displacement expander having an expander inlet coupled to the combustor outlet, and further having an expander outlet and a work output device. A valve is coupled between the combustor and the expander to regulate a flow of hot combustion products passing from the combustor to the expander, and an exhaust energy recovery device is coupled to the expander outlet to extract energy from the combustion products exiting the expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Scott R. Frazier, Alex Lau, Brian Von Herzen
  • Publication number: 20160197930
    Abstract: A system and method for confirming an application change event associated with a device infrastructure of a mobile device, the method comprising: identifying an application change event processed by the device infrastructure; disabling an application associated with the application change event; sending an application authorization request from the mobile device over a communications network, the application authorization request including application identification information which identifies the application associated with the application change event; receiving a decision instruction at the mobile device, the decision instruction being based on a comparison of the application identification information with one or more listed applications in a plurality of applications identified in an application authorization list, the application authorization list being remote from the mobile device over the communications network; and performing an action on the mobile device in respect of the application associated
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Chun Fung YUEN, Wing Young LAM, Richard SEGAL, Alex LAU
  • Publication number: 20160186923
    Abstract: A support arm for supporting a load such as a display device. The support arm includes a housing defining an indicator window, a balancing mechanism in the housing, and an adjustment mechanism to adjust a counterbalancing force or torque provided by the balancing mechanism to counterbalance the weight of the load. The support arm further includes an indicator arrangement visible in the indicator window to provides a visual indication of the relative force or torque provided by the balancing mechanism. The indicator arrangement may include a lens in the indicator window. The indicator arrangement may include indicia to facilitate the visual indication of relative force or torque. The indicator arrangement may include a portion of the adjustment mechanism or balancing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Alex Lau, Andrew Wills
  • Patent number: 9361163
    Abstract: A method of on-device access using a container application to manage a sub application provisioned on a computer device by set of stored instructions executed by a computer processor to implement the steps of: receive a communication for the sub application by a first service programming interface (SPI) of the container application, the communication sent by a on-device process over a first communication pathway of a device infrastructure of the computer device utilizing interprocess communication (IPC) framework of the device infrastructure, the first communication pathway provided external to the first SPI; retransmit the communication by the first SPI to a second SPI of the sub application over a second communication pathway that bypasses the IPC framework, the second communication pathway internal to the first SPI; receiving a response to the communication by the first SPU from the second SPI over the second communication pathway; and directing the response to the on-device process over the first communic
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Good Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chun Fung Yuen, Alex Lau
  • Publication number: 20160108761
    Abstract: A thermal heat capture, storage, and exchange arrangement, includes at least one thermal exchange and storage (TXES) array, with each TXES array including one or more TXES elements that receive a fluid flow of a heat source fluid and a working fluid, with the TXES elements providing for a transfer of thermal energy between the heat source fluid and the TXES elements. A manifold system provides the working fluid to an input of the TXES elements and receives the working fluid from an output of the TXES elements. At least one heat engine operable with the TXES array extracts heat from the TXES array and converts it to mechanical energy, with the heat engine being selectively connected to the manifold system of a TXES array to pass the working fluid through the TXES elements, such that a transfer of thermal energy between the working fluid and the TXES elements occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Jennifer Fon Tuey, Miles L. Abarr, Brendan R. Geels, Karl Ginter, Alex Lau
  • Patent number: 9316346
    Abstract: A mounting system for pivotally mounting a load such as display device to a support arm including a device mounting element for supporting a display, a hoop element defined by a portion of the circumference of a circle, and a support arm mount slidable along relative to, and rotatable about relative to, the hoop. A support system for supporting a load such as a display device includes a mount for a load, a base element and a support arm coupling the mount and base element at, respectively, distal and proximal portions of the support arm, and pivotally connected to at least the base element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Colebrook Bosson Saunders (Products) Limited
    Inventors: Alex Lau, Andrew Wills
  • Patent number: 9305162
    Abstract: A system and method for confirming an application change event associated with a device infrastructure of a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of: storing an application authorization list identifying a plurality of mobile applications, the application authorization list being remote from the mobile device over a communications network; receiving an application authorization request from the mobile device over the communications network, the application authorization request including application identification information; comparing the application identification information with one or more listed mobile applications of the plurality of mobile applications identified in the application authorization list; determining whether the application information matches any of the plurality of mobile applications to produce a decision instruction containing an authorization decision; and sending the decision instruction to the mobile device for subsequent processing of the decision instruction by a mobile
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: GOOD TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chun Fung Yuen, Wing Young Lam, Richard Segal, Alex Lau
  • Patent number: 9299101
    Abstract: A universal user interaction module for web transactions with user controlled conditions. A request is received from a user to begin an order. User information is collected from one or more data repositories. The user information is consolidated and a determination is made as to what additional data is required to complete the order. The additional data is requested from the user and is received from the user. The additional data includes one or more user conditions for placing the order. The order is then stored. The order for the product includes the one or more user conditions, and the order is placed only after all of the one or more user conditions have been met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Lau, Jin Li, Jimmy Lo, Joanna W. Ng
  • Publication number: 20160037663
    Abstract: A support arm system for a load such as a display device. The system includes a support arm rotatable at its proximal end about a mid joint axis, monitor supporting head at the distal end of the support arm has an internal slider element and compression spring, and an arrangement of links and pivots which create a torque to oppose the torque created by a load on the head and keep a monitor plate in the same viewing plane relative to the vertical as the arm moves through its range of movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Alex Lau, Andrew Wills
  • Patent number: D830371
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Colebrook Bosson & Saunders (Products) Limited
    Inventors: Alex Lau, Simon Bibby, Peter Robert Williams