Patents by Inventor Andrew B. Smith

Andrew B. 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: 12166911
    Abstract: A mobile phone may include a housing, a battery at least partially within the housing, and a circuit board assembly at least partially within the housing and positioned along a side of the battery. The circuit board assembly may include a first circuit board defining a first hole, a second circuit board defining a second hole, a wall structure between the first circuit board and the second circuit board and attached to an inner surface of the first circuit board and an inner surface of the second circuit board, and a fastener assembly configured to retain the first circuit board to the second circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Owen D. Hale, Dale T. Morgan, Andrew U. Leopold, Yifan Zhao, Nicholas Merz, Daniel Jarvis, James B. Smith, Macey E. Dade, Samuel J. Pliska, Ethan R. Stobbe, Cameron Bauer, Ian A. Spraggs, Marwan Rammah, Bryan D. Keen, David A. Pakula
  • Patent number: 12055973
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a dual board-to-board connector battery management circuit module utilizing a switch-back service loop for a battery pack. The management circuit module is coupled to a first and second terminal of a battery pack and includes a first board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a first end of the management circuit module; and a second board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a second end of the management circuit module. The second board-to-board connector is positioned opposite the first board-to-board connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Depeng Wang, Andrew U. Leopold, Gregory N. Stevens, Jonathan C. Wilson, James B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20240254010
    Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation system. The system includes a control system for controlling a fluid vapor distillation apparatus including a blow down controller for controlling a blow down valve, a source flow controller for controlling a source flow valve, and a blow down level sensor in communication with a blow down controller and a source flow controller, the blow down level sensor sends signals related to the blow down level to the blow down controller and the source flow controller indicative of the blow down level, wherein the source flow controller actuates the source flow valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, and wherein the blow down controller actuates the blow down valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, whereby the blow down level and the source flow level are maintained using the blow down level sensor signals as input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Ryan K. LaRocque, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Prashant Bhat, Otis L. Clapp, Stanley B. Smith, III, Stephen M. Ent
  • Patent number: 11972086
    Abstract: A system for automatically increasing a capacity of a virtual space in a virtual world may include a processor and a module operating on the processor for detecting an attempt by an avatar to enter a virtual space in a virtual world. The system may also include another module for determining if an allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. The allowable number of avatars may be determined by at least a capacity of a server that is hosting the virtual space. Another module may be provided for increasing a capacity of the virtual space when the allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. Increasing the capacity of the virtual space may include spawning a replicate new virtual space on a different server in response to the capacity of the server that is hosting the virtual space reaching the allowable number of avatars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Haggar, Brian R. Bokor, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith, Luis J. Ostdiek
  • Publication number: 20200084133
    Abstract: A system for automatically increasing a capacity of a virtual space in a virtual world may include a processor and a module operating on the processor for detecting an attempt by an avatar to enter a virtual space in a virtual world. The system may also include another module for determining if an allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. The allowable number of avatars may be determined by at least a capacity of a server that is hosting the virtual space. Another module may be provided for increasing a capacity of the virtual space when the allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. Increasing the capacity of the virtual space may include spawning a replicate new virtual space on a different server in response to the capacity of the server that is hosting the virtual space reaching the allowable number of avatars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Peter F. Haggar, Brian R. Bokor, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith, Luis J. Ostdiek
  • Patent number: 10284454
    Abstract: A system for automatically increasing a capacity of a virtual space in a virtual world may include a processor and a module operating on the processor for detecting an attempt by an avatar to enter a virtual space in a virtual world. The system may also include another module for determining if an allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. The allowable number of avatars may be determined by at least a capacity of a server that is hosting the virtual space. Another module may be provided for increasing a capacity of the virtual space when the allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. Increasing the capacity of the virtual space may include spawning a replicate new virtual space on a different server in response to the capacity of the server that is hosting the virtual space reaching the allowable number of avatars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: ACTIVISION PUBLISHING, INC.
    Inventors: Peter F. Haggar, Brian R. Bokor, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith, Luis J. Ostdiek
  • Patent number: 10176450
    Abstract: A method for mapping transactions between a real world and a virtual world may include receiving information associated with a real world item at a virtual business object (VBO) controller. Information associated with a user is received at the VBO controller. In response to receiving by the VBO controller a decision to buy the real world item, the VBO controller generates a VBO, which includes the information associated with the real world item. In response to receiving at the VBO controller a decision not to buy the real world item, the VBO controller generates a VBO light, which includes the information associated with the real world item. Either the generated VBO or the VBO light is transmitted to a VBO inventory database associated with the user based on the user's information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian R. Bokor, Peter F. Haggar, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith
  • Patent number: 9927868
    Abstract: A system for perspective based tagging and visualization of avatars in a virtual world may include determining if another avatar has moved within a predetermined proximity range of a user's avatar in a virtual world. The system may also include allowing the user to tag the other avatar with information in response to the other avatar being within the predetermined proximity range of the user's avatar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian R. Bokor, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith
  • Patent number: 9811687
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing authorizations to access personal data of a user is disclosed. A computer retrieves a set of authorizations for a plurality of web based applications, wherein an authorization enables an application of the plurality of web based applications to access at least a portion of the personal data of the user. The computer presents the set of authorizations on a graphical user interface. The computer receives a user input indicating a change to a particular authorization in the set of authorizations for a particular web based application in the plurality of web based applications. Responsive to receiving the user input indicating the change to the particular authorization in the set of authorizations, the computer then stores the change to the particular authorization in the set of authorizations for the plurality of web based applications to access the personal data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Flavin, David G. Robinson, Andrew B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170178062
    Abstract: A method for mapping transactions between a real world and a virtual world may include receiving information associated with a real world item at a virtual business object (VBO) controller. Information associated with a user is received at the VBO controller. In response to receiving by the VBO controller a decision to buy the real world item, the VBO controller generates a VBO, which includes the information associated with the real world item. In response to receiving at the VBO controller a decision not to buy the real world item, the VBO controller generates a VBO light, which includes the information associated with the real world item. Either the generated VBO or the VBO light is transmitted to a VBO inventory database associated with the user based on the user's information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Brian R. Bokor, Peter F. Haggar, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith
  • Patent number: 9586149
    Abstract: Collaborative virtual business object (VBO) social sharing that may include generating a VBO responsive to an avatar performing a transaction, and providing access to the VBO to other avatars desiring access. Access to the VBO may be provided by registering information regarding accessing the VBO in an inventory of the avatar, registering information regarding accessing the VBO in a centralized registry, allowing some portions of the VBO to be searchable, or uploading a modified copy of the VBO to a centralized VBO data upload facility. Portions of the VBO may be identified as private or public and access provided to only the public portions. An apparatus for collaborative virtual business object (VBO) social sharing may include an interface configured to access virtual world and a processor configured to generate a VBO responsive to a transaction in the virtual world and provide access to the VBO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian R. Bokor, Andrew B. Smith, Peter F. Haggar, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Christopher J. Dawson
  • Patent number: 9568993
    Abstract: A method for automated avatar mood effects in a virtual world may include detecting occurrence of a mood changing condition relatable to a user's avatar. The method may also include determining an avatar mood effect from a plurality of predefined avatar mood effects to be applied to the user's avatar in the virtual world based on the detected mood changing condition. The method may further include automatically applying the avatar mood effect to the user's avatar in the virtual world in response to detecting occurrence of the mood changing condition and determining an applicable avatar mood effect based on the detected mood changing condition and presenting the automatically applied avatar mood effect in association with the user's avatar in the virtual world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian R. Bokor, Andrew B. Smith, Steven K. Speicher
  • Patent number: 9454737
    Abstract: A process definition entered into a user interface that is coupled with an instant messaging client application can be identified. The process definition can represent an ad hoc business process. The process definition can utilize entities defined in a contact of the instant messaging (IM) client application. The process definition can execute. Upon reaching a terminating condition defined within the process definition, results of executing the process definition can be presented via the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160164769
    Abstract: A system for automatically increasing a capacity of a virtual space in a virtual world may include a processor and a module operating on the processor for detecting an attempt by an avatar to enter a virtual space in a virtual world. The system may also include another module for determining if an allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. The allowable number of avatars may be determined by at least a capacity of a server that is hosting the virtual space. Another module may be provided for increasing a capacity of the virtual space when the allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. Increasing the capacity of the virtual space may include spawning a replicate new virtual space on a different server in response to the capacity of the server that is hosting the virtual space reaching the allowable number of avatars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: ACTIVISION PUBLISHING, INC.
    Inventors: Peter F. HAGGAR, Brian R. BOKOR, Daniel E. HOUSE, William B. NICOL, II, Andrew B. SMITH, Luis J. OSTDIEK
  • Patent number: 9323856
    Abstract: Mapping of a universal resource locator (URL) to a virtual world location may include receiving a URL for access to an entity, accessing a mapping of the URL to coordinates of a location of the entity in a virtual world, and providing access to the entity in the virtual world. A device that may include a network interface, the network interface being configured to receive a URL and provide access to a virtual world, and a memory, the memory containing at least one mapping of a URL to coordinates in the virtual world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian R. Bokor, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Peter F. Haggar, Andrew B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160034028
    Abstract: A system for perspective based tagging and visualization of avatars in a virtual world may include determining if another avatar has moved within a predetermined proximity range of a user's avatar in a virtual world. The system may also include allowing the user to tag the other avatar with information in response to the other avatar being within the predetermined proximity range of the user's avatar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Brian R. Bokor, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith
  • Patent number: 9230237
    Abstract: A method for amending a contract in a virtual world may include presenting an online chat option in response to another user's avatar coming within a predetermined proximity range of an avatar of the user and in response to the other user's avatar and the user's avatar having previously entered into a contract in the virtual world. The method may also include recording the online chat between the users to define an amendment to the contract in response to the online chat option being selected. The method may further include appending the amendment to contracting terms in a contract object in response to acceptance of the amendment by the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian R. Bokor, Daniel E. House, Andrew B. Smith
  • Patent number: 9152914
    Abstract: A system for automatically increasing a capacity of a virtual space in a virtual world may include a processor and a module operating on the processor for detecting an attempt by an avatar to enter a virtual space in a virtual world. The system may also include another module for determining if an allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. The allowable number of avatars may be determined by at least a capacity of a server that is hosting the virtual space. Another module may be provided for increasing a capacity of the virtual space when the allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. Increasing the capacity of the virtual space may include spawning a replicate new virtual space on a different server in response to the capacity of the server that is hosting the virtual space reaching the allowable number of avatars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Haggar, Brian R. Bokor, Daniel E. House, William B. Nicol, II, Andrew B. Smith, Luis J. Ostdiek
  • Patent number: 9054862
    Abstract: Access control key management in a virtual world that includes generating a key for access to a virtual space, a service, an event, or an item in a virtual world, assigning one or more parameters to the key, providing the key to an avatar in the virtual world, and accessing the virtual space, the service, or the item by the avatar using the key in accordance with the one or more parameters. The one or more parameters may include a type parameter, a frequency parameter, a duration parameter, or a value parameter. The avatar may be denied access if the duration parameter has expired and may be allowed access while the duration parameter has not expired. The one or more parameters may be determined responsive to rules associated with the virtual space, the service, the event or the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian R. Bokor, Andrew B. Smith
  • Patent number: 8997134
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for selecting presentation content. Presentation content is displayed to an audience, the presentation content includes a plurality of content elements. One or more feedback inputs are received from the audience, each feedback input is associated with one of the content elements. A computer determines an alternative presentation content based on the received feedback inputs, and the alternative presentation content is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew B. Smith, Eric M. Woods