Patents by Inventor B. Smith

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: 10720835
    Abstract: A method may include monitoring a current through a power inductor of a boost converter and detecting when a mathematical integral of a difference between the current as monitored and a desired average current for the power inductor is equal to zero. Another method may include in a first mode of operation of a boost converter, controlling switching behavior of switches of the boost converter to regulate an output voltage generated by the boost converter and in a second mode of operation of the boost converter, controlling switching behavior of switches of the boost converter to regulate an input current received by the boost converter. Another method may include monitoring a current through a power inductor of a boost converter and detecting when the current as monitored exceeds a maximum current for the power inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. King, Eric B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200211099
    Abstract: Systems and methods for decentralized distribution of verifiable information, such as financial information, without requiring resort to centralized information system at the time of a query or other request for information. A decentralized method includes the steps of creating a digital wallet, issuing/receiving an issued verifiable digital credential signed by a credential issuer acting as a trust anchor for a claim contained in the verifiable digital credential, storing the verifiable digital credential within the digital wallet, receiving a request for verified information, and providing the verifiable digital credential, including the claim, from the digital wallet. The verification of information may occur as a zero-knowledge proof such that a required standard is verified as satisfied without disclosing more information about a consumer or other user than is absolutely necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Steven B. Smith, Nicholas A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10696078
    Abstract: This application relates to a flexible cable for a portable electronic device, where the portable electronic device includes operational components having connectors that are capable of being electrically coupled to the flexible cable. The flexible cable includes a dielectric substrate having a generally planar shape, an upper grounding plane, a lower grounding plane, and a first signal transmission line that is separated by the upper and lower grounding planes, where the dielectric substrate is capable of electromagnetically shielding the first signal transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Sloey, Simon C. Helmore, James B. Smith
  • Patent number: 10698267
    Abstract: A device is disclosed, which may include a color-filter layer and a thin-film transistor (TFT) layer. The TFT layer may have an alignment layer. The device may have spacers, between the color-filter layer and the TFT layer, that form space between the color-filter layer and the TFT layer for liquid crystals. The device may include a scratch-resistant coating on the alignment layer of the TFT layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Rohit Krishna Koppal, Chandrashekar Gernipalli Subba, Ronald B. Smith
  • Patent number: 10697473
    Abstract: An aerodynamic motor mount assembly enhances air flow through an air impeller by providing support members that serve the dual purpose of concentrically mounting the air impeller into a housing, and stabilizing air flow being pulled through the air impeller. The air impeller comprises rotatable blades that are defined by a frontal plane, across which air is pulled through as the blades rotate. The impelled air flow engages a substantial portion of the support members before passing through the air impeller in a linear air flow continuum. The coplanar positioning of the support members relative to the blades, the aerodynamic surfaces and edges of the support members, and the radial disposition of the support members, work to direct the air across the frontal plane of the blades. The air flow engages the support members before passing through the air impeller in a linear air flow continuum, which reduces air turbulence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: AIRSCAPE, INC.
    Inventors: Neil B. Smith, Richard E. Jacobi
  • Patent number: 10695119
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a power supply, a surgical instrument, and a power and data interface assembly. The power and data interface assembly includes a transformer having a primary winding, to which a first modulator and a second demodulator are coupled, and a secondary winding, to which a second modulator and a first demodulator are coupled. The power supply provides a power signal to the first modulator. The first modulator is configured to modulate, according to a first type of modulation, the power signal based on first data. The modulated power signal is communicated by the first modulator to the first demodulator by way of the transformer. The second modulator is configured to modulate, according to a second type of modulation, a second signal based on second data. The modulated second signal is communicated by the second modulator to the second demodulator by way of the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Robert B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200198035
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a saw blade includes providing a saw blade body, forming a plurality of gullets and a first portion of a plurality of tooth bodies in the saw blade body with each gullet positioned between adjacent tooth bodies, and forming a second portion of the plurality of tooth bodies in the saw blade body separate to forming the plurality of gullets and the first portion of the plurality of tooth bodies in the saw blade body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Steven B. Smith, Paul Trautner, Brian Harms, John R. Matthews, III, Shane N. Felton
  • Patent number: 10693760
    Abstract: Systems and methods relating to communication within a fabric network are presented. The fabric network includes one or more logical networks that enables devices connected to the fabric to communicate with each other using various profiles known to the devices. A device sending a message may follow a general message format to encode the message so that other devices in the fabric may understand the message regardless of which logical networks the devices are connected to. Within the message format, a payload of data may be included for the receiving device to forward, store, or process the message. The format and the contents of the payload may vary according to a header within the payload that indicates a profile and a message type within the profile. Using the profile and message type, the receiving devices may decode the message to process the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Jay D. Logue, Grant M. Erickson, Zachary B. Smith, Osborne B. Hardison, Richard J. Schultz, Sunny P. Gujjaru, Matthew G. Neeley
  • Patent number: 10688864
    Abstract: A fuel tank system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a fuel tank, a purge canister and a valve assembly. The valve assembly can be fluidly coupled between the fuel tank and the purge canister. The valve assembly can include a main valve and a safety check valve. The main valve can have a main valve first port fluidly coupled to an outlet of the fuel tank and a main valve second port fluidly connected to the purge canister. The safety check valve can be configured to move from an open position to a closed position upon a pressure drop at the fuel tank outlet exceeding a predetermined threshold. The safety check valve can have a safety check valve first port fluidly coupled to the outlet of the fuel tank and a safety check valve second port fluidly coupled to the purge canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Ambrose, Jeffrey B. Smith, Raymond Bruce McLauchlan
  • Publication number: 20200191168
    Abstract: The present invention relates in general to the field of fluid reaction surfaces, and more specifically, to a fluid-foil impeller and method of use. One aspect of the fluid-foil impeller utilizes a plurality of fluid-foil discs that may be of uniform and/or variable thickness and configured to rotate rapidly in series to produce propulsion. Each fluid-foil disc comprises a leading edge, a trailing edge, a chord and a fixed pitch. The fluid-foil impeller may further include a standard or Venturi shroud that is designed to encompass the plurality of fluid-foil discs. The plurality of fluid-foil discs are configured to act in cooperation with the shroud to reduce losses incurred from turbulence and the conversion of mechanical work to fluid movement. Fluid may be acted upon by the plurality of fluid-foil discs and/or shroud, singly or in an array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Robert J. Kosmicki, Perry D. Smith, Jacob B. Smith, Julianne S. Smith
  • Patent number: 10671876
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating and storing a vehicle based notification record including evidentiary License Plate Recognition (LPR) information are presented herein. A vehicle based notification record includes evidentiary images generated by an LPR imaging system, a portable imaging system, or a combination thereof. The vehicle based notification record includes the collected evidentiary images in their native format including metadata. The collected images and metadata are preserved in their original format during communication, storage, and retrieval operations. In some embodiments, the geographic location of image capture is appended to the image metadata. In some embodiments, the images are digitally signed after capture and the digital signature is appended to the metadata of each respective image. In some embodiments, a clock of the LPR imaging system and a clock of the portable imaging system are synchronized with a network time server and time of image capture is appended to image metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: VAAS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS
    Inventors: Shawn B. Smith, Todd Hodnett
  • Publication number: 20200165673
    Abstract: This document provides methods and materials related to treating a disease. For example, this document provides methods for treating a subject's disease based on identifying the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy PML using a genetic test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Eli Hatchwell, Peggy S. Eis, Edward B. Smith, Yassine Taoufik
  • Patent number: 10660758
    Abstract: An orthopedic implant has a removable handling cover coupled thereto which includes a thin-walled layer extending over a grasping portion of the outer surface. An outer container can sealingly house the orthopedic implant within a sterile environment and support the orthopedic implant in an orientation that presents the handling cover for grasping. A surgeon can manually grasp, handle and manipulate the implant into an implantation position, and remove the handling cover from the implant during implant surgery, and without the need to directly contact any surface of the orthopedic implant itself. Related methods of providing such an implant assembly and of reducing infection from contamination during implantation surgery are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel B. Smith, Katie M. Schindler
  • Publication number: 20200156847
    Abstract: A convertible beverage container package having an integrated cooler compartment is provided that is sized to contain a number of cans in a box shape during transit, storage, and sale and which can be converted to a portable cooler configured to receive ice for cooling the cans contained therein. The shape of the convertible beverage container package allows a compact package for storage and transport, which can be selectively expanded to receive ice. In some cases, the received ice may surround two or more sides of the beverage cans. In one case, the shape of the convertible beverage container package may direct ice inside the package to contact the canned beverages on at least three sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Jason M. KELLY, Herbert B. SMITH, Charles HO FUNG, Darin MCKNIGHT, Eric A. HAAS
  • Publication number: 20200158365
    Abstract: A thermostat for a building includes a halo light emitting diode (LED) system including one or more LEDs configured to emit light and a halo diffuser structured around at least a portion of an outer edge of the thermostat. The halo diffuser is configured to diffuse the emitted light of the one or more LEDs around at least the portion of the outer edge of the thermostat. The thermostat includes a processing circuit configured to receive one or more data streams, determine whether the one or more data streams indicate a building emergency condition, and operate the one or more LEDs of the halo LED system to indicate the building emergency condition to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Sudhi Sinha, Joseph R Ribbich, Michael L Ribbich, Charles J. Gaidish, John P. Cipolla, Damon B. Smith, John R. Taylor, JR., John M. Reiszl, William P. Alberth, JR.
  • Patent number: 10655881
    Abstract: A thermostat for a building includes a halo light emitting diode (LED) system including one or more LEDs configured to emit light and a halo diffuser structured around at least a portion of an outer edge of the thermostat. The halo diffuser is configured to diffuse the emitted light of the one or more LEDs around at least the portion of the outer edge of the thermostat. The thermostat includes a processing circuit configured to receive one or more data streams, determine whether the one or more data streams indicate a building emergency condition, and operate the one or more LEDs of the halo LED system to indicate the building emergency condition to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Sudhi Sinha, Joseph R Ribbich, Michael L Ribbich, Charles J. Gaidish, John P. Cipolla, Damon B. Smith, John R. Taylor, Jr., John M. Reiszl, William P. Alberth, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10657867
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling display characteristics is disclosed. The system and method can receive a control signal from a user interface and a video input signal. The system and method can filter the video input signal in accordance with a spatial frequency threshold related to the control signal to provide a filtered video output signal. The system and method can provide the filtered video output signal for display of an image on the translucent display and non-translucent display. The translucent display can be a head up display (HUD) and the non-translucent display can be a head down display. The user interface can be a brightness, contrast or combination brightness and contrast control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlo L. Tiana, Travis B. Smith, Weston J. Lahr
  • Publication number: 20200146362
    Abstract: A collar stay system is provided having a collar band, swivels and retainers for holding collar stays. The system allows the user to selectively position the collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Steven B. Smith, Michael Simmons
  • Publication number: 20200150638
    Abstract: An industrial controller within an industrial automation environment is provided. The industrial controller includes a programming logic controller, configured to control an industrial device, and a predictive module, coupled with the programming logic controller. The predictive module is configured to receive configuration data from the programming logic controller, create a user-defined controller tag, and transfer the user-defined controller tag to the programming logic controller. The predictive module is also configured to receive operational data from the programming logic controller, and calculate operation monitoring data and value estimation data based on the operational data. The predictive module is further configured to write the operation monitoring data and value estimation data to the user-defined controller tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Eugene Mourzine, Alexander B. Smith, Jonathan M. Wise, Olivia M. Leslie, Samuel L. Massari, Jonathan D. Walter
  • Publication number: 20200146284
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for treating an active beehive infested with pests. The method includes delivery of an oligomeric polyester including polyol backbone units, diacid backbone units, and formic acid capping units. Hydrolysis of the oligomeric polyester in the beehive upon exposure to environmental water to release formic acid and diacid over time, which kill the pests. The released formic acid is a relatively volatile liquid, allowing it to reach pests essentially anywhere in the hive. The diacid (such as oxalic acid) is generally a non-volatile solid, but it can be transported throughout the hive via normal bee movement within the hive, thus reaching pests beyond the initial point of application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Edmund J. Stark, Patrick B. Smith, Daniel R. Henton, Tracy Zhang