Patents by Inventor Brent A. Smith
Brent A. 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).
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Publication number: 20120150390Abstract: A work vehicle comprises a leanable traction wheel. A control unit of the work vehicle is configured to cause the wheel to move to a wheel-lean angle setpoint.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Inventors: Martin L. Ruhter, Brent A. Smith
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Patent number: 8117216Abstract: A computer-implemented process for reducing category overlap obtains a set of source items and an initial set of item categories associated with the source items. An assessment of the overlap between different item categories in the initial set of item categories is used to selectively eliminate one or more item categories prior to presentation of the source items and associated categories to the user, thereby resulting in reduced overlap between the item categories presented. The resulting set of categories improves the ability of the user to efficiently and effectively access source items of interest, such as recommended items generated by a recommendation engine.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gaurav Chanda, Brent Smith
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Patent number: 7953739Abstract: Computer processes are disclosed for automatically refining the order and/or content of context-specific lists of items (e.g., products) based on monitored actions of users. One such process involves outputting context-specific lists of items to users together with selectable controls for initiating displays of similar items. When users opt to view similar items, the users' actions performed in connection with the similar items are recorded. If the resulting level of user activity recorded for a particular similar item is sufficiently high, the item is automatically added to the associated context-specific list.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: A9.com, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy C. York, Robert Cottrell, Brent Smith
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Patent number: 7945522Abstract: A method of operating an employment system is provided. The method includes generating a score for each of a plurality of possible results compared to information associated with a user, enabling the user to access a result of the plurality of possible results if the score generated for the result meets a threshold condition, enabling the user to adjust the threshold condition and preventing the user from adjusting the threshold condition beyond a minimum threshold condition. The score can be a bi-directional matching score. The minimum threshold condition can include a minimum score. The minimum score can be determined based on the percentage of the plurality of possible results that would be accessible to the user.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Jobfox, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. McGovern, Brian Farmer, Leslie Ferry, Erik Anderson, Pam Koczara, Brent Smith
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Patent number: 7930218Abstract: A facility for presenting information about new items, such as new items available via a web site is described. The facility receives a request for information submitted on behalf of an identified user. In processing the request, the facility accesses a set of items having effective times. The facility performs a first filtering process to eliminate items of the set whose effective times indicate that the items are not new. The facility performs a second filtering process to eliminate items of the set in which the user likely has a low level of interest. Subsequent to both the first and second filterings, the facility presents to the user information about each of at least a portion of the filtered items.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Andrej Gregov, Greg Linden, Josh Petersen, Brent Smith, Jeremy Charles York
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Publication number: 20100293474Abstract: Computer processes are disclosed for automatically refining the order and/or content of context-specific lists of items (e.g., products) based on monitored actions of users. One such process involves outputting context-specific lists of items to users together with selectable controls for initiating displays of similar items. When users opt to view similar items, the users' actions performed in connection with the similar items are recorded. If the resulting level of user activity recorded for a particular similar item is sufficiently high, the item is automatically added to the associated context-specific list.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Inventors: Jeremy C. York, Robert Cottrell, Brent Smith
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Patent number: 7805382Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a match-based employment system and method of operation are provided. The match-based employment system collects a plurality of employer seeker and employee seeker profiles, bi-directionally matches the employer seeker and said employee seeker profiles and displays at least a portion of the results to an employer seeker or an employee seeker. The match-based employment system can also order the bi-directional matching results based on a bi-directional match score and display the bi-directional matching results according to the ordering. The match-based employment system can also perform the matching such that approximately 70% of a matching score depends upon the quality of the match between employee seeker desires and employment seeker attributes and approximately 30% of the matching score depends upon the quality of the match between employment seeker desires and employee seeker attributes.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2005Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: MKT10, Inc.Inventors: Howard Rosen, Robert J. McGovern, Leslie Ferry, Erik Anderson, Pam Koczara, Brent Smith, Brian Farmer, Andrew Evans
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Patent number: 7779014Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method are disclosed that are capable of refining the order and/or content of a list of items. In one embodiment, user activity associated with each item displayed to users in a given context is monitored, and is used together with item exposure data to generate context-specific item weights. The weights for the same item in different contexts may be different. The selection of items included in a list presented to users, and/or the order in which the items in the list are displayed, may be adjusted over time based upon the relative weights associated with the items.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: A9.com, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy C. York, Robert Cottrell, Brent Smith
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Patent number: 7650961Abstract: A differential lock control system for controlling a differential lock of a work vehicle is adapted to determine if the work vehicle is oriented to travel in a generally straight direction, and, if the work vehicle is so oriented, automatically command activation of the differential lock. An associated method is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2006Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Brent A. Smith, Scott J. Breiner, Andrew W. Kelly
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Publication number: 20090228297Abstract: A portable resume system and method collects and stores a user's credentials/attributes (e.g., a job seeker's resume information, skills, or any other suitable data) in a standardized format that can be shared with any individual, entity, or system to streamline the process of applying for jobs. Certain portions of the portable resume system function as a clearinghouse or portfolio for the user's credential's/attributes and enable the user to share any or all of the user's stored data with a plurality of different destinations (e.g., job applicant tracking systems (ATS), online job databases, employment websites, employers, recruiters, individuals, etc. . . . ). If the user shares the user's stored data with a destination that supports the portable resume system, the user can bypass at least part of or all of the destination's registration process. The portable resume system also enables the destination to obtain any updates the user makes to the user's stored data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2009Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: JOBFOX, INC.Inventors: Robert McGovern, Richard Ellinger, Erik Anderson, Matthew Hagopian, Brent Smith
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Publication number: 20080294617Abstract: A recommendations system uses probabilistic methods to select, from a candidate set of items, a set of items to recommend to a target user. Some embodiments of the methods effectively introduce noise into the recommendations process, causing the recommendations presented to the target user to vary in a controlled manner from one visit to the next. The methods may increase the likelihood that at least some of the items recommended over a sequence of visits will be useful to the target user. Some embodiments of the methods are stateless such that the system need not keep track of which items have been recommended to which users.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2007Publication date: November 27, 2008Inventors: Kushal Chakrabarti, Brent Smith
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Publication number: 20080216256Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to heterobifunctional reactive dyes comprising nitrogen-containing heterocycles substituted by both halogen and vinyl sulfone moieties. In particular, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to reactive dye compounds comprising two or more halo-substituted, nitrogen-containing heterocycles and an asymmetric bridging group, wherein at least one of the two or more halo-substituted, nitrogen-containing heterocycles further comprises a vinyl sulfone substituent. In some embodiments, the bridging group has a structure based on cysteamine or cysteine. The heterobifunctional reactive dyes have high substrate affinity and can be applied to substrates, such as cotton fibers, under low salt conditions and with reduced dye material waste.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Applicant: North Carolina State UniversityInventors: Harold S. Freeman, C. Brent Smith, Malgorzata Szymczyk, Mengnan Zhao
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Publication number: 20080135322Abstract: A differential lock control system for controlling a differential lock of a work vehicle is adapted to determine if the work vehicle is oriented to travel in a generally straight direction, and, if the work vehicle is so oriented, automatically command activation of the differential lock. An associated method is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2006Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventors: Brent A. Smith, Scott J. Breiner, Andrew W. Kelly
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Patent number: 7376588Abstract: A facility for presenting information about new items, such as new items available via a web site is described. The facility receives a request for information submitted on behalf of an identified user. In processing the request, the facility accesses a set of items having effective times. The facility performs a first filtering process to eliminate items of the set whose effective times indicate that the items are not new. The facility performs a second filtering process to eliminate items of the set in which the user likely has a low level of interest. Subsequent to both the first and second filterings, the facility presents to the user information about each of at least a portion of the filtered items.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Amazon.com, Inc.Inventors: Andrej Gregov, Greg Linden, Josh Petersen, Brent Smith, Jeremy Charles York
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Publication number: 20080098698Abstract: A commercially viable paper wrapped foam cup comprising a taper portion that prevents the shrinkage-induced curling from interfering with the un-nesting of nested paper wrapped foam cups. The paper wrapped cup further comprises a fillet for strengthening the cup foot to retard shrinkage-induced curling of the foot. The paper wrapper has abutting to overlapping opposing ends to completely hide the foam cup to enhance the visual appearance of the cup. The overlapping portions of the paper wrapper are not bonded to each other to prevent wrinkling of the paper wrapper as the cup shrinks. A machine and corresponding method provide for automatically supplying foam cups and paper wrappers, wrapping the paper wrapped cup, and stacking the wrapped cups.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2007Publication date: May 1, 2008Applicant: DART CONTAINER CORPORATIONInventors: Robert Dart, Roger Payne, Steven Hills, Steven Makela, Brent Smith
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Publication number: 20080040341Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method are disclosed that are capable of refining the order and/or content of a list of items. In one embodiment, user activity associated with each item displayed to users in a given context is monitored, and is used together with item exposure data to generate context-specific item weights. The weights for the same item in different contexts may be different. The selection of items included in a list presented to users, and/or the order in which the items in the list are displayed, may be adjusted over time based upon the relative weights associated with the items.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Jeremy York, Robert Cottrell, Brent Smith
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Publication number: 20070289811Abstract: A roofing worker safety device is provided that delivers a resistive force in response to a working falling from an elevated work surface such as a roof via a safety cable connecting the worker to the safety device, the cable transmitting the force of the falling worker to the device to activate an arrestor arm that is forced into the surface on which the safety device is placed thereby stopping the fall of a worker from the roof.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2006Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventor: Brent Smith
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Patent number: 7295995Abstract: The invention comprises a computer-implemented system and method for refining the order and/or content of a list of items. In one embodiment, the amount of user activity associated with each item displayed to users in a given context is monitored, used is to generate context-specific item weights. The weights for the same item in different contexts may be different. The selection of items included in a list presented to users, as well as the order in which the items in the list are displayed, may be adjusted over time based upon the relative weights associated with the items. This allows the items generating the greatest user interest in a particular context to be presented to first, or otherwise emphasized.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2002Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: A9.com, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy C. York, Robert Cottrell, Brent Smith
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Publication number: 20070244734Abstract: A method of operating an employment system is provided. The method includes generating a score for each of a plurality of possible results compared to information associated with a user, enabling the user to access a result of the plurality of possible results if the score generated for the result meets a threshold condition, enabling the user to adjust the threshold condition and preventing the user from adjusting the threshold condition beyond a minimum threshold condition. The score can be a bi-directional matching score. The minimum threshold condition can include a minimum score. The minimum score can be determined based on the percentage of the plurality of possible results that would be accessible to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2007Publication date: October 18, 2007Applicant: MKT10Inventors: Robert McGovern, Brian Farmer, Leslie Ferry, Erik Anderson, Pam Koczara, Brent Smith
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Publication number: 20070162507Abstract: A method of operating an employment system is provided. The method includes generating a score for each of a plurality of possible results compared to information associated with a user, enabling the user to access a result of the plurality of possible results if the score generated for the result meets a threshold condition, enabling the user to adjust the threshold condition and preventing the user from adjusting the threshold condition beyond a minimum threshold condition. The score can be a bi-directional matching score. The minimum threshold condition can include a minimum score. The minimum score can be determined based on the percentage of the plurality of possible results that would be accessible to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2007Publication date: July 12, 2007Applicant: MKT10Inventors: Robert McGovern, Brian Farmer, Leslie Ferry, Erik Anderson, Pam Koczara, Brent Smith