Patents by Inventor Brian Howard

Brian Howard 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).

  • Publication number: 20120284547
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh de Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, Dave Radcliffe
  • Patent number: 8296941
    Abstract: A meta-module having circuitry for two or more modules is formed on a substrate, which is preferably a laminated substrate. The circuitry for the different modules is initially formed on the single meta-module. Each module will have one or more component areas in which the circuitry is formed. A metallic structure is formed on or in the substrate for each component area to be shielded. A single body, such as an overmold body, is then formed over all of the modules on the meta-module. At least a portion of the metallic structure for each component area to be shielded is then exposed through the body by a cutting, drilling, or like operation. Next, an electromagnetic shield material is applied to the exterior surface of the body of each of the component areas to be shielded and in contact with the exposed portion of the metallic structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Hiner, Waite R. Warren, Jr., Donald Joseph Leahy, David Jandzinski, Thomas Scott Morris, David Halchin, Milind Shah, Mark Charles Held, Brian Howard Calhoun, Brian D. Sawyer, Ulrik Riis Madsen
  • Publication number: 20120218729
    Abstract: Shielded electronic packages may have metallic lead frames to connect an electromagnetic shield to ground. In one embodiment, a metallic lead frame of the electronic package and a surface of the metallic lead frame defines a component area for attaching an electronic component. The metallic lead frame includes a metallic structure associated with the component area that may have a grounding element for connecting to ground and one or more signal connection elements, such as signal leads, for transmitting input and output signals. The electromagnetic shield connects to the metallic lead frame to safely connect to ground while maintaining the signal connection elements isolated from the shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: RF MICRO DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Dan Carey, Brian Howard Calhoun
  • Patent number: 8237386
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh de Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, Dave Radcliffe
  • Patent number: 8161800
    Abstract: A method for simulating a compressor valve leak is described. The method includes inducing a flow of gas past a compressor valve that is coupled to a bypass block, wherein the bypass block defines a first passageway and a second passageway therein, and wherein the bypass block is also coupled to a bypass valve that is in flow communication with the second passageway. The method also includes measuring a first temperature and a second temperature. The first temperature is the temperature of the gas flowing through the first passageway of the bypass block and the second temperature is the temperature of gas flowing within the second passageway. The method also includes adjusting the bypass valve to divert a portion of the gas flowing through the second passageway to create temperature conditions substantially similar to conditions that are created due to a compressor valve leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sean Summers, Brian Howard, Roger Hala, John Grant, David R. Van Wagenen
  • Publication number: 20120065733
    Abstract: An inter-vertebral implant having drainage cavities therethrough is disclosed. Drainage of surgical byproducts, spinal fluid and blood, and administration of medicine or cooled saline to the volume between the inter vertebral implant and the spinal cord are enabled during and after surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Brian Howard Wieder
  • Publication number: 20120017590
    Abstract: This invention relates to a solar furnace. In particular, this invention relates to a solar furnace which is capable of raising the temperature of transfer medium. In use, the heated transfer medium can be used to generate electricity or put to other work, such as, for example, air conditioning, pasteurisation or desalination. In fact, for any situation that requires a source to generate work or power. The present invention describes a solar furnace for raising the temperature of a heat transfer medium, comprising a lens array for admitting incident thermal and solar energy onto a reflector portion and a pressure vessel. The reflector portion being generally shaped so as to concentrate said solar energy onto said pressure vessel. The pressure vessel having an inlet through which said heat transfer medium is injected and a central core which defines a continuous heat transfer path for said heat transfer medium to contact the surface of said pressure vessel and exit said pressure vessel at an outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Brian Howard
  • Publication number: 20110305842
    Abstract: A slide processing apparatus is used to apply substances for processing specimens. The slide processing apparatus can deliver a substance to a mounting surface of a slide carrying the specimen. The substance can be contacted with an opposable held by an opposable holder device. The opposable is pulled towards the slide by the substance. The substance can spread along the mounting surface as the opposable is flattened. If the substance is a liquid, the opposable can float on the liquid to form a thin liquid layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Howard Kram
  • Publication number: 20110225803
    Abstract: A meta-module having circuitry for two or more modules is formed on a substrate, which is preferably a laminated substrate. The circuitry for the different modules is initially formed on the single meta-module. Each module will have one or more component areas in which the circuitry is formed. A metallic structure is formed on or in the substrate for each component area to be shielded. A single body, such as an overmold body, is then formed over all of the modules on the meta-module. At least a portion of the metallic structure for each component area to be shielded is then exposed through the body by a cutting, drilling, or like operation. Next, an electromagnetic shield material is applied to the exterior surface of the body of each of the component areas to be shielded and in contact with the exposed portion of the metallic structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: RF MICRO DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Hiner, Waite R. Warren, JR., Donald Joseph Leahy, David Jandzinski, Thomas Scott Morris, David Halchin, Milind Shah, Mark Charles Held, Brian Howard Calhoun, Brian D. Sawyer, Ulrik Riis Madsen
  • Publication number: 20110069857
    Abstract: A coaxial speaker system that minimizes detrimental sound wave reflections from its high frequency speaker. The coaxial speaker system includes a high frequency speaker coaxially mounted within a low frequency speaker. The high frequency speaker includes a sound reproducing membrane, a voice coil assembly and magnet assembly for actuating the sound reproducing membrane in response to an electrical audio signal, and optionally a wave guide horn for directing sound waves produced by the sound reproducing membrane. The wave guide horn has a throat disposed adjacent the sound reproducing membrane and a mouth disposed opposite the throat. The low frequency speaker also includes a sound reproducing membrane assembly and a voice coil assembly and magnet assembly for actuating the sound reproducing membrane assembly in response to an electrical audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: MS Electronics LLC
    Inventors: Brian Howard Miller, Charles Emory Hughes, II, Jonathan Neil Hart
  • Publication number: 20110019984
    Abstract: A conduit (51) for a condensate removal pump is disclosed comprising a tubular member (47) having a profiled rim (53, 54) at a distal end, profiled such that only a portion of the rim lies in a plane located at the extreme distal end of the tubular member perpendicular to the axis of the tubular. A resilient membrane (52) which has a slit extends across the interior of the tubular member and is arranged to open, to allow water to pass, when water is drawn through the conduit. A combined sensor and suction tube assembly (50) is also disclosed comprising a tube (55), a self heating thermistor (56) coupled to the tube, and a relay means (69) to relay an operational parameter of the self heating thermistor, indicative of the presence of water, to a condensate removal pump. The combined sensor and suction tube assembly is sized to fit within a pipe having an inner diameter of 20 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Brian Howard Glover
  • Publication number: 20100199492
    Abstract: A meta-module having circuitry for two or more modules is formed on a substrate, which is preferably a laminated substrate. The circuitry for the different modules is initially formed on the single meta-module. Each module will have one or more component areas in which the circuitry is formed. A metallic structure is formed on or in the substrate for each component area to be shielded. A single body, such as an overmold body, is then formed over all of the modules on the meta-module. At least a portion of the metallic structure for each component area to be shielded is then exposed through the body by a cutting, drilling, or like operation. Next, an electromagnetic shield material is applied to the exterior surface of the body of each of the component areas to be shielded and in contact with the exposed portion of the metallic structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: RF MICRO DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Hiner, Waite R. Warren, JR., Donald Joseph Leahy, David Jandzinski, Thomas Scott Morris, David Halchin, Milind Shah, Mark Charles Held, Brian Howard Calhoun, Brian D. Sawyer, Ulrik Riis Madsen
  • Patent number: 7756727
    Abstract: A presentation detailing a recommended course of treatment to a patient, frequently referred to as a case, is constructed with a single action. The presentation describes recommended healthcare procedures for a given patient using information specific to that patient's healthcare record. The presentation is constructed by assembling information on the recommended healthcare procedures and all necessary clinical and financial information for the patient stored in a healthcare management desktop application into a template having a format accepted by any standard presentation software program. Finally, using the presentation software program, the recommended course of treatment is presented to the patient. In addition, the presentation software program includes tools to permit customization and storage of each constructed presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Greenspan, Steven Michael Mallot, Jon David Frizzell, Deborah Louise Reed, Brian Howard
  • Publication number: 20100162797
    Abstract: A method for simulating a compressor valve leak is described. The method includes inducing a flow of gas past a compressor valve that is coupled to a bypass block, wherein the bypass block defines a first passageway and a second passageway therein, and wherein the bypass block is also coupled to a bypass valve that is in flow communication with the second passageway. The method also includes measuring a first temperature and a second temperature. The first temperature is the temperature of the gas flowing through the first passageway of the bypass block and the second temperature is the temperature of gas flowing within the second passageway. The method also includes adjusting the bypass valve to divert a portion of the gas flowing through the second passageway to create temperature conditions substantially similar to conditions that are created due to a compressor valve leak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Sean Summers, Brian Howard, Roger Hala, John Grant, David R. Van Wagenen
  • Publication number: 20100117579
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh de Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, Dave Radcliffe
  • Publication number: 20090000815
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a meta-module having circuitry for two or more modules is formed on a substrate, which is preferably a laminated substrate. The circuitry for the different modules is initially formed on the single meta-module. Each module will have one or more component areas in which the circuitry is formed. A metallic structure is formed on or in the substrate for each component area to be shielded. A single body, such as an overmold body, is then formed over all of the modules on the meta-module. At least a portion of the metallic structure for each component area to be shielded is then exposed through the body by a cutting, drilling, or like operation. Next, an electromagnetic shield material is applied to the exterior surface of the body of each of the component areas to be shielded and in contact with the exposed portion of the metallic structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: RF MICRO DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Hiner, Waite R. Warren, JR., Donald Joseph Leahy, David Jandzinski, Thomas Scott Morris, David Halchin, Milind Shah, Mark Charles Held, Brian Howard Calhoun, Brian D. Sawyer, Ulrik Riis Madsen
  • Patent number: 7451332
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh de Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, Dave Radcliffe
  • Publication number: 20080041228
    Abstract: An improved method of drying natural or other gases to extremely low water dewpoints via countercurrent contact with very pure hygroscopic liquid desiccant which is regenerated by heating and reboiling in a distillation stripping column. Preferably, the liquid desiccant is further regenerated in an azeotropic distillation stripping column using a condensable hygroscopic vapor as a stripping and azeotroping medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: Brian Howard Seibert
  • Publication number: 20070209512
    Abstract: A method of regenerating liquid desiccant used in the dehydration or sweetening of gases. A first step involves boiling wet liquid desiccant containing water to create lean liquid desiccant. A second step involves introducing the lean liquid desiccant via a liquid seal pot into a water exhausting stripping column. The hot lean liquid desiccant cascades down the stripping column and evolving equilibrium vapors rise up the stripping column. A third step involves directing the rising equilibrium vapor into a condenser in which the vapor undergoes cooling with a resulting phase change back to liquid. The phase change from vapor to liquid reduces pressure in the condenser, which draws more evolving vapor from the lean liquid desiccant cascading down the stripping column upwards into the condenser, thereby further reducing the water content of the lean liquid desiccant to create a very lean liquid desiccant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventor: Brian Howard Seibert
  • Publication number: 20070154325
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a condition of at least one valve positioned with respect to at least one of a first chamber and a second chamber of a reciprocating compressor is provided. The method includes establishing a compressor operation cycle including a valve opening event, a valve closing event and/or a rod reversal event. A crank angle is determined at each of the valve opening event, the valve closing event and/or the rod reversal event during the compressor operation cycle using at least one of a static pressure input and a machine speed input. The method further include diagnosing a valve leak condition during the compressor operation cycle at the valve closing event, wherein the at least one valve is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: John Grant, Olga Malakhova, Roger Hala, Brian Howard