Patents by Inventor Brian L. Smith

Brian L. 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: 11978005
    Abstract: An inventory management system provides automated management of medical item inventory and maintenance of a digital chain of custody for medical items. Medical items are labeled with an RFID-encoded tag that also displays a 2D barcode. The RFID tag and the 2D barcode both encode the same serialized Electronic Product Code (EPC) data for each specific item. Reading of the RFID tag is performed using a fixed or handheld RFID reader. Reading of the 2D barcode is performed using a handheld mobile device, such as a tablet or smart phone. The two-technology label allows for the digital chain of custody to be updated by means of RFID scanning in locations where RFID readers are available and by using a smart phone or tablet to read the 2D barcode in locations where RFID readers are unavailable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: DeRoyal Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. DeBusk, Joe L. Smith, Mary E. Kaylor
  • Patent number: 11963691
    Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, John E. Brady, Joseph Dennis, Geni M. Giannotti, Bryce L. Heitman, Timothy S. Holland, Joseph E. Hollo, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Matthew C. Miller, David A. Monroe, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Matthew S. Schneider, Richard C. Smith, Shawn C. Snyder, Sarah A. Worthington, Monica L. Rivard, Fajian Zhang
  • Publication number: 20240087621
    Abstract: A memory device includes a command interface configured to receive write commands from a host device. Additionally, the memory device includes an input buffer configured to buffer a strobe signal from the host device. Furthermore, the memory device includes a first ripple counter and a second ripple counter. The memory device includes command handling circuitry configured to alternatingly start the first ripple counter and the second ripple counter in response to consecutive write commands. The command handling circuitry and/or the first and second ripple counters are configured to suppress a reset of the input buffer if either the first ripple counter or the second ripple counter has not reached a threshold and is still counting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Brian W. Huber, Scott E. Smith, Gary L. Howe
  • Publication number: 20180201312
    Abstract: A vehicle steering system includes a steer detection apparatus configured to detect a steered position of a steer wheel assembly relative to a steer axle. The steered position corresponds to a direction of turn of a vehicle. A brake actuator is configured to actuate a braking system of the vehicle, and the braking system is configured to brake a first drive wheel assembly independently from a second drive wheel assembly mounted to a drive axle. The first drive wheel assembly is located on a side of the vehicle corresponding to the direction of turn. The system further includes a linkage assembly operatively coupling the steer detection apparatus to the brake actuator. In response to the steered position detected by the steer detection apparatus, the brake actuator actuates the braking system to brake the first drive wheel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Hyster-Yale Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. SMITH, Jason R. STAGER
  • Patent number: 9471315
    Abstract: An aspect includes run-time instrumentation reporting. An instruction stream is executed by a processor. Run-time instrumentation information of the executing instruction stream is captured by the processor. Run-time instrumentation records are created based on the captured run-time instrumentation information. A run-time instrumentation sample point of the executing instruction stream on the processor is detected. A reporting group is stored in a run-time instrumentation program buffer. The storing is based on the detecting and the storing includes: determining a current address of the run-time instrumentation program buffer, the determining based on instruction accessible run-time instrumentation controls; and storing the reporting group into the run-time instrumentation program buffer based on an origin address and the current address of the run-time instrumentation program buffer, the reporting group including the created run-time instrumentation records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark S. Farrell, Charles W. Gainey, Jr., Marcel Mitran, Chung-Lung K. Shum, Brian L. Smith
  • Patent number: 9459873
    Abstract: The invention relates to monitoring processor characteristic information of a processor using run-time-instrumentation. An aspect of the invention includes executing an instruction stream on the processor and detecting a run-time instrumentation sample point of the executing instruction stream on the processor. A reporting group is stored in a run-time instrumentation program buffer based on the run-time instrumentation sample point. The reporting group includes processor characteristic information associated with the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark S. Farrell, Charles W. Gainey, Jr., Marcel Mitran, Damian L. Osisek, Chung-Lung K. Shum, Timothy J. Slegel, Brian L. Smith
  • Patent number: 9454462
    Abstract: The invention relates to monitoring processor characteristic information of a processor using run-time-instrumentation. An aspect of the invention includes executing an instruction stream on the processor and detecting a run-time instrumentation sample point of the executing instruction stream on the processor. A reporting group is stored in a run-time instrumentation program buffer based on the run-time instrumentation sample point. The reporting group includes processor characteristic information associated with the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark S. Farrell, Charles W. Gainey, Jr., Marcel M. Mitran, Damian L. Osisek, Chung-Lung K. Shum, Timothy J. Slegel, Brian L. Smith
  • Patent number: 9389622
    Abstract: A voltage margin controller, an IC included the same and a method of controlling voltage margin for a voltage domain of an IC are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the voltage margin controller includes: (1) monitoring branches including circuit function indicators configured to indicate whether circuitry in the voltage domain could operate at corresponding candidate reduced voltage levels and (2) a voltage margin adjuster coupled to the monitoring branches and configured to develop a voltage margin adjustment for a voltage regulator of the voltage domain based upon an operating number of the circuit function indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Nvidia Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Smith, Stephen Felix, Jesse Max Guss, Tezaswi Raja
  • Publication number: 20160136651
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are discussed herein for safely and automatically removing blockages from a shredding apparatus. For example, the shredding apparatus discussed herein include features that force blockages out of the shredding apparatus while the shredding apparatus is operating in one direction, without hindering the shredding of materials when the shredding apparatus is operating in an opposite direction. Moreover, the features remain stationary irrespective of the direction at which the shredding apparatus is operating, reducing the risk of failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Arnold B. Serenkin, Brian L. Smith, Darryl M. Beech
  • Patent number: 9280448
    Abstract: Aspects relate to enabling and disabling execution of a run-time instrumentation facility. An instruction for execution by the processor in a lesser privileged state is fetched by the processor. It is determined, by the processor, that the run-time instrumentation facility permits execution of the instruction in the lesser-privileged state and that controls associated with the run-time instrumentation facility are valid. The run-time instrumentation facility is disabled based on the instruction being a run-time instrumentation facility off (RIOFF) instruction. The disabling includes updating a bit in a program status word (PSW) of the processor to indicate that run-time instrumentation data should not be captured by the processor. The run-time instrumentation facility is enabled based on the instruction being a run-time instrumentation facility on (RION) instruction. The enabling includes updating the bit in the PSW to indicate that run-time instrumentation data should be captured by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Farrell, Charles W. Gainey, Jr., Marcel Mitran, Chung-Lung K. Shum, Timothy J. Slegel, Brian L. Smith, Kevin A. Stoodley
  • Patent number: 9280346
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to run-time instrumentation reporting. An instruction stream is executed by a processor. Run-time instrumentation information of the executing instruction stream is captured by the processor. Run-time instrumentation records are created based on the captured run-time instrumentation information. A run-time instrumentation sample point of the executing instruction stream on the processor is detected. A reporting group is stored in a run-time instrumentation program buffer. The storing is based on the detecting and the storing includes: determining a current address of the run-time instrumentation program buffer, the determining based on instruction accessible run-time instrumentation controls; and storing the reporting group into the run-time instrumentation program buffer based on an origin address and the current address of the run-time instrumentation program buffer, the reporting group including the created run-time instrumentation records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Farrell, Charles W. Gainey, Jr., Marcel Mitran, Chung-Lung K. Shum, Brian L. Smith
  • Patent number: 9250903
    Abstract: The invention relates to determining the status of run-time-instrumentation controls. The status is determined by executing a test run-time-instrumentation controls (TRIC) instruction. The TRIC instruction is executed in either a supervisor state or a lesser-privileged state. The TRIC instruction determines whether the run-time-instrumentation controls have changed. The run-time-instrumentation controls are set to an initial value using a privileged load run-time-instrumentation controls (LRIC) instruction. The TRIC instruction is fetched and executed. If the TRIC instruction is enabled, then it is determined if the initial value set by the run-time-instrumentation controls has been changed. If the initial value set by the run-time-instrumentation controls has been changed, then a condition code is set to a first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machinecs Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Farrell, Charles W. Gainey, Jr., Chung-Lung K. Shum, Brian L. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160026195
    Abstract: A voltage margin controller, an IC included the same and a method of controlling voltage margin for a voltage domain of an IC are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the voltage margin controller includes: (1) monitoring branches including circuit function indicators configured to indicate whether circuitry in the voltage domain could operate at corresponding candidate reduced voltage levels and (2) a voltage margin adjuster coupled to the monitoring branches and configured to develop a voltage margin adjustment for a voltage regulator of the voltage domain based upon an operating number of the circuit function indicators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Brian L. Smith, Stephen Felix, Jesse Max Guss, Tezaswi Raja
  • Patent number: 9195461
    Abstract: An aspect includes run-time instrumentation reporting. An instruction stream is executed by a processor. Run-time instrumentation information of the executing instruction stream is captured by the processor. Run-time instrumentation records are created based on the captured run-time instrumentation information. A run-time instrumentation sample point of the executing instruction stream on the processor is detected. A reporting group is stored in a run-time instrumentation program buffer. The storing is based on the detecting and the storing includes: determining a current address of the run-time instrumentation program buffer, the determining based on instruction accessible run-time instrumentation controls; and storing the reporting group into the run-time instrumentation program buffer based on an origin address and the current address of the run-time instrumentation program buffer, the reporting group including the created run-time instrumentation records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Farrell, Charles W. Gainey, Jr., Marcel Mitran, Chung-Lung K. Shum, Brian L. Smith
  • Patent number: 9182768
    Abstract: A voltage margin controller, an IC included the same and a method of controlling voltage margin for a voltage domain of an IC are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the voltage margin controller includes: (1) monitoring branches including circuit function indicators configured to indicate whether circuitry in the voltage domain could operate at corresponding candidate reduced voltage levels and (2) a voltage margin adjuster coupled to the monitoring branches and configured to develop a voltage margin adjustment for a voltage regulator of the voltage domain based upon an operating number of the circuit function indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Nvidia Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Smith, Stephen Felix, Jesse Max Guss, Tezaswi Raja
  • Patent number: 9158660
    Abstract: An aspect includes enabling and disabling execution of a run-time instrumentation facility. An instruction for execution by the processor in a lesser privileged state is fetched by the processor. The instruction is executed based on determining, by the processor, that the run-time instrumentation facility permits execution of the instruction in the lesser-privileged state and that controls associated with the run-time instrumentation facility are valid. The run-time instrumentation facility is disabled based on the instruction being a run-time instrumentation facility off (RIOFF) instruction. The disabling includes updating a bit in a program status word (PSW) of the processor to indicate that run-time instrumentation data should not be captured by the processor. The run-time instrumentation facility is enabled based on the instruction being a run-time instrumentation facility on (RION) instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Farrell, Charles W. Gainey, Jr., Marcel Mitran, Chung-Lung K. Shum, Timothy J. Slegel, Brian L. Smith, Kevin A. Stoodley
  • Publication number: 20150192942
    Abstract: A voltage margin controller, an IC included the same and a method of controlling voltage margin for a voltage domain of an IC are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the voltage margin controller includes: (1) monitoring branches including circuit function indicators configured to indicate whether circuitry in the voltage domain could operate at corresponding candidate reduced voltage levels and (2) a voltage margin adjuster coupled to the monitoring branches and configured to develop a voltage margin adjustment for a voltage regulator of the voltage domain based upon an operating number of the circuit function indicators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Nvidia Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Smith, Stephen Felix, Jesse Max Guss, Tezaswi Raja
  • Patent number: 8904954
    Abstract: A foam mount of an aircraft window has a groove to receive an electro chromic window. The foam mount is painted by placing a blank in the groove to divide the foam mount into a first section designated to face the exterior of the aircraft and an opposite second section. The foam mount having the blank is placed in a mask or masking device to coat one section of the foam mount while covering the other section. The groove and the first section are coated with an electric conductive paint, and the second section is covered with a decorative paint. The conductive coating on the foam mount and the conductive coating of the electrodes of the electro chromic window provide an RF shielding to prevent electronic signals from personal electronic equipment from passing through the cabin and door windows of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell V. Bruce, Brian L. Smith, Thomas R. Scarniac
  • Patent number: 8889218
    Abstract: A foam mount has a shape of an enclosed frame surrounding an open area, the frame in cross section having a peripheral surface; an inside surface opposite to the peripheral surface, the inside surface defining the open area. The inside surface includes a groove having an open end and the open end of the groove faces the open area of the foam mount. A coating is applied over selected surfaces of the foam mount, wherein the coating has a visible light transmission of less than 15%. Also disclosed is a method of coating an electric conductive coating over the visible light blocking coating and a decorative coating over selected surfaces of the foam mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Cole Eberle, Jeffrey B. Masiwchuk, Mitchell V. Bruce, Brian L. Smith, Thomas R. Scarniac
  • Publication number: 20130246755
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to run-time instrumentation reporting. An instruction stream is executed by a processor. Run-time instrumentation information of the executing instruction stream is captured by the processor. Run-time instrumentation records are created based on the captured run-time instrumentation information. A run-time instrumentation sample point of the executing instruction stream on the processor is detected. A reporting group is stored in a run-time instrumentation program buffer. The storing is based on the detecting and the storing includes: determining a current address of the run-time instrumentation program buffer, the determining based on instruction accessible run-time instrumentation controls; and storing the reporting group into the run-time instrumentation program buffer based on an origin address and the current address of the run-time instrumentation program buffer, the reporting group including the created run-time instrumentation records.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark S. Farrell, Charles W. Gainey, JR., Marcel Mitran, Chung-Lung K. Shum, Brian L. Smith