Patents by Inventor Bruce A. Thompson

Bruce A. Thompson 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: 11383952
    Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes a frame, a round member directly or indirectly connected to the frame, and an arm directly or indirectly connected to the frame. The arm is rotatable to rotate between a first position and a second position. The arm is positioned to bias sheets toward the round member when in the first position, and the arm is positioned to bias the sheets away from the round member when in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Erwin Ruiz, Bruce A. Thompson, Derek A. Bryl, Arthur H. Kahn, Paul F. Brown, II
  • Patent number: 11344907
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a self-powered variable fountain display is disclosed. A high-pressure source of water is applied to a bifurcated manifold. A first portion of the manifold supplies a distribution chamber within which is a plurality of distribution holes, each of which is capable of driving an individual fountain display nozzle. A second portion of the manifold provides motive power to an impeller that in turn drives a gear system used to select which of the plurality of distribution holes is active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Bruce A. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20210354163
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a self-powered variable fountain display is disclosed. A high-pressure source of water is applied to a bifurcated manifold. A first portion of the manifold supplies a distribution chamber within which is a plurality of distribution holes, each of which is capable of driving an individual fountain display nozzle. A second portion of the manifold provides motive power to an impeller that in turn drives a gear system used to select which of the plurality of distribution holes is active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2020
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventor: Bruce A. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20210163243
    Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes a frame, a round member directly or indirectly connected to the frame, and an arm directly or indirectly connected to the frame. The arm is rotatable to rotate between a first position and a second position. The arm is positioned to bias sheets toward the round member when in the first position, and the arm is positioned to bias the sheets away from the round member when in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Erwin Ruiz, Bruce A. Thompson, Derek A. Bryl, Arthur H. Kahn, Paul F. Brown, II
  • Patent number: 10792625
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for significantly extending the shelf life of an inert gas infused fluid. Air that has been subjected to a high electrical potential corona and then mixed with a fluid in a constant differential pressure venturi is delivered to an improved container apparatus wherein an inert gas is infused into the fluid such that the resultant stabilized fluid demonstrates significantly improved usable life. Alternatively, an additive may be combined to provide application specific characteristics. The combination of the method and apparatus, taken together, provide substantially increased shelf life of an inert gas infused fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventors: Carla Talamantez, John Strnad, Bruce A. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20190275476
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for significantly extending the shelf life of an inert gas infused fluid. Air that has been subjected to a high electrical potential corona and then mixed with a fluid in a constant differential pressure venturi is delivered to an improved container apparatus wherein an inert gas is infused into the fluid such that the resultant stabilized fluid demonstrates significantly improved usable life. Alternatively, an additive may be combined to provide application specific characteristics. The combination of the method and apparatus, taken together, provide substantially increased shelf life of an inert gas infused fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Carla Talamantez, John Strnad, Bruce A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10063556
    Abstract: A method is provided and may include receiving a request for a network content delivery service from an access device; directing the access device to a network service provider for authentication for the network content delivery service; receiving a network authorization token from the access device, where the network authorization token is associated with the access device; obtaining a network access token from the network service provider; and binding the network access token to a content access token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent K. Leung, Jayaraman R. Iyer, Bruce A. Thompson, Flemming S. Andreasen
  • Publication number: 20170034175
    Abstract: A method is provided and may include receiving a request for a network content delivery service from an access device; directing the access device to a network service provider for authentication for the network content delivery service; receiving a network authorization token from the access device, where the network authorization token is associated with the access device; obtaining a network access token from the network service provider; and binding the network access token to a content access token.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kent K. Leung, Jayaraman R. Iyer, Bruce A. Thompson, Flemming S. Andreasen
  • Patent number: 9413748
    Abstract: A method is provided and may include receiving a request for a network content delivery service from an access device; directing the access device to a network service provider for authentication for the network content delivery service; receiving a network authorization token from the access device, where the network authorization token is associated with the access device; obtaining a network access token from the network service provider; and binding the network access token to a content access token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kent K. Leung, Jayaraman R. Iyer, Bruce A. Thompson, Flemming S. Andreasen
  • Publication number: 20140282986
    Abstract: A method is provided and may include receiving a request for a network content delivery service from an access device; directing the access device to a network service provider for authentication for the network content delivery service; receiving a network authorization token from the access device, where the network authorization token is associated with the access device; obtaining a network access token from the network service provider; and binding the network access token to a content access token.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kent K. Leung, Jayaraman R. Iyer, Bruce A. Thompson, Flemming S. Andreasen
  • Patent number: 8591137
    Abstract: A barricade is provided for crowd control. The barricade includes a first frame support member having an upper end, a lower end, an upper opening adapted for receiving an end of a first upper beam therein and a lower opening. A second frame support member is positioned at an acute angle to the first support frame member and has an upper end, a lower end adjacent the lower end of the first frame support member, an upper opening adapted for receiving an end of a second upper beam therein and a lower opening. A lower beam has a first end receivable in the lower opening of the first frame support member and a second end receivable in the lower opening of the second frame support member to interconnect the first and second frame support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Bruce A. Thompson, Mark A. Hanson
  • Patent number: 8594554
    Abstract: A system that avoids any stopping or reversing of the web direction in a continuous feed printer, instead maintaining consistent process speed, only requiring a slowing and speeding up of the web to cycle through the PR belt seam. This is done by forming a web loop and then immediately flattening the loop after passage of the seam through the transfer zone that includes two transfer BTR rolls with alternating transfer operations, but simultaneous transfer for short periods. Two vacuum assist rolls, one located between the two bias transfer rolls controls the formation of the web loop. A pair of nip forming rolls upstream of the first transfer station and a second vacuum assist roll downstream of the second transfer station control the size of the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Frank A Porter, Kenneth P Moore, Bruce A Thompson, Todd M Uthman, Ron E Dufort, Venkata B Chivukula, Roger G. Leighton
  • Publication number: 20120308286
    Abstract: A system that avoids any stopping or reversing of the web direction in a continuous feed printer, instead maintaining consistent process speed, only requiring a slowing and speeding up of the web to cycle through the PR belt seam. This is done by forming a web loop and then immediately flattening the loop after passage of the seam through the transfer zone that includes two transfer BTR rolls with alternating transfer operations, but simultaneous transfer for short periods. Two vacuum assist rolls, one located between the two bias transfer rolls controls the formation of the web loop. A pair of nip forming rolls upstream of the first transfer station and a second vacuum assist roll downstream of the second transfer station control the size of the loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank A. Porter, Kenneth P. Moore, Bruce A. Thompson, Todd M. Uthman, Ron E. Dufort, Venkata B. Chivukula, Roger G. Leighton
  • Publication number: 20120174963
    Abstract: The present invention describes a solar panel system tracker that closely approximates the output levels of an actively tracked system but at significantly reduced levels of complexity and cost. The present invention utilizes a clock that generates a five degree step function which moves the solar panel system in five degree increments over the period of the solar day. This provides approximately thirty-five separate adjustments throughout the day, yielding an aggregate output performance of approximately 90 percent compared to a fully tracked system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: Bruce A. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20120051837
    Abstract: A barricade is provided for crowd control. The barricade includes a first frame support member having an upper end, a lower end, an upper opening adapted for receiving an end of a first upper beam therein and a lower opening. A second frame support member is positioned at an acute angle to the first support frame member and has an upper end, a lower end adjacent the lower end of the first frame support member, an upper opening adapted for receiving an end of a second upper beam therein and a lower opening. A lower beam has a first end receivable in the lower opening of the first frame support member and a second end receivable in the lower opening of the second frame support member to interconnect the first and second frame support members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Bruce A. Thompson, Mark A. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20100006669
    Abstract: The present invention describes a portable sprinkler riser mechanism that offers the location and stability of the stake type riser mechanisms, yet also provides the ease of placement and flexibility of the surface type riser mechanisms. This is accomplished through the use of a weighted impact hammer co-located with the riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Bruce A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7559549
    Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a printing system. The printing system comprises a sheet feeding apparatus for feeding cut sheets in timed relationship into a sheet processor having a pitch. The sheet feeding apparatus includes a fixed take away roller, a first transport roller, and a second transport roller. The take away roller removes individual sheets from a feeder. A fixed length sheetpath exists between the take away roller, the first transport roller, and the second transport roller. The take away roller and/or optionally the first transport roller have a variable speed capability to vary the velocity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Clark, Kenneth P. Moore, Bruce A. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20090114267
    Abstract: The present invention describes a solar panel system tracker that closely approximates the output levels of an actively tracked system but at significantly reduced levels of complexity and cost. The present invention is comprised of a clock that generates a five degree step function which moves the solar panel system in five degree increments over the period of the solar day. This provides approximately thirty-five separate adjustments throughout the day, yielding an aggregate output performance of approximately 90 percent compared to a fully tracked system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Bruce A. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20080150218
    Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a printing system. The printing system comprises a sheet feeding apparatus for feeding cut sheets in timed relationship into a sheet processor having a pitch. The sheet feeding apparatus includes a fixed take away roller, a first transport roller, and a second transport roller. The take away roller removes individual sheets from a feeder. A fixed length sheetpath exists between the take away roller, the first transport roller, and the second transport roller. The take away roller and/or optionally the first transport roller have a variable speed capability to vary the velocity thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Robert A. Clark, Kenneth P. Moore, Bruce A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7378026
    Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus and teaches a method for removing particulate matter from a plurality of vessels. Examples of these vessels include aquariums, spas, fountains and pools. An ordinary hand held power drill motor is connected via a drill motor pump to a pick-up head containing a pair of hoses. Upon activation, a first hose applies suction to the pick-up head drawing both water and particulate into a chamber. The water continues through to a pump mounted in a housing, through the pump and out the discharge hose while the particulate is trapped within the chamber by a filter for later removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: Bruce A. Thompson