Patents by Inventor Bruce Allen

Bruce Allen 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).

  • Elliptical locating apparatus
    Patent number: 8376337
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning objects may be present. A locating pin may be positioned relative to secondary holes in a plurality of objects. The locating pin may comprise a segment with a cross section having an elliptical shape, a surface, and an indicating feature associated with the segment. The locating pin may be inserted into the secondary hole, wherein a number of portions of the surface align the secondary holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bruce Allen Wilson, Dick Sellers
  • Half-sleeved and sleeveless plastic piston pumps
    Patent number: 8365654
    Abstract: In one aspect, a brake pump assembly with a hydraulic block and a pumping element including a polymer piston that is received in a piston bore. A circumference of the polymer piston defines a high-pressure seal slideably engaging adjacent structure. The polymer piston may include a peripheral sealing lip projecting primarily longitudinally from the polymer piston for sealing engagement with the piston bore. In another aspect, a brake pump assembly with a hydraulic block, a straight bore polymer piston, a peripheral sealing lip projecting from a proximal portion of the polymer piston, and a elastomeric seal mounted to a distal portion of the polymer piston, where the peripheral sealing lip selectively acts to depressurize fluid accumulating between the peripheral sealing lip and elastomeric seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventors: Brian F. Waller, Bruce Allen Bryson
  • Air filter arrangement; assembly and methods
    Patent number: 8357219
    Abstract: An air filter media construction or arrangement is disclosed. The air filter media construction or arrangement includes strips of media comprising corrugated sheets secured to facing sheets and forming inlet and outlet flutes secured to one another in a stack. A preferred projection/receiver arrangement is described. Methods of assembly and use are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Allen Boehrs, Paul Anthony Wendt
  • Liquid Containment System
    Publication number: 20130017018
    Abstract: A liquid containment barrier is formed by corrugated panels connected end to end and supported by upstanding brackets at spaced positions around the peripheral wall and a liner attached to the wall. Each panel has the top edge as a raw edge with a plurality of elongate extruded plastics spring channel members engaged over the top edge. A plurality of additional clamp collars are arranged to surround a part cylindrical portion of the channel members to bridge between panels and to form a local clamping force on the channel member. Each bracket has an inner vertical edge engaging the panels and a rod member hooked to the brace at the lower end and engaging over the channel members at the upper end. The bracket also includes an upwardly extending flange parallel to the inner edge to form a channel for the bottom edge of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Bruce Allen, John Mascarenhas, Michael Fell
  • METHOD FOR PROCESSING MULTIPLE IMAGES OF A SAME SCENE
    Publication number: 20120321222
    Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing a sequence of image files depicting images of a same scene, in a computer memory, determining correspondence information relevant to the same scene across the sequence of images, and generating individual intrinsic images for each one of the sequence of images, as a function of the correspondence information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Tandent Vision Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Casey Arthur SMITH, Andrew Neil STEIN, Bruce Allen MAXWELL, Richard Mark FRIEDHOFF
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING TOKENS IN AN IMAGE
    Publication number: 20120314950
    Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, augmenting a preselected area of the image in a manner to decrease a number of token regions representing the preselected area, and identifying token regions in the augmented image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Tandent Vision Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Casey Arthur SMITH, Bruce Allen Maxwell
  • Wellbore manufacturing processes for in situ heat treatment processes
    Patent number: 8327681
    Abstract: A method includes making coiled tubing at a coiled tubing manufacturing unit coupled to a coiled tubing transportation system. One or more coiled tubing reels are transported from the coiled tubing manufacturing unit to one or more moveable well drilling systems using the coiled tubing transportation system. The coiled tubing transportation system runs from the tubing manufacturing unit to one or more movable well drilling systems, and then back to the coiled tubing manufacturing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Ian Alexander Davidson, Cameron James Geddes, Randall Lynn Rudolf, Bruce Allen Selby, Duncan Charles MacDonald
  • Polarization-based shadow detection
    Patent number: 8319821
    Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for determining an illumination flux condition in a scene. The method comprises the steps of generating and storing a sequence of images of the scene, each one of the sequence of images comprising an array of pixels and corresponding to the scene photographed in a preselected polarization direction, different from the polarization direction of other ones of the sequence of images, determining a polarization sequence vector for at least one pixel in the array, as a function of color information for the pixel in the array, among the sequence of images; and utilizing the polarization sequence vector to determine one of a shadowed and lit illumination condition for the at least one pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Tandent Vision Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristin Jean Dana, Richard Mark Friedhoff, Bruce Allen Maxwell, Steven Joseph Bushell, Casey Arthur Smith
  • AIR FILTER HAVING FLUTED FILTER MEDIA
    Publication number: 20120272627
    Abstract: An air cleaner includes a housing and an access cover. The internal volume of the housing can be reached through an opening in a side wall of the housing. A filter element having fluted filter media is removable and replaceable from the air cleaner. The housing is constructed and arranged to cam the element into sealing engagement with the housing. The access cover includes structure to help support and ensure proper seating of the filter element within the housing. A method of installing the filter element in the air cleaner includes sliding a portion of the filter element against a slide surface in the housing. A method of servicing an air cleaner includes tilting the filter element against a tilt surface in the housing to release a seal between the filter element and the housing. The filter element can have a handle to assist in servicing of the air cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry R. Nepsund, Bradley A. Kuempel, Donald F. Engel, Bruce Allen Boehrs, Sheldon Anderson, Richard L. Bucholtz, Thomas John Lundgren
  • VACUUM DRIVE FOR WEB CONTROL AT PHOTORECEPTOR
    Publication number: 20120251148
    Abstract: Systems and a method for image forming systems to skip over the non-printing photoreceptor area in order to not skip a label position on a continuous print web medium. A vacuum assembly is coupled to a controller that controls different vacuum pressures at each vacuum roller therein. The vacuum rollers provide drag and drive forces to skip a seam of the photoreceptor and a residual length based on the number and size of images on the photoreceptor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth Paul Moore, Frank Albert Porter, Bruce Allen Thompson, Todd Maurice Uthman, Ron Edward Dufort, Venkata Bharadwaj Chivukula, Roger Gaylord Leighton
  • Test bed for optimizing an image segregation
    Patent number: 8260050
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a test bed for optimizing an image segregation is provided. According to a feature of the present invention, the test bed comprises a memory storing an image file containing an image, a set of operations, a set of constraint software modules and a set of parameters relevant to the image, a transform module for performing a preselected one of the set of operations, defined by a preselected one of the set of constraint software modules, on the image, as a function of preselected ones of the set of parameters, to provide an output image, a test module utilizing the transform module output image, an analysis module for analyzing test module performance, and a feedback loop for varying selected ones of the operations, constraint software modules and parameters, for input to the transform module, to provide a new output image for input to the test module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Tandent Vision Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Neil Stein, Iljung Samuel Kwak, Casey Arthur Smith, Bruce Allen Maxwell, David Allen Tolliver, James Andrew Bagnell
  • E-Band receiver and bit error measurement
    Patent number: 8228226
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to facilitate the alignment of an antenna. In one aspect, there is provided a transceiver. The transceiver may include an antenna and a downconverter module coupled to the antenna. The downconverter module may convert a signal received at the antenna to another signal. The downconverter module may measure received signal strength. The transceiver may also include a sequence detector for detecting an error rate of a sequence included in the other signal. The transceiver may also include an output module for providing an output representative the error rate, the received signal strength, and a combination of the error rate and the received signal strength. The provided output may be used to enable alignment of an antenna. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: E-Band Communications Corp.
    Inventors: Victor J. Chan, Gene Morgan, Bruce Allen Brentlinger, Jimmy Hannan, Andrew Pavelchek
  • Roof structure for a grain bin
    Patent number: 8220207
    Abstract: A roof for a large diameter grain bin is formed by roof rafters inclined from a top of the wall to a top ring, with sheet metal panels in an upper row extending from the ring to a circular bottom edge and a lower row extending from a circular top edge to the wall. A circular bracket of Z-shaped cross section is carried on the rafters by upstanding support legs and provides an upper flange engaging the bottom edge of the upper row and a lower flange engaging the top edge of the lower row and an interconnecting web portion. One or both rows are supported at a mid point on a cylindrical tube bent to form a circle butting the panels and supported from the rafters on leg members which include a center strap which can be bent around the tube and two legs bolted to the rafters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Vicwest Corporation
    Inventors: Yuqin Shan, Bruce Allen
  • Interposer connector assembly
    Patent number: 8215966
    Abstract: An interposer connector assembly includes a substrate, conductive pads, and contacts. The substrate has opposite first and second sides with a conductive via extending through the substrate. The conductive pads are mounted to the first and second sides of the substrate and electrically coupled with each other by the via. The contacts are electrically joined with the conductive pads on the first and second sides of the substrate. The contacts protrude from the substrate to outer ends that are configured to engage conductive members of electronic packages that mate with the first and second sides of the substrate. A differential electrical impedance characteristic of a conductive pathway extending from the outer end of one of the contacts to the outer end of another one of the contacts is at least 65 Ohms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Allen Champion, Steven Jay Millard, Bin Lin
  • Air filter having fluted filter media
    Patent number: 8206479
    Abstract: An air cleaner includes a housing and an access cover. The internal volume of the housing can be reached through an opening in a side wall of the housing. A filter element having fluted filter media is removable and replaceable from the air cleaner. The housing is constructed and arranged to cam the element into sealing engagement with the housing. The access cover includes structure to help support and ensure proper seating of the filter element within the housing. A method of installing the filter element in the air cleaner includes sliding a portion of the filter element against a slide surface in the housing. A method of servicing an air cleaner includes tilting the filter element against a tilt surface in the housing to release a seal between the filter element and the housing. The filter element can have a handle to assist in servicing of the air cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry R. Nepsund, Bradley A. Kuempel, Donald F. Engel, Bruce Allen Boehrs, Sheldon Anderson, Richard L. Bucholtz, Thomas John Lundgren
  • System and method for illumination invariant image segmentation
    Patent number: 8175390
    Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image file, identifying a boundary in the image, calculating a representation of the boundary extending to segments of the image at either side of the boundary, performing feature calculations on the representation and classifying the boundary as caused by a material change, as a function of the feature calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Tandent Vision Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Allen Maxwell, Richard Mark Friedhoff, Casey Arthur Smith
  • APPARATUS, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD, FOR ESTABLISHING A PRIORITIZED MEDIA-FILE PLAYLIST AT MEDIA DEVICE
    Publication number: 20120109979
    Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, facilitates selection of a media file for play-out at a media player, such as a media player forming part of a wireless device. Prioritization criteria is used to prioritize a plurality of media files according to a prioritization criteria. And, once prioritized, a playlist is established. The playlist is used in the selection of a media file to be played out at the media-file player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: Bruce Allen Bernhardt
  • 3-OXA-7-AZABICYCLO[3.3.1]NONANES
    Publication number: 20120095028
    Abstract: Compounds of Formula (I) that modulate the activity of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119 and their uses in the treatment of diseases linked to the modulation of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR119 in animals are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Paul DeNinno, Kentaro Futatsugi, Bruce Allen Lefker, Vincent Mascitti, Kim Francis McClure, Michael John Munchhof
  • Method for using image depth information
    Patent number: 8144975
    Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for determining illumination information in an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of identifying depth information in the image, identifying spatio-spectral information for the image, as a function of the depth information and utilizing the spatio-spectral information to identify illumination flux in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Tandent Vision Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Mark Friedhoff, Bruce Allen Maxwell, Steven Joseph Bushell
  • System and method for identifying complex tokens in an image
    Patent number: 8144978
    Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of identifying token regions in the image, each token region comprising a connected image region of similar color and intensity, and utilizing the identified token regions to generate single material token regions for use in processing material and illumination aspects of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Tandent Vision Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Allen Maxwell, Casey Arthur Smith, Kristin Jean Dana, Richard Mark Friedhoff