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).

  • Publication number: 20160042763
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automating testing of multiple SATA hard drives with multiple motherboards are described herein. In certain embodiments any number of SATA drives may be switchably connected to any number of motherboards, and any number of tests may be performed on combinations of the SATA drives and motherboards without or with only minimal manual intervention between tests. In one embodiment, the system may include an automated selector having a controller adapted to receive a testing instruction and transmit the received testing instruction and a mainboard in communication with the controller. The mainboard may include a logic device to receive the testing instruction from the controller and/or a switch for pairing and unpairing motherboards with SATA storage devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy William Estell, Bruce Allen Clark, Littleton Kent Riggins, Jeffrey Errol Cade, Ronald Franklin Cox, Martin William Sutton, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160043508
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing and a plurality of contact modules and ground plates held by the housing. Each contact module includes left and right signal wafers stacked next to each other along a stack axis. The signal wafers include electrical terminals held by a dielectric body. The electrical terminals have mounting contacts protruding from the dielectric body at a mounting face of the housing. The electrical terminals of at least one of the signal wafers in each contact module are jogged toward the other signal wafer such that the mounting contacts of each contact module align in a column. Each of the ground plates is disposed along an outer side of a corresponding contact module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: David Wayne Helster, Linda Ellen Shields, Michael John Phillips, Bruce Allen Champion, Sandeep Patel
  • Publication number: 20160036165
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly may include a plurality of signal isolating barriers. Each of the plurality of signal isolating barriers may be positioned around a group of board contacts proximate to a board connecting interface. Each of the plurality of signal isolating barriers isolates the group of the plurality of board contacts from other groups of the plurality of board contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Michael John Phillips, Michael Eugene Shirk, Bruce Allen Champion, Linda Ellen Shields
  • Publication number: 20160002944
    Abstract: A cylindrical upstanding water tank is formed from a plurality of rows of corrugated curved panels bolted edge to edge with a liner extending over the cylindrical wall and support surface to contain the water within the tank. An access opening is formed in one panel of the cylindrical wall and includes a frame with a rectangular planar front flange and a rearwardly extending flange welded into the hole. Liner retention straps surround the hole to fasten an edge of the liner around the hole. An access cover plate is bolted to the front flange of the frame and carries a hoop strength plate which fastens to studs at the rear of the plane so that the plates are removable to allow service access to the interior of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Bruce Allen, Yuqin Shan, Nhi Y Le
  • Patent number: 9230332
    Abstract: An automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. 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: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Tandent Vision Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Casey Arthur Smith, Andrew Neil Stein, Bruce Allen Maxwell, Richard Mark Friedhoff
  • Publication number: 20150375076
    Abstract: This disclosure includes hockey pucks and methods of making hockey pucks. Some pucks include a shell having an upper shell member and a lower shell member coupled to the upper shell member to define a cavity and a ballast member disposed in the cavity such that at least a portion of the ballast member is translatable relative to the shell. Some pucks include a resilient material disposed in the cavity and configured to resist translation of the ballast member in at least one direction relative to the shell. Some pucks include a cylindrical outer housing surrounding the shell. Some pucks include first and third substantially cylindrical members, a second member, a first plurality of fasteners to couple the first member to the second member independently of the third member, and a second plurality of fasteners to couple the third member to the second member independently of the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Bruce Allen MAYER, II, Brad Thomas MAYER
  • Publication number: 20150348081
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a method for a reward system. The method includes receiving, at a server, a card processor file containing transaction details for a transaction. The method also includes matching the transaction details to deposit account information to identify a deposit account holder. The method also includes identifying a share beneficiary from the deposit account information. The method also includes determining whether the verification type is a personal identification number (PIN) or a signature. The method also includes issuing a reward amount based on the verification type to the share beneficiary. The method also includes creating a depository file designating the reward amount to the share beneficiary in a format that is importable by a depository financial institution (DFI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Jeremy VanHoozer, Bruce Allen Smith
  • Publication number: 20150331404
    Abstract: A convenient, water-saving and labor-saving FROG irrigation controller and system are provided, which determine the appropriate water budget and schedule for the property's landscaping based on evapotranspiration data for the geographic area, regulation data (any mandated and voluntary watering restrictions), and property-specific data, with consideration given to reduction in watering days, increase in soil watering depth, and day of year. Once set, the FROG controller provides incremental adjustments over the course of the year; the homeowner no longer needs to re-set the watering program seasonally to comply with local mandated and voluntary watering restrictions. Compliance is automatic and obligatory, meeting the water saving goals of the local water authority. Optionally presented is a web-based wizard used to determine a customized water budget/schedule that is input into the FROG controller through a data storage unit or wireless input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Philip Andrew Kantor, Connie R. Masters, Bruce Allen Bragg
  • Patent number: 9183071
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automating testing of multiple SATA hard drives with multiple motherboards are described herein. In certain embodiments any number of SATA drives may be switchably connected to any number of motherboards, and any number of tests may be performed on combinations of the SATA drives and motherboards without or with only minimal manual intervention between tests. In one embodiment, the system may include an automated selector having a controller adapted to receive a testing instruction and transmit the received testing instruction and a mainboard in communication with the controller. The mainboard may include a logic device to receive the testing instruction from the controller and/or a switch for pairing and unpairing motherboards with SATA storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy William Estell, Bruce Allen Clark, Littleton Kent Riggins, Jeffrey Errol Cade, Ronald Franklin Cox, Martin William Sutton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9164161
    Abstract: Mobile devices are able to determine their location based radio transmitters that are visible at the device to provide geographic location services. A knowledge of the location of the transmitters is required for the mobile device to determine a location estimate, however this can be difficult in network environments where the transmitters are temporary and their locations are not identified in location databases. Locations of temporary transmitters can be provided to mobile devices in order to augment the available location data used in determining the mobile device location. 3rd parties can provide temporal location data on transmitters that are set up for short period of time, as well as better control the distribution of the location data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Bruce Allen Bernhardt, Jingwei Xu, I-Ming Tsai
  • Patent number: 9162172
    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: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    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
  • Patent number: 9137948
    Abstract: A harvester includes a crop receiver configured to receive agricultural material. The crop receiver includes a lid to cover a portion of the crop receiver. The harvester also includes a frame assembly coupled to the lid of the crop receiver. The harvester includes an actuator coupled to the frame assembly and configured to be controlled to adjust a vertical height of the lid. The harvester also includes a sensor coupled to the frame assembly and configured to indicate whether the lid is positioned at a first vertical height or a second vertical height. The harvester includes control circuitry coupled to the sensor and configured to instruct the actuator to move the lid of the crop receiver between the first vertical height and the second vertical height based at least partly on an indication from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Paula Jean Minuto Meagher, Steven Carson Young, Frank Calvin Dupire, Steven E. Gaedy, Bruce Allen Hadley
  • Publication number: 20150263806
    Abstract: A synchronized infrared beacon/infrared detector system. The system may include (A) an infrared beacon module configured to generate a time-varying encoded infrared signal, (B) an infrared detector module configured to capture the encoded infrared signal generated by the beacon module, (C) a synchronizer configured to generate a synchronization signal that controls timing of the beacon module and the detector module, and (D) a processor, in communication with the detector module, configured to analyze the infrared signal captured by the detector module. The infrared signal may be modulated at frequencies undetectable by human vision. The synchronizer signal may be produced independent of the capture of, and without input from, the infrared signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Irina PUSCASU, Bruce Allen Poirier
  • Patent number: 9121931
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards mobile device location estimation, and more particularly, to indoor mobile device location estimation. One computer-implemented method includes using indoor floor map, indoor wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) location map and constructing a pseudo-AP map associated with an indoor location, wherein the pseudo-AP map includes at least one pseudo-AP, each pseudo-AP a function of at least a radio-frequency (RF) signal strength indication (RSSI) associated with at least one actual AP associated with the indoor location; estimating a mobile device location within the boundaries of the indoor location using at least one actual AP associated with the indoor location, and at least one pseudo-AP from the pseudo-AP map associated with the indoor location; and using the estimated mobile device location for indoor navigation within the indoor location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jingwei Xu, Bruce Allen Bernhardt, Arnold Sheynman
  • Patent number: 9095102
    Abstract: A convenient, water-saving and labor-saving FROG irrigation controller and system are provided, which determine the appropriate water budget and schedule for the property's landscaping based on evapotranspiration data for the geographic area, regulation data (any mandated and voluntary watering restrictions), and property-specific data, with consideration given to reduction in watering days, increase in soil watering depth, and day of year. Once set, the FROG controller provides incremental adjustments over the course of the year; the homeowner no longer needs to re-set the watering program seasonally to comply with local mandated and voluntary watering restrictions. Compliance is automatic and obligatory, meeting the water saving goals of the local water authority. Optionally presented is a web-based wizard used to determine a customized water budget/schedule that is input into the FROG controller through a data storage unit or wireless input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventors: Connie Ruby Masters, Philip Andrew Kantor, Bruce Allen Bragg
  • Publication number: 20150177360
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for determining a frequency drift of clock of a mobile communication device is disclosed. A first positioning signal, such as M-LMS signals, is received at a first positioning engine of the mobile communication device controlled by the clock. A second positioning signal, such as GNSS signals, is received at a second positioning engine of the mobile communication device controlled by the clock. A first position is determined from the first positioning signal, and a second position is determined from the second positioning signal. A difference between the first position and the second position is determined, and the frequency drift of the clock is determined from the difference between the first position and the second position. The frequency drift determined may be subsequently applied to the clock, and thus enhance the accuracy of M-LMS positioning when GNSS signals are unreliable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: Mohammad Shafiq Bani Hani, Bruce Allen Bernhardt, Arnold Sheynman
  • Patent number: 9033179
    Abstract: A cylindrical upstanding water tank is formed from a plurality of rows of corrugated curved panels bolted edge to edge with a liner extending over the cylindrical wall and support surface to contain the water within the tank. An access opening is formed in one panel of the cylindrical wall and includes a frame with a rectangular planar front flange and a rearwardly extending flange welded into the hole. Liner retention straps surround the hole to fasten an edge of the liner around the hole. An access cover plate is bolted to the front flange of the frame and carries a hoop strength plate which fastens to studs at the rear of the plane so that the plates are removable to allow service access to the interior of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Vicwest Inc
    Inventors: Bruce Allen, Yuqin Shan, Nhi Y Le
  • Publication number: 20150133171
    Abstract: A method, device and circuit for determining a position of a mobile cellular communication device is disclosed. A pseudolites positioning signal is received in a first frequency band at an antenna of the mobile cellular communication device. The pseudolites signal is converted from the first frequency band to a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) frequency band to obtain a corresponding positioning signal in the GNSS frequency band. The converted positioning signal is delivered to a GNSS chipset of the mobile cellular communication device. The GNSS chipset determines the position of the mobile cellular communication device using the converted positioning signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: Mohammad Shafiq BANI HANI, Arnold SHEYNMAN, Bruce Allen BERNHARDT
  • Publication number: 20150126312
    Abstract: This disclosure includes street hockey balls for use in games and/or training on off-ice surfaces (e.g., paved asphalt, paved concrete, and/or the like). The present hockey balls can be configured to emulate the bounce or rebound characteristics of a hockey puck on ice. For example, versions of the present hockey balls can include a core of a low rebound material and a covering or coating of a hard, tough material. Versions can have a weight greater than that of a hockey puck to facilitate strength training by which a player's wrist, shoulder, back and hand strength and endurance can be improved, and/or can have a height selected to simulate the feel of a hockey puck while still being low enough to facilitate speed or stickhandling training by which a player's stick speed or stickhandling skills can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Bruce Allen MAYER, II, Brad Thomas MAYER
  • Patent number: 8976174
    Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method for manipulating an image comprises the steps of manipulating the image to provide an intensity adjusted image, deriving a bi-illuminant dichromatic reflection model representation of the image and utilizing the bi-illuminant dichromatic reflection model representation to manipulate the intensity adjusted image to generate a color correct intensity adjusted image. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of manipulating the image to provide an intensity adjusted image is carried out by executing a gamma correction method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Tandent Vision Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Allen Maxwell, Richard Mark Friedhoff, Casey Arthur Smith