Patents by Inventor Bruce Smyth

Bruce Smyth 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: 11744248
    Abstract: A composition and method for inducing and inflicting damage to cell membranes of microorganism by inducing changes in membrane permeability caused by polycation-induced membrane pores. The control of Clostridium difficile spores with an efficacy of 99.99% on hard surfaces is provided. The invention includes the application of an evaporation-induced self-assembly, surfactant-mediated synthesis or self-condensing polymer, which forms a film which is both flexible on the surface as a nano-polymeric coating and with refractive index yielding a transparent coating. The polymeric matrix includes various biocidal polymeric cationic quaternary salts, one being a silyl quaternary having a kinetic zeta potential to disrupt bacterial spores functions. The polymeric matrix consist of multiple small molecule biocides as well as polymerics biocide combinations not otherwise seen to develop an surface topography of peaks and troughs in the nano range to resist bacterial adhesion factors and subsequent biofilm formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Enviro Specialty Chemicals Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Smyth, Michael Bralkowski
  • Publication number: 20210395652
    Abstract: A novel liquid composition that provides antimicrobial and antiviral disinfection containing a quaternary ammonium salt fabric softener and a quaternary silicon compound which can be applied in a washing machine during the rinse cycle. The mixture is efficacious against most bacteria, virus and micro-organism. The dispensing in the wash cycle and machine drying sets the mixture into the fabric for residual efficacy. The compounds provide for softening and deodorizing of textiles garments. In addition, the compounds provide for sanitizing and extended residual sanitized efficacy for textiles garments. The compounds provide efficacy against many common virus, bacteria, including MRSA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Bruce Smyth, Michael Bralkowski
  • Publication number: 20190053494
    Abstract: A composition and method for inducing and inflicting damage to cell membranes of microorganism by inducing changes in membrane permeability caused by polycation-induced membrane pores. The control of Clostridium difficile spores with an efficacy of 99.99% on hard surfaces is provided. The invention includes the application of an evaporation-induced self-assembly, surfactant-mediated synthesis or self-condensing polymer, which forms a film which is both flexible on the surface as a nano-polymeric coating and with refractive index yielding a transparent coating. The polymeric matrix includes various biocidal polymeric cationic quaternary salts, one being a silyl quaternary having a kinetic zeta potential to disrupt bacterial spores functions. The polymeric matrix consist of multiple small molecule biocides as well as polymerics biocide combinations not otherwise seen to develop an surface topography of peaks and troughs in the nano range to resist bacterial adhesion factors and subsequent biofilm formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Bruce Smyth, Michael Bralkowski
  • Publication number: 20190053495
    Abstract: Topical antiseptic rubs are disclosed that reduce microorganism loading on the skin surface preventing possible infections. The FDA currently recognizes ethanol, isopropanol and benzalkonium chloride as active ingredients but further defines the actives as chronic use drugs. The present invention describes formulations and applications of a liquid compound that forms a topical polymeric skin layer consisting of a given benzalkonium chloride concentration within the matrix, which quickly reduces all bacteria including the MERS, virus types, and kills spores including the Clostridium difficile. The “second skin” concept, is likened to the human skin cellular function of the stratum corneum, functions as a barrier to exogenous substances, which reduces any chronic flux of benzalkonium chloride into the epidermis and reducing symptoms of constant usage. The second skin polymeric application agglomerates, traps and kills bacteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Bruce Smyth, Michael Bralkowski
  • Patent number: 8068660
    Abstract: System and method for characterizing vision systems. A multi-dimensional condition space is provided, each dimension representing a respective condition axis, where each point in the condition space specifies a set of conditions under which a vision system may operate. An image is provided. The condition space is sampled according to a pseudo-random sequence, e.g., a low-discrepancy sequence, to determine a plurality of test conditions usable to characterize the vision system, where each test condition corresponds to a respective set of conditions. A plurality of test images corresponding to the plurality of test conditions are generated based on the image, e.g., by applying image processing functions to the image that simulate the test conditions. A vision inspection is performed on each of the plurality of test images to generate respective test results, and the test results are analyzed to determine conditions under which the vision system operates correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Dinesh R. Nair, Nicolas Vazquez, Robert J. B. Giesen, Joshua B. Keeler, Bruce Smyth
  • Publication number: 20090297042
    Abstract: System and method for characterizing vision systems. A multi-dimensional condition space is provided, each dimension representing a respective condition axis, where each point in the condition space specifies a set of conditions under which a vision system may operate. An image is provided. The condition space is sampled according to a pseudo-random sequence, e.g., a low-discrepancy sequence, to determine a plurality of test conditions usable to characterize the vision system, where each test condition corresponds to a respective set of conditions. A plurality of test images corresponding to the plurality of test conditions are generated based on the image, e.g., by applying image processing functions to the image that simulate the test conditions. A vision inspection is performed on each of the plurality of test images to generate respective test results, and the test results are analyzed to determine conditions under which the vision system operates correctly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Dinesh R. Nair, Nicolas Vazquez, Robert J. Giesen, Joshua B. Keeler, Bruce Smyth
  • Patent number: 7340089
    Abstract: A geometric pattern matching method to locate instances of a template image in a target image using a plurality of models with different feature combinations. A learning phase involves learning geometric information about the template image and creating a model for each of a plurality of different respective parent features. Each model comprises a relationship tree from the respective parent feature to one or more other child features, and hence each model may have different feature combinations. In a matching phase, the method may examine a plurality of different models to determine matches in the target image being analyzed. The matching phase may select different models dynamically based on prior matching results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Dinesh Nair, Matthew S. Fisher, Satish V. Kumar, Bruce Smyth, Subramanian Ramamoorthy
  • Publication number: 20060039601
    Abstract: A geometric pattern matching method to locate instances of a template image in a target image using a plurality of models with different feature combinations. A learning phase involves learning geometric information about the template image and creating a model for each of a plurality of different respective parent features. Each model comprises a relationship tree from the respective parent feature to one or more other child features, and hence each model may have different feature combinations. In a matching phase, the method may examine a plurality of different models to determine matches in the target image being analyzed. The matching phase may select different models dynamically based on prior matching results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Dinesh Nair, Matthew Fisher, Satish Kumar, Bruce Smyth, Subramanian Ramamoorthy
  • Patent number: 6643148
    Abstract: A switch-mode power converter that powers the fan or blower unit in a communication system is used to suppress the audio band noise, thereby eliminating any need for additional passive or active filters used in the prior art. The frequency response of a switch-mode DC/DC converter is set by a control loop. By modifying the feedback amplifier compensation network in the control loop such that the frequency control loop bandwidth of the converter is substantially less than the AC load of the fans or blowers, the invention eliminates the need for additional filtering beyond that inherent in the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Alcatel Canada Inc.
    Inventor: David Bruce Smyth
  • Publication number: 20030198063
    Abstract: A switch-mode power converter that powers the fan or blower unit in a communication system is used to suppress the audio band noise, thereby eliminating any need for additional passive or active filters used in the prior art. The frequency response of a switch-mode DC/DC converter is set by a control loop. By modifying the feedback amplifier compensation network in the control loop such that the frequency control loop bandwidth of the converter is substantially less than the AC load of the fans or blowers, the invention eliminates the need for additional filtering beyond that inherent in the power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: David Bruce Smyth