Patents by Inventor C. Smith

C. 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).

  • Publication number: 20210094661
    Abstract: A pontoon boat including a thruster system is disclosed. The pontoon boat executes various operations relating to a speed and heading of the pontoon boat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Schmid, Katie C. Kirchner, Michael F. Donoughe, Jeremy C. Smith, Blair A. Donat, Gabriel A. Marshall, Bradley R. Fishburn
  • Patent number: 10956471
    Abstract: Electronic natural language processing in a natural language processing (NLP) system, such as a Question-Answering (QA) system. A receives electronic text input, in question form, and determines a readability level indicator in the question. The readability level indicator includes at least a grammatical error, a slang term, and a misspelling type. The computer determines a readability level for the electronic text input based on the readability level indicator, and retrieves candidate answers based on the readability level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Donna K. Byron, Devendra Goyal, Lakshminarayanan Krishnamurthy, Priscilla Santos Moraes, Michael C. Smith
  • Patent number: 10940242
    Abstract: A medical waste fluid collection cart may include a container assembly and a suction tube having a lumen extending through the suction tube. The suction tube may communicate with the container to deposit waste fluid from a surgical site in the container. The container assembly may include a container, a base forming a bottom of the container, and a lid assembly. The base may include an interior surface defining a draining opening. The interior surface may extend along a ramped path toward the drain opening. The lid assembly may include a lid ring and a lid capable of engaging each other with a twist lock mechanism. The lid ring may engage the container and the lid may cover at least part of a central opening to the container. The container may have a window and a tinting assembly. The container assembly may have a vacuum level detection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Dornoch Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Smith, Jeffery J. O'Bryan, Craig B. Schmidt, Lawrence E Guerra
  • Patent number: 10943574
    Abstract: User interface techniques provide user vocalists with mechanisms for forward and backward traversal of audiovisual content, including pitch cues, waveform- or envelope-type performance timelines, lyrics and/or other temporally-synchronized content at record-time, during edits, and/or in playback. Recapture of selected performance portions, coordination of group parts, and overdubbing may all be facilitated. Direct scrolling to arbitrary points in the performance timeline, lyrics, pitch cues and other temporally-synchronized content allows user to conveniently move through a capture or audiovisual edit session. In some cases, a user vocalist may be guided through the performance timeline, lyrics, pitch cues and other temporally-synchronized content in correspondence with group part information such as in a guided short-form capture for a duet. A scrubber allows user vocalists to conveniently move forward and backward through the temporally-synchronized content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Smule, Inc.
    Inventors: David Steinwedel, Andrea Slobodien, Jeffrey C. Smith, Perry R. Cook
  • Publication number: 20210066830
    Abstract: A stripline radio-frequency (RF) connection interface is provided and includes first and second printed circuit boards (PCBs). The first PCB includes a first trace, ground planes at opposite sides of the first trace, dielectric material interposed between the first trace and the ground planes and a first end. The first end is formed as a first rabbet at which the first trace is exposed. The second PCB includes a second trace, ground planes at opposite sides of the second trace, dielectric material interposed between the second trace and the ground planes and a second end. The second end is formed as a second rabbet, which is substantially identical to the first rabbet, at which the second trace is exposed. The first and second ends are mated in a shiplap joint to electrically couple the first and second traces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Kevin Wilder, Alan C. Smith, James Benedict, Andrew Southworth, Thomas V. Sikina, Mary K. Herndon, John P. Haven
  • Patent number: 10934758
    Abstract: An adjustable bumper assembly includes a bumper assembly insert having a bumper head, a threaded portion connected to the bumper head and a ratchet portion extending from the threaded portion. A coupling ring is threadably connected to the threaded portion. The coupling ring has a ratchet device with a tooth biased into contact with the ratchet portion. A base member includes multiple retention arms homogeneously connected to the base member extending away from a face of the base member. The coupling ring when slidably received in a through passage created in the face of the base member contacts the retention arms. The coupling ring is non-rotatably engaged to the base member such that axial rotation of the bumper assembly insert with respect to the coupling ring axially extends or retracts the bumper assembly insert with respect to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Cahill, Kyle C. Smith, Robert J. Hood
  • Publication number: 20210055905
    Abstract: User interface techniques provide user vocalists with mechanisms for solo audiovisual capture and for seeding subsequent performances by other users (e.g., joiners). Audiovisual capture may be against a full-length work or seed spanning much or all of a pre-existing audio (or audiovisual) work and in some cases may mix, to seed further contributions of one or more joiners, a user's captured media content for at least some portions of the audio (or audiovisual) work. A short seed or short segment may span less than all (and in some cases, much less than all) of the audio (or audiovisual) work. For example, a verse, chorus, refrain, hook or other limited “chunk” of an audio (or audiovisual) work may constitute a short seed or short segment. Computational techniques are described that allow a system to automatically identify suitable short seeds or short segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Jon Moldover, David Steinwedel, Jeffrey C. Smith, Perry R. Cook
  • Publication number: 20210057173
    Abstract: A variety of active cover plate configurations with prongs configured to contact side screw terminals of electrical receptacles are described. In one illustrative embodiment, an active cover plate includes a multi-gang face plate configured to be installed over a multi-gang light switch installation, the multi-gang faceplate including at least two apertures sized to accept a manually manipulatable element of switches in the multi-gang light switch installation. Prongs extend rearward from the multi-gang faceplate around at least one of the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventor: Jeremy C. Smith
  • Patent number: 10926159
    Abstract: Continuous or discontinuous steering responses for a lean-to-steer device can be provided by controlling the steering angle of at least one wheel by a steering motor that is operated by a controller. The controller receives signals from a tilt sensor to calculate an appropriate steering angle for the at least one wheel. When a speed sensor is also provided, the controller can calculate a steering angle to match the curve radius of motion to the pendulum angle corresponding to the indicated speed and tilt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Lean Steer Difference, LLC
    Inventor: Corey C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210049709
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, computer program product and computing system for: monitoring the performance of one or more performance-based employees within an automotive space, thus defining performance information for the one or more performance-based employees; receiving one or more snapshot requests for at least a portion of the performance information at one or more points in time; and in response to receiving the one or more snapshot requests, saving at least a portion of the performance information at the one or more points in time, thus defining one or more snapshots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: MICHAEL J. PHILLIPS, Michael C. Smith, Cynthia Chen, Travis J. Haley, Sean T. Cacace
  • Publication number: 20210043179
    Abstract: A guitar pickup is provided that is divided into a plurality of segments that can be selectively activated by switching to produce tonal variations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: S & S Winding LLC
    Inventor: Scott C. Smith
  • Patent number: 10915600
    Abstract: A utility vehicle comprises a plurality of ground engaging members and a frame supported by the plurality of ground engaging members. The frame includes a front frame portion, a mid-frame portion, and a rear frame portion. The utility vehicle further comprises an attachment supported at the front frame portion. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes an operator area supported by the frame and including an operator seat and an adjacent passenger seat spaced apart from the operator seat. The operator seat and the passenger seat are in a side-by-side arrangement. The utility vehicle also comprises an auxiliary power assembly having an attachment shaft configured to be operably coupled to the attachment. The attachment shaft extends in a generally longitudinal direction of the utility vehicle and projects outwardly from the front frame portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy C. Smith, Marcus A. Wetterlund
  • Publication number: 20210025693
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring a thickness of a coating on an moving object are provided. Light is directed toward the object at a predetermined location on the object such that a portion of the light interacts with the object. A 1D and/or 2D maximum intensities for at least one wavelength channel is captured that is produced by the portion of the light interacting with the object. A measured average intensity of the wavelength channel and/or intensities and their arithmetic derivatives of multi wavelength channel geometries is converted into 1D (averaged) and/or 2D thickness values. Based on these values an acceptability of the coating is evaluated and thickness calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Gunter E. MOELLER, Roman Y. KOROTKOV, Ryan C. Smith
  • Patent number: 10899667
    Abstract: In one aspect, composite polymeric composition and related materials are described herein employing waste products from the agricultural and energy industries. Such composite polymeric compositions and materials can repurpose agricultural and petroleum waste products for various applications including, but not limited to, building and/or infrastructure materials. In some embodiments, a composite polymeric composition described herein comprises polysaccharides, lignin or combinations thereof covalently cross-linked via linkages comprising sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Clemson University
    Inventors: Rhett C. Smith, Andrew G. Tennyson
  • Publication number: 20210019826
    Abstract: A method of providing orders to a virtual trading crowd in an exchange prior to automatically linking the order to an away market includes receiving a marketable order at the exchange, wherein the exchange price differs from a national best bid or offer (NBBO) price, routing the order to a trade engine, disseminating a request for price message, the request for price message including a price equal to the NBBO price, receiving a response message, initiating a quote trigger, wherein the quote trigger occurs for a period of N seconds, allocating at least a portion of the order according to an allocation algorithm, wherein an order size of each market maker is capped to prevent inflation of an allocated portion of the order, and allocating any remaining portion of the order to at least one predetermined market maker guarantor for execution at the NBBO price.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Cboe Exchange, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward T. Tilly, Anthony Montesano, Eileen C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210017344
    Abstract: Laser transparent compositions that may be black in color. The laser transparent compositions may include a matrix material that includes a polypropylene, a dye system that includes one, and optionally two or more, polar organic compounds, a plurality of glass fibers, and a UV stabilizer. Methods of laser welding, which may include irradiating a laser absorbing composition that contacts a laser transparent composition at an interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: LYONDELLBASELL ADVANCED POLYMERS INC.
    Inventors: YING SHI, DENNIS C. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20210012259
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for calibrating data using relaxed benchmarks constraints are described. An example apparatus for generating a unique solution when calibrating data via a calibration model having relaxed benchmark constraints includes a calibration engine to execute the calibration model based on a target loss function, a weight loss function, and a budget parameter. The example apparatus further includes a calibrated weights determiner to determine calibrated weights resulting from execution of the calibration model. The example apparatus further includes a calibration model validator to incorporate a stability parameter into the calibration model in response to determining that the calibrated weights do not provide a unique solution for the executed calibration model. The stability parameter is to reduce an influence of the budget parameter on the calibration model to enable the generation of a unique solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Ludo Daemen, Robert C. Smith, Edmond Wong, Alexander Radev, Vippal Savani, Christophe Koell, William Somers
  • Patent number: 10888942
    Abstract: A brazing system has a first gas source, a second gas source, an enclosure, a brazing torch, and a control system configured to control a ratio of the first gas source and the second gas source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Loren C. Smith, Douglas S. Perry, William Hopper
  • Publication number: 20210001378
    Abstract: A device, mechanism, and methodology for regular and consistent cleaning of the vacuum aperture, nozzle, and contacting surfaces of a pick-and-place apparatus and the pick-up tools of automated or manual semiconductor device and die handling machines are disclosed. The cleaning material may include a cleaning pad layer with one or more intermediate layers that have predetermined characteristics, regular geometrical features, and/or an irregular surface morphology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Alan E. Humphrey, Bret A. Humphrey, Jerry J. Broz, Wayne C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210006947
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for organizing content for media services may comprise organizing content from a plurality of data sources having information relevant to a channel, transforming the content into short messages suitable for delivery to a user via at least two of SMS, MMS, WAP, e-mail, and the Internet, and managing a script of such messages, wherein the next short message in a series is based on a user response to a prior short message in the series. User engagement may be facilitated by developing locally produced, personalized channels for delivery of relevant content. The mobile platform may enable building mobile-oriented communities around original content. Content may be local, authentic, relevant, insider, original, aggregated, a multi-modal mash-up, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel C. Smith, Jack Odell, Rekba Singh