Patents by Inventor C. Thomas

C. Thomas 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: 20160159276
    Abstract: A system and method for a customized ambient lighting environment for individuals in vehicles travelling rapidly across multiple time zones, that can be automated and/or based on user input and which allows each user to be exposed to light in accordance to selected preferences and circumstances, in order to begin acclimating the user to a new time zone, or avoid acclimating to a new time zone, and/or otherwise mitigate circadian desynchrony.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Lisa C. Thomas, Richard J. Loftis, Andrew L. Armatorio, Colin W. Hart
  • Publication number: 20160152363
    Abstract: A device forms and applies an edge protector to a corner of a load as strap is positioned and tensioned around the load, to position the edge protector between the strap and the load. The device includes a shuttle movable between a home position away from the load and an application position near the load. The shuttle includes a breaker assembly having a fixed portion and a movable portion. The movable portion is movable between a position in which it is generally planar with the fixed portion and another position in which it is transverse to the fixed portion. The breaker assembly includes a shoe that defines a receiving region between the shoe and the fixed and movable portions. The shuttle includes a load contact portion. Movement of the shuttle from the home position moves the movable portion from the first to the second position to fold the edge protector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Termanas, David C. Thomas, Janusz Ciurkot
  • Publication number: 20160138958
    Abstract: Systems and methods that use an optical impedance sensor that eliminates electricity for measuring fuel quantity in fuel tanks. The optical impedance sensor comprises two optical fibers spaced apart inside a meniscus tube, one to transmit light along its length and the other to receive light along its length. The meniscus tube minimizes the sloshing of fuel level. The fuel level in the tank modulates the optical impedance between the two optical fibers, resulting in changes in the total light received by an optical detector. Depending on fuel tank height, the optical impedance sensor may comprise different embodiments in which the detection apparatus shapes the light to be unidirectional (emitted and collected only on one side of the fiber) or omnidirectional (all directions).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Tuong K. Truong, Dennis G. Koshinz, Eric Y. Chan, Todd C. Thomas, J. Everett Groat, Sigvard J. Wahlin, John L. Vento, Sham S. Hariram, Richard J. Nesting
  • Publication number: 20160128568
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for post-hoc correction of calibration errors in eye tracking data, which take into consideration calibration errors that result from changes in user position during a user session in which the user's fixations on a display screen are captured and recorded by an eye tracking system, and which take into consideration errors that occur when the user looks away from a displayed target item before selecting the target item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Rachel K.E. Bellamy, Bonnie E. John, John T. Richards, Calvin B. Swart, John C. Thomas, JR., Sharon M. Trewin
  • Patent number: 9315725
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an Eu2+ activated inorganic red phosphor is provided, wherein the phosphor exhibits an emission spectrum resolvable into a first Gaussian emission curve and a second Gaussian emission curve; wherein the first Gaussian emission curve has a first Gaussian emission curve peak, P1; wherein the first Gaussian emission curve peak, P1, has a peak 1 height, HP1, a peak 1 peak wavelength, P?P1, and a peak 1 area, AP1; wherein the second Gaussian emission curve has a second Gaussian emission curve peak, P2; wherein the second Gaussian emission curve peak, P2, has a peak 2 height, HP2, a peak 2 peak wavelength, P?P2, a peak 2 full width at half max, FWHMP2, and a peak 2 area, AP2; wherein P?P1<P?P2; and, wherein the peak 2 full width at half max, FWHMP2, is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignees: Lightscape Materials, Inc., Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael Dennis Romanelli, Alan C. Thomas, Mary Anne Leugers, Yongchi Tian
  • Patent number: 9311624
    Abstract: One or more artifact drafts may be associated with each of a plurality of artifacts, each of the artifact drafts representing a state of the associated artifact at a point in time and one or more commands in a command stack that transformed the artifact draft's parent into the artifact draft. Multiple traceability links and traceability vertices represent connections between the artifact drafts of the artifacts. A traceability link includes an edge between an artifact draft of an artifact and an artifact draft of another artifact. A module is operable to navigate through said one or more artifacts of the plurality of artifacts from a reference temporal point via the plurality of traceability links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Judah M. Diament, Jacquelyn A. Martino, John C. Thomas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9311623
    Abstract: One or more artifact drafts may be associated with each of a plurality of artifacts, each of the artifact drafts representing a state of the associated artifact at a point in time and one or more commands in a command stack that transformed the artifact draft's parent into the artifact draft. Multiple traceability links and traceability vertices represent connections between the artifact drafts of the artifacts. A traceability link includes an edge between an artifact draft of an artifact and an artifact draft of another artifact. A module is operable to navigate through said one or more artifacts of the plurality of artifacts from a reference temporal point via the plurality of traceability links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Judah M. Diament, Jacquelyn A. Martino, John C. Thomas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9312205
    Abstract: A method including forming a through-substrate via through a thickness of a substrate, the thickness of the substrate is measured from a front side of the substrate to a back side of the substrate, removing a first portion of the substrate to form an opening in the back side of the substrate such that a second portion of the substrate remains in direct contact surrounding a vertical sidewall of the through-substrate via, and filling the opening with an alternate material having a lower modulus of elasticity than the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Adkisson, Yoba Amoah, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Christine A. Leggett, Max L. Lifson, Charles F. Musante, Sruthi Samala, David C. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20160095432
    Abstract: A gun safe is disclosed. In some embodiments, the gun safe may include a safe body defined at least by a back, a first side, a second side, a top, a bottom, and a front, the front comprising an opening; a door coupled with the first side and/or the front and configured to open and close; a lower shelf coupled with the door having a first shape; and an upper shelf coupled with the door, the upper shelf having a second shape and comprising a plurality of holes configured to secure a barrel of a firearm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: David G. Wirthlin, Steven M. Shermersheim, C. Thomas James
  • Publication number: 20160090097
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for detecting, in real time, a fatigue level of a vehicle operator. Multiple physiological indicators of an individual vehicle operator can be monitored at different instances when the operator's level of fatigue is known and can be quantified. A statistical model of the vehicle operator's fatigue can be developed from the data from the multiple instances. In future instances, the statistical model can be applied to real-time physiological data collected from the operator during operation of the vehicle to determine a fatigue level. A warning can be provided when the statistically-calculated fatigue level exceeds a threshold level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Robert William GRUBE, Lisa C. THOMAS, Kimberly Marie CRAIG, Christopher Marc GAST
  • Publication number: 20160060515
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an Eu2+ activated inorganic red phosphor is provided, wherein the phosphor exhibits an emission spectrum resolvable into a first Gaussian emission curve and a second Gaussian emission curve; wherein the first Gaussian emission curve has a first Gaussian emission curve peak, P1; wherein the first Gaussian emission curve peak, P1, has a peak 1 height, HP1, a peak 1 peak wavelength, P?P1, and a peak 1 area, AP1; wherein the second Gaussian emission curve has a second Gaussian emission curve peak, P2; wherein the second Gaussian emission curve peak, P2, has a peak 2 height, HP2, a peak 2 peak wavelength, P?P2, a peak 2 full width at half max, FWHMP2, and a peak 2 area, AP2; wherein P?P1<P?P2; and, wherein the peak 2 full width at half max, FWHMP2, is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Dennis Romanelli, Alan C. Thomas, Mary Anne Leugers, Yongchi Tian
  • Patent number: 9275868
    Abstract: Substrates (wafers) with uniform backside roughness and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a material on a backside of a wafer. The method further includes patterning the material to expose portions of the backside of the wafer. The method further includes roughening the backside of the wafer through the patterned material to form a uniform roughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Shawn A. Adderly, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Max L. Lifson, Matthew D. Moon, William J. Murphy, Timothy D. Sullivan, David C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9248976
    Abstract: Enhanced methods are disclosed for handling cylindrical tubulars, advantageously in association with cleaning, inspection and other operations on the tubular. The tubular is held stationary while it is rotated. During rotation of the tubular, internal and external cleaning systems, and data acquisition systems, pass up and down the length of the rotating tubular. In preferred embodiments, a first tubular is loaded onto the handling machine, whereupon it is indexed and then rotated. Cleaning, inspection and other operations may be performed during rotation. Once operations are complete, the handling system ejects the first tubular while queuing up a second tubular to be loaded. The handling machine comprises a plurality of user-positional pods. Each pod includes scissor mechanisms, index machines and a roller machine to perform the handling methods. Sensors on drive rollers in the handling machine generate vibrational response data of the tubular while it rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Thomas Engineering Solutions & Consulting, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Thomas, William J. Thomas, III, Perry J. DeCuir, Jr., Kenny Perry, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150380478
    Abstract: Embodiments disclose a method of fabrication and a semiconductor structure comprising a Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor. The method of fabrication includes depositing a first conductive material on a semiconductor substrate. A first dielectric material is deposited on the first conductive material. A second conductive material is deposited on the first dielectric material. The top plate is formed by etching the second conductive material. The bottom plate is formed by etching a portion of the first conductive material. At least one opening is formed in the first dielectric layer down to the first conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Max G. Levy, Gary L. Milo, David C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9216535
    Abstract: A method of controlling a slot die comprises positioning actuators of the slot die with a controller according to a first set of discrete settings, operating the slot die by passing an extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot with the actuators positioned according to the first set of discrete settings, and while passing the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, changing the positions of the actuators with the controller to create patterned features in the extrudate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Trice, Pentti K. Loukusa, Robert A. Yapel, Robert B. Secor, Paul C. Thomas, William J. Kopecky, Keith R. Bruesewitz, Kristopher K. Biegler
  • Publication number: 20150360265
    Abstract: A knuckle jointed lance (KJL) segment with an exterior protective system (EPS), comprising an elongated hollow body and at least one protective rod. The body has a generally trapezoidal profile, when viewed in elevation, and is open at both ends. At least one elongate recess is provided in the exterior surface of the body. Each recess follows a predetermined pathway within the exterior surface. At least one consumable protective rod is received into each elongate recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: William C. Thomas, William J. Thomas, III
  • Patent number: 9215008
    Abstract: A free space line of site communication system for communicating between a first destination and a second destination includes a constellation of airborne platforms in a train-like formation, each travelling at a constant speed and distance relative to each other. Each of the airborne platforms includes: one or more inter-airborne platform optical or RF transceivers for communication with a previous and a next neighboring airborne platforms, wherein each inter-airborne platform transceiver is capable of adjusting its velocity to keep a constant speed and distance relative to its neighboring airborne platforms, and one or more up/down link transceivers for communication with multiple ground sites, each ground site having two or more ground optical or RF transceivers. A first airborne platforms closest to the first destination communicates with the first destination and a second airborne platforms closest to the second destination communicates with the second destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: C. Thomas Hastings, Jr., John F. Silny
  • Publication number: 20150346826
    Abstract: Detecting user input based on multiple gestures is provided. One or more interactions are received from a user via a user interface. An inferred interaction is determined based, at least in part, on a geometric operation, wherein the geometric operation is based on the one or more interactions. The inferred interaction is presented via the user interface. Whether a confirmation has been received for the inferred interaction is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rachel K. E. Bellamy, Bonnie E. John, Peter K. Malkin, John T. Richards, Calvin B. Swart, John C. Thomas, JR., Sharon M. Trewin
  • Patent number: D751963
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Miller Industries Towing Equipment Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph McConnell, Joseph C Brown, John L Hawkins, William G Miller, III, Mark Dyer, Aaron C Haluska, William G Drane, Jr., C. Thomas Luciano
  • Patent number: D752492
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Miller Industries Towing Equipment Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph McConnell, Joseph C Brown, John L Hawkins, William G Miller, III, Mark Dyer, Aaron C Haluska, William G Drane, Jr., C. Thomas Luciano