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).

  • SYSTEM TO VIEW AND MANIPULATE ARTIFACTS AT A TEMPORAL REFERENCE POINT
    Publication number: 20130212473
    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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Judah M. Diament, Jacquelyn A. Martino, John C. Thomas, JR.
  • SYSTEM TO VIEW AND MANIPULATE ARTIFACTS AT A TEMPORAL REFERENCE POINT
    Publication number: 20130212472
    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: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Judah M. Diament, Jacquelyn A. Martino, John C. Thomas, JR.
  • Functionally graded biocompatible coating and coated implant
    Patent number: 8491936
    Abstract: The present invention provides a biocompatible coating comprising calcium phosphate that is functionally graded across the thickness of the coating. The coating, which preferably includes hydroxyapatite, is particularly useful for coating implants, such as dental or orthopedic implants. The functionally graded coating is generally crystalline near the interface with the surface of the implant, with crystallinity and crystal diameter decreasing toward the outer layer of the coating. The invention further provides methods for preparing a coated implant comprising a functionally graded calcium phosphate coating thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Afsaneh Rabiei, Jerome J. Cuomo, Brent C. Thomas
  • P-Type Amorphous GaNAs Alloy as Low Resistant Ohmic Contact to P-Type Group III-Nitride Semiconductors
    Publication number: 20130126892
    Abstract: A new composition of matter is described, amorphous GaN1-xAsx:Mg, wherein 0<x<1, and more preferably 0.1<x<0.8, which amorphous material is of low resistivity, and when formed as a thin, heavily doped film may be used as a low resistant p-type ohmic contact layer for a p-type group III-nitride layer in such applications as photovoltaic cells. The layer may be applied either as a conformal film or a patterned layer. In one embodiment, as a lightly doped but thicker layer, the amorphous GaN1-xAsx:Mg film can itself be used as an absorber layer in PV applications. Also described herein is a novel, low temperature method for the formation of the heavily doped amorphous GaN1-xAsx:Mg compositions of the invention in which the doping is achieved during film formation according to MBE methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Kin Man Yu, Wladyslaw Walukiewicz, Alejandro X. Levander, Sergei V. Novikov, C. Thomas Foxon
  • Sensors in communication devices
    Patent number: 8432288
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for communication. In certain aspects, an apparatus for communication includes one or more sensors configured to measure a condition external to the apparatus, a circuit configured to determine when to transmit data based on the measurement to another apparatus, wherein the determination is based on at least one parameter configurable by the another apparatus, and a transmitter configured to transmit the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory T. Bullard, Desiree D. Brake, Christopher J. Pruetting, Raymond S. Stits, Jason Tory Ryberg, Jason C. Thomas, Diane M. Winchell
  • Sensor network management
    Patent number: 8427309
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for managing other apparatuses. In certain aspects, an apparatus for managing other apparatuses includes a processing system configured to receive one or more reports from the other apparatuses, and to send a message to at least one of the other apparatuses, wherein the message instructs the at least one of the other apparatuses to configure at least one parameter that controls when the at least one of the other apparatus sends a report to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory T. Bullard, Desiree D. Brake, Christopher J. Pruetting, Raymond S. Stits, Jason Tory Ryberg, Jason C. Thomas, Diane M. Winchell
  • Capacitive touch sensor with integral EL backlight
    Patent number: 8421755
    Abstract: A personal electronic device includes a programmable display and a programmable keypad, wherein at least one of the programmable display and the programmable keypad includes a capacitive touch sensor and an EL panel in a unitary structure. A conductive layer shields the capacitive touch sensor from the EL panel and can be a separate layer or be incorporated into either the capacitive sensor or the EL panel. The conductive layer includes antimony tin oxide (ATO), other conductive oxide, or a conductive polymer, such as Orgacon™ 3010.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: World Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Seelhammer, Alan C. Thomas, David G. Pires, Walter J. Paciorek
  • Hospital bed
    Patent number: 8413274
    Abstract: A bed having a frame and a deck is disclosed. The deck has at least a horizontal position and a chair position. The deck has an adjustable-length foot section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Weismiller, Joseph A. Kummer, Peter M. Wukusick, Gregory W. Branson, Kenneth L. Kramer, Stephen R. Schulte, Philip D. Palermo, James M. C. Thomas, Daniel F. Dlugos, Jr., Jay T. Butterbrodt, David J. Ulrich, David A. Albersmeyer, Jason C. Brooke, Eric R. Meyer, John D. Miller, John W. Ruehl
  • Symbiotic storage devices
    Patent number: 8402284
    Abstract: A system is provided, the system having a first storage device and a second storage device. A symbiotic relationship is established between the first and second storage devices to selectively store backup digital content for each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Fred C. Thomas, Anthony J. Hernandez, John M. Agosta
  • Highly sensitive oxygen sensor for cell culture
    Patent number: 8398922
    Abstract: An oxygen sensor comprising an oxygen sensing compound and configured to substantially mitigate leaching of the oxygen sensing compound from the oxygen sensor to an outer surface thereof is provided. The oxygen sensor may comprise one or more layers. A first portion of the oxygen sensor is configured to be permeable to gas and comprises an oxygen sensing material. A second portion is disposed with or on the first portion and is configured to be permeable to gas and substantially impermeable to the oxygen sensing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, The National Institute of Standards and Technology
    Inventors: Samuel P. Forry, Peter C. Thomas
  • Fire extinguishing composition
    Patent number: 8366955
    Abstract: A fire extinguishing composition is provided that is suitable for use as a fire extinguishing agent in fire suppression, particularly in off-road vehicles exposed to low ambient temperature environments. The fire extinguishing composition includes an aqueous solution of potassium formate. In an embodiment, the fire extinguishing composition includes an aqueous solution of potassium formate and an aqueous film forming foam. In an embodiment, the fire extinguishing composition is an aqueous solution including an aqueous film forming foam, potassium formate and potassium acetate in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Kidde-Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephanie C. Thomas, Chad Powell, Anne C. Regina
  • Interactive asynchronous computer game infrastructure
    Patent number: 8357045
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a computer program product embodied in a computer readable medium that, when executing on one or more computers, receives a request for game play, and in response to the request, causing prior game play data to be retrieved, where the prior game play data was stored in response to prior game play of another user. Further, an asynchronous game play environment may be provided where an active participant, who made the request, is able to play against and interact with an apparently live participant based on the prior game play data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Tetris Online, Inc.
    Inventors: Eui-Joon Youm, Glyn C. Thomas, Chang-ha Lim
  • Investment classification and tracking system using diamond ratings
    Patent number: 8352347
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an asset classification system based on investment strategy. The system determines a number for performance measures and strategy classifications. These measures indicate, in one configuration, an extent to which a security or manager is outperforming or attempting to outperform a benchmark and how successful the security or manager has been based on historic performance data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: AthenaInvest, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Thomas Howard, Andrew Howard
  • Slot Die Position Adjustment and Return to Baseline
    Publication number: 20120313274
    Abstract: A method of controlling a slot die comprises, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, changing the position of the actuators with the controller to either increase the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators or substantially close the fluid flow path adjacent the actuators, and after changing the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, repositioning each of the actuators with the controller according to the set of discrete settings to resume operating the slot die with the actuators positioned according to the set of discrete settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Pentti K. Loukusa, Robert A. Yapel, Terence D. Neavin, Jennifer L. Trice, Kristopher K. Biegler, Paul C. Thomas, William J. Kopecky, Keith R. Bruesewitz, Robert B. Secor
  • Slot Die Position Adjustment Control
    Publication number: 20120315378
    Abstract: A system comprises a slot die including an applicator slot extending about a width of the slot die, wherein the applicator slot is in fluid communication with a fluid flow path through the slot die, and a plurality of actuators spaced about the width of the slot die, wherein each actuator in the plurality of actuators is operable to adjust a cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path at its respective location to provide a local adjustment of fluid flow through the applicator slot. The system further comprises a controller configured to set the position of each actuator according to one of a plurality of discrete settings for operation of the slot die. The controller is further configured to, using fluid dynamics and a digital model of the die, predict a set of discrete settings from the plurality of discrete settings corresponding to a preselected cross-web profile for the extrudate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Jennifer L. Trice, Pentti K. Loukusa, Paul C. Thomas, Kristopher K. Biegler, William J. Kopecky, Keith R. Bruesewitz, Robert A. Secor
  • Slot Die Position Adjustments to Facilitate Patterned Products
    Publication number: 20120313275
    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: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    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
  • Environmentally degradable cigarette filter
    Patent number: 8327856
    Abstract: An environmentally degradable cigarette filter includes a filter element of a bloomed cellulose acetate tow and a plug wrap surrounding said filter element. A weak organic acid and a pH adjusted inorganic ester salt are encapsulated in a matrix material which is in contact with the tow. The pH adjusted inorganic ester salt has a pH less than or equal to 8. When the cigarette filter is discarded into the environment, water liberates the weak acid and the ester salt from the matrix material. The weak acid hydrolyzes the ester liberating a strong acid. The strong acid catalyzes the degradation of the cellulose acetate tow. (The weak acid also hydrolyzes the cellulose acetate tow, but after the strong acid is generated, the strong acid becomes the dominant acid catalyst for the cellulose acetate tow degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Celanese Acetate LLC
    Inventors: Raymond M. Robertson, William C. Thomas
  • PRECISION GLASS ROLL FORMING PROCESS AND APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20120304695
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for precision glass roll forming a supply of molten glass at a glass temperature of 1000° C. or higher. A pair of hot forming rolls having a surface temperature of about 500° C. or higher, vertically below the glass feed, that thin the supplied stream of molten glass to produce a formed glass ribbon. A pair of cold sizing rolls maintained at a surface temperature of about 400° C. or lower, vertically below the forming rolls, that thin the formed glass ribbon glass to produce a sized glass ribbon having a desired thickness and a desired thickness uniformity. The sized glass ribbon may have a thickness of 1 mm or less that varies in thickness by no more than +/?0.025 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Alexander Lakota, William E. Lock, Joel A. Schultes, John C. Thomas
  • EXTENSIBLE HIGH BANDWIDTH GLOBAL SPACE COMMUNICATION NETWORK
    Publication number: 20120302160
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a satellite communication system including a first transceiver and a second transceiver geographically fixed on the earth, and a first satellite configured to communicate with the first transceiver through a first link. The system further includes a second satellite configured to communicate with the second transceiver through a second link and communicate with the first satellite through a laser communication crosslink. The first satellite and the second satellite are at a low earth orbit or medium earth orbit below the geostationary earth orbit of approximately 36000 km.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: John F. SILNY, Gary D. COLEMAN, C. Thomas HASTINGS, JR., William J. MINISCALCO, James MCSPADDEN
  • Vent cover
    Patent number: D679796
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Airxcel, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen C. Thomas