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: 20100315207
    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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory T. Bullard, Desiree D. Brake, Christopher J. Pruetting, Raymond S. Stits, Jason T. Ryberg, Jason C. Thomas, Diane M. Winchell
  • Publication number: 20100305692
    Abstract: This document relates to continuity monitoring of electrical conductors. For example, materials and methods for continuity monitoring of conductors for use providing power to a blood pump (e.g., an assist device) are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Douglas C. Thomas, David J. Burke, Steven H. Reichenbach, Bryce A. Stammerjohan, Thomas C. Rintoul
  • Patent number: 7816023
    Abstract: A magnetic recording tape includes an elongated substrate and a magnetic film coated over the elongated substrate, where the magnetic film includes a first magnetic recording layer. The first magnetic recording layer includes particles having a diameter that is between a factor from about 2 to 5 greater than a thickness of the first magnetic recording layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Tryg R. Jensen, C. Thomas Jennings, Larold L. Olson
  • Publication number: 20100251276
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for an optical storage medium comprises a first portion that is installed on the optical storage medium and a second portion that is lockable to the first portion. When the first and second portions are locked together, the optical storage medium is unusable to access data stored thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Fred C. Thomas, Philip M. Walker, Mark T. Maguire, Kerwyn L. Ballinger, Makarand P. Gore
  • Patent number: 7802352
    Abstract: A rivet setting tool having a motor driven hydraulic pump is disclosed. The rivet setting tool incorporates a fastener setting verification system configured to monitor changes pump drive motor current to determine if a particular fastener set is acceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Eymard J Chitty, Brian Taylor, Peter C Thomas, Darren S Byrne
  • Publication number: 20100237503
    Abstract: A vertical metallic stack, from bottom to top, of an elemental metal liner, a metal nitride liner, a Ti liner, an aluminum portion, and a metal nitride cap, is formed on an underlying metal interconnect structure. The vertical metallic stack is annealed at an elevated temperature to induce formation of a TiAl3 liner by reaction of the Ti liner with the material of the aluminum portion. The material of the TiAl3 liner is resistant to electromigration, thereby providing enhanced electromigration resistance to the vertical metallic stack comprising the elemental metal liner, the metal nitride liner, the TiAl3 liner, the aluminum portion, and the metal nitride cap. The effect of enhanced electromigration resistance may be more prominent in areas in which the metal nitride cap suffers from erosion during processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Chapple-Sokol, Daniel A. Delibac, Zhong-Xiang He, Tom C. Lee, William J. Murphy, Timothy D. Sullivan, David C. Thomas, Daniel S. Vanslette
  • Publication number: 20100234976
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of optimizing at least one of a design, production and testing process in a mass manufacturing process includes steps of: collecting error data relating to a product; classifying the error data into categories of symptoms; mapping the symptom to a revealing condition of the product; mapping the revealing condition to a test type; mapping a scope of a fix to phases of error injection mapping; and recommending modifications to an end user for at least one of the design, production, delivery, and testing process based on the scope of the fix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tim J. Kostyk, Theresa C. Kratschmer, Jeff R. Layton, Peter K. Malkin, Stephen G. Perun, Kenneth L. Pyra, Padmanabhan Santhanam, John C. Thomas, Scott W. Weller
  • Patent number: 7797396
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system comprises a network attached storage (NAS) server not having a general-purpose user input device. The NAS server comprises local data storage and a plurality of automated media portals each operable for receiving a direct communicative coupling of a portable storage media and reading data from the received portable storage media for storage to the local data storage. According to another embodiment, a method comprises receiving a direct communicative coupling of a portable storage media to any of a plurality of different automated media portals of a NAS server, wherein the NAS server comprises local data storage and wherein the NAS server does not include a general-purpose user input device. The NAS server reads data from the received portable storage media, and the NAS server stores the data to the local data storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael J. Barber, William G. McCollom, Fred C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7756825
    Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that improve synchronization of data between varying types of devices and/or services. A full participant receives a request from another participant to perform a synchronization operation. The synchronization engine determines whether the device or service is a full, partial, or simple participant. The device or service is a simple participant if it has a data store for synchronized data and no knowledge store. The device or service is a partial participant if it has a data store for synchronized data and a knowledge store, but does not understand the knowledge. The device or service is a full participant type if it has a data store for synchronized data and a knowledge store and understands the knowledge. The synchronization engine performs the synchronization operation with the device or service using a set of logic that is appropriate for the type of device or service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Moe Khosravy, Jorg-Thomas Pfenning, Lev Novik, Marc Levy, Michael S. Beckerman, Myron C. Thomas, Vladimir Sadovsky
  • Publication number: 20100169237
    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: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: AthenaInvest, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Thomas Howard, Andrew Howard
  • Publication number: 20100160197
    Abstract: Environmentally friendly, shelf-stable overbased calcium carboxylate compositions and their method of preparation are described. The subject compositions possess anti-oxidation and anti-wear properties superior to those associated with existing sulfonate compositions. The subject compositions are prepared by neutralizing a mixture of two different molecular weight aliphatic carboxylic acids or anhydrides in the presence of an aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent; adding a mixture of calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide; adding methyl alcohol to promote the reaction; carbonating the mixture with carbon dioxide at temperatures between 80° F. and 120° F.; heating to 200°-250° F. and finishing carbonation; adding diluent oil to the crude product; clarifying the product in solvent; and removing the solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Samuel C. Thomas, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100157766
    Abstract: Techniques are described for predicting data cartridge failure based on analysis of data retrieved from an associated cartridge memory chip. In one embodiment, a system includes a chip reader that retrieves data from a cartridge memory chip of a data cartridge, and a computing device that receives the data from the chip reader, analyzes the data, and generates information regarding a health status of the data cartridge based on the analysis. The analysis may be based on execution of an algorithm that is developed from a set of data, stored in a database, that identifies characteristics of data cartridges with a good health status and differentiates them from data cartridges with a bad health status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Jody L. Gregg, C. Thomas Jennings, Kim R. Olson
  • Publication number: 20100160038
    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: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Eui-Joon Youm, Glyn C. Thomas, Chang-ha Lim
  • Publication number: 20100161895
    Abstract: Techniques are described for securing data on data cartridges, such as a Linear Tape-Open (LTO) data cartridge. The techniques include modifying a portion of a cartridge memory (CM) chip of the cartridge in a way that a cartridge drive will be unable to access the data cartridge and to prevent modification of the CM chip by the cartridge drive. In one embodiment, a system includes a data cartridge including a CM chip, a chip reader to read data from and write data to the CM chip, and a computing device to control the chip reader. The computing device causes the chip reader to read data from the cartridge memory chip of the data cartridge and to modify a portion of memory of the chip to prevent unauthorized reads and writes to the data cartridge, without rendering the modification irreversible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: William R. Qualls, Kevin G. Battles, Jody L. Gregg, Robert S. Jackson, C. Thomas Jennings
  • Patent number: 7742125
    Abstract: A display includes a light switch overlying a backlight and having at least two light shutters which do not, by themselves, convey information by the shape thereof. The lit area of the backlight is equal to or greater than the sum of the areas of the shutters within the area. The display can also include a graphics layer overlying the light switch. The information content of the display is changed by changing the graphics layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: World Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan C. Thomas, Walter J. Paciorek
  • Patent number: 7734526
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an asset classification system based on investment strategy. The investment strategies include capitalization strategy, competitive position strategy, economic conditions strategy, future growth investment strategy, market condition strategy, opportunity strategy, profitability strategy, risk strategy, social considerations strategy, and valuation strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Athenainvest, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Thomas Howard, Andrew Howard, Craig Callahan
  • Patent number: 7734959
    Abstract: A system comprises a first network device and a second network device coupled via a network to the first network device. The first network device initiates a recovery across the network of an operating system of the second network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Fred C. Thomas, David H. Hanes
  • Patent number: 7729883
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of optimizing a design of a product in a mass manufacturing process includes steps of: collecting error data relating to a product; classifying the error data into categories of errors to provide classifier error data; analyzing relationships among the classified error data; producing an analysis report; and recommending modifications to an end user for the design of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Kostyk, Theresa C. Kratschmer, Jeff R. Layton, Peter Kenneth Malkin, Stephen G. Perun, Kenneth L. Pyra, Padmanabhan Santhanam, John C. Thomas, Scott W. Weller
  • Patent number: 7726907
    Abstract: An automatic trip gate for installation in a gate support structure at a bank of an impounded body of water. The automatic trip gate controls a release of an overflow of water through the gate support structure upon the occurrence of an overflow event. The automatic trip gate includes a plate supported by a hinge assembly that attaches to the support structure. A trough attached to the plate catches and retains overflow water. When the level of overflow water in the trough reaches a tipping level, the plate pivots from a substantially vertical orientation wherein the impounded body of water is maintained behind the plate, to a tipped position wherein the impounded body of water is released o through the gate support. A plunge pool is located below the automatic trip gate that absorbs the energy imparted by the plate when tripped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: C. Thomas McCreedy, Dennis Daugherty
  • Patent number: D629094
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Maxxair Vent Corporation
    Inventor: Allen C. Thomas