Patents by Inventor Christopher Higgins

Christopher Higgins 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: 12145083
    Abstract: A grease recovery unit, particularly for use in a food service establishment, for separating oily substances from water in waste food has an inlet 2 connected via a valve 26 to a strainer 24, where solids are collected. The valve 26 is interlinked with the strainer 24 so that the valve closes the inlet 2 when the strainer 24 is removed. Oily substances from the food waste is separated from water by at least one hydrocyclone 30. Water that is separated is passed out of outlet 4 and the oily substances are passed into a collector 3. Fatty substances in the oily substances are held in a fluid state by a silicon heater pad 60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: The Filta Group Limited
    Inventor: Malcolm Christopher Higgins
  • Publication number: 20240267368
    Abstract: An electricity meter and electricity system or grid that is hardened against attack vectors is described, and provided in part by automated multiple-factor authentication over multiple communication networks. In an example, a utility company may control an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network to provide internal communications. Metering devices may utilize customer's Wi-Fi to gain access to the internet, allowing electricity consumption data to be transmitted over the internet. Multiple authentication factors are used to prevent a bad actor from impersonating the metering device or cloud server. In an example, each metering device determines a secret, and sends the secret over the AMI network to a utility company server, and which relays the secret to the cloud server. The cloud server uses the secret to establish trust with metering devices. Additionally, the metering devices and the cloud server have signed certificates, which are used in additional authentication processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy James Driscoll, Jeffrey Scott Bailey, Christopher Higgins
  • Publication number: 20220193575
    Abstract: A grease recovery unit, particularly for use in a food service establishment, for separating oily substances from water in waste food has an inlet 2 connected via a valve 26 to a strainer 24, where solids are collected. The valve 26 is interlinked with the strainer 24 so that the valve closes the inlet 2 when the strainer 24 is removed. Oily substances from the food waste is separated from water by at least one hydrocyclone 30. Water that is separated is passed out of outlet 4 and the oily substances are passed into a collector 3. Fatty substances in the oily substances are held in a fluid state by a silicon heater pad 60.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventor: MALCOLM CHRISTOPHER HIGGINS
  • Patent number: 10834144
    Abstract: Hub and agent techniques allow safe command execution and data retrieval through firewall(s). In an example, cloud-based server of a company communicates with a plurality of agent applications operating on a remote customer's site. Using hub-and-agent techniques, cloud-based systems are able to direct the agents to perform functions for, and add value to, on-premises servers at remote customer locations. Secure communications techniques are introduced, allowing the hub server in the cloud to securely communicate with, and receive data from, the agents operating behind a firewall at a remote, on-customer-premises server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Stainback, Christopher Higgins
  • Publication number: 20190264325
    Abstract: A method includes (1) functionalizing a substrate to yield a functionalized substrate; and (2) depositing a catalyst on the functionalized substrate by atomic layer deposition to form a thin film of the catalyst covering the functionalized substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Friedrich B. PRINZ, Thomas Francisco JARAMILLO, Tanja GRAF, Thomas SCHLADT, Gerold HUEBNER, Shicheng XU, Yongmin KIM, Maha YUSUF, Drew Christopher HIGGINS
  • Patent number: 10209079
    Abstract: Routing information (e.g., routing information displayed in an electronic map or provided as verbal travel directions) is generated and presented to a user in a tailored manner. A request for routing information is received from a user. Spatial data, temporal data, social data, or topical data is retrieved that is related to the user and/or to a location or change of location of the user. Based on the retrieved data and the routing information, information display data is generated, and is provided to an electronic device of the user to generate an information display. An attribute of the information display is configured/modified based on the location information and/or on the spatial data, temporal data, social data, and/or topical data. For example, a display attribute and/or an audio attribute of the information display may be modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: EXCALIBUR IP, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Higgins, Marc E. Davis, Ronald Martinez, Joseph O'Sullivan, Christopher Paretti, Athellina Athsani, Chris Kalaboukis
  • Publication number: 20180109563
    Abstract: Hub and agent techniques allow safe command execution and data retrieval through firewall(s). In an example, cloud-based server of a company communicates with a plurality of agent applications operating on a remote customer's site. Using hub-and-agent techniques, cloud-based systems are able to direct the agents to perform functions for, and add value to, on-premises servers at remote customer locations. Secure communications techniques are introduced, allowing the hub server in the cloud to securely communicate with, and receive data from, the agents operating behind a firewall at a remote, on-customer-premises server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Aaron Stainback, Christopher Higgins
  • Publication number: 20160309792
    Abstract: Underwear having a concealed pocket for securely and safely holding valuables and other items therein and including underwear for males having improved design for health and comfort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Annelise ADRIAANSEN, Christopher HIGGINS
  • Patent number: 9262764
    Abstract: A brand engine receives a request from a user device operated by a first user to display user information of a second user. User information of the first user is mapped to at least the user information of the second user by the brand engine. The mapping may map the user information of the first user to user information of further users in a social network. The mapping may map of any combination of spatial, temporal, social, and topical data related to the users. A modified representation of received content is generated by the brand engine based on the mapping. The modified representation is transmitted to the user device. The user device displays the modified representation for the first user. The modified representation of the received content may include any combination of filtered and/or sorted content items, recommended content items, and/or modified content items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
    Inventors: Robert C. Trout, Christopher Higgins, Joseph O'Sullivan, Marc E. Davis, Ronald G. Martinez
  • Patent number: 8831276
    Abstract: A media object, such as an image file, a video file, or an audio file, is analyzed to determine relationships between persons associated with the media object, which may include persons captured in the media object and/or a person that captured the media object. A representation of a first person captured in a media object is detected. The media object is analyzed to determine at least one indicator of a relation between the first person and a second person associated with the media object. A relationship between the first person and the second person is predicted based at least on the determined at least one relation indicator. The media object may be monetized in various ways, such as by directing advertisements to persons associated with the media object, and/or to persons having social connections to the persons associated with the media object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Martinez, Christopher Higgins, Marc E. Davis, Joseph O'Sullivan, Christopher T. Paretti
  • Publication number: 20100179756
    Abstract: Routing information (e.g., routing information displayed in an electronic map or provided as verbal travel directions) is generated and presented to a user in a tailored manner. A request for routing information is received from a user. Spatial data, temporal data, social data, or topical data is retrieved that is related to the user and/or to a location or change of location of the user. Based on the retrieved data and the routing information, information display data is generated, and is provided to an electronic device of the user to generate an information display. An attribute of the information display is configured/modified based on the location information and/or on the spatial data, temporal data, social data, and/or topical data. For example, a display attribute and/or an audio attribute of the information display may be modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: YAHOO! INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Higgins, Marc E. Davis, Ronald Martinez, Joseph O'Sullivan, Christopher Paretti, Athellina Athsani, Chris Kalaboukis
  • Publication number: 20100177938
    Abstract: A media object, such as an image file, a video file, or an audio file, is analyzed to determine relationships between persons associated with the media object, which may include persons captured in the media object and/or a person that captured the media object. A representation of a first person captured in a media object is detected. The media object is analyzed to determine at least one indicator of a relation between the first person and a second person associated with the media object. A relationship between the first person and the second person is predicted based at least on the determined at least one relation indicator. The media object may be monetized in various ways, such as by directing advertisements to persons associated with the media object, and/or to persons having social connections to the persons associated with the media object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: YAHOO! INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Martinez, Christopher Higgins, Marc E. Davis, Joseph O'Sullivan, Christopher T. Paretti
  • Publication number: 20100179874
    Abstract: A media object, such as an image file, a video file, or an audio file, is analyzed to determine relationships between brands having representations captured in the media object, and persons associated with the media object (e.g., persons captured in the media object and/or a person that captured the media object). A representation of a brand captured in a media object is detected. The media object is analyzed to determine at least one indicator of a relation between the brand and a person associated with the media object. A relationship between the brand and person is predicted based at least on the determined at least one relation indicator. The media object may be monetized in various ways, such as by directing advertisements (e.g., advertisements related to the detected brand) to persons associated with the media object, and/or to persons having social connections to the persons associated with the media object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: YAHOO! INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Higgins, Marc E. Davis, Ronald Martinez, Joseph O'Sullivan, Christopher T. Paretti
  • Publication number: 20090276453
    Abstract: A brand engine receives a request from a user device operated by a first user to display user information of a second user. User information of the first user is mapped to at least the user information of the second user by the brand engine. The mapping may map the user information of the first user to user information of further users in a social network. The mapping may map of any combination of spatial, temporal, social, and topical data related to the users. A modified representation of a brand profile of the second user is generated by the brand engine based on the mapping. The modified representation is transmitted to the user device. The user device displays the modified representation for the first user. The modified representation of the brand profile may include any combination of filtered and/or sorted brand objects, recommended brand objects, and/or modified brand objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: YAHOO! INC.
    Inventors: Robert C. Trout, Christopher Higgins, Joseph O'Sullivan, Marc E. Davis, Ronald G. Martinez
  • Publication number: 20090276459
    Abstract: A brand engine receives a request from a user device operated by a first user to display user information of a second user. User information of the first user is mapped to at least the user information of the second user by the brand engine. The mapping may map the user information of the first user to user information of further users in a social network. The mapping may map of any combination of spatial, temporal, social, and topical data related to the users. A modified representation of received content is generated by the brand engine based on the mapping. The modified representation is transmitted to the user device. The user device displays the modified representation for the first user. The modified representation of the received content may include any combination of filtered and/or sorted content items, recommended content items, and/or modified content items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: YAHOO! INC.
    Inventors: Robert C. Trout, Christopher Higgins, Joseph O'Sullivan, Marc E. Davis, Ronald G. Martinez
  • Publication number: 20090006109
    Abstract: A location indicator indicative of a network address where a content item is located or a content item can be received from a rights holder. An indication of access rights, in a computer-readable, canonicalized format, to be associated with the content item is received from the rights holder. The content item or the location indicator is stored in association with the indication of access rights. A searchable repository can be provided to the content consumer. The searchable repository can be utilized by the content consumer to access the content item according to search parameters that comprise the indication of access rights associated with the content item. Transaction and content consumption events may be tracked to facilitate various functions, such as dynamic pricing models, access rights enforcement, and revenue tracking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Martinez, Chris Kalaboukis, Christopher Higgins
  • Publication number: 20090007274
    Abstract: A location indicator indicative of a network address where a content item is located or a content item can be received from a rights holder. An indication of access rights, in a computer-readable, canonicalized format, to be associated with the content item is received from the rights holder. The content item or the location indicator is stored in association with the indication of access rights. A searchable repository can be provided to the content consumer. The searchable repository can be utilized by the content consumer to access the content item according to search parameters that comprise the indication of access rights associated with the content item. Transaction and content consumption events may be tracked to facilitate various functions, such as dynamic pricing models, access rights enforcement, and revenue tracking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Martinez, Chris Kalaboukis, Christopher Higgins
  • Publication number: 20080073382
    Abstract: This invention relates to closures for containers, and more particularly to tamper-evident closures for containers. One aspect of the invention provides a container and a closure for connection to said container, said closure including: an upper wall (102); a skirt (104) formed integrally with and extending downwardly from said upper wall, said skirt adapted to engage with a neck portion of the container to secure the closure to the container; a tamper-evident band (110) frangibly connected to said skirt; the neck of a container including a tamper bead adapted to engage with tabs (122) on said tamper-evident band to facilitate separation of the band (110) from the skirt of the closure and an inwardly and downwardly sloping container neck surface beneath said tamper bead, said inwardly and downwardly sloping surface urging said separated tamper-evident band downwards away from said skirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: ABACUS (C.I.) LIMITED AS TRUSTEE OF BAYVIEW TRUST
    Inventor: Christopher Higgins
  • Publication number: 20080071911
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology subject matters for controlling the allocation of system nodes to a variable number of communication servers in an Advanced Metering System (AMS). An Orchestration Manager is provided through which all requests for end-device communications are routed. The Orchestration Manager periodically rebalances node assignments to reallocate nodes among communication servers in order to maintain data collection efficiency and in order to redistribute end devices from a failed communication server, or to otherwise adjust for the addition of a newly activated communication server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Kenneth Holbrook, Christopher Higgins
  • Publication number: 20070199233
    Abstract: A fishing lure system consisting of lure bodies (30) of one or more parts and covered with at least one replaceable decorated plastic sleeve or cover (400) which is attached to the lure body (30) by adhesive means and/or shrunk by application of heat or other means to conform to the shape of the lure body (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: ABACUS (C.I.) LIMITED AS TRUSTEE OF THE BAYVIEW TRUST
    Inventor: Christopher Higgin