Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Thomas

Christopher M. 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).

  • Patent number: 12106056
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for analyzing a transcript of a structured interaction. The technique includes determining a first portion of the transcript that corresponds to a first dialogue act. The technique also includes matching the first portion of the transcript to a first component of a script for the structured interaction based on a first set of embeddings for the first portion of the transcript and a second set of embeddings associated with the first component of the script. The technique further includes causing a first mapping between the first portion of the transcript and the first component to be outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: HIREGUIDE PBC
    Inventors: Jason T. Lam, Joel D. Young, Honglei Zhuang, Netanel Weizman, Scott C. Parish, Bryan N. Cavanagh, Christopher C. Cole, Alycia M. Damp, Eszter Fodor, Laura A. Kruizenga, Janice C. Oh, Rachel M. Policastro, Geoffrey C. Thomas, Gregory A. Walloch
  • Publication number: 20210053430
    Abstract: A debris containment device specifically adapted to prevent unwanted debris from falling off of a vehicle during transportation. The net is specifically adapted to connect to a vehicle and wraparound said vehicle so as to securely contain debris from a damaged vehicle. A net is provided with various connection portions configured to connect directly to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventor: Christopher M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10731726
    Abstract: A belt made up of an elastomeric belt body, an electrically conductive tensile cord such as carbon fiber cord in a cord layer reinforcing the belt body, an outer layer of electrically conductive thermoplastic material such as polypropylene film, and an electrically conductive fabric layer residing between the tensile cord layer and the outer layer and providing electrical continuity between the outer layer and the tensile cord. An electrically conductive thread may be woven in the fabric and may present at both surfaces of the fabric and contact both the outer layer and the tensile cord to provide the electrical continuity there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Thomas, Joseph R. Duke, Jr., Karla J. Bier, Cathy Peake Wilson
  • Publication number: 20170343077
    Abstract: A belt made up of an elastomeric belt body, an electrically conductive tensile cord such as carbon fiber cord in a cord layer reinforcing the belt body, an outer layer of electrically conductive thermoplastic material such as polypropylene film, and an electrically conductive fabric layer residing between the tensile cord layer and the outer layer and providing electrical continuity between the outer layer and the tensile cord. An electrically conductive thread may be woven in the fabric and may present at both surfaces of the fabric and contact both the outer layer and the tensile cord to provide the electrical continuity there between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher M. Thomas, Joseph R. Duke, JR., Karla J. Bier, Cathy Peake Wilson
  • Patent number: 9829066
    Abstract: A belt made up of an elastomeric belt body, an electrically conductive tensile cord such as carbon fiber cord in a cord layer reinforcing the belt body, an outer layer of electrically conductive thermoplastic material such as polypropylene film, and an electrically conductive fabric layer residing between the tensile cord layer and the outer layer and providing electrical continuity between the outer layer and the tensile cord. An electrically conductive thread may be woven in the fabric and may present at both surfaces of the fabric and contact both the outer layer and the tensile cord to provide the electrical continuity there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Thomas, Joseph R. Duke, Jr., Karla J. Bier, Cathy Peake Wilson
  • Patent number: 9784337
    Abstract: A belt made up of an elastomeric belt body, an electrically conductive tensile cord such as carbon fiber cord in a cord layer reinforcing the belt body, an outer layer of electrically conductive thermoplastic material such as polypropylene film, and an electrically conductive fabric layer residing between the tensile cord layer and the outer layer and providing electrical continuity between the outer layer and the tensile cord. An electrically conductive thread may be woven in the fabric and may present at both surfaces of the fabric and contact both the outer layer and the tensile cord to provide the electrical continuity there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Thomas, Joseph R. Duke, Jr., Karla J. Bier, Cathy Peake Wilson
  • Publication number: 20150285334
    Abstract: A belt made up of an elastomeric belt body, an electrically conductive tensile cord such as carbon fiber cord in a cord layer reinforcing the belt body, an outer layer of electrically conductive thermoplastic material such as polypropylene film, and an electrically conductive fabric layer residing between the tensile cord layer and the outer layer and providing electrical continuity between the outer layer and the tensile cord. An electrically conductive thread may be woven in the fabric and may present at both surfaces of the fabric and contact both the outer layer and the tensile cord to provide the electrical continuity there between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: THE GATES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher M. Thomas, Joseph R. Duke, JR., Karla J. Bier, Cathy Peake Wilson
  • Patent number: 8763682
    Abstract: A multi-layer antimicrobial hydrophilic coating is applied to a substrate of anodized aluminum, although other materials may form the substrate. A silver layer is sputtered onto a thoroughly clean anodized surface of the aluminum to about 400 nm thickness. A layer of crosslinked, silicon-based macromolecular structure about 10 nm thickness overlies the silver layer, and the outermost surface of the layer of crosslinked, silicon-based macromolecular structure is hydroxide terminated to produce a hydrophilic surface with a water drop contact angle of less than 10°. The coated substrate may be one of multiple fins in a condensing heat exchanger for use in the microgravity of space, which has narrow channels defined between angled fins such that the surface tension of condensed water moves water by capillary flow to a central location where it is pumped to storage. The antimicrobial coating prevents obstruction of the capillary passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Orbital Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Thomas, Yonghui Ma
  • Patent number: 7913499
    Abstract: A heat exchanger having a plurality of heat exchanging aluminum fins with hydrophilic condensing surfaces which are stacked and clamped between two cold plates. The cold plates are aligned radially along a plane extending through the axis of a cylindrical duct and hold the stacked and clamped portions of the heat exchanging fins along the axis of the cylindrical duct. The fins extend outwardly from the clamped portions along approximately radial planes. The spacing between fins is symmetric about the cold plates, and are somewhat more closely spaced as the angle they make with the cold plates approaches 90°. Passageways extend through the fins between vertex spaces which provide capillary storage and communicate with passageways formed in the stacked and clamped portions of the fins, which communicate with water drains connected to a pump externally to the duct. Water with no entrained air is drawn from the capillary spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Orbital Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Thomas, Yonghui Ma, Andrew North, Mark M. Weislogel
  • Patent number: 7836389
    Abstract: An audiovisual editing system that permits a journalist and other editors to edit both audiovisual and corresponding text segments included in a story. The data structure representing a story includes a list of media segments and a list of corresponding text segments. Each media segment has a type, such as script, SOT and voice, and includes a list of video clips. Each SOT segment or voice segment includes a list of timing control elements that determine the length of a media segment. The difference in the duration of the audiovisual material and the duration of the related text may be displayed to the editor, making it easier for the editor to match video to a script. Similarly, the duration of voice and SOT clips can be displayed to the editor, making it easier for the editor to match the video to the audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Avid Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Johnathon E. Howard, Roy L. Procops, Daniel Freedman, Christopher M. Thomas, Carlos W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20090314477
    Abstract: A heat exchanger having a plurality of heat exchanging aluminum fins with hydrophilic condensing surfaces which are stacked and clamped between two cold plates. The cold plates are aligned radially along a plane extending through the axis of a cylindrical duct and hold the stacked and clamped portions of the heat exchanging fins along the axis of the cylindrical duct. The fins extend outwardly from the clamped portions along approximately radial planes. The spacing between fins is symmetric about the cold plates, and are somewhat more closely spaced as the angle they make with the cold plates approaches 90°. Passageways extend through the fins between vertex spaces which provide capillary storage and communicate with passageways formed in the stacked and clamped portions of the fins, which communicate with water drains connected to a pump externally to the duct. Water with no entrained air is drawn from the capillary spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: ORBITAL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher M. Thomas, Yonghui Ma, Andrew North, Mark M. Weislogel
  • Publication number: 20090314469
    Abstract: A multi-layer antimicrobial hydrophilic coating is applied to a substrate of anodized aluminum, although other materials may form the substrate. A silver layer is sputtered onto a thoroughly clean anodized surface of the aluminum to about 400 nm thickness. A layer of crosslinked, silicon-based macromolecular structure about 10 nm thickness overlies the silver layer, and the outermost surface of the layer of crosslinked, silicon-based macromolecular structure is hydroxide terminated to produce a hydrophilic surface with a water drop contact angle of less than 10°. The coated substrate may be one of multiple fins in a condensing heat exchanger for use in the microgravity of space, which has narrow channels defined between angled fins such that the surface tension of condensed water moves water by capillary flow to a central location where it is pumped to storage. The antimicrobial coating prevents obstruction of the capillary passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher M. Thomas, Yonghui Ma
  • Patent number: 6135422
    Abstract: A vehicular hydraulic jack system is provided including a jack assembly having a base with a hydraulic cylinder mounted thereon for raising the jack assembly upon the receipt of pressurized fluid and lowering the jack assembly upon the release of pressurized fluid. Also included is a hose having a first end coupled to a power steering pump of a vehicle for receiving pressurized fluid therefrom and a second end coupled to the hydraulic cylinder of the jack assembly for supplying pressurized fluid to the hydraulic cylinder of the jack assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Christopher M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5134638
    Abstract: An electrical assembly including a digital logic circuit, an analogue processing circuit and an analogue power circuit is connected to test equipment. Test data from the equipment is supplied to the circuits via a shift register divided into three serial portions. One portion is connected between the digital circuit and the processing circuit, another portion is connected between the processing circuit and the power circuit, the final portion being connected at the output of the power circuit. The portions can isolate the circuits from each other and supply test data to the circuit under test. The test data output from the circuit is clocked along the register to its output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Smiths Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: David V. Stephens, Christopher M. Thomas, James C. Green, David J. Vallins