Patents by Inventor D. Thomas

D. 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: 20240198944
    Abstract: A method for controlling an inflatable airbag system in a motor vehicle having a seatbelt includes detecting a position of a vehicle occupant relative to an airbag suppression zone (ASZ). Electronic input signals are received from a sensor suite, including an occupant position signal and a seatbelt usage status signal. A restraint capacity setting of the airbag is adjusted in response to the electronic input signals such that corresponding restraint activation logic is executed by the controller based on whether the occupant is belted or unbelted. Different ASZs may be used for belted and unbelted occupants. A motor vehicle includes a vehicle body defining a vehicle interior, an airbag, a seatbelt, a sensor suite for detecting a position of an occupant relative to the ASZ, and a controller operable for controlling a restraint capacity setting and location of the ASZ in accordance with the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Lisa M. Furton, Dorel M. Sala, George D. Allen, Sean T. Coughlin
  • Publication number: 20240198941
    Abstract: A method for controlling an airbag aboard a motor vehicle includes measuring a respective position of landmark points on an occupant of the motor vehicle using a sensor suite. The method includes receiving occupant landmark signals from the sensor suite, with the signals being indicative of the respective positions of the landmark points. A trajectory of the occupant is predicted, via the controller, using the occupant landmark signals. A controller adjusts a restraint capacity setting of the airbag in response to the predicted occupant trajectory. A motor vehicle includes a vehicle body, an airbag, a sensor suite, and a controller operable for controlling a restraint capacity setting of the airbag using the method. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes an instruction set that is executed to perform the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Dorel M. Sala, Sean T. Coughlin, Praneeth Nelapati, Lisa M. Furton
  • Patent number: 11991954
    Abstract: A locking mechanism includes a pin configured to movably couple to a first element of an agricultural header, wherein the first element includes one of an arm and a frame. The locking mechanism also includes a mount configured to couple to a second element of the agricultural header, wherein the second element includes the other of the arm and the frame. The pin is disposed within an opening of the mount, the opening has a first portion configured to receive the pin while the pin is in a first position and to block relative movement between the pin and the mount to block rotation of the arm, and the opening has a second portion configured to receive the pin while the pin is in a second position and to enable relative movement between the pin and the mount to enable rotation of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin David Kemmerer, Joel Timothy Cook, Jeffrey D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 11974516
    Abstract: A support system for an agricultural header includes a first actuator configured to couple to a frame of the agricultural header and to a first element of the agricultural header. The support system also includes a second actuator configured to couple to the frame of the agricultural header and to a second element of the agricultural header. Furthermore, the support system includes a third actuator configured to couple to the frame of the agricultural header and to the second element of the agricultural header. The support system also includes a fluid supply system configured to provide pressurized fluid to the first actuator and to the second actuator. The third actuator is fluidly isolated from the fluid supply system, the first actuator, and the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Thomas, Joel Timothy Cook
  • Publication number: 20240143802
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to protection of communications between a trusted execution environment and a hardware accelerator utilizing enhanced end-to-end encryption and inter-context security. An embodiment of an apparatus includes one or more processors having one or more trusted execution environments (TEEs) including a first TEE to include a first trusted application; an interface with a hardware accelerator, the hardware accelerator including trusted embedded software or firmware; and a computer memory to store an untrusted kernel mode driver for the hardware accelerator, the one or more processors to establish an encrypted tunnel between the first trusted application in the first TEE and the trusted software or firmware, generate a call for a first command from the first trusted application, generate an integrity tag for the first command, and transfer command parameters for the first command and the integrity tag to the kernel mode driver to generate the first command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Salessawi Ferede Yitbarek, Lawrence A. Booth, Jr., Brent D. Thomas, Reshma Lal, Pradeep M. Pappachan, Akshay Kadam
  • Patent number: 11951935
    Abstract: A system includes an in-cabin sensor, a seatbelt routing zone module, and a seatbelt routing classification module. The in-cabin sensor is operable to generate an image of an occupant in a vehicle seat. The seatbelt routing zone module is configured to generate a seatbelt routing zone based on at least one of a size of the occupant in the image and a shape of the occupant. The seatbelt routing classification module is configured to determine whether a seatbelt is routed properly around the occupant based on whether the seatbelt is at least partially within the seatbelt routing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Dorel M. Sala, Joseph Philip McLaine
  • Patent number: 11939343
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) agonist compounds, methods of making the compounds and their methods of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy R. Duvall, Keith W. Bentley, Brian D. Jones, Eugene W. Kelleher, Soumya S. Ray, Joshua D. Thomas, Dorin Toader
  • Publication number: 20240082431
    Abstract: Provided are photoacoustic imaging contrast agents that include at least one radiation-absorbing component comprising a copper-complexed and/or manganese-complexed chlorin and/or bacteriochlorin and/or a derivative thereof, or a combination thereof. Also provided are methods for using the disclosed photoacoustic imaging contrast agents either singly or in combination for generating an image of a volume, optionally a subject or a body part, cell, tissue, or organ thereof. Further provided are compositions and methods for multiplex photoacoustic imaging of a volume, optionally a subject or a body part, cell, tissue, or organ thereof using photoacoustic imaging contrast agents that include a plurality of the presently disclosed copper-complexed and/or manganese-complexed chlorins and/or bacteriochlorins and/or derivatives thereof simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: NIRvana Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: James Bruce Pitner, Russell D. Thomas, Joshua O. Akhigbe
  • Publication number: 20240082417
    Abstract: A polymeric scaffold useful for conjugating with a protein based recognition-molecule (PBRM) to form a PBRM-polymer-drug conjugate is described herein. The scaffold includes one or more terminal maleimido groups. Also disclosed is a PBRM-polymer-drug conjugate prepared from the scaffold. Compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of their preparation, and methods of treating various disorders with the conjugates or their compositions are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Roger A. Smith, Nitin K. Damle, Aleksandr V. Yurkovetskiy, Mao Yin, Timothy B. Lowinger, Joshua D. Thomas, Cheri A. Stevenson, Venu R. Gurijala
  • Patent number: 11904026
    Abstract: Provided are photoacoustic imaging contrast agents that include at least one radiation-absorbing component comprising a copper-complexed and/or manganese-complexed chlorin and/or bacteriochlorin and/or a derivative thereof, or a combination thereof. Also provided are methods for using the disclosed photoacoustic imaging contrast agents either singly or in combination for generating an image of a volume, optionally a subject or a body part, cell, tissue, or organ thereof. Further provided are compositions and methods for multiplex photoacoustic imaging of a volume, optionally a subject or a body part, cell, tissue, or organ thereof using photoacoustic imaging contrast agents that include a plurality of the presently disclosed copper-complexed and/or manganese-complexed chlorins and/or bacteriochlorins and/or derivatives thereof simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIRvana Sciences Inc.
    Inventors: James Bruce Pitner, Russell D. Thomas, Joshua O. Akhigbe
  • Patent number: 11884233
    Abstract: A method for controlling a passenger restraint system aboard a motor vehicle includes receiving, via a controller, biometric vulnerability classifier signal(s) indicative of vulnerability characteristics of a passenger seated in an interior of the motor vehicle. In response to the biometric vulnerability classifier signal(s) and a detected vehicle event requiring an actuation of the passenger restraint system, the method includes automatically adjusting an actual capacity setting of the passenger restraint system via the controller. A motor vehicle includes a vehicle body defining a vehicle interior, a passenger restraint system positioned in the vehicle interior; and a controller operable for controlling the actual capacity setting of the passenger restraint system in accordance with the method. The passenger restraint system may include a seatbelt, a seat, and one or more airbag systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lisa M. Furton, Scott D. Thomas, Dorel M. Sala, George D. Allen, Sean T. Coughlin
  • Patent number: 11864752
    Abstract: A surgical stitching device is configured for single hand operation that enables passage of a suture needle through tissue with minimal operational requirement. The surgical needle is selectively securable to a tool assembly of the surgical stitching device. The tool assembly includes a jaw configured to securely support various surgical needles in various orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Asa G. Deblois, Jonathan D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 11850979
    Abstract: A knee bolster assembly for a vehicle seat includes a knee bolster moveably mounted in proximity to the vehicle seat, the knee bolster selectively moveable between a first position, wherein a passenger is able to enter and exit the vehicle seat, and a second position, wherein the knee bolster is positioned directly in front of a seating surface of the vehicle seat, such that legs of a passenger seated within the vehicle seat are positioned between the seating surface of the vehicle seat and the knee bolster, the knee bolster adapted to prevent an occupant of the vehicle seat from sliding forward off the vehicle seat and restrict any hyper-extending of their lower legs due to forward inertia, and an energy absorbing device adapted to absorb energy when knees or legs of a passenger within the vehicle seat impact the knee bolster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Chin-hsu Lin, George H. Baker
  • Publication number: 20230403978
    Abstract: A header for an agricultural harvester includes: a header frame; a plurality of cutters carried by the header frame and configured to sever crop material; a draper belt carried by the header frame rearwardly of the cutters and configured to travel in a travel direction; at least one crop ramp associated with at least one of the cutters, the at least one crop ramp including a front edge disposed in front of the draper belt and a rear edge that overlaps the draper belt; and a seed saver that is associated with the draper belt and defines a length extending in the travel direction. The seed saver extends above the draper belt and is disposed rearwardly of the rear edge of the at least one crop ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Thomas, Joel T. Cook
  • Patent number: 11836272
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to protection of privacy and data on smart edge devices. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a sensor to produce a stream of sensor data; an analytics mechanism; and a trusted execution environment (TEE) including multiple keys for data security, the apparatus to exchange keys with a host server to establish one or more secure communication channels between the apparatus and a TEE on a host server, process the stream of sensor data utilizing the analytics mechanism to generate metadata, perform encryption and integrity protection of the metadata utilizing a key from the TEE for the sensor, sign the metadata utilizing a private key for the analytics mechanism, and transfer the encrypted and integrity protected metadata and the signature to the host server via the one or more secure communication channels in a manner that prevents privileged users on the host from accessing the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Booth, Jr., Salessawi Ferede Yitbarek, Reshma Lal, Pradeep M. Pappachan, Brent D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 11836262
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to protection of communications between a trusted execution environment and a hardware accelerator utilizing enhanced end-to-end encryption and inter-context security. An embodiment of an apparatus includes one or more processors having one or more trusted execution environments (TEEs) including a first TEE to include a first trusted application; an interface with a hardware accelerator, the hardware accelerator including trusted embedded software or firmware; and a computer memory to store an untrusted kernel mode driver for the hardware accelerator, the one or more processors to establish an encrypted tunnel between the first trusted application in the first TEE and the trusted software or firmware, generate a call for a first command from the first trusted application, generate an integrity tag for the first command, and transfer command parameters for the first command and the integrity tag to the kernel mode driver to generate the first command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Salessawi Ferede Yitbarek, Lawrence A. Booth, Jr., Brent D. Thomas, Reshma Lal, Pradeep M. Pappachan, Akshay Kadam
  • Patent number: 11825771
    Abstract: A clean out system of a header for an agricultural vehicle. The header includes a frame with a floor having at least one cutout for allowing an unwanted material to pass therethrough. The clean out system includes at least one door configured for pivotally connecting to the floor and selectively engaging with the at least one cutout, a latching mechanism connected to the at least one door and configured for securing the at least one door to the frame, and at least one actuating member operably connected to the at least one door and configured for selectively latching the latching mechanism and pivoting the at least one door in between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Thomas, Benjamin Kemmerer, Joel T. Cook, Blaine R. Noll, Herbert M. Farley
  • Patent number: 11814026
    Abstract: A compression wheel chock system is disclosed. The system is comprised of two, triangular-shaped devices having longitudinal channels and a lanyard. An object of the apparatus is to enhance wheel chocking by preventing a wheel from moving both fore and aft while chocked. During installation, the lanyard is fed through a channel in each chock and is drawn tight by the user. As the lanyard is tightened it compresses the chocks around the wheel while at the same time compressing the channels and securing the lanyard therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventors: Joel A Nichols, Josh D Thomas, Connor Digan
  • Patent number: 11811490
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for inband telemetry for a virtual transponder are disclosed. A disclosed method for inband telemetry for a virtual transponder comprises transmitting, by a payload antenna on a vehicle, a payload signal to a hosted receiving antenna. The method further comprises transmitting, by the payload antenna, a hosted telemetry signal to the hosted receiving antenna. In one or more embodiments, the hosted telemetry signal and the payload signal are transmitted on the same frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kristina Miller, Eric Anden, Robert J. Winig, Dimitri D. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20230346378
    Abstract: A surgical robotic system for use in a minimally invasive surgical procedure includes a trocar for facilitating passage of a surgical instrument into a body cavity, and a reloading module configured to couple to a head of the trocar. The reloading module defines a channel that is coaxial with a channel of the trocar and includes a cartridge storing a plurality of surgical implants. The reloading module allows for an expedited loading of the surgical implants thereof onto an end effector of a surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fischvogt, Kevin S. Sniffin, Jonathan D. Thomas