Patents by Inventor Darren Francis

Darren Francis 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: 20200349596
    Abstract: Edits on a content item, such as a document, are divided into microtasks. The microtasks associated with a document can be automatically identified based on a workflow or can be identified by a user associated with the content item or an administrator. At a later time, the user can complete the microtasks for a content item using an application associated with their smart phone or tablet. The application may present the microtasks in a game-like environment where the user can compete with other users based on metrics such as number of microtasks completed in a day or fastest completion time. In addition, the user can earn rewards such as badges, coupons, or credits by completing microtasks. In this way, users can use time that would have been wasted playing games to complete their content items, while still experiencing some of the fun and competition associated with the games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jaime B. Teevan, Saleema Amershi, Shamsi Tamara Iqbal, Daniel John Liebling, Semiha Ece Kamar Eden, Kristina N. Toutanova, Robert Warren Gruen, Darren Francis Gehring, Pallavi Choudhury, Ann Paradiso, Anthony Lee Carbary
  • Patent number: 10755296
    Abstract: Edits on a content item, such as a document, are divided into microtasks. The microtasks associated with a document can be automatically identified based on a workflow or can be identified by a user associated with the content item or an administrator. At a later time, the user can complete the microtasks for a content item using an application associated with their smart phone or tablet. The application may present the microtasks in a game-like environment where the user can compete with other users based on metrics such as number of microtasks completed in a day or fastest completion time. In addition, the user can earn rewards such as badges, coupons, or credits by completing microtasks. In this way, users can use time that would have been wasted playing games to complete their content items, while still experiencing some of the fun and competition associated with the games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jaime B. Teevan, Saleema Amershi, Shamsi Tamara Iqbal, Daniel John Liebling, Semiha Ece Kamar Eden, Kristina N. Toutanova, Robert Warren Gruen, Darren Francis Gehring, Pallavi Choudhury, Ann Paradiso, Anthony Lee Carbary
  • Publication number: 20170259307
    Abstract: A system for washing a large flat object having a length and a width, wherein the length is of greater dimension than said width, said system comprising: a frame having a first and second end; a transport system adapted to vertically transport said large flat object suspended thereon; said transport system defining a horizontal axis along the device and adapted to transport said object from the first end of the frame to the second end of the frame; and at least one brushing means for brushing and removing particles lodged on said object; said at least one brushing means located along the transport system between the first and second end of the frame and adapted to frictionally engage said object when in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Northern Mat & Bridge (GP) Ltd.
    Inventors: Darren Francis, Scott Henderson, Carson Kowal, Collin Wood, Jerome W. Cupido, Jeremy VANDERGAAG, Scott Vyse
  • Publication number: 20170103407
    Abstract: Edits on a content item, such as a document, are divided into microtasks. The microtasks associated with a document can be automatically identified based on a workflow or can be identified by a user associated with the content item or an administrator. At a later time, the user can complete the microtasks for a content item using an application associated with their smart phone or tablet. The application may present the microtasks in a game-like environment where the user can compete with other users based on metrics such as number of microtasks completed in a day or fastest completion time. In addition, the user can earn rewards such as badges, coupons, or credits by completing microtasks. In this way, users can use time that would have been wasted playing games to complete their content items, while still experiencing some of the fun and competition associated with the games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Jaime B. Teevan, Saleema Amershi, Shamsi Tamara Iqbal, Daniel John Liebling, Semiha Ece Kamar Eden, Kristina N. Toutanova, Robert Warren Gruen, Darren Francis Gehring, Pallavi Choudhury, Ann Paradiso, Anthony Lee Carbary
  • Patent number: 8221618
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for removing sediment from water is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a tubular filter assembly comprising a support member; and a filtratable element surrounding the support member, the filtratable element comprising a backing mesh; and a fibrous batting. A system for removing sediment from water is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the system includes a filter chamber to receive a liquid having suspended particles therein; at least one filtration cartridge housed within the filter chamber, wherein the filtration cartridge comprises at least one elongated filtratable element, each filtratable element comprising a support member, and a filtratable media adapted to surround the inner core. A method for removing sediment from water is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Monteco Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Adam Murray, Darren Francis Kevin Lawless
  • Patent number: 8123935
    Abstract: A system for removing sediment from water is disclosed. The exemplary embodiments described herein disclose a system comprising a filter chamber, having a deck positioned inside to divide it into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The deck may have a plurality of holes to hold filtration elements and also may have a ridge or a skirt or both. An inlet line may be tangentially connected to the filter chamber and introduce influent liquid into the filter chamber below the deck and outside of the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Monteco Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Adam Murray, Darren Francis Kevin Lawless, Gregory Richard Williams, Stephen Eric Braun, Joel Anthony Garbon
  • Patent number: 7682509
    Abstract: A buoyant material trap having a treatment tank with a base wall and a vertically-extending sidewall, a feed pipe to introduce fluid at a first location in the tank, and an exit pipe to remove at least a portion of the fluid from a second location in the tank. One or more wall structures form a circuitous passage between the first location and the second location. The wall structures are open at the top and substantially prevent fluid from passing below the passage, but allow buoyant material to rise above the passage. The walls may extend to the bottom of the tank to prevent fluid from passing beneath them, and may be removably installed in the tank to facilitate cleaning. An overflow chamber may be provided to receive buoyant material. The sidewall may have a spout and be adapted to empty the tank by tilting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Green Turtle Americas Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Adam Murray, Balreet Singh Dandiwal, Darren Francis Lawless, Gregory Richard Williams
  • Publication number: 20090184049
    Abstract: A buoyant material trap having a treatment tank with a base wall and a vertically-extending sidewall, a feed pipe to introduce fluid at a first location in the tank, and an exit pipe to remove at least a portion of the fluid from a second location in the tank. One or more wall structures form a circuitous passage between the first location and the second location. The wall structures are open at the top and substantially prevent fluid from passing below the passage, but allow buoyant material to rise above the passage. The walls may extend to the bottom of the tank to prevent fluid from passing beneath them, and may be removably installed in the tank to facilitate cleaning. An overflow chamber may be provided to receive buoyant material. The sidewall may have a spout and be adapted to empty the tank by tilting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher Adam Murray, Balreet Singh Dandiwal, Darren Francis Lawless, Gregory Richard Williams
  • Publication number: 20090045128
    Abstract: A system for removing sediment from water is disclosed. The exemplary embodiments described herein disclose a system comprising a filter chamber, having a deck positioned inside to divide it into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The deck may have a plurality of holes to hold filtration elements and also may have a ridge or a skirt or both. An inlet line may be tangentially connected to the filter chamber and introduce influent liquid into the filter chamber below the deck and outside of the skirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher Adam Murray, Darren Francis Lawless, Gregory Richard Williams, Stephen Eric Braun, Joel Anthony Garbon
  • Publication number: 20090045149
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for removing sediment from water is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a tubular filter assembly comprising a support member; and a filtratable element surrounding the support member, the filtratable element comprising a backing mesh; and a fibrous batting. A system for removing sediment from water is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the system includes a filter chamber to receive a liquid having suspended particles therein; at least one filtration cartridge housed within the filter chamber, wherein the filtration cartridge comprises at least one elongated filtratable element, each filtratable element comprising a support member, and a filtratable media adapted to surround the inner core. A method for removing sediment from water is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher Adam Murray, Darren Francis Kevin Lawless
  • Publication number: 20080264295
    Abstract: A method for increasing the brightness of metakaolins comprises calcining a metakaolin under reducing conditions. The calcined metakaolins are suitable for use in a variety of applications including in polymer products and paints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: IMERYS MINERALS LIMITED
    Inventors: Richard James Taylor, Darren Francis Grose