Patents by Inventor David A. Howell

David A. Howell 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: 11445803
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a customized cosmetic formulation. In one method, a user is guided to capture an image of a skin region with known lighting and color characteristics, and the image is processed to provide calibrated skin color information. A customized cosmetic formulation is automatically determined for the user based on the calibrated skin color information. In another method, a user is interactively guided through capture of one or more skin region images using a device having an image sensor. The skin region images are processed to provide calibrated skin color information, which is compared to a ground truth data set to identify a set of closest known values in the ground truth data set. A customized cosmetic formulation is automatically determined for the user based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Shiseido Company, Limited
    Inventors: David A. Howell, David B. Gross, Leslie Y. Harvill
  • Patent number: 11416825
    Abstract: A system is described herein. The system includes an agent and a transmitter. The agent is to a capture room specific data signals from peripheral devices within a conference room, operating system data signals, and application data signals, wherein the application data signals are obtained from a conferencing service application and wherein the agent is to package the room specific data signals, the operating system data signals, and the application data signals with system metadata into room health data. The transmitter is to transmit the room health data to a management cloud via a communications broker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Sameer D. Bedekar, Danilo Pérez Solano, David C. Tse, Martin D. Hall, Andrew A. George, Jaya B. Rayasam, Siddhartha Roy, David A. Howell, Irena K. Andonova
  • Patent number: 11326426
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon wells including gas lift valves and methods of providing gas lift in a hydrocarbon well. The hydrocarbon wells include a wellbore extending within a subsurface region and a downhole tubular extending within the wellbore. The downhole tubular defines a tubular conduit, and the wellbore and the downhole tubular define an annular space therebetween. The hydrocarbon wells also include a lift gas supply system configured to provide a lift gas stream to the annular space and a closure material supply system configured to provide a closure material stream to the annular space. The hydrocarbon wells further includes a gas lift valve operatively attached to the downhole tubular. The gas lift valve includes a lift gas injection conduit and an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism selectively transitions to a closed state responsive to contact with the closure material. The methods include methods of operating the hydrocarbon wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: David A. Howell, Rosmer Maria Brito Jurado, Federico G. Gallo, Michael C. Romer
  • Patent number: 11313215
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for monitoring and modifying stimulation operations in a reservoir. In particular, the methods and systems utilize a downhole telemetry system, such as a network of sensors and downhole wireless communication nodes, to monitor various stimulation operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Xiaohua Yi, Mark M. Disko, Limin Song, David A. Howell
  • Patent number: 11293280
    Abstract: A method and system are described for monitoring post-stimulation operations using a plurality of communication nodes disposed along tubular members in a wellbore. The method includes constructing a communication network and installing the communication nodes along the tubular members. The communication nodes are used to monitor for the presence and/or quantity of solids and/or fluids associated with post-stimulation operations in the tubular members by analyzing how the contents of the tubular members acoustically affect the signals transmitted between the communication nodes. Hydrocarbon operations may be modified based on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Xiaohua Yi, David A. Howell
  • Publication number: 20210133689
    Abstract: A system is described herein. The system includes an agent and a transmitter. The agent is to a capture room specific data signals from peripheral devices within a conference room, operating system data signals, and application data signals, wherein the application data signals are obtained from a conferencing service application and wherein the agent is to package the room specific data signals, the operating system data signals, and the application data signals with system metadata into room health data. The transmitter is to transmit the room health data to a management cloud via a communications broker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Sameer D. Bedekar, Danilo Pérez Solano, David C. Tse, Martin D. Hall, Andrew A. George, Jaya B. Rayasam, Siddhartha Roy, David A. Howell, Irena K. Andonova
  • Publication number: 20200378223
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon wells including gas lift valves and methods of providing gas lift in a hydrocarbon well. The hydrocarbon wells include a wellbore extending within a subsurface region and a downhole tubular extending within the wellbore. The downhole tubular defines a tubular conduit, and the wellbore and the downhole tubular define an annular space therebetween. The hydrocarbon wells also include a lift gas supply system configured to provide a lift gas stream to the annular space and a closure material supply system configured to provide a closure material stream to the annular space. The hydrocarbon wells further includes a gas lift valve operatively attached to the downhole tubular. The gas lift valve includes a lift gas injection conduit and an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism selectively transitions to a closed state responsive to contact with the closure material. The methods include methods of operating the hydrocarbon wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: David A. Howell, Rosmer Maria Brito Jurado, Federico G. Gallo, Michael C. Romer
  • Patent number: 10837276
    Abstract: A method and system are described for wirelessly communicating within a wellbore. The method includes constructing a communication network, which communicates during drilling operations along one or more drilling strings. The communication network is used to perform drilling operations for hydrocarbon operations, such as hydrocarbon exploration, hydrocarbon development, and/or hydrocarbon production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Limin Song, Yibing Zhang, David A. Howell, Scott W. Clawson
  • Patent number: 10711595
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon wells and methods for identifying production from a region of a subterranean formation. The hydrocarbon wells include a wellbore extending within the region of the subterranean formation and a production tubular that defines a production conduit and extends at least partially within the wellbore. The hydrocarbon wells also include an electromagnetic transmitter, an electromagnetic receiver, and a controller. The electromagnetic transmitter is configured to provide an input electromagnetic signal to a region of the production conduit to electromagnetically excite a produced tracer material that forms a portion of a produced stream that flows within the production tubular. The electromagnetic receiver is configured to receive an electromagnetic output signal from the region of the production conduit. The controller is programmed to identify the region of the subterranean formation based, at least in part, on the output electromagnetic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Brent D. Wheelock, Mehmet Deniz Ertas, Joseph W. Witt, David A. Howell
  • Patent number: 10711581
    Abstract: In a well related to the production of hydrocarbons, an injection apparatus including: a base pipe including a radial port; an in-flow control device including a flow restriction device and a housing, with the housing being external and concentric of the base pipe. The housing includes a closed end portion and an open, opposite end portion and a housing channel communicating the opposite end portion. The flow restriction device is disposed at an intermediate location along the housing channel and adapted to control a rate of flow along the housing channel. A fluid transmissive screen is concentric of the base pipe and extends from the open, opposite end portion of the housing. A check valve assembly is interposed between the opposite end portion of the housing and a screened space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Jing Ning, David A. Howell, Scott R. Buechler
  • Publication number: 20200200003
    Abstract: A method and system are described for monitoring post-stimulation operations using a plurality of communication nodes disposed along tubular members in a wellbore. The method includes constructing a communication network and installing the communication nodes along the tubular members. The communication nodes are used to monitor for the presence and/or quantity of solids and/or fluids associated with post-stimulation operations in the tubular members by analyzing how the contents of the tubular members acoustically affect the signals transmitted between the communication nodes. Hydrocarbon operations may be modified based on the analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Xiaohua YI, David A. Howell
  • Publication number: 20200018154
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon wells and methods for identifying production from a region of a subterranean formation. The hydrocarbon wells include a wellbore extending within the region of the subterranean formation and a production tubular that defines a production conduit and extends at least partially within the wellbore. The hydrocarbon wells also include an electromagnetic transmitter, an electromagnetic receiver, and a controller. The electromagnetic transmitter is configured to provide an input electromagnetic signal to a region of the production conduit to electromagnetically excite a produced tracer material that forms a portion of a produced stream that flows within the production tubular. The electromagnetic receiver is configured to receive an electromagnetic output signal from the region of the production conduit. The controller is programmed to identify the region of the subterranean formation based, at least in part, on the output electromagnetic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Brent D. Wheelock, Mehmet Deniz Ertas, Joseph W. Witt, David A. Howell
  • Publication number: 20190350345
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a customized cosmetic formulation. In one method, a user is guided to capture an image of a skin region with known lighting and color characteristics, and the image is processed to provide calibrated skin color information. A customized cosmetic formulation is automatically determined for the user based on the calibrated skin color information. In another method, a user is interactively guided through capture of one or more skin region images using a device having an image sensor. The skin region images are processed to provide calibrated skin color information, which is compared to a ground truth data set to identify a set of closest known values in the ground truth data set. A customized cosmetic formulation is automatically determined for the user based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: David A. Howell, David B. Gross, Leslie Y. Harvill
  • Publication number: 20190316444
    Abstract: A coiled tubing assembly includes coiled tubing conveyable into a wellbore, a rotational device operatively coupled to the coiled tubing, a rotatable tubing segment operatively coupled to the rotational device, and a bottom hole tool arranged at an end of the rotatable tubing segment opposite the rotational device. The rotational device rotates the rotatable tubing segment relative to the coiled tubing as the coiled tubing, the rotatable tubing segment, and the bottom hole tool are axially displaced along the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Pavlin B. Entchev, David A. Howell
  • Publication number: 20190203574
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for monitoring and optimizing stimulation operations in a reservoir. In particular, the methods and systems utilize a downhole telemetry system, such as a network of sensors and downhole wireless communication nodes, to monitor various stimulation operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Xiaohua Yi, Mark M. Disko, Limin Song, David A. Howell
  • Patent number: 10321748
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a customized cosmetic formulation. In one method, a user is guided to capture an image of a skin region with known lighting and color characteristics, and the image is processed to provide calibrated skin color information. A customized cosmetic formulation is automatically determined for the user based on the calibrated skin color information. In another method, a user is interactively guided through capture of one or more skin region images using a device having an image sensor. The skin region images are processed to provide calibrated skin color information, which is compared to a ground truth data set to identify a set of closest known values in the ground truth data set. A customized cosmetic formulation is automatically determined for the user based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Shiseido Americas Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Howell, David B. Gross, Leslie Y. Harvill
  • Publication number: 20190112919
    Abstract: A method and system are described for wirelessly communicating within a wellbore. The method includes constructing a communication network, which communicates during drilling operations along one or more drilling strings. The communication network is used to perform drilling operations for hydrocarbon operations, such as hydrocarbon exploration, hydrocarbon development, and/or hydrocarbon production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Limin Song, Yibing Zhang, David A. Howell, Scott W. Clawson
  • Publication number: 20180030812
    Abstract: In a well related to the production of hydrocarbons, an injection apparatus including: a base pipe including a radial port; an in-flow control device including a flow restriction device and a housing, with the housing being external and concentric of the base pipe. The housing includes a closed end portion and an open, opposite end portion and a housing channel communicating the opposite end portion. The flow restriction device is disposed at an intermediate location along the housing channel and adapted to control a rate of flow along the housing channel. A fluid transmissive screen is concentric of the base pipe and extends from the open, opposite end portion of the housing. A check valve assembly is interposed between the opposite end portion of the housing and a screened space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jing Ning, David A. Howell, Scott R. Buechler
  • Patent number: 9816373
    Abstract: An electro-acoustic system for downhole telemetry is provided herein. The system employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a string of casing within a wellbore. The nodes are placed within the annular region surrounding the joints of casing within the well-bore. The nodes allow for wireless communication between transceivers residing within the communications nodes and a topside communications node at the wellhead. More specifically, the transceivers provide for node-to-node communication up a wellbore at high data transmission rates for data indicative of a parameter within an annular region behind the string of casing. A method of evaluating a parameter within an annular region along a cased-hole wellbore is also provided herein. The method uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along the casing string which send signals to a receiver at the surface. The signals are then analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: David A. Howell, Timothy I. Morrow, Mark M. Disko, Max Deffenbaugh
  • Patent number: 9725989
    Abstract: A sand control device is used for restricting the flow of particles from a subsurface formation into a tubular body within a wellbore during production operations. The sand control device is divided into compartments along its length that provide redundancy for particle filtration. Each compartment first comprises a base pipe. The base pipe defines an elongated tubular body having a permeable section and an impermeable section within each compartment. Each compartment also comprises a first filtering conduit and a second filtering conduit. The filtering conduits comprise filtering media and generally circumscribe the base pipe. The filtering conduits are arranged so that the first filtering conduit is adjacent to the non-permeable section of the base pipe, while the second filtering conduit is adjacent to the permeable section of the base pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Christian S. Mayer, Charles S. Yeh, David A. Howell, Pavlin B. Entchev, Eric R. Grueschow, Ted A. Long, Tracy J. Moffett, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, John S. Sladic, Christopher A. Hall, Stephen McNamee