Patents by Inventor David F. Ford

David F. Ford 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: 20240127804
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer readable medium embodiments for machine learning systems to process interactive communications between at least two participants. Speech and text within the interactive communications are analyzed using machine learning models to infer insights located within the interactive communications. The inferred insights are converted to descriptive text or audio and tagged to the interactive communication as graphics or audio whispers reflecting the insights added to the interactive communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Anup SHIRODKAR, Thomas ZAHORIK, Matthew C. FORD, Miguel DE LA ROCHA, Sara R. MCDOLE, Robert L. SCHOLTZ, III, Raghav SAHAI, Kevin T. SHAFFER, Trent F. HODGES, Avinash KAWALE, David ABER
  • Publication number: 20230111424
    Abstract: A brewer system includes a reservoir, a steep chamber movable relative to the reservoir and positioned over a mouth of the reservoir, and a filter tape positioned between the chamber and the reservoir. Brewing substance and water are added to the chamber to form a brewed beverage that passes through the filter tape and into the reservoir through the mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventor: David F. FORD
  • Patent number: 11523703
    Abstract: A brewer system includes a reservoir, a steep chamber movable relative to the reservoir and positioned over a mouth of the reservoir, and a filter tape positioned between the chamber and the reservoir. Brewing substance and water are added to the chamber to form a brewed beverage that passes through the filter tape and into the reservoir through the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventor: David F. Ford
  • Patent number: 10779675
    Abstract: A brewer system includes a reservoir, a steeping chamber movable relative to the reservoir and positioned over a mouth of the reservoir, and a filter tape positioned between the chamber and the reservoir. Brewing substance and water are added to the chamber and can be controllably agitated using a controllable gas pump coupled to the reservoir to form a brewed beverage. The brewed beverage can be drawn through the filter tape and into the reservoir through the mouth under the influence of a controllable vacuum pump coupled to and controllably communicating with the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventors: David F. Ford, Chris Goodrich
  • Publication number: 20190223652
    Abstract: A brewer system includes a reservoir, a steep chamber movable relative to the reservoir and positioned over a mouth of the reservoir, and a filter tape positioned between the chamber and the reservoir. Brewing substance and water are added to the chamber to form a brewed beverage that passes through the filter tape and into the reservoir through the mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventor: David F. Ford
  • Publication number: 20180360256
    Abstract: A brewer system includes a reservoir, a steeping chamber movable relative to the reservoir and positioned over a mouth of the reservoir, and a filter tape positioned between the chamber and the reservoir. Brewing substance and water are added to the chamber and can be controllably agitated using a controllable gas pump coupled to the reservoir to form a brewed beverage. The brewed beverage can be drawn through the filter tape and into the reservoir through the mouth under the influence of a controllable vacuum pump coupled to and controllably communicating with the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: David F. FORD, Chris GOODRICH
  • Patent number: 8998035
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed for controllably dispensing a liquid beverage concentrate for use in dispensing a beverage. The beverage may contain liquid beverage concentrate in combination with a liquid dilution ingredient such as water and may also include one or more additional ingredients. This system, method, and apparatus provides more precise control of the quantity of beverage concentrate dispensed by operating a pump used to dispense the concentrate based on the number of pulses of concentrate dispensed. A calibration is made to determine the measure of concentrate in each pulse. This volume per pulse is recorded and stored in a controller to controllably dispense a precise volume for a specific type of concentrate based on a predetermined recipe retained in the controller for each drink, type, and volume of the finished beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventor: David F. Ford
  • Patent number: 8800899
    Abstract: A grinding machine for use in grinding materials, the grinding machine includes a grinder assembly for receiving material. At least one removable hopper is removably positionable on the grinding assembly for dispensing material to the grinder assembly. The removable hopper is positionable on the grinder assembly in a generally non-vertical direction. A passage defined in the hopper is cooperatively positionable in communication with the grinding assembly for allowing movement of material from the hopper to the grinder assembly. A device carried on the hopper is positionable in an open position when the hopper is on the grinder assembly and is positionable in a closed position when the hopper is removed from the grinder assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventor: David F. Ford
  • Publication number: 20130233887
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed for controllably dispensing a liquid beverage concentrate for use in dispensing a beverage. The beverage may contain liquid beverage concentrate in combination with a liquid dilution ingredient such as water and may also include one or more additional ingredients. This system, method, and apparatus provides more precise control of the quantity of beverage concentrate dispensed by operating a pump used to dispense the concentrate based on the number of pulses of concentrate dispensed. A calibration is made to determine the measure of concentrate in each pulse. This volume per pulse is recorded and stored in a controller to controllably dispense a precise volume for a specific type of concentrate based on a predetermined recipe retained in the controller for each drink, type, and volume of the finished beverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: BUNN-O-MATIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: David F. Ford
  • Publication number: 20110198424
    Abstract: A grinding machine for use in grinding materials, the grinding machine includes a grinder assembly for receiving material. At least one removable hopper is removably positionable on the grinding assembly for dispensing material to the grinder assembly. The removable hopper is positionable on the grinder assembly in a generally non-vertical direction. A passage defined in the hopper is cooperatively positionable in communication with the grinding assembly for allowing movement of material from the hopper to the grinder assembly. A device carried on the hopper is positionable in an open position when the hopper is on the grinder assembly and is positionable in a closed position when the hopper is removed from the grinder assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: BUNN-O-MATIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: David F. Ford
  • Patent number: 7934670
    Abstract: A grinding machine (20) for use in grinding materials, the grinding machine (20) comprising: a grinder assembly (22) for receiving material therein; at least one removable hopper (24) attachable proximate to the grinding assembly (22) for dispensing material to the grinder assembly (22); a passage (22) defined in the hopper being cooperatively placed in communication with the grinding assembly (22) for dispensing material from the hopper (24) to the grinder assembly (22); a displaceable shutter (70) being positionnable in an open position when the hopper (24) is placed on the grinder assembly (22) and being positionnable in a closed position when the hopper (24) is removed from the grinder assembly (22); and a slide gate mechanism (42) including a slide gate (42) and a mover linked to the slide gate for controllably opening and closing passage of material from the hopper (24) to the grinder assembly (22) for grinfind material therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventor: David F. Ford
  • Patent number: 6446835
    Abstract: A cold beverage dispensing system for chilling a beverage such that at least a portion of the beverage includes a frozen component. The system includes a beverage hopper or tank for retaining a quantity of beverage and a chilling assembly communicating with the beverage hopper for chilling the beverage. The system also includes a beverage detector having a conductive probe carried on and extending into the beverage hopper for detecting the condition of either the presence or absence of a beverage at a predetermined level in the beverage hopper and generating a refill control signal corresponding to the condition detected. A refill assembly communicates with the beverage hopper for controllably providing refill beverage to the beverage hopper. A controller is coupled to the refill assembly and the beverage detector for operating the refill assembly in response to the refill control signal to maintain the beverage in the beverage hopper at the predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: David F. Ford
  • Patent number: 6439105
    Abstract: A holder is used with a beverage making apparatus to make a beverage, such as coffee, concentrated beverage or tea. The holder retains a quantity of substance which can be used to make a beverage which is thereafter deposited into one of two reservoirs. This allows different flavors, or regular and decaffeinated coffee, to be served from the apparatus. The holder includes a body, a drain hole provided therethrough for allowing liquids to flow through the holder, and first and second handles attached to the body. The first handle and the second handle are offset from each other. A first magnet is associated with the first handle and has its north and south poles in first orientation. A second magnet is associated with the second handle and has its north and south poles in second orientation which is generally opposite the first orientation. The apparatus includes a housing on which the holder can be mounted in various directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventor: David F. Ford
  • Patent number: 6401729
    Abstract: An apparatus is used for making a beverage and for rinsing or cleaning a pair of reservoirs in the apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing, a fluid reservoir associated therewith, a controller in communication with the fluid reservoir, structure for selectively passing fluid from the fluid reservoir to at least one outlet on the housing, and first and second reservoirs mounted in the housing. A holder can be mounted on said the housing. The holder includes a body, a drain hole provided therethrough, and a conduit provided therethrough. The conduit is spaced from the drain hole. When the holder is mounted on the housing, the drain hole is positioned over one of the reservoirs and the conduit is located over the other of the reservoirs. The controller controls the flow of fluid from the fluid reservoir to the holder. Fluid flows from the water reservoir to the holder through drain hole into the one reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventor: David F. Ford
  • Publication number: 20020033401
    Abstract: A cold beverage dispensing system for chilling a beverage such that at least a portion of the beverage includes a frozen component. The system includes a beverage hopper or tank for retaining a quantity of beverage and a chilling assembly communicating with the beverage hopper for chilling the beverage. The system also includes a beverage detector having a conductive probe carried on and extending into the beverage hopper for detecting the condition of either the presence or absence of a beverage at a predetermined level in the beverage hopper and generating a refill control signal corresponding to the condition detected. A refill assembly communicates with the beverage hopper for controllably providing refill beverage to the beverage hopper. A controller is coupled to the refill assembly and the beverage detector for operating the refill assembly in response to the refill control signal to maintain the beverage in the beverage hopper at the predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: David F. Ford
  • Patent number: 6349852
    Abstract: A cold beverage dispensing system for chilling a beverage such that at least a portion of the beverage includes a frozen component. The system includes a beverage hopper or tank for retaining a quantity of beverage and a chilling assembly communicating with the beverage hopper for chilling the beverage. The system also includes a beverage detector having a conductive probe carried on and extending into the beverage hopper for detecting the condition of either the presence or absence of a beverage at a predetermined level in the beverage hopper and generating a refill control signal corresponding to the condition detected. A refill assembly communicates with the beverage hopper for controllably providing refill beverage to the beverage hopper. A controller is coupled to the refill assembly and the beverage detector for operating the refill assembly in response to the refill control signal to maintain the beverage in the beverage hopper at the predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventor: David F Ford
  • Patent number: 6318676
    Abstract: A control method and improved equatorial-normal body-stabilized spacecraft that operates in an inclined orbit. The control method controls pointing of payloads (communication antennas and instruments) and solar arrays disposed on the spacecraft. The method controls the spacecraft to provide Earth-pointing payloads and sun-pointing solar arrays so that the spacecraft body and solar arrays each rotate only around a single axis, a pitch axis of the spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew E. Turner, David F. Ford, Jeffrey D. Stoen
  • Patent number: 6237811
    Abstract: A programmable dispenser which mixes a substance with water and dispenses a product. In one embodiment, the rate at which substance is dispensed is programmable. The programmable dispenser includes a substance dispensing device which dispenses the substance and a motor which is operably connected to the substance dispensing device. A controller is operably connected to the motor and programmed to operate the motor at a programmed speed to dispense substance at a pre-determined rate. A button is in communication with the controller, and the controller is configured such that the button is actuatable to change the programmed speed to a new programmed speed to provide that the controller subsequently operates the motor at the new programmed speed to provide that the substance dispensing device dispenses substance at a different rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventor: David F. Ford
  • Patent number: 5927553
    Abstract: A powdered beverage mixing and dispensing apparatus which combines a powdered beverage substance and water to produce a desired beverage, for example cappuccino, hot chocolate, as well as other beverages which may be provided in powdered form. The apparatus includes at least one hopper having a powdered beverage stirring and dispensing mechanism which stirs the powder to further prevent caking and to controllably dispense a desired quantity of powder from the hopper. A water dispensing system is coupled to the apparatus to controllably dispense a quantity of water for mixing with a quantity of powder dispensed from the hopper. A mixing assembly communicates with the hopper and with the water dispensing system to combine powder. A weir is positioned in a dispensing tube to minimize the face surface of the angle of repose of the powder in the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Bunn-o-matic Coporation
    Inventor: David F. Ford
  • Patent number: D418365
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventor: David F. Ford