Patents by Inventor David J. Clark

David J. Clark 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: 20140047365
    Abstract: Associating user interface elements with information ancillary to said user interface elements includes creating one or more items of user interface element ancillary information, receiving a request for user interface element ancillary information, the request identifying the context in which the information is to be used, searching, using a processor, said one or more items of user interface element ancillary information for items matching the context in which the information is to be used, and returning one or more items of user interface element ancillary information matching the context in which the information is to be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Clark, Lee M. Chase, Mark A. Farmer, Mark Gregory, Ian D. Hancock, Duncan J. Lilly, Simon E. Moore
  • Patent number: 8641419
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and devices for restoring teeth using fixed restorations. In particular, the invention provides a system, kit, and devices for the management of interproximal areas for traditional cementation and/or bonding of dental crowns, onlays, inlays, veneers and bridges. In the method, a barrier is positioned in contact with the tooth being restored and an adjacent tooth to cover a section of the tooth being restored and to create separation of the tooth being restored and the adjacent tooth. Cement is applied to the first mating surface of the fixed restoration and/or to the second mating surface of the tooth, and the first mating surface of the fixed restoration and the second mating surface of the tooth are positioned adjacent each other to seat the fixed restoration on the tooth. The barrier covers a section of the tooth being restored to prevent cement from bonding to the section of the tooth. This eliminates the need to remove hardened cement from this section of the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: David J. Clark
  • Publication number: 20130252199
    Abstract: A dental separator ring includes an elastic body having a first end and an opposed second end spaced from the first end. The body has three axes defined by a front to rear reference line of the body, a side to side reference line of the body, and a top to bottom reference line of the body. A first surface engager is connected to the first end of the body by a first connector, and a second surface engager is connected to the second end of the body by a second connector. The first connector allows motion of the first surface engager in all three axes, and the second connector allows motion of the second surface engager in all three axes. A third surface engager and a fourth surface engager that allow motion in all three axes may also be included in the separator ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: David J. Clark
  • Patent number: 8490018
    Abstract: A method comprises identifying, by a computing device, a current context of a computer program; identifying, by the computing device, any related contexts of the computer program that are related to the current context; determining, by the computing device, association relationships between the current context and the related contexts; determining, by the computing device, a user history of menu choice selection with respect to the current context; updating, by the computing device, the user history based on a user menu choice selection and the association relationships; determining, by the computing device, weighted menu choices for a second context of the computer program based on the user history; and presenting, by the graphic user interface, the weighted menu choices for selection by the user in the second context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Stanley Carter, David J. Clark, Doina Klinger, Lucas W. Partridge
  • Patent number: 8393897
    Abstract: In a method for closing a diastema and/or papilla regeneration between a first tooth and a second tooth, a dental matrix is used. The dental matrix includes a curved sectional strip of material. The strip has a length from a first end to a second end sufficient to create a form for molding a restorative material to a surface of the first tooth. The strip has a root end section and a second section integral with the root end section. The root end section of the strip is anatomic in shape such that the root end section hugs the gingival portion of the first tooth. In one form, a non-anatomic bulge is formed in the second section. The root end section of the matrix can slide to the depth of the sulcus without lacerating the tissue. After inserting the root end section of the dental matrix into the sulcus between the papilla and the gingival portion of the first tooth, a composite restorative material is placed between the dental matrix and a cervical surface of the first tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: David J. Clark
  • Publication number: 20120322026
    Abstract: There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: David J. Clark
  • Patent number: 8272868
    Abstract: There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: David J. Clark
  • Patent number: 8047843
    Abstract: There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and interdental matrix stabilizers that can be used in the methods. The matrix stabilizer includes an elongated elastic body having a first end portion, a second opposite end portion, a middle portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion includes a first section attached to the first end portion, a first intermediate section attached to a central section and the first section, a second intermediate section attached to the central section opposite the first end portion, and a second section attached to the second intermediate section and the second end portion. The first side surface of the body includes a curved outwardly extending protrusion on the first intermediate section and a curved outwardly extending protrusion on the second intermediate section. The protrusions stabilize a dental matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: David J. Clark
  • Publication number: 20110171596
    Abstract: The present invention relates to dental wedges that may be used for creating space between adjacent teeth. In one form, the dental wedge includes an elongated body extending from an outer end to an opposite inner end. The body has a longitudinal intermediate wall, a longitudinal first side wall connected to the intermediate wall, and a longitudinal second side wall connected to the intermediate wall. The first side wall and the second side wall each flare away from the intermediate wall such that a first distal end of the first side wall and a second distal end of the second side wall are spaced apart creating an inverted generally V-shaped transverse section for the body. The body has a top surface formed by the intermediate wall, the first side wall and the second side wall. The body also has a bottom surface formed by the intermediate wall, the first side wall and the second side wall. The dental wedge includes a grasping section connected to the outer end of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: David J. Clark
  • Publication number: 20110119628
    Abstract: A method comprises identifying, by a computing device, a current context of a computer program; identifying, by the computing device, any related contexts of the computer program that are related to the current context; determining, by the computing device, association relationships between the current context and the related contexts; determining, by the computing device, a user history of menu choice selection with respect to the current context; updating, by the computing device, the user history based on a user menu choice selection and the association relationships; determining, by the computing device, weighted menu choices for a second context of the computer program based on the user history; and presenting, by the graphic user interface, the weighted menu choices for selection by the user in the second context.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Carter, David J. Clark, Doina Klinger, Lucas Partridge
  • Patent number: 7901490
    Abstract: A system and method of reducing the introduction of foreign material to wafers. A system includes an enclosure structured and arranged to carry wafers used in semiconductor device manufacturing, and an attractive material arranged as at least a portion of an interior surface of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Clark, Alison K. Easton, James E. Fluegel, James H. Peterman
  • Publication number: 20090208896
    Abstract: In a method for closing a diastema and/or papilla regeneration between a first tooth and a second tooth, a dental matrix is used. The dental matrix includes a curved sectional strip of material. The strip has a length from a first end to a second end sufficient to create a form for molding a restorative material to a surface of the first tooth. The strip has a root end section and a second section integral with the root end section. The root end section of the strip is anatomic in shape such that the root end section hugs the gingival portion of the first tooth. In one form, a non-anatomic bulge is formed in the second section. The root end section of the matrix can slide to the depth of the sulcus without lacerating the tissue. After inserting the root end section of the dental matrix into the sulcus between the papilla and the gingival portion of the first tooth, a composite restorative material is placed between the dental matrix and a cervical surface of the first tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: David J. Clark
  • Publication number: 20090191505
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of an anterior tooth or re-restoration of a previously filled anterior tooth, and to dental matrices and composite resin dispensers that may be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of an anterior tooth
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: David J. Clark
  • Publication number: 20090191506
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of an anterior tooth or re-restoration of a previously filled anterior tooth, and to dental matrices and composite resin dispensers that may be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of an anterior tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: David J. Clark
  • Publication number: 20090180848
    Abstract: A system and method of reducing the introduction of foreign material to wafers. A system includes an enclosure structured and arranged to carry wafers used in semiconductor device manufacturing, and an attractive material arranged as at least a portion of an interior surface of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Clark, Alison K. Easton, James E. Fluegel, James H. Peterman
  • Patent number: 7543817
    Abstract: A hand-held combination dispenser and electronic game includes a dispenser housing as outer walls which define at least one interior hallow chamber. The interior chamber can be filled with candy or other items to be dispensed. An electronic game display is mounted on an outer wall. Game controls are also mounted on an outer wall in a location which allows the user to operate the game while holding the dispenser. An exterior surface of the outer walls that define the hollow chambers simultaneously provide a gripping surface adapted for placement of the hands of a user while playing the electronic game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Inventors: John D. Dudley, Michael Edward Stepanek, David J. Clark, Marc Raneses
  • Patent number: 7487197
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus uses numeric processing. A corrective mechanism enables a method for performing accurate integer divisions to be derived from an approximate division method which does not, of itself, always produce an accurate result but for which the range of errors is known. By applying the corrective mechanism to a suitable approximate division method, a numeric processing mechanism performs the integer division operation efficiently. An approximate division method that uses rapid operations for fast integer division, and thus has a small possible range of errors, is used to enable the correction method to be completed rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J Clark, Michael F Cowlishaw
  • Publication number: 20090029324
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and devices for restoring teeth using fixed restorations. In particular, the invention provides a system, kit, and devices for the management of interproximal areas for traditional cementation and/or bonding of dental crowns, onlays, inlays, veneers and bridges. In the method, a barrier is positioned in contact with the tooth being restored and an adjacent tooth to cover a section of the tooth being restored and to create separation of the tooth being restored and the adjacent tooth. Cement is applied to the first mating surface of the fixed restoration and/or to the second mating surface of the tooth, and the first mating surface of the fixed restoration and the second mating surface of the tooth are positioned adjacent each other to seat the fixed restoration on the tooth. The barrier covers a section of the tooth being restored to prevent cement from bonding to the section of the tooth. This eliminates the need to remove hardened cement from this section of the tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: David J. Clark
  • Publication number: 20080087681
    Abstract: A hand-held combination dispenser and electronic game includes a dispenser housing as outer walls which define at least one interior hallow chamber. The interior chamber can be filled with candy or other items to be dispensed. An electronic game display is mounted on an outer wall. Game controls are also mounted on an outer wall in a location which allows the user to operate the game while holding the dispenser. An exterior surface of the outer walls that define the hollow chambers simultaneously provide a gripping surface adapted for placement of the hands of a user while playing the electronic game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: John D. Dudley, Michael Edward Stepanek, David J. Clark, Marc Raneses
  • Publication number: 20080064012
    Abstract: There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: David J. Clark