Patents by Inventor David Ward

David Ward 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: 20210187940
    Abstract: Systems, methods, software for monitoring usage of a recording medium in an image forming apparatus. In one embodiment, a usage monitor receives a raster image, and identifies thresholds that distinguish different intensity levels reproduced by different drop sizes of the recording material. The usage monitor identifies a set of pixel values for a block of pixels from the raster image, performs a vectorized comparison of the set of pixel values to each of the thresholds to generate sets of comparison bits, determines a number of set bits in each of the sets of comparison bits, and updates a threshold counter for each of the thresholds based on the number of set bits. The usage monitor may then compute drop counts for different drop sizes based on the threshold counter for each of the thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Walter F. Kailey, David Ward
  • Patent number: 10924448
    Abstract: A method for retrieving content on a network comprising a first device and a second device is described. The method includes receiving in the network a request for content from the first device, the request identifying the content using an IPv6 address for the content, and determining whether the content is stored in a cache of the second device. Upon determining the content is stored in the cache of the second device, a request is sent to the second device for the content using the IPv6 address of the content. The content is forwarded to the first device from the second device, wherein the first and second devices are part of the same layer 2 domain. Methods of injecting content to a home network and packaging content are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: David Ward, William Mark Townsley, Andre Surcouf
  • Patent number: 10891086
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein manage conflicts between media descriptions in a print job, and media descriptions in a job ticket associated with the print job. One embodiment comprises a print controller. The print controller identifies a logical page having an unmodifiable media attribute, directs a Raster Image Processor (RIP) of the print controller to rasterize the logical page based on the unmodifiable media attribute, and modifies the raster data generated by the RIP for the logical page based on a media attribute specified in a job ticket for the logical page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Justin J. Coulter, David Ward
  • Publication number: 20200390586
    Abstract: A method for anal or stomal irrigation includes providing an irrigation system to a user and instructing the user to operate the system to expel the irrigating liquid from a catheter tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Niels Hvid, Richard Morgan Hickmott, Rasmus Nielsen, Luigi Ravasio, David Ward, Henrik Bay
  • Patent number: 10866769
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a two-phase printing process that utilizes page-to-resource tracking during the first rip-to-spool phase in order to perform resource scheduling during the second print-from-spool phase. In one embodiment, compute nodes include a RIP and a raster builder. A controller receives a print job, identifies a distribution of logical pages in the print job to the compute nodes, and generates page assignment information that maps the logical pages to the compute nodes based on the distribution. The compute nodes rasterize the logical pages to generate intermediate data using the RIPs, and store the intermediate raster data at a RIP spool. The controller directs a distribution of the intermediate raster data from the RIP spool to the compute nodes based on the page assignment information, and the compute nodes assemble the intermediate raster data into complete raster data using the raster builders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Justin J. Coulter, David Ward
  • Patent number: 10857907
    Abstract: A pivoting seat for a vehicle comprises a seat frame mountable to the vehicle, the seat frame including a pivot mount and a plurality of roller assemblies. A seat cushion assembly includes a seat cushion and a seat pan assembly supporting the seat cushion that is pivotably mounted to the pivot mount so that the seat cushion assembly is pivotable relative to the seat frame. The seat pan assembly includes a flat perimeter plate at an outer perimeter of the seat pan assembly, wherein each of the plurality of roller assemblies is arranged to contact the flat perimeter plate to support the seat cushion assembly while permitting pivoting of the seat cushion assembly relative to the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Cole Thomas Brodersen, John Riedel, Daniel Joseph Alexander, Wayne David Ward, Deane Wichelt, Dale R. Ropp, Thomas R. Hartwig
  • Patent number: 10855881
    Abstract: Systems, methods, software for halftoning. In one embodiment, a halftone system receives a raster image comprising an array of pixels, and performs a multi-level halftoning process on one or more blocks of the pixels. The system identifies thresholds that distinguish different intensity levels. For each block, the system identifies a set of pixel values for the pixels in the block, performs a vectorized comparison of the set of pixel values to each of the thresholds to generate sets of comparison bits, and performs ternary logic operations with three of the sets of comparison bits as input to define a set of low-order bits and a set of higher-order bits for the pixels in the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Walter F. Kailey, Thomas Rutkowski, David Ward
  • Patent number: 10831416
    Abstract: A subset of pages in a job are analyzed for page complexity to determine if a repeating complexity pattern is present in the job. If a repeating complexity pattern is found, then the page complexities can be extrapolated to other pages in the job. One embodiment comprises a plurality of Raster Image Processors (RIPs) and a scheduler. The scheduler receives a print job, identifies a subset of logical pages in the print job for complexity analysis, and calculates a page complexity value for logical pages in the subset. The scheduler determines that a repeating pattern of page complexity values is present in the subset, and assigns page complexity values to remaining logical pages in the print job by extrapolating the repeating pattern of page complexity values to the remaining logical pages. The scheduler assigns the logical pages in the print job to the RIPs based on their page complexity value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Justin J. Coulter, David Ward
  • Patent number: 10792184
    Abstract: A system for anal and/or stomal irrigation comprises a reservoir (102) for an irrigating liquid, a catheter (100) comprising a catheter tip for insertion into the rectum or stoma of a user and for expelling of the irrigating liquid from the catheter tip, and a tubing system (121) providing a conduit for the irrigating liquid between the reservoir and the catheter tip. A pump (101) is provided to pump the irrigating liquid from the reservoir to the catheter tip, and a control system (103) controls a flow condition, such as the amount of liquid expelled at the catheter tip. A sensor (153) determines a measure of pressure in at least one first predetermined position in the tubing system and/or the catheter during operation of the pump, on the basis of which the flow condition is estimated. The control system is configured to control the pumping operation of the pump in response to the measure of pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Coloplast A/S
    Inventors: Niels Hvid, Richard Morgan Hickmott, Rasmus Nielsen, Luigi Ravasio, David Ward, Henrik Bay
  • Publication number: 20200285430
    Abstract: A subset of pages in a job are analyzed for page complexity to determine if a repeating complexity pattern is present in the job. If a repeating complexity pattern is found, then the page complexities can be extrapolated to other pages in the job. One embodiment comprises a plurality of Raster Image Processors (RIPs) and a scheduler. The scheduler receives a print job, identifies a subset of logical pages in the print job for complexity analysis, and calculates a page complexity value for logical pages in the subset. The scheduler determines that a repeating pattern of page complexity values is present in the subset, and assigns page complexity values to remaining logical pages in the print job by extrapolating the repeating pattern of page complexity values to the remaining logical pages. The scheduler assigns the logical pages in the print job to the RIPs based on their page complexity value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Justin J. Coulter, David Ward
  • Publication number: 20200285428
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein manage conflicts between media descriptions in a print job, and media descriptions in a job ticket associated with the print job. One embodiment comprises a print controller. The print controller identifies a logical page having an unmodifiable media attribute, directs a Raster Image Processor (RIP) of the print controller to rasterize the logical page based on the unmodifiable media attribute, and modifies the raster data generated by the RIP for the logical page based on a media attribute specified in a job ticket for the logical page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Justin J. Coulter, David Ward
  • Publication number: 20200272376
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a two-phase printing process that utilizes page-to-resource tracking during the first rip-to-spool phase in order to perform resource scheduling during the second print-from-spool phase. In one embodiment, compute nodes include a RIP and a raster builder. A controller receives a print job, identifies a distribution of logical pages in the print job to the compute nodes, and generates page assignment information that maps the logical pages to the compute nodes based on the distribution. The compute nodes rasterize the logical pages to generate intermediate data using the RIPs, and store the intermediate raster data at a RIP spool. The controller directs a distribution of the intermediate raster data from the RIP spool to the compute nodes based on the page assignment information, and the compute nodes assemble the intermediate raster data into complete raster data using the raster builders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Justin J. Coulter, David Ward
  • Publication number: 20200208360
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an orthotropic deck panel includes cambering a deck plate of the orthotropic deck panel to a first degree of camber in a longitudinal direction, cambering the deck plate to a second degree of camber in a transverse direction, and attaching a rib member of the orthotropic deck panel to the deck plate by welding the rib member to the deck plate. The first degree of camber corresponds to a shape of a surface of which the orthotropic deck panel is a part, and the second degree of camber is configured such that the deck plate is flatter in the transverse direction after the rib member is welded to the deck plate than when the deck plate is being cambered in the transverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: Vigor Industrial LLC
    Inventors: Terrance J. Aarnio, Keith Chapman, Bill Crittendon, Thomas J. Hickman, Daniel Miller, Christopher Palmer, Perry Royland, Vern Taute, David Ward, Oded Maman
  • Patent number: 10659425
    Abstract: A method of controlling the distribution of content in a network is described. The content traverses the network in packets comprising a packet header including an address associated with the content, and a packet payload including the content. The method includes obtaining the address associated with the content from the packet traversing the network and analysing the address to extract information associated with the content carried in the packet payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ward, Mark Townsley, Andre Surcouf, Alain Fiocco
  • Patent number: 10656888
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe RIP allocation schemes that consider a number of factors during page scheduling to improve the performance of a print controller. One embodiment comprises an apparatus that includes a plurality of RIPs collectively comprising a total number of RIPs that process logical pages. The apparatus further includes a scheduler. The scheduler receives a print job, determines that a number of available RIPs of the plurality of RIPs to process logical pages in the print job is less than the total number of RIPs, and to iteratively increase a number of the logical pages in the print job that are assigned to each of the available RIPs as the number of available RIPs increases over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Justin J. Coulter, David Ward
  • Patent number: 10590615
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an orthotropic deck panel includes securing a rib member in a first fixture, beveling an edge surface of the rib member while the rib member is secured in the first fixture, and releasing the rib member from the first fixture, attaching the rib member to a deck plate, and attaching a floor beam to the rib member and the deck plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Vigor Industrial LLC
    Inventors: Terrance J. Aarnio, Keith Chapman, Bill Crittendon, Thomas J. Hickman, Daniel Miller, Christopher Palmer, Perry Royland, Vern Taute, David Ward, Oded Maman
  • Patent number: 10587762
    Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes generating a set of test case tags that describe attributes included in a test case and store the set of test case tags and the test case, receiving input information, and dynamically generating a test suite of one or more test cases based on input attributes data included in the input information, wherein the input information comprises code change information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen Jared Mandry, Katie Ashely Eng, David Ward
  • Patent number: 10518228
    Abstract: A device for generating bubbles, comprising a porous material having at least one hydrophilic surface (1), arranged such that a liquid (7) in which the bubbles (6) are intended to be formed may contact the hydrophilic surface (1) and at least one hydrophobic surface (2), arranged such that a gas (5) used to generate the bubbles (6) may flow past the hydrophobic surface (2) before it flows past the hydrophilic surface (1). The device may be used for creating fine bubbles in numerous applications, such as wastewater treatment, plant cultivation, aquafarming, aeration systems, bioreactors, fermeters, oil extraction or fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: University of Chester
    Inventors: David Ward, Robert Longman
  • Publication number: 20190375706
    Abstract: Crystalline molecular framework:small molecule compounds. The molecular framework is formed from guanidinium cations and organosulfonate anions and the guanidinium cations and organosulfonate anions are associated via one or more hydrogen bond. The small molecule(s) is/are encapsulated by the molecular framework. Methods for making crystalline molecular framework:small molecule compounds may include combining guanidinium cations, organosulfonate anions, and small molecules in a single step. The crystalline molecular framework:small molecule compounds can be used to determine the structure of the small molecule(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Michael David Ward, Yuantao Li, Chunhua Tony Hu
  • Patent number: RE48230
    Abstract: A cable bypass assembly is disclosed for use in providing a high speed transmission line for connecting a board mounted connector of an electronic device to a chip on the device board. The bypass cable assembly has a structure that permits it, where it is terminated to the board mounted connector and the chip member, or closely proximate thereto. to replicate closely the geometry of the cable. The connector terminals are arranged in alignment with the cable signal conductors and shield extensions are provided so that shielding can be provided up to and over the termination between the cable signal conductors and the board connector terminal tails. Likewise, a similar termination structure is provided at the opposite end of the cable where a pair of terminals are supported by a second connector body and enclosed in a shield collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Keith Lloyd, Christopher David Hirschy, Munawar Ahmad, Eran J. Jones, Stephen W. Hamblin, Darian Ross Schulz, Todd David Ward, Gregory B. Walz, Ebrahim Abunasrah, Rehan Khan