Patents by Inventor Derek Johnson

Derek Johnson 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: 20240017851
    Abstract: A representative system includes an alignment tool for aligning attachment interfaces of horizontally-oriented launch vehicle portions. The tool can include a receiver assembly for connecting to a first launch vehicle portion and an actuation assembly for connecting to a second launch vehicle portion. When a first connecting element of the receiver assembly is engaged with a second connecting element of the actuation assembly, the second connecting element can apply force to the receiver assembly, and the actuator assembly applies an opposite force to the second launch vehicle portion, to align fastening features in the launch vehicle portions and/or to reshape the launch vehicle portions. A representative method includes connecting the alignment tool to the launch vehicle portions and operating the tool to apply oppositely-directed forces to align the launch vehicle portions for installing fasteners to connect the launch vehicle portions. One or more bracing beams can connect two tools together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventor: Derek Johnson
  • Patent number: 11753183
    Abstract: A representative system includes an alignment tool for aligning attachment interfaces of horizontally-oriented launch vehicle portions. The tool can include a receiver assembly for connecting to a first launch vehicle portion and an actuation assembly for connecting to a second launch vehicle portion. When a first connecting element of the receiver assembly is engaged with a second connecting element of the actuation assembly, the second connecting element can apply force to the receiver assembly, and the actuator assembly applies an opposite force to the second launch vehicle portion, to align fastening features in the launch vehicle portions and/or to reshape the launch vehicle portions. A representative method includes connecting the alignment tool to the launch vehicle portions and operating the tool to apply oppositely-directed forces to align the launch vehicle portions for installing fasteners to connect the launch vehicle portions. One or more bracing beams can connect two tools together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Blue Origin, LLC
    Inventor: Derek Johnson
  • Publication number: 20230262410
    Abstract: System and methods for providing dynamic positional audio are disclosed. Methods can comprise determining availability of one or more devices to output audio and determining a location of the one or more available devices. Audio information can be received and at least a portion of the audio information can be configured to generate assigned audio information based on the determined location of the available devices. The assigned audio information can be transmitted to the available devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Chris Robinson, Shawn Kercher, Derek Johnson
  • Patent number: 11682758
    Abstract: Materials and methods for coating an electrochemically active electrode material for use in a lithium-ion battery are provided. In one example, an electrochemically active electrode material comprises: a polymer coating applied directly to an exterior surface of the electrochemically active electrode material; a metal plating catalyst adhered to the continuous polymer; and a continuous metal coating that completely covers the metal catalyst and continuous polymer coating. The electrochemically active electrode material may comprise a powder comprising one or more secondary particles, and the polymer and metal coatings may be applied to exterior surfaces of these secondary particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: A123 Systems LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Scanlan, Derrick Spencer Maxwell, Derek Johnson, Jun Wang, Rocco Iocco, Weidong Zhou
  • Patent number: 11611843
    Abstract: System and methods for providing dynamic positional audio are disclosed. Methods can comprise determining availability of one or more devices to output audio and determining a location of the one or more available devices. Audio information can be received and at least a portion of the audio information can be configured to generate assigned audio information based on the determined location of the available devices. The assigned audio information can be transmitted to the available devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Robinson, Shawn Kercher, Derek Johnson
  • Publication number: 20220363411
    Abstract: A representative system includes an alignment tool for aligning attachment interfaces of horizontally-oriented launch vehicle portions. The tool can include a receiver assembly for connecting to a first launch vehicle portion and an actuation assembly for connecting to a second launch vehicle portion. When a first connecting element of the receiver assembly is engaged with a second connecting element of the actuation assembly, the second connecting element can apply force to the receiver assembly, and the actuator assembly applies an opposite force to the second launch vehicle portion, to align fastening features in the launch vehicle portions and/or to reshape the launch vehicle portions. A representative method includes connecting the alignment tool to the launch vehicle portions and operating the tool to apply oppositely-directed forces to align the launch vehicle portions for installing fasteners to connect the launch vehicle portions. One or more bracing beams can connect two tools together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventor: Derek Johnson
  • Publication number: 20220360737
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for determining an image resource allocation for displaying content within a display area. An image or data capture device associated with a display device may capture an image of a space associated with the user or capture data related to other objects in the space. The viewing distance between the user and the display area (e.g., the display device) may be monitored and processed to determine and/or adjust the image resource allocation for content displayed within the display area. Prioritization data associated with the content may be used to determine and/or adjust the image resource allocation for content displayed within the display area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan Alan Leech, Nicholas Adam Pinckernell, Edward David Monnerat, Chris Robinson, Derek Johnson
  • Publication number: 20220265421
    Abstract: Various deployable valve frame device embodiments that can be implanted into a valvular annulus for receiving an artificial valve therein. The frame can have an anchoring bowl, an anchoring lip, and a neck coupling the anchoring bowl to the anchoring lip, the neck comprising a lumen defined therethrough, wherein the frame is expandable from an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration. The anchoring bowl can be convexly-shaped with an upper rim having a larger diameter than a base rim. The anchoring lip can comprise at least one prong extending radially from the anchoring lip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventor: Derek Johnson
  • Patent number: 11418755
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for determining an image resource allocation for displaying content within a display area. An image or data capture device associated with a display device may capture an image of a space associated with the user or capture data related to other objects in the space. The viewing distance between the user and the display area (e.g., the display device) may be monitored and processed to determine and/or adjust the image resource allocation for content displayed within the display area. User movement, including eye movement, may also be monitored and processed to determine and/or adjust the image resource allocation for content displayed within the display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Alan Leech, Nicholas Adam Pinckernell, Edward David Monnerat, Chris Robinson, Derek Johnson
  • Publication number: 20220232289
    Abstract: Methods and systems for sourcing supplemental content are disclosed. Secondary devices may be used to identify content streaming on first screen devices and to generate supplemental data for the content. In this manner, users may be leveraged to create various data for a variety of content. The data may be collected and organized so that users watching content at a later time may have access to the data. Methods and systems for using second screen devices to access metadata created by the crowd are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventor: Derek Johnson
  • Publication number: 20220200053
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using electrolytic compositions in lithium ion batteries. In one example, an electrolytic composition may include vinylene carbonate, fluoroethylene carbonate, 1,3-propane sultone, ethylene sulfite, and a conducting salt including no less than 80 mol % of lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide. In this way, a capacity retention of the lithium ion battery may be maintained, such as during high-temperature storage at 100% state of charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Liyuan Sun, Xiaobo Li, Mengqing Xu, Derek Johnson, Taehwan Yu, Kate Digan, Connor Tomshack
  • Publication number: 20220069292
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a blend of cathode active materials. In one example, the blend of cathode active materials provides a high power battery with low direct current resistance while improving lithium ion cell safety performance. Methods and systems are further provided for fabricating the cathode active material blend and a battery including the blend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Wesley Hoffert, Derek Johnson, Brian Chiou, Maha Rachid Hammoud, Chuanjing Xu, Theodore Grimm
  • Publication number: 20220033952
    Abstract: Various methods for making probe devices that include the addition of electrode contact material using various different processes and/or techniques, along with the resulting devices. Some methods include adding electrode contact material such that the resulting electrode contacts are suitable for direct contact with patient tissue while encapsulating materials that are not.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Camilo Diaz-Botia, Steve Mertens, Derek Johnson, Vanessa Tolosa
  • Publication number: 20220037651
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for salt-rinse surface doping of electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries. In one example, a method may include dissolving a dopant salt in a solvent to form a dopant salt rinse solution, rinsing an electrode active material with the dopant salt rinse solution to form a coated electrode active material, and heating the coated electrode active material to form a doped electrode active material. In some examples, a surface region of the doped electrode active material may include a uniform distribution of dopants from the dopant salt rinse solution. In this way, the electrode active material may be rinsed and doped via the dopant salt rinse solution in a single-stage process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Lei Liu, Kitae Kim, Lixin Wang, Anil Parmar, Bryan Kim, Chloe Harrison, Andrew Millonig, Derek Johnson, Eunsung Lee, Taehwan Yu
  • Publication number: 20210348988
    Abstract: Various examples are provided related to methane detection in harsh environments. In one example, a method includes drawing a sample of air from at least one first location; delivering the sample to a volume within a sensor block at a second location, where the sensor block includes a gas concentration sensor in communication with the volume; and where a vacuum is applied to the volume within the sensor block to facilitate delivery of the sample to the second location. In another example, a system includes a sampling unit that houses a sensor block, where a sample tube is coupled to an inlet of the sensor block, which includes a gas concentration sensor; an ejector that facilitates delivery of a sample of air from the first location via the sample tube; and a control unit that can receive a gas concentration sensor output from the sampling unit for processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Derek Johnson, Nigel Clark, Amber Barr, Brian Cappellini
  • Patent number: 11115722
    Abstract: Methods and systems for sourcing supplemental content are disclosed. Secondary devices may be used to identify content streaming on first screen devices and to generate supplemental data for the content. In this manner, users may be leveraged to create various data for a variety of content. The data may be collected and organized so that users watching content at a later time may have access to the data. Methods and systems for using second screen devices to access metadata created by the crowd are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Derek Johnson
  • Patent number: 11088389
    Abstract: A lithium iron phosphate electrochemically active material for use in an electrode and methods and systems related thereto are disclosed. In one example, a lithium iron phosphate electrochemically active material for use in an electrode is provided including, a dopant comprising vanadium and optionally a co-dopant comprising cobalt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: A123 SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Chuanjing Xu, Maha Hammoud, Judith M. Laforest, Hyojin Lee, Derek Johnson
  • Patent number: D924028
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: B&B BLENDING, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher R. Gallahar, Derek Johnson
  • Patent number: D932267
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: B&B BLENDING, LLC
    Inventor: Derek Johnson
  • Patent number: D981065
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: B&B Blending, LLC
    Inventors: Geoff Quinter, Nicklaus Mertz, Derek Johnson