Patents by Inventor Frank Stephan

Frank Stephan 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: 8051573
    Abstract: A user manipulated apparatus for producing straight construction lines on sheet material includes a linearly extensive frame with integrally formed handle and an expendable marking strip affixed to a bottom edge of the frame. A user positions the frame so that its ends are in registry with the endpoints of a desired construction line, with the marking strip contacting the surface of the sheet material. The user then linearly displaces the frame a short distance along its length so that the marking strip rubs along the surface of the sheet material and produces a visible construction line. The portion of the frame that supports the marking substance may be compliant to ensure that the marking substance fully engages the surface of the sheet material even when the sheet material has surface irregularities or is not perfectly planar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventor: Frank Stephan
  • Publication number: 20090248463
    Abstract: A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to an analytical view of trading order, a trade price specification contract, and/or a trading order business object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Emmanuel Piochon, Frank Stephan, Markus Urbanek, Stefan Edelmann, Juergen Pinkow
  • Patent number: 7048805
    Abstract: A dual mode carpet cleaning method is capable of being used in both a deep cleaning mode and a fast drying surface cleaning mode. The method utilizes a carpet cleaning apparatus that provides selective communication with different sets of cleaning jets. One set of cleaning jets is operated to deliver a first cleaning solution that penetrates deeply into a carpet in the deep cleaning mode. A second set of cleaning jets is operated to deliver a lower flow rate of a second cleaning solution that does not penetrate as deeply into the carpet and dries quickly. The method involves manually operating a valve on the apparatus to selectively communicate a source of cleaning fluid of the apparatus with one of the first set of cleaning jets and the second set of cleaning jets, and discharging the cleaning liquid from the selected one of the first set of cleaning jets and second set of cleaning jets onto a carpet to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Rug Doctor, LP
    Inventors: Roger Kent, Frank Stephan, Schubert Pereira
  • Publication number: 20060026583
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for configuring and executing complex software. The complex software may include code corresponding to a core layer and code corresponding to at least one of a plurality of industry extensions. A method for configuring software is provided that includes presenting at least one business set for selection by the user. The method further includes receiving a selection of at least one business set from the user, and receiving a selection of functions from the user based on the selected business set. The method further includes determining whether the selection of functions by the user is valid, and activating switches to enable software elements corresponding to the selected functions, if the user selection of the functions is determined to be valid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: Juergen Remmel, Andreas Schmitt, Frank Stephan, Christian Taut, Michael Franz, Stefan Weisenberger, Michael Acker, Yvonne Sander, Veronika Schmid-Lutz
  • Publication number: 20060026586
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for configuring and executing complex software. The complex software may include code corresponding to a core layer and code corresponding to at least one of a plurality of industry extensions. A method for configuring software is provided that includes presenting at least one business set for selection by the user. The method further includes receiving a selection of at least one business set from the user, and receiving a selection of functions from the user based on the selected business set. The method further includes determining whether the selection of functions by the user is valid, and activating switches to enable software elements corresponding to the selected functions, if the user selection of the functions is determined to be valid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: Juergen Remmel, Frank Stephan, Andreas Schmitt, Andreas Blumenthal, Christian Taut, Yvonne Sander, Christian Hissler, Mortiz Thomas, Martin Mayer, Frank Zweissig, Holger Krah, Stefan Kalhofer, Michael Acker, Ronald Kraemer, Kerstin Heoft, Uwe Ringhof, Wolfgang Reichl, Veronika Schmid-Lutz, Michael Franz, Stefan Weisenberger
  • Patent number: 6892357
    Abstract: In a system and method for logistics management according to embodiments of the present invention, a user interface may present a user with input fields that correlate naturally with typical logistics processes. More specifically, the user interface may comprise: a step field to receive a value relating to a current step in a logistics process, and data associated therewith; a predecessor step field to receive a value relating to a step in the logistics process previous to the current step, and data associated therewith; and a mode field to receive a value relating to an action to be performed based on values received in the step and predecessor step fields. The values acceptable by the fields may be terms that are descriptive of typical activities in a particular user's business, so that using the interface has a natural or intuitive feel for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: SAP Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Frank Stephan
  • Publication number: 20050050645
    Abstract: A dual mode carpet cleaning machine capable of being used in both a traditional deep cleaning mode and a fast drying surface cleaning mode. A selection mechanism provides selective communication with different sets of application jets. One set of application jets delivers a first cleaning solution that penetrates deeply into a carpet. After agitation with a scrub brush the device removes the cleaning solution and unwanted soil through a vacuum nozzle. The other set of jets delivers a lower flow rate of a second cleaning solution that does not penetrate deeply into the carpet. In addition, a novel cleaning solution is disclosed for use with the machine in differing concentrations, depending on the desired application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Roger Kent, Frank Stephan, Schubert Pereira
  • Publication number: 20050015314
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to logistics management software. The software includes a user interface configurable to receive inputs relating to logistics operations in user-defined language.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventor: Frank Stephan
  • Patent number: 6789290
    Abstract: A dual mode carpet cleaning machine capable of being used in both a traditional deep cleaning mode and a fast drying surface cleaning mode. A selection mechanism provides selective communication with different sets of application jets. One set of application jets delivers a first cleaning solution that penetrates deeply into a carpet. After agitation with a scrub brush the device removes the cleaning solution and unwanted soil through a vacuum nozzle. The other set of jets delivers a lower flow rate of a second cleaning solution that does not penetrate deeply into the carpet. In addition, a novel cleaning solution is disclosed for use with the machine in differing concentrations, depending on the desired application. The carpet cleaning solutions dry more quickly when applied to carpet than previous solutions; the combined performance of the system displays similar cleaning efficiencies to previous carpet cleaning machines but obtains significantly reduced drying times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Rug Doctor, L.P.
    Inventors: Roger Kent, Frank Stephan, Schubert Pereira
  • Patent number: 6568024
    Abstract: The invention is a cleaning tool housing assembly and a replaceable cleaning assembly. The manifold, in combination with a fluid intake element, also delivers fluid (under pressure through holes in the manifold located in a longitudinal channel) to a sponge. Two spaced apart fluid barriers are longitudinally disposed in the sponge. As fluid is introduced into the center of the sponge, between the fluid barriers, the fluid travels toward the opposite surface of the sponge. The fluid is prevented from traveling laterally due to the fluid barriers. As vacuum pressure, negative pressure, is exerted on the outer portions of the sponge (on each side of the fluid barriers), fluid is pulled back through the sponge, through the manifold and through the nozzles into the hollow housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Rug Doctor LP
    Inventors: Roger Kent, Rodney D. Maddox, Frank Stephan, William B. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20030046788
    Abstract: A dual mode carpet cleaning machine capable of being used in both a traditional deep cleaning mode and a fast drying surface cleaning mode. A selection mechanism provides selective communication with different sets of application jets. One set of application jets delivers a first cleaning solution that penetrates deeply into a carpet. After agitation with a scrub brush the device removes the cleaning solution and unwanted soil through a vacuum nozzle. The other set of jets delivers a lower flow rate of a second cleaning solution that does not penetrate deeply into the carpet. In addition, a novel cleaning solution is disclosed for use with the machine in differing concentrations, depending on the desired application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Roger Kent, Frank Stephan, Schubert Pereira
  • Publication number: 20020148072
    Abstract: The invention is a cleaning tool housing assembly and a replaceable cleaning assembly. The manifold, in combination with a fluid intake element, also delivers fluid (under pressure through holes in the manifold located in a longitudinal channel) to a sponge. Two spaced apart fluid barriers are longitudinally disposed in the sponge. As fluid is introduced into the center of the sponge, between the fluid barriers, the fluid travels toward the opposite surface of the sponge. The fluid is prevented from traveling laterally due to the fluid barriers. As vacuum pressure, negative pressure, is exerted on the outer portions of the sponge (on each side of the fluid barriers), fluid is pulled back through the sponge, through the manifold and through the nozzles into the hollow housing body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Roger Kent, Rodney D. Maddox, Frank Stephan, William B. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6418587
    Abstract: The invention is a cleaning tool housing assembly and a replaceable cleaning assembly. The manifold, in combination with a fluid intake element, also delivers fluid (under pressure through holes in the manifold located in a longitudinal channel) to a sponge. Two spaced apart fluid barriers are longitudinally disposed in the sponge. As fluid is introduced into the center of the sponge, between the fluid barriers, the fluid travels toward the opposite surface of the sponge. The fluid is prevented from traveling laterally due to the fluid barriers. As vacuum pressure, negative pressure, is exerted on the outer portions of the sponge (on each side of the fluid barriers), fluid is pulled back through the sponge, through the manifold and through the nozzles into the hollow housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Rug Doctor, L.P.
    Inventors: Roger Kent, Rodney D. Maddox, Frank Stephan, William B. Kennedy
  • Patent number: D701615
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ferring, B.V.
    Inventors: Cezary Pluska, Frank Stephan