Patents by Inventor Howard Miller

Howard Miller 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: 20150343704
    Abstract: Systems, computer readable media, and methods for printing of 3D objects in color are disclosed. In general, a 3D object may be produced and colored by a 3D printer using the same digital 3D model. The digital model for a desired 3D object may be revised to include a process for coloring the object by the 3D printer. In one embodiment, this may involve coloring to the object after it has been made. In an alternative embodiment, color may be added as the object is being made. Because the 3D model provides knowledge of the surface, contours and all the coordinates of the 3D object being printed, the object can be colored using the same digital model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Apple, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Stahl, Howard A. Miller
  • Patent number: 9118972
    Abstract: In a television system in which at least program title information for programs which are to be transmitted in the future is transmitted in advance to form a channel guide listing, apparatus is provided for searching the listing for specific user-entered information, and upon successful conclusion to the search, the apparatus schedules the tuning of the desired program, or in the alternative, notifies the viewer of the availability of the program. In those instances where descriptive text accompanies the program listing, apparatus of the invention performs a search of the text for a particular text string which may relate to the title, the star, the director, or the context of the program, among other search criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Kenneth Wayne Maze, Jeffrey Philip Reavis, Robert Howard Miller, Sheila Renee Crosby, Keith Reynolds Wehmeyer, Hugh Boyd Morrison, Megan Louise Brown
  • Publication number: 20150207319
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for optimizing the control of energy supply and demand. An energy control unit includes one or more algorithms for scheduling the control of energy consumption devices on the basis of variables relating to forecast energy supply and demand. Devices for which energy consumption can be scheduled or deferred are activated during periods of cheapest energy usage. Battery storage and alternative energy sources (e.g., photovoltaic cells) are activated to sell energy to the power grid during periods that are determined to correspond to favorable cost conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: GRIDPOINT, INC.
    Inventor: Craig Howard Miller
  • Patent number: 9007642
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates the execution of a print job. During operation, the system receives, at a printer, a signal from a portable electronic device indicating the printer has been selected for the print job. Next, in response to the selection, the system generates an output that facilitates identification of the printer by a user of the portable electronic device. The system also provides a mechanism for confirming physical access to the printer by the user. Upon confirming the physical access to the printer by the user, the system establishes a connection between the portable electronic device and the printer, wherein the connection is subsequently used by the portable electronic device and the printer to perform the print job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Howard A. Miller, Michael R. Sweet, Tito Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150089109
    Abstract: A data storage system and associated method of using may generally have at least a data storage device that has independent first and second interfaces respectively connecting the data storage device to a host controller and an auxiliary controller. The auxiliary controller can be configured to provide system information to the data storage device prior to a synchronized connection being established between the data storage device and the host controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Michael Howard Miller
  • Patent number: 8975236
    Abstract: There is disclosed a dietary supplement composition of alkaloids and flavonoids extracted from citrus fruits that exhibits lipolytic and thermogenic activity and increases RMR, while at the same time exhibiting no negative side effects such as increase in blood pressure or heart rate. The composition essentially comprises two components: (A) the protoalkaloids synephrine, tyramine, N-methyltyramine, hordenine and octopamine; and (B) at least one of hesperidin, naringin and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventors: Sidney J. Stohs, Howard Miller
  • Patent number: 8922795
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates use of a printer. During operation, the system obtains, on an electronic device, a set of supported capabilities from the printer. Next, the system provides, to a user of the electronic device, the set of supported capabilities within a workflow for using the printer without installing printer-specific software for the printer. Upon detecting a selection of a supported capability from the provided set of supported capabilities by the user, the system determines if the supported capability requires the printer-specific software. If the supported capability does not require the printer-specific software, the system enables use of the supported capability by the user without using the printer-specific software to provide the supported capability to the user. If the supported capability requires the printer-specific software, the system uses the printer-specific software to provide the supported capability to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Howard A. Miller, Mohammad R. Gharahgouzloo, Baskaran Subramaniam
  • Patent number: 8903560
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for optimizing the control of energy supply and demand. An energy control unit includes one or more algorithms for scheduling the control of energy consumption devices on the basis of variables relating to forecast energy supply and demand. Devices for which energy consumption can be scheduled or deferred are activated during periods of cheapest energy usage. Battery storage and alternative energy sources (e.g., photovoltaic cells) are activated to sell energy to the power grid during periods that are determined to correspond to favorable cost conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: GridPoint, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Howard Miller
  • Publication number: 20140344865
    Abstract: In a television system in which at least program title information for programs which are to be transmitted in the future is transmitted in advance to form a channel guide listing, apparatus is provided for searching the listing for specific user-entered information, and upon successful conclusion to the search, the apparatus schedules the tuning of the desired program, or in the alternative, notifies the viewer of the availability of the program. In those instances where descriptive text accompanies the program listing, apparatus of the invention performs a search of the text for a particular text string which may relate to the title, the star, the director, or the context of the program, among other search criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Kenneth Wayne MAZE, Jeffrey Philip REAVIS, Robert Howard MILLER, Sheila Renee CROSBY, Hugh Boyd MORRISON, Megan Louise Brown
  • Patent number: 8891115
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates the execution of a print job. During operation, the system obtains a set of document-processing capabilities from a printer associated with the print job and obtains print data for the print job. Next, the system selects a set of document attributes for the print job based on the document-processing capabilities and the print data, wherein the set of document attributes comprises a document format and a document size. Finally, the system configures the print data to conform to the document attributes to enable processing of the print job by the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Sweet, Howard A. Miller, Richard Blanchard, Jr., David Gelphman
  • Publication number: 20140331071
    Abstract: A variety of data storage devices, methods and systems are implemented for control of memory associated with backup functionality. One such data storage device includes a power circuit that provides main power. The data storage device has a first solid-state memory circuit that maintains data in the absence of electrical power. A second memory circuit is subject to data loss in the absence of electrical power. A storage circuit stores energy and provides the stored energy to the second memory circuit in response to a loss of main power. A test circuit discharges a portion of the stored energy to provide output data indicative of power-providing capabilities of the storage circuit. A memory controller controls data transfers to the data storage device by temporarily storing data destined for the first solid-state memory circuit and setting the amount of memory available for temporary storage in response to the output data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Michael Howard Miller, Martin Ragnar Furuhjelm, Jonathan Williams Haines
  • Publication number: 20140281277
    Abstract: A single device that provides computing system-level functionality with non-volatile storage controller functionality. These functionalities can share the same electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Howard Miller, Richard Esten Bohn
  • Publication number: 20140254343
    Abstract: A system for peer-to-peer vibration mitigation in a distributing computing system includes a secondary communication interface over which chassis management electronics (e.g., a chassis-level controller) and/or system storage nodes may initiate communications to in order to affect system changes that may decrease vibration-related performance degradation in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Michael Howard MILLER, Richard Esten BOHN
  • Publication number: 20140259023
    Abstract: In accordance with one implementation, a system for adaptive vibration mitigation includes a distributed workload scheduler configured to allocate individual workloads between a plurality of storage nodes in a distributed computing and storage environment. The distributed workload scheduler synthesizes and analyzes feedback data from the storage nodes in order to modify workload scheduling policies and/or the behavior of other system components in a way that mitigates the impact of vibrations on the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Michael Howard MILLER, Richard Esten BOHN
  • Patent number: 8824261
    Abstract: A system for peer-to-peer vibration mitigation in a distributing computing system includes a secondary communication interface over which chassis management electronics (e.g., a chassis-level controller) and/or system storage nodes may initiate communications to in order to affect system changes that may decrease vibration-related performance degradation in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Michael Howard Miller, Richard Esten Bohn
  • Patent number: 8818877
    Abstract: Presenting system and device conditions and purchasing options for components compatible with hardware devices of a computer system. In one aspect, an operating system determines the identity of a hardware device in communication with the operating system, communicates over a network to receive current purchasing information related to the hardware device, and displays components that can be selected for purchase and used with the hardware device. Another aspect provides a selectable user interface control for display in a graphical user interface that indicates a new operating condition of the computer system, different from a prior operating condition, by displaying a different appearance of the control. One embodiment has a new operating condition occurring when a component of a hardware device is within a predetermined threshold of requiring replacement, refilling, or supplementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Blanchard, Jr., Himanshu Gupta, Steven P. Jobs, Howard A. Miller, Michael B. Shebanek, Brian R. Smiley, Ralph E. Zazula
  • Publication number: 20140233585
    Abstract: A technique for allowing customers to control a video network. A network controller receives a request from an end user for a video connection between a first port and a second port. The request may specify at least a start time, an end time, the first port and the second port. A plurality of available routes between the first port and the second port may be analyzed to determine at least one selected route that will be used to connect the first port and the second port. A first command may be sent to automatically connect the first port and the second port via the at least one selected route at the start time. While in progress, the video connection may be modified according to system availability. Customers may have a view of all requests that have been made, completed or reserved for in the future.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Beers Enterprises, Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott Beers, David Anderson, Bruce Anderson, Howard Miller
  • Patent number: 8776138
    Abstract: In a television system in which at least program title information for programs which are to be transmitted in the future is transmitted in advance to form a channel guide listing, apparatus is provided for searching the listing for specific user-entered information, and upon successful conclusion to the search, the apparatus schedules the tuning of the desired program, or in the alternative, notifies the viewer of the availability of the program. In those instances where descriptive text accompanies the program listing, apparatus of the invention performs a search of the text for a particular text string which may relate to the title, the star, the director, or the context of the program, among other search criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Kenneth Wayne Maze, Jeffrey Philip Reavis, Robert Howard Miller, Sheila Renee Crosby, Keith Reynolds Wehmeyer, Hugh Boyd Morrison, Megan Louise Brown
  • Publication number: 20140153049
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates the execution of a print job. During operation, the system receives, at a printer, a signal from a portable electronic device indicating the printer has been selected for the print job. Next, in response to the selection, the system generates an output that facilitates identification of the printer by a user of the portable electronic device. The system also provides a mechanism for confirming physical access to the printer by the user. Upon confirming the physical access to the printer by the user, the system establishes a connection between the portable electronic device and the printer, wherein the connection is subsequently used by the portable electronic device and the printer to perform the print job.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Howard A. Miller, Michael R. Sweet, Tito Thomas
  • Patent number: 8745421
    Abstract: A variety of data storage devices, methods and systems are implemented for control of memory associated with backup functionality. One such data storage device includes a power circuit that provides main power. The data storage device has a first solid-state memory circuit that maintains data in the absence of electrical power. A second memory circuit is subject to data loss in the absence of electrical power. A storage circuit stores energy and provides the stored energy to the second memory circuit in response to a loss of main power. A test circuit discharges a portion of the stored energy to provide output data indicative of power-providing capabilities of the storage circuit. A memory controller controls data transfers to the data storage device by temporarily storing data destined for the first solid-state memory circuit and setting the amount of memory available for temporary storage in response to the output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Michael Howard Miller, Martin Ragnar Furuhjelm, Jonathan Williams Haines