Patents by Inventor J. Fowler

J. Fowler 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: 20150242788
    Abstract: A method is described for partitioning an original geographic area into smaller logical geographic seed areas as part of balancing a business-related workload. A computer system generates a plurality of data structures in a memory respectively representing the plurality of logical geographic seed areas based upon a watershed analysis of transport-related burden information within the original geographic area and transport-related flow information within the original geographic area. Each data structure includes a first element identifying the logical geographic seed areas and a second data element identifying a seed point. The computer system then determines if the business-related workload for each of the logical geographic seed areas is substantially balanced based upon the at least one business-related metric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Wei Wu-Emmert, Tyrell J. Fowler, Frederick A. DeZemplen, IV
  • Publication number: 20150190006
    Abstract: The embodiments of my device provide an improved device for footwear placement, removal, retrieval, and storage (12). Said device comprises a U-shaped sock support member (14) adapted to receive the foot of the user. Inside the stocking support member contains a double-sided adhesive layer (22) whereby a stocking is securely retained on support member. The two open ends of the U-shaped member (20) are used to retrieve dropped footwear. An improved elongate rod comprising an angle bend (26) component. The bend in the inside of the elongate angle rod (26) assists in the support of the foot, ankle, and leg during insertion of foot into sock. The first end of rod (24) is attached circular scissor type handle (28) for storing socks. Second end is attached U-shaped member (14). On reverse side of elongate rod angle bend (26) is an improved sock remover member (40). Other embodiments described as shown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventor: Charles J. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20150104958
    Abstract: A coupling (30) for the introduction of a bias voltage into a vacuum chamber. The coupling consists of a metallic ball bearing assembly (36), a bearing sleeve or cup (34), and an EMI shielding gasket (42) seated within the bearing sleeve or cup. The ball bearing assembly is fitted within the EMI shielding gasket, about a metallic shaft (32) which, in turn, is coupled to a source of the bias voltage. The bearing sleeve or cup is, in turn, coupled to a rotating component such as a platen, for receiving the bias voltage within the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Richard J. Fowler, Michael D. Drory
  • Patent number: 8397622
    Abstract: An ammunition elevator device is provided for raising and lowering ammunition. The device includes a housing, a crank assembly, a pawl mechanism, and a transfer linkage. The housing has a chamber flanked by first and second flanges. The assembly includes a crank axle, first and second sprockets mounted to the axle for elevating the ammunition, and a ratchet gear mounted to the axle adjacent to the first flange. The pawl mechanism includes a pawl, a toggle and a pin spreader. The transfer linkage has a rotatable bar pivotably connected to the second flange, a rod that radially shifts relative to the crank axle in response to the sprockets, and a pair of rotatable joints. The ratchet gear connects to the axle adjacent the first flange, wherein the gear cyclically pivots the pawl for raising the toggle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Robert J. Fowler, IV, Carter G. Timberlake, Michael M. Canaday
  • Publication number: 20120312153
    Abstract: An ammunition elevator device is provided for raising and lowering ammunition. The device includes a housing, a crank assembly, a pawl mechanism, and a transfer linkage. The housing has a chamber within which to elevate the ammunition flanked by first and second flanges. The assembly, rotatably disposed between the flanges, has a crank axle, first and second sprockets mounted to the axle for elevating the ammunition, and a ratchet gear mounted to the axle adjacent to the first flange. The pawl mechanism connects to the first flange and includes a pawl, a toggle and a pin spreader. The toggle pin connects to the pawl and mounts to the spreader. The transfer linkage has a rotatable bar pivotably connected to the second flange, a rod that radially shifts relative to the crank axle in response to the sprockets, and first and second rotatable joints. The first joint connects to the bar to the rod. The second joint connects the rod to the spreader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Robert J. Fowler, IV, Carter G. Timberlake, Michael M. Canaday
  • Patent number: 8245874
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for connecting a door to a container. The door provides and restricts access to a chamber of the container in respective open and closed positions. The mechanism includes, at each corresponding lateral side of the container and the door, a rail mounted to the container, an elbow, and first and second linkage arms. The rail aligns along a fore-and-aft direction so that the elbow slides along that direction. The elbow has vertical and axial members. The axial member connects to the rail. The first linkage arm includes first, second and third joints that pivotably connect respectively to the vertical member, to the container, and to the door. The second linkage arm includes fourth and fifth joints that pivotably connect respectively to the door and to the container. The linkage arms are disposed to avoid lateral obstruction beyond the door in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Robert J. Fowler, IV
  • Patent number: 8237588
    Abstract: A stowage magazine is provided for securing a can of ammunition rounds. The magazine includes a frame having lateral sides that define a space for the can; a hinge mechanism connecting to the lateral sides; and a door connecting to the mechanism. The door provides and restricts access to the space in respective open and closed positions. The door is openable along an axial direction to provide an operational surface. The mechanism avoids lateral obstruction beyond the door's surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Robert J. Fowler, IV, Pauline CheneƩ Tillett, Jeffrey M. Pardee
  • Patent number: 8090817
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a space external to the system is disclosed. The system includes a microprocessor, a memory coupled to the microprocessor, a sensor configured to detect at least one environmental parameter of the space external to the system and configured to generate a sensor signal derived from the at least one detected environmental parameter of the space and at least one port for communicating with a network. The memory includes instructions for processing the sensor signal derived from the at least one environmental parameter of the space external to the system and the memory including a web server application. The at least one port is responsive to the microprocessor. The web server application is configured to provide a webpage associated with the sensor signal via the at least one port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Fowler, Gerard L. Cullen
  • Patent number: 8024451
    Abstract: The application discloses an apparatus including at least one sensor configured to monitor environmental conditions ambient to rack mounted computer equipment and a housing configured for mounting to an equipment rack. The housing includes a processor responsive to the sensor, at least one network interface responsive to the processor and configured for communication with a distributed computing network, a web server configured to provide a web page associated with information derived from the sensor, an email module configured to send notification of events associated with the sensor, and a simple network management protocol module configured to communicate with computer equipment external to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Fowler, Gerard L. Cullen
  • Patent number: 8005944
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring a space and its contents over a network. The system can include an embedded Java microprocessor to provide processing and network connectivity capability, and sensors to detect physical parameters associated with the space. The sensors can generate one or more sensor signals representative of the detected physical parameters. An analog-to-digital converter can convert the sensor signals to a digital format and can provide corresponding digital signals to the microprocessor. The system further includes instructions for processing the sensor signals and corresponding digital signals. An alarm signal can be generated when any of the physical parameters exceeds a corresponding threshold value. The system of the present invention can have at least one input/output port for communicating with the network and one or more memory modules for storing system data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Fowler, Gerard L. Cullen
  • Patent number: 7796596
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products producing, transporting, and capturing network traffic data are provided. The method includes associating a mirroring policy with a service profile assigned to a service subscriber, the service subscriber identified by a static Internet Protocol address. The method also includes associating a routing policy with the service profile. Upon detecting an active session for the service subscriber, the method includes mirroring traffic data generated as a result of subscriber activity, the mirroring implemented in accordance with the mirroring policy. The method further includes routing the mirrored traffic data through a public network to a central collection facility in accordance with the routing policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott K. Sheppard, Henry J. Fowler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7794189
    Abstract: A cargo frame may include a support arm, a cradle operable to support a corner of cargo, and a connecting element. The support arm may be supported by a base. The support arm may be extendible and include a lower support arm and an upper support arm. The connecting element may removably attach the lower support arm to the upper support arm at a connection point of the lower support arm and one of a plurality of connection points of the upper support arm. The cradle may be rotatably and removably attached to the support arm at one of one or more connection points. The cradle may be rotatable from an unloaded position to a loaded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: New Enterprise Stone and Lime Company
    Inventors: Saul Erech, Dexter J. Fowler
  • Patent number: 7731776
    Abstract: Multimodal cermet compositions comprising a multimodal grit distribution of the ceramic phase and method of making are provided by the present invention. The multimodal cermet compositions include a) a ceramic phase and b) a metal binder phase, wherein the ceramic phase is a metal boride with a multimodal distribution of particles, wherein at least one metal is selected from the group consisting of Group IV, Group V, Group VI elements of the Long Form of The Periodic Table of Elements and mixtures thereof, and wherein the metal binder phase comprises at least one first element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, Mn and mixtures thereof, and at least second element selected from the group consisting of Cr, Al, Si and Y, and Ti.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: ChangMin Chun, Narasimha-Rao V. Bangaru, Neeraj S. Thirumalai, Hyun-Woo Jin, Jayoung Koo, John R. Peterson, Robert L. Antram, Christopher J. Fowler, Emery B. Lendvai-Lintner
  • Publication number: 20100130170
    Abstract: A system and methodology that provides management services during local breakout at a femto access point (FAP) is provided. In particular, the FAP facilitates policy management and employs a policy component to perform an analysis and enforce a set of policies for dynamically selecting an optimal route for traffic received at the FAP based on a decision-making process. Typically, the set of policies can specify different routes based on various factors, such as, but not limited to, type of traffic, current and/or future network resource availability, current time, day and/or date, location of the FAP, location of a UE sending/receiving the traffic, a lowest cost route, and/or route based on cost-benefit, etc. Further, a monitoring component is employed to observe the route employed by that traffic, which can be utilized by various services, such as, billing, Quality of Service, security management, address management, failure management and/or provisioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Cheng P. Liu, Alireza Faryar, Kurt Huber, Henry J. Fowler, JR., Robert C. Streijl
  • Patent number: 7708437
    Abstract: An instrument panel system. The instrument panel system provides an aesthetically appealing instrument panel by including a number of concealed switches. The switches are concealed such that an area proximate the switch on the surface of the instrument panel appears to be uninterrupted by the switch. In operation, the position of the switches is revealed by illuminating a switch display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Karl R. Kennedy, David Hein, Christopher D. Spielman, Gregory F. Breakey, Thomas J. Fowler
  • Patent number: 7544228
    Abstract: One form of the disclosure includes a cermet composition represented by the formula (PQ)(RS) comprising: a ceramic phase (PQ) and a binder phase (RS) wherein, P is a metal selected from the group consisting of Al, Si, Mg, Ca, Y, Fe, Mn, Group IV, Group V, Group VI elements, and mixtures thereof, Q is oxide, R is a base metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni Co, Mn and mixtures thereof, S consists essentially of at least one element selected from Cr, Al and Si and at least one reactive wetting element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, Ta, Sc, Y, La, and Ce, wherein the ceramic phase (PQ) ranges from about 55 to 95 vol % based on the volume of the cermet and is dispersed in the binder phase (RS) as particles with a diameter of 100 microns or greater. Another form of the disclosure relates to a bimodal size distribution of the metal oxide ceramic phase within the metal matrix phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: ChangMin Chun, Narasimha-Rao V. Bangaru, John R. Peterson, Robert L. Antram, Christopher J. Fowler
  • Patent number: 7529838
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a network-enabled appliance. The appliance may aid the remote monitoring of various measured data. The device may monitor a variable or set of variables and output the data upon request. In addition, the appliance may issue alarms, alerts, warning and other notifications when a variable matches a setpoint or undergoes a specified change, deviation, and/or fluctuation. Further the appliance may be operable to communicate with other appliances. The communication may comprise periodic pinging of peer appliances. In this manner, a peer appliance may detect a failure in other network-enabled appliances when an anticipated ping is not received. Further, the communication may enable the establishment of a directory of capabilities of various appliances. In this manner, a group of appliances may perform more complex behaviors by grouping resources. Further, a group of appliances may act to reestablish the behavior of a failed device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Primm, John J. Fowler, Gary Faulkner
  • Patent number: 7484808
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly that is disposable in a vehicle rearward of a front seat includes a seat bottom, a seat back attached to the seat bottom, and a head restraint attached to the seat back and having a head restraint body that is moveable from a raised position to a lowered position. The seat assembly further includes an actuator associated with the head restraint for enabling movement of the head restraint body from the raised position to the lowered position. The actuator is located proximate a front portion of the seat bottom such that the actuator is accessible by an occupant of the front seat when the seat assembly is installed in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Nagarjun V. Yetukuri, Gerald S. Locke, Thomas J. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20070130150
    Abstract: A gamercard associated with an integrated gamer profile to identify a gamer is provided to the gamer and other PC/console users who also participate in other online gaming community activities such as game-related web sites. The gamercard is also provided to the user in a modular fashion formatted in a way suitable for the user to display it directly within other applications of the user (such as their personal web sites and mobile device applications for display on their cell phone) without the user having to update the information within the other applications when the information changes in the central database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: J. Fowler, Dax Hawkins, John Gehlsen, Michal Bortnik, Steven Lamb, Walter Rector
  • Patent number: RE40527
    Abstract: An occupant seat of a motor vehicle includes a backrest, and a headrest mounted atop the backrest on a pair of posts. The headrest includes a base portion supported by the posts, and an occupant-engaging contact portion that is supported by the base portion for relative translational movement along a pair of tracks defined on the base portion. In response to a suitable control signal, such as the tensioning of a Bowden cable in response to an applied force, the contact portion moves under the control of an articulated linkage against a return spring bias and away from the base portion. The translational movement of the contact portion relative to the base portion serves to control contact surface inclination throughout the range of movement of the contact portion relative to the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eric C. Veine, Thomas J. Fowler, James A. Mulvihill