Patents by Inventor James A. Franks

James A. Franks 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: 11976195
    Abstract: A composition includes specific amounts of a copolycarbonate and a roughening agent. The copolycarbonate contains first carbonate units derived from a first bisphenol monomer such that a homopolycarbonate of the first bisphenol monomer has a glass transition temperature less than 155° C., and second carbonate units derived from a second bisphenol monomer such that a homopolycarbonate of the second bisphenol monomer has a glass transition temperature of 155° C. or higher. The roughening agent includes a particulate crosslinked polymethylsilsesquioxane having a median equivalent spherical diameter greater than 5 micrometers and less than or equal to 10 micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: SHPP GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Andrew Thomas Pingitore, Matthew Frank Niemeyer, James Alan Mahood, Brandon Philippe Gindt
  • Publication number: 20240144122
    Abstract: A break management system automatically calculates employee break schedules for a large number of employees according to both legal requirements as well as business operating needs. Businesses may enter preference rules regarding the timing of breaks relative to other breaks and relative to other employees and work positions. The break management system provides a user interface with required breaks, suggested break windows, and break timing requirements for each employee and allows a shift leader to manage breaks from the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: ONECLICKAPP, LLC
    Inventors: James Frank Finlinson, Jan Frank Finlinson, Eric Longberg
  • Patent number: 11968271
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sender profile and/or recipient profile disambiguation and/or confirmation are disclosed. In instances where a sender profile is not indicated by a user sending a communication from a communal device, heuristic data may be utilized to infer the sender profile. Similar heuristic data may also be used when selection of the sender profile is associated with a low confidence level. Heuristic data may also be used to infer the recipient profile when the user does not indicate the recipient profile or when selection of the recipient profile is associated with a low confidence. Various confirmations may result from the sender and recipient profile disambiguation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christo Frank Devaraj, Christopher Geiger Parker, Sumedha Arvind Kshirsagar, James Alexander Stanton, Aaron Takayanagi Barnet, Venkatesh Kancharla, Gregory Michael Hart
  • Publication number: 20240117185
    Abstract: A composition includes specific amounts of a copolycarbonate and a roughening agent. The copolycarbonate contains first carbonate units derived from a first bisphenol monomer such that a homopolycarbonate of the first bisphenol monomer has a glass transition temperature less than 155° C., and second carbonate units derived from a second bisphenol monomer such that a homopolycarbonate of the second bisphenol monomer has a glass transition temperature of 155° C. or higher. The roughening agent includes a particulate crosslinked polymethylsilsesquioxane having a median equivalent spherical diameter greater than 5 micrometers and less than or equal to 10 micrometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew Thomas PINGITORE, Matthew Frank NIEMEYER, James Alan MAHOOD, Brandon Philippe GINDT
  • Publication number: 20240108000
    Abstract: Disinfectant compositions are disclosed which provide a durable residual antimicrobial benefit to surfaces treated with such compositions. The disinfectant compositions include a biocidal agent, an amphoteric copolymer, and other functional agents. Methods of making and using the disinfectant compositions are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Edward Fu, Heather Frank, Yuanxi Liao, Liang Huang, Colin Paul Horwitz, James W. Ogle
  • Patent number: 11945057
    Abstract: A welding-type power system than includes a power supply, a DC power bus, an energy storage device, and a bi-directional converter. The bi-directional converter configured to connect the DC power bus to the energy storage device, and further configured to convert power from the DC power bus to the energy storage device to charge the energy storage device, and to convert power from the energy storage device to the DC power bus in response to a power demand on the DC power bus. The bi-directional converter further configured to balance the DC power bus. A controller is configured to control the duty cycle of the bi-directional converter in order to balance the DC power bus, and control the flow of power between the energy storage device and the DC power bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: James Frank Ulrich
  • Patent number: 11937048
    Abstract: An implantable hearing unit is provided that includes an implantable microphone, a rechargeable power storage device and a speech signal processor. The hearing unit further includes a signal coupling device that is adapted for electrical interconnection to an implantable auditory stimulation device, which is operative to stimulate an auditory component of a patient. Such a stimulation device may include cochlear implants, brain stem stimulation systems, auditory nerve stimulation systems, and middle or inner ear transducer systems. The signal coupling device is operative to provide processed drive signals from the signal processor to the stimulation device as well provide power from the power storage device to operate the stimulation device. In one arrangement, the signal coupling device is a wireless coupling between first and second coils. In such an arrangement, the hearing unit may be utilized with an existing implanted stimulation device to make that device a fully implanted hearing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: James Frank Kasic, James R. Easter
  • Patent number: 11931472
    Abstract: A system for disinfecting an autonomous vehicle includes a light assembly having LEDs configured to emit UVC light into a passenger compartment of the autonomous vehicle. The light assembly includes a heat sink to dissipate heat generated by the LEDs. In examples, the heat sink is disposed in the path of forced air associated with a climate control system of the vehicle. The climate control system may be controlled based on a temperature proximate the LEDs and/or the heat sink. In some examples, the light assembly is integrated into the ceiling of the vehicle and can further include visible light emitters and/or other features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Gi Samuel Hong, James Michael Eccleston, Andrew Frank Raczkowski, Goutham Shanmuga Sundaram, Andrew Mark Stieber
  • Patent number: 11926291
    Abstract: A cleaning system is disclosed for cleaning concrete residue from a concrete mixer truck. The cleaning system may include a water delivery system having one or more conduits configured to deliver pressurized water to one or more spray headers positioned at various back-end portions of the truck. The cleaning system further includes one or more valves configured to control the flow of pressurized water through the one or more conduits to the one or more spray headers. In various embodiments, the one or more valves are manually operable to control the release of water to the spray headers. In other embodiments, the one or more valves are controlled by a computing device through an electrical coupling such as a communication bus. The cleaning system may be configured to clean different portions of the truck using different sets of spray headers at different times as part of a washing protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Beck Manufacturing International, Inc.
    Inventors: James Frank Beck, III, James Frank Beck, II, Thomas Christopher Beck
  • Publication number: 20240001199
    Abstract: A wellness platform for user fitness with a customizable, self-contained gym space having one or more physical training equipment assemblies. The physical training equipment assemblies may be conventional gym equipment and may also be equipment with health monitors which may further be operationally coupled to user computerized devices. The self-contained gym space and the physical training equipment are designed to employ one or more on-platform activity sensors, operationally coupled to at least one computer system. One or more activity recommendation systems are designed to recommend physical training equipment assemblies, nutrition, and psychological exercises and are designed to present wellness platform data, the data that may be used with machine learning systems, the machine learning systems designed to assess past and present performance and recommend future activities and targets. Off-platform sensors may be monitored. Environmental controls may be activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: RYAN SMALL, ANTHONY ZONFRILLI, JAMES FRANK, KATE MACINANTI, TODD DAVIS
  • Patent number: 11757431
    Abstract: One or more systems, devices and/or methods of use provided herein relate to a device that can support a signal generation. A current-mode end-to-end signal path can include a digital to analog converter (DAC) operating in current-mode and an upconverting mixer, operating in current-mode and operatively coupled to the DAC. Analog inputs and outputs of the DAC and upconverting mixer can be represented as currents, and the DAC can generate a baseband signal. The DAC and upconverting mixer each can comprise switching transistors of the same type, such as p-type metal-oxide semiconductor (PMOS) switching transistors. In one or more embodiments, a current source and a diode-connected transistor can be arranged in parallel in the current-mode signal path, and the current source passes a static current, while the diode-connected transistor passes both a static current and a dynamic current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sudipto Chakraborty, John Francis Bulzacchelli, David James Frank
  • Patent number: 11701074
    Abstract: A Compton camera for medical imaging is divided into segments with each segment including part of the scatter detector, part of the catcher detector, and part of the electronics. The different segments may be positioned together to form the Compton camera arcing around part of the patient space. By using segments, any number of segments may be used to fit with a multi-modality imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Hans Vija, Miesher Rodrigues, James Frank Caruba
  • Publication number: 20230208402
    Abstract: One or more systems, devices and/or methods of use provided herein relate to a device that can support a signal generation. A current-mode end-to-end signal path can include a digital to analog converter (DAC) operating in current-mode and an upconverting mixer, operating in current-mode and operatively coupled to the DAC. Analog inputs and outputs of the DAC and upconverting mixer can be represented as currents, and the DAC can generate a baseband signal. The DAC and upconverting mixer each can comprise switching transistors of the same type, such as p-type metal-oxide semiconductor (PMOS) switching transistors. In one or more embodiments, a current source and a diode-connected transistor can be arranged in parallel in the current-mode signal path, and the current source passes a static current, while the diode-connected transistor passes both a static current and a dynamic current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Sudipto Chakraborty, John Francis Bulzacchelli, David James Frank
  • Patent number: 11683026
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for calibrating signal currents in a radio frequency signal generator system, such as an arbitrary waveform generator system. A device comprises a current measurement circuit and a current imbalance correction circuit. The current measurement circuit is configured, during a calibration process, to measure a first current in a first signal path of a radio frequency signal generator, and to measure a second current in a second signal path of the radio frequency signal generator. The current imbalance correction circuit is configured to adjust a current level in at least one of the first signal path and the second signal path of the radio frequency signal generator to correct for an imbalance between the measured first current and the measured second current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sudipto Chakraborty, John Francis Bulzacchelli, Andrew D. Davies, Daniel Joseph Friedman, David James Frank
  • Patent number: 11678591
    Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and/or computer-implemented methods that can facilitate a qubit device comprising a vacuum encapsulated Josephson junction are provided. According to an embodiment, a device can comprise a substrate having an encapsulated vacuum cavity provided on the substrate. The device can further comprise one or more superconducting components of a superconducting circuit provided inside the encapsulated vacuum cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Isaac Lauer, Karthik Balakrishnan, Jeffrey Sleight, David James Frank
  • Publication number: 20230170889
    Abstract: One or more systems, devices, methods of use and/or methods of fabrication provided herein relate to a quantum computing device that can operated to have 1st order insensitivity to flux noise. According to one embodiment, a device comprises a flux tunable qubit capacitively coupled to a flux tunable bus. According to another embodiment, a device comprises a flux tunable qubit capacitively coupled to a flux tunable bus, wherein the flux tunable bus is capacitively coupled a fixed frequency qubit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Devin Underwood, Jiri Stehlik, David James Frank, Timothy Phung, David Zajac
  • Patent number: 11656718
    Abstract: The present invention relates to interpolated variable impedance touch sensor arrays for force-aware large-surface device interaction. An exemplary system for detecting a continuous pressure curve includes a plurality of physical variable impedance array (VIA) columns connected by interlinked impedance columns and a plurality of physical VIA rows connected by interlinked impedance rows. The system also includes a plurality of column drive sources connected to the interlinked impedance columns and to the plurality of physical VIA columns through the interlinked impedance columns as well as a plurality of row sense sinks connected to the interlinked impedance rows and to the plurality of physical VIA rows through the interlinked impedance rows. Further, the system includes a processor configured to interpolate the continuous pressure curve in the physical VIA columns and physical VIA rows from an electrical signal from the plurality of column drive sources sensed at the plurality of row sense sinks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SENSEL, INC.
    Inventors: John Aaron Zarraga, Alexander Meagher Grau, Bethany Noel Haniger, Bradley James Bozarth, Brogan Carl Miller, Ilya Daniel Rosenberg, James Frank Thomas, Mark Joshua Rosenberg, Peter Hans Nyboer, Reuben Eric Martinez, Scott Gregory Isaacson, Stephanie Jeanne Oberg, Timothy James Miller, Tomer Moscovich, Yibo Yu
  • Patent number: 11641188
    Abstract: One or more systems, devices and/or methods of use provided herein relate to a device that can facilitate a signal generation. A current-mode end-to-end signal path can include a digital to analog converter (DAC) operating in current-mode and an upconverting mixer, operating in current-mode and operatively coupled to the DAC. Analog inputs and analog outputs of the DAC and the upconverting mixer can be represented as currents, and the DAC can generate a baseband signal. In one or more embodiments, a current source and a diode-connected transistor can be arranged in parallel in the current-mode signal path between a baseband filter and an output stage comprising the upconverting mixer. The device and/or system can be a radio frequency DAC. The diode-connected transistor can be programmable to vary gain and/or can be directly connected to the output stage absent a turnaround current mirror connected therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sudipto Chakraborty, John Francis Bulzacchelli, David James Frank
  • Patent number: 11614820
    Abstract: The present invention relates to touch sensor detector systems and methods incorporating an interpolated variable impedance touch sensor array and specifically to such systems and methods for gesture recognition and associating a UI element with the recognized gesture. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a variable impedance array (VIA) system for receiving a gesture that includes: a plurality of physical VIA columns connected by interlinked impedance columns; a plurality of physical VIA rows connected by interlinked impedance rows; and a processor configured to interpolate a location and/or pressure of the gesture in the physical columns and rows from an electrical signal from a plurality of column drive sources (connected to the plurality of physical VIA columns through the interlinked impedance columns) sensed at a plurality of row sense sinks (connected to the plurality of physical VIA rows through the interlinked impedance rows).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Sensel, Inc.
    Inventors: John Aaron Zarraga, Alexander Meagher Grau, Bethany Noel Haniger, Bradley James Bozarth, Brogan Carl Miller, Ilya Daniel Rosenberg, James Frank Thomas, Mark Joshua Rosenberg, Peter Hans Nyboer, Reuben Eric Martinez, Scott Gregory Isaacson, Stephanie Jeanne Oberg, Timothy James Miller, Tomer Moscovich, Yibo Yu
  • Patent number: 11604862
    Abstract: Embodiments herein disclose computer-implemented methods, computer program products and computer systems for authenticating a user. The computer-implemented method may include receiving biographical data corresponding to a user. A change rate may be determined based on user biographical data. The computer-implemented method may include receiving first biometric data having a time-varying characteristic from the user at a first time and receiving second biometric data having the time-varying characteristic from the user at a second time that is later in time than the first time. Further, the computer-implemented method may include determining third biometric data based at least on the first biometric data, the second time, and the time-varying characteristic, and authenticating the user if the third biometric data is within a predetermined threshold of the second biometric data at the second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Guy M. Cohen, Lior Horesh, Raya Horesh, David James Frank