Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Alton

Jeffrey Alton 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: 20240134431
    Abstract: Methods and systems for managing the operation of data processing systems are disclosed. A data processing system may include a computing device that may provide computer implemented services. To provide the computer implemented services, hardware components of the data processing system may need to operate in predetermined manners. To manage the operation of the hardware components, the data processing system may heat them when their temperatures fall outside of thermal operating ranges. To heat the hardware components, the data processing system may implement a dual device detection framework to identify and characterize various devices that may be usable to heat its hardware components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: CURTIS RAY GENZ, DONALD W. GERHART, JEFFREY LEIGHTON KENNEDY, RANDY ALTON FRAZIER, NICOLE MUTESI
  • Publication number: 20240134350
    Abstract: Methods and systems for managing the operation of data processing systems are disclosed. A data processing system may include a computing device that may provide computer implemented services. To provide the computer implemented services, hardware components of the data processing system may need to operate in predetermined manners. To manage the operation of the hardware components, the data processing system may heat them when their temperatures fall outside of thermal operating ranges. The data processing system may implement a distributed management framework for managing the operation of a thermal management subsystem tasked with maintaining the temperatures of the hardware components through heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: DONALD W. GERHART, ALARIC JOAQUIM NARCISSIUS SILVEIRA, ERIC MICHAEL TUNKS, BALAMURUGAN GNANASAMBANDAM, CURTIS RAY GENZ, RANDY ALTON FRAZIER, JEFFREY LEIGHTON KENNEDY
  • Patent number: 10341483
    Abstract: A method and mobile transceiver providing container security is described. In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a method of operating a mobile transceiver comprising a processor, memory, wireless transceiver and radiation detector. The method comprises detecting, by the radiation detector, radiation emitted from a radioactive emitter. The radiation detector and the radioactive emitter are arranged such that a substantially constant rate of radiation from the radioactive emitter is detected when one or more doors of the shipping container are closed. When the detected radiation is outside a tolerance of the constant rate, the processor wakes up the processor from a low power mode, and updates an asset tracking log stored in the memory by adding a record representing a door open event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alton Hugh Dods, Robert George Oliver, Nazih Almalki
  • Publication number: 20180273076
    Abstract: An electronic device mounting system for mounting an electronic device to a cart includes a cart that may have a child seated therein. An electronic device is provided and a mounting unit is removably coupled to the cart. The electronic device is removably positioned in the mounting unit and the mounting unit is positioned at a selected orientation with respect to the cart. In this way the mounting unit facilitates the electronic device to be accessible to the child thereby occupying the child.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventor: Jeffrey Alton
  • Patent number: 10081382
    Abstract: An electronic device mounting system for mounting an electronic device to a cart includes a cart that may have a child seated therein. An electronic device is provided and a mounting unit is removably coupled to the cart. The electronic device is removably positioned in the mounting unit and the mounting unit is positioned at a selected orientation with respect to the cart. In this way the mounting unit facilitates the electronic device to be accessible to the child thereby occupying the child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Inventor: Jeffrey Alton
  • Publication number: 20180041626
    Abstract: A method and mobile transceiver providing container security is described. In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a method of operating a mobile transceiver comprising a processor, memory, wireless transceiver and radiation detector. The method comprises detecting, by the radiation detector, radiation emitted from a radioactive emitter. The radiation detector and the radioactive emitter are arranged such that a substantially constant rate of radiation from the radioactive emitter is detected when one or more doors of the shipping container are closed. When the detected radiation is outside a tolerance of the constant rate, the processor wakes up the processor from a low power mode, and updates an asset tracking log stored in the memory by adding a record representing a door open event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alton Hugh DODS, Robert George OLIVER, Nazih ALMALKI
  • Publication number: 20170270326
    Abstract: A tag/band and techniques of using a tag/band are provided. The tag/band providing a visual indication of a status relevant to an item to which the tag/band is associated. In an embodiment, the tag/band also providing a mechanism for tracking the item to which the tag/band is associated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Austin Daniel Anderson, Jeffrey Alton Whitford
  • Publication number: 20170267388
    Abstract: A food and label apparatus is provided including a food assembly apparatus and a labeling apparatus coupled to the food assembly apparatus. The labeling apparatus configured for holding a label corresponding to a food order and the food assembly apparatus for assembling food corresponding to the food order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alton Whitford, Austin Daniel Anderson
  • Patent number: 9146285
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus employing non-magnetometer navigational sensor data to assist in determining whether a change in a magnetic field detected by a magnetometer is likely due to a source of internal or external magnetic interference, and more generally, whether such interference is likely to be persistent or transient. If the magnetic field data detected by the magnetometer indicates a large change in magnetic field, but the non-magnetometer navigational sensor (e.g., gyroscope) data does not indicate a corresponding change in orientation of the mobile device contemporaneous with the change in magnetic field, then the cause of the magnetic field change may be determined as likely originating from a localized external interference source and the device may prompt the user to move away from the interference source, rather than initiating a recalibration of the magnetometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: Nazih Almalki, Jeffrey Alton Hugh Dods, Jeffrey Charles Bos
  • Patent number: 8922198
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for calibrating a magnetometer. The method comprises determining a current quality level associated with magnetometer readings obtained using an active set of calibration parameters; and lowering a quality threshold for a background calibration of the magnetometer when the current quality level exceeds a threshold quality level needed by an application utilizing the magnetometer readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: Nazih Almalki, Christopher Harris Snow, Jeffrey Alton Hugh Dods, Adam Louis Parco
  • Patent number: 8913008
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved generation of images using a handheld electronic device. Motion of the handheld electronic device is detected using a sensor of the handheld electronic device and data, dependent upon the sensed motion, is transmitted from the device to a remote electronic device. An image, representative of the sensed motion of the handheld electronic device and generated from the transmitted data, is rendered on a display of the remote electronic device and provides a user with visual feedback of the motion of the handheld electronic device. The image data may be generated by the handheld electronic device or by the remote electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Robert George Oliver, Christopher Harris Snow, Nazih Almalki, Jeffrey Alton Hugh Dods
  • Patent number: 8810541
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a handheld electronic device having a gesture-based control and a method of using the same. In one embodiment, there is provided a method, comprising: determining from a motion signal a movement type associated with a movement of the electronic device from a number predetermined types of movement; determining whether a cadence parameter is greater than or equal to a first cadence reference level, wherein the cadence parameter is dependent on the movement type; performing a first command when the cadence parameter is greater than or equal to the first cadence reference level; and performing a second command is performed when the cadence parameter is less than the first cadence reference level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alton Hugh Dods, Jason Griffin
  • Patent number: 8744799
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for analyzing movements of a handheld electronic device. The system comprises: memory; a microprocessor; a first module to generate movement data responsive to movements of the device; a second module providing instructions to the microprocessor to map the movement data to a string representation relating to symbols in a spatial coordinate system associated with the device and store the string representation in the memory; and a third module. The third module provides instructions to the microprocessor to analyze data relating to the string representation against data relating to a gesture string representing a gesture related to a command for the device to determine if the gesture has been imparted on the device; and if the string representation sufficiently matches the gesture string, executes a command associated with the gesture on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alton Hugh Dods, Sean Bartholomew Simmons
  • Patent number: 8620582
    Abstract: A system and method of determining a position of an electronic device is presented herein. An image is displayed having at least one celestial object and a celestial object indicator for selecting a celestial object. The celestial object indicator is overlaid on the at least one celestial object. Data indicating a relative angle of the device with respect to the Earth in at least two dimensions is received at the processor. The time when the celestial object indicator is overlaid on the at least one celestial object is determined. The position of the electronic device is determined by comparing the location of the celestial object in the image data and relative angle information at the time of the indication to a database at least partially stored on the electronic device in response to an indication that the celestial object indicator is overlaid on the at least one celestial object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alton Hugh Dods, Nazih Almalki, Christopher Harris Snow, Robert George Oliver
  • Publication number: 20130342437
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved generation of images using a handheld electronic device. Motion of the handheld electronic device is detected using a sensor of the handheld electronic device and data, dependent upon the sensed motion, is transmitted from the device to a remote electronic device. An image, representative of the sensed motion of the handheld electronic device and generated from the transmitted data, is rendered on a display of the remote electronic device and provides a user with visual feedback of the motion of the handheld electronic device. The image data may be generated by the handheld electronic device or by the remote electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert George Oliver, Christopher Harris Snow, Nazih Almalki, Jeffrey Alton Hugh Dods
  • Publication number: 20130342447
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a handheld electronic device having a gesture-based control and a method of using the same. In one embodiment, there is provided a method, comprising: determining from a motion signal a movement type associated with a movement of the electronic device from a number predetermined types of movement; determining whether a cadence parameter is greater than or equal to a first cadence reference level, wherein the cadence parameter is dependent on the movement type; performing a first command when the cadence parameter is greater than or equal to the first cadence reference level; and performing a second command is performed when the cadence parameter is less than the first cadence reference level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alton Hugh DODS, Jason GRIFFIN
  • Patent number: 8547326
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a handheld electronic device having a gesture-based control and a method of using the same. In one embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling a handheld electronic device, comprising: receiving a motion signal as input from a motion detection subsystem in response to a movement of the device; determining from the motion signal a cadence parameter associated with the movement of the electronic device; determining whether the cadence parameter is greater than or equal to a cadence reference level; performing a first command when the cadence parameter is greater than or equal to the cadence reference level; and performing a second command is performed when the cadence parameter is less than the cadence reference level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alton Hugh Dods, Jason Griffin
  • Patent number: 8509755
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a system and method for activating an electronic device from a low power state. The method comprises: monitoring a motion detection circuit for a signal indicating a movement of the device; analyzing the movement of the device and if the movement matches a profile for an activation movement for the device then activating a component on the device; and if the movement does not match the profile, then monitoring for additional movement signals for the device and providing data relating to the additional movement signals to a microprocessor in the device at an instance where the microprocessor is expected to be monitoring for receipt of a synchronization signal from a network in communication with the device is expected and when the instance is passed, the device is placed in second power operating mode, the second power operating mode consuming less power than the first power operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alton Hugh Dods, Nazih Almalki
  • Publication number: 20130200882
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus employing non-magnetometer navigational sensor data to assist in determining whether a change in a magnetic field detected by a magnetometer is likely due to a source of internal or external magnetic interference, and more generally, whether such interference is likely to be persistent or transient. If the magnetic field data detected by the magnetometer indicates a large change in magnetic field, but the non-magnetometer navigational sensor (e.g., gyroscope) data does not indicate a corresponding change in orientation of the mobile device contemporaneous with the change in magnetic field, then the cause of the magnetic field change may be determined as likely originating from a localized external interference source and the device may prompt the user to move away from the interference source, rather than initiating a recalibration of the magnetometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Nazih Almalki, Jeffrey Alton Hugh Dods, Jeffrey Charles BOS
  • Patent number: 8471821
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for analyzing movements of a handheld electronic device. The method comprises: calculating a matching score for a rotational string representation of rotational movement data for the device to a gesture string representing a gesture related to a command for the device by recursively traversing a matrix containing the rotational string representation, the gesture string representation and earlier movement data of the device using a distance edit algorithm to generate matching scores for values of the rotational string representation against the gesture string; and if a threshold for the matching score is met, executing a command associated with the gesture on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey Alton Hugh Dods