Patents by Inventor Joel Thomas

Joel Thomas 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: 20180129405
    Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a human-machine interface (HMI) with a graphical user interface (GUI). A color spectrum is displayed along with a topic. A selection of a point on the color spectrum is received, and associated in a memory with the displayed topic. A data record is stored indicating a sentiment associated with the topic. The sentiment includes an intensity level and an emotion level. The intensity level is one of multiple intensity levels that change along a first dimension of the color spectrum, and the emotion level is one of multiple emotion levels that change along a second dimension of the color spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventor: Joel Thomas Burns
  • Patent number: 9880723
    Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a human-machine interface (HMI) with a graphical user interface (GUI). A color spectrum is displayed along with a topic. A selection of a point on the color spectrum is received, and associated in a memory with the displayed topic. A data record is stored indicating a sentiment associated with the topic. The sentiment includes an intensity level and an emotion level. The intensity level is one of multiple intensity levels that change along a first dimension of the color spectrum, and the emotion level is one of multiple emotion levels that change along a second dimension of the color spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: SPKDRM LLC
    Inventor: Joel Thomas Burns
  • Patent number: 9535113
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for testing semiconductor products that combines multiple techniques. Depending on the requirements, different ones of the techniques are emphasized over the other techniques. The testing applies a technique to achieve a higher single defect acceleration parameter at the expense of a second parameter, thus enabling acceleration of defects that require higher voltage or higher temperature than a traditional “Burn In” can achieve, which defects would otherwise go unaccelerated. The method manages the adaptation of the different techniques, e.g., how it decides to favor one technique over the other, and how it carries out the favoring of one or more particular techniques in a given test situation. Thus, acceleration to defectivity (defect type and quantity) may be tailored in real time by uniquely leveraging the duration spent in a given section of a process flow based on the prevalence of unique defect types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Grosch, Gregory V. Miller, Brian C. Noble, Ann L. Swift, Joel Thomas, Jody J. Van Horn
  • Publication number: 20160361961
    Abstract: The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include a structural frame member including at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch. Also provided is an underbed hitch mounting system having at least one socket and receiving member exposed above a bed of a vehicle. The system includes trim and ring brackets configured to cover the exposed socket and receiving members along the bed of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Michael J. McGory, Piyush Pradeepkumar Khater, Joel Thomas Runyan
  • Patent number: 9498905
    Abstract: A structural body component, such as a rocker panel or rear spoiler, and a method of manufacture. The method may include heating a mixture having a polymer and a blowing agent, pressurizing a cavity of a mold, injecting the mixture into the cavity in a single shot such while exerting backpressure against the mixture as it is injected, and cooling the mixture in the mold to form the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harry Lobo, Joel Thomas Pierce, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Publication number: 20160283093
    Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a human-machine interface (HMI) with a graphical user interface (GUI). A color spectrum is displayed along with a topic. A selection of a point on the color spectrum is received, and associated in a memory with the displayed topic. A data record is stored indicating a sentiment associated with the topic. The sentiment includes an intensity level and an emotion level. The intensity level is one of multiple intensity levels that change along a first dimension of the color spectrum, and the emotion level is one of multiple emotion levels that change along a second dimension of the color spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Joel Thomas Burns
  • Patent number: 9351443
    Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus that harvests crops as the apparatus moves in a direction of travel across a field. The apparatus includes a crop harvesting assembly configured as a line of implements, the line being transverse to the direction of travel. First and second devices for adjusting a vertical position of left and right sides of the apparatus, respectively, are independently operable. Adjustment of a vertical position of at least one of the left and right sides of the apparatus results in tilting the line of implements relative to a horizontal plane defined at a ground surface under left and right ground contacting elements. In other aspects, a method and system are disclosed for automatically positioning a line of implements of an apparatus to follow a ground surface proximate the line of implements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Amity Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Collin David Miller, Blair Robert Stoltman, Joel Thomas Aslakson
  • Publication number: 20150282934
    Abstract: Multilayer polymeric materials in the form of a cap contain polymeric layers having distinctive anisotropic properties which are beneficially utilized in a subject, e.g., the multilayer polymeric materials are biocompatible and may be used, for example, to replace or supplement cartilage in an articulated joint. The present invention relates generally to multilayer polymeric materials, in particular to biomaterials suitable for implantation into a mammal or other animal, and methods of manufacturing the biomaterial and various uses thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth David Gray, JR., Joel Thomas Corbett, Georgios Theofanis Hilas, Seth Dylan McCullen
  • Publication number: 20150149051
    Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus that harvests crops as the apparatus moves in a direction of travel across a field. The apparatus includes a crop harvesting assembly configured as a line of implements, the line being transverse to the direction of travel. First and second devices for adjusting a vertical position of left and right sides of the apparatus, respectively, are independently operable. Adjustment of a vertical position of at least one of the left and right sides of the apparatus results in tilting the line of implements relative to a horizontal plane defined at a ground surface under left and right ground contacting elements. In other aspects, a method and system are disclosed for automatically positioning a line of implements of an apparatus to follow a ground surface proximate the line of implements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Collin David Miller, Blair Robert Stoltman, Joel Thomas Aslakson
  • Patent number: 8943788
    Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus that harvests crops as the apparatus moves in a direction of travel across a field. The apparatus includes a crop harvesting assembly configured as a line of implements, the line being transverse to the direction of travel. First and second devices for adjusting a vertical position of left and right sides of the apparatus, respectively, are independently operable. Adjustment of a vertical position of at least one of the left and right sides of the apparatus results in tilting the line of implements relative to a horizontal plane defined at a ground surface under left and right ground contacting elements. In other aspects, a method and system are disclosed for automatically positioning a line of implements of an apparatus to follow a ground surface proximate the line of implements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Intelligent Agricultural Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Collin David Miller, Blair Robert Stoltman, Joel Thomas Aslakson
  • Publication number: 20140272446
    Abstract: In one aspect, articles are described herein comprising wear-resistant claddings. An article described herein, in some embodiments, comprises a metallic substrate and a cladding adhered to the substrate, the cladding including a metal matrix composite layer comprising at least one hard particle tile having a pore structure infiltrated with matrix metal or matrix alloy. Infiltration of the pore structure of the hard particle tile by the matrix metal or alloy can render the tile fully dense or substantially fully dense.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Kannametal Inc.
    Inventors: Qingjun Zheng, Yixiong Liu, Robert J. Vasinko, Joel Thomas Dawson, Michael J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 8702135
    Abstract: A vehicle with a front fascia and a decorative badge integrated with the fascia. A rear surface of the badge is attached to a front portion of the fascia. The portion of the fascia to which the badge is attached is the badge mounting region, and the fascia's portion surrounding the badge mounting region is the fascia surrounding region. A radar system mounted behind the fascia emits radar beams in forward direction, which are intercepted by the fascia and the badge in the badge mounting region, and by the fascia, in the fascia surrounding region The rear surface of the fascia in the badge mounting region is indented the amount of the badge's average thickness, and the cumulative average thickness of the badge and the fascia material in the badge mounting region remains uniform throughout, equal to the average thickness of the fascia in the fascia surrounding region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Howard Gaboury, Joel Thomas Pierce, Jolanta Budek, James F. Krizman, Anthony Gerald King
  • Patent number: 8686782
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a frequency adaptive level shifter circuit. The frequency adaptive level shifter circuit includes a first inverter, a second inverter coupled to the output of the first inverter, a capacitor coupled to the output of the second inverter, and a resistor coupled to the output of the capacitor. The frequency adaptive level shifter circuit further includes a transistor coupled to the output of the resistor, wherein the transistor has a gate connected to a reference voltage, a third inverter coupled to the output of the capacitor, and a fourth inverter coupled to the output of the third inverter and the transistor and outputting the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joel Thomas Ficke, David Michael Friend, Grant Paul Kesselring, James David Strom, Jianguo Yao
  • Patent number: 8677955
    Abstract: A cylinder head assembly for an internal combustion engine having an intake cycle and an exhaust cycle is provided. The cylinder head assembly includes a single valve, a cylinder head body, and a venturi tube. The cylinder head body has an intake port, an exhaust port, and a combustion chamber port configured to intermittently seat the single valve. The venturi tube is disposed within the cylinder head body and has a high pressure portion operably coupled to the cylinder head body proximate the intake port and a distal end spaced apart from the combustion chamber port. The venturi tube permits the intake port to remain in fluid communication with the exhaust port during both the intake cycle and the exhaust cycle of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Westrom Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Seth Rickenbach, Michael Dean Leraas, Joel Thomas Rickenbach
  • Publication number: 20140062114
    Abstract: A vehicle with a front fascia and a decorative badge integrated with the fascia. A rear surface of the badge is attached to a front portion of the fascia. The portion of the fascia to which the badge is attached is the badge mounting region, and the fascia's portion surrounding the badge mounting region is the fascia surrounding region. A radar system mounted behind the fascia emits radar beams in forward direction, which are intercepted by the fascia and the badge in the badge mounting region, and by the fascia, in the fascia surrounding region The rear surface of the fascia in the badge mounting region is indented the amount of the badge's average thickness, and the cumulative average thickness of the badge and the fascia material in the badge mounting region remains uniform throughout, equal to the average thickness of the fascia in the fascia surrounding region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Howard Gaboury, Joel Thomas Pierce, Jolanta Budek, James F. Krizman, Anthony Gerald King
  • Patent number: 8657370
    Abstract: A roof ditch molding and a method of manufacture. The roof ditch molding may include a channel and a skin that are co-extruded from different polymeric materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Thomas Pierce, Michael Musleh, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Harry Lobo
  • Patent number: 8642683
    Abstract: A polypropylene composition for injection molded parts. The composition includes bio-based fillers (such as coconut shell powder), synthetic fillers and mineral fillers (such as talc powder and Wollastonite). The polypropylene polymer may be virgin polypropylene, recycled polypropylene or a combination of virgin and recycled polypropylene. A polyolefin elastomer such as an ethylene-octene copolymer is included to improve impact resistance. A reinforcing agent, nucleator and melt flow enhancer may also be included in the composition to improve product performance and processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Flobal Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Joel Thomas Pierce, Talat Karmo
  • Patent number: 8614291
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to absorbable polyesters comprising one or more monophosphate functionality; a conjugate comprising the foregoing polyester and a peptide and/or a bioactive agent; microparticles comprising an absorbable polyester; a conjugate comprising the microparticles and a peptide and/or a bioactive agent; an acylated or alkylated polysaccharide having one or more monophosphate functionality; a conjugate comprising the acylated or alkylated polysaccharide and a peptide and/or a bioactive agent; and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Poly-Med, Inc.
    Inventors: Shalaby Wahba Shalaby, Joel Thomas Corbett
  • Publication number: 20130331537
    Abstract: Polymeric materials referred to herein as PEU include a plurality of linking groups selected from urea and urethane groups, and a plurality of segments located between adjacent linking groups, where at least some of the segments of the PEU are polyoxyalkylene, but other exemplary segments include hydrocarbons, polyesters, polycarbonates and polysiloxanes. The polymeric materials are biocompatible and may be used, for example, to replace or supplement cartilage in an articulated joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Kenneth David Gray, JR., Joel Thomas Corbett, Georgios Theofanis Hilas
  • Patent number: D777179
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SPKDRM LLC
    Inventor: Joel Thomas Burns