Patents by Inventor John A. Foster

John A. Foster 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: 8021706
    Abstract: A frozen aerated product having an overrun of between about 10% and about 250% and a pH, when melted, in the range about 3.5 to about 5.2, comprises water, 0 to about 20 w/w % fat, about 0.25 to about 20 w/w % milk solids not fat, about 0.05 to about 1.5 w/w % soluble dietary fibre and about 0.1 to about 5 w/w % of insoluble dietary fibre, about 0.1 to about 35 w/w % sweetener but no additional stabilisers or emulsifiers as herein defined. The soluble and insoluble dietary fibre may be derived from fruits or vegetables for example from one or more fruit purees, one or more vegetable purees or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Good Humor-Breyers Ice Cream, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Beata Bartkowska, Timothy John Foster, Sarah Jane Gray, Sudarshi Tanuja Regismond, Jeffrey Underdown
  • Publication number: 20100306249
    Abstract: Embodiments of computer-implemented methods and systems are described, including: in a computer network system, providing a user page region viewable by a user; providing to the user, in the user page region, indicators of each of three categories, the categories consisting essentially of: (i) what the user has, (ii) what the user wants, and (c) what the user has thought or is thinking; wherein the user page region accepts a post by the user; after the post by the user, displaying the post in a group page region, viewable by a set of one of more persons other than the user, the set of persons being separated from the user at locations on a network; before the displaying, requiring the user to select one of the three categories to be associated with the post; and displaying the category selected by the user, with the post, in the group page region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: James Hill, John Foster
  • Publication number: 20100203968
    Abstract: An entertainment device comprises skeletal modelling means to control placements of a three dimensional mesh representing some or all of a user avatar in response to the position of one or more skeletal components of the user avatar, skeleton modification means to modify one or more physical properties of one or more skeletal components of the user avatar via a user interface, and rendering means to render the user avatar responsive to the modified user avatar skeleton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT EUROPE LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew George Gill, Keith Thomas Ribbons, John Foster, Mark Horneff, Nick Ryan
  • Publication number: 20100192257
    Abstract: This invention provides novel gene sequences, compositions and methods for enhancing the resistance in crops, in particular but not limited to, potato, to late blight caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicants: WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY, PLANT BIOSCIENCE LIMITED
    Inventors: Jonathan Jones, Simon John Foster, Zhaohui Chu, Tae-Ho Park, Edwin Andries, Gerard Van Der Vossen, Mathieu Andre Pel, Richard Gerardus Franciscus Visser
  • Patent number: 7743110
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, method, and software product for ordering of digital photo services over a communication network among a plurality of photo service providers from an order terminal using a digital image provided on a digital storage device, the digital storage device being associated with one of a plurality of business entities. The method including the steps of maintaining information with respect to business relationships between the photo service providers and the plurality of business entities and providing an offering at the order terminal based on the business relationship associated with the digital storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lou Chauvin, Howard E. Bussey, Christopher M. Dobbs, Kenneth A. Parulski, Timothy G. Thompson, John A. Foster, Pamela J. Gotham
  • Patent number: 7566573
    Abstract: A method and a kit for determining the presence or amount of analytes in samples over a broad potential concentration range for the analyte. The method and kit incorporate chemiluminescent and fluorescent labels conjugated to a specific binding partner for the analyte for sandwich assays, or to the analyte or an analog of the analyte for competitive assays. The conjugates are mixed with the sample and the labels are detected simultaneously or sequentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Idexx Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Carpenter, Giosi Farace, Paul Scott MacHenry, Brian John Foster, Mirolee Blue Zieba, Michael Ryan D'Angelo
  • Patent number: 7505241
    Abstract: An integrated fuse device (1) includes a varistor stack (11), a thermal fuse (12), and a current fuse (13) within an enclosure (2) having device terminals (3). The varistor stack (11) is connected to the thermal fuse (12) by a Cu terminal (20) and is connected to the device terminal (3) by steel terminal (10) of smaller cross-sectional area. Being of Cu material and having a greater cross-sectional area, the terminal (20) connected to the thermal fuse (12) has greater thermal conductivity than the steel terminal (10) to the end cap (3). The thermal fuse (12) comprises a plurality of links having a melting point to melt with sustained overvoltage, the links having a diameter in the range of about 2 mm to about 3 mm. The links pass through an elastomer plug (15), which exerts physical pressure on them to assist with opening during sustained overvoltage. Hot melt (18) around solder (17) of the thermal fuse limits heat conduction to back-fill sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Littelfuse Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Neil McLoughlin, Michael O'Donovan, Thomas Novak, Nathan Siegwald, Brian Walaszczyk, John Kennedy, John Foster
  • Patent number: 7420133
    Abstract: A rotary circuit breaker door safety interlock for use with a power switch actuated by a rotating shaft installed in a enclosure with a hinged door is disclosed. The door safety rotary circuit breaker interlock functions both to prevent the enclosure door from being opened unless the power switch has first been turned OFF, and to prevent the power switch from being turned ON while the enclosure door is open. The door safety rotary circuit breaker interlock can be intentionally overridden to allow the enclosure door to be opened without turning the power switch OFF, and to allow the power switch to be turned ON while the enclosure door is open. The door safety rotary circuit breaker interlock is simple mechanically, requires no springs or deformable members for its operation, and can be adapted to many mounting variations in enclosures having doors that hinge at the left, right, top, or bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Welding Technology COrporation
    Inventors: John Foster Farrow, Jeffrey J. Mason
  • Patent number: 7400096
    Abstract: An all permanent magnet Electron Cyclotron Resonance, large diameter (e.g., 40 cm) plasma source suitable for ion/plasma processing or electric propulsion, is capable of producing uniform ion current densities at its exit plane at very low power (e.g., below 200 W), and is electrodeless to avoid sputtering or contamination issues. Microwave input power is efficiently coupled with an ionizing gas without using a dielectric microwave window and without developing a throat plasma by providing a ferromagnetic cylindrical chamber wall with a conical end narrowing to an axial entrance hole for microwaves supplied on-axis from an open-ended waveguide. Permanent magnet rings are attached inside the wall with alternating polarities against the wall. An entrance magnet ring surrounding the entrance hole has a ferromagnetic pole piece that extends into the chamber from the entrance hole to a continuing second face that extends radially across an inner pole of the entrance magnet ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: John Foster, Michael Patterson
  • Patent number: 7395082
    Abstract: Methods and systems for application framework development for wireless devices are provided herein. Aspects of the method may include acquiring an MMI event from an MMI event queue within the MMI wireless framework. An identity of the acquired MMI event may be determined and the acquired MMI event may be dispatched to an event handler based on the determined identity of the acquired event. If the acquired MMI event comprises a timing event, the acquired MMI event may be dispatched to an MMI event owner within the MMI wireless framework. If the acquired MMI event comprises a keypad event, the acquired MMI event may be dispatched to a currently active MMI view within the MMI wireless framework. If the acquired MMI event comprises an addressed event, the acquired MMI event may be dispatched to a destination handler within the MMI wireless framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Derek John Foster, Lori Yoshida, Richard Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080053797
    Abstract: A rotary circuit breaker door safety interlock for use with a power switch actuated by a rotating shaft installed in a enclosure with a hinged door is disclosed. The door safety rotary circuit breaker interlock functions both to prevent the enclosure door from being opened unless the power switch has first been turned OFF, and to prevent the power switch from being turned ON while the enclosure door is open. The door safety rotary circuit breaker interlock can be intentionally overridden to allow the enclosure door to be opened without turning the power switch OFF, and to allow the power switch to be turned ON while the enclosure door is open. The door safety rotary circuit breaker interlock is simple mechanically, requires no springs or deformable members for its operation, and can be adapted to many mounting variations in enclosures having doors that hinge at the left, right, top, or bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: John Foster Farrow, Jeffrey J. Mason
  • Publication number: 20070285865
    Abstract: An integrated fuse device (1) includes a varistor stack (11), a thermal fuse (12), and a current fuse (13) within an enclosure (2) having device terminals (3). The varistor stack (11) is connected to the thermal fuse (12) by a Cu terminal (20) and is connected to the device terminal (3) by steel terminal (10) of smaller cross-sectional area. Being of Cu material and having a greater cross-sectional area, the terminal (20) connected to the thermal fuse (12) has greater thermal conductivity than the steel terminal (10) to the end cap (3). The thermal fuse (12) comprises a plurality of links having a melting point to melt with sustained overvoltage, the links having a diameter in the range of about 2 mm to about 3 mm. The links pass through an elastomer plug (15), which exerts physical pressure on them to assist with opening during sustained overvoltage. Hot melt (18) around solder (17) of the thermal fuse limits heat conduction to back-fill sand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: Littelfuse Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Neil McLoughlin, Michael O'Donovan, Tom Novak, Nathan Siegwald, Brian Walaszczyk, John Kennedy, John Foster
  • Patent number: 7305935
    Abstract: A high density plasma generated by microwave injection using a windowless electrodeless rectangular slotted antenna waveguide plasma source has been demonstrated. Plasma probe measurements indicate that the source could be applicable for low power ion thruster applications, ion implantation, and related applications. This slotted antenna plasma source invention operates on the principle of electron cyclotron resonance (ECR). It employs no window and it is completely electrodeless and therefore its operation lifetime is long, being limited only by either the microwave generator itself or charged particle extraction grids if used. The high density plasma source can also be used to extract an electron beam that can be used as a plasma cathode neutralizer for ion source beam neutralization applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administration of NASA
    Inventor: John Foster
  • Publication number: 20070236313
    Abstract: Systems and methods for forming an electrostatic MEMS switch include forming a cantilevered beam on a first substrate, forming the electrical contacts on a second substrate, and coupling the two substrates using a hermetic seal. The hermetic seal may be a gold/indium alloy, formed by heating a layer of indium plated over a layer of gold. Electrical access to the electrostatic MEMS switch may be made by forming vias through the thickness of the second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: Innovative Micro Technology
    Inventors: Andrew Wallis, John Foster, Paul Rubel, Kimon Rybnicek, Michael Shillinger, Jeffery Summers
  • Publication number: 20070222004
    Abstract: A material for forming a conductive structure for a MEMS device is described, which is an alloy containing about 0.01% manganese and the remainder nickel. Data shows that the alloy possesses advantageous mechanical and electrical properties. In particular, the sheet resistance of the alloy is actually lower than the sheet resistance of the pure metal. In addition, the alloy may have superior creep and higher recrystallization temperature than the pure metal. It is hypothesized that these advantageous material properties are a result of the larger grain structure existing in the NiMn alloy film compared to the pure nickel metal film. These properties may make the alloy appropriate for applications such as MEMS thermal electrical switches for telecommunications applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: Innovative Micro Technology
    Inventors: Gregory Carlson, John Foster, Donald Liu, Douglas Thompson
  • Patent number: 7275044
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, method, and software product for ordering of digital photo services over a communication network among a plurality of photo service providers from a plurality of order terminals, each of the order terminals being associated with a one of a plurality of business entities. The method includes maintaining information with respect to business relationships between the photo service providers and the plurality of business entities and providing an offering at one or more of the plurality of order terminals based on the business relationships associated with the one or more of the order terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lou Chauvin, Howard E. Bussey, Christopher M. Dobbs, Kenneth A. Parulski, Timothy G. Thompson, John A. Foster, Pamela J. Gotham
  • Publication number: 20070196998
    Abstract: A method for forming moveable features suspended over a substrate is described, wherein a cavity beneath the moveable feature is first formed using a liquid etchant applied through one or more release holes. After formation of the cavity, the outline of the moveable feature is formed using a dry etch process. Since the moveable feature is free to move upon its formation using the dry etch process, no stiction issues arise using the systems and methods described here.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: Innovative Micro Technology
    Inventors: John Foster, Paul Rubel, Kimon Rybnicek, Paulo Motta
  • Patent number: 7257945
    Abstract: A method to use diesel fuel alchohol micro emulsions (E-diesel) to provide a source of reductant to lower NOx emissions using selective catalytic reduction. Ethanol is stripped from the micro emulsion and entered into the exhaust gasses upstream of the reducing catalyst. The method allows diesel (and other lean-burn) engines to meet new, lower emission standards without having to carry separate fuel and reductant tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: U T Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Delos Kass, Ronald Lee Graves, John Morse Elliot Storey, Samuel Arthur Lewis, Sr., Charles Scott Sluder, John Foster Thomas
  • Patent number: D623360
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Elite Cat Feeders Ltd.
    Inventors: Hing Kuen Man, Hang Lam Man, Daniel John Foster
  • Patent number: D623361
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Elite Cat Feeders Ltd.
    Inventors: Hing Kuen Man, Hang Lam Man, Daniel John Foster