Patents by Inventor John A. Spencer

John A. Spencer 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: 10056523
    Abstract: A method of making a device comprises forming a layer comprising quantum dots over a substrate including a first electrode, fixing the layer comprising quantum dots formed over the substrate, and exposing at least a portion of, and preferably all, exposed surfaces of the fixed layer comprising quantum dots to small molecules. The layer comprising quantum dots can be preferably fixed in the absence or substantial absence of oxygen. Also disclosed is a method of making a device comprises forming a layer comprising quantum dots over a substrate including a first electrode, exposing the layer comprising quantum dots to small molecules and light flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG RESEARCH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Peter T. Kazlas, John Spencer Morris, Robert J. Nick, Zoran Popovic, Matthew Stevenson, Jonathan S. Steckel
  • Publication number: 20180199684
    Abstract: Interchangeable luggage perimeters are disclosed. Example interchangeable luggage perimeters may comprise an interchangeable base element adapted to securely and releasably couple with exchangeable components such as exchangeable foot pads, exchangeable wheels, or exchangeable handles. The interchangeable base element may be interchangeable by having a configuration supporting repositioning of the interchangeable base element at multiple different edges of a luggage piece, e.g., any of at least two or four edges of a luggage piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: RONALD LAWRENCE BLOOM, JOHN SPENCER BANDRINGA
  • Patent number: 10016966
    Abstract: A prepreg for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced composite material, the prepreg comprising a body comprising a layer of fibrous reinforcement impregnated with a matrix resin material, and a powder coating layer of resin material on at least one major surface of the body and adhered to the matrix resin material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Gurit (UK) Ltd.
    Inventors: Benjamin Creaser Creaser, Paul John Spencer
  • Publication number: 20180182580
    Abstract: A tactile switch on a mobile electronic device having a housing is provided. The tactile switch is comprised of a pressure sensitive interface on an exterior portion of the housing, a switch mechanism, and at least one pathway coupled to the pressure sensitive interface and extending from the pressure sensitive interface to the switch mechanism. The switch mechanism is at a remote location from the pressure sensitive interface. The pathway is formed in an interior portion of the housing. The tactile switch further includes a viscous fluid substantially filling the pathway. The tactile switch is configured such that when pressure is applied to the pressure sensitive interface, the viscous fluid exerts pressure on the switch mechanism, causing the switch to make an electrical contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventor: John Spencer Bandringa
  • Publication number: 20180125284
    Abstract: The present invention provides a kettle that has a plurally of chambers and which is configured to boil water in one chamber and condense the steam therefrom in another chamber or other part of the kettle. The kettle may have a heating element in one of the chambers that raises the temperature of the water in that chamber to boiling point and the heating of the water is carried out in stages, each stage elevating the temperature farther and being carried out in a successive one of the chambers. The kettle allows water to be boiled far more efficiently than in conventional kettles and can have a significant impact not only in reducing house-hold carbon footprint but also in reducing demand spikes in electricity usage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventor: Piers St John Spencer CAVE
  • Patent number: 9959412
    Abstract: An online system obtains risk scores determined by a machine learning model for a content item provided by a user of an online system for display to users of the online system, where the risk scores indicate the likelihood of content items violating a content policy. The online system uses the risk scores to determine sampling weights used to select content items for inclusion in a sampled subset of content items. The sampling weights are determined from risk score counts indicating the relative frequency of the obtained risk scores and impression counts indicating the number of times content items have been presented to the users of the online system. The online system presents the selected content items for evaluation by a human reviewer using a quality review interface. Using the results of the quality review, the online system determines quality performance metrics of the machine learning model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Emanuel Alexandre Strauss, John Spencer Beecher-Deighan, Daniel Olmedilla de la Calle
  • Patent number: 9918532
    Abstract: Interchangeable luggage perimeters are disclosed. Example interchangeable luggage perimeters may comprise an interchangeable base element adapted to securely and releasably couple with exchangeable components such as exchangeable foot pads, exchangeable wheels, or exchangeable handles. The interchangeable base element may be interchangeable by having a configuration supporting repositioning of the interchangeable base element at multiple different edges of a luggage piece, e.g., any of at least two or four edges of a luggage piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: CONTRAIL, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Lawrence Bloom, John Spencer Bandringa
  • Patent number: 9909003
    Abstract: A prepreg for the manufacture of a fiber-reinforced composite material, the prepreg including: i. an epoxy-resin matrix including: a. at least one non-halogenated epoxide-containing resin which has been chemically modified with at least one of a nitrogen- and/or phosphorous-containing molecule which has been chemically reacted with the epoxide-containing molecule; b. at least one toughening additive comprising an elastomeric or thermoplastic material chemically reacted with the at least one epoxide-containing resin; c. at least one mineral filler to provide fire-retardancy; and d. at least one catalyst for curing the epoxide-containing resin; and ii. a fibrous reinforcement at least partially impregnated by the epoxy resin matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Gurit (UK) Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul John Spencer, Benjamin Edward Creaser
  • Patent number: 9892876
    Abstract: A tactile switch on a mobile electronic device having a housing is provided. The tactile switch is comprised of a pressure sensitive interface on an exterior portion of the housing, a switch mechanism, and at least one pathway coupled to the pressure sensitive interface and extending from the pressure sensitive interface to the switch mechanism. The switch mechanism is at a remote location from the pressure sensitive interface. The pathway is formed in an interior portion of the housing. The tactile switch further includes a viscous fluid substantially filling the pathway. The tactile switch is configured such that when pressure is applied to the pressure sensitive interface, the viscous fluid exerts pressure on the switch mechanism, causing the switch to make an electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John Spencer Bandringa
  • Publication number: 20180013088
    Abstract: A light emitting device including an emissive material comprising quantum dots is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a cathode, a layer comprising a material capable of transporting and injection electrons comprising an inorganic material, an emissive layer comprising quantum dots, a layer comprising a material capable of transporting holes, a layer comprising a hole injection material, and an anode. In certain embodiments, the hole injection material can be a p-type doped hole transport material. In certain preferred embodiments, quantum dots comprise semiconductor nanocrystals. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a light emitting device wherein the device has an initial turn-on voltage that is not greater than 1240/?, wherein ? represents the wavelength (nm) of light emitted by the emissive layer. Other light emitting devices and a method are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: ZHAOQUN ZHOU, PETER T. KAZLAS, MEAD MISIC, ZORAN POPOVIC, JOHN SPENCER MORRIS
  • Publication number: 20170351891
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring dimension and weight is provided. In one implementation, the apparatus comprises a dimensioner, a force sensing device, and a portable control module. The dimensioner, which is mounted on headgear or body wear to be worn on the head or body of a user, is configured to determine dimensions of an object. The force sensing device, which is incorporated into footwear to be worn on at least one foot of the user, is configured to measure a force acting on a bottom portion of the footwear. The portable control unit includes a dimension input module configured to receive signals from the dimensioner indicative of the dimensions of the object and further includes a weight input module configured to receive signals from the force sensing device indicative of the weight of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: H. Sprague Ackley, John Spencer Bandringa, Bruce McKay Morton, Arthur Millican, Rene Martinez
  • Patent number: 9801475
    Abstract: A high-velocity scanned item distribution apparatus and method are presented. The high-velocity scanned item distribution apparatus permits bagging operations for multiple purchase transactions to occur in parallel. Overlapping the bagging operation of multiple purchase transactions allows the scanning and payment operations of the purchase transactions to continue at higher speeds. In addition, point of sale terminals with high-velocity item scanners are allowed to function at higher speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas V. Edwards, John C. Allard, Gregory Scott Egan, Mark Christopher Johnson, Levino Felix Perrucci, John Spencer Tyndall, William Brian Whiteside
  • Publication number: 20170306798
    Abstract: A liquid heating appliance for heating water or other liquids, suitably to a target temperature of from 55° C. to around boiling point, includes a primary heat chamber or body (heat source chamber) that is thermally insulated and which in use contains a high thermal density heat storing liquid or solid; and a secondary chamber alongside the primary chamber through which a liquid to be heated is passed in use. The appliance has a heat transfer feature to selectively transfer thermal energy from the heat-storing liquid or solid to the liquid to be heated in the secondary chamber. The secondary chamber is preferably a conduit through which the liquid to be heated is able to flow and the thus heated liquid can be delivered to a tap as hot water for a range of uses. Water may also be heated for a central heating system for space heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventor: Piers St John Spencer Cave
  • Publication number: 20170306110
    Abstract: A prepreg having at least one layer of carbon fibres and a curable thermosetting resin system, the curable thermosetting resin system at least partly impregnating the at least one layer of carbon fibres, wherein the curable thermosetting resin system includes: a curable thermosetting resin including at least one epoxide group, the curable thermosetting resin having an epoxy equivalent weight of from 140 to 180 g/eq; a curing agent for curing the curable thermosetting resin, wherein the curing agent is present in the liquid phase and includes a cyanamide reactive group; and a rheology modifier for the curable thermosetting resin system, wherein the rheology modifier includes at least one of a thermoplastic resin and an inorganic particulate thickener or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Paul John Spencer, Benjamin Edward Creaser
  • Patent number: 9793505
    Abstract: A light emitting device including an emissive material comprising quantum dots is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a cathode, a layer comprising a material capable of transporting and injection electrons comprising an inorganic material, an emissive layer comprising quantum dots, a layer comprising a material capable of transporting holes, a layer comprising a hole injection material, and an anode. In certain embodiments, the hole injection material can be a p-type doped hole transport material. In certain preferred embodiments, quantum dots comprise semiconductor nanocrystals. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a light emitting device wherein the device has an initial turn-on voltage that is not greater than 1240/?, wherein ? represents the wavelength (nm) of light emitted by the emissive layer. Other light emitting devices and a method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: QD VISION, INC.
    Inventors: Zhaoqun Zhou, Peter T. Kazlas, Mead Misic, Zoran Popovic, John Spencer Morris
  • Publication number: 20170262635
    Abstract: An online system obtains risk scores determined by a machine learning model for a content item provided by a user of an online system for display to users of the online system, where the risk scores indicate the likelihood of content items violating a content policy. The online system uses the risk scores to determine sampling weights used to select content items for inclusion in a sampled subset of content items. The sampling weights are determined from risk score counts indicating the relative frequency of the obtained risk scores and impression counts indicating the number of times content items have been presented to the users of the online system. The online system presents the selected content items for evaluation by a human reviewer using a quality review interface. Using the results of the quality review, the online system determines quality performance metrics of the machine learning model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Emanuel Alexandre Strauss, John Spencer Beecher-Deighan, Daniel Olmedilla de la Calle
  • Publication number: 20170241649
    Abstract: A heat storage and transfer system incorporates a primary heat storage chamber that is thermally insulated and which in use, contains a heat storing liquid or solid and a thermal energy to electrical energy converter in or thermally coupled to at least one of: i) a secondary chamber external to and adjacent the primary heat storage chamber through which a liquid or steam to be heated is passed in use; and ii) a thermal conduction plate/surface external to the thermally insulated primary heat storage chamber or body. The system has a heat transfer feature to selectively transfer thermal energy from the heat storing liquid or solid of the primary heating chamber to the thermal conduction plate or the liquid or steam to be heated in the secondary chamber for the thermal energy to thence be converted to electrical energy by the thermal energy to electrical energy converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Piers St John Spencer Cave
  • Publication number: 20170125633
    Abstract: A method of making a device comprises forming a layer comprising quantum dots over a substrate including a first electrode, fixing the layer comprising quantum dots formed over the substrate, and exposing at least a portion of, and preferably all, exposed surfaces of the fixed layer comprising quantum dots to small molecules. The layer comprising quantum dots can be preferably fixed in the absence or substantial absence of oxygen. Also disclosed is a method of making a device comprises forming a layer comprising quantum dots over a substrate including a first electrode, exposing the layer comprising quantum dots to small molecules and light flux.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: PETER T. KAZLAS, JOHN SPENCER MORRIS, ROBERT J. NICK, ZORAN POPOVIC, MATTHEW STEVENSON, JONATHAN S. STECKEL
  • Publication number: 20170091845
    Abstract: System, method, and computer program product embodiments for receiving customer requests use a request management system. An embodiment operates by establishing a connection with a customer's mobile device, obtaining information about the location of the customer's mobile device, providing to the customer's mobile device a set of data describing goods or services currently offered by one or more business locations, receiving from the customer's mobile device a request for a good or service offered by a particular business location, and adding the request to a queue associated with one or more groups assigned to fulfill the request based on the request type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Marcus Lee ROBINSON, Nathaniel Paul LEWIS, John Spencer READY, Kenneth Richard MAROLD, James Russell TEXTER, III
  • Patent number: D785617
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Jeffrey Bidwell, John Spencer Bandringa, Andrew Walston, Michael Wells, Matthew Willkens