Patents by Inventor John A. Thomson
John A. Thomson 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).
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Publication number: 20240207270Abstract: The present disclosure features methods and related compositions that, inter alia, modulate the mitochondrial lipid shunt pathway, including the modulating the cellular mechanisms by which lipids (e.g., fatty acids) are transported between the mitochondria, stress granules, and lipid droplets.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2022Publication date: June 27, 2024Inventors: Patrick Connelly, Daniel Kaganovich, John A. Thomson
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Publication number: 20230381634Abstract: An apparatus for an improved board game combining the advantages of both traditional and electronic games. The apparatus includes a game board and a plurality of game pieces, wherein the apparatus is configured to detect the identity and location of a given game piece on the game board; and a server communicable with the game board and configured to receive information on the identity and location of the game pieces relative to the game board, and, if appropriate, send to the game board a display instruction, wherein the game board is configured to, in response to the display instruction, electronically display a game progress indicator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2021Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventor: Stephen John THOMSON
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Publication number: 20230364497Abstract: An automated game board apparatus configured to, upon receiving a command from a player, determine a path from an origin segment to a destination segment and automatically move a selected game piece from the origin segment to the destination segment; wherein, if one or more intermediate segments along the path are occupied by other game pieces, the selected piece is moved along the boundaries of the occupied segment; and wherein, if the destination segment is occupied, the apparatus is further configured to automatically replace the existing game piece with the selected game piece by moving the existing game piece to substantially the boundary of the destination segment and moving the selected game piece to substantially the centre of the destination segment. In preferred embodiments, the invention utilizes electromagnets, correlated electromagnet array technology (CEAT), and/or correlated magnets.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2021Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventor: Stephen John THOMSON
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Publication number: 20230006760Abstract: A method of generating multiple channels of optical pulses comprises: providing a continuous wave optical input having an optical power; dividing the optical power of the optical input into equal consecutive slices in the time domain; and allocating the consecutive slices sequentially to two or more optical outputs such that each output forms a channel of optical pulses of equal pulse repetition rate shifted in time relative to the or each other channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2020Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Ke LI, David John THOMSON, Shenghao LIU, Graham Trevor REED, Weiwei ZHANG, Wei CAO
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Publication number: 20220404650Abstract: An optical modulator. The optical modulator comprising: a micro-ring resonator; and a bus waveguide, including an input waveguide region, an output waveguide region, and a coupling waveguide region optically coupled to the micro-ring resonator and located between the input waveguide region and the output waveguide region. The micro-ring resonator includes a modulation region, the modulation region being formed of a silicon portion and a III-V semiconductor portion separated by a crystalline rare earth oxide dielectric layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2020Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Adam SCOFIELD, Aaron John ZILKIE, Guomin YU, Thomas Pierre SCHRANS, David John THOMSON, Weiwei ZHANG
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Publication number: 20220265101Abstract: Disclosed is a toilet module having a toilet bowl and which also has a toilet bowl support mechanism. The toilet bowel support mechanism allows the toilet bowl to be moved to a position in which the person using the toilet to adopt more of a squatting posture when cleansing their bowels. The toilet bowl support mechanism can move the toilet bowl to and between a first position and a second position, the first position is characterised in that the front end of the toilet bowl is lower than the aft end of the toilet bowl, and the second position is characterised in that the front end of the toilet bowl is above the aft end of the toilet bowl. The first position makes it easier for folk with limited mobility to sit on the toilet, and the second position allows the seated person to adopt a squatting posture.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2020Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventor: Stephen John THOMSON
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Patent number: 11418264Abstract: An optical modulation system comprises a signal source configured to generate an amplitude modulated electrical signal having a bandwidth and divided into frequency components comprising at least a first frequency component covering a first portion of the bandwidth and a second frequency component covering a second portion of the bandwidth; and an electro-optic modulator for receiving an input optical signal, the modulator having a first optical path and a second optical path, the input optical signal being divided between the first optical path and the second optical path and recombined after propagation along the first optical path and the second optical path to produce an output optical signal, and at least one of the first optical path and the second optical path comprising a phase shifter comprising a pair of electrodes in which each electrode is configured to receive a driving signal; wherein the or each phase shifter is coupled to the signal source to receive at least one of said frequency components aType: GrantFiled: February 26, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: University of SouthamptonInventors: Graham Trevor Reed, Ke Li, Sheghao Liu, David John Thomson
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Publication number: 20220131616Abstract: An optical modulation system comprises a signal source configured to generate an amplitude modulated electrical signal having a bandwidth and divided into frequency components comprising at least a first frequency component covering a first portion of the bandwidth and a second frequency component covering a second portion of the bandwidth; and an electro-optic modulator for receiving an input optical signal, the modulator having a first optical path and a second optical path, the input optical signal being divided between the first optical path and the second optical path and recombined after propagation along the first optical path and the second optical path to produce an output optical signal, and at least one of the first optical path and the second optical path comprising a phase shifter comprising a pair of electrodes in which each electrode is configured to receive a driving signal; wherein the or each phase shifter is coupled to the signal source to receive at least one of said frequency components aType: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2020Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Graham Trevor REED, Ke LI, Sheghao LIU, David John THOMSON
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Patent number: 11209593Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of forming an erasable optical coupler in a photonic device comprising a conventional optical waveguide formed in a crystalline wafer. The method comprises selectively implanting ions in a localized region of the wafer material adjacent to the conventional waveguide of the photonic device, to cause modification of the crystal lattice structure of, and a change in refractive index in, the ion implanted region of the wafer material to thereby form an ion implanted waveguide optically coupled to the adjacent conventional waveguide to couple light out therefrom, or in thereto. The crystalline wafer material and ion implanted waveguide are such that the crystal lattice structure or composition can be modified to adjust or remove the optical coupling with the conventional waveguide by further modification of the refractive index in the ion implanted region.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTONInventors: Xia Chen, Milan Milosevic, Graham Trevor Reed, David John Thomson
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Patent number: 11177627Abstract: A discrete wavelength tunable laser capable of switching between a plurality of lasing channels of different wavelengths, the tunable laser comprising: a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA); a wavelength demultiplexer (Demux), having a Demux input which receives the output from the SOA, and a plurality of Demux outputs, each Demux output defining a different spatial path for a respective lasing channel; each of the respective lasing channels being within the bandwidth of the SOA; a reflector located within each spatial path for reflecting light of the respective lasing channel; and a lasing suppression mechanism located within each lasing channel; wherein one or more desired lasing channels are selected by application of the lasing suppression mechanism in each spatial path other than the one or more spatial paths corresponding to the one or more desired lasing channels.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignees: Rockley Photonics Limited, University of SouthamptonInventors: Aaron Zilkie, David John Thomson, Frederic Yannick Gardes
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Patent number: 11099454Abstract: A method of operating an optical modulator. The optical modulator having: a rib waveguide which includes a junction which is either a PIN or PN junction, the junction having a breakdown voltage. The method comprising: applying a reverse bias to the junction, so as to operate the optical modulator around the breakdown voltage of the junction; operating the modulator in an avalanche multiplication and/or band-to-band tunnelling mode by increasing the reverse bias past the breakdown voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignees: Rockley Photonics Limited, University of SouthamptonInventors: Guomin Yu, Aaron John Zilkie, Yi Zhang, David John Thomson
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Patent number: 10991585Abstract: A method of trimming the refractive index of material forming at least part of one or more structures integrated in one or more pre-fabricated devices, the method comprising: implanting one or more first regions of material of one or more pre-fabricated devices, encompassing at least partially one or more device structures, with ions to alter the crystal form of the material within the one or more first regions and change the refractive index of the material within the one or more first regions; and heat treating one or more second regions of material of the one or more devices, encompassing at least partially the one or more first regions, to alter the crystal form of the material within the one or more first regions encompassed by the one or more second regions and change the refractive index thereof, thereby trimming the refractive index of the material of at least part of the one or more device structures, such that the one or more device structures provide one or more predetermined device outputs.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2017Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: University of SouthamptonInventors: David John Thomson, Graham Trevor Reed, Robert Topley
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Publication number: 20200088943Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of forming an erasable optical coupler in a photonic device comprising a conventional optical waveguide formed in a crystalline wafer. The method comprises selectively implanting ions in a localized region of the wafer material adjacent to the conventional waveguide of the photonic device, to cause modification of the crystal lattice structure of, and a change in refractive index in, the ion implanted region of the wafer material to thereby form an ion implanted waveguide optically coupled to the adjacent conventional waveguide to couple light out therefrom, or in thereto. The crystalline wafer material and ion implanted waveguide are such that the crystal lattice structure or composition can be modified to adjust or remove the optical coupling with the conventional waveguide by further modification of the refractive index in the ion implanted region.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Applicant: University of SouthamptonInventors: Xia Chen, Milan Milosevic, Graham Trevor Reed, David John Thomson
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Publication number: 20200089076Abstract: A method of operating an optical modulator. The optical modulator having: a rib waveguide which includes a junction which is either a PIN or PN junction, the junction having a breakdown voltage. The method comprising: applying a reverse bias to the junction, so as to operate the optical modulator around the breakdown voltage of the junction; operating the modulator in an avalanche multiplication and/or band-to-band tunnelling mode by increasing the reverse bias past the breakdown voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2018Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Guomin YU, Aaron John ZILKIE, Yi ZHANG, David John THOMSON
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Publication number: 20190341740Abstract: A discrete wavelength tunable laser capable of switching between a plurality of lasing channels of different wavelengths, the tunable laser comprising: a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA); a wavelength demultiplexer (Demux), having a Demux input which receives the output from the SOA, and a plurality of Demux outputs, each Demux output defining a different spatial path for a respective lasing channel; each of the respective lasing channels being within the bandwidth of the SOA; a reflector located within each spatial path for reflecting light of the respective lasing channel; and a lasing suppression mechanism located within each lasing channel; wherein one or more desired lasing channels are selected by application of the lasing suppression mechanism in each spatial path other than the one or more spatial paths corresponding to the one or more desired lasing channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2017Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Aaron ZILKIE, David John THOMSON, Frederic Yannick GARDES
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Patent number: 10212876Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for making good use of recently obtained biometric data and for configuring propagule capsules for deployment via an unmanned vehicle so that each has an improved chance of survival.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2018Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: DRONESEED CO.Inventors: Matthew M. Aghai, Grant Canary, John Thomson, Robert Alexander Krob
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Publication number: 20190035632Abstract: A method of trimming the refractive index of material forming at least part of one or more structures integrated in one or more pre-fabricated devices, the method comprising: implanting one or more first regions of material of one or more pre-fabricated devices, encompassing at least partially one or more device structures, with ions to alter the crystal form of the material within the one or more first regions and change the refractive index of the material within the one or more first regions; and heat treating one or more second regions of material of the one or more devices, encompassing at least partially the one or more first regions, to alter the crystal form of the material within the one or more first regions encompassed by the one or more second regions and change the refractive index thereof, thereby trimming the refractive index of the material of at least part of the one or more device structures, such that the one or more device structures provide one or more predetermined device outputs.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2017Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: David John THOMSON, Graham Trevor REED, Robert TOPLEY
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Publication number: 20180263170Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for making good use of recently obtained biometric data and for configuring propagule capsules for deployment via an unmanned vehicle so that each has an improved chance of survival.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Matthew M. AGHAI, Grant CANARY, John THOMSON, Robert Alexander Krob
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Publication number: 20170243152Abstract: A staff roster allocation system relies on apps both to allow the client to register the need for a shift at a certain location and on a staff member to accept a shift at a specified location. The client may tentatively allocate available staff members to a certain shift for acceptance or rejection by the staff member, or the staff members may be advised when shift are available or may query for possible shifts. Where the app is running on a staff member phone the allocation of a staff member to a shift may be rapid.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2015Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: Stephen John THOMSON, Sachin NISCHAL
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Patent number: 9494741Abstract: Apparatus comprising at least one optical device (106) optically coupled to at least one waveguide (111) on an optical chip (100), characterized in that: (i) the optical device (106) is optically aligned with the waveguide (111) by aligning means (114, 116); (ii) the aligning means (114, 116) comprises at least one male member (114) and at least one female (116) member which locate together; (iii) one of the male member (114) and the female member (116) is positioned on the optical chip (100); (iv) the other one of the male member (114) and the female member (116) is positioned on a capping chip (102); and (v) the apparatus includes a mirror (108) for reflecting light from the optical device (106) to the waveguide (111).Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: University of SouthamptonInventors: Frederic Yannick Gardes, David John Thomson, Graham Trevor Reed, Harold Meng Hoon Chong, Scott Ashley Reynolds