Patents by Inventor John Dowd

John Dowd 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: 11210933
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an irrigation sprinkler body cover with an integrated battery-powered decoder is disclosed. A method of retrofitting existing irrigation systems to wirelessly communicate with one or more of the present apparatus is also disclosed. Concerning the present method, an irrigation controller provides message data to a gateway regarding the control of irrigation valves. The gateway contains configurable encoder software that encodes and then wirelessly transmits the message data, for example via long-range radio hardware at 902-928 MHz frequency. The encoded data is received by a present apparatus to which the message is addressed. The apparatus decodes the message data and subsequently provides a power signal via wire to one or more proximally-located DC latching solenoid valves to control the irrigation valves according to the user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventors: Jesse Lafian, John Dowd, Ray McLin
  • Publication number: 20200320860
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an irrigation sprinkler body cover with an integrated battery-powered decoder is disclosed. A method of retrofitting existing irrigation systems to wirelessly communicate with one or more of the present apparatus is also disclosed. Concerning the present method, an irrigation controller provides message data to a gateway regarding the control of irrigation valves. The gateway contains configurable encoder software that encodes and then wirelessly transmits the message data, for example via long-range radio hardware at 902-928 MHz frequency. The encoded data is received by a present apparatus to which the message is addressed. The apparatus decodes the message data and subsequently provides a power signal via wire to one or more proximally-located DC latching solenoid valves to control the irrigation valves according to the user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Jesse Lafian, John Dowd, Ray McLin
  • Patent number: 7937263
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and method for the tokenization of text. The featurizer may be configured to receive input text and convert the input text into tokens. According to one aspect of the invention, the tokens may include only one type of character, the characters selected from the group consisting of letters, numbers, and punctuation. The tokenizer may also include a classifier. The classifier may be configured to receive the tokens from the featurizer. Furthermore, the classifier may be configured to analyze the tokens received from the featurizer to determine if the tokens may be input into a predetermined classification model using a preclassifier. If one of the tokens passes the preclassifier, then the token is classified using the predetermined classification model. Additionally, according to a first aspect of the invention, the tokenizer may also include a finalizer. The finalizer may be configured to receive the tokens and may be configured to produce a final output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Dictaphone Corporation
    Inventors: Jill Carrier, Alwin B. Carus, William F. Cote, John Dowd, Kathryn Del La Femina, Alan Frankel, Wensheng(Vincent) Han, Larissa Lapshina, Bernardo Rechea, Ana Santisteban, Amy J. Uhrbach
  • Publication number: 20080294552
    Abstract: A centralized marketplace for efficient and streamlined third party listings, including advertisements, to be placed within networks of marketplaces. An automated backend coordinates the submission of listing transactions, including the collection of fees, timings of display of listings, etc., as well as providing a platform to organize networks. Network organization may occur with user intervention or automatically by the automated backend by specifying a predetermined set of criteria. Each marketplace or marketplace network may facilitate the placement of listings in affiliated marketplaces and similarly receive listings from affiliates for a fee or free.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: LOOKSMART, LTD.
    Inventors: Matthew Kaufman, John Dowd, Keith W. Teare
  • Publication number: 20080275782
    Abstract: A centralized marketplace for efficient and streamlined third party listings, including advertisements, to be placed with individuals. Individuals may set terms and fee schedules for accepting listings from advertisers. An automated backend coordinates the listing transactions, including the collection of fees, timings of display of listings, targeting of individuals with desired demographic data, etc., as well as providing a platform to organize networks of individuals. Each individual may facilitate and receive listings from affiliates for a fee or free on devices capable of receiving listings, such as cell phones, personal computers and digital assistants, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: LOOKSMART, LTD.
    Inventors: Matthew KAUFMAN, John DOWD, Keith W. TEARE
  • Publication number: 20080270909
    Abstract: Systems and methods to provide premium content over Internet with in place preview. In one embodiment, a method includes: providing a representation of content to a first user, the representation of the content embeddable by the first user into a web page; receiving a request from a browser after the web page having the representation of the content is rendered in the browser; responsive to the request, presenting a user interface to process a payment to access the content without the browser leaving the web page; and upon completion of the payment, presenting the content in the browser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: LOOKSMART, LTD.
    Inventors: Matthew KAUFMAN, John DOWD, Vidar HOKSTAD
  • Publication number: 20080172329
    Abstract: A centralized marketplace for efficient and streamlined third party listings, including advertisements, to be placed within marketplaces. An automated backend coordinates the listing transactions, including the collection of fees, timings of display of listings, etc. Additionally, each marketplace may facilitate the placement of listings in affiliated marketplaces and similarly receive listings from affiliates for a fee or free.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew Kaufman, John Dowd, Keith W. Teare
  • Publication number: 20060116862
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and method for the tokenization of text. The featurizer may be configured to receive input text and convert the input text into tokens. According to one aspect of the invention, the tokens may include only one type of character, the characters selected from the group consisting of letters, numbers, and punctuation. The tokenizer may also include a classifier. The classifier may be configured to receive the tokens from the featurizer. Furthermore, the classifier may be configured to analyze the tokens received from the featurizer to determine if the tokens may be input into a predetermined classification model using a preclassifier. If one of the tokens passes the preclassifier, then the token is classified using the predetermined classification model. Additionally, according to a first aspect of the invention, the tokenizer may also include a finalizer. The finalizer may be configured to receive the tokens and may be configured to produce a final output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Applicant: Dictaphone Corporation
    Inventors: Jill Carrier, Alwin Carus, William Cote, John Dowd, Kathryn Femina, Alan Frankel, Wensheng Han, Larissa Lapshina, Bernardo Rechea, Ana Santisteban, Amy Uhrbach