Patents by Inventor John McDonald

John McDonald 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: 12571528
    Abstract: An LED light source adapted to use in an electrical socket that provides switchable selectability in LED drives for light output values dependent on selected positions to predetermined control values. A rotatable switching element integrated into the base of the LED bulb for switchable positioning by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2025
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Inventor: John McDonald
  • Patent number: 12437264
    Abstract: An automated package Pickup and Receiving Station (PRS) (100) with autonomous ground vehicles (AGV) (18) are presented, which may be used to pick up, deliver and securely store packages (28), parcels, mail, prepared food, groceries or other items that may be placed in a tray, which may include an integrated container. A portal (10) facilitates loading of items into, and removal of items from, the PRS (100). Within the PRS (100), items (28) may be transported from source to destination on standardized trays (25), via a two-dimensional gantry (32) and an end of arm tool (22). The gantry (32) may be oriented for movement through a central corridor (21) in the PRS (100), with end of arm tool (22) adapted for pushing trays towards, or pulling trays from, either side of the gantry (32). Items may be stored on a tray (25) in internal shelving (20), or placed directly into an AGV (18), on either side of the PRS (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2025
    Assignee: Box Bot Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Godwin, Austin Oehlerking, John McDonald
  • Publication number: 20250251321
    Abstract: A biological imaging analyzer is described comprises a staining module configured to stain cells of a biological sample so as to produce stained cells. The analyzer also comprises a lighting module configured to illuminate the stained cells, the lighting module comprising a plurality of pulsed lights. The analyzer further comprises an imaging module configured to capture images of the stained cells. A method of flow imaging a biological sample comprises flowing the biological sample including the stained cells through an image capture region of a flowcell. The method also comprises utilizing the lighting module to illuminate the stained cells at the image capture region with the plurality of pulsed lights. The method further comprises capturing images of the stained cells at the image capture region with the imaging module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2025
    Publication date: August 7, 2025
    Inventors: Eduardo DELGADO, Bart WANDERS, Carol QUON, Gabriel SANTOS, John MCDONALD
  • Publication number: 20250244001
    Abstract: An LED light source adapted to use in an electrical socket that provides switchable selectability in LED drives for light output values dependent on selected positions to predetermined control values. A rotatable switching element integrated into the base of the LED bulb for switchable positioning by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2025
    Publication date: July 31, 2025
    Inventor: John McDonald
  • Publication number: 20250083888
    Abstract: A packaging or container system can include a cradle portion and/or a handle engaging portion. The cradle portion can include a plurality of panel configured to form a cradle for an article to be packaged. The cradle portion can be made monolithically with an outer container portion from a single piece of corrugated cardboard. The handle engaging portion can be formed of a foldable panel with at least one aperture configured to engage a protruding portion of an article to be packaged, such as the handle of a coffee mug. The handle engaging portion can also be made monolithically with an outer container portion from a single piece of corrugated cardboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventor: John McDonald
  • Patent number: 12157621
    Abstract: A packaging device can include a resilient member formed of one or more layers of different materials and a frame member. The resilient member can be heat sealed to the frame member or to a coating on the surface of the frame member. The layers can be made from different materials or the same materials having different thicknesses, modules of elasticity, melting index, or other different characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Inventors: John McDonald, Frank Comerford, Myles Comerford
  • Publication number: 20240383678
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automated parcel buffer (APB) (100) which may be implemented using modular components which may include an end of arm tool (EOAT) (302) facilitating tray containerization, movable within a storage module. The EOAT (302) is moveably attached to a two-dimensional (2D) gantry (300). A plurality of friction rollers (700) and drive are configured to selectively engage and disengage from one or more package support trays to support and move packages within a storage module shelving areas (308) and central corridor (306). Multiple storage modules (1602, 1604, 1606) may be interconnected to form a storage matrix (1600) with material handling conveyors (1620, 1622, 1624) facilitating automated loading and unloading of the matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Austin OEHLERKING, John MCDONALD, Allyson Francis, Joshua TERRELL, Dhruv RATURI, Abhignan TEKAKAPALLI, Joseph RAPALA
  • Publication number: 20240109709
    Abstract: A packaging assembly for packaging and maintaining an article within a container can include a retention member configured to engage the sidewalls of the container so as to releaseably retain the retention member in the open interior space of the container. The retention member can include a releasable latching mechanism for securing the retention member in the container. The latching mechanism can be formed with foldable panels that are biased towards an extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventor: John McDonald
  • Publication number: 20240027327
    Abstract: A biological imaging analyzer is described comprises a staining module configured to stain cells of a biological sample so as to produce stained cells. The analyzer also comprises a lighting module configured to illuminate the stained cells, the lighting module comprising a plurality of pulsed lights. The analyzer further comprises an imaging module configured to capture images of the stained cells. A method of flow imaging a biological sample comprises flowing the biological sample including the stained cells through an image capture region of a flowcell. The method also comprises utilizing the lighting module to illuminate the stained cells at the image capture region with the plurality of pulsed lights. The method further comprises capturing images of the stained cells at the image capture region with the imaging module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Eduardo DELGADO, Bart WANDERS, Carol QUON, Gabriel SANTOS, John MCDONALD
  • Publication number: 20230410044
    Abstract: An automated package Pickup and Receiving Station (PRS) (100) with autonomous ground vehicles (AGV) (18) are presented, which may be used to pick up, deliver and securely store packages (28), parcels, mail, prepared food, groceries or other items that may be placed in a tray, which may include an integrated container. A portal (10) facilitates loading of items into, and removal of items from, the PRS (100). Within the PRS (100), items (28) may be transported from source to destination on standardized trays (25), via a two-dimensional gantry (32) and an end of arm tool (22). The gantry (32) may be oriented for movement through a central corridor (21) in the PRS (100), with end of arm tool (22) adapted for pushing trays towards, or pulling trays from, either side of the gantry (32). Items may be stored on a tray (25) in internal shelving (20), or placed directly into an AGV (18), on either side of the PRS (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Mark GODWIN, Austin OEHLERKING, John MCDONALD
  • Publication number: 20230356909
    Abstract: A packaging system for packaging an article and maintaining the article therein can comprise a container, an article positioned in the container, a first anchor member positioned between the article and the container, a second anchor member positioned between the article and the container, and a resilient sheet member comprising a first portion fixed to the first anchor member and a second portion fixed to the second anchor member so as to connect the first anchor member to the second anchor member. The first and second anchor members can be captured between the article and the container so as to maintain tension in the resilient sheet member against the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventor: John McDonald
  • Patent number: 11800907
    Abstract: The present specification discloses headwear configured to permit the user to easily don an item of eyewear, such as prescription glasses, reading glasses, sun glasses, safety glasses, and the like. The present headwear provides a unique pocket design on each side with an eyewear temple aperture located within the pockets. The pockets are created by forming a z-folded configuration out of a fabric panel for each pocket and tacking the three layers of material together, above and below the eyewear temple aperture. Each of the pockets are positioned forward of at least part of the ears, and open towards the user's anterior. The outermost panel of each of the pockets protrudes from the sides of the headwear to provide sufficient clearance for the temples of the eyewear to easily slip into the pockets and through the eyewear temple apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Inventors: John McDonald, Cynthia McDonald
  • Publication number: 20230335511
    Abstract: A packaging substrate and a method for mounting an integrated circuit and/or a circuit component is presented. The packaging substrate includes an upper surface for mounting the integrated circuit and/or circuit component; a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, wherein the lower surface is for mounting to a printed circuit board (PCB); a non-conductive material; wherein the non-conductive material is a plastic: an inductor structure at least partially embedded in the non-conductive material; first and second conductive materials, and conductive pillars, arranged to form a first coil and a second coil having an inductance; wherein the first coil and second coil are arranged as a toroid transformer wound in a double helix configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: John McDonald, Tom Truong, David Kunteh Chow
  • Patent number: 11767970
    Abstract: An electrical and receptacle and fixture system that provides a simple, safe and quick mechanical electrical connection for mounting electrical fixtures to a receptacle box and connecting electrical equipment. The connection system has dedicated fixture and receptacle as well as conversion adapters for existing electrical connections. An LED integral light and switch assembly is adaptable to connect system providing self-contained point of use switchable LED lighting as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventors: John McDonald, Joseph Driscoll
  • Patent number: 11748699
    Abstract: An automated package Pickup and Receiving Station (PRS) (100) with autonomous ground vehicles (AGV) (18) are presented, which may be used to pick up, deliver and securely store packages (28), parcels, mail, prepared food, groceries or other items that may be placed in a tray, which may include an integrated container. A portal (10) facilitates loading of items into, and removal of items from, the PRS (100). Within the PRS (100), items (28) may be transported from source to destination on standardized trays (25), via a two-dimensional gantry (32) and an end of arm tool (22). The gantry (32) may be oriented for movement through a central corridor (21) in the PRS (100), with end of arm tool (22) adapted for pushing trays towards, or pulling trays from, either side of the gantry (32). Items may be stored on a tray (25) in internal shelving (20), or placed directly into an AGV (18), on either side of the PRS (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: BOX BOT, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Godwin, Austin Oehlerking, John McDonald
  • Patent number: 11504633
    Abstract: A trained machine learning model(s) is used to determine scores (e.g., trust scores) for user accounts registered with a video game service, and the scores are used to match players together in multiplayer video game settings. In an example process, a computing system may access data associated with registered user accounts, provide the data as input to the trained machine learning model(s), and the trained machine learning model(s) generates the scores as output, which relate to probabilities of players behaving, or not behaving, in accordance with a particular behavior while playing a video game in multiplayer mode. Thereafter, subsets of logged-in user accounts executing a video game can be assigned to different matches based at least in part on the scores determined for those logged-in user accounts, and the video game is executed in the assigned match for each logged-in user account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Kaethler, Anthony John Cox, Brian R. Levinthal, John McDonald
  • Publication number: 20220346483
    Abstract: The present specification discloses headwear configured to permit the user to easily don an item of eyewear, such as prescription glasses, reading glasses, sun glasses, safety glasses, and the like. The present headwear provides a unique pocket design on each side with an eyewear temple aperture located within the pockets. The pockets are created by forming a z-folded configuration out of a fabric panel for each pocket and tacking the three layers of material together, above and below the eyewear temple aperture. Each of the pockets are positioned forward of at least part of the ears, and open towards the user's anterior. The outermost panel of each of the pockets protrudes from the sides of the headwear to provide sufficient clearance for the temples of the eyewear to easily slip into the pockets and through the eyewear temple apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: John McDonald, Cynthia McDonald
  • Publication number: 20220340344
    Abstract: A packaging assembly including a retention sheet formed of a resilient material and attached with foldable portions of a frame formed of a stiff material. The frame includes one or more wings and lateral portions that can be folded to enclose a packaged article between a platform on the frame and the retention sheet for shipping, storage or other uses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Shea Oddo, John McDonald
  • Publication number: 20220268425
    Abstract: An electrical and receptacle and fixture system that provides a simple, safe and quick mechanical electrical connection for mounting electrical fixtures to a receptacle box and connecting electrical equipment. The connection system has dedicated fixture and receptacle as well as conversion adapters for existing electrical connections. An LED integral light and switch assembly is adaptable to connect system providing self-contained point of use switchable LED lighting as required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: John McDonald, Joseph Driscoll
  • Publication number: 20220229050
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods for immobilizing a biological specimen for extended periods of time for image capture. Specific embodiments may be used to support a target specimen in a gel matrix. In some embodiments, the biological specimen may be in liquid form at elevated temperatures, a stain and/or lyse may be added to the biological specimen, and a gelling composition may added. At reduced temperatures, the gelling composition may still the biological specimen to immobilize a biological specimen for extended periods of time for image capture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Carol Quon, Bart J. Wanders, John Mcdonald