Patents by Inventor John R. Smith

John R. Smith 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: 10232884
    Abstract: A method for designing a main body of a trailer, trailer chassis, or like transportable load-supporting system includes selecting a known design of a transportable load-supporting system's main frame. The method includes developing a monocoque main beam having moments of inertia that are respectively greater than or substantially equal to the moments of inertia of the known main frame. Deflections of the known main frame and of the monocoque main beam in response to application of a torsional load, a vertical load, and a lateral load are then determined. Cross-members can be added to the monocoque main beam until the deflection of the monocoque main beam is less than or substantially the same as the deflection of the known main frame. A monocoque main beam designed according to the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Fontaine Engineered Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Smith, John Clifford Denson
  • Patent number: 10204291
    Abstract: A discrepancy detection system for detecting a discrepancy between a plurality of video images of a same scene captured by an imaging device at different times, the system including a correspondence point detection device configured to detect corresponding points matching each other between a first video image sequence of the plurality of video images and a second video image sequence of the plurality of video images and a comparison device configured to compare image content of the first video image sequence and the second video image sequence for the discrepancy in the image content between the first video image sequence and the second video image sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chung-Ching Lin, Sharathchandra U. Pankanti, John R. Smith
  • Patent number: 10102454
    Abstract: A method includes utilizing two or more classifiers to calculate, for an input image, probability scores for a plurality of classes based on visual information extracted from the input image and semantic relationships in a classification hierarchy, wherein each of the two or more classifiers is associated with a given one of two or more levels in the classification hierarchy with each level in the classification hierarchy comprising a subset of the plurality of classes, and classifying the input image based on the calculated probability scores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michele Merler, John R. Smith, Rosario A. Uceda-Sosa, Hui Wu
  • Publication number: 20180290690
    Abstract: A bogie for a lowboy trailer includes a rear suspension support assembly configured to carry a suspension system of the lowboy trailer thereunder and a front transition assembly coupled to a front end of the rear suspension support assembly and configured to couple the rear suspension support assembly to a lower deck of the lowboy trailer. At least a portion of the rear suspension support assembly has a closed cross section when viewed along a longitudinal axis of the rear suspension support assembly. At least a portion of the front transition assembly has a closed cross section when viewed along a longitudinal axis of the front transition assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: Fontaine Commercial Trailer, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Smith, Gregory C. Benson
  • Patent number: 10049459
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for static image segmentation are provided herein. A method includes segmenting an image containing a target object into multiple regions; analyzing video content containing the target object to determine a similarity metric across the multiple segmented regions based on information associated with the multiple segmented regions; and applying the similarity metric to the image to identify two or more of the multiple segmented regions as being portions of the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Noel C. Codella, Gang Hua, John R. Smith
  • Patent number: 10032113
    Abstract: Techniques for detecting an event via social media content. A method includes obtaining multiple images from at least one social media source; extracting at least one visual semantic concept from the multiple images; differentiating an event semantic concept signal from a background semantic concept signal to detect an event in the multiple images; retrieving one or more images associated with the event semantic concept signal; grouping the one or more images associated with the event semantic concept signal; annotating the group of one or more images with user feedback; and displaying the annotated group of one or more images as a visual description of the detected event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Noel C. Codella, Apostol Natsev, John R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20180155225
    Abstract: A septic tank system for a single household or small business. That system comprises: a compartment septic tank, at least one of a leach field and an infiltration pit, and a supplemental tank between the compartment septic tank and the leach field and/or the infiltration pit. The supplemental tank including means for converting ammonia to nitrogen gas, reducing biochemical oxygen demand and reducing total suspended solids. Preferably, it includes a first chamber having an air pump and aeration channels; and a second chamber for holding one or more solid phase organic media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: John R. Smith, Ron Keffer, Robert Horger, Andrew C. Middleton, Robin L. Weightman
  • Publication number: 20180089543
    Abstract: A method includes utilizing two or more classifiers to calculate, for an input image, probability scores for a plurality of classes based on visual information extracted from the input image and semantic relationships in a classification hierarchy, wherein each of the two or more classifiers is associated with a given one of two or more levels in the classification hierarchy with each level in the classification hierarchy comprising a subset of the plurality of classes, and classifying the input image based on the calculated probability scores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Michele Merler, John R. Smith, Rosario A. Uceda-Sosa, Hui Wu
  • Publication number: 20180089540
    Abstract: A method includes utilizing two or more classifiers to calculate, for an input image, probability scores for a plurality of classes based on visual information extracted from the input image and semantic relationships in a classification hierarchy, wherein each of the two or more classifiers is associated with a given one of two or more levels in the classification hierarchy with each level in the classification hierarchy comprising a subset of the plurality of classes, and classifying the input image based on the calculated probability scores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Michele Merler, John R. Smith, Rosario A. Uceda-Sosa, Hui Wu
  • Patent number: 9928448
    Abstract: A method includes utilizing two or more classifiers to calculate, for an input image, probability scores for a plurality of classes based on visual information extracted from the input image and semantic relationships in a classification hierarchy, wherein each of the two or more classifiers is associated with a given one of two or more levels in the classification hierarchy with each level in the classification hierarchy comprising a subset of the plurality of classes, and classifying the input image based on the calculated probability scores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michele Merler, John R. Smith, Rosario A. Uceda-Sosa, Hui Wu
  • Patent number: 9795920
    Abstract: Methods for removing sulfur dioxide from a gas stream are disclosed. A method may include passing a gas stream comprising SO2 through a gas scrubbing apparatus. A scrubbing liquor comprising hydroxide ions and at least one oxidation catalyst may be flowed into the gas scrubbing apparatus, thereby contacting the gas stream with the scrubbing liquor. In response to the contacting, at least 90 wt. % of the sulfur dioxide may be removed from the gas stream. Concomitant to the contacting, at least some of the sulfur dioxide may react with at least some of the hydroxide ions, thereby forming sulfite ions in the scrubbing liquor. Some of the sulfite ions may be oxidized, via the oxidation catalyst, thereby forming sulfate ions in the scrubbing liquor. A used scrubbing liquor may be discharged from the scrubbing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: ARCONIC INC.
    Inventors: Rajat S. Ghosh, John R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170301119
    Abstract: A method and system of stitching a plurality of image views of a scene, including grouping matched points of interest in a plurality of groups, and determining a similarity transformation with smallest rotation angle for each grouping of the matched points. The method further includes generating virtual matching points on non-overlapping area of the plurality of image views and generating virtual matching points on overlapping area for each of the plurality of image views.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Chung-Ching Lin, Sharathchandra U. Pankanti, Karthikeyan Natesan Ramamurthy, Aleksandr Y. Aravkin, John R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170270600
    Abstract: A personalization enhancement method and system. The method includes retrieving and analyzing digital content associated with a user. Characteristics describing the digital content are tagged and transferred to a profile of said the user. The profile includes additional characteristics generated during previous analysis of data from the digital content and additional digital content associated with the user. User information associated with products, a location, and a time profile is assigned. The profile is analyzed based on selection and interaction of the user with respect to a consumer Website. The profile includes the characteristics and the additional characteristics with respect to products and services of the consumer Website. A presentation color setting and a group of products and services of are determined for presentation to the user. The group of products and services are presented to the user using the presentation color setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Bernadette R. Duponchel, Myron Flickner, Victoria B. Platt, John R. Smith
  • Patent number: 9760945
    Abstract: A personalization enhancement method and system. The method includes retrieving and analyzing digital content associated with a user. Characteristics describing the digital content are tagged and transferred to a profile of said the user. The profile includes additional characteristics generated during previous analysis of data from the digital content and additional digital content associated with the user. User information associated with products, a location, and a time profile is assigned. The profile is analyzed based on selection and interaction of the user with respect to a consumer Website. The profile includes the characteristics and the additional characteristics with respect to products and services of the consumer Website. A presentation color setting and a group of products and services of are determined for presentation to the user. The group of products and services are presented to the user using the presentation color setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bernadette R. Duponchel, Myron Flickner, Victoria B. Platt, John R. Smith
  • Patent number: 9718738
    Abstract: Fertilizer compositions are provided, where a fertilizer composition includes: an inner portion including a nitrogen containing material; and an outer portion covering the inner portion, the outer portion including a release agent (e.g. HTC, BR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ALCOA USA CORP.
    Inventors: David F. Iwig, Raymond J. Kilmer, Charles L. Dobbs, Judodine Nichols, John R. Smith, Mark L. Weaver, Shannon L. I. Parks, Mikhail Gershenzon
  • Patent number: 9710760
    Abstract: A system and method for constructing a hierarchical multi-faceted classification structure includes organizing a plurality of visual categories into a multi-relational reference ontology that accounts for a plurality of different types of relationships. Media artifacts are categorized into the plurality of visual categories. The categories of artifacts are refined based on faceted ontology relationships or constraints from the multi-relational reference ontology. The multi-relational reference ontology and the one or more media artifacts with relationships are stored as the hierarchical multi-faceted classification structure in computer readable memory storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Hill, John R. Kender, Apostol Natsev, Quoc-Bao Nguyen, John R. Smith, Jelena Tesic, Lexing Xie, Rong Yan
  • Patent number: 9684852
    Abstract: A method and systems are provided. A system includes a set of visual and textual classifiers for recognizing semantic concepts in a set of images and assigning semantic scores for the images to predict a gender of a user, and performing gender prediction from visual content and textual content in the images to respectively generate visual-based gender predictions and textual-based gender predictions. The system further includes a multimodal information fusion device for combining, using multimodal information fusion, the visual-based gender predictions, the textual-based gender predictions, and the semantic scores to infer a gender of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Liangliang Cao, Michele Merler, John R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170132250
    Abstract: A method and system are provided. The method includes deriving a set of user attributes from an aggregate analysis of images and videos of a user. The deriving step includes recognizing, by a set of visual classifiers, semantic concepts in the images and videos of the user to generate visual classifier scores. The deriving step further includes deriving, by a statistical aggregator, the set of user attributes. The set of user attributes are derived by mapping the visual classifier scores to a taxonomy of semantic categories to be recognized in visual content. The deriving step also includes displaying, by an interactive user interface having a display, attribute profiles for the attributes and comparisons of the attribute profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Michele Merler, Jae-Eun Park, John R. Smith, Rosario Uceda-Sosa
  • Publication number: 20170109360
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing visual memes includes identifying visual memes associated with at least one topic in a data source. The visual memes propagated over time are tracked to extract information associated with identified visual memes. The information associated with the visual memes is analyzed to determine at least one of generation, propagation, and use of the identified memes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: MATTHEW L. HILL, JOHN R. KENDER, APOSTOL I. NATSEV, JOHN R. SMITH, LEXING XIE
  • Publication number: 20170073260
    Abstract: The instant disclosure is directed towards methods of treating wastewater and related systems, where the system includes: a first zone comprising at least one anaerobic tank, and a second zone comprising at least one engineered wetland. In some embodiments, the system includes a third zone comprising at least one bauxite residue cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Sarah K. Strano, Shannon L. Isovitsch Parks, Jaw K. Fu, John R. Smith