Patents by Inventor John To

John To 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: 8627887
    Abstract: An in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. The process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation such that heat from the one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the part. Hydrocarbons may be produced from the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Meliha Deniz Sumnu-Dindoruk, Scott Lee Wellington, Kevin Albert Maher, John Michael Karanikas, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Margaret Ann Messier, Bruce Edmunds Roberts, Steven Dexter Crane
  • Patent number: 8627981
    Abstract: A container (210) for holding granular or powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A rotatably removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is pivotally hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket 300 to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates additional sealing features wherein the gasket (330) projects inwardly from the collar (300) into an interior space (H, I) of the container (210) to be biased against the sealing flange (284). The sealing wall includes modifications that funnel powder into the interior space (H,I) of the receptacle (280).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: James P. Perry, David E. Compeau, Charles R. Schotthoefer, Jeremy J. McBroom, Melissa J. Gamel, Marc A. Pedmo, John G. Barca
  • Patent number: 8627982
    Abstract: A thermal protection sleeve for use in combination with hot drink cups comprising a flat embossed sleeve or band of compressed paper embossed with straight-sided geometric figures over much of the surface thereof. However, overlapping end surface areas are not embossed but are glued together with a suitable biodegradable adhesive. In addition, an unembossed logo blank is provided substantially in the center of the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Letica Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Selina
  • Patent number: 8631115
    Abstract: Techniques for accurate determination of service impact are provided by provisioning network deployed probes with actual business object information related to business entities, such as VPN sites. Such probes are capable of sending a network trap (or alarm) containing actual business information in response to detecting a loss of connectivity. As a result, service impact caused by the loss of connectivity may be determined accurately by simply parsing the contents of a network trap, thus avoiding the complication and inaccuracy of conventional impact analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gil Mati Sheinfeld, Andrew John Ballantyne
  • Patent number: 8628760
    Abstract: A personal care composition comprising: a near-terminal branched compound according to Formula I; a cosmetically acceptable aqueous carrier; wherein the near-terminal branched compound is not comprised in a gel network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John David Carter, Elaine Marie Burt, Jeffrey John Scheibel, David Johnathan Kitko, Jun Xu, Charles Winston Saunders, Kenneth Nathan Price, Stephanie Ann Urbin, Phillip Richard Green
  • Patent number: 8628790
    Abstract: The teachings are directed to a medical device having a drug-retaining coating that at least substantially delays the initial elution of a drug for a time effective at forming a functional endothelium over a surface of the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: PLS Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Thao To, Charles M. Blaha
  • Patent number: 8628091
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method for installing a vapor seal assembly to pass at least one continuous wire through an aperture defined by a bulkhead is provided. The method includes providing a split shell having a threaded, hollow cylindrical extension, providing a split annular gasket, assembling the split shell and the split gasket around the wire, placing the gasket onto the cylindrical extension, and passing the cylindrical extension through the aperture in the bulkhead. The method further includes providing an insert that defines at least one elongated channel for receiving the wire, pressing the wire into the channel, sliding the insert into the cylindrical extension of the shell, assembling a split retainer and a split nut around the wire, engaging the split nut into the retainer, and threading the split nut onto the cylindrical extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: John E. Davison
  • Patent number: 8628509
    Abstract: An enteral connector assembly and system (700) communicates fluid between a bag B? or a bottle B? and an enteral feeding set. The system (700) includes an end cap (705) that communicates enteral fluid across a barrier (715) having a specially configured barrier keyway (720) formed with a barrier port (725). The barrier (715) establishes an interstice (165) that when combined with the spike barrier (715) prevents introduction of and fluid communication with legal intravenous spikes (LS) and other incompatible connectors, while enabling connection to and fluid communication with compatible components such as an interconnect (740) having multiple tines (745) that include specially shaped tips (750) that extend across the interstice (165) to pierce a seal, septum, and/or sealing membrane and form a fluid pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: John J. Kropczynski, Jr., James Perry, Meghan Walter, Dennis Kopilec, Allan Cameron, Christine Ciccone, Thomas Parent, Brian Stonecipher, Philip C. Walker, James Wilson
  • Patent number: 8631105
    Abstract: A method to optimize revenue realized under multiple service level agreements with multiple data storage clients is disclosed. The method provides an information storage and retrieval system. The method includes entering into (N) service level agreements to provide data storage services for (N) applications using the information storage and retrieval system, where each of the (N) service level agreements specifies an average maximum response time RTSLA. The method calculates for each value of (j), the value per unit throughput ?j for the (j)th application, and then determines for each value of (j) the optimum data flow rate x(j)OPT. The method estimates, for each value of (j), a maximum data flow rate X(j)MAX that the (j)th application can utilize, and determines, for each value of (j), if x(j)OPT equals X(j)MAX.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Aschoff, David D. Chambliss, Bruce McNutt
  • Patent number: 8627618
    Abstract: Closure assemblies for movable partitions may include a leading end assembly having a first side and a second side and a latching assembly coupled thereto. The latching assembly may include a first latching member having a portion thereof positioned proximate to the first side and a second latching member having a portion thereof positioned proximate to the second side. Movable partition systems may include a plurality of hingedly coupled panels movably coupled to a track, and a leading end assembly coupled to at least one panel of the plurality of hingedly coupled panels. The leading end assembly may include at least two latching features positioned on the leading end assembly. Methods of securing a movable partition may include retaining a first latching member and a second latching member in a retracted position and extending the first latching member and the second latching member to an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventors: Tracy M. Knight, Michael D. George, William Michael Coleman, John G. Garrett, III
  • Patent number: 8627549
    Abstract: Methods of improving a handle grip are disclosed that provide a simple, economical, way to improve a grip on a handle. An improved grip can be placed on a handle by first providing a grip for placement on the handle. The grip can include an outer grip formed of an elastic material in a radially extended state, the outer grip configured to provide a secure and comfortable hold on the handle for a user, and an inner tube holding the elastic material in the extended state. The inner tube can be removable to allow the outer grip to constrict radially. The grip can then be placed over the handle, and the inner tube removed, allowing the outer grip to constrict radially to conform in fixed attachment to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventor: John Vernieu
  • Patent number: 8629176
    Abstract: The present invention discloses ?-diketones, ?-diketones or ?-hydroxyketones or analogs thereof, that activate Wnt/?-catenin signaling and thus treat or prevent diseases related to signal transduction, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthropathy; osteogenesis imperfecta, bone defects, bone fractures, periodontal disease, otosclerosis, wound healing, craniofacial defects, oncolytic bone disease, traumatic brain injuries related to the differentiation and development of the central nervous system, comprising Parkinson's disease, strokes, ischemic cerebral disease, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia; eye diseases such as age related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema or retinitis pigmentosa and diseases related to differentiation and growth of stem cell, comprising hair loss, hematopoiesis related diseases and tissue regeneration related diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Samumed, LLC
    Inventors: Sunil Kumar KC, David Mark Wallace, John Hood, Charlene F. Barroga
  • Patent number: 8627769
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of preparing a blast hole which method comprises the steps of: drilling a blast hole; placing explosives in the blast hole; filling the blast hole with a stemming material comprising a cement composition and water wherein the weight ratio of water to solids content of the stemming material is at least about 1:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Minova International Limited
    Inventors: Peter Shelley Mills, Rory John Michael Harris
  • Patent number: 8630294
    Abstract: An example computing device includes a prefix lookup module, and a Bloom filter that includes a set of queues. The prefix lookup module is configured to receive policy configuration information, examine a state of a queue of the set of queues, and determine whether to bypass the first Bloom filter based on the policy configuration information and the state of the queue. In one example, the prefix lookup module may be configured to, using the policy configuration information, determine to bypass the Bloom filter when the queue is full. In another example, the prefix lookup module may be configured to, using the policy configuration information, determine not to bypass the Bloom filter and send a lookup request to the Bloom filter upon determining that the queue is no longer full.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: John Keen, Jianhui Huang, Deepak Goel, David R. Skinner, Venkatasubramanian Swaminathan
  • Patent number: 8630519
    Abstract: Photodetecting fiber. The fiber detects and localizes an incident optical beam. A semiconducting core is in intimate contact with a material forming a resistive channel that breaks axial symmetry. The resistive channel has a resistivity between that of metals and the semiconducting core, enabling the imposition of non-uniform, convex electric potential distributions along the fiber axis allowing photo-current measurements along the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Fabien Sorin, Guillaume Lestoquoy, Sylvain Danto, Yoel Fink, John D. Joannopoulos
  • Patent number: 8631219
    Abstract: A computer system which includes a plurality of threads and a garbage collector that traces memory objects and identifies memory objects according to a three-color abstraction. The computer system also includes two methods of deleting compiled code in a self-modifying multi-threaded computer system. The computer system also utilizes a method of handling links between fragments of code in a self-modifying multi-threaded computer system. The computer system also handles patches between two pieces of code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Myriad Group AG
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Thomas, William Thomas Charnell, Stephen Darnell, Blaise Abel Alec Dias, Philippa Joy Guthrie, Jeremy Paul Kramskoy, Jeremy James Sexton, Michael John Wynn, Keith Rautenbach, Wayne Plummer
  • Patent number: 8631175
    Abstract: A method of performing an input/output operation includes: generating by a channel subsystem at least one command message including one or more device command words (DCWs), at least one DCW including a data count and a suppress-length indication (SLI) configured to instruct a control unit whether to continue to perform the I/O operation in response to an incorrect length condition; forwarding the at least one command message to the control unit; receiving an incorrect length (IL) value from the control unit and storing an IL indicator in a subchannel-status word, the IL indicator representing the IL value, the IL value being a first IL value in response to a first SLI value and the data count not matching the amount of data required, the IL value being a second IL value in response to a second SLI value and the data count not matching the amount of data required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Susan K. Candelaria, Scott M. Carlson, Daniel F. Casper, John R. Flanagan, Roger G. Hathorn, Matthew J. Kalos, Louis W. Ricci, Dale F. Riedy, Harry M. Yudenfriend
  • Patent number: 8630498
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for detection of pictorial regions in an image using a masking condition, an entropy measure, and region growing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard John Campbell, Ahmet Mufit Ferman, Toyohisa Matsuda, Lawrence Shao-hsien Chen
  • Patent number: 8627632
    Abstract: A node for a solar frame including an elongate portion having a channel extending through it in which a structural element is disposed or a solid elongate portion on to which a structural element is disposed. The node comprises a fin extending radially outward from the elongate portion where at least 5% of the volume of the fin is replaced by at least a single void extending essentially in parallel with the channel or the extrusion direction of the solid elongate portion. An apparatus for transmitting torque in a solar frame having structural elements and a support. A system for solar mirrors. A node for a solar frame. A method for connecting a structural element with a strut having a strut end piece of a solar mirror support frame. A method for producing a node for solar mirror frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Werner Extrusion Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Craig Roy Werner, John Funai, Nicholas Palladino
  • Patent number: 8629011
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microphone using epitaxially grown silicon. A monolithic wafer structure is provided. A wafer surface of the structure includes poly-crystalline silicon in a first horizontal region and mono-crystalline silicon in a second horizontal region surrounding a perimeter of the first horizontal region. A hybrid silicon layer is epitaxially deposited on the wafer surface. Portions of the hybrid silicon layer that contact the poly-crystalline silicon use the poly-crystalline silicon as a seed material and portions that contact the mono-crystalline silicon use the mono-crystalline silicon as a seed material. As such, the hybrid silicon layer includes both mono-crystalline silicon and poly-crystalline silicon in the same layer of the same wafer structure. A CMOS/membrane layer is then deposited on top of the hybrid silicon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Brett M. Diamond, Franz Laermer, Andrew J. Doller, Michael J. Daley, Phillip Sean Stetson, John M. Muza