Patents by Inventor Joseph Nicholas

Joseph Nicholas 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: 9057723
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting an analyte (10) in a sample, comprising the steps of: providing a transducer (3) having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes which is capable of transducing a change in energy to an electrical signal, a first reagent (9) immobilized on the transducer, the first reagent having a binding site which is capable of binding the analyte or a derivative of the analyte, exposing the sample to the transducer thereby allowing the analyte or a derivative of the analyte to bind to the first reagent to form a first reagent-analyte complex (13); introducing a second reagent (11), the second reagent having a binding site which is capable of selectively binding the first reagent-analyte complex, wherein the second reagent has a label (12) attached thereto which is capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation to generate energy by non-radiative decay; irradiating the sample with electromagnetic radiation; transducing the energy generated into an electr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Vivacta Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy Joseph Nicholas Carter, Steven Andrew Ross
  • Patent number: 9025031
    Abstract: A surveillance unit (1) comprises a support pole (3) and apparatus (5) mounted on the support pole (3) for housing surveillance cameras (6,7) and infrared heat detectors (8) in a controlled environment. The apparatus (5) comprises a primary housing (10) defining a primary hollow interior region (11) supported on a main support platform (21) which is mounted on the support pole (3). A secondary housing (14) defining a secondary hollow interior region (15) is coupled to the primary housing (10) by a tubular coupling element (17) which defines a communicating passageway (18) for communicating the primary and secondary hollow interior region (11,15). The secondary housing (14) comprises a lower secondary shell (68) of polycarbonate material and an upper secondary shell (73) which form the secondary hollow interior region (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph Nicholas Murphy, David Barry Murphy
  • Patent number: 9017886
    Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed with a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cell stack including an anode supply manifold and an anode exhaust manifold, a sensor for measuring at least one of an environmental condition affecting the fuel cell stack and a characteristic of the fuel cell stack, wherein the sensor generates a sensor signal representing the measurement of the sensor; and a processor for receiving the sensor signal, analyzing the sensor signal, and controlling a flow rate of a fluid flowing into the anode supply manifold based upon the analysis of the sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Daniel I. Harris, Joseph Nicholas Lovria, Patrick Frost
  • Patent number: 8845965
    Abstract: The present application relates to a sensor (1) for use in detecting an analyte comprising: a transducer (10) composed of a pyroelectric or piezoelectric polymer substrate e.g. PVDF (3) and a transparent electrode layer (4) on a surface of the substrate; a layer of parylene (12) on the transparent electrode layer; and a reagent (17) immobilised on the transducer, the reagent having a binding site which is capable of binding the analyte or a derivative of the analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Vivacta Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy Joseph Nicholas Carter, Steven Andrew Ross, Timothy Stuart Dwyer
  • Publication number: 20140237616
    Abstract: Consent management between a client and a network server. In response to a request for consent, a central server determines if requested user information is included in a user profile associated with a user and if the user has granted consent to share the requested user information. A user interface is provided to the user via a browser of the client to collect the requested user information that is not included in the user profile and the consent to share the requested user information from the user. After receiving the user information provided by the user via the user interface, the service provided by the network server is allowed access to the received user information, and the central server updates the user profile. Other aspects of the invention are directed to computer-readable media for use with profile and consent accrual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ashvin Joseph Mathew, Puhazholi Vetrivel, Nayana Ramdas Mutha, Joseph Nicholas Coco, Melissa W. Dunn
  • Patent number: 8758686
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device (1) for detecting energy generated by non-radiative decay generated in a substance (2) on irradiation with electromagnetic radiation. The device (1) comprises a radiation source (6) adapted to generate a series of pulses of electromagnetic radiation, a transducer (3) having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes (4, 5) which is capable of transducing the energy generated by the substance (2) into an electrical signal, and a detector (7) which is capable of detecting the electrical signal generated by the transducer (3). The detector (7) is adapted to determine the time delay between each pulse of electromagnetic radiation from the radiation source (6) and the generation of the electric signal. The device (1) has a wide applicability in the fields of assays and monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Vivacta Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Joseph Nicholas Carter, Steven Andrew Ross
  • Patent number: 8722263
    Abstract: A method for determining when to inject hydrogen gas into the anode side of a fuel cell stack associated with a fuel cell vehicle when the vehicle is off. The method includes estimating the concentration of hydrogen gas in the anode side of the fuel cell stack using a gas concentration model and determining if the estimated concentration of hydrogen gas is below a first predetermined threshold. If the estimated hydrogen gas is less than the threshold, then hydrogen gas is injected into the anode side from a hydrogen source. While the hydrogen gas is being injected, the method compares the estimated concentration of the hydrogen gas in the anode side to a desired concentration, and generates an error signal there between. If the error signal is greater than a second predetermined threshold, the algorithm continues to inject the hydrogen into the anode side of the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jun Cai, Joseph Nicholas Lovria, Sriram Ganapathy, Jaehak Jung, John P. Salvador
  • Patent number: 8719366
    Abstract: Consent management between a client and a network server. In response to a request for consent, a central server determines if requested user information is included in a user profile associated with a user and if the user has granted consent to share the requested user information. A user interface is provided to the user via a browser of the client to collect the requested user information that is not included in the user profile and the consent to share the requested user information from the user. After receiving the user information provided by the user via the user interface, the service provided by the network server is allowed access to the received user information, and the central server updates the user profile. Other aspects of the invention are directed to computer-readable media for use with profile and consent accrual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventors: Ashvin Joseph Mathew, Puhazholi Vetrivel, Nayana Ramdas Mutha, Joseph Nicholas Coco, Melissa W. Dunn
  • Patent number: 8697303
    Abstract: A method for controlling cathode air flow at system start-up by controlling a stack by-pass valve. The method includes determining a concentration of hydrogen in a cathode side of the fuel cell stack. The method also includes determining a volumetric flow rate through a cathode compressor, determining a volumetric flow rate through the cathode side and determining a fraction of volumetric flow rate through the cathode side to the total flow through the compressor. The method determines a modeled hydrogen outlet concentration from the fuel cell stack based on the volumetric flow rate through the compressor, the fraction of volumetric flow rate through the compressor to the total flow through the compressor and the concentration of hydrogen in the cathode side. The method uses a desired fraction of volumetric flow rate through the cathode side and the total flow through the compressor to determine the position of the by-pass valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Daniel I. Harris, Joseph Nicholas Lovria, Matthew C. Kirklin, Gary M. Robb
  • Publication number: 20130315783
    Abstract: A device for detecting an analyte in a sample, which includes a radiation source adapted to generate electromagnetic radiation; a transducer capable of transducing a change in energy to an electrical signal; at least one tethered reagent on or proximal to the transducer, the tethered reagent having a binding site which is capable of binding the analyte; a chamber for holding the sample in fluid contact with transducer, wherein the chamber is adapted to contain the sample on inversion, partial inversion or agitation of the device; and a detector which is capable of detecting the electrical signal generated by the transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Vivacta Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Joseph Nicholas Carter, Steven Andrew Ross
  • Patent number: 8524504
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for detecting an analyte in a sample, comprising the steps of exposing the sample to a transducer which is capable of transducing a change in energy to an electrical signal, the transducer having at least one tethered reagent on or proximal thereto, the at least one tethered reagent having a binding site which is capable of binding the analyte; introducing a labelled reagent into the sample, wherein the labelled reagent contains a binding site for the analyte or the tethered reagent and a label which is capable of absorbing electromagneticradiation generated by a radiation source to generate energy; allowing the labelled reagent to bind to the analyte or tethered reagent in a first period in which the transducer is oriented such that the labelled reagent is caused to settle, at least in part, on the transducer; subsequently, in a second period, causing the labelled reagent to become unsettled; irradiating the sample with electromagnetic radiation during the first and second
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Vivacta Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Joseph Nicholas Carter, Steven Andrew Ross
  • Patent number: 8524405
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting small hydrogen leaks in an anode of a fuel cell system. The method includes determining that a shut-down sequence has begun, and if so, deplete the cathode side of a fuel cell stack of oxygen. The method then increases the pressure of the anode side of the fuel cell stack to a predetermined set-point, and monitors the pressure decay of the anode side of the stack. The method compares the rate of pressure decay to an expected pressure decay rate, and if the measured pressure decay rate exceeds the expected pressure decay rate by a certain threshold, determines that a potential leak exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John P. Salvador, Joseph Nicholas Lovria
  • Patent number: 8512966
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting an analyte (10) in a sample, comprising the steps of: providing a transducer comprising a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes which is capable of transducing a change in energy to an electrical signal, a first reagent immobilised on the transducer, and a second reagent (11) releasably bound to the first reagent and having a label attached thereto which is capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation to generate energy by non-radiative decay, wherein either the first or second reagent has a binding site which allows binding to the other and which is capable of preferentially binding to the analyte or a derivative of the analyte; exposing the transducer to the sample thereby allowing the analyte or a derivative of the analyte to bind to the binding site and displace the second reagent; irradiating the sample with electromagnetic radiation; transducing the energy generated into an electrical signal; and detecting the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Vivacta Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy Joseph Nicholas Carter, Steven Andrew Ross
  • Publication number: 20130093612
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to processing air traffic controller (“ATC”) communication directed to aircraft other than the current aircraft. ATC communication is processed using speech recognition and the call sign and augmented flight information for other aircraft is identified. The corresponding aircraft icon on the display representing the aircraft on the display may be augmented by emphasizing the icon and displaying augmented flight information, along with an insignia. This information is displayed for a configurable time duration, after which the display reverts to displaying a conventional aircraft icon and associated flight information on the display. The pilot can subsequently select the aircraft icon and may be presented with a log of past ATC communications for the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Karl Christian Pschierer, Marco Gaertner, Joseph Nicholas Smith
  • Publication number: 20130052632
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for detecting an analyte in a sample. The method comprises the steps of exposing the sample to a transducer having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes which is capable of transducing a change in energy to an electrical signal, the transducer having at least one reagent proximal thereto, the reagent having a binding site which is capable of binding the analyte or a complex or derivative of the analyte, wherein at least one of the analyte or the complex or derivative of the analyte has a label attached thereto which is capable of absorbing the electromagnetic radiation generated by the radiation source to generate energy by non-radiative decay; irradiating the reagent with a series of pulses of electromagnetic radiation, transducing the energy generated into an electrical signal, detecting the electrical signal and the time delay between each pulse of electromagnetic radiation from the radiation source and the generation of the electric signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: VIVACTA LIMITED
    Inventors: Timothy Joseph Nicholas Carter, Steven Andrew Ross
  • Publication number: 20120231488
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sample collection device for an aqueous fluid, such as whole blood, serum, plasma and urine. The device comprises a cartridge body defining an elongate sample collection passage that has open ends. The passage is arranged to draw the fluid into the passage by capillary action. The passage is provided along a portion of its length with a sample metering stop in the form of a hydrophobic coating arranged to prevent flow of the fluid by capillary action thereacross. A sample receiving portion of the passage extending between a collection end and the metering stop is non-linear, and preferably defines a pair of straight limbs connected by a bend. By providing a non-linear passage in this way, the maximum gravitational force which can act on the collected sample is reduced as compared to a conventional linear passage, thereby reducing the tendency of the sample to leak from the device and potentially avoiding the need for one or both ends of the passage to be sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: VIVACTA LTD.
    Inventors: Catriona Marshall, Anne Marie Crawford, Steven Andrew Ross, Timothy Joseph Nicholas Carter
  • Publication number: 20120220023
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an analysis device for use with an external testing apparatus to detect the presence of an analyte in a test sample. The device comprises a transducer formed of a layer of pyroelectric or piezoelectric material sandwiched between first and second electrode layers, the transducer being arranged to produce an electrical voltage across the electrode layers in response to heating or straining of the pyroelectric or piezoelectric material layer. The device also comprises first and second stiffening elements for the transducer, the transducer being sandwiched between the stiffening elements. Each of the stiffening elements defines a planar surface for maintaining the transducer in a flat condition. Each of the stiffening elements exposes a portion of a respective electrode layer of the transducer for electrically connecting the transducer to the external text apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: VIVACTA LTD.
    Inventors: Paul Brendan Monaghan, Steven Andrew Ross, Timothy Joseph Nicholas Carter
  • Patent number: 8232014
    Abstract: A method for reducing the probability of an air/hydrogen front in a fuel cell stack is disclosed that includes closing anode valves for an anode side of the fuel cell stack to permit a desired quantity of hydrogen to be left in the anode side upon shutdown and determining a schedule to inject hydrogen during the time the fuel cell stack is shutdown. The pressure on an anode input line is determined and a discrete amount of hydrogen is injected into the anode side of the stack according to the determined schedule by opening anode input line valves based on the determined pressure along the anode input line so as to inject the hydrogen into the anode side of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David A. Arthur, Dieter Kaimann, Thomas W. Tighe, Steven G. Goebel, John P. Salvador, Gary M. Robb, Daniel I. Harris, Joseph Nicholas Lovria, Balasubramanian Lakshmanan, Daniel T. Folmsbee
  • Patent number: 8195407
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating the amount of hydrogen and/or nitrogen in a fuel cell stack and stack volumes at system start-up and shut-down. The method defines the fuel cell stack and stack volumes as discrete volumes including an anode flow-field and anode plumbing volume, a cathode flow-field volume and a cathode header and plumbing volume. The method estimates the amount of hydrogen and/or nitrogen in the anode flow-field and anode plumbing volume, the cathode flow-field volume and the cathode header and plumbing volume when the fuel cell system is shut down, during a first stage when the hydrogen partial pressure between the anode and cathode is not in equilibrium and during a second stage when the hydrogen partial pressure between the anode and cathode is in equilibrium by considering various flows into and out of the volumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John P. Salvador, Joseph Nicholas Lovria, Sriram Ganapathy, John C. Fagley
  • Publication number: 20120092504
    Abstract: A surveillance unit (1) comprises a support pole (3) and apparatus (5) mounted on the support pole (3) for housing surveillance cameras (6,7) and infrared heat detectors (8) in a controlled environment. The apparatus (5) comprises a primary housing (10) defining a primary hollow interior region (11) supported on a main support platform (21) which is mounted on the support pole (3). A secondary housing (14) defining a secondary hollow interior region (15) is coupled to the primary housing (10) by a tubular coupling element (17) which defines a communicating passageway (18) for communicating the primary and secondary hollow interior region (11,15). The secondary housing (14) comprises a lower secondary shell (68) of polycarbonate material and an upper secondary shell (73) which form the secondary hollow interior region (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph Nicholas Murphy, David Barry Murphy