Patents by Inventor Joseph Ruff
Joseph Ruff 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).
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Patent number: 10384338Abstract: A robotic vehicle is provided with an extendable arm and a mandible structure. The mandible structure includes a pair of mandibles with toothed portions that cooperatively engage such that the mandibles may be opened and closed by applying a force to only one of the pair of mandibles. The mandible structure hangs freely from the extendable arm and is balanced so that the mandible structure naturally maintains a substantially vertical orientation. In the closed position, the mandible structure defines an interior cavity suitable for securely grasping a ring.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2014Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOLInventors: Sean Michael Greene, Benjamin Gerard Gravel, Aaron Joseph Ruff, Sean Michael McDonald, Brian Alexander Nelson, Austin Laboy Schick, Colin Daniel Russell
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Patent number: 9857238Abstract: Techniques for determining and using a thermodynamic model that characterizes a thermodynamic response of an enclosure conditioned by an HVAC system are disclosed. To determine a thermodynamic model, temperature information when the HVAC system operates in a first state may first be received. A response interval may then be determined where the response interval indicates an estimated time between when the HVAC system begins operating in the first state and when the temperature within the enclosure begins to change in a direction associated with the first state. Weighting factors corresponding to basis functions may then be determined, where the weighted basis functions characterize the temperature trajectory of the enclosure in response to the HVAC system operating in the first state.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Kara Malhotra, Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen Minich, Joseph Ruff
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Publication number: 20170097193Abstract: The present disclosure provides, among other things, a radiator system, its components, as well as methods of mounting and/or installing thereof. Provided components include radiating fins arranged around a water pipe to form a core assembly. The radiating fins may include a collar and/or reflare and are spaced in the core assembly to permit airflow through the system. The core assembly may be mounted by support elements on hangers from a back plate which is wall mountable. The support elements may create space for airflow between the core assembly and a front casing and/or the back panel. Provided systems, components and methods are useful in commercial and residential baseboard radiators.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Jeremy James Stanley, Kenneth William James Hale, Peter John Burke, Phillip James Cross, Dean Brand, Michael Joseph Ruff, Parker Wheat, Kenneth A. Fagan
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Patent number: 9211922Abstract: A robotic vehicle is provided with improved traction and mobility via a specially designed wheel apparatus including a relatively rigid wheel structure formed from two circular, coaxial sprocketed wheel plates separated by a central hub. The sprockets on the wheel plates are circumferentially aligned with one another, with axially facing sprocket pairs being received in areas defined between circumferentially adjacent pairs of tread links in a series of tread links, equal in number to the number of sprocket pairs, arranged in a circular array around the periphery of the wheel structure. The sprocket pairs are sized and configured in a manner such that substantial relative axial and circumferential movement between the wheel structure and the tread link array are blocked, with the axially facing sprockets in each sprocket pair being axially and resiliently deflected toward one another by surface portions of their associated tread link area.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Cardinal Gibbons High SchoolInventors: Ariana Jacqueline Keeling, Kirby Shane Cook, Timothy Paul Kowalczyk, Aaron Joseph Ruff, Sean Michael McDonald, Sean Michael Greene, Marc Celestini, Brian Alexander Nelson
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Publication number: 20150300892Abstract: Techniques for determining and using a thermodynamic model that characterizes a thermodynamic response of an enclosure conditioned by an HVAC system are disclosed. To determine a thermodynamic model, temperature information when the HVAC system operates in a first state may first be received. A response interval may then be determined where the response interval indicates an estimated time between when the HVAC system begins operating in the first state and when the temperature within the enclosure begins to change in a direction associated with the first state. Weighting factors corresponding to basis functions may then be determined, where the weighted basis functions characterize the temperature trajectory of the enclosure in response to the HVAC system operating in the first state.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2014Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicant: NEST LABS, INC.Inventors: Kara Malhotra, Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen Minich, Joseph Ruff
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Publication number: 20150273687Abstract: A robotic vehicle is provided with an extendable arm and a mandible structure. The mandible structure includes a pair of mandibles with toothed portions that cooperatively engage such that the mandibles may be opened and closed by applying a force to only one of the pair of mandibles. The mandible structure hangs freely from the extendable arm and is balanced so that the mandible structure naturally maintains a substantially vertical orientation. In the closed position, the mandible structure defines an interior cavity suitable for securely grasping a ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Applicant: CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOLInventors: Sean Michael Greene, Benjamin Gerard Gravel, Aaron Joseph Ruff, Sean Michael McDonald, Brian Alexander Nelson, Austin Laboy Schick, Colin Daniel Russell
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Publication number: 20140049098Abstract: A robotic vehicle is provided with improved traction and mobility via a specially designed wheel apparatus including a relatively rigid wheel structure formed from two circular, coaxial sprocketed wheel plates separated by a central hub. The sprockets on the wheel plates are circumferentially aligned with one another, with axially facing sprocket pairs being received in areas defined between circumferentially adjacent pairs of tread links in a series of tread links, equal in number to the number of sprocket pairs, arranged in a circular array around the periphery of the wheel structure. The sprocket pairs are sized and configured in a manner such that substantial relative axial and circumferential movement between the wheel structure and the tread link array are blocked, with the axially facing sprockets in each sprocket pair being axially and resiliently deflected toward one another by surface portions of their associated tread link area.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2012Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: Cardinal Gibbons High SchoolInventors: Ariana Jacqueline Keeling, Kirby Shane Cook, Timothy Paul Kowalczyk, Aaron Joseph Ruff, Sean Michael McDonald, Sean Michael Greene, Marc Celestini, Brian Alexander Nelson
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Patent number: 8554376Abstract: The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that continuously, periodically, or intermittently monitor progress towards one or more control goals under one or more constraints in order to achieve control that satisfies potentially conflicting goals. An intelligent controller may alter aspects of control, dynamically, while the control is being carried out, in order to ensure that goals are obtained and a balance is achieved between potentially conflicting goals. The intelligent controller uses various types of information to determine an initial control strategy as well as to dynamically adjust the control strategy as the control is being carried out.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Nest Labs, IncInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Joseph Ruff, Mark Malhotra
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Patent number: 8531480Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2009Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich
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Patent number: 8504621Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating a decision-making process are disclosed. In one aspect of the present disclosure, in response to receiving a request to facilitate a decision making process, the decision-making agent participates in a communications thread where users are attempting to reach a decision regarding a business to frequent and/or an activity to partake. Since group activities are oftentimes scheduled via common communication threads, the decision-making agent can intervene in such communication threads, when requested, and assist the participating users in making a decision or making informed suggestions toward reaching an agreement.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2007Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert P. Starling, Michael D. Trinkala, Karen M. Cross, Brandon W. Porter, Gary Clayton
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Publication number: 20100011306Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Joseph RUFF, Robert G. JOHNSTON, JR., Robert ULRICH
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Patent number: 7609279Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2005Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich
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Publication number: 20090112782Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating a decision-making process are disclosed. In one aspect of the present disclosure, in response to receiving a request to facilitate a decision making process, the decision-making agent participates in a communications thread where users are attempting to reach a decision regarding a business to frequent and/or an activity to partake. Since group activities are oftentimes scheduled via common communication threads, the decision-making agent can intervene in such communication threads, when requested, and assist the participating users in making a decision or making informed suggestions toward reaching an agreement.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Karen M. Cross, Robert P. Starling, Michael D. Trinkala, Joseph Ruff, Brandon W. Porter, Gary Clayton
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Publication number: 20050190182Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2005Publication date: September 1, 2005Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert Johnston, Robert Ulrich
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Patent number: 6909437Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2001Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich
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Patent number: 6710782Abstract: A method and system are described for creating and editing a theme associated with a graphical user interface (GUI). In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a theme is selected from a plurality of themes. The theme is edited by modifying information associated with at least one GUI definition object, wherein the at least one GUI definition object is associated with the theme. Information associated with the at least one GUI definition object is stored as part of the theme.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich
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Publication number: 20020085019Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Robert Ulrich
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Patent number: 6404433Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1996Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich
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Publication number: 20020052721Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2001Publication date: May 2, 2002Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Robert Ulrich
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Patent number: 6243102Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich