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).

  • Patent number: 10384338
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL
    Inventors: Sean Michael Greene, Benjamin Gerard Gravel, Aaron Joseph Ruff, Sean Michael McDonald, Brian Alexander Nelson, Austin Laboy Schick, Colin Daniel Russell
  • Patent number: 9857238
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Kara Malhotra, Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen Minich, Joseph Ruff
  • Publication number: 20170097193
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Jeremy James Stanley, Kenneth William James Hale, Peter John Burke, Phillip James Cross, Dean Brand, Michael Joseph Ruff, Parker Wheat, Kenneth A. Fagan
  • Patent number: 9211922
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Cardinal Gibbons High School
    Inventors: Ariana Jacqueline Keeling, Kirby Shane Cook, Timothy Paul Kowalczyk, Aaron Joseph Ruff, Sean Michael McDonald, Sean Michael Greene, Marc Celestini, Brian Alexander Nelson
  • Publication number: 20150300892
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: NEST LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Kara Malhotra, Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen Minich, Joseph Ruff
  • Publication number: 20150273687
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL
    Inventors: Sean Michael Greene, Benjamin Gerard Gravel, Aaron Joseph Ruff, Sean Michael McDonald, Brian Alexander Nelson, Austin Laboy Schick, Colin Daniel Russell
  • Publication number: 20140049098
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Cardinal Gibbons High School
    Inventors: Ariana Jacqueline Keeling, Kirby Shane Cook, Timothy Paul Kowalczyk, Aaron Joseph Ruff, Sean Michael McDonald, Sean Michael Greene, Marc Celestini, Brian Alexander Nelson
  • Patent number: 8554376
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Nest Labs, Inc
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Joseph Ruff, Mark Malhotra
  • Patent number: 8531480
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich
  • Patent number: 8504621
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert P. Starling, Michael D. Trinkala, Karen M. Cross, Brandon W. Porter, Gary Clayton
  • Publication number: 20100011306
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph RUFF, Robert G. JOHNSTON, JR., Robert ULRICH
  • Patent number: 7609279
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20090112782
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Karen M. Cross, Robert P. Starling, Michael D. Trinkala, Joseph Ruff, Brandon W. Porter, Gary Clayton
  • Publication number: 20050190182
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert Johnston, Robert Ulrich
  • Patent number: 6909437
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich
  • Patent number: 6710782
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20020085019
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Robert Ulrich
  • Patent number: 6404433
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20020052721
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Robert Ulrich
  • Patent number: 6243102
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich