Patents by Inventor Kent A. Smith

Kent A. 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: 11972649
    Abstract: A system and method for using a portable device to communicate with a vehicle to authorize one or more vehicle operations. The portable device may authorize the vehicle to unlock/lock doors, start the vehicle engine, or mobilize the vehicle, or a combination thereof. The vehicle may include a vehicle transmitter system with one or more transmitters disposed at various locations on the vehicle, and the portable device may be configured to monitor a communication strength between the portable device and the one or more transmitters of the transmitter system. Based on the monitored signal strength, the portable device may determine location information about itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: J. Michael Ellis, Eric Smith, Aaron Day, Kurt Dykema, Warren E. Guthrie, Brent Bouws, David L Klamer, Kent D. Pilcher
  • Publication number: 20240117943
    Abstract: A system, device, and method for detecting leaks near an emitter is disclosed. The method includes (i) receiving, from one or more mobile sensors, a first stream of information indicative of a leak state, (ii) determining that an initial leak state exists based at least in part on the first stream of information indicative of the leak state, (iii) receiving a second stream of information indicative of a no-leak state, (iv) using a statistical model to determine that the leak state has ended based at least in part on the first stream of information and the second stream of information, (v) receiving a third stream of information indicative of the leak state, and (vi) determining that a new leak state exists, wherein the new leak state is a distinct leak state from the initial leak state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Shreyan Sen, Zachary Kent Smith, Todd Langland, Marek Andrzej Kwasnica, Rishabh Urvesh Shah, Meghan Elizabeth Thurlow, Brian LaFranchi, Nathan Sankary, Matthew Hill, Tobe Corazzini, Davida Herzl
  • Publication number: 20240077465
    Abstract: A system, device, and method for sensing air quality with a sensor platform is disclosed. The method includes (i) directing a set of mobile sensors to a coarse region wherein the coarse region has coarse size based on variance of prior air quality measurements taken at locations within a vicinity of the coarse region, and (ii) directing the set of mobile sensors to a fine region wherein the fine region has a fine size based on variance of prior air quality measurements taken at locations within a vicinity of the fine region. The variance of air quality measurements associated with the fine region is greater than a variance of air quality measurements associated with the coarse region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Nathan Sankary, Walker Alexander, Michael Browning, Jessica Jenkins, Tobe Corazzini, Meghan Elizabeth Thurlow, Zachary Kent Smith, Davida Herzl
  • Publication number: 20240077326
    Abstract: A system, device, and method for sensing air quality with a sensor platform is disclosed. The method includes (i) directing an air quality measurement system to a predicted high information region wherein the predicted high information region is determined based on high variance of prior air quality measurements taken at different times, (ii) directing the air quality measurement system to a predicted low information region wherein the predicted low information region is determined based on low variance of prior air quality measurements taken at different times. The air quality measurement system is preferentially directed to the predicted high information region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Nathan Sankary, Walker Alexander, Michael Browning, Jessica Jenkins, Tobe Corazzini, Meghan Elizabeth Thurlow, Zachary Kent Smith, Davida Herzl
  • Patent number: 11891854
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural feature having generally horizontal vane elements coupled to and located between generally front and rear generally vertical support members, which in preferred embodiments are adjustable to control the amount of light transmitted through the covering. In one embodiment the covering has three dimensional multi-layered, cellular vanes, and in another embodiment, the one or more support members are formed of a dark color, the rear support member(s) may be formed of material that is darker than the front support member(s), or vise versa. In another embodiment, the support members, e.g., sheers, have an openness factor, preferably as low as about sixty-five percent (65%) to as large as about ninety percent (90%). Other embodiments include structure, assemblies and methods for controlling the closure of the covering as well as embodiments of bottom rail assemblies. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Ko Kuperus, Bonnie Earl, Kelly Rahn, Kent A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230235624
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural covering is provided. The covering may include a rotatable outer roller, a rotatable inner roller, a first shade secured to the outer roller, and a second shade secured to the inner roller. The outer roller may define an elongated slot extending along a length of the outer roller and opening to an interior of the outer roller. The inner roller may be received within the outer roller and may define a central longitudinal axis. The first shade may be retractable onto and extendable from the outer roller. The second shade may extend through the elongated slot and may be retractable onto and extendable from the inner roller. The elongated slot may be substantially horizontally aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the inner roller when the first shade is in a fully extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolas C. Buccola, JR., Terrence M. Drew, Kenneth M. Faller, Kent A. Smith
  • Patent number: 11643870
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural covering is provided. The covering may include a rotatable outer roller, a rotatable inner roller, a first shade secured to the outer roller, and a second shade secured to the inner roller. The outer roller may define an elongated slot extending along a length of the outer roller and opening to an interior of the outer roller. The inner roller may be received within the outer roller and may define a central longitudinal axis. The first shade may be retractable onto and extendable from the outer roller. The second shade may extend through the elongated slot and may be retractable onto and extendable from the inner roller. The elongated slot may be substantially horizontally aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the inner roller when the first shade is in a fully extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Nickolas C. Buccola, Jr., Terrence M. Drew, Kenneth M. Faller, Kent A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230138944
    Abstract: A cordless retractable shade including an operating system for the shade that varies a biasing force of a spring to counterbalance the shade. The bottom rail of a retractable shade can be raised or lowered, and due to the operating system remains in any selected position of the covering between fully extended and fully retracted, without the use of operating cords. The system includes a method of negating and reversing the spring bias effect at a strategic position whereby the flexible vanes of the shade can be adjusted between open and closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen P. Smith, Kent A. Smith, Galen B. Rhodes, Stephen M. Winters, Kenneth M. Faller
  • Patent number: 11566469
    Abstract: A cordless retractable shade including an operating system for the shade that varies a biasing force of a spring to counterbalance the shade. The bottom rail of a retractable shade can be raised or lowered, and due to the operating system remains in any selected position of the covering between fully extended and fully retracted, without the use of operating cords. The system includes a method of negating and reversing the spring bias effect at a strategic position whereby the flexible vanes of the shade can be adjusted between open and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Smith, Kent A. Smith, Galen B. Rhodes, Stephen M. Winters, Kenneth M. Faller
  • Publication number: 20220276829
    Abstract: An interactive podcast with integrated additional audio/visual content. In one embodiment, a computing device comprising: an electronic processor; and a memory including an interactive podcast program that, when executed by the electronic processor, causes the electronic processor to perform a set of operations including retrieving, from a server, a podcast, one or more links to additional audio/visual content that is contextually related to the podcast, and metadata, and generating an interactive podcast by generating a plurality of graphical user interfaces based on the podcast, the one or more links to the additional audio/visual content, and the metadata. The plurality of graphical user interfaces is configured to provide a user interaction interface between the podcast and the one or more links to the additional audio/visual content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: Giide Audio, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Prindle, Allison Kent-Smith
  • Patent number: 11347471
    Abstract: An interactive podcast with integrated additional audio/visual content. In one embodiment, a computing device comprising: an electronic processor; and a memory including an interactive podcast program that, when executed by the electronic processor, causes the electronic processor to perform a set of operations including retrieving, from a server, a podcast, one or more links to additional audio/visual content that is contextually related to the podcast, and metadata, and generating an interactive podcast by generating a plurality of graphical user interfaces based on the podcast, the one or more links to the additional audio/visual content, and the metadata. The plurality of graphical user interfaces is configured to provide a user interaction interface between the podcast and the one or more links to the additional audio/visual content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: GIIDE AUDIO, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Prindle, Allison Kent-Smith
  • Publication number: 20220136323
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural feature having generally horizontal vane elements coupled to and located between generally front and rear generally vertical support members, which in preferred embodiments are adjustable to control the amount of light transmitted through the covering. In one embodiment the covering has three dimensional multi-layered, cellular vanes, and in another embodiment, the one or more support members are formed of a dark color, the rear support member(s) may be formed of material that is darker than the front support member(s), or vise versa. In another embodiment, the support members, e.g., sheers, have an openness factor, preferably as low as about sixty-five percent (65%) to as large as about ninety percent (90%). Other embodiments include structure, assemblies and methods for controlling the closure of the covering as well as embodiments of bottom rail assemblies. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Ko Kuperus, Bonnie Earl, Kelly Rahn, Kent A. Smith
  • Patent number: 11199048
    Abstract: A pivotable handle for an architectural covering is provided. The handle (400) includes first and second members (408,410) pivotably connected together at a hinge assembly (460). The first member (408) may be operable to connect the handle (400) to a movable rail (512). The second member (410) pivots between stored and use positions. In a stored position, the second member (410) may extend adjacent the first member (408). In a use position, the second member (410) may be pivoted away from the first member (408) to extend the movable rail (512) across an architectural structure. The handle includes a biasing member (470) operable to bias the second member (410) towards the first member (408).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Watkins, Kenneth W. Witherell, Stephen P. Smith, Michael True, Galen B. Rhodes, Tim Daviau, Kent Smith, Paula Cerna
  • Publication number: 20210189797
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural feature having generally horizontal vane elements coupled to and located between generally front and rear generally vertical support members, which in preferred embodiments are adjustable to control the amount of light transmitted through the covering. In one embodiment the covering has three dimensional multi-layered, cellular vanes, and in another embodiment, the one or more support members are formed of a dark color, the rear support member(s) may be formed of material that is darker than the front support member(s), or vise versa. In another embodiment, the support members, e.g., sheers, have an openness factor, preferably as low as about sixty-five percent (65%) to as large as about ninety percent (90%). Other embodiments include structure, assemblies and methods for controlling the closure of the covering as well as embodiments of bottom rail assemblies. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Ko Kuperus, Bonnie Earl, Kelly Rahn, Kent A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210140231
    Abstract: A cordless retractable shade including an operating system for the shade that varies a biasing force of a spring to counterbalance the shade. The bottom rail of a retractable shade can be raised or lowered, and due to the operating system remains in any selected position of the covering between fully extended and fully retracted, without the use of operating cords. The system includes a method of negating and reversing the spring bias effect at a strategic position whereby the flexible vanes of the shade can be adjusted between open and closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen P. Smith, Kent A. Smith, Galen B. Rhodes, Stephen M. Winters, Kenneth M. Faller
  • Patent number: 10975616
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural feature having generally horizontal vane elements coupled to and located between generally front and rear generally vertical support members, which in preferred embodiments are adjustable to control the amount of light transmitted through the covering. In one embodiment the covering has three dimensional multi-layered, cellular vanes, and in another embodiment, the one or more support members are formed of a dark color, and the rear support member(s) may be formed of material that is darker than the front support member(s), or vise versa. In another embodiment, the support members, e.g., sheers, have an openness factor, preferably as low as about sixty-five percent (65%) to as large as about ninety percent (90%). Other embodiments include structure, assemblies and methods for controlling the closure of the covering as well as embodiments of bottom rail assemblies. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Ko Kuperus, Bonnie Earl, Kelly Rahn, Kent A. Smith
  • Patent number: 10907406
    Abstract: A cordless retractable shade including an operating system for the shade that varies a biasing force of a spring to counterbalance the shade. The bottom rail of a retractable shade can be raised or lowered, and due to the operating system remains in any selected position of the covering between fully extended and fully retracted, without the use of operating cords. The system includes a method of negating and reversing the spring bias effect at a strategic position whereby the flexible vanes of the shade can be adjusted between open and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Smith, Kent A. Smith, Galen B. Rhodes, Stephen M. Winters, Kenneth M. Faller
  • Publication number: 20200378179
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural covering is provided. The covering may include a rotatable outer roller, a rotatable inner roller, a first shade secured to the outer roller, and a second shade secured to the inner roller. The outer roller may define an elongated slot extending along a length of the outer roller and opening to an interior of the outer roller. The inner roller may be received within the outer roller and may define a central longitudinal axis. The first shade may be retractable onto and extendable from the outer roller. The second shade may extend through the elongated slot and may be retractable onto and extendable from the inner roller. The elongated slot may be substantially horizontally aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the inner roller when the first shade is in a fully extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolas C. Buccola, JR., Terrence M. Drew, Kenneth M. Faller, Kent A. Smith
  • Patent number: 10781630
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural covering is provided. The covering may include a rotatable outer roller, a rotatable inner roller, a first shade secured to the outer roller, and a second shade secured to the inner roller. The outer roller may define an elongated slot extending along a length of the outer roller and opening to an interior of the outer roller. The inner roller may be received within the outer roller and may define a central longitudinal axis. The first shade may be retractable onto and extendable from the outer roller. The second shade may extend through the elongated slot and may be retractable onto and extendable from the inner roller. The elongated slot may be substantially horizontally aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the inner roller when the first shade is in a fully extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventors: Nickolas C. Buccola, Jr., Terrence M. Drew, Kenneth M. Faller, Kent A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200285440
    Abstract: An interactive podcast with integrated additional audio/visual content. In one embodiment, a computing device comprising: an electronic processor; and a memory including an interactive podcast program that, when executed by the electronic processor, causes the electronic processor to perform a set of operations including retrieving, from a server, a podcast, one or more links to additional audio/visual content that is contextually related to the podcast, and metadata, and generating an interactive podcast by generating a plurality of graphical user interfaces based on the podcast, the one or more links to the additional audio/visual content, and the metadata. The plurality of graphical user interfaces is configured to provide a user interaction interface between the podcast and the one or more links to the additional audio/visual content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Scott Prindle, Allison Kent-Smith