Patents by Inventor Kevin Collins

Kevin Collins 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).

  • Publication number: 20160202342
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting the location of a mobile device within an area, uses a plurality of wireless signals sent to or received by the device to derive a first estimate of the position of the device. This position estimate is then adjusted using a probabilistic model of the area, where the area is divided into zones or regions, and where each region is assigned a weighting according to the probability of the device being located in that region taking account of the prior position of the device. By using the weightings to adjust the position estimate, false or ambiguous position estimates are discounted and the true position of the device is more reliably detected. The method also includes techniques to take account of different wireless characteristics of different devices when each is supplied with the same model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kevin Collins, Kevin Anthony McGuinness, Noel Edward O'Connor
  • Patent number: 9311759
    Abstract: A method for improving fuel economy on a passenger jet aircraft comprises automatically receiving a communication from the aircraft to a ground station comprising at least one subsystem operating parameter measured during the current flight, detecting whether the operating parameter meets predetermined criteria and, if the criteria are met, automatically sending a communication to indicate the aircraft's status for a next flight. If the criteria are not met, a status of the aircraft is automatically changed and a communication is sent. Other methods and systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Alaska Airlines, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Shelley, Kevin Collins, George A. Molnar, Steve Lovas, Joseph E. Gockowski, III
  • Publication number: 20160048812
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described which enable flexible and secure processing of digital bearer instruments. An architecture is provided that enables provision of an extensible applications framework that flexibly supports a variety of features and functionality supporting title-based rights processing operations. A wide range of methods of defining and assuring rights processing operating environments extend the capabilities of rights processing operating environments in a variety of ways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin Collins, Richard C. Haven, Eric Kintzer, Jeremy Olsen, Stefan Roever, Shannon Thrasher, Rhandee Leano, Brian O'Kelly
  • Publication number: 20160002590
    Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacilli obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Lactobacilli of the present invention are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas William-Maxwell Boileau, Michael Anthony Ceddia, Gary Mitchell Davenport, Barry Pius Kiely, Liam Diarmuid O'Mahony, Gregory Dean Sunvold, Mark Alan Tetrick, Robert Jason Vickers, John Kevin Collins
  • Patent number: 9184311
    Abstract: A cloud tracking system for photovoltaic power plant is disclosed. The cloud tracking system for photovoltaic power plant can include plurality of cloud shadow sensors positioned on the perimeter of the photovoltaic power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Baldwin, Kevin Collins
  • Patent number: 9177338
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described which enable flexible and secure processing of digital bearer instruments. An architecture is provided that enables provision of an extensible applications framework that flexibly supports a variety of features and functionality supporting title-based rights processing operations. A wide range of methods of defining and assuring rights processing operating environments extend the capabilities of rights processing operating environments in a variety of ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: ONCIRCLE, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Collins, Richard Haven, Eric Kintzer, Jeremy Olsen, Stefan Roever, Shannon Thrasher, Rhandee Leano, Brian O'Kelly
  • Patent number: 9135668
    Abstract: An apparatus for selecting contact center resources is provided. The apparatus includes a memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The memory includes computer code executable with the processor. The computer code is configured to obtain one or more user characteristics; map a user point on a spatial map that includes a first resource spatial point for a first contact center resource, the user point being located at a point that spatially defines the one or more user characteristics; and determine a first distance between the user point and the first resource spatial point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Jordan, Michael Paul Lepore, Paul Robert Schechinger, Kevin Collins, Rick Whitesel, Lawrence E. Johnson, Victor L. Voydock
  • Patent number: 9129101
    Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating electronic transactions are provided. The authentication methods employ a combination of security features. These security features can be based, for example, on unique knowledge of the person being authenticated, unique personal features and attributes of the person, the ability of the person to respond, and to do so in a fashion that a machine cannot, and so forth. Methods for enrolling the person prior to authentication are also provided, as well as systems for enrollment and authentication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Headley, Kevin Collins
  • Publication number: 20150213035
    Abstract: Modern utilities are increasingly installing smart meters, which can typically generate hundreds of millions of data points daily. Such a massive volume of data is unwieldy to manage with the databases in current utility interface platforms. A solution converts the data to canonical documents and indexes some or all the data points such that a freeform search engine can be used to search for and access the data, resulting in a much more convenient and faster retrieval of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin Collins, Alexander Franklin Clark, Kevin Smith, Volodymyr Gukov, Andy Cheng
  • Publication number: 20150134187
    Abstract: A method for improving fuel economy on a passenger jet aircraft comprises automatically receiving a communication from the aircraft to a ground station comprising at least one subsystem operating parameter measured during the current flight, detecting whether the operating parameter meets predetermined criteria and, if the criteria are met, automatically sending a communication to indicate the aircraft's status for a next flight. If the criteria are not met, a status of the aircraft is automatically changed and a communication is sent. Other methods and systems are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: ALASKA AIRLINES, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn Shelley, Kevin Collins, George A. Molnar, Steve Lovas, Joseph E. Gockowski, III
  • Publication number: 20150026080
    Abstract: A title management apparatus resident on a first computer including a memory for storing a control program and data, and a processor for executing the control program and for managing the data. The apparatus includes a title object resident in the memory including a title structure, the title structure further comprising a content element, a set of attributes, and a set of title object security indicia. The apparatus further includes an authorization structure configured to selectively redeem the content element based at least in part on the user security indicia, and further configured to use a set of protocols. The apparatus also includes a title management structure configured to associate a user with the title object based at least in part on the user data and the title attributes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Stefan Roever, Kevin Collins, Josh C. Ding, Alex F. Clark, James Bruce
  • Patent number: 8900569
    Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the species Bifidobacteria globosum obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Bifidobacteria globosum of the present invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignees: The Iams Company, Alimentary Health
    Inventors: Thomas William-Maxwell Boileau, Michael Anthony Ceddia, John Kevin Collins, Gary Mitchell Davenport, Barry Pius Kiely, Liam Diarmuid O'Mahony, Gregory Dean Sunvold, Mark Alan Tetrick, Robert Jason Vickers
  • Patent number: 8900568
    Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the species Bifidobacteria pseudolongum obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Bifidobacteria pseudolongum of the present invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignees: The Iams Company, Alimentary Health, Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas William-Maxwell Boileau, Michael Anthony Ceddia, John Kevin Collins, Gary Mitchell Davenport, Barry Pius Kiely, Liam Diarmuid O'Mahony, Gregory Dean Sunvold, Mark Alan Tetrick, Robert Jason Vickers
  • Patent number: 8894991
    Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacilli obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Lactobacilli of the present invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Iams Company
    Inventors: Thomas William-Maxwell Boileau, Michael Anthony Ceddia, John Kevin Collins, Gary Mitchell Davenport, Barry Pius Kiely, Liam Diarmuid O'Mahony, Gregory Dean Sunvold, Mark Alan Tetrick, Robert Jason Vickers
  • Patent number: 8840880
    Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the species Bifidobacteria globosum obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Bifidobacteria globosum of the present invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignees: The Iams Company, Alimentary Health, Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas William-Maxwell Boileau, Michael Anthony Ceddia, John Kevin Collins, Gary Mitchell Davenport, Barry Pius Kiely, Liam Diarmuid O'Mahony, Gregory Dean Sunvold, Mark Alan Tetrick, Robert Jason Vickers
  • Publication number: 20140236746
    Abstract: A method of facilitating a transaction between a merchant and a buyer using a computerized system including a set of titles. The method includes storing the set of titles in a merchant site corresponding to a set of products for sale; browsing the merchant site using a client device and selecting a product for purchase; and generating a payment slip title for the product including information relating to a payment amount and a buyer identifier. The method further includes selecting a payment structure from a set of available payment structures; modifying the payment slip title to include information corresponding to the selected payment structure; releasing the product title to the buyer; and transmitting the payment amount to the merchant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: OnCircle, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Roever, Kevin Collins, Josh C. Ding, Alex F. Clark, James Bruce
  • Patent number: 8809035
    Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the species Bifidobacterium globosum obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Bifidobacterium globosum of the present invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignees: The Iams Company, Alimentary Health, Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas William-Maxwell Boileau, Michael Anthony Ceddia, John Kevin Collins, Gary Mitchell Davenport, Barry Pius Kiely, Liam Diarmuid O'Mahony, Gregory Dean Sunvold, Mark Alan Tetrick, Robert Jason Vickers
  • Patent number: 8738457
    Abstract: A method of facilitating a transaction between a merchant and a buyer using a computerized system including a set of titles. The method includes storing the set of titles in a merchant site corresponding to a set of products for sale; browsing the merchant site using a client device and selecting a product for purchase; and generating a payment slip title for the product including information relating to a payment amount and a buyer identifier. The method further includes selecting a payment structure from a set of available payment structures; modifying the payment slip title to include information corresponding to the selected payment structure; releasing the product title to the buyer; and transmitting the payment amount to the merchant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: OnCircle, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Roever, Kevin Collins, Josh C. Ding, Alex F. Clark, James Bruce
  • Publication number: 20140019372
    Abstract: A title management apparatus resident on a first computer including a memory for storing a control program and data, and a processor for executing the control program and for managing the data. The apparatus includes user data resident in the memory including a set of user security indicia. The apparatus also includes a first title object resident in the memory including a title structure, the title structure further comprising a content element, a set of attributes, and a set of title object security indicia. The apparatus further includes a set of stub objects coupled to the title object, wherein the set of stub objects can further optimize the title structure; an authorization structure configured to selectively redeem the content element based at least in part of the user security indicia; and, a title management structure configured to associate a user with the first title object based at least in part of the user data and the title attributes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: OnCircle, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Roever, Kevin Collins, Josh C. Ding, Alex F. Clark, James Bruce
  • Publication number: 20130347091
    Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating electronic transactions are provided. The authentication methods employ a combination of security features. These security features can be based, for example, on unique knowledge of the person being authenticated, unique personal features and attributes of the person, the ability of the person to respond, and to do so in a fashion that a machine cannot, and so forth. Methods for enrolling the person prior to authentication are also provided, as well as systems for enrollment and authentication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Veritrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Headley, Kevin Collins