Patents by Inventor M. Steele

M. Steele 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: 20100178875
    Abstract: Presently disclosed is a method for reducing interference in a wireless distributed antenna systems. In an embodiment, interference is reduced by selectively placing a first wireless remote unit in a reduced signal interference mode. A controller sends a signal, such as a reverse link power-down signal, to the first remote unit after detecting less than a threshold incoming signal strength at the first remote unit. In an alternative embodiment, the controller requests that a given remote unit switch to the reduced signal interference mode when the controller is receiving signals from a mobile station through at least two different remote units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: SPRINT SPECTRUM L.P.
    Inventors: Dae-Sik Oh, Mark Yarkosky, Kristin A. Hayne, Thomas M. Steele
  • Publication number: 20100170027
    Abstract: A sock contains built-in cushions or spacers to correct or protect the toes, or to provide the wearer better comfort. The cushions or spacers may be retained between the toes in a tube, formed integrally with the sock, which is everted to a position between adjacent toes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Michael M. Steel
  • Patent number: 7715466
    Abstract: Presently disclosed is a method for reducing interference in a wireless distributed antenna systems. In an embodiment, interference is reduced by selectively placing a first wireless remote unit in a reduced signal interference mode. A controller sends a signal, such as a reverse link power-down signal, to the first remote unit after detecting less than a threshold incoming signal strength at the first remote unit. In an alternative embodiment, the controller requests that a given remote unit switch to the reduced signal interference mode when the controller is receiving signals from a mobile station through at least two different remote units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Dae-Sik Oh, Mark Yarkosky, Kristin A. Hayne, Thomas M. Steele
  • Patent number: 7686675
    Abstract: Apparatus, kits, and methods for sharpening electric shavers having rotary and reciprocating-type cutting members are disclosed. A sharpening apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an applicator tray or other applicator means, and an abrasive material configured to abrade and sharpen the cutting surfaces of the electric shaver, when actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: James M. Steele
  • Patent number: 7676850
    Abstract: A sock contains built-in cushions or spacers to correct or protect the toes, or to provide the wearer better comfort. The cushions or spacers may be retained between the toes in a tube, formed integrally with the sock, which is everted to a position between adjacent toes. A strap may also be built in to the sock, or into a shoe, shoe insert, boot, sandal or slipper to maintain a corrective force on the great toe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: Michael M. Steel
  • Publication number: 20080257078
    Abstract: A power take-off assembly for a work vehicle including an improved power take-off shaft for installation and removal. The power take off shaft is extended and a cut out section on the first end of the shaft is provided to engage an extended portion of a spring loaded mechanism. Once the cut out section securely fits over the extended portion, the spring loaded mechanism is prevented from axially moving in a rightward direction, thus enabling the spring to hold the gear collar in place to engage the high speed gear. The PTO stub shaft has an extended end with protruding shoulders which serve to capture the snap ring between the stub shaft and the output shaft so that when the stub is moved axially the shoulders will pull the snap ring into the groove on the output shaft which securely fastens the stub shaft. A cut-out section on the front end surface of the output shaft is also provided to allow clearance for the tool to squeeze the snap ring tabs during installation and removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: David M. Steele, John A. Weihs, Allan N. Schott, Daniel J. Fox, Wade T. Larson
  • Publication number: 20080185333
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for separating one or more components of interest from a sample containing particulates and soluble materials. The method comprises the steps of: (a) filtering a sample through silica filter media whose surface silanol groups have reacted with one or more silanes, and (b) simultaneously capturing particulates and binding a soluble component to the silica filter media. The bound soluble component of interest is subsequently eluted from the silica filter media. In one embodiment of the invention, unwanted soluble materials are captured by the treated silica filter media and desired component of interest is recovered from the flow-through. In another embodiment, different components of interest are recovered from both the eluate and the flow-through. Preferred treated silica filter media are silane-treated rice hull ash or diatomaceous earth with functional quarternary ammonium group or functional sulphonate group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Gary L. Gibson, Keith Hayes, Meng H. Heng, Csilla Kollar, Thomas H. Lane, Anthony Revis, Landon M. Steele
  • Patent number: 7374684
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for separating one or more components of interest from a sample containing particulates and soluble materials. The method comprises the steps of: (a) filtering a sample through silica filter media whose surface silanol groups have reacted with one or more silanes, and (b) simultaneously capturing particulates and binding a soluble component to the silica filter media. The bound soluble component of interest is subsequently eluted from the silica filter media. In one embodiment of the invention, unwanted soluble materials are captured by the treated silica filter media and desired component of interest is recovered from the flow-through. In another embodiment, different components of interest are recovered from both the eluate and the flow-through. Preferred treated silica filter media are silane-treated rice hull ash or diatomaceous earth with functional quarternary ammonium group or functional sulphonate group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignees: Dow Corning Corporation, Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Gibson, Keith Hayes, Meng H. Heng, Csilla Kollar, Thomas H. Lane, Anthony Revis, Landon M. Steele
  • Patent number: 7310242
    Abstract: A distribution box for enclosing an electrical connection in an electrical wiring system includes a housing that is resistive to penetration by electromagnetic fields and a plurality of electrical conductors that form the electrical connection. A mirror plate is disposed within the housing and generates mirror currents to suppress electromagnetic fields generated by current flowing through the plurality of electrical conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventors: Sergio Ramos, Eugene M. Steele, James P. Souther
  • Patent number: 7264728
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for separating one or more components of interest from a sample containing particulates and soluble materials. The method comprises the steps of: (a) filtering a sample through silica filter media whose surface silanol groups have reacted with one or more silanes, and (b) simultaneously capturing particulates and binding a soluble component to the silica filter media. The bound soluble component of interest is subsequently eluted from the silica filter media. In one embodiment of the invention, unwanted soluble materials are captured by the treated silica filter media and desired component of interest is recovered from the flow-through. In another embodiment of the invention, different components of interest are recovered from both the eluate and the flow-through. Preferred treated silica filter media are silane-treated rice hull ash or diatomaceous earth with functional quaternary ammonium group or functional sulphonate group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignees: Dow Corning Corporation, Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Gibson, Keith Hayes, Meng H. Heng, Csilla Kollar, Thomas H. Lane, Anthony Revis, Landon M. Steele
  • Patent number: 7253584
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for charging a high-voltage battery of a hybrid electric vehicle. The high-voltage battery charging apparatus comprises a battery charger configured to provide electrical energy, a battery module configured to store the electrical energy provided by the battery charger, and a high-voltage bus coupled to the battery charger and the battery module, which is configured to transmit the electrical energy from the battery charger and battery module to the electrical system of the hybrid electric vehicle. In addition, the high-voltage battery charging apparatus comprises a bus contactor interposed between the high-voltage bus and the battery charger, which is bus contactor configured to provide a first substantial electrical isolation between the battery charger and the high-voltage bus during a charging period of the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Souther, Eugene M. Steele, Karl D. Conroy, Raymond G. Radys, Christopher P. Henze
  • Publication number: 20070010954
    Abstract: A method and system for identifying a defect or contamination on a surface of a sample. The system operates by detecting changes in work function across a surface via both vCPD and nvCPD. It utilizes a non-vibrating contact potential difference (nvCPD) sensor for imaging work function variations over an entire sample. The data is differential in that it represents changes in the work function (or geometry or surface voltage) across the surface of a sample. A vCPD probe is used to determine absolute CPD data for specific points on the surface of the sample. The combination of vibrating and non-vibrating CPD measurement modes allows the rapid imaging of whole-sample uniformity, and the ability to detect the absolute work function at one or more points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Inventors: M. Steele, Jeffrey Hawthorne
  • Publication number: 20060276976
    Abstract: A method and system for identifying a defect or contamination on a surface of a material. The method and system involves providing a material, such as a semiconductor wafer, using a non-vibrating contact potential difference sensor to scan the wafer, generate contact potential difference data and processing that data to identify a pattern characteristic of the defect or contamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: M. Steele, Jeffrey Hawthorne
  • Patent number: 7133083
    Abstract: A technique and system for detecting a radiometric variation/artifacts of a front-projected dynamic display region under observation by at least one camera. The display is comprised of one or more images projected from one or more of a plurality of projectors; the system is preferably calibrated by using a projective relationship. A predicted image of the display region by the camera is constructed using frame-buffer information from each projector contributing to the display, which has been geometrically transformed for the camera and its relative image intensity adjusted. A detectable difference between a predicted image and the display region under observation causes corrective adjustment of the image being projected from at least one projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Christopher O. Jaynes, Stephen B. Webb, Robert M. Steele
  • Patent number: 7119833
    Abstract: A technique, and associated system and computer executable program code on a computer readable storage medium, for automatically correcting distortion of a front-projected display under observation by at least one camera. The technique may be employed in a myriad of front-projected display environments, e.g., single or multiple projectors and cameras are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Christopher O. Jaynes, Robert M. Steele
  • Patent number: 7107684
    Abstract: Apparatus, kits, and methods for sharpening electric shavers having rotary and reciprocating-type cutting members are disclosed. A sharpening apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an applicator tray or other applicator means, and an abrasive material configured to abrade and sharpen the cutting surfaces of the electric shaver, when actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Genuine Genius LLC
    Inventors: James M. Steele, Paul Maire
  • Publication number: 20050234658
    Abstract: A method and system for identifying a defect or contamination on a surface of a material. The method and system involves providing a material, such as a semiconductor wafer, using a non-vibrating contact potential difference sensor to scan the wafer, generate contact potential difference data and processing that data to identify a pattern characteristic of the defect or contamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: M. Steele, Jeffrey Hawthorne
  • Publication number: 20050059174
    Abstract: A method and system for identifying a defect or contamination on a surface of a material. The method and system involves providing a material, such as a semiconductor wafer, using a non-vibrating contact potential difference sensor to scan the wafer, generate contact potential difference data and processing that data to identify a pattern characteristic of the defect or contamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: M. Steele, Jeffrey Hawthorne, Chunho Kim, David Sowell
  • Publication number: 20050016279
    Abstract: An apparatus having a non-vibrating contact potential probe. The non-vibrating contact potential probe is capable of measuring the chemical and geometrical irregularities on a rotating shaft. The chemical and geometrical information can be used to determine various properties of the rotating shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hawthorne, M. Steele
  • Patent number: D599524
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Averill, Bryon M. Borntrager, Darren G. Fretz, Glenda M. Steele, Eric J. Webb