Patents by Inventor M. Ward

M. Ward 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: 11659924
    Abstract: A multi-level cabinet storage system includes a multi-level storage container that includes a number of shelves, each with horizontal planar surfaces, coupled between the vertical opposing members. The horizontal planar surfaces of respective shelves may be aligned vertically in parallel planes. The vertical opposing members may include a rear vertical member and a front vertical member. The multi-level cabinet storage system also includes a first slide member coupled with a base of the multi-level storage container and a second slide member coupled at a first end with the rear vertical member and extending parallel with, and along, a horizontal planar surface of an upper shelf included among the shelves. The multi-level cabinet storage system also includes an external frame formed as a contiguous rigid structure coupled with the first slide member and the second slide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: REV-A-SHELF COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Keith Tingle, Paul Franklin Chambers, Kevin M. Ward, Leeman Elliot Stevens
  • Patent number: 11600267
    Abstract: A technique for semantic search and retrieval that is event-based, wherein is event is composed of a sequence of observations that are user speech or physical actions. Using a first set of conversations, a machine learning model is trained against groupings of utterances therein to generate a speech act classifier. Observation sequences therein are organized into groupings of events and configured for subsequent event recognition. A set of second (unannotated) conversations are then received. The set of second conversations is evaluated using the speech act classifier and information retrieved from the event recognition to generate event-level metadata that comprises, for each utterance or physical action within an event, one or more associated tags. In response to a query, a search is performed against the metadata. Because the metadata is derived from event recognition, the search is performed against events learned from the set of first conversations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Drift.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Orkin, Christopher M. Ward, Elias Torres
  • Publication number: 20230056400
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses of a welding system are disclosed and include a first stage of a scanning device for scanning weld parts to generate a three-dimensional (3D) profile of a weld target wherein the 3D profile captures matching imperfections of a meeting together of the set of weld parts when performing the weld operation; and the second stage of a monitoring device to monitor the weld operation and to generate a data of high-resolution measurements of the weld operation; wherein the first stage further includes the monitoring device determining a weld schedule based on the 3D profile, and to adjust the weld schedule while the weld operation progresses to adapt to predicted distortion based on the 3D profile and to sensed distortion; wherein the second stage further includes a plurality of sensors to sense a set of components associated with the weld operation to generate high-resolution data of measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Debejyo Chakraborty, Miguel Arturo Saez, John Patrick Spicer, Pei-chung Wang, Spyros P. Mellas, Wayne Cai, James M. Ward
  • Publication number: 20230043260
    Abstract: A method and computing platform to imitate human conversational response as a context transitions across multiple channels (e.g., chat, messaging, email, voice, third party communication, etc.) where inputs to the system are categorized into identified speech acts and physical acts, and a conversational bot is associated to the channels. In this approach, a data model associated with a multi-turn conversation is provided. The data model comprises an observation history, wherein an observation in the observation history includes an identification of a channel in which the observation originates. As turns are added to the multi-turn conversation, a conversational context across multiple channels is persisted using the data model. Using this approach, an AI-supported conversation started in one channel can move to another conversation channel while maintaining the context of the conversation intact and coherent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Bernard N. Kiyanda, Jeffrey D. Orkin, Christopher M. Ward, Elias Torres
  • Publication number: 20220294748
    Abstract: A conversational bot system uses a set of conversations that have been annotated to identify speech acts, wherein a speech act is a labeled grouping of utterances. To facilitate processing, a data model associated with a multi-turn conversation is received. The data model comprises an observation history. Upon receipt of query that includes a sequence of at least two or more utterances, an utterance ranking algorithm is applied. The algorithm selectively reorders the utterances in the sequence into a ranked order of importance that reflects a lowest to highest priority of response. In response to applying the utterance ranking algorithm, the data model is then updated to reflect the ranked order. In one embodiment, updating the data model positions the highest priority utterance as a most recent utterance in the observation history. The updated data model is then used to attempt to generate a coherent response to the query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Paul A. Crowley, Jeffrey D. Orkin, Christopher M. Ward
  • Publication number: 20220248845
    Abstract: A cabinet storage system includes a base and a pair of slides. The base includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface. The first and second planar surfaces are opposing surfaces of the base and define a perimeter of the base. The pair of slides are coupled with the first planar surface. The system also includes fences positioned away from the second planar surface around the perimeter of the base, and structural columns mechanically coupled with the base. The structural columns are positioned to abut the second planar surface and longitudinally extending away from the second planar surface to rigidly maintain the fences around the perimeter of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Leeman Elliot Stevens, Paul Franklin Chambers, Kevin M. Ward, David P. Noe, Steve M. Jones, JR.
  • Publication number: 20220225765
    Abstract: A cabinet storage system for a cabinet includes a base and a pair of slides. Each of the slides includes a face frame lip standoff extending from a front edge of a respective slide to align the cabinet storage system in a bottom of the cabinet. A bracket may be coupled with each respective slide, the bracket includes a face frame bracket positioned to extend beyond the front edge of the respective slide and the face frame lip. The face frame bracket is available to couple a cabinet front to the cabinet storage system. A slidable portion of each of the slides may include front ears and rear ears. The front ears include apertures to receive a first fastener coupled with the base, and the rear ears including an alignment notch to guide the base into alignment with a respective slide using a second fastener coupled with the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: Rev-A-Shelf Company, LLC
    Inventors: Leeman Elliot Stevens, Paul Franklin Chambers, Kevin M. Ward, David P. Noe, Steve M. Jones, JR.
  • Patent number: 11329933
    Abstract: A method and computing platform to imitate human conversational response as a context transitions across multiple channels (e.g., chat, messaging, email, voice, third party communication, etc.) where inputs to the system are categorized into identified speech acts and physical acts, and a conversational bot is associated to the channels. In this approach, a data model associated with a multi-turn conversation is provided. The data model comprises an observation history, wherein an observation in the observation history includes an identification of a channel in which the observation originates. As turns are added to the multi-turn conversation, a conversational context across multiple channels is persisted using the data model. Using this approach, an AI-supported conversation started in one channel can move to another conversation channel while maintaining the context of the conversation intact and coherent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Drift.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard N. Kiyanda, Jeffrey D. Orkin, Christopher M. Ward, Elias Torres
  • Publication number: 20220122595
    Abstract: A technique for semantic search and retrieval that is event-based, wherein is event is composed of a sequence of observations that are user speech or physical actions. Using a first set of conversations, a machine learning model is trained against groupings of utterances therein to generate a speech act classifier. Observation sequences therein are organized into groupings of events and configured for subsequent event recognition. A set of second (unannotated) conversations are then received. The set of second conversations is evaluated using the speech act classifier and information retrieved from the event recognition to generate event-level metadata that comprises, for each utterance or physical action within an event, one or more associated tags. In response to a query, a search is performed against the metadata. Because the metadata is derived from event recognition, the search is performed against events learned from the set of first conversations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Orkin, Christopher M. Ward, Elias Torres
  • Publication number: 20220103581
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cybersecurity operations threat modeling are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method may include: (1) receiving threat actor data and threat actor group data; (2) processing the threat actor data and the threat actor group data; (3) for each threat actor group, generating a threat actor group profile; (4) collecting operational data from an organizational system; (5) generating a threat model by applying the threat actor group profile to the operational data; and (6) deploying at least one countermeasure to the organizational system in response to the threat model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel L. BERNHOLZ, Jean-Francois LEGAULT, Patrick M. WARD, Joshuah T. SOWERS, Samuel A. GUTHRIE, Brett WALLACE, Marcus MILLIGAN, Lindsey AXILROD, Kirsten WENZEL, Ken H. CHUNG, Chee Peng CHANG, Ross A. KNAPP, Emmanouil VRENTZOS, Daniel SU
  • Publication number: 20220020367
    Abstract: A method to select a response in a multi-turn conversation between a user and a conversational bot. The conversation is composed of a set of events, wherein an event is a linear sequence of observations that are user speech or physical actions. Queries are processed against a set of conversations that are organized as a set of inter-related data tables, with events and observations stored in distinct tables. As the multi-turn conversation proceeds, a data model comprising an observation history, together with a hierarchy of events determined to represent the conversation up to at least one turn, is persisted. When a new input (speech or physical action) is received, it is classified using a statistical model to generate a result. The result is then mapped to an observation in the data model. Using the mapped observation, a look-up is performed into the data tables to retrieve a possible response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Orkin, Christopher M. Ward
  • Publication number: 20210401475
    Abstract: Bone plates for engaging bone members are described herein. The bone plates can receive one or more screws to secure the bone plates to an underlying bone member. The one or more screws can be inserted into bone plate holes that can be considered locking or non-locking. The bone plates described herein can have particular combinations of locking and/or non-locking holes. In addition, instruments such as distal and proximal aiming guides can accompany the bone plates to guide one or more screws into the bone plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lueth, David R. Jansen, Kathryn M. Ward, David Machamer
  • Patent number: 11167503
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel hybrid self-reinforced composites, combining an oriented brittle fibre and an oriented thermoplastic polymeric ductile fibre (as reinforcement phase) in the same thermoplastic polymeric matrix phase. The hybrid self-reinforced composites are strong and stiff, but in case of impact or crash they have high strain to failure and absorb a lot of energy. The present invention also relates to methods to produce said hybrid self-reinforced composites by a hot compaction technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
    Inventors: Mark J. Bonner, Larissa Gorbatikh, Peter J. Hine, Yentl Swolfs, Ignaas Verpoest, Ian M. Ward
  • Publication number: 20210342450
    Abstract: A method for managing vulnerability data may include: (1) ingesting, by a data ingestion engine, vulnerability data from a plurality of sources; (2) normalizing, by a data normalizer module, the vulnerability data into a plurality of data records; (3) generating, by a data processing module, a dynamic risk score for each data record; (4) storing, by a risk record register, a risk record for each data record, wherein the risk record may include the dynamic risk score, a priority level, an identifier for a software application, and a software dependency; (5) selecting, by a control policy selection engine, a control policy based on one of the dynamic risk scores; (6) implementing, by the risk record register, the selected control policy; (7) monitoring, by the risk record register, implementation of the control policy; and (8) updating, by the risk record register, the control policy selection engine based on the monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Samiksha PATEL, Jessica COLVIN, Patrick M. WARD, Martin J. GRANT, JR., David EVERETT, Jean-Francois LEGAULT
  • Patent number: 11115353
    Abstract: A conversational bot system uses a set of conversations that have been annotated to identify speech acts, wherein a speech act is a labeled grouping of utterances. To facilitate processing, a data model associated with a multi-turn conversation is received. The data model comprises an observation history. Upon receipt of query that includes a sequence of at least two or more utterances, an utterance ranking algorithm is applied. The algorithm selectively reorders the utterances in the sequence into a ranked order of importance that reflects a lowest to highest priority of response. In response to applying the utterance ranking algorithm, the data model is then updated to reflect the ranked order. In one embodiment, updating the data model positions the highest priority utterance as a most recent utterance in the observation history. The updated data model is then used to attempt to generate a coherent response to the query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Drift.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Crowley, Jeffrey D. Orkin, Christopher M. Ward
  • Publication number: 20210268103
    Abstract: This invention relates to dermatology and to treatments of infectious skin disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew G. Brewer, Lisa A. Beck, Brian M. Ward, Benjamin L. Miller
  • Patent number: 11070038
    Abstract: A cabinet system may include a storage container mountable in a cabinet to be movable between being extended out of the cabinet, and being disposed inside the cabinet. The system may include a pair of slide members, and a power connection point. The slide members may slidably connect the storage container and the cabinet. The power connection point includes a cover and an electric outlet. The cover is moveable between a closed position where the electric outlet is inaccessible by a power plug, and an open position where the electric outlet is accessible by the power plug. Slidable movement of the storage container to move the power connection point from outside to inside the cabinet is denied due the cover, in the open position, extending away from the storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: REV-A-SHELF COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Franklin Chambers, Kevin M. Ward, Lauren Klaire Wilson, Leeman Elliot Stevens
  • Patent number: 11058467
    Abstract: Bone plates for engaging bone members are described herein. The bone plates can receive one or more screws to secure the bone plates to an underlying bone member. The one or more screws can be inserted into bone plate holes that can be considered locking or non-locking. The bone plates described herein can have particular combinations of locking and/or non-locking holes. In addition, instruments such as distal and proximal aiming guides can accompany the bone plates to guide one or more screws into the bone plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lueth, David R. Jansen, Kathryn M. Ward, David Machamer
  • Publication number: 20210198265
    Abstract: A temozolomide compound according to formula (I) is described, wherein R1, L1, and X are defined herein. The temozolomide compound can be used to prepare polymers comprising temozolomide. Additionally, the polymers comprising temozolomide can be particularly useful in the treatment of certain diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Todd Emrick, Matthew Skinner, Sarah M. Ward, Banishree Saha
  • Patent number: 10995094
    Abstract: A temozolomide compound according to formula (I) is described, wherein R1, L1, and X are defined herein. The temozolomide compound can be used to prepare polymers comprising temozolomide. Additionally, the polymers comprising temozolomide can be particularly useful in the treatment of certain diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
    Inventors: Todd Emrick, Matthew Skinner, Sarah M. Ward, Banishree Saha