Patents by Inventor Mark A. Francis

Mark A. Francis 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: 20220254627
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer is formed by forming an inhibitor layer over a semiconductor material. The inhibitor layer includes at least silicon and nitrogen. The semiconductor material is heated in an oxygen-containing ambient which oxidizes the inhibitor layer and forms the first dielectric layer which includes the oxidized inhibitor layer, and oxidizes the semiconductor material to form the second dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is thicker than, the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer each include at least 90 weight percent silicon dioxide and less than 1 weight percent nitrogen. The first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer may be used to form gate dielectric layers for a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor that operates at a higher voltage than the first MOS transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Mark Francis Arendt, Damien Thomas Gilmore
  • Publication number: 20220240767
    Abstract: A medical device inspection system includes a console and a flexible imaging scope. The console includes a housing, a video processor, a light source, a visual display on the housing, and an outlet with two ports. The flexible imaging scope is removably connected to the console via the outlet and includes a CMOS image sensor, an optical fiber bundle, and a connector assembly mounted to a proximal end of the imaging scope. The connector assembly includes an electrical image connector and a light source connector, which plug into the two ports of the outlet to connect the flexible imaging scope to the console.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Donald Chandler, Steven Edward Lombardi, Mark Francis Brown, Justin Andrew Hawley, Jerome Steven Stepanek
  • Patent number: 11405688
    Abstract: Method (1000) of providing power saving information for media content is described including receiving (1010) media content comprising a plurality of media segments, determining (1020) a power consumption indicator for a media segment of the plurality of media segments, determining (1030) power saving information for the media segment based on the power consumption indicator for the media segment and providing (1040) the power saving information. Method (1100) of receiving power saving information for media content is described including receiving (1110) power saving information for a media segment in a media content, applying (1120) said power saving information to the media segment to generate a power adjusted media content and providing (1130) the power adjusted media content. Equivalent apparatuses for providing (110, 200) and for receiving (120, 200, 250) power saving information for media content are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Interdigital Madison Patent Holdings, SAS
    Inventors: Mark Francis Rumreich, Thomas Edward Horlander, Chad Andrew Lefevre
  • Patent number: 11348782
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer is formed by forming an inhibitor layer over a semiconductor material. The inhibitor layer includes at least silicon and nitrogen. The semiconductor material is heated in an oxygen-containing ambient which oxidizes the inhibitor layer and forms the first dielectric layer which includes the oxidized inhibitor layer, and oxidizes the semiconductor material to form the second dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is thicker than, the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer each include at least 90 weight percent silicon dioxide and less than 1 weight percent nitrogen. The first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer may be used to form gate dielectric layers for a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor that operates at a higher voltage than the first MOS transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mark Francis Arendt, Damien Thomas Gilmore
  • Patent number: 11269094
    Abstract: A compact seismic source for seismic acquisition generating a humming signal includes a casing and a low-frequency reciprocating drive. The casing defines a fluid tight chamber and comprises a first casing section and a second casing section of roughly equal mass. The drive is disposed within the fluid tight chamber and, in operation, reinforces the natural reciprocating oscillation of the first and second casing sections relative to one another at a low seismic frequency. In one aspect, this action omni-directionally radiates the low frequency, humming seismic signal. On another aspect, the compact seismic source is substantially smaller than the wavelength of the low seismic frequency. Such a compact source may be deployed to omni-directionally radiate a low frequency, humming seismic signal during a seismic survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Anthony Dellinger, Mark Francis Lucien Harper, Graham Anthony Openshaw
  • Patent number: 11186808
    Abstract: An infuser for alcoholic beverages, having a container of ethyl alcohol and a water source, both of which are hydraulically connected to a volumetric mixing chamber, a water capsule holder located downstream of the volumetric chamber and intended to receive capsules containing single doses of essences, and extracting liquid from the volumetric chamber and injecting same into a capsule. The ethyl alcohol container and the water source are connected to the volumetric chamber by shut-off solenoid valves, and the volumetric chamber contains a main electrode and a plurality of secondary electrodes disposed above the main electrode at different levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: SMART SPIRITS, S.L.
    Inventors: Mark Francis Joseph Smart, Carlos Sanchez Llopis, Carlos Sanchez Bou
  • Patent number: 11172710
    Abstract: An adjustable athletic bra that provides support laterally (side to side), vertically (up and down), and in and out to provide stability in multiple directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: STORELLI BRA LLC
    Inventors: Claudio Storelli, Thomas Vincent Marchesi, Sarah Blaser, Hendrik Mark Francis Schermers
  • Publication number: 20210345567
    Abstract: Methods are provided for determining plant stress, including: using a computer-based camera system having thermal imaging and visual imaging to capture foliage at close proximity of at least one plant to provide high resolution images/video thereof; analyzing both thermal and visual images/video therefrom to form a composite image; determining the thermal activity of the composite image/video and photosynthesis state of the at least one plant; and deriving the plant stress from the determination. A handheld computer-based camera system is also provided and includes a smartphone and thermal imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Mark Francis Klemm, Andrew William Western, Dongryeol Ryu, David John Aughton
  • Publication number: 20210326409
    Abstract: Disclosed are examples of systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products for sharing and publishing files. In one aspect, the database system can maintain a user database, a file database and a library. The database system can receive a first request initiated by a first user to share a first file with one or more second users and, responsive to the first request, enable a second set of one or more permissions for each of the second users. The database system also can receive a second request initiated by the first user to publish the first file to the library and, responsive to the second request, publish the first file to the library. The database system additionally can restrict access to the published file based on permissions associated with the library.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Miko Arnab Bose, Robert J. Snell, Mark Francis Movida, Valliappan Annamalai Natarajan, Adam Thielemann Wegel, Matthew Charles Hagenian, Durgesh Singh
  • Publication number: 20210305042
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer is formed by forming an inhibitor layer over a semiconductor material. The inhibitor layer includes at least silicon and nitrogen. The semiconductor material is heated in an oxygen-containing ambient which oxidizes the inhibitor layer and forms the first dielectric layer which includes the oxidized inhibitor layer, and oxidizes the semiconductor material to form the second dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is thicker than, the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer each include at least 90 weight percent silicon dioxide and less than 1 weight percent nitrogen. The first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer may be used to form gate dielectric layers for a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor that operates at a higher voltage than the first MOS transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark Francis Arendt, Damien Thomas Gilmore
  • Publication number: 20210290182
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting onset of cardiac arrest utilizing a perfusion monitor. Detecting cardiac arrest comprises transmitting a signal toward a user to interact with the skin of the user, receiving a reflection of the signal, generating a photoplethysmogram, and processing the photoplethysmogram to detect whether the user is experiencing cardiac arrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Walter L. Seale, Alois A. Langer, Nicholas J. Pauly, Mark Francis Anderson
  • Patent number: 11125897
    Abstract: A compact seismic source for seismic acquisition generating a humming signal includes a casing and a low-frequency reciprocating drive. The casing defines a fluid tight chamber and comprises a first casing section and a second casing section of roughly equal mass. The drive is disposed within the fluid tight chamber and, in operation, reinforces the natural reciprocating oscillation of the first and second casing sections relative to one another at a low seismic frequency. In one aspect, this action omni-directionally radiates the low frequency, humming seismic signal. On another aspect, the compact seismic source is substantially smaller than the wavelength of the low seismic frequency. Such a compact source may be deployed to omni-directionally radiate a low frequency, humming seismic signal during a seismic survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Anthony Dellinger, Mark Francis Lucien Harper, Graham Anthony Openshaw
  • Publication number: 20210230169
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof for use in the treatment or prevention of fascioliasis. Some of these compounds are novel per se and also have activity as inhibitors of Schistosoma growth. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such novel compounds, salts or solvates and to the use of such novel compounds as medicaments, in particular in the treatment or prevention of schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: John Mark Francis Gardner, Andrew Simon Bell
  • Patent number: 11046700
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (1a), formula (1b), formula (1c) or formula (1d): or, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which have activity as inhibitors of Schistosoma growth. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, salts or solvates and to the use of such compounds as medicaments, in particular in the treatment or prevention of schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: John Mark Francis Gardner, Andrew Simon Bell
  • Patent number: 11023564
    Abstract: Disclosed are examples of systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products for sharing and publishing files. In one aspect, the database system can maintain a user database, a file database and a library. The database system can receive a first request initiated by a first user to share a first file with one or more second users and, responsive to the first request, enable a second set of one or more permissions for each of the second users. The database system also can receive a second request initiated by the first user to publish the first file to the library and, responsive to the second request, publish the first file to the library. The database system additionally can restrict access to the published file based on permissions associated with the library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: salesforce.com, inc.
    Inventors: Miko Arnab Bose, Robert J. Snell, Mark Francis Movida, Valliappan Annamalai Natarajan, Adam Thielemann Wegel, Matthew Charles Hagenian, Durgesh Singh
  • Patent number: 11007593
    Abstract: A torch device includes a case connected to a first cap at a first end of the case, and a second cap at the second end. The first cap closes the first end. The second cap leaves an opening in the second end. A nozzle is connected to the second end. A first section is located in proximity of the nozzle inside the case. The first section contains a thermite material. A second section is located in proximity of the first section inside the case. The second section contains an ignitable composition. A third section is located in proximity of the second section inside the case. The third section contains the ignitable composition. A fourth section is located in proximity of the second section inside the case. The third and fourth sections are separated by an insulating tube. The fourth section contains an oxidizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Carl Gotzmer, Steven Kim, Mark Francis Cavolowsky
  • Publication number: 20210094865
    Abstract: A method for forming a glass stack, comprising: obtaining a glass sheet; selecting a plurality of portions of the glass sheet having a matching glass characteristic, wherein the glass characteristic is at least one of warp, bow, total thickness variation (TTV), and wedge; cutting a plurality of glass wafers from the selected portions of the glass sheet, and stacking the plurality of glass wafers to form a glass stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Mark Francis Krol, Karan Mehrotra
  • Patent number: 10952685
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting onset of cardiac arrest utilizing a perfusion monitor. Detecting cardiac arrest comprises transmitting a signal toward a user to interact with the skin of the user, receiving a reflection of the signal, generating a photoplethysmogram, and processing the photoplethysmogram to detect whether the user is experiencing cardiac arrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Health Alert, LLC
    Inventors: Walter L. Seale, Alois A. Langer, Nicholas J. Pauly, Mark Francis Anderson
  • Patent number: 10929667
    Abstract: An augmented reality optical system comprises a waveguide structure that includes a waveguide layer supported by a substrate. An input grating and an output grating reside within the waveguide layer and are laterally spaced apart. Input light from a display is made incident upon the input grating. The input light is coupled into the waveguide layer and travels therein as multiple guided modes to the output grating. The input and output gratings provide phase matching so that the guided modes are coupled out of the waveguide layer by the output grating continuously along the output grating to form output light. Meantime, light from a scene is transmitted perpendicularly through the output grating so that the output light and the light from the scene are combined by the eye of a user to form an augmented reality image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: John Tyler Keech, Mark Francis Krol
  • Patent number: 10867387
    Abstract: A method of locating content portion(s) of an image includes automatically determining a pixel threshold value; comparing the threshold value to the image to determine background and content sets of the pixels; determining boundaries between the background and content sets; determining the content portions using the determined boundaries; and determining bounding boxes for the content portions. A computed-radiography scanner includes an imager; a transport configured to operatively arrange a plurality of plates with respect to the imager so that a single image of the plates can be captured; and a processor configured to automatically locate the content portion(s) in the single image. A locating method includes automatically determining the pixel threshold value; determining the boundaries between portions delimited by the pixel threshold value; determining the content portions using the boundaries; and determining the bounding boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sheri George, Haribaskar Govindasamy, Andre Leon Maitre, Mark Francis Mcanally