Patents by Inventor Mark Atherton

Mark Atherton 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: 20260078941
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a low temperature (LT) compressor, a medium temperature (MT) compressor having a suction side fluidly coupled with a discharge side of the LT compressor, a low temperature evaporator, and a medium temperature evaporator. Refrigerant from the low temperature evaporator is returned to a suction side of the LT compressor and refrigerant from the medium temperature evaporator is returned to a connection point downstream of the discharge side of the LT compressor and upstream of the suction side of the MT compressor. The refrigeration system performs a defrost cycle by directing warm refrigerant from the suction side of the MT compressor to pass through the low temperature evaporator in a reverse direction. The warm refrigerant is drawn from a position downstream of the connection point and upstream of the suction side of the MT compressor and returned to the suction side of the LT compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2025
    Publication date: March 19, 2026
    Inventors: Evan Aschow, Chad Bartley, Mark Atherton, Michael May
  • Patent number: 12492855
    Abstract: A method for defrosting an evaporator of a refrigeration system includes providing a refrigeration system including a low temperature (LT) compressor, a medium temperature (MT) compressor, a low temperature evaporator, and a medium temperature evaporator. The method includes initiating a defrost cycle for the refrigeration system by closing a return valve to shut off refrigerant return to the LT compressor from an outlet of the low temperature evaporator and opening a defrost supply valve to define a fluid flow path between a suction side of the MT compressor and an outlet of the low temperature evaporator. The method includes operating the LT compressor and the MT compressor such that warm refrigerant from the suction side of the MT compressor is provided through the low temperature evaporator and returned to a suction side of the LT compressor through a hot gas tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2025
    Assignee: EFFECTERRA, INC.
    Inventors: Evan Aschow, Chad Bartley, Mark Atherton, Michael May
  • Publication number: 20250283653
    Abstract: A method for defrosting an evaporator of a refrigeration system includes providing a refrigeration system including a low temperature (LT) compressor, a medium temperature (MT) compressor, a low temperature evaporator, and a medium temperature evaporator. The method includes initiating a defrost cycle for the refrigeration system by closing a return valve to shut off refrigerant return to the LT compressor from an outlet of the low temperature evaporator and opening a defrost supply valve to define a fluid flow path between a suction side of the MT compressor and an outlet of the low temperature evaporator. The method includes operating the LT compressor and the MT compressor such that warm refrigerant from the suction side of the MT compressor is provided through the low temperature evaporator and returned to a suction side of the LT compressor through a hot gas tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2024
    Publication date: September 11, 2025
    Inventors: Evan Aschow, Chad Bartley, Mark Atherton, Michael May
  • Patent number: 10271994
    Abstract: A device for use by a dental patient fits in the patient's ear and has at least one curved resonator tube to reduce the perceived volume of a dental drill. The device can have multiple layers of resonator tubes and a port into which recorded music can be played to calm the patient further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Brunel University London
    Inventor: Mark Atherton
  • Patent number: 9633018
    Abstract: Architecture presents in a display related content in association with (an annotation) a social media post, as derived from post information of the social media post itself. The related content can be presented in the user interface proximate the social media post or elsewhere in the user interface. The related content can be presented as search engine queries, images, videos, and/or links to related websites. More specifically, the disclosed architecture facilitates the automated annotation of a social media post with related content derived from: post information such as a URL (uniform resource locator) referred to in the social media post, post information such as the text, image(s), and/or video content in a social media post itself, and post information such as content linked-to by a URL referred to in a social media post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Baecke, Mark Atherton
  • Publication number: 20170020735
    Abstract: A device for use by a dental patient fits in the patient's ear and has at least one curved resonator tube to reduce the perceived volume of a dental drill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Brunel University
    Inventor: Mark Atherton
  • Publication number: 20140201178
    Abstract: Architecture presents in a display related content in association with (an annotation) a social media post, as derived from post information of the social media post itself. The related content can be presented in the user interface proximate the social media post or elsewhere in the user interface. The related content can be presented as search engine queries, images, videos, and/or links to related websites. More specifically, the disclosed architecture facilitates the automated annotation of a social media post with related content derived from: post information such as a URL (uniform resource locator) referred to in the social media post, post information such as the text, image(s), and/or video content in a social media post itself, and post information such as content linked-to by a URL referred to in a social media post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Baecke, Mark Atherton
  • Patent number: 8447661
    Abstract: A unique system and method facilitates analyzes searches or queries that are geographic based. In particular, a user can submit a geo-tag based search for items posted on a listing service according to the item's location or geo-tag information. The geo-tag information for each item can be approximate such as the city, state, or zip code or more specific such as the street address where the item is located. The amount of geo-tag information disclosed to any other user can depend on the type of item being offered. Geo-tag information is analyzed to facilitate determining item matches. In addition, users that post items can employ query results to analyze the quality of their items such as from the buyer's perspective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Garry R Wiseman, Mark Atherton
  • Publication number: 20120078754
    Abstract: A unique system and method facilitates analyzes searches or queries that are geographic based. In particular, a user can submit a geo-tag based search for items posted on a listing service according to the item's location or geo-tag information. The geo-tag information for each item can be approximate such as the city, state, or zip code or more specific such as the street address where the item is located. The amount of geo-tag information disclosed to any other user can depend on the type of item being offered. Geo-tag information is analyzed to facilitate determining item matches. In addition, users that post items can employ query results to analyze the quality of their items such as from the buyer's perspective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Garry R. Wiseman, Mark Atherton
  • Patent number: 8090620
    Abstract: A unique system and method facilitates analyzes searches or queries that are geographic based. In particular, a user can submit a geo-tag based search for items posted on a listing service according to the item's location or geo-tag information. The geo-tag information for each item can be approximate such as the city, state, or zip code or more specific such as the street address where the item is located. The amount of geo-tag information disclosed to any other user can depend on the type of item being offered. Geo-tag information is analyzed to facilitate determining item matches. In addition, users that post items can employ query results to analyze the quality of their items such as from the buyer's perspective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Garry R. Wiseman, Mark Atherton
  • Patent number: 7840558
    Abstract: A unique system and method that facilitates searching for items offered for sale or otherwise in an online classifieds environment. The system and method involve allowing a user to search for such items according to the item's location or geo-tag information. The geo-tag information for each item can be approximate such as the city, state, or zip code or more specific such as the street address where the item is located. The amount of geo-tag information disclosed to any other user can depend on the type of item being offered. One or more geo-tagged items can be returned in response to a query. The items can be returned in a list or a map format wherein the items can be pinpointed according to their locations. The map of the area around and near the item's location can provide useful information to the user to facilitate determining which item(s) to pursue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Garry R. Wiseman, Mark Atherton
  • Publication number: 20070118430
    Abstract: A unique system and method facilitates analyzes searches or queries that are geographic based. In particular, a user can submit a geo-tag based search for items posted on a listing service according to the item's location or geo-tag information. The geo-tag information for each item can be approximate such as the city, state, or zip code or more specific such as the street address where the item is located. The amount of geo-tag information disclosed to any other user can depend on the type of item being offered. Geo-tag information is analyzed to facilitate determining item matches. In addition, users that post items can employ query results to analyze the quality of their items such as from the buyer's perspective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Garry Wiseman, Mark Atherton
  • Publication number: 20070112729
    Abstract: A unique system and method that facilitates searching for items offered for sale or otherwise in an online classifieds environment. The system and method involve allowing a user to search for such items according to the item's location or geo-tag information. The geo-tag information for each item can be approximate such as the city, state, or zip code or more specific such as the street address where the item is located. The amount of geo-tag information disclosed to any other user can depend on the type of item being offered. One or more geo-tagged items can be returned in response to a query. The items can be returned in a list or a map format wherein the items can be pinpointed according to their locations. The map of the area around and near the item's location can provide useful information to the user to facilitate determining which item(s) to pursue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Garry Wiseman, Mark Atherton