Patents by Inventor Mark Stephens

Mark Stephens 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: 9648132
    Abstract: The invention enables digital music content to be downloaded to and used on a portable wireless computing device. An application running on the wireless device has been automatically adapted to parameters associated with the wireless device without end-user input (e.g. the application has been configured in dependence on the device OS and firmware, related bugs, screen size, pixel number, security models, connection handling, memory etc. This application enables an end-user to browse and search music content on a remote server using a wireless network; to download music content from that remote server using the wireless network and to playback and manage that downloaded music content. The application also includes a digital rights management system that enables unlimited legal downloads of different music tracks to the device and also enables any of those tracks stored on the device to be played so long as a subscription service has not terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: OMNIFONE LIMITED
    Inventors: Mark Stephen Knight, Michael Ian Lamb, Robert John Lewis, Stephen William Pocock, Philip Anthony Sant, Mark Peter Sullivan, Christopher John Evans
  • Publication number: 20170123548
    Abstract: An integrated force sensing element includes a piezoelectric sensor formed in an integrated circuit (IC) chip and a strain gauge at least partially overlying the piezoelectric sensor, where the piezoelectric sensor is able to flex. A human-machine interface using the integrated force sensing element is also disclosed and may include a conditioning circuit, temperature gauge, FRAM and a processor core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Wei-Yan Shih, Steve Kummerl, Mark Stephen Toth, Alok Lohia, Terry Lee Sculley, Seung Bae Lee, Scott Robert Summerfelt
  • Patent number: 9636075
    Abstract: Simulation-based estimation of elasticity parameters and use of same for non-invasive cancer detection and cancer staging are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for simulation-based estimation of elasticity parameters includes constructing a 3D model of an object comprising biological tissue, the model having a first shape and an elasticity value. A simulation iteration is then performed, which includes simulating the application of an external force to the model, causing the model to have a second shape, measuring the difference between the second shape and a target shape, and determining whether the measured difference between the second shape and the target shape is within a threshold of error. If the measured difference is not within the threshold of error, the process performs additional iterations using adjusted elasticity or force values until the measured difference is within the threshold of error, at which time the final elasticity and force values are reported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
    Inventors: Huai-Ping Lee, Mark Stephen Foskey, Marc Niethammer, Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 9637984
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for installing control lines and pipe into a well. The pipe-holding spider that is normally mounted on the rig floor is adapted for easy disassembly and reassembly when the pipe slips within the spider are not engaged with the outer surface of the pipe string so that upon disassembly, a control line guide becomes vertically movable. The control line guide is adapted for being controllably elevated to a distance above the rig floor, thereby providing personnel access to a portion of the length of the pipe string below the elevated control line guide and above the rig floor for securing control line to the pipe string using a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Frank's International, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Michael Webre, Vernon Joseph Bouligny, Jr., Brian David Begnaud, Mark Stephen Sibille
  • Publication number: 20170112342
    Abstract: A cyclonic separator assembly having a first end, a second end, and an inlet for receiving a flow of dirty air. A separation chamber receives dirty air from the inlet and includes an air flow outlet formed within the separation chamber configured such that air is drawn through the outlet in a direction generally towards the first end of the separator assembly. The chamber further includes a dirt outlet defining an opening in a wall of the separation chamber. The assembly further includes a passage defining an air flow path from the air flow outlet towards a separator outlet in a direction generally towards the second end of the separator assembly such that, in use, the separator outlet is adapted to communicate with the suction inlet of the cleaner body so as to draw dirty air into the separator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: TECHTRONIC FLOOR CARE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon Matthew Pougher, Mark Stephen Barnsley, Jonathan Haydn Boxhill
  • Patent number: 9635008
    Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating an avatar are provided. This system is useful with an avatar having an identifier, virtual environments, and a user who uses the avatar in the virtual environments. Transoms are generated, each with a unique identifier configured to exist in a specific location, and registered with an identity provider. The transom initiates a request. An offer is conveyed that includes the transom identifier, the location and the avatar identifier. The avatar is then authenticated by a shared secret. The identity provider then responds to the offer with avatar identification information, including reputation information. Reputation information is for the avatar and the user, and is compiled from external avatar data sources by using a trust matrix. An avatar gallery is generated by linking each avatar owned by each user to the account and compiling avatar profiles from the account, and the reputation information. The avatar profiles are searchable, and include micro formats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: Mark Stephen Meadows
  • Publication number: 20170110595
    Abstract: A Gate-All-Around (GAA) Field Effect Transistor (FET) can include a horizontal nanosheet conductive channel structure having a width in a horizontal direction in the GAA FET, a height that is perpendicular to the horizontal direction, and a length that extends in the horizontal direction, where the width of the horizontal nanosheet conductive channel structure defines a physical channel width of the GAA FET. First and second source/drain regions can be located at opposing ends of the horizontal nanosheet conductive channel structure and a unitary gate material completely surrounding the horizontal nanosheet conductive channel structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Rwik Sengupta, Mark Stephen RODDER, Joon Goo HONG, Titash RAKSHIT
  • Publication number: 20170100404
    Abstract: Described herein is the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) inhibitor 1-((R)-3-(4-amino-3-(4-phenoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-1-yl)piperidin-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-one, including crystalline forms, solvates and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include the Btk inhibitor, as well as methods of using the Btk inhibitor, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or conditions, heteroimmune diseases or conditions, cancer, including lymphoma, and inflammatory diseases or conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Norbert Purro, Mark Stephen Smyth, Erick Goldman, David D. Wirth
  • Patent number: 9604104
    Abstract: Swimming goggles are provided with a retroscopic lens angle and broad peripheral viewing angles to enhance a swimmer's forward-to-cranial-looking vision and peripheral vision both above and below the waterline during swimming activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ROKA SPORTS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Stephens, Robert Canales, Kurt Spenser, Nathan Tracy
  • Patent number: 9602473
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for facilitating the secure transmission and storage of data. In this regard, a method is provided that comprises causing data encrypted by a sender system to be received at a service provider system; causing the data as encrypted by the sender system to be stored at the service provider system; receiving a request for the data from a recipient system; determining the recipient system is authorized to receive the data; and causing the data as encrypted to be transmitted to the sender system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ZixCorp Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Joseph Robertson, John French Kalan, Mark Stephen DeMichele, Bryan Adam Joyner, Charles Anthony Rego, Dorwin Thomas Shields, Jr., Caleb Rhoads Spring
  • Publication number: 20170066053
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing stator bar shape tooling. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for shaping an element. The method can include providing at least one constraining surface, wherein the at least one constraining surface is fabricated at least in part by selective laser sintering, and deforming an element with the at least one constraining surface to define at least an external shape of a formed element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Caleb James Munholand, Mark Stephen Clough, Mark Kent Shoemaker, David John Wardell
  • Publication number: 20170020148
    Abstract: A vertical electric cooker and smoker having lower air intake vents and upper exhaust vents which together create a more balanced flow and distribution of smoke and reduce the operating pressure of the system to allow a much larger load of wood chips to be used without refilling. A smoke box is also provided for holding and properly combusting the larger quantity of wood chips in an oxygen deficient environment. The smoke box has a false bottom and discharges the smoke through a circuitous exhaust flow path. Also, the electric heating elements of the cooking and smoking apparatus are contained in an assembly which provides an air gap beneath the smoker box and also shields the smoker box to prevent the wood chips in the smoker box from becoming overheated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: William A. Dixon, Sleiman Assaad Adallah, Mark Stephen McQuagg
  • Patent number: 9545466
    Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment system includes a control unit having a control system and a reduced pressure source. The reduced pressure treatment system further includes a manifold unit in fluid communication with the reduced pressure source and a component module to augment treatment. The component module is configured to communicate with the control system of the control unit, and the component module includes a first mounting region configured to be coupled to a complimentary mounting region of the control unit. The component module further includes a second mounting region identical to the complimentary mounting region of the control unit to allow a second component module to be coupled to the first component module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Locke, Timothy Mark Robinson, Mark Stephen James Beard, Aidan Marcus Tout
  • Publication number: 20170008377
    Abstract: The principles and embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to complexly curved laminates made from a complexly curved substrate and a flat substrate, such as automotive window glazings, and methods of cold forming complexly-curved glass products from a curved substrate and a flat substrate. In one or more embodiments, the laminate includes first complexly-curved glass substrate with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a second complexly-curved glass substrate with a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface with a thickness therebetween; and a polymer interlayer affixed to the second convex surface and third surface, wherein the third surface and fourth surface have compressive stress values respectively that differ such that the fourth surface has as compressive stress value that is greater than the compressive stress value of the third surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: William Keith Fisher, Mark Stephen Friske, Steven Luther Moyer, Paul George Rickerl
  • Publication number: 20170007443
    Abstract: A cryogenic delivery and control system is provided. The cryogenic delivery and control system is supplied by an external cryogen supply reservoir, connected to a wet compartment which is in close communication to a man occupied dry compartment or chamber. The inhabited chamber of the present invention is used for cryogenically based, frigid atmosphere, on the order of about ?100° to about ?160° C., for the cooling and conditioning of living bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Mark Stephen Stroze, Brett Stanley Stroze
  • Publication number: 20170007748
    Abstract: A system and method for performing tissue therapy may include applying a reduced pressure to a tissue site, sensing a fluid parameter being applied to the tissue site, generating a fluid sensor signal in response to sensing the fluid parameter, and altering the fluid sensor signal in response to sensing that the fluid parameter changes. A fluid leak location mode may be entered. In response to the fluid leak location mode being entered, a graphical user interface that provides for fluid leak location functionality may be displayed. In one embodiment, the fluid leak location mode may be automatically entered in response to the sensor signal crossing a threshold value. Additionally, an alarm signal may be generated in response to determining that the fluid sensor signal crosses the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER BRIAN LOCKE, Mark Stephen James BEARD, David Robson BLANDFORD, Timothy Mark ROBINSON
  • Publication number: 20170004124
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for creating tables using auto-generated templates. Reports including lines of text to be extracted into tables are received. An auto define input is received to auto-generate the tables corresponding to the reports. Groups of lines are identified from among the lines of text in the reports. A detail group and relevant groups are selected and identified from among the groups of lines. A final detail group is created by merging the detail group with at least a portion of the relevant groups. Append groups are identified from among the groups of lines not included in the final detail group. Templates corresponding to the final detail group and the append groups are generated. Text is extracted from the reports based on the templates. Tables are generated using the text extracted from the reports, by assigning the text from the text fragments to entries in the tables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventor: Mark Stephen Kyre
  • Patent number: 9533886
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vapour deposition process for the preparation of a phosphate compound, wherein the process comprises providing each component element of the phosphate compound as a vapour, and co-depositing the component element vapours on a common substrate, wherein the component elements react on the substrate to form the phosphate compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: Ilika Technologies Ltd., Toyota Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Elliott Hayden, Christopher Edward Lee, Duncan Clifford Alan Smith, Mark Stephen Beal, Xiaojuan Lu, Chihiro Yada
  • Patent number: 9528914
    Abstract: A non-intrusive sensor system includes an array of sensors disposed in a process to measure various input process phenomena and a logic unit that analyses the sensor measurements using an empirical model to produce an estimate of a further process phenomenon not measured directly by any of the array of sensors. The sensors within the array of sensors may be non-intrusive sensors that measure input process phenomena in an intrusive or non-intrusive manner but are non-intrusive with respect to the output process phenomenon as none of these sensors comes into direct contact with the process fluid or process element exhibiting the output process phenomenon. The sensors within the array of sensors can be any type of sensors that produce a measurement of a particular process phenomenon at the same or at different locations within a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Stephen Schumacher
  • Patent number: 9527124
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing stator bar shape tooling. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for shaping an element. The method can include providing at least one constraining surface, wherein the at least one constraining surface is fabricated at least in part by selective laser sintering, and deforming an element with the at least one constraining surface to define at least an external shape of a formed element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Caleb James Munholand, Mark Stephen Clough, Mark Kent Shoemaker, David John Wardell