Patents by Inventor Matthew R. Sowders

Matthew R. Sowders 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: 9205995
    Abstract: An approach is provided to sort objects on a surface of vertically-adjustable low friction transfer modules that are controlled by processors. A request to sort the plurality of objects in a horizontal direction is received with each of the objects is assigned a sort position. Sets of the vertically-adjustable low friction transfer modules are selected. The vertically-adjustable low friction transfer modules are arranged in a grid formation on the surface, with each of the sets of selected transfer modules being underneath a different object. The sets of selected transfer modules are vertically adjusted causing each of the objects to move independently from the other objects while avoiding the other objects in two or more dimensions formed on the surface. The result of the movement is that each of the objects is moved to a position respective of the other objects according to each object's respective sort position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shang Q. Guo, Christopher P. Jones, Jonathan Lenchner, Nathan E. Masters, James A. Oravec, Rodrigo A. Rey, Matthew R. Sowders
  • Patent number: 9205996
    Abstract: An approach is provided to sort objects on a surface of vertically-adjustable low friction transfer modules that are controlled by processors. A request to sort the plurality of objects in a horizontal direction is received with each of the objects is assigned a sort position. Sets of the vertically-adjustable low friction transfer modules are selected. The vertically-adjustable low friction transfer modules are arranged in a grid formation on the surface, with each of the sets of selected transfer modules being underneath a different object. The sets of selected transfer modules are vertically adjusted causing each of the objects to move independently from the other objects while avoiding the other objects in two or more dimensions formed on the surface. The result of the movement is that each of the objects is moved to a position respective of the other objects according to each object's respective sort position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shang Q. Guo, Christopher P. Jones, Jonathan Lenchner, Nathan E. Masters, James A. Oravec, Rodrigo A. Rey, Matthew R. Sowders
  • Publication number: 20150107961
    Abstract: An approach is provided to sort objects on a surface of vertically-adjustable low friction transfer modules that are controlled by processors. A request to sort the plurality of objects in a horizontal direction is received with each of the objects is assigned a sort position. Sets of the vertically-adjustable low friction transfer modules are selected. The vertically-adjustable low friction transfer modules are arranged in a grid formation on the surface, with each of the sets of selected transfer modules being underneath a different object. The sets of selected transfer modules are vertically adjusted causing each of the objects to move independently from the other objects while avoiding the other objects in two or more dimensions formed on the surface. The result of the movement is that each of the objects is moved to a position respective of the other objects according to each object's respective sort position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Shang Q. Guo, Christopher P. Jones, Jonathan Lenchner, Nathan E. Masters, James A. Oravec, Rodrigo A. Rey, Matthew R. Sowders
  • Publication number: 20150107960
    Abstract: An approach is provided to sort objects on a surface of vertically-adjustable low friction transfer modules that are controlled by processors. A request to sort the plurality of objects in a horizontal direction is received with each of the objects is assigned a sort position. Sets of the vertically-adjustable low friction transfer modules are selected. The vertically-adjustable low friction transfer modules are arranged in a grid formation on the surface, with each of the sets of selected transfer modules being underneath a different object. The sets of selected transfer modules are vertically adjusted causing each of the objects to move independently from the other objects while avoiding the other objects in two or more dimensions formed on the surface. The result of the movement is that each of the objects is moved to a position respective of the other objects according to each object's respective sort position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shang Q. Guo, Christopher P. Jones, Jonathan Lenchner, Nathan E. Masters, James A. Oravec, Rodrigo A. Rey, Matthew R. Sowders