Patents by Inventor Michael A. Blanford
Michael A. Blanford 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).
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Patent number: 11079190Abstract: A recoil spring assembly for a firearm provides a spring insert with an end piece. The end piece interacts with other components of the firearm to selectively secure the recoil spring in position. This allows the recoil spring to be selectively retained in the firearm when disassembling and reassembling the firearm.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2017Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Daniel Defense, LLCInventors: Billie Cyril Hudson, III, Lauren Hudson, Kevin Michael Blanford
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Patent number: 10563940Abstract: A firearm slide and a firearm having a slide has a rail portion along which a slide moves translationally, the slide provides a plurality of serrations. The slide has a height and each serration of the plurality of serrations is cut into the slide along the entire height of the slide. The slide defines a horizontal axis and the plurality of serrations are angled relative to the horizontal axis. The serrations are in groups of serrations separated by one or more unserrated portions of the slide. The serrations being configured to maximize the thickness of the slide portion in the rail portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Inventors: Billie Cyril Hudson, III, Lauren Hudson, Kevin Michael Blanford
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Publication number: 20180164058Abstract: A recoil spring assembly for a firearm provides a spring insert with an end piece. The end piece interacts with other components of the firearm to selectively secure the recoil spring in position. This allows the recoil spring to be selectively retained in the firearm when disassembling and reassembling the firearm.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2017Publication date: June 14, 2018Applicant: Skunk Labs LLCInventors: Billie Cyril Hudson, III, Lauren Hudson, Kevin Michael Blanford
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Publication number: 20180106566Abstract: A firearm slide and a firearm having a slide has a rail portion along which a slide moves translationally, the slide provides a plurality of serrations. The slide has a height and each serration of the plurality of serrations is cut into the slide along the entire height of the slide. The slide defines a horizontal axis and the plurality of serrations are angled relative to the horizontal axis. The serrations are in groups of serrations separated by one or more unserrated portions of the slide. The serrations being configured to maximize the thickness of the slide portion in the rail portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Applicant: Skunk Labs LLCInventors: Billie Cyril Hudson, III, Lauren Hudson, Kevin Michael Blanford
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Patent number: 7549585Abstract: Systems and techniques for prevention of double scans of bar codes by identifying the possibility of ambiguities in position information estimated upon detection of a bar code. A bar code scanner estimates position information for a bar code upon detection of the bar code. Timing information for each detection and the accompanying position estimate is maintained, and lapses of time between detections and accompanying position estimates are noted. When successive scans of identical bar code information occur, the lapses of time are evaluated in light of predetermined criteria to determine whether or not an ambiguity exists that prevents reliable identification the scans as a double scan of the same bar code or successive scans of separate but identical bar codes.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2006Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: NCR CorporationInventor: Denis Michael Blanford
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Patent number: 7546949Abstract: Systems and techniques for detecting and decoding bar code data and transferring the data to a host system. A bar code scanner detects and decodes a bar code and passes the bar code information, including bar code format information, to host system. The bar code scanner detects indicia that may appear in a bar code and responds as indicated by the indicia. One of the available responses is to transfer bar code data to a host system in a form consistent with a format indicated by indicia appearing in the bar code, but different from the format in which the bar code actually appears.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: NCR CorporationInventor: Denis Michael Blanford
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Publication number: 20080029604Abstract: Systems and techniques for prevention of double scans of bar codes by identifying the possibility of ambiguities in position information estimated upon detection of a bar code. A bar code scanner estimates position information for a bar code upon detection of the bar code. Timing information for each detection and the accompanying position estimate is maintained, and lapses of time between detections and accompanying position estimates are noted. When successive scans of identical bar code information occur, the lapses of time are evaluated in light of predetermined criteria to determine whether or not an ambiguity exists that prevents reliable identification the scans as a double scan of the same bar code or successive scans of separate but identical bar codes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2006Publication date: February 7, 2008Applicant: NCR CorporationInventor: Denis Michael Blanford
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Methods and apparatus for improved use of partial bar code information to decode a complete bar code
Patent number: 7314175Abstract: Systems and techniques for stitching together partial bar code segments to construct and decode information for a complete bar code. As a scanner operates to generate a scan pattern, information is maintained that can be used to identify a scan line being generated when an event of interest occurs. When a scan signal indicates that a terminal delimiter of a bar code is included in a bar code segment that has been transected by a scan line, information is noted that can identify the scan line. Subsequent transections of the bar code by the same scan line are noted, and information for overlapping bar code segments is stored. When a segment is detected that includes a delimiter opposite the delimiter appearing in the original segment, the stored information is retrieved and used to assemble the complete bar code.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: NCR CorporationInventor: Denis Michael Blanford -
Patent number: 6722568Abstract: A system for improved detection and decoding of a supplemental bar code label accompanying a primary bar code label is described. A supplemental label is affixed to a product in the vicinity of a primary label. A scanner in a bar code reading system, such as a point of sale system, scans for a primary label. Upon detection of a primary label, the system looks for the bar code encoded on the label in a database containing a set of bar codes with a value associated with each bar code. The value determines how long a search is to be conducted for a supplemental label accompanying the primary label which was scanned. The duration may suitably be based on the probability that a supplemental label will be present. It may also be influenced by the difficulty of detecting a supplemental label which may be present.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Denis Michael Blanford, Frederick Peter Tyrrell
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Publication number: 20030094494Abstract: A system for improved detection and decoding of a supplemental bar code label accompanying a primary bar code label is described. A supplemental label is affixed to a product in the vicinity of a primary label. A scanner in a bar code reading system, such as a point of sale system, scans for a primary label. Upon detection of a primary label, the system looks for the bar code encoded on the label in a database containing a set of bar codes with a value associated with each bar code. The value determines how long a search is to be conducted for a supplemental label accompanying the primary label which was scanned. The duration may suitably be based on the probability that a supplemental label will be present. It may also be influenced by the difficulty of detecting a supplemental label which may be present.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2001Publication date: May 22, 2003Applicant: NCR CorporationInventors: Denis Michael Blanford, Frederick Peter Tyrrell
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Patent number: 6561426Abstract: A system for detecting and decoding a supplemental barcode accompanying a primary barcode. A supplemental barcode is affixed to a product in the vicinity of a primary barcode. A scanner in a barcode reading system, such as a point of sale system, scans for a primary barcode. Upon detection of a primary barcode, the system inserts a delay while attempting to detect a supplemental barcode. Upon detection of a secondary barcode, the primary and supplemental barcode information is processed, for example by sending the information to a terminal connected to the scanner. Upon expiration of the delay without detection of a supplemental barcode, the primary barcode information is processed.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2000Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Denis Michael Blanford, Daniel Byron Seevers, Robert Joseph Tom
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Publication number: 20020117548Abstract: A timing and mirror position detector for use in a bar code scanner having a rotating optical assembly. The optical assembly is rotated by a motor which produces a fixed number of pulses per rotation, at least one of the pulses occurring each time the motor passes through a reference position as it rotates. The pulses are continuously monitored and counted. Elapsed time from the time a reference pulse occurs is accurately measured and correlated by a processor with events of interest. When an event of interest, such as a bar code scan, occurs, the timing and pulse count are evaluated and processed to determine the angle of rotation of the motor at the time the scan occurred.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2002Publication date: August 29, 2002Applicant: NCR CorporationInventors: John B. Keys, Denis Michael Blanford, Kenneth Joseph Fabian, Barry M. Mergenthaler
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Patent number: 6253950Abstract: A floating cooler configured in accordance with a predetermined creature configuration is provided which includes a buoyant thermally insulated housing, the housing including a bottom portion, a side portion connected to the bottom portion and extending upward therefrom and forming an open enclosure therebetween, wherein the open enclosure defines a cavity and the housing includes an exterior configuration which is generally shaped as a portion of a torso characteristic of the predetermined creature.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Inventors: Ronald Buck, Michael A. Blanford, Wesely Campbell
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Patent number: 6158660Abstract: A system for detecting and decoding a supplemental barcode accompanying a primary barcode. A supplemental barcode is affixed to a product in the vicinity of a primary barcode. A scanner in a barcode reading system, such as a point of sale system, scans for a primary barcode. Upon detection of a primary barcode, the system inserts a delay while attempting to detect a supplemental barcode. Upon detection of a secondary barcode, the primary and supplemental barcode information is processed, for example by sending the information to a terminal connected to the scanner. Upon expiration of the delay without detection of a supplemental barcode, the primary barcode information is processed.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1999Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Denis Michael Blanford, Daniel Byron Seevers, Robert Joseph Tom
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Patent number: D423295Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1999Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Inventors: Ronald Buck, Michael A. Blanford, Wesely Campbell