Patents by Inventor Michael A. Grant

Michael A. Grant 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: 9768955
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing additional security for data being transmitted across a wireless connection that has been established using a known wireless protocol (e.g. Bluetooth) are described. An encryption key is exchanged between a computing device (e.g. a mobile device) and a wireless peripheral device (e.g. a keyboard, a printer). In some embodiments, the encryption key is generated at one of the two devices. Data associated with the encryption key is output at the one device, which can be input by the user at the other device. The encryption key is then recovered at the other device from the input, thereby completing the key exchange. The encryption key can then be used to encrypt and decrypt data transmitted over the established wireless connection, providing additional security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Grant Kirkup, Michael Kenneth Brown, Michael Stephen Brown
  • Publication number: 20170254757
    Abstract: A system for assessing a structure and the tools and processes used to form the structure is described. 2D images of the structure are captured and processed to obtain 3D information concerning the structure. Both 2D and 3D information is then used to identify and analyze selected characteristics of the structure. This analysis allows for a quality assessment of the structure. The selected characteristics are correlated with information relating to the operation of the tool that carried out the process that at least in part created the structure. The correlation of tool/process information to structure characteristics allows for the generation of feedback that may be used to modify the tool or processed used to form the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Thornell, Steven Knauber, Jatinder Dhaliwal, Justin Miller, Michael Grant, Kenneth Durden
  • Patent number: 9755835
    Abstract: The present document relates to transcoding of metadata, and in particular to a method and system for transcoding metadata with reduced computational complexity. A transcoder configured to transcode an inbound bitstream comprising an inbound content frame and an associated inbound metadata frame into an outbound bitstream comprising an outbound content frame and an associated outbound metadata frame is described. The inbound content frame is indicative of a signal encoded according to a first codec system and the outbound content frame is indicative of the signal encoded according to a second codec system. The transcoder is configured to identify an inbound block of metadata from the inbound metadata frame, the inbound block of metadata associated with an inbound descriptor indicative of one or more properties of metadata comprised within the inbound block of metadata, and to generate the outbound metadata frame from the inbound metadata frame based on the inbound descriptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignees: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation, Dolby International AB
    Inventors: Andreas Schneider, Christof Fersch, Martin Wolters, Jeffrey Riedmiller, Scott Gregory Norcross, Michael Grant
  • Publication number: 20170221496
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating an encoded audio bitstream, including by including program loudness metadata and audio data in the bitstream, and optionally also program boundary metadata in at least one segment (e.g., frame) of the bitstream. Other aspects are apparatus and methods for decoding such a bitstream, e.g., including by performing adaptive loudness processing of the audio data of an audio program indicated by the bitstream, or authentication and/or validation of metadata and/or audio data of such an audio program. Another aspect is an audio processing unit (e.g., an encoder, decoder, or post-processor) configured (e.g., programmed) to perform any embodiment of the method or which includes a buffer memory which stores at least one frame of an audio bitstream generated in accordance with any embodiment of the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael GRANT, Scott Gregory NORCROSS, Jeffrey RIEDMILLER, Michael WARD
  • Publication number: 20170206912
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating an encoded audio bitstream, including by including program loudness metadata and audio data in the bitstream, and optionally also program boundary metadata in at least one segment (e.g., frame) of the bitstream. Other aspects are apparatus and methods for decoding such a bitstream, e.g., including by performing adaptive loudness processing of the audio data of an audio program indicated by the bitstream, or authentication and/or validation of metadata and/or audio data of such an audio program. Another aspect is an audio processing unit (e.g., an encoder, decoder, or post-processor) configured (e.g., programmed) to perform any embodiment of the method or which includes a buffer memory which stores at least one frame of an audio bitstream generated in accordance with any embodiment of the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Michael GRANT, Scott Gregory NORCROSS, Jeffrey RIEDMILLER, Michael WARD
  • Publication number: 20170194867
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a power apparatus includes a buck converter including a first capacitor, a first inductor and a first switch for connection with a direct current power supply, wherein when the first switch is closed and the buck converter is connected to the direct current power supply, the first capacitor and the first inductor are connected in series to the direct current power supply, a full-bridge inverter including at least four switches including the first switch, a second, third and fourth switch so that the first switch is shared by the inventor and buck converter, the inverter being operative to convert direct current to alternating current by alternating (a) closing the first and fourth switch with the second and third switch open, and (b) closing the second and third switch with the first and fourth switch open, and a transformer to step down an output of the inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Yang LI, Kan SETO, Michael GRANT, Matt HOWARD, Ruqi LI
  • Publication number: 20170195721
    Abstract: A media fingerprint archive system generates and archives media fingerprints from second media content portions such as commercials. A downstream media measurement system can extract/derive query fingerprints from an incoming signal, and query the media fingerprint archive system whether any of the query fingerprints matches any archived fingerprints. If so, the media measurement system can perform media measurements on a specific secondary media content portion from which the matched query fingerprint is derived. If not, the media measurement system can analyze media characteristics of a media content portion to determine whether the media content portion is a secondary media content portion and perform media measurement if needed to. The media measurement system may send fingerprints from an identified secondary media content portion to the media fingerprint archive system for storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Michael GRANT, Regunathan RADHAKRISHNAN, Jeff Edwin CHANDLER, Stewart MURRIE, Michael G. BABBITT
  • Patent number: 9686252
    Abstract: A system and method implemented at a server system, for securely wiping a remote mobile device after the device registration has been removed from the server system. Prior to removal of the device registration from the server system, a “pre-packaged” command is created and stored at the server system. In the event that it is determined, after removal of the registration, that the device should be wiped or disabled, means are provided for an administrator to issue the previously stored command to the target mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Kenneth Brown, Scott William Totzke, Michael Grant Kirkup
  • Patent number: 9658169
    Abstract: A system for assessing a structure and the tools and processes used to form the structure is described. 2D images of the structure are captured and processed to obtain 3D information concerning the structure. Both 2D and 3D information is then used to identify and analyze selected characteristics of the structure. This analysis allows for a quality assessment of the structure. The selected characteristics are correlated with information relating to the operation of the tool that carried out the process that at least in part created the structure. The correlation of tool/process information to structure characteristics allows for the generation of feedback that may be used to modify the tool or processed used to form the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Thornell, Steven Knauber, Jatinder Dhaliwal, Justin Miller, Michael Grant, Kenneth Durden
  • Patent number: 9650031
    Abstract: A method for supplying power to an electrically assisted steering system is described. In one example, the method adjusts alternator field current to increase energy supplied to the electrically assisted steering system in response to an automatic engine stop request. The method may improve operation of the electrically assisted steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Allan Roy Gale, John Anthony DeMarco, Robert Michael Grant
  • Publication number: 20170124344
    Abstract: Systems and methods of owner application control of an electronic device are provided. Owner application control information is stored on the electronic device and/or one or more remote servers. Owner application control information is consulted to determine if one or more required applications are available for execution on the electronic device. If not, one or more required applications not available are downloaded and installed. This could be in a manner transparent to the user of the electronic device. If one or more required applications are not available on the electronic device, the device can be functionally disabled in whole, or in part, until one or more required applications are available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Neil Patrick Adams, Michael Grant Kirkup, Herbert Anthony Little, Russell Norman Owen
  • Patent number: 9635417
    Abstract: A media fingerprint archive system generates and archives media fingerprints from second media content portions such as commercials. A downstream media measurement system can extract/derive query fingerprints from an incoming signal, and query the media fingerprint archive system whether any of the query fingerprints matches any archived fingerprints. If so, the media measurement system can perform media measurements on a specific secondary media content portion from which the matched query fingerprint is derived. If not, the media measurement system can analyze media characteristics of a media content portion to determine whether the media content portion is a secondary media content portion and perform media measurement if needed to. The media measurement system may send fingerprints from an identified secondary media content portion to the media fingerprint archive system for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Grant, Regunathan Radhakrishnan, Jeff Edwin Chandler, Stewart Murrie, Michael G. Babbitt
  • Publication number: 20170083950
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for pairing a player to an athlete for developing the player. The method for pairing a user to an athlete includes receiving, from a client device, a request to match a user to an athlete. The request identifies a user profile associated with the user. The method also includes retrieving a plurality of athlete profiles and the user profile based on the identification of the user profile associated with the user. The method also includes matching an athlete profile to the user profile. The method also includes, responsive to matching the athlete profile to the user, updating the user profile with data from the matched athlete profile by offering one or more products to the user, wherein the one or more products is based on the data from the matched athlete. The method also includes transmitting the updated user profile to the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Grant Fitts, Steven Clarkson
  • Publication number: 20170048712
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a data connection between a mobile device and a peripheral. The mobile device is configured to determine whether to handle user approval of the data connection between the mobile device and the peripheral. Through the mobile device, an input mechanism is provided for the user to provide input. The input is used in determining whether to approve the data connection between the mobile device and the peripheral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Kenneth Brown, Michael Grant Kirkup, Neil Patrick Adams, Herbert Anthony Little, Christopher Pattenden
  • Publication number: 20170002434
    Abstract: Method of operating a blast furnace installation comprising a top gas recycle blast furnace and hot stones, whereby a hydrocarbon containing fuel is transformed into a transformed gas stream consisting mainly of CO and H2 and substantially devoid of hydrocarbon, whereby a low-heating-value gaseous fuel is generated comprising a mixture of said transformed gas with a portion of the CO2-rich tail gas obtained by decarbonatation of the blast furnace gas, and whereby said low-heating-value fuel is used to heat the hot furnace gas is heated before being injected into the blast-furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Michael GRANT
  • Patent number: 9507950
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a data connection between a mobile device and a peripheral. The mobile device is configured to determine whether to handle user approval of the data connection between the mobile device and the peripheral. Through the mobile device, an input mechanism is provided for the user to provide input. The input is used in determining whether to approve the data connection between the mobile device and the peripheral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Kenneth Brown, Michael Grant Kirkup, Neil Patrick Adams, Herbert Anthony Little, Christopher Pattenden
  • Patent number: 9471296
    Abstract: A method and device for installing an application to a device are provided. The method includes: receiving, at the device, application files associated with the application, the application files including computer readable instruction files and resource files; installing, by an installation manager, the computer readable instruction files to a first memory component associated with the device; and storing the resource files on a second memory component associated with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Paul Mark Joseph Dumais, Brian Alexander Zubert, Michael Grant Kirkup
  • Publication number: 20160287512
    Abstract: Bethanechol is administered topically, for the treatment of xerostomia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Nicola Cooper, Julian Clive Gilbert, Robert William Gristwood, Michael Grant Wyllie
  • Patent number: 9447765
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, electrical loads, and at least one controller. While the engine is on, the controller calculates the change in current demand of the electrical loads expected from turning the engine off. The decision to command the engine off is then based on the expected change in current demand. Electrical loads that will change state from on to off when the engine is turned off will increase the expected change in current demand. Electrical loads that will change state from off to on when the engine is turned off will decrease the expected change in current demand. Operating conditions associated with the electrical loads, such as operating voltage, temperature, and speed, may affect the expected change in current demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Michael Rademacher, Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Robert Michael Grant
  • Patent number: D787382
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: PRIDE MOBILITY PRODUCTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sarah Ruth Elon, Kip Darrin Alder, Michael A. Grant