Patents by Inventor Michael A. Stephens

Michael A. 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).

  • Publication number: 20240011813
    Abstract: In some implementations, one or more devices may determine whether an electrical circuit is closed or open, the electrical circuit including electrodes of the sensor device, the electrical circuit being closed based on the electrodes being immersed in a lubricant in a cavity of a component of a track assembly of the machine, the electrical circuit being open based on the electrodes not being immersed in the lubricant in the cavity. The one or more devices may generate sensor data based on determining that the electrical circuit is open, the sensor data indicating that a level, of the lubricant in the cavity, does not satisfy a level threshold. The one or more devices may cause the machine to perform an action based on the sensor data indicating that the level does not satisfy the level threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Stephen GALAT, Eric J. JOHANNSEN, Temitope O. AKINLUA
  • Patent number: 11858685
    Abstract: A shipping crate is provided having multiple walls. In each wall, a first wall layer has sides and a first thickness and a second wall layer has sides extending past each of the sides of the first wall by the first thickness. The crate also has a back panel having a first back panel layer and at least a partial second back panel layer. The first back panel layer has sides and a thickness substantially similar to the first thickness and the second back panel layer extends past each of the sides of the first back panel layer by the first thickness. When assembled, the first wall layers of each of the walls combine to form a post and lintel assembly. The second wall layers of each of the plurality of walls combine to form a second post and lintel assembly distinct from the first post and lintel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: DELAWARE NATIONAL ART COMPANY, LLC.
    Inventors: Justin Cary Goldner, Michael Stephen Brand
  • Patent number: 11860707
    Abstract: A system and method for managing energy consumption of one or more processor cores in a multicore processing device. The method includes translating each activity level of the one or more processor cores to a respective charge value. The method also includes generating, at least partially subject to each translated charge value, one or more charge replenishment requests associated with the one or more processor cores. The method further includes transmitting the one or more charge replenishment requests to a pending queue prior to a delay queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Vanderpool, Gerald Mark Grabowski, Jeffrey A. Stuecheli, Michael Stephen Floyd, Matthew A. Cooke
  • Publication number: 20230417852
    Abstract: Techniques for removing artefacts, such as RF interference and/or noise, from magnetic resonance data. The techniques include: obtaining input magnetic resonance (MR) data using at least one radio-frequency (RF) coil of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system; and generating an MR image from input MR data at least in part by using a neural network model to suppress at least one artefact in the input MR data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: Hyperfine Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Carole LAZARUS, Prantik KUNDU, Sunli TANG, Seyed Sadegh Mohseni SALEHI, Michal SOFKA, Jo SCHLEMPER, Hadrien A. DYVORNE, Rafael O'HALLORAN, Laura SACOLICK, Michael Stephen POOLE, Jonathan M. ROTHBERG
  • Patent number: 11854366
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a leak monitoring system and associated method which is being configured to detect plumes of volatile organic compounds (VOC) as an alternative solution to the EPA Method 21, which measures VOC concentrations at the surface of each component. The leak monitoring system is a multi-layered system that includes monitoring performed by sensors that are fixed in place and sensors that are mobile. Each monitoring method is a layer and it complements and augments other layers. All the sensors wirelessly communicate with a central control through a gateway. The control unit further includes a software platform, which analyzes the data provided by the sensors in combination with other informetrics such as meteorological conditions and plant info to both identify the presence of a gas leak and to pinpoint a general location of the gas leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventors: Eben Daniel Thoma, Deborah Lynn Preschler, Roger John Hilarides, Debra Jean Cartwright, Michael Stephen Clausewitz, Barry William Kelley, David Randall Massner, Wenfeng Peng, Marko Frank Spiegel
  • Patent number: 11850075
    Abstract: Aspects relate to providing radio frequency components responsive to magnetic resonance signals. According to some aspects, a radio frequency component comprises at least one coil having a conductor arranged in a plurality of turns oriented about a region of interest to respond to corresponding magnetic resonant signal components. According to some aspects, the radio frequency component comprises a plurality of coils oriented to respond to corresponding magnetic resonant signal components. According to some aspects, an optimization is used to determine a configuration for at least one radio frequency coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Hyperfine Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Poole, Gregory L. Charvat, Todd Rearick, Jonathan M. Rothberg
  • Publication number: 20230400291
    Abstract: In some implementations, one or more devices may determine an electrical property of a wear measuring component of a sensor device, the sensor device being provided in a first cavity of a track link pin of a track assembly of the machine, the wear measuring component extending from the first cavity through a second cavity of the track link pin to an outer surface of the track link pin. The one or more devices may determine a length of the wear measuring component based on the electrical property. The one or more devices may generate sensor data indicating an amount of wear of the outer surface based on the length of the wear measuring component. The one or more devices may provide the sensor data to a controller of the machine to cause the controller to provide a notification regarding the amount of wear of the outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Stephen GALAT, Temitope O. AKINLUA
  • Publication number: 20230398749
    Abstract: A three-dimensional component is produced in a simplified molding operation. Expandable substrates, which are referred to as blanks, are created by compressing thermobonded nonwovens after heating the binder material above its melting temperature, and then cooling the compressed nonwovens so that the binder material hardens and holds the fibers of the nonwoven together in a compressed configuration with stored kinetic energy. Boards can be formed by laminating two or more blanks together and/or by laminating the blanks with other materials, including non-expendable materials. A mold for the component to be manufactured can be partially filled with a number of boards (or blanks) in a stacked, vertically, adjacent or even random orientation. In addition, the boards or blanks may be cut to create desired shapes of parts that can be placed in the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Andy HOLLIS, Michael Stephen DEFRANKS, Eric MCCANN, Mehran JAFARI, Helias ANDRIESSEN, Sang-hoon LIM, Andrea PIANA, Alfio BORGATTI
  • Publication number: 20230398421
    Abstract: A mobile molding system, comprising a vehicle and one or more molds arranged on the vehicle configured for receiving one or more expandable nonwoven substrates, heating said one or more expandable nonwoven substrates so as to cause said one or more expandable nonwoven substrates to expand and fill the one or more molds with one or more expanded nonwoven containing articles of three dimensional shape, and releasing said one or more expanded nonwoven containing articles of three dimensional shape from the one or more molds is provided. Methods for manufacturing three dimensional objects using the mobile molding system are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Andrea PIANA, Michael Stephen DEFRANKS, Eric MCCANN, Andy HOLLIS, Sang-hoon LIM, Mehran JAFARI
  • Patent number: 11841408
    Abstract: According to some aspects, a portable magnetic resonance imaging system is provided, comprising a B0 magnet configured to produce a B0 magnetic field for an imaging region of the magnetic resonance imaging system, a noise reduction system configured to detect and suppress at least some electromagnetic noise in an operating environment of the portable magnetic resonance imaging system, and electromagnetic shielding provided to attenuate at least some of the electromagnetic noise in the operating environment of the portable magnetic resonance imaging system, the electromagnetic shielding arranged to shield a fraction of the imaging region of the portable magnetic resonance imaging system. According to some aspects, the electromagnetic shield comprises at least one electromagnetic shield structure adjustably coupled to the housing to provide electromagnetic shielding for the imaging region in an amount that can be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Hyperfine Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Poole, Cedric Hugon, Hadrien A. Dyvorne, Laura Sacolick, William J. Mileski, Jeremy Christopher Jordan, Alan B. Katze, Jr., Jonathan M. Rothberg, Todd Rearick, Christopher Thomas McNulty
  • Publication number: 20230390930
    Abstract: An inspection robot includes a robot body, at least two sensors, a drive module, a stability assist device and an actuator. The at least two sensors are positioned to interrogate an inspection surface and are communicatively coupled to the robot body. The drive module includes at least two wheels that engage the inspection surface. The drive module is coupled to the robot body. The stability assist device is coupled to at least one of the robot body or the drive module. The actuator is coupled to the stability assist device at a first end, and coupled to one of the drive module or the robot body at a second end. The actuator is structured to selectively move the stability assist device between a first position and a second position. The first position includes a stored position. The second position includes a deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Mark J. Loosararian, Michael A. Binger, Edward A. Bryner, Edwin H. Cho, Mark Cho, Alexander R. Cuti, Ignacio J. Cordova, Benjamin A. Guise, Dillon R. Jourde, Kevin Y. Low, Logan A. MacKenzie, Joshua D. Moore, Jeffrey J. Mrkonich, William J. Pridgen, Domenic P. Rodriguez, Francesco H. Trogu, Alex C. Watt, Yizhu Gu, Ian Miller, Todd Joslin, Katherine Virginia Denner, Michael Stephen Auda, Samuel Theodore Westenberg
  • Patent number: 11826628
    Abstract: Virtual and augmented reality sports training environments are disclosed. A user interacts with virtual players in a simulated environment of a virtual reality sporting event. In some embodiments, the user's actions and decisions are monitored by the simulated environment. The environment evaluates the user's performance, and provides performance feedback based on the user's decisions and timing. In one application, real life pitchers and their pitching data are tracked and replicated in a simulated pitching environment. A team of users may practice against a simulation of a pitcher they are about to compete against, swinging at pitches that they would see in a real game. Such environments may maximize effective practice time for users, and help develop better players with improved decision-making skills. Some embodiments include various pitch recognition training, which may be against replicated real-life pitchers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: WIN REALITY, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher O'Dowd, Michael Stephens, Kodi Tapie, Nicholas Kippes, Daniel O'Dowd, Garrett Beatty
  • Patent number: 11824991
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a secure transaction. In an embodiment, users register biometric and/or other identifying user information. A private encryption key is generated from the biometric information and/or other user information and/or information obtained from a unpredictable physical process and are stored in a secure area of a device and a public key is transmitted to the blockchain network which acts as a service provider. In some embodiments, the execution and integrity of transactions by using transaction signatures, based on visual images is disclosed. In an embodiment, a blockchain network verifies and executes the transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Biogy, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Stephen Fiske
  • Publication number: 20230366959
    Abstract: A method of producing a permanent magnet shim configured to improve a profile of a B0 magnetic field produced by a B0 magnet is provided. The method comprises determining deviation of the B0 magnetic field from a desired B0 magnetic field, determining a magnetic pattern that, when applied to magnetic material, produces a corrective magnetic field that corrects for at least some of the determined deviation, and applying the magnetic pattern to the magnetic material to produce the permanent magnet shim. According to some aspects, a permanent magnet shim for improving a profile of a B0 magnetic field produced by a B0 magnet is provided. The permanent magnet shim comprises magnetic material having a predetermined magnetic pattern applied thereto that produces a corrective magnetic field to improve the profile of the B0 magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Hyperfine Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Cedric Hugon, Michael Stephen Poole, Tyler S. Ralston
  • Patent number: 11818261
    Abstract: This invention pertains to protecting communications between multiple sensors and emitters or securing data transmission between multiple computers or multiple vehicles. This invention provides a secure method for two or more parties to communicate privately, even when the processor has malicious malware or there is a backdoor in the main processor. In some embodiments, the energy received by the sensor is encrypted before it undergoes an analog to digital conversion. In some embodiments, the encryption occurs inside the sensor. In some embodiments, the encryption hardware is a part of the sensor and creates unpredictable energy changes that interact with the sensor. In some embodiments, there are less than 40 sensors in a communication system and in other embodiments there are more than 1 billion sensors. In some embodiments, the invention provides a method for the sensors of a network of self-driving cars to communicate securely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Fiske Software, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Stephen Fiske
  • Publication number: 20230359764
    Abstract: Methods and systems described herein authenticate a user and help secure transaction. A display screen presents images that are difficult for malware to recognize but a person can recognize. In at least one embodiment, a person communicates transaction information using visual images received from the service provider system. In at least one embodiment, a user selects a sequence of visual images as a means of authenticating the user and logging into a financial account or other corporate account. In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided for determining whether to grant access, by generating and displaying visual images on a screen that the user can recognize, and select. In an embodiment, a user presses his or her finger or fingers on a display screen to select images as a method for authenticating and protecting communication from malware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Stephen Fiske
  • Publication number: 20230358833
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a B0 magnetic field for a magnetic resonance imaging system. The apparatus includes at least one first B0 magnet configured to produce a first magnetic field to contribute to the B0 magnetic field for the magnetic resonance imaging system, the at least one first B0 magnet comprising a first plurality of permanent magnet rings including at least two rings with respective different heights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Hyperfine Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Poole, Cedric Hugon, Christopher Thomas McNulty
  • Publication number: 20230358832
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) coil apparatus is described herein for facilitating imaging of a patient positioned within a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the MRI system comprising a B0 magnet. The apparatus may comprise a frame comprising a first plate and a second plate disposed opposite the first plate; and an RF transmit coil comprising a plurality of conductors connected in series, the plurality of conductors being would around the frame and forming a plurality of turns. According to some aspects, there is provided an MRI system configured to image a patient positioned within the MRI system, the MRI system comprises a B0 magnet that produces a B0 magnetic field and the RF coil apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Hyperfine Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Eddy B. Boskamp, Michael Stephen Poole
  • Patent number: 11789104
    Abstract: Techniques for removing artefacts, such as RF interference and/or noise, from magnetic resonance data. The techniques include: obtaining input magnetic resonance (MR) data using at least one radio-frequency (RF) coil of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system; and generating an MR image from input MR data at least in part by using a neural network model to suppress at least one artefact in the input MR data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Hyperfine Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Carole Lazarus, Prantik Kundu, Sunli Tang, Seyed Sadegh Mohseni Salehi, Michal Sofka, Jo Schlemper, Hadrien A. Dyvorne, Rafael O'Halloran, Laura Sacolick, Michael Stephen Poole, Jonathan M. Rothberg
  • Publication number: 20230324482
    Abstract: An assembly for providing a B0 magnetic field for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the assembly comprising: a plurality of rods extending along a common longitudinal direction and positioned to form a bore extending along the common longitudinal direction, the plurality of rods including a first rod, the first rod comprising: ferromagnetic segments, each having a net magnetization in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the common longitudinal direction; and non-ferromagnetic segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Hyperfine Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Cedric Hugon, Michael Stephen Poole