Patents by Inventor Michael A. Thompson

Michael A. Thompson 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: 11068192
    Abstract: Aspects relate to techniques for using read-only volume replicas in a distributed computing environment to enable over-subscription on server performance. In order to provide a good customer experience, the I/O handling replicas of a volume are typically reserved at a high percentage of the customer's desired performance. A read-only replica of the volume does not serve user I/O, and can therefore be reserved at a much lower percentage of desired performance. Particularly, as the number of read-only replicas increases, the performance reservation can be lowered due to the statistical likelihood that the server(s) hosting at least one read-only replica will have sufficient performance to support the desired reads during new volume creation (even though that performance has not been fully reserved). Aspects relate to techniques for selecting among read-only replicas to serve reads during creation of a new volume copy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Magee Greenwood, James Michael Thompson, Igor A. Kostic
  • Patent number: 11062163
    Abstract: Techniques for binarization and extraction of information from image data are disclosed. The inventive concepts include independently binarizing portions of the image data on the basis of individual features, e.g. per connected component, and using multiple different binarization thresholds to obtain the best possible binarization result for each portion of the image data. Determining the quality of each binarization result may be based on attempted recognition and/or extraction of information therefrom. Independently binarized portions may be assembled into a contiguous result. In one embodiment, a method includes: identifying a region of interest within a digital image; generating a plurality of binarized images based on the region of interest using different binarization thresholds; subjecting the region of interest within a digital image to a plurality of thresholding and extraction iterations; and extracting data from some or all of the plurality of binarized images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: KOFAX, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Thrasher, Alexander Shustorovich, Stephen Michael Thompson, Jan W. Amtrup, Anthony Macciola
  • Patent number: 11054914
    Abstract: A tablet computer is provided, which includes a sensor section operable to detect positional input by a human operator and output a positional input signal; a display, laid over the sensor section, operable to receive and display a video signal; and a processor, coupled to a memory storing programs for running an operating system (OS) and executing software loaded to the memory, the processor being operable to receive and process the positional input signal from the sensor section and to output a video signal of the OS and the software to the display. The tablet computer further includes a sensor signal filter capable of selectively communicating the positional input signal from the sensor section to the processor, to a separate external processor, or to neither the processor nor the separate external processor; and a display switch capable of coupling the display to the processor or to the separate external processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Konrad Pollmann, Michael Thompson
  • Publication number: 20210199051
    Abstract: An annular fluid flow control or metering device comprises: first and second annular plates disposed in an annular flow path, the first annular plate and second annular plates being made of different first and second materials, the first annular plate having a lower first coefficient of thermal expansion than a second coefficient of thermal expansion of the second annular plate, the first annular plate abutting or in contact with the second annular plate, the first annular plate including at least one first metering aperture, and the second annular plate being more thermally responsive than the first annular plate wherein the second annular plate being configured to radially grow and shrink to at least partly obstruct the at least one first metering aperture for metering or controlling a flow of fluid through the at least one first metering aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Craig Alan Gonyou, Robert Proctor, Christopher Michael Thompson, Scott Alan Schimmels, Steven Douglas Johnson
  • Patent number: 11026426
    Abstract: Compounds of formula I and II are described. In formulae I and II, X is —NH— or —S— and Y is —CH? or —N?. In formula I, Z is C1-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 alkenylene, C6-C10 arylene, or C3-C6 cycloalkylene, or Z is absent. In formula I, R is hydrogen, halogen, —OH, —NO2, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C6-C10aryl, —O(C1-C6 alkyl), or —O(C6-C10 aryl), wherein each hydrogen atom in C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C6-C10 aryl, —O(C1-C6 alkyl), and —O(C6-C10 aryl) is independently optionally substituted by halogen, —OH, or —NO2. In formula II, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, —OH, —NO2, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, or C6-C10 aryl, wherein each hydrogen atom in C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, and C6-C10 aryl is independently optionally substituted by halogen, —OH, or —NO2. Methods of inhibiting bacteria are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Northern Illinois Research Foundation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hagen, Michael Thompson, Jeremy R. Troxell, Brian E. Hartnett
  • Publication number: 20210153741
    Abstract: An apparatus to treat, inhibit, or prevent an eye condition in a patient can include a cover, sized and shaped to fit over an eye of a patient to define a cavity between the cover and an anterior surface of the eye when the cover is located over the patient eye. The apparatus can include a pressure source, in communication with the cavity, capable of applying non-ambient pressure in the cavity. The apparatus can include control circuitry, in communication with the pressure source, configured to vary non-ambient pressure applied to the cavity to affect a targeted pressure relationship between an indication of a first physiological pressure level and a second physiological pressure level associated with the eye of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: John Berdahl, George Tsai, Hal Walbrink, Vance Michael Thompson, Enrico Brambilla
  • Patent number: 10995432
    Abstract: Provided among other things is a safety glove for use on a hand with fingers with tear zones comprising: a seamless knitted liner (which can in embodiments substantially forms the glove) knitted throughout a safety zone with same yarn or mix of yarn, wherein one or more orthogonally knitted zones are knitted at a relatively low fabric density, wherein one or more orthogonally knitted zones are knitted at a relatively high fabric density, wherein the high and low density zones are configured to provide a four finger tear susceptibility of about 200 Newtons or less, wherein the safety zone includes the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Ansell Limited
    Inventors: Mathotarallage Amani Rasika Mathota, Eric Michael Thompson, James Hunter Moreland, James Patrick Thompson, Mario Emanuel Camargo Martinez, Chamila Jayasundara, Fathimathul Freena, Rathnaweera Patabendige Santhushta Rathnaweera
  • Publication number: 20210121327
    Abstract: Assemblies and methods for modifying an intraocular pressure of a patient's one or both eyes are disclosed. The assemblies and methods can be used to treat, inhibit, or prevent ocular conditions such as glaucoma, high intraocular pressure, optic disc edema, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, zero-gravity induced papilledema, and other optic pressure related conditions. An assembly can include a goggle including at least one cavity, a pump in fluid communication with the at least one cavity, and a control mechanism. The control mechanism can be operatively coupled to the pump and can maintain a target pressure or target pressure range in the at least one cavity, which, when the assembly is worn by a patient, is the area between a patient's eye(s) and wall surfaces of the goggle. Controlling the pressure over the outer surfaces of the patient's eye(s) can drive a desired change in the intraocular pressure of the eye(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: John Berdahl, Richard Cornelius, Vance Michael Thompson
  • Publication number: 20210091240
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to single photon emission from an indirect band gap two-dimensional (2D) material through deterministic strain induced localization. At least some aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques for deterministically creating spatially localized defect single photon emission sites in the 750 nm to 800 nm regime using a tungsten diselenide (WSe2) film and ultra-sharp SiO2 tips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Thompson Pettes
  • Publication number: 20210068657
    Abstract: An apparatus for at least one of diagnosing or treating an eye condition can include a goggle enclosure, sized and shaped to be seated on an eye socket of an eye to provide one or more cavities within the enclosure that extend about an entire exposed anterior portion of the eye, a pump, in fluidic communication with the one or more cavities to apply a fluid pressure to the one or more cavities, the pump configured to adjust a fluid pressure within the one or more cavities of the goggle enclosure, and a control circuit, including a data interface to receive data directly or indirectly indicating at least one of an intraorbital pressure, ICP, IOP, or a relationship between ICP and IOP, and based on processing the received data as a feedback control variable, controlling the pump to adjust the fluid pressure within the one or more cavities, the controlling including using further monitoring of the received data to control the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: John Berdahl, George Tsai, Vance Michael Thompson
  • Patent number: 10940041
    Abstract: Assemblies and methods for modifying an intraocular pressure of a patient's one or both eyes are disclosed. The assemblies and methods can be used to treat, inhibit, or prevent ocular conditions such as glaucoma, high intraocular pressure, optic disc edema, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, zero-gravity induced papilledema, and other optic pressure related conditions. An assembly can include a goggle including at least one cavity, a pump in fluid communication with the at least one cavity, and a control mechanism. The control mechanism can be operatively coupled to the pump and can maintain a target pressure or target pressure range in the at least one cavity, which, when the assembly is worn by a patient, is the area between a patient's eye(s) and wall surfaces of the goggle. Controlling the pressure over the outer surfaces of the patient's eye(s) can drive a desired change in the intraocular pressure of the eye(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventors: John Berdahl, Richard Cornelius, Vance Michael Thompson
  • Patent number: 10921991
    Abstract: Notice of migration of a portion of a data volume from a first location to a second location is received by a first computer system from a second computer system, where the data volume is separated over a network from the first computer system. A third computer system, separated over a network from the first computer system, is caused to invalidate a mapping between the portion and the first location. An indication that the third computer system seeks access to the portion is identified. A third computer system is enabled, by providing a mapping between the portion and the second location, to access portion at the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Stephen Olson, Christopher Magee Greenwood, Anthony Nicholas Liguori, James Michael Thompson, Surya Prakash Dhoolam, Marc John Brooker, Danny Wei
  • Publication number: 20200397632
    Abstract: A self-propelled track drive module for an emergency stretcher, includes a left-side track drive unit and a right-side track drive unit. A frame, having a front end and a rear end, is disposed between the left-side track drive unit and the right-side track drive unit. The frame has a mounting structure for receiving an emergency stretcher and for releasably securing the emergency stretcher to the frame. The mounting structure is configured to support the emergency stretcher such that rolling wheels of the emergency stretcher do not contact a ground surface therebelow when the emergency stretcher is in a mounted condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Bradley Michael Thompson, Rodney Eugene Thompson, Jason Christopher Watt, James Robert Dodge, Julian Jan Oscroft
  • Patent number: 10870447
    Abstract: A brake system for providing tactile feedback in a vehicle steering system. The brake system includes an input shaft, and a rotor responsive to the shaft to rotate in response to input steering wheel inputs. A friction element imparts a base load to the rotor, and an electromagnetic coil imparts a variable load to the rotor. A housing of the brake system includes a fixed component and an intermediate component threaded together to set the base load. An adjustable component of the housing is threaded to the intermediate component to calibrate the variable load. The friction element is disposed between, and engages, both the rotor and the intermediate housing to impart the feedback loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Thompson, Eric A. Keen, Gary H. Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20200380643
    Abstract: Systems, computer program products, and techniques for detecting and/or reconstructing objects depicted in digital image data within a three-dimensional space are disclosed. The concepts utilize internal features for detection and reconstruction, avoiding reliance on information derived from location of edges. The inventive concepts provide an improvement over conventional techniques since objects may be detected and/or reconstructed even when edges are obscured or not depicted in the digital image data. In one aspect, detecting a document depicted in a digital image includes: detecting a plurality of identifying features of the document, wherein the plurality of identifying features are located internally with respect to the object; projecting a location of one or more edges of the document based at least in part on the plurality of identifying features; and outputting the projected location of the one or more edges of the document to a display of a computer, and/or a memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Jiyong Ma, Stephen Michael Thompson, Jan W. Amtrup
  • Patent number: 10842376
    Abstract: An apparatus for at least one of diagnosing or treating an eye condition can include a goggle enclosure, sized and shaped to be seated on an eye socket of an eye to provide one or more cavities within the enclosure that extend about an entire exposed anterior portion of the eye, a pump, in fluidic communication with the one or more cavities to apply a fluid pressure to the one or more cavities, the pump configured to adjust a fluid pressure within the one or more cavities of the goggle enclosure, and a control circuit, including a data interface to receive data directly or indirectly indicating at least one of an intraorbital pressure, ICP, IOP, or a relationship between ICP and IOP, and based on processing the received data as a feedback control variable, controlling the pump to adjust the fluid pressure within the one or more cavities, the controlling including using further monitoring of the received data to control the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Equinox Ophthalmic, Inc.
    Inventors: John Berdahl, George Tsai, Vance Michael Thompson
  • Publication number: 20200361700
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a stand for holding industrial consumables, and more specifically to a stand with sensors for detecting the presence or absence of industrial consumables fitted with identification tags and for wirelessly transmitting that information to a computer. Such a stand is used in such industries as construction and mining. In mining, the stand is for holding mining consumables, and more specifically is a stand comprising a wireless transmitter and one or more radio-frequency identification (RFID) readers capable of detecting mining consumables with RFID tags placed on the stand. The invention also relates to a method of monitoring industrial consumables using a stand with a wireless transmitter and at least one RFID reader wherein the industrial consumables have RFID tags, and the presence or absence of industrial consumables is relayed to a computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Craig Harder, Paul Weber, Michael Thompson
  • Patent number: 10830092
    Abstract: Rotor thrust balancing systems for turbomachines and methods of using the same are generally disclosed. For example, a rotor thrust balancing system for a turbomachine, wherein the turbomachine defines a centerline extending the length of the turbomachine. The system includes a rotating drive shaft, a thrust bearing, and a first waveguide sensor. The rotating drive shaft couples a turbine section and a compressor section of the turbomachine. The thrust bearing supports the rotating drive shaft of the turbomachine. The thrust bearing includes a plurality of ball bearings, an inner race coupled to the rotating drive shaft, and an outer race coupled to a fixed structure. The first waveguide sensor is coupled to the outer race at a first end of the waveguide sensor. The waveguide sensor communicates a vibrational frequency from the thrust bearing to a second end of the waveguide sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kyle Robert Snow, Andrew Michael Tompkins, Andrew Michael Watson, Philip Joseph Ogston, Christopher Michael Thompson
  • Patent number: 10817337
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for cloud-based access to quantum computing resources are disclosed. A classical computing instance is launched based at least in part on a request. The computing instance is launched by a control plane of a provider network. A quantum computing resource is accessible to the computing instance and is selected based at least in part on input from a user associated with the request. The quantum computing resource is implemented in the provider network and comprises a plurality of quantum bits. A quantum algorithm is run on the quantum computing resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Richardson, Marc John Brooker, James Michael Thompson
  • Patent number: D915473
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Thorsten Hagner, Benjamin Jordan, Aaron Ritter, Benjamin J. Mueller, Michael R. Gratton, Sebastian Himpel, Eric Keen, Michael Thompson, Mark DePoorter, Felix Nagelin, Nathan R. Demski, Dean Arden Boyce, Pradipkumar J. Tanpure