Patents by Inventor Michael J. Schaffer

Michael J. Schaffer 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: 20240146982
    Abstract: A method and system provide the ability to deliver media content. A packager receives an original encrypted transport stream, and segments the stream into multiple fixed-duration transport stream files (chunks). The packager further generates a manifest file that describes the chunks and is consistent with a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) live streaming (HLS) protocol. The manifest file and chunks are delivered to a content delivery network (CDN). An enhanced HLS client is embed in an integrated receiver decoder (IRD). The enhanced HLS client retrieves the manifest file and the chunks from the CDN, and reconstructs the original encrypted transport stream for use by a service provider network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Erik J. Elstermann, Todd T. Kassman, Michael A. Casteloes, Mark L. Schaffer, John R. Shumate, Robert L. Seymour
  • Patent number: 11448497
    Abstract: An example system includes two objects each having a known dimension and positioned spaced apart by a known distance, and a fixture having an opening for receiving an imaging device and for holding the two objects in a field of view of the imaging device such that the field of view of the imaging device originates from a point normal to a surface of the base. The fixture holds the imaging device at a fixed distance from an object being imaged and controls an amount of incident light on the imaging device. An example method of determining image scaling includes holding an imaging device at a fixed distance from an object being imaged, and positioning the two objects in the field of view of the imaging device such that the field of view of the imaging device originates from a point normal to a line formed by the known distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Hong H. Tat, Brian T. Miller, Jason Wu, Christina I. Fraij, Michael J. Schaffer, Kerth J. Downs, Grant C. Zenkner, Wayne A. Berry
  • Patent number: 11170468
    Abstract: An example system includes a base, two objects each having a known dimension and positioned on the base spaced apart by a known distance, an imaging device positioned such that the two objects are in a field of view of the imaging device and such that the field of view of the imaging device originates from a point normal to a surface of the base, and a computing device having one or more processors and non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to perform functions. The functions include receiving an image from the imaging device capturing the two objects in the field of view, and based on one or more of the known dimension of the two objects and the known distance between the two objects, determining an image scaling factor that associates a number of pixels in the image to a physical distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Hong H. Tat, Brian T. Miller, Jason Wu, Christina I. Fraij, Michael J. Schaffer
  • Publication number: 20210192682
    Abstract: An example system includes a base, two objects each having a known dimension and positioned on the base spaced apart by a known distance, an imaging device positioned such that the two objects are in a field of view of the imaging device and such that the field of view of the imaging device originates from a point normal to a surface of the base, and a computing device having one or more processors and non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to perform functions. The functions include receiving an image from the imaging device capturing the two objects in the field of view, and based on one or more of the known dimension of the two objects and the known distance between the two objects, determining an image scaling factor that associates a number of pixels in the image to a physical distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Hong H. Tat, Brian T. Miller, Jason Wu, Christina I. Fraij, Michael J. Schaffer
  • Publication number: 20210190489
    Abstract: An example system includes two objects each having a known dimension and positioned spaced apart by a known distance, and a fixture having an opening for receiving an imaging device and for holding the two objects in a field of view of the imaging device such that the field of view of the imaging device originates from a point normal to a surface of the base. The fixture holds the imaging device at a fixed distance from an object being imaged and controls an amount of incident light on the imaging device. An example method of determining image scaling includes holding an imaging device at a fixed distance from an object being imaged, and positioning the two objects in the field of view of the imaging device such that the field of view of the imaging device originates from a point normal to a line formed by the known distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Hong H. Tat, Brian T. Miller, Jason Wu, Christina I. Fraij, Michael J. Schaffer, Kerth J. Downs, Grant C. Zenkner, Wayne A. Berry
  • Patent number: 9696263
    Abstract: A borescope calibration device is provided that includes a base having a planar surface and a plurality of reference surfaces on a side of the base opposing the planar surface, each of the plurality of reference surfaces having a height that decreases along a length of the base, a fixture that positions an optical head along a reference line that is parallel to the planar surface and providing a fixed distance between the reference surfaces and the optical head, the fixture being movable along a length of the base, and a target pattern formed on each of the reference surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Michael J. Schaffer
  • Publication number: 20170122879
    Abstract: A borescope calibration device is provided that includes a base having a planar surface and a plurality of reference surfaces on a side of the base opposing the planar surface, each of the plurality of reference surfaces having a height that decreases along a length of the base, a fixture that positions an optical head along a reference line that is parallel to the planar surface and providing a fixed distance between the reference surfaces and the optical head, the fixture being movable along a length of the base, and a target pattern formed on each of the reference surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventor: Michael J. SCHAFFER
  • Patent number: 7656682
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) reduction device may include a circuit and at least one heatsink. The circuit may include analog devices coupled to reduce EMI signals received by the heatsink. The devices may be specifically adapted to substantially invert or phase-shift by 180° the EMI signals received by the heatsink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Schaffer
  • Patent number: 7315459
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) reduction device may include a circuit and at least one heatsink. The circuit may include analog devices coupled to reduce EMI signals received by the heatsink. The devices may be specifically adapted to substantially invert or phase-shift by 180° the EMI signals received by the heatsink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Schaffer
  • Patent number: 7277057
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, the antenna is punched out and formed from a front surface of a chassis. The antenna may be connected to a wireless device by a coaxial cable. The center conductor of the coaxial cable may be coupled to the feed point of the antenna and the shield of the coaxial cable may be terminated at the front edge of the chassis to reduce radio frequency radiation from the coaxial shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Schaffer
  • Patent number: 6819572
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) reduction device may include a circuit and at least one heatsink. The circuit may include analog devices coupled to reduce EMI signals received by the heatsink. The devices may be specifically adapted to substantially invert or phase-shift by 180° the EMI signals received by the heatsink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Schaffer
  • Publication number: 20030151906
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) reduction device may include a circuit and at least one heatsink. The circuit may include analog devices coupled to reduce EMI signals received by the heatsink. The devices may be specifically adapted to substantially invert or phase-shift by 180° the EMI signals received by the heatsink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Michael J. Schaffer
  • Publication number: 20030076266
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, the antenna is punched out and formed from a front surface of a chassis. The antenna may be connected to a wireless device by a coaxial cable. The center conductor of the coaxial cable may be coupled to the feed point of the antenna and the shield of the coaxial cable may be terminated at the front edge of the chassis to reduce radio frequency radiation from the coaxial shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Michael J. Schaffer
  • Patent number: 5353314
    Abstract: An electric field plasma pump includes a toroidal ring bias electrode (56) positioned near the divertor strike point of a poloidal divertor of a tokamak (20), or similar plasma-confining apparatus. For optimum plasma pumping, the separatrix (40) of the poloidal divertor contacts the ring electrode (56), which then also acts as a divertor plate. A plenum (54) or other duct near the electrode (56) includes an entrance aperture open to receive electrically-driven plasma. The electrode (56) is insulated laterally with insulators (63,64), one of which (64) is positioned opposite the electrode at the entrance aperture. An electric field E is established between the ring electrode (56) and a vacuum vessel wall (22), with the polarity of the bias applied to the electrode being relative to the vessel wall selected such that the resultant electric field E interacts with the magnetic field B already existing in the tokamak to create an E.times.B/B.sup.2 drift velocity that drives plasma into the entrance aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Michael J. Schaffer
  • Patent number: 4924715
    Abstract: A contract sensing system is provided for a coordinate measuring machine which is manually operated. The system provides a control over the level of the sensing force of a work piece against a probe of the machine. The system also provides an instantaneous signal corresponding to the initial contact of the contacting force for avoiding displacement of the probe whereby the accuracy of the measurement is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Nawsir Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Schaffer
  • Patent number: 4922307
    Abstract: This invention provides apparatus and method to increase the direct measurement accuracy of a rotary encoder type of micrometer 10. To overcome a maximum measurement accuracy of 100 microinches there is provided a laser displacement meter which includes a laser head 24 which is coupled to a micrometer bed 12 by a pair of of clamps 26a and 26b and by a magnetic plate 28. Laser head 24 has an output display 30 associated therewith for indicating the magnitude of the measurement made by the laser head 24. Laser head 24 is operable for providing an output chirped laser beam 32 and for receiving a reflected output beam 34. A corner cube reflector 36 is mounted by an arm 38 to a headstock spindle 18. The reflected return beam is detected and processed by a phase demodulator and converted into pulses. The pulses are counted and converted to distance and displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Schaffer
  • Patent number: 4780961
    Abstract: A probe assembly has a housing connected to the head of a coordinate measuring machine, a carrier movably connected to the housing, and a piezoelectric crystal mounted on the carrier. A stylus is mounted on the carrier. An electronic circuit receives signals from the crystal and, at an adjustable threshold value, the circuit provides output signals which are greater than and substantially simultaneous with signals from the crystal. A timer maintains the output signal for a time interval after the signal is produced by the crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Inventors: Russell S. Shelton, Michael J. Schaffer
  • Patent number: 4734247
    Abstract: A magnetically confined helical z-pinch plasma is formed as a helicoid having an approximately D-shaped cross section, thereby generating a large transform of magnetic field line pitch suitably distributed throughout the plasma volume to aid in the reversal of field lines in the axial direction and increase magnetic shear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: GA Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Schaffer
  • Patent number: 4615860
    Abstract: A tokamak apparatus includes an electrically conductive metal pressure vessel for defining a chamber and confining liquid therein. A liner disposed within said chamber defines a toroidal space within the liner and confines gas therein. The metal vessel provides an electrically conductive path linking the toroidal space. Liquid metal is forced outwardly through the chamber outside of the toroidal space to generate electric current in the conductive path and thereby generate a toroidal magnetic field within the toroidal space. Toroidal plasma is developed within the toroidal space about the major axis thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Michael J. Schaffer
  • Patent number: D275537
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Simmons Universal Corporation
    Inventors: Merlin A. Brunner, Harvey J. Draheim, Michael J. Schaffer