Patents by Inventor Michael Mills
Michael Mills 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: 8502584Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is directed to a circuit that includes an amplifier circuit disposed between an isolation link and a Schmitt trigger circuit to amplify a differential signal communicated over the isolation link and supply the amplified signal to the Schmitt trigger circuit. In turn, the Schmitt trigger circuit is coupled to the amplifier circuit to receive the differential signal and to supply a differential output signal corresponding to the differential signal communicated over the isolation link.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Silicon Laboratories IncInventors: Zhiwei Dong, Jing Li, Michael L. Duffy, Michael Mills
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Publication number: 20130145389Abstract: The systems and methods of the present invention provide for a number of improvements to the TV consumption process, including personalization, community viewing, shared presence and context, messaging, access to ratings and recommendations (including community reviews), alerts, etc. One method that the present invention provides allows for the indication of a given user's context to be provided to other users, such as users in the given user's social network. The method comprises generating an indication of a change in context for a given user, the context comprising information regarding an action of the given user. The indication of the change in context for the given user is propagated to one or more users in the social network for the given user. The indication of the change in context of the given user is presented to users in the given user's social network in conjunction with TV content.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2013Publication date: June 6, 2013Inventors: Ronald Jacoby, Michael Mills
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Patent number: 8402506Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to implement a number of improvements to the consumption process for television (and other services), including personalization, community viewing, shared presence and context, messaging, access to ratings and recommendations (including community reviews), alerts, etc. A content distribution server manages the delivery of television, messaging, on demand audio or video, online gaming, and other entertainment and information services to a plurality of client devices (e.g., televisions, personal computers, enhanced telephones, etc.). The server components include a television application component, messaging component, and application components that integrate the various services to deliver, for example, enhanced television, which includes television broadcast enhanced with messaging services, Internet access, informational alerts, and/or the like.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2006Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.Inventors: Michael Mills, Philip Mckay, Michael Hoch, Kumiko Tanaka Toft, Rod Perkins
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Patent number: 8381240Abstract: The systems and methods of the present invention provide for a number of improvements to the TV consumption process, including personalization, community viewing, shared presence and context, messaging, access to ratings and recommendations (including community reviews), alerts, etc. One method that the present invention provides allows for the indication of a given user's context to be provided to other users, such as users in the given user's social network. The method comprises generating an indication of a change in context for a given user, the context comprising information regarding an action of the given user. The indication of the change in context for the given user is propagated to one or more users in the social network for the given user. The indication of the change in context of the given user is presented to users in the given user's social network in conjunction with TV content.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Inventors: Ronald Jacoby, Michael Mills
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Patent number: 8344547Abstract: A system and method for operating a photovoltaic element at or near a maximum power point. A maximum power point tracker changes a voltage or current set point of a photovoltaic element in sequential discrete steps, measuring an output power at each step after a predetermined settling time. A slope of a power-voltage curve is then estimated and the slope is corrected for irradiance changes. Finally, an operating voltage or current of the photovoltaic element is adjusted based on the slope of the power-voltage curve and other factors, causing the photovoltaic element to operate at or near its maximum power.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2011Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.Inventors: John M. Fife, Michael A. Mills-Price, Steven G. Hummel
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Publication number: 20120330791Abstract: The present invention employs branded virtual characters across multiple network platforms throughout various stages of complex transactions (eg, selling insurance). These characters initially engage prospective customers on a network platform, such as a social network, and persist over time across other network platforms (eg, university and company websites) to educate consumers until they are ready to purchase—e.g., from their “trusted advisor”—particular products and services offered by various providers. An extensible configuration tool (“Config Tool”) is provided to simplify the continued development of such a system, as well as customization of individual Product Modules (e.g., a Life Insurance Module) by product and service providers (e.g., insurance companies and employers) and other third-party developers (before and during runtime).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: Trustnode, Inc.Inventors: Peter Stevenson, Kevin C. Dunn, Michael Mills, Michael Hoch, Roger Bradley-Jungemann
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Publication number: 20120315973Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide systems and methods for facilitating a recurring series of distinct drawings (e.g., lottery, sweepstakes, raffles, etc.), for a prize or a variety of prizes (e.g., from one source or a variety of sources), over an extended period of time, or for an open-ended period of time. In addition, a user can enter the recurring series of drawings through a single registration (e.g., entry into a drawing database). The entrant will be continuously entered into the series of recurring drawings until the entrant is removed from the database, e.g., opts out of the system. In one embodiment, preferences and attributes can be determined for each entrant and these preferences and attributes can be used to enter the entrant into a customized series of recurring drawings.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: WEEKLY TAP LLCInventors: Michael Mills, Vinny Grosso
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Publication number: 20120272913Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a first milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system also includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the first milking box stall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher. The system also includes a second milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The second milking box stall is located adjacent to the equipment portion. The robotic attacher is configured to service both the first milking box stall and the second milking box stall by extending between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within either stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.Inventors: Henk Hofman, Cor de Ruijter, Menno Koekoek, Michael A. Mills, Peter Willem van der Sluis
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Patent number: 8296098Abstract: A metrological instrument determines a surface profile or form of a surface (61) of a workpiece (60) by effecting relative movement between a probe (11, 12) and the surface (61) so that the probe follows and is displaced by changes in the surface topography. A measure of the displacement of the probe as it follows the surface is obtained by a displacement provider which may be an interferometric gauge (35). Instead of making a measurement along a single measurement path over the surface (61), respective measurements are made on sections (61d and 61e or 61g and 61h) of that measurement path to obtain corresponding measurement data sets and these measurement data sets are independently positioned or aligned to a reference data set. The reference data set may be obtained by a measurement made on another section (61c) of the measurement path (61), on another measurement path (61f) over another surface (62a and 62b) of the component or on another measurement path over a surface on which the component is located.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Taylor Hobson LimitedInventor: Michael Mills
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Publication number: 20120265645Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods employing branded virtual characters across multiple network platforms throughout various stages of complex transactions (eg, selling insurance). These characters initially engage prospective customers on a network platform, such as a social network, and persist over time across other network platforms (eg, university and company websites) to educate consumers until they are ready to purchase—from their “trusted advisor”—particular products and services offered by various providers. Even after completing transactions, these characters continue to provide various services, such as notifying a customer whose circumstances have changed of a relevant product or service, while remaining available to answer questions and provide information upon demand.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: TRUSTNODE, INC.Inventors: Peter W. STEVENSON, Kevin C. DUNN, Michael MILLS
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Publication number: 20120262527Abstract: Enhanced media transport systems and structures are provided for printing environments. Enhanced vacuum table structures and associated methods may also be implemented for a variety of printer systems. Enhanced rail systems and associated carriage structures may preferably be used within a variety of printing environments, such as for but not limited to grand scale printers. Water-based binary epoxy ink compositions and associated processes provide adhesion and material compatibility that exceeds that of currently available UV curable products, while providing ultra-low volatile organic carbon (VOCs), and no hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). An integrated system and method for identification of consumables through a central database may also be implemented within different printing systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Inventors: Michael Mills, Joe Byrne, Stephen Mills
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Publication number: 20120144885Abstract: A cable alarm system is provided that includes: a lock; a temper proof fiber optic cable coupled to the lock and operative to conduct a light signal; an LED and a light signal detector coupled to the fiber optic cable and operative to detect light from the LED; a battery; a GPS system and a wireless transceiver. On detection of light signal interruption, the cable alarm system sends a wireless message containing GPS information.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Inventor: Ian Michael Mills
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Patent number: 8108795Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for visualizing information, e.g., information regarding a sporting event. The method may comprise identifying an event type and generating a plurality of buttons, the plurality of buttons arranged in a button hierarchy. A first level of the button hierarchy comprising one or more first level buttons is displayed with a lens further displayed on a given one of the one or more first level buttons, the lens operative to present first level data for the given first level button.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2007Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.Inventors: Roger Urrabazo, Kumiko T. Toft, Eric Lin, John La, Sushant Kumar, Eric Del Balso, Michael Mills, Manlio Armando Lo Conte
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Publication number: 20110316480Abstract: An electrical power generation system, such as a solar power inverter, can provide dynamic real-time power compensation, so as to mitigate the effects of voltage sags and swells (e.g., on a utility grid) and thereby provide voltage support functionality to a local grid. The electrical power generation system can do so by receiving first synchrophasor measurements that are taken at a point on the utility grid and transmitted to the electrical power generation system and by taking second synchrophasor measurements. The first and second synchrophasors indicate voltage magnitude and frequency of the alternating current (AC) at their respective measurement points. The electrical power generation system can compare the first synchrophasors with the second synchrophasors and based upon the comparison, vary the power factor of the power the electrical power generation system generates (e.g., by either supplying or absorbing reactive power).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Inventors: Michael A. Mills-Price, Michael Ropp
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Publication number: 20110282502Abstract: A system and method for operating a photovoltaic element at or near a maximum power point. A maximum power point tracker changes a voltage or current set point of a photovoltaic element in sequential discrete steps, measuring an output power at each step after a predetermined settling time. A slope of a power-voltage curve is then estimated and the slope is corrected for irradiance changes. Finally, an operating voltage or current of the photovoltaic element is adjusted based on the slope of the power-voltage curve and other factors, causing the photovoltaic element to operate at or near its maximum power.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Inventors: John M. Fife, Michael A. Mills-Price, Steven G. Hummel
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Patent number: 8060386Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods employing branded virtual characters across multiple network platforms throughout various stages of complex transactions (eg, selling insurance). These characters initially engage prospective customers on a network platform, such as a social network, and persist over time across other network platforms (eg, university and company websites) to educate consumers until they are ready to purchase—from their “trusted advisor”—particular products and services offered by various providers. Even after completing transactions, these characters continue to provide various services, such as notifying a customer whose circumstances have changed of a relevant product or service, while remaining available to answer questions and provide information upon demand.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Trustnode, Inc.Inventors: Peter W. Stevenson, Kevin C. Dunn, Michael Mills
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Publication number: 20110276334Abstract: Systems and methods of synchronizing media are provided. A client device may be used to capture a sample of a media stream being rendered by a media rendering source. The client device sends the sample to a position identification module to determine a time offset indicating a position in the media stream corresponding to the sampling time of the sample, and optionally a timescale ratio indicating a speed at which the media stream is being rendered by the media rendering source based on a reference speed of the media stream. The client device calculates a real-time offset using a present time, a timestamp of the media sample, the time offset, and optionally the timescale ratio. The client device then renders a second media stream at a position corresponding to the real-time offset to be in synchrony to the media stream being rendered by the media rendering source.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Inventors: Avery Li-Chun Wang, Rahul Powar, William Michael Mills, Christopher Jacques Penrose Barton, Philip Georges Inghelbrecht, Dheeraj Shankar Mukherjee
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Publication number: 20110276333Abstract: Systems and methods of synchronizing media are provided. A client device may be used to capture a sample of a media stream being rendered by a media rendering source. The client device sends the sample to a position identification module to determine a time offset indicating a position in the media stream corresponding to the sampling time of the sample, and optionally a timescale ratio indicating a speed at which the media stream is being rendered by the media rendering source based on a reference speed of the media stream. The client device calculates a real-time offset using a present time, a timestamp of the media sample, the time offset, and optionally the timescale ratio. The client device then renders a second media stream at a position corresponding to the real-time offset to be in synchrony to the media stream being rendered by the media rendering source.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Inventors: Avery Li-Chun Wang, Rahul Powar, William Michael Mills, Christopher Jacques Penrose Barton, Philip Georges Inghelbrecht, Dheeraj Shankar Mukherjee
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Patent number: 7991133Abstract: In one embodiment, a subscriber line interface circuit includes circuitry to generate metering pulses for insertion onto a subscriber line. The circuitry includes an audio path and a pulse metering path, where the pulse metering path includes a metering generator to generate a digital sine wave from a plurality of stored values, a first interpolator to interpolate the digital sine wave, a filter to filter the interpolated digital sine wave, and a second interpolator to interpolate the filtered interpolated digital sine wave.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2005Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Michael Mills, Marius Goldenberg, Yan Zhou, Jeffrey Whaley
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Patent number: 7960863Abstract: A system and method for operating a photovoltaic element at or near a maximum power point. A maximum power point tracker changes a voltage or current set point of a photovoltaic element in sequential discrete steps, measuring an output power at each step after a predetermined settling time. A slope of a power-voltage curve is then estimated and the slope is corrected for irradiance changes. Finally, an operating voltage or current of the photovoltaic element is adjusted based on the slope of the power-voltage curve and other factors, causing the photovoltaic element to operate at or near its maximum power.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: PV Powered, Inc.Inventors: John M. Fife, Michael A. Mills-Price, Steven G. Hummel