Patents by Inventor Michael Smyth

Michael Smyth 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: 20250146696
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an occupancy of a room. The method comprises receiving, from a first door sensor associated with a door of the room, sensor readings indicative of an opening operation of the door. The method comprises determining, based on the sensor readings of the first door sensor, the occupancy status of the room to be a positive status. The method comprises receiving, from a second door sensor, sensor readings indicative of a closing and/or locking operation of the door. The method comprises determining whether the closing and/or locking operation has been performed. The method comprises upon determining that the closing and/or locking operation has been performed, validating the occupancy status of the room to be the positive status; and upon determining that the closing and/or locking operation has not been performed, triggering a supplemental detection process to detect the occupancy of the room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2024
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: MICHAEL SMYTH, ADAM HENDRICKS, BENJAMIN BAKER, DOUGLAS LYNN, MICHAEL FINCH
  • Publication number: 20240418592
    Abstract: A system to detect movement of doors associated with an area of interest (AOI) is disclosed. The system comprises a pressure sensor positioned at a predefined position within the AOI, wherein the pressure sensor is operable to monitor air pressure within the AOI, and a processing device in communication with the pressure sensor. The processing device comprises one or more processors coupled to a memory storing instructions executable by the processors, and configured to monitor, using the pressure sensor, the air pressure within the AOI in real-time, detect and measure a change in the air pressure within the AOI based on the monitored air pressure, and detect opening or closing of one or more doors associated with the AOI based on the measured change in the air pressure within the AOI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Adam Hendricks, Benjamen Baker, Michael Smyth
  • Patent number: 9322580
    Abstract: A circuit assembly generally includes a circuit board and at least one electrical pathway configured to couple a thermoelectric module to the circuit board. The circuit board and the at least one electrical pathway form part of the thermoelectric module when the thermoelectric module is coupled to the circuit board via the at least one electrical pathway. The thermoelectric module, including the portion of the circuit board forming part of the thermoelectric module, defines a footprint that is smaller than a footprint of the circuit board. As such, the circuit board is capable of supporting electrical components on the circuit board in a position outside the footprint defined by the thermoelectric module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gerard Hershberger, Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe, Michael G. Sutsko
  • Patent number: 9222735
    Abstract: According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of thermally-conductive interface assemblies suitable for use in dissipating heat from one or more components of a memory module. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may generally include a flexible heat-spreading material having first and second sides and one or more perforations extending through the flexible heat-spreading material from the first side to the second side. The flexible heat-spreading material may be sandwiched between first and second layers of soft thermal interface material. A portion of the soft thermal interface material may be disposed within the one or more perforations. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may be positioned relative to one or more components of a memory module to provide a thermally-conductive heat path from the one or more components to the first layer of soft thermal interface material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe
  • Publication number: 20140374080
    Abstract: According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of thermally-conductive interface assemblies suitable for use in dissipating heat from one or more components of a memory module. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may generally include a flexible heat-spreading material having first and second sides and one or more perforations extending through the flexible heat-spreading material from the first side to the second side. The flexible heat-spreading material may be sandwiched between first and second layers of soft thermal interface material. A portion of the soft thermal interface material may be disposed within the one or more perforations. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may be positioned relative to one or more components of a memory module to provide a thermally-conductive heat path from the one or more components to the first layer of soft thermal interface material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe
  • Patent number: 8837151
    Abstract: According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of thermally-conductive interface assemblies suitable for use in dissipating heat from one or more components of a memory module. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may generally include a flexible heat-spreading material having first and second sides and one or more perforations extending through the flexible heat-spreading material from the first side to the second side. The flexible heat-spreading material may be sandwiched between first and second layers of soft thermal interface material. A portion of the soft thermal interface material may be disposed within the one or more perforations. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may be positioned relative to one or more components of a memory module to provide a thermally-conductive heat path from the one or more components to the first layer of soft thermal interface material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe
  • Publication number: 20140220292
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for user protection from blood splatter during blood tubing sealing. Systems and methods described herein utilize a blood splatter safety shield attached to a handheld blood tubing sealer, comprising one or more barriers, wherein at least one barrier runs substantially perpendicular to the handheld blood tubing sealer separating blood tubing being sealed from a user of the handheld blood tubing sealer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: New York Blood Center
    Inventor: Michael Smyth
  • Publication number: 20140150839
    Abstract: A circuit assembly generally includes a circuit board and at least one electrical pathway configured to couple a thermoelectric module to the circuit board. The circuit board and the at least one electrical pathway form part of the thermoelectric module when the thermoelectric module is coupled to the circuit board via the at least one electrical pathway. The thermoelectric module, including the portion of the circuit board forming part of the thermoelectric module, defines a footprint that is smaller than a footprint of the circuit board. As such, the circuit board is capable of supporting electrical components on the circuit board in a position outside the footprint defined by the thermoelectric module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gerard Hershberger, Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe, Michael G. Sutsko
  • Patent number: 8653990
    Abstract: A method and system for indicating a potential stall condition for an aircraft during flight. An alert lift coefficient is identified for the aircraft. The alert lift coefficient is adjusted in response to a number of changes in a current state of the aircraft. A set of thresholds is identified for use in generating an alert indicating that the aircraft has reached the potential stall condition using the alert lift coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Smyth, IV, Frank J. Lyman
  • Patent number: 8649179
    Abstract: A circuit assembly generally includes a circuit board and at least one electrical pathway configured to couple a thermoelectric module to the circuit board for use as a heat pump in the circuit assembly. The circuit board and the at least one electrical pathway form part of the thermoelectric module when the thermoelectric module is coupled to the circuit board via the at least one electrical pathway. The thermoelectric module, including the portion of the circuit board forming part of the thermoelectric module, defines a footprint that is smaller than a footprint of the circuit board. As such, the circuit board is capable of supporting electrical components on the circuit board in a position outside the footprint defined by the thermoelectric module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gerard Hershberger, Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe, Michael G. Sutsko
  • Publication number: 20130335243
    Abstract: A method and system for indicating a potential stall condition for an aircraft during flight. An alert lift coefficient is identified for the aircraft. The alert lift coefficient is adjusted in response to a number of changes in a current state of the aircraft. A set of thresholds is identified for use in generating an alert indicating that the aircraft has reached the potential stall condition using the alert lift coefficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Smyth, IV, Frank J. Lyman
  • Publication number: 20120201008
    Abstract: A circuit assembly generally includes a circuit board and at least one electrical pathway configured to couple a thermoelectric module to the circuit board for use as a heat pump in the circuit assembly. The circuit board and the at least one electrical pathway form part of the thermoelectric module when the thermoelectric module is coupled to the circuit board via the at least one electrical pathway. The thermoelectric module, including the portion of the circuit board forming part of the thermoelectric module, defines a footprint that is smaller than a footprint of the circuit board. As such, the circuit board is capable of supporting electrical components on the circuit board in a position outside the footprint defined by the thermoelectric module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: LAIRD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gerard Hershberger, Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe, Michael G. Sutsko
  • Publication number: 20120174956
    Abstract: An example thermoelectric module generally includes a first laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer, a second laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer, and thermoelectric elements disposed generally between the first and second laminates. At least one of the dielectric layers is a polymeric dielectric layer. The electrically conductive layers of the first and second laminates are at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the respective first and second laminates. The thermoelectric elements are coupled to the electrically conductive pads of the first and second laminates for electrically coupling the thermoelectric elements together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: LAIRD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Michael Smythe, Jeffrey Gerard Hershberger, Richard F. Hill
  • Patent number: 8193439
    Abstract: An example method for making thermoelectric modules generally includes coupling a first wafer and a second wafer together, processing the first and second wafers to produce a first thermoelectric element and a second thermoelectric element where the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element are coupled together, coupling the first thermoelectric element to a first conductor, coupling the second thermoelectric element to a second conductor, separating the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element, coupling the first thermoelectric element to a third conductor whereby the first thermoelectric element, the first conductor, and the third conductor form at least part of a thermoelectric module, and coupling the second thermoelectric element to a fourth conductor whereby the second thermoelectric element, the second conductor, and the fourth conductor form at least part of another thermoelectric module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Michael Smythe, Jeffrey Gerard Hershberger
  • Publication number: 20120087094
    Abstract: According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of thermally-conductive interface assemblies suitable for use in dissipating heat from one or more components of a memory module. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may generally include a flexible heat-spreading material having first and second sides and one or more perforations extending through the flexible heat-spreading material from the first side to the second side. The flexible heat-spreading material may be sandwiched between first and second layers of soft thermal interface material. A portion of the soft thermal interface material may be disposed within the one or more perforations. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may be positioned relative to one or more components of a memory module to provide a thermally-conductive heat path from the one or more components to the first layer of soft thermal interface material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe
  • Publication number: 20120061135
    Abstract: According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of EMI shielding, thermally-conductive interface assemblies. In various exemplary embodiments, an EMI shielding, thermally-conductive interface assembly includes a thermal interface material and a sheet of shielding material, such as an electrically-conductive fabric, mesh, foil, etc. The sheet of shielding material may be embedded within the thermal interface material and/or be sandwiched between first and second layers of thermal interface material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe
  • Publication number: 20110313370
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for user protection from blood splatter during blood tubing sealing. Systems and methods described herein utilize a blood splatter safety shield attached to a handheld blood tubing sealer, comprising one or more barriers, wherein at least one barrier runs substantially perpendicular to the handheld blood tubing sealer separating blood tubing being sealed from a user of the handheld blood tubing sealer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: New York Blood Center
    Inventor: Michael Smyth
  • Patent number: 8081468
    Abstract: According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of thermally-conductive interface assemblies suitable for use in dissipating heat from one or more components of a memory module. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may generally include a flexible heat-spreading material having first and second sides and one or more perforations extending through the flexible heat-spreading material from the first side to the second side. The flexible heat-spreading material may be sandwiched between first and second layers of soft thermal interface material. A portion of the soft thermal interface material may be disposed within the one or more perforations. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may be positioned relative to one or more components of a memory module to provide a thermally-conductive heat path from the one or more components to the first layer of soft thermal interface material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe
  • Publication number: 20110030754
    Abstract: An example thermoelectric module of the present disclosure generally includes a first laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer, a second laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer, and thermoelectric elements disposed generally between the first and second laminates. At least one of the dielectric layers is a polymeric dielectric layer. The electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the first laminate. The electrically conductive layer of the second laminate is at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the second laminate. The thermoelectric elements are coupled to the electrically conductive pads of the first and second laminates for electrically coupling the thermoelectric elements together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Michael Smythe, Jeffrey Gerard Hershberger, Richard F. Hill
  • Publication number: 20110000516
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an assembly includes one or more thermoelectric modules, a compliant thermal interface, and a heat spreader. The compliant thermal interface is configured such that it may substantially conform against and intimately thermally contact an outer surface of a fluid conduit. The heat spreader is disposed generally between and thermally coupled to the compliant thermal interface and the one or more thermoelectric modules. The heat spreader may have greater flexibility than the one or more thermoelectric modules. The heat spreader may also have a thermal conductivity greater than the compliant thermal interface. The assembly may have sufficient flexibility to be circumferentially wrapped at least partially around a portion of the fluid conduit's outer surface, with the compliant thermal interface in substantial conformance against and in intimate thermal contact with the fluid conduit's outer surface portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: LAIRD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gerard Hershberger, Richard F. Hill, Richard I. Roser, Robert Michael Smythe