Patents by Inventor Michelle Smith

Michelle Smith 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: 12616176
    Abstract: The invention discloses a fish tank or aquarium filter assembly system that utilizes a plurality of stacked and compressed disc filters with a plurality of cross-sectional grooves for filtering debris in the fish tank, eliminates the need to use common fabrics such as socks as the filtering technique, and utilizes the pattern of grooves on the disc filters to be arranged in a pattern that filters debris in a more efficient manner than existing filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Inventors: Douglas Smith, MiChelle Smith
  • Publication number: 20250368917
    Abstract: Systems and methods to reduce pour point (PP) temperatures of fat-based compositions for use in transportation fuels. In one or more embodiments, methods and systems reduce the pour point of rendered fats using biologically-derived plant oils for effectively transporting the blended fat based compositions over long distances, thereby advantageously decreasing the heating and mixing requirements needed to maintain the compositional temperature above the pour point. In certain embodiments, the fat based composition comprises rendered animal fats, such as tallow in combination with distilled corn oil (DCO).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2025
    Publication date: December 4, 2025
    Applicant: Marathon Petroleum Company LP
    Inventors: Daniel Z. Short, Nathan R. Klaus, David G. Teschel, Paul J. Dofton, Justin L. Womeldorff, Michelle Smith, Peg Broughton, Caleb S. Litchfield
  • Publication number: 20250288304
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a physician controlled single hand operated handle system. The system includes a handle. The handle includes an actuator, a stem disposed within the actuator and longitudinally movable within the actuator, a sheath attached to the stem, and an elongate member extending through the sheath. The elongate member is longitudinally constrained by the actuator and rotatably constrained by the stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2024
    Publication date: September 18, 2025
    Inventors: Hunter Pelham, Michael J. Brecht, Meredith Lee, Dustin Mullins, Katarina McGarry, Michelle Smith, John Crowder Sigmon, Mikayla Lamb
  • Patent number: 12297403
    Abstract: Systems and methods to reduce pour point (PP) temperatures of fat-based compositions for use in transportation fuels. In one or more embodiments, methods and systems reduce the pour point of rendered fats using biologically-derived plant oils for effectively transporting the blended fat based compositions over long distances, thereby advantageously decreasing the heating and mixing requirements needed to maintain the compositional temperature above the pour point. In certain embodiments, the fat based composition comprises rendered animal fats, such as tallow in combination with distilled corn oil (DCO).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Marathon Petroleum Company LP
    Inventors: Daniel Z Short, Nathan R. Klaus, David G. Teschel, Paul J. Dofton, Justin L. Womeldorff, Michelle Smith, Peg Broughton, Caleb S. Litchfield
  • Patent number: 12168185
    Abstract: An amusement park attraction system including a ride vehicle comprising an input device, and a control system configured to determine a parameter value associated with a force imparted on the input device. The parameter value includes a value of the force imparted on the input device, a value of a deformation caused by the force imparted on the input device, or both. The control system is also configured to control movement of the ride vehicle of the amusement park attraction system based on the parameter value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Grace Catheryn Haynes, Michelle Smith, John David Smith, Neil Andrew Leiba, Doug Joseph
  • Publication number: 20240057566
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, a fish tank or aquarium filter assembly system that utilizes a plurality of stacked and compressed disc filters with a plurality of cross-sectional grooves for filtering debris in the fish tank. The exemplary embodiment in this invention offers an improvement over existing systems and methods for among others for eliminating the need to use common fabrics such as socks as the filtering technique, and utilizing the pattern of grooves on the disc filters to be arranged in a pattern that filters debris in a more efficient manner than existing filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Douglas Smith, Michelle SMITH
  • Publication number: 20240012471
    Abstract: A variable effect activation system includes one or more sensors that generate data. The data can be assessed to determine if the data is indicative of a valid input to an interactive effect. Valid inputs may be assessed based on a lenient or relatively non-stringent threshold to permit a wide variety of guest actions to be considered valid inputs. While many of these guest actions may not be recognized as part of preprogrammed interactions with an interactive environment, the system nonetheless assesses characteristics of these inputs to provide an appropriate response, e.g., via activation of an interactive effect in a manner that aligns with the characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Victor Lugo, William Wilson, Hannah Pogue, Jacob Edelen, Charles Babb, Robert Wiedemann, Robert Michael Jordan, Michelle Smith
  • Publication number: 20230416638
    Abstract: Systems and methods to reduce pour point (PP) temperatures of fat-based compositions for use in transportation fuels. In one or more embodiments, methods and systems reduce the pour point of rendered fats using biologically-derived plant oils for effectively transporting the blended fat based compositions over long distances, thereby advantageously decreasing the heating and mixing requirements needed to maintain the compositional temperature above the pour point. In certain embodiments, the fat based composition comprises rendered animal fats, such as tallow in combination with distilled corn oil (DCO).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel Z. Short, Nathan R. Klaus, David G. Teschel, Paul J. Dofton, Justin L. Womeldorff, Michelle Smith, Peg Broughton, Caleb S. Litchfield
  • Patent number: 11802257
    Abstract: Systems and methods to reduce pour point (PP) temperatures of fat-based compositions for use in transportation fuels. In one or more embodiments, methods and systems reduce the pour point of rendered fats using biologically-derived plant oils for effectively transporting the blended fat based compositions over long distances, thereby advantageously decreasing the heating and mixing requirements needed to maintain the compositional temperature above the pour point. In certain embodiments, the fat based composition comprises rendered animal fats, such as tallow in combination with distilled corn oil (DCO).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventors: Daniel Z. Short, Nathan R. Klaus, David G. Teschel, Paul J. Dofton, Justin L. Womeldorff, Michelle Smith, Peg Broughton, Caleb S. Litchfield
  • Patent number: 11797079
    Abstract: A variable effect activation system includes one or more sensors that generate data. The data can be assessed to determine if the data is indicative of a valid input to an interactive effect. Valid inputs may be assessed based on a lenient or relatively non-stringent threshold to permit a wide variety of guest actions to be considered valid inputs. While many of these guest actions may not be recognized as part of preprogrammed interactions with an interactive environment, the system nonetheless assesses characteristics of these inputs to provide an appropriate response, e.g., via activation of an interactive effect in a manner that aligns with the characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Victor Lugo, William Wilson, Hannah Pogue, Jacob Edelen, Charles Babb, Robert Wiedemann, Robert Michael Jordan, Michelle Smith
  • Publication number: 20230242837
    Abstract: Systems and methods to reduce pour point (PP) temperatures of fat-based compositions for use in transportation fuels. In one or more embodiments, methods and systems reduce the pour point of rendered fats using biologically-derived plant oils for effectively transporting the blended fat based compositions over long distances, thereby advantageously decreasing the heating and mixing requirements needed to maintain the compositional temperature above the pour point. In certain embodiments, the fat based composition comprises rendered animal fats, such as tallow in combination with distilled corn oil (DCO).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel Z. Short, Nathan R. Klaus, David G. Teschel, Paul J. Dofton, Justin L. Womeldorff, Michelle Smith, Peg Broughton, Caleb S. Litchfield
  • Publication number: 20230226458
    Abstract: An amusement park attraction system including a ride vehicle comprising an input device, and a control system configured to determine a parameter value associated with a force imparted on the input device. The parameter value includes a value of the force imparted on the input device, a value of a deformation caused by the force imparted on the input device, or both. The control system is also configured to control movement of the ride vehicle of the amusement park attraction system based on the parameter value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Grace Catheryn Haynes, Michelle Smith, John David Smith, Neil Andrew Leiba, Doug Joseph
  • Publication number: 20230153353
    Abstract: A method for distributed pod-editing may be performed by an enhanced pod editor, and may include the following steps: receiving a framework for a pod, wherein the framework identifies one or more content items already assigned to one or more slots in the pod by one or more pod editors; determining attributes of the content items already assigned to the pod in a native taxonomy of the enhanced pod editor; determining restrictions on the pod's slots based on the attributes of the content items already assigned to the pod and on the pod's editorial constraints; rejecting content items already assigned to the pod that violate the restrictions on the pod's slots (if any); identifying candidate content items that comply with the restrictions on the pod's unfilled slots (if any), and selecting candidate content items and assigning the selected content items to the pod's unfilled slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Eric M. Hoffert, Alexander Krassel, Vikki Pitts, Radhika Shivapurkar, Michelle Smith, Jeffrey Weiss
  • Patent number: 11653129
    Abstract: A multimodal audio broadcast assembly for selectively enabling individual and group listening includes a pair of earbuds and a docking station. Each earbud is selectively engageable a respective ear of a user so that the earbud is removably engaged to the respective ear. The earbuds can receive wirelessly an audio signal from an electronic device and can broadcast the audio signal into the ears of the user. The docking station operationally engages the pair of earbuds so that the docking station is positioned to charge the pair of earbuds. The docking station also can receive the audio signal from the electronic device. A dock speaker is engaged to the docking station and is positioned to selectively broadcast the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventors: Daimond Smith, Michelle Smith
  • Publication number: 20230066353
    Abstract: A multimodal audio broadcast assembly for selectively enabling individual and group listening includes a pair of earbuds and a docking station. Each earbud is selectively engageable a respective ear of a user so that the earbud is removably engaged to the respective ear. The earbuds can receive wirelessly an audio signal from an electronic device and can broadcast the audio signal into the ears of the user. The docking station operationally engages the pair of earbuds so that the docking station is positioned to charge the pair of earbuds. The docking station also can receive the audio signal from the electronic device. A dock speaker is engaged to the docking station and is positioned to selectively broadcast the audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Daimond Smith, Michelle Smith
  • Publication number: 20220244775
    Abstract: A variable effect activation system includes one or more sensors that generate data. The data can be assessed to determine if the data is indicative of a valid input to an interactive effect. Valid inputs may be assessed based on a lenient or relatively non-stringent threshold to permit a wide variety of guest actions to be considered valid inputs. While many of these guest actions may not be recognized as part of preprogrammed interactions with an interactive environment, the system nonetheless assesses characteristics of these inputs to provide an appropriate response, e.g., via activation of an interactive effect in a manner that aligns with the characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Victor Lugo, William Wilson, Hannah Pogue, Jacob Edelen, Charles Babb, Robert Wiedemann, Robert Michael Jordan, Michelle Smith
  • Publication number: 20210321837
    Abstract: An adapter device for use with a toilet includes a base member and an attachment member on either end of the base member. The base member is an elongate member that is to extend across diametrically opposed sides of a toilet seat. The attachment members on either end of the base member include two fins that extend downward relative to the base member. The fins are to slidably engage around the sides of the toilet seat and thus prevent lateral movement of the attachment member and base member when the adapter device is placed on top of a toilet seat. The base member and the attachment member are to be positioned on the toilet seat so as to provide support to a perineum of a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: ANDREA NICOLE SMITH, MICHELLE SMITH
  • Publication number: 20210149956
    Abstract: A method for distributed pod-editing may be performed by an enhanced pod editor, and may include the following steps: receiving a framework for a pod, wherein the framework identifies one or more content items already assigned to one or more slots in the pod by one or more pod editors; determining attributes of the content items already assigned to the pod in a native taxonomy of the enhanced pod editor; determining restrictions on the pod's slots based on the attributes of the content items already assigned to the pod and on the pod's editorial constraints; rejecting content items already assigned to the pod that violate the restrictions on the pod's slots (if any); identifying candidate content items that comply with the restrictions on the pod's unfilled slots (if any), and selecting candidate content items and assigning the selected content items to the pod's unfilled slots
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: Xandr Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Hoffert, Alexander Krassel, Vikki Pitts, Radhika Shivapurkar, Michelle Smith, Jeffrey Weiss
  • Patent number: 10936654
    Abstract: A method for distributed pod-editing may be performed by an enhanced pod editor, and may include the following steps: receiving a framework for a pod, wherein the framework identifies one or more content items already assigned to one or more slots in the pod by one or more pod editors; determining attributes of the content items already assigned to the pod in a native taxonomy of the enhanced pod editor; determining restrictions on the pod's slots based on the attributes of the content items already assigned to the pod and on the pod's editorial constraints; rejecting content items already assigned to the pod that violate the restrictions on the pod's slots (if any); identifying candidate content items that comply with the restrictions on the pod's unfilled slots (if any), and selecting candidate content items and assigning the selected content items to the pod's unfilled slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Xandr Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Hoffert, Alexander Krassel, Vikki Pitts, Radhika Shivapurkar, Michelle Smith, Jeffrey Weiss
  • Publication number: 20190361932
    Abstract: A method for distributed pod-editing may be performed by an enhanced pod editor, and may include the following steps: receiving a framework for a pod, wherein the framework identifies one or more content items already assigned to one or more slots in the pod by one or more pod editors; determining attributes of the content items already assigned to the pod in a native taxonomy of the enhanced pod editor; determining restrictions on the pod's slots based on the attributes of the content items already assigned to the pod and on the pod's editorial constraints; rejecting content items already assigned to the pod that violate the restrictions on the pod's slots (if any); identifying candidate content items that comply with the restrictions on the pod's unfilled slots (if any), and selecting candidate content items and assigning the selected content items to the pod's unfilled slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Eric M. Hoffert, Alexander Krassel, Vikki Pitts, Radhika Shivapurkar, Michelle Smith, Jeffrey Weiss