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).
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Patent number: 12616176Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 20, 2022Date of Patent: May 5, 2026Inventors: Douglas Smith, MiChelle Smith
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Publication number: 20250368917Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2025Publication date: December 4, 2025Applicant: Marathon Petroleum Company LPInventors: Daniel Z. Short, Nathan R. Klaus, David G. Teschel, Paul J. Dofton, Justin L. Womeldorff, Michelle Smith, Peg Broughton, Caleb S. Litchfield
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Publication number: 20250288304Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2024Publication date: September 18, 2025Inventors: Hunter Pelham, Michael J. Brecht, Meredith Lee, Dustin Mullins, Katarina McGarry, Michelle Smith, John Crowder Sigmon, Mikayla Lamb
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Patent number: 12297403Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 7, 2023Date of Patent: May 13, 2025Assignee: Marathon Petroleum Company LPInventors: Daniel Z Short, Nathan R. Klaus, David G. Teschel, Paul J. Dofton, Justin L. Womeldorff, Michelle Smith, Peg Broughton, Caleb S. Litchfield
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Patent number: 12168185Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 2, 2022Date of Patent: December 17, 2024Assignee: Universal City Studios LLCInventors: Grace Catheryn Haynes, Michelle Smith, John David Smith, Neil Andrew Leiba, Doug Joseph
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Publication number: 20240057566Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2022Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Douglas Smith, Michelle SMITH
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Publication number: 20240012471Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: Victor Lugo, William Wilson, Hannah Pogue, Jacob Edelen, Charles Babb, Robert Wiedemann, Robert Michael Jordan, Michelle Smith
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Publication number: 20230416638Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Daniel Z. Short, Nathan R. Klaus, David G. Teschel, Paul J. Dofton, Justin L. Womeldorff, Michelle Smith, Peg Broughton, Caleb S. Litchfield
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Patent number: 11802257Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 31, 2023Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LPInventors: Daniel Z. Short, Nathan R. Klaus, David G. Teschel, Paul J. Dofton, Justin L. Womeldorff, Michelle Smith, Peg Broughton, Caleb S. Litchfield
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Patent number: 11797079Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 26, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Universal City Studios LLCInventors: Victor Lugo, William Wilson, Hannah Pogue, Jacob Edelen, Charles Babb, Robert Wiedemann, Robert Michael Jordan, Michelle Smith
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Publication number: 20230242837Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: Daniel Z. Short, Nathan R. Klaus, David G. Teschel, Paul J. Dofton, Justin L. Womeldorff, Michelle Smith, Peg Broughton, Caleb S. Litchfield
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Publication number: 20230226458Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2022Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: Grace Catheryn Haynes, Michelle Smith, John David Smith, Neil Andrew Leiba, Doug Joseph
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Publication number: 20230153353Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2023Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Eric M. Hoffert, Alexander Krassel, Vikki Pitts, Radhika Shivapurkar, Michelle Smith, Jeffrey Weiss
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Patent number: 11653129Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 1, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Inventors: Daimond Smith, Michelle Smith
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Publication number: 20230066353Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Daimond Smith, Michelle Smith
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Publication number: 20220244775Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: Victor Lugo, William Wilson, Hannah Pogue, Jacob Edelen, Charles Babb, Robert Wiedemann, Robert Michael Jordan, Michelle Smith
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Publication number: 20210321837Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventors: ANDREA NICOLE SMITH, MICHELLE SMITH
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Publication number: 20210149956Abstract: 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 slotsType: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2021Publication date: May 20, 2021Applicant: Xandr Inc.Inventors: Eric M. Hoffert, Alexander Krassel, Vikki Pitts, Radhika Shivapurkar, Michelle Smith, Jeffrey Weiss
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Patent number: 10936654Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 24, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Xandr Inc.Inventors: Eric M. Hoffert, Alexander Krassel, Vikki Pitts, Radhika Shivapurkar, Michelle Smith, Jeffrey Weiss
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Publication number: 20190361932Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2018Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: Eric M. Hoffert, Alexander Krassel, Vikki Pitts, Radhika Shivapurkar, Michelle Smith, Jeffrey Weiss