Patents by Inventor Mike A. Roberts

Mike A. Roberts 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: 20240049794
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating device is provided for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generating device including: an electromagnetic field generator configured to generate radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation having a predetermined frequency composition; a resonant chamber including a peripheral wall configured to be substantially opaque to RF electromagnetic radiation within the resonant chamber; and a filling arranged within an interior of the resonant chamber so as to circumscribe a substrate cavity defined within the resonant chamber, the substrate cavity being configured to receive the aerosol-forming substrate, the electromagnetic field generator being coupled to the resonant chamber so as to convey the RF electromagnetic radiation generated by the electromagnetic field generator to the resonant chamber, and the filling having a relative permittivity of greater than one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Ana Isabel GONZALEZ FLOREZ, Tahereh GHAZAANY, Mike ROBERTS
  • Publication number: 20230299696
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling the operation of a motor actuator for positioning a moveable element. Operational characteristics of the movable element over its operational range are determined. A first PWM signal to control the actuator over a first portion of the operational range of the movable element is generated. A second PWM signal to control the actuator over a second portion of the operational range of the movable element is generated. The first PWM signal is based on a linear transfer function having a first gain level and the second PWM signal is based on a linear transfer function having a second gain level. An output position of the moveable element is executed based the first PWM signal or the second PWM signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventor: Mike Robert Garrard
  • Patent number: 11695356
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling the operation of a motor actuator for positioning a moveable element. Operational characteristics of the movable element over its operational range are determined. A first PWM signal to control the actuator over a first portion of the operational range of the movable element is generated. A second PWM signal to control the actuator over a second portion of the operational range of the movable element is generated. The first PWM signal is based on a linear transfer function having a first gain level and the second PWM signal is based on a linear transfer function having a second gain level. An output position of the moveable element is executed based the first PWM signal or the second PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mike Robert Garrard
  • Patent number: 11650108
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for a pulse switched high side driver for vehicle sensor. An example method may include switching a transistor of a vehicle circuit to connect a first resistor to a vehicle sensor for a first time period in which exhaust gas temperature values of the vehicle are within a first range of exhaust gas temperatures values. The example method may also include switching, by providing a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal with an on signal value, the transistor to connect a second resistor to a vehicle sensor for a second period of time in which exhaust gas temperature values of the vehicle are within a second range of exhaust gas temperatures values that are greater than the first range of exhaust gas temperature values, wherein the second resistor and vehicle sensor are also included in the vehicle circuit, wherein the second resistor is in parallel with a first resistor and connected between the transistor and the vehicle sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mike Robert Garrard, Ibrahim Sonat, Vishal Desai, Roberto Teran, Jr., Ed A. Schoenberg
  • Publication number: 20220178769
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for a pulse switched high side driver for vehicle sensor. An example method may include switching a transistor of a vehicle circuit to connect a first resistor to a vehicle sensor for a first time period in which exhaust gas temperature values of the vehicle are within a first range of exhaust gas temperatures values. The example method may also include switching, by providing a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal with an on signal value, the transistor to connect a second resistor to a vehicle sensor for a second period of time in which exhaust gas temperature values of the vehicle are within a second range of exhaust gas temperatures values that are greater than the first range of exhaust gas temperature values, wherein the second resistor and vehicle sensor are also included in the vehicle circuit, wherein the second resistor is in parallel with a first resistor and connected between the transistor and the vehicle sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mike Robert Garrard, Ibrahim Sonat, Vishal Desai, Roberto Teran, JR., Ed A. Schoenberg
  • Publication number: 20220109389
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling the operation of a motor actuator for positioning a moveable element. Operational characteristics of the movable element over its operational range are determined. A first PWM signal to control the actuator over a first portion of the operational range of the movable element is generated. A second PWM signal to control the actuator over a second portion of the operational range of the movable element is generated. The first PWM signal is based on a linear transfer function having a first gain level and the second PWM signal is based on a linear transfer function having a second gain level. An output position of the moveable element is executed based the first PWM signal or the second PWM signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventor: Mike Robert Garrard
  • Publication number: 20210275110
    Abstract: A system for synchronizing a target device to a cardiac cycle, including: (a) a target device that collects data or performs an operation that is to be timed to the cardiac cycle; (b) a signaling device that emits a signal indicating the occurrence of a cardiac contraction and/or ECG feature; and (c) a calibration device that determines the relationship of the signal from the signaling device to the actual cardiac cycle. In operation, the calibration device calculates a time offset between the timing of the cardiac contraction as determined by the signaling device and the timing of the cardiac contraction and/or ECG feature as determined by the calibration device, and then provides the time offset to the target device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: RubyElf, LLC
    Inventors: C. Mike Robert Tomlinson, Eric Raman, David Heckadon, Raji Raman, Iain Hueton, Kevin Peterson, James Wilber
  • Publication number: 20200333140
    Abstract: An image data capturing arrangement (1) has at least two image data capturing devices. At least one first image data capturing device (2) is adapted to capture data of one or more first images of an object along a first image capturing axis 4, and at least one second image data capturing device (6) is adapted to capture data of one or more second images of stars along a second image capturing axis 8. The second image capturing axis (8) has a known orientation relative to the first image capturing axis (4), and a reference clock for assigning a time stamp to each first and second image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew ELSON, Mike ROBERTS, Steve HANCOCK, Simon ASHBY
  • Patent number: 10602056
    Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure relate to generating optimal scanning trajectories for 3D scenes. In an example, a moveable camera may gather information about a scene. During an initial pass, an initial trajectory may be used to gather an initial dataset. In order to generate an optimal trajectory, a reconstruction of the scene may be generated based on the initial data set. Surface points and a camera position graph may be generated based on the reconstruction. A subgradient may be determined, wherein the subgradient provides an additive approximation for the marginal reward associated with each camera position node in the camera position graph. The subgradient may be used to generate an optimal trajectory based on the marginal reward of each camera position node. The optimal trajectory may then be used by to gather additional data, which may be iteratively analyzed and used to further refine and optimize subsequent trajectories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Mike Roberts, Debadeepta Dey, Sudipta Narayan Sinha, Shital Shah, Ashish Kapoor, Neel Suresh Joshi
  • Patent number: 10348780
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method and apparatus for provisioning of a communication device includes receiving a registration request from a first communication device. The registration request includes an address associated with the first communication device. The method further includes registering the first communication device in response to receiving the registration request, placing a call request to the first communication device, and establishing a call session with the first communication device. The method further includes prompting a user of the first communication device for a user identifier, and receiving a user identifier from the user of the first communication device. The method still further includes sending one or more configuration parameters associated with the user identifier to the first communication device. The one or more configuration parameters are operable to configure the first communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Mike A. Roberts, Shekhar Gupta, Jim Kevin Edwards
  • Publication number: 20180367728
    Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure relate to generating optimal scanning trajectories for 3D scenes. In an example, a moveable camera may gather information about a scene. During an initial pass, an initial trajectory may be used to gather an initial dataset. In order to generate an optimal trajectory, a reconstruction of the scene may be generated based on the initial data set. Surface points and a camera position graph may be generated based on the reconstruction. A subgradient may be determined, wherein the subgradient provides an additive approximation for the marginal reward associated with each camera position node in the camera position graph. The subgradient may be used to generate an optimal trajectory based on the marginal reward of each camera position node. The optimal trajectory may then be used by to gather additional data, which may be iteratively analyzed and used to further refine and optimize subsequent trajectories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Mike Roberts, Debadeepta Dey, Sudipta Narayan Sinha, Shital Shah, Ashish Kapoor, Neel Suresh Joshi
  • Publication number: 20180334746
    Abstract: A pedestal assembly for a plasma processing system is provided. The assembly includes a pedestal with central top surface, e.g., mesa, and the central top surface extends from a center of the central top surface to an outer diameter of the central top surface. An annular surface surrounds the central top surface. The annular top surface is disposed at step down from the central top surface. A plurality of wafer supports project out of the central top surface at a support elevation distance above the central top surface. The plurality of wafer supports are evenly arranged around an inner radius of the center top surface. The inner radius is located between the center of the central top surface and less than a mid-radius that is approximately half way between the center of the pedestal and the outer diameter of the central top surface. A carrier ring configured for positioning over the annular surface of the pedestal is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick Breiling, Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Chloe Baldasseroni, Sung Je Kim, lshtak Karim, Mike Roberts, Richard Phillips, Purushottam Kumar, Adrien LaVoie
  • Publication number: 20170149847
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method and apparatus for provisioning of a communication device includes receiving a registration request from a first communication device. The registration request includes an address associated with the first communication device. The method further includes registering the first communication device in response to receiving the registration request, placing a call request to the first communication device, and establishing a call session with the first communication device. The method further includes prompting a user of the first communication device for a user identifier, and receiving a user identifier from the user of the first communication device. The method still further includes sending one or more configuration parameters associated with the user identifier to the first communication device. The one or more configuration parameters are operable to configure the first communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Mike A. Roberts, Shekhar Gupta, Jim Kevin Edwards
  • Patent number: 9584562
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method and apparatus for provisioning of a communication device includes receiving a registration request from a first communication device. The registration request includes an address associated with the first communication device. The method further includes registering the first communication device in response to receiving the registration request, placing a call request to the first communication device, and establishing a call session with the first communication device. The method further includes prompting a user of the first communication device for a user identifier, and receiving a user identifier from the user of the first communication device. The method still further includes sending one or more configuration parameters associated with the user identifier to the first communication device. The one or more configuration parameters are operable to configure the first communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Mike A. Roberts, Shekhar Gupta, Jim Kevin Edwards
  • Patent number: 9509952
    Abstract: A system, method, and hand held device configured for video conferencing. The hand held device includes display logic operable to determine that a communication includes displayable content. The hand held device further includes a projector in communication with the display logic. The projector is operable to project the displayable content onto a surface. The hand held device further includes a camera in communication with the display logic. The camera is operable to capture an image of the user. The displayable content and the image are utilized for a video communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Mike A. Roberts, Shekhar Gupta
  • Patent number: 9479815
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing digital video recorder services with a portable wireless device (PWD). The PWD includes at least a transceiver, a processing unit and a memory unit. The transceiver receives a video content signal transmitted from a broadcaster of mobile broadcast digital TV, and an electronic program guide (EPG). The processing unit is in communication with the transceiver and the memory unit and the processing unit: stores the TV programming information on the memory unit; displays, responsive to a first user input, the TV programming information; records on the memory unit, responsive to a second user input, a selected video content signal received by the transceiver; and plays back the selected video content signal, responsive to a third user input, from the memory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Shekhar Gupta, Mike A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9462430
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for managing different types of messages, such as, but not limited to, voicemails and text messages, is presented. For example, in one embodiment, the method includes identifying a sender associated with a message for a recipient; and grouping all messages from the sender under a directory associated with the sender, wherein the directory includes different types of messages received from the sender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Shekhar Gupta, Mike Roberts, Blaine Smith
  • Patent number: 9377924
    Abstract: An approach for providing a user interface display, for example, with a first window that includes a first predefined area to present a status display control and a second predefined area that is separately defined in the first window to present a status display related to the status display control. Further providing, for example, the user interface display with a second window that includes the first predefined area to present the status display control and a third area that transparently presents the status display over content in the second window upon selection of the status display control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Maulik Sailor, Craig Pugsley, David Fishlock, Daniel Puzey, Christopher Rodwell, Ben Buttigieg, Mike Roberts, Pramod Dhanwade, Rishikesh Maktedar
  • Publication number: 20160162840
    Abstract: A system and method for assigning and/or managing staffing needs. A software application may provide one or more portals or hubs that allow job requisitions to be created with particular user-defined requirements. A search is conducted, using both internal data and/or external data in order to find appropriate individuals to satisfy those job requisitions. The system and method may operate in conjunction with Managed Service Providers and Vendor Management Systems. Social features may be incorporated to aid in maintaining active user presence with the system and/or to promote targeted marketing and/or efficient referral systems. Referrals may take place by candidates themselves (e.g., referring another candidate) and/or by clients for different clients. Candidate curation methods may be included such that candidate mobility among different contracting jobs is more efficient and/or with less downtime between jobs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Rick Roberts, Mike Roberts, Andrew Kaminsky, April Patrick
  • Patent number: D790396
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: PRESTIGE FLAG MFG. CO., INC.
    Inventor: Mike Roberts