Patents by Inventor Nicholas E. Smith

Nicholas E. 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).

  • Publication number: 20240094233
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for associating consumable data with an assay consumable used in a biological assay. Provided are assay systems and associated consumables, wherein the assay system adjusts one or more steps of an assay protocol based on consumable data specific for that consumable. Various types of consumable data are described, as well as methods of using such data in the conduct of an assay by an assay system. The present invention also relates to consumables (e.g., kits and reagent containers), software, data deployable bundles, computer-readable media, loading carts, instruments, systems, and methods, for performing automated biological assays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Jacob N. WOHLSTADTER, Manish KOCHAR, Peter J. BOSCO, Ian D. CHAMBERLIN, Bandele JEFFREY-COKER, Eric M. JONES, Gary I. KRIVOY, Don E. KRUEGER, Aaron H. LEIMKUEHLER, Pei-Ming WU, Kim-Xuan NGUYEN, Pankaj OBEROI, Louis W. PANG, Jennifer PARKER, Victor PELLICIER, Nicholas SAMMONS, George SIGAL, Michael L. VOCK, Stanley T. SMITH, Carl C. STEVENS, Rodger D. OSBORNE, Kenneth E. PAGE, Michael T. WADE, Jon WILLOUGHBY, Lei WANG, Xinri CONG, Kin NG
  • Patent number: 11920833
    Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a refrigerant loop having a compressor, where the compressor is configured to circulate a refrigerant through the refrigerant loop, a first heat exchanger disposed along the refrigerant loop, where the first heat exchanger is configured to place the refrigerant in a first heat exchange relationship with a working fluid, and an air handling unit having a second heat exchanger, where the second heat exchanger is configured to place the working fluid in a second heat exchange relationship with an airflow, and where the air handling unit is isolated from the first heat exchanger to reduce or eliminate mixing of refrigerant with the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Ryan L. Snider, Rajiv K. Karkhanis, Chandra S. Yelamanchili, Curtis W. Caskey, Kevin R. Stockton, Nicholas P. Mislak, Douglas A. Kester, Troy E. Smith
  • Patent number: 11718418
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, three-dimensional (3D) scan data representative of an in-service structure that is captured by a scanning device is accessed by a processor circuit. Based on the 3D scan data, in-service computer-aided design (CAD) data representative of an in-service surface corresponding to the in-service structure is generated by the processor circuit. Based on the in-service CAD data representative of the in-service surface, at least one of a serviceability level or remaining life estimate of the in-service structure is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brown, Craig Martin Farniok, Todd Roffo, Nicholas E. Smith, Jacob Paul Thilges
  • Publication number: 20200346786
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, three-dimensional (3D) scan data representative of an in-service structure that is captured by a scanning device is accessed by a processor circuit. Based on the 3D scan data, in-service computer-aided design (CAD) data representative of an in-service surface corresponding to the in-service structure is generated by the processor circuit. Based on the in-service CAD data representative of the in-service surface, at least one of a serviceability level or remaining life estimate of the in-service structure is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brown, Craig Martin Farniok, Todd Roffo, Nicholas E. Smith, Jacob Paul Thilges
  • Patent number: 10783775
    Abstract: A method and system for using data associated with a first vehicle and a given road segment defined for a road network and using data associated with a second vehicle and the given road segment to determine a multi-vehicle probability value that indicates a probability that the first vehicle and the second vehicle will arrive at a common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The multi-vehicle probability value can be compared to a threshold probability value to determine whether the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle should take a responsive measure to avoid those vehicles arriving at the common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The data associated the first vehicle and the data associated with the second vehicle can each include a respective electronic horizon for that vehicle, and time parameters and probability values associated with those vehicles being on the given road segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Sinisa Durekovic, Nicholas E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190172343
    Abstract: A method and system for using data associated with a first vehicle and a given road segment defined for a road network and using data associated with a second vehicle and the given road segment to determine a multi-vehicle probability value that indicates a probability that the first vehicle and the second vehicle will arrive at a common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The multi-vehicle probability value can be compared to a threshold probability value to determine whether the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle should take a responsive measure to avoid those vehicles arriving at the common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The data associated the first vehicle and the data associated with the second vehicle can each include a respective electronic horizon for that vehicle, and time parameters and probability values associated with those vehicles being on the given road segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Sinisa Durekovic, Nicholas E. Smith
  • Patent number: 10198940
    Abstract: A method and system for using data associated with a first vehicle and a given road segment defined for a road network and using data associated with a second vehicle and the given road segment to determine a multi-vehicle probability value that indicates a probability that the first vehicle and the second vehicle will arrive at a common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The multi-vehicle probability value can be compared to a threshold probability value to determine whether the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle should take a responsive measure to avoid those vehicles arriving at the common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The data associated the first vehicle and the data associated with the second vehicle can each include a respective electronic horizon for that vehicle, and time parameters and probability values associated with those vehicles being on the given road segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Sinisa Durekovic, Nicholas E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20180025631
    Abstract: A method and system for using data associated with a first vehicle and a given road segment defined for a road network and using data associated with a second vehicle and the given road segment to determine a multi-vehicle probability value that indicates a probability that the first vehicle and the second vehicle will arrive at a common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The multi-vehicle probability value can be compared to a threshold probability value to determine whether the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle should take a responsive measure to avoid those vehicles arriving at the common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The data associated the first vehicle and the data associated with the second vehicle can each include a respective electronic horizon for that vehicle, and time parameters and probability values associated with those vehicles being on the given road segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Sinisa Durekovic, Nicholas E. Smith
  • Patent number: 9850434
    Abstract: A method of predicting the tendency of a heavy oil feed to generate coke deposits in the FCC riser under a given set of operating parameters in the unit; thus, by utilizing operating parameters appropriate to the feed, the formation of coke deposits in the riser may be minimized. The margin between the theoretical dew point of the hydrocarbon feed established from unit operating parameters and the theoretical mix zone temperature in the feed injection zone of the unit is developed by applying a regression-derived linear model from multiple rigorous model runs. The mix zone of the unit is then operated at a temperature which reduces the level of riser coking predicted from this ascertainable margin or, at least, maintains it within levels which are predictable and acceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Masaaki Sugita, Christopher Gordon Smalley, Brian A. Cunningham, Timothy Forbes, Tarrant Jay Falcke, Nicholas E. Smith
  • Patent number: 9799216
    Abstract: A method and system for using data associated with a first vehicle and a given road segment defined for a road network and using data associated with a second vehicle and the given road segment to determine a multi-vehicle probability value that indicates a probability that the first vehicle and the second vehicle will arrive at a common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The multi-vehicle probability value can be compared to a threshold probability value to determine whether the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle should take a responsive measure to avoid those vehicles arriving at the common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The data associated the first vehicle and the data associated with the second vehicle can each include a respective electronic horizon for that vehicle, and time parameters and probability values associated with those vehicles being on the given road segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Sinisa Durekovic, Nicholas E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160225254
    Abstract: A method and system for using data associated with a first vehicle and a given road segment defined for a road network and using data associated with a second vehicle and the given road segment to determine a multi-vehicle probability value that indicates a probability that the first vehicle and the second vehicle will arrive at a common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The multi-vehicle probability value can be compared to a threshold probability value to determine whether the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle should take a responsive measure to avoid those vehicles arriving at the common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The data associated the first vehicle and the data associated with the second vehicle can each include a respective electronic horizon for that vehicle, and time parameters and probability values associated with those vehicles being on the given road segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Sinisa Durekovic, Nicholas E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160177189
    Abstract: A method of predicting the tendency of a heavy oil feed to generate coke deposits in the FCC riser under a given set of operating parameters in the unit; thus, by utilizing operating parameters appropriate to the feed, the formation of coke deposits in the riser may be minimized. The margin between the theoretical dew point of the hydrocarbon feed established from unit operating parameters and the theoretical mix zone temperature in the feed injection zone of the unit is developed by applying a regression-derived linear model from multiple rigorous model runs. The mix zone of the unit is then operated at a temperature which reduces the level of riser coking predicted from this ascertainable margin or, at least, maintains it within levels which are predictable and acceptable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Masaaki SUGITA, Christopher Gordon SMALLEY, Brian A. CUNNINGHAM, Timothy FORBES, Tarrant Jay FALCKE, Nicholas E. SMITH
  • Patent number: 9330564
    Abstract: A method and system for using data associated with a first vehicle and a given road segment defined for a road network and using data associated with a second vehicle and the given road segment to determine a multi-vehicle probability value that indicates a probability that the first vehicle and the second vehicle will arrive at a common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The multi-vehicle probability value can be compared to a threshold probability value to determine whether the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle should take a responsive measure to avoid those vehicles arriving at the common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The data associated the first vehicle and the data associated with the second vehicle can each include a respective electronic horizon for that vehicle, and time parameters and probability values associated with those vehicles being on the given road segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Sinisa Durekovic, Nicholas E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140222322
    Abstract: A method and system for using data associated with a first vehicle and a given road segment defined for a road network and using data associated with a second vehicle and the given road segment to determine a multi-vehicle probability value that indicates a probability that the first vehicle and the second vehicle will arrive at a common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The multi-vehicle probability value can be compared to a threshold probability value to determine whether the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle should take a responsive measure to avoid those vehicles arriving at the common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The data associated the first vehicle and the data associated with the second vehicle can each include a respective electronic horizon for that vehicle, and time parameters and probability values associated with those vehicles being on the given road segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Navteq B.V.
    Inventors: Sinisa Durekovic, Nicholas E. Smith
  • Patent number: 8717192
    Abstract: A method and system for using data associated with a first vehicle and a given road segment defined for a road network and using data associated with a second vehicle and the given road segment to determine a multi-vehicle probability value that indicates a probability that the first vehicle and the second vehicle will arrive at a common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The multi-vehicle probability value can be compared to a threshold probability value to determine whether the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle should take a responsive measure to avoid those vehicles arriving at the common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The data associated the first vehicle and the data associated with the second vehicle can each include a respective electronic horizon for that vehicle, and time parameters and probability values associated with those vehicles being on the given road segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Navteq B.V.
    Inventors: Sinisa Durekovic, Nicholas E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120086582
    Abstract: A method and system for using data associated with a first vehicle and a given road segment defined for a road network and using data associated with a second vehicle and the given road segment to determine a multi-vehicle probability value that indicates a probability that the first vehicle and the second vehicle will arrive at a common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The multi-vehicle probability value can be compared to a threshold probability value to determine whether the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle should take a responsive measure to avoid those vehicles arriving at the common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The data associated the first vehicle and the data associated with the second vehicle can each include a respective electronic horizon for that vehicle, and time parameters and probability values associated with those vehicles being on the given road segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: NAVTEQ NORTH AMERICA, LLC
    Inventors: Sinisa Durekovic, Nicholas E. Smith
  • Patent number: 7197500
    Abstract: An improved method and system for storage of data that represent geographic features in a region. The data are organized into parcels each of which contains data that represent those geographic features that are located within a separate one of a plurality of rectangular areas into the region is divided. The method identifies linearly extending features that extend across multiple rectangular areas so that data representing the linearly extending feature can be included in each parcel that contains data that represents a rectangular area in which the linearly extending feature extends at least in part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Navteq North America, LLC
    Inventors: Vijaya S. Israni, Richard A. Ashby, Paul M. Bouzide, John C. Jasper, Robert P. Fernekes, Gregory M. Nyczak, Nicholas E. Smith, David S. Lampert, James A. Meek, Aaron I. Crane
  • Patent number: 6919821
    Abstract: A method and system for collecting meteorological data. A plurality of vehicles travel on roads in a geographic region. Each of the vehicles includes sensor equipment that senses at least one meteorological condition. The sensor equipment may be used to support other vehicle systems, such as vehicle safety systems or a vehicle navigation system. Each of the vehicles includes a program run on a computing device in the vehicle that prepares messages containing data indicative of the one or more meteorological conditions sensed by the sensor equipment. The messages are sent wirelessly from the vehicle to a meteorological data collection service that collects the data and uses the data for weather modeling or forecasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Navteq North America, LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas E. Smith
  • Patent number: 6571195
    Abstract: A method for calculating a distance between a first point and a second point using linear interpolation is provided. The first point and the second point are located between a first latitude and a second latitude. An interpolated prime vertical radius of curvature value for a point between the first point and the second point is calculated based on a first prime vertical radius of curvature value for the first latitude and a second prime vertical radius of curvature value for the second latitude. An interpolated meridian radius of curvature value for the point between the first point and the second point is calculated based on a first meridian radius of curvature value for the first latitude and a second meridian radius of curvature value for the second latitude. An interpolated cosine value for the point between the first point and the second point is calculated based on a value representing a cosine of the first latitude and a value representing a cosine of the second latitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Navigation Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bishnu P. Phuyal, Nicholas E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030036880
    Abstract: A method for calculating a distance between a first point and a second point using linear interpolation is provided. The first point and the second point are located between a first latitude and a second latitude. An interpolated prime vertical radius of curvature value for a point between the first point and the second point is calculated based on a first prime vertical radius of curvature value for the first latitude and a second prime vertical radius of curvature value for the second latitude. An interpolated meridian radius of curvature value for the point between the first point and the second point is calculated based on a first meridian radius of curvature value for the first latitude and a second meridian radius of curvature value for the second latitude. An interpolated cosine value for the point between the first point and the second point is calculated based on a value representing a cosine of the first latitude and a value representing a cosine of the second latitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Bishnu P. Phuyal, Nicholas E. Smith