Patents by Inventor Nicholas Howard

Nicholas Howard 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: 9906552
    Abstract: System load, such as load caused by a denial of service attack, is managed by requiring those requesting access to the system to provide proof of work. A system receives, from a requestor, a request for access to the system. Before the request can be processed, the system provides a challenge to the requestor. The requestor obtains a solution to the challenge and provides proof of having obtained the solution. The system verifies the correctness of the solution and, if the correct solution is verified, the system services the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Howard Brown, Gregory Branchek Roth, Gregory Alan Rubin
  • Patent number: 9892837
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an actuator wherein, when in use, a magnetic force holding assembly maintains the slider in substantial repulsion at the first position and substantial attraction at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: ADICEP TECHNOLOGIES, INC
    Inventors: John A Rokosz, Philip Carvey, Nicholas Howard, Wallace Atwood, Ryan Rank
  • Publication number: 20160343495
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an actuator wherein, when in use, a magnetic force holding assembly maintains the slider in substantial repulsion at the first position and substantial attraction at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: John A Rokosz, Philip Carvey, Nicholas Howard, Wallace Atwood, Ryan Rank
  • Patent number: 9471533
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media are described for validating objects stored in a web cache. In one embodiment, a computing device caches objects received while accessing networked content over a network. The computing device generates a description of conditions associated with the caching of the objects. When the computing device accesses networked content via a second network, the computing device or a remote server connected thereto utilizes the description to determine whether an object in the cache is trusted or untrusted. The server manages a policy that defines rules for making the determination. The policy can be generated based on descriptions received from a plurality of devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Branchek Roth, Nicholas Howard Brown
  • Patent number: 9398066
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media are described for validating objects stored in a web cache. In one embodiment, a computing device caches objects received while accessing networked content over a network. The computing device generates a description of conditions associated with the caching of the objects. When the computing device accesses networked content via a second network, the computing device or a remote server connected thereto utilizes the description to determine whether an object in the cache is trusted or untrusted. The server manages a policy that defines rules for making the determination. The policy can be generated based on descriptions received from a plurality of devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Branchek Roth, Nicholas Howard Brown
  • Patent number: 8574050
    Abstract: An electronic game apparatus for providing a game activity. The electronic game apparatus may include a base unit with a game processor adapted to receive a plurality of input signals including an actuator signal and a plurality of directional signals. The game processor may be adapted to determine the game activity based upon the input signals and to transmit output signals representative of the game activity to a monitor device. The apparatus may also include a handle element extending transversely from the base unit in a substantially fixed position relative to the base unit, and may include an actuator that is configured to be manipulated in order to transmit the actuator signal. Optionally, the apparatus may include a direction element, which may be movable in two dimensions relative to the base unit and adapted to transmit the directional signals, extending transversely from the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Osnato, Nicholas Howard, Gary Collins
  • Patent number: 8568213
    Abstract: An electronic game apparatus. The apparatus may include at least a first player input device and a second player input device. Each player input device may have a plurality of buttons adapted to be manipulated by a player, thereby producing player input signals for moving one or more characters within the game environment. The apparatus may also include a base unit coupled to the player input devices. The base unit may include a game processor adapted to receive the plurality of player input signals and to determine therefrom a game simulation. The game processor may transmit output signals representative of the game simulation to a monitor device. Optionally the game simulation may include movements of at least one of the first player and the second player character based upon input signals from the corresponding player input device. Each player character may be selectable from different groups of player characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Osnato, Nicholas Howard, Gary Collins
  • Patent number: 8108835
    Abstract: A method and system for enforcing version control is provided. An embodiment of the method comprises receiving a command to execute code. Code is retrieved from a code management storage and loaded into a controlled storage. The code may comprise test and program components. The code is executed and the results of the executed code are recorded and logged, and the code is removed from the controlled storage. The system includes an interface for receiving the execute code command and is coupled to the controlled storage. A code loader for loading code into the controlled storage may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Howard Jones, Jonathan Paul Kneller, Mark Brian Thomas
  • Patent number: 7874918
    Abstract: An electronic game apparatus for providing a game activity on a monitor device. The electronic game apparatus may include a contacting member and a signal-emitting member that are each adapted to be manipulated by a user. The signal-emitting member may include a kinetic sensor adapted to produce a kinetic control signal representative of at least an orientation of the signal-emitting member. The signal-emitting member may also include at least one contact sensor adapted to be actuated by the user pressing the contacting member against the signal-emitting member to produce a contact control signal. A processor may be responsive to the kinetic control signal and the contact control signal and adapted to determine the game activity corresponding thereto. An audio-video processor adapted to produce and transmit audio-video output signals representative of the game activity to the monitor device may be coupled to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Mattel Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Osnato, Nicholas Howard
  • Publication number: 20080127075
    Abstract: A method and system for enforcing version control is provided. An embodiment of the method comprises receiving a command to execute code. Code is retrieved from a code management storage and loaded into a controlled storage. The code may comprise test and program components. The code is executed and the results of the executed code are recorded and logged, and the code is removed from the controlled storage. The system includes an interface for receiving the execute code command and is coupled to the controlled storage. A code loader for loading code into the controlled storage may also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Nicholas Howard Jones, Jonathan Paul Kneller, Mark Brian Thomas
  • Publication number: 20070155503
    Abstract: An electronic game apparatus for providing a game activity. The electronic game apparatus may include a base unit with a game processor adapted to receive a plurality of input signals including an actuator signal and a plurality of directional signals. The game processor may be adapted to determine the game activity based upon the input signals and to transmit output signals representative of the game activity to a monitor device. The apparatus may also include a handle element extending transversely from the base unit in a substantially fixed position relative to the base unit, and may include an actuator that is configured to be manipulated in order to transmit the actuator signal. Optionally, the apparatus may include a direction element, which may be movable in two dimensions relative to the base unit and adapted to transmit the directional signals, extending transversely from the base unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Jeffrey Osnato, Nicholas Howard, Gary Collins
  • Publication number: 20070149285
    Abstract: An electronic game apparatus. The apparatus may include at least a first player input device and a second player input device. Each player input device may have a plurality of buttons adapted to be manipulated by a player, thereby producing player input signals for moving one or more characters within the game environment. The apparatus may also include a base unit coupled to the player input devices. The base unit may include a game processor adapted to receive the plurality of player input signals and to determine therefrom a game simulation. The game processor may transmit output signals representative of the game simulation to a monitor device. Optionally the game simulation may include movements of at least one of the first player and the second player character based upon input signals from the corresponding player input device. Each player character may be selectable from different groups of player characters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Jeffrey Osnato, Nicholas Howard, Gary Collins
  • Publication number: 20070111779
    Abstract: An electronic game apparatus for providing a game activity on a monitor device. The electronic game apparatus may include a contacting member and a signal-emitting member that are each adapted to be manipulated by a user. The signal-emitting member may include a kinetic sensor adapted to produce a kinetic control signal representative of at least an orientation of the signal-emitting member. The signal-emitting member may also include at least one contact sensor adapted to be actuated by the user pressing the contacting member against the signal-emitting member to produce a contact control signal. A processor may be responsive to the kinetic control signal and the contact control signal and adapted to determine the game activity corresponding thereto. An audio-video processor adapted to produce and transmit audio-video output signals representative of the game activity to the monitor device may be coupled to the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Jeffrey Osnato, Nicholas Howard
  • Patent number: 7191664
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for testing the mechanical properties of a material. The apparatus comprises a sample container (10) adapted to be filled with a sample of the material, and a housing (20) within which the sample container (10) is, in use, fixedly mounted. The sample container (10) has a first, open face via which a compressive load can be applied to the sample and a second face (19) disposed orthogonally to the first, open face. At least a portion of the second face (19) is resiliently displaceable, outwardly of the sample container (10), in response to deformation of the sample brought about by application of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Scott Wilson Pavement Engineering Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Howard Thom, Jonathon Paul Edwards
  • Publication number: 20050251079
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to walking/running braces and to devices for enhancing locomotion, specifically human bipedal locomotion. More particularly, it relates to a controlled mechanical device which provides support of the torso via the hip sockets, reduces the metabolic energy associated with walking/running and reduces the incidence of falls caused by insufficient leg thrust. Embodiments of the invention also relates to reducing the strain and metabolic energy consumption associated with walking/running with a heavy backpack or other significant carried load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Matthew Carvey, Andrew Carvey, Philip Carvey, Nicholas Howard
  • Patent number: 3986119
    Abstract: An emergency communication system used by stranded motorists to summon help when travelling on toll roads or other limited access highways. The emergency communication system comprises a portable, self-powered, hand-held transceiver set which transmits coded distress signals and directional signals, when activated, and cycles until reception of an answer back signal. The signals or messages from the portable transceiver are transmitted at incrementally increasing power levels to a single or a plurality of roadside relay stations spaced strategically along a limited access highway or toll road. The relay stations retransmit the signals to a terminal station which has means to decode the signals and determine the location of the repeater station nearest to the stranded motorist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1973
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1976
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Howard Hemmer, Jr., Agis Demetrius Valakos