Patents by Inventor Patrick A. Thomas

Patrick A. Thomas 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: 9064250
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for issuing bills on an account to a primary account holder and at least one secondary account holder. The methods and systems allow separate component bills to be sent to the primary and secondary account holders based on instructions received from the primary account holder. In one embodiment, the component bills represent the portion of the total bill that is attributable to the recipient of the component bill. In another embodiment, payment reminders are sent to the primary and secondary account holders before the payment deadline. Account identification information can be encoded on each payment received from a primary or secondary account holder so that the payment can be properly credited to the account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
    Inventor: Patrick Thomas Sargeant
  • Patent number: 9058335
    Abstract: A search engine may maintain a list of derived metadata. When an event occurs that requires updating a search index, the search engine can determine which metadata is derived metadata and take appropriate actions with respect to the derived metadata. For example, if a request is received to update the index for a particular object, the search engine may protect the derived metadata from change while updating the other metadata in the index. As another example, if a request is received to update the text content for the object, the search engine may change the text content and the derived metadata. By identifying derived metadata, the search engine can protect the derived metadata from change when a request is received that otherwise causes metadata to change and can change the derived metadata when a request is received that would otherwise not change the metadata portion of the index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Open Text S.A.
    Inventor: Patrick Thomas Sidney Pidduck
  • Publication number: 20150158894
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds, compositions containing same and methods for inhibiting STAT3 and/or STAT5 activity or for the treatment of a STAT3 or STAT5-dependent cancer using said compounds; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick Thomas Gunning, Sina Haftchenary, Brent David George Page, Samuel Weiss, Hema Artee Luchman, Melissa L. Fishel
  • Publication number: 20150154245
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for enabling assessment of the quality of a search index. In one embodiment, objects are processed to produce corresponding text that is stored and indexed. The objects are also processed to identify and store corresponding metadata values for indexing. Error conditions that are detected during the processing of objects to generate corresponding text are tracked and compared to determine the most severe of the error conditions. An indication of the most severe error condition is stored in a first consolidated error field. Errors that are encountered in the identification and storage of metadata values are counted and this count is stored in a second consolidated error field. Both of the consolidated error fields are indexed in the same manner as the text and metadata for the objects, so that the stored error information can be used in queries of the search index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventor: Patrick Thomas Sidney Pidduck
  • Publication number: 20150152350
    Abstract: A method for producing a high viscosity, low volatiles blown stripped oil blend is provided. The method may include the steps of: (i) obtaining an oil blend of corn stillage oil and soybean oil having a weight ratio of corn stillage oil to soybean oil of from about 1:2 to 3:1; (ii) heating the oil blend to at least 90° C.; (iii) passing air through the heated oil blend to produce a blown oil having a viscosity of at least 50 cSt at 40° C.; and (iv) stripping the blown oil from step (iii) to reduce an acid value of the blown oil to less than 5.0 mg KOH/gram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael John Hora, Patrick Thomas Murphy, John Carl Tolfa
  • Patent number: 9027968
    Abstract: A seal member for an aseptic coupling device includes a cross-sectional area including a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, the middle portion being thinner in radial dimension than the first and second end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Colder Products Company
    Inventor: Patrick Thomas Gerst
  • Publication number: 20150121732
    Abstract: Hybrid signage capable of self illumination and having an active backlight. The signage includes a turning film having a structured surface for redirecting light in order to passively illuminate a printed graphic or shaped sign when the backlight is off. In the shaped sign, the shape provides the content, such as letters, to be conveyed to the viewer instead of a graphic. The signage can be actively illuminated when the backlight is on to supplemental the passive illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: ERIK A. AHO, AUDREY A. SHERMAN, MICHAEL A. MEIS, KEVIN R. SCHAFFER, PATRICK A. THOMAS, JOHN C. SCHULTZ, MICHAEL H. HANSBERRY, WILLIAM J. BRYAN, DAVID A. HARPER
  • Publication number: 20150111863
    Abstract: Non-spherical liquid droplets comprising a liquid, an internal solid material defining the shape of the droplet, a benefit agent, and methods of making non-spherical liquid droplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Patrick Thomas SPICER, Marco CAGGIONI, Jessica LENIS-ABRIL, Alexandra Victoria BAYLES
  • Publication number: 20150105347
    Abstract: Shape-changing droplets, compositions comprising shape-changing droplets, methods of depositing benefit agents onto substrates using shape-changing droplets, and methods of making shape-changing droplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick Thomas SPICER, Marco CAGGIONI, Jessica LENIS-ABRIL, Alexandra Victoria BAYLES
  • Publication number: 20150081717
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for using searchable aggregate indices associated with non-aggregated value storage. In one method, a search system stores metadata values for each of a plurality of objects in a storage unit. The metadata values are stored in corresponding value storage locations that are associated with an identifiable metadata fields. An aggregate index is provided which includes a dictionary of terms that are contained in metadata values associated with a designated set of the metadata fields. The aggregate index is searched for one or more specific search terms, and one or more of the metadata values are retrieved from the value storage locations in response to the search, where the individual metadata fields associated with the retrieved metadata values are identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Patrick Thomas Sidney Pidduck
  • Patent number: 8980807
    Abstract: A method for producing a high viscosity, low volatiles blown stripped oil blend is provided. The method may include the steps of: (i) obtaining an oil blend of corn stillage oil and soybean oil having a weight ratio of corn stillage oil to soybean oil of from about 1:2 to 3:1; (ii) heating the oil blend to at least 90° C.; (iii) passing air through the heated oil blend to produce a blown oil having a viscosity of at least 50 cSt at 40° C.; and (iv) stripping the blown oil from step (iii) to reduce an acid value of the blown oil to less than 5.0 mg KOH/gram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael John Hora, Patrick Thomas Murphy, John Carl Tolfa
  • Patent number: 8983920
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for enabling assessment of the quality of a search index. In one embodiment, objects are processed to produce corresponding text that is stored and indexed. The objects are also processed to identify and store corresponding metadata values for indexing. Error conditions that are detected during the processing of objects to generate corresponding text are tracked and compared to determine the most severe of the error conditions. An indication of the most severe error condition is stored in a first consolidated error field. Errors that are encountered in the identification and storage of metadata values are counted and this count is stored in a second consolidated error field. Both of the consolidated error fields are indexed in the same manner as the text and metadata for the objects, so that the stored error information can be used in queries of the search index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Open Text S.A.
    Inventor: Patrick Thomas Sidney Pidduck
  • Patent number: 8980057
    Abstract: A fibrous structure. The fibrous structure can be a paper product treated with a waterborne shape memory polymer. The waterborne shape memory polymer can include structural units, wherein each structural unit comprises: a) a switching segment comprising a semicrystalline or amorphous polymer; b) a chargeable unit comprising a cationically or anionically chargeable group; and c) a cross-linkable unit comprising a monomer, wherein the cross-linkable unit connects the switchable segment to the chargeable unit, wherein the waterborne shape memory polymer is dispersible in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Ward William Ostendorf, Patrick Thomas Mather, Pamela Tiffany Wilson, Kazuki Ishida
  • Publication number: 20150074080
    Abstract: A search system can maintain a search index of metadata and text for objects in a repository, repositories or distributed across a network. The search index can be divided into partitions with a partition assigned a first capacity utilization threshold and a second capacity utilization threshold. If the capacity utilization of the partition is below the first threshold, the system can add, update and delete information in the partition. If the capacity utilization of the partition is above the first threshold, the system can update and delete information in the partition, but cannot add information for new objects to the partition. If the capacity utilization of the partition is above the second threshold, the system can enter a rebalancing mode in which it seeks to rebalance capacity utilization between partitions. The behavior of the system can change depending upon the size of a partition relative to its configurable thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick Thomas Sidney Pidduck, Aleksandra Czarlinska
  • Patent number: 8975031
    Abstract: A method for predicting a need for Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) in a patient comprises: determining a concentration of pi glutathione S transferase-(?GST) in a first urine sample from the patient; and wherein a need for RRT is predicted when the ?GST concentration is determined to be elevated in comparison to a patient without kidney injury. The method according to the invention can further comprise detecting for the presence of risk factors for RRT in a patient, the risk factors including elevated serum creatinine concentration, type I diabetes, type II diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperglycaemia, proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventors: Cormac Gerard Kilty, Jay Lawrence Koyner, Claire Victoria McGrath, Patrick Thomas Murray, Kerstin Schuster
  • Publication number: 20150039986
    Abstract: A system to provide an environment for two or more people to collaborate on a project, share experiences, or meet new people. An administrator (which may also be a user or group moderator) can use a smart phone application or web browser to create a new group that one or more users may be a member. The administrator may use software on a computer to generate a symbol associated with this group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Patrick A. THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20150038730
    Abstract: A method for producing a high viscosity, low volatiles blown stripped plant-based oil is provided. The method may include the steps of: (i) obtaining a plant-based oil; (ii) heating the oil to at least 90° C.; (iii) passing air through the heated oil to produce a blown oil having a viscosity of at least 50 cSt at 40° C.; (iv) stripping the blown oil from step (iii) to reduce an acid value of the blown oil to from 5 mg KOH/g to about 9 mg KOH/g; (v) adding a polyol to the stripped oil from (iv); and (vi) stripping the oil from step (v) to reduce the acid value of the oil to less than 5.0 mg KOH/g or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael John Hora, Patrick Thomas MURPHY
  • Patent number: 8945091
    Abstract: A breakaway coupling assembly includes a male coupling and a female coupling. The male coupling includes ribs that flex portions of the female coupling as an insert of the male coupling is positioned within the female coupling. Once the insert of male coupling is positioned into the female coupling a predefined distance, the ribs snap into a circumferential retention groove of the female coupling to secure the male coupling to the female coupling and form a fluid seal. The male coupling is decoupled from the female coupling by pinching the female coupling to release the ribs from the retention groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Colder Products Company
    Inventors: Randall Scott Williams, Patrick Thomas Gerst
  • Publication number: 20150031272
    Abstract: A method for forming a pattern in an abradable coating includes the step of machining a groove in the abradable coating with a machining tool. The machining tool is configured to machine a top surface, a side surface and a bottom surface of the groove simultaneously. A repeating step repeats the machining step until a desired number of grooves is obtained in the abradable coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Blake Allen Fulton, Patrick Thomas Walsh, Liming Zhang, Graig Lowell Sarratt, Douglas John Dix
  • Publication number: 20150028586
    Abstract: An aseptic coupling device includes: a main body defining a front face; a membrane coupled to the front face, the membrane including a first portion coupled to the front face and a second portion folded over on the first portion; and a low friction member positioned between the first and second portions of the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick Thomas Gerst, Randall Scott Williams