Patents by Inventor Paul A. Francis

Paul A. Francis 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: 10302109
    Abstract: A fastening system comprising a second fastener fastened to a first fastener; the first fastener comprising a hollow housing having a side-wall and a top-wall; a first aperture formed in the side-wall and in the top-wall of the hollow housing, the first aperture configured for entry of the second fastener during fastening of the second fastener and first fastener; a second aperture formed in the side-wall of the hollow housing; a beam formed in the side-wall between the first aperture and the second aperture, the beam attached at opposing ends to the side-wall; the beam blocks the first aperture to inhibit separation of the second fastener from the first fastener through the first aperture; and the beam is configured to be deformed during fastening of the second fastener to the first fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Francis Michelini, Stanley Curtis Dobson, Aaron Michael Delong, Gaspar Michael Badalamenti
  • Patent number: 10302869
    Abstract: A photonic assembly includes an optical die including a suspended membrane structure arranged thereon. A cavity is arranged beneath the suspended membrane structure. An optical interconnect structure is arranged on the optical die. The photonic assembly also includes an optical adhesive arranged on the optical die in contact with the optical interconnect structure. The optical adhesive is arranged beneath the suspended membrane structure to at least partially fill the cavity beneath the suspended membrane structure. The photonic assembly also includes a structural adhesive arranged on the optical die adjacent to the optical adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Barnim Alexander Janta-Polczynski, Elaine Cyr, Tymon Barwicz, Nicolas Boyer, Richard D. Langlois, Paul Francis Fortier
  • Patent number: 10295749
    Abstract: A photonic assembly includes an optical die including a suspended membrane structure arranged thereon. A cavity is arranged beneath the suspended membrane structure. An optical interconnect structure is arranged on the optical die. The photonic assembly also includes an optical adhesive arranged on the optical die in contact with the optical interconnect structure. The optical adhesive is arranged beneath the suspended membrane structure to at least partially fill the cavity beneath the suspended membrane structure. The photonic assembly also includes a structural adhesive arranged on the optical die adjacent to the optical adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Barnim Alexander Janta-Polczynski, Elaine Cyr, Tymon Barwicz, Nicolas Boyer, Richard D. Langlois, Paul Francis Fortier
  • Publication number: 20190143319
    Abstract: A thin-walled microplate suitable for use in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique comprising a plurality of thin-walled tubes or wells arranged in a fixed array, each well having an upper portion with an open top and a lower, frustoconical portion having a substantially flat bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventor: Paul Francis Day
  • Publication number: 20190137656
    Abstract: A compound lens assembly and method for making a compound lens assembly useful for deep ultraviolet lithography are described. The compound lens assembly includes a first lens component having an optical surface bonded to an optical surface of a second lens component. The bonding at the interface can be achieved using a hydroxide catalysis bonding technique. The compound lens assembly and process for making same solve problems relating to constringence and/or inherent birefringence known for conventional optical elements used in deep ultraviolet lithography or inspection of wafers or reticles in the DUV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Morgan Dunn, Todd Robert McMichael, Paul Francis Michaloski, Mark Ranney Westcott
  • Patent number: 10278314
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of soft and/or flexible electromagnetic interference (EMI) shields. In an exemplary embodiment, a shield is suitable for use in providing EMI shielding for one or more components on a substrate. The shield generally includes one or more contacts configured for installation on the substrate and an electrically-conductive cover configured for installation on the contact(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: LAIRD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: John Song, Gerald R. English, Mohammadali Khorrami, Paul Francis Dixon
  • Patent number: 10275988
    Abstract: A game controller operable to control play of a game. The game controller includes a configuration module, a wager determination module and a trigger module. The configuration module configures a secondary event trigger having a hit rate which is fixed over a plurality of games. The wager determination module determines an amount wagered for play of one of the games. The trigger module triggers a secondary game event in which a higher value prize and lower value prize are each eligible to be awarded upon determining the trigger in the game, such that a probability of awarding the higher value prize increases with the amount wagered in the game, while the probability of awarding the lower value prize decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Paul Francis Bramble
  • Patent number: 10228799
    Abstract: Pressure-sensing touch systems and methods are disclosed for sensing the occurrence of a touch event based on pressure applied at a touch location. The touch system includes a light-source system and a detector system operably adjacent respective input and output edges of a waveguide. Pressure at a touch location on the waveguide gives rise to a touch event causes the waveguide to bend or flex. The waveguide bending causes a change in the optical paths of light traveling by FTIR, causing the light distribution in the output light to change. The changes are detected and are used to determine whether a touch event occurred, as well as the time-evolution of the touch event. The changes in the output light can include polarization changes caused by birefringence induced in the waveguide by the applied pressure applied. Various detector configurations are disclosed for sensing the location and pressure of a touch event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Minghan Chen, Jacques Gollier, Ming-Jun Li, Paul Francis Michaloski, William James Miller, Daniel Aloysius Nolan
  • Publication number: 20190066447
    Abstract: A method of gaming comprising: conducting a game requiring a player to make a choice between at least one optimal action and at least one sub-optimal action having a lower return to player than the optimal action such that the difference between the sub-optimal action and the optimal action represents a lost return to player; receiving a player choice of an action; and conducting a trial for an award in which the probability of success is controlled to provide an expected return to player from the trial that compensates the player for the lost return to player in response to determining that the choice is a sub-optimal action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventor: Paul Francis Jason Bramble
  • Patent number: 10213172
    Abstract: An imaging method includes executing a low-dose preparatory scan to an object by applying tube voltages and tube currents in an x-ray source, and generating a first image of the object corresponding to the low-dose preparatory scan. The method further includes generating image quality estimates and dose estimates view by view at least based on the first image. The method includes optimizing the tube voltages and the tube currents to generate optimal profiles for the tube voltage and the tube current. At least one of the optimal profiles for the tube voltage and the tube current is generated based on the image quality estimates and the dose estimates. The method includes executing an acquisition scan by applying the tube voltages and the tube currents based on the optimal profiles and generating a second image of the object corresponding to the acquisition scan. An imaging system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yannan Jin, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard De Man, Peter Michael Edic, Paul Francis Fitzgerald, Xue Rui, Yangyang Yao, Zhye Yin, Uwe Wiedmann
  • Patent number: 10212806
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are provided of absorber assemblies having dielectric spacers. In an exemplary embodiment, an absorber assembly includes a printed circuit board and a differential line disposed on the printed circuit board. The differential line includes a first trace and a second trace opposite the first trace. The assembly also includes a dielectric spacer coupled to the printed circuit board and covering at least a portion of the differential line, and an absorber coupled to the dielectric spacer to inhibit electromagnetic interference radiation from the differential line. Example methods of assembling an electromagnetic interference radiation absorber assembly for a differential line are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Francis Dixon, Mohammadali Khorrami
  • Publication number: 20190040055
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein A, L, D, R1-R15, w, x, y, and z are defined herein. The novel cycloalkyl-linked diheterocycle derivatives that are useful in the treatment of abnormal cell growth, such as cancer, in mammals. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and to methods of using the compounds and compositions in the treatment of abnormal cell growth in mammals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Pfizer Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Craig Burns, Michael Raymond Collins, Samantha Elizabeth Greasley, Robert Louis Hoffman, Peter Qinhua Huang, Robert Steven Kania, Pei-Pei Kung, Maria Angelica Linton, Lakshmi Sourirajan Narasimhan, Paul Francis Richardson, Daniel Tyler Richter, Graham Smith
  • Patent number: 10196692
    Abstract: A polynucleotide comprising at least the final six nucleotides of one of the following primer sequences, or a sequence complementary thereto: SEQ. ID NOS. 3 to 16, 18, 20 to 33, 35 or 37 to 39. A method of detecting the presence or absence of a mutation in the PIK3CA gene, wherein the mutation is one of H1047R, H1047L, E542K and E545K, and preferably ARMS primers are combined with Scorpion primers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: QIAGEN MANCHESTER LIMITED
    Inventors: Ruth Board, Jennifer Haworth, Paul Francis Ravetto, Nicola Jo Thelwell, David Whitcombe
  • Patent number: 10190171
    Abstract: A polynucleotide comprising at least the final six nucleotides of one of the following primer sequences, or a sequence complementary thereto: SEQ. ID NOS. 3 to 16, 18, 20 to 33, 35 or 37 to 39. A method of detecting the presence or absence of a mutation in the PIK3CA gene, wherein the mutation is one of H1047R, H1047L, E542K and E545K, and preferably ARMS primers are combined with Scorpion primers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: QIAGEN MANCHESTER LIMITED
    Inventors: Ruth Board, Jennifer Haworth, Paul Francis Ravetto, Nicola Jo Thelwell, David Whitcombe
  • Publication number: 20190011143
    Abstract: A room condition monitor (RCM) that includes a processor with an embedded router software object that is in signal communication with a first communication connector including an interface for the transmission receipt of data packages over a building management system (BMS) communication network according to a first network protocol. A second communication connector with a second network protocol interface is provided for communication with network legacy devises (I/O devices) through the RCM router according to a second network protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Brandon Thomas Rogers, Bernard A. Manning, II, Gino Amaro Pinto, Sunil Barot, Shawn Oscar Henry, Anthony T. Batista, Eric Christopher Beishline, Kevin Bourbeau, Paul Francis GROSSHART
  • Publication number: 20190001001
    Abstract: Design and use of an administered drug in the form of a nanoparticle or molecule is described. In certain examples, the nanoparticle has a core and a shell surrounding the core. The core may be configured or designed to provide useful X-ray attenuating properties, gamma ray emission properties, magnetic properties, or therapeutic effects. In certain aspects, the nanoparticle or molecule is sized so as to either distribute from or remain in the blood pool, while still being eliminated by the kidneys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Paul Francis Fitzgerald, Michael Ernest Marino, Peter Michael Edic, Daniel Eugene Meyer, Peter J. Bonitatibus, Jr., Robert Edgar Colborn, Benjamin Ming-Yueh Yeh
  • Publication number: 20190001002
    Abstract: Design and use of an administered drug in the form of a nanoparticle or molecule is described. In certain examples, the nanoparticle has a core and a shell surrounding the core. The core may be configured or designed to provide useful X-ray attenuating properties, gamma ray emission properties, magnetic properties, or therapeutic effects. In certain aspects, the nanoparticle or molecule is sized so as to either distribute from or remain in the blood pool, while still being eliminated by the kidneys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Paul Francis Fitzgerald, Michael Ernest Marino, Peter Michael Edic, Daniel Eugene Meyer, Peter J. Bonitatibus, JR., Robert Edgar Colborn, Benjamin Ming-Yueh Yeh
  • Publication number: 20190000418
    Abstract: A system comprising a multi-modal ultrasound probe configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes associated with a respective plurality of configuration profiles; and a computing device coupled to the handheld multi-modal ultrasound probe and configured to, in response to receiving input indicating an operating mode selected by a user, cause the multi-modal ultrasound probe to operate in the selected operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Rothberg, Susan A. Alie, Nevada J. Sanchez, Tyler S. Ralston, Christopher Thomas McNulty, Jaime Scott Zahorian, Paul Francis Cristman, Matthew de Jonge, Keith G. Fife
  • Publication number: 20190004217
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are lenses comprising a first surface, a second convex surface, and a central region disposed therebetween, wherein the central region comprises at least one negative axicon. Also disclosed herein are optical assemblies comprising at least one lens optically coupled to at least one light emitting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: James Gregory COUILLARD, David Francis DAWSON-ELI, Paul Francis MICHALOSKI, Leonard Gerard WAMBOLDT, William Allen WOOD
  • Publication number: 20180358725
    Abstract: Embodiments provide for a method for pluggable Land Grid Array (LGA) socket for high density interconnects. A method includes inserting an electrical-to-optical transceiver into an opening of a channel housing that is positioned above a land grid array connector located on an electrical package. After the electrical-to-optical transceiver is inserted into the channel housing, a tapered opening remains between an upper portion of the channel housing above the electrical-to-optical transceiver, wherein a gap of the tapered opening decreases progressively starting from the opening. The method includes inserting a conductive wedge into the gap of the tapered opening prior to communications through the electrical-to-optical transceiver between a component on the electrical package and a component external to the electrical package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Alan F. Benner, Benjamin Vito Fasano, Paul Francis Fortier, Hilton T. Toy