Patents by Inventor Paul M. Williams

Paul M. Williams 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: 11934413
    Abstract: A system, processes, and a computer-readable storage medium are provided method includes receiving a search query including one or more of a textual phrase, a document, or data including metadata from a user. For example, a processor may execute a theme-generating machine learning algorithm to generate a theme of the search query. Profiles of other users are identified as similar to a profile of the user may be located. A search history of each of the located other users may be located in the collected search history. Content in the searchable content that corresponds to the generated theme of the search query and according to a result of the evaluation of the located search history of each of the other users may be obtained. The obtained content may be scored based on a scoring algorithm and output a set of scored search results to the input/output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Piper Alexandra Coble, Natalie Kuhn, Paul Cho, Ryan M. Parker, Sergey Petrunin, Gary B. Williams, Eric Campbell, Lin Ni Lisa Cheng, Matthew Kevin Sullivan, Chris Demchalk
  • Patent number: 11923059
    Abstract: A system and method for managing the contents of a medical storage container such as a tray that has a required inventory of medical articles. A Faraday cage enclosure is used to isolate, scan, and inventory the container. The container and each of the medical articles in the container have a respective RFID tag. A processor is programmed to retrieve the inventory list for the container based on its tag and compare the actual contents of the container according to their tags to the inventory list. Missing items and extra items are noted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: MEPS Real-Time, Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmy C. Caputo, Shariq Hussain, Jeffrey Shamblin, James P. Williams, Jr., Paul M. Elizondo, II
  • Patent number: 7573705
    Abstract: A data storage system for removably storing information is disclosed. The data storage system includes a cartridge receptacle adapted to electrically and mechanically engage a removable data cartridge. The cartridge receptacle includes a second electrical connector and a conductive member. The second electrical connector is adapted to electrically engage a first electrical connector of the removable data cartridge. The conductive member is configured to engage a resistive portion of the removable data cartridge before the first and second electrical connectors engage. The conductive member is coupled to a ground of the cartridge receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: ProStor Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Alaimo, Alan Holstein, Randall A. Spalding, Michael H. Ulrich, Paul M. Williams
  • Patent number: 6405662
    Abstract: A compression device for feeding a waste material to a reactor includes a waste material feed assembly having a hopper, a supply tube and a compression tube. Each of the supply and compression tubes includes feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends. A feed-discharge valve assembly is located between the feed-outlet end of the compression tube and the reactor. A feed auger-screw extends axially in the supply tube between the feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends thereof. A compression auger-screw extends axially in the compression tube between the feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends thereof. The compression tube is sloped downwardly towards the reactor to drain fluid from the waste material to the reactor and is oriented at generally right angle to the supply tube such that the feed-outlet end of the supply tube is adjacent to the feed-inlet end of the compression tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Paul M. Williams, Kenneth M. Faller, Edward J. Bauer
  • Patent number: 6276286
    Abstract: A compression device for feeding a waste material to a reactor includes a waste material feed assembly having a hopper, a supply tube and a compression tube. Each of the supply and compression tubes includes feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends. A feed-discharge valve assembly is located between the feed-outlet end of the compression tube and the reactor. A feed auger-screw extends axially in the supply tube between the feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends thereof. A compression auger-screw extends axially in the compression tube between the feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends thereof. The compression tube is sloped downwardly towards the reactor to drain fluid from the waste material to the reactor and is oriented at generally right angle to the supply tube such that the feed-outlet end of the supply tube is adjacent to the feed-inlet end of the compression tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Paul M. Williams, Kenneth M. Faller, Edward J. Bauer
  • Patent number: 6123828
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring ethanol vapor concentration wherein a cell output is plotted with respect to time. The gradient of the steady rate portion of the plot is determined and an ethanol vapor concentration signal is generated from the determined gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Lion Laboratories Limited
    Inventors: Paul M. Williams, Dylan Jones
  • Patent number: 5496740
    Abstract: Testing apparatus is provided in the form of a pen and has a body 11 and cap 12. The body 11 has an inlet 13 at its tip which communicates with a fuel cell chamber 14, containing a fuel cell 15, and, via that chamber, with a passage 16 and a cylinder 17. A piston 18 is mounted in the cylinder 17 for operation by a button 19, a spring 21 and latch 22 such that it can draw air through the inlet 13 to the fuel cell 15. If the inlet 13 is placed in a user's mouth the apparatus can provide an indication of his breath alcohol concentration, for example, on display 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Lion Laboratories PLC
    Inventor: Paul M. Williams
  • Patent number: 5443794
    Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for measuring the concentration of a volatile component in a gas and in particular, but not exclusively, to breath alcohol testing apparatus.In such apparatus 10, a pressure transducer 15 is provided to detect the ambient pressure during test. This pressure is used to modify the output of a fuel cell 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Lion Technology Limited
    Inventor: Paul M. Williams
  • Patent number: 5300127
    Abstract: The invention relates to a soybean seed, lucerne seed or clover seed coated with an inoculant composition comprising a carrier medium, a beneficial microorganism and an adhesive polymeric material. A high average loading of viable organisms per seed is maintained in storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Agricultural Genetics Company Limited
    Inventor: Paul M. Williams
  • Patent number: 5276472
    Abstract: Audio to be recorded in a photographic film camera in association with individual exposed frames is first digitized and stored in a temporary storage memory in the camera allowing playback through a speaker mounted in the camera to permit playback review and editing, as needed. When the film is advanced in the camera to the next exposure frame, the digital audio signal is recorded on a magnetic layer formed on the film. At the photofinisher, the digital audio signal is read and converted to suitable encodement format, such as bar code or binary coded blister marks which are impressed on the photoprint for subsequent playback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Cynthia S. Bell, Paul M. Williams, Timothy J. Tredwell, Gary L. Robison
  • Patent number: 5178957
    Abstract: A composite article is prepared as a polymeric support having a coating of noble metal deposited on at least one surface thereof, the coating exhibiting suitable peel force for high performance applications such as the preparation of an electrode, such as a biocompatible, flexible, thin-film microelectrode where in the composite article can be prepared by pretreating at least one surface of the support by sputter etching, followed by sputter-depositing a noble metal on the pretreated surface in order to form the coating of noble metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Vasant V. Kolpe, Paul M. Williams
  • Patent number: 5157601
    Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for estimating body alcohol concentration from personal body characteristics. For example, a calculator 10 has a keyboard 12 through which the user can input information concerning his sex, body weight, degree of fat, food consumption, alcohol consumption and the timing of these last two events. Depending on the mode into which the apparatus is set, the user can be told his maximum body alcohol concentration, how much more he may drink before reaching a legal limit, or when he may achieve the legal limit if he drinks no more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Alcolator Limited
    Inventors: Thomas P. Jones, Paul M. Williams
  • Patent number: 5146258
    Abstract: In the present invention there is provided a plurality of photosensitive elements arranged in a symmetrical pattern around a central circular area. The area surrounding the central area is formed of a square area having the circular area at its center with the square area divided into four equal quadrants. The next area is rectangular in shape and surrounds the second area. The rectangular area is formed in four equal sections with each of the corners of the square area lying along two adjacent edges of the rectangular areas. A selection means is provided for selecting the output signal from any one the photodiodes or for selecting the output signals from any combination of two or more of the photodiodes so as to accentuate the responsiveness of the light meter to a selected area or feature of the image to be photographed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Cynthia S. Bell, Constantine N. Anagnostopoulos, Paul M. Williams, Michael J. Gaboury, James R. Koudelka
  • Patent number: 5146517
    Abstract: Transmission capabilities of optical fibers are enhanced with all-optical means for removing noise from signal pulses and for creating clean output pulses with specified characteristics. This is accomplished with a nonlinear interferometer that is designed to operate on an amplified optical signal in the manner of a threshold device. More specifically, the nonlinear interferometer is designed to have a relatively level region in its input/output transfer function in the neighborhood of the low input signal and in the neighborhood of the high input signal. Depending on the input signal characteristics, it is sometimes beneficial to design the interfereometer so that the nominal high level of the input signal falls approximately in the middle of its corresponding flat region. In another embodiment, a bandpass filter is included at the output of the interferometer to remove the excess bandwidth that is created by the preceding amplifiers and the interferometer itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Hercules Avramopoulos, Paul M. William French, M. Christina Gabriel, Norman A. Whitaker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5106648
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of preparing coated seeds, which comprises slurrying seeds with an inoculant composition containing a carrier medium, at least one species of microorganism having a beneficial effect on plants which grow from the seeds and an adhesive polymer, slurrying being effected in the presence of an aqueous suspension of an adhesive polymer; and air drying the resulting product at a temperature not greater than 30.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Agricultural Genetics Company Limited
    Inventor: Paul M. Williams
  • Patent number: 4993139
    Abstract: A system and method for exchanging tools and end effectors on a robot permits exchange during a programmed task. The exchange mechanism is located off the robot, thus reducing the mass of the robot arm and permitting smaller robots to perform designated tasks. A simple spring/collet mechanism mounted on the robot is used which permits the engagement and disengagement of the tool or end effector without the need for a rotational orientation of the tool to the end effector/collet interface. As the tool changing system is not located on the robot arm no umbilical cords are located on robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: David B. Burry, Paul M. Williams
  • Patent number: 4849005
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inoculant composition for plants, comprising a carrier medium, at least one species of microorganism having a beneficial effect on the plants, and a copolymer of (1) vinyl pyrrolidone and (2) vinyl acetate or styrene or substituted styrene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Agricultural Genetics Company Limited
    Inventors: Paul M. Williams, John M. Day
  • Patent number: 4651457
    Abstract: A weather vane-type rotatable inflatable wild fowl decoy. The decoy includes a relatively rigid or semi-flexible head and neck portion adapted to be rotatably supported by a spindle stuck in the earth, and an inflatable bag body adapted to be secured to the head and neck portion for rotation therewith. The decoy may be set up in the field in standing or sentry position and also in bent-over feeding or landing position. The body is imprinted with a non-reflective, mattefinish pattern simulating a species of wild fowl desired to be lured by the decoy. Specific means for mounting the decoy head on a spindle are disclosed, along with specific fastening means for securing the body. Preferably the spindle has some springiness or slight flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Advance Scouts, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Nelson, Thomas E. Nelson, Paul M. Williams
  • Patent number: 4412616
    Abstract: A multicompartment equipment case and cover having a plurality of compartments, each having an access opening and a cover member having a plurality of segments progressively, hingedly attached one to another and configured to coact with corresponding access openings for the compartments and including latching means for releasably disposing corresponding segments on corresponding compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: Williams Sound Corporation
    Inventor: Paul M. Williams
  • Patent number: RE34670
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inoculant composition for plants, comprising a carrier medium, at least one species of microorganism having a beneficial effect on the plants, and a copolymer of (1) vinyl pyrrolidone and (2) vinyl acetate or styrene or substituted styrene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Agricultural Genetics Company Limited
    Inventors: Paul M. Williams, John M. Day