Patents by Inventor Ray A. Smith

Ray A. 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: 20080109599
    Abstract: The present invention increases the efficiency of dynamically, reusable computer environments by first retrieving data set information from a volume table of contents (VTOC) to ensure its consistency with the catalog. After obtaining the necessary information about the data sets, control statements are generated and appropriate programs invoked to perform the desired maintenance operations. Reinitializing and reconfiguring the reusable computer environment by starting with the VTOC prevents post-maintenance issues such as a data set with an entry in an integrated catalog facility (ICF) catalog while the data set no longer exists on a volume, a cataloged virtual storage access method (VSAM) cluster with disassociated DATA or INDEX data sets, and a data set catalog entry that has been scratched while the data set still exists on a volume. The present invention saves time and money by preventing such problems up-front instead of correcting them after-the-fact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Alan Ray Smith
  • Publication number: 20080106037
    Abstract: A source of symbols with two primary distinguishable characteristics is provided in a wagering environment. A player has wagering opportunities on a sequence of events, wagering on either of the primary distinguishable characteristics for each event in the sequence of events. Playing cards may be used as the source of symbols, such as a 52-card standard deck with one or two jokers or other non-standard cards. Wagers can be placed on each of the number of events in the sequence and special events that occur in the sequence (all symbols of the same characteristic, a particular card or other predetermined events). Side bets may also be placed on the events. Bets may be placed on the color of a limited number of cards dealt to a community flop, with the joker(s) providing a basis for house retention or profits on wagers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Ray Smith, Amanda Tears Smith
  • Publication number: 20080107337
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for analyzing media material having a layout. A media material analyzer includes a segmenter and an article composer. The segmenter identifies block segments associated with columnar body text in the media material. The article composer determines which of the identified block segments belong to one or more articles in the media material. The article composer can determine whether candidate block segments belong to a same article based on language statistics information, layout transition information, or both language statistics information and layout transition information. A system for searching media material having a layout over a network is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Furmaniak, Ray Smith, Luc Vincent, Dan Bloomberg, Dar-Shyang Lee
  • Publication number: 20080107338
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for analyzing media material having articles continuing across multiple pages. A media material analyzer includes a segmenter and an article composer. The segmenter identifies block segments associated with columnar body test in the media material. The article composer determines which of the identified block segments belong to a continuing article extending across multiple pages in the media material based on language statistics information and continuation transition information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Furmaniak, Ray Smith, Luc Vincent, Dan Bloomberg, Dar-Shyang Lee
  • Publication number: 20080071736
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for criteria-based grouping and searching of database management system log records. The method performs criteria-based grouping and searching of database management system log records by: interpreting a search criteria; interpreting a log record data description; extracting a plurality of log records from a set of database management system log records according to the search criteria and the log record data description; generating intermediate information configured to allow a sort utility to sort the extracted log records; sorting the extracted log records according to the search criteria; and presenting the sorted extracted log records to a user. The method allows users to quickly sort and review log files according to desired criteria at review time, rather than the sorting criteria used to store the log files at the time of creation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventor: Alan Ray Smith
  • Publication number: 20080026812
    Abstract: A wagering game is played with symbol indicia having an order or rank. A player places a first wager to play in an underlying game. The player receives at least or exactly two indicia which are positioned among three possible orientations by the player. There is one indicia each, in any of three indicia positions defining a player's hand. The player places the two indicia, leaving one indicia position unfilled. A third indicia is provided to the player in the unfilled indicia position. The first wager is resolved at least in part based on whether the third indicia forms a sequence of order or ranks among the three indicia provided to the player. There may be a similar dealer hand against which the player hand is compared. Playing cards are preferred indicia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Ray Smith, Amanda Tears Smith
  • Publication number: 20080022271
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for modular distribution and maintenance of non-“object code only” (OCO) dynamic components. OCO components comprise compiled executable modules. Non-OCO components comprise user readable and/or editable components. The modular distribution of non-OCO components comprises updating a skeleton data set comprising text and component fields such that user customizations and developer customizations are preserved. The modular distribution further allows for the generation of an output data in response to a reportable operational event, wherein the output data set is based on the skeleton data set and user customizations and developer customizations stored in customization data sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dario D'Angelo, Kin Lau, Alan Ray Smith
  • Patent number: 7289991
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for sorting character representations of data under the present invention, a character-encoded sort data value is identified in a data line of a data set. The sort data value is a character encoding of a predefined numbering system such as hexadecimal or binary encoding. The sort data value is then converted to a predefined encoding scheme and the data set is sorted based on the converted sort data value. A cycle number may be appended to the sort data value to maintain the order of the sort data values when the sort data values wrap. One embodiment identifies and removes delimiters such as titles from the data set and are inserted into the sorted data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Alan Ray Smith
  • Patent number: 7290181
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for context-sensitive error event notification. The apparatus and method include a monitor to detect an error event within a computer application, an analysis module to determine characteristics of the error event, an assembler to compose a context-sensitive message comprising a context-sensitive resource relating to the event characteristics, and a transmission module to transmit the message to a set of addressees. The context-sensitive message may include error characteristics, error-specific information from reference materials, error-specific links to related information repositories, and an error-associated search. The context-sensitive message is automatically transmitted to a set of addressees that are associated with the error event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dario D'Angelo, Alan Ray Smith, Kevin Richard Stewart, Thomas Richard Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20070246584
    Abstract: An apparatus for installation of a material having discrete elements. The apparatus includes a supply material having discrete elements and a transporter system downstream of the supply material having discrete elements. In embodiments, the transporter system includes: a high speed, inline blower; a material agitator upstream of the inline blower, the material agitator including a plurality of concentric rings with serrations on the upper surface of each arm, wherein at least one outer ring includes saw tooth serrations on the upper surface of the ring; a transmission connected to the shaft of the blower for providing a lower speed mechanical output to the material agitator; and an orifice substantially adjacent to the inlet of the blower for receiving the supply material having discrete elements. In embodiments, the apparatus further includes an applicator assembly connected downstream to the transporter system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: David J. Bowman, Frank Comer Burroughs, Joseph Chester Willingham, William Crockett Richardson, Mitchell Ray Smith
  • Patent number: 7270230
    Abstract: An auxiliary wheel device that is used with material handling machines. This is a special compliant urethane wheel for use especially in the corrugated cardboard industry. The wheel relates generally to a transfer mechanism that permits the cardboard and other materials to be transferred from a processing line to accumulation devices such as a stacker and shuttle machine. This improved wheel device has a compliant and flexible surface which permits the cardboard units to be temporarily held in place on the conveyor without damaging or marking the units. The special triangular-like configuration of the apertures molded into the wheel provides an improved strength and durability when compared with other compliant wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: Kevin Ray Smith
  • Patent number: 7269188
    Abstract: Simultaneous transmission of voice and data over the voice channel of a wireless communications network, such as a “cell phone” network, is reconfigurable on the fly among multiple operating modes, including a lull detection mode in which data is transferred during a lull or quiet period in the voice content. Additionally, control signaling in the voice channel, rather than over a separate control or “overhead” channel is employed to support SVD. The described system operates transparently over any wireless telecommunications system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Airbiquity, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Ray Smith
  • Publication number: 20070206363
    Abstract: A voltage regulator controls voltage supplied from a generator or alternator and includes a voltage regulator body having at least one component receiving cavity. A lead frame is embedded within the voltage regulator body and forms external lead frame connectors and internal lead frame connectors. A voltage regulator integrated circuit and passive components are mounted within the at least one component receiving body and connected to the selected internal lead frame connectors. The lead frame can be configured such that one or more passive components are positioned over or under at least a portion of the voltage regulator IC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: WETHERILL ASSOCIATES, INC., Corporation of the State of Delaware
    Inventors: Mario Cespedes, Terry Haskin, Ray Smith, An Nguyen, John Lasek
  • Patent number: 7246715
    Abstract: A reclosable lid 310 for a container holding a flowable substance has a cover 312 and a rotatable element 50 rotatably supported by the cover 312. The cover 312 has an opening 28 and a slot 30 located in a top wall 14 of the cover 312. The cover 312 also has a tab 323 extending outward from a portion of the cover 312. The rotatable element 50 has at least one aperture 78 and an actuator 54 that is accessible through the slot 30. The element 50 is moveable by manipulation of the actuator 54 between a first position wherein the aperture 78 is misaligned with the opening 28, and a second position wherein the aperture 78 is aligned with the opening 28. The cover 312 has at least one support member 102 extending radially inward from an inner surface 100 of the cover 312, wherein the support member 102 rotatably supports the element 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Solo Cup Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Dawn Ellen Huston, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, Stephen William Sullivan, Rich Matthew Chin, Mohammed Maqsood Ahmed, John Stewart Gitschlag, David Raymond Langelan, Rajendra Ranjitbhai Chauhan, William Edward Hurst, James Tam Joines, Jr., Kevin Ray Smith, Mark Gerald Anhalt, Bryce G. Rutter, Brian C. Bone, Heath A. Doty, Richard Michael Sandusky
  • Patent number: 7210595
    Abstract: A storage device is provided which includes at least first and second frames and a plurality of support members for maintaining the first and second frames at a spaced distance apart. The support members and frames define the shape of the storage device, and sheet material depends between the first and second frames and the support members to form side walls of the device. The device is movable between a flattened condition and an erect condition by user manipulation of the frames. This user manipulation includes rotating the frames relative to each other to twist the device and move the device between the flattened and erected conditions. When the device is in the collapsed or erect conditions, the support members are substantially straight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Spin Master Ltd.
    Inventor: Ray Smith
  • Patent number: D535561
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Solo Cup Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Kevin Ray Smith, Robert Joseph Schaefer
  • Patent number: D536249
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Solo Cup Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Kevin Ray Smith, Robert Joseph Schaefer
  • Patent number: D539649
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Solo Cup Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Kevin Ray Smith, Robert Joseph Schaefer, Bradley F. Rademaker
  • Patent number: D539650
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Solo Cup Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Kevin Ray Smith, Robert Joseph Schaefer, Bradley F. Rademaker
  • Patent number: D540167
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Solo Cup Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Kevin Ray Smith, Robert Joseph Schaefer, Bradley F. Rademaker