Patents by Inventor Richard A. Howard

Richard A. 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: 9403319
    Abstract: A structural joint assembly for a vehicle is provided with a first thermoplastic composite member having a protrusion containing fibrous material. A reinforcement member is provided with a receptacle for mating engagement with the protrusion. A second thermoplastic member is mounted to the first thermoplastic member over the protrusion such that the reinforcement member is provided between the first thermoplastic member and the second thermoplastic member but not adhesively bonded or overmolded therebetween. A method of manufacturing a structural joint assembly and a structural joint assembly manufactured by a method are disclosed. The methods include molding a first thermoplastic member with a protrusion with fibrous material and a second thermoplastic member. A reinforcement member has a receptacle and is mounted to the first thermoplastic member. The receptacle is retained by the protrusion without adhesive bonding or overmolding. The second thermoplastic member is joined to the first thermoplastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Jaranson, Kedzie Davis Fernholz, Richard Howard Wykoff
  • Patent number: 9332448
    Abstract: An apparatus has a wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver and one or more sensors. The sensors are monitored. From time to time, a mitigation level applicable to the apparatus is determined as a function of output from the one or more sensors. The mitigation level is one of multiple mitigation levels, each mitigation level corresponding to a set of configuration changes for a Media Access Control (MAC) layer of the WLAN transceiver. Responsive to determining that the applicable mitigation level has increased from a most recent previously determined mitigation level, the MAC layer is configured to effect a decrease in a transmit duty cycle of the WLAN transceiver. Responsive to determining that the applicable mitigation level has decreased from a most recent previously determined mitigation level, the MAC layer is configured to effect an increase in the transmit duty cycle of the WLAN transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Peter Montemurro, Richard Howard Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9332189
    Abstract: A user attempting to obtain information about an object can capture image information including a view of that object, and the image information can be used with a matching or identification process to provide information about that type of object to the user. In order to narrow the search space to a specific category, and thus improve the accuracy of the results and the speed at which results can be obtained, the user can be guided to capture image information with an appropriate orientation. An outline or other graphical guide can be displayed over image information captured by a computing device, in order to guide the user in capturing the object from an appropriate direction and with an appropriate scale for the type of matching and/or information used for the matching. Such an approach enables three-dimensional objects to be analyzed using conventional two-dimensional identification algorithms, among other such processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Francislav Petrov Penov, Aaron Michael Donsbach, Geoffrey Scott Heller, Kenneth Mark Karakotsios, Daniel Bibireata, Kah Kuen Fu, Richard Howard Suplee, III, Timothy Youngjin Sohn
  • Publication number: 20160118282
    Abstract: A buffer for use in semiconductor processing tools is disclosed. The buffer may be used to temporarily store wafers after processing operations are performed on those wafers. The buffer may include two side walls and a back wall interposed between the side walls. The side walls and the back wall may generally define an area within which the wafers may be stored in a stacked arrangement. Wafer support fins extending from the side walls and the back wall may extend into a wafer support region that overlaps with the edges of the wafers. Purge gas may be introduced in between each pair of wafers via purge gas ports located in one of the walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Martin Robert Maraschin, Richard Howard Gould, Derek John Witkowicki
  • Patent number: 9319968
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling aspects of network communications from a device to a network are provided. In particular, a method of initiating scans for a network by a communication device for a communication network is provided. The method comprises: monitoring for a first condition relating to a network scan for the communication network; and when the first condition relates to a receipt of at least one request to initiate the network scan and when at least the first condition is satisfied, identifying a first parameter for the network scan and configuring and initiating the network scan at the communication device for the communication network implementing the first parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Peter Montemurro, Stephen McCann, Richard Howard Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20160016447
    Abstract: A dual function tow hook includes a body forming a tow hook and an integral step formed in the body. The integral step is recessed in an upper surface of the body and includes a first end wall and a second end wall. Further the integral step includes a grooved tread face between the first and second end walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: Richard Howard
  • Publication number: 20160009151
    Abstract: A dual function tow hook includes a body forming a tow hook and an integral step formed in the body. The integral step is recessed in an upper surface of the body and includes a first end wall and a second end wall. Further the integral step includes a grooved tread face between the first and second end walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventor: Richard Howard
  • Patent number: 9233586
    Abstract: A dual function tow hook includes a body forming a tow hook and an integral step formed in the body. The integral step is recessed in an upper surface of the body and includes a first end wall and a second end wall. Further the integral step includes a grooved tread face between the first and second end walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Howard
  • Publication number: 20150189188
    Abstract: A user attempting to obtain information about an object can capture image information including a view of that object, and the image information can be used with a matching or identification process to provide information about that type of object to the user. In order to narrow the search space to a specific category, and thus improve the accuracy of the results and the speed at which results can be obtained, the user can be guided to capture image information with an appropriate orientation. An outline or other graphical guide can be displayed over image information captured by a computing device, in order to guide the user in capturing the object from an appropriate direction and with an appropriate scale for the type of matching and/or information used for the matching. Such an approach enables three-dimensional objects to be analyzed using conventional two-dimensional identification algorithms, among other such processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Francislav Petrov Penov, Aaron Michael Donsbach, Geoffrey Scott Heller, Kenneth Mark Karakotsios, Daniel Bibireata, Kah Kuen Fu, Richard Howard Suplee, III, Timothy Youngjin Sohn
  • Patent number: 9055384
    Abstract: Various approaches for providing textual information to an application, system, or service are disclosed. In particular, various embodiments enable a user to capture an image with a camera of a portable computing device. The computing device is capable of taking the image and processing it to recognize, identify, and/or isolate the text in order to forward the text to an application or function. The application or function can then utilize the text to perform an action in substantially real-time. The text may include an email, phone number, URL, an address, and the like and the application or function may be dialing the phone number, navigating to the URL, opening an address book to save contact information, displaying a map to show the address, and so on. Adaptive thresholding can be used to account for variations across an image, in order to improve the accuracy and efficiency of text recognition processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Volodymyr V. Ivanchenko, Geoffrey Scott Heller, Richard Howard Suplee, III, Daniel Bibireata
  • Patent number: 9007490
    Abstract: Systems and approaches are provided for obtaining high quality image data from lower resolution and/or lower quality image data. An electronic device can be calibrated comprehensively prior to being provided to a user. The calibrated electronic device can be used to capture image data, image metadata, and other sensor data substantially simultaneously. Super-resolution processing can be applied to the captured image data to obtain higher quality image data than the captured image data, such as image data that corresponds to a higher resolution, has less blur, has less noise, has fewer photometric imperfections, and/or has fewer artifacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Yuan, Richard Howard Suplee, III, Daniel Bibireata, Honghong Peng, Leo Benedict Baldwin, Geoffrey Scott Heller, Wei Li
  • Publication number: 20150071268
    Abstract: A wireless device may be subject to regulations based on the location (e.g. country). Accordingly, the wireless device may need to identify regulations for its current location. A lookup table or database that includes regulations for different locations may be used for identifying the regulations for the current location of the wireless device. The lookup table may be stored locally on the wireless device or retrieved over a network. The identified regulations may be used to modify certain operating parameters of the wireless device to comply with the local regulations and determine whether or not to associate with an incorrectly configured Access Point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Howard Kennedy, James Randolph Winter Lepp, Stephen McCann, Michael Peter Montemurro
  • Publication number: 20150063131
    Abstract: An apparatus has a wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver and one or more sensors. The sensors are monitored. From time to time, a mitigation level applicable to the apparatus is determined as a function of output from the one or more sensors. The mitigation level is one of multiple mitigation levels, each mitigation level corresponding to a set of configuration changes for a Media Access Control (MAC) layer of the WLAN transceiver. Responsive to determining that the applicable mitigation level has increased from a most recent previously determined mitigation level, the MAC layer is configured to effect a decrease in a transmit duty cycle of the WLAN transceiver. Responsive to determining that the applicable mitigation level has decreased from a most recent previously determined mitigation level, the MAC layer is configured to effect an increase in the transmit duty cycle of the WLAN transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Peter Montemurro, Richard Howard Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8814258
    Abstract: A panoramic vehicle roof module assembly is provided with front and rear cross members. A pair of extruded side rails are each mounted to the cross members. Each side rail has a front integrated roof track, a rear integrated roof track and an integrated sun shade track, each track formed therein along its length. A roof panel is supported by one of the integrated roof tracks of the side rails to interface with the front cross members. An intermediate cross member is mounted to the side rails and is interfaced with the roof panel. A second panel is provided mounted to the side rails to interface with the rear cross member and the intermediate cross member. The side rails each include an integrated support flange to mount the assembly to a vehicle. A method of manufacturing a panoramic vehicle roof module assembly is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Comfort, Richard Howard Wykoff, Kian-Huat Tan, Matthew John Zaluzec, Bradley S. Bysouth, Michael Musleh
  • Publication number: 20140211067
    Abstract: A user attempting to obtain information about an object can capture image information including a view of that object, and the image information can be used with a matching or identification process to provide information about that type of object to the user. In order to narrow the search space to a specific category, and thus improve the accuracy of the results and the speed at which results can be obtained, the user can be guided to capture image information with an appropriate orientation. An outline or other graphical guide can be displayed over image information captured by a computing device, in order to guide the user in capturing the object from an appropriate direction and with an appropriate scale for the type of matching and/or information used for the matching. Such an approach enables three-dimensional objects to be analyzed using conventional two-dimensional identification algorithms, among other such processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Francislav Petrov Penov, Aaron Michael Donsbach, Geoffrey Scott Heller, Kenneth Mark Karakotsios, Daniel Bibireata, Kah Kuen Fu, Richard Howard Suplee, III, Timothy Youngjin Sohn
  • Patent number: D709413
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Gordon M. Platto, Bradley A. Richards, Moray S. Callum, Joel Piaskowski, Richard Howard
  • Patent number: D709810
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Gordon M. Platto, Bradley A. Richards, Moray S. Callum, Joel Piaskowski, Richard Howard
  • Patent number: D709811
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Gordon M. Platto, Bradley A. Richards, Moray S. Callum, Joel Piaskowski, Richard Howard
  • Patent number: D718190
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Gordon M. Platto, Bradley A. Richards, Moray S. Callum, Joel Piaskowski, John Kim, William K. Moore, Dong H. Park, Bruce P. Williams, Richard Howard, Anthony Meyer
  • Patent number: D736134
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Gordon M. Platto, Bradley A. Richards, Moray S. Callum, Joel Piaskowski, Dong H. Park, Richard Howard