Patents by Inventor Robert A. Frank

Robert A. Frank 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: 9707845
    Abstract: Levels of substance use, location, and vital signs are remotely monitored for a subject. In one embodiment, the system includes a testing device (102) and a communication device (130). The testing device (102) obtains a breathalyzer sample from a test subject and determines a substance level. The communication device (130) reports the substance level to a remote monitoring station. In addition, location and camera functions of the communication device can report additional information for verification and system integrity. In other embodiments, the system can be incorporated into an ankle bracelet for monitoring movement of an individual or into a vehicle system to prevent operation while impaired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT F. NIENHOUSE 1997 DECLARATION OF TRUST
    Inventor: Robert Frank Nienhouse
  • Publication number: 20170174090
    Abstract: Systems and methods for energy generation, management and distribution via a utility tower are provided. The utility tower can include a vertical structure, at least one energy storage, at least one communication network to communicate power requirements, power quality, power available or any combination thereof, at least one power source coupled to the at least one energy storage, at least one controller to calculate at least one power distribution criterion and to control the energy transfer from the at least one energy storage to one or more loads based on the at least one power distribution criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Brian David LAKAMP, Robert Frank MARANO
  • Publication number: 20170180459
    Abstract: Techniques are presented for managing a deployment pipeline using an inheritable and extensible source code template—generally referred to as a live pipeline template (LPT). As described, live pipeline templates may be used to manage deployment pipelines which, in turn, are used to launch, maintain, and update the services and systems used to host and provide computing services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Martin Robert FRANK, Ian Aird MOSHER, Felix Walter Blue JOIDIN, Mark Sidney James MANSOUR, Sixiang GU
  • Publication number: 20170180487
    Abstract: Techniques are presented for managing a deployment pipeline using an inheritable and extensible source code template—generally referred to as a live pipeline template (LPT). As described, live pipeline templates may be used to manage deployment pipelines which, in turn, are used to launch, maintain, and update the services and systems used to host and provide computing services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Martin Robert FRANK, Ian Aird MOSHER, Felix Walter Blue JODOIN, Mark Sidney James MANSOUR, Sixiang GU
  • Publication number: 20170180266
    Abstract: Techniques are presented for managing a deployment pipeline using an inheritable and extensible source code template—generally referred to as a live pipeline template (LPT). As described, live pipeline templates may be used to manage deployment pipelines which, in turn, are used to launch, maintain, and update the services and systems used to host and provide computing services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Martin Robert FRANK, Ian Aird MOSHER, Felix Walter Blue JODOIN, Mark Sidney James MANSOUR, Sixiang GU
  • Publication number: 20170177324
    Abstract: Techniques are presented for managing a deployment pipeline using an inheritable and extensible source code template—generally referred to as a live pipeline template (LPT). As described, live pipeline templates may be used to manage deployment pipelines which, in turn, are used to launch, maintain, and update the services and systems used to host and provide computing services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Martin Robert FRANK, Ian Aird MOSHER, Felix Walter Blue JODOIN, Mark Sidney James MANSOUR, Sixiang GU
  • Publication number: 20170172246
    Abstract: Described are shoes for ball sports including an upper having an outer surface. An actuator is configured to change at least one surface property of a portion of the outer surface of the upper, and a sensor is configured to be sensitive to movements of the shoe. A processing unit is connected to the actuator and the sensor and configured to process sensor data retrieved from the sensor and to cause the actuator to change the at least one surface property of the portion of the outer surface of the upper if a predetermined event is detected in the sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Constantin Zwick, Robert Frank Kirk, Christian DiBenedetto, Eva Andrea Dorschky, Bjoern Michael Eskofier, Dominik Schuldhaus, Peter Georg Laitenberger, Iain James Sabberton
  • Patent number: 9684914
    Abstract: A request to view an item may be received in an electronic marketplace. The request may cause an offer request to be sent to one or more merchants. The merchants may respond with corresponding offers. Upon receipt of the offer, so long as the offered is received during a time when offers are being accepted, a price may be determined for the item based at least in part on the received offers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon William Porter, Martin Robert Frank, Simon Kurt Johnston
  • Publication number: 20170164685
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sole element, such as an insole, for a shoe, in particular for a sports shoe, as well as to a shoe, in particular a sports shoe. A sole element for a shoe comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion comprises a deformable material, which is adapted to generate heat by being deformed. The sole element moreover comprises a transport element adapted for selectively directing the generated heat from the second portion to the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Frank KIRK, Giridharan KIRUPANANTHAM, Christopher Edward HOLMES, Zachary Clinton COONROD, Harald KÖRGER, Peter Georg LAITENBERGER
  • Patent number: 9677391
    Abstract: A pressure relief device and a hydraulic fracturing system having a pressure relief device are provided. In one form, the pressure relief device has a valve body with a linearly extending throughbore between the inlet and outlet thereof. A rupture disc is secured in the valve body so that a frangible dome wall portion thereof has a reverse-acting orientation in the valve body bore. The hydraulic fracturing system includes a pump and a delivery line that receives pressurized fracturing fluid from the pump and delivers it to a well. A pressure relief device is installed along the delivery line. A sensor detects fluid flow downstream of the pressure relief device which allows the pump to be shut down when the downstream fluid flow is detected. The pressure relief device can have a body with a domed rupture disc and the sensor therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Oklahoma Safety Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wayne Banks, Robert Frank Evans, Doyle G. Stockstill
  • Patent number: 9681563
    Abstract: An insert casing for receiving and fastening an electrical or electronic component includes a first casing part which is connectable to a second casing part by means of a rotary joint. The casing parts define a receiving space for the electrical or electronic component. The first casing part is provided with at least one spreading member which is spreadable by the second casing part when the rotary joint is being closed. The insert casing can be fastened easily in a recess of an object by closing the rotary joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: WÜRTH ELEKTRONIC EISOS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jörg Hantschel, Robert Frank
  • Patent number: 9652859
    Abstract: Methods for determining a property of a trajectory of a ball with a mobile computer device are described, which include: (a) capturing a sequence of video frames of the ball with a camera of the mobile computer device; (b) determining a first picture coordinate of the ball in a first video frame of the sequence; (c) determining a second picture coordinate of the ball in a second video frame of the sequence; and (d) computing a property of the trajectory of the ball based on a difference of the first and second picture coordinates, a time difference between the first and second video picture and a reference quantity, which may be determined based on a form and/or dimension of the ball in a picture taken with the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Robert Frank Kirk, Heather Frances Driscol, John Kelley, Lee Hickey
  • Patent number: 9636652
    Abstract: Vessel and support beam assembly includes a vessel having a cylindrical wall defining an interior chamber having a generally circular shape of diameter D in plan view, and a support assembly disposed within the interior chamber. The support assembly includes an inner hub defining an open central region, and a plurality of spokes extending radially from the inner hub. Each spoke is aligned radially with the cylindrical wall of the vessel and joined thereto. At least one open outer region is defined between circumferentially adjacent spokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert Frank Tammera
  • Patent number: 9631776
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a selective catalyst reduction (SCR) system having a SCR reactor. A reductant slip set point indicative of a target slip is received as a control variable is to be utilized for maintaining an amount of a NOx composition included in a combustion gas below a selected limit. A signal transmitted by a sensor is received, and is indicative of the reductant slip downstream of the SCR reactor. An amount of a NOx reductant to be introduced to the SCR reactor is determined based, at least in part, on a relationship between the target reductant slip and the reductant slip downstream of the SCR reactor indicated by the signal. A control signal is transmitted to cause introduction of the amount of the NOx reductant to the SCR reactor to maintain the amount of the NOx composition in the combustion gas below the selected limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert Frank Hoskin
  • Patent number: 9623031
    Abstract: Compositions, kits and methods for treating leukemia in a subject (e.g., human) include a first anti-cancer drug consisting of: ?12-prostaglandin J3 or a derivative thereof, or a prostaglandin D receptor (DP) agonist. The compositions may further include a second anti-cancer drug. ?12-prostaglandin J3 is a stable metabolite of omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and was discovered to have anti-leukemic properties. ?12-prostaglandin J3 was shown to be highly effective in eradicating the leukemia stem cells (LSC) in two murine models of leukemia, thus increasing the survival of the mice. DP agonists were shown to induce apoptosis of human primary Acute Myelogenous Leukemia cells and may be used in compositions, kits and methods for treating leukemia in a subject. The compositions, kits and methods may be particularly useful for treating human subjects who are resistant to one or more anti-cancer drugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Kumble Sandeep Prabhu, Robert Frank Paulson, Shailaja Hegde, Naveen Kaushal, Ujjawal Hitendra Gandhi
  • Patent number: 9624209
    Abstract: Substituted phenylureas and phenylamides, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and the use of these compounds for preparing pharmaceutical compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Gruenenthal GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Frank-Foltyn, Gregor Bahrenberg, Thomas Christoph, Klaus Schiene, Jean De Vry, Nils Damann, Sven Frormann, Bernhard Lesch, Jeewoo Lee, Yong-Soo Kim, Myeong-Seop Kim, Derek Saunders, Hannelore Stockhausen
  • Patent number: 9609904
    Abstract: Described are shoes for ball sports including an upper having an outer surface. An actuator is configured to change at least one surface property of a portion of the outer surface of the upper, and a sensor is configured to be sensitive to movements of the shoe. A processing unit is connected to the actuator and the sensor and configured to process sensor data retrieved from the sensor and to cause the actuator to change the at least one surface property of the portion of the outer surface of the upper if a predetermined event is detected in the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Constantin Zwick, Robert Frank Kirk, Christian DiBenedetto, Eva Andrea Dorschky, Bjoern Michael Eskofier, Dominik Schuldhaus, Peter Georg Laitenberger, Iain James Sabberton
  • Publication number: 20170076464
    Abstract: Methods for determining a property of a trajectory of a ball with a mobile computer device are described, which include: (a) capturing a sequence of video frames of the ball with a camera of the mobile computer device; (b) determining a first picture coordinate of the ball in a first video frame of the sequence; (c) determining a second picture coordinate of the ball in a second video frame of the sequence; and (d) computing a property of the trajectory of the ball based on a difference of the first and second picture coordinates, a time difference between the first and second video picture and a reference quantity, which may be determined based on a form and/or dimension of the ball in a picture taken with the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Frank Kirk, Heather Frances Driscol, John Kelley, Lee Hickey
  • Publication number: 20170055567
    Abstract: Methods of curing tobacco that reduce the levels of TSNAs and/or improve leaf quality are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Marcos Fernando de Godoy Lusso, Alec J. Hayes, Kenny Lion, Greg Davis, Robert Frank Hart, III, Jerry Whit Morris
  • Publication number: 20170059292
    Abstract: The present invention provides a linked round carrying bag (11) consisting of a flexible sleeve and a fastening means (20). The sleeve is sealed at a first end (12), has an opening at. a second end (9) and has an openable closure (1), for example a zip, extending substantially from the first end (12) to the second end (9), A width of the sleeve is greater than the length of an individual round of the linked round that the bag (11) is designed to carry but is less than twice the length of an individual round. The fastening means {20) is adjacent a closed side of a opening (14) of the: sleeve and is arranged to be tightly fastenable around the closed side of the opening (14) and any linked round carried in the bag, The bag (11) is advantageous as the fastening means (20) can ensure that a linked round is held in its proper position within the bag (11), even when the bag (11) is carried as a bandolier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Frank MACLEAN