Patents by Inventor Robert A. Howard

Robert 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).

  • Nasal devices with respiratory gas source
    Patent number: 8365736
    Abstract: Described here are devices for altering the flow of air in a respiratory cavity such as the mouth and nostrils of the nose. These methods and devices may be useful for affecting a physiologic benefit in patients suffering from a variety of medical diseases, particularly those that may benefit from “pursed-lip” breathing and non-invasive ventilation, such as COPD, heart failure, sleep apnea, and other medical disorders. The devices are typically removable devices that may be placed over or in a respiratory cavity to increase resistance to airflow within the respiratory cavity. Resistance to expiration may be selectively increased relative to inspiration. Removable oral and removable nasal devices are described. Oral and nasal devices that filter inhaled airflow of debris and allergens are also provided. A nasal device that increases patency of the nares is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ventus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Doshi, Motohide Hatanaka, Robert A. Howard
  • Client/server request handling
    Patent number: 8364747
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus and computer program product which enables a target service to provide operations which behave, on a per operation basis, in a way appropriate to the type of client that requested the operation to be performed. As a result the target service can provide operations which behave differently for different clients. Further the client can obtain details of the behavior characteristics of the operations, according to its type, at runtime and act appropriately in the event of the request being timed out or resulting in a communication failure. For example, the client middleware can take action to re-issue a timed out request if the behavior characteristic for that operation indicates that multiple invocations of the operation will yield the same result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Cheng, Stephen James Cocks, Robert Howard High, Jr., Ian Robinson
  • Intelligent Battery With Off-Line Spare Battery Charging and Output Regulation System
    Publication number: 20130020998
    Abstract: A battery pack having multiple cells connected through “virtual” connections via MOSFETs, other insulated-gate field-effect transistors, and the like. The use of virtual connections allows for the use of one or more “spare” battery cells, which may be swapped in for underperforming cells or to take discharged cells offline for charging. A microprocessor monitors and manages individual battery cells or batteries in an array. The battery pack of the present disclosure may further include an optional cooling system and/or a novel encapsulation to protect the cells and electronics from use in harsh environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventor: Ryan Robert Howard
  • Tool For Insertion and Removal of In-Canal Hearing Devices
    Publication number: 20120294467
    Abstract: Methods, tools, and methods of manufacturing said tools are provided for inserting a hearing device deeply into the ear canal of a user and adjusting its medial-lateral position therein. The provided tools comprise a shaft. A distal end of the shaft can be coupled to the hearing device. The shaft is flexible to facilitate its insertion into the tortuous ear canal and minimize injurious contact with the ear canal. The length of the shaft can be adjusted to adjust the depth of insertion of the shaft into the ear canal, customizing the tool for an individual user. Medial advancement of the shaft into the ear canal is limited by a base, side extension, or mold coupled to a proximal portion of the shaft or other proximal part of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Howard, Evelyne Chaubert, Gretchen Anderson, Jonathan Paul Downing, Nicholas Hausman, Janet Karen Hwu, Ricardo Penate
  • Methods of treating a sleeping subject
    Patent number: 8302606
    Abstract: Described here are devices for altering the flow of air in a respiratory cavity such as the mouth and nostrils of the nose. These methods and devices may be useful for affecting a physiologic benefit in patients suffering from a variety of medical diseases, particularly those that may benefit from “pursed-lip” breathing and non-invasive ventilation, such as COPD, heart failure, sleep apnea, and other medical disorders. The devices are typically removable devices that may be placed over or in a respiratory cavity to increase resistance to airflow within the respiratory cavity. Resistance to expiration may be selectively increased relative to inspiration. Removable oral and removable nasal devices are described. Oral and nasal devices that filter inhaled airflow of debris and allergens are also provided. A nasal device that increases patency of the nares is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ventus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Doshi, Motohide Hatanaka, Robert A. Howard
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THERMOGRAPHIC INSPECTION
    Publication number: 20120274778
    Abstract: A method for thermographic imaging is described. The method captures a plurality of thermal images of a surface of an object, at non-linear intervals over a period of time, each of the thermal images being associated with temporal data. The method then processes the plurality of thermal images and the temporal data, and identifies features within the object based on the processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Bryon Edward Knight, Donald Robert Howard, Harry Israel Ringermacher
  • Methods of treating a disorder by inhibiting expiration
    Patent number: 8291909
    Abstract: Described here are devices for altering the flow of air in a respiratory cavity such as the mouth and nostrils of the nose. These methods and devices may be useful for affecting a physiologic benefit in patients suffering from a variety of medical diseases, particularly those that may benefit from “pursed-lip” breathing and non-invasive ventilation, such as COPD, heart failure, sleep apnea, and other medical disorders. The devices are typically removable devices that may be placed over or in a respiratory cavity to increase resistance to airflow within the respiratory cavity. Resistance to expiration may be selectively increased relative to inspiration. Removable oral and removable nasal devices are described. Oral and nasal devices that filter inhaled airflow of debris and allergens are also provided. A nasal device that increases patency of the nares is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Ventus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Doshi, Motohide Hatanaka, Robert A. Howard
  • Hose Clamp with Wrap-Around Hose Clamp Positioner
    Publication number: 20120246882
    Abstract: A hose clamp for forming an air tight seal between a hose and a connector projecting from a housing of an air cooler of a vehicle. The hose clamp including a band which encircles the hose at a location where the hose and the connector overlap and has an adjustable diameter. The hose clamp positioned by a wrap-around hose clamp positioner. The wrap-around hose clamp positioner including flat portions, which contact the outer surface of the hose, and a raised portion where the band passes through a space of the raised portion. The wrap-around hose clamp positioner further including a wrap-around portion and a crimp tab, the wrap-around portion extending over a lip edge of the hose such that the crimp tab pierces through at least the inner surface of the hose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Mohan, Scott M. Rollins, Robert Howard Saunders, Darice M. Morris
  • Pressure-activated valve for hybrid coiled tubing jointed tubing tool string
    Patent number: 8276676
    Abstract: Embodiments of the hybrid tool string include coiled tubing and jointed tubing, as well as a means typically located at the connection of the coiled and jointed tubing for sealing the fluid flowpath through the bore of the hybrid tool string. Embodiments of the hybrid tool string may use a pressure-activated valve tool attached in series between the coiled tubing and the jointed tubing, which allows for sealing of the bore by application of pressure. Embodiments of the pressure-activated valve tool may use a flapper in conjunction with a sleeve to seal the bore. The novel hybrid tool string may be used to service a well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Iosif Joseph Hriscu, Michael Brent Bailey, Muhammad Asif Ehtesham, Robert Howard, Robert Lee Pipkin
  • REINFORCEMENT CLIP FOR USE WITH A FIREARM MAGAZINE
    Publication number: 20120233899
    Abstract: A reinforcement device for reinforcing a locating pin aperture in a firearm magazine. The reinforcement device includes a front panel with an aperture adapted to be coaxially aligned with the locating pin aperture. The reinforcement device also includes a clamp adapted to secure the front panel to the firearm magazine to ensure accurate alignment of the front panel aperture with the locating pin aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: The American Parts Company d/b/a TAPCO, INC.
    Inventors: Buddie DANIEL, William BARRETT, Robert HOWARD, J. Keith COLEMAN, Kenneth Scott PHILLIPS
  • PROVIDING A CORRECTED VIEW BASED ON THE POSITION OF A USER WITH RESPECT TO A MOBILE PLATFORM
    Publication number: 20120212508
    Abstract: A mobile platform displays a corrected view of an image and/or augmented reality (AR) data based on the position of the user with respect to the mobile platform. The corrected view is produced by determining a position of the user with respect to the mobile platform using an image of the user from a backward facing camera. The display information is provided in the form of an image or video frame of the environment captured with a forward facing camera or AR data. The position of the user with respect to the mobile platform is used to determine the portion of the display information to be displayed that is aligned with the line of sight between the user and the mobile platform so that the displayed information is aligned with the real world environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert Howard Kimball
  • Microprocessor with dual-level address translation
    Patent number: 8239620
    Abstract: A processor includes a first translation look-aside buffer to support a guest operating mode. A second translation look-aside buffer supports a root operating mode. Hardware resources support the guest operating mode as controlled by guest mode control registers defining guest context. The guest context is used by the hardware resources to access the first translation look-aside buffer to translate a guest virtual address to a guest physical address. The hardware resources access the second translation look-aside buffer to translate the guest physical address to a physical address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Mips Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James Robert Howard Hakewill
  • Nasal devices for use while sleeping
    Patent number: 8235046
    Abstract: Described here are devices for altering the flow of air in a respiratory cavity such as the mouth and nostrils of the nose. These methods and devices may be useful for affecting a physiologic benefit in patients suffering from a variety of medical diseases, particularly those that may benefit from “pursed-lip” breathing and non-invasive ventilation, such as COPD, heart failure, sleep apnea, and other medical disorders. The devices are typically removable devices that may be placed over or in a respiratory cavity to increase resistance to airflow within the respiratory cavity. Resistance to expiration may be selectively increased relative to inspiration. Removable oral and removable nasal devices are described. Oral and nasal devices that filter inhaled airflow of debris and allergens are also provided. A nasal device that increases patency of the nares is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Ventus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Doshi, Motohide Hatanaka, Robert A. Howard
  • Methods and apparatus for measuring 3D dimensions on 2D images
    Patent number: 8238642
    Abstract: A method for determining 3D distances on a 2D pixelized image of a part or object includes acquiring a real 2D pixelized image of the object, creating a simulated image of the object using the 3D CAD model and the 2D pixelized image, determining a specified cost function comparing the simulated image with the real 2D pixilated image and repositioning the simulated image in accordance with iterated adjustments of a relative position between the CAD model and the 2D pixilated image to change the simulated image until the specified cost function is below a specified value. Then, the workstation is used to generate a 3D distance scale matrix using the repositioned simulated image, and to measure and display distances between selected pixels on a surface of the real image using 2D distances on the 2D pixelized image of the object and the 3D distance scale matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yanyan Wu, Donald Robert Howard, Harry Israel Ringermacher, Robert August Kaucic, Zhaohui Sun, Francis Howard Little, Xiaodong Tao, Patrick Joseph Howard, Matthew Edward Dragovich, Eric Scott Foster
  • METHODS AND DEVICES FOR DETECTING UNSATURATED COMPOUNDS
    Publication number: 20120196379
    Abstract: A method for detecting an unsaturated compound, the method comprising monitoring change in electrical properties of a substance that reacts or interacts with unsaturated compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Abdul-Majeed Azad, Desikan Sundararajan, Robert Howard Kinner
  • Sealing nasal devices for use while sleeping
    Patent number: 8215308
    Abstract: Described here are devices for altering the flow of air in a respiratory cavity such as the mouth and nostrils of the nose. These methods and devices may be useful for affecting a physiologic benefit in patients suffering from a variety of medical diseases, particularly those that may benefit from “pursed-lip” breathing and non-invasive ventilation, such as COPD, heart failure, sleep apnea, and other medical disorders. The devices are typically removable devices that may be placed over or in a respiratory cavity to increase resistance to airflow within the respiratory cavity. Resistance to expiration may be selectively increased relative to inspiration. Removable oral and removable nasal devices are described. Oral and nasal devices that filter inhaled airflow of debris and allergens are also provided. A nasal device that increases patency of the nares is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ventus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Doshi, Motohide Hatanaka, Robert A. Howard
  • Scheduler apparatus employing a gopher recording agent for use in a television receiver
    Patent number: 8205233
    Abstract: In a television system in which at least program title information for programs which are to be transmitted in the future is transmitted in advance to form a channel guide listing, apparatus is provided for searching the listing for specific user-entered information, and upon successful conclusion to the search, the apparatus schedules the tuning of the desired program, or in the alternative, notifies the viewer of the availability of the program. In those instances where descriptive text accompanies the program listing, apparatus of the invention performs a search of the text for a particular text string which may relate to the title, the star, the director, or the context of the program, among other search criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Kenneth Wayne Maze, Jeffrey Philip Reavis, Robert Howard Miller, Sheila Renee Crosby, Keith Reynolds Wehmeyer, Hugh Boyd Morrison, Megan Louise Brown
  • Tool for insertion and removal of in-canal hearing devices
    Patent number: 8184842
    Abstract: Methods, tools, and methods of manufacturing said tools are provided for inserting a hearing device deeply into the ear canal of a user and adjusting its medial-lateral position therein. The provided tools comprise a shaft. A distal end of the shaft can be coupled to the hearing device. The shaft is flexible to facilitate its insertion into the tortuous ear canal and minimize injurious contact with the ear canal. The length of the shaft can be adjusted to adjust the depth of insertion of the shaft into the ear canal, customizing the tool for an individual user. Medial advancement of the shaft into the ear canal is limited by a base, side extension, or mold coupled to a proximal portion of the shaft or other proximal part of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: InSound Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Howard, Evelyne Chaubert, Gretchen Anderson, Jonathan Paul Downing, Nicholas Hausman, Janet Karen Hwu, Ricardo Penate
  • MICROPROCESSOR SYSTEM FOR VIRTUAL MACHINE EXECUTION
    Publication number: 20120079479
    Abstract: A processor includes guest mode control registers supporting guest mode operating behavior defined by guest context specified in the guest mode control registers. Root mode control registers support root mode operating behavior defined by root context specified in the root mode control registers. The guest context and the root context are simultaneously active to support virtualization of hardware resources such that multiple operating systems supporting multiple applications are executed by the hardware resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: JAMES ROBERT HOWARD HAKEWILL
  • MICROPROCESSOR WITH DUAL-LEVEL ADDRESS TRANSLATION
    Publication number: 20120079164
    Abstract: A processor includes a first translation look-aside buffer to support a guest operating mode. A second translation look-aside buffer supports a root operating mode. Hardware resources support the guest operating mode as controlled by guest mode control registers defining guest context. The guest context is used by the hardware resources to access the first translation look-aside buffer to translate a guest virtual address to a guest physical address. The hardware resources access the second translation look-aside buffer to translate the guest physical address to a physical address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: JAMES ROBERT HOWARD HAKEWILL