Patents by Inventor Robert Florence

Robert Florence 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: 11341557
    Abstract: A method of and system for recommending one or more products to a consumer from a plurality of products, the system comprising: a user interface; and a processor configured to: provide a list of questions for the consumer at the user interface, each question having a defined set of answers; calculate a consumer score for each question using the answer chosen by the consumer at the user interface; calculate a recommendation score for each question, using the consumer score; and select the one or more products for recommendation to the consumer based on the recommendation score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Joanne Louise Cook, Myriam Fessi, Mark Robert Florence, Abid Iftikhar, Jamie Gordon Nichol, Stephen Lee Wire
  • Patent number: 11190644
    Abstract: A method for using a system which enables a party to provide an in-call message to another party in an ongoing call includes receiving a first signal indicating that a first party in a call is inactive. The method further includes indicating to a second party in the call that the first party in the call is inactive. The method further includes receiving a recorded message from the second party in the call. The method further includes receiving a second signal indicating that the first party in the call is active. The method further includes providing, in response to receiving the second signal, the recorded message to the first party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Robert Florence, Wisam Mohammed, Glenn Edward Reschke
  • Publication number: 20210127013
    Abstract: A method for using a system which enables a party to provide an in-call message to another party in an ongoing call includes receiving a first signal indicating that a first party in a call is inactive. The method further includes indicating to a second party in the call that the first party in the call is inactive. The method further includes receiving a recorded message from the second party in the call. The method further includes receiving a second signal indicating that the first party in the call is active. The method further includes providing, in response to receiving the second signal, the recorded message to the first party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Robert Florence, WISAM MOHAMMED, Glenn Edward Reschke
  • Patent number: 10420500
    Abstract: A hand held imaging device for measuring characteristics of hair and scalp, comprising a housing with a high magnification optic for obtaining magnified images of surface characteristics of hair fibers, said high magnification optic comprising a first lens and a first light source, and a low magnification optic for obtaining magnified images of the scalp and hair, said low magnification optic comprising a second lens and a second light source, wherein the high magnification optic has a fixed focal length and a slot for locating hair fibers in frame such that the hair fibers are in focus and wherein the device further comprises a viewing means, selected from an integral viewing means, an external viewing means and a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Joanne Louise Cook, Myriam Fessi, Mark Robert Florence, Abid Iftikhar, Jamie Gordon Nichol
  • Publication number: 20180247365
    Abstract: A method of and system for recommending one or more products to a consumer from a plurality of products, the system comprising: a user interface; and a processor configured to: provide a list of questions for the consumer at the user interface, each question having a defined set of answers; calculate a consumer score for each question using the answer chosen by the consumer at the user interface; calculate a recommendation score for each question, using the consumer score; and select the one or more products for recommendation to the consumer based on the recommendation score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: Joanne Louise COOK, Myriam FESSI, Mark Robert FLORENCE, Abid IFTIKHAR, Jamie Gordon NICHOL, Stephen Lee WIRE
  • Publication number: 20180235535
    Abstract: A hand held imaging device for measuring characteristics of hair and scalp, comprising a housing with a high magnification optic for obtaining magnified images of surface characteristics of hair fibres, said high magnification optic comprising a first lens and a first light source, and a low magnification optic for obtaining magnified images of the scalp and hair, said low magnification optic comprising a second lens and a second light source, wherein the high magnification optic has a fixed focal length and a slot for locating hair fibres in frame such that the hair fibres are in focus and wherein the device further comprises a viewing means, selected from an integral viewing means, an external viewing means and a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: Joanne Louise COOK, Myriam FESSI, Mark Robert FLORENCE, Abid IFTIKHAR, Jamie Gordon NICHOL
  • Publication number: 20150107151
    Abstract: Oleaginous microbial biomass is subjected to pyrolysis to make microbial pyrolysis oil for use as a fuel or is otherwise formed into combustible products for the generation of heat and/or light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Graham Ellis, Robert Florence, Adriano Galvez, Tyler Painter, Sonia Sousa
  • Patent number: 8951308
    Abstract: Oleaginous microbial biomass is subjected to pyrolysis to make microbial pyrolysis oil for use as a fuel or is otherwise formed into combustible products for the generation of heat and/or light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Ellis, Robert Florence, Adriano Galvez, Tyler Painter, Sonia Sousa
  • Publication number: 20120266530
    Abstract: Oleaginous microbial biomass is subjected to pyrolysis to make microbial pyrolysis oil for use as a fuel or is otherwise formed into combustible products for the generation of heat and/or light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: SOLAZYME, INC.
    Inventors: Graham Ellis, Robert Florence, Adriano Galvez, Tyler Painter, Sonia Sousa
  • Publication number: 20080132097
    Abstract: A connector for the interconnection of electrical components, the connector component comprising a framing segment, a planar grid constructed from a plurality of contact support cores, rails, and conductive annular cylinders, wherein the conductive annular cylinders comprising a predetermined geometric configuration, the rails are formed with a plurality of holes that are spaced a predetermined distance apart from one another along length of the body of the rail, and the plurality of contact support cores longitudinally extending through the holes that are formed within the plurality rails and the conductive annular cylinders. The rails and conductive annular cylinders being positioned along the length of a contact support core so that a conductive annular cylinder is positioned in the spacing between rails, further, the plurality conductive annular cylinders physically protrude beyond the width of the bodies of the plurality rails to form a conductive contact area surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Florence, Vincent Mulligan, Thomas Ramundo, Charles Tompkins
  • Publication number: 20060152238
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for controlling temperature of an integrated circuit in a chip tester is disclosed. Embodiments include supplying a chilled fluid to a cold plate at a first flowrate, where the first flowrate is associated with a first valve setting based on at least a desired temperature setpoint and an applied power. Embodiments may determine a change in applied power and modify the chilled fluid flowrate in response to a change in testing conditions to a second flowrate associated with a second valve setting associated with at least the desired temperature setpoint and the changed testing conditions. This feed forward loop may be supplemented by a feedback loop that includes modifying the energy supplied to a cold plate heater in response to a comparison of a current temperature and the temperature setpoint. The valve may be a proportional control valve or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Daniel Beaman, Robert Florence, Howard Mahaney, Frederic Wright
  • Patent number: 6407568
    Abstract: A probe assembly consisting of a servo mechanism or actuator providing multi-direction motion; a probe mounting attached to the actuator; and pin probes attached to the probe mounting making an electrical connection to pins of a device or package under test. The pin probe includes a shaft terminating in an end section having a conical shaped recessed area. The conical feature contained in the probe allows the probe to contact a pin or array of pins that are less then ideally located, but within their geometrical tolerance. The probe assembly thus constructed, provides reliable test measurements. It also increases test throughout by minimizing test setup time when the DUT has misaligned or bent pins. The setup can be used on a manual probe station, or in a mass production bed of nails type tester. The assembly can also be in the form of a gang probe wherein pin probes are arranged in a bed of nails arrangement to make contact with all the pins of the DUT simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent P. Mulligan, Robert Florence, Jr., Charles Tompkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5015698
    Abstract: Compositions containing polyphenylene ether-poly(alkylene dicarboxylate) copolymers are prepared by a reaction between the two polymers and, optionally, at least one functionalizing agent therefor. The functionalizing agent may first be reacted with the polyphenylene ether and the resulting functionalized polyphenylene ether in turn reacted with a functionalized or unfunctionalized poly(alkylene dicarboxylate). Alternatively, an unfunctionalized or hydroxyalkyl-functionalized polyphenylene ether may be incorporated in a conventional polyester-forming reaction. The copolymer-containing compositions are characterized by a number of desirable properties including high impact strength and solvent resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul D. Sybert, Choong Y. Han, Sterling B. Brown, Dennis J. McFay, William L. Gately, John A. Tyrell, Robert A. Florence
  • Patent number: 4840982
    Abstract: Polymer blends having improved impact resistance and structural integrity comprise at least one aromatic polymer such as polyphenylene oxide, optionally in combination with a styrene homopolymer; at least one elastomer containing highly polar ionic (e.g., sulfonate or carboxylate) substituents, such as a sulfonated EPDM rubber or a zwitterionic polysiloxane sulfonate; and at least one substituted aromatic polymer in which the substituents are highly polar ionic substituents, such as a sulfonated polyphenylene oxide or styrene-sodium acrylate copolymer. The compositions preferably also contain at least one plasticizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John R. Campbell, Robert E. Williams, Jr., Sterling B. Brown, Paul M. Conroy, Robert A. Florence
  • Patent number: 4609232
    Abstract: Improved apparatus for storing and dispensing floppy disks and other panel-shaped objects. The apparatus includes a rotatable storage carousel for floppy disks and a mechanism for selectively dispensing disks from the carousel, and includes a motor movable between two operative positions to alternately provide motive power to rotate the carousel and drive the disk dispensing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Inventor: Robert A. Florence
  • Patent number: 4511712
    Abstract: Ionomers such as sulfonated polystyrenes are isolated from solutions in organic solvents (e.g., methylene chloride) in the salt form (usually the ammonium or amine salt form) by blending the ionomer solution with a solution of a salt in an organic liquid which is substantially a non-solvent for said ionomer. The salt is one in which the counterion is identical to that of the ionomer or below it in the ion affinity sequence, and is preferably an ammonium salt, especially ammonium chloride. The preferred organic liquid is methanol. The method enables recovery of the precipitated ionomer in finely divided, granular form rather than in colloidal condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Florence
  • Patent number: 4496705
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing aminoalkyl-siloxane polymers of a high molecular weight by hydrolyzing a difunctional aminoalkyl-silane prior to incorporation into the siloxane polymer. The high molecular weight siloxane polymers obtained may be converted to zwitterionic siloxane rubbers with excellent engineering properties and integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Florence, John R. Campbell, Robert E. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: D442643
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Florence
  • Patent number: D468367
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Florence, Celsa Balacuit Stover-Florence