Patents by Inventor Robert R. Smith

Robert R. 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).

  • Patent number: 11954214
    Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. For example, access sharing may be utilized to share policy information. The policy information may be associated with a smart contract. Accordingly, the policy information may be encrypted using a public key for the smart contract and compiled into a block of the blockchain. In response to a request to provide access to the information to a particular node, the private key for the smart contract may be encrypted using the public key for the particular node and compiled into a block of the blockchain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Eric Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Vicki King, Burton J. Floyd, David Turrentine, Steven T. Olson, Timothy Caleb Wells, Corin Rebekah Chapman, Edward W. Breitweiser, Robert Gomez, Shelia Cummings Smith
  • Patent number: 11951505
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system and method for dispensing a floor coating in a specified ratio of multiple components is disclosed. The system and method may set and maintain a desired ratio of the multiple components by controlling, with a controller, a drive rate of respective pumps configured for propelling the components from a reservoir to a mixer or a dispenser. The controller may be responsive to at least one of a measured actual drive rate, an environmental condition, an actual usage of each component, and an operational parameter of the system, for adjusting a drive rate of the respective pumps to compensate for discrepancies that may affect the ratio of the multiple components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: SWIMC LLC
    Inventors: Kyle Sanford Smith, Murty Venkata Bhamidipati, David Royston Hughes, Robert S. Smith, Peter V. Ferris, Daniel R. Allen, Charles R. Sperry, David M. Kroll
  • Publication number: 20240111881
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing a blockchain comprising a plurality of immutable sales records corresponding to sales made by agents of an entity are provided. According to certain aspects, a transaction request indicating a sale made by an agent of the entity may be received at a first node. A block including a sales record indicating the sale made by the agent may be added to a blockchain and transmitted to another node for validation. The first node may add the block to a copy of the blockchain, where the block may be identified by a hash value that references a previous block in the blockchain that includes at least one additional sales record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Eric Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Vicki King, Burton J. Floyd, David Turentine, Steven T. Olson, Timothy Caleb Wells, Corin Rebekah Chapman, Edward W. Breitweiser, Robert Gomez, Shelia Cummings Smith
  • Publication number: 20240108265
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and systems for generating a void profile for user void events. The method includes receiving by a processing element a plurality of outputs from a fluid level sensor corresponding to a plurality of levels of fluid flowing through a voiding device during a flow event; determining by the processing element a beginning and an end time of the fluid flow into the voiding device during the flow event; analyzing the plurality of outputs of the fluid level sensor over a time interval defined by the beginning and end time of the fluid flow to determine at least one of a fluid flow rate data and an accumulated volume data for the fluid flowing through the voiding device; and storing the fluid flow rate data and the accumulated flow volume data in a memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Brent Laing, John Green, Paul R. Johnson, Robert John Smith, Robert Edwin Schneider, Magnus Hargis, Elise Geolat Edson, Elizabeth A. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20240093587
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for trapping particles disposed in a fluid. The apparatus may comprise one or more cavities disposed axially along a length of a tubular housing, one or more connecting components disposed at opposing ends of the housing, and may optionally comprise a check valve system. Alternate embodiments are provided for forming each of the one or more cavities, which may comprise a combination of a cavity frame and cavity surface. The method may comprise flowing a fluid into a first end of a particle trap apparatus at a rate of fluid flow, directing the fluid flow at least partially through one or more cavity sub-assemblies disposed in the particle trap apparatus, collecting the particulate matter in one or more of the cavity sub-assemblies when the rate of fluid flow may slow or become suspended, and clearing collected particles from the one or more cavity sub-assemblies upon restoration of fluid flow in a primary direction of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: PetroQuip Energy Services, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Joe Coon, Roddie R. Smith, John Lee Emerson, Josh Hornsby
  • Publication number: 20240094120
    Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (“glyphosate”) from N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (“PMIDA”), and more particularly to methods for control of the conversion of PMIDA, for the identification of reaction end points relating to PMIDA conversion and the preparation of glyphosate products having controlled PMIDA content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Leonard AYNARDI, David Z. BECHER, Robert E. BYRD, Eduardo Aurelio CASANOVA, James P. COLEMAN, David R. EATON, Walter K. GAVLICK, Eric A. HAUPFEAR, Oliver LERCH, Carl MUMFORD, Alfredo OBA, Stephen D. PROSCH, Peter E. ROGERS, Bart ROOSE, Mark D. SCAIA, Lowell R. SMITH, Donald D. SOLETA, John WAGENKNECHT
  • Patent number: 11934969
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided to implement a bias identification engine that identifies bias in the operation of a trained cognitive computing system. A bias risk annotator is configured to identify a plurality of bias triggers in inputs and outputs of the trained cognitive computing system based on a bias risk trigger data structure that specifies terms or phrases that are associated with a bias. An annotated input and an annotated output of the trained cognitive computing system is received and processed by the bias risk annotator to determine if they comprise a portion of content that contains a bias trigger. In response to at least one of the annotated input or annotated output comprising a portion of content containing a bias trigger a notification is transmitted, to an administrator computing device, that specifies the presence of bias in the operation of the trained cognitive computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kristin E. McNeil, Robert C. Sizemore, David B. Werts, Sterling R. Smith
  • Patent number: 11934161
    Abstract: System and method provide wireless distributed lighting control systems implementing a secure peer-to-peer, self-organizing and self-healing mesh network of actuators and system inputs. The system and method can be designed specifically for indoor and outdoor lighting where actuators include in-fixture, on-fixture and circuit control modules with ON/OFF and full range dimming capabilities, and system inputs include occupancy/vacancy sensors, daylight sensors and switches. A unique messaging protocol facilitates wireless and wired communication between actuators and system inputs, and provides web-based commissioning and monitoring of the lighting control system using a wireless access point accessible from a local network or Internet which can provide an intuitive and easy to use Graphical User Interface (GUI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: HLI SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Theodore E. Weber, Terrence R. Arbouw, Ronald K. Bender, Ronald J. Cummings-Kralik, Michael D. Crane, Thomas J. Hartnagel, Robert A. Martin, Peter A. Moyle, Gregory F. Smith, Stephan K. Zitz
  • Patent number: 11925465
    Abstract: Uroflowmeters and methods for processing data generated therefrom are disclosed. In one aspect, the uroflowmeter is a handheld device. The uroflowmeter includes a handle, a flow chamber coupled to the handle, and a sensor associated with the flow chamber that detects a parameter of urine received in the flow chamber. The uroflowmeter may include both reusable and disposable components. As a uroflowmeter it can identify and record data corresponding to the rate of flow over the measured duration of a void of urine, but may also timestamp the voiding act and communicate the data to an external data collection center for additional analysis and incorporation into a comprehensive voiding report or voiding diary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: ClearTrac Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brent Laing, John Green, Paul R. Johnson, Robert John Smith, Robert Edwin Schneider, Magnus Hargis, Elise Geolat Edson, Elizabeth A. O'Brien, Joseph L. Kapushion
  • Patent number: 11914728
    Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. For example, access sharing may be utilized to file documents, share policy information, and/or comply with an audit. The data security techniques disclosed herein also enable the use of smart contracts to transfer funds associated with payment obligations and/or other forms of blockchain based payments, comply with anti-money laundering requirements, report industry data, validate interest payments and/or maintain agent sales data. Data security may be achieved through the use of public key/private key encryption techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Melinda Teresa Magerkurth, Eric Bellas, Jaime Skaggs, Shawn M. Call, Eric R. Moore, Vicki King, Burton J. Floyd, David Turrentine, Steven T. Olson, Timothy Caleb Wells, Corin Rebekah Chapman, Edward W. Breitweiser, Robert Gomez, Shelia Cummings Smith
  • Patent number: 5193229
    Abstract: A removable toilet seat cover comprising deep pile carpet for cushioning of the rim of a rigid toilet seat and elastic bands that aid the elderly in positioning the cover on a seat for securing by the closing of overlapping flaps equipped with VELCRO.RTM.-type fabric hook-and-link fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventor: Robert R. Smith
  • Patent number: 4710177
    Abstract: An injection system and method for delivering fluids to a subcutaneous body site such as an analgesic to the ventricle is disclosed. A reservoir containing a plurality of doses of the fluid is adapted to be subcutaneously located in the abdomen. This reservoir is connected by a catheter to a subcutaneous unit containing a valve and a pump. This unit is then connected to the ventricle of the user. By the simultaneous actuation of the valve and the pump, the analgesic is pumped to the ventricle of the user. Preferably, the reservoir includes an expandable bag and a bubble member on the outermost surface of the bag which is penetrable by a small needle on the outersurface and impenetrable on the innersurface. A fluid passageway then connects the bag and the bubble member so that the bag is easily refilled. The pump and valve are preferably operated by flexible portions on the subcutaneous unit, which flexible portions are preferably recessed to prevent inadvertent actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Inventors: Robert R. Smith, Thomas B. Briggs
  • Patent number: 4554914
    Abstract: A prosthetic vertebral body for use in a cavity left by the removal of a defective vertebral body located between two adjoining healthy vertebral bodies is disclosed. A method of replacing the defective vertebral body with the disclosed prosthetic vertebral body is also disclosed. The prosthetic vertebral body includes an adjustable support device which is located within the cavity between the two adjoining vertebral bodies for supporting and adjusting the axial spacing of the adjoining vertebral bodies. A castable material is poured into the cavity and hardens so that the adjustable support device is embedded therein. An attaching device is also provided for rigidly attaching the spinous process of the defective vertebral body to the spinous processes of the adjoining vertebral bodies. Preferably, the adjustable support device includes a pair of elongate struts whose longitudinal dimensions are adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Inventors: John P. Kapp, Robert R. Smith
  • Patent number: 4317279
    Abstract: A portable coaxial cable trimmer (10) for trimming coaxial cable (12) with shielding (36), insulation (38), and a conductor (40) comprises a hollow, elongated housing (18) with a laterally disposed port (44). A first bushing (22) is attached to the end of the housing (18) for centering the cable (12). A first cutter (30) is secured in the housing (18) for trimming the insulation (38) and shielding (36) to produce a shaving (42) which is discharged from the housing (18) through a port (44). A second bushing (46), secured in the housing (18), centers the exposed conductor (40) of the trimmed cable (12). A second cutter (48) disposed in the housing (18) rounds and cuts the end of the exposed conductor (40). A device for rotating the housing, such as an air drill or an electric drill (14) can be attached to the cable trimmer (10) for rotating the housing (18) with respect to the cable (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: E-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Smith, Guy H. Tippit
  • Patent number: D404921
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Robert R. Smith
  • Patent number: D727472
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Anthony Gary Bednarz, Robert R. Smith, Larry E. Hall, Donald Eugene Griggs, III
  • Patent number: D733266
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Anthony Gary Bednarz, Robert R. Smith, Larry E. Hall, Donald Eugene Griggs, III
  • Patent number: D738472
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Anthony Gary Bednarz, Robert R. Smith, Larry E. Hall, Donald Eugene Griggs, III
  • Patent number: D743511
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Anthony Gary Bednarz, Robert R. Smith, Larry E. Hall, Donald Eugene Griggs, III
  • Patent number: D776797
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Anthony Gary Bednarz, Robert R. Smith, Larry E. Hall, Donald Eugene Griggs, III