Patents by Inventor Robert Sheets

Robert Sheets 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: 11170181
    Abstract: Dynamic semantic processing of text in a word processing application with engagement of question-answering system. A user provides a text stream to a computer system via an input source. The input text stream includes a first natural language statement. The system determines that the first natural language statement includes a fact-based component expressed in natural language form. The system identifies an initial span and an alternative span of the first natural language component, based on the determining. The system engages a question-answering (QA) system by providing the initial span and the alternative span of the first natural language component to the QA system, and by receiving, in response to the providing, a set of natural language results from the QA system. The system evaluates the initial span and the alternative span of the first natural language component based on the received natural language results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Beller, William G. Dubyak, Palani Sakthi, Robert A. Sheets, Kristen M. Summers
  • Publication number: 20190318001
    Abstract: Dynamic semantic processing of text in a word processing application with engagement of question-answering system. A user provides a text stream to a computer system via an input source. The input text stream includes a first natural language statement. The system determines that the first natural language statement includes a fact-based component expressed in natural language form. The system identifies an initial span and an alternative span of the first natural language component, based on the determining. The system engages a question-answering (QA) system by providing the initial span and the alternative span of the first natural language component to the QA system, and by receiving, in response to the providing, a set of natural language results from the QA system. The system evaluates the initial span and the alternative span of the first natural language component based on the received natural language results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Charles E. Beller, William G. Dubyak, Palani Sakthi, Robert A. Sheets, Kristen M. Summers
  • Patent number: 10387576
    Abstract: Dynamic semantic processing of text in a word processing application with engagement of question-answering system. A user provides a text stream to a computer system via an input source. The input text stream includes a first natural language statement. The system determines that the first natural language statement includes a fact-based component expressed in natural language form. The system identifies an initial span and an alternative span of the first natural language component, based on the determining. The system engages a question-answering (QA) system by providing the initial span and the alternative span of the first natural language component to the QA system, and by receiving, in response to the providing, a set of natural language results from the QA system. The system evaluates the initial span and the alternative span of the first natural language component based on the received natural language results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Beller, William G. Dubyak, Palani Sakthi, Robert A. Sheets, Kristen M. Summers
  • Publication number: 20190163745
    Abstract: Dynamic semantic processing of text in a word processing application with engagement of question-answering system. A user provides a text stream to a computer system via an input source. The input text stream includes a first natural language statement. The system determines that the first natural language statement includes a fact-based component expressed in natural language form. The system identifies an initial span and an alternative span of the first natural language component, based on the determining. The system engages a question-answering (QA) system by providing the initial span and the alternative span of the first natural language component to the QA system, and by receiving, in response to the providing, a set of natural language results from the QA system. The system evaluates the initial span and the alternative span of the first natural language component based on the received natural language results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Charles E. Beller, William G. Dubyak, Palani Sakthi, Robert A. Sheets, Kristen M. Summers
  • Patent number: 9889529
    Abstract: A system for preloading tension in a stud using an anti-seizure spacer for tapered thread connections is provided. The system comprises a hydraulic tensioning device including a nut configured for threadably engaging the stud, a foot, a cylinder having a first bore defined therein and a surface for engaging the foot, and a piston movably positioned within the first bore, wherein a hydraulic cavity is defined therebetween. The device further includes a puller screw including male tapered threads configured for being threadably coupled with female tapered threads on the stud. The puller screw includes a head configured for engaging a surface of the piston. The system also includes a spacer positioned between the male tapered threads of the puller screw and the female tapered threads of the stud. A method for preloading tension in a stud using the spacer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Riverhawk Company
    Inventors: Robert Sheets, Daniel Johnston
  • Publication number: 20160318139
    Abstract: A system for preloading tension in a stud using an anti-seizure spacer for tapered thread connections is provided. The system comprises a hydraulic tensioning device including a nut configured for threadably engaging the stud, a foot, a cylinder having a first bore defined therein and a surface for engaging the foot, and a piston movably positioned within the first bore, wherein a hydraulic cavity is defined therebetween. The device further includes a puller screw including male tapered threads configured for being threadably coupled with female tapered threads on the stud. The puller screw includes a head configured for engaging a surface of the piston. The system also includes a spacer positioned between the male tapered threads of the puller screw and the female tapered threads of the stud. A method for preloading tension in a stud using the spacer is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: Riverhawk Company
    Inventors: Robert Sheets, Daniel Johnston