Patents by Inventor Robert Tucker

Robert Tucker 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: 11093514
    Abstract: A query comprising a graph pattern comprising a plurality of graph triples of node-edge-node is received. A graph database comprising a plurality of graph patterns is accessed and a plurality of graph patterns in the graph database that match the received query are identified. An inverse frequency for each graph triple of the received query in the accessed graph database is calculated and from this a score for each graph pattern in the graph database that matches the received query is also calculated, the score comprising a sum of the inverse frequencies for each graph triple contained within the respective graph pattern. The plurality of graph patterns in the graph database that match the received query are then ranked according to their respective calculated scores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Tucker, Robert Kerr, Martin Nathan, Dominique Martindale
  • Patent number: 11012319
    Abstract: A method, computer system, and a computer program product for entity selection in a visualization of a network graph is provided. The present invention may include receiving as input a selection interaction. The present invention may then include generating a profile based on one or more entity characteristics of one or more entities selected in the selection interaction. The present invention may then include generating a weighting for one or more entities based on the generated profile, wherein the generated weighting is a sum of weights of one or more entity characteristics. The present invention may lastly include partitioning the user interface into one or more selectable areas, wherein a size of the selectable area is based on the generated weighting for a displayed entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Kerr, Ian P. Kitchen, Robert Tucker, Dominique Martindale, Martin Nathan
  • Patent number: 10936998
    Abstract: A method, computer system, and computer program product digitally manipulate a human resources workflow on a mobile device. A selection of a human resources operation is received from a mobile application executing on the mobile device; a business rule corresponding to the human resources operation is identified. The business rule comprises a plurality of linked metadata objects forming a syntax tree. The plurality of linked metadata objects is interpreted to implement the business rule, Interpreting comprises sending a first set of chat messages that request input for the plurality of linked metadata objects, and receiving a second set of chat messages that provide the requested input. The human resources operation is performed according to the business rule, generating a workflow stage notification, and publishing the workflow stage notification to a set of mobile devices for display on a timeline of the mobile application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: ADP, LLC
    Inventors: Ashish Bidadi, Darshan Kapadia, Amit Maimon, Lohit J. Sarma, Robert Tucker, Tom Tytunovich, Patrick Quinn, Christopher Fahey, Ryan Bannon
  • Patent number: 10926152
    Abstract: An assembly for conveying sports equipment includes a first pulley, a second pulley, and a belt extending between and movable around the pulleys. A plurality of engagement members are coupled to the belt such that they travel along a path extending from the first pulley to the second pulley and back. The second pulley is spaced apart from the first pulley along a first axis, and along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis such that the belt is inclined toward the second pulley, and such that sports equipment engaged with an engagement member beneath the first pulley will advance toward the second pulley. A stop member is offset from the path of the engagement members such that empty engagement members can proceed beyond the stop member, and the stop member is configured to stop motion of the belt upon contacting sports equipment conveyed by engagement members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Mak Pickleball, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Tucker
  • Patent number: 10838701
    Abstract: A method of increasing a speed of operation of a computer via a metadata-based business rule interpreter. The method includes receiving, at a processor, user input defining a business rule. The method also includes translating, by the processor, the user input into a domain-specific language entirely consisting of metadata objects, wherein a translated syntax is formed, the translated syntax being an abstract syntax tree structure consisting of only the metadata objects. The method also includes executing, by the processor, an abstract syntax tree interpreter and taking as input into the abstract syntax tree interpreter the translated syntax. A compiler operation to generate computer code for implementing the business rule is avoided. Executing the abstract syntax tree interpreter produces a result in a browser without using executable code to achieve the result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: ADP, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph C. Groseclose, Robert Tucker, Zachary Brandt, Aakash Kharche, Satheesh Nagarajan, Darshan Kapadia
  • Publication number: 20200337414
    Abstract: A heeled shoe including a heel located in the rear part of the shoe and configured so that it is almost completely hidden from view when the shoe is in use and the use of such shoe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventor: ROBERT TUCKER
  • Patent number: 10802881
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of enabling distributed computers to communicate more effectively in an enterprise that provides flexible approval notifications in an organization, wherein at least one of the distributed computers stores a graph database in which attributes regarding individuals of the organization are stored. The computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a server computer in the distributed computers, a request for a task to be performed, wherein the task requires approval by at least a first person in the organization who has authority to approve the request. The computer-implemented method also includes traversing, by the server computer, the graph database, to determine an identity of the first person, wherein traversing is performed based on criteria determined at least partially by information automatically extracted from the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: ADP, LLC
    Inventors: Michael F. Brown, Robert Tucker, Kuntal Roy, Annelise Levitt, Edgardo Aviles Lopez, Kevin A. Miller, Lauren Miller, Lohit J. Sarma
  • Publication number: 20200290810
    Abstract: An assembly for conveying sports equipment includes a first pulley, a second pulley, and a belt extending between and movable around the pulleys. A plurality of engagement members are coupled to the belt such that they travel along a path extending from the first pulley to the second pulley and back. The second pulley is spaced apart from the first pulley along a first axis, and along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis such that the belt is inclined toward the second pulley, and such that sports equipment engaged with an engagement member beneath the first pulley will advance toward the second pulley. A stop member is offset from the path of the engagement members such that empty engagement members can proceed beyond the stop member, and the stop member is configured to stop motion of the belt upon contacting sports equipment conveyed by engagement members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Tucker
  • Publication number: 20200201611
    Abstract: A method of increasing a speed of operation of a computer via a metadata-based business rule interpreter. The method includes receiving, at a processor, user input defining a business rule. The method also includes translating, by the processor, the user input into a domain-specific language entirely consisting of metadata objects, wherein a translated syntax is formed, the translated syntax being an abstract syntax tree structure consisting of only the metadata objects. The method also includes executing, by the processor, an abstract syntax tree interpreter and taking as input into the abstract syntax tree interpreter the translated syntax. A compiler operation to generate computer code for implementing the business rule is avoided. Executing the abstract syntax tree interpreter produces a result in a browser without using executable code to achieve the result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Joseph C. Groseclose, Robert Tucker, Zachary Brandt, Aakash Kharche, Satheesh Nagarajan, Darshan Kapadia
  • Patent number: 10579351
    Abstract: A method of increasing a speed of operation of a computer via a metadata-based business rule interpreter. The method includes receiving, at a processor, user input defining a business rule. The method also includes translating, by the processor, the user input into a domain-specific language entirely consisting of metadata objects, wherein a translated syntax is formed, the translated syntax being an abstract syntax tree structure consisting of only the metadata objects. The method also includes executing, by the processor, an abstract syntax tree interpreter and taking as input into the abstract syntax tree interpreter the translated syntax. A compiler operation to generate computer code for implementing the business rule is avoided. Executing the abstract syntax tree interpreter produces a result in a browser without using executable code to achieve the result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: ADP, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph C. Groseclose, Robert Tucker, Zachary Brandt, Aakash Kharche, Satheesh Nagarajan, Darshan Kapadia
  • Publication number: 20200036598
    Abstract: A method, computer system, and a computer program product for entity selection in a visualization of a network graph is provided. The present invention may include receiving as input a selection interaction. The present invention may then include generating a profile based on one or more entity characteristics of one or more entities selected in the selection interaction. The present invention may then include generating a weighting for one or more entities based on the generated profile, wherein the generated weighting is a sum of weights of one or more entity characteristics. The present invention may lastly include partitioning the user interface into one or more selectable areas, wherein a size of the selectable area is based on the generated weighting for a displayed entity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Kerr, Ian P. Kitchen, Robert Tucker, Dominique Martindale, Martin Nathan
  • Publication number: 20200026771
    Abstract: A query comprising a graph pattern comprising a plurality of graph triples of node-edge-node is received. A graph database comprising a plurality of graph patterns is accessed and a plurality of graph patterns in the graph database that match the received query are identified. An inverse frequency for each graph triple of the received query in the accessed graph database is calculated and from this a score for each graph pattern in the graph database that matches the received query is also calculated, the score comprising a sum of the inverse frequencies for each graph triple contained within the respective graph pattern. The plurality of graph patterns in the graph database that match the received query are then ranked according to their respective calculated scores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: ROBERT TUCKER, ROBERT KERR, MARTIN NATHAN, DOMINIQUE MARTINDALE
  • Publication number: 20190317819
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of enabling distributed computers to communicate more effectively in an enterprise that provides flexible approval notifications in an organization, wherein at least one of the distributed computers stores a graph database in which attributes regarding individuals of the organization are stored. The computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a server computer in the distributed computers, a request for a task to be performed, wherein the task requires approval by at least a first person in the organization who has authority to approve the request. The computer-implemented method also includes traversing, by the server computer, the graph database, to determine an identity of the first person, wherein traversing is performed based on criteria determined at least partially by information automatically extracted from the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Michael F. Brown, Robert Tucker, Kuntal Roy, Annelise Levitt, Edgardo Aviles Lopez, Kevin A. Miller, Lauren Miller, Lohit J. Sarma
  • Publication number: 20190303873
    Abstract: A method, computer system, and computer program product digitally manipulate a human resources workflow on a mobile device. A selection of a human resources operation is received from a mobile application executing on the mobile device; a business rule corresponding to the human resources operation is identified. The business rule comprises a plurality of linked metadata objects forming a syntax tree. The plurality of linked metadata objects is interpreted to implement the business rule, Interpreting comprises sending a first set of chat messages that request input for the plurality of linked metadata objects, and receiving a second set of chat messages that provide the requested input. The human resources operation is performed according to the business rule, generating a workflow stage notification, and publishing the workflow stage notification to a set of mobile devices for display on a timeline of the mobile application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Ashish Bidadi, Darshan Kapadia, Amit Maimon, Lohit J. Sarma, Robert Tucker, Tom Tytunovich, Patrick Quinn, Christopher Fahey, Ryan Bannon
  • Publication number: 20190065164
    Abstract: A method of increasing a speed of operation of a computer via a metadata-based business rule interpreter. The method includes receiving, at a processor, user input defining a business rule. The method also includes translating, by the processor, the user input into a domain-specific language entirely consisting of metadata objects, wherein a translated syntax is formed, the translated syntax being an abstract syntax tree structure consisting of only the metadata objects. The method also includes executing, by the processor, an abstract syntax tree interpreter and taking as input into the abstract syntax tree interpreter the translated syntax. A compiler operation to generate computer code for implementing the business rule is avoided. Executing the abstract syntax tree interpreter produces a result in a browser without using executable code to achieve the result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph C. Groseclose, Robert Tucker, Zachary Brandt, Aakash Kharche, Satheesh Nagarajan, Darshan Kapadia
  • Publication number: 20170343218
    Abstract: An automated self-contained pellet grill includes a base housing that defines a heat distribution chamber with a cooking grid supported in an opening at the top of the base for supporting food to be cooked. A pellet burning mechanism, located within the housing, includes a pellet feeder driven by an electrical motor. Electrical power is provided for the motor by a thermoelectric generator having a hot side that is heated by burning pellets and a cold side that is cooled by flowing ambient air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Mak Grills, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Tucker
  • Patent number: 9759429
    Abstract: An automated self-contained pellet grill includes a base housing that defines a heat distribution chamber with a cooking grid supported in an opening at the top of the base for supporting food to be cooked. A pellet burning mechanism, located within the housing, includes a pellet feeder driven by an electrical motor. Electrical power is provided for the motor by a thermoelectric generator having a hot side that is heated by burning pellets and a cold side that is cooled by flowing ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: MAK Grills, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Tucker
  • Publication number: 20150320259
    Abstract: An automated self-contained pellet grill includes a base housing that defines a heat distribution chamber with a cooking grid supported in an opening at the top of the base for supporting food to be cooked. A pellet burning mechanism, located within the housing, includes a pellet feeder driven by an electrical motor. Electrical power is provided for the motor by a thermoelectric generator having a hot side that is heated by burning pellets and a cold side that is cooled by flowing ambient air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Tucker
  • Patent number: 9167948
    Abstract: A hand worn washing device. The device includes a housing that has a soap chamber and a mixing chamber. The housing includes a chamber opening that provides fluid communication between the soap and mixing chambers. The housing also has at least one outlet opening. The device has a nozzle that directs fluid onto the chamber opening and an attachment feature that allows the housing and the nozzle to be attached to a human hand. A portion of water provided by the nozzle flows through the chamber opening and into the soap chamber. A mixture of soap and water flows back out of the soap chamber and into the mixing chamber. The soap and water further mix in the mixing chamber and the mixed soap/water is then dispensed through the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Tucker
  • Patent number: 8925178
    Abstract: A two gun tool dolly which is capable of firing and inserting two, three or four nails into plate, header, or footer frame members at predetermined locations thereof so as to fixedly secure top and bottom plate, header, or footer members to stud frame members of a wall structure or wall panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Aubrey Smith, Stephen Fleming, Robert Tucker, Douglas Dodd