Patents by Inventor Shawn M. Browning
Shawn M. Browning 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: 10604498Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for purifying a 5-(halomethyl)furfural composition, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, at operating conditions that decrease or minimize the decomposition or degradation of 5-(chloromethyl)furfural during the process. The methods may employ certain solvents, operating conditions, and/or techniques (e.g., gas stripping). The gaseous 5-(halomethyl)furfural produced from the process can be condensed or deposited to yield 5-(halomethyl)furfural in liquid or solid form. The solid 5-(halomethyl)furfural may be amorphous or crystalline.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: MICROMIDAS, INC.Inventors: Alex B. Wood, Shawn M. Browning, Makoto N. Masuno, Ryan L. Smith, John Bissell, II
-
Patent number: 10414742Abstract: Provided herein are methods of producing dialkylfurans, such as 2,5-dimethylfuran, and other alkyl furans, such as 2-methylfuran. For example, 2,5-dimethylfuran may be produced by reducing (5-methylfuran-2-yl)methanol or 2-(chloromethyl)-5-methylfuran.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: MICROMIDAS, INC.Inventors: Dennis A. Hucul, Dimitri A. Hirsch-Weil, Makoto Nathanael Masuno, John Albert Bissell, II, Alex B. Wood, Robert Joseph Araiza, Daniel R. Henton, Shawn M. Browning, Ryan L. Smith
-
Patent number: 10053441Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for purifying a 5-(halomethyl)furfural composition, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, at operating conditions that decrease or minimize the decomposition or degradation of 5-(chloromethyl)furfural during the process. The methods may employ certain solvents, operating conditions, and/or techniques (e.g., gas stripping). The gaseous 5-(halomethyl)furfural produced from the process can be condensed or deposited to yield 5-(halomethyl)furfural in liquid or solid form. The solid 5-(halomethyl)furfural may be amorphous or crystalline.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2017Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: MICROMIDAS, INC.Inventors: Alex B. Wood, Shawn M. Browning, Makoto N. Masuno, Ryan L. Smith, John Bissell, II
-
Patent number: 9840486Abstract: Provided herein are methods of producing dialkylfurans, such as 2,5-dimethylfuran, and other alkyl furans, such as 2-methylfuran. For example, 2,5-dimethylfuran may be produced by hydrogenation of (5-methylfuran-2-yl) methanol or 2-(chloromethyl)-5-methylfuran in the presence of a solid supported metal catalyst having an excess of either basic or acidic sites (as determined by chemisorption of CO2 or NH3). The process could further include a urea reagent (TMU, DMPU, TMI) and an alkyl benzene.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Micromidas, Inc.Inventors: Dennis A. Hucul, Dimitri A. Hirsch-Weil, Makoto Nathanael Masuno, John Albert Bissell, II, Alex B. Wood, Robert Joseph Araiza, Daniel R. Henton, Shawn M. Browning, Ryan L. Smith
-
Patent number: 9718798Abstract: Provided are solid forms of 5-(halomethyl)furfural, including a crystalline form of 5-(chloromethyl)furfural. Provided are also methods for preparing solid forms of 5-(halomethyl)furfural by crystallization using certain solvents.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: MICROMIDAS, INC.Inventors: Shawn M. Browning, Makoto N. Masuno, John Bissell, II, Benjamin F. Nicholson
-
Patent number: 9586922Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for purifying a 5-(halomethyl)furfural composition, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, at operating conditions that decrease or minimize the decomposition or degradation of 5-(chloromethyl)furfural during the process. The methods may employ certain solvents, operating conditions, and/or techniques (e.g., gas stripping). The gaseous 5-(halomethyl)furfural produced from the process can be condensed or deposited to yield 5-(halomethyl)furfural in liquid or solid form. The solid 5-(halomethyl)furfural may be amorphous or crystalline.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: MICROMIDAS, INC.Inventors: Alex B. Wood, Shawn M. Browning, Makoto N. Masuno, Ryan L. Smith, John Bissell, II
-
Publication number: 20160358030Abstract: Exemplary embodiments for performing server-assisted object recognition and tracking are disclosed herein. For example, in certain embodiments of the disclosed technology, one or more objects are efficiently recognized and tracked on a mobile device by using a remote server that can provide high capacity computing and storage resources. With the benefit of high-speed image processing on a remote server and high-bandwidth communication networks connecting the mobile device and the remote server, it is possible to identify an object and to track changes in the object's characteristics or location, so that a user experiences seamless, real-time tracking.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Robert Pengelly, Stephen Cosman, Shawn M. Brown
-
Patent number: 9424255Abstract: Exemplary embodiments for performing server-assisted object recognition and tracking are disclosed herein. For example, in certain embodiments of the disclosed technology, one or more objects are efficiently recognized and tracked on a mobile device by using a remote server that can provide high capacity computing and storage resources. With the benefit of high-speed image processing on a remote server and high-bandwidth communication networks connecting the mobile device and the remote server, it is possible to identify an object and to track changes in the object's characteristics or location, so that a user experiences seamless, real-time tracking.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2011Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Robert Pengelly, Stephen Cosman, Shawn M. Brown
-
Patent number: 9388151Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to produce 5-(halomethyl)furfural, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, by acid-catalyzed conversion of biomass. The methods make use of certain organic solvents with temperature-dependent solubility for 5-(halomethyl)furfural. This allows for temperature-dependent phase separation of the 5-(halomethyl)furfural from the reaction mixture. In certain embodiments, solid 5-(halomethyl)furfural may be obtained. The solid 5-(halomethyl)furfural obtained may be amorphous or crystalline.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Micromidas, Inc.Inventors: Shawn M. Browning, John Bissell, II, Ryan L. Smith, Makoto N. Masuno, Benjamin F. Nicholson, Alex B. Wood
-
Publication number: 20150266843Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to produce 5-(halomethyl)furfural, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, by acid-catalyzed conversion of biomass. The methods make use of certain organic solvents with temperature-dependent solubility for 5-(halomethyl)furfural. This allows for temperature-dependent phase separation of the 5-(halomethyl)furfural from the reaction mixture. In certain embodiments, solid 5-(halomethyl)furfural may be obtained. The solid 5-(halomethyl)furfural obtained may be amorphous or crystalline.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2013Publication date: September 24, 2015Applicant: MICROMIDAS, INC.Inventors: Shawn M. Browning, John Bissell, II, Ryan L. Smith, Makoto N. Masuno, Benjamin F. Nicholson, Alex B. Wood
-
Patent number: 8983227Abstract: Techniques and tools are described for performing perspective correction using a reflection. Reflective properties of a surface being photographed can be used to determine a rotation of the device taking the photograph relative to the surface. Light sourced or produced by the device can be used to create a reflection spot in the picture. A position of the reflection spot within the picture is calculated and used to determine the rotation. The rotation can be used for performing perspective correction on the picture, or on another picture taken by the device.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2014Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Suhel Sheikh, Shawn M. Brown, Stephen Cosman, Robert Pengelly
-
Publication number: 20140354831Abstract: Techniques and tools are described for performing perspective correction using a reflection. Reflective properties of a surface being photographed can be used to determine a rotation of the device taking the photograph relative to the surface. Light sourced or produced by the device can be used to create a reflection spot in the picture. A position of the reflection spot within the picture is calculated and used to determine the rotation. The rotation can be used for performing perspective correction on the picture, or on another picture taken by the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Inventors: Suhel Sheikh, Shawn M. Brown, Stephen Cosman, Robert Pengelly
-
Patent number: 8804029Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern controlling a variable flash to improve image detection. One example apparatus includes a digital camera and a variable flash configured to be controllable to operate at different selected illumination levels. The apparatus may be configured to identify a current imaging condition associated with the digital camera and to then determine a lux setting for the variable flash as a function of the current imaging condition. The flash may then be controlled as a function of the lux setting for subsequent image acquisition. The acquisition, analysis, and flash control may be exercised until a desired illumination is achieved. In one embodiment, determining the current imaging condition may include analyzing a frame acquired from the digital camera for attributes including image brightness, and edge detectability. In one embodiment, input from a light sensor may also be considered.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Inventors: Shawn M. Brown, John A. Yovin
-
Patent number: 8774556Abstract: Techniques and tools are described for performing perspective correction using a reflection. Reflective properties of a surface being photographed can be used to determine a rotation of the device taking the photograph relative to the surface. Light sourced or produced by the device can be used to create a reflection spot in the picture. A position of the reflection spot within the picture is calculated and used to determine the rotation. The rotation can be used for performing perspective correction on the picture, or on another picture taken by the device.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Suhel Sheikh, Shawn M. Brown, Stephen Cosman, Robert Pengelly
-
Patent number: 8750677Abstract: Transfer of media playback from a first device to a second device is based on a media entry point identifier. For example, a movie playing on a source device such as a movie theater screen may be quickly and easily transferred to a user's handheld device for playback on the handheld device or vice versa. Playback of the transferred media begins at or near a point within the transferred media at which the user requested media playback transfer. In one embodiment, media playback transfer relies on information captured from the source device, such as a video frame, a media progress bar, or a visual code. In another embodiment, the user device is associated with a user account that is different from the user account associated with the source device or the source device simply is not associated with a user account. In another embodiment, transfer of the media playback involves applying to the user device the settings of the source device.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Shawn M. Brown, Robert Pengelly
-
Publication number: 20130342757Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern controlling a variable flash to improve image detection. One example apparatus includes a digital camera and a variable flash configured to be controllable to operate at different selected illumination levels. The apparatus may be configured to identify a current imaging condition associated with the digital camera and to then determine a lux setting for the variable flash as a function of the current imaging condition. The flash may then be controlled as a function of the lux setting for subsequent image acquisition. The acquisition, analysis, and flash control may be exercised until a desired illumination is achieved. In one embodiment, determining the current imaging condition may include analyzing a frame acquired from the digital camera for attributes including image brightness, and edge detectability. In one embodiment, input from a light sensor may also be considered.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Shawn M. Brown, John A. Yovin
-
Publication number: 20130137482Abstract: Techniques and tools are described for performing perspective correction using a reflection. Reflective properties of a surface being photographed can be used to determine a rotation of the device taking the photograph relative to the surface. Light sourced or produced by the device can be used to create a reflection spot in the picture. A position of the reflection spot within the picture is calculated and used to determine the rotation. The rotation can be used for performing perspective correction on the picture, or on another picture taken by the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2011Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Suhel Sheikh, Shawn M. Brown, Stephen Cosman, Robert Pengelly
-
Publication number: 20130114849Abstract: Exemplary embodiments for performing server-assisted object recognition and tracking are disclosed herein. For example, in certain embodiments of the disclosed technology, one or more objects are efficiently recognized and tracked on a mobile device by using a remote server that can provide high capacity computing and storage resources. With the benefit of high-speed image processing on a remote server and high-bandwidth communication networks connecting the mobile device and the remote server, it is possible to identify an object and to track changes in the object's characteristics or location, so that a user experiences seamless, real-time tracking.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Robert Pengelly, Stephen Cosman, Shawn M. Brown
-
Publication number: 20130117464Abstract: Personalized media filtering for a mobile electronic device can be implemented. By supporting receipt of personal media filter criteria, flexible personalization options can be implemented. Personalized media filtering can allow for interactively receiving personal media filter criteria and applying the filter criteria to the media content during the media presentation. One possible blocking response is to block portions of the content. Other possible responses include switching between broadcast stations or playlists. A prevalence metric can indicate how often a particular content item, such as a word, has been filtered from the media content. When the prevalence metric exceeds a threshold, the technology can automatically respond in a variety of ways, such as by blocking a source of the presented media content from future presentation. Interactively establishing personalized filter criteria can be implemented during ongoing presentation, for immediate use in filtering during the presentation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Shawn M. Brown, Jason Deakins, Robert Pengelly
-
Publication number: 20130051755Abstract: Transfer of media playback from a first device to a second device is based on a media entry point identifier. For example, a movie playing on a source device such as a movie theater screen may be quickly and easily transferred to a user's handheld device for playback on the handheld device or vice versa. Playback of the transferred media begins at or near a point within the transferred media at which the user requested media playback transfer. In one embodiment, media playback transfer relies on information captured from the source device, such as a video frame, a media progress bar, or a visual code. In another embodiment, the user device is associated with a user account that is different from the user account associated with the source device or the source device simply is not associated with a user account. In another embodiment, transfer of the media playback involves applying to the user device the settings of the source device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Shawn M. Brown, Robert Pengelly