Patents by Inventor Spencer Johnson

Spencer Johnson 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: 11408504
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a vehicle includes a transmission, a brake pedal, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to an upshift of the transmission, a driver-demanded torque being zero, and the brake pedal being released, command a first pressure, that is greater than zero, to an oncoming shift element associated with the upshift such that the oncoming shift element has a torque capacity of zero, in response to the brake pedal being applied during the upshift of the transmission, command a second, larger pressure to the oncoming shift element to increase the torque capacity to a non-zero value, and, in response to expiration of a threshold time from the brake pedal being applied, command a series of sequentially ramping pressures to the oncoming shift element to further increase the torque capacity and lock the oncoming shift element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mehran Namazkar, Stephen Michael Cicala, Cory Benson LaRoche, Benjamin Rupley, Spencer Johnson
  • Patent number: 10464580
    Abstract: A manway assembly for a railroad tank car features a nozzle defining a central opening and having a sidewall, a cover, a hinge attaching the cover to the nozzle, and a seal assembly to seal the cover to the nozzle. The seal assembly may include a circumferential seal and a circumferential seal channel. The circumferential seal may include a top portion, a bottom portion opposite the top portion, and a side portion between the top portion and the bottom portion. An underside edge portion of the cover may be provided with the circumferential seal channel. The circumferential seal may be positioned within the circumferential seal channel. The circumferential seal may have a C-shaped cross section and may be positioned in the circumferential seal channel such that the top portion of the seal is seated against a top wall of the circumferential seal channel and the bottom portion of the seal is seated against a circumferential ledge of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Union Tank Car Company
    Inventors: Dan Schmidt, Gary C. Walter, Spencer Johnson
  • Publication number: 20180327001
    Abstract: A manway assembly for a railroad tank car features a nozzle defining a central opening and having a sidewall, a cover, a hinge attaching the cover to the nozzle, and a seal assembly to seal the cover to the nozzle. The seal assembly may include a circumferential seal and a circumferential seal channel. The circumferential seal may include a top portion, a bottom portion opposite the top portion, and a side portion between the top portion and the bottom portion. An underside edge portion of the cover may be provided with the circumferential seal channel. The circumferential seal may be positioned within the circumferential seal channel. The circumferential seal may have a C-shaped cross section and may be positioned in the circumferential seal channel such that the top portion of the seal is seated against a top wall of the circumferential seal channel and the bottom portion of the seal is seated against a circumferential ledge of the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Dan Schmidt, Gary C. Walter, Spencer Johnson
  • Patent number: 10029705
    Abstract: A manway assembly for a railroad tank car features a nozzle defining a central opening and having a sidewall, a cover, a hinge attaching the cover to the nozzle, and a seal assembly to seal the cover to the nozzle. The seal assembly may include a circumferential seal and a circumferential seal channel. The circumferential seal may include a top portion, a bottom portion opposite the top portion, and a side portion between the top portion and the bottom portion. An underside edge portion of the cover may be provided with the circumferential seal channel. The circumferential seal may be positioned within the circumferential seal channel. The circumferential seal may have a C-shaped cross section and may be positioned in the circumferential seal channel such that the top portion of the seal is seated against a top wall of the circumferential seal channel and the bottom portion of the seal is seated against a circumferential ledge of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Union Tank Car Company
    Inventors: Dan Schmidt, Gary C. Walter, Spencer Johnson
  • Publication number: 20170316631
    Abstract: An application server may receive poll creation data comprising a poll identifier, a poll question string, at least two answer identifiers and associated answer strings, and data identifying at least one recipient. The application server may generate a plurality of unique data based on at least a portion of the poll creation data, the plurality of unique data enabling the identification of each of a plurality of poll message recipients. The application server may generate a poll message comprising at least a portion of the poll creation data. The application server may send the poll message to each of the plurality of poll message recipients. The application server may receive at least one poll response. The application server may use the plurality of unique data to identify at least one sender of the at least one poll response and a selected poll answer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: BEK HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Bekim VESELI, Vikram PANT, Spencer JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 8686944
    Abstract: The response to the movement of a scroll wheel varies depending upon the application currently being used. The variation can be in ratcheting vs. free wheeling, speed and acceleration. Ratcheting can be automatic in word processing, with free wheeling automatic in photo editing, for example. In another aspect of the invention, text can be highlighted and searched by pressing a button on an input device to activate a search. The search can either be an Internet search or a desktop search. Different manners of activating the button (such as a short press vs. a long press) can be used to select between an Internet and desktop search.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Erik Charlton, Christophe Dayer, Jean-Daniel Zanone, Greg Dizac, Eric Tissot-Dupont, Asif Ashan, Spencer Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100279418
    Abstract: Module adaptable to communicate with a suitable handheld devices or PDAs. Suitable devices include, but are not limited to, the Apple iPhone® or iPod®, Research in Motion Blackberry® smart phones, Motorola Droid smart phones, and Palm Pre smart phones. The module can be used without adding to the cost of the handheld device. This allows direct reimbursement for the replaceable meter module portion if payers choose to limit coverage for the full system, as well as the possibility of reimbursement for the entire system including the handheld device. Other solutions build the cost into the phone, which must be replaced to upgrade or replace the glucose function. Moreover, information from the glucose meter reading can be communicated from the PDA to a remote station for reporting the results. With an iPod-like approach, this could be accomplished without the need for a cellular signal or carrier, as long as a WiFi internet connection is available anywhere in the world.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Loren Robert Larson, Spencer Johnson