Patents by Inventor Stephen A. Howard

Stephen A. Howard 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).

  • Publication number: 20230252538
    Abstract: A price monitoring system includes a memory and a processor configured to: determine, by the price monitoring system, an identity of a determined product positioned a particular location based on image information regarding the determined product, compare, by the price monitoring system, the identity of the determined product positioned at the particular location to an identity of an assigned product assigned to that particular location, determine, based on the comparison, that the identity of the determined product positioned at the particular location does not match the identity of the assigned product assigned to that particular location, retrieve product information for the determined product positioned at the particular location from a product database, transmit instructions configured to command an electronic product label at the particular location to display the product information for the determined product positioned at the particular location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Omni Consumer Products, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Howard
  • Patent number: 11685530
    Abstract: A seat base includes a plurality of linear actuators each having a first end pivotally mounted to a base member and a second end pivotally mounted to a seat member. A controller is adapted for controlling an extension length of each of the plurality of linear actuators in a coordinated manner for adjusting a position of the seat member with six degrees-of-freedom and for damping vibration of the seat member. An active vibration mitigation method for reducing vibrations of an aircraft seat includes receiving vibration data from one or more accelerometers mounted to the aircraft seat and determining a vibration profile based on the vibration data. When vibration mitigation is warranted, control signals for damping vibration are determined and transmitted to a plurality of linear actuators adapted to support the aircraft seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Howard Fagan, Paul Stokholm Warren, Emily O'Kelley Pearson, Jeremy Joseph Kneuper, Phillip Anthony Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20230139570
    Abstract: A method for generating a comment capsule for a content segment includes receiving the comment related to the content segment, receiving data associated with the comment, the data including at least one of an identifier for the content segment to which the comment relates, an identifier for a user generating the comment, and a time at which the comment was generated, generating display data for displaying the comment in a comment capsule, and transmitting the display data for displaying the comment capsule in a user interface screen associated with the content segment. The comment capsule is displayed on the user interface screen inline with the content segment, and an appearance of the comment capsule is dynamically changeable based on at least one of a number of comments received for the content segment, a size of the content segment, and a read status of the comment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Manoj SHARMA, Natalie Ann MIONIS, Jyhyun CHO, Simoune Rebekah Morena Valerio LUCAS, Matthew Stephen HOWARD, Nathan Darrel KILE, JR, Daniel John Niezgocki CHATTAN
  • Publication number: 20230008089
    Abstract: The present invention relates to oncolytic vaccinia viruses which have been modified to promote anti-tumor immunity and/or reduce host immunity and/or antibody response against the virus. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that oncolytic vaccinia virus (i) bearing a genome deletion of a gene that reduces T cell immunity (interleukin-18 binding protein); (ii) treated with a sialidase enzyme which is believed to reduce TLR2 activation and therefore the antibody response; (iii) carrying a gene that enhances cytotoxic T lymphocyte induction (e.g., TRIF) and/or (iv) reduces tumor myeloid-derived suppressor cells by reducing prostaglandin E2 reduces tumor growth. Accordingly, the present invention provides for immunooncolytic vaccinia viruses and methods of using them in the treatment of cancers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventor: Stephen Howard Thorne
  • Patent number: 11543103
    Abstract: A light fixture having an upper housing and a lower housing. A rotate-tilt mechanism is interposed between the two housings to permit the lower housing both to rotate and tilt relative to the upper housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Gautham Raj Kemparaju, Stephen Howard Clark, Douglas Dewayne Grove
  • Publication number: 20220362317
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides oncolytic viruses expressing a modulator of interferon regulatory factors (IRFs), and compositions comprising thereof. The present disclosure further provides methods of using said oncolytic viruses and compositions for treating cancer, and for improving a subject's responsiveness to an immunomodulatory agent (e.g., an immune checkpoint inhibitor).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Saumendra N. SARKAR, Stephen Howard THORNE
  • Patent number: 11478518
    Abstract: The present invention relates to oncolytic vaccinia viruses which have been modified to promote anti-tumor immunity and/or reduce host immunity and/or antibody response against the virus. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that oncolytic vaccinia virus (i) bearing a genome deletion of a gene that reduces T cell immunity (interleukin-18 binding protein); (ii) treated with a sialidase enzyme which is believed to reduce TLR2 activation and therefore the antibody response; (iii) carrying a gene that enhances cytotoxic T lymphocyte induction (e.g., TRIF) and/or (iv) reduces tumor myeloid-derived suppressor cells by reducing prostaglandin E2 reduces tumor growth. Accordingly, the present invention provides for immunooncolytic vaccinia viruses and methods of using them in the treatment of cancers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH-OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventor: Stephen Howard Thorne
  • Patent number: 11472558
    Abstract: A seat base includes a plurality of linear actuators each having a first end pivotally mounted to a base member and a second end pivotally mounted to a seat member. A controller is adapted for controlling an extension length of each of the plurality of linear actuators in a coordinated manner for adjusting a position of the seat member with six degrees-of-freedom and for damping vibration of the seat member. An active vibration mitigation method for reducing vibrations of an aircraft seat includes receiving vibration data from one or more accelerometers mounted to the aircraft seat and determining a vibration profile based on the vibration data. When vibration mitigation is warranted, control signals for damping vibration are determined and transmitted to a plurality of linear actuators adapted to support the aircraft seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Howard Fagan, Paul Stokholm Warren, Emily O'Kelley Pearson, Jeremy Joseph Kneuper, Phillip Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20220315225
    Abstract: A seat base includes a plurality of linear actuators each having a first end pivotally mounted to a base member and a second end pivotally mounted to a seat member. A controller is adapted for controlling an extension length of each of the plurality of linear actuators in a coordinated manner for adjusting a position of the seat member with six degrees-of-freedom and for damping vibration of the seat member. An active vibration mitigation method for reducing vibrations of an aircraft seat includes receiving vibration data from one or more accelerometers mounted to the aircraft seat and determining a vibration profile based on the vibration data. When vibration mitigation is warranted, control signals for damping vibration are determined and transmitted to a plurality of linear actuators adapted to support the aircraft seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Howard Fagan, Paul Stokholm Warren, Emily O'Kelley Pearson, Jeremy Joseph Kneuper, Phillip Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20220257226
    Abstract: A transseptal system includes a needle, a guidewire, a handle, and a dilator. The handle defines a needle passage to slidably receive the needle, and a guidewire passage to slidably receive the guidewire. The dilator defines a lumen having a distal region and a proximal region. The dilator is coupled to the handle such that the lumen is open to the needle passage and the guidewire passage. The proximal region of the lumen is sized to simultaneously receive the needle body and the guidewire. The distal region is sized to slidably receive one of the needle and the guidewire on an individual basis. A transseptal puncture and access procedure can be performed, including puncturing tissue with the needle followed by immediate advancement of the guidewire into the accessed area, eliminating the need for multiple instrument exchanges during the procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Howard, Kevin A. Knutsen
  • Publication number: 20220247984
    Abstract: An interactive projection system and method comprising a camera/projector unit having a computer processor connected via a network to a content server and content database. The system projects interactive trigger areas on a three-dimensional object. Specific content stored on the content server or locally in the memory of the computer processor is associated with each trigger area. A user interacts with the trigger areas and the system projects informational or entertainment content about the object on the surface of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Omni Consumer Products, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Howard
  • Publication number: 20220243900
    Abstract: A light fixture having an upper housing and a lower housing. A rotate-tilt mechanism is interposed between the two housings to permit the lower housing both to rotate and tilt relative to the upper housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Gautham Raj Kemparaju, Stephen Howard Clark, Douglas Dewayne Grove
  • Publication number: 20220237374
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying relevant content from other documents and presenting candidate documents/content in a document authoring application is described. A computer-implemented method includes performing an analysis of text of a document being authored by a user with a document authoring application, searching a document library for content elements and documents based on the analysis of the text, identifying candidate documents and candidate content based on the searching, presenting a list of candidate documents or candidate content with the document authoring application, receiving a selection of a candidate document or candidate content from the list in the document authoring application, and including an instance of the selected candidate document or candidate content in the document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin Gustav WILDE, Ransom Lloyd RICHARDSON, Richard Malcolm BANKS, Manoj SHARMA, Zeyu WU, Matthew Stephen HOWARD, Sudarshan SUNDAR, Lyndsy Marie STOPA, Yi ZHENG, Jacob Lee SANCHEZ, Aleksandr POLYAKOV, Jason Peter CAMPOLI, Gregory Alan HOWARD, Paul Anthony SCUDIERI
  • Publication number: 20220226636
    Abstract: Implantable apparatus includes two or more alignable marker elements, and systems and methods for manufacturing such implantable apparatus, and methods to utilize such implantable apparatus. For example, the implantable apparatus may include a first alignable marker element and a second alignable marker element that may be used to ensure proper alignment with a target site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Jay T. Rassat, Varun Bhatia, Kendall Emfield, Ryan Lahm, Alan Cheng, Douglas S. Hine, Kristin M. Johnson, Gregory N. Nesseth, Jonathan E. Baxter, Daniel W. Celotta, Stephen A. Howard, Nathan A. Grenz, Brian P. Colin, Ronald A. Drake, Juan Meng, Hongyang Lu
  • Publication number: 20220133824
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to modified viruses, e.g., oncolytic vaccinia viruses, which have been modified to contain an exogenous nucleic acid that expresses a protein that modulates STAT3 activity. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that vaccinia viruses modified to contain nucleic acid encoding PIAS3 and that express PIAS3 or a fragment thereof can inhibit STAT3 activity and enhance the anti-cancer activity of the vaccinia virus. Accordingly, this disclosure provides for oncolytic vaccinia viruses and methods of using them in the treatment of cancers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Stephen Howard Thorne, Daniel J. Byrd
  • Publication number: 20220133825
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to modified viruses, e.g., oncolytic vaccinia viruses, which have been modified to contain an exogenous nucleic acid that expresses a protein that modulates STAT3 activity. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that vaccinia viruses modified to contain nucleic acid encoding PIAS3 and that express PIAS3 or a fragment thereof can inhibit STAT3 activity and enhance the anti-cancer activity of the vaccinia virus. Accordingly, this disclosure provides for oncolytic vaccinia viruses and methods of using them in the treatment of cancers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Stephen Howard Thorne, Daniel J. Byrd
  • Publication number: 20220089288
    Abstract: A powered seat-base release system includes a rod rotatably mounted in a bucket assembly of an aircraft seat and a motor mechanically coupled to the rod. The motor is configured for rotating the rod from a locked position to a released position. A locking mechanism is configured for preventing motion of the bucket assembly. A cable has a first end and a second end, the first end being mechanically coupled to the rod, and the second end being mechanically coupled to the locking mechanism. A user interface is configured to activate the motor for rotating the rod to the released position such that the rod pulls the cable thereby releasing the locking mechanism to enable motion of the bucket assembly. Upon deactivation of the motor, a biasing mechanism is configured to counter rotate the rod from the released position to the locked position thereby back driving the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Paul Stokholm Warren, Stephen Howard Fagan
  • Publication number: 20220071682
    Abstract: A method and system for creating permanent lesions in an area of target tissue, such as tissue at or proximate a junction between a pulmonary vein and the left atrium. The method may generally include positioning a medical device in contact with a pulmonary vein ostium, ablating the tissue, and recording a plurality of temperature measurements from one or more of three temperature sensors. The device may include an occlusion element in communication with a coolant source, a first sensor located distal of the occlusion element, a second sensor located proximal of the occlusion element, and a third sensor located in the occlusion element. One or more temperature measurements may be compared with each other to assess occlusion of the pulmonary vein, and/or may be compared with a set of reference temperatures to predict a real-time temperature within the target tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Dan WITTENBERGER, Jean-Pierre LALONDE, Stephen A. HOWARD
  • Patent number: 11253559
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to modified viruses, e.g., oncolytic vaccinia viruses, which have been modified to contain an exogenous nucleic acid that expresses a protein that modulates STAT3 activity. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that vaccinia viruses modified to contain nucleic acid encoding PIAS3 and that express PIAS3 or a fragment thereof can inhibit STAT3 activity and enhance the anti-cancer activity of the vaccinia virus. Accordingly, this disclosure provides for oncolytic vaccinia viruses and methods of using them in the treatment of cancers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH—OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Stephen Howard Thorne, Daniel J. Byrd
  • Publication number: 20220022365
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) and method are disclosed for seeding soil. The apparatus (1) comprises a soil-sensing arrangement. The apparatus (1) comprises a seed-delivery mechanism. The soil-sensing arrangement comprises one or more soil-sensing elements. Each of the one or more soil-sensing elements is configured to sense one or more conditions of the soil. The one or more soil-sensing elements can take the form of one or more soil-sensing tines 19. In the method, material is delivered to a locally-optimised soil depth LOD. In the method, there is at least periodic sensing of one or more conditions of the soil, and at two or more depths at mutually differing proximities to the locally-optimised depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Davidson Alexander Finlay, Wendy Louise Finlay, Paul Andrew Mullins, Gordon Stephen Howard