Patents by Inventor Stephen Foster
Stephen Foster 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).
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Publication number: 20240114946Abstract: The present disclosure provides aerosol generating substrates and aerosol source members comprising aerosol generating substrates, as well as methods of manufacturing thereof. In an example implementation, an aerosol generating substrate may comprise a fibrous filler material, an aerosol forming material, and a plurality of heat conducting constituents, wherein the substrate is formed as a sheet, and wherein the heat conducting constituents are part of the sheet. The heat conducting constituents may be incorporated within the sheet, or may be formed on a surface of the sheet. In another example implementation, an aerosol source member may comprise a substrate portion formed of a collection of intermingled pieces cut from an aerosol substrate sheet. In addition, or alternatively, a substrate portion may be formed of a series of overlapping layers of an aerosol substrate sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Andries Sebastian, Stephen Benson Sears, Billy Tyrone Connor, Rajesh Sur, S. Keith Cole, Thaddeus Jackson, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Paul E. Braxton, Curtis Foster Doe, Vahid Hejazi, Kathryn Lynn Wilberding
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Patent number: 11939841Abstract: Methods concerning the thermal insulation of oil and gas wells are disclosed herein. In some embodiments a thermal insulating fluid is inserted into the well completion sequence for thermally insulating a well at a desired depth to reduce paraffin and precipitate formation, improve oil flow rate, and reduce pressure build up in one or more annuli of the well. In other embodiments, the casing of a desired annulus in a completed well is perforated to permit a thermally insulating fluid to be pumped into the annulus and spotted at a desired depth.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Great Basin Brine, LLCInventors: Stephen Henzler, Jacob Foster, Ryan Riker
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Patent number: 11287967Abstract: Changes in display area automatically lead to changes in the format used to display graphical content of a list of items such as thumbnails or application icons, for example. A list display controller transitions between scrollable format and fixed format, and transitions between fixed formats with different numbers of display slots. Transitions may be triggered by window resizing, by moving a graphical user interface from one device to another while the application runs, or by switching between landscape and portrait mode, for example. Even when the format is not changed in response to a display area change, graphical content is automatically resized to match changes in the size of the display area containing the graphical content. Format transitions and content resizing help provide a pleasant user experience by maintaining content density with expected usage patterns for a given device, and reduce proliferation of code versions.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2016Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Ankit Goel, Hillary Mucheru Mutisya, Mark Stephen Foster, Nathan Oshlag, Chantal M. Leonard
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Publication number: 20180121047Abstract: Changes in display area automatically lead to changes in the format used to display graphical content of a list of items such as thumbnails or application icons, for example. A list display controller transitions between scrollable format and fixed format, and transitions between fixed formats with different numbers of display slots. Transitions may be triggered by window resizing, by moving a graphical user interface from one device to another while the application runs, or by switching between landscape and portrait mode, for example. Even when the format is not changed in response to a display area change, graphical content is automatically resized to match changes in the size of the display area containing the graphical content. Format transitions and content resizing help provide a pleasant user experience by maintaining content density with expected usage patterns for a given device, and reduce proliferation of code versions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Ankit GOEL, Hillary Mucheru MUTISYA, Mark Stephen FOSTER, Nathan OSHLAG, Chantal M. LEONARD
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Patent number: 9339449Abstract: The invention relates to aqueous compositions comprising an anionic surfactant and a hyperbranched polyesteramide having at least one quaternized amine endgroup. The compositions, in particular in the form of shampoo preparations are suited for increasing the volume of hair treated therewith. Furthermore, such compositions provide styling attributes and increase the wet-combability of hair.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: DSM IP ASSETS B.V.Inventors: Franciscus Johannes Marie Derks, Stephen Foster, Robert Lochhead, Adarsh Maini, Dirk Weber
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Patent number: 9250599Abstract: An auto tray switching method that is invoked when a misfeed occurs includes automatically switching to a different paper tray that has appropriate paper stock to continue a job. A misfeed signal is indicated only if the tray in which the misfeed occurred is selected by a user for another job.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Richard Bradford, Peter Granby, Stephen Foster, Wayne Rudge, John A Kerslake, Christopher D Olliffe
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Publication number: 20160026986Abstract: An improved billing system for the dispensing of fuel and gas products is described. The system is comprised of non-proprietary (off the shelf) components that can be controlled by the fuel and gas seller. This avoids the need to use proprietary systems offered by system vendors and results in capital and maintenance cost savings.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Stephen Foster, Kevin Peakman
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Patent number: 9207609Abstract: A method of printing is provided comprising: assigning a first set of image performance parameters from a plurality of image performance parameters to an associated image job; communicating the initially assigned first set of image performance parameters of the associated image job to an image marking engine; determining a queue of other image jobs assigned to the image marking engine, wherein the other image jobs are queued before the associated image job; and, assigning a second set of image performance parameters to the associated image job. The second set of image performance parameters can alter the first set of image performance parameters. The altering of the first set of image performance parameters to the second set of image performance parameters reduces a print duration to complete printing of the associated image job. The altering can further include reordering the queue of print jobs.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Peter Granby, Stephen Foster, Wayne Rudge, Richard Bradford, John Kerslake, Christopher D. Olliffe
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Patent number: 9181077Abstract: A method and apparatus for fueling the onboard storage tank of a vehicle with liquefied natural gas. A liquid cryogen such as liquid nitrogen is fed to a condensing unit to condense natural gas present in a fueling system. Liquefied natural gas is fed into the fueling system and natural gas vapor is recovered from the onboard storage tank of the vehicle and fed to the condensing unit. When the pressure of the onboard storage tanks is sufficient, the liquefied natural gas is fed from the fueling system to the onboard storage tanks.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Ron C. Lee, Paul Jarrett, Stephen Foster
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Publication number: 20150277335Abstract: An auto tray switching method that is invoked when a misfeed occurs includes automatically switching to a different paper tray that has appropriate paper stock to continue a job. A misfeed signal is indicated only if the tray in which the misfeed occurred is selected by a user for another job.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Richard Bradford, Peter Granby, Stephen Foster, Wayne Rudge, John A. Kerslake, Christopher D. Olliffe
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Patent number: 9122432Abstract: Disclosed are devices, including both a front-end computerized device used to submit a print job and a printing device receiving a print job, that can detect a floating signature on the signature page of an electronic document in the print job and can halt printing of that print job until further action is taken by a user. The devices can apply a set of heuristics to analyze the electronic document in order to determine whether it has a signature page and, if so, whether the signature page contains a floating signature. When a floating signature is detected, the device can notify a user and can preclude printing of the print job until such time as a response to the notification is received. Also disclosed herein are associated methods for detecting a floating signature and for halting printing of a print job until further action is taken.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2014Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Peter Granby, Stephen Foster, Wayne Rudge, Richard Bradford, John A. Kerslake, Christopher D. Olliffe
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Publication number: 20150227332Abstract: Disclosed are devices, including both a front-end computerized device used to submit a print job and a printing device receiving a print job, that can detect a floating signature on the signature page of an electronic document in the print job and can halt printing of that print job until further action is taken by a user. The devices can apply a set of heuristics to analyze the electronic document in order to determine whether it has a signature page and, if so, whether the signature page contains a floating signature. When a floating signature is detected, the device can notify a user and can preclude printing of the print job until such time as a response to the notification is received. Also disclosed herein are associated methods for detecting a floating signature and for halting printing of a print job until further action is taken.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2014Publication date: August 13, 2015Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Peter Granby, Stephen Foster, Wayne Rudge, Richard Bradford, John A. Kerslake, Christopher D. Olliffe
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Publication number: 20150219278Abstract: An LNG fueling station that is more compact in size and reduces the pipeline requirements between storage vessel and dispensing unit is described. The design allows for significantly reduced vehicle fueling times because all cryogenic components external to the LNG bulk storage tank are contained in a single location with little or no separation between the components. This ensures a minimum heat load to the cryogenic components external to the LNG bulk storage tank. The piping components of the fueling station are routed to provide passive cooling of critical components. The LNG fueling station can be operated with or without a pump and provides the advantages of modular component options.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2013Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: Stephen Foster, Ron C. Lee, Kevin Peakman
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Publication number: 20150210488Abstract: An auto tray switching method that is invoked when a misfeed occurs includes automatically switching to a different paper tray that has appropriate paper stock to continue a job.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2014Publication date: July 30, 2015Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Richard Bradford, Peter Granby, Stephen Foster, Wayne Rudge, John A Kerslake, Christopher D Olliffe
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Publication number: 20150212573Abstract: Methods and devices automatically and regularly transition a printing apparatus between a full-on power mode and a full-sleep power mode based on a previously established sleep mode schedule. Such methods and devices also automatically and regularly maintain the printing apparatus in the full-sleep power mode during a previously scheduled sleep mode interval except in response to the communications port receiving a received print job. Then, in response to the communications port receiving the received print job during the previously scheduled sleep mode interval, the methods and devices herein automatically transition from the full-sleep power mode to the second sleep power mode, automatically store the received print job in the non-transitory storage medium while in the second sleep power mode, and automatically return to the full-sleep power mode after completing the process of storing the received print job (without transitioning to the full-on power mode).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2014Publication date: July 30, 2015Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Richard Bradford, Peter Granby, Stephen Foster, Wayne Rudge, John A. Kerslake, Christopher D. Olliffe
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Publication number: 20150153695Abstract: A method of printing is provided comprising: assigning a first set of image performance parameters from a plurality of image performance parameters to an associated image job; communicating the initially assigned first set of image performance parameters of the associated image job to an image marking engine; determining a queue of other image jobs assigned to the image marking engine, wherein the other image jobs are queued before the associated image job; and, assigning a second set of image performance parameters to the associated image job. The second set of image performance parameters can alter the first set of image performance parameters. The altering of the first set of image performance parameters to the second set of image performance parameters reduces a print duration to complete printing of the associated image job. The altering can further include reordering the queue of print jobs.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2013Publication date: June 4, 2015Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Peter Granby, Stephen Foster, Wayne Rudge, Richard Bradford, John Kerslake, Christopher D. Olliffe
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Patent number: 8908236Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are presented for custom media size detection in a printing device. A user places standard or custom sized media in a media tray associated with a printing device. The media tray contains a media tray sensor which determines whether the media tray is closed and a media size sensor which determines whether the media tray is loaded with custom size media. If so, a computer processing device connected to the sensors and a visual display displays to the user the opportunity to select a media platen and image scanning device to scan an example media item with the same dimensions as the custom size media located in the media tray. The scanning device selected then scans an example media item a user has placed on the selected media platen, and data on the determined dimensions is presented to the user for confirmation or modification.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2013Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Wayne Rudge, Peter Granby, Stephen Foster, Richard Bradford, John A. Kerslake, Christopher D. Olliffe
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Publication number: 20140202583Abstract: A method and apparatus for fueling the onboard storage tank of a vehicle with liquefied natural gas. A liquid cryogen such as liquid nitrogen is fed to a condensing unit to condense natural gas present in a fueling system. Liquefied natural gas is fed into the fueling system and natural gas vapor is recovered from the onboard storage tank of the vehicle and fed to the condensing unit. When the pressure of the onboard storage tanks is sufficient, the liquefied natural gas is fed from the fueling system to the onboard storage tanks.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Inventors: Ron C. Lee, Paul Jarrett, Stephen Foster
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Publication number: 20140096540Abstract: A system for cryogenic liquid delivery includes a cryogenic vacuum pump that operates to efficiently cool down the cryogenic delivery pump. The system is a no loss system that provides reduced cool down time at lower cost greater versatility and maintainability.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Inventor: Stephen Foster
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Patent number: 8676402Abstract: An electric sentry system provides utilities for the welfare of a docked boat. The sentry system serves as boat and lift control, and security, system that has a wireless interface for two-way communications with a mobile wireless device. The system is configured to receive commands sent from the mobile wireless device. The system is also configured to independently monitor conditions involving the boat, the lift, or the premises surrounding the docked boat slip, and provide notifications to the boat owner/relevant user upon the occurrence of certain report-worthy events. This includes having the system monitoring online sources for extreme weather and/or other climatic data.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2013Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Inventor: Stephen Foster