Patents by Inventor Steve Hoffman

Steve Hoffman 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: 9537951
    Abstract: A method of managing devices in a dispersed data storage network is disclosed. A device list is maintained including entries for every device in the dispersed data storage network. Each entry lists a public key, a network address, and hardware identifier for the corresponding device. On startup each device sends a request to join the network. The request includes the device's public key, network address, and hardware identifier. The request is compared with the device list, and, based on the comparison, and, in some cases, administrator action, the request is granted or denied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bart Cilfone, Sanjaya Kumar, Steve Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9092294
    Abstract: A method of upgrading software components within a dispersed data storage network is disclosed. A list of identifiers corresponding to devices within the dispersed data storage network is assembled. Each member of the list is assigned to an upgrade set based on the devices that are reachable by the vaults associated with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjaya Kumar, Steve Hoffman, Dusty Hendrickson, Bart Cilfone
  • Patent number: 9078540
    Abstract: A process and device are disclosed for creating a low adhesion cooking surface. The process involves placing a hydrogen containing substance on a cooking surface; and extracting the hydrogen from the substance so that the hydrogen remains in recesses on the cooking surface. The hydrogen may be extracted by creating an electric charge on the surface, the electric charge drawing hydrogen into pores or recesses in the surface. The device preferably includes a housing which contains a high voltage generator. The output end of the generator is positioned so as to generate an electric arc when activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Inventors: Steve Hoffman, Robert E. Cannuscio
  • Patent number: 8924231
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes initiating adjudication of a primary claim in response to a purchase transaction at a primary payer for a client at a point of sale of a healthcare provider, and adjudicating one or more services of a program of the administrator to which the client is enrolled and/or one or more secondary benefits following the adjudication of the primary claim. The purchase transaction is applicable to the respective program and the respective secondary benefit, and the program includes one or more services. The method also includes providing the one or more services and/or secondary benefits to the client in response to adjudicating the one or more services and/or secondary benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: McKesson Specialty Arizona Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Hoffman, Steve Mink, Philip Villavicencio
  • Publication number: 20140379372
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes initiating adjudication of a primary claim in response to a purchase transaction at a primary payer for a client at a point of sale of a healthcare provider, and adjudicating one or more services of a program of the administrator to which the client is enrolled and/or one or more secondary benefits following the adjudication of the primary claim. The purchase transaction is applicable to the respective program and the respective secondary benefit, and the program includes one or more services. The method also includes providing the one or more services and/or secondary benefits to the client in response to adjudicating the one or more services and/or secondary benefits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Steve Hoffman, Steve Mink, Phillip Villavicencio
  • Publication number: 20140365657
    Abstract: A method of managing devices in a dispersed data storage network is disclosed. A device list is maintained including entries for every device in the dispersed data storage network. Each entry lists a public key, a network address, and hardware identifier for the corresponding device. On startup each device sends a request to join the network. The request includes the device's public key, network address, and hardware identifier. The request is compared with the device list, and, based on the comparison, and, in some cases, administrator action, the request is granted or denied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: CLEVERSAFE, INC.
    Inventors: Bart Cilfone, Sanjaya Kumar, Steve Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8819781
    Abstract: A method of managing devices in a dispersed data storage network is disclosed. A device list is maintained including entries for every device in the dispersed data storage network. Each entry lists a public key, a network address, and hardware identifier for the corresponding device. On startup each device sends a request to join the network. The request includes the device's public key, network address, and hardware identifier. The request is compared with the device list, and, based on the comparison, and, in some cases, administrator action, the request is granted or denied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjaya Kumar, Steve Hoffman, Bart Cilfone
  • Publication number: 20130197935
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for identifying candidates for a clinical study. A method may include determining a study criteria set specifying at least one criterion for qualification for the clinical study. The method may further include accessing electronic prescription transaction information. The method may additionally include identifying one or more prospective candidates for the clinical study at least in part by analyzing the electronic prescription transaction information to determine at least one patient having a prescription history satisfying the study criteria set. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: MCKESSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suzanne Obst, Steve Hoffman, Steven Angelides, Diana Sifford
  • Patent number: 8327756
    Abstract: An oven system is disclosed that includes an oven housing. A door is hingedly attached to the housing through a locking assembly designed to lock and seal an opening in the housing. The locking assembly includes floating latch and hinge systems which can be translated into and away from the opening of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kitchen Concepts LLC
    Inventors: Steve Hoffman, Jesus Cordero
  • Patent number: 8172107
    Abstract: A cooking device including a permeable cooking layer having an outer cooking side and an inner side on the opposite surface from the outer side. A plurality of apertures are formed through the cooking layer from the inner side to the outer side. A heating layer is located adjacent to the inner side of the cooking layer. A plurality of passages are formed between the heating layer and the cooking layer so as to channel a non-stick fluid beneath the cooking layer. A non-stick fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the passages. The reservoir adapted to store a non-stick fluid. In one embodiment, the non-stick fluid is a liquid hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventors: Steve Hoffman, Robert E. Cannuscio
  • Publication number: 20120052172
    Abstract: A process and device are disclosed for creating a low adhesion cooking surface. The process involves placing a hydrogen containing substance on a cooking surface; and extracting the hydrogen from the substance so that the hydrogen remains in recesses on the cooking surface. The hydrogen may be extracted by creating an electric charge on the surface, the electric charge drawing hydrogen into pores or recesses in the surface. The device preferably includes a housing which contains a high voltage generator. The output end of the generator is positioned so as to generate an electric arc when activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Steve Hoffman, Robert E. Cannuscio
  • Publication number: 20110202375
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes initiating adjudication of a primary claim in response to a purchase transaction at a primary payer for a client at a point of sale of a healthcare provider, and adjudicating one or more services of a program of the administrator to which the client is enrolled and/or one or more secondary benefits following the adjudication of the primary claim. The purchase transaction is applicable to the respective program and the respective secondary benefit, and the program includes one or more services. The method also includes providing the one or more services and/or secondary benefits to the client in response to adjudicating the one or more services and/or secondary benefits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Steve Hoffman, Steve Mink, Philip Villavicencio
  • Patent number: 7962354
    Abstract: A system and method of booking an itinerary on at least one of a multiplicity of host environments include a plurality of host adaptor modules. Each host adaptor module is configured to interact with one of the plurality of host ticketing environments. A booking engine is provided for receiving commands related to booking the air travel itinerary and determining an appropriate host ticketing environment for processing the commands based on a number of predefined criteria. When the booking engine receives a command it forwards the command to a first host adaptor module which is associated with first host ticketing environment selected by the booking engine for processing the command. The host adaptor module receives the command and issues the command to said first host ticketing environment. The first host adaptor module in turn receives a response from the first host ticketing environment and determines whether the response comports with an expected response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Orbitz LLC
    Inventors: Roger Liew, David Shemenski, Greg Ball, Warren Nisley, John Sokel, Steve Hoffman, Leon Chism
  • Patent number: 7957983
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes initiating adjudication of a primary claim in response to a purchase transaction at a primary payer for a client at a point of sale of a healthcare provider, and adjudicating one or more services of a program of the administrator to which the client is enrolled and/or one or more secondary benefits following the adjudication of the primary claim. The purchase transaction is applicable to the respective program and the respective secondary benefit, and the program includes one or more services. The method also includes providing the one or more services and/or secondary benefits to the client in response to adjudicating the one or more services and/or secondary benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: McKesson Specialty Arizona Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Hoffman, Steve Mink, Philip Villavicencio
  • Publication number: 20100310733
    Abstract: A pressurized cooking oven system is disclosed that includes an oven enclosure having front, back, top, bottom and side walls. A door is hingedly attached to one of the walls for sealing an opening in the walls. A heating system is connected to the enclosure for generating heat in the enclosure. The heating system may be a gas or electric heating system. A process is also disclosed for cooking a food item in an oven. The process involves generating heat within the oven; creating pressure within the oven enclosure above atmospheric pressure during at least a portion of the cooking process; maintaining the pressure within the oven enclosure during at least a portion of the heating process; and controlling the heating and pressure during the cooking process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Steve Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20100266131
    Abstract: A method of managing devices in a dispersed data storage network is disclosed. A device list is maintained including entries for every device in the dispersed data storage network. Each entry lists a public key, a network address, and hardware identifier for the corresponding device. On startup each device sends a request to join the network. The request includes the device's public key, network address, and hardware identifier. The request is compared with the device list, and, based on the comparison, and, in some cases, administrator action, the request is granted or denied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Bart Cilfone, Sanjaya Kumar, Steve Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20100268806
    Abstract: A method of upgrading software components within a dispersed data storage network is disclosed. A list of identifiers corresponding to devices within the dispersed data storage network is assembled. Each member of the list is assigned to an upgrade set based on the devices that are reachable by the vaults associated with the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Sanjaya Kumar, Steve Hoffman, Dusty Hendrickson, Bart Cilfone
  • Patent number: 7769610
    Abstract: A system and method of booking an itinerary on at least one of a multiplicity of host environments include a plurality of host adaptor modules. Each host adaptor module is configured to interact with one of the plurality of host ticketing environments. A booking engine is provided for receiving commands related to booking the air travel itinerary and determining an appropriate host ticketing environment for processing the commands based on a number of predefined criteria. When the booking engine receives a command it forwards the command to a first host adaptor module which is associated with first host ticketing environment selected by the booking engine for processing the command. The host adaptor module receives the command and issues the command to said first host ticketing environment. The first host adaptor module in turn receives a response from the first host ticketing environment and determines whether the response comports with an expected response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Orbitz LLC
    Inventors: Roger Liew, David Shemenski, Greg Ball, Warren Nisley, John Sokel, Steve Hoffman, Leon Chism
  • Publication number: 20080210693
    Abstract: A cooking device including a permeable cooking layer having an outer cooking side and an inner side on the opposite surface from the outer side. A plurality of apertures are formed through the cooking layer from the inner side to the outer side. A heating layer is located adjacent to the inner side of the cooking layer. A plurality of passages are formed between the heating layer and the cooking layer so as to channel a non-stick fluid beneath the cooking layer. A non-stick fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the passages. The reservoir adapted to store a non-stick fluid. In one embodiment, the non-stick fluid is a liquid hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Steve Hoffman, Robert E. Cannuscio
  • Publication number: 20080047540
    Abstract: A grill top for a grill, the grill including a wall and an open cooking area, the grill top adapted to be mounted to the grill such that the grill top extends across at least a portion of the grilling area. The grill top includes a grill frame having at least two opposed sides, and a plurality of grill rods. Each grill rod includes first and second opposed ends, the first end being rotatably mounted to one side of the grill frame and the second side being rotatably mounted to the other side such that each rod is rotatable relative to each adjacent rod and the grill frame. The grill rods are preferably removable for cleaning. Also disclosed are several devices for cleaning the grill rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Steve Hoffman, Paul Webster, Robert Cannuscio