Patents by Inventor Steven A Thomas

Steven A Thomas 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: 20150367000
    Abstract: A bone biospecific agent comprises a contrast material core, which is visible using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT). The contrast material core is surrounded by a polymeric shell, which is functionalised with a bone-targeting peptide. In use, the peptide targets the biospecific agent to bone. The bone biospecific agent can be used in diagnostic imaging techniques, such as MRI and CT, and in imaging bone remodelling activities, detecting and treating pathological bone conditions and/or bone repair processes. The invention extends to the diagnosis and/or treatment of bone disease and bone pathologies using the biospecific agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH UK
    Inventors: Matteo Santin, Steven Thomas Meikle, Lubinda Mbundi
  • Publication number: 20150363803
    Abstract: Methods for searching within one's social network for business leads and the presentation and facilitation of introduction requests associated therewith are provided. In particular, a user may log into a website to search their social network based on introduction parameters. In response, a set of introducers who can connect the user to individuals matching the introduction parameters are provided and stored. Subsequently, an indication is presented to each introducer such that each introducer is made aware that the user is requesting an introduction to someone within the respective introducer's network. Upon viewing the indication, the introducer may select an individual matching the introduction parameters and transmit to that individual an introduction request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventor: Steven Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150354473
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting pressure deviation of a first fluid in an engine is disclosed. The method may comprise calculating, for each of a plurality of measurements, a delta between an actual first fluid pressure and a target pressure, summing each delta obtained from the calculating, and determining pressure deviation of the first fluid based on a cumulative sum of the deltas. In an embodiment, the first fluid may be natural gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Behnaz Ensan, Steven Thomas Grant, Matthew Benjamin Yandell, Hardikkumar Shah, Sunil Jefferey Bean
  • Publication number: 20150343172
    Abstract: A method for insertion, maintenance, and removal of urethral catheters in mammals including humans includes steps for preventing or reducing the incidence of catheter associated urinary tract infections. In addition to sterile procedures currently practiced or as may be practiced in the future in connection with catheter use, the method includes the steps of applying an antiseptic, zwitterionic, and acidic skincare solution capable of preserving the stratum corneum to the perineum, meatus, and contiguous mucosa surrounding the insertion site before insertion, after insertion, periodically during the period of indwelling, in connection with any incidence of incontinence, and, optionally, before and after removal of the catheter. Application of the solution optionally is continued after catheter removal on a periodic basis until the threat of an infection associated with catheter use has passed, typically at least about five (5) to seven (7) days and up to thirty (30) days.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventor: Steven Thomas Woody
  • Publication number: 20150341906
    Abstract: A peer node coupled to a plurality of other peer nodes in an overlay network may process a broadcast message from an upstream peer node containing a plurality of packets by identifying packet missing from the message, identifying an upstream node to which the peer node has an existing inbound connection and which has the missing packet, and obtaining the missing packet from the upstream node. A message from an upstream node may be processed by buffering a subset of the packets of the message in a buffer for a finite period of time before and after the peer node consumes the packets and by identifying one or more of the buffered packets to one or more finger nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Yutaka Takeda, Steven Thomas, Attila Vass
  • Patent number: 9196455
    Abstract: Ion beam sample preparation apparatus and methods are described. The apparatus has disposed in a vacuum chamber at least one tilting ion beam irradiating means with intensity control, a rotation stage with rotation control, a sample holder, and an adjustable positioning stage that has two axes of positional adjustment that are operable to move the region of the sample being prepared by the ion beam relative to the ion beam. The apparatus may also include a vacuum-tight optical window for observing the sample and a shutter for protecting the optical window from debris while the sample is prepared in the ion beam. The apparatus may also include an instrument controller responsive to the state of the apparatus and to the condition of the sample and is operable to control the preparation of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Gatan, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Coyle, John Andrew Hunt, Michael Patrick Hassel-Shearer
  • Patent number: 9193223
    Abstract: System and methods for indicating a tire pressure condition are disclosed. Some systems and methods include receiving, by a control unit comprising a processor and a tangible, non-transitory memory, a tire pressure data, determining, by the control unit, a relationship of the tire pressure data to a predetermined tire pressure, and causing, by the control unit, an output device to display a value in accordance with the relationship, wherein the output device is externally located on an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Keller, Paul L. Summers, Eric Daniel Cahill
  • Patent number: 9181886
    Abstract: A compression ignition engine is fueled from common rail fuel injectors that predominately inject natural gas fuel that is compression ignited with a small pilot injection of liquid diesel fuel. Before and after a rapid fueling increase transient, the liquid and gaseous rail pressures are controlled toward respective pressures based upon engine speed and load. During the transient, the liquid rail pressure is controlled toward an elevated liquid pressure in order to cause a surge in the supply of gaseous fuel to the gaseous fuel common rail to proactively satisfy the increased gaseous fuel injection rate while obviating a substantial pressure deficit in the gaseous fuel common rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Grant, Frank Lombardi, Daniel R. Puckett, Cory Brown
  • Publication number: 20150318731
    Abstract: A system comprising a plurality of electronic devices, each comprising a device housing and a rechargeable battery, and a charger comprising a charger housing and arranged for charging said rechargeable batteries, wherein said charger comprises at least one, preferably a plurality of wireless power transmitting coils in said housing and said electronic devices each comprise a wireless power receiving coil in said housing, wherein said power transmitting coils are arranged in an array along an axis, and wherein said charger housing and said device housings are formed such that the power receiving coils of said electronic devices can be placed and held in an array along said axis by placing said electronic devices in an array against each other, such that each power receiving coil has a corresponding power transmitting coil in its vicinity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Steve Rakoczy, Steven Thomas McGuinness
  • Publication number: 20150316597
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to the location and/or identification of a circuit within a circuital system. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing signals upon a plurality of circuit lines (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) with each circuit line having a unique signal to identify it from other circuit lines. Each signal may be induced upon an individual circuit line by means of a inductive coupling clip coupled about the circuit line. The transmitter may be used at a distribution point of the circuit lines, such as circuit breaker box. A receiver can then receive a signal from a distal point on the circuit line to acquire the unique signal induced thereon and identify determine which inductive coupling clip is coupled thereto. For example, the signal may be decoded to display a number of the circuit line being tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventor: Steven Thomas McCasland
  • Publication number: 20150292240
    Abstract: An alignment aid for an electronic locking device includes a contact sensitive cover affixed to or displaced on a deadbolt of the locking device. When the contact sensitive cover physically contacts another object, it leave a residual mark on that object, thereby providing an indication of the point of contact. The alignment aid thus provides a visual indicator for an observer or installer, helping to prevent misalignment with other components of the locking device and/or a doorjamb into which the deadbolt is to be inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Gabriel Bestard Ribas, Steven Thomas Bakondi, Lloyd Seliber
  • Publication number: 20150287254
    Abstract: Electronic locking devices, systems, and methods may employ an accelerometer to detect an acceleration associated with displacement of a portion of an electronic locking device, for example, displacement of a housing that includes a display of the electronic locking device. Responsive to such an acceleration being detected, a message is transmitted to a device remote from the locking device. The message may include a photograph and or audio signal. Concurrently with the transmission of the message, a greeting may be played and/or displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Gabriel Bestard Ribas, Steven Thomas Bakondi, Lloyd Seliber
  • Publication number: 20150286917
    Abstract: A portable table number device, comprising a housing having a bottom side with an outer edge arranged to rest on a table surface, said housing comprising a power source, an RFID reader arranged to detect an RFID table ID tag on or under said table surface, computer memory means comprising a table number device ID, wireless communication means arranged to wirelessly communicate a detected RFID tag table ID by said RFID reader together with said table number device to an external table number ID receiving device, a surface proximity sensor, such as a light sensor or micro-switch arranged in a recessed portion of said housing within said outer edge, said surface proximity sensor having a first state wherein no proximate surface is detected and a second state wherein a proximate surface is detected, said second state occurring if said bottom side of said housing is placed on said table surface, and power management means arranged to keep said RFID reading device in a sleep mode wherein no or relatively little pow
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: Almnos Technologies Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Steve Rakoczy, Steven Thomas McGuinness
  • Publication number: 20150286599
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a chassis on which a plurality of daughter cards (circuits) can be implemented. The chassis includes a backplane; a plurality of slots attached to the backplane, the plurality of slots being configured to interface with a corresponding number of daughter cards; a switch attached to the backplane, the switch being configured to provide control inputs to each of the plurality of slots, wherein a subset of the plurality of slots are directly connected to the switch; and a processor attached to the backplane and connected to the switch, the processor being connected to a portion of the plurality of slots which are not directly connected to the switch, the processor being configured to receive a signal from the switch, modulate the signal, and transmit the modulated signal to a target slot of the portion of the plurality of slots to uniquely identify a daughter card in the target slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventor: Steven Thomas Hershberger
  • Publication number: 20150275562
    Abstract: A power, split door system (12) for a vehicle (10), comprising a first vehicle door (14) arranged to articulate between a closed position and an open position; a second vehicle door (16) arranged to articulate between a closed position and an open position; first (40a, 40b) and second (42) drive means for moving the first and second doors, respectively, between the closed and open positions; and control means (18, 83, 85, 87) for controlling the first and second drive means so as to control movement of the first and second doors between the open and closed positions; wherein the control means is provided with positional information relating to each of the first and second vehicle doors; and wherein the control means is configured to ensure that each of the first and second vehicle doors do not attempt to simultaneously occupy the same space. The first and second doors may be configured such that in a closed position, the first and second doors partially overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew Warburton, Duncan Loveday, Steven Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150265465
    Abstract: An ophthalmic treatment system is configured to perform scanning of target tissue in a patient's eye to at least visualize the target tissue. The scanning pivots about a patient's iris to scan a retina.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventor: Steven Thomas Charles
  • Patent number: 9115486
    Abstract: A pump assembly for connection with a water source inlet (4), a sewer outlet (5) and a toilet (1), said toilet (1) comprising a toilet flush water inlet (2) and a toilet waste outlet (3), said pump assembly comprising: a pump housing with a pump flush water inlet (27), a pump flush water outlet (28), a pump waste inlet (25) and a pump waste outlet (26), and with means arranged to selectively allow water to flow from said pump flush water inlet (27) to said pump flush water outlet (28), and with means arranged to selectively pump waste from said pump waste inlet (25) to said pump waste outlet (26), characterized in that said pump assembly further comprises a connection system comprising two connection members (6, 7) that can be connected to each other: said first connection member (6) comprising a toilet waste outlet port (21) arranged to be connected to said toilet waste outlet (3), and a sewer outlet port (20) arranged to be connected to said sewer outlet (5), said second connection member (7) comprising sai
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Almos Technologies Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Steve Rakoczy, Steven Thomas McGuinness
  • Publication number: 20150231936
    Abstract: System and methods for indicating a tire pressure condition are disclosed. Some systems and methods include receiving, by a control unit comprising a processor and a tangible, non-transitory memory, a tire pressure data, determining, by the control unit, a relationship of the tire pressure data to a predetermined tire pressure, and causing, by the control unit, an output device to display a value in accordance with the relationship, wherein the output device is externally located on an aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Keller, Paul L. Summers, Eric Daniel Cahill
  • Publication number: 20150224859
    Abstract: A power, split door system for a vehicle, comprising a first vehicle door arranged to articulate between a closed position and an open position and a second vehicle door arranged to articulate between a closed position and an open position. First and second drive means are provided for articulating the first and second vehicle doors, respectively, between the closed and open positions. A control means is provided for controlling the first and second drive means so as to control movement of the first and second doors between the open and closed positions. Wherein a collision zone is defined as a region of the door system in which the first vehicle door and the second vehicle door could potentially come into contact with one another. Wherein the control means is configured to determine if both of the first and second vehicle doors is within a collision zone during powered articulation of the vehicle doors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew Warburton, Duncan Loveday, Steven Thomas
  • Patent number: 9105056
    Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating expense management information between an expense management system and a mobile device are provided. The methods and systems include one or more applications for a mobile device, such as mobile phone, that enable a user, such as an expense manager for an entity such as a business entity or other organization, to use their mobile device to communicate and exchange data with an expense management system, such as a telecommunications expense management system. The methods and systems enable an expense manager to review and approve invoices, generate graphics to review usage or other data, and conduct data searches relative to the expenses being managed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Cass Information Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl N. Friedholm, Angela Melissa Taylor, Randy Edmonds, Gregory Steven Thomas