Patents by Inventor Steven Frank

Steven Frank 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: 20060263445
    Abstract: A method for enhancing the antimicrobial effectiveness of silver colloid is provided. The method is achieved by adding to the colloid a compatible agent that modifies the bacterial wall in a manner that increases the uptake of silver by the bacteria. This can be a surfactant or oil that does not cause the silver to compound or precipitate out of suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventor: Steven Frank
  • Patent number: 7126611
    Abstract: Methods and image forming systems for approximating the value of a function given specified values of input data using a sparse lookup table. Individual samples are quantized and rounded up or down to an adjacent lattice point of the lookup table. Rather than performing multiple lookup table accesses, which are required using conventional linear interpolation, the disclosed data processing techniques require as few as one lookup table access per sample. The quantized samples are obtained by truncating one or more least significant bits, designated as masked bits, such that the most significant, or index bits, remain. For each sample, the value of an individual one of the masked bits is examined by comparing it with a corresponding entry in a mask array to determine whether the index bits are to be incremented prior to being used as an index to the lookup table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Frank Weed
  • Publication number: 20060115544
    Abstract: A method for treating musculoskeletal problems by applying a topical composition to a skin surface adjacent the musculoskeletal problem, the topical composition consisting essentially of herbal extracts in a water based synthetic gel and periodically repeating the step of applying as necessary for treatment of the musculoskeletal problem. The water based synthetic gel consists of water, Vitamin C, a carbomer, an antifungal, an anti-oxidant, a buffer and a chelate and zero alcohol. The herbal extracts are blends of the following herbs: St. John's Wort, White Willow, Yarrow, Poke, Lavender, Arnica, Comfrey, Devil's Claw, Witch Hazel, Celery Seed, Peppermint and Rosemary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventor: Steven Frank
  • Publication number: 20050122345
    Abstract: A system and related techniques manage the adding of digital images or other media to email messages using a comparatively straightforward insert-and-send scheme. A user may choose to insert or embed comparatively low-resolution versions of images or other media automatically published to a media server into an email message. The recipient of that media-enabled message may receive and view the email text message along with the low-resolution images in typical fashion using an email or other client. The recipient may choose to view one or more of the embedded images in greater resolution by linking or activating those images, for instance by moving a cursor and clicking into the selected image or other object. Activating the image or other media object from within the email pane may seamlessly transport the user to the media server's Web page to view a larger-resolution version of that image, for instance using a media player. Video, audio and other media may likewise be inserted into messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Kevin Kirn, Steven Frank, Mark Nikiel, Tanuja Joshi, Brian Cody, Kurt Weber
  • Publication number: 20040250254
    Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, a virtual processor that includes one or more virtual processing units. These virtual processing units execute on one or more processors, and each virtual processing unit executes one or more processes or threads (collectively, “threads”). While the threads may be constrained to executing throughout their respective lifetimes on the same virtual processing units, they need not be. An event delivery mechanism associates events with respective threads and notifies those threads when the events occur, regardless of which virtual processing unit and/or processor the threads happen to be executing on at the time. The invention provides, in other aspects, virtual and/or digital data processors with improved dataflow-based synchronization. A process or thread (collectively, again, “thread”) executing within such processor can execute a memory instruction (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Steven Frank, Shigeki Imai, Terumasa Yoneda
  • Publication number: 20040244000
    Abstract: The invention provides an embedded processor architecture comprising a plurality of virtual processing units that each execute processes or threads (collectively, “threads”). One or more execution units, which are shared by the processing units, execute instructions from the threads. An event delivery mechanism delivers events—such as, by way of non-limiting example, hardware interrupts, software-initiated signaling events (“software events”) and memory events—to respective threads without execution of instructions. Each event can, per aspects of the invention, be processed by the respective thread without execution of instructions outside that thread. The threads need not be constrained to execute on the same respective processing units during the lives of those threads—though, in some embodiments, they can be so constrained. The execution units execute instructions from the threads without needing to know what threads those instructions are from.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Steven Frank, Shigeki Imai
  • Patent number: 6809740
    Abstract: Methods and image forming systems for approximating the value of a function given specified values of input data using a sparse lookup table. Individual samples are quantized and rounded up or down to an adjacent lattice point of the lookup table. Rather than performing multiple lookup table accesses, which are required using conventional linear interpolation, the disclosed data processing techniques require as few as one lookup table access per sample. The quantized samples are obtained by truncating one or more least significant bits, designated as masked bits, such that the most significant, or index bits, remain. For each sample, the value of an individual one of the masked bits is examined by comparing it with a corresponding entry in a mask array to determine whether the index bits are to be incremented prior to being used as an index to the lookup table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Frank Weed
  • Patent number: 6764162
    Abstract: An improved shingle mask is provided for use on ink jet printers which use multi-pass printing (shingling) to form bitmap images. The shingle mask is derived from a shingle mask density distribution which exhibits a substantially trapezoidal shape; the shingle mask density distribution is derived from an accumulated shingle mask distribution (also referred to as a “banding profile”) having an overall shape of a plateau portion and a substantially smooth decreasing portion, which reduces the number of drops to be printed along the outermost edges of the mask on each swath. This shape reduces banding effects by effectively increasing a number of printed-density bands which are decreased in size, while at the same time not increasing the number of printhead passes over a given area on the print media (which otherwise would negatively impact printed throughput).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Ellen Biddle, Brian Edward Cooper, Chengwu Cui, Buford Rodney Goble, Ross William McFarland, Steven Frank Weed, Bryan Scott Willett
  • Patent number: 6745244
    Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention perform enhanced services for wireline and wireless subscribers in an integrated wireline and wireless switching system. The enhanced services may include, for example, group dialing plans, message waiting indicator activation, call forwarding, simultaneous ringing, call conferencing, calling line identification, automatic call back, automatic recall, speed dialing services, and/or any other services that may be provided by a switching system to wireless and/or wireline subscribers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Nortel Networks, Ltd.
    Inventors: Barbara Cosgriff, William Gentry, R. Emery Hanzel, Patrick Lee Price, James Ziesig, Chandrakant Gundecha, Gary Steven Franks
  • Patent number: 6722221
    Abstract: An adjustable cam shaft sprocket for allowing small adjustments to a cam shaft. The adjustable cam shaft sprocket comprises an inner member and an outer member, the inner member being placed concentrically within the first circular member and held in place by a fastener. A series of openings located at the perimeter of the inner member and outer member are arranged such that only one pair of openings between the inner member and the outer member are aligned for each hole alignment. A shear pin is inserted through the aligned pair of openings to prevent the inner member from rotating with respect to the outer member. A small adjustment to the cam shaft is achieved by removing the shear pin, rotating the inner member with respect to the outer member so that a second pair of openings is aligned, and re-inserting the shear pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Steven Frank Maxwell
  • Patent number: 6704796
    Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention perform enhanced services for wireline and wireless subscribers in an integrated wireline and wireless switching system. The enhanced services may include, for example, group dialing plans, message waiting indicator activation, call forwarding, simultaneous ringing, call conferencing, calling line identification, automatic call back, automatic recall, speed dialing services, and/or any other services that may be provided by a switching system to wireless and/or wireline subscribers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Nortel Networks, Limited
    Inventors: Barbara Cosgriff, William Gentry, R. Emery Hanzel, Patrick Lee Price, James Ziesig, Chandrakant Gundecha, Gary Steven Franks
  • Publication number: 20030202215
    Abstract: An improved shingle mask is provided for use on ink jet printers which use multi-pass printing (shingling) to form bitmap images. The shingle mask is derived from a shingle mask density distribution which exhibits a substantially trapezoidal shape; the shingle mask density distribution is derived from an accumulated shingle mask distribution (also referred to as a “banding profile”) having an overall shape of a plateau portion and a substantially smooth decreasing portion, which reduces the number of drops to be printed along the outermost edges of the mask on each swath. This shape reduces banding effects by effectively increasing a number of printed-density bands which are decreased in size, while at the same time not increasing the number of printhead passes over a given area on the print media (which otherwise would negatively impact printed throughput).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Mary Ellen Biddle, Brian Edward Cooper, Chengwu Cui, Buford Rodney Goble, Ross William McFarland, Steven Frank Weed, Bryan Scott Willett
  • Patent number: 6611684
    Abstract: A method for implementing customer group functionality in a wireless environment. A group table can contain group data associated with a group of wireless subscriber stations. A subscriber table can contain subscriber data for a plurality of wireless subscriber stations. A request is received from a network element for information relating to a wireless subscriber station. Subscriber data associated with the wireless subscriber station is obtained from the subscriber table, and group data referenced by the subscriber data is obtained from the group table. A message including information based at least in part on the contents of the group data referenced by the subscriber data is sent to the network element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventor: Gary Steven Franks
  • Publication number: 20030148839
    Abstract: An adjustable cam shaft sprocket for allowing small adjustments to a cam shaft. The adjustable cam shaft sprocket comprises an inner member and an outer member, the inner member being placed concentrically within said first circular member and held in place by a fastener. A series of openings located at the perimeter of the inner member and outer member are arranged such that only one pair of openings between the inner member and the outer member are aligned for each hole alignment. A shear pin is inserted through the aligned pair of openings to prevent the inner member from rotating with respect to the outer member. A small adjustment to the cam shaft is achieved by removing the shear pin, rotating the inner member with respect to the outer member so that a second pair of openings is aligned, and re-inserting the shear pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Steven Frank Maxwell
  • Patent number: 6412834
    Abstract: A window fastener having a mounting base (21), a latching flap (12) moveably coupled thereto, a handle (14) and a latching tongue (15). the handle (14) is movable between first and second positions and is coupled to the latching tongue (15) so that the latching tongue moves the latching flap (18) when the handle (14) moves to a latching position. A movement inducing mechanism (34, 41) operable by the handle (14) causes movement of the flap (12) to occur when the handle is moved from the latching position to a non-latching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Interlock Group Limited
    Inventors: Rana James Waitai, Steven Frank Wilkes
  • Patent number: 6411991
    Abstract: A system and method for replicating temporary data created by a server is provided. Temporary data for a local server is replicated periodically to a remote server. Temporary data for the remote server is also periodically replicated to the local server. If a server fails, another server begins processing user requests not responded to by the failed server. The user requests are processed with the benefit of the replicated temporary data. Repetitive user input and processing to create and process the temporary data is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Jon Scott Helmer, Terry Lee Oehrke, Steven Frank Davis, Scott Christopher Wells
  • Publication number: 20020042818
    Abstract: A system and method for replicating temporary data created by a server is provided. Temporary data for a local server is replicated periodically to a remote server. Temporary data for the remote server is also periodically replicated to the local server. If a server fails, another server begins processing user requests not responded to by the failed server. The user requests are processed with the benefit of the replicated temporary data. Repetitive user input and processing to create and process the temporary data is not required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: JON SCOTT HELMER, TERRY LEE OEHRKE, STEVEN FRANK DAVIS, SCOTT CHRISTOPHER WELLS
  • Publication number: 20020020038
    Abstract: A lever handle including a lever (11) rotatably mounted with an escutcheon (10) arranged for quick adjustment of the handing (e.g. for use with either a left or right swinging door). The handle includes a stop element (24) sliding between limiting positions (23) to be engaged with a mover (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Steven Frank Wilkes
  • Patent number: 6247617
    Abstract: A single use container for accurately dispensing separately housed sterile compositions with minimal contact to non-sterile surfaces of the container is disclosed. Embodiments include a container having a first and second chamber within the container for housing a first and second sterile composition. Each chamber has an angled channel which defines an axis for directing the sterile composition from their respective chambers. The angled channels are directed toward each other and are so angled as to minimize contact of the escaping sterile compositions with a non-sterile surface of the container, e.g. the tip. A plurality of tear-off closures seal the angled channels to prevent the sterile compositions from escaping from their respective chambers and a tab portion is provided joining the plurality of closures. Removing the tab portion causes all of the solid closures to be removed in a single action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventors: Richard Allen Clyde, Steven Frank Simmons
  • Patent number: RE37757
    Abstract: A subscriber unit (26) communicates with a satellite communication system (10) that projects cells. The satellites (12) and cells move relative to the earth. During every other TDMA frame, a subscriber unit (26) measures the signal strength of all candidate hand-off beams. The signal strength of the current beam is compared to the signal strength of the candidate hand-off beams. When the signal strength of the current beam is not the strongest, a counter is incremented (108). A hand-off is requested to the beam with the greatest signal level when the counter exceeds a predetermined threshold. Accordingly, only after the current antenna beam has not been the strongest beam for a certain period of time, is a hand-off requested. A different counter threshold is used for candidate hand-off beams from other satellites (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Steven Frank, Daniel Richard Tayloe, Dariusz Andrej Blasiak, Paul Robert Christian, Bradley B. Bakke