Patents by Inventor Steven Thomas

Steven 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: 20190240968
    Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed is provided. The method may comprise forming a layer of material in contact with a container, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of material, actively bending the container around at least one fixed point such that the layer of material separates from the container. According to some aspects, an additive fabrication apparatus configured to form a plurality of layers of material is provided. The apparatus may comprise a container, a build platform, one or more force generators, and at least one controller configured to, subsequent to formation of a layer of material in contact with the container, actively bend the container around at least one fixed point via the one or more force generators, such that the layer of material separates from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas, Yoav Reches, Jason Livingston, Jeffery Morin, Caitlin Reyda
  • Patent number: 10369747
    Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed on a build platform is provided. The method may comprise forming a layer of material in contact with a container, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of material, rotating the container relative to the build platform and moving the build platform relative to the container, thereby creating an effective fulcrum about an axis, wherein the rotating of the container and moving of the build platform causes the layer of material to separate from the container. According to some embodiments, the container may be configured to rotate about a fixed axis. According to some embodiments, moving the build platform may comprise moving the build platform toward the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Formlabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Maxim Lobovsky, Steven Thomas, Benjamin FrantzDale
  • Publication number: 20190205846
    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 management system for expenses associated with a provider of products and/or services to the entity. 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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Carl N. Friedholm, Angela Melissa Taylor, Randy Edmonds, Gregory Steven Thomas
  • Publication number: 20190176710
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control module (10) for controlling powered operation of a platform (2) for a vehicle compartment (101) that is movable between a first position in which the platform engages a moveable structure (102) of the vehicle (100) and a second position; wherein the control module (10) is configured to control movement of the platform (2) from the second position to the first position by first controlling a powered actuation means (5) to move the platform (2) from the second position through the first position and into a third position, and then controlling the powered actuation means (5) to move the platform (2) from the third position into contact with the moveable structure (102) to thereby bring the platform (2) into the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Duncan LOVEDAY, Steven THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20190181294
    Abstract: Provided are novel interconnect wire network assemblies and methods of fabricating thereof. An assembly may include conductive portions/individual wires that, in certain embodiments, are substantially parallel to each other. The assembly also includes two or more carrier films (i.e., the front side and back side films) attached to opposite sides of the wires. The films are typically attached along the wire ends. The films are made from electrically insulating materials and at least the front side film is substantially transparent. The front side film is used to attach the wires to a photovoltaic surface of one cell, while the back side film is used for attachment to a substrate surface of another cell. These attachments electrically interconnect the two cells in series. In certain embodiments, one or both carrier films extend beyond two end wires and form insulated portions that allow much closer arrangements of the cells in a module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventor: Steven Thomas Croft
  • Publication number: 20190118472
    Abstract: Techniques for improved efficiency of sintering in additive fabrication are described. According to some aspects, mechanisms for depositing and leveling source material are combined with a mechanism for heating the material. In some embodiments, one or more heating elements may be arranged to lead and/or follow a material deposition mechanism such that heat may be applied to the build region in concert with deposition of material. As a result of this technique, the heating and depositing steps may be performed closer together in time and/or heat may be applied more directly to the material than in conventional systems. As a result, greater control over material temperature may be achieved, thereby avoiding excess temperature exposure and subsequent undesirable changes to the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo Torrealba, Steven Thomas, Christopher Auld
  • Patent number: 10268997
    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 management system for expenses associated with a provider of products and/or services to the entity. 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: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Cass Information Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl N. Friedholm, Angela Melissa Taylor, Randy Edmonds, Gregory Steven Thomas
  • Publication number: 20190115022
    Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device that can be configured to receive a verbal command to active a device with an unknown label, derive a probable device and a label for the probable device, activate the probable device, determine that the activated probable device is the same device to be activated by the verbal command, and store the label and a description for the device. In some examples, the label is associated with the description.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Robert James Firby, Jesus Gonzalez Marti, Jose Gabriel De Amores Carredano, Martin Henk Van Den Berg, Maria Pilar Manchon Portillo, Guillermo Perez, Steven Thomas Holmes
  • Patent number: 10241142
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Tasco Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven Thomas McCasland
  • Patent number: 10218950
    Abstract: A method of creating a plurality of simulated window views on an interior surface of a building including defining the area on the surface that will be shown as window views and with a plurality of short throw video projectors hung from the ceiling provide a mapped video recording of an image to be viewed in the window areas where the mapped video recording creates discrete segments of the total view assigned to separate ones of the window areas and projecting the discrete segments on the window areas to create a total view of the selected image, such as a landscape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph S Sporn, Steven Thomas
  • Publication number: 20190057700
    Abstract: A communication device that can fit within an oral cavity of a person includes a number of contacts and a control circuit adapted to be positioned within the oral cavity. The number of contacts are configured to obtain one or more signals indicative of activity in at least an upper airway of the person. The control circuit is configured to interpret a communication provided by the person based at least in part on the one or more obtained signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Harold Byron Kent, Robert Douglas Kent, Karena Yadira Puldon, Steven Thomas Kent
  • Patent number: 10207453
    Abstract: According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device is provided configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material. The additive fabrication device may comprise a container and a wiper, wherein the wiper comprises a wiper arm and a wiper blade coupled to said wiper arm using a pivoting coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Formlabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Ferguson, Konstantinos Oikonomopoulos, Steven Thomas, Ben FrantzDale, Nicholas M. Sohn
  • Publication number: 20190047222
    Abstract: Techniques for designing and fabricating thermal supports via additive fabrication are described. In some additive fabrication techniques, sufficiently high temperature differentials may contribute to any of a diverse array of part defects and failure modes. Additional volumes, referred to as thermal supports, may be fabricated along with a desired object such that the thermal supports adjusted, in a desired manner, temperatures that would otherwise be experience within the fabrication material during fabrication. For instance, the presence of a thermal support structure may serve to reduce changes in temperature experienced by the material between one or more adjacent layers during fabrication. According to some embodiments, thermal supports may be generated to be fabricated with a part so as to not be in contact with the part. Such a thermal support may reduce a temperature differential without affecting the finish of the fabricated object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo Torrealba, Steven Thomas, Christopher Auld, Justin Keenan
  • Patent number: 10201963
    Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed is provided. The method may comprise forming a layer of material in contact with a container, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of material, actively bending the container around at least one fixed point such that the layer of material separates from the container. According to some aspects, an additive fabrication apparatus configured to form a plurality of layers of material is provided. The apparatus may comprise a container, a build platform, one or more force generators, and at least one controller configured to, subsequent to formation of a layer of material in contact with the container, actively bend the container around at least one fixed point via the one or more force generators, such that the layer of material separates from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Formlabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas, Yoav Reches, Jason Livingston, Jeffery Morin, Caitlin Reyda
  • Publication number: 20190043293
    Abstract: Electronic locking devices, systems, and methods may require the utilization of an electronic key generated by an electronic key generation device. The electronic key may be generated using a data payload received from server and/or an administrative device. The administrative device is enabled to remotely manage the locking device and locking system via, for example, a software application running on the administrative device and/or a website.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Gabriel Bestard Ribas, Steven Thomas Bakondi, Lloyd Seliber
  • Patent number: 10195426
    Abstract: An oral appliance provides electrical stimulation to a patient's tongue in a manner that prevents collapse of the tongue and/or soft palate during sleep. More specifically, the appliance may induce a reversible current or currents in a lateral direction across the tongue in a manner that shortens the patient's Palatoglossus muscle, which in turn pulls the patient's soft palate downward towards a base of the tongue, and/or decreases a volume of the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: INVICTA MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Kent, Laurence Wylie Harter, Harold Byron Kent, Karena Yadira Puldon
  • Patent number: 10195427
    Abstract: An oral appliance is disclosed that provides electrical stimulation to a patient's tongue in a manner that prevents collapse of the tongue and/or soft palate during sleep. More specifically, the appliance may induce a reversible current or currents in a lateral direction across the tongue in a manner that shortens the patient's Palatoglossus muscle, which in turn pulls the patient's soft palate downward towards a base of the tongue and/or decreases a volume of the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: INVICTA MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Kent, Laurence Wylie Harter, Harold Byron Kent, Karena Yadira Puldon
  • Patent number: D840536
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Clifford, Brett Robert Merkel, Anna-Karin Soederstroem, Anthony William Gatica, Scott Douglas Slade
  • Patent number: D846745
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: STRYKER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Clifford, Brett Robert Merkel, Anna-Karin Soederstroem, Darryl David Daniel, II
  • Patent number: D854549
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: STRYKER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Clifford, Anna-Karin Soederstroem, Sarah Garcia