Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Conroy

Thomas A. Conroy 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: 20230233728
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a method of managing scent in an environment, which includes disposing at least one scent diffusion device within an environment, wherein the at least one scent diffusion device comprises a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remote computer, receiving at least one target value of a scent parameter for the environment at the remote computer, and controlling, via the remote computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with the at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter. Controlling a diffusion rate of the liquid includes altering at least one of a voltage and a duty cycle applied to at least one component of the diffusion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Todd H. Becker, Thomas A. Conroy, David L. Langton, Christopher H. Patstone
  • Publication number: 20210077649
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a method of managing scent in an environment, which includes disposing at least one scent diffusion device within an environment, wherein the at least one scent diffusion device comprises a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remote computer, receiving at least one target value of a scent parameter for the environment at the remote computer, and controlling, via the remote computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with the at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter. Controlling a diffusion rate of the liquid includes altering at least one of a voltage and a duty cycle applied to at least one component of the diffusion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Todd H. Becker, Thomas A. Conroy, David L. Langton, Christopher H. Patstone
  • Patent number: 10814028
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a method of managing scent in an environment, which includes disposing at least one scent diffusion device within an environment, wherein the at least one scent diffusion device comprises a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remote computer, receiving at least one target value of a scent parameter for the environment at the remote computer, and controlling, via the remote computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with the at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter. Controlling a diffusion rate of the liquid includes altering at least one of a voltage and a duty cycle applied to at least one component of the diffusion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: SCENTBRIDGE HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Todd H. Becker, Thomas A. Conroy, David L. Langton, Christopher H. Patstone
  • Patent number: 10695454
    Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns a method including receiving at a computer at least one target value of a scent parameter for an environment that is remote from the computer, receiving at the computer a sensed parameter of the environment, and controlling, via the computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device in response to the sensed parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SCENTBRIDGE HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Conroy, Todd H. Becker, Thomas G. Siegel
  • Patent number: 10603400
    Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns a method including receiving at a computer at least one target value of a scent parameter for an environment that is remote from the computer, receiving at the computer a sensed parameter of the environment, and controlling, via the computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device in response to the sensed parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: SCENTBRIDGE HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Conroy, Todd H. Becker, Thomas G. Siegel
  • Patent number: 10258712
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing scent in an environment include receiving data from sensors disposed in an environment regarding an indication that a service is being delivered in the environment and identifying remote atomizing scent diffusion devices disposed in the environment, wherein each scent diffusion device comprises a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the remote computer. Based on the indication, an electronic data structure is created defining a physical operational state of the scent diffusion devices, including data specifying at least one of a production of a scent that is intended to be a complement to the service, a fan speed of a fan in the diffusion device that moves particles carrying a scent, and a voltage of a pump of the diffusion device. The diffusion devices are caused to implement the at least one defined operational state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Inventors: Todd H. Becker, Thomas A. Conroy
  • Publication number: 20180036448
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a method of managing scent in an environment, which includes disposing at least one scent diffusion device within an environment, wherein the at least one scent diffusion device comprises a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remote computer, receiving at least one target value of a scent parameter for the environment at the remote computer, and controlling, via the remote computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with the at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter. Controlling a diffusion rate of the liquid includes altering at least one of a voltage and a duty cycle applied to at least one component of the diffusion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Todd H. Becker, Thomas A. Conroy, David L. Langton, Christopher H. Patstone
  • Publication number: 20170232130
    Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns a method including receiving at a computer at least one target value of a scent parameter for an environment that is remote from the computer, receiving at the computer a sensed parameter of the environment, and controlling, via the computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device in response to the sensed parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas A. Conroy, Todd H. Becker, Thomas G. Siegel
  • Publication number: 20160367716
    Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns an atomizing diffusion device including at least two packages with liquid in fluid communication with the atomizing diffusion device, a liquid level sensor that determines the liquid level in the package, and a processor, operatively coupled to the liquid level sensor, for generating a signal indicative of the liquid level and a control instruction for a switch based on the signal, wherein the switch, operatively coupled to the processor, receives the control instruction from the processor, and wherein the control instruction causes the diffusion device to switch from utilizing one package in the diffusion device to utilizing a different package in the diffusion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas A. Conroy, Todd H. Becker, Thomas G. Siegel
  • Publication number: 20160361453
    Abstract: Scent cartridges for use in a networked scent diffusion device include a reservoir that holds a liquid and an atomizer head assembly. An anti-tampering identifier is associated with at least one of the reservoir and the atomizer head assembly. Scent diffusion from the device is based on the condition of the anti-tampering identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas A. Conroy, Todd H. Becker, Thomas G. Siegel
  • Publication number: 20160339135
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing scent in an environment include receiving data from sensors disposed in an environment regarding an indication that a service is being delivered in the environment and identifying remote atomizing scent diffusion devices disposed in the environment, wherein each scent diffusion device comprises a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the remote computer. Based on the indication, an electronic data structure is created defining a physical operational state of the scent diffusion devices, including data specifying at least one of a production of a scent that is intended to be a complement to the service, a fan speed of a fan in the diffusion device that moves particles carrying a scent, and a voltage of a pump of the diffusion device. The diffusion devices are caused to implement the at least one defined operational state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Todd H. Becker, Thomas A. Conroy
  • Patent number: 9474824
    Abstract: Scent cartridges for use in a networked scent diffusion device include a reservoir that holds a liquid and an atomizer head assembly. An anti-tampering identifier is associated with at least one of the reservoir and the atomizer head assembly. Scent diffusion from the device is based on the condition of the anti-tampering identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas A. Conroy, Todd H. Becker, Thomas G. Siegel
  • Patent number: 9452234
    Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns an atomizing diffusion device including at least two packages with liquid in fluid communication with the atomizing diffusion device, a liquid level sensor that determines the liquid level in the package, and a processor, operatively coupled to the liquid level sensor, for generating a signal indicative of the liquid level and a control instruction for a switch based on the signal, wherein the switch, operatively coupled to the processor, receives the control instruction from the processor, and wherein the control instruction causes the diffusion device to switch from utilizing one package in the diffusion device to utilizing a different package in the diffusion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas A. Conroy, Todd H. Becker, Thomas G. Siegel
  • Patent number: 9439995
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing scent in an environment include disposing a plurality of scent diffusion devices within an environment, wherein the diffusion devices include a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remote computer and disposing at least one sensor within the environment that transmits sensor data to the remote computer. At least one scent parameter for scenting an environment is received at the remote computer. The remote computer controls diffusion of a liquid from a source of a liquid in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of scent diffusion devices to achieve the scent parameter. Controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the scent diffusion device in response to the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas A. Conroy, Todd H. Becker, Thomas G. Siegel
  • Publication number: 20150297778
    Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns a method including receiving at a computer at least one target value of a scent parameter for an environment that is remote from the computer, receiving at the computer a sensed parameter of the environment, and controlling, via the computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device in response to the sensed parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas A. Conroy, Todd H. Becker, Thomas G. Siegel
  • Publication number: 20150297776
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing scent in an environment include disposing a plurality of scent diffusion devices within an environment, wherein the diffusion devices include a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a remote computer and disposing at least one sensor within the environment that transmits sensor data to the remote computer. At least one scent parameter for scenting an environment is received at the remote computer. The remote computer controls diffusion of a liquid from a source of a liquid in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of scent diffusion devices to achieve the scent parameter. Controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the scent diffusion device in response to the sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas A. Conroy, Todd H. Becker, Thomas G. Siegel
  • Publication number: 20150297777
    Abstract: The disclosure herein concerns an atomizing diffusion device including at least two packages with liquid in fluid communication with the atomizing diffusion device, a liquid level sensor that determines the liquid level in the package, and a processor, operatively coupled to the liquid level sensor, for generating a signal indicative of the liquid level and a control instruction for a switch based on the signal, wherein the switch, operatively coupled to the processor, receives the control instruction from the processor, and wherein the control instruction causes the diffusion device to switch from utilizing one package in the diffusion device to utilizing a different package in the diffusion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas A. Conroy, Todd H. Becker, Thomas G. Siegel
  • Publication number: 20150297779
    Abstract: Scent cartridges for use in a networked scent diffusion device include a reservoir that holds a liquid and an atomizer head assembly. An anti-tampering identifier is associated with at least one of the reservoir and the atomizer head assembly. Scent diffusion from the device is based on the condition of the anti-tampering identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas A. Conroy, Todd H. Becker, Thomas G. Siegel
  • Patent number: 8016268
    Abstract: An apparatus used for maintaining a wind tower structure wherein the wind tower structure may have a plurality of legs and may be configured to support a wind turbine above the ground in a better position to interface with winds. The lift structure may be configured for carrying objects and have a guide system and drive system for mechanically communicating with a primary cable, rail or other first elongate member attached to the wind tower structure. The drive system and guide system may transmit forces that move the lift relative to the cable and thereby relative to the wind tower structure. A control interface may be included for controlling the amount and direction of the power into the guide system and drive system thereby causing the guide system and drive system to move the lift relative to said first elongate member such that said lift moves relative to said wind tower structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Wind Tower Systems, LLC
    Inventors: David Oliphant, Jared Quilter, Todd Andersen, Thomas Conroy
  • Publication number: 20090294219
    Abstract: An apparatus used for maintaining a wind tower structure wherein the wind tower structure may have a plurality of legs and may be configured to support a wind turbine above the ground in a better position to interface with winds. The lift structure may be configured for carrying objects and have a guide system and drive system for mechanically communicating with a primary cable, rail or other first elongate member attached to the wind tower structure. The drive system and guide system may transmit forces that move the lift relative to the cable and thereby relative to the wind tower structure. A control interface may be included for controlling the amount and direction of the power into the guide system and drive system thereby causing the guide system and drive system to move the lift relative to said first elongate member such that said lift moves relative to said wind tower structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: David Oliphant, Jared Quilter, Todd Andersen, Thomas Conroy