Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Fuller

Thomas A. Fuller 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: 9720567
    Abstract: Multitasking and full screen menu contexts are described. In one or more implementations, an input is received to cause output of a menu in a user interface of a computing device. Responsive to this receipt, a determination is made as which of a plurality of portions displayed simultaneously in the user interface in a multitasking mode has focus, each of the plurality of portions corresponding to an output of a respective one of a plurality of applications. Responsive to the determination, output is caused of the menu as associated with the focused portion of the user interface and having a representation of at least one function based the focused portion, the representation selectable to cause performance of the function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Churchill, Joseph Wheeler, Jerome Jean-Louis Vasseur, Thomas Fuller, Jason Dean Giles
  • Publication number: 20170165384
    Abstract: A method and device for destroying and inhibiting exposure to microbes and infection includes a first element and a second element, and a power source. At least one of the elements includes antimicrobial metal, which, when energized by the power source, produces ions that are lethal to microbes. The device can be incorporated into virtually any useful object. During normal use of the object, electrical communication is established between the two elements, causing current supplied from the power source to flow through the antimicrobial metal. The two elements are configured and arranged to ensure that ions flowing from the antimicrobial metal flow through the region in which it is desired to kill microbes. The antimicrobial metal can be on the surface of the element, incorporated into the material making up the element, or provided in any other way that allows the antimicrobial effect to be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fuller, Richard Wysk, Wayne J. Sebastianelli, Paul H. Cohen, Robert C. Voigt
  • Patent number: 9566359
    Abstract: A method and device for destroying and inhibiting exposure to microbes and infection includes a first element and a second element, and a power source. At least one of the elements includes antimicrobial metal, which, when energized by the power source, produces ions that are lethal to microbes. The device can be incorporated into virtually any useful object. During normal use of the object, electrical communication is established between the two elements, causing current supplied from the power source to flow through the antimicrobial metal. The two elements are configured and arranged to ensure that ions flowing from the antimicrobial metal flow through the region in which it is desired to kill microbes. The antimicrobial metal can be on the surface of the element, incorporated into the material making up the element, or provided in any other way that allows the antimicrobial effect to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: ARGENTUMCIDAL ELECTRICS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fuller, Richard Wysk, Wayne J. Sebastianelli, Paul H. Cohen, Robert C. Voigt
  • Patent number: 9561295
    Abstract: A method and device for destroying and inhibiting exposure to microbes and infection includes a first element and a second element, and a power source. At least one of the elements includes antimicrobial metal, which, when energized by the power source, produces ions that are lethal to microbes. The device can be incorporated into virtually any useful object. During normal use of the object, electrical communication is established between the two elements, causing current supplied from the power source to flow through the antimicrobial metal. The two elements are configured and arranged to ensure that ions flowing from the antimicrobial metal flow through the region in which it is desired to kill microbes. The antimicrobial metal can be on the surface of the element, incorporated into the material making up the element, or provided in any other way that allows the antimicrobial effect to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: ARGENTUMCIDAL ELECTRICS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fuller, Richard Wysk, Wayne J. Sebastianelli, Paul H. Cohen, Robert C. Voigt
  • Patent number: 9561294
    Abstract: A method and device for destroying and inhibiting exposure to microbes and infection includes a first element and a second element, and a power source. At least one of the elements includes antimicrobial metal, which, when energized by the power source, produces ions that are lethal to microbes. The device can be incorporated into virtually any useful object. During normal use of the object, electrical communication is established between the two elements, causing current supplied from the power source to flow through the antimicrobial metal. The two elements are configured and arranged to ensure that ions flowing from the antimicrobial metal flow through the region in which it is desired to kill microbes. The antimicrobial metal can be on the surface of the element, incorporated into the material making up the element, or provided in any other way that allows the antimicrobial effect to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: ARGENTUMCIDAL ELECTRICS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fuller, Richard Wysk, Wayne J. Sebastianelli, Paul H. Cohen, Robert C. Voigt
  • Patent number: 9501168
    Abstract: A method and apparatus determine a plurality of regions, each of the plurality of regions having a detected change in capacitance value that meets or exceeds a threshold value. In an embodiment, the method and apparatus fit a shape to the plurality of regions and determine another region, the other region being within the fitted shape and not having the detected change in capacitance value that meets or exceeds the threshold value. The method and apparatus may assign an assigned change in capacitance value to the other region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan R. Peterson, Cole Wilson, Thomas Fuller, Derek Valleroy
  • Publication number: 20160325094
    Abstract: A medical implant system is described for inhibiting infection associated with a joint prosthesis implant. An inventive system includes an implant body made of a biocompatible material which has a metal component disposed on an external surface of the implant body. A current is allowed to flow to the metal component, stimulating release of metal ions toxic to microbes, such as bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. One detailed system is completely surgically implantable in the patient such that no part of the system is external to the patient while the system is in use. In addition, externally controlled devices are provided which allow for modulation of implanted components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas A. FULLER, Richard A. WYSK, Wayne J. SEBASTIANELLI
  • Patent number: 9421285
    Abstract: A medical implant system is described for inhibiting infection associated with a joint prosthesis implant. An inventive system includes an implant body made of a biocompatible material which has a metal component disposed on an external surface of the implant body. A current is allowed to flow to the metal component, stimulating release of metal ions toxic to microbes, such as bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. One detailed system is completely surgically implantable in the patient such that no part of the system is external to the patient while the system is in use. In addition, externally controlled devices are provided which allow for modulation of implanted components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: ArgentumCidalElectrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fuller, Richard A. Wysk, Wayne J. Sebastianelli
  • Publication number: 20160106889
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a tissue collection device and the methods of making and using the same. The tissue collection device comprises a vacuum chamber or vacuum lid in conjunction with a disposable tissue filtration system. The vacuum chamber or vacuum lid has a mechanism to allow the vacuum chamber or vacuum lid to receive and open to the disposable tissue filtration system and re-seal to allow tissue/fluid to be aspirated directly in the disposable tissue filtration system via an external vacuum source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Bradford A. Conlan, Priya Sridhar, Thomas Fuller
  • Publication number: 20150234545
    Abstract: Multitasking and full screen menu contexts are described. In one or more implementations, an input is received to cause output of a menu in a user interface of a computing device. Responsive to this receipt, a determination is made as which of a plurality of portions displayed simultaneously in the user interface in a multitasking mode has focus, each of the plurality of portions corresponding to an output of a respective one of a plurality of applications. Responsive to the determination, output is caused of the menu as associated with the focused portion of the user interface and having a representation of at least one function based the focused portion, the representation selectable to cause performance of the function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: John E. Churchill, Joseph Wheeler, Jerome Jean-Louis Vasseur, Thomas Fuller, Jason Dean Giles
  • Publication number: 20150193052
    Abstract: A system made up of a first device which includes a communication interface and a processing device and a second device which includes a touch sensor assembly and a controller, where the controller uses the touch sensor assembly to communicate with the processing device through a capacitor that is jointly formed by the touch sensor assembly and a conductive portion of the communications interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Fuller, Cole D. Wilson, Jonathan R. Peterson, David G. Wright
  • Publication number: 20150182645
    Abstract: A medical implant system is described for inhibiting infection associated with a joint prosthesis implant. An inventive system includes an implant body made of a biocompatible material which has a metal component disposed on an external surface of the implant body. A current is allowed to flow to the metal component, stimulating release of metal ions toxic to microbes, such as bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. One detailed system is completely surgically implantable in the patient such that no part of the system is external to the patient while the system is in use. In addition, externally controlled devices are provided which allow for modulation of implanted components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas A. FULLER, Richard A. WYSK, Wayne J. SEBASTIANELLI
  • Publication number: 20150128042
    Abstract: A user interface (“UI”) includes a personalized home screen that can be brought up at any time from any experience provided by applications, games, movies, television, and other content that is available on a computing platform such as a multimedia console using a single button press on a controller, using a “home” gesture, or using a “home” voice command. The home screen features a number of dynamically maintained visual objects called tiles that represent the experiences available on the console. An application can be “snapped” to the application that fills the PIP so that the snapped application renders into a separate window that is placed next to the UI for the filled application. The user interface is further adapted so that the user can quickly and easily switch focus between the tiles in the home screen and resume an experience in full screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Churchill, Joseph Wheeler, Jérôme Vasseur, Thomas Fuller
  • Patent number: 9013425
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for a touch sensor or a capacitive sensing device to interact with external objects. One method utilizes a capacitive profile on the external object. Another method involves the further use of a capacitive sensor array for wireless communication with the external object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Fuller, Cole Wilson, Jon Peterson, David G. Wright
  • Patent number: 9008770
    Abstract: A medical implant system is described for inhibiting infection associated with a joint prosthesis implant. An inventive system includes an implant body made of a biocompatible material which has a metal component disposed on an external surface of the implant body. A current is allowed to flow to the metal component, stimulating release of metal ions toxic to microbes, such as bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. One detailed system is completely surgically implantable in the patient such that no part of the system is external to the patient while the system is in use. In addition, externally controlled devices are provided which allow for modulation of implanted components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: ArgentumCidalElectrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fuller, Richard A. Wysk, Wayne J. Sebastianelli
  • Publication number: 20140364927
    Abstract: An eye and eyelid cover includes a pair of spaced viewing windows between which, in use, a reservoir of hot water is contained, and a compartment within which a phase change material is contained, the phase change material being molten at the initial temperature of the hot water and solidifying during cooling of the hot water whilst a treatment procedure is being carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicants: LABORATORIES THEA
    Inventor: Edmund Thomas Fuller
  • Publication number: 20140286833
    Abstract: A method and device for destroying and inhibiting exposure to microbes and infection includes a first element and a second element, and a power source. At least one of the elements includes antimicrobial metal, which, when energized by the power source, produces ions that are lethal to microbes. The device can be incorporated into virtually any useful object. During normal use of the object, electrical communication is established between the two elements, causing current supplied from the power source to flow through the antimicrobial metal. The two elements are configured and arranged to ensure that ions flowing from the antimicrobial metal flow through the region in which it is desired to kill microbes. The antimicrobial metal can be on the surface of the element, incorporated into the material making up the element, or provided in any other way that allows the antimicrobial effect to be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: ArgentumCidal Electrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. FULLER, Richard WYSK, Wayne J. SEBASTIANELLI, Paul H. COHEN, Robert C. VOIGT
  • Publication number: 20140255268
    Abstract: A method and device for destroying and inhibiting exposure to microbes and infection includes a first element and a second element, and a power source. At least one of the elements includes antimicrobial metal, which, when energized by the power source, produces ions that are lethal to microbes. The device can be incorporated into virtually any useful object. During normal use of the object, electrical communication is established between the two elements, causing current supplied from the power source to flow through the antimicrobial metal. The two elements are configured and arranged to ensure that ions flowing from the antimicrobial metal flow through the region in which it is desired to kill microbes. The antimicrobial metal can be on the surface of the element, incorporated into the material making up the element, or provided in any other way that allows the antimicrobial effect to be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: ArgentumCidal Electrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. FULLER, Richard WYSK, Wayne J. SEBASTIANELLI, Paul H. COHEN, Robert C. VOIGT
  • Publication number: 20140255267
    Abstract: A method and device for destroying and inhibiting exposure to microbes and infection includes a first element and a second element, and a power source. At least one of the elements includes antimicrobial metal, which, when energized by the power source, produces ions that are lethal to microbes. The device can be incorporated into virtually any useful object. During normal use of the object, electrical communication is established between the two elements, causing current supplied from the power source to flow through the antimicrobial metal. The two elements are configured and arranged to ensure that ions flowing from the antimicrobial metal flow through the region in which it is desired to kill microbes. The antimicrobial metal can be on the surface of the element, incorporated into the material making up the element, or provided in any other way that allows the antimicrobial effect to be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: ArgentumCidal Electrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. FULLER, Richard WYSK, Wayne J. SEBASTIANELLI, Paul H. COHEN, Robert C. VOIGT
  • Publication number: 20140156406
    Abstract: A communication system with client devices in communication with at least one communication network. User data stores are also in communication with the communications network and store user data of users using respective ones of the client devices. Offer data stores also in communication with the communications network store offers from merchants. A narrowcasting engine includes an active data gathering module to collect the user data, and an active learning module to generate a user profile based on the user data. The communication engine selects dynamically offers from the offer data store based on the profile, and communicates the selected offers in the offer data store to the users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Yong-Chul C. KIM, lsabella CHUNG, Thomas FULLER, Nettana SAMROENGRAJA