Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Roberts

Thomas A. Roberts 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: 20240127060
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for training an action selection neural network used to select actions to be performed by an agent interacting with an environment. In one aspect, a system comprises a plurality of actor computing units and a plurality of learner computing units. The actor computing units generate experience tuple trajectories that are used by the learner computing units to update learner action selection neural network parameters using a reinforcement learning technique. The reinforcement learning technique may be an off-policy actor critic reinforcement learning technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Hubert Josef Soyer, Lasse Espeholt, Karen Simonyan, Yotam Doron, Vlad Firoiu, Volodymyr Mnih, Koray Kavukcuoglu, Remi Munos, Thomas Ward, Timothy James Alexander Harley, Iain Robert Dunning
  • Publication number: 20240123240
    Abstract: A biostimulator, such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker, including a fixation element to engage tissue and one or more backstop elements to resist back-out from the tissue, is described. The fixation element can be mounted on a housing of the biostimulator such that a helix of the fixation element extends distally to a leading point. The leading point can be located on a distal face of the helix at a position that is proximal from a center of the distal face. The backstop elements can include non-metallic filaments, such as sutures, or can include a pinch point of the biostimulator. The backstop features can grip the tissue to prevent unscrewing of the fixation element. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Craig E. Mar, Thomas B. Eby, Paul Paspa, Sondra Orts, Matthew G. Fishler, Stephen Lee, Carl Lance Boling, Thomas Robert Luhrs
  • Publication number: 20240126145
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for automated underwater camera system control for aquaculture systems. An underwater camera system includes (i) a line on which the underwater camera system is mounted, the line detachably affixed to a feeder that provides feed for aquatic livestock, (ii) a sensor manager, (iii) one or more sensors that are managed by the sensor manager, (iv) a line navigation controller, and (v) a first actuator for controlling a distance between the feeder and the underwater camera system. The one or more sensors obtain sensor data and the line navigation controller of the underwater camera system determines a distance to position the underwater camera system beneath the feeder to obtain additional sensor data. The line navigation controller transmits a first message to the first actuator to position the underwater camera system at the determined distance beneath the feeder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew Stokes, Thomas Robert Swanson, Harrison Pham, Riva Gulassa
  • Publication number: 20240124325
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for microplastic removal. In some implementations, a method can include controlling a camera to capture one or more images of plastic in water; providing the one or more images to a machine learning model trained to detect plastic; obtaining output from the machine learning model indicating one or more items of plastic; and controlling one or more acoustic transducers to move the one or more items of plastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Swanson, Harrison Pham, Grace Calvert Young, Mandy Jubang, Diosdado Rey Banatao
  • Patent number: 11960342
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to sustainability-aware computing device behavior management. In examples, a sustainability platform obtains sustainability information associated with an energy grid, as may be provided by a data provider. The sustainability platform may provide a sustainability forecast, which may be received and cached by a computing device. The computing device may use the sustainability forecast to manage various device functionality, such that functionality may be performed during one or more times that are identified to have a comparatively lower environmental impact, thereby deferring device energy consumption during a time forecasted to have a higher environmental impact. The sustainability forecast cached by the computing device may be updated on a periodic basis or in response to determining that the location of the computing device (and, potentially, the associated energy grid) has changed, among other examples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Thomas Chamberlin, Malav Mukeshbhai Shah, Devin Nathaniel Roberts, Scott Rosoff
  • Publication number: 20240117236
    Abstract: A treatment fluid for performing one or more pre-cementing operations in a wellbore can include a base fluid, a viscosifier, and a crushed glass material. The viscosifier can be dispersed in the base fluid. The crushed glass material can be dispersed in the base fluid for performing one or more cementing operations with respect to the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Kyriacos Agapiou, Thomas Jason Pisklak, James Robert Benkley, Claudia Pineda, Paul J. Jones
  • Publication number: 20240115311
    Abstract: An electrosurgical connection unit for a surgical robot arm to connect an electrosurgical instrument attached to the arm to an electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical connection unit includes an input port connectable to the electrosurgical generator, the input port configured to receive a driving electrosurgical signal and output one or more activation signals; an output port connectable to the electrosurgical instrument, the output port configured to output the driving electrosurgical signal received on the input port; one or more activation switch units, wherein activation of an activation switch unit causes an activation signal to be output from the input port indicating a driving electrosurgical signal with a desired waveform is to be activated; and a control unit configured to selectively activate one of the one or more activation switch units in response to a control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Simon Schofield, Paul Christopher Roberts, Gordon Thomas Deane
  • Publication number: 20240118068
    Abstract: Provided herein are various embodiments of an improved device for accurate measurement along a desired axis that is tolerant to off axis movement and other environmental factors. The measurement relies on a conversion from linear displacement of a tensile element in a pulley system which is monitored by a low power rotational encoder. The orientation and mechanical architecture of the device is set to reduce the impact of off-axis movement or forces on the measurement of interest. A computing unit determines the distance measurement by determining the state of rotation in the system in the context of the system's specific design, without the need to constantly monitor the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas Lee SPENCER, Patrick DOYLE, Jay Robert BRENNER
  • Patent number: 11951110
    Abstract: Described are methods of preparing reduced 3,7-diamino-10H-phenothiazine (DAPTZ) compounds of formula: wherein: R1 and R9 are independently selected from: —H; C1-4alkyl; C2-4alkenyl; and halogenated C1-4alkyl; each of R3NA and R3NB is independently selected from: —H; C1-4alkyl; C2-4alkenyl; and halogenated C1-4alkyl; each of R7NA and R7NB is independently selected from: —H; C1-4alkyl; C2-4alkenyl; and halogenated C1-4alkyl; each of HX1 and HX2 is independently a protic acid; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, and hydrates thereof. These methods are particularly useful for producing stable reduced forms, and with high purity. The stability and purity are especially relevant for pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of disease. The compounds are useful for treatment of e.g. tauopathies, such as Alzheimer's disease, and also as prodrugs for the corresponding oxidized thioninium drugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: WisTa Laboratories Ltd.
    Inventors: Claude Michel Wischik, Janet Elizabeth Rickard, Charles Robert Harrington, David Horsley, John Mervyn David Storey, Colin Marshall, James Peter Sinclair, Thomas Craven Baddeley
  • Patent number: 11952674
    Abstract: Systems and methods for recovery of molten metal are generally described. Certain systems comprise a reactor (e.g., a reduction cell such as an electrolytic cell comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte) comprising molten metal within a container; and a collection vessel at least partially contained within the container of the reactor, the collection vessel comprising an opening fluidically connected to the container of the reactor. Some systems comprise a reactor; and a collection vessel comprising a first opening fluidically connected to the reactor and a second opening fluidically connected to a source of gas (e.g., inert gas) and to a source of negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Phoenix Tailings, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Anthony Villalon, Jr., Benjamin David Brakenwagen, Richard Robert Salvucci
  • Patent number: 11952673
    Abstract: Certain systems comprise a reactor (e.g., a reduction cell such as an electrolytic cell comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte) comprising molten metal within a container; and a collection vessel at least partially contained within the container of the reactor, the collection vessel comprising an opening fluidically connected to the container of the reactor. Some systems comprise a reactor; and a collection vessel comprising a first opening fluidically connected to the reactor and a second opening fluidically connected to a source of gas (e.g., inert gas) and to a source of negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Phoenix Tailings, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Anthony Villalon, Jr., Benjamin David Brakenwagen, Richard Robert Salvucci
  • Publication number: 20240113513
    Abstract: A hybrid-electric powerplant (HEP) of an aircraft comprises a thermal engine providing a first torque input to the HEP and an electric motor providing a second torque input to the HEP. A power management system connected to one or both of the thermal engine and the electric motor comprises an engine control unit (ECU) connected to the thermal engine. The ECU controls fuel supplied to the thermal engine. An electric propulsion control (EPC) is connected to the electric motor and controls power supplied to the electric motor. The EPC includes an EPC protection module in communication with a power source for the electric motor. The EPC protection module disables power supplied to the electric motor upon receipt of a signal indicative of one or more of an over-speed condition and an over-torque condition detected in the HEP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Yusuf SYED, Thomas Trevor RICCI, James Robert JARVO
  • Publication number: 20240113710
    Abstract: A GPIO includes a transmitter having an output stage connected to the I/O pad and adapted to supply transmit data to an I/O pad in response to output data generated by a low voltage core logic operating within a functional voltage range for transmit operations; a receiver adapted to supply receive data to the low voltage core logic operating within the functional voltage range in response to input data received at the I/O pad for receive operations; a VLV transmitter adapted to supply VLV transmit data to the output stage of the transmitter and not directly to the I/O pad in response to output test data generated by the low voltage core logic; and a VLV receiver adapted to supply VLV receive data to the low voltage core logic operating within a low core supply voltage range in response to input data received from the output stage of the transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Hector Sanchez, Thomas Henry Luedeke, Stephen Robert Traynor
  • Publication number: 20240110500
    Abstract: A sensing apparatus includes two or more sensor arrangements, a housing which is configured to house the two or more sensor arrangements, a first sensor arrangement which is configured to sense a first property, a second sensor arrangement which is configured to sense a second property, and an output arrangement which is configured to provide an output signal from the sensing apparatus in dependence upon an output of the first sensor arrangement and an output of the second sensor arrangement, the first property is different from the second property, and the sensing arrangement is configured to provide a combined signal output by way of the output arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Malcolm Jonathan Bacon, Michael Robert Garrard, Evan Fisher, Thomas Dressing, Yang Wang
  • Publication number: 20240109570
    Abstract: Navigating a transportation network by receiving an equipment identifier, querying a section of interest database to obtain at least one section of interest associated, accessing geolocation data from one or more geolocation sensors, querying a one section of interest using geolocation data to identify a next section of interest. With geolocation data, calculating at least one of a time to a next section of interest or a distance to a next section of interest, and determining that a reduction in speed is required, where a reduced speed is an amount of speed by which the speed must be reduced in order for the equipment to achieve a target speed associated with the next section of interest, and providing an alert configured to escalate to the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Milad Hosseinipour, Michael Trosino, Michael Craft, David Stolnis, Emily Greve, Thomas Robert Krotchko
  • Patent number: 11949699
    Abstract: A method includes, in response to receiving an email message, detecting one or more artifacts within an email message, wherein each of the artifacts is associated with a payload; for each artifact, generating, a descriptor object representing the artifact that does not include the payload, so that the processor is prevented from accessing the payload via the descriptor object; and at least one payload button based on the payload associated with the artifact for causing the payload to be transmitted to an external system for analysis of the payload; and presenting an artifact dashboard in a graphical user interface (GUI) rendered on a display of the email security system, the artifact dashboard displaying, for each artifact, the descriptor object representing the artifact and the at least one payload button based on the payload associated with the artifact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Anthony Kemp, Metin Carlo DePaolis, William Robert Gemza, Jr., Ryan Jerome Whalen
  • Publication number: 20240101533
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and intermediates useful for preparing a compound of formula I: or a co-crystal, solvate, salt or combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Kevin McCormack Allan, Amanda Lynn Vandehey, Gediminas Brizgys, Sachin Dhar, Ian James Doxsee, Alex Goldberg, Lars V. Heumann, Zilin Huang, Nathaniel Thomas Kadunce, Shahrokh Kazerani, Willard Lew, Vinh Xuan Ngo, Brian Michael O`Keefe, Trevor James Rainey, Benjamin James Roberts, Bing Shi, Dietrich P. Steinhuebel, Winston C. Tse, Anna Michelle Wagner, Xianghong Wang, Scott Alan Wolckenhauer, Chloe Yuyi Wong, Jennifer R. Zhang
  • Publication number: 20240107168
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for adjusting an aquaculture camera mounting system. A current combined field of view of two or more cameras that are mounted on an adjustable camera mounting structure in an environment can be determined based upon a current configuration of the adjustable camera mounting structure. A target field of view for the two or more cameras that are mounted on the adjustable camera mounting structure can be determined. Based at least on the field of view target and the current combined field of view, an adjustment parameter for the adjustable camera mounting structure can be determined. The adjustable camera mounting structure can be adjusted according to the adjustment parameter to provide a field of view in accordance with the field of view target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew Stokes, Harrison Pham, Thomas Robert Swanson
  • Patent number: 11937735
    Abstract: A food station includes a base configured to support a food product, a frame coupled to the base and including a longitudinal member having a length extending in a longitudinal direction, and a heat strip module coupled to the longitudinal member. The heat strip module includes a housing, a heating element coupled to the housing, and a reflector coupled to the housing. The heat strip module is at least one of (a) selectively rotatable relative to the longitudinal member between a first orientation and a second orientation and configured to emit the energy in both the first orientation and the second orientation or (b) selectively repositionable along the length of the longitudinal member between a first position and a second position and configured to emit the energy in both the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: The Vollrath Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jill Hundley, Thomas David VanDerPuy, Jeffrey T. Zank, Kirk Michael Komendat, Kristin Blada, Ian Robert Ecclestone
  • Patent number: 11941079
    Abstract: A method for assisting with the navigation of a fleet of vehicles including a main vehicle and a secondary vehicle that is mobile in relation to the main vehicle, the method including receiving relative movement data, acquired by one or more sensors, between the main vehicle and the secondary vehicle, estimating a navigation status of the fleet of vehicles by an invariant Kalman filter using the received data as observations, the navigation status including first variables representing a first rigid transformation linking a location mark associated with the main vehicle to a reference point, and second variables representing a second rigid transformation linking a location mark associated with the main vehicle to a location mark associated with the secondary vehicle, the invariant Kalman filter using, as an internal composition law, a law including a term-by term composition of the first rigid transformation and the second rigid transformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE
    Inventors: Emmanuel Robert, Axel Barrau, Thomas Bernal