Patents by Inventor Thomas Blair

Thomas Blair 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: 20250129314
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and a system for processing grapes. An example system includes a simulated moving bed (SMB) device configured to receive a feed stream and an eluent stream as inputs and provide an extract stream and a raffinate stream as outputs. The feed stream includes a grape juice, the extract stream includes a high-sugar grape juice, and the raffinate stream includes a low-sugar grape juice. The system also includes fermentation equipment configured to produce a low-alcohol wine from the low-sugar grape juice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2024
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Dimple K. Kundiyana, Nick Dokoozlian, Timothy Holt, Thomas Blair, Ravi Ponangi, Leah Chapin
  • Patent number: 12234435
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and a system for processing grapes. An example system includes a simulated moving bed (SMB) device configured to receive a feed stream and an eluent stream as inputs and provide an extract stream and a raffinate stream as outputs. The feed stream includes a grape juice, the extract stream includes a high-sugar grape juice, and the raffinate stream includes a low-sugar grape juice. The system also includes fermentation equipment configured to produce a low-alcohol wine from the low-sugar grape juice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: BlueSky IP, LLC
    Inventors: Dimple K Kundiyana, Nick Dokoozlian, Timothy Holt, Thomas Blair, Ravi Ponangi, Leah Chapin
  • Publication number: 20230016781
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and a system for processing grapes. An example system includes a simulated moving bed (SMB) device configured to receive a feed stream and an eluent stream as inputs and provide an extract stream and a raffinate stream as outputs. The feed stream includes a grape juice, the extract stream includes a high-sugar grape juice, and the raffinate stream includes a low-sugar grape juice. The system also includes fermentation equipment configured to produce a low-alcohol wine from the low-sugar grape juice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Dimple K. Kundiyana, Nick Dokoozlian, Timothy Holt, Thomas Blair, Ravi Ponangi, Leah Chapin
  • Publication number: 20160354742
    Abstract: A method and system for blending biogas with conventional fuel in which the fuel blend is automatically adjusted for lower biogas flows and methane concentrations by introducing higher concentrations of conventional fuels. The system is able to automatically adjust the fuel blend, thereby eliminating the requirement for manual intervention, and producing a variable blended biogas that can be utilized within existing natural-gas fired combustion units such as boilers, furnaces, heaters, etc., as well as enabling automatic adjustment and operation, maximum usage of biogas, and integration with combustion unit controls. Using all available biogas to provide energy also minimizes the need for flaring unused biogas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Stuart Russell, Thomas Blair, James Buenzow, Robert Adams
  • Patent number: 9298222
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a substrate, a touch sensor, and a cover lens. The touch sensor is disposed on the substrate. A conductive mesh forms portions of the touch sensor, and the conductive mesh comprises fine lines of metal. The cover lens is coupled to the touch sensor and is at most 0.4 mm thick. The cover lens comprises plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Blair, Neerja Saran, Jalil Shaikh, Esat Yilmaz
  • Publication number: 20150145325
    Abstract: Active power factor correction can be used to reduce input harmonics in an aircraft power distribution system. In an embodiment, one or more power factor correction (PFC) units can be placed in a power distribution system to profile an input signal. Each PFC unit can include a converter, such as an AC-DC converter, and can be placed in the power system bus on the input side of the load. In an embodiment, a PFC unit can include a boost rectifier topology with active power factor correction for harmonics elimination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Sayeed Ahmad Mir, John Neely, Stanley Seely, Derek Dougherty, Andrew Thompson, Peter Torres, James Broadwell, Thomas Blair
  • Publication number: 20140267099
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a substrate, a touch sensor, and a cover lens. The touch sensor is disposed on the substrate. A conductive mesh forms portions of the touch sensor, and the conductive mesh comprises fine lines of metal. The cover lens is coupled to the touch sensor and is at most 0.4 mm thick. The cover lens comprises plastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas Blair, Neerja Saran, Jalil Shaikh, Esat Yilmaz
  • Patent number: 8764554
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of creating enhancements in a computer game for a recipient experiencing a performance, the method including: selecting an enhancement to apply to a recipient; modifying the enhancement; and applying the modified enhancement to the recipient, wherein the modified enhancement is effective for a fixed duration of time proportional to the time spent by the recipient experiencing the performance. Keywords include MMO, buffs, packages and performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Online Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Blair, Mark Halash
  • Publication number: 20140043932
    Abstract: Method and system for blending biogas with conventional fuel in which the fuel blend is automatically adjusted for lower biogas flows and methane concentrations by introducing higher concentrations of conventional fuels. The system is able to automatically adjust the fuel blend, thereby eliminating the requirement for manual intervention, and producing a variable blended biogas that can be utilized within existing natural-gas fired combustion units such as boilers, furnaces, heaters, etc., as well as enabling automatic adjustment and operation, maximum usage of biogas, and integration with combustion unit controls. Using all available biogas to provide energy also minimizes the need for flaring unused biogas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Stuart Russell, Thomas Blair, James Buenzow, Robert Adams
  • Patent number: 8241099
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of growing and incubating custom creatures in a computer game, including: obtaining genetic properties; combining the genetic properties in combinations of attributes, skills, and appearances; incubating a creature with role-specific properties using the combined genetic properties; and displaying an egg object of the incubated creature on a display for transaction. Keywords include MMO, incubation, genetic properties, and egg object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Online Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Blair, Jesse Benjamin, Travis Hicks
  • Publication number: 20100210349
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of creating enhancements in a computer game for a recipient experiencing a performance, the method including: selecting an enhancement to apply to a recipient; modifying the enhancement; and applying the modified enhancement to the recipient, wherein the modified enhancement is effective for a fixed duration of time proportional to the time spent by the recipient experiencing the performance. Keywords include MMO, buffs, packages and performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT LLC.
    Inventors: Thomas Blair, Mark Halash
  • Publication number: 20090305756
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of growing and incubating custom creatures in a computer game, including: obtaining genetic properties; combining the genetic properties in combinations of attributes, skills, and appearances; incubating a creature with role-specific properties using the combined genetic properties; and displaying an egg object of the incubated creature on a display for transaction. Keywords include MMO, incubation, genetic properties, and egg object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Blair, Jesse Benjamin, Travis Hicks
  • Publication number: 20060293992
    Abstract: Investment or financing methods, systems and products that involve LSC-backing. An investment company invests funds directly into an operating company, partially for unrestricted use by the operating company, and partially to finance a hedge to protect the principal of the invested funds. The restricted portion of the invested funds are used to purchase life settlement contracts (LSCs) in a face amount equal to a percentage of the total amount of funds invested. The LSCs may be part of a pooled fund covering multiple insureds or may be purchased on an individual basis. Structured financial products, different classes of corporate security or bond issues, high risk investment and rather investments in which a primary investment may be integrated with an LSC-based secondary investment. Computer equipment for providing a user interface, investment administration, and electronic trading are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas Blair
  • Publication number: 20060231087
    Abstract: A BarBProp is an auxiliary device that is used for temperature control in a barbeque grill. It offers multiple levels of heat control and helps to regulate the intensity of the heat within the grill chamber. The device can be used in two different ways to regulate the cooking temperature. First, the leg of the device can be made to rest on the edge of the grill while the lid rests on one of the fishhook shaped supports. Second, the user can choose to rest the fishhook supports on the edge of the grill while the leg of the device holds the lid. In either of the two approaches, the user determines the height at which the barbeque lid remains open for to heat escape. A novel aspect of the device is that the heat tolerant handle provides for easy and safe use without any risk of injury or fire burns. This device can be attached to the barbeque grill for easy access when needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas Blair
  • Publication number: 20060126306
    Abstract: A cage assembly comprising a mounting rack with a plurality of adjacent openings wherein a width of each opening in the plurality of adjacent openings is capable of receiving a single width transceiver package, wherein each adjacent opening in the plurality of adjacent openings is capable of receiving a multi-width transceiver package, and wherein the width of the multi-width transceiver package is N times the width of the single width transceiver package wherein N is an integer number greater than one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Blair, William Schmidt