Patents by Inventor Thomas Bland, JR.

Thomas Bland, JR. 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: 11057525
    Abstract: A communications system embodiment including an input device reactive to user input, circuitry, an output device, and an electronic device communicatively connected to the input device and/or the output device is provided. A tangible non-transitory computer readable medium having program instructions executed by a processor for determining a preselected public or private mode, determining a preselected type of communication for receipt, and filtering the communication based on the mode selected and the type of communication selected as well as whether the sender is on a particular contact list. The communications system embodiment may provide for responding to the incoming communication by speech response or via an input device or an output device, to reduce or eliminate the need for a user of the system to view the electronic device or contact the electronic device to receive or send communications, in some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: BIZLIFE, LLC
    Inventors: G. Thomas Bland, Jr., Erik David Olson
  • Patent number: 10417898
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for hands-free signaling for tracking, locating and/or monitoring a person are provided in embodiments herein. A system including a portable signaling unit comprising an intra-oral element and a sensor for detecting a compressive force from a user is provided in an embodiment herein. The portable signaling unit may be configured to generate a signal in response to the compressive force detected, in one embodiment. The embodiment further includes a relay device configured to transmit a signal from the sensor, a receiver configured to detect the signal from the relay device, and a processor enabled to receive a signal from the receiver, wherein the signal is used to identify and provide information about a location of the portable signaling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: BizLife, LLC
    Inventor: G. Thomas Bland, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9931673
    Abstract: A mailpiece transfer apparatus uses a transfer box to unload a plurality of mailpieces from an open tray, while maintaining an orientation alignment of the flat items. The tray is placed in the transfer box, after which the transfer box, holding the tray, is rotated to cause the mailpieces to rest against a cover of the transfer box. The tray is then removed, and the transfer box rotated again, allowing the substantially flat items to rest against a bottom of the transfer box, but without the tray. The mailpieces are then guided to a next workstation. The mailpieces may be edged for delivery to the next workstation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: RG RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Nice, Thomas Bland, Jr., Thomas I Stewart, Jr., Corey A. Ness, Andrew S. Bramall
  • Patent number: 8647040
    Abstract: A mailpiece transfer system uses a transfer box to unload a plurality of mailpieces from an open tray, while maintaining an orientation alignment of the flat items. The tray is placed in the transfer box, after which the transfer box, holding the tray, is rotated to cause the mailpieces to rest against a cover of the transfer box. The tray is then removed, and the transfer box rotated again, allowing the substantially flat items to rest against a bottom of the transfer box, but without the tray. The mailpieces are then guided to a next workstation. The mailpieces may be edged for delivery to the next workstation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: RG Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Nice, Thomas Bland, Jr., Thomas I. Stewart, Jr., Corey A. Ness, Andrew S. Bramall
  • Patent number: 8092679
    Abstract: A floating plant culture system has improved strength and durability and includes a substantially planar platform having a length along opposed sides thereof and a width along front and back thereof generally perpendicular to the sides. The platform is adapted for growing a culture of attached plants including micro- and macrophytes thereon. Beneath the platform are affixed a plurality of cells extending in bridging relation to the sides and open at each end adjacent the sides. The cells are placeable in fluid communication with a body of water desired to be remediated. Affixed along at least a portion of the sides extend a pair of opposed hollow beams, for providing flotation to the platform. The beams are also placeable in fluid communication with the body of water, and an upper surface of the platform is floodable by the body of water from beneath for submerging plants attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: AquaFiber Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Kyle R. Jensen, G. Thomas Bland, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100290867
    Abstract: A mailpiece transfer system uses a transfer box to unload a plurality of mailpieces from an open tray, while maintaining an orientation alignment of the flat items. The tray is placed in the transfer box, after which the transfer box, holding the tray, is rotated to cause the mailpieces to rest against a cover of the transfer box. The tray is then removed, and the transfer box rotated again, allowing the substantially flat items to rest against a bottom of the transfer box, but without the tray. The mailpieces are then guided to a next workstation. The mailpieces may be edged for delivery to the next workstation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: RG Research Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Nice, Thomas Bland, JR., Thomas I. Stewart, JR.
  • Patent number: 7776216
    Abstract: A floating plant culture system has improved strength and durability and includes a substantially planar platform having a length along opposed sides thereof and a width along front and back thereof generally perpendicular to the sides. The platform is adapted for growing a culture of attached plants including micro- and macrophytes thereon. Beneath the platform are affixed a plurality of cells extending in bridging relation to the sides and open at each end adjacent the sides. The cells are placeable in fluid communication with a body of water desired to be remediated. Affixed along at least a portion of the sides extend a pair of opposed hollow beams, for providing flotation to the platform. The beams are also placeable in fluid communication with the body of water, and an upper surface of the platform is floodable by the body of water from beneath for submerging plants attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: AquaFiber Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Kyle R. Jensen, G. Thomas Bland, Jr.