Patents by Inventor Thomas Mercer

Thomas Mercer 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: 20260050405
    Abstract: A virtual and augmented reality system, method and computer program product employing workgroup pods, including a plurality of three-dimensional polygonal work pods having inside and outside display surfaces linked by a communications network for transmitting and receiving augmented and virtual reality content. Each work pod includes an inside display surface configured as a private work stage for displaying private content and an outside display surface configured as a public work stage for displaying shared content. One of the work pods operates as a workgroup pod that receives and merges content from the other work pods within a private stage and displays the merged content on a public stage to enable collaborative interaction among users. The system supports real-time collaboration and visualization across interconnected physical or virtual environments, providing an adaptive workspace for shared augmented and virtual reality experiences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2025
    Publication date: February 19, 2026
    Applicant: REPROGRAPHIC PRODUCTS GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Mark Kadonoff, Thomas Mercer
  • Patent number: 12455715
    Abstract: A virtual and augmented reality system, method and computer program product employing workgroup pods, including work pods configured as three-dimensional closed polygon physical structures having n sides including respective walls having respective computer displays linked to each other via a communications network for enabling augmented and/or virtual reality content to be displayed thereon. Inside wall displays are a private work stage for private augmented and/or virtual reality content, outside wall displays are public private work stage for shared content. One of the work pods is a workgroup pod that receives and merges shared augmented and/or virtual reality content from the other work pods on a private stage thereof, and shares and displays the merged augmented and/or virtual reality content on a public stage thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2025
    Assignee: REPROGRAPHIC PRODUCTS GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Mark Kadonoff, Thomas Mercer
  • Publication number: 20250110683
    Abstract: A virtual and augmented reality system, method and computer program product employing workgroup pods, including work pods configured as three-dimensional closed polygon physical structures having n sides including respective walls having respective computer displays linked to each other via a communications network for enabling augmented and/or virtual reality content to be displayed thereon. Inside wall displays are a private work stage for private augmented and/or virtual reality content, outside wall displays are public private work stage for shared content. One of the work pods is a workgroup pod that receives and merges shared augmented and/or virtual reality content from the other work pods on a private stage thereof, and shares and displays the merged augmented and/or virtual reality content on a public stage thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Applicant: REPROGRAPHIC PRODUCTS GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Mark Kadonoff, Thomas Mercer
  • Patent number: 11816386
    Abstract: A virtual and augmented reality system, method and computer program product employing workgroup pods, including work pods configured as three-dimensional closed polygon physical structures having n sides including respective walls having respective computer displays linked to each other via a communications network for enabling augmented and/or virtual reality content to be displayed thereon. Inside wall displays are a private work stage for private augmented and/or virtual reality content, outside wall displays are public private work stage for shared content. One of the work pods is a workgroup pod that receives and merges shared augmented and/or virtual reality content from the other work pods on a private stage thereof, and shares and displays the merged augmented and/or virtual reality content on a public stage thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: REPROGRAPHIC PRODUCTS GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Mark Kadonoff, Thomas Mercer
  • Publication number: 20220398060
    Abstract: A virtual and augmented reality system, method and computer program product employing workgroup pods, including work pods configured as three-dimensional closed polygon physical structures having n sides including respective walls having respective computer displays linked to each other via a communications network for enabling augmented and/or virtual reality content to be displayed thereon. Inside wall displays are a private work stage for private augmented and/or virtual reality content, outside wall displays are public private work stage for shared content. One of the work pods is a workgroup pod that receives and merges shared augmented and/or virtual reality content from the other work pods on a private stage thereof, and shares and displays the merged augmented and/or virtual reality content on a public stage thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: REPROGRAPHIC PRODUCTS GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Mark Kadonoff, Thomas Mercer
  • Publication number: 20140099491
    Abstract: The invention includes a plasma etch-resistant film for a substrate comprising a yttria material wherein at least a portion of the yttria material is in a crystal phase having a crystal lattice structure, wherein at least 50% of the yttria material is in a form of a monoclinic crystal system. The film may be treated by exposure to a fluorine gas plasma. Also included are plasma etch-resistant articles that include a substrate and a film, wherein the film comprises an yttria material and at least a portion of the yttria material is present in the film in a crystal phase having a crystal lattice structure and at least 50% of the yttria material is in a form of a monoclinic crystal system. Several methods are contemplated within the scope of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Mohammed Ameen, Sang-Ho Lee, Thomas Mercer, Vasil Vorsa
  • Publication number: 20130346752
    Abstract: Secure and auditable file exchange between a professional and a client, patient, colleague, or other associate of the professional may be achieved via a file exchange service that automatically verifies the professional's professional status and identity and provides applications and/or tools to accept files for transfer to the verified professional. The files are stored in encrypted form, along with cryptographic integrity codes. After the files have been transferred to the professional, the cryptographic integrity codes may be used to verify that the professional received a correct copy of the file that was originally provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: FILE DROP VAULT LLC
    Inventor: Thomas MERCER
  • Patent number: 8543816
    Abstract: Secure and auditable file exchange between a professional and a client, patient, colleague, or other associate of the professional may be achieved via a file exchange service that automatically verifies the professional's professional status and identity and provides applications and/or tools to accept files for transfer to the verified professional. The files are stored in encrypted form, along with cryptographic integrity codes. After the files have been transferred to the professional, the cryptographic integrity codes may be used to verify that the professional received a correct copy of the file that was originally provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: File Drop Vault LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Mercer
  • Publication number: 20120103519
    Abstract: Included within the scope of the invention are plasma etch-resistant films for substrates. The films include a yttria material and a at least a portion of the yttria material is in a crystal phase having an orientation defined by a Miller Index notation {111}. Also included are methods of manufacturing plasma etch-resistant films on a substrate. Such methods include applying a yttria material-containing composition onto at least a portion of a surface of a substrate to form a film. The film includes a yttria material and at least a portion of the yttria material is in a crystal phase having an orientation defined by a Miller Index notation {111}.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Mohammed Aheem, Sang-Ho Lee, Thomas Mercer, Vasil Vorsa
  • Publication number: 20120047365
    Abstract: Secure and auditable file exchange between a professional and a client, patient, colleague, or other associate of the professional may be achieved via a file exchange service that automatically verifies the professional's professional status and identity and provides applications and/or tools to accept files for transfer to the verified professional. The files are stored in encrypted form, along with cryptographic integrity codes. After the files have been transferred to the professional, the cryptographic integrity codes may be used to verify that the professional received a correct copy of the file that was originally provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: File Drop Vault, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Mercer
  • Publication number: 20070075836
    Abstract: Techniques for detecting radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags are disclosed. For example, an exit control system is described that detects unauthorized removal of articles from a protected facility. A series of antennas are setup to produce interrogation corridors located near the exit of the protected area. RFID tags are attached to the articles to be protected. Each tag includes information that uniquely identifies the article to which it is affixed and status information as to whether the articles removal from the facility is authorized. The RF reader outputs RF signals through the antennas to create electromagnetic fields within the interrogation corridors. The reader outputs RF power from a single port to the multiple antennas via a splitter/combiner. In this way, a single RF reader with only one transmitter/receiver port simultaneously interrogates multiple antennas. A variety of techniques are described by which the reader can detect the removal of an unauthorized article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: Seth Lieffort, Edward Goff, Ronald Jesme, Thomas Mercer
  • Publication number: 20050128086
    Abstract: A durable radio frequency identification tag. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a durable radio frequency identification tag comprising: a flexible substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; a radio frequency identification antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate; an integrated circuit attached to the antenna; and a thermoplastic guard attached to the flexible substrate adjacent the integrated circuit. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a durable radio frequency identification tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Katherine Brown, William Egbert, Jia Hu, Thomas Mercer, Terry Nees, Fay Salmon
  • Publication number: 20050099302
    Abstract: Techniques for detecting radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags are disclosed. For example, an exit control system is described that detects unauthorized removal of articles from a protected facility. A series of antennas are setup to produce interrogation corridors located near the exit of the protected area. RFID tags are attached to the articles to be protected. Each tag includes information that uniquely identifies the article to which it is affixed and status information as to whether the articles removal from the facility is authorized. The RF reader outputs RF signals through the antennas to create electromagnetic fields within the interrogation corridors. The reader outputs RF power from a single port to the multiple antennas via a splitter/combiner. In this way, a single RF reader with only one transmitter/receiver port simultaneously interrogates multiple antennas. A variety of techniques are described by which the reader can detect the removal of an unauthorized article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Seth Lieffort, Edward Goff, Ronald Jesme, Thomas Mercer
  • Publication number: 20050099298
    Abstract: Techniques for detecting radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags are disclosed. For example, an exit control system is described that detects unauthorized removal of articles from a protected facility. A series of antennas are setup to produce interrogation corridors located near the exit of the protected area. RFID tags are attached to the articles to be protected. Each tag includes information that uniquely identifies the article to which it is affixed and status information as to whether the articles removal from the facility is authorized. The RF reader outputs RF signals through the antennas to create electromagnetic fields within the interrogation corridors. The reader outputs RF power from a single port to the multiple antennas via a splitter/combiner. In this way, a single RF reader with only one transmitter/receiver port simultaneously interrogates multiple antennas. A variety of techniques are described by which the reader can detect the removal of an unauthorized article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Mercer, Ronald Jesme, Edward Goff