Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Jones

Thomas R. Jones 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: 12045437
    Abstract: An example process includes: while displaying a user interface different from a digital assistant user interface, receiving a user input; in accordance with a determination that the user input satisfies a criterion for initiating a digital assistant: displaying, over the user interface, the digital assistant user interface, the digital assistant user interface including: a digital assistant indicator displayed at a first portion of the display; and a response affordance displayed at a second portion of the display, where: a portion of the user interface remains visible at a third portion of the display; and the third portion is between the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Neal Ellis, Oluwatomiwa B. Alabi, Robert Burton, Richard R. Dellinger, Thomas R. Fazio, Craig M. Federighi, Rebecca P. Fish, Nikrouz Ghotbi, James N. Jones, Ieyuki Kawashima, Stephen O. Lemay, Pedro Mari, Aaron Musengo, James E. Palmer, Patchaya Beam Seilaudom, Andrea Valentina Simes, Tyler McClay Smith, Trungtin Tran, Robert A. Walker, II
  • Publication number: 20240145612
    Abstract: A waveguide assembly integrated with a semiconductor wafer is provided. The waveguide assembly includes a waveguide channel defined by internal walls of the wafer lined with a metallic layer, and having at least one port for transmission of the RF signal into or out of the waveguide channel. The waveguide assembly also includes a semiconductor obstacle member disposed in the waveguide channel. The waveguide assembly may be fabricated using etching and deposition processes for semiconductor devices. In use, selectively varying either one or both of frequency or power level of electromagnetic radiation applied to the obstacle member varies electrical conductance of the obstacle member, and thereby varies the electrical impedance of the obstacle member to transmission of the RF signal through the waveguide channel. The waveguide assembly may be used for switching, attenuating, routing, filtering, and transforming the RF signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicants: Purdue Research Foundation, The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Thomas R. Jones, Dimitrios Peroulis, Alden N. Fisher, Douglas W. Barlage
  • Patent number: 11752566
    Abstract: A steel workpiece includes an alloy substrate comprising iron, about 1.4 to about 2.0 weight percent aluminum, and about 0 to about 1.0 weight percent silicon. The steel workpiece further includes a coating comprising zinc. A method of spot welding a workpiece stack-up that includes a pair of the steel workpieces includes providing the stack-up, contacting first and second electrodes to the steel workpieces, passing an electrical current through the stack-up, forming a weld nugget from molten mixing of the alloy substrates of the pair of steel workpieces, forming a boundary layer between the coating and the alloy substrate from dispersion of the coating into the alloy substrate and reaction of the zinc with the aluminum and the silicon to prevent molten mixing of the coating within the alloy substrate, and ceasing passage of the electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Zhenke Teng, Andrew Clay Bobel, Jason M. Brown, Thomas R. Jones, Michael J. Karagoulis
  • Publication number: 20230234159
    Abstract: A steel workpiece includes an alloy substrate comprising iron, about 1.4 to about 2.0 weight percent aluminum, and about 0 to about 1.0 weight percent silicon. The steel workpiece further includes a coating comprising zinc. A method of spot welding a workpiece stack-up that includes a pair of the steel workpieces includes providing the stack-up, contacting first and second electrodes to the steel workpieces, passing an electrical current through the stack-up, forming a weld nugget from molten mixing of the alloy substrates of the pair of steel workpieces, forming a boundary layer between the coating and the alloy substrate from dispersion of the coating into the alloy substrate and reaction of the zinc with the aluminum and the silicon to prevent molten mixing of the coating within the alloy substrate, and ceasing passage of the electrical current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Zhenke Teng, Andrew Clay Bobel, Jason M. Brown, Thomas R. Jones, Michael J. Karagoulis
  • Patent number: 11441039
    Abstract: A high temperature substrate coating to mitigate liquid metal embrittlement (LME) cracking in automobile vehicles includes a substrate. A coating is disposed on the substrate, the coating being one of a zinc-based material and an aluminum-based material, with the coating having a melting point of at least 500° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Zhenke Teng, Jason M. Brown, Thomas R. Jones, Pei-chung Wang, Michael J. Karagoulis
  • Publication number: 20220195207
    Abstract: A high temperature substrate coating to mitigate liquid metal embrittlement (LME) cracking in automobile vehicles includes a substrate. A coating is disposed on the substrate, the coating being one of a zinc-based material and an aluminum-based material, with the coating having a melting point of at least 500° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Zhenke Teng, Jason M. Brown, Thomas R, Jones, Pei-chung Wang, Michael J. Karagoulis
  • Patent number: 7283303
    Abstract: A conductive anti-reflection coating has a surface quarterwave layer that is broken up into smaller portions by inserting one or more thin layers of conductive material in the dielectric material. The resulting stack of alternating layers of a dielectric material and an electrically conductive material provides a solid electrical contact to the buried conductive layer and exhibits a low surface contact resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Takano, Andrew John Church, Thomas R. Jones, Brad Scott Tarter
  • Publication number: 20040159963
    Abstract: A fuel expansion system or carburetor for internal combustion engines utilizing the bubbling of air through use of a number of bubble tubes through a supply of liquid fuel. The resulting atomized, vaporized and expanded fuel is then mixed with air and fed into the engine for combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas R. Jones
  • Patent number: 6772784
    Abstract: A proportional pressure regulator assembly having a main body with a first inlet adapted for fluid communication with supply of positive pneumatic pressure, a second inlet adapted for fluid communication with a supply of negative pneumatic pressure, an outlet adapted for fluid communication with a pneumatically actuated device, and an exhaust port is provided. A fill regulator valve is included that is adapted to regulate the supply of positive pressure. A vacuum regulator valve is included that is adapted to regulate the supply of negative pressure. An exhaust valve is included that is operable to exhaust pressure from the outlet. A control circuit assembly is also provided that is adapted to receive a command signal and a feedback signal and to regulate the amount of positive pneumatic pressure through the fill regulator valve or the amount of negative pneumatic pressure through the vacuum regulator valve in response to the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Jones, Zafar A. Khan
  • Patent number: 6746002
    Abstract: A fuel expansion system or carburetor for internal combustion engines utilizing the bubbling of air through use of a number of bubble tubes through a supply of liquid fuel. The resulting atomized, vaporized and expanded fuel is then mixed with air and fed into the engine for combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas R. Jones
  • Publication number: 20030078228
    Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to Fas Ligand (FasL) and, in particular, to a method of immunoprotecting transplanted cells using an uncleavable form of FasL. The invention also relates to compounds and compositions suitable for use in such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Doris A. Taylor, Thomas R. Jones
  • Publication number: 20030055077
    Abstract: Prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonists in conjunction with an antihistamine and/or a leukotriene antagonist are useful in the treatment of allergic conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas R. Jones
  • Publication number: 20020185756
    Abstract: A fuel expansion system or carburetor for internal combustion engines utilizing the bubbling of air through use of a number of bubble tubes through a supply of liquid fuel. The resulting atomized, vaporized and expanded fuel is then mixed with air and fed into the engine for combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas R. Jones
  • Patent number: 6483688
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling a valve assembly in applications where electrical isolation of the two control signal supply lines is required to prevent damage of control circuits caused by a reverse polarity feedback signal or other transient signal. The circuit includes a solenoid having a coil. The coil has a first end and a second end. The circuit also includes a first switching circuit electrically connected to the first and second ends of the coil to allow current to pass therethrough in a first direction to move a permanent magnet against a pushpin a first axial direction. The circuit further includes a second switching circuit electrically connected to the first and second ends of the coil to allow a current to pass therethrough in a second direction to move the permanent magnet away from the pushpin in a second axial direction. Further, when either switching circuit is allowing current to flow through the coil, it electrically isolates one negative control source from the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Jones
  • Publication number: 20010051624
    Abstract: Prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonists in conjunction with an antihistamine and/or a leukotriene antagonist are useful in the treatment of allergic conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas R. Jones
  • Patent number: 6129115
    Abstract: A self-latching solenoid valve assembly including a valve body having a pressurized air supply inlet port for communicating with a source of pressurized air and at least one cylinder port. A valve member is supported in the valve body so as to be movable between predetermined positions to selectively direct pressurized air from the inlet port to at least one cylinder port. A biasing member is employed to move the valve member in one direction and a solenoid assembly is used to move the valve member in an opposite direction. The solenoid assembly includes a housing with a solenoid coil supported therein and a fixed ferromagnetic pole piece having a passage extending therethrough with a pushpin movably supported in the passage. A ferromagnetic latch is also supported by the housing and spaced from the pole piece. A permanent magnet is disposed between the latch and the pole piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Janssen, Thomas R. Jones
  • Patent number: 5908780
    Abstract: Infection of human fibroblast cells with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes down-regulation of cell surface expression of MHC class I. A recombinant mutant HCMV which fails to down-regulate class I heavy chain expression is described. A method of controlling down-regulation of MHC class I expression in a cytomegalovirus infected cell, a pharmaceutical composition, a vaccine composition,a method of preventing or reducing susceptibility to acute cytomegalovirus in an individual, and a virus based gene therapy vector are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventor: Thomas R. Jones
  • Patent number: 5906935
    Abstract: Infection of human fibroblast cells with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes down regulation of cell surface expression of MHC class I. The present invention is directed to a mutant with a 9-kb deletion in the S component of the HCMV genome (including open reading frames IRS1-US9 and US11) which failed to down regulate class I heavy chains. By examining the phenotypes of mutants with smaller deletions with this portion of the HCMV genome, a 7-kb region containing at least 9 open reading frames was shown to contain the genes required for reduction in heavy chain expression. Furthermore, it was determined that two subregions (A and B) of the 7-kb region each contained genes which were sufficient to cause heavy chain down regulation. In subregion B, the US11 gene product is involved. It encodes a endoglycosidase H-sensitive glycoprotein which is intracytoplasmic, similar to the adenovirus type 2 E3-19K glycoprotein which inhibits surface expression of class I heavy chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignees: American Cyanamid Company, Eastern Virginia Medical School of the Medical College of Hampton Roads
    Inventors: Thomas R. Jones, Ann E. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5877004
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for identifying non-essential genes of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) genome through the insertion of a .beta.-glucuronidase marker gene into a specified HCMV gene, such that, if the product of the HCMV gene is not expressed, the gene is identified as non-essential for replication of HCMV. This invention also relates to a method of screening for compounds which inhibit HCMV by the insertion of the .beta.-glucuronidase marker gene into a HCMV gene, such that the enzyme marker is expressed and cleaves a conjugate chemical substrate in an assay system to yield a detectable fluorescing product or to result in a color change. This invention further provides the gene responsible in HCMV early cytopathic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Compound
    Inventors: Thomas R. Jones, Viera P. Muzithras, Yakov Gluzman
  • Patent number: 5846806
    Abstract: Infection of human fibroblast cells with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes down regulation of cell surface expression of MHC class I. The present invention is directed to a mutant with a 9-kb deletion in the S component of the HCMV genome (including open reading frames IRS1-US9 and US11) which failed to down regulate class I heavy chains. By examining the phenotypes of mutants with smaller deletions with this portion of the HCMV genome, a 7-kb region containing at least 9 open reading frames was shown to contain the genes required for reduction in heavy chain expression. Furthermore, it was determined that two subregions (A and B) of the 7-kb region each contained genes which were sufficient to cause heavy chain down regulation. In subregion B, the US11 gene product is involved. It encodes a endoglycosidase H-sensitive glycoprotein which is intracytoplasmic, similar to the adenovirus type 2 E3-19K glycoprotein which inhibits surface expression of class I heavy chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignees: American Cyanamid Company, Eastern Virginia Medical School
    Inventors: Thomas R. Jones, Ann E. Campbell