Patents by Inventor Thomas Roberts

Thomas 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).

  • Patent number: 11423886
    Abstract: The intelligent automated assistant system engages with the user in an integrated, conversational manner using natural language dialog, and invokes external services when appropriate to obtain information or perform various actions. The system can be implemented using any of a number of different platforms, such as the web, email, smartphone, and the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system is based on sets of interrelated domains and tasks, and employs additional functionally powered by external services with which the system can interact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Gruber, Adam John Cheyer, Dag Kittlaus, Didier Rene Guzzoni, Christopher Dean Brigham, Richard Donald Giuli, Marcello Bastea-Forte, Harry Joseph Saddler
  • Publication number: 20220264262
    Abstract: Techniques for triggering an action associated with a task items are provided. A task item associated with a triggering criterion is provided. The triggering criterion requires an occurrence of any of a plurality of communication events. The plurality of communication events includes a telephone call. In some implementations, at least two of the plurality of communication events are of different communication types. In some implementations, the different types are telephone calls, emails, and text messages. The occurrence of a first communication event of the plurality of communication events is detected. It is determined the triggering criterion is satisfied. In response to the determining, a notification associated with the task item is caused to be presented to a user of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Robert GRUBER, Alessandro F. SABATELLI, Alexandre A. AYBES, Donald W. PITSCHEL, Edward D. VOAS, Freddy A. ANZURES, Paul D. MARCOS
  • Publication number: 20220260314
    Abstract: The invention uses a furnace retort made of silicon carbide to create a sintering furnace having no cold areas during debinding while having low heat losses during sintering. This is achieved by varying the wall thickness of the retort and taking advantage of the large increase in thermal conductivity of silicon carbide at lower temperatures. The special properties of silicon carbide also allow rapid cooling by exposing the outside of the retort directly to a high flow of cooling air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Gelbart, Thomas Robert Curran
  • Publication number: 20220260793
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to align a first optical component carried by a first semiconductor chip with a second optical component carried by a second semiconductor chip. Each of the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip may include at least one primary semiconductor chip fiducial which assists in the alignment of the first optical component carried by a first semiconductor chip with a second optical component carried by a second semiconductor chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Everett Fangman, Thomas Robert Daugherty, Hendrikus Johannes Jacobus Thoonen
  • Publication number: 20220249842
    Abstract: A leadless biostimulator, and an electrical feedthrough assembly for use therewith, are described herein. The leadless biostimulator comprises an electrode body including a cup having an electrode wall extending distally from an electrode base around an electrode cavity, an electrode tip mounted on a distal end of the electrode body, and a filler in the electrode cavity between the electrode base and the electrode tip, wherein the filler includes a therapeutic agent. The electrode tip is configured to be placed in contact with target tissue to which a pacing impulse is to be transmitted by the leadless biostimulator. A pin extends proximally from the electrode base, wherein the pin is configured to be into contact with an electrical connector of an electronics assembly within a housing of the leadless biostimulator, and wherein the electrical feedthrough assembly is configured to be mounted on the housing of the leadless biostimulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Paspa, Thomas B. Eby, Matthew G. Fishler, Carl Lance Boling, Thomas Robert Luhrs, Russell Klehn, Tyler J. Strang, Arees Garabed, Kavous Sahabi, Brett Villavicencio, Wes Alleman, Alex Soriano, Matthew R. Malone, Conor P. Foley
  • Publication number: 20220254338
    Abstract: The intelligent automated assistant system engages with the user in an integrated, conversational manner using natural language dialog, and invokes external services when appropriate to obtain information or perform various actions. The system can be implemented using any of a number of different platforms, such as the web, email, smartphone, and the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system is based on sets of interrelated domains and tasks, and employs additional functionally powered by external services with which the system can interact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Robert GRUBER, Adam John CHEYER, Didier Rene GUZZONI, Christopher Dean BRIGHAM, Richard Donald GIULI, Marcello BASTEA-FORTE, Harry Joseph SADDLER
  • Patent number: 11409058
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to align a first optical component carried by a first semiconductor chip with a second optical component carried by a second semiconductor chip. Each of the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip may include at least one primary semiconductor chip fiducial which assists in the alignment of the first optical component carried by a first semiconductor chip with a second optical component carried by a second semiconductor chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Everett Fangman, Thomas Robert Daugherty, Hendrikus Johannes Jacobus Thoonen
  • Publication number: 20220194674
    Abstract: An elongate web of wrapping material having a longitudinal axis and a series of lines of weakening spaced from each other in a direction along the axis is disclosed. Each line of weakening is configured to form an extraction opening for the removal of smoking articles from a bundle of smoking articles wrapped in a longitudinal section of the wrapping material cut from the web. A portion of each line of weakening extends in a longitudinal direction, and at least a part of said portion extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis. A method of manufacturing an elongate web of wrapping material is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas Robert ALLEN
  • Publication number: 20220199071
    Abstract: Systems and methods for speech validation in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method for validating speech. The method includes steps for encoding a set of audio data, processing a set of target data, wherein the target data includes a sequence of target elements associated with the set of audio data, computing a set of one or more alignment probabilities for each target element of the sequence of target elements, performing temporal resolution based on the computed set of alignment probabilities to determine an alignment between the set of target data and the set of audio data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Ello Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Catalin Voss, Thomas Robert Sayer, Anish Nag
  • Publication number: 20220186661
    Abstract: A valve system comprising a valve chamber at a junction of an inlet port, an outlet port and a bypass port, the inlet port configured for fluid communication with exhaust gas, the outlet port configured for fluid communication with an inlet of a turbine, and the bypass port configured for fluid communication with an exhaust aftertreatment device; a rotary valve comprising a valve rotor which rotates about a valve axis within the valve chamber between a first position to permit gas flow through the bypass port and a second position to block gas flow. At least one of the valve rotor and the valve chamber comprises a protrusion and the other comprises a recess, wherein, in the first position, the protrusion and recess are spaced from one another, and, in the second position the recess receives the protrusion such that gas flow between the protrusion and recess is substantially prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Robin Daniels, Thomas Morton, Thomas Roberts, Christopher Parry, Richard Goodyear, Mark R. Holden, Donald E. Willey
  • Publication number: 20220186842
    Abstract: There is provided a seal assembly comprising: a first component and a second component spaced apart from the first component so as to define a passage for the transfer of fluid from an inlet of the seal assembly to an outlet of the seal assembly, wherein the first component comprises a concavity at least partially defining the passage, and wherein no part of the second component extends into the portion of the passage bounded by the concavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Robin Daniels, James Alexander McEwen, Levinia Mathews, Christopher Parry, Thomas Roberts, George E. Sandford, Stephen Caddy, Thomas Hulson, Dave Lee, Martin Selway, Kevin Franks, Lisa Jane Hill, Henry David Lambton Carr, Jonathan Wilson, Lee Curtis, Fahim Ismail Patel, Matthew Whittlesea, Matthew J. Purdey, Donald E. Willey
  • Patent number: 11362472
    Abstract: A terminal extraction tool includes a handle and an extraction arm extending from the handle. The handle has a bottom extending between a handle front and a handle rear having a handle axis centered between the handle front and the handle rear. The extraction arm has a base at the bottom of the handle and a finger extending from the base. The finger has an elbow between an upper finger member and a lower finger member. The lower finger member is angled non-parallel to the upper finger member. The lower finger member extends from the elbow to a tip configured to engage a latching beam to release the latching beam and allow removal of the terminal from a housing. The handle and the extraction arm are rotated about the elbow to rotate the lower finger member and the tip to engage the latching beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TE Connectivity Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Robert DeWitte, Pushkar S. Kolhatkar
  • Publication number: 20220176258
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to water effect play structures for use in playgrounds, splash pads, and water parks. The play structures comprise a plurality of water tanks maintained at an elevation above a play surface. Each of the plurality of water tanks fills with water and then releases the water contained therein, splashing children in the vicinity. Each of the plurality of water tanks may be configured to release the water contained therein at different times. Further, in some embodiments, the water tanks may be enclosed, such as by being connected to a water transport system that fills the tanks internally and by having a movable cover over the opening(s) through which the water is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin Brown, Chris Thomas, Luke Cavanaugh, Matthew Dangle, Thomas Robert Norquist
  • Patent number: 11350253
    Abstract: Techniques for triggering an action associated with a task items are provided. A task item associated with a triggering criterion is provided. The triggering criterion requires an occurrence of any of a plurality of communication events. The plurality of communication events includes a telephone call. In some implementations, at least two of the plurality of communication events are of different communication types. In some implementations, the different types are telephone calls, emails, and text messages. The occurrence of a first communication event of the plurality of communication events is detected. It is determined the triggering criterion is satisfied. In response to the determining, a notification associated with the task item is caused to be presented to a user of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Gruber, Alessandro Sabatelli, Alexandre A. Aybes, Donald W. Pitschel, Edward D. Voas, Freddy Allen Anzures, Paul D. Marcos
  • Publication number: 20220151647
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspiration guide catheters having a pre-shaped distal portion configured to deflect away from a longitudinal axis of the catheter, and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, an aspiration guide catheter includes an inner liner defining a lumen and having a proximal region and a distal region. The catheter further includes a braid of wires over the inner liner, and a wire coiled around the braid over at least a portion of the distal region of the inner liner. At least a portion of the braid over the distal region of the inner liner is configured to deflect away from a longitudinal axis of the proximal region. The catheter can further include an outer sheath over the braid, the wire, and the inner liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Edward Enriquez Dolendo, Thomas Robert Brodt, Thomas M. Tu
  • Publication number: 20220152355
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are clot removal systems including steerable catheters, and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, a clot removal system includes (i) an aspiration catheter having a proximal region and a distal region and (ii) a handle coupled to the proximal region of the catheter and having an actuator. The distal region of the catheter can include a deflectable member, and the clot removal system can include a pull wire extending between the actuator and the deflectable member. Actuation of the actuator is configured to pull the pull wire to deflect the deflectable member to deflect the distal region relative to the proximal region. The deflection can facilitate steering of the catheter to hard-to-reach (e.g., tortuous) portions of the anatomy of a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Edward Enriquez Dolendo, Thomas Robert Brodt, Thomas M. Tu
  • Patent number: 11331496
    Abstract: A biostimulator, such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker, including an electrical feedthrough assembly mounted on a housing, is described. An electronics compartment of the housing can contain an electronics assembly to generate a pacing impulse, and the electrical feedthrough assembly can include an electrode tip to deliver the pacing impulse to a target tissue. A monolithically formed electrode body can have a pin integrated with a cup. The pin can be electrically connected to the electronics assembly, and the cup can be electrically connected to the electrode tip. Accordingly, the biostimulator can transmit the pacing impulse through the monolithic pin and cup to the target tissue. The cup can hold a filler having a therapeutic agent for delivery to the target tissue and may include retention elements for maintaining the filler at a predetermined location within the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Paspa, Thomas B. Eby, Matthew G. Fishler, Carl Lance Boling, Thomas Robert Luhrs, Russell Klehn, Tyler J. Strang, Arees Garabed, Kavous Sahabi, Brett Villavicencio, Wes Alleman, Alex Soriano, Matthew R. Malone, Conor P. Foley
  • Publication number: 20220134859
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to an off-road vehicle comprising a frame, including at least one cargo box support member, a suspension movably coupled to the frame, a passenger compartment, an engine, a transmission operatively coupled to the engine, and a cargo box. The cargo box includes a floor and a plurality of upwardly extending sidewalls, wherein at least a portion of the cargo box floor extends over the at least one cargo box support member and wherein the cargo box is removably coupled to the at least one cargo box support members and is removable from the off-road vehicle via the removal of fewer than eight fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas Keegan Ward, Chadwick Allen Williams, Luke Adam Baker, Ross Leonard Nygren, Aaron Lee Swanson, Cody Tove Kallock, Kyle Douglas Olason, Lucas Grant Purcell, Reid Dale Anderson, Casey Leland Root, Michael Jeffrey Lupelow, Thomas Robert Brausen, Stephen Tyler Deck, Shane Dean Kruse, Robby Gordon
  • Publication number: 20220139567
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide solutions for modeling an efficacy of disease screening and testing strategies for an infectious disease. Examples include: identifying events for a disease timeline for the infectious disease, creating a model of test sensitivity as a function of the events, adaptively mapping the events to characteristics of the infectious disease unique to a simulated infected person, based at least on adaptively mapping, creating a unique disease timeline for the simulated infected person, and creating a numerical function specific to the unique disease timeline to model sensitivity as a function of the unique disease timeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Lindsay Leigh Waite Jones, Robert M. Lawton, Stephen Paul Jones, Thomas Robert Austin, Jason Wesley Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20220140540
    Abstract: An electrical header for use in an electrical connector assembly includes a body for mounting to an object and having an opening formed therethrough for receiving an electrical terminal. The body further defines a plug on a first side thereof for engaging with a mating electrical connector of the assembly. The plug includes a pair of first opposing sidewalls extending from the body a first height and defining a locking feature for engaging with a corresponding locking feature of the mating connector, and a pair of second opposing sidewalls extending from the body at a second height, less than the first height. The first and second pairs of opposing sidewalls are adapted to mate with a first mating connector oriented in a first direction with respect to the header, and mate with a second mating connector oriented in a second direction with respect to the header and distinct from the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: TE Connectivity Services GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Robert DeWitte, Adam Price Tyler, Lindsey Gatesman, David James Rhein