Patents by Inventor Timothy A. Thomas

Timothy A. Thomas 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: 20160336213
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate processing apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber in which a semiconductor substrate may be processed, a showerhead module through which process gas from a process gas source is supplied to a processing zone of the vacuum chamber, and a substrate pedestal module. The substrate pedestal module includes a platen, a stem having a side wall defining a cylindrical interior region thereof, a lower surface, and an upper end that supports the platen, and an adapter having a side wall defining a cylindrical interior region thereof and an upper surface that supports the stem. The lower surface of the stem includes a gas inlet in fluid communication with a respective gas passage located in the side wall of the stem and a gas outlet located in an annular gas channel in the upper surface of the adapter. The upper surface of the adapter includes an inner groove located radially inward of the gas outlet and an outer groove located radially outward of the inner groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy Alan Gomm, Timothy Thomas
  • Patent number: 9491010
    Abstract: A group of data symbols for a current block of data symbols in multiple blocks received over a communication channel is equalized, based on a pilot block, to generate a group of equalized symbols. The group of equalized symbols is de-rotated as a function of a current phase estimate to determine initial de-rotated equalized symbols. The phase estimate is an estimate of phase caused by noise for blocks previous to the current block. Additionally, a phase metric is calculated from real and imaginary parts of the initial de-rotated equalized symbols, wherein the phase metric estimates phase caused by noise for the current block. The current phase estimate is updated with the phase metric. The initial de-rotated equalized symbols are de-rotated by the phase metric to determine final equalized and de-rotated symbol estimates. The final equalized and de-rotated symbol estimates are output. Apparatus, methods, and computer program products are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
    Inventors: Timothy Thomas, Mark Cudak
  • Patent number: 9488947
    Abstract: A method and system for managing field convertible operator replaceable components associated with a rendering device. A file that defines a set of operator replaceable components can be created and remotely installed on the device. The replaceable components associated with the device can be easily changed from a designation as a customer service engineer replacement component to an operator replacement component and vice versa. A determination that an operator is allowed to replace the component can be made based on a training level provided to the operator, the component availability, a usage pattern, and/or a security level. Such an approach enables the operator to perform the majority of maintenance on the device without requiring the services of a field engineer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Nitin Shenoy, Joanna Brown, Timothy Thomas, Cheryl Koenig, Michael Kirby
  • Patent number: 9471154
    Abstract: A computing device can obtain information about how the device is held, moved, and/or used by a hand of a user holding the device. The information can be obtained utilizing one or more sensors of the device independently or working in conjunction. For example, an orientation sensor can determine whether a left hand or a right hand is likely rotating, tilting, and/or moving, and thus holding, the device. In another example, a camera and/or a hover sensor can obtain information about a finger position of the user's hand to determine whether the hand is likely a left hand or a right hand. In a further example, a touch sensor can determine a shape of an imprint of a portion of the user's hand to determine which hand is likely holding the device. Based on which hand is holding the device, the device can improve one or more computing tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Thomas Gray, Dong Zhou, Kenneth Mark Karakotsios, Jennifer Silva
  • Publication number: 20160291051
    Abstract: An air data probe is disclosed. The air data probe may include a probe body having an interior cavity and coated by a protective shell. A sensing port may be disposed in the air data probe and may extend through the probe body. The sensing port may also be lined by the protective shell. The protective shell may be made of an austenitic nickel-chromium alloy, or stainless steel, or any relatively corrosion resistant material. The probe body may be made of nickel, or a nickel alloy, or any relatively thermally conductive material. The protective shell may be joined to the probe body by additive manufacturing, such as laser cladding. In this manner, an air data probe capable withstanding high temperatures without corrosion and yet also being relatively thermally conductive is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: Rosemount Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Thomas Golly, Matthew P. Anderson, Paul Robert Johnson, Greg Seidel
  • Patent number: 9462230
    Abstract: A system determines if someone watching a live video feed looks or moves away from a display screen, and when their attention is back on the display, provides an accelerated recap of the content that they missed. The video component of the feed may be shown as a series of selected still images or clips from the original feed, while audio and/or text captioning is output at an accelerated rate. The rate may be adaptively adjusted to maintain a consistent speed, and superfluous content may be omitted. When the recap catches up to the live feed, output returns to regular speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies
    Inventors: Amit Kumar Agrawal, Timothy Thomas Gray, Ambrish Tyagi
  • Publication number: 20160282158
    Abstract: An air data probe has a pitot tube with a tap at a forward end that defines an inner flow path. The inner flow path decreases in the cross-sectional area until reaching a throat. The inner flow path has cross-sections that are generally cylindrical and also has sections of removed material. Other embodiment have unique shapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Paul Robert Johnson, Aaron A. Cusher, Timothy Thomas Golly, Brian Daniel Matheis, Greg Seidel
  • Publication number: 20160279687
    Abstract: A device and method of preparing metal blanks including applying a series of dimples in metal feed stock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy Thomas, Sean Murphy, Douglas Holt
  • Publication number: 20160262570
    Abstract: Implementations of a food fryer are provided. In some implementations, the food fryer comprises a body portion, a stand, burners, and a drain. In some implementations, the body portion of the food fryer may be a curved hollow tube having an opening on each end. The body portion is configured to hold liquids therein for the purpose of frying or cooking food. In some implementations, the food fryer may include a storage container comprised of a body portion, a lid, and two extension members. In some implementations, the two extension members of the storage container may be configured to individually or collectively secure about the openings of the food fryers body portion such that the storage container is positioned above the food fryer. In some implementations, the storage container comprises openings from which the extension members extend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Lisa M. Waylor, Tina M. Griffith, Timothy A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9425923
    Abstract: Communication systems may employ transmission of feedback information and responses thereto, on a wireless connection such as a millimeter wave connection. The feedback information itself may be used to influence the beamforming or beam direction used for the transmission of the feedback information. A method can comprise determining a feedback indicator regarding reception of a transmitted waveform. The method can also comprise tailoring, for example beamforming, a signal for transmitting the feedback indicator based on a content of the feedback indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: NOKIA SOLUTIONS AND NETWORKS OY
    Inventors: Rapeepat Ratasuk, Timothy Thomas, Frederick Vook, Amitabha Ghosh, Mark Cudak
  • Publication number: 20160233899
    Abstract: An example technique may include controlling receiving a first block of time domain symbols and a second block of time domain symbols, converting the blocks of time domain symbols to the frequency domain to create a first pre-equalized block of frequency domain symbols and a second pre-equalized block of frequency domain symbols, respectively, applying, a linear phase shift to the frequency domain symbols to compensate for a conjugating and time-reversing of corresponding pre-spread domain symbols being performed at a transmitter before spreading of the pre-spread domain symbols, and creating a first equalized block of frequency domain symbols and a second equalized block of frequency domain symbols as a function of the first and second pre-equalized blocks of frequency domain symbols wherein at least one of the first and second pre-equalized blocks of frequency domain symbols has the linear phase shift applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy THOMAS, Frederick VOOK, Amitabha GHOSH
  • Patent number: 9411422
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enabling user interaction with content markers of a content item. Content markers can generally correspond to any point of interest in the content item. In one embodiment, a scrub bar is provided enabling user navigation to locations within the content item. As a user utilizes the scrub bar to select a location corresponding to a content marker, a haptic notification is provided to the user indicative of a corresponding point of interest. Thereafter, the user may halt interaction with the scrub bar to being playback of the content item at the point of interest. In another embodiment, a user is enabled to provide input perpendicular to a displayed scrub bar to alternate between multiple available scrub bars and/or points of interest. For example, multiple scrub bars may be provided, each associated with a given type of point of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Audible, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Scott McClendon, Ajay Arora, Timothy Thomas Gray, Douglas Vincent O'Dell, III
  • Publication number: 20160212680
    Abstract: Various communication systems may benefit from rerouting considerations. For example, fifth generation (5G) systems dealing with radio link failure detection and data rerouting, particularly mmWave 5G systems, may benefit from rapid rerouting methods and systems. A method can include transmitting, from an access point, a downlink control message to a user equipment. The method can also include attempting to detect a Fast-ACK transmission signal from the user equipment in response to the transmitted downlink control message. The method can further include transmitting a rerouting request for the user equipment when the Fast-ACK transmission signal is not detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Anup TALUKDAR, Mark CUDAK, Amitabha GHOSH, Rapeepat RATASUK, Jun TAN, Timothy THOMAS, Frederick VOOK
  • Patent number: 9345251
    Abstract: Implementations of a food fryer are provided. In some implementations, the food fryer comprises a body portion, a stand, burners, and a drain. In some implementations, the body portion of the food fryer may be a curved hollow tube having an opening on each end. The body portion is configured to hold liquids therein for the purpose of frying or cooking food. In some implementations, the food fryer may include a storage container comprised of a body portion, a lid, and two extension members. In some implementations, the two extension members of the storage container may be configured to individually or collectively secure about the openings of the food fryers body portion such that the storage container is positioned above the food fryer. In some implementations, the storage container comprises openings from which the extension members extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventors: Lisa M. Waylor, Tina M. Griffith, Timothy A. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20160127920
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for elevation beam design. Characteristics, such as number, distribution, and geographical location of elements subject to interference by elevation beams of a base station are analyzed, and a configuration for an antenna array is determined so as to create a set of elevation beams directed so as to avoid interference with the elements subject to interference by the base station. Configuration may, for example, include configuration of the antenna array so as to create a set of elevation beams exhibiting nulls and sidelobes in appropriate locations and at appropriate angles so as to avoid interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy THOMAS, Frederick VOOK, Eugene VISOTSKY
  • Patent number: 9331767
    Abstract: An example technique may include transmitting, by a base station to a mobile station, sounding signals via a first set of basis function beams, and receiving, by the base station from the mobile station in response to the transmitting, feedback signals indicating a translated basis-function weighting for one or more basis function beams of the second set of basis function beams, the translated basis-function weighting for one or more basis function beams being based on the first set of basis function beams, wherein the second set of basis function beams is different than the first set of basis function beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: NOKIA SOLUTIONS AND NETWORKS OY
    Inventors: Timothy Thomas, Frederick Vook
  • Publication number: 20160119958
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for random access channel (RACH) with a grid of beams for communication systems are provided. One method includes transmitting, by a base station, a beacon signal in one time slot with multiple switched beams, wherein the beams cover an intended coverage area with a grid-of-beams in both horizontal and vertical directions. The method may also comprise switching receiving beams in the grid-of-beams at a network reserved random access channel (RACH) slot by following an identical or directly related beam switching pattern in a downlink (DL) beacon channel. Another method includes detecting, by a user equipment, a beam ID in the downlink beacon channel, selecting the RACH slot using the detected beam ID, and transmitting, by the user equipment, a random access channel (RACH) signature in one or multiple beam blocks within a random access channel (RACH) slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Jun TAN, Mark CUDAK, Timothy THOMAS, Rapeepat RATASUK, Frederick VOOK, Amitabha GHOSH, Anup TALUKDAR
  • Publication number: 20160119038
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for random access channel (RACH) design using basis functions are provided. One method includes receiving, at an access point employing a receiver with Q antennas, a random access channel (RACH) preamble sent from a mobile unit. The receiving may comprise receiving the same RACH preamble at B different time intervals where the access point beamforms with a different beam selected from B basis function beams at each of the different time intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy THOMAS, Jun TAN, Frederick VOOK
  • Patent number: 9301368
    Abstract: An anti-flicker and anti-glow switchable load apparatus to be installed in the light socket of a commonly powered electronic switching device, such as a motion activated light switch. An energy efficient light bulb or lamp, such as a cathode fluorescent lamp or light emitting diode is then screwed into the apparatus. A first embodiment of the present invention includes a switchable light source, a switchable load, a controller, and a voltage sensor. When the present invention in the first embodiment detects a higher voltage, thus indicating the lamp has been switched from the “off” state to the on state, the switchable load is disconnected, and the current is re-routed to pass through the energy efficient lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Hasler, Timothy Thomas Tutt
  • Publication number: 20160054159
    Abstract: A method of forming a pitot tube includes forming a substantially cylindrical body portion including an outer surface, a tip portion having an inlet opening and an interior defining a flow passage, radially tapering the outer surface from the body portion toward the inlet opening, and disposing at least one electrical coil including one or more coil wraps along the flow passage of the pitot tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Greg Seidel, Timothy Thomas Golly, Paul Robert Johnson