Patents by Inventor Todd Allen

Todd Allen 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: 20120185142
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling vehicle stability may comprise determining whether a vehicle is oversteering or understeering and, if the vehicle is oversteering or understeering, determining an amount by which to reduce a speed of the vehicle to correct for understeering or oversteering and applying brake pressure to at least the rear brakes of the vehicle to reduce vehicle speed. The method and system also may comprise determining an engine torque reduction amount based on vehicle oversteer or understeer conditions, reducing engine torque by the determined amount or to zero if the determined amount of engine torque reduction is greater than an actual engine torque, and applying braking to at least the rear brakes of the vehicle if the determined amount of engine torque reduction is greater than the actual engine torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Carr MEYERS, Daniel Domek EISELE, Todd Allen BROWN, Li XU, Albert Chenouda SALIB
  • Patent number: 8170767
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling vehicle stability may comprise determining whether a vehicle is oversteering or understeering and, if the vehicle is oversteering or understeering, determining an amount by which to reduce a speed of the vehicle to correct for understeering or oversteering and applying brake pressure to at least the rear brakes of the vehicle to reduce vehicle speed. The method and system also may comprise determining an engine torque reduction amount based on vehicle oversteer or understeer conditions, reducing engine torque by the determined amount or to zero if the determined amount of engine torque reduction is greater than an actual engine torque, and applying braking to at least the rear brakes of the vehicle if the determined amount of engine torque reduction is greater than the actual engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Carr Meyers, Daniel Domek Eisele, Todd Allen Brown, Li Xu, Albert Chenouda Salib
  • Publication number: 20120056466
    Abstract: There is a need to reduce raw materials used in the manufacturing of wet mops, to reduce the weight of the wet mop which will decrease user fatigue and related injuries and to address the difficulty of attaching standard wet mops to commonly used mop handles. The improvement is a tubular headband wet mop with yarn strands on only one side of the headband, reducing the amount of unused yarn incorporated into the wet mop while not reducing floor surface coverage area. The tubular headband also eliminates the possibility of exposing the bottom side of the mop handle which can damage or mar the floor surface, coatings and finishes. This reduction in raw materials results in a lighter product, which reduces effort required to lift and wring out the wet mop, and reduces fatigue and injuries associated with mopping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Todd Allen Williams, Cynthia Kay Williams
  • Publication number: 20120055064
    Abstract: A method of creating a surface coating composition comprising the steps of: creating a mathematical model of a vision system of an animal, measuring a set of spectral characteristics from a surface of a first object, entering the set of spectral characteristics as an input into the mathematical model, using an output of the mathematical model to iteratively create the surface coating composition, wherein the surface coating composition is a metamer to the animal, wherein the surface coating composition can be applied to a surface of a second object for the purpose of making the second object look like the first object to the vision system of the animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Todd Allen Pringle, Brian Myron Tande
  • Patent number: 8080275
    Abstract: A composition for reducing or substantially eliminating oil or fat separation in a food product is described. The composition includes a source of saturated fat and a recrystallization agent. A method of making this composition, and of using this composition in a food product, is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Vision Processing Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Allen Ringhouse, Ann Elizabeth Sinclair
  • Patent number: 8074581
    Abstract: A conferencing assembly for use with at least one computer, the assembly including a table top forming a table top opening, a leg support structure, a display screen supported adjacent the top surface, a switcher for controlling input to the display screen, a plurality of handsets, each hand set including a selector button usable to send a signal to the switcher thereby causing the switcher to link a computer associated with the selector button to the display, a plurality of handset cables, each handset cable having first and second ends linked to the switcher and an associated selector button, respectively, for passing signals from the selector buttons to the switcher, a take up assembly including a separate weight for each of the handset cables, the take up assembly disposed below the top member and aligned with the top opening, each handset cable linked to an associated weight, each weight applying a force tending to pull the second end of the associated handset cable into the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis Mark Epstein, Kyle J. Doerksen, Matthew Robert Adams, Larry Cheng, Brian Joseph Mason, Thomas Overthun, Todd Allen Pelman, Vivek Mohan Rao, David John Rinaldis, Lukas Martin Scherrer, Mark D. Siminoff, Susanne Stage, Joerg Christoph Student, James Nolan Ludwig, Brett Robert Kincaid
  • Patent number: 7986639
    Abstract: System and methods are provided for creating a topology of a communications network. One embodiment includes receiving a first instance of topology information at one or more integration sources and determining if the first instance of topology information includes a portion of topology information on a span of the communications network by the one or more integration sources. If the first instance of topology information only includes the portion of topology information, then receiving, at the one or more integration sources a second instance of topology information, and supplementing the first instance with the second instance of topology information to form complete topology information of the span of the communications network by the one or more integration sources and transferring the complete topology information to a topology data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Satishkumar Sadagopan, Richard Charles Ahlstrom, Joseph Iosif Freydlin, Clifford Todd Allen
  • Patent number: 7971417
    Abstract: An elective down pressure system for cutting units of a grass mowing machine with lift and lower mechanisms connected to the lift arms with lost motion couplings that may be set to either a downforce position in which the lift and lower mechanisms urge the lift arms to apply downforce to the cutting units while they are on the ground surface, or a no downforce position in which the lift and lower mechanisms discontinue urging the lift arms to apply downforce once the cutting units are on the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Todd Allen Link
  • Publication number: 20110080135
    Abstract: A method and system for solar powered charging of an electronic device is provided. Solar concentrators direct solar energy onto photovoltaic cells on an orbiting space station or a satellite in a geostationary orbit. The photovoltaic cells convert the solar energy to direct current (DC) electrical power. Energy generators convert the DC electrical power to generate energy waves, for example, microwaves. A space transmitter relays the energy waves to one or more earth stations. The electronic device transmits a locator beam indicating its current location. On receiving the locator beam, an earth station transmits the energy waves to the electronic device. A rectenna, in electronic communication with the electronic device, converts the energy waves to DC electrical power and directs the DC electrical power to a charger in electric communication with the electronic device. The charger receives the energy waves or the DC electrical power and charges the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventor: Todd Allen Bland
  • Publication number: 20110066502
    Abstract: The interactive messaging system of the present invention provides for an interactive communication process between users, both senders and recipients. The sender composes a message by filling in a template stored in data services. Once completed, the sender pushes the message to a recipient's wireless device if the wireless device contains a WAP browser, which is capable of receiving pushed messages. Typically the message includes a question along with answers for the recipient to choose from. Each answer corresponds with a pre-assigned response key and the recipient answers the question by selecting one of the pre-assigned response keys. The recipient's response is available to the sender in the form of an e-mail, WAP Push, on-line access or interactive message that is shown to the sender on an on-line status screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: VOCEL, INC.
    Inventors: Carl Washburn, Tyler Jensen, Todd Allen
  • Publication number: 20110064387
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods which allow consumers of audio-visual content (such as movies and television programs) to obtain dynamic additional content about programs and movies being watched, and customize that additional content to their personal preferences and behaviors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Allen Mendeloff, William Joseph Bartley
  • Patent number: 7881850
    Abstract: A control system (18) for an automotive vehicle (10) has a first roll condition detector (64A), a second roll condition detector (64B), a third roll condition detector (64C), and a controller (26) that uses the roll condition generated by the roll condition detectors (64A-C) to determine a wheel lift condition. Other roll condition detectors may also be used in the wheel lift determination. The wheel lift conditions may be active or passive or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Michael Edward Brewer, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers
  • Publication number: 20110000913
    Abstract: The herein invention discloses improvements to the conventional beer, soda or vegetable juice can such as tomato as well as medical or automotive such as oil cans containing fluid. The improvements consisting of one or a plurality of pull tabs on the top and the bottom of the can allowing the liquid to empty out of the cans in a matter of seconds. Prior art only shows one pull tab on the top taking the cans too long to empty for consumers that desire their beverage to flow quicker and to avoid spraying their beverage potentially getting in to the eyes of consumers and destroying property such as clothes and furniture as it is widely known consumers puncture holes toward the bottom of the can to release the liquid quicker endangering themselves and others by spraying beverage and by the sharp objects used to make the holes in the cans. My new invention will improve safety for these types of consumers furthermore if the top tab breaks the bottom pull tab will allow the can to be opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Todd Allen Bland
  • Publication number: 20100145574
    Abstract: A roll control system (16) for an automotive vehicle (10) is used to actively detect if one of the plurality of the driven wheels (12) is lifted. The system generates a pressure request to determine if the wheel has lifted. By comparing the change in wheel speed of a driven wheel to a change in wheel speed threshold the wheel lift status can be determined. The wheel speed change threshold may be dependent upon various vehicle operating conditions such as powertrain torque, braking torque and/or longitudinal force on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Keith Glenn Mattson, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers, Michael Edward Brewer
  • Patent number: 7688191
    Abstract: A control system (18) for an automotive vehicle (10) has a first roll condition detector (64A), a second roll condition detector (64B), a third roll condition detector (64C), and a controller (26) that uses the roll condition generated by the roll condition detectors (64A-C) to determine a wheel lift condition. Other roll condition detectors may also be used in the wheel lift determination. The wheel lift conditions may be active or passive or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Michael Edward Brewer, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers
  • Patent number: 7654066
    Abstract: A shift mechanism for trim mower cutting units includes a pair of slidable carriers. Each slidable carrier can slide along a pair of guide rods mounted to a mower frame. A hydraulic extension cylinder is connected to each slidable carrier and independently extends to move the slidable carrier laterally outward from the mower frame or retracts to move the slidable carrier laterally inward in relation to the mower frame. A hydraulic shifting cylinder is mounted between the two extension cylinders and extends to shift both slidable carriers laterally inward toward a center position, and retracts to move both slidable carriers laterally outward toward an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Todd Allen Link, Jeffrey David Witwer, Jason Mclamb Honeycutt, Brian Keith Pearman, Ronald Lee Reichen
  • Patent number: 7653471
    Abstract: A roll control system (16) for an automotive vehicle (10) is used to actively detect if one of the plurality of the driven wheels (12) is lifted. The system generates a pressure request to determine if the wheel has lifted. By comparing the change in wheel speed of a driven wheel to a change in wheel speed threshold the wheel lift status can be determined. The wheel speed change threshold may be dependent upon various vehicle operating conditions such as powertrain torque, braking torque and/or longitudinal force on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Glenn Mattson, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers, Michael Edward Brewer
  • Patent number: 7650215
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a housed sensor cluster generating a plurality of signals. An integrated controller includes a sensor signal compensation unit and a kinematics unit, wherein the sensor signal compensation unit receives at least one of the plurality of signals and compensates for an offset within the signal and generates a compensated signal as a function thereof. The integrated controller further generates a kinematics signal including a sensor frame with respect to an intermediate axis system as a function of the compensated signal and generates a vehicle frame signal as a function of the kinematics signal. A dynamic system controller receives the vehicle frame signal and generates a dynamic control signal in response thereto. A safety device controller receives the dynamic control signal and further generates a safety device signal in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Todd Allen Brown, Li Xu, Joseph Carr Meyers
  • Patent number: 7631951
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for limited wheel slip of a traction drive system includes first and second pilot directional valves between a hydraulic pump and first and second hydraulic wheel motors. If a wheel slips, the first or second pilot directional valves moves to a first position directing some hydraulic fluid through a restricted passage to the slipping motor and the remainder through an unrestricted passage to the opposite motor. Absent wheel slip, the pilot directional valve is in a second position directing all of the hydraulic fluid through an unrestricted passage to the corresponding motor. The first and second pilot directional valves detect wheel slippage and move between the first and second positions based on a first pilot signal corresponding to the pressure sensed entering the respective pilot directional valve, which is balanced against a biased spring and a second pilot signal from the opposite motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Todd Allen Link
  • Patent number: RE41617
    Abstract: A control system (24) for controlling a safety system (40) of an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of wheel speed sensors (30) generating a plurality of wheel velocity signals, a steering angle sensor (39) generating a steering actuator angle signal, a yaw rate sensor (28) generating a yaw rate signal, a lateral acceleration sensor (32) generating a lateral acceleration signal and a controller (26). The controller (26) generates a final reference vehicle velocity in response to the plurality of wheel speed signals, the steering angle signal, the yaw rate signal and the lateral acceleration signal. The controller (26) controls the safety system in response to the final reference vehicle velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies & Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Todd Allen Brown