Patents by Inventor Tom Barker

Tom Barker 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: 11962631
    Abstract: Future data connection quality may be predicted based on historical data connection quality, and future requests for data may be predicted based on past requests. These predictions may be used to help decide whether, when, and/or how to deliver the data in a proactive manner. For example, according to some aspects described herein, a future data connection quality may be predicted based at least on historical data connection quality. It may be determined whether to pre-deliver at least a portion of an item of content based at least on the predicted future data connection quality. The pre-delivered portion may include any portion of the content including a latter portion of the content. If so, then the at least the portion of the item of content may be pre-delivered to the device and/or to another destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
  • Publication number: 20230370510
    Abstract: Future data connection quality may be predicted based on historical data connection quality, and future requests for data may be predicted based on past requests. These predictions may be used to help decide whether, when, and/or how to deliver the data in a proactive manner. For example, according to some aspects described herein, a future data connection quality may be predicted based at least on historical data connection quality. It may be determined whether to pre-deliver at least a portion of an item of content based at least on the predicted future data connection quality. The pre-delivered portion may include any portion of the content including a latter portion of the content. If so, then the at least the portion of the item of content may be pre-delivered to the device and/or to another destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
  • Patent number: 11689593
    Abstract: Future data connection quality may be predicted based on past data connection quality, and future requests for data may be predicted based on past requests. These predictions may be used to help decide whether, when, and/or how to deliver the data in a proactive manner. For example, according to some aspects described herein, a future data connection quality may be predicted based at least on historical data connection quality. It may be determined whether to pre-deliver at least a first portion of an item of content based at least on the predicted future data connection quality. If so, then the at least the portion of the item of content may be pre-delivered to the device and/or to another destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
  • Publication number: 20220116440
    Abstract: Future data connection quality may be predicted based on past data connection quality, and future requests for data may be predicted based on past requests. These predictions may be used to help decide whether, when, and/or how to deliver the data in a proactive manner. For example, according to some aspects described herein, a future data connection quality may be predicted based at least on historical data connection quality. It may be determined whether to pre-deliver at least a first portion of an item of content based at least on the predicted future data connection quality. If so, then the at least the portion of the item of content may be pre-delivered to the device and/or to another destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
  • Patent number: 11245739
    Abstract: Future data connection quality may be predicted based on past data connection quality, and future requests for data may be predicted based on past requests. These predictions may be used to help decide whether, when, and/or how to deliver the data in a proactive manner. For example, according to some aspects described herein, a future data connection quality may be predicted based at least on historical data connection quality. It may be determined whether to pre-deliver at least a first portion of an item of content based at least on the predicted future data connection quality. If so, then the at least the portion of the item of content may be pre-delivered to the device and/or to another destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
  • Publication number: 20200396272
    Abstract: Future data connection quality may be predicted based on past data connection quality, and future requests for data may be predicted based on past requests. These predictions may be used to help decide whether, when, and/or how to deliver the data in a proactive manner. For example, according to some aspects described herein, a future data connection quality may be predicted based at least on historical data connection quality. It may be determined whether to pre-deliver at least a first portion of an item of content based at least on the predicted future data connection quality. If so, then the at least the portion of the item of content may be pre-delivered to the device and/or to another destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
  • Patent number: 10728299
    Abstract: Future data connection quality may be predicted based on past data connection quality, and future requests for data may be predicted based on past requests. These predictions may be used to help decide whether, when, and/or how to deliver the data in a proactive manner. For example, according to some aspects described herein, a future data connection quality may be predicted based at least on historical data connection quality. It may be determined whether to pre-deliver at least a first portion of an item of content based at least on the predicted future data connection quality. If so, then the at least the portion of the item of content may be pre-delivered to the device and/or to another destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
  • Publication number: 20170085611
    Abstract: Future data connection quality may be predicted based on past data connection quality, and future requests for data may be predicted based on past requests. These predictions may be used to help decide whether, when, and/or how to deliver the data in a proactive manner. For example, according to some aspects described herein, a future data connection quality may be predicted based at least on historical data connection quality. It may be determined whether to pre-deliver at least a first portion of an item of content based at least on the predicted future data connection quality. If so, then the at least the portion of the item of content may be pre-delivered to the device and/or to another destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
  • Patent number: 9357021
    Abstract: Future data connection quality may be predicted based on past data connection quality, and future requests for data may be predicted based on past requests. These predictions may be used to help decide whether, when, and/or how to deliver the data in a proactive manner. For example, according to some aspects described herein, a future data connection quality may be predicted based at least on historical data connection quality. It may be determined whether to pre-deliver at least a first portion of an item of content based at least on the predicted future data connection quality. If so, then the at least the portion of the item of content may be pre-delivered to the device and/or to another destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
  • Publication number: 20140280702
    Abstract: Future data connection quality may be predicted based on past data connection quality, and future requests for data may be predicted based on past requests. These predictions may be used to help decide whether, when, and/or how to deliver the data in a proactive manner. For example, according to some aspects described herein, a future data connection quality may be predicted based at least on historical data connection quality. It may be determined whether to pre-deliver at least a first portion of an item of content based at least on the predicted future data connection quality. If so, then the at least the portion of the item of content may be pre-delivered to the device and/or to another destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
  • Publication number: 20090190353
    Abstract: A modular display system (10) which can be used in a variety of environments for displaying informational signage, advertising, relaying TV images, art installations and so on. The modular display system (10) comprises a fascia assembly (12) comprising an array (16) of light transmitting cells (18) and an illumination assembly (14) comprising an array of light sources (32). In use each of the light sources (32) is alignable with a cell (18) of the fascia assembly. The modular display system (10) further comprises a processor (34) controlling the light sources (32). The cells (18) of the array (16) are hexagonal and at the edges of each fascia assembly (12) the cells (18) are cut along a line which bisects two adjacent or opposite non-parallel walls of each cell (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Tom Barker
  • Patent number: 7455429
    Abstract: An assembly (16) for covering a visual display means (10) which has an array of pixels (12) is described. The assembly (16) comprises an array of cells (18) with reflective walls and an opening at each end. A transparent cover sheet (20) is positioned adjacent the open end of the cells (18) on one side of the array. The array is dimensioned such as in use each cell (18) is aligned with one pixel (12) of the visual display means (10). In this way, large visual display systems with excellent optical performance can be provided which can be used both internally and externally and are capable of bearing loads and forming structural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Smartslab Limited
    Inventor: Tom Barker
  • Publication number: 20070008259
    Abstract: The present invention provides a modular display system (10) which can be used in a variety of environments for displaying informational signage, advertising, relaying T.V. images, art installations and so on. The system (10) comprises at least one fascia assembly (12) comprising an array of open-ended cells (18) and at least one illumination assembly (14) comprising an array of light sources (32) such as LEDs. Each light source (32) is aligned with a cell (18) and is controlled by a processor (34). Typically, the array of cells (18) is sandwiched between protective front and rear panels (20, 22). A large display may be built up simply and cost-effectively by arranging a number of fascia assemblies (12) together in the desired geometry, with the processors (34) networked together and controlled by an external control processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Inventor: Tom Barker
  • Publication number: 20060168853
    Abstract: An assembly (16) for covering a visual display means (10) which has an array of pixels (12) is described. The assembly (16) comprises an array of cells (18) with reflective walls and an opening at each end. A transparent cover sheet (20) is positioned adjacent the open end of the cells (18) on one side of the array. The array is dimensioned such as in use each cell (18) is aligned with one pixel (12) of the visual display means (10). In this way, large visual display systems with excellent optical performance can be provided which can be used both internally and externally and are capable of bearing loads and forming structural members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventor: Tom Barker
  • Patent number: 6667089
    Abstract: A composite panel (10) and a method for forming the panel are described. The panel (10) comprises an inverted tray (14) of composite material such as fibre reinforced plastic. A transparent or translucent surface layer (12) is provided on the top surface (16) of the tray (14). A block of honeycomb (20) with a backing sheet (22) is bonded within the cavity defined by the top surface (16) and the side walls (18) of the tray (14). The panel may be illuminated by using an electro-luminescent film as the backing sheet (22) or by placing LEDs (30) in the cells (34) of the honeycomb material (20). The composite panel (10) may be used as flooring, to create partition walls, or simply as decorative panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: B Consultants Limited
    Inventor: Tom Barker
  • Patent number: 5584836
    Abstract: Polymeric medical fixation screws with multiple cannulations and thereby a reduced risk of shearing while being torqued into place are provided. The polymeric screws have at least two cannulae, on either side of a central longitudinal axis of the screw, extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. Torquing instruments are inserted into the cannulae so that the applied torque force for driving the screws into a bone hole is distributed along the shaft of the screw. In one embodiment, the invention provides interference screws, while in other embodiments the invention provides medical fixation screws with heads and soft tissue-to-bone anchors or suture anchors. The polymeric screws may be fabricated from virtually any suitable biocompatible polymers or composites, including bioabsorbable polymers and their composites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew Richards, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolaas J. Ballintyn, Tom Barker, Abraham Salehi, Hansen A. Yuan, Bryan Hildebrand