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).
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Patent number: 11962631Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 9, 2023Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
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Publication number: 20230370510Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
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Patent number: 11689593Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 23, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
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Publication number: 20220116440Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Inventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
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Patent number: 11245739Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 18, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
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Publication number: 20200396272Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2020Publication date: December 17, 2020Inventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
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Patent number: 10728299Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 26, 2016Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
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Publication number: 20170085611Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
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Patent number: 9357021Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
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Publication number: 20140280702Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Tom Barker, Michael Chen
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Publication number: 20090190353Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2006Publication date: July 30, 2009Inventor: Tom Barker
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Patent number: 7455429Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 3, 2003Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Smartslab LimitedInventor: Tom Barker
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Publication number: 20070008259Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2006Publication date: January 11, 2007Inventor: Tom Barker
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Publication number: 20060168853Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2003Publication date: August 3, 2006Inventor: Tom Barker
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Patent number: 6667089Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 30, 2000Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: B Consultants LimitedInventor: Tom Barker
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Patent number: 5584836Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 5, 1996Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Assignee: Smith & Nephew Richards, Inc.Inventors: Nicolaas J. Ballintyn, Tom Barker, Abraham Salehi, Hansen A. Yuan, Bryan Hildebrand