Patents by Inventor Tom O'Connor

Tom O'Connor 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: 20150258578
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cleaning a surface contaminated with a hazardous drug product involving cleaning in succession with a quaternary ammonium solution and an isopropyl alcohol solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: William Zamboni, Tom O'Neill, Stephen Eckel
  • Patent number: 9053180
    Abstract: An approach is provided for identifying a solution to a problem where the problem and solution are in different disciplines. First data elements in common between first and second ontologies are determined and second data elements in common between first and third ontologies are determined. Based on the number of first data elements exceeding a threshold value and the number of second data elements not exceeding the threshold value, a bridged ontology is generated that merges the first and second ontologies but not the first and third ontologies. A relationship is identified between a subject, predicate and object extracted from a first data object which specifies the problem and, respectively, a subject, predicate, and object of a second data object included in the bridged ontology. Based on the relationship, the solution is identified as being the second data object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Tom O. Rojahn
  • Patent number: 8918472
    Abstract: A method and system for managing email between a sender and a recipient wherein the method and system provide the recipient with control over routing an email message, wherein the control includes predefining directions to be performed upon the receipt of an email message, and wherein the directions are dependent upon the properties of the email message. The recipient may enable or disable the control at any time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ciaran A. DellaFera, Tom O. Rojahn
  • Patent number: 8899084
    Abstract: A method of welding two workpieces together is described. A conductor in electrical communication with a pulse circuit is provided. A portion of the second workpiece is located adjacent the conductor. The two workpieces are also located together. A portion, or all, of one workpiece is welded to the other by applying a pulse current to one of the workpieces. A method of forming a workpiece is disclosed using a pulse current to move the workpiece into a desired shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Boris A. Yablochnikov, Eve S. Steigerwalt, Tom O'Neil, Jack A. Kummerow
  • Patent number: 8898154
    Abstract: A method, process, and associated systems for ranking elements of an answer set retrieved by a conceptual search engine in response to a set of queried concepts submitted as a conceptual query. A processor of a computer system orders by relevance the semantic schemas that make up the retrieved answer set by first identifying a weight of each concept in a retrieved schema as a function of relationships among the concepts in that schema, then by identifying a semantic value of each queried concept in the retrieved schema as a function of the weights, and finally by identifying a semantic value of the query in the schema as a function of the semantic values of all queried concepts. The relative relevance of each schema may then be identified as a function of the semantic value of the query in that schema.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Freddy Lorge, Tom O. Rojahn
  • Patent number: 8892548
    Abstract: A method, process, and associated systems for ranking elements of an answer set retrieved by a conceptual search engine in response to a set of queried concepts submitted as a conceptual query. A processor of a computer system orders by relevance the semantic schemas that make up the retrieved answer set by first identifying a weight of each concept in a retrieved schema as a function of relationships among the concepts in that schema, then by identifying a semantic value of each queried concept in the retrieved schema as a function of the weights, and finally by identifying a semantic value of the query in the schema as a function of the semantic values of all queried concepts. The relative relevance of each schema may then be identified as a function of the semantic value of the query in that schema.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Freddy Lorge, Tom O. Rojahn
  • Publication number: 20140330871
    Abstract: An approach is provided for identifying a solution to a problem where the problem and solution are in different disciplines. First data elements in common between first and second ontologies are determined and second data elements in common between first and third ontologies are determined. Based on the number of first data elements exceeding a threshold value and the number of second data elements not exceeding the threshold value, a bridged ontology is generated that merges the first and second ontologies but not the first and third ontologies. A relationship is identified between a subject, predicate and object extracted from a first data object which specifies the problem and, respectively, a subject, predicate, and object of a second data object included in the bridged ontology. Based on the relationship, the solution is identified as being the second data object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Tom O. Rojahn
  • Publication number: 20140284042
    Abstract: A method of controlling a heat transfer apparatus comprising the steps of: providing a heat transfer apparatus; providing a control apparatus comprising a thermal sensor configured to control operation of the heat transfer apparatus; providing a casing comprising a casing wall enclosing a casing chamber, a casing entrance, and a casing seal; and inserting the thermal sensor into the casing chamber through the casing entrance an aperture in the casing seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Tom O'Neill
  • Patent number: 8836236
    Abstract: An LED driver has a power supply configured to receive power from a power input. A primary controller configured to receive power from the power supply and output power to a power output. The power output is configured to be connected to LED lights. A dimmer provides a dimming signal, and the dimmer has an adjustable voltage circuit. An offset voltage is added to a ground path on the adjustable voltage circuit. The offset voltage can be created by a silicon diode adding the offset voltage to a transformer's secondary winding ground path on a DC regulated voltage circuit. The adjustable voltage circuit can be formed as the DC regulated voltage circuit. The DC regulated voltage circuit is a 10 VDC regulated voltage circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventors: Lee Chiang, Tom O'Neil
  • Patent number: 8819724
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for producing, distributing and presenting media presentations include identifying, providing and generating a sequence of media segments from a plurality of media presentations, optionally in combination with associated interactive services, so as to define a media channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Glassman, Michael K. Bailey, Michael G. Boyd, Tom O. Mikkelsen
  • Patent number: 8799330
    Abstract: An approach is presented for determining a value of an association between first and second ontologies, S1 and S2. A first bridge of S1 with S2 is generated. A schema S? is created from sub-schema S extracted from the first bridge by removing common concepts and relationships to the common concepts, and for each common concept to which first and second concepts have immediate links in S, by creating a new immediate link in S? between the first and second concepts. Based on an intrinsic value of S? and a strength of the bridge of S1 with S, a value of the first bridge is determined. Similarly, a value of a second bridge of S2 with S1 is determined. A value of the association between S1 and S2 is determined based on a sum of the values of the first and second bridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Haim, Freddy Lorge, Matthew A. Pantland, Tom O. Rojahn, Aruna Yedavilli
  • Publication number: 20140214787
    Abstract: A method, process, and associated systems for ranking elements of an answer set retrieved by a conceptual search engine in response to a set of queried concepts submitted as a conceptual query. A processor of a computer system orders by relevance the semantic schemas that make up the retrieved answer set by first identifying a weight of each concept in a retrieved schema as a function of relationships among the concepts in that schema, then by identifying a semantic value of each queried concept in the retrieved schema as a function of the weights, and finally by identifying a semantic value of the query in the schema as a function of the semantic values of all queried concepts. The relative relevance of each schema may then be identified as a function of the semantic value of the query in that schema.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Freddy Lorge, Tom O. Rojahn
  • Publication number: 20140127423
    Abstract: A method for protecting joined workpieces from salt or other environmental hazards is described. The method may include joining an end fitting into a driveshaft tube which results in a gap between the two. The gap may be cleaned and dried before a moisture protecting urethane coating is applied. A urethane coating may be sprayed on as the joined end fitting and tube are rotated together. The coating penetrates into the gap and extends laterally beyond the gap and is subsequently cured with an ultraviolet light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen James-Essary Springer, Tom O'Neil
  • Publication number: 20140081958
    Abstract: A method, process, and associated systems for ranking elements of an answer set retrieved by a conceptual search engine in response to a set of queried concepts submitted as a conceptual query. A processor of a computer system orders by relevance the semantic schemas that make up the retrieved answer set by first identifying a weight of each concept in a retrieved schema as a function of relationships among the concepts in that schema, then by identifying a semantic value of each queried concept in the retrieved schema as a function of the weights, and finally by identifying a semantic value of the query in the schema as a function of the semantic values of all queried concepts. The relative relevance of each schema may then be identified as a function of the semantic value of the query in that schema.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Freddy Lorge, Tom O. Rojahn
  • Patent number: 8666101
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide an enclosure for a metal-air battery assembly for an extended wear hearing aid. The enclosure includes a diffusion control element having a dimensional property configured for controlling oxygen and moisture diffusion into the metal-air battery assembly to maintain a minimum battery voltage when the hearing aid is operating and worn in an ear canal of a user over an extended period. In an embodiment, the enclosure can comprise a shell with a base end having an opening therein forming a cavity within the shell and a base cap for covering the opening of the base end. A diffusion element is disposed on the base cap. In an embodiment, the diffusion element comprises a laser drilled precision micro hole having an aspect ratio of least about four and a diameter in the range of about 10 to 15 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: InSound Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Gable, Ross Baker, Tom O'Hara
  • Publication number: 20140052759
    Abstract: An approach is presented for determining a value of an association between first and second ontologies, S1 and S2. A first bridge of S1 with S2 is generated. A schema S? is created from sub-schema S extracted from the first bridge by removing common concepts and relationships to the common concepts, and for each common concept to which first and second concepts have immediate links in S, by creating a new immediate link in S? between the first and second concepts. Based on an intrinsic value of S? and a strength of the bridge of S1 with S, a value of the first bridge is determined. Similarly, a value of a second bridge of S2 with S1 is determined. A value of the association between S1 and S2 is determined based on a sum of the values of the first and second bridges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick Haim, Freddy Lorge, Matthew A. Pantland, Tom O. Rojahn, Aruna Yedavilli
  • Patent number: 8559460
    Abstract: A dynamic bandwidth manager for determining the bandwidth available to an IP connected client device, the IP connected client device requesting access to multimedia resources from a service provider, the dynamic bandwidth manager comprising: a receiving component for receiving an IP address of an IP connected client requesting access to a resource; a requesting component for locating a nearest managed device to the IP connected client and requesting a current network management data set pertaining to the IP connected client from the located managed device; a calculation component for retrieving a previously stored set of network management data pertaining to the IP connected client and for analysing the network management data sets, in dependence on the current network management data set and the previously stored network management data sets, to calculate the available bandwidth capacity of the IP connected client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Tom O. Rojahn
  • Patent number: 8539001
    Abstract: An approach is presented for determining a value of a bridge of a first ontology schema (S1) with a second ontology schema (S2). A bridge of S1 with S2 is generated. A sub-schema S is extracted from the bridge of S1 with S2. A schema S? is created from S by removing common concepts and relationships to the common concepts, and for each common concept to which first and second concepts have immediate links in S, by creating a new immediate link in S? between the first and second concepts. An intrinsic value of S? and a strength of a bridge of S1 with S are determined. Based on the intrinsic value of S? and the strength of the bridge of S1 with S, the value of the bridge of S1 with S2 is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Haim, Freddy Lorge, Matthew A. Pantland, Tom O. Rojahn, Aruna Yedavilli
  • Publication number: 20120297000
    Abstract: A method and system for managing email between a sender and a recipient wherein the method and system provide the recipient with control over routing an email message, wherein the control includes predefining directions to be performed upon the receipt of an email message, and wherein the directions are dependent upon the properties of the email message. The recipient may enable or disable the control at any time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ciaran A. DellaFera, Tom O. Rojahn
  • Patent number: 8280965
    Abstract: A method and system for managing email between a sender and a recipient wherein the method and system provide the recipient with control over routing an email message, wherein the control includes predefining directions to be executed upon the receipt of an email message, and wherein the directions are dependent upon the properties of the email message. The recipient may enable or disable the control at any time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ciaran A. DellaFera, Tom O. Rojahn