Patents by Inventor W. Howard

W. Howard 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: 11979797
    Abstract: A mobile communication devices operates to: generate first control data to control an auxiliary device coupled to one of a plurality of home automation devices; establish a group of the plurality of home automation devices; generate second control data corresponding to the group to control the plurality of auxiliary devices associated with the group of the plurality of home automation devices; establish tasks, via user interaction with the graphical user interface, the tasks each having an associated action to be performed by one or more of the plurality of home automation devices; display a menu of the tasks; receive selection of a selected task; and generate third control data in response to selection of the selected task, transmits the third control data to the one or more of the plurality of home automation devices associated with the selected task to perform the associated action corresponding to the selected task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: THL Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Howard, Richard Cutler, Robert M. Kennard
  • Publication number: 20240139634
    Abstract: A non-fungible token (NFT) platform that includes a processor and a memory, and operates by: receiving, via the processor, player data to be associated with a player token NFT corresponding to a multiplayer game; receiving, via the processor, other data, wherein the other data includes player hierarchy data to be associated with the player token NFT; and facilitating creation of the player token NFT via a blockchain-based distributed computer network, based on the player data and the player hierarchy data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: Galiant Arts, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Meyers, Bruce E. Stuckman, John W. Howard
  • Patent number: 11968598
    Abstract: A mobile communication devices operates to: generate first control data to control an auxiliary device coupled to one of a plurality of home automation devices, wherein the plurality of home automation devices includes a thermostat, wherein the plurality of auxiliary devices includes a heat and cooling system, and wherein the thermostat is configured to control the heating and cooling system; and generate a task to control one or more of the plurality of home automation devices based on a log of operations of the one or more of the plurality of home automation devices that is generated over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: THL Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Howard, Richard Cutler, Robert M. Kennard
  • Patent number: 11960707
    Abstract: An electronic device provides, to a display, data to present a user interface that includes a plurality of user interface objects, and a current focus on a first user interface object. While the display is presenting the user interface, the electronic device receives an input that corresponds to a movement of a contact across on a touch-sensitive surface. The electronic device, in response to receiving the input and in accordance with a determination that a first axis is a dominant axis, moves the current focus along the first axis by a first amount and along the second axis by a second amount. The amount of movement of the current focus along the second axis is reduced to a first non-zero amount by a scaling factor that is based on one or more inputs received prior to receiving the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Marcos Alonso Ruiz, Nicole M. Wells, Justin T. Voss, Blake R. Seely, Matthew D. Ricketson, Henrique D. Penha, Grace H. Hwang, Graham R. Clarke, Jeffrey L. Robbin, William M. Bachman, Benjamin W. Keighran, Jennifer L. C. Folse, Jonathan Lochhead, Joe R. Howard, Joshua K. McGlinn
  • Publication number: 20240115946
    Abstract: A game system operates by: receiving character attribute selection data to be associated with a game character, wherein the character attribute selection data indicates a unique subset of a set of character attributes of a character attribute database; generating, based on the character attribute selection data, display data associated with the game character; facilitating, based on the display data associated with the game character, generation of a player token NFT associated with the game character; and preventing use of the unique subset of character attributes of the character attribute database in generating other game characters. Facilitating play of a game when the player token NFT is validated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Galiant Arts, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Meyers, Bruce E. Stuckman, John W. Howard, Brian G. Howard, Gregory Meador
  • Publication number: 20240098198
    Abstract: An image-reading device, such as optical code readers used in retail environments to scan objects, is configured to select from various operational modes. The operational modes are selected based on an application of the image-reading device, such as optical code identification or image recognition. Red, white, and other color light sources are activated in patterns corresponding to an illumination sequence of the selected operational mode, while imagers are activated to capture an image based on an exposure pattern of the selected operational mode. Further, a repeating series of light pulses having different portions of light is provided. Various imagers are configured to capture images over one of the portions. This allows an operator to perceive one continuous light pattern, yet allows various imagers to capture an image under different light conditions used for different applications of the image-reading device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: WenLiang Gao, Aric Brant Zandhuisen, Michael Jay Ahten, Robert W. Rudeen, Keith Layne Rogers, Brett Thomas Howard
  • Patent number: 11925342
    Abstract: A minimally invasive dilation device includes a plurality of rigid arms radially arrayed about a center and a dilating member positioned between the arms. A stylus may occupy the center. An outer flexible sleeve may be circumferentially secured to the arms, lying within or without the plurality of arms. An inner mesh may surround the stylus and dilating member. The device may be introduced into tissue toward a targeted area, while in a closed configuration. The dilating member may be a balloon, wherein upon inflation of the balloon, the arms are pushed radially outward, expanding the device and dilating the surrounding tissue. The dilating member may be a tube, wherein upon insertion of the tube, the arms are pushed radially outward. A cannula may be inserted inside the plurality of arms to keep the arms in an open configuration, and the dilating member may be withdrawn, providing an open passageway through the device to the targeted area. The device may be used with a neural monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: HOWMEDICA OSTEONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Corbett W. Stone, Ephraim Akyuz, Stuart M. Goble, Bryan Patrick Howard, Daniel J. Triplett, Andrew R. Fauth, Douglas M. Lorang
  • Publication number: 20240042328
    Abstract: A non-fungible token (NFT) platform operates by: receiving, via a processor, player data to be associated with a non-player character NFT corresponding to a multiplayer game; receiving, via the processor, other data, wherein the other data includes non-player character data to be associated with the non-player character NFT; and facilitating creation of the non-player character NFT, based on the player data and the non-player character data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: Galiant Arts, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Meyers, Bruce E. Stuckman, John W. Howard, Brian G. Howard, Gregory Meador
  • Publication number: 20240046250
    Abstract: A client device operates by: providing a wallet associated with the user configured to store non-fungible tokens (NFTs); reading, via the camera, an optical code associated with a game token; sending, via the network interface and in response to reading the optical code, a request to download a game token NFT associated with the game token from an NFT distribution platform; receiving from the NFT distribution platform, via the network interface, the game token NFT associated with the game token; and storing the game token NFT in the wallet associated with the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: Galiant Arts, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Meyers, Bruce E. Stuckman, John W. Howard, Brian G. Howard, Gregory Meador
  • Publication number: 20240033639
    Abstract: A client device operates by: reading an optical code associated with a coupon; sending, in response to reading the optical code, a request to download a coupon NFT associated with the coupon from an NFT distribution platform; downloading from the NFT distribution platform, via the client device, the coupon NFT associated with the coupon; and storing the coupon NFT in a wallet associated with a user of the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Galiant Arts, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Meyers, Bruce E. Stuckman, John W. Howard, Brian G. Howard, Gregory Meador
  • Publication number: 20230398460
    Abstract: A non-fungible token (NFT) platform operates by: receiving image data to be associated with a player token NFT corresponding to a multiplayer game; receiving other data, wherein the other data includes player attribute data to be associated with the player token NFT; and facilitating creation of the player token NFT, based on the image data and the player attribute data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: Galiant Arts, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Meyers, Bruce E. Stuckman, John W. Howard, Brian G. Howard, Gregory Meador
  • Publication number: 20230394455
    Abstract: An NFT system operates by: receiving a transaction request corresponding to an item, wherein the item is associated with a POS NFT minted via a blockchain, wherein the transaction request includes POS NFT identification data identifying the POS NFT, and a unique identifier associated with the item; determining when the NFT is authenticated; determining, based on the unique identifier associated with the item, when the POS NFT is associated with the item; and generating credentials data to grant the transaction request when the POS NFT is authenticated and when the POS NFT is associated with the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Galiant Arts, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Meyers, Bruce E. Stuckman, John W. Howard, Brian G. Howard, Gregory Meador
  • Publication number: 20230396442
    Abstract: An authentication system (AS) includes a radio frequency (RF) tag reader and operates by: assigning pairing data to be associated with an RF tag and a corresponding object to be authenticated wherein the pairing data includes a tag identifier, a private key, a public key, a first random number and a first AS hash based on the first random number; pairing the authentication system to the RF tag associated with the object; receiving a request to authenticate the object; when first tag hash matches first tag hash check data, generating first read event data that indicates authentication of the object; and facilitate updating, via a blockchain system and based on the first read event data, a non-fungible token (NFT) containing a registry of read events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Galiant Arts, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Meyers, Bruce E. Stuckman, John W. Howard, Brian G. Howard, Gregory Meador
  • Publication number: 20230396430
    Abstract: An authentication system (AS) includes a radio frequency (RF) tag reader and operates by: assigning pairing data to be associated with an RF tag and a corresponding object to be authenticated wherein the pairing data includes a tag identifier, a private key, a public key, a first random number and a first AS hash based on the first random number; pairing the authentication system to the RF tag associated with the object; receiving a request to authenticate the object; and when first tag hash matches first tag hash check data, generating first read event data that indicates authentication of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Galiant Arts, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Meyers, Bruce E. Stuckman, John W. Howard, Brian G. Howard, Gregory Meador
  • Publication number: 20230394548
    Abstract: An NFT system operates by receiving NFT data and NFT metadata associated with a manufacturing system, wherein the NFT metadata includes conditions data associated with use conditions; and facilitating, based on the NFT data and the NFT metadata, generation of an NFT associated with the manufacturing system; wherein the manufacturing system enables manufacture of at least one manufactured item via the manufacturing system when the use conditions are met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Galiant Arts, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Meyers, Bruce E. Stuckman, John W. Howard, Brian G. Howard, Gregory Meador
  • Publication number: 20230376069
    Abstract: Embodiment herein provides an Infrastructure article (101) and method thereof for synchronizing blinks of infrastructure articles in a mesh network. The method includes detecting an expiry of a sync timer counted by a real time clock (RTC) and determining whether a charge level of a battery (105) of the infrastructure article (101) meets a battery charge threshold. When the charge level of the battery (105) of the infrastructure article (101) meets the battery charge threshold, the method includes establishing a connection with other infrastructure article and/or an infrastructure article server (200) in the mesh network, and sending a time to synchronize blink of the at least one light source (106) to all other infrastructure articles in the mesh network. When the charge level of the battery (105) of the infrastructure article (101) does not meet the battery charge threshold, the method includes resetting the sync timer, and initiating a count of the sync timer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Lingesh Venugopalappa, Justin M. Johnson, Eric J. Larson, James W. Howard, Mark G. Mathews
  • Patent number: 11816971
    Abstract: A system, wearable device and management device provided for predicting a flashover event. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a wearable device for predicting a flashover event is provided. The wearable device includes at least one thermal sensor configured to generate thermal data associated with an environment, and processing circuitry configured to: determine a risk of ignition of at least one combustible gas in the environment based on the thermal data, and trigger at least one action based on the determined risk of ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew Long, Panagiotis D. Stanitsas, Jerome Shanko, Jr., Wesley M. Barbee, Matthew M. Shettel, Matthew Shannon, Johnathan R. Graves, James W. Howard, James B. Snyder, James L. C. Werness, Jr., Jason Patterson, Ravi Raagav Srinivas, Payas Tikotekar
  • Publication number: 20230353355
    Abstract: A game system operates by receiving a start game request for a game corresponding to a game application having a player token NFT associated therewith; generating launch metadata; sending the launch metadata to a wallet associated with a user of a client device, the wallet containing a private key associated with the player token NFT; receiving, from the wallet, a launch response that is generated based on the private key; generating, based on the launch response, ownership check data; sending the ownership check data to a blockchain system that stores the player token NFT; receiving, from the blockchain system, an ownership validation response; enabling, via the game application, play of the multiplayer game associated with the game application when the ownership validation response indicates ownership of the player token NFT is verified; and preventing, via the game application, the play of the multiplayer game when the ownership validation response indicates the ownership of the player token NFT is not ver
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Galiant Arts, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Meyers, Bruce E. Stuckman, John W. Howard, Brian G. Howard, Gregory Meador
  • Patent number: 11802795
    Abstract: An optical system is disclosed and includes an optical sensor, a plurality of photosensitive pixels disposed on the optical sensor, a wavelength-selective optical filter in optical communication with the photosensitive pixels, the wavelength-selective optical filter being disposed remotely from the optical sensor, an area disposed in the wavelength-selective optical filter, the area having a transmission spectrum different from a transmission spectrum of a portion of the wavelength-selective optical filter not in the area and a reflector, the wavelength-selective optical filter and a measurement subject each being disposed between the reflector and the optical sensor along an optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: John A. Wheatley, Mark A. Roehrig, Del R. Lawson, Tony J. Kaufman, James W. Howard, Kevin W. Gotrik, Claire R. Donoghue, Joshua M. Fishman, Jonah Shaver
  • Publication number: 20230334493
    Abstract: An NFT system operates by receiving NFT data and NFT metadata associated with a manufacturing system, wherein the NFT metadata includes conditions data associated with use conditions; and facilitating, based on the NFT data and the NFT metadata, generation of an NFT associated with the manufacturing system; wherein the manufacturing system enables manufacture of at least one manufactured item via the manufacturing system when the use conditions are met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Galiant Arts, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Meyers, Bruce E. Stuckman, John W. Howard, Brian G. Howard, Gregory Meador