Patents by Inventor Wayne Smith

Wayne Smith 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: 12313297
    Abstract: A tube heater for heating a fluid in an interior of the tube has a stainless steel cylindrical core. The core ranges about 3 to 300 mm in length and about 100 to 200 microns in thickness with an outer diameter of about 8 to 20 mm. An inner surface of the core has dimples and a conductive coating. A patterned resistive layer overlies the core in a thickness of about 9 to 15 microns. The resistive layer is thin- or thick-film printed about a circumference of the core. Two glass layers surround the resistive layer. Each glass layer is electrically insulative. The glass underlying the resistive layer has a thermal conductivity of more than 2 W/mK while the glass overlying the resistive layer has a thermal conductivity of less than or equal to 0.5 W/mK.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Smith, Makoto Aoki
  • Patent number: 12276532
    Abstract: A method and a system may inductively determine a position of a display screen of a computing device. Associated processes may generate a magnetic field by providing an alternating current to a driver coil, and may generate a voltage at a sensor coil in response to the magnetic field. The system and method may additionally include determining a linear position of the display screen by executing an algorithm at a processor. An input to the algorithm may include voltage data associated with the voltage generated at the sensor coil. The linear position of the display screen may correspond to a size of the display screen between a minimum size and a maximum size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventors: Gustavo James Mehas, Damla Acar, Ashley De Wolfe, Pooja Agrawal, Nicholaus Wayne Smith
  • Patent number: 12227990
    Abstract: A flanged interlocking molding is provided for use in toilet partitions or other partitions, and which eliminates the sight lines along each edge of the partition door. The flanged interlocking molding, formed of a single piece of material can be arranged on a component of the partition, such as a door and/or a pilaster. The flanged interlocking molding comprises a body portion; a first arm extending from a first edge of the body portion; a flange comprising include parallel layers of the metallic material including a first layer extending in a first direction away from the body portion, and a second layer extending from the first layer in a direction opposite the first direction; and a second arm extending from the second layer of the, the second arm including an edge arranged parallel to an edge of the first arm with a gap formed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: AMERICAN SPECIALTIES INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Hitchon, Donald Wayne Smith, Andrew Neil McCall, Matthew Stepp
  • Publication number: 20250033874
    Abstract: A handheld trash compaction apparatus for compacting trash downwardly into a trash can using a portable, handheld device includes a housing lid with a handle attached thereto, a bottom press configured to fit within the housing lid, and a drive mechanism mounted within the housing lid and coupled to the bottom press. The drive mechanism is actuatable to move in a compacting direction which urges the bottom press downwardly and outwardly from the housing lid. When actuated in the compacting direction, the bottom press is configured to compact waste into the waste container. The drive mechanism is also actuatable to move in a retracting direction which urges the bottom press upwardly and inwardly toward the housing lid. When actuated in the retracting direction, the bottom press is configured for storage within the housing lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventor: Wayne Smith
  • Patent number: 12060750
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an apparatus, such as a flanged interlocking molding for use in partitions such as restroom partitions is provided. The method comprises providing an elongated strip of a metallic material having a flat profile to a device comprising a roll former comprising a plurality of dies in series, each of the plurality of dies being configured to modify a profile of the elongated strip; and modifying the profile of the elongated strip from the flat profile to a profile comprising a plurality of profile segments separated by bends in the metallic material, by passing the elongated strip through the plurality of dies sequentially to define the profile. The profile segments include segments corresponding to a first arm, a body portion, a first flange layer, a second flange layer, a second arm of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: American Specialties Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Hitchon, Donald Wayne Smith, Andrew Neil McCall, Matthew Stepp
  • Publication number: 20240183644
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for igniting a power charge in downhole wellbore using an ignition propellant mixed with a main propellant, the ignition propellant may be concentrated at the first end of a housing where it is the majority propellant and then gradually mix with the main propellant, transitioning to a majority of the main propellant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: Hunting Titan, Inc.
    Inventors: Ty Stovall, Jeffrey Wayne Smith, Johnny Covalt, Zachary James Taylor
  • Patent number: 11998133
    Abstract: A cooking vessel according to one example embodiment includes a food receptacle for holding food during cooking. The cooking vessel includes an inner shell and an outer shell. An outside surface of the inner shell forms the food receptacle. A portion of an inside surface of the inner shell is spaced from a portion of an inside surface of the outer shell forming a sealed volume between the inner shell and the outer shell. A heat pipe is positioned within the sealed volume between the inner shell and the outer shell for distributing heat through the sealed volume between the inner shell and the outer shell. Embodiments include those wherein each of the inner shell and the outer shell includes a respective bottom wall and a respective side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry Wayne Smith
  • Patent number: 11933595
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for igniting a power charge in downhole wellbore using an ignition propellant mixed with a main propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Hunting Titan, Inc.
    Inventors: Ty Edgar Stovall, Jeffrey Wayne Smith, Johnny Covalt, Zachary James Taylor
  • Patent number: 11903472
    Abstract: A hair iron according to one example embodiment includes a first arm and a second arm movable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position. A contact surface is positioned on an exterior of the first arm for contacting hair during use. The hair iron includes a heater having a ceramic substrate and an electrical resistor material thick film printed on a surface of the ceramic substrate. The heater generates heat by applying an electric current to the electrical resistor material. The heater is positioned to supply heat to the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Alden Bayerle, Russell Edward Lucas, Jerry Wayne Smith
  • Publication number: 20240041292
    Abstract: An extraction head for a cleaning machine is disclosed for traveling along a cleaning path on a variable-height floor. The extraction head comprises a body including a floor-facing surface and an extraction aperture disposed in the floor-facing surface. The extraction head comprises a vacuum outlet in fluid communication with the extraction aperture. The extraction head comprises an adjustable-height brush positioned in front of the extraction head body along the cleaning path. The adjustable-height brush is configured to translocate upwardly and downwardly as the extraction head moves along the cleaning path on the variable-height floor. The adjustable-height brush may comprise a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The proximal and distal ends may be configured to translocate upwardly and downwardly relative to each other as the extraction head moves along the cleaning path on the variable-height floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventor: Christopher Wayne Smith
  • Patent number: 11862366
    Abstract: A method of making a heater includes an aluminum nitride base having equal to or less than 1% impurities, particularly one embodiment having none of polybrominated biphenyl, polybrominated diphenyl ether, hexabromocyclododecane, polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated paraffin, phthalate, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, and mercury. The base is fired in a heating unit before any layering. Thereafter, on a topside and backside of the base a conductor layer is layered and allowed to settle and dry before firing. Next, a resistive layer is layered on the base from a resistor paste such that the resistive layer connects to the conductor layer on the topside. The resistor paste is allowed to settle and dry and then the base with the conductor and resistor layers is fired. At least four layers of glass are layered next over the resistive layer, each instance thereof including layering a glass, drying the glass and firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Makoto Aoki, Jerry Wayne Smith
  • Patent number: 11847659
    Abstract: Methods and system for a unique coding framework used to create, manage and track instructions for documentation and dissemination of instructions, indicate a particular association or activate a given process. In one example, the present disclosure relates to the online publishing of documentation to demonstrate relationships of parties and compliance with regulatory and other requirements. The present disclosure uses URL hyperlinks, badges, watermarks, icons and visual displays that are representative of a given function and that may be identified by reference of unique coding structure. The present disclosure relates to the publishing and display of relevant visual codes or images for viewing by members of the public, (human readable) as well as machines. The present disclosure enables the tracking and measurement of uses of coded representations in public or private channels. Structured hyperlink codes allow brief messages to be sent in shortened form to instruct or deliver messages or processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: CMP.LY, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Ari Chernaik, Kristopher Wayne Smith, James Edward Graham
  • Patent number: 11842196
    Abstract: Obsoleting values stored in registers in a processor based on processing obsolescent register-encoded instructions is disclosed. The processor is configured to support execution of read and/or write instructions that include obsolescence encoding indicating that one or more of its source and/or target register operands are to be obsoleted by the processor. A register encoded as obsolescent means the data value stored in such register will not be used by subsequent instructions in an instruction stream, and thus does not need to be retained. Thus, such register can be set as being in an obsolescent state so that the data value stored in such register can be ignored to improve performance. As one example, data values for registers having an obsolescent state can be ignored and thus not stored in a saved context for a process being switched out, thus conserving memory and improving processing time for a process switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Andrew Sartorius, Thomas Philip Speier, Michael Scott McIlvaine, James Norris Dieffenderfer, Rodney Wayne Smith
  • Patent number: 11828490
    Abstract: An appliance for heating fluid includes a reservoir for holding the fluid during use. One or more ceramic heaters mount with the reservoir to heat the fluid. The heater includes electrically resistive traces thick-film printed on a substrate. The heaters optionally mount with a heat transfer element having a relatively large surface area. The heat transfer element typifies a conductive element, such as an aluminum plate of forged aluminum. The plate has cavities to retain the heaters or sections fitted about heaters. Holes through a thickness of the plate induce turbulent fluid flow as the fluid freely passes there through during use. Heater control and mounting are still other aspects of the technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Smith, David Anthony Schneider, Jichang Cao, Virgil Johnson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11825997
    Abstract: An extraction head for a cleaning machine is disclosed for traveling along a cleaning path on a variable-height floor. The extraction head comprises a body including a floor-facing surface and an extraction aperture disposed in the floor-facing surface. The extraction head comprises a vacuum outlet in fluid communication with the extraction aperture. The extraction head comprises an adjustable-height brush positioned in front of the extraction head body along the cleaning path. The adjustable-height brush is configured to translocate upwardly and downwardly as the extraction head moves along the cleaning path on the variable-height floor. The adjustable-height brush may comprise a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The proximal and distal ends may be configured to translocate upwardly and downwardly relative to each other as the extraction head moves along the cleaning path on the variable-height floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: Christopher Wayne Smith
  • Patent number: 11803389
    Abstract: A reach matrix scheduler circuit for scheduling instructions to be executed in a processor is disclosed. The scheduler circuit includes an N×R matrix wake-up circuit, where ‘N’ is the instruction window size of the scheduler circuit, and ‘R’ is the “reach” within the instruction window of the matrix wake-up circuit, with ‘R’ being less than ‘N’. A grant line associated with each instruction request entry in the N×R matrix wake-up circuit is coupled to ‘R’ other instruction entries among the ‘N’ instruction entries. When a producer instruction in an instruction request entry is ready for issuance, the grant line associated with the instruction request entry is activated so that any other instruction entries coupled to the grant line (i.e., within the “reach” of the instruction request entry) that consume the produced value generated by the producer instruction are “woken-up” and subsequently indicated as ready to be issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Yusuf Cagatay Tekmen, Rodney Wayne Smith, Douglas C. Burger, Gagan Gupta, Kiran Ravi Seth
  • Patent number: 11791074
    Abstract: A heater includes an aluminum nitride base having equal to or less than 1% impurities, particularly one embodiment having none of polybrominated biphenyl, polybrominated diphenyl ether, hexabromocyclododecane, polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated paraffin, phthalate, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, and mercury. At least one resistive trace of silver and palladium overlies the base as does a conductor of silver and platinum or palladium that electrically connects to the resistive trace to apply an external voltage to the resistive trace for heating thereof. At least four, but optionally five, layers of glass overlie the resistive trace and part of the conductor. A first two consecutive layers of the glass layers define a first glass having a solid content of more than 65% and a viscosity of 100 Pa·s or less. The following two or three consecutive layers of the five layers define a second glass dissimilar to the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Makoto Aoki, Jerry Wayne Smith
  • Patent number: 11692754
    Abstract: An ice maker includes an ice mold having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the ice mold is configured to retain water for forming ice cubes in the ice mold. The ice mold includes a plurality of ice lobes each shaped to form a respective ice cube in the ice mold. A heater assembly is positioned on the outer surface of the ice mold. In some embodiments, each of a plurality of heating elements of the heater assembly is aligned with a corresponding lobe of the plurality of lobes for supplying heat to ice cubes formed in the lobes for releasing the ice cubes from the ice mold. In some embodiments, the heater assembly includes a heater having a ceramic substrate and one or more electrically resistive traces and electrically conductive traces thick film printed on the ceramic substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Smith, Russell Edward Lucas, Calvin Dale Murphy, Peter Alden Bayerle
  • Patent number: 11676746
    Abstract: A method of making a heater includes an aluminum nitride base having equal to or less than 1% impurities, particularly one embodiment having none of polybrominated biphenyl, polybrominated diphenyl ether, hexabromocyclododecane, polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated paraffin, phthalate, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, and mercury. The base is fired in a heating unit before any layering. Thereafter, on a topside and backside of the base a conductor layer is layered and allowed to settle and dry before firing. Next, a resistive layer is layered on the base from a resistor paste such that the resistive layer connects to the conductor layer on the topside. The resistor paste is allowed to settle and dry and then the base with the conductor and resistor layers is fired. At least four layers of glass are layered next over the resistive layer, each instance thereof including layering a glass, drying the glass and firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Makoto Aoki, Jerry Wayne Smith
  • Patent number: 11669333
    Abstract: In certain aspects of the disclosure, an apparatus comprises a first scheduling pool associated with a first minimum scheduling latency and a second scheduling pool associated with a second minimum scheduling latency, the second minimum scheduling latency greater than the first minimum scheduling latency. A common instruction picker is coupled to both the first scheduling pool and the second scheduling pool. The common instruction picker may be configured to select a first instruction from the first scheduling pool and a second instruction from the second scheduling pool, and then choose either the first instruction or second instruction for dispatch according to a picking policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: Rodney Wayne Smith, Raghavan Madhavan, Luke Yen, Shivam Priyadarshi, Yusuf Cagatay Tekmen