Patents by Inventor William A. Higgins

William A. Higgins 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: 10074093
    Abstract: A system and method to facilitate word-of-mouth advertising and sales support associated with displayed media objects on distributed networks is described. The system provides one or more advocates to a network user accessing advertising of a brand, product, or service. One or more of the advocates may be socially related to the user. User interactions with the advocates are facilitated through a real-time communication network, follow-on commercial activity is tracked, and the value of word-of-mouth advocacy is captured and distributed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: EXCALIBUR IP, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher William Higgins, Marc Davis, Joseph O'Sullivan, Ronald Martinez
  • Patent number: 10033688
    Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods delivering communications associated with delivery conditions in which the occurrence of the delivery condition is determined by monitoring information received from a plurality of sources via multiple communication channels. The message delivery systems allow messages to be delivered to any “Who, What, When, Where” from any “Who, What, When, Where” upon the detection of an occurrence of one or more “Who, What, When, Where” delivery conditions. A message (which may be any data object including text-based messages, audio-based message such as voicemail or other audio such as music or video-based prerecorded messages) is delivered in accordance with delivery conditions based on any available data, including topical, spatial, temporal, and/or social data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: EXCALIBUR IP, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Eliot Davis, Marco Boerries, Christopher Williams Higgins, Joseph James O'Sullivan, Ronald Martinez, Robert Carter Trout
  • Publication number: 20180195408
    Abstract: A method and icing effects mitigation system are provided. The icing effects mitigation system includes a fluid duct configured to channel a first flow of fluid through the fluid duct from a duct opening to a rotatable member at least partially positioned within the fluid duct. The rotatable member includes a radially inner rotatable portion and a radially outer rotatable portion. The icing effects mitigation system also includes a duct member extending through the fluid duct in a direction approximately orthogonal to a direction of the first flow of fluid. The duct member is configured to channel a second flow of a second fluid therethrough that causes ice accreted on the duct member to shed on a trajectory that impacts the rotatable member at the radially inner portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: David William Crall, Charles Daniel Califf, Craig William Higgins, Erich Alois Krammer
  • Patent number: 9971842
    Abstract: A system and method for deriving income from URL based context queries. A URL based user context query is received over a network from a user, wherein the user context comprises at least one user context criteria. A query is formulated based on the context criteria so as to search for user profile data, social network data, spatial data, temporal data, topical data and context query bid data that is available via the network and relates to the context so as to identify entries in a context query bid database that relate to user context criteria. A dynamic webpage is generated having content relating to the query and advertisements associated with the selected bid are inserted into the webpage. The dynamic webpage is transmitted to the user. The advertiser associated with the selected bid is charged a fee when a user interface event relating to the dynamic webpage occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: EXCALIBUR IP, LLC
    Inventors: Rahul Nair, Marc Eliot Davis, Christopher William Higgins, Simon P. King
  • Publication number: 20180059863
    Abstract: In one aspect, a device includes a processor, a visible light detector, an infrared (IR) detector, a projector, and storage accessible to the processor. The storage bears instructions executable by the processor to actuate the projector to project calibration images onto a projected whiteboard location and receive, from the visible light detector, at least one image of the calibration images. The instructions are also executable to receive at least one image of an IR emitter on a pen from the IR detector and calibrate a location of the IR emitter with respect to the projected whiteboard using the at least one image from the visible light detector and at least one image of an emitter on the pen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Scott Wentao Li, Bruce Douglas Gress, Shayesteh Kamrani Sims, David Williams Higgins
  • Patent number: 9869770
    Abstract: Control and feature systems for processing signals from a satellite positioning system include an expert system receiver manager; a joint detection, carrier centring and bit sync acquisition subsystem; peak detection; a multi-dimensional measurement interpolation subsystem; a system for mode switching between a navigational signal; and power control module for receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Mangesh Chansarkar, Sundar Raman, Charles P. Norman, Paul A. Underbrink, Henry D. Falk, James Brown, Robert Harvey, Peter Michali, William Higgins, Gensheng Zhang, Qingwen Zhang
  • Patent number: 9805123
    Abstract: A system and method for data privacy in URL based context queries. A reference to a data object is received from a user. At least one entity that controls the data object is identified via the network. At least one permission for the data object is retrieved via the network, wherein the permission is associated with the entity that controls the data object. It is then determined, via the network, if the user is permitted to access to the data object using the permission for the data object and spatial data, temporal data social data and logical data available to the network that relates to the user and to the permission for the data object. If the user is permitted access to the data object, access is granted to the data object, and if the user is nor permitted access to the data object, access is denied to the data object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: EXCALIBUR IP, LLC
    Inventors: Rahul Nair, Marc Eliot Davis, Christopher William Higgins, Simon P King
  • Publication number: 20170200174
    Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods of ranking user interest in physical entities based on the attention given to those entities as determined by an analysis of communications from devices over multiple communication channels. The attention ranking systems allow any “Who, What, When, Where” entity to be defined and ranked based, at least in part, on information obtained from communications between users and user proxy devices. An entity rank is generated for entity known to the system in which the entity rank is derived from the information in communications that are indicative of user actions related to the entity. The entity ranks are then used to modify the display of information or data associated with the entities. The system may also generate a personal rank for each entity based on the relation of the entity to a specified user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Ronald MARTINEZ, Marc Eliot DAVIS, Christopher William HIGGINS, Joseph James O'Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9672535
    Abstract: A system and method for effectively communicating information using at least one mode of communication is described, in which information recipients proximate to a communications device within a pre-determined space and during a pre-determined time period are identified, from whom physiological state information is obtained that, when coupled with other characteristics information, is used to select from a plurality of information elements at least one information element to better target the information elements. The information element is then provided to the communications device so that it may be provided to the information recipients in the pre-determined space in a manner that is sensed by the information recipients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventor: Brian William Higgins
  • Patent number: 9626685
    Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods of ranking user interest in physical entities based on the attention given to those entities as determined by an analysis of communications from devices over multiple communication channels. The attention ranking systems allow any “Who, What, When, Where” entity to be defined and ranked based, at least in part, on information obtained from communications between users and user proxy devices. An entity rank is generated for entity known to the system in which the entity rank is derived from the information in communications that are indicative of user actions related to the entity. The entity ranks are then used to modify the display of information or data associated with the entities. The system may also generate a personal rank for each entity based on the relation of the entity to a specified user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: EXCALIBUR IP, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Martinez, Marc Eliot Davis, Christopher William Higgins, Joseph James O'Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9600484
    Abstract: A system and method for reporting and analysis of media consumption data. A request is received over a network from a requesting user for consumption data relating to at least one media object, the request comprising an identification of the media objects. Spatial, temporal, topical, and social data available to the network relating to consumption of the media object are retrieved using a global index of data available to the network. The spatial, temporal, topical, and social data available to the network relating to consumption of the media objects are transmitted, over the network to the requesting user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: EXCALIBUR IP, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Eliot Davis, Michael Spiegelman, Chris Kalaboukis, Ronald Martinez, Nicola Stefano Ghezzi, Christopher T. Paretti, Christopher William Higgins
  • Patent number: 9581085
    Abstract: Embodiments of hot streak alignment for gas turbine durability include structures and methods to align hot streaks with the leading edges of aligned first stage nozzle vanes in order to improve mixing of the hot streaks with cooling air at a stator nozzle of a first stage turbine and reduce usage of cooling air at first stage non-aligned stator nozzle vanes disposed adjacent to the aligned stator vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Bartz, Joseph Steven Bubnick, Scott Matthew Bush, Kevin Robert Feldmann, Robert Alan Frederick, Craig William Higgins
  • Publication number: 20160371390
    Abstract: A system and method for deriving income from URL based context queries. A URL based user context query is received over a network from a user, wherein the user context comprises at least one user context criteria. A query is formulated based on the context criteria so as to search for user profile data, social network data, spatial data, temporal data, topical data and context query bid data that is available via the network and relates to the context so as to identify entries in a context query bid database that relate to user context criteria. A dynamic webpage is generated having content relating to the query and advertisements associated with the selected bid are inserted into the webpage. The dynamic webpage is transmitted to the user. The advertiser associated with the selected bid is charged a fee when a user interface event relating to the dynamic webpage occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Rahul Nair, Marc Eliot Davis, Christopher William Higgins, Simon P. King
  • Publication number: 20160253712
    Abstract: A system and method for effectively communicating information using at least one mode of communication is described, in which information recipients proximate to a communications device within a pre-determined space and during a pre-determined time period are identified, from whom physiological state information is obtained that, when coupled with other characteristics information, is used to select from a plurality of information elements at least one information element to better target the information elements. The information element is then provided to the communications device so that it may be provided to the information recipients in the pre-determined space in a manner that is sensed by the information recipients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventor: Brian William Higgins
  • Patent number: 9400987
    Abstract: A system and method for deriving income from URL based context queries. A URL based user context query is received over a network from a user, wherein the user context comprises at least one user context criteria. A query is formulated based on the context criteria so as to search for user profile data, social network data, spatial data, temporal data, topical data and context query bid data that is available via the network and relates to the context so as to identify entries in a context query bid database that relate to user context criteria. A dynamic webpage is generated having content relating to the query and advertisements associated with the selected bid are inserted into the webpage. The dynamic webpage is transmitted to the user. The advertiser associated with the selected bid is charged a fee when a user interface event relating to the dynamic webpage occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Excalibur IP, LLC
    Inventors: Rahul Nair, Marc Eliot Davis, Christopher William Higgins, Simon P. King
  • Patent number: 9324096
    Abstract: A system and method for effectively communicating information using at least one mode of communication is described, in which information recipients proximate to a communications device within a pre-determined space and during a pre-determined time period are identified, from whom physiological state information is obtained that, when coupled with other characteristics information, is used to select from a plurality of information elements at least one information element to better target the information elements. The information element is then provided to the communications device so that it may be provided to the information recipients in the pre-determined space in a manner that is sensed by the information recipients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Inventor: Brian William Higgins
  • Patent number: 9260974
    Abstract: Active clearance control ejector systems and methods are disclosed. An example system may include an air ejector; an entrance pipe arranged to supply compressor bleed air to the air ejector; an inlet duct arranged to supply fan bypass air to the air ejector; and a supply pipe arranged to receive ejector outlet air from the air ejector and supply the ejector outlet air to an active clearance control system. The ejector outlet air may include a mixture of the compressor bleed air and the fan bypass air. The air ejector may include a venturi arranged to conduct the compressor bleed air therethrough, thereby drawing the fan bypass air into the air ejector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Howard Hasting, David William Crall, Craig William Higgins, Erich Alois Krammer
  • Patent number: 9093798
    Abstract: An aspect provides a combination power and data connector, including: a dedicated power connector element; and a combination data connector element separate from the dedicated power connector element, the combination data connector element providing a combination of pins for two data transmission protocols. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Howard Locker, Daryl Cromer, Joseph Michael Pennisi, Richard Wayne Cheston, David William Higgins, Thomas Kenneth Tobul, Jr., Jon Wayne Heim, Qihua Xiao, DeHong Meng, Zhigang Na, Zhang Jianhui
  • Publication number: 20150161676
    Abstract: A system and method for effectively communicating information using at least one mode of communication is described, in which information recipients proximate to a communications device within a pre-determined space and during a pre-determined time period are identified, from whom physiological state information is obtained that, when coupled with other characteristics information, is used to select from a plurality of information elements at least one information element to better target the information elements. The information element is then provided to the communications device so that it may be provided to the information recipients in the pre-determined space in a manner that is sensed by the information recipients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventor: Brian William Higgins
  • Publication number: 20150149910
    Abstract: A system and method for Context Enhanced Mapping. A request is received from a user over a network for a map comprising an identification of a physical location, and at least one criteria. The physical location is mapped. Spatial, temporal, topical, and social data available to the network relating to the physical location and criteria is retrieved using a global index of data available to the network and prioritized for inclusion based upon the user and context of the request. The map of the physical location and at least some of the retrieved spatial, temporal, topical, and social data is displayed on a display medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher William Higgins, Marc Eliot Davis, Ronald Martinez, Joseph James O'Sullivan, Christopher T. Paretti, Chris Kalaboukis, Athellina Athsani