Patents by Inventor William Foster

William Foster 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: 11961128
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an event validation status are provided. A start time and at least one authorization time for each of a plurality of event components relating to an event can be received. An authorization status of each event component can be determined across a predetermined period of time, based on the start time and the at least one authorization time of each of the plurality of event components. A validation status of the event can be determined across the predetermined period of time, based on the authorization status of each event component across the predetermined period of time. Graphical information corresponding to a visual representation of the authorization status of each event component and the validation status of the event across the predetermined period of time can be generated and displayed on an electronic display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Inventor: William Foster
  • Publication number: 20240121574
    Abstract: A method of presenting data on a mobile device is provided, comprising reading a compass and an accelerometer for sensing orientation and movement of the mobile device, initiating a local geographic search or query by pointing the mobile device in a desired direction, determining a boundary for search results, the boundary based on a current location of the mobile device, providing the boundary to a server, storing (a) search rules for a given location, (b) localized storage of POI data, and (c) logic for switching the search from a macro database to a micro database, and initiating a geographic query for points of interest (POIs) that have an associated geographic position within the boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Ganesan Venkatakrishnan, William Foster, Peter Ellenby, Thomas William Ellenby
  • Patent number: 11877206
    Abstract: A method of presenting data on a mobile device is provided, comprising reading a compass and an accelerometer for sensing orientation and movement of the mobile device, initiating a local geographic search or query by pointing the mobile device in a desired direction, determining a boundary for search results, the boundary based on a current location of the mobile device, providing the boundary to a server, storing (a) search rules for a given location, (b) localized storage of POI data, and (c) logic for switching the search from a macro database to a micro database, and initiating a geographic query for points of interest (POIs) that have an associated geographic position within the boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Yellcast, Inc.
    Inventors: Ganesan Venkatakrishnan, William Foster, Peter Ellenby, Thomas William Ellenby
  • Publication number: 20240015188
    Abstract: The system provides an intermediated server that allows creation of communication channels between a first mobile device and a second mobile device based on a first identifier and a second identifier associated with the first mobile device and the second mobile device. The first mobile device or the second mobile device may sever the communication channel via the intermediated server by removing the first identifier or the second identifier from the intermediated server, which prevents the second mobile device or the first mobile device as the case may be from accessing the communication channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Ganesan Venkatakrishnan, Thomas William Ellenby, Peter Ellenby, William Foster
  • Publication number: 20230418889
    Abstract: A method including monitoring an amount of angular motion of an electronic device for a movement (e.g., casting motion) of the electronic device and determining that the amount of angular motion for the movement exceeds a threshold. A geographic location and a pointing direction of the electronic device may be determined for the movement. A geographic region may be determined based at least in part on the geographic location, the pointing direction of the electronic device, and a yaw component. In some implementations, the geographic region may be determined based on the amount of angular motion for the movement. The geographic region may be used as part of a search query. Places of interest corresponding to the geographic region may be determined and provided for display and selection via a user interface of the electronic device. Selectable transactions for the geographic region may also obtained and presented by the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Ganesan Venkatakrishnan, William Foster, Peter Ellenby, Thomas William Ellenby
  • Publication number: 20230393663
    Abstract: The system obtains a state of a mobile device at a first interaction time, obtain a second state of a mobile device at a second interaction time, determines a gesture based on the state and the second state of the mobile device, determines a first set of search results, via a query of a point of interest database, based at least in part on the determined the determined gesture, determines a second set of search results based a first filtering criteria; and display the first and second set of search results on the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Ellenby, Thomas William Ellenby, William Foster, Ganesan Venkatakrishnan, Peter Negulescu, John Vernagus
  • Patent number: 11790022
    Abstract: A method including monitoring an amount of angular motion of an electronic device for a movement (e.g., casting motion) of the electronic device and determining that the amount of angular motion for the movement exceeds a threshold. A geographic location and a pointing direction of the electronic device may be determined for the movement. A geographic region may be determined based at least in part on the geographic location and the pointing direction of the electronic device. In some implementations, the geographic region may be determined based on the amount of angular motion for the movement. The geographic region may be used as part of a search query. Places of interest corresponding to the geographic region may be determined and provided for display and selection via a user interface of the electronic device. Selectable transactions for the geographic region may also obtained and presented by the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Yellcast, Inc.
    Inventors: Ganesan Venkatakrishnan, William Foster, Peter Ellenby, Thomas William Ellenby
  • Patent number: 11770675
    Abstract: Interacting between users of mobile devices is provided by initiating a desired interaction at a first user device using a gesture sensed by the first user device, determining a gesture area, submitting a desired interaction request for interaction with associated users within the gesture area, and sending a notification to user devices indicating the desired interaction of the first user with one or more users of a local subset, wherein the notification identifies the first user with an identifier independent of identifiers used by the first user outside of interactions with a remote server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: YellCast, Inc.
    Inventors: Ganesan Venkatakrishnan, William Foster, Peter Ellenby, Thomas William Ellenby
  • Publication number: 20230073886
    Abstract: A method including monitoring an amount of angular motion of an electronic device for a movement (e.g., casting motion) of the electronic device and determining that the amount of angular motion for the movement exceeds a threshold. A geographic location and a pointing direction of the electronic device may be determined for the movement. A geographic region may be determined based at least in part on the geographic location and the pointing direction of the electronic device. In some implementations, the geographic region may be determined based on the amount of angular motion for the movement. The geographic region may be used as part of a search query. Places of interest corresponding to the geographic region may be determined and provided for display and selection via a user interface of the electronic device. Selectable transactions for the geographic region may also obtained and presented by the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Ganesan Venkatakrishnan, William Foster, Peter Ellenby, Thomas William Ellenby
  • Publication number: 20230042194
    Abstract: A smoke detector of the type that depends on the scattering of light by smoke particles comprising a chamber (301) configured to receive smoke particles from an environment in which the smoke detector is required to detect smoke, a source of light (202) configured to project light therefrom such that light that is received by the chamber is scattered by the smoke particles, an optical element (207) configured to receive light as has been scattered by the smoke particles, and, a photodetector (208) configured to detect at least some of the received scattered light, the smoke detector characterized in that upon receiving the scattered light, the optical element (207) is configured to selectively differentiate between required scattered light that is derived from a subset of predefined directions with respect to the angle of incidence upon the optical element and scattered light that is derived from other directions in order to thereby filter out the light that is not required and thereby redirect the required s
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel William Foster, Stephen Brown
  • Publication number: 20230044902
    Abstract: A method of presenting data on a mobile device is provided, comprising reading a compass and an accelerometer for sensing orientation and movement of the mobile device, initiating a local geographic search or query by pointing the mobile device in a desired direction, determining a boundary for search results, the boundary based on a current location of the mobile device, providing the boundary to a server, storing (a) search rules for a given location, (b) localized storage of POI data, and (c) logic for switching the search from a macro database to a micro database, and initiating a geographic query for points of interest (POIs) that have an associated geographic position within the boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Ganesan Venkatakrishnan, William Foster, Peter Ellenby, Thomas William Ellenby
  • Patent number: 11526568
    Abstract: A method including monitoring an amount of angular motion of an electronic device for a movement (e.g., casting motion) of the electronic device and determining that the amount of angular motion for the movement exceeds a threshold. A geographic location and a pointing direction of the electronic device may be determined for the movement. A geographic region may be determined based at least in part on the geographic location and the pointing direction of the electronic device. In some implementations, the geographic region may be determined based on the amount of angular motion for the movement. The geographic region may be used as part of a search query. Places of interest corresponding to the geographic region may be determined and provided for display and selection via a user interface of the electronic device. Selectable transactions for the geographic region may also obtained and presented by the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: YellCast, Inc.
    Inventors: Ganesan Venkatakrishnan, William Foster, Peter Ellenby, Thomas William Ellenby
  • Patent number: 11418908
    Abstract: A method of presenting data on a mobile device is provided, comprising reading a compass and an accelerometer for sensing orientation and movement of the mobile device, initiating a local geographic search or query by pointing the mobile device in a desired direction, determining a boundary for search results, the boundary based on a current location of the mobile device, providing the boundary to a server, storing (a) search rules for a given location, (b) localized storage of POI data, and (c) logic for switching the search from a macro database to a micro database, and initiating a geographic query for points of interest (POIs) that have an associated geographic position within the boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: YELLCAST, INC.
    Inventors: Ganesan Venkatakrishnan, William Foster, Peter Ellenby, Thomas William Ellenby
  • Publication number: 20220129960
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an event validation status are provided. A start time and at least one authorization time for each of a plurality of event components relating to an event can be received. An authorization status of each event component can be determined across a predetermined period of time, based on the start time and the at least one authorization time of each of the plurality of event components. A validation status of the event can be determined across the predetermined period of time, based on the authorization status of each event component across the predetermined period of time. Graphical information corresponding to a visual representation of the authorization status of each event component and the validation status of the event across the predetermined period of time can be generated and displayed on an electronic display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventor: William Foster
  • Publication number: 20220120492
    Abstract: A refrigeration cabinet assembly for a refrigeration appliance (1) comprises a cabinet (20) having five closed faces and an open front face providing access to an interior of the cabinet. A lateral stiffening arrangement (50, 51) is provided within the cabinet to resist bending or bowing of the side walls, particularly when the cabinet includes upper and lower compartments, the upper compartment having a door hinged to the cabinet. The lateral stiffening arrangement reduces door droop. A torsionally stiff structure may also be fixed to one of the five closed faces (23) or a structure (31) could be added to one of the five closed faces (23) so that together with that closed face a torsionally stiff structure results. The torsional stiffness of the assembly is thereby increased beyond that of the cabinet alone so that the insulated cabinet has an improved ability to resist twisting, further reducing door droop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Carl Lee BICKEL, Richard WONG, Ian Campbell MCGILL, Kenneth William FOSTER, Yunchao HOU
  • Patent number: 11227317
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an event validation status are provided. A start time and at least one authorization time for each of a plurality of event components relating to an event can be received. An authorization status of each event component can be determined across a predetermined period of time, based on the start time and the at least one authorization time of each of the plurality of event components. A validation status of the event can be determined across the predetermined period of time, based on the authorization status of each event component across the predetermined period of time. Graphical information corresponding to a visual representation of the authorization status of each event component and the validation status of the event across the predetermined period of time can be generated and displayed on an electronic display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Inventor: William Foster
  • Patent number: 11168935
    Abstract: A refrigeration cabinet assembly for a refrigeration appliance (1) comprises an insulated cabinet (20) having five closed faces and an open front face providing access to an interior of the cabinet. A torsionally stiff structure fixed to one of the five closed faces (23) or a structure (31) is added to one of the five closed faces (23) so that together with that closed face a torsionally stiff structure results. The torsional stiffness of the assembly is thereby increased beyond that of the cabinet alone so that the insulated cabinet has an improved ability to resist twisting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventors: Richard Wong, Ian Campbell McGill, Kenneth William Foster, Yunchao Hou
  • Patent number: 11032409
    Abstract: Interacting between users of mobile devices is provided by initiating a desired interaction at a first user device using a gesture sensed by the first user device, determining a gesture area, submitting a desired interaction request for interaction with associated users within the gesture area, and sending a notification to user devices indicating the desired interaction of the first user with one or more users of a local subset, wherein the notification identifies the first user with an identifier independent of identifiers used by the first user outside of interactions with a remote server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: YELLCAST, INC
    Inventors: Ganesan Venkatakrishnan, William Foster, Peter Ellenby, Thomas William Ellenby
  • Publication number: 20210140703
    Abstract: A refrigeration cabinet assembly for a refrigeration appliance (1) comprises an insulated cabinet (20) having five closed faces and an open front face providing access to an interior of the cabinet. A torsionally stiff structure fixed to one of the five closed faces (23) or a structure (31) is added to one of the five closed faces (23) so that together with that closed face a torsionally stiff structure results. The torsional stiffness of the assembly is thereby increased beyond that of the cabinet alone so that the insulated cabinet has an improved ability to resist twisting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Richard WONG, Ian Campbell MCGILL, Kenneth William FOSTER, Yunchao HOU
  • Patent number: 10856106
    Abstract: A method of presenting data on a mobile device is provided, comprising reading a compass and an accelerometer for sensing orientation and movement of the mobile device, initiating a local geographic search or query by pointing the mobile device in a desired direction, determining a boundary for search results, the boundary based on a current location of the mobile device, providing the boundary to a server, storing (a) search rules for a given location, (b) localized storage of POI data, and (c) logic for switching the search from a macro database to a micro database, and initiating a geographic query for points of interest (POIs) that have an associated geographic position within the boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: yellCast, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatakrishnan Ganesan, William Foster, Peter Ellenby, Thomas William Ellenby