Patents by Inventor William Preston

William Preston 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: 11651346
    Abstract: A system and method for performing a transaction and managing transaction data. The system and method operate by scanning an item for purchase with a point of sale system and obtaining image data of the item with an image capture device of the point of sale system during the scanning. The system and method operate by proceeding to store the image data in a memory of the point of sale system and generating, with a processor of the point of sale system, an association of the image data with purchase data acquired at the point of sale during the purchase. Further, the system and method operate by providing the association, the image data, and the purchase data to a graphical user interface, which displays the image data and the purchase data such that the image data is visually linked with the purchase data based on the association.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Reynaldo Medina, III, William Preston Culbertson, II, Susan Elizabeth Wright
  • Publication number: 20230013948
    Abstract: A catheter system for atraumatic placement along a guidewire includes: a catheter including a cylindrical catheter body that defines a longitudinally extending interior lumen; and a guide device. The guide device includes: a conduit member for insertion into the interior lumen of the catheter body; a leading structure connected to a forward end of the conduit member, the leading structure including a cone and a sleeve extending forward from the cone; and an inner guide hole extending longitudinally through the leading structure and conduit member. In use, the guide device and catheter body are coaxially arranged, the cone is forward of the catheter, and the sleeve extends forward from the cone. The cone includes a shoulder, and a tapered exterior that increases diametrically from the sleeve to the shoulder. The shoulder abuts a distal end of the catheter to register insertion of the guide device in the catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Alexander R. Thomas, Todd O. Flohr, William Preston Buchanan
  • Patent number: 11544766
    Abstract: A system includes one or more point of sale systems and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to receive purchase data for a plurality of purchases made by a purchaser via the one or more point of sale systems over a time period, wherein the purchase data includes an identifier of the purchaser, a timestamp, and a type of good. The processing circuitry is configured to determine a frequency with which the purchaser purchased a type of good over the time period based on the purchase data, determine a target time at which the purchaser should next purchase the type of good based on the purchase data and the frequency, and instruct output of a notification in response to receipt of an indication that the purchaser is attempting to purchase the type of good using the one or more point of sale systems prior to the target time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Reynaldo Medina, III, William Preston Culbertson, II, Susan Elizabeth Wright
  • Patent number: 11452849
    Abstract: A catheter system for atraumatic placement along a guidewire includes: a catheter including a cylindrical catheter body that defines a longitudinally extending interior lumen; and a guide device. The guide device includes: a conduit member for insertion into the interior lumen of the catheter body; a leading structure connected to a forward end of the conduit member, the leading structure including a cone and a sleeve extending forward from the cone; and an inner guide hole extending longitudinally through the leading structure and conduit member. In use, the guide device and catheter body are coaxially arranged, the cone is forward of the catheter, and the sleeve extends forward from the cone. The cone includes a shoulder, and a tapered exterior that increases diametrically from the sleeve to the shoulder. The shoulder abuts a distal end of the catheter to register insertion of the guide device in the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: MicroLinerTechnologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander R. Thomas, Todd O. Flohr, William Preston Buchanan
  • Patent number: 11439044
    Abstract: A system to create a dehydrating environment from the waste cooling air from a data center including a drying room above the data center. Waste cooling air dries moisture laden product in the drying room and is returned to the data center. Also, a system to distribute waste cooling air from a data center. The system includes a reservoir tank and a local tank for waste cooling air. Both tanks include insulated walls that assist in maintaining a temperature within the reservoir tank. A reservoir tank blower conveys waste cooling air from the data center into the reservoir tank and pressurizes the interior of the reservoir tank. Pressurized waste cooling air from the data center is delivered from the local tank through the blower when a blower valve is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Bryan J. Osterkamp, Ryan Thomas Russell, Nathan Lee Post, William Preston Culbertson, II, Courtney St. Martin, Ashley Raine Philbrick
  • Publication number: 20220258600
    Abstract: A composite tank for a reusable launch vehicle comprises a composite wall, having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The composite wall comprises a first end, a second end, a central axis, which passes through the first end and through the second end, and a cylindrical interior surface. The composite tank also comprises slosh baffles, formed from a second material, having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion. Each of the slosh baffles is attached to the cylindrical interior surface of the composite wall. Each of the slosh baffles is annular and is separated from the cylindrical interior surface of the composite wall by a radial gap, selected, in part, based on a difference between the first coefficient of thermal expansion and the second coefficient of thermal expansion. The radial gap is configured to change responsive to changes in temperature of the composite tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan David Embler, John Matthew Nichols, Glenn William Torres, Jacob Ryan Szczudlak, William Preston Keith, Tin Anh Luu, Morgan Ashley Lewis, Keith Charles Kreutztrager, Jonathan Edward Toomey, Juan Carlos Guzman
  • Publication number: 20220233825
    Abstract: A catheter system for atraumatic placement along a guidewire includes: a catheter including a cylindrical catheter body that defines a longitudinally extending interior lumen; and a guide device. The guide device includes: a conduit member for insertion into the interior lumen of the catheter body; a leading structure connected to a forward end of the conduit member, the leading structure including a cone and a sleeve extending forward from the cone; and an inner guide hole extending longitudinally through the leading structure and conduit member. In use, the guide device and catheter body are coaxially arranged, the cone is forward of the catheter, and the sleeve extends forward from the cone. The cone includes a shoulder, and a tapered exterior that increases diametrically from the sleeve to the shoulder. The shoulder abuts a distal end of the catheter to register insertion of the guide device in the catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Alexander R. Thomas, Todd O. Flohr, William Preston Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20220228736
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to in grade light fixtures and recessed luminaires and subassemblies thereof, including, for example, a heat sink (10) and pivot (16) for a recessed luminaire (2), a gasket (100) for the recessed luminaire (2), and an outer box (70) and cover (4) for installation of the recessed luminaire (2). The recessed luminaire (2) comprises: a housing (6) having an internal surface (18); and a light subassembly (8) engaged with a thermally conductive body (10), the light subassembly (8) having a first end (53) and a second end (54), wherein the first end (53) of the light subassembly (8) is pivotally secured to a pivot (16) arranged on, in, or proximate to the internal surface (18) of the housing (6). The thermally conductive body (10) is in thermal contact with the internal surface (18) of the housing (5). The recessed luminaire (2) further comprises a dehumidifier (90).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: ZACHARY ROBERT WESSNER, RAYMOND ANDREW DEBRUIN, BRADFORD THOMAS KILSKY, JAMES WILLIAM PRESTON, ROBERT WILSON TIMMERMAN, ERIC ANTHONY ROTH
  • Patent number: 11366702
    Abstract: A method for dynamically allocating computing resources to virtual computing machines in a shared system. An initial allocation is made for each computing resource. Current demand for each computing resource for each of the virtual computing machines is determined to identify changes in current demand. The system identifies a virtual computing machine for which usage of a first computing resource is approaching a first predetermined threshold allotted to the first virtual computing machine. The system identifies a second virtual computing machine in the system for which usage of the first computing resource is less than a second predetermined threshold of the first computing resource allotted to the second virtual computing machine. The server dynamically allocates at least part of the first computing resource from the second virtual computing machine to the first virtual computing machine to meet current demand for the first computing resource in the first virtual computing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Ashley Raine Philbrick, Ryan Thomas Russell, Nathan Lee Post, Bryan J. Osterkamp, William Preston Culbertson, II
  • Patent number: 11354155
    Abstract: A system and method for operating fewer servers near maximum capacity as opposed to operating more servers at low capacity is disclosed. Computational tasks are made as small as possible to be completed within the available capacity of the servers. Computational tasks that are similar may be distributed to the same computing node (including a processor) to improve RAM utilization. Additionally, workloads may be scheduled onto multicore processors to maximize the average number of processing cores utilized per clock cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Nathan Lee Post, Bryan J. Osterkamp, William Preston Culbertson, II, Ryan Thomas Russell, Ashley Raine Philbrick
  • Patent number: 11347534
    Abstract: A data processing system may include servers configured for running virtual machines and a system controller configured to perform the following steps: receiving commands to terminate a hosting session of one or more virtual machines hosted on the servers; making a determination as to how much processing capacity is required of the plurality of host servers to host the remaining virtual machines following the termination of one or more virtual machines; and if hosting the remaining virtual machines requires less than a predetermined amount of processing capacity, moving all other processes from one or more host servers to other host servers and changing the one or more host servers from an online mode in which the one or more host servers are fully powered up to an offline mode in which the one or more host servers utilize a reduced amount of electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
    Inventors: William Preston Culbertson, II, Ryan Thomas Russell, Bryan J. Osterkamp, Nathan Lee Post, Courtney St. Martin, Ashley Raine Philbrick
  • Patent number: 11310943
    Abstract: A system to improve cooling of rack mounted components may include a first rack mounted component including a first motherboard, the first motherboard having a first edge and a second rack mounted component disposed above the first rack mounted component; the second rack mounted component having a second motherboard having a first edge, wherein the second motherboard is similar to the first motherboard. The second motherboard may be disposed above the first motherboard, and wherein the second motherboard is angled with respect to the first motherboard so that the first edge of the second motherboard is non-aligned with the first edge of the first motherboard. In addition, the first motherboard may be arranged horizontally in a first plane and the second mother board may be arranged horizontally in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
    Inventors: Bryan J. Osterkamp, Ryan Thomas Russell, William Preston Culbertson, II, Nathan Lee Post, Courtney St. Martin, Ashley Raine Philbrick
  • Patent number: 11296510
    Abstract: A system for controlling power in a facility having an electrical system including an energy storage device and a generator and an associated fuel tank. The fuel tank provides fuel to the generator and has a gauge indicating remaining fuel. Both the energy storage device and the generator operate. The generator may be used to provide power to the facility, the energy storage device, or both simultaneously. A first power consuming device imposes a first load connected to the electrical system and second power consuming device imposes a second load connected to the electrical system. The system receives information related to the loads and calculates an initial estimated run time of the energy storage device, and information related to the first load and information related to the second load. The system selectively removes the second load in a simulation and calculates a second run time of the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: William Preston Culbertson, II, Ryan Thomas Russell, Nathan Lee Post, Bryan J. Osterkamp, Courtney St. Martin, Ashley Raine Philbrick
  • Patent number: 11270248
    Abstract: Described are systems and processes for generating dynamic effort-based delivery value predictions for real-time delivery of perishable goods. In one aspect, a system is configured for generating dynamic delivery value predictions for delivery opportunities provided to couriers. For each order, delivery events and corresponding timestamps are received from devices operated by customers, restaurants, and couriers. Based on the timestamps, the system generates a predicted delivery duration with trained predictive models that use weighted factors such as order data and historical restaurant data. A service value for the delivery of the order is determined based the predicted delivery duration and a predetermined active time value. The service value is then transmitted along with the corresponding delivery opportunity to a user device of a courier. The determined service values may be adjusted based on courier acceptance rates of delivery opportunities and other factors such as customer experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: DoorDash, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Berk, Jessica Lachs, William Preston Parry
  • Patent number: 11182226
    Abstract: A data processing system may include a plurality of host servers, each host server including a device processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions stored thereon and executable by the processor. The computer readable medium of each server includes instructions for running one or more application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Courtney St. Martin, Nathan Lee Post, Bryan J. Osterkamp, William Preston Culbertson, II, Ryan Thomas Russell, Ashley Raine Philbrick
  • Publication number: 20210264275
    Abstract: Described are systems and processes for generating dynamic estimated time of arrival predictive updates for delivery of perishable goods. In one aspect a system is configured for generating dynamic estimated time of arrival (ETA) predictive updates between a series of successive events for real-time delivery of orders. For each order, a plurality of delivery events and corresponding timestamps are received from devices operated by customers, restaurants, and couriers. Based on the timestamps, the system generates a plurality of ETA time predictions for one or more of the delivery events with trained predictive models that use weighted factors including historical restaurant data and historical courier performance. As additional timestamps are received for a delivery event, the trained predictive models dynamically update the ETA time predictions for successive events. The predictive models may be continuously trained by updating the weighted factors based on the received timestamps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: DoorDash, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Ning Han, William Preston Parry, Bing Wang, Rohan Balraj Chopra
  • Patent number: 11077625
    Abstract: Thermoplastic welding apparatus and related methods are disclosed. An example method includes providing a smart susceptor between composite parts that are to be joined via thermoplastic welding. The example method includes positioning the composite parts and the smart susceptor on a tooling surface within a cavity of a tooling apparatus and applying a seal to the composite parts and the tooling surface to form a vacuum chamber between the composite parts and the tooling surface at a welding joint of the composite parts; producing a magnetic field at the welding joint. The example method includes providing a vacuum in the vacuum chamber during a welding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Marc R. Matsen, Mark A. Negley, William Preston Geren, Robert Miller
  • Patent number: 11037055
    Abstract: Described are systems and processes for generating dynamic estimated time of arrival predictive updates for delivery of perishable goods. In one aspect a system is configured for generating dynamic estimated time of arrival (ETA) predictive updates between a series of successive events for real-time delivery of orders. For each order, a plurality of delivery events and corresponding timestamps are received from devices operated by customers, restaurants, and couriers. Based on the timestamps, the system generates a plurality of ETA time predictions for one or more of the delivery events with trained predictive models that use weighted factors including historical restaurant data and historical courier performance. As additional timestamps are received for a delivery event, the trained predictive models dynamically update the ETA time predictions for successive events. The predictive models may be continuously trained by updating the weighted factors based on the received timestamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: DoorDash, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Ning Han, William Preston Parry, Bing Wang, Rohan Balraj Chopra
  • Patent number: 11011836
    Abstract: A system for mitigating radio frequency interference includes a multiple patch antenna array including a multiplicity of patch antenna elements. The multiple patch antenna array is positioned relative to an interfering antenna such that signals from the interfering antenna cause interference with the multiple patch antenna array. The system also includes an auxiliary antenna positioned relative to the multiple patch antenna array. The system additionally includes a device to generate a spatial null in a direction to the interfering antenna from the multiple patch antenna array in response to a first signal from the auxiliary antenna and a second signal from the multiple patch antenna array. The first signal and the second signal are generated in response to a transmitted signal being received by the auxiliary antenna and the multiple patch antenna array. The spatial null permits simultaneous operation of the multiple patch antenna array and the interfering antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Postetter, William Preston Geren, Hwai-Kee Tsiang, Timothy Allen Murphy
  • Publication number: 20210142274
    Abstract: Described are systems and processes for generating dynamic effort-based delivery value predictions for real-time delivery of perishable goods. In one aspect, a system is configured for generating dynamic delivery value predictions for delivery opportunities provided to couriers. For each order, delivery events and corresponding timestamps are received from devices operated by customers, restaurants, and couriers. Based on the timestamps, the system generates a predicted delivery duration with trained predictive models that use weighted factors such as order data and historical restaurant data. A service value for the delivery of the order is determined based the predicted delivery duration and a predetermined active time value. The service value is then transmitted along with the corresponding delivery opportunity to a user device of a courier. The determined service values may be adjusted based on courier acceptance rates of delivery opportunities and other factors such as customer experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: DoorDash, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Berk, Jessica Lachs, William Preston Parry