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).

  • Publication number: 20250153561
    Abstract: A method of making 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: July 2, 2024
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    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: 20250071870
    Abstract: A method of controlling a color of a light provided by a light fixture includes obtaining measured color values of first lights and measured color values of second lights. The method includes determining a resultant color of a first light beam at least based on the measured color values of the first lights and determining a resultant color of a second light beam at least based on the measured color values of the second lights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventor: JAMES WILLIAM PRESTON
  • Publication number: 20250071875
    Abstract: A method of controlling light beam angles of light beams provided by a light fixture includes obtaining a narrowest and a widest beam angle values of a beam angle of a first light beam provided by a first cluster of LED-optics units and obtaining a narrowest and a widest beam angle values of a beam angle of a second light beam provided by a second cluster of LED-optics units. The method also includes controlling the first and second clusters of LED-optics units such that the beam angles of the first light beam and the second light beam are bound by a smaller one of the narrowest beam angle values of the beam angles of the first light beam and the second light beam and by a smaller one of the widest beam angle values of the beam angles of the first light beam and the second light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventor: JAMES WILLIAM PRESTON
  • Patent number: 12190666
    Abstract: A user identification system includes one or more processors configured to receive a first indication of a vehicle identity of a vehicle at an entrance of a location and retrieve a user profile associated with the vehicle identity from a user profile database. The user profile includes one or more user identities of one or more users authorized to enter the location. The one or more processors are configured to receive a second indication of a current user identity of a current user positioned in the vehicle, determine that the current user identity corresponds to a particular user identity of the one or more user identities, and output a control signal indicative of instructions to enable access to the location in response to the current user identity corresponding to the particular user identity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: William Preston Culbertson, Gregory David Hansen, Mark Anthony Lopez, Will Kerns Maney, Keegan Patrick Hayes, Steven Michael Bernstein
  • Patent number: 12135122
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to in grade light fixtures and recessed luminaires and subassemblies thereof, including, for example, a heat sink and pivot for a recessed luminaire, a gasket for the recessed luminaire, and an outer box and cover for installation of the recessed luminaire. The recessed luminaire comprises: a housing having an internal surface; and a light subassembly engaged with a thermally conductive body, the light subassembly having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the light subassembly is pivotally secured to a pivot arranged on, in, or proximate to the internal surface of the housing. The thermally conductive body is in thermal contact with the internal surface of the housing. The recessed luminaire further comprises a dehumidifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING, B.V.
    Inventors: Zachary Robert Wessner, Raymond Andrew Debruin, Bradford Thomas Kolsky, James William Preston, Robert Wilson Timmerman, Eric Anthony Roth
  • Patent number: 12101856
    Abstract: A method of driving a plurality of LED-based light sources to provide accurate white points and saturated color points. The method includes receiving or setting a selectable target chromaticity; determining that the selectable target chromaticity is between two vertices of the global common gamut; defining an inner region within the global common gamut; calculating a first directed distance between the selectable target chromaticity and the transition boundary of the inner region and a second directed distance between the selectable target chromaticity and a straight side of the global common gamut; and modifying the selectable target chromaticity to a modified target chromaticity within a light fixture gamut based at least in part on the calculated first and second directed distances; or generating an activation signal for driving the plurality of light sources based on the selectable target chromaticity based at least in part on the calculated first and second directed distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Isaac Goldstein, James William Preston, Hong Zhang
  • Patent number: 12067100
    Abstract: A dual wearable smart device system and a method of using the dual wearable smart device system for authenticating an electronic financial transaction are described. In one embodiment, a method for approving an electronic financial transaction using at least two wearable smart devices includes providing a first wearable smart device that is designated as a payment device for conducting electronic financial transactions. The method also includes providing a second wearable smart device that is designated as a confirmation device for confirming the electronic financial transactions by the first wearable smart device. The method includes initiating, by the first wearable smart device, an electronic financial transaction, and, approving, by the second wearable smart device, the electronic financial transaction initiated by the first wearable smart device. The method further includes authenticating the first wearable smart device to complete the electronic financial transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Kelly Q. Baker, William Preston Culbertson, II, Will Kerns Maney, Jr., Gregory David Hansen, Jerry John Maestas, Oscar Guerra, Gregory Brian Meyer, Ana Maldonado, Michelle Susan Croak, Andre Rene Buentello, Stacy Callaway Huggar, Jose L. Romero, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12059953
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 12051903
    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: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    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: 12027032
    Abstract: A sensitive area activity monitoring system is provided. A non-intrusive sensor that does not provide image, video, or audio data is used to capture data in a sensitive area that is associated with an activity. The sensor data is logged and provided to a downstream service tasked with personalizing the service based upon the logged data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: William Preston Culbertson, II, Gregory David Hansen, Mark Anthony Lopez, Will Kerns Maney, Keegan Patrick Hayes, Steven Michael Bernstein
  • Publication number: 20240215128
    Abstract: A method of driving a plurality of LED-based light sources to provide accurate white points and saturated color points. The method includes receiving or setting a selectable target chromaticity: determining that the selectable target chromaticity is between two vertices of the global common gamut: defining an inner region within the global common gamut: calculating a first directed distance between the selectable target chromaticity and the transition boundary of the inner region and a second directed distance between the selectable target chromaticity and a straight side of the global common gamut: and modifying the selectable target chromaticity to a modified target chromaticity within a light fixture gamut based at least in part on the calculated first and second directed distances: or generating an activation signal for driving the plurality of light sources based on the selectable target chromaticity based at least in part on the calculated first and second directed distances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: PETER ISAAC GOLDSTEIN, JAMES WILLIAM PRESTON, HONG ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20240133023
    Abstract: The current disclosure relates to highly homogeneous glass sputter targets with a large aspect ratio and a high relative density. The glass sputter targets have properties that are desirable for forming thin films by physical vapor deposition processes such as sputtering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicants: SCHOTT Corporation, SCHOTT AG, SCHOTT Japan Corporation
    Inventors: James Marro, Yoshio Okano, Azatuhi Ayrikyan, William Preston
  • Patent number: 11860988
    Abstract: A method and system for a one-time authentication interaction to conduct electronic financial transactions using a wearable smart ring device is described. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting, by a mobile device, that a wearable smart ring device is being worn by a user. The method also includes receiving, by the mobile device, authentication information associated with the user, and comparing the received authentication information with stored authentication information associated with the user. Upon determining that the received authentication information matches the stored authentication information, the wearable smart ring device is authorized to conduct electronic financial transactions. Additionally, the wearable smart ring device remains authorized to conduct electronic financial transactions as long as it is worn by the user. Once removed from the user's finger, the wearable smart ring device is de-authorized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Kelly Q. Baker, William Preston Culbertson, II, Will Kerns Maney, Jr., Gregory David Hansen, Jerry John Maestas, Oscar Guerra, Gregory Brian Meyer, Ana Maldonado, Michelle Susan Croak, Andre Rene Buentello, Stacy Callaway Huggar, Jose L. Romero, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11836697
    Abstract: A service tracking and guidance system includes processing circuitry configured to receive, from a location tracking device and/or an online service, usage data indicative of usage of a service by a consumer. The processing circuitry is also configured to determine a usage value based on the usage data, to receive remittance data indicative of recurring payments made by the consumer for the service, and to retrieve a usage threshold that represents a level of usage of the service that justifies the recurring payments. The processing circuitry is further configured to compare the usage value determined based on the usage data for a time period that corresponds to at least one of the recurring payments to the usage threshold and to provide an output with directions to increase the usage value or to facilitate cancellation of the service in response to the usage value being below the usage threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Reynaldo Medina, III, William Preston Culbertson, II, Susan Elizabeth Wright
  • Patent number: 11836805
    Abstract: A system comprising a plurality of sensor devices configured to acquire data related to a property and a processor configured to receive the data from the plurality of sensor devices and identify one or more hazardous conditions for the property based on the data. The processor is further configured to determine an amount of risk associated with the one or more hazardous conditions and initiate verification operations to confirm the one or more hazardous conditions in response to determining that the amount of risk associated with the one or more hazardous conditions exceeds a first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
    Inventors: William Preston Culbertson, II, Gregory David Hansen, Mark Anthony Lopez, Will Kerns Maney, Keegan Patrick Hayes, Steven Michael Bernstein
  • Patent number: 11822681
    Abstract: A data processing system may include a plurality of host servers, each server including a device processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions stored thereon and executable by the processor, wherein the computer readable medium of each server includes instructions for running one or more virtual machines. In addition, the system may include a system controller 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 the system controller including instructions for receiving commands to host two or more virtual machines on the plurality of host servers; making a determination as to which of the virtual machines share commonalities with one another; and based on the determination, providing instructions to the plurality of host servers to host virtual machines determined to share one or more commonalities with one another on the same host server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
    Inventors: Nathan Lee Post, Ryan Thomas Russell, Bryan J. Osterkamp, William Preston Culbertson, II, Courtney St. Martin, Ashley Raine Philbrick
  • Patent number: 11825638
    Abstract: A climate control system may include an electronic equipment room including one or more interior partitions dividing the chamber into two or more subchambers. The system may further include a cooling system configured to provide the subchambers with different levels of cooling, wherein at least one partition is movable from a first position defining a first subchamber to a second position defining a second subchamber in a different area of the room than the first subchamber. The system may also include a controller including instructions for controlling operation of the movable partition based on cooling requirements of the electronic equipment in the room; a first heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit and a second HVAC unit, each configured to provide cooling to a different subchamber of the electronic equipment room; and a third HVAC unit configured to provide backup for the first HVAC unit and/or the second HVAC unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
    Inventors: Ryan Thomas Russell, Nathan Lee Post, Bryan J. Osterkamp, William Preston Culbertson, II, Courtney St. Martin, Ashley Raine Philbrick
  • Patent number: 11803423
    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: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Ashley Raine Philbrick, Ryan Thomas Russell, Nathan Lee Post, Brian J. Osterkamp, William Preston Culbertson, II
  • Publication number: 20230341119
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to in grade light fixtures and recessed luminaires and subassemblies thereof, including, for example, a heat sink and pivot for a recessed luminaire, a gasket for the recessed luminaire, and an outer box and cover for installation of the recessed luminaire. The recessed luminaire comprises: a housing having an internal surface; and a light subassembly engaged with a thermally conductive body, the light subassembly having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the light subassembly is pivotally secured to a pivot arranged on, in, or proximate to the internal surface of the housing. The thermally conductive body is in thermal contact with the internal surface of the housing. The recessed luminaire further comprises a dehumidifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: ZACHARY ROBERT WESSNER, RAYMOND ANDREW DEBRUIN, BRADFORD THOMAS KOLSKY, JAMES WILLIAM PRESTON, ROBERT WILSON TIMMERMAN, ERIC ANTHONY ROTH
  • Patent number: 11800690
    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: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    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