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Mcgill, CA

Christopher Mcgill, San Diego, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120019671Advanced Magnification Device and Method for Low-Power Sensor Systems - A system and method is provided for enabling an advanced optical magnification (zooming) function for low-power sensors, such as a remote wireless camera, using electronic methods and enabling that magnification be performed in any part of the imager. An image sensor has a set of imager pixels that have a defined field of view. A display device is also provided, which has a far lower resolution than the imager. A magnification level is selected, which results in macroblocks being defined for the sensor. A display data value is generated for each macroblock, and the set of display data values is used to drive a data display. The area of magnification is flexibly selected on the imager. As the magnification level is increased, the number of imager pixels in each macroblock decrease, enabling the display to present increasingly higher resolution images. Accordingly, an aesthetically pleasing magnification function is provided for a low-power, battery operated mobile environment.01-26-2012

Eric Mcgill, San Francisco, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20130103553METHOD FOR ESTIMATING FLOWS BETWEEN ECONOMIC ENTITIES - In economic networks, it is not currently possible to observe all flows between entities. Only a portion of relationships between firms is known publicly, and only a portion of those relationships is assigned values through reporting requirements by the regulating public institutions. Therefore, obtaining a plurality of documents that describe companies and their known connections through public sources will necessarily result in an incomplete matrix of customer-supplier relationships containing some mixture of known relationships with known values, known relationships with unknown values, and unknown relationships with unknown values. A method and system is presented to obtain a best estimate of all unknown values given the known information in the network, including an amount that is assigned to unknown entities to be discovered later.04-25-2013

James C. Mcgill, Union City, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090065068EMERGENCY GAS AND ELECTRICITY SHUTOFF APPARATUS AND CONTROL SYSTEM - A gas meter installation including gas supply plumbing and point of use plumbing will have a gas meter therebetween. A valve can be installed with the gas meter for shutting off the flow of gas to the point of use. This valve is preferably a gate valve mounted with the a gas meter, and can be retrofitted into existing installations, or installed with the new plumbing installation. The valve can be shut off by remote activation for example due to a seismic sensor causing a controller to send a signal to activate the valve. The control can also interact with electricity shut off apparatus, automatic meter reading apparatus and point of use security systems.03-12-2009
20110089353SEISMIC SAFETY VALVE AND VALVE ACTUATOR - A safety valve is positioned in supply plumbing that supplies a fluid medium such as natural gas to a point of use structure such as a home. A mechanical actuator is provided remote from the safety valve but mechanically connected to the safety valve. This allows the actuator to be positioned, for example, directly on the point of use structure, avoiding the need for separate bracing for the valve. The valve can be provided with a tee fitting or can be a separate gate valve. The mechanical actuator can be actuated by seismic disturbance, manually, or by activation by remote sensor or home security system.04-21-2011
20110320078SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RETROFITTING COMBUSTIBLE FUEL VEHICLES TO A PLUG-IN ELECTRIC HYBRID12-29-2011
20130104999ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR A VALVE AND AN ELECTRIC SWITCH HAVING AN ACTUATOR05-02-2013

Patent applications by James C. Mcgill, Union City, CA US

M. Daniel Mcgill, La Habra Heights, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120145933LIQUID FILLED PRESSURE/VACUUM VALVE FOR PETROLEUM UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS - A liquid filled pressure/vacuum valve for underground storage tanks has a body having an inlet coupled to the UST and an outlet coupled to atmosphere. The valve has a suction zone disposed in the body and fluidly coupled to the inlet. The valve has a pressure zone disposed in the body and fluidly coupled to the outlet, with the suction zone in fluid communication with the pressure zone. The valve has a separator disposed in fluid communication with the outlet and the pressure zone, and a fluid that flows between the suction zone and pressure zone. The flow of fluid is determined by an increased force due to a pressure differential between the suction zone and pressure zone.06-14-2012

Michael Mcgill, Lake Forest, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20130078081VAFN SYSTEMS WITH IMPROVED DRIVE COUPLING ASSEMBLIES AND BRAKES - An actuation system is provided for a variable area fan nozzle assembly of an aircraft. The actuation system includes a motor configured to generate a torque; a nozzle; and a drive coupling assembly coupled to the motor and the nozzle. The drive coupling assembly includes a first position in which the torque from the motor is transferred to the nozzle to translate the nozzle and a second position in which the torque from the motor is not transferred to the nozzle. The drive coupling assembly includes a first end portion and a second end portion, the first and second end portions mating with one another in the first position and disengaged from one another in the second position.03-28-2013
20130145743CASE ASSEMBLY WITH FUEL DRIVEN ACTUATION SYSTEMS - A thrust reverser actuation system (TRAS) for a case assembly of an aircraft is provided. The TRAS includes a fuel-driven motor; one or more actuators coupled to the fuel-driven motor; and a transcowl coupled to the actuators such that the fuel-driven drives the transcowl during operation.06-13-2013
20130145768CASE ASSEMBLY WITH FUEL OR HYDRAULIC DRIVEN VAFN ACTUATION SYSTEMS - A variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) system for an aircraft is provided. The VAFN system includes a fluid-driven motor configured to receive a fluid; one or more actuators coupled to the fluid-driven motor; and a nozzle assembly coupled to the actuators such that the motor drives the nozzle assembly during operation.06-13-2013
20130146708CASE ASSEMBLIES WITH COMMON CONTROLS - A case assembly for an aircraft is provided. The assembly includes a thrust reverser actuation system (TRAS) configured to provide braking assistance to the aircraft; a variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) system configured to adjust an engine exhaust of the aircraft; and a common control group coupled to the TRAS and the VAFN system for controlling operation of the TRAS and the VAFN system.06-13-2013

Scott Mcgill, San Ramon, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080319445Apparatus and methods for delivering compounds into vertebrae for vertebroplasty - An apparatus for delivering bone cement into a vertebra, includes a cannula, a delivery device in communication with the cannula and a pressure delivery device in communication with the delivery device. The pressure delivery device provides an actuating force that acts either directly or through a medium to cause a flowable compound to be delivered from the delivery device to the cannula and into the vertebra. The pressure delivery device causes a pressurized compound to be delivered, the pressurized compound may be liquid or gaseous CO12-25-2008
20090062726MEDICAL IMPLANT DETACHMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An implant assembly comprises an elongated pusher member, and an implantable device (e.g., a vaso-occlusive device) mounted to the distal end of the pusher member. The implant assembly further comprises an electrolytically severable joint disposed on the pusher member, wherein the implantable device detaches from the pusher member when the severable joint is severed, and a return electrode carried by the distal end of the pusher member (e.g., a coil disposed about the pusher member) in proximity to, but electrically isolated from, the severable joint. The implant assembly further comprises a terminal carried by the proximal end of the pusher member in electrical communication with the severable joint.03-05-2009
20120172869METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TREATING TISSUE - The invention provides a system and method for achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis or other areas of tissue in an effective, non-invasive manner using an array of electrodes. Systems described herein allow for improved treatment of tissue. Additional variations of the system include array of electrodes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.07-05-2012
20120271344MEDICAL IMPLANT DETACHMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An implant assembly comprises an elongated pusher member, and an implantable device (e.g., a vaso-occlusive device) mounted to the distal end of the pusher member. The implant assembly further comprises an electrolytically severable joint disposed on the pusher member, wherein the implantable device detaches from the pusher member when the severable joint is severed, and a return electrode carried by the distal end of the pusher member (e.g., a coil disposed about the pusher member) in proximity to, but electrically isolated from, the severable joint. The implant assembly further comprises a terminal carried by the proximal end of the pusher member in electrical communication with the severable joint.10-25-2012

Patent applications by Scott Mcgill, San Ramon, CA US

Scott A. Mcgill, San Ramon, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090112205CARTRIDGE ELECTRODE DEVICE - The invention provides a system and method for achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis or other areas of tissue in an effective, non-invasive manner using an array of electrodes. Systems described herein allow for improved treatment of tissue. Additional variations of the system include array of electrodes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.04-30-2009
20090156958DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PERCUTANEOUS ENERGY DELIVERY - The invention provides a system and method for percutaneous energy delivery in an effective, manner using one or more probes. Additional variations of the system include array of probes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.06-18-2009
20100010480DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PERCUTANEOUS ENERGY DELIVERY - The invention provides a system and method for percutaneous energy delivery in an effective, manner using one or more probes. Additional variations of the system include array of probes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.01-14-2010
20100010484DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PERCUTANEOUS ENERGY DELIVERY - The invention provides a system and method for percutaneous energy delivery in an effective, manner using one or more probes. Additional variations of the system include array of probes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.01-14-2010
20100010486DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PERCUTANEOUS ENERGY DELIVERY - The invention provides a system and method for percutaneous energy delivery in an effective, manner using one or more probes. Additional variations of the system include array of probes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.01-14-2010
20100204694DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PERCUTANEOUS ENERGY DELIVERY - The invention provides a system and method for percutaneous energy delivery in an effective, manner using one or more probes. Additional variations of the system include array of probes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.08-12-2010
20100204695METHODS FOR APPLYING ENERGY TO TISSUE USING A GRAPHICAL INTERFACE - The invention provides a system and method for percutaneous energy delivery in an effective, manner using one or more probes. Additional variations of the system include array of probes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.08-12-2010
20120226336METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TREATING TISSUE - The invention provides a system and method for achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis or other areas of tissue in an effective, non-invasive manner using an array of electrodes. Systems described herein allow for improved treatment of tissue. Additional variations of the system include array of electrodes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.09-06-2012
20120240940DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING MAGNETIC FORCE SYSTEMS AFFECTING THE TOUNGUE OR HYOID MUSCCLES IN THE UPPER AIRWYA - Systems and methods are provided for resisting posterior movement of the tongue during sleep, thereby keeping an airway open. The systems and methods employ a first structure that can be placed either in or on a tongue within an oral cavity and/or in a region of hyoid muscle. The first structure includes a ferromagnetic material. The systems and methods employ a second structure that can be placed either in or on external tissue outside the oral cavity and/or in or on external tissue outside the oral cavity in a desired relationship with the first structure. The second structure includes a magnetic material that magnetically interacts with the ferromagnetic material by attracting the ferromagnetic material, thereby resisting posterior movement of the tongue.09-27-2012
20140135877METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TREATING TISSUE - The invention provides a system and method for achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis or other areas of tissue in an effective, non-invasive manner using an array of electrodes. Systems described herein allow for improved treatment of tissue. Additional variations of the system include array of electrodes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.05-15-2014

Patent applications by Scott A. Mcgill, San Ramon, CA US

Susan Mcgill, Redwood City, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080207357COMBINED RANGE AND TAG FINDER - A combined range and tag finder for determining distances to objects in an environment is described. Such a combined range and tag finder includes a system for determining distances to objects on a golf course and for finding golf balls for use with a system for finding golf balls. In the case of one exemplary integrated device, the device has at least two receivers, one to receive an RFID signal from the golf ball, another to receive a signal for positioning of the device location. At least one processor is coupled to both the receivers and can determine at least a direction and/or distance of the device from an object on the golf course. Other embodiments of a combined range and tag finder are also described.08-28-2008
20090017944APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS RELATING TO AUTOMATIC GOLF DATA COLLECTING AND RECORDING - In one exemplary embodiment, an integrated GPS device & RFID transceiver is used with passive RFID tagged golf balls and clubs and sequences of events and rules that enable accurate automatic golf data collection. Active tags may also be used in place of passive tags.01-15-2009
20090111602APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS RELATING TO SEMI-AUTOMATIC GOLF DATA COLLECTING AND RECORDING - Apparatuses, methods and systems relating to golf data collecting and recording are described. In one embodiment an apparatus on a golf club includes an integrated reminder and a stroke cancellation system and is semi-automatic in that the recording of the stroke is directly in response to changing the state (e.g. activating) of a switch which indicates that the golfer has pressed a button on the golf club. The pressing of the button indicates that the golfer will or has taken a stroke with the golf club and that the stroke is to be recorded, optionally with the location of the stroke and an identifier of the club (e.g. 9 iron).04-30-2009
20090314423APPARATUSES AND METHODS RELATING TO FINDABLE BALLS - Golf balls for use with a system for finding golf balls and methods for making such golf balls. In the case of one exemplary golf ball, the ball includes a shell, a core material and a tag having a diode which is coupled to an antenna which has at least a portion formed from an elastic conductive material, such as an elastic conductive ink. The core material may include a void for receiving at least part of the diode. Other golf balls are described and methods for making balls are also described.12-24-2009
20100293777METHODS AND APPARATUSES RELATING TO FINDABLE BALLS - Golf balls and methods and systems for manufacturing golf balls. In one exemplary embodiment, a portion of a golf ball comprises a core material having a void, a semiconductor component disposed at least partially in the void, and a filler material in the void and surrounding the semiconductor component, the filler material being placed in the void in a liquid state and occupying a first volume in the liquid state and the filler material transforming into a solid state which occupies substantially the first volume. Methods for manufacturing golf balls and fixtures and apparatuses for manufacturing golf balls are also described.11-25-2010
20100308105GOLF CLUB APPARATUSES AND METHODS - Apparatuses, methods and systems related to an improved golf data collecting and golf club notification system. The system reminds golfers when a club has been mistakenly left behind on the golf course and notifies the golfer when a golf club or clubs are in or out of the golf bag. The system can notify a golfer if a club or golf bag has been removed without authorization. In one preferred embodiment an apparatus that attaches to a golf club includes dual light sensors—one light sensor configured as a switch and one light sensor configured as a light meter. Algorithms make use of the light sensor data to determine whether a golf club is in or out of a golf bag.12-09-2010
20120139729GOLF CLUB APPARATUSES AND METHODS - Methods, apparatuses, machine readable non-transitory storage media, and systems which process measured light values in order to determine the status of a golf club relative to a golf club bag are described. In one embodiment, a system uses a floating threshold, which is between a running bright average and a running dark average, to determine whether to add a current light meter value to one or the other of these running averages. In another embodiment, a system resets or re-seeds the running averages so that re-seeded averages are used after exiting from a sleep state such as a dark sleep state. In another embodiment, a system uses light sensor information or other sensor information to determine when a club is in use. In another embodiment, an active golf ball tag includes a sensor (e.g. one or more impact sensors) to detect when a golf ball is hit and to cause an RF transmitter to transmit an RF signal to an RFID reader.06-07-2012
20120142443GOLF CLUB APPARATUSES AND METHODS - Methods, apparatuses, machine readable non-transitory storage media, and systems which process measured light values in order to determine the status of a golf club relative to a golf club bag are described. In one embodiment, a system uses a floating threshold, which is between a running bright average and a running dark average, to determine whether to add a current light meter value to one or the other of these running averages. In another embodiment, a system resets or re-seeds the running averages so that re-seeded averages are used after exiting from a sleep state such as a dark sleep state. In another embodiment, a system uses light sensor information or other sensor information to determine when a club is in use. Other embodiments are also described.06-07-2012
20120249330GOLF DATA RECORDER WITH INTEGRATED MISSING CLUB REMINDER AND THEFT PREVENTION SYSTEM - Apparatuses, methods and systems relating to at least one or more of golf club reminding and golf data collecting and recording. In one embodiment an apparatus on a golf club includes an integrated reminder and a stroke cancellation system and is semi-automatic in that the recording of the stroke is directly in response to changing the state (e.g. activating) of a switch which indicates that the golfer has pressed a button on the golf club. The pressing of the button indicates that the golfer will or has taken a stroke with the golf club and that the stroke is to be recorded, with the location of the stroke and an identifier of the club (e.g. 9 iron). The system may also be equipped with a missing club reminder and theft prevention function that notifies the golfer is a golf club has been left behind or if a club or golf bag has been removed without authorization.10-04-2012
20120313758METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR ACTIVATING AND POWERING RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION TAGS AND LABELS - Methods and apparatuses for activating and powering RFID labels and tags are described herein. A label is activated from an “off” mode in response to receiving an activating signal. The label may include an integrated circuit and one or more powering devices coupled to the IC. The one or more powering devices may include a rechargeable battery, a solar power device, a non-rechargeable battery, or any combination thereof In one embodiment, a power from at least one of the one or more powering devices is provided to the integrated circuit in response to receiving of the activating signal.12-13-2012
20130144411GOLF CLUB APPARATUSES AND METHODS - Methods and systems for managing golf clubs and for collecting golf data, such as golf strokes, are described. In one embodiment, a golf data collection system includes a golf accessory worn on the golfer's wrist, such as a watch, equipped with a GPS receiver, impact sensing and motion sensing means, and a transceiver to communicate with golf club tags (e.g. at 2.4 GHz such as Bluetooth). The golf accessory senses the motion of the golf club being swung by the golf and/or senses the impact of the golf club striking the golf ball. When swinging motion or impact is sensed the device uses the transceiver to communicate with golf club tags. The closest golf club (i.e. the club in the golfer's hand during the swing) is captured as the club used by the swing based on RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator). Other embodiments are also described.06-06-2013
20140197951GOLF CLUB GRIP WITH USER NOTIFICATION AND TRACKING CAPABILITY - Methods and apparatuses related to golf club grips with attached or embedded RFID tags are described. In an embodiment, a RFID tag is attached to or embedded into a golf club grip and a RFID reader incorporated into a personal computing device may read or capture information associated with the RFID tag. The device may be configured to provide notifications to the golfer based on the captured information.07-17-2014
20140235364GOLF CLUB GRIP WITH RFID ASSEMBLY - Methods and apparatuses related to golf club grips with attached or embedded RFID tags are described. In an embodiment, a RFID tag is attached to or embedded into a golf club grip in a manner that does not compromise either the functionality or aesthetics of the grip. In an embodiment, the embedded or attached RFID tag is located in the butt-end of the grip, perpendicular to the shaft of the golf club.08-21-2014
20140329613GOLF DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM WITH RFID IN GOLF CLUB - A golf data collection system can use a near field communication system in a data processing application to record golf club identifiers and golf strokes, taken (with the identified club) at GPS identified positions.11-06-2014
20150020377APPARATUSES AND METHODS RELATING TO FINDABLE BALLS - Golf balls for use with a system for finding golf balls and methods for making such golf balls. In the case of one exemplary golf ball, the ball includes a shell, a core material and a tag having a diode which is coupled to an antenna which has at least a portion formed from an elastic conductive material, such as an elastic conductive ink. The core material may include a void for receiving at least part of the diode. Other golf balls are described and methods for making balls are also described.01-22-2015

Patent applications by Susan Mcgill, Redwood City, CA US

Terri Mcgill, Roseville, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100275011METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURE COMMUNICATIONS - The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a trusted service provider (TSP) which assists with the secure exchange of data across the public switched telephone network. Communications are routed via a TSP, which uses cryptographic techniques to conceal the identities (e.g., telephone numbers) of the call initiator and call recipient, thereby preventing traffic analysis attacks. The TSP also performs cryptographic handshakes with the call initiator and call recipient to authenticate callers. The TSP further provides cryptographic keying material which communicants may use to help protect communications and to directly authenticate and identify each other. Although the TSP is trusted to negotiate the connection and is involved in the process, the communicants can perform their own key agreement and authentication for protecting data routed via the TSP.10-28-2010

Tim Mcgill, San Francisco, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100203210TOMATO SWEET INFUSION PROCESS - A tomato sweet infusion process involves heating sliced tomato sections in a bath of high fructose corn syrup, water, citric acid and ascorbic acid. The tomato sections in the bath are subjected to cycles of negative pressure and atmospheric pressure and then spread on a drying tray. The tomato sections are dehydrated to a moisture content of between twelve and twenty percent, preferably between fourteen percent and eighteen percent.08-12-2010
20100203223PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING SUN-DRIED TOMATOES UTILIZING VINEGAR - In a process for manufacturing sun-dried tomatoes, sliced tomatoes are soaked in a batch formulation of vinegar at a ratio of four pounds of tomatoes to one gallon of vinegar. The vinegar-soaked tomato sections are dehydrated at 130° F. for sixteen hours. The dehydrated tomato sections are then placed in a sunlight environment and the moisture content is reduced to a range of fourteen percent to twenty-two percent.08-12-2010
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