Patents Represented by Attorney Black Lowe & Graham PLLC
  • Patent number: 8011728
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat having a backrest and a seat surface device that forms a seat surface and that is provided with a pad cover, in particular an outer pad cover, wherein the seat depth of the seat surface is adjustable. A seat depth adjustment device facilitates seat depth adjustment, the seat depth adjustment device including a first deflection device for deflecting the seat pad cover in the end region of the seat surface remote from the backrest, a flexible part that is coupled to the pad cover, and at least one second deflection device for deflecting the flexible part, the second deflection device being arranged at a distance from the first deflection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Josef Kohl, Christian Erker
  • Patent number: 8007543
    Abstract: A vacuum socket system pertaining to the field of prosthetics wherein an enhanced suspension mechanism is provided by incorporating a vacuum source, circuitry, and a power source. A virtually air-tight seal between residual limb and prosthesis allows a vacuum fit to be generated via a vacuum source. The vacuum source is in constant interaction with circuitry and software for a means of vacuum pressure control, data recordation, and other means. A sound dampening method is employed to lessen both the sound and vibration generated from the vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: OrthoCare Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: James Jay Martin
  • Patent number: 8006434
    Abstract: A stake for insertion in soil to support an item such as a plant. The stake includes primary and secondary telescoping shafts and a foot adjustably secured to the primary shaft. The primary shaft has an upper end and a lower end. The lower end is configured for insertion into the soil at a first location. The foot has a supporting protrusion for insertion into the soil at a second location removed from the first location. Retractable ties are disposed within the secondary shaft and may be extended to support a plant. An adjustable collar may provide an anchor point for additional support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Allsop, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Allsop, Eivind Clausen
  • Patent number: 8009512
    Abstract: A sonar transducer network for observing a seabed includes a controller. A first transducer assembly includes a first acoustic transducer to convert a first ping to a first electrical signal; and a first transducer processor to receive a first electrical signal from the first acoustic transducer to generate the first transducer data. At least one second transducer assembly is spaced apart from the first transducer assembly. The second transducer assembly includes a second acoustic transducer to convert a second ping to a second electrical signal. The second transducer processor receives the second electrical signal from the second acoustical transducer to generate second transducer data. A network bus communicates first transducer data and second transducer data with the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: BioSonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Acker, Assad E. K. Ebrahim, James J. Dawson
  • Patent number: 8002157
    Abstract: A waist pack includes a sleeve for removably retaining a bottle or other container. In accordance with various preferred aspects of the invention, the pack includes a sleeve configured to securely retain the bottle while at the same time allowing for convenient removal and replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventors: Keith S. Willows, Antonio Del Rosario, June Angus
  • Patent number: 7999698
    Abstract: Systems and methods for anti-collision lights on a UAV. A method for passive anti-collision lights on a Micro-Aerial Vehicle (“MAV”) including determining a location of the MAV using a flight management computer configured to fly the MAV on a programmed path using data from a global positioning system and an inertial navigation system. The flight management system transmits light activation data and selectively activates at least one navigation light located on a visible surface of the MAV using the light activation data from the flight management computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Annati, David E. Ekhaguere
  • Patent number: 7997600
    Abstract: An apparatus having a suspension system with a first part which is acted upon by a mass, a second part, and also an air spring arranged between this first part and this second part. At least one supplementary volume device for air is provided, the volume of which can be varied in a controlled manner, and also a first control device for adjusting the volume of the supplementary volume device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Erwin Haller, Jens Kolb
  • Patent number: 7997136
    Abstract: Microelectromechanical (MEMS) accelerometer and acceleration sensing methods. A MEMS accelerometer includes a proof mass, a planar coil on the proof mass, a magnet, a first pole piece positioned proximate a first side of the proof mass, and a second pole piece positioned proximate a second side of the proof mass. A magnetic flux field passes from the magnet, through the first pole piece, through the planar coil at an angle between approximately 30 degrees and approximately 60 degrees relative to the coil plane, and into the second pole piece. The first pole piece may extend into a first recessed area of a first housing layer and the second pole piece may extend into a second recessed area of a second housing layer. A method includes sensing a capacitance of a pickoff in the MEMS accelerometer and rebalancing the MEMS accelerometer by sending a current through the planar coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Dwyer, Ryan Roehnelt
  • Patent number: 7992476
    Abstract: A food chopping or slicing device preferably includes three primary components, including a lid, a blade tray, and a food reservoir. A trimming blade secures to an edge of the device to cut overlength food items. In some embodiments, a reservoir bottom is removable and the device includes orthogonal volumetric markings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Progressive International Corporation
    Inventor: Sascha Kaposi
  • Patent number: 7990630
    Abstract: Device facilitating quick and easy removal of a lens from a front side. The device includes a lens, a housing, a retention clip, an ejection block, and a fastener. The fastener passes through a hole in the housing and the ejection block. The fastener and either the housing or the ejection block have compatible threading. Rotation of the fastener in one direction causes the ejection block to release the retention clip, thereby allowing the lens to be removed. Rotation in a second direction causes the ejection block to return to a position capable of receiving the retention clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: David Robert Storch
  • Patent number: 7982658
    Abstract: Dynamic weather model systems and methods are operable to assess weather in proximity to an airborne aircraft. An exemplary embodiment receives a radar return from the weather, determines reflectivity information from the received radar return, retrieves a weather model from a weather model data base, compares the weather with the retrieved weather model and the determined reflectivity information, predicts a characteristic of the weather based upon the comparison of the weather and the weather model, and determines if the predicted characteristic is potentially hazardous to the airborne aircraft. The weather model is defined by at least one weather modeling algorithm, and is defined by at least one of a parameter and a variable parameter range residing in a weather characteristics database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Kauffman, Brian P. Bunch
  • Patent number: 7977633
    Abstract: The invention concerns a phase plate, in particular for an electron microscope, which is disposed in an electron beam path (4), comprises at least one thin film (8, 8a-h), which thin film is at least partially permeable to electron beams, wherein the thin film (8, 8a-h) comprises electrically conductive material, is connected to a predeterminable electrical voltage (12, 12a-e) and is equipped with at least one through-hole (9, 9a-c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e. V.
    Inventors: Physiker Bastian Barton, Rasmus R. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 7976714
    Abstract: Methods for producing a MEMS device from a single silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. An SOI wafer includes a silicon (Si) handle layer, a Si mechanism layer and an insulator layer located between the Si handle and Si mechanism layers. An example method includes etching active components from the Si mechanism layer. Then, the exposed surfaces of the Si mechanism layer is doped with boron. Next, portions of the insulator layer proximate to the etched active components of the Si mechanism layer are removed and the Si handle layer is etched proximate to the etched active components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Lianzhong Yu
  • Patent number: 7979383
    Abstract: A method and database for generating a report of findings of at least one abnormality evident in a medical image, the medical image including at least a portion of at least one structure of the body, the method includes retrieving a figure of the at least one structure. The retrieved figure is amended to reflect an abnormality. The abnormality is sized with respect to the figure of the at least one structure. The abnormality is placed at a location on the figure of the at least one structure according to an orientation of that abnormality in the medical image to generate an amended figure representative of the medical image for inclusion in the report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Atlas Reporting, LLC
    Inventors: Ken Steven Heilbrunn, George Andrew Miller
  • Patent number: 7978121
    Abstract: A direction finding antenna system for determining the relative bearing of a second aircraft from a first aircraft in conjunction with Distance Measuring Equipment (DME). The system includes a first antenna and a second antenna located on a top surface of the first aircraft, spaced apart along a first axis, as well as a third antenna and a fourth antenna located on a bottom surface of the first aircraft, spaced apart along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. The system further includes a transmitting, receiving, and processing system coupled to the first, second, third, and fourth antennas, wherein the transmitting, receiving, and processing system is configured to transmit DME interrogations, receive DME replies, and process the DME replies to determine the relative bearing of the second aircraft from the first aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ruy C. Brandao, James B. Jones
  • Patent number: 7975452
    Abstract: A cellular building block including a middle beam and two legs. The cellular building block having the first leg coupled to the middle beam such that the leg is perpendicular to the middle beam and a second leg coupled to the middle beam such that the leg is perpendicular to the middle beam and spaced apart from the first leg, the first leg and the second leg having an inside edge and an outside edge. Having at least one barb located on the inside edge of the first leg and on the inside edge of the second leg and further configured to lock into a recess. The cellular building blocks connect in a two dimensional or three dimensional pattern and a produce a structured material that holds itself together and exhibits beneficial characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: B. Braun Medizinelektronik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Paul Wennberg
  • Patent number: 7974762
    Abstract: A method for automatic, heat release computation in a piston engine, comprises the steps of: measuring a cylinder pressure as a function of crank angle (see FIGURE), based on said measurement; calculating a first polytropic exponent for a compression stroke (in M), based on said measurement, calculating a second polytropic exponent for an expansion stroke (in M?); for a crank angle interval between the compression stroke and the expansion stroke, performing an interpolation of the first and second polytropic exponents and performing a net heat release computation based on said interpolated polytropic exponent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Volvo Powertrain AB
    Inventor: Per Tunestal
  • Patent number: 7969558
    Abstract: A lidar-based 3-D point cloud measuring system and method. An example system includes a base, a housing, a plurality of photon transmitters and photon detectors contained within the housing, a rotary motor that rotates the housing about the base, and a communication component that allows transmission of signals generated by the photon detectors to external components. The rotary component includes a rotary power coupling configured to provide power from an external source to the rotary motor, the photon transmitters, and the photon detectors. In another embodiment, the photon transmitters and detectors of each pair are held in a fixed relationship with each other. In yet another embodiment, a single detector is “shared” among several lasers by focusing several detection regions onto a single detector, or by using a single, large detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Velodyne Acoustics Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Hall
  • Patent number: 7970611
    Abstract: Example embodiments provide a speaker authentication technology that compensates for mismatches between enrollment process conditions and test process conditions using correction parameters or correction models, which allow for correcting one of the test voice characterizing parameter set and the enrollment voice characterizing parameter set according to a mismatch between the test process conditions and the enrollment process conditions, thereby obtaining values for the test voice characterizing parameter set and the enrollment voice characterizing parameter set that are based on the same or at least similar process conditions. Alternatively, each of the enrollment and test voice characterizing parameter sets may be normalized to predetermined standard process conditions by using the correction parameters or correction models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Voice.Trust AG
    Inventors: Raja Kuppuswamy, Christian S Pilz
  • Patent number: 7964347
    Abstract: The invention provides labels for electronic detection of individual molecules. The labels are comprised of elements with different electrical properties that affect the electric current flowing through a nanoelectrode. The labels are of polymeric or filamentous structure where the elements are arranged linearly along their length. The arrangement of the elements is predetermined and combinatorial, so that a high diversity of labels can be generated in a manner that resembles barcoding on a nanoscale level. Methods for the synthesis of said barcode labels and for the binding of the barcode labels to individual molecules, their movement past a nanoelectrode, and their detection are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Krassen Dimitrov