Patents Represented by Attorney Ingrassia, Fisher & Lorenz P.C.
  • Patent number: 8350638
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes, but is not limited to, a body having a top side and a bottom side. A bottom signal plate is connected to the bottom side and is configured for capacitive coupling to a conductor of a coplanar waveguide. A bottom grounding plate is connected to the bottom side and is spaced apart from the bottom signal plate. The bottom grounding plate is configured for capacitive coupling to a grounding plane of the coplanar waveguide. A first electrically conductive pathway is electrically connected to the bottom signal plate and extends to the top side. A second electrically conductive pathway is electrically connected to the bottom grounding plate and extends to the top side. A dielectric adhesive at least partially covers a bottom portion of the connector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Carson R. White, Hyok Jae Song, Hui Pin Hsu, Eray Yasan
  • Patent number: 8349731
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods for forming Cu diffusion barriers for semiconductor interconnect structures are provided. The method includes oxidizing an exposed outer portion of a copper line that is disposed along a dielectric substrate to form a copper oxide layer. An oxide reducing metal is deposited onto the copper oxide layer. The copper oxide layer is reduced with at least a portion of the oxide reducing metal that oxidizes to form a metal oxide barrier layer. A dielectric cap is deposited over the metal oxide barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Inc.
    Inventor: Errol Todd Ryan
  • Patent number: 8352115
    Abstract: A method for initiating a service session with a vehicle includes the steps of receiving a first wireless signal transmitted by the vehicle, establishing an identity of the vehicle from the first wireless signal, associating a privilege with the vehicle based at least in part on the identity, transmitting a second wireless signal to the vehicle with a request for service data of the vehicle if the privilege includes an ability to request the service data from the vehicle, and receiving the service data of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kier M. Mathieson, John J. Flood, IV, Jason D. York
  • Patent number: 8350650
    Abstract: A quadrupole magnetic coded switch includes a switch housing, an actuator, one or more switch dipole magnets, and a plurality of magnetically operated switch circuits. The actuator housing is movable relative to the switch housing. The plurality of actuator dipole magnets are coupled to the actuator housing and are movable therewith. The one or more switch dipole magnets are coupled to the switch housing. The one or more switch dipole magnets and the plurality of actuator dipole magnets are arranged to generate a quadrupole magnetic field. Each magnetically operated switch circuit is disposed within the switch housing and is configured to transition between a plurality of switch positions in response to relative movement of the actuator housing and the switch housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gangi Reddy Rajula
  • Patent number: 8348885
    Abstract: A fluid infusion system as described herein includes a number of local “body network” devices, such as an infusion pump, a handheld monitor or controller, a physiological sensor, and a bedside or hospital monitor. The body network devices can be configured to support communication of status data, physiological information, alerts, control signals, and other information between one another. In addition, the body network devices can be configured to support networked communication of status data, physiological information, alerts, control signals, and other information between the body network devices and “external” devices, systems, or communication networks. Such external communication allows the infusion system to be extended beyond the traditional short-range user environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Moberg, Kenny J. Long, Kaezad J. Mehta, Ian B. Hanson
  • Patent number: 8350971
    Abstract: Systems and methods process an input received from a remote control. A media stream is presented on a display, and the input from the remote control is received at a local device associated with the display. The local device may determine if the input is intended for the local device or a remote device. If the input is intended for the local device, the input may be processed at the local device. Various interface features, for example, may be managed at the local device. If the input is intended for the remote device, a signal may be transmitted from the local device to the remote device to thereby allow the remote device to respond to the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sling Media, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward D. Malone, George E. Williams, Matthew A. Feinstein, Anant Madhava Kulkarni, Jagadish Dande
  • Patent number: 8348290
    Abstract: A structural component for a rear frame structure of a motor vehicle is provided with a mounting zone suitably designed for the mounting of a rear axle, more preferably of the twist-beam axle type, a first support zone suitably designed for supporting a suspension spring of the rear axle, a second support zone suitably designed for supporting a shock absorber of the rear axle, and at least one fastening zone suitably designed for fastening the structural component to the rear frame structure. In addition, it extends to an assembly consisting of a rear axle with structural components fastened thereto, a rear frame structure of a motor vehicle with such structural components, and a motor vehicle equipped accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Udo Mildner, Thomas Enderich
  • Patent number: 8352149
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for verifying proper operation of a gas turbine engine output torque sensor using a speed sensor, and using the speed sensor as a backup torque sensor. Gas turbine engine output torque is sensed using a reference torque sensor, and gas turbine engine output shaft rotational speed is sensed. Gas turbine engine output torque is calculated from the sensed gas turbine engine output shaft rotational speed. The sensed gas turbine engine output torque is compared to the calculated gas turbine engine output torque to determine if the reference torque sensor is operating properly. The gas turbine engine is controlled at least partially based on the sensed gas turbine engine output torque if the reference torque sensor is determined to be operating properly, and is controlled at least partially based on the calculated output torque if the reference torque sensor is determined to be not operating properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Walter L. Meacham
  • Patent number: 8350523
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating a charging system with galvanic isolation adapted for multiple operating modes. A vehicle charging system comprises a DC interface, an AC interface, a first conversion module coupled to the DC interface, and a second conversion module coupled to the AC interface. An isolation module is coupled between the first conversion module and the second conversion module. The isolation module comprises a transformer and a switching element coupled between the transformer and the second conversion module. The transformer and the switching element are cooperatively configured for a plurality of operating modes, wherein each operating mode of the plurality of operating modes corresponds to a respective turns ratio of the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lateef A. Kajouke, Milun Perisic, Ray M. Ransom
  • Patent number: 8351008
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided with several drive segments, between which at least one intermediate surface without drive segments is situated. Such liquid crystal displays are used, in particular, for displaying information contents of low information density, for example, as numerical display elements. This realizes, among other things, a simple and cost-efficient improvement of the electrostatic properties and the legibility, namely also under unfavorable light conditions. For this purpose, the intermediate surface is largely provided with at least one conductive auxiliary layer and a high-frequency connection between the auxiliary layer and a shielding potential is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Peter Brandt, Heiko Charle, Wilfried Schulz
  • Patent number: 8350753
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for displaying information on a display device associated with an aircraft. A method comprises rendering a synthetic perspective view of terrain on the display device, wherein the synthetic perspective view of terrain is based on a set of terrain data corresponding to a region proximate the aircraft. The method further comprises obtaining location data for a first object, wherein the location data is based at least in part on a beacon signal associated with the first object, and rendering a graphical representation of the first object on the display device. The graphical representation of the first object overlies the synthetic perspective view of terrain and is positioned in accordance with the location data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Subhadeep Pal, Sharad Rathour
  • Patent number: 8352202
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor device and method is configured to respond a stimulus provided in a sensing region with an output signal. A signal generator is configured to apply a carrier signal to the capacitive sensor device. The carrier signal is switched between a plurality of phases at a switching rate, where the switching rate is less than a demodulation filter bandwidth. The result of the carrier phase shifting is that effects of interference in the output signal are frequency shifted away from the effects of user applied stimulus. An interference detection filter is configured to filter from the sensor outputs at least one effect produced by the stimulus. An interference measuring device is configured to determine a level of interference in the at least one interference output. Thus, the system can detect interference in the output of the capacitive sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Kirk Hargreaves
  • Patent number: 8347908
    Abstract: Embodiments of a lightweight, high temperature airborne valve are provided. In one embodiment, the airborne vale includes a valve element and a flowbody. The flowbody is formed at least partially from a titanium aluminide alloy and has a flow passage therethrough in which the valve element is movably mounted. Embodiments of a method for producing such a lightweight, high temperature airborne valve are also provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of forming a lightweight flowbody at least partially from a titanium aluminide alloy, hot isostatically pressing the lightweight flowbody, and machining the lightweight flowbody to desired dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ilan Golecki, Robert Franconi, Mike McCollum, Amer Aizaz
  • Patent number: 8349734
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method for fabricating an integrated circuit having a backside test structure are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate, forming at least one Through-Silicon-Via (TSV) through the semiconductor substrate, forming a backside probe pad over the backside of the semiconductor substrate and electrically coupled to the at least one TSV, and forming a frontside bondpad over the frontside of the semiconductor substrate. The frontside bondpad is electrically coupled to the backside probe pad by the at least one TSV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Inc.
    Inventor: Roderick Augur
  • Patent number: 8350726
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for selecting a touchdown point for a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The eye movements of a user are tracked relative to an image being rendered on a display screen. An updated touchdown point location is determined from the tracked eye movements, and an updated touchdown point is rendered at the updated touchdown point location on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Santosh Mathan, Patricia May Ververs
  • Patent number: 8350690
    Abstract: A method for controlling forward lighting for a vehicle includes the steps of determining whether full forward lighting is required for the vehicle, and varying the forward lighting depending on whether full forward lighting is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William A. Biondo, David T. Proefke, Clark E. McCall, Fred W. Huntzicker
  • Patent number: 8344847
    Abstract: A medical device system includes at least one controllable patient-worn or patient-carried medical device, and a plurality of controller devices that are capable of independently controlling features or functions of the patient medical device. Control commands and other data is wirelessly communicated among the patient medical device and the multiple controller devices. A number of techniques, protocols, and other measures are provided to coordinate wireless communication between the various devices in a medical device system. These control command coordination processes address situations where conflicting, redundant, or concurrent control commands might be independently issued by the multiple controller devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Moberg, Ian B. Hanson
  • Patent number: 8342920
    Abstract: An outflow valve is provided for use in conjunction with an actuator. In one embodiment, the outflow valve includes a frame and a first door rotatably coupled to the frame. The outflow valve is configured to be moved by the actuator between an open position and a closed position. The first door includes: (i) a main body having a sealing edge, and (ii) a J-shaped bellmouth fixedly coupled to the main body proximate the sealing edge. The J-shaped bellmouth is configured to condition fluid flow through the outflow valve when the first door is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Justin A. Tanner, William A. Facinelli, Albert Kang
  • Patent number: 8344481
    Abstract: By providing a novel bipolar device design implementation, a standard CMOS process can be used unchanged to fabricate useful bipolar transistors and other bipolar devices having adjustable properties by partially blocking the P or N well doping used for the transistor base. This provides a hump-shaped base region with an adjustable base width, thereby achieving, for example, higher gain than can be obtained with the unmodified CMOS process alone. By further partially blocking the source/drain doping step used to form the emitter of the bipolar transistor, the emitter shape and effective base width can be further varied to provide additional control over the bipolar device properties. The embodiments thus include prescribed modifications to the masks associated with the bipolar device that are configured to obtain desired device properties. The CMOS process steps and flow are otherwise unaltered and no additional process steps are required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Lin, Bernhard H. Grote, Hongning Yang, Jiang-Kai Zuo
  • Patent number: 8344472
    Abstract: Transistors (21, 41) employing floating buried layers may be susceptible to noise coupling into the floating buried layers. In IGFETS this is reduced or eliminated by providing a normally-ON switch (80, 80?) coupling the buried layer (102, 142, 172, 202) and the IGFET source (22, 42) or drain (24, 44). When the transistor (71, 91) is OFF, this clamps the buried layer voltage and substantially prevents noise coupling thereto. When the drain-source voltage VDS exceeds the switch's (80, 80?) threshold voltage Vt, it turns OFF, allowing the buried layer (102, 142, 172, 202) to float, and thereby resume normal transistor action without degrading the breakdown voltage or ON-resistance. In a preferred embodiment, a normally-ON lateral JFET (801, 801?, 801-1, 801-2, 801-3) conveniently provides this switching function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishnu K. Khemka, Tahir A. Khan, Weixiao Huang, Ronghua Zhu