Patents Represented by Attorney Locke Lord LLP
  • Patent number: 8116694
    Abstract: A system for configuring antenna systems for selecting directional communication signals corresponding to other apparatuses. Apparatuses having activities that require directional wireless communication may search for other apparatuses that can fulfill these requirements. This search may include, for example, the transmission of wireless messages requesting a set of communication beams usable for beam training (for example, one or more beam training sequences). Other apparatuses that are able to satisfy the requirements of the searching apparatus may respond to the request message by transmitting a message that comprises at least information usable for configuring beam training configuration in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Harald Kaaja, Mika Kasslin, Tuomas Laine
  • Patent number: 8114376
    Abstract: The manufacture of titanium dioxide by oxidation of titanium tetrachloride in a multistage method, where both oxygen and titanium tetrachloride are added in several stages. In the first stage gaseous TiCl4 is introduced into a preheated oxygen-containing gaseous stream in a stoichiometric or hyper-stoichiometric amount to produce a TiO2 containing gas suspension. In the second or further stages liquid TiCl4 and oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the TiO2 containing gas suspension to produce further TiO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kronos International, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Gruber
  • Patent number: 8115680
    Abstract: A system for indicating the relative direction of a target object or location as determined from the current position of a wireless communication device. The system employs Direction of Arrival determination using an antenna array for indicating the direction of a target device and includes facilities to activate a location-indicating transmission in a target device, the ability to request that a location-indicating transmission be activated in a remote target device, relevant information reception from a target device and the display of all potential target devices within effective transmission range of the wireless communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Kimmo Kalliola, Klaus Doppler, Hannu Kauppinen, Joni Jantunen, Jani Ollikainen, Tuukka Lehtiniemi, Antti Kainulainen, Juha O. Juntunen
  • Patent number: 8114189
    Abstract: A method of reducing or preventing the amount of iron sludge or precipitate that forms as a result of the recovery of silver from chemical solutions, such as a standard photographic solution. The method generally involves the introduction of a source of a conjugate organic base, such as a weak organic acid like citric acid or a salt of the conjugate organic base like a citrate salt, to the chemical fluid either before or during the silver recovery process. Preferably the source of conjugate organic base is introduced by combining it with a binder to form a time release cake or placing it in a container that has a semipermeable membrane that maintains the concentration of the conjugate organic base in the chemical fluid from about 0.2 to about 78 milimolar over a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: ARS Services, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis Rhodes, Christa Hockensmith, Deidre Hirschfeld
  • Patent number: 8112855
    Abstract: A tool to assist in the removal and reassembly of a valve cap, to a cylinder includes a shaft. The first end of the shaft includes a support surface. The second end of the shaft includes threads for selectively engaging one of the threaded apertures contained in the cylinder upon removal of one of the plurality of cap bolts. The shaft is insertable through a valve cap aperture and is attachable to the cylinder, such that the support surface supports the valve cap when the valve cap is removed from the cylinder. The shaft includes a slot. A toggle is pivotally mounted within the slot and rotatable between a retracted position wherein the toggle is contained within the shaft and an extended position wherein the toggle extends beyond the shaft. The toggle is positioned in the retracted position to allow the valve cap to slide past the slot. The toggle in the extended position engages the valve cap to thereby support the valve cap during reassembly of the valve cap to the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: James W. Balliew
  • Patent number: 8111193
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for estimating the distance between a transmitter and a receiver. A method comprising obtaining a signal from a receiver; determining whether the signal more likely propagated through a line-of-sight (LOS) radio channel or a non lme-of-sight (NLOS) radio channel; using a model including parameters selected according to the radio channel to estimate the distance between the receiver and a transmitter which sent the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Vuokko Nurmela, Kimmo Kalliola, Antti P. Kainulainen, Joni Jantunen
  • Patent number: 8109198
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus 1 includes a switch valve 11, a valve support chamber 35, a flow control valve 12 movable within the valve support chamber 35, an on-off valve 13 movable within the communication path chamber 12a, and a valve control device 14. The flow control valve 12 has a communication path chamber 12a and a back pressure chamber 12d. The on-off valve 13 is capable of opening and shutting off a communication path X between a cylinder line 32 and a switch valve line 33. A restrictor is formed between the flow control valve 12 and a wall defining the valve support chamber 35. The restrictor connects the cylinder line 32 and the communication path chamber 12a to each other. The opening degree of the restrictor is changed in correspondence with movement of the flow control valve 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki, Nishina Industrial Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Takeharu Matsuzaki, Shigeto Nakajima, Takeshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8107880
    Abstract: A system for managing the operation of a plurality of radio modules integrated within the same wireless communication device. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, time may be allocated for use in communicating over one or more wireless communication mediums. The allocated time may take the form of timeslots. The timeslots may be dedicated or shared timeslots, the type of timeslot affecting the behavior of each wireless communication medium. Use of shared timeslots may, for example, be determined locally to the radio modules based on a relative priority between the wireless communication mediums sharing the timeslot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jani Okker, Jussi Ylänen, Ville Pernu
  • Patent number: 8106104
    Abstract: A method for reformulating reclaimed, contaminated mixed waste plastics into useful articles wherein a plurality of batches of the mixed waste plastics are preprocessed to produce substantially homogeneous mixtures of a desired particle size range that are characterized according to their respective apparent densities, and are thereafter blended to produce a mixed plastic feed material having a plastic content predetermined to be desirable for reprocessing into at least one of such useful articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe G. Brooks, Christopher Lynn Becker
  • Patent number: 8107968
    Abstract: A system for managing the simultaneous operation of a plurality of radio modems in a single wireless communication device (WCD). The multiradio control may be integrated into the WCD as a subsystem responsible for scheduling wireless communications by temporarily enabling or disabling the plurality of radio modems within the device. The multiradio control system may comprise a multiradio controller (MRC) and a plurality dedicated radio interfaces. The radio interfaces are dedicated to quickly conveying delay sensitive information to and from the radio modems. The modems may further include control features that take information from the MRC as an input in determining the priority of messages to be sent out to a receiving device. Uplink and/or downlink operations might, for instance, be performed. Instruction that operation can commence prior to an assigned time period might, for example, be provided. Channel contention might, for instance, be initiated in response to the instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Mika Kasslin, Niko Kiukkonen, Carl Wijting
  • Patent number: 8106103
    Abstract: A method for reformulating reclaimed, contaminated mixed waste plastics into useful articles wherein a plurality of batches of the mixed waste plastics are preprocessed to produce substantially homogeneous mixtures of a desired particle size range that are characterized according to their respective apparent densities, and are thereafter blended to produce a mixed plastic feed material having a color predetermined to be desirable for reprocessing into at least one of such useful articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe G. Brooks, Christopher Lynn Becker
  • Patent number: 8105826
    Abstract: This invention relates to genes identified from human chromosome 12q23-qter, which are associated with various diseases, including asthma. The invention also relates to the nucleotide sequences of these genes, isolated nucleic acids comprising these nucleotide sequences, and isolated polypeptides or peptides encoded thereby. The invention further relates to vectors and host cells comprising the disclosed nucleotide sequences, or fragments thereof, as well as antibodies that bind to the encoded polypeptides or peptides. Also related are ligands that modulate the activity of the disclosed genes or gene products. In addition, the invention relates to methods and compositions employing the disclosed nucleic acids, polypeptides or peptides, antibodies, and/or ligands for use in diagnostics and therapeutics for asthma and other diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Oscient Pharmaceuticals Corporation
    Inventors: Tim Keith, Randall D. Little, Paul Van Eerdewegh, Josée Dupuis, Richard G. Del Mastro, Jason Simon, Kristina Allen, Sunil D. Pandit
  • Patent number: 8103213
    Abstract: A system for configuring communication resources that are at least partially based upon reconfigurable software modules. An apparatus may utilize a plurality of transports for communication, wherein the transports are supported by one or more radio modules. The one or more radio modules may comprise hardware-based radio modules and software-defined radio (SDR) modules including a reconfigurable software element that allows the radio module to emulate the functionality of multiple hardware-based radios. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, SDR modules in an apparatus may formulate a communication configuration for use in communicating with another apparatus based on remote characteristic information (e.g., information corresponding to the apparatus with which communication is desired) and local characteristic information pertaining to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Pertti Tolonen
  • Patent number: 8101100
    Abstract: A method for reformulating reclaimed, contaminated mixed waste plastics into useful articles wherein a plurality of batches of the mixed waste plastics are preprocessed to produce substantially homogeneous mixtures of a desired particle size range that are characterized according to their respective apparent densities, and are thereafter blended to produce a mixed plastic feed material having a target density predetermined to be desirable for reprocessing into at least one of such useful articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe G. Brooks, Christopher Lynn Becker
  • Patent number: 8101907
    Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus and processes for determining the lithology as well as the mineralogy of subterranean formations surrounding a borehole are described. According to the methods and processes, well log data measurements from neutron spectroscopy applications and associated tool response parameters are solved using an artificial intelligence system, such as an expert system, which in turn generates an appropriate discriminator and/or compositional model that estimates both general and specific lithology as well as the mineralogy constraints of the subterranean formation being analyzed. The methods exhibit good elemental correlation between conventional methods of lithology and mineralogy determination, and can provide numerous output data, including grain density and porosity data within zones of the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David J. Jacobi, John M. Longo
  • Patent number: 8096279
    Abstract: A premixed compression ignition type engine is operated while change over between spark ignition combustion and compression ignition combustion. This engine has a negative overlap period during steady operation under compression ignition combustion. In the same cylinder, a valve-closing timing of an exhaust valve during steady operation under spark ignition combustion is retarded with respect to the valve-closing timing thereof after the change over. In a case where an intake valve is first changed over after start of the change over from spark ignition combustion to compression ignition combustion, the valve-opening timing of the intake valve during a change over period from spark ignition combustion to compression ignition combustion is in an advanced state with respect to the valve-opening timing thereof during steady operation under spark ignition combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kuzuyama
  • Patent number: 8097569
    Abstract: A compressor includes a swash plate, and a shoe connected to an outer periphery of the swash plate. A surface of the swash plate slides upon a flat surface of the shoe. A sliding film is applied to the surface of the swash plate. The sliding film is formed of binder resin which contains a solid lubricant and titanium oxide powder. This allows the surface of the swash plate and the flat surface of the shoe to smoothly slide upon each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki, Dow Corning Toray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Saiki, Noriyuki Shintoku, Noriaki Baba, Toshihisa Shimo, Hitotoshi Murase, Tetsuji Yamaguchi, Jiro Yamashita, Takahiro Sugioka
  • Patent number: 8099346
    Abstract: A method of computer-assisted price modeling is provided, which uses a reference price to assist in evaluating discretionary pricing of transactional services provided (i) by a professional among his own transactions or (ii) by a target professional among others' transactions. A universe of pricing episode data is segmented into groupings based on price predictive parameters. These data are then arranged in each grouping according to price. A reference price is determined within each grouping based on a predetermined level, rank or percentile. This reference price can then be used to evaluate the pricing episode data and provide various calculations or comparisons, including the revenue opportunity that could have been obtained by pricing at the reference price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Pricemetrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Trott, Jeffrey Marsden, Patrick Kennedy, Christopher May
  • Patent number: 8093040
    Abstract: A biomass generator useful for continuously growing and withdrawing bacteria to be used in a desired beneficial application, the generator having a bacteria growth chamber; water and nutrient inlet ports; upper and lower outlet ports; a recirculating pump withdrawing and reintroducing fluid to establish a vortex in the growth chamber while controlling foaming and pump cavitation; a low pressure air inlet line discharging air inside the growth chamber above the vortex; a fluid discharge line receiving bacteria-containing fluid from the upper outlet port of the growth chamber; a flush line discharging wash water into the fluid discharge line; and an electrical controller cooperating with solenoid-operated valves and a feeder mechanism to periodically introduce water and nutrients into the chamber, thereby simultaneously causing bacteria-containing fluid to be discharged from the growth chamber through the upper outlet port. A method for growing bacteria using the subject apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: NCH Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Clarence Pearce, III, Dale V. Kiplinger, Jose E. Evaro, Judith Gayle Pruitt, Joseph Thomas Colarusso
  • Patent number: 8091577
    Abstract: A valve seat 20 is arranged between the supply circuit 8 and a downstream circuit 18. A valve body 21 blocks a fluid flow between the supply circuit 8 and the downstream circuit 18 by contacting the valve seat 20. The valve body 21 connects the supply circuit 8 to the downstream circuit 18 for supplying the fluid to the downstream circuit 18 by separating from the valve seat 20. A through hole 24 extends through the valve body 21 and thus defines a part of the supply circuit 8. The through hole 24 is defined in such a manner that the fluid that has flowed from the through hole 24 proceeds between the valve seat 20 and the valve body 21 and is thus supplied to the downstream circuit 18. The valve body 21 is formed in such a manner that a pressure receiving area at an upstream side of the through hole 24 is smaller than a pressure receiving area at a downstream side of the through hole 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki, Nishina Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeharu Matsuzaki, Shigeto Nakajima