Patents Represented by Attorney Madson & Austin
  • Patent number: 7475148
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed that is adapted to communicate with a first device network and to communicate with a second device that is part of a second device network. The device includes a processor and a communications module in electronic communication with the processor for communications with other devices including the second device and at least one device from the first device network. Memory may also be included in electronic communication with the processor for storing data. The electronic device may also include a pseudo-random scheduler for providing time points defining a schedule for the electronic device to communicate with the other devices. A dynamic scheduler may also be included to modify the schedule. The electronic device may also include an event queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Daryl J. Hlasny
  • Patent number: 7471407
    Abstract: A system for monitoring an imaging job and for implicit network address discovery is disclosed. The system includes a computing device and an imaging device in electronic communication with the computing device. Executable instructions on the imaging device are configured to receive the imaging job sent to the imaging device. An implicit network address is discovered from the imaging job without using an explicit address embedded in the imaging job. The imaging job is started at the imaging device. A status message for the imaging job is sent to the network address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew R. Ferlitsch
  • Patent number: 7471677
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a metadata station for an internet radio service are disclosed. An exemplary method involves exposing a plurality of Internet radio stations and a metadata station. Requests are received for the metadata station. The Internet radio stations that will have metadata information included in the metadata station are selected. The metadata information for the selected Internet radio stations is obtained, and the metadata information for the selected Internet radio stations is sent on the metadata station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Sachin G. Deshpande
  • Patent number: 7456989
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a vendor control interface for an imaging device are disclosed. An exemplary system includes an imaging device. The imaging device includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. The imaging device also includes a vendor interface for enabling a pay-per-use device to be connected to the imaging device. The vendor interface is in electronic communication with the processor. The vendor interface includes an input generating control that enables and disables input generating operations. The vendor interface also includes an output generating control that enables and disables output generating operations. An input counting control is included for counting the number of input generating impressions. The vendor interface further includes an output counting control for counting the number of output generating impressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew R. Ferlitsch
  • Patent number: 7455741
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new type of gas generant that may be used in airbag inflators. This new type of gas generant is designed to be flexible such that it may be used in side-curtain airbag applications and other situations where flexibility of the gas generant is required or desirable. The gas generant will generally include a flexible igniter, which in some instances, will be an electrical wire. The gas generant also includes one or more beads that are made from a gas-generating material. Each of the beads has a connector passage that is designed such that the flexible igniter may be strung through the connector passage in the beads. In some instances, the connector passage will be a hole in the bead through which the flexible igniter may be passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Hussey, Douglas R Tingey, Dario G. Brisighella, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7453603
    Abstract: A method for context-based processing of print data is provided. The method includes partitioning a document to be printed into a plurality of regions of interest. The method also includes determining context data for a first region of interest of the plurality of regions of interest. The context data may include information about how first print data corresponding to the first region of interest should be processed. The method also includes using the context data to process the first print data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Borchers, James E. Owen
  • Patent number: 7445247
    Abstract: In a fluid system such as irrigation system, fluid conduit attachment is facilitated through the use of a coupling. The coupling may have a body with a first end attached to a component such as an irrigation component, and a second end designed to receive an end of a conduit. The first end may be integrally formed with the component or separately attached thereto. The second end has a bore into which the end of the conduit is inserted. A gripping mechanism is seated in the bore to grip the end of the conduit. A release mechanism slides to release the conduit. The coupling may have a bend and/or branches extending to extra ends. A second coupling may be added to form a rotatable swing joint. An indicator such as a blue color may be used to indicate compatibility of the coupling with the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent C. Ericksen, Alan John Smith, Michael Ray Ericksen
  • Patent number: 7447365
    Abstract: A system for compressing image data being sent to an imaging device is disclosed. The system includes a computing device with executable instructions. The executable instructions are executable on the computing device and are configured to implement a method for compressing image data being sent to an imaging device. Capabilities of an imaging device are obtained. Image data is decompressed upstream from a rasterization process of the imaging device. The image data is divided into one or more regions based on image data content. A compression algorithm is selected for each region based on content of each region and on the capabilities of the imaging device. The image data is compressed per region using one or more selected compression algorithms. The compressed regions are assembled into a mixed raster format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew R. Ferlitsch
  • Patent number: 7441799
    Abstract: The application provides non-circular steering wheel designs and steering wheel-mounted airbag housings, cushions, and modules for use in vehicles using non-circular steering wheels. The airbag housings and modules of the invention provide supplemental reaction surfaces to support an airbag cushion mounted on a non-circular steering wheel. Airbag cushions of the invention utilize the steering wheel, steering column or steering wheel shroud as a partial reaction surface to support an airbag cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Enders, Richard Welford
  • Patent number: 7433689
    Abstract: A method for acquiring service from a more desirable wireless communication system while receiving service from a less desirable communication system is provided. The method may include acquiring service from a first communication system. The method may then involve waiting for a reattempt period that is related to a likelihood of acquiring service from a more desirable communication system. The method may then involve attempting to acquire service from a second communication system that is more desirable than the first communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Atsushi Ishii
  • Patent number: 7429005
    Abstract: A sprinkler having an adjustable spray pattern is disclosed. The sprinkler may include a housing. The housing may include an inlet portion disposed to receive water and an outlet portion. The outlet portion may include a first outlet aperture and a second outlet aperture. The housing may include a cam disposed upstream of the first and second water outlet apertures. The cam may be rotated to a first position and a second position. The cam may include a first open portion that is rotatable about a cam axis. The cam may include a second open portion that is rotatable about the cam axis. The cam may further include a third open portion that is rotatable about the cam axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Schapper, Christian M. Olsen, Chadwick L. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7428981
    Abstract: A system for decoding machine-readable graphical codes is provided. The system includes a graphical code reading device configured to read a graphical code and generate reference encoded source data. The reference encoded source data includes a first reference identifier and a second portion. The system also includes a computing device in electronic communication with the graphical code reading device. The computing device also includes a reference decoder configured to effect conversion of the reference encoded source data into source data. The source data includes first affiliated data in place of the first reference identifier. The first affiliated data may be longer in length than the first reference identifier. The source data also includes the second portion. The computing device also includes a software application configured to use the source data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: The Code Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. Hepworth, Dimitri V. Yatsenko
  • Patent number: 7419098
    Abstract: A graphical code reading apparatus is disclosed. The graphical code reading apparatus is able to read graphical codes on reflective and curved reflective surfaces. The graphical code reading apparatus includes a graphical code reader having an illumination source such as LEDs and a detector such as an imager. The graphical code reading apparatus also includes a light scattering chamber that is coupled to the graphical code reader. The light scattering chamber may have two openings, namely a first opening for receiving the graphical code reader and a second opening for placement adjacent the graphical code. The light scattering chamber may be tapered from the first opening toward the second opening. An interior surface of the light scattering chamber is capable of scattering light because it may be an irregularly uneven reflective surface. The light impinges the reflective surface at multiple angles of incidence upon exiting the light scattering chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: The Code Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Hyde, George Powell
  • Patent number: 7413218
    Abstract: An air-bag is provided with a controllable vent, for example a tube, which is normally maintained in a closed condition by being retained by a clamp. The clamp is opened in response to a signal from a sensor. The clamp may be opened when it is desired for the air-bag to have a “soft” inflation, thus permitting a relatively high rate of flow of gas exiting from the air-bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Kalle Ekdahl
  • Patent number: 7411692
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for building a composite print job. According to a method, at least first and second files are received in respective printer independent file formats. The first and second files are printed to a logical printing device in a printer dependent file format appropriate for a physical printing device. The first and second files are thereafter combined as a composite print job, to prepare the first and second files for printing to the physical printing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Rodney Ferlitsch
  • Patent number: 7408667
    Abstract: A method for pull printing a document wherein the rendering is initiated at a printer is disclosed. A document on a computing device is located from a printing device. A message is sent to the computing device to print the document with at least one print option. The document is rendered at the computing device into printer ready data using the at least one print option thereby providing a rendered document. The rendered document is de-spooled to the printing device. Another print option is processed on the printing device. The rendered document is printed on the printing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew R. Ferlitsch
  • Patent number: 7408998
    Abstract: A communication system includes a data transmitter and a data receiver in which the data transmitter transmits data using a multicarrier modulation, such as an OFDM modulation technique. The data receiver determines a predetermined level of modulation for at least one carrier of the multicarrier modulation corresponding to a received signal-to-noise ratio for the carrier using a vector quantization technique. The predetermined level of modulation for each carrier is based on an index to a codeword in a codebook corresponding to the signal-to-noise ratio for the carrier. The index to the codeword is a nearest neighbor to a vector corresponding to the signal-to-noise ratio for the carrier, and the codeword for each predetermined level of modulation is determined based on an adaptive-bit-loading technique. The data receiver transmits the index to the codeword for each carrier to the data transmitter in order to update the modulation at the data transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Kowalski
  • Patent number: 7401810
    Abstract: The present invention provides an airbag inflator assembled, in part, using ultrasonic welding. The inflator includes a housing adapted to receive an initiator assembly and an adaptor socket to connect the inflator to the electronic systems of the vehicle. The initiator and the adaptor socket are welded together at a point of interface through the housing of the inflator using an ultrasound welding process. Joint seals are provided that allow the production of a gas-tight seal upon completion of assembly of the airbag inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Dario G. Brisighella, Jr., Bradley W. Smith, Kelly Ellis, Kirk Rasmussen, Matt Cox
  • Patent number: 7396040
    Abstract: An airbag module has a rigid cushion with an integrated inflator. The cushion has a rear cushion panel and the inflator may have a front inflator plate attached to the rear cushion panel. A rear inflator plate is optionally provided and may be positioned within the cushion or outside the cushion. A pyrotechnic may be disposed within the space between the front inflator plate and the rear cushion panel and/or the rear inflator plate. An initiator may be seated in the rear inflator plate and/or the rear cushion panel to initiate combustion of the pyrotechnic. Instead of the front inflator plate, the inflator may have an expanse of tape that secures the pyrotechnic and/or the initiator to the interior of the cushion. The pyrotechnic may be sealed by the tape or by a foil pouch. The initiator may be secured by the tape or by a rear inflator plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Enders, Bradley W. Smith, Michael P. Jordan, Earl H. Nelson, Guy R. Letendre, Blake L. Cheal
  • Patent number: 7392933
    Abstract: A method for interfacing an object identifier reader to at least one application involves receiving object identifier data from the object identifier reader. The object identifier data may include information and formatting characters. The method may then involve identifying the information in the object identifier data. At least one application may then be identified to receive the information. Finally, the information may be sent to the at least one application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Code Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. Hepworth, George Powell, Weiyang Zhou