Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice
  • Patent number: 8297437
    Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The carrier comprises at least one bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at least two side panels. The interior of the carrier is divided into a front portion and a back portion by a first and second central panel. A first divider flap is foldably attached to the first central panel and extends to the front panel to divide the front portion into at least two container-receiving spaces. A second divider flap is foldably attached to the second central panel and extends to the back panel to divide the back portion into at least two container-receiving spaces. The first central panel has features for facilitating positioning of the second divider flap relative to the second central panel. The second central panel has features for facilitating positioning of the first divider flap relative to the first central panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Smalley, Paul Bradford
  • Patent number: 8302058
    Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and Integrated Circuits (IC) for minimizing Simultaneous Switching Noise (SSN) in the design of an IC are presented. In one embodiment, the method includes moving a candidate pin of the IC in an initial input/output (I/O) layout to create a candidate I/O layout. Further, in one operation the method calculates a first performance cost for the initial I/O layout and a second performance cost for the candidate I/O layout. The first and the second performance costs are based on an SSN cost for the initial layout and on an SSN cost for the candidate layout respectively. The method selects the layout to design the IC that has the lowest performance cost. The method operations are performed during the placement phase of an IC Computer Aided Design (CAD) tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Howard Kipper, Joshua David Fender, Navid Azizi
  • Patent number: 8299802
    Abstract: An integrated circuit capable of monitoring analog voltages inside an analog block is presented. The integrated circuit has an analog test multiplexer (mux) whose inputs are connected to analog voltages of interest inside an analog block. The analog test multiplexer directs a selected analog voltage from an analog block to the output of the analog test mux. The integrated circuit further includes an analog monitor state machine which provides the selection bits to the analog test multiplexer, enabling random access to the analog voltages inside the analog block. The integrated circuit also includes an analog to digital converter for converting the selected analog voltage from the analog test multiplexer into a digital representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Wilson Wong, Allen Chan, Sergey Shumarayev
  • Patent number: 8298110
    Abstract: In a gear train (10, 30) for an actuator, in particular of a vehicle seat (2), the gear train comprises a drive (11) that can be rotated about a rotational axis (A), at least one eccentric cam (12, 13) that is driven by the drive (11), a pinion (14, 15) that is driven by the eccentric cam (12, 13), a gear ring (16), which meshes with the pinion (14, 15) and in relation to which the pinion (14, 15) executes a rolling motion that defines a point of rolling contact (W), and a take-off drive (18) that taps the relative rolling motion. At least some sections of the material of the pinion (14, 15) and/or the ring gear (16) in the vicinity of the point of rolling contact (W) are elastically deformable, in order to produce surface contact at the point of rolling contact (W).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rolf Schüler
  • Patent number: 8296704
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing simultaneous switching noise (SSN) in an integrated circuit (IC) designed with a computer aided design (CAD) tool are presented. In one method, value assignments for parameters of the IC are received by the CAD tool. The value assignments are entered as a range of value assignments or as a list of possible value assignments. Further, the method includes an operation for determining the minimum and the maximum path delays for each Input/Output (I/O) pin in an I/O block such that the received value assignments are satisfied. The actual switching times of the I/O pins are spread out in time to decrease SSN in the I/O pins. The switching times are spread out so that the switching times fall between the minimum and the maximum path delay for the corresponding I/O pin. Additionally, other method operations are included for routing paths to the I/O pins to meet the actual switching times and for creating a design for the IC that meets the actual switching times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Howard Kipper, Joshua David Fender, Navid Azizi, David Samuel Goldman
  • Patent number: 8296833
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and systems to allow, in one embodiment, automatic access from one system to other systems which include an operating system that includes a user login process. In one embodiment, a method includes logging into, automatically in response to starting a first data processing system, a second data processing system at least as a guest user of the second data processing system which has a storage volume storing data and displaying a user interface object on a display device of the first data processing system, the user interface object corresponding to at least one of the second data processing system and the storage volume to allow at least one of a search to be performed or a browsing to be performed of the data stored on the storage volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Pavel Cisler, Yan Arrouye, John Iarocci, Marc Jason Krochmal, Christopher Brooke Sharp, Christopher Scott Linn, Mikhail Gonodanov, Simon P. Cooper, Richard Murphy
  • Patent number: 8295040
    Abstract: A small form factor desktop computing device having a suitable internal cooling arrangement is disclosed. The device can be formed of a single piece seamless housing machined from a single billet of aluminum. The single piece seamless housing includes an aesthetically pleasing foot support having at least a portion formed of RF transparent material that provides easy user access to selected internal components as well as offers electromagnetic shielding. The device can also include a removable foot, a heat producing element, a fan, an air processing manifold having a plurality of angled fins, and a heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Knopf, David P. Tarkington, Matthew D. Rohrbach
  • Patent number: 8296756
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable storage medium for managing the deployment of software patch updates on a plurality of computers in an enterprise computer network during a patch cycle wherein each computer receives and installs periodic software patch updates automatically. An inventory is maintained of the computers in a central database that stores a status of each computer for each patch during the patch cycle. The computers are filtered into at least one filter group and a list of computers in the filter group is displayed along with the status for each patch. The status of each patch is verified and displayed for each computer in the filter group. A controlled software patch update is performed for each non-compliant computer in the filter group. A controlled reboot of each computer in the filter group is performed following the completion of the software patch updates for the patch cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Southern Company Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin L. Feeser, Todd R. Santello, Roby L. Bedford
  • Patent number: 8286906
    Abstract: A flange design providing improved strength, fracture resistance, and the like using corrugations extending substantially radially from an arbor aperture toward a rim portion. A spool or reel may include a tubular member to receive a stranded material wrapped therearound. A first flange comprising a core portion and an outer portion may secure to one end of the first flange engaging the tubular member. A second flange may secure to the other end of the tubular member. The core portion of a flange may comprise an arbor wall defining the perimeter of an arbor aperture. The arbor wall may be directly contacted and supported by a plurality of corrugations extending radially therefrom. The outer portion of a flange may contact the core portion and extending radially away therefrom to an outer edge to restrain the stranded material in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: C. Robert Ripplinger
  • Patent number: 8289115
    Abstract: Accurate and reliable techniques for determining a current status of an accessory device in relation to an electronic device are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Cretella, Jr., Venu Madhav Duggineni, Michael Man-Cheung Eng, Ronald Keryuan Huang, Christopher Moore, Christopher T. Mullens
  • Patent number: 8289130
    Abstract: This is generally directed to identifying unauthorized users of an electronic device. In some embodiments, an unauthorized user of the electronic device can be detected by identifying particular activities that may indicate suspicious behavior. In some embodiments, an unauthorized user can be detected by comparing the identity of the current user to the identity of the owner of the electronic device. When an unauthorized user is detected, various safety measures can be taken. For example, information related to the identity of the unauthorized user, the unauthorized user's operation of the electronic device, or the current location of the electronic device can be gathered. As another example, functions of the electronic device can be restricted. In some embodiments, the owner of the electronic device can be notified of the unauthorized user by sending an alert notification through any suitable medium, such as, for example, a voice mail, e-mail, or text message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Taido L. Nakajima, Pareet Rahul, Gloria Lin
  • Patent number: 8291480
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for configuring a key stored within a secure storage area (e.g., ROM) of a device including one of enabling and disabling the key according to a predetermined condition to execute a code image are described. The key may uniquely identify the device. The code image may be loaded from a provider satisfying a predetermined condition to set up at least one component of an operating environment of the device. Verification of the code image may be optional according to the configuration of the key. Secure execution of an unverified code image may be based on a configuration that disables the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua de Cesare, Michael Smith, Dallas Blake De Atley, John Andrew Wright
  • Patent number: 8289114
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8288388
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel piperazine derivatives; to processes for their preparation; to pharmaceutical compositions containing the derivatives; and to the use of the derivatives in therapy to treat diseases for which blocking the Cav2.2 calcium channels is beneficial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Convergence Pharmaceuticals Limited
    Inventors: Paul John Beswick, Alister Campbell, Andrew Cridland, Robert James Gleave, Jag Paul Heer, Neville Hubert Nicholson, Lee William Page, Sadie Vile
  • Patent number: 8285851
    Abstract: A system for use in presenting media content includes a media server configured to provide media content and a media client configured to obtain the media content from the media server and to present the media content on a device. The media client is configured to generate a first code and to transmit information to the media server. The information identifies the media client and the information indicates that the media client is available for pairing. The media server is configured to reply to the information with a second code that corresponds to the first code in order to enable pairing between the media server and the media client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Robbin, Christopher Wysocki, Amandeep Jawa, Jeffrey Miller, David Heller, Justin Henzie, Rainer Brodersen, Mihnee Calin Pacurariu
  • Patent number: 8285691
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for locating one or more compressed data rows in a data block. A 16 byte “row map” may be added at the end of each compressed data block. The row map may provide seven binary address points in the compressed data block (i.e., by dividing the compressed data block into 8ths).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: CA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Shuma, Joseph B. Lynn, Robert Florian
  • Patent number: 8282674
    Abstract: A substantially rigid plate is secured to a medial portion of a clavicle relative to a fracture in the clavicle. The plate is positioned so that it extends at least partially over a distal portion of the clavicle relative to the fracture. The plate has surfaces that define a first opening through which a suture can pass. A hole is formed in the clavicle. A washer may be positioned at a side of the plate opposite the clavicle. Alternatively, the plate may include suture holes or edge features for securing a suture. A suture is secured to the washer, to at least one suture hole or to at least one edge feature, and extends through the first opening, through the hole in the clavicle and is secured to the coracoid process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Suspension Orthopaedic Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Gelfand
  • Patent number: 8285949
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and systems for securely installing software on a computing device, such as a mobile device. In one embodiment, the device executes an installer that securely installs the software. In order to perform installations securely, the installer configures one or more secure containers for the software and installs the software exclusively in these containers. In some embodiments, the installer randomly determines the identifiers for the containers. These identifiers remain unknown to the software to be installed. Instead, an installation framework maintains the correspondence between an application and its container. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dallas De Atley, Simon Cooper
  • Patent number: 8278948
    Abstract: An electronic device has a chassis, and a printed wiring board (PWB) having a hole. A fastener is installed in the hole thereby securing the PWB to the chassis. A pair of conductive traces is formed in the PWB. A cap, being an amount of conductive glue, covers a part of the fastener and fills an electrically insulating gap between the two traces, to thereby form a conductive path that connects the two traces. A sensing circuit is coupled to the traces, to detect a change in impedance of the path and signal a tamper event alert. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. Johnson
  • Patent number: D669792
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: Mike Lorenz