Patents Examined by James Kramer
  • Patent number: 8677182
    Abstract: A computer system including a first processor, an error detecting circuit and a south bridge chip is provided. The first processor outputs a first catastrophic error signal. The error detecting circuit is coupled to the first processor to receive the first catastrophic error signal. When the first catastrophic error signal changes to a first level and is maintained for a period exceeding a first predetermined time, the error detecting circuit outputs an internal error reset signal. When the first catastrophic error signal changes to a first level and passes a second predetermined time, the error detecting circuit outputs a machine error reset signal. Here, the second predetermined time is greater than the first predetermined time. The south bridge chip is coupled to the error detecting circuit and reboots the computer system according the internal error reset signal or the machine error reset signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Xiao-Bing Zou
  • Patent number: 8662211
    Abstract: An omnidirectional vehicle 1 includes: a main wheel 3 which is able to be driven in all directions; a base 2 which supports the main wheel 3; and a sub wheel 4 which is connected to the base 2 via an arm 15 and is grounded at a position apart from the ground contact point of the main wheel 3. The sub wheel 4 is attached so as to circularly move about the center of rotation of the main wheel 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nozomi Kamiyama, Yusuke Mutoh
  • Patent number: 8595605
    Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligently reducing the number of log-likelihood ratios (LLRs) stored in memory of a wireless communication device are described herein. In one aspect, the systems and methods described herein relate to selecting LLRs for storage based on a quality metric. In another aspect, the systems and methods described herein relate to improving communication quality in response to available memory capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas B. Wilborn, Brian C. Banister
  • Patent number: 8589728
    Abstract: A computer program product includes computer usable program code embodied on a computer usable storage medium for performing a method of managing the workload in a computer system having one or more semi-redundant hardware components are provided. The method comprises detecting loss or degradation of the level of performance of one or more of the semi-redundant hardware components, identifying hardware components that are affected by the loss or degradation of the one or more semi-redundant components, migrating a critical job from an affected hardware component to an unaffected hardware component, and performing less-critical jobs on an affected hardware component. Loss or degradation of the semi-redundant component reduces the capacity of affected hardware components in the computer system without entirely disabling the computer system. Optionally, the semi-redundant hardware component may be selected from a memory module, CPU core, Ethernet port, power supply, fan, disk drive, and an input output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Fred A. Bower, III, Scott A. Piper, Gregory B. Pruett
  • Patent number: 8578210
    Abstract: A supporting apparatus includes a configuration-information storage unit having stored therein dependencies among devices in association with a list of the devices. When information about a device where a failure has occurred is input, a dependency among devices including the faulty device is obtained from the configuration-information storage unit. Based on the obtained dependency among devices including the faulty device and information about the faulty device, learning data with the dependency and a cause of failure being associated with each other is created. Then, based on the created learning data, a solution procedure indicative of a procedure for specifying the cause of failure is generated by using, for example, algorithm ID3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kuniaki Shimada, Yasuhide Matsumoto, Yukihiro Watanabe, Yuji Wada, Masazumi Matsubara, Kenji Morimoto, Hiroshi Otsuka
  • Patent number: 8572434
    Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for system health monitoring. Backup set metadata is received, wherein the backup set metadata comprises information about backup data sets that are received by a backup storage system. One or more processes that process the backup set metadata through an emulated processing flow path are executed, wherein the one or more processes are also implemented in the backup storage system. Two or more potential processing states are determined within the emulated processing flow path. A reason code is determined for each backup set metadata entry of the backup set metadata indicative of a reason that the backup set metadata entry is in a processing state of the two or more potential processing states. A problem with the manner in which the backup set metadata is flowing through the emulated processing flow path is identified based on the reason codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sepaton, Inc.
    Inventors: Jane Riegel, John Chernoch
  • Patent number: 8572430
    Abstract: Provided is a storage apparatus for providing a logical storage area as a data storage area to an external apparatus, comprising: a physical storage medium for creating the logical storage area; first and second storage control modules each of which is communicatively coupled to the physical storage medium to control data input/output processing between the external apparatus and the logical storage area; and first and second power supply modules each of which supplies power to the physical storage medium and the first and second storage control modules and includes a blower for generating a cooling airflow to cool down the physical storage medium and the first and second storage control modules, wherein the blower of the first power supply module generates a first cooling airflow which flows through the physical storage medium, the first storage control module, and the first power supply module, the blower of the second power supply module generates a second cooling airflow which flows through the physical s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikatsu Nakamura, Mitsuhide Sato, Nobuhiro Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8566650
    Abstract: A computing device monitors multiple hosts. A first host that does not have access to a data store is identified. A determination is made as to whether other hosts have access to the data store. When the other hosts do have access to the data store, it is determined that the first host is malfunctioning. A host error notification may then be sent to an administrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Red Hat Israel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Vitaly Elyashev, Omer Frenkel
  • Patent number: 8533573
    Abstract: An error correction circuit and method applicable to a DisplayPort receiver is disclosed. While decoding errors occur at a decoding stage, the invention actively adjusts settings of a physical layer by using an ANSI10B/8B decoder and performs data recovery by using a correcting unit that improves the reliability of input data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Tzuo-Bo Lin
  • Patent number: 8464450
    Abstract: A three dimensional picture frame comprising a first and a second vertical frame member, a bottom horizontal frame member, a top horizontal frame member, a front transparent sheet configured to engage with at least one of the frame members, a rear transparent sheet configured to engage with at least one of the frame members such that at least a portion of the frame members and transparent sheets forms a vessel, a backing sheet configured to engage with at least one of the frame members and located outward from the rear transparent sheet, and a plunger configured to slide into the vessel such that when a material is located in a portion of the vessel on a first side of the plunger, the material is prevented from entering a portion of the vessel on a second side of the plunger opposite the first side of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Blaine Concepts, LLC
    Inventors: William Kendall, Elaine Kendall, Diane Munson, Scott Munson
  • Patent number: 8458937
    Abstract: A banner stand having an upright display mode and a collapsed transport mode, the banner stand comprising a banner presenting graphics thereon, a base and a post extending upwardly from the base, a support member selectively operably coupleable with the post to support the banner in an upright display mode, feet selectively changeable from a transport position to a operative position have an exposed alignment surface that cooperates with another such alignment surface on an adjacent banner stand to angularly and positionally control the respective banner stands to position as desired the respective banners. Tops of the banner stands may be coupled, such as by magnets, to further support and control the spacing and positioning of the banners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Skyline Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Fritsche, Dan D. Berg, Jason W. Johnson, John T. Elliott
  • Patent number: 8444167
    Abstract: A hitch lock device for preventing theft of a trailer featuring a hitch ball with a threaded bolt and a nut adapted to be threaded onto the bolt. Locking pin slots are disposed in the threaded bolt. A lock can be inserted into a slot in the threaded bolt. Locking pins are slidably disposed in each locking pin slot. The locking pins are connected by a spring and can move between an in position in the threaded bolt and an out position protruding from the bolt. The pins are biased in the out position by the spring. When the locking pins are squeezed to the in position the nut can be threaded past the locking pins to sandwich a trailer hitch with the hitch ball. When the lock is inserted into the slot the lock blocks movement of the locking pins and locking the lock prevents removal of the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Nour-Eddine Derdari
  • Patent number: 8438766
    Abstract: Disclosed is a unitary sheet-like merchandise labeling article that has a labeling tag flatly conjoined along a unifying flat bond zone with a flexible elastic layer that extends away from the tag and includes an elastic fastening loop. The loop sides that define the loop are wider than the thickness of the elastic layer. Further, the flexible elastic layer that extends away from the tag has a thickness greater than the thickness of the tag and has a dispersion zone adjacent the unifying flat bond zone. The dispersion zone allows dissipation of elastic loop in-line stretching forces sufficiently to reduce transmission of such forces into the bond zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Bedford Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Ludlow, John B. Linquist, Colin M. O'Donnell, Ryan M. Korpela
  • Patent number: 8439138
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for permitting construction equipment, and particularly backhoe loaders, to be transported in the hold of a seagoing vessel within the interior of an enclosed cargo container includes front and rear rollers that temporarily replace the wheels of the equipment and allow it to be driven into and out of the container without any disassembly of the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventors: Adalberto Prinz, Hugo M. Ledezma, Alejandro A. Prinz
  • Patent number: 8438763
    Abstract: A three-dimensional illuminated greeting card which combines a unique card construction having a 3D pop-out structure with one or more lights contained therein. The 3D pop-out structure forms an internal cavity in which illumination means and other electronic components are contained. One or more sides of the 3D structure are made of translucent or semi-translucent material, creating a screen that can be illuminated from behind by one or more miniature lights, such as LED lights. The light or lights may be connected to an integrated circuit chip that can be programmed with various lighting effects. The greeting card may optionally include other electronic components which are configured to play sound or music or perform other electronic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Anastasia Taylor, Allison Marsh, Johnathan Talbot, Tiger Qiao, Jerry Guo, Eva Jin, David Sapp, Seth Larson
  • Patent number: 8439381
    Abstract: A lower leg (1) for a suspension fork has two tubes (2, 3) with, in each case, a receptacle device (4, 5) for receiving a stanchion tube displaceably mounted in the receptacle device. Two stabilizers (6, 7) connect those end regions of the two tubes which are opposite the dropouts of the tubes to one another. The lower leg (1) has a stiffening member (8, 9) which connects the two stabilizers to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Lüde, Reiner Künstle
  • Patent number: 8430418
    Abstract: The present application describes apparatus for attaching or securing a fifth wheel hitch to a bed of a towing vehicle. The fifth wheel hitch may be arranged to be secured to a hitch ball, such as a gooseneck hitch ball. The fifth wheel hitch may include a chamber for accepting a hitch ball, a locking pin for securing the hitch ball in the chamber, and a handle for selectively securing and releasing the hitch ball. The locking pin may be biased towards a position for securing the hitch ball in the chamber. A damper may be included to dampen impact forces transferred from the trailer to the towing vehicle through the fifth wheel hitch. The fifth wheel hitch may include support members having wear strips that may rest on the surface of the towing vehicle bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, William Aske
  • Patent number: 8429839
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a single-use beverage container assembly having a beverage container which includes an inner surface defining a chamber capable of receiving a liquid, an opening configured to provide access to the chamber and an outer surface comprising a receiving cavity. In certain embodiments, the beverage container further includes an informational attachment including promotional information. The receiving cavity can be configured to receive the informational attachment such that the informational attachment can be stowed in the receiving cavity. The beverage container assembly can also be configured to permit the informational attachment to be at least partially removed from the receiving cavity such that the informational attachment can be separated from the beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventor: John P. Regas
  • Patent number: 8424896
    Abstract: A telescoping crossbar assembly for a wheelchair comprises an inner tube that is slidable within an outer tube. The head portion of a pass-through fastener bears on the inner tube through a sufficiently large head-side aperture so as to slightly deform the inner tube and to hold the two tubes by friction in mutual engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: PDG Product Design Group Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy Balcom, Louis Belanger, Torr Brown, Janusz Krawczynski, Phil Mundy, David Harding, David Cheng Cheng
  • Patent number: 8413752
    Abstract: A robotic vehicle includes a chassis supported on right and left driven tracks, right and left elongated flippers disposed on corresponding sides of the chassis, and a battery unit holder disposed on the chassis for removably receiving a battery unit weighing at least 50 lbs. The battery unit holder includes a guide for receiving and guiding the battery unit to a connected position and a connector mount having locating features and communication features. The locating features receive corresponding locating features of the battery unit, as the battery unit is moved to its connected position, to align the communication features of the connector mount with corresponding communication features of the battery unit. The communication features of the connector mount are movable in a plane transverse to the guide to aid alignment of the communication features for establishment of an electrical connection therebetween when the battery unit is in its connected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Page, Tucker Kuhe, Lee F. Sword, Adam P. Couture