Patents Examined by Timothy Edwards, Jr.
  • Remote controller code format(s), transmitting/receiving apparatus thereof, and transmitting/receiving method(s) thereof
    Patent number: 7688244
    Abstract: Remote controller code format(s), transmitting/receiving apparatus thereof, and transmitting/receiving method(s) thereof are provided by which data can be transmitted/received using an intrinsic remote controller code format to prevent reciprocal compatibility with another remote controller of a different manufacturer. The remote controller code format(s) may include a header code, a custom code, a data code, an inverse data code, and an inverse custom code. One frame of the remote controller code format may be arranged in a sequence of the header code, the custom code, the data code, the inverse data code, the inverse custom code, and an end code. One frame of the remote controller code format may be arranged in a sequence of the header code, the custom code, the inverse custom code, the data code, the inverse data code, a check sum code, and an end code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Ha Lee, Byung Gon Kim
  • Method and conduit for transmitting signals
    Patent number: 7683802
    Abstract: A wired drill pipe segment includes a tubular body having an axial bore, a box end disposed at a first end of the tubular body having a first core material disposed in the box end, a pin end disposed at a second end of the tubular body having a second core material disposed in the pin end, a first coil winding wound around at least a portion of the first core material and a second coil winding wound around at least a portion of the first core material, a third coil winding wound around at least a portion of the second core material and a fourth coil winding wound around at least a portion of the second core material, a first conductor connected to the first coil winding and the third coil winding and extending through the tubular body, and a second conductor connected to the second coil winding and the fourth coil winding and extending through the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: IntelliServ, LLC
    Inventors: Raghu Madhavan, Bruce W. Boyle, Brian Clark, Stacy L. Johnson, David Santoso, Lise Hvatum
  • Signal transmission device for a measuring probe, as well as transmission method and measuring probe
    Patent number: 7683803
    Abstract: A signal transmission device is disclosed, which serves to connect a measuring probe, in particular a pH measuring probe or an oxygen measuring probe, to a signal-processing unit. The signal transmission device includes a differential amplifier at whose non-inverting input an input signal can be applied which is provided by an electrode of the measuring probe, and from which a corresponding low-impedance output signal can be delivered to a transmission line, by which the output signal can be transmitted to the signal-processing unit. The output of the differential amplifier can be connected via a first resistor to the transmission line and to the inverting input of the differential amplifier, and can be connected to the input of a first control unit by which signals can be registered, such as clock signals and/or data, which are applied to the transmission line by the signal-processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Juergen Ammann
  • Remote control device with directional mode indicator
    Patent number: 7679544
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for a remote control device. Means for detecting orientation of the remote control device couples to a processor. The processor changes a mode of operation of the remote control device in response to a change in the orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L. P.
    Inventor: John R. Stefanik
  • Contextual prediction of user words and user actions
    Patent number: 7679534
    Abstract: The invention concerns user entry of information into a system with an input device. A scheme is provided in which an entire word that a user wants to enter is predicted after the user enters a specific symbol, such as a space character. If the user presses an ambiguous key thereafter, rather than accept the prediction, the selection list is reordered. For example, a user enters the phrase “Lets run to school. Better yet, lets drive to “.””” After the user presses the space, after first entering the second occurrence of the word “to,” the system predicts that the user is going to enter the word “school” based on the context in which the user has entered that word in the past. Should the user enter an ambiguous key after the space, then a word list which contains the word “school” is reordered and other options are made available to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Tegic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: David Jon Kay, Ethan R. Bradford, Pim van Meurs, Peter C. Peddie
  • Smart filtering with multiple simultaneous keyboard inputs
    Patent number: 7675435
    Abstract: Keyboard entries by users are tracked and filtered to reduce ambiguity in translating the entries to characters and predicting text based on the entries in a multiple keyboard environment. Key tables such as an equivalence table mapping characters to a base character value, a digit mapping table mapping characters to a digit between 0 and 9 are used to determine possible matches in text prediction. A letter accumulator UI is employed along with a number accumulator UI to provide users feedback on tracked letters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ray Sun, Timothy M. Thairu, Kelly Gachet, Juan Jose Mejia, Timothy L. Bui, Peter Deng, Aaron Filner
  • State-sensitive navigation aid
    Patent number: 7671782
    Abstract: Navigation logic and related methods are described for assisting a user in using a remote control (RC) device. The navigation logic determines a current state of a user's interaction with an application, and then determines the keys of the RC device that are relevant to the determined state. The navigation logic then displays a representation of the relevant keys on a user interface presentation of a presentation device. The representation resembles a physical layout of associated physical keys on the RC device. To assist the user in focusing on the relevant keys, the representation de-emphasizes other input mechanisms of the RC device that do not have a bearing on the user's current interaction with the application. One exemplary way of de-emphasizing these other keys is to entirely omit these keys from the representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Cleron, Jeffrey D Yaksick, Ronald Alan Morris
  • Apparatus and method for input of ideographic korean syllables from reduced keyboard
    Patent number: 7671765
    Abstract: Systems and methods for input of text symbols into an electronic device comprising a reduced keyboard having keys representing a plurality of characters are disclosed. Possible symbol variants are identified based on character inputs received from the reduced keyboard. Each identified symbol variant is grouped into one of a plurality of groups of symbol variants, each group having an associated priority, according to a type of the symbol variant. Within at least one of the groups, the symbol variants are ranked in decreasing order of frequencies of use of the symbol variants. A list of symbol variants comprising the plurality of groups of symbol variants in order of decreasing priority is then displayed, and an input symbol is selected from the list of symbol variants. The symbol variants of the at least one of the groups of symbol variants are thereby sorted by both priority and frequency of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Vadim Fux
  • Character communication device
    Patent number: 7664536
    Abstract: A character communication device which is connected to a network and enables at least communication by using characters. The device comprises a candidate term display means (S104) for displaying a group of candidate terms prepared for message communication in a candidate term display area (52) of the screen, a term selecting means (2b) for outputting a term which is selected by the operator from the group of candidate terms, and a message generating means (S108) for generating a message by serially displaying a plurality of outputted terms in a message editing area (53) of the screen and sending the generated message to a transmitting/receiving means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega
    Inventors: Kei Nakajima, Takao Miyoshi, Yuji Naka, Shiro Maekawa, Katsumi Yabuno
  • Device for communicating with a voice-disabled person
    Patent number: 7659836
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for communicating with a voice-disabled person. The device includes, generally, a housing, a plurality of means for receiving physical input, each physical input receiving means generating a specified response signal upon being physically manipulated, a display means, and means for receiving the response signals and converting the response signals into a corresponding visual representation on the display means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: AstraZeneca AB
    Inventor: Kathleen Novak
  • Input device
    Patent number: 7656314
    Abstract: An input device is provided. The input device includes an operation unit. A coordinate input unit capable of detecting that an operating body is in contact with the operation unit and detecting a position coordinate on the operation unit of a position where the operating body contacted the operation unit. A data processing unit outputs an operation processing signal on the basis of a detection signal received from the coordinate input unit. The data processing unit outputs an operation confirmation processing signal for the input operation after an input operation is performed while the operating body is contacting the operation unit, when tapping is performed on the operation unit, with the operating body kept in contact with the operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Muranaka, Akihiro Shinohe, Shuzo Ono
  • Reduced keyboard character selection system and method
    Patent number: 7656316
    Abstract: A system and method of selecting a character for display in a communication device having a display and a reduced-key keyboard is provided. One of the plurality of keys on the reduced-key keyboard is selected and a default letter associated with the selected key is displayed. A backspace key is selected to display a cursor in the position of the character on the display. The key associated with the default character is selected again and an alternate character associated with the selected key is displayed in place of the default letter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Mihal Lazaridis, Jason T. Griffin
  • System and method for sharing information between downhole drill strings
    Patent number: 7656309
    Abstract: A system for sharing information between downhole drill strings is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a first drill string and a communications network integrated into the first drill string. The communications network includes multiple nodes spaced at selected intervals along the first drill string to gather subterranean data along the first drill string. The system further includes a second drill string and a real-time communication link between the first drill string and second drill string. The communication link is used to transit the subterranean data from the first drill string to the second drill string to control the second drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Joe Fox
  • System for wireless communication along a drill string
    Patent number: 7649474
    Abstract: A wireless communication and drill string telemetry system. The communication system is used for communicating information along a drill string between a boring tool and a boring machine. An insulator assembly provides an electrically insulated gap between the drill string communication path and a soil engaging electrode for the electrical return path. A transmitter assembly includes a data transmitter for encoding and transmitting a data signal. A signal coupler couples the data signal to the drill string and provides a controlled electrical connection between the drill string communication path and the soil engaging electrode. The signal coupler comprises a transformer and a current regulating circuit to adjust a voltage across the transformer's primary winding. A receiver assembly is disposed proximate the drilling machine and includes a toroidal pickup coil and a signal processing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael F. Gard
  • Data entry using sequential keystrokes
    Patent number: 7649478
    Abstract: A method for designing a keyboard for efficient data entry. A user inputs data from a predefined set of characters such as letters or symbols on an input device by pressing one or more keys, in a sequential fashion, for each character. Based on the frequency of occurrence for each character, a prefix-free coding is used to generate an optimal or near-optimal key sequence mapping for the given character set. In one exemplary embodiment, eight to twelve keys from a phone keypad are used to generate English alphabets, which substantially reduces the average number of keystrokes per character. The present invention enables the user to efficiently input typical data from a given probability distribution of characters using a limited number of keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Hyoungsoo Yoon
  • Wireless telemetry methods and systems for communicating with or controlling intelligent devices
    Patent number: 7639157
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for remotely monitoring and controlling via a wireless network various devices deployed in homes and businesses. The present invention allows for monitoring and control of various gateways distributed to remotely located facilities to be monitored and the devices coupled to those gateways to be controlled via a wireless communications network. Preferably, the network is a GSM network adapted to provide short messaging services or any type of wireless network adapted to operate a General Packet Radio System for delivering data over the network. Messages are packaged at each gateway for delivery via the network to a destination terminal, whether a fixed terminal or a mobile station. Likewise, customers may forward data and commands to a particular gateway either from a mobile station or by accessing a fixed terminal, such as through an Internet connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, I,L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin T. Whitley, Karl B. Warfel, Arthur M. Shand
  • System and method for providing operation of internet powered universal remote controller
    Patent number: 7639170
    Abstract: A system and method for the network operation of a universal remote controller (URC) and the URC for realizing said system have been disclosed in the invention, said system comprises: a user service subsystem, a data storing and exchanging device and a user operation subsystem. The network operation method for said URC comprises: collecting the parameters of an existing user's remote controller (RC) via a RC sampling device, analyzing and processing the parameter data as a code program, and transferring to the server device via the Internet in order to store and exchange the data; reading the required program from the server device by the URC via the user terminal device and the Internet to realize the function of the URC. In said URC, the URC is provided with a USB interface circuit for downloading the data on the network into the URC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignees: Hangzhou Silan Microelectronics Co., Ltd., Hangzhou Bremax Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiangdong Chen, Wenjie Li, Bin Zhang
  • Apparatus and method for monitoring acoustic energy in a borehole
    Patent number: 7636052
    Abstract: A system, method and device may be used to monitor acoustic energy in a borehole. Electromagnetic energy is used to energize a resonant circuit incorporating a sensor. The sensor modulates the electromagnetic energy in accordance with received acoustic energy and transmits the modulated energy so that it may be received and processed in order to obtain the desired measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Don M. Coates, M. Clark Thompson, David W. Beck
  • Method and system for monitoring environmental conditions
    Patent number: 7619346
    Abstract: A sensing system, sensing method, and method of producing a sensing system capable of providing a cumulative measurement capability, such as in the form of a RFID tag capable of measuring cumulative heat and humidity for continuous monitoring of storage and shipping conditions of various goods. The system includes integrated circuitry and a plurality of sensing elements, preferably having cantilevered bimorph beams. Each sensing element is responsive to an environmental condition so as to deflect toward and away from open contacts in response to changes in the environmental condition. Each sensing element produces a digital output when it contacts and closes its open contacts. The integrated circuitry interfaces with the sensing elements so that the digital outputs of the sensing elements are processed to generate a system output of the sensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Evigia Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Navid Yazdi
  • Circuit layout arrangement for key switch signal recognition
    Patent number: RE41017
    Abstract: A key switch signal recognition circuit including a plurality of key switch buttons, a plurality of key switch signal output lines, and a plurality of key switch button contact areas is disclosed. Each of the key switch contact areas includes a first wire set and a second wire set. The first wire set has at least one wire, and each wire of the first wire set has one end connected to a common line and an opposite end forming an open end. The second wire set has at least one wire respectively disposed in parallel to and electrically insulated from the wire of the first wire set. The wire of the second wire set is respectively connected to a key switch signal output line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventors: Chui-Kuei Chiu, Yin-Chun Huang