Patents by Inventor Thomas Block

Thomas Block has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230017003
    Abstract: The detection of a use status of an object. To ascertain the use status, i.e., the decision as to whether or not an object is presently in use, using sensor data of multiple sensors provided at the object. For this purpose, in particular, the individual results about the use status may be correlated with one another. When needed, additional sensors may be activated and incorporated in the evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Sergej Scheiermann, Thomas Block
  • Patent number: 10156992
    Abstract: A method for data reduction of items of sensor data information, a plurality of data frames being stored in a buffer memory, a data frame including a sensor data representative and an item of discard information of a discard counter, a plurality of items of sensor data information being assigned to a data frame in a comparison operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Dominik Geisler, Thomas Block
  • Publication number: 20160210081
    Abstract: A method for data reduction of items of sensor data information, a plurality of data frames being stored in a buffer memory, a data frame including a sensor data representative and an item of discard information of a discard counter, a plurality of items of sensor data information being assigned to a data frame in a comparison operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Dominik Geisler, Thomas Block
  • Patent number: 9235249
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method and a device connected to a serial bus, said method comprising transmitting a message that indicates a power requirement for a suspended mode of said serial bus; in response to a received authorization message, setting a first or a second operating state; entering said suspended mode; drawing a current in accordance with said indicated power requirement that may exceed a predetermined current limit if said operating state is said first state, and drawing a current at or below said predetermined current limit if said operating state is said second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Daniel Bencak, Thomas Block, Sten Carlsen, Jani Heikkinen
  • Patent number: 8484394
    Abstract: In the case of a universal serial bus (USB) connection, a host detects a connection of a peripheral to the host via a USB interface of the host. The host then generates an informative command, which includes information on capabilities of the host. This informative command is provided for transmission via the USB interface to the peripheral. The peripheral receives the informative command and may for instance evaluate the included information for selecting a suitable USB mode that is to be entered or for deciding on becoming a host itself. Alternatively or in addition, the host may generate a request command for retrieving information on all classes offered in all USB modes of a peripheral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hubo, Thomas Block, Daniel Bencak, Christian Zechlin
  • Patent number: 8267081
    Abstract: A therapy utilizing inhaled anesthetic agents (such as desflurane, sevoflurane, isoflurane, or xenon) for the sedation of patients outside of the immediate perioperative space such as in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) and the surgical intensive care unit (SICU). The therapy includes controlled delivery of volatile anesthetic agents to patients undergoing ventilatory support on an ICU ventilator over extended periods of time. A system which provides for the delivery of anesthetic agents includes an anesthetic agent vaporizer element, an anesthetic agent reflector, and a plug-in cassette which contains both a cartridge housing liquid phase volatile anesthetic agent and an anesthetic vapor scrubbing medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Craig T. Flanagan, William S. Hurst, Lien-Lung Sheu, Thomas A. Block, Haiming Wu
  • Patent number: 7801202
    Abstract: A slave low power radio frequency transceiver participates in a network controlled by a master low power radio frequency transceiver and synchronises its timing to the network timing by receiving radio packets transmitted from the controlling low power radio frequency transceiver. The slave transceiver comprises timing means; detection means operable over an interval of time for detecting a predetermined portion of a received radio packet; and adjusting means for adjusting the timing means in response to the detection of a predetermined portion of a received radio packet. The slave low power radio frequency transceiver is arranged to controllably vary the duration of the interval of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Block, Christian Zechlin, Dietmar Schnepp
  • Publication number: 20100212668
    Abstract: A therapy utilizing inhaled anesthetic agents (such as desflurane, sevoflurane, isoflurane, or xenon) for the sedation of patients outside of the immediate perioperative space such as in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) and the surgical intensive care unit (SICU). The therapy includes controlled delivery of volatile anesthetic agents to patients undergoing ventilatory support on an ICU ventilator over extended periods of time. A system which provides for the delivery of anesthetic agents includes an anesthetic agent vaporizer element, an anesthetic agent reflector, and a plug-in cassette which contains both a cartridge housing liquid phase volatile anesthetic agent and an anesthetic vapor scrubbing medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicants: BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC., BAXTER HEAL THCARE S.A.
    Inventors: CRAIG T. FLANAGAN, WILLIAM S. HURST, LIEN-LUNG SHEU, THOMAS A. BLOCK, HAIMING WU
  • Publication number: 20100040041
    Abstract: A method involving: sending from a first apparatus to a second apparatus a first message identifying the first apparatus and a second message scheduling a time period for reply; receiving at the first apparatus during the time period scheduled by the second message a third message sent by the second apparatus; and in response to receiving the third message, changing a role of the first apparatus so that it is operable to schedule bi-directional data transfer between the first apparatus and the second apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Nokia Corporatioin
    Inventors: Christian Zechlin, Thomas Block
  • Publication number: 20100037074
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method and a device connected to a serial bus, said method comprising transmitting a message that indicates a power requirement for a suspended mode of said serial bus; in response to a received authorization message, setting a first or a second operating state; entering said suspended mode; drawing a current in accordance with said indicated power requirement that may exceed a predetermined current limit if said operating state is said first state, and drawing a current at or below said predetermined current limit if said operating state is said second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: NOKIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Bencak, Thomas Block, Sten Carlsen, Jani Heikkinen
  • Publication number: 20090300239
    Abstract: In the case of a universal serial bus (USB) connection, a host detects a connection of a peripheral to the host via a USB interface of the host. The host then generates an informative command, which includes information on capabilities of the host. This informative command is provided for transmission via the USB interface to the peripheral. The peripheral receives the informative command and may for instance evaluate the included information for selecting a suitable USB mode that is to be entered or for deciding on becoming a host itself. Alternatively or in addition, the host may generate a request command for retrieving information on all classes offered in all USB modes of a peripheral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Hubo, Thomas Block, Daniel Bencak, Christian Zechlin
  • Patent number: 7623828
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for communication between master and slave devices on a network, such as a piconet or Bluetooth network. A master notifies the slave of a change in the link supervision timeout associated with the piconet. The slave stores the new link supervision timeout value and uses this value to control subsequent network-related operations, such as inquiry and paging procedures within a scatternet. The slave, aware of the link supervision timeout value for its existing connection may set an activity time limit for procedures in order to return to the physical channel of the piconet before a timeout connection loss to reestablish contact with the piconet master.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Block, Christian Zechlin
  • Publication number: 20090030656
    Abstract: A method and system for compensating for misalignment of a piece of target material to which a design is to be applied is described. One embodiment receives first and second sets of coordinates corresponding to the location, respectively, of first and second reference points on the target piece of material; modifies, based on the received first and second sets of coordinates, design data that specifies a predetermined position and orientation of the design on the target piece of material with respect to the first and second reference points to produce modified design data, the modified design data compensating for at least one of translational and rotational misalignment of the target piece of material with respect to a design-application mechanism; and applies the design to the target piece of material in accordance with the modified design data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Ray Doe, II, Donald Richard Grayson, Robert Bruce Ton, Jeffrey Thomas Block, Scott David Stengel
  • Patent number: 7483677
    Abstract: A low power radio frequency transceiver is arranged to form a network of communicating low power radio frequency transceivers. It comprises a transmitter for transmitting packets of data and means for controlling the transmitter to transmit a series of messages of a first type outside the network of transceivers, for maintaining synchronisation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Zechlin, Thomas Block
  • Publication number: 20080080477
    Abstract: Systems and methods applicable, for example, in connection functionality. A device might, for instance, provide connection to one or more services via one or more devices. The device might, for example, detect a device offering one or more of those services. The device providing connection might, for instance, consider one or more priorities, connection disruption indications, and/or connection maintenance indications. The device providing connection might, for example, stop providing connection via one or more of the devices via which connection was being provided, and/or might start providing connection via the detected device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: NOKIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas Block, Patrick Clauberg
  • Patent number: 7339769
    Abstract: An antiferromagnetically exchange-coupled structure for use in a magnetic device, such as a magnetoresistive sensor, includes an underlayer formed of a chemically-ordered tetragonal-crystalline alloy, a chemically-ordered tetragonal-crystalline Mn-alloy antiferromagnetic layer in contact with the underlayer, and a ferromagnetic layer exchange-coupled with the antiferromagnetic layer. The underlayer is an alloy selected from the group consisting of alloys of AuCu, FePt, FePd, AgTi3, Pt Zn, PdZn, IrV, CoPt and PdCd, and the antiferromagnetic layer is an alloy of Mn with Pt, Ni, Ir, Pd or Rh. The underlayer enhances the transformation of the Mn alloy from the chemically-disordered phase to the chemically-ordered phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Carey, Bruce A. Gurney, Brian R. York, Thomas Block
  • Publication number: 20070173270
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for communication between master and slave devices on a network, such as a piconet or Bluetooth network. A master notifies the slave of a change in the link supervision timeout associated with the piconet. The slave stores the new link supervision timeout value and uses this value to control subsequent network-related operations, such as inquiry and paging procedures within a scatternet. The slave, aware of the link supervision timeout value for its existing connection may set an activity time limit for procedures in order to return to the physical channel of the piconet before a timeout connection loss to reestablish contact with the piconet master.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Block, Christian Zechlin
  • Publication number: 20060254855
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fibrous veil having a plurality of densified portions formed thereon for improved airflow resistance. The airflow resistance may be tuned to meet the needs of a particular application by selecting the size, density and location of the densified portions. The veil may be used independently or in combination with other sound control materials. The present invention also provides a fibrous blanket having a plurality of densified portions formed on one or both major surfaces thereof for improved airflow resistance. The airflow resistance may be tuned to meet the needs of a particular application by selecting the size and density of the densified portions. A method of manufacturing the materials of the present invention by applying heat and/or pressure to portions of the material is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: James Loftus, Thomas Block, Jeffrey Tilton
  • Publication number: 20050202740
    Abstract: An acoustical and thermal insulator provided which is suitable for use in a vehicle. The insulator includes a nonlaminate acoustical and thermal insulating layer of blend of polymer fibers and natural fibers. The fiber blend provides a lower cost material with similar acoustical, thermal properties. The insulator includes a relatively high density, nonlaminate layer of the fiber blend and/or one or more facing layers constructed from various materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: Jeffrey Tilton, Lee Staelgraeve, Thomas Block
  • Publication number: 20050195533
    Abstract: An antiferromagnetically exchange-coupled structure for use in a magnetic device, such as a magnetoresistive sensor, includes an underlayer formed of a chemically-ordered tetragonal-crystalline alloy, a chemically-ordered tetragonal-crystalline Mn-alloy antiferromagnetic layer in contact with the underlayer, and a ferromagnetic layer exchange-coupled with the antiferromagnetic layer. The underlayer is an alloy selected from the group consisting of alloys of AuCu, FePt, FePd, AgTi3, Pt Zn, PdZn, IrV, CoPt and PdCd, and the antiferromagnetic layer is an alloy of Mn with Pt, Ni, Ir, Pd or Rh. The underlayer enhances the transformation of the Mn alloy from the chemically-disordered phase to the chemically-ordered phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Matthew Carey, Bruce Gurney, Brian York, Thomas Block