Patents Represented by Attorney Alleman Hall McCoy
  • Patent number: 8218237
    Abstract: Various embodiments related to rear-projection image display are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a projector for projecting an image and a screen configured to display the image. The screen comprises a filter layer having a light reception side and an image display side. The filter layer includes an array of trapezoidal transmissive elements and an array of trapezoidal absorption elements, where a wider base of each of the trapezoidal transmissive elements faces the light reception side of the filter layer, and where a wider base of each of the trapezoidal absorption elements faces the image display side of the filer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Liu, Prafulla Masalkar, Karlton Powell
  • Patent number: 8219394
    Abstract: A device for suppressing ambient sounds from speech received by a microphone array is provided. One embodiment of the device comprises a microphone array, a processor, an analog-to-digital converter, and memory comprising instructions stored therein that are executable by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Flaks, Ivan Tashev, Duncan McKay, Xudong Ni, Robert Heitkamp, Wei Guo, John Tardif, Leo Shing, Michael Baseflug
  • Patent number: 8216112
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively shut-down during engine idle-stop conditions, the system further including a hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulically actuated transmission component, an accumulator, and an auxiliary transmission fluid pump. One example method comprises, during a first idle-stop engine shut-down condition, where the accumulator pressure is above a threshold, delivering pressurized transmission fluid to the hydraulic circuit from the accumulator, while disabling the auxiliary pump. The method further comprises, during a second idle-stop engine shut-down condition, where the accumulator pressure is below the threshold, operating the auxiliary pump and delivering at least some pressurized transmission fluid to the hydraulic circuit from the operating pump without travelling through the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory Michael Pietron, Seung-Hoon Lee, Yuji Fujii
  • Patent number: 8217822
    Abstract: A resolution-enhancing analog-to-digital signal conversion circuit is provided. The circuit includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters arranged in parallel. Each analog-to-digital converter of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters is configured to output a digital signal that identifies an analog signal input to that analog-to-digital converter. The circuit further includes an input regulation module configured to clip the analog signal input to any of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters to within the voltage range corresponding to that analog-to-digital converter if such an analog signal otherwise is outside of the voltage range. The circuit further includes a controller configured to receive the digital signal output from each analog-to-digital converter and output an encoded signal based on one or more such digital signal that is received from an unclipped analog-to-digital converter having a highest analog-to-digital conversion resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Lovitt
  • Patent number: 8216405
    Abstract: Embodiments related to making an optic comprising a cladding are disclosed. One example embodiment comprises forming a wedge-shaped light guide having opposing first and second faces and comprising a material having a first refractive index. The embodiment further comprises applying a cladding layer to the first face, and, applying an interface layer to the cladding layer. In this embodiment, the cladding layer has a second refractive index less than the first refractive index, and the interface layer has a third refractive index matched to the first refractive index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Emerton, Timothy Andrew Large, Kurt A. Jenkins, Adrian Travis
  • Patent number: 8219927
    Abstract: Various embodiments related to the revealing of truncated content on a scrollable grid are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment provides a computing device comprising a display, a processor, and memory comprising instructions executable by the processor to display a cell of a grid of content at a first, smaller size and display in the cell a content item that is truncated based upon the first, smaller size of the cell. The computing device is further configured to receive a request to scroll the grid, and scroll the grid on the display device. During scrolling, the size of the cell is increased to a second, larger size, and a revealing of a truncated portion of the content item is animated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kang Su Gatlin, Elyssa Cox, Rebecca Penick, Erika Carlson, Anthony Young
  • Patent number: 8215113
    Abstract: A turbocharger system for an internal combustion engine includes a turbocharger with a utility pedestal extending between the turbocharger and a mounting surface associated with the engine. The utility pedestal includes a mounting pad for attaching the combined turbocharger and pedestal assembly to the engine, as well as internal oil and coolant supply passages for supplying the turbocharger with coolant and lubricating oil under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony William Hudson, Patrick Sexton, Christopher Kelly Palazzolo, Christopher Cowland
  • Patent number: 8215059
    Abstract: A modular gardening system includes a first monolithic growing pod forming an interior growing volume and including an opening to the growing volume defined by a frame-accommodating lip, and at least a second monolithic growing pod, the second monolithic growing pod being substantially identical to the first monolithic growing pod. The modular gardening system further includes a frame assembly configured to form a perimeter around the opening of the first monolithic growing pod within the frame-accommodating lip of the first monolithic growing pod and the opening of the second monolithic growing pod within the frame-accommodating lip of the second monolithic growing pod, the frame assembly further configured to support the first monolithic growing pod and the second monolithic growing pod in a side-by-side array, stepped array, or elevated array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: R. Marc Williams
  • Patent number: 8215291
    Abstract: A method and system for fuel vapor control in a hybrid vehicle (HEV). The HEV fuel vapor recovery system includes a fuel tank isolation valve, which is normally closed to isolate storage of refueling from storage of diurnal vapors. The method for fuel vapor control includes selectively actuating the fuel tank isolation valve during interrelated routines for refueling, fuel vapor purging, and emission system leak detection diagnostics to improve regulation of pressure and vacuum the HEV fuel vapor recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy DeBastos, Russell Randall Pearce, Scott Bohr, Patrick Sullivan, Christopher Kragh, Michael Igor Kluzner, Robert Roy Jentz, William Euliss, Aed Dudar, James Michael Kerns, Russ William Ferguson, Daniel Gabor
  • Patent number: 8209961
    Abstract: A method of managing vapors generated from an ammonia-containing reductant delivery system for a vehicle is described. The method may include storing ammonia containing vapors generated in the reductant delivery system during engine-off and then purging said stored ammonia into an exhaust of the engine to react in a catalyst in the exhaust flow during engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Oberski, Giovanni Cavataio, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Timothy Webb, William Ruona
  • Patent number: 8210292
    Abstract: As one example, a vehicle propulsion system is provided. The system includes: an engine with an intake air compressor and an exhaust gas turbine. Further, a control is provided to operate the compressor at a different speed than the turbine, at least under an operating condition, and to adjust an amount of opening overlap between engine valves in response to a rotational speed of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John D. Russell, Gopichandra Sumilla
  • Patent number: 8210828
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for pressurizing a transmission hydraulic circuit including a transmission mechanical pump coupled to an engine though a gearbox. One example method comprises, during an engine start, adjusting a speed ratio between the transmission pump and the engine between a first speed ratio and a second speed ratio, the pump rotating faster relative to the engine at the first speed ratio as compared with the second speed ratio. In this way, the pump may be driven at different speed ratios relative to the engine to provide better pressurization in the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Gregory Michael Pietron, Seung-Hoon Lee, Yuji Fujii
  • Patent number: 8212784
    Abstract: An interactive media display system is provided to display media associated with a selected geographic area based on a gesture input of user. The interactive media display system may include a touch-sensitive display surface configured to display a geographic map and receive a gesture input generated by a user on the touch-sensitive display surface while the geographic map is displayed, the gesture input defining a selected geographic area on the geographic map. The system may further include a controller configured, in response to the gesture input, to filter the media data based on position data to determine a filtered media data collection including media that are associated with the selected geographic area, and to command the touch-sensitive display surface to display the media in the filtered media data collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Bogdan Popp
  • Patent number: 8210148
    Abstract: The present application relates to a drive and balance mass. In one example, an engine includes, a camshaft, a balance shaft disposed within an interior of the camshaft, and a first gear, intermediate the balance shaft and the camshaft and driving the balance shaft to rotate about a first axis substantially parallel to a crankshaft of the engine in a direction opposite of the crankshaft. In another example, a balance mass and drive for an engine includes, a planetary gear set including a sun gear, a ring gear and a plurality of pinions mounted on a carrier, an input coupled to an input gear of the planetary gear set, a balance mass coupled to an output gear of the planetary gear set, the output gear configured to drive the balance mass to rotate about a first axis substantially parallel to the crankshaft in a direction opposite of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick B. Morgan, Kenneth L. Nowaczyk
  • Patent number: 8210156
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine direct injection fuel system is provided. The direct injection fuel system includes a mechanical fuel pressure regulator that has a spring actuatable by an electric motor. The method includes adjusting a preload of the spring by operating the electric motor to adjust a set-point fuel pressure from a first set-point fuel pressure to a second set-point fuel pressure in response to an operating condition, and maintaining the preload of the spring mechanically when the electric motor is not operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vladimir V. Kokotovic, Ilya Vladimir Kolmanovsky, Yan Wang
  • Patent number: 8210925
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a difficulty level of a multiplayer networked game are provided herein. One exemplary method includes setting an initial difficulty level at a gaming server for a game played by a main gaming client and one or more challenger gaming clients. The method further includes sending an input request to the main gaming client and each challenger gaming client based on the initial difficulty level. The method further includes receiving main user input from the main gaming client, and challenger user input from each challenger gaming client responsive to the input request. The method also includes adjusting the initial difficulty level to an adjusted difficulty level based on the challenger user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Brett Johnson
  • Patent number: 8210975
    Abstract: An automatic transmission is provided. One embodiment of the automatic transmission may include a valve body including control valves for hydraulically controlling a friction engaging element provided within said transmission. The automatic transmission may further include an electric control unit located on said valve body for controlling gear shifting of said automatic transmission. The automatic transmission may further include a transmission case having a peripheral wall for at least partially enclosing a gear shift mechanism and an outer wall provided adjacent to said peripheral wall, wherein said electric control unit is located within a containing space surrounded by said peripheral wall, said outer wall and said valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsutoshi Mizobe, Junichi Doi, Shinya Kamada, Keiichiro Sueshige, Akihiro Mitani
  • Patent number: 8212788
    Abstract: A computing system includes a touch-input receptor and a touch-detection module. The touch-detection module is configured to track a touch input directed to the touch-input receptor. The computing system also includes a control module to change a parameter of the computing system indicated by an initial portion of the touch input tracked by the touch-detection module. The control module is configured to change the parameter by an amount indicated by a subsequent portion of the touch input tracked by the touch-detection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Wilson Lam
  • Patent number: 8209981
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an engine are provided. In some examples, the engine has at least a cylinder and a compression device coupled to an intake of the engine, and the method includes, during engine re-start operation of an engine idle-stop condition, commencing combustion in the cylinder from a non-combusting condition, the combustion in a two-stroke combustion cycle of the cylinder. However, in some examples, at least partially electrically powered boosting operation may also be used to extend the two-stroke operation during a start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 8214889
    Abstract: Management of security firewall settings in a networked computing environment is described. One example embodiment includes applying security settings and exceptions to the security settings based on network class for network communication, and upon detection of an event, revoking at least one exception for at least one network in a specified class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Pradeep Bahl, Gerardo Diaz Cuellar, Rajesh Dadhia