Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Anderson & Citkowski, P.C.
  • Patent number: 7889905
    Abstract: A novel framework for fast and continuous registration between two imaging modalities is disclosed. The approach makes it possible to completely determine the rigid transformation between multiple sources at real-time or near real-time frame-rates in order to localize the cameras and register the two sources. A disclosed example includes computing or capturing a set of reference images within a known environment, complete with corresponding depth maps and image gradients. The collection of these images and depth maps constitutes the reference source. The second source is a real-time or near-real time source which may include a live video feed. Given one frame from this video feed, and starting from an initial guess of viewpoint, the real-time video frame is warped to the nearest viewing site of the reference source. An image difference is computed between the warped video frame and the reference image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: William E. Higgins, Scott A. Merritt, Lav Rai
  • Patent number: 7888547
    Abstract: A hospital type of bandage integrates an absorbent pad and non-stick layer with a fluid-impermeable outer layer and an adhesive in a single composite structure. In a preferred embodiment the invention further includes means which may be used to turn the bandage inside out upon removal, so that surfaces once contacting a patient are no longer externally exposed. A bandage according to the invertible embodiment preferably includes a pocket formed on the side of the bandage facing away from the patient after application, this pocket being large enough to accommodate at least a portion of a human hand, and inside this pocket and located opposite the entrance is a means for grasping which may be pulled outwardly through pocket opening, thereby inverting the entire structure. Various forms of devices for grasping are possible as alternatives, including a string, a tab and a tab with one or more finger-receiving holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Michael A. Masini
  • Patent number: 7887586
    Abstract: A ligament incorporated into a prosthetic joint exhibiting a plasticized, elongated and deformable material. A fibrous material is internally disposed within the deformable material, the fibrous material terminating in first and second enlarged bead portions arranged in proximity to enlarged pocket defined ends associated with the deformable materials. First and second bones define a joint region therebetween, the deformable end pockets and bead portions being inserted through associated holes defined in joint proximate locations associated with the bones, so that actuation of a projection location of the fibrous material causes the bead portions to outwardly deflect the end pockets, resulting in the ligaments being anchored in place between the bones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Linares Medical Devices, LLC
    Inventor: Miguel A. Linares
  • Patent number: 7889063
    Abstract: A system and method for creating a customizable video display in a vehicle is provided for allowing a user to select what driving information is to be displayed. The system having a video display device fixed on the instrument panel of a vehicle, and an input device allowing users to choose what to view and the size the information will appear in, from a list of vehicle driver information. The method having the steps of providing a list of driver information from which the user may select, selecting the desired driver information to be displayed, selecting the size the information will be displayed in, and displaying the information on the video display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Rovik, Fred W. Lupton, III
  • Patent number: 7882801
    Abstract: A method of collecting a sample of milk while milking a succession of animals comprises diverting a portion of milk from an animal into a flowpath (74, 77) leading to an extraction point (80). The flowpath (74, 77) is dimensioned such that milk flows along the flowpath as a plug occupying the whole of its cross-section and allows some of the milk from the animal to pass the extraction point (80). Thereafter the milk is transferred into a container or other receiver and at least some of the remaining milk of that animal reaching the extraction point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: David Eric Akerman
  • Patent number: 7884079
    Abstract: A composition is provided having the formula where R1 and R2 are each independently H or a C1-C4 hydrocarbon; R3 is H, and R4 is a moiety capable of crossing the blood brain barrier selected from the group consisting of: an amino acid, a peptide, transferrin, gluconate, lactate, citrate, malate, fumarate, benzoate, salicylate, pyruvate and propionate. The composition includes 4-aminopyridine and a transporter species which allows for improved transport of the aminopyridine across the blood brain barrier thereby reducing systemic side effects of aminopyridine administration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Landon C. G. Miller
  • Patent number: 7882960
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for continuous separation of dry matter from a fluid, comprising an enclosed environment capable of being under vacuum or under positive pressure, in which enclosed environment a number of rollers (1, 3, 4, 4?, 6, 6?, 20, 21, 22, 23) form a chamber which is divided into two or more compartments (12, 13, 24, 27, 25, 26) by filtration means (7, 8, 16, 29, 36, 37, 38, 40), wherein one or more filtrated chambers (9, 10) are placed on the pure side of the filter means. In order to allow for cleaning and/or maintenance of the filtrate chambers, additional filtrate chambers are provided, which are separated from the first filtrate chambers by a wall. One of the filtrate chambers at any time is placed under the filter, while the other filtrate chambers are situated outside the enclosure for maintenance/cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
    Inventors: Preben B. Hansen, Peter Stubbe, Hanne Birch, Kirsten G. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 7879493
    Abstract: Disclosed is a doped lithium titanate and its use as an electrode in a battery. Further disclosed is a method for making an alkali metal titanate, which method includes mixing an alkali metal compound and a titanium compound, impact milling the mixture, and heating the milled mixture for a time, and at a temperature, sufficient to convert the mixture to the alkali metal titanate. The alkali metal compound can be in the form of Li2CO3 and the titanium compound can be in the form of TiO2. A dopant may be included in the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: A123 Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Pu Zhang, Suresh Mani, Michael R. Wixom
  • Patent number: 7879204
    Abstract: An anode configured for the cathodic protection of reinforced concrete structures and underground metallic structures against corrosion comprises a hollow, mixed-metal-oxide (MMO) coated form, the form having a wall with intentional gaps therethrough. A humectant is disposed in the hollow form, and a conduit between the hollow form and an ambient environment enables gasses produced by the form to escape to the environment while allowing the humectant to be periodically moistened with water or a high pH buffer solution. The form may be composed of titanium, tantalum, zirconium, niobium or alloys thereof, and the MMO coatings may be composed of titanium, tantalum, iridium, ruthenium, palladium, cobalt or mixtures thereof. The form may be a coiled wire or strip, a perforated tube, or other structure having gaps between the interior of the form and the surrounding concrete or soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Miki Funahashi
  • Patent number: 7879476
    Abstract: A cationic conductive polymer is described herein which generally comprises a proton donating polymer and an oxocarbonic acid. The cationic conductive polymer exhibits a high conductivity in low humidity environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., University of Chicago
    Inventors: Yuichiro Sugiyama, Hisashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7880621
    Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for determining the attention demands on a person are described. An example approach comprises obtaining sensor data representative of the person's environment, detecting sensory objects within the sensor data, and clustering together sensory objects (for example, objects having correlated properties) so as to determine an output number of attention-demanding objects, the output number typically being less than the number of sensory objects in the sensor. An example apparatus may be used to determine the attention demands on a vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven F. Kalik
  • Patent number: 7874835
    Abstract: A burner assembly for a radiant tube heater having an air duct portion for passage of combustion air to a radiant tube portion includes a mixing cup for mixing combustible gas and air and delivering the mixture to the tube. This cup has an inlet portion and a larger cylindrical outlet portion. Air inlet holes are formed in an upstream end wall of the outlet portion and air ports are formed in a peripheral wall of the inlet portion. An air diverter mounted at an upstream end of the inlet portion has a set of blade which divert a portion of the air through the ports for initial mixing with the gas while a second portion of the air flows through the inlet holes providing additional primary air for mixing. An airflow restricting plate can be mounted on the cup so as to extend circumferentially around the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Schwank Ltd.
    Inventors: Bernd Schwank, Samer Hassan, Fariborz Farshad
  • Patent number: 7874832
    Abstract: An assembly for creating a folded edge for a flexible headliner material. A table defines an outer configured perimeter upon which is supported the headliner with or without a supporting template. Pairs of primary and secondary fingers are arranged at perimeter spaced locations in mounted fashion over the outer configured perimeter. The fingers contact outwardly displaceable fashion relative to the headliner inner perimeter, and such that the fingers are cooperatively displaced in a first step imparting a bent edge to the headliner. A projecting edge of the secondary finger is subsequently displaced over a terminating edge of the first finger in order to fold over the bent edge, or against the template, to form the edge profile to the headliner in a non-pleated fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Kimastle Corporation
    Inventor: Ray Kujawa
  • Patent number: 7874587
    Abstract: A glove box assembly incorporated into a vehicle instrument panel, along which extends a reinforcing bar. A three-dimensional and interiorly open receptacle is fixedly mounted within the instrument panel. The receptacle includes integrally formed structural projections extending from a rear side thereof and in a direction towards the reinforcing bar. A plurality of ribs are attached to the receptacle proximate the projections and in order to adjust a deformation characteristic of the receptacle. A bin secures within said glove box receptacle and includes a door exposed to adjoining surfaces of the instrument panel. Upon experiencing a collision event resulting in a passenger's knees impacting the door, inward deformation of the receptacle transfers forces both to the instrument panel and through deforming the reinforcing bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sadao Miki, Benjamin Warren Penner
  • Patent number: 7874203
    Abstract: In a misfire detection apparatus and method that detects a misfire in an internal combustion engine with cylinders provided in a vehicle, it is determined that a misfire occurs in the engine, if a first condition and a second condition are satisfied; the first condition is a condition that a rotational speed of an output shaft of the engine decreases by an amount equal to or larger than a first change amount during a time period from a compression top dead center in a first cylinder to the compression top dead center in a second cylinder; and the second condition is a condition that the rotational speed of the output shaft increases by an amount equal to or larger than a second change amount during a time period from the compression top dead center in the second cylinder to the compression top dead center in a third cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7877188
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine includes: a fuel amount detector; a smoothing calculation unit that calculates a smooth output value, which is obtained by smoothing an output value of the fuel amount detector in a temporal direction; a continuous low speed condition detection unit that detects a continuous low speed condition in which the vehicle speed remains in the low speed region continuously beyond a predetermined time period; a calculation processing unit that successively calculates a maximum value and a minimum value of the smooth output value; a reference setting unit that updates and stores a reference value in response to the engine stoppage and in accordance with the current minimum value calculated by the calculation processing unit; and a fuel supply determination unit that detects a fuel supply to the fuel tank during the continuous low speed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Mizuno, Naoya Okubo
  • Patent number: 7871318
    Abstract: An oscillator device is configured to be attached to a vent in an interior of an automotive vehicle. The device includes a housing and a fan element pivotally coupled thereto. The fan element has a plurality of radially outwardly extending channels for causing rotation of the fan element relative to the housing and for distributing air radially outwardly from the vent as air passes from the vent and through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Paxton S. Williams
  • Patent number: 7873491
    Abstract: In an AC magnetic tracker one or more multi-axis field sources, each operating at a different frequency, or frequency set, are detected and tracked in three-dimensional space, even when wireless or otherwise not physically connected to the tracking system. Multiple sources can be tracked simultaneously as they each operate with their own unique detectable set of parameters. The invention not only provides the ability to uniquely identify one or more sources by their frequencies, but also to synchronize with these frequencies in order to measure signals that then allow tracking the position and orientation (P&O) of the source(s). Further, these sources need not be present at the time of system start-up but can come and go while being detected, discriminated and tracked. It also should be noted that application of such systems in multiples with more sensors not synchronized to a source or sources also could be employed to give the reverse appearance of a known source phase and incoherency with the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Alken, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Higgins, Herbert R. Jones, Jr., Allan G. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 7872635
    Abstract: A system for detecting and recording eye-tracking data by presenting to an observer a display image with an area in focus surrounded by blurred areas. The observer may shift the focus area within the image by head movements which are wirelessly transmitted to a receiver and used to modify the displayed image. This system solves that part of the eye-tracking problem that is most critical for measuring cognitive processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Optimetrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian T. Mitchell
  • Patent number: D633258
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Judith Benattar