Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Anderson & Citkowski, P.C.
  • Lighting modifiable photo booth with external process control
    Patent number: 8260127
    Abstract: A photo booth incorporating LED lighting elements configured for causing a polycarbonate resin thermoplastic outer sheeting of the booth having translucent properties to exhibit a desired color, pattern or sequence. The body and associated polycarbonate sheet are typically constructed in an arcuate (rounded or ellipsoidal) shape to create an internal space sufficient for mounting the LED lighting elements as well as the associated interior architecture for operating the booth. An external processor control interfaces with the internal processor associated with the architecture of the booth and for operating such as a digital camera and printer. Security hardware and software components are also provided and for ensuring against non-authorized use of the booth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Reno
  • Method of operating a hybrid drive system and hybrid drive system with two partial drives
    Patent number: 8257221
    Abstract: A method of operating a hybrid drive system with an internal combustion engine and a supplemental electric machine for a motor vehicle including first and second gear changing partial drives each with gear changing gearwheels, wherein during operation there is torque flow from one gear changing partial drive to the other partial drive results in a gear change between gearwheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Fev Motorentechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Leufgen
  • Automated insurance claim primacy resolution and claim resolution
    Patent number: 8260634
    Abstract: Comprehensive claim primacy among all insurers serving a given population is determined quickly and efficiently while not requiring all 4,500 or so insurers (in the U.S.) to unanimously adopt a new system of claim processing cooperation. The claim primacy determination is made by a centralized server with access to health plan enrollment and benefit data from substantially all insurers. The determination can therefore be comprehensive. Efficiency is achieved by caching enrollment and benefit data by the server, requiring periodic updates of the cached data by health plans. Unanimous lock-step adoption by the insurers is avoided by combining a standardized electronic messaging system to query data not cached in the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Patrick M. Lawlor
  • End surface mounted plugs incorporated into an artificial joint and including cushioned soft plastic between outer hardened plastic layers
    Patent number: 8257444
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an implant for use with a joint defining bone having a three dimensional shape and including a first exposed and joint surface defining layer and an inner most and bone mounting layer. The body further has at least one intermediate layer exhibiting a hardness less than either of the exposed layer and the inner most layer such that, upon mounting the body to a conditioned end of a joint defining bone, it provides the dual features of dynamic cushioning support and external wear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Linares Medical Devices, LLC
    Inventor: Miguel A. Linares
  • Condom
    Patent number: 8256423
    Abstract: A condom may include pouch having a wall and a frame. The pouch may have an open end and a closed end and the frame may be positioned proximate the open end. An anchoring device may be secured to the pouch proximate the closed end. Further, a harness or accessory attachment may be provided to assist in securing the condom to a user. At least one condom accessory, for stimulating at least one of the five senses, may also be positioned on or in at least one of the pouch, frame, anchor or harness using a variety of attachment methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Brian Osterberg
  • Interferometer actuator
    Patent number: 8259300
    Abstract: The invention relates the movement of at least one movable means of an interferometer relative to the body of the interferometer. The system according to the invention, comprises at least two interferometer actuators, that can be operated individually, so that the at least two actuators are capable of moving the at least one movable means of the interferometer. When activating at least one of the at least two interferometer actuators the at least one movable means of the interferometer is moved with a minimum need for correcting for e.g. tilt. In a preferred configuration the system and the method according to the invention comprises three interferometer actuators that can be operated individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: ChemoMetec A/S
    Inventor: Börkur Arnvidarson
  • Fertility regulator incorporating vas deferens implanted open/close bypass in combination with a hand held controller for wireless power transfer
    Patent number: 8256424
    Abstract: An on/off fertility regulator device in the form of a male vas deferens or female fallopian tube bypass mounted device incorporating an open/close valve actuator. A separate handheld controller is positioned above the skin and in proximity to the previously implanted regulating device. Wireless energy transfer receiver circuitry is built into the device and, upon receiving a electric generated signal the inductive circuit printed coil activates the actuator in order to actuate any of a clamp, ball, globe or flow interrupter associated with a bypass connection tube associated with each of the pair of vas deferens. As a result, passage of semen from the seminal vesticle (or alternatively eggs through the fallopian tube) can be instantly interrupted or permitted in on/off fashion as a viable alternative to the user undergoing an irreversible vasectomy operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Patrick J. Kennedy
  • Occupant detection and imaging system
    Patent number: 8260502
    Abstract: An active safety system for a machine and a process for operating the active safety system are disclosed. The active safety system an active ultrasonic array having a plurality of ultrasonic transducers. The plurality of ultrasonic transducers can propagate a plurality of sound waves, receive a plurality of echo waves and transform the plurality of echo waves into a plurality of electrical pulses. The plurality of electrical pulses can be transmitted to and received by a three-dimensional imaging circuit. The three-dimensional imaging circuit can generate a 3D image from the plurality of electrical pulses and an electrical control unit can determine a location, size and geometric orientation of the 3D image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Serdar H. Yonak, Paul D. Schmalenberg
  • Internal combustion engine apparatus, control method thereof, and hybrid vehicle
    Patent number: 8256546
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine apparatus provided with an internal combustion engine in which ignition timing can be adjusted and which has attached thereto an exhaust gas recirculation device that recirculates exhaust gas to an intake side, a control method for the internal combustion engine apparatus, and a hybrid vehicle are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ikuo Ando
  • Method of manufacturing a cooling jacket of a cylinder head
    Patent number: 8256114
    Abstract: A cooling jacket casting core for the production of a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. The cooling jacket casting core has a slot running at least in part substantially in the direction of a crankshaft longitudinal axis and separating the cooling jacket casting core in at least one section. The slot can run at least in part in an impression of the cooling jacket and can have at least one elevation arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cooling jacket casting core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: FEV GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Hildebrand, André Küsters, Marc Grafen
  • Milk sampling and testing
    Patent number: 8256377
    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 leading to an extraction point. The flowpath 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. 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: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: David Eric Akerman
  • Preparation of solvent-borne polymeric bioactive coatings
    Patent number: 8252571
    Abstract: Processes for preparation of a protein-polymer composite material are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include providing an admixture of a polymer resin, a surfactant and a non-aqueous organic solvent. An aqueous solution containing bioactive proteins and substantially free of surfactant is mixed with the admixture. The emulsion is mixed with a crosslinker to produce a curable composition. The curable composition is cured, thereby producing the protein-polymer composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation, Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Ping Wang, Songtao Wu, Hongfei Jia, Masahiko Ishii, Xiaodong Tong, Minjuan Zhang
  • Carrying device
    Patent number: 8251269
    Abstract: In one aspect, there is disclosed a carrying device that comprises in combination a bucket and a cover positioned about the bucket. The cover may include a cylindrical wall, an open top, and a bottom wall. The bottom wall includes an opening covered by a moveable barrier for allowing access to the bucket from a bottom of the cover. The cylindrical wall may include a zipper secured thereon. The zipper allows the cylindrical cover to open for positioning the bucket in and out of the cover. The bucket may further include a lid that is removably attached to the bucket. A padded cover may be positioned on the lid providing a seating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Richard C. Winneur
  • Tow hook cover having tether hook
    Patent number: 8251414
    Abstract: A tow hook cover for concealing an opening formed in a bumper cover of an automotive vehicle is provided. The tow hook cover includes a generally planar member having an outer surface and an opposite inner surface. A tether hook is disposed on the inner surface of the generally planar member. The tether hook has an elongated leg having a proximate end attached to the inner surface of the generally planar member and a distal end spaced apart from the inner surface. The distal end has a first arm extending generally normal from the elongated leg and a second arm defining an acute angle between the elongated leg and the second arm. Upon installation, the first arm extends through an aperture formed adjacent the tow hook opening prior to the second arm which deflects upon insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard Patrick Brown
  • Tissue adhesive sealant
    Patent number: 8252747
    Abstract: A tissue adhesive sealant includes a cross-linkable protein in a solution that when combined with a cross-linking agent solution including an aldehyde and amino acid containing species reactive with the aldehyde cross-links to form a seal. The sealant is well suited for bonding tissue alone or in combination with a patch. The ratio between the aldehyde and the amino acid containing species is between 20:1 and 1:1 on an aldehyde moiety:amino acid or peptide subunit molar basis. Particularly strong seals are formed when the protein and cross-linking agent are present in a molar ratio of between 15:1 and 1:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventors: Johan Lowinger, Bruno Lowinger, Frank DeLustro, David Cox, David A. Browdie
  • Door knob assembly
    Patent number: 8250888
    Abstract: A door knob assembly having an access device operable to lock and unlock a door from a door frame. The door knob assembly device includes a spindle and the inner and outer knobs are operatively attached to the spindle. The spindle is operable to move a latching member between a first and second position so as to engage and disengage the door frame. The door knob assembly includes a locking member and a biasing member biasing the locking member so as to engage the rosette and fix the outer knob with respect to the rosette. The door knob assembly further includes an access device operable to receive a code. The access device includes a cam assembly operable to position the cam assembly between a first cam and a second cam position when the proper code is provided so as to fix and release the outer knob relative to the rosette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Giovan Agazzi
  • Image recording system and method of calibrating, compressing and decompressing image signal values
    Patent number: 8248477
    Abstract: A method of calibrating, compressing and decompressing image signal values of an image sensor which has a plurality of light sensitive pixels arranged in rows and columns comprises the steps of: reading out the image signal values; compressing the image signal values; and decompressing the compressed image signal values, wherein the image signal values are calibrated while using calibration data sets which include a number of calibration values for each pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG
    Inventors: Michael Cieslinski, Achim Oehler
  • Intake system for internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 8245688
    Abstract: An intake system for an internal combustion engine includes a control unit that adjusts the opening amount of a TCV having a valve body and a valve shaft within a valve opening amount range between first and second opening amounts, and first and second rotation restriction portions that prevent the valve body from moving beyond first and second opening amount positions, respectively, by contacting the valve shaft. The valve body is divided into a short valve portion and a long valve portion located upstream of the short valve portion by the valve shaft. The length from the valve shaft to the tip is greater in the long valve portion than in the short valve portion. When the valve body is in the first or second opening position, the valve shaft is pushed against the first or second rotation restriction portion by intake air flowing through an intake pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Uda
  • Shovel blade
    Patent number: D665637
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Radius Garden LLC
    Inventor: Bruce Baker
  • Roll dispenser
    Patent number: D666442
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Wrap Film Systems Limited
    Inventors: Graham Sharp, Cheryl Campbell