Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Bacon & Thomas, PLLC
  • Patent number: 8276625
    Abstract: A device and method for preservation of an oxidizable substance, e.g. a liquid such as a beverage of which wine is an example, is described. In a first aspect, a device is described for controlling the delivery of a predetermined amount of inert gas into a container with a single opening such as a wine bottle at a pre-determined pressure, suitable for an efficient delivery of the inert gas, with a simultaneous displacement of the air present in the top space of the container or bottle, in a simple actuation. In a second aspect, an improved container or bottle stopper is described with simple features that allow easy and cheap manufacture significantly reducing the cost of the stopper. In a third aspect to an efficient and cost-effective method is described for the preservation of a degradable substances especially liquids such as beverages of which wine is an example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Marc Dulst
  • Patent number: 8277404
    Abstract: An orthopedic or prosthetic support device is arranged to conform and secure to a limb of a wearer. The device includes a resilient support member adapted to extend about a limb, and a tensioning element associated with the support member. An adjustment system is connected to the support member and engages the tensioning element. The adjustment system is arranged to incrementally adjust and retain the tensioning element relative to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Ossur HF
    Inventor: Palmi Einarsson
  • Patent number: 8278965
    Abstract: The inspection apparatus includes a probe having a contact for contacting an electrode of an inspected object and having a built-in heater for correcting dislocation of the contact to the electrode caused by temperature difference between the probe and the inspected object; a tester for testing the probe and supplying electric power to the heater; an electric power supply, provided on the tester, for supplying electric power to the heater; and a temperature control unit for controlling electric power to the heater of the probe through the electric power supply, wherein the electric power supply includes at least one open/close switch for switching power to the heater on and off. A connector has a male connector and a female connector on opposing ends. A continuity-checking device checks supply of electric power to the heater from the electric power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nihon Micronics
    Inventors: Kenichi Washio, Katsuo Yasuta, Toshikazu Oshima, Takehiko Hirai
  • Patent number: 8279383
    Abstract: The present invention provides a film for optical use wherein interference patterns are inconspicuous, while hard coat properties and image sharpness are maintained. In the film for optical use, an undercoat layer 22 is disposed between a base material layer 21 and a resin layer 23 having hard coat properties. Refractive index na of the base material layer 21, refractive index nb of the undercoat layer 22 and refractive index nc of the resin layer 23 satisfy the relationship of na?nb?nc or na?nb?nc (provided that na?nc). The difference between the refractive index na of the base material layer 21 and the refractive index nb of the resin layer 23 is 0.5 or smaller. Since the difference of refractive indexes of adjacent layers is low, interference unevenness can be suppressed and image sharpness can be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Kimoto Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Saito, Masuo Koyama
  • Patent number: 8279931
    Abstract: A motion vector estimator for reducing film judder measures a motion vector of a block of an image. A motion vector selection device receives a plurality of motion vectors and generates N candidate vectors based on a motion estimation stage signal. N block matchmakers are connected to the motion vector selection device in order to generate N matching costs based on the N candidate vectors. A motion vector determinator is connected to the N block matchmakers and the motion vector selection device in order to determine an output motion vector of the block based on the N matching costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan-Chih Peng, Yen-Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 8278145
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for packaging semiconductor device which is using more than once reflow processes to heat the solder ball to prevent the deformation of solder ball, so that the yield of the manufacturing process can be increased and the reliability of the semiconductor device can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Global Unichip Corporation
    Inventors: Chien-Wen Chen, Longqiang Zu, Chen-Fa Tsai
  • Patent number: 8279855
    Abstract: A method for dialing between Internet extensions is disclosed. When dialing between Internet extensions, just dial the switchboard phone number of SIP proxy server plus “-” and then dial the extension phone number of the opposite Internet extension directly. It is not necessary to use a voice guidance for asking dialing of the extension phone number of the opposite Internet extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: National Taipei University of Technology
    Inventors: Shaw Hwa Hwang, Yu Che Wang, Shun Chieh Chang, Kuan Lin Chen, Chi Jung Huang, Li Te Shen, Ben Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 8276300
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a display device, which comprises a display body having two opposite sides adjacent to a periphery thereof and each formed with at least one first positioning element respectively, and at least one detachable decorative member made of an elastic material and formed with a second positioning element in two opposite sides adjacent to two end edges thereof respectively. When the second positioning element is inserted into and engaged with the first positioning element corresponding thereto, the elastic deformation force of the decorative member can generate a clamping force for enabling the second positioning element to firmly clamp the first positioning element, protecting the periphery of the display body from being broken due to external impact or abrasion, using the decorative member as an elastic cushioning for packing the display body into a packing box, and reducing the use of packing materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hannspree, Inc.
    Inventor: Wen-Hung Huang
  • Patent number: 8276617
    Abstract: A piston valve for improving the output efficiency of a diaphragm pump includes a central discharge base and a plurality of water inlet ports, wherein each of the discharge base and water inlet ports is provided with a top concave surface, and a plastic gasket is engaged with the concave surface of the water discharge base and a piston slice is engaged with the concave surface of each water inlet port so that a gap is defined between the gasket and its concave surface and a gap is also defined between each piston slice and its corresponding concave surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: Ying Lin Cai, Chao Fou Hsu
  • Patent number: 8277110
    Abstract: The present invention provides a micromixer biochip, comprising: a substrate having a surface; a fluidic channel layer disposed above the surface of the substrate, including a mixing chamber and a single-opening fluidic channel, wherein one end of the single-opening fluidic channel is closed and the other end of the single-opening fluidic channel connects to the mixing chamber, and a top portion of the single-opening fluidic channel is made of a flexible material; and an air chamber layer disposed above the top portion of the fluidic channel layer, including an air pore, at least one chamber, and an air channel connecting the chamber and the air pore, wherein the number and position of the air chamber correspond to the number and position of the single-opening fluidic channel of the fluidic channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: National Cheng Kung University
    Inventors: Gwo-Bin Lee, Sung-Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 8277078
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes: a light source unit which has a first and a second LED which are connected in parallel and emit lights of different colors, respectively. The lights of the first and the second LED are mixed to provide an emission light of the light source unit when an operating voltage is applied. The light source unit further has a resistor which is connected in series to the first LED to make forward current changing characteristics of the first and the second LED depending on change in the operating voltage to be different from each other, so that a required luminous flux-color temperature property, in which change in a color temperature of the emission light is made to depend on change in a luminous flux of the emission light, is obtained while the first and the second LED are turned on by applying the operating voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8277632
    Abstract: An onsite integrated production factory having an electrolytic plant, an ethanol plant, a vegetable plant, a culturing plant, and a power generation unit. The onsite integrated production facility is arranged so that fresh water, sulfuric acid or caustic soda produced by and received from the electrolytic plant is used in the ethanol plant to produce and output oxalic acid, sodium oxalate, fuel bioethanol. The oxalic acid or sodium oxalate produced in and received from the ethanol plant is used for removing calcium contained in the sea water in the electrolytic plant. The vegetable plant produces vegetables for generation and outputting of oxygen by receiving the carbon dioxide generated during the fermentation process in the ethanol plant and fresh water from the electrolytic plant. The culturing plant has a fishery farm or reef for using the oxygen generated in the vegetable plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: M Hikari & Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masataka Murahara
  • Patent number: 8279632
    Abstract: An apparatus for transfer of electrical energy between a primary side and a secondary side. The apparatus includes: at least one voltage input on the primary side; at least one transformer, wherein the transformer has on the primary side at least a first winding area and a second winding area; and at least one voltage monitoring unit, wherein the voltage monitoring unit is embodied in such a manner, that it connects the voltage input with the first winding area or the second winding area as a function of a primary voltage present at the voltage input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Wetzer GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Wohrle
  • Patent number: 8276457
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a hydraulic path filled with a pressure transfer liquid and a pressure transducer having a pressure sensitive deformation body. The hydraulic path includes a channel which extends from a pressure input opening at least to the deformation body, wherein the pressure input opening is spaced a separation distance from the deformation body, and wherein pressure on the deformation body deviates from pressure at the pressure input opening by the difference of the hydrostatic pressure of the pressure transfer liquid between the pressure input opening and the deformation body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co., KG
    Inventor: Michael Philipps
  • Patent number: 8278549
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solar photovoltaic energy conversion apparatus. The apparatus consists of a substrate, a buffer layer formed on the substrate layer, a first transparent conductive oxide layer formed on the buffer layer, periodic protrusions containing first silicon layers formed on the first transparent conductive oxide layer, second silicon layers formed on the first silicon layers, a second transparent conductive oxide layer covering the first silicon layers, the second silicon layers and the first transparent conductive oxide layer, and an anti-reflective protective layer. The first silicon layer and the second silicon layer are the electrodes with the opposite type of charge carriers. The first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer are the electrodes with the opposite type of charge carriers. This TCO-based hybrid solar photovoltaic energy conversion device not only can allow the transmission of visible sunlight but also can enhance the photovoltaic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Chang Gung University
    Inventors: Hsin-Chun Lu, Kuo-mei Wu, Pen-Hsiu Chang, Chun-Lung Chu, Chi-Yo Lai
  • Patent number: 8279284
    Abstract: A video display apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive a plurality of sequence of video signals output from a plurality of cameras, a storage unit configured to store the plurality of sequence of video signals received by the reception unit, a display unit configured to include the first and second display areas, and a control unit. The control unit selectively and time-divisionally displays the plurality of sequence of video signals received by the reception unit on the first display area, and along with the display operation, selectively reads out from the storage unit a non-displayed section of the plurality of sequence of video signals which have been received by the reception unit, and displays the readout section on the second display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Masuda, Masaru Fujii, Atsushi Honda
  • Patent number: 8277136
    Abstract: A stick-shaped material extruding container for performing forward and backward movements of a stick-shaped material without trouble and prevent detachment of the stick-shaped material by an impact. A movable body having a piston-like extruding portion, closely attached within a filling member, is arranged within a container. The stick-shaped material is loaded in the filling member so as to be closely attached to the filling member and the piston-like extruding portion. When the stick-shaped material is pushed by a forward movement of the piston-like extruding portion to appear from an opening of the container, a sucking action is generated due to decompression between the piston-like extruding portion and the stick-shaped material by a backward movement of the piston-like extruding portion to retract the stick-shaped material, and the decompression prevents falling off of the stick-shaped material from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Tokiwa Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Tani
  • Patent number: 8281174
    Abstract: A field device of process automation technology which includes a hardwire communication interface and a functional unit associated with the communication interface. The functional unit is embodied in such a manner, that it performs sending and/or receiving of digital signals via the communication interface. The field device is embodied in such a manner, that the functional unit is operable in a clocked manner, wherein, in the clocked operation, active time periods, in which the functional unit is activated, alternate with turned-off periods of time, in which the functional unit is switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventor: Christian Seiler
  • Patent number: 8279038
    Abstract: A method for operating a field device of automation technology capable of special-functionalities, an enabling code set having a plurality of enabling code is managed in a superordinated, key-management unit. With the assistance of the enabling codes, special-functionalities can be enabled in field devices. Associated with individual enabling codes of the enabling code set is, in each case, an attribute, “free” or “blocked”. If a special-functionality is needed, then an enabling code is transmitted to the field device, in case an enabling code with attribute “free” is present. Following transmission, the attribute of the transmitted enabling code is changed from free to blocked. The method permits enabling code to be used very flexably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Martine Lefebvre
  • Patent number: 8277197
    Abstract: A multi-stage compression installation is formed of a main pipe (2) emerging in a baffle plate (3), where at least two compressors (4, 5) are mounted in series each having its own drive member (9, 10). The installation is equipped with a system for determining the pressure at the output of the main pipe (2), the installation being connected to a control box (8). Typically, the control box (8) is connected to at least two of the drive members (9, 10) of the compressors (4, 5) and ensures monitoring of the compressors such that the latter rotate jointly whether charged or uncharged. Thus, the compressors (4, 5) are jointly charged based on the pressure prevailing in the baffle plate (3), such that the charging of the compressor representing the overpressure stage, the compressor(s) of the lower compression stages are automatically and jointly charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Crepelle S.A.S.
    Inventors: Patrick Marcel Augustin Lelong, Hans Theo Magits