Patents Represented by Attorney Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP

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  • Dietary lipids for improving skin and coat of pets
    Patent number: 7479286
    Abstract: A source of dietary lipids containing anti-microbial fatty acids is added to a food composition intended for improving or maintaining the skin health and/or coat quality in a pet by preventing or regulating the growth of skin pathogens and of microflora responsible for the generation of body surface and coat odors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: François Couzy, Catherine Boissin-Delaporte
  • Apparatus and method for generating a pool of seeds for a central determination gaming system
    Patent number: 7479062
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating one or more pools or sets of seeds for use in a central determination gaming system. In one embodiment of the present invention, a processor of the apparatus or seed generator randomly generates a predetermined number of random number seeds. After the predetermined number of seeds are generated, the processor simulates the game outcome value that each generated seed ultimately determines. Having simulated a game outcome value for each generated seed, the processor determines if the set of seeds satisfies a required condition or criteria. If the required conditions or criteria are satisfied, the set is complete and ready for use in a central determination gaming system. If the required conditions or criteria are not satisfied, the processor modifies the generated set of seeds until the required conditions or criteria are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Richard E. Michaelson
  • Receiver for a differential phase modulated signal
    Patent number: 7480465
    Abstract: The receiver features a first splitter which divides a differential phase modulated signal into three signal components from which at least two signal components are routed via timers. The first timer has a delay of a half period of the carrier signal and thereby serves in a conventional way for phase comparison and thus for demodulation. The second timer is adjustable and is used to compensate for the dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Mahesh U. Ajgaonkar
  • Light diffusion sheet and method of producing the light diffusion sheet, and screen
    Patent number: 7480097
    Abstract: A light diffusion sheet, a method of producing a light diffusion sheet, and a screen using the light diffusion sheet, are provided. The method of producing a light diffusion sheet includes transferring an uneven form of a surface of a mold to form a light diffusion layer having an uneven surface; and repeating the transferring step twice or more to stack two layers or more of the light diffusion layers on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Nagahama, Hiroyuki Kiso, Yukio Miyaki
  • Dual fuse link thin film fuse
    Patent number: 7477130
    Abstract: A surface mount fuse having a plurality of fusible links is provided. The links are located on opposite sides of an insulative substrate or one otherwise thermally insulated or decoupled from one another. The fuse links entered to terminals that can be asymmetrically secured to the substrate to discourage improper mounting. The fuse protects multiple different circuits or loads having a same common or grounded line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Fukushige, Pablo Wally
  • Information processing device and information processing method for data recovery after failure
    Patent number: 7478270
    Abstract: An information processing device and information processing method including a management table that includes three pages. A pair of first and second pages is alternately used as a valid page and an invalid page to secure the data. The valid page is copied to a third page. Even when the power is shut off in the process of updating the page, at the next start time, the status of the data writing operation when the power is shut off is determined based on the validity and stability of the pages. Therefore, the data is restored without any corruption of valid page by using a proper restoring method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Taro Kurita, Toshiharu Takemura
  • Piezoelectric resonator element and method of manufacturing same
    Patent number: 7477001
    Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator element and method of manufacturing same are provided. The piezoelectric resonator element having a lower electrode, a piezoelectric substance layer, and an upper electrode disposed in this order on a substrate with an air layer between the substrate and the lower electrode, and having a laminated structure of the lower electrode, the piezoelectric substance layer, and the upper electrode in at least a part of the piezoelectric resonator element, wherein internal stress of the piezoelectric substance layer is ?300 MPa to 90 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kei Sato
  • Negative electrode and secondary cell
    Patent number: 7476464
    Abstract: A negative electrode wherein a negative electrode current collector has a conductive foil including a conductive substrate and a multiplicity of conductive lumpy projections provided at a surface of the substrate is provided. The multiplicity of lumpy projections are so disposed that a plurality of the lumpy projections are aligned substantially in one direction to form a lumpy projection row and that a plurality of the lumpy projection rows are arrayed side by side at a predetermined interval in a direction substantially orthogonal to the one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takakazu Hirose, Masayuki Iwama, Kenichi Kawase
  • Gaming device having a re-triggering symbol bonus scheme with a bonus symbol accumulation and player selection of accumulation total
    Patent number: 7473174
    Abstract: A gaming device with an accumulator that accumulates re-triggering symbols until a pre-determined number of re-triggering symbols are obtained by the player. A variable amount of free activations as well as a variable threshold amount of re-triggering symbols are necessary to re-trigger a secondary game. The gaming device provides a plurality of player selectable selections. Each selection is associated with a number of activations of the symbol generators as well as a number of re-triggering symbols necessary to re-trigger the secondary game. If the player picked threshold of re-triggering the secondary game is satisfied (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Ryan W. Cuddy, Zeke Brill, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Replaceable nozzle for producing a frothed liquid
    Patent number: 7472642
    Abstract: A nozzle adaptable to the steam outlet of a coffee machine is designed to froth a liquid such as e.g. milk. Said nozzle comprises in the direction of the steam flow path: a steam inlet opening, a restriction with limited cross-section adapted to accelerate the velocity of the steam flow, and at least one cavity having a cross-section larger than the restriction and from which the frothed liquid can be drained. The nozzle further comprises an outer casing comprising a smoothening reservoir and a jet breaking surface facing the opening and at least one outlet opening radially offset relatively to the opening of the portion of the enlarged mixing cavity. The outer casing is arranged at least partially around the tubular portion of mixing cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Michael Stieger, Alfred Yoakim
  • Apparatus and method for generating a pool of seeds for a central determination gaming system
    Patent number: 7473176
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating one or more pools or sets of seeds for use in a central determination gaming system. In one embodiment of the present invention, a processor of the apparatus or seed generator randomly generates a predetermined number of random number seeds. After the predetermined number of seeds are generated, the processor simulates the game outcome value that each generated seed ultimately determines. Having simulated a game outcome value for each generated seed, the processor determines if the set of seeds satisfies a required condition or criteria. If the required conditions or criteria are satisfied, the set is complete and ready for use in a central determination gaming system. If the required conditions or criteria are not satisfied, the processor modifies the generated set of seeds until the required conditions or criteria are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Richard E. Michaelson
  • Gaming device having concentric reels including an outer reel with display areas having different sizes and positions
    Patent number: 7473173
    Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reel sets connected where at least one of the reel sets includes concentric reels having an inner reel and an outer reel. The inner reel includes a plurality of symbols and a plurality of symbol positions where at least two of the symbols are displayed by one of the symbol positions. The outer reel defines a plurality of different viewable areas where one of the outer reel is positionable to enable a player to view at least one of the symbols through a first viewable area and a different number of the symbols through a second viewable area. A processor causes the inner reel and the outer reel to move and provides any outcome to the player based on any symbols displayed by the first viewable area or the second viewable area when the first or second viewable area is indicated on the outer reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Tonja M. Peterson, William L. Hecht, Bayard S. Webb, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Gaming device having a controlled expected payout providing an opportunity for player skill to affect symbol movement
    Patent number: 7473175
    Abstract: A gaming device with a bonus scheme which includes a plurality of parent regions and sub-regions. The gaming device moves at least one symbol with respect to the sub-regions and enables the player to use his/her skill to stop the symbol and indicate a sub-region within a parent region. Which sub-region the symbol will indicate within such parent region is determined by the gaming device, preferably unbeknownst to the player. The gaming device preferably awards the player with value associated with the sub-region which is indicated by the stopped symbol. This type of game provides players with skill-based activities thereby adding excitement to gaming devices and increasing player entertainment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Finite pool gaming method and apparatus
    Patent number: 7470183
    Abstract: In a gaming method, data indicative of a final outcome may be received, and an initial set of symbols indicative of the final outcome may be displayed if the data indicative of the final outcome indicates a winning outcome, the initial set of symbols including an initial winning subset of symbols and an initial non-winning subset of symbols. Player input data indicative of a subset of symbols in the initial set to be discarded may be received, and replacement symbols may be determined such that a final set of symbols is indicative of the final outcome if the subset of symbols to be discarded includes at least one symbol from the initial winning subset, wherein the final set of symbols includes the replacement symbols in place of the subset of symbols to be discarded. The final set of symbols may be displayed, and an award corresponding to the winning outcome may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Michael Wishart
  • Gaming device having termination variables
    Patent number: 7470190
    Abstract: A gaming device that enables players to accumulate awards until there are no more awards or until one or more termination variables reaches a predetermined limit is provided. A random generation device generates awards upon a player input. One or more termination variables is used, each defined by or divisible into a plurality of units, wherein a random generation device generates an amount of units upon a player input. A game termination limit of accumulated or lost termination units is provided, wherein a player generates awards until accumulating the termination limit of units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dennis K. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland
  • Gaming device having termination variables
    Patent number: 7470187
    Abstract: A gaming device that enables players to accumulate awards until there are no more awards or until one or more termination variables reaches a predetermined limit is provided. A random generation device generates awards upon a player input. One or more termination variables is used, each defined by or divisible into a plurality of units, wherein a random generation device generates an amount of units upon a player input. A game termination limit of accumulated or lost termination units is provided, wherein a player generates awards until accumulating the termination limit of units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dennis K. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland
  • Gaming device having an offer and acceptance game with a termination limit wherein the offer is picked by a player
    Patent number: 7470184
    Abstract: A gaming device having a plurality of player selectable selections, steps towards termination associated with each selection, a termination limit and an offer associated with each number of steps. The steps are associated with or determine the offers provided to the player. The game provides no further offers when the maximum number of offers have been awarded, the player accepts an offer, or the player's accumulated steps meet or exceed the termination limit. The game preferably provides a consolation award to the player when the player's steps meet or exceed the termination limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb
  • Blade fuse element
    Patent number: D584239
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary M. Bold
  • Vehicle electrical center subassembly
    Patent number: D584697
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Kerri Michelle Hood, Julio Cesar Urrea, Edwin J. Harris, IV, Ronald Michael Rygiel
  • Golf club head
    Patent number: D585101
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Tour Edge Golf Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: David B. Glod