Patents Represented by Attorney Brooks, Cameron & Huebsch, PLLC
  • Patent number: 8351628
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for cochlear implants. One method embodiment for cochlear implant signal processing includes processing a differential analog audio signal using amplitude modulation and pulse-width modulation. The method includes driving a transmission coil on an external unit of the cochlear implant with the pulse-width and amplitude modulated signal. The method also includes driving a reception coil on an internal unit of the cochlear implant with an output of the transmission coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Envoy Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Jomar G. Ochoco, Peter J. Schiller
  • Patent number: 8351245
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes resistive memory devices and systems having resistive memory cells, as well as methods for operating the resistive memory cells. One memory device embodiment includes at least one resistive memory element, a programming circuit, and a sensing circuit. For example, the programming circuit can include a switch configured to select one of N programming currents for programming the at least one resistive memory element, where each of the N programming currents has a unique combination of current direction and magnitude, with N corresponding to the number of resistance states of the at least one memory element. In one or more embodiments, the sensing circuit can be arranged for sensing of the N resistance states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yantao Ma, Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 8352032
    Abstract: Method and systems related to monitoring right ventricular function during pacing by a cardiac rhythm management device are described. One or more pacing parameters are selected to provide cardiac resynchronization therapy. For example, the one or more pacing parameters may be selected to provide an optimal or improved therapy. The heart is paced using the selected pacing parameters. While pacing with the selected parameters, pressure is sensed via a pressure sensor disposed the pulmonary artery. The sensed pressure is analyzed to determine right ventricular function achieved during the pacing using the selected pacing parameters. A signal, such as an alert signal or control signal, is generated based on the right ventricular function achieved during the pacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhilash Patangay, Barun Maskara, Jonathan Kwok, Jiang Ding, Yinghong Yu
  • Patent number: 8351246
    Abstract: Methods, and circuits, are disclosed for operating a programmable memory device. One method embodiment includes storing a value as a state in a first memory cell and as a complementary state in a second memory cell. Such a method further includes determining the state of the first memory cell using a first self-biased sensing circuit and the complementary state of the second memory cell using a second self-biased sensing circuit, and comparing in a differential manner an indication of the state of the first memory cell to a reference indication of the complementary state of the second memory cell to determine the value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Porter
  • Patent number: 8346657
    Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium for providing a reverse mortgage instrument for use in an existing mortgage are disclosed. In certain circumstances, a reverse mortgage is beneficial to military personnel being deployed, or other customers experiencing financial hardship. The present reverse mortgage allows a customer to either apply for the reverse mortgage, or pre-designate the mortgage to have a reversal upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: John Chandler Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 8343433
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and processes are provided for a tube reactor including multiple, substantially parallel reaction tubes arranged within a tube reactor shell, the reaction tubes spaced apart such that a thermal fluid can flow between the tubes and transfer heat between the tubes and the thermal fluid during operation; an inlet head defining an inlet head space, where the inlet head space is in fluid communication with an inlet end of the reaction tubes, and an outlet head including an outlet head shell and at least one insert positioned within an outlet head space defined by the outlet head, where the insert defines a reduced volume outlet head space relative to that defined by the outlet head, and where the reduced volume outlet head space is in fluid communication with an outlet end of the reaction tubes and in fluid communication with a reactor outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Technology Investments LLC
    Inventors: Fred A. Conneway, Harvey E. Andresen, Clarence P. Stadlwieser, Donald L. Kurle, Bernie B. Osborne
  • Patent number: 8345695
    Abstract: A system has a plurality of communications devices within a geographic area. Each device is capable of communicating from within the geographic area with any other device proximate the device, and is also capable of communicating from within the geographic area with a communications service having access to an area external to the geographic area if such communications service is operational and available to the device. At least one of the devices is a gateway device that communicates from within the geographic area with the communications service, and at least some of the devices are non-gateway devices that communicate from within the geographic area with the gateway device. Each non-gateway device communicates from within the geographic area with the area external thereto by way of the gateway device and the communications service communicated with by the gateway device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Bharat Prasad, Bradly Jay Billman, Charles Lee Oakes
  • Patent number: 8342700
    Abstract: A laminate article preferably including two or more layers adapted to be applied to a surface of a roadway that can function as a reflective marker, such as a lane marker or road feature marker. The article includes one or more reflective compounds, preferably particles, aggregates, or clusters that are partially embedded in an exposed outer surface layer of the article. In order to increase the durability of the material, protective media compounds are also present in the outer layer and extend outward therefrom with the protective material protruding a greater distance than the reflective compounds. The articles of the present invention are weather resistant, durable and resistant to damage by vehicles and snowplows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Hemant A. Naik, Puneet Singh, Ratanjit Sondhe
  • Patent number: 8341082
    Abstract: A user may log into a system containing data pertaining to a jointly owned funding account of which he is a co-owner. The user may view information directed to the jointly owned funding account, such as his bills and bills associated with other co-owners. The user may pay bills or schedule payments of bills from the funding account. A co-owner of the funding account may set up an account with a biller and enable other co-owners of the funding account to use this information, thereby providing the other co-owners with the same or similar functionality when they log into the system using their own login information. The information that the co-owner may set up with a biller may be ported over to the information maintained by the system that is directed to the other co-owners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Jeff Dennes, Charles R. Bear
  • Patent number: 8340276
    Abstract: Various systems and methods provide techniques for providing a communication center comprising a plurality of representatives, receiving a request for communication from a first party, determining an available representative from the plurality of representatives and a representative available time period for the request for communication, preventing the available representative from communicating with a second party during the representative available time period, providing the first party with communication information, and connecting the first party to the available representative during the representative available time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: Christopher Andrew Sandoval
  • Patent number: 8337547
    Abstract: The present invention embodies an endovascular graft having an attachment frame connection mechanism that allows placement of the main body component in vasculature in combination with limb components. Various limb component-to-main body component attachment mechanisms are provided which ensure a reliable bond while facilitating a smaller delivery profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Endovascular Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Octavian Iancea, Timothy A. M. Chuter, Arnold M. Escano, Reid Hayashi, Robin W. Eckert, Matthew J. Fitz, Shahrokh R. Farahani, Juan I. Perez, Richard Newhauser, David T. Pollock, Aleta Tesar
  • Patent number: 8332348
    Abstract: Methods and systems for knowledge extraction and prediction are described. In an example, a computerized method, and system for performing the method, can include receiving historical data pertaining to a domain of interest, receiving predetermined heuristics design data associated with the domain of interest, and using the predetermined heuristics design and historical data, automatically creating causal maps including a hierarchy of nodes, each node of the hierarchy of nodes being associated with a plurality of quantization points and reference temporal patterns, the plurality quantization points being known reference spatial patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: Larry Avery
  • Patent number: 8331541
    Abstract: Instant messaging (IM) is provided between a TDD/TTY user and an entity. The user may use a TDD device to initiate a call with the entity. One or more converters may convert a TDD message from the user's device to IM, which is then provided to a recipient of the call, such as a representative of a company. The converter(s) may also convert IM from the representative into a TDD message that may then be provided to the user on the TDD device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: Dena Louise Smith
  • Patent number: 8332244
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes determining a premium for a life insurance policy. One or more methods and systems include combining a determination of a mortality risk with a determination of a future lapse risk for an individual to yield the premium for the life insurance policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Matthew D. Karam, Michael A. Belko, Angela L. Fahrenthold, Regina E. Hirner, Kristin J. Kuhn, Shawn T. Loftus, Jiemin L. Math, Jeremy S. May, James G. Miranda, Christopher C. Ogburn, Richard E. Wintheiser
  • Patent number: 8331782
    Abstract: A number of fiber optic networks, nodes, and methods are disclosed. One fiber optic network embodiment includes a network module including a star coupler for receiving a signal from a number of nodes and outputting a combined signal, including the received signals, to the number of nodes, and the number of nodes optically connected to the network module, the number of nodes including a transmit module including a first adjustable optical amplifier and a number of optical emitters, a receive module including a second adjustable optical amplifier and a number of receivers, and a controller coupled to the transmit and receive modules for adjusting the first and second optical amplifiers in response to the combined signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Uhlhorn, Rick C. Stevens
  • Patent number: 8326643
    Abstract: A system for providing phone conversation analysis may comprise at least one subsystem that monitors a phone conversation for key words or key phrases as defined by business rules. Conversations containing such words may be tagged with appropriate metadata to identify the conversation for subsequent analysis, and for conducting trending and analysis of the collected data. Also, a system for providing phone conversation analysis may comprise subsystems for monitoring a phone conversation for key words or key phrases, and associating the key words or key phrases with pre-determined offers or services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Nikolay Eshkenazi, Gregory Neal Lewis, Mark Richter
  • Patent number: 8324065
    Abstract: Resistive memory and methods of processing resistive memory are described herein. One or more method embodiments of processing resistive memory include conformally forming a cell material in an opening in an interlayer dielectric such that a seam is formed in the cell material, forming a conductive pathway by modifying the seam, and forming an electrode on the cell material and the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, John A. Smythe, III
  • Patent number: 8324676
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for a memory cell are provided. One embodiment includes a memory cell with a storage node separated from a body region by a first dielectric, wherein the body region includes a channel separating a source and a drain region, and wherein a length of the storage node is less than a length of the channel. The embodiment further includes a memory cell with a gate separated from the storage node by a second dielectric, wherein a length of the gate is greater than a length of the storage node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Hussein I. Hanafi
  • Patent number: 8327040
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for controlling a memory device. One method for controlling a memory device embodiment includes storing device class dependent information and a command in one or more of host system memory and host controller memory, setting a pointer to the command in a register in a host controller, directing access to the one or more of host system memory and host controller memory with the memory device via the host controller; and executing the command with the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Feeley, Robert N. Leibowitz, William H. Radke, Neal A. Galbo, Victor Y. Tsai
  • Patent number: 8327017
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for an autonomous intranet. The autonomous intranet can include two or more data centers, each provided with a load balancer for advertising a common single-host Internet Protocol address upstream for the respective data centers under certain conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Christopher S. Trost, Donald E. Clemons, Jr.