Patents Represented by Attorney Fletcher Yoder

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  • Medical sensor and technique for using the same
    Patent number: 7684843
    Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided that includes a frame having two or more structural supports. A coating is provided over the frame. The coating has at least one deformable region disposed between the two or more structural supports. As least one optical component is disposed within the at least one deformable region such that the at least one optical component can move relative to the two or more structural supports. A biasing component is attached to an end of the frame such that at least two different portions of the coated frame are biased closed in the absence of a sufficient opening force. The sensor may be placed on a patient's finger, toe, ear, and so forth to obtain pulse oximetry or other physiological measurements. A skeletal frame and a method for manufacturing a skeletal framework are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Coakley, George L. Matlock, William Raridan, Darius Eghbal
  • Method and apparatus for detecting misapplied sensors
    Patent number: 7680522
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for determining whether a spectrophotometric sensor is misapplied. In one embodiment, a spectrophotometric sensor is provided with a strain sensor configures to provide a signal related to the curvature of the spectrophotometric sensor. In such an embodiment, the signal may be compared, such as by an associated monitor, with an expected signal value. Based upon this comparison, a determination may be made whether or not the spectrophotometric sensor is misapplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Lutz Andersohn, Pete Andriola
  • Multichannel heat exchanger with dissimilar tube spacing
    Patent number: 7677057
    Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and heat exchangers are provided which include dissimilar tube spacing configurations. The heat exchangers include multiple sets of multichannel tubes in fluid communication with each other. One set of multichannel tubes contains a plurality of tubes spaced apart at one spacing while the another set of multichannel tubes contains a plurality of tubes spaced apart at a different spacing. The different spacing between the multichannel tubes allows each set of tubes to be configured to the properties of the refrigerant flowing within the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Mustafa K. Yanik, Jeffrey N. Nichols, William L. Kopko, Jose Ruel Yalung de la Cruz
  • Wind farm power ramp rate control system and method
    Patent number: 7679215
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling power ramp rate of a wind farm is provided. The wind farm includes a plurality of wind turbine generators and a wind farm control system. The wind farm control system is operable to monitor rate of change of collective power output of the wind turbine generators, and to limit the rate of change of collective power output by generating a power output rate limiting signal based on the monitored rate of change of collective power output of the wind turbine generators and a desired collective power ramp of the wind turbine generators and applying the power output rate limiting signal to the plurality of wind turbine generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert William Delmerico, Mark Edward Cardinal, Kirk Gee Pierce
  • Method and apparatus for performing economic analysis of a radiological image archiving system
    Patent number: 7676378
    Abstract: An electronic system is featured to enable a radiological image archiving system supplier to provide a customer with economic data regarding a supplier's radiological image archiving system. The system is operable to direct a query page to the customer via an electronic communication system. The query page provides the customer with at least one question. The at least one question is designed so that the answer(s) to the at least one question enables the system to establish expected cost reductions resulting from the use of the supplier's radiological image archiving system over the use of the customer's existing archival system. The answer(s) also may be used to enable the system to establish a recommended radiological image archiving system for the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Edward J. Panelli
  • Medical sensor and technique for using the same
    Patent number: 7676253
    Abstract: A medical sensor may be adapted to account for factors that cause irregularities in pulse oximetry measurements or other spectrophotemetric measurements. Sensors are provided with surface features that reduce the amount of outside light or shunted light that impinge the detecting elements of the sensor. The sensor is adapted to reduce the effect of outside light or shunted light on pulse oximetry measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventor: William B. Raridan, Jr.
  • Memory devices having reduced word line current and method of operating and manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 7675778
    Abstract: There is provided a memory array and methods for manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, there is provided a string comprising a plurality of transistors. Each of the plurality of transistors includes: a charge storage node, a control gate, and at least one resistive element coupled to the string. The control gate of at least one of the plurality of transistors can be selectively coupled to a reference potential via a corresponding one of the at least one resistive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Seiichi Aritome
  • Flip-chip image sensor packages and methods of fabricating the same
    Patent number: 7675131
    Abstract: There is provided an imager package including an image sensor die attached to a transparent substrate such that sensitive image sensing components on the sensor die face the transparent substrate. In accordance with an embodiment of the present technique, the imager package may be coupled to an external package via bond wires and other interconnect elements. The sensor die and bond wires may be protected by an encapsulant on which the interconnect elements may be disposed. The bond wires may enable placement of the interconnect elements partially or directly above the sensor die, as opposed to around an outer periphery of the sensor die. There is further provided a method of manufacturing an imager package wherein interconnect elements may be located partially or directly above the sensor die, enabling the manufacture of smaller imager packages than previously envisioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Derderian
  • System and method for pipe repair
    Patent number: 7673654
    Abstract: A system and method of repairing a pipe including securing a reinforcing material, such as a dry fiber structure (e.g., a carbon fibers) to the surface of the pipe. A polymeric material is placed on top of the reinforcing material, self-penetrating the dry fiber structure. The polymeric material substantially saturates the reinforcing material and cures to form a reinforced polymeric composite which may increase or restore the pressure rating or operating pressure capacity of the pipe. Optionally, an outer containment component, such as a sleeve, shell, box, wall, outer pipe, and so on, may be installed around the reinforcing material prior to introduction of the polymeric material. In this case, the polymeric material may be placed (i.e., poured) into the interior of the containment component on top of the reinforcing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Brian L. Rice
  • Quantizing circuits for semiconductor devices
    Patent number: 7667632
    Abstract: An electronic device that includes an internal data storage location coupled to an electrical conductor and a quantizing circuit coupled to the internal data storage location via the electrical conductor. In some embodiments, the quantizing circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter having an input and an output, where the input is coupled to the electrical conductor and a digital filter coupled to the output of the analog-to-digital converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Jacob Baker
  • High density memory array having increased channel widths
    Patent number: 7667234
    Abstract: A memory array having decreased cell sizes and having transistors with increased channel widths. More specifically, pillars are formed in a substrate such that sidewalls are exposed. The sidewalls of the pillars and the top surface of the pillars are covered with a gate oxide and a polysilicon layer to form a channel through the pillars. The current path through the channel is approximately equal to twice the height of the pillar plus the width of the pillar. The pillars are patterned to form non-linear active area lines having angled segments. The polysilicon layer is patterned to form word lines that intersect the active area lines at the angled segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc
    Inventors: Hongmei Wang, Chandra Mouli, Luan Tran
  • Portable digital tomosynthesis imaging system and method
    Patent number: 7664222
    Abstract: A portable tomosynthesis imaging system is disclosed that includes a portable X-ray source assembly and a portable detector assembly. The source assembly may be coupled to a portable power supply and controller such that multiple projection X-ray images may be obtained at a site that is not accessible by conventional tomosynthesis imaging systems. Image data may be transmitted from the detector by wired or wireless communication. Tomosynthesis image reconstruction may be performed locally at the portable system or remotely by the transmission of raw or filtered image data from the portable system. The portable system is particularly well-suited to field deployment, such as at accident scenes, scenes of natural or other disasters, or in confined clinical settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Kadri Nizar Jabri, Renuka Uppaluri, John Michael Sabol, Gopal Biligeri Avinash
  • Techniques for implementing accurate device parameters stored in a database
    Patent number: 7663901
    Abstract: Memory modules and methods for fabricating and implementing memory modules wherein unique device parameters corresponding to specific memory devices on the memory modules are accessed from a database such that the device parameters may be implemented to improve system performance. The device parameters may include sizes, speeds, operating voltages, or timing parameters of the memory modules. Memory modules comprising a number of volatile memory devices may be fabricated. Device parameters corresponding to the specific memory devices on the memory module may be stored in a database and accessed during fabrication or during implementation of the memory modules in a system. System performance may be optimized by implementing the unique device parameters corresponding to the specific memory devices on the memory modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Scott Schaeffer, Todd D. Farrell
  • Method and apparatus for securing welding torch components
    Patent number: 7663074
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a collet to align and/or axially secure a liner within the gooseneck of a welding torch and to extend the useful life of the torch components are provided. A method and apparatus for securing torch components including said collet and including tapered locking engagement connections are also provided. A position of the liner with respect to a retaining head or a diffuser can be established and maintained, in spite of bending, swiveling, and other general movement of the torch, while still allowing flow of a shield gas past the collet. The welding torch components, including a gas diffuser, can be secured to the torch or other torch components via tapered locking engagements. The invention is useful for both manual and robotic torch systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff G. Wells
  • Method and apparatus for generating a channel estimate using a non-pilot portion of a signal
    Patent number: 7660568
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for generating a channel estimate using a non-pilot signal. More specifically, there is provided a receiver comprising a device configured to receive a transmitted signal having a pilot portion and non-pilot portion and a channel estimator configured to calculate a channel estimate based on the non-pilot portion of the transmitted signal and to send the channel estimate to the device. A method for implementing the improvement is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Naresh Sharma, Alexei Ashikhmin
  • Method and apparatus for fabricating a memory device with a dielectric etch stop layer
    Patent number: 7659211
    Abstract: The present technique relates to a method and apparatus to provide a dielectric etch stop layer that prevents shorts for a buried digit layer as an interconnect. In a memory device, such as DRAM or SRAM, various layers are deposited to form structures, such as PMOS gates, NMOS gates, memory cells, P+ active areas, and N+ active areas. These structures are fabricated through the use of multiple masking processes, which may cause shorts when a buried digit layer is deposited if the masking processes are misaligned. Accordingly, a dielectric etch stop layer, such as aluminum oxide Al2O3 or silicon carbide SiC, may be utilized in the array to prevent shorts between the wordlines, active areas, and the buried digit layer when the contacts are misaligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: H. Montgomery Manning
  • Device and method for reducing crosstalk
    Patent number: 7658652
    Abstract: A device and method for reducing crosstalk between wires is provided. The method includes spatially separating first and second sets of wires. A device is disposed relative to the first and second sets of wires to maintain the spatial separation. The method also comprises coupling pins to the first and second sets of wires. Additionally, the method includes covering the device with a connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Ken Sawatari, Paul D. Mannheimer, Bradford B. Chew
  • System and method for prioritizing session initiation protocol messages
    Patent number: 7660321
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for prioritizing session initiation protocol (“SIP”) messages. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a method of prioritizing SIP messages in a network, the method comprising receiving SIP messages in a first order from one or more other servers of the network, wherein each of the received SIP messages comprises one or more priority indicators, scheduling the received SIP messages into a second order based on one or more of the priority indicators, and processing the scheduled SIP messages in the second order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Mauricio Cortes, Nachi K. Nithi, Anwar I. Walid
  • Thermostat housing
    Patent number: D610475
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Bradley A. Beers, James B. Price, Jon Moroney, Rodger William Eich, Sang Hoon Chung
  • Portable battery powered welder
    Patent number: D611074
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Bashore, Darrell L. Sickels, Bernard J. Vogel, Caleb R. Krisher