Patents Represented by Attorney Fletcher Yoder
  • Patent number: 8149619
    Abstract: A memory array is provided that includes a transistor having two active gates sharing a source, a drain, and a channel of the transistor. One of the active gates may be coupled to a volatile memory portion of a memory cell, such as a DRAM cell, and the other active gate may be coupled to a non-volatile memory portion, for example, a charge storage node such as a SONOS cell. Methods of operating the memory array are provided that include transferring data from the volatile memory portions to the non-volatile memory portions, transferring data from the non-volatile memory portions to the volatile memory portions, and erasing the non-volatile memory portions of a row of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard C. Kirsch, Charles Ingalls, Werner Juengling
  • Patent number: 8146598
    Abstract: A medical device tube having opposing support ears for improved coupling of an inner cannula to an outer cannula. The medical device tube comprises an outer cannula having opposing support ears on an outer cannula connector flange attached to a proximal end of the outer cannula. The opposing support ears maintain locking ears of the inner cannula in substantially one position. The opposing support ears substantially prevent the locking ears in contact with the outer cannula connector flange from slipping therefrom by, e.g., rotation, axial displacement, torsional shear, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: George Matlock, Donald L. Moore
  • Patent number: 8149646
    Abstract: A memory device that, in certain embodiments, includes a memory element and a digital filter. The digital filter may include a counter and a divider, where the divider is configured to divide a count from the counter by a divisor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Jacob Baker
  • Patent number: 8143893
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing an amount of space occupied by a radio frequency coil assembly in a magnetic resonance imaging system are provided. In one embodiment, a radio frequency coil assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging system includes a radio frequency coil disposed cylindrically around a patient space and a radio frequency shield disposed cylindrically around the patient space and electrically coupled to the axial ends of the radio frequency coil. The radio frequency shield may be configured to extend behind the radio frequency coil, and the axial length of the radio frequency shield may be at least two times the axial length of the radio frequency coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Graeme Colin McKinnon
  • Patent number: 8144411
    Abstract: Multimodal optical imaging is disclosed. Possible devices include a filter assembly that is capable of rotary action during real time image acquisition. Systems are disclosed that include such filter assemblies, which are detachable or integrated in the systems. Various techniques for capturing image targets using multiple light sources such as white light and fluorescent light are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Siavash Yazdanfar, Vernon Thomas Jensen, Stephen Johnson Lomnes
  • Patent number: 8141592
    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: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Brian L. Rice
  • Patent number: 8145288
    Abstract: A sensor may be adapted to reduce signal artifacts by deflecting the effects of outside forces and sensor motion. A sensor is provided with a rigid annular structure adapted to reduce the effect of motion of a sensor emitter and/or detector. Further, a method of deflecting or minimizing outside forces and sensor motion is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventor: Clark R. Baker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8144410
    Abstract: Multimodal optical imaging is disclosed. Possible devices include a filter assembly that is capable of rotary action during real time image acquisition. Systems are disclosed that include such filter assemblies, which are detachable or integrated in the systems. Various techniques for capturing image targets using multiple light sources such as white light and fluorescent light are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Siavash Yazdanfar, Vernon Thomas Jensen, Stephen Johnson Lomnes
  • Patent number: 8140780
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices, among which is a method for configuring an electronic device. In one embodiment, an electronic device may include one or more memory locations having stored values representative of the capabilities of the device. According to an example configuration method, a configuring system may access the device capabilities from the one or more memory locations and configure the device based on the accessed device capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold B Noyes
  • Patent number: 8137282
    Abstract: One or more techniques are provided for identifying a period of minimal motion for an organ of interest, such as the heart or lungs. Motion data is acquired for the organ of interest and for one or more proximate organs using sensor-based and/or image-based techniques. The sensor-based techniques may include electrical and non-electrical techniques. The image-based techniques may include both pre-acquisition and acquisition image data. The motion data for the organ of interest and proximate organs may be used to generate a set of multi-input motion data that may be processed to identify desired periods, such as periods of minimal motion, within the overall motion of the organ of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Prathyusha K. Salla, Gopal B. Avinash, Cherik Bulkes
  • Patent number: 8137205
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a motion-based attraction device engagable with a plurality of spaced guest supports that are movable along a path, having a rotatable carousel configured to temporarily and separately synchronize with the plurality of spaced guest supports, at least one pair of domes supported by the carousel, each dome having a viewing portion that is positioned towards the guest supports and the dome being movable to temporarily cover the guest supports, and an image projecting assembly supported by each dome and configured to display an image on the viewing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Cortelyou, Steven C. Blum, Thierry Jean-Andre Coup, Brian McQuillan
  • Patent number: 8135448
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, devices, and/or methods for assessing body fluid-related metrics and/or changes therein. The disclosure further provides systems, devices, and/or methods for correlating body fluid-related metrics in a particular tissue with the corresponding whole-body metric. The disclosure also provides, systems, devices, and/or methods for assessment of such metrics to facilitate diagnosis and/or therapeutic interventions related to maintaining and/or restoring body fluid balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Clark R. Baker, Jr., Joseph M. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8133176
    Abstract: Sensors and monitors for a physiological monitoring system having capability to indicate an accuracy of an estimated physiological condition. The sensor senses at least one physiological characteristic of a patient and is connectable to a monitor that estimates the physiological condition from signals detected by the sensor. The sensor includes a detector for detecting the signals from the patient which are indicative of the physiological characteristic. The sensor is associated with a memory configured to store data that defines at least one sensor signal specification boundary for the detected signals. The boundary is indicative of a quality of the signals and an accuracy of the physiological characteristic estimated from the signals by the monitor. The sensor further includes means for providing access to the memory to allow transmission of the data that defines the at least one sensor boundary to the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Charles Porges, Clark Baker, Thomas J. Yorkey, Michael Bernstein, Paul Mannheimer
  • Patent number: 8135187
    Abstract: Techniques for removing image autoflourescence from fluorescently stained biological images are provided herein. The techniques utilize non-negative matrix factorization that may constrain mixing coefficients to be non-negative. The probability of convergence to local minima is reduced by using smoothness constraints. The non-negative matrix factorization algorithm provides the advantage of removing both dark current and autofluorescence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ali Can, Michael John Gerdes, Musodiq Olatayo Bello, Xiaodong Tao, Francis Edward Pavan-Woolfe, Roshni Bhagalia
  • Patent number: 8128877
    Abstract: A manufacturing process for producing polyolefin, having a feed system, a reactor system including at least one polymerization reactor, a diluent/monomer recovery system, a fractionation system, and an extrusion/loadout system having an extruder. The manufacturing process is configured to consume less than 325 kilowatt-hours of electricity per metric ton of polyolefin produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Robert R. McElvain, John D. Hottovy, Ralph W. Romig, Donald W. Verser, David H. Burns, John H. Tait, Richard Peacock, James E. Hein, Scott E. Kufeld, Carl W. Fenderson, Anurag Gupta, Dale A. Zellers, Penny A. Zellers, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8128574
    Abstract: An airway device is provided that may track the flow of respiratory gases through the device with sensing elements at a plurality of locations along the gas flow path of the device. Such a device may be useful for assessing a variety of clinical states, for adjusting patient ventilator settings, or for determining whether or not an airway device has been properly inserted into a patient airway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Clark R. Baker, Jr., Roger Mecca, Michael P. O'Neil, Rafael Ostrowski
  • Patent number: 8125829
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided that include a memory system that includes a memory system, having an access device coupled between a global line and a local line and a voltage source coupled to the global line and configured to output a bias voltage on the global line when the memory system is in a non-operation state. The access device is selected when the memory system is in the non-operation state, and the access device is deselected when the memory system is in an other state. Further embodiments provide, for example, a method that includes coupling a global access line to a local access line, biasing the local access line to a voltage other than a negative supply voltage while a memory device is in a first state and uncoupling the global access line from the local access line while the memory device is in an other state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Patent number: 8125862
    Abstract: The present techniques provide methods and systems for alignment of a read head with data tracks on an optical data disk. In embodiments, a multi-pixel detector that is segmented into multiple areas, or detector segments, may be used to detect a pattern in the light reflected from an optical data disk. The detector system may then combine the quantized values from each of the detector segments mathematically to determine the alignment of the read head with a target data track. If the read head drifts to one side or the other, detectors to the side of a center detector may start to pick up energy from the adjacent tracks. If this energy is continuously summed for the detectors on each side, the read head may be centered by balancing the sums from the detectors on each side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Anderson Fergus Ross, Kenneth Brakeley Welles, John Erik Hershey, Xiaolei Shi, Victor Petrovich Ostroverkhov
  • Patent number: 8125304
    Abstract: An improved choke assembly for a power electronics device is provided. More specifically, a choke assembly with improved protection from environmental conditions such as dirt and water is provided. An improved choke assembly may include an insulative housing for an inductor coil that seals the inductor coil from the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John R Brubaker, Lixiang Wei
  • Patent number: 8119553
    Abstract: The present techniques relate to catalyst compositions, methods, and polymers encompassing a Group 4 metallocene compound comprising bridging ?5-cyclopentadienyl-type ligands, typically in combination with a cocatalyst, and a activator. The compositions and methods presented herein include ethylene polymers with low melt elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Qing Yang, Max P. McDaniel, Joel L. Martin, Youlu Yu, David C. Rohlfing, Michael D. Jensen