Patents Represented by Attorney Gibson & Dernier LLP
  • Patent number: 8281048
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a connector that conforms to a Universal Serial Bus standard. The information processing apparatus detects voltages at signal terminals of the connector a plurality of times, and judges a type of an apparatus connected to the connector by using detection results obtained the plurality of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Daisuke Fujii, Masanari Kato
  • Patent number: 8274474
    Abstract: To provide a character input device allowing a user to smoothly carry out a “character input operation which is carried out by initially selecting any character group from a plurality of character groups each corresponding to a plurality of characters, then selecting any character from among those corresponding to that group, and determining the selected character as an input character”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Nakamura, Kojiro Umemura
  • Patent number: 8274034
    Abstract: The invention relates to optical arrangements which can be provided, preferably also in miniaturized form, for the most varied applications. They can be used in many sectors of life and also commercially, and indeed whenever information should be presented visually and/or optical information should be recognized and taken into account. It is the object of the invention to provide optical arrangements with which different optical information can be utilized in more complex form together in one arrangement. The optical arrangement in accordance with the invention is configured such that elements both emitting and detecting electromagnetic radiation are arranged on a common substrate or are configured thereat. A plurality of these elements are preferably present together in each case. It can, however, also be sufficient for specific applications to provide in each case an emitting or a detecting element with a plurality of the respective other elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Uwe Vogel, Jorg Amelung, Daniel Kreye
  • Patent number: 8274640
    Abstract: Flexibly deformable holding elements operate such that substrates can be held in a fixed manner at a surface of the holding element electrostatically or also by use of negative pressure and planar positional deviations or unwanted deformations can be compensated simply and reliably, where at least one cut-out having an opening arranged at the rear side is formed at the rear side of the holding element which is disposed opposite the surface, and an actuator is arranged there exerting compressive forces or pulling forces for a widening or narrowing of the cut-out and/or for a deformation of the holding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Gerhard Kalkowski, Stefan Risse, Thomas Peschel, Christoph Damm
  • Patent number: 8269782
    Abstract: There is provided a graphics processing system that includes a main processing unit and a graphics processing unit (GPU). The main processing unit puts rendering commands generated using a graphics library in the queue of a command buffer in a main memory. In this process, the library function offered by the graphics library is converted into the rendering commands, without any rendering attributes retained in the library. The GPU reads and executes the rendering commands stacked in the command buffer, and generates rendering data in a frame buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Washizu, Motoi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8267787
    Abstract: A controller (portable electronic apparatus) includes a housing and a key provided for protruding and retreating movement on the housing. The housing has a front face, a rear face, and a side face for connecting the front face and the rear face to each other. The key has a body having one end inserted in an opening formed in the side face and the other end exposed to the outside of the housing, and an extension extending along the side face from the other end of the body to the outside farther than an end edge of the opening. With the controller (portable electronic apparatus), the area of the face of the key which is exposed to the outside of the housing, that is, the area of the face which opposes to a finger of a user, can be increased. Therefore, at whichever position the face is depressed, the key can be inputted and the contact area with the finger can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Takahashi, Hiroaki Masuda, Ken Yano
  • Patent number: 8263889
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a manipulating apparatus (mobile terminal) including a chassis provided with a manipulating portion (directional manipulating portion) with which an input manipulation is carried out. The manipulating portion includes: a key top exposed to an outside of the chassis through an opening portion, which the chassis has, and a key main body having a base portion on which the key top is formed within the chassis; a circuit board in which a detecting portion (switches) is disposed in a position corresponding to the key top; and a flat plate-shaped elastic body (elastic body) interposed between the key main body and the detecting portion; in which the elastic body is provided integrally with the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Takahashi, Hiroaki Masuda
  • Patent number: 8266621
    Abstract: In an information processing system, when a request for execution of a new task is accepted, one or more of the required processing time and bus bandwidth for the new task are identified. A total required processing time, which is a sum of processing times required for the new task and a task reserved on a scheduler for indicating a procedure pertaining to a plurality of tasks, is compared with a processing time available in an apparatus executing those tasks. Similarly, a total required bus bandwidth, which is a sum of bus bandwidths required for processing the reserved task and the new task, is compared with a bus bandwidth available in the apparatus. Based on the result of the comparisons, it is determined whether the new task is executable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi Murata, Tsutomu Horikawa
  • Patent number: 8266476
    Abstract: To provide a multiprocessor system in which data transmission efficiency is unlikely to be affected if a damaged processor should exist among a plurality of processors. The multiprocessor system has a plurality of processing modules, including a predetermined number, being three or more, of processors, and a bus for relaying data transmission among the respective processing modules, and specifies at least one damaged processor; selects as a communication restricted processor subjected to communication restriction at least one of the processors connected to the bus at a position determined according to a position where the damaged processor is connected to the bus; and restricts data transmission by the communication restricted processor via the bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Horikawa, Yasukichi Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 8256105
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed that may include a contact pin; and a plurality of loops of conductive wire, coated with insulation material, disposed in proximity to the contact pin, wherein along at least one portion of the conductive wire, at least one edge of the contact pin extends through the insulation material and thereby forms conductive electrical contact with the conductive wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Anthony Freakes
  • Patent number: 8254005
    Abstract: The invention relates to arrangements of micromechanical elements, preferably microoptical elements, which are each held by means of spring elements. In this respect, they can be pivoted or also deflected in translation around a rotational axis by the effect of electrostatic forces. It is the object of the invention to provide an arrangement having micromechanical elements which can be operated over a long time period without drift without any frequent recalibration being necessary. The arrangement in accordance with the invention having micromechanical elements is made in this connection such that electrodes are likewise arranged beneath micromechanical elements, that is, on the side onto which no electromagnetic radiation can be directly incident. In this respect, a respective electrode is arranged and made such that it is associated with at least two micromechanical elements. It can in this connection effect a deflection of the micromechanical elements associated with it by electrostatic force effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Ingo Wullinger, Peter Dürr
  • Patent number: 8240086
    Abstract: A window lift arrangement with a driver for a window pane, an inner door panel, positioning instruments for positioning the driver relative to the inner door panel in an installation position for installation of the window pane, wherein the positioning instruments can assume a first and a second position, wherein the positioning instruments in the first position define the installation position and wherein the positioning instruments in the second position enable a movement of the driver for opening and closing the installed window pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Mangold, Carsten Huege, Frank Boecker, Marko Hermann, Enrico Schliwa
  • Patent number: 8241122
    Abstract: For an input interface apparatus for recognizing the motion of an object, there may be cases where the brightness of the object to be captured is insufficient, and thus, a camera takes an image of the object operated by the object, a depth position detector detects the position of the object based on captured frames, an action identifying unit identifies an action of the player based on a result on the detection of the object, an input receiving unit receives the action as an instruction to an input-receiving image displayed on a display, and in response to the action, an illumination control unit raises the brightness of the image projected on the display higher than that before the action is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Akio Ohba, Hiroyuki Segawa, Akira Suzuki, Katsu Saito, Tomokazu Kake, Michinari Kohno
  • Patent number: 8235629
    Abstract: A submerged buoyant floating platform with blocked vertical thrust. Above the platform an electrolyser may be placed inside a hollow container. Under the platform may be a hollow container filled with ballast, connected by pipes or chains to the outer ring of the platform which provide rigidity to the entire structure. A storage tank for the hydrogen produced by the electrolyser may be attached to the hollow container. The entire structure may be anchored with chains attached to bottom weights sitting on the ocean floor. The structure may be used as a support for a tower including a wind turbine. Additional chains attached to the structure bottom weights on the sea floor may link the structure to an aquaculture facility and to floats which hold the cages used in aquaculture. The floats may be linked to additional bottom weights placed on the sea floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Blue H Intellectual Property Cyprus Ltd.
    Inventor: Martin Jakubowski
  • Patent number: 8236455
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a direct oxidation fuel cell in which the fuel cell is supplied generally with methanol via a transport device for the fuel. The invention likewise relates to a corresponding arrangement comprising a direct oxidation fuel cell, a fuel reservoir and at least one device for transporting the fuel through the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignees: Faunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg
    Inventors: Steffen Eccarius, Christian Litterst, Peter Koltay
  • Patent number: 8237452
    Abstract: Non-invasive THz spectroscopic apparatus and methods are provided for detecting and/or identifying constituents such as variations in a structural entity where chemical or biological entities can reside. Position dependent scattering of THz radiation is employed to image voids and defects in the internal structure of samples, enabling the determination of contamination, spoilage or readiness of products such as wine in sealed containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: New Jersey Institute of Technology
    Inventors: John Francis Federici, Rose M. Federici
  • Patent number: 8233269
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided with an enclosure defining an inner volume and including a first aperture, and a housing containing the enclosure and including a second aperture. The enclosure may be rotatable such that the first and second apertures may be in registration to permit insertion of the electronic device, and the first and second apertures may not be in registration to prevent insertion and/or removal of the electronic device. An actuating element may rotate the enclosure into a desired orientation within a vehicle. The apparatus may improve the viewing quality of information displayed on the electronic device. The electronic device may be secured within the vehicle without having to supervise the device when the vehicle is parked, turned off, etc. The apparatus may employ environmental controls to control/condition temperature, humidity, and/or vibration within a desired range to protect the electronic device from becoming temporarily or permanently non-functional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Hotary, Greg Brncick
  • Patent number: 8229359
    Abstract: To provide a center device for accommodating a variety of situations which may occur when a home-use game machine, or the like, is used, in which a plurality of users use their own controller devices such as an input device. A center device communicates between a plurality of controller devices, receives an instructing operation carried out by the user of each controller device, and executes processing according to the instructing operation. The center device selects at least one of the controller devices as a controller device to be authenticated from among the plurality of controller devices by utilizing communication with each of the plurality of controller devices, and conducts authentication processing relative to each of the controller devices while communicating with each of the selected controller device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Mariko Hino, Satoshi Hashimoto, Ken Kutaragi
  • Patent number: 8222989
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for protection of a movable asset, particularly a motorvehicle (100), against unauthorized use with the following steps: cryptographic identity verification and/or cryptographic authentication of the vehicle with an external computer system (108), verification whether a blocking is stored for the motorvehicle, transmission of a signal from the computer system to the vehicle in order to allow use of the motorvehicle if no blocking is stored for the motorvehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Bundesdruckerei GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Ziska, Gunda Müffelmann, Joachim Küter, Shirley Bortfeldt-Herkendell
  • Patent number: 8223144
    Abstract: A parallelization permission and prohibition management unit of a processor manages the permission or prohibition of the parallelization for each combination of partial spaces in cooperation with another parallelization permission and prohibition management unit of a different processor. Specifically, when any given object is present across the boundary between a first partial space and a second partial space, the parallelization is prohibited between the collision process to be performed by any given processor on the virtual objects in the first partial space and the collision process to be performed by another processor on the virtual object in the second partial space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ishiwata, Masahiro Yasue