Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Harness, Dickey & Pierc PLC
  • Inter-vehicle communication apparatus and inter-vehicle communication method
    Patent number: 8234057
    Abstract: An inter-vehicle communication apparatus mounted to a subject vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes: reception section receiving information about a peripheral vehicle from the peripheral vehicle; a detection section configured to identify the peripheral vehicle that satisfies a predetermined condition as a same directing peripheral vehicle based on the information about the peripheral vehicle; a determination section configured to determine whether the subject vehicle is one of a lead vehicle and a tail vehicle in a group of vehicles including the subject vehicle and the same directing peripheral vehicle; and a transmission control section configured to control the transmission section based on the determination by the determination section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenao Shiraki, Tetsuya Nakamura, Masaya Takatsuji
  • Three-dimensional microscopic magnetic resonance angiography
    Patent number: 8233685
    Abstract: A method comprises performing a first T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) on a subject; injecting the subject with a contrast agent after performing the first T2WI; and waiting a predetermined period of time before performing a second T2WI on the subject. The first T2WI and second T2WI are then co-registered. The co-registered first T2WI and co-registered second T2WI are then trimmed. A ?R2 map is then determined based on each pixel of the trimmed first T2WI and corresponding pixels of the trimmed second T2WI. A three-dimensional map is constructed based on the ?R2 map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Academia Sinica
    Inventors: Chen Chang, Chien-Yuan Lin, Jyh-Horng Chen
  • Method and apparatus for controlling channel for providing internet protocol television service
    Patent number: 8234683
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a channel for providing an IPTV is disclosed, which is capable of improving use efficiency of network resource and reducing a channel zapping time by controlling a channel type of each channel and a bit rate of video data to be transmitted through each channel, the method comprising (a) determining an optimal channel status vector among channel status vectors to indicate channel types of respective channels, wherein the optimal channel status vector enables a minimum cost corresponding to the sum of an average channel zapping time of respective channels and an average distortion value of video data transmitted through the respective channels; and determining an optimal bit rate at the determined optimal channel status vector; and (b) transmitting the video data at the optimal bit rate through the respective channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignees: Postech Academy-Industry Foundation, Seoul National University R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Dai-Boong Lee, Hwangjun Song
  • Method and system for simplified recordkeeping including transcription and voting based verification
    Patent number: 8233751
    Abstract: A simplified method of recordkeeping is provided. The method includes capturing a document image of a transaction document; identifying a document type of the transaction document; associating the document image with a data capture template based on the document type; transmitting the document image and the data capture template to a remote system; extracting record data from the document image based on the document type; and populating the data capture template with the record data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventors: Nilesh V. Patel, Mark H. Schwartz
  • Two step pressure control of fuel pump module
    Patent number: 8230841
    Abstract: A fuel system comprises a fuel line that supplies fuel to an engine at a fuel line pressure. A first fuel pump selectively supplies fuel to the fuel line at a first pressure. A second fuel pump selectively supplies fuel to the fuel line at a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure. A check valve having an inlet in communication with an exit port of the first fuel pump and an outlet in communication with the fuel line is positioned based on the fuel line pressure and the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kingo Okada, Dhyana Ramamurthy
  • Dampening system for a stringed-racquet
    Patent number: 8231485
    Abstract: A method of changing vibration characteristics of a stringed racquet having strings includes providing an article of apparel with a mount thereon. The method also includes providing a slotted vibration dampener. Moreover, the method includes increasing dampening of the stringed raquet by moving the slotted vibration dampener from a first position to a second position. The slotted vibration dampener is removably attached to the mount in the first position. The slotted vibration dampener is removably attached to the strings of the stringed racquet in the second position. The method further includes decreasing dampening of the stringed raquet by moving the slotted vibration dampener from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Forester
  • Electric power steering controller
    Patent number: 8234041
    Abstract: A correction value calculating section 70 is provided with a pinion shaft torsion angle correction value calculating section 74 and a pinion shaft torsion angular velocity correction value calculating section 75 for calculating a correction value in consideration with the transmission characteristic of the steering assist torque from the electric motor 6 to the steerable vehicle wheel 9. Therefore, the electric motor 6 can generate the steering assist torque compensating for the influence by the transmission characteristic of the steering assist torque from the electric motor 6 to the steerable vehicle wheel 9 by correcting a target value defined by a detection value of the torque sensor 3 with the correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takehito Fujii, Motoaki Kataoka, Kunihiko Chiba, Daiji Watanabe
  • Vehicle detection apparatus, vehicle detection program and light control apparatus
    Patent number: 8232895
    Abstract: A vehicle detection apparatus detects oncoming vehicles, and the illumination angle of the headlight is changed downwardly when oncoming vehicles are detected. When detecting the oncoming vehicles, the vehicle detection apparatus detects brightness or area for the every light source in an acquired image repeatedly, and detects as a variable light source any light source of which brightness or area changes within a reference time beyond a predetermined variation reference value. Then, when a variable light source is detected, it is determined that vehicles exist in the acquired image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Kamioka
  • Charge-discharge management apparatus and computer readable medium having instructions for achieving the apparatus
    Patent number: 8234027
    Abstract: In charge-discharge control for a battery in a hybrid vehicle, when a difference between a target SOC (State Of Charge) and a present SOC becomes greater than or equal to a reference range in an estimated route to a destination, a charge schedule is drawn up again as a charge re-schedule. However, if the number of times of the re-schedule becomes greater than or equal to predetermined N times or if a remaining distance to the destination becomes less than a predetermined reference distance, a hybrid control based on the charge schedule is stopped without the charge re-schedule drawn up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunao Yamada
  • Semiconductor device, ink cartridge, and electronic device
    Patent number: 8231197
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate including an active element formation face on which an active element is formed; detection electrodes detecting a remaining amount of ink by being wet in the ink; an antenna transmitting and receiving information; a storage circuit storing information relating to the ink; and a control circuit controlling the detection electrodes, the antenna, and the storage circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuaki Hashimoto
  • In-vehicle antenna device
    Patent number: 8228249
    Abstract: An in-vehicle antenna device includes: a dielectric element having a front surface, first and second side surfaces and a rear surface and including a power supply point on both the first and second side surfaces, a first conductive surface on the first side surface, a second conductive surface on the second side surface, and a third conductive surface on the rear surface; and an antenna element including a base element coupled with the power supply point at one corner of the front surface and a branch element connected to the base element and having an end. A part of the branch element moves apart from one of the first and second conductive surfaces as it goes from the base element to the one end of the branch element. The front surface is attached to a windshield of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuji Sugimoto, Kiyokazu Akiyama, Michio Shamoto
  • Acceleration control system
    Patent number: 8229643
    Abstract: An acceleration control system stores a target acceleration calculation equation acquired by transforming an equation that expresses that a product of the differentiation of the square power of the speed and the environmental factor ?env represents a sensed value ? of acceleration. A surrounding environment monitor device detects surrounding bodies present in the forward periphery of the vehicle, and an environmental factor calculation unit calculates the environmental factor ?env by using the detected positions of the surrounding bodies. A target acceleration setting unit successively sets target accelerations aref in compliance with the target acceleration calculation equation by using the environmental factor ?env. The acceleration is executed to match the driver's feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inou, Minoru Okada, Takehito Fujii, Seiji Totsuka
  • Elastomeric bushing assembly with multi-piece bar pin
    Patent number: 8226100
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an elastomeric bushing assembly that includes a multi-piece inner metal component. The inner metal component is formed from a plurality of stamped components that when assembled form a hollow chamber in the center section of the inner metal component. Flat sections at opposite ends of the center section include folded over tabs which increase the strength of the flat sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventors: Troy P. Rodecker, Joseph F. Cerri, III
  • Charge/discharge control apparatus for hybrid vehicle and control program device therefor
    Patent number: 8229611
    Abstract: A navigation ECU records a charge-possible point through charging position record processing and records the history of traveling conditions near the charge-possible point through learning control processing. If a destination point on an optimum route is the charge-possible point, the navigation ECU determines a continuous section where the EV traveling is possible up to the charge-possible point based on the history through SOC management plan preparation processing, and changes over the HV traveling and the EV traveling according to the determination through in-travel processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunao Yamada
  • Hub glow pointer
    Patent number: 8225736
    Abstract: A gauge of an instrument cluster includes a glow hub. The gauge includes a dial and a pointer including a hub portion rotatably mounted in the instrument cluster and movable to a plurality of positions. A light source is disposed in the gauge and adapted to direct light in a first direction through a translucent portion of the hub. A first reflecting surface portion of the hub is adapted to receive light directed from the light source and adapted direct light in a second direction. A second reflecting surface portion of the hub is adapted to receive light directed from the first reflecting surface portion and adapted to direct light in a third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: David Cook
  • Capacitive occupant detection system
    Patent number: 8223016
    Abstract: A capacitive occupant detection system comprises a capacitive sensor and a seat frame located under the capacitive sensor through a seat cushion. The seat frame is electrically connected with the ground potential level of the vehicle. A water proof layer is placed above the seat frame. The water proof layer prevents water from penetrating the seat cushion to reach to the seat frame, even if water poured on the seating part. The water proof layer suppresses resistance decrease of resistive component between the capacitive sensor and the seat frame resulting from water poured on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hajime Nakagawa
  • Combustion inhibitor coating for gas generants
    Patent number: 8221565
    Abstract: Methods of making and resultant compositions thereof, which include a gas generant having a coating including an inorganic combustion inhibitor. Such coated gas generants are useful in pyrotechnic compositions and ignition materials, and may be employed, for example, in inflatable restraint systems. The ratio of coated and uncoated gas generant bodies within an airbag inflator may be tailored to provide S-curve inflation performance. Spray application of aqueous mixture including the combustion inhibitor onto the gas generant body provides a rapid way to achieve a thin but robust coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan V. Mendenhall, Gary K. Lund, Brett Hussey
  • Portable prescription order distribution cart and tracking system
    Patent number: 8224664
    Abstract: A portable cart and related system for operating the cart to automatically detect and track a prescription orders through distribution, particularly within a health-care facility is disclosed. A unique wireless tag is operably secured to each prescription order, and tag readers, which are in communication with a computer system, are positioned near the cart and, if needed, throughout the facility, to detect the presence of a tag within a defined physical area. Preferably, unique tags are also operably secured to each worker and patient. The system this detected information to track the prescription order and preferably verify the proper distribution of the prescription order to the correct patient. More preferably, the system also records, or charts, the distribution event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: GSL Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Shelton Louie, Stephen A. Garrett
  • Method and apparatus for manipulating investment casting mold handlers
    Patent number: 8220523
    Abstract: An investment casting system includes a computer controlled mold transfer device movable between at least three stations, including a mold receiving station. A mold transfer station includes a mold suspended from a first horizontally extending arm of the mold transfer device engaging an intermediate transfer device to transfer the mold to the intermediate transfer device. A storage station has a storage rack receiving the mold following a material coating phase. A robot in communication with the intermediate transfer device is programmed to position the mold in any of multiple material coating stations during the material coating phase. The mold is accessible for removal from the system at any stage of completion by direction of a computer control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Anderson & Associates
    Inventors: Anthony F. Morgott, Mark J. Jordan
  • Carrier for beverages
    Patent number: D664044
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Biba Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Colin Robertson