Patents Represented by Attorney Henneman & Associates, PLC
  • Patent number: 7404774
    Abstract: The invention is a motion training method. The motion of golf swing will be emphasized. In order to guide a golfer through a proper swing, his/her swing must be analyzed first. To analyze the swing, a set of frame photos will be needed. From those frame photos, the invented method will provide a rule based method to calculate the body mechanics/forces of the golfer. Once the body mechanics/forces are known, the system will then determine the swing is correct or incorrect. If the swing is incorrect, the system will then make suggestions to the golfer about how to correct his/her swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Koun-Ping Cheng
  • Patent number: 7388613
    Abstract: A pop up prism camera (10) having a pop up prism lens assembly (11). A first lens assembly (14), a second lens assembly (18), and a prism assembly (21) are moved in relationship to a camera housing (12) controlled by a cam tube (20). The prism assembly (21) projects outside the camera housing (12) when the pop up prism camera (10) is in an operational configuration. A prism (100) of the prism assembly (21) redirects an optical path (48). A non-angled portion (44) of a first cam groove (30) causes the prism assembly (21) to remain fixed relative to the camera housing (12) while continued rotation of the cam tube (20) allows the first lens assembly (14) and the second lens assembly (18) to continue to move to accomplish a lens zoom function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Flextronics International USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Klaus G. Raschke
  • Patent number: 7387325
    Abstract: A slide assembly is provided to couple a slide-out component disposed in an opening of a vehicle body to the vehicle body. The slide assembly includes a complementary contoured guide member, roller(s), and a support member, all generally enclosed by a mountable housing. The support member and roller(s) are coupled to roll along the guide member. In a particular embodiment, rollers are mounted in pairs on the top and bottom sides of the guide member. Due to the complementary contours of the roller and guide member, the slide assembly has a self-aligning characteristic. In one embodiment, the guide member includes a single portion that is horizontal with respect to the vehicle body, and only allows movement of the slide-out component in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Inventors: William W. Herson, Robert A. Nolen
  • Patent number: 7379043
    Abstract: A multiplexed pixel display includes a plurality of pixel electrodes, a plurality of storage elements, a first voltage supply terminal, a second voltage supply terminal, a common electrode, and a plurality of multiplexers each selectively coupling an associated one of the pixel electrodes with one of the first voltage supply terminal and the second voltage supply terminal responsive to a value of a data bit stored in an associated one of said storage elements. A controller is configured to sequentially write each bit of multi-bit data words to the storage elements, and assert, while each bit is stored in the storage elements, a first predetermined voltage on the first voltage supply terminal, a second predetermined voltage on the second voltage supply terminal, and a third predetermined voltage on the common electrode, for a time dependent on the significance of the stored bit. Various alternate controllers facilitate the use of additional driving schemes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Aurora Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William Spencer Worley, III, Edwin Lyle Hudson, Wing Hong Chow
  • Patent number: 7320816
    Abstract: A novel decorative structure includes a length of strand material, having a plurality of individual strands twisted with respect to one another and fixed with respect to one another near a first end of the strands, a twisting member having a plurality of apertures formed therein, each adapted to receive a respective one of the individual strands therethrough, and an anchoring member adapted to support the decorative structure on a support surface. In a particular embodiment the twisting member is a disc, such that when the twisting member is advanced from a second end of the strands to the first end, the strand material is caused to unwind. Similarly, when the twisting member is advanced from the first end to the second end of the strands, the strand material is caused to wind up. When unwound, the strands can support a container within the unwound ends of the strand material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: Cameron F. Quigel
  • Patent number: 7305274
    Abstract: Novel systems and methods of using a bent-tube object in a drawing file include entering a custom bent-tube object in a drawing file, and using the bent tube object to generate bender driver data. In a particular method, the step of entering the custom bent-tube object in the drawing file includes entering a multi-segmented line, and generating the custom bent-tube object based at least in part on the lengths of and angles between the segments of the multi-segmented line. In a more particular method, the step of entering the custom bent-tube object further includes selecting a tube type (e.g., a particular diameter, material, etc.), and the step of generating the custom bent-tube object further includes retrieving bent-tube object data from an object data file based at least in part on the tube type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: GCC, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Greer, John D. Mack
  • Patent number: 7264154
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for verifying a commercial transaction between a card-holder, a merchant, and a credit card company. The card-holder makes a purchase with the merchant using a full credit card number. The merchant submits a transaction approval request for approval with the credit card company. The credit card company executes conventional credit approval of the transaction approval request, as well as verifies the transaction approval request with the card-holder. An approval is sent to the merchant only after the transaction approval request is both conventionally approved by the credit card company and verified by the card-holder. The card-holder, or the credit card company, may initiate verification of the transaction approval request. The transaction approval request can also be automatically verified if one or many pre-verification criteria is/are satisfied by data contained in the transaction approval request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: David N. Harris
  • Patent number: 7253542
    Abstract: A novel a circuit for driving a fan includes an output terminal for supplying the fan with drive power, a pulse width modulation driver, and a limiter. A first power terminal of the fan is held at a first voltage (e.g., 0V), and a second power terminal of the fan is coupled to the output terminal of the driver circuit. The PWM driver provides a series of fan drive pulses on the output terminal, and the limiter prevents the voltage on the output terminal from falling below a predetermined voltage. The predetermined voltage is greater than the first voltage at which the fan's first power terminal is held, and is sufficient to keep the fan in motion even when the duty cycle of the PWM signal is 0%. In a particular embodiment the limiter includes a voltage clamp. In a more particular embodiment, the voltage clamp is a diode. In another particular embodiment, the limiter includes a switch for combining a PWM signal with a DC voltage at an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Dhuey
  • Patent number: 7205126
    Abstract: The invention involves a papilloma pseudovirus that can induce immune response after oral intake as well as its preparation. It is characterized in that HPV or BPV pseudovirus are made by disrupting HPV-VLP or BPV-VLP, mixing them with plasmids (plasmids or DNA vaccine), and reassembling them into the pseudoviruses (VLPs with plasmids inside). Oral administration of the pseudoviruses will result in delivery to mucosal and systemic lymphoid tissues and induce immune responses for disease prevention and treatment. The pseudovirus induces stronger immune response than DNA vaccines. Additionally, the pseudovirus can be applied in gene therapy by bringing the therapeutic genes into lymphoid tissues in the human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Loyola University Chicago
    Inventors: Liang Qiao, Wei Shi, Yujun Huang, Jianzhong Liu
  • Patent number: 7179043
    Abstract: A manipulating arrangement having a horizontal portal on which a slide is horizontally traversable, an arm being pivotably mounted on the slide about a pivot axis which runs parallel to the portal, and a gripper for at least one of workpieces and tools being arranged on the end of the arm. The slide has an elongated support, on which a further slide is mounted in a vertically traversable manner, and the arm is pivotably mounted on the further slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Felsomat GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Helmut F. Jäger
  • Patent number: 7180731
    Abstract: A novel integrated computer includes a support base, a computer component pivotally coupled to the support base, and a display component slidably coupled to the computer component. The pivotal connection between the support base and the computer component facilitates adjustment of the tilt of the display. The slidable connection between the computer component and the display component facilitates height adjustment of the display, without affecting the tilt of the display. A biasing member prevents unwanted movement of the display, while allowing adjustment of the display. A method for manufacturing the integrated computer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Flextronics International USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Titzler, Chen-Chien Kuo, Stephen T. Schooley
  • Patent number: 7165843
    Abstract: An electro-optical projection system includes a polarizer, a reflective light modulator, an analyzer, and a compensation element. The polarizer polarizes an illumination beam to form a polarized illumination beam. The reflective light modulator receives the polarized illumination beam along a first optical path, modulates the polarized illumination beam to form an imaging beam, and reflects the imaging beam along a second optical path. The compensation element is disposed in the polarized illumination beam and the imaging beam to compensate for polarization aberrations resulting from the birefringent property of the material of the reflective light modulator. The compensation plate has a retardation generally equal in magnitude and opposite in sign as compared to the retardation of the liquid crystal material of the reflective light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Aurora Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Flynn, Matthew F. Bone
  • Patent number: 7150586
    Abstract: A wine must pump (10) for pumping a wine product (23) such as must or pomace, has an intake port (14) for receiving the wine product (23), a discharge port (16) for discharging the wine product (23) under pressure, vacuum chamber (20), connected to the inlet port (14), for receiving and separating wine product (23) from air, a pressure valve (26) for allowing the wine product (23) to be removed from the vacuum chamber (20) and an air pump (18) for providing the vacuum and forced air. A thermal transfer unit (28) removes heat from air exiting the air pump (18) such that the wine product (23) is not harmed thereby. A demister (39) removes moisture from recycled air entering the air pump (18). Silencers (74), (76) and (86), and an air pump sound box (110), provide for the quiet operation of the wine must pump (10). Optionally, process air can be injected between the vacuum chamber (20) and the pressure valve (26) to prevent clogging at the bottom of the vacuum chamber (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Therma Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Fisher, Eric R. Garcia
  • Patent number: 7106957
    Abstract: A novel heat exchanger includes a thermal reservoir and a tube, the tube having straight sections and corrugated bends, and being in thermal contact with the thermal reservoir. The thermal reservoir has a first plate and a second plate fixed to the first plate. The first plate has a channel formed therein with straight sections to receive the straight sections of the tube, and curved sections for receiving the corrugated sections of the tube. The second plate has a channel formed therein as well that is complementary to the channel of the first plate. The heat exchanger is heated by one or more cartridge heaters. In a particular embodiment, two thermal reservoirs are fixed to one another and the cartridge heaters are disposed in channels formed therebetween. Optionally the thermal reservoirs can be heated or cooled by thermoelectric chips, and can include one or more heat sinks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Integrated Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei D. Abras, Saeed Taghipour
  • Patent number: 7105765
    Abstract: A novel orbital welder includes a body defining a tube passage, a weld tip, a rotor, a light source disposed to emit light toward the tube passage such that the emitted light will impinge upon one or more tubes placed in the tube passage, and a detector to detect the light emitted by the light source from the tube passage. The intensity of the detected light depends on the position of the tube. The detector can either be disposed to detect light reflected by the tube(s) or light transmitted past the tube(s). A method is also disclosed for aligning tubes in an orbital welder including the steps of emitting light from the light source into the tube passage, monitoring the light from the tube passage with the detector, and providing a signal indicative of the position of the tube(s) based on the intensity of the detected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Therma Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent R. Child
  • Patent number: 7106581
    Abstract: A computer (10) having a monitor housing (12) within which is affixed a logic module (24) having thereon a processor (36), a memory module (38), an internal power connector (39), a fixed disk drive (40), an internal data connector (41), and an external connector panel (46) all generally housed within a sheet metal housing (42) having therein a plurality of perforations (44) for allowing air from a fan assembly (30) to pass therethrough. A power supply (28) and monitor screen (14) are provided in the monitor housing (12) such that when the logic module (24) is mounted and electrically connected within the monitor housing (12) a generally complete computer (10) unit is provided. An auxiliary drive (16) is optionally provided and affixed to the logic module (24) such that the auxiliary drive (16) is externally accessible when the logic module (24) is affixed within the monitor housing (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Norman Olson, David V. Hoenig, Christopher J. Novak, Glen T. Walters
  • Patent number: 7105040
    Abstract: A wine must pump (10) for pumping a wine product (23) such as must or pomace, has an intake port (14) for receiving the wine product (23), a discharge port (16) for discharging the wine product (23) under pressure, vacuum chamber (20), connected to the inlet port (14), for receiving and separating wine product (23) from air, a pressure valve (26) for allowing the wine product (23) to remove from the vacuum chamber (20) and an air pump (18) for providing the vacuum and forced air. A thermal transfer unit (28) removes heat from air exiting the air pump (18) such that the wine product (23) is not harmed thereby. A demister (39) removes moisture from recycled air entering the air pump (18). Silencers (74), (76) and (86), and an air pump sound box (110), provide for the quiet operation of the wine must pump (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Therma Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Fisher, Eric R. Garcia
  • Patent number: 7085819
    Abstract: A distributed network data storage method includes receiving a data set from a client, defining a virtual device to include a plurality of device portions each on one of a plurality of network servers, parsing the data set into a plurality of data portions, and writing each of the data portions to a corresponding one of the virtual device portions. Methods are also disclosed for securely writing data to the virtual devices, and for identifying and reconstructing corrupt data. A system for implementing the data storage/retrieval method includes a plurality of network servers, each running a distributed RAID server application. The servers communicate with clients via a first network, and with each other via a second network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Sigma Storage
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Bright, John A. Chandy, Ericson G. Fordelon, Matthew B. Ryan