Patents Represented by Attorney Hoffman Warnick LLC
  • Patent number: 8289842
    Abstract: A system, method and program product for proving a bridging infrastructure for handing failover situations using complimentary appliances. Each appliance includes: a first primary gateway configured for communicating a first message flow; a standby gateway configured for communicating a second message flow, wherein the standby gateway is placed in a standby mode during normal operations; and a controller service that monitors a complimentary appliance having a second primary gateway for communicating the second message flow, wherein upon a detected failure of the complimentary appliance, the controller service causes the second message flow to be redirected through the standby gateway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Conti, Christopher E. Khoury
  • Patent number: 8285214
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable circuit for filtering a transmission channel of an RFID signal and for suppressing a carrier signal in the reception path between an input gate and an output gate, including at least one adjustable oscillator for generating an oscillator signal, at least one input mixing stage cooperating with the oscillator for mixing an input signal by means of the oscillator signal to an intermediate frequency and a blocking device arranged downstream of the input mixing stage or the input mixing stages for suppressing the carrier signal at the intermediate frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Arash Sadeghfam, Holger Heuermann
  • Patent number: 8285420
    Abstract: Provision of a control device, method and program capable of performing a suitable temperature control in a room having an equipment installed therein. A control device controls air-conditioning of a room having installed therein a plurality of pieces of equipment each being capable of drawing outside air to thereby cool down an interior of the equipment. A storage portion is capable of storing therein operating information that represents as to whether it is abnormal or not if each piece of equipment is put into a non-operating state. A temperature measurement portion is capable of measuring a temperature of the air drawn by each piece of equipment. A detection portion is capable of measuring a flow speed of the air drawn by each piece of equipment. A control portion is configured to control the air-conditioning based on the measurement result of the temperature or the flow speed of the air drawn by each piece of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaroh Sugiyama, Satoru Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8286157
    Abstract: Under the present invention, when an application is deployed, certain information corresponding thereto will be stored in an Enterprise Application Directory (EAD). Thereafter, when an instance of the application is requested (e.g., by a requestor), the information is retrieved from the EAD. In addition, the instance is registered with an Application Access Registry (AAR). Registering the instance involves creating a record in the AAR, generating a unique application access key for the instance, and storing the access key with the information in the record. The access key (and optionally the information) is then returned to the requestor, which can then issue service requests to one or more grid services in the shared computer infrastructure. The service request will include the access key so that the grid service can identify the application by searching for the record in the registry using the access key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Youssef Drissi, Moon J. Kim, Lev Kozakov, Dikran S. Meliksetian, Blanche M. Waddell
  • Patent number: 8284017
    Abstract: A design structure including a pair of substantially parallel resistor material lengths separated by a first dielectric are disclosed. The resistor material lengths have a sub-lithographic dimension and may be spacer shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark C. Hakey, Stephen E. Luce, James S. Nakos
  • Patent number: 8278792
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to lead path configurations in generator rotors and, more particularly, to a support apparatus for a main lead and generator rotors incorporating such a support apparatus. In one embodiment, the invention provides a generator rotor comprising: a rotor shaft including an internal conductive bore; a main terminal electrically connected to the conductive bore; a plurality of rotor coil windings, including a plurality of coil end straps; a non-metallic support channel comprising: an elongate, axially-oriented channel; and at least one protrusion extending from the elongate, axially-oriented channel to a position between two of the plurality of coil end straps; and a main lead extending from the main terminal, through the elongate, axially-oriented channel of the non-metallic support channel, to at least one of the plurality of coil end straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sanjeev Kumar Jha, Richa Awasthi, James Jonathan Grant, Madhu Bharadwaj Sridharan
  • Patent number: 8277189
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to turbine blades and rotors and, more particularly, to turbine blades having, among other features, complimentarily shaped integral covers and bases capable of increasing stiffness and damping characteristics while decreasing vibratory stress. In one embodiment, the invention provides a turbine blade comprising: an elongate vane having a twisted configuration about a longitudinal axis thereof, the elongate vane having a leading face and a trailing face; a base at a proximal end of the elongate vane, the base having: a substantially planar member substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the elongate vane; and a dovetail member on a surface of the planar member opposite the elongate vane; and a cover member at a distal end of the elongate vane, the cover member having a leading face and a trailing face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alan Richard DeMania, F. Timothy Wendell, Gary J. Yetto
  • Patent number: 8281240
    Abstract: An approach that aggregates avatars that are online in a virtual universe into an aggregated avatar is described. In one embodiment, there is an avatar identification component configured to identify a plurality of avatars that are online in the virtual universe. An avatar aggregation component is configured to aggregate the plurality of avatars into an aggregated avatar representative of the plurality avatars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter G. Finn, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Clifford A. Pickover, James W. Seaman
  • Patent number: 8277519
    Abstract: A method of colouring a material, the method comprising the steps of: a)applying to the material a composition comprising a sulphur-containing nucleophile; and b)applying to the material a composition comprising a dye compound selected from a dye class other than the class of reactive dyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Perachem Limited
    Inventors: Céline Gauché, Jamie Anthony Hawkes, David Malcolm Lewis
  • Patent number: 8280763
    Abstract: The present invention provides an approach for rewarding customers for use of self-checkout stations and, optionally, for being self-sufficient in such use by not requiring retailer (employee) assistance. Specifically, the under the present invention, a set of service choices made by a customer during purchasing transactions are tracked. Such service choices include whether the customer elected to use self-checkout stations. In addition, a frequency of assistance needed by the customer during the purchasing transactions will be tracked. Such tracking can be accomplished using any known technology including the use of the customer loyalty cards that are assigned to specific customers. In any event, a reward can be offered to the customer if the customer elected to use self-checkout stations to complete at least a subset of the purchasing transactions, and/or if the frequency of assistance needed by the customer during the purchasing transactions fell below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan H. Connell, II, Myron D. Flickner, Norman Haas, Arun Hampapur, Sharathchandra U. Pankanti
  • Patent number: 8277734
    Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation is shone within an area and detected. The detected ultraviolet radiation is monitored over a period of time to determine a set of biological activity dynamics for the area. Ultraviolet radiation detected during a calibration period can be used to provide a baseline with which analysis of subsequently detected ultraviolet radiation is compared and analyzed. When the presence of biological activity is determined within the area, ultraviolet radiation and/or one or more other approaches can be utilized to suppress the biological activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei Koudymov, Michael Shur, Remigijus Gaska
  • Patent number: 8279572
    Abstract: A design structure for an on-chip high frequency electro-static discharge device is described. In one embodiment, the electro-static discharge structure comprises a first dielectric layer with more than one electrode formed therein. A second dielectric layer with more than one electrode formed therein is located above the first dielectric layer. At least one via connects the more than one electrode in the first dielectric layer with the more than one electrode in the second dielectric layer. A gap is formed through the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, wherein the gap extends between two adjacent electrodes in both the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. A third dielectric layer is disposed over the second dielectric layer, wherein the third dielectric layer hermetically seals the gap to provide electro-static discharge protection on the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Kai D. Feng, Zhong-Xiang He, Xuefeng Liu, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 8281237
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method to configure, view, and order a document online. The document is uploaded from a client and transferred over a network to a server. The server includes software that allows a user to configure and preview the document online. The user may change configuration parameters as desired. Once the configuration process is complete, the user may order the document, specifying multiple recipients as desired. The user is then billed for the order and the document is delivered to the indicated recipient(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Mimeo.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Stewart, Jennifer R. Pinco
  • Patent number: 8280685
    Abstract: An improved solution for performing an inspection is provided, in which a user can use a handheld computing device to obtain and/or record the set of attributes required for the inspection. In particular, an inspection schedule can be initiated on the handheld computing device and the user can be prompted for the various attributes based on the inspection schedule. Various solutions can be incorporated for receiving the attributes on the handheld computing device, including manual entry, audible entry and/or one or more data sensing devices. Subsequently, the set of attributes can be communicated to a base station for further processing and/or more permanent storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Jeremy C. Mullaney, Ryk E. Spoor
  • Patent number: 8275558
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for visually detecting and measuring retention assembly tightness are disclosed. In an embodiment, an optical device is used to obtain at least an image of a retention assembly, the optical device being insertable into a slot between two stator core laminations and directable toward a side view of the retention assembly. The image is displayed on a display, and a measurer is used to determine a tightness of a retention assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Francis Alexander Reed, Robert Martin Roney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8275422
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for controlling use of handset communication device for communication by driver. A system in accordance with an embodiment includes: an obtaining component for obtaining driving state information of the vehicle; a directional antenna for capturing a wireless communication signal of the handset communication device around the driver; a judging component for judging whether a driving state of the vehicle is in an unstable state based on predefined criteria and the driving state information of the vehicle; and a control component for transmitting a remote control signal, based on a judging result of the judging component, to intervene in a communication of the handset communication device during a call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Xiao Y. Chen, Jie X. Jiao, Song Song, Xiao F. Wang, Ying Wang, Yu D. Yang, James T. Yeh
  • Patent number: 8275670
    Abstract: Under the present invention, a customer will login to a secure computer infrastructure and initially be polled and/or provide some input relating to an integrated IT solution that is desired. The customer can then make selections for hardware and/or software components desired for the integrated IT solution. The present invention will analyze the selections and verify whether each of the selected components is of similar quality to one another. If not, the customer can be alerted. The present invention will also make recommendations for services that best match the selected components. The integrated IT solution will then be finalized based on the components and services selected by the customer. Once the solution has been finalized, a corresponding contract(s) can be developed/generated, approved and executed within the secure computer infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Aston G. Farquharson, Karen L. Faison, Jodie A. MacCrory, Michael E. Weiner
  • Patent number: 8270675
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a solution for resolving an occlusion in a video image. Specifically, an embodiment of the present invention provides an environment in which portions of a video image in which occlusions have occurred may be determined and analyzed to determine the type of occlusion. Furthermore, regions of the video image may be analyzed to determine which object in the occlusion the region belongs to. The determinations and analysis may use such factors as pre-determined attributes of an object, such as color or texture of the object and/or a temporal association of the object, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew W. Senior
  • Patent number: 8266965
    Abstract: A method and a device for the contactless detection of laminated, flat objects, particularly sheet-like recording media. There is a galvanic separation and mechanical decoupling between the transmitter and receiver to improve detection. These measures can be further improved with correction characteristic methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Dierk Schoen
  • Patent number: 8268013
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of removing color from dyed hair, the method comprising applying to the hair a color removal composition comprising a sulfur-containing nucleophile or a precursor thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Perachem Limited
    Inventors: Jamie Anthony Hawkes, David Malcolm Lewis, Celine Gauche