Abstract: A voltage regulator for a charge pump includes a capacitor divider and a reset circuit. The capacitor divider produces, based on an input voltage (VPP), a sample voltage at a sampling node. The sampling node and a reference voltage VREF are connected to respective inputs of a comparator that generates an enable signal for the charge pump. The reset circuit connects to the divider and includes a first transistor connected between the sampling node and a biasing node. During a sampling mode, the reset circuit biases VDS of the first transistor to approximately zero at the regulation point to minimize sub-threshold IDS. During reset intervals, the reset circuit applies VREF to the biasing node. The reset circuit may include a second transistor connected between the biasing node and a known level (e.g., ground) and a biasing transistor connected between the biasing node and VREF.
Abstract: A locking drain filter for floor drains with drain wells is provided. An upper filter portion has external dimensions that allow the upper filter portion to be inserted into a drain line at the bottom of the drain well. A lower filter portion has first external dimensions that allow the lower filter portion to be inserted into the drain line and second external dimensions that allow the lower filter portion to be inserted into the upper filter portion. A compressible gasket has external dimensions that allow the compressible gasket to be inserted into the drain line when the compressible gasket is in an uncompressed state and internal dimensions that allow the compressible gasket to be placed over the second external dimensions of the lower filter portion.
Abstract: A telecommunications system utilizes a central database to determine characteristics for international calls, to facilitate call routing for international calls, or both. The central database includes termination information for telephone numbers in multiple nations outside the North American Numbering Plan. In one aspect, an interexchange switch receives a termination number for an international call from a local exchange carrier and uses information from the central database to help complete the call. In another aspect, the central database receives a telephone number from a remote user such as interexchange carrier (IXC) and, in response, transmits termination information to the remote user to identify whether the telephone number uses wireless termination. The remote user may then charge a customer for wireless termination, if appropriate, possibly even before the remote user receives an invoice that reflects wireless termination charges from a foreign wireless carrier.
Abstract: A method for synthesizing uniformly sized hyaluronic acid (“HA”) particles that are substantially free from oil and surfactant contaminants. The method comprises crosslinking HA chains with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethlyaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (“EDAC”) and adipic acid dihydrazide in a water/acetone mixture.
Abstract: A computer system, method, and computer-readable medium for conducting an online survey including one or more questions are provided. A survey database contains the survey questions and data identifying the type of input field that should be provided for responding to each question. When a request is received for a network resource referencing the online survey, the contents of the survey database are utilized to generate the online survey. The survey questions are maintained in the survey database separately from the application code for displaying the survey questions. Only the questions in the survey database need to be modified to provide a new survey. The application code for generating the survey is generic to all surveys and does not need to be modified.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 12, 2006
Date of Patent:
October 6, 2009
Assignee:
AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
Inventors:
Mark A. Kirkpatrick, Wendy Jennings, Dongbiao Zheng
Abstract: A method for determining performance of data communication lines in a DSL network is provided. The method includes determining a performance metric for at least one line from a first set of data that included measurements for each of a plurality of parameters related to the at least one line; establishing a benchmark utilizing a second set of measurements that includes at least one additional measurement for the plurality of parameters; and comparing the performance metric with the benchmark to determine the performance of the at least one line.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 3, 2006
Date of Patent:
September 22, 2009
Assignee:
AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
Inventors:
Raghvendra G. Savoor, Xidong Wu, Stuart L. Blackburn, Kapil Shrikhande
Abstract: Presently disclosed is method and apparatus for generating a random bit stream by generating a random bit according to a polynomial expression, providing a modification function operative on the polynomial expression, and modifying the polynomial expression by modifying the modification function.
Abstract: Drill string flow control valves and more particularly, drill string flow control valves for prevention of u-tubing of fluid flow in drill strings are provided. Drill string flow control valves may comprise a valve housing, a valve sleeve axially movable within a valve housing from a closed position to an open position, a biasing mechanism for biasing the valve sleeve into the closed position, and a plurality of pressure ports for allowing a differential pressure to be exerted on the valve sleeve. The differential pressure exerted on the valve sleeve may be the result of an upstream pressure and a downstream pressure. By allowing a differential pressure resulting from a fluid flow to act on the valve sleeve, u-tubing in a drill string can be prevented or substantially reduced. Methods of use are also provided.
Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing and regulating temperature, pressure and fluid viscosities of fluid streams found in oil and gas production. Applicant's apparatus regulates and increases fluid temperatures, by and through improved heating apparatus, which may be placed at one or more locations along a wellbore surface flow line, or subsea flow line. The apparatus preferably either heats fluids flowing from the reservoir to the surface, or alternatively, can heat fluids injected from the surface into the reservoir.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 11, 2006
Date of Patent:
September 1, 2009
Assignee:
AMP Lift Group, LLC
Inventors:
Ronald Elrick Pankratz, Lenny Kuslitsky, Andrew Bratushkin, Leonid Leshchenyuk
Abstract: The present invention is directed to the cleavage of serum response factor as it relates to cardiac disease. In specific embodiments, failing cardiac tissue is diagnosed in tissues comprising elevated cleavage of serum response factor. In further specific embodiments, heart failure is associated with cardiac myocyte apoptosis as a result of an increase in cleaved serum response factor, particularly by caspases.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 22, 2004
Date of Patent:
September 1, 2009
Assignee:
Baylor College of Medicine
Inventors:
Robert J. Schwartz, Lei Wei, Jiang Chang, Mark Entman
Abstract: Call logs are generated based upon calls from a subscriber line and calls to a subscriber line. The call logs are formatted from Generic Data Interface (GDI) messages into an email format (e.g., SMTP) within a call log gateway. The formatted email is then emailed to an email recipient, which can include a messaging service provider or the subscriber himself. The email address to the recipient is determined by the call log gateway based upon the subscriber's identity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 22, 2005
Date of Patent:
August 25, 2009
Assignee:
AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
Inventors:
Carol Shifrin Gruchala, Richard John Ebel, Kenneth Robert Stroud, James M. Doherty, Larry B. Pearson
Abstract: A method and system for providing enhanced intelligent agents that are moveable by a user from a browser application to a desktop. In specific embodiments, agents provide advanced interactive graphics and communications back to a server.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 8, 2001
Date of Patent:
August 18, 2009
Assignee:
H.E.B., LLC
Inventors:
Michael Tolson, Jean-Christophe Arnulfo, Brice Rive
Abstract: A pharmaceutical formulation and its use. The pharmaceutical formulation contains peroxidic species or reaction products resulting from oxidation of an alkene, such as geraniol, by an oxygen-containing oxidizing agent, such as ozone; a penetrating solvent, such as dimethylsulfoxide (“DMSO”); a dye containing a chelated metal, such as hematoporphyrin; and an aromatic redox compound, such as benzoquinone. The pharmaceutical formulation is used to effectively stimulate bone regeneration and increase osteoblastic activity in a patient.
Abstract: The present invention provides a method for distributing Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) content over a national IP backbone using GRE tunneling in a point-to-point ring topology. A logical path is defined that connects multiple hub offices, each including at least two routers, in a ring network topology. Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) tunnels are used over an existing Internet Protocol (IP) backbone to establish connectivity between adjacent hub offices. A direction for content flow is defined. The direction of flow may be determined by selecting a designated router. The routers of the hub offices selectively join to upstream routers. This direction may be reversed by changing the direction of in which routers join. IPTV content is distributed over the defined path using the GRE tunnels. The necessity of forwarding the content is determined at each hub office.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 7, 2005
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2009
Assignee:
AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
Inventors:
Yetik Serbest, Stephanie Karasick, Eric Puetz
Abstract: A method and system for allowing users to control the operation of hyperlinks includes a graphical user interface that displays Internet and intranet hyperlinks from web sites. The graphical user interface includes a selectable button that accepts user settings. The user settings allow the users to determine the operation of the hyperlinks so that the hyperlinks either open in a new browser window or in an existing browser window when selected by the user. An interface engine generates the selectable button on the graphical user interface, examines the selectable button for any user settings, and controls the operation of the hyperlinks based upon the user settings.
Abstract: A system and method for designing a broadband tuner such that VCO pulling is minimized and gaps in frequency coverage are avoided, while total power consumption is reduced, is disclosed. A broadband spectrum is divided into sub-bands and various multipliers to a local oscillator output are introduced. In this fashion, the present invention allows a local oscillator within the broadband tuner to always generate signals that lie outside of the broadband spectrum for a particular broadband application. Additionally, a modulus ratio for a dual modulus prescaler with the local oscillator is maximized, thereby reducing power consumption.
Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method display incoming and outgoing call log data associated with telephone calls to and from a plurality of subscriber telephone numbers from one or more telephone networks. The system includes a switch in one network that receives a telephone call from the subscriber's telephone and launches a query in response to an AIN trigger to a service control point. In response, the service control point forwards associated call data to a call log gateway that translates the message into an asynchronous message containing call log data. The call log gateway forwards the asynchronous message to a unified communication platform where it is placed in subscriber mailbox and made available as a call log to a subscriber via a graphic user interface over the internet. A web server retrieves the call log and displays it to the subscriber at a web client.
Abstract: A seismic exploration method and unit comprised of continuous recording, self-contained wireless seismometer units or pods. The self-contained unit may include a tilt meter, a compass and a mechanically gimbaled clock platform. Upon retrieval, seismic data recorded by the unit can be extracted and the unit can be charged, tested, re-synchronized, and operation can be re-initiated without the need to open the unit's case. The unit may include an additional geophone to mechanically vibrate the unit to gauge the degree of coupling between the unit and the earth. The unit may correct seismic data for the effects of crystal aging arising from the clock. Deployment location of the unit may be determined tracking linear and angular acceleration from an initial position. The unit may utilize multiple geophones angularly oriented to one another in order to redundantly measure seismic activity in a particular plane.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 28, 2004
Date of Patent:
July 14, 2009
Assignee:
Fairfield Industries, Inc.
Inventors:
Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, Hal B. Haygood