Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Kirton & McConkie
  • Patent number: 8317528
    Abstract: An intelligent electrical includes a metallic shielding case, an insulating main body, plural conducting terminals and at least one detecting element. The metallic shielding case includes a receiving space and at least one elastic sustaining element. The insulating main body includes a first body part and a second body part. The first body part is accommodated within the receiving space. The second body part is exposed outside the metallic shielding case. The detecting element is disposed on the second body part, arranged beside the elastic sustaining element of the metallic shielding case, and selectively contacted with or separated from the elastic sustaining element. When the elastic sustaining element is contacted with the detecting element, the electricity is permitted to be transmitted through the intelligent electrical connector. Whereas, when the elastic sustaining element is separated from the detecting element, the electricity fails to be transmitted through the intelligent electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Yao Chen, Jui-Yuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 8317797
    Abstract: A combination of a first assembly for guiding resection of a femur and tibia of a knee joint and a second assembly including femoral and tibial knee components. The combination of the first assembly and the second assembly provides optimal placement and positioning of the femoral and tibial knee components to achieve near-normal knee kinematics and tension. The preparation for and placement of the prosthetic knee components provides medial-pivoting kinematics mimicking that of the natural knee thereby promoting improved outcome for the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: G. Lynn Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8321431
    Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for iteratively and interactively searching for information. Embodiments of the invention can provide a user with relevant location-specific information in response to a query from the user. Provided information can also be relevant to a user's predicted future behavior. As context for a user is obtained and/or accumulated, such as, for example, through an interactive query dialogue, the probability of providing relevant information in response to a query from the user increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Frogzog, LLC
    Inventors: William M. Quick, Darren Leroy Wesemann, Brent C. Maxwell
  • Patent number: 8319839
    Abstract: An optical image system includes an image pickup module, a swinging mechanism, a first swinging calibration element and a second swinging calibration element. When the optical image system is tilted because of handshaking, the image pickup module is swung by the swinging mechanism. At the same time, the first swinging calibration element and the second swinging calibration element detect whether the image pickup module is swung to an ideal position where the handshaking problem is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Li-Pen Lin, Kuang-Che Chen, Wen-Chi Shih, Ying-Shou Chen
  • Patent number: 8317393
    Abstract: A digital temperature sensing system and method for converting a test temperature into a digital output signal are disclosed. The system comprises a temperature-to-time circuit for generating a thermally sensitive time signal of which a width varies with the test temperature; an adjustable time reference circuit for generating a time reference signal of which a width changes with the digital set value; a time comparator for generating a time comparison signal according to a width difference between the thermally sensitive time signal and the time reference signal; a logic control circuit for adjusting the digital set value of the adjustable time reference circuit according to the time comparison signal so that the width of the thermally sensitive time signal and the width of time reference signal are close enough or substantially equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Poki Chen, Chun-chi Chen, Tuo-kuang Chen
  • Patent number: 8313026
    Abstract: An RFID chip is modified with set data before being disposed in an electronic label so as to allow the electronic label to be selectively used with different types of RFID systems. The RFID chip includes a first data storage zone for storing first data set accessible by the first type of RFID system and the second type of RFID system; and a second data storage zone for storing second data set inaccessible by the first type of RFID system and the second type of RFID system. The second data set includes a modifiable code for indicating a type of the electronic label and with which of the first type of RFID system and the second type of RFID system the electronic label is to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Mstar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Chang, Chi-Han Lan, Hsu-Hung Chang, Chien-Hsing Lin
  • Patent number: 8314480
    Abstract: Semiconductor packages that contain multiple stacked chips that are embedded in a pre-molded carrier frame and methods for making such semiconductor packages are described. The semiconductor packages contain a full land pad array and multiple chips that are stacked vertically. The land pad array contains inner terminals that are formed by first stud bumps that are located on a lower die. The land pad array also contains middle terminals that are formed by first conductive vias in a first molding layer embedding the first die. The first conductive vias are connected to second stud bumps that are located on a second die that is embedded in a second molding layer. The second molding layer contains second conductive vias that are connected to a carrier frame, the bottom of which forms the outer terminals of the land pad array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Manolito Fabres Galera, Leocadio Morona Alabin, In Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 8314352
    Abstract: A two-level pressure sensitive keyboard includes at least one key and a membrane switch circuit module. The membrane switch circuit module includes a first contact, a second contact, a first spacing layer for separating the first contact from the second contact, a third contact, a fourth contact, and a second spacing layer for separating the third contact from the fourth contact. The thickness of the second spacing layer is greater than that of the first spacing layer. When the key is depressed in response to the first pressure, the first contact and the second contact are electrically connected with each other to generate a first sensing signal. When the key is depressed in response to the second pressure, the first contact and the second contact are electrically connected with each other and the third contact and fourth contact are electrically connected with each other to generate a second sensing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Primax Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bin-Hui Huang, Chien-Ming Yang
  • Patent number: 8313629
    Abstract: Water treatment, reconditioning, and reclamation systems and methods are described. The systems utilize two treatment vectors. The first treatment vector is created by flowing electrical current through a first conductive rod. The second treatment vector is created by delivering a magnetic pulse by way of a second conductive rod. Water to be treated is exposed to the two vectors simultaneously, which is accomplished by creating relative motion between the conductive rods and the water, either by moving the conductive rods or by moving the water. The electric current of the first treatment vector and the voltage and frequency of the magnetic pulse of the second treatment vector may be reduced as the treatment process proceeds. During treatment, total dissolved solids (TDS) rise and congeal at the top of the water. The congealed TDS are removed from the water. An additional filtering process may be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Sweetwater Reclamation, LLC
    Inventor: Andre Kostrzewa
  • Patent number: 8314771
    Abstract: An operation control device includes a housing, a control module having a movable operating device carried on a carrier frame in the housing and partially exposed to the outside and rotatable and axially slidable by the user, a circuit module, which includes a rotation sensor module for sensing the direction and amount of rotation of the movable operating device and producing a respective control signal and magnetic sensors for sensing the direction and amount of axial displacement of the movable operating device in a non-contact manner. The human-friendly design of the operation control device facilitates cursor control, assuring high operation stability and comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventors: Hsiu-Yuan Nien, Yu-Chih Cheng
  • Patent number: 8314473
    Abstract: Standoff structures that can be used on the die backside of semiconductor devices and methods for making the same are described. The devices contain a silicon substrate with an integrated circuit on the front side of the substrate and a backmetal layer on the backside of the substrate. Standoff structures made of Cu of Ni are formed on the backmetal layer and are embedded in a Sn-containing layer that covers the backmetal layer and the standoff structures. The standoff structures can be isolated from each other so that they are not connected and can also be configured to substantially mirror indentations in the leadframe that is attached to the Sn-containing layer. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Gruenhagen, Thomas P. Welch, Eric J. Woolsey
  • Patent number: 8310448
    Abstract: A wheel mouse includes a base, a circuit board, a scroll wheel, a wheel swing member, two tilt switches, and a mode-switching element. The wheel swing member has an extension arm. The mode-switching element has an engaging part. The mode-switching element is penetrated through the base and the circuit board and partially protruded outside the surface of the base. By moving the mode-switching element to a first position or a second position, the engaging part is engaged with or separated from the extension arm, so that the wheel mouse is selectively operated in a third-axial wheel operating mode or a tilt wheel operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Primax Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Che Wu
  • Patent number: 8308155
    Abstract: A retard roller and a retard roller module are provided. The retard roller is used in an automatic document feeder for providing a frictional force to separate plural documents from each other. Unidirectional rotation of the retard roller is permitted. Due to the unidirectional rotation, the contact surface of the retard roller can be switched. During the sheet-feeding process, the document is contacted with a specified contact surface. By rotating the retard roller, the document is contacted with another contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Primax Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Tsui Lan, Ping-Hung Kuo, Yi-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 8308102
    Abstract: A roll shaft structure is provided for fixing a first roll or a second roll. The roll shaft structure includes a shaft body, a first ring and a second ring. The diameter of the shaft body is equal to the inner diameter of the first roll. The diameter of each of the first ring and the second ring is equal to the inner diameter of the second roll. When the shaft body penetrates through the first roll, the shaft body is contacted with the inner wall of the first roll, so that the first roll is fixed on the roll shaft structure. Whereas, when the shaft body penetrates through the second roll, the first ring and the second ring that are fixed on the shaft body are contacted with the inner wall of the second roll, so that the second roll is fixed on the roll shaft structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Li Lin
  • Patent number: 8310217
    Abstract: A power conversion circuit for decentralizing input current includes a capacitor, a first inductor, a first switching circuit, a first discharging circuit, a second inductor, a second switching circuit, a second discharging circuit, and a control circuit. Under control of the control circuit, the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit are alternately conducted, and the second switching circuit is successively conducted when the first switching circuit is shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Shih-Hsien Chang, Jian-Feng Tsai
  • Patent number: 8311615
    Abstract: A system for visualizing needle entry into a body is presented. The system includes a needle for entering a body. The needle is coated with a radiation scattering coating on at least a portion of the needle. The system additionally includes a radiation visualization device which detects reflected radiation directed at a target body and enables medical personnel to view anatomical structures such as a blood vessel along with the inserted needle within a body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Marc I. Zemel
  • Patent number: 8309156
    Abstract: A composition for use in foods, beverages and nutraceuticals that includes one or more non-sterol emulsifiers, each having an HLB value of greater than 14 and one or more sterols or stanols or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Pharmachem Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerzy Zawistowski
  • Patent number: 8302547
    Abstract: A thread cutting device is adapted to be mounted under a bed of a sewing machine, and includes a mount having a marginal region which confronts a thread fetching zone, and a guide slot which is elongated parallel to a stroke path, a fixed knife disposed on the marginal region and having a blade aligned with the stroke path, a movable knife having a shank body which extends along the stroke path to terminate at actuated and hook ends, a drive unit disposed under the mount and having a rotatable output shaft to deliver a rotational force, and a rotation/translation conversion mechanism disposed to convert the rotational force into a translational force that is transmitted through the guide slot to actuate a translation of the actuated end of the shank body to thereby move the shank body between fetching and thread cutting positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Zeng Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shui-Chun Tseng, Hsueh-Hua Liu
  • Patent number: 8303597
    Abstract: An assembly for guiding resection of a femur and tibia of a knee joint in preparation for installing a femoral and tibial knee components. For example, the assembly can include tibial and femoral IM rods to which are connected through a tensioning bolt that allows controlled adjustment of the distraction of the tibia and femur during cut positioning in a range of flexion angles. Also, the assembly is usable with relatively small, noninvasive approaches to the knee joint by way of relatively narrow, low profile components that attach to tibial and femoral IM rods. Further, the assembly includes several quick-release components to allow fast assembly and disassembly in a surgical setting. Each of these aspects, along with the ability of the assembly to accurately guide initial reference cuts to the tibia and femur, promotes an improved outcome for the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: G. Lynn Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8297379
    Abstract: A drilling sub assembly adapted to be coupled between a drill bit of a drilling rig and a drill pipe, the drilling sub assembling including a turbine unit directly coupled to the drill bit via a mandrel, such that passage of a drilling fluid through the drilling sub assembly rotates the turbine unit which in turn directly rotates the drill bit coupled thereto. The present invention further relates to a baffle for controlling and reducing debris present within a drilling fluid used in combination with the drilling sub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: J-Max
    Inventor: Jason W. Rambo