Patents Represented by Law Firm Marger & Johnson
  • Patent number: 8227731
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling an automatic calibration sequence for a light control system having a daylight harvesting scheme is disclosed herein. An ambient light sensor connects to a detection circuit for detecting the amount of ambient light within a given zone. A microprocessor connects between the detection circuit and a dimming circuit for providing control to initiate dimming and to start the auto-calibration sequence. Responsive to the amount of ambient light detected, the dimming circuit controls the power supplied to a plurality of electrical loads. A storage unit connects to the microprocessor for storing minimum light levels assessed during the auto-calibration sequence wherein the ambient light levels are monitored for a predetermined amount of time to determine the lowest level of ambient light generated for the purpose of setting and storing a target voltage level associated with such.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Hick, Richard A. Leinen
  • Patent number: 8229984
    Abstract: A computer system is used to create an application. A multi-platform application intended for two or more target platforms is created using an authoring environment. The application is converted into a multi-platform master application template by creating an application representation and creating associated metadata that define at least one allowable modification that may be made to the application representation. For each target platform, an application is created from the multi-platform master application template suitable for the target platform, and the application and multi-platform master application template are submitted to a certification body for certification on the target platform. The certification process affirms that the application, with any modification to the application specified by the multi-platform master application template metadata, meets all requirements for certification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ensequence, Inc.
    Inventors: Aslam Khader, Jeffrey Todd Harper, Halstead Winship York
  • Patent number: 8220258
    Abstract: Linear roller bearing assemblies can include a hub, a collar around the hub and roller bearing sub-assemblies disposed in a radial pattern around the hub. The roller bearing sub-assemblies can guide linear movement of the hub relative to the collar along a selected direction. Each roller bearing sub-assembly can include a roller and straps wrapped partially around the roller. Each strap is connected to at least one of the hub and the collar. And at least one of the straps can be connected to the roller while at least one of the straps can be circumferentially free of the roller. The hub and collar are moveable relative to each other along the selected direction for a distance that is approximately half of a circumference of the roller. Methods of forming linear roller bearing assemblies are also disclosed, as are multi-cylinder Stirling engines and a thermal energy recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: S. Grant Emigh
  • Patent number: 8219807
    Abstract: A user requests to execute an application. The system authenticates the user and determines whether the user is authorized to execute the application. If the user is both authenticated and authorized to execute the application, the system grants the user permission to execute the application. Otherwise, the system denies the user permission to execute the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Novell, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Y. Danoyan, Scott A. Isaacson
  • Patent number: 8216063
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a mystery degressive bonus system. Instead of a bonus that increases its value as the likelihood of winning the bonus increases, embodiments of the invention disconnect the likelihood of winning a mystery bonus from the amount awarded for triggering the mystery bonus. In some embodiments as the likelihood of winning the mystery bonus increases, the award for winning the mystery bonus decreases. Some embodiments include a minimum value for winning the mystery bonus. Additional embodiments are directed to an indicator system to show to the player a present amount of the mystery bonus award as well as the likelihood of winning the award. Further embodiments include a gaming device that includes a bonus game in which the amount awarded to the player decreases over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Patent Investment & Licensing Company
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Patent number: 8218644
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods used in motion estimation and particularly for data compression. Embodiments of the invention may store and operate on an n-bit value in less than n bits. In one embodiment, if the multi-bit value is less than a threshold, then the multi-bit value is stored in the reduced-bit storage directly, with no loss of precision. If the multi-bit value is greater than the threshold, then the Most Significant Bits (MSBs) of the multi-bit value are shifted into the reduced-bit storage, and a compression flag set. To decompress, if the compression flag was not set, the bits stored in the reduced-bit storage are merely copied back into the multi-bit value directly. If the compression flag was set, then the bits stored in the reduced-bit storage are shifted (left) by the same amount they were shifted (right) during compression, and an error-minimizing value is added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Accumulus Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Mark Jones
  • Patent number: 8218187
    Abstract: Recognizing a language format of an input data stream including reading a next data sample of the input data stream in a current state, selecting a next state in response to the next data sample, transitioning to the next state and repeatedly reading the next data sample and selecting the next state until the next state is an end state, and identifying the language format in response to the current state when the next state is an end state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Rodney Ferlitsch
  • Patent number: 8207777
    Abstract: An input signal is applied to a ratiometric gain/attenuator circuit. A nulling circuit is arranged to null the input signal with an output from the ratiometric gain/attenuator circuit. The ratiometric gain/attenuator circuit may include a gain stage in series with a ratiometric attenuator. By implementing the attenuator ratiometrically, the gain may be compensated with reference to a ratio of component values. A limiting stage with an absolute reference may precede the gain stage, and a pair of detector cells may arranged at the inputs to the nulling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincenzo DiTommaso
  • Patent number: 8207776
    Abstract: An embodiment of a logarithmic circuit may include a logging transistor, a guard circuit arranged to force an input current into an input terminal of the logging transistor, and a positioning circuit arranged to maintain a voltage of the logging transistor. The guard and positioning circuits may include first and second feedback loops, respectively. Another embodiment of a logarithmic circuit may include a logging transistor arranged to generate a logarithmic output in response to an input current, and a feedback loop arranged to provide adaptive compensation to the logging transistor. The feedback loop may be arranged to provide compensation in response to the magnitude of the input current. Another embodiment of a logarithmic circuit may include first and second logging transistors having collectors arranged to receive input currents, and first and second feedback amplifier arranged to drive emitters of the logging transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Barrie Gilbert
  • Patent number: 8204797
    Abstract: In a consumer information system, a method of comparing products and services including providing product specific information, providing merchant specific information on the specified product, providing merchant specific business information, providing product specific information collected by third parties, providing merchant specific information collected by third parties, applying weighting factors to the information provided, producing an aggregate value for each merchant based on the weighting factors as applied to the information provided, and producing a ranking of the merchants offering the specified product based on the aggregate value for each merchant. The system provides for consumers to select a set of standardized weighting factors or to modify the standardized weighting factors or to create their own weighting factors. The system provides detailed information to consumers on the breakdown of factors influencing the rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: William Paul Wanker
  • Patent number: 8205092
    Abstract: Upon receiving a request for access to a resource, a current clock value is determined. Based on information including the resource, the identity of the user requesting the access, and the current clock value, the system identifies applicable access controls. If the applicable access controls indicate that the user can be granted access to the resource at the current time, the request is granted. Otherwise, the request is denied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Novell, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall K. Stokes
  • Patent number: 8203020
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of isolating shikimic acid from a plant. First, a plant is provided. Next, the plant is grown in the absence of glyphosate for a first time period. The plant is then treated with glyphosate for a second time period. This second time period is sufficient for the glyphosate to increase the amount of shikimic acid in the plant. The plant with increased amounts of shikimic acid is then harvested and the shikimic acid is isolated from the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Kim A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8197031
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing subassembly has a diaphragm arranged to be operated on by a transducer, a body pressure chamber arranged to be operated on by the diaphragm, and an adhesive attachment layer arranged between the diaphragm and the body pressure chamber. A fluid dispensing subassembly has a body pressure chamber formed of either a single plate or set of plates, a diaphragm arranged to operate on the body pressure chamber, and an adhesive layer arranged between the body pressure chamber and the diaphragm. A method of manufacturing a fluid dispensing subassembly includes forming a body pressure chamber from a body plate or a set of plates including a body plate, and adhesively bonding a diaphragm plate to at least the body plate of the fluid dispensing subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Terrance L. Stephens, John R. Andrews
  • Patent number: 8198829
    Abstract: A compensation system includes first and second sensors to determine the intensities of first and second fluorescent lamps, a compensator to control the intensity of the first lamp, and a controller to adjust the intensity of the first lamp to about the same intensity as the second lamp. The lamps may be coupled in series, and the compensator may be arranged to divert current around or away from one of the lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Jaiganesh Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 8197038
    Abstract: An apparatus has a first plate having a first array of holes, with a first plate alignment hole having a smaller size than the other holes in the array, a second plate having a second array of holes to be alignable to the first array of holes, a second plate alignment hole having a smaller size than the other holes in the array, and the first plate alignment hole and the second plate alignment hole having different positions. A method of aligning plates provides a first plate having a top and bottom and first array of holes including a first plate alignment hole having a size smaller than the other holes in the first array, places a second plate having a second array of holes on the top of the first plate such that the first array of holes and the second array of holes align, directs light at the bottom of the first plate, locates a profile of the first plate alignment hole in the second array of holes to verify alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Garry Adam Jones, David Paul Platt
  • Patent number: 8198127
    Abstract: A memory cell array including a data line; a capacitor; and a transistor coupled between the data line and the capacitor. At least one of the capacitor and the transistor includes a material with a mutable electrical characteristic. A memory cell array including a first transistor coupled between a first node, a second node, and a third node; and a second transistor coupled between the second node and a fourth node. The first transistor includes a material with a mutable electrical characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: William S. Wong, Sanjiv Sambandan, Tse Nga Ng, Robert A. Street
  • Patent number: 8200889
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus embodying a flash translation layer (FTL) in a storage device including a flash memory. The FTL may classify a block into a sequential group and a fusion group based on a locality of a write request. The FTL may store data in blocks of the fusion group by using a page mapping scheme, and sequentially store data by using a block mapping scheme. The FTL may improve efficiency of garbage collection operation that is performed by using limited redundant blocks and also may increase efficiency of a non-sequential reference operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: University of Seoul Industry Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Hunki Kwon, Eunsam Kim, Jongmoo Choi, Donghee Lee, Sam H. Noh
  • Patent number: 8193601
    Abstract: A method of forming a sensor array. The method includes depositing a source/drain contact layer; depositing a semiconductor layer on the source/drain contact layer; and patterning the source/drain contact layer and the semiconductor layer substantially simultaneously, wherein the patterned semiconductor layer forms part of a sensor of the sensor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Sanjiv Sambandan, William S. Wong, Rene A. Lujan, Scott J. Limb
  • Patent number: D662016
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventors: Stewart V.D. Worthington, Jake A. Fromer
  • Patent number: D662885
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry R. Hoffman, Michael D. Williams, Selin Tansi-Glickman, Kent D. Pilcher, Joel Van Faasen, Gordon Stannis, Ronald H. Jansen, Adam Kevelos, Nehal P. Shah, Kenneth J. Orr