Patents Represented by Attorney McAndrews, Held
  • Patent number: 8337301
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for multi-tiered gaming data download. The system includes a gaming device for local play of a game. The gaming device includes a communication interface receiving and transmitting data to download a game for play at the gaming device. The system also includes a plurality of download servers communicating with the gaming device to provide game data for download to and play at the gaming device. The system further includes a middle tier server acting as a hub to communicate with the plurality of download servers to provide game data from one or more of the plurality of download servers. The middle tier server allocates download server resources and schedules a download of game data from one or more download servers to the gaming device based on resource constraints at the plurality of download servers and availability for download at the gaming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty. Ltd
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Topham, David Lawdensky, David Salour, Jeff C. Himmelright, Gary Frerking
  • Patent number: 8337299
    Abstract: A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. A game has a feature having non-monetary characteristics which can be won, the non-monetary characteristics being able to be gambled. The gaming machine includes a selector by which a player is able to gamble at least one of the non-monetary characteristics of the feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty, Ltd.
    Inventor: George Roukis
  • Patent number: 8338358
    Abstract: Compositions comprising sulfo-estolides and alkyl ester sulfonates are described. Detergent formulations, such as laundry detergents, softeners, and other materials, containing any of these materials are disclosed, as well as personal care formulations, hard surface cleaner formulations, and automatic dishwasher detergent formulations. Laundry methods employing these formulations are also disclosed. These formulations are useful as laundry detergents and can be biodegradable, heavy duty liquids, 2× or 3× and up to 6× concentrates, low foaming, and/or effective in a high efficiency washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Randal J. Bernhardt, Lourdes R. Alonso, Gregory P. Dado, Eddie I. Filipovic, Christopher A. Gariepy, Ronald A. Masters, Dennis S. Murphy, Jacqueline Maas Pytel, Branko Sajic, Irene Shapiro, Jeremy Aaron Weitgenant
  • Patent number: 8333644
    Abstract: A method of gaming comprising: selecting a plurality of groups of at least two symbols for a play line played by a player; displaying the selected groups at respective ones of a plurality of display positions on the play line; linking groups of symbols based on at least one symbol linking rule; and awarding a prize to the player if sufficient of the groups of symbols on the play line have been linked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technology Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Zenja Solaja, Daniel Julio Montenegro
  • Patent number: 8332012
    Abstract: A computer assisted surgery system is described for assisting a surgeon in aligning a drill with the interlocking holes of an implanted intramedullary (IM) rod used for fixation of long bone fractures. With the IM rod inserted, a localizing device measures the pose of a tracked adapter attached to the rod's exposed end. Approximate AP and lateral fluoroscopic x-ray images are acquired of the end of the rod with the interlocking holes. Image processing algorithms determine the actual position of the rod and calculate an adjustment to the pose of the tracked adapter and IM rod. Using the adjusted pose information, the system displays, in three roughly orthogonal views, a representation of the drill trajectory relative to the images of the IM rod and relative to a graphic representation of the IM rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas C. Kienzle, III
  • Patent number: 8328351
    Abstract: A digital camera includes an image capture assembly; a print media transport assembly; a pagewidth ink jet printhead; a roll of print media; an internal chassis serving as a frame on which the image capture assembly, the print media transport assembly, and the printhead are directly supported; and an external casing completely encasing therewithin the internal chassis. The external casing is openable, and the internal chassis together with the assemblies and printhead supported thereon are removable from the external casing. The internal chassis is provided as an integral frame configured with pre-molded fittings adapted to receive and support the assemblies and printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8331931
    Abstract: A method and system for registering wireless devices with a base unit that is configured to communicate wirelessly with multiple wireless devices. In one example, the wireless devices are cordless handsets of cordless telephone systems. When placed in a charging cradle, an unregistered handset displays a message indicating that the handset should be registered. A user provides local input to the base unit to activate a registration sequence. A three-way handshake is initiated at the base station, wherein a sequence of three wireless messages are passed between the base and unregistered handset. The handset displays a message indicating successful registration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: VTech Telecommunications Limited
    Inventors: Stephen R. Whitesell, Holger Janssen
  • Patent number: 8328627
    Abstract: A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display. If a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. The gaming machine further comprises a selector applicable to a game feature where, upon a trigger condition occurring in a base game, a player is afforded an opportunity of predicting an outcome of the feature and, if the player's prediction is correct, a bonus is awarded to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty
    Inventors: Brett Mezen, Naomi Classon, Scott Olive
  • Patent number: 8328630
    Abstract: A gaming system providing a tiered reward bonus promotion. A player's activity level is quantified to a value that adjusts over time. The value at the completion of a bonus period is compared to a plurality of tier values stored in memory at the central authority. Each tier value has an associated bonus award that is awarded to the player if the player reaches that tier at the completion of the bonus period. The award is indicated in the player's account and may be redeemed at a player kiosk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. D'Amico, Stephanie Maddocks
  • Patent number: 8328101
    Abstract: A camera unit includes a display for displaying an image to be captured; an image sensor for digitally capturing the displayed image; a card reader having a linear scanner for scanning a surface of a removable card to sense a plurality of dots printed on the surface of the removable card, the plurality of dots representing a bit pattern encoding a program script; a card interface for receiving a signal from the card reader indicative of the sensed plurality of dots printed on the surface of the card, and decoding the sensed plurality of dots into the program script; and a printer configured to print a distorted image on print media, the distorted image being a version of the captured image distorted in accordance with the program script. The card reader comprises a molding housing therewithin a plurality of light sources, the molding being transparent to light from the light sources and shaped to focus the light on the removable card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Patent number: 8327859
    Abstract: A novel mascara applicator blows air over a user's eyelashes after mascara is applied, wherein brushing of the mascara as it dries results in the appearance of fuller and longer eyelashes. The mascara applicator includes a housing that houses a mascara tube and brush, a fan and a battery. The housing has a vent and is configured to form an air chamber between the housing and the mascara tube. The fan blows air through the air chamber and out of the top of the housing, which is directed at the user's eyelashes after mascara is applied with the brush. The blowing air in conjunction with the upward and outward action of the mascara brush produces fuller, longer, and 200% more dramatic eyelashes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: Dijana Pastore
  • Patent number: 8328620
    Abstract: A hybrid gaming system comprising: an electronic gaming machine (EGM) comprising: a cabinet; a base game interface disposed within the cabinet and comprising a display and a base game player instruction input mechanism, a processor disposed within the cabinet and arranged to conduct a base game based on at least one player instruction received from the base game player instruction input mechanism; a feature game device mounted to the cabinet and comprising a feature game display mounted to the cabinet and a feature game instruction mechanism operable by the player to input at least one instruction; a trigger monitor arranged to determine that a trigger event has occurred such that a feature game is to be conducted; and a feature game controller located remotely from the EGM and responsive to the trigger monitor to generate feature data for at least one feature game to be displayed on the feature game display and to process the at least one instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: John Leslie Boesen
  • Patent number: 8322222
    Abstract: A noise dosimeter with capability to rapidly predict noise exposure over an extended time period based on a measurement of short duration. Either an acoustic or an electrical earphone adapter provides a convenient means to connect the noise dosimeter to an external sound source. A direct input jack operable to receive at least one audio signal provides a signal to an RMS detector, which provides a DC signal to a two-stage amplifier circuit. The outputs of the amplifiers are provided to a processor having multiple A/D channels. The processor calculates accumulated noise doses and drives a display, which in one embodiment includes a panel of light-emitting diodes. In one embodiment, the dosimeter includes functionality for control of external devices such as sound boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Goldberg, Gregory A. Flamme, Dana S. Helmink, Mead C. Killion
  • Patent number: 8326464
    Abstract: A return fan control system for an HVAC system comprises a supply fan control loop, a return fan control loop and a building pressure control system. The supply fan control loop comprises a duct pressure controller arranged to control a supply fan to a duct pressure setpoint. The return plenum pressure control loop comprises a return plenum pressure controller arranged to automatically control a return fan to a return plenum pressure setpoint determined by a setpoint reset function. The building pressure control system is operable to control a building pressure. The building pressure control system may comprise a building pressure control loop and an outside air control loop cooperatively arranged to control an exhaust damper in response to an outside air intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Clanin
  • Patent number: 8323109
    Abstract: A method, gaming machine and gaming system is described that provides for session information monitoring. Session information is formed by monitoring play of a game by a player on a gaming machine. At the option of the player of the gaming machine the session information is either combined with session information from another gaming machine, or is not combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: John Francis Cromwell Carr-Greg
  • Patent number: D672151
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kruger Products L.P.
    Inventor: Tim Van Straten
  • Patent number: RE43850
    Abstract: As multiphase clocks to be supplied to a first gate driver that drives odd-numbered scanning lines in a liquid crystal display region and a second gate driver that drives even-numbered scanning lines, clocks, which are effective within an effective period of the image signal just before an image signal starts to be supplied to display elements for each scanning line of the liquid crystal display region, is generated and the first and second gate drivers drive switching elements in the effective period of the clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Onanovich Group AG, LLC
    Inventor: Koji Kikuchi
  • Patent number: RE43853
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for concealing a dark defect in an image sensor. The method includes the steps of: setting a window including five sequential pixels from pixel data sequentially outputted, the third pixel and the fifth pixels being identical in Bayer color with each other and the second and the fourth pixels being identical in Bayer color with each other; calculating an average value ? of the first and the fifth pixels and a plurality of ?/n obtained by dividing the average value ? by n; selecting one of the plurality of ?/n; comparing a threshold value ?+?/n calculated by adding the average value ? to the selected ?/n with a value of the third pixel in size; and omitting a concealment of the dark defect when the threshold value ?+?/n is greater than the value of the third pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC
    Inventor: Wan-Hee Jo
  • Patent number: D672563
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Kruger Products L.P.
    Inventor: Tim Van Straten
  • Patent number: D673040
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Gary R. Stephan, Craig Saunders, Evan Spirk, Jeffrey Kalman, David Boll, Anthony S. Zuccaro