Patents Represented by Attorney O'Brien Jones, PLLC
  • Patent number: 8108092
    Abstract: A method for enhancing operational efficiency of a remote vehicle using a diagnostic behavior. The method comprises inputting and analyzing data received from a plurality of sensors to determine the existence of deviations from normal operation of the remote vehicle, updating parameters in a reference mobility model based on deviations from normal operation, and revising strategies to achieve an operational goal of the remote vehicle to accommodate deviations from normal operation. An embedded simulation and training system for a remote vehicle. The system comprises a software architecture installed on the operator control unit and including software routines and drivers capable of carrying out mission simulations and training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Emilie Phillips, Aaron Powers, Andrew Shein, Josef P. Jamieson, Tyson Sawyer
  • Patent number: 8096610
    Abstract: A device for securing a rear seat within a cab of a vehicle, comprising a crossmember configured for attachment to a floor pan of the vehicle, the crossmember cooperating with the floor pan to provide a cavity for storing items within the cab. When the crossmember is attached to the floor pan and the rear seat is attached to the crossmember, the crossmember is contained within the space between the seat and the floor pan without extending into a passenger leg room area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Satish Ganti, Edward Andrew Pleet, Naijiang Xu
  • Patent number: 8096527
    Abstract: An extension rod for a jack arm comprises a connecting rod having a first joint and a second joint formed at the respective ends of the connecting rod. A first locking hole and a second locking hole are formed in the first and second joints, respectively. The extension rod also comprises a lockup mechanism comprising an elastic body configured to connect to either the first joint or the connecting rod and a lockup bolt formed on the elastic body, and configured to engage the first locking hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xu Naijiang, Ge Zhenhong, Matthew Ryan Harmon, Jainpin Cai, Yaoxin Zhang
  • Patent number: 8095238
    Abstract: A modular robot development kit includes an extensible mobile robot platform and a programmable development module that connects to the mobile robot platform. The mobile robot platform includes a controller that executes robot behaviors concurrently and performs robot actions in accordance with robot control signals received from the development module, as modified by the concurrently running robot behaviors, as a safeguard against performing potentially damaging robot actions. Also, the user can develop software that is executed on the development module and which transmits the robot control signals to the mobile robot platform over the data communication link using a robot interface protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Lee Jones, Paul Eric Sandin, Bryan Paul Adams
  • Patent number: 8086391
    Abstract: Turbo lag is a known impediment of a turbocharged, small displacement engine providing the feel of a large displacement engine. A method of spinning up the exhaust turbine during an interval between the time that the operator moves his/her foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal to initiate a launch. A non-exhaustive list of actions that can be taken to increase exhaust enthalpy provided to the turbine include: opening the throttle, retarding the spark, and closing the wastegate. Additionally, a brake can be applied at one of the vehicle wheels to keep the engine from launching forward during this interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Sayid Miah
  • Patent number: 8086249
    Abstract: A method of operating a communication system is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first location information related to a geographic location of a wireless communication device and a second location information related to a geographic location of an access node, processing the first location information and the second location information to determine a distance between the wireless communication device and the access node, processing the distance to determine a first delay metric, wherein the first delay metric indicates a first time delay associated with a wireless link between the access node and the wireless communication device, and processing the first delay metric to determine if the first delay metric exceeds a threshold delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Clearwire IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Esmail Hejazi Dinan, Saied Kazeminejad
  • Patent number: 8083904
    Abstract: A device for colliding at least one H+ ion and at least one electron may comprise at least one electromagnetic field generator for extracting the at least one H+ ion from a hydrogen-containing compound and transferring the at least one H+ ion toward a cathode. The device also may comprise at least one non-conductive material positioned between at least a portion of the hydrogen-containing compound and the cathode so that the colliding of the at least one H+ ion and the at least one electron occurs within the non-conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Ceram Hyd
    Inventor: Arash Mofakhami
  • Patent number: 8086376
    Abstract: An automobile rollover prediction and restraint device deployment system comprises a plurality of automobile data sensors to generate a plurality of data signals, and a controller to receive the data signals and configured to deploy resettable and non-resettable restraint devices. The controller is configured to activate at least one resettable restraint device when one or more of the data signals exceed a first threshold, indicating that the vehicle is in a position or undergoing movement that indicates a potential for vehicle rollover, and to de-activate the at least one resettable restraint device when one or more of the data signals fall below the first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert William McCoy, Jialiang Le
  • Patent number: 8079608
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension system for a motor vehicle, having a lower link for the fastening of a wheel which is coupled to a chassis underframe and is supported on the body via a spring. The chassis underframe is mounted on the body via elastic bearings and has an annular mounting on which the spring plate of the spring is supported before the wheel suspension system is installed. In the fitted state, the spring plate is pressed out of the mounting by the body and is therefore decoupled from the chassis underframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joerg Weshendorff
  • Patent number: 8074773
    Abstract: A disc brake assembly comprising a brake rotor including a rotor flange having a circular countersink extending through a thickness of the rotor flange, with a smooth, beveled outer portion for receiving a rotor retention screw in a recessed position, and a threaded inner portion for receiving a prying screw; and a wheel hub including a hub flange having a circular bore for the rotor retention screw extending through a thickness of the hub flange, the circular bore having a threaded inner portion for receiving the rotor retention screw from the countersink for securing the brake rotor to the wheel hub. A diameter of the inner portion or the circular countersink is larger then a diameter of the circular bore to allow insertion of the prying screw into the circular countersink but not into the circular bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Anthony Brittingham, J. Christopher Oakwood
  • Patent number: 8075313
    Abstract: A transfer coping configured to take an impression of an implant is disclosed. The transfer coping has an impression material contact portion and an implant mating portion. The implant mating portion has at least one support portion and at least one deflection portion configured to be received within an opening on a coronal portion of an implant. The at least one protrusion is disposed on the at least one deflection portion and is configured to engage in a snap-fit manner with a coordinating feature of an implant. A method for identifying the position of an implant in a patient is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Aeton Medical LLC
    Inventors: Roger S. Ranck, Stephen Hogan
  • Patent number: 8074488
    Abstract: A device for measuring the coefficient of friction between a test surface and a test material, comprising a frame, a skid pad comprising the test material and attached to an underside of the frame to contact the test surface, a longitudinal force measuring device attached to the frame and having an axis, and a longitudinal pulling assembly exerting a longitudinal pulling force on the drag sled and the longitudinal force measuring device. The longitudinal force measuring device is capable of outputting data indicative of the longitudinal force applied to the device. The longitudinal pulling force is vertically aligned with the axis of the longitudinal force measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Brian J. Wampler, Timothy J. Kapelanski, Bruce Whittle
  • Patent number: 8068838
    Abstract: A mobile communication device wirelessly transfers user communications to a first wireless base station. The mobile communication device determines a first metric based on a load indicator for the first base station. The mobile communication device identifies a second wireless base station and determines a second metric based on a load indicator for the second base station. If the second metric is superior to the first metric, the mobile communication device determines if the second base station has sufficient performance characteristics for communication with the device. If the performance is sufficient, the mobile communication device initiates a hand-off from the first base station to the second base station. The mobile communication device may use additional factors to determine the first and second metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Clear Wireless LLC
    Inventors: Esmail Hejazi Dinan, Jong-hak Jung, Swati Tiwari, Hemanth Balaji Pawar, Krishna D. Sitaram
  • Patent number: 8068786
    Abstract: A method for identifying time of flight interference in a wireless communication network is provided. The method includes detecting interference during a first uplink sub-frame at an interference destination base station, and transmitting a time of flight interference source detection request to a gateway, where the time of flight interference source detection request comprises a time of flight interference period. The method also includes determining one or more base stations in the vicinity of the interference destination base station, where the one or more base stations in the vicinity of the interference destination base station operate at a same frequency as the interference destination base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Clear Wireless LLC
    Inventors: Hemanth Balaji Pawar, Swati Tiwari, Krishna D. Sitaram, Jong-hak Jung, Esmail Hejazi Dinan
  • Patent number: 8067159
    Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a first surface portion and a first sample retaining element, which have differing affinities to a fluid, and a method comprising supplying a sample to such a device. In some embodiments, the differing affinity is a result of plasma, ion embedding, surface charging, chemical, optical, electronic and/or electromagnetic treatment. Also, a microfluidic device comprising at least one microcapillary device having a sample retaining element, at least one surface of which exhibits hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, electromagnetic force exertion and electrostatic force exertion. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a first element having a hydrophilic pattern comprising at least a first sample retaining element. Also, a method comprising supplying a sample to a channel between a first element and a second element, and inducing in the first element at least one hydrophilic pattern by electrets or by internal or external electrodes to provide a charged surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignees: Applied Biosystems, LLC, The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: James F. Brown, Jonathan E. Silver
  • Patent number: 8045561
    Abstract: A first traffic flow directed to a first wireless device is received. A second traffic flow directed to a second wireless device is received. These traffic flows comprise at least a first service flow classification and a second service flow classification. The first traffic flow and the second traffic flow are scheduled based on the first service flow classification and the second flow classification. This produces first and second device scheduled flows. The first and second device scheduled flows are classified into a plurality of flow classes. The plurality of flow classes comprises at least a first flow class and a second flow class. The first scheduled flow and the second scheduled flow are scheduled based on the first flow class and the second flow class. This produces an aggregate traffic flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Clear Wireless LLC
    Inventors: Subir Varma, Mehdi Alasti
  • Patent number: 8036222
    Abstract: In various embodiments, methods and systems are provided for acquiring a mobile internet protocol address in a communication network. In an embodiment, an authentication node sends a mobile network internet node notification message to a mobile network internet node where the mobile network internet node notification message comprises an authentication node identifier associated with a user identifier. A mobile internet protocol request message is sent from a gateway node to the mobile network internet node. A mobile internet protocol access request message is sent from the mobile network internet node to the authentication node utilizing the authentication node identifier associated with a user identifier. A mobile internet protocol access accept message is received at the mobile network internet node transferred from the authentication node where the mobile internet protocol access accept message comprises a mobile network internet node key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Clear Wireless LLC
    Inventors: Feng Huang, Lei Zhu, David S. McGinniss, Hung Viet Bui
  • Patent number: 8031665
    Abstract: A wireless communication system allocates connection identifiers into a first group and a second group. The system associates sectors or base stations with a reservation zone, and associates the reservation zone with the first group of connection identifiers. The system associates the first group of connection identifiers with a quality-of-service level. In response to determining that a user has the quality-of-service level, the system reserves at least one of the connection identifiers in the first group for the user and uses the reserved connection identifier to communicate with the first user in all of the sectors or base stations associated with the reservation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Clear Wireless LLC
    Inventors: Esmail Hejazi Dinan, Jong-hak Jung, Swati Tiwari, Hemanth Balaji Pawar, Krishna D. Sitaram
  • Patent number: 8027646
    Abstract: A communication system is supplied for filtering and attenuating a receive signal in between a bi-directional antenna system and a bi-directional base station system. In the communication system, a first circulator is configured to receive a receive signal from a first bi-directional link coupled to the bi-directional antenna system and circulate the receive signal to a first uni-directional link. A signal processing system is configured to receive the receive signal from the first uni-directional link, filter and attenuate the receive signal, and transfer the receive signal to a second uni-directional link. A second circulator is configured to receive the receive signal from the second uni-directional link, circulate the receive signal to a second bi-directional link coupled to the bi-directional base station system, receive a transmit signal from the second bi-directional link, and circulate the transmit signal to a third uni-directional link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Clear Wireless LLC
    Inventors: Walter F. Rausch, Harry W. Perlow, Habib Riazi
  • Patent number: 8025061
    Abstract: Condom packaging comprises one or more substantially rectangular pieces of packaging material, each piece of packaging material comprising a central portion and edge portions, the edge portions being separated from the central portion by perforated areas configured to allow the edge portions to be removed, and an expansion member adjacent to or within the condom flange. The one or more pieces of packaging material surround substantially all or all of the condom, and the packaging material, when sealed with the condom inside, includes two substantially flat portions having side edges. The condom flange is attached to the packaging material and squeezing the side edges of the packaging material causes the packaging material and an open end of the condom to form a substantially cylindrical cross section, the expansion member providing rigidity and being configured to aid in formation of the substantially cylindrical cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventor: Jerrold Alan Wish