Patents Represented by Attorney Patents Group, LLC
  • Patent number: 8342262
    Abstract: A boring tool moves having a pitch orientation, a yaw orientation and a roll orientation and is steerable underground using the roll orientation. A maximum drill string curvature is established for steering. The boring tool is advanced over a path segment. An averaged roll characteristic is determined for movement of the boring tool along the path segment. A path segment pitch orientation is established based on at least one measured pitch orientation along the path segment. Using the maximum drill string curvature in combination with the averaged roll characteristic and the path segment pitch orientation, the yaw orientation is determined. The averaged roll characteristic is determined based on a series of incremental roll measurements that are spaced across the path segment. A set of coupled ordinary differential equations is used to characterize movement of the boring tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Merlin Technology Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Burrows, Guenter W. Brune, John E. Mercer
  • Patent number: 8336550
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a respiratory device is disclosed. The respiratory device may include a nasal device. The respiratory device may also include a conveyor device coupled with the nasal device. The respiratory device may further include an oral device, wherein the oral device may include an adjustment nut sized to couple with the conveyor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph Goldstein
  • Patent number: 8312093
    Abstract: A multi-user e-mail messaging system is described that is interfaced through the Internet and includes a first user group sharing a first server, which first server is interfaced to the Internet. In this system, after an e-mail message has been originated by an originating user of the first user group, the e-mail message is directed onto an e-mail enhancement path, and additional content is added to the e-mail message using the e-mail enhancement path to produce an enhanced e-mail message. Thereafter, the enhanced e-mail message from the e-mail enhancement path to the intended recipient. In one feature, the path taken by an incoming e-mail message is different from an outgoing path taken by an e-mail message sent from the first user group. The outgoing path defined to the intended recipient includes the enhancement path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventors: Scott T. Brown, Kelly A. Wanser
  • Patent number: 8303905
    Abstract: A germ eliminator system is for disinfecting an enclosure which includes a green disinfectant liquid. A mechanism is for distributing the disinfectant liquid in a timely and sequentially manner throughout the enclosure, to kill germs, bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms within the enclosure, thereby the enclosure will become safe for people to use when entering the enclosure such as building, hotel, school, bus, train, or ship. The germ eliminator system can be stationary or mobile on a service cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventors: Rebecca Brents, Steve Brents
  • Patent number: 8304090
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a composite structure of materials that are formed together in a way which gives the composite structure improved yield strength and thermal conduction capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph R. Demers
  • Patent number: 8305278
    Abstract: A two-part satellite dish heater for de-icing or anti-snow a home satellite dish, includes a single piece of circular, notched vinyl thermoplastic sheet having a shape generally corresponding to the shape of the dish and including a cutout portion (notch) to accommodate the dish mounting structure. The dual-wire heater cable can be adhesively applied to the rear surface of a home satellite dish. The heater includes a thermostat that activates or deactivates at a lower and higher temperature setting, respectively. The temperature range can be manually changed by the user or pre-programmed by the manufacturers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Mike Corn
  • Patent number: 8286842
    Abstract: An expandable travel hanger includes an adjustable triangular shaped frame, which can go from a compacted state for storage in a suitcase to an extended state to hang clothes therefrom. A hooked movable suspension component is located at an apex of the adjustable triangular frame, which can go from a compacted state for storage in the suitcase to an extended state for use to engage with a pole in a clothes closet. A pair of release buttons, wherein each the release button is located on each said curved tubular end support, so that when the release buttons are manually pressed, said adjustable triangular shaped frame will automatically go from the compacted state to the extended state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Cheryl Carey
  • Patent number: 8285798
    Abstract: A highly advantageous message policy management system and method are disclosed for managing email message flow with a sender set of policies which recommend actions to be taken by receivers based on characteristics of the email message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Ecert, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly Wanser, Eve Phillips
  • Patent number: 8272968
    Abstract: A pool game system includes a pool table having a playing surface, rails and pockets, pool balls and at least one cue stick. A plurality of illuminating components are within the rails of the pool table. A plurality of contact sensors are each within the rails and pockets of the pool table. A computer within the pool table causes one illuminating component to flash when one contact sensor detects one pool ball propelled by the at least one cue stick, when in a first instance the pool ball bounces off a rail and when in a second instance the pool ball enters a pocket of the pool table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Morris
  • Patent number: 8264419
    Abstract: Location determination is performed using a transmitter including an elongated generally planar loop antenna defining an elongation axis. The elongation axis is positioned along at least a portion of a path. A magnetic field is then generated which approximates a dipole field. Certain characteristics of the magnetic field are then determined at a receiving position radially displaced from the antenna elongation axis. Using the determined certain characteristics, at least one orientation parameter is established which characterizes a positional relationship between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The magnetic field may be transmitted as a monotone single phase signal. The orientation parameter may be a radial offset and/or an angular orientation between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The antenna of the transmitter may be inserted into a first borehole to transmit the magnetic field to a receiver inserted into a second borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Merlin Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Guenter W. Brune, John E. Mercer, Albert W. Chau, Rudolf Zeller
  • Patent number: 8257189
    Abstract: Monitoring of a golf ball and apparatus for doing so is described using differential time locating. Launch parameters of a golf ball can be characterized independent of any specific positional measurement on the basis of a ball signal that is transmitted from the ball. These parameters include initial spin, initial velocity, and initial trajectory. Ground proximity detection is described as well as a landing position and rollout position detection technique and associated apparatus. Calibration techniques are described for various kinds of range receivers that subsequently receive the ball signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: GeoGolf, LLC
    Inventors: Larry J. Koudele, Guy R. Wagner
  • Patent number: 8236936
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the production of industrially relevant quantities of selenoprotein enzymes in eukaryotic cell cultures. More specifically, the present invention generally relates to the production of such enzymes wherein one or more catalytic cysteine or serine residues are mutagenically replaced by selenocysteine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Ohio State University
    Inventors: Richard Sayre, Hangsik Moon
  • Patent number: 8194200
    Abstract: Displays using a low cost method to implement switching element point inversion driving schemes while using integrated circuits that are designed to implement switching element row inversion or switching element column driving schemes are described. In one display, a first color dot is on a first side of a control line and a second color dot is on a second side of the control line. A first switching element is coupled to the first control line and the first color dot and a second switching element is coupled to the second color dot and the control line. Thus the control line controls color dots on two different rows or two different columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignees: Kyoritsu Optronics, Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hiap L. Ong
  • Patent number: 8189240
    Abstract: An assembly for transferring information to and/or from flexible sheet media in a highly advantageous curved configuration is disclosed. The sheet material includes a length and a width defining first and second opposing surfaces. The assembly includes support means for supporting the sheet the curved configuration across its width, having the first surface inwardly oriented with respect to the curved configuration. Thereafter, moving means moves the flexible sheet material so supported in a direction along a read/write path generally parallel to the sheet material length and transverse to the direction of curvature. A read/write arrangement is provided which is configured for reading and/or writing information across the width of the first surface of the sheet as the sheet is moved along the path in the curved configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: John E. Mercer
  • Patent number: 8188747
    Abstract: A boring tool is moved through the ground within a given region along a particular path. The boring tool is moved in cooperation with moving a portable locator to establish a series of boring tool locations of the boring tool on the particular path. As at least one location of the series of locations is established, the location and a time stamp are electronically recorded to designate at least a time at which the location was recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Mercer
  • Patent number: 8188746
    Abstract: An arrangement is described for tracking a positional relationship between a boring tool and at least one in-ground line. A first transmitter generates a magnetic locating field from one of the boring tool or at least an underground length of the line. A receiver is carried by the boring tool if the field is generated from the line, or connected to the line if the field is generated from the boring tool, for detecting an intensity of the magnetic locating field indicative of the positional relationship between the boring tool and the line. A second transmitter is carried by the boring tool for producing a locating signal. A portable locator uses the locating signal to determine a position of the boring tool and indicates the detected intensity of the magnetic locating field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Mercer, Albert W. Chau
  • Patent number: 8172057
    Abstract: A drive train is used at least including an input shaft and an output shaft. A clutch member is rotatable by a clutch shaft about an axis of rotation. The clutch shaft is supported for lateral movement along the axis of rotation to move the clutch member to cooperate with the drive train at a first lateral position to cause the output shaft to turn and to move the clutch member to a second lateral position to disengage the output shaft from rotation of the input shaft. A permanent magnet is supported by one end of the clutch shaft and arranged for receiving an external magnetic biasing force along the axis of rotation to selectively move the clutch member between the first and second lateral positions. A traveling shaft can be used to support a selected gear for movement by the permanent magnet to implement transmission and reversing configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Mercer
  • Patent number: D660090
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventors: Danny Lane, Eric Tecosky
  • Patent number: D670030
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Quyen Nguyen
  • Patent number: D670031
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Quyen Nguyen