Patents Represented by Attorney Patents Group, LLC
  • Patent number: 8157023
    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: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Burrows, Guenter W. Brune, John E. Mercer
  • Patent number: 8156192
    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: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventors: Scott T. Brown, Kelly A. Wanser
  • Patent number: 8138105
    Abstract: A method that is performed for heat treating a semiconductor wafer in a process chamber, as an intermediate part of an overall multi-step technique for processing the wafer, includes applying an energy transfer layer to at least a portion of the wafer, and exposing the wafer to an energy source in the process chamber in a way which subjects the wafer to a thermal profile such that the energy transfer layer influences at least one part of the thermal profile. The thermal profile has at least a first elevated temperature event. The method further includes, in time relation to the thermal profile, removing the energy transfer layer in the process chamber at least sufficiently for subjecting the wafer to a subsequent step. An associated intermediate condition of the wafer is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Timans
  • Patent number: 8136815
    Abstract: An interactive brainteaser puzzle which includes a circular base having a central recess, a raised collar about the central recess, a raised rim about the periphery, a plurality equally spaced radial lines extending between the raised collar and the raised rim to form a plurality of wedge shaped spaces thereabout and a plurality of apertures, wherein each aperture is located in one wedge shaped space. A plurality of pegs is provided, wherein each peg is of a size to removably fit into the central recess and any of one of the apertures. A plurality of wedge shaped plates are also provided, wherein each wedge shaped plate is of a size to extend between the raised collar and the raised rim to manually slide within the circular base and stop on any one of the wedge shaped spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Vinh Van
  • Patent number: 8118268
    Abstract: A hands free baby bottle holder and feeder which includes a wedge shaped pillow and a U-shaped shaped pillow. A mechanism is for attaching the U-shaped pillow in an inverted position onto the wedge shaped pillow. A C-clamp mechanism on the U-shaped pillow is for holding a baby bottle in position, so that an infant placed onto the wedge shaped pillow between the U-shaped pillow can safely drink from the baby bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Mabry
  • Patent number: 8113218
    Abstract: A method to apply a V-shaped eyelash having four symmetric tapered strands attached at the mounting portion to natural eyelash's hair. The V-shaped eyelash has two strands on each side. The V flare corresponds to an angle can be less than or equal to 160° degrees. The thickness of each strand can be 0.10 mm to 0.30 mm thick at the base and tapered at the tips. The lengths can be from 7 mm to 17 mm giving the illusion of a natural long, beautiful and luscious eyelash. Because the eyelash extension is a V shape with the two strands on each side, the eyelash can distribute weight evenly on each side. The natural hair strand as the holder at center also making the eyelash extensions last longer. The eyelashes are made from synthetic fiber which is crimp free and can be permed to a C, and J curl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Quyen T Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8093157
    Abstract: Removing photoresist from a workpiece is described when a region of tungsten is exposed. A plasma is generated from a gas input consisting essentially of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas in a predetermined ratio. The plasma causes the photoresist to be removed from the workpiece while the region of tungsten is left substantially unmodified. The ratio of the hydrogen to oxygen can be adjusted to a particular value which causes the photoresist to be removed at about a maximum removal rate that corresponds to a minimum tungsten loss rate of about zero. Polysilicon oxidation in the presence of tungsten is described with little or no tungsten loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Diao, Songlin Xu
  • Patent number: 8080998
    Abstract: A method is described for use with first and second in-ground cables such that, when the first cable is driven at a locating signal frequency to emit a locating signal in an electromagnetic form, the locating signal can be coupled to the second cable to cause the second cable to generate a false locating signal. The method includes generating the locating signal frequency. A reference signal is produced. The locating signal frequency is impressed on the reference signal in a way which provides for distinguishing between the locating signal and the false locating signal. The locating signal frequency and the reference signal are summed to produce a summer output. The summer output is coupled onto the first cable such that the first cable emanates the locating signal and the reference signal, and the reference signal can be received for distinguishing between the locating signal and the false locating signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Mercer, Albert W. Chau
  • Patent number: 8074990
    Abstract: A Halloween Afternoon at Dracula's Castle board game which comprises a game board having a first outer pathway level, a second middle pathway level and a third inner pathway level. A plurality of playing pieces is for use by players, wherein the playing pieces are positionable on the spaces. A plurality of player residences, trespass tokens for use by the players. A chance determining mechanism is for indicating a number of the spaces to be traversed by each playing piece. A plurality of play money, spookology cards, lucky/unlucky cards, Possession Cards, item cards are provided to the players. In addition, a plurality of player sound pieces is provided with light and a silhouette to replicate a spooky player and Halloween theme sounds. A three dimensional plastic pentagon shape castle was built on the game board. The 3-D castle has light and a silhouette to replicate Halloween theme sounds and songs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventors: Marshall Kennedy, Heather Andrea Kennedy, Stephen Kennedy, Chris Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8074381
    Abstract: A pedal connection arrangement includes a pedal having a spherical portion with an outer spherical surface. The pedal connection arrangement also includes a bicycle shoe that has a pedal gripping cavity that directly engages at least portions of the outer spherical surface of the pedal when the shoe is engaged with the pedal. The shoe is configured so that the pedal gripping cavity securely grips outer spherical surface of the pedal, yet remains free to swivel in various directions about the spherical portion of the pedal when the shoe is engaged with the pedal. The various directions include directions other than about the pedal longitudinal axis, thereby giving more flexibility for movement of the rider's foot while maintaining positive contact between the shoe and the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Harrington
  • Patent number: 8071315
    Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods of detecting Bcl-B expression in cancer cells to prognose, monitor, or select therapies for cancers such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, or gastric cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute
    Inventors: John C. Reed, Maryla Krajewska
  • Patent number: 8066815
    Abstract: A multi-workpiece chamber includes at least two processing stations, for exposing workpieces to a treatment process. A partition cooperates with the chamber such that the partition is disengagably removable from the chamber and re-engagable with the chamber for selectively dividing the processing stations. The partition is configured to provide for non-line-of-sight travel of certain ones of the process related products between the processing stations. An exhaust arrangement divides exhaust flow into at least two approximately equal exhaust flow portions that leave the multi-workpiece chamber in a way which enhances uniformity of the treatment process for the stations. A partition configuration is described including a partition portion between the stations and a baffle portion extending into an exhaust arrangement. A modified partition arrangement is provided for use in establishing a modified exchange characteristic of the process related products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Devine, Rene George, Ce Qin, Dixit Desai
  • Patent number: 8042547
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a respiratory shield is disclosed. The respiratory shield is sized to be coupled with a respiratory device having a nasal air intake member so as to be positioned along an oral airflow axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph Goldstein
  • Patent number: 8042407
    Abstract: Tension monitoring is described using a sensor which may exhibit an offset for which compensation may be provided to produce a zero voltage amplified output or to increase dynamic range. An arrangement determines whether a power reset is responsive to a battery bounce such that an initially-measured system start-up parameter can be retained. The start-up parameter is automatically saved at start-up if the power reset is responsive to a start-up from a shut-down condition. The start-up parameter may be a zero tension amplified output responsive to the sensor offset at zero tension. Protection of a tension data set is provided such that no opportunity for altering the data set is presented prior to transfer of the data set. A housing configuration forms part of an electrical power circuit for providing electrical power to an electronics package from a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert W. Chau, Rudolf Zeller, John E. Mercer, Charles Yu Yat Tsang
  • Patent number: 8025109
    Abstract: A method is described for tracking the position, orientation and/or guiding a transmitter as it moves through the ground in a region. The transmitter transmits an electromagnetic locating signal received by a detector. The detector, with the transmitter at a start position, receives the signal to produce a first set of electromagnetic data. The transmitter moves to a second position. The detector receives the signal with the transmitter at the second position to produce a second set of electromagnetic data. Absolute positions of the detector and the transmitter are determined within the region using certain information including the first and second sets of electromagnetic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Guenter W. Brune, Peter H. Hambling, John E. Mercer, Lloyd A. Moore, Shiu S. Ng, Rudolf Zeller
  • Patent number: 8008804
    Abstract: Featured are methods for regulating the AC frequency of the electrical power be supplied on an electrical distribution system or grid. Such a method includes electrically coupling an energy storage sub-system to the electrical distribution network, where the energy storage sub-system includes one or more flywheel energy storage systems. Also featured as devices, systems and apparatuses embodying such methodologies or for use in implementing such methodologies of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Beacon Power Corporation
    Inventors: F. William Capp, Matthew L. Lazarewicz, A. James Arseneaux, Paul Dresens, Hernan Alex Rojas
  • Patent number: 8000587
    Abstract: Pulsed processing methods and systems for heating objects such as semiconductor substrates feature process control for multi-pulse processing of a single substrate, or single or multi-pulse processing of different substrates having different physical properties. Heat is applied a controllable way to the object during a background heating mode, thereby selectively heating the object to at least generally produce a temperature rise throughout the object during background heating. A first surface of the object is heated in a pulsed heating mode by subjecting it to at least a first pulse of energy. Background heating is controlled in timed relation to the first pulse. A first temperature response of the object to the first energy pulse may be sensed and used to establish at least a second set of pulse parameters for at least a second energy pulse to at least partially produce a target condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Timans, Narasimha Acharya
  • Patent number: 7990150
    Abstract: In a system in which a transmitter is moved through the ground in a region, the system including a locating arrangement for tracking the position of and/or guiding the transmitter as the transmitter moves through the ground, a locating arrangement includes a configuration, forming part of the transmitter, for transmitting a locating signal at a current one of at least two locating frequencies and for transmitting a frequency designation identifying one of the frequencies of the locating signal. A locator receives the frequency designation and the locating signal for use in tracking the transmitter and a frequency tracking arrangement switches the locator between different ones of the locating frequencies, as the current locating frequency, based on said frequency designation. In one feature, the locating arrangement is configured for automatically switching between the frequencies based on the frequency designation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Guenter W. Brune, John E. Mercer
  • Patent number: 7990152
    Abstract: An arrangement and an associated method are described in which a boring tool is moved through the ground within a given region along a path in which region a cable is buried. The boring tool and the cable transmit a boring tool locating signal and a cable locating signal, respectively. Intensities of the boring tool locating signal and the cable locating signal are measured along with a pitch orientation of the boring tool. Using the measured intensities and established pitch orientation, a positional relationship is determined to relative scale including at least the boring tool and the cable in the region. The positional relationship is displayed to scale in one view. The positional relationship may be determined and displayed including the forward locate point in scaled relation to the boring tool and the cable. Cable depth determination techniques are described including a two-point ground depth determination method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Guenter W. Brune, Albert W. Chau, John E. Mercer
  • Patent number: 7973982
    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: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventor: John E. Mercer