Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Pearne & Gordon
  • Patent number: 7891205
    Abstract: A defrosting and chilling compartment that can be incorporated into the fresh food compartment of a refrigerator includes separate and independent pathways for selectively conducting warming or cooling air, respectively, to a holding section in the compartment where an item to be defrosted or chilled is located. Certain of the pathways are used to conduct warming air and certain other pathways are used to conduct cooling air. A heating device is associated with the pathways that conduct warming air, and the pathways that conduct cooling air are associated with a source of cooling air. Separate air-moving devices, such as fans for example, can be provided for the separate pathways. The pathways can include a closure device for selectively and variably opening and closing the pathways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home PRoducts, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Cushman
  • Patent number: 7890377
    Abstract: A hearing device to be ordered in identified by a set (2) of data elements. Identifying data sets K[E] according to previous orders are stored (5) to such ordered data sets (K[E]) weighing values are assigned to (W[K]) which reflect the frequency of ordering hearing devices with respective data. The data set (2) of an intended order is compare with data sets of previous orders (K[E]) on the bases of a pre-established similarity criterion (#E). Similar data sets of previous orders are ranked according to the assigned weighing values (W[K]) and dispatched. The stored ordering data sets (K[E]) and the assigned weighing values (W[K]) are updated by an order for a hearing device which is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventor: Ruedi Suter
  • Patent number: 7889244
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus for performing a stable attention condition determination, regardless of the shape and surrounding environment of an object of interest and regardless that the object is unknown or known. The image processing apparatus comprises a direction detector, a displacement detector, and an attention condition determiner. The direction detector detects, from a certain image including a person image, the direction information in two body regions of a person represented by the person image. The displacement detector calculates, from the two direction information, a displacement ratio that is the ratio between the two direction displacements. The attention condition determiner determines, according to a first and a second displacement ratio, how much the person pays attention to a certain object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Sotaro Tsukizawa, Keisuke Hayata, Megumi Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 7886432
    Abstract: A method for connecting a first terminal array 6 provided in a connection portion 5 of a first electric component and a second terminal array 8 provided in a connection portion 7 of a second electric component to each other in such a manner that electric continuity is established between them has two steps, that is, a step of tentatively fixing the two connection portions 5 and 7 with each other whose terminal arrays 6 and 8 are positioned with respect to each other by soldering them with solder particles 3 using a paste-like anisotropic conductive adhesive 1 in which the solder particles 3 and conductive particles 4 are dispersed in a thermosetting resin 2, and a step of finally fixing the two connection portions 5 and 7 with each other with the thermosetting resin 2 that has been set thermally. This prevents positional deviation from occurring between the two terminal arrays 6 and 8 during a transport from a tentative fixing apparatus to a final fixing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiko Sakai, Hideki Eifuku
  • Patent number: 7889979
    Abstract: A radiant device (1) comprises a supporting frame (2) and at least a radiant element (4) having two mutually opposed ends (4a), each being provided with electrical connection terminals (7). The radiant element (4) engages hooking groups (3) of the supporting frame (2) by means of suitable electrical connection elements (9) placed between the ends (4a) and the hooking assemblies (3). The elastic connection elements (9) dampen collisions and/or vibrations, if present, and insulate at the same time the electrical parts of the device (1) both from fluid seepages and from overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Mo-El S.r.L
    Inventors: Andrea Trevisan, Stefano Nasi
  • Patent number: 7889602
    Abstract: Watch provided with a multifunctional aperture display capable of displaying symbols corresponding to one or several special functions and to the date. The movement of the display discs is ensure by bidirectional motors and the display discs or mobiles have several series of digits of different colour for differentiating the display of the different functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: LVMH Swiss Manufactures SA
    Inventors: Christoph Behling, Gregoire Renoux, Thomas Houlon
  • Patent number: 7888828
    Abstract: A starter generator which includes a rotor having a cuplike-shaped rotor yoke and magnets attached to an inner periphery of the rotor yoke, a stator mounted on a stator bracket and a protecting cover covering said rotor and stator, in which a hermetically sealed casing is constituted by said protecting cover and stator bracket, wherein a plurality of fans are provided on an outer surface of a bottom wall portion of said rotor yoke, a plurality of vent holes are provided through said bottom wall portion, said plurality of fans constitute a centrifugal fan which draws out air inside the rotor yoke through said vent holes and sends the air to an outer periphery of the rotor yoke, and a guide surface which guides the air sent to the outer periphery of the rotor yoke to a space inside the rotor yoke is provided on the stator bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Kokusan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakatsu Takahashi, Kazuyoshi Kishibata
  • Patent number: 7886754
    Abstract: The invention relate to an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus (1) for treating textile products comprising a body (2, 3) including an opening (7), wherein at least a portion of the body (2) is formed as a gripping element, an ultrasonic transducer (4) receiving ultrasonic wave signals generated by an ultrasonic signal generator, and an ultrasonic wave emission surface (6) coupled to the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus is characterized by a control device (16) adapted to detect the ultrasonic wave emission surface (6) being in contact or in close proximity to an object and to stop the operation of the ultrasonic transducer (4) upon detection of the ultrasonic wave emission surface not being in contact or in close proximity to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventor: Philipp Hausen
  • Patent number: 7886622
    Abstract: A method for processing a detection signal of a vibratory inertial force sensor is disclosed. This method improves detection accuracy of the vibratory inertial force sensor. A detection circuit of the vibratory inertial force sensor removes harmonic component from signals synchronously wave-detected, and amplifies the resultant signals, and then smoothes the amplified signals. A vibratory inertial force sensor adopting this method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Uemura
  • Patent number: 7889474
    Abstract: A circuit protection system includes a normal mode and a maintenance mode. A current sensor senses current in the circuit. An enclosure includes an access panel that is movable between a closed position and open position. A circuit breaker is mounted within the enclosure. An electronic trip unit is in communication with the current sensor and controls interruptions of the current by the circuit breaker based on a trip setting. An interface device is accessible when said access panel is closed and allows selections of the normal and maintenance modes. A display, which is in communication with both of the user interface device and the electronic trip unit, monitors the interface device and transmits data to the trip unit that is based on the selected mode. The display receives data from the trip unit and displays information based on the received data. The display is viewable when the access panel is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Utility Relay Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Helmut Weiher, Richard C. Fleischer, Jeffrey W. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7882914
    Abstract: A vehicle for terrain travel includes a chassis, an operator platform including space for footing, a first isolation mechanism and a second isolation mechanism operably connected between the chassis and the operator platform. The isolation mechanisms are to be placed either below, above or level with the operator platform and at substantially opposite edges of the operator platform. Each isolation mechanism at least partially absorbs motion from the chassis. The isolation mechanisms may be made up of telescopic members, a biasing member or a dampening device. One of the isolation mechanisms may provide pivotal coupling of the operator platform to the chassis and at least partially absorb motion from the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Husqvarna Professional Outdoor Products Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Scheele, Mike Strimple, Troy Thompson
  • Patent number: 7885053
    Abstract: An electric double layer capacitor includes first and second collectors, first and second polarizable electrode layers provided on the first and second collectors, respectively, a separator having an insulating property provided between the first and second polarizable electrode layers, and an electrolytic solution impregnated in the separator and the first and second polarizable electrode layers. A lower electric potential is to be applied to the second collector than to the first collector. The electrolytic solution contains anion including fluorine as electrolyte. The separator includes a separation layer facing the second polarizable electrode layer, and an inhibition layer facing the first polarizable electrode layer. The separation layer contains cellulose. The inhibition layer is made of material different from that of the separation layer. The inhibition layer prevents cellulose from decomposing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Nao Matsumura, Motohiro Sakata, Hideki Shimamoto
  • Patent number: 7884705
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a safety-drive assistance device that can judge whether a driver recognizes an object to which a driver should pay an attention or not even if an accuracy of detecting a visual-line direction is almost equal to once degree. A traffic environment detecting unit 11 detects an object such as an automobile, a pedestrian, a road mark and a traffic signal. A watched target judging unit 12 judges a watched target among the objects, to which a driver pays attention. A visual-line direction detecting unit 13 detects a visual-line direction of a driver. A visual recognition judging unit 14 judges whether a driver visually recognizes the watched target or not, based on the watched target and a fluctuation pattern of a direction of either or both eyes of the driver. A non-safety recognition judging unit 15 judges whether a driver recognizes non-safety or not, based on the result of visual recognition judged by the visual recognition judging unit 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Nishimura, Hisashi Kurokawa, Makoto Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 7879443
    Abstract: A hard coating layer system comprises at least a main layer (3) on a surface of a substrate (1), a buried layer (4) and an outer surface layer (5), wherein the surface layer (5) comprises AlCrZ, where Z stands for N, C, B, CN, BN, CBN, NO, CO, BO, CNO, BNO, or CBNO In such innovative coating triplex system and corresponding coated tools and components the buried comprises any one of the following materials or their combinations: a metal nitride, carbide or carbonitride a metal silicon nitride, carbide, or carbonitride, wherein the metal is at least one transition metal of the IVB, VB or VIB group or a multilayer of the materials or a material or a combination or a multilayer of the materials comprising at least one metal or carbon, preferably a diamond like carbon layer. The main layer comprises a nitride, carbide or carbonitride or a multilayer of nitride, carbide or carbonitride material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: OC Oerlikon Trading AG, Truebbach
    Inventor: Jose Endrino
  • Patent number: 7878173
    Abstract: A control device for a marine engine comprised so that a section of an angle sufficiently narrower than a crank angle corresponding to each stroke of a combustion cycle of the engine is set as an instantaneous speed detection section, a crank angle position that appears every time the engine rotates in the instantaneous speed detection section is detected as a specific crank angle position, an instantaneous rotational speed of the engine is detected every time each specific crank angle position is detected, it is determined whether the engine needs to be assisted from the degree of reduction in the instantaneous rotational speed, and a motor-generator including a rotor directly connected to a crankshaft of the engine is driven to apply a drive force from the motor-generator to the engine when it is determined that the engine needs to be assisted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Kokusan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Kishibata
  • Patent number: 7880364
    Abstract: A resonator includes a vibrator that performs mechanical vibration, an exciting unit that applies an exciting force to the vibrator, and a modulating unit that modulates a spring property of the vibrator. The vibrator vibrates when the exciting force is applied to the vibrator from the exciting unit. The modulating unit modulates the vibrator according to the exciting force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, The University of Tokyo
    Inventors: Kunihiko Nakamura, Hideki Kawakatsu
  • Patent number: 7878344
    Abstract: A rack for an appliance includes a main section including a frame adapted to be supported within a cavity of an appliance, and a primary platform area. The rack also includes an auxiliary section having an auxiliary platform area and being adapted to be movable relative to the main section between a retracted position and an extended position. In one example, a track is coupled to the frame and the auxiliary section is movable about the track. The auxiliary section can include a support bar configured for sliding engagement with the track. In another example, the track includes a first planar support area and a second planar support area for supporting the auxiliary section. In yet another example, the rack further includes a first stop portion to maintain the auxiliary section in the extended position, and a second stop portion to maintain the auxiliary section in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Henry Martin, James Hughes, David Shadwick, James Lewis Ayers
  • Patent number: 7878405
    Abstract: A dual laser targeting system is described. At least one pair of lasers is arranged symmetrically about an objective lens in a symbology reader. The lasers project a beam along their respective axis, which, when an optical element is placed in front of the laser, produces multiple beams concentric about each laser axis. These multiple beams produce a composite pattern that appears to be symmetrical about the optical axis of the objective lens. The resulting targeting pattern includes laser beam spots that frame the field of view (FOV) of the symbology reader, and the laser beam spots on the laser axes frame the optical center of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Psion Teklogix Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg R. Kricorissian
  • Patent number: D632778
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Spal Automotive S.R.L.
    Inventor: Alessandro Spaggiari
  • Patent number: D632779
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Spal Automotive S.R.L.
    Inventor: Alessandro Spaggiari