Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
  • Patent number: 8303442
    Abstract: Sporting balls with enhanced visual acuity, casings for sporting balls with enhanced visual acuity, and methods for enhancing visual acuity of a soccer ball are described. In embodiments, the sporting ball has an exterior with a substantially spherical surface including a first pole opposing a second pole and an equator circumferentially intermediate the first pole and the second pole. Additionally, in embodiments a first exterior region of a first color may include a first hub section oriented at the first pole generally opposite a second hub section oriented at the second pole on the substantially spherical surface. The first hub section may have one or more first hub spokes extending spherically outwardly therefrom toward the equator, and the second hub section may have one or more second hub spokes extending spherically outwardly therefrom toward the equator. Further, in embodiments, the sporting ball may have a second exterior region of a second color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Smith, Alan W. Reichow, Karl Citek
  • Patent number: 8306969
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer-readable media for providing a rich media themed search results webpage are provided. A search query entered by a user into an internet search engine is analyzed based on one or both of the search query terms and user data communicated to a theme configuration module to determine an appropriate rich media theme. A rich media theme is then selected and combined with a search results display, returned by the search engine, to compose a search results webpage. The rich media theme content is displayed in an ambient manner such that the search results display remains visible to the user. The rich media theme content provides, among other things, relevant images, videos, audio, advertisements, and interactive features that enhance the value of the search results webpage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Scott Beaudreau
  • Patent number: 8301759
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for monitoring information passed from instances of role(s) of a service application installed on a distributed computing platform and for indexing and analyzing the information within a data store are provided. Monitoring involves a monitoring agent that is integrated within an operating system of computing devices that make up the distributed computing platform. In operation, the monitoring agent retrieves information from the role instances and converts the information into parameters that are assembled to documents. Generally, the parameters are assembled to a uniform-structured format in accordance with a schema imposed by the distributed computing platform. Accordingly, each of the documents across the platform have a common format that promotes processing and analysis without a need for reconfiguration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Pietrek, Jose Bernabeu-Auban, Christopher Marsh, Vamshidhar Kommineni, Richard E. Wilbur
  • Patent number: 8297572
    Abstract: An apparatus for insertion into a board having a slot to enable items to be hung thereon and its method of use is disclosed. The apparatus has a body; an arm that extends for a desired length from the body; and an upper and a lower leg each having an arcuate distal edge. The upper leg and lower leg extending generally longitudinally outwardly from the body in an opposite direction from the arm and are in spaced relation. The upper leg comprises an upwardly extended finger located at the distal end of the upper leg having a shoulder spaced from the longitudinal length of the upper leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Andrew C. Fox
  • Patent number: 8300042
    Abstract: An interactive video display system uses strobing light to allow easy and unencumbered interaction between a person and projected video images. A camera may be synchronized to the strobing light and the strobing light may be in an infrared spectral range. A processing system detects images of a human in the field of view of the camera and controls the display so that the projected video images are changed based on an interaction between the human and the projected video images. The system may project the video images on a surface around the person and may move the projected video images on the surface based on a movement of the person. The projected video images may include computer-generated characters and/or virtual objects that react to the movement of a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Bell
  • Patent number: 8294710
    Abstract: An extensible map module allows facilitates development of new map styles and presentation elements. Projection and presentation functions are at least partially separated, so that new styles or modes can be developed without impacting existing presentation element features. Similarly, new presentation elements can be developed independently from a particular mode or style implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Robert Kinnan, Mher Hakobyan, Dereck Quan
  • Patent number: 8296670
    Abstract: Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for intuitively invoking a presentation action (e.g., rendering a menu) by applying a drag-operation at a top-level control button rendered at a touchscreen display are provided. Initially, aspects of a user-initiated input applied at the top-level control button are detected. These aspects may include an actuation location and a distance of a drag-movement therefrom. If a distance of the drag-movement at the touchscreen display is greater than a threshold distance in a particular radial direction from the actuation location, the user-initiated input is considered a drag-operation. Typically, a set of trigger boundaries are constructed based on system metrics to assist in disambiguating the drag-operation from a tap-type operation. If a drag-operation is identified, the presentation action is invoked; otherwise, a principle action associated with the top-level control button (e.g., manipulating content of an application) may be invoked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David A Matthews, Chaitanya D Sareen, Patrice L Miner, Bret P Anderson, Jason Silvis
  • Patent number: 8287328
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for programming an electronic speed controller for a radio controlled model including a programmer for interfacing a personal computer to the RX port of the electronic speed controller. The electronic speed controller software may be updated, modified or replaced through the RX port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Castle Creations, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick D. del Castillo
  • Patent number: 8287241
    Abstract: A gas turbine blade having reduced stresses around a regions where the airfoil training edge joins the platform is disclosed. The lower stresses are achieved due to an undercut region proximate the blade trailing edge being placed in the platform. The undercut region has a compound fillet radius formed from two single and tangent radii where the first radius closer to the airfoil is larger than the second radius such that a ratio of R1/R2 is approximately 2.0 to 2.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: James Page Strohl, David Parker
  • Patent number: 8287435
    Abstract: A universal athleticism rating system and related athletic performance measuring systems for accurately detecting and recording athletic performance are disclosed. The athleticism rating system evaluates individual athletes against a common, standardized, set of athletic performance tests. Each athlete performs the athletic tests and his or her scores in the individual tests are entered into a standardized calculation to produce a single athletic performance score. The related performance measuring system is preferably a timing system that ensures quick, easy, and accurate collection of athletic event timing related data without the need for the athlete to wear any special detection devices or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the performance measuring system integrates with the rating system to provide seamless athletic data collection and rating of athletes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodolfo Chapa, Jr., Hamid G. Arjomand, Adam C. Braun, Andrew Bank
  • Patent number: 8290997
    Abstract: A file operations engine is provided that manages many user interactions with their files via a computer system. The operation engine may provide a user with the option to keep both files that have a file name conflict. It may further permit the user to rename a file involved with a file name conflict. The operations engine may also automatically rename one of the files of a file name conflict by appending a character to a root of the filename. The character may include the lowest integer available for the root in a destination for the files. The operations engine may provide the option to keep both files as part of a pre-calculation of potential errors for a requested operation. The operations engine may place file name conflicts in an error queue and permit the user to select an option to keep both files after the conflict is encountered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher S. Davis, David R. Johnson, Robert F. Day, Stephan Hoefnagels, Timothy P. McKee
  • Patent number: 8282209
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automated testing and/or training of a subject's visual ability at varying distances are provided. A near display device may display visual indicia possessing characteristics. After receiving an input identifying a visual characteristic possessed by the displayed indicia, a second indicia may be displayed on a far display device. After receiving an input identifying a characteristic of the indicia displayed on the far display device, further testing may proceed alternating between the near display device and the far display device. More than two display devices may be utilized, with the display devices being located at differing distances or positions relative to a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Reichow, Ryan C. Coulter
  • Patent number: 8285730
    Abstract: Methods and systems for reviewing content items created by users for presentation in association with a website are provided. Automatic scrubbing (followed by manual review, if necessary) of user-created content items that have yet to be presented in association with a website is provided as is manual review of user-created content items that have already been presented in association with a website at the request of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ian A. McAllister, Christoph R. Ponath, Delane R. Hewett, Mackenzie Steele, Srivaths B. Copparam
  • Patent number: 8279828
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable media are provided for disabling tones within WiMAX signals in order to eliminate interference at third-party receivers. The method includes identifying signal to protect for a receiver, and identifying characteristics of the receiver. The method further includes identifying WiMAX signals transmitted by a base station located in a geographic region that can interfere with the protected signals. Additionally, the method includes determining an interference level between the receiver and the base station based on the protected signals, the characteristics of the receiver, and the WiMAX signals. Moreover, the method includes providing a list of tones that are to be disabled within the WiMAX signal in order to eliminate the interference level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Clearwire IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: David A. Maples
  • Patent number: 8281334
    Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable media, and graphical user interfaces for facilitating advertisement placement over video content are provided. Images within a video are partitioned into image regions. Upon partitioning images into image regions, an intrusiveness score is determined for each image region. Based on the intrusiveness scores, optimal placement of an advertisement within the video is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ying Shan, Yue Zhou, Xu Liu, Ying Li, Zhengyou Zhang
  • Patent number: 8273018
    Abstract: Methods for use in, e.g., a patient care computing environment, for establishing a communication between a bedside care location and a remote care location are provided. In one embodiment, the method may include providing a multi-patient view having a plurality of selectable patient indicators and receiving an indication that one of the plurality of selectable patient indicators has been selected by a user. In another embodiment, the method may include displaying a view of an electronic record associated with a patient, e.g., an electronic medical record, the view having a selectable audio/video launch indicator, and receiving an indication that the selectable audio/video indicator has been selected by a user. The user's selection of one of the plurality of selectable patient indicators or the selectable audio/video indicator may be indicative of a request for initiation of a communication between the user and another party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Cerner Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Fackler, Deepa R. Desai-Deendar, Amy Francois, Stephanie L. Rogers
  • Patent number: 8272070
    Abstract: Conical face shields, sports helmets, and methods for orienting a conical face shield in a sports helmet are described. In embodiments, the conical face shield has at least two opposing arcuate edges, at least two opposing side edges, and a shield. The arcuate edges each have a first end, a second end, and an edge surface extending between the first end and the second end. Further, the edge surface of the first arcuate edge and the edge surface of the second arcuate edge include an arc segment and the arc segment of the edge surface of the first arcuate edge is part of an ellipse with a greater semi-minor axis than the semi-minor axis of the ellipse forming the arc segment of the edge surface of the second arcuate edge. In various other embodiments, the conical face shield may be horizontally and/or vertically tapered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan I. Brown, Alan W. Reichow, Karl Citek
  • Patent number: 8271562
    Abstract: A method to allocate memory, in response to application requests, for a compact data structure having location data and a trailer section is provided. The trailer section of the compact data structure is checked to determine an offset for listings and indices representing the location data. Upon determining the offset, the listings and indices are loaded into memory and responses to the application requests are generated by utilizing the listings and indices stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Baskaran Dharmarajan, Jay C. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 8271310
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can characterize an item involved in a consumer transaction and/or a behavior of a consumer as a virtual financial instrument. The architecture can monitor the future performance of the virtual instrument in order to identify trendspotters as well as trend followers in a particular market domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gary W. Flake, Alexander G. Gounares
  • Patent number: D670658
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Etienne Henri Iliffe-Moon, Adil Ali, Alexandra Lynn McGill