Patents Represented by Attorney Townsend and Townsend and Crew
  • Patent number: 7882132
    Abstract: A mapping scheme is disclosed so that data can be communicated between a relational database and a system that represents data in a manner different than the relational database. In one embodiment, the mapping scheme uses a mapping catalog that identifies attributes, columns and tables in the relational database that store data for the attributes, and relations between tables in order to determine how to access the attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: Sanjay P. Ghatare
  • Patent number: 7881205
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for novel error detection and retransmission processes are described. These processes may be implemented on intermediate communication links between two end terminals, wherein the intermediate links are via satellite. Error control mechanisms to detect and retransmit lost or corrupted frames may be implemented at the network layer, or between the network and data link layers. Processes for discovering error control protocol-aware terminals are described. Features of these error control processes may include a configurable delay limit, tailored to traffic type or class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventor: Anil Agarwal
  • Patent number: 7880743
    Abstract: An improved attribute determination process allows the sharpness of a surface attribute function to be adjusted on a per-object, per-surface, per-texture, per-function, or other appropriate basis. A computer-based animator then can selectively adjust the sharpness or other attribute(s) of portions of a to-be-rendered image without significantly increasing the rendering time. For a selected texture, corresponding sampling regions will be shifted about the respective surface points projected in texture space. A multi-dimensional set of sub-regions can be generated for the shifted sampling region. Bounding boxes can be determined for each sub-region, the boxes occupying less area, such as in texture space, than a single bounding box for the original sampling region. The bounding boxes can be used for local attribute determinations (such as texture lookups) for each sub-region, with the local attributes being processed to determine an attribute for the respective surface point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Pixar
    Inventors: Chris Bernardi, Manuel Kraemer
  • Patent number: 7879602
    Abstract: The present invention provides chimeric adenoviral vectors and methods for using the vectors to elicit an immune response to an antigen of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Vaxart, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean N. Tucker
  • Patent number: 7878631
    Abstract: A piezoelectric layer held between a first electrode on a substrate side and a second electrode formed on a surface of the piezoelectric layer facing away from the first electrode is formed of a ferroelectric material with a perovskite crystal structure, and the ratio of the surface roughness of the piezoelectric layer to the surface roughness of the first electrode falls within the range of 0.58 to 1.60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Kuriki, Yuka Yonekura
  • Patent number: 7881057
    Abstract: A system for restricting mixing of air in a data center includes a plurality of racks, each of the racks having a front face and a back face. The system includes an enclosure for collecting air released from the back faces of the plurality of racks, the enclosure configured to substantially contain the air in an area between the first row and the second row and having a roof panel coupled to the first row of racks and the second row of racks configured to span a distance between the first row of racks and the second row of racks. The enclosure is configured to maintain a first air pressure inside of the enclosure that is substantially equal to a second air pressure outside the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Fink, John H. Bean, Jr., Stephen F. Held, Richard J. Johnson, Rollie R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7880216
    Abstract: In a method of fabricating a flash memory device, trenches are formed in an isolation area of a semiconductor substrate. A first insulating layer is formed on sidewalls and bottoms of the trenches. Conductive layer patterns are formed on the first insulating layers at the bottoms of the trenches. A second insulating layer is formed on the conductive layer patterns. Gate lines are formed over a semiconductor substrate including the second insulating layer. The gate lines intersect the conductive layer patterns. Junctions are formed on the semiconductor substrate between the gate lines. An interlayer insulating layer is formed over the semiconductor substrate including the gate lines. Contact holes are formed through which the conductive layer patterns and the junctions located on one side of the conductive layer patterns are exposed. The contact holes are gap-filled with a conductive material, thereby forming contact plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Choong Bae Kim
  • Patent number: 7879729
    Abstract: In a method of forming micro patterns of a semiconductor device, first etch mask patterns are formed over a semiconductor substrate. An auxiliary film is formed over the semiconductor substrate including a surface of the first etch mask patterns. Second etch mask patterns are formed between the auxiliary films formed on sidewalls of the first etch mask patterns. The first etch mask patterns and the second etch mask patterns are formed using the same material. The auxiliary films between the first and second etch mask patterns are removed. Accordingly, more micro patterns can be formed than allowed by the resolution limit of an exposure apparatus while preventing misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Woo Yung Jung
  • Patent number: 7878840
    Abstract: A Universal Serial Bus socket-equipped arrangement (USB-SEA) configured for mating with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug having a plug metal housing and an aperture disposed in the plug metal housing. The arrangement includes a plug-receiving cavity configured to receive the USB plug. The arrangement further includes a spring-loaded mechanism disposed within the plug-receiving cavity. The spring-loaded mechanism is biased toward an interior region of the plug-receiving cavity. The spring-loaded mechanism is also configured to slide along the connector metal housing of the USB plug when the USB plug is inserted into the plug-receiving cavity and to movably mate with the aperture disposed in the plug metal housing when the USB plug is in a terminal mating position with the USB socket assembly. The spring-loaded mechanism represents one of a spring-loaded ball and a spring-loaded pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Evans Hankey, Rico Zorkendorfer, John Benjamin Filson, Douglas Joseph Weber, Stephen Zadesky
  • Patent number: 7880770
    Abstract: Tools for controlling cameras (and other objects), using an input device. Some such tools may establish a threshold, above which the input from the input device is fed directly to the object being controlled, and below which the input signal is processed to provide smoother operation. This can allow for direct control over a camera (or other object) in large movements but still allow for smooth, controlled movements when slower movement is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Accelerated Pictures, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Alvarez, Mark Parry
  • Patent number: 7879401
    Abstract: Methods and systems for organic vapor jet deposition are provided, where an exhaust is disposed between adjacent nozzles. One or more carrier gases may be provided and ejected from a plurality of nozzles. An exhaust may be provided to create a localized vacuum between nozzles. The exhaust may reduce pressure buildup in the nozzles and between the nozzles and the substrate, leading to improved deposition profiles, resolution, and improved nozzle-to-nozzle uniformity. The exhaust may be in fluid communication with an ambient vacuum, or may be directly connected to a vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of Michigan, The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Stephen Forrest, Richard Lunt
  • Patent number: 7881246
    Abstract: Satellite communication systems and methods are disclosed. The communication system may include a gateway in communication with two satellites. The satellites are configured to receive polarized signals from a first plurality of users and orthogonally polarized signals from a second plurality of users. Each satellite may transmit the polarized signals and the orthogonally polarized signals to the gateway. The first satellite may also receive first feeder signals from the gateway and transmit the first feeder signals to the first plurality of users and the second satellite may also receive second feeder signals from the gateway and transmit the second feeder signals to the second plurality of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Dankberg, Charles N. Pateros
  • Patent number: 7882380
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling or disabling clocks to one or more portions of hardware circuitry, for example a display sub-system of a personal computer. A processor generates a command or data to a first circuit configured to perform a function based at least on the command or data. A clock generator selectively supplies clocks to the first circuit and a second circuit configured to perform a second function. A software interface circuit coupled to the processor and the clock generator autonomously determines based at least on the command or data whether the second circuit will perform the second function or be idle in an upcoming period and disables one or more of the clocks to the second circuit if the second circuit will be idle in the upcoming period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Duncan A. Riach, Michael A. Ogrinc, Leslie E. Neft
  • Patent number: 7880438
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply system includes an input configured to couple to a power source, an output configured to couple to a system load, a battery, power circuitry coupled to the input, the output, and the battery, and configured to transfer power from the input to the output and to transfer power from the battery to the output, a test load, a test switch coupled to the battery and the test load and configured to selectively couple the battery to the test load, a voltage monitor coupled to the battery and configured to provide an indication of a voltage provided by the battery, and a processor coupled to the test switch and the voltage monitor and configured to effect a first partial-discharge test on the battery by actuating the test switch to couple the battery to the test load to partially discharge the battery, and by using information from the voltage monitor regarding the voltage provided by the battery at different times during the test before a complete discharge of the battery to determine a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel C. Cohen, William L. Owens
  • Patent number: 7882461
    Abstract: A method of optimizing clock-gated circuitry in an integrated circuit (IC) design is provided. A plurality of signals which feed into enable inputs of a plurality of clock gates is determined, where the clock gates gate a plurality of sequential elements in the IC design. Combinational logic which is shared among the plurality of signals is identified. The clock-gated circuitry is transformed into multiple levels of clock-gating circuitry based on the shared combinational logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Magma Design Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Yunjian (William) Jiang, Arvind Srinivasan, Joy Banerjee, Yinghua Li, Partha Das, Samit Chaudhuri
  • Patent number: 7880396
    Abstract: A projector device employing ballast with a flyback converter is disclosed. For example, one embodiment comprises a lamp driver circuit including a power stage circuit including a flyback converter to output a direct current signal to a bridge circuit, the bridge circuit to reconstruct the direct current signal to an alternating current signal, a control circuit coupled with the power stage circuit and the bridge circuit, the control circuit to receive the direct current signal from the power stage circuit and to provide a frequency control signal to the bridge circuit, and a lamp igniter circuit comprising at least one charge pump and being coupled with the bridge circuit, wherein in response to the frequency control signal being provided to the bridge circuit, the bridge circuit is configured to increase the voltage of the alternating current signal provided to the lamp igniter circuit to power the lamp igniter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Henry F. Pruett
  • Patent number: 7881991
    Abstract: A method of presenting an image of a receipt to a consumer includes electronically capturing a receipt and storing the receipt at a host computer system. The method further includes receiving a request at the host computer system from a computer of the consumer to display the image of the receipt and transmitting an electronic file comprising the image of the receipt for display at the customer computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Darrell
  • Patent number: D631437
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: ACCO Brands USA LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan K. Stacey
  • Patent number: D631751
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Arta Holdings LLC
    Inventors: David Fox, Jaime King
  • Patent number: PP21688
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Cynara named ‘Z530’ that has improved productivity and year round harvest. ‘Z530’ produces one central and about fifteen lateral edible immature flower buds, and four side shoots during the first year.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Baroda Farms, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Jordan