Patents Examined by Jason C Olson
  • Patent number: 9984605
    Abstract: A system for an adult costume toy for entertainment. The system composes at least one cone; a plurality of LED lights configured to be controlled by a microprocessor; at least one motor coupled to a propeller; a memory; at least one battery configured to supply power to the motor, LED lights, microprocessor and memory; at a plurality of user interface buttons configured to receive a plurality of user input. The memory comprises a computer-readable-medium having computer-executable program stored therein that, when executed by the microprocessor, cause the microprocessor to, to control the rotation of the motor and lighting of the plurality of LED to generate a projection of the message on the rotating propeller based on the plurality of user inputs. The plurality of LED lights, the memory and microprocessor, and the motor are housed in a cone shaped housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: Sherry Berjeron
  • Patent number: 9974441
    Abstract: A fever detecting wrist band device comprises a flexible band and a fever detection device attached to the flexible band. The fever detection device comprises a thermochromic liquid crystal (TLC) material, which can change colors corresponding to a set of temperature ranges, encased in a transparent casing. The transparent casing has a thin bottom section to allow the TLC material to gather body heat when the wrist band is worn by a user and the bottom section comes in contact with the skin of the user. The transparent casing also insulates the TLC material from all sides which are not in contact with the skin of the user so that surrounding temperature of a user does not affect the color change of the TLC material. When the user wears the fever detecting wrist band device, the TLC material might change color indicating a higher body temperature of the user which in turn could indicate that either the user has a fever or the user might have a fever soon if not treated immediately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventors: Seth O. Lartey, Jacqueline Williams Lartey
  • Patent number: 9965983
    Abstract: A keyless entry system for an automobile includes a capacitive touch screen having at least one drive line and at least one sense line, the drive and sense lines defining a plurality of touch detection nodes. The touch screen is associated with an exterior surface of the automobile. A control circuit coupled to the touch screen is configured to detect proximity of a stimulus to the touch detection nodes. The control circuit provides a control output to a lock or latch controller when the control circuit determines that the stimulus has been placed proximate the touch detection nodes according to predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Mark R. Mathews
  • Patent number: 9955258
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless device which is used for receiving and optimizing external music, and has two different embodiments, which mainly comprises a base and an optimizing module, wherein the optimizing module electrically connected to the base. In the first embodiment, the optimizing module further has a receiving unit for receiving external music. In the second embodiment, the receiving unit is built inside the base. External music transmit from an electronic device to the receiving unit and optimized by the optimizing module for hearing optimized music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Cheng-Yang Chan
  • Patent number: 9945947
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a depth value corresponding to a subject by using a depth camera includes dividing a predetermined time section into n sub-time sections in order to measure the depth value, acquiring a voltage value corresponding to the amount of light reflected from the subject in each sub-time section, by using at least one photodiode included in the depth camera, quantizing the voltage value to any one level among predetermined levels, on the basis of the acquired n voltage values, and outputting the quantized value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Jungsoon Shin, Keechang Lee, Euisik Yoon, Jihyun Cho
  • Patent number: 9939935
    Abstract: A touch controller that can configure touch circuitry according to a scan plan, which can define a sequence of scan events to be performed on a touch panel is disclosed. The touch controller can include a configurable transmit section to generate stimulation signals to drive the panel, a configurable receive section to receive and process touch signals from the panel, and a configurable memory to store the touch signals. The touch controller can also include a programmable scan engine to configure the transmit section, the receive section, and the memory according to the scan plan. The touch controller advantageously provides more robust and flexible touch circuitry to handle various types of touch events at the panel. An active stylus that can generate stimulation signals that can be detected by the touch controller during various touch events at the panel is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Shahrooz Shahparnia
  • Patent number: 9939330
    Abstract: A semiconductor device that may include at least one temperature sensing circuit is disclosed. The temperature sensing circuits may be used to control various operating parameters to improve the operation of the semiconductor device over a wide temperature range. In this way, operating specifications of a semiconductor device at worst case temperatures may be met without compromising performance at other operating temperatures. The temperature sensing circuit may provide a plurality of temperature ranges for setting the operational parameters. Each temperature range can include a temperature range upper limit value and a temperature range lower limit value and adjacent temperature ranges may overlap. The temperature ranges may be set in accordance with a count value that can incrementally change in response to the at least one temperature sensing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventor: Darryl G. Walker
  • Patent number: 9940404
    Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) client application for web browsing is described. The 3D client is able to interpret 3D structure definitions and display 3D environments associated with various sets of websites. Each 3D environment is defined using a set of connecting grids. Each connecting grid defines spatial relationships among sets of websites associated with zones of the connecting grid. Each zone includes a set of 3D structures and is associated with a set of surrounding zones. As a user moves throughout the 3D environment, additional zones may be included in the 3D environment while some zones may be removed such that the user experiences a continuous expansive environment. A user is able to interact with multiple sets of websites included within the set of surrounding zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventor: Aaron Scott Dishno
  • Patent number: 9927774
    Abstract: A pill dispensing watch with a wrist watch assembly that includes a housing that encloses a time keeping apparatus as well as a plurality of pill storage drawers and microprocessor controlled electro mechanical drawer extending assemblies that allow the user to set the time for a pill taking event and for the pill retaining drawers to each open at the time the pill needs to be taken. A micro USB port built into the watch housing lets the user plug the on board microprocessor into a standard computer so that the user can program the times that the drawers need to open and an audio alarm needs to sound. In one embodiment the watch housing includes two of the drawers extending from the left side of the watch housing and two drawers extending from the right side of the watch housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: Rebecca Rotbergs
  • Patent number: 9928188
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices which regulate the access to media systems such as console gaming systems by means of disconnecting the human interface device such as a wireless controller. Specifically, devices where the control circuitry is integrated into the battery pack of the input device allowing it to be retrofitted easily into the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: MediaLeash, LLC
    Inventor: Michael David Lindsey
  • Patent number: 9852264
    Abstract: A biometric reading device, for tracking fitness activity, via creating a profile of the user on web portal, comprising a touch screen with the front camera, finger print scanner for thumb, finger print scanner for index finger, and extendable voice recorder at the base panel, the circuit board, essential to be linked with the web portal, a start and stop press button to initiate and stop the fitness tracking record respectively, the speakers at both ends, motion sensors adjacent to both the speakers, audio output, micro USB input to connect pulse measuring or wearable devices, and the power source input. The devise is used for tracking and maintain the fitness activity record, creating the individual profile or account by capturing the biometric data (finger prints, voice recordings and facial image) of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Padmanabaiah Srirama
  • Patent number: 8537128
    Abstract: A portable input device is described. The portable input device can wirelessly send control signals to an external circuit. The control signals can derive from touch or gestures applied to a touch sensitive surface. The control signals can also include a mouse click equivalent control signal generated by mechanical manipulation of the portable input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Erik A. Uttermann, Rico Zorkendorfer, Andrew Lauder, Sean S. Corbin
  • Patent number: 8018670
    Abstract: An evaluation apparatus for evaluating a transfer characteristic of a controlled object of a controller is disclosed. The evaluation apparatus includes a response detection section that detects an input/output response of a control system, based on a signal detected in the control system. The control system includes the controller and the controlled object. The evaluation apparatus further includes a transfer characteristic calculating section that calculates the transfer characteristic of the controlled object, based at least on the input/output response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotada Ito, Makoto Horisaki
  • Patent number: 8014095
    Abstract: A magnetic disk for a hard disk drive comprising a plurality of physical sector sizes is disclosed. The magnetic disk includes a first sector size area physically formatted according to a first physical sector size and a second sector size area physically formatted according to a second physical sector size different from the first sector size by a multiple of the first sector size wherein the second sector size can be presented externally as multiple sectors of said first sector size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Netherlands, B.V.
    Inventors: Kirk Hwang, Michael A. Moser, Spencer W. Ng
  • Patent number: 8009376
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention help to improve the capacity and the performance of a disk drive device. According to one embodiment, a data track pitch is set to each recording surface. The recording surfaces are divided into bands. A hard disk drive (HDD) sequentially moves a head to an adjacent data track in a band and performs a head switch at the band end in its data accessing. On a recording surface, the number of data tracks in each band is variable; and each band is constituted by different number of data tracks as necessary. The number of data tracks in each band is set so that the radial position of the band end comes close to the radial position of the corresponding band end on another recording surface. Accordingly, even if the recording surfaces have different variation rates of the data track pitch in the radial direction, increase in process time due to head switches can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Netherlands, B.V.
    Inventors: Takahiro Saito, Kazunari Tsuchimoto, Atsushi Kanamaru
  • Patent number: 8000046
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a storage device includes: ahead actuator configured to move a head to an arbitrary position on a disk medium; a write/read module configured to write data to or read data from the disk medium using the head; an adjustment region selector configured to divide the disk medium into a plurality of regions in a circumferential direction, write test data to each of the regions, read the test data to measure signal quality of the each of the regions, compare the signal quality of the each of the regions, and select a parameter adjustment region; and a parameter adjustment module configured to adjust a parameter used for the write/read module to write data to and read data from the disk medium to an optimal value using the selected parameter adjustment region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba Storage Device Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8000052
    Abstract: A method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes receiving an instruction to perform a verification operation on a media cartridge having a tape wrapped around a spool; unwrapping at least some of the tape from the spool of the media cartridge; after the unwrapping, wrapping at least some of the tape back onto the spool; during at least one of the unwrapping and wrapping (and preferably both, and possibly over several cycles of unwrapping and wrapping), performing a verification operation; generating a quality metric based on the verification operation; and outputting the quality metric or derivative thereof, such as a pass or fail indication; an instruction to set a pass/fail flag; a number, score or graphic illustrating to a user a general quality of the tape, etc. Additional methods and systems are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Milton Fry, Reed Alan Hancock, James Mitchell Karp, Pamela Ruth Nylander-Hill, Eiji Ogura
  • Patent number: 8000048
    Abstract: A magnetic recording disk drive has a disk with a head positioning servo pattern of multiple circumferentially-spaced chevron patterns of discrete patterned servo islands. The disk drive has servo electronics that decodes the chevron patterns to determine the absolute radial position of the head without the need for separate track identification fields. The chevron pattern with the smallest radial period has a radial period P1 and each of the other chevron patterns has a period which is a unique multiple of P1. In one embodiment the first chevron pattern read by the head has period P1 and each successive chevron pattern read by the head has a period that is greater than the period of the chevron pattern immediately preceding it such that the period of each chevron pattern progressively increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Bruce Alexander Wilson
  • Patent number: 7995303
    Abstract: Various embodiments for writing received synchronized data to magnetic tape having a plurality of wraps using a magnetic tape drive adapted for performing the writing according to an available plurality of predefined tape speeds are provided. In one such embodiment, for each of the available plurality of predefined tape speeds, an average overhead per synchronized command for performing a recursively accumulated backhitchless flush (RABF) cycle is calculated. One of the available plurality of predefined tape speeds having a lowest calculated average overhead is selected. The RABF cycle is performed using the selected one of the available plurality of predefined tape speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Karp, Takashi Katagiri, Motoko Oe, Yutaka Oishi
  • Patent number: 7995299
    Abstract: This invention provides a magnetic recording medium evaluation apparatus and evaluation method which yield results having good correlation with error rate measurements even when comparing media with different structures. Signals from a function generator are recorded in a magnetic recording medium. The recording signals are also passed through a first digital filter to obtain ideal restored signals. Reproduced signals from the magnetic recording medium are sampled in synchronization with the output from the function generator, and the discrete signals are passed through a second digital filter to obtain restored signals. The outputs from the first and second digital filters are input to an operational amplifier, and the difference between the restored signals and the ideal restored signals is taken for each sampling of the recording signals. The signal-to-noise ratio of the ideal restored signal to the average of the absolute value of this difference is used to evaluate signal quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Device Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Takashi Hayashi