Patents Examined by Mark Woodall
  • Patent number: 8989686
    Abstract: A vehicle radio includes a memory including normal mode memory locations and local mode memory locations. User preset buttons are each associated with a normal mode memory location, and local preset buttons are each associated with a local mode memory location. A radio controller selectively operates in local mode, wherein the radio controller scans frequencies being received and stores some of the received frequencies as local mode frequencies in the local mode memory locations of the preset memory. In local mode, the controller enables both: selection of any one of the user presets; and selection of any one of the local presets. Optionally, the local memory locations can first be filled by PTY preference, with unfilled locations filled by closest PTY or signal strength. A frequency stored in a local mode memory location can be copied to a normal mode memory location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jason M. Strohmaier
  • Patent number: 8965320
    Abstract: In a method for enabling improved quality for noise limited uplink signals in a radio base station in a telecommunication system, said radio base station comprising a plurality of transceiver units, each comprising at least one receiver unit, adaptively allocating (S10) available transceiver units to enable parallel processing of an identified noise limited signal on at least two separate receiver units in the radio base station. And, combining (S20) the parallel processed noise limited calls to provide a received signal with improved signal to noise ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Benny Lennartson, Miguel Lopez, Kenneth Sandberg
  • Patent number: 8958845
    Abstract: A dual band high isolation antenna structure includes a diplexer unit, a 4-port decoupling module, a first frequency band antenna assembly, and a second frequency band antenna assembly. The diplexer unit is operable to frequency domain multiplex between a first frequency band and a second frequency band. The 4-port decoupling module is operably coupled to the diplexer unit and is operable to isolate a first pair of ports from a second pair of ports. The first frequency band antenna assembly is operably coupled to the diplexer unit and is operable to transceive wireless signals in the first frequency band. The second frequency band antenna assembly is operably coupled to a port in each of the first and second pairs of ports and is operable to transceive wireless signals in the second frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Seunghwan Yoon
  • Patent number: 8838039
    Abstract: A device is provided for controlling operation of a radiocommunication electronic module using a control signal. The device includes a circuit for switching the control signal between a high logic state and a low logic state or vice versa, and a circuit for controlling the switching circuit. The control circuit generates a control signal. The module includes an activation input receiving the control signal. The control circuit includes: a first input receiving a first signal representative of a supply voltage; and a second input receiving a second signal from the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sierra Wireless
    Inventors: Frédéric Pauly, Chieng Kieng Du
  • Patent number: 8831527
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for measuring the antenna diversity gain in digital radio transmission systems, wherein the sensitivity of a receiver system is designed by using a plurality of antennas, wherein the signals thereof determine a diversity gain (DG) by means of the bit error rate (BER)-increase of the signals. The invention is characterized in that the method and the device for measuring the diversity-gain (DG) in digital radio transmission systems form an optimization of radio net planning by means of targeted use of diversity, wherein a decrease of the number of used base stations and an increase of the transmission- and receiving quality is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Deutsche Telekom AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Kruse, Christine Crisan
  • Patent number: 8818273
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for wireless communication using an acoustic signal in a system including a first device including a loudspeaker and a second device including a microphone. The first device generates wireless communication information, converts the wireless communication information to an acoustic signal, and transmits the acoustic signal to the second device using the loudspeaker. The second device receives the acoustic signal using the microphone, extracts the wireless communication information from the acoustic signal, generates an acknowledgment signal according to the extracted wireless communication information, and transmits the acknowledgment signal to the first device on a wireless communication channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hee-Won Jung, Seung-Gun Park, Jun-Ho Ko, Sang-Mook Lee, Gi-Sang Lee, Sergey Zhidkov
  • Patent number: 8805389
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing a Quiet Period (QP) in a Cognitive Radio (CR) system includes receiving QP information based on a channel N from at least one neighbor BS. The method further includes determining whether the channel N is an in-band channel. If the channel N is the in-band channel, QP scheduling is performed according to the received QP information based on the channel N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng Shan, Eun-Taek Lim, Jung-Soo Woo, Ho-Dong Kim, Sang-Bum Kim, Yong-Ho Park
  • Patent number: 8768396
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for realizing power control on a control channel including measuring the interval between the current control channel transmission and the last control channel transmission; comparing the measured interval with a preset threshold, and if the interval is larger than or equal to the preset threshold, carrying out the current control channel transmission by using the initial transmit power, or controlling the current control channel transmission by using the open loop power control and, otherwise, controlling the current control channel transmission by using the closed loop power control. When the control channel is an uplink control channel, it may be determined whether a compensation for path loss variance should be added based on the closed loop power control according to a related command, so as to enable that the power control can be provided effectively when the control channel transmission is discontinuous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Baojuan Guo, Xueyuan Gao
  • Patent number: 8720320
    Abstract: A pod adaptor assembly for use in combination with a single serve beverage brewer is provided. The assembly is especially designed for brewing pods in brewers configured for cup-shaped beverage extract cartridges. The assembly includes a receptacle and a cover configured to sealingly engage with the receptacle. The receptacle has a base with a raised portion which is adapted to provide a support surface for a pod. The base of the receptacle also provides an opening adapted to receive an upwardly extending puncture needle from the brewer in a manner such that the needle extends through the base and does not puncture the pod. The cover also has an opening that is adapted to receive a downwardly extending liquid injector probe from the brewer. In some implementations, spaced apart protrusions are arranged on the pod support surface thereby creating gaps to facilitate flow of brewed beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: ARM Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Adrian Rivera
  • Patent number: 8666320
    Abstract: The amount of operation processing is reduced without largely degrading an estimation precision of radio wave propagation estimation. The radio wave propagation characteristic estimating system for estimating a radio wave propagation characteristic by taking into decision-theoretical consideration such a structure as a building or indoor furnishings includes the object selecting unit for selecting, from objects within a region to be analyzed, an object whose effect on an estimation precision is small by using position data of a transmission point, the number of constituent faces reducing unit for reducing the number of constituent faces of the selected object, and the radio wave propagation estimating unit for estimating radio wave propagation by using an object within the region to be analyzed which is not selected by the object selecting unit and an object whose number of constituent faces is reduced by the number of constituent faces reducing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Motoyoshi, Hiroto Sugahara
  • Patent number: 8651013
    Abstract: The device for the formation of froth in a milk-based drink comprises a tubular structure suitable for being connected to a steam-dispensing nozzle, at least one hole for air to pass, formed through the wall thickness of the tubular structure, and an element for adjusting the flow of air through the hole for air to pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: De' Longhi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe De' Longhi
  • Patent number: 8567306
    Abstract: A fryer is provided which, during a standby for cooking, can keep the temperature of a cooking oil slightly lower than a cooking temperature and, during cooking, can quickly raise the oil temperature to the cooking temperature. The fryer also has capabilities of easily performing a heat exchange operation on the cooking oil, preventing degradation of the cooking oil, securing a good kitchen environment and enhancing a work efficiency. The fryer comprises a fryer tank having oil and water for cleaning the oil stored in two layers one upon the other; and a heater installed in the oil layer; wherein the water in the water layer is drawn out from a water suction opening at a bottom of fryer tank, cleaned by a filtering water tank and then delivered into the fryer tank almost horizontally in an off-centered direction from a water supply opening formed in a lower, side wall of the fryer tank, thus rotating the water in the fryer tank in a swirl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Mermaid Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Kimura, Haruo Tanaka, Koji Yamada
  • Patent number: 8552335
    Abstract: A plasma jet apparatus for performing plasma processing of an article includes: an elongated central electrode (2,15), an elongated cylindrical outer electrode (1) or two outer electrodes (15,16) surrounding the central electrode and being coaxial with the central electrode, or two electrodes substantially parallel to the central electrode. an electrical insulator (3) or insulators (18,19) are disposed between the outer electrode(s) and the central electrode, wherein a discharge lumen having a distal end and a proximal end is defined between the central electrode and the electrical insulator(s). A supply opening (6) is disposed at the distal end of the discharge lumen for supplying a plasma producing gas to the discharge lumen, A power source (9) provides a voltage between the central electrode and said outer electrode. The electrical insulator has a radial or outward extension (40,20) at the proximal end beyond the outer surface of the outer electrode(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek N.V. (VITO)
    Inventors: Danny Havermans, Jan Jozef Cools
  • Patent number: 8526986
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to reduce the overhead related to allocation of the terminal identifier in a random access procedure and an optimized method for detecting a collision are provided. By allocating a “short” terminal identifier in the Random Access Response that is identifiers and allocating the permanent terminal identifier at the end of the random access procedure, the size of data that must be transmitted in the Random Access Response is reduced and power is saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Fischer, Remi Feuillette
  • Patent number: 8507821
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method and system thereof for performing laser cutting on a mail piece during processing on a document processing device such as a sorter. Laser cutting is performed to effectively cut mail pieces during transport on the document processing equipment to ensure cut accuracy and to promote readability. The present teachings allow for selection of a cut profile based on mail piece attributes or markings and adaptive adjustment of the cut profile in accord with the positioning of the mail piece to achieve a desired cut pattern while the document processing device is running at high transport speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Bell and Howell, LLC
    Inventors: George M. Varghese, Arkadiusz Nieckarz, Gregory Wilmes, Brian Bowers
  • Patent number: 8375845
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for preparing hot water provided with a pressure pump with a supply pipe for supplying relatively cold water to the pressure pump and an outlet connected to a heating pipe which is in heat-exchanging contact with a heating body, with an outlet valve in the heating pipe and a coffee holder, connected to the heating pipe, for accommodating a bed of coffee, whereby the heating body comprises a reservoir that is openly connected to the environment, with a heating element and water in the reservoir as a heat-exchange medium. A by-pass pipe (54) connects the inlet (57) and outlet (35) of the pressure pump (34) to each other, with a pressure-operated valve (56) in the by-pass pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Bravilor Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Theodorus Emerentia Huiberts
  • Patent number: 8369774
    Abstract: A terrestrial transmitting station for sending out a terrestrial broadcast signal includes a first receiver for receiving a signal to obtain a satellite receive signal, a second receiver for receiving a local signal to obtain a local receive signal and a signal combiner for combining the first receive signal with the local receive signal to form a combination signal. The signal combiner is implemented to generate the combination signal so that the combination signal is formed according to a hierarchical modulation, wherein the first receive signal is contained in a base layer of the hierarchical modulation and wherein the local receive signal is contained in an overlay layer of the hierarchical modulation. A terrestrial transmitting station further includes a transmitter for sending out the combination signal. A broadcast system includes a first transmitter and at least one terrestrial transmitting station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Ernst Eberlein, Albert Heuberger, Marco Breiling, Stefan Lipp
  • Patent number: 8354616
    Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a sheet material by near-field levitation comprises a heater plate including a heating element and a radiation surface which vibrates when the heater plate receives an acoustic wave. The apparatus further comprises at least one vibration source coupled to the heater plate and operable to transmit the acoustic wave to the heater plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael Yoshiya Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 8261659
    Abstract: A fruit juice extraction peeler cup and intermeshable pair thereof (100, 150) having a geometry allowing faster juicing rates with fewer misfeeds of fruit. Distal ends (158) of the blades (106) collectively define a shape, referred to as a Mendesaddle shape (160), including lateral arcs (112) connecting a top opening (114) for entry of a whole fruit (10) and a bottom opening (116) that is smaller than the top opening for exit of a fruit core (12). An interior contour of the cup includes a more distal loading region (332) and a more rearward linear compression region (334) providing effective juice extraction. The top and bottom openings may be formed entirely in the loading region. An exterior contour of the cup includes a horizontal portion (144) proximate the top opening effective to reduce an upward trajectory of the fruit as it approaches the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Carlos Mendes Neto
  • Patent number: 8161869
    Abstract: A press cleaning device and method are described for removing coffee grinds from a French or coffee press. The device includes a stem having a handle and a circular disk-shaped declining plane ramp disposed at different ends. The circumference of the ramp is substantially the same as the inner circumference of the press. The ramp includes a radial cut running diametrically from the center of the ramp toward the outer circumference. The cut is fabricated to provide a lower or leading edge paralleling the horizontal floor of the press and trailing the leading edge an upward slanted ramp that follows like a circular inclined plane to an upper or ending edge. When rotated, the lower edge, which parallels the floor of the coffee press while slicing and shoveling, transfers the grinds from the bottom of the press up the ramp whereupon the grinds are stacked and can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Pio Galbis