Patents Examined by Minh Q Phan
  • Patent number: 12287561
    Abstract: A digital camera including a printer includes a transport roller pair that transports an instant film, an exposure unit that exposes an image onto the instant film, a spreading roller pair that spreads a developer into a gap of the instant film by crushing a developer pod of the exposed instant film, a spreading control member that is positioned between the transport roller pair and the spreading roller pair, extends in a width direction of the instant film, and controls the developer spread into the gap, and a mechanical switch that is positioned near the spreading control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Akimasa Kaya
  • Patent number: 12287357
    Abstract: Voltage indicators, and their use to detect and indicate the presence of single-phase AC voltage in an electrical power cord. The voltage indicators include a housing that can be reversibly closed around the power cord; a status indicator including a high-impedance display having first and second display electrodes connected in parallel with a static suppression resistor, a conductive wire electrically coupled to the second display electrode at a first end, having a conductive grounding loop at the second end; and a first carbon-impregnated conductive foam pad electrically coupled to the first display electrode, where when the housing is closed around the power cord the first and a second carbon-impregnated conductive foam pads capacitively couple with the power cord, so that the resulting capacitive current creates an observable change in the high-impedance display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Inventor: John C. Atherton
  • Patent number: 12282246
    Abstract: A camera module configured to interact with a fastening holder, the camera module comprising including an image-capturing apparatus provided with an objective and a connecting connector for the transmission of images; a protective casing provided with a protective wall placed facing the objective, and a rear wall opposite the protective wall and lying substantially in a rear plane; a connecting arrangement configured to interact with the fastening holder in a mounted position, the connecting arrangement including a device for blocking the fastening holder in mounted position and a guiding profile for connecting an external connector to the connecting connector, the blocking device and the guiding profile extending beyond the rear plane transversely to the rear plane and in a direction opposite to the protective wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: SAFETY TECH
    Inventors: Denis Bruneton, Romain Tholin, Thibault De Bussy
  • Patent number: 12274189
    Abstract: A system having a boom; a plurality of cameras attached to the boom; and a plurality of lenses on each camera; wherein not all lenses have a same field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Winkler, Paul Wildermuth
  • Patent number: 12276812
    Abstract: The present embodiment relates to a dual lens drive device that comprises: a housing; a first bobbin which is disposed to move in a first direction inside the housing; a second bobbin which is disposed to move in the first direction inside housing and is spaced apart from the first bobbin; a first coil which is disposed on the first bobbin; a second coil which is disposed on the second bobbin; a magnet which is disposed in the housing and faces the first coil and the second coil; a base which is disposed below the housing; a substrate which comprises a circuit member having a third coil disposed to face the magnet between the housing and the base; and a support member which movably supports the housing with respect to the substrate, wherein the housing is integrally formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kap Jin Lee, Yong Nam Choi, Do Yoon Kim, Min Soo Kim, Jung Hwan Kim, Tae Young Kim
  • Patent number: 12276914
    Abstract: A developing method and apparatus are provided. The developing method includes: obtaining airflow conditions above a wafer to be developed; setting a developing procedure according to the airflow conditions; and developing the wafer to be developed according to the developing procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Helei Sun, Buxiang Chen
  • Patent number: 12266984
    Abstract: A camera module for a portable electronic device includes an actuator assembly with at least one coil segment. The coil segment includes a dielectric substrate with two surfaces. Over each surface is formed a trace that follows a path defining a multi-turn coil. The coils of each side of the dielectric are conductively coupled together to define a single inductor/coil. The two-layer coil segment can be encapsulated as a component suitable for pick-and-place and/or SMT manufacturing. In many constructions, the actuator assembly includes a stack of coil segments, coupled together in series or parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ross A. Williams, Nicholas D. Smyth, Jason T. Weaver, Hiran R. Rathnasinghe
  • Patent number: 12259239
    Abstract: A sheet detection device includes: a magnetic sensing element disposed on a sheet guide, wherein the sheet guide brings the magnetic sensing element to move to a first position or a second position; a first magnetic element disposed on a sheet tray corresponding to the first position; a second magnetic element disposed on the sheet tray corresponding to the second position and in spaced with the first magnetic element; a processing element electrically connected with the magnetic sensing element. When the magnetic sensing element outputs a first voltage signal, the processing element determines the sheet guide is located at the first position according to the first voltage signal. When the magnetic sensing element outputs a second voltage signal, the processing element determines the sheet guide is located at the second position according to the second voltage signal. The first voltage signal is different from the second voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: KINPO ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Tzu-Cheng Chang, Wei-Chun Jau
  • Patent number: 12248233
    Abstract: SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan N. Ruzicka, Yasushi Sakamoto, Mark A. Miller
  • Patent number: 12247847
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include compliant sensors having a signal electrode layer of an elastomeric material with conducting material confined to at least one sensor region, at least one trace connected to the at least one sensor, and a perimeter electrode region. The compliant sensors also include a dielectric layer including an elastomeric material having a first side in contact with the signal electrode layer and configured to allow electrical contact to the perimeter electrode region and a top electrode layer including an elastomeric material with conducting material integrated within and in contact with a second side of the dielectric layer and in electrical contact with the perimeter electrode region. In some embodiments, the top electrode layer includes a portion of electrically conducting material configured in a hatched pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Bend Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Colton A Ottley, Jared K. Jonas, Colin D. Eichinger, Nathan Grimes, Nathan C. Briggs
  • Patent number: 12242130
    Abstract: A vibration-type driving apparatus includes a vibrator unit including a vibrator in which vibration is excited by an electro-mechanical energy convertor and a holder configured to hold the vibrator, and a contact body in contact with the vibrator. The vibrator and the contact body move relative to each other when vibration at a frequency higher than an audible range is excited in the vibrator. A predetermined condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kota Asano
  • Patent number: 12241936
    Abstract: The invention provides methods, devices and non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media for estimating a state of charge of a battery and extracting a charging curve of the battery. The method for estimating the state of charge of the battery includes estimating a first state of charge of the battery; determining a charging curve that conforms to the present charging scenario, wherein the present charging scenario is characterized by at least one of parameters including an ambient temperature, a charging rate, an internal resistance, a state of health, a lifespan, and an open circuit voltage of the battery; and correcting the first state of charge according to the charging curve to obtain a final state of charge of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: SHANGHAI MAKESENS ENERGY STORAGE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Peng Ding, Xiao Yan, Enhai Zhao, Danfei Gu, Pingchao Hao, Pei Song, Weikun Wu, Xiaohua Chen, Guopeng Zhou, Mingchen Jiang
  • Patent number: 12237546
    Abstract: A battery pack sensing module includes a rigid printed circuit board that is to be carried by and bridge between a pair of battery cell arrays, a plurality of integrated circuits mounted on the rigid printed circuit board, and a pair of sense lead connectors at opposite ends of the rigid printed circuit board. Each of the sense lead connectors is electrically connected with at least one of the integrated circuits and can mate with a receiving connector of one of the battery cell arrays to establish an electrical connection between the receiving connector and the at least one of the integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Paul Roberts, Francisco Fernandez-Galindo, Liam E. West, Dominic Mario Bertolini
  • Patent number: 12235568
    Abstract: This application discloses a linkage apparatus, a camera module, and an electronic device. The linkage apparatus is used in the camera module with continuous zooming, and includes a base, and a first carrier and a second carrier that are slidably connected to the base. A first positioning element is disposed on the base, a first sensing element and a second positioning element are disposed on the first carrier, and a second sensing element is disposed on the second carrier. The first sensing element is disposed opposite to the first positioning element, to detect a location of the first carrier relative to the base. The second sensing element is disposed opposite to the second positioning element, to detect a location of the second carrier relative to the first carrier. A movement relationship between the first carrier and the second carrier is set as an associated movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiapeng Dan, Li-Te Kuo, Lei Lu, Xin Wang
  • Patent number: 12238869
    Abstract: A chip pin connection status display method applied to a computer device is provided. The method includes generating a two-dimensional matrix with n rows and m columns according to a total number n of solder balls and a total number m of pins of a chip. Once an input signal and an input position of the input signal from the two-dimensional matrix are detected, display is performed at the input position on the two-dimensional matrix according to a type of the input signal and the input position of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hsin-Hua Chuang
  • Patent number: 12222634
    Abstract: A stand for photographic equipment includes a connecting member, a pedestal, and a locking assembly connected therebetween. The locking assembly includes a support rod, a guiding member mounted around the support rod, a locking pin fixed on the support rod and engaged with the guiding member, a spring member located between the pedestal and the guiding member, and a driving member pivotally connected to the support rod. One end of the support rod and the connecting member are rotatably connected with each other by a universal ball. The locking assembly is configured to make the locking pin move along the guiding member to a first fixed position or a second fixed position by pressing the driving member. In the first fixed position, a top end of the guiding member abuts against and locks the connecting member. In the second fixed position, the guiding member releases the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: ZHONGSHAN DASHAN PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xihua Zhu
  • Patent number: 12222373
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a magnetoresistive element having a sensitivity axis in a Y direction, a magnetic shield disposed apart in a Z direction from the magnetoresistive element and configured to attenuate the intensity of a magnetic field to be measured, and a magnetic balance coil. The magnetic shield includes a first shield part longitudinally extending in the X direction and second shield parts provided on either side of the first shield part. The first shield part has a portion that overlaps the magnetoresistive element when viewed in the Z direction. Each second shield part has a portion that overlaps the magnetoresistive element when viewed in the X direction. A magnetic path for a magnetic field in the X direction can be formed from one of the second shield parts to the other one of the second shield parts via the first shield part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yosuke Ide
  • Patent number: 12216168
    Abstract: A battery diagnosis device includes a voltage measurement unit for measuring a voltage of a battery cell, a fitting value calculation unit for calculating a fitting voltage of the battery cell in a rest section after charging and discharging of the battery cell, and a diagnosis unit for diagnosing an abnormality of the battery cell by comparing the measured voltage measured by the voltage measurement unit and the fitting voltage calculated by the fitting value calculation unit, with respect to the rest section of the battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventor: Bo Mi Lim
  • Patent number: 12216292
    Abstract: Systems, devices, media, and methods are described for capturing a series of video clips, together with position, orientation, and motion data collected from an inertial measurement unit during filming. The methods in some examples include calculating camera orientations based on the data collected, computing a stabilized output path based on the camera orientations, and then combining the video segments in accordance with said stabilized output path to produce a video composition that is stable, short, and easy to share. The video clips are filmed in accordance with a set of conditions called a capture profile. In some implementations, the capture profile conditions are reactive, adjusting in real time, during filming, in response to sensor data gathered in real time from a sensor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Hanover, Richard Zhuang
  • Patent number: 12216165
    Abstract: A method for categorizing performance of a PMSM coupled to a drive shaft, and powered by a battery via an inverter. The method comprising: decoupling the PMSM from drive shaft; performing a first retardation test to measure the flux linkage of the permanent magnets, PM flux, in the PMSM; performing a second retardation test in which the inverter is disconnected, to measure the no-load power losses of the PMSM; correlating the PM flux with the no-load power losses in a health parameter of the PMSM, and comparing the health parameter with reference data of known health parameters of a population of PMSMs; categorizing the performance of the PMSM based on the compared health parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sebastian Hall