Patents by Inventor Eric A. Johnson

Eric A. Johnson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20120143226
    Abstract: A vessel access and closure device places a running suture in the wall of a blood vessel using a rotating helical suture needle that carries the suture along a helical path passing through the vessel wall, then reverses rotation to release a suture anchor attached to the distal end of the suture. A loose helical coil of suture is left behind as the helical suture needle withdraws. The device is withdrawn and replaced with a vessel dilator and an introducer sheath that opens up a larger access opening into the blood vessel and creates a pathway that passes though the helical coil of suture for introducing an interventional device into the blood vessel. After the interventional procedure is completed, the interventional device and the introducer sheath are withdrawn and the running suture is tightened and secured with a suture lock to close the access opening into the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: VasoStitch, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Belson, Joelle Faulkner, Phillip Burke, Eric Johnson, Bauback Safa
  • Publication number: 20120101863
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for using information related to the service history of a power-train component. The method may include using a machine-management system with at least one information processor to acquire information related to loads experienced by the power-train component during a first period, the first period occurring before a disassembly procedure involving disassembly of the power-train component from a power train. The method may also include employing the machine-management system and the acquired information related to loads experienced by the power-train component during the first period to perform one or more tasks in connection with use of the power-train component after the disassembly procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Byron Edwin Truax, Rick Thomas Lasko, Jason Edward Carter, Conrad Gene Grembowicz, Thomas Neil Brooks, JR., Christopher John Beckman, Christopher Michael Sprock, Lonny Eric Johnson
  • Patent number: 8165781
    Abstract: Fuel is recovered from a combustion engine without turning the combustion engine on. A controller initiates operation of a fuel pump of the combustion engine to cause the fuel pump to pump a predefined amount of fuel in the fuel line directly to a drain conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Yellow Dog Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Johnson, Jerry McGuffin
  • Patent number: 8162243
    Abstract: A device for breaking up compressed masses of fibers into pieces of fiber and transporting the pieces of fiber, comprising: an intake chute; a plurality of break-up implements mounted on a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted within the intake chute; a plurality of devices with protrusions, where the plurality of devices are mounted on a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted within the intake chute; and a transportation device. A compressed mass of fibers may be placed within the intake chute, the compressed mass of fibers may come into contact with the plurality of break-up implements, the compressed mass of fibers may be broken into large pieces of fiber by the break-up implements, the larger pieces of fiber may come into contact with the plurality of devices, the larger pieces of fiber may be broken into small pieces of fiber by the devices, and the small pieces of fiber may fall onto the transportation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Arr-Maz Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Richard Wenthe, Eric Johnson, Monty Oberle
  • Publication number: 20120086913
    Abstract: A rotatable article display device for displaying an article such as a piece of jewelry or the like includes a platen defining a display surface. The platen is configured to rotate about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the display surface. A camera mount is provided which is configured to secure a camera to the device such that the camera is rotatable about a second axis substantially parallel to the display surface. In a method for use, at least one article of jewelry is positioned on the display surface and viewed while the platen is rotated about the perpendicular axis and the camera is rotated about the parallel axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: America's Collectibles Network
    Inventors: Eric JOHNSON, Walter Walsh, III, Chris Dotson
  • Patent number: 8151212
    Abstract: A method and system that permits a user to navigate or browse a long list on a handheld device with a restricted user interface, such as a limited display and a limited user input device. The user first uses a coarse search to find a generally desired area in the list. The user then uses finer and finer search intervals in the vicinity of the desired area, until the desired entry is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Eric Johnson, Ronald Anthony Dicke
  • Publication number: 20120078071
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing, transmitting, and displaying data received from a continuous analyte (e.g., glucose) sensor are provided. A sensor system can comprise a sensor electronics module that includes power saving features, e.g., a low power measurement circuit that can be switched between a measurement mode and a low power mode, wherein charging circuitry continues to apply power to electrodes of a sensor during the low power mode. The sensor electronics module can be switched between a low power storage mode and a higher power operational mode via a switch, e.g., a reed switch or optical switch. A validation routine can be implemented to ensure an interrupt signal sent from the switch is valid. The sensor can be physically connected to the sensor electronics module in direct wireless communication with a plurality of different display devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastian Bohm, Mark Dervaes, Eric Johnson, Apurv Ullas Kamath, Shawn Larvenz, Jacob S. Leach, Phong Lieu, Aarthi Mahalingam, Tom Miller, Paul V. Neale, Jack Pryor, Thomas A. Peyser, Daiting Rong, Kenneth San Vicente, Mohammad Ali Shariati, Peter C. Simpson, Matthew Wightlin
  • Patent number: 8121332
    Abstract: A microphone mount for mounting a microphone adjacent a speaker housed in a cabinet is defined by an elongate body having gripping fingers on opposite ends. The body is extendable and an elastic cord housed in the body normally pulls the gripping fingers together so that the mount may be extended and retained on a cabinet. A microphone interface is attached to one end of the body, which allows the user to position the microphone in any desired position relative to the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Audix Corporation
    Inventor: Eric Johnson
  • Patent number: 8108442
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a data storage system includes a storage medium coupled to a compression appliance. The compression appliance is operable to selectively compress data that is stored on the storage medium. The compression appliance selectively compresses the data according to a lower compression threshold and an upper compression threshold such that a useful compression level is achieved while balancing processor loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Computer Associates Think, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Eric Johnson, John M. Casey, Joe Bob Cravy, Timothy Rondal Bruce, William G. Abernathy
  • Publication number: 20120022768
    Abstract: Fuel is recovered from a combustion engine without turning the combustion engine on. A controller initiates operation of a fuel pump of the combustion engine to cause the fuel pump to pump a predefined amount of fuel in the fuel line directly to a drain conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Eric Johnson, Jerry McGuffin
  • Publication number: 20110315800
    Abstract: A device for breaking up compressed masses of fibers into pieces of fiber and transporting the pieces of fiber, comprising: an intake chute; a plurality of break-up implements mounted on a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted within the intake chute; a plurality of devices with protrusions, where the plurality of devices are mounted on a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted within the intake chute; and a transportation device. A compressed mass of fibers may be placed within the intake chute, the compressed mass of fibers may come into contact with the plurality of break-up implements, the compressed mass of fibers may be broken into large pieces of fiber by the break-up implements, the larger pieces of fiber may come into contact with the plurality of devices, the larger pieces of fiber may be broken into small pieces of fiber by the devices, and the small pieces of fiber may fall onto the transportation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: ROAD SCIENCE, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Wenthe, Eric Johnson, Monty Oberle
  • Patent number: 8084075
    Abstract: The process of producing a melon extract by the following steps: providing at least one whole melon comprising flesh; steaming the outside surface of the whole melon to thereby soften the outside surface of the melon and remove microbials from the outside surface of the melon; reducing the size of the whole melon to form melon pieces; and introducing the melon pieces into the first finisher and utilizing the finisher to remove the melon flesh from the melon pieces such that at least from about 1/16 inch of flesh remains on the melon pieces and form melon extract from the flesh that is removed from the melon pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Milne Fruit Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. DeJong, Eric A. Johnson, David L. Luther, Gordon R. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20110300848
    Abstract: A method in a mobile device for use in receiving updates of network-maintained map data sets is described. The mobile device receives, through a wireless network, map data for rendering a map. The map data has a plurality of layers, where each of the plurality of layers includes a version number and a plurality of data entries associated therewith. Each of the plurality of data entries indicates a plurality of data points for rendering one or more artifacts or labels within an area of interest of the map. The mobile device stores the map data, and displays the area of interest from the plurality of layers of the stored map data. The mobile device then receives, through the wireless network, an indication of an alternative version of one of the layers of the stored map data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Jesse Joseph Boudreau, Eric Johnson, Gerhard Dietrich Klassen
  • Publication number: 20110279591
    Abstract: A system for reducing ink color mixing effects in a printer is provided having a printhead having multiple ink color channels mounted to a housing of the printer at a first level, and a plurality of ink supply cartridges mounted to the printer housing so as to be fluidically connected to the printhead and stacked in an array having a plurality of rows defining a plurality of levels which are lower than the first level. The plurality of ink supply cartridges include at least one black ink supply cartridge which supplies black colored ink to a black ink color channel of the printhead. The black ink supply cartridge is disposed at the lowest level defined by the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Eric Johnson, Jinsong Gao, Andy Bound, Thomas Roetker, Victor Escobedo
  • Publication number: 20110279590
    Abstract: A fluid container for a printing system is provided having a body defining a fluid reservoir, a first fluid port for connecting the fluid reservoir to a first fluid path of a printhead of the printing system, a second fluid port for connecting the fluid reservoir to a second fluid path of the printhead, and a third fluid port for connecting the fluid reservoir to a third fluid path to a gas vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Eric Johnson, Jinsong Gao
  • Publication number: 20110279593
    Abstract: A multi-channel gas vent apparatus for venting gas at ink containers which supply inks to a multi-channel printhead is provided having a body having a sidewalls and an interior surface, discrete chambers defined on one side of the interior surface by internal sidewalls and being sealed within the body, and a compartments defined on the opposite side of the interior surface by internal sidewalls and being sealed within the body. Each chamber is for connection to a gas port of a corresponding one of the ink containers. Each ink container has an ink port connected to a corresponding one of the ink channels. Each compartment is in fluid communication with the external atmosphere. The interior surface in each chamber has a recess in which apertures connect the chambers with one of the compartments through the interior surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Eric Johnson, Jon Olson
  • Publication number: 20110279564
    Abstract: A system for venting gas at ink containers which supply inks to a multi-channel inkjet printhead is provided having a plurality of ink containers for supplying fluids to a printhead having a plurality of ink channels, and a gas vent assembly having a plurality of gas vents. Each ink container has an ink port connected to a corresponding one of the ink channels of the printhead and a gas port. Each gas vent is connected to a corresponding one of the gas ports of the ink containers. The gas vents of the gas vent assembly are in fluid communication with the external atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Eric Johnson, Jon Olson, Christopher Hibbard, Kent Benjamen Kwan, Geoffrey Philip Dyer, Edward Ellis Esdaile-Watts
  • Publication number: 20110279563
    Abstract: A septum assembly for a fluid container is provided having a first septum having a membrane which is piercable by a septum needle sealingly located within a fluid port of the fluid container which communicates with a fluid reservoir of the fluid container, and a second septum having a slit through which the septum needle passes sealingly located within the fluid port of the fluid container adjacent the first septum so that the septum needle passes through the slit of the second septum before piercing the first septum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Eric Johnson, Jinsong Gao
  • Publication number: 20110279562
    Abstract: A system for distributing fluid and gas within a printer is provided having a fluid container having three fluid ports, a first fluid path connecting the first fluid port to a printhead of the printer, a second fluid path connecting the second fluid port to the printhead, and a third fluid path connecting the third fluid port to a gas vent. The first and second fluid ports are configured so that fluid from the fluid container flows between the first and second fluid paths via the printhead and the third fluid port is configured so that gas flows between the fluid container and gas vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Eric Johnson, Jinsong Gao, Christopher Hibbard, Kent Benjamen Kwan, Geoffrey Philip Dyer, Edward Ellis Esdaile-Watts
  • Publication number: 20110275390
    Abstract: A method of stitching converging path segments to aesthetically label Y-intersections, path bifurcations or splits in roads or the like entails determining which pair of adjacent path segments subtend the largest angle. The path segments subtending the largest angle are reconstructed (stitched together) and a single instance of the label is then rendered along the reconstructed path. Although this stitching can be performed on the client device, pre-stitching server-side is even more efficient in terms of economizing over-the-air bandwidth and onboard processing resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Gordon Gregory BOWMAN, Eric Johnson