Patents by Inventor James Lau
James Lau 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).
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Publication number: 20130149144Abstract: A windmill structure for converting wind energy to electrical energy comprises a thrust holding foundation having a plurality of holes for fixing the windmill structure on a ground surface. A tower consists of a bottom end and a top end. The bottom end of the tower is positioned at a middle portion of the foundation. A plurality of wind-engaging blades extended from the top end of the tower. A plurality of concave panels with larger surface area may be used as the plurality of wind-engaging blades. A plurality of supporting structures is utilized for attaching the plurality of wind-engaging blades on the top end of the tower and a power generator molded at one end of the tower. The arrangement of the plurality of wind-engaging blades facilitates to attain maximum rotation with minimal wind energy thereby increasing the overall efficiency of the windmill structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2011Publication date: June 13, 2013Inventor: JAMES LAU
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Patent number: 8359334Abstract: Integrating a file system with a RAID array that exports precise information about the arrangement of data blocks in the RAID subsystem. The present invention uses separate current-write location (CWL) pointers for each disk in the disk array where the pointers simply advance through the disks as writes occur. The present invention writes on the disk with the lowest CWL pointer. A new disk is chosen only when the algorithm starts allocating space for a new file, or when it has allocated N blocks on the same disk for a single file. A sufficient number of blocks are defined as all the buffers in a chunk of N sequential buffers in a file. The result is that CWL pointers are never more than N blocks apart on different disks, and large files have N consecutive blocks on the same disk.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2010Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Network Appliance, Inc.Inventors: David Hitz, Michael Malcolm, James Lau, Byron Rakitzis
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Publication number: 20120326679Abstract: An energy optimization alternating current power balancing system for a three phase alternating current power source using various configurations of chokes, wire inductors and capacitors connected across and in parallel to each power lines from the alternating current power source. An inductor in the alternating current power-balancing device or system is connected in series to the neutral line of the alternating current power source to create a more balanced power distribution system by improving the power factor and increasing the efficiency of energy consumption in multiphase alternating current power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventor: JAMES LAU
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Patent number: 8291396Abstract: Various high-level languages are used to specify hardware designs on programmable chips. The high-level language programs include pointer operations that may have same iteration and future iteration dependencies. Single loop iteration pointer dependencies are considered when memory accesses are assigned to clock cycles. Multiple loop iteration pointer dependencies are considered when determining how often new data can be entered into the generated hardware pipeline without causing memory corruption. A buffer can be used to forward data from a memory write to a future read.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2006Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Altera CorporationInventors: David James Lau, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard, Philippe Molson
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Publication number: 20120208549Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting termination of a social check-in session where a user has checked into a location using a mobile device. Upon detecting that the user has left a location, the present system automatically checks the user out of that location, and updates the user's records and friends that the user is no longer at that location.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2011Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: James Lau, Udiyan Padmanabhan, Vinay Gupta
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Patent number: 8140883Abstract: Pipelined loop operations are efficiently scheduled. A preliminary as soon as possible (ASAP) schedule for a data operation in a pipelined loop is determined. A producer operation clock cycle associated with a producer operation in the pipelined loop is determined. The producer operation provides a data value for use by the data operation in a subsequent loop. A consumer operation clock cycle associated with a consumer operation in the pipelined loop is determined. The consumer operation obtains the data value from the data operation in a previous loop. The data operation is scheduled at the half-way point between the producer operation clock cycle and the consumer operation clock cycle.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2008Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Altera CorporationInventor: David James Lau
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Publication number: 20110022570Abstract: Integrating a file system with a RAID array that exports precise information about the arrangement of data blocks in the RAID subsystem. The present invention uses separate current-write location (CWL) pointers for each disk in the disk array where the pointers simply advance through the disks as writes occur. The present invention writes on the disk with the lowest CWL pointer. A new disk is chosen only when the algorithm starts allocating space for a new file, or when it has allocated N blocks on the same disk for a single file. A sufficient number of blocks are defined as all the buffers in a chunk of N sequential buffers in a file. The result is that CWL pointers are never more than N blocks apart on different disks, and large files have N consecutive blocks on the same disk.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Inventors: David Hitz, Michael Malcolm, James Lau, Byron Rakitzis
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Patent number: 7873953Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for implementing a programmable chip using a high-level language. Code sequences such as high-level language software critical loops are converted into read/transform/write (RXW) processes with buffer based flow control between the processes. Having separate read and write processes allows an arbitrary number of sequential reads/writes to occur in any order, subject to buffer size, allowing bursting/sequential transactions that are more efficient than random accesses.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2006Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Altera CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Orion Pritchard, Jarrod Colin James Blackburn, David James Lau, Philippe Molson, James L. Ball, Jesse Kempa
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Patent number: 7818498Abstract: Integrating a file system with a RAID array that exports precise information about the arrangement of data blocks in the RAID subsystem. The present invention uses separate current-write location (CWL) pointers for each disk in the disk array where the pointers simply advance through the disks as writes occur. The present invention writes on the disk with the lowest CWL pointer. A new disk is chosen only when the algorithm starts allocating space for a new file, or when it has allocated N blocks on the same disk for a single file. A sufficient number of blocks are defined as all the buffers in a chunk of N sequential buffers in a file. The result is that CWL pointers are never more than N blocks apart on different disks, and large files have N consecutive blocks on the same disk.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2007Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Network Appliance, Inc.Inventors: David Hitz, Michael Malcolm, James Lau, Byron Rakitzis
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Patent number: 7346863Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for implementing a programmable device including a processor core, a hardware accelerator, and secondary components such as memory. A designer efficiently selects one or more code sequences for acceleration. A hardware accelerator is generated with multiple master ports to allow efficient access to memory. Profiling information can be provided to allow efficient selection of code sequences.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2005Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Altera CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Orion Pritchard, David James Lau, Timothy P. Allen
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Patent number: 7255622Abstract: A method for manufacturing low cost electroluminescent (EL) illuminated membrane switches is disclosed. The method includes the steps of die cutting, embossing or chemically etching the metal foil surface of a metal foil bonded, light transmitting flexible electrical insulation to simultaneously form one or more front capacitive electrodes, membrane switch contacts and electrical shunt, electrical distribution means and electrical terminations that together form a flexible printed circuit panel. This continuous flexible printed circuit substrate is then used with a precisely positioned indexing system.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Novatech Electro-Luminescent Inc.Inventors: William C. Stevenson, James Lau
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Publication number: 20070185942Abstract: Integrating a file system with a RAID array that exports precise information about the arrangement of data blocks in the RAID subsystem. The present invention uses separate current-write location (CWL) pointers for each disk in the disk array where the pointers simply advance through the disks as writes occur. The present invention writes on the disk with the lowest CWL pointer. A new disk is chosen only when the algorithm starts allocating space for a new file, or when it has allocated N blocks on the same disk for a single file. A sufficient number of blocks are defined as all the buffers in a chunk of N sequential buffers in a file. The result is that CWL pointers are never more than N blocks apart on different disks, and large files have N consecutive blocks on the same disk.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2007Publication date: August 9, 2007Applicant: Network Appliance, Inc.Inventors: David Hitz, Michael Malcolm, James Lau, Byron Rakitzis
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Patent number: 7231412Abstract: Integrating a file system with a RAID array that exports precise information about the arrangement of data blocks in the RAID subsystem. The present invention uses separate current-write location (CWL) pointers for each disk in the disk array where the pointers simply advance through the disks as writes occur. The present invention writes on the disk with the lowest CWL pointer. A new disk is chosen only when the algorithm starts allocating space for a new file, or when it has allocated N blocks on the same disk for a single file. A sufficient number of blocks are defined as all the buffers in a chunk of N sequential buffers in a file. The result is that CWL pointers are never more than N blocks apart on different disks, and large files have N consecutive blocks on the same disk.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Network Appliance, Inc.Inventors: David Hitz, Michael Malcolm, James Lau, Byron Rakitzis
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Patent number: 7174352Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for duplicating all or part of a file system while maintaining consistent copies of the file system. The file server maintains a set of snapshots, each indicating a set of storage blocks making up a consistent copy of the file system as it was at a known time. Each snapshot can be used for a purpose other than maintaining the coherency of the file system, such as duplicating or transferring a backup copy of the file system to a destination storage medium. In a preferred embodiment, the snapshots can be manipulated to identify sets of storage blocks in the file system for incremental backup or copying, or to provide a file system backup that is both complete and relatively inexpensive.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2001Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Network Appliance, Inc.Inventors: Steven R. Kleiman, David Hitz, Guy Harris, Sean W. O'Malley, Michael Malcolm, James Lau, Byron Rakitzis
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Publication number: 20060271910Abstract: Systems and methods for applying both profile and user customizations to an application user interface are provided. Profile customizations, created for a specialized use or field, are adapted to an application user interface, which has command-menu-toolbar contributions from various add-in modules. The user has access to the customizations through a user interface. Then, as a user is customizing the application, through commands, toolbars, and menus, the user customizations are tagged. A priority and group is assigned to each customization to allow for relative positioning of each customization. The difference between the user's final desired state and a reset state is computed. This difference computation is used to track the changes made to the application and to assist in resets of the customizations.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2005Publication date: November 30, 2006Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Aaron Burcham, Paul Harrington, C. Hodges, Rahul Kumar, James Lau, Timothy Sullivan, Jason Weber
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Publication number: 20060214530Abstract: A conformable layer (14) for inhibiting electrical discharge between vent tubes (16) and strands (12) in an inner-cooled coil (5). The conformable layer comprises a resistive inner core (24) and a conductive strip (20) wrapped in a conductive outer wrap (26). The conductive strip (20) is electrically connected to the strands (12) at one end of the coil (5) and left to electrically float at the other end. In this configuration, the conformable layer (14) reduces voltage buildup between the vent tubes (16) and the strands (12) to help prevent electrical damage to the coil (5).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2005Publication date: September 28, 2006Inventors: Franklin Emery, Douglas Conley, James Lau
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Publication number: 20060026821Abstract: A method for manufacturing low cost electroluminescent (EL) illuminated membrane switches is disclosed. The method includes the first step of die cutting, embossing or chemically etching the metal foil surface of a metal foil bonded, light transmitting flexible electrical insulation to simultaneously form one or more front capacitive electrodes, membrane switch contacts and electrical shunt, electrical distribution means and electrical terminations that together comprise a flexible printed circuit panel. This continuous flexible printed circuit substrate is then coupled to a precisely positioned indexing system. Next, the front metal foil capacitive electrodes arc coated with a light transmissive electrically conductive layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2003Publication date: February 9, 2006Inventors: William Stevenson, James Lau
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Patent number: 6988219Abstract: The present invention is a method for providing error correction for an array of disks using non-volatile random access memory (NV-RAM). Non-volatile RAM is used to increase the speed of RAID recovery from a disk error(s). This is accomplished by keeping a list of all disk blocks for which the parity is possibly inconsistent. Such a list of disk blocks is much smaller than the total number of parity blocks in the RAID subsystem. The total number of parity blocks in the RAID subsystem is typically in the range of hundreds of thousands of parity blocks. Knowledge of the number of parity blocks that are possibly inconsistent makes it possible to fix only those few blocks, identified in the list, in a significantly smaller amount of time than is possible in the prior art. The technique for safely writing to a RAID array with a broken disk is complicated. In this technique, data that can become corrupted is copied into NV-RAM before the potentially corrupting operation is performed.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Network Appliance, Inc.Inventors: David Hitz, Michael Malcolm, James Lau, Byron Rakitzis
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Patent number: D691320Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: RAB Lighting Inc.Inventors: Vincenzo Guercio, James Lau
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Patent number: D690450Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2012Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: RAB Lighting Inc.Inventors: Vincenzo Guercio, James Lau