Patents by Inventor John To
John To 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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Patent number: 8627800Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying and differentiating knock and pre-ignition using a plurality of knock sensors distributed along an engine block. By dynamically adjusting cylinder-specific assignment of the knock sensors for knock detection and pre-ignition detection based on operating conditions of each cylinder, knock and pre-ignition is more reliably identified and distinguished.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2012Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Chris Richard Weber, John Eric Rollinger
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Patent number: 8630710Abstract: An implantable medical device for delivering electrical cardiac therapy includes a first implantable housing containing a battery. There is also a second implantable housing separate from the first implantable housing and containing at least one of: electronic circuitry adapted to evaluate and initiate electrical cardiac therapy, a storage capacitor and an electrode structure comprising a sensing electrode, a pacing electrode and a therapy electrode. The electronic circuit, the storage capacitor or the electrode structure are electrically connected to the battery. Alternatively, there is an implantable medical device for delivering electrical cardiac therapy having an implantable structure containing the following electrically connected components: a battery, electronic circuitry adapted to evaluate and initiate electrical cardiac therapy, a storage capacitor and an electrode structure comprising a sensing electrode, a pacing electrode and a therapy electrode.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Uday N. Kumar, John Warren White, Joseph Allen Knight, Kit Yee Au-Yeung
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Patent number: 8630814Abstract: Apparatus, including an ultrasonic liquid level gauge and control system, includes a gauge configured to be coupled on the outside of a device, having a boiler or hot water tank, having liquid contained therein. The gauge is also configured to receive and contain a small part of the liquid of the device; and an ultrasonic transducing and signal processing arrangement configured to: reflect an ultrasonic pulse off a liquid surface of the small part of the liquid of the device contained in the gauge, and determine the level of liquid in the device based at least partly on a time of flight analysis related to the ultrasonic pulse reflected off the liquid surface of the small part of the liquid of the device contained in the gauge.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Xylem IP Holdings LLC.Inventors: Andrew A. Cheng, James J. Gu, John E. Branzell
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Patent number: 8628236Abstract: Techniques for determining one or more heat transfer characteristic values of a structure, such as an electronic device, are disclosed. A heat flux vector magnitude and a temperature gradient vector magnitude for a portion of the structure are determined, and a product of the heat flux vector magnitude with the temperature gradient vector magnitude is obtained. More particularly, the dot product of the heat flux vector magnitude with the temperature gradient vector magnitude may be obtained to provide a bottleneck heat transfer characteristic value. Alternately or additionally, a cross product (or related operation) of the heat flux vector magnitude with the temperature gradient vector magnitude is obtained to produce a shortcut heat transfer characteristic value.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Mentor Graphics CorporationInventors: Robin Bornoff, John David Parry, Byron Blackmore, Alan Davies
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Patent number: 8628346Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted, or are very thin or have a low profile. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. Another example provides a super-thin connector receptacle by removing fingers and portions of a shell along one or more sides.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2012Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Zheng Gao, John Raff, Bartley K. Andre, Laura DeForest, Greg Springer, Min Chul Kim, Joshua Funamura
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Patent number: 8629771Abstract: A proximity sensor can be used with a device that relies on GPS signals or other radio-frequency (RF) signals. The proximity sensor can be used to determine if the signals are being deliberately blocked by an object such as metal foil placed near it. The sensor includes an oscillator 2, a directional coupler 4 and an antenna 8. A third port 6c of the directional coupler acts as a coupled port when RF power that has been transmitted by the antenna 8 is reflected back to the antenna by a blocking object. The reflected RF power passes along a main line of the directional coupler 4 and a proportion is coupled to the third port 6c. A detector provides an alert if the magnitude of the power of the transmit signal that is reflected back to the antenna 8 in the form of a receive signal exceeds a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2010Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Inventors: John Anderson, Aled Hughes
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Patent number: 8629183Abstract: A method for modulating enzymatic degradation of articular cartilage in a dog comprises administering to the dog an enzymatic degradation modulating effective amount of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), for example as a component of a food composition. By practice of the method in a dog having arthritis, mobility of the dog can be increased, weight bearing in an arthritic limb can be increased, and/or pain associated with arthritis can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2010Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.Inventors: Bruce Caterson, Christopher Bond Little, John L. Harwood, John Francis Innes, Dale A. Fritsch, Dennis Edward Jewell, William David Schoenherr
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Patent number: 8629781Abstract: A method of assessing overall efficiency of a selective-catalytic-reduction catalyst includes monitoring instantaneous efficiency of the catalyst. The method also includes determining the overall efficiency by summing instantaneous efficiency values weighted by a first set of coefficients if the most recent instantaneous efficiency value is above an instantaneous efficiency threshold. The method additionally includes determining the overall efficiency by summing instantaneous efficiency values weighted by a second set of coefficients if the most recent instantaneous efficiency value is equal to or below the instantaneous efficiency threshold. Furthermore, the method includes determining whether the overall efficiency has dropped below an overall efficiency threshold and reporting when the overall efficiency has dropped below the overall efficiency threshold.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Janean E. Kowalkowski, Stephen Paul Levijoki, John F. Van Gilder
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Patent number: 8631193Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth an abstracted memory subsystem comprising abstracted memories, which each may be configured to present memory related characteristics onto a memory system interface. The characteristics can be presented on the memory system interface via logic signals or protocol exchanges, and the characteristics may include any one or more of, an address space, a protocol, a memory type, a power management rule, a number of pipeline stages, a number of banks, a mapping to physical banks, a number of ranks, a timing characteristic, an address decoding option, a bus turnaround time parameter, an additional signal assertion, a sub-rank, a number of planes, or other memory-related characteristics. Some embodiments include an intelligent register device and/or, an intelligent buffer device. One advantage of the disclosed subsystem is that memory performance may be optimized regardless of the specific protocols used by the underlying memory hardware devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2012Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Michael John Sebastian Smith, Suresh Natarajan Rajan, David T Wang
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Patent number: 8631019Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying and scoring restricted-locality synonyms. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a search query including a query term and a synonym for the query term. The synonym is evaluated using one or more predetermined criteria and based on the evaluation is designated as a restricted-locality synonym. A first scoring model is selected that specifies how to score occurrences of restricted-locality synonyms in documents. A document is received that is identified as being responsive to the search query. A document score for the document is determined using the first scoring model.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Hayden Shaw, Robert B. Avery, Trystan G. Upstill, Thomas Strohmann, Pi-Chuan Chang, John Blitzer
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Patent number: 8628442Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque-transmitting devices. Further, a hydraulic fluid control circuit is provided for controlling the operation of the plurality of torque-transmitting devices. The hydraulic fluid control circuit receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from an off-axis hydraulic fluid pump and has a plurality of fluid passages disposed in the transmission house, input member and other coupling members.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2012Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Patrick S. Portell, John A. Diemer, James M. Hart, Scott H. Wittkopp, Edwin T. Grochowski, Douglas John Dwenger, Elizabeth I. Wooden, Boris Burgman, Clinton E. Carey, Tejinder Singh
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Patent number: 8627707Abstract: An improved test setup facility, referred to as a “Quick Development Cell” (QDC), which allows for rapid turnaround testing with valuable feedback to a design engineer. Because the QDC allows for quick and efficient testing at a sufficient frequency, QDC tests are compatible with production quality control. In addition to fostering improvement of the API's Section 2 type tests using stressed natural rock for benchmark experiments, the QDC tests allow for progress to be made towards the development of a flow-optimized shape charge and superior well performance.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2009Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Geodynamics, Inc.Inventors: John Hardesty, Nathan G. Clark, Matt R. Bell
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Patent number: 8629165Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating a patient suffering a cognitive disorder.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2012Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignees: Allergan, Inc., Exonhit Therapeutics SAInventors: John E. Donello, Fabien J. Schweighoffer, Lauren M. Luhrs
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Patent number: 8630622Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which authorize applications to access location-determining technologies on user devices and on service provider networks. An A-GPS agent resident on the device acts as an interface between applications requesting access to the user's location from the A-GPS chipset and helps to coordinate connections between the A-GPS chipset and the Assistance Server. Introduced into the network maintained by the service provider is a verification server running an application identification engine which determines if the request for preliminary location information engendered by the requesting application is approved.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2009Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLCInventors: Jay Daryl Rector, John Potts Davis, III, Justin Michael Anthony McNamara
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Patent number: 8631048Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media relating to adapting existing data based on one or more new sets of data are provided. An exemplary method comprises extracting a data model from a new data set. The method further comprises determining one or more ontology assertions based on the extracted data model and modifying at least one existing ontology based on the one or more ontology assertions.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer A. Davis, Joseph J. Engler, John A. Yanosy, Jr.
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Patent number: 8628415Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game, a display, and a controller. The controller is configured to display a three-dimensional view of at least a portion of a gaming environment and one or more movable visual elements disposed within the gaming environment. The controller is further configured to dynamically retain within the field of view a center point of a selected set of the movable visual elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2007Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Kevin Johnson, John Walsh
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Patent number: 8630984Abstract: A method and system can be used to read and obtain data from messaging files regardless of the messaging environment used to generate the messaging files. The method and system can read part of a messaging file to identify the type of entry (e.g., email message, calendar item, address book entry, etc.) and access information on where information within the entry is located within the messaging file based on an identifying signature. The method and system can be used to obtain data from messaging files without having to recreate the messaging environment, including individual email accounts. The data can be stored in a target storage medium in a format that is more usable and more easily searched.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2004Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Renew Data Corp.Inventors: Daniel John Gardner, Mark Anthony Seel
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Patent number: 8628810Abstract: The invention provides mozzarella cheese of uniform composition that is readily and inexpensively made by acidifying milk prior to beginning the cheese making process. The cheese has excellent melting properties and can be used on a variety of food products (e.g. pizza). No cooking, stretching and aging of the cheese is needed during production to improve the taste or melting properties of the cheese.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2008Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Cornell UniversityInventors: David M. Barbano, John Dunker
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Patent number: 8628017Abstract: A card for use in secure transactions includes a card body having a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface having a combination of a plurality of symbols disposed thereon. The card body has a plurality of LEDs disposed in connection with the plurality of preprinted symbols, individual ones of LEDs being disposed to identify respective individual ones of the plurality of symbols when illuminated. An LED controller is coupled to the plurality of LEDs and operable upon actuation to selectively illuminate individual ones of the plurality of LEDs to identify a sub-combination of the plurality of symbols, thereby providing an illuminated one-time code for use in a secure transaction.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: X-Card Holdings, LLCInventors: John Kenneth Bona, Rune Petter Domsten, Finn Nielsen
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Patent number: 8628970Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method involving the steps of (a) precipitating an amount of asphaltenes from a liquid sample of a first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock having solvated asphaltenes therein with one or more first solvents in a column; (b) determining one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; (c) analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; and (d) correlating a measurement of feedstock reactivity for the first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock sample with a mathematical parameter derived from the results of analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes. Determined parameters and processabilities for a plurality of feedstocks can be used to generate a mathematical relationship between parameter and processability; this relationship can be used to estimate the processability for hydroprocessing for a feedstock of unknown processability.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2013Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: The University of Wyoming Research CorporationInventors: John F. Schabron, Joseph F. Rovani, Jr.