Patents by Inventor Peter Lai

Peter Lai 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: 20140314527
    Abstract: The invention relates to a discharge method for discharging an at least partially flexible container without contamination, in which method the container (1) is discharged into a base body (10), a liner (20) that encloses a filling opening (11) of the base body (10) being secured to the base body (10). According to the invention, a filling end (21) of the liner (20) is folded inwards such that a receiving region forms for the container (1). The receiving region is sealed in such a manner that a discharge opening formed by means of a knife (15) allows the container (1) to be discharged whilst being completely sealed off to the exterior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Günter Untch, Peter Lais, Martin Koch
  • Publication number: 20140313299
    Abstract: A camera head of a dental camera for detecting caries in an interdental space has an illuminating device for illuminating a tooth adjacent to the interdental space, which includes an infrared light source. The camera head further includes optics which have an image plane and an object plane, wherein an image sensor is located in the image plane, and the object plane divides the space into two half spaces, wherein a first half space contains the optics and is located in front of the object plane, and a second half space is located behind the object plane, both as seen from the optics. The illuminating device and the optics are designed and arranged with respect to one another in such a way that the illuminating device is arranged in the first half space and infrared light exiting the illuminating device is aimed in the direction of the second half space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Dürr Dental AG
    Inventors: Herbert Gebhardt, Peter Lais, Raimund Maier
  • Publication number: 20140302452
    Abstract: A dental camera system for creating an image of an object has a dental camera, which comprises a housing and optics arranged therein together with an image sensor. The dental camera system further comprises an evaluation unit which cooperates with the image sensor to capture the object. To achieve a dental camera system whereof the dental camera performs using optics without movable or controllable optical elements, it is provided for the optics to be plenoptic optics which are designed to determine a 4D light field when capturing the object and for the evaluation unit to be designed to calculate at least one representation of the captured object from the 4D light field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Dürr Dental AG
    Inventors: Alexander Hack, Peter Lais, Raimund Maier, Axel Schramm
  • Patent number: 8777754
    Abstract: A method of providing offers for sales of combinations of virtual items at discounted prices is disclosed. An offer is generated for a sale of a combination of virtual items at a discounted price. The offer for the sale of the combination of virtual items at the discounted price is presented to a user. The presenting suggests to the user that the combination of virtual items is randomly selected from a set of virtual items and the discounted price is randomly selected from a set of discounted prices, the presenting of the offer being performed by a processor. However, in actuality, the combination of virtual items or the discounted price may not be selected randomly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Fabio Santini, Peter Lai
  • Publication number: 20140132622
    Abstract: Architecture that enhances the visual experience of a slide presentation by animating slide content as “actors” in the same background “scene”. This is provided by multi-layered transitions between slides, where a slide is first separated into “layers” (e.g., with a level of transparency). Each layer can then be transitioned independently. All layers are composited together to accomplish the end effect. The layers can comprise one or more content layers, and a background layer. The background layer can further be separated into a background graphics layer and a background fill layer. The transition phase can include a transition effect such as a fade, a wipe, a dissolve effect, and other desired effects. To provide the continuity and uniformity of presentation the content on the same background scene, a transition effect is not applied to the background layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Zhao, Mark Pearson, Peter Lai
  • Patent number: 8665278
    Abstract: Architecture that enhances the visual experience of a slide presentation by animating slide content as “actors” in the same background “scene”. This is provided by multi-layered transitions between slides, where a slide is first separated into “layers” (e.g., with a level of transparency). Each layer can then be transitioned independently. All layers are composited together to accomplish the end effect. The layers can comprise one or more content layers, and a background layer. The background layer can further be separated into a background graphics layer and a background fill layer. The transition phase can include a transition effect such as a fade, a wipe, a dissolve effect, and other desired effects. To provide the continuity and uniformity of presentation the content on the same background scene, a transition effect is not applied to the background layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Zhao, Mark Pearson, Peter Lai
  • Publication number: 20130334813
    Abstract: A system and method for connecting two flexible containers is provided, in particular for the environmentally sealed connecting of two open ends of tubular films. The method has at least the following method steps of: everting a first open end of a first flexible container over a first ring; everting a second open end of a second flexible container over a second ring, subsequently inserting the first ring through the second ring into the inside of the second flexible container; subsequently aligning, in a parallel and coaxial relationship, the rings in relation to one another; and abutting the rings with the ends clamped in between them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Guenter Untch, Peter Lais, Martin Koch
  • Publication number: 20130325367
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dynamically determining a static tip resistance of a dynamically-loaded component having a tip. One example method comprises receiving gauge data from one or more gauges associated with the component proximate the tip. The gauge data may represent measurements related to one or more impacts on the component. The example method may further comprise determining measured data and estimated data corresponding to the one or more impacts on the component based at least in part on the gauge data. Furthermore, the method may comprise performing an inversion to select the estimated data having the least amount of difference in comparison to the measured data. The method may also comprise determining the static tip resistance based at least in part on the selected estimated data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicants: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Michael McVay, Khiem Tat Tran, Rodrigo Herrera, Peter Lai
  • Patent number: 8596316
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling closure for a docking device used for decanting, filling, and/or emptying containers, particularly in an environmentally isolated manner. The coupling closure has a closure side and a container side and comprises a nozzle stub and a cap which is mounted in the nozzle stub so as to be pivotable about an axis and has an external side that faces the closure side in the closed position. The invention further relates to a docking device for decanting, filling, and/or emptying containers, particularly in an environmentally isolated manner. The docking device comprises first and second disclosed coupling closures which can be placed flush against each other by the respective closure sides thereof. The invention also relates to a working platform, a locking unit for a docking device, and a method for decanting, filling, and/or emptying containers, particularly in an environmentally isolated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: GEA Pharma Systems AG
    Inventors: Martin Koch, Peter Lais, Gunter Philipp, Joachim Stoye
  • Patent number: 8596922
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for establishing and securing a foundation in a substrate. For example, in one embodiment, a pump conveys a first fluid (e.g., water) through a pile member to produce an elongate opening in a substrate, which allows the pile member to be advanced into the substrate. After the pile member has been advanced into the elongate opening in the substrate, a second fluid (e.g., fluidized concrete) is conveyed out of openings on the side (and the bottom) of the pile member to substantially secure the pile member in the elongate opening defined in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventors: Michael McVay, Peter Lai, David G. Bloomquist
  • Patent number: 8539995
    Abstract: Coupling locks, attachment modules, and docking devices allow for re-filling, filling and/or emptying of containers in a manner that is insulated against the environment. An attachment module includes a coupling lock and a locking clamp, where the coupling lock includes a pipe nozzle and a closing flap. A first clamping element is located on an outer side of the pipe nozzle to engage with a second clamping element by means of the locking clamp to create a temporary connection. A docking device includes the first coupling lock or the attachment module, and a second coupling lock, complementary to the first coupling lock. When the closing flaps of the first and second coupling locks are brought into contact with each other, they can be pivoted from a closed position, where they lock the transfer channel formed by the pipe nozzles, around a shared axis into an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: GEA Pharma Systems AG
    Inventors: Thomas Marsden Smith, Peter Lais, Martin Koch
  • Patent number: 8539996
    Abstract: A docking device for transferring the contents of, filling, and/or emptying containers comprises first and second coupling latches positioned flush to one another along respective closing sides thereof. A locking unit is configured for locking together pipe nozzles of the first and second coupling latches. The locking unit includes at least one movable first arresting element that is present in a passage that has an opening to an exterior of the second coupling latch, and is configured to interact with a corresponding second arresting element present on an exterior of the pipe nozzle of the second coupling latch. The docking device further comprises a bolt that is movable in a cylinder. The bolt has a first section with a first diameter, a second section with a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, and a third transfer section between the first and second section with a tapering diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: GEA Pharma Systems AG
    Inventors: Peter Lais, Martin Koch
  • Patent number: 8339403
    Abstract: Architecture that enhances the visual experience of a slide presentation by animating slide content as “actors” in the same background “scene”. This is provided by multi-layered transitions between slides, where a slide is first separated into “layers” (e.g., with a level of transparency). Each layer can then be transitioned independently. All layers are composited together to accomplish the end effect. The layers can comprise one or more content layers, and a background layer. The background layer can further be separated into a background graphics layer and a background fill layer. The transition phase can include a transition effect such as a fade, a wipe, a dissolve effect, and other desired effects. To provide the continuity and uniformity of presentation the content on the same background scene, a transition effect is not applied to the background layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Zhao, Mark Pearson, Peter Lai
  • Publication number: 20120281135
    Abstract: A handpiece camera, comprising an illumination device optical elements, and an image converter. A housing is provided with an entrance window, through which an observation light returning from an examination area shines in, which is subsequently conducted to the image converter by the optical elements. The camera has a head part and a handle part, which are detachably connected to one another. The handle part can be adjusted to a wide variety of purposes when combined with different head parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Herbert Gebhardt, Raimund Maier, Peter Lais, Martin Duerrstein, Michael Thoms
  • Publication number: 20120124789
    Abstract: The proposed invention provides a lock system involves a first lock and a second lock each with two profile strips operable for engagement with an at least partially flexible bundle and effective to enable an environmentally-sealed connection of a first bundle with a second bundle in a closed docking position and for an environmentally-sealed guidance of a flow in a flow direction (D) through the lock members from the first bundle into the second bundle in an open docking position. The second bundle provides similar lock members facing toward the first bundle, which lock members in the opened docking position engage the lock members of the first bundle and jointly with the lock members of the first bundle forms a flow channel for flow in the flow direction. Additionally the invention relates to a slider for connecting and separating such locks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: FLECOTEC AG
    Inventors: GUENTER UNTCH, Peter Lais, Martin Koch
  • Patent number: 8166056
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture therefor, are disclosed sharing and searching annotated document collections. In one embodiment, the method may be performed by: transforming a plurality of document identifiers and their associated set of tags into a set of URL/TAG pairs; constructing a bigraph using the set of URL/TAG pairs; using the bigraph to compute tag profiles and document profiles using spreading activation for document identifiers and tags in the set of URL/TAG pairs; for a selected tag or document, identifying a tag profile or a document profile associated with the selected tag or document, respectively; arranging by relevance those tags or documents in the identified tag profile or document profile associated with the selected tag or document, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Lichan Hong, Ed H Chi, Peter Lai
  • Patent number: 7945561
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for joining two or more tables are disclosed. A query including a join query is received, where the join query requests that a new table be generated from data obtained from two or more tables, where the two or more tables are stored at two or more data sources. One or more columns for each of the tables for which data is to be obtained are identified from the query. A query plan to execute the query to obtain data for the identified columns from the two or more tables is then generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Actuate Corporation
    Inventors: Wenfeng Li, Venkateswaran Venkataraman Iyer, Houqiang Yan, Aneesh M. Kulkarni, Peter Lai, Ajibayo O. O. A. Ogunshola
  • Patent number: 7937609
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of disaster recovery in data processing systems and to a recovery system. The invention allows for easy, fast and reliable recovery of a data processing system in a disaster situation. Unmodified backup data is stored to a target data processing system, the hardware of the target data processing system being different from the hardware of the source data processing system, from which the backup data originated. The stored backup data is then adapted to the hardware of the target data processing system by a remote recovery system using previously obtained reference data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bernd Braeker, Peter Lais
  • Publication number: 20110088353
    Abstract: The invention relates to a docking device for transferring the contents of, filling, and/or emptying containers, comprising first and second coupling closures flushly applicable or positioned flush to one another via the respective closing sides thereof. The docking device is equipped with at least one locking unit suitable for locking the pipe socket of the first and second coupling closure, said locking unit comprising at least one movable first locking means present in a passage having an opening to the exterior of the second coupling closure, particularly in the form of a ball, and being suitable to cooperate with a corresponding second locking means present on the exterior of the pipe socket of the second coupling closure. The docking device further comprises a pin movable in a cylinder, said pin comprising a first section having a first diameter and a second section having a second diameter that is less than the diameter of the first section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: GEA PHARMA SYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Peter Lais, Martin Koch
  • Publication number: 20100294396
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a coupling seal for a container flexible at least in sections, for example a bag or a hose, comprising a first and a second longitudinal sealing bead, which in each case are fitted with first and second sealing elements, and a coupler seal, which is provided with a longitudinal bead with adjacent third and fourth sealing elements, which can be connected reversibly, in particular sealed to the environment, with the first or respectively second sealing elements of the first and second sealing beads. Furthermore, the invention relates to a docking device, formed by two inventive coupling seals. At this point, the first and second sealing elements of the first coupling seal engage in each case in complementary first and second sealing elements of the second coupling seal. In addition, the invention relates to a container flexible at least in sections, whereof the opening is fitted with an inventive coupling seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: GEA NIRO GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Koch, Peter Lais