Patents by Inventor Thomas Hofmann

Thomas Hofmann 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).

  • System and method for providing information navigation and filtration
    Patent number: 8429159
    Abstract: A system and method for information navigation and filtration is provided. One or more query terms are received from a user. A preliminary relevance of one or more objects associated with an enterprise system is determined based on the query terms. The preliminary relevance may be propagated between objects. At least one rating is assigned to the one or more objects based on the preliminary relevance. An overall relevance of the one or more objects is established based on the at least one rating. The one or more objects are ranked according to the overall relevance. Data is provided as search results comprised of the one or more objects according to the ranking to the user. The search results may then be filtered based on at least one selected, dynamically generated filter. The filtered search results may be dynamically generated and provided to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Recommind, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Puzicha, Thomas Hofmann
  • Drug and Device Combination System for Flow and Volume Regulated Inhalation and a Method for Treatment of Severe Oral Corticosteroid-Dependent Asthma and Other Respiratory Diseases
    Publication number: 20130037024
    Abstract: A drug and device combination system used in a method for treatment of patients suffering from severe and oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma and other respiratory diseases requiring a treatment with orally administered steroids. The method for administration of the inhalable corticosteroid by a flow rate and volume regulated inhalation. The combination system of the inhalable corticosteroid and the device for regulating flow rate and volume of the inhalable corticosteroid and thus achieving delivery of said inhalable corticosteroid into the small airways of the lungs. The individually programmable device that assures safe and reproducible corticosteroid delivery compliant with treatment protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Bernard Muellinger, Gerhard Scheuch, Thomas Hofmann, Philipp Kroneberg
  • Airbag arrangement for a vehicle occupant restraint system and method for producing an airbag arrangement
    Patent number: 8371608
    Abstract: An air bag arrangement for a vehicle occupant restraint system is provided. The air bag arrangement comprising an air bag package, having an air bag, which can be inflated to protect a vehicle occupant, and an envelope, in which the air bag is vacuum-packed, a gas generator for inflating the air bag, a gas generator support, on which the gas generator is fixed and a mounting element, fastened to the gas generator support, to house the air bag package. The mounting element has fastening means via which it is connected to the air bag package in a positive-locking manner and has multiple partial elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Takata AG
    Inventors: Steffen Weigand, Thomas Hofmann
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING AN INTERACTION BETWEEN A LASER SHAPED AS LINE BEAM AND A FILM DEPOSITED ON A SUBSTRATE
    Publication number: 20120298838
    Abstract: A laser crystallization apparatus and method are disclosed for selectively melting a film such as amorphous silicon that is deposited on a substrate. The apparatus may comprise an optical system for producing stretched laser pulses for use in melting the film. In still another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a system and method are provided for stretching a laser pulse. In another aspect, a system is provided for maintaining a divergence of a pulsed laser beam (stretched or non-stretched) at a location along a beam path within a predetermined range. In another aspect, a system may be provided for maintaining the energy density at a film within a predetermined range during an interaction of the film with a shaped line beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: CYMER, INC.
    Inventors: Palash P. Das, Thomas Hofmann, Jesse D. Davis, Richard L. Sandstrom
  • Flavouring Compositions and Methods for Making Same
    Publication number: 20120288605
    Abstract: Methods for synthesizing traditional balsamic vinegar, conventional balsamic vinegar, and Parmesan cheese flavouring compositions are provided for easily synthesizing these flavourings for use in or with food products for flavour addition, enhancement, and/or substitutes for flavourings typically obtained only after long aging methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Frito-Lay Trading Company GmbH
    Inventors: Eapen George, Stefanie Gesa Gröhnke, Hedda Hillmann, Thomas Hofmann, Peter Schieberle
  • Fixture for aligning an electronic component
    Patent number: 8281483
    Abstract: An align fixture for aligning an electronic component having a receptacle adapted to receive the electronic component, the receptacle having a first abutting section and a second abutting section, the align fixture further having an elastic unit, one of the first abutting section and the second abutting section is flexibly mounted via the elastic unit, and the other one of the first abutting section and the second abutting section is fixedly mounted; the first abutting section and the second abutting section each form a stiff member and are adapted to engage the electronic component, the elastic unit is adapted to exert two force components on one of the first abutting section and the second abutting section, the force components being angled relatively to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Multitest Elektronische Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Hofmann, Johann Poetzinger, Necati Efe Varol
  • VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL
    Publication number: 20120242064
    Abstract: A vehicle steering is provided having a steering wheel skeleton, which is at least partially coated with steering wheel foam and which includes a steering wheel rim and multiple steering wheel spokes, an air bag module, including a module casing and a module cover, the module cover faces a driver of a vehicle when the steering wheel is installed in the vehicle, electrical contact means to trigger a vehicle horn, fastening means designed on the module casing for the floating bearing of the module casing on the steering wheel, and pivoting means, which are designed on the module casing and are arranged spaced apart from the fastening means. The module casing can be pivoted relative to the steering wheel skeleton, and the electrical contact means are closed upon pivoting the module casing. The pivoting means, designed on the module casing, are mounted in the steering wheel foam of the steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Steffen Weigand, Andreas Hans, Thomas Hofmann
  • Systems and methods for implementing an interaction between a laser shaped as line beam and a film deposited on a substrate
    Patent number: 8265109
    Abstract: A laser crystallization apparatus and method are disclosed for selectively melting a film such as amorphous silicon that is deposited on a substrate. The apparatus may comprise an optical system for producing stretched laser pulses for use in melting the film. In still another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a system and method are provided for stretching a laser pulse. In another aspect, a system is provided for maintaining a divergence of a pulsed laser beam (stretched or non-stretched) at a location along a beam path within a predetermined range. In another aspect, a system may be provided for maintaining the energy density at a film within a predetermined range during an interaction of the film with a shaped line beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Cymer, Inc.
    Inventors: Palash P. Das, Thomas Hofmann, Jesse D. Davis, Richard L. Sandstrom
  • Carrier for aligning electronic components with slidably arranged plates
    Patent number: 8230587
    Abstract: A carrier adapted to receive and align multiple electronic components, the carrier having receptacles each being adapted to receive an assigned one of the multiple electronic components, a first plate comprising a plurality of first abutting sections, the first abutting sections form one of boundaries of the respective assigned receptacles, a second plate comprising a plurality of second abutting sections, the second abutting sections form another of the boundaries of the respective assigned receptacles, and the first plate and the second plate are arranged slidably relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Multitest Elektronische Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Hofmann, Johann Poetzinger
  • FUEL INJECTION VALVE FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
    Publication number: 20120180757
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve for an internal combustion engine may include an injector body having a receiving hole for an injector needle. The receiving hole may be implemented as a blind hole and may form an injector ring chamber in the injector shaft and a cone-shaped valve seat at the base thereof, and a blind injector hole at the tip of the valve seat cone, from which at least one injector hole extends. The injector needle may include an at least partially cone-shaped needle tip and may seal off the blind injector hole, and thus the at least one injector hole, from the injector ring chamber. The needle tip may include a needle pilot adapted in contour and extent to the blind injector hole in the valve seat, the pilot protruding into the blind injector hole and thus reducing a compression volume formed between the valve seat and injector hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Wolfgang Gerber, Thomas Hofmann, Uwe Leuteritz
  • Pulmonary surfactant formulations and methods for promoting mucus clearance
    Patent number: 8221772
    Abstract: Methods and compositions to enhance mucus clearance and to treat pulmonary lung disorders such as cystic fibrosis are disclosed. The methods utilize compositions including synthetic pulmonary surfactants having one or more phospholipids and a synthetic polypeptide, administered alone or combined with hyperosmotic agents, to patients in an amount effective to enhance mucus clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Discovery Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Mark. E. Johnson, Robert Segal, Thomas Hofmann, Robert J. Capetola
  • FLAVOUR ACTIVE COMPOSITION
    Publication number: 20120141643
    Abstract: The invention concerns a flavour active composition obtainable by a multi-step reaction comprising a first reaction between an amino compound and a carbonyl compound to obtain a first intermediate reaction mixture, a second reaction with a second amino compound alone or in combination with a carbonyl compound to obtain a second intermediate reaction mixture, further separate reactions with another amino compound alone or in combination with a carbonyl compound to obtain further intermediate reaction mixture, further separate reactions with compounds from other chemical classes such as alcohols, phenolic compounds, epoxydes or organic acids and combinations thereof leading to suitable intermediates, a last reaction comprising a mixture of all the preceding intermediate mixtures alone or in combination with amino and/or carbonyl compounds to obtain the final flavour composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Tomas Davidek, Imre Blank, Thomas Hofmann, Peter Schieberle
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING RELEVANCE OF OBJECTS IN AN ENTERPRISE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120102049
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for establishing relevance of objects in an enterprise system is provided. One or more objects are assigned to content associated with an enterprise system. One or more query terms are received from a user. A preliminary relevance of the one or more objects is determined based on the query terms. Ratings are assigned to the one or more objects based on the preliminary relevance. An overall relevance of the one or more objects is established based on the ratings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Jan Puzicha, Thomas Hofmann
  • PROJECTION HEADLIGHT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20120092884
    Abstract: A projection headlight for motor vehicles has a reflector device, a plurality of light sources, at least one of said light sources assigned to the reflector device. A lens device is arranged in front of the reflector device in the main radiation direction. A cover device in the area of a focal point of the lens device has a cover shaft rotatable across the main radiation direction of the rotating axis main source. The cover shaft is provided with a number of glare edges and/or glare surfaces to adjust light distributors having a number of various cut-off lines. The light sources are arranged on a common light source carrier, the carrier extending substantially perpendicular to the main radiation direction and the carrier being configured to fasten onto a flat side of a heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Reinhard Dikau, William Castéllon, Jörg Sudahl, Axel Röttinger, Martin Wuller, Daniel Süsselbeck, Thomas Hofmann, Bastian Schwarz, Blanke Bjorn, Vikram Gaur, Brigitte Middelberg, Hendrik Rickmeyer, Sonja Seibt, Sven Zehner
  • Targeted Lung Delivery of Citrulline and/or Another Nitric Oxide Precursor and a Method for Treatment of Pulmonary Deficiency of Nitric Oxide in Cystic Fibrosis and Other Pulmonary Diseases
    Publication number: 20120076859
    Abstract: A method of treatment of cystic fibrosis and other pulmonary diseases identified by nitric oxide deficiency, comprising administration of a nebulized solution of citrulline and/or another nitric oxide precursor as an inhalable aerosol or an inhalable dry powder for targeted delivery into conducting and central airways. Citrulline or another nitric oxide precursor is formulated as a composition having predetermined limited volume, salinity, pH and osmolality. The composition is nebulized into an aerosol having a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) between 2 ?m and 6 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: ACTIVAERO GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Hofmann
  • Use of a Glucocorticoid Composition for the Treatment of Severe and Uncontrolled Asthma
    Publication number: 20120040945
    Abstract: Methods, devices and compositions for treatment of severe and uncontrolled asthma are provided by which high amounts of an inhaled corticosteroid are directed to the small airways of the lower lungs. The invention provides for a substantial decrease in the dose of concurrently administered oral corticosteroids. A particular advantage of the invention is the significant reduction in corticosteroid-related adverse effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: ACTIVAERO GMBH RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
    Inventors: Bernard Muellinger, Thomas Hofmann, Gerhard Scheuch, Philipp Kroneberg
  • Airbag arrangement for a vehicle occupant restraint system and method for producing an airbag arrangement
    Publication number: 20120032424
    Abstract: An air bag arrangement for a vehicle occupant restraint system is provided. The air bag arrangement comprising an air bag package, having an air bag, which can be inflated to protect a vehicle occupant, and an envelope, in which the air bag is vacuum-packed, a gas generator for inflating the air bag, a gas generator support, on which the gas generator is fixed and a mounting element, fastened to the gas generator support, to house the air bag package. The mounting element has fastening means via which it is connected to the air bag package in a positive-locking manner and has multiple partial elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Steffen Weigand, Thomas Hofmann
  • System and method for establishing relevance of objects in an enterprise system
    Patent number: 8103678
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for establishing relevance of objects in an enterprise system is provided. One or more objects are assigned to content associated with an enterprise system. One or more query terms are received from a user. A preliminary relevance of the one or more objects is determined based on the query terms. Ratings are assigned to the one or more objects based on the preliminary relevance. An overall relevance of the one or more objects is established based on the ratings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Recommind, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Puzicha, Thomas Hofmann
  • FLAVOURING COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR MAKING SAME
    Publication number: 20110318459
    Abstract: Methods for synthesizing traditional balsamic vinegar, conventional balsamic vinegar, and Parmesan cheese flavouring compositions are provided for easily synthesizing these flavourings for use in or with food products for flavour addition, enhancement, and/or substitutes for flavourings typically obtained only after long aging methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: EAPEN GEORGE, Stefanie Gesa Gröhnke, Hedda Hillmann, Thomas Hofmann, Peter Schieberle
  • METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR DIABETES TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
    Publication number: 20110288014
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing or treating diabetes. The invention in particular discloses compounds according to formula (I) for use in the prevention and treatment of type II or I diabetes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: TUM Technische Universitat Munchen
    Inventors: Thomas Hofmann, Sandra Held, Roman Lang, Veronika Somoza