Patents Issued in March 18, 2008
  • Patent number: 7346342
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that enable a wireless communication device to send a predetermined data object to a destination address for the companion wireless communication device in an active voice call. When an active voice call is in session, a data object is identified such as an image captured by an integrated digital camera. A destination address module obtains the destination address of for the companion wireless communication device and the data object is then sent to the destination address over a data communication channel that is established simultaneously with the active voice call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.
    Inventor: Bilhan Kirbas
  • Patent number: 7346343
    Abstract: A method and system for providing an anonymous call redirection service for wireless service subscribers by implementing service logic within the wireless network to intercept incoming calls for which no calling name or number is available and redirect the calls to an intelligent peripheral device for further processing. In one embodiment, anonymous calls are directed to an intelligent peripheral such as a network-based recording device, which records the caller's name and then repeats or plays this name to the called party, before the call is connected to allow the called party to accept or reject the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Ruth Schaefer Gayde, Wafaa Gobba, Shiyan Hua, Ahmed N. Zaki
  • Patent number: 7346344
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for the relating identity information with wireless configuration information for a wireless device or a wireless network. A trusted system may be used to generate wireless configuration parameters for a wireless network based on identity information. The identity-based wireless configuration information may be stored on the trusted system remote to the wireless network and accessible to the wireless device. The wireless configuration may be migrated from the trusted system to the wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: AOL LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company
    Inventor: Jean-Emmanuel Fontaine
  • Patent number: 7346345
    Abstract: A telecommunications system comprises a first transmitter unit situated at a first, known location; a second transmitter unit situated at a second, unknown location; a first receiving unit at a third, known location arranged to receive signals from the first and second transmitter units; and a second receiving unit at a fourth, known location arranged to receive signals from the first and second transmitter units, wherein the said signals received by the first and second receiving units are usable to ascertain the location of the second transmitter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Ville Ruutu, Jani Moilanen, Maurizio Spirito, Veli-Matti Teittinen
  • Patent number: 7346346
    Abstract: Several testing methods and apparatus for wireless communications, such as a cellular telephone communications, are described. One method for use in troubleshooting a problematic call in a wireless communication system by a computer test station includes the steps of receiving a telephone call from a wireless telephone unit while the wireless telephone unit is simultaneously connected in a call; receiving, during the telephone call, first information which identifies the wireless telephone unit and second information which identifies a wireless switch utilized in the call; sending, during the telephone call, a trace command having the caller ID information to an address associated with the wireless switch; and receiving, in response to sending the trace command, call trace information including information that identifies a plurality of devices of the wireless switch utilized in the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventor: James Mason Lipsit
  • Patent number: 7346347
    Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for providing WLAN (wireless local area network) service through a fixed wireless access communication system. WLAN transceivers are fixed in position at subscriber stations of the fixed wireless access communication system. Each WLAN transceiver defines a coverage area. Through appropriate positioning of the WLAN transceivers at the subscriber stations, overlapping coverage areas are formable and between which handovers of communications with a mobile station are effectuated when a mobile station travels out of one coverage area and into another coverage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Raze Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul F. Struhsaker
  • Patent number: 7346348
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing improved wireless services in a GPRS network operating in network operation mode 1. In an embodiment of the present invention, a MS attempts a combined attach. If the combined attach is not accepted by the network, the MS repeats the attempt. If the combined attach is not accepted by the end of the second attempt, the MS attempts to gain access only to GSM services. Once the MS gains access to the GSM services, the MS may attempt the combined attach while connected to GSM network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II, LLC
    Inventors: Daryl Gazzard, John Carvalho
  • Patent number: 7346349
    Abstract: This invention addresses the problem of latency of response regarding information relying on an IMEISV from a CN. This is possible by defining the early RRC connection bits' indication to determine the supported signalling schemes and providing the IMEISV information from the terminal to the network. After this point the CN is able providing this mapping information to the radio access network before actual radio links are utilized. The idea here is for early RRC message information to be used for indicating what version of bitmap correction terminal capabilities refers to and what procedures can be utilized while waiting for this bit map information from the CN. Using this approach the length of the early RRC message can be kept short, the content of corrections can be well defined saving signalling bits, and the concern of a fast available indication on the connection set-up phase can still be addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jussi Numminen, Antti Toskala, Hannu Pirila, Gairn Kalla
  • Patent number: 7346350
    Abstract: A communication device locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency or frequency band search schedule. Initially, the communication device registers with a less preferred service provider in a first frequency. While remaining registered with the less preferred service provider, the device examines several frequencies in the order specified by the frequency search schedule. The device determines whether the last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider. If the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, the device examines each of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order in the search schedule. The examination continues until another frequency band having a more preferred service provider is located. The communication device then registers with the more preferred service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Bamburak, John J. Daly, Christopher G. Lawrence, Michael E. Prise, Michael A. Raffel
  • Patent number: 7346351
    Abstract: A mobile communication system and a method of processing a handoff for the same is disclosed. A gateway control station performs matching of two system regions for a handoff process between the two system regions, and matches gateway base stations. The gateway base station uses respective primary frequencies among frequencies used in terminal base stations of the two systems which are located in a boundary region between the two system regions as common used frequencies, and controls a handoff cell which is defined as at least a portion of two cell sectors that belong to the two base stations and which uses the two common frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yeong Jong Shin
  • Patent number: 7346352
    Abstract: A method of coordinating broadcast parameter settings enables autonomous soft handoff by a mobile station. Any base station can initiate a broadcast parameter coordination process. The initiating base station assumes the role of an arbitrator and is responsible for determining the broadcast parameters. The broadcast parameter coordination process does not require any intervention or involvement by the PDSN or any signaling with the mobile station, except to inform the mobile station of the soft handoff sectors after the broadcast parameter coordination process is completed. The list of soft handoff sectors may be sent to the mobile station in a common overhead message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Erik Colban, Srinivasan Balasubramanian, Irfan Khan
  • Patent number: 7346353
    Abstract: In a mobile telecommunications system comprising a network of a plurality of cells and at least one user equipment device, the user equipment is arranged, when the user equipment re-configures itself to enter a new state or performs cell reselection, to read broadcast system information and, when the broadcast system information indicates a change in system information, to update the system information of the user equipment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: Andrew John Farnsworth, Gideon Roberts
  • Patent number: 7346354
    Abstract: A method and system for dynamic soft handoff resource allocation in a wireless communications network includes determining a wireless path characteristic individually for each path of a macro diversity connection between a mobile device and a plurality of wireless sites. Wireless resources are allocated for the macro diversity connection between the mobile device and the wireless sites based on the wireless path characteristic. The wireless path characteristic includes a location-based characteristic, a congestion-based characteristic, a subscriber-based characteristic and/or a performance-based characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Achal R. Patel
  • Patent number: 7346355
    Abstract: A method for data transmission rate adaptation for Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA). The method includes A) providing a plurality of parameters, including: a maximum allowable transmission power, a minimum allowable transmission power, an increasing parameter and a decreasing parameter; B) receiving a signal; C) collecting a power excess parameter and a power deficient parameter in accordance to a transmission power control command controlling the signal's transmission power; D) determining whether the power deficient parameter is larger than the increasing parameter or not? If yes, increase the throughput, and then goes to step G, otherwise, goes to step E; E) determining whether the power excess parameter is larger than the decreasing parameter or not? If yes, reduce the throughput, and then goes to step G, otherwise, goes to step F; F) maintaining the throughput, goes to step G; G) end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventors: Li-Chun Wang, Wei-Jen Chen, Fu-Yen Kuo
  • Patent number: 7346356
    Abstract: A technique is used in a wideband wireless communication system (100). In some embodiments available channels are determined (310) and one is selected (315) for assignment to each of a set of communication units based on a relative frequency path loss for each available channel. In some embodiments a communication unit is assigned (505) a channel selected from among available channels and a relative signal loss parameter of the communication unit, such as transmit power, is adjusted (510), based on a relative frequency path loss determined from the channel frequency of the assigned channel. In other embodiments, transmit information is split (705) into a plurality of data streams, each characterized by an associated relative signaling sensitivity, and each data stream is assigned (715) to one of a plurality of the transmit channels, wherein data streams are assigned channels of decreasing channel frequencies in order of decreasing associated relative signaling sensitivities of the data streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Shahriar Emami, Celestino A. Corral, Gregg E. Rasor, Salvador Sibecas, Glafkos Stratis
  • Patent number: 7346357
    Abstract: A frequency planning method for use in an IEEE 802.11 wireless network is described. The frequency planning method obtains traffic load information associated with access points belonging to a multi-cell wireless network and assigns channels to the access points based on the traffic load information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Byoung-Jo J. Kim, Kin K Leung
  • Patent number: 7346358
    Abstract: A network may determine the location of network nodes and tracked assets and make location-based decisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen R. Wood, Christopher B. Rogers
  • Patent number: 7346359
    Abstract: The invention provides a novel method for preparing a wireless environment for location determination of a wireless mobile unit, and for location determination of a wireless mobile unit. In preparing the physical environment, the invention utilizes novel techniques, including novel techniques to place transmitters, the removal of outlying data in the creation of reference RF fingerprints, and algorithms to obtain accurate reference RF fingerprints. In determining the location of a wireless mobile unit, the invention utilizes novel techniques, including novel techniques to select transmitters, the removal of outlying data in the creation of reference RF fingerprints, and algorithms to obtain accurate reference RF fingerprints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Pango Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Chanakya Damarla, James Ivers, Mark Pollard, Andrew J. Kompanek, Brian H. Trammell
  • Patent number: 7346360
    Abstract: A system for locating a device in a wireless network that caches a known location and sets an expiration time based on the location. The system correlates the location with known places, such as movie theaters, restaurants, etc. to set the expiration time. For example, if a device was known to be at a movie theater, the expiration time would be set to a longer period of time. However, if the device was determined to be in a moving location, the expiration time would be set to a shorter period of time. The system also includes a mechanism to query the cached location based on a current time of the query and a granularity variable the accounts for a geographic area in which the device is located. The system also accounts for special locations where the mobile device will likely not be moving for long periods of time, or locations where the mobile device may move great distances between determinations of actual location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clinton Mikan, Justin McNamara, Fulvio Cenciarelli
  • Patent number: 7346361
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation modes of a medium access control layer by a mobile subscriber station in a broadband wireless access communication system including the mobile subscriber station and a serving base station providing service to the mobile subscriber station is provided. The method includes the steps of: mode-transiting into an idle mode when there is no data transmission between the serving base station and the mobile subscriber station during a predetermined first time interval in an awake mode; detecting movement of the mobile subscriber station in the idle mode into another paging zone covering a target base station, which is different from a paging zone covering the serving base station; and mode-transiting into the awake mode and performing location update together with the target base station when the movement of the mobile subscriber station is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hyon-Goo Kang, Bong-Gee Song, Kwang-Seop Eom, Seung-Eun Hong, Yeong-Moon Son, So-Hyun Kim, Seung-Il Yoon, Tae-Won Kim, Gaun-Hwi Lim, Jung-Shin Park, Jae-Jeong Shim, Hong-Sung Chang, Yong Chang
  • Patent number: 7346362
    Abstract: The method of the invention for sending a message batch download in a telecommunication network comprising a sender entity, one or more receiver entities, and intermediate entities there between, is mainly characterized by creating a test message and sending the test message to each receiver, receiving an acknowledgement in case of a successful delivery of the test message sent, creating the real message to be sent to said receiver(s) and submitting the real message in batches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Smarttrust AB
    Inventor: Jonas Haggard
  • Patent number: 7346363
    Abstract: A radio protocol entity sharing apparatus and method are provided. Different cells share a second-layer protocol entity to use the same channel parameter values and the same protocol parameter values, thereby reducing a delay resulting from reestablishing a radio bearer in the event of a handover, minimizing data loss during handover, conserving network resources, and enhancing reception performance via soft combining. The method includes steps of receiving, in a mobile station, a first parameter value and a first parameter value indicator; establishing a channel using the first parameter value and the first parameter value indicator; receiving, in the mobile station, a second parameter value indicator; and maintaining the established channel if the first parameter value indicator is identical to the second parameter value indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Dae Lee, Seung June Yi, Sung Duck Chun
  • Patent number: 7346364
    Abstract: Transmit parameters are adjusted for a wireless device based on link margin. In at least one embodiment, link margin is calculated as a difference between a received power level and receiver sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Chih C. Tsien, Jiewen Liu
  • Patent number: 7346365
    Abstract: A smart antenna apparatus including a receiving system, one or more beam analysis modules, a control channel monitoring module, a processing system, and a receiving beam switch is provided. The receiving system is operable to receive a plurality of uplink beams, each including traffic signals transmitted by a mobile station. The beam analysis modules are operable to analyze the uplink beams to determine one or more characteristics of each uplink beam. The control channel monitoring module is operable to monitor control channel signals being communicated from a base station transceiver. The control channel signals include synchronization signals. The processing system is operable to synchronize the smart antenna apparatus with the base station transceiver using the synchronization signals received by the control channel monitoring module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Faulkner Interstices LLC
    Inventors: Omri Hovers, Shahar Kagan
  • Patent number: 7346366
    Abstract: Mobile phone including a main body for fitting various operative components, a battery pack detachably fitted to the main body for supplying power, and a hook device at a side of the battery pack for decoupling the battery pack from the main body by pushing the hook device, thereby permitting an easy decoupling of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Won Park
  • Patent number: 7346367
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus has a communicating function and a privacy mode that prohibits access to and display of data and/or folders with respect to which a secret setting has been made. A storage part stores first contents, and second contents of the data and/or the folders with respect to which the secret setting has been made. A display part displays a standby screen, a call/receive screen or an electronic mail send/receive screen. A control part switches contents of a screen to be displayed by displaying the first contents in place of the second contents during the privacy mode, if the second contents are set in the standby screen, the call/receive screen or the electronic mail send/receive screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kyoko Nishinaga, Ken Hayashida
  • Patent number: 7346368
    Abstract: Various embodiments are described for data communication between a host device and a mobile communication device having two processors. In a first mode of operation, data communication occurs between the host device and a main processor of the mobile device. In a second mode of operation, data communication occurs between the host device and a communications processor of the mobile device. Some of the embodiments also implement power transfer from the host device to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Edwin Llanos, Ming Jian, Stewart Morris, Runbo Fu
  • Patent number: 7346369
    Abstract: Independent radio communication devices can share network information directly with each other in the local area using an independent wireless link. This network information encompasses synchronisation information, interference, network configuration, neighbour cell list, paging requests, etc., and can be relevant to multiple networks, frequency carriers and/or air interface modes. Sharing the information reduces the processing requirement, the power consumption, and the bandwidth consumption of devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Michael Philip Fitton, Jonathan David Lewis
  • Patent number: 7346370
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to facilitating communications and interoperability between/among applications and services. Such applications and services may be running on or associated with disparate platforms. The apparatus of the present invention provides for a message set that can be used by services to advertise available services, and by applications to identify desired services. According to certain embodiments, applications may subscribe to available services. In a further aspect of some embodiments, applications executable on and services available from disparate platforms are not required by themselves to support communications between/among the platforms. Instead, such support may be obtained from facilities that are provided as part of the platform itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Cellport Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Spaur, Axel Fuchs, Patrick J. Kennedy, Mike Lewellen, Jay Plucienkowski
  • Patent number: 7346371
    Abstract: A portable terminal device includes a first body having an operation section on a main surface thereof, a second body having a display section on a main surface thereof, a connection device for connecting the first body and the second body so that the portable terminal device is openable and closable, a memory storage section having an opening section openable to another main surface of the second body, a lid for opening and closing the opening section and retaining a removable memory in the memory storage section, wherein the operation section is covered by the second body when the portable terminal device is in a closed state, and is exposed to the outside when the portable terminal device is in an open state, and the display section is exposed to the outside in either the closed or opened state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Ken Tomatsu
  • Patent number: 7346372
    Abstract: A radio communication system for leveling off the processing loads of radio stations (access points) to which mobile terminals are connected, to improve the quality of service in radio communication. A mobile terminal searches for a beacon signal and transmits a connection request to a radio station which has sent the beacon signal captured. In the access point, a beacon-signal transmission section transmits the beacon signal, a connection-count management section manages, according to a connection-completion message, a local-station connection count and an other-station connection count, and a connection processing section receives the connection request, performs comparison processing for the local-station connection count and the other-station connection count, applies, when the local-station connection count is smaller than the other-station connection count, connection processing to the mobile terminal and generates a connection-completion message when a connection to the mobile terminal is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yuuji Nagano, Kiyohide Yamashita, Yuji Nomura
  • Patent number: 7346373
    Abstract: A device for organizing a menu in a mobile communication terminal. The device comprises a control unit for dynamically generating and deleting a plurality of menu planes according to a user's setting, each plane including at least one menu item; a control unit for providing a mechanism of multi-dimensional navigation between the generated menu planes; and a display unit for receiving the menu planes from the control unit and displaying the received menu planes under control of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jae-Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 7346374
    Abstract: A system for communicating information is described. The system comprises a radio frequency (RF) transceiver coupled to a vehicle. The transceiver is configured to communicate with a personal digital assistant (PDA) located external to the transceiver using wireless RF signals to transmit information between the transceiver and the PDA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra, Robert F. Buege
  • Patent number: 7346375
    Abstract: A biaxial hinge having a rotating mechanism that realizes durability, a good tactile feedback, smaller size and more lightweight is provided for use in a notebook computer or a portable telephone that needs to be smaller and more lightweight. The biaxial hinge is constituted such that a rotating shaft support member is fixed to a rotational shaft support member, a rotation-side member is inserted and attached to the outer periphery of the rotating shaft member, and an opening/closing torque unit mechanism for opening and closing operations is disposed at the rotation-side member, wherein sliding friction torque and click torque are generated by the load produced by a coil spring between pressing members and the rotating shaft support member or a sliding member attached to the rotating shaft member. The rotating mechanism of the biaxial hinge of the present invention affords good durability, a good tactile feedback, and a reduction in size and weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Steel Mfg. Co., Ltd., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Sato, Yasuhiro Mitsui, Sakae Higano, Satoshi Kosugi, Katsumasa Yamaguchi, Kenichi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7346376
    Abstract: A plurality of operation portions are arranged at a surface on a sub-display side of a cellular phone with a camera so that various kinds of setting, selection and control can be performed without opening the cellular phone in its folded state, and the cellular phone can achieve improved operability and convenience. Cellular phone includes a first display portion at a surface of a first body opposed to a second body in the folded state, and includes a second display portion, an image taking portion and a plurality of operation portions arranged at a rear surface of the first body remote from the first display portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Hamamura, Yoshitaka Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7346377
    Abstract: To provide a folding mechanism capable of securely holding its opened and closed positions and an electronic apparatus employing the same. The folding mechanism is constructed by disposing outer circumferential fixed cam on the outer circumferential side and inner circumferential fixed cam on the inner circumferential side of a side surface of fixed member and, further, disposing outer circumferential movable cam on the outer circumferential side and inner circumferential movable cam on the inner circumferential side of a side face of movable member in confronting relation with the fixed cams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Sakai, Masaki Nakase, Yasuchika Kudo, Takehiko Konja
  • Patent number: 7346378
    Abstract: A living tissue light transmission simulator system (208, 308) includes receptors of light (215, 216, 315, 316) in portions of the infrared and red spectral bands and the receptors (215, 216, 315, 316), together with amplification (217, 218, 317, 318), infrared detection (239, 371), spectral separation circuitry (219, 319), and post-separation amplification (220, 221, 338, 339, 340, 320, 321), that may be used to drive at least one light source (222, 223, 322, 361). The living tissue light transmission simulator system (208, 308) includes at least one shutter (225, 235, 324, 363, 450) to mechanically modulate generated light from the at least one driven light source (222, 223, 322, 361) where the modulated light may be directed to a pulse oximeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Pronk Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Karl A. Ruiter
  • Patent number: 7346379
    Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween. The tube is preferably comprised of multiple sections of different flexibility, arranged so that the flexibility of the catheter increases from the proximal end to the distal end. There is a first generally hollow electrode member at the distal end. At least one magnetically responsive element is disposed at least partially in the hollow electrode, for orienting the distal end of the catheter with an externally applied magnetic field. Multiple magnets can be distributed over the distal portion of the device. The end electrode can have openings for delivering irrigating fluid, and/or a sleeve can be provided around the tube to create an annular space for the delivering of irrigating fluid. A temperature sensor can be provided to control the operation of the catheter. A localization coil can also be included to sense the position and orientation of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Stereotaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Eng, Raju R. Viswanathan, Peter R. Werp, Ilker Tunay, Ashwini K. Pandey, Gareth T. Munger
  • Patent number: 7346380
    Abstract: An electrode providing electrical contact with a patient's skin includes a conductive member adapted for connection to an external electrical apparatus and a non-liquid film for electrically interfacing to said patient's skin, the liquid film being electrically and mechanically connected to said conductive member. The non-liquid film includes an electrically conductive organic polymer plasticized with a polyhydric alcohol with said organic polymer being derived from a monomeric mixture comprising from about 15 to 30 pph acrylic acid, 0.5 to 30 pph N-vinylpyrrolidone and 0.01 to 2 pph of a crosslinking agent. The monomeric mixture may further comprise from about 0.5 to 8 pph of a thickening agent selected from the group consisting of N-vinylpyrrolidone/acrylic acid copolymers, N-vinylpyrrolidone/vinylacetate copolymers, and N-vinylpyrrolidone/vinylimidazole copolymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Axelgaard Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jens Axelgaard, James J. Perrault
  • Patent number: 7346381
    Abstract: An imaging system for use in medical intervention procedure planning includes a medical scanner system for generating a volume of cardiac image data, a data acquisition system for acquiring the volume of cardiac image data, an image generation system for generating a viewable image from the volume of cardiac image data, a database for storing information from the data acquisition and image generation systems, an operator interface system for managing the medical scanner system, the data acquisition system, the image generation system, and the database, and a post-processing system for analyzing the volume of cardiac image data, displaying the viewable image and being responsive to the operator interface system. The operator interface system includes instructions for using the volume of cardiac image data and the viewable image for bi-ventricular pacing planning, atrial fibrillation procedure planning, or atrial flutter procedure planning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignees: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Darin R. Okerlund, Shankara B. Reddy, Jasbir S. Sra
  • Patent number: 7346382
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, brain stimulation models, systems, devices, and methods, such as for deep brain stimulation (DBS) or other electrical stimulation. A model computes a volume of influence region for a simulated electrical stimulation using certain stimulation parameters, such as amplitude, pulsewidth, frequency, pulse morphology, electrode contact selection or location, return path electrode selection, pulse polarity, etc. The model uses a non-uniform tissue conductivity. This accurately represents brain tissue, which has highly directionally conductive neuron pathways yielding a non-homogeneous and anisotropic tissue medium. In one example, the non-uniform tissue conductivity is obtained from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data. In one example, a second difference of an electric potential distribution is used to define a volume of activation (VOA) or similar volume of influence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventors: Cameron C. McIntyre, Christopher R. Butson, John D. Hall, Jaimie M. Henderson
  • Patent number: 7346383
    Abstract: MRA data is acquired from a large region of interest by translating the patient through the bore of the MRI system as a three-dimensional MRA data set are acquired. The pulse sequence is altered during the scan to change the lateral FOVL of the acquired image to better match the size of the region of interest along its length. Patient table movement is controlled to track a bolus of contrast agent as it passes through the region of interest. A seamless image of the entire region of interest is reconstructed after the acquired data is resampled in regions where the lateral FOVL is altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Stephen J. Riederer, Houchun H. Hu, David G. Kruger
  • Patent number: 7346384
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of a sample, said method comprising: a) administering a hyperpolarised MR contrast agent comprising non-zero nuclear spin nuclei into said sample for fluid dynamic investigations of the vasculature, b) exposing said sample or part of the sample to radiation of a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions in said non-zero nuclear spin nuclei, c) detecting MR signals from said sample using any suitable manipulation method including pulse sequences. The invention also provides novel compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: GE Healthcare AS
    Inventors: Stefan Petersson, Oskar Axelsson, Haukur Johanneson
  • Patent number: 7346385
    Abstract: A method for determining the best entry point for a percutaneous procedure, such as with a biopsy needle, comprises selecting first and second arbitrary entry points on a patient; determining the three dimensional (3-D) orientation of the needle at the first arbitrary entry point for pointing the needle at the primary target; determining the 3-D orientation of the needle at the first arbitrary entry point for pointing the needle at the secondary target; determining the 3-D dimensional orientation of the needle at the second arbitrary entry point for pointing the needle at the primary target; determining the 3-D orientation of the needle at the second arbitrary entry point for pointing the needle at the secondary target; determining a 3-D line representing the intersection of a first plane containing the first arbitrary entry point, the primary target point, and the secondary target point, and a second plane containing the second arbitrary entry point, the primary target, and the secondary target point, whereb
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Corporate Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Benedicte Bascle, Nassir Navab, Bernhard Geiger
  • Patent number: 7346386
    Abstract: Body temperature measurements are obtained by scanning a thermal radiation sensor across the side of the forehead over the temporal artery. A peak temperature measurement is processed to compute an internal temperature of the body as a function of ambient temperature and the sensed surface temperature. The function includes a weighted difference of surface temperature and ambient temperature, the weighting being varied with target temperature through a minimum in the range of 96° F. and 100° F. The radiation sensor views the target surface through an emissivity compensating cup which is spaced from the skin by a circular lip of low thermal conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Exergen Corporation
    Inventor: Francesco Pompei
  • Patent number: 7346387
    Abstract: A method for the imaging of a particular volume of plant or animal tissue, wherein the plant or animal tissue contains at least one photo-active molecular agent. The method comprises the steps of treating the particular volume of the plant or animal tissue with light sufficient to promote a simultaneous two-photon excitation of the photo-active molecular agent contained in the particular volume of the plant or animal tissue, photo-activating at least one of the at least one photo-active molecular agent in the particular volume of the plant or animal tissue, thereby producing at least one photo-activated molecular agent, wherein the at least one photo-activated molecular agent emits energy, detecting the energy emitted by the at least one photo-activated molecular agent, and producing a detected energy signal which is characteristic of the particular volume of plant or animal tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Provectus Devicetech, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Wachter, Walter G. Fisher, H. Craig Dees
  • Patent number: 7346388
    Abstract: An implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) executes a rate accuracy enhancement algorithm to select measured atrial and ventricular intervals for classifying a detected tachycardia based on average atrial and ventricular rates calculated from the selected atrial and ventricular intervals. The detected tachycardia is classified as ventricular tachycardia (VT) if the average ventricular rate is substantially higher than the average atrial rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Bijan Elahi, Joseph M. Bocek, Jaeho Kim
  • Patent number: 7346389
    Abstract: A contact lens with a conductive outer shell (one electrode of a two-electrode electrophoresis device) and a preferably soft, preferably disposable contact lens for contacting a patient's eye, assists in delivering dilation drops or other medicaments to a patient's eye. Advantageously, the lens is used with a relatively small hand-held power source. Electrophoresis can be used to help deliver dilation drops more rapidly, regardless of the delivery apparatus used for the electrophoresis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: David A. Newsome
  • Patent number: 7346390
    Abstract: An electro-acupuncture based appetite suppression device comprises a headset, having integrated therein a plurality of electrodes, for delivering to the tragus region of a user a mild electrical stimulus generated within a portable controller. The headset is in electrical communication with the controller through a conventional flexible cord provided with a plug. The controller comprises output circuits for delivering a 24 volt output and either a waveform generating circuit or a waveform conditioning circuit or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Davis M. Tumey
  • Patent number: 7346391
    Abstract: A cerebral and/or interface system has a housing mechanism configured to be at least partially spaced in a cavity formed in the subject's skull; an attaching mechanism for attaching the housing mechanism to the subject's skull; a sealing mechanism for providing a fluid-tight seal between the housing mechanism and the subject's skull; a control mechanism spaced within the housing mechanism; a communication mechanism with one or more sensors embedded in the subject's brain connecting the control mechanism to the subject's brain; and a power source spaced within the housing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Flint Hills Scientific LLC
    Inventors: Ivan Osorio, Mark G. Frei