Patents Issued in September 6, 2011
  • Patent number: 8011552
    Abstract: A surgical fastener applying apparatus including an anvil half-section having a distal end and a longitudinal axis; a cartridge receiving half-section having a distal end and operatively couplable with the anvil half-section such that the distal ends of the half-sections are in juxtaposed relation; and a deflection control system operatively engaged with and reinforcing the distal end of the anvil half-section when a force is applied to the distal end of the anvil half-section in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: David Ivanko
  • Patent number: 8011553
    Abstract: A surgical device is described herein that can be used to fire different types and sizes of disposable loading units. In a preferred embodiment, the device applies parallel rows of surgical fasteners to body tissue and concomitantly forms an incision between the rows of staples during an endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedure. The device can be utilized with disposable loading units configured to apply linear rows of staples measuring from about 15 mm in length to about 60 mm in length and can be used to fire disposable loading units containing surgical clips and individual staples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventors: Dominick L. Mastri, Frank J. Viola, Thomas W. Alesi, Jr., Robert J. Geiste, Jon Wilson
  • Patent number: 8011554
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device including a handle assembly, a body portion, and a head portion is disclosed. The handle assembly includes a firing trigger. The body portion extends distally from the handle assembly. The head portion includes an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. The shell assembly includes a pusher and an inner guide portion. The pusher includes at least one slot therein and is movable in relation to the anvil assembly between retracted and extended positions. The inner guide portion is disposed adjacent at least a portion of the pusher and includes a raised boss extending therefrom. The raised boss is configured to shroud the slot in the pusher when the pusher is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group, LP
    Inventor: Keith L. Milliman
  • Patent number: 8011555
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a cartridge assembly defining a tissue contacting surface and a longitudinally extending elongate slot; an anvil assembly defining a tissue contacting surface and a longitudinally extending elongate slot; a surgical buttress releasably secured to at least one of the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly by at least one anchor; a central knife blade slidably disposable in the longitudinal extending elongate slot of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly; and a knife blade supported in a distal end portion of at least one of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly, wherein the distal knife blade is actuatable by the central knife blade upon an actuation of the central knife blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Danyel Tarinelli, Ernie Aranyi, Richard Simpson, Sachin Shah
  • Patent number: 8011556
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (100) for the connecting of strips to an endless strip with a clamping arrangement (110, 120) with a clamping device (110-r, 120-r) on the inlet side and a clamping device (110-l, 120-l) on the outlet side, a cutting arrangement (155) with an upper cutter (150) and a lower cutter (130) and with a joining arrangement, in which at least the clamping device (110-r, 120-r) on the inlet side and/or the clamping device (110-l, 120-l) on the outlet side is constructed as a premountable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Holger Behrens, Robert Berg, Lutz Küemmel, Manuel Bendler, Ralf-Hartmut Sohl, Peter De Kock, Michael Tomzig
  • Patent number: 8011557
    Abstract: An automatic soldering machine for soldering wires, each exposing at least one core wire and electronic components with at least one soldering portion respectively is disclosed. The automatic soldering machine comprises an equipment, a delivery mechanism, a plurality of clamps, a feeding mechanism, an insulation removing mechanism, a soldering mechanism, an unloading mechanism and a programmable control system. The delivery mechanism delivers the wires. The clamps locate the wires. The feeding mechanism conveys the electronic components. The insulation removing mechanism cuts the core wires and strips insulations at tops of the core wires. The soldering mechanism solders the core wires and the soldering portions of the electronic components. The unloading mechanism separates the soldered electronic components and core wires off from the clamps. The programmable control system is connect to the aforesaid mechanisms and controls thereof with high production efficacy and stable production quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shao-bo Zhang, Sung-lin Chen, Xiao-lin Wu
  • Patent number: 8011558
    Abstract: A robotic welding system and method includes multiple welding cells equidistantly spaced in a circular arrangement, multiple perimeter light curtains to provide safety protection around the welding cells, a turntable centrally located in the circular arrangement, and multiple welding robots attached to the turntable. The welding system and method further includes a first welding process and a second welding process whereby both the first welding process and the second welding process each include a primary welding operation and a secondary welding operation whereby the turntable rotates between the welding cells to perform the primary and secondary welding operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: George Charbel, Yoshinori Ishihata, Julia Zoldak
  • Patent number: 8011559
    Abstract: A method for controlling welding forces of a weld tip to a work piece during a vibration-welding process includes positioning an Active Material (AM) element adjacently to a welding interface, and varying a property of the AM element to regulate the welding force. The AM element may be disposed between the weld tip and a weld face thereof, or between the work piece and an anvil. The property may be varied as a function of heat generated by the welding process. A property of each of a plurality of AM elements may be independently and selectively varied via an energy source, or passively. A vibration welding system includes a weld tip and an AM element connected adjacently to a welding interface. The system regulates a welding force applied by the weld tip to a work piece during the welding process by varying a property of the AM element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Wayne W. Cai, Xiujie Gao, Nancy L. Johnson, Alan L. Browne
  • Patent number: 8011560
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and improved method of friction stir spot welding that assures a predetermined bottom thickness and a reduction in variation in a series of resultant spot welds. The advantage of the present invention lies in that the plunge distance is controlled from the top plane of the anvil against which the bottom thickness is specified, and systematically adjusted to account for changing system parameters, such as, but not limited to, deflection and thermal expansion of the weld gun. The present invention also provides for improved and controlled weld quality through implementation of a dwell operation or dwell operations, whereby weld heat input is manipulated by causing the weld tool to dwell in a dwell region or at a desired depth or depths within the workpiece(s) for a predetermined time interval to achieve desired mechanical properties of the resultant weld joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yen-Lung Chen, Mark T. Hall, Robert L. Totten, Robert T. Szymanski, Xiaohong Q Gayden, Gregory A. Fischer
  • Patent number: 8011561
    Abstract: A method of mounting electronic components on a PCB, includes following steps. The PCB is placed with a first side of the PCB facing upwards. A plurality of solder is applied on bonding pads of the first side. A plurality of electronic components is stuck on the bonding pads of the first side. The PCB is turned over with a second side of the PCB facing upwards and the first side of the PCB facing downwards. A plurality of solder is applied on bonding pads of the second side. A plurality of electronic components is stuck on the bonding pads of the second side. The PCB is placed in a reflow oven to weld the electronic components on the first side and the second side of the PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji Ma, Li-Bing Lu, Hui Luo, Qi Huang
  • Patent number: 8011562
    Abstract: A tin or solder alloy film is formed by ejecting molten tin liquid or molten solder alloy liquid in a jet state onto a copper surface of an electronic component. The overflowing molten tin or molten solder alloy liquid is transported to a stirrer. Then, cuprate and the like mixed in the overflowing molten tin or molten solder alloy liquid are taken in to the organic fatty acid solution by fiercely stirring and mixing the molten tin or molten solder alloy liquid in contact with a solution at a temperature of 180 to 350° C. containing 1 to 80 weight % of organic fatty acid having 12 to 20 carbon number that circulates in the stirrer to purify the overflowing molten tin or molten solder alloy liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Nippon Joint Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisao Ishikawa, Masanori Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8011563
    Abstract: A mold fill head includes a solder delivery head and an interface portion having a compliant portion secured to the solder delivery head and a dispensing region associated with the compliant portion. The dispensing region is formed with at least one aperture configured to interface with cavities in a mold plate, the at least one aperture being in fluid communication with the solder delivery head. The compliant portion is configured and dimensioned to urge the dispensing region against the mold plate when held a predetermined distance therefrom and to substantially tolerate variations in flatness of the mold plate, variations in the predetermined distance, and/or variations in an angular orientation of the interface portion and the mold plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Russell A. Budd, Evan G. Colgan, Peter A. Gruber, Gareth G. Hougham, John P. Karidis
  • Patent number: 8011564
    Abstract: A carton having a dispensing opening. The carton can be formed from a paperboard blank so it has six corners and two corner panels and has perforations formed therein to provide an easy opening feature for dispensing product. In addition, the formed carton has improved stacking strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corrugated LLC
    Inventor: Chester Garner
  • Patent number: 8011565
    Abstract: A multi-sided container comprising a bottom wall, a top wall, opposite side walls, opposite end walls, a longitudinal axis and a plurality of diagonal corner walls all are cooperating with one another to form an interior space. At least one of the plurality of diagonal corner walls defined by at least one diagonal corner panel and at least one reinforcement flap overlapping one another and wherein a portion of the bottom wall projects under and beyond a bottom edge of the at least one diagonal corner wall. The at least one reinforcement flap extends from longitudinal ends of the respective opposite side walls. At least one end flap extends from long side of the reinforcement flap and the at least one end flap projects beyond an entire surface of the at least one diagonal corner wall terminating its edge at the end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: International Paper Co.
    Inventors: Benjamin W Quaintance, Michael A Churvis
  • Patent number: 8011566
    Abstract: A hinged lid structure is provided that is configured for attachment to a paperboard receptacle. The lid structure includes a tamper evident shield structure that requires breaking at least a portion of the shield structure away to effect exposure of a portion of the lid structure to a user to effect opening of the lid structure. The lid structure also includes a plurality of peripherally spaced apart webs for providing structural rigidity to the lid structure and therefore additional strength the upper open end of the receptacle it is attached to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Huhtamaki, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Robertson, Michael Liming
  • Patent number: 8011567
    Abstract: Cartons have dispenser sections that when opened, allow easy access to containers or other articles stored within the carton. The cartons can be configured to allow placement on a door shelf or other shelf within a refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick James DeBusk, Raymond Rudolph Spivey, Sr., Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 8011568
    Abstract: A board tray, a method for manufacturing a board tray and a tray blank from which the board tray is manufactured, said board tray containing side walls and a bottom wall made of a board layer provided on at least one surface thereof with a plastic coating, wherein areas of reduced thickness are formed in the board layer whereby portions of the plastic layer which have been melted and are disposed adjacent to areas of reduced thickness are compressed into such areas forming double-folded linear plastic compressions which seal on themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Stora Enso Oyj
    Inventors: Paivi Maeaettae, Risto Vesanto, Panu Tanninen, Petri Laakso, Jari Hovikorpi
  • Patent number: 8011569
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for storing a cable, including receiving one or more cables on an adjustable central coil. An RFID chip connected to the cable is read via a RFID reader proximate the central coil. The cable is routed from the central coil to one or more adjustable middle coils, and routed from the middle coil to an adjustable outer coil. The cable is dispensed from the outer coil; and, the RFID chip is read via a RFID reader proximate the outer coil. The method modifies the distance between the central coil and the middle coil, the central coil and the outer coil, and/or the middle coil and the outer coil. Specifically, the diameter of the central coil, the middle coil, and/or the outer coil is adjusted. The modification accommodates for the arc limit and/or head size of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas Foltz, Kanayo G. Okonji, Sreekanth Ramakrishnan, Eduardo M. Koster Abad, Eric A. Stegner
  • Patent number: 8011570
    Abstract: A method for providing messaging between a portable device and base device is provided. The method included communicating one or more message codes maintained in the portable device to the base device. The base device then composes a message for a user of the portable device using a dictionary of message codes. The message codes have corresponding message values, which are used to generate the message for the one or more message codes. The generated message is then provided to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Visa U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Gauthier, Ayman Hammad, Roger Merckling
  • Patent number: 8011571
    Abstract: A self-service terminal comprises a plurality of devices, each device having a unique device identifier. The terminal also has a fascia including a plurality of apertures, each aperture having a corresponding indicator and being associated with a device in the self-service terminal. The terminal executes a control application for identifying and energizing an indicator corresponding to an aperture to be used by a customer. The terminal also includes a mapping component for allowing an authorized user (i) to display the current mapping of indicators to device identifiers, and (ii) to modify the current mapping to associate an indicator with a different device identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Hurrell
  • Patent number: 8011572
    Abstract: A cash dispensing banking transaction machine that operates responsive to data bearing records includes a card reader that reads identifying data from a user card. The machine dispenses cash from a cash dispenser for a financial account without causing the card reader device to read data from a card corresponding to the financial account, when a determination indicates that a voice of the user included in an audio input signal to audio input device corresponds to a particular recognized user stored in a data store in correlated relation with the financial account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Natarajan Ramachandran, Mark Owens, Mark D. Smith, Sean Haney, Andrew Junkins, Matthew Force, H. Thomas Graef, Elizabeth M. Herrera, Robert G. Miller, Roy Mleziva, Jeffrey A. Hill
  • Patent number: 8011573
    Abstract: An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from user cards. The automated banking machine operates responsive to the card data to carry out financial transactions for authorized users. The banking machine includes a top housing, a card reader, a display, a cash dispenser, and a chest portion. The chest portion includes a side wall that has a striker plate. The chest has a movable door, and a locking bolt adapted to secure the door in a closed position. An aligner is adjustable to relatively position and reduce relative movement of the door and the chest when the locking bolt secures the door in a locked condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service-Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel Schoeffler, Mark A. Douglass, Dave Kraft, Roy Mleziva
  • Patent number: 8011574
    Abstract: A billing system that allows a consumer to order products from computers connected to the Internet, wherein the consumer is automatically billed for the ordered good or service by its telephone service provider. When a consumer orders a product over the Internet, a plug-in component of the consumer's computer establishes an Internet connection to a billing server. A billing server component transfers an encrypted version of the product to the plug-in component. The plug-in component then disconnects from the Internet and establishes a point-to-point (PPP) connection with the billing server. During the PPP connection, the billing server component transfers an access key assigned to the order to the plug-in component so that the plug-in component may decrypt the product. The consumer is charged a unit rate or “drop-charge” for the product by the telephone service provider when the PPP connection is established using a premium telephone number assigned and administered by the telephone service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: eCharge Corporation
    Inventors: Robin B. Hutchison, Michael T. G. Maydaniuk, George A. Fleming, Denis N. Heinrichs, P. Carl Linkletter, Iain M. Begg, Darren W. Hagman, Roberto Dominguez, Jun Huang
  • Patent number: 8011575
    Abstract: A system operates to carry out financial transfers in response to data read from data bearing records. A cell phone having a camera stores in memory indicia corresponding to account data from a plurality of magnetic stripe cards. A user can operate the phone to select one of the accounts stored in the memory. The memory further includes a scanned user-identifying written signature. The user can use the phone during an item purchase to wirelessly transmit each of an item's identifier captured by the camera, selected account data, and the user signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Natarajan Ramachandran, Ashok Modi, Jeff Hill, Ray Motz, Klaus Steinbach
  • Patent number: 8011576
    Abstract: A card actuated automated banking machine (152, 198, 200) includes a plurality of transaction function devices. The transaction function devices include a card reader (170), a printer (174), a bill dispenser (176), a coin dispenser (178), a display (182), a check imaging device (186), and at least one processor (190). The machine is operative responsive to receiving a check and certification data to dispense cash in exchange for the check. The person presenting the check need not provide user identifying inputs through input devices in order to receive cash for the check. A check recipient prior to presenting the check for payment is also enabled to verify that the check will be paid through communication with at least one computer (204) through at least one consumer interface device (208).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark D. Smith, Atta Mateen, David E. Kolinski-Schultz, Dale H. Blackson, Natarajan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 8011577
    Abstract: A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) or other device (e.g., mobile telephone) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable to communicate data to a magnetic stripe read-head. Gift cards may be inputted by a user into such a payment card or other device such that a user can combine gift cards. Similarly, a user be provided with a global payment account that can be utilized in multiple countries that have different standards for formatting data. A user may be provided with a default country (e.g., United States) but may have a way to select that the user is in a different country (e.g., Japan). Accordingly, a user may select that a Japanese data structure be transmitted through a magnetic stripe reader when the user is in Japan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Dynamics Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey David Mullen, David Lambeth, Bruce Cloutier
  • Patent number: 8011578
    Abstract: A system for managing voucher use includes a database, a voucher, and a processor. The database stores an account defining at least one approved item available for purchase and a financial balance. The voucher includes an identifier linking the voucher to the account. The processor is in communication with the database and is adapted to use the identifier to access the account. The processor is adapted to determine if an item selected for purchase is an approved item and to apply at least a portion of the financial balance toward the purchase of the selected item only if the selected item is an approved item. Other voucher systems and associated methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik BenDon Bjoraker, Mark A. Schultz, Token Lee Oakman
  • Patent number: 8011579
    Abstract: An integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system, and methods of operation. In one configuration, a data reader such as a bar code scanner is equipped with an EAS deactivation module disposed behind the scanner surface preferably downstream and/or upstream of the scanner window. The system may be configured such that the EAS deactivation module is interchangeable from the right side of the scanner housing (which is preferred for left-to-right scanning motion) to the left side of the scanner housing (which is preferred for right-to-left scanning motion). In other configurations, the deactivation module may be disposed in the housing adjacent to the window and oriented longitudinally and parallel to the sweep direction of the item. The EAS deactivation modules have various configurations such as simple planar coils, a magnetically active core with coil windings, or two part L-shape construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignees: Datalogic Scanning, Inc., Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Jorge L. Acosta, Michael P. Svetal, Mohamed A. Salim, Robert W. Rudeen, Craig H. Bontly
  • Patent number: 8011580
    Abstract: A terminal includes a housing, a touch screen, and an imaging assembly. The imaging assembly in one embodiment is disposed in the housing so that an imaging axis extends externally from the housing. The imaging assembly can be utilized for capture of images disposed externally to the housing. In one embodiment a frame of image data captured utilizing an imaging assembly can be processed for attempting to decode a decodable indicia. In one embodiment a frame of image data captured utilizing an imaging assembly can be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Garrison Gomez, Timothy R. Fitch, Melvin D. McCall, James F. O'Donnell, George S. Smith, II, David Sperduti
  • Patent number: 8011581
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices utilize RFID devices in order to provide integrated information for receivables, inventory, and/or transactions from point of sale (POS) devices and cash handling device(s) to accounting systems. Transactions (e.g., debit card, credit card, coin, cash, check, etc.) are allowed at POS devices. The transactions may be communicated to cash handling devices through RFID devices (e.g., coupled to or on tills, receipts, printouts, etc.). Transaction-related materials (e.g., paper currency, coins, checks, receipts, etc.) may be moved from the POS devices to cash handling device(s). Actual counts and expected counts may be determined and may be communicated to accounting systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Amy Baker Folk, Daniel Christopher Bohen
  • Patent number: 8011582
    Abstract: This system includes modified ATM machine, resetting machine and voter's log. This system integrates the stages of voter's verification, casting, collecting votes, prevents voter's fraud, has safeguard in place to prevent multiple voting, creates hard copy for possible recount, and verifies that every vote counts and counts correctly without exposing the selection of candidate to any person other than the voter. This system tracks and verifies votes in four different ways. 1st by hard copy of the votes, 2nd by ATM machine 3rd by resetting card machine and 4th by voters log. This system also provides security and prevents voting fraud by taking picture of the voter while voting. It also places a flag on the record of voter after casting a vote which prevents duplicate voting. This system will also print a hard copy which will be kept as a backup for possible recount. The voter selects the language to be displayed for voting therefore will be less confusion while voting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Mohamad Reza Ghafarzadeh
  • Patent number: 8011583
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method, which can comprise causing a report to be automatically generated. The report can be indicative of a result of a read of a mark. The result can be automatically determined to pass a verification test. The verification test can be performed on an image obtained via an imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Lei, Jason J Lee, Richard G. Long
  • Patent number: 8011584
    Abstract: A method for glare reduction may be implemented by a graphical code reader. The method may include illuminating a target area using a plurality of light sources. The method may also include capturing images of the target area using at least one image sensor. The method may also include determining that glare is present in at least one captured image. The method may also include determining glare information that indicates which of the light sources are responsible for the glare. The method may further include taking corrective action to reduce the glare in subsequent images based on the glare information that is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: The Code Corporation
    Inventors: George Powell, Paul Hepworth, Ryan Hyde, Ryan Hoobler
  • Patent number: 8011585
    Abstract: A digital image capture and processing system capable of illuminating the entire field of view (FOV) of the system using a linear LED-based illumination array. The system includes a housing having an imaging window with a refractive-type illumination-focusing lens component integrated therewithin. The area-type image formation and detection subsystem, also disposed in the housing, has image formation optics for projecting a field of view (FOV) through the imaging window and onto an area-type image detection array, for forming and detecting 2D digital images of an object in the FOV, during object illumination and imaging operations. The linear LED-based illumination array is disposed immediately behind the refractive-type illumination-focusing lens component, for producing a field of wide-area illumination illuminating substantially the entire FOV over the working distance of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly Kotlarsky, Xiaoxun Zhu, Michael Veksland, Ka Man Au, Patrick Giordano, Weizhen Yan, Jie Ren, Taylor Smith, Michael V. Miraglia, C. Harry Knowles, Sudhin Mandal, Shawn De Foney, Christopher Allen, David M. Wilz, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8011586
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reduce a processing time and make a printed image look better in appearance in processing of printing a two-dimensional code again. In order to achieve the above-described object, an apparatus according to the present invention includes decoding unit for decoding a non-upright two-dimensional code in a manuscript image, and synthesis unit for creating a two-dimensional code by using information obtained by the decoding, to synthesize the two-dimensional code in an upright state onto the manuscript image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirochika Sato
  • Patent number: 8011587
    Abstract: A portable handheld device for wireless order entry and real time payment authorization may include a portable housing, a display carried by the housing, an order entry input device carried by the housing, a transaction card input device carried by the housing for reading user sensitive information from a transaction card, a wireless transceiver carried by the housing, and a processor carried by the housing and connected to the display, order entry input device, transaction card input device and wireless transceiver. The processor may be for wirelessly sending input order information, and encrypting and wirelessly sending the user sensitive information from the transaction card without storing and without displaying. The processor may also be for wirelessly receiving and displaying payment authorization information based upon real time authorization from a transaction card issuing entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Securedpay Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Johnson, Roy Nelson, Christopher D. Faircloth, Lance Larsen
  • Patent number: 8011588
    Abstract: There is provided an electronic wallet device using electronic value concerning a prescribed service by means of a non-contact type IC card capable of non-contact communication with an external unit, which includes a holding section to hold a plurality of non-contact type IC cards, an external communication antenna to perform non-contact communication with the external unit, a card communication antenna to perform non-contact communication with the non-contact type IC cards held in the holding section, a value storing section capable of storing electronic value, and a control section to receive a transaction request concerning the service from the external unit via the external communication antenna and, in response to the transaction request, transfer electronic value between the value storing section and at least one of the plurality of non-contact type IC cards via the card communication antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takayasu Kon, Yasunori Kamada, Takashi Fukushima, Yoichiro Sako, Miki Abe, Masamichi Asukai, Taiji Ito, Akane Sano, Mitsuru Takehara
  • Patent number: 8011589
    Abstract: A wireless IC device includes a radiation plate, a wireless IC chip, and a substrate provided with a feed circuit that includes a resonant circuit and/or the matching circuit including an inductance element and that is electromagnetically coupled to the radiation plate. The substrate is made of a resin material. A recess is provided in a first main surface of the substrate. The substrate is provided with a wiring electrode arranged along a bottom surface and an inner circumferential surface of the recess and the first main surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the feed circuit, and a wedge member made of a different material from the resin material and extending between the bottom surface of the recess and a second main surface of the substrate spaced apart from the wiring electrode. The wireless IC chip is mounted in the recess and coupled to the wiring electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Kato, Yutaka Sasaki, Masahiro Ozawa
  • Patent number: 8011590
    Abstract: A portable communication device for at least mono-directional communication with a terminal is disclosed. The portable communication device includes a micro-module including a chip that has an antenna allowing the micro-module to communicate with the terminal when the antenna is placed in the immediate vicinity of the terminal. The portable device further includes a reader receiving the removable micro-module, and the antenna is held by the reader such that the micro-module is removable relative to the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Gemalto SA
    Inventor: Joseph Jerome Leibenguth
  • Patent number: 8011591
    Abstract: A multi-application IC card may include a runtime environment for managing executions of a plurality of stored application. Each application may include a set of rules, to be satisfied by their execution, and a corresponding set of reactions, to be taken if the rules are not satisfied. The runtime environment may include security and reaction registers to reference, respectively, the set of rules and reactions associated with the applications. A security policy manager may initialize, for each application, a reference between the security registers and the rules set between the reactions register and the reactions set. Checking the rules set and/or an activation of the reactions set is controlled by the security policy manager through the security registers and reaction registers. The security policy manager may include a registration function for initializing the security and reaction registers. The registration function may be called from the applications or an administrative user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Incard SA
    Inventor: Paolo Di Iorio
  • Patent number: 8011592
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a display module comprises a temperature sensor configured to provide temperature information; a transmission interface, coupled to an external chip of the IC card; a processing module, coupled to the temperature sensor and the transmission interface, comprising: a storage device comprising an application software program; and a processing unit, coupled to the storage device, configured to be capable of executing the application software program to access data from the external chip via the transmission interface, obtaining the temperature information from the temperature sensor, and outputting a control signal according to the temperature information and data; a display driver, coupled to the processing module, configured to be capable of receiving the control signal and generating a driving signal according to the control signal; and a display film capable of displaying images, coupled to the display driver, and configured to be capable of displaying information according to the driving si
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sipix Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Chein-Hsun Wang
  • Patent number: 8011593
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an apparatus and method for making secured transactions. Such an apparatus may include a smart card device configured with a display for display a static or dynamic number for making a secured transaction. The display is configured to display a valid card number after the user's identify has been verified using a biometric verification process. The device may further comprise a programmable magnetic strip that is programmed with user data after the user's identify has been verified. The apparatus may further include a cloning process to allow a second device to perform secure transactions. One such second device is a smart module associated with a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph Frank Preta, William Monty Simmons, Dominic Joseph Preta, Isaiah Monty Simmons
  • Patent number: 8011594
    Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes an RFID payment terminal with a display-embedded antenna. According to one aspect, an RFID payment terminal with a display-embedded antenna includes a display for graphically displaying payment information to a user. An RFID antenna is embedded in a portion of the display used for displaying the payment information to a user and for communicating with an RFID device of the user to receive transaction information form the RFID device. An RFID payment module is coupled to the antenna for receiving the transaction information and for effecting the payment transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Vivotech Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Johnson, Jr., Hans Bielefeld Reisgies
  • Patent number: 8011595
    Abstract: A substrate having a coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of target elements defining a target grid. The target grid comprises a plurality of cells, wherein neighboring cells share target elements. A plurality of data elements are contained in each cell. Tags are defined by a plurality of contiguous cells and each tag comprises respective local tag data encoded by a respective set of the data elements. Each tag comprises a plurality of replications of the local tag data. Any tag-sized portion of the coding pattern is guaranteed to contain the local tag data irrespective of whether a whole tag is contained in the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8011596
    Abstract: An optically readable two dimensional symbology employed to encode a string of characters belonging to a source string alphabet. The two dimensional symbol can comprise an ordered plurality of printable elements. The printable elements can be arranged in a rectangular array. The printable elements can be positioned on a grid diagonal to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular array, and sequenced according to a pre-defined pattern. Each character of the character string can be encoded into a sequence of printable elements using an encoding scheme comprising at least one code set. A code set can include a plurality of bit sequences. Each bit sequence can correspond to a group of one or more characters of the source string alphabet. Each bit sequence can comprise one or more binary digits. The first binary digit can be encoded by a printable element printed in a printable element position, and a second binary digit can be encoded by a vacant printable element position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Longacre, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8011597
    Abstract: A method of controlling an HVAC system to more effectively cool a vehicle cabin when the solar azimuth is large. A solar azimuth, an outside air temperature, a set temperature, a cabin temperature, and an ignition time are communicated to a controller that determines how to best operate the HVAC system. When the vehicle has only been running for a short period of time, the cabin temperature is elevated, and the solar azimuth is large, the measured solar azimuth is corrected to a corrected solar azimuth. The corrected solar azimuth is smaller than the measured solar azimuth and yields a large sun temperature. The controller then calculates a TAO based upon the large sun temperature and the TAO is used to control the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: John Phillippo
  • Patent number: 8011598
    Abstract: An improved CHP system combining a VCCHP system with an SOFC system for application as a combined CHP system wherein the compressor motor of a heat pump is powered by a portion of the electricity generated by the SOFC, and wherein the thermal output of the heat pump is increased by abstraction of heat from the SOFC exhaust. This integration allows for complementary operation of each type of system, with the benefits of improved overall fuel efficiency for the improved CHP system. The heat pump is further provided with a plurality of flow-reversing valves and an additional heat exchanger, allowing the heat pump system to be reversed and thus to operate as an air conditioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Michael Kelly, Gary Blake
  • Patent number: 8011599
    Abstract: A method of controlling evaporation of droplet cloud resulting from nebulization of a liquid expelled from a liquid droplet spray device is disclosed, wherein the liquid droplet spray device comprises a reservoir containing liquid, a perforate membrane plate, a fluid interface for feeding liquid from the reservoir to the membrane plate, an ultrasound generating mechanism for acting on the supplied liquid to cause it to be expelled as a spray of droplets through orifices of the membrane plate, and an electronic control device for controlling activation of the ultrasound generating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: EP Systems SA Microflow Division
    Inventors: Amir Feriani, Joseph Hess
  • Patent number: 8011600
    Abstract: A fuel injector nozzle for use with an internal combustion engine utilizes arrangements of nozzle openings that are designed to increase fuel contact with oxygen within a combustion chamber. Nozzle openings are positioned in more than one plane substantially parallel with the cylinder head surface, with the planes preferably at least 2 millimeters apart, and with the respective pluralities of nozzle openings oriented to provide diverging injection angles in relation to the cylinder head surface. The fuel injector is particularly designed for use with oxygen-dilute (e.g., high EGR) controlled temperature combustion, direct injection compression ignition engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventor: Charles L. Gray, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8011601
    Abstract: A dispersion lance is for use in combination with a fluid treatment system of the type which includes a flow duct in which a fluid stream is mixed with a treating agent. The dispersion lance includes a pipe mounted in the duct with its axis approximately transverse to the direction of the fluid stream flow, the pipe having a series of openings along its length for injecting a treating agent into the fluid stream. A baffle extends lengthwise along the pipe, the baffle having a cross-section the central portion of which is V-shaped, with the apex of the V facing upstream of the fluid stream flow, and with generally flattened wing portions extending from the legs of the V beyond the sides of the pipe in a direction where they transversely intersect the stream flow. The baffle acts to generate a low pressure zone on its downstream side which enhances turbulence in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: URS Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Denlinger, Jim Noblett, Scott D. Miller