Patents Issued in August 6, 2013
  • Patent number: 8502613
    Abstract: An oscillating circuit including a digital sigma-delta modulator and a controlled oscillator is disclosed. The digital sigma-delta modulator receives a fractional bit signal to generate a control signal. The controlled oscillator includes a varactor dynamically coupled to receive the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventors: Ping-Ying Wang, Hsiang-Hui Chang
  • Patent number: 8502614
    Abstract: There are provided a variable inductor with little degradation in quality factor, and an oscillator and a communication system using the variable inductor. An inductance controller comprising a reactance device with a variable device value, such as, for example, a variable capacitor, is connected to a secondary inductor, magnetically coupled to a primary inductor through mutual inductance. The inductance controller is provided with an inductance control terminal for receiving a control signal for controlling capacitance of the variable capacitor. Inductance of the primary inductor is varied by varying the capacitance by the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Nakamura, Toru Masuda
  • Patent number: 8502615
    Abstract: A circuit includes a phase shifter configured to selectively shift a phase of a baseband phase signal in accordance with a zero crossing signal to output a selectively phase-shifted signal, a phase modulator configured to provide a phase modulated carrier signal in accordance with the selectively phase-shifted signal, and an inverter configured to selectively invert the phase modulated carrier signal in accordance with the zero crossing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Mobile Communications GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 8502617
    Abstract: A printed circuit board includes a base, a signal layer lying on the base, and a number of pairs of differential signal traces positioned on the signal layer. The base is made of a grid of glass fiber bundles filled with epoxy resin. Each pair of differential signal traces includes a first signal trace and a second signal trace. Each of the first and second signal traces extends in a zigzag pattern. The first signal trace includes a number of wave crests and wave troughs. The wave crests define a reference straight line that connects all the wave crest of the first signal trace. The ratio of the distance from each wave crest to the reference straight line to the orthogonal distance between each wave crest and an adjacent wave trough along the reference straight line is 1:5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Tso Lai, Yung-Chieh Chen
  • Patent number: 8502618
    Abstract: The average EMR emissions of an electronic device may be reduced by implementing an electrically-active modulated termination. For example, the impedance may be continuously varied at one or more termination locations between two metal substructures to cause a like variation in the amplitude of each component of the EMR. According to one approach, cyclically varying the electrical impedance with a period of less than the time interval over which the EMR is measured will result in a reduction in the average measured EMR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Bodette, Michael Crowder, Rudolf Rehquate
  • Patent number: 8502620
    Abstract: A system and method for transmitting signals is disclosed. An embodiment comprises a balun, such as a Marchand balun, which has a first transformer with a primary coil and a first secondary coil and a second transformer with the primary coil and a second secondary coil. The first secondary coil and the second secondary coil are connected to a ground plane, and the ground plane has slot lines located beneath the separation of the coils in the first transformer and the second transformer. The slot lines may also have fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Maufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jhe-Ching Lu, Hsiao-Tsung Yen, Sally Liu, Tzu-Jin Yeh, Min-Chie Jeng
  • Patent number: 8502621
    Abstract: A ladder filter including a series arm resonator and a parallel arm resonator disposed on the same common piezoelectric substrate achieves improved miniaturization. The ladder filter includes series arm resonators and parallel arm resonators, which include elastic wave resonators, and are disposed on the same common piezoelectric substrate, at least one parallel arm resonator of the series arm resonators and the parallel arm resonators includes a first resonator and a second resonator electrically connected in parallel to each other, and the first resonator and the second resonator are arranged in parallel or substantially in parallel in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to an elastic wave propagation direction, on one side outside one series arm resonator of remaining resonators in the elastic wave propagation direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Uesaka
  • Patent number: 8502622
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for tuning the phase of a signal communicated by an electrical conductor by adjustably varying a spacing between the electrical conductor and at least a portion of an electrically conductive ground plane that is disposed in spaced relationship with the electrical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Integrated Systems L.P.
    Inventors: Paul W. Hein, Van V. Sayavongsa, James D. Dowd
  • Patent number: 8502623
    Abstract: A band pass filter includes an original circuit. An interaction of at least two of components of the original circuit produces at least a mutual capacitor or at least a mutual inductor, which constitutes a resonance circuit with the original circuit to produce at least a transmission zero for increasing the attenuation rate of the stop band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Pao-Nan Lee, Chi-Tsung Chiu
  • Patent number: 8502624
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermocompensated mechanical resonator including a strip whose core, which is of polygonal section, includes single crystal silicon. According to the invention, one or a number of faces of the core has a coating for making the resonator less sensitive to temperature variations. The invention concerns the field of timepieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Pierre Cusin, Andrés Cabezas Jurin
  • Patent number: 8502626
    Abstract: An RF front-end with on-chip transmitter/receiver isolation using a gyrator is presented herein. The RF front end is configured to support full-duplex communication and includes a gyrator and a transformer. The gyrator includes a metal plate and an inductor that are configured to isolate the input of a low-noise amplifier (LNA) from the output of a power amplifier (PA) using the Hall effect. The gyrator is further configured to isolate the output of the PA from the input of the LNA. The gyrator is at least partially or fully capable of being integrated on silicon-based substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Mohyee Mikhemar, Hooman Darabi
  • Patent number: 8502627
    Abstract: In an electromechanical relay the core of the relay coil and a corresponding zone of the armature are each provided with a pole face of zig-zag or stair-step configuration. A succession of corresponding edges of the core and armature pole faces concentrate the magnetic flux to increase the initial force on the armature and to limit the closing force as the armature reaches the closed position. The armature bearing is shaped to create a longitudinal wipe motion. The relay exhibits faster and quieter action with less bounce and reduced contact chatter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: International Controls and Measurements Corporation
    Inventors: Ayham Ahmad, Hassan B. Kadah, Andrew S. Kadah
  • Patent number: 8502628
    Abstract: A magnetic chamber is disclosed for electromagnetic low voltage switchgear, especially a compact reversing starter, including two magnetic drives which are each actuated by a main slide. The magnetic chamber is designed, in at least one embodiment, to receive both magnetic drives of the electromagnetic low voltage switchgear, and a mechanical reversing locking device held in a mobile manner for the alternating mechanical locking of the two magnetic drives is arranged in the magnetic chamber, the mechanical locking device acting on the two main slides. An electromagnetic low voltage switchgear is disclosed, especially a compact reversing starter, including two magnetic drives which are each actuated by a main slide, both magnetic drives being arranged in a magnetic chamber. The mechanical reversing locking device held in a mobile manner, in at least one embodiment, engages with the main slide of one of the magnetic drives, according to the position of the locking device, in order to fix said magnetic drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Graf, Mathias Völz
  • Patent number: 8502629
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromagnetic contactor including a stationary armature which includes a housing enclosure for a coil for generating a magnetic field, the enclosure having an opening, a closing cover for the opening of the enclosure, the closing cover having an aperture, and a movable armature passing through the aperture of the closing cover for the opening of the enclosure, further including a guide ring made from non-magnetic material which is arranged in the aperture of the closing cover so as to have, between a first wall in contact with the wall of the aperture of the cover and a second wall facing towards the movable armature, a thickness corresponding to the minimal radial gap between the movable armature and the stationary armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: ABB France
    Inventor: Jacques Dumoux
  • Patent number: 8502631
    Abstract: A line reactor is presented having a skewed core structure with three horizontally non-coplanar vertical legs and top and bottom laminated, interleaved yoke structures with corresponding horizontally non-coplanar yoke ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Ajax Tocco Magnethermic Corporation
    Inventors: David Cavender, William Martin
  • Patent number: 8502632
    Abstract: A transformer in this invention comprises substrates constructing a primary winding, substrates constructing the secondary winding, and a core member disposed around the substrates. The substrates defining the primary winding are provided with insertion holes for passing a middle leg portion of the core member, and patterned conductors having one turn. The transformer further comprises an interlayer connection member. The interlayer connection member is located inwardly of the patterned conductors of the substrates defining the primary winding. The interlayer connection member is located on the same side of the patterned conductors defining the primary winding. The interlayer connection member is configured to establish the electrical connection of the patterned conductors defining the primary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Suganuma, Tomoyuki Nakano, Toshiaki Nakamura, Toshifumi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8502633
    Abstract: There are is a planar transformer and a method of manufacturing the same that can prevent resin being coated from being separated from a conductor during the manufacturing of a transformer by forming a dummy pattern on a board. A planar transformer according to an aspect of the invention may include: a core part having a pair of cores electromagnetically coupled to each other; a board part having a plurality of boards disposed between the pair of cores and stacked upon one another; a pattern part having a power transmission pattern provided on at least one board of the plurality of boards of the board part and transmitting power being input, and a dummy pattern provided on the same board having the power transmission pattern thereon and separated from the power transmission pattern by a predetermined interval; and a resin part being coated over the at least one board of the plurality of boards, the at least one board having the pattern part thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Geun Young Park, Sang Joon Seo, Jin An Jung, Kwang Seung Cho, Deuk Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8502634
    Abstract: An inductive electronic module comprises a planar core element having an inner limb and at least two lateral limbs, to which winding arrangements are assigned for forming a transformer. First and second partial windings are formed on first and second of the lateral limbs such that a resulting magnetic flux of the first planar winding arrangement is cancelled in the inner limb and the second planar winding arrangement is magnetically decoupled from the first planar winding arrangement on the inner limb. The inner limb has a first core section for interacting with the second planar winding arrangement and a second core section spaced from the first core section on the core element. The second core section interacts with an additional planar winding arrangement, which forms a series connection with the second planar winding arrangement. The second core section implements a magnetically active air gap for the additional planar winding arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Exscitron GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Gruber, Rene Franzky, Winfried Beyer
  • Patent number: 8502635
    Abstract: A magnetostrictive element is provided comprising at least one device for generating a magnetic field, and at least one shaped part made of porous polymer containing ferromagnetic particles. The magnetostrictive element is characterized by having a distinct magnetostrictive effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Ralf Heinrich, Peter Ryzko
  • Patent number: 8502636
    Abstract: A modular by-pass device of an electrical component includes a housing possessing a movable means of sealing, and is equipped with conducting terminals, one of whose ends is connected to one of the terminals of the electrical component circuit, the other end being fastened to the wall of the housing projecting into the interior of the housing and constituting a contact post. An actuator providing transposition between two positions of a control device include a plunger shaft and a spring arranged in the space formed between the plunger shaft and the internal wall of the housing. A trigger includes a retention device of the plunger shaft held in place by a fusible material. A reversing switch includes a contact zone providing electrical continuity between two contact posts of the terminals carried by the housing. The disclosed embodiments finds application more particularly in the isolation and short-circuiting of a battery element, which has become defective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Souriau
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Striebig, Pierre Savaro
  • Patent number: 8502637
    Abstract: A device may include a metal-oxide varistor (MOV), wherein the MOV increases in temperature as a voltage applied across the MOV exceeds a rated voltage. The device may include a first conductor contacting the MOV and a second conductor contacting the MOV. The second conductor may be configured to disconnect from the MOV when the MOV reaches a threshold temperature. The device may include an enclosure to surround the MOV, the first conductor, and the second conductor, wherein the enclosure includes a non-conductive fluid to suppress arcing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco Antonio Guarniere, Martin William Guy
  • Patent number: 8502638
    Abstract: A thermistor includes a resistive device, a first insulation layer, a first electrode, a second electrode and a first heat-conductive layer. The resistive device includes a first electrically conductive member, a second electrically conductive member and a polymeric material layer laminated therebetween. The polymeric material layer exhibits positive temperature coefficient (PTC) or negative temperature coefficient (NTC) behavior. The first insulation layer is disposed on the first electrically conductive member. The first electrode is electrically coupled to the first electrically conductive member, whereas the second electrode is electrically coupled to the second electrically conductive member and is insulated from the first electrode. The first heat-conductive layer is disposed on the first insulation layer, and has a heat conductivity of at least 30 W/m-K and a thickness of 15-250 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Polytronics Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Yi An Sha, Chun Teng Tseng, David Shau Chew Wang
  • Patent number: 8502639
    Abstract: A resistor, fabricating method, and thermal sensor material for resistors that incorporate high Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) values and low resistivity for better sensitivity in infrared imaging applications are disclosed. Amorphous oxide thin films, preferably oxides of vanadium (VOx), were deposited on thermally grown silicon dioxide by direct current (DC) magnetron co-sputtering of noble metals (gold and platinum) in a controlled argon/oxygen atmosphere. The ideal conditions for preparing an amorphous vanadium oxide/noble metal thin film are identified. TCR and resistivity results showed that the additions of gold (Au) and platinum (Pt) into VOx reduced the resistivity. However, only gold (Au) was found to improve TCR value. Reducing the amount of oxygen in the thin film, further improved the ratio between TCR and resistivity. Infrared detection and imaging devices can be greatly improved with a “drop-in” amorphous vanadium oxide/noble metal thin film of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Coffey, Vu Huynh Lam, Edward Dein, Andrew P. Warren, Glenn Boreman, Guy Zummo, Wilson Caba
  • Patent number: 8502640
    Abstract: In accordance with the techniques discussed herein, a device can access data stored by other devices or units on a network. Devices recording data can provide the data to another device for display to a user. A user can then use the information to make decisions about how and when to control energy use. A communications logic unit associated with the radio can format messages including data from a data storage unit. Data can be stored in tables and written to or retrieved by reading or writing part of the table or the entire table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Trilliant Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Michel Veillette
  • Patent number: 8502641
    Abstract: A switching function is performed in response to a predetermined rate-of-change of an output signal, thereby providing rate-of-change switching. Rate-of-change switches (63 and 154) each include a user-controlled transducer (38A, 38B, or 39), a differentiator (40A, 40B, 112, or 156), and a discriminator (42, 114, 134, 160, or 162). The rate-of-change switches (63 and 154) perform at least one switching function when an output from the differentiator (40A, 40B, 112, or 156) or a second differentiator (158) exceeds an allowable magnitude. The rate-of-change switches (63 and 154) may be used to control a timed-opportunity switch (26 or 172), a conveyance, such as a wheelchair (12), and such functions as extending and retracting leg supports, and/or an environmental control unit (14 or 174). The rate-of-change switches (63 or 154) may be attached to a body member (18, 64, or 67) and be actuated by body-member gestures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Intelpro LLC
    Inventor: John L. Lautzenhiser
  • Patent number: 8502642
    Abstract: A system for controlling the use of electronic devices within an automobile includes a control module integrated into the operation of the automobile, wherein the control module is linked to the electrical system of the automobile and is controlled, monitored and updated via a graphical user interface of the automobiles. The control module includes a mechanism for identifying use of electronic devices within the automobile, determining whether the usage is permitted and preventing usage of the electronic device if it is determined the usage is not permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Voxx International Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher J. Vitito
  • Patent number: 8502643
    Abstract: Disclosed are bag check machines, including related methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for allowing a user to self-check one or more items for transportation. The user is first enrolled in a self-check program by reading personal ID information from a government-issued identification (ID) document and verifying the ID document based on the personal ID information. Biometric data from the user is captured and stored, in an encoded form, on a portable ID storage medium issued to the user. For the user to self-check one or more items, encoded biometric data is read from the portable ID storage medium, and biometric data is captured from the user. When the captured biometric data matches the biometric data read from the portable ID storage medium, the user is authorized to check-in the item or items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: L-I Identity Solutions Operating Company
    Inventors: Justin P. Oberman, Stephen A. Belin
  • Patent number: 8502644
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for tracking an item by concealing a tracking device in the item and activating the tracking device when the item is relocated or accessed without authorization. In particular, according to some embodiments, a system is provided for tracking the geographic location of a physical item that is stored in a controlled area and then later removed from the controlled area. An exemplary system comprises: an inner sensor located proximate to a perimeter of the controlled area; an outer sensor located between the perimeter and the inner sensor; and a tracking device associated with the physical item, wherein the tracking device is triggered when the physical item passes by the inner sensor and then the outer sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Bank of American Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt D. Newman, Michael J. O'Hagan, Debashis Ghosh, David Joa, Timothy J. Bendel
  • Patent number: 8502645
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) monitoring system (12) for monitoring a plurality of RFID tags, and in particular for monitoring a plurality of vials incorporating such tags and stored at a low temperature, (eg.?80° C.) within a storage unit (10), for example a freezer. The RFID system (12) comprises an RFID reader (28) and at least one antenna (34a-34i) for transmitting and receiving RF signals to communicate with the RFID tags. The system (12) further includes an electronic switch (38), preferably a FET switch, interposed between the RFID reader and the at least one antenna (34a-34i) to connect a particular antenna (34a-34i) to the RFID reader (28) and transmit RF signals from the antenna (34a-34i) to the RFID tags. The switch (38) is controlled to intermittently connect the antenna (34a-34i) to the RFID reader (28) to regulate the power of the RF signal transmitted from the antenna (34a-34i). The system enables an RFID tag to operate at low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Avonwood Developments Ltd
    Inventors: Robert Victor Thomas, Peter Rudland
  • Patent number: 8502646
    Abstract: In an article management apparatus in which the weight of a bottle, including content, placed on a weighing scale is measured and tag data of a radio tag, indicating content of the bottle, which is affixed on the bottle is read out in a non-contact manner by a radio tag reading section through an antenna when the bottle is placed on the weighing scale, a compound data for discriminating whether or not content in a bottle is compoundable with contents in other bottles is stored. It is determined, based on the compound data stored, whether content of a first bottle on which a first radio tag is affixed can be compounded with content of a second bottle on which a second radio tag is affixed when the radio tag reading section reads out tag data of first and second radio tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouichi Sano, Shinji Saegusa
  • Patent number: 8502647
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool 101 comprising a plurality of operation functions and a selection device 113a-113d for selecting one or more operation functions by a user. The machine tool 101 receives data from a mobile data carrier 311 via a reception device 112, on the basis of which it may be determined which operation functions may be performed by the user. In this process, an access control device 130 grants the user access to only those selected operation functions he or she is authorized to perform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Deckel Maho Pfronten GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhold Seitz, Rudolf Hahn, Armin Bornemann
  • Patent number: 8502648
    Abstract: A method of directing an audio signal to an intended user by a remote-control device coupled to an audio/video device is described. The remote-control device sends an instruction to the audio/video device to transmit an audio signal. The remote-control device receives the audio signal and processes the audio signal to generate a directional audio. The directional audio is then routed to an intended user such that the directional audio signal is audible to the intended user, but not to other recipients in the vicinity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Dasaradha Gude, Gunjan Porwal, Murli Krishna Kocherla
  • Patent number: 8502649
    Abstract: Systems and methods convey information from a controller to at least one slave unit using a single wire referenced to an alternating current (AC) power supply. A control signal has a high voltage and a low voltage. The high voltage is greater than a voltage midpoint of the AC power supply and the low voltage is less than the voltage midpoint. The control signal is conveyed through the single wire to each of the at least one slave unit. At each slave unit, a comparison voltage, representative of the voltage midpoint, is generated by dividing substantially midway the potentials between the power lines of the AC power supply and the control signal is compared to the comparison voltage to determine low and high states of the control signal; the low and high states represent the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Albeo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Van Laanen
  • Patent number: 8502650
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag may have a non-responsive mode, triggered by a command from an RFID reader, that temporarily prevents the RFID tag from responding to a query from any RFID reader for a period of time. In some embodiments this non-responsive mode may automatically end after a certain period of time without further action by the RFID reader. In other embodiments this non-responsive mode may end when directed to by another command addressed specifically to the RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua D. Posamentier, Joshua R. Smith
  • Patent number: 8502651
    Abstract: A game is provided on one or more portable computing device in which a virtual object travels through views of the game displayed on the interfaces of the one or more portable computing devices. Haptic effects corresponding to the travel of the virtual object through the views are provided on the individual portable computing devices. The haptic effects may be determined based on one or more parameters of the travel of the virtual object, one or more parameters of objects and/or features with which the virtual object interacts, and/or other parameters. The haptic effects may include haptic effects to be provided on portable computing devices that are not currently displaying the virtual object corresponding to the haptic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Birnbaum
  • Patent number: 8502652
    Abstract: A bicycle brake device includes a brake shoe, a warning device installed in the brake shoe, a power supply device electrically connected with the warning device, and two conductors separately mounted in the brake shoe and respectively electrically connected with the warning device and the power supply device. Each conductor has one end thereof exposed to the outside of the brake shoe for touching the wheel rim or brake disc of the bicycle upon a brake operation to close the circuit, causing the warning device to generate a warning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Canknow International Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei-Chung Su
  • Patent number: 8502653
    Abstract: The vehicle-use object detection apparatus includes a plurality of ultrasonic sensors mounted on a vehicle, each of the ultrasonic sensors being configured to receive a reflected version of an ultrasonic wave transmitted by itself and not to receive reflected versions of ultrasonic waves transmitted by the other ultrasonic sensors, a first determination means to make a determination whether an object is present around the vehicle based on the received reflected versions of the transmitted ultrasonic waves when a first detection condition is satisfied, and a second determination means to make a determination, for each of the ultrasonic sensors, whether there is adhesion of snow around the ultrasonic sensor based on an echo wave received by the ultrasonic sensor when a second detection condition different from the first detection condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takeo Tsuzuki
  • Patent number: 8502654
    Abstract: An information display system includes an information display that communicates relevant information relating to the operation of a vehicle. The information display conveys a score representing lifetime or long-term driving or operating efficiency of the vehicle. The score can be conveyed numerically or graphically using a number of indicators, or both. Each indicator may correspond to a different achievement level attained for efficient driving or vehicle use behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Scott Gee, Paul Stephen Bryan, Ryan J. Skaff
  • Patent number: 8502655
    Abstract: A determination is made as to whether a frame to be transmitted according to a first protocol is susceptible to being incorrectly interpreted by a receiver in a vehicle as being transmitted according to a second protocol. When the frame is determined to be susceptible to an incorrect interpretation, an internal value of the frame is adjusted, and the adjustment is effective to prevent an incorrect interpretation of the frame being transmitted from the tire pressure monitor to the receiver. The adjusted frame can then be transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Deniau, Brian J. Farrell
  • Patent number: 8502656
    Abstract: A displacement diagnosis sensor of a brake pedal having a stop lamp switch function is provided. According to the present invention, one sensor performs both a function of a stop lamp switch and a function of diagnosing a rotational displacement of the brake pedal simultaneously to thereby save a manufacturing cost and reduce a weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Donghee Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwanghyuck Lee, Byungju Kim
  • Patent number: 8502657
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide a user customizable monitoring system. For example, in one embodiment, the user customizable monitoring system includes a set of user-programmable portable sensors and a communication hub for enabling a user to customize features associated with the set of user-programmable portable sensors. In one embodiment, the communication hub is further configured to receive data from the set of user programmable portable sensors and perform a user specified action based on the received data. In some embodiments, a user selects any desired combination of different types of user-programmable portable sensors that come preconfigured to operate with the communication hub. Additionally, in some embodiments, a user may configure particular parameters associated with a user-programmable portable sensor using the communication hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Kweku David Fleming
  • Patent number: 8502658
    Abstract: A security system implemented with a communication device includes a remote communication device, a local communication device, a main controller and at least one main sensor. The remote communication device and local communication device are connected via communication connection. Each main sensor detects status of a monitoring location. When each main sensor is triggered, each main sensor sends an output signal to the main controller. The main controller collects and processes each output signal, and transmits the processed output signals to the local communication device. The local communication device transforms receives output signals into a text warning message. The text warning message transmits to remote communication device via Short Message Service whereby a user is informed of the status occurred in a remote monitoring location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Fu-Cheng Pan
  • Patent number: 8502659
    Abstract: Augmented reality and location determination methods and apparatus are disclosed according to some aspects of the description.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Gravity Jack, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Richey, Allen Greaves
  • Patent number: 8502660
    Abstract: An occupancy sensing system includes a driver to emit energy in a space, and a sensor to detect energy reflected within the space. An electrical load for the space is controlled in response to an occupancy condition determined in response to the detected energy. The driver may be selectively de-energized. In some embodiments, the driver may be de-energized during all or a portion of an unoccupied period. In other embodiments, the driver may be de-energized during all or a portion of an occupied period. In some further embodiments, the driver may be de-energized in response to detecting other sources of the type of energy emitted by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Hick
  • Patent number: 8502661
    Abstract: A container tracking system comprising a mobile unit configured to be coupled to a container to be tracked and to communicate with a remote control unit through of a communication system. The mobile unit comprising a positioning module, an alarm module adapted to detect alarm conditions related to said container, and a communication module generating a tracking signal containing positioning data of the mobile unit and/or alarm information associated with one or more alarm conditions related to the container. Furthermore, the mobile unit is configured to evolve to a temporary deactivation state whenever a communication unavailability condition of the tracking signal through the communication system occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societá Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Mauro, Stefano Cosenza, Paolo Capano
  • Patent number: 8502662
    Abstract: The invention, in general, relates to communications systems for medical devices. In particular, the present invention is directed toward a communications routine for a medical infusion devices and a remote control unit that includes data elements within the transmissions that indicate the operating status of the infusion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Animas Corporation
    Inventors: David Pohlman, Krzysztof Brukalo
  • Patent number: 8502663
    Abstract: A hospital bed obstacle detection device and related method for detecting an obstacle between first and second components of a hospital bed is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl William Riley, Keith Adam Huster, Gregory J. Figel, Irvin J. Vanderphol
  • Patent number: 8502664
    Abstract: A drop detection part that detects drop into the water, a light emission part, and a light-emission control circuit that makes the light emission part emit light when the drop detection part detects the drop into the water. Also, the light emission part may be disposed on the side to be turned up by buoyancy when the device is dropped into the water and the drop detection part may be disposed on the side to be turned down in the case of the drop into the water, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: ICOM Incorporated
    Inventors: Akihide Yoshida, Yoshio Sekiyama, Shinji Sugino
  • Patent number: 8502665
    Abstract: A security fence for swimming pools is provided to be so positioned as to surround the water of a swimming pool. The security fence comprises fence sections which are linked to an alarm system. The fence sections are moveable between a non-signaling position and an alarm signaling position. When the fence sections are in the non-signaling position and a given fence section is engaged with sufficient force it is moved to the alarm signaling position thereby signaling the alarm. The foregoing prevents a user, such as a child, from entering the pool water when the alarm system has been activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Eric Boudreau
  • Patent number: 8502666
    Abstract: Methods for remote detection of humans can include the step of transmitting vertically polarized electromagnetic signals into an area of interest (AOI) when no humans are present. A first time domain measurement of return response signal energy from the AOI can be accomplished to establish a background signal. A second time domain measurement of response signal energy from the AOI can be made when at least one human is present, to establish a background-plus-human signal. The two signals can be subtracted to yield a reference time domain human signal. The electromagnetic signal is periodically re-transmitted. The background subtracted from subsequent response energy, and the result compared to the reference time domain human signal. A visual or audible indication occurs when the resulting signal matches the reference signal. Fast Fourier Transforms (FFT) of the time domain signals can be used to yield frequency responses, which can be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Daniel Tam, Aldo Monges, Marcus Maurer, Chris Dilay