Dallas Invents is a weekly look at U.S. patents granted with a connection to the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area. Listings include patents granted to local assignees and/or those with a North Texas inventor. Patent activity can be an indicator of future economic growth, as well as the development of emerging markets and talent attraction. By tracking both inventors and assignees in the region, we aim to provide a broader view of the region’s inventive activity. Listings are organized by Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC).

THIS WEEK, BY THE NUMBERS
Week of Jan. 18, 2017 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington (19100)

64 patents granted Ranked No. 10 in patent production out of 250 metros

NO. OF PATENTS BY CLASSIFICATION

TOP 3 LOCAL ASSIGNEES (NO. OF PATENTS)

1. FUTUREWEI TECHNOLOGIES INC. (Plano) 8

2. SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC (Plano) 6

3. CONDUENT BUSINESS SERVICES, LLC (Dallas) 3

TOP LOCAL INVENTORS (NO. OF PATENTS)

Andrew G. Baines (Fort Worth), 2
George Ryan Decker (Fort Worth), 2
James Everett Kooiman (Fort Worth), 2

SPEED: APPLICATION TO ISSUE (NO. OF DAYS)

204 days
Triggered queue transformationAssignee: Live Nation Entertainment Inc. (Beverly Hills, CA)
Inventor: Gary Yu (Plano, TX)

2,255 days
Evaporator with replaceable fan venturi ring
Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Product LLC (Richardson)
Inventors: Scott Seccuro (McDonough, GA), Subodh Sharma (Grayson, GA), Todd Collins (Williamsport, IN)

Don’t miss Dallas Invents: Sign up for the Dallas Innovates e-newsletter. Patent information is provided by Joe Chiarella, founder of patent analytics company Patent Index and publisher of The Inventiveness Index. For additional details on the patents granted below, search the USPTO Patent Full-Text and Image Database.

UTILITY PATENTS

H U M A N N E C E S S I T I E S

Role of N-2-hydroxy-ethyl-piperazine-N-2-ethane sulfonic acid (HEPES) in pain control and reversal of demyelinization injury
Patent No. 9867820

Inventor(s): Ivan E. Danhof (Grand Prairie, TX)
Assignee(s): Bespoke Bioscience, LLC (Dallas, TX)
Law Firm: Chalker Flores, LLP (Local)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14481582 on 09/09/2014 (1225 days app to issue)

Abstract: Compositions and therapeutic uses of HEPES and derivatives in the treatment of pain associated with cancers and side-effects including post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment are disclosed herein. HEPES is also used to treat neurodegenerative and neurological diseases, demyelinization injuries, and side-effects and withdrawal symptoms associated with benzodiazepines, anti-depressants, and other neurological agents.

[A61K] PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL, OR TOILET PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J 3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D)

Active photocatalytic oxidation
Patent No. 9867897

Inventor(s): Andrew Eide (Rockwall, TX)
Assignee(s): DBG Group Investments LLC (Dallas, TX)
Law Firm: Munck Wilson Mandala, LLP (Local + 1 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14705046 on 05/06/2015 (986 days app to issue)

Abstract: An active oxidation and purifying system is provided to increase or maximize the rate of photocatalytic oxidation and ambient air purification capacity by providing both direct ultraviolet (UV) light and reflected UV light directed to the surface and apertures of active cell panels coated with a photocatalytic material. In one example, the active cells also include a plurality of apertures disposed in a transverse manner from the first surface to the second surface of the active cell. Furthermore, a first set of the apertures could be disposed about 45 degrees relative to a median axis along the first and second surfaces, while a second set of apertures could be disposed about negative 45 degrees relative to the same median axis in order to increase the surface area impinged by the direct and reflected UV light.

[A61L] METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION, OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agent employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toilet purposes A61K) [4]

Dialysis catheter
Patent No. 9867926

Inventor(s): John D. Leedle (Philadelphia, PA), Stephan A. DeFonzo (Wayne, PA)
Assignee(s): Argon Medical Devices, Inc. (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: IpHorgan Ltd. (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14752912 on 06/27/2015 (934 days app to issue)

Abstract: A dialysis catheter including a first portion having a first diameter, an elongated distal portion having a second smaller diameter, and a transition portion The first portion includes first and second independent blood withdrawal lumens extending in the first portion, the first withdrawal lumen terminating in the transition portion in a first terminal opening and the second withdrawal lumen terminating in a second terminal opening, the first and second terminal openings being radially spaced and axially adjacent. A longitudinally extending blood delivery lumen extends in the first portion and terminates in a delivery opening in the distal portion of the catheter, the first and second terminal openings positioned proximally of the delivery opening and each of the first and second terminal openings having a curved wall surrounding a portion of the terminal opening.

[A61M] DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D 7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F 13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J 1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L; magnetotherapy using magnetic elements placed within the body A61N 2/10); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR [5]

Three-dimensional multi-electrode array
Patent No. 9867979

Inventor(s): John Neal Randall (Richardson, TX), Rahul Saini (Allen, TX)
Assignee(s): Zyvex Labs, LLC (Richardson, TX)
Law Firm: Haynes and Boone, LLP (Local + 13 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15207199 on 07/11/2016 (554 days app to issue)

Abstract: A multi-electrode array with individually isolated electrodes each configurable for a target-containing carrier and a method for fabricating the array are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the array includes a substrate; and a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate. Each electrode of the plurality of electrodes has a conductive tip-end and an insulated remainder. A first electrode of the plurality of electrodes has a first configuration selected to bring a conductive tip end of the first electrode in proximity to a first target structure, and a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes has a second configuration selected to bring a conductive tip end of the second electrode in proximity to a second target structure. The first configuration and the second configuration are different. A first contact of the plurality of contacts may be electrically coupled to the first electrode through the substrate.

[A61N] ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B 18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infra-red radiators for heating H05B) [6]

O P E R A T I O N S & T R A N S P O R T

[PATENT BELOW, IMAGE VIA USPTO]

Slip-fit nozzle assembly for an arc welding apparatus
Patent No. 9868174

Inventor(s): Glenn K. Redding (Flower Mound, TX), Khalid Hassan (Denton, TX)
Assignee(s): Victor Equipment Company (Denton, TX)
Law Firm: Edell, Shapiro Finnan, LLC (2 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14540060 on 11/13/2014 (1160 days app to issue)

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a welding torch and a welding torch including said nozzle assembly is provided. The nozzle assembly generally comprises a nozzle body having an internal bore with a plurality of detents disposed within a portion of the internal bore and an insert assembly having a proximal exterior surface with a plurality of sealing members. The insert assembly is adapted to be secured within the internal bore of the nozzle body by the plurality of sealing members progressively engaging the plurality of detents.

[B23K] SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM (making metal-coated products by extruding metal B21C 23/22; building up linings or coverings by casting B22D 19/08; casting by dipping B22D 23/04; manufacture of composite layers by sintering metal powder B22F 7/00; arrangements on machine tools for copying or controlling B23Q; covering metals or covering materials with metals, not otherwise provided for C23C; burners F23D)

Apparatus and method for extruding stripes onto an extruded product
Patent No. 9868243

Inventor(s): Mark D. Bennett (Bonham, TX), William T. Bigbee, Jr. (Melissa, TX)
Assignee(s): Encore Wire Corporation (McKinney, TX)
Law Firm: Warren Rhoades LLP (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14453444 on 08/06/2014 (1259 days app to issue)

Abstract: An apparatus for extruding a jacket and/or insulative material onto an extruded product with one or more longitudinal stripes incorporated onto the surface of said extruded product comprising a body, a primary feed conduit for conveying a primary extrusion material, a striping die, a secondary feed conduit for conveying a secondary extrusion material, a striping die adapter, a striping feed conduit extending through the striping die adapter for conveying striping extrusion material. The striping die adapter may also include a thermocouple for maintaining the viscosity of the striping extrusion material and a thermocouple for monitoring the temperature of said striping die adapter. The striping die includes one or more striping extrusion outlets for conveying striping extrusion material onto the extruded product. The striping die may also include a wishbone-shaped trough for delivering equal amounts of striping extrusion material to said extrusion outlets for extrusion onto the product.

[B29C] SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B 11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B 37/00-B32B 41/00) [4]

Adhesive panels of microvane arrays for reducing effects of wingtip vortices
Patent No. 9868516

Inventor(s): Brian T. Rosenberger (Aledo, TX), Eric Frederick Charlton (Grapevine, TX)
Assignee(s): Lockheed Martin Corporation (Bethesda, MD)
Law Firm: Baker Botts L.L.P. (Local + 8 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14569270 on 12/12/2014 (1131 days app to issue)

Abstract: In one embodiment, a wing includes a low pressure side, a high pressure side opposite the low pressure side, and a drag reducing apparatus coupled to the low pressure using an adhesive. The drag reducing apparatus includes a first side coupled to the low pressure side of the wing, and a second side opposite the first side, the second side comprising a plurality of vortex generators arranged in an array configuration, the array configuration of vortex generators operable to weaken a wingtip vortex generated by the wing by generating one or more vane vortices near an end of the low pressure side of the wing.

[B64C] AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS (air-cushion vehicles B60V)

Tiltrotor aircraft having journal bearing mounted pylon assemblies
Patent No. 9868541

Inventor(s): Andrew G. Baines (Fort Worth, TX), George Ryan Decker (Fort Worth, TX), James Everett Kooiman (Fort Worth, TX), Keith Alan Stanney (Fort Worth, TX), Matthew Carl VanBuskirk (Fort Worth, TX)
Assignee(s): Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (Fort Worth, TX)
Law Firm: Lawrence Youst PLLC (Local)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15407449 on 01/17/2017 (364 days app to issue)

Abstract: A propulsion system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes an engine supported by the airframe and a fixed gearbox operably coupled to the engine. Inboard and outboard pedestals are supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. A pylon assembly is rotatably coupled between the inboard and outboard pedestals. The pylon assembly includes a spindle gearbox having an input gear, a mast operably coupled to the input gear and a proprotor assembly operable to rotate with the mast. The spindle gearbox is rotatable about a conversion axis to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between helicopter and airplane modes. A common shaft, rotatable about the conversion axis, is configured to transfer torque from an output gear of the fixed gearbox to the input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a journal bearing that provides a stiff coupling with the pylon assembly.

[B64D] EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLYING SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT

Tiltrotor aircraft having pillow block mounted pylon assemblies
Patent No. 9868542

Inventor(s): Andrew G. Baines (Fort Worth, TX), Christopher R. Jackson (Fort Worth, TX), Daniel J. Sweigard (Fort Worth, TX), George Ryan Decker (Fort Worth, TX), James Elbert King (Fort Worth, TX), James Everett Kooiman (Fort Worth, TX,
Assignee(s): Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (Fort Worth, TX)
Law Firm: Lawrence Youst PLLC (Local)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15407471 on 01/17/2017 (364 days app to issue)

Abstract: A propulsion system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes an engine supported by the airframe and a fixed gearbox operably coupled to the engine. Inboard and outboard pedestals are supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. A pylon assembly is rotatably coupled between the inboard and outboard pedestals. The pylon assembly includes a spindle gearbox having an input gear, a mast operably coupled to the input gear and a proprotor assembly operable to rotate with the mast. The spindle gearbox is rotatable about a conversion axis to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between helicopter and airplane modes. A common shaft, rotatable about the conversion axis, is configured to transfer torque from an output gear of the fixed gearbox to the input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a pillow block housing such as a full or a split pillow block housing.

[B64D] EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLYING SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT

Controller, method of operating a water source heat pump and a water source heat pump
Patent No. 9869419

Inventor(s): Eric Perez (Hickory Creek, TX), Harold Gene Havard, Jr. (Carrollton, TX), Steve Schneider (Plano, TX)
Assignee(s): Lennox Industries Inc. (Richardson, TX)
Law Firm: Baker Botts L.L.P. (Local + 8 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15162813 on 05/24/2016 (602 days app to issue)

Abstract: In one embodiment, a water system includes a compressor, a condenser fluidly coupled to the compressor by refrigerant tubing, a modulating motor-controlled valve configured to alter a flow of water through the condenser, an accelerometer mechanically coupled to the water system, and a water system controller. The water system controller may be configured to perform an automated anti-water hammer procedure. During the automated anti-water hammer procedure, the water system controller may be configured to activate an operating procedure for the water system, transmit a control signal to the modulating motor-controlled valve, receive vibrational measurements received from the accelerometer, compare the vibrational measurements measured by the accelerometer to a predetermined vibration level associated with the operating procedure, and adjust the opening position and opening speed of the modulating motor-controlled valve for the operating procedure if the vibrational measurements exceed the predetermined vibration level associated with the operating procedure.

[B08B] CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL (brushes A46; devices for domestic or like cleaning A47L; separation of particles from liquids or gases B01D; separation of solids B03, B07; spraying or applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces in general B05; cleaning devices for conveyors B65G 45/10; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C 7/00; inhibiting corrosion or incrustation in general C23; cleaning streets, permanent ways, beaches or land E01H; parts, details or accessories of swimming or splash baths or pools, specially adapted for cleaning E04H 4/16; preventing or removing electrostatic charges H05F)

C H E M I S T R Y & M E T A L L U R G Y

System and method for treating water systems with high voltage discharge and ozone
Patent No. 9868653

Inventor(s): Adrian J. Denvir (Richardson, TX), David F. Vela (Irving, TX), Matt C. Holloway (Ft. Worth, TX)
Assignee(s): NCH Corporation (Irving, TX)
Law Firm: Ross Barnes LLP (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14260605 on 04/24/2014 (1363 days app to issue)

Abstract: A system and method for treating flowing water systems with a plasma discharge to remove or control growth of microbiological species. The system and method protect other components of the water system from being damaged by excess energy from the electrohydraulic treatment. The system and method also recycle ozone gas generated by a high voltage generator that powers the plasma discharge to further treat the water. A gas infusion system upstream of or inside a plasma reaction chamber may be used to create fine bubbles of ozone, air, or other gases in the water being treated to aid in plasma generation.

[C02F] TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (processes for making harmful chemical substances harmless, or less harmful, by effecting a chemical change in the substances A62D 3/00; separation, settling tanks or filter devices B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F 9/04) [3]

Materials and methods for enhancing physical properties, dynamic properties and dispersion in carbon black and mixtures containing carbon black
Patent No. 9868844

Inventor(s): Carl McAfee (Kennedale, TX)
Assignee(s): CR Minerals Company LLC (Ohkay Owingeh, NM)
Law Firm: Altera Law Group, LLC (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15098982 on 04/14/2016 (642 days app to issue)

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods to enhance dispersion of carbon black within polymer systems, improving both static physical properties and dynamic physical properties of polymers (such as natural or synthetic rubber) containing carbon black. Some variations provide a composition containing a polymer, carbon black, and a performance-enhancing additive comprising amorphous silica, wherein the performance-enhancing additive causes a property improvement associated with or imparted by the carbon black. The performance-enhancing additive scrubs or exfoliates the carbon black in situ, to improve tensile strength, modulus, tear, elongation, dispersion, flow properties, viscosity, hardness, specific gravity, rebound, torque, and/or load of the polymer composite.

[C08K] USE OF INORGANIC OR NON-MACROMOLECULAR ORGANIC SUBSTANCES AS COMPOUNDING INGREDIENTS (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09) [2]

Tissue and blood-based miRNA biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis and metastasis-predictive potential in colorectal cancer
Patent No. 9868992

Inventor(s): Ajay Goel (Dallas, TX), C. Richard Boland (Dallas, TX), Keun Hur (Dallas, TX), Yuji Toiyama (Dallas, TX)
Assignee(s): Baylor Research Institute (Dallas, TX)
Law Firm: Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP (Local + 11 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14215959 on 03/17/2014 (1401 days app to issue)

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and classification of cancer, especially colorectal cancer, are provided. For example, in certain aspects methods for cancer prognosis using expression or methylation analysis of selected biomarkers are described. Particular aspects of the present invention may include methods and biomarkers for diagnosing or detecting colorectal cancer or metastasis in a subject by measuring a level of expression of biomarker miRNA such as miR-885-5p in the sample from the subject and evaluating the risk of developing cancer or metastasis in the subject.

[C12Q] MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N 33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES [3]

F I X E D C O N S T R U C T I O N S

[PATENT BELOW, IMAGE VIA USPTO]

Reverse circulation cementing system for cementing a liner
Patent No. 9869157

Inventor(s): Arthur Stautzenberger (Denton, TX), David Matus (Prosper, TX), Emile Sevadjian (Carrollton, TX), Gary Kohn (Carrollton, TX), Odee Daigle (Sachse, TX), Richard Noffke (Frisco, TX), Ryan Humphrey (Dallas, TX), Stephen M
Assignee(s): HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC. (Houston, TX)
Law Firm: Haynes and Boone, LLP (Local + 13 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14906403 on 10/09/2013 (1560 days app to issue)

Abstract: Reverse circulation cementing of a liner in a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation is presented. A running tool with expansion cone, release assembly, annular isolation device, and reverse circulation assembly is run-in with a liner. The annular isolation device is set against the casing. A valve, such as a dropped-ball operated sliding sleeve valve, opens reverse circulation ports for the cementing operation. The liner annulus is cemented using reverse circulation. The expandable liner hanger is expanded into engagement with the casing. Conventional circulation is restored. The running tool is released and pulled from the hole.

[E21B] EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING (mining, quarrying E21C; making shafts, driving galleries or tunnels E21D); OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS [5]

M E C H A N I C A L E N G I N E E R I N G
LIGHTING | HEATING | WEAPONS | BLASTING

System and method for sequential injection of reagent to reduce NOx from combustion sources
Patent No. 9869226

Inventor(s): Eric Lindemann (Oxford, CT), James M. Valentine (Fairfield, CT), Jeffrey Michael Broderick (Ridgefield, CT), Scott H. Lindemann (Oxford, CT)
Assignee(s): PEERLESS MFG. CO. (Dallas, TX)
Law Firm: Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP (5 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14292302 on 05/30/2014 (1327 days app to issue)

Abstract: In a large exhaust duct from a lean burn combustion source, such as a boiler, diesel engine or gas turbine, multiple injectors can be used to inject a reagent, such as an aqueous solution of urea or ammonia, into the exhaust for use in the catalytic reduction of NOx in a process known in the art as selective catalytic reduction (SCR). When operating at low injection rates, such as during low combustor loads, the injectors are operated individually for short periods of time in a sequential manner.

[F01N] GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES (arrangements in connection with gas exhaust of propulsion units in vehicles B60K 13/00; combustion-air intake silencers specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines F02M 35/00; protecting against, or damping, noise in general G10K 11/16)

Expansion anchor with grooves in the expansion cone
Patent No. 9869334

Inventor(s): Matteo Spampatti (Addison, TX)
Assignee(s): Hilti Aktiengesellschaft (Schaan, , LI)
Law Firm: Crowell Moring LLP (3 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15034743 on 11/04/2014 (1169 days app to issue)

Abstract: An expansion anchor with a bolt and at least one expansion element is disclosed. An oblique surface is arranged in the region of the first end of the bolt and forces the expansion element radially outward on the bolt if the bolt is displaced in a pull-out direction relative to the expansion element. The bolt has, in the region of its rear end facing away from the first end, a load-absorber which is suitable for introducing tensile forces which are directed in the pull-out direction into the bolt. At least one groove which is closed with respect to the first end is made in the oblique surface, which groove reduces the contact surface between the expansion element and the oblique surface.

[F16B] DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D)

Evaporator with replaceable fan venturi ring
Patent No. 9869505

Inventor(s): Scott Seccuro (McDonough, GA), Subodh Sharma (Grayson, GA), Todd Collins (Williamsport, IN)
Assignee(s): Heatcraft Refrigeration Products, LLC (Richardson, TX)
Law Firm: Baker Botts L.L.P. (Local + 8 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 13295124 on 11/14/2011 (2255 days app to issue)

Abstract: The present application provides an evaporator. The evaporator may include a housing, a coil assembly mounted within the housing, and a fan housing positioned within the housing. The fan housing may include a fan and a replaceable venturi ring sized to accommodate the fan.

[F25B] REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS, OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS (heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K 5/00; pumps, compressors F04; use of heat pumps for domestic or space-heating or for domestic hot-water supply F24D; air-conditioning, air-humidification F24F; fluid heaters using heat pumps F24H)

P H Y S I C S

[PATENT BELOW, IMAGE VIA USPTO]

Programming of paired authorization codes in wireless transmitter and barrier operator prior to use by end user
Patent No. 9869120

Inventor(s): Steven E. Wilder (Ashland, OH), Tim Ikeler (Massillon, OH), Tom Deneen (Akron, OH)
Assignee(s): Overhead Door Corporation (Lewisville, TX)
Law Firm: Gardere Wynee Sewell LLP (no location found)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15132069 on 04/18/2016 (638 days app to issue)

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method including manufacturing a barrier opening system comprising a barrier operator, and at least one wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting commands to the barrier operator. Prior to delivery of the barrier opening system to an end user, an authorization code is programmed into the at least one wireless transmitter. Also prior to delivery of the barrier opening system to the end user, the barrier operator is placed into a learn mode. The authorization code is then transmitted to the barrier operator while the barrier operator is in the learn mode, using a transmitter external to the barrier opening system. The barrier operator then exits the learn mode. The barrier operator is thereafter packaged together the at least one wireless transmitter.

[G05B] CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (fluid-pressure actuators or systems acting by means of fluids in general F15B; valves per se F16K; characterised by mechanical features only G05G; sensitive elements, see the appropriate subclasses, e.g. G12B, subclasses of G01, H01; correcting units, see the appropriate subclasses, e.g. H02K)

Heat pump system having a pressure trip sensor recalculation algorithm controller
Patent No. 9869500

Inventor(s): Eric Berg (Carrollton, TX), Pete Hrejsa (Carrollton, TX), Rakesh Goel (Carrollton, TX)
Assignee(s): Lennox Industries Inc. (Richardson, TX)
Law Firm: Baker Botts L.L.P. (Local + 8 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14087519 on 11/22/2013 (1516 days app to issue)

Abstract: One aspect presents an controller that comprises a control board, a microprocessor located on and electrically coupled to the control board, and a memory coupled to the microprocessor and located on and electrically coupled to the control board. The controller is configured to receive a trip signal from a refrigerant high pressure sensor and set a maximum heating % demand of the heat pump system based on the trip signal, recalculate a heating % demand based on at least one of the recalculated heating % demand or the maximum heating % demand.

[G01K] MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J 5/00)

Single element radiometric lens
Patent No. 9869848

Inventor(s): Richard L. Southerland (Plano, TX)
Assignee(s): DRS Network Imaging Systems, LLC (Melbourne, FL)
Law Firm: Kilpatrick Townsend Stockton LLP (14 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15438519 on 02/21/2017 (329 days app to issue)

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and apparatuses that include a focusable lens, as well as methods for focusing the optical lens. The focusable lens system includes a single element lens having a concave refractive surface characterized by a first radius of curvature and a convex refractive surface characterized by a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature. A detector element generates electrical signals representative of infrared rays refracted by the single element lens and incident on the detector element, and an aperture stop is disposed around an optical axis of the optical system and secured in a constant position relative to the detector element, the aperture stop configured to limit a cone angle of rays refracted by the single element lens. They system also includes image processing circuitry configured to generate digital pixilation data based on electrical signals generated by the detector element.

[G02B] OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS (G02F takes precedence; optical elements specially adapted for use in lighting devices or systems thereof F21V 1/00-F21V 13/00; measuring-instruments, see the relevant subclass of class G01, e.g. optical rangefinders G01C; testing of optical elements, systems, or apparatus G01M 11/00; spectacles G02C; apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them G03B; sound lenses G10K 11/30; electron and ion “optics” H01J; X-ray “optics” H01J, H05G 1/00; optical elements structurally combined with electric discharge tubes H01J 5/16, H01J 29/89, H01J 37/22; microwave “optics” H01Q; combination of optical elements with television receivers H04N 5/72; optical systems or arrangements in colour television systems H04N 9/00; heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas H05B 3/84) [7]

Scheduling operations in non-volatile memory devices using preference values
Patent No. 9870149

Inventor(s): Ryan Marlin (San Jose, CA), Steven Sprouse (San Jose, CA)
Assignee(s): SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: Brinks Gilson Lione (7 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14937793 on 11/10/2015 (798 days app to issue)

Abstract: A method of scheduling memory operations to be performed by non-volatile memory devices in a storage system includes identifying a plurality of memory operations to be performed by a plurality of non-volatile memory devices in the storage system. The number of memory operations in the plurality of memory operations is no greater than the number of non-volatile memory devices in the plurality of non-volatile memory devices; each memory operation is to be performed by a distinct non-volatile memory device; and the memory operations include host writes, garbage collection writes, and garbage collection reads. The method also includes, for each non-volatile memory device, assigning preference values to each of the memory operations. The method further includes assigning each memory operation to a distinct non-volatile memory device, using the preference values assigned to each of the memory operations for each non-volatile memory device.

[G06F] ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

Non-volatile memory systems utilizing storage address tables
Patent No. 9870153

Inventor(s): Alan Welsh Sinclair (Falkirk, , GB)
Assignee(s): SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: Brinks Gilson Lione (7 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14584315 on 12/29/2014 (1114 days app to issue)

Abstract: Non-volatile memory systems utilizing storage address tables are disclosed. A non-volatile memory system may include a non-volatile memory, a memory die command manager in communication with the memory, and a command manager in communication with the memory die command manager. The memory die command manager is configured to identify a free die of the memory to store data, where the free die of the memory is identified independent of a host logical block address associated with the data; store the data at a physical block address at the free die; and generate an entry in a first address table, the first address table associating the physical block address with a virtual logical block address. The command manager is configured to generate an entry in a second address table, the second address table associating the virtual logical block address with a host logical block address received with the host write command.

[G06F] ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

Systems and methods of storing data
Patent No. 9870167

Inventor(s): Manuel Antonio D”Abreu (El Dorado Hills, CA), Sathyanarayanan Subramanian (Bangalore, , IN)
Assignee(s): SanDisk Technologies LLC (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: Toler Law Group, PC (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14880909 on 10/12/2015 (827 days app to issue)

Abstract: A device includes a memory and a controller coupled to the memory. The controller is configured to process data to form codewords and to send the codewords to the memory to be stored at locations of the memory that are restricted based on a non-adjacency pattern.

[G06F] ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

Multi-stage programming at a storage device using multiple instructions from a host
Patent No. 9870174

Inventor(s): Amir Shaharabany (Kochav Yair, , IL), Hadas Oshinsky (Kfar Saba, , IL)
Assignee(s): SanDisk Technologies LLC (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: Toler Law Group, PC (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15404487 on 01/12/2017 (369 days app to issue)

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory storing a group of pages of data. An interface of the apparatus is configured to send, to a data storage device (DSD) from a first command queue, a first instruction of instructions to store the group of pages to the DSD using a logical address corresponding to the group of pages. The interface is further configured to send, to the DSD from a second command queue, a second instruction of the instructions to write the group of pages to the DSD using the logical address. Sending a first copy of the group of pages in association with the first instruction and sending a second copy of the group of pages in association with the second instruction enables a multi-stage programming operation to be performed at the DSD without storing the group of pages at the DSD between stages of the multi-stage programming operation.

[G06F] ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

System and method for reliably persisting storage writes at high speed
Patent No. 9870177

Inventor(s): Cameron Bahar (Los Altos, CA), Huawei Liu (Shenzhen, , CN), Jinshui Liu (Plano, TX), Mark Allan Kampe (Los Angeles, CA), Wesley Shao (Cupertino, CA)
Assignee(s): Futurewei Technologies, Inc. (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: Slater Matsil, LLP (Local + 1 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14688718 on 04/16/2015 (1006 days app to issue)

Abstract: A method for operating a device adapted to store information with high reliability includes determining a storage address for a data payload portion of a write request in accordance with a configuration of a communications interface coupled to the device, where the data payload is to be stored in mirroring groups of cache storage partitions of a plurality of cache storage modules. The method also includes generating a payload read request in accordance with the storage address, and prompting the communications interface to initiate the storing of the data payload, in parallel, in the mirroring groups in accordance with the payload read request.

[G06F] ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

Automation optimization in a command line interface
Patent No. 9870257

Inventor(s): Changbin Gong (Sherborn, MA), Srinivas Mantrala (Morrisville, NC)
Assignee(s): VCE Company, LLC (Richardson, TX)
Law Firm: Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP (10 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14536447 on 11/07/2014 (1166 days app to issue)

Abstract: A method of automation optimization in a command line interface is provided. The method includes receiving a configuration input that includes one or more commands and parsing the configuration input. The method also includes generating a command list that includes one or more tasks, based on the configuration input and populating a queue with the one or more tasks. The method includes executing each of the one or more tasks from the queue, on a command line interface and outputting a result, based on the executing.

[G06F] ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

Triggered queue transformation
Patent No. 9870259

Inventor(s): Gary Yu (Plano, TX)
Assignee(s): Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (Beverly Hills, CA)
Law Firm: Kilpatrick Townsend Stockton, LLP (14 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15633119 on 06/26/2017 (204 days app to issue)

Abstract: Methods and systems disclosed herein relate generally to evaluating resource loads to determine when to transform queues and to specific techniques for transforming at least part of queues so as to correspond to alternative resources.

[G06F] ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

Methods and systems for predicting health condition of human subjects
Patent No. 9870449

Inventor(s): Abhishek Tripathi (Bangalore, , IN), Amith Sitaram (Shimoga, , IN), Ranjan Shetty K (Parkala Udupi, , IN), Sakyajit Bhattacharya (Bangalore, , IN), Vaibhav Rajan (Bangalore, , IN), Vivek G Raman (Manipal, , IN)
Assignee(s): CONDUENT BUSINESS SERVICES, LLC (Dallas, TX)
Law Firm: Jones Robb, PLLC (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14629766 on 02/24/2015 (1057 days app to issue)

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for classifying one or more human subjects in one or more categories indicative of a health condition of the one or more human subjects. The method includes categorizing one or more parameters of each of the one or more human subjects in one or more data views based on a data type of each of the one or more parameters. A data view corresponds to a first data structure storing a set of parameters categorized in the data view, associated with each of the one or more human subjects. The one or more data views are transformed to a second data structure representative of the set of parameters across the one or more data views. Thereafter, a classifier is trained based on the second data structure, wherein the classifier classifies the one or more human subjects in the one or more categories.

[G06F] ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

RFID disruption device and related methods
Patent No. 9870527

Inventor(s): Gregory L. Horne (Argyle, TX), James C. Adams (Burleson, TX)
Assignee(s): Curio Ltd. (Fort Worth, TX)
Law Firm: Hogan Lovells US LLP (9 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15348791 on 11/10/2016 (432 days app to issue)

Abstract: Devices and methods of disrupting data transfer between an RFID interrogation device ([b]50, 50[/b]) and an RFID data storage device ([b]30, 30[/b]) to be protected, are provided. An example of an embodiment of an RFID signal disruptor device includes a container ([b]41, 141[/b]) and an RFID signal disruptor circuit ([b]151, 161, 161, 171, 171, 271, 271[/b]) configured to substantially disrupt the signal provided by the RFID interrogation device ([b]50, 50[/b]) when the RFID signal disruptor device is positioned to protect the RFID data storage device ([b]30, 30[/b]). The RFID signal disruptor device can also include an interrogation indicator ([b]63, 296[/b]) configured to indicate to a user of the RFID data storage device ([b]30, 30[/b]) that an unauthorized RFID interrogation device ([b]50, 50[/b]) is attempting to interrogate the RFID data storage device ([b]30, 30[/b]) when the RFID signal disruptor device is positioned in close proximity to the RFID data storage device ([b]30, 30[/b]) to provide protection thereto and when the RFID interrogation device ([b]50, 50[/b]) is producing the interrogation signal.

[G06K] RECOGNITION OF DATA; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS (printing per se B41J)

Method and apparatus for determining probabilistic context awareness of a mobile device user using a single sensor and/or multi-sensor data fusion
Patent No. 9870535

Inventor(s): Arun Kumar (New Delhi, , IN), Ghanapriya Singh (New Delhi, , IN), Indra Narayan Kar (New Delhi, , IN), Kashif R. J. Meer (New Delhi, , IN), Mahesh Chowdhary (San Jose, CA), Rajendar Bahl (New Delhi, , IN)
Assignee(s): STMicroelectronics, Inc. (Coppell, TX)
Law Firm: Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP (Local + 1 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15074188 on 03/18/2016 (669 days app to issue)

Abstract: An electronic device described herein includes a sensing unit having at least one sensor to acquire sensing data. An associated computing device extracts sensor specific features from the sensing data, and generates a motion activity vector, a voice activity vector, and a spatial environment vector as a function of the sensor specific features. The motion activity vector, voice activity vector, and spatial environment vector are processed to determine a base level context of the electronic device relative to its surroundings, with the base level context having aspects each based on the motion activity vector, voice activity vector, and spatial environment vector. Meta level context of the electronic device relative to its surroundings is determined as a function of the base level context, with the meta level context being at least one inference made from at least two aspects of the plurality of aspects of the base level context.

[G01D] MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED BY A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; TRANSFERRING OR TRANSDUCING ARRANGEMENTS NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

Determining an inventory target for a node of a supply chain
Patent No. 9870544

Inventor(s): Adeel Najmi (Plano, TX), Mehdi Sheikhzadeh (Irving, TX)
Assignee(s): JDA Software Group, Inc. (Scottsdale, AZ)
Law Firm: Jackson White, PC (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14331038 on 07/14/2014 (1282 days app to issue)

Abstract: Determining an inventory target for a node of a supply chain includes calculating a demand stock for satisfying a demand over supply lead time at the node of the supply chain, and calculating a demand variability stock for satisfying a demand variability of the demand over supply lead time at the node. A demand bias of the demand at the node is established. An inventory target for the node is determined based on the demand stock and the demand variability stock in accordance with the demand bias.

[G06Q] DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS OR METHODS, SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL, SUPERVISORY OR FORECASTING PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL, SUPERVISORY OR FORECASTING PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR [2006.01]

Customer interaction manager on a restaurant computer
Patent No. 9870555

Inventor(s): James Lee Fortuna (Dallas, TX)
Assignee(s): NCR Corporation (Duluth, GA)
Law Firm: Schwegman, Lundberg Woessner (6 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 13690896 on 11/30/2012 (1873 days app to issue)

Abstract: An approach is provided for indirectly connecting a customer”s mobile smart device to a point of sale computer located at a business when the customer is making a purchase at the business. The customer”s mobile smart device and the POS computer communicate over the Internet with a customer interaction manager executing on an Internet server. This provides an easy to use interface for the customer and allows the customer to receive information and send requests to the business without having to wait for personnel working at the business to be available.

System and method for assessing usability of captured images
Patent No. 9870609

Inventor(s): Arjun Sharma (Karnataka, , IN), Pramod Sankar Kompalli (Telangana, , IN), Richard L. Howe (Webster, NY)
Assignee(s): Conduent Business Services, LLC (Dallas, TX)
Law Firm: Fox Rothschild LLP (12 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15172526 on 06/03/2016 (592 days app to issue)

Abstract: A system estimates quality of a digital image by accessing a corpus of digital images of one or more subjects, such as a facet of a property. The system will receive, for at least a subset of the corpus, an indicator that one or more patches of each image in the subset is out of focus. The system will train a classifier by obtaining a feature representation of each pixel in each image, along with a focus value that represents an extent to which each pixel in the image is in focus or out of focus. The system will use the classifier to analyze pixels of a new digital image and assess whether each analyzed pixel in the new digital image is in focus or out of focus. The system may use the image to assess whether an incident occurred, such as storm-related damage to the property.

[G06K] RECOGNITION OF DATA; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS (printing per se B41J)

Vehicle battery data analysis service
Patent No. 9870652

Inventor(s): Alfonso Jones (Irving, TX)
Assignee(s): ATT Intellectual Property I, L.P. (Atlanta, GA)
Law Firm: Hartman Citrin LLC (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15350545 on 11/14/2016 (428 days app to issue)

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for a vehicle battery data analysis service. A processor can execute a vehicle battery data analysis service. The processor can generate a request to execute a load test at a vehicle and transmit the load request to a vehicle diagnostic system located at the vehicle. The processor can obtain diagnostic data generated by the vehicle diagnostic system. The diagnostic data can include test data that indicates a load of a battery of the vehicle and vehicle data that identifies the vehicle. The processor can update fleet data based upon the diagnostic data.

[G07C] TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE (identification of persons A61B 5/117; indicating or recording apparatus for measuring in general, analogous apparatus but in which the input is not a variable to be measured, e.g. a hand operation, G01D; clocks, clock mechanisms G04B, G04C; time-interval measuring G04F; counting mechanisms per se G06M)

Remote barrier operator command and status device and operation
Patent No. 9870664

Inventor(s): Leroy G. Krupke (Carrollton, TX), Mark Kenneth Siegesmund (Brookfield, WI), Steven E. Wilder (Ashland, OH)
Assignee(s): Overhead Door Corporation (Lewisville, TX)
Law Firm: Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP (Local + 1 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15337850 on 10/28/2016 (445 days app to issue)

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a barrier operator system in which a remotely located transceiver type controller is in wireless communication with a transceiver type adapter connected to a barrier operator, and in electronic communication with the barrier operator”s microcontroller. The controller is operable to wirelessly transmit door operator status inquiries to the adapter. This may be effected automatically in connection with the transmission and receipt by the adapter of door toggle commands or separate and apart from same. The status information is wirelessly transmitted by the adapter in broadcast form without source or destination address to the remote device in a signal that is non-addressed broadcast door operator (and, indirectly, door) status information by relying upon the receipt of the message by the remote within the specific time limit of the reception window of the remote.

Optimal multilevel sensing for reading data from a storage medium
Patent No. 9870830

Inventor(s): Seungjune Jeon (Milpitas, CA)
Assignee(s): SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: Morgan, Lewis Bockius LLP (13 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 13831133 on 03/14/2013 (1769 days app to issue)

Abstract: Systems, methods and/or devices that enhance the reliability with which data can be stored in and read from a memory utilize an error indicator, obtained from using one reading threshold voltage for decoding, to adaptively determine the reading threshold voltage(s) used for subsequent decoding attempts. For example, in some implementations, the method includes initiating performance of a first read operation, using a first reading threshold voltage, to obtain a first error indicator, and further includes initiating performance of a second set of additional read operations using two or more second reading threshold voltages, the second reading threshold voltages determined in accordance with the first error indicator, to obtain a second error indicator. In some embodiments, when the first error indicator is greater than a first threshold, a difference between two of the second reading threshold voltages is greater than when the first error indicator is less than a first threshold.

[G11C] STATIC STORES (information storage based on relative movement between record carrier and transducer G11B; semiconductor devices for storage H01L, e.g. H01L 27/108-H01L 27/11597; pulse technique in general H03K, e.g. electronic switches H03K 17/00)

E L E C T R I C I T Y

Method and system for using conversational biometrics and speaker identification/verification to filter voice streams
Patent No. 9870776

Inventor(s): Naveen Narayan (Flower Mound, TX)
Assignee(s): INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION (Armonk, NY)
Law Firm: Roberts Mlotkowski Safran Cole Calderon, P.C. (2 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14988884 on 01/06/2016 (741 days app to issue)

Abstract: A method and system for using conversational biometrics and speaker identification and/or verification to filter voice streams during mixed mode communication. The method includes receiving an audio stream of a communication between participants. Additionally, the method includes filtering the audio stream of the communication into separate audio streams, one for each of the participants. Each of the separate audio streams contains portions of the communication attributable to a respective participant. Furthermore, the method includes outputting the separate audio streams to a storage system.

[H04M] TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08)

Methods of forming nanosheets on lattice mismatched substrates
Patent No. 9870940

Inventor(s): Mark Rodder (Dallas, TX)
Assignee(s): Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (, , KR)
Law Firm: Myers Bigel, P.A. (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15066177 on 03/10/2016 (677 days app to issue)

Abstract: Methods of forming nanosheets for a semiconductor device are provided including providing a silicon on insulator (SOI) handle wafer, the SOT handle wafer including a silicon layer and a dielectric layer on the silicon layer; providing a first donor wafer; bonding the SOI handle wafer and the first donor wafer together to provide a bonded structure; debonding the bonded structure to provide an intermediate wafer including a plurality of silicon or non-silicon nanosheets and a plurality of dielectric layers alternately stacked; and bonding the intermediate wafer to a second donor wafer to provide a final wafer including a plurality of silicon or non-silicon layers and a plurality of dielectric layers alternately stacked, wherein the final wafer includes at least one more pair of silicon or non-silicon and dielectric layers than the intermediate wafer.

[H01L] SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (use of semiconductor devices for measuring G01; resistors in general H01C; magnets, inductors, transformers H01F; capacitors in general H01G; electrolytic devices H01G 9/00; batteries, accumulators H01M; waveguides, resonators, or lines of the waveguide type H01P; line connectors, current collectors H01R; stimulated-emission devices H01S; electromechanical resonators H03H; loudspeakers, microphones, gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers H04R; electric light sources in general H05B; printed circuits, hybrid circuits, casings or constructional details of electrical apparatus, manufacture of assemblages of electrical components H05K; use of semiconductor devices in circuits having a particular application, see the subclass for the application) [2]

Crystalline layer stack for forming conductive layers in a three-dimensional memory structure
Patent No. 9870945

Inventor(s): Henry Chien (San Jose, CA), Jayavel Pachamuthu (San Jose, CA), Johann Alsmeier (San Jose, CA), Matthias Baenninger (Menlo Park, CA), Stephen Shi (Milpitas, CA)
Assignee(s): SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: The Marbury Law Group PLLC (3 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14643280 on 03/10/2015 (1043 days app to issue)

Abstract: A stack of alternating layers comprising first epitaxial semiconductor layers and second epitaxial semiconductor layers is formed over a single crystalline substrate. The first and second epitaxial semiconductor layers are in epitaxial alignment with a crystal structure of the single crystalline substrate. The first epitaxial semiconductor layers include a first single crystalline semiconductor material, and the second epitaxial semiconductor layers include a second single crystalline semiconductor material that is different from the first single crystalline semiconductor material. A backside contact opening is formed through the stack, and backside cavities are formed by removing the first epitaxial semiconductor layers selective to the second epitaxial semiconductor layers. A stack of alternating layers including insulating layers and electrically conductive layers is formed. Each insulating layer contains a dielectric material portion deposited within a respective backside cavity. Each electrically conductive layer contains a material from a portion of a respective second epitaxial semiconductor layer.

Device and method for alignment of vertically stacked wafers and die
Patent No. 9870999

Inventor(s): John H. Zhang (Altamont, NY), Paul Ferreira (Barraux, , FR), Ronald K. Sampson (Lagrangeville, NY), Walter Kleemeier (Saratoga Springs, NY)
Assignee(s): STMICROELECTRONICS, INC. (Carrollton, TX)
Law Firm: Seed IP Law Group LLP (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14951050 on 11/24/2015 (784 days app to issue)

Abstract: A device is provided that includes a first die having a first alignment structure that includes a plurality of first transmission columns arranged in a pattern and a second die positioned on the first die, the second die having a second alignment structure that includes a plurality of second transmission columns arranged in the same pattern as the first transmission columns. The first and second transmission columns are each coplanar with a first surface and a second surface of the first and second die, respectively.

Enhanced pixel for multiband sensing including a signal path to receive a flow of signals flowing through a control device
Patent No. 9871066

Inventor(s): Joshua Lund (Dallas, TX)
Assignee(s): Sensors Unlimited, Inc. (Princeton, NJ)
Law Firm: Locke Lord LLP (Local + 12 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14997171 on 01/15/2016 (732 days app to issue)

Abstract: An imaging pixel including a control device to control flow of a charge signal from a photodetector. The control device has a variable impedance that varies in response to frequency of an input signal, the control device being biased to permit signals to flow through the control device dependent on the frequency of signals being output by the photodetector. The imaging pixel further includes a low-frequency signal path that receives a flow of signals that flow through the control device, and a high-frequency signal path independent of the low-frequency signal path and the control device, the high-frequency signal path receiving high-frequency signals included in the charge signal.

Sacrificial epitaxial gate stressors
Patent No. 9871139

Inventor(s): Mark S. Rodder (Dallas, TX)
Assignee(s): Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Suwon-si, , KR)
Law Firm: Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP (6 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15342003 on 11/02/2016 (440 days app to issue)

Abstract: A method for fabricating a fin field effect transistor (finFET) device with a strained channel. During fabrication, after the fin is formed, a sacrificial epitaxial gate stressor is deposited on the fin, causing strain in the fin. SD structures are then formed to anchor the ends of the fin, and the sacrificial epitaxial gate stressor is removed.

Voltage bus protection and isolation device
Patent No. 9871372

Inventor(s): Wayne Baldridge (Garland, TX)
Assignee(s): MICROPAC INDUSTRIES, INC. (Garland, TX)
Law Firm: Chalker Flores, LLP (Local)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14925304 on 10/28/2015 (811 days app to issue)

Abstract: A voltage bus protection/isolation device includes voltage input and output terminals, a disconnect circuit connected between the voltage input and output terminals, a voltage monitoring circuit connected to the voltage input terminal, a resistive circuit connected between a first and second return terminals, a current squared time monitoring circuit connected to the resistive circuit, a control circuit connected, and a fault latch circuit connected to the monitoring circuits, the disconnect circuit and the control circuit. The fault latch circuit: turns the disconnect circuit ”OFF” thereby isolating the voltage input terminal from the voltage output terminal whenever the monitoring circuits detect an over voltage condition, an under voltage condition or an overload condition, or an ”OFF” signal is received from the control circuit; and turns the disconnect circuit ”ON” thereby connecting the voltage input terminal to the voltage output terminal whenever an ”ON” signal is received from the control circuit.

[H02H] EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R 31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R 31/08; emergency protective devices H01H)

Non-geometric scaling current steering digital to analog converter
Patent No. 9871531

Inventor(s): Sher J. Fang (Allen, TX), Sherif H. K. Embabi (Allen, TX)
Assignee(s): GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC. (Grand Cayman, , KY)
Law Firm: Hoffman Warnick LLC (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15412193 on 01/23/2017 (358 days app to issue)

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The DAC includes an output node and a plurality of equal sized cell transistors. Each of the plurality of equal sized cell transistors represents a distinct bit, the distinct bits including a least significant bit (LSB). The plurality of equal sized cell transistors are connected to the output node. The DAC includes at least one control circuit configured to modify a back gate voltage of one of the equal sized cell transistors representing the LSB to adjust a current output.

[H03M] CODING, DECODING OR CODE CONVERSION, IN GENERAL (using fluidic means F15C 4/00; optical analogue/digital converters G02F 7/00; coding, decoding or code conversion, specially adapted for particular applications, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. G01D, G01R, G06F, G06T, G09G, G10L, G11B, G11C, H04B, H04L, H04M, H04N; ciphering or deciphering for cryptography or other purposes involving the need for secrecy G09C) [4]

Optical receiver and signal processing method
Patent No. 9871596

Inventor(s): Daijiro Tanaka (Plano, TX)
Assignee(s): FUJITSU LIMITED (Kawasaki, , JP)
Law Firm: Fujitsu Patent Center (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15200693 on 07/01/2016 (564 days app to issue)

Abstract: An optical receiver including: a digital filter that performs spectral shaping on a signal; an analyzer that analyzes a spectrum waveform of the signal; a determiner that determines, based on an analysis result by the analyzer, whether the spectrum waveform of the signal is a Nyquist waveform on the basis of a Nyquist first reference; and a controller that stops the spectral shaping of the signal to be performed by the digital filter when the spectrum waveform of the signal is not the Nyquist waveform as a result of the determination by the determiner, and controls a filter coefficient of the digital filter based on the spectrum waveform of the signal when the spectrum waveform of the signal is the Nyquist waveform as the result of the determination by the determiner.

[H04B] TRANSMISSION [4]

Apparatus and associated method for providing communication bandwidth in communication system
Patent No. 9871650

Inventor(s): Sagar Dhakal (Richardson, TX), Thomas Sexton (Fort Worth, TX)
Assignee(s): BlackBerry Limited (Waterloo, Ontario, , CA)
Law Firm: Fleit Gibbons Gutman Bongini Bianco P.L. (3 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15167594 on 05/27/2016 (599 days app to issue)

Abstract: An apparatus and an associated method selects rates at which received signals are sampled in a multi-user communication system. The signals are sampled at initial sampling rates during a first period. An estimate is made of the number of received signals, and selection is made of an updated sampling rate, based in part upon the estimate.