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. 30, 2018 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington (19100) 

64 patents granted    Ranked No. 14 in patent production out of 250 metros

NO. OF PATENTS BY CLASSIFICATION

TOP 3 LOCAL ASSIGNEES (NO. OF PATENTS)

1. SanDisk Technologies LLC (Plano) 6

2. Conduent Business Services, LLC (Dallas) 3

3. CPG TECHNOLOGIES, LLC (Waxahachie) 3 

TOP LOCAL INVENTOR (NO. OF PATENTS) 

N/A

SPEED: APPLICATION TO ISSUE (NO. OF DAYS) 

221 days
Cover adaptable to multiple vehicle seat configurations
Patent No. 09878646-B2
Assignee: 4Knines, LLC (Richardson)
Inventor: James Umlauf (Phoenix, AZ)

2,344 days
Compression methods and apparatus for occlusion data
Patent No. 09883161-B2
Inventor: Wang Lin Lai (Richardson)
Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING (Issy les Moulineaux, FR)

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

Compression sequenced thermal therapy system
Patent No. 9877864 

Inventor(s): Clark R. Havis (Round Rock, TX), Niran Balachandran (Lewisville, TX), Overton L. Parish (Frisco, TX), Tony Quisenberry (Highland Village, TX)
Assignee(s): ThermoTek, Inc. (Flower Mound, TX)
Law Firm: Winstead PC (Local + 2 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15227417 on 08/03/2016 (545 days app to issue)

Abstract: A sequential compression and temperature therapy blanket with a plurality of air chambers is disclosed. The air chambers are filled and released by a valve assembly that may be separate from or integrated within the blanket. The temperature therapy blanket includes a fluid bladder for delivering hot and/or cold therapy to a patient. The temperature therapy blanket may also include an air bladder for providing compression.

[A61F] FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, E.G. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) [2006.01]

Compositions of marine botanicals to provide nutrition to aging and environmentally damaged skin
Patent No. 9877914 

Inventor(s): Gopa Majmudar (Irving, TX)
Assignee(s): Mary Kay Inc. (Addison, TX)
Law Firm: Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP (Local + 11 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 13769580 on 02/18/2013 (1807 days app to issue)

Abstract: Disclosed is a topical skin composition comprising water, a first algae extract comprising [i]Crithmum maritimum[/i], a second algae extract comprising [i]Ulva lactuca[/i], and a third algae extract.

[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)

Patient programmer having a key-fob-sized form factor
Patent No. 9878165 

Inventor(s): Ben Cottrill (Cleveland, OH), Jeff Gagnon (Champlin, MN), Michael S. Labbe (Twinsburg, OH), Steven E. Wilder (Ashland, OH)
Assignee(s): Nuvectra Corporation (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: Haynes and Boone, LLP (Local + 13 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15270714 on 09/20/2016 (497 days app to issue)

Abstract: A patient programmer has a housing having a key-fob-sized form factor. The patient programmer has electrical circuitry implemented inside the housing. The electrical circuitry includes a communication module configured to conduct wireless communications with an implantable pulse generator. The patient programmer has a user display implemented on the housing. The user display is configured to display one or more statuses of the implantable pulse generator. The implantable pulse generator is configured to generate an electrical stimulation therapy. The patient programmer has one or more buttons implemented on the housing. The one or more buttons are configured to send instructions, via the communication module, to the implantable pulse generator to adjust a stimulation parameter of the electrical stimulation therapy.

[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

Positioning system and method for arc welding consumables
Patent No. 9878394 

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: 14540089 on 11/13/2014 (1174 days app to issue)

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a welding torch, a welding torch that includes said nozzle assembly, and a method of using the welding torch is provided. The nozzle assembly generally comprises an insulator having a plurality of grooves around an outer periphery, a plurality of sealing members disposed within the grooves of the insulator; and a nozzle body slip-fit around the insulator, such that at least one of the insulator and the nozzle body define position indicia.

[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)

Powertrain system in plug-in electric vehicles
Patent No. 9878635 

Inventor(s): Serkan Dusmez (Plano, TX)
Assignee(s): University of Maryland (College Park, MD)
Law Firm: Rosenberg, Klein Lee (no location found)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14618696 on 02/10/2015 (1085 days app to issue)

Abstract: A powertrain system for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) includes one or a number of Energy Storage Sub-Systems (ESSs), and a plurality of Propulsion Machine-Inverter Groups, operatively coupled to the ESSs for being powered in accordance with power requirements of the Propulsion Machines (PMs). Various interface configurations between the ESS(s) and Propulsion Machines are contemplated for the subject powertrain. Some ESSs are coupled to respective PMs (via a common DC Link or a number of independent DC Links) directly, and some through power converters, which may be DC-to-DC, DC-to-AC, AC-to-DC, bi-directional, single input-single output, multiple input-single output, or multiple input-multiple output converters. A Supervisory Energy Management Sub-System cooperates with a Maximum Efficiency Tracker to dynamically control energy distribution in the system based on power requirements of the PMs through control of Propulsion Inverters and/or power converters to dynamically adjust the power level output by the ESSs to the DC Links” voltage variations.

[B60K] ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES [2006.01]

Cover adaptable to multiple vehicle seat configurations
Patent No. 9878646 

Inventor(s): James Umlauf (Phoenix, AZ)
Assignee(s): 4Knines, LLC (Richardson, TX)
Law Firm: Kirton McConkie (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15632080 on 06/23/2017 (221 days app to issue)

Abstract: A cover for a vehicle may include a lower portion sized and configured to extend over a horizontally-oriented top of a bench of a vehicle seat. The cover may also include an upper portion coupled to the lower portion. The upper portion may be sized and configured to extend upwardly over a backrest of the vehicle seat. The upper portion may include a first section, a second section, and a third section. Each of the first section, the second section, and the third section may extend from an upper edge of the upper portion to the lower portion. The cover may include a first coupling mechanism and a second coupling mechanism. The first coupling mechanism may be configured to couple the first section to the second section. The second coupling mechanism may be configured to couple the second section and the third section.

[B60N] VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (furniture construction A47)

Mounting assembly and method for mounting a sound-deadening body to a fuselage of an aircraft
Patent No. 9878772 

Inventor(s): Nicholas W. Yovich (McKinney, TX)
Assignee(s): Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Savannah, GA)
Law Firm: LKGlobal | Lorenz Kopf, LLP (no location found)
Application No., Date, Speed: 13347454 on 01/10/2012 (2212 days app to issue)

Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting a sound-deadening body to a fuselage of an aircraft and a method for attaching a sound-deadening body to a fuselage of an aircraft using the mounting assembly is disclosed herein. In a non-limiting embodiment, the mounting assembly includes, but is not limited to, a retaining member that is configured to engage the sound-deadening body. The mounting assembly further includes an isolating member that is engaged with the retaining member. The isolating member is configured for connection to the fuselage and is further configured to diminish transmission of vibration from the fuselage to and through the retaining member, and therefore to reduce the transmission of sound into the cabin.

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

System and method to produce hydrogen
Patent No. 9878907 

Inventor(s): Alan Bath (Chicago, IL), John Kriegshauser (Chicago, IL), Regis Luther (Naperville, IL), Ujjval Vyas (Chicago, IL)
Assignee(s): CAVENDISH ENERGY (Fort Worth, TX)
Law Firm: Miller, Matthias Hull LLP (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14881130 on 10/12/2015 (841 days app to issue)

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a hydrogen production system for creating and extracting hydrogen gas. The hydrogen production system contains a reactor vessel into which a solution and a metallic or semi-metal material may be placed. The solution is added to the reactor vessel contains both water and a caustic. When contacting the metallic or semi-metal material within the reactor vessel a chemical reaction occurs. The chemical reaction creates hydrogen gas as well as heat and other byproducts. The hydrogen gas may then flow through a hydrogen extraction point located on the reactor vessel for collection or operational use.

[B01J] CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS, COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS (processes or apparatus for specific applications, see the relevant places for these processes or apparatus, e.g. F26B 3/08) [2]

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

Micro-RNA regulation of bone loss
Patent No. 9879260 

Inventor(s): Yihong Wan (Dallas, TX)
Assignee(s): The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (Austin, TX)
Law Firm: Parker Highlander PLLC (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14913005 on 08/14/2014 (1265 days app to issue)

Abstract: The use of miR-34a and agonists thereof in the treatment of bone loss diseases is described. Such conditions include osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other bone wasting diseases.

[C12N] MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF (biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing microorganisms, viruses, microbial fungi, enzymes, fermentates, or substances produced by, or extracted from, microorganisms or animal material A01N 63/00; medicinal preparations A61K; fertilisers C05F); PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q 1/00) [3]

F I X E D  C O N S T R U C T I O N S

Sandline spooling measurement and control system
Patent No. 9879487 

Inventor(s): Brandon S. Bell (Cleburne, TX)
Assignee(s): KEY ENERGY SERVICES, LLC (Houston, TX)
Law Firm: King Spalding LLP (8 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14172637 on 02/04/2014 (1456 days app to issue)

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to measurement and control systems and methods of improved spooling accuracy. Specifically, the systems and method disclosed herein provide techniques for accurately monitoring the depth of a sandline in a wellbore through sensing spool rotation, and controlling certain aspects of the spooling and/or producing certain notifications when the depth is above or below a certain threshold. Thus, the spool can be operated with increased diligence when it gets close to the wellhead. In certain example embodiments, the depth of the sandline is measured based at least partially on the number of spool rotations, compensating for decreasing length of sandline per layer of sandline on the spool.

[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]

Transverse flow downhole power generator
Patent No. 9879506 

Inventor(s): John Gano (Carrollton, TX), Michael Linley Fripp (Carrollton, TX), Thomas Jules Frosell (Irving, TX), Zachary Ryan Murphree (Dallas, TX)
Assignee(s): HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC. (Houston, TX)
Law Firm: McDermott Will Emery LLP (11 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14759962 on 09/19/2014 (1229 days app to issue)

Abstract: An example well system includes a base pipe having an interior and defining one or more flow ports, the base pipe being positionable within a wellbore adjacent a subterranean formation. A flow path for a fluid extends between the interior of the base pipe, through the one or more flow ports, and to an exterior of the base pipe. A transverse turbine is positioned in the flow path, the transverse turbine including a rotor and a plurality of blades positioned to receive a flow of the fluid perpendicular to a rotational axis of the rotor. A generator includes one or more magnets rotatable with rotation of the transverse turbine and one or more coil windings mounted on a stator. The flow of the fluid rotates the transverse turbine and rotation of the transverse turbine generates electrical power in the generator.

[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

Support for reciprocating pump
Patent No. 9879659 

Inventor(s): Chandu Kumar (Fort Worth, TX), Donald Keith Plemons (Fort Worth, TX), Edward C. Kotapish (Willow Park, TX), Jacob A. Bayyouk (Richardson, TX), John M. McCrady (Burleson, TX), Kourosh Momenkhani (Dallas, TX)
Assignee(s): S.P.M. FLOW CONTROL, INC. (Fort Worth, TX)
Law Firm: Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP (Local + 1 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14808654 on 07/24/2015 (921 days app to issue)

Abstract: A skid for supporting a reciprocating pump assembly, the reciprocating pump assembly including a power end frame assembly having a pair of end plates and a plurality of middle plates disposed between the end plates. The end plates each have at least a pair of feet and the middle plates each having at least one foot. The skid includes a base and a plurality of pads extending from the base. At least a portion of the plurality of pads correspond to the end plate feet and at least another portion of the plurality of pads correspond to the at least one foot of each middle plate.

[F04B] POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS (engine fuel-injection pumps F02M; machines for liquids, or pumps, of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type F04C; non-positive-displacement pumps F04D; pumping of fluid by direct contact of another fluid or by using inertia of fluid to be pumped F04F; crankshafts, crossheads, connecting-rods F16C; flywheels F16F; gearings for interconverting rotary motion and reciprocating motion in general F16H; pistons, piston-rods, cylinders, in general F16J; ion pumps H01J 41/12; electrodynamic pumps H02K 44/02)

Duct coupler devices, systems, and related methods
Patent No. 9879804 

Inventor(s): Gregory A. Hunsicker (Dallas, TX), Gus Dean Hammonds (Grand Prairie, TX), Robert William Sward (Keller, TX)
Assignee(s): Structural Technologies, LLC (Hanover, MD)
Law Firm: Jenkins, Wilson, Taylor Hunt, P.A. (2 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14306834 on 06/17/2014 (1323 days app to issue)

Abstract: Coupler devices, systems, and related methods for coupling ducts are provided. In some aspects, a duct coupling device includes a hollow body, at least one coupler seal disposed about an outer surface of the body, and a plurality of apertures extending through the body for facilitating the passage of a fluid and/or any other medium therethrough. A duct coupling system includes a duct coupling device with a sealing member, coupler transitions adapted to receive the duct coupling device, and a sealing member. The sealing member is configured to seal an annular space disposed between a first surface of the duct coupling device and a surface of one of the first and second ducts. A method of coupling ducts includes providing a first coupler transition on a first duct, providing a second coupler transition on a second duct, and providing a duct coupling device between the first and second coupler transitions.

[F16L] PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL

Cooking oven
Patent No. 9879865 

Inventor(s): Lee Thomas VanLanen (McKinney, TX), Philip R. McKee (Frisco, TX)
Assignee(s): Alto-Shaam, Inc. (Menomonee Falls, WI)
Law Firm: Boyle Fredrickson S.C. (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15016093 on 02/04/2016 (726 days app to issue)

Abstract: A cooking oven is disclosed. The cooking oven comprises a housing having an oven cavity and an oven door for access to the oven cavity, at least one air blower for generating heated air, one or more air channels for directing the heated air from the air blower toward the oven cavity, and one or more removable air plenums, wherein each removable air plenum is connected to one of the one or more air channels, comprises an air intake edge for receiving the heated air from the air channel, defines the top or the bottom of a cooking chamber within the oven cavity, and comprises a plurality of air vents for directing the heated air into the cooking chamber. The cooking oven may further comprise a control panel for separately and independently controlling each of the cooking chambers defined by the removable air plenums.

[F24C] OTHER DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES; DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION (radiator stoves of the fluid-circulating type F24H)

HVAC systems and methods with refrigerant leak detection
Patent No. 9879871 

Inventor(s): Hermon Alan Boyd (Red Oak, TX), Mark Olsen (Carrollton, TX), Rakesh Goel (Irving, TX)
Assignee(s): Lennox Industries Inc. (Richardson, TX)
Law Firm: Hubbard Johnston, PLLC (no location found)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14304871 on 06/13/2014 (1327 days app to issue)

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that involve detecting a flammable refrigerant associated with a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In one instance a damper covers an access port allowing a single sensor to monitor at least two separate spaces. In another instance, a multi-probe sensor allows a single sensor to monitor at least two separate spaces. Other systems and methods are presented.

[F24F] AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B 15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F 17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L 17/02)

Auxiliary heat exchanger having fluid retention member for evaporative cooling
Patent No. 9879888 

Inventor(s): Robert B. Uselton (Plano, TX)
Assignee(s): Lennox Industries Inc. (Richardson, TX)
Law Firm: Baker Botts L.L.P. (Local + 8 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 13663778 on 10/30/2012 (1918 days app to issue)

Abstract: An auxiliary heat exchanger may reduce a temperature of a refrigerant allowed to pass through the auxiliary heat exchanger. The operation of the auxiliary heat exchanger may be controlled. In some implementations, the auxiliary heat exchangers may include fluid retention members, thermoelectric coolers, and/or other types of heat exchangers.

[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

Access control for electronic entertainment systems
Patent No. 9878249 

Inventor(s): Kulvir S. Bhogal (Fort Worth, 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: 14315969 on 06/26/2014 (1314 days app to issue)

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling the use of electronic systems based upon monitored physical activity. The method can be implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions. The program instructions are operable to: provision rules associated with a user and at least one of health metrics and physical activity of the user; monitor the at least one health metrics and physical activity of the user over a predetermined time; and manage access to any of a plurality of electronic systems based on the monitored at least one health metrics and physical activity being in compliance or non-compliance with the provisioned rules.

[G08B] SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS

Helicopter motion detection during inertial reference system leveling
Patent No. 9880003 

Inventor(s): Subhabrata Ganguli (Fort Worth, TX)
Assignee(s): Honeywell International Inc. (Morris Plains, NJ)
Law Firm: Fogg Powers LLC (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14590604 on 01/06/2015 (1120 days app to issue)

Abstract: A method to level an inertial reference system of a helicopter with reference to the local vertical frame is provided. The method includes powering up the helicopter; outputting sensor data from at least one gyroscope and at least one accelerometer to a mode-selecting processor; executing a fast Fourier transform algorithm on the sensor data at the mode-selecting processor; and selecting one of a plurality of operation modes of the helicopter as a current-operation mode based on the execution of the fast Fourier transform algorithm.

[G01C] MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY (measuring liquid level G01F; radio navigation, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effect, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S)

Method and system for measuring the integrity of a power converter
Patent No. 9880228 

Inventor(s): Norbert H. Wank (Plano, TX)
Assignee(s): InfiniRel Corporation (San Jose, CA)
Law Firm: Hayne Boone, LLP (Local + 10 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 13993301 on 12/12/2011 (2241 days app to issue)

Abstract: A method of measuring integrity of a pulse-width modulated power converter may include the steps of monitoring data associated with an input and an output of the power converter. Then correlating the data to identify degradation in performance of the power converter. A system for measuring integrity of a pulse-width modulated power converter. Current sensors may sense input and output currents of the power converter. A programmable controller may be loaded with an integrity measuring algorithm that may analyze data from the current sensors. An impending failure of the power converter may be indicated as a result of the analysis of the data.

[G01R] MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J 3/12)

Method and system for throttling power consumption
Patent No. 9880605 

Inventor(s): Divya Reddy (Milpitas, CA), Rakesh Chandra (San Jose, CA), Rodney Brittner (San Jose, CA), Satish Babu Vasudeva (Fremont, CA), Senthil M. Thangaraj (Fremont, CA)
Assignee(s): SanDisk Technologies LLC (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: Brinks Gilson Lione (7 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14668722 on 03/25/2015 (1042 days app to issue)

Abstract: Systems, methods, and/or devices are used to manage a storage system. In one aspect, the method includes receiving, from a host to which a storage device of the storage system is operatively coupled, a request to perform a first memory operation on one or more memory devices of the storage device. The method includes determining a count of credits corresponding to the first memory operation. If a current count of credits in the first credit pool is greater than or equal to the count of credits corresponding to the first memory operation and a current count of credits in the second credit pool is greater than or equal to the count of credits corresponding to the first memory operation, the method includes: performing the first memory operation; and decrementing the first and second credit pools according to the count of credits corresponding to the first memory operation.

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

Managing data stored in a nonvolatile storage device
Patent No. 9880760 

Inventor(s): Alexei Naberezhnov (Minsk, , BY), Einat Lev (Kfar-Saba, , IL), Karin Inbar (Ramat Hasharon, , IL), Lola Grin (Netanya, , IL), Yossi Benner (Shoham, , IL)
Assignee(s): SanDisk Technologies LLC (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: Brinks Gilson Lione (7 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14928897 on 10/30/2015 (823 days app to issue)

Abstract: A storage device may be configured to copy valid data units from a source memory area to a destination memory area according to a source-to-destination mapping. The source-to-destination mapping may be generated based on a ranking scheme that considers the number of valid data units being stored in each of a plurality of source pages storing the data.

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

Dynamic memory reallocation for match-action packet processing
Patent No. 9880768 

Inventor(s): Patrick Bosshart (Plano, TX)
Assignee(s): BAREFOOT NETWORKS, INC. (Palo Alto, CA)
Law Firm: Adeli LLP (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15007209 on 01/27/2016 (734 days app to issue)

Abstract: A pool of unit memories is provided in order to flexibly allocate memory capacity to implement various tables and/or logical memories such as those for implementing an OpenFlow switch. The pool is structured with routing resources for allowing flexible allocation and reallocation of memory capacity to the various tables. The unit memories and logical units in the pool are interconnected by a set of horizontal routing resources and a set of vertical routing resources.

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

System and method for utilization of a shadow data buffer in a host where the shadow data buffer is controlled by external storage controller
Patent No. 9880783 

Inventor(s): Alon Marcu (Tel Mond, , IL), Hadas Oshinsky (Kfar Saba, , IL), Julian Vlaiko (Kfar Saba, , IL), Miki Sapir (Nes Ziona, , IL), Nir Perry (Hod Hasharon, , IL), Rotem Sela (Haifa, , IL)
Assignee(s): SanDisk Technologies LLC (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: Brinks Gilson Lione (7 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14925619 on 10/28/2015 (825 days app to issue)

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing transfer of data into and out of a host data buffer of a host are disclosed. In one implementation, a partial write completion module of a storage system retrieves from the host, stores in a memory, and acknowledges retrieving and storing with a partial write completion message, each subset of a larger set of data associated with a host write command. The host may utilize received partial write completion messages to release and use the portion of the host data buffer that had been storing the subset identified in the message rather than waiting to release data associated with the host write command until all the data associated with the command is stored in the memory. The memory in which each subset is stored may be non-volatile memory in the storage device or a shadow buffer on the host or an external memory device.

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

Memory appliance for accessing memory
Patent No. 9880971 

Inventor(s): Keith Lowery (Garland, TX)
Assignee(s): Rambus Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA)
Law Firm: Lowenstein Sandler LLP (3 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14539641 on 11/12/2014 (1175 days app to issue)

Abstract: A memory appliance system is described and includes a processor coupled to one or more communication channels with a command interface, wherein the processor is configured for communicating commands over the communication channels. A plurality of Smart Memory Cubes (SMCs) is coupled to the processor through the communication channels. Each of the SMCs includes a controller that is programmable, and a plurality of memory devices. The controller is configured to respond to commands from the command interface to access content stored in one or more of the plurality of memory devices and to perform data operations on content accessed from the plurality of memory devices.

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

Dynamic feature set management
Patent No. 9881072 

Inventor(s): Igor Muttik (Berkhamsted, , GB), Paul H. Whittington (Idaho Falls, ID)
Assignee(s): McAfee, LLC. (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: Patent Capital Group (Local + 6 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14459933 on 08/14/2014 (1265 days app to issue)

Abstract: In an example, a network is described with a plurality of data sources. Each data source may provide a feature, such as a data type that the data source collects or generates. A data aggregator may be connected to the network, and configured to collect, classify, and merge features as appropriate. The data aggregator includes a discriminator for classifying features, a merger, unmerger, converter, and evaluator. Features are provided to one or more expert systems configured to control one or more systems based on the features. Feedback to the data aggregator is used to evaluate the success of a merge. When a merge is found to be unhelpful, features may be unmerged.

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

Systems and methods for a cryptographic file system layer
Patent No. 9881177 

Inventor(s): Rick L. Orsini (Flower Mound, TX), Roger S. Davenport (Campbell, TX)
Assignee(s): Security First Corp. (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA)
Law Firm: Haley Guiliano LLP (2 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14180151 on 02/13/2014 (1447 days app to issue)

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein transparently provide data security using a cryptographic file system layer that selectively intercepts and modifies (e.g., by encrypting) data to be stored in a designated directory. The cryptographic file system layer can be used in combination with one or more cryptographic approaches to provide a server-based secure data solution that makes data more secure and accessible, while eliminating the need for multiple perimeter hardware and software technologies.

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

Method and system for adaptive pixel replacement
Patent No. 9881358 

Inventor(s): David C. Hutchison (Plano, TX), Douglas A. Blettner (Dallas, TX), Henry W. Neal (Allen, TX)
Assignee(s): DRS Network Imaging Systems, LLC (Melbourne, FL)
Law Firm: Kilpatrick Townsend Stockton LLP (14 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15143382 on 04/29/2016 (641 days app to issue)

Abstract: A system and method of image processing is provided, including implementing adaptive pixel replacement techniques or reducing noise. The method includes obtaining a data map of an image frame, wherein the data map comprises good pixels and bad pixels at locations associated with the data map. The method also includes assigning different techniques to the bad pixels, wherein a first technique is assigned to a first bad pixel and a second technique is assigned to a second bad pixel. The method further includes adjusting information associated with the bad pixels for a chosen technique for each of the bad pixels.

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

Method and system for real-time summary generation of conversation
Patent No. 9881614 

Inventor(s): Raghuveer Thirukovalluru (Hyerabad, , IN), Ragunathan Mariappan (Chennai, , IN), Shourya Roy (Bangalore, , IN)
Assignee(s): CONDUENT BUSINESS SERVICES, LLC (Dallas, TX)
Law Firm: Jones Robb PLLC (2 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15205047 on 07/08/2016 (571 days app to issue)

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments illustrate methods and systems for summary generation of a real-time conversation. The method includes receiving a real-time conversation from a plurality of computing devices over a communication network. The method further includes determining one or more first features of the real-time conversation between at least a first user and a second user. The method further includes extracting one or more second features from the one or more first features, based on one or more pre-defined criteria. The method further includes generating a summary content of the real-time conversation, based on at least the extracted one or more second features and one or more annotations associated with the determined one or more first features by use of one or more trained classifier. Further, the method includes rendering the generated summary content on a user interface displayed on at least one of the plurality of computing devices.

[G10L] SPEECH ANALYSIS OR SYNTHESIS; SPEECH RECOGNITION; SPEECH OR VOICE PROCESSING; SPEECH OR AUDIO CODING OR DECODING [4]

Sense amplifier with program biasing and fast sensing
Patent No. 9881676 

Inventor(s): Cynthia Hsu (Fremont, CA), Jong Hak Yuh (Pleasanton, CA), Qui Nguyen (San Jose, CA), Raul Adrian Cernea (Santa Clara, CA), Seungpil Lee (San Ramon, CA), Tai-Yuan Tseng (Milpitas, CA), Yen-Lung Jason Li (San Jose, CA)
Assignee(s): SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: Kunzler, PC (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15290818 on 10/11/2016 (476 days app to issue)

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for accessing non-volatile memory. A bit line is coupled to storage cells for a non-volatile memory element. A sense amplifier is coupled to a bit line. A sense amplifier includes a sense circuit and a bias circuit. A sense circuit senses an electrical property of a bit line for reading data from one or more storage cells, and a bias circuit applies a bias voltage to the bit line for writing data to one or more storage cells. A bias circuit and a sense circuit comprise separate parallel electrical paths within a sense amplifier.

[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)

Dynamic-shifting redundancy mapping for non-volatile data storage
Patent No. 9881697 

Inventor(s): Jingwen Ouyang (Milpitas, CA), Tz-Yi Liu (Palo Alto, CA)
Assignee(s): SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: Kunzler, PC (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15061856 on 03/04/2016 (697 days app to issue)

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for redundancy mapping. A controller is configured to determine that one or more defects affect a subset of a first group of cells and a subset of a second group of cells of a non-volatile memory medium. A non-volatile memory medium may include a plurality of groups of cells, and redundant groups of cells may be available for replacing defective groups of cells. A controller is configured to store a mapping between affected subsets of first and second groups of cells and a redundant group of cells for a non-volatile memory medium. A controller is configured to read data for a first group and/or second group of cells by referencing a mapping and using a redundant group of cells.

[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

Directly-modulated multi-polarization optical transmitters
Patent No. 9880351 

Inventor(s): Hung-Chang Chien (Bridgewater, NJ), Jianjun Yu (Basking Ridge, NJ), Zhensheng Jia (Morganville, NJ)
Assignee(s): ZTE (USA) Inc. (Richardson, TX)
Law Firm: Drinker Biddle Reath LLP (4 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14254296 on 04/16/2014 (1385 days app to issue)

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical transmitters, transceivers, and transponders used for transmission of information or data in any form through a physical medium dependent (PMD) network. The speed of such networks depends, in part, on the density of information that can be transmitted through the physical medium. Optical transmitters or transceivers can be used to transmit multiple independent signals simultaneously through the same medium using different directions or axes of polarization, where the difference in the directions or axes of polarization can be used to distinguish the multiple signals at the receiver. In this invention, we use a master laser (l[subscript]0[/subscript]) to synchronize two slave lasers (l[subscript]1 [/subscript]and l[subscript]2[/subscript]) by its x-polarization and y-polarization components of carrier, respectively, so that two slave lasers can be enforced to lock on exactly the same wavelength l[subscript]0 [/subscript]with perpendicular polarization directions.

[H04B] TRANSMISSION [4]

Hybrid perovskite material processing
Patent No. 9880458 

Inventor(s): Kamil Mielczarek (Rowlett, TX), Michael D. Irwin (Dallas, TX), Vivek V. Dhas (Dallas, TX)
Assignee(s): HEE Solar, L.L.C. (Dallas, TX)
Law Firm: Baker Botts L.L.P. (Local + 8 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15489431 on 04/17/2017 (288 days app to issue)

Abstract: A method for preparing photoactive perovskite materials. The method comprises the steps of: introducing a lead halide and a first solvent to a first vessel and contacting the lead halide with the first solvent to dissolve the lead halide to form a lead halide solution, introducing a Group 1 metal halide a second solvent into a second vessel and contacting the Group 1 metal halide with the second solvent to dissolve the Group 1 metal halide to form a Group 1 metal halide solution, and contacting the lead halide solution with the Group 1 metal halide solution to form a thin-film precursor ink. The method further comprises depositing the thin-film precursor ink onto a substrate, drying the thin-film precursor ink to form a thin film, annealing the thin film; and rinsing the thin film with a salt solution.

[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]

Serial bus DRAM error correction event notification
Patent No. 9880901 

Inventor(s): Lyn R. Zastrow (Prosper, TX)
Assignee(s): Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc. (Milpitas, CA)
Law Firm: Innovation Counsel LLP (3 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15354773 on 11/17/2016 (439 days app to issue)

Abstract: A memory device incorporates a serial data bus coupled to the control circuit of the memory device to provide direct access to the error correction control circuit and to the error correction event notification information and error correction function configuration information stored in mode registers of the control circuit. The serial data bus enables access to the error correction control functions and to the error correction event notification information without requiring modifications to the memory controller used to control and communicate with the memory device.

[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]

Adding features and services without password exposure
Patent No. 9881145 

Inventor(s): Mark Mackenzie (McKinney, TX)
Assignee(s): Avaya Inc. (Santa Clara, CA)
Law Firm: Sheridan Ross P.C. (2 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14955225 on 12/01/2015 (791 days app to issue)

Abstract: An indication of a change in a right to use a service or feature is received. For example, this can be based on an administrator granting access to a previously installed service or feature. In response, a notification is sent to a user of the change of the right to use the service or feature. The notification requests the user to provide a credential to approve the change of the right to use the service or feature. For example, a link may be provided in an email or text message that the user can click on to provide a password/user name. The credential is received and verified. In response to validating the credential, access is allowed according to the change of the right to use the service or feature. The user then has access to the service/feature without the administrator having to know the user”s credential.

[H04L] TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) [4]

Method and system for estimating gaze direction of vehicle drivers
Patent No. 9881221 

Inventor(s): Aaron Burry (Ontario, NY), David Chuang (Seattle, WA), Edgar Bernal (Webster, NY), Peter Paul (Penfield, NY), Raja Bala (Pittsford, NY)
Assignee(s): Conduent Business Services, LLC (Dallas, TX)
Law Firm: Ortiz Lopez, PLLC (2 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14274315 on 05/09/2014 (1362 days app to issue)

Abstract: Methods and systems for continuously monitoring the gaze direction of a driver of a vehicle over time. Video is received, which is captured by a camera associated with, for example, a mobile device within a vehicle, the camera and/or mobile device mounted facing the driver of the vehicle. Frames can then be extracted from the video. A facial region can then be detected, which corresponds to the face of the driver within the extracted frames. Features descriptors can then be computed from the facial region. A gaze classifier derived from the vehicle, the driver, and the camera can then be applied, wherein the gaze classifier receives the feature descriptors as inputs and outputs at least one label corresponding to one or more predefined finite number of gaze classes to identify the gaze direction of the driver of the vehicle.

[H04N] PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION [4]

Method and system for locating a wireless tracking device associated with a network of alarm panels
Patent No. 9881488 

Inventor(s): Jeffery O. Smith (Dallas, TX)
Assignee(s): NUMEREX CORP. (Atlanta, GA)
Law Firm: King Spalding LLP (8 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15331364 on 10/21/2016 (466 days app to issue)

Abstract: A wireless tracking device can operate in two or more modes in connection with determining location of the wireless tracking device. In one mode, the wireless tracking device can determine location by establishing communication with an alarm panel using a short-range transceiver. The alarm panel can have a location that is known at the alarm panel or at a remote server, for example. In another mode, the wireless tracking device can utilize a location detector, such as a GPS receiver or a short-range receiver, to determine location of the wireless tracking device.

[H04W] WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS [2009.01]

Multi-tier memory stack structure containing non-overlapping support pillar structures and method of making thereof
Patent No. 9881929 

Inventor(s): Jagdish Sabde (Fremont, CA), Jayavel Pachamuthu (San Jose, CA), Peter Rabkin (Cupertino, CA), Pradhyumna Ravikirthi (San Jose, CA)
Assignee(s): SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: The Marbury Law Group PLLC (3 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15335850 on 10/27/2016 (460 days app to issue)

Abstract: A first tier structure including a first alternating stack of first insulating layers and first sacrificial material layers is formed over a substrate. First support openings and first memory openings, filled with first support pillar structures and sacrificial pillar structures, respectively, are formed through the first tier structure. A second tier structure including a second alternating stack of second insulating layers and second sacrificial material layers is formed thereabove. Second support openings and second memory openings are formed through the second tier structure such that the second support openings do not overlap with the first support pillar structures and the second memory openings overlie the sacrificial pillar structures. Inter-tier memory openings are formed by removal of the sacrificial pillar structures. Memory stack structures and second support pillar structures are formed in the inter-tier memory openings and the second support openings, respectively.

[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]

Silicon germanium fin channel formation
Patent No. 9882006 

Inventor(s): Hong He (Schenectady, NY), Junli Wang (Singerlands, NY), Nicolas Loubet (Guilderland, NY)
Assignee(s): STMICROELECTRONICS, INC. (Coppell, TX)
Law Firm: Tutunjian Bitetto, P.C. (2 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15340624 on 11/01/2016 (455 days app to issue)

Abstract: A method for channel formation in a fin transistor includes removing a dummy gate and dielectric from a dummy gate structure to expose a region of an underlying fin and depositing an amorphous layer including Ge over the region of the underlying fin. The amorphous layer is oxidized to condense out Ge and diffuse the Ge into the region of the underlying fin to form a channel region with Ge in the fin.

[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]

Guided surface wave transmission of multiple frequencies in a lossy media
Patent No. 9882397 

Inventor(s): Basil F. Pinzone, Jr. (Cornelius, NC), James D. Lilly (Silver Spring, MD), James F. Corum (Morgantown, WV), Joseph F. Pinzone (Cornelius, NC), Kenneth L. Corum (Plymouth, NH)
Assignee(s): CPG TECHNOLOGIES, LLC (Waxahachie, TX)
Law Firm: Thomas | Horstemeyer, LLP (no location found)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14847606 on 09/08/2015 (875 days app to issue)

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting energy at multiple frequencies via a guided surface wave along the surface of a lossy medium such as, e.g., a terrestrial medium by exciting a guided surface waveguide probe.

[H01F] MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES [2]

Return coupled wireless power transmission
Patent No. 9882436 

Inventor(s): James F. Corum (Morgantown, WV), Kenneth L. Corum (Plymouth, NH)
Assignee(s): CPG Technologies, LLC (Waxahachie, TX)
Law Firm: Thomas | Horstemeyer, LLP (no location found)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14848494 on 09/09/2015 (874 days app to issue)

Abstract: Aspects of return coupled wireless power transmission systems are described. In one embodiment, a system includes a guided surface waveguide probe including a charge terminal elevated at a height over a lossy conducting medium, a ground stake, and a feed network. The system further includes a conductor coupled to the ground stake that extends a distance away from the guided surface waveguide probe across the lossy conducting medium, and at least one guided surface wave receivers including a ground connection coupled to the conductor. The conductor can help to provide additional efficiency in power transfer between the guided surface waveguide probe and the guided surface wave receivers, especially when the operating frequency of the probe is in the medium, high, or very high frequency ranges.

[H02J] CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY (power supply circuits for apparatus for measuring X-radiation, gamma radiation, corpuscular radiation or cosmic radiation G01T 1/175; electric power supply circuits specially adapted for use in electronic time-pieces with no moving parts G04G 19/00; for digital computers G06F 1/18; for discharge tubes H01J 37/248; circuits or apparatus for the conversion of electric power, arrangements for control or regulation of such circuits or apparatus H02M; interrelated control of several motors, control of a prime-mover/generator combination H02P; control of high-frequency power H03L; additional use of power line or power network for transmission of information H04B)

Current metering for transitioning between operating modes in switching regulators
Patent No. 9882485 

Inventor(s): James Allen Kohout (Dallas, TX), Narasimhan Trichy (Plano, TX)
Assignee(s): Active-Semi, Inc. (, , VG)
Law Firm: Imperium Patent Works (2 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15396612 on 12/31/2016 (395 days app to issue)

Abstract: Current metering for transitioning to low power operation in switching regulators is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided that includes generating pulse width modulated charging cycles that enable current to flow to an inductor to adjust an output voltage, and detecting a skipped charging cycle. The method also includes determining whether a number of charging cycles are skipped over a time interval that begins when the skipped charging cycle is detected. The method also includes transitioning to a low power operating mode if it determined that the number of charging cycles have been skipped over the selected time interval. During the low power operating mode pulse frequency modulated charging cycles are generated that enable the current to flow to the inductor to generate the output voltage.

[H02M] APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (conversion of current or voltage specially adapted for use in electronic time-pieces with no moving parts G04G 19/02; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables in general, e.g. using transformers, reactors or choke coils, combination of such systems with static converters G05F; for digital computers G06F 1/00; transformers H01F; connection or control of one converter with regard to conjoint operation with a similar or other source of supply H02J; dynamo-electric converters H02K 47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P; pulse generators H03K) [5]

Power factor adjustment in multi-phase power system
Patent No. 9882507 

Inventor(s): Paul Garrity (Rockwall, TX)
Assignee(s): SolarCity Corporation (San Mateo, CA)
Law Firm: Kilpatrick Townsend Stockton LLP (14 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14019470 on 09/05/2013 (1608 days app to issue)

Abstract: A multi-phase power generation system for renewable energy, in which reactive elements (i.e., capacitors and/or inductors) can be selectively switched in and out in order to meet a particular power factor requirement, is provided. Each phase of the multi-phase power system receives generated powers from a set of inverters, and each phase has a set of switch reactive elements for making power factor adjustments to the power generated by the set of inverters. The power outputs of the set of inverters belonging to a particular phase are combined into a one combined ac power output, and the power factor adjustment for that particular phase is performed on the combined power output by the set of the switch reactive elements of that particular phase. In some embodiments, at least some of the inverters are micro-inverters that convert DC power from one or two solar panels to AC power.

[H02J] CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY (power supply circuits for apparatus for measuring X-radiation, gamma radiation, corpuscular radiation or cosmic radiation G01T 1/175; electric power supply circuits specially adapted for use in electronic time-pieces with no moving parts G04G 19/00; for digital computers G06F 1/18; for discharge tubes H01J 37/248; circuits or apparatus for the conversion of electric power, arrangements for control or regulation of such circuits or apparatus H02M; interrelated control of several motors, control of a prime-mover/generator combination H02P; control of high-frequency power H03L; additional use of power line or power network for transmission of information H04B)

Hybrid guided surface wave communication
Patent No. 9882606 

Inventor(s): Basil F. Pinzone, Jr. (Newbury, OH), James F. Corum (Morgantown, WV), Joseph F. Pinzone (Cornelius, NC), Kenneth L. Corum (Plymouth, NH)
Assignee(s): CPG TECHNOLOGIES, LLC (Waxahachie, TX)
Law Firm: Thomas Horstemeyer, LLP (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15252709 on 08/31/2016 (517 days app to issue)

Abstract: Disclosed is hybrid communication in which a first message from a guided surface wave probe node is embedded in a guided surface wave, and a second message from a guided surface wave receive node uses a different messaging mechanism.

[H04B] TRANSMISSION [4]

Facilitation of dual mode wireless device transmissions
Patent No. 9882629 

Inventor(s): David Williams (Rowlett, TX)
Assignee(s): ATT MOBILITY II LLC (Atlanta, GA)
Law Firm: Amin, Turocy Watson, LLP (2 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14947054 on 11/20/2015 (802 days app to issue)

Abstract: A more efficient wireless communication network can be achieved by using various routes to transmit upload data and download data. Resource request data can be uploaded via a telecommunications network and resource data can be downloaded using satellite devices. The resource request data can be tagged with metadata based on a determination of a system fault. The metadata can indicate which device should receive the resource data, thereby determining which route is more efficient.

[H04B] TRANSMISSION [4]

Service assurance platform as a user-defined service
Patent No. 9882789 

Inventor(s): David H. Lu (Irving, TX), Robert Best (Dallas, TX)
Assignee(s): ATT Intellectual Property I, L.P. (Atlanta, GA)
Law Firm: Hartman Citrin LLC (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14527264 on 10/29/2014 (1189 days app to issue)

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for a service assurance platform. A service assurance platform can be provided by a computing device comprising a processor. The computing device can obtain a service order comprising a request for functionality. The computing device can initiate determination of service offerings available to provide the functionality and initiate presentation of the service offerings determined to be available. The computing device can obtain a selection of a service offering of the service offerings and initiate orchestration of the service offering to instantiate a service that provides the functionality.

[H04L] TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) [4]

System and method for information delivery with multiple point transmission
Patent No. 9882821 

Inventor(s): Hao Bi (Lake Zurich, IL), Yishen Sun (Buffalo Grove, IL)
Assignee(s): FUTUREWEI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: Slater Matsil, LLP (Local + 1 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14613872 on 02/04/2015 (1091 days app to issue)

Abstract: A system and method for information delivery with multiple point transmission are provided. A method for detecting lost packets is provided. The method includes initiating a timer for a received packet at a receiving transmission point, where the timer is set according to a time value associated with the received packet. The method also includes determining that a delivery of the received packet has failed according to the timer elapsing, and transmitting a lost packet report to a primary transmission point that distributed the received packet to the receiving transmission point.

[H04L] TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) [4]

Security authorization for service level agreements
Patent No. 9882910 

Inventor(s): Ambili Pallimakkal (Lewisville, TX), Chirag Dave (Plano, TX)
Assignee(s): CA, Inc. (New York, NY)
Law Firm: Coats Bennett, PLLC (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14862805 on 09/23/2015 (860 days app to issue)

Abstract: A computer device receives a command from a user to generate a view for display to a user in a graphical user interface (GUI). The view displays job execution data for a job, such as a print job for example, being handled by a job scheduler and one or more constituent sub-jobs that are performed in execution of the job. Prior to generating the view, however, the computer device determines whether the user is authorized to view details about the job based on the user”s assigned permissions level. If the user is authorized for the job, the device ignores the permissions level and temporarily authorizes the user for limited access to any sub-job for which the user may not be authorized. For example, the temporary authorization may allow the user to see job execution details for a restricted sub-job on the view, but not alter or control, the sub-job.

[H04L] TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) [4]

Systems and methods for malware analysis of network traffic
Patent No. 9882924 

Inventor(s): Jesse J. Lee (McKinney, TX)
Assignee(s): Forcepoint LLC (Herndon, VA)
Law Firm: Schwegman Lundberg Woessner, P.A. (10 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15063705 on 03/08/2016 (693 days app to issue)

Abstract: Generally discussed herein are systems, devices, and methods for malware analysis. In one or more embodiments, a method can include copying application layer data traffic to create copied application layer data traffic, forwarding at least a portion of the application layer data traffic to a destination client prior to a malware analysis of corresponding copied application layer data traffic, determining whether the copied application layer data traffic includes a specified property, and in response to a determination that the copied application layer data traffic includes the specified property, storing the copied application layer data traffic determined to include the specified property for subsequent malware analysis, the stored copied application layer data traffic including context data of the copied application layer data traffic.

[H04L] TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) [4]

Creating services using service modules
Patent No. 9882993 

Inventor(s): Paul Edward Smith, Jr. (Rockwall, TX)
Assignee(s): ATT Intellectual Property I, L.P. (Atlanta, GA)
Law Firm: Hartman Citrin LLC (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14527268 on 10/29/2014 (1189 days app to issue)

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for creating services using service modules. A control system can detect a service creation request. The control system can identify service modules to be included in a service requested by the service creation request. A service control function can be created to manage the service requested by the service creation request. The service modules can be coupled together, and the service requested by the service creation request can be output.

[H04L] TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) [4]

Methods and systems for automatically recognizing actions in a call center environment using screen capture technology
Patent No. 9883035 

Inventor(s): Eric Michael Gross (Rochester, NY), Isaiah Lorenzo Simmons, Jr. (Rochester, NY), Jagadeesh Chandra Bose Rantham Prabhakara (Karnataka, , IN), Jennifer Watts-Perotti (Pittsford, NY), Jinhui Yao (Pittsford, NY), Madhavi Bangalore
Assignee(s): Conduent Business Services, LLC (Dallas, TX)
Law Firm: Fox Rothschild LLP (12 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15479669 on 04/05/2017 (300 days app to issue)

Abstract: A system for recognizing processes performed by a call center agent during a session collects from one or more input devices in communication with the electronic device, input data that includes data pertaining to one or more interactions that a call center agent has with one or more programs running on the electronic device that cause one or more graphical user interfaces to be displayed on a desktop of the electronic device during a session. The system analyzes the input data to generate one or more events and a mid-level event log having one or more of the events, and performs action recognition on the mid-level event log to ascertain one or more actions that were performed within the one or more graphical user interfaces by the call center agent during the session.

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

Compression methods and apparatus for occlusion data
Patent No. 9883161 

Inventor(s): Wang Lin Lai (Richardson, TX)
Assignee(s): THOMSON LICENSING (Issy les Moulineaux, , FR)
Law Firm: Tutunjian Bitetto, P.C. (2 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 13822031 on 08/31/2011 (2344 days app to issue)

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for coding occlusion layers, such as occlusion video data and occlusion depth data in 3D video, are disclosed. A decoding method comprising the steps of: extracting an indicator representative of an original format for received occlusion data, the original format selected from one of a sparse occlusion data format and a filled occlusion data format; decoding the received occlusion data to produce decoded occlusion data; and when the indicator indicates the original format as a filled occlusion data format, converting the decoded occlusion data from a sparse occlusion data format to the filled occlusion data format, the converting further including; replacing non-occlusion area data, which is represented with a defined characteristic, by respective collocated samples from 2D data in the video data frame associated with the occlusion data; outputting the decoded occlusion data and, when present, converted decoded occlusion data.

[H04N] PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION [4]

Sound quality device and system
Patent No. 9883285 

Inventor(s): Dennis Rauschmayer (Plano, TX)
Assignee(s): RevX Technologies (Austin, TX)
Law Firm: Lee Hayes, PLLC (6 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14580424 on 12/23/2014 (1134 days app to issue)

Abstract: Devices for improving the quality of sound output by a speaker. For example, the device may act to remove ultrasonic frequencies from an audio signal prior to the audio signal being output by a speaker. In other examples, the device may act to impede the progress of harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion, and environmental noise feeding back into the source device.

[H04B] TRANSMISSION [4]

Radio access network (RAN) aware service delivery for Push-to-talk-over-Cellular (PoC) networks
Patent No. 9883357 

Inventor(s): Brahmananda R. Vempati (Dallas, TX), Gorachand Kundu (Bangalore, , IN), Harisha M. Negalaguli (Richardson, TX), Krishnakant M. Patel (Richardson, TX), Ramu Kandula (Plano, TX), Ravi Ayyasamy (Richardson, TX)
Assignee(s): KODIAK NETWORKS, INC. (Plano, TX)
Law Firm: Slater Matsil, LLP (Local + 1 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 15205931 on 07/08/2016 (571 days app to issue)

Abstract: A system and method for providing radio access network (RAN) aware service delivery for Push-to-talk-over-Cellular (PoC) networks, wherein at least one of the servers performs an presence delivery method that reduces presence notifications delivered to the mobile units participating in communications services. The effective presence delivery method may comprise: throttling the delivery of the presence notifications; avoiding simultaneous dispatch of the presence notifications to multiple watchers located in the same cell or group of cells of the wireless communications network; or the server delaying sending the presence notifications for a mobile unit until the mobile unit triggers the server.

[H04B] TRANSMISSION [4]

Securely accessing secure elements
Patent No. 9883395 

Inventor(s): Hiteshkumar M. Shah (Plano, TX)
Assignee(s): GOOGLE LLC (Mountain View, CA)
Law Firm: Johnson, Marcou Isaacs, LLC (3 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14952776 on 11/25/2015 (797 days app to issue)

Abstract: Direct management of secure element data life cycles by backend servers without requiring direct communications between a trusted service manager (TSM) and a secure element is provided. A backend server client application executing on a mobile computing device enables users to request loading of application data on the secure element. A backend server receives the request to load application data. The backend server requests command scripts needed to load application data from the TSM and encrypts the command scripts with data stored on the backend server. The encrypted command scripts and application data are communicated to the backend server client application, which executes the command scripts and loads the application data onto the secure element via an interface of the mobile computing device.

[H04W] WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS [2009.01]

High speed handovers in a wireless network
Patent No. 9883431 

Inventor(s): Rajeev Vokkarne (Plano, TX)
Assignee(s): INTEL CORPORATION (Santa Clara, CA)
Law Firm: Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP (3 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 13556131 on 07/23/2012 (2017 days app to issue)

Abstract: In one aspect, a wireless network management component can manage values for the generation of time to trigger parameters to handover requests between small cells and macro cells in a wireless network. In another aspect, a wireless management component can process various information to manage when handovers between small cells and macro cells should be disabled. In still another aspect, a wireless management component can process user equipment speed information and other network information to determine whether user equipment in communication with small cells should initiate a handover to macro cells.

[H04W] WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS [2009.01]

Method and system for signaling transmission layers for single user and multi user MIMO
Patent No. 9883501 

Inventor(s): Robert Mark Harrison (Grapevine, TX), Sean Michael McBeath (Keller, TX)
Assignee(s): BlackBerry Limited (Waterloo, Ontario, , CA)
Law Firm: Fish Richardson P.C. (Local + 13 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14946371 on 11/19/2015 (803 days app to issue)

Abstract: A method and system to signal transmission layers or dedicated reference signal ports to be used in a multiple input multiple output system, the method including providing a downlink control signal containing information for transmission layers or dedicated reference signal ports utilized, the dedicated reference signal ports being associated with the transmission layers; and using the information to demodulate data on each transmission layer.

[H04L] TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) [4]

Method to transmit signaling radio bearer messages in multi antenna wireless communication system
Patent No. 9883528 

Inventor(s): Faris Mismar (Plano, TX)
Assignee(s): Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) (Stockholm, , SE)
Law Firm: Baker Botts, LLP (Local + 6 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 14660735 on 03/17/2015 (1050 days app to issue)

Abstract: A method in a network node is disclosed. The method comprises receiving channel state information from a user equipment, the channel state information comprising a first transmission rank reported by the user equipment for downlink transmission of a packet. The method further comprises determining whether the packet is a signaling bearer packet or a data bearer packet, and upon determining that the packet is a signaling bearer packet, modifying the first transmission rank to a second transmission rank, the second transmission rank comprising a lower rank than the first transmission rank reported by the user equipment.

[H04W] WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS [2009.01]

DESIGN PATENTS

[PATENT BELOW, IMAGE VIA USPTO]

Chair
Patent No. D808677 

Inventor(s): Chris Brandel (Chicago, IL), Dan Rucker (Chicago, IL), Daniel Grabowski (East Grand Rapids, MI), Matthew Banach (Gurnee, IL), Michael J. Sawadski (Mount Prospect, IL)
Assignee(s): Paragon Furniture, Inc. (Arlington, TX)
Law Firm: Ferguson Braswell Fraser Kubasta PC (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 29551381 on 01/13/2016 (748 days app to issue)

Abstract: No Abstract Patent Class: N/A

Chair
Patent No. D808678 

Inventor(s): Chris Brandel (Chicago, IL), Dan Rucker (Chicago, IL), Daniel Grabowski (East Grand Rapids, MI), Matthew Banach (Gurnee, IL), Michael J. Sawadski (Mount Prospect, IL)
Assignee(s): Paragon Furniture, Inc. (Arlington, TX)
Law Firm: Ferguson Braswell Fraser Kubasta PC (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 29551385 on 01/13/2016 (748 days app to issue)

Abstract: No Abstract Patent Class: N/A

Bottle opener
Patent No. D808752 

Inventor(s): Adam Klein (North Richland Hills, TX), Buffey E. Klein (North Richland Hills, TX)
Assignee(s): Koolhitch LLC (Fort Worth, TX)
Law Firm: Husch Blackwell LLP (9 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 29579813 on 10/04/2016 (483 days app to issue)

Abstract: No Abstract Patent Class: N/A

Beverage brewer display screen or portion thereof with animated graphical user interface
Patent No. D808994 

Inventor(s): Adam Roth Mangold (Salt Lake City, UT), Tymer T. Tilton (Salt Lake City, UT)
Assignee(s): ALPHA DOMINCHE HOLDINGS, INC. (Dallas, TX)
Law Firm: Phillips Ryther Winchester (1 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 29561310 on 04/14/2016 (656 days app to issue)

Abstract: No Abstract Patent Class: N/A

Swimming goggles with retroscopic lens
Patent No. D809055 

Inventor(s): Kurt Spenser (Burbank, CA), Mark Stephens (Dallas, TX), Nathan Tracy (Oceanside, CA), Robert Canales (Dallas, TX)
Assignee(s): ROKA SPORTS, INC. (Dallas, TX)
Law Firm: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich Rosati (11 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 29537862 on 08/28/2015 (886 days app to issue)

Abstract: No Abstract Patent Class: N/A

Eyewear textured gripping surfaces
Patent No. D809056 

Inventor(s): Allison Flake (Dallas, TX), Jonathan McCann (Mansfield, TX), Kurt R. Spenser (Burbank, CA), Robert A. Canales (Dallas, TX), Thomas Clayton Shortall (Dallas, TX)
Assignee(s): ROKA SPORTS, INC. (Dallas, TX)
Law Firm: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich Rosati (11 non-local offices)
Application No., Date, Speed: 29562636 on 04/27/2016 (643 days app to issue)

Abstract: No Abstract Patent Class: N/A

Pen grip
Patent No. D809062 

Inventor(s): David C. Munson (San Antonio, TX)
Assignee(s): Saddleback Leather Company, LLC (Fort Worth, TX)
Law Firm: Alston Bird LLP (Local + 9 other metros)
Application No., Date, Speed: 29557957 on 03/14/2016 (687 days app to issue)

Abstract: No Abstract Patent Class: N/A

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