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U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Minnesota (Aug. 5)(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in Minnesota. *** Agere Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 4 -- Agere Systems, Allentown, Pa., has been assigned a patent (7,990,219) developed by Jeffrey A. Gleason, Burnsville, Minn., David W. Kelly, Eagan, Minn., and Paul Mazur, Cottage Grove, Minn., for an "output compensated voltage regulator, an IC including the same and a method of providing a regulated voltage." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A voltage regulator, a method of regulating voltage and an IC including a voltage regulator. In one embodiment, the voltage regulator includes: (1) a DC precision amplifier configured to generate a DC precision signal based on a reference voltage and a regulated output of the voltage regulator and (2) a response amplifier, coupled in parallel with the DC precision amplifier, configured to generate an error signal based on the reference voltage and the regulated output, the response amplifier further configured to generate the regulated output based on a regulating signal comprised of the error signal and the DC precision signal. The DC precision amplifier may be a CMOS amplifier and the response amplifier may be a NPN amplifier." The patent application was filed on Oct. 13, 2008 (12/250,427). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=79,90,219.PN.&OS=PN/79,90,219&RS=PN/79,90,219 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** 3M Innovative Properties Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 4 -- 3M Innovative Properties, Saint Paul, Minn., has been assigned a patent (7,990,262) developed by nine co-inventors for an "apparatus and method for processing data collected via wireless network sensors." The co-inventors are Billy L. Weaver, Eagan, Minn., Silva K. Theiss, Woodbury, Minn., Eileen M. Gorrell, Eagan, Minn., Kathy L. Hagen, Stillwater, Minn., James J. Bartol, Mahtomedi, Minn., Scott E. Brigham, Maplewood, Minn., Anthony L. Hill, River Falls, Wis., Jennifer R. Yi, Woodbury, Minn., and M. Benton Free, St. Paul, Minn. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An apparatus for processing data collected via a wireless network sensor includes modules for receiving and processing the data. The wireless network sensor includes a plurality of sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data. The apparatus also includes modules for parsing events, episodes, vectors, links, and paths based upon the received data. The paths can be used to generate a representation of traffic patterns in a space monitored by wireless network sensors." The patent application was filed on June 29, 2010 (12/825,432). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=79,90,262.PN.&OS=PN/79,90,262&RS=PN/79,90,262 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** QLOGIC Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 4 -- QLOGIC, Aliso Viejo, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,990,975) developed by five co-inventors for a "method and system for using extended fabric features with fibre channel switch elements." The co-inventors are Frank R. Dropps, Maple Grove, Minn., Craig M. Verba, Maple Grove, Minn., Gary M. Papenfuss, St. Paul, Minn., Ernest G. Kohlwey, Eagan, Minn., and Edward C. Ross, Edina, Minn. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A fibre channel switch element and method for routing fibre channel frames is provided. The switch element includes a receive segment that can add a virtual storage area network ("VSAN") tagging header to frames that are received by the receive segment; and strip the VSAN tagging header before frames are sent to ports that do not support virtual fabric capability. The receive segment includes a table used for matching fabric extension parameters. An incoming frame's VSAN identity value is compared to a control word entry to generate a value used for routing the incoming frame. The table is used to determine if a frame is part of a virtual fabric. The routing table for each port is used to route frames and the routing table includes entries for supported virtual fabrics." The patent application was filed on Feb. 1, 2010 (12/697,994). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,990,975&OS=7,990,975&RS=7,990,975 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Fisher-Rosemount Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Austin, Texas, has been assigned a patent (7,986,657) developed by four co-inventors for a "selective activation of field devices in low power wireless mesh networks." The co-inventors are Patrick M. Dobrowski, Burnsville, Minn., Eric R. Lovegren, Big Lake, Minn., Kelly M. Orth, Apple Valley, Minn., and Kyle L. Stotz, Plymouth, Minn. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A control system uses a wireless network to provided communication between a host computer and field devices. The field devices are normally maintained in a lower power or sleep state. Only field devices that will be involved in a communication with the host computer are turned On and maintained On until communication between the field devices and the host computer is completed." The patent application was filed on Jan. 11, 2007 (11/652,395). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=79,86,657.PN.&OS=PN/79,86,657&RS=PN/79,86,657 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Honeywell International Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Honeywell International, Morristown, NJ, has been assigned a patent (7,990,898) developed by four co-inventors for an "IEEE 1394 network for deterministic and/or fault-tolerant communication." The co-inventors are Haowei Bai, Burnsville, Minn., Allalaghatta Pavan, Minneapolis, Brian VanVoorst, Minneapolis, and Vicraj T. Thomas, Golden Valley, Minn. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In one embodiment, a system comprises a plurality of nodes and an IEEE 1394 bus. Each of the plurality of nodes comprises at least one IEEE 1394 interface for communicating over the IEEE 1394 bus. The plurality of nodes communicates over the IEEE 1394 bus in accordance with a rooted, half-binary tree topology. In another embodiment, a node comprises an IEEE 1394 interface to communicate over an IEEE 1394 bus. The node encapsulates logical data packets into IEEE 1394 data packets and maps a traffic class associated with each logical data packet to an IEEE 1394 class of service for the IEEE 1394 data packet into which that logical data packet is encapsulated." The patent application was filed on Oct. 27, 2005 (11/260,818). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,990,898&OS=7,990,898&RS=7,990,898 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Cardiac Pacemakers Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Cardiac Pacemakers, St. Paul, Minn., has been assigned a patent (7,986,999) developed by Steven R. Wedan, Savage, Minn., Thomas W. Lloyd, Spring Lake Park, Minn., and Kevin J. Ely, Youngsville, N.C., for a RF rejecting lead. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A lead assembly for an implantable medical device. The lead assembly comprises a lead body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is adapted for coupling to a pulse generator and the second portion is adapted for implantation in or near a heart. First and second co-radial conductive coils are positioned within the lead body and electrically isolated from each other. The first and second conductive coils include a first and second number of coil turns and the first number is substantially equivalent to the second number. A ring electrode is located at the second portion and a tip electrode is located distal to the ring electrode and coupled to the second conductive coil." The patent application was filed on Sept. 14, 2009 (12/559,189). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,986,999&OS=7,986,999&RS=7,986,999 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** EnteroMedics Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- EnteroMedics, St. Paul, Minn., has been assigned a patent (7,986,995) developed by four co-inventors for a bulimia treatment. The co-inventors are Mark B. Knudson, Shoreview, Minn., Richard R. Wilson, Arden Hills, Minn., Katherine S. Tweden, Mahtomedi, Minn., and Timothy R. Conrad, Eden Prairie, Minn. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning an electrode on a vagus nerve. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. In some embodiments, the disorder is bulimia. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal. In some embodiments, the signal is selected to, at least in part, downregulate neural activity on the vagus nerve." The patent application was filed on Jan. 22, 2007 (11/656,121). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,986,995&OS=7,986,995&RS=7,986,995 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Sauer-Danfoss Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Sauer-Danfoss, Ames, Iowa, has been assigned a patent (7,987,035) developed by Donald P. Nelson, Nevada, Iowa, and Jeremy E. Nack, New Hope, Minn., for a "method of operating a vehicle and apparatus comprising the same." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An engine management system and a method of operating the same within a vehicle. The system uses a plurality of software modules one of which communicates with the vehicle engine to communicate information and additionally communicates with at least one other software module that provides information regarding auxiliary device operations and parameters such that the first software module produces an input torque curve signal for the vehicle engine. Additionally, secondary software modules are able to provide reduced power requirements signals to a plurality of auxiliary devices in order to ensure optimum fuel economy and noise reduction." The patent application was filed on June 27, 2006 (11/426,664). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,987,035&OS=7,987,035&RS=7,987,035 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Cardiac Pacemakers Assigned Patent for Methods and Devices for Detection of Context When Addressing a Medical Condition of a Patient ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Cardiac Pacemakers, St. Paul, Minn., has been assigned a patent (7,986,998) developed by John D. Hatlestad, Maplewood, Minn., for "methods and devices for detection of context when addressing a medical condition of a patient." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Methods and devices detect context related to a patient when monitoring a physiological condition of the patient and/or when applying one or more modes of therapy. The context may be a patient context such as posture or an environmental context such as ambient conditions. The context may be used in various ways in relation to the physiological measurement, such as to control when the physiological measurements are made, to appropriately flag physiological measurements, to be recorded in association with the physiological measurements, and/or to correct the physiological measurements based on a reference context. A device such as a beacon transmitter is used in detecting the context and a measurement device such as an implantable cardiovascular device is used to capture the physiological measurements." The patent application was filed on July 10, 2008 (12/171,210). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,986,998&OS=7,986,998&RS=7,986,998 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Medtronic Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Medtronic, Minneapolis, has been assigned a patent (7,986,994) developed by Robert W. Stadler, Shoreview, Minn., and Li Wang, White Bear Township, Minn., for a "method and apparatus for detecting change in intrathoracic electrical impedance." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and apparatus for detection of changes in impedance a patient that includes generating measured impedances, generating an adaptive baseline trend of the measured impedances corresponding to a first time period, generating a short term trend of the measured impedances corresponding to a second time period less than the first time period, and generating a metric of impedance change between the adaptive baseline trend and one of a most recent measured impedance and the short term trend of the measured impedances." The patent application was filed on Dec. 3, 2003 (10/727,008). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,986,994&OS=7,986,994&RS=7,986,994 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Caterpillar Paving Products Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Caterpillar Paving Products, Minneapolis, has been assigned a patent (7,984,778) developed by John Marsolek, Watertown, Minn., for a "packaging arrangement for a fluid tank for a machine." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A packaging arrangement for a fluid tank for a machine, including an engine disposed within an engine compartment of a body having a hood selectively disposed over the engine compartment. The engine includes a cooling package having at least one air intake. At least one fluid tank at least partially surrounds the air intake, and a compliant surface is coupled to at least one of the fluid tank and the hood. The compliant surface substantially seals against both the fluid tank and the hood to substantially inhibit air from within the engine compartment from being drawn into the air intake." The patent application was filed on Nov. 20, 2007 (11/943,257). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=79,84,778&OS=79,84,778&RS=79,84,778 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Fisher-Rosemount Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Austin, Texas, has been assigned a patent (7,986,968) developed by five co-inventors for a "control of field device on low power wireless networks." The co-inventors are Patrick M. Dobrowski, Burnsville, Minn., Eric R. Lovegren, Big Lake, Minn., Kelly M. Orth, Apple Valley, Minn., Kyle L. Stotz, Plymouth, Minn., and Robert Karschnia, Chaska, Minn. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A control system uses a wireless network to provide communication between a host computer and field devices. The host and the field devices communicate with one another using control messages and response messages based upon a known control system protocol. The control and response messages are embedded as a payload within a wireless message that is transmitted over the wireless network. When the wireless message is received at its ultimate destination, the control or response message is separated from the wireless message and is delivered to the intended recipient (either a field device or the host computer)." The patent application was filed on Jan. 11, 2007 (11/652,393). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,986,968&OS=7,986,968&RS=7,986,968 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Kroll Family Trust Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Kroll Family Trust, Crystal Bay, Minn., has been assigned a patent (7,986,965) developed by Chase R. Kroll, Crystal Bay, Minn., and Mark W. Kroll, Crystal Bay, Minn., for a "self defense cell phone with shocking circuitry." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention teaches an economical disposable emergency cellular telephone. A major object of this invention is a shocking self-defense capability. A further object is a cell phone which launches projectiles to deliver the shocking voltage. A further object of the invention is a new technique for having a large number of cellular phones share the same small group of access numbers and serial numbers in order to reduce the monthly charges to zero for the end consumer. This makes it more practical to use cellular phones for data transmission and monitoring applications." The patent application was filed on Aug. 26, 2010 (12/868,957). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,986,965&OS=7,986,965&RS=7,986,965 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Eaton Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Eaton, Cleveland, has been assigned a patent (7,984,785) developed by four co-inventors for a "control valve assembly for electro-hydraulic steering system." The co-inventors are John Michael Cadman, Eden Prairie, Minn., Nathan Harold French, Prior Lake, Minn., Wade Leo Gehlhoff, Shakopee, Minn., and Robin Francis Ireton, Searcy, Ark. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A steering system includes a fluid pump and an electro-hydraulic steering circuit in selective fluid communication with the fluid pump. The electro-hydraulic steering circuit defines a first flow path having a first proportional valve and a first load-sense passage in selective communication with the first proportional valve. The first proportional valve includes a closed position. A hydrostatic steering circuit is in selective fluid communication with the fluid pump and defines a second flow path having a second proportional valve and a second load-sense passage in selective fluid communication with the second proportional valve. The second flow path is in a parallel flow configuration with the first flow path. An isolation valve is disposed in the first flow path in series with the first proportional valve. The isolation valve includes a closed position and is piloted to the closed position by fluid communicated through the second load-sense passage." The patent application was filed on Feb. 28, 2008 (12/039,599). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=79,84,785&OS=79,84,785&RS=79,84,785 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Toshiba America Electronic Components Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Toshiba America Electronic Components, Irvine, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,990,196) developed by Kevin D. Voegele, Shakopee, Minn., for a "signal driver with first pulse boost." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A driver boost signaling circuit provides a pulse boost to the first cycle of an output pulse wave applied to an associated load. The circuit includes a signal generator circuit generating a signal including a series of pulses, a determining circuit determining a high impedance state of a signal load line and a first one or more cycles of the series of pulses applied to the load line following the high impedance condition, and a receiving circuit receiving a control signal. A logic circuit generates first and second logical signals responsive to the control signal and to the determining circuit determining the first one or more cycles and other cycles of the series of pulses. A switchable impedance circuit coupling the signal generator with the associated load line is responsive to the first logical signal to provide a low impedance level between the signal generator circuit and the associated signal load line, and to the second logical signal to provide a high impedance level between the signal generator circuit and the associated signal load line." The patent application was filed on Dec. 22, 2009 (12/644,740). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7990196.PN.&OS=PN/7990196&RS=PN/7990196 Written by Ankresh Ranjan; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Starkey Laboratories Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Starkey Laboratories, Eden Prairie, Minn., has been assigned a patent (7,986,790) developed by Tao Zhang, Eden Prairie, Minn., and Jon S. Kindred, Minneapolis, for a "system for evaluating hearing assistance device settings using detected sound environment." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present subject matter provides method and apparatus for hearing assistance devices, and more particularly to a system for evaluating hearing assistance device settings using detected sound environment. Various examples of a hearing assistance device and method using actual use and hypothetical use logs are provided. Such logs provide a dispenser or audiologist the ability to see how a device is operating with actual settings and how the device would have operated had hypothetical settings been used instead. In various examples, the system allows for collection of statistical information about actual and hypothetical use which can assist in parameter setting determinations for a specific user. The settings may be tailored to that user's commonly experienced sound environment. Wireless communications of usage logs is discussed. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents." The patent application was filed on March 14, 2006 (11/276,795). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,986,790.PN.&OS=PN/7,986,790&RS=PN/7,986,790 Written by Anjali Jha; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Rosemount Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Rosemount, Eden Prairie, Minn., has been assigned a patent (7,984,652) developed by George Charles Hausler, Maple Grove, Minn., and Nicholas John Haywood, Brooklyn Park, Minn., for a "clad industrial process transmitter housing with chassis." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An industrial process transmitter apparatus includes a housing chassis of a first metallic material and a housing skin of a second metallic material. The housing chassis includes a substantially cylindrical body portion, a first circumferentially extending support member located at or near a first end of the body portion of the housing chassis, and a second circumferentially extending support member located at or near a second end of the body portion of the housing chassis opposite the first end. The first circumferentially extending support member extends radially outward from the body portion, and the second circumferentially extending support member extends radially outward from the body portion. The housing skin is fitted over the housing chassis and is in physical contact with both the first and second circumferentially extending support members. The housing skin is spaced from the housing chassis in between the first and second circumferentially extending support members." The patent application was filed on Sept. 8, 2009 (12/555,517). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7984652.PN.&OS=PN/7984652&RS=PN/7984652 Written by Ankresh Ranjan; edited by Jaya Anand. *** University of Minnesota Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- The University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minn., has been assigned a patent (7,990,286) developed by seven co-inventors for a "vehicle positioning system using location codes in passive tags." The co-inventors are Craig Shankwitz, Minneapolis, Mathew Bevilacqua, Port Perry, Canada, Max Donath, St. Louis Park, Minn., Lee Alexander, Woodbury, Minn., Pi-Ming Cheng, Roseville, Minn., Alec Gorjestani, Rosemount, Minn., and Bryan Newstrom, Circle Pines, Minn. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Vehicles driving on a roadway interrogate passive tags in or on lanes of the roadway. Codes in the tags represent locations along the highway and which lane the vehicle is traveling in. Units in the vehicles communicate longitudinal and lane positions derived from the codes among each other or with infrastructure units for purposes such as traffic management, alerts concerning other vehicles, alerts concerning external conditions, or traffic control. The units may also communicate vehicle lengths or other parameters or characteristics. Vehicle units may communicate with sensors and actuators in the vehicles for purposes such as updating the vehicles' positions between adjacent tags. Specific applications for intelligent transportation systems are described." The patent application was filed on Feb. 14, 2006 (11/884,254). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,990,286.PN.&OS=PN/7,990,286&RS=PN/7,990,286 Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Microsoft Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Microsoft, Redmond, Wash., has been assigned a patent (7,987,368) developed by Bin Zhu, Edina, Minn., Xiaoming Wang, Guangzhou, China, and Shipeng Li, Redmond, Wash., for a "peer-to-peer networks with protections." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In a peer-to-peer environment, copyrights and users' privacies can be protected by a tracking mechanism. In described implementations, tracking mechanisms can use certificates that are produced using random numbers to protect the privacy of users and/or certificates that are produced responsive to at least one hardware identifier to enable uploader to be identified to protect copyrights." The patent application was filed on May 5, 2006 (11/381,951). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7987368.PN.&OS=PN/7987368&RS=PN/7987368 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** International Business Machines Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- International Business Machines, Armonk, N.Y., has been assigned a patent (7,986,705) developed by Glenn Darrell Batalden, Rochester, Minn., and Timothy Pressier Clark, Rochester, Minn., for a "determining a transmission order for frames based on bit reversals of sequence numbers." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In an embodiment, frames are received in an arrival order. Each of the frames has a target client and a sequence number that represents a relative position of the frame in the arrival order. A transmission order is determined based on bit reversals of the sequence numbers. Then frames are then sent to the respective target client in the transmission order. A frame is sent to the target client from its slot during a respective time period that is associated with the slot. If the slot is empty, no data is sent during the respective time period. In this way, the transmission of frames is spread over the available time." The patent application was filed on June 13, 2007 (11/762,352). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,986,705.PN.&OS=PN/7,986,705&RS=PN/7,986,705 Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand. *** International Business Machines Assigned Patent for Setting Memory Controller Driver to Memory Device Termination Value in a Communication Bus ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- International Business Machines, Armonk, N.Y., has been assigned a patent (7,990,768) developed by four co-inventors for a "setting memory controller driver to memory device termination value in a communication bus." The co-inventors are Benjamin A. Fox, Rochester, Minn., William P. Hovis, Rochester, Minn., Thomas W. Liang, Rochester, Minn., and Paul Rudrud, Rochester, Minn. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and system are provided for coupling a DRAM and a memory controller during driver training to reduce mismatches by controlling impedances within the system environment. A memory device initializes a bit level voltage on a data net. A driver impedance in a driving element in the controller is modified to yield improvements in timing margins." The patent application was filed on Jan. 29, 2009 (12/361,577). The full-text of the patent can be found at The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7990768.PN.&OS=PN/7990768&RS=PN/7990768 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Honeywell International Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Honeywell International, Morristown, N.J., has been assigned a patent (7,984,648) developed by Bob D. Horning, Savage, Minn., and Ryan Supino, Loretto, Minn., for "systems and methods for acceleration and rotational determination from an in-plane and out-of-plane MEMS device." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) inertial sensor systems and methods determine linear acceleration and rotation in the in-pane and out-of-plane directions of the MEMS inertial sensor. An out-of-plane linear acceleration of the MEMS sensor may be sensed with the first out-of-plane electrode pair and the second out-of-plane electrode pair. An in-plane rotation of the MEMS sensor may be sensed with the first out-of-plane electrode pair and the second out-of-plane electrode. An in-plane linear acceleration of the MEMS sensor may be sensed with the first in-plane sense comb and the second in-plane sense comb. An out-of-plane rotation of the MEMS sensor may be sensed with the first in-plane sense comb and the second in-plane sense comb." The patent application was filed on July 31, 2008 (12/183,617). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7984648.PN.&OS=PN/7984648&RS=PN/7984648 Written by Ankresh Ranjan; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Corel Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Corel, Ottawa, has been assigned a patent (7,990,381) developed by Bruce J. Lindbloom, Eden Prairie, Minn., for a "re-coloring a color image." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Technology for re-coloring a region of a color image including determining an original base color in a region of a color image; establishing at least one shading parameter in the region of the color image; and combining a new base color with the at least one shading parameter in the region of the color image thereby producing a re-colored region of the color image." The patent application was filed on Aug. 31, 2006 (11/514,481). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,990,381.PN.&OS=PN/7,990,381&RS=PN/7,990,381 Written by Anjali Jha; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Rosemount Aerospace Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Rosemount Aerospace, Burnsville, Minn., has been assigned a patent (7,984,647) developed by John Albert Severson, Eagan, Minn., Darren Jackson, Savage, Minn., and Matthew J. Hansen, Savage, Minn., for a detecting ice particles. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Systems and methods for detecting ice particle accumulation is disclosed herein. In one exemplary implementation, a method for detecting ice is described in which a parameter within an interior volume of a heated conduit is measured. The method also includes detecting the presence of an accumulation of ice particles based on the parameter measured within the interior volume of the heated conduit." The patent application was filed on Oct. 29, 2010 (12/916,185). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7984647.PN.&OS=PN/7984647&RS=PN/7984647 Written by Ankresh Ranjan; edited by Jaya Anand. For more information about Targeted News Service products and services, please contact: Myron Struck, editor, Targeted News Service LLC, Springfield, Va., 703/304-1897; [email protected]; http://targetednews.com. -1056674 (c) 2011 Targeted News Service |