TMCnet News
U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in California (Sept. 9)(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in California. *** Broadcom Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 8 -- Broadcom, Irvine, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,013,614) developed by Wael William Diab, San Francisco, for a "system and method for enhanced accuracy in cable diagnostics of cable length." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system and method for enhanced accuracy in cable diagnostics of cable length. Conventional cable diagnostics such as time domain reflectometry can be used to determine cable length. This conventional technique can have accuracy limitations in certain situation such as with perfectly terminated cable. A cable length can also be determined through the use of link delay measurements that are based on clock synchronization between nodes in a network. Notwithstanding the accuracy issues of these link delay measurements, overall accuracy can be increased through the combination of the two cable length delay measurements into a final estimate." The patent application was filed on Sept. 28, 2010 (12/892,502). 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=80,13,614.PN.&OS=PN/80,13,614&RS=PN/80,13,614 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Apple Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 8 -- Apple, Cupertino, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,013,616) developed by Alex Crumlin, San Jose, Calif., Aaron Leiba, San Francisco, and David Ferguson, Sunnyvale, Calif., for a "type A USB receptacle with plug detection." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A modified Series A universal serial bus (USB) receptacle connector is equipped with the functionality to allow the electronic system in which it resides to be configured either as a host device or a peripheral device. The modified USB Series A receptacle connector, according to one embodiment of the invention may include a mechanism such as an additional pin or a mechanical switch to detect the presence of a standard USB Series A plug being inserted into it. Upon detection of a plug, an algorithm may allow the system to determine whether it is to act as a host device or a peripheral device and to determine which device supplies power." The patent application was filed on Dec. 21, 2010 (12/974,272). 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=80,13,616.PN.&OS=PN/80,13,616&RS=PN/80,13,616 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** SeekTech Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 8 -- SeekTech, San Diego, has been assigned a patent (8,013,610) developed by eleven co-inventors for a "high-Q self tuning locating transmitter." The co-inventors are Ray Merewether, La Jolla, Calif., Mark S. Olsson, La Jolla, Calif., Jeffrey A. Praha, San Diego, Jan Soukup, San Diego, David A. Cox, San Diego, Mark F. Fleming, Strongsville, Ohio, Lisa E. Latimer, San Diego, Ryan B. Levin, San Diego, Michael E. Turgeon, San Diego, Stephen M. Bench, Carlsbad, Calif., and Edward N. Denaci, San Diego. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A high-Q human-portable, battery-powered self-correcting tunable resonator in a transmitter apparatus for inducing alternating currents of high quality in buried conductors to facilitate their location. The transmitter apparatus employs an FET-driven capacitive tuning circuit and a coil design that achieves high precision, high-quality transmission signals, and which is equipped with a high-voltage booster for facilitating fault-localization applications." The patent application was filed on Dec. 20, 2007 (11/961,858). 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=80,13,610.PN.&OS=PN/80,13,610&RS=PN/80,13,610 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** XSLENT Energy Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- XSLENT Energy Technologies, Novato, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,013,583) developed by Stefan Matan, Navato, Calif., for a "dynamic switch power converter." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides a dynamic switch power conversion circuit to improve the efficiency of a solar cell array, and specifically to operate the solar cell array under various sunlight intensities, especially under low light conditions. In an embodiment of the invention, the dynamic switch power conversion circuit comprises: a processor to continuously monitor the power output of a solar panel under varying sunlight conditions, and a switching converter circuit comprising a plurality of circuit operations for different optimum power conversion. The processor gathers the output power from the solar panel and then uses predetermined power curves related to maximum generated power versus sunlight conditions of that particular solar panel to switch the switching converter circuit to a circuit operation particular suited to that sunlight condition to achieve the maximum power generated from the solar panel." The patent application was filed on Sept. 26, 2006 (11/535,453). 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=80,13,583.PN.&OS=PN/80,13,583&RS=PN/80,13,583 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Liontech Trains Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Liontech Trains, Chesterfield, Mich., has been assigned a patent (8,013,550) developed by Neil Young, Woodside, Calif., and Louis G. Kovach, Belleville, Mich., for a "model train remote control system having realistic speed and special effects control." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The model train control system includes a remote control device that receives user input with respect to various train functions such as desired speed and effects, and that generates commands based on that input in order to cause the model train to perform in a desired manner. In an embodiment of the invention, the model train controller comprises control input devices that permit user control over corresponding control features of the model train. A touch screen display may be coupled to the housing and adapted to receive user selections regarding the control features. A processor is operatively coupled to the control input devices and the touch screen display. The processor is adapted to generate at least one model train command to be transmitted to the model train based at least in part on a user input received from either one of the control input devices or the touch screen display." The patent application was filed on July 18, 2007 (11/779,864). 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=80,13,550.PN.&OS=PN/80,13,550&RS=PN/80,13,550 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Greenwave Reality Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Greenwave Reality, Singapore, has been assigned a patent (8,013,545) developed by Karl Jonsson, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., for a "modular networked light bulb." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Various methods of manufacturing a lighting apparatus and embodiments of a modular networked lighting apparatus are disclosed. One method defines a mechanical form factor with a minimum set of electrical connections for a networking module, builds a subassembly of the networked lighting apparatus, the subassembly comprising attachment points compatible with the mechanical form factor for the networking module and contacts for the minimum set of electrical connections for the networking module, installs a networking module into the subassembly of the networked lighting apparatus, the networking module compatible with a selected networking protocol for the networked lighting apparatus, completes the final assembly of the networked lighting module, and marks the networked lighting apparatus to indicate the selected networking protocol for the networked lighting apparatus. In some embodiments, the lighting apparatus may function without the networking module installed. One embodiment of the modular, networked light bulb has means for supporting and holding an electronics module conforming with a predetermined form factor in place, and means for allowing the electronics module to control at least a brightness level of the at least one LED. The modular networked light bulb may have a networked controller conforming with the predetermined form factor used as the electronics module. The networked controller is able to connect to a network and may be positioned and held by the means for supporting and holding an electronics module." The patent application was filed on June 7, 2010 (12/795,395). 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=80,13,545.PN.&OS=PN/80,13,545&RS=PN/80,13,545 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Better Place Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Better Place, Zug, Switzerland, has been assigned a patent (8,013,571) developed by Shai Agassi, Palo Alto, Calif., and Yoav Heichal, Ganey Yehuda, Israel, for a battery exchange station. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "At the battery exchange station a discharged battery is removed and a charged battery is inserted into an electric vehicle. The battery is inserted and removed along a vertical axis, i.e., into and out of the bottom of the vehicle. The battery exchange system is located in a service bay under the vehicle. A sliding door system creates an opening above the service bay. A vehicle is received over the sliding door system, such that at least one wheel of the vehicle rests on the conveyor system. The door slides in a first direction while allowing the conveyor system to slide in a direction opposite the first direction. The conveyor system also supports the at least one wheel of the vehicle while the door and conveyor slide in opposite directions. The sliding of the door and the sliding of the conveyor system occur at least partially simultaneously." The patent application was filed on Nov. 3, 2010 (12/939,045). 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=80,13,571.PN.&OS=PN/80,13,571&RS=PN/80,13,571 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Coulomb Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Coulomb Technologies, Campbell, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,013,570) developed by four co-inventors for an "electrical circuit sharing for electric vehicle charging stations." The co-inventors are David Baxter, Monte Sereno, Calif., Carl F. Hagenmaier Jr., Los Altos, Calif., Milton T. Tormey, Los Altos, Calif., and Richard Lowenthal, Cupertino, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Electric vehicle charging stations are coupled with a circuit sharing controller. Multiple electric vehicle charging stations are wired on the same electrical circuit. The circuit sharing controller implements a circuit sharing process that dynamically allocates electric current to charging stations on the same electrical circuit such that the capacity of the electrical circuit is not exceeded while permitting each of those charging stations to draw electric current through that electrical circuit for at least some amount of time." The patent application was filed on July 23, 2009 (12/508,488). 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=80,13,570.PN.&OS=PN/80,13,570&RS=PN/80,13,570 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Agere Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Agere Systems, Allentown, Pa., has been assigned a patent (8,013,552) developed by James A. Dahlberg, Eagan, Minn., Ross S. Wilson, Menlo Park, Calif., and Jason P. Brenden, Woodbury, Minn., for "systems and methods for controlling a DC motor." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Various systems and methods for controlling DC motors are disclosed herein. For example, one method provides for controlling a polyphase, brushless DC motor. The method includes providing a DC motor that has a plurality of phases. Such a DC motor operates by inducing a current in the plurality of phases in accordance with a plurality of commutation states. In the example, six commutation states are discussed, but fewer than or more than six commutation states may exist. The method further includes initializing a count, inducing a current in the plurality of phases in accordance with a first commutation state, and incrementing the count until the current achieves a threshold in the first commutation state. Then, a current is induced in the plurality of phases in accordance with a second commutation state, and the count is decremented until the current achieves the threshold in the second commutation state. The sign bit of the count is stored, and a desired initial commutation state is determined based at least in part on the sign bit of the count." The patent application was filed on Sept. 26, 2006 (12/374,304). 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=80,13,552.PN.&OS=PN/80,13,552&RS=PN/80,13,552 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Power Integrations Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Power Integrations, San Jose, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,013,584) developed by four co-inventors for a "method and apparatus for maintaining a constant load current with line voltage in a switch mode power supply." The co-inventors are Balu Balakrishnan, Saratoga, Calif., Alex B. Djenguerian, Saratoga, Calif., Kent Wong, Fremont, Calif., and David Michael Hugh Matthews, Windsor, United Kingdom. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A power supply regulator including a variable current limit threshold that increases during an on time of a switch. In one aspect, a power supply regulator includes a comparator coupled to receive a signal representative of a current through a switch during an on time of the switch. The comparator is further coupled to receive a variable current limit threshold that increases during the on time of the switch. The power supply regulator also includes a feedback circuit coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of an output of a power supply. A control circuit is also included and is coupled to the switch, to an output of the comparator, and to an output of the feedback circuit. The control circuit is coupled to control a switching of the switch in response the output of the comparator and the output of the feedback circuit to regulate the output of the power supply." The patent application was filed on Oct. 13, 2010 (12/904,015). 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=80,13,584.PN.&OS=PN/80,13,584&RS=PN/80,13,584 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Linear Technology Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Linear Technology, Milpitas, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,013,544) developed by Michael George Negrete, Mountain View, Calif., and Wei Gu, Santa Clara, Calif., for a "dimmer control leakage pull down using main power device in flyback converter." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A flyback controller may receive a chopped and rectified AC voltage from a dimmer control, each cycle of which may have a controllable off period that is substantially attenuated but not always zero due to leakage of the dimmer control, and a controllable on period that substantially tracks the AC voltage. The flyback controller may include a control circuit configured to generate a switching signal based on the signal from the dimmer input. The switching signal may controllably oscillate between its on and off states during the on periods of the chopped and rectified AC voltage so as to controllably regulate current that is delivered by a secondary winding of a transformer in a flyback converter. The switching signal may be in the on state during the off periods of the chopped and rectified AC voltage, thereby preventing a voltage build up from the dimmer control leakage." The patent application was filed on Dec. 10, 2008 (12/332,292). 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=80,13,544.PN.&OS=PN/80,13,544&RS=PN/80,13,544 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Osram Opto Semiconductors Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Osram Opto Semiconductors, Regensburg, Germany, has been assigned a patent (8,013,526) developed by Pierre-Marc Allemand, San Jose, Calif., for "devices including, methods using, and compositions of reflowable getters." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Methods for protecting circuit device materials, optoelectronic devices, and caps using a reflowable getter are described. The methods, devices and caps provide advantages because they enable modification of the shape and activity of the getter after sealing of the device. Some embodiments of the invention provide a solid composition comprising a reactive material and a phase changing material. The combination of the reactive material and phase changing material is placed in the cavity of an electronic device. After sealing the device by conventional means (epoxy seal for example), the device is subjected to thermal or electromagnetic energy so that the phase changing material becomes liquid, and consequently: exposes the reactive material to the atmosphere of the cavity, distributes the getter more equally within the cavity, and provides enhanced protection of sensitive parts of the device by flowing onto and covering these parts, with a thin layer of material." The patent application was filed on Aug. 27, 2007 (11/845,719). 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=8013526.PN.&OS=PN/8013526&RS=PN/8013526 Written by Ankresh Ranjan; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Trimble Navigation Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Trimble Navigation, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,013,786) developed by David Gildea, Menlo Park, Calif., for a "method and communication system for limiting the functionality of an electronic device." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for limiting the functionality of a mobile electronic device. In one embodiment, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver configured to determine a GNSS Doppler frequency shift measurement corresponding to a GNSS signal. A control component is configured to control an operation of the mobile electronic device in response to a control signal which is generated when the GNSS Doppler frequency shift measurement is used to determine that the speed of the mobile electronic device exceeds a speed threshold." The patent application was filed on June 17, 2008 (12/140,942). 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=80,13,786&OS=80,13,786&RS=80,13,786 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** SiRF Technology Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- SiRF Technology, San Jose, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,013,787) developed by 11 co-inventors for a "control and features for satellite positioning system receivers." The co-inventors are Mangesh Chansarkar, Irvine, Calif., Sundar Raman, Fremont, Calif., Charles P. Norman, Huntington Beach, Calif., Paul A. Underbrink, Lake Forest, Calif., Henry D. Falk, Long Beach, Calif., James Brown, Laguna Beach, Calif., Robert Harvey, San Francisco, Peter Michali, Irvine, Calif., Williams Higgins, Marlon, Iowa, Gengsheng Zhang, Cupertino, Calif., and Qingwen Zhang, Cupertino, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Control and feature systems for processing signals from a satellite positioning system include an expert system receiver manager; a joint detection, carrier centering and bit sync acquisition subsystem; peak detection; a multi-dimensional measurement interpolation subsystem; a subsystem for mode switching between a navigational signal; and power control module for a receiver." The patent application was filed on Sept. 2, 2004 (10/570,578). 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=80,13,787&OS=80,13,787&RS=80,13,787 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Siemens Medical Solutions USA Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Malvern, Pa., has been assigned a patent (8,014,231) developed by Nelson H. Oliver, Sunnyvale, Calif., and Worth B. Walters, Cupetino, Calif., for a "digital capacitive membrane transducer." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A capacitive membrane is used as a digital sensor. Membranes act as binary devices, such as being in a collapsed or non-collapsed state. By providing drum heads (membranes and associated gaps) with different response characteristics, the drum heads of an element digitally indicate the amplitude of the acoustic force by which of the drum heads are triggered or change states. The digital transducer may be used for different types of sensors, such as a CMUT, an air pressure, a temperature, a humidity, a chemical or biological stimulus or other sensor." The patent application was filed on Sept. 25, 2008 (12/237,664). 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=8,014,231.PN.&OS=PN/8,014,231&RS=PN/8,014,231 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Apple Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Apple, Cupertino, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,014,211) developed by Greg M. Hess, Mountain View, Calif., and Honkai Tam, Redwood City, Calif., for a "keeperless fully complementary static selection circuit." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Selection circuitry for use in register files, multiplexers, and so forth is disclosed. The selection circuitry includes a plurality of local bit lines coupled to global bit line circuitry. Groups of cells or data inputs are coupled to each of the local bit lines. When a cell or data input of a given group is selected, a group select signal is provided to the global bit line circuitry. The global bit line circuitry drives a global bit line responsive to the group select signal and the data driven on (or provided to) the local bit line associated with the selected cell/input, thus providing a data output. When no cell of a given group is selected, the group select signal is de-asserted, causing the respective global bit line to be held in a predetermined state." The patent application was filed on June 8, 2009 (12/480,552). 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=8,014,211&OS=8,014,211&RS=8,014,211 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Apple Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Apple, Cupertino, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,013,839) developed by Bas Ording, San Francisco, Scott Forstall, Mountain View, Calif., and Greg Christie, San Jose, Calif., for "methods for determining a cursor position from a finger contact with a touch screen display." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A portable device with a touch screen display detects a contact area of a finger with the touch screen display and then determines a first position associated with the contact area. The cursor position of the finger contact is determined, at least in part, based on: the first position, one or more distances between the first position and one or more of the user interface objects; and one or more activation susceptibility numbers, each associated with a respective user interface object in the plurality of user interface objects. If the cursor position falls into the hidden hit region of a virtual push button on the touch screen display, the portable device is activated to perform operations associated with the virtual push button." The patent application was filed on Nov. 30, 2010 (12/957,185). 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=80,13,839&OS=80,13,839&RS=80,13,839 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Qualcomm MEMS Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, San Diego, has been assigned a patent (8,013,831) developed by Jeffrey B. Sampsell, San Jose, Calif., for "methods and devices for lighting displays." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Various devices and methods of lighting a display are disclosed. In one embodiment, for example, a display device includes a transmissive display configured to be illuminated through a back surface and a reflective display configured to be illuminated through a front surface. A light source is disposed with respect to the back of the transmissive display to illuminate the transmissive display through the back surface. A light pipe is disposed with respect to the light source to receive light from the light source and is configured to propagate the light such that this light provides front illumination of the reflective display." The patent application was filed on June 22, 2010 (12/821,070). 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=80,13,831.PN.&OS=PN/80,13,831&RS=PN/80,13,831 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Microsoft Assigned Patent for Generating Position Information using a Video Camera ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Microsoft, Redmond, Wash., has been assigned a patent (8,013,838) developed by Feng-Hsiung Hsu, Cupertino, Calif., and Rui Gao, Beijing, for a "generating position information using a video camera." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A position determination module is described which receives image information from a video camera. The position determination module identifies at least one reference field in the image information to provide identified reference information. The position determination module then generates position information based on the identified reference information. The position information is associated with a position of the reference field with respect the video camera. In one implementation, the video camera is stationary and the reference field is coupled to a user-manipulated device. In another implementation, the reference field is coupled to a stationary display device and the video camera is coupled to a movable user-manipulated device." The patent application was filed on June 30, 2006 (11/428,279). 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=80,13,838&OS=80,13,838&RS=80,13,838 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Vision Works IP Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Vision Works IP, Sequim, Wash., has been assigned a patent (8,014,234) developed by Alfred S. Braunberger, Thousand Oaks, Calif., for a "timing system and device and method for making the same." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A timing device for indicating the passage of a duration of time is disclosed. The timing device and system, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention, comprise an electrochemical component which generates a visual and/or audio indication of the passage of time. The timing device further comprises a compensating element, such as a varistor, a thermistor and/or combinations thereof. The compensating element regulates the response of the device with respect to changes in temperature. The timing device is configured to indicate the passage of a single duration of time or comprises zones that are activated in a range of prescribed times and individually or collectively indicate the passage of time or the passage of a range of times." The patent application was filed on Dec. 3, 2008 (12/315,524). 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=8,014,234&OS=8,014,234&RS=8,014,234 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Marvell World Trade Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Marvell World Trade, St. Michael, Barbados, has been assigned a patent (8,014,206) developed by Pantas Sutardja, Los Gatos, Calif. for a "threshold voltage digitizer for array of programmable threshold transistors." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An integrated circuit including a voltage generator and a control module. The voltage generator is configured to generate a first voltage based on a plurality of codewords, and output the first voltage to a first word line communicating with a first set of transistors. Each of the first set of transistors has a plurality of programmable threshold voltages. The control module is configured to determine values of the threshold voltages of the first set of transistors based on (i) the codewords and (ii) currents sensed through the first set of transistors in response to the first voltage being output to the first word line. The control module is configured to adjust the values of the threshold voltages of the first set of transistors based on at least one of (i) locations of the first set of transistors on the first word line and (ii) a temperature of the integrated circuit." The patent application was filed on Sept. 16, 2010 (12/883,214). 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=8,014,206&OS=8,014,206&RS=8,014,206 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Active-Semi Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Active-Semi, Virgin, has been assigned a patent (8,014,217) developed by David J. Kunst, Cupertino, Calif., for a "serially loading programming information into a PSR CC/CV controller integrated circuit." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A primary-side regulation (PSR) controller integrated circuit includes a PSR CC/CV controller and a non-volatile shift register. An assembled power supply that includes the integrated circuit is in-circuit tested to determine errors in power supply output voltage and/or current. Programming information is determined and shifted into the shift register. During programming, the power supply regulates to a different output voltage, and the different voltage is used for shift register programming. After programming, the power supply operates in a normal mode so that the output voltage and current are within specification. The voltage and current to which the power supply regulates are set by some of the bits of the programming information. Other of the bits set error correction circuits of the PSR CC/CV controller such as a primary inductance variation compensation circuit, a line input voltage variation compensation circuit, an efficiency variation compensation circuit, and a cord resistance compensation circuit." The patent application was filed on March 24, 2008 (12/077,961). 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=8,014,217&OS=8,014,217&RS=8,014,217 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** SanDisk Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- SanDisk Technologies, Plano, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,014,209) developed by Jeffrey W. Lutze, San Jose, Calif., and Yan Li, Milpitas, Calif., for a "programming and selectively erasing non-volatile storage." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A non-volatile storage system performs programming for a plurality of non-volatile storage elements and selectively performs re-erasing of at least a subset of the non-volatile storage elements that were supposed to remain erased, without intentionally erasing programmed data." The patent application was filed on July 2, 2008 (12/167,135). 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=8,014,209&OS=8,014,209&RS=8,014,209 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** ZENO Semiconductor Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- ZENO Semiconductor, San Jose, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,014,200) developed by Yuniarto Widjaja, San Jose, Calif., for a "semiconductor memory having volatile and multi-bit, non-volatile functionality and methods of operating." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A semiconductor memory cell, semiconductor memory devices comprising a plurality of the semiconductor memory cells, and methods of using the semiconductor memory cell and devices are described. A semiconductor memory cell includes a substrate having a first conductivity type; a first region embedded in the substrate at a first location of the substrate and having a second conductivity type; a second region embedded in the substrate at a second location of the substrate and have the second conductivity type, such that at least a portion of the substrate having the first conductivity type is located between the first and second locations and functions as a floating body to store data in volatile memory; a trapping layer positioned in between the first and second locations and above a surface of the substrate; the trapping layer comprising first and second storage locations being configured to store data as nonvolatile memory independently of one another; and a control gate positioned above the trapping layer." The patent application was filed on April 8, 2009 (12/420,659). 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=8,014,200&OS=8,014,200&RS=8,014,200 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Oracle America Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Oracle America, Redwood Shores, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,014,113) developed by Robert J. Drost, Los Altos, Calif., Scott M. Fairbanks, Corvallis, Ore., and Alex Chow, East Palo Alto, Calif., for a "protection for proximity electronics against electrostatic discharge." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system of protecting a proximity communication system against electrostatic discharge (ESD). The proximity communication system includes two chips, each having an array of electrical pads at its surface and covered by a thin dielectric layer such that capacitive coupling circuits are formed between the chips when they are joined together. In at least one of the chips, an additional protection pad is formed away from the array, and heavy protection circuitry is connected to it. Its surface is exposed through the dielectric surface over it such that, when an ESD aggressor approaches, the discharge occurs to the protection pad." The patent application was filed on June 23, 2008 (12/144,142). 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=8,014,113&OS=8,014,113&RS=8,014,113 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** LSI Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- LSI, Milpitas, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,014,099) developed by four co-inventors for "systems and methods for using an on-the-fly CBD estimate to adjust fly-height." The co-inventors are George Mathew, San Jose, Calif., Yuan Xing Lee, San Jose, Calif., Hongwei Song, Longmont, Colo., and Jefferson E. Singleton, Westminster, Colo. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for using channel bit density estimates to adjust fly-height. For example, various embodiments of the present invention provide methods for adaptively adjusting fly-height. Such methods include providing a storage medium that includes information corresponding to a process data set, and a read/write head assembly that is disposed a variable distance from the storage medium. The process data set is accessed from the storage medium. A first channel bit density estimate is adaptively calculated based at least in part on the process data set and a second channel bit density estimate that was previously calculated. The variable distance is modified based at least in part on the first channel bit density estimate. A third channel bit density is adaptively calculated based at least in part on the process data set and a fourth channel bit density estimate that was previously calculated. The variable distance is modified based at least in part on the third channel bit density estimate." The patent application was filed on Oct. 20, 2008 (12/254,737). 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=8,014,099&OS=8,014,099&RS=8,014,099 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has been assigned a patent (8,014,097) developed by Marco Sanvido, Belmont, Calif., for a "disk drive with adaptive counting of writes to the data tracks for minimizing the effect of adjacent track encroachment." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A hard disk drive (HDD) uses adaptive counting of writes to the data tracks to minimize the effect of adjacent track encroachment (ATE). The tracks are grouped into segments and a counter is associated with each segment, but the number of tracks in a segment varies or adapts depending on the number of writes to the segment. When the count for the number of writes to a segment reaches a threshold, the segment is divided into a number of segments with fewer tracks. The original segment no longer exists and does not require memory to store its count. This process continues until a segment reaches a predetermined minimum number of tracks. When the count for the number of writes to a segment with the minimum number of tracks reaches a threshold, all of the tracks in that segment, and tracks radially adjacent to and on both sides of the segment, are read and rewritten." The patent application was filed on May 7, 2010 (12/776,244). 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=8,014,097&OS=8,014,097&RS=8,014,097 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** California Inventor Develops Patent for Double Sided Video Monitor ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Xavier Huante, Carson, Calif., has developed a patent (8,013,803) for a "double sided video monitor." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A double-sided video monitor has a pair of display panels mounted back-to-back. The panels are capable of displaying same or separate video signals at the same time. Each panel has an inset viewing area capable of displaying an additional video signal. Video input signals are received through a variety of connection protocols including Digital Video Interface (DVI), S-Video cable, YPbPr cable, composite cable, and VGA cable. Audio output devices are provided for each panel n receiving input from an audio harness. The output devices provide sound synchronized to either display panel or inset viewing area. The panels can be operated independently by individual controlling means, which include a plurality of control buttons for volume adjustment, picture adjustment, activation, deactivation, and so on. The monitor may have a single power supply providing power to one or more monitor controllers. The monitor can also be connected to a laptop, or similar computing device." The patent application was filed on Feb. 9, 2007 (11/673,440). 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=80,13,803&OS=80,13,803&RS=80,13,803 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Oracle America Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Oracle America, Redwood City, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,014,159) developed by Drew G. Doblar, San Jose, Calif., and Gurpreet S. Dayal, Fremont, Calif., for a "printed circuit board with optimized mounting holes and alignment pins." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A mounting plane assembly (e.g., backplane or midplane) is provided for interconnecting a plurality of daughterboards in a server computer. The mounting plane assembly includes a printed circuit board ("PCB") that has a plurality of shared mounting holes for attaching connector alignment pins to a front side of the PCB as well as mechanical support elements to a back side of the PCB through the same mounting holes." The patent application was filed on April 24, 2009 (12/429,915). 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=8,014,159&OS=8,014,159&RS=8,014,159 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** SAE Magnetics Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- SAE Magnetics, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, has been assigned a patent (8,014,104) developed by Shide Cheng, Fremont, Calif., Zhu Feng, Pleasanton, Calif., and Ellis T. Cha, San Ramon, Calif., for a "magnetic head/disk with transition metal oxynitride adhesion/corrosion barrier and diamond-like carbon overcoat bilayer." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A protective bilayer on a magnetic read/write head or magnetic disk is formed as an adhesion enhancing and corrosion resistant underlayer and a protective diamond-like carbon (DLC) overlayer. The underlayer is a transition metal oxynitride, having the general formula MeO.sub.xN.sub.y, where Me represents a single element or an alloy of the following transition metal elements: Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and W, here x can be within the range between 0 and 3 and y is in the range between approximately 0 and 2. Adjusting the values of x and y contributes to such qualities of the protective bilayer as stress compensation, chemical and mechanical stability and low electrical conductivity. Methods of forming the adhesion layer, include reactive ion sputtering, plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition, pulsed laser deposition and plasma immersion ion implantation." The patent application was filed on March 21, 2007 (11/726,156). 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=8,014,104&OS=8,014,104&RS=8,014,104 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** ST-Ericsson Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- ST-Ericsson, Geneva, has been assigned a patent (8,013,684) developed by Matteo Conta, Irvine, Calif., and Andrea Baschirotto, Tortona, Italy, for a "radio frequency noise and interference suppression in an integrated circuit." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In an integrated circuit having a number of circuit units on a single semiconductor chip, particularly in a system-on-chip integrated circuit including an integrated transceiver, interference between the circuit units is suppressed using on-chip resonant elements. Each resonant element has at least one on-chip capacitor and at least one on-chip conductive line constituting an inductance. The capacitance-inductance combinations are arranged to be resonant at one or more frequencies at which radio frequency energy is generated by the circuit units. The capacitive part of each series resonant combination is formed as a plurality of capacitor elements forming in an array to minimise self-inductance. Also disclosed is a filtering arrangement in which each circuit unit is individually supplied from the tap of a series resistive-capacitance combination to provide low-pass filtering. The resistance of such a combination may be configured as an FET to allow the circuit unit to be individually powered down to a low leakage state." The patent application was filed on Sept. 4, 2008 (12/204,546). 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=8,013,684.PN.&OS=PN/8,013,684&RS=PN/8,013,684 Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Agere Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Agere Systems, Allentown, Pa., has been assigned a patent (8,014,196) developed by Nils Graef, Milpitas, Calif., for a "reduced-power programming of multi-level cell (MLC) memory." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "in one embodiment, a mobile electronic device has a host controller, an energy-saving encoder, an energy-saving decoder, and a multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory. The host controller provides raw user data to the energy-saving encoder in k-bit segments. The energy-saving encoder encodes each k-bit segment into an n-bit segment of encoded user data for programming the MLC NAND flash memory as a p-symbol codeword, where (i) k is smaller than n (ii) p(=n/log.sub.2 m) MLCs are used to store the p-symbol codeword (iii) each MLC stores one symbol of the codeword. The energy-saving decoder is adapted to read p-symbol codewords from the MLC NAND flash memory and decode each p-symbol codeword into a k-bit segment of raw user data for provision to the host controller. The host controller is adapted to vary k and n to conserve usage of power or memory-space, as needed." The patent application was filed on Aug. 28, 2008 (12/200,129). 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=8,014,196&OS=8,014,196&RS=8,014,196 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Finisar Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Finisar, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,014,153) developed by Donald A. Ice, Milpitas, Calif., for a "floating front enclosure for pluggable module." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In one example embodiment, a host device includes a front panel, a bezel assembly, a floating PCB, and two host guides. The front panel defines an opening configured to receive a pluggable module in a plugging direction. The bezel assembly defines an opening configured to align with the front panel opening and to receive the pluggable module, the bezel assembly rigidly secured to the front panel. The host guides are rigidly secured to the floating PCB and are configured to guide the pluggable module when it is plugged into the host device. The host guides and bezel assembly operate together to allow the floating PCB to float with respect to the front panel in the plugging direction while remaining substantially aligned with the front panel in directions normal to the plugging direction." The patent application was filed on Nov. 18, 2008 (12/273,069). 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=8,014,153&OS=8,014,153&RS=8,014,153 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Apple Assigned Patent for Display Window Securing System ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Apple, Cupertino, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,014,142) developed by Christopher D. Prest, Mountain View, Calif., Kyle Yeates, Palo Alto, Calif., and Michelle Yu, Oakland, Calif., for a "display window securing system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A display window assembly is mounted in the opening of a bezel of a housing, and a force is exerted against the assembly by a suitable resilient element urging it outward through the opening. The assembly may be mounted on a support or frame, from which depends one or more tabs extending inwardly of the housing. At least one of the tabs is fastened with a fastener that extends from the exterior of the housing, through a portion other than the bezel and through a surface not generally facing the user when the user is viewing the display. The advancement/withdrawal direction of the fastener is not substantially normal to the display window. However, advancement/withdrawal of the fastener causes movement of the tab, and therefore of the assembly, in an adjustment direction substantially normal to the display window to adjust the position of the display window relative to the bezel." The patent application was filed on June 1, 2009 (12/476,036). 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=8,014,142&OS=8,014,142&RS=8,014,142 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** SanDisk Technologies Assigned Patent for System and Method for Programming Cells in Non-volatile Integrated Memory Devices ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- SanDisk Technologies, Plano, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,014,197) developed by Nima Mokhlesi, Los Gatos, Calif., and Daniel C. Guterman, Fremont, Calif., for a "system and method for programming cells in non-volatile integrated memory devices." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system and method for quickly and efficiently programming hard-to-program storage elements in non-volatile integrated memory devices is presented. A number of storage elements are simultaneously subjected to a programming process with the current flowing through the storage elements limited to a first level. As a portion of these storage elements reach a prescribed state, they are removed from the set of cells being programmed and the current limit on the elements that continue to be programmed is raised. The current level in these hard-to-program cells can be raised to a second, higher limit or unregulated. According to another aspect, during a program operation the current limit allowed for a cell depends upon the target state to which it is to be programmed." The patent application was filed on Oct. 23, 2009 (12/604,904). 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=8,014,197.PN.&OS=PN/8,014,197&RS=PN/8,014,197 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Super Talent Electronics Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Super Talent Electronics, San Jose, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,014,130) developed by six co-inventors for a "pen-like universal serial bus (USB) flash drive with deploying and retracting functionalities." The co-inventors are David Nguyen, San Jose, Calif., Nan Nan, San Jose, Calif., Abraham C. Ma, Fremont, Calif., Jim Chin-Nan Ni, San Jose, Calif., Charles Chung Lee, Cupertino, Calif., and Ming-Shiang Shen, Taipei, Taiwan. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Various embodiments of a USB drive pen device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a USB drive pen device includes a USB plug assembly having a flash controller and a flash memory device, a pusher assembly including a rotator having one or more tabs disposed thereon, and a housing for housing at least a portion of the USB plug assembly and the pusher assembly. The housing includes a tunnel and an inner tube extended from the tunnel disposed within the housing. An intersection between the tunnel and inner tube includes one or more angled corners to lock the USB plug assembly in either a deployed position or a retracted position. Other methods and apparatuses are also described." The patent application was filed on Dec. 4, 2007 (11/950,190). 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=8,014,130&OS=8,014,130&RS=8,014,130 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Netherlands Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Netherlands, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has been assigned a patent (8,014,106) developed by four co-inventors for a "method and apparatus for modifying a dynamic pitch of a slider to increase head to disk interface reliability for contact recording systems." The co-inventors are Walton Fong, San Jose, Calif., Donald R. Gillis, San Jose, Calif., Remmelt Pit, Cupertino, Calif., and Mike Suk, San Jose, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An apparatus and method for modifying a slider to increase head to disk interface reliability for contact recording systems. The method provides a suspension for reaching over a disk. A slider having a read/write head element on a trailing edge (TE) portion is also provided, the slider coupled with the suspension. In addition, an increased dynamic pitch of the slider is provided, the increased dynamic pitch increasing the height of a leading edge (LE) portion of the slider with respect to the disk and reducing the height of the TE portion of the slider with respect to the disk, wherein vertical motion of the TE portion does not collapse an air bearing provided by the LE of the slider flying above the disk." The patent application was filed on March 11, 2005 (11/077,651). 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=8,014,106&OS=8,014,106&RS=8,014,106 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Assigned Patent for Combined Bulk Thermal-assister and Bulk Eraser ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has been assigned a patent (8,014,096) developed by four co-inventors for a "combined bulk thermal-assister and bulk eraser." The co-inventors are Lidu Huang, Danville, Calif., Fu-ying Huang, San Jose, Calif., Jia-Yang Juang, Santa Clara, Calif., and Byron Lengsfield, Gilroy, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A combined bulk thermal-assister and bulk eraser. The bulk thermal-assister is configured to produce a temperature in a magnetic-recording disk in a hard-disk drive when the hard-disk drive is disposed in the bulk eraser. The temperature is about equal to a second temperature greater than a first temperature of the magnetic-recording disk. The bulk eraser is configured to erase recorded information from the magnetic-recording disk at the second temperature. The second temperature lowers a coercivity of the magnetic-recording disk so that, when recorded information is erased from the magnetic-recording disk at the second temperature, recorded information on the magnetic-recording disk is erased from a second magnetic-recording track in closer proximity to an inside diameter of the magnetic-recording disk than a first magnetic-recording track from which recorded information on the magnetic-recording disk may be erased, if recorded information were erased from the magnetic-recording disk at the first temperature." The patent application was filed on March 13, 2009 (12/404,254). 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=8,014,096&OS=8,014,096&RS=8,014,096 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has been assigned a patent (8,014,109) developed by Matthew J. Carey, San Jose, Calif., Jeffrey R. Childress, San Jose, Calif., and Stefan Maat, San Jose, Calif., for a "current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) magnetoresistive sensor with antiparallel-pinned layer containing silicon." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) spin-valve (SV) magnetoresistive sensor uses an antiparallel (AP) pinned structure and has a ferromagnetic alloy comprising Co, Fe and Si in the reference layer of the AP-pinned structure and optionally in the CPP-SV sensor's free layer. The reference layer or AP2 layer is a multilayer of a first AP2-1 sublayer that contains no Si and is in contact with the AP-pinned structure's antiparallel coupling (APC) layer, and a second AP2-2 sublayer that contains Si and is in contact with the CPP-SV sensor's spacer layer. The Si-containing alloy may consist essentially of only Co, Fe and Si according to the formula (Co.sub.xFe.sub.(100-X)).sub.(100-y)Si.sub.y where the subscripts represent atomic percent, x is between about 45 and 55, and y is between about 20 and 30." The patent application was filed on Oct. 4, 2007 (11/867,063). 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=8,014,109.PN.&OS=PN/8,014,109&RS=PN/8,014,109 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Netherlands Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Netherlands, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has been assigned a patent (8,014,105) developed by four co-inventors for a "method and apparatus for modifying the air bearing force of the trailing edge of a slider to increase head to disk interface reliability for contact recording systems." The co-inventors are Walton Fong, San Jose, Calif., Donald R. Gillis, San Jose, Calif., Remmelt Pit, Cupertino, Calif., and Mike Suk, San Jose, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An apparatus and method for modifying the air bearing force of the trailing edge of a slider to increase head to disk interface reliability for contact recording systems. The method provides a suspension for reaching over a disk. A slider having a read/write head element on a trailing edge (TE) portion is also provided, the slider coupled with the suspension. In addition, a shaped TE which minimizes the air bearing force at the TE portion of the slider, to minimize the normal load and friction during contact to reduce slider bounce." The patent application was filed on March 11, 2005 (11/077,879). 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=8,014,105&OS=8,014,105&RS=8,014,105 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** International Business Machines Assigned Patent for Planar Servo Write Head ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- International Business Machines, Armonk, N.Y., has been assigned a patent (8,014,100) developed by Robert Glenn Biskeborn, Hollister, Calif., and Wayne Isami Imaino, San Jose, Calif., for a "planar servo write head." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A servo write head that provides fast servo pattern writing and improved tape manufacturing speed is provided. The write head may be fabricated using thin-film fabrication techniques. A coil is formed on a bottom pole of the write head. The coil has a plurality of turns that enable the write head to generate a magnetic field sufficient for writing data with reduced current. The inductance of the coil is reduced due to its small dimensions. Reduced inductance of the coil may enable increased switching frequency of the write head, allowing data to be written at a higher frequency. The write head includes a planar top pole coupled to the bottom pole. The top pole has more than one write gap is formed therein." The patent application was filed on May 4, 2007 (11/744,535). 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=8,014,100&OS=8,014,100&RS=8,014,100 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Assigned Patent for Mixed Format Disk Drive ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9 -- Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has been assigned a patent (8,014,095) developed by Kirk Hwang, Palo Alto, Calif., Michael A. Moser, San Jose, Calif., and Spencer W. Ng, San Jose, Calif., for a "mixed format disk drive." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A magnetic disk for a hard disk drive comprising a plurality of physical sector sizes is disclosed. The magnetic disk includes a first sector size area physically formatted according to a first physical sector size and a second sector size area physically formatted according to a second physical sector size different from the first sector size by a multiple of the first sector size wherein the second sector size can be presented externally as multiple sectors of said first sector size." The patent application was filed on Dec. 28, 2007 (12/005,963). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HIT 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. -1060445 (c) 2011 Targeted News Service |