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U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Illinois (Dec. 10)
[December 10, 2012]

U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Illinois (Dec. 10)


(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in Illinois.

*** AT&T Intellectual Property I Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- AT&T Intellectual Property I, Atlanta, has been assigned a patent (8,325,884) developed by four co-inventors for a "method, system and software for implementing an automated call routing application in a speech enabled call center environment." The co-inventors are Robert R. Bushey, Cedar Park, Texas, Benjamin A. Knott, Round Rock, Texas, Marc Goldstein, Montreal, and Sarah Korth, Chicago.



The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system, method and software for implementing an automated call routing application in a speech enabled call center environment are provided. In operation, the invention provides for the identification of a call center transaction selection from a natural language user utterance and the invocation of one or more scripts operable to route the user to a call center service agent configured to service the selected transaction. In the event a transaction selection cannot be readily identified or can only be partially identified, the invention provides for the initiation of a dialog module or script directed to eliciting a discernable transaction selection and/or the presentation of one or more menus from which the user may select an available call center transaction." The patent application was filed on Nov. 18, 2009 (12/621,362). 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=83,25,884.PN.&OS=PN/83,25,884&RS=PN/83,25,884 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** General Instrument Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- General Instrument, Horsham, Pa., has been assigned a patent (8,326,077) developed by five co-inventors for a "method and apparatus for transforming a non-linear lens-distorted image." The co-inventors are Sek M. Chai, Streamwood, Ill., Malcolm R. Dwyer, Glendale Heights, Ill., Ruei-Sung Lin, Mountain View, Calif., Daniel A. Linzmeier, Wheeling, Ill., and Nikolaos Bellas, Volos, Greece.


The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and apparatus for image processing a lens-distorted image (e.g., a fisheye image) is provided. The method includes partitioning coordinate points in a selected output image into tiles. The output image is an undistorted rendition of a subset of the lens-distorted image. Coordinate points on a border of the tiles in the output image are selected. For each tile, coordinate points in the lens-distorted image corresponding to each selected coordinate point in the output image are calculated. In addition, for each tile, a bounding box on the lens-distorted image is selected. The bounding box includes the calculated coordinates in the lens-distorted image. The bounding boxes are expanded so that they encompass all coordinate points in the lens-distorted image that map to all coordinate points in their respective corresponding tiles. Output pixel values are generated for each tile from pixel values in their corresponding expanded bounding boxes." The patent application was filed on Oct. 31, 2008 (12/262,363). 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=83,26,077.PN.&OS=PN/83,26,077&RS=PN/83,26,077 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Northern Illinois University Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,325,934) developed by Sen M. Kuo, DeKalb, Ill., for an "electronic pillow for abating snoring/environmental noises, hands-free communications, and non-invasive monitoring and recording." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An electronic pillow including a pillow unit encasing at least one error microphone and at least one loudspeaker in electrical connection with a controller unit, the pillow unit also including a power source, and a reference sensing unit including at least one reference microphone in electrical connection with the controller unit, the controller unit including an algorithm for controlling interactions between the error microphone, loudspeaker, and reference microphone. A method of abating unwanted noise, by detecting an unwanted noise with a reference microphone, analyzing the unwanted noise, producing an anti-noise corresponding to the unwanted noise in a pillow, and abating the unwanted noise. Methods of hands-free communication, recording and monitoring sleep disorders, providing real-time response to emergencies, and playing audio sounds." The patent application was filed on Dec. 7, 2007 (11/952,250). 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=83,25,934.PN.&OS=PN/83,25,934&RS=PN/83,25,934 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Intel Assigned Patent for Interlaced Symbol Constellation Mapping for Wireless Communication ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Intel, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,325,833) developed by Rui Huang, Beijing, Changlong Xu, Beijing, and Tom Harel, Shfaim, Ill., for an "interlaced symbol constellation mapping for wireless communication." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a data packet to be transmitted is encoded and one or more subpackets are generated from the encoded data packet. A first bit pattern is applied to a first symbol of the subpackets to provide a constellation, and a different bit pattern is applied to a next adjacent symbol in the constellation for one or more additional symbols. The data packet is then modulated according to the constellation and transmitted one or more times until the data packet is decoded by a receiver or until said transmitting is aborted according to a hybrid automatic repeat request error correction technique." The patent application was filed on Dec. 21, 2009 (12/642,936). 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=83,25,833.PN.&OS=PN/83,25,833&RS=PN/83,25,833 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** FutureWei Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- FutureWei Technologies, Plano, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,325,850) developed by Lizhong Zheng, Cambridge, Mass., and Yufei Blankenship, Kildeer, Ill., for a "system and method for digital communications with unbalanced codebooks." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system and method for digital communications with unbalanced codebooks is provided. A transmitter includes a channel encoder that generates an output codeword from an information vector provided by an information input, and a modulator/transmitter circuit coupled to the channel encoder. The modulator/transmitter circuit prepares the output codeword for transmission over a physical channel. The channel encoder encodes the information vector into an intermediate codeword using a first code and shapes the intermediate codeword into the output codeword having a desired distribution." The patent application was filed on Jan. 25, 2010 (12/693,345). 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=83,25,850.PN.&OS=PN/83,25,850&RS=PN/83,25,850 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Innovative Energy Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Innovative Energy, Crown Point, Ind., has been assigned a patent (8,323,363) developed by Jacques Picardy Bingue, Chicago, Christopher Lee White, Oak Forest, Ill., and Jean Pierre-Victor, Chicago, for "reformation of hydrogen-containing fluids in a cyclic flow reactor." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The invention discloses an apparatus and process for the reformation of hydrogen containing fluids to hydrogen and other constituents, more particularly, the reformation of hydrocarbons or mixtures of hydrocarbons in a cyclic flow inert porous media reactor for the production of hydrogen and other constituents. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus and process can be used for the reformation of hydrogen sulfide to produce hydrogen and sulfur. The cyclic flow reactor comprises a reaction chamber filled with a porous media matrix containing an unconstrained reaction zone located in any portion of the reactor chamber. This reactor system employs valves to canalize the reactant mixture and product mixture during flow cycling channeling the reactant mixture through the porous media matrix, and reacting the reactant mixture. In another embodiment, the reactor system may further comprise at least one aperture along the axial length of the reactor casing to enable mounting of an external energy source and/or at least one heat exchanger to provide a source of heat transfer to the inlet pipe and outlet pipe as well as the reactant mixture and product mixtures." The patent application was filed on Aug. 30, 2007 (11/847,864). 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=8,323,363&OS=8,323,363&RS=8,323,363 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** United States Gypsum Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- United States Gypsum, Chicago, has been assigned a patent (8,323,785) developed by four co-inventors for a "lightweight, reduced density fire rated gypsum panels." The co-inventors are Qiang Yu, Grayslake, Ill., Srinivas Veeramasuneni, Round Lake, Ill., Weixin D. Song, Vernon Hills, Ill., and Wenqi Luan, Hawthorn Woods, Ill.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: " A reduced weight, reduced density gypsum panel that includes high expansion vermiculite with fire resistance capabilities that are at least comparable to (if not better than) commercial fire rated gypsum panels with a much greater gypsum content, weight and density." The patent application was filed on Feb. 17, 2012 (13/400,010). 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=8,323,785.PN.&OS=PN/8,323,785&RS=PN/8,323,785 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Northwestern University Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,323,784) developed by Alexander A. Green, Evanston, Ill., and Mark C. Hersam, Evanston, Ill., for a "transparent electrical conductors prepared from sorted carbon nanotubes and methods of preparing same." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Various methods related to the preparation of transparent electrical conductors based on carbon nanotubes having enhanced optical and electrical properties are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods involve employing carbon nanotubes that have been presorted according to electronic type and/or optical absorbance for use in transparent electrical conductors. Other embodiments involve use of carbon nanotube bundles that have been pre-sorted according to bundle density." The patent application was filed on Aug. 25, 2008 (12/229,595). 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=8,323,784.PN.&OS=PN/8,323,784&RS=PN/8,323,784 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Transilwrap Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Transilwrap, Franklin Park, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,323,777) developed by Timothy W. Albert, Dayton, Ohio, and Robert C. Fleherty, Loves Park, Ill., for a "low-cost tough decorative printable film products having holographic-type images." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Tough decorative printable film products having holographic-type images are provided that are low in cost. These film products include a relatively high temperature film that is made by continuous extrusion of the film resin onto a master film having pre-etched holographic-type imaging in order to provide a high-temperature primary film with conforming holographic imaging. This primary film provides a tough holographic-type image that is readily secured to any number of products to impart a holographic character to them. For example, this primary film is suitable for use on the surface of recreational sportsboards. When desired, sublimation printing can be used to impart indicia, text, images and colors, alone or in combination, to the primary film." The patent application was filed on June 18, 2010 (12/818,905). 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=8,323,777.PN.&OS=PN/8,323,777&RS=PN/8,323,777 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Illinois Inventor Develops Patent for Data Compression System and Method ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Bryan Smith, Chicago, has developed a patent (8,327,027) for a "data compression system and method." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A specially programmed computer encodes repeating sequences of equidistant-spaced bit series that are identified in an input file. The position of each sequence is encoded relative to one or more instances of the previous sequence, including both the spacing between bits and the bit position of identified portions of each. For a certain class of input files, this encoding of repeating sequences significantly compresses the input file into the output file. A specially programmed computer decodes files that have been encoded in this manner." The patent application was filed on June 3, 2009 (12/477,374). 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=8,327,027&OS=8,327,027&RS=8,327,027 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Danisco US Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Danisco US, Palo Alto, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,323,932) developed by nine co-inventors for an "expression of granular starch hydrolyzing enzymes in Trichoderma and process for producing glucose from granular starch substrates." The co-inventors are Toby M. Baldwin, Palo Alto, Calif., Benjamin S. Bower, Newark, Calif., Gopal K. Chotani, Cupertino, Calif., Nigel Dunn-Coleman, Los Gatos, Calif., Oreste J. Lantero Jr., Belvidere, Ill., Suzanne E. Lantz, San Carlos, Calif., Michael J. Pepsin, Castro Valley, Calif., Jayarama K. Shetty, Pleasanton, Calif., and Bruce A. Strohm, Beloit, Wis.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention relates to filamentous fungal host cells and particularly Trichoderma host cells useful for the production of heterologous granular starch hydrolyzing enzymes having glucoamylase activity (GSHE). Further the invention relates to a method for producing a glucose syrup comprising contacting a granular starch slurry obtained from a granular starch substrate simultaneously with an alpha amylase and a GSHE at a temperature equal to or below the gelatinization temperature of the granular starch to obtain a composition of a glucose syrup." The patent application was filed on Sept. 12, 2011 (13/230,707). 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=8,323,932.PN.&OS=PN/8,323,932&RS=PN/8,323,932 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** UOP Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- UOP, Des Plaines, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,323,747) developed by four co-inventors for a "zeolite containing wash coats for adsorber heat exchangers and temperature controlled adsorbers." The co-inventors are Stephen R. Dunne, Algonquin, Ill., Pamela J. Dunne legal representative, Algonquin, Ill., Alexander M. Bershitsky, Northbrook, Ill., and Mariola J. Proszowski, Des Plaines, Ill.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides a process for applying a coating on a heat exchanger or a temperature controlled adsorber surface. This coating comprises a zeolite, an organic solvent, an organic siloxane resin that constitutes a binder and a plasticizing agent." The patent application was filed on June 14, 2011 (13/160,181). 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=8,323,747.PN.&OS=PN/8,323,747&RS=PN/8,323,747 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Formax Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Formax, Mokena, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,322,537) developed by Scott Lindee, Mokena, Ill., for a "food product vacancy reduction system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A food handling system having a vacancy reduction system. The vacancy reduction system includes the main conveyor, a food product parking station, a vacancy detector, a robot, and a controller. The vacancy detector is configured to detect a vacant food product position on the main conveyor. The robot has a working range for moving between the parking station and the main conveyor. The controller is signal-connected to the vacancy detector. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the vacancy detector indicating a vacant food product position on the conveyor. The controller is signal-connected to the robot and has control instructions for instructing the robot to move the food product from the food product parking station to the vacant food product position on the main conveyor." The patent application was filed on Oct. 27, 2009 (12/606,864). 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=83,22,537.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,537&RS=PN/83,22,537 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** R.R. Donnelley & Sons Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- R.R. Donnelley & Sons, Chicago, has been assigned a patent (8,322,962) developed by James M. Lanman, Charleston, Ill., and Patrick S. Lawson, Ashmore, Ill., for "methods and apparatus to score book covers." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Apparatus and methods to score book covers are described. An example scoring apparatus includes a first scoring roll and a corresponding second scoring roll. The first scoring roll opposes the second scoring roll to process a cover at a first location of the cover. A first slider to couple the first scoring roll to the scoring apparatus such that the first slider enables independent adjustment of the first scoring roll relative to the second scoring roll in a first lateral direction relative to the second scoring roll." The patent application was filed on Feb. 10, 2012 (13/371,056). 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=8,322,962&OS=8,322,962&RS=8,322,962 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Illinois Tool Works Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Illinois Tool Works, Glenview, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,322,960) developed by Yongping Gong, Glenview, Ill., and Cheryl L. Panasik, Elburn, Ill., for a threaded concrete anchor.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A fastener for use in concrete includes a shank and a head. The shank has a tip distal most from the head. The shank includes a first helical thread formation having a thread form thereon formed from two portions disposed upon opposite lateral sides of the thread form. The thread form has a root and the two portions include an alternating series of lobe members and base portions. The lobe members have a height as measured from the root and the base portions have a height as measured from the root. The height of the lobe members is greater than the height of the base portions and the height of the base portions is greater than zero. The fastener includes a second helical thread formation that is disposed adjacent to and spaced from the first helical thread formation." The patent application was filed on July 6, 2009 (12/498,191). 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=8,322,960&OS=8,322,960&RS=8,322,960 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Rohm and Haas Co. Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Rohm and Haas Co., Philadelphia, has been assigned a patent (8,323,746) developed by Ansar Firdosi, Elgin, Ill., for a "composition for producing porous EVA coatings." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An aqueous composition for producing an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) coating. The composition contains ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, ammonium carbonate, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal bicarbonate and organic acids." The patent application was filed on March 12, 2010 (12/722,698). 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=8,323,746.PN.&OS=PN/8,323,746&RS=PN/8,323,746 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Bunge Oils Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Bunge Oils, St. Louis, has been assigned a patent (8,323,721) developed by Dilip K. Nakhasi, Bourbonnais, Ill., Roger L. Daniels, Manhattan, Ill., and Joshua Eartly, Wilmington, Ill., for a "phytosterol esterification product and method of making same." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An ingredient suitable for use in the manufacture of specialty margarines and bakery shortenings with nutritional and functional benefits is the reaction product of a phytosterol material esterified with a saturated fatty acid material. The reaction product is substantially solid at ambient temperature, and thus is suitable for use as an ingredient in solid shortening products, yet without the adverse health effects believed to be associated with saturated fatty acids. In the method of making the product, the esterification reaction is carried out at elevated temperatures, under vacuum, and for a relatively longer duration than prior art procedures. The esterification reaction may be carried out in the presence of a catalyst and optionally, high oleic canola oil. The reaction product is neutralized, then filtered at least once and preferably twice to remove any residual catalyst." The patent application was filed on April 22, 2009 (12/428,387). 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=8,323,721.PN.&OS=PN/8,323,721&RS=PN/8,323,721 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Deere & Co. Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Deere & Co., Moline, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,322,520) developed by six co-inventors for a "tongue-in-groove belt hold down for a draper platform." The co-inventors are Chad A. Dow, East Moline, Ill., Benjamin M. Lovett, Colona, Ill., Ryan S. Herlyn, Port Byron, Ill., Todd N. Signer, East Moline, Ill., Corwin M. Puryk, East Moline, Ill., and Joshua Ryan Pierson, Davenport, Iowa.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A conveyor belt hold down for a draper platform comprises a planar portion having a front edge, a rear edge, a left edge, and a right edge, wherein one of the left and the right edges defines a first slot or groove structure, and the other of the left and the right edges defines a first tongue structure, wherein the first tongue structure is configured to be engaged in a second slot or groove structure of a similar hold down disposed immediately adjacent to the first tongue structure, and wherein the first slot or groove structure is configured to receive a second tongue structure of a similar hold down disposed immediately adjacent to the first slot or groove structure." The patent application was filed on April 29, 2011 (13/097,540). 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=83,22,520.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,520&RS=PN/83,22,520 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Kraft Foods Global Brands Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Kraft Foods Global Brands, Northfield, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,323,719) developed by Bary Lyn Zeller, Glenview, Ill., for a "non-carbohydrate foaming compositions and methods of making the same." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A foaming composition includes a powdered carbohydrate-free soluble composition which includes protein particles having a plurality of internal voids containing entrapped pressurized gas. In one form, the foaming composition is produced by subjecting the particles to an external gas pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure prior to or while heating the particles to a temperature of at least the glass transition temperature and then cooling the particles to a temperature below the glass transition temperature prior to or while releasing the external pressure in a manner effective to trap the pressurized gas within the internal voids." The patent application was filed on Feb. 2, 2011 (13/019,458). 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=8,323,719.PN.&OS=PN/8,323,719&RS=PN/8,323,719 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Fine Line Contracting Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Fine Line Contracting, Chicago, has been assigned a patent (8,322,562) developed by Philip R. Dybala, Chicago, for bellows beverage lid.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The bellows beverage lid is a lid for a hot liquid container that has a hole or port for sipping a beverage and a bellows portion incorporated into its central beverage cover region. Pushing on the bellows portion causes air to be forced in and out of the hot liquid container. The collapsible bellows allows a user to cool the liquid held in the container without the necessity of removing the lid and risking the possible spills or injuries." The patent application was filed on April 30, 2008 (12/149,385). 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=83,22,562.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,562&RS=PN/83,22,562 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Stolzman Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Michael D. Stolzman, Lake Forest, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,322,559) developed by Kenneth J. Kuzelka, Round Lake Beach, Ill., for a "drum with sidewall threaded to plastic base or chime." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A shipping and storage drum comprises a unitary base of synthetic resin comprising a circular center wall connected at a peripheral edge to a connecting ring having an upwardly opening threaded annular channel. A tubular fiberboard sidewall defines a peripherally closed space having open opposite upper and lower ends. The tubular sidewall lower end is threaded into the threaded annular channel to close the sidewall lower end. The shipping and storage drum may also comprise a chime of synthetic resin comprising a connecting ring having a downwardly opening threaded annular channel receiving the upper end of the tubular sidewall, the chime for removably receiving a cover." The patent application was filed on Oct. 17, 2007 (11/974,950). 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=83,22,559.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,559&RS=PN/83,22,559 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Northwestern University Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,322,534) developed by Omar K. Farha, Morton Grove, Ill., and Joseph T. Hupp, Northfield, Ill., for a "purification of metal-organic framework materials." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of purification of a solid mixture of a metal-organic framework (MOF) material and an unwanted second material by disposing the solid mixture in a liquid separation medium having a density that lies between those of the wanted MOF material and the unwanted material, whereby the solid mixture separates by density differences into a fraction of wanted MOF material and another fraction of unwanted material." The patent application was filed on March 23, 2010 (12/661,771). 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=83,22,534.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,534&RS=PN/83,22,534 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Accenture Global Services Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Accenture Global Services, Dublin, Ireland, has been assigned a patent (8,326,869) developed by seven co-inventors for "analysis of object structures such as benefits and provider contracts." The co-inventors are Surya P. Kolluri, Ellicott City, Md., Zhu-Song Mei, Chicago, Dmitriy Feferman, Chicago, Kevin P. Lee, Cupertino, Calif., Michael Irish, San Francisco, Heather E. Nelson, Chicago, and David Kil, Santa Clara, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The hierarchical relationships between objects in different levels of an object structure (such as a contract) are stored as elements in two-dimensional matrix representations. In general, the matrix representations facilitate queries, clustering of like objects and contracts, and comparisons that identify common objects and contracts." The patent application was filed on Sept. 23, 2010 (12/888,718). 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=8,326,869&OS=8,326,869&RS=8,326,869 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Avery Dennison Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Avery Dennison, Pasadena, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,322,868) developed by Guang-Xue Wei, Buffalo Grove, Ill., for "durable fluorescent articles having multiple film layers." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A fluorescent article includes an underlayer colored fluorescent film and an overlayer colored fluorescent film, which is provided over the underlayer colored fluorescent film. The underlayer colored fluorescent film includes a first fluorescent colorant in an underlayer acrylic matrix. The overlayer colored fluorescent film includes a second fluorescent in an overlayer acrylic matrix." The patent application was filed on May 12, 2009 (12/464,128). 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=8,322,868&OS=8,322,868&RS=8,322,868 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Honda Motor Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Honda Motor, Tokyo, has been assigned a patent (8,326,780) developed by Rakesh Gupta, Mountain View, Calif., and Deepak Ramachandran, Champaign, Ill., for "smoothed sarsa: reinforcement learning for robot delivery tasks." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides a method for learning a policy used by a computing system to perform a task, such delivery of one or more objects by the computing system. During a first time interval, the computing system determines a first state, a first action and a first reward value. As the computing system determines different states, actions and reward values during subsequent time intervals, a state description identifying the current sate, the current action, the current reward and a predicted action is stored. Responsive to a variance of a stored state description falling below a threshold value, the stored state description is used to modify one or more weights in the policy associated with the first state." The patent application was filed on Oct. 13, 2009 (12/578,574). 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=8,326,780&OS=8,326,780&RS=8,326,780 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** iLight Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- iLight Technologies, Chicago, has been assigned a patent (8,322,883) developed by four co-inventors for a "flexible illumination device for simulating neon lighting." The co-inventors are Mark J. Cleaver, Wilmette, Ill., George R. Hulse, Cookeville, Tenn., Joe A. Chambers, Cookeville, Tenn., and John R. Dominick, Cookeville, Tenn.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An illumination device includes a flexible and substantially rod-like member having a predetermined length with a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface and an elongated light source extending along and positioned adjacent the light-receiving surface of the rod-like member, such that light entering the rod-like member from the elongated light source and through the light-receiving surface is preferentially scattered, thus causing a light intensity pattern that appears substantially uniform along the light-emitting surface of the rod-like member." The patent application was filed on Feb. 4, 2004 (10/771,714). 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=8,322,883&OS=8,322,883&RS=8,322,883 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Lift Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Lift Systems, Moline, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,322,687) developed by Timothy J. Faccio, Sherrard, Ill., and Christopher R. Perkins, Lynn Center, Ill., for an "integrated wedge lock arrangement." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A hydraulically operated wedge lock system provides a releasable mechanical lock between telescoping boom segments. Each wedge lock mechanism includes a stationary backing wedge block that defines an angled smooth surface. A stationary shaft and piston is supported generally parallel to the backing wedge block. A slidable wedge block biased by a spring to a locked position is supported for reciprocal movement on the shaft along the angled smooth surface. Hydraulic fluid urges the slidable wedge block against the bias of the spring to an unlocked position." The patent application was filed on April 21, 2009 (12/427,551). 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=8,322,687&OS=8,322,687&RS=8,322,687 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Caterpillar Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Caterpillar, Peoria, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,322,727) developed by Joseph D. Tigue, Peoria, Ill., and Christopher W. Preuss, Plainfield, Ill., for a "quick change system for a machine." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A quick change system for quench press tooling is disclosed. The system including an upper adapter subassembly, an inner bottom adapter, and an outer bottom adapter, the upper adapter subassembly configured for attachment to a machine and the bottom adapters configured for mechanical attachment to the tooling of the machine. The upper adapter assembly further including an inner top adapter having a plurality of notches radially along the outer diameter of the inner top adapter, an inner collar having a plurality of radially inwardly extending tabs at top and bottom ends of the inner collar, a ring shaped holding plate having a series of bolt holes, an outer top adapter in communication with the holding plate, having a notched outwardly extending flange lip, and an outer collar having an outwardly extending lip at a top end and a sidewall extending perpendicularly downward." The patent application was filed on Dec. 3, 2008 (12/327,123). 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=8,322,727&OS=8,322,727&RS=8,322,727 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Caterpillar Assigned Patent for Automated Assembly and Welding of Structures ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Caterpillar, Peoria, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,322,591) developed by five co-inventors for "automated assembly and welding of structures." The co-inventors are Fernando Martinez Diez, Dunlap, Ill., Keith Alan Herman, Peoria, Ill., Huijun Wang, Peoria, Ill., Howard W. Ludewig, Groveland, Ill., and Mathew Mark Robinson, Peoria, Ill.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system for automated assembly and welding is disclosed. The system includes a pallet for receiving incoming workpieces; a workpiece holder having a plurality of electromagnets; a handling robot configured to transport incoming workpieces from the pallet to the workpiece holder; and a controller in communication with the workpiece holder and the handling robot. The controller is configured to determine an orientation of a workpiece positioned on the workpiece holder, and to selectively adjust an activation state of one or more electromagnets of the workpiece holder based upon the orientation of the workpiece. A method of assembling and welding workpieces is also disclosed." The patent application was filed on Feb. 27, 2012 (13/405,606). 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=8,322,591&OS=8,322,591&RS=8,322,591 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Etymotic Research Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Etymotic Research, Elk Grove Village, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,322,222) developed by four co-inventors for a "method and system for noise dosimeter with quick-check mode and earphone adapter." The co-inventors are Jack Goldberg, San Diego, Gregory A. Flamme, Portage, Mich., Dana S. Helmink, Elk Grove Village, Ill., and Mead C. Killion, Elk Grove Village, Ill.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A noise dosimeter with capability to rapidly predict noise exposure over an extended time period based on a measurement of short duration. Either an acoustic or an electrical earphone adapter provides a convenient means to connect the noise dosimeter to an external sound source. A direct input jack operable to receive at least one audio signal provides a signal to an RMS detector, which provides a DC signal to a two-stage amplifier circuit. The outputs of the amplifiers are provided to a processor having multiple A/D channels. The processor calculates accumulated noise doses and drives a display, which in one embodiment includes a panel of light-emitting diodes. In one embodiment, the dosimeter includes functionality for control of external devices such as sound boards." The patent application was filed on Nov. 12, 2010 (12/945,472). 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=83,22,222.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,222&RS=PN/83,22,222 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Duratel Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Duratel, Chicago, has been assigned a patent (8,322,105) developed by Donald S. Williams, Chicago, for "pultruded utility support structures." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Pultruded and extruded structures are presented. The pultruded and extruded structures are hollow structures, are used for structural distribution poles and transmission towers for electricity, may include lighting components and may include antenna wires in the hollow structures for telecommunications. The pultruded and extruded structures include combination pultruded-filament wound or "pull wound" structures. The pultruded and extruded structures are pultruded or extruded in pre-determined sizes and shapes, plural colors, are environmentally safe, aesthetic pleasing and resistant to damage from weather, animals, insects and resistant to corrosion." The patent application was filed on Nov. 6, 2009 (12/613,879). 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=83,22,105.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,105&RS=PN/83,22,105 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Lynch Aluminum Mfg. Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Lynch Aluminum Mfg., Peoria, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,322,083) developed by Wayne Kessler, Edelstein, Ill., for an articulating downspout assembly.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An articulating downspout assembly for a downspout system of a building has an elbow component and an end component each having an integrated or integral configuration that cooperatively join with each other to form a hinge. The hinge allows the end component to pivot between a prone position and an upright position. In the upright position the end component is at an angle relative to the elbow component such that a downspout extension section coupled to the end component leans toward and/or against a vertical downspout portion of the building's downspout system. This prevents the end component and thus the downspout extension from spontaneously falling (pivoting) back to the prone position. The integrated configuration of the elbow component is characterized by one or more configured slots while the integrated configuration of the end component is characterized by one or more configured tabs. Preferably, the integrated configuration of one or more configured slots of the elbow component is formed in an upper surface of an end portion of the elbow component, while the integrated configuration of one or more configured tabs of the end component is formed in and projects from an upper end surface of the end component. The resulting hinge between the elbow component and the end component does not stress the material (e.g. metal) of either the elbow component or the end component." The patent application was filed on May 9, 2011 (13/103,251). 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=83,22,083.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,083&RS=PN/83,22,083 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Caterpilar Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Caterpilar, Peoria, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,322,004) developed by five co-inventors for an "indirect laser induced residual stress in a fuel system component and fuel system using same." The co-inventors are Stephen R. Lewis, Chillicothe, Ill., Alan R. Stockner, Metamora, Ill., Dennis H. Gibson, Chillicothe, Ill., Marion B. Grant Jr., Princeville, Ill., and Avinash R. Manubolu, Edwards, Ill.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A metallic fuel system component includes an internal surface and an external surface. The metallic fuel system component is made by inducing compressive residual stress in only a portion of the internal surface of the metallic fuel system component by transmitting a laser shock wave through the metallic fuel system component from the external surface to the internal surface." The patent application was filed on April 29, 2009 (12/432,072). 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=83,22,004.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,004&RS=PN/83,22,004 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Whirlpool Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Whirlpool, Benton Harbor, Mich., has been assigned a patent (8,322,169) developed by five co-inventors for a "modular laundry system with vertical laundry module." The co-inventors are James W. Kendall, Mount Prospect, Ill., Lorraine L. Achterberg, St. Joseph, Mich., Ameresh Babu Viswanathan, St. Joseph, Mich., Colleen M. Doyle, Stevensville, Mich., and Richard A. Sunshine, Granger, Ind.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A laundry system comprises a first laundry appliance, a second laundry appliance, and a vertical laundry module. The vertical laundry module can have a housing with a width less than the width of each of the first and second laundry appliances and a stain treatment assembly. The stain treatment assembly can include a screen slidable mounted to the housing of the vertical module for supporting a fabric item and a wand extendable from the housing for applying a stain treatment agent to the fabric item on the screen." The patent application was filed on July 1, 2009 (12/496,121). 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=83,22,169.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,169&RS=PN/83,22,169 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Hamilton Sundstrand Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Hamilton Sundstrand, Windsor Locks, Conn., has been assigned a patent (8,322,242) developed by Timothy D. Gronli, Rockford, Ill., for a "velocity summing linear actuator." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A linear actuation system has two linear actuator channels acting in tandem and a gear housing connecting the two actuator channels and providing an output for the actuation system. The gear housing has multiples gears with at least one gear connected to each actuator and is movable." The patent application was filed on Sept. 29, 2009 (12/569,211). 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=8,322,242.PN.&OS=PN/8,322,242&RS=PN/8,322,242 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Caterpillar Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Caterpillar, Peoria, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,322,252) developed by Michael G. Cronin, Peoria, Ill., and Robert E. Black, East Peoria, Ill., for a "step-change transmission having charge and variable displacement pumps." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A transmission is provided for a mobile machine. The transmission may have a plurality of available gear combinations selectively engaged to produce multiple stepped output ratios. The transmission may also have a first fluid pump and a second fluid pump. The first fluid pump may be configured to pressurize a first flow of fluid. The second fluid pump may have variable displacement to pressurize a second flow of fluid. At least one of the first and second flows of fluid may be directed to cause selective engagement of the plurality of available gear combinations." The patent application was filed on Aug. 31, 2007 (11/896,391). 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=8,322,252.PN.&OS=PN/8,322,252&RS=PN/8,322,252 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Whirlpool Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Whirlpool, Benton Harbor, Mich., has been assigned a patent (8,322,384) developed by five co-inventors for a select-fill dispensing system. The co-inventors are Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Stevensville, Mich., Kevin M. Chase, Saint Joseph, Mich., Brian P. Janke, Saint Joseph, Mich., Shreecharan Kanchanavally, Lisle, Ill., and Ronald L. Voglewede, Saint Joseph, Mich.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A select-fill dispensing system and method for a dispenser assembly utilizes a camera to sense a desired fill level based on the location of a user's finger with respect to a container. In use, a consumer places his or her finger along a container to indicate the desired fill level of the container. Image data from the camera is transmitted to a controller and processed for distortion correction, edge based image segmentation and morphological operations are carried out to remove background noise. The processed image data is utilized to detect the presence of the container, as well as the shape of the container, the position of the container opening, and the top and bottom points of the container. The controller provides a means for controlling the dispensing operation, including a fill rate, based on the desired fill level and the shape of the container." The patent application was filed on March 5, 2010 (12/718,192). 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=8,322,384.PN.&OS=PN/8,322,384&RS=PN/8,322,384 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

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