TMCnet News

U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Illinois (Feb. 12)
[February 12, 2013]

U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Illinois (Feb. 12)


(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in Illinois.

*** Deere & Co. Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Deere & Co., Moline, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,365,679) developed by Donald K. Landphair, Bettendorf, Iowa, and James Z. Liu, Belvidere, Ill., for a "seed spacing monitoring system for use in an agricultural seeder." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A seed spacing monitoring system is used In an agricultural seeder for planting seeds. The agricultural seeder has a furrow opener, a seed meter for metering seed to be dispensed in the furrow, and a furrow closer to cover the seed in the furrow. The seed spacing monitoring system includes a detector supported to detect seeds in the furrow prior to the seeds being covered. The detector provides a plurality of seed presence signals, with each seed presence signal being indicative of a respective seed present in the furrow. A speed sensor is associated with the seeder and provides a speed signal indicating a ground speed of the seeder. An electrical processor receives the plurality of seed presence signals and the speed signal. The electrical processor determines a seed spacing, dependent upon the seed presence signals and the speed signal." The patent application was filed on Aug. 20, 2010 (12/860,290). 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=8,365,679&OS=8,365,679&RS=8,365,679 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.



*** Caterpillar Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Caterpillar, Peoria, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,365,637) developed by five co-inventors for a "drop box for powertrain." The co-inventors are Robert A. Herold, Peoria, Ill., Nuwan Janaka Gallege, Peoria, Ill., Dean A. Worrell, Peoria, Ill., Robert L. Isaacs, Buffalo, Minn., and Samuel Shropshire, East Peoria, Ill.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An output transfer group, or drop box, can include a housing and a gear transfer train, rotatably supported within the housing, that includes an input gear adapted for enmeshing engagement with a transmission output shaft and a gear transfer output shaft that is rotatable upon rotation of the input gear. A coupler can be provided that includes a hub rotatively coupled with the gear transfer output shaft, a bearing carrier, a coupler output shaft rotatively coupled to the bearing carrier, and a coupling mechanism rotatively coupled to the bearing carrier. The coupling mechanism can be movable between an engaged position, wherein the coupling mechanism is rotatively coupled to the hub, and a disengaged position, wherein the coupling mechanism is disengaged from the hub. A solenoid can be arranged with the coupling mechanism to selectively move the coupling mechanism from the disengaged position to the engaged position." The patent application was filed on Oct. 23, 2007 (11/877,438). 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=8,365,637&OS=8,365,637&RS=8,365,637 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.


*** Horizons Window Fashions Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Horizons Window Fashions, Gurnee, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,365,795) developed by David Perkowitz, Vernon Hills, Ill., for a "window shade and method of use thereof." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A window shade that reduces the risk of an individual becoming entangled in cords used to operate the shade includes a headrail adapted for horizontal mounting above a window, a shading material attached to the headrail, and at least one cord for raising and lowering the shading material. The cord is attached to a location adjacent a lower end of the material, and extends upward through cord guides toward the headrail. The cord is encased within a collapsible shroud attached to each cord guide. The shroud is adapted to longitudinally extend as the shading material is lowered toward a deployed position, and then longitudinally collapse as the shading material is raised toward a stowed position." The patent application was filed on Nov. 1, 2010 (12/917,232). 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=8,365,795&OS=8,365,795&RS=8,365,795 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Continental Automotive Systems Assigned Patent for Jointless Pressure Sensor Port ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Continental Automotive Systems, Auburn Hills, Mich., has been assigned a patent (8,365,605) developed by Yanling Kang, Northbrook, Ill., Daniel J. Bratek, Arlington Heights, Ill., and Robert Kosberg, Wildwood, Ill., for a "jointless pressure sensor port." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Methods and systems for measuring pressure through a jointless pressure sensor port are disclosed, including permitting a substance to pass into a jointless pressure sensor port comprising an aperture, a channel, and a diaphragm having a larger area than the area of the aperture, allowing the substance to come into contact with the diaphragm resulting in a mechanical stress on the diaphragm, and measuring the mechanical stress to generate a signal indicative of the substance pressure." The patent application was filed on Feb. 12, 2009 (12/369,747). 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=8,365,605&OS=8,365,605&RS=8,365,605 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Ultimate Pump Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Ultimate Pump, Elgin, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,365,653) developed by Michael W. Flegel, Elgin, Ill., for a hydraulic pump.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A pump has an axial drive shaft with a cam fence that extends radially outwardly from an axis of the drive shaft. The cam fence axially displaces, in respective cylinders, each of a plurality of elongate pistons arranged in parallel to and around the axis and angularly spaced apart from each other. The axial position of an outer margin of the cam fence varies as a function of its radial angle with the axis. In one part of the operation of the pump, a piston is withdrawn to uncover a radial inlet port to draw fluid into the cylinder from an internal reservoir volume formed in the drive shaft. In a second part of the operation, the drive shaft is further rotated to open a cylinder end port by means of a rotary valve and closing the side port of the cylinder with a portion of the drive shaft body. In a third part of the operation, the piston is advanced to push fluid out of the cylinder end port into an output chamber. The pump is double-ended such that opposed ends of any piston are drawing in fluid, and pushing out fluid, at the same time." The patent application was filed on July 21, 2009 (12/506,967). 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=8,365,653&OS=8,365,653&RS=8,365,653 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Rhodia Operations Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Rhodia Operations, France, has been assigned a patent (8,367,079) developed by Kenneth R. Berg, St. John, Ind., and Teresa Germain, Orland Park, Ill., for a liquid preservative compositions.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A liquid preservative composition comprises (a) an alkanol fatty monoester; and (b) an aqueous isothiazolinone solution, an alkanol-substituted aromatic compound, or a combination thereof; and is free from formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing compounds, and paraben compounds. Preferred compositions comprise glyceryl caprylate, together with either phenethyl alcohol or an aqueous 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one solution." The patent application was filed on Jan. 23, 2009 (12/812,063). 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=8,367,079&OS=8,367,079&RS=8,367,079 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Illinois Inventor Develops Patent for Golf Alignment Device and Method ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- John Kuhlman, Burr Ridge, Ill., has developed a patent (8,366,563) for a "golf alignment device and method." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A portable, expandable golf training device that can be placed on the ground to provide alignment. The present invention can supply a plurality of light beams produced by lasers or other light sources or a plurality of extendable tapes or tubes or rods to provide alignment both in the direction of play and perpendicular to it. The device can be used by placing it on the ground in front of the golfer (between the golfer's feet and the ball. Two lines can project outward perpendicular to the direction of play, and two or four lines can project into and away from the direction of play. These lines provide alignment for the golfer. The tapes can be a flat, elongated flexible tape similar to a measuring tape. The rods or tubes can be extendable and/or telescoping." The patent application was filed on Nov. 11, 2011 (13/294,817). 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=8,366,563&OS=8,366,563&RS=8,366,563 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Illinois Inventor Develops Patent for System for a Shared Vehicle Involving Feature Adjustment, Camera-mediated Inspection, Predictive Maintenance, and Optimal Route Determination ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Michael H. Gurin, Glenview, Ill., has developed a patent (8,370,030) for a "system for a shared vehicle involving feature adjustment, camera-mediated inspection, predictive maintenance, and optimal route determination." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention relates to a system for automatically adjusting a vehicle feature of a vehicle, where the system includes a first sensor, an onboard computer, a camera, a mirror, a controller; an actuator; and an algorithm. The algorithm instructs the onboard computer in steps for adjusting one or more vehicle features. The first sensor and the controller are in electronic communication with the onboard computer and the controller is in electronic communication with one or more actuators that connect to and adjust the various vehicle features. The onboard computer includes or accesses a database that correlates users, features, and vehicle feature settings. Such vehicle features include seat position and camera viewing angle." The patent application was filed on Sept. 7, 2010 (12/877,100). 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=8,370,030&OS=8,370,030&RS=8,370,030 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Illinois Inventor Develops Patent for Enhanced Voicemail System and Method ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Philip M. Scopes, Chicago, has developed a patent (8,369,497) for an "enhanced voicemail system and method." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system for processing voicemail is provided that includes a voicemail database processor establishing one or more of an accounts table, a messages table, a distribution list table, a distribution lists members tables, and a delete request table. In operation a message navigation menu is provided to a user to allow the user to move back and forth a specified number of voicemails, change between urgent and normal priority voicemails, retrieve messages only from a specific mailbox or from outside the system, or initiate an improved deletion operation." The patent application was filed on April 16, 2008 (12/103,907). 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=8,369,497&OS=8,369,497&RS=8,369,497 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Illinois Inventor Develops Patent for Extrusion Blow Mold System ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- James Vassar, West Chicago, Ill., has developed a patent (8,366,435) for an "extrusion blow mold system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A mold unit has first and second parts, each with a plurality of cooperating cavity portions. The mold unit further has similarly interconnected third and fourth mold parts. An operating system moves the mold parts to change the mold unit between first and second states. The first and third mold parts meet at a fixed, first parting line to define a first plurality of mold cavities, and the second and third mold parts meet at a fixed, second parting line to define a second plurality of cavities with the mold unit in the first state. In the second state, molded products formed from the parisons can be released from their cavities." The patent application was filed on June 23, 2010 (12/821,775). 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=8,366,435&OS=8,366,435&RS=8,366,435 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Accenture Global Services Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Accenture Global Services, Dublin, Ireland, has been assigned a patent (8,370,814) developed by five co-inventors for an "automatic test generation for reference testing." The co-inventors are Mark Grechanik, Chicago, Kevin M. Conroy, Evanston, Ill., Matthew Hellige, Chicago, Edy S. Liongosari, Wheeling, Ill., and Qing Xie, Chicago.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system for application reference testing (SMART) solves the technical problem of generating test data and test cases from graphical user interface applications (GAPs) to test web services, effectively and non-invasively. SMART allows organizations to easily and promptly identify and resolve software bugs, ensure higher quality software and development productivity, complete software projects faster, deliver software products to market quicker, and improve the return on investment for software development projects. SMART provides a user friendly visualization mechanism that interacts with an accessibility layer to enable organizations to economically and easily define user interactions with GAPs, by performing point-and-click, drag-and-drop operations on the GAPs, and generate reusable test data and test cases for web services." The patent application was filed on June 1, 2011 (13/150,875). 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=8,370,814&OS=8,370,814&RS=8,370,814 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Genpact Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Genpact, Hamilton, Bermuda, has been assigned a patent (8,370,229) developed by five co-inventors for an "evergreen contract billing and in life contract management system and method." The co-inventors are Sridhar Moduga, Hyderabad, India, Chandra Anupam, Schaumburg, Ill., Prashant Gunjikar, Schaumburg, Ill., Samir Singh, Stamford, Conn., and Uday Kumar, Danbury, Conn.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides an improved billing and contract management method and a computerized enterprise resource management system for processing and management of rent-producing financial products, such as contracts and leases that are past the initial end term date, and that have not been renegotiated or extended, or, in other words, that have entered the "evergreen" period. Among other things, the method and computerized system of the present invention integrate processing of the "evergreen" contracts with a proprietary generalized ERP software product/solution such as Oracle.TM. E-Business suite's Lease Management system, and supplement the processing of regular contracts with the "evergreen" contract authoring and booking, processing, validation, billing, accounting, collections, modification and audit trailing of the changes made to the "evergreen" contract terms." The patent application was filed on May 2, 2007 (11/799,927). 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=8,370,229&OS=8,370,229&RS=8,370,229 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Robert Bosch Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Robert Bosch, Stuttgart, Germany, has been assigned a patent (8,366,357) developed by Hagen W. Dost, Chicago, and Javier I. Sandoval, Schaumburg, Ill., for an "spade bit having reamer feature." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A spade bit includes a shaft defining an axis about which the spade bit is configured to be rotated. The space bit also includes a blade attached to the shaft and having a first paddle portion and a second paddle portion. In addition, the spade bit includes a tip portion attached to the blade and aligned with the axis. The first paddle portion includes (i) a first leading end portion positioned on a first side of the axis and configured to define a first cutting edge portion, and (ii) a first lateral extension portion configured to define a first sloping surface. The first paddle portion defines a first relief space positioned adjacent to both the first sloping portion and the first leading end portion. The second paddle portion includes (i) a second leading end portion positioned on an opposite second side of the axis and configured to define a second cutting edge portion, and (ii) a second lateral extension portion configured to define a second sloping surface. The second paddle portion defines a second relief space positioned adjacent to both the second sloping portion and the second leading end portion." The patent application was filed on Oct. 9, 2008 (12/248,465). 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=8,366,357&OS=8,366,357&RS=8,366,357 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Minnesota, Illinois Inventors Develop Patent for Lead Screw Operator ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Frank W. Campbell, Lake Elmo, Minn., and John J. Micinski, Rockford, Ill., have developed a patent (8,365,470) for a lead screw operator.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A lead screw window operator (100) utilizes a lead screw (110) that is in tension whether the operator is being used to open or close a window assembly (10). The lead screw window operator (100) may include a nut (170) that has edges sufficiently close to first and second support surfaces to prevent excess rotation of the nut (170). Also, the lead screw (110) may have a splined end to operatively connect to a first gear that has a splined profile to allow the gear to slide along the lead screw along a longitudinal axis." The patent application was filed on March 7, 2008 (12/044,377). 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=83,65,470.PN.&OS=PN/83,65,470&RS=PN/83,65,470 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Accenture Global Services Assigned Patent for Modularizing and Aspectizing Graphical User Interface Directed Test Scripts ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Accenture Global Services, Dublin, Ireland, has been assigned a patent (8,370,811) developed by Mark Grechanik, Chicago, Qing Xie, Chicago, and Chen Fu, Lisle, Ill., for "modularizing and aspectizing graphical user interface directed test scripts." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A test structure for testing graphical user interface applications (GAPs) modularizes test scripts by separating statements that define GAP test logic from statements that navigate to GAP objects. Composition rules weave the statements together to generate the test scripts that are executed to test the GAP. Because the test structure is modular, test logic can be reused across different GAPs and different versions of the same GAP. Reusing test logic is not only an efficient practice from a test engineer's point of view, but also leads to a reduction in test programming errors. The modular test structure also facilitates the efficient modification of test scripts to account for modifications in the underlying GAPs, greatly reducing the time, cost, and resource expenditures needed to arrive at updated test scripts." The patent application was filed on July 16, 2009 (12/504,467). 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=8,370,811&OS=8,370,811&RS=8,370,811 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** SAP Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- SAP, Walldorf, Germany, has been assigned a patent (8,370,185) developed by Christine Fotteler, Winnetka, Ill., Klaus Kopecz, Walldorf, Germany, and Hergen Busch, Chicago, for a "system and method for performing assortment planning." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system, method and program product are provided for performing assortment definition/planning (i.e., matching the right articles with the right stores at the right times). The method comprises assigning a first article to the assortment via a first intermediate link, and assigning a first validity period to the first intermediate link to determine a first time period during which the first article is in the assortment." The patent application was filed on Aug. 4, 2004 (10/911,226). 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=8,370,185&OS=8,370,185&RS=8,370,185 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Robert Bosch Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Robert Bosch, Stuttgart, Germany, has been assigned a patent (8,365,419) developed by Walter Bernardi, Highland Park, Ill., Leroy McCray, Chicago, and Michael E. Landt, Chicago, for an "accessory attachment system for an oscillating power tool." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A power tool having an elongated housing with a nose portion, an output shaft to which a cutting blade that oscillates through a small angle is attached, the attachment comprising, an accessory interface removably mounted to the nose portion of the housing and a depth guide attachment rotatably mounted to the accessory interface, the depth guide attachment further comprising a relatively thin body portion having a generally circular first opening with a center axis generally parallel to the output shaft, the body portion fitting on the accessory interface and being rotatable thereon and having a second circular opening transverse to the first opening center axis, a depth guide member adjustably mounted on the body portion and having an offset outer end portion, and a locking member configured to secure the depth guide member in a desired position." The patent application was filed on Sept. 29, 2009 (12/569,619). 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=83,65,419.PN.&OS=PN/83,65,419&RS=PN/83,65,419 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Alcatel Lucent Assigned Patent for Alerts for Drivers of Wireless Communication Restrictions ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Alcatel Lucent, Paris, has been assigned a patent (8,369,838) developed by Rekha Mallavarapu, Naperville, Ill., and Eric A. Duesing, Naperville, Ill., for "alerts for drivers of wireless communication restrictions." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An exemplary method provides for a wireless mobile unit an alert representing a warning that legally imposed restrictions on the use of wireless mobile units by drivers of moving vehicles in predetermined zones. The method includes determining by a communication system if a first mobile unit is being used for wireless communications, and acquiring by the communication system the location of the first mobile unit. The communication system compares the location of the first mobile unit to locations of the predetermined zones having restrictions on the use of wireless mobile units by drivers of moving vehicles. Upon the first mobile unit entering a warning zone that is adjacent the predetermined zone and the first mobile unit being used for wireless communications, the transmission of an alert is initiated to the first mobile unit. The alert causes the first mobile unit to output an audible or visual communication available to the user of the first mobile unit, where the audible or visual communication provides a warning that a legally imposed restriction on the use of the first wireless mobile unit by a driver of moving vehicle is imposed in the predetermined zone." The patent application was filed on March 18, 2011 (13/065,306). 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=8,369,838&OS=8,369,838&RS=8,369,838 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** SAP Assigned Patent for System and Method for Assortment Planning ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- SAP, Walldorf, Germany, has been assigned a patent (8,370,184) developed by Christine Fotteler, Winnetka, Ill., Klaus Kopecz, Walldorf, Germany, and Hergen Busch, Chicago, for a "system and method for assortment planning." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for planning an assortment including a store comprises receiving a hierarchical list of articles including a plurality of nodes, and assigning a first node in the hierarchical list to the store to define a first group of articles that are assignable to the assortment. A system and program product for planning an assortment including a store are also provided." The patent application was filed on July 26, 2004 (10/899,385). 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=8,370,184&OS=8,370,184&RS=8,370,184 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Navteq Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Navteq, Veldhoven, The Netherlands, has been assigned a patent (8,370,060) developed by five co-inventors for a "method of operating a navigation system to provide route guidance." The co-inventors are Sara B. Rossio, Chicago, Christopher S. Wiklund, Hinsdale, Ill., Aaron J. Dannenbring, Chicago, Eriv van Rooij, Raamsdonksveer, The Netherlands, and Deepesh Srivastava, Aurora, Ill.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of operating a navigation system to provide a route guidance message for traveling a route is disclosed. A plurality of features visible from a road segment of the route is obtained from a geographic database associated with the navigation system. An importance rating for each of the identified features is determined. The guidance message references the identified feature having a highest determined importance rating. The importance rating considers a permanence or a seasonal dependency of the identified feature." The patent application was filed on Aug. 28, 2009 (12/549,604). 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=8,370,060&OS=8,370,060&RS=8,370,060 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Aptar Dortmund Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Aptar Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany, has been assigned a patent (8,365,962) developed by Reiker Canfield, Crystal Lake, Ill., for a lever spray pump.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "What is being proposed is a lever spray pump for dispensing a cosmetic liquid. The lever spray pump has a flexible section which can be deformed for the pumping of the liquid. The pump has a manually operable actuation element in order to deform the section for pumping. The pump has an air valve for a container associated with the pump. The air valve is embodied in a single piece with the section and is opened automatically upon deformation of the section or operation of the pump. Preferably, the section is pretensioned in the built-in state with non-actuated pump." The patent application was filed on June 22, 2009 (12/488,929). 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=8,365,962&OS=8,365,962&RS=8,365,962 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Illinois Inventor Develops Patent for Pry Bar Sliding Fulcrum Assembly ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Wynn Provines, Vandalia, Ill., has developed a patent (8,366,075) for a "pry bar sliding fulcrum assembly." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A pry bar sliding fulcrum assembly having a fulcrum and saddle which slidably mates with a conventional prybar and which provides a greater force onto a work material than the conventional prybar alone. The pry bar sliding fulcrum assembly easily and quickly slides away from the work material when a conventional prybar function is desired and slides toward the work material when an enhanced application force or greater prybar end displacement is required. The assembly uniquely mates with or is held with the prybar end whereby the assembly retains a static position relative to the prybar during use." The patent application was filed on Jan. 15, 2010 (12/688,606). 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=8,366,075&OS=8,366,075&RS=8,366,075 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Illinois Inventor Develops Patent for Methods and Apparatus for Manufacturing a Computer without Assembly ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Robert Swartz, Highland Park, Ill., has developed a patent (8,365,982) for "methods and apparatus for manufacturing a computer without assembly." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In an illustrative implementation of this invention, a mechanical computer is manufactured without a separate step of assembly. This is achieved by producing parts in a three dimensional pattern (in relation to each other) such that, when this manufacturing is completed, the components are already assembled to form a computer or part of a computer. The second step of assembling the parts into a desired three dimensional pattern is avoided, because the parts, when made, are already arranged in that 3D pattern." The patent application was filed on May 13, 2010 (12/779,890). 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=8,365,982&OS=8,365,982&RS=8,365,982 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Koninklijke Philips Electronics Assigned Patent for LED Lamp Color Control System and Method ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Koninklijke Philips Electronics, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, has been assigned a patent (8,368,315) developed by James Gaines, Glen Ellyn, N.Y., Bernd Clauberg, Schaumburg, Ill., and Josephus A.M. Van Erp, Asten, The Netherlands, for an "LED lamp color control system and method." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An LED lamp color control system and method including an LED lamp having an LED controller 58; and a plurality of LED channels 60 operably connected to the LED controller 58, each of the plurality of LED channels 60 having a channel switch 62 in series with at least one shunted LED circuit 83, the shunted LED circuit 83 having a shunt switch 68 in parallel with an LED source 80. The LED controller 58 determines whether the LED source 80 is in a feedback controllable range, stores measured optical flux for the LED source 80 when the LED source 80 is in the feedback controllable range, and bypasses storing the measured optical flux when the LED source 80 is not in the feedback controllable range." The patent application was filed on Dec. 2, 2008 (12/746,551). 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=8,368,315.PN.&OS=PN/8,368,315&RS=PN/8,368,315 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Illinois Inventor Develops Patent for Method of Keying an Identification Code into a Controlling Member and into a Function Controller ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Jack Chen, Oak Brook, Ill., has developed a patent (8,368,508) for a "method of keying an identification code into a controlling member and into a function controller." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "To key an identification code of a controlling member to a code reader of a function controller for controlling a function, each controlling member is fitted with a card reader and is configured to adopt the code on the card as the identification code to be attached as the identification portion of any message imparted into a signal line. In similar fashion, each of the function controllers includes a card reader for reading a card bearing a code and the function controller is configured to adopt the code read from the card as being the identification code sought by the function controller as identifying a message as originating from its associated controlling member." The patent application was filed on July 26, 2006 (11/493,116). 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=8,368,508.PN.&OS=PN/8,368,508&RS=PN/8,368,508 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Illinois Inventor Develops Patent for System and Method for Attenuation of Electrical Noise ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Vincent Y. Chow, Hanover Park, Ill., has developed a patent (8,368,024) for a "system and method for attenuation of electrical noise." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The Present Invention relates to methods and systems particularly useful in electrical products used to monitor and detect very weak signals. These products include, for example, night vision binoculars and remote listening devices. More specifically, the methods and systems of the Present Invention provide a signal conditioning technique that attenuates electrical noise generated within the product while at the same time preserving the integrity of the input signal. This provides a high signal-to-noise ratio within the product electronics and a dramatically clear final image. The Present Invention includes a method and system for chopping or splitting an input signal into two components, tagging each of the split signal components with opposite polarities, and a second reverse chopping step that combines the split and tagged input signal components into a restored input signal. The combining step, in addition to restoring the original input signal, cancels and attenuates internally generated, and untagged, electronic noise, providing image quality and detection in an efficient and economical manner that could not be obtained in the past." The patent application was filed on Jan. 13, 2010 (12/686,665). 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=8,368,024.PN.&OS=PN/8,368,024&RS=PN/8,368,024 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Illinois Inventor Develops Patent for Antimicrobial Sucralfate Paste Methods and Compositions ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 12 -- Patrick D. McGrath, Gurnee, Ill., has developed a patent (8,367,635) for an "antimicrobial sucralfate paste methods and compositions." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Methods for the prevention and treatment of infection, preferably antibiotic resistant wound infection, using a paste formed by the reaction of sucralfate with an acid component are provided. Methods of preparing stable sucralfate compositions are disclosed. Compositions of and products containing the sucralfate paste are also described." The patent application was filed on March 16, 2011 (13/049,488). 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=8,367,635.PN.&OS=PN/8,367,635&RS=PN/8,367,635 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

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.

-1114077 (c) 2013 Targeted News Service

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]