Kitchen tool handle

US Patent D659,467
May 15, 2012
The ornamental design for a kitchen tool handle, as shown and described.

Ring

US Patent D659,579
May 15, 2012
The ornamental design for a ring, as shown.

Method and apparatus for persistent connections to a device

US Patent 8,180,879
May 15, 2012
Embodiments communicate messages between mobile devices and destination devices. An exemplary embodiment includes a first border server operable to establish a first communication connection to the mobile device over a first network operating under a first protocol, a second border server operable to establish a second communication connection to the mobile device over a second network operating under a second protocol, and a transport management server communicatively coupled to the first border server and the second border server, and operable to establish a third communication connection to the destination device over a third network operating under a third protocol. The first protocol is configured to communicate a first encapsulated portion of the message. The second protocol is configured to communicate a second encapsulated portion of the message. The third protocol is configured to communicate the first encapsulated portion of the message and the second encapsulated portion of the message.

Systems and methods for gimbal mounted optical communication device

US Patent 8,180,187
May 15, 2012
Optical communication systems and methods are operable to communicate optical signals across a gimbal system. An exemplary embodiment has a first optical rotary joint with a rotor and a stator, a second optical rotary joint with a rotor and a stator, and an optical connector coupled to the stators of the first and the second optical rotary joints. The stator of the first optical rotary joint is affixed to a first rotational member of the gimbal system. The stator of the second optical rotary joint is affixed to a second rotational member of the gimbal system. A first optical connection coupled to the rotor of the first optical rotary joint and a second optical connection coupled to the rotor of the second optical rotary joint remain substantially stationary as the gimbal system orients an optical communication device in a desired position.

hods for making a sensitive resonating beam accelerometer

US Patent 8,176,617
May 15, 2012
A method of making a resonating beam accelerometer (RBA). In an example process, a proof mass device and resonators are created from a quartz material. A direct bond is formed between the proof mass and the resonators by applying a predefined amount of pressure at a predefined temperature for a predefined amount of time. One or more damping plates are created from a quartz material. A direct bond is formed between the damping plates and the proof mass device. The proof mass device is created by applying a predefined amount of pressure at pressure at temperature to two bases, two proof mass portions, and a flexure. The proof mass bases are on opposite sides of the flexure. The proof mass portions are on opposite sides of the flexure. A gap is present between the proof mass bases and the proof mass portions.

Architectural panel with surface texture

US Patent D659,265
May 8, 2012
The ornamental design for the architectural panel with surface texture, as shown and described.

Variable spring rate shock mount having a replaceable core

US Patent 8,172,208
May 8, 2012
A shock mount device for a container includes a variable spring rate assembly coupled to a shock retainer. The variable spring rate assembly is removable from the shock retainer without removing equipment from the container. The variable spring rate assembly includes a replaceable core that may be exchanged with a replaceable core having either a larger or smaller durometer depending on a weight-to-load ration of equipment in the container. Removing and replacing the replaceable core may include removing and replacing the entire variable spring rate assembly.

Methods and systems for compound feature creation, processing, and identification

US Patent 8,175,992
May 8, 2012
Methods and systems for creation, processing, and use of compound features during data analysis and feature recognition are disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention functions to apply a new level of data discrimination during data analysis and feature recognition events such that features are more easily discerned from the remainder of the data pool using processing techniques that are more conducive to human visualizations, perceptions, and/or interpretations of data. This is accomplished using an example tool that allows previously processed and identified features (hereafter “known features”) to be aggregated so as to aid the system in recognizing abstract data features, preferably using Boolean operators and user-assigned hit weight values across desired cluster ranges surrounding analyzed data elements.

Systems and methods for detecting out-of-plane linear acceleration with a closed loop linear drive

US Patent 8,171,793
May 8, 2012
Systems and methods sense out-of-plane linear accelerations. In an exemplary embodiment, the out-of plane linear accelerometer is accelerated in an out-of-plane direction, wherein the acceleration generates a rotational torque to an unbalanced proof mass. A rebalancing force is applied to at least one plurality of interleaved rotor comb tines and stator comb tines, wherein the rebalancing force opposes the rotational torque, wherein the rotor comb tines are disposed at an end of the unbalanced proof mass, and wherein the stator comb tines are disposed on a stator adjacent to the end of the unbalanced proof mass. An amount of acceleration is then determined based upon the applied rebalancing force.

Authorization verification system

US Patent 8,167,200
May 1, 2012
A transaction card payment authorization system wherein a user presents the transaction card issued by an issuer to a merchant to facilitate payment to the merchant through an acquirer. The system includes an acquirer server in communication with an issuer server through communication with a data control center. A remote terminal, located with the merchant, is in communication with the acquirer. The terminal is configured to forward the transaction amount and user data the card contains through communication with the acquirer, and in turn, to the data control center for authorization. The data control center assigns an identification code to the transaction and forwards the identification code, the transaction amount, and the user data to the issuer for inclusion in records of the transaction. The issuer server initiates a portable communications device communication to the user at a portable communications device.