Graphical user interface that identifies the reasons for public disagreements
US Patent 8,566,730
October 22, 2013
A single place where all of us can meet on an equal basis 24/7 from anywhere we can reach to, and communicate back from, in the universe is now being built. The present invention is an interface for universal information exchange over a public data network (e.g., Internet). Explicit agreements to Rules of Response are used to cause its users to identify all possible questions and disagreements expressed with symbols through the interface. The result is a universal information exchange that can be used by all as a common meeting point from anywhere to exchange and verify information, answer questions, resolve disagreements, and exchange any combination of goods and services.
Laser thermal imaging
US Patent 8,563,928
October 22, 2013
Methods and apparatus for producing sub-diffraction limited images utilizing an exponential scaling effect. An exemplary system provides an optical source that focuses an optical beam onto a target. The focused optical beam has sufficient optical intensity to induce an exponential signal response within the target. A detection device detects the exponential signal response. A scanning device scans the focused optical source and another device records the detection of the exponential signal response for purposes of producing a sub-diffraction limited image. The system further includes a display device that displays at least a portion of the recorded detection.
Microwave tray
US Patent D690,984
October 8, 2013
The ornamental design for a microwave tray, as shown and described.
Dual purpose snowmobile snow flap
US Patent 8,550,514
October 8, 2013
A snow flap for a snowmobile functions as a removable snow shovel blade. The handle may be used as a pivot attachment for the blade to the snowmobile and may be alternatively attached to the blade in a different orientation for use as a shovel. Quick release attachment of the blade to the rear of the snowmobile permits ease of use.
Head impact analysis and comparison system
US Patent 8,554,495
October 8, 2013
A computer implemented method is provided for event based injury predictions. The computer implemented method receives an indication of sensor data related to an impact of a user. The received sensor data is compared to previously stored sensor data in a data store. Each instance of the previously stored sensor data is associated with a medical diagnosis. If the received sensor data matches any of the previously stored sensor data based on the comparison, then an injury risk indicator is generated based on at least one of the medical diagnosis associated with the matching previously stored sensor data or an impact history of the user.
Supreme Court to Consider Awards to Successful Patent Defendants
October 2, 2013
| Intellectual Property News
The patent statutes allow the award of attorneys’ fees in a patent infringement lawsuit to the prevailing party—plaintiff or defendant—in exceptional cases. The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals has long held that a prevailing accused infringer must prove the plaintiff’s position was objectively unreasonable and that it was subjectively (that is, knowingly) asserted in bad faith. Some companies that have been sued for patent infringement contend that the standard should be lowered, making it easier for a successful defendant to recover its fees when defending against a weak patent infringement case. Now the Supreme Court has agreed to consider that question.
On October 1, the Supreme Court agreed to hear two similar cases. A first case involves Icon Health against Octane Fitness in which Octane prevailed but its request for attorneys’ fees was denied. Octane argued that the standard for exceptionality should be lowered to require objective unreasonableness, but not proof of subjective bad faith. In most cases, the subjective element is extremely difficult or impossible to prove. The Federal Circuit declined the request to lower the standard, and the Supreme Court has agreed to consider it.
The Supreme Court also agreed to review an appeal involving Highmark and Allcare Health. The issue in the Highmark appeal involves a similar issue related to the ability of the court of appeals to reconsider a decision made by the trial court. In Highmark, the trial court concluded that the case was exceptional and awarded $5 million in fees to Highmark. In part, the Federal Circuit concluded that the typically high amount of such fee awards is reason to make the standard to award them quite high. After evaluating the lower court decision, the Federal Circuit reversed the award. The issue to be considered by the Supreme Court is whether that reversal was proper, and the degree of deference that must be afforded to a trial court decision finding a case to be exceptional.
The Supreme Court will likely hear arguments and issue a decision sometime in summer, 2014.
Apparatus, systems and methods for media content delivery
US Patent 8,549,583
October 1, 2013
A media content delivery system and method is operable to communicate an authorized single media content stream generated by a local programming provider (LPP) in a domestic market area (DMA) to a client facility, wherein the authorized single media content stream is multiplexed into a multi-media content stream with a plurality of other single media content streams generated by a plurality of other LPPS in the DMA. An exemplary embodiment identifies an authorized single media content stream of interest to a client; accesses the multi-media content stream communicated from a communication network at the client facility, unbundles the authorized single media content stream from the received multi-media content stream, and communicates the authorized single media content stream to a program content generation system operated by the client.
Alternative audio content presentation in a media content receiver
US Patent 8,549,569
October 1, 2013
Presented herein is a method of presenting alternative audio content for an audio/visual content segment, such as a television program or a motion picture. In the method, the audio/visual content segment is received into a media content receiver. The audio/visual content segment includes primary visual content and primary audio content. A request to receive alternative audio content for the audio/visual content segment is transmitted. After transmitting the request, the alternative audio content is received into the media content receiver. The primary audio content is replaced with the alternative audio content to generate a revised audio/visual content segment. The revised audio/visual content is transferred for presentation to a user.
Methods and systems for analysis of multi-sample, two-dimensional data
US Patent 8,543,625
September 24, 2013
The present invention utilizes a pattern extraction methodology to elucidate significant patterns and mathematical relationships that exist between and among pluralities of two-dimensional sample data sets of the same data type. In one instance, the present invention analyzes multi-sample, two-dimensional mass spectroscopy data, while in an alternate instance, another user-specified, preset, or automatically determined data type, modality, submodality, etc., is analyzed.
Scissors-type frame for a vehicle seat and method for producing a substructure of a vehicle seat
US Patent 8,540,316
September 24, 2013
To be able to produce a scissors-type frame of a vehicle seat in a quick and easy manner, the present invention is directed to a scissors-type frame for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, comprising a first scissors element and a second scissors element, wherein the scissors-type frame is height-adjustable by means of the two scissors elements, and wherein the scissors-type frame is characterized in that one of the two scissors elements passes through the other of the two scissors elements.
