Vacuum attachment system
US Patent 8,277,515
October 2, 2012
A vacuum socket system pertaining to the field of prosthetics wherein an enhanced suspension mechanism is provided by incorporating a vacuum source, circuitry, and a power source. A virtually air-tight seal between residual limb and prosthesis allows a vacuum fit to be generated via a vacuum source. The vacuum source is in constant interaction with circuitry and software for a means of vacuum pressure control, data recordation, and other means. A sound dampening method is employed to lessen both the sound and vibration generated from the vacuum source.
Method for secure reliable point to multi-point bi-directional communications
US Patent 8,279,777
October 2, 2012
Systems and methods for sending secure reliable point to multi-point communication on any communication infrastructure. The infrastructure is not required to conform to any specifications other than to be capable of point to point communications. The system consists of a protocol that allows for Secure Reliable point to multi-point communications irregardless of the support for such communications. This invention does not rely on the Internet or ATM or any other point to point or point to multi-point communications infrastructure.
Security cover plate with accentric mounting aperture
US Patent 8,276,418
October 2, 2012
A cover plate assembly 10 is provided for a cabinet door or drawer lock 12. A cover plate 26 defines a first circular aperture 28 and a rotatably circular cover plate insert 32 defines an eccentrically positioned second circular aperture 34. The second circular aperture 34 defines an inner diameter 33 sized to selectively receive the cylinder and plug assembly housing 20, and the insert 32 has an outer diameter 39 sized to fit within and selectively rotate with respect to the first circular aperture 28. During installation, the outer diameter 39 of the insert 32 is positioned within the first circular aperture 28, and the insert 32 is selectively rotated to a position that enables the cover plate assembly 10 to register with a bolt housing 16 and the second circular aperture 34 to register with a cylinder and plug assembly housing 20.
Combination power tool and object sensor
US Patent 8,272,813
September 25, 2012
A combination power tool and object sensor includes a power tool body having a handle with a free end. An object sensor, such as a stud finder is located at the free end. The object sensor is oriented with respect to the free end of the handle such that a user may use both the object sensor, and the power tool without repositioning his or her hand with respect to the power tool handle. The object sensor is nonremovable.
Solar case
US Patent D667,783
September 25, 2012
The ornamental design for a solar case, as shown and described
User-controlled data/video integration by a video control system
US Patent 8,272,012
September 18, 2012
A video control system transfers a video signal to display a data/video integration menu and receives user instructions indicating user-selected data and display positioning for the user-selected data. The video control system transfers a data request and receives the user-selected data. The video control system receives video content. The video control system integrates the user-selected data and the video content into a video signal that positions the user-selected data relative to the video content according to the display positioning in the user instructions. The video control system transfers the video signal to display the integrated video content and user-selected data.
Canning basket
US Patent D667,266
September 18, 2012
The ornamental design for the canning basket, as shown and described.
Method of detecting erroneous GPS ground speed on ground
US Patent 8,271,191
September 18, 2012
Methods and systems for determining reliability of Global Positioning System (GPS) ground speed. An example system receives GPS track information and GPS ground speed, determines a change in GPS track information and determines reliability of the GPS ground speed based on the determined change in GPS track information relative to the GPS ground speed. The system sets a GPS ground speed based on the determined reliability. A GPS ground speed output is set to zero, if the GPS ground speed is determined unreliable and the GPS ground speed output is set to the GPS ground speed, if the GPS ground speed is determined reliable. The system sends the GPS ground speed output to a Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS). Also, the system sets the GPS ground speed output to zero, if a received GPS ground speed validity signal or a received GPS track validity signal indicate invalid.
Court Clarifies Liability for Induced Infringement
September 11, 2012
| Intellectual Property News
The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently addressed whether a party may be liable for patent infringement when two different parties combine to perform the acts necessary for patent infringement, but where neither party separately performs all of the steps required to infringe a patent.
As the Court explained, the problem of divided infringement most commonly occurs with respect to method patents in which the claims of the patents require the performance of several distinct steps in order to infringe. In such cases, parties may arrange their activities such that each of them performs one or more of the patented steps, but neither of them individually performs all of the required steps. The court had previously interpreted the patent statute to mean that unless an accused infringer either performs all of the steps by itself, or directs or controls the actions of the parties performing the steps, there would be no infringement even if all of the requirements of the patent had been met.
In reaching this decision, the Court evaluated two different patents in two different lawsuits that were consolidated for appeal. In one case the patent related to a method for delivery of web content over the internet; in the other case it related to a method of electronic communications between healthcare providers and their patients. In both instances, the patent owner alleged that the defendants may not have performed all the steps of the patent, but induced others to perform steps such that the combination resulted in infringement.
According to the patent statutes, one who actively induces infringement of a patent is liable as an infringer. In general, “active inducement” would include actions to advise, encourage, or cause others to engage in the infringing conduct. Importantly, the law requires proof that the accused inducer acted with knowledge that the induced acts constitute patent infringement. This is a key difference between induced infringement and direct infringement in that one may directly infringe a patent even without prior knowledge of the patent. This knowledge and intent requirement means that one should not be liable for inducing infringement merely by performing a step in a patent that is combined with steps performed by others to unwittingly infringe a patent.
Prior to this decision, induced infringement required proof of an underlying direct infringement, which had to be committed by a single entity. As such, one could only be liable for inducing infringement by urging or advising another party to commit the act of infringement, and further where that other party performed all of the acts necessary to constitute infringement. This previous understanding of the law was sufficiently resolved that the Court was closely divided in making its ruling, with six judges voting with the majority and five judges dissenting.
The Court specifically limited its decision to the question of induced infringement, rather than the question of direct infringement, although the distinction may ultimately make no difference. The ultimate ruling of the Court is that all of the steps of a patent must be performed to find induced infringement, but that it is not necessary to prove that all of the steps were committed by a single entity. Consequently, a party is liable for induced infringement if it is proven that it knew about the patent and induced another to perform at least a part of the requirements of the patent, so long as all of the patented steps are performed by some combination of the parties together.
Read the full decision, Akamai Tech. v. Limelight Networks, at Opinion
Snow riding implement
US Patent 8,262,123
September 11, 2012
A ski in accordance with the invention increases in width from a tip or shovel portion to a mid-portion. The mid-portion includes at least a slight sidecut. The ski then decreases in width from the mid-portion to a tail portion. The ski also includes an undersurface with a substantial portion being rockered. A substantial portion of the mid-portion of the ski is not rockered.
