Patents
A patent is an exclusive right granted by the US government to prevent others from making, using, and selling an invention for a set term. The purpose of patents is to encourage innovation. In exchange for being provided with the temporary exclusive right, patent applicants are required to fully disclose their invention to the public.
The Law
The Constitutional source of patents is Art. I, Sec. 8 “Congress shall have the power to . . . Promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries. . . " The laws that establish patents are set forth in United States Code, Title 35. Title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations sets forth the rules relevant to the United States Patent Office and the U.S. patent process. The Manual of Patent Examining Procedures (MPEP) provides interpretations of the laws and rules.
What can be patented?
There are four categories of patentable material: processes, machines, manufacture, and compositions of matter. 35 U.S.C. 101. Even if an invention fits into one of the four categories, it must be also be analyzed to ensure it does not fall into a judicial exception. Judicial exceptions refer to subject matter that is statutorily patentable but is not patentable because of judicial decisions. An invention that lacks usefulness or is anticipated/obvious cannot be patented.
If you have a unique and non-obvious invention, our firm can help guide you through the patent process. We have experience with inventions in all different scientific areas, but we most often work with inventions in mechanical engineering, electromechanical engineering, and consumer products. We can help with both design patents and utility patents.
Notable Patents
The following are some notable patents that we have procured for clients. For more details and information, click the diagram located next to the patent.
Anti-Tipping Furniture
Suite of modifications and additions to furniture to prevent tipping and injury to children
US Patents include 10,758,046, 10,786,080 and 10,813,456
Prolific inventor devoting resources to address unfortunate issue with toddlers and older children pulling furniture causing it to tip onto themselves leading to serious injury and possible death. Embodiments include L-shaped boots underneath furniture, wall-mounted brackets, and enlarged lower portions of furniture.
Waste container with bag handling assembly
08/21/2018-Patent Number: 10053293
Waste container including a dual pivotal bag retaining asembly in which a bag support is pivotally coupled to a retainer by cooperating hinge components on the retainer and bag support, and a closure component is pivotally coupled to the bag support by cooperating hinge components on the bag support and closure component, independent of the pivotal coupling of the bag support to the retainer. A bag is pressed between the closure component and the bag support to secure it against downward movement into the bag during waste insertion, and when bag removal is undertaken, the bag support is pivoted upward relative to the retainer to enable wider access to the compartment in the container.
Method and system for generating an examination report
10/31/2017-Patent Number: 9804768
Method for conducting an examination of an object including specific tasks using a computer and software that when executed, performs the method. Designated content areas, e.g., icons, representing segments are displayed on a touch screen of the computer. When a content area representing a segment is tapped, content areas representing a respective sub-segment are displayed. When a content area representing a sub-segment is tapped, designated content areas representing a respective task are displayed. When a content area representing a task is tapped, instructions to enable performance of the task by the user is displayed. Data entry relating to performance of the task on the object or a condition, property or characteristic of the object needed to complete the task is then accepted then stored in a memory component. A report is generated from the entered data and includes generating text and/or graphics from completion of performance of each task.
World View Window
1/2/2018-Patent Number: 9860568
Arrangement and method in which at least one server is coupled to imaging sources that obtain high resolution videos of scenic locations, a series of images constituting a video. Stream controllers are located at user sites and coupled to the server. The stream controllers are controlled, e.g., by user interfaces, to select one of the imaging sources to provide high resolution streaming video to the stream controller via the server. A display system is coupled to each stream controller and configured to display streaming video from the selected imaging source.
Mapping Techniques Using Probe Vehicles
12/27/16 - Patent Number: 9528834
Vehicle-mounted device includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) having at least one accelerometer or gyroscope, a GPS receiver, a camera positioned to obtain unobstructed images of an area exterior of the vehicle and a control system coupled to these components. The control system re-calibrates each accelerometer or gyroscope using signals obtained by the GPS receiver, and derives information about objects in the images obtained by the camera and location of the objects based on data from the IMU and GPS receiver. A communication system communicates the information derived by the control system to a location separate and apart from the vehicle. The control system includes a processor that provides a location of the camera and a direction in which the camera is imaging based on data from the IMU corrected based on data from the GPS receiver, for use in creating the map database.s
Input/Output Power and Signal Transfer Isolator Device
12/6/16 - Patent Number: 9438129
Input/output power and signal transfer and power and signal isolator device using pulsed, alternating or high frequency signal current having a capacitive structure which provides power and signal limiting control, unidirectional power and signal transfer and input/output decoupling and transceiver-receiver isolation barrier. The device includes at least two decoupled input electrodes arranged in parallel to each other, and at least two decoupled output electrodes arranged in parallel to each other. Each electrode is connected to at least one terminal. Each electrode has a surface that which is opposed to another electrode surface with at least one layer of dielectric material therebetween. The input electrodes are decoupled from the output electrodes by dielectric material and are disposed such that two output electrodes are separately disposed external to the two input electrodes.
Cellular Telephone Tracking Techniques
3/1/16 - Patent Number: 9277355
Communications device includes a device speed determining unit that determines a speed of movement of the communications device, and a responsive unit that analyzes the speed of movement of the communications device and determines or enable a determination of whether it is indicative of walking of a holder of the communications device or indicative of motorized transport of the holder of the communications device.
Wireless Switches Using Human Body as a Conductor
10/25/16 - Patent Number: 9475438
Vehicle including a seat on which an occupant sits, a set of at least one electric field antenna arranged in the seat, and a control unit coupled to the antenna set and configured to direct one or more antennas to transmit an oscillating electric field at a frequency that enables the electric field to be conducted through the seated occupant. An electrical circuit is coupled to a vehicular component and has a conductive surface in a position accessible by the occupant's finger. Proximity of the occupant's finger to or contact with the conductive surface, when an antenna is transmitting an oscillating electric field conducted through the occupant, causes a capacitive coupling to develop between the occupant and the conductive surface and completion of the circuit. This enables control of the component by the occupant's finger, which may be adjustment or change in the state, condition or operation of the component.