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Patent No. 5823572

Self Defense Weapon With Memo

A self defense weapon formed as a memo pad and which is easily held by a person's fingers, therefore making it possible to provide protection from a mugger and also to quickly and easily write a record or a message without failure of missing or forgetting significant information under a stressful situation.

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Attorney: Munck Carter, LLP


Number of patents: 81
Last date: January 31, 2012

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NumberTitleIssue Date
8105844Apparatus and method of using porous material for antigen separation, identification, and quantification with electrophoresis techniques
An apparatus includes a porous membrane for retaining antigens from a sample as the sample passes through the membrane. The apparatus also includes a first binding region within the membrane. The first binding region includes antibodies associated with a first antig...
01/31/2012
8072098Remotely configurable analog/digital input circuit and related apparatus and method
An apparatus includes first and second input terminals configured to be coupled to one of multiple types of input sources. The apparatus also includes a diode and a resistor coupled in series between the first and second input terminals. The apparatus further includ...
12/06/2011
8059882Apparatus and method for capturing information during asset inspections in a processing or other environment
An asset information collection device can be used during inspections of assets in a processing, production, or other system. The asset information collection device includes at least one image capture unit configured to capture images of assets, such as a video cap...
11/15/2011
8049892Apparatus and method for camera-based color measurements
A method includes receiving light from a material at a digital imaging device. The method also includes filtering the light into at least three spectral bands using a filter, where different regions of the filter pass different spectral bands. The method further inc...
11/01/2011
8046180Model-based determination of power source replacement in wireless and other devices
A model-based system and method for analyzing power source performance and optimizing operational costs are provided. Data from the power source (such as a battery) and/or a device associated with the power source is analyzed and processed to predict an operating li...
10/25/2011
8046090Apparatus and method for automated closed-loop identification of an industrial process in a process control system
An apparatus, method, and computer program are provided for automated closed-loop identification of an industrial process in a process control system. Multiple models (such as multiple model structure-model order combinations) can be identified, where the models are...
10/25/2011
8037296Apparatus and method for counter-based communications in wireless sensor networks and other networks
A method includes wirelessly receiving a message at a receiving node. The method also includes extracting a partial counter value from the message, where the partial counter value represents a subset of bits from a complete counter value of a transmitting node. The ...
10/11/2011
8036758System and method for continuous supply chain control and optimization using stochastic calculus of variations approach
A system includes a first controller configured to monitor processes associated with a process facility and to generate control data for optimizing the process facility. The system also includes a second controller configured to use stochastic calculus of variations...
10/11/2011
8035506System and method for calibration of radio frequency location sensors
A method includes receiving, in a scanner, at least one radio-frequency (RF) signal from a sensor proximate to the scanner. The method also includes storing location information, corresponding to a location of the scanner, and signal strength information correspondi...
10/11/2011
8028988Apparatus and method for stabilizing a moving sheet relative to a sensor
A method includes receiving a sheet of material at a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to measure a property of the sheet. The method also includes stabilizing the sheet with respect to the sensor using a guide roller. Stabilizing the...
10/04/2011
8017927Apparatus, system, and method for print quality measurements using multiple adjustable sensors
An apparatus includes at least one scanner. Each scanner includes a plurality of sensors, and each sensor is capable of measuring one or more characteristics associated with a portion of a substrate. The substrate has printing produced by a printing system. The appa...
09/13/2011
8010960System and method for providing a software installation or removal status display
A method includes initiating an installation of software on a device or a removal of software from the device. The installation or removal of the software involves a plurality of installers capable of installing software components on or removing the software compon...
08/30/2011
8001480Apparatus and method for defining and controlling graphical faceplates in a process control system
A method includes receiving information identifying one or more elements to be presented in a first faceplate. The first faceplate is associated with control of a process system. The method also includes receiving information identifying an auto-selection behavior a...
08/16/2011
7998835Strain-direct-on-insulator (SDOI) substrate and method of forming
Methods (and semiconductor substrates produced therefrom) of fabricating (n−1) SDOI substrates using n wafers is described. A donor substrate (e.g., silicon) includes a buffer layer (e.g., SiGe) and a plurality of multi-layer stacks formed thereon having alternati...
08/16/2011
7995526Apparatus and method for medium access control in wireless communication networks
A method includes identifying a white space at a first wireless node and selecting a channel in the identified white space. The white space includes at least one frequency or frequency band not in use (like a licensed frequency or frequency band). The method also in...
08/09/2011
7983892System and method for accessing and presenting health information for field devices in a process control system
A system includes a server configured to generate a request for status information and/or diagnostic information associated with a field device in a process control system. The system also includes an interface component having (i) an emulator configured to emulate ...
07/19/2011
7982614Method and apparatus for wireless asset tracking using asset tags with motion sensors
A system includes an asset tag associated with an asset, the asset tag having a motion sensor to detect a movement of the asset. The system also includes a plurality of readers, each reader receiving one or more signals from the asset tag and measuring a distance be...
07/19/2011
7973669Apparatus and method for wireless location sensing
A sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to detect at least one material or condition, such as a smoke detector, fire detector, or carbon monoxide detector. The sensor assembly also includes a base configured to be mounted on a structure, such as a wall or cei...
07/05/2011
7970830Cloud computing for an industrial automation and manufacturing system
A system includes a computing cloud having at least one data storage unit and at least one processing unit. The computing cloud is configured to provide at least one service. The system also includes a client configured to communicate with the computing cloud and to...
06/28/2011
7966660Apparatus and method for deploying a wireless network intrusion detection system to resource-constrained devices
Wireless devices, such as field devices or repeater/relay nodes, detect the presence of anomalies in data packets that suggest intrusion. Upon detection of an anomaly, a wireless device sends a notification to a sentinel device, which determines if intrusion may be ...
06/21/2011
7966098Apparatus and method for controlling an ammonia production system
An apparatus, method, and computer program for controlling an ammonia production system are provided. At least one model is associated with production equipment operable to produce ammonia, where the production equipment includes a reformer section, a carbon dioxide...
06/21/2011
7965664Apparatus and method for integrating wireless field devices with a wired protocol in a process control system
An apparatus is provided for facilitating integration of a wireless field device (such as a wireless sensor or actuator) and a wired protocol that is used in a process control system. The apparatus supports a wireless field device protocol for communicating with the...
06/21/2011
7965182Apparatus and method for providing a failsafe-enabled wireless device
A method for operating a failsafe-enabled wireless device is provided that includes monitoring a signal quality for a wireless signal between a failsafe-enabled wireless device and a controller. A determination is made regarding whether the signal quality is poor. A...
06/21/2011
7962707Apparatus and method for deterministic garbage collection of a heap memory
A method includes executing an application in an execution environment. The application is allocated a plurality of memory blocks in a memory during execution. The method also includes executing a deterministic garbage collection process. The garbage collection proc...
06/14/2011
7959763Apparatus and method for correcting basis weight measurements using surface topology measurement data
An apparatus and method for correcting an areal weight measurement of a stretchable web using surface topology measurement data is disclosed. Areal weight may comprise a basis weight or a water weight. The apparatus measures a surface of the stretchable web with a b...
06/14/2011
7957842Apparatus and method for controlling an air supply for drying painted vehicles and other objects
A method includes determining how to adjust one or more manipulated variables using at least one model. The one or more manipulated variables are associated with a supply of conditioned air for drying one or more objects. The method also includes generating one or m...
06/07/2011
7949905Apparatus and method for dynamically detecting improper configuration data provided in a network
A system (such as a process control system or communication system) includes one or more sources of configuration data (such as one or more BootP or DHCP servers). A testing mechanism transmits one or more requests for configuration data over a network. One or more ...
05/24/2011
7949624Apparatus and method for hierarchical decomposition of planning, scheduling, and other decision-making problems
A system includes a coordinator configured to generate a first offer representing a possible solution to a problem being solved. The coordinator is configured to generate the first offer using a first model. The system also includes multiple cooperators each configu...
05/24/2011
7948945Method and apparatus for improved message delivery for higher priority nodes or messages in an industrial wireless network
A method includes communicating, during a first time slot, with a first wireless node in a wireless network. The method also includes determining that the communication with the first wireless node requires additional time beyond the first time slot. The method furt...
05/24/2011
7948492Apparatus and method for visualization of operating status in a process control system
Deviations associated with a process system are identified, such as by identifying deviations of process variables or production measurements from target values. A graphical display is generated that identifies at least some of the deviations and one or more charact...
05/24/2011
7947388Battery pack for an industrial instrument in a process control system and method
A battery pack includes battery terminals operable to be electrically coupled to one or more batteries. The battery pack also includes a printed circuit board electrically coupled to the battery terminals. The printed circuit board is operable to receive operating p...
05/24/2011
7946557Pressure-balanced valve and actuator assembly in a process control system and method
An actuator-valve assembly includes a housing, which has an inlet operable to allow material to enter the housing and an outlet operable to allow the material to exit the housing. The actuator-valve assembly also includes a valve operable to control a flow of the ma...
05/24/2011
7946127Apparatus and method for optimizing a liquefied natural gas facility
At least one model is associated with one or more manipulated variables and one or more controlled variables, which are associated with a cascade liquefied natural gas facility. Adjustments to the one or more manipulated variables are made using the at least one mod...
05/24/2011
7945682Method for optimizing a link schedule
A method for improving a link schedule used in a communications network is disclosed. While the method applies generally to networks that operate on a scheduled communications basis, it is described in the context of a Foundation FIELDBUS. The method includes: sched...
05/17/2011
7945397System and method for gearbox health monitoring
A system includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure one or more characteristics of a gearbox. The system also includes a gearbox condition indicator device, which includes a plurality of sensor interfaces configured to receive input signals associated wit...
05/17/2011
7933240Apparatus and method for redundant connectivity and multi-channel operation of wireless devices
A wireless network includes leaf nodes (such as wireless sensors or other wireless devices) and infrastructure nodes (such as access points). The leaf nodes communicate data messages to the infrastructure nodes. The infrastructure nodes communicate the data messages...
04/26/2011
7930115Low-power flow meter and related method
A method includes creating Coriolis-based deflection in at least one oscillating flow tube of a flow meter, which is caused by material flowing through the at least one flow tube. The method also includes determining a deflection amplitude and deflection period usin...
04/19/2011
7928634System and method for providing a piezoelectric electromagnetic hybrid vibrating energy harvester
A system and method are disclosed for providing a piezoelectric electromagnetic hybrid vibrating energy harvester. The invention comprises a piezoelectric vibrating energy harvesting device that harvests electrical energy from vibrations using a piezoelectric effect...
04/19/2011
7898498Transducer for high-frequency antenna coupling and related apparatus and method
An apparatus includes an antenna having multiple conductive portions. The apparatus also includes a transducer electrically coupling the conductive portions of the antenna. The transducer includes a first conductive path electrically coupled to one of the conductive...
03/01/2011
7894473System and method for monitoring valve status and performance in a process control system
A process control system includes at least one controller and at least one wireless valve element capable of being controlled by the at least one controller. The process control system also includes a first transceiver configured to communicate with the at least one...
02/22/2011
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