Patents Issued the Week of June 29-July 3

7.2.26

Patent Protection & Registration

Patents grant property rights on new and useful inventions, allowing the patent holder to prevent others from using, making, or selling that invention without permission for a limited time. U.S. patents are permitted by the U.S. Constitution and are designed to promote scientific progress and invention. By allowing inventors to profit from licensing or selling their patent rights, inventors can recoup their research and development costs and benefit financially from their inventing efforts. There are three main types of patents utility, plant, and design. Utility and plant patents can last up to 20 years, while design patents can last up to 15 years. When a patent expires, the patented material enters the public domain, making it free to use by anyone without a license. U.S. patents are issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

U.S. Patent No. 12,668,686 entitled “Method for Manufacturing Asphalt Comprising Rubber From End-of-life Tires” issued June 30, 2026 to Bridgestone Europe NV/SA [BE/BE] of Zaventem, Belgium. Invented by Luca Lelio, Massimo Losa and Pietro Leandri all of Roma, Italy. Abstract: A method for producing asphalt comprising a heat treatment step, wherein the rubber granules deriving from an end-of-life tyre granulation process are subjected to a temperature of between 80 and 300° C., for a period of time necessary in order to obtain rubber granules with a density of between 1.0 and 1.5 g/cm.sup.3; and a mixing step wherein the rubber granules from the heat treatment step are mixed with stone aggregate and bitumen in order to obtain asphalt.

U.S. Patent No. 12,668,951 entitled “Searchable Integration of Geospatial Based Information with Captured Images During Worksite Operations” issued June 30, 2026, to Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois. Invented by Travis J. Davis of Polk City, Iowa. Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method provide for searchable integration of operating images and geospatial data, particularly for agricultural field operations or construction worksites in which visual images may be captured by work vehicles during normal operation rather than requiring specific trips by employees or agronomists. Captured images are uploaded from sensors associated with a work vehicle traversing a work area, along with associated geospatial data, to a remote data storage device via a communications network. The uploaded images and geospatial data are selectively correlated with respect to a geospatial map. Responsive to user input corresponding to a selected one or more nodes in the geospatial map, at least one of the uploaded images is identified as corresponding to the selected one or more nodes. A display is generated representing the identified at least one of the uploaded images on a display unit associated with the received user input.

U.S. Patent No. 12,671,353 entitled “Microstructured Field Effect Device” issued June 30, 2026 to BVW Holding AG of Cham, Switzerland. Invented by Lukas Bluecher of Eurasberg, Germany and Michael Milbocker of Holliston, Massachusetts. Abstract: A microstructured device is disclosed utilizing Coulomb field modification of surface energy and electroadhesion to localize a device surface or to levitate a device surface with respect to a target surface. The surface energy modification can be permanent or reversible depending on whether the charge is externally delivered to the device or derived on the device galvanically. The microstructure aspect of the device induces various hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions with the target surface. The Coulomb field can be used to enhance or decrease the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions. In combination, the disclosed electro-microstructured device provides for localizing implants in a mammalian body, and additionally means for controlling cell interaction with the implant.

U.S. Patent No. 12,669,015 entitled “Ladder” issued June 30, 2026 to Ladder Solutions USA Inc. of Leumeah NSW, Australia. Invented by Paul Walkerden and Kenneth P. Walkerden both of Leumeah NSW, Australia. Abstract: A ladder that includes two side rails, with each side rail having a cross-sectional shape defining an at least partially enclosed channel including an outer wall. The first and second lateral walls extend inward from the outer wall, and the first lateral wall includes a first offset defining a first inner wall. Each of the lateral walls extends further inward beyond the first inner wall to define first and second connecting walls of the side rail. The ladder also includes a plurality of rungs extending between the side rails, with each of the rungs being attached to the first and second connecting walls of the side rails.

U.S. Patent No. 12,668,953 entitled “Work Machine Implement Control for Autonomous Subterranean Surveying and Marking Applications” issued June 30, 2026 to Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois. Invented by Aaron R. Kenkel of Hazel Green, Wisconsin, Thomas L. Kennedy of Bettendorf, Illinois, Stephen R. Corban of Geneseo, Illinois, Jeffery W. Dobchuk of Saskatoon, Cananda and Brett S. Graham of Dubuque, Iowa. Abstract: A work machine comprises or otherwise has associated therewith a subterranean monitoring sensor, such as a ground penetrating radar, electromagnetic locator, etc. During a subterranean monitoring operation, movements of the work machine may be controlled according to a defined traverse plan, e.g., associated with electronic worksite maps. A controller for the work machine, a remote server, or the like may detect subterranean objects via output signals from the subterranean monitoring sensor, and automatically map parameters associated with detected objects to respective locations in the electronic worksite map. In addition, or alternatively, the controller may automatically generate visual marks on the surface of the terrain corresponding to identified locations of the subterranean objects, based on currently and/or previously identified locations. In some embodiments, data from multiple monitoring operations may be aggregated in data storage and utilized for subsequent earth working operations by generating worksite maps having the object data mapped thereto.