Patents Examined by M. Kemper
  • Patent number: 6169927
    Abstract: A control system for an industrial plant, where the control system includes an automation level, a management level and a control level hierarchically located below the management level and above the automation level. The control system also includes functional units situated in the control level and executing respective functions. The functional units receive input values and process these input values using the respective functions. The functional units are interlinkable as a function of technical problems to be solved. These functional units have a modular designed, each of the functional units including a configurable input area, a configurable functional area and a configurable output area. In addition, each of the functional units is connected to the management level, to the automation level and to another functional unit via data transfer media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hagen Schönthal, Peter Fritz, Karl-Otto Kessler, Horst Walz
  • Patent number: 6128582
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a data storage medium encoded with the corresponding structure coordinates of molecules and molecular complexes which comprise the active site binding pockets of IMPDH. Such data storage material is capable of displaying such molecules and molecular complexes, or their structural homologues, as a graphical three-dimensional representation on a computer screen. This invention also relates to methods of using the structure coordinates to solve the structure of homologous proteins or protein complexes. In addition, this invention relates to methods of using the structure coordinates to screen and design compounds, including inhibitory compounds, that bind to IMPDH or homologues thereof. This invention also relates to molecules and molecular complexes which comprise the active site binding pockets of IMPDH or close structural homologues of the active site binding pockets. This invention also relates to compounds and pharmaceutical compositions which are inhibitors of IMPDH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
    Inventors: Keith P. Wilson, Michael D. Sintchak, Mark Andrew Fleming, David M. Armistead
  • Patent number: 6125332
    Abstract: A method and a device for displaying a structure of a compound provide a graphic display and a related character display, affording improved operational characteristics. Stereo structural data obtained from a database is stored in a display buffer provided with a designated area for setting a display mode, thereby displaying graphically a stereo structure of said compound corresponding to the display mode set in said designated area and displaying characters representing said structure of said compound corresponding to said display mode set in said designated area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Shinichi Nishina, Seiichi Aikawa, Fumiko Matsuzawa
  • Patent number: 6041305
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the reservation for goods and the like is provided includes the performance and apparatus for effecting performance of a sequence of steps. Steps including setting and registering individual identification means for each individual applicable to individual data of an unspecified number of the general public, reserving tangible and/or intangible various goods controlled by an information data control unit for an individual whose individual identification means have been set and registered through communication devices, and setting a reservation code to the reservation data for each of various goods reserved and notifying the individual are performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Daishin Frame Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuo Sakurai
  • Patent number: 5883816
    Abstract: A smart module circuit board carries a programmable microprocessor and a plurality of relay type interface circuits for use in organizing relatively high voltage input devices and output devices into a complex system wherein a programmed combination of input device signals determines when and if to energize one or more output devices in the system. The interface circuit comprises input and output stages which operate on logic level voltages and which are decoupled by opto-couplers from a relatively high voltage energization circuit which passes through a relatively high voltage electrical device. The energization circuit comprises a triac which is operated by the output stage in response to outputs from the microprocessor, a manual switch connected in parallel with the triac so that a given electrical load device can be manually activated and a multi-colored LED for indicating the conditions of the input and output circuits individually and in combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Belanger, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Dollhopf, Richard L. Stoolmaker
  • Patent number: 5867402
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, binding sites are defined based upon the individual information content of a particular site of interest. Substitutions within the binding site sequences can be analyzed to determine whether the substitution will cause a deleterious mutation or a benign polymorphism. In addition, new binding sites can be identified using individual information content. Further a computer system is described for determining and displaying individual information content of a binding site sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Thomas D. Schneider, Peter K. Rogan
  • Patent number: 5867807
    Abstract: A method for determination of optical properties of light scattering material, includes calculating temporal changes in output light intensity with respect to a large number of combinations of reduced scattering coefficients .mu.s' and absorption coefficients .mu.a of a light-scattering material sample, storing the results, irradiating the sample with picosecond pulses of light and measuring temporal changes in the intensity of light coming out from the sample. When a measured temporal change in output light intensity is the same as or similar to a stored temporal change in intensity, the reduced scattering coefficient .mu.s' and absorption coefficient .mu.a of the stored temporal change in output light intensity are determined as the .mu.s' and .mu.a of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignees: Agency of Industrial Science & Technology, Ministry of International Trade & Industry, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Yukio Yamada, Ryuichiro Araki, Yutaka Yamashita
  • Patent number: 5856928
    Abstract: Natural numbers are assigned to represent DNA and mRNA nucleotide bases (n-numbers 0, 1, 2, 3), base pairing numbers in RNA (p-numbers 0, 1, 2, 3), and amino acids in protein (z-numbers with seventeen prime numbers and odd numbers 1, 25, 45; all smaller than 64). These numbers reflect intrinsic properties of the nucleotide bases, their triplet-base codon combinatorics and chemical bonding properties (hydrogen bonds, hydrophobicity, codon positions, and molecular sizes). Gene and protein sequences may be represented, characterized and interpreted by their specific n-sums and z-sums. Base dimers/oligomers and dipeptides/oligopeptides are found to correspond to their sums, as verified by using statistical and other methods. Utility rules are devised for applications in base dimers distribution, RNA base pairing, oligomer repeats and the encoded oligopeptide repeats. Conserved base pairs in four stems of a given mitochondrial tRNA correlate well with the z-number in the encoded hydrophobic amino acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Inventor: Johnson F. Yan
  • Patent number: 5835382
    Abstract: The invention features computer-assisted methods for identifying molecules which will bind to the EPO receptor and act as an erythropoietin (EPO) mimetic. Preferred EPO mimetics identified using the method of the invention act as agonists of the EPO receptor in one or more in vitro or in vivo biological assays of EPO activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: The Scripps Research Institute
    Inventors: Ian A. Wilson, Oded Livnah, Enrico A. Stura, Dana L. Johnson, Linda K. Jolliffe
  • Patent number: 5822219
    Abstract: In a method for identifying an unknown product a library of absorbance spectra of known products is measured and stored in a library. A quick search using clustering techniques is conducted to narrow the search to a few products, followed by an exhaustive search of the spectra of the few products. More specifically, principal component analysis is applied to the absorbance spectra to generate product score vectors extending into principal component inside model space which are divided into clusters and subclusters in accordance with their relative proximity. Hyperspheres are constructed around each vector and an envelope is constructed to enclose each cluster surrounding the hyperspheres within the cluster. The absorbance spectrum of the unknown product to be identified is measured and an unknown product score vector is determined from the unknown product spectrum projecting in principal component inside model space of the clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Foss NIRSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaolin Chen, Stephen L Monfre
  • Patent number: 5818731
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring quality of cooking or frying oil in situ is provided. The oil quality sensor apparatus utilizes simultaneous monitoring of change in the capacitance and optical transmission of the oil in situ in the cooking or frying temperature range. The sensor monitors the chemical degradation as well as the sensory acceptance of the oil. A large, high surface area and multi-plated parallel plate capacitor is used to measure the capacitance to provide a reliable measure of concentration of total polar materials in the high polar region. A diode laser operating at a wavelength of 675 nm and photodetector are used to measure transmittance of the oil in situ with a microprocessor processing the transmittance and capacitance data. The sensor is programmed to indicate oil is to be replaced if either a preset minimum safe percent transmittance threshold is exceeded based on the transmission measurement or a change in capacitance exceeds a preset threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventors: Gauri S. Mittal, Satheesh Paul, Gordon L. Hayward
  • Patent number: 5815411
    Abstract: The present invention is generally concerned with electronic vision devices and methods, and is specifically concerned with image augmentation in combination with navigation, position, and attitude devices. In the simplest form, devices of the invention can be envisioned to include six major components: A 1) camera to collect optical information about a real scene and present that information as an electronic signal to; a 2) computer processor; a 3) device to measure the position of the camera; and a 4) device to measure the attitude of the camera (direction of the optic axis), thus uniquely identifying the scene being viewed, and thus identifying a location in; a 5) data base where information associated with various scenes is stored, the computer processor combines the data from the camera and the data base and perfects a single image to be presented at; a 6) display whose image is continuously aligned to the real scene as it is viewed by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Criticom Corporation
    Inventors: John Ellenby, Thomas William Ellenby
  • Patent number: 5812419
    Abstract: A method of performing a first analysis and a second analysis on a single blood sample obtained with a single blood draw from a patient with an automated analyzer includes the steps of supplying the single blood sample obtained with the single blood draw from the patient to the automated analyzer. A memory on the automated analyzer containing a software routine is automatically accessed. The software routine is useful to adapt an optical system on the automated analyzer to correspond to the first analysis and the second analysis. The optical system on the automated analyzer is automatically adapted with the software routine in real time to correspond to the first analysis. The first analysis is automatically performed with the automated analyzer. The optical system on the automated analyzer is automatically adapted with the software routine in real time to correspond to the second analysis. The second analysis is automatically performed with the automated analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Vernon L. Chupp, Suresh N. Mehta
  • Patent number: 5805454
    Abstract: The invention relates to a four-step automated system for the transportation, through a pneumatic tube system or a robotics transfer system, of pharmaceutical products to any location within a hospital. The system comprises an input queue, a dispensing apparatus comprising a robot device and a number of stations from which the robot device works, an inspection station, and a transportation system. A computer interface provides bi-directional communication between analytical instruments, robots and peripheral devices and a computer. The robot employed by the system is responsive to computer commands and capable of performing mechanical functions including selection and retrieval of necessary item, and manipulation of retrieved items such that desired product is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventors: Fred M. Valerino, Sr., Drew Sweetak, Joel Osborne
  • Patent number: 5805458
    Abstract: A system for electric power demand monitoring and control includes one or more data distribution networks interconnecting intelligent utility units located at customer homes with a host computer located in the utility company offices. Each intelligent utility unit is associated with a customer home for connecting and disconnecting a power service meter, monitoring customer demand, and controlling power to selected units. A network within the home interconnects each intelligent utility unit with power consuming units for providing data on power usage and power control. A data distribution network interconnects the plurality of intelligent utility units to the host computer as a head end unit, the data distribution network providing downstream communication channels from the host computer to the plurality of intelligent utility units and upstream communication channels from the plurality of intelligent utility units to the host computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: First Pacific Networks
    Inventors: Robert P. McNamara, Amar Chand Amar
  • Patent number: 5796632
    Abstract: A method for converting information of a peripheral space of a three-dimensional compound structure into numerical data is disclosed. This method comprises the steps of designating a peripheral region that includes the entire three-dimensional structure of a compound on the periphery thereof, designating a plurality of small regions in the peripheral region, generating a plurality of points in the peripheral region, calculating the interaction between the three-dimensional structure of a compound and each of points at least included in the points as numerical data so as to allocate the numerical data to corresponding individual points, and determining at least one of numerical data that represents each of the small regions corresponding to the numerical data allocated to each of the individual points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Kohtaro Yuta
  • Patent number: 5790421
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a computer apparatus for expressing a three dimensional structure of a G-CSF molecule or analogs thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Amgen Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy David Osslund
  • Patent number: 5790413
    Abstract: A method for determining whether a current state of a process variable output signal is within acceptable limits includes the following steps: establishing reference data by sampling a plant's process variable output signal when the plant is operating at steady state and analyzing the sampled output signal to derive normalized reference data including an energy content of each of a plurality of frequency components of the sampled output signal. The procedure establishes a current operational data base by sampling a process variable signal when the plant is in operation. The sampled current output signal is analyzed to derive current data including a normalized energy content of each of a plurality of its frequency components. For each common frequency component of the reference data and the current data, the procedure compares their normalized energy contents and issues a non-steady state signal if the comparison indicates that the compared energy contents exceed a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Donald Bartusiak, Douglas Hugh Nicholson
  • Patent number: 5787015
    Abstract: A modular analyzer system consists of a control device and one or more functional analyzer modules linked to the control device. The analyzer modules include FID, NDIR, chemiluminescence and paramagnetic analyzers. Each analyzer module includes a microprocessor having all menus necessary for the operation of the analyzer. Menus are coded and transmitted in real time by providing the control device with a dictionary of menu phrases which are coded and the codes maintained in a code index at each analyzer module and at the control device. Since menus are maintained at the analyzer module and not transmitted until called for, there is no need to store specific menus at the control device. New modules can be easily added to the system and any phrases not already included in the phrase dictionary are downloaded to a supplemental dictionary when the new module is added. Data is displayed in the form called for by the analyzer menu and data from several analyzer modules can be displayed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Rosemount Analytical, Inc.
    Inventors: Roland Aldridge, Mark Olsen, Mitch Timin
  • Patent number: 5777888
    Abstract: Stimulus-response patterns are analyzed using deduction protocols applied through AI systems such as expert systems and neural networks. Generating an output signal matrix database involves: (i) constructing a stimulated physical matrix; (ii) detecting a physical signal at each unit of the physical matrix; (iii) transducing each physical signal to generate an electrical output signal; (iv) storing each output signal in an output signal matrix data structure; and (v) repeating steps (i)-(iv) to iteratively store output signal matrix data structures for a plurality of stimuli to form an output signal matrix database. Individual output signal matrices are compared to such output signal matrix databases according for qualitative analysis. The stimulated physical matrices comprise an ordered array of units, each confining (1) either a different responder of a living thing or a probe corresponding to such a different responder and, (2) an identifier for the responder or probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jasper Rine, Matthew Ashby