Patents by Inventor Christopher L. Jones
Christopher L. Jones has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20030003501Abstract: A method has been developed to detect the levels of apolipoproteins A-1 and B in saliva, which is correlated with the levels of HDL and LDL in serum, respectively. In unstimulated saliva, the ratio of Apo A to Apo B is correlated with the ratio of HDL to LDL in serum. Albumin can be used to normalize the sample for dilution. The high degree of correlation in combination with a simple, quick test that can be performed at the site of collection provides a cost effective, patient friendly means to monitor an individual's risk of heart disease. In the preferred embodiment, saliva production is stimulated by means such as breath mint or tart solution (such as lemon) and the effect of dilution controlled by reference to albumin. In the most preferred embodiment, the assay is an ELISA assay performed using the Serex laminated strip format as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,710,009, 5,500,375, and 5,451,504. These strips are advantageous since they serve as the collection and assay device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2000Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventors: Judith Fitzpatrick, Regina B. Lenda, Christopher L. Jones
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Publication number: 20020192677Abstract: The present invention entails methods, and kits for carrying them out, based on the discovery that an RNA replicase, such as Q&bgr; replicase, has DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (“DDRP”) activity with nucleic acid segments, including DNA segments and DNA:RNA chimeric segments, which comprise a 2′-deoxyribonucleotide or an analog thereof and which have sequences of RNAs that are autocatalytically replicatable by the replicase. The discovery of this DDRP activity provides methods of the invention for nucleic acid amplification wherein a nucleic acid, with a DNA segment with the sequence of an RNA that is autocatalytically replicatable by an RNA replicase, is provided as a substrate for the replicase. The replicase catalyzes synthesis, from the DNA segment, of the RNA, which the replicase then autocatalytically replicates. The invention entails use of the amplification methods in detecting nucleic acid analytes, as in nucleic acid probe hybridization assays.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Applicant: Promega CorporationInventors: Randall L. Dimond, Steven J. Ekenberg, James R. Hartnett, Geoffrey R. Hudson, Leopoldo G. Mendoza, Katharine M. Miller, John E. Monahan, Christopher L. Jones, Mark A. Maffitt, Richard A. Martinelli, Edward E. Pahuski, James W. Schumm
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Publication number: 20020138386Abstract: A method and an apparatus for a user interface for a financial advisory system is provided. According to one embodiment of the invention, a set of one or more input objects and a set of output values are displayed. The input objects include an indication of a target retirement age, an indication of a target level of investment risk, and an indication of a retirement income goal. The output values include an indication of the probability of achieving the retirement income goal and an indication of the most likely retirement income in current dollars. After updated values for the input decisions are received via one or more of the input objects, one or more new output values are determined based upon the updated input decisions. The set of output values is then refreshed to reflect the one or more new output values.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Inventors: Jeff N. Maggioncalda, Christopher L. Jones, William F. Sharpe, Ken Fine, Ellen Tauber
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Patent number: 6369207Abstract: The present invention entails methods, and kits for carrying them out, based on the discovery that an RNA replicase, such as Q&bgr; replicase, has DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (“DDRP”) activity with nucleic acid segments, including DNA segments and DNA:RNA chimeric segments, which comprise a 2′-deoxyribonucleotide or an analog thereof and which have sequences of RNAs that are autocatalytically replicatable by the replicase. The discovery of this DDRP activity provides methods of the invention for nucleic acid amplification wherein a nucleic acid, with a DNA segment with the sequence of an RNA that is autocatalytically replicatable by an RNA replicase, is provided as a substrate for the replicase. The replicase catalyzes synthesis, from the DNA segment, of the RNA, which the replicase then autocatalytically replicates. The invention entails use of the amplification methods in detecting nucleic acid analytes, as in nucleic acid probe hybridization assays.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1999Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Promega CorporationInventors: Randall L. Dimond, Steven J. Ekenberg, James R. Hartnett, Geoffrey R. Hudson, Leopoldo G. Mendoza, Katharine M. Miller, John E. Monahan, Christopher L. Jones, Mark A. Maffitt, Richard A. Martinelli, Edward E. Pahuski, James W. Schumm
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Patent number: 6341490Abstract: A thermal transfer comb includes numerous upwardly extending pins received in spaces around and between the sample containing wells of a well plate. Peltier effect modules are in contact with a base panel of the thermal transfer comb to apply heat to or remove heat from the comb. A heat sink and fan transfer heat from or to the modules.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2001Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: Gilson, Inc.Inventor: Christopher L. Jones
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Patent number: 6292787Abstract: A portfolio optimization process that diversifies model risk by favoring a more diversified portfolio over other portfolios with similar characteristics is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a more diverse portfolio may be selected over an initial portfolio in order to diversify model risk with reference to a predetermined diversity budget, defined in terms of expected return, risk, and/or utility. An initial portfolio of financial products is determined from an available set of financial products. One or more dimensions of an error space are searched for an alternate portfolio that is more diverse than the initial portfolio. A cost associated with the alternate portfolio is then calculated by comparing the difference between a characteristic of the initial portfolio and a corresponding characteristic of the alternate portfolio. Finally, the alternate portfolio is selected as the recommended portfolio if the cost is less than or equal to the predetermined diversity budget.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1998Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Financial Engines, Inc.Inventors: Jason S. Scott, Christopher L. Jones, James W. Shearer, John G. Watson
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Patent number: 6125355Abstract: The pricing module of the present invention provides a single module that models both fixed-income securities and equity securities into the future in an arbitrage-free model. Because the modeling includes both fixed-income securities and equity securities that are modeled based on common input state variables and does not allow arbitrage conditions between the fixed-income securities and the equity securities (as well as no arbitrage within a security class), the present invention provides an improved pricing module as compared to those in the prior art.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1997Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Financial Engines, Inc.Inventors: Geert Bekaert, Steven R. Grenadier, Christopher L. Jones, Jason S. Scott, John G. Watson
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Patent number: 6090589Abstract: The present invention entails methods, and kits for carrying them out, based on the discovery that an RNA replicase, such as Q.beta. replicase, has DNA-dependent RNA polymerase ("DDRP") activity with nucleic acid segments, including DNA segments and DNA:RNA chimeric segments, which comprise a 2'-deoxyribonucleotide or an analog thereof and which have sequences of RNAs that are autocatalytically replicatable by the replicase. The discovery of this DDRP activity provides methods of the invention for nucleic acid amplification wherein a nucleic acid, with a DNA segment with the sequence of an RNA that is autocatalytically replicatable by an RNA replicase, is provided as a substrate for the replicase.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: Promega CorporationInventors: Randall L. Dimond, Steven J. Ekenberg, James R. Hartnett, Geoffrey R. Hudson, Leopoldo G. Mendoza, Katharine M. Miller, John E. Monahan, Christopher L. Jones, Mark A. Maffitt, Richard A. Martinelli, Edward E. Pahuski, James W. Schumm
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Patent number: 6021397Abstract: A financial advisory system is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, return scenarios for optimized portfolio allocations are simulated interactively to facilitate financial product selection. Return scenarios for each asset class of a plurality of asset classes are generated based upon estimated future scenarios of one or more economic factors. A mapping from each financial product of an available set of financial products onto one or more asset classes of the plurality of asset classes is created by determining exposures of the available set of financial products to each asset class of the plurality of asset classes. In this way, the expected returns and correlations of a plurality of financial products are generated and used to produce optimized portfolios of financial products. Return scenarios are simulated for one or more portfolios including combinations of financial products from the available set of financial products based upon the mapping.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1997Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Financial Engines, Inc.Inventors: Christopher L. Jones, William F. Sharpe, Jason S. Scott, John G. Watson, Jeff N. Maggioncalda, Geert Bekaert, Steven R. Grenadier, Ronald T. Park
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Patent number: 6012044Abstract: A user interface for a financial advisory system is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a user may interactively explore how changes in one or more input decisions such as a risk tolerance, a savings level, and a retirement age affect one or more output values such as a probability of achieving a financial goal or an indication of short-term risk. A first and second visual indication are concurrently displayed. The first visual indication includes input mechanisms, such as slider bars, for receiving the input decisions. The second visual indication includes a set of output values that are based upon the input decisions and a recommended set of financial products. After updated values for the input decisions are received via the input mechanisms, a new recommended set of financial products and a new set of output values may be determined based upon the updated values. The second visual indication may then be updated to reflect the new set of output values.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 1999Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Financial Engines, Inc.Inventors: Jeff N. Maggioncalda, Christopher L. Jones, William F. Sharpe, Ken Fine, Ellen Tauber
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Patent number: 5918217Abstract: A user interface for a financial advisory system is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a user may interactively explore how changes in one or more input decisions such as a risk tolerance, a savings level, and a retirement age affect one or more output values such as a probability of achieving a financial goal or an indication of short-term risk. A first and second visual indication are concurrently displayed. The first visual indication includes input mechanisms, such as slider bars, for receiving the input decisions. The second visual indication includes a set of output values that are based upon the input decisions and a recommended set of financial products. After updated values for the input decisions are received via the input mechanisms, a new recommended set of financial products and a new set of output values may be determined based upon the updated values. The second visual indication may then be updated to reflect the new set of output values.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1997Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Financial Engines, Inc.Inventors: Jeff N. Maggioncalda, Christopher L. Jones, William F. Sharpe, Ken Fine, Ellen Tauber
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Patent number: 5672505Abstract: An insert of the present invention for a tissue culture bottle with a neck includes a neck adapter with provision for mounting a suspending arm. One end of the suspending arm mounts in the insert and the other end has a holder for a specimen or a plurality of specimens. When the adapter is placed in the neck of the bottle, a specimen in the holder is suspended within the bottle. The neck adapter may also be incorporated into a cap for the bottle. In the case where the tissue culture bottle is a roller bottle with a longitudinal axis, the neck adapter may include rotatable elements so that the suspending arm and specimen holder remain in a substantially constant position with respect to the rotation of the bottle about the axis. In an alternate embodiment of the insert of the present invention, the insert may be a generally cylindrical member for placement on the interior surface of a tissue culture roller bottle for at least a portion of the cell growth period.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1994Date of Patent: September 30, 1997Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and CompanyInventors: Christopher L. Jones, Edward F. Mussi
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Patent number: 5303426Abstract: A sweatband and earphone system utilizing a head sweatband preferably formed of an elastic fabric having internal pockets defined therein for receiving earphones connected to a radio or tape player. The sweatband comfortably and securely maintains the earphones upon the wearer's ears, and the sweatband includes stretchable openings permitting the earphones to be readily inserted and removed.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1993Date of Patent: April 19, 1994Assignee: Marvelous Creations, Inc.Inventor: Christopher L. Jones