Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Morrison & Foerster
  • Patent number: 8338688
    Abstract: An electronic keyboard instrument with a hammer action, in which a circuit board for generating electronic musical tones can be disposed at a location for easy maintenance and for effective space utilization. Front and rear bars are bridged between side plates of an instrument main body so as to extend parallel to each other in the left-right direction and reinforce the instrument main body. A hammer action mechanism having hammers for respective keys is disposed rearward of a key-depression part of a keyboard and upward of a rear end portion of the keyboard, and a board tray is bridged between the front and rear bars. The board tray and the circuit board are located upward of the hammer action mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Akiko Shinjo
  • Patent number: 8338672
    Abstract: A hybrid pepper designated E42.2346 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of hybrid pepper E42.2346 to the plants of hybrid pepper E42.2346 and to methods for producing a hybrid plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing the hybrid E42.2346 with itself or another pepper plant. The invention further relates to methods for producing a pepper plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other pepper lines, cultivars or hybrids derived from the hybrid pepper E42.2346.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Enza Zaden Beheer B.V.
    Inventor: Wouter Lindeman
  • Patent number: 8340293
    Abstract: The verification system of this invention comprises an image forming apparatus 1 having verification function and a card reader 2 for reading a user ID from a card. The image forming apparatus 1 is capable of performing short-range radio communication with a portable instrument 3. The portable instrument 3 receives a polling command transmitted by the image forming apparatus 1 and sends back its own identification code if it is located near the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 permits usage of all the functions thereof if it verifies that user is an officially permitted person according to user ID read by the card reader 2 and the identification code sent back from the portable instrument 3. Consequently, there is provided a verification system having a high security level and convenient for use or a verification system which permits usage of its apparatus and other related devices within an appropriate range depending on the security level of a verified method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Minolta Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Tomita, Katsuaki Tajima, Kenichi Matsumoto, Kazuhiro Araki
  • Patent number: 8336546
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a positive airway pressure (PAP) system with a head mounted harness assembly with a housing and a head position sensor located within or secured to the housing that detects the position of a patient's head, and communicates this head position information to a controller of the system which may be disposed within the housing having the position sensor or a second housing. The controller varies the output pressure of the pressure source, e.g. a rotary compressor, based, at least in part, on the head position information provided by the head position sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the position sensor is an accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hancock Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel L. Bowditch, Thomas G. Goff, Tarmigan Casebolt
  • Patent number: 8336555
    Abstract: A system and method for treating ophthalmic target tissue, including a light source for generating a beam of light, a beam delivery system that includes a scanner for generating patterns, and a controller for controlling the light source and delivery system to create a dosimetry pattern of the light beam on the ophthalmic target tissue. One or more dosage parameters of the light beam vary within the dosimetry pattern, to create varying exposures on the target tissue. A visualization device observes lesions formed on the ophthalmic target tissue by the dosimetry pattern. The controller selects dosage parameters for the treatment beam based upon the lesions resulting from the dosimetry pattern, either automatically or in response to user input, so that a desired clinical effect is achieved by selecting the character of the lesions as determined by the dosimetry pattern lesions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Topcon Medical Laser Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel V. Palanker, Dan E. Andersen
  • Patent number: 8337474
    Abstract: Methods and devices for treatment of damaged tissue are disclosed, including treatment of wounds by employing non-electrically powered, reduced pressure therapy devices. Maintenance and control of the sub atmospheric pressure exerted may be provided by such devices while minimizing discomfort to the user. The devices may be configured to be worn inconspicuously underneath clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Spiracur Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Hu, Moshe Pinto, Kenton Fong
  • Patent number: 8338184
    Abstract: The invention provides enzymatic methods for direct determination of percentage of glycated hemoglobin in blood samples without the need of a separated measurement of total hemoglobin content in blood samples. The methods utilizes one or two different types of oxidizing agents which selectively oxidize low-molecular weight reducing substances and high-molecular weight (mainly hemoglobin) reducing substances in blood samples, coupled with enzymatic reactions catalyzed by proteases, fructosyl amino acid oxidase. The amount of hydrogen peroxide generated in the reaction is measured for determination of percentage of glycated hemoglobin in blood samples. The invention provides kits for performing the methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: General Atomics
    Inventors: Chong-Sheng Yuan, Abhijit Datta, Limin Liu
  • Patent number: 8337516
    Abstract: The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and methods relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens. The devices may include a catheter and a cutter assembly, where the cutter assembly has a distal cutter and a proximal cutter. The devices may also include a drive mechanism, a torque shaft, a deflecting mechanism and a torque control mechanism. The torque control mechanism may sweep the cutter assembly when the cutter assembly is deflected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Atheromed, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Q Escudero, John To, Christopher J Danek
  • Patent number: 8339531
    Abstract: A display device in which a pixel voltage is held at low power consumption without any influence from fluctuation in threshold voltage is provided. A liquid crystal capacitor element (Clc) is formed between a pixel electrode (20) and a counter electrode (80). A counter voltage (Vcom) is applied to the counter electrode (80). The pixel electrode (20), one ends of a first switch circuit (22) and a second switch circuit (23), and a first terminal of a second transistor (T2) form an internal node (N1). The other end of the first switch circuit (22) is connected to a source line (SL). The second switch circuit (23) has the other end connected to a voltage supply line (VSL) and is a series circuit of transistors (T1 and T2). A control terminal of the transistor (T1), a second terminal of the transistor (T2), and one end of the boost capacitor element (Cbst) form an output node (N2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimitsu Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 8336164
    Abstract: An upright cleaning appliance having a handle for maneuvering the appliance across a floor. The handle is secured on a reclining upright body of the appliance for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the upright body. The handle includes a forward-extending handgrip portion which terminates in an abutment flange for preventing the handgrip portion from slipping out through the bottom of a user's grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James Martin Coleman, James John Bryden, Adam James Bates
  • Patent number: 8338447
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to new heterocyclic compounds that may be used to modulate a histamine receptor in an individual. Compounds of formula (I) are described, as are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds and methods of using the compounds in a variety of therapeutic applications, including the treatment of a cognitive disorder, psychotic disorder, neurotransmitter-mediated disorder and/or a neuronal disorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Medivation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Hung, Andrew Asher Protter, Sarvajit Chakravarty, Rajendra P. Jain, Sundeep Dugar
  • Patent number: 8338687
    Abstract: Waveform data representative of singing voices of a singing music piece are analyzed to generate melody component data representative of variation over time in fundamental frequency component presumed to represent a melody in the singing voices. Then, through machine learning that uses score data representative of a musical score of the singing music piece and the melody component data, a melody component model, representative of a variation component presumed to represent the melody among the variation over time in fundamental frequency component, is generated for each combination of notes. Parameters defining the melody component models and note identifiers indicative of the combinations of notes whose variation over time in fundamental frequency component are represented by the melody component models are stored into a pitch curve generating database in association with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Keijiro Saino, Jordi Bonada
  • Patent number: 8335325
    Abstract: An audio signal processing apparatus comprises input channels, a mix bus, a volume level controller, a path disconnector that connects or disconnects a path from each input channel to the mix bus, a signal selector that select either one of a post-signal and a pre-signal, a volume adjusting operator that groups at least a part of the plurality of input channels and collectively adjusts volume levels of the grouped input channels, a mute setting device that sets muting of the grouped input channels, a mute target selector that selects either one of a first mode in which only the post-signal is muted and a second mode in which both pre-signal and post-signal are muted, and a mute controller that controls, when the mute setting device has set muting of the grouped input channels, the volume level controller to execute the muting of the grouped input channels on the first mode, and controls the path disconnector to execute the muting of the grouped input channels on the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Okabayashi
  • Patent number: 8334544
    Abstract: A nitride semiconductor laser device with a reduction in internal crystal defects and an alleviation in stress, and a semiconductor optical apparatus comprising this nitride semiconductor laser device. First, a growth suppressing film against GaN crystal growth is formed on the surface of an n-type GaN substrate equipped with alternate stripes of dislocation concentrated regions showing a high density of crystal defects and low-dislocation regions so as to coat the dislocation concentrate regions. Next, the n-type GaN substrate coated with the growth suppressing film is overlaid with a nitride semiconductor layer by the epitaxial growth of GaN crystals. Further, the growth suppressing film is removed to adjust the lateral distance between a laser waveguide region and the closest dislocation concentrated region to 40 ?m or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignees: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigetoshi Ito, Takayuki Yuasa, Yoshihiro Ueta, Mototaka Taneya, Zenpei Tani, Kensaku Motoki
  • Patent number: 8334846
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Carl Westerman, John G. Elias
  • Patent number: 8333980
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of modulating an immune response to a second antigen which entail administration of a first antigen and an immunostimulatory polynucleotide. Modulation of the immune response is generally manifested as stimulation of a Th1 response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Dynavax Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Van Nest, Stephen F. Tuck, Joseph Eiden, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8335136
    Abstract: Provided is an optical pickup apparatus using a reduced number of parts. An optical pickup apparatus (26) of the present invention includes: a laser unit (108) for emitting a laser beam complying with the BD standards; a laser unit (106) for emitting a laser beam complying with the DVD standards and a laser beam complying with the CD standards; and a PDIC (10B) for receiving and detecting the laser beams complying with the respective standards. Because the laser beam complying with the DVD standards and the laser beam complying with the BD standards are received by one photo detector provided in the PDIC (10B), the number of parts needed for the optical pickup apparatus (26) can be reduced, and the costs of the apparatus can be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Hiruma, Chiaki Asakawa
  • Patent number: 8335797
    Abstract: An access control list, indicating contents of user operatable authorization, is set in an electronic file or folder stored in a document management server. The server receives from MFP a registering electronic file, location information of the electronic file and destination information including a notification destination user to which registration is notified. If no notification destination user is registered in ACL, the server transmits the notification of registration and the electronic file to PC of the notification destination user and receives a notification of electronic file reception from PC. The server sends the user in ACL a notification of notification destination user's reception of electronic file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Sakai
  • Patent number: 8334316
    Abstract: The present invention provides substituted di-, tri-, tetra- and penta-sulfide compounds and compositions, and methods of using the same for the treatment and/or prevention of a cell proliferative disorder. The present invention also provides methods for preparing trisulfide compounds and compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: ACEA Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiao Xu, Haoyun An, Xiaobo Wang
  • Patent number: 8335242
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor laser device that is free from or suffers less from deterioration resulting from a surge or that is less likely to suffer from deterioration resulting from a surge. The semiconductor laser device has a conductive stem 101, a submount 102 fixed to the stem 101, a nitride semiconductor laser chip 103 mounted on the submount 102, pins 104 and 105 fixed to the stem 101 but insulated therefrom, a wire connecting the pin 104 to a p-electrode of the nitride semiconductor laser chip 103, a wire connecting the pin 105 to an n-electrode of the nitride semiconductor laser chip 103, and a cap 106 enclosing the nitride semiconductor laser chip 103 and the submount 102 and fixed to the stem 101.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigetoshi Ito, Daisuke Hanaoka