Patents Represented by Attorney Senniger Powers LLP
  • Patent number: 8196134
    Abstract: A catalog for maintaining a store of public and private limited distribution release software changes in a single location. A method for distributing limited distribution release software changes to clients via a network comprises receiving a search request, authenticating the client, querying a database of limited distribution release software changes, filtering the returned data according to a screening criteria, and providing the returned data to the client. A further method receives a request from a client to develop a limited distribution release software change, develops the limited distribution release software change, adds the developed limited distribution release software change to a catalog, notifies the client, and provides an interface to the client for accessing. A system further links knowledge base entries with related limited distribution release software changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Nate Clinton, Phil Cupp, Anand Vaidyanathan, Dandan He, Karuna Koneru, Michael Meulemans
  • Patent number: 8192772
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method to improve the properties of a dough and/or a baked product by adding a bread or dough-improving agent containing a enzyme with xylanolytic activity belonging to glycoside hydrolases family 8. Preferred enzymes are the psychrophilic xylanase from Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis and the mesophilic xylanase Y from Bacillus halodurans C-125.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventors: Agnès Dutron, Jacques Georis, Bernard Genot, Thierry Dauvrin, Tony Collins, Anne Hoyoux, Georges Feller
  • Patent number: 8192758
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment of ion imbalances. In particular, the invention provides core-shell compositions and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Methods of use of the core-shell compositions for therapeutic and/or prophylactic benefits are disclosed herein. Examples of these methods include the treatment of phosphate imbalance disorders, hypertension, chronic heart failure, end stage renal disease, liver cirrhosis, chronic renal insufficiency, fluid overload, or sodium overload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Relypsa, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominique Charmot, John Fordtran, Han Ting Chang, Eric Connor, Mingjun Liu, Gerrit Klaerner
  • Patent number: 8190975
    Abstract: Transforming portions of a message to a destination via a communication protocol. A message is received. It is detected whether the received message includes an encoded envelope. The encoded envelope includes a stack defining parameters including information for handling the received message in an original format. If the received message includes the encoded envelope, the defined parameters are transformed to coded parameters in a common format. The coded parameters express the same information for handling the received message in the communication protocol. The encoded envelope is encapsulated in the received message, and the received message in the common format is delivered to the destination. If the received message does not include an encoded envelope, coded parameters are generated in the common format for the received message by encoding addressing information from the received message. The received message having the coded parameters in the common format is delivered to the destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Alexander Allen, Erik Bo Christensen, Stephen Maine, Stephen James Millet, Kenneth David Wolf
  • Patent number: 8187810
    Abstract: Techniques for diagnosing overactive bladder (OAB) in a patient are provided. For example, a technique for diagnosing overactive bladder in a patient includes the step of obtaining peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the patient to provide a reporter function in the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventors: Martin Heath Bluth, Wellman W. Cheung
  • Patent number: 8186899
    Abstract: A ring mechanism has housing supporting pivoting hinge plates. The mechanism has rings for holding loose-leaf pages. An actuator is mounted on the housing for causing pivoting motion of the hinge plates to open the rings. The mechanism includes a travel bar and intermediate connector connecting the travel bar to the actuator so movement of the actuator to pivot the hinge plates causes longitudinal movement of the travel bar. The intermediate connector and travel bar are formed as one piece and have a living hinge adapted to allow the intermediate connector to pivot relative to the travel bar. The mechanism has a locking element moveable with the travel bar between a locking position and non-locking position. The living hinge is constructed to maintain a substantially constant spacing between the intermediate connector and the travel at points of connection of the living hinge to the intermediate connector and travel bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wing Yiu Ng, Hung Yu Cheng
  • Patent number: 8186285
    Abstract: A slider assembly for moving an ATM into and out of an ATM housing comprises a driving mechanism and a mount. Vertically spaced apart upper and lower bearing structures extending outward from the mount partially define a horizontal channel. A platform for supporting the ATM has a front end, a rear end and opposite first and second side margins. The platform is operatively connected to the driving mechanism to impart generally linear forward and rearward movements of the platform relative to the mounts between extended and retracted positions. The first side margin of the platform is received within the horizontal channel between the upper and lower bearing structures to support the platform and to facilitate the linear movement of the platform by the driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: The Fitts Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Fitts, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8186119
    Abstract: An improved wall structure for HVAC enclosures utilizing thermoplastic standoffs to form an air space and to separate the exterior wall structure of the enclosure from the interior wall structure. The position of the thermoplastic standoffs and the selection of the design for the standoffs insure that metallic fasteners would secure the exterior walls of the enclosure to the enclosure do not transmit thermal energy from the external wall to the internal wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: MiTek Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: James Huff, Zeke Carlyon
  • Patent number: 8186349
    Abstract: To provide a tracheostomy tube which can be easily attached to and detached from an incision site and in which sputum or the like does not readily longer, a tracheostomy tube A includes a lumen body 10 having an airway securing lumen 10b, a connector section 11 formed at the base end portion of the lumen body 10, and a cuff 13 which is formed on the outer circumference of the tip end portion of the lumen body 10 and which can be expanded and contracted. A circumferential wall 10a of the lumen body 10 defines a cuff-expanding lumen 15 which puts the surface portion of the connector section 11 in communication with the inside of the cuff 13. it also defines a suction lumen 14 allowing the surface portion of the connector section 11 to communicate with the surface portion of the lumen body 10. A coating layer exhibiting surface lubricity in moisture is formed on the surface of the tracheostomy tube A and the inner surface of the lumen body 10 in which the airway securing lumen 10b is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Takao Kusunoki, Masaki Moriyama
  • Patent number: 8185932
    Abstract: In a network computing environment, a user-centric system and method for controlling access to user-specific information maintained in association with a web-services service. When a web-services client desires access to the user-specific information, the client sends a request. The request identifies the reasons/intentions for accessing the desired information. The request is compared to the user's existing access permissions. If there is no existing access permission, the request is compared to the user's default preferences. If the default preferences permit the requested access, an access rule is created dynamically and the client's request is filled, without interrupting the user. If the default preferences do not permit the request to be filled, a consent user interface may be invoked. The consent user interface presents the user with one or more consent options, thereby permitting the user to control whether the client will be given access to the user-specific information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Melissa W. Dunn
  • Patent number: 8178659
    Abstract: To identify conserved and variable regions of the 16 S rRNA, an instant evolution experiment was performed on the entire 16 S rRNA. Analysis of these mutants identified regions that are required for function. These conserved sequences may be used as targets for pharmaceuticals that are taxonomically specific and which are refractory to the development of drug resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Wayne State University
    Inventor: Philip R. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 8177816
    Abstract: An anchor for attaching an elongate member to bone. The anchor includes a base adapted for attaching to bone and a connector mounted on the base. The connector includes a mount for mounting the elongate member and an opening sized and positioned on the connector for receiving a tie for tying the anchor to the bone when the base is attached to the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Frank J. Schwab
  • Patent number: 8176706
    Abstract: A building framework includes plural column assemblies interconnected by plural full-length beam assemblies, with the union of the column assemblies and beam assemblies forming beam-to-column joint assemblies according to this invention. The column assemblies include pairs of side plates spanning the column members of the column assemblies and projecting toward another column assembly of the plurality of such column assemblies. The full-length beam assemblies include beam members for being received between column assemblies to be interconnected and defining an end gap with respect to each column member. Additionally, the full-length beam assemblies include at each opposite end portion thereof a pair of cover plates, including an upper cover plate and a lower cover plate, which cover plates are sized and configured to be united with the side plates of a column assembly, as by welding applied at a construction site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Mitek Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: David Houghton, Jesse E. Karns, Enrique A. Gallart
  • Patent number: 8178332
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the removal of carbon dioxide from a gas stream, particularly a flue gas, hydrogen gas from a reformer, natural gas, or gas from a cement kiln. Immobilized enzymes for use in carbon capture and other systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Akermin, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne L. Gellett, Tracy L. Bucholz, Richard T. Zvosec, Joshua Schumacher, Robert A. Clayton, Robert P. Shirtum
  • Patent number: 8171815
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lubricating pinion, particularly for a lubricating device, for the application of a lubricant pumped, for example, through a lubricant pipeline by a lubricating pump from a reservoir onto at least one gear wheel or the like. The lubricant pinion has an external tooth system onto which at least one lubricant outlet discharges. The lubricant pinion is constructed from at least two lubricant pinion parts which can be connected to one another along a preferably radial parting plane. At least one lubricant channel, which can be connected to the at least one lubricant outlet, extends in the parting plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Lincoln GmbH
    Inventors: Zdravko Paluncic, Andreas Schoenfeld
  • Patent number: 8172238
    Abstract: Lightweight inexpensive sleds, made of tough plastic or similar material, are disclosed for transporting injured people or inert loads. For rescue sleds, a strong strap is passed through slots around the periphery. This distributes forces in ways that avoid tearing, and it provides secure handholds, allowing people to lift and carry an injured person in a manner comparable to a backboard. A rescue sled including straps weighs only about 6 pounds, and can be carried on foot for miles, affixed to a backpack, making these sleds available immediately when needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: ARC Products LLC
    Inventors: Bryan A. Wolf, Clifford G. Adkins
  • Patent number: 8172153
    Abstract: Controlling energy usage of a building. At least one temperature sensor monitors temperature within a zone of a building. A processor determines an off-peak temperature target as a function of a duration of an off-peak operating state of the monitored zone and a desired temperature within the monitored zone during a subsequent peak operating state of the monitored zone. A controller receives the determined off-peak temperature target and is responsive to the received off-peak temperature target to control the temperature within the monitored zone of the building during the off-peak operating state. Other aspects of the invention are directed to computer-readable media for controlling energy usage of a building as described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John Matthew Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8173154
    Abstract: A method and compositions for wound care management comprising a dressing comprising a three-dimensional body of glass-based fibers comprising 40 to 80 weight % B2O3, wherein at least 25 wt. % of the fibers have a diameter between 200 nm and 4000 nm, and a length:width aspect ratio of at least 10. The glasses may also be used for wound care as fibers formed into sutures, as particles in surgical glue to close a wound, or as particles in an ointment or cream to apply to a wound. The compositions may comprise glass formers P2O5 and/or SiO2; alkali oxides selected from Li2O, Na2O, K2O, and Rb2O; and/or alkaline earth oxides selected from MgO, SrO, BaO and CaO. The compositions may further comprise 0.05 to 10 wt. % of one or more trace elements selected from Ag, Cu, F, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sr, and Zn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Steven B. Jung, Delbert E. Day
  • Patent number: 8175836
    Abstract: A method of estimating airflow for a characterized blower system including a motor. The method includes running the motor, estimating a torque and a speed of the running motor, and assuming a starting airflow estimate. Torque is calculated based on the estimated speed and the estimated airflow. A torque error is calculated as a function of the calculated torque and the estimated torque. Estimated airflow is revised based on the calculated torque error. The method also includes repeating the calculating and revising steps using the revised estimated airflow until the torque error is within a predetermined acceptable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Prakash B. Shahi
  • Patent number: D660209
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Code 3, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian R. Merriman