Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Smith and Hopen, P.A.
  • Patent number: 8351483
    Abstract: Provided are transmitter topology, receiver topology and methods for generating and transmitting a radio signal at a transmitter and detecting and processing a radio signal at a receiver. The radio signals are transmitted across a wireless interface using Ultra Wideband (UWB) pulses. A transmitted reference approach is utilized. The radio signal include pairs of UWB pulses with each pair of pulses separated by a fixed time delay. The two pulses are then combined to provide for improved noise immunity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventor: James L. Tucker
  • Patent number: 8352194
    Abstract: Numerous cancer fusion genes have been identified and studied, and in some cases therapy or diagnostic techniques have been designed that are specific to the fusion protein encoded by the fusion gene. However, there has been little progress in understanding the general features of cancer fusions genes in a way that could provide the foundation for an algorithm for predicting the occurrence of a fusion gene once the chromosomal translocation points have been identified by karyotype analyses. In this study, characterization of 59 cancer fusion genes indicated that all but a small percentage of the genes involved in fusion events are either relatively large, compared to neighboring genes, or are highly conserved in evolution. These results support a basis for designing algorithms that could have a high degree of predictive value in identifying fusion genes once conventional microscopic analyses have identified the chromosomal breakpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventor: George Blanck
  • Patent number: 8348942
    Abstract: A device and method to cause hair loss or prevent or inhibit hair growth. The invention uses plasma (ionized gas) that is generated by flowing gas in close proximity to an electrode that has a high potential applied to it. The result is a stream of charged gas particles that are directed to the skin that contains hair. The flowing stream of gas is held above the surface of the skin. Additionally, a grounded conductive material is affixed to the skin to dissipate any charge buildup on the skin and focus the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Mark J. Jaroszeski, Gabriel A. Lopez-Diaz, Richard J. Connolly, Andrew M. Hoff
  • Patent number: 8337385
    Abstract: A cabinet includes a base section, a middle section, and an upper section. The base section encloses a plurality of speakers, the middle section includes a relaxation chamber for a reclining human user, and the upper section houses light fixtures that emit light at preselected frequencies related to the sound frequencies emitted by the speakers. Stationary foot and head light fixtures illuminate a foot and a head end of the relaxation chamber, respectively. A movable middle light fixture reciprocates along the length of the relaxation chamber. Each light fixture has a hexagonal housing with mirrored interior surfaces and at least one crystal through which light passes. A color disc mounted below the movable middle light fixture has translucent colored discs mounted about its periphery, only one of which is illuminated per user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Douglas G. Cornell
  • Patent number: 8336549
    Abstract: A disposable anesthesia face mask comprising a shell member having an annular flange and a do-nut shaped pneumatic sealing cushion attached to the shell member annular flange. The shell member and its flange are “pear-shaped” defining a nasal portion of first transverse extent, a mouth portion of second transverse extent, and an under-the-chin engagement portion of third transverse extent where the second transverse extent is greater than the first transverse extent and the third transverse extent is greater than the second transverse extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Ramses Nashed
  • Patent number: 8331635
    Abstract: The present invention is a three dimensional Cartesian coordinate system for the human body, having three perpendicular and intersecting planes. The present invention is based upon the use of the three cardinal planes, in the universally recognized orientations. The cardinal planes in accordance with the present invention are: Sagittal: midsagittal plane, Transverse: upper-most extent of the iliac crests, and Coronal: anterior-most aspect of the vertebral canal. The point at which these planes intersect defines the 0,0,0 location in the human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventor: Don R. Hilbelink
  • Patent number: 8331632
    Abstract: A novel, linear modeling method to model a face recognition algorithm based on the match scores produced by the algorithm. Starting with a distance matrix representing the pair-wise match scores between face images, an iterative stress minimization algorithm is used to obtain an embedding of the distance matrix in a low-dimensional space. A linear transformation used to project new face images into the model space is divided into two sub-transformations: a rigid transformation of face images obtained through principal component analysis of face images and a non-rigid transformation responsible for preserving pair-wise distance relationships between face images. Also provided is a linear indexing method using the linear modeling method to perform the binning or algorithm-specific indexing task with little overhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: University of South Florida, The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Commerce, the National Institute of Standards and Technology
    Inventors: Pranab Mohanty, Sudeep Sarkar, Rangachar Kasturi, P. Jonathon Phillips
  • Patent number: 8332238
    Abstract: A method for facilitating the delivery of electronic funds and conveying an explanation of benefits to a service provider is described herein. A claim for payment by a service provider (such as a physician's office) is adjudicated by a third party administrator. An electronic funds transfer (EFT) is generated under a transaction set specification that encodes both payment information as well as an explanation of benefits (EOB). The EOB indicates which charges were approved and/or which were denied. The EOB data is extracted from the EFT and an image is generated containing the text of the EOB. The image is created in a format that is compatible with the online delivery of posted-paper checks. When the service provider logs into its bank to reconcile charges the EFT transaction is noted and the provider clicks on the “view check” link to obtain the EOB information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: StoneEagle Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Allen
  • Patent number: 8328244
    Abstract: A sanitary coupling and seal forming system which can be front mounted. Front mounted refers to a seal fitting that can be installed directly behind a coupling. It is intended to be easily manufactured, installed, disposable, and reusable. A two part seal fitting which is formed from two arc-shaped sealing elements each having one of two different inventively designed termini. Each termini are complementary with termini of different types allowing a system which can be opened or act as a hinge. The seal fitting can be axially brought into engagement with a sanitary coupling which bears complementary components. Thus the seal assembly allows for quick connection and disconnection by the sealing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventors: Theodore D. Johnson, Robin Boley-Johnson, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8323490
    Abstract: A piston pressurized water filter activated by the user or external source. The water filter assembly includes a hollow cylindrical water reservoir, a hollow cylindrical piston threaded into the top of the water reservoir, and a water filter threaded into the bottom of the water reservoir. The interior of the water reservoir is sealed by the piston and water filter. When the water reservoir is filled with unfiltered water, the piston can be threaded down into the water reservoir to create sufficient pressure on the unfiltered water and force the water into the water filter. The water filter can include any combination of carbon, ceramic or other filtering material in a block or disk form. Water is forced into the water filter, through the carbon or ceramic filter mass, and into a container that may or may not be coupled to the water filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Instapure Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: William Scott Wright, Bradley J. Florin
  • Patent number: 8317206
    Abstract: A skateboard that includes a storage compartment. The deck of the skateboard forms a storage compartment and includes a bottom panel, a sidewall, and a top panel. The sidewall extends upwardly from, and is disposed along, the periphery of the bottom panel. The top panel is hingedly connected to the sidewall and opens and closes to form a storage compartment in conjunction with the sidewall and bottom panel. A latch is used to securely fasten the top panel in the closed position. A handle is provided to carry the skateboard like a suitcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Alexei Novitzky, Peter Novitzky
  • Patent number: 8318804
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of synthesizing new optically pure heterocyclic compounds using Pd(0) catalyzed intramolecular cyclizations. Analogs of cyclopentanes, like isoxazoline-2-oxide and furan, with similar framework to the cyclopentanes act as anti-HIV and anticancer agents which opens a whole new field for application of these compounds. Starting from a meso-diol, optically pure compounds were prepared without utilizing chiral ligands at any stage of the synthesis. The stereochemical outcome of the product (>99% ee) was influenced by desymmetrization catalyzed by Pseudomonas cepacia lipase and the stereo selective nature of the palladium catalyzed transformations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Kirpal S. Bisht, Alberto Van Olphen, Pasha M. Khan, Cynthia Bucher
  • Patent number: 8309311
    Abstract: The invention includes methods for detecting the presence of a neoplastic condition by comparing a sample level of a BIF-1 to a reference, wherein a low level of BIF-1 in the sample correlates with the presence of a neoplastic condition. Another method involves determining the risk of relapse, tumor recurrence and/or metastasis by determining a sample level of a Bif-1 to a reference level of Bif-1, wherein low sample levels correlate with a likelihood of relapse, recurrence and/or metastasis. Yet another method includes detecting the presence of a pre-neoplastic condition, such as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. The method involves measuring a level of a Bif-1 in a sample and comparing the level of Bif-1 in the sample to a reference level of Bif-1. High levels of Bif-1 in the sample correlate with the presence of the pre-neoplastic condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Hong-Gang Wang, Domenico Coppola
  • Patent number: 8307766
    Abstract: A projectile includes a cartridge and a hollow bullet. A propellant fills the cartridge and the hollow bullet to increase the velocity of the bullet when fired. The hollow bullet has a flattened leading end and an annular ring is secured to the flattened leading end in the center of the flat region. The flattened leading end and the annular ring move a center of pressure forwardly so that a center of pressure is forward of a center of gravity of the bullet when the bullet is in flight. In a second embodiment, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart slits is formed in a trailing end of the hollow bullet, creating a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart fins that flare radially outwardly upon impact with a soft target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Liberty Ammunition, Inc.
    Inventor: PJ Marx
  • Patent number: 8309352
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of umbilical cord blood cells from a donor or patient to provide neural cells which may be used in transplantation. The isolated cells according to the present invention may be used to effect autologous and allogeneic transplantation and repair of neural tissue, in particular, tissue of the brain and spinal cord and to treat neurodegenerative diseases of the brain and spinal cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Paul Sanberg, Juan Sanchez-Ramos, Alison Willing, Daniel D. Richard
  • Patent number: 8296995
    Abstract: A water-saving device includes a frusto-conical housing having a wide lower end that overlies a ground surface. A lip is integrally formed at the upper end, extending radially inwardly. A vertical cut is formed in the housing with a flange adjoining each edge of the cut. The flanges are spaced apart to admit a tree trunk into the hollow interior of the housing and are attachable to one another to enclose a tree trunk. A first pair of apertures is formed in the lip. A conduit has a first end in fluid communication with a row hose and extends upwardly from the row hose, through a first aperture, and downwardly through the second aperture. A water emitter is in fluid communication with a second end of the conduit and is positioned within the hollow interior of the housing below the lip and above the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: John G. Georges
  • Patent number: D670714
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: NexTech Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christina Mary Majeed, Kamal Naif Majeed, Donald R. Thompson, Joshua Michael Jones, Christopher Andrew Haag, Dustin Edwin Lange, Zachary Paul Manning, Hesham Ezat Butty, Anthony Joseph LaManna, Joseph Peter Kuziel
  • Patent number: D670715
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: NexTech Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christina Mary Majeed, Kamal Naif Majeed, Donald R. Thompson, Joshua Michael Jones, Christopher Andrew Haag, Dustin Edwin Lange, Zachary Paul Manning, Hesham Ezat Butty, Anthony Joseph LaManna, Joseph Peter Kuziel
  • Patent number: D670716
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: NexTech Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christina Mary Majeed, Kamal Naif Majeed, Donald R. Thompson, Joshua Michael Jones, Christopher Andrew Haag, Dustin Edwin Lange, Zachary Paul Manning, Hesham Ezat Butty, Anthony Joseph LaManna, Joseph Peter Kuziel
  • Patent number: RE43904
    Abstract: A method of facilitating payment of health care benefits to on behalf of a payer comprising the step of electronically transmitting a stored-value card account payment of the authorized benefit amount concurrently with an explanation of benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: StoneEagle Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Allen