Patents Represented by Attorney Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.
  • Patent number: 8296831
    Abstract: The present invention facilitates access to a restricted service related to secure transactions via a network. The present invention allows a user to select a minimum security level of authentication for its own login to a restricted service. The user's selected minimum security level of authentication may be registered in an authentication method system, so that the user must use the selected minimum security level for authentication in order to gain access to the restricted service. Alternatively, the user may specify that the selected minimum security level for authentication may be over-turned by the user, or optionally re-set to a new authentication method depending on the needs of the user. As such, the present invention allows the user the flexibility to select its own authentication method for accessing a restricted service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Foley, Rick D. Johnson, Anant Nambiar
  • Patent number: 8287610
    Abstract: Methods for carrying out high temperature reactions such as biomass pyrolysis or gasification using solar energy. The biomass particles are rapidly heated in a solar thermal entrainment reactor. The residence time of the particles in the reactor can be 5 seconds or less. The biomass particles may be directly or indirectly heated depending on the reactor design. Metal oxide particles can be fed into the reactor concurrently with the biomass particles, allowing carbothermic reduction of the metal oxide particles by biomass pyrolysis products. The reduced metal oxide particles can be reacted with steam to produce hydrogen in a subsequent process step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: Alan W. Weimer, Christopher Perkins, Dragan Mejic, Paul Lichty
  • Patent number: 8291228
    Abstract: Modular authentication and session management involves the use of discrete modules to perform specific tasks in a networked computing environment. There may be a separate authentication server that verifies the identity of the user and an authorization client that grants various levels of access to users. There may also be an authentication client that receives an initial request from a requesting application and forwards the request to the authentication server to verify the identity of the use. The authorization client may then be invoked to provide the necessary level of access. The use of discrete modules allows multiple business applications to use the same modules to perform user authentication tasks, thus alleviating the unnecessary multiplication of code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Laidlaw, Coby Royer, Rick D. Johnson, Scott More
  • Patent number: 8285637
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system, and computer program product for authorizing a financial transaction. A financial institution can identify financial risk associated with the financial transaction based on product details. The product details are sent to the financial institution by a merchant along with the authorization request. The financial institution, then, notifies the merchant regarding authorization of the financial transaction based on the risk assessment. Finally, the merchant fulfills or terminates the financial transaction based on the notification received regarding authorization request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Chanderpreet Singh Duggal, Kristin R. Hoyne Gomes, Peter Georger Harris, Meghan Mary Paciorek Kroneman
  • Patent number: 8286189
    Abstract: Computer-executable code is automatically generated for a message flow in a message queuing infrastructure by determining a type of the message flow, inputting message flow parameters, and generating the computer-executable code based on the type of the message flow and the message flow parameters. The generation of code can also implement a design pattern, which is input based on the determined type of message flow. The computer-executable code can be, for example, Extended Structured Query Language (ESQL) code. The type of the message flow can identify, for example, a transformation requirement of the message flow. The transformation requirement can be, for example, one of (i) transformation from a first Extensible Markup Language (XML) message to a second XML message, (ii) transformation from an XML message to a Message Repository Manager (MRM) message, and (iii) transformation from a first MRM message to a second MRM message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Girish G. Kukreja, Yogita Talathi
  • Patent number: 8286140
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for analyzing a computer program including an analysis module constructed to generate a work file including test instance elements associated with a program under test, count a total number of each test instance in the program under test, and create a test case corresponding to each instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan S. Sadowsky
  • Patent number: 8283119
    Abstract: Methods for determining the prognosis and therapeutic interventions for cancer and for utilizing the expression of the homeoprotein Six1 to determine the prognosis and therapeutic interventions for cancer, in particular for ovarian carcinomas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, A Body Corporate
    Inventors: Heide Ford, Kian Behbakht, Andrew Thorburn
  • Patent number: 8276642
    Abstract: A trough shade system and method of use provide improved support for a roller tube and shade material. The roller tube and wound shade material are located within a support cradle to minimize unwanted deflection by the roller tube and associated wrinkling and deformation of the shade material. Various mechanisms allow the roller tube a limited range of movement within the support cradle. The system is suitable for shading larger areas than other shading systems which rely on roller tubes with fixed supports at the ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: MechoShade Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Berman, Xi Ming Li, Eugene Miroscnichenko
  • Patent number: 8276796
    Abstract: A brittle material substrate cutting method and cutting apparatus are provided, which prevent cut faces of a brittle material substrate from contacting each other after the cutting in a break step of continuously cutting the brittle material substrate, so that a damage or contamination on the brittle material substrate due to the contact can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Diamond Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Nishisaka, Kenji Otoda, Shuichi Inoue, Toru Kumagai
  • Patent number: 8281310
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically generating flowcharts based on jobs within a mainframe job scheduling system is disclosed. The system may be interfaced through a web browser over a network (e.g., Internet) in order to configure a job flowchart request. The system includes a job flow utility employing rules and logic to execute a Job Control Language (JCL) script thereby invoking the creation of a job schedule based from a scheduling library and generates a delimited set of data that is stored within a database or saved as a delimited text file. The system also enables a user to view a job flowchart online or download the text-delimited file to open within existing charting applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Bing-Kong Chan
  • Patent number: 8280603
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining aircraft brake pedal sensor failure are provided. A brake pedal sensor and/or a brake pedal may be “failed” if brake pedal sensor readings unlikely to be generated as a result of human input are detected. The method comprises acquiring brake pedal measurements from a brake pedal sensor, determining a state of the brake pedal sensor, and providing a notification of the state. Each brake pedal measurement comprises a brake pedal deflection amount. The brake pedal sensor test algorithm may be conducted at regular intervals, in preparation for aircraft landing, at the request of a human operator, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Eric D. Cahill
  • Patent number: 8280820
    Abstract: A method for capturing data packets sent on a network for evaluating response time performance, the network including a financial institution and a partner bank. The method includes associating a captured data packet sent to the partner bank with a captured data packet received from the partner bank, by comparing at least one coded field of a data portion of the captured data packet sent to the partner bank with at least one coded field of a captured data portion of the data packet received from the partner bank. The method also includes measuring a response time of the associated data packet received from the partner bank, relative to a transmission time of the captured data packet sent to the partner bank. The method further includes transmitting an alert message upon determining that the response time is not within an adjustable predetermined threshold, wherein the alert message includes data from a data portion of the associated data packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon E. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8279009
    Abstract: Doherty and distributed amplifier (DA) designs are combined to achieve, wideband amplifiers with high efficiency dynamic range. A modified Doherty amplifier includes a wideband phase shifter providing first and second outputs, a main amplifier coupled to the first output, an auxiliary amplifier coupled to the second output, and a wideband combining network combining the outputs in phase. A multi-stage DA has a main output and a termination port, and a phase delay module and transforming network allowing power at the termination port to be combined in phase with power at the main output. In one combination, one or more stages of the DA may comprise a Doherty amplifier. In another combination, a modified series-type Doherty amplifying system is achieved by cascading main and auxiliary DAs. In any combination, Doherty topology may include a bias control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Grondahl, Dean Lawrence Cook
  • Patent number: 8276813
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating risk assessment for point of sale transactions utilizing at least one risk triggering value (RTV) is disclosed. An RTV is a condensed version of a set of complex risk data and strategies usually found in central processing sites. After receiving a request for payment authorization, a risk value is calculated for the request. The distributed processing site compares the risk value to the RTV to determine whether to authorize payment. If the risk value is less than or equal to the RTV, the payment is authorized while a risk value greater than the RTV will not be authorized. The central site calculates a new RTV for the account and distributes the new RTV to the distributed processing site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Bishop, Eric James Eldridge, William S. Schwarz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8272105
    Abstract: An extendable linkage mechanism for operating a slave actuator over a range of distances from a master actuator, an extendable handle for operating a tool over a range of handle length; and a tool for use by an operator for dispensing drywall joint compound into joints between sheets of drywall. Slanted engagement surfaces on master and slave wedges engage each other as well as master and slave rods to transmit motion and force at varying distances, for instance, from a lever at one end to a clamp at the other end. The elongated slave rod passes through orifices in the wedges. Structural or tubular members may slidably engage to provide extendibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Cinta Tools, LLC
    Inventor: David T. Roman
  • Patent number: 8273237
    Abstract: The present invention relates, generally, to a method and apparatus for recovering metal values from a metal-bearing materials, and more specifically, a process for recovering copper and other metals through leaching, electrowinning using the ferrous/ferric anode reaction, and the synergistic addition of ferrous iron to the leach step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoran Corporation
    Inventors: John O. Marsden, James D. Gillaspie, John C. Wilmot
  • Patent number: 8275712
    Abstract: Reloadable or non-reloadable prepaid transaction card activation systems are disclosed. More specifically, the system provides a platform for activation of prepaid or stored value transaction cards and capture of customer demographic information, and verification of that information, after the customer has obtained or has been issued a prepaid transaction card. The data capture is performed at activation rather than at point of sale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicole Milne Vollmer, Lance Lewis, Elizabeth Gwen Webb
  • Patent number: 8272567
    Abstract: A system and method for disputing individual items that are the subject of a transaction includes storing, in a database, a record of a transaction in which a plurality of goods or services were sold to an individual that owns a transaction card through which access to monetary funds may be obtained, so that the transaction is identified by a transaction identifier. Also, information identifying each good or service that is a subject of the transaction is associated with said transaction identifier. A cost associated with one of the goods or services associated with the transaction identifier is disputed, without subjecting costs of all goods or services that are associated with said transaction identifier to dispute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Serve Virtual Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason J. Hogg, Patrick Graf
  • Patent number: 8268135
    Abstract: An electrochemical planarization apparatus for planarizing a metallized surface on a workpiece includes a polishing pad and a platen. The platen is formed of conductive material, is disposed proximate to the polishing pad and is configured to have a negative charge during at least a portion of a planarization process. At least one electrical conductor is positioned within the platen. The electrical conductor has a first end connected to a power source. A workpiece carrier is configured to carry a workpiece and press the workpiece against the polishing pad. The power source applies a positive charge to the workpiece via the electrical conductor so that an electric potential difference between the metallized surface of the workpiece and the platen is created to remove at least a portion of the metallized surface from the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ismail Emesh, Saket Chadda, Nikolay N Korovin, Brian L Mueller
  • Patent number: D668962
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Scramjet Brothers LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Middleton