Patents Represented by Attorney Steptoe & Johnson LLP
  • Patent number: 8143046
    Abstract: The present invention relates to variant phytase enzymes having altered properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Danisco US Inc., Genencor Division
    Inventors: Marguerite A. Cervin, Oliver Kensch, Ulrich Kettling, Steven S. Kim, Birgitta Leuthner, Andrei Miasnikov, Michael Ward, Klaus Pellengahr
  • Patent number: 8143045
    Abstract: The present invention relates to enzymes and processes. In particular, there is described an isolated polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence corresponding to Citrobacter freundii phytase or a homologue, a modified form, a functional equivalent or an effective fragment thereof. There is also described a host cell transformed or transfected with a nucleic acid encoding a bacterial phytase enzyme or a modified form as well as the use of such a phytase or modified form in food or animal feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Danisco A/S
    Inventors: Andrei Miasnikov, Vijay Kumar, Oliver Kensch, Klaus Pellangahr, Birgitta Leuthner, Ulrich Kettling, Andre Koltermann
  • Patent number: 8142422
    Abstract: Sinusitis, enlarged nasal turbinates, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, allergic conditions, facial fractures and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies, endoscopic studies and transillumination studies. Access and occluder devices may be used to establish fluid tight seals in the anterior or posterior nasal cavities/nasopharynx and to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g., scopes, guidewires, catheters, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting devices, substance delivery implants, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, John Y. Chang
  • Patent number: 8138225
    Abstract: Histone deacetylase is a metallo-enzyme with zinc at the active site. Compounds having a zinc-binding moiety, for example, an alpha-ketoepoxide group, such as an alpha-ketothio group, can inhibit histone deacetylase. Histone deacetylase inhibition can repress gene expression, including expression of genes related to tumor suppression. Accordingly, inhibition of histone deacetylase can provide an alternate route for treating cancer, hematological disorders, e.g., hemoglobinopathies, autosomal dominant disorders, e.g. spinal muscular atrophy and Huntington's disease, genetic related metabolic disorders, e.g., cystic fibrosis and adrenoleukodystrophy, or to stimulate hematopoietic cells ex vivo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Errant Gene Therapeutics, LLC
    Inventors: Hsuan-Yin Lan-Hargest, Robert J. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 8137183
    Abstract: A method for providing animation on a gaming machine having mechanical reels is disclosed. The method comprises spinning at least one mechanical reel, and illuminating a first symbol on the spinning mechanical reel, wherein the lighting system directs light onto the first symbol for a designated amount of time while the mechanical reel is spinning. A second symbol on the spinning reel is then illuminated, and combined effect of illuminating the first and second symbols while the mechanical reel is spinning is to produce the appearance of animation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc
    Inventors: John K. Kearns, Benjamin Isaac
  • Patent number: 8139317
    Abstract: The present invention provides a disk drive device that can appropriately clamp a disk by means of magnetic force even when the disk drive device is very small. A clamping magnet 16 on which a disk 20 is mounted is attached to a turntable portion 15b of a rotor frame 15 to attract the disk 20. The clamping magnet 16 is configured so that the disk 20 can be mounted on the clamping magnet 16. An area of the rotor frame 15 from the turntable portion 15b to a boss portion 15a is composed of a ferromagnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Minebea Motor Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Kinjirou Okinaga, Masahito Hidaka, Koji Kuyama
  • Patent number: 8137200
    Abstract: An integrated browser manager and networked gaming system that provides server based dynamic content onto a content display area of one or more gaming machines is disclosed. The system includes: a browser manager, one or more application servers connected to the browser manager by a server-to-server (S2S) server and S2S web service, and one or more gaming machines are connected to the browser manager by a game-to-server (G2S) server and G2S web service. The browser manager includes a user interface application and a core service, wherein the user interface application generates a user interface display on a user control station. Each gaming machine includes a network interface to receive external content from the application server via the browser manager, and a content display area for displaying the external content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Pravinkumar Patel, Mettu R. Reddy, Anthony E. Green, Robert W. Crowder, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8137182
    Abstract: A system for providing animation on mechanical reels games is disclosed. A gaming machine includes a plurality of mechanical reels each having symbols provided on an outer surface of each of the reels. A lighting system is configured to illuminate a selected symbol on at least one spinning mechanical reels. A game controller generates a game outcome and determines a spin duration for each of the plurality of reels. One or more stepper motors is operatively coupled to the mechanical reels and independently spins each reel. A reel control unit determines the timing of illuminating of the selected symbol on the position of the symbol on the reel when it is illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Kearns, Benjamin Isaac
  • Patent number: 8137185
    Abstract: Gaming machines having video depictions of one or more mechanical reels projected onto a curved display are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a curved transparent material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a radius of curvature similar to a mechanical reel. The curved transparent material further includes a glossy finish on the outer surface of the curved transparent material to provide a reflective surface. The gaming machine also includes a light emitting diode projector for projecting video images of one or more reels onto the inner surface of the curved transparent material. The gaming machine also has a liquid crystal display having an opening in which the curved transparent material extends through the opening of the opening of the liquid crystal display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Crowder, Jr., John Vallejo R. Vallejo, Vernon H. Bernard, II, Karl E. Wudtke, Frank R. Anderson, Lawrence C. McAllister
  • Patent number: 8139122
    Abstract: Various embodiments directed to modifying and enhancing visual perception are disclosed. One embodiment is directed to a camera which includes a lens system for capturing images and a lighting system providing key light above the lens system and providing fill light below the lens system. A processor controls one or more operations of the camera, including automatically enhancing the captured images and presenting the enhanced images on a display. The system and method for modifying visual perception may also be directed to a video camera mirror system, a seating system, a cosmetic package, a lipstick packaging, a polarized mirror, an illuminated cosmetic brush, a personal portrait photography management system and an illumination system for modifying visual perception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Matthew Rolston Photographer, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Rolston
  • Patent number: 8134175
    Abstract: Semiconductor nanocrystals including III-V semiconductors can include a core including III-V alloy. The nanocrystal can include an overcoating including a II-VI semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Moungi G. Bawendi, Sang-wook Kim, John P. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8135793
    Abstract: A modified form of the UDP multicast protocol is disclosed to implement a one-way download progress notification system between a server and one or more clients. The UDP multicast download progress notification system enables UDP messages to be sent only to registered clients, not broadcasted to all clients. This architecture minimizes network traffic and enhances system security, since only registered clients receive the UDP message. The configuration of the UDP multicast download progress notification system does not require the configuration of network devices in order to support a UDP multicast. Furthermore, any number of the clients may be on a different network domain than the DCM engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Ruppert, Geethanand Vellore, Christopher R. Arbogast
  • Patent number: 8132960
    Abstract: A shaker is disclosed which is driven by a motor through a swing mechanism so as to swing a wine bottle, for example, drink within the bottle such as wine. The shaker comprises a base, a container, and a bottle seat disposed at a bottom in the container for receiving a bottle body, characterized in that the drink shaker further comprises a swing mechanism disposed in the base and driven by the motor through a conversion mechanism, and the swing mechanism is capable of driving the bottle seat to swing rightward and leftward in a plane or in different planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Min Zhuang
  • Patent number: 8128495
    Abstract: Various methods for interacting with mechanical reels via a video screen are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a gaming machine having one or more mechanical reels positioned behind a video screen, wherein the video screen includes a touch screen and user interface for receiving user input. The mechanical reels spin and generate a game outcome, visible to the player through a video screen. A request is received, via the user interface, to rearrange the placement order of the mechanical reels, and the rearranged order of the mechanical reels is displayed on the video screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: John Vallejo, Micheal L. Shackelford, Christopher Paul Noll, Christopher Ray England, Keith Rucker, John Edward Garofalo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8129115
    Abstract: A nucleotide chain to be modified, a nucleotide having a particular base that is different from bases constituting the nucleotide chain, an enzyme catalyzing addition of the nucleotide to the 3?-terminus of the nucleotide chain, a degrading enzyme acting specifically on the nucleotide, and a desired modifier for modifying the nucleotide chain are allowed to coexist in a buffer solution as a mixture solution such that: the nucleotide is added to the 3?-terminus of the nucleotide chain; the sequence of the added nucleotide is degraded to form, at the 3?-terminus of the nucleotide chain, a functional group capable of binding to the modifier; and the 3?-terminus of the nucleotide chain having the functional group thus formed is directly modified with the modifier. The reactions at three stages continuously proceed in the mixture solution. As a result, simplified procedures and reduced reaction time can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeki Joko
  • Patent number: 8129191
    Abstract: A device for remote management of patients suffering from heart failure and hypertension can measure one or more biomarker. The device aids in monitoring the efficacy and safety of treatment in such patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Inverness Medical Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Sheard, Marika Reay
  • Patent number: PP22609
    Abstract: A chrysanthemum plant named ‘Zanmublast’ characterized by its medium sized blooms with orange ray florets and prolific branching; natural season flower date October 5; blooming for a period of 4 weeks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Chrysanthemum Breeders Association B.V.
    Inventor: Wilhelmus Bernardus Blom
  • Patent number: PP22617
    Abstract: A chrysanthemum plant named ‘Zanmuglow’ characterized by its medium sized blooms with white ray florets and prolific branching; natural season flower date August 24 (week 35); blooming for a period of 5 weeks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Chrysanthemum Breeders Association Research B.V.
    Inventor: Wilhelmus Bernardus Blom
  • Patent number: PP22618
    Abstract: A chrysanthemum plant named ‘Zanmugolmine’ characterized by its medium sized blooms with yellow ray florets and prolific branching; natural season flower date August 17 (week 34); blooming for a period of 5 weeks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Chrysanthemun Breeders Association Research B.V.
    Inventor: Wilhelmus Bernardus Blom
  • Patent number: PP22620
    Abstract: A chrysanthemum plant named ‘Zanmucanyon’ characterized by its medium sized blooms with dark red ray florets and prolific branching; natural season flower date October 5 (week 41); blooming for a period of 4 weeks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Chrysanthemum Breeders Association Research B.V.
    Inventor: Wilhelmus Bernardus Blom