Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP
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Patent number: 7834150Abstract: The present invention relates to regulation of cold sensation and pain. More particularly, the present invention is directed to nucleic acids encoding a member of the transient regulatory protein family, CMR1, which is involved in modulation of the perception of cold sensations and pain. The invention further relates to methods for identifying and using agents that modulate cold responses and pain responses stimulated by cold via modulation of CMR1 and CMR1-related signal transduction.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: David Julius, David D. McKemy, Werner M. Neuhausser
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Patent number: 7833469Abstract: A method of making a solid electrolyte-YSZ product, where the method includes the step of providing a powdered mixture of zirconia, yttria and about 2%, by wt., or less of a metal oxide, where yttria-stabilized zirconia is not added to the mixture. The method also includes sintering the powdered mixture at about 1500° C. or less, for about 5 hours or less, to form a reaction sintered YSZ. Also, a method of making a fuel cell electrolyte that includes the step of forming a green body that includes zirconia, yttria and about 2%, by wt., or less of a metal oxide, where yttria-stabilized zirconia is not added to the green body. The method also includes shaping the green body into a form of the electrolyte, and sintering the green body at about 1500° C. or less to form a reaction sintered yttria-stabilized zirconia and metal oxide electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: CoorsTek, Inc.Inventors: Ruthie Swartzlander, W. Grover Coors
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Patent number: 7834238Abstract: Knockout animals in which a gene encoding a SASPase has been deleted (hereinafter, referred to as SASPase KO animals) are provided. The SASPase KO animals deficient in expression of functional SASPase were produced by deleting a gene encoding a stratified epithelium-specific protease, SASPase, through targeted disruption. The SASPase KO animals showed a significant increase in wrinkles on the sides of the body and so on. The SASPase KO animals find utility as animal models of wrinkles.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2006Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Eisai R&D Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Matsui, Fumie Kisumi
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Patent number: 7833870Abstract: A semiconductor device is fabricated having a stack gate structure where a first gate electrode, a second gate electrode and a gate hard mask are stacked. The stack gate structure secures a contact open margin while reducing a loss of the gate hard mask during a self-aligned contact (SAC) etching process of forming a landing plug contact. An intermediate connection layer is formed in a landing plug contact region between the first gate electrodes. Furthermore, the occurrence of a bridge between a gate and a contact can be prevented while forming the landing plug contact. A conductive material is filled into a gate region including a recess between intermediate connection layers to form the first gate electrode. The second gate electrode and the gate hard mask are formed during a gate-patterning process using a gate mask, even though misalignment occurs between the gate and the contact.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2008Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.Inventor: Kyung-Doo Kang
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Patent number: 7833320Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing fine particulate matter from a fluid stream without interrupting the overall process or flow. The flowing fluid inflates and expands the flexible filter, and particulate is deposited on the filter media while clean fluid is permitted to pass through the filter. This filter is cleaned when the fluid flow is stopped, the filter collapses, and a force is applied to distort the flexible filter media to dislodge the built-up filter cake. The dislodged filter cake falls to a location that allows undisrupted flow of the fluid after flow is restored. The shed particulate is removed to a bin for periodic collection. A plurality of filter cells can operate independently or in concert, in parallel, or in series to permit cleaning the filters without shutting off the overall fluid flow. The self-cleaning filter is low cost, has low power consumption, and exhibits low differential pressures.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Community Power CorporationInventors: James P. Diebold, Arthur Lilley, Kingsbury Browne, III, Robb Ray Walt, Dustin Duncan, Michael Walker, John Steele, Michael Fields
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Patent number: 7833868Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device, the method includes forming an isolation layer defining an active region over a substrate, forming a conductive layer over the substrate including the isolation layer, patterning the conductive layer to form a conductive pattern over the active region defined on both sides of a gate region, forming insulation spacers on a sidewall of the conductive pattern, forming a conductive layer for a gate electrode and a gate hard mask layer over the resulting structure including the conductive pattern, and patterning the gate hard mask layer and the conductive layer for the gate electrode to form a gate in the gate region of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.Inventor: Kyung-Doo Kang
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Patent number: 7833879Abstract: A spatial light modulator is fabricated by bonding a capping layer over a wafer bearing active reflecting surfaces utilizing a low temperature bonding agent capable of providing a hermetic seal, such as a glass frit. The low temperature bonding agent may be B-stage cured after application to the capping layer, prior to any exposure to the substrate bearing the reflecting surfaces. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the capping layer may comprise a glass wafer pre-bonded with an interposer spacer layer to provide sufficient stand-off between the capping layer and the underlying reflecting structures. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the capping layer may comprise a glass wafer alone, and the bonding agent may include additional materials such as beads or balls to provide the necessary stand-off between the capping layer and the underlying reflective structures.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2009Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Miradia Inc.Inventor: Philip H. Chen
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Patent number: 7835554Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a biometric measurement on an individual. A purported skin site of the individual is illuminated under a plurality of distinct optical conditions during a single illumination session. Light scattered beneath a surface of the purported skin site is received separately for each of the plurality of distinct optical conditions. A multispectral image of the purported skin site is derived from the received light. A biometric function is performed with the derived multispectral image.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2008Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Lumidigm, Inc.Inventor: Robert K. Rowe
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Patent number: 7833754Abstract: The present invention provides for nucleic acids improved for the expression of interleukin-12 (IL-12) in mammalian cells. The invention further provides for methods of expressing IL-12 in mammalian cells by transfecting the cell with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an improved IL-12 sequence.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Barbara Felber, George N. Pavlakis, Margherita Rosati
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Patent number: 7835617Abstract: According to the invention, techniques for recording data onto recording media at relatively high transfer rates for relatively long periods of time. Embodiments according to the present invention include systems and apparatus capable of an improved sustained rate of data recording onto disk type-recording media, for example. Many embodiments can remove the upper limits of both recording capacity and the number of media that can be used. Select embodiments can be used with different kinds of recording media as well. In a specific embodiment, the area on a hard disk is divided into three areas. A first area can be suitable for sequential recording of continuous data. A second area can be suitable for random recording of discontinuous data. A third area can be used for recording logical sector numbers, coupling logical sector numbers, and file information that are used for marking each of the first and second areas, so that continuous data can be recorded on the hard disk at a high data rate.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2004Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Kouji Fujita, Hideo Nishijima, Kazuya Yamashita
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Patent number: 7833708Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods using the same in various types of thermal cycling reactions. Certaom devices include a rotary microfluidic channel and a plurality of temperature regions at different locations along the rotary microfluidic channel at which temperature is regulated. Solution can be repeatedly passed through the temperature regions such that the solution is exposed to different temperatures. Other microfluidic devices include an array of reaction chambers formed by intersecting vertical and horizontal flow channels, with the ability to regulate temperature at the reaction chambers. The microfluidic devices can be used to conduct a number of different analyses, including various primer extension reactions and nucleic acid amplification reactions.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Markus M. Enzelberger, Carl L. Hansen, Jian Liu, Stephen R. Quake, Chiem Ma
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Patent number: 7834314Abstract: Methods and assemblies for ion detection in samples using a chip with elevated sample zones, also known as a “pillar chip.” Methods include analyzing such a sample by desorbing a sample from a chip, producing a described ion sample and detecting the same. The chip comprises a base having a surface and one or more structures protruding above the surface of the base. Each structure comprises a pillar and a sample zone, the latter containing a support material and the sample to be analyzed. Assemblies include a chip such as that described above and a conductive element that comprises an aperture of sufficient proportion to allow passage of a molecular ion and that is adapted to be at a different electrical potential than the base of the chip.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2008Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Zyomyx, Inc.Inventors: Peter Wagner, Mark A. Scalf, Frank Zaugg
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Patent number: 7833861Abstract: A semiconductor device having a recess channel structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a recess formed in a gate forming area in an active area; an insulation layer formed in the semiconductor substrate so as to define the active area and formed so as to apply a tensile stress in a channel width direction; a stressor formed in a surface of the insulation layer and formed so as to apply a compressive stress in a channel height direction; a gate formed over the recess in the active area; and source/drain areas formed in a surface of the active area at both side of the gate.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.Inventor: Kang Sik Choi
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Patent number: 7832036Abstract: A pillow system comprises a curved main pillow having a pillow body having a midsection and a pair of ends. The pillow body is curved and is both flexible and firm to permit it to wrap around a user. A padded attachment member may be removably attachable to the pillow body, and may have a flexible midportion that permits the attachment member to be folded in half. The pillow may include a belt having two portions that may be coupled to each other to secure the pillow body around a user.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: The Boppy CompanyInventors: Sheila Littlehorn, Kristin A. Tidwell, Elizabeth A. Franqui
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Patent number: 7836318Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus for slowing clock circuits on a graphics processor integrated circuit in order to reduce power dissipation. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a graphics processor having two memory clocks, specifically, a switched memory clock and an unswitched memory clock. The switched memory clock frequency is reduced under specific conditions, while the unswitched memory clock frequency remains fixed. In a specific embodiment, the switched memory clock frequency is reduced when related graphics, display, scaler, and frame buffer circuits are not requesting data, or are such data requests can be delayed. Further refinements to the present invention provide circuits, methods, and apparatus for ensuring that the switched and unswitched memory clock signals remain in-phase and aligned with each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: NVIDIA CorporationInventors: Jonah M. Alben, Sean Jeffrey Treichler, Adam E. Levinthal
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Patent number: 7832922Abstract: A mixing apparatus is proposed having a container (2) for the mixing of media which has at least one inlet (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) for the media to be mixed or at least one outlet (4), with a central cut-out (5) being provided which extends in a longitudinal direction (A) into the container and is bounded relative to the inner space (6) of the container (2) by a wall (51), with a permanently magnetic mixing member (7) being provided in the container (2) adjacent to the cut-out (5) for the mixing of the media, and with a drive unit (8) being provided in the cut-out (5) by which the mixing member (7) can be set into rotation via a magnetic coupling. The drive unit (8) is movably arranged in the cut-out (5) such that the position of the mixing member (7) in the container is variable in a controlled manner.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2008Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Levitronix GmbHInventor: Reto Schoeb
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Patent number: 7833791Abstract: The present invention relates to Lactobacillus species recombinantly altered to express a biologically active protein. The invention also related to methods of providing the bacteria to the vagina.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Osel, Inc.Inventors: Chia-Hwa Chang, David A. Simpson, Theresa Li-Yun Chang, Qiang Xu, John A. Lewicki
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Patent number: 7836116Abstract: A linear transform such as a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is performed on an input data set having a number of points using one or more arrays of concurrent threads that are capable of sharing data with each other. Each thread of one thread array reads two or more of the points, performs an appropriate “butterfly” calculation to generate two or more new points, then stores the new points in a memory location that is accessible to other threads of the array. Each thread determines which points it is to read based at least in part on a unique thread identifier assigned thereto. Multiple transform stages can be handled by a single thread array, or different levels can be handled by different thread arrays.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2006Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: NVIDIA CorporationInventors: Nolan D. Goodnight, John R. Nickolls, Radoslav Danilak
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Patent number: 7833539Abstract: This invention relates generally to compositions for whitening human teeth, and more particularly, to compositions that do not contain hydrocarbon humectants and which, when applied onto the surface of teeth act to whiten without damage to tooth surfaces. They do contain a hydrogel, defined as a gel that does not contain a hydrocarbon humectant. A hydrocarbon humectant is defined as a carbon, hydrogen and oxygen compound which is used to prevent the oral care composition from hardening upon exposure to air or a carbon, hydrogen and oxygen compound which is used as a carrier for ingredients of an oral care composition.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2004Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Oral Health Clinical Services, LLCInventor: Salim A. Nathoo
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Patent number: 7835819Abstract: A device for dispensing items comprises a cabinet having an interior for storing items. A dispenser frame is coupled to the cabinet and is configured to be accessed, such as by pulling the dispenser frame from the cabinet. The dispenser frame includes a plurality of dividers that are configured to hold the plurality of dispensing mechanisms that each hold multiple items within the storage area. Further, the dividers are reconfigurable to permit the arrangement of the dispensing mechanisms to be adjusted. A lockable door is coupled to the front of the cabinet in front of the dispenser frame. The door may be opened to provide access to the interior of the cabinet and to the dispenser frame. A dispense drawer is positioned below the storage area so that items dispensed from the dispensing mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2009Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Omnicell, Inc.Inventors: Mark Kevin Duncan, Scott L. Kidney, Brian R. Arnold