Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm William J. Breen, III
  • Patent number: 6601074
    Abstract: A method, system, signal and software which maintains an electronic program guide (EPG) that includes episode identifiers associated with program information. The method includes keeping a database of selected information and using the information in the database to specify programs or actions associated with specified programs. These programs may include, but are not limited to, recording a program that has not been previously recorded, or re-recording a program of lesser recording quality or reproduction quality if a better quality recording can be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Liebenow
  • Patent number: 6584585
    Abstract: A standalone virtual device driver that is not a mouse driver replacement or a mouse minidriver examines mouse data packets received from the mouse hardware for data packets that are obviously or likely to be faulty. When such a data packet is detected, the virtual device driver also removes the suspected faulty data by returning a null mouse packet to the mouse driver in its place. The virtual device driver may also initiate resynchronization procedures or reset the mouse hardware if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Patterson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6582150
    Abstract: A device retention mechanism suitable for mounting a device in a chassis includes a chassis suitable for receiving a device. The chassis has a first side and a second side, the first side oriented generally perpendicular to the second side. A retention member is mounted to the first side of the chassis to enable the retention member to exert a force against a device, thereby applying the force from the retention member to the device and to the second side of the chassis, thereby securing the device in the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Davis, David D. Williams, Daniel C. Castillo, Jorge A. Moriel, John J. Daly, James Foster Knutson
  • Patent number: 6567101
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for manipulating a display of data by utilizing motion input. In an exemplary embodiment, a digital information appliance suitable for utilization of motion input and for display of data includes a detector for detecting rotation of the digital information appliance about an axis and a display device for displaying data. Wherein, a display of data is manipulated in response to the detected rotation. In an additional exemplary embodiment, a digital information appliance suitable for utilization of motion input and for display of data includes a detector for detecting translation of a digital information appliance along an axis and a display device for displaying data. Wherein, a display of data is at least one of enlarged and reduced in response to the detected translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6549129
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for protecting a digital information appliance from an environmental influence. The digital information appliance is capable of detecting an environmental influence, such as motion, and determining if the detected environmental influence is potentially harmful. If the detected environmental influence is potentially harmful, the digital information appliance is capable of protecting the digital information appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen J. Anderson, Anthony M. Grasso
  • Patent number: 6542366
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved circuit board support. The present invention provides for quick-assembly, limits circuit board flex, and supports a heat sink. In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus suitable for supporting a circuit board, includes a support suitable for attachment to a chassis of an information handling system, wherein a heat sink may be attached through a printed circuit board to the support so as to enable the heat sink to be supported by the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Davis, Vernon Dory Erickson
  • Patent number: 6515678
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for magnifying a display of video data. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for magnifying a display of data includes a receiver for receiving a first set of video data including video data formatted for display in a first resolution. A translator is also included for translating the first set of video data formatted for display in the first resolution to a second set of video data formatted for display in a second resolution, the second resolution being a lower resolution than the first resolution. A magnifier is also included for magnifying a display of video data by formatting the first set of video into a third set of video data. The third set of video data is capable of display on a display device capable of displaying video data in the second resolution and incapable of displaying video data in the first resolution. The third set of video data is in an enlarged format with respect to the second set of video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Boger
  • Patent number: 6506402
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved chlortetracycline-containing animal feed compositions and processes and apparatuses for their preparation. In certain embodiments, raw fermentation broth comprising chlortetracycline is divided into two portions. The first portion is mixed with a compound that complexes chlortetracycline. The second portion is acidified and the solids are removed. The acidified liquid is treated with a complexing agent to produced a chlortetracycline complex. The first and second portions thus treated are then mixed and the mixture is passed on to a filter press or other means for separation of the solids to produce a wet cake comprising complexed chlortetracycline. In alternative embodiments, the second portion may be acidified and filtered and admixed with the first portion prior to the complexing step. The resulting mixture is passed on to a filter press or other means for separation of the solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Pennfield Oil Company
    Inventor: Willis L. Winstrom
  • Patent number: 6489589
    Abstract: The present invention teaches various femtosecond machining and drilling apparatus and processes for fabricating tools and the like from both traditional and non-traditional materials. Also described are novel tools such as scalpels, and nozzles fabricated from the apparatus and processes of the present invention. Likewise, the present invention may be utilized in both a novel propulsion system and the production of materials formed from nanometer sized particles and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Board of Regents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Inventor: Dennis R. Alexander
  • Patent number: 6459896
    Abstract: A system and method for notifying a remote device of a low battery capacity condition in a wireless communications system is disclosed. A detector monitors the capacity of the battery in a wireless device receiving operational power from the battery for a low capacity condition. A control system coupled to the detector sends a low battery capacity status signal to the remote device upon detection a low battery capacity condition. While the battery is in a low capacity condition, communications between the wireless device and the remote device may be maintained until the low battery capacity condition is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Liebenow
  • Patent number: 6456489
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device retention apparatus. A device retention apparatus includes a housing suitable for mounting an information handling system device and a retaining portion disposed on the housing, the retaining portion suitable for engaging an information handling system device when disposed in the housing. A selection mechanism suitable for securing the information handling system device to the housing is slideably connected to the housing so as to be capable of moving between a first position and a second position. Therefore, as the selection mechanism is moved from the first position to the second position, the selection mechanism contacts the retaining portion thereby securing an information handling system device to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Davis, Vernon Erickson, Paul Amdahl, Daniel Castillo, David Williams, Paul Hooper
  • Patent number: 6379664
    Abstract: Thioltransferase and derivatives thereof are provided. Methods of treating or preventing cataract formation comprising administering thioltransferase or a derivative thereof are also provided. Thioltransferase or derivatives thereof are also useful for treating or preventing diseases resulting from or associated with oxidative stress. Human lens thioltransferase and a DNA sequence encoding the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Board of Regents University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Inventors: Marjorie F. Lou, Nalini Raghavachari, Fengyu Qiao
  • Patent number: 6369706
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for protecting a digital information appliance from an environmental influence. The digital information appliance is capable of detecting an environmental influence and determining if the detected environmental influence is potentially harmful. If the detected environmental influence is potentially harmful, the digital information appliance is capable of protecting the digital information appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen J. Anderson, Anthony M. Grasso
  • Patent number: 6349630
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wobble piston and seal assembly for an oil free compressor. An upwardly directed curvature is provided on a piston surface which supports the seal. The curvature is located adjacent the perimeter of the surface to impart a slight dish shape to the surface. Preferably, the curvature has the same radius as the bend radius of the seal when the piston head is inserted into a cylinder. When the seal is initially clamped to the support surface, the seal is formed to take on the curvature of the support surface. Consequently, the seal is preformed into a shallow cup shape prior to final forming when the piston and seal assembly are inserted into a cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: DeVilbiss Air Power Company
    Inventor: Mark Wood
  • Patent number: 6342485
    Abstract: A method for treating neoplastic disease in animals including humans comprises administering a first composition comprising a TS inhibitor and a second composition comprising a nucleic acid-directed chemotherapeutic agent, and a composition for treating neoplastic disease in animals including humans comprises a first composition comprising a TS inhibitor and a second composition comprising a nucleic acid-directed chemotherapeutic agent. In a preferred embodiments, the TS inhibitor is a homo-oligomer of FdUMP, and the nucleic acid-directed chemotherapeutic agent is 5-FU or a pro-drug thereof. In a further aspect, compositions of a homo-oligonucleotide of 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine-5′-O-monophosphate (FdUMP) with 5-fluorouracil exhibit a synergistic biological effect on neoplastic cells when compared to the activity of the individual components, the compositions being useful in the treatment of cancer in animals, including humans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Inventor: William H. Gmeiner
  • Patent number: 6326935
    Abstract: A display apparatus and computer system employing the same comprise a dual mode television/monitor display which is operable to provide television display output in an interlaced mode of operation and computer output in a noninterlaced computer graphics mode of operation a visually detectable manner and further comprises a communication channel for transmitting commands from the host computer system to the display apparatus. The display apparatus contains a microprocessor for receiving commands from the host computer system for switching the display between the interlaced and noninterlaced modes of operation. In a further aspect, a method of transitioning the dual mode display between the television and computer graphics modes of operation via a host computer system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Boger
  • Patent number: 6320591
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing an electronic book is disclosed, comprising generating a first label capable of being utilized to indicate a relationship with a first element of an electronic book and generating a second label capable of being utilized to indicate a relationship with at least one of the first element and a second element of an electronic book. The first label and second label are capable of being utilized to access at least one of the first element from the first label and at least one of the first element and the second element from the second label. In an exemplary embodiment, a user may specify a label to correspond with an element of an electronic book. Additionally, labels may be utilized to access the element of the electronic book by the user. Labels may also be modified by size, shape, text, color, apparent texture, and the like. Furthermore, labels may be utilized to indicate a relationship with an element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Griencewic
  • Patent number: 6265333
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite material comprising a resin matrix and primary reinforcement fibers and further comprising secondary, smaller diameter, reinforcement fibers at one or more ply interfaces, or portion thereof, provides improved interlaminar toughness, strength, and delamination resistance without substantial reduction of in-plane properties and without substantial increase in weight. In one embodiment, the small fibers are attached to one side of a conventional prepreg prior to lamination. The small fibers are flexible and are expected to conform to the shape and distribution of the primary reinforcing fibers at the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Board of Regents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Inventors: Yuris A. Dzenis, Darrell H. Reneker
  • Patent number: 6205112
    Abstract: The present invention teaches an optical storage disc having a first side having at least one data encoded layer, wherein the at least one data encoded area contains a digital asset in at least one format not readable by all conventional optical disc readers or reader/writers, and a second side having at least one data encoded layer, wherein the at least one data encoded area contains a digital asset in at least one format not readable by all conventional optical disc readers or reader/writers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Lee Weidner