Patents Assigned to University of British Columbia (UBC)
  • Proportional derivitive control system with low speed offset compensation
    Patent number: 5616998
    Abstract: A robot control system generates an offset signal which is added to the control signal for a robot when the velocity error is small. The offset signal is, in each case, based on a previous offset signal added to the then current robot control signal which is updated regularly on discrete increments of time when the velocity error is small. Thus, with the control system when the velocity error is low adds the control signal to the then current offset signal to provide a corrected signal to control the robot. When the velocity error signal is high, the generation and addition of the offset signal is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignees: The University of British Columbia, The University of Manitoba
    Inventors: Nariman Sepehri, Todd A. Corbet, Peter D. Lawrence
  • Aqueous composition useful in ore flotation containing aliphatic amine
    Patent number: 5611916
    Abstract: A composition, adapted to be used in the beneficiation of coarse potash ore fractions in the substantial absence of extender oil, which consists essentially of: (a) water; and (b) a long chain primary aliphatic amine, for example, a tallow-based amine, having an iodine value of from about 20 to about 70 cg/g, preferably from about 40 to about 60 cg/g. The composition may further contain an acid to assist in the dispersion of the amine in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Janusz S. Laskowski, Qun Wang
  • Lined and coated corrugated paperboard package systems for modified atmosphere packaging of fresh fruits and vegetables
    Patent number: 5609293
    Abstract: This invention relates to the design, construction and use of lined or coated corrugated paperboard package systems (e.g. boxes, cartons) for prolonging the storage life of fresh fruits and vegetables under modified atmospheres (MA) in the headspaces of the closed package systems. The plastic-paperboard construction comprises a first layer of polymeric film, a second layer of kraft paper adjacent the first layer, a kraft paper corrugated flute adjacent the second layer and a fourth layer of kraft paper adjacent the flute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Chiu H. Wu, Juhani I. Oikarinen, William D. Powrie, Hannu K. Tykkaelae
  • Human melanoma cell specific antigens and antibodies
    Patent number: 5605831
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for protecting antigens having a specific epitope associated with Melanoma. The epitope is present in melanoma cells but is essentially absent from melanocytes cites or other human tumor cells. The antibody can be used in diagnostic methods for histochemical detection of human melanoma of various progression stages and in treatment of melanoma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: University of British Columbia
    Inventor: Juergen R. Vielkind
  • System for growing multi-layered cell cultures
    Patent number: 5602028
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for growing cell cultures consisting of a plurality of layers includes a chamber for submerging cells in a medium while supporting and binding them to a semi-permeable membrane. A stirrer is positioned within the chamber and continuously stirs the medium to constantly circulate it past the exposed surface of a semi-permeable membrane on one side of the cell culture and along the exposed surface of the cell culture growing on the membrane and remote from the membrane to transfer nutrients to both surfaces of the cell either directly or through the membrane without disrupting the cell culture on the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventor: Andrew I. Minchinton
  • Cationic peptides and method for production
    Patent number: 5593866
    Abstract: A method for the microbial production of a cationic peptide having anti-microbial activity is provided, wherein the cationic peptide is first produced as a fusion protein having an anionic portion for suppressing the antimicrobial activity of the cationic portion. A novel cationic peptide having anti-microbial activity is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Robert E. W. Hancock, Kevin L. Piers, Melissa H. Brown
  • System for reducing beat type impairments in a TV signal
    Patent number: 5585859
    Abstract: The system for reducing composite beat, composite second order beat and thermal (snow) noise impairments in a television system digitizes individual frames to apply digitized a grey scale values (v.sub.(i,j)) to the pixels in the frames and then applying a spatial filter to a block of pixels including the then current pixel being processed to determine the pixel (P.sub.(min)) with the minimum grey scale value (v.sub.(min)) and the pixel (P.sub.(max)) in the block with the maximum grey scale value (v.sub.(min)). V.sub.(max) -v.sub.min is compared with a threshold value (v.sub.(T)) and if v.sub.(max) -v.sub.min) >v.sub.(T), the value (v.sub.(i,j)) of the pixel being processed remains unchanged, but if v.sub.(max)-v.sub.(min).notgreaterthan.v.sub.(T), a value (v.sub.(av.)) equal to the weighted average value of pixels in the block is used as the grey scale value v.sub.(R-i,j) for the pixel being processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Rabab K. Ward, Pingnan Shi, Qiaobing Xie
  • Corrugated paperboard package systems with gas-permeable plastic membranes for modified atmosphere packaging of fresh fruits and vegetables and cut flowers
    Patent number: 5575418
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel package systems for refrigerated modified atmosphere packaging of fresh fruit, vegetables and cut flowers. More particularly, this invention relates to the design, construction, closure, sealing and use of gas-permeable corrugated paperboard package systems for prolonging the storage life of fresh fruits, vegetables and cut flowers under modified atmosphere in the headspaces of the closed package system. A corrugated gas permeable paperboard comprising: (a) a first layer of Kraft paper; (b) a layer of polymer having a gas permeability which permits gas to be transmitted through the polymeric film at prescribed levels; (c) a second layer of Kraft paper, said first and second layers of Kraft paper sandwiching the polymer between them; (d) a corrugated fluting; and (e) a third layer of Kraft paper affixed to the corrugated fluting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Chiu H. Wu, Juhani I. Oikarinen, Bo Matstoms, William D. Powrie
  • Method and apparatus for priority arbitration among devices in a computer system
    Patent number: 5572687
    Abstract: A bus-based apparatus and method for synchronous priority arbitration between modules in a computer system. The modules in the system have priority codes selected from the set D(r,K+1) of r-digit radix K+1 numbers. Each stage in the arbitration method includes the steps of writing to a bus, performing a prefix-OR operation on the bus, and reading from the bus. Arbitration is completed in, at most, r units of time. The design of the system can be optimized for speed, logic per module, and/or the number of modules connected to any bus line. Both arbitration time and arbitration logic may be decreased by increasing the bus width. The number of modules can be increased indefinitely by increasing only bus-width, while keeping arbitration time and arbitration logic fixed. The arbitration bus is a wired-OR bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventor: Hussein Alnuweiri
  • Joint control system with linear actuation
    Patent number: 5568029
    Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of a tele-operated machine uses a sensor which senses the angular orientation of the joint, converts the angular orientation to a required length of the linear actuator (piston and cylinder) to obtain the then current length. A controller inputs the desired position of the joint and the system defines the length of (or flow to) the linear actuator necessary for the joint to be in the desired position based on a comparison of the desired and actual lengths of the actuator and sets the length of (or flow to) the actuator based on the required length (or flow) necessary to move the joint into the desired position i.e. to extend the length of the actuator to that required for the desired movement of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Danley C. K. Chan, Peter D. Lawrence
  • Electro-optic modulator
    Patent number: 5566257
    Abstract: An electro-optic modulator/mode-converter with slow wave electrode is formed on a semiconductor substrate incorporating a waveguide interposed between a pair of spaced parallel conductor strips each provided with fins projected toward the other electrode and in position relative to the waveguide to electro-optically affect the waveguide when voltage is applied to the conductor strips. The modulator requires significantly less power and operates at higher frequency than Mach-Zehnder type slow wave modulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: The University Of British Columbia
    Inventors: Nicolas A. F. Jaeger, Farnoosh Rahmatian-Dowlatabadi
  • Plasma jet converging system
    Patent number: 5556558
    Abstract: Plasma jets are converged in encircling relationship about a common axis along which a reactant stream is introduced. The reactant stream is confined by the converging and confining plasma jets the shape and direction of flow of which are predefined by converging plasma gas passages concentric with the longitudinal axis. Each plasma gas passage has a minor axis substantially radial to the common axis and a major axis substantially perpendicular to the minor axis at their point of intersection. A body member through which the discrete passages formed is provided with a plurality of cooling passages, some of which extend into and cool fins formed between adjacent plasma gas passages and thereby cool the reactant stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Douglas A. Ross, Alan Burgess
  • Fabrication of oxide superconductor devices and circuits by impurity ion implantation
    Patent number: 5547922
    Abstract: Superconductivity is inhibited in selected regions of a HTS material by subjecting the material to impurity ion bombardment at an energy level selected to implant ions in the material at a selected depth. The concentration of deposited ions varies with depth in the material according to a peaked depth distribution function which has a maximum at the selected depth. The material may be masked before implantation. After low temperature annealing, the material loses its superconducting characteristics in the selected regions but such characteristics are preserved at depths above and below the selected depth. The material's crystalline structure is preserved so additional layers can be epitaxially grown atop the inhibited material Multilayer HTS devices and circuits may be made by repeating the ion implantation and/or masking steps at with different ion energy levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventor: Qi Y. Ma
  • Lipophilic drug derivatives for use in liposomes
    Patent number: 5534499
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel lipophilic drug derivatives which are capable of being formulated in liposomes or micelles. These drug derivatives are known therapeutic agents which are covalently attached to a fatty acid chain of a phospholipid, glyceride, ceramide or 1,2-diacyloxypropane-3-amine. The linkage between the therapeutic agent and the lipid is one which can be cleaved in vivo, allowing the therapeutic agent to be separated from the micellar or liposomal formulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventor: Steve Ansell
  • Process for isolating genes and the gene causative of Huntington's disease and differential 3' polyadenylation in the gene
    Patent number: 5534438
    Abstract: The underlying genetic defect of Huntington disease (HD) has been mapped to chromosomal band 4.sub.p 16.3. Refined localization using recombinant HD chromosome analysis and allelic association analyses have identified two distinct candidate regions. Using a cDNA hybrid selection procedure, .alpha.-adducin has been mapped to the proximal 2.2 Mb 4D gene candidate region within 20 kb of D4S95. Several clones have been mapped within the minimal region containing the HD gene. The clones GT 70 and GT 149 are particularly useful in detecting changes in this portion of the gene of HD patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignees: University of British Columbia, HSC Research & Development Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Hayden, Paul Goldberg, Susan Andrew, Johanna M. Rommens
  • Dapsone and promin for the treatment of dementia
    Patent number: 5532219
    Abstract: This invention pertains to the novel use of 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone and its didextrose sulfonate derivative and other closely related sulfones in the prevention and treatment of dementia (Alzheimer's disease). A method of preventing and treating dementia in a human being suffering from dementia which comprises administering to the human being a therapeutic amount of a substance selected from the group consisting of 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone, its didextrose sulfonate derivative, and sulfoxone, sulfetrone and thiazolsulfone, and therapeutically acceptable salts thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Patrick L. McGeer, Nobua Harada, Horoshi Kimura, Edith G. McGeer, Michael Schulzer
  • Bis(maltolato)oxovanadium compositions for the treatment of elevated blood sugar
    Patent number: 5527790
    Abstract: There are provided vanadium compositions for use in the treatment of hypertension, obesity and diabetes, in particular improved oral compositions comprising oxovanadium (IV) chelates of monoprotic, bidentate oxygen, oxygen and oxygen, nitrogen coordinating ligands especially kojic acid and maltol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: John H. McNeill, Chris Orvig
  • Method and apparatus for priority arbitration among devices in a computer system
    Patent number: 5526496
    Abstract: A bus-based apparatus and method for synchronous priority arbitration between modules in a computer system. The modules in the system have priority codes selected from the set B(m,r) of bounded weight codes. Arbitration is completed in, at most, r units of time. The design of the system can be optimized for speed, logic per module, and/or the number of modules connected to any bus line. Both arbitration time and arbitration logic may be decreased by increasing the bus width. The number of modules can be increased indefinitely by increasing only bus-width, while keeping arbitration time and arbitration logic fixed. The arbitration bus is a wired-OR bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventor: Hussein M. Alnuweiri
  • Tracking platform system
    Patent number: 5526433
    Abstract: A self-steering platform system incorporates at least three and preferably four microphones circumferentially spaced about the platform which is mounted for movement preferably around two mutually perpendicular axes. A sound source is selected and separate audio signals from the microphones are analyzed by a control which based on differences between the signals from the microphones emanating from the selected source determines the location of the selected source. The orientation of the platform is then adjusted by the control relative to the selected sound source. The present invention is particularly useful for mounting a shotgun or parabolic microphone to enhance sound from a selected source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Pierre Zakarauskas, Max S. Cynader
  • Multiple slave control
    Patent number: 5519602
    Abstract: A multi-operation control system is made up of a plurality of slave computers at least some of which are axis computers each monitoring its respective operation and receiving instructions broken down into plurality of discreet actions. The current state S.sub.c,N of each slave is determined and is compared with preset absolute maximum status for that slave S.sub.ab,N(max) and the maximum acceptable change in status .delta.S.sub.a,N(max) of each respective slave is determined and the corresponding appropriate state signal based on the maximum acceptable change to that slave is sent to all of the slaves in the system. Each axis slave then reads all state signals and determines the highest state signal acceptable to all slaves and each axis slave then carries out its correspond increment(s) of change in status .delta. S.sub.N based on the highest S.sub.a,N(max) acceptable to all slaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Ian Yellowley, Ramin Ardekani, Rudolf J. Seethaler