Patents Examined by Melanie A. Kemper
  • Patent number: 6604225
    Abstract: In calculating an electromagnetic field intensity by a moment method, real and imaginary parts of a mutual impedance, mutual admittance, and mutual reaction between elements and of the elements themselves are approximated by a sum of terms each with a frequency raised to a power. The mutual impedances, etc. at a plurality of sample frequencies are calculated using known mathematical equations, and simultaneous equations obtained by substituting the sample frequencies and the mutual impedances at the respective sample frequencies into an approximate equation are solved to calculate approximation coefficients for the approximate equation. Using the thus obtained approximate equations, the mutual impedance, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Shinichi Otsu, Makoto Mukai
  • Patent number: 6446052
    Abstract: A system and method for obtaining traceable anonymous digital cash from a bank using a trustee as a trusted third-party. A user establishes her identity with the trustee using a secret known by the user. The user transmits to the trustee information describing a blinded traceable digital coin. The user receives from the trustee a trustee token including a signature by the trustee on the blinded coin. The user transmits the blinded coin and the trustee token to a bank. The user receives a signature from the bank certifying the blinded coin. The user can then unblind the coin, and spend the coin at a merchant. The system and method support both tracing of the identity of a user from a coin, referred to as coin tracing, and generation of a list of all coins belonging to a given user, referred to as owner tracing. Both of these operations require very little computation and database access. To determine the identity of the user, the trustee can generate the list of coins associated with a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: RSA Security Inc.
    Inventor: Ari Juels
  • Patent number: 6366894
    Abstract: A value transfer system using integrated circuit cards for exchanging electronic cash in off-line transactions employs cryptographically secure message protocols. Cards are loaded each with two schemes from a series and interaction between cards determines and uses the oldest scheme shared by the cards, causing one card to switch schemes irrevocably if that common scheme is its second scheme. In this way, a switch to a new scheme can migrate through the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Mondex International Limited
    Inventors: David Barrington Everett, John Viner
  • Patent number: 6311169
    Abstract: A consumer credit information data base controlled by a computerized system for storing current consumer credit information, as well as historical credit data information. The computerized system is programmed to present current and historical credit data information to on-line users so that better assessments can be made as to the credit worthiness of a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Consumer Credit Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric M. Duhon
  • Patent number: 6195612
    Abstract: The pharmacy benefit management system includes a pharmacy computer for generating pharmacy claim information based on pharmacy activity of a medical group. A health plan computer is responsive to the pharmacy claim information for generating pharmacy activity information for the medical group. A medical group computer receives the pharmacy activity information from the health plan computer and stores the pharmacy activity information. The pharmacy activity information is processed to generate utilization information to enable the medical group to monitor the pharmacy activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Tama L. Pack-Harris
  • Patent number: 6192324
    Abstract: This invention is an on-board means to verify that a vehicle's exhaust emissions control system functions normally. It monitors hydrocarbon (HC) exhaust emissions for a few minutes after a cold start or at other selected times. If used from cold start, it is an on-board approximation to taking the first bag sample in an FTP test. The measurement involves storing a portion of the exhaust HC. Various embodiments are discussed. Some involve measuring the cumulative amount of stored HC (as on a substrate) during the test. Other embodiments wait until the end of the test to measure the amount of stored HC. At the end of each test (or trip), the storage means is returned to an empty state to await the next test. If HC is stored on or in a substrate, for example, the temperature of the substrate is raised. This decreases the amount of stored HC vapor and renews the substrate for the next test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David Kay Lambert, Galen Bruce Fisher, Harold E. Durling
  • Patent number: 6148266
    Abstract: A method of properly correcting a base line. A concept of flexibility of a base line is introduced as an input index and a gravitation is presumed between the base line and signal data which is measured, thereby constructing a method of correcting the base line which changes gentler than a change in signal with respect to time in a peak area and which is sensitive to an area where a value of the signal data is small. A base line like a natural and smooth curve which isn't easily influenced by a local change in signal such as noise or the like can be set by an input of the flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Ito, Kisaburo Deguchi, Yoshiaki Seki
  • Patent number: 6144924
    Abstract: A motor performance analyzer senses currents and voltages applied to the motor, converts the sensed signals to digital data signals, and stores the digital data signals. The analyzer includes a processor for evaluating the digital data and a display for alerting a user or technician to potential motor problems, or to developing problems, including winding faults and broken rotor bars. Advanced signal processing techniques are used to further evaluate stored data and to provide trending information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Crane Nuclear, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Joseph Dowling, George Fox Lang, Binish Praful Desai, Louis Ricciuti, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6122604
    Abstract: The present invention relates to digital protection circuits in a CRT based display system for the purpose of providing hardware protections to the system before exactly removing a crisis. Self-testing and diagnostic capabilities are also supplemented in a CRT based monitor that are used to lacking in the monitor. The protection circuit basically includes a microprocessor section, a timer section, a register section, a digital to analog converter section, an analog to digital converter section, a non-volatile memory section, and an analog section. All sections can be integrated in a single chip and share a single controller. By using two diodes with their negative terminals coupled together to supplement capabilities of self-testing and diagnostic even when lack of power supplying. All implementations mentioned above can be easily achieved at a very low additional cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Dynacolor Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Chuang, Warren Chen, Anthony Yeh
  • Patent number: 6115697
    Abstract: A computerized system and method process financial securities and instruments to accurately determine and optimize the after-tax proceeds an investor could expect to have at the end of a holding period for each of a set of investment strategies and determines an optimal strategy for maximizing such after-tax proceeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Dynamic Research Group
    Inventor: David Richard Gottstein
  • Patent number: 6108634
    Abstract: A computer-based system supports testing and analysis of vision patients. The system employs a multi-media interface, high-resolution, flickerless color video displays for both a patient and a clinician. These displays work in concert with a computer-based system which includes software adapted to support a clinician testing a patient's visual capabilities. The system forms a component of a full medical office management facility which is extended to allow archiving of patient data, account information, office environment control, and patient education.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventors: Paul J. Podnar, Gregg W. Podnar
  • Patent number: 6092023
    Abstract: An electronic image filing system includes an information detecting/reading system having a film image data capture unit for capturing an image of a photographic film having developed, and a film information detection unit for detecting photographing information recorded in the photographic film in a photographing operation. The electronic image filing system further includes a film driving unit for performing a frame feed operation, a wind/rewind operation, and the like with respect to the film, and a film image data storage/accumulation unit for adding the photographing information detected by the film information detection unit as attribute information to the photographic image data read by the film image data capture unit and then accumulating the resultant data. The photographing information includes information about the photographing date and time and a film cartridge, the frame number information, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiji Kunishige
  • Patent number: 6082888
    Abstract: A pump unit is provided which sucks a material having a high viscosity contained in a container and to pump it to a nozzle under pressure. An axial member which performs sucking and pumping of the material is connected with the pump unit. The axial member is axially slidable by the pressure of air supplied to the cylinder. The material which is sucked into the pump unit is discharged from the nozzle by the increase in pressure occurred when the axial member descends. A sensor is provided in the vicinity of the axial member. A result of detection of the sensor is supplied to a controller. A reference speed when constant rate application is performed is presettable in the controller. Correction of pressure is conducted by comparing the actual moving speed of the axial member with the reference speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Three Bond Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshimasa Sakayori
  • Patent number: 6081766
    Abstract: Explicit representation of molecular shape of molecules is combined with neural network learning methods to provide models with high predictive ability that generalize to different chemical classes where structurally diverse molecules exhibiting similar surface characteristics are treated as similar. A new machine-learning methodology is disclosed that can accept multiple representations of objects and construct models that predict characteristics of those objects. An extension of this methodology can be applied in cases where the representations of the objects are determined by a set of adjustable parameters. An iterative process applies intermediate models to generate new representations of the objects by adjusting said parameters and repeatedly. retrains the models to obtain better predictive models. This method can be applied to molecules because each molecule can have many orientations and conformations (representations) that are determined by a set of translation, rotation and torsion angle parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: David Chapman, Roger Critchlow, Thomas Glen Dietterich, Ajay N. Jain, Richard H. Lathrop, Tomas Lozano-Perez
  • Patent number: 6076073
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for protectedly debiting an electronic payment mechanism, such as a telephone card. In the communication protocol between the payment mechanism and a payment station, an authentication is used to identify the payment mechanism during various steps of the protocol. According to the invention, the authentications are mutually related by states of a cryptographic process in order to be capable of detecting an interference in the protocol. The method may be applied to existing payment cards having a dynamic memory, it being guaranteed that the contents of the dynamic memory, in which there is located information related to the authentication, is not lost during the protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Koninklijke KPN N.V.
    Inventors: Rob Pieterse, Willem Rombaut
  • Patent number: 6067527
    Abstract: The present invention is a point of sale system, method of operation and a control program for use within a point of sale system. The point of sale system includes at least one operator console controlled with the control program with each operator console communicating with at least one console device connected thereto with a control program being executable by a site controller processor of the point of sale system which is operatively associated with a coresident console and being executable by a remote console processor within each console which is remote from the site controller and connected to the site controller by a communications link. The programming includes coresident console application programming for controlling operation of a coresident operator console which is executable by the site controller processor and remote console application programming for controlling operation of each remote console within the point of sale system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Gilbarco, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Lovell, William S. Johnson, Jr., Philip A. Robertson, John S. Sabol
  • Patent number: 6067483
    Abstract: An electrical distribution computer panel for delivering and controlling power to a plurality of electrical circuits. The electrical distribution computer includes a unitary enclosure having a top, bottom, sides and a door. Located within the enclosure is a microprocessor having a central processing unit, a clock for providing a clock signal to the central processing unit, memory for storing an application program for the central processing unit and a remote communication circuit for providing communications to the electrical distribution computer from a remote device. Also located in the enclosure is an interface having a plurality of outputs and a plurality of inputs communicably associated with the microprocessor and a plurality of computer controllable circuit breakers having a circuit breaker input for receiving a circuit breaker control signal from the interface. A display for displaying information provided by the microprocessor is located on an outer wall of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Power Integrity Corporation
    Inventors: James T. Fesmire, James A. Ford, William R. Goldbach, Allen J. Bradley
  • Patent number: 6061664
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for electronic orders and payments by means of a communication network (6), such as a telephone network. A facilitating unit (2) comprising a voice response system (21) and a communication server (22) makes it possible, with the aid of simple subscriber equipment (8, 10) and a smart card (9), to order services and to effect electronic payments. The facilitating unit (2) is designed so as to be readily scalable and expandable. Preferably, it is also possible to revalue a smart card (9) by way of the system (1) of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Koninklijke PTT Nederland N.V.
    Inventors: Rob Pieterse, Mark Albert Pors, Jaap Rudolf De Beurs, Frank Pieter Van Pomeren
  • Patent number: 6035260
    Abstract: Improved electronic circuitry incorporated into a tag attached to a user worn wrist strap of a static electrical discharge dissipation system. The electronic circuitry monitors the electrical connection of the wrist strap from the user to ground, and comprises a discharge resistor and a discharge resistor check circuit for monitoring the accuracy of the discharge resistor. The electronic circuitry further comprises a skin resistance check circuit for monitoring the electrical connection of the wrist strap to the user, and a ground fault detect circuit for monitoring the electrical connection of the wrist strap to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Jerry Pohribnij, Warren E. Guthrie
  • Patent number: 6029150
    Abstract: A method of payment in an electronic payment system wherein a plurality of customers have accounts with an agent. A customer obtains an authenticated quote from a specific merchant, the quote including a specification of goods and a payment amount for those goods. The customer sends to the agent a single communication including a request for payment of the payment amount to the specific merchant and a unique identification of the customer. The agent issues to the customer an authenticated payment advice based only on the single communication and secret shared between the customer and the agent and status information which the agent knows about the merchant and/or the customer. The customer forwards a portion of the payment advice to the specific merchant. The specific merchant provides the goods to the customer in response to receiving the portion of the payment advice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Certco, LLC
    Inventor: David William Kravitz