Patents by Inventor David Nichols

David Nichols has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100318837
    Abstract: A predictive failure model is used to generate a failure prediction associated with a node. A repair or backup action may also be determined to perform on the node based on the failure prediction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Elissa E.S. Murphy, David A. Nichols, John D. Mehr
  • Patent number: 7834250
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, in recombinant cells such as yeast or plant cells. Also provided are recombinant cells or plants which produce long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a group of new enzymes which possess desatorase or elongase activity that can be used in methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Surinder Pal Singh, Stanley Suresh Robert, Peter David Nichols, Susan Irene Ellis Blackburn, Xue-Rong Zhou, James Robertson Petrie, Allan Graham Green
  • Publication number: 20100280617
    Abstract: An intervertebral implant component includes an inlay which fits into an endplate, where the inlay is prevented from moving relative to the endplate. Various embodiments of locking mechanisms for preventing movement are disclosed. In some preferred embodiments, a surgeon is able to see that the locking mechanism is properly engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Synthes USA, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Coppes, Jeffrey Walker, David Nichols, Curtis Compton, Vincent Mandes
  • Patent number: 7819901
    Abstract: A device for securing a spinal rod to a spine includes a head adapted to secure the spinal rod, and a locking cap adapted to engage the head and the spinal rod, the locking cap having an unlocked position, an intermediate position, and a locked position. A method of securing the spinal rod to the device includes aligning the spinal rod to a desired position relative to the spine with the locking cap in the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Hansen Yuan, David Nichols, Eric Finley
  • Patent number: 7822738
    Abstract: Architecture that provides real-time opportunistic access to data that is relevant and/or related user activities. Ways are disclosed to use information of a single workspace to structure automatic searches into a number of data stores in order to opportunistically extract relevant information therefrom. An email client can use workspace content to train a filter for identifying new messages deemed relevant or related to the content and topics of the workspace, a system can be provided to use the content of a single web site as contextual data for providing auto-generated links to other sites within the corporate enterprise, a collaborative application can natively understand the content being shared and then look for specific terms in the content which can be employed for generating a search query and returning relevant and/or related data, and combinations thereof are provided for automatically generating and searching data stores for relevant and related information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Andersen, Brian Meek, David Nichols
  • Publication number: 20100268280
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for securing a spinal rod to the spine which includes a head portion configured to receive a spinal rod, a locking cap configured to engage the head portion and the spinal rod upon rotation of the locking cap relative to the head portion to secure the position of the head portion relative to the spinal rod, and a fastener portion depending from the head portion and configured to engage the spine. The locking cap has discontinuous opposed engagement flanges that are received within opposed engagement slots of the head portion when the locking cap is rotated into a locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: HOWMEDICA OSTEONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Hansen Yuan, David Nichols, Eric Finley
  • Patent number: 7807849
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, in recombinant cells such as yeast or plant cells. Also provided are recombinant cells or plants which produce long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a group of new enzymes which possess desaturase or elongase activity that can be used in methods of synthesizing long-chain poly unsaturated fatty acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Surinder Pal Singh, Stanley Suresh Robert, Peter David Nichols, Susan Irene Ellis Blackburn, Xue-Rong Zhou, James Robertson Petrie, Allan Graham Green
  • Patent number: 7792788
    Abstract: A collaborative editing system defines operational transforms for transforming conflicting operations on styles of the text of the document. The operational transforms ensure that local copies of the document will be consistent when it is in a quiescent state. The operational transforms are defined so that most conflicts can be resolved based on analysis of a remote operation and a local operation only. Certain conflicts, however, cannot be resolved based solely on analysis of the local and remote operations themselves. Such a conflict is referred to as a “definite conflict.” The collaborative editing system resolves definite conflicts by designating one of the computer systems as a distinguished computer system and giving priority to its operation. When a definite conflict arises, then the local computer system and the remote computer system recognize the conflict and resolve the conflict in favor of the operation of the distinguished computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Melmon, David A. Nichols
  • Patent number: 7780703
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for securing a spinal rod to the spine which includes a head portion configured to receive a spinal rod, a locking cap configured to engage the head portion and the spinal rod upon rotation of the locking cap relative to the head portion to secure the position of the head portion relative to the spinal rod, and a fastener portion depending from the head portion and configured to engage the spine. The locking cap has discontinuous opposed engagement flanges that are received within opposed engagement slots of the head portion when the locking cap is rotated into a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Hansen Yuan, David Nichols, Eric Finley
  • Patent number: 7779079
    Abstract: Processes and techniques for reducing spam over instant messaging (SPIM) are described. In one implementation, the number of open instant messaging threads (“chat threads”) that a specific user can have at a given time is limited to prevent a potential spimmer from flooding instant messaging users with SPIM. Another implementation combines the technique of limiting the number of open instant messaging threads with a user feedback technique that enables users to inform an instant messaging service or other entity about users that are sending SPIM or other undesirable content. Another implementation combines the technique of limiting the number of open instant messaging threads with a text analysis technique that enables an instant messaging service or other entity to analyze text generated by a user to determine if the user is sending SPIM or other undesirable content to other instant messaging users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David A Nichols, Chris G. Parker, Ben D Garrison, Per-Ola A Orvendal, Wendy L Lehman
  • Patent number: 7676806
    Abstract: Techniques for deploying, maintaining and configuring complex hardware and software systems are provided. An abstract configuration of the system describes the system's desired state. Each component of the system declares the general form of the resources it requires and an abstract representation of the versions of the services it both requires and provides. A configuration process uses the abstract configuration of the system and the descriptions of each of the components in the system to validate that the system can operate effectively, ensures that each component is in the correct state and at the right version, and generates the necessary interconnections for the application components to interoperate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Pavel Curtis, Robert Schumaker, David A. Nichols, Eshwar Somashekar, Guo-Wei Shieh, Puja Gomber, Adil Faisal
  • Patent number: 7661438
    Abstract: An improved fill valve has a pivot valve body that is pivotally suspended immediately below a float housing and is movable between two positions. In a first position, the pivot valve body blocks the flow of water from the float housing. In a second position, the pivot body allows the flow of water from the float housing. The pivot valve body has two top compartments, each separated from the other by a wall. The first compartment retains an amount of water in it. The second compartment functions as a water flow restriction apparatus and includes an upwardly-extending member for sealing off a check valve that is disposed within the bottom of the float housing. The fill valve also includes structural elements that allow the water to trickle into the float housing at a very slow rate. The fill valve can be re-set for normal toilet tank operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Dennis D. Woods, Alberto C. Torres
  • Patent number: 7636958
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved top mounted toilet flush valve and a method for installing the flush valve that can be readily adapted to the tank profile of a wide variety of gravity operated flush toilets. More specifically, in accordance with the objectives of the present invention, there is provided a flush valve having an overflow tube that is adjustable in height and a method for adjusting the overflow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Lavelle Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Alberto C. Torres
  • Publication number: 20090318974
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for securing a spinal rod to the spine which includes a head portion configured to receive a spinal rod, a locking cap configured to engage the head portion and the spinal rod upon rotation of the locking cap relative to the head portion to secure the position of the head portion relative to the spinal rod, and a fastener portion depending from the head portion and configured to engage the spine. Methods of utilizing such a device are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: STRYKER SPINE
    Inventors: Hansen Yuan, David Nichols, Eric Finley
  • Publication number: 20090299083
    Abstract: The present invention relates to feedstuffs for use in aquaculture, as well as methods for producing said feedstuffs. The invention also provides methods for rearing fish and/or crustaceans. In particular, the present invention provides a method of rearing a fish or crustacean, the method comprising feeding the fish or crustacean a feedstuff comprising lipid, the fatty acid of said lipid comprising at least 5.5% (w/w) stearidonic acid (SDA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew Robert Miller, Christopher Guy Carter, Peter David Nichols, Surinder Pal Singh, Xue-Rong Zhou, Allan Graham Green
  • Patent number: 7608095
    Abstract: A method of securing a spinal rod includes providing a head portion having a channel extending therethrough, providing a bone fastener depending from the head portion, arranging the spinal rod in the channel, and providing a locking cap including an upper portion and a lower portion that are rotatably coupled together, the lower portion having an elongated recess. The method includes assembling the locking cap with the head portion so that the recess is in contact with the spinal rod and so that the upper portion overlies the lower portion, and after the assembling step and while maintaining the recess in contact with the spinal rod, rotating the upper portion of the locking cap relative to both the head portion and the lower portion of the locking cap for securing the position of the head portion relative to the spinal rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Hansen Yuan, David Nichols, Eric Finley
  • Patent number: 7603669
    Abstract: Techniques for upgrading and/or downgrading a data resource deployed on a machine from one version to another version are provided. An application component that defines the data resource may provide an up/down tool for use in changing the data resource component from one version to another version. The up/down tool comprises an up/down process and one or more version conversion rules. The up/down process utilizes the provided version conversion rules to determine the ability of the up/down tool to deploy the data resource and to actually deploy the data resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Pavel Curtis, Robert Schumaker, David A. Nichols, Eshwar Somashekar, Guo-Wei Shieh, Puja Gomber
  • Patent number: 7596720
    Abstract: Techniques for determining a complete address of a test point of an application from a relative address of the test point and a configuration of a system are provided. An application component that defines the application includes a relative address of the test point. An abstract configuration of a system specifies a location where an instance of the application is to be deployed within the system. The complete address of the test point is then formulated using the relative address of the test point and the indication of the location where an instance of the application is to be deployed within the system. The complete address of the test point can then be used to perform a health check of the instance of the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Pavel Curtis, Robert Schumaker, David A. Nichols, Eshwar Somashekar, Guo-Wei Shieh, Puja Gomber, Travis Muhlestein, Sergei Meleshchuk
  • Patent number: 7568194
    Abstract: A subsystem provides for availability checking on all necessary/desired objects prior to creating and coupling the objects. In one embodiment, the subsystem is knowledgeable of the objects it supports and each of the objects' related objects. The subsystem uses this information to determine the objects that are supported by both itself and a remote subsystem. The subsystem then uses this information to determine, prior to creating an instance of an object, whether the object and all of its related objects are supported by both the subsystem and the remote subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Nichols, Yiu-Ming Leung
  • Patent number: 7568005
    Abstract: An approach for providing enhanced application behavior in the presence of application sharing is provided. An application program interface (“API”) allows an application being shared in a collaborative environment to be aware of its application sharing status. An application developer can incorporate the API into an application program. Then, when an instance of the application is executing, an application sharing host can use the API to notify the instance of the application whenever the instance of the application is being shared. In addition, the application sharing host can also use the API to provide the instance of the application being shared the identity of a user that is in control of the instance of the application being shared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Nichols, Brian Meek