Patents by Inventor James A. Laird

James A. Laird 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: 20120160906
    Abstract: A cart moves items within a facility, each having an identification tag. The cart includes a carriage, a scale, a reader, and processors. The scale measures a cumulative weight of the items on the carriage. The reader reads the tags of the items. The processors determine a weight for each item by a change in the cumulative weight after its transfer to or from the carriage. The weight is stored in a database in association with each item. There is also disclosed a related system and method. Preferably, the cart is located, and its location is applied to each item carried thereby to track the items within the facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: PUROLATOR COURIER LTD.
    Inventors: Kirk Edward SERJEANTSON, Andrew Silerio VICENCIO, Cameron James LAIRD
  • Patent number: 7445756
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for treating a biological fluid with light. A disposable fluid processing set including integrally connected containers and tubing and a holder or organizer for receiving at least some of the containers and tubing are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignees: Fenwal, Inc., Cerus Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Moore, Daniel Lecour, Yvon Briere, James Laird
  • Patent number: 7417753
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the operational status of and initiating image processing device control commands on one or more image processing devices from a remote location, said image processing devices each having a control computer for controlling operation of the device, including representing one of said image processing devices at the remote location; posting operational status indications relating to the one of said image processing devices and/or device set-up parameters at said remote location; adjusting the device set-up parameters by generating an image processing device control command from the remote location; and transmitting said command to the image processing device control computer. This method includes the ability to adjust such things as contrast, enlargement/reduction, network configuration and passwords from the remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Imaging Portals, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Weinberger, Gary Bricault, James Laird
  • Publication number: 20050200882
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the operational status of and initiating image processing device control commands on one or more image processing devices from a remote location, said image processing devices each having a control computer for controlling operation of the device, including representing one of said image processing devices at the remote location; posting operational status indications relating to the one of said image processing devices and/or device set-up parameters at said remote location; adjusting the device set-up parameters by generating an image processing device control command from the remote location; and transmitting said command to the image processing device control computer. This method includes the ability to adjust such things as contrast, enlargement/reduction, network configuration and passwords from the remote location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: Joseph Weinberger, Gary Bricault, James Laird
  • Publication number: 20030146162
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for treating a biological fluid with light. A disposable fluid processing set including integrally connected containers and tubing and a holder or organizer for receiving at least some of the containers and tubing are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Peyton S. Metzel, Daniel F. Bischof, Joseph S. Moore, Yuanpang Samuel Ding, Robert E. Herman, Veronique Mayaudon, Gregory Soudant, Daniel Lecour, Yvon Briere, George D. Cimino, Derek J. Hei, James Laird, Mahmood Mohiuddin
  • Patent number: 6514892
    Abstract: Transparent solid, fused microspheres are provided. In one embodiment, the microspheres contain alumina, zirconia, and silica in a total content of at least about 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the solid, fused microspheres, wherein the total content of alumina and zirconia is greater than the content of silica, and further wherein the microspheres have an index of refraction of at least about 1.6 and are useful as lens elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kasai, Kenton D. Budd, Stephen L. Lieder, James A. Laird, Chikafumi Yokoyama, Toshinori Naruse, Kenji Matsumoto, Hirohiko Ono
  • Patent number: 6511739
    Abstract: Transparent solid, fused microspheres are provided. In one embodiment, the microspheres contain alumina, zirconia, and silica in a total content of at least about 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the solid, fused microspheres, wherein the total content of alumina and zirconia is greater than the content of silica, and further wherein the microspheres have an index of refraction of at least about 1.6 and are useful as lens elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kasai, Kenton D. Budd, Stephen L. Lieder, James A. Laird, Chikafumi Yokoyama, Toshinori Naruse, Kenji Matsumoto, Hirohiko Ono
  • Publication number: 20020048462
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the operational status of and initiating image processing device control commands on one or more image processing devices from a remote location, said image processing devices each having a control computer for controlling operation of the device, including representing one of said image processing devices at the remote location; posting operational status indications relating to the one of said image processing devices and/or device set-up parameters at said remote location; adjusting the device set-up parameters by generating an image processing device control command from the remote location; and transmitting said command to the image processing device control computer. This method includes the ability to adjust such things as contrast, enlargement/reduction, network configuration and passwords from the remote location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph Weinberger, Gary Bricault, James Laird
  • Patent number: 6335083
    Abstract: Transparent solid, fused microspheres are provided. In one embodiment, the microspheres contain alumina, zirconia, and silica in a total content of at least about 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the solid, fused microspheres, wherein the total content of alumina and zirconia is greater than the content of silica, and further wherein the microspheres have an index of refraction of at least about 1.6 and are useful as lens elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kasai, Kenton D. Budd, Stephen L. Lieder, James A. Laird, Chikafumi Yokoyama, Toshinori Naruse, Kenji Matsumoto, Hirohiko Ono
  • Publication number: 20010030811
    Abstract: Transparent solid, fused microspheres are provided. In one embodiment, the microspheres contain alumina, zirconia, and silica in a total content of at least about 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the solid, fused microspheres, wherein the total content of alumina and zirconia is greater than the content of silica, and further wherein the microspheres have an index of refraction of at least about 1.6 and are useful as lens elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kasai, Kenton D. Budd, Stephen L. Lieder, James A. Laird, Chikafumi Yokoyama, Toshinori Naruse, Kenji Matsumoto, Hirohiko Ono
  • Patent number: 6282383
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the operational status of and initiating image processing device control commands on one or more image processing devices from a remote location, said image processing devices each having a control computer for controlling operation of the device, including displaying a screen representing one of said image processing devices at the remote location; posting operational status indications relating to the one of said image processing devices and/or device set-up parameters on said screen; adjusting the device set-up parameters by generating an image processing device control command from the remote location; and transmitting said command to the image processing device control computer. This method includes the ability to adjust such things as contrast, enlargement/reduction, network configuration and passwords from the remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: The Weinberger Group, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Joseph Weinberger, Gary Bricault, James Laird
  • Patent number: 6276661
    Abstract: The invention provides highly adaptable valves for providing hemostasis about minimally invasive surgical implements such as guidewires and endovascular prosthetic delivery catheters. The valves generally comprise an elastomeric sealing body which will maintain hemostasis by contacting a surgical implement traversing the valve over a very small contact area. Preferably, the orifice is formed in a thin membrane which extends radially inward from a torroidal balloon having a relatively rigid outer rim and a flexible inner portion. When a vacuum is applied within such a balloon, the flexible inner portion pulls the membrane radially outward to expand the orifice diameter. A positive pressure can be applied within the torroidal balloon so that the balloon expands radially inward to block access through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert James Laird
  • Patent number: 6050691
    Abstract: Retroreflective cube-corner articles having randomly oriented cube-corner elements exhibiting rotational symmetry and entrance angularity like microsphere-based sheeting but having increased retroreflective efficiency from cube-corners. The inventive sheeting may contain cube-corner elements typically of different cube-corner geometries, different cube-corner dimensions, and different central axis heights. The cube-corner elements are positioned randomly and are typically not adjacent to one another. Also, methods of making such articles are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Fellows, Gerald M. Benson, James A. Laird
  • Patent number: 6009284
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling image processing devices from a remote location, including means for selectively monitoring the operational status of a device on a real time basis and means for generating control commands from the remote location to perform operational commands at the image processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: The Weinberger Group, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Joseph Weinberger, Gary Bricault, James Laird
  • Patent number: 5603060
    Abstract: A method for controlling copy machine keystroke commands on a copy machine having operational keys thereon from a remote location by generating a copier control panel operation keystroke command from a remote location and transmitting a data pattern corresponding to the command to the copier control computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Joseph Weinberger
    Inventors: Joseph Weinberger, Gary Bricault, James Laird
  • Patent number: 5361265
    Abstract: A system for automatically, remotely monitoring the operational status of one or more copy machines each having a copier computer therein for determining copier status comprising an interference in the copier to intercept and pass status information from the copier computer to an interface for capturing and communicating the status information to the remote location, communication means between the interface for capturing and communicating information and the remote location, and a computer at the remote location to process the information. The system utilizes a scanner to poll the copiers. The scanner, in cooperation with the central computer, can poll each of the copiers at a uniform rate or, when requested by the user at the central location, vary the poll rate of one or more of the copiers to poll the selected copier with increased regularity, slowing the polling rate of the other copiers, to provide a real-time monitoring of the selected copier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Joseph Weinberger
    Inventors: Joseph Weinberger, Gary Bricault, James Laird
  • Patent number: 5333286
    Abstract: A system for automatically, remotely monitoring the operational status of and initiating operational commands in one or more copy machines each having a copier computer therein for determining copier status and controlling operation of the copy machine including an interface in the copier to monitor status information of the remote location from the copier computer and receive and input operational commands from the remote location into the copy machine and a communication link between the individual copiers and the remote location. The system utilizes a scanner to respectively monitor the copiers which can poll each of the copiers at a uniform rate or, when requested by the user at the central location, vary the poll rate of one or more of the copiers to poll the selected copier with increased regularity, slowing the polling rate of the other copiers, to provide a real-time monitoring of the selected copier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Joseph Weinberger
    Inventors: Joseph Weinberger, Gary Bricault, James Laird
  • Patent number: D526315
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventor: James Laird Rickard
  • Patent number: D557261
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: James Laird Rickard
  • Patent number: D490660
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Beergoggles International Pty Ltd
    Inventor: James Laird