Patents by Inventor James D. Watson
James D. Watson 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).
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Patent number: 9189107Abstract: An eraser is usable in a display system having a display surface. The eraser includes one or more optical detection elements for determining the coordinates of the eraser relative to the display surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2014Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Scott E. Wilson, James D. Watson, Peter W. Hildebrandt
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Patent number: 9027015Abstract: A device and method of connecting an interactive communication system to a processing device. The device is a cable system that includes first and second ends. The first end of the cable system has a leg connector, while the second end of the connector system has first and second arm connectors. The method implements the cable system to load or run software onto the processing device, and includes connecting the leg connector to an interactive communication system; connecting the first arm connector having a memory device to the processing device, wherein the memory device includes predetermined software; loading/running the software on the processing device; disconnecting the first arm connector having the memory device from the processing device; and connecting a second arm connector to the processing device.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2008Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.Inventors: Peter W. Hildebrandt, Ian G. Hutchinson, James D. Watson, Michael H. Dunn, Neal A. Hofmann, Scott E. Wilson, Brent W. Anderson, Louis Ashford, Richard Meissner
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Publication number: 20150042622Abstract: An eraser is usable in a display system having a display surface. The eraser includes one or more optical detection elements for determining the coordinates of the eraser relative to the display surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Scott E. Wilson, James D. Watson, Peter W. Hildebrandt
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Patent number: 8890842Abstract: An eraser is usable in a display system having a display surface. The eraser includes one or more optical detection elements for determining the coordinates of the eraser relative to the display surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2008Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Scott E. Wilson, James D. Watson, Peter W. Hildebrandt
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Patent number: 8822657Abstract: In one aspect, a process for treating woody plant material is provided, the process involving contacting the plant material with a continuous flow of an aqueous ethanol solution at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of ethanol-soluble lignin from the plant material and retention of hemicellulose sugars, xylose and cellulose in the treated plant material solids. In another aspect, a process for extracting hemicellulose sugars from lignin-depleted plant material solids is provided, the process involving contacting lignin-depleted plant material with water at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of hemicellulose sugars from the plant material; and recovering hemicellulose sugars from the liquid mixture.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Vertichem CorporationInventors: Helene Belanger, Ross L. Prestidge, Tony James Lough, James D. Watson, Jia-Long Yao, Clare Elton, Alan MacFarlane, Mohammed Mehdi Farid, John Chen
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Patent number: 8784795Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for selecting a treatment composition, or therapy, for the treatment of a cancer, such as prostate or breast cancer, in a patient wherein the treatment composition includes administering a combination of at least two components selected from two different classes of compounds. Methods for treating a patient using the selected treatment composition are also provided, together with methods for monitoring the efficacy of the treatment composition during a treatment period.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2013Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Caldera Health LimitedInventors: James D. Watson, Richard Llewellyn Sydney Forster
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Patent number: 8723815Abstract: The present invention includes interactive communication systems that incorporate several beneficial embodiments including an interactive tray system, an electronic presentation messaging system, an interactive podium, and a key drive system. The interactive tray system enables a single, transferable interactive unit to be fastened to a communication medium, turning into a fully interactive medium. The electronic presentation messaging system enables the e-mailing of presentations and notes to and from components of the interactive communication system. The interactive podium increases conventional podium mobility, enabling both the presenter, and podium, to move and be moved about the room without attention to wired connections.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.Inventors: Peter W. Hildebrandt, Ian G. Hutchinson, James D. Watson, Michael H. Dunn, Neal A. Hofmann, Scott E. Wilson, Brent W. Anderson, Louis Ashford, Richard Meissner
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Patent number: 8355892Abstract: A method and apparatus for diagnosing causes of a malfunction of an electronic whiteboard that includes a white-board surface, the method comprising the steps of linking a remote computer that includes a remote display to the electronic whiteboard from a remote location, interacting with the whiteboard surface to generate X and Y coordinates associated with surface activity, transmitting at least one of the X and Y coordinates associated with the surface activity to the remote computer, displaying at least a subset of the at least one of X and Y coordinates via the remote display and examining the at least a subset of the at least one of X and Y coordinates via the remote display to ascertain the cause of a board malfunction.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2007Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Brand C. Kvavle, James D. Watson, Neal A. Hofmann, David W. Behner, Louis A. Ashford
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Publication number: 20130012610Abstract: Lignin polymers having distinctive properties, including a generally high molecular weight and generally homogeneous size distribution, as well as preservation of native reactive side groups, are isolated by solvent extraction of plant materials. Methods for isolation of lignin polymers, and for use of the isolated lignin polymers are disclosed. Compositions containing lignin isolated from plant materials, such as carbon fiber composites, resins, adhesive binders and coatings, polyurethane-based foams, rubbers and elastomers, plastics, films, paints, nutritional supplements, food and beverage additives are disclosed. Xylose and xylose derivatives, furfural, fermentable sugars, cellulose and hemi-cellulose products may be used directly or further processed. The lignin polymers and other plant-derived products disclosed herein may be produced in abundance at low cost, and may be used as substitutes for feedstocks originating from fossil fuel or petrochemical sources in the manufacture of various products.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: VERTICHEM CORPORATIONInventors: Helene BELANGER, Ross L. PRESTIDGE, Tony James LOUGH, James D. WATSON
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Publication number: 20130005952Abstract: In one aspect, a process for treating woody plant material is provided, the process involving contacting the plant material with a continuous flow of an aqueous ethanol solution at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of ethanol-soluble lignin from the plant material and retention of hemicellulose sugars, xylose and cellulose in the treated plant material solids. In another aspect, a process for extracting hemicellulose sugars from lignin-depleted plant material solids is provided, the process involving contacting lignin-depleted plant material with water at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of hemicellulose sugars from the plant material; and recovering hemicellulose sugars from the liquid mixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: VERTICHEM CORPORATIONInventors: Helene BELANGER, Ross L. PRESTIDGE, Tony James LOUGH, James D. WATSON, Jia-Long YAO, Clare ELTON, Alan MacFARLANE, Mohammed Mehdi FARID, John CHEN
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Patent number: 8243028Abstract: An eraser assembly for erasing a display surface of an electronic display system, where the display surface can implement a dot pattern. The eraser assembly can comprise a body assembly, which can be in communication with an eraser pad and a sensing device, such as a camera. The camera can be adapted to view the display surface when the eraser pad is in use.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Polyvision CorporationInventors: Peter W. Hildebrandt, James D. Watson, Ning Hui
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Publication number: 20120022240Abstract: Lignin polymers having distinctive properties, including a generally high molecular weight and generally homogeneous size distribution, as well as preservation of native reactive side groups, are isolated by solvent extraction of plant materials. Methods for isolation of lignin polymers, and for use of the isolated lignin polymers are disclosed. Compositions containing lignin isolated from plant materials, such as carbon fiber composites, resins, adhesive binders and coatings, polyurethane-based foams, rubbers and elastomers, plastics, films, paints, nutritional supplements, food and beverage additives are disclosed. Xylose and xylose derivatives, furfural, fermentable sugars, cellulose and hemi-cellulose products may be used directly or further processed. The lignin polymers and other plant-derived products disclosed herein may be produced in abundance at low cost, and may be used as substitutes for feedstocks originating from fossil fuel or petrochemical sources in the manufacture of various products.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2011Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: VERTICHEM CORPORATIONInventors: Helene BELANGER, Ross L. PRESTIDGE, Tony James LOUGH, James D. WATSON
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Publication number: 20110282038Abstract: In one aspect, a process for treating woody plant material is provided, the process involving contacting the plant material with a continuous flow of an aqueous ethanol solution at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of ethanol-soluble lignin from the plant material and retention of hemicellulose sugars, xylose and cellulose in the treated plant material solids. In another aspect, a process for extracting hemicellulose sugars from lignin-depleted plant material solids is provided, the process involving contacting lignin-depleted plant material with water at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of hemicellulose sugars from the plant material; and recovering hemicellulose sugars from the liquid mixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: BIOJOULE LIMITEDInventors: Helene BELANGER, Ross L. PRESTIDGE, Tony James LOUGH, James D. WATSON, Jia-Long Yao, Clare ELTON, Alan McFarlane, Mohammed Mehdi Farid, John Chen
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Patent number: 8053566Abstract: Lignin polymers having distinctive properties, including a generally high molecular weight and generally homogeneous size distribution, as well as preservation of native reactive side groups, are isolated by solvent extraction of plant materials. Methods for isolation of lignin polymers, and for use of the isolated lignin polymers are disclosed. Compositions containing lignin isolated from plant materials, such as carbon fiber composites, resins, adhesive binders and coatings, polyurethane-based foams, rubbers and elastomers, plastics, films, paints, nutritional supplements, food and beverage additives are disclosed. Xylose and xylose derivatives, furfural, fermentable sugars, cellulose and hemi-cellulose products may be used directly or further processed. The lignin polymers and other plant-derived products disclosed herein may be produced in abundance at low cost, and may be used as substitutes for feedstocks originating from fossil fuel or petrochemical sources in the manufacture of various products.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2008Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Vertichem CorporationInventors: Helene Belanger, Ross L. Prestidge, Tony James Lough, James D. Watson
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Patent number: 7985847Abstract: In one aspect, a process for treating woody plant material is provided, the process involving contacting the plant material with a continuous flow of an aqueous ethanol solution at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of ethanol-soluble lignin from the plant material and retention of hemicellulose sugars, xylose and cellulose in the treated plant material solids. In another aspect, a process for extracting hemicellulose sugars from lignin-depleted plant material solids is provided, the process involving contacting lignin-depleted plant material with water at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of hemicellulose sugars from the plant material; and recovering hemicellulose sugars from the liquid mixture.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: BioJoule Ltd.Inventors: Helene Belanger, Ross L. Prestidge, Tony James Lough, James D. Watson, Clare Elton
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Publication number: 20110083109Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with an electronic display system including a display surface wherein the system is capable of identifying a touch location on at least a portion of the display surface of a contact with the display surface, the display surface having a display area, the method for moving a cursor icon about at least a portion of the display area and comprising the steps of identifying first and second areas within the display area having first and second area surfaces, respectively, sensing a touch location on the first area surface and presenting a cursor icon on the second area surface as a function of the touch location on the first area surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Inventors: Peter W. Hildebrandt, Scott Paul Gillespie, Lynda Alison Deakin, Scott E. Wilson, Ian G. Hutchinson, Timothy J. Prachar, James D. Watson, Michael H. Dunn, Guy L. Williams, Ari T. Adler, Tony P. Patron, Stephen J. Senatore, Peter S. Macdonald, Matthew A. Desmond, Graham MacDonald Hicks, David Gilmore, Katrin Wegener, Jeanne M. Ragan, Thomas Franz Enders, Douglas R. Bourn, Eric Allan Macintosh, Mark A. Zeh
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Publication number: 20100275132Abstract: The present invention includes interactive communication systems that incorporate several beneficial embodiments including an interactive tray system, an electronic presentation messaging system, an interactive podium, and a key drive system. The interactive tray system enables a single, transferable interactive unit to be fastened to a communication medium, turning into a fully interactive medium. The electronic presentation messaging system enables the e-mailing of presentations and notes to and from components of the interactive communication system. The interactive podium increases conventional podium mobility, enabling both the presenter, and podium, to move and be moved about the room without attention to wired connections.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: PolyVision CorporationInventors: Peter W. HILDEBRANDT, Ian G. Hutchinson, James D. Watson, Michael H. Dunn, Neal A. Hofmann, Scott E. Wilson, Brent W. Anderson, Louis Ashford, Richard Meissner
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Patent number: 7750892Abstract: The present invention includes interactive communication systems that incorporate several beneficial embodiments including an interactive tray system, an electronic presentation messaging system, an interactive podium, and a key drive system. The interactive tray system enables a single, transferable interactive unit to be fastened to a communication medium, turning into a fully interactive medium. The electronic presentation messaging system enables the e-mailing of presentations and notes to and from components of the interactive communication system. The interactive podium increases conventional podium mobility, enabling both the presenter, and podium, to move and be moved about the room without attention to wired connections.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2005Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Polyvision CorporationInventors: Peter W. Hildebrandt, Ian G. Hutchinson, James D. Watson, Michael H. Dunn, Neal A. Hofmann, Scott E. Wilson, Brent W. Anderson, Louis Ashford, Richard Meissner
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Publication number: 20100136642Abstract: In one aspect, a process for treating woody plant material is provided, the process involving contacting the plant material with a continuous flow of an aqueous ethanol solution at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of ethanol-soluble lignin from the plant material and retention of hemicellulose sugars, xylose and cellulose in the treated plant material solids. In another aspect, a process for extracting hemicellulose sugars from lignin-depleted plant material solids is provided, the process involving contacting lignin-depleted plant material with water at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of hemicellulose sugars from the plant material; and recovering hemicellulose sugars from the liquid mixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2009Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: BIOJOULE LIMITEDInventors: Helene BELANGER, Ross L. PRESTIDGE, Tony James LOUGH, James D. WATSON, Clare ELTON, Alan McFARLANE, Mohammed Mehdi FARID, John CHEN
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Publication number: 20100030505Abstract: A method and apparatus for diagnosing causes of a malfunction of an electronic whiteboard that includes a white-board surface, a position sensor for sensing surface activity and generating at least one of X and Y coordinates associated with the surface activity and a local computer that runs board software to convert the at least one of X and Y coordinates into operational commands, the method comprising the steps of linking a remote computer that includes a remote display to the electronic whiteboard from a remote location, interacting with the whiteboard surface to generate X and Y coordinates associated with surface activity, transmitting at least one of the X and Y coordinates associated with the surface activity to the remote computer, displaying at least a subset of the at least one of X and Y coordinates via the remote display and examining the at least a subset of the at least one of X and Y coordinates via the remote display to ascertain the cause of a board malfunction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2007Publication date: February 4, 2010Inventors: Brand C. Kvavle, James D. Watson, Neal A. Hofmann, David W. Behner, Louis A. Ashford