Patents by Inventor John K. Howard

John K. Howard 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).

  • Patent number: 7062339
    Abstract: A control system including a portable device and a server. The portable device includes: (1) a body; (2) a microphone for receiving a first audio data; (3) an audio coder for converting the first audio data to first audio data signals; (4) an optical sensor for reading a first optical data; (5) an optical coder for converting the first optical data to first optical data signals; and (6) a transmitter for transmitting at least the first audio data signals or the first optical data signals to the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: John K. Howard, Dwayne Escola, Jim Pollock, Jean-Claude Junqua
  • Patent number: 6946286
    Abstract: An apparatus for identifying an unknown DNA sample. The apparatus includes a plurality of detection nodes, each of which is operable for allowing an interaction between a known DNA sample and an unknown DNA sample, and for generating an output signal if hybridization occurs between the known DNA sample and the unknown DNA sample. The apparatus further includes a decoder operative for receiving an input signal indicative of which of the plurality of detection nodes should be selected for processing and for outputting control signals which operate to activate the selected detection node. Further, each of the detection nodes includes a light source and a photodetection circuit. The photodetection circuit has a conductance value which varies if hybridization occurs between the known DNA sample and the unknown DNA sample deposited in the detection node. This change in conductance value is utilized to generate the output signal which indicates that hybridization has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: John K. Howard
  • Patent number: 6926865
    Abstract: An apparatus for identifying an unknown DNA sample. The apparatus includes a plurality of detection nodes, each of which is operable for allowing an interaction between a known DNA sample and an unknown DNA sample, and for generating an output signal if hybridization occurs between the known DNA sample and the unknown DNA sample. The apparatus further includes a decoder operative for receiving an input signal indicative of which of the plurality of detection nodes should be selected for processing and for outputting control signals which operate to activate the selected detection node. Further, each of the detection nodes comprises a first floating gate transistor having a conductance value which varies if hybridization occurs between the known DNA sample and the unknown DNA sample contained in the first transistor. This change of conductance value is utilized to generate the output signal which indicates that hybridization has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: John K. Howard
  • Patent number: 6806088
    Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment, the present invention relates to an apparatus for performing an assay comprising a micro-system platform, a CD-ROM device and an information processor, where the CD-ROM device under control of the information processor is capable of reading and writing data to the micro-system platform. The micro-system platform comprises a first section for storing data in a continuous circular data band, which is disposed in an inner portion of the micro-system platform, and a second section including at least one assay, which is formed in an outer portion of the micro-system platform. During operation, the CD-ROM device retrieves and stores data related to the performance of the assay in the circular data band. The information processor is operative for controlling the CD-ROM device in accordance with the data retrieved from the circular data band, and for analyzing the results of the assay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: John K. Howard
  • Publication number: 20030212465
    Abstract: A control system including a portable device and a server. The portable device includes: (1) a body; (2) a microphone for receiving a first audio data; (3) an audio coder for converting the first audio data to first audio data signals; (4) an optical sensor for reading a first optical data; (5) an optical coder for converting the first optical data to first optical data signals; and (6) a transmitter for transmitting at least the first audio data signals or the first optical data signals to the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: John K. Howard, Dwayne Escola, Jim Pollock, Jean-Claude Junqua
  • Publication number: 20030211479
    Abstract: An apparatus for identifying an unknown DNA sample. The apparatus includes a plurality of detection nodes, each of which is operable for allowing an interaction between a known DNA sample and an unknown DNA sample, and for generating an output signal if hybridization occurs between the known DNA sample and the unknown DNA sample. The apparatus further includes a decoder operative for receiving an input signal indicative of which of the plurality of detection nodes should be selected for processing and for outputting control signals which operate to activate the selected detection node. Further, each of the detection nodes includes a light source and a photodetection circuit. The photodetection circuit has a conductance value which varies if hybridization occurs between the known DNA sample and the unknown DNA sample deposited in the detection node. This change in conductance value is utilized to generate the output signal which indicates that hybridization has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: John K. Howard
  • Publication number: 20030152930
    Abstract: An apparatus for identifying an unknown DNA sample. The apparatus includes a plurality of detection nodes, each of which is operable for allowing an interaction between a known DNA sample and an unknown DNA sample, and for generating an output signal if hybridization occurs between the known DNA sample and the unknown DNA sample. The apparatus further includes a decoder operative for receiving an input signal indicative of which of the plurality of detection nodes should be selected for processing and for outputting control signals which operate to activate the selected detection node. Further, each of the detection nodes comprises a first capacitor having a capacitance value which varies if hybridization occurs between the known DNA sample and the unknown DNA sample contained in the first capacitor. This change of capacitance is utilized to generate the output signal which indicates that hybridization has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: John K. Howard
  • Publication number: 20030152929
    Abstract: An apparatus for identifying an unknown DNA sample. The apparatus includes a plurality of detection nodes, each of which is operable for allowing an interaction between a known DNA sample and an unknown DNA sample, and for generating an output signal if hybridization occurs between the known DNA sample and the unknown DNA sample. The apparatus further includes a decoder operative for receiving an input signal indicative of which of the plurality of detection nodes should be selected for processing and for outputting control signals which operate to activate the selected detection node. Further, each of the detection nodes comprises a first floating gate transistor having a conductance value which varies if hybridization occurs between the known DNA sample and the unknown DNA sample contained in the first transistor. This change of conductance value is utilized to generate the output signal which indicates that hybridization has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: John K. Howard
  • Publication number: 20020146699
    Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment, the present invention relates to an apparatus for performing an assay comprising a micro-system platform, a CD-ROM device and an information processor, where the CD-ROM device under control of the information processor is capable of reading and writing data to the micro-system platform. The micro-system platform comprises a first section for storing data in a continuous circular data band, which is disposed in an inner portion of the micro-system platform, and a second section including at least one assay, which is formed in an outer portion of the micro-system platform. During operation, the CD-ROM device retrieves and stores data related to the performance of the assay in the circular data band. The information processor is operative for controlling the CD-ROM device in accordance with the data retrieved from the circular data band, and for analyzing the results of the assay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd
    Inventor: John K. Howard
  • Patent number: 4181942
    Abstract: A special branch instruction used in a computing system serves as a conditional branch or as an unconditional branch as determined by the state of an internal register. This special branch instruction is used for conditional branching within or at the end of a program loop and for unconditional branching outside of such a loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Forster, John K. Howard