Patents by Inventor Joseph Cioffi

Joseph Cioffi 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: 20150330787
    Abstract: A wayfinding system includes a server configured to deliver navigational information associated with a route to user devices which output the navigational information to blind or low vision users in their preferred output format. That navigation information can be augmented by additional navigation information that is delivered in real time to the blind or low vision users as a result of receiving signals from proximity beacons associated with the wayfinding system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph CIOFFI, William CRANDALL
  • Publication number: 20150127256
    Abstract: To support the independence and mobility of blind pedestrians, the present inventors devised, among other things, free systems, methods, and software for providing narrative blind-ready wayfinding information. One exemplary system receives user input identifying a starting landmark and ending landmark in a particular selected geographic region, such as a city, university campus, government building, shopping mall, or airport. The system then searches a database for the corresponding narrative wayfinding instructions, and outputs them in the form of text or audio to guide a blind pedestrian from the starting landmark to the ending landmark. In the exemplary system, blind users select the geographic region as well as the starting and ending landmark from a voice-driven telephonic menu system and receive audible wayfinding instruction via mobile telephone. In some embodiments, the system also provides access to voice-driven restaurant menus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph CIOFFI, Philip AGEE
  • Patent number: 8886462
    Abstract: To support the independence and mobility of blind pedestrians, the present inventors devised, among other things, free systems, methods, and software for providing narrative blind-ready wayfinding information. One exemplary system receives user input identifying a starting landmark and ending landmark in a particular selected geographic region, such as a city, university campus, government building, shopping mall, or airport. The system then searches a database for the corresponding narrative wayfinding instructions, and outputs them in the form of text or audio to guide a blind pedestrian from the starting landmark to the ending landmark. In the exemplary system, blind users select the geographic region as well as the starting and ending landmark from a voice-driven telephonic menu system and receive audible wayfinding instruction via mobile telephone, in some embodiments, the system also provides access to voice-driven restaurant menus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: InTouch Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Cioffi, Philip Agee
  • Publication number: 20140324341
    Abstract: To support the independence and mobility of blind pedestrians, the present inventors devised, among other things, free systems, methods, and software for providing narrative blind-ready wayfinding information. One exemplary system receives user input identifying a starting landmark and ending landmark in a particular selected geographic region, such as a city, university campus, government building, shopping mall, or airport. The system then searches a database for the corresponding narrative wayfinding instructions, and outputs them in the form of text or audio to guide a blind pedestrian from the starting landmark to the ending landmark. In the exemplary system, blind users select the geographic region as well as the starting and ending landmark from a voice-driven telephonic menu system and receive audible wayfinding instruction via mobile telephone. In some embodiments, the system also provides access to voice-driven restaurant menus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: InTouch Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Cioffi, Philip Agee
  • Patent number: 8594935
    Abstract: To support the independence and mobility of blind pedestrians, the present inventors devised, among other things, free systems, methods, and software for providing narrative blind-ready wayfinding information. One exemplary system receives user input identifying a starting landmark and ending landmark in a particular selected geographic region, such as a city, university campus, government building, shopping mall, or airport. The system then searches a database for the corresponding narrative wayfinding instructions, and outputs them in the form of text or audio to guide a blind pedestrian from the starting landmark to the ending landmark. In the exemplary system, blind users select the geographic region as well as the starting and ending landmark from a voice-driven telephonic menu system and receive audible wayfinding instruction via mobile telephone. In some embodiments, the system also provides access to voice-driven restaurant menus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: InTouch Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Cioffi, Philip Agee
  • Publication number: 20100241350
    Abstract: To support the independence and mobility of blind pedestrians, the present inventors devised, among other things, free systems, methods, and software for providing narrative blind-ready wayfinding information. One exemplary system receives user input identifying a starting landmark and ending landmark in a particular selected geographic region, such as a city, university campus, government building, shopping mall, or airport. The system then searches a database for the corresponding narrative wayfinding instructions, and outputs them in the form of text or audio to guide a blind pedestrian from the starting landmark to the ending landmark. In the exemplary system, blind users select the geographic region as well as the starting and ending landmark from a voice-driven telephonic menu system and receive audible wayfinding instruction via mobile telephone. In some embodiments, the system also provides access to voice-driven restaurant menus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph Cioffi, Philip Agee
  • Publication number: 20090178723
    Abstract: A pipe support construction is provided that simplifies commercial installations of plumbing and steam fitting pipes and pipe assemblies. The present invention allows for comprehensive, one hundred percent, insulation coverage on any pipe without use of any accessories. The pipe to be installed is supported directly within the pipe support apparatus through use of a circumferential clip formed into a support and tightened with a screw. Intense friction is applied that prevents shifting of pipe along its length, thereby ensuring proper placement is maintained and there is no injury to the pipe. The base of the support is stamped of flat steel with a bolt hole, or opening provided thereby, allowing support to be mounted in any orientation, and with a multitude of hardware options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: JOSEPH CIOFFI
  • Publication number: 20050266486
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a variant form of the receptor for the obese gene product. In particular, the invention relates to methods of detecting this receptor variant in cells and tissues of obese individuals. In addition, it relates to methods of inhibiting or down-regulating expression of this variant in cells to augment their responsiveness to weight regulation by leptin as well as methods of using compounds to directly activate signal transduction pathways associated with this ligand-receptor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: H. Snodgrass, Joseph Cioffi, Thomas Zupancic, Alan Shafer
  • Patent number: 6953670
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a variant from of the receptor for the obese gene product. In particular, the invention relates to methods of detecting this receptor variant in cells and tissues of obese individuals. In addition, it relates to methods of inhibiting or down regulating expression of this variant in cells to augment their responsiveness to weight regulation by leptin as well as methods of using compounds to directly activate signal transduction pathways associated with this ligand-receptor system. In addition, the invention relates to identifying compounds capable of supplementing biological activity of leptin on cells expressing a leptin receptor variant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Ralph Snodgrass, Joseph Cioffi, Thomas Joel Zupancic, Alan Wayne Shafer
  • Publication number: 20050158287
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for using various forms of a novel receptor expressed by hematopoietic and endothelial cells. An additional variant form of this receptor has been detected in brain cells and shown to bind to the obese gene product, leptin. Therefore, leptin may be used to stimulate the growth and development of receptor-positive hematopoietic and endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, this receptor is selectively expressed in hematopoietic progenitor cells with long-term repopulating potential. Thus, agents that specifically bind to this receptor may be used to identify and isolate progenitor cells for a variety of clinical applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: H. Snodgrass, Joseph Cioffi, Thomas Zupancic, Alan Shafer
  • Patent number: 6838079
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for using various forms of a novel receptor expressed by hematopoietic and endothelial cells. An additional variant form of this receptor has been detected in brain cells and shown to bind to the obese gene product, leptin. Therefore, leptin may be used to stimulate the growth and development of receptor-positive hematopoietic and endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, this receptor is selectively expressed in hematopoietic progenitor cells with long-term repopulating potential. Thus, agents that specifically bind to this receptor may be used to identify and isolate progenitor cells for a variety of clinical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Ralph Snodgrass, Joseph Cioffi, Thomas Joel Zupancic, Alan Wayne Shafer
  • Publication number: 20030082612
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a variant form of the receptor for the obese gene product. In particular, the invention relates to methods of detecting this receptor variant in cells and tissues of obese individuals. In addition, it relates to methods of inhibiting or down-regulating expression of this variant in cells to augment their responsiveness to weight regulation by leptin as well as methods of using compounds to directly activate signal transduction pathways associated with this ligand-receptor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Interneuron Pharmacueticals, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Ralph Snodgrass, Joseph Cioffi, Thomas Joel Zupancic, Alan Wayne Shafer
  • Patent number: 6524806
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel member of the hematopoietin receptor family, herein referred to as Hu-B1.219. In particular, the invention relates to nucleotide sequences and expression vectors encoding Hu-B1.219 gene product. Genetically engineered host cells that express the Hu-B1.219 coding sequence may be used to evaluate and screen for ligands or drugs involved in Hu-B1.219 interaction and regulation. Since Hu-B1.219 expression has been detected in certain human fetal tissues and cancer cells, molecular probes designed from its nucleotide sequence may be useful for prenatal testing and cancer diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Ralph Snodgrass, Joseph Cioffi, Thomas Joel Zupancic, Alan Wayne Shafer
  • Publication number: 20020197232
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for using various forms of a novel receptor expressed by hematopoietic and endothelial cells. An additional variant form of this receptor has been detected in brain cells and shown to bind to the obese gene product, leptin. Therefore, leptin may be used to stimulate the growth and development of receptor-positive hematopoietic and endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, this receptor is selectively expressed in hematopoietic progenitor cells with long-term repopulating potential. Thus, agents that specifically bind to this receptor may be used to identify and isolate progenitor cells for a variety of clinical applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: H. Ralph Snodgrass, Joseph Cioffi, Thomas Joel Zupancic, Alan Wayne Shafer
  • Patent number: 6451523
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a variant form of the receptor for the obese gene product. In particular, the invention relates to methods of detecting this receptor variant in cells and tissues of obese individuals. In addition, it relates to methods of inhibiting or down-regulating expression of this variant in cells to augment their responsiveness to weight regulation by leptin as well as methods of using compounds to directly activate signal transduction pathways associated with this ligand-receptor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Interneuron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Ralph Snodgrass, Joseph Cioffi, Thomas Joel Zupancic, Alan Wayne Shafer
  • Patent number: 6355237
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for using various forms of a novel receptor expressed by hematopoietic and endothelial cells. An additional variant form of this receptor has been detected in brain cells and shown to bind to the obese gene product, leptin. Therefore, leptin may be used to stimulate the growth and development of receptor-positive hematopoietic and endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, this receptor is selectively expressed in hematopoietic progenitor cells with long-term repopulating potential. Thus, agents that specifically bind to this receptor may be used to identify and isolate progenitor cells for a variety of clinical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Progenitor, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Ralph Snodgrass, Joseph Cioffi, Thomas Joel Zupancic, Alan Wayne Shafer
  • Patent number: 6005080
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel member of the hematopoietin receptor family, herein referred to as Hu-B1.219. In particular, the invention relates to nucleotide sequences and expression vectors encoding Hu-B1.219 gene product. Genetically engineered host cells that express the Hu-B1.219 coding sequence may be used to evaluate and screen for ligands or drugs involved in Hu-B1.219 interaction and regulation. Since Hu-B1.219 expression has been detected in certain human fetal tissues and cancer cells, molecular probes designed from its nucleotide sequence may be useful for prenatal testing and cancer diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Progenitor, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Ralph Snodgrass, Joseph Cioffi, Thomas Joel Zupancic, Alan Wayne Shafer
  • Patent number: 5912123
    Abstract: The present invention relates to variant forms of the receptor for the obese gene product. In particular, the invention relates to methods of detecting receptor variants in the reproductive organs for the diagnosis of the cause of infertility. In addition, it relates to methods of inhibiting or down-regulating expression of defective variants in cells to augment their responsiveness to regulation by leptin as well as methods of using compounds to directly activate signal transduction pathways associated with this ligand-receptor system to improve fertility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Progenitor, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Ralph Snodgrass, Joseph Cioffi, Thomas Joel Zupancic, Alan Wayne Shafer
  • Patent number: 5882860
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a variant form of the receptor for the obese gene product. In particular, the invention relates to methods of detecting this receptor variant in cells and tissues of obese individuals. In addition, it relates to methods of inhibiting or down-regulating expression of this variant in cells to augment their responsiveness to weight regulation by leptin as well as methods of using compounds to directly activate signal transduction pathways associated with this ligand-receptor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Progenitor, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Ralph Snodgrass, Joseph Cioffi, Thomas Joel Zupancic, Alan Wayne Shafer
  • Patent number: 5869610
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel member of the hematopoietin receptor family, herein referred to as Hu-B1.219. In particular, the invention relates to nucleotide sequences and expression vectors encoding Hu-B1.219 gene product. Genetically engineered host cells that express the Hu-B1.219 coding sequence may be used to evaluate and screen for ligands or drugs involved in Hu-B1.219 interaction and regulation. Since Hu-B1.219 expression has been detected in certain human fetal tissues and cancer cells, molecular probes designed from its nucleotide sequence may be useful for prenatal testing and cancer diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Progenitor, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Ralph Snodgrass, Joseph Cioffi, Thomas Joel Zupancic, Alan Wayne Shafer