Patents by Inventor Michael Powers

Michael Powers 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: 8162758
    Abstract: A video hosting site allows a contest owner to specify parameters to be used for a contest. Examples of parameters include contest name, description, how the contest will be judged, who may enter the contest, etc. Once the parameters are set, a contest manager initiates the contest on behalf of the contest owner. Contests have a submission phase, a voting phase, and a results phase. During the submission phase, contestants submit video entries to be judged in the contest. During the voting phase, visitors to the video hosting site cast votes on some or all of the entered videos. During the results phase, the votes are tabulated and a winning video is determined. Alternative embodiments allow variations on each phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Powers, Christoform Miller, Saureen Shah, Angus Derocher
  • Publication number: 20110281752
    Abstract: Disclosed are various forms of an active, isolated ?-secretase enzyme in purified and recombinant form. This enzyme is implicated in the production of amyloid plaque components which accumulate in the brains of individuals afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. Recombinant cells that produce this enzyme either alone or in combination with some of its natural substrates (?-APPwt and ?-APPsw) are also disclosed, as are antibodies directed to such proteins. These compositions are useful for use in methods of selecting compounds that modulate ?-secretase. Inhibitors of ?-secretase are implicated as therapeutics in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Anderson, Guriqbal Basi, Minh Tam Doan, Normand Frigon, Varghese John, Michael Power, Sukanto Sinha, Gwen Tatsuno, Jay Tung, Shuwen Wang, Lisa McConlogue
  • Publication number: 20110213485
    Abstract: A process control method that automatically and comprehensively manages the creation, storage and use of electronic records during the operation of a controlled process and for governing and documenting the users that operate the computer systems that are involved in the creation, storage and use of the electronic records. The method controls a process, such as a chemical process, by receiving measurement information relating to the process, applying rules to the received measurement information to determine a desired response, and sending control information to at least one device associated with the process, so as to modify the process. The method maintains the rules, measurements and control activity in transaction logs or audit trails related thereto in a secure database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: Symbion Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Power, Richard Kramer
  • Patent number: 7941396
    Abstract: A process control method that automatically and comprehensively manages the creation, storage and use of electronic records during the operation of a controlled process and for governing and documenting the users that operate the computer systems that are involved in the creation, storage and use of the electronic records. The method controls a process, such as a chemical process, by receiving measurement information relating to the process, applying rules to the received measurement information to determine a desired response, and sending control information to at least one device associated with the process, so as to modify the process. The method maintains the rules, measurements and control activity in transaction logs or audit trails related thereto in a secure database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Symbion Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Power, Richard Kramer
  • Patent number: 7840563
    Abstract: Methods and systems for collaboratively ranking a set of digital content items are disclosed. The invention utilizes users of a website who wish to participate in ranking a set of digital content items. In one embodiment, the method to determine a new collaborative ranking of a set of digital content items comprises receiving a plurality of ranking votes for each digital content item in the set, tallying the received user ranking votes for each digital content item in the set, calculate a ranking score by applying an algorithm comprising the number of user ranking votes to each digital content item and updating the ranking for each digital content item in the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Powers, Vijay Karunamurthy, Ches Wajda
  • Patent number: 7783668
    Abstract: A search system and method are provided that uses taxonomies, entities, facets, and ontologies to provide a user with a more comprehensive set of search results in response to a query. The search system has an indexing engine that performs one or more indexing steps that permit the search engine to return a comprehensive set of search results. For example, the indexing engine may index a document according to a set of synsets so that the search engine may use the synsets, during retrieval of results to a query, to return a more comprehensive set of search results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Convera Corporation
    Inventors: Claude Vogel, Paul Gardner, Jr., Eric Germundson, Joshua Michael Powers, Joel Wayne Robertson, Jon Michael Van Winkle
  • Patent number: 7668825
    Abstract: A search system and method are provided that uses taxonomies, entities, facets, and ontologies to provide a user with a more comprehensive set of search results in response to a query. The search system has an indexing engine that performs one or more indexing steps that permit the search engine to return a comprehensive set of search results. For example, the indexing engine may index a document according to a set of synsets so that the search engine may use the synsets, during retrieval of results to a query, to return a more comprehensive set of search results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Convera Corporation
    Inventors: Claude Vogel, Paul Gardner, Jr., Eric Germundson, Joshua Michael Powers, Joel Wayne Robertson, Jon Michael Van Winkle
  • Patent number: 7630937
    Abstract: A method for performing a financial transaction that includes identifying a plurality of payment options associated with a payer executing the financial transaction, wherein each of the plurality of payment options is linked to a financial account of the payer, obtaining cost data and benefit data for each of the plurality of payment options, wherein the cost data includes a cost of using the payment option for the financial transaction and the benefit data includes a benefit of using the payment option for the financial transaction, selecting a preferred payment option from the plurality of payment options for the financial transaction based on the cost data and the benefit data, and processing the financial transaction using the preferred payment option to obtain a transaction confirmation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: See Yew Mo, Harish Krishnan Subramanian, Michael Power
  • Publication number: 20090144840
    Abstract: Disclosed are various forms of an active, isolated ?-secretase enzyme in purified and recombinant form. This enzyme is implicated in the production of amyloid plaque components which accumulate in the brains of individuals afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. Recombinant cells that produce this enzyme either alone or in combination with some of its natural substrates (?-APPwt and ?-APPsw) are also disclosed, as are antibodies directed to such proteins. These compositions are useful for use in methods of selecting compounds that modulate ?-secretase. Inhibitors of ?-secretase are implicated as therapeutics in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Anderson, Guriqbal Basi, Minh Tam Doan, Normand Frigon, Varghese John, Michael Power, Sukanto Sinha, Gwen Tatsuno, Jay Tung, Shuwen Wang, Lisa McConlogue
  • Patent number: 7533917
    Abstract: An integrated kitchen unit for a mobile vehicle. The integrated kitchen unit intended to make preparation, eating, and cleaning easier and more intuitive than the existing solution. The integrated kitchen unit provides multiple storage areas based on the needs required for cooking, including storage for utensils, and even storage for a range of third party appliances. The microwave becomes an integrated part of the design, opening up additional space and allowing for optimized ergonomics of preparation surfaces. Extendable tables can be pulled out for additional surfaces or for other needs such as desk area. Standard 110V AC outlets included in the design allow drivers to plug in any third party appliance, possible providing inverters be installed in the berth. A disposal container is located on the side of the integrated kitchen unit, allowing for easy access while preparing at the workstation, and even while driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Calvin Tong, Ryan Berens, Andrew Kilb, David M. Wynne, Alexander Loa, Michael Powers
  • Patent number: 7456007
    Abstract: Disclosed is an active, isolated ?-secretase enzyme in purified and recombinant form. This enzyme is implicated in the production of amyloid plaque components which accumulate in the brains of individuals afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. Recombinant cells that produce this enzyme either alone or in combination with some of its natural substrates (APP and APPsw) are also disclosed. These compositions are useful for use in methods of selecting compounds that modulate ?-secretase. Inhibitors of ?-secretase are implicated as therapeutics in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Anderson, Guriqbal Basi, Minh Tam Doan, Normand Frigon, Varghese John, Michael Power, Sukanto Sinha, Gwen Tatsuno, Jay Tung, Shuwen Wang, Lisa McConlogue
  • Patent number: 7427478
    Abstract: Disclosed are various forms of an active, isolated ?-secretase enzyme in purified and recombinant form. This enzyme is implicated in the production of amyloid plaque components which accumulate in the brains of individuals afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. Recombinant cells that produce this enzyme either alone or in combination with some of its natural substrates (?-APPwt and ?-APPsw) are also disclosed, as are antibodies directed to such proteins. These compositions are useful for use in methods of selecting compounds that modulate ?-secretase. Inhibitors of ?-secretase are implicated as therapeutics in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Anderson, Guriqbal Basi, Minh Tam Doan, Normand Frigon, Varghese John, Michael Power, Sukanto Sinha, Gwen Tatsuno, Jay Tung, Shuwen Wang, Lisa McConlogue
  • Patent number: 7410088
    Abstract: A solder preform for attaching an optical fiber having a diameter to a fiber attach pad, the solder preform comprising a body including solder at least on a bottom surface thereof, the body having a groove extending along a first face from a first end to a second, the groove being larger in width than the diameter of the optical fiber to allow unimpeded alignment of the optical fiber. The solder preform above, wherein the body is formed substantially as a geometric shape, for example, a substantially rectangular box, a substantially cubical box, substantially a cylinder, substantially a semi-cylinder, substantially a sphere, substantially a semi-sphere, and substantially a cone or any geometric shape having a flat surface and a groove found therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Trebor Heminway, Brian Massey, Michael Powers, Russel S. Sossong
  • Publication number: 20080189272
    Abstract: Methods and systems for collaboratively ranking a set of digital content items are disclosed. The invention utilizes users of a website who wish to participate in ranking a set of digital content items. In one embodiment, the method to determine a new collaborative ranking of a set of digital content items comprises receiving a plurality of ranking votes for each digital content item in the set, tallying the received user ranking votes for each digital content item in the set, calculate a ranking score by applying an algorithm comprising the number of user ranking votes to each digital content item and updating the ranking for each digital content item in the set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Powers, Vijay Karunamurthy, Ches Wajda
  • Publication number: 20080133585
    Abstract: A search system and method are provided that uses taxonomies, entities, facets, and ontologies to provide a user with a more comprehensive set of search results in response to a query. The search system has an indexing engine that performs one or more indexing steps that permit the search engine to return a comprehensive set of search results. For example, the indexing engine may index a document according to a set of synsets so that the search engine may use the synsets, during retrieval of results to a query, to return a more comprehensive set of search results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Convera Corporation
    Inventors: Claude Vogel, Paul Gardner,, Eric Germundson, Joshua Michael Powers, Joel Wayne Robertson, Jon Michael Van Winkle
  • Publication number: 20080052742
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for presenting media content. Media content items are presented in a media ticker or a client application having a graphical user interface. Each presented item is displayed at one end of the ticker and then scrolls or moves toward the other end where it is removed. A content item may be manipulated in the ticker, to obtain a larger view of the item, open an application to access (e.g., play) the item, save the item, transmit it to another user, etc. Visual content items may be represented in the ticker by thumbnails or other versions of the content; other types of content (e.g., audio, document, multimedia) items may be represented by icons indicating the type of content. Content items belong to content channels to which a user may subscribe or which other users may be invited to subscribe to.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: Slide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Kopf, Jeremiah Robison, Johnnie Manzari, Max Levchin, Michael Powers
  • Publication number: 20070261835
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of automotive heat exchangers, and, in particular, to heat exchanger tanks with headers. This invention eliminates the need for use of an inner flange on the header using a collar that also acts as a rib, thereby providing a compact foot plus header tank arrangement with lower stress on the gasket mating surface of the header and tank. The present invention also provides a method for providing improved headering means for automotive heat exchangers with plastic tanks and headers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Powers, Scot Carapellatti, Alan Day, Philippe Faille, Michel Guerand
  • Patent number: 7284913
    Abstract: A fiber-coupled optical component and housing comprising a substrate having a substantially planar fiber mount region and an optical component mount region adjacent to the fiber mount region. The optical component and housing may include a metallic mount pad formed over the fiber mount region and configured to bond to a metal solder preform, and may further include a metallized optical fiber coupled to the metallic mount pad by the metal solder preform. Alternately, the optical component and housing may include a fiber mount pad formed over the fiber mount region and configured to bond to a glass solder preform, and may further include a bare optical fiber coupled to the fiber mount pad by the glass solder preform. An optical component may be placed or formed within the area defined by the optical component mount region to desirably optically couple the optical component and the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Powers
  • Patent number: 7276349
    Abstract: Disclosed are various forms of an active, isolated ?-secretase enzyme in purified and recombinant form. This enzyme is implicated in the production of amyloid plaque components which accumulate in the brains of individuals afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. Recombinant cells that produce this enzyme either alone or in combination with some of its natural substrates (?-APPwt and ?-APPsw) are also disclosed, as are antibodies directed to such proteins. These compositions are useful for use in methods of selecting compounds that modulate ?-secretase. Inhibitors of ?-secretase are implicated as therapeutics in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Anderson, Guriqbal Basi, Minh Tam Doan, Normand Frigon, Varghese John, Michael Power, Sukanto Sinha, Gwen Tatsuno, Jay Tung, Shuwen Wang, Lisa McConlogue
  • Patent number: 7263260
    Abstract: A method for precisely aligning a first optical component to a second optical component that is coupled to a substrate. At least one of a number of coupling elements is modified to attach the first optical component to the substrate. An optical coupling quality of the first optical component to the second optical component is determined. At least one of the modified coupling elements that couples the first optical component to the substrate is micro-manipulated to precisely align the first optical component with the second optical component and improve the optical coupling quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rajminder Singh, Michael Powers