Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Ward

Thomas E. Ward 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: 20100154000
    Abstract: An interactive television program guide application is provided that displays real-time information to a user. The interactive television program guide application may display alerts for indicating to the user the availability of real-time information. The interactive television program guide application may also display program listings with real-time information. In response to the user selecting a program listing, the interactive television program guide application may provide the user with an indication that real-time content related to the selected listing is available. In some embodiments, the real-time content is not the program corresponding to the selected program listing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: United Video Properties Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Macrae, Thomas E. Westberg, Thomas E. Ward
  • Publication number: 20080127265
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, Kenneth Hancock, Douglas B. Macrae
  • Publication number: 20080127266
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, Kenneth Hancock, Douglas B. Macrae
  • Patent number: 7172861
    Abstract: A method of detecting N-glycosylase activity in a sample involves incubating an oligodeoxyribonucleotide substrate containing a deoxyadenosine or deoxyuridine residue with the sample to be tested such that the N-glycosylase, if present, hydrolyzes the deoxyadenosine or deoxyuridine residue to result in an N-glycosylase product having an abasic site. A primer is annealed to the N-glycosylase product, and the primer is extended with a DNA polymerase, such as Taq DNA polymerase, that pauses at abasic sites. The resulting extension products are melted from the N-glycosylase product, allowed to form hairpins due to self-complementarity, and further extended in the presence of labeled precursors to result in labeled products. Extension products synthesized from undigested substrate as template do not result in labeled products. Thus, detection of labeled products results in detection of N-glycosylase activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: William K. Keener, Thomas E. Ward
  • Patent number: 7018633
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for selectively killing a cell containing a viral protease are disclosed. The composition is a varient of a protein synthesis inactivating toxin wherein a viral protease cleavage site is interposed between the A and B chains. The variant of the type II ribosome-inactivating protein is activated by digestion of the viral protease cleavage site by the specific viral protease. The activated ribosome-inactivating protein then kills the cell by inactivating cellular ribosomes. A preferred embodiment of the invention is specific for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and uses ricin as the ribosome-inactivating protein. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the variant of the ribosome-inactivating protein is modified by attachment of one or more hydrophobic agents. The hydrophobic agent facilitates entry of the variant of the ribosome-inactivating protein into cells and can lead to incorporation of the ribosome-inactivating protein into viral particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: William K. Keener, Thomas E. Ward
  • Publication number: 20040261098
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a television schedule guide which includes a detector for determining whether a previously scrambled program is unscrambled. If a previously scrambled program is momentarily unscrambled due to promotional efforts by the program provider, the system will visually distinguish the program on the guide, and a viewer may tune to or record the program from the guide. The view may also subscribe to the program provider through the guide during the promotional period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Douglas B. Macrae, Thomas E. Ward, Kenneth S. Hancock, Jonathan B. Orlick
  • Patent number: 6756997
    Abstract: The present invention is an improvement over previous Electronic Programming Guides (“EPG”) in that it provides, among other things: Improved viewer interaction capabilities with the EPG; improved viewer control of video recording of future-scheduled programming; improved features to the EPG display and navigation; parental control of the EPG display; improved television program information access by the viewer; improved opportunities for the commercial advertiser to reach the viewer; improved product information access by the viewer; creation of a viewer's profile; utilization of viewer profile information to customize various aspects of the EPG; and utilization of viewer profile information to provide customized presentation of advertising to the viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Gemstar Development Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, III, Douglas B. Macrae
  • Publication number: 20040048784
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for selectively killing a cell containing a viral protease are disclosed. The composition is a varient of a protein synthesis inactivating toxin wherein a viral protease cleavage site is interposed between the A and B chains. The variant of the type II ribosome-inactivating protein is activated by digestion of the viral protease cleavage site by the specific viral protease. The activated ribosome-inactivating protein then kills the cell by inactivating cellular ribosomes. A preferred embodiment of the invention is specific for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and uses ricin as the ribosome-inactivating protein. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the variant of the ribosome-inactivating protein is modified by attachment of one or more hydrophobic agents. The hydrophobic agent facilitates entry of the variant of the ribosome-inactivating protein into cells and can lead to incorporation of the ribosome-inactivating protein into viral particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: William K. Keener, Thomas E. Ward
  • Patent number: 6627197
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for selectively killing a cell containing a viral protease are disclosed. The composition is a variant of a protein synthesis inactivating toxin wherein a viral protease cleavage site is interposed between the A and B chains. The variant of the type II ribosome-inactivating protein is activated by digestion of the viral protease cleavage site by the specific viral protease. The activated ribosome-inactivating protein then kills the cell by inactivating cellular ribosomes. A preferred embodiment of the invention is specific for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and uses ricin as the ribosome-inactivating protein. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the variant of the ribosome-inactivating protein is modified by attachment of one or more hydrophobic agents. The hydrophobic agent facilitates entry of the variant of the ribosome-inactivating protein into cells and can lead to incorporation of the ribosome-inactivating protein into viral particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC
    Inventors: William K. Keener, Thomas E. Ward
  • Publication number: 20020109732
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for restricting access to a television by providing parental control functions. Separate parental control levels are set for different users with each user having a different password. When the television is initially turned on, the default parental control level chosen is to be the level that corresponds with the most restrictive parental control level. If another user with a less restrictive parental control level wishes to change the parental control level, they enter their password for their level of parental control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: E GUIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, Douglas B. Macrae, Jacques L. Hugon
  • Publication number: 20020094334
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for selectively killing a cell containing a viral protease are disclosed. The composition is a variant of a protein synthesis inactivating toxin wherein a viral protease cleavage site is interposed between the A and B chains. The variant of the type II ribosome-inactivating protein is activated by digestion of the viral protease cleavage site by the specific viral protease. The activated ribosome-inactivating protein then kills the cell by inactivating cellular ribosomes. A preferred embodiment of the invention is specific for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and uses ricin as the ribosome-inactivating protein. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the variant of the ribosome-inactivating protein is modified by attachment of one or more hydrophobic agents. The hydrophobic agent facilitates entry of the variant of the ribosome-inactivating protein into cells and can lead to incorporation of the ribosome-inactivating protein into viral particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: William K. Keener, Thomas E. Ward
  • Publication number: 20020073424
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: EGuide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, Kenneth Hancock, Douglas B. Macrae
  • Publication number: 20020013941
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for restricting access to a television by providing parental control functions. Separate parental control levels are set for different users with each user having a different password. When the television is initially turned on, the default parental control level chosen is to be the level that corresponds with the most restrictive parental control level. If another user with a less restrictive parental control level wishes to change the parental control level, they enter their password for their level of parental control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: THOMAS E. WARD, DOUGLAS B. MACRAE, JACQUES HUGON
  • Patent number: 6210937
    Abstract: The cloning and expression of genes in the common aromatic pathway of E. coli are described. A compound for which chorismate, the final product of the common aromatic pathway, is an anabolic intermediate can be produced by cloning and expressing selected genes of the common aromatic pathway and the genes coding for enzymes necessary to convert chorismate to the selected compound. Plasmids carrying selected genes of the common aromatic pathway are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, Carolyn S. Watkins, Deborah K. Bulmer, Bruce F. Johnson, Mohan Amaratunga
  • Patent number: 6122011
    Abstract: A channel map is created and/or edited with the aid of a PIP window in which a real time television program is displayed. The PIP window is displayed on a monitor screen at the same time as a channel map of pairs of network names and local channel numbers. The local channel numbers can be individually changed to create the channel map or edit the pairings of network name and local channel number. When the local channel numbers are changed, the tuner for the PIP window also automatically changes so the television program displayed in the PIP window corresponds to the television program telecast on the local channel number displayed on the screen. This provides verification of the accuracy of the pairing of network names and local channel numbers in the channel map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Index Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Dias, Ken Hancock, Roy J. Mankovitz, Jamey Rallis, P. Christopher Schoaff, Thomas E. Ward
  • Patent number: 5082630
    Abstract: A portable fiber optic detector that senses the presence of specific target chemicals in air or a gas by exchanging the target chemical for a fluoroescently-tagged antigen that is bound to an antibody which is in turn attached to an optical fiber. Replacing the fluorescently-tagged antigen reduces the fluorescence so that a photon sensing detector records the reduced light level and activates an appropriate alarm or indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Judy K. Partin, Thomas E. Ward, Alan E. Grey