Patents by Inventor Thomas Wicker

Thomas Wicker 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: 11845947
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved Helminthosporium turcicum-resistant plant, in particular a maize plant which comprises a polynucleotide with one or more resistance-conferring genes, for example on a truncated chromosome fragment from the accession Pepitilla, as well as a cell, a tissue, a part, grain and seeds thereof, an isolated polynucleotide which comprises one or more resistance-conferring genes against Helminthosporium turcicum, a vector, a transgenic plant cell and a transgenic plant containing this polynucleotide. Furthermore, the invention encompasses suitable markers and their use in introducing resistance or the transgene into a plant, as well as the identification of improved maize plants which comprise a truncated chromosome fragment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignees: KWS SAAT SE & CO. KGAA, UNIVERSITÄT ZÜRICH
    Inventors: Milena Ouzunova, Daniela Scheuermann, Beat Keller, Simon Krattinger, Thomas Wicker, Gerhard Herren, Severine Hurni, Bettina Kessel, Thomas Presterl, Carsten Knaak
  • Publication number: 20210137040
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved Helminthosporium turcicum-resistant plant, in particular a maize plant which comprises a polynucleotide with one or more resistance-conferring genes, for example on a truncated chromosome fragment from the accession Pepitilla, as well as a cell, a tissue, a part, grain and seeds thereof, an isolated polynucleotide which comprises one or more resistance-conferring genes against Helminthosporium turcicum, a vector, a transgenic plant cell and a transgenic plant containing this polynucleotide. Furthermore, the invention encompasses suitable markers and their use in introducing resistance or the transgene into a plant, as well as the identification of improved maize plants which comprise a truncated chromosome fragment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicants: KWS SAAT SE & CO. KGAA, UNIVERSITÄT ZÜRICH
    Inventors: Milena OUZUNOVA, Daniela SCHEUERMANN, Beat KELLER, Simon KRATTINGER, Thomas WICKER, Gerhard HERREN, Severine HURNI, Bettina KESSEL, Thomas PRESTERL, Carsten KNAAK
  • Publication number: 20210071194
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide conferring resistance to a plant against a fungal pathogen, such as Helminthosporium turcicum. The present invention further relates to a plant (or part thereof) comprising the nucleic acid molecule, and methods involving the nucleic acid molecule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicants: KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA, University of Zurich
    Inventors: Bettina KESSEL, Milena OUZUNOVA, Thomas PRESTERL, Daniela SCHEUERMANN, Gerhard HERREN, Beat KELLER, Simon KRATTINGER, Thomas WICKER, Ping YANG
  • Patent number: 10897862
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved Helminthosporium turcicum-resistant plant, in particular a maize plant which comprises a polynucleotide with one or more resistance-conferring genes, for example on a truncated chromosome fragment from the accession Pepitilla, as well as a cell, a tissue, a part, grain and seeds thereof, an isolated polynucleotide which comprises one or more resistance-conferring genes against Helminthosporium turcicum, a vector, a transgenic plant cell and a transgenic plant containing this polynucleotide. Furthermore, the invention encompasses suitable markers and their use in introducing resistance or the transgene into a plant, as well as the identification of improved maize plants which comprise a truncated chromosome fragment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignees: KWS SAAT SE & CO. KGAA, UNIVERSITÄT ZÜRICH
    Inventors: Milena Ouzunova, Daniela Scheuermann, Beat Keller, Simon Krattinger, Thomas Wicker, Gerhard Herren, Severine Hurni, Bettina Kessel, Thomas Presterl, Carsten Knaak
  • Publication number: 20160201080
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved Helminthosporium turcicum-resistant plant, in particular a maize plant which comprises a polynucleotide with one or more resistance-conferring genes, for example on a truncated chromosome fragment from the accession Pepitilla, as well as a cell, a tissue, a part, grain and seeds thereof, an isolated polynucleotide which comprises one or more resistance-conferring genes against Helminthosporium turcicum, a vector, a transgenic plant cell and a transgenic plant containing this polynucleotide. Furthermore, the invention encompasses suitable markers and their use in introducing resistance or the transgene into a plant, as well as the identification of improved maize plants which comprise a truncated chromosome fragment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicants: KWS SAAT SE, UNIVERSITÄT ZÜRICH
    Inventors: Milena OUZUNOVA, Daniela SCHEUERMANN, Beat KELLER, Simon KRATTINGER, Thomas WICKER, Gerhard HERREN, Severine HURNI, Bettina KESSEL, Thomas PRESTERL, Carsten KNAAK
  • Publication number: 20080048433
    Abstract: A verifiable/copy-protected document features a combination of nearly identical line-screen patterns for embedding latent images within visually integrated settings. The latent images can be detected for purposes of verification with a matching viewer but are indistinguishable from their visually integrated settings under ordinary viewing conditions. The line-screen patterns, which can be incorporated into document artwork, are printed at certain combinations of line frequencies and print densities so that the line-screen patterns digitally reproduce as a largely undifferentiated solid tint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Wicker, David Wicker, Michael Caton
  • Publication number: 20070246930
    Abstract: A document comprising a latent security image that is visible when the document is reproduced after being scanned by a standard commercial bank scanner. The security image comprises a plurality of lines, dots, or spots having a frequency and a density such that the image is reproduced after being scanned by the standard commercial bank scanner. A method of making a reproducible document comprising a security device comprises generating the document by creating an original containing the security device, scanning the original to a digital computer using a conventional scanner, and converting the scanned original to a digital image file which is printable via a digital press, a color copier, etc. A document comprises a security image that is not visible under ordinary light, and is visible when the document is exposed to a predetermined type of light. The security image is printed with an ink visible under one of UV light, infrared light, X-rays, of Gamma rays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Wicker
  • Publication number: 20070241554
    Abstract: A security image embedded in an original printed document survives a conversion process into an image replacement document in binary image form having a commercial equivalency with the original printed document. The security image is embedded in a background at an approximately common visual density with the background so that the security image is at least partially indistinguishable from the background to the naked eye. Print elements of the security image are arranged differently than the print elements of the background and both are further arranged so that that upon conversion into the image replacement document in binary image form, the security image survives and the background drops out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Wicker, David Wicker, Michael Caton
  • Publication number: 20070201116
    Abstract: A compound security feature is formed by printing latent images together with visually integrated settings using an invisible ink. Even if illuminated by a wavelength capable of rendering the inks visible, the latent images remain visually indistinguishable from their visually integrated settings. However, the latent images and visually integrated settings differ in one or more less obvious ways so that the latent images can be distinguished by using a visual aid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: Document Security Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wicker, David Wicker, Michael Caton
  • Publication number: 20070164558
    Abstract: A document containing security images which enable original documents to be distinguished from copies of the originals. The document 60 bears an image 63 containing a latent image 68. Latent image 68 may be formed from two or more images 65 and 66. The first image 65 is preferably formed at a high line frequency and at a first angle in one or more colors. The second image 66 is preferably formed at a lower line frequency at the same angle as first image 65 and in one or more colors. The second image is preferably formed between the lines, dot, swirls, or spots of the first image and may be printed either in register or out of register. The colors in the first image 65 and the second image 66 are preferably chosen so that latent image 68 has substantially the same color as image 63.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Wicker
  • Publication number: 20070133023
    Abstract: A document containing lines printed at an interference scanning frequency which causes conventional scanning and copying devices to introduce distortions in a copy of the document and prevents color separating copies of the document. The document bears an image which has lines printed at a line frequency which is an interfering scanning frequency. A document containing an image which has several layers, each of which has lines printed at an angle and color which may be different from the other layers. At least one of the layers in document may be printed at an interfering scanning frequency. Also, the intersection between the lines of the layers may form a white space which has an interference scanning frequency by selecting appropriate angles between the lines. Interference scanning frequencies of a scanner may be determined by a document bearing a plurality of line frequencies, each line frequency being in a row and being printed at a variety of densities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: Document Security Systems
    Inventor: Thomas Wicker
  • Publication number: 20070086070
    Abstract: A document containing lines printed at an interference scanning frequency which causes conventional scanning and copying devices to introduce distortions in a copy of the document and prevents color separating copies of the document. The document bears an image which has lines printed at a line frequency which is an interfering scanning frequency. A document containing an image which has several layers, each of which has lines printed at an angle and color which may be different from the other layers. At least one of the layers in document may be printed at an interfering scanning frequency. Also, the intersection between the lines of the layers may form a white space which has an interference scanning frequency by selecting appropriate angles between the lines. Interference scanning frequencies of a scanner may be determined by a document bearing a plurality of line frequencies, each line frequency being in a row and being printed at a variety of densities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Applicant: Document Security Systems
    Inventor: Thomas Wicker
  • Publication number: 20050225080
    Abstract: A document containing security images which enable original documents to be distinguished from copies of the originals. The document may include a background of a first color and an image formed of a second and third color which appear to be the first color when viewed together, providing a hidden image which does not appear in reproductions of the document. The document may contain a background of a first color printed with lines at a first angle, and an image of the first color but having lines printed at a different angle, providing a hidden image which does not appear in reproductions of the document. The document may contain a background of printed with lines at a first angle and a predetermined line frequency, and an image printed with lines at a second angle and at a line frequency less the one half of the line frequency of the background, providing a substantially hidden image which appears in a reproduction of the document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Wicker
  • Publication number: 20050219599
    Abstract: A document containing security images which enable original documents to be distinguished from copies of the originals. The document may include an image having a hidden conductive trace and contact points. The document can be verified as being an original by applying a voltage to a plurality of probes in contact with the contact points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Patrick White, Thomas Wicker, David Wicker
  • Publication number: 20050145176
    Abstract: A plasma processing chamber including a slip cast part having a surface thereof exposed to the interior space of the chamber. The slip cast part includes free silicon contained therein and a protective layer on the surface which protects the silicon from being attacked by plasma in the interior space of the chamber. The slip cast part can be made of slip cast silicon carbide- coated with CVD silicon carbide. The slip cast part can comprise one or more parts of the chamber such as a wafer passage insert, a monolithic or tiled liner, a plasma screen, a showerhead, dielectric member, or the like. The slip cast part reduces particle contamination and reduces process drift in plasma processes such as plasma etching of dielectric materials such as silicon oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Wicker
  • Patent number: 5543184
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing particulates in a plasma tool using steady state flows includes a device, operatively coupled to a housing in which an object to be processed is positioned, for generating a plasma flow adjacent the object toward a pumping aperture. A pumping mechanism pumps a medium adjacent the object. The medium supports the plasma and entrains particulates in the plasma away from the object and out the pumping aperture. Magnetic fields, produced by multipole magnets forming a ring cusp, are preferably used to produce the plasma flow which is directed radially away from the object to be processed. In a second embodiment, an array of magnets which form a line cusp is provided to produce an opening through which plasma will flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Barnes, Dennis K. Coultas, John C. Forster, John H. Keller, Thomas Wicker
  • Patent number: 5518547
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing particulates in a plasma tool using steady state flows includes a device, operatively coupled to a housing in which an object to be processed is positioned, for generating a plasma flow adjacent the object toward a pumping aperture. A pumping mechanism pumps a medium adjacent the object. The medium supports the plasma and entrains particulates in the plasma away from the object and out the pumping aperture. Magnetic fields, produced by multipole magnets forming a ring cusp, are preferably used to produce the plasma flow which is directed radially away from the object to be processed. In a second embodiment, an array of magnets which form a line cusp is provided to produce an opening through which plasma will flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Barnes, Dennis K. Coultas, John C. Forster, John H. Keller, Thomas Wicker