Search Patents
  • Communication billing system
    Patent number: 6615034
    Abstract: A communication billing system comprising a processing system coupled to an interface system. The processing system is configured to process a plurality of wireless service events from a wireless system together at the event level with a plurality of wireline service events from a wireline system to generate total charge records for a plurality of wireless services and a plurality of wireline services. The processing system is also configured to process the total charge records for the plurality of wireless services and the plurality of wireline services to generate a customer bill. The interface system is configured to receive the plurality of wireless service events from the wireless system, receive the plurality of wireline service events from the wireline system, and transmit the customer bill for the processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Kathleen E. Alloune, Jeffrey L. Benoist, Mark D. Carter, Robert W. Ganter, Gretchen L. Knapp, Joseph G. Laura, Mark S. McKee, Scott F. Mitchell, Charles A. Paelinck, Angela L. Seefeldt, James D. Williams
  • Non-peptidyl vasopressin V1A antagonists
    Patent number: 6610680
    Abstract: This invention provides substituted 2-(azetidinon-1-yl) acetic acid derivatives of Formula II for the antagonism of the vasopressin V1a receptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
    Inventors: Robert F Bruns, Jr., Robin D G Cooper, Bruce A Dressman, David C Hunden, Stephen W Kaldor, Gary A Koppel, John R Rizzo, Jeffrey J Skelton, Mitchell I Steinberg
  • Method of detecting inhibitors of agonist-specific desensitization
    Patent number: 6605424
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting desensitization of a cell to the effects of a compound. The method comprises contacting the cell with an agent capable of inhibiting phosphorylation, by a protein kinase, of a receptor for the compound present on the surface of the cell. The present invention also relates to a method of screening a compound for its ability to inhibit desensitization. The method comprises: i) contacting a receptor specific kinase-containing sample with the compound under conditions such that interaction between receptor specific kinase present in the sample and the compound can occur, and ii) determining the ability of the receptor specific kinase to phosphorylate the receptor for which it is specific.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Robert J. Lefkowitz, Martin J. Lohse, Jeffrey L. Benovic, Marc G. Caron
  • Metal oxide materials
    Publication number: 20030146413
    Abstract: The invention provides certain novel metal oxide materials which exhibit superconductivity at elevated temperatures and/or which are useful in electrode, electrolyte, cell and sensor applications, or as electrochemical catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Tallon, Robert G. Buckley, Murray R. Presland
  • Two-part wireless communications system for elevator hallway fixtures
    Patent number: 6601679
    Abstract: Elevator system hall fixtures such as lanterns, hall call button switches and lights, gongs, and floor position indicators are connected to a controller via wireless transceivers. The controller can be a system, group, and/or car controller. A low power wireless system connects all fixtures on one hallway, with a higher power wireless system connecting each hallway with the appropriate controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: David Crenella, Michael P. Gozzo, Richard R. Grzybowski, Jeffrey M. Izard, Robert G. Morgan, Chester J. Slabinski
  • Methionine restriction for cancer therapy
    Publication number: 20030129262
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions regarding induction of apoptosis in a cell and treatment of cancer in an individual wherein methionine deprivation of the cell is followed by methionine repletion of the cell. The methionine deprivation of the cell results in G2 arrest in the cell, leading to DNA damage in the cell. Upon readministration of methionine to the cell, the damaged cell exits G2 arrest and enters into apoptosis. In a specific embodiment, a therapeutic effect is elicited by cycling the patient between a methionine-depleted diet and a normal, methionine-replete diet. The present invention also regards chronic methionine deprivation for treatment of cancer in a human, in addition to methods for methionine restriction as adjunctive therapy for other cancer treatment methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel E. Epner, Jeffrey H. Baxter, Jeffrey T. Kivi, Robert G. Hards
  • Compositions for imparting desired properties to materials
    Patent number: 6586520
    Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous compositions comprising component (A) which comprises at least one water-soluble component comprising at least one functional group that undergoes a crosslinking reaction, preferably upon drying and/or heating; and component (B) which comprises at least one film-forming material. In particular the composition is a coating composition comprises: (A) at least one polyamidoamine-epihalohydrin resin; and (B) at least one material selected from flexibilizing materials, crosslink inhibiters and combinations thereof in an amount sufficient to impart a cuttability value of less than about 15 to a substrate coated with the coating composition. Component (B) is preferably at least one polymer comprising repeating units derived from an alkyl halide having at least one double bond and an alkene, such as ethylene vinyl chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Hercules Incorporated
    Inventors: James Canorro, Robert A. Gelman, Matthew B. Howle, Andrea Keys, JoAnne Lefever, William W. Maslanka, Jeffrey I. Melzer, Kevin M. Mottern, Michael T. Raab, William Rodriquez, Richard A. Stuhrke, Jennifer E. Steed, Robert G. Szewczyk
  • Metal oxide temperature monitor
    Patent number: 6580140
    Abstract: A method, and associated structure, for monitoring temperature and temperature distributions in a heating chamber for a temperature range of 200 to 600° C., wherein the heating chamber may be used in the fabrication of a semiconductor device. A copper layer is deposited over a surface of a semiconductor wafer. Next, the wafer is heated in an ambient oxygen atmosphere to a temperature in the range of 200-600° C. The heating of the wafer oxidizes a portion of the copper layer, which generates an oxide layer. After being heated, the wafer is removed and a sheet resistance is measured at points on the wafer surface. Since the local sheet resistance is a function of the local thickness of the oxide layer, a spatial distribution of sheet resistance over the wafer surface reflects a distribution of wafer temperature across the wafer surface during the heating of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Arne W. Ballantine, Edward C. Cooney, III, Jeffrey D. Gilbert, Robert G. Miller, Amy L. Myrick, Ronald A. Warren
  • Cardiac neuromodulation and methods of using same
    Publication number: 20030100924
    Abstract: The present invention relates in general to methodologies for the treatment quenching preconditioning and communication between the intrinsic cardiac nervous system and an electrical stimulus. In particular, the present invention utilizes spinal cord stimulation to alter and/or affect the intrinsic cardiac nervous system and thereby protect the myocytes, stabilize myocardial electrical instability and/or alleviate or diminish cardiac pathologies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Robert D. Foreman, Jeffrey L. Ardell, John A. Armour, Michael J.L. DeJongste, Bengt G.S. Linderoth
  • Absorbent articles with absorbent free-flowing particles and methods for producing the same
    Patent number: 6562192
    Abstract: Free flowing particles useful in absorbent articles are disclosed, including fibrous nits and methods of preparing fibrous nits. In one embodiment, fibrous nits are prepared from disperging cellulosic fibers in the presence of a nit conditioner which modifies nit particle size and properties for improved performance of the particles. In other embodiments, nits are prepared in multiple disperging steps or by disperging fibers under two or more conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendy L. Hamilton, Heather A. Sorebo, William G. Reeves, Patsy A. Hansen, Emmanuelle C. Damay, Robert J. Makolin, Joseph DiPalma, Fung-Jou Chen, Jeffrey D. Lindsay
  • Direct bonding of glass articles for drawing
    Publication number: 20030079503
    Abstract: Methods of bonding glass articles that are subsequently drawn into sheets, rods, fibers, etc. are disclosed. Bonding is achieved without use of adhesives or high temperature fusion. The invention is particularly useful for bonding optical fiber preforms prior to drawing of the optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Glen B. Cook, Patrick Gedeon, Jeffrey M. King, Robert Sabia, Gary G. Squier, Donald M. Trotter, Elizabeth M. Vileno
  • Method of preparing light-sensitive integrated circuits for packaging
    Patent number: 6548323
    Abstract: A process for preparing a light-sensitive integrated circuit (IC) for packaging that provides a reduced exposure of the light-sensitive IC to light. The process includes providing a semiconductor substrate (e.g., a silicon wafer) with a plurality of light-sensitive ICs formed in/on its upper surface. The lower surface is optionally coated with opaque material. Next, the semiconductor substrate is diced to form individual light-sensitive ICs, each of which has a semiconductor substrate lower surface and semiconductor substrate lateral edges. The semiconductor substrate lateral edges (and optionally backside) are then spray coated with an opaque material (e.g., opaque ink) to form an opaque layer covering the semiconductor substrate lateral edges. The opaque layer prevents light from entering the semiconductor substrate through the lateral edges and interfering with the operation of the light-sensitive IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Perry, Michael E. Thomas, Robert A. Sabsowitz, Reda R. Razouk, Aaron G. Simmons
  • Antithrombotic agents
    Patent number: 6541499
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel compounds of formula (I), and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, as defined herein, processes and intermediates for their preparation, pharmaceutical formulations comprising the novel compounds of formula (I), and the use of the compounds of formula (I) as thrombin inhibitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
    Inventors: Jolie A Bastian, Nickolay Y Chirgadze, Michael L Denney, Matthew J Fisher, Robert J Foglesong, Richard W Harper, Mary G Johnson, Valentine J Klimkowski, Ho-Shen Lin, Michael P Lynch, Jefferson R McCowan, Shawn C Miller, Jeffrey T Mullaney, Michael E Richett, Daniel J Sall, Gerald F Smith, Kumiko Takeuchi, Jennifer M Tinsley, Michael R Wiley, Minsheng Zhang
  • Two-part wireless communications system for elevator hallway fixtures
    Publication number: 20030047390
    Abstract: Elevator system hall fixtures such as lanterns, hall call button switches and lights, gongs, and floor position indicators are connected to a controller via wireless transceivers. The controller can be a system, group, and/or car controller. A low power wireless system connects all fixtures on one hallway, with a higher power wireless system connecting each hallway with the appropriate controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: David Crenella, Michael P. Gozzo, Jeffrey M. Izard, Robert G. Morgan, Chester J. Slabinski
  • Seed layer repair method
    Patent number: 6531046
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of repairing metal seed layers prior to subsequent metallization. Such repair methods provide metal seed layers disposed on a substrate that are substantially free of metal oxide and substantially free of discontinuities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Shipley Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Denis Morrissey, David Merricks, Leon R. Barstad, Eugene N. Step, Jeffrey M. Calvert, Robert A. Schetty, III, James G. Shelnut, Mark Lefebvre, Martin W. Bayes, Donald E. Storjohann
  • Server-side measurement of client-perceived quality of service
    Publication number: 20030046384
    Abstract: Server-side determination of quality of service received by a client. Content is transmitted from the server to the client according to a protocol. During transmission, the protocol requires the client to periodically send the server statistics concerning the transmitting, e.g., lost packets, latency, or the like. The server simulates the network connection between the client and server based at least in part on the received statistics. The simulating allows the server to recreate, server-side, the content received by the client. The server may then compare what was sent to the client, versus the recreated received content, to determine a quality of service received by the client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Sudheer Sirivara, Jeffrey S. McVeigh, Robert J. Reese, Gianni G. Ferrise
  • Computer system for quality control correlation
    Patent number: 6522939
    Abstract: A production control system provides real-time monitoring of process parameters in an automated production line that manufactures contact lenses, the line and having a plurality of process stations with each process station having one or more process control devices that control production operations at each respective process station and generates production parameter data therefrom. The system includes a line monitor device for receiving an externally generated production order including a lot number, product type, and quantity, and further coordinates manufacturing processes at each of the plurality of process stations, and tracks order production. A plurality of cell monitor devices retrieves the production data from one or more process control devices and processes the data to ensure that production parameters are within predefined limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventors: Robert D. Strauch, John Mark Lepper, Wallace Anthony Martin, Ravi Sankar Sanka, Craig William Walker, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang, Lars William Johnson, Leonard Ross Reinhart, Larry G. Hearin, Carolyn R. Solberg, Jeffrey L. Wilson
  • Bottle for a vaporizable substance
    Patent number: D476895
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Waldwick Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Terrence Fellows, Alfred G. Prior, Manfred Alois Riegg, Jeffrey Lawrence Stern
  • Inkjet printer
    Patent number: D477018
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Dwyer, Jeffrey G. Bingham, Joyce Chua, Tod A. Kinsley, Robert Fritz, Michael M. Leon, Le Pham
  • Inkjet printer with sheet feeder
    Patent number: D477019
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Dwyer, Jeffrey G. Bingham, Joyce Chua, Tod A. Kinsley, Robert Fritz, Michael M. Leon, Le Pham