The U.S. Patent and Trademark office just published a Google patent for “Speak to Tweet,” which is a service that allows users to communicate on Twitter by dialing an international phone number and then leaving a tweet by way of voice message. Google developed “Speak to Tweet” in response to the 2011 Egyptian revolution Internet shutdown.

Patentbolt explained:

In January 2011 Google acquired a small company called SayNow. Google, with the assistance of their newly acquired SayNow team worked night and day with Twitter so as to quickly develop a product called “Speak to Tweet.” The service was developed to help people stay connected in times when they were unable to find a viable Internet connection. The inspiration for this application was born during the Egyptian revolution. As a reaction to protests in Cairo, the Egyptian government shut down the Internet throughout that country on January 26, 2011. Technically, Speak to Tweet (or speak2tweet) is a communications service that allows users to leave a “tweet” on Twitter by calling a designated international phone number and leaving a voice message. Recently, the US Patent Office published the patent that’s behind the Speak to Tweet service.

Head of the Google Cultural Institute Steve Crossan originally filed the patent application in Q1 2012. Check it out here.

[Image via Patentbolt]

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Advertisement from 1889 for the Edison Mimeograph (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today in 1876, Thomas Edison received U.S. Patent 180,857 for what would become the mimeograph. #TODAYINHISTORY

Japan’s FujiFilm is suing Google’s Motorola Mobility subsidiary over four patents associated with digital camera and photo technology in cellphones.

The lawsuit has its roots in April 2011, when FujiFilm says it first notified Motorola that it believed the cellphone maker was infringing on the four patents. The companies held a number of face-to-face meetings, according to FujiFilm. The matter was apparently not resolved to FujiFilm’s liking and that led to this week’s lawsuit.

The patents in question include:

U.S. Patent 6,144,763, which covers the capturing of color pictures by a cellphone and their conversion to monochrome images;

U.S. Patent 6,915,119, which addresses a “telephone and data transmitting method.” FujiFilm alleges a number of Motorola devices infringe on this patent through their use of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi as a means to communicate with a computer or other device;

U.S. Patent 7,327,886, covering the facial detection system included in some Motorola cellphones; and

U.S. Patent 5,734,427, concerning the processing of a high-resolution image into a lower-resolution image for display on an electronic viewfinder.

The lawsuit alleges a number of Motorola handsets infringe some or all of the patents, including the Droid X, X2, 2 Global, Bionic, 3, Pro; and the Atrix 2, Electrify, Photon 4G, XPRT, Defy, Cliq 2 and Titanium handsets.

In its complaint, FujiFilm asks the court to find infringement in its favor, for Motorola to pay damages to be decided at trial and for Motorola to pay FujiFilm’s legal costs.

FujiFilm, Motorola Mobility and Google could not immediately be reached for comment.

The case, number 12-03587, was filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court in San Jose.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office first published Samsung’s patent about a dual-display smartphone in September 2011, but now a second patent application on the subject recently surfaced that advances on the previous design.

According to PatentBolt, the two patents detail the device’s functionality by describing how both screens can display several apps simultaneously, such as showing a picture on one screen and chatting in a window on the other panel. The device could further feature capabilities for “television (TV) watching, on-line game service and on-demand video service are communications or applications that may be provided to users,” or even voice communication, SMS, and mobile banking. The dual screens could also seamlessly join to create one larger display.

Samsung’s older patent explained many of the above functions, but a problem with manufacturability weighed down the likelihood of this product ever becoming known. One of the main drawbacks to the original design is its hinge, but a large part of Samsung’s newer patent concerns a better hinge solution.

The strength of the new hinge will allow the unit to stay in place, so the user can consume content while recharging (and without the need for a separate docking station). The entire concept provides “the plurality of display units which rotate stepwise,” according to PatentBolt, by way of an advanced multi-axis hinge. Moreover, Samsung now uses the term “multidisplay” instead of “dual display.”

The South Korea-based manufacture apparently believes consumers need a portable communication device with a “multidisplay.” Its latest patent application for the device filed in Q4 2011 in the U.S., and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published it in Q2 2012.

Samsung is No.1 in terms of global smartphone market share due to its wide variety of premium Android-powered devices, such as the Galaxy S III.

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• Standardized Samsung Galaxy SIII gets line of accessories
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The patent is for the underlying technology of AppiaSecure, which combines routing, firewall, and security management functions in a single appliance.

Victor von Schlegell, Appia president and inventor of the system, said the Patent Office recognized that “our approach to comprehensive network security is unique. We verify each user and check their PC for viruses, upgrades, and so forth, before they access the network. This keeps both the user and sensitive network resources safe.”

Appia Communications announced in January that its claims for the AppiaSecure technology had been accepted by the United States Patent Office.   For more information about Appia Communications, please contact your Appia partner, call (877) 277-4297, or visit www.appiaservices.com.

Appia provides managed communication and network services, with a focus on small to midsize companies and organizations. Appia’s solutions help customers minimize capital investments, reduce costs, enhance employee productivity, improve customer care, and compete more effectively against much larger enterprises.

Headquartered in Traverse City, Appia serves markets nationwide, with operations in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, and Washington D.C.

More at www.appiaservices.com

“No other solution manages network security as simply and completely,” said Victor von Schlegell, president of Appia Communications and a named inventor of the system. “We secure network elements, internal users, and those who try to access the network from the outside — all in one appliance that combines a firewall, router and security management.”

The key to AppiaSecure is its system of secure certificates, which can be set to the individual user level by network administrators.

“AppiaSecure brings the promise of custom network security to every business and organization, through an easy to use single-point administration portal,” von Schlegell said.   For more information about Appia Communications, please contact your Appia partner, call (877) 277-4297, or visit www.appiaservices.com.

Appia focuses its services on small to midsize companies and organizations.

Headquartered in Traverse City, Appia serves markets nationwide, with operations in Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, and Washington D.C.

Abstract: An apparatus for use as a toy by an animal, for example a dog, to either fetch carry or chew includes a main section with at least one protrusion extending therefrom that resembles a branch in appearance. The toy is formed of any of a number of materials including rubber, plastic, or wood including wood composites and is solid. It is either rigid or flexible. A flavoring (scent) is added, if desired. The toy is adapted to float by including a material therein that is lighter than water or it is adapted to glow in the dark, as desired, by the addition of a fluorescent material that is either included in the material from which the toy is made or the flourescent material is applied thereto as a coating. The toy may be segmented (i.e., notched) so as to break off into smaller segments, as is useful for smaller animals or, alternatively, to extend the life of the toy. Various textured surfaces including camouflage colorings are anticipated as are straight or curved main sections. The toy may be formed of any desired material, as described, so as to be edible by the animal.

Not only did Eugene Long III invent the stick, he attached 20 claims to it based upon different materials and options that might be used to manufacture it. Pure brilliance, that.
[Full text of Patent here. Story discovered here. Additional info on the history of the Patent here. More awesome Contributions to The World here.]

The following U.S. Patent is a good read for those looking at how advertising, television, film, music, and background noise in stores/restaurants hold a slipknot of power around your’ neck.

With no further a due, @ patft.gov online directory ‘Silent Subliminal Presentation System’ US PATENT: 5159703

Silent subliminal presentation system 

AbstractA silent communications system in which nonaural carriers, in the very low or very high audio frequency range or in the adjacent ultrasonic frequency spectrum, are amplitude or frequency modulated with the desired intelligence and propagated acoustically or vibrationally, for inducement into the brain, typically through the use of loudspeakers, earphones or piezoelectric transducers. The modulated carriers may be transmitted directly in real time or may be conveniently recorded and stored on mechanical, magnetic or optical media for delayed or repeated transmission to the listener.

References Cited [Referenced By]

U.S. Patent Documents

Primary Examiner: Eisenzopf; Reinhard J.
Assistant Examiner: Faile; Andrew

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A silent communications system, comprising:

(a) amplitude modulated carrier means for generating signals located in non-aural portions of the audio and in the lower portion of the ultrasonic frequency spectrum said signals modulated with information to be perceived by a listener’s brain and,

(b) acoustic and ultrasonic transducer means for propagating said signals, for inducement into the brain, of the listener, and,

(c) recording means for storing said modulated signals on mechanical, magnetic and optical media for delayed or repeated transmissions to the listener.

2. A silent communications system, comprising:

(a) frequency modulated carrier means for generating signals located in non-aural portions of the audio and in the lower portion of the ultrasonic frequency spectrum, said signals modulated with information to be perceived by a listener’s brain, and;

(b) acoustic and ultrasonic transducer means for propagating said signals, for inducement into the brain of the listener, and;

(c) recording means for storing said modulated signals on mechanical, magnetic and optical media for delayed or repeated transmissions to the listener.

3. A silent communications system, comprising:

(a) a combination of amplitude and frequency modulated carrier means for generating signals located in non-aural portions of the audio and in the lower portion of the ultrasonic frequency spectrum, said signals modulated with information to be perceived by a listener’s brain, and

(b) acoustic and ultrasonic transducer means for propagating said signals, for inducement into the brain of the listener;

(c) recording means for storing said modulated signals on mechanical, magnetic and optical media for delayed or repeated transmissions to the listener.

Description

BACKGROUND–FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to electronic audio signal processing and, in particular, to subliminal presentation techniques.

BACKGROUND–DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Subliminal learning enjoys wide use today and subliminal tapes are being manufactured by a number of companies in the United States alone. Several decades of scientific study indicate that subliminal messages can influence a human’s attitudes and behavior. Subliminal, in these discussions, can be defined as “below the threshold of audibility to the conscious mind.” To be effective however, the subliminally transmitted information (called affirmations by those in the profession) must be presented to the listener’s ear in such a fashion that they can be perceived and “decoded” by the listener’s subconscious mind. We are referring to audio information in this discussion, however, information could be inputted into the subject’s subconscious mind through any of the body’s sensors, such as touch, smell, sight or hearing. As an example, early development work in the subliminal field utilized motion pictures and slide projections as the medium. Early research into visual and auditory subliminal stimulation effects is exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,060,795 of Corrigan, et al. and 3,278,676 of Becker. U.S. Pat. No. 4,395,600 of Lundy and Tyler is representative of later developments in today’s subliminal message techniques.

The majority of the audio subliminal tapes available today are prepared using one basic technique. That is, the verbal affirmations are mixed with, and recorded at a lower level than, a “foreground” of music or sounds of ocean surf or a bubbling mountain brook or other similar “masking” sounds. The affirmations are generally recorded 5 decibels (db) or so below the “foreground” programming and regenerative automatic gain control is usually applied to permit the affirmations to change their recorded amplitude in direct proportion to the short term averaged amplitude of the continually varying “foreground” material. In other words, the volume of the affirmations will follow or track the volume changes of the “foreground” programming, but at a lower volume level. Circuit provisions are also usually included to “gate” the affirmations off when the music amplitude is low or zero. This insures that the affirmations cannot be heard during quiet program periods. Thus, today’s subliminal affirmations can be characterized as being “masked” by music or other sounds, of constantly changing amplitude and of being reduced or cut off entirely during periods of low or quiet “foreground” programming.

One of the principal, and most widely objected to, deficiencies in available subliminal tape presentation techniques is that the presence of the “foreground” material is intrusive to both the listener and to anyone else in the immediate area. No matter what “foreground” material is chosen, the fact remains that this material can be heard by anyone within its range and presents a definite distraction to other activities such as conversation, thought, desire to listen to other programming such as radio or television, need to concentrate, etc. Additionally, and because the tapes are used repeatedly by the same listener, any “foreground” music or material eventually becomes monotonously tiring to that listener.

It is the purpose of the following described invention to eliminate or greatly reduce all of the above deficiencies. Although its application to the magnetic tape medium is described in the following discussion, the technique is equally applicable to most other desired transmission mediums, such as Compact Disc, videocassettes, digital tape recorders, Public Address (PA) systems, background music installations, computer software programs, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), “live”, real time applications and other mediums now in existence or to be developed in the future.

Implemented on tape cassettes, for example, the subliminal presentation described here is inaudible i.e., high audio or ultrasonic frequencies, the affirmations are presented at a constant, high amplitude level, and they occupy their own “clear channel”, non-masked frequency allocations. If desired, the previously described “foreground” music or other material can be added to the tape through use of an audio mixer. The “silent” recordings are inaudible to the user or by others present and are therefore very effective for use during periods of sleep or when in the presence of others. Additionally, the basic requirements of subliminal stimulation are met. That is, the affirmations are efficiently transmitted to the ear and, while undetected by the conscious mind, are perceived by and efficiently decoded by the subconscious mind.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are:

(a) to provide a technique for producing a subliminal presentation which is inaudible to the listeners(s), yet is perceived and demodulated (decoded) by the ear for use by the subconscious mind.

(b) to provide a technique for transmitting inaudible subliminal information to the listener(s) at a constant, high level of signal strength and on a clear band of frequencies.

(c) to provide a technique for producing inaudible subliminal presentations to which music or other “foreground” programming may be added, if desired.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, the first digit of each component number also refers to the figure number where that component can be located.

FIG. 1 represents the block diagram of a suitable system which will generate a frequency modulated (FM) signal at 14,500 Hz.

FIG. 2 represents an approximation of the frequency response curve of the human ear and the signal decoding process.

FIG. 3 represents the block diagram of a suitable system which will generate a single sideband, suppressed carrier, amplitude modulated (AM) signal at 14,500 Hz.

______________________________________ REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS ______________________________________ 11 microphone or other 14 low distortion audio input signal audio oscillator 12 audio preamplifier 15 high pass or band if required pass audio filter 13 frequency modulation 16 output to tape circuit recorder or other device 21 point on low freq end 25 midpoint on curve response curve between points 23 and 24 22 point on low freq end 26 speaker output of FIG. 1 to of ear response curve ear 23 point on high freq end 27 demodulated subliminal of ear response curve audio inputted to ear 24 point on high freq end 31 microphone of ear response curve 32 speech amplifier 33 balanced modulator 34 carrier oscillator 35 filter (455 KHz) 36 mixer 37 heterodyne oscillator (469.5 KHz) 38 bandpass filter 39 output signal ______________________________________

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Please refer now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which are drawings of a preferred implementation of the invention.

The principle of operation of the silent subliminal presentation system is as follows:

An audio signal in the upper frequency region of the audio spectrum (for example, 14,500 Hz) is modulated with the desired information. The type of modulation may be any type suitable for subliminal applications; frequency modulation (FM), phase modulation (PM), upper single sideband with suppressed carrier, amplitude modulation (AM), tone modulation, etc.

For broadest application, the high audio frequency selected as the carrier frequency must meet two basic criteria:

(1) be high enough in the audio spectrum that its presence to the human ear is essentially unnoticed or undetectable (without the listener being informed that the signal is actually present) and,

(2) be low enough in the audio spectrum that it (and its modulation content) can produce a useful output power from home entertainment type cassette or reel-to-reel magnetic recorders.

This would also include, of course, small portable and automobile tape decks.

Alternatively, the output of the system can be fed directly into an audio amplifier and its speaker/earphone system, Public Address system, etc.

FIG. 1 provides the block diagram of an example of a system capable of generating the desired silent frequency modulated carrier.

The modulation information is inputted into the microphone 11. Other suitable input devices may be substituted for microphone 11, such as a tape recorder or a radio. The microphone 11 is connected to the preamplifier 12 and should have provisions for adjusting its gain in order that the optimum modulation index can be set in the frequency modulator 13. The frequency modulator 13 modulates the frequency of oscillator 14 which has been adjusted for an output of 14,500 Hz as described above. The output of oscillator 14 is fed through a suitable bandpass filter 15 into the tape recorder or directly into a suitable amplifier/speaker system. It is the purpose of the bandpass filter to remove or attenuate audible products of the modulation process in order to maintain as audibly silent an output as practical.

On the receiving end, FIG. 2 represents an approximate and idealized frequency response curve of the human ear. The frequency modulated carrier (centered at 14,500 Hz), as generated above and played through a tape recorder or amplifier/speaker system, is shown on FIG. 2 as speaker output 26, impinging upon the upper slope of the ear’s response curve at point 25. The frequency modulated excursions of the speaker output 26 swing between points 23 and 24 on the ear’s upper response curve. Because the response curve between points 23 and 25 is relatively linear, this action results in a relatively linear demodulation of the original modulation intelligence, which is passed on subliminally to the inner ear. The amplitude of the demodulated output is not high enough to be detected by the conscious mind but is sufficient in amplitude to be detected by the subconscious mind. In the field of communications engineering design, the above demodulation process in known as slope detection and was used in early FM receiver design. In those receivers, the response curve was formed by the action of a tuned (inductive/capacitance) circuit. In our case, the response curve is formed by the natural response curve of the human ear. The same slope detection technique can be performed at the low frequency end of the human ear response curve. This region is indicated on FIG. 2 as between points 21 and 22. This region, however, has a much smaller available bandwidth and is therefore more restricted as to the amount of information that can be transmitted in an inaudible manner.

In practice, the listener adjusts the volume control of the tape recorder or amplifier to a level just below that at which the listener hears an audible sound or noise from the speaker of the tape recorder. If the recording process is properly done, a spectrum analyzer or a calibrated sound level meter will reveal a strong signal emanating from the tape recorder speaker. A calibrated sound level meter, at a distance of 1 meter (with C weighting and referenced to the standard of 0.0002 micro bar) will typically indicate a silent power output of from 60 to 70 decibels. This is equivalent to the audio power of a loud conversation, yet, in the described system, is inaudible or unnoticed by the listener.

FIG. 3 illustrates a system which generates a suitable amplitude modulated (AM) signal, instead of the frequency modulated (FM) system described above. The output is a modulated, single sideband (SSB), suppressed carrier (AM) signal at 14,500 Hz.

The block diagram represents a common scheme for generating an SSB signal and will be briefly described.

The desired subliminal information is spoken into microphone 31. This signal is amplified by speech amplifier 32 and injected into one port of balanced modulator 33. A continuous wave signal of 455 KHz is generated by carrier oscillator 34 and is injected into the second port of balanced modulator 33. The output of balanced modulator 33 is a double sideband, suppressed carrier signal at 455 KHz. This signal is fed through filter 35, causing one of the two sidebands to be removed. This signal is fed into one port of mixer 36. A continuous wave signal at a frequency of 469.5 KHz from hetrodyne oscillator 37 is fed into the other port of mixer 36, resulting in an output of the original subliminal audio information but translated 14,500 Hz higher in frequency. The bandpass filter 38 attenuates signals and noise outside of the frequencies of interest. The amplitude modulated audio output signal is shown as output 39.

Thus, as stated earlier, my invention provides a new system for subliminal presentations which is:

(a) silent,

(b) outputs a constant, high level modulated signal and,

(c) occupies a band of clear channel frequencies.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above discussions. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not only by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

“The new patent and associated technology offers improved fluidic sensor system designs,” said ISSYS president and CEO Nader Najafi. “The basic technology is already seeing use in industrial chemical processing and biomedical devices, as well as fuel cell systems. This reinforces the other ISSYS patents on the design, packaging, fabrication, and application of microtube-based sensors, giving ISSYS comprehensive IP protection and offering a competitive barrier to market entry.”

According to Doug Sparks, executive vice president of ISSYS, this patent describes a new resonant microtube design that is more resistant to packaging stress than previous designs. This new design enables the MEMS chip to be mounted to low cost plastic or smaller metal packages that might be subjected to torsional mounting stress.  These sensor chips are used by ISSYS to produce Coriolis mass flow meters, density and chemical concentration sensors, fuel quality, drug infusion systems, fuel cell concentration sensors, and other devices. It complements other patents owned by ISSYS in the area of flow sensors and MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) devices.

Founded in 1995, ISSYS is one of the oldest independent MEMS companies in the United States. ISSYS operates a full manufacturing MEMS fabrication plant.

More at www.mems-issys.com.

The Automatic Transport Loading System and Method is Webb’s second Automatic Transport Loading patent for its SmartLoader Automatic Guided Vehicle, which loads and unloads standard, over-the-road trailers and other containers without requiring any modifications to the trailers. This patent applies specifically to loading and unloading the ends of trailers by actively adjusting the position or angle of the forks on the AGV. Normally, the forks of an AGV are parallel to the floor when it is picking up and dropping off loads. However, loading and unloading the end of a trailer requires the AGV to be outside of the vehicle on a loading dock or ramp that may be lower or at a different angle than the floor of the trailer. The newly patented technology enables the AGV to compensate for differences in height and position, as well as drop and pick up loads when the forks are not parallel to the floor.

The Variable Path for Automated Guided Vehicles patented technology is a method for controlling several AGVs in a system. The AGVs are instructed to not only follow a predetermined path, but to also vary that path in multiple, minor ways. This reduces wear on the floor because the AGVs are not following identical paths.

More at www.daifukuwebb.com

The Company has an exclusive license to produce and sell products based on the Leatt Neck Brace system, which has issued and pending patents internationally.  Leatt Corporation and the inventor-assignee for such patents have been aggressive and successful to date in defending the Leatt Neck Brace patent and other intellectual property rights.

Since 2006, the Company has sold a line of products based on the Neck Brace Systems for adults and children that are designed to help prevent potentially devastating motor sport injuries to the cervical spine (neck) among motorcycle, ATV, bicycle and other motor vehicles worldwide.  The Company product line is set forth at our sales/product URL: http://www.leatt.com.  The contents of such URL are not incorporated herein.

NOTICE:  This press release may contain forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Actual results of operations, including market acceptance of products and consequences of patent rights for such products, may vary significantly from results indicated or implied by any forward looking statements.  The granting of patent rights does not necessarily result in any enhanced market performance or market acceptance of the products based on such rights. The Company is deemed a “penny stock” company under federal securities rules and the Company is not an SEC reporting company. As such, any investment in Company securities is deemed to be highly risky.

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
PW Richter
3901 Dominion Townes Circle
Richmond, Virginia 23223
Telephone: 804-644-2182
Fax: 804-644-2181
Email: prosage@comcast.net

SOURCE: Leatt Corporation

####

Gentel first obtained an exclusive right to commercialize the technology in 2006.

According to Brian H. Haab, head of VARI’s Laboratory of Cancer Immunodiagnostics and inventor of the technology, “A number of new biomarkers using glycosylated variants of proteins have recently received or are proceeding toward FDA clearance. The ability to efficiently screen glycosylated variants of many proteins for use as biomarkers offers an unprecedented opportunity for discoveries of new glycan-based biomarkers.”

Glycosylation is the addition of linear or branched sugar molecules to proteins. Many studies have shown that glycosylated variants of proteins can make better markers for early detection and for prognosis in cancers like hepatocellular carcinoma when compared to measuring the protein alone.

“There are a lack of tools to screen proteins for changes in glycosylation that might be associated with disease,” said Bryce P. Nelson, vice president of technology and business development at Gentel Biosciences. “Dr. Haab’s approach is a better method to identify new diagnostic biomarkers based on glycosylated variants of proteins.”

A patent for the technology is also pending in the European Union.

The new glycan detection technology will soon be combined with the more than fifty SilverQuant Antibody Array kits available from Gentel. These antibody array kits target nearly 500 proteins and provide a complete proteomics workflow from screening to quantification. SilverQuant kits are configured for use with the Gentel Proteomics Multi-System and Gentel’s AthenaQuant analysis software for an easy-to-use and cost-effective alternative with better sensitivity than fluorescence-based detection. SilverQuant chromogenic technology allows for the detection of any biotinylated molecule, generating array spots that are visible to the naked eye that can be detected with the Gentel Proteomics Multi-System. Simple protocols empower both experts and novices to obtain meaningful protein multiplexing data in a single day.

Glycan detection technology is currently available from Gentel as a custom assay development service. To learn more about glycan detection technology and see how it can improve your proteomics research, visit www.gentelbio.com/GlycanDetection.

Animal studies suggest that NX002 may have applications in acute and chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.  It has been shown to stimulate the growth of epithelial cells and to promote mucosal wound healing after injury. 

NX002 is currently in preclinical studies for the treatment of IBD and in late preclinical development as a potential treatment for oral mucositis.

“Issuance of this new patent is important given the promising utility of NX002 as a potential treatment for serious disorders of the gastrointestinal system,” said James Koziarz, President and CEO of NephRx. “We have been encouraged by the efficacy demonstrated by NX002 in models of oral mucositis, and early studies suggest its distinctive mechanism of action also has potential as a novel treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. This family of painful and disabling conditions affects more than a million patients in the U.S. alone, and despite recent advances, many remain poorly treated.”

NX002 is a peptide derived from the naturally occurring growth factor AMP-18. Its multiple biological properties include the ability to protect cells from injury, stimulate cell growth and migration, and increase the accumulation of proteins that bind cells together.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued Patent No. 7910543, “Control of growth and repair of gastro-intestinal tissues by gastrokines and inhibitors.”  Rights to this patent, which protects NX002 and related compounds, have been exclusively licensed to NephRx by the University of Chicago.

Inflammatory bowel disease refers to a group of inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which cause chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract and lead to a variety of symptoms, including ulceration, pain, vomiting, diarrhea, edema, bleeding and fluid loss. IBD is a chronic condition with periods of active disease alternating with periods of remission.  It can limit quality of life and may lead to life-threatening complications. IBD is thought to result from an immune reaction of the body against its own intestinal tissue. It is treated with surgery and with a variety of systemic and local anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents, but many involve potentially serious side effects and efficacy varies.  According to the American College of Gastroenterology, there are more than one million people with IBD in the United States alone.  These diseases account for 700,000 physician visits per year and 100,000 annual hospitalizations.

NephRx is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of therapeutic products for the treatment of acute kidney failure and other renal disorders, and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including mucositis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. NX001 is currently in Phase I testing and will be developed initially for the treatment of delayed graft function in kidney transplant patients. NX002 is in late stage preclinical development as a potential treatment for oral mucositis and in preclinical studies for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. 

More at www.nephrx.com.

This patent covers advanced methods for using miniature, wireless, batteryless, implantable sensors anchored within the heart, as well as other organs, for non-invasive monitoring of cardiovascular biological pressures.

ISSYS’ wireless, batteryless, sensor and the anchor are delivered via a catheter in an outpatient procedure. The biocompatible anchor allows the miniature telemetric sensor to be stabilized within the heart and monitor left atrium pressure. This is a very difficult task due to the stringent biocompatibility requirements of the left heart. 

The novel anchor manufacturing renders highly reliable anchors demanded by the chronic nature of cardiac sensors. ISSYS’ miniature sensors can also be anchored in two other ways: open heart surgery, and minimally invasive surgery. 

ISSYS CEO Nader Najafi said the targets of the company’s products are  cardiovascular disease, especially congestive heart failure; hydrocephalus (high brain pressure); and traumatic brain injuries.

Najafi said that ISSYS plans to start its cardiovascular clinical studies later this year.

Najafi noted that ISSYS’ intellectual property — its patents, know-how and trade secrets — “cover a wide spectrum including MEMS pressure sensors, the overall system, delivery and anchoring, and a variety of medical applications.  Another major competitive advantage for ISSYS is its newly expanded manufacturing facility that is capable of producing tens of thousands of the miniature implants per year.”

Founded in 1995, ISSYS is one of the oldest independent MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) companies in the United States. ISSYS operates a comprehensive MEMS fabrication plant in Ypsilanti.

More at www.mems-issys.com.

In 2006, Edcor commissioned a major re-engineering of its tools used to provide tuition administration services. During this re-engineering process, the new scanning verification and tracking system was one of several new and improved tools Edcor introduced to improve the quality, accuracy and security of its services.

“This is great accomplishment for Edcor,” owner and CEO Adrienne L. Way said. “This is a revolutionary new process and no one in the industry has anything like it. It is a benefit to our clients, and further solidifies Edcor as the industry leader in tuition program administration.  Patenting a process is a difficult achievement as it is exceedingly difficult to prove an original concept.”

At a high level, the Edcor claims or transaction processing system has the capability to convert a single electronic image into multiple images for review, verification, and adjudication. Another feature is the robust quality control functionality. The Edcor system has the ability to control the degree to which transactions are quality checked for each processing agent, client or a combination of both. This approach to quality verification ensures error rates are monitored closely and utilized to continuously improve quality.

U.S. Patent No. 7,869,098 is titled “Scanning Verification and Tracking System Method.”

For information on how Edcor can provide your company with tuition benefit administration, contact Marc Martinkowski, (248) 530-4290.

More at www.edcor.com.

Reliable, easy, and cost-effective noise reducing solutions for commercial and residential construction

Introduced in 2002, QuietRock products have revolutionized the building of high STC walls. QuietRock offers lower cost solutions – with higher STC performance – than other solutions. From ½” residential to 1 3/8th” commercial products, QuietRock is used just like standard drywall and directly replaces traditional noise damping techniques such as resilient channels, clips, soundboard and mass-loaded vinyl.

Certain QuietRock products are covered under U.S. Patent 7,181,891.

Installation of an acoustical wall requires proper sealing to avoid the likelihood of sound transmitting through wall penetrations, leaks or flanking paths. A building’s structure can also spread air and structure-born sound. Lowering the unwanted sound coming through a common wall may require extending coverage to the adjacent hard flooring, walls and ceilings. Additionally, any wall, floor or ceiling penetrations, as well as doors and windows, create paths for sound. Each installation and situation will differ. No construction method or material should be considered 100% soundproof. It is recommended that you consult with an expert to meet your acoustical requirements. QuietRock is tested in controlled, laboratory conditions. Due to the many variables in actual installations your results may vary.

Excerpt from: http://www.quietrock.com/quietrock-drywall.html – Check it out!

For further information, tech support, and to find out more about these products see: http://www.quietrock.com/

Also see what Serious Materials is doing…http://blog.seriousmaterials.com/?p=1244

Paul Marks, New Scientist

Microsoft this week filed a patent application covering a novel way to construct a “tactile” touchscreen – a display that uses technical tricks to convince users they are actually touching the ridges, bumps and textures of a displayed image.

Whereas previous screens produced only an illusion of texture, Microsoft proposes producing a real texture, using pixel-sized shape-memory plastic cells that can be ordered to protrude from the surface on command.

Microsoft this week filed a patent application covering a novel way to construct a “tactile” touchscreen – a display that uses technical tricks to convince users they are actually touching the ridges, bumps and textures of a displayed image.

In the patent, Microsoft proposes coating the display with a light-induced shape-memory polymer. This becomes hard and protruding when one wavelength of ultraviolet light is transmitted at a pixel, and soft when another wavelength hits it. By modulating these wavelengths, texture can be created, the patent claims.

“Creating well-defined bumps on a touch surface is in many ways the holy grail of text entry on touch devices because it would enable touch typing at much faster speeds than on touchscreens today,” he says.

And if it could be used on smaller devices, it could spell the end of keypads on phones, he believes. “There would be no more reason for mobile keypads – they would simply be emulated when necessary. That could effect massive change in this field.”

Paul Marks, New Scientist

No keypads on cell phones? If this patent is true in physical form, Microsoft could create the next big shift in cell phone/tablet technology.

MIAMI, FL – June 14, 2010 (Motor Sports Nwswire) – Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R), a leader in transportation and supply chain management solutions, today announced that it has been awarded a patent from the U.S. Patent Office for its systems and methods that integrate and optimize supply chain performance in the areas of shipment planning and execution.

The newly issued U.S. patent has been assigned the number 7,711,602 and was issued on May 4, 2010. This U.S. patent award provides Ryder with the intellectual property protection related to its Logistics Release process that improves supply chain integration and management of logistics for supply chains.

The key approach to the Logistics Release process is configuring the unique data to create a common, web-native data utility for each stakeholder in the supply chain. The Logistics Release process then creates an optimum shipment that takes into account weight, cube, packaging, stackability, pallet configuration and mode determination. The shipment receives a plan, or “Release” with the logistics information and instructions for that shipment.

The plan is created and initiated prior to the movement of goods and then all events of the subsequent movement are controlled by this plan. Whereas the physical movement requires cross docks, terminals and sequence centers, the virtual movements are monitored continually by a “Control Tower,” or central office from which all movements can be monitored, tracked, and coordinated in real time.

This capability significantly improves transit time and reduces the cost of integrating multiple transportation networks. The technology also includes exception-based reporting, which identifies events that vary from the Logistics Release plan and enables alternative actions and routing, as well as measures the plan’s progress against the actual results.

John Williford, Ryder’s President of Global Supply Chain Solutions, said, “We are pleased to be granted this patent that benefits all participants in the supply chain. Ryder’s Control Tower service helps cut inventory by improving operational execution, and now the business process supporting this service is recognized as unique. We look forward to supporting our customers with Ryder’s Logistics Release capabilities.”

Ryder’s Supply Chain Solutions business offers a broad range of innovative logistics management services that are designed to optimize a customer’s supply chain and address key customer business issues. Ryder manages the inbound flow of more than 20 billion parts annually, providing service to more than 47 automotive assembly plants and to a multitude of customers at more than 300 plants. Ryder serves customers in a variety of industries, including automotive, electronics, high-tech, telecommunications, industrial, consumer goods, paper, office equipment, food and beverage and general retail industries. Ryder houses the Company’s material flow operations and the Logistics Release process in Novi, Michigan and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Together these centers control more than 5,000,000 annual part shipments in North America.

About Ryder

Ryder is a FORTUNE 500(R) commercial transportation, logistics and supply chain management solutions company. Ryder’s stock (NYSE: R) is a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. Inbound Logistics magazine has recognized Ryder as the top third party logistics provider, and Security magazine has named Ryder the number-one company for security practices in the transportation, logistics, supply chain, and warehousing sector. Ryder is a proud member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program, supporting national and local disaster preparedness and response efforts. For more information on Ryder System, Inc., visit www.ryder.com.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements and information included in this news release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements should be evaluated with consideration given to the many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements including those risks set forth in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or to assess the impact of such risks on our business. Accordingly, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE: Ryder System, Inc.

For Information, contact:
Lisa Brumfield Hagen
(305) 500-3668

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Will They Really Sue?

It remains to be unseen as to the likelihood of Facebook seeking legal actions against other social networks. The patent only protects stories about actions of a user’s friends. So the likes of Twitter, which is based on “status updates”, will not be affected.

Overall, this is a great move for Facebook in solidifying their contributions to the social space and owning a piece of their history.

Michael Jackson’s legacy has yet to settle.  There are the songs, of course– from the crystal-shattering Motown days of the Jackson Five to the Quincy Jones era– and there’s the Beatles Song Catalogue (rumored to have been willed to Sir Paul…  though Michael’s creditors may have some issue with that); and then, of course, there’s the lunacy…  But it may be that Michael will be best remembered as an inventor.  To wit, U..S. Patent 5255452, the abstract of which reads:

A system for allowing a shoe wearer to lean forwardly beyond his center of gravity by virtue of wearing a specially designed pair of shoes which will engage with a hitch member movably projectable through a stage surface. The shoes have a specially designed heel slot which can be detachably engaged with the hitch member by simply sliding the shoe wearer’s foot forward, thereby engaging with the hitch member.

And lest the reader wonder at the utility of such a creation, consider “Smooth Criminal” and its signature dance routine:

As we cant at 45 degrees, we might celebrate the birthdays of an entertainment pioneer of an earlier era, Melvin “Mel” Kaminsky– better known by his stage name, Mel Brooks.  He was born on this date in 1926.  Brooks is a member of the select fraternity of entertainers who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. And while of his own work he observed, “my movies rise below vulgarity,” three of his films (Blazing Saddles, The Producers, and Young Frankenstein) rank in the Top 20 on the American Film Institute’s list of the Top 100 Comedy Films of All Time.

“How could this happen? I was so careful. I picked the wrong play, the wrong director, the wrong cast. Where did I go right?”

- Max Bialystock, The Producers

Mel Brooks