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U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Michigan (Aug. 5)(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in Michigan. *** GM Global Technology Operations Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 4 -- GM Global Technology Operations, Detroit, has been assigned a patent (7,990,254) developed by David T. Proefke, Madison Heights, Mich., David R. Mick, Clarkston, Mich., and Kimberly A. Morse-Harvey, Warren, Mich., for a "method and system for controlling an ignition switch and an operational state of a vehicle." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Methods and systems for controlling an operational state of a vehicle having a keyless rotary ignition switch and a locking mechanism coupled to the keyless rotary ignition switch are provided. The locking mechanism is disengaged to allow the keyless rotary ignition switch to be rotated from a first position to a second position by a user when an electronic authorization is detected. The locking mechanism is engaged to prevent the keyless rotary ignition switch from being rotated from the first position to the second position by the user when no electronic authorization is detected." The patent application was filed on July 17, 2007 (11/778,794). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=79,90,254.PN.&OS=PN/79,90,254&RS=PN/79,90,254 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 4 -- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Erlanger, Ky., has been assigned a patent (7,990,237) developed by Alexandros Margomenos, Ann Arbor, Mich., and Amin Rida, Atlanta, for a "system and method for improving performance of coplanar waveguide bends at mm-wave frequencies." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An apparatus including a liquid crystal polymer substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, a coplanar waveguide formed on the top surface of the liquid crystal polymer substrate, the coplanar waveguide having a 90 degree bend with a mitered edge, an inner via positioned adjacent to an inner corner of the 90 degree bend, and an outer via positioned adjacent to the mitered edge of the 90 degree bend, the inner and outer vias positioned along a first plane that is perpendicular to a second plane defined by the mitered edge." The patent application was filed on Jan. 16, 2009 (12/355,526). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=79,90,237.PN.&OS=PN/79,90,237&RS=PN/79,90,237 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Audiovox Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 4 -- Audiovox, Hauppauge, N.Y., has been assigned a patent (7,990,255) developed by Joseph Santavicca, Macomb, Mich., and Shane Wilson, Clinton Township, Mich., for a "range extending positive repeater." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for extending a reception range of a vehicle remote control system includes: receiving, at a repeater, a first radio frequency (RF) signal having inbound data packets indicating a vehicle function to be performed from a remote transmitter; generating, at the repeater, a second RF signal by placing outbound data packets indicating the vehicle function to be performed between the inbound data packets until reception of the first RF signal is complete; and transmitting, from the repeater, the second RF signal to a reception module of a vehicle remote control system." The patent application was filed on Nov. 2, 2006 (11/555,768). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=79,90,255.PN.&OS=PN/79,90,255&RS=PN/79,90,255 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Michigan Inventors Develop Patent for Ignition Key With Recorded Message ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 4 -- David Wayne Pobuda, Bangor, Mich., and Darwin Todd Willbrandt, Waterford, Mich., have developed a patent (7,990,259) for "ignition key with recorded message." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A vehicle ignition key includes a shank portion securely attached to a grip portion including a housing with an exterior housing surface. An actuation switch includes a switch contact surface complementary with the exterior housing surface, and is electrically coupled with a digital message controller and a power source. The housing defines a chamber which can hold the digital message controller, the power source, and/or a message generator. The message generator can transmit a message from the digital message controller. Actuation of the actuation switch upon rotation of the ignition key in the ignition switch is facilitated by the complementary surfaces, and initiates processing of stored data and transmission of the digitized data from the digital message controller to the message generator." The patent application was filed on Jan. 29, 2008 (12/021,567). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=79,90,259.PN.&OS=PN/79,90,259&RS=PN/79,90,259 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Michigan Inventor Develops Patent for Key Storage and Dispensing Assembly and a Method for Storing and Dispensing Keys ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 4 -- Jessie Donald Swinea Jr., Royal Oak, Mich., has developed a patent (7,987,020) for a "key storage and dispensing assembly and a method for storing and dispensing keys." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A key storage and dispensation assembly 10 which selectively and securely stores keys, such as key 144 and which allows access to a stored key, such as key 144, without allowing access to the remaining key, and to a method which uses such a technique." The patent application was filed on Jan. 27, 2007 (11/698,589). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,987,020&OS=7,987,020&RS=7,987,020 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Handylab Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Handylab, Ann Arbor, Mich., has been assigned a patent (7,987,022) developed by Kalyan Handique, Ann Arbor, Mich., Karthik Ganesan, Ann Arbor, Mich., and Sundaresh N. Brahmasandra, Ann Arbor, Mich., for "methods and systems for control of microfluidic devices." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides control methods, control systems, and control software for microfluidic devices that operate by moving discrete micro-droplets through a sequence of determined configurations. Such microfluidic devices are preferably constructed in a hierarchical and modular fashion which is reflected in the preferred structure of the provided methods and systems. In particular, the methods are structured into low-level device component control functions, middle-level actuator control functions, and high-level micro-droplet control functions. Advantageously, a microfluidic device may thereby be instructed to perform an intended reaction or analysis by invoking micro-droplet control function that perform intuitive tasks like measuring, mixing, heating, and so forth. The systems are preferably programmable and capable of accommodating microfluidic devices controlled by low voltages and constructed in standardized configurations. Advantageously, a single control system can thereby control numerous different reactions in numerous different microfluidic devices simply by loading different easily understood micro-droplet programs." The patent application was filed on Oct. 13, 2005 (11/251,188). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,987,022&OS=7,987,022&RS=7,987,022 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Michigan Inventor Develops Patent for Optical Lattice Microscopy Using Periodic Interference Patterns of Coherent Waves ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Robert Eric Betzig, Okemos, Mich., has developed a patent (7,990,611) for an "optical lattice microscopy using periodic interference patterns of coherent waves." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A microscope includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, having a wavelength, .lamda..sub.1 and dividing optical elements configured for dividing the radiation from the source into multiple excitation beams. The microscope also includes a detector and directing optical elements, which are configured for directing each excitation beam in unique directions, such that the beams intersect in an excitation region within a sample to create a two-dimensional or three-dimensional interference pattern of multiple excitation maxima within the sample. The detector has individual detector elements, where the detector elements are configured for detecting light resulting from an interaction of an individual excitation maximum and the sample." The patent application was filed on May 22, 2007 (11/719,930). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,990,611.PN.&OS=PN/7,990,611&RS=PN/7,990,611 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Gentex Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Gentex, Zeeland, Mich., has been assigned a patent (7,990,603) developed by six co-inventors for a "variable transmission window system." The co-inventors are Kevin L. Ash, Grand Rapids, Mich., Bradley L. Busscher, Grand Rapids, Mich., Robert R. Turnbull, Holland, Mich., George A. Neuman, Holland, Mich., David J. Cammenga, Zeeland, Mich., and David A. Theiste, Byron Center, Mich. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An electrical control system is disclosed for controlling a plurality of variable transmittance windows. The electrical control system comprises a master control circuit and user input circuits for supplying control signals representing transmittance levels for the variable transmission windows, and a plurality of slave window control circuits coupled to the master control circuit, user input circuits and the variable transmittance windows. Each slave window control circuit controls the transmittance of at least one of the variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from the master control circuit and/or user input circuits. Also disclosed are novel methods for the manufacture of an electrochromic device used in variable transmittance windows. Novel structural features for improving heat transfer away from the windows, shielding the window from external loads, and improving the electrical performance of the windows are also disclosed." The patent application was filed on June 11, 2007 (11/760,807). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,990,603.PN.&OS=PN/7,990,603&RS=PN/7,990,603 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Jaya Anand. *** GM Global Technology Operations Assigned Patent for Vehicle Illumination System and Method ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- GM Global Technology Operations, Detroit, has been assigned a patent (7,987,030) developed by Patricia A. Flores, Clawson, Mich., and Adrian B. Chernoff, Boulder, Colo., for a "vehicle illumination system and method." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An apparatus and method for illuminating a vehicle including a light source connected to an illuminatable component such as an interior or exterior vehicle door handle or steering wheel, and a control system including a plurality of sensors that monitor the vehicle and surroundings for predetermined conditions and selectively illuminate the component as a means of conveying information or warnings about the vehicle or its surroundings. Illumination may be enhanced by other auditory signals such as audio alarms or vibration. Predetermined conditions may include the proximity of a vehicle user, key fob activation or proximity, input from an entertainment system, activation of a pressure sensor, the presence of a person or object in proximity to the vehicle, or the vehicle's ignition or gear state." The patent application was filed on May 18, 2006 (11/436,786). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,987,030&OS=7,987,030&RS=7,987,030 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Ford Global Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Ford Global Technologies, Dearborn, Mich., has been assigned a patent (7,987,040) developed by Julia Helen Buckland, Dearborn, Mich., and Mrdjan J. Jankovic, Birmingham, Mich., for a "controlling cylinder mixture and turbocharger operation." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for controlling differences in exhaust gas residual amount for a two cylinder bank engine having at least one turbocharger is presented. In one example, the description includes a method for adjusting valve timing to reduce cylinder exhaust gas residual variation." The patent application was filed on Sept. 14, 2010 (12/882,077). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,987,040&OS=7,987,040&RS=7,987,040 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** DexCom Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- DexCom, San Diego, has been assigned a patent (7,986,986) developed by four co-inventors for a "system and methods for processing analyte sensor data." The co-inventors are Paul V. Goode, Cherry Hill, N.J., James Brauker, Addison, Mich., Apurv U. Kamath, San Diego, and Victoria E. Carr-Brendel, San Diego. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Systems and methods for processing sensor analyte data, including initiating calibration, updating calibration, evaluating clinical acceptability of reference and sensor analyte data, and evaluating the quality of sensor calibration. During initial calibration, the analyte sensor data is evaluated over a period of time to determine stability of the sensor. The sensor may be calibrated using a calibration set of one or more matched sensor and reference analyte data pairs. The calibration may be updated after evaluating the calibration set for best calibration based on inclusion criteria with newly received reference analyte data. Fail-safe mechanisms are provided based on clinical acceptability of reference and analyte data and quality of sensor calibration. Algorithms provide for optimized prospective and retrospective analysis of estimated blood analyte data from an analyte sensor." The patent application was filed on March 23, 2010 (12/730,108). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,986,986&OS=7,986,986&RS=7,986,986 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Lear Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Lear Corporation, Southfield, Mich., has been assigned a patent (7,986,960) developed by Riad Ghabra, Dearborn Heights, Mich., Yi Luo, Ypsilanti, Mich., and Qingfeng Tang, Novi, Mich., for a "self-aligning vehicular transmitter system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method is provided for self-aligning a transmitting frequency between a portable transceiving device and a base station transceiving device. A test signal is transmitted from one of a portable or base station transceiving devices to the other of the portable or base station transceiving devices. The test signal has a frequency that varies during the transmission. The varying of the frequency of the test signal generates a plurality of discrete signals. The other of the portable or base station transceiving devices measures a RSSI value of each discrete signal. The other of the portable or base station transceiving devices determines a discrete signal having a maximum RSSI value. At least a portion of a subsequent message from the other of the portable transceiving device or the base station transceiving device is transmitted at an optimum frequency used for the test signal identified by the test result signal." The patent application was filed on April 21, 2009 (12/545,568). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,986,960&OS=7,986,960&RS=7,986,960 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** General Motors Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- General Motors, Detroit, has been assigned a patent (7,986,974) developed by Uma Arun, Novi, Mich., for a "context specific speaker adaptation user interface." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for providing a context specific speaker adaptation user interface is disclosed. The method allows a specific user of a voice activated system to train a voice recognition system to understand specific uttered commands by receiving a training sequence initiation input, sending at least one command to be trained, receiving a selection input, prompting a verbal input, recording the verbal input, and linking a voice input with an instruction corresponding with the command input." The patent application was filed on May 23, 2003 (10/444,270). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,986,974&OS=7,986,974&RS=7,986,974 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** American Axle & Manufacturing Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- American Axle & Manufacturing, Detroit, has been assigned a patent (7,984,782) developed by six co-inventors for a motorcycle axle assembly. The co-inventors are James Winston Platt, New Haven, Ind., David Charles Johnson, Lapeer, Mich., Chane E. Myers, Maumee, Ohio, Harold Wayne Seeds, Irapuato, Mexico, Andrew P. Maguire, West Bloomfield, Mich., and Manoj Venkatesh Bhandiwad, White Lake, Mich. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly. A method for forming the axle assembly and a method for replacing an endless power-transmitting element are also provided." The patent application was filed on March 18, 2010 (12/726,744). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=79,84,782&OS=79,84,782&RS=79,84,782 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** EPA Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been assigned a patent (7,984,783) developed by Charles L. Gray Jr., Pickney, Mich., and Daniel W. Barba, New Hudson, Mich., for a "hydraulic hybrid vehicle with integrated hydraulic drive module and four-wheel-drive, and method of operation thereof." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A vehicle includes an integrated drive module coupled to an axle thereof. The module includes a hydraulic motor configured to provide motive power at an output shaft, and a differential for distributing the motive power to right and left portions of the axle. The hydraulic motor and the differential are encased within a common housing. The vehicle may include a second integrated drive module having, within a housing, a second hydraulic motor (or multiple hydraulic motors), and a second differential coupled thereto and configured to distribute motive power to right and left portions of a second axle. The second module may also include a transmission within the same housing. The transmission may be a two speed or other multi-speed transmission. The second module is configured to operate in neutral while power demand is below a threshold, and to engage while the power demand exceeds the threshold. The second module may be configured to remain engaged for full-time four-wheel-drive operation." The patent application was filed on Aug. 19, 2008 (12/229,099). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=79,84,783&OS=79,84,783&RS=79,84,783 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** GM Global Technology Operations Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- GM Global Technology Operations, Detroit, has been assigned a patent (7,984,653) developed by four co-inventors for an "angular mounted high-pressure vessel." The co-inventors are Wolfgang Oelerich, Wiesbaden, Germany, Bryan J. Stewart, New Hudson, Mich., Mohsen D. Shabana, Farmington Hills, Mich., and Steven P. Balgaard, Fenton, Mich. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A mounting system includes a pressure vessel having a longitudinal axis, a retaining strap disposed around the pressure vessel, a carrier element having an aperture formed therein to receive the retaining strap therethrough to secure the carrier element to the pressure vessel, and a mounting element coupled to the carrier element and adapted to be coupled to a mounting point to secure the pressure vessel, wherein the longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel is disposed at an non-horizontal resting angle." The patent application was filed on Dec. 15, 2009 (12/638,540). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7984653.PN.&OS=PN/7984653&RS=PN/7984653 Written by Ankresh Ranjan; edited by Jaya Anand. *** General Electric Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- General Electric, Schenectady, N.Y., has been assigned a patent (7,990,705) developed by four co-inventors for "systems and methods for synthetic jet enhanced natural cooling." The co-inventors are Jeffrey Russell Bult, Grand Rapids, Mich., Mehmet Arik, Niskayuna, N.Y., William Dwight Gerstler, Niskayuna, N.Y., and Yogen Utturkar, Niskayuna, N.Y. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and system for increasing cooling of an enclosure is provided. The component enclosure includes one or more sidewalls defining a volume, the sidewalls are configured to substantially surround a heat generating component positioned within the volume. The component enclosure further includes a synthetic jet assembly positioned adjacent at least one of the sidewalls. The synthetic jet assembly includes at least one synthetic jet ejector having a jet port. The jet port is aligned at least one of perpendicularly, parallelly, and obliquely with a surface of the at least one sidewall. The synthetic jet assembly is configured to direct a jet of fluid through the port at least one of substantially parallel to the surface, perpendicularly onto the surface, and obliquely toward the surface." The patent application was filed on May 9, 2008 (12/118,435). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=79,90,705.PN.&OS=PN/79,90,705&RS=PN/79,90,705 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Google Assigned Patent for Association of a Portable Scanner with Input/Output and Storage Devices ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Google, Mountain View, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,990,556) developed by four co-inventors for an "association of a portable scanner with input/output and storage devices." The co-inventors are Martin T. King, Vashon Island, Wash., Dale L. Grover, Ann Arbor, Mich., Clifford A. Kushler, Lynnwood, Wash., and James Q. Stafford-Fraser, Cambridge, United Kingdom. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A device identifier is scanned with a portable scanner and communicated to a service provider. The service provider associates the device with the portable scanner. Information is scanned from a printed source and communicated to the service provider and subsequent information is received in response at a device identified by the device identifier. In some embodiments, a communication session identifier is scanned with a portable scanner and communicated to the service provider rather than (or in cooperation with) the device identifier." The patent application was filed on Feb. 28, 2006 (11/365,983). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,990,556&OS=7,990,556&RS=7,990,556 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Michigan Inventor Develops Patent for Sequential Browsing and Visible Representation of a User's Watch List of Stocks and Market Indices ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Cary D. Perttunen, Shelby Township, Mich., has developed a patent (7,990,383) for a "sequential browsing and visible representation of a user's watch list of stocks and market indices." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A user's watch list comprising stocks and stock market indices is organized into a browsing sequence using a computer. The computer provides a sequential browsing feature to sequentially browse, in an order according to the browsing sequence, the stocks and the indices in the user's watch list. The computer provides a visible representation feature to display regions to visibly represent the stocks and the indices in the user's watch list. Each region is user-selectable, is bordered by a respective color that is based on a change in price of its represented one of the stocks and the indices, and has an interior color that is not based on the change in price. In response to a user selection of a region from a touch screen, the computer retrieves a chart associated with the respective one of the stocks and the indices in the user's watch list represented by the region." The patent application was filed on April 6, 2011 (13/066,078). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,990,383.PN.&OS=PN/7,990,383&RS=PN/7,990,383 Written by Anjali Jha; edited by Jaya Anand. *** GM Global Technology Operations Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- GM Global Technology Operations, Detroit, has been assigned a patent (7,984,644) developed by Andrew P Bagnasco, Plymouth, Mich., and Kenneth J. Cinpinski, Ray, Mich., for a "camshaft position measurement and diagnosis." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of operating an engine includes determining a relative position between a first camshaft and a second camshaft during a startup event of the engine when the first camshaft is at a first home position and the second camshaft is at a second home position. The first home position is a first preset angular position of the first camshaft relative to a crankshaft. The second home position is a second preset angular position of the second camshaft relative to the crankshaft when the engine is in an OFF state. The method includes generating a first estimate of the first home position. The method also includes diagnosing a mis-build of the engine based on the relative position, the first estimate and a second estimate of the second home position." The patent application was filed on Aug. 14, 2009 (12/541,463). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7984644.PN.&OS=PN/7984644&RS=PN/7984644 Written by Ankresh Ranjan; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Ovonyx Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5 -- Ovonyx, Troy, Mich., has been assigned a patent (7,990,761) developed by eight co-inventors for an "immunity of phase change material to disturb in the amorphous phase." The co-inventors are George Gordon, San Jose, Calif., Semyon D. Savransky, Newark, Calif., Ward Parkinson, Boise, Idaho, Sergey A. Kostylev, Bloomfield Hills, Mich., James Reed, Rochester Hills, Mich., Tyler Lowrey, West Augusta, Va., Ilya V. Karpov, Santa Clara, Calif., and Gianpaolo Spadini, Campbell, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Disturb from the reset to the set state may be reduced by creating an amorphous phase that is substantially free of crystal nuclei when programming the reset state in a phase change memory. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by using a current or a voltage to program that exceeds the threshold voltage of the phase change memory element, but does not exceed a safe current voltage which would cause a disturb." The patent application was filed on March 31, 2008 (12/080,001). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7990761.PN.&OS=PN/7990761&RS=PN/7990761 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. 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