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U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in California (Aug. 7)
[August 07, 2011]

U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in California (Aug. 7)


(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in California.

*** MaxPower Semiconductor Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- MaxPower Semiconductor, Campbell, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,989,293) developed by Richard A. Blanchard, Los Altos, Calif., and Jun Zeng, Torrance, Calif., for a "trench device structure and fabrication." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A vertical-current-flow device includes a trench which includes an insulated gate and which extends down into first-conductivity-type semiconductor material. A phosphosilicate glass layer is positioned above the insulated gate and a polysilicon layer is positioned above the polysilicate glass layer. Source and body diffusions of opposite conductivity types are positioned adjacent to a sidewall of the trench. A drift region is positioned to receive majority carriers which have been injected by the source, and which have passed through the body diffusion. A drain region is positioned to receive majority carriers which have passed through the drift region. The gate is capacitively coupled to control inversion of a portion of the body region. As an alternative, a dielectric layer may be used in place of the doped glass where permanent charge is positioned in the dielectric layer." The patent application was filed on Feb. 24, 2009 (12/391,450). 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=7,989,293&OS=7,989,293&RS=7,989,293 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.



*** GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore, Singapore, has been assigned a patent (7,989,338) developed by seven co-inventors for a "grain boundary blocking for stress migration and electromigration improvement in CU interconnects." The co-inventors are Fan Zhang, Singapore, Kho Liep Chok, Cupertino, Calif., Alex See, Singapore, Cheng-Cheh Tan, Singapore, Xiaomei Bu, Singapore, Tae Jong Lee, Singapore, and Liang Choo Hsia, Singapore.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Example embodiments of a structure and method for forming a copper interconnect having a doped region near a top surface. The doped region has implanted alloying elements that block grain boundaries and reduce stress and electro migration. In a first example embodiment, the barrier layer is left over the inter metal dielectric layer during the alloying element implant. The barrier layer is later removed with a planarization process. In a second example embodiment the barrier layer is removed before the alloying element implant and a hard mask blocks the alloying element from being implanted in the inter metal dielectric layer." The patent application was filed on June 15, 2005 (11/153,747). 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=7,989,338&OS=7,989,338&RS=7,989,338 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.


*** Applied Materials Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Applied Materials, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,989,343) developed by eight co-inventors for a "method of depositing a uniform metal seed layer over a plurality of recessed semiconductor features." The co-inventors are Tony Chiang, Mountain View, Calif., Gongda Yao, Fremont, Calif., Peijun Ding, San Jose, Calif., Fusen E. Chen, Cupertino, Calif., Barry L. Chin, Saratoga, Calif., Gene Y. Kohara, Fremont, Calif., Zheng Xu, Foster City, Calif., and Hong Zhang, Fremont, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "We disclose a method of depositing a metal seed layer on a wafer substrate comprising a plurality of recessed device features. The method comprises depositing a first portion of a copper seed layer on a wafer substrate without excessive build-up on the openings of each of the plurality of recessed device features, while obtaining bottom coverage without substantial sputtering of the bottom surface. The method also comprises depositing a second portion of the metal seed layer while redistributing at least a portion of the bottom coverage material to the sidewalls of each recessed device feature, to provide a uniform seed layer coverage over the interior surface of the recessed device features." The patent application was filed on June 11, 2010 (12/802,701). 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=7,989,343&OS=7,989,343&RS=7,989,343 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Applied Materials Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Applied Materials, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,989,339) developed by Kavita Shah, Mountain View, Calif., and Haichun Yang, Santa Clara, Calif., and Schubert S. Chu, San Francisco, for "vapor deposition processes for tantalum carbide nitride materials." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Embodiments of the invention generally provide methods for depositing and compositions of tantalum carbide nitride materials. The methods include deposition processes that form predetermined compositions of the tantalum carbide nitride material by controlling the deposition temperature and the flow rate of a nitrogen-containing gas during a vapor deposition process, including thermal decomposition, CVD, pulsed-CVD, or ALD. In one embodiment, a method for forming a tantalum-containing material on a substrate is provided which includes heating the substrate to a temperature within a process chamber, and exposing the substrate to a nitrogen-containing gas and a process gas containing a tantalum precursor gas while depositing a tantalum carbide nitride material on the substrate. The method further provides that the tantalum carbide nitride material is crystalline and contains interstitial carbon and elemental carbon having an interstitial/elemental carbon atomic ratio of greater than 1, such as about 2, 3, 4, or greater." The patent application was filed on Feb. 3, 2010 (12/699,271). 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=7,989,339&OS=7,989,339&RS=7,989,339 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Avery Dennison Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Avery Dennison, Pasadena, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,989,313) developed by seven co-inventors for a "method and apparatus for creating RFID devices." The co-inventors are Haochuan Wang, South Pasadena, Calif., Ali Mehrabi, Glendale, Calif., Kouroche Kian, Altadena, Calif., Dave N. Edwards, La Canada, Calif., Akiko Tanabe, Los Angeles, Mark Licon, Diamond Bar, Calif., and Jay Akhave, Claremont, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A process is disclosed for creating semiconductor devices such as RFID assemblies wherein an array of dies mounted to a substrate is spaced apart at a first pitch, and the substrate is removed after the positions of the dies in the array is fixed by a solidifiable substance. The solidifiable substance is then removed without changing the relative positions of the dies in the array. All or a selected portion of the array of dies is then electrically attached to a plurality of straps or interposers arranged in a corresponding array. The spacing, or pitch, between the dies in the die array may be changed before or after the substrate is removed to match the pitch of the straps or interposers in the corresponding array. An RFID device created using the process inventive is also disclosed." The patent application was filed on April 16, 2008 (12/104,156). 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=7,989,313&OS=7,989,313&RS=7,989,313 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Spansion Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Spansion, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,989,328) developed by Seungmoo Choi, Newport Beach, Calif., and Sameer Haddad, San Jose, Calif., for a "resistive memory array using P-I-N diode select device and methods of fabrication thereof." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An electronic structure includes a resistive memory device, and a P-I-N diode in operative association with the resistive memory device. A plurality of such electronic structures are used in a resistive memory array, with the P-I-N diodes functioning as select devices in the array. Methods are provided for fabricating such resistive memory device-P-I-N diode structures." The patent application was filed on Dec. 19, 2006 (11/641,646). 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=7,989,328&OS=7,989,328&RS=7,989,328 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Applied Materials Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Applied Materials, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,989,329) developed by eight co-inventors for a "removal of surface dopants from a substrate." The co-inventors are Kartik Ramaswamy, San Jose, Calif., Kenneth S. Collins, San Jose, Calif., Biagio Gallo, Palo Alto, Calif., Hiroji Hanawa, Sunnyvale, Calif., Majeed A. Foad, Sunnyvale, Calif., Martin A. Hilkene, Gilroy, Calif., Kartik Santhanam, Fremont, Calif., and Matthew D. Scotney-Castle, Morgan Hill, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and apparatus for removing excess dopant from a doped substrate is provided. In one embodiment, a substrate is doped by surfaced deposition of dopant followed by formation of a capping layer and thermal diffusion drive-in. A reactive etchant mixture is provided to the process chamber, with optional plasma, to etch away the capping layer and form volatile compounds by reacting with excess dopant. In another embodiment, a substrate is doped by energetic implantation of dopant. A reactive gas mixture is provided to the process chamber, with optional plasma, to remove excess dopant adsorbed on the surface and high-concentration dopant near the surface by reacting with the dopant to form volatile compounds. The reactive gas mixture may be provided during thermal treatment, or it may be provided before or after at temperatures different from the thermal treatment temperature. The volatile compounds are removed. Substrates so treated do not form toxic compounds when stored or transported outside process equipment." The patent application was filed on Dec. 21, 2007 (11/963,034). 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=7,989,329&OS=7,989,329&RS=7,989,329 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** HRL Laboratories Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- HRL Laboratories, Malibu, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,989,277) developed by six co-inventors for an "integrated structure with transistors and Schottky diodes and process for fabricating the same." The co-inventors are Louis Luh, Sunnyvale, Calif., Keh-Chung Wang, Thousand Oaks, Calif., Wah S. Wong, Montebello, Calif., Miroslav Micovic, Thousand Oaks, Calif., David Chow, Newbury Park, Calif., and Don Hitko, Grover Beach, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A process for fabricating an integrated group III nitride structure comprising high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) and Schottky diodes, and the resulting structure, are disclosed. Integration of vertical junction Schottky diodes is enabled, and the parasitic capacitance and resistance as well as the physical size of the diode are minimized. A process for fabricating an integrated group III nitride structure comprising double-heterostructure field effect transistors (DHFETs) and Schottky diodes and the resulting structure are also disclosed." The patent application was filed on Sept. 11, 2007 (11/853,694). 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=7,989,277&OS=7,989,277&RS=7,989,277 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Kingston Technology Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Kingston Technology, Fountain Valley, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,989,268) developed by Ben Wei Chen, Fremont, Calif., Jin S. Wang, Torrance, Calif., and David Hong-Dien Chen, Irvine, Calif., for a "small form factor molded memory card and a method thereof." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A shape-molding structure of a memory card comprises a circuit substrate, at least one chip, and an encapsulant covering. The upper and lower surfaces of the circuit substrate have a circuit layer and a plurality of electric contacts, respectively. The chip is located on the upper surface of the circuit substrate and electrically connected with the circuit layer. The encapsulant covering is formed by using a mold to press encapsulant entering at least one encapsulant inlet provided on at least one side surface of the circuit substrate. The encapsulant covering encapsulates all the above components with only the electric contacts exposed. A trace mark of the encapsulant inlet remaining on the encapsulant covering is then cut to obtain a shape-molding structure of memory card with an smooth and intact outer appearance." The patent application was filed on July 22, 2009 (12/507,771). 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=7,989,268&OS=7,989,268&RS=7,989,268 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Advantage Logic Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Advantage Logic, Mountain View, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,986,163) developed by Peter M. Pani, Mountain View, Calif., and Benjamin S. Ting, Saratoga, Calif., for a "scalable non-blocking switching network for programmable logic." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A scalable non-blocking switching network (SN) having switches and intermediate (stages of) conductors that are used to connect a first plurality of conductors to other multiple sets of conductors in a generally unrestricted fashion within respective interconnect resources constraints. The SN can be applied in a wide range of applications, in tandem or hierarchically, to provide a large switch network used in network, routers, and programmable logic circuits. The SN is used to connect a first set of conductors, through the SN, to multiple sets of conductors in a given logic circuit hierarchy whereby the conductors in each of the multiple sets are equivalent or exchangeable, which in term, by construction, makes the first set of conductors equivalent when used in the next level of circuit hierarchy. The SN is scalable for large sized sets of conductors and can be used hierarchically to enable programmable interconnections among large sized circuits" The patent application was filed on Nov. 29, 2010 (12/955,738). 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=7,986,163&OS=7,986,163&RS=7,986,163 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Rambus Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Rambus, Los Altos, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,989,265) developed by Frederick A. Ware, Los Altos Hills, Calif., Ely K. Tsern, Los Altos, Calif., and Ian P. Shaeffer, San Jose, Calif., for a "process for making a semiconductor system having devices that have contacts on top and bottom surfaces of each device." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Multiple devices, including a first device and a second device, have operational circuitry and opposing first and second surfaces. First and second electrical contacts are formed at the first surface, while a third electrical contact is formed at the second surface opposite the first electrical contact. The first electrical contact is electrically connected to the operational circuitry, and the second electrical contact is electrically connected to the third electrical contact. The first device and the second device are subsequently stacked such that the first surface of the second device is located adjacent the second surface of the first device such that the first electrical contact of the second device is aligned with the third electrical contact of the first device. The first electrical contact of the second device is electrically connected to the third electrical contact of the first device." The patent application was filed on Jan. 28, 2009 (12/361,513). 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=7,989,265&OS=7,989,265&RS=7,989,265 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Altera Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Altera, San Jose, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,986,160) developed by Tim Tri Hoang, San Jose, Calif., and Sergey Shumarayev, San Leandro, Calif., for an "apparatus and methods for adjusting performance characteristics and power consumption of programmable logic devices." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A PLD includes at least one IP block or circuit, and at least one I/O block or circuit. The performance of the at least one IP block is adjusted in order to meet at least one performance characteristic by changing a supply level of the at least one IP block, by adjusting at least one body bias level of the IP block, or both. The performance of the at least one I/O block is adjusted by changing a supply level of the at least one I/O block, by adjusting at least one body bias level of the I/O block, or both." The patent application was filed on May 27, 2006 (11/420,737). 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=7,986,160&OS=7,986,160&RS=7,986,160 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Cavendish Kinetics Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Cavendish Kinetics, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, has been assigned a patent (7,989,262) developed by Mickael Renault, San Jose, Calif., for a "method of sealing a cavity." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Embodiments disclosed herein generally include methods of sealing a cavity in a device structure. The cavity may be opened by etching away sacrificial material that may define the cavity volume. Material from below the cavity may be sputter etched and redeposited over and in passageways leading to the cavity to thereby seal the cavity. Material may be sputter etched from above the cavity and redeposited in the passageways leading to the cavity as well. The sputter etching may occur in a substantially inert atmosphere. As the sputter etching is a physical process, little or no sputter etched material will redeposit within the cavity itself. The inert gases may sweep out any residual gases that may be present in the cavity after the cavity has been opened. Thus, after the sputter etching, the cavity may be substantially filled with inert gases that do not negatively impact the cavity." The patent application was filed on Nov. 7, 2008 (12/267,186). 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=7,989,262&OS=7,989,262&RS=7,989,262 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** California Inventor Develops Patent for Iced Air Cooler ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Dan Leitner, Walnut Creek, Calif., has developed a patent (7,984,624) for an iced air cooler.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A cooling, heat exchanging, system effectively heats or cools the air within an enclosed space. The system operates for an extended time period without requiring the use of a generator or utility power." The patent application was filed on Feb. 4, 2008 (12/012,573). 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=7984624.PN.&OS=PN/7984624&RS=PN/7984624 Written by Ankresh Ranjan; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Intel Assigned Patent for Floating Gate Structures ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Intel, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,989,289) developed by six co-inventors for floating gate structures. The co-inventors are Tejas Krishnamohan, Palo Alto, Calif., Krishna Parat, Palo Alto, Calif., Kyu Min, San Jose, Calif., Srivardhan Gowda, Boise, Idaho, Thomas M. Graettinger, Boise, Idaho, and Nirmal Ramaswamy, Boise, Idaho.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Floating gate structures are generally described. In one example, an electronic device includes a semiconductor substrate, a tunnel dielectric coupled with the semiconductor substrate, and a floating gate structure comprising at least a first region having a first electron energy level or electron workfunction or carrier capture efficiency coupled with the tunnel dielectric and a second region having a second electron energy level or electron workfunction or carrier capture efficiency coupled with the first region wherein the first electron energy level or electron workfunction or carrier capture efficiency is less than the second electron energy level or electron workfunction or carrier capture efficiency. Such electronic device may reduce the thickness of the floating gate structure or reduce leakage current through an inter-gate dielectric, or combinations thereof, compared with a floating gate structure that comprises only polysilicon." The patent application was filed on June 30, 2008 (12/165,272). 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=7,989,289&OS=7,989,289&RS=7,989,289 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Toyota Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Toyota, Torrance, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,986,126) developed by Jonathan P. Bucci, Redondo Beach, Calif., James T. Pisz, Huntington Beach, Calif., and Brian H. Inouye, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., for an "automated system for determining whether vehicle charge station is publicly accessible." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system may automatically identify whether a vehicle charge station is publicly accessible. A location data input may receive location data which is indicative of the location of the vehicle charge station. A public accessibility data input may receive accessibility data which is relevant to determining whether the vehicle charge station is publicly accessible. A computer data processing system may determine whether the vehicle charge station is publicly accessible based on the accessibility data. A data output may deliver output data indicative of whether the vehicle charge station is publicly accessible based on the determination of such public accessibility by the computer data processing system." The patent application was filed on Feb. 18, 2011 (13/031,000). 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=7,986,126&OS=7,986,126&RS=7,986,126 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** GLOBALFOUNDRIES Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Grand Cayman, Ky., has been assigned a patent (7,986,146) developed by Harry J. Levinson, Saratoga, Calif., and Obert Reeves Wood II, New York, for a "method and system for detecting existence of an undesirable particle during semiconductor fabrication." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "One exemplary embodiment is a method for detecting existence of an undesirable particle between a planar lithographic object, such as a semiconductor wafer or a lithographic mask, and a chuck during semiconductor fabrication. The exemplary method in this embodiment includes placing the planar lithographic object, such as the semiconductor wafer, over the chuck. The method further includes measuring a change in at least one electrical characteristic formed by and between the chuck and the planar lithographic object, such as measuring a change in capacitance between the chuck and semiconductor wafer, caused by the undesirable particle." The patent application was filed on Nov. 29, 2006 (11/606,440). 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=7,986,146&OS=7,986,146&RS=7,986,146 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** MAG Instrument Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- MAG Instrument, Ontario, Canada, has been assigned a patent (7,986,112) developed by Stacey H. West, Upland, Calif., for a "Thermally self-stabilizing LED module." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An improved LED module that is thermally self-stabilizing, and that is able to be retrofitted into an existing flashlight is provided. In one embodiment, the LED module includes a light emitting diode, an amplifying circuit and a microchip. The amplifying circuit includes a temperature sensing device to sense heat from the light emitting diode. The output of the amplifying circuit is input to the microchip which output to a switching device that regulates energy that is delivered to the light emitting diode. The switching device may be part of a boosting circuit, a bucking circuit or an inverting circuit." The patent application was filed on Sept. 15, 2005 (11/227,768). 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=7,986,112&OS=7,986,112&RS=7,986,112 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Enphase Energy Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Enphase Energy, Petaluma, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,986,122) developed by Martin Fornage, Petaluma, Calif., and Mudhafar Hassan-Ali, Petaluma, Calif., for a "method and apparatus for power conversion with maximum power point tracking and burst mode capability." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An apparatus and method for converting a DC input power to a DC output power. The apparatus comprises an energy storage module and a burst mode controller. The burst mode controller causes energy to be stored in the energy storage module during at least one storage period, and further causes the energy to be drawn from the energy storage module during at least one burst period. During the at least one burst period, the DC output power is greater than the DC input power. Additionally, the burst mode controller employs a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique for operating a device providing the DC input power proximate a maximum power point (MPP)." The patent application was filed on Sept. 25, 2008 (12/284,767). 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=7,986,122&OS=7,986,122&RS=7,986,122 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Delta Design Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Delta Design, Poway, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,986,155) developed by Stephen Aloysius Wetzel, San Diego, and Thanh Trieu, San Diego, for a "method of manufacturing a heat sink pedestal device with interface medium chamber." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A heat sink pedestal device allows for the use of generic thermal units such as heat sinks. An interposer configured to fit a specific device under test is mounted to a retainer. The retainer firmly holds the interposer in position. In addition, the retainer may be mounted to a thermal unit. An interface sealant with a diameter less than that of the interposer, creating the perimeter of an interface medium chamber, is positioned at the periphery of the interposer between the interposer and the thermal unit. Interface material, having high thermal conductive properties, is positioned within the interface sealant. The interface medium chamber provides a high thermally conductive interface between the interposer and the thermal unit. In addition, the heat sink pedestal device minimizes customization because it allows a single heat sink or thermal unit assembly to be used to accommodate a wide range of unit sizes." The patent application was filed on Dec. 18, 2009 (12/654,420). 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=7,986,155&OS=7,986,155&RS=7,986,155 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Honda Motor Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Honda Motor, Tokyo, has been assigned a patent (7,986,118) developed by Taizo Yoshikawa, Mountain View, Calif., for an "open-loop torque control on joint position-controlled robots." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A joint of a robot is controlled by a torque command. The joint has a position controller with a position feedback loop. The torque command is received for the joint, and a velocity feedforward command is determined for realizing the torque command using the position controller. The velocity feedforward command is sent to the position controller and the position feedback loop is canceled. The position feedback loop is canceled by sending a position command to the position controller, where the position command is an actual measured position of the joint. The position feedback loop is also canceled by setting the gain of the position feedback loop to zero." The patent application was filed on April 7, 2008 (12/099,047). 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=7,986,118&OS=7,986,118&RS=7,986,118 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Marvell International Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Marvell International, Hamilton, Bermuda, has been assigned a patent (7,986,147) developed by William Lo, Cupertino, Calif., for a fast cable tester.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A physical layer (PHY) device including a first transmitter, a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) module, and a control module. The first transmitter is configured to transmit a first pulse on a first conductor of a first pair of conductors of a cable. The first ADC module is configured to generate a first set of outputs, in response to the transmission of the first pulse, by sampling an input from a second conductor of the first pair of conductors a plurality of times at a predetermined time interval. The control module is configured to determine a first distance from the PHY device to (i) an open-circuit, (ii) a short-circuit, or (iii) a termination of the first pair of conductors based on the first set of outputs." The patent application was filed on Oct. 5, 2010 (12/897,813). 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=7,986,147&OS=7,986,147&RS=7,986,147 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Lumenetix Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Lumenetix, Scotts Valley, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,986,107) developed by Matthew Weaver, Aptos, Calif., and Herman Ferrier, Scotts Valley, Calif., for an "electrical circuit for driving LEDs in dissimilar color string lengths." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An electrical circuit is disclosed for driving color strings that have at least one lamp, preferably a light emitting diode (LED). The color strings can be different lengths. In some embodiments, a switch is coupled in parallel to one of the LED strings to shunt power away from the LED string to a power supply or to one or more other LED strings. In some embodiments, a current injector is configured to remove current from or inject current into a node adjacent to an LED string. Methods are disclosed for producing a desired light output utilizing color strings that may be of dissimilar length and that may contain light emitting diodes of different colors." The patent application was filed on Feb. 12, 2009 (12/370,545). 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=7,986,107&OS=7,986,107&RS=7,986,107 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** OFID Microdevices Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- OFID Microdevices, Las Vegas, has been assigned a patent (7,986,158) developed by Philip Sydney Langton, Santa Cruz, Calif., for "methods, apparatuses, and products for a secure circuit." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Methods, systems, apparatuses and products are disclosed for providing security circuits. Exemplary embodiments including semiconductor chips on circuit boards are shown, together with application in a movie stick/movie player pair. Such systems provide for and improve on the means for clocked logic security support beyond what is available in current security products while being capable of embodiment in low cost technologies such as programmable gate arrays." The patent application was filed on Aug. 19, 2009 (12/583,371). 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=7,986,158&OS=7,986,158&RS=7,986,158 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Val-Chum, McGill University, Universite de Montreal Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Val-Chum, Montreal, McGill University, Montreal, and the Universite de Montreal, Montreal, have been assigned a patent (7,989,167) developed by five co-inventors for a "method of prognosing and diagnosing hereditary spastic paraplegia, mutant nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides." The co-inventors are Guy A. Rouleau, Montreal, Paul Valdmanis, Montreal, Inge Meijer, Montreal, Pierre Drapeau, Montreal, and Patrick Dion, St-Hyacinthe, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for diagnosing the presence of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) or predicting the risk of developing HSP in a human subject, comprising detecting the presence or absence of a defect in a gene encoding a polypeptide comprising the sequence of FIG. 9 (SEQ ID NO: 19), in a nucleic acid sample of the subject, whereby the detection of the defect is indicative that the subject has or is at risk of developing HSP." The patent application was filed on Nov. 13, 2007 (11/983,957). 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=7,989,167&OS=7,989,167&RS=7,989,167 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Roche Molecular Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,989,168) developed by Ellen Fiss, Albany, Calif., and Thomas William Myers, Dublin, Calif., for a proofreading primer extension.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides for primer extension reactions, including polymerase chain reactions, in which a polymerase having 3'-5' exonuclease activity edits a primer that is not fully complementary thereby allowing for amplification and detection of target nucleic acids that may have variability in their sequences." The patent application was filed on Aug. 11, 2009 (12/538,971). 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=7,989,168&OS=7,989,168&RS=7,989,168 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Stanford University Assigned Patent for Rapid, Informative Diagnostic Assay for Influenza Viruses Including H5N1 ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,989,185) developed by four co-inventors for a "rapid, informative diagnostic assay for influenza viruses including H5N1." The co-inventors are Nader Pourmand, San Mateo, Calif., Lisa Diamond, Ross, Calif., Jochen Kumm, Redwood City, Calif., and Ronald W. Davis, Palo Alto, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A rapid diagnostic assay for influenza virus, particularly avian influenza and more particularly H5N1, is described. The assay is based on amplification of a significant portion of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene and sequencing of several loci within the HA gene, using techniques which can obtain real time sequence information from multiple sites of a target DNA, in particular pyrosequencing and bioluminescence regenerative cycle. The assay contemplates the use of information-rich subsequences within the HA gene, e.g., (1) a glycosylation sequon; (2) receptor binding site; and (3) HA1/HA2 cleavage site. Other subsequences for sequencing include strain and clade markers, which vary among H5N1 strains." The patent application was filed on Nov. 27, 2007 (11/945,960). 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=7,989,185&OS=7,989,185&RS=7,989,185 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Microsystems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Microsystems, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,986,073) developed by Asif A. Godil, Pleasanton, Calif., for a "micro-electro mechanical system using snapping tabs, comb and parallel plate actuation." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention combines electrostatic comb with parallel plate actuation in a novel design to create a robust low voltage MEMS Micromirror. Other unique advantages of the invention include the ability to close the comb fingers for additional reliability and protection during mirror snapping with over voltage." The patent application was filed on Nov. 19, 2010 (12/927,648). 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=7,986,073&OS=7,986,073&RS=7,986,073 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Toyota Assigned Patent for Energy Harvesting Device ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Erlanger, Ky., has been assigned a patent (7,986,076) developed by Sang Won Yoon, Ann Arbor, Mich., and Alexandros Margomenos, Pasadena, Calif., for an energy harvesting device.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention discloses an energy harvesting device that converts small magnitude and low frequency vibrations into electrical energy. The device can include a base, a low frequency element, and a piezoelectric element. The low frequency element can be movably attached to the base and the piezoelectric element can also be attached to the base and be spaced apart from the low frequency element with a vacant space therebetween. Upon vibration of the low frequency element resulting from environmental vibrations, the low frequency element can impact the piezoelectric element and cause elastic deformation thereto." The patent application was filed on Nov. 2, 2009 (12/610,771). 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=7,986,076&OS=7,986,076&RS=7,986,076 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** California Inventor Develops Patent for Easy Method and System for a Musical Keyboard Instrument ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Mayumi Yanagi, San Francisco, has developed a patent (7,985,909) for an "easy method and system for a musical keyboard instrument." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and system to facilitate learning how to play a musical keyboard instrument. A first embodiment of the invention involves a system to facilitate learning, including a plurality of indicators on a plurality of keys on a keyboard of a musical keyboard instrument, wherein each key of the plurality of keys has at least one indicator of the plurality of indicators; and a plurality of matching indicators for placement on a plurality of fingers, wherein each finger of the plurality of fingers has one matching indicator of the plurality of matching indicators. A second embodiment of the invention involves a method to facilitate learning, including fabricating a plurality of indicators for attachment on a plurality of keys on a keyboard of a musical keyboard instrument, wherein each key of the plurality of keys has at least one indicator of the plurality of indicators; and providing a plurality of matching indicators corresponding to the plurality of keys, wherein the plurality of matching indicators are provided for placement on a plurality of fingers of a person, wherein each finger of the plurality of fingers has one matching indicator of the plurality of matching indicators that corresponds to a key of the plurality of keys." The patent application was filed on Dec. 29, 2009 (12/648,838). 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=7,985,909&OS=7,985,909&RS=7,985,909 Written by Anjali Jha; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Stanford University Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,989,164) developed by Ozgur Sahin, Cambridge, Mass., Calvin F. Quate, Menlo Park, Calif., and Olav Solgaard, Stanford, Calif., for a "detection of macromolecular complexes with harmonic cantilevers." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Method and apparatus which uses harmonic cantilevers, such as used in atomic force microscopy, to detect variations in the attractive and repulsive forces on a solid surface as a result of macromolecular binding, for example, hybridization of a single stranded DNA molecule attached to the surface with another DNA molecule. The complexed macromolecule is less flexible than an uncomplexed molecule. It will typically have more negative charge due to amino acids or DNA monomers. Both stiffness of the surface and the attractive capillary forces will change after binding and may be detected. By scanning the harmonic cantilever across a surface with macromolecules attached in tapping-mode and by recording the signals at the high frequency vibrations provided by harmonic cantilever, complexed molecules on a surface may be identified and quantified." The patent application was filed on April 13, 2006 (11/404,181). 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=7,989,164&OS=7,989,164&RS=7,989,164 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** DermTech International Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- DermTech International, San Diego, has been assigned a patent (7,989,165) developed by Nicholas R. Benson, San Diego, for a "tape stripping methods for analysis of skin disease and pathological skin state." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides non-invasive methods for detecting, monitoring, and diagnosing skin disease and pathological skin states such as irritated skin and psoriasis. The methods include using tape stripping to analyze expression in epidermal samples, of one or more skin markers. In illustrative examples, the tape stripping is performed using pliable tape that has a rubber adhesive. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods for predicting and monitoring response to therapy for a skin disease, such as psoriasis or dermatitis. Finally, the methods can include the use of a microarray." The patent application was filed on Feb. 23, 2007 (11/710,661). 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=7,989,165&OS=7,989,165&RS=7,989,165 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Apple Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Apple, Cupertino, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,985,935) developed by Emery Sanford, San Francisco, for a bottom actuated switch.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The systems and methods described herein are directed to a switch for electronic devices. The systems and methods provide for a switch disposed on a bottom surface of a circuit board enclosed in a housing of an electronic device. The circuit board may include an aperture. An actuating pin of the switch may extend through the aperture towards the top surface of the circuit board. An external actuator may be coupled to the actuating pin in the aperture on the circuit board. The external actuator may extend out through an opening in the housing for providing a user with access to the switch." The patent application was filed on July 23, 2008 (12/178,571). 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=7,985,935.PN.&OS=PN/7,985,935&RS=PN/7,985,935 Written by Anjali Jha; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Nanosolar Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Nanosolar, San Jose, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,985,919) developed by Martin Roscheisen, San Francisco, and Paul Adriani, Palo Alto, Calif., for a "thermal management for photovoltaic devices." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Methods and devices are provided for improved thermal management for photovoltaic devices and assemblies. In one embodiment, the photovoltaic device comprises of at least one photovoltaic cell based on a thin-film photovoltaic stack deposited directly onto a thermally conductive substrate. The thermally conductive substrate is connected to a heat sink in a configuration to allow sufficient heat transfer that lowers a normal operating cell temperature (NOCT) of the photovoltaic cell, thus increasing the efficiency of the cell and the module." The patent application was filed on Aug. 18, 2006 (11/465,783). 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=7,985,919.PN.&OS=PN/7,985,919&RS=PN/7,985,919 Written by Anjali Jha; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Maganas Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Thomas C. Maganas, Manhattan Beach, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,985,922) developed by Thomas C. Maganas, for "apparatus and methods for boosting electrical power." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An electrical power boosting apparatus includes a metal substrate having a monomolecular carbon-based film on first and second surfaces, a conductive core, a positive electrode at one end, and a negative electrode an opposite end and magnets positioned adjacent and in a spaced-apart relationship to the metal substrate, the magnets are oriented so that north and south poles of each magnet are matched with opposite poles of an adjacent magnet. Electrical power is boosted by passing an initial electric current having an initial voltage through the conductive core of the metal substrate and causing or allowing an interaction between the metal substrate, the monomolecular carbon-based film, and the magnets to produce a modified electric current having a final voltage that is greater than the initial voltage." The patent application was filed on May 12, 2010 (12/778,836). 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=7,985,922.PN.&OS=PN/7,985,922&RS=PN/7,985,922 Written by Anjali Jha; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Solfocus Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Solfocus, Mountain View, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,985,921) developed by Eric Prather, Santa Clara, Calif., and Hing Wah Chan, San Jose, Calif., for "systems to retain an optical element on a solar cell." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system may include a solar cell, a support defining an opening over the solar cell and comprising a retention feature, and an optical element disposed within the opening. The optical element may include a location feature engaged with the retention feature of the support. In some aspects, the optical element includes an upper surface to receive concentrated light and a lower surface through which light passes to the solar cell, and the location feature is disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. The retention feature may be a lip defining the opening over the solar cell, and/or the location feature may consist of a notch defined by an edge of the optical element." The patent application was filed on Feb. 27, 2008 (12/038,392). 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=7,985,921.PN.&OS=PN/7,985,921&RS=PN/7,985,921 Written by Anjali Jha; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Daiichi Sankyo Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Daiichi Sankyo, Tokyo, has been assigned a patent (7,989,179) developed by five co-inventors for a "LXR ligand testing method." The co-inventors are Naoki Terasaka, Saitama, Japan, Shoko Honzumi, Tokyo, Ira Glenn Schulman, San Diego, Brandee Lynn Wagner, San Diego, and Patricia J. Willy, San Diego.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of easily measuring whether or not an LXR ligand has the function of effecting, e.g., increasing, plasma triglyceride concentration and/or LDL cholesterol concentration in a mammal by using the binding activity between LXR and a coactivator, and a method of identifying LXR ligands that do not have the function of effecting, e.g., increasing, plasma triglyceride concentration and/or LDL cholesterol concentration by using the binding activity between LXR and a coactivator." The patent application was filed on June 26, 2006 (11/921,967). 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=7,989,179&OS=7,989,179&RS=7,989,179 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Broadley-James Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Broadley-James, Irvine, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,989,199) developed by Larry Eugene West, San Clemente, Calif., for an "integrated bio-reactor monitor and control system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Systems and methods for automatically controlling conditions of a process are disclosed. In one example, a controller is programmed with a sequence of steps and parameters required to carry out a bioreactor process. The controller receives information related to a condition of the process over a first communication network, determines a control signal based on the received information and the programmed process, and sends the control signal over a second communication network to a benchtop utility tower. In one example, the utility tower can include transmitters for temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen that send information related to a condition of the process to the controller over the first communication network, and an agitation system, a gas control system, a temperature control system and a pump control system that perform a control action based on the control signal affecting the process condition. The utility tower can include a computer with a human-machine interface that communicates with the controller over a third communication network." The patent application was filed on Oct. 13, 2008 (12/250,415). 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=7,989,199&OS=7,989,199&RS=7,989,199 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Dow AgroSciences Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Dow AgroSciences, Indianapolis, has been assigned a patent (7,985,892) developed by six co-inventors for a truncated Cry35 proteins. The co-inventors are Yong Gao, Westfield, Ind., Rod Aaron Herman, New Ross, Ind., Andrew William Carr, Beech Grove, Ind., Deborah Ann Schwedler, Greenwood, Ind., Xioaping Xu, Westfield, Ind., and George Erwin Schwab, Encinitas, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "This invention provides truncated Cry35 proteins that surprisingly and unexpectedly have increased pesticidal activity as compared to full-length Cry35 proteins. The subject invention also includes polynucleotides that encode these truncated proteins, transgenic plants comprising a truncated gene of the subject invention, and transgenic plants that produce these truncated proteins. This invention further provides methods of controlling plant pests, including rootworms, with these truncated proteins. The truncated Cry35 proteins of the subject invention are preferably used in combination with Cry34 proteins, which are known in the art. Various surprising advantages of the subject invention will be apparent in light of this disclosure." The patent application was filed on June 28, 2005 (11/168,194). 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=7,985,892.PN.&OS=PN/7,985,892&RS=PN/7,985,892 Written by Anjali Jha; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Guard Products Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Guard Products, Oakland, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,985,881) developed by Gary Westlund, Pleasanton, Calif., and David Weller, Suisun City, Calif., for an "aromatic imine compounds for use as sulfide scavengers." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Compositions and methods relating to aromatic imine compounds and methods of their use are described. The compounds are formed from aromatic aldehydes and amino or amino derivatives. The compounds and their derivatives are useful, for example, as hydrogen sulfide and mercaptan scavengers for use in both water and petroleum products." The patent application was filed on Sept. 12, 2007 (11/854,069). 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=7,985,881.PN.&OS=PN/7,985,881&RS=PN/7,985,881 Written by Anjali Jha; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Honeywell International Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Honeywell International, Morristown, N.J., has been assigned a patent (7,986,057) developed by Evgeni Ganev, Torrance, Calif., Bulent Sarlioglu, Torrance, Calif., and William Warr, Glendale, Calif., for a "method and system for improving peak power capability of an aircraft." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and system for improving peak power capability in an electrical system is disclosed. The system may include an auxiliary generator operated in conjunction with one or more main engine generators during the need for increased transient load demands. The system may include a main engine generator, an auxiliary generator, an inverter/converter controller (ICC) connected to respective generators, a semi-conductor power device connected between the ICCs, and a main bus between the semi-conductor power device and a load." The patent application was filed on Sept. 16, 2008 (12/211,766). 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=7986057.PN.&OS=PN/7986057&RS=PN/7986057 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Viacyte Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Viacyte, San Diego, has been assigned a patent (7,989,204) developed by Kevin D'Amour, San Diego, and Emmanuel E. Baetge, Encinitas, Calif., for a hepatocyte lineage cells.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Disclosed herein are methods for producing liver precursor cells as well as hepatocyte cells form pluripotent and/or multipotent cells. Also disclosed herein are methods of enriching isolating and/or purifying liver precursor cells and/or hepatocyte cells. Further disclosed are compositions comprising cell cultures and cell populations that are enriched for liver precursor cells or hepatocyte cells." The patent application was filed on April 27, 2007 (12/298,898). 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=7,989,204&OS=7,989,204&RS=7,989,204 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** California Institute of Technology, Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,989,198) developed by four co-inventors for "active NEMS arrays for biochemical analyses." The co-inventors are Michael L. Roukes, Pasadena, Calif., Scott E. Fraser, LaCanada, Calif., Jerry E. Solomon, Glendale, Calif., and Michael C. Cross, Claremont, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A biofunctionalized nanoelectromechanical device (BioNEMS) for sensing single-molecules in solution by measuring the variation in the mechanical displacement of the BioNEMS device during a binding event is provided. The biofunctionalized nanoelectromechanical device according to the invention generally comprises a nanomechanical mechanical resonator, a detector integral with the mechanical resonator for measuring the mechanical displacement of the resonator, and electronics connected to the detector for communicating the results to a user. A system of biofunctionalized nanoelectromechanical devices and a method for utilizing the biofunctionalized nanoelectromechanical device of the present invention are also provided." The patent application was filed on June 27, 2008 (12/216,062). 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=7,989,198&OS=7,989,198&RS=7,989,198 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** University of Chicago Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- The University of Chicago, Chicago, Chromatin, Chicago, have been assigned a patent (7,989,202) developed by four co-inventors for a plant centromere compositions. The co-inventors are Jennifer M. Mach, Chicago, Helge Zieler, Del Mar, Calif., RongGuan Jin, Chesterfield, Mo., Kevin Keith, Three Forks, Mont., Gregory P. Copenhaver, Chapel Hill, N.C., and Daphne Preuss, Chicago.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides for the nucleic acid sequences of plant centromeres. This will permit construction of stably inherited recombinant DNA constructs and minichromosomes which can serve as vectors for the construction of transgenic plant and animal cells." The patent application was filed on Oct. 31, 2007 (11/981,451). 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=7,989,202&OS=7,989,202&RS=7,989,202 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Biotage Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Biotage, Uppsala, Sweden, has been assigned a patent (7,985,882) developed by four co-inventors for "compositions for reductive aminations utilizing supported tricarboxyborohydride reagents and methods of using the same." The co-inventors are Sukanta Bhattacharyya, Belmont, Calif., Jeffrey W. Labadie, Sunnyvale, Calif., Owen W. Gooding, Los Gatos, Calif., and Sunil Rana, San Carlos, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A modified solid-support for use as a supported reagent for use in reduction reactions, including reductive amination comprising a solid-support having an tetrasubstituted ammonium cation species ionically bonded to a borohydride anion species extending therefrom having the general formula: ##STR00001## wherein P is a solid-support, S is a spacer group selected from the group consisting of alkylene, {including --(CH.sub.2).sub.n--}, alkyleneoxy {including -0(CH.sub.2).sub.n--}, alkylenethio {including --S(CH.sub.2).sub.n--} and alkylenecarboxy, {including --O(O)C--(CH2).sub.n--}, n=2-16. R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R are each independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl and aryl. Y equals 1, 2 or 3. H is hydrogen or deuterium." The patent application was filed on Aug. 23, 2002 (10/226,637). 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=7,985,882.PN.&OS=PN/7,985,882&RS=PN/7,985,882 Written by Anjali Jha; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Scripps Research Institute ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7 -- Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,985,841) developed by Angray Kang, Encinitas, Calif., Carlos F. Barbas, Solana Beach, Calif., and Richard A. Lerner, La Jolla, Calif For more information about Targeted News Service products and services, please contact: Myron Struck, editor, Targeted News Service LLC, Springfield, Va., 703/304-1897; [email protected]; http://targetednews.com.

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