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Price, CA

Bill Price, Santa Ana, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100184527GOLF CLUB HEAD - A golf club head is provided having a club body having a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, and a heel portion. The club head also having a central portion connected with the front portion. A frame is connected with the central portion configured to provide a lightweight crown portion being located above an offset plane.07-22-2010
20120094782CONTRAST-ENHANCED GOLF CLUB HEADS - Golf club heads include white diffusing top surfaces to aid in club head alignment. Wood type club heads also include a dark diffusing club face so that a crown/face border is emphasized. Scorelines in wood type clubs can be provided with an intermediate contrast surface, and can be displaced from club face center to accommodate player perception when confronted with a white diffusing crown. Putter heads can include dark diffusing alignment lines, and iron-type club heads can include white diffusing surfaces at a sole portion of a club face, at a top line, or a top portion of a club face.04-19-2012

Brian L. Price, San Jose, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20130083021Stereo-Aware Image Editing - Embodiments of methods and systems for stereo-aware image editing are described. A three-dimensional model of a stereo scene is built from one or more input images. Camera parameters for the input images are computed. The three-dimensional model is modified. In some embodiments, the modifying the three-dimensional model includes modifying one or more of the images and applying results of the modifying one or more of the images to corresponding model vertices. The scene is re-rendered from the camera parameters to produce an edited stereo pair that is consistent with the three-dimensional model.04-04-2013

Charles R. Price, Sunnyvale, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120246453METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING SCHEDULING IN AN ADVANCED MICROPROCESSOR - Apparatus and a method for causing scheduler software to produce code which executes more rapidly by ignoring some of the normal constraints placed on its scheduling operations and simply scheduling certain instructions to run as fast as possible, raising an exception if the scheduling violates a scheduling constraint, and determining steps to be taken for correctly executing each set of instructions about which an exception is raised.09-27-2012

Christopher P. Price, Kentfield, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100260837Bioavailable Capsule Compositions of Amorphous Alpha-(N-Sulfonamido)Acetamide Compound - Pharmaceutical capsule compositions containing the active compound (2R)-2-[[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl][[2-fluoro-4-(1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl]methyl]amino]-5,5,5-trifluoropentanamide, and polyethylene glycol (PEG), Vitamin E polyethylene glycol succinate, polyvinylpryrrolidone (PVP) or copovidone (PVP-Polyvinyl acetate), with or without citric acid, are provided.10-14-2010
20100297021Variants of C-Type Natriuretic Peptide - The present disclosure provides variants of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), pharmaceutical compositions comprising CNP variants, and methods of making CNP variants. The CNP variants are useful as therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases responsive to CNP, including but not limited to bone-related disorders, such as skeletal dysplasias (e.g., achondroplasia), and vascular smooth muscle disorders (e.g., restenosis and arteriosclerosis).11-25-2010
20120316114Variants of C-type Natriuretic Peptide - The present disclosure provides variants of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), pharmaceutical compositions comprising CNP variants, and methods of making CNP variants. The CNP variants are useful as therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases responsive to CNP, including but not limited to bone-related disorders, such as skeletal dysplasias (e.g., achondroplasia), and vascular smooth muscle disorders (e.g., restenosis and arteriosclerosis).12-13-2012

Cory Price, Newport Beach, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100024263MULTI-PLY ROLL LOCK - An assembly and a method for maintaining two sheets in alignment are provided. The assembly includes a first sheet and a second sheet. The first sheet of material includes a first flap formed from a first cut and has a first surface and a second surface. The second sheet of material includes a second flap formed from a second cut which is formed so that the second flap includes a tab. The second sheet is configured to be superposed against the first surface of the first sheet. The second flap and the tab are configured to deflect and move between a default position and an engaged position. The second flap and the tab are configured to be substantially coplanar with the second sheet in the default position. The tab is configured to lie on the second surface of the first sheet in the engaged position such that the second flap intersects the first sheet.02-04-2010
20100293821Layered Assembly - A layered assembly is provided including a base layer and a top layer. A pouch area is located between the base layer and the top layer and is created by affixing the base layer to the top layer. An opening is provided within a perimeter of the base layer to provide access to the pouch area through the base layer. An item can be loaded into the pouch area. Once the layered assembly is affixed to a substrate, the opening of the base layer is sealed off from access. A peel-away portion is located within a perimeter of the top layer such that removal of a portion of the top layer along the peel-away portion provides access to the pouch area through the top layer. Removal of the peel-away portion reveals the item that is secured within the layered assembly.11-25-2010
20100324920SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MARKETING - A method of manufacturing a layered image assembly and a marketing method are provided including a passive consumer behavior tracking method without requiring an “opt-in” process. The layered image assembly includes a base layer and a top layer with an inner area formed between. An opening is provided within a perimeter of the base layer to provide access to the inner layer. The inner layer is provided with a media that may comprise coupons, offers, advertisements, collapsible springs, animated collapsible springs having an image, etc. The media may include one or more symbols for conveying information. The layered image assembly may be attached to an item, such as a substrate, envelope, package, magazine, etc. The customer information relating to the item may be associated, or merged, with the information from the one or more symbols from the media. This merging of information may be used to track customer purchases, customer information, and the like.12-23-2010

Daniel B. Price, Menlo Park, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080320242PHYSICAL MEMORY CAPPING FOR USE IN VIRTUALIZATION - A method of implementing virtualization involves an improved approach to resource management. A virtualizing subsystem is capable of creating separate environments that logically isolate applications from each other. Some of the separate environments share physical resources including physical memory. When a separate environment is configured, properties for the separate environment are defined. Configuring a separate environment may include specifying a physical memory usage cap for the separate environment. A global resource capping background service enforces physical memory caps on any separate environments that have specified physical memory caps.12-25-2008
20080320474DYNAMIC, TEMPORARY RESOURCE POOLS FOR USE IN VIRTUALIZATION - A method of implementing virtualization involves dynamic, temporary resource pools. A virtualizing subsystem is capable of partitioning a plurality of physical resources to create resource pools. The virtualizing subsystem is further capable of creating separate environments that logically isolate applications from each other, and assigning a created separate environment to a created resource pool. A separate environment is configured by defining properties of the separate environment. Configuring the separate environment includes specifying at least one resource pool attribute. When the separate environment is started, a temporary resource pool is created from available physical resources and the separate environment is assigned to the temporary resource pool. The temporary resource pool is created in accordance with the at least one resource pool attribute specified when the separate environment was configured. The temporary resource pool may be destroyed when the separate environment is shutdown.12-25-2008
20090007126SWAP CAP RESOURCE CONTROL FOR USE IN VIRTUALIZATION - A method of implementing virtualization involves an improved approach to virtual memory management. An operating system includes a kernel, a resource control framework, a virtual memory subsystem, and a virtualization subsystem. The virtualization subsystem is capable of creating separate environments that logically isolate applications from each other. The virtual memory subsystem utilizes swap space to manage a backing store for anonymous memory. The separate environments share physical resources including swap space. When a separate environment is configured, properties are defined. Configuring a separate environment may include specifying a swap cap that specifies a maximum amount of swap space usable by the separate environment. The resource control framework includes a swap cap resource control. The swap cap resource control is enforced by the kernel such that during operation of the separate environment, the kernel enforces the swap cap specified when the separate environment was configured.01-01-2009

Darin K. Price, San Diego, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120016497Method and Apparatus for Programming a Decoder-based Irrigation Controller - A method and programming chart having viewable indicia thereon for programming a decoder-based controller is disclosed. The programming chart comprises a specific portion comprising a station number area for one or more stations being controlled by a decoder-based irrigation controller, a decoder address area adapted to receive an entry indicating an address of a decoder being associated with each of the one or more stations and a plurality of other information areas for each of the one or more stations to receive information pertaining to each of the one or more stations. Furthermore, a method is provided for programming a decoder-based irrigation controller comprising associating a decoder unit with at least a first station, removing a decoder address indicator provided with the decoder unit and recording the decoder address indicator onto a programming chart onto an area designated for a decoder address associated with the first station.01-19-2012

Douglas Price, San Jose, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110249742COUPLED VIDEO PRE-PROCESSOR AND CODEC INCLUDING REFERENCE PICTURE FILTER THAT MINIMIZES CODING EXPENSE DURING PRE-PROCESSING MODE TRANSITIONS - A video coding system includes a coding engine operable to code source video according to motion compensated prediction techniques, a reference picture cache to store decoded picture data of previously-coded reference pictures, and a programmable filter to apply selected filtering operation(s) to picture data retrieved from the reference picture cache and provided to the coding engine. A video decoding system includes a decoding engine operable to decode coded video data, a reference picture cache to store decoded picture data of previously-decoded reference pictures, and a programmable filter to apply a filtering operation to picture data retrieved from the reference picture cache and provided to the decoding engine as determined by the coded video data. Video coding/decoding systems so configured may avoid coding costs that can be incurred when a pre-processing filter switches pre-processing modes within source data in a manner that causes divergence between stored reference pictures and video pictures input to the coding engine.10-13-2011
20110298965SCENE-AWARE AUTOMATIC-EXPOSURE CONTROL - A scene-aware auto-exposure control process stabilizes changes in a camera's auto-exposure settings so as to reduce lighting and color flicker during image capture operations. A metric, referred to as the Modified Adjusted Luminance (MAL) metric, is defined to remain relatively constant as long as the lighting of the scene being captured remains relatively constant. Thus, scene changes such as an object moving into, out of, or around in a scene do not significantly affect the MAL metric's value and do not, therefore, trigger an exposure adjustment. Once the MAL metric indicates a scene's lighting is stable, the camera's auto-exposure operation may be suppressed. As long as incoming frames indicate a stable lighting condition (based on the MAL metric), auto-exposure operation may remain suppressed. When incoming frames result in a substantially different MAL over a specified number of frames, auto-exposure operation may be restored.12-08-2011
20120057073Scene-Aware Automatic-Exposure Control - A scene-aware auto-exposure control process stabilizes changes in a camera's auto-exposure settings so as to reduce lighting and color flicker during image capture operations. A metric, referred to as the Modified Adjusted Luminance (MAL) metric, is defined to remain relatively constant as long as the lighting of the scene being captured remains relatively constant. Thus, scene changes such as an object moving into, out of, or around in a scene do not significantly affect the MAL metric's value and do not, therefore, trigger an exposure adjustment. Once the MAL metric indicates a scene's lighting is stable, the camera's auto-exposure operation may be suppressed. As long as incoming frames indicate a stable lighting condition (based on the MAL metric), auto-exposure operation may remain suppressed. When incoming frames result in a substantially different MAL over a specified number of frames, auto-exposure operation may be restored.03-08-2012
20120195376DISPLAY QUALITY IN A VARIABLE RESOLUTION VIDEO CODER/DECODER SYSTEM - In a video coder/decoder system using variable resolution adaptation, decoder techniques provide a mechanism to changing resolution of coded lower-resolution video to a higher resolution for rendering. Coded video data of a low resolution frame may be decoded. A motion estimation search may be performed between the decoded low resolution frame and a cache of previously-stored high resolution video frames. If the motion estimation search generates one or more matches, high resolution video data of the decoded frame may generated as a derivation of matching data from the cached video frames.08-02-2012

Douglas S. Price, San Jose, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110249075Remote Control Operations in a Video Conference - Some embodiments provide a method for allowing a first device that is in a video conference with a second mobile device to remotely control the second mobile device. The method sends images captured by a camera of the first device to the second device. The method receives images captured by a camera of the second device. The method sends a command through a communication channel of a real-time communication session to the second device. The command is for instructing the second device to perform an operation that modifies the images captured by the camera of the second device.10-13-2011
20110298886Auto Exposure Techniques for Variable Lighting Conditions - Systems, methods, and a computer readable medium for performing auto exposure (AE) techniques that are beneficial in variable lighting conditions—and particularly applicable to handheld and/or mobile videoconferencing applications—are disclosed herein. Handheld and/or mobile videoconferencing applications—unlike their fixed camera counterparts—are often exposed to a wide variety of rapidly changing lighting and scene conditions, and thus face a difficult trade-off between adjusting exposure parameter values too frequently or not frequently enough. In personal electronic devices executing such handheld and/or mobile videoconferencing applications, it may be desirable to: use a small, centered, and center-weighted exposure metering region; set a relatively low brightness target value; and adjust the camera's exposure parameter values according to a distance-dependent convergence speed function. The use of such techniques, in conjunction with a relatively large stability region, may also improve the quality of a video encoder's temporal predictions—and thus video quality—in videoconferencing applications.12-08-2011
20130034146SELECTION OF ENCODER AND DECODER FOR A VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS SESSION - For a first device participating in a video communications session with a second device, some embodiments provide a method that receives sets of encoding features supported by each of one or more decoders of the second device. The method selects an encoder for the video communication session from several encoders available to the first device. The method selects a set of encoding features of the selected encoder based on the sets of encoding features received from the second device. The method transmits an encoded video bitstream to the second device along with information identifying the selected features in order for the second device to select a decoder to decode the bitstream.02-07-2013

Douglas Scott Price, San Jose, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110249133COMPRESSION-QUALITY DRIVEN IMAGE ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING SYSTEM - Embodiments of the present invention provide a video encoding system in which a video coding engine establishes coding quality metrics that govern its own operation as well as the operation of a camera and/or a pre-processor. An imaging system may include an image acquisition system, a pre-processor and a coding engine. The coding engine may output a quality indicator identifying, for each portion of a video sequence currently being coded, a relatively level of coding quality that is being achieved. The imaging system further may include an image acquisition controller and a pre-processor controller that impose respective operating parameters upon the image acquisition system and the pre-processor in response to these quality indicators. In this manner, overall performance of the imaging system may be improved.10-13-2011
20110249729ERROR RESILIENT HIERARCHICAL LONG TERM REFERENCE FRAMES - Embodiments of the present invention provide a video encoding system that codes video sequence into a multi-level hierarchy based on levels of long term reference (LTR) frames. According to the present invention, an encoder designates a reference frame as a long term reference (LTR) frame and transmits the LTR frame to a receiver. Upon receiving feedback from the receiver acknowledging receipt of the LTR frame, the encoder periodically codes subsequent frames as reference frames using the acknowledged LTR frame as a reference and designates subsequent reference frames as secondary LTR frames. A determined number of frames after each secondary LTR frame may be coded using a preceding secondary LTR frame as a reference.10-13-2011
20110299604METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADAPTIVE VIDEO SHARPENING - A video coding system and method to adjust the sharpening procedures performed during post-processing by analyzing statistics information collected during encoding and decoding. The statistics information collected may be directed to the source of the video data, the operations executed during pre-processing and encoding of the video data, the transmission of the video data from encoder to decoder, or the operations executed during decoding. The statistics information may comprise a collection of data values, calculated statistics, or instructions for the suggested post-processing adjustments. Accumulated supplemental information may be transmitted from the encoder to the decoder via an out-of-band channel, associated with the encoded video sequence transmitted on a communications channel.12-08-2011
20110299605METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VIDEO RESOLUTION ADAPTATION - A system and method for gradually changing the resolution of a video signal to avoid a large spike in the video data transmitted between an encoder and a decoder. Upon detection of a change in the quality of source video, of the quality of the encoding process, or of the channel conditions, any of which may negatively impact the rate of frame transmission from encoder to decoder, or the quality of frames transmitted, a responsive change in the resolution of the video frame may be gradually implemented. To change the resolution by increasing the effective image size, each successive frame in a sequence of frames may contain additional pixel blocks in the expansion image area at the new resolution. In an embodiment, the decoder displays the video image at the original resolution until the resolution switch has been completed.12-08-2011
20120170654VIDEO CODING SYSTEM USING IMPLIED REFERENCE FRAMES - A video coding/decoding system builds implied reference frames from a plurality of reference frames developed during coding. Coded data of reference pictures are decoded and stored in a reference picture cache. An implied reference frame may be derived from a plurality of reference frames and may be stored in the reference picture cache. Thereafter, coding of new input data may proceed using the implied reference frame as a source of prediction. The method may be used to identify visual elements such as background elements that may persist in video over a longer period that can be captured by the system under conventional reference frames assembly and eviction. Implied reference frames may be built at both an encoder and a decoder to serve as sources of prediction.07-05-2012
20120207214WEIGHTED PREDICTION PARAMETER ESTIMATION - Video coding systems incorporate techniques for deriving scalars W and/or O for use in weighted prediction. W represents a scaling factor and O represents an offset value. Given a frame of input video to be coded, a prediction match may be established one or more reference frames. The input frame may be parsed into a plurality of regions. Thereafter the scaling factor W and/or offset value O may be derived by developing a system of equations relating a predicted pixel to the pixel in the frame by the scaling factor W and/or offset value O. Equations within the system may be prioritized according to priority among regions, and scaling factor W and/or offset value O may be solved for. The scaling factor W and/or offset value O may be used during weighted prediction of the input frame.08-16-2012
20130027581ADAPTIVE AUTO EXPOSURE ADJUSTMENT - Techniques for adjusting exposure parameters of a camera such that video data captured by the camera may be coded efficiently. A camera with auto exposure control may capture and output frames of video. A pre-processor may estimate brightness of the frames of the video output from the camera. A controller may estimate a rate of brightness change among the frames, and when the rate of change is lower than a predetermined threshold, the controller may reduce sensitivity of the auto exposure control. A coding engine may predictively code the video.01-31-2013

Patent applications by Douglas Scott Price, San Jose, CA US

Frederick W. Price, Carlsbad, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090161623FRAME STRUCTURE FOR AN ADAPTIVE MODULATION WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A method of simplifying the encoding of a predetermined number of bits of data into frames including adding error coding bits so that a ratio of the frame length times the baud rate of the frame times he bit packing ratio of the data divided the total bits of data is always an integer. The method may also convolutionally encode the bits of data so that the same equation is also always an integer.06-25-2009
20090279652Synchronizing Clocks Across a Communication Link - Apparatus, system and method for synchronizing one or more clocks across a communication link. A slave clock may be synchronized to a master clock by means of a synchronization signal sent from the master to the slave clock side of the link. The synchronization signal may be an expected signal pattern sent at intervals expected by the slave side. The slave clock may correlate received signals with a representation of the expected synchronization signal to produce a correlation sample sequence at a first sample rate which is related as n times the slave clock rate. The synchronization signal receipt time indicated by the correlation sample sequence may be refined by interpolating the correlation sample sequence around a best correlation sample to locate a best interpolation at an interpolation resolution smaller than the sample resolution. The best interpolation may in turn be further refined by estimating between interpolator outputs adjacent to the best interpolation output. The synchronization signal receipt time thus determined is compared to the expected time based upon the slave clock, which is adjusted until the times match. After initialization, all slave clock errors are preferably accumulated to prevent long-term slip between the slave and master clocks. Formerly independent master and slave clocks synchronized across the communication link constitute a noncommon clock which may be compared on each side of the link to secondary independent clocks, and the secondary independent clocks may then be separately synchronized by adjusting one to have the same difference from its local noncommon clock as the secondary clock on the other side of the link has from its local noncommon clock.11-12-2009
20100323733FRAME STRUCTURE FOR AN ADAPTIVE MODULATION WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A method of simplifying the encoding of a predetermined number of bits of data into frames including adding error coding bits so that a ratio of the frame length times the baud rate of the frame times the bit packing ratio of the data divided the total bits of data is always an integer. The method may also convolutionally encode the bits of data so that the same equation is also always an integer.12-23-2010
20110122981SYNCHRONIZING CLOCKS ACROSS A COMMUNICATION LINK - Apparatus, system and method for synchronizing one or more clocks across a communication link. A slave clock may be synchronized to a master clock by means of a synchronization signal sent from the master to the slave clock side of the link. The synchronization signal may be an expected signal pattern sent at intervals expected by the slave side. The slave clock may correlate received signals with a representation of the expected synchronization signal to produce a correlation sample sequence at a first sample rate which is related as n times the slave clock rate. The synchronization signal receipt time indicated by the correlation sample sequence may be refined by interpolating the correlation sample sequence around a best correlation sample to locate a best interpolation at an interpolation resolution smaller than the sample resolution. The best interpolation may in turn be further refined by estimating between interpolator outputs adjacent to the best interpolation output. The synchronization signal receipt time thus determined is compared to the expected time based upon the slave clock, which is adjusted until the times match. After initialization, all slave clock errors are preferably accumulated to prevent long-term slip between the slave and master clocks. Formerly independent master and slave clocks synchronized across the communication link constitute a noncommon clock which may be compared on each side of the link to secondary independent clocks, and the secondary independent clocks may then be separately synchronized by adjusting one to have the same difference from its local noncommon clock as the secondary clock on the other side of the link has from its local noncommon clock.05-26-2011

Patent applications by Frederick W. Price, Carlsbad, CA US

Glenn Price, Martinez, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090308751WELDED ELECTROPHORESIS CASSETTE WITHOUT LEAKAGE-PRONE WELD LINE - A slab gel cassette is formed from generally flat plates welded together along their borders with a gel space between the plates that is open at the top and bottom edges of the plates to expose the opposing ends of a gel in the gel space to buffer solutions in which electrodes are immersed. The plates are shaped such that the weld line does not intersect with the bottom opening of the gel space. Sealing of the bottom of the gel space, which is necessary for gel casting, is achieved by placing a sealing strip over the bottom opening with no danger of leakage of the gel solution along a weld line.12-17-2009
20120125440ROTARY COLUMN SELECTOR VALVE - A rotary valve is designed to include a stator with multiple pairs of ports for connection to flow-through components and a rotor with elongated recesses that form flow channels with minimal dead volume and that permit a reversal of flow direction through any component by rotation of the valve through a very small angle.05-24-2012

Patent applications by Glenn Price, Martinez, CA US

James W. Price, Camarillo, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090267305LUBRICATION BLOCKING SEAL - A lubrication blocking seal includes a hollow body that has upper and lower planar surfaces, a surrounding wall, a reservoir area and an open top. The body has upper and lower seal-receiving recesses located in the upper and lower planar surfaces, and a lower central aperture sized and shaped to fit closely about a rotating shaft. A cover is sized and shaped to seal to the hollow body and has an upper central aperture sized and shaped to fit closely about the rotating shaft and means for mounting a bearing about the shaft and to the cover. A lower seal is sized and shaped to fit closely about the rotating shaft and into the lower seal-receiving recess. An upper seal is sized and shaped to fit closely about the rotating shaft and into the upper seal-receiving recess. A quantity of lubricating material sufficient to fill the reservoir area is provided.10-29-2009

J.b. Price, Los Gatos, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080232934MODULAR CLUSTER TOOL - A modular cluster tool is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a system, comprises a wafer transfer station that includes a first vacuum chamber that stores a plurality of semiconductor wafers. The system also includes an equipment front end module interface, and two or more shuttle lock interfaces.09-25-2008
20100221915METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING - A method and apparatus for semiconductor processing is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of transporting a wafer within a cluster tool, comprises placing the wafer into a first segment of a vacuum enclosure, the vacuum enclosure being attached to a processing chamber and a factory interface. The wafer is transported to a second segment of the vacuum enclosure using a vertical transport mechanism, wherein the second segment is above or below the first segment.09-02-2010

Patent applications by J.b. Price, Los Gatos, CA US

Jeffrey Price, Rancho Santa Fe, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110318775METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPOSITION FOR OPTICALLY INDUCING CARDIOMYOCYTE CONTRACTION - The present invention provides a method, system and composition for screening drug candidates for cardiotoxicity and for novel drugs that effect cardiomyocyte contractility and function. The invention provides an efficient and reliable screening assay to detect the effect of new and potential drug candidates on cardiomyocyte calcium flux, membrane depolarization, and/or the propagation of action potentials.12-29-2011

Jeffrey A. Price, Pleasanton, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20130042066STORAGE CACHING - The present disclosure provides a method for processing a storage operation in a system with an added level of storage caching. The method includes receiving, in a storage cache, a read request from a host processor that identifies requested data and determining whether the requested data is in a cache memory of the storage cache. If the requested data is in the cache memory of the storage cache, the requested data may be obtained from the storage cache and sent to the host processor. If the requested data is not in the cache memory of the storage cache, the read request may be sent to a host bus adapter operatively coupled to a storage system. The storage cache is transparent to the host processor and the host bus adapter.02-14-2013

Jeffrey H. Price, San Diego, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110274337System, method, and kit for processing a magnified image of biological material to identify components of a biological object - A system, method and kit for processing an original image of biological material to identify certain components of a biological object by locating the biological object in the image, enhancing the image by sharpening components of interest in the object, and applying a contour-finding function to the enhanced image to create a contour mask. The contour mask may be processed to yield a segmented image divided by structural units of the biological material.11-10-2011

Jeffrey H. Price, Rancho Santa Fe, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100172020Automated scanning cytometry using chromatic aberrtation for multiplanar image acquisition - In an automated scanning cytometry system, chromatic aberration is used for multiplanar image acquisition.07-08-2010
20100289887Automated transient image cytometry - A method, system, and instrument for automatically measuring transient activity in cells uses image time sequences to identify transients in cells. Preferably, the transient activity is stimulated or provoked in synchronism with acquisition of the image time sequences. A cell mask is applied to each image of an image time sequence in order to localize the transient activity with respect to each cell. Localization enables cell-by-cell analysis of properties of the transient activity.11-18-2010

John Michael Price, Morgan Hill, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090231105Multistatic Antenna Configuration For Radio Frequencey Identification (RFID) Systems - Methods and apparatuses for configuring antennae of radio frequency identification reader systems. In one aspect of an embodiment, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader system, includes: a receiver; a radio frequency (RF) source for signal transmission; and a switch matrix coupled with the receiver and the radio frequency sources to selectively couple the receiver and the radio frequency source to a plurality of non-collocated antennae. When in a first mode, the switch matrix connects the radio frequency source to a first one of the antennae for signal transmission and the receiver to a second one of the antennae for signal reception; and when in a second mode, the switch matrix connects the first one of the antennae for signal reception and, in one example, the second one or another one of the antennae to the RF source for signal transmission.09-17-2009

Julie Janice Price, San Francisco, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100160117Apparatus and Method for Customizing Interactive Fitness Activities - A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to generate a personalized goal and fitness plan. The executable instructions include instructions to receive from a user a fitness goal and user personality trait information. A personalized goal and fitness plan is generated for the user based on the fitness goal and the personality trait information.06-24-2010

Kenneth D. Price, Long Beach, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090107150Inertance tube and surge volume for pulse tube refrigerator - An inertance tube and a surge volume for a pulse tube refrigerator system may be integrally coupled together, such as by the inertance tube being at least in part a channel in a wall of the surge volume. The surge volume may have a helical channel in an outer wall that forms part of the inertance tube. The surge volume tank may be surrounded by a cover that closes off the channel to form the inertance tube as an integral part of the surge volume. The inertance tube may have a non-circular cross section shape, such as a square shape or non-square rectangular shape. The channel may be tapered, perhaps changing aspect ratio. Alternatively, the inertance tube may be a separate tube having a non-circular shape, which may be wrapped around at least part of the surge volume.04-30-2009

Patent applications by Kenneth D. Price, Long Beach, CA US

Kenneth E. Price, Yorba Linda, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090266644Catalytic converter muffler - A catalytic converter muffler has a tubular housing with an inlet and outlet, and a baffle chamber intermediate the length thereof, a generally cylindrical catalytic converter supported in the tubular housing adjacent the inlet and a pair of tubular baffle members are disposed in the baffle chamber. An outlet offset baffle ring closing the inlet end of one of the baffles to block flow of gas thereinto, and an inlet offset baffle element closes the outlet end of the other of the baffles to block flow of gas outwardly to the outlet end of the housing. A power bar is provided in the outlet baffle closely adjacent the outlet end thereof to interrupt the harmonic waves of the base in the outlet baffle. The exhaust gas flows from the catalytic converter into the other baffle and thence through the perforations into the outlet baffle through the perforations in the inlet baffle and through the perforations in the outlet baffle.10-29-2009

Kirk B. Price, San Jose, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080247082Hermetically sealed disk drive assembly - A method for forming a seal for hermetically sealing a hard disk drive assembly. The method includes forming a solder channel within a top cover of a disk drive enclosure and disposing a solder preform on a base of the disk drive enclosure such that the solder preform aligns with the solder channel when the top cover is positioned on the base.10-09-2008
20090141404Flex cable assembly damper - A flex cable assembly for a head stack assembly of a hard disk drive comprises a flex cable for conducting data signals from the head stack assembly to a connector. The flex cable comprises a dynamic loop section between a termination for the head stack assembly and the connector. A constrained layer damper is attached adjacently to an area of the flex cable that is configured to receive the coupler. The constrained layer damper extends into the dynamic loop section of the flex cable.06-04-2009
20090266578FLEX CABLE WITH BIASED NEUTRAL AXIS - Systems and methods for biasing a neutral axis of a flex cable in a hard drive are discussed. The hard drive comprises a flex cable, a read/write head, and a control card. The flex cable comprises a base film, adhesives, a conductive trace, a cover film, and a neutral axis. The neutral axis is configured to be biased so that stresses in the conductive trace are more compressive and less tensile than stresses without a biased neutral axis.10-29-2009
20110043946AIRFLOW DIVERTER IN A HARD DISK DRIVE SYSTEM - An airflow diverter in a hard disk drive system. A top portion configured to couple with a top housing of the disk drive system. A thickness configured to create a top clearance between the diverter and a top actuator arm of the disk drive system wherein the top clearance approximates a bottom clearance between a bottom housing of the disk drive system and a bottom actuator arm of the disk drive system. At least one surface configured to divert the airflow in the disk drive system during the operation of the disk drive system.02-24-2011

Patent applications by Kirk B. Price, San Jose, CA US

Kirk Barrows Price, San Jose, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090107697CARD INSULATOR WITH PROVISION FOR CONFORMANCE TO COMPONENT HEIGHT CHANGES - A card insulator is formed with slits that conform to height changes required by the components mounted to a card. The insulative sheet has simple linear slits that extend completely through the sheet and allow the insulator to deform with simple linear bends when contacted by the tall components mounted to the card. The linear bends allow the surface of the deformed insulator to be flexible without budding the insulator and without bowing the card.04-30-2009

Lucinda Grace Price, Windsor, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080250334Calendar system - Embodiments describe a method and a system to display a calendar system. The method and system to receive a request to display at least one filtered event in a calendar display interface, wherein the at least one filtered event is filtered from a plurality of categories based on selected criteria, wherein a collection of events is selected from an event database based on the selected criteria, and each collection of events forms a specific subcalendar of a plurality of subcalendar; and to receive a request to display selected ones of the specific subcalendars in the calendar display interface.10-09-2008

Matthew Price, Santa Clara, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090319690System, apparatus and method for hosting and assigning domain names on a wide area network - Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a domain management system, apparatus and method for hosting and assigning domain names. Embodiments of the domain management system comprise a name assignment system and a hosting system, wherein the hosting system comprises a domain retrieval system and a data storage apparatus. The name assignment system verifies availability and assigns domain names to requesting clients. The name assignment system comprises an input component, a confirmation mechanism and a name storage means. Preferred embodiments of the domain retrieval system comprise a scheduler, a parsing member having a plurality of redirectors and a plurality of servers. The domain retrieval system locates the domain referenced by the domain name by parsing header information and utilizing a wildcard DNS. Once the domain is located, the domain retrieval system forwards the domain to the user computer.12-24-2009
20110252159Systems, Apparatus and Method For Hosting and Assigning Domain Names On A Wide Network - Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a domain management system, apparatus and method for hosting and assigning domain names. Embodiments of the domain management system comprise a name assignment system and a hosting system, wherein the hosting system comprises a domain retrieval system and a data storage apparatus. The name assignment system verifies availability and assigns domain names to requesting clients. The name assignment system comprises an input component, a confirmation mechanism and a name storage means. Preferred embodiments of the domain retrieval system comprise a scheduler, a parsing member having a plurality of redirectors and a plurality of servers. The domain retrieval system locates the domain referenced by the domain name by parsing header information and utilizing a wildcard DNS. Once the domain is located, the domain retrieval system forwards the domain to the user computer.10-13-2011
20120259999Systems, Apparatus and Method for Hosting and Assigning Domain Names on a Wide Area Network - Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a domain management system, apparatus and method for hosting and assigning domain names. Embodiments of the domain management system comprise a name assignment system and a hosting system, wherein the hosting system comprises a domain retrieval system and a data storage apparatus. The name assignment system verifies availability and assigns domain names to requesting clients. The name assignment system comprises an input component, a confirmation mechanism and a name storage means. Preferred embodiments of the domain retrieval system comprise a scheduler, a parsing member having a plurality of redirectors and a plurality of servers. The domain retrieval system locates the domain referenced by the domain name by parsing header information and utilizing a wildcard DNS. Once the domain is located, the domain retrieval system for the domain to the user computer.10-11-2012
20120271918SYSTEMS, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HOSTING AND ASSIGNING DOMAIN NAMES ON A WIDE AREA NETWORK - Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a domain management system, apparatus and method for hosting and assigning domain names. Embodiments of the domain management system comprise a name assignment system and a hosting system, wherein the hosting system comprises a domain retrieval system and a data storage apparatus. The name assignment system verifies availability and assigns domain names to requesting clients. The name assignment system comprises an input component, a confirmation mechanism and a name storage means. Preferred embodiments of the domain retrieval system comprise a scheduler, a parsing member having a plurality of redirectors and a plurality of servers. The domain retrieval system locates the domain referenced by the domain name by parsing header information and utilizing a wildcard DNS. Once the domain is located, the domain retrieval system forwards the domain to the user computer.10-25-2012
20120271919SYSTEMS, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HOSTING AND ASSIGNING DOMAIN NAMES ON A WIDE NETWORK - Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a domain management system, apparatus and method for hosting and assigning domain names. Embodiments of the domain management system comprise a name assignment system and a hosting system, wherein the hosting system comprises a domain retrieval system and a data storage apparatus. The name assignment system verifies availability and assigns domain names to requesting clients. The name assignment system comprises an input component, a confirmation mechanism and a name storage means. Preferred embodiments of the domain retrieval system comprise a scheduler, a parsing member having a plurality of redirectors and a plurality of servers. The domain retrieval system locates the domain referenced by the domain name by parsing header information and utilizing a wildcard DNS. Once the domain is located, the domain retrieval system forwards the domain to the user computer.10-25-2012

Patent applications by Matthew Price, Santa Clara, CA US

Matthew J. Price, Del Mar, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120310331METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ATRIOVENTRICULAR VALVE REPAIR - Methods and devices are disclosed for minimally invasive procedures in the heart. In one application, a catheter is advanced from the left atrium through the mitral valve and along the left ventricular outflow tract to orient and stabilize the catheter and enable a procedure such as a “bow tie” repair of the mitral valve. Right heart procedures are also disclosed.12-06-2012

Max D. Price, San Luis Obispo, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080289115Automotive/Household/Lock/Other Bottle Cap Opener Key - The bottle cap key opener is a combination of a common key and a common bottle cap opener and combining them in one convenient multi-purpose tool that can be used to open locks and bottles.11-27-2008

Melissa L.p. Price, Cardiff, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110151022THIOTUNGSTATE ANALOGUES AND USES THEREOF - The current invention provides novel thiotungstate derivatives, methods of making novel thiotungstate derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions of novel thiotungstate derivatives, methods of using novel thiotungstate derivatives to treat diseases associated with aberrant vascularization, copper metabolism disorders and obesity and methods of using pharmaceutical compositions of thiotungstate derivatives to treat diseases associated with aberrant vascularization, copper metabolism disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, obesity or NF-κB dysregulation.06-23-2011

Michael Price, Palo Alto, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080262376WIRELESS SENSOR SYSTEM FOR MONITORING SKIN CONDITION USING THE BODY AS COMMUNICATION CONDUIT - Devices and methods for measuring a local skin parameter or the presence or concentration of an analyte present in a biological medium are disclosed. A monitoring system comprising disposable sensor components and a network component for the collection of sensor information and for relaying this information for remote access and analysis is disclosed, where the sensor components and the network component communicate using the wearer as a signal propagation medium.10-23-2008

Michael Price, Menlo Park, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110106569SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED RISK MANAGEMENT APPRAISAL - The invention is a system and method of appraising and managing risk relating to technology needs using a risk management processing engine. The risk management processing engine serves as a central server for an administrator to manage a plurality of policy holders and third party service technicians. The invention gathers policy holder data, determining the risk associated with the data, creating a risk management policy for technology service events and technology service situations in order to mitigate or eliminate the risk, and resolving serviceable events when risk is actualized.05-05-2011
20110125648METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING HIGH DATA INTEGRITY AND FOR PROVIDING A SECURE AUDIT FOR FRAUD PREVENTION AND DETECTION - Any of various comparisons of computer folders from different points in time is performed. Such comparisons provide the ability to discover missing documents or documents with modification dates that have changed when there would otherwise have been no need to change them and thus allows discovery of missing documents to discover fraud or to search for evidence after a fraud is suspected. In another embodiment, deltas in accounting system vendor invoice accounts are compared at different points in time, potentially exposing the practice of moving fraudulent vendor transactions into a large group of legitimate transactions for a legitimate vendor. Per period transaction totals for specific periods for legitimate vendors are compared over histokal time for suspicious activity. A comparison of reports from the two different periods, using exact data and software from those separate periods (instead of reporting from “current'” data), may raise a red flag otherwise missed.05-26-2011

Michael M. Price, San Ramon, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120117655System, Method, and Computer Program Product for Identifying Vulnerabilities Associated with Data Loaded in Memory - A system, method, and computer program product are provided for identifying vulnerabilities associated with data loaded in memory. In operation, a subset of data that is loaded in memory is identified. Additionally, the subset of data is compared to a list of known data. Furthermore, there is a reaction based on the comparison.05-10-2012

Michael Morgan Price, San Ramon, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20130031634SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NETWORK-BASED ASSET OPERATIONAL DEPENDENCE SCORING - A system and method in one embodiment includes modules for identifying an asset with a vulnerability risk, identifying a service running on a port on the asset, identifying a connection to the port, calculating an operational dependence role of the asset as a function of the service and the connection, and modifying the vulnerability risk based on the operational dependence role. Other embodiments include identifying a protocol of a data packet at the port, classifying the protocol into a protocol category with a protocol importance score, calculating a connection average for the asset, classifying the connection average into a connection category with a connection score, and calculating a service dependence score. Other embodiments include calculating a host dependence score, assigning a data importance score to data communicated by the asset, and calculating the operational dependence role as a function of the host dependence score and data importance score.01-31-2013

Paul Price, La Jolla, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090175870YKL-40 MONOCLONAL AUTHORITY - The present invention relates to monoclonal anti-human YKL-antibodies which are capable to modulate biological processes in which YKL-40 plays a prominent role, e.g. inhibit the growth and/or inducing apoptosis of cells, in particular cancer cells. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said antibodies and uses said antibodies and/or pharmaceutical compositions for treatment of a disease wherein inhibition of cell growth, cell differentiation, remodelling of extracellular matrix, metastasis and/or induction of cell death due to apoptosis is a prerequisite for successful curing. An antibody of the invention is capable of inhibiting biological function of YKL-40 in the above mentioned processes by binding to a specific epitope on YKL-40.07-09-2009
20120149882YKL-40 MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY - The present invention relates to monoclonal anti-human YKL-antibodies which are capable to modulate biological processes in which YKL-40 plays a prominent role, e.g. inhibit the growth and/or inducing apoptosis of cells, in particular cancer cells. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said antibodies and uses said antibodies and/or pharmaceutical compositions for treatment of a disease wherein inhibition of cell growth, cell differentiation, remodelling of extracellular matrix, metastasis and/or induction of cell death due to apoptosis is a prerequisite for successful curing. An antibody of the invention is capable of inhibiting biological function of YKL-40 in the above mentioned processes by binding to a specific epitope on YKL-40.06-14-2012

Paul A. Price, La Jolla, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110283919NOVEL METHOD FOR MATRIX MINERALIZATION - This invention provides novel methods for making mineralized matrices. In certain embodiments methods are provided for forming a crystalline phase within a defined liquid volume. The methods can involve combining a crystallization inhibitor; a solution that would, in the absence of the inhibitor, form the crystalline phase; and a semi-permeable barrier that excludes the inhibitor but allows the solution containing the constituents of the crystalline phase to enter, whereby a crystalline phase is formed within the liquid volume.11-24-2011

Philip K. Price, San Diego, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110137960APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CREATING AND UTILIZING A CONTEXT - The described aspects include an apparatus or method of context-aware communication comprises obtaining, by an access terminal, a plurality of terminal data from a plurality of access terminal subsystems, one or more terminal applications, or a combination of both. Further, the aspects include determining at least one context corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of terminal data. Also, the aspects include creating a context profile having a context identifier identifying each context, wherein each context profile comprises profile parameters corresponding to the respective portion of the plurality of terminal data determined to correspond to the respective context. Additionally, the aspects include storing each context profile. Optionally, the aspects may further include monitoring for the occurrence of a context corresponding to a content profile, and performing a context action triggered by detecting the occurrence of a context.06-09-2011

Philip K. Price, Encinitas, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120076354IMAGE RECOGNITION BASED UPON A BROADCAST SIGNATURE - Methods and apparatus for processing image data are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes capturing, via an image sensor, an image that includes a plurality of objects including a target object, and receiving, from the target object, via a medium other than the image sensor, distinguishing information that is broadcast by the target object. The distinguishing information distinguishes the target object from other objects, and is used to select, within the captured image, the target object from among the other objects.03-29-2012

Phillip Kenneth Price, Encinitas, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120026981MOBILE STATION MESSAGE HAVING A STATION CLASS MARK FIELD FOR INDICATING AN MEID CAPABLE MOBILE STATION - A mobile station for wireless communication includes a control processor configured to generate a message for transmission on a reverse signaling channel, the message including a Station Class Mark field having a plurality of bits, a portion of the Station Class Mark field indicating that the mobile station is uniquely identified by a Mobile Station Equipment Identifier.02-02-2012

Richard Price, San Francisco, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100287191TRACKING AND RETRIEVAL OF KEYWORDS USED TO ACCESS USER RESOURCES ON A PER-USER BASIS - The information about where a request for a resource originated can provide useful feedback to the individual or organization that published the resource. When this information includes the keywords input to a search engine, through which the resource is then accessed, these keywords can be provided to the user that published the resource. The user can receive a notification, such as an electronic mail message, indicating the keywords and search engine used to access the resource. A database of such accesses and related keyword information can be stored on a per-user basis. This database can provide feedback indicating how the resources of the user are being located through search engines.11-11-2010

Richard Price, Corona, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120141728RESIN-SOLUBLE VEILS FOR COMPOSITE ARTICLE FABRICATION AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - Embodiments of the invention are directed to resin-soluble thermoplastic veils for use in liquid resin infusion processes, methods of manufacturing resin-soluble thermoplastic veils for use in liquid resin infusion processes, and methods of manufacturing composite articles using resin-soluble thermoplastic veils for use in liquid resin infusion applications. The resin-soluble thermoplastic veils according to embodiments of the invention and of which function as a toughening agent in composites having the veil incorporated therein have improved characteristics including, but not limited to, increased uniformity and decreased thickness relative to prior art veils. These characteristics translate into improvements in the processing of a composite article including, but not limited to, a substantial or complete elimination in premature dissolution of the veil during cure. The resultant composite article also realizes improvements including, but not limited to, distribution evenness of the toughening agent throughout the composite.06-07-2012

Richard Thomas Price, Yorba Linda, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090142496METHOD FOR FABRICATING REINFORCED COMPOSITE MATERIALS - A method for fabricating a reinforced matrix composite comprising the step of providing a composite preform having a fibrous structure and applying matrix material onto the preform in locations along the preform. A barrier material is applied to at least a portion of the coated preform to direct the flow of matrix material into the preform. The composite preform is heated to a temperature sufficient to render the matrix material viscous and insufficient to cure the matrix material. The pressure to the interior of the composite preform is reduced, while the pressure to the barrier material is increased. The temperature is maintained to flow the matrix material into the composite preform and to force gases from the fibrous structure. The composite preform is then cured and cooled to form a reinforced matrix composite having a low void content and a substantially uniform matrix distribution.06-04-2009

Richard Thomas Price, Corona, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110152469MULTIFUNCTIONAL ADDITIVES IN ENGINEERING THERMOPLASTICS - A toughening agent for use in making composites comprises an epoxy curing agent and a thermoplastic. Compositions, composites that comprise the toughening agent and associated methods of making and using the toughening agent are also disclosed.06-23-2011
20110159764METHODS OF IMPARTING CONDUCTIVITY TO MATERIALS USED IN COMPOSITE ARTICLE FABRICATION & MATERIALS THEREOF - Embodiments of the invention are directed to metal- or metal alloy-coated sheet materials (hereinafter, “metal-coated sheet material”) including, but not limited to, fabrics and veils which have a metal content of between one (1) and fifty (50) grams per square meter (gsm). The metal-coated sheet materials may be used as-is or in conjunction with prepregs, adhesives or surfacing films to provide lightning strike protection (LSP) and/or bulk conductivity, among other benefits, to the resultant composite article. In one embodiment, the metal-coated sheet material is impregnated with a resin. According to embodiments of the invention, a metal is applied to one or two sides of the fabric or veil by a physical vapor deposition coating process. The resultant metal-coated fabric or veil may be used as a carrier in surfacing films to impart surface conductivity; may be used as a carrier in adhesives to form conductive adhesive-bonded joints; may be interleaved (one or more metal-coated veils) between layers of prepreg to impart surface and/or bulk conductivity as well as toughness; or may be used to fabricate composite articles.06-30-2011

Robert R. Price, Palo Alto, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090073033LEARNING A USER'S ACTIVITY PREFERENCES FROM GPS TRACES AND KNOWN NEARBY VENUES - A method for inferring activities to a user is provided. The system receives at least one location trace and corresponding contextual information. The system then derives a set of venues based on a venue database, wherein a respective hypothetical visit is associated with the contextual information corresponding to the location trace. The system derives a set of activity types associated with a context based on the venues, the corresponding context indicated by the location trace, and a venue-to-activity mapping. In addition, the system receives a user query context and identifies a number of activity types of which the associated contextual information is similar to the user query context. The system further weights a respective identified activity type based on its associated context's similarity to the user query context, normalizes weights associated with each identified activity type, and produces an activity-type probability distribution, thereby facilitating inferring activities associated with the user.03-19-2009
20090076997RECOMMENDER SYSTEM WITH AD-HOC, DYNAMIC MODEL COMPOSITION - One embodiment of the present invention provides recommender system for generating a recommendation of an item by combining a set of utility models adaptively to facilitate a decision-making process. The system includes a utility model database containing the set of utility models and a query module for receiving at least one query about the item from a querying entity. The system also includes a rule engine to specify a subset of utility models to be applied to the item and to specify a weight function of the specified utility models. Further included in the system is a set generator coupled to the utility model database, the query module, and the rule engine. The set generator computes a set of ratings by applying each of the utility model in the subset to the item and generates an overall rating for the item based on the weight function. The system further a communication module to return the overall rating.03-19-2009
20090077000METHOD AND SYSTEM TO PREDICT AND RECOMMEND FUTURE GOAL-ORIENTED ACTIVITY - One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for recommending activities to a user. During operation, the system determines an activity-type distribution based on the user's personal profile and/or population prior information, thereby facilitating prediction of future activities for the user. The system further searches for and receives one or more activities based on the activity-type distribution. The system then scores each received activity and recommends a number of activities to be performed by the user in the future and a number of corresponding venues, based on the activity-type distribution and the weight distribution.03-19-2009
20090077057 MIXED-MODEL RECOMMENDER FOR LEISURE ACTIVITIES - One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for recommending leisure activities to a user. During operation, the system receives at least one query for leisure activities. The system then determines a collaborative filtering score of a candidate activity based on a collaborative filtering model, a soft query score for the candidate activity based on a soft query model, a content preference score for the candidate activity based on a content preference model and the user's past behavior, and a distance score for the candidate activity based on a distance model. Next, the system generates a composite score for the candidate activity by calculating a weighted average of the collaborative filtering score, the soft query score, the content preference score, and the distance score. The system further returns a recommendation list containing the activities with the highest composite scores.03-19-2009
20090193099METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY INCORPORATING HYPOTHETICAL CONTEXT INFORMATION INTO RECOMMENDATION QUERIES - A system facilitates automatically determining the hypothetical context information or the distribution of hypothetical contexts. During operation, the system receives a request from a user for one or more recommendations. The system also receives a current context substantially associated with the request. The system then determines a hypothetical context for the request, wherein the hypothetical context may be determined by considering several sources of information, including but not limited to the current context, past contexts, and relationships between the current context and past contexts. Next, the system determines one or more recommendations for the user based on the hypothetical context. Finally, the system returns the one or more recommendations to the user.07-30-2009
20110137927METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY INCORPORATING HYPOTHETICAL CONTEXT INFORMATION INTO RECOMMENDATION QUERIES - A system facilitates automatically determining the hypothetical context information or the distribution of hypothetical contexts. During operation, the system receives a request from a user for one or more recommendations. The system also receives a current context substantially associated with the request. The system then determines a hypothetical context for the request, wherein the hypothetical context may be determined by considering several sources of information, including but not limited to the current context, past contexts, and relationships between the current context and past contexts. Next, the system determines one or more recommendations for the user based on the hypothetical context. Finally, the system returns the one or more recommendations to the user.06-09-2011

Robert Roy Price, Palo Alto, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100159432SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECOMMENDING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES - An educational recommender system and a method are provided. The method includes receiving a request to recommend a course of action related to a plurality of current students; accessing a computer database storing student data that corresponds to the plurality of current students; clustering in a computer process the plurality of current students into at least two clusters based at least on granular assessment data associated with student data corresponding to respective current students; and outputting the results of the clustering to a user. The granular assessment data includes a result of an assessment administered to respective students of the plurality of current students, and each assessment includes a plurality of questions for assessing one of the current students. The associated result includes an independent evaluation of each respective question of the plurality of questions.06-24-2010
20100159437SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECOMMENDING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES - A recommender system and method is provided, including receiving a request to recommend a course of action related to a plurality of current students in accordance with a plurality of constraints and accessing a computer database storing student data that corresponds to the plurality of current students. The student data includes attribute data corresponding to respective students of the plurality of current students for describing at least one attribute related to the respective students. The method further includes clustering in a computer process the plurality of current students into a selected number of clusters based at least on sameness of attribute data corresponding to the respective current students of the plurality of current students and the plurality of constraints, and outputting the results of the clustering to a user.06-24-2010
20100159438SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECOMMENDING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES - A recommender system and method including receiving a request identifying at least one current student for which a recommendation is sought and accessing stored student data including attributes associated with respective students of the current students and a plurality of predecessor students. For the predecessor students the attributes include educational resources. The method includes clustering one of predecessor students and the current students into clusters based on sameness of first selected attributes of their respective associated attributes. The method includes generating a mapping between respective students of the other of the predecessor and current students and one of the clusters based on sameness of second selected attributes associated with the students being mapped. The method then includes recommending for each of the current students the educational resource associated with the predecessor student or cluster of predecessor students that the current student is mapped with.06-24-2010

Taylor Price, Menlo Park, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110125648METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING HIGH DATA INTEGRITY AND FOR PROVIDING A SECURE AUDIT FOR FRAUD PREVENTION AND DETECTION - Any of various comparisons of computer folders from different points in time is performed. Such comparisons provide the ability to discover missing documents or documents with modification dates that have changed when there would otherwise have been no need to change them and thus allows discovery of missing documents to discover fraud or to search for evidence after a fraud is suspected. In another embodiment, deltas in accounting system vendor invoice accounts are compared at different points in time, potentially exposing the practice of moving fraudulent vendor transactions into a large group of legitimate transactions for a legitimate vendor. Per period transaction totals for specific periods for legitimate vendors are compared over histokal time for suspicious activity. A comparison of reports from the two different periods, using exact data and software from those separate periods (instead of reporting from “current'” data), may raise a red flag otherwise missed.05-26-2011

Timothy M. Price, Templeton, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080211687Electric field communication for short range data transmission in a borehole - The present invention concerns application of a unique conductive electrode geometry used to form an efficient wideband, one- or two-way wireless data link between autonomous systems separated by some distance along a bore hole drill string. One objective is the establishment of an efficient, high bandwidth communication link between such separated systems, using a unique electrode configuration that also aids in maintaining a physically robust drill string. Insulated or floating electrodes of various selected geometries provide a means for sustaining or maintaining a modulated electric potential adapted for injecting modulated electrical current into the surrounding sub-surface medium. Such modulated current conveys information to the systems located along the drill string by establishing a potential across a receiving insulated or floating electrode.09-04-2008
20090153355Electric field communication for short range data transmission in a borehole - The present invention concerns application of a unique conductive electrode geometry used to form an efficient wideband, one- or two-way wireless data link between autonomous systems separated by some distance along a bore hole drill string. One objective is the establishment of an efficient, high bandwidth communication link between such separated systems, using a unique electrode configuration that also aids in maintaining a physically robust drill string. Insulated or floating electrodes of various selected geometries provide a means for sustaining or maintaining a modulated electric potential adapted for injecting modulated electrical current into the surrounding sub-surface medium. Such modulated current conveys information to the systems located along the drill string by establishing a potential across a receiving insulated or floating electrode.06-18-2009
20120299743Electric Field Communication for Short Range Data Transmission in a Borehole - The present invention concerns application of a unique conductive electrode geometry used to form an efficient wideband, one- or two-way wireless data link between autonomous systems separated by some distance along a bore hole drill string. One objective is the establishment of an efficient, high bandwidth communication link between such separated systems, using a unique electrode configuration that also aids in maintaining a physically robust drill string. Insulated or floating electrodes of various selected geometries provide a means for sustaining or maintaining a modulated electric potential adapted for injecting modulated electrical current into the surrounding sub-surface medium. Such modulated current conveys information to the systems located along the drill string by establishing a potential across a receiving insulated or floating electrode.11-29-2012

Patent applications by Timothy M. Price, Templeton, CA US

William W. Price, Upland, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080286725Electrical Power Converter for a Simulated Weapon Device - In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, a military training apparatus generally includes an electrical power converter for coupling between a simulated weapon device and an electrical power system of a vehicle. The electrical power system has at least one operating characteristic that is incompatible with the simulated weapon device. The electrical power converter is operable to receive electrical power from the electrical power system and adjust the electrical power provided to the simulated weapon device such that an operating characteristic of the simulated weapon device remains within one or more specified limits.11-20-2008
20090053679Military Training Device - According to one embodiment, a military training device includes a multiple integrated laser engagement system (MILES) device configured in a piece of apparel. The multiple integrated laser engagement system device includes a light transducing element coupled to an electrical circuit. The light transducing element transmits or receives multiple integrated laser engagement system compliant signals. The light transducing element is attached to an outer surface of the apparel and oriented so that a radiation pattern of the multiple integrated laser engagement system compliant signals is generated outwardly from the apparel during use.02-26-2009
20090165664Simulated Mine - According to one embodiment, a simulated mine includes a multiple integrated laser engagement system (MILES) device and a pyrotechnic device disposed in a simulated mine housing that simulates the appearance of an actual mine. The multiple integrated laser engagement system device is operable to transmit a light signal representative of a blast from the actual mine. The pyrotechnic device is operable to detonate simultaneously with transmission of the light signal.07-02-2009
20100058947Simulated Hand Grenade Having a Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System - A hand grenade simulator includes a hand grenade simulator housing configured to simulate the appearance of a hand grenade. The hand grenade simulator also includes a trigger mechanism coupled to the hand grenade simulator housing. The hand grenade simulator further includes a timer coupled to the trigger mechanism. The hand grenade simulator additionally includes at least one transmitter coupled to the timer. The transmitter is operable to transmit the first signal simulating a hand grenade blast pattern a first amount of time after activation of the trigger mechanism.03-11-2010
20100203483Blank Firing Simulated Firearm for Use in Combat Training - According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a simulated firearm is provided that mimics the appearance of an actual firearm and is configured to fire blank ammunition. The simulated firearm also includes a light transmitter that transmits an infrared signal representative of a bullet fired from the actual firearm in response to firing of the blank ammunition.08-12-2010

Patent applications by William W. Price, Upland, CA US

Xen Price, Redwood City, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100179711SPACECRAFT PAYLOAD ORIENTATION STEERING - Spacecraft payload orientation steering is provided for an orbiting spacecraft in motion along an orbit track around a celestial body, the orbit track having a nominal inclination with respect to an equatorial orbit, a substantial eccentricity, and a drift angle with respect to the nominal inclination. Coordinates of an optimal payload target location as a function of a spacecraft position along the orbit track are determined, the target location being on the surface of the celestial body and having a substantial motion with respect to the surface and with respect to a spacecraft nadir. A payload of the spacecraft is substantially aligned with the determined coordinates by steering the satellite body to correct for at least one of the inclination drift angle, and the eccentricity, thereby adjusting the spacecraft orientation as a function of the spacecraft position along the orbit track.07-15-2010
20120097796Satellite orbit raising using electric propulsion - Apparatus and methods for raising the orbit of a satellite having electric propulsion thrusters, an Earth sensor and an inertial reference sensor such as a gyro. A satellite positioning system generates orbital data and a profile generator generates an ideal electric orbit raising profile of the satellite. The ideal profile is one that the satellite must follow so that the perigee, apogee and inclination of the satellite can be adjusted simultaneously in a mass-efficient manner. A state machine processes the ideal profile and a true anomaly to generate a desired electric orbit raising profile. Steering apparatus generates signals that are used to control the attitude of the satellite to follow the desired profile. The desired profile places the satellite in an Earth-pointed attitude when the satellite is at a predefined point in the orbit, slews the satellite from the Earth-pointed attitude to an ideal orbit raising attitude, steers the satellite according to the ideal profile during orbit raising, and steers the satellite from the desired attitude to the Earth-pointed attitude.04-26-2012