RETURN to News Archive ================================================== Copyright(c) 1998-2003 GEN-ERIC Channel.  All rights reserved. GEN-ERIC Patent News Tuesday, April 22, 2003 ================================================== Use Quick Links to Access any Area of Interest Headlines News Patents of the Day Access Official Gazette and Notices Patents Available for Licensing Patent Employment Opportunities Printer Friendly Version ================================================== HEADLINES   (patents issued a few hours ago..) The Smart Sleep Patent of the Day goes to United States Army for a Method and system for predicting human cognitive performance The Space Funeral Patent of the Day goes to an Inventor from Kansas for Cremation on atmospheric reentry     Index ================================================== NEWS GlaxoSmithKline settles patent suit over Paxil http://www.islandpacket.com/24hour/business/story/859542p-6011910c.html GlaxoSmithKline PLC has agreed to settle patent litigation against a generic drug company over a proposed generic version of Glaxo's best selling drug, the anti-depressant Paxil. Glaxo said Friday the settlement will allow Pharmaceutical Resources Inc.'s Par Pharmaceutical Inc. to distribute in Puerto Rico substitutable generic tablets, supplied and licensed from Glaxo for a royalty. Par had received distribution rights from Pentech Pharmaceuticals Inc., a privately held company based in Illinois, which has submitted a new drug application to the Food and Drug Administration for the generic capsule version of the anti-depressant drug.     Index GenSci pays $7.5M to settle patent suit http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1035781100279& call_pageid=968332188492&col=968705923364 Canadian biotechnology company GenSci Regeneration Sciences Inc. has agreed to pay $7.5 million US in a conditional agreement to settle patent litigation brought by Osteotech Inc. GenSci — operating under Chapter 11 protection from creditors in the United States since a California jury verdict in late 2001 — said Monday that the conditions of the agreement include that GenSci arrange a letter of credit or other security to back up its promise to pay $1 million US when it emerges from bankruptcy protection, to be followed by payments of $325,000 each quarter.     Index MIT Loses Patent Lawsuit http://www-tech.mit.edu/V123/N20/20lockheed.20n.html MIT lost a patent infringement lawsuit against Lockheed Martin Corp. that sought royalties for Lockheed’s operation of two United States ground stations for Inmarsat, a global satellite telephone system. Chief Judge William G. Young of the federal district court in Boston ruled that no reasonable jury could find that Lockheed’s operation of two Inmarsat ground stations infringed an MIT patent on a technique for compressing speech signals. MIT will not appeal the ruling, said Lita Nelsen, director of the MIT’s Technology Licensing Office. The lawsuit was noteworthy for several reasons. It is the first time anybody can remember that MIT has lost a patent infringement lawsuit. Neither The Tech nor Jack Turner, the TLO associate director, could find or recall a previous loss for MIT. Almost all MIT-filed patent infringement suits end before trial when the defendant agrees to pay for a license.     Index ================================================== PATENTS OF THE DAY 6,553,252 Method and system for predicting human cognitive performance Background:  Adequate sleep sustains cognitive performance. With less than adequate sleep, cognitive performance degrades over time. using computer-based cognitive performance tests, it has been shown that total sleep deprivation degrades human cognitive performance by approximately 25% for each successive period of 24 hours awake. However, it also has been shown that even small amounts of sleep reduce the rate of sleep loss-induced cognitive performance degradation. "Sustaining Performance During Continuous Operations: The U.S. Army's Sleep Management System," discloses that a single 30-minute nap every 24 hours reduces the rate of cognitive performance degradation to 17% per day over 85 hours of sleep deprivation. This suggests that recuperation of cognitive performance during sleep accrues most rapidly early in the sleep period. No other factor besides the amount of sleep contributes so substantially and consistently to the normal, daily variations in cognitive performance. Abstract:  An apparatus and method for predicting cognitive performance of an individual based on factors including sleep history and the time of day. The method facilitates the creation of predicted cognitive performance curves that allow an individual to set his/her sleep times to produce higher levels of cognitive performance. The method also facilitates the reconstruction of past cognitive performance levels based on sleep history.     Index 6,550,114 Cremation on atmospheric reentry Background:  One in five Americans choose cremation for themselves or their loved ones. Although historically uncommon in the United States, cremation is becoming more popular as an alternative to internment. In California, for example, the rate of cremation over burial is approximately 42%. In Nevada, the rate is approximately 57%. Hawaii leads the rest of the country at approximately 59%. Overseas, Japan has the highest cremation rate at over 95%. The overall rate in the United States is expected to increase over the next decade from the low twenties to nearly 38%. Although the choice to cremate is becoming increasingly popular, relatives of the deceased are often at a loss for how to memorialize the cremated remains. Sometimes the deceased has indicated a preference to have their ashes scattered or spread in a favorite location. The family members of the deceased, however, often feel uncomfortable performing the task. The process can be awkward and can result in ashes blowing back onto the deceased's relatives during the scattering, causing great dismay. Seeing the remains of a loved one become a dusty film on the ground or water can be a disappointing and even traumatic sight for friends and relatives. Even if the cremated remains are merely kept in an urn or other container, eventually they must be disposed of by someone, and the remains may end up in the hands of strangers through estate sales or auctions following the death of those close to the deceased. Summary:  The method of the present invention provides for delivering human remains to the outer atmosphere or beyond and causing or allowing them to reenter the Earth's atmosphere for the purpose of combustion, and therefore cremation, on reentry. The method of the present invention includes providing the body of a deceased human, preparing the body for cremation in a manner similar for cremation in a crematorium, wrapping or enclosing the body in a combustible container, transporting the body to the outer edges of the Earth's atmosphere or beyond, and placing the body in a trajectory that will eventually cause it to thereafter fall toward the Earth and combust due to heat generated by friction as the body passes through the atmosphere. Reentry may be directed to occur soon after launch, or the body may be placed in an orbit that will degrade over a long period of time prior to descent and combustion. This novel method of cremation provides a means of dispersing the deceased's cremains throughout the upper atmosphere thereby enabling individuals to have their ashes "scattered" in a manner, and to a degree, never before available. In addition, the present invention allows relatives and friends of the deceased to participate in and even view the cremation process as a pleasing and dramatic farewell to their loved one.     Index ================================================== ACCESS OFFICIAL GAZETTE AND NOTICES Access this week's Official Gazette http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/patog/week16/OG/classIndex.htm Excerpt from OG Notices Reissue Applications Notice Changes to Implement Electronic Maintenance     Index ================================================== PATENTS AVAILABLE FOR LICENSING to Learn More or to List a Patent Financial screening system In an on-line financial screening service, a database of financial and intellectual property information is searched to find at least one financial security matching user defined financial search criteria. Selection preferences for a financial security are defined as search criteria. The databases are repeatedly searched for records matching the financial selection criteria preferences of the user. Financial securities meeting the users search criteria are then matched to an intellectual property database to determine the number of patents a financial security has been issued Laptop Display The invention includes a computer projector in a portable computer or PDA device. The lightweight, relatively low power display, only adds a few ounces of weight to the computer. It can project a large image display on a screen or wall. In several configurations taught by the patent, the LCD and active matrix displays, a considerable component of the cost of any computer or laptop, are eliminated. The projection device images onto the laptop cover panel, saving hundreds of dollars in manufacturing cost. Put the display cover in the projector position and you can project an image onto a large wall for group viewing. Other Patents CONCRETE FINISHING TOOL CHEMBLOX EDUCATIONAL MOLECULAR MODELS BOAT LOADING GUIDANCE DEVICE     Index ================================================== PATENT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES to Learn More or to List a Job Senior IP Counsel The attorney will support the legal requirements of the Company relative to all pertinent intellectual property activities by developing and implementing strategies and procedures for protecting and asserting the intellectual property rights of the Company. This position reports to the Associate General Counsel, IP. JD or equivalent plus California Bar admission required. 6 years of IP and general transactional experience with a nationally recognized law firm and/or major corporation. Significant experience managing IP for biotech or pharmaceutical products and technology. General corporate, as well as merger and acquisition experience preferred. Patent Counsel Mid-level experienced Patent Agent or Patent Attorney for vegetable seed company whose responsibilities will include preparing and prosecuting biotechnology, plant breeding and plant pathology patent applications - 80+%; assisting in managing activities of outside international patent counsel, training activities and supporting the Research & Development team. Requirements include a M.S. or preferably a Ph.D. in biology, biotechnology or plant science, a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 7 years of hands on experience with relevant plant genetics, plant breeding, biotechnology, molecular or cellular biology patent application drafting and prosecution, previous experience as in-house patent counsel at a corporation is beneficial     Index ================================================== GEN-ERIC Channel