HRTC (Hampton Roads Technology Council) Articles RSS Feed

Pre-St. Patrick's Day Critical Mass - March 11th - Register Now

Jarrett Early — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:31:28 GMT

HRTC Executive Committee Meeting
Day: Thursday 11-Mar-10 2:00 PM
Location: Williams Mullen 222 Central Park Avenue Suite 1700 Virginia Beach, VA 23462-3035
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Pre-St. Patrick's Day Critical Mass
Sponsor: HRTC Events
Day: Thursday 11-Mar-10 5:30 PM
Location: Kelly's Tavern 4586 Virginia Beach Blvd. Virginia Beach, VA 23462
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5-Mar-10 9:31 AM

Tech Nite 2010 - Nominations Open!

Jarrett Early — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:53:07 GMT

Thursday, May 6, 2010
5:30 PM Reception Starts
Virginia Beach Convention Center

Reserve your table now

Tech Nite is HRTC's premiere event of the year. Tech Nite is an annual recognition event for high-tech companies, individuals, entrepreneurs, and innovations of the Hampton Roads region. Each year we gather and recognize the pioneering efforts of those in our community that utilize math and science in new and innovative ways.

Tech Nite 2009 Winners

Nominations are now open! Nominations close Friday, April 9^th. All submissions are due Sunday, April 18^th. Nominate Now

High Tech Company Community Award

This award recognizes a technology organization whose leadership has made a significant impact in the Hampton Roads community. This work may confront societal or civic issues, address health or environmental concerns, or promote arts and humanities. The Technology Company Community award showcases organizational excellence in leadership as demonstrated by outstanding initiative, impact of work, and inspiration of others. Nominate

Hampton Roads High Tech Emerging Company Award

This award recognizes outstanding commercial potential by an emerging company that produces and markets predominantly high technology-based products or services. The company should have been in business no less than 1 year and have at least 1 full year of verifiable sales revenues. The company shall be headquartered, or substantially based in the Hampton Roads region. Nominate

High Tech Leadership Award

This award honors an individual. A nominee may be an individual inside a high tech organization whose personal leadership and efforts in the community have resulted in outstanding benefits to the region, or an individual outside a high tech organization whose personal leadership and example have resulted in outstanding, positive technology-related activities in Hampton Roads. The individual shall be a resident of Hampton Roads. This recognition is for non-commercial accomplishment. Nominate

STEM Educator Award

This award honors an individual who has demonstrated effective, engaging, and innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) teaching in grades K-12. Appropriately credentialed teachers who work directly with children in grades kindergarten through twelve in a State-approved public or private school in Hampton Roads will be eligible for consideration. Nominations of excellent teachers with innovative practices from all members of the educational community including parents, students, business leaders, school staff, administrators, and teachers are encouraged. Nominate

Hampton Roads Technology Incubator System Client Award

This award, selected by HRTC's Executive Committee, recognizes one of its Incubator clients as a promising technology-focused business success story. The company must have substantially completed a business plan and built a capable team to see it through. They need to be a Level 2 client poised to generate revenue in their commercial endeavor within the next year.

The Chairman’s Technology Resource Award

This award, selected by the HRTC Chair, is given to a resource organization (law firm, CPA firm, bank, etc.) that has gone above and beyond to assist technology companies in their formation, growth, maturation, and sustainability. The awarded company has also contributed to the growth of technology in the region, advancing Hampton Roads as a center of innovation.

Tech Nite 2010
Sponsor: HRTC Events
Day: Thursday 6-May-10 5:30 PM
Location: Virginia Beach Convention Center 1000 19th Street Virginia Beach, VA 23451
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4-Mar-10 2:53 PM

What Independent Inventors Should Know

Bambi Walters — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Are you an ambitious inventor and filed a patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)? If you are such an ambitious inventor, there are things you may not know that can help you get a patent.

A “pro se” application is filed by the inventor representing himself or herself without a registered patent lawyer or agent. When a “pro se” application is being evaluated by the examiner of the USPTO, if patentable subject matter exists (meaning the invention has novel and non-obvious features), then the examiner, as part of their job, should draft one or more claims for the inventor. (See MPEP 707.07(j)).

The MPEP 707.07(j) states

When, during the examination of a pro se application it becomes apparent to the examiner that there is patentable subject matter disclosed in the application, the examiner should draft one or more claims for the applicant and indicate in his or her action that such claims would be allowed if incorporated in the application by amendment.

The cite from MPEP 707.07(j) allows the patentable subject matter to be in the “application,” which may include the detailed description, drawings, claims, abstract, etc. If the “pro se” inventor is not provided with recommendations from the examiner in a Non-Final Office Action (OA), do not be disappointed. The examiner may also recommend contacting a registered patent attorney or registered patent agent.

When the “pro se” inventor receives the OA, do not become overwhelmed. It is recommended that the inventor retrieve and review all patents cited by the examiner in the OA. Issued U.S. patents, published U.S. patent applications and many foreign patent type references may be obtained from www.patentfetcher.com for free (currently). Issued U.S. patents and published U.S. patent applications may be obtained from a host of other online services including the USPTO website, www.uspto.gov. Foreign patents may be obtained from the European Patent Office website, ep.espacenet.com.

After reading the patents, especially those relied upon in a rejection, the inventor is in the very best position to articulate the differences between their invention and an invention to another used in a rejection. If the inventor determines any differences, it is recommended that the inventor call the USPTO examiner to schedule a telephone interview to discuss the differences. The examiner’s contact information is generally found on the last page of the written part of the OA. It might be well to also communicate such differences to the examiner in writing before the scheduled telephone interview, either by email or a facsimile communication, to provide the examiner advanced notice as to the direction of the discussions.

When negotiating with the examiner, the “pro se” inventor may be required to identify where the novel or distinguishing features are in the drawings and the specification of the “pro se” application. The inventor should try to pin point language in the specification that clearly defines over the inventions used in a rejection. While an invention may have various differences, if possible, attempt to find features in the application that the inventions of the other patents could not incorporate. The “pro se” inventor may even ask the examiner during the scheduled interview to make any further recommendations or to write one or more claims.

The “pro se” inventor needs to be very cautious about claims prepared by an examiner as the examiner may write a very narrow claim that may have little practical value or very difficult to enforce. The “pro se” inventor may also seek representation to have only the claims reviewed by a patent attorney or agent or for guidance to amend the application to comply with the OA objections and rejections.

In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in KSR International Co. v. Teleflex Inc. has, in general, made it somewhat more difficult to receive a patent for a combination of known components. Recently, the USPTO has been very gracious to help “pro se” inventors as well as other inventors to obtain a patent. Since the new administration took office, the USPTO is diligently trying to help the “pro se” inventor obtain a patent and recognizes the value of intellectual property rights for individuals and small business.

Please feel free to contact our firm at (888)-388-9614 or via email to bambi@bfwpc.com or lisa@bfwpc.com if you would like to consult with a USPTO patent attorney or patent agent.

4-Mar-10 1:00 AM

City of Norfolk 2010 Annual Report

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:00:00 GMT

Click on the link below to view the City of Norfolk's 2010 Annual Report.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD REPORT

3-Mar-10 2:00 PM

Making the Most Outta Membership - March 17th

Jarrett Early — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:45:22 GMT

Making The Most Outta Membership
Sponsor: HRTC Events
Day: Wednesday 17-Mar-10 10:00 AM
Location: WEC (Wall, Einhorn & Chernitzer) 555 Main Street Suite 1700 Norfolk, VA 23510
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1-Mar-10 1:45 PM

Please Nominate Your Fellow Technologists for Tech Nite 2010

Jarrett Early — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:10:14 GMT

Thursday, May 6, 2010
5:30 PM Reception Starts
Virginia Beach Convention Center

Reserve your table now

Tech Nite 2009 Winners

Nominations are now open! Nominations close Friday, April 9^th. All submissions are due Sunday, April 18^th. Nominate Now

High Tech Company Community Award

High Tech Leadership Award

STEM Educator Award

The Chairman’s Technology Resource Award

25-Feb-10 11:10 AM

You Are Invited to Attend Tech Nite 2010

Jarrett Early — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:26:51 GMT

Members - please make sure you log in to receive member pricing. Contact Kathy Langlitz at klanglitz@hrtc.org or 757-865-2140 with any registration questions.

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25-Feb-10 10:26 AM

Pre-St. Patrick's Day Critical Mass - March 11th - Register Now

Jarrett Early — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:13:57 GMT

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24-Feb-10 3:13 PM

ACCION USA Could Be the Answer for Entrepreneurs Who Need Microloans

Jarrett Early — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:00:00 GMT

ACCION USA is a private, nonprofit organization that provides microloans and other financial services to low- and moderate-income (LMI) entrepreneurs who are unable to access bank credit for their small businesses. With economic opportunity, these entrepreneurs—often minorities and women — can build assets, better provide for their families, and strengthen their communities. As a recognized leader in U.S. microfinance, we help small business owners use microloans to build their businesses.

AUSA has lent $116 million since 1991, making us one of the nation's largest microlenders serving more than 3,000 active borrowers across 40 states.
ACCION USA offers affordable small business and credit development loans from $500 to $50,000.
Investment in its clients does not end with a loan - Accion provides free financial education services to set the foundation for long-term business success.

To review the Accion USA package, click HERE.

For a web-based application, click HERE.

22-Feb-10 12:00 PM

Making the Most Outta Membership - March 17th

Jarrett Early — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:09:26 GMT

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18-Feb-10 10:09 AM

Tech Nite 2010 Nominations Now Open

Jarrett Early — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:17:32 GMT

Thursday, May 6, 2010
5:30 PM Reception Starts
Virginia Beach Convention Center

Reserve your table now

Tech Nite 2009 Winners

Nominations are now open! Nominations close Friday, April 9^th. All submissions are due Sunday, April 18^th. Nominate Now

High Tech Company Community Award

High Tech Leadership Award

STEM Educator Award

The Chairman’s Technology Resource Award

18-Feb-10 9:17 AM

HRTC Karting 2010 and Critical Mass - THIS THURSDAY

Jarrett Early — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:17:01 GMT

If interested in attending this fun event, please register soon as we are trying to gauge the amount of food and beverages needed. Thanks and we look forward to racing all of you!

HRTC BOD - Full Board
Sponsor: HRTC Events
Day: Thursday 18-Feb-10 2:00 PM
Location: Troutman Sanders 222 Central Park Avenue Virginia Beach, VA 23462-3035
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Critical Mass - Karting 2010
Sponsor: HRTC Events
Day: Thursday 18-Feb-10 5:30 PM
Location: American Indoor Karting 2736 North Mall Drive Virgina Beach, VA 23452
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16-Feb-10 9:17 AM

HRTC Karting 2010 - February 18 - Please Register Soon

Jarrett Early — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:17:52 GMT

If interested in attending this fun event, please register soon as we are trying to gauge the amount of food and beverages needed. Thanks and we look forward to racing all of you!

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11-Feb-10 2:17 PM

Federal Green Jobs Legislative Conference - March 2, 2010

Jarrett Early — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:27:08 GMT

Federal Green Jobs Legislative Conference

Three Events – One Day!

March 2, 2010

The Federal Green Jobs Legislative Conference will bring a panel of Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Labor (DOL) officials and other key national and state green job policy makers to Hampton Roads to have them brief the region’s business, labor, government and community leaders and citizens on recent and pending federal legislation directly impacting green economic growth, green workforce training and green job creation.

FOR REGISTRATION & SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, CLICK HERE

TO VIEW THE FULL ELECTRONIC BROCHURE, CLICK HERE

Two 2-hour invitation-only events:

Each event has limited seating of 200. DOE and DOL officials will brief Hampton Roads region business, labor, community, and governmental leaders on recent legislation, pending legislation, and envisioned opportunities in the areas of green workforce training, green job creation, energy efficiency and clean energy. These events will provide the region’s leadership to hear directly from federal officials through

Peninsula Breakfast

Thomas Nelson Community College - Mary T. Christian Auditorium

7:30am – 8:00am Registration

8:00am – 9:00am Panel and Q&A on Energy Efficiency

9:00am – 10:00am Panel and Q&A on Renewable Energy

Southside Luncheon

Tidewater Community College - Portsmouth Campus

11:30am – Noon Registration

Noon – 1:00pm Panel and Q&A on Energy Efficiency

1:00pm – 2:00pm Panel and Q&A on Renewable Energy

One 2-hour event, free and open to the public:

This event is driven in large part by the community organizations (community colleges, VEC, career and technical schools, workforce development boards, faith and community groups) that interact most directly with the public. DOE, DOL and their state and local counterparts will explain to the public how these green legislative policies translate into reality in their lives; possible jobs, training, certifications, where to find and access the information they need. We will encourage discussion through active Q&A and a variety of exhibit booths where attendees can obtain additional information.

Southside Public Event

Tidewater Community College - Roper Performing Arts Center Theater

6:00pm – 6:30pm Registration and Exhibit Booths

6:30pm – 7:30pm Panel and Q&A on Legislation/Programs/Funding

7:30pm – 8:30pm Panel and Q&A on Jobs/Training/Certifications

8:30pm – 9:00pm Exhibit Booths

We need your support to make this unique and important day of events a success.

Please seriously consider the benefits of sponsoring this pioneering effort to bring our region’s stakeholders together with federal policy makers to discuss the real issues that impact our growing green economy.

Each sponsorship level entitles your organization the valuable opportunity to showcase your participation in this strategic event. Each level of sponsorship will put your organization’s identity in front of decision makers that can impact your success and that of the region.

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9-Feb-10 11:27 AM

Satellite could predict Katrina-style solar storms

Timothy Early — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT

By DAN ELLIOTT Associated Press Writer

Posted: 02/07/2010 08:34:17 AM PST

Updated: 02/07/2010 08:55:18 AM PST

BOULDER, Colo.—A new NASA satellite could help predict powerful solar storms that cause havoc on Earth—"space Katrina" events that can trigger massive electrical blackouts and communication failures, researchers say.

The Solar Dynamics Observatory, or SDO, is scheduled to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday with instruments designed to analyze the sun's atmosphere, its surface and even its interior.

The instruments were built by the University of Colorado in Boulder and Lockheed Martin in Palo Alto, Calif.

If all goes as planned, the instruments will allow scientists to forecast solar flares, eruptions of magnetically charged particles from the sun. When those particles collide with the Earth's magnetic field, the effects are called space weather, and they can be spectacular.

Electromagnetic disruptions from a 1989 solar storm caused a power grid in Quebec to overload and shut down for nine hours, leaving an estimated 6 million people without electricity. A 2006 solar storm disoriented virtually all GPS receivers on the lighted half of the Earth.

Radiation from solar flares could be harmful to space travelers and even airline crews who are repeatedly exposed to it on flights over the Earth's poles, researchers say.

Future solar storms could cause "a space Katrina kind of event" with hundreds of billions of dollars in damage and disruption, said Dan Baker, director of CU's Laboratory for Atmospheric

8-Feb-10 8:00 AM

HRTC Karting 2010 - February 18 - Registration Now Open

Jarrett Early — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:51:47 GMT

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3-Feb-10 2:51 PM

Virginia Technology Alliance Legislative Reception - February 11 - You're Invited

Jarrett Early — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:48:54 GMT

The Virginia Technology Alliance (VTA) 2010 Legislative Reception
Sponsor: Virginia Technology Alliance
Day: Thursday 11-Feb-10 5:30 PM
Location: Library of Virginia 800 East Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219-8000
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2-Feb-10 1:48 PM

HRTC Welcomes Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT) As Its Newest Silver Level Technology Partner

Jarrett Early — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:00:00 GMT

HRTC Welcomes Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT) As Its Newest Silver Level Technology Partner

The Hampton Roads Technology Council is pleased to announce that Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT) has joined on as our newest Silver Level Technology Partner.

Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies, Inc. (http://www.sgt-inc.com/), an aerospace services company, was founded in 1994 by Harold Stinger and Dr. Kam Ghaffarian. SGT is headquartered in Greenbelt, Maryland with locations throughout the country. SGT is dedicated to customer satisfaction and providing high quality support in the areas of Engineering, Science, Project Management and Information Technology. SGT is ISO 9001:2000 and CMMI Level 3 certified. They support substantial contracts for various government agencies including NASA, DoD, NOAA, USGS, and USAID. SGT also maintains strong affiliations and active partnerships with companies throughout the nation and works to Achieve Results and Exceed Expectations.

SGT’s expertise in managing multi-million dollar contracts, along with its world class technical background, facilitates effective support of individual projects and ensures the overall success of its customers’ programs. At SGT, pride is taken in fulfilling the needs of its customers and exceeding their expectations. SGT has a history of successful, high quality contract performance and has been recognized with some of the most prestigious industry awards for the outstanding quality of its services, including the NASA George M. Low Award.

HRTC looks forward to working closely with SGT to further promote technology, events, and initiatives throughout Hampton Roads.

2-Feb-10 10:00 AM

Zenith Challenge Project Team Meeting - Sat. Jan 30, 10:00am

Joe McMahon — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:00:00 GMT

The Zenith Challenge Project is ready to launch. On Saturday, Jan 30th at 10:00am we will have our first meeting. Please accept my apology for the short notice for this particular meeting. This is a preliminary meeting to start the process of the team building.

Starting February 13th, the Zenith Challenge Team will meet at the Virginia Air and Space Center (Silver Sponsor) every 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month through the end of June. This will be an exhilarating ride. In 2009, a total of 19 competitors — 18 colleges and universities entered the Student Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) competition in St Indigoes, Maryland. Participating schools Cornell, UCLA, VA Tech, VCU, US Air Force Academy and schools from as far away as India. Our Zenith Challenge team will be only the second team of high school students to compete in this contest. Our team is distinguished by being unique in the sense that it will represent one of the most diverse field of students from our entire Hampton Roads area. More info avail at www.hamptonroadsstem.com.

Date: Jan 30, 2010

Location: Newport News Aviation Academy (Newport News/Williamsburg Airport - Site of the old airport terminal)

Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm

Agenda:

Welcome

- About Zenith Challenge Project

Introductions

- Mission Planning Team

- Flight Coordination Team

Student Intros

- Name

- High School

- City

- Career Goals

- Hobbies and Interests

About the AUVSI Student UAS Competition

- Purpose

- Targets to meet

- How our students/organization will gain

- Objectives

- Deliverables

- Project Constraints

Expectation Management

- Team Expectation

- Required Level of Commitment

- Media Exposure

- Parental Consent

- Sponsorship/Expenses

Next Mtg -

February 13, 2010, 10am-2pm

Virginia Air and Space Center

600 Settlers Landing Road

Hampton, VA 23669

(757)727-0900

28-Jan-10 6:00 PM

Sen. Quayle Pushes for Deletion of the Center for Innovative Technology

Timothy Early — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Senator Fred Quayle of Hampton Roads has put a bill before the Legislature to shutdown the Center for Innovative Technology. CIT has been a Technology Partner, founding member, sponsor and friend of HRTC for many years. They were an original funding member of the Hampton Technology Incubator. They produced hundreds of millions of dollars of economic impact for Hampton Roads that continues today. They were one of the instrumental parties in landing Jefferson Labs in Newport News. They were the first such organization of their kind in the US. Virginia is one of the technology leaders in our country and it was in no small way because of CIT. And these are just a few of the accolades I could give.

Below is the bill:

Item 428 #2s

"Effective July 1, 2011, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Investment Authority shall no longer receive general fund support for ongoing operations. As of July 1, 2010, the authority shall make no additional research awards from general funds. Any existing grant commitments in-place as of July 1, 2010 may be funded from the Governor's Opportunity Fund with approval of the Governor."

Although one cannot see Sen. Quayle's reasoning above, I think I know why he feels it necessary. The Senator probably does not understand or agree with what CIT's mission is today. I'm not sure I do either; but I know why it occurred and is not the fault of CIT. The Legislature is to blame for not providing direction. And the State of Virginia carries the burden of fault for half-heartily supporting/funding CIT and other technology endeavors over the years. Don't think for a minute that Virginia is business friendly as they tout. We are well behind Maryland, North Carolina and Pennsylvania in forward-thinking initiatives. Were it not for location (next to DC), we would technologically-speaking advanced no further than black and white TV's.

This bill must be defeated!!

Make your voice known at:

Senator Fred Quayle
Senate of Virginia
PO Box 396
Richmond, Va 23218

district13@senate.virginia.gov

(804) 698-7513 or (757) 483-9173

Thank you,

Tim Early, President/CEO HRTC

25-Jan-10 7:00 PM