Patents Examined by Peter J Alley
  • Patent number: 8794969
    Abstract: A vehicle pneumatic system training aid comprises simulated controls and indicators and a pneumatic circuit. The simulated controls and indicators correspond to at least a portion of controls and indicators on an actual vehicle. The pneumatic circuit comprises a connection to a source of pressurized fluid, and at least one fluid flow control device. The fluid flow control device is positionable in at least two different positions corresponding to different actual vehicle conditions that are simulatable. The simulated controls are actuatable to change a condition of the pneumatic circuit and the simulated indicators are operable to display an indication of the condition of the pneumatic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Alaska Airlines, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip M. Tenning, Greg Cass
  • Patent number: 8790119
    Abstract: In a computer-implemented educational environment, four particular features are provided, which may be used separately or in combination, to drive the instruction of a particular curriculum, e.g. the instruction of fractions. In another implementation, educators and authors may use permutations and combinations of such features to construct in a graphical user interface a progression of interactive elements which help guide a student from visual concepts to procedures, such as equations and formulas. In a particular implementation, by using these features carefully, a curriculum author may design instructional sequences that provide careful, step-by-step sequences that help students progress from understanding the visual concepts, e.g. of fractions, to mastering procedures, e.g. fractions equations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Conceptua Math
    Inventors: Arjan Khalsa, Edward Murphy
  • Patent number: 8764452
    Abstract: A portable surgical training device is provided. The trainer includes a top cover spaced apart from a base to form a simulated body cavity for locating model organs that are substantially obscured from the field of view of the user. The top cover includes a video display, fixed insertion ports and interchangeable inserts containing simulated tissue layers. The training device has open sides for demonstrating and training lateral surgical techniques including a simulated or live tissue colon attached to a support leg for simulating transanal minimally invasive surgery. A training endoscope with an adjustable focal length for use with the trainer and, in particular, with optical trocars is disclosed. The surgical trainer can be angled and is well suited for training laparoscopic surgery techniques and demonstrating surgical instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation
    Inventors: Boun Pravong, Kennii Pravongviengkham, Lee Cohen, Charles C. Hart, Vivek Sikri, Zoran Falkenstein, Rick Conklin, Eduardo Bolanos, Adam Hoke, Jacob J. Filek, Michael Palermo
  • Patent number: 8753122
    Abstract: A smoke simulator system (1) for an aircraft simulator cockpit said system (1) comprising a water tank (2), an ultrasonic generator (3), said ultrasonic generator (3) being inside said water tank (2), supply means (7) to said water tank (2) and outlet means (8) from said water tank (2) for smoke. The invention relates as well to a method to operate such a smoke simulator system (1) for an aircraft simulator cockpit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopter Deutscland GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Bohlender
  • Patent number: 8718535
    Abstract: Implementations feature scannable form techniques and systems. Some aspects feature a scannable form including at least one response column parallel to a first longitudinal edge of the scannable form, and a broken ladder having two substantially parallel lines with locations for multiple rungs corresponding to encoded information that identifies a person assigned to the scannable form. A top rung is positioned on the scannable form so that the top rung can be a first rung that is scanned by a test scoring machine for the broken ladder, and a bottom rung is positioned so that the bottom rung can be a last rung that is scanned by the test scoring machine for the broken ladder. Other aspects feature a method to determine correct scoring key data in the test scoring machine for a test, and a method of transmitting information between the test scoring machine and a portable memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Scantron Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Nelson Radtke, Hugh Eugene Watson, Jason Lee Sprenger
  • Patent number: 8678834
    Abstract: A device for demonstrating and comparatively testing the effectiveness of an antireflection treatment for an ophthalmic lens, the device comprising an image (2, 20) and a mirror (3, 30). According to the invention, the device further comprises a part (1, 10) having a first face (1A, 10A) for supporting said image (2, 20), a second face (1B, 10B) for supporting said mirror (3, 30) substantially perpendicularly to said first face, and a third face (1C, 10C) for positioning at least one ophthalmic lens, the third face being situated. facing said second face and being provided with a positioning arrangement for positioning said lens (4?, 4?, 40), the arrangement comprising at least one orifice (4A, 4B, 40A) arranged in said third face facing said mirror, in such a manner that when a user looks through said orifice, the user can see the resulting reflection of said image on said lens by means of said mirror (3, 30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventors: Fabien Calandrini, Carole Nadolny, Catherine Fauquier
  • Patent number: 8672683
    Abstract: A computer-based abacus training system is provided. The system can include a simulated abacus display, means for outputting problems to be solved by a user, means for accepting input from the user, and means for checking the user's solution. Display can be of a simulated abacus, simulated hand movements, or both. Conversion between text-form and abacus-form representations can be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Senapps, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Nelson Long, Cary David Belt, Craig Golightly, James Lisonbee, Gregory Oaks, Mark Hildor Nelson
  • Patent number: 8632343
    Abstract: A demonstration mannequin for simulating insertion of a catheter or other medical device into the body of a patient is disclosed. The mannequin is useful for training clinicians in the placement of a catheter into the patient's vasculature and includes the ability to provide a malposition scenario in which the catheter is deviated from an intended path within the vasculature, resulting in a simulated malposition thereof. In one embodiment, the mannequin comprises a torso body portion and a simulated vasculature disposed within the body. The simulated vasculature is accessible by a medical device, such as a catheter, which can be advanced within the simulated vasculature. The mannequin further includes at least one diversion element that selectively obstructs a portion of the simulated vasculature to block advancement of a distal end of the catheter along an intended path and instead causes diversion of the catheter, thus simulating a catheter malposition scenario.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul L. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 8602786
    Abstract: A dot unit includes an opening formed in a housing and a protruding member disposed in the opening. The protruding member is rotatably supported by a support shaft. The protruding member is rotated by a polymer actuator in a direction that follows a reading direction in which a unit of information is read, and the protruding member is stabilized in a protruding position by contacting a restricting portion. When a finger is moved in the reading direction and contacts the protruding member, the protruding member is likely to be stabilized in the protruding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Takahashi, Nobuaki Haga
  • Patent number: 8459996
    Abstract: A laser-based system is useful for training soldiers in the operation and use of a grenade launcher. The system comprises a training assembly rotatably attached to the body of a grenade launcher and at least one sensor to detect laser energy at a target site. The training assembly comprises a housing; a variable output laser; a shaft extending through the housing to the body of the grenade launcher; a motor within the housing that engages the shaft and is capable of causing the housing to rotate about the shaft; at least one sensor to detect rotation of the housing, trigger pull, and/or gravitational direction; and a control unit operationally connected to the laser, the at least one sensor, and the motor. The training assembly rotates from the elevation of the launcher barrel to the elevation of the target site to generate a burst of laser energy at sensors at the target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: KMS Consulting, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Michael Sullivan