Patents by Inventor Dale E. Winther

Dale E. Winther has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8144960
    Abstract: A method and system for non-invasively measuring the concentration of an optically-active substance in a subject are provided. The system includes a light source adapted to transmit light towards a subject or object having a concentration of an optically-active substance, a polarizer positioned between the light source and the subject, an image capturing device, and a processor. The image capturing device is positioned to receive light reflected from the subject and create a measured image therefrom. The measured image defines measured light intensity data. The processor is configured to calculate a concentration of the optically-active substance based on a selected portion of the measured light intensity data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Dale E. Winther
  • Patent number: 8090424
    Abstract: An apparatus for determine a glucose level having a calibration module; an image acquisition module; an image compensation module; and, a dynamic pattern matching module. A method using the apparatus is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: STI Medical Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Dale E. Winther, Liming Wang, Runchuan Zhao
  • Patent number: 7869848
    Abstract: The noninvasive measurement system provides a technique for manipulating wave data. In particular, wave data reflected from a biological entity is received, and the reflected wave data is correlated to a substance in the biological entity. The wave data may comprise light waves, and the biological entity may comprise a human being or blood. Additionally, a substance may comprise, for example, a molecule or ionic substance. The molecule may be, for example, a glucose molecule. Furthermore, the wave data is used to form a matrix of pixels with the received wave data. The matrix of pixels may be modified by techniques of masking, stretching, or removing hot spots. Then, the pixels may be integrated to obtain an integration value that is correlated to a glucose level. The correlation process may use a lookup table, which may be calibrated to a particular biological entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: STI Medical Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Walter K. Proniewicz, Dale E. Winther
  • Publication number: 20090202116
    Abstract: A method and system for non-invasively measuring the concentration of an optically-active substance in a subject are provided. The system includes a light source adapted to transmit light towards a subject or object having a concentration of an optically-active substance, a polarizer positioned between the light source and the subject, an image capturing device, and a processor. The image capturing device is positioned to receive light reflected from the subject and create a measured image therefrom. The measured image defines measured light intensity data. The processor is configured to calculate a concentration of the optically-active substance based on a selected portion of the measured light intensity data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Dale E. WINTHER
  • Patent number: 7377643
    Abstract: A method for capturing an image of an eye having an iris, including the steps of determining a plurality of measurement origins in the image; detecting an edge of the iris; determining a distance from each measurement origin to the edge of the iris; and, outputting a final image when each of the determined distances is equal to respective one of a plurality of predetermined lengths. A computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform the above-described method is also described. An apparatus having an image sensor and a processor for performing the method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Q Step Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest P. Chock, Dale E. Winther
  • Patent number: 7167736
    Abstract: A method and system for non-invasively measuring the concentration of an optically-active substance in a subject are provided. The system includes a light source adapted to transmit light towards a subject or object having a concentration of an optically-active substance, a polarizer positioned between the light source and the subject, an image capturing device, and a processor. The image capturing device is positioned to receive light reflected from the subject and create a measured image therefrom. The measured image defines measured light intensity data. The processor is configured to calculate a concentration of the optically-active substance based on a selected portion of the measured light intensity data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Q Step Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale E. Winther
  • Patent number: 6853854
    Abstract: The noninvasive measurement system provides a technique for manipulating wave data. In particular, wave data reflected from a biological entity is received, and the reflected wave data is correlated to a substance in the biological entity. The wave data may comprise light waves, and the biological entity may comprise a human being or blood. Additionally, a substance may comprise, for example, a molecule or ionic substance. The molecule may be, for example, a glucose molecule. Furthermore, the wave data is used to form a matrix of pixels with the received wave data. The matrix of pixels may be modified by techniques of masking, stretching, or removing hot spots. Then, the pixels may be integrated to obtain an integration value that is correlated to a glucose level. The correlation process may use a lookup table, which may be calibrated to a particular biological entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Q Step Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Walter K. Proniewicz, Dale E. Winther
  • Patent number: 5598971
    Abstract: The present invention provides a capacitive humidity transducer based humidity control system. The present invention comprises a humidity sensor, a temperature source for the heated cabinet air, a temperature source at the sensor, and a regulated water mist discharged into the cabinet air circulation system. An electronic system combines the input from the sensor, the temperature inputs, and the humidity percentage setting to regulate the timing and duration of the water mist discharge, thereby allowing to adjust percentage of humidity in heated holding cabinets. The sensor is a capacitor comprising two plates in close proximity but insulated from each other. The electrical output of the capacitor is sensitive to moisture on the surfaces between the plates. By cooling one plate until it reaches its dew point, the signal is detected and received by the electronic system. Cooling of the capacitor plate is accomplished by means of a thermoelectric cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Bevles Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Winther, Robert H. Killen