Patents by Inventor Dan Allen

Dan Allen 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).

  • Publication number: 20180092602
    Abstract: A synthetic aperture photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor is disclosed. A group or matrix of contiguous PPG sensors located on a toilet seat are conditionally combined based on sensor measurements. Conditional combinations may be based on timing data and signal-to-noise ratio data of each of the PPG measurements. Measurements associated with the conditional combinations are then used to determine a cardiac function of a toilet user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Andrew Davis, Daniel Hendricks, Justin Robinson
  • Publication number: 20180084959
    Abstract: A toilet seat with handles is disclosed. The handles include light transmitters and light receivers. The light transmitters and receivers may be used to determine blood oxygen saturation levels and heart rate of a toilet seat user. Ultrasonic transmitters and receivers in the toilet seat handle are also disclosed for determining bone density of a toilet seat user. The handles may be retractable and may include UV sanitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Andrew Davis, Justin R. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20180087969
    Abstract: An in-toilet apparatus for discrimination of urine and feces is disclosed. An optical sensor is provided for the analysis of urination and defecation events within a toilet bowl. Additionally, strain gauges are provided to make possible the quantification of urine and feces that a user releases. The combination of data from the optical sensors and strain gauges makes it possible for a user to readily know the mass of their bodily excrements, characterized by excrement type. In several embodiments the optical sensor is a thermal camera mounted on the toilet seat or in the toilet bowl. In other embodiments the optical sensor is a water level sensor. In varying embodiments, strain gauges are located in the toilet seat or in an attached footscale or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Cameron Price
  • Publication number: 20180085008
    Abstract: We disclose a health metric validation system in which a first heath metric is taken which is a measurement that is relevant to a user's health status. The first health metric may be used to diagnose a disease. A second metric is collected from the user and used to validate the first health metric. The first health metric and the second metric are entered into a computer which applies a first set of rules to the first health metric and second metric. The computer calculates a weight value and assigns it to the first health metric. The computer applies a second set of rules to the first health metric and its weight value to calculate an indicator value. The indicator value provides an indication of the validity of the first health metric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Min Kang, Ben Swenson, Terrece Pearman
  • Patent number: 9927302
    Abstract: An in-toilet apparatus for discrimination of urine and feces is disclosed. An optical sensor is provided for the analysis of urination and defecation events within a toilet bowl. Additionally, strain gauges are provided to make possible the quantification of urine and feces that a user releases. The combination of data from the optical sensors and strain gauges makes it possible for a user to readily know the mass of their bodily excrements, characterized by excrement type. In several embodiments the optical sensor is a thermal camera mounted on the toilet seat or in the toilet bowl. In other embodiments the optical sensor is a water level sensor. In varying embodiments, strain gauges are located in the toilet seat or in an attached footscale or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Cameron Price
  • Patent number: 9927448
    Abstract: We disclose a drug tracking system and method of use which may be used to screen a subject's bodily waste and to identify the drug the subject has consumed. The system includes a drug that is tagged with a food dye that may be detected in the subject's bodily waste using absorption spectroscopic analysis. The subject consumes the tagged drug and a user obtains a sample of the subject's bodily waste. The user may analyze the subject's urine using an absorption spectroscopic technique. The user may enter the emission spectrum obtained from the absorption spectroscopic analysis into a database that includes the signature emission spectra from multiple food dyes that are used as drug tags. The emission spectra may be compared and the identity of the food dye and its associated drug may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Steven Butala, Dan Allen, Daniel Hendricks, Andrew Nguyen, Terrece Pearman
  • Publication number: 20180080923
    Abstract: An optical engine directly attached to a surface of a toilet bowl is disclosed. An optical element of the optical engine traps urine for analysis. A cleaning jet may be used to clean and dry the optical element after urine is analyzed. A heater may be used to preheat a urine capture area before receiving urine and control urine temperature while testing the urine. User feedback associated with urinalysis results may be visually given to a toilet user by one or more light sources of the optical engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Joe Fox
  • Publication number: 20180078191
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a toilet which is a medical device and which includes multiple sensors and mechanisms for analyzing health metrics that may include biomarkers. The toilet is in communication with a computer processer that is programmed to evaluate the validity of collected health metrics. One set of metrics may inform the validity of another set of metrics. Each data point within the multiple health metrics is assigned a weight value that is an indicator of its validity. Data points may be excluded from calculations if deemed to be invalid. Data points may also be flagged as requiring additional information about the user to determine its validity or interpretation. Methods of using the toilet to assess the health status of a user is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Min Kang, Ben Swenson, Terrece Pearman
  • Patent number: 9920510
    Abstract: A smart flush toilet apparatus provides dynamic control of a toilet flush length and/or a toilet flush water volume based on data collected from toilet paper dispenser sensors and/or toilet bowl displacement sensors. A toilet paper dispenser may be used to report toilet paper usage to resupply toilet paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds, Joe Fox, Joseph Duncan
  • Publication number: 20180073234
    Abstract: A modular toilet is disclosed comprising a toilet shell and a hydraulic core. The hydraulic core module is a separate unit from the toilet shell module and may be non-symmetrical with the internal and external form of the shell. The core module comprises a toilet bowl connected to a siphon drain comprising a weir. The drain may be a vertical loop drain. The toilet shell and the hydraulic core may comprise mutual sealing surfaces. The drain may comprise openings for connection to a toilet ventilation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Joe Fox
  • Publication number: 20180070926
    Abstract: A toilet with multiple urinalysis instruments is disclosed. Two or more of the optical instruments are able to take simultaneous measurements. Optical instruments may share a common light source. One or more light source may use amplitude modulation. A cleaning jet may be used to clean and dry a surface tension urine slot. An inductive heater may be used to preheat and control urine temperature while testing the urine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Joe Fox
  • Patent number: 9915060
    Abstract: An rinsing seat for a rimless toilet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rinsing seat includes a large annular cavity for the purpose of storing and dispensing rinse water. In another embodiment, the rinsing seat includes a smaller annular cavity for the purpose of dispensing rinse water from a pressurized line. Outlet nozzles arranged about the circumference of the rinsing seat and designed to dispense rinse water at varying angles relative to the rinsing seat are disclosed. Rinsing seat supports, hinge assemblies, and seat sensors which offer additional functionality to the rinsing seat are also disclosed and claimed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Eric Magleby
  • Patent number: 9913626
    Abstract: An excreta-sampling toilet is disclosed which includes a bowl, a processing apparatus, and a chiller. The bowl separates excreta into solid excreta and liquid excreta. The processing apparatus then processes the solid excreta into a solid excreta sample, including metering it by weight or volume and storing it in containers. The chiller lowers the temperature of the sample, which is stored to await analysis. A metered liquid excreta sample is also stored and chilled in separate storage containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Daryl Wise, Ben Swenson, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Justin Robinson, Joe Fox, Kevin Cheatham
  • Publication number: 20180055488
    Abstract: An in-toilet urine sampling and measurement system is disclosed. One or more toilet sensors trigger volatilization, measurement, and analysis of volatile compounds in a urine sample. Volatile urine compounds may be concentrated, measured, and analyzed by a measurement system attached to a toilet bowl. A volatilizer system may use heat generated from one or more measurement devices to assist in volatilization of the urine sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Steven Butala, Ben Swenson, Gayun Kim, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds, Joe Fox, Cameron Price
  • Publication number: 20180055491
    Abstract: An excreta-sampling toilet is disclosed which includes a bowl, a processing apparatus, and a chiller. The bowl separates excreta into solid excreta and liquid excreta. The processing apparatus then processes the solid excreta into a solid excreta sample, including metering it by weight or volume and storing it in containers. The chiller lowers the temperature of the sample, which is stored to await analysis. A metered liquid excreta sample is also stored and chilled in separate storage containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Daryl Wise, Ben Swenson, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Justin Robinson, Joe Fox, Kevin Cheatham
  • Publication number: 20180052955
    Abstract: A health condition determination method is disclosed. Analyte samples may be obtained from a medical toilet in individual sessions on a daily basis and analyzed over weeks, months and years. Data collected from these samples is analyzed according to a predetermined target variance. The data is filtered and recursively analyzed inputting additional sample data until the refined measured variance is within the target variance. The determined health condition is then communicated to a health professional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Ben Swenson, Huijae Kim, Eric Magleby
  • Publication number: 20180042386
    Abstract: A user-identifying adjustable footstool that is capable of identifying individual users and automatically adjusting based on user-identification. The footstool can save preferences for different users, such as specific heights or angles. These preferences are called when a user is successfully identified by the footstool. The user-identifying adjustable footstool is particularly useful in conjunction with a toilet, to allow users to achieve individualized squatting positions while using traditional western toilets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Steven J.M. Butala, Ben Swenson, Gayun Kim, Joshua Larsen, Joe Fox, Jared Reynolds, Cameron Price
  • Publication number: 20180031411
    Abstract: A thin scale apparatus for measuring body weight includes 5 or more force sensors within a total thickness of between 0.4 inches and 0.004 inches measured between a bottom surface and a top surface of the thin scale apparatus. The thin scale is designed to be thin enough to be non-intrusive or not recognized by a user. A weight of a toilet user may be determined as a combination of additive force of force sensors in a thin scale and force sensor associated with a toilet seat of a toilet. The force sensors may be positioned in one or more cavities on a bottom side of a substrate material of the thin scale or be embedded within a substrate material. Embodiments of a standalone thin scale and a thin scale with a toilet are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Jared Wagner, Dan Allen, Nathan Hopkins, Justin Robinson, Kevin Cheatham
  • Publication number: 20180020984
    Abstract: A method of obtaining health data of a toilet user using one or more sensors is disclosed. One or more sensors are used by a toilet user while the toilet user is using the toilet to take health measurement readings of the user. Dynamic heart stress readings may be obtained and monitored over weeks, months and years. Rolling averages of heart function and heart health may be determined and deviations from the rolling averages may trigger notifications. Other health related measurements and functions such as temperature, respirations, heart rate, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and stethoscope sounds are also recorded and stored for trending and data analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Ben Swenson, H. Tracy Hall
  • Publication number: 20180020889
    Abstract: A toilet with a base portion containing a front facing user-accessible compartment is disclosed. A channel is provided within a base portion for connecting a floor sewer pipe to the raised base of the toilet. Multiple embodiments are disclosed in which the user-accessible front facing user-accessible compartment comprises a retractable foot spa, a retractable scale, a computer processor, and user health devices. User interfaces are disclosed for the operation of the front facing user-accessible compartment and other functions of the front facing user-accessible compartment. Latching and moving mechanisms are also disclosed and claimed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Ben Swenson, Joshua Larsen, Cameron Price, Eric Magleby