Patents by Inventor Joshua Larsen

Joshua Larsen 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: 10722120
    Abstract: The sensor platform array includes a plurality of sensors and one or more sensor platforms. Each sensor may be mounted on a sensor platform. The sensor platform may be mounted on a support panel. The support panel may be mounted on a toilet lid. The one or more sensor platforms may be extendable towards a user seated on the toilet. Each sensor may be independently extended so that it is positioned flush against a user's body. The sensor platform array may include bendable arms which reach around a user and place sensors on the ventral side of the user. The sensors may collect measurements which are relevant to the user's health and well-being. In some embodiments, the sensors may be removable and replaceable so that different sensors may be added according to a user's individual needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds, Daniel Hendricks, Travis Niederhauser, K. Jeffrey Campbell, Steven J. M. Butala, Vivek Garg
  • Publication number: 20200225121
    Abstract: A toilet is disclosed. The toilet has a bowl adapted to receive excreta, a shelf for receiving feces in the bowl, and one or more sensor for detecting a property of the feces. The property may be related to a user's heath and wellness and may be presented to a person for their review and assessment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: Hall Labs, LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, David Crismon, Joshua Larsen, Kevin Jeffrey Campbell, Jared Reynolds, Jared Blake
  • Publication number: 20200131749
    Abstract: The antimicrobial toilet includes one or more pairs of electrodes positioned below a water line when the hydraulic circuit is at equilibrium. The pairs of electrodes may be connected to a power source by electrical wires. In some embodiments, the electrodes are positioned on the inner wall of the toilet bowl and in some embodiments, the electrodes are positioned within the siphon tube. In some embodiments, the electrodes are metal strips and in others they are circular. When actuated, an electrical current passes through the toilet water between the electrode pairs resulting in disinfected water. Some embodiments include a pump and water conduit which transfers disinfected water to areas above the water line and emits the water to wash areas of the toilet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Steven J.M. Butala, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20200132539
    Abstract: The device includes a pressure-sensing pad which measures a load distribution across its surface and a rigid layer which measures total mass. The mass measurement may be used as a ground-truth measurement with which to calibrate the measurements collected by the pressure-sensing pad. Accordingly, a more accurate pressure distribution may be created using calibrated pressure distribution data. The pressure-sensing pad may include an array of sensors which may be in connection with a flexible layer. When pressure is applied to any of the sensors within the array of sensors, the flexible layer may compress and change the capacitance at the sensors on which the pressure is applied. The rigid layer may include strain gauges which measure the total mass on the device. A controller may include instructions for performing calculations to convert the measurements into a pressure map using calibrated measurements of the pressure distribution across the pressure-sensing pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: David R. Hall, K. Jeffrey Campbell, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds, Vivek Garg
  • Publication number: 20200088714
    Abstract: The method uses a device which measures the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in headspaces of fluid samples to differentiate between authentic and synthetic urine samples. The method includes the use of a device which includes an array of resistive microchemical sensors. The device may be exposed to samples of synthetic and authentic urine to identify a pattern of VOCs in each, these steps being referred to herein as training the device. The device may then be exposed to a urine sample of unknown authenticity and a pattern of VOCs identified. The pattern of VOCs from the urine sample of unknown authenticity may be compared to those of synthetic and authentic urine. In some embodiments the device is installed in a toilet. The method may be used to identify a false sample provided for a urine analysis intended to screen for use of illicit drugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Steven J.M. Butala, Estanislado Bravo, Joshua Larsen
  • Publication number: 20200033206
    Abstract: The pressure pad which pressure-sensing fabric which is within a gasket and which measures the distribution of pressure on the gasket. Thus, the gasket protects the pressure-sensing fabric from damage due to water or mechanical trauma. The pressure pad includes multiple piezoresistive depositions of piezoresistive depositions ink or paste which act as individual pressure-sensing points. Conductive tracks between the piezoresistive depositions transmit the pressure measurements in the form of electrical signals. The pressure-sensing fabric is connected to a controller and transmits pressure measurements to the controller. Algorithms stored on the controller create a map of absolute mechanical loading to each pressure-sensing point of the pressure pad. The gasket may be mounted beneath a toilet or between plumbing joints. The pressure pad may detect weaknesses in the gasket, a toilet user's weight, a weight of excrement added to the toilet, or a toilet user's posture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: David R. Hall, K. Jeffrey Campbell, Andrew Nguyen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen
  • Patent number: 10407888
    Abstract: The bidet system may include multiple seat scales which may float between the toilet bowl rim and the toilet seat. These seat scales may collect measurements which are transmitted to a controller. The controller may include instructions to calculate a user's center of mass based on the measurements and to identify the position of the user's anus based on the center of mass. The controller may then transmit instructions to a bidet wand directing direct the bidet wand to a position which aims a cleansing fluid spray toward the user's anus. A camera which collects images of the user's anal and urogenital region may also be included in the bidet system. The camera may transmit obfuscated images to the controller to identify other areas of the user's anatomy in need of cleansing. The controller may direct the bidet wand to aim a cleansing fluid spray toward these areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Travis Niederhauser, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Ben Swenson, Clayton Jorgensen, Andrew Nguyen, Terrece Pearman, Daniel Hendricks
  • Publication number: 20190216366
    Abstract: The health-monitoring system includes one or more cameras which collect graphic data and a controller which calculates body proportion measurements based on the graphic data. Specifically, the health-monitoring system measures a user's body parts and their relative positions. These measurements may be combined with those collected by other devices and sensors within the system which conduct other health-related measurements. The other devices and sensors may be housed within a container and a least one of the cameras may also be housed within the container. In some embodiments, the container is a fixture, such as a bathroom medicine cabinet . The camera may be invisible to a user as positioned within the fixture. Consequently, the user may move and behave normally without changes which may occur due to being self-conscious of the camera. Calculations may occur within the controller or on a remote server to which data is transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Joshua Larsen, K. Jeffrey Campbell, Conrad Rosenbrock, Ben Swenson, Jared Eggett
  • Publication number: 20190203454
    Abstract: The bidet system may include multiple seat scales which may float between the toilet bowl rim and the toilet seat. These seat scales may collect measurements which are transmitted to a controller. The controller may include instructions to calculate a user's center of mass based on the measurements and to identify the position of the user's anus based on the center of mass. The controller may then transmit instructions to a bidet wand directing direct the bidet wand to a position which aims a cleansing fluid spray toward the user's anus. A camera which collects images of the user's anal and urogenital region may also be included in the bidet system. The camera may transmit obfuscated images to the controller to identify other areas of the user's anatomy in need of cleansing. The controller may direct the bidet wand to aim a cleansing fluid spray toward these areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Travis Niederhauser, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Ben Swenson, Clayton Jorgensen, Andrew Nguyen, Terrece Pearman, Daniel Hendricks
  • Patent number: 10323399
    Abstract: A dryer for use with a bidet is disclosed. In one embodiment, a moveable dryer wand emits an air curtain as the dryer wand moves across the bidet bowl beneath the user after cleansing. We further disclose a dryer which produces a second air current which moves air in a different direction than that emitted by the dryer wand and further controls the movement of excess water remaining on a user after cleansing. A dryer that includes moveable dryer wand used in coordination with a moveable bidet wand are also disclosed and claimed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Jared Wagner, Terrece Pearman
  • Publication number: 20190125314
    Abstract: The liquid sample capture apparatus captures a sample of a liquid and holds the sample for optical analysis. The apparatus may include a mount which is traversed by a sample conduit. The mount may have an elongated shape and two ferrules may be placed within the mount along the longitudinal axis of the mount. An end of each of the ferrules may extend into the sample conduit forming a narrowing of the sample conduit which holds the liquid and prevents it from escaping prior to analysis. The opposite ends of the ferrules may each be connected to an optical cable. The optical cables may be connected to an analytical device, for example, a spectrometer. The apparatus may be mounted within a toilet bowl where it may capture and analyze a urine sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds
  • Patent number: 10167617
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Joe Fox
  • Patent number: 10151623
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Hall Labs, LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Jared Wagner, Dan Allen, Nathan Hopkins, Justin Robinson, Kevin Cheatham
  • Patent number: 10107665
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a toilet that includes a liquid level sensor on the surface of a flush jet fill tube. The liquid level sensor is a noncontact electrical impedance sensor that is an electrical capacitor. The capacitor may be used alone or with other volume sensors to detect volume of materials added to a toilet bowl. Some embodiments include a processor which records data and provides reports that may be clinically useful to assess the user's health status. The temporal nature of the liquid level sensor measurements is particularly useful because urination or defecation may be measured over time. Not only are total volumes detected but rates at which waste is deposited into the toilet during the entire excretion event are detected. These measurements are particularly useful in assessing certain health conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Stephen Davis, Jared Wagner, Terrece Pearman
  • Patent number: 10077897
    Abstract: A two-piece toilet with a seam and a channel at an intersection of the two toilet pieces is disclosed. An LED strip and diffuser strip are used to fill in the channel and hide seam of the intersection of the two toilet pieces. The LED strip transmits light into the channel and the light is refracted off of the channel and through the diffuser strip on the back side of the LED strip. An exterior and interior of a toilet may be lighted by the LED strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds
  • Patent number: 10072406
    Abstract: A quiet toilet apparatus disclosed. Microphones and circuitry are used to receive and detect one or more virtual point source locations and propagation directions of unwanted toilet noise. Speakers are used to create one or more synthesized wave fronts resulting in cancelation and reduction of unwanted toilet noise. The speakers, microphones and circuitry may be located within a toilet seat of a toilet or at a remote location. A user device or remote device may be connected to the noise reduction toilet apparatus for data recording, collection, reporting, and electronic noise filtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Ben Swenson, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds
  • Patent number: 10060112
    Abstract: We disclose a toilet system which analyzes solid waste to detect tags which were associated with pharmaceutical or nutritional products and excreted in the solid waste of a user. The toilet system may include a receptacle for receiving solid waste, a liquid dispenser for providing a liquid to assist in dispersing the solid waste, a solid waste dispersing system which may mix the solid waste with the liquid thereby homogenizing the solid waste, and an electromagnetic signature detector which may analyze the tags in the solid waste. The electromagnetic signature detector may include a selective binding surface which may bind tags present in the solid waste and which may be connected to a transducer which senses the presence of bound tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Steven J. M. Butala, Dan Allen, Andrew Nguyen, Conrad Rosenbrock, Ben Swenson, Daniel Hendricks, Travis Niederhauser, John Christensen, Joshua Larsen, Joe Fox
  • Publication number: 20180168556
    Abstract: We disclose a device and method for collecting a urine sample as a user urinates into a toilet. The device further conducts analytical measurements which may include spectral, colorimetric, and chemical assays. The user need only urinate normally into the toilet. A urine collection trap, which includes a vertical slit, may capture a urine sample which has a volume in the microliter range. Pumps may divert the urine from the vertical slit into a conduit that is connected to spectral analysis devices and other devices for analyzing the urine sample. The disclosed device is both convenient and prevents unsanitary urine spills.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Terrece Pearman
  • Patent number: 9986879
    Abstract: A toilet comprising a rinsing seat, a rimless bowl, and a helical loop trapway is disclosed. An annular cavity for the purpose of storing and dispensing rinse water from the rinsing seat is disclosed. Outlet nozzles arranged about the circumference of the rinsing seat and designed to dispense rinse water at the rimless bowl are disclosed. Rinsing seat supports, hinge assemblies, and seat sensors which offer additional functionality to the rinsing seat are also disclosed. The toilet includes a steep interior surface with a titanium dioxide coating and actuatable ultraviolet light sources. The titanium dioxide has antimicrobial properties in the presence of ultraviolet light to sanitize the toilet. The ultraviolet light source is actuatable to control when the antimicrobial properties of the titanium dioxide coating are activated. The exterior of the toilet is coated with doped titanium dioxide which is antimicrobial in the presence of visible light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Steven J. M. Butala, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Joe Fox
  • Patent number: 9957705
    Abstract: A helical drain for a toilet is disclosed. The present invention relates to a novel toilet drain configuration. Specifically, the novel toilet drain configuration comprises a helical loop trapway. The drain of the present invention exits the toilet bowl and forms a substantially vertical tubular loop running generally parallel to the width of the bowl or stool, or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bowl or stool, before being connected to a sewer. The drain of the present invention functions like a P-trap syphon in removing the contents of the bowl. The diameter of the looped tubular portion of the drain may vary by approximately 20 percent or less in the direction of the sewer connection. Sensors may be placed on the drain to monitor drain contents, fluid levels, and drain performance. The drain may be fitted with valves to control the flow of fluids and gases through the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Joe Fox