Patents by Inventor Michael Atkinson

Michael Atkinson 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: 7163512
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the state of entrainment between biological systems which exhibit oscillatory behavior such as heart rhythms, respiration, blood pressure waves and low frequency brain waves based on a determination of heart rate variability (HRV) and an evaluation of the power spectrum thereof. Entrainment reflects a harmonious balance between the two branches of the autonomic nervous system within the body. This internal state of heightened physiological efficiency enhances health and promotes optimal performance. According to one embodiment a method is used to determine the entrainment level based on an entrainment parameter related to HRV. The method first determines the power distribution spectrum (PSD) and then calculates an entrainment parameter (EP), which is a measure of the power distribution in the HRV spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Quantum Intech, Inc.
    Inventors: Doc L. Childre, Rollin McCraty, Michael A. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20060264209
    Abstract: A mobile telephone system (1) is provided which allows users to store photographs taken by using their mobile telephone (31-1, 3-2), in a central storage and retrieval system (7). The mobile telephone allows the user to add an annotation to the photograph for use in retrieving the photograph at a later time. At the time of retrieval, the user inputs a text or spoken query into the mobile telephone which is transmitted to the central storage and retrieval system and is used to identify the image to be retrieved. The identified image is then transmitted back to the user's mobile telephone for further use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Applicant: CANNON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Michael Atkinson, Uwe Jost
  • Patent number: 7117032
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating physiological coherence using respiratory training are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optimal respiratory cycle and/or RSA pattern is determined. A subject is then trained to adhere to this optimal respiratory level using one or more breath indicators. In another embodiment, the timing sequence of the breath indicators is optimized for a given subject's reaction time and/or atypical breathing events. In yet another embodiment, a subject's respiratory rhythms are used to detect their emotional state and corresponding feedback provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Quantum Intech, Inc.
    Inventors: Doc L. Childre, Rollin I. McCraty, Michael A. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20060143009
    Abstract: Initially an embedding module (22) determines an embedding of a lattice in a two-dimensional plane. The embedding module (22) then processes the initial embedding to generate a planar graph in which no links cross. The planar graph is then simplified by a link encoding module (24) and data representing the lattice structure is generated by a shape encoding module (26)—in which the simplified planar graph is represented by a shape encoding (42) identifying the numbers of links bounding areas defined by the planar graph and data identifying the locations of those areas within the planar graph; and a link list (43) identifying the modifications made to the lattice structure by the link encoding module (24). These encodings are such that the same substructures within a lattice are represented using the same data and hence are suitable for compression using conventional techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Applicant: CACON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Uwe Jost, Michael Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20050155404
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming metal containers. The method involves introducing a knockout element (110) into the container body through the open end, providing a forming die shaped to reduce the diameter of the sidewall of the container body (100) when the open end of the container body (106) is forced therein to produce a neck portion of reduced diameter on the container body, driving the open end of the container body into the forming die (108), retracting the knockout element through the neck portion as the neck portion is formed, and removing the container body (106) from the forming die (108) and knockout element (110). In the invention, the driving of the open end of the con tai ner body into the forming die and/or the movements of the knockout element are carried out under computer numerical control, preferably employing linear motor drives, thereby enabling the driving or movement to be optimized for the container body and the neck portion formed thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Applicant: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Geho, Harold Cook Jr., Christopher Olson, Michael Atkinson, William Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20050124906
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating physiological coherence using respiratory training are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optimal respiratory cycle and/or RSA pattern is determined. A subject is then trained to adhere to this optimal respiratory level using one or more breath indicators. In another embodiment, the timing sequence of the breath indicators is optimized for a given subject's reaction time and/or atypical breathing events. In yet another embodiment, a subject's respiratory rhythms are used to detect their emotional state and corresponding feedback provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Doc Childre, Rollin McCraty, Michael Atkinson
  • Patent number: 6887938
    Abstract: Internally lubricated polymer compositions containing a styrene- and/or polyphenylene ether-containing polymer, an olefin-containing polymer, and a compatibilizer are provided. The olefin-containing polymer, which is present in the compositions in about 3 to about 30 weight percent, provides internal lubrication and improves the tribological properties of the compositions compared with the styrene- or polyphenylene ether-containing polymer alone, as determined by wear measurements. Preferred compositions exhibit wear factors less than about 130×10?11n mm5/Pa-m. A preferred composition includes a blend of polystyrene/polyphenylene ether, linear low density polyethylene, and styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Paul Michael Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20050033189
    Abstract: Systems and methods for electrophysiological detection and measurement of intuition are disclosed. In one embodiment, one or more electrophysiological properties of one or more individuals are monitored and used as an indication of a future event. In one embodiment, the electrophysiological property may include heart rate variability, brain wave activity, respiration pattern, skin conductance level, etc. In another embodiment, a signal averaging technique is used to generate a waveform that may be used as an indicator of future events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Rollin McCraty, Michael Atkinson, Doc Childre
  • Publication number: 20040152820
    Abstract: Internally lubricated polymer compositions containing a styrene- and/or polyphenylene ether-containing polymer, an olefin-containing polymer, and a compatibilizer are provided. The olefin-containing polymer, which is present in the compositions in about 3 to about 30 weight percent, provides internal lubrication and improves the tribological properties of the compositions compared with the styrene- or polyphenylene ether-containing polymer alone, as determined by wear measurements. Preferred compositions exhibit wear factors less than about 130×10−11 mm5/Pa-m. A preferred composition includes a blend of polystyrene/polyphenylene ether, linear low density polyethylene, and styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Paul Michael Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20030137971
    Abstract: In a multi-protocol label switched communications network, communications sessions are established on respective label switched paths each encapsulated within an existing label switched path between a start node and a destination node. The communications session is established by sending a path setup message from the start node to the destination node. The path set up message incorporate an explicit route object containing a tunnel identifier for the existing label switched path and an extended tunnel identifier specifying the label switched path for the communications session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Gibson, Robert Friskney, Michael Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20020142855
    Abstract: The present invention provides a matched set of golf clubs, wherein each club in a set of golf clubs, irons, woods, or a combination thereof, provides the golfer with precisely the same feel, related to the golfer's swing when the club is swung, and to the contact between the head of the club and golf ball when the ball is hit. In the present invention the clubs are matched dynamically. The clubs with one or all of the following characteristics: (1) a constant flexural rigidity of each complete iron and/or each complete wood, (2) a substantially constant moment of inertia, and (3) a verifying center of gravity which is calculated by using a constant force for the shortest club in the set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Eric H. Cook, Michael A. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 6358201
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the state of entrainment between biological systems which exhibit oscillatory behavior such as heart rhythms, respiration, blood pressure waves and low frequency brain waves based on a determination of heart rate variability (HRV). Entrainment reflects a harmonious balance between the two branches of the autonomic nervous system within the body. This internal state of heightened physiological efficiency enhances health and promotes optimal performance. According to one embodiment a method is used to determine the entrainment level based on an entrainment parameter related to HRV. The method first determines the power distribution spectrum (PSD) and then calculates an entrainment parameter (EP), which is a measure of the power distribution in the HRV spectrum. High EP values occur when this power is concentrated within a relatively narrow range of frequencies, and lower values when the power is distributed over a broader range of frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventors: Doc L. Childre, Rollin I McCraty, Michael A. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 6162764
    Abstract: A stable premixture composition which remains soluble or emulsifiable prior to mixing with pesticides includes an aliphatic solvent, an emulsifier, a phosphate ester water conditioner and/or a polyacrylate dispersant, an antifoam agent and a polyacrylamide drift reduction agent. A preferred formulation includes a petroleum distillate, Tallowamine, Good-Rite K-752, a silicone foam control agent, water and a polyacrylimatePolytex 363. A preferred technique for application to agricultural acreage at a rate of 10 gallons per acre, involves the addition of 3 quarts of the composition of the present invention to 200 gallons of water, followed by the addition of 3 quarts of Roundup.TM. or other weak acid herbicide (such as, for example, Touchdown.RTM., 2-4,D's, sulfonyl urea, imizazolone), followed by water to 300 gallons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Platte Chemical Company
    Inventors: Michael Atkinson, Randall Worthley
  • Patent number: 5881228
    Abstract: A communication subsystem used in an aircraft entertainment system employs a microcontroller and a dual-ported RAM to relieve burden from the host processor in handling low-level operations in communicating with external devices. The host processor and the microcontroller accesses the dual-ported RAM by testing the semaphore to determine if the DPRAM is available. If available, the processor and/or the microcontroller will read/write the messages from/to the DPRAM as appropriate. The microcontroller controls the communication interface controllers directly and will send messages read from the DPRAM to the CICs or write to the DPRAM messages received from the CICs without host processor's intervention. The microcontroller also performs other low-level operations such as header/trailer processing and error checking/correcting free from the host processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Trans Com, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Atkinson, Dilip C. Shah, James Whitehouse, Kouwei Shen
  • Patent number: 5879241
    Abstract: The present invention provides a matched set of golf clubs, wherein each club in a set of golf clubs, irons, woods, or a combination thereof, provides the golfer with precisely the same feel, related to the golfer's swing when the club is swung, and to the contact between the head of the club and golf ball when the ball is hit. In the present invention the clubs are matched dynamically. The clubs will have one or all of the following characteristics: (1) a constant flexural rigidity of each complete iron and/or each complete wood, (2) a constant moment of inertia, and (3) a the center of gravity which is calculated by using a constant force for the shortest club in the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventors: Eric H. Cook, Michael A. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 5826091
    Abstract: The interrupt regenerator circuit converts the transition signal caused by a passenger's data entry in an aircraft entertainment system into a triggering signal. The triggering signal triggers a delay element consisting of cascadable one-shot devices. The timing intervals for the outputs of these one-shot devices are programmable through the selection of proper values for the resistors and capacitors. The interrupt signal is de-asserted by the host processor when the host processor responds to the interrupt. The delayed interrupt signal is then gated by the interrupt signal itself to regenerate the interrupt signal to the host processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Trans Com Inc.
    Inventors: Dilip C. Shah, Michael Atkinson, Kaz Takata
  • Patent number: 5701694
    Abstract: A tabletop advertising display and dispensing apparatus adapted for the display of advertising material to patrons of places of business and the holding and dispensing of articles, such as condiments, brochures, or other items carried in a receptacle. The apparatus also has the capability of dispensing coupons. The article-holding receptacles may be removed and replaced by receptacles designed for the holding and dispensing of other articles. The advertising display and coupon dispensing portions of the apparatus may be combined with receptacles specifically designed for specific places of business, such as restaurants, medical offices, or hotels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: People You Need, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Michael Atkinson