Patents by Inventor Michael D. Fox

Michael D. Fox 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: 9801486
    Abstract: A drapery system that operates by rotating a rod having one, or a pair of left hand twist helical grooves, and one or a pair of right hand twist helical grooves, where the left hand twist and right hand twist helical grooves cross one another in equal spaced alignment across the length of the rotating rod. A plurality of idler rings and at least one driver ring are positioned around the drapery rod. The idler rings have a smooth interior surface whereas the driver rings include at least one tooth that engages a helical groove of the rotating rod. As the rotating rod is rotated, the driver ring is driven across the length of the rotating rod, thereby opening and closing the system. The system also includes a mounting bracket allows for extending the drapery past the inward edge of the inward most ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Current Products Corp.
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Michael D. Fox
  • Publication number: 20170238747
    Abstract: A motorized drapery system having an elongated rotating drive element that has a non-circular cross-sectional shape such as square, rectangular, trapezoidal, cross shaped or any other non-circular shape that is twisted. In one arrangement the drive element is twisted in one direction along its entire length. In another arrangement the drive element is twisted in one direction in a first section and twisted in an opposite direction in a second section thereby providing a center opening/center closing drapery. A plurality of rings are positioned around the drive element including at least one driver ring that includes a feature that connects to the drive element and is configured to facilitate movement along the drive element, and a plurality of idler rings that are configured to slide along the drive element. A curtain is connected to the rings and opens and closes as the rings move along the drive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Daniel T. Matthews, Michael D. Fox, Harry Edward Asbury, Richard Scott Hand
  • Patent number: 9694178
    Abstract: A system and a method for optimizing the configuration of multisite transcranial current stimulation, including providing an electric field characteristic target map on the brain's cortex, the target map including multiple cortical targets, the multiple cortical targets are localized and/or continuously varying and spatially extended, providing a weight map on the cortical surface prioritizing the important of areas in the target map for the purposes of optimization; and calculating, based on the target and weight maps, optimal currents and optimal locations for a plurality of electrodes intended for providing transcranial current stimulation to globally stimulate at once the multiple cortical targets with excitatory, inhibitory or neutral stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: NEUROELECTRONICS BARCELONA S.L., BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER
    Inventors: Giulio Ruffini, Oscar Ripolles Mateu, Alvaro Pascual-Leone, Michael D. Fox, Pedro Michael Cavaleiro Miranda
  • Publication number: 20170181562
    Abstract: A curtain assembly comprises a rotatable drive element wherein at least one helical guide structure is formed on, or into, the outer surface of the drive element. A drive attachment element having a structure that communicates with the helical guide structure to move the drive attachment element axially along the drive element when the drive element is rotated. Specific embodiments incorporate either a manual or motor-driven rotation assembly for rotating the drive element. Further specific embodiments involve a helical guide structure that comprises a helical groove and a structure that comprises a tooth that engages with the helical groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Daniel T. Matthews, Michael D. Fox
  • Publication number: 20170172333
    Abstract: A motorized window covering system is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure and a plurality of idler attachment elements and at least one drive element positioned over the rotatable drive element. A motor is connected to the rotatable drive element and controls operation of the window covering. An external battery tube assembly is connected by a conduit to the rotatable drive element and is configured to provide power to the motor. The external battery tube assembly includes a switch and controls operation of the motorized window covering. When pulled or lifted the external battery tube assembly initiates movement, stops movement or reverses movement of the motor. In this way, the system provides a unique way of controlling operation of a motorized window covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Daniel T. Matthews, Michael D. Fox, Richard Scott Hand
  • Patent number: 9662039
    Abstract: Systems and method for producing functional brain organization maps are provided. The method includes providing functional connectivity magnetic resonance image (fcMRI) data, a population atlas, a variation map indicative of inter-subject variability in the atlas. The method also includes initializing a subject map using the atlas, determining a reference signal for each functional connectivity network in the subject map using signals derived from the fcMRI data, computing correlations between the signals and reference signal of each functional connectivity network, and iteratively updating the subject map by reassigning locations in the subject brain when correlating with a functional connectivity network, updating at each iteration the reference signal using the subject map, the population atlas, the variation map, and the set of fcMRI data. The method further includes generating a report indicative of a functional brain organization for the brain of the subject using the subject map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Hesheng Liu, Danhong Wang, Michael D. Fox
  • Patent number: 9615687
    Abstract: A curtain assembly comprises a rotatable drive element wherein at least one helical guide structure is formed on, or into, the outer surface of the drive element. A drive attachment element having a structure that communicates with the helical guide structure to move the drive attachment element axially along the drive element when the drive element is rotated. Specific embodiments incorporate either a manual or motor-driven rotation assembly for rotating the drive element. Further specific embodiments involve a helical guide structure that comprises a helical groove and a structure that comprises a tooth that engages with the helical groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Current Products Corp.
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Daniel T. Matthews, Michael D. Fox
  • Publication number: 20170014066
    Abstract: A method for utilizing an optical system for taskless mapping of brain function includes determining a time series of dynamic light measurements for a plurality of spatially distributed source-detector pairs, receiving the dynamic light measurements over a period of time using the source-detector pairs without dependence on either a task or a change in physiological condition, generating a plurality of temporal correlations between regions of a brain for the light measurements based on the time series of the spatially distributed source-detector pairs and the received dynamic light measurements, producing at least one map of a respective strength of each of a plurality of temporal correlations, producing overlapping source-detector pairs measurements using diffuse optical tomography (DOT) geometries, reconstructing data representative of the dynamic light measurements into an image space using at least one DOT algorithm, and co-registering DOT voxel images obtained by the reconstruction to anatomical informat
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph P. Culver, Brian R. White, Bradley L. Schlaggar, Abraham Z. Snyder, Marcus E. Raichle, Michael D. Fox, Justin L. Vincent
  • Publication number: 20160374497
    Abstract: An architectural covering is presented having a rotatable drive element. The rotatable drive element is connected to a wall, ceiling or other structure by brackets. A motor and motor controller is connected to the rotatable drive element that controls rotation thereof. A plurality of compressible members are connected to an internal surface of the rotatable drive element or a battery tube positioned within the rotatable drive element and extend outwardly therefrom and engage the exterior surface of the plurality of batteries. These compressible members hold and support the plurality of batteries while allowing for easy installation and removal. This arrangement provides an efficient, simple and convenient manner of holding a plurality of batteries in a rotatable drive element of an architectural covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Dale McCarthy, Richard Scott Hand, Robert Gorhan, Michael D. Fox
  • Patent number: 9480425
    Abstract: A method for utilizing an optical system for mapping brain function includes determining a time series of light intensity measurements for spatially distributed source and detector pairs, receiving light measurements over a period of time, and producing at least one map of a respective strength of each of a plurality of temporal correlations, wherein the temporal correlations are based on the time series of the spatially distributed source and detector pairs and the light measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Joseph P. Culver, Brian R. White, Bradley L. Schlaggar, Abraham Z. Snyder, Marcus E. Raichle, Michael D. Fox, Justin L. Vincent
  • Publication number: 20160143470
    Abstract: An architectural covering is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure and a plurality of idler attachment elements and a drive element positioned over the rotatable drive element. The rotatable drive element is connected to a wall, ceiling or other structure by brackets. In one arrangement a drive shaft having at least one bearing is then attached to the brackets such that the rotatable drive elements rotate upon the bearings. This arrangement provides an efficient, simple and convenient manner of attaching a rotatable drive element to brackets for mounting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Willis J. MULLET, Michael D. FOX, Daniel T. THEWS, Dale MCCARTHY, Darrin W. BRUNK
  • Publication number: 20150327705
    Abstract: A drapery system that operates by rotating a rod having one, or a pair of left hand twist helical grooves, and one or a pair of right hand twist helical grooves, where the left hand twist and right hand twist helical grooves cross one another in equal spaced alignment across the length of the rotating rod. A plurality of idler rings and at least one driver ring are positioned around the drapery rod. The idler rings have a smooth interior surface whereas the driver rings include at least one tooth that engages a helical groove of the rotating rod. As the rotating rod is rotated, the driver ring is driven across the length of the rotating rod, thereby opening and closing the system. The system also includes a mounting bracket allows for extending the drapery past the inward edge of the inward most ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Michael D. Fox
  • Patent number: 9175566
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine preswirler (470) includes an outer ring (471) and an inner ring (472). The inner ring (472) includes a plurality of angled holes (490). Each angled hole (490) follows a vector which is angled in at least one plane. A component of the vector is located on a plane perpendicular a radial from an axis of the preswirler (470). The component of the angle is angled relative to an axial direction of the preswirler (470).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Hongzhou Xu, Michael D. Fox, Scott L. Stafford, Edward T. Ramirez
  • Publication number: 20150272370
    Abstract: A curtain assembly comprises a rotatable drive element wherein at least one helical guide structure is formed on, or into, the outer surface of the drive element. A drive attachment element having a structure that communicates with the helical guide structure to move the drive attachment element axially along the drive element when the drive element is rotated. Specific embodiments incorporate either a manual or motor-driven rotation assembly for rotating the drive element. Further specific embodiments involve a helical guide structure that comprises a helical groove and a structure that comprises a tooth that engages with the helical groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Daniel T. Matthews, Michael D. Fox
  • Publication number: 20150272468
    Abstract: Systems and method for producing functional brain organization maps are provided. The method includes providing functional connectivity magnetic resonance image (fcMRI) data, a population atlas, a variation map indicative of inter-subject variability in the atlas. The method also includes initializing a subject map using the atlas, determining a reference signal for each functional connectivity network in the subject map using signals derived from the fcMRI data, computing correlations between the signals and reference signal of each functional connectivity network, and iteratively updating the subject map by reassigning locations in the subject brain when correlating with a functional connectivity network, updating at each iteration the reference signal using the subject map, the population atlas, the variation map, and the set of fcMRI data. The method further includes generating a report indicative of a functional brain organization for the brain of the subject using the subject map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Hesheng Liu, Danhong Wang, Michael D. Fox
  • Patent number: 9095907
    Abstract: A motorized window covering is presented having an elongated hollow rod. A battery tube is positioned within the hollow rod. The battery tube has a hollow interior with an elongated spring therein and a stop positioned adjacent an open end of the battery tube. An end cap closes the open end of the battery tube. A plurality of batteries are inserted in end-to-end alignment into the hollow interior of the battery tube. As each battery is inserted, the stop deflects thereby allowing the battery past the stop. Once each battery passes the stop, the stop moves into a stop position thereby holding the battery within the battery tube. To remove each of the plurality of batteries, the stop is deflected and the spring forces the battery out of the hollow interior of the battery tube. The battery tube is electrically connected to a motor that when activated rotates the rod thereby operating the window covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: QMOTION INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Michael D. Fox
  • Patent number: 9095908
    Abstract: A curtain assembly comprises a rotatable drive element wherein at least one helical guide structure is formed on, or into, the outer surface of the drive element. A drive attachment element having a structure that communicates with the helical guide structure to move the drive attachment element axially along the drive element when the drive element is rotated. Specific embodiments incorporate either a manual or motor-driven rotation assembly for rotating the drive element. Further specific embodiments involve a helical guide structure that comprises a helical groove and a structure that comprises a tooth that engages with the helical groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: QMOTION INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Daniel T. Matthews, Michael D. Fox
  • Publication number: 20150119689
    Abstract: Techniques for identifying individual target sites for application of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to a brain of a patient for treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders. The identification of the target TMS stimulation sites may be based on using functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to determine cortex regions of the brain that are functionally connected to other regions of the brain that may be stimulated to decrease symptoms of depression and other disorders. For example, target stimulation sites may be identified in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) to remotely modulate the activity in a subgenual cingulate region and other limbic regions functionally connected with the DLPFC. TMS may be applied to the patient's head at the identified target TMS sites to treat depression and other neurological and psychiatric disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvaro Pascual-Leone, Michael D. Fox
  • Publication number: 20150107788
    Abstract: A curtain assembly comprises a rotatable drive element wherein at least one helical guide structure is formed on, or into, the outer surface of the drive element. A drive attachment element having a structure that communicates with the helical guide structure to move the drive attachment element axially along the drive element when the drive element is rotated. Specific embodiments incorporate either a manual or motor-driven rotation assembly for rotating the drive element. Further specific embodiments involve a helical guide structure that comprises a helical groove and a structure that comprises a tooth that engages with the helical groove. Further specific embodiments include a sensor, such as an accelerometer, that detects a disturbance or vibration on the drive element, such as a tug, slide or tap, and activating the motor in response to the disturbance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Daniel T. Matthews, Michael D. Fox, Richard Scott Hand
  • Publication number: 20150112403
    Abstract: A system and a method for optimizing the configuration of multisite transcranial current stimulation, including providing an electric field characteristic target map on the brain's cortex, the target map including multiple cortical targets, the multiple cortical targets are localized and/or continuously varying and spatially extended, providing a weight map on the cortical surface prioritizing the important of areas in the target map for the purposes of optimization; and calculating, based on the target and weight maps, optimal currents and optimal locations for a plurality of electrodes intended for providing transcranial current stimulation to globally stimulate at once the multiple cortical targets with excitatory, inhibitory or neutral stimulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Giulio Ruffini, Oscar Ripolles Mateu, Alvaro Pascual-Leone, Michael D. Fox, Pedro Michael Cavaleiro Miranda