Patents by Inventor Sean R. Maloney

Sean R. Maloney 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: 6532383
    Abstract: Methods are provided for smoothing input signals having rapidly changing amplitudes, such as EMG signals from the tongue, which are detected by an intraoral device. One method calls for amplifying the EMG signals, converting the EMG signals to digital format, providing a moving average of the amplitudes of the EMG signals utilizing a moving the average processor, and windowing the averaged signals to discrete and stable amplitude levels. An adaptive moving average technique may be utilized, which includes a plurality of parallel moving average processes and a differentiator which determines which process is used, depending on the rate of change of the signal amplitude. Another method calls for the use of a plurality of moving average processes in series which calculate the moving average of the same number of signals as a single moving average process, but has a faster response time. An intraoral device is used to detect the EMG signals. The intraoral device includes acrylic maxillary and mandibular splints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventors: Sean R. Maloney, Sarah C. Shoaf, Ian M. Zlotolow
  • Publication number: 20010025146
    Abstract: Methods are provided for smoothing input signals having rapidly changing amplitudes, such as EMG signals from the tongue, which are detected by an intraoral device. One method calls for amplifying the EMG signals, converting the EMG signals to digital format, providing a moving average of the amplitudes of the EMG signals utilizing a moving the average processor, and windowing the averaged signals to discrete and stable amplitude levels. An adaptive moving average technique may be utilized, which includes a plurality of parallel moving average processes and a differentiator which determines which process is used, depending on the rate of change of the signal amplitude. Another method calls for the use of a plurality of moving average processes in series which calculate the moving average of the same number of signals as a single moving average process, but has a faster response time. An intraoral device is used to detect the EMG signals. The intraoral device includes acrylic maxillary and mandibular splints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Sean R. Maloney, Mark J. Boyd, Sarah C. Shoaf, Ian M. Zlotolow
  • Patent number: 6280394
    Abstract: Methods are provided for smoothing input signals having rapidly changing amplitudes, such as EMG signals from the tongue, which are detected by an intraoral device. One method calls for amplifying the EMG signals, converting the EMG signals to digital format, providing a moving average of the amplitudes of the EKG signals utilizing a moving the average processor, and windowing the averaged signals to discrete and stable amplitude levels. An adaptive moving average technique may be utilized, which includes a plurality of parallel moving average processes and a differentiator which determines which process is used, depending on the rate of change of the signal amplitude. Another method calls for the use of a plurality of moving average processes in series which calculate the moving average of the same number of signals as a single moving average process, but has a faster response time. An intraoral device is used to detect the EMG signals. The intraoral device includes acrylic maxillary and mandibular splints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventors: Sean R. Maloney, Mark J. Boyd, Sarah C. Shoaf, Ian M. Zlotolow
  • Patent number: 5212476
    Abstract: An intraoral controller senses electromyographic signals within the oral cavity which are produced as a result of movement and contraction of the tongue muscle. Active and reference electrodes pairs act as sensors for electromyographic signals which are processed into control signals. The electrodes are mounted on a substrate within the oral cavity. Signals from the electrodes are transmitted by telemetry or by wires to an electromyographic signal processor which is connected to a device to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Inventor: Sean R. Maloney