Patents Assigned to UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHARLOTTE
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Publication number: 20130145269Abstract: A video annotation interface includes a video pane configured to display a video, a video timeline bar including a video play-head indicating a current point of the video which is being played, a segment timeline bar including initial and final handles configured to define a segment of the video for playing, and a plurality of color-coded comment markers displayed in connection with the video timeline bar. Each of the comment markers is associated with a frame or segment of the video and corresponds to one or more annotations for that frame or segment made by one of a plurality of users. Each of the users can make annotations and view annotations made by other users. The annotations can include annotations corresponding to a plurality of modalities, including text, drawing, video, and audio modalities.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: June 6, 2013Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTEInventor: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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Patent number: 8400697Abstract: A disclosed optical scanner apparatus can include a member having spaced apart proximal and distal portions. An optical scanning device can be configured to direct optical radiation, which is moveably coupled to the proximal portion of the member and can be configured to rotate in a plane of movement to a first position to direct the optical radiation along a first path and can be configured to rotate in the plane of movement to a second position to direct the optical radiation along a second path. A MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) actuator can be coupled to the optical scanning device, where the MEMS actuator can be configured to move in a first direction to move the optical scanning device to the first position and can be configured to move in a second direction to move the optical scanning device to the second position.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignees: Duke University, University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventors: Stephen W. Smith, Kenneth L. Gentry, Jason Zara, Stephen M. Bobbio
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Patent number: 8401691Abstract: The present invention provides dynamic metrology methods and systems for: periodically determining an actual position of one or more of a machine and a tool with respect to a workpiece using one or more laser interferometers; tracking a tracked position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece using one or more accelerometers; and altering a controlled position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece when either the actual position or the tracked position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece diverges from a desired position of one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2009Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventors: Kevin Scott Smith, Robert J. Hocken
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Publication number: 20130063801Abstract: A disclosed scanner apparatus includes a member having spaced apart proximal and distal portions. An electromagnetic radiation device is configured to direct electromagnetic radiation therefrom and is moveably coupled to the distal portion of the member. The electromagnetic radiation device is configured to move in a first plane of movement to a first position to direct the electromagnetic radiation along a first path and configured to move in the plane of movement to a second position to direct the electromagnetic radiation along a second path. A MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) actuator is coupled to the electromagnetic radiation device, wherein the MEMS actuator is configured to move in a first direction to move the electromagnetic radiation device to the first position and configured to move in a second direction to move the electromagnetic radiation device to the second position. Other scanning and robotic structure devices are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE, DUKE UNIVERSITYInventors: Stephen W. SMITH, Kenneth L. GENTRY, Jason ZARA, Stephen M. BOBBIO
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Patent number: 8380461Abstract: A system and method of determining lift deflection during construction of aggregate columns allows for real time monitoring of construction to ensure meeting defined parameters. The amount of deflection of a tamper head during tamping is determined multiple times for each lift. When the amount of deflection matches a predetermined value, tamping is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2012Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignees: Geopier Foundation Company, Inc., University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventors: Kord J. Wissmann, John Hildreth, Barry Sherlock
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Patent number: 8374828Abstract: The computerized method, software, and product of this invention implements a process for computationally designing proteins and/or associated molecular targets with desired quantitative stability/flexibility relationships (QSFR). QSFR is an innovative, high dimensional metric calculated using an improved Distance Constraint Model (DCM). This invention includes three distinct aspects: (i.) utilizing QSFR in computational molecular design of protein sequences, or variations of molecular structures, to have specific stability and flexibility relationships deemed important for biochemical function for specified thermodynamic and solvent conditions; (ii.) utilizing QSFR to optimize thermodynamic and/or solvent conditions necessary for a specified molecular system to exhibit protein function characteristics, such as improved catalytic efficiency; and (iii.) utilizing QSFR to computationally screen or design small molecules and/or design its putative receptor so as to exhibit a desired affect on protein function.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2008Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: The University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventors: Donald J Jacobs, Dennis R. Livesay
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Patent number: 8349252Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preserving biological material comprising the steps of: providing a vitrification solution comprised of the biological material and a vitrification agent where the solution has a temperature in the range from 0.1° C. to 17.9° C.; microwaving the vitrification solution for a first period of time; allowing the vitrification solution to rest for a second period of time; repeating steps b and c until the vitrification solution enters into a glassy state.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventors: Gloria Elliott, Nilay Chakraborty
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Patent number: 8313271Abstract: The present invention provides a method for machining a part from a workpiece. The workpiece is divided into a plurality of sectors and a plurality of fiducials are disposed within each sector. The separation distance between each fiducial is then calibrated to a workpiece distance unit. The present invention then includes the steps of a) positioning the workpiece into the desired position relative to a cutting machine; b) calibrating the cutting machine to the workpiece distance units of one sector; c) cutting one sector with the calibrated cutting machine; d) repeating steps a-c until the part is completed.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2007Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventor: Kevin Scott Smith
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Patent number: 8307197Abstract: A processor including a Boolean logic unit, wherein the Boolean logic unit is operated for performing the short-circuit evaluation of a Normal Form Boolean expression/operation, a plurality of input/output interfaces in communication with the Boolean logic unit, wherein the plurality of input/output interfaces are operated for receiving a plurality of compiled Boolean expressions/operations and transmitting a plurality of compiled results, and a plurality of registers coupled to the plurality of input/output interface circuits, wherein the plurality of multi-bit registers include an instruction register, a first address register and a second address register.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventor: Kenneth Elmon Koch, III
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Patent number: 8294982Abstract: A fiber, such as a photonic bandgap fiber, is provided, the fiber including a core and a cladding. The core can extend longitudinally and can have a gain medium configured to provide laser amplification to laser radiation propagating along the core. For example, the gain medium may include a dopant configured to provide amplification, when activated by one or more modes of excitation radiation, of laser radiation propagating along said core. The cladding can be radially exterior to the core, and can be configured to provide a low-loss propagation the one or more modes of excitation radiation and a lossy propagation of all modes of laser radiation along the core, the lossy propagation higher than the low-loss propagation, in particular when the one or more modes of excitation radiation is substantially absent from the core. Associated methods and apparatuses are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventor: Tsinghua Her
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Patent number: 8240234Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for chip breaking, controlling cutting tool wear, and the like in turning, boring, and other applications, including: engaging a workpiece with a cutting tool in a feed direction along a toolpath, superimposing an oscillation in the feed direction on the toolpath, and dynamically or non-dynamically varying the oscillation superimposed in the feed direction on the toolpath such that interrupted cuts and chips of a predetermined length or less are produced. These systems take full advantage of computer numerical control (CNC) methodologies.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignees: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLCInventors: Bethany A. Woody, Kevin Scott Smith, David J. Adams, William E. Barkman, Edwin F. Babelay, Jr.
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Patent number: 8244504Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method analyzes the thermodynamic and mechanical properties of a molecule or collection of molecules within a chemical environment under given thermodynamic conditions. The system is based on user-defined rules for a free energy decomposition and its reconstitution, explicit solute and implicit solvent specifications, and a selection of thermodynamic conditions. One template structure or multiple template structures define an explicit solute specification. Each template structure consists of a list of atoms and their coordinates. Input data is processed to produce a flexibility and stability test and return global thermodynamic properties, such as free energy, enthalpy, entropy and heat capacity as a function of temperature. Implemented via pebble game theory, global mechanical properties are determined based on the statistics of rigid and flexible regions that thermally fluctuate over ensembles of accessible states consistent with selected order parameters.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: The University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventor: Donald J. Jacobs
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Publication number: 20120195692Abstract: A system and method of determining lift deflection during construction of aggregate columns allows for real time monitoring of construction to ensure meeting defined parameters. The amount of deflection of a tamper head during tamping is determined multiple times for each lift. When the amount of deflection matches a predetermined value, tamping is stopped.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2012Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicants: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Geopier Foundation Company, Inc.Inventors: Kord J. Wissmann, John Hildreth, Barry Sherlock
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Patent number: 8220484Abstract: The present invention provides a monitoring system for a conduit network including one or more conduit sections joined at one or more conduit nodes, including: one or more sensor devices disposed at selected ones of the one or more conduit nodes, wherein each of the one or more sensor devices is operable for sensing a blockage or breakage in an associated conduit section, and wherein each of the one or more sensor devices is operable for communicating blockage or breakage information to a central location. Optionally, each of the sensor devices includes one of an audio sensor device and a radio frequency sensor device. Each of the sensor devices is operable for sensing the blockage or breakage in the associated conduit section by measuring an attribute of a transmitted/received signal, alone or in combination with another sensor device. Each of the sensor devices is operable for communicating the blockage or breakage information to the central location via a wireless link.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventor: Ivan Howitt
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Publication number: 20120091369Abstract: The present invention provides an optical microprobe device and method for focusing multimodal radiation with wavelength-scale spatial resolution and delivering the focused radiation to a specimen, including: a radiation source; and one or more of a plurality of optically transparent or semitransparent spheres and a plurality of optically transparent or semitransparent cylinders optically coupled to the radiation source; wherein the one or more of the plurality of optically transparent or semitransparent spheres and the plurality of optically transparent or semitransparent cylinders periodically focus radiation optically transmitted from the radiation source such that radiation ultimately transmitted to the specimen has predetermined characteristics. Preferably, the spheres or cylinders are assembled inside one of a hollow waveguide, a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber, a capillary tube, and integrated in a multimode fiber. Alternatively, the spheres or cylinders are assembled on a substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2010Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTEInventor: Vasily N. Astratov
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Patent number: 8159219Abstract: The disclosure provides Hall effect device configurations capable of measuring magnetic fields in two dimensions (2D) and three dimensions (3D) along with associated microelectromechanical system (MEMS) manufacturing methods. The present invention includes various geometric layout configurations for 2D and 3D Hall effect devices with multidimensional magnetic field sensing elements. Advantageously, the present invention can provide, simultaneously and independently, absolute measurement of each of the components (i.e., x-, y-, and z-components) of a magnetic field. Additionally, the geometric layout configurations enable the Hall effect devices to be constructed with MEMS fabrication techniques.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2008Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventors: Horacio V. Estrada, Yaroslav Maksymiv
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Patent number: 8145585Abstract: The present disclosure provides an automated method for the detection and identification of money service business transactions, including: performing a preprocessing operation, wherein the preprocessing operation includes filtering a dataset; performing a feature extraction operation, wherein the feature extraction operation includes extracting predetermined features from a transaction signal; performing a statistical analysis operation for the testing of significance of extracted features and dimension reduction; and performing one or more of a nonlinear classification operation and a linear classification operation, wherein the nonlinear or linear classification operation includes classifying data that appears to be related to a money service business transaction.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventors: Kayvan Najarian, Alireza Darvish
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Publication number: 20120046394Abstract: Novel structural materials composed of industrial hemp fiber with recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) as well as methods for the production of the same are disclosed. The material's mechanical strength outperforms that of conventional lumber and could compete with glass fiber reinforced composites, particularly in tensile strength. In addition, this material offers many other significant advantages including insect free, high moisture resistance, no harmful chemical treatments, and no rapid corrosion in water environments.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2011Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: The University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventors: Na Lu, Ralph Robert Johnson
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Patent number: 8119392Abstract: This invention relates to biomaterials, biocompatible photoresists, and electroactive photoresists, and methods to engineer the interactions between biomaterials and cells. In one aspect, this invention provides for modifying surface topography through micro-patterning techniques that require no organic solvent development to reveal the lithographic patterns. Cells can be cultured on these surfaces directly and exhibit strong cell alignment features.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: The University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventors: Kenneth E. Gonsalves, Wei He
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Patent number: 8119589Abstract: Salp15, biologically functional equivalents and fragments thereof, and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same are disclosed. Recombinant host cells, recombinant nucleic acids and recombinant proteins are also disclosed. Salp15 gene products and Salp15 polypeptide fragments have biological activity in modulating CD4+ T cell activation through specific binding to CD4. Thus, therapeutic methods involving modulating T cell activation using Salp15 and biologically active polypeptide fragments thereof are also disclosed. The specific binding of Salp15 and fragment peptides thereof to CD4 can inhibit HIV infection of T cells, and thus methods of using Salp15 for inhibiting HIV infection are also disclosed. Screening methods for selecting substances having an ability to modulate activation of T cells are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2005Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventor: Juan Anguita