Patents Assigned to ViA, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11918121
    Abstract: A chair for particular use in clinical or hospital environments has a frame to which a support material is secured. The support material may form a chair back and/or a seat for the chair to provide support to the chair occupant. The support material may be made from a textile of interwoven strands wherein some of the interwoven strands include copper containing particles, such as copper iodide or copper oxide within the textile fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Via. Inc.
    Inventor: John Charles Hepler
  • Patent number: 11389009
    Abstract: A chair for particular use in clinical or hospital environments has a frame to which a support material is secured. The support material may form a chair back and/or a seat for the chair to provide support to the chair occupant. The support material may be made from a textile of interwoven strands wherein some of the interwoven strands include copper containing particles such as copper iodide or copper oxide within the textile fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: VIA, INC
    Inventor: John Charles Hepler
  • Patent number: 10986938
    Abstract: A chair for particular use in clinical or hospital environments has a frame to which a support material is secured. The support material may form a chair back and/or a seat for the chair to provide support to the chair occupant. The support material may be made from a textile that includes copper containing particles such as copper iodide or copper oxide within the textile fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: VIA, INC.
    Inventor: John Charles Hepler
  • Publication number: 20180177307
    Abstract: A chair for particular use in clinical or hospital environments has a frame to which a support material is secured. The support material may form a chair back and/or a seat for the chair to provide support to the chair occupant. The support material may be made from a textile that includes copper containing particles such as copper iodide or copper oxide within the textile fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: VIA, Inc.
    Inventor: John Charles Hepler
  • Publication number: 20140034498
    Abstract: A device for creating microgradients in solution is disclosed. The device contains a microfluidic channel with openings at each end and two or more small apertures to a bath. Electrodes are placed in the openings at either end of the channel and an electrical power supply is connected to the electrodes. Several distinct current paths exist from one end of the channel to the other. For example current may flow from one electrode, through a portion of the channel, through an aperture into the bath, back through another aperture into the channel, and along another portion of the channel to the other electrode. Current flows along all possible connected paths when an electric field is applied along the channel and induces fluid flow into and out of the apertures in the channel. Fluid flow through the apertures results in the formation of microgradients in solution near the microfluidic channel device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: ONDA VIA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark C. Peterman, David M. Bloom
  • Patent number: 8585881
    Abstract: A device for creating microgradients in solution is disclosed. The device contains a microfluidic channel with openings at each end and two or more small apertures to a bath. Electrodes are placed in the openings at either end of the channel and an electrical power supply is connected to the electrodes. Several distinct current paths exist from one end of the channel to the other. For example current may flow from one electrode, through a portion of the channel, through an aperture into the bath, back through another aperture into the channel, and along another portion of the channel to the other electrode. Current flows along all possible connected paths when an electric field is applied along the channel and induces fluid flow into and out of the apertures in the channel. Fluid flow through the apertures results in the formation of microgradients in solution near the microfluidic channel device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Onda Via, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Peterman, David M. Bloom
  • Patent number: 6285757
    Abstract: A body-wearable interactive device with a retractable earbud and a microphone provides data, audio and voice communication with a wearable personal computing or other remote device. Full voice and display interface with a personal computer can be achieved with the use of a wireless link between the input/output device and computer. The device is adapted for use with a variety of ancillary communications devices to provide flexibility in field and mobile communications scenarios. Corresponding methods are also disclosed by which a wearer can effect communication through and with the interactive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: ViA, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Carroll, Wendell L. Carroll, James L. Carroll, Steven V. Case, Matthew H. Rust
  • Patent number: 6271477
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for extending the durability and life span of flexible circuitry by limiting the bend radius of the flexible circuitry and distributing the flexure point about an extended portion of the circuitry. The assembly includes one or more flex-limiting members associated with and integrated between the layers of flexible circuitry laminate. A fastener is affixed to the flexible circuitry laminate, operatively coupling the one or more flex-limiting members in position adjacent the flexible circuitry laminate. The flex-limiting member limits flexure of the circuitry, during each individual bend, to or below a predetermined angle, thereby decreasing the rate of failure in the circuitry, for example via short circuit, as a result of repeated or excessive bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: ViA, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Carroll, Terry L. Travis
  • Patent number: 6249427
    Abstract: A flexible, wearable computer is convertible between a laptop configuration and a wearable configuration. The various computing elements and battery of the wearable computer are arranged by connector(s), fastener(s), and/or on a support and/or within a housing for operative communication with a display of the laptop computer or of a personal hand-held device, whether pocketable or non-pocketable. Of course, prior to deployment in a laptop configuration, the computing elements and battery of the wearable computer are capable of deployment in many configurations on the body to facilitate comfort and utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: ViA, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Carroll
  • Patent number: 6121960
    Abstract: A screen peripheral system according to an embodiment of the invention includes a computing device for producing a main image and a touch-activated input device for generating and displaying a composite image visible to a user. The composite image simultaneously includes a representation of at least one key, for example a QWERTY keyboard, for activating an input function, and the main image provided by the computing device. The keyboard representation preferably is laid over the main image. According to one embodiment, the main image is an output image generated by an application being executed by the computing device. Other touch screen systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: ViA, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Carroll, James L. Carroll, Steven V. Case
  • Patent number: 6108197
    Abstract: A wearable computing device includes computing-device component modules and flexible circuitry passing into the modules. The modules can include a top module portion and a bottom module portion, the flexible circuitry passing between the top and bottom portions. Wireless communication, e.g. by radio frequency, with a peripheral and/or a local area network is also contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: ViA, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig M. Janik
  • Patent number: 6097607
    Abstract: A computing device unit includes an upper casing, at least one integrated chip module electrically mounted on an interior side of the upper casing, a lower casing selectively engageable with the upper casing, and a flexible circuity ribbon extending through the upper casing and the lower casing, and being electrically connected to the at least one chip module within the lower and upper casing. Related devices and methods provide similar advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: ViA, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Carroll, Wendell L. Carroll, James L. Carroll
  • Patent number: 6057966
    Abstract: A body-mountable display device includes an image source for producing an image, an image transmission device including at least one optically-transmissive fiber, the image transmission device being mountable on the body of a user, projection optics for receiving and relaying the image carried by the image transmission device, and a display for receiving the image from the image transmission device and projecting the image to at least one person. Embodiments of the invention are of significantly reduced size and weight, significantly reduced power consumption and thermal output, and significantly increased durability and reliability. Embodiments of the invention also are more aesthetically pleasing in appearance. Corresponding method embodiments provide similar advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: ViA, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Carroll, Tad D. Shelfer, Phillip D. Anz-Meador, T. Diana Anz-Meador
  • Patent number: 5991086
    Abstract: An inflatable optical housing is adapted to provide a visual image and be used in connection with a separate computing device. The housing is sized by one or more bladders and at least one associated alignment member. Optical elements of the device provide an image of a display and/or an enhanced magnified image via lensing. The housing preferably is constructed of lightweight materials and is adapted for rapid inflation and deflation through a variety of mechanisms and with a variety of media. Embodiments of the invention are especially advantageous with wearable computing devices and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: ViA, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Carroll, James L. Carroll
  • Patent number: 5798907
    Abstract: A wearable computing device includes at least one computing-device component module and flexible circuitry operably connected to the module. The module includes a top module portion, a bottom module portion, and at least one protrusion for holding the top module portion in substantially fixed relationship with the bottom module portion. The protrusion passes into and/or through the flexible circuitry. A plurality of such modules are also contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: ViA, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig M. Janik
  • Patent number: D653868
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignees: MLP Seating Corporation, VIA Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph D. Samuel, Trenton L. Harris
  • Patent number: D414928
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: ViA, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Carroll, Leroy Anderson