Patents by Inventor Alex Keller
Alex Keller 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).
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Patent number: 11737741Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor with an oximeter sensor at its tip and a force sensor coupled to the retractor. The retractor system also includes a system unit which can send signals to and receive signals from the oximeter sensor via optical fibers. The oximeter sensor measures oxygen saturation of a tissue being retracted by the retractor, and the force sensor measures an amount of force that is applied to the retracted tissue by the tip of the retractor. Another retractor system has a closed loop control arrangement with a positioning mechanism which moves the retractor based on measurements of the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
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Patent number: 11672519Abstract: A retractor system with a closed loop control includes a retractor having one or more sensors, which measure parameters associated with a retracted tissue. The system further includes a positioning mechanism connected to the retractor and a controller which receives feedback signals from the sensors. Based on the feedback signals from the sensors, the retractor is actuated by the positioning mechanism so that the tissue can be retracted while maintaining the parameters associated with the retracted tissue above a threshold level or within a desired range. Another retractor system includes a retractor with a force sensor and at least one additional sensor, which can be used without a closed loop control arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
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Patent number: 11179074Abstract: A sensor probe has a sensor unit which is embedded in a sheath member which is suturable. The sheath member allows the sensor unit to be sutured and secured to any tissue even in a wet or moist environment. The sensor probe in accordance with the present invention is particularly useful as an intraoral sensor probe for measuring oxygen saturation of a flap tissue inside the oral cavity.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2009Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Lash, Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller
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Patent number: 10835227Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor with an oximeter sensor at its tip and a force sensor coupled to the retractor. The retractor system also includes a system unit which can send signals to and receive signals from the oximeter sensor via optical fibers. The oximeter sensor measures oxygen saturation of a tissue being retracted by the retractor, and the force sensor measures an amount of force that is applied to the retracted tissue by the tip of the retractor. Another retractor system has a closed loop control arrangement with a positioning mechanism which moves the retractor based on measurements of the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2016Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
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Publication number: 20200279182Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and systems for generating a plain-text explanation for a prediction score associated with a record. An explanation generation system is configured to receive the record from a user. A prediction score is calculated using an ML model and a plurality of feature variables that are contributing to the prediction score are determined by the system. The plurality of feature variables are rank-ordered by the system based on their corresponding contribution to the prediction score. Further, correlated features are determined from among the plurality of feature variables and are grouped into one or more groups of correlated feature variables. At least one feature variable from each of the one or more groups is selected to determine a list of feature variables. The list of feature variables is passed to a sentence creation module that generates a plain-text explanation. The generated plain-text explanation is displayed to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Kenneth SO, Kathryn RUNGRUENG, James Patrick McGUIRE, Alex KELLER
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Patent number: 10675013Abstract: A retractor system with a closed loop control includes a retractor having one or more sensors, which measure parameters associated with a retracted tissue. The system further includes a positioning mechanism connected to the retractor and a controller which receives feedback signals from the sensors. Based on the feedback signals from the sensors, the retractor is actuated by the positioning mechanism so that the tissue can be retracted while maintaining the parameters associated with the retracted tissue above a threshold level or within a desired range. Another retractor system includes a retractor with a force sensor and at least one additional sensor, which can be used without a closed loop control arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
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Patent number: 10358314Abstract: A postpress system (1) and method for producing and processing product units (P), in particular printed end products (P) with printed product collections comprising a plurality of products, selected from the group of wrapping products, and a plurality of part products and/or inserts, to make route adapted stacks or packs, at least some of the printed end products (P) being product units which have been customized for specific addressees are proposed. By using feed devices (3) which each comprise a supply conveyor (31), a preparation circuit (32) with a plurality of transport units (321) and an output conveyor (33), printed products (D) are fed in a controlled fashion to the holding units (21) with reliability. A sorting device (6) with at least one directing group with at least one gate (62), a transit section (612) and at least one supply section is used to correct faults, or deviations in the product sequence from the production sequence.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: FERAG AGInventor: Alex Keller
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Patent number: 10266290Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing collections (15) from a plurality of N (N=2, 3, 4, . . . ) different printed products (11a-d), which collections (15) each comprise a stack (13) of printed products (11a-c), which stack is packed in a packaging element (11d) wrapped around the stack (13). A solution that does not require additional material use includes the following steps: providing the N printed products (11a-d): forming an intermediate stack (13) from N?x (x=1, 2, 3, . . . ) of the N printed products (10a-d); providing the x remaining printed products as a packaging element (11d); and wrapping the intermediate stack (13) in the packaging element (11d).Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: FERAG AGInventor: Alex Keller
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Publication number: 20190032630Abstract: A wind turbine having a high sensitivity to wind speeds, which makes it suitable for generating energy at very low wind speeds. The wind turbine is also smaller in size and lighter in weight, so that multiple wind turbines according to the invention may be mounted on a single mast, thereby reducing the total area required to generate a desired amount of energy. The various components of the wind turbine are designed to compress, accelerate, and control the direction of flow of the air stream through the turbine, so as to optimize the energy that is obtained from the inflowing air stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventor: Alex Keller
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Publication number: 20180244488Abstract: The invention relates to a feeding device for feeding products to a conveying or processing or packaging or sorting or collecting line of an intra-logistics system, including a supply conveyor, a standby circular conveyor having a plurality of transport units, which are arranged spaced apart from one another in a variably conveyable manner, an accumulation section, in which the transport units can be accumulated, an acceleration section, in which the transport units can be accelerated. The supply conveyor is provided with a transfer point, at which the products are transferred to a respective transport unit of the standby circular conveyor. The feeding device is configured such that the feeding device delivers the products in a controlled manner to designated receiving units of the conveying or processing or packaging or sorting or collecting line.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2016Publication date: August 30, 2018Applicant: FERAG AGInventors: Alex KELLER, Erwin STAUBER
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Publication number: 20180244471Abstract: The invention relates to a transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a?-d?) of an overhead conveyor system (2, 2?, 2?), comprising an elastically deformable buffer element (11, 11?, 11?, 11a-d, 11a?-d?), which is designed to store deformation energy when under load and to release same when no longer under load.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2016Publication date: August 30, 2018Applicant: FERAG AGInventors: Alex KELLER, Erwin STAUBER
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Patent number: 9636096Abstract: A retractor system with a closed loop control includes a retractor having one or more sensors, which measure parameters associated with a retracted tissue. The system further includes a positioning mechanism connected to the retractor and a controller which receives feedback signals from the sensors. Based on the feedback signals from the sensors, the retractor is actuated by the positioning mechanism so that the tissue can be retracted while maintaining the parameters associated with the retracted tissue above a threshold level or within a desired range. Another retractor system includes a retractor with a force sensor and at least one additional sensor, which can be used without a closed loop control arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2009Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
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Patent number: 9486196Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor with an oximeter sensor at its tip and a force sensor coupled to the retractor. The retractor system also includes a system unit which can send signals to and receive signals from the oximeter sensor via optical fibers. The oximeter sensor measures oxygen saturation of a tissue being refracted by the retractor, and the force sensor measures an amount of force that is applied to the retracted tissue by the tip of the retractor. Another retractor system has a closed loop control arrangement with a positioning mechanism which moves the retractor based on measurements of the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
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Publication number: 20160257522Abstract: A postpress system (1) and method for producing and processing product units (P), in particular printed end products (P) with printed product collections comprising a plurality of products, selected from the group of wrapping products, and a plurality of part products and/or inserts, to make route adapted stacks or packs, at least some of the printed end products (P) being product units which have been customized for specific addressees are proposed. By using feed devices (3) which each comprise a supply conveyor (31), a preparation circuit (32) with a plurality of transport units (321) and an output conveyor (33), printed products (D) are fed in a controlled fashion to the holding units (21) with reliability. A sorting device (6) with at least one directing group with at least one gate (62), a transit section (612) and at least one supply section is used to correct faults, or deviations in the product sequence from the production sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Applicant: FERAG AGInventor: Alex KELLER
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Publication number: 20150336698Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing collections (15) from a plurality of N (N=2, 3, 4, . . . ) different printed products (11a-d), which collections (15) each comprise a stack (13) of printed products (11a-c), which stack is packed in a packaging element (11d) wrapped around the stack (13). A solution that does not require additional material use includes the following steps: providing the N printed products (11a-d); forming an intermediate stack (13) from N-x (x=1, 2, 3, . . . ) of the N printed products (10a-d); providing the x remaining printed products as a packaging element (11d); and wrapping the intermediate stack (13) in the packaging element (11d).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventor: Alex KELLER
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Patent number: 9051142Abstract: An apparatus for separating individual flat, bendable objects from the underside of a stack of such objects. The apparatus includes a stacking area having a support region, a roller arrangement produced from a plurality of rollers, the roller arrangement supporting the stack from below in the support region, as well as a separating and holding device for separating the objects from the underside of the stack. The rollers of the roller arrangement are guided along a circular path so as to be movable past under the stack in the support region. The apparatus further includes a supporting and stopping device for positioning the supporting and stopping device in a holding position between the stack and the rollers of the roller arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: FERAG AGInventor: Alex Keller
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Publication number: 20140027970Abstract: An apparatus for separating individual flat, bendable objects from the underside of a stack of such objects. The apparatus includes a stacking area having a support region, a roller arrangement produced from a plurality of rollers, the roller arrangement supporting the stack from below in the support region, as well as a separating and holding device for separating the objects from the underside of the stack. The rollers of the roller arrangement are guided along a circular path so as to be movable past under the stack in the support region. The apparatus further includes a supporting and stopping device for positioning the supporting and stopping device in a holding position between the stack and the rollers of the roller arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: Ferag AGInventor: Alex Keller
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Patent number: 8376348Abstract: A device and method for transferring flexible flat objects, in particular printed products, between two conveyors. The device includes a first gripper conveyor with first grippers moved along a first gripper conveyor path for hanging transport of the objects in a conveyor direction by gripping a first object edge, a second gripper conveyor with second grippers moved along a second gripper conveyor path, for receiving the objects by gripping a second object edge which lies opposite the first object edge, and at least one actuation device for opening and closing the first and second grippers such that, in a transfer region, the objects may be transferred from the first grippers to the second grippers. The distances of the first and the second grippers are different to one another in front of the transfer region, wherein the distances of the first grippers are smaller than that of the second grippers.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Alex Keller
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Patent number: 8240458Abstract: A device and method for the transfer flexible flat articles between two conveyors. The device includes a first gripper conveyor with first grippers moved along a first gripper conveyor track for suspended transportation of the articles in a conveying direction, and a second gripper conveyor with second grippers moved along a second gripper conveyor track. Opening and closing of the grippers is controlled so that a transfer of the articles from the first to the second grippers is able to take place. In doing so, a spacing between the first grippers differs from the spacing between the second grippers such that, in a transfer zone, one gripper conveyor track, the grippers of which include the greater spacing between one another, defines a concave course, and the other gripper conveyor track, the grippers of which have the smaller spacing between one another, defines a correspondingly convex course.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2010Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Alex Keller
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Publication number: 20100313522Abstract: The invention relates to a method for closing a flat product (14) which comprises a cover sheet which is open on at least one side and at least one printed product which is inserted loosely into the cover sheet, wherein the product (14) is fed to a closing apparatus (15, 15?) in a freely suspended manner or in an overlapping stream, and wherein the at least one open side of the cover sheet is closed in the closing apparatus (15, 15?) exclusively by mechanical action on the cover sheet by means of a closing tool (19, 19?).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2008Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: Ferag AGInventor: Alex Keller