Patents by Inventor David G. Austin

David G. Austin 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: 11806144
    Abstract: A human body support has a plurality of electrodes arranged in an array and spaced longitudinally with respect to the human body. The array extends from an inferior position to a more superior position along the body. A sensor measures a parameter of the human body that is capable of indicating the presence of drowsiness. A controller has an input connected to the sensor for receiving a signal representing the sensed parameter and has outputs connected to each of the electrodes. The controller detects whether the sensed parameter is within a range indicating the presence of drowsiness and applies a wave of electrical stimuli against the human body in response to detection of a sensed parameter within the range. The electrical stimuli cause periodic tightening and relaxing of proximate muscles as the wave progresses in a direction from an inferior location on the human body toward a more superior location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventors: David G. Austin, Sharon M. Austin
  • Publication number: 20210321922
    Abstract: A human body support has a plurality of electrodes arranged in an array and spaced longitudinally with respect to the human body. The array extends from an inferior position to a more superior position along the body. A sensor measures a parameter of the human body that is capable of indicating the presence of drowsiness. A controller has an input connected to the sensor for receiving a signal representing the sensed parameter and has outputs connected to each of the electrodes. The controller detects whether the sensed parameter is within a range indicating the presence of drowsiness and applies a wave of electrical stimuli against the human body in response to detection of a sensed parameter within the range. The electrical stimuli cause periodic tightening and relaxing of proximate muscles as the wave progresses in a direction from an inferior location on the human body toward a more superior location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: David G. Austin, Sharon M. Austin
  • Patent number: 11089984
    Abstract: A human body support, such as a chair, has a plurality of electrodes arranged in an array and spaced longitudinally with respect to the human body. The array extends from an inferior position to a more superior position along the body. A sensor measures a parameter of the human body that is capable of indicating the presence of drowsiness. A controller has an input connected to the sensor for receiving a signal representing the sensed parameter and has outputs connected to each of the electrodes. The controller detects whether the sensed parameter is within a range indicating the presence of drowsiness and applies a wave of electrical stimuli against the human body in response to detection of a sensed parameter within the range. The electrical stimuli cause periodic tightening and relaxing of proximate muscles as the wave progresses in a direction from an inferior location on the human body toward a more superior location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventors: David G. Austin, Sharon M. Austin
  • Publication number: 20170156655
    Abstract: A human body support, such as a chair, has a plurality of electrodes arranged in an array and spaced longitudinally with respect to the human body. The array extends from an inferior position to a more superior position along the body. A sensor measures a parameter of the human body that is capable of indicating the presence of drowsiness. A controller has an input connected to the sensor for receiving a signal representing the sensed parameter and has outputs connected to each of the electrodes. The controller detects whether the sensed parameter is within a range indicating the presence of drowsiness and applies a wave of electrical stimuli against the human body in response to detection of a sensed parameter within the range. The electrical stimuli cause periodic tightening and relaxing of proximate muscles as the wave progresses in a direction from an inferior location on the human body toward a more superior location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: David G. Austin, Sharon M. Austin
  • Publication number: 20160101260
    Abstract: A human body support, such as a chair, has a plurality of electrodes arranged in an array and spaced longitudinally with respect to the human body. The array extends from an inferior position to a more superior position along the body. A sensor measures a parameter of the human body that is capable of indicating the presence of drowsiness. A controller has an input connected to the sensor for receiving a signal representing the sensed parameter and has outputs connected to each of the electrodes. The controller detects whether the sensed parameter is within a range indicating the presence of drowsiness and applies a wave of electrical stimuli against the human body in response to detection of a sensed parameter within the range. The electrical stimuli cause periodic tightening and relaxing of proximate muscles as the wave progresses in a direction from an inferior location on the human body toward a more superior location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: David G. Austin, Sharon M. Austin
  • Patent number: 9226705
    Abstract: A human body support, such as a chair, has a plurality of support segments that are arranged in an array. Each support segment has a protrusion elevation that is independently variable and controllable in its distance of protrusion elevation against the supported human body. A sensor is connected to a human body on the support and senses a human body parameter that can indicate the presence of drowsiness. A controller analyzes the sensed parameter to detect whether the sensed parameter is within a range indicating the presence of drowsiness. The controller applies a wave of varying segment protrusion elevation against the human body in response to the detection of drowsiness. The wave progresses in a direction from an inferior location on the human body toward a more superior location. Alternatively, a wave of electrical stimuli is applied by similarly positioned electrodes and causes periodic tightening and relaxing of proximate muscles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Inventors: David G. Austin, Sharon M. Austin
  • Publication number: 20150105641
    Abstract: A human body support, such as a chair, has a plurality of support segments that are arranged in an array. Each support segment has a protrusion elevation that is independently variable and controllable in its distance of protrusion elevation against the supported human body. A sensor is connected to a human body on the support and senses a human body parameter that can indicate the presence of drowsiness. A controller analyzes the sensed parameter to detect whether the sensed parameter is within a range indicating the presence of drowsiness. The controller applies a wave of varying segment protrusion elevation against the human body in response to the detection of drowsiness. The wave progresses in a direction from an inferior location on the human body toward a more superior location. Alternatively, a wave of electrical stimuli is applied by similarly positioned electrodes and causes periodic tightening and relaxing of proximate muscles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: David G. Austin, Sharon M. Austin
  • Patent number: 5360017
    Abstract: A therapeutic pillow assembly set is provided with interchangeable resilient neck-support components of different sizes, interchangeable resilient side-support components of different sizes, interchangeable resilient shoulder-support components of different sizes, and interchangeable resilient height-adjustment components of different sizes all of which are each selectively and detachably secured to a resilient base component by detachable-type fastener means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Inventor: David G. Austin
  • Patent number: 5078600
    Abstract: A mandibular movement measuring device for measuring the angular movment of the mandibular incisal edge between the mandibular closed position and the maximum mandibular open position and for measuring mandibular deflection and deviation between the mandibular closed position and the maximum mandibular open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Inventor: David G. Austin
  • Patent number: 4804477
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for the controlled concentration of oil well brine which is adapted to be situated at a well site where oil well brine is produced and which evaporates water from the brine to cause precipitable salt to precipitate out of solution and to be recovered and to cause the remaining liquid to become concentrated with brine constituents which also are recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Thomas F. Allen et al.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Allen, David G. Austin