Patents by Inventor Gary Nelson

Gary Nelson 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).

  • Publication number: 20170127967
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system and method for determining and displaying a sleep restoration level of a subject for a target sleep session. In some embodiments, the system comprises one or more of a sensor, a processor, electronic storage, a user interface, and/or other components. As the subject sleeps, the system is configured to determine a metric indicating sleep need for the subject and then graphically display a sleep restoration level (a visual representation of the metric indicating sleep need) based on the determined sleep need metric. Instead of assuming common parameters for multiple users, the system is configured to determine the sleep need metric based on obtained baseline sleep parameters that have been determined individually for the subject based on one or more previous sleep sessions, a determined amount of slow wave activity in the subject during the target sleep session, and/or other information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Gary Nelson GARCIA MOLINA, Manuel LAURA LAPOINT
  • Patent number: 9573598
    Abstract: The present invention relates to system for determining a movement of a control device and a system for detecting drowsiness of a driver of a vehicle, as well as an according processing unit used for this purpose and an according method. The system (12) for determining a movement comprises a plurality of light sensors (16), a processing unit (14) and an interface (18), wherein the light sensors (44-58) are able to transmit light intensity information to the processing unit (14) and the latter is able to provide information to a user. Further, the processing unit (14) is able to determine the movement of the control device based on the light intensity information submitted by the light sensors (44-58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Igor Berezhnyy, Gary Nelson Garcia Molina, Mirela Alina Weffers-Albu
  • Publication number: 20170000970
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to detect transitions in sleep state of a subject during a sleep session; provide sensory stimulation to the subject with a timing based on the detected transitions in sleep state; subsequent to the sleep session, obtain reference indications of transitions in sleep state; compare the detected transitions in sleep state to the reference indications of transitions in sleep state during the sleep session; based on the comparison, adjust baseline sleep state criteria to enhance correlation between detected transitions in sleep state during the sleep session using the baseline sleep state criteria and the reference indications of transitions in sleep state during the sleep session; and subsequent to adjustment of the baseline sleep state criteria, utilize the adjusted baseline sleep state criteria to detect transitions in sleep state of the subject for the purpose of controlling the one or more sensory stimulators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Gary Nelson GARCIA MOLINA, Michele BELLESI, Brady Alexander RIEDNER, Giulio TONONI, Juan Benzo BENZO
  • Publication number: 20160374594
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for monitoring a dopaminergic activity of a subject, wherein the system comprises a detection unit for detecting an eye blink signal relating to eye blinks of the subject; an analysis unit for determining, based on the detected eye blink signal, an eye blink feature indicative of the dopaminergic activity of the subject and for comparing the eye blink feature with a reference eye blink feature; and a feedback unit for providing feedback relating to the dopaminergic activity of the subject based on the comparison of the eye blink feature and the reference eye blink feature. Further aspects of the present invention relate to a corresponding method and computer program. The approach permits early screening of a dopaminergic activity and continuous monitoring of the patient's response to dopamine drugs, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: GARY NELSON GARCIA MOLINA, RONALDUS MARIA AARTS
  • Publication number: 20160310696
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing sensory stimuli induce and/or enhance sleep and/or slow wave neural activity of a subject during sleep. Operation of the systems and methods is based on measured information related to cardiac attributes and/or respiratory attributes of the subject, and corresponding cardiac parameters and/or respiratory parameters based thereon. Attributes may be measured and/or monitored via one or more sensors, e.g. worn on an extremity of the subject and/or placed at a distance from the subject. Sensory stimulation delivered to the subject during specific targeted periods of sleep may enhance slow wave neural activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Pedro Miguel FONSECA, Gary Nelson GARCIA MOLINA, Reinder HAAKMA
  • Publication number: 20160302718
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to facilitate transitions between sleep states and/or stages during a sleep session of a subject. The system is configured to facilitate transitions between sleep states and/or stages by monitoring the brain activity of a subject and providing sensory stimulation to guide brain activity parameters into target ranges. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more of a sensory stimulator, a sensor, a processor, electronic storage, a user interface, and/or other components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Manuel LAURA LAPOINT, Gary Nelson GARCIA MOLINA
  • Publication number: 20160220783
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system (10) configured to determine timing of sensory stimulation provided to a subject (12) to increase sleep slow waves during a sleep session. The system generates (602) output signals conveying information related to a sleep stage of the subject during the sleep session with one or more sensors (18, 204, 205, 206); detects (604) slow wave sleep in the subject based on the output signals; controls (606) one or more sensory stimulators (16, 208, 210) to provide first sensory stimulation (300, 302) to the subject to induce sleep slow waves; determines (610) a representative slow wave (350, 400); and determines (612) timing (500) of second stimulation (502) provided to the subject, the second stimulation configured to increase sleep slow waves in the subject during the sleep session, the timing determination based on the representative slow wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventor: Gary Nelson GARCIA MOLINA
  • Publication number: 20160106061
    Abstract: In one aspect, a pet bed includes an assembly of a plurality of separate cushion components and a shell containing the assembly. In another aspect, a method of assembling a pet bed includes inserting a plurality of separate cushion components into an opening of a shell, thereby forming within the shell an assembly comprising a single layer of cushion components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Gary Nelson, Sara Pokorny
  • Publication number: 20160082222
    Abstract: A system is configured to provide sensory stimuli to a subject at a first intensity level, determine the effectiveness of the provided sensory stimuli, and incrementally increase the intensity level of the sensory stimuli based on the determined effectiveness. The effectiveness determination and the corresponding intensity increase are repeated one or more times during a given slow wave sleep episode. The system is configured to continue the effectiveness determinations and the corresponding intensity increases during the slow wave sleep episode until the intensity level reaches a maximum level, until an arousal level of the subject breaches an arousal level threshold, and/or until expiration of the period of slow wave sleep.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Gary Nelson GARCIA MOLINA, Michele BELLESI, Brady Alexander RIEDNER, Giulio TONONI
  • Publication number: 20160058970
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system and method for managing a sleep session of a subject. Managing the sleep session is based on slow wave activity in the subject during the sleep session. Slow wave activity is related to sleep pressure. Sleep pressure dissipates and/or decreases as the subject sleeps. The dissipation dynamics depend on a given subject. The manner in which dissipation occurs regulates the length of the given sleep session and is linked to the temporal dynamics of slow wave activity. The system is configured to determine a metric indicating sleep pressure dissipation and, responsive to the determined sleep pressure dissipation metric indicating that sleep pressure dissipation has reached a dissipation threshold level during the sleep session, wake the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Gary Nelson GARCIA MOLINA, Giulio TONONI, Sander Theodoor PASTOOR, Stefan PFUNDTNER, Brady Alexander RIEDNER, Michele BELLESI
  • Publication number: 20160045706
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system and method for managing a sleep session of a subject. Managing the sleep session is based on cardiac activity in the subject during the sleep session. Cardiac activity, as monitored via one or more sensors worn on an extremity of the subject and/or placed at a distance from the subject, is used to determine periods of slow wave sleep. Sensory stimulation is delivered to the subject during the periods of slow wave sleep to enhance slow wave activity. Wearing a sensor on an extremity, and/or placing a sensor at a distance from the subject during sleep, as opposed to the subject wearing an EEG cap, is more comfortable for the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Gary Nelson GARCIA MOLINA, Cristian Nicolae PRESURA, Stefan PFUNDTNER, Sander Theodoor PASTOOR
  • Publication number: 20150374951
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system for enhancing knowledge consolidation in a subject during sleep. New declarative memories may be better consolidated by presenting sensory stimuli during slow wave sleep that correspond to sensory stimuli presented during prior wakeful learning. The sensory stimuli may include odors, sounds, visual stimulation, touches, tastes, and/or other types of sensory stimuli. The system is configured to provide a prompt sensory stimulus during slow wave sleep that corresponds to a wakeful stimulus provided during wakeful learning. The prompt sensory stimulus may prompt enhanced knowledge consolidation in the subject. In some embodiments, the system may comprise one or more of a slow wave sleep inducer, a sensory stimulator, a sensor, a processor, electronic storage, a user interface, and/or other components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Gary Nelson GARCIA MOLINA, Michele BELLESI, Giulio TONONI, Joanne HenriƩtte DesiriƩe Monique WESTERINK
  • Patent number: 9216608
    Abstract: A greeting card having a jointed or articulated character attached to a surface thereof, the articulated character being movable by user interaction with the greeting card. The articulated character contains various segments which are attached together at various pivot or hinge points making the character capable of bending and moving various aspects of the character body in various ways or directions which simulate the character dancing to audio playing in the background.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Nelson, Melissa Flesher
  • Publication number: 20150359482
    Abstract: Systems and methods to detect sleep stages of a subject analyze physiological parameters of the subject in combination with a subject's reactions to stimuli of increasing intensity and/or stimuli having different modalities. Stimuli are provided until a predetermined level of probability is reached for the accuracy of an estimation of the sleep stage of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Gary Nelson GARCIA MOLINA, Sander Theodoor PASTOOR, Stefan PFUNDTNER, Brady Alexander RIEDNER, Michele BELLESI, Giulio TONONI
  • Publication number: 20150343168
    Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering stimuli to a subject that prompt the subject to fall asleep use multiple parameters that are based on measured signals related to a patient's brain activity, for example obtained through electroencephalography (EEG). The parameters indicate amplitude in different frequency bands, e.g. high-frequency brain activity and low-frequency brain activity. A stimulus, e.g. auditory stimulus, is delivered to the subject such that the intensity of the stimulus is adjusted based on (changes in) the multiple parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventor: Gary Nelson GARCIA MOLINA
  • Patent number: 9202391
    Abstract: The present disclosure and related inventions is directed to a three-dimensional (3D) greeting card. The greeting card is shaped like a chair which folds and unfolds and which plays audio upon interaction with the greeting card by a user. It also contains a miniature greeting card attached to the seat portion of the chair to provide a user with space for writing a message or adding his/her signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Nelson
  • Patent number: 9137356
    Abstract: A system for adding wireless on-hold capability to standard single or multi-line telephones connected to one or more phone lines. The system includes a wireless on-hold unit with transceiver associated with each telephone and each on-hold unit includes a button for each telephone line for indicating when a telephone line is to be placed into or removed from an on-hold state and a visual indicator indicating which state each telephone line is in. The system also includes a central control unit with transceiver hard wired connected between the phone lines and the telephone(s) connected to each phone line, and the central control unit places a phone line in an on-hold state or removes the on-hold state based on signals wirelessly received from the on-hold units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventors: Scott Holmes Stapleford, Gary Nelson Stapleford
  • Publication number: 20150217776
    Abstract: The present invention relates to system for determining a movement of a control device and a system for detecting drowsiness of a driver of a vehicle, as well as an according processing unit used for this purpose and an according method. The system (12) for determining a movement comprises a plurality of light sensors (16), a processing unit (14) and an interface (18), wherein the light sensors (44-58) are able to transmit light intensity information to the processing unit (14) and the latter is able to provide information to a user. Further, the processing unit (14) is able to determine the movement of the control device based on the light intensity information submitted by the light sensors (44-58).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Igor Berezhnyy, Gary Nelson Garcia Molina, Mirela Alina Weffers-Albu
  • Patent number: D765780
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: American Greetings
    Inventor: Gary Nelson
  • Patent number: D766364
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Nelson, Melissa Flesher