Patents by Inventor Joshua Larsen

Joshua Larsen 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: 9939307
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a toilet that includes a slanted fill tube with an optical proximity sensor positioned on or within the inner surface of the fill tube. The optical proximity sensor includes an incoherent light source and a photodiode. The optical proximity sensor as disclosed herein detects small changes in volumes added to a toilet bowl. Consequently, small volumes of excrement that are deposited in the toilet bowl by a user may be detected with greater accuracy. In some embodiments, information about the volume of urine or feces deposited into the toilet bowl is recorded and calculated by a processor. Other sensors, including a toilet bowl water level sensor and a gas sensor may collect data in combination with the optical proximity sensor to provide more complete information about the user's health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Travis Niederhauser, Terrece Pearman
  • Patent number: 9920510
    Abstract: A smart flush toilet apparatus provides dynamic control of a toilet flush length and/or a toilet flush water volume based on data collected from toilet paper dispenser sensors and/or toilet bowl displacement sensors. A toilet paper dispenser may be used to report toilet paper usage to resupply toilet paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds, Joe Fox, Joseph Duncan
  • Publication number: 20180073234
    Abstract: A modular toilet is disclosed comprising a toilet shell and a hydraulic core. The hydraulic core module is a separate unit from the toilet shell module and may be non-symmetrical with the internal and external form of the shell. The core module comprises a toilet bowl connected to a siphon drain comprising a weir. The drain may be a vertical loop drain. The toilet shell and the hydraulic core may comprise mutual sealing surfaces. The drain may comprise openings for connection to a toilet ventilation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Joe Fox
  • Patent number: 9915060
    Abstract: An rinsing seat for a rimless toilet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rinsing seat includes a large annular cavity for the purpose of storing and dispensing rinse water. In another embodiment, the rinsing seat includes a smaller annular cavity for the purpose of dispensing rinse water from a pressurized line. Outlet nozzles arranged about the circumference of the rinsing seat and designed to dispense rinse water at varying angles relative to the rinsing seat are disclosed. Rinsing seat supports, hinge assemblies, and seat sensors which offer additional functionality to the rinsing seat are also disclosed and claimed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Eric Magleby
  • Patent number: 9913626
    Abstract: An excreta-sampling toilet is disclosed which includes a bowl, a processing apparatus, and a chiller. The bowl separates excreta into solid excreta and liquid excreta. The processing apparatus then processes the solid excreta into a solid excreta sample, including metering it by weight or volume and storing it in containers. The chiller lowers the temperature of the sample, which is stored to await analysis. A metered liquid excreta sample is also stored and chilled in separate storage containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Daryl Wise, Ben Swenson, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Justin Robinson, Joe Fox, Kevin Cheatham
  • Publication number: 20180055488
    Abstract: An in-toilet urine sampling and measurement system is disclosed. One or more toilet sensors trigger volatilization, measurement, and analysis of volatile compounds in a urine sample. Volatile urine compounds may be concentrated, measured, and analyzed by a measurement system attached to a toilet bowl. A volatilizer system may use heat generated from one or more measurement devices to assist in volatilization of the urine sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Steven Butala, Ben Swenson, Gayun Kim, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds, Joe Fox, Cameron Price
  • Publication number: 20180055491
    Abstract: An excreta-sampling toilet is disclosed which includes a bowl, a processing apparatus, and a chiller. The bowl separates excreta into solid excreta and liquid excreta. The processing apparatus then processes the solid excreta into a solid excreta sample, including metering it by weight or volume and storing it in containers. The chiller lowers the temperature of the sample, which is stored to await analysis. A metered liquid excreta sample is also stored and chilled in separate storage containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Daryl Wise, Ben Swenson, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Justin Robinson, Joe Fox, Kevin Cheatham
  • Publication number: 20180052955
    Abstract: A health condition determination method is disclosed. Analyte samples may be obtained from a medical toilet in individual sessions on a daily basis and analyzed over weeks, months and years. Data collected from these samples is analyzed according to a predetermined target variance. The data is filtered and recursively analyzed inputting additional sample data until the refined measured variance is within the target variance. The determined health condition is then communicated to a health professional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Ben Swenson, Huijae Kim, Eric Magleby
  • Publication number: 20180042386
    Abstract: A user-identifying adjustable footstool that is capable of identifying individual users and automatically adjusting based on user-identification. The footstool can save preferences for different users, such as specific heights or angles. These preferences are called when a user is successfully identified by the footstool. The user-identifying adjustable footstool is particularly useful in conjunction with a toilet, to allow users to achieve individualized squatting positions while using traditional western toilets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Steven J.M. Butala, Ben Swenson, Gayun Kim, Joshua Larsen, Joe Fox, Jared Reynolds, Cameron Price
  • Publication number: 20180031411
    Abstract: A thin scale apparatus for measuring body weight includes 5 or more force sensors within a total thickness of between 0.4 inches and 0.004 inches measured between a bottom surface and a top surface of the thin scale apparatus. The thin scale is designed to be thin enough to be non-intrusive or not recognized by a user. A weight of a toilet user may be determined as a combination of additive force of force sensors in a thin scale and force sensor associated with a toilet seat of a toilet. The force sensors may be positioned in one or more cavities on a bottom side of a substrate material of the thin scale or be embedded within a substrate material. Embodiments of a standalone thin scale and a thin scale with a toilet are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Jared Wagner, Dan Allen, Nathan Hopkins, Justin Robinson, Kevin Cheatham
  • Publication number: 20180020889
    Abstract: A toilet with a base portion containing a front facing user-accessible compartment is disclosed. A channel is provided within a base portion for connecting a floor sewer pipe to the raised base of the toilet. Multiple embodiments are disclosed in which the user-accessible front facing user-accessible compartment comprises a retractable foot spa, a retractable scale, a computer processor, and user health devices. User interfaces are disclosed for the operation of the front facing user-accessible compartment and other functions of the front facing user-accessible compartment. Latching and moving mechanisms are also disclosed and claimed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Ben Swenson, Joshua Larsen, Cameron Price, Eric Magleby
  • Publication number: 20180008106
    Abstract: A toilet comprising a rinsing seat, a rimless bowl, and a helical loop trapway is disclosed. An annular cavity for the purpose of storing and dispensing rinse water from the rinsing seat is disclosed. Outlet nozzles arranged about the circumference of the rinsing seat and designed to dispense rinse water at the rimless bowl are disclosed. Rinsing seat supports, hinge assemblies, and seat sensors which offer additional functionality to the rinsing seat are also disclosed. The toilet includes a steep interior surface with a titanium dioxide coating and actuatable ultraviolet light sources. The titanium dioxide has antimicrobial properties in the presence of ultraviolet light to sanitize the toilet. The ultraviolet light source is actuatable to control when the antimicrobial properties of the titanium dioxide coating are activated. The exterior of the toilet is coated with doped titanium dioxide which is antimicrobial in the presence of visible light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Steven J.M. Butala, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Joe Fox
  • Publication number: 20180002911
    Abstract: A toilet apparatus for providing intelligent bidet position and dispensing is disclosed. Dynamic dispensing according to a bidet wand position, type of substance dispensed, user preferences, user gender, and user identification is disclosed. Cleansers, surfactants, moisturizers, medicines, deodorants, and fragrances are dispensed through a bidet wand to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Ben Swenson, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20170370082
    Abstract: An rinsing seat for a rimless toilet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rinsing seat includes a large annular cavity for the purpose of storing and dispensing rinse water. In another embodiment, the rinsing seat includes a smaller annular cavity for the purpose of dispensing rinse water from a pressurized line. Outlet nozzles arranged about the circumference of the rinsing seat and designed to dispense rinse water at varying angles relative to the rinsing seat are disclosed. Rinsing seat supports, hinge assemblies, and seat sensors which offer additional functionality to the rinsing seat are also disclosed and claimed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Eric Magleby
  • Patent number: 9845593
    Abstract: A modular toilet is disclosed comprising a toilet shell and a hydraulic core. The hydraulic core module is a separate unit from the toilet shell module and may be non-symmetrical with the internal and external form of the shell. The core module comprises a toilet bowl connected to a siphon drain comprising a weir. The drain may be a vertical loop drain. The toilet shell and the hydraulic core may comprise mutual sealing surfaces. The drain may comprise openings for connection to a toilet ventilation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Joe Fox
  • Publication number: 20170356176
    Abstract: A quiet toilet apparatus disclosed. Microphones and circuitry are used to receive and detect one or more virtual point source locations and propagation directions of unwanted toilet noise. Speakers are used to create one or more synthesized wave fronts resulting in cancelation and reduction of unwanted toilet noise. The speakers, microphones and circuitry may be located within a toilet seat of a toilet or at a remote location. A user device or remote device may be connected to the noise reduction toilet apparatus for data recording, collection, reporting, and electronic noise filtering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Ben Swenson, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20170322197
    Abstract: A health monitoring toilet system collects urine in a toilet system which may resemble a traditional water toilet. The toilet system may include a urine capture basin for collecting urine as a user urinates as with a traditional toilet. The urine capture basin may include a urine entry aperture which is an orifice leading into a urine sample cell. A fiber optic spectrometer may analyze the urine in the urine sample cell to collect relevant health data. The system may include a controller which may store and analyze spectral data and compile longitudinal data over time. The system may be in connection with other such systems to compare the analysis of a user's urine with those of other users stored in other such health monitoring toilet systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds, Stephen C. Davis, Joe Fox
  • Patent number: 9810686
    Abstract: A urinalysis cassette and system that includes a toilet, into which a urinalysis cassette is inserted. The cassette is comprised of a roll of color-change-reagent strips. Each strip includes a plurality of strip sections wherein an absorbent material is imbued with color-change reagent, or onto which one or more color-change reagents are dispensed. The color-change-reagent strips are consecutive and contiguous on the roll. A cassette includes two spools arranged such that when the spools turn, the reagent strip moves from a first (source spool) to a second (waste spool). The section of the reagent strip that is between the two spools may be exposed to a urine specimen. The absorbent-material strips that have been exposed to both a urine specimen and a color-change reagent may undergo a chemical reaction. Selective-lighting illumination may be applied to absorbent-material strips that have undergone such chemical reactions to measure reflectivity of certain color wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Joshua Larsen, Ben Swenson, Jared Reynolds, Joe Fox, Lloyd J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9801508
    Abstract: A hidden hinge system for raising and lowering a toilet seat or toilet lid is disclosed. In one embodiment, each hinge includes a curved support with a smooth, easy to clean surface. The curved support is connected to a lever and the lever is connected to a hinge assembly. We disclose embodiments in which both the lever and the hinge assembly are enclosed within a toilet housing to improve cleanliness. We further disclose embodiments in which the curved supports are hollow and which contain electrical wiring, water, and gases. Controller and proximity sensors which modulate the raising and lowering of the toilet seat and toilet lid are also disclosed and claimed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Terrece Pearman
  • Publication number: 20170260729
    Abstract: A dryer for use with a bidet is disclosed. In one embodiment, a moveable dryer wand emits an air curtain as the dryer wand moves across the bidet bowl beneath the user after cleansing. We further disclose a dryer which produces a second air current which moves air in a different direction than that emitted by the dryer wand and further controls the movement of excess water remaining on a user after cleansing. A dryer that includes moveable dryer wand used in coordination with a moveable bidet wand are also disclosed and claimed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Jared Wagner, Terrece Pearman