Patents by Inventor Kerri Pinnock

Kerri Pinnock 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: 6833786
    Abstract: A pneumatic demultiplexer that allows a person with a disability to control multiple assistive technology devices by the use of a single sip-and-puff tube. The devices to be controlled are operated by a single pneumatic or electrical switch input. The pneumatic demultiplexer is under the control of a microprocessor. In a scan stage the user selects the target device via scrolling LED indicators. When a specific device is chosen, the corresponding solenoid valve is activated to connect the input sip-and-puff port to the pneumatic output port. In the activation stage, the input sip-and-puff tube controls the target device directly via the pneumatic demultiplexer. The microprocessor monitors the line activity via a sip-or-puff switch. A watchdog timer is implemented by the microprocessor. After there is a lack of activity for preprogrammed time period, the system switches from the activation stage back to the scan stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: The Board of Governors for Higher Education, State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
    Inventors: Ying Sun, Kaylen J. Haley, Kerri-Anne Lachance, Kerri Pinnock