Patents by Inventor Kevin A. Miller

Kevin A. Miller 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).

  • Humeral Cut Guide
    Publication number: 20150320430
    Abstract: A humeral cut guide system for resectioning or resurfacing a humeral head. The humeral cut guide system includes a primary cut guide member configured to be removably coupled to the humeral head. The primary cut guide member includes a patient-specific bone-engaging surface, a primary elongate slot that defines a primary cutting plane, and a pair of cylindrical apertures configured to receive a pair of guide pins. A secondary cut guide member includes a pair of through-holes configured to mate with the pair of guide pins, and the secondary cut guide member includes a secondary elongate slot that defines a secondary cutting plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Clinton E. KEHRES, Christopher EASH, Kevin MILLER
  • FRICTION STIR WELDED PIPES
    Publication number: 20150240970
    Abstract: Fluid conveying pipes and processes of forming such pipes using friction stir welding. The fluid conveying pipes are formed from a pipe section that includes a first barrel coaxially and concentrically disposed within a second barrel. The first barrel and the second barrel are each formed from one or more sections or plates where longitudinal extending facing edges of the plates are friction stir welded (FSW) together along a seam(s) that extends longitudinally from the first end to the second end thereof. A plurality of the pipe sections can be connected together end to end using circumferential FSW seams to form a pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael R. ELLER, Randy J. BROWN, Duy N. PHAM, Eugene C. JANSEN, Trevor OWEN, Kevin MILLER
  • Interactive speech synthesizer for enabling people who cannot talk but who are familiar with use of anonym moveable picture communication to autonomously communicate using verbal language
    Patent number: 9111463
    Abstract: A method for enabling a person who cannot talk but who is familiar with use of anonym moveable picture communication to autonomously communicate speech sound automatically in a sequence, and may include: choosing a plurality of selected encoded tags that are transitionable between a ready mode in which the tag is proximate to an associated tag reader and a go mode in which the tag is in operative association with the associated tag reader. In the go mode, the selected plurality of the encoded tags are read in a sequence to provide a series of coded signals, a sound file corresponding to the series of coded signals is transmitted to an audio output device to convert the sound file automatically into the speech sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: PROXTALKER.COM, LLC
    Inventors: Glen Dobbs, Kevin Miller
  • Method and system for autonomous teaching of braille
    Patent number: 9105196
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for autonomous learning of Braille by an unsighted user. The system allows the unsighted user to pass a card over an RFID reader so as to trigger an audible response that is indicative of an indicia (Braille word or character) embossed on the card. The embossed card further comprises an RFID tag and a series of raised indicia surfaces representative of a Braille-based word or character. The tag transmits a signal indicative of the word or character to the receiving (via receiver) micro-controller which will convert the signal to an audible tone to be transmitted through an output device. The system has a memory which holds a library of tones corresponding to a signal to be converted. An autonomous record mode allows the system user to record an audio input to be stored in the library, or utilize an interface port, or removable memory, for downloading an input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: PROXTALKER.COM, LLC
    Inventors: Glen Dobbs, Kevin Miller
  • Transparent client-side cryptography for network applications
    Patent number: 9094379
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and associated processes for transparent client-side cryptography are provided. In this system, some or all of a user's private data can be encrypted at a client device operated by the user. The client can transmit the encrypted user data to a content site that hosts a network application, such as a social networking application, financial application, or the like. The content site can store the private data in its encrypted form instead of the actual private data. When the content site receives a request for the private data from the user or optionally from other users (such as social networking friends), the server can send the encrypted user data to a client associated with the requesting user. This client, if operated by an authorized user, can decrypt the private data and present it to the authorized user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Miller
  • Method for triggering blood salvage
    Patent number: 9047663
    Abstract: One variation of a method for triggering blood cell salvage for a patient includes: processing a first photographic image of a canister to estimate a content of a blood component within the canister; processing a second photographic image of a gauze sponge to estimate a content of the blood component in the gauze sponge; estimating an aggregate salvageable blood component content for the patient based on the estimated content of the blood component within the canister and the estimated content of the blood component in the gauze sponge; and in response to the estimated aggregate salvageable blood component content exceeding a threshold salvageable blood component content, generating a prompt to salvage the blood component from fluid within the canister and from the gauze sponge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Gauss Surgical
    Inventors: Siddarth Satish, Kevin Miller, Ali Zandifar
  • APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING FOOT STRUCTURES, FOR DESIGN OF A FOOT ORTHOTIC, AND METHODS OF USE
    Publication number: 20140360033
    Abstract: An apparatus comprised of a plurality of engagement structures independently movable along a longitudinal axis to initially engage a mid-foot region of a foot is described. A center structure or a first set of engagement structures engage the foot in a mid-foot region, and one or more peripheral engagement structures engage the plantar surface in regions surrounding the mid-foot region independent from the structure(s) engaging the mid-foot region. Positional information about the engagement structures is obtained, and a surface map from the positional information is constructed, to determine a profile or contour for an orthotic device in which the foot is in a restored bone state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: J. Kevin Miller, Neal J. Beidleman, Neville A. Bonwit, Luke Clauson, Kenneth J. den Dulk, Gregg E. Freebury, Matthew B. Newell
  • System and method for counting surgical samples
    Patent number: 8897523
    Abstract: One method for counting surgical samples comprises: identifying a physical sample in a field of view of an optical sensor; indexing a sample counter for the identified physical sample; extracting a feature from a portion of the field of the view of the optical sensor; and estimating the extracorporeal blood volume in a portion of the physical sample based upon the extracted feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Gauss Surgical
    Inventors: Siddarth Satish, Kevin Miller, Ali Zandifar, Andrew Hosford
  • METHODS FOR DESIGNING A FOOT ORTHOTIC
    Publication number: 20140324396
    Abstract: A foot orthotic device is disclosed. More specifically described is an individualized foot orthotic device to correct and/or restore the ideal alignment and/or positioning of foot structures. The device is designed using a method and system that applies sequential pressure to regions on a plantar foot surface, and obtaining positional information about each region. Based on the positional information, an orthotic profile is determined, for design of one or more custom, individualized foot orthotic devices for a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: J. Kevin Miller, Michael S. Latterman, Sue Ann Latterman
  • Apparatus for converting side-to-side driving motion to rotational motion with a spring assembly and system for tuning the spring assembly
    Patent number: 8813330
    Abstract: A method for tuning resonant spring assembly systems used in appliances such as power toothbrushes, particularly leaf spring systems, includes the step of measuring the frequency-dependent amplitude of the appliance workpiece, and then removing a portion of the spring member so as to decrease its spring rate sufficiently that the resonant frequency of the spring member closely approximates the drive frequency of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Grez, Jeffrey R. Gueble, Jerry C. Wood, Devin M. Nelson, Kevin A. Miller, Craig D. Hanela, Bruce E. Taber, Richard K. Taylor, William Bryant, Scott E. Hall, Andreas Lolbneggar, Piet C. J. van Rens, Kurt Sadek, Paul L. W. M. Barten, D. I. Stephan Leitner
  • System and method for estimating extracorporeal blood volume in a physical sample
    Patent number: 8792693
    Abstract: One method for estimating the extracorporeal blood volume in a portion of a physical sample includes: comparing a portion of an image of the sample with a template image of known extracorporeal blood volume indicator; tagging the portion of the image of the sample with a blood volume indicator according to the template image that is matched to the portion of the image of the sample; and estimating the extracorporeal blood volume in at least a portion of the physical sample, associated with the portion of the image of the sample, according to the blood volume indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Gauss Surgical
    Inventors: Siddarth Satish, Charles Zhao, Kevin Miller, Ali Zandifar, Amer Abdulla, Michael Hsieh, David Rempel, Mark Gonzalgo
  • System and method for maintaining performance of battery-operated toothbrushes
    Patent number: 8766568
    Abstract: The system periodically measures the battery voltage of the toothbrush and the current in a stator portion of the motor for the appliance. The amplitude of movement of the toothbrush workpiece is determined from the measured stator current. A circuit/control program changes the duty cycle or pulse width of the drive signal from the motor if the battery voltage drops below a first threshold value and a circuit or control program changes the drive frequency of the appliance if the amplitude of the workpiece movement falls below a first threshold value. A circuit/control program terminates the operation of the toothbrush if the voltage drops below a second threshold value or if the amplitude drops below a second threshold value, both of which are less than the respective first thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijkle Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Wolter Benning, Ari Lumbantobing, Kevin Miller
  • METHOD FOR TRIGGERING BLOOD SALVAGE
    Publication number: 20140126788
    Abstract: One variation of a method for triggering blood cell salvage for a patient includes: processing a first photographic image of a canister to estimate a content of a blood component within the canister; processing a second photographic image of a gauze sponge to estimate a content of the blood component in the gauze sponge; estimating an aggregate salvageable blood component content for the patient based on the estimated content of the blood component within the canister and the estimated content of the blood component in the gauze sponge; and in response to the estimated aggregate salvageable blood component content exceeding a threshold salvageable blood component content, generating a prompt to salvage the blood component from fluid within the canister and from the gauze sponge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Gauss Surgical
    Inventors: Siddarth Satish, Kevin Miller, Ali Zandifar
  • METHOD FOR SETTING A BLOOD TRANSFUSION PARAMETER
    Publication number: 20140128838
    Abstract: One variation of a method for setting a blood transfusion parameter for a patient includes identifying a blood transfusion bag in a photographic image; extracting a color feature from a region of the photographic image corresponding to the blood transfusion bag; estimating a blood component content within the blood transfusion bag based on the color feature; and triggering transfusion from the blood transfusion bag based on the blood component content within the blood transfusion bag and an estimated volemic status of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Gauss Surgical
    Inventors: Siddarth Satish, Kevin Miller, Ali Zandifar
  • ORAL HYGIENE APPLIANCE WITH FORMABLE SUBSTRATE
    Publication number: 20140011159
    Abstract: The power appliance (10) for cleaning teeth includes a drive system (16) and a substrate (10) for supporting a field of bristles (14) which contact teeth for cleaning. The drive system is connected to the substrate, moving the substrate in operation to produce an action of the bristle field against the teeth. The assembly, which includes internal stiffeners (60, 62, 64) in one embodiment, has two physical states, including a first state in which the substrate is softened so as to be formable to conform to the geometry of the teeth, and a second hardened state following its conformance to the teeth in which the substrate is sufficiently rigid to effectively transmit a driving motion to the bristles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Miller, Patrick A. Headstrom, Bethany Joyce Johnson, Ian Gordon Blanch, Tijn Pieter Lodewijk Huttenhuis
  • ORAL HYGIENE APPLIANCE WITH BRISTLE CHARACTERISTICS FOR EFFECTIVE CLEANING
    Publication number: 20130333126
    Abstract: An oral cleaning appliance, such as a toothbrush (10) or a mouthpiece (20), includes a bristle arrangement which comprises a base member and a field of bristles for contacting and cleaning teeth, wherein the bristle field (17, 26) has bristles with a density of between 2-7%, and wherein the individual bristle filaments have a stiffness characterized by a deflection of no greater than 50% of their length for a bristle tip pressure of 6 Newtons/cm2 and a deflection reaching 50% for a bristle tip pressure of 85 Newtons/cm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Kevin A. Miller
  • PROCESS AND RESULTING PRODUCT FOR MATCHING A MOUTHPIECE FOR CLEANING TEETH TO A USER'S ORAL GEOMETRY
    Publication number: 20130333133
    Abstract: A method and the resulting product for optimizing the configuration of a mouthpiece for cleaning teeth in which the configuration of the mouthpiece is optimized to the oral geometry of individual users. The method includes a first step (26) of producing a digital scan of the oral geometry of the individual user and then producing a rigid shell (30) for the mouthpiece substantially matching the digital scan. The configuration of the resulting mouthpiece is characterized by the outer surface of the shell not extending from the buccal surface of the individual teeth more than 7 mm (31); further, by the rear edge of the shell not contacting the tissues to the rear of the rearmost teeth (36), and still further by no more than a 2 mm overlap into the gum line (36), when the mouthpiece is operatively positioned in the user's mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Kevin A. Miller
  • Pet feeder
    Patent number: 8596219
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for feeding a pet in a manner that engages the pet and provides stimulation and exercise. Exemplary apparatus for dispensing animal food include a food hopper for containing animal food operatively connected to a food handler that launches a portion or ration of the animal food away from the unit in response to detecting a triggering action of the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin Miller
  • Systems for designing a foot orthotic
    Patent number: 8596145
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for design of a foot orthotic, and a foot orthotic device designed in accord therewith. More specifically described is an individualized foot orthotic device to correct and/or restore the ideal alignment and/or positioning of foot structures. In the method, sequential pressure is applied to regions on a plantar foot surface, and positional information is obtained about each region. Based on the positional information, an orthotic profile is determined, for design of one or more custom, individualized foot orthotic devices for a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Tensegrity Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Kevin Miller, Neal J. Beidleman, Michael A. Boennighausen, Michael S. Latterman, Gregg E. Freebury, Sue Ann Latterman, Huafeng Wen
  • Adaptive drive system using current values for a personal care appliance
    Patent number: 8598817
    Abstract: An adaptive system for a personal care appliance, such as a power toothbrush, having a workpiece which is driven through an amplitude of motion by a drive mechanism which includes a stator member includes a circuit (13) for measuring average electrical current through the stator member and stored information (19) in the personal care appliance which relates the average current values through the stator during operation of the device to corresponding amplitude of motion of the workpiece. A processor (17) utilizing a stored program adjusts the operating frequency to produce a stator current value which correlates to the desired amplitude of motion of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Miller, Ari Lumbantobing, Meindert Lambertus Norg