Patents by Inventor Kirk Beach
Kirk Beach 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).
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Patent number: 10055925Abstract: The present invention allows verification of a voucher or token prior to redemption. The voucher or token has a code associated therewith so that a value of the voucher or token may be stored in a database. Later when the voucher or token is presented to a cashier for redemption, the code is submitted to the database in order to retrieve the value associated with that voucher or token. In this way, the voucher or token is verified before redemption. In one embodiment, a verification system includes a voucher or token database, a recognition subsystem and two transceivers. The database knows the code and value associated with the voucher or token. A recognition subsystem reads the code from the voucher or token. The transceivers couple together the database and the recognition subsystem in such a way that the a query can be made by the recognition system to determine the value associated with the code or otherwise verify the validity of the voucher or token.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2005Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Coinstar Asset Holdings, LLCInventors: Kirk Beach, Christopher A. Pesch
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Patent number: 9044159Abstract: Changes in the volume of residual limbs on which prosthetic sockets are worn can be measured based on bioimpedance measurements along one or more segments of the limb. A current at an appropriate frequency (e.g., in the range from 1 kHz to 1 MHz) is injected at two current electrodes that contact the skin of the residual limb. The voltage at the voltage electrodes disposed between the current electrodes is measured and using an appropriate model, the change in the segmented volume of the limb can be determined during periods of different activity and at different times during the day. This information can be used for assessing the fit of the socket and can also provide a feedback signal for automatically controlling volume management devices, to ensure a more comfortable fit when the volume of the limb is changing.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: University of WashingtonInventors: Joan E. Sanders, Timothy R. Myers, Daniel S. Harrison, Katheryn J. Allyn, Ellen L. Lee, Daniel C. Abrahamson, Kirk Beach, Santosh Zachariah
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Patent number: 9005126Abstract: Tissue Pulsatility Imaging (TPI) is an ultrasonic technique developed to measure tissue displacement or strain in the brain due to blood flow over the cardiac and respiratory cycles. Such measurements can be used to facilitate the mapping of brain function as well as to monitor cerebral vasoreactivity. Significantly, because tissue scatters ultrasound to a greater extend than does blood, using ultrasound to measure tissue displacement or strain in the brain is easier to implement than using ultrasound to measure blood flow in the brain. Significantly, transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) has been used to measure blood flow in the brain to map brain function and monitor cerebral vasoreactivity; however, TCD can only acquire data through the three acoustic windows in the skull, limiting the usefulness of TCD. TPI is not so limited.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2008Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: University of WashingtonInventors: Kirk Beach, John C. Kucewicz, Barbrina Dunmire
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Publication number: 20120143077Abstract: Changes in the volume of residual limbs on which prosthetic sockets are worn can be measured based on bioimpedance measurements along one or more segments of the limb. A current at an appropriate frequency (e.g., in the range from 1 kHz to 1 MHz) is injected at two current electrodes that contact the skin of the residual limb. The voltage at the voltage electrodes disposed between the current electrodes is measured and using an appropriate model, the change in the segmented volume of the limb can be determined during periods of different activity and at different times during the day. This information can be used for assessing the fit of the socket and can also provide a feedback signal for automatically controlling volume management devices, to ensure a more comfortable fit when the volume of the limb is changing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2012Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONInventors: Joan E. Sanders, Timothy R. Myers, Daniel S. Harrison, Katheryn J. Allyn, Ellen L. Lee, Daniel C. Abrahamson, Kirk Beach, Santosh Zachariah
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Patent number: 8142369Abstract: Changes in the volume of residual limbs on which prosthetic sockets are worn can be measured based on bioimpedance measurements along one or more segments of the limb. A current at an appropriate frequency (e.g., in the range from 1 kHz to 1 MHz) is injected at two current electrodes that contact the skin of the residual limb. The voltage at the voltage electrodes disposed between the current electrodes is measured and using an appropriate model, the change in the segmented volume of the limb can be determined during periods of different activity and at different times during the day. This information can be used for assessing the fit of the socket and can also provide a feedback signal for automatically controlling volume management devices, to ensure a more comfortable fit when the volume of the limb is changing.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: University of WashingtonInventors: Joan E. Sanders, Timothy R. Myers, Daniel S. Harrison, Katheryn J. Allyn, Ellen L. Lee, Daniel C. Abrahamson, Kirk Beach, Santosh Zachariah
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Patent number: 7931304Abstract: Vouchers and methods for providing vouchers configured to assist in distinguishing unauthorized duplicate or counterfeit vouchers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a voucher can include a substrate, a first indicia on the substrate, and a thermally responsive second indicia on the substrate. At least one of the first indicia and the second indicia can indicate a value of the voucher. A system which assists in detecting alteration of value documents or transmissions, such as a coin counter voucher is provided. Voucher information such as the voucher value is included in the voucher in an encrypted or otherwise modified form. When the voucher is presented for redemptions, the encrypted information is decrypted and compared to independently available voucher information. Failure of the information to match indicates that the voucher has been altered or should otherwise be further checked.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2008Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Coinstar, Inc.Inventors: David J. Brown, Kirk Beach, Daniel A. Gerrity, Steven Geiger, Timothy Manion, Scott Scherer
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Patent number: 7803116Abstract: An ultrasound based technique for detecting and imaging vibrations in tissue caused by eddies produced during bleeding through punctured arteries or from organs. A clutter signal, normally suppressed in conventional color flow imaging, is employed to detect and characterize local tissue vibrations, to detect internal bleeding in an image, or as an audible or palpable signal, or a readout. Using a tissue vibration image, the origin and extent of vibrations relative to the underlying anatomy and blood flow can be visualized in real time, enabling measurements of vibration amplitude, frequency, and spatial distribution. Bleeding rate can be determined from the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations. Signal processing algorithms usable to identify tissue vibrations from an ensemble of 2D ultrasound data include those based on phase decomposition, spectral estimation using eigendecomposition, and spectral estimation using autoregressive modeling for isolating vibrations from clutter, blood flow, and noise.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2004Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: University of Washington through its Center for CommericalizationInventors: Siddhartha Sikdar, Yongmin Kim, Kirk Beach
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Publication number: 20100036455Abstract: Changes in the volume of residual limbs on which prosthetic sockets are worn can be measured based on bioimpedance measurements along one or more segments of the limb. A current at an appropriate frequency (e.g., in the range from 1 kHz to 1 MHz) is injected at two current electrodes that contact the skin of the residual limb. The voltage at the voltage electrodes disposed between the current electrodes is measured and using an appropriate model, the change in the segmented volume of the limb can be determined during periods of different activity and at different times during the day. This information can be used for assessing the fit of the socket and can also provide a feedback signal for automatically controlling volume management devices, to ensure a more comfortable fit when the volume of the limb is changing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2009Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: University of WashingtonInventors: Joan E. Sanders, Timothy R. Myers, Daniel S. Harrison, Katheryn J. Allyn, Ellen L. Lee, Daniel C. Abrahamson, Kirk Beach, Santosh Zachariah
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Publication number: 20090096205Abstract: Vouchers and methods for providing vouchers configured to assist in distinguishing unauthorized duplicate or counterfeit vouchers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a voucher can include a substrate, a first indicia on the substrate, and a thermally responsive second indicia on the substrate. At least one of the first indicia and the second indicia can indicate a value of the voucher. A system which assists in detecting alteration of value documents or transmissions, such as a coin counter voucher is provided. Voucher information such as the voucher value is included in the voucher in an encrypted or otherwise modified form. When the voucher is presented for redemptions, the encrypted information is decrypted and compared to independently available voucher information. Failure of the information to match indicates that the voucher has been altered or should otherwise be further checked.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Inventors: David J. Brown, Kirk Beach, Daniel A. Gerrity, Steven Geiger, Timothy Manion, Scott Scherer
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Patent number: 7464868Abstract: Vouchers and methods for providing vouchers configured to assist in distinguishing unauthorized duplicate or counterfeit vouchers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a voucher can include a substrate, a first indicia on the substrate, and a thermally responsive second indicia on the substrate. At least one of the first indicia and the second indicia can indicate a value of the voucher. A system which assists in detecting alteration of value documents or transmissions, such as a coin counter voucher is provided. Voucher information such as the voucher value is included in the voucher in an encrypted or otherwise modified form. When the voucher is presented for redemptions, the encrypted information is decrypted and compared to independently available voucher information. Failure of the information to match indicates that the voucher has been altered or should otherwise be further checked.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2004Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Coinstar, Inc.Inventors: David J. Brown, Kirk Beach, Daniel A. Gerrity, Steven Geiger, Timothy Manion, Scott Scherer
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Publication number: 20080275340Abstract: Tissue Pulsatility Imaging (TPI) is an ultrasonic technique developed to measure tissue displacement or strain in the brain due to blood flow over the cardiac and respiratory cycles. Such measurements can be used to facilitate the mapping of brain function as well as to monitor cerebral vasoreactivity. Significantly, because tissue scatters ultrasound to a greater extend than does blood, using ultrasound to measure tissue displacement or strain in the brain is easier to implement than using ultrasound to measure blood flow in the brain. Significantly, transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) has been used to measure blood flow in the brain to map brain function and monitor cerebral vasoreactivity; however, TCD can only acquire data through the three acoustic windows in the skull, limiting the usefulness of TCD. TPI is not so limited.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2008Publication date: November 6, 2008Applicant: University of WashingtonInventors: Kirk Beach, John C. Kucewicz, Barbrina Dunmire
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Publication number: 20070066895Abstract: An ultrasound based technique for detecting and imaging vibrations in tissue caused by eddies produced during bleeding through punctured arteries or from organs. A clutter signal, normally suppressed in conventional color flow imaging, is employed to detect and characterize local tissue vibrations, to detect internal bleeding in an image, or as an audible or palpable signal, or a readout. Using a tissue vibration image, the origin and extent of vibrations relative to the underlying anatomy and blood flow can be visualized in real time, enabling measurements of vibration amplitude, frequency, and spatial distribution. Bleeding rate can be determined from the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations. Signal processing algorithms usable to identify tissue vibrations from an ensemble of 2D ultrasound data include those based on phase decomposition, spectral estimation using eigendecomposition, and spectral estimation using autoregressive modeling for isolating vibrations from clutter, blood flow, and noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2004Publication date: March 22, 2007Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONInventors: Siddhartha Sikdar, Yongmin Kim, Kirk Beach
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Patent number: 7113929Abstract: The present invention allows verification of a voucher or token prior to redemption. The voucher or token has a code associated therewith so that a value of the voucher or token may be stored in a database. Later when the voucher or token is presented to a cashier for redemption, the code is submitted to the database in order to retrieve the value associated with that voucher or token. In this way, the voucher or token is verified before redemption. In one embodiment, a verification system includes a voucher or token database, a recognition subsystem and two transceivers. The database knows the code and value associated with the voucher or token. A recognition subsystem reads the code from the voucher or token. The transceivers couple together the database and the recognition subsystem in such a way that the a query can be made by the recognition system to determine the value associated with the code or otherwise verify the validity of the voucher or token.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2000Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Coinstar, Inc.Inventors: Kirk Beach, Christopher A. Pesch
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Publication number: 20060079782Abstract: A real-time signal processing technique for ultrasonic imaging of tissue vibrations for localizing the source of a bruit in a 2D image with respect to the anatomy and/or for obtaining simultaneous information about vibrations and the underlying blood flow. The bruit can be quantitatively assessed using an ensemble of ultrasound echoes. Signal processing enables estimation of wall displacement and the display of time-resolved vibration spectrum. Vibrations are detected and color-coded according to their amplitude and frequency and overlaid on the B-mode and/or color-flow image in real time. Proposed vibration imaging algorithms use data acquired during conventional ultrasonic color-flow imaging and the clutter signal, normally suppressed in color-flow imaging, to detect and characterize tissue vibrations. Three vibration imaging algorithms based on parametric modeling of vibrations and other criteria distinguish between clutter, blood flow, and vibrations.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2005Publication date: April 13, 2006Applicant: University of WashingtonInventors: Kirk Beach, Yongmin Kim, Siddhartha Sikdar
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Publication number: 20060069654Abstract: The present invention allows verification of a voucher or token prior to redemption. The voucher or token has a code associated therewith so that a value of the voucher or token may be stored in a database. Later when the voucher or token is presented to a cashier for redemption, the code is submitted to the database in order to retrieve the value associated with that voucher or token. In this way, the voucher or token is verified before redemption. In one embodiment, a verification system includes a voucher or token database, a recognition subsystem and two transceivers. The database knows the code and value associated with the voucher or token. A recognition subsystem reads the code from the voucher or token. The transceivers couple together the database and the recognition subsystem in such a way that the a query can be made by the recognition system to determine the value associated with the code or otherwise verify the validity of the voucher or token.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2005Publication date: March 30, 2006Inventors: Kirk Beach, Christopher Pesch
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Publication number: 20050121507Abstract: Vouchers and methods for providing vouchers configured to assist in distinguishing unauthorized duplicate or counterfeit vouchers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a voucher can include a substrate, a first indicia on the substrate, and a thermally responsive second indicia on the substrate. At least one of the first indicia and the second indicia can indicate a value of the voucher. A system which assists in detecting alteration of value documents or transmissions, such as a coin counter voucher is provided. Voucher information such as the voucher value is included in the voucher in an encrypted or otherwise modified form. When the voucher is presented for redemptions, the encrypted information is decrypted and compared to independently available voucher information. Failure of the information to match indicates that the voucher has been altered or should otherwise be further checked.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2004Publication date: June 9, 2005Inventors: David Brown, Kirk Beach, Daniel Gerrity, Steven Geiger, Timothy Manion, Scott Scherer
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Publication number: 20020107738Abstract: A system for reducing cost or burdens associated with conventional couponing is provided. In one aspect, a user registers, e.g., at a web site, the user's identification number or other number, and the user's bank account or other account. The user preferably identifies one or more coupons which are desired. After the user visits a retail location and makes purchases, a program in communication with the retail location point-of-sale computer verifies compliance with coupon criteria and authorizes or requests an appropriate monetary credit or deposit in the user's bank (or other) account.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2001Publication date: August 8, 2002Inventors: Kirk Beach, Ian Melanson
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Patent number: 6116402Abstract: A system which assists in detecting alteration of value documents or transmissions, such as a coin counter voucher is provided. Voucher information such as the voucher value is included in the voucher in an encrypted or otherwise modified form. When the voucher is presented for redemptions, the encrypted information is decrypted and compared to independently available voucher information. Failure of the information to match indicates that the voucher has been altered or should otherwise be further checked.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1998Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Coinstar, Inc.Inventors: Kirk Beach, Daniel A. Gerrity
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Patent number: 5818359Abstract: Apparatus for tracking the motion of subcutaneous body parts such as tendons in the carpal tunnel of the wrist by use of an ultrasonic sensor, and supplying signals from such sensor to a computer for comparison with reference data in a memory and utilizing the output of the computer to drive a readout such as a visual display or printing of text corresponding to motions of the subcutaneous body parts such as tendons in the carpal tunnel effected by movement of the fingers as in simulated typing. Alternatively, the movement of other subcutaneous body parts such as facial muscles can be sensed, and signals generated from the sensor can be transmitted to a computer for processing to actuate or control apparatus such as an artificial limb or a motorized wheelchair.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1996Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Inventor: Kirk Beach
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Patent number: 5738097Abstract: A pulse Doppler system for determining blood flow velocity in a blood vessel in a body, in particular the carotid artery. A sample region covering a section of the artery is investigated, using two spaced transmitters, one with a frequency of 3 MHz and the other with a frequency of 4.5 MHz. The received echo beams are then processed to determine the component blood velocities for each frequency. The two component values are then resolved into a true blood flow velocity for the sample region. That information is used to produce a color-coded velocity map of the artery, which may be conveniently displayed to the operator.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1996Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Assignee: Diagnostics Ultrasound CorporationInventors: Kirk Beach, Gerald J. McMorrow, William L. Barnard