Patents by Inventor Melanie K. Kitzan

Melanie K. Kitzan 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: 10593137
    Abstract: An identification device includes, but is not limited to, a deformable substrate; a sensor assembly including one or more identity sensors configured to generate identity sense signals associated with a physical characteristic of an individual subject; circuitry configured to receive the identity sense signals, the circuitry including an identity comparison module configured to compare identity sense signals to reference data indicative of physical characteristics associated with an identity of at least one individual to determine whether the identity sense signals correspond to the identity of the at least one individual; and a reporter configured to generate communication signals associated with a comparison of the identity sense signals to reference data, the reporter including a transmitter or transceiver configured to transmit the communication signals to a system for association with a file corresponding to the at least one individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Melanie K. Kitzan, Gary L. McKnight, Robert C. Petroski, Elizabeth A. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 10497191
    Abstract: An system includes, but is not limited to, a control system; and a device including a deformable substrate, a sensor assembly including one or more identity sensors configured to generate identity sense signals associated with a physical characteristic of an individual subject, circuitry configured to receive the identity sense signals, the circuitry including an identity comparison module configured to compare identity sense signals to reference data indicative of physical characteristics associated with an identity of at least one individual to determine whether the identity sense signals correspond to the identity of the at least one individual, and a reporter configured to generate communication signals associated with a comparison of the identity sense signals to reference data, the reporter including a transmitter or transceiver configured to transmit the communication signals to a system for association with a file corresponding to at least one of the individual subject or the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Melanie K. Kitzan, Gary L. McKnight, Robert C. Petroski, Elizabeth A. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 10444541
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to switchable lens devices, systems, and methods that include determining relative tilt and/or vergence rotation of a subject's eyes and focusing one or more lenses based on the determined vergence rotation or a change therein. The switchable lens device can include one or more sensors configured to detect movement of at least one eye of the subject (e.g., to determine a least one of position, velocity, or acceleration of at least one eye of the subject). For example, the switchable lens device can include one or more acceleration sensors that can be operably coupled to or associated with a first eye or a second eye of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Melanie K. Kitzan
  • Patent number: 10406376
    Abstract: Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device are described. Multiple factors, including a mood of the user, a user control input, and a secondary factor input are used in controlling the ear stimulation device. Secondary factors include, a variety of factors relating to or influencing the state of the user, including but not limited to, environmental conditions, sleep, diet, or various activities of the user. User inputs can be open-ended or selected from a menu, for example. In an aspect, a correlation module correlates mood of the user to other factors, and control of stimulation is based thereon. In various aspects, the system is also responsive to inputs from sensors or computing networks. In an aspect, the earpiece delivers an audio output such as music from an audio player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: eQuility LLC
    Inventors: Eleanor V. Goodall, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Melanie K. Kitzan, Eric C. Leuthardt, Mark A. Malamud, Stephen L. Malaska, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Brittany Scheid, Katherine E. Sharadin, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 10327984
    Abstract: Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device, based on analysis of an image of a user of the personal computing device captured with a camera associated with the personal computing device, are described. One or more parameter is determined from the processed image, including, but not limited, to user identity, emotion, physiological condition, or placement of a stimulator earpiece, and control of the ear stimulation device is based thereon. If the earpiece is located incorrectly, in an aspect, delivery of a stimulus is prevented. In another aspect, the user is notified of the need to reposition an incorrectly located earpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: eQuility LLC
    Inventors: Eleanor V. Goodall, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Melanie K. Kitzan, Eric C. Leuthardt, Mark A. Malamud, Stephen L. Malaska, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Brittany Scheid, Katherine E. Sharadin, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 10293158
    Abstract: Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device, in response to determination of electrical contact of an electrode in a stimulator earpiece with an ear of a user of the personal computing device, are described. If the electrode is not in good electrical contact with the ear of the user, delivery of the stimulus is prevented and the user is notified of the status of the electrode. In various aspects, the user is instructed to reposition the earpiece or replace, clean, moisten, or apply gel to at least a portion of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: eQuility LLC
    Inventors: Eleanor V. Goodall, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Melanie K. Kitzan, Eric C. Leuthardt, Mark A. Malamud, Stephen L. Malaska, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Brittany Scheid, Katherine E. Sharadin, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 10254565
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are related to systems including at least one ophthalmic device (e.g., at least one intraocular lens or at least one contact lens) and methods of using the at least one ophthalmic device. The ophthalmic device includes a switchable lens that can selectively change a focal length thereof. The ophthalmic device also includes a plurality of sensors disposed therein or thereon that sense one or more characteristics. At least one of the plurality of sensors can sense one or more electromyography signals associated with a ciliary muscle of the eye. At least another of the plurality of sensors can sense one or more accelerations of the eye, one or more electromagnetic signals, one or more magnetic fields, one or more additional electromyography signals, or another suitable characteristic. The systems can also include at least one controller configured to direct changing the focal length of the switchable lens responsive to the characteristics sensed by the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Melanie K. Kitzan
  • Publication number: 20190046794
    Abstract: An ear stimulation device and related systems and methods for operating an ear stimulation device in connection with a computing device are described. Multiple factors are used in controlling the ear stimulation device, including a variety of factors relating to or influencing the state of the user. In various aspects, the system is also responsive to inputs from sensors or computing networks. System features include fault detection, stimulus cycling and sequencing, integration with other devices in a networked system, device control based on playlists, battery charging, and device status display features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Eleanor V. Goodall, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Melanie K. Kitzan, Eric C. Leuthardt, Mark A. Malamud, Stephen L. Malaska, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Jay A. Pierce, Brittany Scheid, Katherine E. Sharadin, Marc Stein, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20190043283
    Abstract: An system includes, but is not limited to, a control system; and a device including a deformable substrate, a sensor assembly including one or more identity sensors configured to generate identity sense signals associated with a physical characteristic of an individual subject, circuitry configured to receive the identity sense signals, the circuitry including an identity comparison module configured to compare identity sense signals to reference data indicative of physical characteristics associated with an identity of at least one individual to determine whether the identity sense signals correspond to the identity of the at least one individual, and a reporter configured to generate communication signals associated with a comparison of the identity sense signals to reference data, the reporter including a transmitter or transceiver configured to transmit the communication signals to a system for association with a file corresponding to at least one of the individual subject or the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Melanie K. Kitzan, Gary L. McKnight, Robert C. Petroski, Elizabeth A. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20190043282
    Abstract: An identification device includes, but is not limited to, a deformable substrate; a sensor assembly including one or more identity sensors configured to generate identity sense signals associated with a physical characteristic of an individual subject; circuitry configured to receive the identity sense signals, the circuitry including an identity comparison module configured to compare identity sense signals to reference data indicative of physical characteristics associated with an identity of at least one individual to determine whether the identity sense signals correspond to the identity of the at least one individual; and a reporter configured to generate communication signals associated with a comparison of the identity sense signals to reference data, the reporter including a transmitter or transceiver configured to transmit the communication signals to a system for association with a file corresponding to the at least one individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Melanie K. Kitzan, Gary L. McKnight, Robert C. Petroski, Elizabeth A. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20190001128
    Abstract: Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device, in response to determination of electrical contact of an electrode in a stimulator earpiece with an ear of a user of the personal computing device, are described. If the electrode is not in good electrical contact with the ear of the user, delivery of the stimulus is prevented and the user is notified of the status of the electrode. In various aspects, the user is instructed to reposition the earpiece or replace, clean, moisten, or apply gel to at least a portion of the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Eleanor V. Goodall, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Melanie K. Kitzan, Eric C. Leuthardt, Mark A. Malamud, Stephen L. Malaska, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Brittany Scheid, Katherine E. Sharadin, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9987489
    Abstract: Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device, in response to determination of electrical contact of an electrode in a stimulator earpiece with an ear of a user of the personal computing device, are described. If the electrode is not in good electrical contact with the ear of the user, delivery of the stimulus is prevented and the user is notified of the status of the electrode. In various aspects, the user is instructed to reposition the earpiece or replace, clean, moisten, or apply gel to at least a portion of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Eleanor V. Goodall, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Melanie K. Kitzan, Eric C. Leuthardt, Mark A. Malamud, Stephen L. Malaska, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Brittany Scheid, Katherine E. Sharadin, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20180078360
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to switchable lens devices, systems, and methods that include determining relative tilt and/or vergence rotation of a subject's eyes and focusing one or more lenses based on the determined vergence rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Melanie K. Kitzan
  • Publication number: 20180031865
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are related to systems including at least one ophthalmic device (e.g., at least one intraocular lens or at least one contact lens) and methods of using the at least one ophthalmic device. The ophthalmic device includes a switchable lens that can selectively change a focal length thereof. The ophthalmic device also includes a plurality of sensors disposed therein or thereon that sense one or more characteristics. At least one of the plurality of sensors can sense one or more electromyography signals associated with a ciliary muscle of the eye. At least another of the plurality of sensors can sense one or more accelerations of the eye, one or more electromagnetic signals, one or more magnetic fields, one or more additional electromyography signals, or another suitable characteristic. The systems can also include at least one controller configured to direct changing the focal length of the switchable lens responsive to the characteristics sensed by the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Melanie K. Kitzan
  • Publication number: 20170113042
    Abstract: Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device, based on analysis of an image of a user of the personal computing device captured with a camera associated with the personal computing device, are described. One or more parameter is determined from the processed image, including, but not limited, to user identity, emotion, physiological condition, or placement of a stimulator earpiece, and control of the ear stimulation device is based thereon. If the earpiece is located incorrectly, in an aspect, delivery of a stimulus is prevented. In another aspect, the user is notified of the need to reposition an incorrectly located earpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Eleanor V. Goodall, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Melanie K. Kitzan, Eric C. Leuthardt, Mark A. Malamud, Stephen L. Malaska, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Brittany Scheid, Katherine E. Sharadin, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20170113057
    Abstract: Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device are described. Multiple factors, including a mood of the user, a user control input, and a secondary factor input are used in controlling the ear stimulation device. Secondary factors include, a variety of factors relating to or influencing the state of the user, including but not limited to, environmental conditions, sleep, diet, or various activities of the user. User inputs can be open-ended or selected from a menu, for example. In an aspect, a correlation module correlates mood of the user to other factors, and control of stimulation is based thereon. In various aspects, the system is also responsive to inputs from sensors or computing networks. In an aspect, the earpiece delivers an audio output such as music from an audio player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Eleanor V. Goodall, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Melanie K. Kitzan, Eric C. Leuthardt, Mark A. Malamud, Stephen L. Malaska, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Brittany Scheid, Katherine E. Sharadin, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20170043160
    Abstract: Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device, in response to determination of electrical contact of an electrode in a stimulator earpiece with an ear of a user of the personal computing device, are described. If the electrode is not in good electrical contact with the ear of the user, delivery of the stimulus is prevented and the user is notified of the status of the electrode. In various aspects, the user is instructed to reposition the earpiece or replace, clean, moisten, or apply gel to at least a portion of the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Eleanor V. Goodall, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Melanie K. Kitzan, Eric C. Leuthardt, Mark A. Malamud, Stephen L. Malaska, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Brittany Scheid, Katherine E. Sharadin, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood