Patents by Inventor Michael J. Zyda

Michael J. Zyda 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: 8317657
    Abstract: A system for encouraging a user to perform substantial physical activity. The system may include sensors that may be worn by the user while the user is performing a substantial physical activity, such as running or playing basketball. The sensors may detect the magnitude of the physical activity and may transmit data regarding the physical activity to a processing system. The processing system may display a reward to encourage the user for participating in physical activity and the reward provided may be based on the physical activity of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Dhruv Thukral, Michael J. Zyda, Chang Wei-Chung, Shu Fen Lin
  • Publication number: 20110262888
    Abstract: A system for encouraging a user to perform substantial physical activity. The system may include sensors that may be worn by the user while the user is performing a substantial physical activity, such as running or playing basketball. The sensors may detect the magnitude of the physical activity and may transmit data regarding the physical activity to a processing system. The processing system may display a reward to encourage the user for participating in physical activity and the reward provided may be based on the physical activity of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Dhruv Thukral, Michael J. Zyda, Chang Wei-Chung, Shu Fen Lin
  • Patent number: 7980997
    Abstract: A system for encouraging a user to perform substantial physical activity. The system may include sensors that may be worn by the user while the user is performing a substantial physical activity, such as running or playing basketball. The sensors may detect the magnitude of the physical activity and may transmit data regarding the physical activity to a processing system. The processing system may display a reward to encourage the user for participating in physical activity and the reward provided may be based on the physical activity of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Dhruv Thukral, Michael J. Zyda, Chang Wei-Chung, Shu Fen Lin
  • Publication number: 20100105525
    Abstract: A system for encouraging a user to perform substantial physical activity. The system may include sensors that may be worn by the user while the user is performing a substantial physical activity, such as running or playing basketball. The sensors may detect the magnitude of the physical activity and may transmit data regarding the physical activity to a processing system. The processing system may display a reward to encourage the user for participating in physical activity and the reward provided may be based on the physical activity of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Dhruv Thukral, Michael J. Zyda, Chang Wei-Chung, Shu Fen Lin
  • Patent number: 7089148
    Abstract: One embodiment the invention includes a method of determining an orientation of a sensor. The method includes measuring a local magnetic field vector and a local gravity vector and using those measurements to determine the orientation of the sensor. Embodiments can include measuring the magnetic field vector and the local gravity vector using quaternion coordinates. Another embodiment includes measuring a local magnetic field vector, a local gravity vector, and the angular velocity of the sensor. These three vectors are processed to determine the orientation of the sensor. In one embodiment the three vectors can all be measured in quaternion coordinates. Another method embodiment includes determining a local gravity vector by providing a acceleration detector, moving the detector from a start point to an end point over a time period, and summing acceleration measurements over the time period. The local gravity vector is calculated using the summed acceleration measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Eric R. Bachmann, Robert B. McGhee, Xiaoping Yun, Michael J. Zyda, Douglas L. McKinney
  • Patent number: 6820025
    Abstract: One embodiment the invention comprises a method of determining an orientation of a sensor. The method includes measuring a local magnetic field vector and a local gravity vector and using those measurements to determine the orientation of the sensor. Embodiments can include measuring the magnetic field vector and the local gravity vector using quaternion coordinates. Another embodiment comprises measuring a local magnetic field vector, a local gravity vector, and the angular velocity of the sensor. These three vectors are processed to determine the orientation of the sensor. In one embodiment the three vectors can all be measured in quaternion coordinates. Another method embodiment comprises determining a local gravity vector by providing a acceleration detector, moving the detector from a start point to an end point over a time period, and summing acceleration measurements over the time period. The local gravity vector is calculated using the summed acceleration measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Eric R. Bachmann, Robert B. McGhee, Xiaoping Yun, Michael J. Zyda, Douglas L. McKinney
  • Publication number: 20020103610
    Abstract: One embodiment the invention comprises a method of determining an orientation of a sensor. The method includes measuring a local magnetic field vector and a local gravity vector and using those measurements to determine the orientation of the sensor. Embodiments can include measuring the magnetic field vector and the local gravity vector using quaternion coordinates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: Government of the United States
    Inventors: Eric R. Bachmann, Robert B. McGhee, Xiaoping Yun, Michael J. Zyda, Douglas L. McKinney