Patents by Inventor Michael K. Blackwell

Michael K. Blackwell 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: 6211626
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a current control for a lighting assembly, which may be an LED lighting assembly, which may be a pulse width modulated (“PWM”) current control or other form of current control where each current-controlled unit is uniquely addressable and capable of receiving illumination color information on a computer lighting network. In an embodiment, the invention includes a binary tree network configuration of lighting units (nodes). In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a heat dissipating housing, made out of a heat-conductive material, for housing the lighting assembly. The heat dissipating housing contains two stacked circuit boards holding respectively the power module and the light module. The light module is adapted to be conveniently interchanged with other light modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Color Kinetics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ihor Lys, George G. Mueller, Frederick Marshall Morgan, Michael K. Blackwell
  • Patent number: 6205411
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the implantation of an artificial component in one of a hip joint, a knee joint, a hand and wrist joint, an elbow joint, a shoulder joint, and a foot and ankle joint. The apparatus includes a pre-operative geometric planner and a pre-operative kinematic biomechanical simulator in communication with the pre-operative geometric planner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Anthony M. DiGioia, III, David A. Simon, Branislav Jaramaz, Michael K. Blackwell, Frederick M. Morgan, Robert V. O'Toole, Takeo Kanade
  • Patent number: 6002859
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for determining an implant position for at least one artificial component in a joint and facilitating the implantation thereof. The apparatuses and methods include creating a joint model of a patient's joint into which an artificial component is to be implanted and creating a component model of the artificial component. The joint and artificial component models are used to stimulate movement in the patient's joint with the artificial component in a test position. The component model and the joint model are used to calculate a range of motion in the joint for at least one test position based on the simulated motion. An implant position, including angular orientation, in the patient's joint is determined based on a predetermined range of motion and the calculated range of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Anthony M. DiGioia, III, David A. Simon, Branislav Jaramaz, Michael K. Blackwell, Frederick M. Morgan, Robert V. O'Toole, Takeo Kanade
  • Patent number: 5995738
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for determining an implant position for at least one artificial component in a joint and facilitating the implantation thereof. The apparatuses and methods include creating a joint model of a patient's joint into which an artificial component is to be implanted and creating a component model of the artificial component. The joint and artificial component models are used to simulate movement in the patient's joint with the artificial component in a test position. The component model and the joint model are used to calculate a range of motion in the joint for at least one test position based on the simulated motion. An implant position, including angular orientation, in the patient's joint is determined based on a predetermined range of motion and the calculated range of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Anthony M. DiGioia, III, David A. Simon, Branislav Jaramaz, Michael K. Blackwell, Frederick M. Morgan, Robert V. O'Toole, Takeo Kanade
  • Patent number: 5880976
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for determining an implant position for at least one artificial component in a joint and facilitating the implantation thereof. The apparatuses and methods include creating a joint model of a patient's joint into which an artificial component is to be implanted and creating a component model of the artificial component. The joint and artificial component models are used to simulate movement in the patient's joint with the artificial component in a test position. The component model and the joint model are used to calculate a range of motion in the joint for at least one test position based on the simulated motion. An implant position, including angular orientation, in the patient's joint is determined based on a predetermined range of motion and the calculated range of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Anthony M. DiGioia III, David A. Simon, Branislav Jaramaz, Michael K. Blackwell, Frederick M. Morgan, Robert V. O'Toole, Takeo Kanade
  • Patent number: 5596260
    Abstract: In an electronic device powered by a battery, a method of determining a charge of the battery. Initially, a discharge curve specifying the battery's voltage as a function of time is determined. This discharge curve is calibrated according to actual measurements. Next, a battery state model is established. The battery state model is comprised of a number of discrete charge states. The probability of the actual battery's charge for a particular charge state is specified by the battery state model for each of the charge states. The battery's voltage is periodically measured. Based on the measured voltage and the discharge curve, a voltage probability distribution is computed. The battery discharge model is updated by applying Bayes theorem to the old discharge model and the voltage probability distribution. The charge of the battery based on a mean value of the battery discharge model is then displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans P. Moravec, James R. Beninghaus, Michael K. Blackwell, Kevin J. Dowling, J. Rhoads Hollowell, II