Patents by Inventor Robert A. Connor

Robert A. Connor 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: 9582035
    Abstract: This invention comprises wearable computing devices and methods for the wrist and/or forearm including a bifurcating attachment member and/or proximal and distal display members. These wearable devices can provide relatively-large display areas without looking too clunky or being uncomfortable to wear. This invention also comprises methods for conserving energy and for modifying the communication interface between a human and a computer based on data from environmental sensors and/or body sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Medibotics LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Publication number: 20170027511
    Abstract: This invention is a wearable device for an arm with a plurality of close-fitting biometric sensors. These sensors can be spectroscopic sensors which project light onto an arm surface at different angles. Alternatively, these sensors can be electromagnetic energy sensors which measure tissue impedance, resistance, conductivity, or permittivity. These sensors can be on the circumference-center-facing wall of an elastic fluid, gel, or gas filled member. Data from these sensors can be used to measure a person's hydration levels, oxygen levels, glucose levels, or heart rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: Medibotics LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Patent number: 9536449
    Abstract: This invention is a device and system for monitoring a person's food consumption comprising: a wearable sensor that automatically collects data to detect eating events; a smart food utensil, probe, or dish that collects data concerning the chemical composition of food which the person is prompted to use when an eating event is detected; and a data analysis component that analyzes chemical composition data to estimate the types and amounts of foods, ingredients, nutrients, and/or calories consumed by the person. In an example, the wearable sensor can be part of a smart watch or smart bracelet. In an example, the smart food utensil, probe, or dish can be a smart spoon with a chemical composition sensor. The integrated operation of the wearable sensor and the smart food utensil, probe, or dish disclosed in this invention offers accurate measurement of food consumption with low intrusion into the person's privacy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Medibotics LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Publication number: 20160374690
    Abstract: This invention is a device to occlude a cerebral aneurysm which includes: a longitudinal lumen that is inserted into the parent blood vessel of an aneurysm; a flexible expandable member (such as a net or mesh) which is expanded within the aneurysm sack by the insertion of embolic members into that flexible expandable member; and a resilient expandable member (such as a cylindrical stent or ring stent) that is attached to a central portion of the flexible expandable member and expanded within the aneurysm sack in order to keep the flexible expandable member from slipping out of the aneurysm sack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Patent number: 9529385
    Abstract: This invention is a device and system for monitoring a person's food consumption comprising: a wearable sensor that automatically collects data to detect probable eating events; a voluntary human-to-computer interface that is used by the person to enter food consumption data wherein the person is prompted to enter food consumption data when an eating event is detected by the wearable sensor; and a data analysis component that analyzes food consumption data to estimate the types and amounts of ingredients, nutrients, and/or calories that are consumed by the person. In an example, the wearable sensor can be part of a smart watch or smart bracelet. In an example, the voluntary human-to-computer interface can be part of a smart phone. The integrated operation of the wearable sensor and the voluntary human-to-computer interface disclosed in this invention offers accurate measurement of food consumption with low intrusion into the person's privacy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Medibotics LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Publication number: 20160349790
    Abstract: This invention is a wearable computer display device for the wrist and/or forearm with an upper distal-to-proximal extension and one or more forearm-extending computer displays. It has a gap or opening below the upper distal-to-proximal extension into which a garment sleeve can be inserted. This enables a person to the see the computer displays even when the person is wearing a long-sleeve garment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Medibotics LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Publication number: 20160345901
    Abstract: This invention is a wearable brain activity monitor with electromagnetic brain activity sensors which are held on a person's head by a partially-circumferential headband. The partially-circumferential headband curves around the lower-posterior surface of a person's head, from one ear to the other, and has forward ends which extend upward from the person's ears to the sides of the person's forehead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Medibotics LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Publication number: 20160338644
    Abstract: This invention is smart clothing (such as a shirt or pair of pants) for ambulatory motion capture comprising: an article of clothing; an electromagnetic energy emitter; an electromagnetic energy receiver; a helical stretching and/or bending electromagnetic energy pathway that spans a body joint, wherein motion of the body joint stretches and/or bends the pathway, and wherein stretching and/or bending of the pathway changes the flow of electromagnetic energy from the emitter to the receiver; and a data processor, wherein the data processor analyzes changes in the flow in order to measure motion of the body joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: Medibotics LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Publication number: 20160317060
    Abstract: This invention is finger ring with an electromagnetic energy sensor for monitoring a person's food consumption. In an example, this device can monitor a person's food consumption by measuring changes in the electromagnetic impedance, resistance, conductivity, or permittivity of finger tissue. In an example, this finger-worn device can comprise an electromagnetic resonator between an electromagnetic energy emitter and an electromagnetic energy receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: Medibotics LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Publication number: 20160313798
    Abstract: This invention can be embodied in a wearable device or system for measuring finger motion and recognizing hand gestures comprising a distal loop which encircles the intermediate phalanx of a finger, a proximal loop which encircles the proximal phalanx of the finger, a joint-spanning strip which connects these two loops, and a bend sensor which is part of the joint-spanning strip. Changes in energy transmitted through, or generated by, the bend sensor are used to measure the motion and/or configuration of the proximal interphalangeal joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Medibotics LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Patent number: 9456916
    Abstract: This invention is a device and method for selectively and automatically reducing absorption of unhealthy food in a person's gastrointestinal tract, while allowing normal absorption of healthy food. In an example, such a device can comprise: a food-identifying sensor; an absorption-reducing substance; an implanted reservoir; and a release-control mechanism that selectively and automatically releases the substance into the person's gastrointestinal tract when the sensor detects that the person is consuming unhealthy food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Medibotics LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Patent number: 9442100
    Abstract: This invention is a caloric intake measuring system comprising: a spectroscopic sensor that collects data concerning light that is absorbed by or reflected from food, wherein this food is to be consumed by a person, and wherein this data is used to estimate the composition of this food; and an imaging device that takes images of this food from different angles, wherein these images from different angles are used to estimate the quantity of this food. Information concerning the estimated composition of the food and information concerning the estimated quantity of the food can be combined to estimate the person's caloric intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Medibotics LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Publication number: 20160239084
    Abstract: This invention is a wearable and mobile Brain Computer Interface (BCI) device which can be embodied in a head-worn undulating band. This band can have an ear-engaging segment, a side segment which spans the side part of a person's forehead and/or face, and a top segment which spans the top of the person's head. This band can encircle a person's head and include an ear prong. This band can include a movable loop which can be moved to span across a person's forehead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: Medibotics LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Publication number: 20160232811
    Abstract: This invention is an eyewear-based system and device for monitoring and modifying a person's nutritional intake. This invention can comprise eyewear with an imaging member which automatically records images of food when the person consumes food. These food images are automatically analyzed to estimate the type and quantity of food. This invention can also comprise a nutritional intake modification component which modifies the person's nutritional intake based on the type and quantity of food. This invention can reduce a person's nutritional intake of unhealthy types and/or quantities of food without reducing their nutritional intake of healthy types and/or quantities of food. It can serve as part of an overall system for better nutrition, weight management, and improved health.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Publication number: 20160206321
    Abstract: This invention is an aneurysm occlusion device with a sequence of shape-changing embolic members which travel through a lumen into an aneurysm sac. The longest axes of these members are substantially parallel to the lumen as within the lumen and longest axes of these members are substantially parallel to the circumference of the neck of the aneurysm after the member exit the lumen. This device can fill a greater percentage of an aneurysm sac, better reduce blood circulation into the aneurysm sac, and better conform to an irregularly-shaped aneurysm sac than coils or single hollow mesh structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Aneuclose LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Publication number: 20160206320
    Abstract: This invention can be embodied in a device for occluding a cerebral aneurysm comprising a series of proximally-and-distally-connected coil loops. This invention can further comprise a stretchable mesh which spans the interiors of these loops. These loops (and the stretchable mesh) overlap to create a coil-and-mesh mass within the aneurysm sac which occludes the aneurysm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Aneuclose LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Publication number: 20160202755
    Abstract: This invention is a sensor array which longitudinally spans a body joint in order to measure movement of that body joint. In an example, this sensor array can comprise four longitudinal sensors which span the body joint in four different radial quadrants, respectively. In an example, this sensor array can comprise six longitudinal sensors which span the body joint in six different radial hextants, respectively. In an example, this sensor array can further comprise a first accelerometer which is proximal to the body joint and a second accelerometer which is distal to the body joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: Medibotics LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Publication number: 20160196767
    Abstract: This invention is a device and method for automatic and selective modification of the taste and/or smell of one or more selected nutrient or food types as food is being digested within a person's mouth. This invention can comprise: multiple taste and/or smell modifying substances; multiple reservoirs for these substances that are implanted within the person's body; and a flow control mechanism that automatically and selectively increases flowable communication between these substances and the person's oral cavity or nasal cavity when a selected nutrient or food is being digested within the person's mouth. This invention can help a person to moderate their consumption of unhealthy food and to limit their overall caloric intake as part of a comprehensive system for improved nutrition, energy balance, and weight management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: Medibotics LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Patent number: 9358140
    Abstract: This invention is a stent to reduce blood flow to an aneurysm comprising: (a) an inner member, wherein this inner member is expanded from a first configuration to a second configuration within the parent vessel of an aneurysm, wherein the circumference of the second configuration is larger than the circumference of the first configuration; and (b) an outer member, wherein this outer member is less porous than the inner member, wherein this outer member covers or surrounds a first percentage of the surface area of the inner member when the inner structure is in the first configuration, wherein this outer member covers or surrounds a second percentage of the surface area of the inner member when the inner structure is in the second configuration, and wherein the second percentage less than the first percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Aneuclose LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Connor, Tariq M. Janjua, Mark Knudson
  • Publication number: 20160151177
    Abstract: This invention is a stent to reduce blood flow to an aneurysm comprising: (a) an inner member, wherein this inner member is expanded from a first configuration to a second configuration within the parent vessel of an aneurysm, wherein the circumference of the second configuration is larger than the circumference of the first configuration; and (b) an outer member, wherein this outer member is less porous than the inner member, wherein this outer member covers or surrounds a first percentage of the surface area of the inner member when the inner structure is in the first configuration, wherein this outer member covers or surrounds a second percentage of the surface area of the inner member when the inner structure is in the second configuration, and wherein the second percentage less than the first percentage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Robert A. Connor, Muhammad Tariq Janjua, Mark Knudson