Patents by Inventor Robert Ball
Robert Ball 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: 11911535Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed comprising a thermoplastic composite body having anterior, first lateral, second lateral, posterior, superior, and inferior surfaces, and at least one dense portion and at least one porous portion which are integrally formed. The at least one dense portion is formed of a first thermoplastic polymer matrix that is essentially non-porous, and which is continuous through a thickness dimension from the superior surface to the inferior surface. The at least one porous portion is formed of a porous thermoplastic polymer scaffold having a second thermoplastic polymer matrix which is continuous through the thickness dimension. A method for forming the thermoplastic composite body is disclosed comprising disposing a first powder mixture in a first portion of a mold, disposing a second powder mixture in a second portion of the mold, simultaneously molding the first powder mixture and the second powder mixture, and leaching porogen.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2023Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: HAPPE Spine LLCInventors: Douglas Snell, Robert Ball, Ryan K. Roeder
-
Publication number: 20230327388Abstract: Embodiments of the microwave amplification system are described. In an embodiment, a microwave amplification system includes a microwave amplifier that contains a paramagnetic material with an impurity. The impurity has a plurality of nuclear spin and electron spin-based energy levels. The system includes an input to receive a pumping signal which is transmitted to the microwave amplifier to cause a population inversion in the impurity and excite it to one of the nuclear spin and electron spin-based energy levels. The system further includes another input to receive an input signal to be amplified by the microwave amplifier, the input signal having a lower power than the pumping signal. Once transmitted to the microwave amplifier, the input signal is amplified by the excited state of the impurity in the microwave amplifier thereby generating an amplified signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Yuimaru KUBO, Jason Robert BALL, Petr MOROSHKIN, Denis KONSTANTINOV
-
Publication number: 20230218805Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed comprising a thermoplastic composite body having anterior, first lateral, second lateral, posterior, superior, and inferior surfaces, and at least one dense portion and at least one porous portion which are integrally formed. The at least one dense portion is formed of a first thermoplastic polymer matrix that is essentially non-porous, and which is continuous through a thickness dimension from the superior surface to the inferior surface. The at least one porous portion is formed of a porous thermoplastic polymer scaffold having a second thermoplastic polymer matrix which is continuous through the thickness dimension. A method for forming the thermoplastic composite body is disclosed comprising disposing a first powder mixture in a first portion of a mold, disposing a second powder mixture in a second portion of the mold, simultaneously molding the first powder mixture and the second powder mixture, and leaching porogen.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Douglas SNELL, Robert Ball, Ryan K. Roeder
-
Patent number: 11677206Abstract: Embodiments of the microwave amplification system are described. In an embodiment, a microwave amplification system includes a microwave amplifier that contains a paramagnetic material with an impurity. The impurity has a plurality of nuclear spin and electron spin-based energy levels. The system includes an input to receive a pumping signal which is transmitted to the microwave amplifier to cause a population inversion in the impurity and excite it to one of the nuclear spin and electron spin-based energy levels. The system further includes another input to receive an input signal to be amplified by the microwave amplifier, the input signal having a lower power than the pumping signal. Once transmitted to the microwave amplifier, the input signal is amplified by the excited state of the impurity in the microwave amplifier thereby generating an amplified signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology School CorporationInventors: Yuimaru Kubo, Jason Robert Ball, Petr Moroshkin, Denis Konstantinov
-
Patent number: 11607476Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed comprising a thermoplastic composite body having anterior, first lateral, second lateral, posterior, superior, and inferior surfaces, and at least one dense portion and at least one porous portion which are integrally formed. The at least one dense portion is formed of a first thermoplastic polymer matrix that is essentially non-porous, and which is continuous through a thickness dimension from the superior surface to the inferior surface. The at least one porous portion is formed of a porous thermoplastic polymer scaffold having a second thermoplastic polymer matrix which is continuous through the thickness dimension. A method for forming the thermoplastic composite body is disclosed comprising disposing a first powder mixture in a first portion of a mold, disposing a second powder mixture in a second portion of the mold, simultaneously molding the first powder mixture and the second powder mixture, and leaching porogen.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: HAPPE Spine LLCInventors: Douglas Snell, Robert Ball, Ryan K. Roeder
-
Patent number: 11443609Abstract: An electronic device including: a processor, a SIM card, one or more sensors, and a memory. The processor may: analyze words or phrases spoken by one or more trusted user(s) using voice recognition; determine if the one or more trusted user(s) has spoken a wake word, activate the one or more sensors to collect data when it has been determined the wake word has been spoken; determine location and temporal data for the electronic device from the SIM card; continue to analyze words or phrases spoken by one or more trusted user(s) using voice recognition; determine if one or more trigger words has been spoken; and activate the one or more response measure(s) if it is determined that a trigger word has been spoken. Also described is a security system and a method for carrying out a predetermined response as a result of spoken wake and trigger words.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2021Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: BCD Technologies CorporationInventor: Michael Robert Ball
-
Publication number: 20220060473Abstract: An electronic device including: a processor, a SIM card, one or more sensors, and a memory. The processor may: analyze words or phrases spoken by one or more trusted user(s) using voice recognition; determine if the one or more trusted user(s) has spoken a wake word, activate the one or more sensors to collect data when it has been determined the wake word has been spoken; determine location and temporal data for the electronic device from the SIM card; continue to analyze words or phrases spoken by one or more trusted user(s) using voice recognition; determine if one or more trigger words has been spoken; and activate the one or more response measure(s) if it is determined that a trigger word has been spoken. Also described is a security system and a method for carrying out a predetermined response as a result of spoken wake and trigger words.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2020Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventor: Michael Robert Ball
-
Publication number: 20220028239Abstract: An electronic device including: a processor, a SIM card, one or more sensors, and a memory. The processor may: analyze words or phrases spoken by one or more trusted user(s) using voice recognition; determine if the one or more trusted user(s) has spoken a wake word, activate the one or more sensors to collect data when it has been determined the wake word has been spoken; determine location and temporal data for the electronic device from the SIM card; continue to analyze words or phrases spoken by one or more trusted user(s) using voice recognition; determine if one or more trigger words has been spoken; and activate the one or more response measure(s) if it is determined that a trigger word has been spoken. Also described is a security system and a method for carrying out a predetermined response as a result of spoken wake and trigger words.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventor: Michael Robert Ball
-
Publication number: 20200289714Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed comprising a thermoplastic composite body having anterior, first lateral, second lateral, posterior, superior, and inferior surfaces, and at least one dense portion and at least one porous portion which are integrally formed. The at least one dense portion is formed of a first thermoplastic polymer matrix that is essentially non-porous, and which is continuous through a thickness dimension from the superior surface to the inferior surface. The at least one porous portion is formed of a porous thermoplastic polymer scaffold having a second thermoplastic polymer matrix which is continuous through the thickness dimension. A method for forming the thermoplastic composite body is disclosed comprising disposing a first powder mixture in a first portion of a mold, disposing a second powder mixture in a second portion of the mold, simultaneously molding the first powder mixture and the second powder mixture, and leaching porogen.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2020Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Douglas SNELL, Robert BALL, Ryan K. ROEDER
-
Patent number: 10772782Abstract: An orthosis includes dynamic tensioning elements, recreating and/or improving on the load sharing typically provided by soft tissue, such as ligaments, tendons, muscle and a capsule at a joint of a patient or wearer, thereby providing support and preventing further injury from joint instability and/or joint laxity. The orthosis can support a glenohumeral joint of the shoulder brace and can prevent additional injury from various shoulder instabilities, for example, anterior, inferior, posterior and/or multidirectional instabilities. This can be accomplished by dynamically tensioning posterior, anterior and/or humeral head straps of the orthosis. The straps can be primarily adjustable only in tension forces stored there within, rather in orientation relative to the shoulder. This can simplify setup and use, and can ensure the orthosis has a low profile. Related methods of use also are provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Spectrum Health Innovations, LLCInventors: James R. Lebolt, Eric J. VanMiddendorp, Timothy D. Stoepker, Isaac Running, Robert Ball
-
Publication number: 20200287343Abstract: Embodiments of the microwave amplification system are described. In an embodiment, a microwave amplification system includes a microwave amplifier that contains a paramagnetic material with an impurity. The impurity has a plurality of nuclear spin and electron spin-based energy levels. The system includes an input to receive a pumping signal which is transmitted to the microwave amplifier to cause a population inversion in the impurity and excite it to one of the nuclear spin and electron spin-based energy levels. The system further includes another input to receive an input signal to be amplified by the microwave amplifier, the input signal having a lower power than the pumping signal. Once transmitted to the microwave amplifier, the input signal is amplified by the excited state of the impurity in the microwave amplifier thereby generating an amplified signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Yuimaru KUBO, Jason Robert BALL, Petr MOROSHKIN, Denis KONSTANTINOV
-
Publication number: 20180116893Abstract: An orthosis includes dynamic tensioning elements, recreating and/or improving on the load sharing typically provided by soft tissue, such as ligaments, tendons, muscle and a capsule at a joint of a patient or wearer, thereby providing support and preventing further injury from joint instability and/or joint laxity. The orthosis can support a glenohumeral joint of the shoulder brace and can prevent additional injury from various shoulder instabilities, for example, anterior, inferior, posterior and/or multidirectional instabilities. This can be accomplished by dynamically tensioning posterior, anterior and/or humeral head straps of the orthosis. The straps can be primarily adjustable only in tension forces stored there within, rather in orientation relative to the shoulder. This can simplify setup and use, and can ensure the orthosis has a low profile. Related methods of use also are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: James R. Lebolt, Eric J. VanMiddendorp, Timothy D. Stoepker, Isaac Running, Robert Ball
-
Patent number: 9075796Abstract: Techniques include performing text mining on a set of case reports in text format to determine a set of grammar rules to be used to determine whether case reports meet a medical condition. The text mining includes performing feature selection, used to determine the set of grammar rules, that combines standardized case definitions with experience of medical officers for the medical condition and outputting the set of grammar rules. Another technique includes applying grammar rule(s) to new case report(s), the grammar rule(s) previously determined at least by performing text mining comprised of performing feature selection, used to determine the set of grammar rules, that combines standardized case definitions with experience of medical officers for the medical condition. Indication(s) are output of whether the new case report(s) meet or do not meet the medical condition. The techniques may be performed by a method, an apparatus, and a program product.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, The National Institutes of Health, A Component of the US Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Marianthi Markatou, Robert Ball, Taxiarchis Botsis, Michael D. Nguyen, Emily J. Woo
-
Patent number: 8930228Abstract: Systems and methods for performing insurance related activities are provided. Software can be implemented to provide an application that includes an interactive interface for use by insurance professionals in managing clients, marketing insurance, and storing information. The application can include multiple layers directed to particular stages of the insurance-client relationship. Aggregation services can also be incorporated into the application. Interactive insurance-and-client specific display pages can be incorporated to aid in understanding a client's current insurance information and to generate presentations. “Value” calculators may be implemented to illustrate a comparison of a client's current level of protection to a client's current financial state. Interactive tools for evaluating a customer's financial condition during retirement and how life insurance affects a customer's financial condition are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: The Guardian Life Insurance Company of AmericaInventor: Robert Ball
-
Patent number: 8930253Abstract: Systems and methods for performing insurance related activities are provided. Software can be implemented to provide a (optionally networked) application that includes an interactive interface for use by insurance professionals in managing clients. Personal data can be received for computing a client's financial condition. Business data of the client can be received for computing a business financial condition of the business at the death of the client. An assumption of the business financial condition, including levels of business owned life insurance can be modified. A selection mechanism can also be provided, which when selected displays a representation of a death benefits to the client and to the business, based on the modified assumption. The personal financial and business financial condition can change in relation to a change in the personal death and business death benefit as the assumptions are interactively modified, thereby showing the benefit of business owned life insurance.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2010Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: The Guardian Life Insurance Company of AmericaInventor: Robert Ball
-
Patent number: 8892467Abstract: An interactive financial tool is disclosed for assisting agents such as, for example, insurance professionals, estate planners, financial planners, and the like in performing activities such as, for example, marketing products or services to new or existing clients, managing client relationships, prospecting for new clients, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Guardian Life Insurance Company of AmericaInventor: Robert Ball
-
Patent number: 8185463Abstract: Systems and methods for performing insurance related activities are provided. Software can be implemented to provide an application that includes an interactive interface for use by insurance professionals in managing clients, marketing insurance, and storing information. For example, a network application can be implemented that a user can access via a web browser and which is intuitive for quick comprehension and interaction by users. The application can include multiple layers directed to particular stages of the insurance-client relationship. The application can include a Workflow Wizard® to aid the user in managing and maintaining client information and tracking progress. Aggregation services can also be incorporated into the application. Interactive insurance-and-client specific display pages can be incorporated to aid in understanding a client's current insurance information and to generate presentations.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: The Guardian Life Insurance Company of AmericaInventor: Robert Ball
-
Patent number: 8073714Abstract: Systems and methods for performing insurance related activities are provided. Software can be implemented to provide an application that includes an interactive interface for use by insurance professionals in managing clients, marketing insurance, and storing information. For example, a network application can be implemented that a user can access via a web browser and which is intuitive for quick comprehension and interaction by users. The application can include multiple layers directed to particular stages of the insurance-client relationship. The application can include a workflow wizard to aid the user in managing and maintaining client information and tracking progress. Aggregation services can also be incorporated into the application. Interactive insurance-and-client specific display pages can be incorporated to aid in understanding a client's current insurance information and to generate presentations.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: The Guardian Life Insurance Company of AmericaInventor: Robert Ball
-
Patent number: 7831521Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention a method to allow a consumer to direct payments to be made via one or more payment vehicles of choice is provided. In another embodiment of the present invention a system to allow a consumer to direct payments to be made via one or more payment vehicles of choice is provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2007Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Remitgate, LLCInventors: Robert Ball, Daniel Friel, Jeffrey R. Sechrest
-
Patent number: D768157Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2007Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: THE GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICAInventor: Robert Ball