Patents by Inventor Robert Scott Ballam

Robert Scott Ballam 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).

  • Publication number: 20210338947
    Abstract: A method of oral delivery of a medication to a user's lungs with an inhaler that includes the steps of (a) receiving an actuation signal in response to release of the medication from the inhaler, (b) receiving a first accelerometer measurement indicating an orientation of the inhaler, (c) storing the actuation signal and the first accelerometer measurement in a memory, (d) determining whether the orientation of the inhaler exceeds a predetermined proper orientation threshold, and (d) determining a quality of use of the inhaler based on the actuation signal and the first accelerometer measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Scott Ballam, Robert Bruce Ganton
  • Patent number: 11033694
    Abstract: Various embodiments include an inhaler for oral delivery of medication that includes an actuation detector configured to provide an actuation signal in response to release of the medication from the inhaler, and an accelerometer configured to measure an orientation of the inhaler. The inhaler may include a processor, coupled to the actuation detector and the accelerometer, configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations to determine a quality of use of the inhaler based on the actuation signal provided by the actuation detector and the orientation of the inhaler measured by the accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Robert Scott Ballam, Robert Bruce Ganton
  • Patent number: 10258267
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a pulse oximeter capable of taking blood oxygen readings based on readings from an accelerometer. The various embodiments may provide an electronic patch including a pulse oximeter and accelerometer connected to a processor, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to control the operation of the pulse oximeter based at least in part on data received from the accelerometer. In various embodiments the electronic patch may further include a coin cell battery, or other low power source, that may power the pulse oximeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: CAPSULE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Scott Ballam, Robert Bruce Ganton
  • Publication number: 20190090119
    Abstract: Some examples of the disclosure include a Bluetooth Low Energy controller that includes a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor can be monitored periodically to determine the ambient temperature. When the ambient temperature reaches a temperature threshold or lower that impacts battery performance, the operation of the mobile device may be restricted by increasing the advertising interval or stopping advertising and configuring the mobile device to operate in a low power state until the ambient temperature exceeds the temperature threshold. In this way, the advertisement intervals would be dependent on the ambient temperature of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Scott BALLAM, Robert GANTON
  • Patent number: 10177401
    Abstract: A method of establishing a physical and electrical connection between a battery and a circuit board are described. The methods include applying a texture formed from conductive material to a portion of a battery exterior surface. The texture is a region populated by a plurality of protrusions. Protrusions may be configured to partially perforate and lodge within a contact surface secured to a circuit board. The battery with a texture surface may be pressed against the circuit board resulting in perforation of the contact surface by the region of protrusions. The methods may result in a battery and circuit board in electrical communication, and suitable for use within a variety of medical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Ganton, Robert Scott Ballam
  • Patent number: 10108898
    Abstract: A method of tracking a package. The method includes applying a package label to a package in which the package label comprises an antenna circuit, an activation tab configured to activate the antenna circuit, and a deactivation tab configured to deactivate the antenna circuit. The method also includes activating the antenna circuit by removing the activation tab and periodically transmitting a signal by the antenna circuit upon activation. The signal comprises information that identifies the package. The method also includes receiving the signal and using the information in the signal to track a location of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Scott Ballam, Robert Ganton
  • Patent number: 10085639
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a variety of sensors, such as a pulse oximeter, configured to track a dynamic component of a sensor and take an action based on a characteristic of the dynamic component. Some embodiments may include determining a gain applied to a signal of the sensor, determining whether the gain is discontinuous, and indicating that a sensor measurement associated with the signal is low quality in response to determining that the gain applied is discontinuous. Some embodiments may include determining a peak-to-peak voltage of an output of a sensor, determining whether the peak-to-peak voltage is within an acceptable peak-to-peak voltage range, and indicating that a measurement associated with the received signal is low quality in response to determining that the peak-to-peak voltage is outside the acceptable peak-to-peak voltage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Scott Ballam, Robert Bruce Ganton, Stephen Dickey
  • Patent number: 10062958
    Abstract: A wearable electronic patch with an enhanced radio antenna includes an antenna, radio circuitry, a base portion, a distal portion, and intermediate portion, and a spacer, configured to raise the antenna away from the base portion, and thus away from a wearer to improve radiation properties of the antenna. The spacer may be sized and shaped to expand from a compressed state, as it may be when the patch is packaged, to an expanded state that raises the antenna when it is applied to a wearer. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Ganton, Robert Scott Ballam
  • Publication number: 20170273560
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a variety of sensors, such as a pulse oximeter, configured to track a dynamic component of a sensor and take an action based on a characteristic of the dynamic component. Some embodiments may include determining a gain applied to a signal of the sensor, determining whether the gain is discontinuous, and indicating that a sensor measurement associated with the signal is low quality in response to determining that the gain applied is discontinuous. Some embodiments may include determining a peak-to-peak voltage of an output of a sensor, determining whether the peak-to-peak voltage is within an acceptable peak-to-peak voltage range, and indicating that a measurement associated with the received signal is low quality in response to determining that the peak-to-peak voltage is outside the acceptable peak-to-peak voltage range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Scott Ballam, Robert Bruce Ganton, Stephen Dickey
  • Patent number: 9743868
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a device capable of determining a blood property based at least in part on the measurement of the amount of light received by a receiver circuit with a limited current capacity by charging a capacitor with a low voltage power supply and intermittently discharging the capacitor through a light emitting diode. In some embodiments the device may be a pulse oximeter capable of taking blood oxygen readings. In some embodiments the device may be a heart rate monitor to determine a heart rate based on an amount of light passed through tissue. The various embodiments may enable pulse oximeters and/or heart rate monitors to be incorporated into small unobtrusive body patches, while enabling the pulse oximeters to operate from a power output equivalent to that of a small coin cell battery or printed cell battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Scott Ballam, Robert Bruce Ganton
  • Patent number: 9740265
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an electronic device comprises an oscillator configured to generate an oscillator signal, and a timing circuit configured to generate a count value based on the oscillator signal, to compare the count value with a first compare value, to determine a first expiry event upon the count value matching the first compare value, and to generate a first wakeup signal in response to the first expiry event. The electronic device also comprises a battery pass circuit configured to receive the first wakeup signal, and to couple a power source to a main device in response to the first wakeup signal to power on the main device. The electronic device further comprises a state sequencing circuit configured to store a state of the main device, and an interface circuit configured to communicate the stored state to the main device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Ganton, Robert Scott Ballam
  • Patent number: 9459089
    Abstract: An electronic sensor patch includes a capacitive sensor configured to detect when the electronic sensor patch is applied to a patient. A processor may be powered down for a predetermined time interval in response to determining that the electronic patch is not in close proximity to a body. The electronic sensor patch may be activated in response to determining that the electronic patch is in close proximity to the body. The capacitance sensor may be used to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body by measuring capacitance of the capacitance sensor, comparing the measured capacitance to a threshold, and determining that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body in response to the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor being more than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Ganton, Robert Scott Ballam
  • Publication number: 20160143566
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a device capable of determining a blood property based at least in part on the measurement of the amount of light received by a receiver circuit with a limited current capacity by charging a capacitor with a low voltage power supply and intermittently discharging the capacitor through a light emitting diode. In some embodiments the device may be a pulse oximeter capable of taking blood oxygen readings. In some embodiments the device may be a heart rate monitor to determine a heart rate based on an amount of light passed through tissue. The various embodiments may enable pulse oximeters and/or heart rate monitors to be incorporated into small unobtrusive body patches, while enabling the pulse oximeters to operate from a power output equivalent to that of a small coin cell battery or printed cell battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Scott BALLAM, Robert Bruce GANTON
  • Publication number: 20160149292
    Abstract: A wearable electronic patch with an enhanced radio antenna includes an antenna, radio circuitry, a base portion, a distal portion, and intermediate portion, and a spacer, configured to raise the antenna away from the base portion, and thus away from a wearer to improve radiation properties of the antenna. The spacer may be sized and shaped to expand from a compressed state, as it may be when the patch is packaged, to an expanded state that raises the antenna when it is applied to a wearer. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Ganton, Robert Scott BALLAM
  • Publication number: 20160149255
    Abstract: A method of establishing a physical and electrical connection between a battery and a circuit board are described. The methods include applying a texture formed from conductive material to a portion of a battery exterior surface. The texture is a region populated by a plurality of protrusions. Protrusions may be configured to partially perforate and lodge within a contact surface secured to a circuit board. The battery with a texture surface may be pressed against the circuit board resulting in perforation of the contact surface by the region of protrusions. The methods may result in a battery and circuit board in electrical communication, and suitable for use within a variety of medical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Bruce GANTON, Robert Scott BALLAM
  • Publication number: 20160082208
    Abstract: Various embodiments include an inhaler for oral delivery of medication that includes an actuation detector configured to provide an actuation signal in response to release of the medication from the inhaler, and an accelerometer configured to measure an orientation of the inhaler. The inhaler may include a processor, coupled to the actuation detector and the accelerometer, configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations to determine a quality of use of the inhaler based on the actuation signal provided by the actuation detector and the orientation of the inhaler measured by the accelerometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Scott BALLAM, Robert Bruce Ganton
  • Publication number: 20160081601
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a pulse oximeter capable of taking blood oxygen readings based on readings from an accelerometer. The various embodiments may provide an electronic patch including a pulse oximeter and accelerometer connected to a processor, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to control the operation of the pulse oximeter based at least in part on data received from the accelerometer. In various embodiments the electronic patch may further include a coin cell battery, or other low power source, that may power the pulse oximeter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Scott BALLAM, Robert Bruce GANT ON
  • Publication number: 20150323984
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an electronic device comprises an oscillator configured to generate an oscillator signal, and a timing circuit configured to generate a count value based on the oscillator signal, to compare the count value with a first compare value, to determine a first expiry event upon the count value matching the first compare value, and to generate a first wakeup signal in response to the first expiry event. The electronic device also comprises a battery pass circuit configured to receive the first wakeup signal, and to couple a power source to a main device in response to the first wakeup signal to power on the main device. The electronic device further comprises a state sequencing circuit configured to store a state of the main device, and an interface circuit configured to communicate the stored state to the main device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Ganton, Robert Scott Ballam
  • Publication number: 20150292856
    Abstract: An electronic sensor patch includes a capacitive sensor configured to detect when the electronic sensor patch is applied to a patient. A processor may be powered down for a predetermined time interval in response to determining that the electronic patch is not in close proximity to a body. The electronic sensor patch may be activated in response to determining that the electronic patch is in close proximity to the body. The capacitance sensor may be used to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body by measuring capacitance of the capacitance sensor, comparing the measured capacitance to a threshold, and determining that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body in response to the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor being more than the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Bruce GANTON, Robert Scott Ballam