Patents Issued in July 26, 2016
  • Patent number: 9398813
    Abstract: A frameless furniture assembly adapted to be converted between an unfilled configuration and a filled configuration including: an outer liner having an inner surface and an outer surface; a plurality of pieces of fill material, wherein the fill material is retained within the outer liner; and a container holder associated with the outer liner. The frameless furniture assembly is preferably adapted to support a human in a seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel C. George, II, Matthew Jung
  • Patent number: 9398814
    Abstract: A person-support surface comprises a non powered mattress and a coverlet positionable on the non powered mattress. The coverlet includes an entry positioned at a first end of the coverlet, an exit positioned at a second end of the coverlet opposite the entry, an upper air impermeable layer, and a lower air impermeable layer coupled to the upper air impermeable layer to form an air flow path along the coverlet between the entry and the exit. The upper air impermeable layer is a vapor permeable and the lower air impermeable layer is a vapor permeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Inventors: Sandy M. Richards, Sam M. Alsaeede, Andrew Kerr, Stephen C. Flint, Christopher R. O'Keefe, Charles A. Lachenbruch
  • Cot
    Patent number: 9398815
    Abstract: A cot is provided that has a frame having a shape of a continuous loop. The frame bounds an interior area of the loop and the interior area is covered by a fabric covering. The frame includes an outer perimeter. At least two legs are mounted to the frame and each leg includes a foot portion. The at least two legs are positioned to support the frame above a horizontal floor surface with the foot portions of each leg in contact with the floor surface. Also, each leg extends outwardly and downwardly from the frame such that the foot portions are positioned outwardly of the outer perimeter of the frame in both vertical and horizontal directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: FOUNDATIONS WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: David Stitchick, Joseph A. Lawlor, Lukasz S. Poslowski
  • Patent number: 9398816
    Abstract: An upper body garment for supporting an infant adjacent the chest and upper belly of a wearer that includes a tubular garment body made from a stretchable fabric and comprising a front panel and a back panel, one or more breast panels extending from a top portion of the back panel and over the shoulders of the wearer; and a pouch panel extending from a lower portion of the breast panels. The pouch panel is secured along a U-shaped seam to an inside surface of the front panel to form a pouch with a top opening proximate the lower portion of the breast panels. The stretchable fabric is a two-way stretchable fabric with an increased capability for elastic expansion within a substantially horizontal plane when the wearer is in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Lalabu LLC
    Inventors: Garrett P. Simmer, Brian J. Fosse
  • Patent number: 9398817
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a facing arrangement which enables objects such as stock in a supermarket to be displayed effectively and clearly and positioned when required when stock is removed by customers. In one aspect there is a kit for aligning and drawing one or more objects across a support surface. The kit comprises a container for drawing the objects across the support surface, the container defining a zone for aligning objects, the zone defined between an opposing pair of side walls and an opposing pair of end walls. There is also an end element arranged to be secured adjacent an edge of the support surface and a spacer element configured to maintain a product spaced apart from the end element, the spacer element configured to provide a zone to accommodate an end wall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: BIG SKIES LIMITED
    Inventor: Conway Daw
  • Patent number: 9398818
    Abstract: A merchandise display includes a stand and a hanger. The stand includes a base, a shaft extending upwardly from the base to a top end of the shaft, and an arm extending forwardly from the top end of the shaft. The arm defines a top, a bottom, a cavity open to the top and the bottom, and two notches extending downwardly from the top and being positioned on opposing sides of the cavity. The hanger includes an elongated column, an arm-coupling feature at a first end of the elongated column, and a device-coupling feature at a second end of the elongated column. The device-coupling feature is configured to be coupled with a merchandise support device, and the arm-coupling feature is partially received within and extends between the two notches of the arm such that the elongated column hangs through and below the cavity of the arm to the device-coupling feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, Scott Denby
  • Patent number: 9398819
    Abstract: A basket may include a basket frame, a hook assembly and a bottom. The basket frame has a meshed unit, and an upper board and lower board extending from the meshed unit. The upper board has a side frame with reversed U shape, and the lower board has an L-shaped portion. The basket frame is made in one piece to avoid soldering, which would decrease the structural strength of the basket. Also, the upper board has a side frame with reversed U shape and the lower board has an L-shaped portion to enhance the structural strength of the basket frame, so the bottom can sustain heavier objects. Furthermore, the basket frame and the bottom are all meshed, the objects are unlikely to fall out from the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Elfa International AB
    Inventors: Cheng-Yuan Tsai, Peter Nilsson
  • Patent number: 9398820
    Abstract: Joints are provided for connecting first and second manikin parts. The joints can be partially opened like a clamshell by pivoting the parts on a point on the joint interface. They include first and second joint assemblies attached to the first and second manikin parts respectively. The joint assemblies comprise a stretch element such as a spring or an elastomeric cord, and are capable of detachably engaging with each other. The joints can rotate in a primary rotational direction, for example to move a detachable manikin leg closer to the other manikin leg so that the manikin can quickly and easily be dressed in a pair of slacks. Rotation in a secondary direction is also provided to enable the manikins to be easily assembled by customers so that the manikin parts can be shipped separately. Components and methods of making and using the joints are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: NOA Brands America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Firestone, Scott L. Amman, Richard Varner, Derek Johnson
  • Patent number: 9398821
    Abstract: Liquid serving and receiving containers are shown and described. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a serving container having a magnetic field and a receiving container having an opposing magnetic field. In another embodiment, a method includes configuring serving and receiving containers to repel one another when aligned in an adjacent pouring position. The result is devices, assemblies, and methods for preventing cross-contamination of liquid food service containers and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Inventor: Jordan Long
  • Patent number: 9398822
    Abstract: A container (1) having a lower part (2) and a lid (3) which covers the lower part (3), wherein the lid (3) has a closure (4) that can be moved from a first position into at least one further position, wherein the lower part (3) is fully closed by a covering (5), and the closure (4) is configured such that at least one opening (13) is realized in the covering (5) when the closure (4) is moved from the first position into the at least one further position. Further movement of the closure (4) to a third position exposes the at least one opening (13), allowing access to a medium stored in the container (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Red Bull GmbH
    Inventor: Manuel Wille
  • Patent number: 9398823
    Abstract: A container is provided with a lid having a push-button trigger mechanism that operates both a drink seal for a drinking opening and a vent seal for a vent opening. The trigger translates in a straight line transverse to a longitudinal axis of the container body during the entire movement of the trigger to define a straight-line actuation stroke. The vent opening is initially opened during a first portion of the actuation stroke of the trigger, and the drink opening is initially opened during a second portion of the actuation stroke of the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: IGNITE USA, LLC
    Inventor: Steven N. Pinelli
  • Patent number: 9398824
    Abstract: A cantilever-style wine server for mounting to a table has a unitary frame composed of shaped metal bars, such as shaped rods with circular cross-sections. The frame includes a holder that serves as a receptacle for a wine bucket, insulator, and/or a bottle, and a mount/handle that serves as both a cantilever mount to the side of a table and as a handle to transport the server. The holder and mount/handle are unified as a single frame, such as by multiple welds. The frame has a flat base, enabling the server (even when fully loaded) to be set down on a flat surface. A removable cover may center a wine bottle in the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: JEK2, LLC
    Inventors: Judi Krumwiede, James Krumwiede
  • Patent number: 9398825
    Abstract: A bottle cross frame and method for making a bottle cross. The bottle cross frame provides a metal framework structured to receive four bottles, typically of wine bottle shape and size, and to retain the bottles in a cross shape. The frame includes a top post for receiving a single upside down bottle, as well as two side arms to each receive a single bottle to form the lateral arms of the cross. A base of the cross is formed by positioning a bottle upright between a base pin and a bottom bracket positioned along a stand component. The frame includes a stake stand component and an alternate bracket component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Inventor: Richard Kresta
  • Patent number: 9398826
    Abstract: The infusion unit (3) comprises a moving element (9) with a seat (15) for ingredients for making said beverages, forming an infusion chamber (15) and shifting from a position for charging the ingredients to an infusion position, wherein the seat is between a hot water dispensing device (41) and a beverage outlet nozzle (35) opposite one another. The hot water dispensing device (41) comprises a cylinder-piston actuator (43, 47) fed by a first conduit (48) of water under pressure that controls a closing movement of the dispensing device (41) towards the seat (15) in infusion position. Moreover, the piston (47) of the actuator is associated to a conduit (57) of hot water under pressure. The piston exhibits a feeding chamber (55) of the hot water under pressure with an outlet port on a closing surface (53A) of the infusion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Andrea Favero, Andrea Ferraro, Giovanni Berto
  • Patent number: 9398827
    Abstract: A delivery assembly for a machine for preparing liquids product by means of cartridges includes: an injector device, to let water and/or steam under pressure in the cartridge, an infusion chamber, facing the injector device and capable of receiving one said cartridge, retention element, capable of maintaining the cartridge in a position substantially coaxial to the infusion chamber and the injector device. The retention elements having: a support element of the cartridge, sustained in a displaceable way by the injector device in a part thereof that generally faces towards the outlet passage; and guiding elements mounted in a fixed position at generally opposite side parts of the injector device, that frontally protrude from the injector device and are capable of laterally constraining the cartridge to guide it until a position substantially coaxial to the infusion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: LUIGI LAVAZZA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luca Bugnano, Alberto Cabilli
  • Patent number: 9398828
    Abstract: A spray distribution assembly (14) for a hot beverage brewer (10) with a spray head (20) having a generally vertical passageway (22) for receipt of hot water and an umbrella-like member (34) with an underlying spray plate (38) having a downwardly, outwardly tapered top surface with radiating, outwardly, downwardly directed, upwardly facing grooves and an upwardly standing central core (58) snuggly received within the passageway (22) joined to the underside of the top of the umbrella-like member (34) with a plurality of vertical radially, outwardly facing grooves (68) extending from the top to the bottom to form a plurality of peripheral closed channels for passing hot water to upwardly facing grooves (74) of the umbrella-like body. The umbrella-like spray plate assembly may be attached to a cup shaped spray housing (144) in lieu of a flat spray plate (142) by means of a mounting adapter (158).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: FOOD EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Leszek M. Wroblewski, Zbigniew G. Lassota
  • Patent number: 9398829
    Abstract: An in-line heater for a liquid food or beverage preparation machine, in which machine liquid is circulated through the heater and then guided into a brewing chamber for brewing a food or beverage ingredient supplied into said brewing chamber. The heater has a body incorporating an inlet, an outlet and a heating chamber extending therebetween, with the inlet, outlet and heating chamber forming together a rigid passage for guiding the liquid circulating through the body, and one or more electric components that are secured on or in the body and connected to a printed circuit board arranged to control the heater. The one or more electric components are rigidly connected to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Stefan Etter, Gilles Gavillet, Thomas Hodel, Alexandre Kollep, Peter Möri, Renzo Moser, Peter Preisig, Robin Schwab
  • Patent number: 9398830
    Abstract: A base for a food mixer includes a body in which a motor is mounted. The base further includes a control unit having a first touch control panel and a processor. The first touch control panel is mounted to a first side of the body. The first touch control panel includes a sliding section. A finger of a user is adapted to slide from an end towards the other end of the sliding section, producing a sliding signal indicative of a sliding distance and a sliding direction of the finger of the user. The processor is in direct or indirect electrical connection with the motor and the first touch control panel. The processor receives the sliding signal and includes a motor control program. The processor changes a speed of the motor according to the sliding signal due to sliding of the finger of the user alone the sliding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Inventor: Wen Ching Lee
  • Patent number: 9398831
    Abstract: A food pusher for a food processor is provided. The food pusher includes a first member configured to be slidably received in a feed tube of a food processor, and a second member slidably received in the first member. The second member includes a valve positioned at the bottom thereof that is configured to open when the second member is fully inserted into the first member to release the liquid contents of the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: CONAIR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Joseph W. Zakowski
  • Patent number: 9398832
    Abstract: Disclosed is a towel in which a pouch is not provided and the decoupling of a towel body is possible, so that the towel can sufficiently washed and freely used in various fields. The towel is coupled to a portable terminal, a bag, a purse, a key holder, a diary, or a handbag. The towel includes a towel body, a pocket part provided on one surface of the towel body to receive the towel body, a connection member coupled to the pocket part, and a coupling member mounted in the connection member. As the towel is used, the pouch is not provided different from a conventional towel, so that the size of the towel is reduced and the fabrication cost is saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Inventor: Dae Up Sohn
  • Patent number: 9398833
    Abstract: A system for dispensing paper product at a food-selling establishment. The system includes a point-of-sale device for entering details of a particular sale transaction, with the point-of-sale device being configured to output a slip containing specific indicia associated with the particular sale transaction. A dispenser of paper product is configured to obtain information from the specific indicia on the slip and to dispense a predetermined quantity of paper product in response to the obtained information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventor: Kenneth Ernest Saffran
  • Patent number: 9398834
    Abstract: A spindle for mounting a roll of wiping material thereon. The spindle has a longitudinal extension and direction and includes a body and at least three elongated spring elements extending along the longitudinal direction. The body has a center section adapted to hold the roll, and each elongated spring element has a first end and a second end. The spindle is adapted to hold the roll and to be rotated about an essentially horizontal axis. The at least three elongated spring elements are arranged for stabilizing the roll on the center section. The first end and the second end of each spring element are fixedly attached to the body such that the spring elements are fixedly positioned in the longitudinal direction on the body. A holder for a roll of wiping material comprising such a spindle is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventor: Giovanni Benedetti
  • Patent number: 9398835
    Abstract: An interactive device that is an accessory to a flush toilet and is positioned at the rear of the flush toilet and may be attached to the rear of the toilet such that the user would use the flush toilet in the reverse position. The interactive device may include a toy, game, or computer. The interactive device may be secured to the toilet by straps or to the toilet lid hinges and may be detachable from the flush toilet. The interactive device may have hinges that allow the interactive device to be folded to a compact configuration. The interactive device makes “going to the bathroom” enjoyable for both the child and parent, while educating the child to appreciate and to become more accustomed to using a flush toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Inventors: John Vincent McCarthy, Robert Story
  • Patent number: 9398836
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus, such as a steam mop or fluid delivery mop, comprises an upright housing and a foot coupled to the upright housing. The cleaning apparatus comprises an illumination element for illuminating a fluid supply tank and the contents therein. A cleaning pad can be mounted to a lower surface of the foot and positioned to contact the surface to be cleaned. A movable agitator provided on the foot is configured for movement between a first use position in contact with the surface to be cleaned and a second non-use position out of contact with the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Luedke, Kan Yuk Yiu, Jian Yun Pi, Joseph P. Perry, Jian Gang Fan
  • Patent number: 9398837
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating insertion of an endotracheal tube and/or for verifying the position of the endotracheal tube within an airway of a patient with respect to an anatomical landmark of a patient are disclosed. Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating removal of debris from the distal airways of a patient under direct visualization are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: ENDOCLEAR LLC
    Inventors: Brad E. Vazales, Arthur Bertolero, Alan Davidner, Ken Watson, James M. Gracy, Clifton P. Colwell, Craig B. Berky, Dwight Morejohn
  • Patent number: 9398838
    Abstract: An endoscope including a catheter, a steering handle for controlling the bending of the catheter, and a pipe connector. The catheter includes an outer tube and an inner tube. The outer tube is sleeved outside the inner tube. The steering handle includes a handle sleeve and a handle cover. The handle sleeve is sleeved outside the handle cover. An axial guide rail and a sliding block are arranged between the handle sleeve and the handle cover. The guide rail and the sliding block are fixed on the handle sleeve or the handle cover respectively. The outer tube is fixedly connected with the handle sleeve. The inner tube penetrates a through hole in the center of the handle sleeve, is connected with a port of the pipe connector and fixed therein. The pipe connector is positioned in the handle cover and fixedly connected therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: WUHAN YOUCARE TECHNICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gang Long, Lei Song, Zhiqiang Chen, Yaohui Wu, Ping Xia
  • Patent number: 9398839
    Abstract: A protective sleeve for an endoscope having an endoscope tube is provided. The protective sleeve of certain embodiments can include a tubular main body for holding a distal section of the endoscope tube. The main body has an open proximal end and a cover glass at the distal end. The cover glass has a spherically curved, concave inside, a spherically curved, convex outside and a constant thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Henke-Sass, Wolf GmbH
    Inventor: Oliver Rehe
  • Patent number: 9398840
    Abstract: An endoscope with a variable direction of view is provided, which includes an endoscope shaft and imaging optics arranged inside the endoscope shaft. These image an object located before the distal end of the endoscope and produce an image of the object in the proximal area of the endoscope in which a field stop is arranged. The produced image is larger than the field stop. In the proximal area of the endoscope an image module is arranged with which the relative position between the produced image and the field stop can be changed for changing the section of the produced image visible after the field stop in order to change the direction of view of the endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Henke-Sass, Wolf GmbH
    Inventor: Oliver Rehe
  • Patent number: 9398841
    Abstract: A steerable probe comprises a body and drive means arranged to drive the probe through a sample. The body comprises at least three body sections extending parallel to each other along the probe and each movable relative to the others along the probe. The drive means is arranged to move each of the body sections in turn relative to the others thereby to drive the probe through the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Imperial Innovations Limited
    Inventors: Ferdinando Marie Rodriguez Y Baena, Luca Frasson
  • Patent number: 9398842
    Abstract: According to the present invention, an endoscope valve is provided that comprises a cylinder, a cylinder liner, a piston, and a sleeve. The cylinder has a groove on a lateral surface of the cylinder. The cylinder liner has a cylindrical shape and is inserted into an inner circumference of the cylinder. The piston is inserted into an inner circumference of the cylinder liner. The sleeve has a sleeve rib, a sleeve skirt, and a pin. The sleeve rib covers at least part of an open end of the cylinder. The sleeve skirt covers at least part of a circumferential surface of the open end. The pin projects from the sleeve skirt towards the circumferential surface to engage with the groove. The cylinder liner has a rib that projects radially outward from a circumference of the cylinder liner. The sleeve rib holds the rib on the open end in the case that the pin engages with the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Furuta
  • Patent number: 9398843
    Abstract: An observation unit can be stably held in a state where the observation unit is mounted on a distal portion, and can be easily removed without interfering with a connection pipe. A mounting hole for mounting an observation unit on a distal end body which constitutes a distal portion is formed. The mounting hole is formed with a first holding portion into which the distal portion of the lens barrel is inserted, a second holding portion into which a prism holder is inserted, and a releasing portion having a space larger than the external diameter of the lens barrel between the first and second holding portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Morimoto
  • Patent number: 9398844
    Abstract: Embodiments related to improving a color-resolving ability of a user of a see-thru display device are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment includes, on a see-thru display device, constructing and displaying virtual imagery to superpose onto real imagery sighted by the user through the see-thru display device. The virtual imagery is configured to accentuate a locus of the real imagery of a color poorly distinguishable by the user. Such virtual imagery is then displayed by superposing it onto the real imagery, in registry with the real imagery, in a field of view of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Ambrus, Adam Smith-Kipnis, Stephen Latta, Daniel McCulloch, Brian Mount, Kevin Geisner, Ian McIntyre
  • Patent number: 9398845
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the topography of the corneal and scleral regions of the eye. The measurements provide surface contours that are useful in the manufacture of scleral contact lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: EYEDEAL SCANNING LLC
    Inventor: Robert P Bishop
  • Patent number: 9398846
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a tomography image of a target to be captured, a detection unit configured to detect layer boundaries of a plurality of layers sequentially positioned in the depth direction from the acquired tomography image, and a determination unit configured to determine a structure of the target to be captured according to the number of the detected layer boundaries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuta Nakano, Kenji Morita
  • Patent number: 9398847
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a head-mounted display may include one or more displays for displaying images. A left and right movable disk may be placed respectively between the left and right eyes of a user and the one or more displays. The user may wear the HMD, and may adjust the spacing between the left and right disks while viewing the computer-displayed image or images through holes in the plastic discs. For example, the HMD may display a stereo colored bulls eye pattern, of which the user can only see a portion because their vision is restricted to on-axis viewing by the discs. The computer may instruct the user to move the HMD disks until the user can only see the color in the center of the bulls eye. In certain embodiments, by performing the foregoing adjustment, the eye may be oriented on the proper optical axis to look through an optimal location of a lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: VALVE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dan Newell, Benjamin David Krasnow
  • Patent number: 9398848
    Abstract: A method of performing eye gaze tracking of at least one eye of a user, by determining the position of the center of the eye, said method comprising the steps of: detecting the position of at least three reflections on said eye, transforming said positions to spanning a normalized coordinate system spanning a frame of reference, detecting the position of said center of the eye relative to the position of said reflections and transforming this position to said normalized coordinate system, tracking the eye gaze by tracking the movement of said eye in said normalized coordinate system. Thereby calibration of a camera, such as knowledge of the exact position and zoom level of the camera, is avoided. Further, it is not necessary to know the position of light sources. This results in a much more flexible and user friendly system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: IT-UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN
    Inventor: Dan Witzner Hansen
  • Patent number: 9398849
    Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus includes: a light projecting optical system to project light to each point on a fundus of an examinee's eye; a light receiving optical system including a light receiving element to receive light from the fundus emitted from each point on the fundus resulting from the light projected from the light projecting optical system; and a controller for controlling the ophthalmic apparatus, wherein the controller is configured to: acquire intensity information representing intensity of the light from the fundus corresponding to each point on the fundus based on a result of received light of the light receiving element; and analyze a degree of opacity in an optic media of the examinee's eye based on the intensity information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tokio Ueno, Katsuyasu Mizuno, Junichi Akita
  • Patent number: 9398850
    Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus comprising: an illumination optical system including a light source and configured to illuminate an eye to be examined; an imaging optical system including an image sensor and configured to image the eye illuminated by the illumination optical system; an optical member insertion/removal unit configured to insert/remove an optical member in/from at least one of optical paths in the illumination optical system and the imaging optical system; and a notification unit configured to notify an insertion/removal state of the optical member with respect to the optical path based on a signal output from the image sensor in synchronism with insertion/removal of the optical member in/from the optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Itoh
  • Patent number: 9398851
    Abstract: A retinal imaging device and illumination module. The illumination module includes a light source to provide an incident beam along an illumination axis, a condenser lens at a spaced apart distance from the light source for condensing the incident beam and emanating a condensed incident beam, a transparent plate at a spaced apart distance from the condenser lens, wherein the transparent plate comprises a light absorber, at least one projections lens system to focus the condensed incident beam, a shield at a spaced apart distance from the projection lens system to yield a first partially blocked beam to form a comea illumination doughnut, and a perforated mirror comprising a hollow cylinder. A portion of the hollow cylinder protrudes out from a reflecting face of the mirror, forming an elliptical stopper to yield a second partially blocked beam to form a pupil illumination doughnut, enabling reflex-free imaging of the retina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Remidio Innovative Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
    Inventors: Sivaraman Anand, Kummaya Pramod, Nagarajan Shanmuganathan
  • Patent number: 9398852
    Abstract: A medical telemetry system include: a transmitter which transmits a first signal; a first medical telemeter which transmits a second signal including biological information of a patient, the first medical telemeter which receives the first signal and which performs an operation corresponding to information included in the first signal; and a monitor apparatus which receives the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshinori Enomoto
  • Patent number: 9398853
    Abstract: A medical telemetry system for remote monitoring of data collected from mobile persons including a sensor capable of monitoring physiological data, a mobile communication telemeter operably connected to said sensor for communicating physiological data to terminals, a plurality of terminals for receiving physiological data and for communication said physiological data over a wireless link using the Bluetooth standard to a communication gateway, and a communications gateway for communicating such physiological data to a first end of a communications network. Terminal may also be operably connected to power lines and may be capable of transmitting data via both a wireless link and a power line modem over power lines, such that the power line modem is capable of communicating or receiving physiological data over power lines if it is unable to communicate physiological data over a wireless link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: LifeWatch Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Reuven Nanikashvili
  • Patent number: 9398854
    Abstract: A system is provided for obtaining monitored information about an individual and provide the individual with feedback. A monitoring device has one or more sensors that detect or measure individual information selected from of at least one of, an individual's activities, behaviors and habit information, and an individual's health. The monitoring device includes ID circuitry with an ID storage that contains a unique individual ID, a communication system which reads and transmits the unique individual ID from the ID storage, a power source and a pathway system. A telemetry system is in communication with the monitoring device. The telemetry system has a database that includes base individual information selected from at least one of, individual physiological information, information that is indicative of the individual's activities, data indicative of one or more contextual parameters of the individual and information regarding a degree to which an individual has followed a routine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Hello Inc.
    Inventor: James Proud
  • Patent number: 9398855
    Abstract: A method and system for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based motion correction in position emission tomography (PET) images is disclosed. A static 3D magnetic resonance (MR) image of a patient is received. PET image data of the patient and a series of 2D MR images of the patient acquired simultaneous to the acquisition of the PET image data are received. A 3D+t motion field is estimated by registering the series of 2D MR images acquired at the plurality of time points to the static 3D MR image. A motion corrected PET image is generated based on the estimated 3D+t motion field using motion corrected PET reconstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Shun Miao, Rui Liao, Christophe Chefd'hotel
  • Patent number: 9398856
    Abstract: Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: GEELUX HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventor: Marcio Marc Abreu
  • Patent number: 9398857
    Abstract: A diagnostic imaging apparatus and a method of operating the diagnostic imaging apparatus. The diagnostic imaging apparatus includes: a probe that scans a subject, into which a contrast agent is injected, to obtain a scan signal; and a display unit that displays a scan video image obtained based on the scan signal, on a first region of a screen, and N captured images from the scan video image on a second region of the screen, where N is a natural number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-jin Choi, Jong-sik Kim, Yoon-chang Lee
  • Patent number: 9398858
    Abstract: A portable testing unit for biometric identity confirmation includes a housing with an orifice to receive a breath sample from the test subject, a spirometric sensor, and a pulse sensor adjacent to the orifice. A processor analyzes spirometric data from the spirometric sensor and simultaneous pulse wave data from the pulse sensor during the breath sample, together with stored subject characterization data for a known subject to confirm whether the identity of the test subject matches the known subject. A communications link enables the processor to communicate to the external station whether the identity of the test subject matches the known subject. For example, this portable testing unit can be used to control access to a secure facility or computer, authenticate the identity of a party in a financial transaction, or confirm the identity of the subject of an alcohol monitoring test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Integrated Monitoring Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Kirby Phillips, Geoffrey A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9398859
    Abstract: A wearable defibrillator consists of a vest (or belt) which is worn by the patient. The device monitors the patient's ECG with sensing electrodes and can monitor other patient conditions and in appropriate cases can treat certain conditions. An accelerometer(s) in the wearable defibrillator can allow for the device to determine the position, movements, forces applied to the patient, and/or the device. The device can use a least one patient motion detector generating a signal indicative of patient activity. Analysis of the signal can be indicative of patient activity appropriate for treatment or indication of device condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shane S. Volpe, John D. Macho, Wade Braden, Thomas E. Kaib, Marshal W. Linder
  • Patent number: 9398860
    Abstract: An example system and method of determining a likely core of a rotational source associated with a heart rhythm disorder are disclosed. A plurality of relative diffusion shapes associated with wave fronts is calculated at a plurality of time points associated with the rotational source. The wave fronts associated with heart signals. A plurality of intersecting points of a smallest relative diffusion shape and other relative diffusion shapes is determined. A bounded polygon of the intersecting points is defined as the likely core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Topera, Inc.
    Inventors: William Robert Macneil, Ruchir Sehra
  • Patent number: 9398861
    Abstract: Provided are methods for noninvasively assessing intracranial pressure (“ICP”) based on optic nerve sheath diameter (“ONSD”) and a blood velocity metric, such as pulsatility or resistivity index. Also provided are related devices and systems for performing the claimed methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Third Eye Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Bellezza, William Lai
  • Patent number: 9398862
    Abstract: In some aspects, a method includes measuring unipolar signals at one or more electrodes in response to electrical activity in a heart cavity. The method also includes determining, based at least in part on Laplace's equation, bipolar physiological information at multiple locations of an surface based on the measured unipolar signals and positions of the one or more electrodes with respect to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Rhythmia Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Doron Harlev, Zsolt Badics