Patents Issued in July 4, 2017
  • Patent number: 9693647
    Abstract: Constructing a mikveh by permanently fixing at least one initial building unit to the ground of an installation site, connecting, in a sealed manner, additional building units to the initial building unit(s), for producing a sealed vessel, where the length of each of most of said building units is at least 50 centimeters, and the weight per area thereof is less than 250 kg per square meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Gidon Israel Ebenspanger
  • Patent number: 9693648
    Abstract: A slicer device and a method of using a slicer device for slicing and removing a fleshy part of a watermelon surrounded by a rind. The device includes a cutter piece, a plurality of cutters and at least one support bar attached to an outer surface of the cutter piece. The cutter piece has an outer surface and an inner surface defining an interior for receiving the fleshy part of the watermelon. The plurality of cutters are within the interior of the cutter piece arranged to form a pattern with a plurality of openings, with each of the openings being defined between cutters or between at least one cutter and the inner surface of the cutter piece, such that the fleshy part of the watermelon within the rind is cut into multiple pieces with geometric shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Daniel G. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9693649
    Abstract: A cooking appliance kit includes a housing having a plurality of walls defining a heating cavity. A cooking vessel is configured to be inserted into the heating cavity. The cooking vessel includes a first rounded end, a second rounded end, and an intermediate necked portion that defines first and second wells that at least partially intersect. First and second distinct heater plates are disposed in the first and second wells, respectively. First and second drive arms are removable coupled to the housing in an operable communication with the drive system. The first drive arm includes a flipping wand and the second drive arm includes a stirring wand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Conti, Christopher A. Gregory
  • Patent number: 9693650
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems for liquid flow control and beverage preparation are disclosed. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention include liquid flow control and beverage preparation capsules, pods, cartridges, pouches, systems, and modules for controlling and directing flow streams of liquid through a beverage preparation process. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention may be used in combination with or included as an integral assembly of any apparatus, method or system for liquid dispension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Lukasz D. Skalski, Tiemen T. Van Dillen
  • Patent number: 9693651
    Abstract: Beverage collector (11) for collecting a centrifuged brewed liquid coming from a rotating brewing unit (2); said collector comprising: —a collecting track (13) forming an annular cavity and, —at least one outlet (14) extending radially in the collecting track (13) for allowing the brewed liquid received in the collecting track to evacuate out of the collecting track, wherein said collecting track comprises at least one ramp surface (15) lowering in the annular direction (O) towards the outlet (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Stefan Etter, Alexandre Perentes, Christian Jarisch, Manuela Rothacher Etter
  • Patent number: 9693652
    Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: an arrangement (40) for processing one or more beverage ingredients to dispense a beverage; a control unit (21) connected to the ingredient processing arrangement for controlling the processing of such one or more beverage ingredients; and a communication module (11) for communication with an external network (50, 511). The communication module (11) is prevented from controlling the ingredient processing arrangement (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Fabien Ludovic Agon
  • Patent number: 9693653
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a cookware article is described comprising the steps of forming, surface hardening, oxidizing and electroforming of very hard silver or silver alloys to coat the interior part of the article. Silver ensures antibacterial and antiviral properties, improved thermal conductivity allowing to cook under the cracking threshold of oils and greases either added to or present in the substances being cooked, inhibits the sticking of food while cooking and facilitates the detachment from the surface of the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SAN LORENZO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Pietro Luigi Cavallotti, Ciro Cacchione
  • Patent number: 9693654
    Abstract: A system and method to address the shortcomings of previous and existing designs by incorporating novel and unique features allowing the invention to perform well for a wide variety of popular dishes and meal solutions. Some embodiments of the present invention include a kitchen countertop barrel cooker which rotate bite size or smaller food ingredients around a horizontal axis and use a unique tumbler blade design which also rotates food around perpendicular horizontal axes resulting in thorough mixing and equalization of temperature throughout. The resulting uniform temperature allows readings from a non-contact infrared sensor to be relevant and effective for automatically assessing and controlling doneness. The embodiments vary primarily in how ingredients are handled. Each allows the draining of unwanted liquid from the ingredient contents during cooking or before unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Dennis Carl Smith
  • Patent number: 9693655
    Abstract: Pan support apparatus and associated methods. A pan is removably receivable in at least one pan storage space of the pan storage apparatus. A cover is supported in the pan storage space for covering an open top of the pan. The cover is removably supported in the pan storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Steven Shei, Ralph Macy, Douglas M. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9693656
    Abstract: A grill includes an upper cover, a supporting body and a grill frame. The grill frame is provided on the supporting body. The grill frame includes left and right boards, a back board and a front board, which all enclose into the grill frame. Heaters are provided within the grill frame and a roasting plate which tilts towards a front of the grill frame is provided above the heaters. The roasting plate has slots from which oil and grease drip down into an oil dripping slot provided on the front board and then into an oil guiding slot provided below the front board. The oil guiding slot has an oil channel of a certain angle. An oil collecting box is provided below a side of the oil guiding slot. A warming net is provided above the roasting plate and mounted on the left and right boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Changsha Eletric Drive System Technology Co., LTD
    Inventors: Yuxuan Chen, Juan Chen, Yao Zou, Jun Chen
  • Patent number: 9693657
    Abstract: A spice mill includes a gear mechanism operable in a first operational state wherein the gear mechanism is coupled to a first grinding mechanism and a second operational state wherein the gear mechanism is coupled to a second grinding mechanism. A selector connected to the gear mechanism is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the gear mechanism is operable in the first operational state and in the second position the gear mechanism is operable in the second operational state. A cover part is rotatably mounted to the body and connected to the gear mechanism. Rotation of the cover part in a first direction rotates the first grinding mechanism when the gear mechanism is in the first operational state and rotation of the cover part in the first direction rotates the second grinding mechanism when the gear mechanism is in the second operational state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Mark Cameron Naden, Boris Kontorovich
  • Patent number: 9693658
    Abstract: A hand operated device for storing, measuring, and dispensing powder or granular materials, with a simplified structure and reduced number of parts. The housing integrates a material storage container with a dispenser, comprising: special compartments and sound damper, made of elastic porous material that makes use of the device quiet; a one touch assembly and disassembly of an inner space of the device where the dispenser is located; structural elements for dispensing a predetermined volume of the material or its fraction, including a way to reduce the length of the working stroke of the dispensing mechanism; wall extensions to prevent bridges of sticky particles forming; separating walls to allow delivery a more than one material stored in one device including more than one material transporting mechanisms inside the dispenser; and structural elements providing exact measuring, and sifting or pouting of the materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventors: Yury Sherman, Michael Sherman, Ilya Alexandrov, Ramkumar Krishnan
  • Patent number: 9693659
    Abstract: The bathtub seat is a shelving cabinet that is mounted into the wall adjacent to a bathtub. The bathtub seat has attached to it a foraminous door that swings away from the shelving cabinet towards the side of the bathtub such that the foraminous door is supported by the side of the bathtub that is distal to the side of the bathtub that that is proximal to the shelving cabinet. The bathtub seat comprises a shelving cabinet and a foraminous door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Jorge Cancio
  • Patent number: 9693660
    Abstract: The present application discloses shelving systems (e.g., shower stations) with adjustable shelves (e.g., baskets) that can be moved by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: InterDesign, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Stelmarski, Radu Alexandru Ghiorghie
  • Patent number: 9693661
    Abstract: A hand sanitizer dispenser is attached to a fuel pump dispenser to provide a patron with the option to cleanse his hands after pumping fuel. The hand sanitizer includes a first dispensing outlet to dispense liquid-based hand sanitizer product; and a second dispensing outlet to dispense packaged hand sanitizer product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Daniel Lin
  • Patent number: 9693662
    Abstract: A motor enclosure for a vacuum cleaner motor having an air inlet and an air outlet may enclose the vacuum cleaner motor and the motor enclosure may form a channel structure around the vacuum cleaner motor for guiding at least a part of an airflow exiting the air outlet of the vacuum cleaner motor during use to turn by an angle of 360° or more about an axis that is perpendicular to a line between the air inlet and the air outlet of the vacuum cleaner motor. Further, a mounting suspension may connect the vacuum cleaner motor to a housing of the vacuum and may suspend the motor enclosure, for example such that the motor enclosure is only connected to the suspension and the motor enclosure is connected to the motor and the vacuum cleaner only via the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: NELA rasvojni center d.o.o. Podruznica OTOKI, Domel d.o.o., Arcelik A.S.
    Inventors: Matej Tadina, Janez Rihtarsic, Igor Markic, David Koblar, Andrej Bicek
  • Patent number: 9693663
    Abstract: A method of tufting, with a tufting tool, a brushroll dowel for a vacuum cleaner having a bristle stiffener protruding from the dowel and a bristle hole adjacent the bristle stiffener. The tufting tool includes a notch. The method provides a brushroll with bristles tufted into the bristle hole adjacent the bristle stiffener. A brushroll for a vacuum cleaner can be made using an injection molding process, with bristle stiffeners integrally molded with the dowel and a plurality of stiffened bristles protruding from the brush dowel adjacent to the bristle stiffeners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary A. Kasper
  • Patent number: 9693664
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a cyclone separator for separating dirt and other contaminants from a dirt-containing working airstream and a collection chamber collecting the separated dirt. The vacuum cleaner can further include fines catcher defining a second collection chamber, where the bottom end of the fines catcher is spaced from the bottom wall of the first collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Phong H. Tran
  • Patent number: 9693665
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a debris separator that includes a housing, a cyclonic separator including a cylindrical wall having a first end and a second end. The cylindrical wall is located in within the housing and the cyclonic separator further includes a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, a debris outlet adjacent the second end, and a longitudinal axis surrounded by the cylindrical wall and the longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separator extends in generally a horizontal orientation. The debris separator further includes a lid coupled to the housing and the cyclonic separator is coupled to the lid such that the cyclonic separator is removable from the housing with the lid. A debris collection chamber is located within the housing and in fluid communication with the debris outlet of the cyclonic separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: David Khalil, Christopher M. Charlton, Justin C. Andrikanich, David Chaney, William Nabors
  • Patent number: 9693666
    Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus has an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet; a main body comprising a suction motor provided in the air flow path, the suction motor having a suction motor axis, an inlet end and an outlet end; a cyclone bin assembly provided in the air flow path, the cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber, the cyclone chamber having a longitudinal cyclone axis, a cyclone air inlet and a cyclone air outlet provided at a lower end of the cyclone chamber and a dirt outlet provided at an upper end of the cyclone chamber; and, a handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9693667
    Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system control subsystem for use in a central vacuum cleaning system having a motor includes a central vacuum unit control module with a receiver for wirelessly receiving command signals, and a power stage for controlling the motor in accordance with command signals received through the receiver. The control module is stable in high ambient temperature. Current flowing to the motor is sensed, and motor overcurrent and undercurrent conditions are determined. The control module determines when the motor is in an overcurrent condition. Power stage has a triac for controlling power to the motor. The control module also has a microprocessor that compares the current sensed against a normal operating current to determine overcurrent condition. Power to motor ceases when overcurrent condition exists. A generator is powered by air flow in a cleaning system for production of electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: CUBE INVESTMENTS LIMITED
    Inventor: J. Vern Cunningham
  • Patent number: 9693668
    Abstract: A cleaning pad structure of stitch bonded construction incorporating one or more substrate layers of an absorbent nonwoven material with an optional additional fluid blocking substrate layer of polymer film or other suitable material in juxtaposed relation to the absorbent nonwoven layers. Stitching yarns are introduced in stitching relation through the substrate layers. One face of the pad defines a cleaning surface of raised yarn loops formed by the stitched yarns. The pad further includes an attachment surface facing away from the cleaning surface. The stitches of yarns across the attachment surface define an engagement surface for attachment to cooperating hooking elements across a surface of a mop head to define a hook and loop attachment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: TIETEX INTERNATIONAL LTD
    Inventor: Martin Wildeman
  • Patent number: 9693669
    Abstract: A filter assembly for a dishwasher appliance is provided including a first filter, a second filter, and a backflow device. The backflow device is positioned within the second filter and movably attached to the second filter, such that backflow device is movable between an open position and a closed position. When in the closed position, the backflow device prevents a flow of fluid through an inlet of the second filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Charles Boyer
  • Patent number: 9693670
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance including a tub defining a wash chamber is provided. The dishwasher appliance also includes a sump positioned at a bottom portion of the tub, the sump including a bottom wall that defines a recessed chamber. A drain pump is provided in flow communication with the recessed chamber defined by the bottom wall of the sump. Moreover, a filter assembly is positioned at least partially within the sump and movable along an axial direction of the sump between a first position and a second position. The filter assembly is positioned over the recessed chamber of the bottom wall when in the first position and is seated on the bottom wall of the sump around the recessed chamber when in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: John Edward Dries
  • Patent number: 9693671
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a dishwasher and a dishwasher having the same are provided. The hinge assembly (100) includes: a hinge friction sleeve (11) having an inserting groove (111), in which the inserting groove (111) extends along a length direction of the hinge friction sleeve (11) and has a first end provided with a snap-fitting rod (112) and a second end provided with a snap-fitting portion (113); and an L-shaped hinge (12) having a horizontal limb (121) fitted within the inserting groove (111), in which the horizontal limb (121) has a first end snap-fitted with the snap-fitting rod (112) and a second end provided with an open axial groove (1212) fitted with the snap-fitting portion (113), the snap-fitting portion (113) is snap-fitted within the open axial groove (1212) to close an opening of the open axial groove (1212), and an upper edge of the open axial groove (1212) is spaced apart from an upper edge of the snap-fitting portion (113) at a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FOSHAN SHUNDE MIDEA WASHING APPLIANCES MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Leixun Ju, Pingping Xu, Haibo Zhang
  • Patent number: 9693672
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber and a sprayer for spraying liquid to the treating chamber. The sprayer may include a liquid passage and at least one outlet extending from an interior to an exterior of the sprayer and in fluid communication with the liquid passage. A membrane may have at least one opening and may be in fluid communication with the liquid passage to control the flow of liquid through the at least one outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Mark S. Feddema
  • Patent number: 9693673
    Abstract: A warewasher (1) provided as a box-type warewasher and a method for operating such a warewasher (1) are provided. In accordance with the warewasher and method, during the adsorption phase, air is guided from the treatment chamber (2) of the machine (1) through a drying unit (40) in such a way that moisture from the airflow is absorbed by a dry material, wherein the air is then fed again to the treatment chamber (2). Furthermore, the drying device is arranged above the treatment chamber (2) so as to effectively prevent penetration of splashed water into the drying device (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: PREMARK FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Harald Disch, Dietrich Berner, Allen Jakway
  • Patent number: 9693674
    Abstract: A rigid endoscope includes an imaging module and a hermetic shell for containing the imaging module. A connecting line is contained in the hermetic shell, and has first and second ends. The first end is connected to the imaging module. A receiving opening is formed in the hermetic shell. A female tapered surface is formed inside the receiving opening. A sealed terminal device is connected electrically with the second end of the connecting line, for hermetically closing the receiving opening. A male tapered surface is formed on the sealed terminal device, for retaining the sealed terminal device in the receiving opening by engagement with the female tapered surface, to keep the hermetic shell air-tight. Preferably, the male and female tapered surfaces are attached together by laser welding. Also, the sealed terminal device includes a lead-through conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kido
  • Patent number: 9693675
    Abstract: Provided herein is a composition that includes: (i) chelator (e.g., ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)), (ii) buffer system (e.g., potassium phosphate dibasic and sodium hydroxide), (iii) cleaner (e.g., diethyl glycol monoethyl ether), (iv) solubilizer (e.g., propylene glycol), and (v) diluent (e.g., water), wherein the composition has a pH of at least about 9.5. Also provided is a method of cleaning a medical device that includes contacting the medical device with the composition described herein, for a period of time effective to clean the medical device. Subsequent to the cleaning, the medical device can optionally be disinfected, dried, and stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Medivators Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Matta, Tuan Nguyen, Huyen Phuong Bui
  • Patent number: 9693676
    Abstract: A device fashioned in the shape of a toroid is rotated by a mechanism that propels itself in one or more directions based on internal rotation. In one specific example, the toroidal device is a toroidal balloon, where the tread of the toroidal balloon driven vehicle (TBDV) is self-contained and the entire outer surface is dynamic. Such a device is uniquely and ideally suitable for exploration of a tubular structure such as, but not limited to, the alimentary tract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: J. Mathieu Massicotte
  • Patent number: 9693677
    Abstract: A laryngoscope blade which improves the transmission of light from the laryngoscope to enhance the amount of light reflected from an area of interest in a patient. The laryngoscope blade has a channel which extends at least partially though the blade and receives a light source. The channel has a substantially transparent end face which is situated towards the blade end and has an optical element adapted to reduce the ambient light signal from the light source in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: AIRCRAFT MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Matthew McGrath
  • Patent number: 9693678
    Abstract: A network of devices for performing optical/optometric/ophthalmological tests comprises at least one patient-interface designed to display three-dimensional and/or stereoscopic images and provided with at least one display screen with a nested, three-dimensional projection/display capability, and at least one operator-interface designed to apply control and management functions to the patient-interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: REALVISION S.R.L.
    Inventor: Sabino Pisani
  • Patent number: 9693679
    Abstract: The invention relates to a miniature simultaneous vision simulator instrument with various image-forming channels, each one of which projects, onto the retina of the same eye, a component image with a different degree of defocusing of the same observed object, such that the superposition of all of the component images forms a final simultaneous vision image on the retina of the eye. The instrument has at least one adjustable variable focus lens that, as the focus is changed, modifies the vergence of the light beam passing through said adjustable lens. Furthermore, one of the image-forming channels passes through the adjustable variable focus lens. The instrument can operate in the modality of optical channels that are physically differentiated in the modality of temporal channel multiplexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC)
    Inventors: Carlos Dorronsoro Diaz, Jose Ramon Alonso Sanz, Susana Marcos Celestino
  • Patent number: 9693680
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a field of vision testing technique, and particularly to a vision testing apparatus and method. The vision testing method and apparatus can concurrently test vision and ability for distinguishing colors concurrently by using vision synthetic-testing pictures, wherein a character in the vision synthetic-testing picture is used to test the vision, and color combination in the vision synthetic-testing picture is used to test the ability for distinguishing colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li Yang, Yefei Dong
  • Patent number: 9693681
    Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus for measuring an ocular function in a non-contact manner, comprising two or more independent Z alignment detection systems for projecting an alignment light to an eye to be examined and detects a Z alignment position of the eye based on a reflection light from the eye and a control unit for controlling an alignment, wherein the Z alignment detection systems are adapted to have different magnifications, wherein the Z alignment detection systems project the reflection light from the eye to a common photodetection element and the control unit is adapted to execute a coarse Z alignment based on a signal obtained by a Z alignment detection system with a low magnification among the signals obtained from the photodetection element and to execute a precise Z alignment based on a signal obtained by a Z alignment detection system with a high magnification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Masashi Nakajima, Takaichi Tamura
  • Patent number: 9693682
    Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: TearScience, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Patent number: 9693684
    Abstract: Methods and systems to facilitate eye tracking control calibration are provided. One or more objects are displayed on a display of a device, where the one or more objects are associated with a function unrelated to a calculation of one or more calibration parameters. The one or more calibration parameters relate to a calibration of a calculation of gaze information of a user of the device, where the gaze information indicates where the user is looking. While the one or more objects are displayed, eye movement information associated with the user is determined, which indicates eye movement of one or more eye features associated with at least one eye of the user. The eye movement information is associated with a first object location of the one or more objects. The one or more calibration parameters are calculated based on the first object location being associated with the eye movement information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Javier San Agustin Lopez, John Paulin Hansen, Sebastian Sztuk, Martin Henrik Tall
  • Patent number: 9693685
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor sensitive to infrared rays, and a control circuit. The control circuit determines whether the imaging apparatus is mounted on a fundus camera in a state where an image of a fundus of a subject's eye can be captured based on reflected light flux from the fundus, and controls a function of the imaging apparatus depending on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Uchida
  • Patent number: 9693686
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods of and for an ophthalmic visualization system are disclosed. An example ophthalmic visualization system may include a first lens positioned relative to a surgical microscope in a manner facilitating viewing of a central region of a retina through the surgical microscope during a surgical procedure. The first lens may be positionable in an optical path between an eye and the surgical microscope during the surgical procedure. The example ophthalmic visualization system may also include a second lens selectively positionable relative to the surgical microscope and the first lens in a manner facilitating viewing of a peripheral region of the retina of the eye during the surgical procedure. The second lens may be selectively positionable in the optical path such that the peripheral region is selectively viewable without changing the position of the first lens during the surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: NOVARTIS AG
    Inventors: Ronald T. Smith, Lingfeng Yu, Michael Papac, Argelio Michael Olivera, Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 9693687
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ophthalmic examination system includes a plurality of ophthalmic examination apparatuses and a management apparatus that manages the operational status of the ophthalmic examination apparatuses. The ophthalmic examination system includes a receiver, a counting unit, a storage device, and a storage controller. The receiver receives first identification information for identifying a subject. The counting unit includes a counter provided for each apparatus group including at least one ophthalmic examination apparatus, and counts the number of times of use of the apparatus group in units of the first identification information of the subject examined with the ophthalmic examination apparatus included in the apparatus group. The storage controller acquires a counter value indicated by the counter from the counting unit, associates the counter value with second identification information for identifying the apparatus group, and stores them in the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventor: Shigetaka Tsuri
  • Patent number: 9693688
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a data stream generator that generates a data stream associated with a monitored analyte level, and a radio frequency logic portion operatively coupled to the data stream generator, the radio frequency logic portion configured to generate a radio frequency data stream based on the data stream generated from the data stream generator, the radio frequency logic portion further including one or more finite state machines and a plurality of discrete digital logic circuits, the one or more finite state machines configured to control the plurality of digital logic circuits to generate the radio frequency data stream for wireless communication are provided. Systems and kits incorporating the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery Mario Sicurello, Hung Dinh, Mark Kent Sloan
  • Patent number: 9693689
    Abstract: An actively-powered temperature data logger patch with wireless data communication includes a sealed, flexible battery comprising a printed electrochemical cell with an anode and a cathode, and a flexible circuit including a microprocessor, a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of a target subject, a wireless communication transmitter and an antenna. In one example, the temperature sensor is located at a first end of the patch, and the antenna is located at an opposite, second end of the patch. The patch is configured to conform to a curved surface of the target subject and includes an adhesive configured to be removably applied to skin of the patient. An external computing device is capable of receiving communication from the wireless communication transmitter of the patch via an electromagnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: BLUE SPARK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: John Gannon, Matt Ream, Gary R. Tucholski
  • Patent number: 9693690
    Abstract: A digital electronic fetal heart rate and uterine contraction monitoring system with an electronic fetal monitor, a contraction monitoring sensor and a fetal heart rate sensor. A controller configured to receive fetal heart rate data and uterine contraction pressure, identify a contraction start time and end time, and calculate each rest interval in seconds between contractions. The system compares rest intervals to a safe preset limit for rest intervals, calculates a median rest interval and an average rest interval for each fifteen-minute period of labor, and presents a contraction and rest interval graph to a display. The system can activate an alarm on an electronic fetal monitor display or a third party display and can pause a pump that is delivering a drug to increase uterine contractions when a significant criteria of excessive uterine activity is detected outside preset limits to assure adequate blood flow to the fetal brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Stewart Bruce Ater
  • Patent number: 9693691
    Abstract: A method for determining a spatial location of at least one patient data gathering device includes the steps of receiving at least one signal from a geolocation system and analyzing the at least one signal to determine the spatial location of the at least one patient data gathering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ZOLL Medical Corpoaration
    Inventor: Guy Robert Johnson
  • Patent number: 9693692
    Abstract: Various aspects are directed to systems and methods for assessing neural activity of a neural region having multiple subfields. In certain embodiments, a method includes evoking a cellular electrical response in at least one subfield due to neural activity in the neural region, capturing image data of the electrical response at a level sufficiently detailed in space and time to differentiate between polarization-based events of two respective portions of the subfield, and then assessing neural activity by correlating space and time information, from the captured data, for the two respective portions of the sub-field. Other more specific aspects of the invention involve different preparation and neural stimulation approaches which can vary depending on the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Karl Deisseroth, Raag D. Airan, Leslie A. Meltzer
  • Patent number: 9693693
    Abstract: A non-contact, passive method for measurement of arterial pulse from areas such as the major superficial arteries of the body through analysis of thermal IR images acquired by passive thermal IR imaging sensors, and through the modeling of the pulsatile nature of the blood flow and arterial pulse propagation in the circulatory system. The method is automatic and does not need operator input. The output waveform readily contains the information on heart rate, cardiac interbeat intervals, heart-rate variability and other features inherent in arterial pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: University of Louisville Research Foundation
    Inventors: Aly A. Farag, Sergey Y. Chekmenev
  • Patent number: 9693694
    Abstract: Non-invasive apparatus and method for determining and monitoring glucose concentrations in human subjects. Glucose level is estimated through the effect of glucose on biological cells with glucose dependencies, e.g., red blood cells. The invention is based on the interaction of such cells with oscillating electric field gradients. The response of biological cells depends on factors including shape, size, and electrical charge distribution. The field gradient causes the cells to undergo characteristic motion which is detected by light beam scattering. The autocorrelation of the scattered light is computed, and the Fourier transform (FT) is performed to produce a characteristic velocity spectrum in which the peaks are characteristic of the cell “bio-electrical” states. The glucose level is estimated through measurements of changes of FT with changes in glucose levels after calibration with standard glucose methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Folim G. Halaka
  • Patent number: 9693695
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer product for detecting an oral temperature for a human include capturing a thermal image for a human using a camera, detecting a face region of the human from the thermal image, detecting a mouth region on the face region, comparing a temperature value on the mouth region to a reference temperature value on a first other face region, detecting an open mouth region on the mouth region based on a comparison result of the temperature value on the mouth region to the reference temperature value of the first other face region, determining whether a mouth of the human is open enough for an oral temperature to be detected, and computing the oral temperature based on temperature values on the mouth region and at least one other face region, responsive to the determination of the mouth being open enough for the oral temperature to be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Blaine H. Dolph, Jui-Hsin Lai, Ching-Yung Lin, David M. Lubensky
  • Patent number: 9693696
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the instance disclosure are physiological data updates using a weighing scale and a user wearable device. Specific embodiments concern an arrangement of devices including a user wearable device and a weighing scale. The weighing scale is configured and arranged to monitor a plurality of physiological signals of the user using current-impedance electrodes and select data indicative of a physiological parameter of the user, for display on the user wearable device, based on a threshold value and the plurality of physiological signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Physiowave, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Kovacs, Richard M. Wiard
  • Patent number: 9693697
    Abstract: A method, a computer readable media and a hand-held device, the hand-held device may include a first sensor that is positioned such as to be contacted by a first hand of a user when the user holds the hand-held device; a second sensor that is positioned such as to be contacted by a second hand of the user when the user holds the hand-held device; wherein at least one sensor of the first sensor and the second sensor is a hybrid sensor that comprises an electrode, an illumination element and a light detector; and a health monitoring module arranged to process detections signals from the electrode and from the light detector such as to provide processed signals that are indicative of a state of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventors: Benny Tal, Yair Tal, Assaf Pressman