Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100268082 | Ultrasound Imaging System - Methods of probing a material under investigation using an ultrasound beam. Echolocation data is generated using a multi-dimensional transform capable of using phase and magnitude information to distinguish echoes resulting from ultrasound beam components produced using different ultrasound transducers. Since the multi-dimensional transform does not depend on using receive or transmit beam lines, a multi-dimensional area can be imaged using a single ultrasound transmission. In some embodiments, this ability increases image frame rate and reduces the amount of ultrasound energy required to generate an image. | 10-21-2010 |
20100268083 | Echolocation Data Generation - Methods of probing a material under investigation using an ultrasound beam. Echolocation data is generated using a multi-dimensional transform capable of using phase and magnitude information to distinguish echoes resulting from ultrasound beam components produced using different ultrasound transducers. Since the multi-dimensional transform does not depend on using receive or transmit beam lines, a multi-dimensional area can be imaged using a single ultrasound transmission. In some embodiments, this ability increases image frame rate and reduces the amount of ultrasound energy required to generate an image. | 10-21-2010 |
20150087983 | Echolocation Data Generation - Methods of probing a material under investigation using an ultrasound beam. Echolocation data is generated using a multi-dimensional transform capable of using phase and magnitude information to distinguish echoes resulting from ultrasound beam components produced using different ultrasound transducers. Since the multi-dimensional transform does not depend on using receive or transmit beam lines, a multi-dimensional area can be imaged using a single ultrasound transmission. In some embodiments, this ability increases image frame rate and reduces the amount of ultrasound energy required to generate an image. | 03-26-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100189329 | Ultrasound Imaging System Parameter Optimization Via Fuzzy Logic - An ultrasound scanner is equipped with one or more fuzzy control units that can perform adaptive system parameter optimization anywhere in the system. In one embodiment, an ultrasound system comprises a plurality of ultrasound image generating subsystems configured to generate an ultrasound image, the plurality of ultrasound image generating subsystems including a transmitter subsystem, a receiver subsystem, and an image processing subsystem; and a fuzzy logic controller communicatively coupled with at least one of the plurality of ultrasound imaging generating subsystems. The fuzzy logic controller is configured to receive, from at least one of the plurality of ultrasound imaging generating subsystems, input data including at least one of pixel image data and data for generating pixel image data; to process the input data using a set of inference rules to produce fuzzy output; and to convert the fuzzy output into numerical values or system states for controlling at least one of the transmit subsystem and the receiver subsystem that generate the pixel image data. | 07-29-2010 |
20120083695 | CONTINUOUS TRANSMIT FOCUSING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM - In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging method comprises: providing a probe that includes one or more transducer elements for transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves; generating a sequence of spatially distinct transmit beams which differ in one or more of origin and angle; determining a transmit beam spacing substantially based upon a combination of actual and desired transmit beam characteristics, thereby achieving a faster echo acquisition rate compared to a transmit beam spacing based upon round-trip transmit-receive beam sampling requirements; storing coherent receive echo data, from two or more transmit beams of the spatially distinct transmit beams; combining coherent receive echo data from at least two or more transmit beams to achieve a substantially spatially invariant synthesized transmit focus at each echo location; and combining coherent receive echo data from each transmit firing to achieve dynamic receive focusing at each echo location. | 04-05-2012 |
20120095338 | ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM PARAMETER OPTIMIZATION VIA FUZZY LOGIC - An ultrasound scanner is equipped with one or more fuzzy control units that can perform adaptive system parameter optimization anywhere in the system. In one embodiment, an ultrasound system comprises a plurality of ultrasound image generating subsystems configured to generate an ultrasound image, the plurality of ultrasound image generating subsystems including a transmitter subsystem, a receiver subsystem, and an image processing subsystem; and a fuzzy logic controller communicatively coupled with at least one of the plurality of ultrasound imaging generating subsystems. The fuzzy logic controller is configured to receive, from at least one of the plurality of ultrasound imaging generating subsystems, input data including at least one of pixel image data and data for generating pixel image data; to process the input data using a set of inference rules to produce fuzzy output; and to convert the fuzzy output into numerical values or system states for controlling at least one of the transmit subsystem and the receiver subsystem that generate the pixel image data. | 04-19-2012 |
20140378834 | Continuous Transmit Focusing Method and Apparatus for Ultrasound Imaging System - An ultrasound imaging method comprises: providing a probe that includes one or more transducer elements for transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves; generating a sequence of spatially distinct transmit beams which differ in one or more of origin and angle; determining a transmit beam spacing substantially based upon a combination of actual and desired transmit beam characteristics, thereby achieving a faster echo acquisition rate compared to a transmit beam spacing based upon round-trip transmit-receive beam sampling requirements; storing coherent receive echo data, from two or more transmit beams of the spatially distinct transmit beams; combining coherent receive echo data from at least two or more transmit beams to achieve a substantially spatially invariant synthesized transmit focus at each echo location; and combining coherent receive echo data from each transmit firing to achieve dynamic receive focusing at each echo location. | 12-25-2014 |
20150073276 | ABERRATION CORRECTION USING CHANNEL DATA IN ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM - Embodiments of the present invention provide an ultrasound scanner equipped with an image data processing unit that can perform adaptive parameter optimization during image formation and processing. In one embodiment, an ultrasound system comprises a channel data memory to store channel data obtained by digitizing ultrasound image data produced by an image scan; an image data processor configured to process the stored channel data in the memory to reconstruct an ultrasound image for each of a plurality of trial values of at least one parameter to be optimized; and a parameter optimization unit configured to evaluate an image quality of the reconstructed ultrasound image for each trial value of the at least one parameter, and to determine the optimized value of the at least one parameter based on the evaluated image quality. | 03-12-2015 |
20160051233 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING VARIABLE ULTRASOUND ARRAY PROCESSING IN A POST-STORAGE MODE - An ultrasonic imaging method includes activating a transmit aperture within a multi-element transducer array, transmitting one or more ultrasonic beams along scan direction(s) that span the region of interest, for each transmit event, receiving ultrasound echoes from each element of a receive aperture, grouping the receive channel echo data into two or more sets corresponding to different receive sub-apertures, combining each sub-aperture data set to generate partially focused echo-location data for one or more reconstruction lines, and storing all the sub-aperture echo data sets during a storage period in a format that can be retrieved for later analysis. A method includes, during a post-storage period, retrieving stored sub-aperture data, combining the sub-aperture data to form one or more selected reconstruction lines, processing echo data to extract motion information from one or more sample positions along the selected reconstruction lines, and displaying an image representative of the processed motion information. | 02-25-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090149804 | Mother's Milk Container Closure and Attachment Assembly - An integral container closure securely seals the contents, such as breastmilk, within a container as well as provides for the rotary attachment of the container to other structures such as a breastpump. | 06-11-2009 |
20100006384 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE CARRIER - In some embodiments, a portable computing device carrier can include: (a) a first section, the first section having: (1) a top portion; (2) a bottom portion; (3) a front portion; (4) a back portion; (5) an interior side; and (6) an exterior side, the top portion, the bottom portion, the front portion, the back portion, the interior side, and the exterior side defining a computing device carrier cavity, the computing device carrier cavity sized to removably receive and accommodate the portable computing device; and (b) a second section, the second section having: (1) a top portion mechanically coupled to the top portion of the first section to form a carrier top portion; (2) a bottom portion; (3) a front portion; (4) a back portion; (5) an interior side; and (6) an exterior side, the second section sized to accommodate one or more personal items. The interior side of the first section is removably attached to the interior side of the second section. Other embodiments are disclosed in this application. | 01-14-2010 |
20140197048 | MULTIPLE ORIENTATION SUPPORT FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH TOUCH SCREEN AND METHOD - Apparatus for supporting a tablet computer or an electrical device having a touch screen in multiple orientations, the apparatus including a substantially planar base, a back member, a first hinge attaching the back member to the base, a cover configured to hold the electrical device, and a connector that attaches the cover to the back member. The connector can include at least one alignment piece that aligns the cover to the back member only in certain predefined orientations including a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation, and the alignment piece inhibits the cover from being rotated about an axis perpendicular to the cover relative to the back member when the cover is attached to the back member with the connector, but the connector allows the cover to be detached from the back member and reattached in a different one of the predefined orientations. | 07-17-2014 |
20140197049 | SUPPORT FROM LEG OF USER FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE OR TABLET COMPUTER AND METHOD - An apparatus for supporting an electronic device such as a tablet computer from a user's leg, the apparatus having a leg-conforming region having a rounded edge configured to conform around the top of one of the user's legs. Various embodiments have a base, a lower back member, an upper back member, hinges, a flexible top layer, a flexible bottom layer, a central stiff layer, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the leg conforming region extends across a hinge. In certain embodiments, the members, base, or a combination thereof, are planar, rectangular, or both. In different embodiments, the leg conforming region can be flexible, elastic, or a hole through the apparatus. Hinges can be parallel, some embodiments include a handle, and methods include a method of obtaining, providing, or manufacturing an apparatus for supporting an electronic device from a user's leg. | 07-17-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120042070 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROMOTING AND TRACKING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG A PARTICIPATING GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS - A system and method of tracking physical activity of a person in order to help motivate that person to add more exercise to their lives. Each participant is provided a motion sensor that detects forces incurred by the participant. The motion sensor creates electronic data that corresponds to the forces detected. The data is analyzed to determine whether or not exercise has been performed. The analysis can also determine the type of exercise performed, when the exercise was performed, and the duration of the exercise performed. | 02-16-2012 |
20130204410 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROMOTING AND TRACKING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG A PARTICIPATING GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS - A system and method of tracking physical activity of a person in order to help motivate that person to add more exercise to his/her life. Each participant is provided a motion sensor that detects forces incurred by the participant. The motion sensor creates electronic data that corresponds to the forces detected. The data is analyzed to determine whether or not exercise has been performed. The analysis can also determine the type of exercise performed, when the exercise was performed, and the duration of the exercise performed. | 08-08-2013 |
20130218309 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING USER FITNESS BY TRACKING ACTIVITY TIME - The present invention is and includes an apparatus, system and method of providing a schedule for improving fitness of a user by tracking activity time. The apparatus, system and method may include at least one user interface suitable for accepting a plurality of user information regarding the user; at least one database including a plurality of exercise activities coded at least by time; a matching engine suitable for selecting a fitness program including ones of the plurality of exercise activities matched, correspondent to the respective coded times, to the plurality of user information; and an electronic calendar of the fitness program suitable for receiving updates from the user regarding completion of the coded times for each of the matched ones of the exercise activities of the fitness program. | 08-22-2013 |
20130323438 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROMOTING AND TRACKING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG A PARTICIPATING GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS - A system and method of tracking physical activity of a person in order to help motivate that person to add more exercise to their lives. Each participant is provided a motion sensor that detects forces incurred by the participant. The motion sensor creates electronic data that corresponds to the forces detected. The data is analyzed to determine whether or not exercise has been performed. The analysis can also determine the type of exercise performed, when the exercise was performed, and the duration of the exercise performed. | 12-05-2013 |
20140172137 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROMOTING AND TRACKING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG A PARTICIPATING GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS - A system and method of tracking physical activity of a person in order to help motivate that person to add more exercise to their lives. Each participant is provided a motion sensor that detects forces incurred by the participant. The motion sensor creates electronic data that corresponds to the forces detected. The data is analyzed to determine whether or not exercise has been performed. The analysis can also determine the type of exercise performed, when the exercise was performed, and the duration of the exercise performed. | 06-19-2014 |
20150120024 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROMOTING AND TRACKING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG A PARTICIPATING GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS - A system and method of tracking physical activity of a person in order to help motivate that person to add more exercise to their lives. Each participant is provided a motion sensor that detects forces incurred by the participant. The motion sensor creates electronic data that corresponds to the forces detected. The data is analyzed to determine whether or not exercise has been performed. The analysis can also determine the type of exercise performed, when the exercise was performed, and the duration of the exercise performed. | 04-30-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130275138 | Hands-Free List-Reading by Intelligent Automated Assistant - Systems and methods for providing hands-free reading of content comprising: identifying a plurality of data items for presentation to a user, the plurality of data items associated with a domain-specific item type and sorted according to a particular order; based on the domain-specific item type, generating a speech-based overview of the plurality of data items; for each of the plurality of data items, generating a respective speech-based, item-specific paraphrase for the data item based on respective content of the data item; and providing, to a user through the speech-enabled dialogue interface, the speech-based overview, followed by the respective speech-based, item-specific paraphrases for at least a subset of the plurality of data items in the particular order. | 10-17-2013 |
20130275875 | Automatically Adapting User Interfaces for Hands-Free Interaction - The method includes automatically, without user input and without regard to whether a digital assistant application has been separately invoked by a user, determining that the electronic device is in a vehicle. In some implementations, determining that the electronic device is in a vehicle comprises detecting that the electronic device is in communication with the vehicle (e.g., via a wired or wireless communication techniques and/or protocols). The method also includes, responsive to the determining, invoking a listening mode of a virtual assistant implemented by the electronic device. In some implementations, the method also includes limiting the ability of a user to view visual output presented by the electronic device, provide typed input to the electronic device, and the like. | 10-17-2013 |
20130275899 | Application Gateway for Providing Different User Interfaces for Limited Distraction and Non-Limited Distraction Contexts - An electronic device receives a first input that corresponds to a request to open a respective application, and in response to receiving the first input, in accordance with a determination that the device is being operated in a limited-distraction context, provides a limited-distraction user interface that includes providing for display fewer selectable user interface objects than are displayed in a non-limited user interface for the respective application, and in accordance with a determination that the device is not being operated in a limited-distraction context, provides a non-limited user interface for the respective application. | 10-17-2013 |
20140365216 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USER-SPECIFIED PRONUNCIATION OF WORDS FOR SPEECH SYNTHESIS AND RECOGNITION - The method is performed at an electronic device with one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. A first speech input including at least one word is received. A first phonetic representation of the at least one word is determined, the first phonetic representation comprising a first set of phonemes selected from a speech recognition phonetic alphabet. The first set of phonemes is mapped to a second set of phonemes to generate a second phonetic representation, where the second set of phonemes is selected from a speech synthesis phonetic alphabet. The second phonetic representation is stored in association with a text string corresponding to the at least one word. | 12-11-2014 |
20150382047 | INTELLIGENT AUTOMATED ASSISTANT FOR TV USER INTERACTIONS - Systems and processes are disclosed for controlling television user interactions using a virtual assistant. A virtual assistant can interact with a television set-top box to control content shown on a television. Speech input for the virtual assistant can be received from a device with a microphone. User intent can be determined from the speech input, and the virtual assistant can execute tasks according to the user's intent, including causing playback of media on the television. Virtual assistant interactions can be shown on the television in interfaces that expand or contract to occupy a minimal amount of space while conveying desired information. Multiple devices associated with multiple displays can be used to determine user intent from speech input as well as to convey information to users. In some examples, virtual assistant query suggestions can be provided to the user based on media content shown on a display. | 12-31-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100314081 | High Temperature Graphite Heat Exchanger - A graphite-based heat exchanger, especially for use as a solar energy receptor as part of the thermal process in a solar power system, including an energy collection panel, a heat spreader, and a thermal element, wherein the heat spreader is formed of flexible graphite having a density of at least about 0.6 g/cc and a thickness of less than about 10 mm, and the heat spreader further has a first side and a second side, wherein the heat spreader is in a thermal transfer relationship with the thermal element, and wherein the energy collection panel includes at least one sheet or block of graphite. | 12-16-2010 |
20130148686 | GRAPHITE ELECTRODE - A graphite electrode exhibits oxidation resistance by modifying the outer radial surface characteristics. The outer radial surface may be modified by providing a textured portion which improves water flow while minimizing water absorbtion. Alternately, a layer of flexible graphite or plurality of particles of exfoliated graphite may be disposed on the outer radial surface of the electrode body. | 06-13-2013 |
20130279534 | Graphite Electrodes - A graphite electrode exhibits oxidation resistance by modifying the outer radial surface characteristics. The outer radial surface may be modified by providing a textured portion which improves water flow while minimizing water absorbtion. Alternately, a layer of flexible graphite or plurality of particles of exfoliated graphite may be disposed on the outer radial surface of the electrode body. | 10-24-2013 |
20150230296 | Graphite Electrodes - A graphite electrode exhibits oxidation resistance by modifying the outer radial surface characteristics. The outer radial surface may be modified by providing a textured portion which improves water flow while minimizing water absorbtion. Alternately, a layer of flexible graphite or plurality of particles of exfoliated graphite may be disposed on the outer radial surface of the electrode body. | 08-13-2015 |