Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080216593 | Device for promoting toe-off during gait - Disclosed is a gait toe-off promoting device or a device configured to promote toe-off during gait comprising: (a) a first sensor located proximate the ball of a foot of an individual and configured to sense the force acting on the ball of the foot during a gait cycle and to provide a signal corresponding to the force; (b) a second sensor located proximate a pressure receiving surface of a toe of the foot of the individual and configured to measure the force acting on the toe of the foot during the gait cycle and to provide a signal corresponding to the force; (c) a control center configured to process the signals, as received from the first and second sensors, to obtain respective first and second measured values, wherein the control center is also configured to compare the first and second measured values to at least one pre-determined value programmed and stored within the control center; and (d) a feedback mechanism operably connected to and controlled by the control center and configured to notify the individual of improper toe-off during the gait cycle, wherein the feedback mechanism is activated as directed by the control center upon an unacceptable comparison of the measured values with the pre-determined value(s), thus making the individual aware of the need to correct future gait cycles. | 09-11-2008 |
20090025988 | Serpentine Robotic Crawler Having A Continuous Track - A serpentine robotic crawler includes an articulated body having at least two body segments serially connected and a continuous track operably supported along a perimeter of the articulated body. The serpentine robotic crawler is capable of a variety of movement modes and poses. | 01-29-2009 |
20090318759 | Transparent Endoscope Head Defining A Focal Length - A catheter configured for imaging objects substantially in focus is described herein. An imaging device is disposed on the distal end of the catheter. The imaging device has an effective focal plane that is located in front of the imaging device. The catheter also includes a transparent focal instrument that has an outer periphery that is positioned at the effective focal plane of the imaging device, to enable objects in contact with the outer periphery of the transparent focal instrument to be imaged substantially in focus. | 12-24-2009 |
20100042263 | Intelligent Sprinkler Irrigation System - The present invention features an intelligent sprinkler irrigation system for delivering fluid to an arbitrarily-shaped area in a precise manner. In general, the system comprises (a) a fluid source comprising a pressurized fluid; (b) at least one programmable sprinkler head fluidly connected to the fluid source; and (c) a computer system configured to control the sprinkler head to precisely deliver fluid according to a pre-determined sprinkler function. The computer system comprises a teach mode, wherein a plurality of drive parameters are learned and recorded. These drive parameters function to dictate the specific vector positioning of the sprinkler head during execution of the sprinkler component. The teach mode is further configured to learn and record a plurality of flow parameters, which function to control the fluid delivery component of the sprinkler head (e.g., the valve or nozzle), and more particularly, the manner in which the fluid is delivered or emitted from this component. | 02-18-2010 |
20100188492 | Method And Device For Incremental Wavelength Variation To Analyze Tissue - A method of imaging a target using a miniaturized imaging device is disclosed comprising providing a miniaturized imaging device having a stationary lens system and an imaging array, wherein the distance from a distal end of the stationary lens system to the imaging array is fixed. The miniaturized imaging device is advanced near the desired target and a distance from a distal end of the stationary lens system to the desired target is determined. A desired wavelength of light is calculated based on the determined distance from the distal end of the stationary lens system to the desired target and the desired wavelength of light is propagated onto the target. | 07-29-2010 |
20100314139 | Target-Specific Fire Fighting Device For Launching A Liquid Charge At A Fire - The present invention relates to a single-target-specific fire fighting device for launching a liquid charge towards a localized target portion of a fire. The firefighting device is capable of highly precise target engagement at a single, localized area. In this manner, the fire fighting device can launch a single liquid charge effectively to a target location within a fire, such as the seat of a fire, in order to effectively extinguish the fire. The firefighting device includes at least a liquid charge having a flight integrity component, a barrel, a sighting structure coupled to the barrel, and a launching system for launching the liquid charge down the barrel at a target location. | 12-16-2010 |
20100317244 | Amphibious Robotic Crawler - An amphibious robotic crawler for traversing a body of water having two frame units coupled end-to-end or in tandem by an actuated linkage arm. Each frame unit includes a housing with a drivable continuous track rotatably supported thereon. The frame units are operable with a power supply, a drive mechanism and a control module. Each frame unit further includes a buoyancy control element for suspending the frame unit in the water, and for controlling the depth of the robotic crawler within the water. The control module coordinates the rotation of the continuous tracks, the position of the linkage arm and the buoyancy of the buoyancy control elements to control movement, direction and pose of the robotic crawler through the body of water. | 12-16-2010 |
20100318242 | Method And System For Deploying A Surveillance Network - A method and system for gathering information from and setting up a surveillance network within an earth-surface environment that includes inserting one or more mobile robotic devices having a sensing subsystem, a communications subsystem, and a navigation subsystem into an earth-surface environment. The mobile robotic device may be configured into a traveling pose selected from a plurality of available traveling poses, and directed using the navigation subsystem to a sensing location within the earth-surface environment. The environment may be monitored and sensed information collected may be stored or communicated to a remote location. The mobile robotic device may be configured to operate with a vehicle carrier to facilitate insertion and deployment of the robotic vehicle into the earth-surface environment. | 12-16-2010 |
20110245605 | Needle Delivered Imaging Device - A hollow elongated cylinder is disclosed having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end configured to be removably connectable to a distal end of a syringe. An umbilical is removably inserted within said cylinder and configured for detachable connection to a data processor and a display device having a solid state imaging device disposed on a distal end of the umbilical. A lens system is disposed on a distal end of the solid state imaging device. The umbilical is inserted within the cylinder such that the distal end of the lens system is disposed at approximately the distal end of the cylinder. | 10-06-2011 |
20110245765 | Method And Apparatus For Manipulating Movement of a Micro-Catheter - A medical device and method for manipulating movement of a micro-catheter, the device comprising an elongated tubular member having at least one lumen therein, wherein the lumen is proximally coupled to a pressurized fluid control system configured to regulate fluid flow through the elongated tubular member. An aperture is disposed near a distal end of the elongated tubular member, the aperture being in fluid communication with the at least one lumen. In one aspect, the aperture is oriented at an angle which is non parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated tubular member. A nozzle is coupled to the aperture, wherein the nozzle is configured to regulate pressurized flow out of the catheter to manipulate movement of the distal end of the elongated tubular member. | 10-06-2011 |
20110251456 | Method and Apparatus For Viewing A Body Cavity - A method and apparatus to generate a planar representation of a longitudinally extending 360 degree continuous view within a body cavity of a patient is disclosed comprising advancing a portion of an imaging device into the body cavity of the patient, the imaging device having an image capture mechanism disposed on a distal end thereof configured to capture at least a 360 degree view of the inside of the body cavity. Further comprising withdrawing the imaging device at a controlled rate from the patient while simultaneously coordinating and generating 360 degree view image data from the imaging device and transmitting the image data from the imaging device to an image processor. The method further comprising processing the image data to produce a planar longitudinally continuous 360 degree view of the body cavity. | 10-13-2011 |
20110270277 | SUTURE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CLOSING A PLANAR OPENING - A micro-camera guided suturing device is disclosed comprising an elongate suture body having at least one lumen disposed therein and an imaging structure disposed within the at least one lumen of the suture. The imaging structure comprises a SSID optically coupled to a lens system. In one aspect, the suturing device further comprises a conductive element detachably coupled to the suture. In yet another aspect, the suture body comprises a shape memory material. | 11-03-2011 |
20120137667 | Regenerative Hydraulic Pump - A regenerative hydraulic pump that allows for efficient operation of a hydraulic system under high pressure/low flow conditions that comprises a crankshaft providing a rotating inertial mass, and a regenerative hydraulic pump cylinder that comprises a pump cylinder housing, a pump piston mechanically connected to the crankshaft; and a compliant pressure chamber that stores a portion of the energy extracted by the pump piston during a pumping stroke for release back to the pump piston and to the crankshaft during a regenerative back stroke. | 06-07-2012 |
20120216697 | Liquid Missile Projectile For Being Launched From A Launching Device - A liquid missile for being projected from a launching device which includes a liquid charge combined with a non-rigid flight integrity component. The flight integrity component allows the liquid charge to be launched at increased speeds and distances by inhibiting substantial break-up of the liquid charge during flight. | 08-30-2012 |
20120237319 | Robotic Lift Device with Human Interface Operation - An operator controllable robotic device is disclosed. The robotic device comprises a support member, an upper robotic arm, a lower robotic arm, and a control arm. The upper robotic arm is coupled to the support member and has rotational movement in at least one degree of freedom relative to the support member. The lower robotic arm is coupled to the upper robotic arm and has rotational movement in at least one degree of freedom relative to the upper robotic arm. The control arm allows an operator to control the robotic device. The control arm is coupled to the upper robotic arm and has rotational movement in at least one degree of freedom relative to the upper robotic arm. The control arm allows a movement of the operator to control a movement of at least one of the upper robotic arm and the lower robotic arm. | 09-20-2012 |
20120277901 | Platform Perturbation Compensation - A method for compensating for a perturbation external to a platform having a plurality of mechanical arms in accordance with an embodiment of the technology includes detecting a normal positional and/or orientational measurement of the platform using a sensor. A perturbed positional and/or orientational measurement of the platform can also be detected using the sensor. The normal positional and/or orientational measurement and the perturbed positional and/or orientational measurement can be compared to determine a positional and/or orientational difference. A position and/or orientation of a mechanical arm can be adjusted to compensate for the perturbation based on the positional and/or orientational difference. | 11-01-2012 |
20120277911 | Variable Strength Magnetic End Effector For Lift Systems - A device and method for adjusting the magnetic strength of a magnetic end effector for lift systems is described. The magnetic end effector is capable of lifting discriminate payloads by selectively varying the strength of the magnetic forces output by the magnetic end effector. An actuator can be operatively coupled to the variable strength magnet end effector, wherein the actuator is selectively actuatable to control the adjustment of the variable strength magnet. The actuator may also be configured to maintain the variable strength magnet at a desired magnetic force output strength once achieved for any given amount of time. | 11-01-2012 |
20120328395 | Teleoperated Robotic System - A teleoperated robotic system that includes master control arms, slave arms, and a mobile platform. In use, a user manipulates the master control arms to control movement of the slave arms. The teleoperated robotic system can include two master control arms and two slave arms. The master control arms and the slave arms can be mounted on the platform. The platform can provide support for the master control arms and for a teleoperator, or user, of the robotic system. Thus, a mobile platform can allow the robotic system to be moved from place to place to locate the slave arms in a position for use. Additionally, the user can be positioned on the platform, such that the user can see and hear, directly, the slave arms and the workspace in which the slave arms operate. | 12-27-2012 |
20130011220 | System and Method For Controlling A Teleoperated Robotic Agile Lift System - A method for controlling a tele-operated robot agile lift system is disclosed. The method comprises manipulating a human-machine interface of a master robot located on a mobile platform. The human machine interface is kinematically equivalent to a user's arm with a plurality of support members. A position value and a torque value is measured for each support member. The position value and torque value are communicated to support members of a kinematically equivalent slave arm to position the support members to correspond with a position of the human-machine interface. | 01-10-2013 |
20130276538 | Non-Powered Impact Recorder - A non-powered impact recorder is disclosed. The non-powered impact recorder includes a resonator tuned for a resonant response within a predetermined frequency range. A reduced cross-sectional area portion is formed within the resonator and configured to structurally fail when the resonator experiences the resonant response. Additionally, the non-powered impact recorder includes an electric circuit element disposed about the reduced cross-sectional area portion of the resonator. Upon structural failure of the resonator, the electric circuit element is broken to cause a discontinuity in the electric circuit element. Interrogation of the discontinuous electric circuit element facilitates approximation of impact frequency and/or impact energy. | 10-24-2013 |
20130280683 | Equestrian Performance Sensing System - Systems, devices, and methods for gathering data from a horse and rider and providing training to the rider are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method of training an equestrian rider can include performing a ride by an equestrian rider on a horse, and obtaining ride data from the ride, the ride data including video, inertial measurements, rider joint, head, torso, and/or limb information, horse joint, head, torso, and/or limb information, and at least one force measurement between the horse and the rider during the rider. The ride data can then be analyzed and at least one riding improvement to be made by the rider can be identified, and the at least one riding improvement to be made to the rider can be relayed to the rider to provide training for a subsequent ride. | 10-24-2013 |
20140068247 | SECURITY DEVICE ACCESS - Technology is described to control a security device providing access to a restricted resource. The method can include generating a plurality of security access codes at a security locking device using at least one pre-configured symmetric key. The access codes may each be valid from predefined start times for varying time intervals. In a further operation, a candidate access code can be generated at a control server, using the same pre-configured symmetric key. The candidate access code from the control server can be provided to the security locking device. The security locking device can unlock when the candidate access code corresponds to at least one of a valid security access codes on the security locking device. | 03-06-2014 |
20140076223 | Hull Robot With Hull Separation Countermeasures - A hull robot is disclosed for operation on a surface of a hull of a vessel. The robot can include a drive subsystem onboard the robot for driving and maneuvering the robot about the hull. A sensor subsystem onboard the robot can sense an attachment state of the robot to the hull. The attachment state can include at least one of attached and detached. A signal generation subsystem onboard the robot can emit a distress signal when the attachment state is detached. | 03-20-2014 |
20140076224 | Hull Robot for Autonomously Detecting Cleanliness of a Hull - A method of autonomous hull cleanliness detection includes positioning an autonomous cleanliness detection system over a portion of a hull of a vessel. A cleanliness parameter of the portion of the hull is detected using a detector. The detected cleanliness parameter is compared with a stored cleanliness parameter to obtain a cleanliness differential upon which a cleaning operation or routine may be based and initiated. | 03-20-2014 |
20140076225 | Autonomous Hull Inspection - A hull inspection robot for autonomously inspecting a hull includes a robot body and a drive subsystem onboard the robot for driving and maneuvering the robot about the hull. An autonomous inspection system non-destructively inspects the hull by detecting a state of or near a portion of the hull and comparing the detected state with a stored state of the portion of the hull. | 03-20-2014 |
20140076226 | Hull Cleaning Robot - A hull cleaning robot, in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, includes a robot body and a drive module within the robot body for maneuvering the robot about a hull. The drive module includes a drive element for holding the robot on the hull as the robot maneuvers about the hull. The drive element includes a cleaning function for cleaning the hull of a vessel. | 03-20-2014 |
20140077587 | Magnetic Track - A method of manufacturing a magnetic track is described in accordance with an example of the present technology. The method can include rubberizing a first side of the track with a first plurality of indentations formed therein, and rubberizing a second side of the track with a second plurality of indentations formed therein. A plurality of magnets can be disposed between the first and second sides in positions corresponding to the first or second plurality of indentations. The first and second sides can be rubberized together such that the first plurality of indentations and the second plurality of indentations are facing and aligned with the plurality of magnets enclosed therein. | 03-20-2014 |
20140081504 | Autonomous Hull Navigation - An autonomous hull robot navigation subsystem for guiding a hull robot on a hull of a vessel independent of external guidance devices includes a drive subsystem onboard the robot for driving and maneuvering the robot about the hull. A sensor subsystem onboard the robot senses an environmental characteristic. A navigation subsystem onboard the robot is responsive to the sensor subsystem and includes a processor. The processor utilizes the environmental characteristic to determine a position of the robot on the hull. | 03-20-2014 |
20140114689 | Systems for Insuring Service Providers - A method for providing insurance for tasks comprises identifying a task definition for a task to be performed for a customer. The task has task details associated therewith. A task value is set for the task based on the task details, using a processor. A service provider is assigned to perform the task at the task value, using the processor. A determination is made as to whether the service provider has adequate insurance to cover one or more insurable risks associated with performance of the task. A task insurance rider is requested to be applied to the task in the event the service provider does not have adequate insurance to cover the one or more insurable risks associated with performance of the task. | 04-24-2014 |
20140114717 | Task Schedule Modification - Technology is described for modifying a task frequency. The method may include setting a task price for a task based on task details and statistical price data. The task frequency of the task can be modified. Another operation can be computing a pro-rata value created due to modifying the task frequency. The pro-rata value can be divided between a service provider and a customer to provide a monetary benefit to either the service provider or to the customer using the processor. | 04-24-2014 |
20140116183 | HAND CONTROL DEVICE FOR CONRTOLLING A PERIPHERAL SYSTEM - A hand control device for controlling a peripheral system is disclosed. The hand control device can include a handle configured to be grasped by a user. The handle can comprise a body portion to be supported against a palm of the user. The hand control device can also include a finger control supported about the handle and comprising a rotatable joint to facilitate control based on flexion/extension of an index finger of the user. In addition, the hand control device can include a thumb control supported about the handle and comprising first and second rotatable joints to facilitate control based on flexion/extension and abduction/adduction of a thumb of the user. | 05-01-2014 |
20140121835 | SERPENTINE ROBOTIC CRAWLER - A robotic crawler having a non-dedicated smart control system is disclosed. Such a crawler can include a first drive subsystem, a second drive subsystem, a multi-degree of freedom linkage subsystem coupling the first and second drive subsystems, and a non-dedicated, smart control device removably supported about one of the first drive subsystem, the second drive subsystem, and the linkage subsystem. The smart control device is configured to initiate and control operational functionality within the robotic crawler upon being connected to the robotic crawler. The crawler can also include a communication subsystem functionally coupled between the smart control device and the serpentine robotic crawler, the communication subsystem facilitating control by the smart control device of at least one of the first drive subsystem, the second drive subsystem, and the linkage subsystem. | 05-01-2014 |
20140371529 | Transparent Endoscope Head Defining a Focal Length - A catheter configured for imaging objects substantially in focus is described herein. An imaging device is disposed on the distal end of the catheter. The imaging device has an effective focal plane that is located in front of the imaging device. The catheter also includes a transparent focal instrument that has an outer periphery that is positioned at the effective focal plane of the imaging device, to enable objects in contact with the outer periphery of the transparent focal instrument to be imaged substantially in focus. | 12-18-2014 |
20150014514 | Sensor - A sensor is disclosed that can include a light component in support of a first light source operable to direct a first beam of light, and a second light source operable to direct a second beam of light. The sensor can also include an imaging device positioned proximate the light component and operable to directly receive the first beam of light and the second beam of light and convert these into electric signals. The imaging device and the light component can be movable relative to one another. The sensor can further include a light location module configured to receive the electric signals and determine locations of the first beam of light and the second beam of light on the imaging device. In addition, the sensor can include a position module configured to determine a relative position of the imaging device and the light component based on the locations of the first beam of light and the second beam of light on the imaging device. | 01-15-2015 |
20150083901 | PROBE FOR DETECTING UNDERGROUND SUBSTANCES, AND METHOD - A probe for underground sensing of materials of interest, for example chemicals such as explosives, includes a probe body that is capable of being inserted into the ground, and one or more sensors that are able to sense one or more materials in the vicinity of at least a portion of the probe body. The sensor(s) may include a light source that directs light to the vicinity of the portion of the probe body, and a light detector, such as a photosensor or spectrometer, that detects reflected light from the material around the probe body. The reflected light may be analyzed to determine the presence of one or more materials of interest, such as chemicals used in explosive devices. The probe may be part of a vehicle used to detect and neutralize buried explosive devices, with the probe for example being on an articulable arm of the vehicle. | 03-26-2015 |