Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090031387 | Hardware Module for Adding Functionality to Television - A modular interface allows new functionalities to be added to a television receiver. A module can be added to the television receiver through the interface that will enable additional functionalities on the television. The interface allows copy protection of digital video and audio content by incorporating HDCP technology, thereby also allowing the manufacturer of the interface to control the access to the interface. | 01-29-2009 |
20090248909 | Method and Apparatus for Simulating Consumer Electronic Control Functionality for Devices - A High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) switch includes a plurality of peripheral device ports, each of which may be coupled to a corresponding peripheral device. The switch also includes a display device port for coupling to a display device. In one embodiment, the switch is configured to receive device identification information from one or more of the peripheral devices coupled to the peripheral device ports and to detect which of the peripheral device ports is an active port. The switch may then transmit the device identification information for the peripheral device coupled to the active port to a display device in accordance with an HDMI communication protocol, such as the consumer electronic control (CEC) protocol. In one embodiment, the peripheral device coupled to the active port is not configured to communicate according to the HDMI communication protocol. | 10-01-2009 |
20100083337 | Multipurpose television module - A method of processing a boot sequence for a processor forming a part of a module apparatus involves interrogating a host television device to determine if the host television device requires use of an application execution engine residing on the module apparatus; receiving a reply to the interrogation; and responsive to the reply, establishing a mode of operation wherein the application execution engine is used to execute application code for the host television device. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 04-01-2010 |
20100118193 | HDMI SWITCHING TECHNOLOGY FOR THE COUPLING OF CONSUMER ELECTRONIC CONTROL AND/OR NON-CONSUMER ELECTRONIC CONTROL DEVICES IN AN AUDIO/VISUAL ENVIRONMENT - A switching module, system and method facilitate communications between one or more non-CEC enabled devices and a television of an audio/visual (A/V) system. The switching module is able to accommodate both Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) enabled and non-CEC enabled devices for communication with the television. In response to user control of a user interface of the switching module, when a non-CEC enabled device is coupled to the switching module, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) input port of the HDMI switching module is selected and a default HDMI device type and corresponding HDMI logic address is set for the non-CEC enabled device. This information is displayed for the user by the television. | 05-13-2010 |
20110271296 | AUTOMATICALLY RECONFIGURABLE MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM WITH INTERCHANGEABLE PERSONALITY ADAPTERS - A TV-set is equipped with HDMI and USB connections that allow it to display and run audio-video content from a variety of conventional consumer devices. The TV-set is further equipped to provide a secure HDMI-USB interface that will allow the transfer of licensed high definition content and Internet subscriber services. Such secure HDMI-USB interface also enables a selection of proprietary application modules to be attached. Downloadable user interface templates, much like XML style sheets, are rendered to a user interface displayed on the screen. These are associated with corresponding thumbnails and URI's that allow a user to surf through lists and catalogs of materials, and then to play them in the appropriate formats and provide the machine with a customized controller. A remote commander is simplified, yet expanded to control all the attached devices through interactions with the user interface. The functions of the remote commander's keys change depending on where the user is navigating and what device is being controlled, similar to so-called soft-keys. | 11-03-2011 |
20120039349 | CIRCUIT FOR CONTROLLING A GAIN MEDIUM - An assembly ( | 02-16-2012 |
20140189729 | Multipurpose Television Module - A method of processing a boot sequence for a processor forming a part of a module apparatus involves interrogating a host television device to determine if the host television device requires use of an application execution engine residing on the module apparatus; receiving a reply to the interrogation; and responsive to the reply, establishing a mode of operation wherein the application execution engine is used to execute application code for the host television device. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 07-03-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090024140 | Surgical feedback system - The invention pertains to a surgical system. In an embodiment, the system comprises one or more sensors operably responsive to physical boundary limitations of an operating field. Furthermore, the one or more sensors provide information regarding the physical boundary limitations of the operating field. In another embodiment, the system comprises a surgical instrument that is configured to respond to the information by either activation or inactivation. In another aspect the invention includes generating an anatomical image or anatomic positional reference data. Additionally, the method includes creating haptic feedback signals based at least partly on the anatomical image or anatomic positional reference data, and determining a position or orientation of a surgical instrument. Furthermore the method includes activating or inactivating the surgical instrument based at least partly on the haptic feedback signals. | 01-22-2009 |
20100145418 | SYSTEM FOR OPTICAL STIMULATION OF TARGET CELLS - Various systems and methods are implemented for controlling stimulus of a cell. One such method is implemented for optical stimulation of a cell expressing an NpHR ion pump. The method includes the step of providing a sequence of stimuli to the cell. Each stimulus increases the probability of depolarization events occurring in the cell. Light is provided to the cell to activate the expressed NpHR ion pump, thereby decreasing the probability of depolarization events occurring in the cell. | 06-10-2010 |
20110087126 | Light-Proof Electrodes - According to principles of this invention, the photoelectrochemical effect (“PE effect”) may be greatly reduced or eliminated, even when an electrode is immersed in an electrolyte and exposed to light, by using a transparent conductor to record electrical activity. Thus, an electrode with a clear conductor may be used to accurately record electrical activity of neurons and other cells that are exposed to light in vivo or in vitro. Such an electrode eliminates or greatly reduces the artifacts that would otherwise be caused by light due to the PE effect. | 04-14-2011 |
20130116165 | LIGHT-ACTIVATED FUSION PROTEINS AND USES THEREFOR - The invention, in some aspects relates to synthetic, light-activated fusion proteins and their encoding polynucleotide molecules. In some aspects the invention additionally includes expression of the light-activated fusion proteins in cells and their use in methods such as therapeutic methods and candidate compound screening methods. | 05-09-2013 |
20130295635 | System for Optical Stimulation of Target Cells - Various systems and methods are implemented for controlling stimulus of a cell. One such method is implemented for optical stimulation of a cell expressing a NpHR ion pump. The method includes the step of providing a sequence of stimuli to the cell. Each stimulus increases the probability of depolarization events occurring in the cell. Light is provided to the cell to activate the expressed NpHR ion pump, thereby decreasing the probability of depolarization events occurring in the cell. | 11-07-2013 |
20140309705 | System for Optical Stimulation of Target Cells - Various systems and methods are implemented for controlling stimulus of a cell. One such method is implemented for optical stimulation of a cell expressing a NpHR ion pump. The method includes the step of providing a sequence of stimuli to the cell. Each stimulus increases the probability of depolarization events occurring in the cell. Light is provided to the cell to activate the expressed NpHR ion pump, thereby decreasing the probability of depolarization events occurring in the cell. | 10-16-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110087311 | Methods and Apparatus for Microstructure Lightguides - This invention may be implemented as a microstructure probe for delivering light of variable color and/or power, via a set of integrated lightguides, from an optical source (or set of sources) to regions spatially arranged 3-dimensionally, with a length scale of microns to millimeters. In exemplary embodiments of this invention, a microstructure probe comprises many lightguides and is adapted to be inserted into neural or other tissue. The lightguides run in parallel along at least a portion of the axis of the probe. The probe may deliver light to many points along the axis of insertion of the probe. | 04-14-2011 |
20120089205 | Methods and Apparatus for High-Throughput Neural Screening - In exemplary implementations of this invention, high-throughput screening of a mammalian brain is performed to locate neural circuit targets of interest. A variety of search patterns may be used for this neural screening, including (a) iterative subdivision, (b) serial search, and (c) combinatorial. To perform this neural screening, an array of optical fibers (or an array of waveguides) is inserted into the brain. Alternately, the array is positioned adjacent to the brain. Each fiber or waveguide in the array is coupled to a light source (LED or laser). The brain has been previously sensitized to light, using genetically encoded optical neural control reagents, which are delivered either using viruses or via transgenic means. In the screening, the array is used to optically perturb the brain. For example, the neurons of the brain may be activated by one color of light, and/or silenced by another color of light. | 04-12-2012 |
20120121542 | RED-SHIFTED OPSIN MOLECULES AND USES THEREOF - The invention, in some aspects relates to compositions and methods for altering cell activity and function and the use of light-activated ion pumps (LAIPs). | 05-17-2012 |
20120123508 | Methods and apparatus for wireless control of biological tissue - In exemplary implementations of this present invention, a supercapacitor-based electronic device delivers high currents to an array of implantable light sources or electrodes. The device receives wireless power from an external transmit coil and receives control signals from either an onboard computer or external wireless data telemetry. | 05-17-2012 |
20120214188 | LIGHT-ACTIVATED ION CHANNEL MOLECULES AND USES THEREOF - The invention, in some aspects relates to compositions and methods for altering cell activity and function and the use of light-activated ion channels (LAICs). | 08-23-2012 |
20130157498 | Methods and apparatus for three-dimensional microfabricated arrays - In exemplary implementations of this invention, electrical connections are fabricated between two orthogonal surfaces by electroplating. The two surfaces are separated (except for the electrical connections) by a gap of not more than 100 micrometers. Multiple electrical connections may be fabricated across the gap. In preparatory steps, conductive pads on the two surfaces may be separately electroplated to build up “bumps” that make it easier to bridge the remainder of the gap in a final plating step. Alternately, electroless deposition may be used instead of electroplating. In exemplary implementations, a 3D probe array may be assembled by inserting array structures into an orthogonal base plate. The array structures may be aligned and held in place, relative to the base plate, by mechanical means, including side hooks, stabilizers, bottom hooks, alignment parts and a back plate. | 06-20-2013 |
20140324134 | CHANNELRHODOPSINS FOR OPTICAL CONTROL OF CELLS - The invention, in some aspects relates to compositions and methods for altering cell activity and function and the introduction and use of light-activated ion channels. | 10-30-2014 |
20140324138 | Wirelessly-powered illumination of biological tissue - In exemplary implementations of this invention, an implant device is wholly or partially implanted in a mammal. The implant device includes an antenna, circuitry, a supercapacitor, one or more light sources, and an array of optical fibers or light guides. The antenna and circuitry receive energy by wireless transmission from an external transmit coil. The supercapacitor stores at least a portion of the energy and provides power to one or more light sources. The array of optical fibers or light guides deliver light from the light sources to living tissue of a mammal. The tissue includes light-sensitive, heterologously expressed proteins. The light affects the light-sensitive proteins, triggering a change in all or part of the tissue, such as a change in voltage, pH or a change in function. | 10-30-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080196719 | SUPPLEMENTAL AIR DIFFUSION DEVICES, KITS AND METHODS - A supplemental air diffusion device is shaped and configured to be attached to the body or clothing of a patient below the head and deliver supplemental air toward the mouth and nose of the patient. The supplemental air diffusion device includes a frustroconicoidal air diffusion body that has a smaller inlet opening at an inlet end and an enlarged diffusion opening at a diffusion end. An air inlet stem is integrally attached to the air diffusion body and includes a plurality of ribs and/or recesses for releasably locking a female connector of an air supply hose over the inlet stem. A pair of spaced-apart slits are provided through a flange extending laterally from an outer surface of the air diffusion device. Initially separate accessory patient attachment clamps are looped through the slits and provide for releasable attachment of the air diffusion device to a patient's clothing. A kit may include an air diffusion device, one or more accessory patient attachment clamps, and an air supply hose for establishing fluid communication between the air diffusion device and an air supply. | 08-21-2008 |
20090065307 | FOOD PAN HAVING ELASTOMERIC HEAT AND SCRATCH RESISTANT PROTECTIVE FLANGE GASKET - Food serving pans made from a high heat conductive material include a gasket covering at least a portion of the flange in order to protect a person's fingers from heat or cold, improve gripping ability, provide a seal against a counter top of a food serving table, and protect paint or non stick coating from chipping off the flange. The food serving pan is made from aluminum or other highly heat conductive material. The gasket comprises silicone, other elastomer, or other heat resistant and insulating material. The gasket includes a circumferential sealing ridge and a finger gripping recess. A food serving system includes one or more food pans and a food serving table. The food serving pans help maintain food contained therein at a desired temperature by efficiently transferring heat or cold from the serving table while sealing the interface between the flange and the counter top of the serving table. The interface between the gasket and flange prevents build up of food or debris, thus maintaining cleanliness during repeated use and cleaning cycles. | 03-12-2009 |
20110186584 | FOOD PAN HAVING ELASTOMERIC HEAT AND SCRATCH RESISTANT PROTECTIVE FLANGE GASKET - Food serving pans made from heat conductive materials include a gasket positioned over a flange to protect fingers from heat or cold, improve gripping ability, seal against countertops of food serving tables, and/or protect paint or non stick coating from chipping off the flange. The food pan is made from aluminum or other highly heat conductive material. The gasket comprises silicone or other heat resistant and insulating elastomer. A food serving system includes one or more food pans and a food serving table. The food pans maintain food at a desired temperature by efficiently transferring heat or cold from the serving table while the gasket seals against a countertop of the serving table. The gasket can be provided in a kit of differently sized and/or shaped gaskets so as to fit over differently sized and/or shaped pan flanges. A user can install and replace the gasket as needed. | 08-04-2011 |