Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080278202 | Capacitive load driving device - An improved capacitive load driving device that provides increased signal voltage gain, over-voltage, over-current, and over-temperature protections, over-modulation prevention, output level control, minimized harmonic generation, and compensation for propagation medium distortion. The device includes driver/amplifier circuitry, protection circuitry, and an output stage. The driver/amplifier circuitry simultaneously modulates and discretizes an analog input signal by comparing it with a specified digitally-synthesized modulation waveform, which is a repeating series of approximately parabolic waveforms. The resulting PWM waveform is processed to generate a discrete low-harmonic sine wave approximation used to produce gate drive signals for the output stage. The protection circuitry monitors the device for fault conditions, and, in the event a fault condition is detected, controls startup and automatic shutdown. The output stage includes an H-bridge that drives an impedance-matching transformer feeding an inductor. When the device is used to drive a capacitive transducer, the impedance-matching transformer, the inductor, and the transducer form a series-resonant circuit for boosting the signal voltage gain, reducing power consumption, and filtering higher harmonics. | 11-13-2008 |
20110017545 | Sound Field Controller - A region of air is manipulated to reflect, absorb, or redirect sound energy to prevent the sound energy from reaching a listener separated from the sound source by the region of air. The region of air may be manipulated by directing ultrasonic sound waves with a sound pressure level of at least 140 decibels at the region of air. | 01-27-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080200830 | Temporal artery temperature detector - Body temperature measurements are obtained by scanning a thermal radiation sensor across the side of the forehead over the temporal artery. A peak temperature measurement is processed to compute an internal temperature of the body as a function of ambient temperature and the sensed surface temperature. The function includes a weighted difference of surface temperature and ambient temperature, the weighting being varied with target temperature through a minimum in the range of 96° F. and 100° F. The radiation sensor views the target surface through an emissivity compensating cup which is spaced from the skin by a circular lip of low thermal conductivity. | 08-21-2008 |
20080262782 | Wireless transmission of temperature data for a geographic area - A user obtains an individual's body temperature data and transmits the data to a medical monitor (e.g., a medical device) for display. Additional data includes a timestamp and location of the body temperature data. Once the data is transmitted, a user may view the medical monitor for a temperature reading. For example, a doctor may take a patient's temperature and the temperature reading is displayed on a medical monitor. The body temperature data of each patient is detected using a preferred temperature detector, such as a temporal artery thermometer using an arterial heat balance approach. After collecting an individual's body temperature data, the body temperature data can be transferred to a processor. By sending body temperature data for many individuals for a geographic region, the processor can identify a pattern (e.g., a pandemic) in the body temperature data. | 10-23-2008 |
20110092822 | Temporal Artery Temperature Detector - Body temperature measurements are obtained by scanning a thermal radiation sensor across the side of the forehead over the temporal artery. A peak temperature measurement is processed to compute an internal temperature of the body as a function of ambient temperature and the sensed surface temperature. The function includes a weighted difference of surface temperature and ambient temperature, the weighting being varied with target temperature through a minimum in the range of 96° F. and 100° F. The radiation sensor views the target surface through an emissivity compensating cup which is spaced from the skin by a circular lip of low thermal conductivity. | 04-21-2011 |
20120179049 | Method of Detecting Body Temperature - A body temperature detector includes a body having a viewing end, a retaining end, and a disposable cap. The retaining end includes an inward protrusion that expands over a wider portion of an end of the detector and contracts after the retaining end has passed over the wider portion to snugly secure the cap on the detector. An operator can scan the detector across the forehead of the patient and behind at least one ear, and the detector selects a maximum peak temperature of the two scans. The operator can continuously scan the detector from the forehead to behind the ear. Measured temperature is processed to provide a body temperature approximation based on heat flow from the skin surface to ambient temperature. | 07-12-2012 |
20120197585 | Wireless Transmission of Temperature Data for a Geographic Area - A user obtains an individual's body temperature data and transmits the data to a medical monitor (e.g., a medical device) for display. Additional data includes a timestamp and location of the body temperature data. Once the data is transmitted, a user may view the medical monitor for a temperature reading. For example, a doctor may take a patient's temperature and the temperature reading is displayed on a medical monitor. The body temperature data of each patient is detected using a preferred temperature detector, such as a temporal artery thermometer using an arterial heat balance approach. After collecting an individual's body temperature data, the body temperature data can be transferred to a processor. By sending body temperature data for many individuals for a geographic region, the processor can identify a pattern (e.g., a pandemic) in the body temperature data. | 08-02-2012 |
20140046620 | Wireless Transmission Of Temperature Data For A Geographic Area - A user obtains an individual's body temperature data and transmits the data to a medical monitor (e.g., a medical device) for display. Additional data includes a timestamp and location of the body temperature data. Once the data is transmitted, a user may view the medical monitor for a temperature reading. For example, a doctor may take a patient's temperature and the temperature reading is displayed on a medical monitor. The body temperature data of each patient is detected using a preferred temperature detector, such as a temporal artery thermometer using an arterial heat balance approach. After collecting an individual's body temperature data, the body temperature data can be transferred to a processor. By sending body temperature data for many individuals for a geographic region, the processor can identify a pattern (e.g., a pandemic) in the body temperature data. | 02-13-2014 |
20140149065 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACCURATE DETECTION OF FEVER - The present invention relates to more accurate indication of fever. Temperature data from a large population of individuals are obtained and the temperature data are processed to determine a threshold, at a fever bump, above a normal range of distribution. The fever threshold, along with an individual's temperature, is used to indicate if the individual has a fever. Further, circadian information may be utilized to adjust the temperature data for an individual or the population of individuals. | 05-29-2014 |
20140243700 | WIRELESS TRANSMISSION OF TEMPERATURE DATA - An identification input device and a temperature detector that detects body temperature data. The identification input device may be an optical touch pen. The infrared touch pen may be affixed to the temperature detector using a hook and connector or a snap fit connector. In use, the temperature detector computes body temperature data and the identification input device determines an identifier. The identifier is unique to a user. After obtaining the body temperature data and identifier, a transmitter may transmit body temperature data and the identifier over a wireless communications path to a processing unit. By transmitting data over a wireless communications path, an individual's data or a large group of data may be analyzed and viewed via a display unit. | 08-28-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080239920 | Wireless transmission of temperature data - An identification input device and a temperature detector that detects body temperature data. The identification input device may be an optical touch pen. The infrared touch pen may be affixed to the temperature detector using a hook and connector or a snap fit connector. In use, the temperature detector computes body temperature data and the identification input device determines an identifier. The identifier is unique to a user. After obtaining the body temperature data and identifier, a transmitter may transmit body temperature data and the identifier over a wireless communications path to a processing unit. By transmitting data over a wireless communications path, an individual's data or a large group of data may be analyzed and viewed via a display unit. | 10-02-2008 |
20120170612 | Infrared Sensor and Method for Electrical Monitoring - An inexpensive thermopile temperature detector is particularly adapted to monitoring of electrical equipment, such as a power bus bar, within an enclosed area such as a cabinet. The detector may have a plastic housing, a thermopile sensor and a plastic Fresnel lens. Each sensor also includes a calibrated element such that, but for calibration, the same sensor may be used for various applications for different target sizes and distance or, more generally, with respect to effective target percentage of field of view. | 07-05-2012 |
20120183013 | DUAL WAVEBAND TEMPERATURE DETECTOR - There are many industrial applications in which non-contact temperature sensing is useful for increasing production speed and quality, such as printing, laminating, extrusion, and metal forming. Disclosed is a non-contact temperature determining apparatus which uses two wide wavelength bands integrating sensors to determine the radiance ratio of a target and thereby determine a corresponding temperature of the target. Also disclosed is a non-contact temperature determining apparatus in which a beam splitter passes one wide wavelength band to a sensor and reflects another distinct wide wavelength band to another sensor from which temperature can be determined. A disclosed embodiment of the dual waveband temperature detector improves upon traditional and currently available ratio pyrometers by further reducing the cost of the system, making installation and use easier, and improving temperature detection for low temperature industrial applications. | 07-19-2012 |
20150017592 | Method for Temperature Measurements of Surfaces With a Low, Unknown and/or Variable Emissivity - Devices and corresponding methods can be provided to monitor or measure temperature of a target or to control a process. Targets can have low, unknown, or variable emissivity. Devices and corresponding methods can be used to measure temperatures of thin film, partially transparent, or opaque targets, as well as targets not filling a sensor's field of view. Temperature measurements can be made independent of emissivity of a target surface by, for example, inserting a target between a thermopile sensor and a background surface maintained at substantially the same temperature as the thermopile sensor. In embodiment devices and methods, a sensor temperature can be controlled to match a target temperature by minimizing or zeroing a net heat flux at the sensor, as derived from a sensor output signal. Alternatively, a target temperature can be controlled to minimize the heat flux. | 01-15-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080285777 | Parametric audio system - A parametric audio system having increased bandwidth for generating airborne audio signals with reduced distortion. The parametric audio system includes a modulator for modulating an ultrasonic carrier signal with a processed audio signal, a driver amplifier for amplifying the modulated carrier signal, and an array of acoustic transducers for projecting the modulated and amplified carrier signal through the air along a selected projection path to regenerate the audio signal. The acoustic transducer array includes a backplate having a succession of depressions formed thereon with at least one varying feature and/or dimension, and a membrane disposed along the backplate. The feature and/or dimension of the respective depressions vary so that the center frequencies of the respective acoustic transducers span a desired frequency range, thereby broadening the frequency response of the acoustic transducer array. | 11-20-2008 |
20100158285 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER FOR PARAMETRIC ARRAY - An ultrasonic transducer having a reduced cost of manufacture. The ultrasonic transducer includes a first insulative retaining layer, a second insulative retaining layer, and a vibrator film layer sandwiched between the first and second retaining layers. The first retaining layer includes a first plurality of apertures formed therethrough, and the second retaining layer includes a second plurality of apertures formed therethrough, in which the second apertures are substantially in registration with the first apertures. The ultrasonic transducer further includes a first cover portion having a plurality of spring/backplate assemblies connected thereto, and a second cover portion. The combination of the first retaining layer, the vibrator film layer, and the second retaining layer is sandwiched between the first and second cover portions of the ultrasonic transducer. The laminated construction of the ultrasonic transducer allows the formation of an array of ultrasonic film transducers using a single piece of ultrasonic vibrator film. | 06-24-2010 |
20100158286 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER FOR PARAMETRIC ARRAY - An ultrasonic transducer having a reduced cost of manufacture. The ultrasonic transducer includes a first insulative retaining layer, a second insulative retaining layer, and a vibrator film layer sandwiched between the first and second retaining layers. The first retaining layer includes a first plurality of apertures formed therethrough, and the second retaining layer includes a second plurality of apertures formed therethrough, in which the second apertures are substantially in registration with the first apertures. The ultrasonic transducer further includes a first cover portion having a plurality of spring/backplate assemblies connected thereto, and a second cover portion. The combination of the first retaining layer, the vibrator film layer, and the second retaining layer is sandwiched between the first and second cover portions of the ultrasonic transducer. The laminated construction of the ultrasonic transducer allows the formation of an array of ultrasonic film transducers using a single piece of ultrasonic vibrator film. | 06-24-2010 |
20110044467 | DIRECTED ACOUSTIC SOUND SYSTEM - An acoustic sound system usable in electronic entertainment systems that generates highly directional sound. The directed acoustic sound system includes a parametric audio sound system having a modulator for modulating an ultrasonic carrier signal with a processed audio signal, a driver amplifier for amplifying the modulated signal, and a parametric loudspeaker for projecting the modulated and amplified signal through the air for subsequent regeneration of the audio signal along a pre-selected path. The acoustic sound system allows a user to select the parametric loudspeaker, a connectable non-directional loudspeaker, or both loudspeakers for producing audible sound. The acoustic sound system may be employed in the home, in the workplace, or in any other environment where audio leakage is undesirable. | 02-24-2011 |
20110227662 | HYBRID MODULATION METHOD FOR PARAMETRIC AUDIO SYSTEM - A parametric audio system that permits greater control over the bandwidth of a modulated signal. The system includes a carrier signal generator for generating a carrier signal, at least one audio signal source for generating at least one audio signal, and a modulation component for generating an envelope signal based on the at least one audio signal, modulating the phase of the carrier signal based on a predetermined function to generate a first modulated signal, and multiplying the envelope signal and the first modulated signal to generate a second modulated signal. By selection of the predetermined function, the modulation component can alter the spectrum of the second modulated signal, thereby permitting greater control over the bandwidth of the second modulated signal. | 09-22-2011 |
20130322216 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER FOR PARAMETRIC ARRAY - An ultrasonic transducer having a reduced cost of manufacture. The ultrasonic transducer includes a first insulative retaining layer, a second insulative retaining layer, and a vibrator film layer sandwiched between the first and second retaining layers. The first retaining layer includes a first plurality of apertures formed therethrough, and the second retaining layer includes a second plurality of apertures formed therethrough, in which the second apertures are substantially in registration with the first apertures. The ultrasonic transducer further includes a first cover portion having a plurality of spring/backplate assemblies connected thereto, and a second cover portion. The combination of the first retaining layer, the vibrator film layer, and the second retaining layer is sandwiched between the first and second cover portions of the ultrasonic transducer. The laminated construction of the ultrasonic transducer allows the formation of an array of ultrasonic film transducers using a single piece of ultrasonic vibrator film. | 12-05-2013 |
20160021466 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER - Ultrasonic transducers that are capable of generating increased levels of ultrasound, as well as receiving ultrasonic waves with increased sensitivity. The ultrasonic transducers include a back cover, a protective front cover, a backplate, and a vibrator film layer disposed between the backplate and the protective front cover. The backplate includes a plurality of grooves formed on a surface thereof facing the vibrator film layer. Each groove includes upper edges having cross-sectional contours that gradually tend toward the deepest part of the groove to allow a larger area of the backplate to be closer to the vibrator film layer, thereby increasing the resulting electric field, and, consequently, increasing the output power and sensitivity of the ultrasonic transducer. | 01-21-2016 |