Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120259430 | CONTROLLING POWERED HUMAN AUGMENTATION DEVICES - In a communication system for controlling a powered human augmentation device, a parameter of the powered device is adjusted within a gait cycle by wirelessly transmitting a control signal thereto, whereby the adjusted parameter falls within a target range corresponding to that parameter. The target range is selected and the device parameters are controlled such that the powered device can normalize or augment human biomechanical function, responsive to a wearer's activity, regardless of speed and terrain and, in effect, provides at least a biomimetic response to the wearer of the powered device. | 10-11-2012 |
20140088727 | CONTROLLING POWERED HUMAN AUGMENTATION DEVICES - In a communication system for controlling a powered human augmentation device, a parameter of the powered device is adjusted within a gait cycle by wirelessly transmitting a control signal thereto, whereby the adjusted parameter falls within a target range corresponding to that parameter. The target range is selected and the device parameters are controlled such that the powered device can normalize or augment human biomechanical function, responsive to a wearer's activity, regardless of speed and terrain and, in effect, provides at least a biomimetic response to the wearer of the powered device. | 03-27-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20150308389 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REFUELING CANISTER SYSTEM - Methods and systems are described for depressurizing a fuel tank prior to refueling. In one example, before refueling the fuel tank having a pressure above a first predetermined pressure, the pressure may be released through a first valve to the first predetermined pressure and the first valve may be closed. Further, a second valve may be opened to further reduce the pressure to a second predetermined pressure, and if flow through the second valve is less than desired, then the first valve may be opened until the second predetermined pressure is reached. | 10-29-2015 |
20150329006 | VARIABLE PRECHARGE TIMING - An example method includes intentionally precharging a powertrain of an electric vehicle for an first time period that is different than a second precharge time period. An example electric vehicle assembly includes a precharge contactor transitionable back and forth between an open state and a closed state, a first main contactor, a second main contactor, and a controller configured to selectively close the second main contactor after the precharge contactor has been closed for a first time period that is different than a second precharge time period. | 11-19-2015 |
20150336568 | SELECTIVE ELECTRIC MODE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An example method includes operating an electric vehicle in an electric mode when a speed of the electric vehicle is at or below a threshold speed, and operating the electric vehicle in a hybrid mode when the speed of the electric vehicle is above the threshold speed. The threshold speed is an operator-adjustable threshold speed. Another example method includes operating an electric vehicle in an electric mode when a state of charge of a battery of the electric vehicle is at a threshold state of charge, and operating the electric vehicle in a hybrid mode when the state of charge of the battery is at or below the threshold state of charge. | 11-26-2015 |
20160063771 | DISTANCE TO EMPTY ENERGY COMPENSATION - A method of estimating distance to empty (DTE) for a vehicle includes, in response to detecting an energy loss condition expected to be present during an initial portion of a drive cycle for a period of time needed for a current temperature or pressure associated with the vehicle to achieve a steady state, outputting a DTE. The DTE is based on an amount of drive energy available and an energy loss factor associated with the energy loss condition that accounts for conversion of some of the drive energy to heat as the current temperature or pressure increases to the steady state. | 03-03-2016 |
20160068168 | ELECTRIFIED VEHICLE OPERATING MODE PROMPT - An exemplary method includes prompting a user to change an operating mode of an electrified vehicle from a first mode to a second mode that is different than the first mode. The first mode is a default mode. The second mode is a non-default mode. | 03-10-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100156899 | PRIORITIZED RENDERING OF OBJECTS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An invention for prioritized rendering of objects in a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is a prioritization tool including a value component configured to assign a value to each of a set of items within an inventory of an avatar. A priority component is configured to compare a set of objects in the virtual universe to the value assigned to each of the set of items within the inventory of the avatar to determine a priority of each of the set of objects in the virtual universe. A rendering component is configured to render the set of objects in the virtual universe based on the priority of each of the set of objects in the virtual universe. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161906 | PRE-FETCHING VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE BASED ON PREVIOUS TRAVERSALS - An approach is provided for pre-fetching of virtual content in a virtual universe based on previous traversals. In one embodiment, there is a pre-fetching tool, including a ranking component configured to rank each of a plurality of parcels of locations previously visited by an avatar according to predefined ranking criteria. The pre-fetching tool further includes a pre-fetching component configured to pre-fetch a virtual content of said parcels of locations based on the ranking. | 06-24-2010 |
20100164947 | PRE-FETCHING VIRTUAL CONTENT IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An invention that pre-fetches virtual content in a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is a pre-fetching tool, including a ranking component configured to rank each of a plurality of members belonging to a social network of an avatar according to predefined ranking criteria. The pre-fetching tool further includes a pre-fetching component configured to pre-fetch a virtual content within a proximity of each of the plurality of members belonging to the social network of the avatar based on the ranking. | 07-01-2010 |
20100306652 | PRE-FETCHING ITEMS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE BASED ON AVATAR COMMUNICATIONS - The present invention pre-fetches objects, textures and scripts (collectively referred to herein as items) through analysis of the communications of an avatar. Furthermore, if an object, texture or script is not pre-fetched upon arrival to a region the virtual universe's object, texture and script download system is augmented to prioritize objects the user may be interested in based on the avatar's communications and previously stated priorities. The present invention may improve user experience of virtual world by prioritizing the download and caching of objects, textures, and scripts that are likely to interest the user. Such a prioritization enhances the user experience by reducing wait times for the rendering of objects of interest. | 12-02-2010 |
20110055267 | Virtual Universe Rendering Based on Prioritized Metadata Terms - After a change of location of an avatar in a virtual universe, an avatar is encouraged to remain at that location and avoid an immediate further or return change of location (e.g. by teleportation) by prioritizing rendering of objects such that objects most likely to be of interest to the avatar is performed prior to rendering of objects less likely to be of interest. Prioritization is performed by comparing metadata concerning objective(s) of the avatar and metadata of preferences of the avatar and objects in the avatar's inventory and/or implied from the avatar's activity history with metadata corresponding to objects at the location to which the avatar moves. Preferably, the metadata corresponding to the avatar is ranked in order of the number of occurrences of metadata terms and synonyms in metadata of the avatar. | 03-03-2011 |
20140176567 | PRIORITIZED RENDERING OF OBJECTS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - Approaches for prioritized rendering of objects in a virtual universe are provided. In one embodiment, there is a prioritization tool containing a plurality of components configured to: determine a priority of each of a set of objects in a commercial area of the virtual universe, the commercial area having a plurality of virtual retail stores; assign a priority to each of the plurality of virtual stores in the commercial area based on the priority of each of the set of objects in the virtual universe; and download and cache each of the objects from the set of virtual stores from the plurality of virtual stores in the virtual universe, that are outside a rendering radius of the avatar, based on the relative priorities of each of the set of the plurality of virtual stores in the virtual universe. | 06-26-2014 |
20150127664 | PRE-FETCHING ITEMS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE BASED ON AVATAR COMMUNICATIONS - The present invention pre-fetches objects, textures and scripts (collectively referred to herein as items) through analysis of the communications of an avatar. Furthermore, if an object, texture or script is not pre-fetched upon arrival to a region the virtual universe's object, texture and script download system is augmented to prioritize objects the user may be interested in based on the avatar's communications and previously stated priorities. The present invention may improve user experience of virtual world by prioritizing the download and caching of objects, textures, and scripts that are likely to interest the user. Such a prioritization enhances the user experience by reducing wait times for the rendering of objects of interest. | 05-07-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100193651 | Conduit bracketry, systems and methods - A bracket stores and separates conduits. The bracket includes two interchangeable halves having an engagement extrusion extending from an inner face. Each half has a corresponding receptive slot disposed in the inner face. The bracket half includes at least one conduit receptive channel defined in the inner face. The halves align and engage when each half's extrusion is inserted into the other half's slot. The channels align to secure a conduit therein. The engagement portions may comprise a dovetail and socket engagement. At least two stages of securement are provided. Securement may comprise snap fit, sliding or other methods. A first, temporary stage of engagement initially joins the halves, adjustably and releasably retaining the halves and the conduits together. The second and subsequent stages of engagement are tighter engagements between the tail and socket, achieved by applying more pressing force to the halves or inserting a fastener. | 08-05-2010 |
20100206415 | HEATED FLUID CONDUIT END COVERS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A fluid conduit body having a semi-conductive material disposed therein and at least one wire coupling an electrical power supply to the conduit to provide an electrical current therethrough to heat the fluid conduit also has an end cover molded over a fitting fitted to an end of the conduit and over an end of the wire coupling the power supply to an end of the conduit. Alternatively, a fluid conduit heating system employs a semi-conductive sleeve disposed over a fluid conduit with the sleeve extending at least partially over a fitting fitted to an end of the conduit. An electrical power supply is coupled to each end of the sleeve to provide an electrical current through the semi-conductive sleeve to heat the sleeve and the fluid conduit. An end cover is molded over at least a portion of the fitting and the sleeve extending thereover. | 08-19-2010 |
20100209085 | Heated fluid conduits, systems and methods - A heated fluid conduit has a body with a semi-conductive material disposed therein with an electrical power supply coupled to the conduit to provide a voltage across the conduit and a current therethrough, heating the fluid conduit. A fluid conduit heating system comprises a semiconductive sleeve disposed over a fluid conduit and an electrical power supply coupled to the ends of the sleeve to provide a voltage across the sleeve and a resulting current through the semiconductive sleeve, heating the sleeve and conduit Alternatively, one terminal of the electrical power supply is coupled to each end of the sleeve or conduit, and another terminal of the electrical power supply is coupled to the sleeve or conduit therebetween, to provide parallel heating circuits. | 08-19-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090028923 | Implantable Devices and Methods for Treating Sinusitis and Other Disorders - Devices, systems and methods for stenting, spacing, draining, ventilating and/or delivering drugs and other therapeutic or diagnostic substances to desired locations within the bodies of human or non-human animal subjects, including methods and systems for treating paranasal sinusitis and ethmoid disease. | 01-29-2009 |
20100305697 | System and Method For Treatment of Non-Ventilating Middle Ear by Providing a Gas Pathway Through the Nasopharynx - Methods and devices for providing a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube are provided. One device may include a lumen with a valve. A portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent muscle. Another portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent cartilage. When the muscle contracts the valve may open through movement of the tethers, and provide a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube. | 12-02-2010 |
20110202037 | FLUID DELIVERY CATHETER APPARATUS - An apparatus for delivering a medicated fluid or ointment to a target region of the paranasal sinuses. A flexible dual lumen catheter is provided. A first lumen is releasably attachable to a fluid source. A second lumen is substantially adjacent and parallel to the first lumen, and releasable accepts a deformable member, such as a malleable wire. By bending the deformable member into a desired shape, the flexible second lumen and, in turn, the adjacent flexible first lumen, assume a curvature approximating that of the deformable member. Further, a rigid delivery assembly is provided having a catheter assembly and a plurality of adaptors. | 08-18-2011 |
20130245608 | IMPLANTABLE DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TREATING SINUSITIS AND OTHER DISORDERS - Devices, systems and methods for stenting, spacing, draining, ventilating and/or delivering drugs and other therapeutic or diagnostic substances to desired locations within the bodies of human or non-human animal subjects, including methods and systems for treating paranasal sinusitis and ethmoid disease. | 09-19-2013 |
20130303968 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF NON-VENTILATING MIDDLE EAR BY PROVIDING A GAS PATHWAY THROUGH THE NASOPHARYNX - Methods and devices for providing a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube are provided. One device may include a lumen with a valve. A portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent muscle. Another portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent cartilage. When the muscle contracts the valve may open through movement of the tethers, and provide a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube. | 11-14-2013 |
20150366716 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF NON-VENTILATING MIDDLE EAR BY PROVIDING A GAS PATHWAY THROUGH THE NASOPHARYNX - Methods and devices for providing a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube are provided. One device may include a lumen with a valve. A portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent muscle. Another portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent cartilage. When the muscle contracts the valve may open through movement of the tethers, and provide a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube. | 12-24-2015 |