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Joel A.

Joel A. Alexa, Hampton, VA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090022975Metal/Fiber Laminate and Fabrication Using A Porous Metal/Fiber Preform - A metal/fiber laminate has a plurality of adjacent layers. Each layer is porous and includes an arrangement of fibers. At least one of the layers has its fibers coated with a metal. A polymer matrix permeates each such arrangement.01-22-2009
20100190026Strain-Detecting Composite Materials - A composite material includes a structural material and a shape-memory alloy embedded in the structural material. The shape-memory alloy changes crystallographic phase from austenite to martensite in response to a predefined critical macroscopic average strain of the composite material. In a second embodiment, the composite material includes a plurality of particles of a ferromagnetic shape-memory alloy embedded in the structural material. The ferromagnetic shape-memory alloy changes crystallographic phase from austenite to martensite and changes magnetic phase in response to the predefined critical macroscopic average strain of the composite material. A method of forming a composite material for sensing the predefined critical macroscopic average strain includes providing the shape-memory alloy having an austenite crystallographic phase, changing a size and shape of the shape-memory alloy to thereby form a plurality of particles, and combining the structural material and the particles at a temperature of from about 100-700° C. to form the composite material.07-29-2010
20110070793Metal/Fiber Laminate and Fabrication Using a Porous Metal/Fiber Preform - A metal/fiber laminate has a plurality of adjacent layers. Each layer is porous and includes an arrangement of fibers. At least one of the layers has its fibers coated with a metal. A polymer matrix permeates each such arrangement.03-24-2011
20120023737Methods of Making Z-Shielding - Disclosed are methods of building Z-graded radiation shielding and covers. In one aspect, the method includes: providing a substrate surface having about medium Z-grade; plasma spraying a first metal having higher Z-grade than the substrate surface; and infusing a polymer layer to form a laminate. In another aspect, the method includes electro/electroless plating a first metal having higher Z-grade than the substrate surface. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of improving an existing electronics enclosure to build a Z-graded radiation shield by applying a temperature controller to at least part of the enclosure and affixing at least one layer of a first metal having higher Z-grade than the enclosure.02-02-2012
20120090738Abnormal Grain Growth Suppression in Aluminum Alloys - The present invention provides a process for suppressing abnormal grain growth in friction stir welded aluminum alloys by inserting an intermediate annealing treatment (“IAT”) after the welding step on the article. The IAT may be followed by a solution heat treatment (SHT) on the article under effectively high solution heat treatment conditions. In at least some embodiments, a deformation step is conducted on the article under effective spin-forming deformation conditions or under effective superplastic deformation conditions. The invention further provides a welded article having suppressed abnormal grain growth, prepared by the process above. Preferably the article is characterized with greater than about 90% reduction in area fraction abnormal grain growth in any friction-stir-welded nugget.04-19-2012

Patent applications by Joel A. Alexa, Hampton, VA US

Joel A. Anderson, Brooklyn Park, MN US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090079606IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE WITH LOW POWER DELTA-SIGMA ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER - In general, this disclosure describes techniques for reducing power consumption within an implantable medical device (IMD). An IMD implanted within a patient may have finite power resources that are intended to last several years. To promote device longevity, sensing and therapy circuits of the IMD are designed to incorporate an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that provides relatively high resolution output at a relatively low operation frequency, and does so with relatively low power consumption. An ADC designed in accordance with the techniques described herein utilizes a quantizer that has a lower resolution than a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) used for negative feedback. Such a configuration provides the benefits of higher resolution DAC feedback without having the use high oversampling ratios that result in high power consumption. Also, the techniques avoid the use of, and the associated high power consumption of, a high resolution flash ADC, within the sigma delta loop.03-26-2009
20090079607CHOPPER-STABILIZED ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER - This disclosure describes a chopper-stabilized sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC is configured to provide accurate output at low frequency with relatively low power. The chopper-stabilized ADC substantially reduces or eliminates noise and offset from an output signal produced by the mixer amplifier. Dynamic limitations, i.e., glitching that result from chopper stabilization at low power are substantially eliminated or reduced through a combination of chopping at low impedance nodes within the mixer amplifier and feedback. The signal path of the ADC operates as a continuous time system, providing minimal aliasing of noise or external signals entering the signal pathway at the chop frequency or its harmonics. In this manner, the chopper-stabilized ADC can be used in a low power system, such as an implantable medical device (IMD), to provide a stable, low-noise output signal.03-26-2009
20110106213USER INTERFACE FOR OPTIMIZING ENERGY MANAGEMENT IN A NEUROSTIMULATION SYSTEM - In one aspect, a programmer for an implantable medical device comprises a user interface that receives user input corresponding to one or more selected stimulation therapy parameters for delivering stimulation therapy to a patient with the implantable medical device and presents an energy consumption estimate of a power source based on the selected stimulation therapy parameters; and a processor that determines one or more programming options that, if selected, would alter the selected stimulation therapy parameters and reduce the energy consumption estimate. The user interface presents at least one of the programming options to reduce the energy consumption estimate to the user with an indication that user selection of one or more of the presented programming options would alter the selected stimulation therapy parameters to reduce energy consumption of the implantable medical device.05-05-2011
20110190852IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES AND SYSTEMS HAVING DUAL FREQUENCY INDUCTIVE TELEMETRY AND RECHARGE - Implantable devices and related systems utilize coils or coil portions of a coil for inductive telemetry at one frequency and recharge at another frequency. The coils or coil portions are included in one or more tank circuits that share at least one node between the coils or coil portions. The recharge application may be provided with variations for aspects including power management and rectification. The telemetry application may be provided with variations for aspects including receiver connectivity for the downlink and coil driving for the uplink.08-04-2011
20110190853IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES AND SYSTEMS HAVING POWER MANAGEMENT FOR RECHARGE SESSIONS - Implantable devices and related systems utilize power management features in conjunction with a recharge circuit that includes a coil and capacitance. The reactance such as the capacitance and/or inductance may be variable such that in the event of an overcharge condition, the reactance may be varied to change the resonant frequency of the circuit of the coil from the recharge frequency to another frequency to reduce the power being received. Other power management features may additionally or alternatively be employed. For instance, the device may send an uplink telemetry signal to an external device to request that recharge power be decreased. The device may switch additional resistance into the circuit of the coil to reduce the Q of the circuit. As another example, the device may clamp the circuit of the coil to ground.08-04-2011
20110307033CHARGE LEVEL MEASUREMENT - This disclosure describes techniques for estimating an amount of charge on a power source. A processor may determine an uncertainty value associated with a first charge level of a power source and an uncertainty value associated with a second charge level of the power source. Based on the uncertainties, the processor may adjust the first charge level to generate an adjusted charge level. The processor may further adjust the adjusted charge level based on the behavior of the power source.12-15-2011
20120066534POWER SOURCE COUPLING AND DECOUPLING IN MEDICAL DEVICE - Aspects of this disclosure relate to coupling and decoupling a power source of a device with circuitry within the device. For example, in aspects of this disclosure, when a short develops within the device, a switch circuit may decouple the power source from the some of the circuitry within the device. Decoupling the power source when a short develops may extent the operational time of the power source, and may reduce thermal excursion.03-15-2012

Patent applications by Joel A. Anderson, Brooklyn Park, MN US

Joel A. Ernster, Colorado Springs, CO US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100069791Tissue Sampler - A tissue sampler for oral use has a wand that is sufficiently flexible to be inserted into the mouth of a patient without causing injury. A core is attached to the wand; the core is soft to avoid a likelihood of inducing a gag reflex in a patient when it is placed adjacent to an oropharynx of a patient. Bristles attached to the core so that when it is placed adjacent to the oropharynx of a patient, the bristles will acquire deep-seated cells in the crypts and grooves of the oropharynx. In operation, the patient preferably swallows which, especially because of the softness of the core, will force tissue onto the bristles. The bristles may be adapted to increase their tissue collecting capacity.03-18-2010
20110154591CLEANER FOR SUCTION COAGULATOR - A cleaning device for cleaning a coagulator has a housing defining an interior chamber with a prong extending along a central axis to receive a coagulator bore. An insertion guide with an opening along the central axis guides insertion of the tip of the coagulator onto the prong. Pliable wipers extend inward from the sidewalls of the chamber toward the prong, so that the wipers deform by contact to wipe against the coagulator in operation. The wipers can be formed as part of a pliable tubular member that is inserted into the chamber in the housing and held in place by an end cap that incorporates the insertion guide.06-30-2011

Patent applications by Joel A. Ernster, Colorado Springs, CO US

Joel A. Garcia, Eindhoven NL

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100014740OPTIMAL ROTATIONAL TRAJECTORY DETERMINATION FOR RA BASED ON PRE-DETERMINED OPTIMAL VIEW MAP - It is described a method for determining an optimal trajectory (01-21-2010

Joel A. Getschel, Osceola, WI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090022927FLAME-PERFORATED FILMS HAVING CONTROLLED TEAR CHARACTERISTICS AND METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING SAME - The disclosure is directed to methods, systems, and apparatus for obtaining flame-perforated films which reduce or eliminate skewing of perforations in such films caused by thermal creep, whereby the film has perforations arranged to provide controlled tear characteristics, especially in both the lengthwise or machine direction (MD), and the crosswise or transverse direction (TD).01-22-2009
20090053448Protective Films and Related Methods - The invention features protective film constructions that may be used, for example, as a protective floor finish.02-26-2009
20100140826APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FLAME-PERFORATING FILMS - An apparatus and methods for flame-perforating films. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a frame, support surface attached to the frame, where the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions, a burner attached to the frame opposite the support surface, where the burner supports a flame, and where the flame includes a flame tip opposite the burner and a film contacting the support surface, where the flame of the burner is in contact with the film, where the burner is positioned such that the distance between an unimpinged flame tip of the flame and the burner is at least one-third greater than the distance between the film and the burner.06-10-2010
20110064948DICING TAPE AND DIE ATTACH ADHESIVE WITH PATTERNED BACKING - Provided are a tape, apparatus, and method that relate generally to a single layer adhesive which functions as a dicing tape and also as a die attach adhesive for dicing thinned wafers and subsequent die attach operations of the diced chips in semiconductor device fabrication. The tape, apparatus, and method include a backing with a surface modification that includes a pattern.03-17-2011

Patent applications by Joel A. Getschel, Osceola, WI US

Joel A. Hansen, Beaverton, OR US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120098971INFRARED BINOCULAR SYSTEM WITH DUAL DIOPTER ADJUSTMENT - Binocular system, including method and apparatus, for viewing a scene. The system may comprise a left camera and a right camera that create left and right video signals from detected optical radiation. At least one of the cameras may include a sensor that is sensitive to infrared radiation. The system also may comprise a left display and a right display arranged to be viewed by a pair of eyes. The left and right displays may be configured to present respective left video images and right video images formed with visible light based respectively on the left and right video signals.04-26-2012
20120098972INFRARED BINOCULAR SYSTEM - Binocular system, including method and apparatus, for viewing a scene. The system may comprise a left camera and a right camera that create left and right video signals from detected optical radiation. At least one of the cameras may include a sensor that is sensitive to infrared radiation. The system also may comprise a left display and a right display arranged to be viewed by a pair of eyes. The left and right displays may be configured to present respective left video images and right video images formed with visible light based respectively on the left and right video signals.04-26-2012

Joel A. Jirak, Winchester, KY US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090097069EXTENSIBLE FRAMEWORK FOR PARSING VARYING FORMATS OF PRINT STREAM DATA - A method of parsing print stream data including the steps of intercepting a data file from at least a portion of the print stream data, reading at least a portion of the data file and determining if said data file is of a format having subset formats.04-16-2009
20090097070EXTENSIBLE FRAMEWORK FOR PARSING VARYING FORMATS OF PRINT STREAM DATA - A method of parsing print stream data including the steps of intercepting a data file from at least a portion of the print stream data, reading at least a portion of the data file and determining if said data file is of a format having subset formats.04-16-2009

Joel A. Kunert, Conway, AR US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100328060VEHICLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM WITH USER INTERFACE - A vehicle measurement system that provides highly realistic guidance to perform a vehicle measurement procedure is described. An exemplary system includes a data storage device configured to store vehicle data for a plurality of vehicles. The vehicle data corresponding to each respective vehicle includes an image of the vehicle and information of predefined points on the vehicle to which emitters or targets should be attached for performing a vehicle measurement procedure. A user interface is provided to receive a user input identifying a vehicle under test. After the user identifies a vehicle under test, the system retrieves vehicle data corresponding to the vehicle under test from the data storage device; and displays the image of the vehicle under test on the display with the predefined points on the vehicle identified.12-30-2010

Joel A. Kunert, Maumelle, AR US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110191711CUSTOMER AND VEHICLE DYNAMIC GROUPING - A system and machine-implemented method relating to displaying a first plurality of items, each item including a plurality of values including a first value corresponding to a first field and a second value corresponding to a second field, including receiving a first selection of the first field as a primary grouping field; receiving a second selection of the second field as a secondary grouping field; displaying a plurality of first values included in the first plurality of items, such that each unique value included in the first values is displayed no more than once, in response to the first selection; receiving a third selection of one of the displayed first values; displaying a plurality of second values included in a second plurality of items, wherein each of the second plurality of items is included in the first plurality of items and includes a first value equal to the first value selected in the first selection, such that each unique value included in the plurality of second values is displayed no more than once, in response to the third selection; receiving a fourth selection of one of the displayed second values; and displaying a third plurality of items, each included in the second plurality of items and each including a second value equal to the second value selected in the fourth selection, in response to the fourth selection.08-04-2011
20110191722NESTED CONTROLS IN A USER INTERFACE - A method, system and computer-readable medium are provided in a user interface, for presenting information for a plurality of items and selecting one of the plurality of items. Embodiments include displaying a first user interface element for listing a plurality of items, and displaying the first user interface element and a listing of the plurality of items in response to a first selection. Each item is presented with a second user interface element and a third user interface element. Upon receiving a second selection for the second user interface element for one of the plurality of items, at least a portion of the listing of the plurality of items and a fourth user interface element with contents relating to the first item are displayed.08-04-2011
20110209074ROTATING ANIMATED VISUAL USER DISPLAY INTERFACE - A computer-implemented method, system, and medium is provided for performing vehicle service activities. Embodiments include displaying, on a first portion of a display unit, a plurality of visual images, each visual image corresponding to a respective one of the vehicle service activities, arranged along a movement path. In response to a selection of a first visual image of the plurality of visual images, a user interface is displayed on a second portion of the display unit for performing the vehicle service activity corresponding to the first visual image, a visual indication for the first visual image that it was selected is displayed on the first portion of the display unit, and at least one of the plurality of visual images moves along the movement path in response to the selection.08-25-2011

Joel A. Penticoff, Cedar Rapids, IA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110275330SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POWER AMPLIFIER OVER-VOLTAGE PROTECTION - A system for power amplifier over-voltage protection includes a power amplifier configured to receive a system voltage, a bias circuit configured to provide a bias signal to the power amplifier, and a power amplifier over-voltage circuit configured to interrupt the bias signal when the system voltage exceeds a predetermined value, while the system voltage remains coupled to the power amplifier.11-10-2011

Joel A. Propson, Chilton, WI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090013955MANIFOLD COMMUNICATION CHANNEL - A manifold, such as an intake manifold or a fuel injection manifold, for use in an internal combustion engine, as well as a method of operating such an engine, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the manifold includes an input end capable of being coupled at least indirectly to an air input device, first and second intake tubes linking the input end to first and second exit ports, respectively, and a first communication channel linking the first and second intake tubes. The communication channel has a first width that is substantially less than a second width of at least one of the first and second intake tubes, and the communication channel links upper portions of the first and second intake tubes, while lower portions of the intake tubes remain separated by a wall.01-15-2009

Joel A. Rosiene, Colchester, CT US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090060031OPTO-ELECTRONIC VIDEO COMPRESSION SYSTEM - An opto-electonic video compression system is disclosed including a lens element for transmitting light of an image and having one or more lenses, each lens having a predetermined focal length. A sensor array includes a first sensor for receiving focused light from the lens element and a second for receiving defocused light from the lens element, wherein the first sensor includes X.times.Y pixels and samples the focused light at each of the X.times.Y pixels, and the second sensor includes X/2.times.Y/2 pixels and samples the defocused light at each of the X/2.times.Y/2 pixels. An electronic differencing element in communication with the first and second sensor is also included for differencing the coefficients of co-located pixels.03-05-2009

Joel A. Susal, Palo Alto, CA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100105414SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ALERT-BASED SERVICES TO MOBILE STATIONS IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - System for providing alert-based communication services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined. The system includes an alert engine capable of firing alerts associated with the alert-based communication services if location data regarding the mobile stations is indicative of the mobile stations meeting the alert conditions corresponding to the alert-based communication services. A requirements engine is provided for determining an expected earliest future time at which at least one alert condition is capable of being met by a particular mobile station and outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time. Also provided is a scheduler for receiving expiry times data indicative of a plurality of expiry times relating to respective location requests, processing the expiry times data for determining an order for servicing the location requests by positioning determining equipment (PDE) at least in part on a basis on the expiry times of the location requests and an output for interfacing with the PDE, allowing it to service the location requests according to the order determined.04-29-2010
20100105415SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ALERT-BASED SERVICES TO MOBILE STATIONS IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - System for providing alert-based communication services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined. The system includes an alert engine capable of firing alerts associated with the alert-based communication services if location data regarding the mobile stations is indicative of the mobile stations meeting the alert conditions corresponding to the alert-based communication services. A requirements engine is provided for determining an expected earliest future time at which at least one alert condition is capable of being met by a particular mobile station and outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time. Also provided is a scheduler for receiving expiry times data indicative of a plurality of expiry times relating to respective location requests, processing the expiry times data for determining an order for servicing the location requests by positioning determining equipment (PDE) at least in part on a basis on the expiry times of the location requests and an output for interfacing with the PDE, allowing it to service the location requests according to the order determined.04-29-2010
20110205054SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ALERT-BASED SERVICES TO MOBILE STATIONS IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - System for providing alert-based communication services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined. The system includes an alert engine capable of firing alerts associated with the alert-based communication services if location data regarding the mobile stations is indicative of the mobile stations meeting the alert conditions corresponding to the alert-based communication services. A requirements engine is provided for determining an expected earliest future time at which at least one alert condition is capable of being met by a particular mobile station and outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time. Also provided is a scheduler for receiving expiry times data indicative of a plurality of expiry times relating to respective location requests, processing the expiry times data for determining an order for servicing the location requests by positioning determining equipment (PDE) at least in part on a basis on the expiry times of the location requests and an output for interfacing with the PDE, allowing it to service the location requests according to the order determined.08-25-2011
20110207479SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ALERT-BASED SERVICES TO MOBILE STATIONS IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - System for providing alert-based communication services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined. The system includes an alert engine capable of firing alerts associated with the alert-based communication services if location data regarding the mobile stations is indicative of the mobile stations meeting the alert conditions corresponding to the alert-based communication services. A requirements engine is provided for determining an expected earliest future time at which at least one alert condition is capable of being met by a particular mobile station and outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time. Also provided is a scheduler for receiving expiry times data indicative of a plurality of expiry times relating to respective location requests, processing the expiry times data for determining an order for servicing the location requests by positioning determining equipment (PDE) at least in part on a basis on the expiry times of the location requests and an output for interfacing with the PDE, allowing it to service the location requests according to the order determined.08-25-2011

Patent applications by Joel A. Susal, Palo Alto, CA US

Joel A. Tunon, Sunrise, FL US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090259151Portable pressure point massage bed - A portable massage bed having a plurality of pressure point pads that protrude from a surface of the massage bed and contact one or more key pressure points of a user to relieve pain in muscles and tendons in pain afflicted areas.10-15-2009

Joel A. Virkler, Remington, IN US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090270978COATED EMBOLIZATION DEVICE - Described are embolization devices having unique bioactive coatings, as well as methods for their manufacture and use. An illustrative embolization device of the invention comprises an embolic body and a coating material comprising biotropic extracellular matrix material immobilized on a surface of the embolic body. The biotropic extracellular matrix material comprises a network of self-assembled collagen fibrils, and comprises at least one bioactive agent retained in the extracellular matrix material, wherein the bioactive agent is selected from the group consisting of a proteoglycan, a growth factor, a glycoprotein, and a glycosaminoglycan. In certain forms, such an extracellular matrix material comprises a remodelable, angiogenic extracellular matrix material, for example, a submucosa material such as but not limited to porcine small intestinal submucosa.10-29-2009

Joel A. Virkler, Farmington, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100221310MEDICAL PRODUCTS INCLUDING MODIFIED EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX MATERIALS - Described, in certain aspects, are medical products comprised of uniquely prepared remodelable extracellular matrix (ECM) materials retaining at least a portion of their native bioactivity. Also described are methods for forming and using such products. In one embodiment, an inventive product comprises a layer of remodelable ECM material modified through contact with periodic acid or a salt thereof. In some forms, such a modified ECM material layer includes non-native Schiff's base crosslinks within and/or between certain components of the ECM material (e.g., between two collagen molecules, two non-collagen molecules, and/or a collagen molecule and a non-collagen molecule). Other inventive products are comprised of various gels, foams, pastes, and formed, coherent, porous bodies at least containing ECM materials that have been modified in accordance with the present invention.09-02-2010