Patent application number | Description | Published |
20150013487 | Dual-mode torque transfer in laterally engaging drive couplers exhibiting axial misalignment with driven couplers - The present invention relates to transferring torque between a first unit, such as a mobile machine or a robot, and a second unit, such as a fixed or stationary machine. The units are arranged such that a drive coupler of the first unit designed for delivering torque about a drive axis can engage the driven coupler, which belongs to the second unit and has a driven axis, along an engagement direction that is nearly perpendicular to the direction of the driven axis. A lateral displacement mechanism of the first unit achieves a first-order coaxial alignment between the drive and driven axes. Additional measures are provided for improving engagement, coupling and reducing the level of axial misalignment. The invention further pertains to a dual-mode torque delivery apparatus tolerant of imprecise alignment. | 01-15-2015 |
20150014114 | Torque Transfer in Laterally Engaging Drive Couplers Exhibiting Axial Misalignment with Driven Couplers - The present invention relates to transferring torque between a first unit, which is typically a mobile machine or a robot, and a second unit, which is typically a fixed or stationary machine. The units are arranged such that a drive coupler of the first unit designed for delivering torque about a drive axis can engage the driven coupler, which belongs to the second unit and has a driven axis, along an engagement direction that is nearly perpendicular to the direction of the driven axis. A lateral displacement mechanism in provided is in the first unit to achieve a first-order coaxial alignment between the drive and driven axes. Additional measures such as compliance mechanisms are provided for improving engagement, coupling and reducing the level of axial misalignment in the apparatus and methods of the invention. | 01-15-2015 |
20150073594 | Solar Tracking System Employing Multiple Mobile Robots - The present invention relates to a highly-available and fault-tolerant solar tracking system and the process required to manage such a system. A fleet of multiple, redundant mobile robots managed by a task coordinator is deployed to track solar panels in a solar farm in alignment with the sun. Each robot has a control unit for engaging with a coupler connected to one or multiple solar panels and adjusting their orientation, as well as communicating with the task coordinator to receive tasks. The task coordinator senses various events such as robot failure/deterioration, as well as various environmental conditions, and sends tasks reconciled with event types. The system is highly-available and fault-tolerant as it remains operational as long as there is one operational robot. The task coordinator assigns tasks to the mobile robots so as to optimize battery life or other factors, such as, e.g., overall maintenance costs across the fleet. | 03-12-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120037135 | DOUBLE BARREL TOY LAUNCHER APPARATUS - A toy launcher apparatus for discharging soft foam projectiles, the apparatus having a housing and a barrel assembly, including side-by-side barrels, that simulates a real double barrel shotgun. Within the housing are two launching assemblies operatively connected to the barrels, and a trigger assembly for capturing launching tubes of the launching assemblies and for allowing a user to release the launching tubes, and launching springs mounted around the launching tubes to cause the projectiles to be “fired” when the launching tubes are released. Also mounted to the housing and the barrel assembly, and operatively connected to the launching assemblies, is a cocking assembly having an elongated link pivotally connected at one end to the barrel assembly and at an opposite end to a ratchet and compression mechanism. The ratchet and compression mechanism includes a central block with an upward extending arm for engaging the launching tubes to compress the launching springs, and a downward extending arm for engaging a rack connected to an inner frame of the housing to prevent the launching springs, when partially compressed, from snapping to an expanded position should the user fumble the apparatus during a cocking cycle. The barrel assembly is rotatable between a housing aligned position and a housing nonaligned position. The barrel assembly also includes a slide collar for facilitating sliding the barrels between an extended position and a retracted position when the barrel assembly is in the housing aligned position. | 02-16-2012 |
20120125304 | TOY LAUNCHER APPARATUS WITH FIXED LOADABLE MAGAZINE - A toy launcher apparatus for discharging soft foam projectiles, the apparatus having a housing, a projectile launching assembly including a launching tube and a launching spring, a trigger and a cocking assembly. The apparatus also includes a magazine container for storing a stack of projectiles and having a projectile receiving opening to enable loading of projectiles into the magazine container without removing the magazine container from the housing. This is accomplished by the apparatus having a horizontal panel operatively connected to the magazine container's upper portion and movable between a first position where the panel is retracted and does not block the projectile receiving opening and a second position where the panel blocks the projectile receiving opening during a cocking cycle of the cocking assembly. The apparatus also includes a vertical panel movable between first and second positions, where in the first position the panel blocks a breech of the apparatus to prevent jamming of projectiles, and when in the second position the breech is unblocked or opened for loading. The apparatus further includes a projectile loader that is also movable between first and second positions, such that when moving from the first position to the second position the projectile loader inserts a projectile into the open breech. During a cocking cycle, when the launching spring is compressed and captured, the horizontal panel, the vertical panel and the projectile loader move between their two positions. At all other times of play a user is allowed to load the magazine at any time a user desires without removing the magazine from the remainder of the apparatus. | 05-24-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130296183 | FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS ASSAY FOR CHARACTERIZING PLURIPOTENT STEM CELL UTILITY AND SAFETY - The present invention generally relates set of reference data or “scorecard” for a pluripotent stem cell, and methods, systems and kits to generate a scorecard for predicting the functionality and suitability of a pluripotent stem cell line for a desired use. In some aspects, a method for generating a scorecard comprises using at least 2 stem cell assays selected from: epigenetic profiling, differentiation assay and gene expression assay to predict the functionality and suitability of a pluripotent stem cell line for a desired use. In some embodiments, the scorecard reference data can be compared with the pluripotent stem cells data to effectively and accurately predict the utility of the pluripotent stem cell for a given application, as well as any to identify specific characteristics of the pluripotent stem cell line to determine their suitability for downstream applications, such as for example, their suitability for therapeutic use, drug screening and toxicity assays, differentiation into a desired cell lineage, and the like. | 11-07-2013 |
20130345094 | AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING INDUCED PLURIPOTENT STEM CELLS OR DIFFERENTIATED CELLS - The invention provides an automated system for producing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from adult somatic cells. Further, the system is used for producing differentiated adult cells from stem cells. The invention system is useful for isolating somatic cells from tissue samples, producing iPSC lines from adult differentiated cells by reprogramming such cells, identifying the pluripotent reprogrammed adult cells among other cells, and expanding and screening the identified reprogrammed cells. | 12-26-2013 |
20140322237 | NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES AND METHODS OF MODELING - Disclosed are embryonic stem cells and motor neurons derived from mice carrying transgenic alleles of the normal or mutant human SOD1 gene. Also disclosed are in vitro systems employing such SOD1 transgenic motor neurons for the study of neural degenerative disease. | 10-30-2014 |
20150301028 | ANALYSIS OF COMPOUNDS FOR PAIN AND SENSORY DISORDERS - The invention generally relates to optical methods for characterizing the effects of compounds on pain and other sensory phenomena. The effect of compounds on pain and other sensory phenomena may be characterized using dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons or sensory neurons expressing optogenetic proteins that allow neural activity to be stimulated and detected optically. The invention provides cell-based optical assays for studying the molecular and cellular bases of pain and sensory phenomena and as platforms to screen and validate drugs, e.g., for pre-clinical trials. | 10-22-2015 |
20150301029 | DIAGNOSTIC METHODS FOR NEURAL DISORDERS - The invention generally relates to optical methods for the diagnosis of neuronal condition by converting a cell from a patient into a neuron and optically evaluating action potentials of that cell in vitro. The cell is transformed with an optical reporter and exhibits an optical signature in response to neural stimulation. Using genome-editing, a control cell can be made that is isogenic but-for a known mutation and a control signature obtained from the control cell. Thus, methods of the invention reveal potential neurodegenerative effects of a mutation as manifested in a patient's genetic context. The optical signature of the cell, or the difference between the signature and the control signature, is correlated to a diagnosis of the neurodegenerative disease | 10-22-2015 |
20150301030 | MODELS FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE STUDIES - Disease models for Parkinson's disease are disclosed comprising a dopaminergic neuron having one or more phenotypic or genotypic characteristics of Parkinson's disease where the neuron expresses an optical reporter of, and an optical activator of, electrical activity and that exhibits an optical signature in response to neural stimulation. Cells may optionally include an indicator of intracellular calcium levels. Transformed neurons may be optically evaluated for action potentials to track the development of disease, evaluate potential therapies, diagnosis of disease, and to identify mutations and genes associated with disease development and progression. | 10-22-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140091832 | INTEGRATED CIRCUITS HAVING ACCESSIBLE AND INACCESSIBLE PHYSICALLY UNCLONABLE FUNCTIONS - An integrated circuit substrate of an aspect includes a plurality of exposed electrical contacts. The integrated circuit substrate also includes an inaccessible set of Physically Unclonable Function (PUF) cells to generate an inaccessible set of PUF bits that are not accessible through the exposed electrical contacts. The integrated circuit substrate also includes an accessible set of PUF cells to generate an accessible set of PUF bits that are accessible through the exposed electrical contacts. Other apparatus, methods, and systems are also disclosed. | 04-03-2014 |
20140093074 | SECURE PROVISIONING OF SECRET KEYS DURING INTEGRATED CIRCUIT MANUFACTURING - A method, of an aspect, includes challenging a set of Physically Unclonable Function (PUF) cells, of an integrated circuit device, and receiving a set of PUF bits from the PUF cells in response. A PUF key is generated based on the set of PUF bits. An encryption of the PUF key with an embedded key is output from the integrated circuit device. The integrated circuit device receives an encryption of a fuse key with the PUF key. Fuses of the integrated circuit device are programmed with at least one of the fuse key and the received encryption of the fuse key with the PUF key. Other methods, apparatus, and systems are also disclosed. | 04-03-2014 |
20140123281 | DETECTION OF RETURN ORIENTED PROGRAMMING ATTACKS - In one embodiment, a processor includes at least one execution unit and Return Oriented Programming (ROP) detection logic. The ROP detection logic may determine a ROP metric based on a plurality of control transfer events. The ROP detection logic may also determine whether the ROP metric exceeds a threshold. The ROP detection logic may also, in response to a determination that the ROP metric exceeds the threshold, provide a ROP attack notification. | 05-01-2014 |
20140123286 | Detection Of Return Oriented Programming Attacks - In one embodiment, a processor includes at least one execution unit and Return Oriented Programming (ROP) detection logic. The ROP detection logic may determine a ROP metric based on a plurality of control transfer events. The ROP detection logic may also determine whether the ROP metric exceeds a threshold. The ROP detection logic may also, in response to a determination that the ROP metric exceeds the threshold, provide a ROP attack notification. | 05-01-2014 |
20140185795 | FUSE ATTESTATION TO SECURE THE PROVISIONING OF SECRET KEYS DURING INTEGRATED CIRCUIT MANUFACTURING - Embodiments of an invention for fuse attestation to secure the provisioning of secret keys during integrated circuit manufacturing are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a storage location, a physically unclonable function (PUF) circuit, a PUF key generator, an encryption unit, and a plurality of fuses. The storage location is to store a configuration fuse value. The PUF circuit is to provide a PUF value. The PUF key generator is to generate a PUF key based on the PUF value. The encryption unit is to encrypt the configuration fuse value using the PUF key. The PUF key and the configuration fuse value are to be provided to a key server. The key server is to determine that the configuration fuse value indicates that the apparatus is a production component, and, in response, provide a fuse key to be stored in the plurality of fuses. | 07-03-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090083634 | MULTIMEDIA CONTROL AND DISTRIBUTION ARCHITECTURE - In one embodiment, a multimedia control and distribution architecture is provided. A media server/controller generates a plurality of graphics signals, each graphics signal including a separate user interface to be displayed on a particular device, such as a touch screen unit. A universal extender (UVX) coupled to the media server/controller converts and extends the graphics signals for transmission on a plurality of universal transmission pathways. Each of the plurality of devices receives a graphic signal passed thereto, displays graphics embodied in the graphics signals, and accept user input in response to the graphics signal. For example, the one or more touch screen units may accept a user touch and pass a location of the user touch back on a universal transmission pathway to the UVX, for transmission to the media server/controller. The media server/controller generates control commands and provides the control commands. | 03-26-2009 |
20100241254 | WEB BROWSER BASED REMOTE CONTROL FOR PROGRAMMABLE MULTIMEDIA CONTROLLER - A web browser-equipped device, such as a personal digital assistant, tablet, notebook or other computer, wireless telephone handset or other device, to function as a remote control unit for a programmable multimedia controller. Web pages served by the multimedia controller to the web browser-equipped device present a user interface which may include programmable background motifs, colors and indicators. The user interface also typically includes one or more user-operable buttons whose functionalities are programmable. A method is provided for automatically converting a user interface device configuration for the multimedia controller into web pages suitable for a browser-equipped device. | 09-23-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20150084742 | TECHNIQUES FOR CONFIGURING AND REMOTELY CONTROLLING A MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM - In one embodiment, a technique is provided to configure and remotely control a system. A system configuration is created based, at least in part, on information collected from a user using speech synthesis and speech recognition. The system configuration includes information representing at least one zone that corresponds with at least one room in a physical structure, information identifying at least one physical component which represents at least a part of the system, information about at least one function which the at least one physical component is capable of performing, and information about at least one command which the at least one physical component recognizes. A cell phone is used to discover the system by transmitting a name service discovery request to the system, which responds with a name service registration confirmation. The cell phone is then used to remotely control the system. | 03-26-2015 |
20150192940 | CONFIGURING A SYSTEM OF COMPONENTS USING GRAPHICAL PROGRAMMING ENVIRONMENT HAVING A ZONE MAP - In one embodiment, graphical programming is used to configure a system of audio, video, lighting, HVAC and/or security components. Representations of audio, video, lighting, heating, HVAC and/or security components are displayed in a graphical user interface. Each representation corresponds to a physical component that is available for inclusion in the system. A zone map that represents one or more zones is displayed in the graphical user interface. A selected representation of an audio, video, lighting, heating, HVAC or security component is dragged and dropping to a selected zone of the zone map to indicate installation of a selected physical component in the corresponding room. One or more realized services that the system is capable of providing are determined based at least in part on the selected zone of the zone map. Thereafter, an output is provided based on the one or more realized services. | 07-09-2015 |
20150332586 | STANDALONE WIRELESS LIGHTING APPLICATION - In one embodiment, a wireless lighting application (app) is executed on a mobile device to configure a wireless lighting control system including a plurality of wireless lighting control devices. A connection is established between the mobile device and a wireless lighting control device. In response to user input in a graphical user interface (GUI) of the wireless lighting app, the wireless lighting app configures at least one of a lighting controller, keypads or lamp modules by at least associating an attached lighting load with a load name. Further, the wireless lighting app defines a lighting scene that uses the lighting load having the load name. Still further, the wireless lighting app assigns the lighting scene to a programmable button of one of the wireless lighting control devices such that, in response to a press of the programmable button, the wireless lighting control system produces the predefined lighting effect. | 11-19-2015 |
20160026163 | TECHNIQUES FOR CONFIGURING A MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM - In one embodiment, a technique is provided to configure a home multimedia system. Software executing on a controller or other device access component profiles describing attributes of components, one or more zone configurations that indicate components that are present in one or more zones, and one or more connection configurations that indicates how components that are present in the one or more zones are interconnected. The software applies a set of predefined service rules to the data structures to generate workflows for possible services, wherein each service rule defines one or more components and one or more interactions required for providing a corresponding service, and each workflow indicates how one or more of the components that are present in the one or more zones interact to provide a service. Executable forms of the workflows are generated, and executed to provide services to a user. | 01-28-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110200912 | FUEL CELL COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS HAVING CARBON-CONTAINING ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE HOLLOW FIBERS - According to one embodiment, a system includes a structure having an ionically-conductive, electrically-resistive electrolyte/separator layer covering an inner or outer surface of a carbon-containing electrically-conductive hollow fiber and a catalyst coupled to the hollow fiber, an anode extending along at least part of a length of the structure, and a cathode extending along at least part of the length of the structure, the cathode being on an opposite side of the hollow fiber as the anode. In another embodiment, a method includes acquiring a structure having an ionically-conductive, electrically-resistive electrolyte/separator layer covering an inner or outer surface of a carbon-containing electrically-conductive hollow fiber and a catalyst along one side thereof, adding an anode that extends along at least part of a length of the structure, and adding a cathode that extends along at least part of the length of the structure on an opposite side as the anode. | 08-18-2011 |
20140335443 | FUEL CELL COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS HAVING CARBON-CONTAINING ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE HOLLOW FIBERS - A method, according to one embodiment, includes acquiring a structure having an ionically-conductive, electrically-resistive electrolyte/separator layer covering an inner or outer surface of a carbon-containing electrically-conductive hollow fiber and a catalyst along one side thereof, adding an anode that extends along at least part of a length of the structure, and adding a cathode that extends along at least part of the length of the structure, the cathode being on an opposite side of the hollow fiber as the anode. | 11-13-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090090736 | REFILLABLE TRAVEL DISPENSER FOR WET WIPES - A dispenser configured to close and fold into a small, compact, refillable package for storing personal care products is disclosed. Specifically, the dispenser has significantly less surface area in the closed (i.e., folded) position as compared to the unfolded personal care product that is stored within the dispenser. | 04-09-2009 |
20140305819 | WIPES DISPENSER WITH SELF-CLOSING LID - A container for storing wipes that can be dispensed by a consumer is disclosed. The container includes a container body. The container body includes a bottom wall, a midsection, and a top wall. The container body can define an interior cavity for storing the wipes. The container can further include a dispensing aperture in the container body and a lid. The lid is configured to be opened and closed, providing access to the dispensing aperture when open and hindering access to the dispensing aperture when closed. The lid can be urged to the closed position when the lid is in a first range of positions between the open position and the closed position and can be urged to the open position when the lid is in a second range of positions between the open position and the closed position. | 10-16-2014 |
20140305957 | WIPES DISPENSER - A container for storing a plurality of wipes that can be dispensed by a consumer is disclosed. The container includes a container body including a bottom wall, a midsection, and a top wall. The container body defines an interior cavity that is configured for storing the plurality of wipes. The container includes a dispensing aperture in the container body and a lid that is configured to be opened and closed. The lid provides access to the dispensing aperture when opened and hinders access to the dispensing aperture when closed. The container includes a minimum container depth and a minimum container width and the bottom wall includes a maximum bottom wall depth and a maximum bottom wall width. The maximum bottom wall depth can be greater than the minimum container depth and the maximum bottom wall width can be greater than the minimum container width. | 10-16-2014 |
20140305958 | WIPES DISPENSER WITH INCREASED STABILITY - A container for storing wipes that can be dispensed by a consumer is disclosed. The container includes a container body defining an interior cavity for storing the wipes. The container can further include a lid configured to be opened and closed, providing access to the dispensing aperture when open and hindering access to the dispensing aperture when closed. The container can exhibit a Stability Value greater than about 24 on a Tip Test when the container is oriented in a forward facing direction or a rear facing direction during the Tip Test and a Stability Value greater than about 30 on a Tip Test when the container is oriented in a side facing direction during the Tip Test. | 10-16-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100207616 | Rotary Position Sensor - A sensor assembly for sensing a movable object which, in one embodiment, includes a housing defining an interior cavity. A rotor is retained in the cavity. The rotor defines a central bore and a magnet is mounted in an off-center pocket defined by the rotor. The rotor is coupled to the shaft of the movable object whose position is to be measured. A sensor is also retained in the cavity in a relationship at least partially overlying the magnet and adapted to sense at least the direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnet to generate an electrical signal indicative of the position of the movable object. In another embodiment, the rotor and sensor are mounted in separate interior housing cavities separated by an interior housing wall. | 08-19-2010 |
20110079138 | Actuator and Sensor Assembly - An actuator and sensor assembly comprising respective sensor and actuator housings defining an interior chamber. Clips on the sensor housing engage the actuator housing for coupling the sensor and actuator housings together. The sensor housing includes a wall defining a pocket. A connector with a sensor couples to the sensor housing in a relationship wherein the sensor extends into the sensor housing pocket. A movable piston is located in the interior chamber and a tube thereon defines a receptacle for a magnet located adjacent the pocket. The piston is seated on a flexible diaphragm. An actuator shaft includes one end coupled to the piston and an opposite end coupled to a movable object. A plurality of pins in the actuator housing mount the assembly to a support bracket. The sensor senses changes in the magnetic field in response to changes in the position of the magnet relative to the sensor. | 04-07-2011 |
20130241539 | Rotary Position Sensor - A sensor assembly for sensing a movable object which, in one embodiment, includes a housing defining an interior cavity. A rotor is retained in the cavity. The rotor defines a central bore and a magnet is mounted in an off-center pocket defined by the rotor. The rotor is coupled to the shaft of the movable object whose position is to be measured. A sensor is also retained in the cavity in a relationship at least partially overlying the magnet and adapted to sense at least the direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnet to generate an electrical signal indicative of the position of the movable object. In another embodiment, the rotor and sensor are mounted in separate interior housing cavities separated by an interior housing wall. | 09-19-2013 |
20140152296 | Rotary Position Sensor - A sensor assembly for sensing a movable object which, in one embodiment, includes a housing defining an interior cavity. A rotor is retained in the cavity. The rotor defines a central bore and a magnet is mounted in an off-center pocket defined by the rotor. The rotor is coupled to the shaft of the movable object whose position is to be measured. A sensor is also retained in the cavity in a relationship at least partially overlying the magnet and adapted to sense at least the direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnet to generate an electrical signal indicative of the position of the movable object. In another embodiment, the rotor and sensor are mounted in separate interior housing cavities separated by an interior housing wall. | 06-05-2014 |
20140176128 | Actuator and Sensor Assembly - An actuator and sensor assembly comprising respective sensor and actuator housings defining an interior chamber. Clips on the sensor housing engage the actuator housing for coupling the sensor and actuator housings together. The sensor housing includes a wall defining a pocket. A connector with a sensor couples to the sensor housing in a relationship wherein the sensor extends into the sensor housing pocket. A movable piston is located in the interior chamber and a tube thereon defines a receptacle for a magnet located adjacent the pocket. The piston is seated on a flexible diaphragm. An actuator shaft includes one end coupled to the piston and an opposite end coupled to a movable object. A plurality of pins in the actuator housing mount the assembly to a support bracket. The sensor senses changes in the magnetic field in response to changes in the position of the magnet relative to the sensor. | 06-26-2014 |