Building structured material using cell geometry
US Patent 8,793,957
August 5, 2014
An improved cellular building block including a middle beam and two legs. The cellular building block having the first leg coupled to the middle beam such that the leg is perpendicular to the middle beam and a second leg coupled to the middle beam such that the leg is perpendicular to the middle beam and spaced apart from the first leg, the first leg and the second leg having an inside edge and an outside edge. Having at least one barb located on the inside edge of the first leg and on the inside edge of the second leg and further configured to lock into a recess. The cellular building blocks connect in a two dimensional or three dimensional pattern and a produce a structured material that holds itself together and exhibits beneficial characteristics.
Scrolling display of electronic program guide utilizing images of user lip movements
US Patent 8,798,311
August 5, 2014
Systems and methods of generating device commands based upon spoken user commands are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment captures a series of images of a user of a media device, generates image information corresponding to the series of captured images, determines lip movement of the user from the generated image information, determines at least one spoken user command based upon the determined lip movement of the user, and determines a device command based upon the determined spoken user command. Then, the device command is communicated to, for example, a media presentation device, wherein an operation of the media presentation device is controlled in accordance with the determined spoken user command.
Systems and methods for a common image data array file
US Patent 8,798,435
August 5, 2014
Image data file systems and methods are operable to generate image data files for a plurality of images having a common image data array, and are operable to generate images from the image data files. An exemplary embodiment stores a common image data array into a master image data file, wherein the stored common image data array corresponds to an image data array of a first image of the plurality of images; and generates a soft link image data file based upon a second image of the plurality of images, wherein an image data array of the second image is the same as the common image data array, and wherein a soft link in the soft link image data file identifies a location of the stored common image data array.
Systems and methods for combining images into a file using multiple color palettes
US Patent 8,791,954
July 29, 2014
Image data systems and methods combine a plurality of images into a single multiple-palette image data file, or generate a selected image from the multiple-palette image data file. An exemplary embodiment receives first pixel information for a first pixel of a first image, the first pixel having a first color; receives second pixel information for a like-located second pixel of a second image, the second pixel having a second color; and specifies a color palette location value that identifies a first color palette array element in a first color palette of the first image and identifies a second like-located color palette array element in a second color palette of the second image. First color information stored in the first color palette array element defines the first pixel color. Second color information stored in the second image data color palette array element defines the second pixel color.
System and method for matching service representatives with customers
US Patent 8,792,631
July 29, 2014
Systems and methods of providing customer support are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment compares a plurality of customer attributes associated with corresponding ones of a plurality of service representative attributes to identify a “best match” service representative.
Method for determining the extent of a foreground object in an image
US Patent 8,792,013
July 29, 2014
Embodiments are directed towards determining within a digital camera whether a pixel belongs to a foreground or background segment within a given image by evaluating a ratio of derivative and deviation metrics in an area around each pixel in the image, or ratios of derivative metrics across a plurality of images. For each pixel within the image, a block of pixels are examined to determine an aggregate relative derivative (ARD) in the block. The ARD is compared to a threshold value to determine whether the pixel is to be assigned in the foreground segment or the background segment. In one embodiment, a single image is used to determine the ARD and the pixel segmentation for that image. Multiple images may also be used to obtain ratios of a numerator of the ARD, useable to determine an extent of the foreground.
Torsed sleeve lead anchor and systems and methods of manufacture and use thereof
US Patent 8,792,994
July 29, 2014
A lead anchor includes a first outer shell and a second outer shell adjacent the first outer shell. The first outer shell defines a first opening and the second outer shell defines a second opening, and the first and second outer shells together define a lead lumen extending from the first opening to the second opening. The lead anchor also includes a flexible sleeve disposed in the lead lumen and attached to both the first outer shell and the second outer shell. The first and second outer shells are configured and arranged to rotate relative to each other and cause the flexible sleeve to twist within the lead lumen to facilitate gripping of a lead within the lead lumen.
Leads with tip electrode for electrical stimulation systems and methods of making and using
US Patent 8,792,993
July 29, 2014
An implantable electrical stimulation lead includes a tip electrode disposed on a distal tip of the lead body. One tip electrode has a base and a separate plug attached to the base. The base defines an interior lumen closed at one end by the plug. Another tip electrode has an electrode body, a stem extending from the electrode body, and shaped retention features extending from the stem. Yet another tip electrode has an electrode body, a stem extending from the electrode body, and a flange disposed on the stem opposite the electrode body. A further tip electrode has an electrode body defining an interior lumen and a plurality of protrusions extending into the interior lumen. Another tip electrode has an electrode body and arms extending from the electrode body. The electrode body defines an interior lumen and the arms extend over an opening to the interior lumen.
Method to convert body anthropometric dimensions
US Patent 8,789,284
July 22, 2014
A method for automatically generating custom garment specific measurement charts is disclosed. The method derives charts from an individual’s anthropomorphic body measurements plus ease amounts that are proportional to those measurements and which vary based on the type of garment to be made, the intended fit preference, and the stretch amount of fabric to be used.
Automatic motor driven in-line piston pump lubricator
US Patent 8,783,418
July 22, 2014
In various embodiments, the invention provides a lubricator comprising a housing defining, a main lubricant chamber adapted to contain a fluid lubricant. A piston pump in fluid communication with the main lubricant chamber may be adapted to be driven to discharge the lubricant from a pump changer through a lubricant outlet in the housing. A check valve may be mounted on the lubricant outlet, to check the discharge of lubricant from the lubricator. The lubricator may include a motor having a drive shaft adapted to rotate a swash plate to act as a cam to drive reciprocating motion of the pump piston in the pump chamber. The drive shaft may be in axial alignment with the piston, the swash plate being set obliquely on the drive shaft to revolve when the motor is activated to give reciprocating motion to the piston in a direction parallel to the driven shaft. The piston may be biased in the pump chamber against the swash plate, so that the swash plate rides on the piston.
