59results about How to "Increased risk of injury" patented technology

The present disclosure relates to advanced image processing and encoded signal processing. One claim currently recites an image processing method comprising the acts: receiving a digital representation of artwork, the artwork having an area of uniform color; generating a two-dimensional data signal that redundantly encodes a plural-bit message, the data signal comprising plural elements, each of which has a single bit value; receiving a two-dimensional synchronization signal comprising plural elements, each of which has a plural-bit value, each element of said data signal having an element of the synchronization signal corresponding thereto; processing the two-dimensional data signal with the two-dimensional synchronization signal and with a gradient function to yield a two-dimensional gradient marking signal; and printing an ink counterpart of the gradient marking signal on a medium with the artwork, said printing comprising printing plural dithered two-dimensional blocks of at least four contiguous elements each, in which one or more elements of each block are printed to be dark. Of course, other claims and combinations are described as well.

Sparse signal modulation schemes encode a data channel on a host image in a manner that is robust, flexible to achieve perceptual quality constraints, and provides improved data capacity. The host image is printed by any of a variety of means to apply the image, with sparse signal, to an object. After image capture of the object, a decoder processes the captured image to detect and extract data modulated into the sparse signal. The sparse signal may incorporate implicit or explicit synchronization components, which are either formed from the data signal or are complementary to it.

A system and method to be used in ultrasonic or other types of lithotripsy of a stone in a ureter, the system including a catheter having a stone probe tip capable of transmitting stone reducing energy. The catheter can include an expandable funnel section adjacent to the probe tip, such that expansion of the expandable funnel section can dislodge a stone by pushing back on the ureter wall expanding it slightly. The funnel section also being capable of pooling some urine in the ureter to be used as an ultrasonic transmission media. The stone probe can be connected to a source of energy capable of driving the probe tip to deliver energy to break apart the stone.

The invention comprises an elongated device adapted for insertion, including self-insertion, through the body, especially the skull. The device has at least one effector or sensor and is configured to permit implantation of multiple functional components through a single entry site into the skull by directing the components at different angles. The device may be used to provide electrical, magnetic, and other stimulation therapy to a patient's brain. The lengths of the effectors, sensors, and other components may completely traverse skull thickness (at a diagonal angle) to barely protrude through to the brain's cortex. The components may directly contact the brain's cortex, but from there their signals can be directed to targets deeper within the brain. Effector lengths are directly proportional to their battery size and ability to store charge. Therefore, longer angled electrode effectors not limited by skull thickness permit longer-lasting batteries which expand treatment options.

The present disclosure relates to signal processing such as digital watermarking and data hiding. A sparse or dense digital watermark signal can be conveyed with a narrow-band absorption material corresponding to a center wavelength of a Point of Sale (POS) barcode scanner. The POS barcode scanner typically captures 2D imagery. Since the narrow-band absorption material absorbs over a narrow-band it is relatively imperceptible to the Human Visual System (HVS) but can be seen by the POS scanner.

The present disclosure relates to signal processing such as digital watermarking and data hiding. A sparse or dense digital watermark signal can be conveyed with a narrow-band absorption material corresponding to a center wavelength of a Point of Sale (POS) barcode scanner. The POS barcode scanner typically captures 2D imagery. Since the narrow-band absorption material absorbs over a narrow-band it is relatively imperceptible to the Human Visual System (HVS) but can be seen by the POS scanner.

An ergonomic chair provides continuous support to the seated user throughout a broad range of postures by pivoting both the seat and back supporting cushions about a first or common axis disposed above the seat support cushion and in front of the back support cushion. The back supporting portion also independently pivots about a second horizontal axis proximate the lumbar region in a manner that allows the back supporting cushion to assume an angle that provides permanent contact with the seated user's back when said user is leaning back against the back support cushion. The springs that otherwise oppose the free rotation about the first and second axis are balanced such that the force inherently exerted by the user during movement through a range of seated postures is sufficient to initiate the coordinated rotation of the seat and back supporting element. No additional exertion is required once the user has reached the desired inclination, as the return springs are selected to counterbalance the redistributed weight of the user. Thus, full contact of the back supporting portion with the user's back is achieved over a full range of postures to provide proper ergonomic support, allowing the user to stay at task. In combination with such motion, which maintains the head at a level and angle such that the eyes can remain focused on their primary visual target without need to adjust the height, depth or angle of the target. The chair can offer armrests that support the forearms of the seated user to reduce the load carried by the arms, shoulders, neck and back and cooperate with the motion of the seat and back supporting elements to maintain ergonomically correct orientation of the hands to the keyboard or work surface.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a robot (14), which is designed to be operated in a working mode, in which a part (16) of the robot (14) is moved at a speed at which there is a risk of injury to a person (12), the working mode being deactivated if a safety device (18) detects that the person (12) has entered an action region (60) of the displaceable part (16). The aim is to make close cooperation possible between the person (12) and the robot (14). A sensor unit (20) determines a position and a posture of the person (12) while the person (12) is outside the action region (60) of the part (16). A prediction unit (26) determines an action region (58) of the person (12). A collision monitoring unit (28) monitors whether the two action regions (58, 60) overlap (62). The robot (14) can optionally be switched from the working mode into a safety mode.

A curtain airbag for a vehicle includes a main chamber shaped in such a way that, in a position being mounted on the vehicle, in the inflated state the main chamber covers an inner side structure of the vehicle. The curtain airbag further includes an additional chamber which, in the mounting position, is located on the in driving direction of the vehicle front portion of the main chamber, and deploys in the direction of the interior of the vehicle when the curtain airbag is inflated.

Disclosed is an apparatus for monitoring a leakage current of a transformer-less photovoltaic inverter, which can reduce the risk of a fault in a grid due to a leakage current in a photovoltaic inverter. The apparatus comprises a low pass filter configured to remove a high-frequency noise of a sensed leakage current signal; an average value calculator configured to calculate an average value of an output of the low pass filter; a direct current component remover configured to subtract the average value from the output of the low pass filter; a phase locked loop circuit section configured to calculate a peak value and a phase of a signal from which the direct current component has been removed; and a resistive component leakage current calculator configured to calculate a resistive component value of a leakage current, based on the peak value and the phase calculated.

An adjustable razor include a handle member, an interior member and a razor head. The handle member includes a body having an elongated receptacle, a first opening, and a second opening spaced from the first opening. The interior member is telescopingly disposed within the handle member receptacle. The interior member includes a depressable button configured to releasably engage the handle member first opening and handle member second opening. The interior member is movable between a retracted position, where the button releasably engages the handle member first opening, and an extended position, where the button releasably engages the handle member second opening. The razor head coupled to the interior member.

The present disclosure relates to advanced image processing and encoded signal processing. One claim recites an image processing method comprising the acts: receiving a digital representation of product packaging artwork, comprised of pixels; defining a guard band region surrounding text characters included in the artwork, in which a first region encloses the guard band region, and a second region encloses the first region; and altering the artwork to redundantly encode a machine-readable plural-bit payload across different regions of the artwork. The altering only alters the artwork outside of the guard band region, wherein a strength of the encoding has a first value in the first region, and has a second, stronger, value in the second region. Of course, other claims and combinations are described as well.

A system comprises one or more wearable devices including a first body interface adapted to be secured to a first bodily part. A second body interface is adapted to be secured to a second bodily part separated from the first bodily part by a physiological joint. One or more joints provide one or more degrees of freedom between the first body interface and the second body interface. A magnetorheological (MR) fluid actuator unit comprises one or more power sources. An MR fluid clutch apparatus receiving torque from the at least one power source, the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus operable to generate a variable amount of torque transmission when subjected to a magnetic field. A transmission couples the MR fluid actuator unit to the wearable device for converting torque from the MR fluid actuator unit to relative movement of the body interfaces with respect to one another.

An improved jaw apparatus is provided for making or breaking a tubular pipe connection. The jaw includes a head adapted to receive a hook having a threaded shank end. The threaded shank end is engaged at the head end opposite the hook end by a hydraulic powered nut adjustment assembly. The adjustment assembly may be operated by a control unit to allow for the automatic opening and closing of the jaw for receiving pipes of varying diameters.

A motor vehicle, encompassing a body, a drive motor, in particular an internal combustion engine and / or an electric motor, a crash detection device, a computing unit, at least one front seat with a seat part and a back part, at least one rear seat with a seat part and a back part, at least one rearward displacement device for the at least partial rearward displacement of the at least one front seat during a pre-crash phase acquired by the crash detection device, wherein the seat part of the at least one rear seat has built into it a first means for lifting up the legs of an individual on the at least one rear seat during the pre-crash phase, and the back part of the at least one front seat has built into it a second means for the rearward movement of the legs of the individual on the at least one rear seat during the pre-crash phase.

A parachute comprising:a canopy;a plurality of risers connected at each of their respective first ends to the canopy and connectable at each of their respective second ends to a harness; anda panel extending between at least two of the plurality of risers,configured such that when the parachute is deployed, a user's head is positioned generally between the plurality of risers and the panel is arranged behind the user's head to provide support thereto.

A photomask and method for repairing defects on the same are disclosed. The photomask preferably includes a substrate, a buffer layer and a nontransmissive layer with the buffer layer disposed between the substrate and the nontransmissive layer. The method includes forming a pattern in the nontransmissive layer. If one or more defects are identified in the patterned nontransmissive layer, the buffer layer protects the substrate from damage when defects in the patterned nontransmissive layer are repaired.

The present disclosure relates to signal processing such as digital watermarking and other encoded signals. One claim recites a method of offsetting color casting for a printed object associated with a retail product. The method includes: providing a first additive that absorbs light energy at or around a center wavelength of an illumination source; providing a second additive that absorbs in the ultra-violet spectrum, yet fluoresces at or around the center wavelength of the illumination source, wherein a combination of spectral responses of the first additive and the second additive offset color casting; printing the first additive, second additive and a color on the printed object, wherein the printing conveys an encoded plural bit signal. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided in the specification with reference to specific implementations and related examples.

An improved inking apparatus is provided that omits the use of the bull gear generally known in the art. More specifically, bull gears have traditionally been used in inking apparatus to rotate pinion gears that rotate shafts interconnected to plate cylinders. Plate cylinders in turn apply ink to a blanket that ultimately applies indicia to a container such as a beverage can. The rotating shaft also communicates with a plurality of gears that operate the inking stations that transfer the ink onto the plate cylinder. One embodiment of the present invention omits the bull gear and the pinion gears and provides an electro-mechanical driver that rotates the shafts to allow a controller to monitor and individually control the timing of plate cylinder rotation and inker station gear rotation thereby increasing efficiency and maintenance personnel safety.

A grille and bonnet assembly is mounted at the forward end of an automotive vehicle. The bonnet is formed with a leading edge and a trailing edge with the leading edge positioned above or at an upper edge of the grille during normal operation of the automotive vehicle when the bonnet is closed. The grille and bonnet are designed with corresponding inclined surfaces that are located relative to each other such that a force greater than a predetermined value transmitted from the bonnet to the grille forces at least the upper part of the grille to move forwardly so as to allow the bonnet to move downwardly. Such yielding movement of the grille and bonnet can reduce injuries in the event of an impact between a pedestrian and the bonnet of the automotive vehicle.

An interior panel for the interior of a vehicle and a method for the production thereof. The interior panel has first and second layers and with the first layer having an air bag cover region extending over an air bag opening in the second layer. The interior panel has a connecting part which is formed from: a first fastening section which is fastened to the airbag cover region of the first layer, a second fastening section which is fastened to the lower side of the second layer, and a coupling section situated between the first fastening section and the second fastening section. The coupling section is made of flexible material such that the airbag cover region may be partially separated from the first layer during airbag deployment while being held by the coupling section.

The invention provides a steering device, a steering column, a system for a vehicle and the vehicle. The steering device is provided with components of a steering wheel which is connected with a steering wheel hub or steering wheel spokes in a torsion-resisting manner for transmitting a rotation movement, and a middle part which is arranged at a fixed position relative to the steering wheel, wherein the middle part is at a middle area which is defined by the steering wheel, and furthermore the middle part has a visible surface area at the middle area. The first part of the visible surface areais composed of a display screen, wherein the display screen is an input / output device and is configured for controlling at least one functional member of the vehicle.

The invention relates to a tissue retractor (2). Designed to be inserted between two tissues, for example between the maxillary bone (A) and the gingival tissue (B), it is in the form of at least one blade designed to allow the tissues (A, B) to be spread apart from each other and to be maintained between said tissues simultaneously. The retractor according to the invention can have a shape memory and can have apertures (23).

Intrauterine devices and methods for facilitating deployment thereof using a bumper are disclosed. In one embodiment, an intrauterine device comprises a structure including a first central support member and a deployment mechanism coupled to the first central support member. The intrauterine device further comprises a bumper positioned at a distal end of a second central support member and at a more distal position relative to a distal end of the structure so as to prevent the distal end of the structure from contacting the fundus of the uterus of a patient during deployment of the deployment mechanism. In another embodiment, the intrauterine device comprises a bumper coupled to the deployment mechanism and configured to move from a more distal to a more proximal position relative to a distal end of the structure.

A grille and bonnet assembly is mounted at the forward end of an automotive vehicle. The bonnet is formed with a leading edge and a trailing edge with the leading edge positioned above or at an upper edge of the grille during normal operation of the automotive vehicle when the bonnet is closed. The grille and bonnet are designed with corresponding inclined surfaces that are located relative to each other such that a force greater than a predetermined value transmitted from the bonnet to the grille forces at least the upper part of the grille to move forwardly so as to allow the bonnet to move downwardly. Such yielding movement of the grille and bonnet can reduce injuries in the event of an impact between a pedestrian and the bonnet of the automotive vehicle.