Did You Know...
...that the video game, Pong, was invented by a guy who graduated at the bottom of his engineering class? Nolan Bushnell spent more time running the games at a local amusement park than he did on his studies at the University of Utah. His dreams of working for Disney's amusement empire were dashed when the company wouldn't hire him. Taking a boring job, Nolan daydreamed about electronic versions of popular games. He invented Pong, the first video game, and went on to found Atari Co.
PatentStorm News
Make the Most of Our Site
See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.
Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.
Registered users: Manage your profile.
| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7987524 | Upper garment for patient A long-sleeved, pullover-type upper body garment has a continuous slit, which runs up the side of the garment from the bottom of garment body to an arm pit, and downward along the underside of a sleeve, and terminates at a point intermediately along the length of th... | 08/02/2011 |
| 7813821 | System, method and computer program product for determining a tennis player rating Systems, methods and computer program products for determining a player rating for at least one tennis player enhances the tennis playing experience of by matching tennis players of comparable tennis skills. The methodology comprises assigning numerical player ratin... | 10/12/2010 |
| 7699522 | Four-dimensional computed tomography quality assurance device Quality assurance device for calibrating and testing the accuracy of movement-correlated computed tomography (“4D CT”) target-locating systems has a test unit sub-assembly adapted to be combined with a dynamic phantom system. The test unit sub-assembly has an ax... | 04/20/2010 |
| 7334963 | Concrete slab joint stabilizing system and apparatus A joint stabilizing apparatus having an expandable cylindrical housing is inserted into a circular hole drilled at a “loose joint” of a concrete slab that is to be stabilized against relative vertical displacement between adjacent slab sections. The hole is dril... | 02/26/2008 |
| 7151253 | Dynamic phantom for radiation therapy The present invention is a thorax phantom that enables simulation of tumor motion within a tissue equivalent material. The system consists of a tissue equivalent epoxy phantom representing a 15 cm axial section of the human thorax that includes simplified spine and ... | 12/19/2006 |
| 6836054 | Thickness mode piezoelectric transducer with resonant drive circuit A thickness mode piezoelectric transducer is provided that has masses attached to opposing faces of the transformer. The end-masses increase the thickness of the transformer and decrease its resonant frequency. The end-masses increase the magnitude of resonant vibra... | 12/28/2004 |
| 6812594 | Self-powered trainable switching network A self-powered switching device using a prestressed flextensional electroactive member generates a signal for activation of a latching relay. The electroactive member has a piezoelectric element with a convex and a concave face that may be compressed to generate an ... | 11/02/2004 |
| 6780369 | Method of finishing plastic concrete mixture A method of finishing concrete using a vibrating tool to consolidate a “dry shake” aggregate into the upper layer of the concrete. The use of the vibrating tool causes moisture within the concrete mass to migrate into the surface layer where the moisture may hyd... | 08/24/2004 |
| 6150752 | Acoustic transducer with liquid-immersed, pre-stressed piezoelectric actuator in acoustic impedance matched transducer housing A liquid-filled acoustic transducer for finishing an exposed surface of a work medium, such as plastic concrete, transmits acoustic energy generated within an enclosed liquid medium, through a transducer housing member, and into the exterior work medium. ... | 11/21/2000 |
| 6124678 | Fluorescent lamp excitation circuit having a multi-layer piezoelectric acoustic transformer and methods for using the same Fluorescent lamp excitation circuits are provided which use a resonating piezoelectric transformer along with complementary circuit components, to efficiently convert a DC first voltage to a transformer-output AC second voltage. In the preferred embodimen... | 09/26/2000 |
| 6101880 | Feedback-responsive piezoelectric vibrating device A method is disclosed for advantageously modifying the texture or character of a plastic work material by applying acoustic energy at the work material's natural resonant frequency via a transducer assembly including vibrating the transducer assembly in a... | 08/15/2000 |
| 6079214 | Standing wave pump A standing wave pump in which a standing compression wave is produced by a pair of diametrically opposing transducers. The vibrating surfaces of the transducers are oscillated at a frequency sufficient to generate a substantially cylindrical compression w... | 06/27/2000 |
| 6074178 | Piezoelectrically actuated peristaltic pump A peristaltic piezoelectrically actuated fluid pump including two or more pairs of piezoelectric deformable members that are self-actuated, a flexible hose member, a pump chamber, inlet and outlet ports for communicating the pump chamber with the exterior... | 06/13/2000 |
| 6071088 | Piezoelectrically actuated piston pump A piezoelectrically actuated fluid pump including a pump housing, a pump chamber, inlet and outlet ports for communicating the pump chamber with the exterior of the pump housing, valves for opening and closing the ports, a pre-stressed piezoelectric diaph... | 06/06/2000 |
| 6054796 | Positive feedback resonant transducer circuit A circuit including a transformer, preferably a laminated piezoelectric transducer, in combination with a positive feedback amplifier circuit, capable of serving: 1) to produce either an audible or ultrasonic signal; or 2) as an energy source capable of d... | 04/25/2000 |
| 6042345 | Piezoelectrically actuated fluid pumps A piezoelectrically actuated fluid pump including a pump housing, a pump chamber, inlet and outlet ports for communicating the pump chamber with the exterior of the pump housing, valving means for opening and closing the ports, two pre-stressed piezoelect... | 03/28/2000 |
| 6004499 | Method of aligning fibrous components of composite materials using opposed oscillating reflectors Standing planar compression waves are used to control the spacing and alignment of previously randomly distributed and randomly oriented loose fibrous elements in a fluid medium. A relatively intense standing planar compression wave comprising the superpo... | 12/21/1999 |
| 5962951 | Regenerative electric driver circuit A vibrating mechanism comprised of piezoelectric elements which vibrate at a high frequency when a voltage is applied to them. The piezoelectric elements are mounted on a rib so that their free ends extend from the rib. When the piezoelectric elements are... | 10/05/1999 |
| 5918502 | Footwear incorporating piezoelectric spring system An article of performance enhancing footwear having a piezoelectric spring apparatus in the sole member. Walking or running applies a first force deforming a piezoelectric actuator, thereby generating electrical energy. An energy storage circuit stores el... | 07/06/1999 |
| 5861702 | Piezoelectrically actuated ground fault interrupter circuit apparatus A ground fault interrupter circuit ("GFIC") device having as a switching device a flextensional electroactive transducer which, when energized, opens a supply conductor between a current source and a load. When a fault current is detected a voltage is ind... | 01/19/1999 |
| 5849125 | Method of manufacturing flextensional transducer using pre-curved piezoelectric ceramic layer A method for manufacturing pre-stressed piezoelectric actuators using a pre-curved piece of ceramic is provided. An adhesive, preferably a polyimide, is disposed between a metal pre-stress metal layer and a pre-curved PZT ceramic. The entire composite str... | 12/15/1998 |
| 5837298 | Piezoelectrically-actuated vibrating surface-finishing tool A vibrating hand trowel for finishing plastic concrete. The vibratory mechanism includes piezoelectric elements which vibrate at a high frequency when a voltage is applied to them. The trowel as a whole includes a top piece including a cover plate and han... | 11/17/1998 |
| 5834882 | Multi-layer piezoelectric transformer A multi-layer piezoelectric transformer device includes first and second electroactive members having electrodes bonded to each of their opposing major faces; and a bonding layer disposed therebetween. The first and second electroactive members are polari... | 11/10/1998 |
| 5831371 | Snap-action ferroelectric transducer A piezoelectric snap-actuator includes a piezoelectric bender element with electrodes disposed on each major face, a spring member for causing the device to snap from a first neutral position to a second neutral position, a prestress layer for applying a ... | 11/03/1998 |
| 5816780 | Piezoelectrically actuated fluid pumps A piezoelectrically actuated fluid pump including a pump housing, a pump chamber, inlet and outlet ports for communicating the pump chamber with the exterior of the pump housing, valves for opening and closing the ports, two prestressed piezoelectric diap... | 10/06/1998 |
| 5814232 | Method of separating constitutent ingredients of mixtures by staged resonant frequency vibration Vibrational energy is introduced into a portion of a liquid-solid work mixture at a natural resonant frequency of that portion of the mixture while that portion of the mixture is in a fluid or semi-fluid state. A vibrating apparatus imparts controlled vib... | 09/29/1998 |
| 5781646 | Multi-segmented high deformation piezoelectric array A multi-segmented flextensional transducer includes a plurality of electroplated electroactive members which deform in concert when energized by an electrical field. Each electroactive member has a convex surface at one end and a concave surface at its op... | 07/14/1998 |
| 5725482 | Method for applying high-intensity ultrasonic waves to a target volume within a human or animal body A method for focussing vibrational energy upon a target volume within a surrounding contiguous medium imparts high intensity energy upon the target volume from low level energy sources. A plurality of standing compression waves are established within the ... | 03/10/1998 |
| 5664570 | Apparatus for applying high-intensity ultrasonic waves to a target volume within a human or animal body An apparatus for focussing vibrational energy upon a target volume within a surrounding contiguous medium imparts high intensity energy upon the target volume from low level energy sources. A plurality of standing compression waves are established within ... | 09/09/1997 |
| 5527175 | Apparatus of staged resonant frequency vibration of concrete Vibrational energy introduced into plastic concrete structures, such as concrete slabs, decks and similar or related concrete structures, at or near the natural resonant frequency of the liquid concrete mass, expedites the consolidation and setting of the... | 06/18/1996 |
| 5453080 | Intercourse-facilitating therapeutic furniture Therapeutic furniture for disabled persons adapted to support man and woman partners engaged in intercourse has longitudinally moveable man's seat facing adjustable-position female seat. Male partner is supported by seat with his back in a substantially u... | 09/26/1995 |
| 5424046 | Method and apparatus for steam sterilization An apparatus and method of sterilizing contaminated material by exposure to steam inside of substantially cylindrical, vertically oriented autoclave vessel. Contaminated material is shredded and bulk loaded from above autoclave vessel, directly into cylin... | 06/13/1995 |
| 5402828 | Closure device with dual-mandrel-acutated peripheral seal Pipe closure device with opposing dual mandrels has external conical surfaces which cooperate with internal conical surfaces of segmented rigid wall engagement member. Rotation of threaded shaft causes relative axial movement of dual mandrels and effects ... | 04/04/1995 |
| 5389062 | Intercourse-facilitating therapeutic furniture Therapeutic furniture for disabled persons adapted to support man and woman partners engaged in intercourse has longitudinally moveable man's seat facing adjustable-position female seat. Male partner is supported by seat with his back in a substantially u... | 02/14/1995 |
| 5390214 | Digital audio broadcasting system Broadcasting system digitizes audio input signals before RF modulating and transmitting over airwaves to one or more remote receiving stations. Receiving station recovers the digitized signal by demodulating and exponentially expanding the received RF sig... | 02/14/1995 |
| 5301998 | Foldable furniture Pair of foldable lounge seats are connected along their respective inboard sides to a table panel positioned between the two lounge seats. Convex depression in the top of each lounge seat panel accommodates collapsing of hinged seat back rest. Lounge seat... | 04/12/1994 |
| 5269520 | Street hockey puck A multi-layered street hockey puck adapted for use on paved playing surfaces has a plurality of like-sized discs axially aligned and fastened together at their centers. Each disc is secured against axial and radial movement relative to each other, but is ... | 12/14/1993 |
| 5179576 | Digital audio broadcasting system Broadcasting system digitizes audio input signals before RF modulating and transmitting over airwaves to one or more remote receiving stations. Receiving station recovers the digitized signal by demodulating and exponentially expanding the received RF sig... | 01/12/1993 |
| 5172510 | Semi-artificial fish lure Semi-artificial lure for fishing visually simulates a live fish by embedding within a clear lure body the head end of a natural marine food, such as a small fish, and attaching thereto an artificial tail made of flaccid plastic streamers which extend from... | 12/22/1992 |
| 5133233 | Bottle opener glove Bottle opening tool having bottle cap-engaging hook and end fulcrum bar, each secured to a rigid back plate, is incorporated into the palm of a glove. Back plate is shaped to conform to the shape of the palm of the wearer'hand. Bottle cap is removed by ba... | 07/28/1992 |
