Patents by Inventor Mark A. Alexander

Mark A. Alexander has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240045060
    Abstract: A computing system may operate a LIDAR device to emit light pulses in accordance with a time sequence including a time-varying dither. The system may then determine that the LIDAR detected return light pulses during corresponding detection periods for each of two or more emitted light pulses. Responsively, the system may determine that the detected return light pulses have (i) detection times relative to corresponding emission times of a plurality of first emitted light pulses that are indicative of a first set of ranges and (ii) detection times relative to corresponding emission times of a plurality of second emitted light pulses that are indicative of a second set of ranges. Given this, the system may select between using the first set of ranges as a basis for object detection and using the second set of ranges as a basis for object detection, and may then engage in object detection accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventor: Mark Alexander Shand
  • Patent number: 11860626
    Abstract: An example method involves detecting a sensor-testing trigger. Detecting the sensor-testing trigger may comprise determining that a vehicle is within a threshold distance to a target in an environment of the vehicle. The method also involves obtaining sensor data collected by a sensor of the vehicle after the detection of the sensor-testing trigger. The sensor data is indicative of a scan of a region of the environment that includes the target. The method also involves comparing the sensor data with previously-collected sensor data indicating detection of the target by one or more sensors during one or more previous scans of the environment. The method also involves generating performance metrics related to the sensor of the vehicle based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Stephanie McArthur, Mark Alexander Shand, Colin Braley
  • Publication number: 20230400564
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for managing the operation of sensors in an electronic device. According to certain aspects, the electronic device may detect a change in motion from a set of lower-sensitivity sensor data generated by a sensor(s) operating in a lower-sensitivity mode. When the change in motion is detected and during a timeout window, the sensor(s) may generate an additional set of lower-sensitivity sensor data and a set of higher-sensitivity sensor data. The electronic device may initially confirm the change in motion based on analyzing the set of higher-sensitivity sensor data. Further, the electronic device may determine that the additional set of lower-sensitivity does not indicate an additional change in motion, and may deem the confirmation of the change in motion as a false positive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Felch, Christopher Findeisen, JinJie Chen, Mark Alexander, Shang Shi, Zhuo Wang
  • Patent number: 11841464
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that facilitate light detection and ranging operations. An example method includes determining, for at least one light-emitter device of a plurality of light-emitter devices, a light pulse schedule. The plurality of light-emitter devices is operable to emit light along a plurality of emission vectors. The light pulse schedule is based on a respective emission vector of the at least one light-emitter device and a three-dimensional map of an external environment. The light pulse schedule includes at least one light pulse parameter and a listening window duration. The method also includes causing the at least one light-emitter device of the plurality of light-emitter devices to emit a light pulse according to the light pulse schedule. The light pulse interacts with an external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Mark Alexander Shand
  • Publication number: 20230359430
    Abstract: Media input audio data corresponding to a media stream and microphone input audio data from at least one microphone may be received. A first level of at least one of a plurality of frequency bands of the media input audio data, as well as a second level of at least one of a plurality of frequency bands of the microphone input audio data, may be determined. Media output audio data and microphone output audio data may be produced by adjusting levels of one or more of the first and second plurality of frequency bands based on the perceived loudness of the microphone input audio data, of the microphone output audio data, of the media output audio data and the media input audio data. One or more processes may be modified upon receipt of a mode-switching indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Alexander, Chunjian Li, Joshua Brandon Lando, Alan J. Seefeldt, C. Phillip Brown, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart
  • Patent number: 11804057
    Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to a systems and methods for a digital asset generation platform. The digital asset generation platform may ingest an ingest input. The digital asset generation platform may utilize a document identification engine corresponding to a first stage of a multi-stage convolutional neural network for identifying document types of documents. The digital asset generation platform may utilize an object detector engine corresponding to a second stage of the multi-stage convolutional neural network for detecting a dynamic mapping in the digital file. The digital asset generation platform may utilize a post-processing engine for classifying the dynamic mapping in the at least one digital file. The digital asset generation platform may dynamically generate a digital asset representative of the document based on the key value data pairs extracted from the dynamic mapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: LiquidX, Inc.
    Inventors: James Toffey, Frank Dimarco, Coby Dodd, Shayan Hemmatiyan, Venkat Naidu, Edmond Costantini, Mark Alexander, Vishal Panchamia
  • Publication number: 20230322551
    Abstract: A process is described for steam reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock containing one or more nitrogen compounds, comprising passing a mixture of the hydrocarbon feedstock and steam through a catalyst bed consisting of one nickel steam reforming catalysts disposed within a plurality of externally heated tubes in a tubular steam reformer, wherein each tube has an inlet to which the mixture of hydrocarbon and steam is fed, an outlet from which a reformed gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, steam, ammonia and methane is recovered, and the steam reforming catalyst at least at the outlet of the tubes is a particulate eggshell steam reforming catalyst comprising 2.5 to 9.5% by weight nickel, expressed as NiO, wherein the nickel is provided in a layer at the surface of the catalyst and the thickness of layer is in the range of 100 to 1000 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Mileta BABOVIC, Mikael CARLSSON, Mark Alexander KENT, Andrew Edward RICHARDSON
  • Patent number: 11782149
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for managing the operation of sensors in an electronic device. According to certain aspects, the electronic device may detect a change in motion from an initial set of sensor data generated by a sensor(s). A memory cache may store the initial set of sensor data or additional sensor data generated by the sensor(s). The electronic device may initiate a supplemental algorithm that analyzes the cached data. Based on the analysis of the cached data and whether the change in motion is confirmed or whether additional motion is detected, the electronic device may manage the operation of the supplemental algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Felch, Christopher Findeisen, JinJie Chen, Mark Alexander, Shang Shi, Zhuo Wang
  • Publication number: 20230310284
    Abstract: There is herein described a teeth whitening strip or film. In particular, the present invention relates to a dissolvable or substantially dissolvable hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) teeth whitening strip or film comprising a concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at or above 10 wt. % of the strip or film. There is also described a process for the manufacture of a dissolvable or substantially dissolvable tooth whitening strip or film along with the method of using a strip or film comprising a concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at or above 10 wt. % of the strip or film to whiten and/or bleach teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: John Edward CULLEN, Mark Alexander LIVINGSTONE, Melanie MACFARLANE, Robert CRICHTON
  • Patent number: 11774590
    Abstract: A computing system may operate a LIDAR device to emit light pulses in accordance with a time sequence including a time-varying dither. The system may then determine that the LIDAR detected return light pulses during corresponding detection periods for each of two or more emitted light pulses. Responsively, the system may determine that the detected return light pulses have (i) detection times relative to corresponding emission times of a plurality of first emitted light pulses that are indicative of a first set of ranges and (ii) detection times relative to corresponding emission times of a plurality of second emitted light pulses that are indicative of a second set of ranges. Given this, the system may select between using the first set of ranges as a basis for object detection and using the second set of ranges as a basis for object detection, and may then engage in object detection accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Mark Alexander Shand
  • Patent number: 11744244
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for improving the compatibility of aqueous herbicide solutions containing at least one of a water soluble salt of an aryloxyalkanoic acid, a water soluble salt of a pyridyloxyalkanoic acid, and a water soluble salt of glyphosate, and optionally ?16% of one or more fertilizers, such as ammonium sulfate, by adding certain polymeric crystallization inhibitors are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE LLC, NOURYON CHEMICALS INTERNATIONAL B.V.
    Inventors: Mark Alexander, Anne Austin, Alex Kennedy, Lei Liu, Klin A. Rodrigues, Holger Tank
  • Patent number: 11740859
    Abstract: Media input audio data corresponding to a media stream and microphone input audio data from at least one microphone may be received. A first level of at least one of a plurality of frequency bands of the media input audio data, as well as a second level of at least one of a plurality of frequency bands of the microphone input audio data, may be determined. Media output audio data and microphone output audio data may be produced by adjusting levels of one or more of the first and second plurality of frequency bands based on the perceived loudness of the microphone input audio data, of the microphone output audio data, of the media output audio data and the media input audio data. One or more processes may be modified upon receipt of a mode-switching indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Alexander, Chunjian Li, Joshua Brandon Lando, Alan J. Seefeldt, C. Phillip Brown, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart
  • Patent number: 11723863
    Abstract: The present invention provides oral care compositions. The compositions may be provided in a solid form, such as a film. The compositions can comprise one or more film forming polymers, one or more bioadhesive agents, one or more plasticizers, benzocaine (and optionally one or more further active ingredients), one or more polymeric solvents, and an aqueous solvent. The oral care composition can be a solid or semi-solid composition up to a temperature of at least 40° C. Methods of providing such an oral care compositions are also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah Lindsay Grant, Dominic Gregory Walsh, Mark Alexander Livingstone
  • Publication number: 20230210729
    Abstract: A tooth whitening and/or tooth sensitivity strip or film comprising: about 1-20 wt. % hydroxyapatite (HAP). A process for the manufacture of a tooth whitening strip or film, the process comprising at least the steps of: —mixing at least one or a combination of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymers wherein the amount of the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymers is greater than 75 wt. % of the film or strip; and —an amount at least about 1-20 wt. % hydroxyapatite (HAP); and —at least one or a combination of polycarbophils; —with water to provide an aqueous tooth whitening liquid; —applying the aqueous tooth whitening liquid to a substrate to provide a substrate carrying the aqueous tooth whitening liquid; —drying the aqueous tooth whitening liquid to provide a tooth whitening film on the substrate, said film having a thickness from about 50 pm to about 500 pm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: John Edward CULLEN, Mark Alexander LIVINGSTONE, Melanie MACFARLANE, Robert CRICHTON
  • Publication number: 20230198617
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing operations based on LIDAR communications are described. An example device may include one or more processors and a memory coupled to the one or more processors. The memory includes instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to receive data associated with a modulated optical signal emitted by a transmitter of a first LIDAR device and received by a receiver of a second LIDAR device coupled to a vehicle and the device, generate a rendering of an environment of the vehicle based on information from one or more LIDAR devices coupled to the vehicle, and update the rendering based on the received data. Updating the rendering includes updating an object rendering of an object in the environment of the vehicle. The instructions further cause the device to provide the updated rendering for display on a display coupled to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Salil Shree Pandit, Mark Alexander Shand, Reed Gerard Alexander Morse
  • Patent number: 11659818
    Abstract: Techniques for monitoring the individual feed and water intake and pharmaceutical use and unmetabolized residual alerting in the livestock industry. Livestock have sensors installed on or in their bodies to detect consumption of feed and water for each animal in an environment where multiple animals are present. Sensors communicate data regarding the duration and timing of individual animals feeding habits. Health and efficiency status data is recorded per animal and analyzed to determine whether to issue an alert indicating problems with individual animals. The system tracks the health and efficiency data for each animal, pen or farm and generates statistical information regarding the sensor data. The system communicates with user interface to display notifications and statistical data. In addition, the pharmaceutical monitoring system alerts when any unmetabolized residual pharmaceuticals are still in the animals when the animal is being readied for shipping to a packing plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Tricon Sales LLC
    Inventors: Kent Deric Eldredge, Howard Gene Trott, Anand Rajaratnam, Mark Alexander Thomas, Scott A. Bevan
  • Publication number: 20230147270
    Abstract: One example system comprises a LIDAR sensor that rotates about an axis to scan an environment of the LIDAR sensor. The system also comprises one or more cameras that detect external light originating from one or more external light sources. The one or more cameras together provide a plurality of rows of sensing elements. The rows of sensing elements are aligned with the axis of rotation of the LIDAR sensor. The system also comprises a controller that operates the one or more cameras to obtain a sequence of image pixel rows. A first image pixel row in the sequence is indicative of external light detected by a first row of sensing elements during a first exposure time period. A second image pixel row in the sequence is indicative of external light detected by a second row of sensing elements during a second exposure time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Blaise Gassend, Benjamin Ingram, Andreas Wendel, Mark Alexander Shand
  • Publication number: 20230120380
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to selective deactivation of light emitters for interference mitigation in light detection and ranging (lidar) devices. An example method includes deactivating one or more light emitters within a lidar device during a firing cycle. The method also includes identifying whether interference is influencing measurements made by the lidar device. Identifying whether interference is influencing measurements made by the lidar device includes determining, for each light detector of the lidar device that is associated with the one or more light emitters deactivated during the firing cycle, whether a light signal was detected during the firing cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventor: Mark Alexander Shand
  • Patent number: 11626098
    Abstract: A method of designing an acoustic waveguide in which acoustic waves travelling along the waveguide are treated as exhibiting single parameter behaviour, and in which the waveguide provides a boundary confining the acoustic waves as they travel along the wave propagation path and has two substantially parallel, primary surfaces spaced apart a distance less than a wavelength of a high frequency acoustic wave. The primary surfaces may be planar, curved, or a combination of planar portions and curved portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: GP ACOUSTICS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Jack Anthony Oclee-Brown, Mark Alexander Dodd
  • Publication number: 20230108351
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to LIDAR systems and their operation. An example method includes partitioning a plurality of light-emitter devices into a plurality of groups. Each light-emitter device is associated with a given group of the plurality of groups. The method also includes selecting a group from the plurality of groups according to a predetermined group order and selecting one or more light-emitter devices from the plurality of light-emitter devices of the selected group according to a firing order. The method yet further includes, at a predetermined shot dither time, causing the selected light-emitter device to emit at least one light pulse. The predetermined shot dither time is based on a shot dither schedule. The method may additionally include repeating the method to provide a complete scan in which each light-emitter device of the plurality of light-emitter devices has emitted at least one light pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventor: Mark Alexander Shand