Patents by Inventor Nathan Pletcher
Nathan Pletcher 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).
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Patent number: 10010270Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and/or methods for detection of eye blinking using an active contact lens with multiple sensors and detecting orientation of the active contact lens.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2012Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLCInventors: Nathan Pletcher, Eric Teller, Babak Amirparviz
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Publication number: 20180164607Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for determining an amount of accommodation for an ophthalmic system are described. In an embodiment, the ophthalmic system includes a first circuit and a second circuit, each comprising a respective photodiode. The second circuit is configured to provide a light response profile that is more linear than a light response profile provided by the first circuit. Light sensing by the first circuit results in generation of a first signal indicating a level of ambient light in a surrounding environment. Other light sensing by the second circuit results in a second signal being generated. An amount of accommodation is determined based at least in part on the second signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2018Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: Robert F. Wiser, Jennifer Han, Brian Otis, Nathan Pletcher
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Patent number: 9974050Abstract: Methods and systems described herein relate to broadcasting an advertisement event on a wireless channel. An example method includes generating, based on data, a data signal including one or more data packets, where each of the one or more data packets is a non-connectable and non-scannable data packet; generating an RF signal using an oscillator circuit; directly modulating the RF signal, based on the data signal, to generate a modulated RF signal; amplifying the modulated RF signal; broadcasting the amplified modulated RF signal on the wireless channel, where the amplified modulated RF signal is associated with the advertisement event.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLCInventors: Robert Francis Wiser, Nathan Pletcher, William James Biederman, Daniel James Yeager, Brian Otis, Francis Albert Honore, Kannan Aryaperumal Sankaragomathi
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Patent number: 9973238Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for adjusting the power level of an external reader of an electronic device. The external reader transmits power to the electronic device with a radio frequency electromagnetic signal. The electronic device may rectify the radio frequency electromagnetic signal and create a rectified voltage. The rectified voltage may be positively correlated to the power level transmitted by the external device. The rectified power can be used to power a component of the electronic device, such as a component configured to measure either a voltage or power associated with the rectified voltage. The electronic device may communicate the measured voltage or power back to the external reader. Based on the communicated voltage or power, the external reader may adjust its power level of the transmitted power.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2013Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Verily Life Sciences, LLCInventors: Nathan Pletcher, Brian Otis, Francis Honore, Andrew Nelson
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Patent number: 9933634Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for determining a direction of gaze by a user of an eye-mountable device. In an embodiment, the eye-mountable device includes a first circuit and a second circuit, each comprising a respective photodiode. The second circuit is configured to provide a light response profile that is more linear than a light response profile provided by the first circuit. Light sensing by the first circuit results in generation of a first signal indicating a level of ambient light in a surrounding environment. Other light sensing by the second circuit results in a second signal being generated. A direction of gaze by a cornea of the user is detected based at least in part on the first signal and the second signal. In another embodiment, the first signal is provided to configure the second circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLCInventors: Robert Francis Wiser, Jennifer Han, Brian Otis, Nathan Pletcher
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Publication number: 20180031867Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for sensing an overlap of an ophthalmic device by an eyelid of a user while the ophthalmic device is disposed in or on an eye of the user. In an embodiment, a circuit, disposed in a sealed enclosure of the ophthalmic device, interacts via an electromagnetic field with a film of tear fluid that is formed on the ophthalmic device. Based on the electromagnetic interaction, an oscillation characteristic of the circuit is evaluated. The oscillation characteristic varies with a resistance that is due in part to an eyelid of the user overlapping at least some portion of the ophthalmic device. Based on the evaluated oscillation characteristic, an amount of the eyelid overlap is determined by circuitry of the ophthalmic device. In another embodiment, the amount of eyelid overlap is used to determine one or more characteristics of gazing by the user's eye.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2016Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Shungneng Lee, Uei-ming Jow, Nathan Pletcher
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Patent number: 9880401Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for providing access to an accommodation-capable eye-mountable device via a user interface of an auxiliary device. In an embodiment, the user interface provides prompts for a user of the eye-mountable device to perform various viewing actions, where the eye-mountable device receives from the auxiliary device communications indicating respective times of the viewing actions. Based on the communications, the eye-mountable device generates configuration information indicating a correspondence of respective states of the eye-mountable device to respective characteristics of the viewing actions. In another embodiment, operational modes of the eye-mountable device are defined based on the configuration information.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLCInventors: Nathan Pletcher, Robert F. Wiser, Daniel J. Yeager, Shung-neng Lee
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Patent number: 9881188Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for providing an audible feedback based on a proximity or a link quality between an external reader and a tag. The external reader transmits power to the tag with a radio frequency electromagnetic signal. The tag may rectify the radio frequency electromagnetic signal and create a rectified voltage. This rectified voltage may be used to power various components of the tag. Once it receives power from the reader, the tag may communicate information back to the external reader. The information communicated back to the reader is communicated by modulating an antenna impedance of the tag. By modulating the impedance, the tag will backscatter radiation transmitted by the reader. The reader is able to create an audio output based on determining the proximity or link quality from the reader to the tag based on the backscatter radiation it receives from the tag.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLCInventors: Brian Otis, Nathan Pletcher
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Publication number: 20170354328Abstract: Systems for determining an individual's current focal distance by measuring parameters associated with binocular vision focusing using one or two contact lenses are provided. In an aspect, a system includes a first contact lens and a second contact lens respectively configured to be worn over first and second eyes of an individual. The first contact lens and the second contact lens respectively include first and second circuits configured to respectively generate first data related to the first eye and second data related to the second eye for determining the current focal distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2017Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: Harvey Ho, Nathan Pletcher, Olivia Hatalsky
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Patent number: 9818005Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for loading program data on to an unpowered electronic device, such as an RFID tag that includes volatile memory. Initially, the tag is unpowered. Thus, the volatile memory in the tag will not have any stored data. In order to load data into the memory of the tag, a reader can power the tag wirelessly. The reader includes an antenna configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation and receive backscatter electromagnetic radiation. The reader also includes a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to analyze the backscatter electromagnetic radiation. The processing unit may analyze the backscatter radiation to determine a supply voltage induced in the tag. In response to the induced voltage being greater than a threshold, the processing unit may alter the transmitted electromagnetic radiation to communicate tag data.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2014Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLCInventors: Daniel James Yeager, Brian Otis, Nathan Pletcher
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Patent number: 9808157Abstract: A wearable device and external reader is provided for herein. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the wearable device or the reader is configured to receive a level of radiant energy, detect a change in the received level of radiant energy, determine that the detected change in the received level of radiant energy is indicative of a predetermined pattern of received radiant energy, and responsively operate (or cause to be operated via the external reader) one or more external devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2013Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLCInventors: Nathan Pletcher, Andrew Nelson, Francis Honore
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Patent number: 9775513Abstract: Systems for determining an individual's current focal plane by measuring parameters associated with binocular vision focusing using one or two contact lenses are provided. In an aspect, a system includes a first contact lens and a second contact lens respectively configured to be worn over first and second eyes of an individual. The first contact lens and the second contact lens respectively include first and second substrates, and first and second circuits respectively disposed on or within the first and second substrates and configured to respectively generate first data related to a focal trajectory of the first eye and second data related to a focal trajectory of the second eye, wherein the first circuit employs the second contact lens to generate the first data and the second circuit employs the first contact lens to generate the second data.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLCInventors: Harvey Ho, Nathan Pletcher, Olivia Hatalsky
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Patent number: 9772512Abstract: An eye-mountable device includes an enclosure material, a sensor system, and a controller. The enclosure material has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to be removeably mounted over a cornea and the second surface is configured to be compatible with eyelid motion when the concave surface is so mounted. The sensor system is disposed within the enclosure material. The sensor system has at least one value that varies with changes in a gazing direction of the cornea. The controller is disposed within the enclosure material and electrically connected to the sensor system. The controller is configured to measure the value of the sensor system to detect the changes in the gazing direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2016Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLCInventors: Daniel J. Yeager, Brian Otis, William J. Biederman, Nathan Pletcher
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Patent number: 9737248Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and/or methods for subtracting in the current domain an output current primary signal from a primary sensor from an output current reference signal from a reference sensor to produce a frequency output signal indicative of the difference between the output current primary signal and the output current reference signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLCInventors: Brian Otis, Nathan Pletcher
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Patent number: 9735892Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods employing contact lens sensors are provided. In some aspects, a contact lens includes a substrate that forms at least a portion of the body of the contact lens; an optical communication device disposed on or within the substrate; and a photodetector disposed on or within the substrate, wherein the photodetector harvests light emitted from a device and generates power from the harvested light. In some aspects, an apparatus comprises a tag having a circuit including: an optical communication device; and a photodetector that harvests light received and generates power from the harvested light. The tag can be disposed on or within a contact lens in various aspects.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLCInventors: Nathan Pletcher, Brian Otis
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Publication number: 20170227792Abstract: An eye-mountable device including a lens including a polymeric material, the lens operable to be removably mounted over a corneal surface of an eye and to be compatible with a motion of an eyelid when the concave surface is so mounted; a sensor coupled to the lens and operable to provide output data indicative of whether an eyelid of an eye on which the lens is mounted is closed; and a display operable to display a light signal in response to the output data from the sensor that the eyelid is closed. A method including determining whether an eyelid of a wearer of an eye-mountable device is closed; and when an eyelid of a wearer is closed, sending a light signal from the eye-mountable device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2017Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: Thad Eugene STARNER, Michael Patrick JOHNSON, Brian OTIS, Max Benjamin BRAUN, Nathan PLETCHER, Joshua N. HADDOCK
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Patent number: 9692230Abstract: A wearable device includes a sensor, auxiliary electronics, a primary power supply configured to harvest radio frequency (RF) radiation received from an external reader and use the harvested RF radiation to power the sensor, and an auxiliary power supply configured to harvest energy other than that received from the external reader and use the harvested energy to supply power to the sensor and/or the auxiliary electronics. The external reader may supply less power in response to operation of the auxiliary power supply. Additionally or alternatively, in response to a determination that the auxiliary power supply is unable to supply power, the wearable device may disable all auxiliary electronics but for the sensor. In response to a determination that the primary power supply is unable to supply power but the auxiliary power supply is able to supply power, the wearable device may retain operating parameters in the memory storage unit using the auxiliary power supply.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLCInventors: William James Biederman, Nathan Pletcher, Andrew Nelson, Daniel Yeager
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Publication number: 20170181125Abstract: Methods and systems described herein relate to broadcasting an advertisement event on a wireless channel. An example method includes generating, based on data, a data signal including one or more data packets, where each of the one or more data packets is a non-connectable and non-scannable data packet; generating an RF signal using an oscillator circuit; directly modulating the RF signal, based on the data signal, to generate a modulated RF signal; amplifying the modulated RF signal; broadcasting the amplified modulated RF signal on the wireless channel, where the amplified modulated RF signal is associated with the advertisement event.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Robert Francis Wiser, Nathan Pletcher, William James Biederman, Daniel James Yeager, Brian Otis, Francis Albert Honore, Kannan Aryaperumal Sankaragomathi
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Publication number: 20170059881Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods of contact lenses with power sources are provided. In some aspects, a contact lens can include a substrate; and a circuit. The circuit can include: one or more sensors disposed on or within the substrate; circuitry disposed on at least a portion of the substrate; one or more photovoltaic cells disposed on at least a portion of the substrate; and a hybrid power component that supplies at least one of two or more different types of power to the circuitry, wherein at least one of the two or more different types of power is radio frequency/inductive power. In various aspects, other types of power can be solar and/or microelectromechanical system power. Additionally, in various aspects, photovoltaic cells can be arrayed in different configurations and/or over a significant portion of a viewing surface of the contact lens. In some aspects, the photovoltaic cells can be transparent.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Nathan Pletcher, Brian Otis
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Publication number: 20170032154Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for providing an audible feedback based on a proximity or a link quality between an external reader and a tag. The external reader transmits power to the tag with a radio frequency electromagnetic signal. The tag may rectify the radio frequency electromagnetic signal and create a rectified voltage. This rectified voltage may be used to power various components of the tag. Once it receives power from the reader, the tag may communicate information back to the external reader. The information communicated back to the reader is communicated by modulating an antenna impedance of the tag. By modulating the impedance, the tag will backscatter radiation transmitted by the reader. The reader is able to create an audio output based on determining the proximity or link quality from the reader to the tag based on the backscatter radiation it receives from the tag.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: Brian Otis, Nathan Pletcher