Patents Assigned to Amazon Technologies
  • Digital image cropping
    Patent number: 8913087
    Abstract: A digital image to be presented on an electronic display of an electronic device is expanded so that the content of the digital image fits the electronic display and the margins are cropped (e.g., rendered invisible) on the electronic display. The initial determination may be for a first total length of a left margin and a right margin of the digital image. The second determination may be for a second total length of a top and a bottom margin of the digital image. An expansion factor based at least in part on the smaller of the first and second total lengths may be derived. The application of the expansion factor enables the creation of an expanded digital image having content that maximally fit the electronic display. In some aspects, the expanded digital image is stored in a data cache.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Parmanand P. Kejriwal
  • Busbar connection assembly
    Patent number: 8911248
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a busbar connection assembly that may be used in, for example, a datacenter. The busbar connection assembly may have multiple conductive plates that are configured to insert between busbar plates of a power bus for the datacenter. The busbar connection assembly may further include multiple slots that are configured to receive the busbar plates of the power bus for the datacenter. The busbar connection assembly may serve as an electrical connection for various purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelsey Michelle Wildstone, Rick Alan Vogt
  • Synchronization of networked storage systems and third party systems
    Patent number: 8914856
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for the synchronizing of files between a networked storage system and a third party system. A file can be stored in a storage location in a networked storage system. A determination can be whether the storage location is associated with a third party system. An authentication credential can be retrieved that is associated with the third party system. Upload of the file to the third party system can be initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Piragash Velummylum, Johanna S. Olson, Korwin J. Smith, James H. Wood, Christopher G. Emery
  • Personalized recommendations based on item usage
    Patent number: 8914399
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and associated processes for generating recommendations for users based on usage, among other things. These systems and processes are described in the context of an interactive computing system that enables users to download applications for mobile devices (such as phones) or for other computing devices. Users' interactions with applications once they are downloaded can be observed and tracked, with such usage data being collected and provided to the interactive computing system. The interactive computing system can include a recommendation system or service that processes the usage data from a plurality of users to detect usage patterns. Using these usage patterns, among possibly other data, the recommendation system can recommend applications to users for download.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ameesh Paleja, Mekka C. Okereke, Matthew A. Jones
  • Magnetically initiated device pairing
    Patent number: 8913955
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for initiating the establishment of a communication link between two devices which have complementary magnets and magnetic field sensors. When the two devices are brought together, the magnetic field from the opposing device is detected with a magnetic sensor. Based on the detection, an establishment process is initiated on each of the devices. The process may proceed and establish the communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Mincher
  • Action based device control
    Patent number: 8913004
    Abstract: The determination of a gaze direction or field of view of a user with respect to a computing device can control aspects of the device, such as to reduce power or resource consumption. A computing device can include an imaging element and software for locating aspects of a user's facial features relative to the device, such that an orientation of the user's features relative to the device can be determined. Various actions on the device can be executed based at least in part upon a determined gaze direction of the user. In some embodiments, a display element of the device can turn off, and one or more inputs can be disabled, when the user is not looking at the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Bozarth, Kenneth M. Karakotsios, Jeffrey P. Bezos
  • Audio and video processing associated with visual events
    Patent number: 8913189
    Abstract: Audio data and video data are processed to determine one or more audible events and visual events, respectively. Contemporaneous presentation of the video data with audio data may be synchronized based at least in part on the audible events and the visual events. Audio processing functions, such as filtering, may be initiated for audio data based at least in part on the visual events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard William Mincher, Todd Christopher Mason
  • Load time adapted network page(s)
    Patent number: 8914524
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for generating a network page having a data density that corresponds to a network page load time for a client in communication with an electronic commerce system. In one embodiment, the electronic commerce system determines a network page load time for a client and draws an association between the client and a data density based at least in part on the network page load time. The electronic commerce system generates a network page having the data density and serves the network page for the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Anderson, Bashar Mohd Qudah, Stefan M. Haney
  • Cameras for computing devices
    Patent number: 8913170
    Abstract: The visible presence of one or more cameras of a computing device can be minimized or otherwise reduced using a aperture. A front aperture can be used with one or more cameras, where the piece providing the aperture can be colored to match a color of a surrounding portion of the device, such as a portion of a display window or cover glass of the device. The aperture can enable the associated camera to capture light passing through the aperture, while hiding the camera from the view of the user to the extent practical. In cases where the user might want to know where to look, one or more indicia can be provided by the device to notify the user of the location of the camera(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo B. Baldwin
  • Tracking user behavior relative to a network page
    Patent number: 8914496
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for tracking user behavior relative to a network page and identifying user interest in various content items of the network page according to the user behavior. A network page that includes multiple content items is rendered for display in a client. A user action is obtained relative to the network page. A user behavior report is sent to one or more servers. The user behavior report indicates the user action, a timestamp associated with the user action, and one or more of the content items that are associated with the user action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared L. Richardson, Siddharth Sriram, Logan Luyet Dillard, Eric B. Fox
  • MANAGING HOST COMPUTING DEVICES WITH A HOST CONTROL COMPONENT
    Publication number: 20140365756
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed which facilitate the management of host computing devices through the utilization of a host computing device control component. The host computing device control component includes a state monitoring component that monitors operating states of the control component and a group of associated host computing devices. Based on a determination of a power event, the state monitoring component causes the initiation of a reboot of the grouping of host computing devices based on exchange priority information and additional reboot parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Gabrielson
  • Co-located passive UHF RFID tag and NFC antenna in compact electronic devices
    Patent number: 8905317
    Abstract: An electronic device including a Near Field Communication (NFC) antenna and a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag may be disposed within an inner region of the antenna that does not contain structural features of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Morris Hsu, Anuj Dron
  • Video session content selected by multiple users
    Patent number: 8909740
    Abstract: Systems and methods enable users to exchange content, such as chat text, with other users that are consuming like video media. In one implementation, several users collectively group together to form a video session. The video media played during the video session may be selected by a vote of the users. The users in the video session each consume the same video media, and the video media is played on individual user computer devices in a synchronized manner. The users send chat text to one another over a network using a computer user interface. The chat text is superimposed over the synchronized video running on the individual user computer devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason A. Bliss, William Alexander Strand, Luan Nguyen, Geoffrey E. Endresen, Tal Stramer, Bethel Shawn McMillan, Roy F. Price, Cameron Janes
  • Consistent link sharing
    Patent number: 8909757
    Abstract: Consistent link sharing is implemented on one or more share servers. Consistent link sharing includes receiving a request from a user to store a web page that resides on an originating server to one or more share servers. The request includes a universal resource locator (URL) of the web page, which is a web page stored on the share servers of a content distribution network. The share servers generate a replacement URL for future access to the stored web page. The replacement URL may be shared with one or more users. The share servers provide the stored web page to a user who submits the replacement URL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tomi Yiu, Jonathan A. Jenkins, Mark S. Baumback
  • Key rotation with external workflows
    Patent number: 8908868
    Abstract: A material set, such as an asymmetric keypair, is processed using an associated workflow to prepare the material set for activation and/or use. In one embodiment, a material set is generated and information about the material set is communicated to a workflow manager. Based at least on the information, the workflow manager generates a workflow that when accomplished will allow the material set to be activated and/or used. In another embodiment, a service provider provides a key manager, workflow manager and destination for the key, such as a load balancer that terminates SSL connections. A key can be generated by the key manager, sent through the workflow manager for processing (potentially communicated to third parties such as a certificate authority, if needed) and installed at a destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme D. Baer, David M. Hulme, Benjamin E. Seidenberg
  • Connection following during network reconfiguration
    Patent number: 8909780
    Abstract: An allocated IP address is remapped from a first virtual machine to a second virtual machine while maintaining existing client connections on the first virtual machine. A communication channel is established between the first and second virtual machines, and existing connections associated with the IP address are tracked. Packets addressed to the IP address are forwarded to the second virtual machine instead of the first machine. If the second virtual machine receives a packet that contains a new connection request, the new connection is established with the second virtual machine. However, if the second virtual machine receives a packet that is associated with an existing connection to the first virtual machine, then the packet is forwarded to the first virtual machine via the communication channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Dickinson, Colin Whittaker, Bradley Roberts
  • Product placement in digital content
    Patent number: 8910201
    Abstract: The techniques and systems described herein place product information at a location in digital content where an existing object occurs. The techniques may select the product information based on profile data indicative of interests of a user viewing the digital content. Accordingly, the techniques may identify existing objects in the digital content before the user begins viewing the digital content. The techniques may also receive or access product information to be placed in the digital content. The product information may include identifiable brands, products, or services. Then, while rendering the digital content before the user begins viewing the digital content or while the user is viewing the digital content, the techniques may select product information to dynamically place into a scene of the digital content at a location where the existing objects occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Zamiska, Dennis James Taylor, Joshua Daniel Wright, Tommy Lee Bennett, Daniel Peter Cox, Joven Michael Matias, Jed Baraban Reinitz
  • Method and system for transporting inventory items
    Patent number: 8909368
    Abstract: A system for transporting inventory items includes an inventory holder capable of storing inventory items and a mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is capable of moving to a first point with the inventory holder at least one of coupled to and supported by the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is additionally capable of determining a location of the inventory holder and calculating a difference between the location of the inventory holder and the first point. The mobile drive unit is then capable of determining whether the difference is greater than a predetermined tolerance. In response to determining that the difference is greater than the predetermined tolerance, the mobile drive unit is also capable of moving to a second point based on the location of the inventory holder, docking with the inventory holder, and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to the first point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Raffaello D'Andrea, Peter K. Mansfield, Michael C. Mountz, Dennis Polic, Patrick Ryan Dingle
  • Optical apparatus
    Patent number: 8908254
    Abstract: Optical apparatus for a display device. The optical apparatus comprises a cavity, and a first fluid (14) and a second fluid (16), held within the cavity, which are immiscible with each other. The first and second fluids are separated from each other by a meniscus (28) having a peripheral edge (30). The optical apparatus further comprises a fluid motion control system arranged to control movement of the first and second fluids within the cavity using electrostatic forces, and a first surface (26) and a second surface (21). The first surface has a different wettability for the first fluid than for the second surface. The first and second surfaces are arranged in the cavity to determine, upon activation of the fluid motion control system, a motion of the fluids within the cavity which has a preferential initiation at a first part (32) of the peripheral edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bokke Johannes Feenstra, Roy Van Dijk, Robert A. Hayes
  • Hard disk drive mechanical modules with common controller
    Patent number: 8908326
    Abstract: A system for storing data includes two or more drive mechanical modules configured to store data, one or more drive control modules coupled to the drive mechanical modules, and a data control module. The drive control modules control mechanical operations in the drive mechanical modules. The data control modules access data on the drive mechanical modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Christopher Sorenson, III, Colin L. Lazier, Kestutis Patiejunas