Patents Assigned to X. Development
  • Patent number: 9707682
    Abstract: Methods and systems for recognizing machine-readable information on three-dimensional (3D) objects are described. A robotic manipulator may move at least one physical object through a designated area in space. As the at least one physical object is being moved through the designated area, one or more optical sensors may determine a location of a machine-readable code on the at least one physical object and, based on the determined location, scan the machine-readable code so as to determine information associated with the at least one physical object encoded in the machine-readable code. Based on the information associated with the at least one physical object, a computing device may then determine a respective location in a physical environment of the robotic manipulator at which to place the at least one physical object. The robotic manipulator may then be directed to place the at least one physical object at the respective location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Konolige, Ethan Rublee, Gary Bradski
  • Patent number: 9709026
    Abstract: An airfoil for an airborne wind turbine including a main wing adapted for attachment to an electrically conductive tether, a pivotable trailing element positioned behind the main wing, wherein a chord line of the airfoil has a length that is measured from the leading edge of the main wing to a trailing edge of the trailing element, wherein when the main wing and trailing element are positioned in a first flying position, a slot gap exists between a trailing edge of the main wing and the leading edge of the trailing element, wherein the main wing has a thickness that is 15-28% of the length of the chord line; and wherein a spar bulge exists in the main wing such that 15-25% of the overall length of the chord line has a thickness that is 95% or more of a maximum thickness of the main wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Damon Vander Lind
  • Patent number: 9701061
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to manufacturing balloon envelopes for use in high-altitude mesh networks for packet-data communications. As an example, a gore portion may be placed on a table such that the gore portion overlies a groove within the table. A tendon may be placed on the gore portion and within the groove. A portion of tubing may be placed over the tendon. The tubing may have one or more surface openings. Restraining tape is applied over the one or more surface openings in the tubing. A constant force roller is applied to secure the tendon to the gore portion and to secure the tendon to the tubing. As an alternative or in addition to the surface openings, double-sided restraining tape may be placed between the tendon and the tubing. The tubing and restraining tape may prevent undesired lateral and longitudinal movement of the tendon during deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Roach, Jeffrey Neri
  • Patent number: 9701016
    Abstract: An example method for detecting a movable element on a surface involves receiving, from a depth sensor coupled to a mobile robot, a first depth measurement between the depth sensor and a ground surface. The method also involves causing at least one transducer coupled to the mobile robot to emit a directional pressure wave toward the ground surface. The method further involves receiving, from the depth sensor coupled to the mobile robot, a second depth measurement between the depth sensor and the ground surface after emitting the directional pressure wave. Additionally, the method involves identifying one or more differences between the first depth measurement and the second depth measurement indicating that the ground surface includes a movable element. Further, the method involves providing navigation instructions to the mobile robot based on the identified one or more differences between the first depth measurement and the second depth measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Junichi Urata, Yoshito Ito
  • Patent number: 9705302
    Abstract: An energy kite may be coupled to a tether and ground station. The tether or other cables may need to be terminated, where one or more components of the cable need to be separated and terminated individually. In energy kite systems, it is common for the tether (or other cables) to have small mass and diameter. The termination may also include a first potted region with a softer potting material and a second potted region with a harder potting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Elias Wolfgang Patten
  • Patent number: 9694498
    Abstract: Methods and systems for depth sensing are provided. A system includes a first and second optical sensor each including a first plurality of photodetectors configured to capture visible light interspersed with a second plurality of photodetectors configured to capture infrared light within a particular infrared band. The system also includes a computing device configured to (i) identify first corresponding features of the environment between a first visible light image captured by the first optical sensor and a second visible light image captured by the second optical sensor; (ii) identify second corresponding features of the environment between a first infrared light image captured by the first optical sensor and a second infrared light image captured by the second optical sensor; and (iii) determine a depth estimate for at least one surface in the environment based on the first corresponding features and the second corresponding features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Kurt Konolige
  • Patent number: 9698642
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system is described. The system may include a rotor, a plurality of magnets positioned adjacent to the rotor, and a stator defining a plurality of sections. Each of the plurality of sections of the stator may include a plurality of teeth. The system may also include a plurality of winding wires wound around the plurality of teeth of each of the plurality of sections of the stator. The plurality of winding wires wound around the plurality of teeth may define a plurality of single-phase sub-motors. The plurality of single-phase sub-motors have a magnetic design such that at least one of the plurality of single-phase sub-motors are rotationally offset from an adjacent single-phase sub-motor, which may improve motor performance and voltage isolation. The system may also include a plurality of inverters coupled to the plurality of winding wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Andrew David Goessling, George E. Homsy, II
  • Patent number: 9695912
    Abstract: Examples are provided that describe a cycloid transmission with an adjustable ring. An example cycloid transmission includes a disc and a motor shaft attached to the disc. The motor shaft is capable of rotating the disc around an outer ring of rollers. The outer ring of rollers surrounds the disc. As the disc is rotated, contact is made between the disc and the outer ring of rollers. A cycloid transmission also comprises an adjustable ring that is interposed between the motor shaft and the disc. A circumference of the adjustable ring can be adjusted in order to cause expansion of a radius of the disc. This expansion will result in increased contact of the disc with the outer ring of rollers and thereby lower backlash during rotation of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Edsinger, Andy Metzger
  • Patent number: 9691351
    Abstract: Embodiments of a process including determining a position of an observer relative to a pixel array positioned on a diffuse surface, the pixel array comprising a plurality of individual display pixels, determining the observer's viewing angle relative to the pixel array based on the position of the observer relative to the pixel array, and adjusting the brightness of the pixel array so that the brightness of the pixel array when viewed at the observer's viewing angle substantially matches the brightness of the diffuse surface when viewed at the observer's viewing angle. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas C. Loomis, Colin Braley, Behnam Bastani
  • Patent number: 9689808
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to systems and techniques for inspecting seals for high altitude balloons. In one example, a system may include a reflective surface, a translucent material on the reflective surface, and a movable light source configured to move along the reflective surface and provide light to the reflective surface. The light is provided such that it is reflected from the reflective surface and through the translucent material in order to backlight a balloon envelope seal for inspection. A method for inspecting a balloon envelope seal may include placing balloon envelope material on a table, forming a seal between portions of the material, moving a light over the seal, shining light onto a reflective portion of the table below the seal to backlight the seal, and inspecting the seal using the backlighting of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Henry Fourie
  • Patent number: 9688489
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes an enclosed rectangular container, including an openable first end and an openable second end. The apparatus further includes at least one first supporting base positioned proximate to the first end of the container that has an adjustable height in order to align a floor of the container with a trailer. The apparatus also includes at least one second supporting base positioned proximate to the second end of the container that has an adjustable height in order to align the floor of the container with a loading dock. The apparatus additionally includes a robotic manipulator connected to the floor of the container that is configured to move one or more objects between the trailer and the loading dock by moving the one or more objects through the container when the first end and the second end of the container are opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: John Zevenbergen, Stefan Nusser, Troy Straszheim
  • Patent number: 9690535
    Abstract: A display apparatus including a screen layer for displaying a unified image to a viewer and an illumination layer having an array of light sources. Each light source emits a light beam. An array of optical elements, each coupled to a corresponding light source in the array of light sources, is disposed between the screen layer and the illumination layer. The display layer includes a matrix of pixlets and a spacing region disposed between the pixlets in the matrix, wherein the array of light sources emit their light beams through the array of optical elements, wherein each optical element is configured to shape the received light beam into a divergent projection beam having a limited angular spread to project sub-images displayed by the pixlets as magnified sub-images on the backside of the screen layer, the magnified sub-images to combine to form the unified image that is substantially seamless.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Mary Lou Jepsen, Adam E. Norton
  • Patent number: 9691313
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for displaying an image with structures of a pixel array. In an embodiment, pixels of the pixel array each include three chrominance elements and a fourth luminance element. Of the four elements of a given pixel, a first subset of the elements are aligned along a first line, a second subset of the elements are aligned along a second line offset from the first line, and a third subset of the elements are aligned along a third line extending athwart the first line and the second line, wherein two of the elements are located on opposite sides of the third subset. In another embodiment, image data processing, for displaying an image with the pixel array, includes updating luminance parameters of a plurality of pixel data sets independent of any evaluation to update one or more types of chrominance parameters of the plurality of pixel data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Behnam Bastani, Nicholas Charles Loomis
  • Patent number: 9691926
    Abstract: A solar panel includes a plurality of solar cells, a bypass diode unit, and a heat spreader. The bypass diode unit includes a bypass diode coupled in an electrical shunting configuration across at least a first solar cell of the plurality of solar cells to bypass current around at least the first solar cell in an event of failure of the first solar cell. The heat spreader is disposed over a portion of one or more of the solar cells. The bypass diode unit is disposed on a first side of the heat spreader with the bypass diode in thermal contact with the heat spreader. A second side of the heat spreader is mounted in thermal contact with the one or more of the solar cells to dissipate heat generated in the bypass diode to the one or more of the solar cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Clinton L. Whetsel, Matthew A. Nubbe
  • Patent number: 9685810
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for intelligently charging a battery faster. In some embodiments, the method includes determining, by a computing device, a target state of charge (SOC) from a set of predefined SOCs, where at least one of the predefined SOCs is less than a 100% SOC. Further, the method includes determining, by the computing device, a state of a battery, where the state of the battery is indicative of one or more characteristics of the battery. Further, the method includes, based at least on the state of the battery, the computing device determining a pulse time and a rest time of a current for charging the battery to the target SOC. Yet further, the method may include the computing device charging the battery to the target SOC with the pulse time and the rest time of the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Ramesh C. Bhardwaj, Taisup Hwang
  • Patent number: 9681804
    Abstract: A hybrid optical system for a head wearable display includes a central vision lens and a peripheral vision lens. The central vision lens approximately aligns with a cornea of a user to provide lensing to a central vision of the user when the user is looking straight forward. The peripheral vision lens, different than the central vision lens, provides lensing to an extended field of view that extends angularly beyond the central vision lensed by the central vision lens when the user is looking straight forward. The peripheral vision lens is disposed around the central vision lens. The peripheral vision lens has a co-incident optical center with the central vision lens but the central vision lens is offset from a physical center of the peripheral vision lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Mark B. Spitzer
  • Patent number: 9677564
    Abstract: A magnetic propeller device for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a propeller and a shaft mount that engage with a motor shaft of a UAV. The propeller and shaft mount each have a magnetic element. When both magnetic elements are aligned, the propeller engages the shaft mount by way of a magnetic holding force between the magnetic elements. When a propeller contacts an object and the propeller is displaced, the magnetic elements passively disengage the propeller from the shaft mount due to misalignment of the magnetic elements. Passive disengagement allows the propeller to rotate independently of the motor shaft. Once the UAV moves clear of the object, the magnetic elements can realign, such that the propeller re-engages the shaft mount and resumes rotation with the motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Adam Woodworth, Clark Sopper
  • Patent number: 9676468
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to fabricating high-altitude balloons having a prebuilt parachute overlying the surface of the balloon envelope to handle catastrophic envelope failures. The balloon envelope is formed from a number of gore panels. Tendons are positioned adjacent to corresponding ones of the gore panels. Each tendon is configured to carry a load caused by pressurized lifting gas within the balloon envelope. The parachute is affixed to at least some of the tendons, and covers at least a portion of the balloon envelope adjacent to the apex of the envelope. The parachute may be sewn onto the tendons. An outer surface of the parachute is covered with a UV-protective material. For instance, an aluminum coating may be vapor-deposited onto the parachute's outer surface. An IR-reflective material may cover an inner surface of the parachute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Roach
  • Patent number: 9676496
    Abstract: A system may include an aerial vehicle, a perch platform configured to receive the aerial vehicle, and a ground station coupled to the aerial vehicle via a tether. The ground station may include a winch including a winch drum configured to move laterally and spin in a manner such that the tether is wound onto on the winch drum in a repeating pattern, possibly utilizing a fixed position levelwind. The system may additionally include a tower around which the winch and the perch platform can rotate about a vertical axis relative to the tower. The system may further utilize the tether forces on the levelwind to help move the perch platform around the vertical axis or be driven actively by a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Brian Hachtmann, Damon Vander Lind
  • Patent number: 9669918
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to techniques for manufacturing a balloon envelope including a duct for high altitude balloons. In one example, a first sheet of material may be provided. A premade duct may be arranged at least partially on the first sheet of material. The duct may include a first substance on an internal surface. A second sheet of material may be arranged over at least a portion of the duct. A heat sealing device may be applied to the second sheet of material to heat seal the first sheet of material to the second sheet of material. The heat sealing device may be applied over at least a portion of the duct in order to seal external surfaces of the duct to each of the first and second sheets of material and form a balloon gore. The first substance may keep the duct from being sealed to itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Henry Fourie, Jeffrey Neri