Patents by Inventor Aaron Knoll

Aaron Knoll 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: 20240130334
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for self-calibrating ultrasonic removal of sea lice. In some implementations, a method includes generating, by transducers distributed in a sea lice treatment station, a first set of ultrasonic signals, detecting a second set of ultrasonic signals in response to propagation of the first set of ultrasonic signals through water, determining propagation parameters of the sea lice treatment station based on the second set of ultrasonic signals that were detected, obtaining an image of a sea louse on a fish in the sea lice treatment station, determining, from the image, a location of the sea louse in the sea lice treatment station, and generating a third set of ultrasonic signals that focuses energy at the sea louse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Grace Calvert Young, Matthew Aaron Knoll, Bryce Jason Remesch, Peter Kimball
  • Publication number: 20240124111
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for controlling a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for performing an underwater task. One apparatus includes a watertight housing; a mounting hardware that attaches the watertight housing to the ROV; one or more sensors in the watertight housing, the one or more sensors configured to generate sensor data that is associated with an underwater task; and one or more processors in the watertight housing, the one or more processors configured to: receive the sensor data from the one or more sensors; generate a navigation plan for the ROV using the sensor data; determine, using the navigation plan, control instructions configured to control the ROV to perform the underwater task; and provide the control instructions to an interface of the ROV configured to communicate with the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Swanson, Harrison Pham, Kathy Sun, Matthew Aaron Knoll
  • Publication number: 20240107985
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for a calibration target for ultrasonic removal of ectoparasites from fish. In some implementations, the calibration target includes a fish-shaped structure, sensors positioned at different locations of the fish-shaped structure, a processor that receives sensor values from the sensors, and a transmitter that outputs sensor data from the calibration target based on the sensor values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Grace Calvert Young, Bryce Jason Remesch, Matthew Aaron Knoll
  • Patent number: 11877549
    Abstract: Methods and systems, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for controlling a system for growing seaweed are described. Some implementations of a method include forming a substrate loop inoculated with seaweed spores; arranging the substrate loop about a pulley; submerging the substrate loop to grow the seaweed; determining, using a seaweed farm controller, that the seaweed has grown to a pre-determined size; and based on the determination that the seaweed has grown to a pre-determined size: providing instructions to the pulley to feed a section of the substrate loop to a harvesting unit; providing instructions to the harvesting unit to separate the seaweed attached to the section of the substrate loop; providing instructions to a cleaning unit to clean the section of the substrate loop that is freed from seaweed; and providing instructions to a seeding unit to inoculate the cleaned section of substrate loop with seaweed spores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Aaron Knoll, Charles Nordstrom, Neil Davé
  • Patent number: 11864535
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for obtaining initial parameters for ultrasonic transducers around a calibration target. The calibration target can include a fish-shaped structure, sensors placed at different locations of the fish-shaped structure, a processor that receives sensor values from the sensors, and a transmitter that outputs sensor data from the calibration target based on the sensor values. The calibration target can be fixed at a particular position relative to the ultrasonic transducers by a filament coupled to both the calibration target and a support structure. Sensor data can be obtained from the calibration target at the particular position relative to the ultrasonic transducers, and relative locations of the sensors can be determined. Parameters for the ultrasonic transducers around the calibration target can be adjusted based on the sensor data and the respective locations of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Grace Calvert Young, Matthew Aaron Knoll, Bryce Jason Remesch
  • Patent number: 11821158
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media that implement an autonomous modular breakwater system. An example system includes a plurality of autonomous submersible structures, each configured to mechanically link to any other of the plurality of autonomous submersible structures to form a breakwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Aaron Knoll, Neil Davé, Charles Nordstrom
  • Patent number: 11700839
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for a calibration target for ultrasonic removal of ectoparasites from fish. In some implementations, the calibration target includes a fish-shaped structure, sensors positioned at different locations of the fish-shaped structure, a processor that receives sensor values from the sensors, and a transmitter that outputs sensor data from the calibration target based on the sensor values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: X. Development
    Inventors: Grace Calvert Young, Bryce Jason Remesch, Matthew Aaron Knoll
  • Patent number: 11690359
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for self-calibrating ultrasonic removal of sea lice. In some implementations, a method includes generating, by transducers distributed in a sea lice treatment station, a first set of ultrasonic signals, detecting a second set of ultrasonic signals in response to propagation of the first set of ultrasonic signals through water, determining propagation parameters of the sea lice treatment station based on the second set of ultrasonic signals that were detected, obtaining an image of a sea louse on a fish in the sea lice treatment station, determining, from the image, a location of the sea louse in the sea lice treatment station, and generating a third set of ultrasonic signals that focuses energy at the sea louse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Grace Calvert Young, Matthew Aaron Knoll, Bryce Jason Remesch, Peter Kimball
  • Publication number: 20230189766
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for obtaining initial parameters for ultrasonic transducers around a calibration target. The calibration target can include a fish-shaped structure, sensors placed at different locations of the fish-shaped structure, a processor that receives sensor values from the sensors, and a transmitter that outputs sensor data from the calibration target based on the sensor values. The calibration target can be fixed at a particular position relative to the ultrasonic transducers by a filament coupled to both the calibration target and a support structure. Sensor data can be obtained from the calibration target at the particular position relative to the ultrasonic transducers, and relative locations of the sensors can be determined. Parameters for the ultrasonic transducers around the calibration target can be adjusted based on the sensor data and the respective locations of the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Grace Calvert Young, Matthew Aaron Knoll, Bryce Jason Remesch
  • Publication number: 20230172169
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for underwater feed movement detection. In one aspect, the method may include the actions of obtaining images captured at different time points, where the images are captured by a camera and indicate feed that has been dispersed by a feeder for aquatic livestock inside an enclosure; determining, for each image, respective locations of the feed indicated by the image; determining, from the respective locations of the feed, a respective movement of the feed over the different time points; determining, based on the respective feed movement of the feed over the different time points, water current movement within the enclosure for the aquatic livestock; and outputting an indication of the water current movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew Aaron Knoll, Harrison Pham, Ryan Heacock, Matthew Stokes
  • Publication number: 20230157230
    Abstract: Methods and systems, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for controlling a system for growing seaweed are described. Some implementations of a method include forming a substrate loop inoculated with seaweed spores; arranging the substrate loop about a pulley; submerging the substrate loop to grow the seaweed; determining, using a seaweed farm controller, that the seaweed has grown to a pre-determined size; and based on the determination that the seaweed has grown to a pre-determined size: providing instructions to the pulley to feed a section of the substrate loop to a harvesting unit; providing instructions to the harvesting unit to separate the seaweed attached to the section of the substrate loop; providing instructions to a cleaning unit to clean the section of the substrate loop that is freed from seaweed; and providing instructions to a seeding unit to inoculate the cleaned section of substrate loop with seaweed spores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew Aaron Knoll, Charles Nordstrom, Neil Davé
  • Patent number: 11623536
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media that implement autonomous seagoing power replenishment watercraft. An example system includes a plurality of marine vessels; a plurality of watercraft, each watercraft of the plurality of watercraft including a rechargeable electrical power supply and being configured to operate in: a first mode in which the watercraft awaits an assignment to provide electrical energy to a marine vessel of the plurality of marine vessels; a second mode in which the watercraft performs operations including keeping station with an assigned marine vessel and providing electrical energy to the assigned marine vessel from the power supply; and a third mode in which the watercraft recharges the power supply from a charging station. The system includes a controller configured to perform operations comprising: transmitting, to a first watercraft, an instruction indicating an assignment of the first watercraft to provide electrical energy to a first marine vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Aaron Knoll, Neil Davé
  • Publication number: 20230064567
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media that implement autonomous seagoing power replenishment watercraft. An example system includes a plurality of marine vessels; a plurality of watercraft, each watercraft of the plurality of watercraft including a rechargeable electrical power supply and being configured to operate in: a first mode in which the watercraft awaits an assignment to provide electrical energy to a marine vessel of the plurality of marine vessels; a second mode in which the watercraft performs operations including keeping station with an assigned marine vessel and providing electrical energy to the assigned marine vessel from the power supply; and a third mode in which the watercraft recharges the power supply from a charging station. The system includes a controller configured to perform operations comprising: transmitting, to a first watercraft, an instruction indicating an assignment of the first watercraft to provide electrical energy to a first marine vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew Aaron Knoll, Neil Davé
  • Publication number: 20230064908
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media that implement autonomous seagoing power replenishment watercraft. An example system includes a plurality of marine vessels; a plurality of watercraft, each watercraft of the plurality of watercraft including a rechargeable electrical power supply and being configured to operate in: a first mode in which the watercraft awaits an assignment to provide electrical energy to a marine vessel of the plurality of marine vessels; a second mode in which the watercraft performs operations including keeping station with an assigned marine vessel and providing electrical energy to the assigned marine vessel from the power supply; and a third mode in which the watercraft recharges the power supply from a charging station. The system includes a controller configured to perform operations comprising: transmitting, to a first watercraft, an instruction indicating an assignment of the first watercraft to provide electrical energy to a first marine vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: MATTHEW AARON KNOLL, Neil Davé
  • Publication number: 20230067723
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for a calibration target for ultrasonic removal of ectoparasites from fish. In some implementations, the calibration target includes a fish-shaped structure, sensors positioned at different locations of the fish-shaped structure, a processor that receives sensor values from the sensors, and a transmitter that outputs sensor data from the calibration target based on the sensor values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Grace Calvert Young, Bryce Jason Remesch, Matthew Aaron Knoll
  • Publication number: 20230039087
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for self-calibrating ultrasonic removal of sea lice. In some implementations, a method includes generating, by transducers distributed in a sea lice treatment station, a first set of ultrasonic signals, detecting a second set of ultrasonic signals in response to propagation of the first set of ultrasonic signals through water, determining propagation parameters of the sea lice treatment station based on the second set of ultrasonic signals that were detected, obtaining an image of a sea louse on a fish in the sea lice treatment station, determining, from the image, a location of the sea louse in the sea lice treatment station, and generating a third set of ultrasonic signals that focuses energy at the sea louse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Grace Calvert Young, Matthew Aaron Knoll, Bryce Jason Remesch, Peter Kimball
  • Publication number: 20230034365
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media that implement a mobile filtration system that provides sustainable, on-demand water filtration while supporting the growth and maintenance of organisms. The method includes determining an environmental parameter associated with a volume of water, determining, based on the determined environmental parameter, a control parameter for an autonomous submersible structure that includes a platform on which marine life grows, and generating, based on determining the control parameter, an instruction for the autonomous submersible structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Charles Nordstrom, Matthew Aaron Knoll, Neil Davé
  • Publication number: 20230011713
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media that implement an autonomous modular breakwater system. An example system includes a plurality of autonomous submersible structures, each configured to mechanically link to any other of the plurality of autonomous submersible structures to form a breakwater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew Aaron Knoll, Neil Davé, Charles Nordstrom
  • Patent number: 11490601
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for self-calibrating ultrasonic removal of sea lice. In some implementations, a method includes generating, by transducers distributed in a sea lice treatment station, a first set of ultrasonic signals, detecting a second set of ultrasonic signals in response to propagation of the first set of ultrasonic signals through water, determining propagation parameters of the sea lice treatment station based on the second set of ultrasonic signals that were detected, obtaining an image of a sea louse on a fish in the sea lice treatment station, determining, from the image, a location of the sea louse in the sea lice treatment station, and generating a third set of ultrasonic signals that focuses energy at the sea louse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Grace Calvert Young, Matthew Aaron Knoll, Bryce Jason Remesch, Peter Kimball
  • Publication number: 20220192160
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for self-calibrating ultrasonic removal of sea lice. In some implementations, a method includes generating, by transducers distributed in a sea lice treatment station, a first set of ultrasonic signals, detecting a second set of ultrasonic signals in response to propagation of the first set of ultrasonic signals through water, determining propagation parameters of the sea lice treatment station based on the second set of ultrasonic signals that were detected, obtaining an image of a sea louse on a fish in the sea lice treatment station, determining, from the image, a location of the sea louse in the sea lice treatment station, and generating a third set of ultrasonic signals that focuses energy at the sea louse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Grace Calvert Young, Matthew Aaron Knoll, Bryce Jason Remesch, Peter Kimball