Patents by Inventor Alex James

Alex James 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).

  • Patent number: 10625750
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to extricate a vehicle from a stuck condition, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example apparatus includes: a user interface to receive a command to place a vehicle in an autonomous control mode of the vehicle; and a stuck mode controller to autonomously shift a transmission of the vehicle alternately between a reverse gear and a forward gear of the vehicle when in the autonomous control mode to autonomously rock the vehicle back and forth. A timing of the shifting of the transmission is based on a ratio of a velocity of the vehicle to an acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alex James, Donald A. Perlick, Thomas Salmon, Bang Kim Cao
  • Publication number: 20200115905
    Abstract: The embodiments are apparatuses, systems and methods of water management and icicle prevention for solar carports, and are designed to catch drips between rows of, and water run-off from, the low side of inclined photovoltaic modules arranged to form the roof of the solar carport or canopy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Distributed Solar Development, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Robert JONES, Alex James NORMAN
  • Publication number: 20200115906
    Abstract: The embodiments are apparatuses, systems and methods of water management and icicle prevention for solar carports, and are designed to catch drips between rows of, and water run-off from, the low side of inclined photovoltaic modules arranged to form the roof of the solar carport or canopy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Distributed Solar Development, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Robert JONES, Alex James NORMAN
  • Publication number: 20200089549
    Abstract: A first event source generates a first indication of a first event which has occurred in the first event source, the first indication being one of a predefined set of indications corresponding to a plurality of event types. A second event source generates a second indication of a second event which has occurred in the second event source, the second indication being one of the predefined set of indications corresponding to the plurality of event types. First event selection circuitry responds to the first indication matching a selected event type of the plurality of event types to generate a first count signal and second event selection circuitry responds to the second indication matching the selected event type of the plurality of event types to generate a second count signal. Count circuitry increments a counter in response to either the first count signal or the second count signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Fergus Wilson MACGARRY, Alex James WAUGH
  • Publication number: 20200073438
    Abstract: A dock for a portable electronic device includes a base and an arm movably supported on the base. The arm has a ratchet gear set and a distal end configured to engage the portable electronic device to secure the portable electronic device to the base. The dock further includes a ratchet pawl positioned within the base. The ratchet pawl is movable between a first position, in which the ratchet pawl engages the ratchet gear set to inhibit movement of the arm relative to the base, and a second position, in which the ratchet pawl disengages the ratchet gear set to allow movement of the arm relative to the base. The dock further includes an electronic actuator operable to actuate the ratchet pawl from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Huang, Alex James Klinkman
  • Publication number: 20200070365
    Abstract: A buffer block apparatus for securing a node may be described. The buffer block apparatus may include a first surface having disposed thereon at least one first zero-point feature configured for a first zero-point interface with a robotic assembly apparatus; and a second surface, different from the first surface, configured to connect with a first surface of a node and form a first rigid connection between the buffer block apparatus and the node, wherein the buffer block apparatus provides at least one reference coordinate system with respect to the node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Eahab Nagi El Naga, Keith Allen Fleming, Matthew Cooper Keller, Lukas Philip Czinger, Chukwubuikem Marcel Okoli, Michael Thomas Kenworthy, Matthew Coleman Tindall, Justin David Almeleh, Matthew Michael O'Brien, Broc William TenHouten, Oussama Rawas, Juan Cuauhtemoc Munoz, Muhammad Faizan Zafar, Jamison Van Bruch, Thomas Samuel Bowden, JR., Alex James Hamade
  • Patent number: 10574792
    Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to techniques for referencing a change in data utilizing a network resource locator. An interface component can receive one or more requests that are associated with a data set from a client, and send, based on the one or more requests, a network resource locator and at least one portion of the data set to the client. Further, a data service component can compute a parameter that is associated with a change of the data set, and include the parameter in the network resource locator. In other embodiments, the data service component can receive a request utilizing the network resource locator, determine the change of the data set based on the parameter, and send the change of the data set to the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Alex James, Michael Pizzo, Pablo Castro, Mike Flasko, Lance Olson, Jason Clark, Sid Jayadevan
  • Publication number: 20190366989
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for automatic calibration of electronic trailer brake gain. An example apparatus includes a trailer brake gain calibration module programmed to compare a calculated trailer brake torque to at least one of a first or second threshold, adjust a gain value based upon satisfaction of at least one of the first or second threshold, and apply a pressure to a trailer brake based on the gain value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Alex James, Thomas Salmon, Donald A. Perlick, Bang Kim Cao
  • Patent number: 10495161
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to perform brake sweeping procedures on vehicle brakes are described herein. An example apparatus includes a controller to determine when a vehicle has made a turn, compare an angle at which the vehicle has turned to an angle threshold, and schedule a brake sweeping procedure based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Salmon, Alex James, Bang Kim Cao, Donald A. Perlick
  • Patent number: 10485189
    Abstract: A timber-working device comprises a frame having a feed axis and a drive system configured to feed at least one stem along the feed axis. The drive system comprises a first drive arm pivotally attached to the frame on a first side of the feed axis, having a first rotary drive having a first wheel. A second drive arm is also pivotally attached to the frame on a second side of the feed axis, having a second rotary drive having a second wheel. The drive system also comprises a third rotary drive having a third wheel, and a fourth rotary drive having a fourth wheel, mounted on the frame on the first and second sides of the feed axis respectively. At least one processor controls operation of the rotary drives, such that in a first mode the speed of the respective wheels of the rotary drives on the same side of the feed axis is substantially the same, and in a second mode the speed of the respective wheels of at least two rotary drives on opposing sides is substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: WARATAH NZ LIMITED
    Inventors: Brett James Kaye, Alex James Stevenson, Justyn Peter Smythe
  • Publication number: 20190340124
    Abstract: An apparatus (300) for processing data comprises a plurality of memory access request sources (102,104) which generate memory access requests. Each of the memory access request sources has a local memory (106,108), and the apparatus also includes a shared memory (110). When the memory access requests are atomic memory access requests, contention may arise over common data. When this occurs, the present technique triggers a switch of processing data in the local memory of a memory access request source to processing data in the shared memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Adnan KHAN, Alex James WAUGH, Jose GONZALEZ-GONZALEZ
  • Publication number: 20190330248
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed related to organic or inorganic metal halide perovskites formed via cation exchange and photovoltaic applications thereof. The present invention provides a method of forming an organic or inorganic metal halide perovskite including cation exchanging a hydrocarbylammonium metal halide with a salt comprising an organic or inorganic cation that exchanges with the hydrocarbylammonium cation of the hydrocarbylammonium metal halide, to form the organic or inorganic metal halide perovskite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew G. Panthani, Matthew Isaias Milot, Madeleine Kennedy Wilsey, Alex James Verburg, Atefe Hadi, Umar Hamdeh, Rainie Nelson
  • Publication number: 20190283824
    Abstract: Manufacturing cell based vehicle manufacturing systems and methods for a wide variety of vehicles are disclosed. In one aspect, a manufacturing cell configured for assembling a frame of a vehicle is disclosed. The manufacturing cell includes a positioner, a robot carrier and a robot. The positioner is configured to receive a fixture table configured to hold the frame. The robot carrier includes a vertical lift. The robot is configured to assemble the frame. The positioner is configured to support the frame in a vertical position during an assembling process. In another aspect of the disclosure, a system for manufacturing a vehicle based on a manufacturing cell is disclosed. In another aspect of the disclosure, a method for manufacturing a vehicle based on a manufacturing cell is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Oussama Rawas, Alex James Hamade
  • Publication number: 20190283260
    Abstract: One aspect is an apparatus including an additively manufactured component including a surface with an end effector feature, the end effector feature co-additively manufactured with the additively manufactured component and configured to be gripped by a corresponding end effector on a robot. In an aspect, the end effector feature includes a recess in the surface. In another aspect, the recess includes an angled face. In an aspect, the recess has a teardrop shape. An aspect further includes an identification feature. In an aspect, the end effector feature includes a plurality of recesses in the surface. In another aspect, the end effector feature enables a 3-point kinematic self-aligning positive control lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Oussama Rawas, Roy Smith, Alex James Hamade, Muhammad Faizan Zafar, Keith Allen Fleming, Eahab Nagi El Naga, Antonio Bernerd Martinez, Chukwubuikem Marcel Okoli
  • Publication number: 20190283767
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to extricate a vehicle from a stuck condition, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example apparatus includes: a user interface to receive a command to place a vehicle in an autonomous control mode of the vehicle; and a stuck mode controller to autonomously shift a transmission of the vehicle alternately between a reverse gear and a forward gear of the vehicle when in the autonomous control mode to autonomously rock the vehicle back and forth. A timing of the shifting of the transmission is based on a ratio of a velocity of the vehicle to an acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Alex James, Donald A. Perlick, Thomas Salmon, Bang Kim Cao
  • Publication number: 20190243691
    Abstract: A system for automatically scaling provisioned resources includes an input interface and a processor. The input interface is configured to receive an estimate of a required number of processing threads. The processor is configured to determine required resources for processing the required number of processing threads using a model; provision the required resources; indicate to execute client tasks using the provisioned resources; determine server telemetry or logging data for the provisioned resources; provide the server telemetry or the logging data to the model; determine a resource utilization score based at least in part on the server telemetry or the logging data; determine a provisioning performance reward based at least in part on the resource utilization score; and adjust model parameters using the provisioning performance reward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Montiago Xavier LaBute, Teng Qu, James Michael Stratton, Xiaoqun Joyce Duan, Alex James Boyd
  • Publication number: 20190245946
    Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to techniques for referencing a change in data utilizing a network resource locator. An interface component can receive one or more requests that are associated with a data set from a client, and send, based on the one or more requests, a network resource locator and at least one portion of the data set to the client. Further, a data service component can compute a parameter that is associated with a change of the data set, and include the parameter in the network resource locator. In other embodiments, the data service component can receive a request utilizing the network resource locator, determine the change of the data set based on the parameter, and send the change of the data set to the client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Alex James, Michael Pizzo, Pablo Castro, Mike Flasko, Lance Olson, Jason Clark, Sid Jayadevan
  • Patent number: 10358141
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to extricate a vehicle from a stuck condition, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a command to place a vehicle in a stuck mode. The stuck mode corresponds to an autonomous control mode of the vehicle. The method further includes autonomously controlling the vehicle in the stuck mode to attempt to extricate the vehicle from a stuck condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alex James, Donald A. Perlick, Thomas Salmon, Bang Kim Cao
  • Patent number: 10348836
    Abstract: Methods of migrating clients from a first server to a second server are described. The first server sends a message to the second server identifying a set of clients to be migrated, serializes the state of one or more objects associated with the set of clients and transmits the serialized state to the second server. The first server then instructs each client in the set of clients to establish a connection to the second server such that each client is connected in parallel to both the first and second servers with the connection to the first server as a primary connection and the connection to the second server as a secondary connection and when the clients are connected to the second server, the first server instructs the clients to disconnect from the first server and switch the primary connection to be the connection with the second server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Charles Bolton, Colin Richard Gulliver, David Robert Allmond, Richard Michael Semmens, Robert Stothard, Alex James Neves, John Paul Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 10320949
    Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to techniques for referencing a change in data utilizing a network resource locator. An interface component can receive one or more requests that are associated with a data set from a client, and send, based on the one or more requests, a network resource locator and at least one portion of the data set to the client. Further, a data service component can compute a parameter that is associated with a change of the data set, and include the parameter in the network resource locator. In other embodiments, the data service component can receive a request utilizing the network resource locator, determine the change of the data set based on the parameter, and send the change of the data set to the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Alex James, Michael Pizzo, Pablo Castro, Mike Flasko, Lance Olson, Jason Clark, Sid Jayadevan