Patents by Inventor Alex Perkins

Alex Perkins 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: 11961928
    Abstract: A photovoltaic module having a superstrate layer, an encapsulant having an upper layer and a lower layer, the upper layer being juxtaposed with a lower surface of the superstrate layer, and a photovoltaic layer intermediate the upper layer and the lower layer of the encapsulant. A first portion of the upper layer of the encapsulant includes a first light scattering value as measured in accordance with an ASTM E430 standard, and a second portion of the upper layer of the encapsulant has a second light scattering value as measured in accordance with the ASTM E430 standard. The second light scattering value is greater than the first light scattering value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: GAF Energy LLC
    Inventors: Richard Perkins, Alex Sharenko, Thierry Nguyen, Gabriela Bunea, Anna Wojtowicz
  • Publication number: 20240103299
    Abstract: Adjustable focal length eyewear (11) comprising two lenses (21, 22) that are mounted to a frame (14, 15, 16) for supporting the lenses (21, 22) in front of a user's eyes. At least one of the lenses (21, 22) is a variable focal length lens of the kind comprising two superposed lens elements (31, 41) having cooperating optical surfaces that are shaped such that the focal length of the variable focal length lens (21, 22) is variable according to the relative lateral disposition of the lens elements (31, 41). One of the lens elements (31) is fixedly mounted to the frame (14, 15, 16) and the other lens element (41) is movable manually relative to the fixed lens element (31) for varying the focal length of the variable focal length lens (21, 22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: ADLENS LTD
    Inventors: Robert PERKINS, Alex EDGINGTON, Paul MASSER, Andrew LAST
  • Patent number: 11932142
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a cushioned component having a lattice matrix. An air bladder assembly is covered by the lattice matrix. The air bladder assembly includes a plurality of air bladders supported on a platform assembly. Each air bladder includes a body portion operable between deflated and inflated conditions. Each air bladder includes a connection stem. A support plate includes a plurality of access apertures disposed therethrough. The air bladder assembly is operably coupled to the support plate. Each air bladder is aligned with at least one access aperture of the plurality of access apertures. A carrier assembly includes a plurality of mounting apertures disposed through an outer surface thereof. The carrier assembly receives the connection stem of each air bladder through at least one mounting aperture of the plurality of mounting apertures of the carrier assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Megan Romelfanger, Victoria Leigh Schein, Brian Boland, Patrick Maloney, Alex Perkins, Marcos Silva Kondrad
  • Publication number: 20240059199
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a cushioned component having a lattice matrix. An air bladder assembly is covered by the lattice matrix. The air bladder assembly includes a plurality of air bladders supported on a platform assembly. Each air bladder includes a body portion operable between deflated and inflated conditions. Each air bladder includes a connection stem. A support plate includes a plurality of access apertures disposed therethrough. The air bladder assembly is operably coupled to the support plate. Each air bladder is aligned with at least one access aperture of the plurality of access apertures. A carrier assembly includes a plurality of mounting apertures disposed through an outer surface thereof. The carrier assembly receives the connection stem of each air bladder through at least one mounting aperture of the plurality of mounting apertures of the carrier assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Megan Romelfanger, Victoria Leigh Schein, Brian Boland, Patrick Maloney, Alex Perkins, Marcos Silva Kondrad
  • Publication number: 20240037936
    Abstract: A method for detecting boxes includes receiving a plurality of image frame pairs for an area of interest including at least one target box. Each image frame pair includes a monocular image frame and a respective depth image frame. For each image frame pair, the method includes determining corners for a rectangle associated with the at least one target box within the respective monocular image frame. Based on the determined corners, the method includes the following: performing edge detection and determining faces within the respective monocular image frame; and extracting planes corresponding to the at least one target box from the respective depth image frame. The method includes matching the determined faces to the extracted planes and generating a box estimation based on the determined corners, the performed edge detection, and the matched faces of the at least one target box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Perkins, Charles DuHadway, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Patent number: 11836974
    Abstract: A method for detecting boxes includes receiving a plurality of image frame pairs for an area of interest including at least one target box. Each image frame pair includes a monocular image frame and a respective depth image frame. For each image frame pair, the method includes determining corners for a rectangle associated with the at least one target box within the respective monocular image frame. Based on the determined corners, the method includes the following: performing edge detection and determining faces within the respective monocular image frame; and extracting planes corresponding to the at least one target box from the respective depth image frame. The method includes matching the determined faces to the extracted planes and generating a box estimation based on the determined corners, the performed edge detection, and the matched faces of the at least one target box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Perkins, Charles DuHadway, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Patent number: 11832019
    Abstract: An image processing method for harmonizing images acquired by a first camera and a second camera connected to a vehicle and arranged in such a way as their fields of view cover a same road space at different times as the vehicle travels along a travel direction is disclosed. The method includes: acquiring by a selected camera, a first image at a first time; selecting a first region of interest bounding a road portion from the first image; sampling the first region of interest; acquiring by the other camera, a second image in such a way that the road portion is included in a second region of interest; sampling the second region of interest; and determining one or more correction parameters for harmonizing images acquired by the first and second cameras, based on a comparison between the image content of the first and second regions of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Connaught Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Griffin, Aidan Casey, Emre Turgay, Alex Perkins
  • Patent number: 11780355
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a cushioned component having a lattice matrix. An air bladder assembly is covered by the lattice matrix. The air bladder assembly includes a plurality of air bladders supported on a platform assembly. Each air bladder includes a body portion operable between deflated and inflated conditions. Each air bladder includes a connection stem. A support plate includes a plurality of access apertures disposed therethrough. The air bladder assembly is operably coupled to the support plate. Each air bladder is aligned with at least one access aperture of the plurality of access apertures. A carrier assembly includes a plurality of mounting apertures disposed through an outer surface thereof. The carrier assembly receives the connection stem of each air bladder through at least one mounting aperture of the plurality of mounting apertures. Each air bladder may include a release valve for releasing air therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Megan Romelfanger, Patrick Maloney, Brian Boland, Alex Perkins, Victoria Leigh Schein, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Sangram Tamhankar
  • Patent number: 11654984
    Abstract: An example method may include i) determining a first distance between a pair of feet of a robot at a first time, where the pair of feet is in contact with a ground surface; ii) determining a second distance between the pair of feet of the robot at a second time, where the pair of feet remains in contact with the ground surface from the first time to the second time; iii) comparing a difference between the determined first and second distances to a threshold difference; iv) determining that the difference between determined first and second distances exceeds the threshold difference; and v) based on the determination that the difference between the determined first and second distances exceeds the threshold difference, causing the robot to react.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Blankespoor, Alex Perkins, Marco da Silva
  • Publication number: 20230113821
    Abstract: A profile for an occupant is stored. The profile includes a plurality of clusters of sitting positions for the occupant in a seat and classifications of respective clusters as preferred or nonpreferred. Respective clusters are classified as preferred or nonpreferred based on sitting scores for the respective sitting positions in that cluster. A higher sitting score increases a likelihood of the classification being preferred. A series of pressure maps indicating a respective series of sitting positions of the occupant in the seat are received. The pressure maps include a current pressure map. One of the sitting positions is assigned to one of the clusters that is classified as preferred in response to the sitting score of that sitting position being greater than a threshold score. A physical configuration of the seat is adjusted in response to the current sitting position being in one of the clusters that is classified as nonpreferred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Finn Tseng, Himanshu Verma, Swati Johar Rawat, Kalyani Purushottam Sonawane, Johannes Geir Kristinsson, Alex Perkins, Patrick Maloney
  • Publication number: 20230096840
    Abstract: A method for detecting boxes includes receiving a plurality of image frame pairs for an area of interest including at least one target box. Each image frame pair includes a monocular image frame and a respective depth image frame. For each image frame pair, the method includes determining corners for a rectangle associated with the at least one target box within the respective monocular image frame. Based on the determined corners, the method includes the following: performing edge detection and determining faces within the respective monocular image frame; and extracting planes corresponding to the at least one target box from the respective depth image frame. The method includes matching the determined faces to the extracted planes and generating a box estimation based on the determined corners, the performed edge detection, and the matched faces of the at least one target box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Alex Perkins, Charles DuHadway, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Patent number: 11613218
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive a series of pressure maps indicating a respective series of sitting positions of an occupant in a seat, wherein the pressure maps include a current pressure map; update a profile of the occupant based on the pressure maps, wherein the profile includes a plurality of clusters of sitting positions and classifications of the clusters as preferred or nonpreferred, and updating the profile includes sorting one of the sitting positions into one of the clusters that is classified as preferred in response to the occupant remaining in that sitting position for greater than a threshold time; and adjust a physical configuration of the seat in response to the current sitting position being in one of the clusters that is classified as nonpreferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Finn Tseng, Shiqi Qiu, Johannes Geir Kristinsson, Patrick Maloney, Alex Perkins, Himanshu Verma, Nikhil Kailas Jamdade, Vishal Vinayak Nageshkar, Victoria Leigh Schein, Samuel Laidlaw, Bhagyashri Satyabodha Katti, Kalyani Purushottam Sonawane
  • Publication number: 20230064558
    Abstract: An image processing method for harmonizing images acquired by a first camera and a second camera connected to a vehicle and arranged in such a way as their fields of view cover a same road space at different times as the vehicle travels along a travel direction is disclosed. The method includes: acquiring by a selected camera, a first image at a first time; selecting a first region of interest bounding a road portion from the first image; sampling the first region of interest; acquiring by the other camera, a second image in such a way that the road portion is included in a second region of interest; sampling the second region of interest; and determining one or more correction parameters for harmonizing images acquired by the first and second cameras, based on a comparison between the image content of the first and second regions of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: Connaught Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Griffin, Aidan Casey, Emre Turgay, Alex Perkins
  • Patent number: 11562552
    Abstract: A method for detecting boxes includes receiving a plurality of image frame pairs for an area of interest including at least one target box. Each image frame pair includes a monocular image frame and a respective depth image frame. For each image frame pair, the method includes determining corners for a rectangle associated with the at least one target box within the respective monocular image frame. Based on the determined corners, the method includes the following: performing edge detection and determining faces within the respective monocular image frame; and extracting planes corresponding to the at least one target box from the respective depth image frame. The method includes matching the determined faces to the extracted planes and generating a box estimation based on the determined corners, the performed edge detection, and the matched faces of the at least one target box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Perkins, Charles DuHadway, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Publication number: 20220305663
    Abstract: A perception mast for mobile robot is provided. The mobile robot comprises a mobile base, a turntable operatively coupled to the mobile base, the turntable configured to rotate about a first axis, an arm operatively coupled to a first location on the turntable, and the perception mast operatively coupled to a second location on the turntable, the perception mast configured to rotate about a second axis parallel to the first axis, wherein the perception mast includes disposed thereon, a first perception module and a second perception module arranged between the first imaging module and the turntable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Turpin, Benjamin Zelnick, Michael Murphy, Alex Perkins
  • Publication number: 20220305680
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a structural support rigidly coupled to a surface of a mobile robot and a plurality of perception modules, each of which is arranged on the structural support, has a different field of view, and includes a two-dimensional (2D) camera configured to capture a color image of an environment, a depth sensor configured to capture depth information of one or more objects in the environment, and at least one light source configured to provide illumination to the environment. The imaging apparatus further includes control circuitry configured to control a timing of operation of the 2D camera, the depth sensor, and the at least one light source included in each of the plurality of perception modules, and at least one computer processor configured to process the color image and the depth information to identify at least one characteristic of one or more objects in the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Turpin, Alex Perkins, Michael Murphy, Liam Mulshine, Arash Ushani, Benjamin Zelnick
  • Publication number: 20220305641
    Abstract: A robot includes a mobile base, a turntable rotatably coupled to the mobile base, a robotic arm operatively coupled to the turntable, and at least one directional sensor. An orientation of the at least one directional sensor is independently controllable. A method of controlling a robotic arm includes controlling a state of a mobile base and controlling a state of a robotic arm coupled to the mobile base, based, at least in part, on the state of the mobile base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Murphy, Benjamin Zelnick, Malik Hansen, Vadim Chernyak, Christopher Everett Thorne, Alex Perkins
  • Patent number: 11420567
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback having a cushioned component pivotally coupled to the seatback and operable between deployed and retracted positions. The cushioned component includes an interior cavity. A rack assembly is positioned within the interior cavity and includes a forward-most rack with a first receiving area. The rack assembly further includes a rearward-most rack having a second receiving area. A first cartridge assembly is removeably received in the first receiving area of the rack assembly. A second cartridge assembly is removeably received in the second receiving area of the rack assembly. The rack assembly may also include one or more intermediate rack assemblies positioned between the forward-most and rearward-most rack assemblies for supporting other intermediate cartridge assemblies. Each cartridge assembly includes a different density profile for providing variated comfort settings to the seatback of the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vishal Vinayak Nageshkar, Sangram Tamhankar, Christian J. Hosbach, Patrick Maloney, Alex Perkins, Victoria Leigh Schein, Kevin VanNieulande
  • Patent number: 11364828
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a cushioned component having a lattice matrix, wherein the lattice matrix includes a first portion defined by a first pattern of interconnected links which defines a first set of cells, and a second portion defined by a second pattern of interconnected links which defines a second set of cells. The first portion of the lattice matrix includes a density profile that is different than a density profile of the second portion of the lattice matrix. An air bladder is disposed within a core portion of the lattice matrix and includes a non-porous outer casing surrounding an interior cavity. The outer casing of the air bladder and the lattice matrix are integrated components comprised of a common material to define a monolithic structure created using an additive manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Maloney, Alex Perkins, Vishal Vinayak Nageshkar, Sangram Tamhankar, Kevin VanNieulande, Victoria Leigh Schein, Christian J. Hosbach
  • Publication number: 20220185210
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive a series of pressure maps indicating a respective series of sitting positions of an occupant in a seat, wherein the pressure maps include a current pressure map; update a profile of the occupant based on the pressure maps, wherein the profile includes a plurality of clusters of sitting positions and classifications of the clusters as preferred or nonpreferred, and updating the profile includes sorting one of the sitting positions into one of the clusters that is classified as preferred in response to the occupant remaining in that sitting position for greater than a threshold time; and adjust a physical configuration of the seat in response to the current sitting position being in one of the clusters that is classified as nonpreferred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Finn Tseng, Shiqi Qiu, Johannes Geir Kristinsson, Patrick Maloney, Alex Perkins, Himanshu Verma, Nikhil Kailas Jamdade, Vishal Vinayak Nageshkar, Victoria Leigh Schein, Samuel Laidlaw, Bhagyashri Satyabodha Katti, Kalyani Purushottam Sonawane