Patents by Inventor Alex Stevens

Alex Stevens 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: 12129121
    Abstract: A vehicle configured to perform inventory management tasks comprises first and second drive systems respectively actuated by a controller. In a first mode of operation, the first drive system is operable to drive the vehicle along a horizontal surface. In a second mode of operation, the second drive system is operable to drive the vehicle vertically. In a third mode of operation, the second drive system is operable to lift a module vertically to lift the module off the horizontal surface so that actuating the first drive system drives the vehicle and the module along the horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Publication number: 20240308770
    Abstract: A vehicle for use in an inventory management system having a plurality of destination areas and a guide system includes a platform for receiving and transporting items to and from the destination areas, a plurality of motors, a first drive system, a second drive system, a transfer mechanism, and a clutch mechanism. The transfer system is configured to transfer and retrieve items to and from the destination areas, and the clutch mechanism is configured to engage and disengage the transfer mechanism from at least one of the motors, whereby the second drive system drives movement of the vehicle independently of the transfer mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Alex Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Patent number: 12017855
    Abstract: A vehicle for use in an inventory management system having a plurality of destination areas and a guide system includes a platform for receiving and transporting items to and from the destination areas, a plurality of motors, a first drive system, a second drive system, a transfer mechanism, and a clutch mechanism. The transfer system is configured to transfer and retrieve items to and from the destination areas, and the clutch mechanism is configured to engage and disengage the transfer mechanism from at least one of the motors, whereby the second drive system drives movement of the vehicle independently of the transfer mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Publication number: 20230415999
    Abstract: A vehicle configured to perform inventory management tasks comprises first and second drive systems respectively actuated by a controller. In a first mode of operation, the first drive system is operable to drive the vehicle along a horizontal surface. In a second mode of operation, the second drive system is operable to drive the vehicle vertically. In a third mode of operation, the second drive system is operable to lift a module vertically to lift the module off the horizontal surface so that actuating the first drive system drives the vehicle and the module along the horizontal surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Alex Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Patent number: 11827452
    Abstract: An inventory management system includes pick stations, automated vehicles having an onboard power source, a first drive system configured to horizontally displace the vehicle, a second drive system configured to vertically displace the vehicle along a guide system, and a platform for supporting an item during displacement of the vehicle. A first plurality of storage locations store inventory items at a first zone of vehicle operation and a second plurality of storage areas store inventory items at a second zone of vehicle operation. A first pick station is closer to the first storage locations than to the second storage locations, Vehicles are configured to transfer a selected item from one of the second plurality of storage locations to the first pick station or to transfer the selected item from the second plurality of storage locations to the first plurality of storage locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventors: Alex Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Patent number: 11780676
    Abstract: A vehicle configured to perform inventory management tasks comprises first and second drive systems respectively actuated by a controller. In a first mode of operation, the controller is configured to control rotation of drive elements of the second drive system to align drive elements of the first drive system with a guide system and to control rotation of the drive elements of the first drive system to displace the vehicle vertically, relative to an underlying support surface, to reach a storage location. In a second mode of operation, the controller is configured to control rotation of the drive elements of the second drive system to cause the vehicle to enter an accessory module and to displace the accessory module horizontally and to control rotation of the first plurality of drive elements of the first drive system to displace the accessory module vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Publication number: 20230174307
    Abstract: A vehicle for use in an inventory management system having a plurality of destination areas and a guide system includes a platform for receiving and transporting items to and from the destination areas, a plurality of motors, a first drive system, a second drive system, a transfer mechanism, and a clutch mechanism. The transfer system is configured to transfer and retrieve items to and from the destination areas, and the clutch mechanism is configured to engage and disengage the transfer mechanism from at least one of the motors, whereby the second drive system drives movement of the vehicle independently of the transfer mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Alex Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Publication number: 20230046794
    Abstract: An inventory management system includes pick stations, automated vehicles having an onboard power source, a first drive system configured to horizontally displace the vehicle, a second drive system configured to vertically displace the vehicle along a guide system, and a platform for supporting an item during displacement of the vehicle. A first plurality of storage locations store inventory items at a first zone of vehicle operation and a second plurality of storage areas store inventory items at a second zone of vehicle operation. A first pick station is closer to the first storage locations than to the second storage locations, Vehicles are configured to transfer a selected item from one of the second plurality of storage locations to the first pick station or to transfer the selected item from the second plurality of storage locations to the first plurality of storage locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Alex Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Patent number: 11554917
    Abstract: An inventory management system includes pick stations, automated vehicles having an onboard power source, a first drive system configured to horizontally displace the vehicle, a second drive system configured to vertically displace the vehicle along a guide system, and a platform for supporting an item during displacement of the vehicle. A first plurality of storage locations store inventory items at a first zone of vehicle operation and a second plurality of storage areas store inventory items at a second zone of vehicle operation. A first pick station is closer to the first storage locations than to the second storage locations, Vehicles are configured to transfer a selected item from one of the second plurality of storage locations to the first pick station or to transfer the selected item from the second plurality of storage locations to the first plurality of storage locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Patent number: 11535452
    Abstract: A vehicle for use in an inventory management system having a plurality of destination areas and a guide system includes a platform for receiving and transporting items to and from the destination areas, a plurality of motors, a first drive system, a second drive system, a transfer mechanism, and a clutch mechanism. Drive elements of the first drive system are rotated by a first subset of one or more motors to move the vehicle vertically. Drive elements of the second drive system are rotated by a second subset of two or more motors to move the vehicle horizontally. The transfer system is configured to transfer and retrieve items to and from the destination areas, and the clutch mechanism is configured to engage and disengage the transfer mechanism from the second subset of motors, whereby the second drive system drives movement of the vehicle independently of the transfer mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Publication number: 20210047117
    Abstract: A vehicle configured to perform inventory management tasks comprises first and second drive systems respectively actuated by a controller. In a first mode of operation, the controller is configured to control rotation of drive elements of the second drive system to align drive elements of the first drive system with a guide system and to control rotation of the drive elements of the first drive system to displace the vehicle vertically, relative to an underlying support surface, to reach a storage location. In a second mode of operation, the controller is configured to control rotation of the drive elements of the second drive system to cause the vehicle to enter an accessory module and to displace the accessory module horizontally arid to control rotation of the first plurality of drive elements of the first drive system to displace the accessory module vertically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Alex Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Publication number: 20210047121
    Abstract: An inventory management system includes pick stations, automated vehicles having an onboard power source, a first drive system configured to horizontally displace the vehicle, a second drive system configured to vertically displace the vehicle along a guide system, and a platform for supporting an item during displacement of the vehicle. A first plurality of storage locations store inventory items at a first zone of vehicle operation and a second plurality of storage areas store inventory items at a second zone of vehicle operation. A first pick station is closer to the first storage locations than to the second storage locations, Vehicles are configured to transfer a selected item from one of the second plurality of storage locations to the first pick station or to transfer the selected item from the second plurality of storage locations to the first plurality of storage locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Alex Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Publication number: 20210047116
    Abstract: A vehicle for use in an inventory management system having a plurality of destination areas and a guide system includes a platform for receiving and transporting items to and from the destination areas, a plurality of motors, a first drive system, a second drive system, a transfer mechanism, and a clutch mechanism. Drive elements of the first drive system are rotated by a first subset of one or more motors to move the vehicle vertically. Drive elements of the second drive system are rotated by a second subset of two or more motors to move the vehicle horizontally. The transfer system is configured to transfer and retrieve items to and from the destination areas, and the clutch mechanism is configured to engage and disengage the transfer mechanism from the second subset of motors, whereby the second drive system drives movement of the vehicle independently of the transfer mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Alex Stevens, Joseph Valinsky
  • Patent number: 10803734
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to power management of a remote control device by a host control device. In one embodiment, a method for power management includes detecting, by a host control device, a status indication of the remote control device, wherein the status indication is associated with a power-on state of the remote control device. The method also includes monitoring received sensor data associated with user presence, and outputting a control signal to the remote control device for the remote control device to enter a low power state. Power management may be provided for loudspeaker units, communications devices, and display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: HARMAN PROFESSIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Talley, Alex Stevens, John Stachler
  • Publication number: 20170106188
    Abstract: An apparatus includes multiple first reservoirs and multiple second reservoirs joined with a substrate. Selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs include a reducing agent, and first reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs are proximate to a first substrate surface. Selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs include an oxidizing agent, and second reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs are proximate to the first substrate surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Wendell King, Mary Maijer, Amy Ho, Alex Stevens, Jeffry Skiba, Michael Nagel
  • Publication number: 20150374984
    Abstract: An apparatus includes multiple first reservoirs and multiple second reservoirs joined with a substrate. Selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs include a reducing agent, and first reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs are proximate to a first substrate surface. Selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs include an oxidizing agent, and second reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs are proximate to the first substrate surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Wendell King, Mary Maijer, Amy Ho, Alex Stevens, Jeffy Skiba, Michael Nagel
  • Patent number: 8685727
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to regulation of macrophage activation by delivering of miRNAs, for example miR-125b or anti-miR-125b, to macrophages. For example, in some embodiments, macrophage activation can be elevated or reduced by administering miR-125b or anti-miR-125b oligonucleotides. Also disclosed are methods for promoting T cell activation and method for treating various disorders such as tumor and autoimmune diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Aadel Chaudhuri, Alex Steven So, David Baltimore, Ryan M. O'Connell
  • Publication number: 20120322854
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to regulation of macrophage activation by delivering of miRNAs, for example miR-125b or anti-miR-125b, to macrophages. For example, in some embodiments, macrophage activation can be elevated or reduced by administering miR-125b or anti-miR-125b oligonucleotides. Also disclosed are methods for promoting T cell activation and method for treating various disorders such as tumor and autoimmune diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Aadel Chaudhuri, Alex Steven So, David Baltimore, Ryan M. O'Connell
  • Patent number: 5615254
    Abstract: Methods and systems of traffic routing in a circuit switched communication network having a plurality of switches and a plurality of trunk groups connecting the switches are disclosed. The methods include a step of determining a set of alternate routing paths for each of a plurality of ordered pairs of the switches, wherein the number of alternate routing paths through each of the trunk groups is constrained to be less than a corresponding first predetermined threshold. In one embodiment, the alternate routing paths are determined by computing a solution to a predetermined integer programming problem. In another embodiment, a heuristic technique is used to determine the alternate routing paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: U S West Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuping Qiu, Jennifer Ryan, Xiaorong Sun, George B. Pillsbury, Alex Stevens, Rudy Zubiate