Patents by Inventor Alistair K. Chan

Alistair K. Chan 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: 9721726
    Abstract: An apparatus having reduced phononic coupling between a graphene monolayer and a substrate is provided. The apparatus includes an aerogel substrate and a monolayer of graphene coupled to the aerogel substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, Alistair K. Chan, Geoffrey F. Deane, Roderick A. Hyde, Nathan Kundtz, Nathan P. Myhrvold, David R. Smith, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170214728
    Abstract: A method for providing audio content to a user device in a movie theater includes the steps of personalizing the audio content for the user device based on an identifier and providing the personalized audio content to the user device. In some embodiments, the identifier is based on demographic information about the user. According to some embodiments, the personalized audio content accompanies additional content that is not provided by the user device. In some embodiments, the personalized audio content accompanies a movie.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Pablos Holman, Roderick A. Hyde, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Keith David Rosema, Neal Stephenson, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Publication number: 20170203843
    Abstract: A system and method for payload management for an unmanned aircraft system is disclosed. The payload management system and method may comprise a containment system configured to contain payload carried by the UAV/aircraft. The UAV/aircraft may be configured to carry payload in an external pod as part of the containment system. The pod carried by the UAV/craft may be fillable/inflatable to contain payload and facilitate aerodynamic performance of the UAV/craft carrying payload (e.g. on a mission from originator to destination for delivery in operating conditions). Systems and methods may provide managing and monitoring for payload carried by UAV/aircraft (e.g. with instrumentation).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Patent number: 9688271
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an occupant monitoring system and a processing circuit coupled to the occupant monitoring system. The occupant monitoring system is configured to acquire occupant data regarding an occupant of the vehicle. The processing circuit is configured to receive the occupant data; determine a vehicle operation command based on the occupant data, the vehicle operation command configured to affect operation of the vehicle while the vehicle is in a robotic driving mode; and provide the vehicle operation command to a vehicle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Tom Driscoll, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, David R. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Publication number: 20170176589
    Abstract: A soil detection and planting apparatus. The apparatus includes a vehicle and a controller coupled to the vehicle. The apparatus further includes a planting device coupled to the vehicle, the planting device configured to plant seeds or plants into a soil material. The apparatus includes a ground penetrating radar sensor coupled to the vehicle. The ground penetrating radar soil sensor is configured to scan the soil material up to a designated depth beneath a surface of the soil material, wherein the ground penetrating radar soil sensor is further configured to provide a sensor feedback signal to the controller with respect to an intrinsic characteristic of the soil material. The controller is configured to instruct placement of a seed or a plant into the soil material based on the feedback signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Lowell L. Wood,, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170170911
    Abstract: A system for delivering optical power over an optical conduit includes at least one optical power source delivering multiple optical power forms, at least one of the optical power forms being a modulated optical power form. The system includes an optical power receiving device that is directly driven by the at least one modulated optical power form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Patent number: 9674510
    Abstract: A 3D-display system alternates between directing light representing a left-eye view of a 3D image to a viewer's left eye and directing light representing a right-eye view of a 3D image to a viewer's right eye. To direct the light towards the viewer's eyes, the system receives eye-location data relative to a display device from an eye-tracking system and uses light deflectors, such as acousto-optic, electro-optic, and passive optical deflectors, to aim the light in a particular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Erez L. Aiden, Alistair K. Chan, Philip A. Eckhoff, William Gates, Peter L. Hagelstein, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Michael Schnall-Levin, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9673627
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing harmonic noise from a power transmission line transmitting electricity at a primary frequency includes a filter and a controller coupled to the sensor and to an actuator-generator. The filter separates electricity at a harmonic of a primary frequency from the electrical signal transmitted by the power transmission line. The controller is configured to modulate consumption of electricity from the power transmission line. The consumption is controlled by electrical actuation of the actuator-generator, such that the electrical actuation of the actuator-generator causes consumption of electricity from the power transmission line at a harmonic of the primary frequency. The actuator-generator is coupled to an elastically deformable component, such that electrical actuation of the actuator-generator generates tension in the elastically deformable component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Geoffrey F. Deane, Aaron Fyke, William Gross, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170142253
    Abstract: A computing device includes a memory; and a processing circuit coupled to the memory and configured to receive call data regarding a plurality of telephone calls placed to the computing device, each of the plurality of telephone calls being placed by a caller; prioritize each caller based on the call data and prioritization data stored in the memory, the prioritization data providing an indication of a relationship between each caller and a receiver associated with the computing device and including at least one of electronic contact data, electronic calendar data, and social media data; determine a future time for each caller to speak with the receiver based on the prioritization of each caller; and transmit a message to each caller providing an indication of the future time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Ozgur Emek Yildirim
  • Publication number: 20170132461
    Abstract: A method of converting user-selected printed text to a synthesized image sequence is provided. The method includes capturing a first image of printed text and generating a model information associated with the text.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, William Gates, Pablos Holman, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Keith David Rosema, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood,, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9648309
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic 3D display system includes a display having a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel is configured to display light rays representing a left-eye view and a right-eye view of an image. The autostereoscopic 3D display system further includes an optical-deflection system configured to control the light rays representing the left-eye view and the right-eye view. The optical-deflection system includes a separately controllable lenslet associated with each pixel, where the lenslet is configured to steer the light ray representing the left-eye view corresponding to the pixel, and steer the light ray representing the right-eye view corresponding to the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Steven Bathiche, Alistair K. Chan, William Gates, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Jaron Lanier, John L. Manferdelli, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9642340
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a pet includes a base station and a first monitoring device configured to capture first data relating to a first monitored area and to transmit the first data to the base station. The system further includes a second monitoring device configured to capture second data relating to a second monitored area and to transmit the second data to the base station, wherein the first monitored area and the second monitored area are adjacent. The base station is configured to determine a location of the pet as being in at least one of the first monitored area and the second monitored area. The base station is configured to determine a status of the pet based on at least one of the first and second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Allen L. Brown, Jr., Douglas C. Burger, Alistair K. Chan, Eric Horvitz, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K.Y. Jung, Chris D. Karkanias, John L. Manferdelli, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Barney Pell, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170127420
    Abstract: An automatically adjustable radiofrequency link system includes a radiofrequency transmitter configured to transmit a signal at a frequency of transmission within an extremely high frequency (EHF) band. The system further includes a receiving device configured to receive the transmitted signal and provide feedback to a processing circuit communicatively coupled to the transmitter and the receiving device, wherein the feedback is related to the received signal. The processing circuit is configured to determine required signal properties based on the feedback and determine signal loss properties including an effect of atmospheric absorption, as a function of frequency; determine a modification to the transmitted signal using the signal loss properties and the required signal properties; and adjust the frequency of transmission to obtain a desired transmission signal using the modification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, Alistair K. Chan, Russell J. Hannigan, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan Kundtz, Nathan P. Myhrvold, John Brian Pendry, David R. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood,, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9635390
    Abstract: A method for providing audio content to a user device in a movie theater includes the steps of personalizing the audio content for the user device based on an identifier and providing the personalized audio content to the user device. In some embodiments, the identifier is based on demographic information about the user. According to some embodiments, the personalized audio content accompanies additional content that is not provided by the user device. In some embodiments, the personalized audio content accompanies a movie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Pablos Holman, Roderick A. Hyde, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Keith David Rosema, Neal Stephenson, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Patent number: 9618614
    Abstract: A soil detection and planting apparatus. The apparatus includes a vehicle and a controller coupled to the vehicle. The apparatus further includes a planting device coupled to the vehicle, the planting device configured to plant seeds or plants into a soil material. The apparatus includes a ground penetrating radar sensor coupled to the vehicle. The ground penetrating radar soil sensor is configured to scan the soil material up to a designated depth beneath a surface of the soil material, wherein the ground penetrating radar soil sensor is further configured to provide a sensor feedback signal to the controller with respect to an intrinsic characteristic of the soil material. The controller is configured to instruct placement of a seed or a plant into the soil material based on the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9609810
    Abstract: A method is provided for modulating transpiration in an organism that is capable of photosynthesis, where the method includes contacting the organism with a composition including an effective amount of an oxygen antagonist. Also provided is an apparatus for modulating transpiration in an organism that is capable of photosynthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9614624
    Abstract: A system for delivering optical power over an optical conduit includes at least one optical power source delivering multiple optical power forms, at least one of the optical power forms being a modulated optical power form. The system includes an optical power receiving device that is directly driven by the at least one modulated optical power form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Deep Science, LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9602650
    Abstract: A method of customizing hardware by an end user for a mobile phone is provided. The method includes receiving from an end-user a selection of a mobile phone shell from a set of mobile phone shells, sending to the end-user a subset of interchangeable hardware components having different functions, and receiving from the end-user a selection of at least one hardware component from the subset of interchangeable hardware components. The subset of interchangeable hardware components is generated based on a compatibility between the selected mobile phone shell and the set of available interchangeable hardware components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Philip A. Eckhoff, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, David B. Tuckerman, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170077762
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a shell; a first replaceable hardware component received within the shell; and a second replaceable hardware component received within the shell, the second replaceable hardware component configured to receive a wireless power signal from a remote device and convert the power signal into electrical energy usable by the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Philip A. Eckhoff, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, David B. Tuckerman, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170072808
    Abstract: The present invention may include a towable trailer being mechanically couplable to a vehicle, the towable trailer including an auxiliary battery housing unit, a wheel being rotatably connected to the towable trailer, an auxiliary battery disposed within the auxiliary battery housing unit of the towable trailer, the vehicle including a storage battery, the auxiliary battery of the towable trailer being electrically couplable with the storage battery of the vehicle via a bidirectional pathway, and a control system configured to control a transfer of electrical energy between the auxiliary battery of the towable trailer and the storage battery of the vehicle along the bidirectional pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Caldeira, Alistair K. Chan, Daniel B. Cook, William David Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Stephen H. Salter, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood