Patents by Inventor Anthony B. Williams

Anthony B. Williams 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: 7707008
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium is described for automatically identifying incongruous item packages, such as to detect incongruities in the items that are included as contents of the item packages and/or to identify incongruities in the packaging used for the item packages. In some situations, the automatic identification of incongruous packages includes initially automatically learning appropriate values for parameters of items (e.g., item weights and/or dimensions) based on automatically measured parameters of packages including those items. Those item values can then be used to estimate corresponding parameter values of sealed packages that contain those items, and to further identify incongruous item packages whose measured parameter values do not correspond to the estimated values for those parameters. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is not intended to be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Cary R. Champlin, Felix F. Anthony, Mackenzie Smith, Anthony B. Williams, Alexander C. Prater, James E. Bacus, Suzanne C. Reynolds, Dean W. Webster
  • Patent number: 7085677
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium is described for automatically identifying incongruous item packages, such as to detect incongruities in the items that are included as contents of the item packages and/or to identify incongruities in the packaging used for the item packages. In some situations, the automatic identification of incongruous packages includes initially automatically learning appropriate values for parameters of items (e.g., item weights and/or dimensions) based on automatically measured parameters of packages including those items. Those item values can then be used to estimate corresponding parameter values of sealed packages that contain those items, and to further identify incongruous item packages whose measured parameter values do not correspond to the estimated values for those parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Cary R. Champlin, Felix F. Anthony, Mackenzie Smith, Anthony B. Williams, Alexander C. Prater, James E. Bacus, Suzanne C. Reynolds, Dean W. Webster
  • Patent number: 5949235
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting and controlling ungrounded parts during the electrostatic coating process in order to improve production flow, provide an overall cost saving by efficient use of the coating material and prevention of accidental fires and false shutdown during production. The system of the present invention comprises a detection system for detecting any ungrounded parts prior to entering a coating environment, such as a painting booth. The detection system in accordance with one embodiment, comprises an array of detectors, specifically, an ultraviolet sensor, a radio-frequency wave sensor, an acoustic sensor and a light sensor, which upon sensing specific characteristics generate representative signal waveforms. These waveforms are than compared with stored waveforms relating to profiles of sparking or corona discharge characteristics. Correlation circuits may correlate data obtained by two or more sensors in order to ensure that the spark or corona discharge is caused by an ungrounded part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Fire Sentry Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Castleman, Anthony B. Williams, Chris A. Selstad
  • Patent number: 4999524
    Abstract: A power supply for supplying power to a switched regulator includes a programmable voltage source 14, a constant voltage source 12 and a programmable switched mode current source 16 connected in series between the positive and negative outputs. A catching diode 18 is connected in parallel with the constant voltage source 12 and the current source 16. The supply operates to provide a controlled current at the output, irrespective of the load voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: British Aerospace Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Anthony B. Williams, Kenneth M. Redford, Scott Mitchell, Richard N. Bussell
  • Patent number: D531285
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: Anthony B. Williams