Patents by Inventor Bruce Siegel

Bruce Siegel 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: 11961410
    Abstract: Systems and methods to measure and affect focus, engagement, and presence of users may include measuring a variety of aspects of users engaged in particular activities. Individual user characteristics or preferences and attributes of activities may be taken into account to determine levels of focus for particular users and activities. A variety of sensors may detect aspects of users engaged in activities to measure levels of focus. In addition, a variety of output devices may initiate actions to affect levels of focus of users engaged in activities. Further, a variety of processing algorithms, including machine learning models, may be trained to identify desired levels of focus, to calculate current levels of focus, and to select actions to change or boost levels of focus. In this manner, activities undertaken by users, as well as interactions between multiple users, may be made more engaging, efficient, and productive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Shude Lin, Johan Christer Liedgren, Ana Sande do Vale Pinto da Silva, Wasiq Bokhari, Hilliard Bruce Siegel
  • Patent number: 11835947
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward the use of two or more autonomous vehicles, working in cooperation, to deliver an item between a source location and a destination location. For example, an autonomous ground based vehicle may transport an item from a source location to a transfer location and an autonomous aerial vehicle will transport the item from the transfer location to the destination location. The transfer location may be at any location along a navigation path between the source location and the destination location. In some examples, the transfer location may be adjacent the destination location such that the autonomous aerial vehicle is only transporting the item a short distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilliard Bruce Siegel, Ethan Zane Evans
  • Patent number: 11599715
    Abstract: Differences between editions of items, such as books, can be determined and information about those difference provided for display to a user. The information can include a difference score, for example, that indicates an overall level of difference between the editions. This can include a percentage difference in some embodiments, considering the overall differences or differences for portions considered to be significant. In other embodiments contextual information, weightings, and other factors can be used to attempt to generate a similarity (or difference) score that will be of more use to a potential consumer, where the consumer can determine the substantive differences between the versions and determine whether the difference in price justifies the extent of the differences. The consumer in some embodiments can also view the differences, or at least a subset or information about the differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: IMDB.COM, INC.
    Inventor: Hilliard Bruce Siegel
  • Patent number: 11402837
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward the use of two or more autonomous vehicles, working in cooperation, to deliver an item between a source location and a destination location. For example, an autonomous ground based vehicle may transport an item from a source location to a transfer location and an autonomous aerial vehicle will transport the item from the transfer location to the destination location. The transfer location may be at any location along a navigation path between the source location and the destination location. In some examples, the transfer location may be adjacent the destination location such that the autonomous aerial vehicle is only transporting the item a short distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilliard Bruce Siegel, Ethan Zane Evans
  • Patent number: 11263579
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a network of autonomous vehicles, such as autonomous ground vehicles (“AGVs”) that deliver items to and/or from a destination location and/or perform a service. For example, a community (e.g., neighborhood, apartment complex) may include a plurality of autonomous vehicles that deliver payloads to different locations (e.g., homes, apartments) within the community for use or consumption. Some of the payloads are community items (e.g., microwave, stove top, cooking utensils) that are shared by members of the community and transferred between locations within the community by autonomous vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilliard Bruce Siegel, Pragyana K. Mishra, Darren Ernest Canavor, Ethan Zane Evans, Tye Michael Brady
  • Patent number: 11235929
    Abstract: Autonomous vehicles may be deployed to areas where an item is in demand, and configured to fulfill orders for the item received from the areas. The autonomous vehicles are loaded with the item and dispatched to the area under their own power or in a carrier. When an order for the item is received, an autonomous vehicle delivers the item to a location in the area. Autonomous vehicles may also be equipped with a 3D printer or other equipment and loaded with materials for manufacturing the item. When an order for the item is received, the autonomous vehicle manufactures the item from such materials, and delivers the item. Autonomous vehicles may be configured for collaboration, such as to deliver or manufacture items in multiple stages and to transfer the items between vehicles. Autonomous vehicles may also be configured to automatically access locations in the area, e.g., using wireless access codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tye Michael Brady, Darren Ernest Canavor, Ethan Zane Evans, Pragyana K. Mishra, Hilliard Bruce Siegel
  • Patent number: 11100608
    Abstract: An electronic device can utilize image information to determine a proper orientation with which to render content. In some embodiments, a camera of a computing device can capture one or more images to attempt to determine a relative location (or direction) of a user by identifying a feature of a user or by using objects in the image to determine a likely direction of a user. Based at least in part on this information, as well as information from position and motion sensors of the device in some embodiments, a device can determine a relative position of a user, and can cause content to be rendered by the device with an orientation that is appropriate for that position, where the orientation can also depend upon the type of content or other such factors. Such an approach can determine proper orientations in situations where conventional sensor-based approaches are not sufficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: IMDb, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Guy Rhodes, Hilliard Bruce Siegel
  • Patent number: 10986064
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments relating to the identification of events that occur within a media item. In one embodiment, among others, a media item is rendered for display on client devices. A plurality of messages are received from client devices, wherein each of the messages comprises a timestamp indicating a time relative to a media item. The existence of an event in the media item is determined based at least in part on a clustering of at least a subset of the messages received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: IMDB.COM, INC.
    Inventors: Hilliard Bruce Siegel, Kenneth P. Fishkin
  • Patent number: 10917259
    Abstract: In some examples, a computing device may receive an indication that a first user and a second user are located in a zone of an interior space or other surrounding environment. Settings of one or more controllable devices may be controlled based on user profiles including implicit or explicit user preferences, such as for controlling lighting, ambient temperature, entertainment, security, etc., in the zone. When there is conflict between the user preferences, the conflict may be resolved, such as by determining a hierarchy between the users, by averaging the preferred settings, or based on other techniques. Further, a portable computing device may be associated with a user and may provide sensor information. The sensor information may include biometric sensor information that is indicative of a bodily condition of the user and that can be used for determining a context of the user or the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Shih Shen Chein, Peter Thomas Killalea, Hilliard Bruce Siegel, Brent Russell Smith, Walter Manching Tseng
  • Patent number: 10877981
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for providing search results that are generated by considering search terms that are typically ignored. A search query can be received from a client device. A search result is generated according to the search query and a weight assigned to a search term in the search query. The weight decreases as the quantity of search terms in the search query increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: IMDB.COM, INC.
    Inventor: Hilliard Bruce Siegel
  • Patent number: 10853560
    Abstract: A digital work may be annotated using an eBook reader device. Upon receiving an annotation relating to a specific portion of the digital work, an invariant location reference identifier corresponding to the specified portion of the digital work may be appended to the annotation. The annotation may then be stored in association with the digital work for later reference. In some instances, an annotation may be presented on an eBook reader device upon receipt of a valid authorization credential granting access to the annotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilliard Bruce Siegel, John Lattyak, Thomas Aquinas Ryan, Robert Lovejoy Goodwin
  • Publication number: 20200302113
    Abstract: Differences between editions of items, such as books, can be determined and information about those difference provided for display to a user. The information can include a difference score, for example, that indicates an overall level of difference between the editions. This can include a percentage difference in some embodiments, considering the overall differences or differences for portions considered to be significant. In other embodiments contextual information, weightings, and other factors can be used to attempt to generate a similarity (or difference) score that will be of more use to a potential consumer, where the consumer can determine the substantive differences between the versions and determine whether the difference in price justifies the extent of the differences. The consumer in some embodiments can also view the differences, or at least a subset or information about the differences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventor: Hilliard Bruce Siegel
  • Patent number: 10748460
    Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and apparatus that produce depth data representative of an object, such as a user, at a first location, transmit that depth data to a second location, and use that depth data to produce, at the second location, a three-dimensional representation of the object. A tangible display at the second location may receive the depth data and use that depth data to determine displacement amounts for each of a plurality of moveable pins of the tangible display. The moveable pins may be then displaced by the displacement amounts to form the three-dimensional representation of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hilliard Bruce Siegel
  • Patent number: 10733363
    Abstract: Differences between editions of items, such as books, can be determined and information about those difference provided for display to a user. The information can include a difference score, for example, that indicates an overall level of difference between the editions. This can include a percentage difference in some embodiments, considering the overall differences or differences for portions considered to be significant. In other embodiments contextual information, weightings, and other factors can be used to attempt to generate a similarity (or difference) score that will be of more use to a potential consumer, where the consumer can determine the substantive differences between the versions and determine whether the difference in price justifies the extent of the differences. The consumer in some embodiments can also view the differences, or at least a subset or information about the differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: IMDB.COM, INC.
    Inventor: Hilliard Bruce Siegel
  • Patent number: 10698409
    Abstract: Navigable path networks are generated or modified based on attributes of tasks to be performed by autonomous vehicles traveling thereon, attributes of such vehicles, or attributes of the environments in which such networks are provided. The networks include traditional and non-traditional transportation features, and are defined based on prior travel within the environments, including information gathered by such vehicles during such prior travel. The autonomous vehicles are robotic, self-powered units having storage compartments for carrying objects between points of the networks. An optimal route within a navigable path network is selected based on attributes of an autonomous vehicle, a task to be performed by the autonomous vehicle, or the various paths within the network. A navigable path network is updated based on information subsequently learned regarding the environment, including information captured by autonomous vehicles traveling on paths of the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilliard Bruce Siegel, Pragyana K. Mishra
  • Patent number: 10532885
    Abstract: Autonomous vehicles may be deployed to areas where an item is in demand, and configured to fulfill orders for the item received from the areas. The autonomous vehicles are loaded with the item and dispatched to the area under their own power or in a carrier. When an order for the item is received, an autonomous vehicle delivers the item to a location in the area. Autonomous vehicles may also be equipped with a 3D printer or other equipment and loaded with materials for manufacturing the item. When an order for the item is received, the autonomous vehicle manufactures the item from such materials, and delivers the item. Autonomous vehicles may be configured for collaboration, such as to deliver or manufacture items in multiple stages and to transfer the items between vehicles. Autonomous vehicles may also be configured to automatically access locations in the area, e.g., using wireless access codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tye Michael Brady, Darren Ernest Canavor, Ethan Zane Evans, Pragyana K. Mishra, Hilliard Bruce Siegel
  • Patent number: 10514690
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward the use of two or more autonomous vehicles, working in cooperation, to deliver an item between a source location and a destination location. For example, an autonomous ground based vehicle may transport an item from a source location to a transfer location and an autonomous aerial vehicle will transport the item from the transfer location to the destination location. The transfer location may be at any location along a navigation path between the source location and the destination location. In some examples, the transfer location may be adjacent the destination location such that the autonomous aerial vehicle is only transporting the item a short distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilliard Bruce Siegel, Ethan Zane Evans
  • Patent number: 10460278
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for registration of destination identifiers to be used in lieu of geographic addresses. In one embodiment, a user specification of a destination identifier is received. It is determined that the destination identifier is available for registration. A user request is received to register the destination identifier as associated with a geographic address. The destination identifier is registered in response to the user request by creating a stored mapping between the destination identifier and the geographic address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignees: Amazon Technologies, Inc., IMDB.COM, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilliard Bruce Siegel, Kenneth Thomas Burford
  • Patent number: 10387626
    Abstract: Intelligent content delivery enables content to be delivered to different devices in formats appropriate for those devices based on the capabilities of those devices. A user might access the same piece of content on two different devices, and can automatically receive a higher quality format on a device capable of playing that higher quality format. The user can purchase rights to content in any format, such that as new formats emerge or the user upgrades to devices with enhanced capabilities, the user can receive the improved formats automatically without having to repurchase the content. Further, the user can pause and resume content between devices even when those devices utilize different formats, and can access content on devices not otherwise associated with the user, receiving content in formats that are appropriate for those unknown devices even if the user has not previously accessed content in those formats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ethan Z. Evans, Luis Felipe Cabrera, Hilliard Bruce Siegel, Peter N. DeSantis
  • Patent number: 10310500
    Abstract: Autonomous vehicles may be deployed to areas where an item is in demand, and configured to fulfill orders for the item received from the areas. The autonomous vehicles are loaded with the item and dispatched to the area under their own power or in a carrier. When an order for the item is received, an autonomous vehicle delivers the item to a location in the area. Autonomous vehicles may also be equipped with a 3D printer or other equipment and loaded with materials for manufacturing the item. When an order for the item is received, the autonomous vehicle manufactures the item from such materials, and delivers the item. Autonomous vehicles may be configured for collaboration, such as to deliver or manufacture items in multiple stages and to transfer the items between vehicles. Autonomous vehicles may also be configured to automatically access locations in the area, e.g., using wireless access codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tye Michael Brady, Darren Ernest Canavor, Ethan Zane Evans, Pragyana K. Mishra, Hilliard Bruce Siegel