Patents by Inventor Charles Whitmer

Charles Whitmer 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).

  • Publication number: 20180200603
    Abstract: A penalty allocation system includes a first equipment, a second equipment, and a processing circuit. The first equipment is configured to be worn by a first player. The first equipment includes a signal-carrying material configured to carry a signal. The second equipment is configured to be worn by a second player. The second equipment includes a sensor configured to acquire signal data from the signal in response to the sensor of the second equipment directly engaging the signal-carrying material during an impact between the first equipment and the second equipment. The processing circuit is configured to determine at least one of a penalty and a reward for a recipient regarding the impact between the first player and the second player based on the signal data. The recipient includes at least one of the first player and the second player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Allen, Philip V. Bayly, David L. Brody, Alistair K. Chan, Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Hon Wah Chin, Richard G. Ellenbogen, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Raul Radovitzky, Anthony V. Smith, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Nicholas W. Touran, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Patent number: 10027873
    Abstract: A method substantially as shown and described the detailed description and/or drawings and/or elsewhere herein. A device substantially as shown and described the detailed description and/or drawings and/or elsewhere herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund II, LLC
    Inventors: Ehren Brav, Russell Hannigan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, 3ric Johanson, Jordin T. Kare, Tony S Pan, Phillip Rutschman, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20180199471
    Abstract: A method of managing a power supply system for a data center includes circulating a fluid in a cooling circuit, obtaining data regarding a server located in the data center using a sensor, controlling the transfer of heat energy from the server to the fluid based on the data, coupling the fluid to an electrochemical power generator, and generating power for the server using the fluid in the electrochemical power generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Christian L. Belady, Douglas M. Carmean, William Gates, Shaun L. Harris, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Sean M. James, Brian A. Janous, Jordin T. Kare, Jie Liu, Max N. Mankin, Gregory J. McKnight, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Clarence T. Tegreene, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood,, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Patent number: 10017392
    Abstract: Methods and articles are provided for reducing the amount of water consumed by a plant over a period of time, sequestering CO2, and producing electricity, where each method includes providing the plant with a composition including at least about 0.1 (wt./wt. or vol./vol.) % CO2 and/or at least about 0.1 wt./wt. % of a composition that generates CO2. An apparatus is also disclosed for providing the plant with a composition including CO2 and/or a composition that generates CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Allen, Kenneth G. Caldeira, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Stephen H. Salter, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 10015971
    Abstract: Methods and articles are provided for reducing the amount of water consumed by a plant over a period of time, sequestering CO2, and producing electricity, where each method includes providing the plant with a composition including at least about 0.1 (wt./wt. or vol./vol.) % CO2 and/or at least about 0.1 wt./wt. % of a composition that generates CO2. An apparatus is also disclosed for providing the plant with a composition including CO2 and/or a composition that generates CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Allen, Kenneth G. Caldeira, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Stephen H. Salter, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 10015931
    Abstract: Methods and articles are provided for generating electricity from carbon-based photosynthate produced by a plant. The methods include providing the plant with a composition including CO2 and/or a composition that generates CO2, harvesting a carbon-based photosynthate from the plant, processing the carbon-based photosynthate to produce energy, and converting at least some of the energy into electricity. An apparatus for converting the carbon-based photosynthate into CO2 and heat, and an apparatus for converting the heat of combustion into electricity is also provided. An apparatus is also disclosed for providing the plant with a composition including CO2 and/or a composition that generates CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Allen, Kenneth G. Caldeira, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Stephen H. Salter, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20180182370
    Abstract: A noise-canceling device includes a processing circuit configured to detect vibrational noise sound waves near a listener's ear using a vibration sensor, generate a vibrational noise-canceling signal, and control operation of a speaker to provide a desired sound signal and the vibrational noise-canceling signal to at least partially cancel the vibrational noise sound waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Clarence T. Tegreene, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood,, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Patent number: 10008294
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide methods and systems for migrating fuel assemblies in a nuclear fission reactor, methods of operating a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor, methods of controlling a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor, systems for controlling a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor, computer software program products for controlling a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor, and nuclear fission traveling wave reactors with systems for migrating fuel assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Robert C Petroski, Joshua C. Walter, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., George B. Zimmerman, Ehud Greenspan
  • Publication number: 20180167586
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a satellite imaging system with edge processing includes, but is not limited to, at least one first imaging unit configured to capture and process imagery of a first field of view; at least one second imaging unit configured to capture and process imagery of a second field of view that is proximate to and larger than a size of the first field of view; and a hub processing unit linked to the at least one first imaging unit and the at least one second imaging unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Phillip Rutschman, Ehren Brav, Russell Hannigan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, 3ric Johanson, Jordin T. Kare, Tony S. Pan, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood, Travis P. Dorschel
  • Patent number: 9997033
    Abstract: A safety rail monitoring system, and associated methods of operation, for monitoring use of a safety rail that borders a footpath to help prevent injuries while the user traverses the footpath. The safety system includes a sensor system for detecting the presence of a user on the footpath and the presence of a contact by the user on the safety rail. A sensor observation system in communication with the sensor system receives signals indicating whether the user is present on the footpath and whether the user is holding on to the safety rail. If the user is not holding on to the safety rail, the sensor observation system generates an alert signal to the user to remind the user to hold the safety rail. In some embodiments, the safety system may include a barrier that prevents the user from continuing along the footpath without contacting the safety rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Elizabeth E. Nugent, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9995823
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for using compressed sensing for imaging an object for use in combination with an entertainment or infotainment device. For example, the system may utilize a few—(e.g., 1, 2, 3 . . . ) pixel imaging sensor to obtain coarse image data from each of a plurality of subregions of a region of interest. Compressed sensing techniques may then be used to estimate a higher resolution image of the region of interest using the coarse image data from the plurality of subregions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Eric D. Rudder, Desney S. Tan, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Andrew Wilson, Jeannette M. Wing, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20180157930
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a satellite constellation includes, but is not limited to, an array of satellites that each include a satellite imaging system including at least: at least one first imaging unit configured to capture and process imagery of a first field of view; at least one second imaging unit configured to capture and process imagery of a second field of view that is proximate to and that is larger than a size of the first field of view; and a hub processing unit linked to the at least one first imaging unit and the at least one second imaging unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Phillip Rutschman, Ehren Brav, Russell Hannigan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, 3ric Johanson, Jordin T. Kare, Tony S. Pan, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Victoria Y.H. Wood, Travis P. Dorschel
  • Patent number: 9987489
    Abstract: Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device, in response to determination of electrical contact of an electrode in a stimulator earpiece with an ear of a user of the personal computing device, are described. If the electrode is not in good electrical contact with the ear of the user, delivery of the stimulus is prevented and the user is notified of the status of the electrode. In various aspects, the user is instructed to reposition the earpiece or replace, clean, moisten, or apply gel to at least a portion of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Eleanor V. Goodall, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Melanie K. Kitzan, Eric C. Leuthardt, Mark A. Malamud, Stephen L. Malaska, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Brittany Scheid, Katherine E. Sharadin, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20180145947
    Abstract: Structures and protocols are presented for signaling a status or decision concerning a wireless service or device within a region to a network participant or other communication device (smartphone or motor vehicle, e.g.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Philip Lionel Barnes, Hon Wah Chin, Howard L. Davidson, Kimberly D.A. Hallman, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Brian Lee, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Nicholas F. Pasch, Eric D. Rudder, Clarence T. Tegreene, Marc Tremblay, David B. Tuckerman, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180122212
    Abstract: A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a device, including: a deformable substrate configured to conform to a skin surface; a sensor assembly including a proximity sensor configured to generate one or more sense signals associated with a proximity of an environmental object relative to the body portion; circuitry configured to receive the one or more sense signals; and a reporting device configured to generate one or more communication signals associated with one or more of the environmental object or the proximity of the environmental object relative to the body portion responsive to instruction by the circuitry; and an external device communicatively coupled with the device, the external device configured to at least one of receive the one or more communication signals from the device or transmit one or more communication signals associated with environmental object characteristics to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Mark A. Malamud, Tony S. Pan, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Patent number: 9949411
    Abstract: A power supply system for a data center includes a cooling circuit, an electrochemical power generator, a sensor, and a processor. The cooling circuit includes a fluid configured to receive heat energy generated by a server located in the data center. The electrochemical power generator is configured to receive and/or generate the fluid of the cooling circuit and to generate electrical energy for the server using the fluid. The sensor is configured to obtain data regarding the server. The processor is configured to control an amount of heat energy transferred from the server to the fluid based on the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Christian L. Belady, Douglas M. Carmean, William Gates, Shaun L. Harris, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Sean M. James, Brian A. Janous, Jordin T. Kare, Jie Liu, Max N. Mankin, Gregory J. McKnight, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Clarence T. Tegreene, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9942583
    Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include accepting input of a request for a particular image of a scene that is larger than the particular image, transmitting the request for the particular image to an image sensor array that includes more than one image sensor and that is configured to capture the scene and retain a subset of the scene that includes the request for the particular image of the scene, receiving only the particular image from the image sensor array, wherein the particular image represents a subset of the scene, and wherein a size characteristic of the particular image is at least partially based on a property of a requestor, and presenting the received particular image to the requestor. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund II, LLC
    Inventors: Ehren Brav, Russell Hannigan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, 3ric Johanson, Jordin T. Kare, Tony S Pan, Phillip Rutschman, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9922733
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide methods and systems for migrating fuel assemblies in a nuclear fission reactor, methods of operating a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor, methods of controlling a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor, systems for controlling a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor, computer software program products for controlling a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor, and nuclear fission traveling wave reactors with systems for migrating fuel assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Ehud Greenspan, Roderick A. Hyde, Robert C. Petroski, Joshua C. Walter, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., George B. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 9924109
    Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include capturing a scene that includes one or more images, through use of an array of more than one image sensor, selecting a particular portion of the scene that includes at least one image, wherein the selected particular portion is smaller than the scene, transmitting only the selected particular portion from the scene to a remote location, and de-emphasizing pixels from the scene that are not part of the selected particular portion of the scene. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund II, LLC
    Inventors: Ehren Brav, Russell Hannigan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, 3ric Johanson, Jordin T. Kare, Tony S Pan, Phillip Rutschman, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9922518
    Abstract: Described embodiments include a real-time system, method, and apparatus. A system includes an incoming object sensor configured to be worn by a human and to acquire data indicative of a trajectory of an incoming projectile. The system includes a warning device configured to be worn by the human and to provide a notification to the human. The system includes a processing circuit configured to (i) receive the data indicative of a trajectory of the incoming projectile; (ii) predict a spatial relationship of the trajectory of the incoming projectile relative to the human; and (iii) initiate a notification by the warning device suggesting a movement by the human to evade the incoming projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventors: Russell J. Hannigan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, 3ric Johanson, Jordin T. Kare, Tony S. Pan, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood