Patents by Inventor Christopher Thornton

Christopher Thornton 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: 11659819
    Abstract: A sensor positioning system, includes an actuation server for communicating with components of the sensor positioning system. The sensor positioning system additionally includes a first actuation system and a second actuation system, wherein each actuation system includes a pulley system for maneuvering an underwater sensor system. The sensor positioning system includes a dual point attachment bracket that connects through a first line to the first actuation system and connecting through a second line to the second actuation system. The underwater sensor system is affixed to the first pulley system, the second pulley system, and the dual attachment bracket through the first line and the second line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Messana, Kyle James Cormany, Christopher Thornton, Barnaby John James, Neil Davé, Shane Washburn
  • Publication number: 20230157262
    Abstract: A sensor positioning system, includes an actuation server for communicating with components of the sensor positioning system. The sensor positioning system additionally includes a first actuation system and a second actuation system, wherein each actuation system includes a pulley system for maneuvering an underwater sensor system. The sensor positioning system includes a dual point attachment bracket that connects through a first line to the first actuation system and connecting through a second line to the second actuation system. The underwater sensor system is affixed to the first pulley system, the second pulley system, and the dual attachment bracket through the first line and the second line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew Messana, Kyle James Cormany, Christopher Thornton, Barnaby John James, Neil Davé, Shane Washburn
  • Patent number: 11657498
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for a lighting controller for sea lice detection. In some implementations, fish are contained within an elliptical tank filled with water. An imaging station located on the elliptical tank is used to capture an image of a fish from which image analysis can be performed to detect sea lice or other skin features, including lesions, on the fish. Pairs of imaging assemblies coordinate pulsing light of at least a first and a second color and capturing images of the fish while the fish is illuminated by at least the first and the second color. By using the captured images with different color light, computers can detect features on the body of a fish including sea lice, skin lesions, shortened operculum or other physical deformities and skin features. Detection results can aid in mitigation techniques or be stored for analytics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Thornton, Matthew Messana, James Daniel Haley, Shane Washburn
  • Patent number: 11594058
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for identification and re-identification of fish. In some implementations, first media representative of aquatic cargo is received. Second media based on the first media is generated, wherein a resolution of the second media is higher than a resolution of the first media. A cropped representation of the second media is generated. The cropped representation is provided to the machine learning model. In response to providing the cropped representation to the machine learning model, an embedding representing the cropped representation is generated using the machine learning model. The embedding is mapped to a high dimensional space. Data identifying the aquatic cargo is provided to a database, wherein the data identifying the aquatic cargo comprises an identifier of the aquatic cargo, the embedding, and a mapped region of the high dimensional space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Barnaby John James, Grace Taixi Brentano, Christopher Thornton
  • Publication number: 20220217952
    Abstract: A sensor positioning system, includes an actuation server for communicating with components of the sensor positioning system. The sensor positioning system additionally includes a first actuation system and a second actuation system, wherein each actuation system includes a pulley system for maneuvering an underwater sensor system. The sensor positioning system includes a dual point attachment bracket that connects through a first line to the first actuation system and connecting through a second line to the second actuation system. The underwater sensor system is affixed to the first pulley system, the second pulley system, and the dual attachment bracket through the first line and the second line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew Messana, Kyle James Cormany, Christopher Thornton, Barnaby John James, Neil Davé, Shane Washburn
  • Publication number: 20220201987
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for a lighting controller for sea lice detection. In some implementations, a pulse of red light and a pulse of blue light can be timed with the exposure of a camera to capture multiple images of a fish or group of fishes in both red and blue light. By using the captured images with different color light, computers can detect features on the body of a fish including sea lice, skin lesions, shortened operculum or other physical deformities and skin features. Detection results can aid in mitigation techniques or be stored for analytics. For example, sea lice detection results can inform targeted treatments comprised of lasers, fluids, or mechanical devices such as a brush or suction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew Messana, Christopher Thornton, Grace Calvert Young
  • Patent number: 11297806
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for a lighting controller for sea lice detection. In some implementations, a pulse of red light and a pulse of blue light can be timed with the exposure of a camera to capture multiple images of a fish or group of fishes in both red and blue light. By using the captured images with different color light, computers can detect features on the body of a fish including sea lice, skin lesions, shortened operculum or other physical deformities and skin features. Detection results can aid in mitigation techniques or be stored for analytics. For example, sea lice detection results can inform targeted treatments comprised of lasers, fluids, or mechanical devices such as a brush or suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Messana, Christopher Thornton, Grace Calvert Young
  • Patent number: 11256472
    Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. A computing device stores reference song characterization data and receives digital audio data. The computing device determines whether the digital audio data represents music and then performs a different process to recognize that the digital audio data represents a particular reference song. The computing device then outputs an indication of the particular reference song.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Dominik Roblek, Blaise Hilary Aguera-Arcas, Thomas W. Hume, Marvin Karl Ritter, Brandon Charles Barbello, Kevin I. Kilgour, Mihajlo Velimirović, Christopher Thornton, Gabriel Oak Taubman, James David Lyon, Jan Heinrich Althaus, Katsiaryna Naliuka, Julian James Odell, Matthew Sharifi, Beat Gfeller
  • Publication number: 20210319550
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for a lighting controller for sea lice detection. In some implementations, fish are contained within an elliptical tank filled with water. An imaging station located on the elliptical tank is used to capture an image of a fish from which image analysis can be performed to detect sea lice or other skin features, including lesions, on the fish. Pairs of imaging assemblies coordinate pulsing light of at least a first and a second color and capturing images of the fish while the fish is illuminated by at least the first and the second color. By using the captured images with different color light, computers can detect features on the body of a fish including sea lice, skin lesions, shortened operculum or other physical deformities and skin features. Detection results can aid in mitigation techniques or be stored for analytics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Thornton, Matthew Messana, James Daniel Haley, Shane Washburn
  • Patent number: 11142568
    Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies to Aspergillus species and to methods of producing those antibodies. The invention also relates to the use of such antibodies in identifying the presence of the Aspergillus species and to methods of treating an infection with the Aspergillus species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
    Inventor: Christopher Thornton
  • Publication number: 20210274101
    Abstract: A method for controlling a sensor subsystem, the method including receiving one or more metrics representing one or more characteristics of livestock, including one or more livestock objects, contained in an enclosure and monitored by one or more sensors coupled to a winch subsystem. The method further includes determining a position to move the one or more sensors based on the metrics and determining an instruction that includes information related to a movement of the one or more sensors. The method further includes sending the instruction to the winch subsystem to change the position of the one or more sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Barnaby John James, Tatiana Kichkaylo, Peter Kimball, Christopher Thornton
  • Publication number: 20210250512
    Abstract: A method for controlling a sensor subsystem, the method including receiving one or more metrics representing one or more characteristics of livestock, including one or more livestock objects, contained in an enclosure and monitored by one or more sensors coupled to a winch subsystem. The method further includes determining a position to move the one or more sensors based on the metrics and determining an instruction that includes information related to a movement of the one or more sensors. The method further includes sending the instruction to the winch subsystem to change the position of the one or more sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Barnaby John James, Tatiana Kichkaylo, Peter Kimball, Christopher Thornton
  • Patent number: 11089227
    Abstract: A method for controlling a sensor subsystem, the method including receiving one or more metrics representing one or more characteristics of livestock, including one or more livestock objects, contained in an enclosure and monitored by one or more sensors coupled to a winch subsystem. The method further includes determining a position to move the one or more sensors based on the metrics and determining an instruction that includes information related to a movement of the one or more sensors. The method further includes sending the instruction to the winch subsystem to change the position of the one or more sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Barnaby John James, Tatiana Kichkaylo, Peter Kimball, Christopher Thornton
  • Publication number: 20210212298
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for a lighting controller for sea lice detection. In some implementations, a pulse of red light and a pulse of blue light can be timed with the exposure of a camera to capture multiple images of a fish or group of fishes in both red and blue light. By using the captured images with different color light, computers can detect features on the body of a fish including sea lice, skin lesions, shortened operculum or other physical deformities and skin features. Detection results can aid in mitigation techniques or be stored for analytics. For example, sea lice detection results can inform targeted treatments comprised of lasers, fluids, or mechanical devices such as a brush or suction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew Messana, Christopher Thornton, Grace Calvert Young
  • Publication number: 20210147869
    Abstract: Reprogramming allows the “conversion” of any mature or somatic cell of the human or animal body into a pluripotent stem cell. Reprogramming can be performed through the introduction of exogenous factors, usually transcription factors, into the mature cell. This process allows the production of induced pluripotent stem cells without the use of embryos, with the advantage that they can be produced from an individual to return/re-implant to the same individual. The inventors have developed a method of transient expression of exogenous reprogramming factors using a transient vector, wherein the vector is a closed linear DNA. Surprisingly, pluripotent stem cells developed in this manner are stable and closer in phenotype to natural stem cells such as ESCs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Kinga KARBOWNICZEK, Lisa CAPRONI, John TITE, Tristan MCKAY, Christopher THORNTON
  • Publication number: 20210142052
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for identification and re-identification of fish. In some implementations, first media representative of aquatic cargo is received. Second media based on the first media is generated, wherein a resolution of the second media is higher than a resolution of the first media. A cropped representation of the second media is generated. The cropped representation is provided to the machine learning model. In response to providing the cropped representation to the machine learning model, an embedding representing the cropped representation is generated using the machine learning model. The embedding is mapped to a high dimensional space. Data identifying the aquatic cargo is provided to a database, wherein the data identifying the aquatic cargo comprises an identifier of the aquatic cargo, the embedding, and a mapped region of the high dimensional space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Barnaby John James, Grace Taixi Brentano, Christopher Thornton
  • Publication number: 20200401367
    Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. A computing device stores reference song characterization data and receives digital audio data. The computing device determines whether the digital audio data represents music and then performs a different process to recognize that the digital audio data represents a particular reference song. The computing device then outputs an indication of the particular reference song.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Dominik Roblek, Blaise Hilary Aguera-Arcas, Thomas W. Hume, Marvin Karl Ritter, Brandon Charles Barbello, Kevin I. Kilgour, Mihajlo Velimirovic, Christopher Thornton, Gabriel Oak Taubman, James David Lyon, Jan Heinrich Althaus, Katsiaryna Naliuka, Julian James Odell, Matthew Sharifi, Beat Gfeller
  • Patent number: 10809968
    Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. A computing device stores reference song characterization data and receives digital audio data. The computing device determines whether the digital audio data represents music and then performs a different process to recognize that the digital audio data represents a particular reference song. The computing device then outputs an indication of the particular reference song.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Dominik Roblek, Blaise Hilary Aguera-Arcas, Thomas W. Hume, Marvin Karl Ritter, Brandon Charles Barbello, Kevin I. Kilgour, Mihajlo Velimirovic, Christopher Thornton, Gabriel Oak Taubman, James David Lyon, Jan Heinrich Althaus, Katsiaryna Naliuka, Julian James Odell, Matthew Sharifi, Beat Gfeller
  • Patent number: 10761802
    Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for indicating a reference song. A computing device stores reference song characterization data that identifies a plurality of audio characteristics for each reference song in a plurality of reference songs. The computing device receives digital audio data that represents audio recorded by a microphone, converts the digital audio data from time-domain format into frequency-domain format, and uses the digital audio data in the frequency-domain format in a music-characterization process. In response to determining that characterization values for the digital audio data are most relevant to characterization values for a particular reference song, the computing device outputs an indication of the particular reference song.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Dominik Roblek, Blaise Hilary Aguera-Arcas, Thomas W. Hume, Marvin Karl Ritter, Brandon Charles Barbello, Kevin I. Kilgour, Mihajlo Velimirović, Christopher Thornton, Gabriel Oak Taubman, James David Lyon, Jan Heinrich Althaus, Katsiaryna Naliuka, Julian James Odell, Matthew Sharifi, Beat Gfeller
  • Publication number: 20200107524
    Abstract: A sensor positioning system, includes an actuation server for communicating with components of the sensor positioning system. The sensor positioning system additionally includes a first actuation system and a second actuation system, wherein each actuation system includes a pulley system for maneuvering an underwater sensor system. The sensor positioning system includes a dual point attachment bracket that connects through a first line to the first actuation system and connecting through a second line to the second actuation system. The underwater sensor system is affixed to the first pulley system, the second pulley system, and the dual attachment bracket through the first line and the second line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew Messana, Kyle James Cormany, Christopher Thornton, Barnaby John James, Neil Davé, Shane Washburn