Patents by Inventor John Watson

John Watson 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: 10165256
    Abstract: Described is an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), that includes a plurality of sensors, such as stereo cameras, mounted along a perimeter frame of the aerial vehicle and arranged to generate a scene that surrounds the aerial vehicle. The sensors may be mounted in or on winglets of the perimeter frame. Each of the plurality of sensors has a field of view and the plurality of optical sensors are arranged and/or oriented such that their fields of view overlap with one another throughout a continuous space that surrounds the perimeter frame. The fields of view may also include a portion of the perimeter frame or space that is adjacent to the perimeter frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor David Grenier, Louis LeRoi LeGrand, III, Barry James O'Brien, Joshua John Watson, Ricky Dean Welsh
  • Patent number: 10162698
    Abstract: A system and method for extensible, protective, and verifiable automated issue remediation for information technology infrastructure comprises invoking an application programming interface to obtain at least one issue object corresponding to an alert generated by a monitoring system; matching the issue object to at least one diagnosis plugin of a plurality of diagnosis plugins; obtaining a prescription object from the diagnosis plugin, the prescription object comprising a remedy; and invoking the remedy after verifying the remedy is authorized to proceed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Dropbox, Inc.
    Inventors: David Mah, Scott MacFiggen, John Watson
  • Publication number: 20180324403
    Abstract: A propeller provided on an aerial vehicle may include a digital camera or other imaging device embedded into a surface of one of the blades of the propeller. The digital camera may capture images while the propeller is rotating at an operational speed. Images captured by the digital camera may be processed to recognize one or more objects therein, and to determine ranges to such objects by stereo triangulation techniques. Using such ranges, a depth map or other model of the surface features in an environment in which the aerial vehicle is operating may be defined and stored or used for any purpose. A propeller may include digital cameras or other imaging devices embedded into two or more blades, and may also use such images to determine ranges to objects by stereo triangulation techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Scott Patrick Boyd, Barry James O'Brien, Joshua John Watson, Scott Michael Wilcox
  • Patent number: 10121117
    Abstract: Techniques for providing a verification of a flight path or landing zone may be provided. For example, during delivery an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may capture one or more images of a plurality of delivery locations within an area. A computer system may generate one or more image templates or filters using the one or more images and subsequently use the image filters to verify a flight path or landing zone for a delivery by the UAV during flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Patrick Boyd, Chengwu Cui, Sarah Graber, Barry James O'Brien, Joshua John Watson, Scott Michael Wilcox
  • Patent number: 10091460
    Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, methods, computer devices, and computer software for providing an asynchronous online viewing party are provided. One embodiment comprises a system for providing an online viewing party. One such system comprises: a server operatively coupled to a database for supporting the online viewing party, the database comprising: content to be asynchronously provided to participants of the online viewing party; and time-based events provided by one or more of the participants, the time-based events associated with the content and linked to corresponding locations in the content; and a user interface configured to interface with the server, the user interface comprising logic configured to display the content and the time-based events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan David Barsook, David Christian Ehlers, Jason Richard Grant, Khai Tuan Tran, David John Watson, Nicklas Lee Wilson
  • Patent number: 10086956
    Abstract: This disclosure describes an aerial vehicle that includes a light alteration assembly that may be used to alter light entering a lens of a camera of the aerial vehicle. The light alteration assembly may include an adjustable visor and/or filters that may be selectively positioned over the lens of the camera. By altering light entering the lens of a camera of the aerial vehicle, the camera is able to obtain higher quality images of the area surrounding the aerial vehicle. The higher quality images may then be processed to accurately detect objects within a vicinity of the aerial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry James O'Brien, Joshua John Watson
  • Patent number: 10087131
    Abstract: A process for the production of glycolic acid or derivatives thereof from formaldehyde comprising reacting formaldehyde with carbon monoxide and water in the presence of a silica catalyst, wherein from about 200 to about 5000 ppm of an alkyl silyl sulfonic acid is supplied to the reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Davy Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Simon Wayne Jackson, Adam Armour Snaith, Michael William Marshall Tuck, David John Watson
  • Patent number: 10074183
    Abstract: Described is an, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), that includes stereo pairs of imaging element, each imaging element including a region of interest controller. The region of interest controller for an imaging element of the stereo pair receives movement information affecting the imaging element and selects a portion of pixels of a digital image formed by the imaging element. The portion of pixels are provided to an image processor that utilizes the portion of pixels to determine depth information for objects represented by the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua John Watson
  • Patent number: 10056001
    Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting objects within a distance of an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), and developing a three-dimensional model or representation of those objects. Rather than attempting to use stereo imagery to determine distances and/or depth of objects, the described implementations utilize range-gating, also known as time-gating, and the known position of the aerial vehicle to develop a three-dimensional representation of objects. For example, when the aerial vehicle is at a first position it may use range-gating to detect an object at a defined distance from the vehicle. The aerial vehicle may then alter its position again and use range-gating to detect an object that is the defined distance from the vehicle at the new position. This may be done at several different positions and the resulting information and aerial vehicle position information combined to form a three-dimensional representation of those objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Harris, Benjamin Griffin Novak, Joshua John Watson
  • Patent number: 10053260
    Abstract: A full aperture beverage end has a center panel, a countersink surrounding the center panel, a main score arranged in proximity to the countersink to define a removable aperture panel and a vent score. The beverage end is adapted for use with products that are pressurized to over 30 psi (200 kPa) when opened, and during opening the vent score is adapted to sever first, controlling the pressure differential between the external surface and internal surface of the center panel, thereby allowing the main score to tear in a controlled and reliable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Ramsey, Garry Richard Chant, Andrew Robert Lockley, Brian Fields, Martin John Watson, Eleanor Rachel Ann Hyde
  • Patent number: 10049589
    Abstract: Techniques for providing an object awareness guidance to clear a landing space may be provided. For example, during delivery an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may capture an image of a potential landing zone and identify one or more objects in the image that may impede or obstruct delivery of the item in the potential landing zone. The UAV may be configured to generate and provide instructions to a user device to move or remove the identified one or more objects from the potential landing zone thereby creating a safe and unobstructed landing zone to deliver the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Patrick Boyd, Chengwu Cui, Sarah Graber, Barry James O'Brien, Joshua John Watson, Scott Michael Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20180223069
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel silicone rubber syntactic foam and the silicone precursor of said foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Virginia O'NEIL, Jessica HANLEY, Matthew KIHARA, Leeanne BROWN, Michael John WATSON, Matthew Paul TIMMONS
  • Publication number: 20180223070
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel secondary battery pack with improved thermal management useful for an all-electric vehicle (EV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), a hybrid vehicle (HEV), or battery packs used for other vehicles batteries, and more particularly, to the use of a specific material for thermally insulating a secondary battery pack and further minimizing the propagation of thermal runaway within a battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Virginia O'NEIL, Jessica Hanley, Matthew Kihara, Leeanne Brown, Michael John Watson, Matthew Paul Timmons
  • Patent number: 10033980
    Abstract: A propeller provided on an aerial vehicle may include a digital camera or other imaging device embedded into a surface of one of the blades of the propeller. The digital camera may capture images while the propeller is rotating at an operational speed. Images captured by the digital camera may be processed to recognize one or more objects therein, and to determine ranges to such objects by stereo triangulation techniques. Using such ranges, a depth map or other model of the surface features in an environment in which the aerial vehicle is operating may be defined and stored or used for any purpose. A propeller may include digital cameras or other imaging devices embedded into two or more blades, and may also use such images to determine ranges to objects by stereo triangulation techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Patrick Boyd, Barry James O'Brien, Joshua John Watson, Scott Michael Wilcox
  • Patent number: 10032275
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for automating the verification of aerial vehicle sensors as part of a pre-flight, flight departure, in-transit flight, and/or delivery destination calibration verification process. At different stages, aerial vehicle sensors may obtain sensor measurements about objects within an environment, the obtained measurements may be processed to determine information about the object, as presented in the measurements, and the processed information may be compared with the actual information about the object to determine a variation or difference between the information. If the variation is within a tolerance range, the sensor may be auto adjusted and operation of the aerial vehicle may continue. If the variation exceeds a correction range, flight of the aerial vehicle may be aborted and the aerial vehicle routed for a full sensor calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua John Watson, Benjamin Griffin Novak, Barry James O'Brien, Scott Michael Wilcox, Benjamin Israel Caro, Scott Patrick Boyd
  • Patent number: 10032384
    Abstract: A location marker that may be used to provide information to a vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The location marker may include a plurality of retroreflectors that may form a pattern readable by a vehicle or other device. The pattern may be read to extract an identifier of a location, such as an address or an identifier of a person. A global positioning system (GPS) device may transmit a general location of the location marker to the vehicle, while the location marker may provide a unique visual location identifier to a device within visual range of the location marker. In some embodiments, the location marker may also include lights that may be individually sequenced on and off at different times to create a time domain signal sequence that is readable by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Patrick Boyd, Chengwu Cui, Sarah Graber, Barry James O'Brien, Joshua John Watson, Scott Michael Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20180194489
    Abstract: Described is an imaging component for use by an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) for object detection. As described, the imaging component includes one or more cameras that are configured to obtain images of a scene using visible light that are converted into a depth map (e.g., stereo image) and one or more other cameras that are configured to form images, or thermograms, of the scene using infrared radiation (“IR”). The depth information and thermal information are combined to form a representation of the scene based on both depth and thermal information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Harris, Barry James O'Brien, Joshua John Watson
  • Patent number: 9984579
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may provide an approach notification to enable people to understand and interpret actions by the UAV, such as an intention to land or deposit a package at a particular location. The UAV may communicate a specific intention of the UAV and/or communicate a request to a person. The UAV may monitor the person or data signals for a response from the person, such as movement of the person that indicates a response. The UAV may be equipped with hardware and/or software configured to provide notifications and/or exchange information with a person at or near a destination. The UAV may include lights, a speaker, and possibly a projector to enable the UAV to project information and/or text on a surface. The UAV may control a moveable mechanism to “point” toward the person, at an object, or in another direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Harris, Barry James O'Brien, Jason Leonard Peacock, Joshua John Watson, Scott Michael Wilcox
  • Patent number: 9969486
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for automating the verification of aerial vehicle sensors as part of a pre-flight, flight departure, in-transit flight, and/or delivery destination calibration verification process. At different stages, aerial vehicle sensors may obtain sensor measurements about objects within an environment, the obtained measurements may be processed to determine information about the object, as presented in the measurements, and the processed information may be compared with the actual information about the object to determine a variation or difference between the information. If the variation is within a tolerance range, the sensor may be auto adjusted and operation of the aerial vehicle may continue. If the variation exceeds a correction range, flight of the aerial vehicle may be aborted and the aerial vehicle routed for a full sensor calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry James O'Brien, Scott Michael Wilcox, Joshua John Watson
  • Patent number: 9963246
    Abstract: Described is an imaging component for use by an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) for object detection. As described, the imaging component includes one or more cameras that are configured to obtain images of a scene using visible light that are converted into a depth map (e.g., stereo image) and one or more other cameras that are configured to form images, or thermograms, of the scene using infrared radiation (“IR”). The depth information and thermal information are combined to form a representation of the scene based on both depth and thermal information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Harris, Barry James O'Brien, Joshua John Watson