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).

  • Unmanned aerial vehicle approach notification
    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
  • Unmanned aerial vehicle heat sensor calibration
    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
  • Combining depth and thermal information for object detection and avoidance
    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
  • CARBONYLATION PROCESS AND CATALYST SYSTEM THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20180104673
    Abstract: A catalyst system for a liquid phase carbonylation reaction comprising a homogeneous acid catalyst component and a porous solid component, in particular for use in the formation of glycolic acid by carbonylation of formaldehyde. The homogeneous acid catalyst component is, for instance, sulphuric acid whilst the solid component can be unfunctionalised silica. A process for the carbonylation of an aldehyde to form a carboxylic? acid or derivative thereof is also described. The process comprises the steps of contacting the catalyst with carbon monoxide, water and the aldehyde.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Simon Wayne JACKSON, Adam Armour SNAITH, Michael William Marshall TUCK, David John WATSON
  • PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GLYCOLIC ACID
    Publication number: 20180086686
    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: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Simon Wayne JACKSON, Adam Armour SNAITH, Michael William Marshall TUCK, David John WATSON
  • AERIAL VEHICLE OPTICAL SENSOR CONFIGURATION
    Publication number: 20180077350
    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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Taylor David Grenier, Louis LeRoi LeGrand, III, Barry James O'Brien, Joshua John Watson, Ricky Dean Welsh
  • DETERMINING STEREO DISTANCE INFORMATION USING IMAGING DEVICES INTEGRATED INTO PROPELLER BLADES
    Publication number: 20180054604
    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: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Scott Patrick Boyd, Barry James O'Brien, Joshua John Watson, Scott Michael Wilcox
  • SELECTIVELY PAIRED IMAGING ELEMENTS FOR STEREO IMAGES
    Publication number: 20170358099
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a configuration of an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), that includes a plurality of cameras that may be selectively combined to form a stereo pair for use in obtaining stereo images that provide depth information corresponding to objects represented in those images. Depending on the distance between an object and the aerial vehicle, different cameras may be selected for the stereo pair based on the baseline between those cameras and a distance between the object and the aerial vehicle. For example, cameras with a small baseline (close together) may be selected to generate stereo images and depth information for an object that is close to the aerial vehicle. In comparison, cameras with a large baseline may be selected to generate stereo images and depth information for an object that is farther away from the aerial vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Harris, Barry James O'Brien, Joshua John Watson
  • MULTI-SENSOR IMAGE STABILIZATION TECHNIQUES
    Publication number: 20170359515
    Abstract: An aerial vehicle may include a first sensor, such as a digital camera, having a lens or other component that includes a second sensor mounted thereto. Information or data, such as digital images, captured using the second sensor may be used to determine or predict motion of the lens, which may include components of translational and/or rotational motion. Once the motion of the lens has been determined or predicted, such motion may be used to stabilize information or data, such as digital images, captured using the first sensor, according to optical or digital stabilization techniques. Where operations of the first sensor and the second sensor are synchronized, motion of the second sensor may be modeled based on information or data captured thereby, and imputed to the first sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Harris, Ishay Kamon, Joshua John Watson
  • Sensors embedded within aerial vehicle control surfaces
    Patent number: 9840339
    Abstract: Aerial vehicles may include one or more directional sensors embedded into wings, rudders, ailerons, flaps or other control surfaces. When the aerial vehicles are operating in modes that do not require the use of such surfaces, a surface having a directional sensor embedded therein may be repositioned or reoriented to align the directional sensor toward an area or axis of interest, and information may be gathered from the area or axis of interest using the directional sensor. One or more safety lights, running lights or other illuminators may cast light of a desired color, frequency or wavelength toward the area or axis of interest. The directional sensors may include cameras, radar or laser sensors, or any other reorientable sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry James O'Brien, Joshua John Watson, Scott Michael Wilcox
  • THERMOFORMABLE CONDUCTIVE INKS AND COATINGS AND A PROCESS FOR FABRICATION OF A THERMOFORMED DEVICE
    Publication number: 20170298242
    Abstract: Thermoformable inks and coatings, such as conductive inks and coatings, are provided. These inks and coatings can be used in printed electronic thermoformed devices. These conductive inks and coatings are suitable to be used as one or more printed layers of a printed electronic device printed with multiple layers of inks and/or coatings (printed stacked array). Methods of fabricating printed electronic devices using the thermoformable inks and coatings are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: Sun Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Maura MOSTOWY-GALLAGHER, John WATSON
  • Intermediates for use in the preparation of indazole derivatives and processes for the preparation thereof
    Patent number: 9790206
    Abstract: Provided herein are novel processes for preparing a compound of Formula (I) to the use of said compound as an intermediate in novel processes for the synthesis of indazole derivatives, and to indazole intermediates and derivatives prepared by the processes described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Array BioPharma Inc.
    Inventors: C. Todd Eary, Bruno P. Hache, Derrick Juengst, Stacey Renee Spencer, Peter J. Stengel, Daniel John Watson
  • THERAPEUTIC COMPOUNDS AS INHIBITORS OF THE OREXIN-1 RECEPTOR
    Publication number: 20170291897
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds that are inhibitors of the orexin-1 receptor. The compounds have the structural formula I defined herein. The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of these compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to their use in the treatment of diseases or disorders associated with orexin-1 receptor activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Emma Louise Blaney, Barrie Phillip Martin, Thorsten Nowak, Martin John Watson
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED ISSUE REMEDIATION FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20170279702
    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: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: David Mah, Scott MacFiggen, John Watson
  • COMBINING DEPTH AND THERMAL INFORMATION FOR OBJECT DETECTION AND AVOIDANCE
    Publication number: 20170275023
    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 28, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Harris, Barry James O'Brien, Joshua John Watson
  • LIGHT ADJUSTMENT CONTROL FOR CAMERAS OF AN AERIAL VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20170210486
    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: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Barry James O'Brien, Joshua John Watson
  • FULL APERTURE BEVERAGE END
    Publication number: 20170190462
    Abstract: A full aperture beverage end has a center panel, a countersink surrounding the centre 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 centre panel, thereby allowing the main score to tear in a controlled and reliable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Ramsey, Garry Richard Chant, Andrew Robert Lockley, Brian Fields, Martin John Watson, Eleanor Rachel Ann Hyde
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AN INSPECTION DEVICE
    Publication number: 20170146992
    Abstract: An inspection device comprising a body that is adapted to receive and retain an item of inspection equipment, one or more wheels that are rotatably mounted to the body, one or more power sources that are adapted to rotate the one or more wheels, and a controller that is adapted to control the movement of the inspection device. A method further comprising controlling the movement of the inspection device relative to the storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Simpson, John Watson, Albert Covington, Kris Robertson
  • 1-((3S,4R)-4-(3-FLUOROPHENYL)-1-(2-METHOXYETHYL)PYRROLIDIN-3-YL)-3-(4-METHYL-3-(2-METHYLPYRIMIDIN-5-YL)-1-PHENYL-1H-PYRAZOL-5-YL)UREA AS A TRKA KINASE INHIBITOR
    Publication number: 20170087156
    Abstract: Provided is Compound (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which is an inhibitor of TrkA kinase and is useful in the treatment of diseases which can be treated with a TrkA kinase inhibitor such as pain, cancer, inflammation and inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, certain infectious diseases, Sjogren's syndrome, endometriosis, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, prostatitis, pelvic pain syndrome, diseases related to an imbalance of the regulation of bone remodeling, and diseases resulting from Connective Tissue Growth Factor aberrant signaling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Array BioPharma Inc.
    Inventors: Shelley Allen, Steven W. Andrews, Brian Baer, Zackary Crane, Weidong Liu, Daniel John Watson
  • Apparatus, system and method for configuration of adaptive integrated circuitry having fixed, application specific computational elements
    Patent number: 9594723
    Abstract: An adaptive computing engine (ACE) IC includes a plurality of heterogeneous computational elements coupled to an interconnection network. The plurality of heterogeneous computational elements include corresponding computational elements having fixed and differing architectures, such as fixed architectures for different functions such as memory, addition, multiplication, complex multiplication, subtraction, configuration, reconfiguration, control, input, output, and field programmability. In response to configuration information, the interconnection network is operative to configure and reconfigure the plurality of heterogeneous computational elements for a plurality of different functional modes, including linear algorithmic operations, non-linear algorithmic operations, finite state machine operations, controller operations, memory operations, and bit-level manipulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Paul L. Master, Stephen J. Smith, John Watson