Patents by Inventor Karl Willis

Karl Willis 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: 10611090
    Abstract: A computer-implemented layout tool includes a mechanical design engine for configuring mechanical design components to be included in a design, an electrical design engine for configuring electrical components to be included in the design, a constraint engine for identifying a three-dimensional (3D) printer to be used to print the design and to provide design constraints including feedback for inoperative or impermissible configurations of one or more mechanical components or electrical pathways associated with the design; and a simulation engine for simulating, at least, electrical performance of the design based on one or more electrical components added to the design after printing and proposed electrical pathways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl Willis
  • Publication number: 20190322033
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products for three dimensional print adhesion reduction using photoinhibition include, in one aspect, a method including: moving a build plate in a vat of liquid including a photoactive resin; creating a photoinhibition layer within the liquid directly adjacent a window of the vat by directing a first light through the window into the liquid, the first light having a first wavelength selected to produce photoinhibition; and creating a solid structure on the build plate from the photoactive resin within a photoinitiation layer of the liquid by directing a second light through the window into the liquid, where the photoinitiation layer resides between the photoinhibition layer and the build plate, and the second light has a second wavelength different than the first wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Karl Willis, Brian James Adzima
  • Patent number: 10311381
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for combining electronic circuitry with mechanical structures using a design tool to build hybrid electro-mechanical three-dimensional circuits for 3D printed devices. In some implementations, the design tool facilitates creation and placement of components and traces, and print preparation for additive manufacturing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Michael Schmidt, Daniel Matthew Taub, Baoxuan Xu, Karl Willis
  • Publication number: 20190134886
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for three dimensional print adhesion reduction using photoinhibition include, in one aspect, a method including: moving a build plate in a vat of liquid including a photoactive resin; creating a photoinhibition layer within the liquid directly adjacent a window of the vat by directing a first light through the window into the liquid, the first light having a first wavelength selected to produce photoinhibition; and creating a solid structure on the build plate from the photoactive resin within a photoinitiation layer of the liquid by directing a second light through the window into the liquid, where the photoinitiation layer resides between the photoinhibition layer and the build plate, and the second light has a second wavelength different than the first wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Karl Willis, Brian James Adzima
  • Patent number: 10213956
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for three dimensional print adhesion reduction using photoinhibition include, in one aspect, a method including: moving a build plate in a vat of liquid including a photoactive resin; creating a photoinhibition layer within the liquid directly adjacent a window of the vat by directing a first light through the window into the liquid, the first light having a first wavelength selected to produce photoinhibition; and creating a solid structure on the build plate from the photoactive resin within a photoinitiation layer of the liquid by directing a second light through the window into the liquid, where the photoinitiation layer resides between the photoinhibition layer and the build plate, and the second light has a second wavelength different than the first wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: HOLO, INC.
    Inventors: Karl Willis, Brian James Adzima
  • Patent number: 10166725
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for three dimensional print adhesion reduction using photoinhibition include, in one aspect, a method including: moving a build plate in a vat of liquid including a photoactive resin; creating a photoinhibition layer within the liquid directly adjacent a window of the vat by directing a first light through the window into the liquid, the first light having a first wavelength selected to produce photoinhibition; and creating a solid structure on the build plate from the photoactive resin within a photoinitiation layer of the liquid by directing a second light through the window into the liquid, where the photoinitiation layer resides between the photoinhibition layer and the build plate, and the second light has a second wavelength different than the first wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: HOLO, INC.
    Inventors: Karl Willis, Brian James Adzima
  • Publication number: 20180290374
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for three dimensional print adhesion reduction using photoinhibition include, in one aspect, a method including: moving a build plate in a vat of liquid including a photoactive resin; creating a photoinhibition layer within the liquid directly adjacent a window of the vat by directing a first light through the window into the liquid, the first light having a first wavelength selected to produce photoinhibition; and creating a solid structure on the build plate from the photoactive resin within a photoinitiation layer of the liquid by directing a second light through the window into the liquid, where the photoinitiation layer resides between the photoinhibition layer and the build plate, and the second light has a second wavelength different than the first wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Karl Willis, Brian James Adzima
  • Patent number: 10073424
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for improving 3D printing systems and techniques include, in one aspect, a system including: three dimensional (3D) printer hardware; and at least one computer communicatively coupled with the 3D printer hardware, the at least one computer programed to receive 3D print type inputs for an object to be 3D printed and create a 3D print profile including parameters for 3D printing the object using the 3D printer hardware by matching the 3D print type inputs against a database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Pascal Anatole Lin, Karl Willis, Eric Jamesson Wilhelm, Arian Aziz Aghababaie
  • Patent number: 9908295
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, facilitate the design and use of 3D printed auxetic structures. In one aspect, a system includes one or more computer storage media having instructions stored thereon; and one or more data processing apparatus configured to execute the instructions to perform operations including (i) receiving an input specifying a three dimensional (3D) model of a 3D structure that includes at least two different materials having a predefined arrangement with respect to each other to give the 3D structure a negative Poisson ratio, (ii) receiving an input regarding a change for the 3D structure, and (iii) modifying the predefined arrangement of the at least two different materials with respect to each other in response to the input regarding the change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Jifei Ou, Karl Willis
  • Patent number: 9841750
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for 3D printing without preprocessing a CAD model before delivery to a 3D printer. The CAD model for a design to be printed is received by a 3D printer. Instructions are generated for printing the first slice. While the instructions are used to start printing the CAD model, dynamic real-time slicing is performed on a remaining portion of the CAD model. Preprocessed data, model analysis information or real-time feedback is received during the printing of a respective slice. A next slice is identified, and slicing parameters are adjusted, including adjusting a slicing parameter for the next slice. Instructions for printing the next slice are generated. The next slice is printed based on the generated instructions. Dynamic real-time slicing is repeated to generate a then next slice and associated printing instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Willis, Ryan Michael Schmidt, Baoxuan Xu
  • Publication number: 20170348916
    Abstract: A computer-implemented layout tool includes a mechanical design engine for configuring mechanical design components to be included in a design, an electrical design engine for configuring electrical components to be included in the design, a constraint engine for identifying a 3D printer to be used to print the design and to provide design constraints including feedback for inoperative or impermissible configurations of one or more mechanical components or electrical pathways associated with the design; and a simulation engine for simulating, at least, electrical performance of the design based on one or more electrical components added to the design after printing and proposed electrical pathways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Karl Willis
  • Patent number: 9782934
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a system for reducing adhesion during cure processing for a stereolithographic 3D printed object. The system includes resin tank for maintaining a liquid photopolymer resin. The system further includes a light source. The system further includes controller for selectively exposing the liquid photopolymer resin to form a solid object in the resin tank. The resin tank is constructed of a rigid material that has an oxygen permeability that is above a first threshold so as to reduce a separation force required to remove the solid object from the resin tank after curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Willis, Eric Jamesson Wilhelm, Pierre Pascal Anatole Lin, Arian Aziz Aghababaie, Qiang Zheng
  • Patent number: 9744727
    Abstract: A computer-implemented layout tool includes a mechanical design engine for configuring mechanical design components to be included in a design, an electrical design engine for configuring electrical components to be included in the design, a constraint engine for identifying a 3D printer to be used to print the design and to provide design constraints including feedback for inoperative or impermissible configurations of one or more mechanical components or electrical pathways associated with the design; and a simulation engine for simulating, at least, electrical performance of the design based on one or more electrical components added to the design after printing and proposed electrical pathways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl Willis
  • Patent number: 9563984
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage medium, for integrating components into objects that are to be 3D printed. One of the methods includes obtaining a three-dimensional model of a first object; receiving an input identifying an additional component; generating a digital representation of the additional component; integrating the digital representation of the additional component with the three-dimensional model; and providing the three-dimensional model with the integrated digital representation to a 3D printer for fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Willis, Mark Thomas Davis, Erin Marie Bradner, Benjamin David Cochran, Francesco Iorio, David Thornton
  • Publication number: 20160318255
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, facilitate the design and use of 3D printed auxetic structures. In one aspect, a system includes one or more computer storage media having instructions stored thereon; and one or more data processing apparatus configured to execute the instructions to perform operations including (i) receiving an input specifying a three dimensional (3D) model of a 3D structure that includes at least two different materials having a predefined arrangement with respect to each other to give the 3D structure a negative Poisson ratio, (ii) receiving an input regarding a change for the 3D structure, and (iii) modifying the predefined arrangement of the at least two different materials with respect to each other in response to the input regarding the change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Jifei Ou, Karl Willis
  • Publication number: 20160167311
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for combining electronic circuitry with mechanical structures using a design tool to build hybrid electro-mechanical three-dimensional circuits for 3D printed devices. In some implementations, the design tool facilitates creation and placement of components and traces, and print preparation for additive manufacturing systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Ryan Michael Schmidt, Daniel Matthew Taub, Baoxuan Xu, Karl Willis
  • Publication number: 20160067921
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for three dimensional print adhesion reduction using photoinhibition include, in one aspect, a method including: moving a build plate in a vat of liquid including a photoactive resin; creating a photoinhibition layer within the liquid directly adjacent a window of the vat by directing a first light through the window into the liquid, the first light having a first wavelength selected to produce photoinhibition; and creating a solid structure on the build plate from the photoactive resin within a photoinitiation layer of the liquid by directing a second light through the window into the liquid, where the photoinitiation layer resides between the photoinhibition layer and the build plate, and the second light has a second wavelength different than the first wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Karl Willis, Brian James Adzima
  • Publication number: 20150360419
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a system for reducing adhesion during cure processing for a stereolithographic 3D printed object. The system includes resin tank for maintaining a liquid photopolymer resin. The system further includes a light source. The system further includes controller for selectively exposing the liquid photopolymer resin to form a solid object in the resin tank. The resin tank is constructed of a rigid material that has an oxygen permeability that is above a first threshold so as to reduce a separation force required to remove the solid object from the resin tank after curing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Karl Willis, Eric Jamesson Wilhelm, Pierre Pascal Anatole Lin, Arian Aziz Aghababaie, Qiang Zheng
  • Publication number: 20150328839
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for 3D printing without preprocessing a CAD model before delivery to a 3D printer. The CAD model for a design to be printed is received by a 3D printer. Instructions are generated for printing the first slice. While the instructions are used to start printing the CAD model, dynamic real-time slicing is performed on a remaining portion of the CAD model. Preprocessed data, model analysis information or real-time feedback is received during the printing of a respective slice. A next slice is identified, and slicing parameters are adjusted, including adjusting a slicing parameter for the next slice. Instructions for printing the next slice are generated. The next slice is printed based on the generated instructions. Dynamic real-time slicing is repeated to generate a then next slice and associated printing instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Karl Willis, Ryan Michael Schmidt, Baoxuan Xu
  • Publication number: 20150331402
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for improving 3D printing systems and techniques include, in one aspect, a system including: three dimensional (3D) printer hardware; and at least one computer communicatively coupled with the 3D printer hardware, the at least one computer programed to receive 3D print type inputs for an object to be 3D printed and create a 3D print profile including parameters for 3D printing the object using the 3D printer hardware by matching the 3D print type inputs against a database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Pierre Pascal Anatole Lin, Karl Willis, Eric Jamesson Wilhelm, Arian Aziz Aghababaie