Patents by Inventor Mark A. Nichols

Mark A. Nichols 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: 11922550
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and computer-readable media for generating an image corresponding to a text input. In an embodiment, operations may include accessing a text description and inputting the text description into a text encoder. The operations may include receiving, from the text encoder, a text embedding, and inputting at least one of the text description or the text embedding into a first sub-model configured to generate, based on at least one of the text description or the text embedding, a corresponding image embedding. The operations may include inputting at least one of the text description or the corresponding image embedding, generated by the first sub-model, into a second sub-model configured to generate, based on at least one of the text description or the corresponding image embedding, an output image. The operations may include making the output image, generated by the first second sub-model, accessible to a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: OpenAI Opco, LLC
    Inventors: Aditya Ramesh, Prafulla Dhariwal, Alexander Nichol, Casey Chu, Mark Chen
  • Patent number: 11822336
    Abstract: Embodiments describe a method for moisturizing soil at an open construction site. The method includes determining current site characteristics of the open construction site; storing the current site characteristics in memory; determining a target volume of water for achieving a target soil moisture level based on the current site characteristics of the open construction site; calculating a target water application rate to achieve the target soil moisture level across the open construction site; determining a planned path across the open construction site; and guiding a water truck along the planned path while dispensing the target volume of water at the target application rate to achieve the target moisture level in the soil at the open construction site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Nichols
  • Patent number: 11796800
    Abstract: A tracking system for use with a head mounted display on a watercraft is disclosed. The tracking system comprises: optical tracking circuitry to determine first tracking information of the head mounted display using optical tracking means; non-optical circuitry to determine second tracking information of the head mounted display using non-optical tracking means; and correction circuitry to determine an updated tracking information of the head mounted display based on the first tracking information and the second tracking information. The selection of at least the optical tracking means or non-optical tracking means to use to determine the first tracking information and the second tracking information is based on a location of the head mounted display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
    Inventors: David Moore, Mark Nichols
  • Patent number: 11727646
    Abstract: Techniques for occluding displayable content on a portable electronic device. An EDM device of the portable electronic device may capture a world distance map comprising a plurality of distances to a plurality of points. A camera of the portable electronic device may capture a camera image containing the plurality of points. A geospatial position of a GNSS receiver may be detected. A geospatial position of the camera may be calculated based on the geospatial position of the GNSS receiver. An angle sensor may detect an orientation of the camera. A model image may be generated based on a 3D model, the orientation of the camera, and the geospatial position of the camera. The model image and/or the camera image may be occluded based on the world distance map and the 3D model. A superimposed image comprising the camera image and the model image may be generated and displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Nichols, Darrin Hurd
  • Patent number: 11693126
    Abstract: Techniques for calculating a geospatial position of a point of interest using a portable electronic device. A camera of the portable electronic device may observe the point of interest. An EDM device of the portable electronic device may capture a distance to the point of interest. An angle sensor may detect an orientation of the EDM device. A geospatial position of a GNSS receiver of the portable electronic device may be detected. A geospatial position of the EDM device may be calculated based on the geospatial position of the GNSS receiver. The geospatial position of the point of interest may be calculated based on the geospatial position of the EDM device, the orientation of the EDM device, and the distance to the point of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Nichols, Darrin Hurd
  • Patent number: 11598631
    Abstract: Techniques for determining a depth of a buried asset are provided. A first point on an AR model of the buried asset is identified. The first point is where a depth of the buried asset is to be determined. An AR device is used to determine coordinates of a second point on a surface corresponding to the first point on the AR model. Coordinates of a third point on the buried asset corresponding to the first point on the AR model are determined. The depth of the buried asset is determined based on the coordinates of the second point on the surface and coordinates of the third point on the buried asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Nichols
  • Patent number: 11594088
    Abstract: A method of access control for emergency responders according to one embodiment includes transmitting, by an access control server, an access credential to an emergency responder server over a first network, transmitting, by the emergency responder server, the access credential to an emergency responder mobile device over a second network different from the first network, wherein the second network includes a dedicated emergency responder network, and transmitting the access credential by the emergency responder mobile device to an access control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Eickhoff, Daniel Hughes, Mark Nichols, Brady Plummer
  • Patent number: 11541599
    Abstract: A device and method of forming a three-dimensional component includes filling a reservoir (26) with a volume of curable resin (30), the resin configured to undergo a first reaction to form a first product when exposed to light (42) of a first wavelength and to undergo a second reaction to form a second product when exposed to light (62) of a second wavelength. The presence of the first and second products at a common location in the resin causes a third reaction that results in a solid polymer at the common location. The method further includes directing a first light source (34) of the first wavelength into the reservoir, directing a second light source (54) of the second wavelength into the reservoir such that the first and second light sources intersect at a first predetermined location (78) within the reservoir, and allowing the third reaction to form the solid polymer at the first predetermined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Nichols, Christopher Seubert, Chelsea Cates, Kevin Richard John Ellwood
  • Patent number: 11481930
    Abstract: A method for positioning an augmented reality (AR) model of a building or area of construction relative to an image of the building or area of construction as displayed on a handheld device. The AR model is positioned so that vertical surfaces of the AR model are aligned with vertical surfaces of the building or area of construction and a horizontal surface of the AR model is aligned with an associated horizontal surface of the building or area of construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Nichols, Darrin Hurd, Hyungon Kim
  • Publication number: 20220307820
    Abstract: Techniques for determining a depth of a buried asset are provided. A first point on an AR model of the buried asset is identified. The first point is where a depth of the buried asset is to be determined. An AR device is used to determine coordinates of a second point on a surface corresponding to the first point on the AR model. Coordinates of a third point on the buried asset corresponding to the first point on the AR model are determined. The depth of the buried asset is determined based on the coordinates of the second point on the surface and coordinates of the third point on the buried asset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventor: Mark Nichols
  • Patent number: 11250624
    Abstract: Methods for displaying an augmented reality (AR) model on an AR device are disclosed. Alignment between a geospatial reference frame and an AR reference frame is monitored and adjusted to improve placement of the AR model displayed on the AR device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Bursill, Darrin Hurd, Mark Nichols
  • Publication number: 20220026218
    Abstract: A head mounted display system for use on a watercraft is disclosed. The head mounted display system comprises circuitry to determine orientation information of a head mounted display system relative to the watercraft and a display configured to superimpose graphical information over objects in a field of view of at least one eye of a user of the head mounted display system. The graphical information is based on sensor data and the orientation information of the head mounted display. The sensor data is provided by at least one data source associated with the watercraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Mark Nichols, Owen Edward Jones, Daniel Martyn Forrester, Derek Ron Jordan
  • Publication number: 20220026710
    Abstract: A tracking system for use with a head mounted display on a watercraft is disclosed. The tracking system comprises: optical tracking circuitry to determine first tracking information of the head mounted display using optical tracking means; non-optical circuitry to determine second tracking information of the head mounted display using non-optical tracking means; and correction circuitry to determine an updated tracking information of the head mounted display based on the first tracking information and the second tracking information. The selection of at least the optical tracking means or non-optical tracking means to use to determine the first tracking information and the second tracking information is based on a location of the head mounted display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: David Moore, Mark Nichols
  • Patent number: 11210519
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide augmented reality images to an operator of a machine. A pose of an augmented reality device relative to a cab of the machine is determined using image information. A pose of the augmented reality device in a real world coordinate frame is determined using a pose of the machine in the real world coordinate frame and the pose of the augmented reality device relative to the cab of the machine. Digital content is provided on one or more displays of the augmented reality device. The digital content is arranged on the one or more displays based on the pose of the augmented reality device in the real world coordinate frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Nichols
  • Patent number: 11168454
    Abstract: Embodiments describe a method for moisturizing soil at an open construction site. The method includes determining a target soil moisture level for the soil at the open construction site; measuring a current soil moisture level of a location within the open construction site with a moisture sensor while the moisture control system is moving along a predetermined path across the site; storing the current soil moisture level of the location in memory; determining a target volume of water for achieving the target soil moisture level at the location based on the current soil moisture level at the location; calculating a target application rate to achieve the target soil moisture level at the location based on the target volume of water; and applying the target volume of water at the target application rate to the location when the system is positioned to dispense water at the location of the site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Nichols
  • Publication number: 20210339278
    Abstract: A material applicator for controlling application of at least one material on a substrate includes a housing and an array plate with an applicator array positioned within the housing. The applicator array has a plurality of micro-applicators and each of the plurality of micro-applicators has an ultrasonic transducer, a material inlet, a reservoir, and a micro-applicator plate with a plurality of apertures. The applicator plate is in mechanical communication with the ultrasonic transducer such that at least one material is ejected through the plurality of apertures as atomized droplets when the ultrasonic transducer vibrates the micro-applicator plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Kevin Ellwood, Mark Nichols, Wanjiao Liu, Christopher Seubert
  • Publication number: 20210335035
    Abstract: Methods for displaying an augmented reality (AR) model on an AR device are disclosed. Alignment between a geospatial reference frame and an AR reference frame is monitored and adjusted to improve placement of the AR model displayed on the AR device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Adam Bursill, Darrin Hurd, Mark Nichols
  • Publication number: 20210225041
    Abstract: A method for positioning an augmented reality (AR) model of a building or area of construction relative to an image of the building or area of construction as displayed on a handheld device. The AR model is positioned so that vertical surfaces of the AR model are aligned with vertical surfaces of the building or area of construction and a horizontal surface of the AR model is aligned with an associated horizontal surface of the building or area of construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Mark Nichols, Darrin Hurd, Hyungon Kim
  • Publication number: 20210216769
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide augmented reality images to an operator of a machine. A pose of an augmented reality device relative to a cab of the machine is determined using image information. A pose of the augmented reality device in a real world coordinate frame is determined using a pose of the machine in the real world coordinate frame and the pose of the augmented reality device relative to the cab of the machine. Digital content is provided on one or more displays of the augmented reality device. The digital content is arranged on the one or more displays based on the pose of the augmented reality device in the real world coordinate frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventor: Mark Nichols
  • Publication number: 20210162670
    Abstract: A device and method of forming a three-dimensional component includes filling a reservoir (26) with a volume of curable resin (30), the resin configured to undergo a first reaction to form a first product when exposed to light (42) of a first wavelength and to undergo a second reaction to form a second product when exposed to light (62) of a second wavelength. The presence of the first and second products at a common location in the resin causes a third reaction that results in a solid polymer at the common location. The method further includes directing a first light source (34) of the first wavelength into the reservoir, directing a second light source (54) of the second wavelength into the reservoir such that the first and second light sources intersect at a first predetermined location (78) within the reservoir, and allowing the third reaction to form the solid polymer at the first predetermined location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Mark NICHOLS, Christopher SEUBERT, Chelsea CATES, Kevin Richard John ELLWOOD