Patents by Inventor N. Reginald Beer

N. Reginald Beer 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: 11927972
    Abstract: A system for determining a travel direction that avoids objects when a vehicle travels from a current location to a target location is provided. The system determines a travel direction based on an attract-repel model. The system accesses external object information provided by an external object system. The external object information may include, for each of a plurality of objects, location, type, and constraint. The system assigns a repel value to the location of each object based on the type of and constraint on the object. The system assigns an attractive value to the target location. The system calculates a cumulative force based on the attractive and repulsive forces and sets the travel direction based on the cumulative force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: N. Reginald Beer, Jacob Trueblood, Brian Matthew Wihl
  • Publication number: 20240053328
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a planar device for performing multiple biochemical assays at the same time, or nearly the same time. Each assay may include a biosample including a biochemical, enzyme, DNA, and/or any other biochemical or biological sample. Each assay may include one or more tags including dyes and/or other chemicals/reagents whose optical characteristics change based on chemical characteristics of the biological sample being tested. Each assay may be optically pumped to cause one or more of luminescence, phosphorescence, or fluorescence of the assay that may be detected by one or more optical detectors. For example, an assay may include two tags and a biosample. Each tag may be pumped by different wavelengths of light and may produce different wavelengths of light that is filtered and detected by one or more detectors. The pump wavelengths may be different from one another and different from the produced wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: N. Reginald Beer, Steven W. Bond
  • Patent number: 11806719
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for implementing a portable lab system for PCR testing. An example method for operating an integrated thermal cycling system includes depositing samples into the integrated thermal cycling system that includes a thermal cycling device and an electronic interface. The thermal cycling device includes multiple wells to receive the samples to be thermally cycled, a thermoelectric cooling (TEC) element connected to the multiple wells, a substrate on which the TEC element is positioned, and a controller coupled to the TEC element. The multiple wells are positioned within the substrate that includes a thermally conductive ground positioned between adjacent wells. Supplying power to the integrated thermal cycling system, via the electronic interface, allows the multiple wells to exchange heat with the substrate and for each well to operate independently from other wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: N. Reginald Beer, Gary Johnson
  • Patent number: 11796533
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a planar device for performing multiple biochemical assays at the same time, or nearly the same time. Each assay may include a biosample including a biochemical, enzyme, DNA, and/or any other biochemical or biological sample. Each assay may include one or more tags including dyes and/or other chemicals/reagents whose optical characteristics change based on chemical characteristics of the biological sample being tested. Each assay may be optically pumped to cause one or more of luminescence, phosphorescence, or fluorescence of the assay that may be detected by one or more optical detectors. For example, an assay may include two tags and a biosample. Each tag may be pumped by different wavelengths of light and may produce different wavelengths of light that is filtered and detected by one or more detectors. The pump wavelengths may be different from one another and different from the produced wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventors: N. Reginald Beer, Steven W. Bond
  • Publication number: 20230286158
    Abstract: A system for generating a machine learning system to generate guidance information based on locations of objects is provided. The system accesses training data that includes training time-of-arrival (“TOA”) information of looks and guidance information for each look. The guidance information is based on a training collection of object locations. The TOA of a look represents, for each object location of a training collection of object locations, times between signals transmitted by transmitters and return signals received by receivers. The return signals represent signals reflected from an object at the object location. The system trains a machine learning system using the training data wherein the machine learning system inputs TOA information and outputs guidance information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: N. Reginald Beer, David H. Chambers, Jeffrey Edward Mast
  • Publication number: 20230204756
    Abstract: A GPR system the implements a modified multistatic mode of operation is provided. The GPR is suitable for mounting on an unmanned aerial vehicle. The GPR system has radar transceivers. The GPR system transmits transmit signal serially via the transceivers. For each transceiver that transmits a transmit signal, the GPR system receives a return signal acquired by each transceiver except for a return signal for the transceiver that transmits the transmit signal. The GPR system outputs of matrix of return signals that includes a null value for the return signals of the transceivers that transmit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: N. Reginald Beer, Steven Bond, Peter C. Haugen, Jacob Trueblood, Brian Matthew Wihl
  • Patent number: 11685050
    Abstract: A system for generating a machine learning system to generate guidance information based on locations of objects is provided. The system accesses training data that includes training time-of-arrival (“TOA”) information of looks and guidance information for each look. The guidance information is based on a training collection of object locations. The TOA of a look represents, for each object location of a training collection of object locations, times between signals transmitted by transmitters and return signals received by receivers. The return signals represent signals reflected from an object at the object location. The system trains a machine learning system using the training data wherein the machine learning system inputs TOA information and outputs guidance information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventors: N. Reginald Beer, David H. Chambers, Jeffrey Edward Mast
  • Publication number: 20230166265
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for implementing a portable lab system for PCR testing. An example method for operating an integrated thermal cycling system includes depositing samples into the integrated thermal cycling system that includes a thermal cycling device and an electronic interface. The thermal cycling device includes multiple wells to receive the samples to be thermally cycled, a thermoelectric cooling (TEC) element connected to the multiple wells, a substrate on which the TEC element is positioned, and a controller coupled to the TEC element. The multiple wells are positioned within the substrate that includes a thermally conductive ground positioned between adjacent wells. Supplying power to the integrated thermal cycling system, via the electronic interface, allows the multiple wells to exchange heat with the substrate and for each well to operate independently from other wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: N. Reginald BEER, Gary JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 11614534
    Abstract: A GPR system the implements a modified multistatic mode of operation is provided. The GPR is suitable for mounting on an unmanned aerial vehicle. The GPR system has radar transceivers. The GPR system transmits transmit signal serially via the transceivers. For each transceiver that transmits a transmit signal, the GPR system receives a return signal acquired by each transceiver except for a return signal for the transceiver that transmits the transmit signal. The GPR system outputs of matrix of return signals that includes a null value for the return signals of the transceivers that transmit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: N. Reginald Beer, Steven Bond, Peter C. Haugen, Jacob Trueblood, Brian Matthew Wihl
  • Publication number: 20230054822
    Abstract: A GPR system the implements a modified multistatic mode of operation is provided. The GPR is suitable for mounting on an unmanned aerial vehicle. The GPR system has radar transceivers. The GPR system transmits transmit signal serially via the transceivers. For each transceiver that transmits a transmit signal, the GPR system receives a return signal acquired by each transceiver except for a return signal for the transceiver that transmits the transmit signal. The GPR system outputs of matrix of return signals that includes a null value for the return signals of the transceivers that transmit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: N. Reginald Beer, Steven Bond, Peter C. Haugen, Jacob Trueblood, Brian Matthew Wihl
  • Patent number: 11573575
    Abstract: A system for determining a travel direction that avoids objects when a vehicle travels from a current location to a target location is provided. The system determines a travel direction based on an attract-repel model. The system assigns a repel value to the object locations and an attract value. A repel represents a magnitude of a directional repulsive force, and the attract value represents the magnitude of a directional repulsive force. The system calculates an attract-repel field having an attract-repel magnitude and attract-repel direction for the current location based on the repel values and their directions and the attract value and its direction. The system then determines the travel direction for a vehicle to be the direction of the attract-repel field at the current location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Paglieroni, N. Reginald Beer, David Chambers
  • Publication number: 20230021292
    Abstract: Devices, techniques, and processes are disclosed that use electrical impedance to detect of the presence and contents of droplets including cells, nucleic acids, proteins, or solute concentrations in an array of retrievable, trackable, trapped droplets in a fluidic system. Electrodes may be positioned underneath individual droplet traps in a microchannel to assay droplet contents and/or actuating droplets for the release of the droplets from corresponding traps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Nicholas Watkins, N. Reginald Beer, Melinda Simon
  • Patent number: 11440015
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for implementing a portable lab system for PCR testing. The portable lab system comprises a thermal cycling device including a first well and a second well to receive samples to be thermally cycled, a thermoelectric cooling (TEC) element coupled to the first well and the second well, and a controller to control operation of the TEC element. The portable lab system further includes an electronic interface including a power interface to supply power to the TEC element and the controller of the thermal cycling device to allow the TEC element to transfer energy from the first well to the second well when current flows through the TEC element in a first direction, and from the second well to the first well when current flows through the TEC element in a second direction, and a data interface to collect data from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventor: N. Reginald Beer
  • Patent number: 11440007
    Abstract: Devices, techniques, and processes are disclosed that use electrical impedance to detect of the presence and contents of droplets including cells, nucleic acids, proteins, or solute concentrations in an array of retrievable, trackable, trapped droplets in a fluidic system. Electrodes may be positioned underneath individual droplet traps in a microchannel to assay droplet contents and/or actuating droplets for the release of the droplets from corresponding traps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Watkins, N. Reginald Beer, Melinda Simon
  • Publication number: 20220163980
    Abstract: A system for determining a travel direction that avoids objects when a vehicle travels from a current location to a target location is provided. The system determines a travel direction based on an attract-repel model. The system accesses external object information provided by an external object system. The external object information may include, for each of a plurality of objects, location, type, and constraint. The system assigns a repel value to the location of each object based on the type of and constraint on the object. The system assigns an attractive value to the target location. The system calculates a cumulative force based on the attractive and repulsive forces and sets the travel direction based on the cumulative force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: N. Reginald Beer, Jacob Trueblood, Brian Matthew Wihl
  • Publication number: 20220074926
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a planar device for performing multiple biochemical assays at the same time, or nearly the same time. Each assay may include a biosample including a biochemical, enzyme, DNA, and/or any other biochemical or biological sample. Each assay may include one or more tags including dyes and/or other chemicals/reagents whose optical characteristics change based on chemical characteristics of the biological sample being tested. Each assay may be optically pumped to cause one or more of luminescence, phosphorescence, or fluorescence of the assay that may be detected by one or more optical detectors. For example, an assay may include two tags and a biosample. Each tag may be pumped by different wavelengths of light and may produce different wavelengths of light that is filtered and detected by one or more detectors. The pump wavelengths may be different from one another and different from the produced wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: N. Reginald Beer, Steven W. Bond
  • Patent number: 11209423
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a planar device for performing multiple biochemical assays at the same time, or nearly the same time. Each assay may include a biosample including a biochemical, enzyme, DNA, and/or any other biochemical or biological sample. Each assay may include one or more tags including dyes and/or other chemicals/reagents whose optical characteristics change based on chemical characteristics of the biological sample being tested. Each assay may be optically pumped to cause one or more of luminescence, phosphorescence, or fluorescence of the assay that may be detected by one or more optical detectors. For example, an assay may include two tags and a biosample. Each tag may be pumped by different wavelengths of light and may produce different wavelengths of light that is filtered and detected by one or more detectors. The pump wavelengths may be different from one another and different from the produced wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: N. Reginald Beer, Steven W. Bond
  • Publication number: 20210157337
    Abstract: A system for generating a machine learning system to generate guidance information based on locations of objects is provided. The system accesses training data that includes training time-of-arrival (“TOA”) information of looks and guidance information for each look. The guidance information is based on a training collection of object locations. The TOA of a look represents, for each object location of a training collection of object locations, times between signals transmitted by transmitters and return signals received by receivers. The return signals represent signals reflected from an object at the object location. The system trains a machine learning system using the training data wherein the machine learning system inputs TOA information and outputs guidance information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: N. Reginald Beer, David H. Chambers, Jeffrey Edward Mast
  • Patent number: 10935635
    Abstract: A configuration system for identifying a target configuration of agents for acquiring data is provided. In some embodiments, the configuration system generates sample configurations, each of which has a location within the space for each agent. The configuration system selects as the target configuration a sample configuration that is suitable to acquire data. The configuration system selects the target configuration by, for at least one or more sample configurations, directing that the agents assume the sample configuration and then acquire data when in the sample configuration. The configuration system then stores, for each sample configuration, an indication of suitability for acquiring data based on the sample configuration. The configuration system selects a sample configuration that is deemed to be suitable as the target configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: N. Reginald Beer, David Chambers, Hema Chandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 10718004
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are described for implementing a droplet array for single-cell analysis. A method of conducting single-cell analysis comprises generating a plurality of droplets, wherein each of the plurality of droplets contains a core material surrounded by a protective shell; loading the plurality of droplets, via a carrying fluid, onto an array including a plurality of trap structures, wherein the plurality of droplets are held by the plurality of trap structures; selecting a target droplet, held by a trap structure, from the plurality of droplets; and releasing the target droplet from the trap structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Melinda Simon, N. Reginald Beer