Patents by Inventor Nicholas Fraser

Nicholas Fraser 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: 11934932
    Abstract: Examples herein propose operating redundant ML models which have been trained using a boosting technique that considers hardware faults. The embodiments herein describe performing an evaluation process where the performance of a first ML model is measured in the presence of a hardware fault. The errors introduced by the hardware fault can then be used to train a second ML model. In one embodiment, a second evaluation process is performed where the combined performance of both the first and second trained ML models is measured in the presence of a hardware fault. The resulting errors can then be used when training a third ML model. In this manner, the three trained ML models are trained to be error aware. As a result, during operation, if a hardware fault occurs, the three ML models have better performance relative to three ML models that where not trained to be error aware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Giulio Gambardella, Nicholas Fraser, Ussama Zahid, Michaela Blott, Kornelis A. Vissers
  • Patent number: 11615300
    Abstract: A neural network system includes an input layer, one or more hidden layers, and an output layer. A first layer circuit implements a first layer of the one or more hidden layers. The first layer includes a first weight space including one or more subgroups. A forward path circuit of the first layer circuit includes a multiply and accumulate circuit to receive an input from a layer preceding the first layer; and provide a first subgroup weighted sum using the input and a first plurality weights associated with a first subgroup. A scaling coefficient circuit provides a first scaling coefficient associated with the first subgroup, and applies the first scaling coefficient to the first subgroup weighted sum to generate a first subgroup scaled weighted sum. An activation circuit generates an activation based on the first subgroup scaled weighted sum and provide the activation to a layer following the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Julian Faraone, Michaela Blott, Nicholas Fraser
  • Patent number: 11274955
    Abstract: A sensor device includes a signal transmitting component configured to transmit a signal into a container engaged by the sensor device, wherein a frequency of the signal is selected to allow the signal to at least in part pass through a content fouling at least a portion of the signal transmitting component. The sensor device includes a processor configured to process a received reflected version of the transmitted signal to determine an identifier associated with an amount of content in the container engaged by the sensor device. The sensor device includes a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the identifier associated with the amount of content in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Nectar, Inc.
    Inventors: Prabhanjan C. Gurumohan, Samuel Bae, Nicholas Fraser, Krishna Gadiyaram, Aayush Phumbhra
  • Publication number: 20200401882
    Abstract: An example method of training a neural network includes defining hardware building blocks (HBBs), neuron equivalents (NEQs), and conversion procedures from NEQs to HBBs; defining the neural network using the NEQs in a machine learning framework; training the neural network on a training platform; and converting the neural network as trained into a netlist of HBBs using the conversion procedures to convert the NEQs in the neural network to the HBBs of the netlist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Yaman Umuroglu, Nicholas Fraser, Michaela Blott, Kristof Denolf, Kornelis A. Vissers
  • Patent number: 10839286
    Abstract: A neural network system includes an input layer, one or more hidden layers, and an output layer. The input layer receives a training set including a sequence of batches and provides to its following layer output activations associated with the sequence of batches respectively. A first hidden layer receives, from its preceding layer, a first input activation associated with a first batch, receive a first input gradient associated with a second batch preceding the first batch, and provide, to its following layer a first output activation associated with the first batch based on the first input activation and first input gradient. The first and second batches have a delay factor associated with at least two batches. The output layer receives, from its preceding layer, a second input activation, and provide, to its preceding layer, a first output gradient based on the second input activation and the first training set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Fraser, Michaela Blott
  • Publication number: 20200249066
    Abstract: A device includes a coupling component configured to be coupled to a moveable component of a content dispensing mechanism. The device includes a sensor configured to detect movement of the content dispensing mechanism. The device includes a processor configured to, based at least in part on the detected movement of the content dispensing mechanism, determine one or more values corresponding to an amount of content dispensed by the content dispensing mechanism. The device includes a wireless signal transmitter configured to report the one or more values corresponding to the amount of content dispensed by the content dispensing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Prabhanjan C. Gurumohan, Aayush Phumbhra, Samuel Bae, Nicholas Fraser, Sheshagiri Shenoy, Cedric Lecroc
  • Publication number: 20200104715
    Abstract: An example method of implementing a neural network includes selecting a first neural network architecture from a search space and training the neural network having the first neural network architecture to obtain an accuracy and an implementation cost. The implementation cost is based on a programmable device of an inference platform. The method further includes selecting a second neural network architecture from the search space based on the accuracy and the implementation cost, and outputting weights and hyperparameters for the neural network having the second neural network architecture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristof Denolf, Nicholas Fraser, Kornelis A. Vissers, Giulio Gambardella
  • Publication number: 20200003602
    Abstract: A sensor device includes a signal transmitting component configured to transmit a signal into a container engaged by the sensor device, wherein a frequency of the signal is selected to allow the signal to at least in part pass through a content fouling at least a portion of the signal transmitting component. The sensor device includes a processor configured to process a received reflected version of the transmitted signal to determine an identifier associated with an amount of content in the container engaged by the sensor device. The sensor device includes a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the identifier associated with the amount of content in the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Prabhanjan C. Gurumohan, Samuel Bae, Nicholas Fraser, Krishna Gadiyaram, Aayush Phumbhra
  • Publication number: 20190080223
    Abstract: A neural network system includes an input layer, one or more hidden layers, and an output layer. The input layer receives a training set including a sequence of batches and provides to its following layer output activations associated with the sequence of batches respectively. A first hidden layer receives, from its preceding layer, a first input activation associated with a first batch, receive a first input gradient associated with a second batch preceding the first batch, and provide, to its following layer a first output activation associated with the first batch based on the first input activation and first input gradient. The first and second batches have a delay factor associated with at least two batches. The output layer receives, from its preceding layer, a second input activation, and provide, to its preceding layer, a first output gradient based on the second input activation and the first training set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Fraser, Michaela Blott
  • Patent number: 10222755
    Abstract: A device includes a case having a case sidewall defining a circular receiver having a receiving opening and a central axis. A device body, which is waterproof in one or more applications, includes a sidewall defining a receiving aperture. A crown stem includes a push button disposed within a duct of a threaded bushing and one or more O-rings disposed about the actuation stem to allow translation of the actuation stem in the duct while preventing liquids from passing through the duct. The crown stem inserts through the aperture in the case so that the threaded bushing can hermetically seal the receiving aperture when the device body is inserted into the circular receiver to prevent the liquids from entering the receiving aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Brett A Coakley, Steve C Emmert, Nicholas A Fraser, Thomas Gitzinger
  • Publication number: 20180328776
    Abstract: A sensor device includes a transmitter located in a container cover that is configured to engage an opening of a container. The sensor device includes a propagation chamber with a first opening configured to receive a signal emitted by the transmitter and guide the signal out of the propagation chamber via a second opening. Cross-sections of the propagation chamber vary along at least a portion of a length of the propagation chamber and the propagation chamber includes one or more transitions where a rate of change of a property of the propagation chamber changes. The sensor device includes a signal processor included in the container cover and configured to use data associated with a reflection of the emitted signal to determine an identifier of a content fill level of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Prabhanjan C. Gurumohan, Samuel Bae, Krishna Gadiyaram, Nicholas Fraser
  • Patent number: 9703272
    Abstract: A wearable apparatus can include a transceiver. The apparatus can include an electrically conductive housing, the transceiver carried in the housing, the housing including at least a first wearable apparatus carrier device connection area. The apparatus can include a radiating element, the radiating element connected to the housing, the radiating element coupled to a feed point that is coupled to the transceiver, and the radiating element configured to radiate radio frequency signals. The apparatus can include a current isolation element. The apparatus can include an electrically conductive wearable apparatus carrier device coupled to the electrically conductive housing via the current isolation element, where the current isolation element provides electrical isolation between the electrically conductive wearable apparatus carrier device and the electrically conductive housing and/or the radiating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Fraser, Thomas E. Gitzinger, Dickon Isaacs, Michael F. Paradise, Michael E. Russell
  • Publication number: 20160313701
    Abstract: A device includes a case having a case sidewall defining a circular receiver having a receiving opening and a central axis. A device body, which is waterproof in one or more applications, includes a sidewall defining a receiving aperture. A crown stem includes a push button disposed within a duct of a threaded bushing and one or more O-rings disposed about the actuation stem to allow translation of the actuation stem in the duct while preventing liquids from passing through the duct. The crown stem inserts through the aperture in the case so that the threaded bushing can hermetically seal the receiving aperture when the device body is inserted into the circular receiver to prevent the liquids from entering the receiving aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Brett A Coakley, Steve C. Emmert, Nicholas A. Fraser, Thomas Gitzinger
  • Publication number: 20160313700
    Abstract: A device includes a case comprising a case sidewall defining a circular receiver having a receiving opening and a central axis. An inner wall of the case defines one or more engagement members. A device body includes a sidewall defining a receiving aperture. The device body inserts into the circular receiver along the central axis at a first rotational alignment. A bezel is coupled to the device body, and couples to the case at the receiving opening. The bezel includes an annular engagement ring defining one or more complementary engagement features to engage the one or more engagement members. A crown stem serves as an axial retention device to retain the device body in the second rotational alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Fraser, Kent Allen Campbell, Brett A. Coakley, Eric J. Dayringer, Steve C. Emmert, Thomas Gitzinger, Michael L. Neau
  • Patent number: 9436163
    Abstract: Disclosed are removable “locking pins” that hold the front and rear housings of a wearable device together. These pins fit into receiving channels in the walls of the housings. Unlike screws or other fasteners, these pins do not take up space needed for internal components of the device. Unlike snaps, the pins are usable with housings that are very rigid (e.g., metal or ceramic). In some embodiments, the pins are entirely hidden from view, and thus they do not detract from the appearance of the device. Also in some embodiments, the pins fit entirely outside of a water seal for the device, thus reducing cost and assembly complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Steve C. Emmert, Paul L. Fordham, Nicholas A. Fraser
  • Patent number: 9348322
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a wrist worn device configured to be worn on a wrist of a user. The apparatus can include a controller. The apparatus can include a power supply. The apparatus can include a light emitter that can emit light from a user side of the wrist worn device to a wrist of the user. The apparatus can include a light detector that can detect light reflected from the wrist of the user from the first light emitter and can send a detector signal to the controller. The detector signal can be based on the detected light. The apparatus can include a lens coupled to a user side of the wrist worn device external to the light emitter and light detector. The lens can include an opaque section. The lens can also include light transmissive section that transmits light from the light emitter to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Fraser, Chad E. Davis, Thomas E. Gitzinger, Dickon Isaacs, Mitul R. Patel
  • Publication number: 20150378321
    Abstract: A wearable apparatus can include a transceiver. The apparatus can include an electrically conductive housing, the transceiver carried in the housing, the housing including at least a first wearable apparatus carrier device connection area. The apparatus can include a radiating element, the radiating element connected to the housing, the radiating element coupled to a feed point that is coupled to the transceiver, and the radiating element configured to radiate radio frequency signals. The apparatus can include a current isolation element. The apparatus can include an electrically conductive wearable apparatus carrier device coupled to the electrically conductive housing via the current isolation element, where the current isolation element provides electrical isolation between the electrically conductive wearable apparatus carrier device and the electrically conductive housing and/or the radiating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Fraser, Thomas E. Gitzinger, Dickon Isaacs, Michael F. Paradise, Michael E. Russell
  • Publication number: 20150370224
    Abstract: Disclosed are removable “locking pins” that hold the front and rear housings of a wearable device together. These pins fit into receiving channels in the walls of the housings. Unlike screws or other fasteners, these pins do not take up space needed for internal components of the device. Unlike snaps, the pins are usable with housings that are very rigid (e.g., metal or ceramic). In some embodiments, the pins are entirely hidden from view, and thus they do not detract from the appearance of the device. Also in some embodiments, the pins fit entirely outside of a water seal for the device, thus reducing cost and assembly complexity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Steve C. Emmert, Paul L. Fordham, Nicholas A. Fraser
  • Publication number: 20150355604
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a wrist worn device configured to be worn on a wrist of a user. The apparatus can include a controller. The apparatus can include a power supply. The apparatus can include a light emitter that can emit light from a user side of the wrist worn device to a wrist of the user. The apparatus can include a light detector that can detect light reflected from the wrist of the user from the first light emitter and can send a detector signal to the controller. The detector signal can be based on the detected light. The apparatus can include a lens coupled to a user side of the wrist worn device external to the light emitter and light detector. The lens can include an opaque section. The lens can also include light transmissive section that transmits light from the light emitter to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Fraser, Chad E. Davis, Thomas E. Gitzinger, Dickon Isaacs, Mitul R. Patel
  • Patent number: D736664
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Michael F Paradise, Nicholas A Fraser, Dickon Isaacs