Patents by Inventor Robert A. Vaughan

Robert A. Vaughan 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: 11971168
    Abstract: An igniter device includes a holder for a piezo electric ignition source. A first end of the inner holder is coupled to a piezo electric ignition source including an actuator. A second end of the inner holder has a surface configured to receive a tip of an oxy fuel torch. An attachment structure releasably attaches the igniter device to a support member. The actuator is moveable from a relaxed state to a compressed state to activate the piezo electric ignition source to produce a spark for igniting the oxy fuel torch to produce a flame when the igniter device is attached to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: VAUGHAN IP PTY LTD
    Inventor: John Robert Vaughan
  • Patent number: 11937891
    Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes at least one eye tracking system positioned detect the direction of at least one user's gaze. Input derived from the eye tracking system may be used to enter commands to the surgical robotic system depending on the directions of the gaze detected or other aspects of the gaze such as pupil dilation or speed of eye movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Asensus Surgical US, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Andrew Hufford, Nicholas J Bender, Alexander John Maret, Matthew Robert Penny, Paul Wilhelm Schnur, Dustin Owen Vaughan, Sevan Abashian, Michael Okyen
  • Publication number: 20240068828
    Abstract: Systems and methods of determining vehicle travel routes taken by vehicles traveling between a plurality of starting and ending locations may: Identify as Trips pathways previously followed by the vehicles between various starting and ending locations; group into Groups of Trips those Trips having common pairs of starting and ending locations; separate into different Collections of Trips those Groups of Trips having Trips that followed different pathways between the common pairs of starting and ending locations; determine a Common Route for each Collection of Trips based on a number of times each road segment was traversed by the vehicles; form Current Routes by combining Common Routes having similar road segments; and select a Current Route between a defined starting location and a defined ending location, the Current Route representing the most commonly followed route previously taken by the vehicles between the defined starting and ending location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Mary Amelia Walker, Nicholas Hickson, Robert Catron, Brian Vaughan, Hung Jung Lu
  • Publication number: 20240060642
    Abstract: An igniter device comprising a holder for a piezo electric ignition source, the holder comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the inner holder is coupled to a piezo electric ignition source including an actuator, and the second end of the inner holder has a surface configured to receive a tip of an oxy fuel torch; and an attachment means to releasably attach the igniter device to a support member; wherein, the actuator is moveable from a relaxed state to a compressed state to thereby activate the piezo electric ignition source to produce a spark for igniting the oxy fuel torch to produce a flame when the igniter device is attached to the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Vaughan IP Pty Ltd
    Inventor: John Robert Vaughan
  • Publication number: 20230421247
    Abstract: A satellite system may have a constellation of communications satellites that provides services to users with electronic devices such as portable electronic devices and home and office equipment. A network operations center may use gateways to communicate with the satellite constellation. The satellite constellation may include sets of satellites with different orbits such as circular orbits with different inclinations, sets of satellites with elliptic orbits, sets of satellites with circular orbits of different altitudes including low earth orbits, medium earth orbits, and/or geosynchronous orbits, and/or sets of satellites with other orbits. The satellite orbits of the satellites in the satellite constellation may be selected to provide coverage to desired user population concentrations at different locations on the earth without using an excessive number of satellites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Vaughan, Greg Busche, Brett Poirier, Robert Hawkins
  • Patent number: 11799542
    Abstract: A satellite system may have a constellation of communications satellites that provides services to users with electronic devices such as portable electronic devices and home and office equipment. A network operations center may use gateways to communicate with the satellite constellation. The satellite constellation may include sets of satellites with different orbits such as circular orbits with different inclinations, sets of satellites with elliptic orbits, sets of satellites with circular orbits of different altitudes including low earth orbits, medium earth orbits, and/or geosynchronous orbits, and/or sets of satellites with other orbits. The satellite orbits of the satellites in the satellite constellation may be selected to provide coverage to desired user population concentrations at different locations on the earth without using an excessive number of satellites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Vaughan, Greg Busche, Brett Poirier, Robert Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20220094429
    Abstract: A satellite system may have a constellation of communications satellites that provides services to users with electronic devices such as portable electronic devices and home and office equipment. A network operations center may use gateways to communicate with the satellite constellation. The satellite constellation may include sets of satellites with different orbits such as circular orbits with different inclinations, sets of satellites with elliptic orbits, sets of satellites with circular orbits of different altitudes including low earth orbits, medium earth orbits, and/or geosynchronous orbits, and/or sets of satellites with other orbits. The satellite orbits of the satellites in the satellite constellation may be selected to provide coverage to desired user population concentrations at different locations on the earth without using an excessive number of satellites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Vaughan, Greg Busche, Brett Poirier, Robert Hawkins
  • Patent number: 11063660
    Abstract: A satellite system may have a constellation of communications satellites that provides services to users with electronic devices such as portable electronic devices and home and office equipment. A network operations center may use gateways to communicate with the satellite constellation. The satellite constellation may include sets of satellites with different orbits such as circular orbits with different inclinations, sets of satellites with elliptic orbits, sets of satellites with circular orbits of different altitudes including low earth orbits, medium earth orbits, and/or geosynchronous orbits, and/or sets of satellites with other orbits. The satellite orbits of the satellites in the satellite constellation may be selected to provide coverage to desired user population concentrations at different locations on the earth without using an excessive number of satellites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Vaughan, Greg Busche, Brett Poirier, Robert Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20210199293
    Abstract: An igniter device comprising a holder for a piezo electric ignition source, the holder comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the inner holder is coupled to a piezo electric ignition source including an actuator, and the second end of the inner holder has a surface configured to receive a tip of an oxy fuel torch; and an attachment means to releasably attach the igniter device to a support member; wherein, the actuator is moveable from a relaxed state to a compressed state to thereby activate the piezo electric ignition source to produce a spark for igniting the oxy fuel torch to produce a flame when the igniter device is attached to the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventor: John Robert Vaughan
  • Patent number: 11045341
    Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating and securing tissue are described herein. In creating tissue folds within the body of a patient, a tissue manipulation assembly may generally have an elongate tubular member, an engagement member slidably disposed through the tubular member and a distal end adapted to engage tissue via a helical member, tissue stabilizing members positioned at the tubular member distal end which are adapted to stabilize tissue therebetween, and a delivery tube pivotable about the tissue stabilizer. The stabilizing members can be adapted to become angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate tubular member. Moreover, one or all the articulation controls and functions can be integrated into a singular handle assembly connectable to the tissue manipulation assembly via a rigid or flexible tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: USGI MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Vahid Saadat, Richard C. Ewers, Cang C. Lam, Robert A. Vaughan, Chris Rothe, Kenneth H. Michlitsch
  • Publication number: 20210086917
    Abstract: A satellite system may have a constellation of communications satellites that provides services to users with electronic devices such as portable electronic devices and home/office equipment. A network operations center may use gateways to communicate with the satellite constellation. The satellite constellation may include sets of satellites with different orbits such as circular orbits with different inclinations, sets of satellites with elliptic orbits, sets of satellites with circular orbits of different altitudes including low earth orbits, medium earth orbits, and/or geosynchronous orbits, sets of satellites with sun synchronous orbits, and/or sets of satellites with other orbits. The orbits of the satellites in the constellation may be selected to provide coverage to desired user population concentrations at different locations on the Earth, while reducing the amount of capacity that goes unused (e.g., is idle) at one or more times of day.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Vaughan, James Scott, Ryan Reid, Robert Hawkins, John Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10900889
    Abstract: Method and systems for assessing the authenticity of a candidate product compare molecular sensor generated spectrum data for the candidate product with spectrum data for the identified product. A method includes receiving data identifying a product and spectrum data generated by scanning the one or more locations of the candidate product with a molecular sensor that emits electromagnetic radiation onto the candidate product and includes a spectrometer to generate the received spectrum data for resulting electromagnetic radiation reflections from the candidate product. The received spectrum data is compared with spectrum data for the identified product. The candidate product is classified as authenticated or non-authenticated based on the results of the comparison between the received spectrum data for the candidate product and the spectrum data for the identified product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Vaughan Williams, Cynthia Wilson Williams, Abhishek Ojha, Neil Scott Ackerman, Rotem Hershko
  • Patent number: 10807740
    Abstract: A satellite system may have a constellation of communications satellites that provides services to users with electronic devices such as portable electronic devices and home/office equipment. A network operations center may use gateways to communicate with the satellite constellation. The satellite constellation may include sets of satellites with different orbits such as circular orbits with different inclinations, sets of satellites with elliptic orbits, sets of satellites with circular orbits of different altitudes including low earth orbits, medium earth orbits, and/or geosynchronous orbits, sets of satellites with sun synchronous orbits, and/or sets of satellites with other orbits. The orbits of the satellites in the constellation may be selected to provide coverage to desired user population concentrations at different locations on the Earth, while reducing the amount of capacity that goes unused (e.g., is idle) at one or more times of day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Vaughan, James Scott, Ryan Reid, Robert Hawkins, John Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20200304202
    Abstract: A satellite system may have a constellation of communications satellites that provides services to users with electronic devices such as portable electronic devices and home and office equipment. A network operations center may use gateways to communicate with the satellite constellation. The satellite constellation may include sets of satellites with different orbits such as circular orbits with different inclinations, sets of satellites with elliptic orbits, sets of satellites with circular orbits of different altitudes including low earth orbits, medium earth orbits, and/or geosynchronous orbits, and/or sets of satellites with other orbits. The satellite orbits of the satellites in the satellite constellation may be selected to provide coverage to desired user population concentrations at different locations on the earth without using an excessive number of satellites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Vaughan, Greg Busche, Brett Poirier, Robert Hawkins
  • Patent number: 10707953
    Abstract: A satellite system may have a constellation of communications satellites that provides services to users with electronic devices such as portable electronic devices and home and office equipment. A network operations center may use gateways to communicate with the satellite constellation. The satellite constellation may include sets of satellites with different orbits such as circular orbits with different inclinations, sets of satellites with elliptic orbits, sets of satellites with circular orbits of different altitudes including low earth orbits, medium earth orbits, and/or geosynchronous orbits, and/or sets of satellites with other orbits. The satellite orbits of the satellites in the satellite constellation may be selected to provide coverage to desired user population concentrations at different locations on the earth without using an excessive number of satellites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Vaughan, Greg Busche, Brett Poirier, Robert Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20190341998
    Abstract: A satellite system may have a constellation of communications satellites that provides services to users with electronic devices such as portable electronic devices and home and office equipment. A network operations center may use gateways to communicate with the satellite constellation. The satellite constellation may include sets of satellites with different orbits such as circular orbits with different inclinations, sets of satellites with elliptic orbits, sets of satellites with circular orbits of different altitudes including low earth orbits, medium earth orbits, and/or geosynchronous orbits, and/or sets of satellites with other orbits. The satellite orbits of the satellites in the satellite constellation may be selected to provide coverage to desired user population concentrations at different locations on the earth without using an excessive number of satellites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Vaughan, Greg Busche, Brett Poirier, Robert Hawkins
  • Patent number: 10361773
    Abstract: A satellite system may have a constellation of communications satellites that provides services to users with electronic devices such as portable electronic devices and home and office equipment. A network operations center may use gateways to communicate with the satellite constellation. The satellite constellation may include sets of satellites with different orbits such as circular orbits with different inclinations, sets of satellites with elliptic orbits, sets of satellites with circular orbits of different altitudes including low earth orbits, medium earth orbits, and/or geosynchronous orbits, and/or sets of satellites with other orbits. The satellite orbits of the satellites in the satellite constellation may be selected to provide coverage to desired user population concentrations at different locations on the earth without using an excessive number of satellites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Vaughan, Greg Busche, Brett Poirier, Robert Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20190083318
    Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and kits for treating the tissue structures of the ear make use of a guide structure that can mechanically register a treatment probe with a target region of a target tissue, the guide structure being fittingly received in an auditory canal and often comprising a conformable body such as a compressible foam, or the like. The guide structure may include an articulating mechanism for selectively orienting the treatment probe toward the target region of, for example, a tympanic membrane. The guide structure may also support a videoscopic image capture device, illumination transmitting optical fibers, an aiming beam transmitter, and the like. Such structures facilitate myringotomy, tympanostomy tube placement, and the like, under local anesthesia in a doctor's office.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: Tusker Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron V. KAPLAN, Joseph TARTAGLIA, Robert VAUGHAN, Christopher JONES
  • Patent number: 10231533
    Abstract: A wearable container or pack that is quickly convertible into front and rear body armor without removing the pack from the torso of the wearer. The container or pack may include a bag that may be easily separated from the container or pack, and quickly dropped from the container or pack, providing supplies for another person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Vaughan, Dennis O'Connor, Brian Naillon, Von Bolin, Wallace Lau
  • Publication number: 20180344501
    Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating and securing tissue are described herein. In creating tissue folds within the body of a patient, a tissue manipulation assembly may generally have an elongate tubular member, an engagement member slidably disposed through the tubular member and a distal end adapted to engage tissue via a helical member, tissue stabilizing members positioned at the tubular member distal end which are adapted to stabilize tissue therebetween, and a delivery tube pivotable about the tissue stabilizer. The stabilizing members can be adapted to become angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate tubular member. Moreover, one or all the articulation controls and functions can be integrated into a singular handle assembly connectable to the tissue manipulation assembly via a rigid or flexible tubular body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Vahid Saadat, Richard C. Ewers, Cang C. Lam, Robert A. Vaughan, Chris Rothe, Kenneth H. Michlitsch