Patents by Inventor Robert C. Petroski

Robert C. Petroski 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: 9900668
    Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable storage mediums including computer-readable instructions and/or circuitry for control of transmission to a target device with communicating with one or more sensors in an ad-hoc sensor network may implement operations including, but not limited to: obtaining location data associated with a portion of a region including at least one sensor; wirelessly transmitting one or more sensor operation activation signals to one or more sensors; and powering one or more sensing operations of a sensor via the one or more sensor operation activation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Matthew G. Dyor, Peter N. Glaskowsky, Kimberly D. A. Hallman, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Michael F. Koenig, Robert W. Lord, Richard T. Lord, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Desney S. Tan, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180047228
    Abstract: An identification device includes, but is not limited to, a deformable substrate configured to conform to a skin surface of a body portion of a healthcare provider; a sensor assembly coupled to the deformable substrate, the sensor assembly including one or more identity sensors configured to generate one or more identity sense signals associated with at least one physical characteristic of the healthcare provider; circuitry configured to compare the one or more identity sense signals generated by the sensor assembly to reference data indicative of one or more physical characteristics associated with an identity; and a reporter configured to generate one or more communication signals associated with a comparison of the one or more identity sense signals generated by the sensor assembly to reference data indicative of one or more physical characteristics associated with an identity of at least one individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Gary L. McKnight, Robert C. Petroski, Elizabeth A. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20180045862
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems for tuning nanocube plasmonic resonators and methods for forming tunable plasmonic resonators. A tunable plasmonic resonator system can include a substrate and a nanostructure positioned on a surface of the substrate. The substrate can include a semiconductor material having a carrier density distribution. A junction can be formed between the nanostructure and the substrate forming a Schottky junction. Changing the carrier density distribution of the semiconductor material can change a plasmonic response of the plasmonic resonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Tom Driscoll, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, David R. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Nicholas W. Touran, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20180047234
    Abstract: A device embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a deformable substrate; a sensor assembly including one or more identity sensors configured to generate one or more identity sense signals associated with at least one physical characteristic of the individual subject; circuitry configured to compare the one or more identity sense signals generated by the sensor assembly to reference data indicative of one or more physical characteristics associated with an identity of at least one individual to determine whether the one or more identity signals correspond to the identity of the at least one individual; and a reporter configured to generate one or more communication signals associated with at least one of the one or more identity sense signals or a comparison of the one or more identity sense signals with the one or more physical characteristics associated with the identity of the at least one individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Gary L. McKnight, Robert C. Petroski, Elizabeth A. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20180046892
    Abstract: A device embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a deformable substrate; a sensor assembly including an identity sensor configured to generate identity sense signals associated with a physical characteristic of an individual subject; circuitry including an identity comparison module configured to compare the identity sense signals to reference data indicative of one or more physical characteristics associated with an identity of at least one individual to determine whether the identity sense signals correspond to the identity of the at least one individual, the circuitry including an authorization comparison module configured to compare at least one of the identity sense signals or the identity with one or more authorization parameters; and a reporter configured to generate one or more communication signals associated with a comparison of at least one of the identity sense signals with the authorization parameters or the identity with the one or more authorization parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Gary L. McKnight, Robert C. Petroski, Elizabeth A. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20180047235
    Abstract: An identification device includes, but is not limited to, a deformable substrate configured to conform to a skin surface of a body portion of a healthcare provider; a sensor assembly coupled to the deformable substrate, the sensor assembly including one or more identity sensors configured to generate one or more identity sense signals associated with at least one physical characteristic of an individual subject other than the healthcare provider; circuitry configured to compare the one or more identity sense signals generated by the sensor assembly to reference data indicative of one or more physical characteristics associated with an identity; and a reporter configured to generate one or more communication signals associated with a comparison of the one or more identity sense signals generated by the sensor assembly to reference data indicative of one or more physical characteristics associated with an identity of at least one individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Gary L. McKnight, Robert C. Petroski, Elizabeth A. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20180047229
    Abstract: An identification device includes, but is not limited to, a deformable substrate configured to conform to a skin surface of a body portion of an individual subject; a sensor assembly coupled to the deformable substrate, the sensor assembly including one or more identity sensors configured to generate one or more identity sense signals associated with at least one physical characteristic of the individual subject; circuitry configured to compare the one or more identity sense signals generated by the sensor assembly to reference data indicative of one or more physical characteristics associated with an identity; circuitry configured to compare at least one of the one or more identity sense signals or the identity with one or more authorization parameters; and a reporter operably coupled to the circuitry and configured to generate one or more communication signals associated with the comparison with the one or more authorization parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Gary L. McKnight, Robert C. Petroski, Elizabeth A. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 9893551
    Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable storage mediums including computer-readable instructions and/or circuitry for control of transmission to a target device with communicating with one or more sensors in an ad-hoc sensor network may implement operations including, but not limited to: receiving electrical power via at least one structurally integrated electrically conductive element; and powering one or more sensing operations of one or more sensors via the electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Matthew G. Dyor, Peter N. Glaskowsky, Kimberly D. A. Hallman, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Michael F. Koenig, Robert W. Lord, Richard T. Lord, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Desney S. Tan, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9878787
    Abstract: A system and method for repowering an unmanned aircraft system is disclosed. The system and method may comprise use of a utility transmission system configured to function as power system/source for UAV/aircraft and UAV/aircraft configured to interface with the power source/system. Systems and methods provide access and for administrating, managing, and monitoring access and interfacing by UAV/aircraft with the power system/source. UAV/aircraft system can be configured and operated/managed to interface with and use the power system/source (e.g. network of power lines from a utility transmission system) to enhance range and utility (e.g. for repowering and/or as a flyway or route). The system comprises an interface between the aircraft and the power source for power transfer; a monitoring system to monitor the aircraft; and an administrative/management system to manage interaction/transaction with the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Hon Wah Chin, William David Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9878786
    Abstract: A reconfigurable unmanned aircraft system is disclosed. A system and method for configuring a reconfigurable unmanned aircraft and system and method for operation and management of a reconfigurable unmanned aircraft in an airspace are also disclosed. The aircraft is selectively reconfigurable to modify flight characteristics. The aircraft comprises a set of rotors. The position of at least one rotor relative to the base can be modified by at least one of translation of the rotor relative to the boom, pivoting of the boom relative to the base, and translation of the boom relative to the base; so that flight characteristics can be modified by configuration of position of at least one rotor relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Hon Wah Chin, William David Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, TOny S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180011540
    Abstract: Described embodiments include a system and a method. A system includes a first ultrasound transmitter acoustically coupled to a conducting layer of a display surface and configured to deliver a first ultrasound wave to a selected delineated area. The first ultrasonic wave has parameters sufficient to induce a non-linear vibrational response in the conducting layer. A second ultrasound transmitter is acoustically coupled to the conducting layer and configured to deliver a second ultrasound wave to the selected delineated area. The second ultrasonic wave has parameters sufficient to induce a non-linear vibrational response in the conducting layer. A controller selects a delineated area in response to an indication of a touch to the display surface, and initiates delivery of the first and second ultrasonic waves. A convergence of the first and second ultrasonic waves at the selected delineated area produces a stress pattern perceivable or discernible by the human appendage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, William Gates, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9864842
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include systems, methods, and devices for automated delivery of medical services and products. In certain embodiments, the systems and/or methods are at least partially controlled by a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Gary L. McKnight, Robert C. Petroski
  • Publication number: 20170372697
    Abstract: A sound processing system includes a sound input device for providing a sound input, a sound output device for providing a sound output, and processing electronics including a processor and a memory, wherein the processing electronics is configured to receive a target sound input identifying a target sound, receive a rule input establishing a sound processing rule that references the target sound, receive a sound input from the sound input device, analyze the sound input for the target sound, process the sound input according to the sound processing rule in view of the analysis of the sound input, and provide a processed sound output to the sound output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Eric D. Rudder, Desney S. Tan, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Andrew Wilson, Jeannette M. Wing, Lowell L. Wood,, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20170371038
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods associated with determining velocity and/or acceleration information using ultrasound. A system may include one or more ultrasonic transmitters and/or receivers. An ultrasonic transmitter may be configured to transmit ultrasound into a region bounded by one or more surfaces. The ultrasonic receiver may detect a Doppler shift of reflected ultrasound to determine an acceleration and/or velocity associated with an object. The velocity and/or acceleration information may be utilized to modify the state of a gaming system, entertainment system, infotainment system, and/or other device. The velocity and/or acceleration date may be used in combination with a mapping or positioning system that generates positional data associated with the objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Eric D. Rudder, Desney S. Tan, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Andrew Wilson, Jeannette M. Wing, Lowell L. Wood, Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9844983
    Abstract: A vehicle tire pressure control system includes a road sensor configured to acquire road data regarding a road at an advanced location ahead of a current location of a vehicle; a pressure regulator configured to control the air pressure within a tire of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle; and a controller configured to control operation of the pressure regulator and vary the air pressure within the tire based on the road data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Geoffrey F. Deane, William D. Duncan, Philip A. Eckhoff, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20170345199
    Abstract: A method of determining a layout for a surface covering includes receiving, with a tool system, layout data that is based on data associated with a surface to be covered with a surface covering, and providing an indication of a pattern of a plurality of covering members included in the surface covering. The layout data provides an indication of a cutting pattern for the surface covering. The cutting pattern is determined based at least in part on a minimum number of surface covering members required for a selected design of the surface covering members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Roderick A. Hyde, Robert C. Petroski
  • Patent number: 9824382
    Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include acquiring user information associated with one or more users for use in generating one or more customized food items that are customized specifically for the one or more users, the user information to be acquired including at least one or more user preferences related to integrity of one or more food ingredients to be included in the one or more customized food items; and directing generation of the one or more customized food items for the one or more users, the one or more customized food items having been customized to show one or more visual indicators that provide customized information that has been customized in accordance, at least in part, with the acquired user information. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Elwha, LLC
    Inventors: Pablos Holman, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Max R. Levchin, Royce A. Levien, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9824845
    Abstract: A field emission device is configured as a heat engine, wherein the configuration of the heat engine is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Philip Andrew Eckhoff, William Gates, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood, Roderick A. Hyde
  • Publication number: 20170325533
    Abstract: An airbag inflation system includes a processing circuit configured to receive object data including positional data regarding an object and at least one of a relative velocity and a relative acceleration of the object relative to a first helmet and control operation of an inflation device to inflate an airbag based on the object data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Allen, Philip V. Bayly, David L. Brody, Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Richard G. Ellenbogen, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Raul Radovitzky, Anthony V. Smith, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Nicholas W. Touran, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20170323256
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be used to deliver a package. The UAV may include a communication interface configured to receive a request to transport a package from a customer and a navigation unit configured to direct the UAV to the package. The UAV may also include a sensor configured to determine one or more physical characteristics of the package and a calculation unit configured to calculate adjusted freight charges by comparing anticipated freight charges based on one or more physical characteristics of the package specified in the request to the one or more physical characteristics of the package determined by the sensor. The UAV may further include an acceptance unit configured to accept the package for transport based on the acceptance of the adjusted freight charges by the customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Hon Wah Chin, William David Duncan, JR., Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood