Patents by Inventor Ryan Hickman

Ryan Hickman 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: 10134014
    Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively preventing hazardous or other situations in a robot-cloud interaction are provided. An example method includes receiving information associated with task logs for a plurality of robotic devices. The task logs may include information associated with tasks performed by the plurality of robotic devices. The method may also include a computing system determining information associated with hazardous situations based on the information associated with the task logs. For example, the hazardous situations may comprise situations associated with failures of one or more components of the plurality of robotic devices. According to the method, information associated with a contextual situation of a first robotic device may be determined, and when the information associated with the contextual situation is consistent with information associated with the one or more hazardous situations, an alert indicating a potential failure of the first robotic device may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: James J. Kuffner, Jr., Ryan Hickman
  • Patent number: 10097651
    Abstract: According to a general aspect, a method can include receiving a request, triggered via a consumer account, to access, using a social media application, a plurality of sharer content. The sharer content can be associated with a sharer account using the social media application. The method can include retrieving, in response to the request, a consumer value and a relationship value. The consumer value can represent an interaction with the social media application via the consumer account and the relationship value can characterize a relationship between a consumer identifier of the consumer account and a sharer identifier of the sharer account. The method can include selecting a subset of sharer content from the plurality of sharer content based on a combination of the consumer value and the relationship value, and can include defining a portion of a presentation customized for the consumer account using the selected subset of sharer content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Hickman
  • Publication number: 20180255893
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a carrying bag includes a carrying bag body formed by a security panel assembly comprising a cut-resistant fabric or mesh, with a strap channel having at least two spaced-apart reinforced channel openings; and a carrying strap comprising: first and second wire cables; a first flexible material having a first lateral region folded around the first wire cable to enclose the first wire cable and a second lateral region folded around the second wire cable to enclose the second wire cable; and a second flexible material arranged on or over a central region of the first flexible material. Representative embodiments may include a water-resistant pocket coupled to a protected seam and extending to an exterior of the carrying bag body; and a fastener to close the water-resistant pocket external to the carrying bag body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Donald E. Godshaw, Jason Michael Kramer, Bryce Ryan Hickman
  • Publication number: 20180146759
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a carrying bag includes a carrying bag body formed by a security panel assembly comprising a cut-resistant fabric or mesh, with a strap channel having at least two spaced-apart reinforced channel openings; and a carrying strap comprising: first and second wire cables; a first flexible material having a first lateral region folded around the first wire cable to enclose the first wire cable and a second lateral region folded around the second wire cable to enclose the second wire cable; and a second flexible material arranged on or over a central region of the first flexible material. Representative embodiments may include a water-resistant pocket coupled to a protected seam and extending to an exterior of the carrying bag body; and a fastener to close the water-resistant pocket external to the carrying bag body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Donald E. Godshaw, Jason Michael Kramer, Bryce Ryan Hickman
  • Publication number: 20180092445
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a carry (or carrying) bag is provided that includes an interior, substantially cut-resistant security panel assembly with a matrix of wires secured between or on one or more flexible material layers. Also in various embodiments, the security panel assembly may be positioned intermediate the bag outside wall and a lining of the bag, and in other embodiments, may also take the form of an expansion panel. Second or secondary locking fasteners are also provided to lock first or primary fasteners to or within the carrying bag, to provide security for compartments and pockets. A strap with one or more security cables, and various locking fasteners, may be attached to the carry bag. Methods for forming such security panel assemblies, expansion panels, and carrying straps are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Donald E. Godshaw, Du Hai, Bryce Ryan Hickman, Slobodan S. Zivanovic
  • Publication number: 20180085914
    Abstract: Methods and systems for allocating tasks to robotic devices are provided. An example method includes receiving information associated with task logs for a plurality of robotic devices and in a computing system configured to access a processor and memory, determining information associated with a health level for the plurality of robotic devices based on the information associated with the task logs. A health level for a given robotic device may be proportional to a current level of ability to perform a function, which may change over a lifespan of the given robotic device. Information associated with a plurality of tasks to be performed by one or more or the robotic devices may also be determined. The computing system may optimize an allocation of the plurality of tasks such that a high precision task may be allocated to a robotic device having a greater current health level than another robotic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: James J. Kuffner, JR., Ryan Hickman
  • Patent number: 9928487
    Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively preventing hazardous or other situations in a robot-cloud interaction are provided. An example method includes receiving information associated with task logs for a plurality of robotic devices. The task logs may include information associated with tasks performed by the plurality of robotic devices. The method may also include a computing system determining information associated with hazardous situations based on the information associated with the task logs. For example, the hazardous situations may comprise situations associated with failures of one or more components of the plurality of robotic devices. According to the method, information associated with a contextual situation of a first robotic device may be determined, and when the information associated with the contextual situation is consistent with information associated with the one or more hazardous situations, an alert indicating a potential failure of the first robotic device may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: James J. Kuffner, Jr., Ryan Hickman
  • Publication number: 20180070692
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a carry (or carrying) bag is provided that includes an interior, substantially cut-resistant security panel assembly with a matrix of wires secured between or on one or more flexible material layers. Also in various embodiments, the security panel assembly may be positioned intermediate the bag outside wall and a lining of the bag, and in other embodiments, may also take the form of an expansion panel. Second or secondary locking fasteners are also provided to lock first or primary fasteners to or within the carrying bag, to provide security for compartments and pockets. A strap with one or more security cables, and various locking fasteners, may be attached to the carry bag. Methods for forming such security panel assemblies, expansion panels, and carrying straps are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Donald E. Godshaw, Du Hai, Bryce Ryan Hickman, Slobodan S. Zivanovic
  • Patent number: 9895802
    Abstract: Methods and systems for robot cloud computing are described. Within examples, cloud-based computing generally refers to networked computer architectures in which application execution and storage may be divided, to some extent, between client and server devices. A robot may be any device that has a computing ability and interacts with its surroundings with an actuation capability (e.g., electromechanical capabilities). A client device may be configured as a robot including various sensors and devices in the forms of modules, and different modules may be added or removed from robot depending on requirements. In some example, a robot may be configured to receive a second device, such as mobile phone, that may be configured to function as an accessory or a “brain” of the robot. A robot may interact with the cloud to perform any number of actions, such as to share information with other cloud computing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Hickman, Anthony G. Francis, Thor Lewis
  • Publication number: 20180047275
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for monitoring environmental conditions in one or more environments. In one embodiment, the method includes maintaining a plurality of environmental-condition thresholds, each of which corresponds to an environmental condition and is predetermined based on data corresponding to the environmental condition that is received from a plurality of robots. The method further includes receiving from a first robot first data corresponding to a first environmental condition in a first environment. The method may still further include making a first comparison of the first data and a first environmental-condition threshold corresponding to the first environmental condition and, based on the first comparison, triggering a notification. Triggering the notification may comprise transmitting to the robot instructions to transmit the notification to at least one of a call center and a remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Arshan Poursohi, Ryan Hickman
  • Patent number: 9870435
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for determining and displaying a simulated deformation of a 3D object data model. In one aspect, a method is disclosed that includes causing a force to be applied to an object to cause a deformation of the object and causing a plurality of reference scans of the object to be captured. The method further includes, based on the plurality of reference scans, generating a 3D object data model representing the object and, further based on the plurality of reference scans, identifying a constraint point of the 3D object data model, where the constraint point represents a point of minimum deformation of the object. The method still further includes selecting a predefined deformation model, where the predefined deformation model defines a simulated deformation, and where the simulated deformation simulates at least a portion of the deformation of the object proximate to the point of minimum deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Hickman, Arshan Poursohi, Thor Lewis
  • Patent number: 9862089
    Abstract: Methods and systems for allocating tasks to robotic devices are provided. An example method includes receiving information associated with task logs for a plurality of robotic devices and in a computing system configured to access a processor and memory, determining information associated with a health level for the plurality of robotic devices based on the information associated with the task logs. A health level for a given robotic device may be proportional to a current level of ability to perform a function, which may change over a lifespan of the given robotic device. Information associated with a plurality of tasks to be performed by one or more or the robotic devices may also be determined. The computing system may optimize an allocation of the plurality of tasks such that a high precision task may be allocated to a robotic device having a greater current health level than another robotic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: X DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: James J. Kuffner, Jr., Ryan Hickman
  • Patent number: 9854890
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a carry (or carrying) bag is provided that includes an interior, substantially cut-resistant security panel assembly with a matrix of wires secured between or on one or more flexible material layers. Also in various embodiments, the security panel assembly may be positioned intermediate the bag outside wall and a lining of the bag, and in other embodiments, may also take the form of an expansion panel. Second or secondary locking fasteners are also provided to lock first or primary fasteners to or within the carrying bag, to provide security for compartments and pockets. A strap with one or more security cables, and various locking fasteners, may be attached to the carry bag. Methods for forming such security panel assemblies, expansion panels, and carrying straps are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Travel Caddy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Godshaw, Du Hai, Bryce Ryan Hickman, Slobodan S. Zivanovic
  • Patent number: 9854883
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a carry (or carrying) bag is provided that includes an interior, substantially cut-resistant security panel assembly with a matrix of wires secured between or on one or more flexible material layers. Also in various embodiments, the security panel assembly may be positioned intermediate the bag outside wall and a lining of the bag, and in other embodiments, may also take the form of an expansion panel. Second or secondary locking fasteners are also provided to lock first or primary fasteners to or within the carrying bag, to provide security for compartments and pockets. A strap with one or more security cables, and various locking fasteners, may be attached to the carry bag. Methods for forming such security panel assemblies, expansion panels, and carrying straps are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Travel Caddy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Godshaw, Du Hai, Bryce Ryan Hickman, Slobodan S. Zivanovic
  • Publication number: 20170357953
    Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively preventing hazardous or other situations in a robot-cloud interaction are provided. An example method includes receiving information associated with task logs for a plurality of robotic devices. The task logs may include information associated with tasks performed by the plurality of robotic devices. The method may also include a computing system determining information associated with hazardous situations based on the information associated with the task logs. For example, the hazardous situations may comprise situations associated with failures of one or more components of the plurality of robotic devices. According to the method, information associated with a contextual situation of a first robotic device may be determined, and when the information associated with the contextual situation is consistent with information associated with the one or more hazardous situations, an alert indicating a potential failure of the first robotic device may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: James J. Kuffner, JR., Ryan Hickman
  • Publication number: 20170358142
    Abstract: An electronic device includes at least one sensor, a display, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a dimension of a physical object along an axis based on a change in position of the electronic device when the electronic device is moved from a first end of the physical object along the axis to a second end of the physical object along the axis. A method includes capturing and displaying imagery of a physical object at an electronic device, and receiving user input identifying at least two points of the physical object in the displayed imagery. The method further includes determining, at the electronic device, at least one dimensional aspect of the physical object based on the at least two points of the physical object using a three-dimensional mapping of the physical object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Johnny Chung Lee, Joel Hesch, Ryan Hickman, Patrick Mihelich, James Fung
  • Patent number: 9836483
    Abstract: Methods and systems for comparing a 3D model of a target object to a shape-search database are provided. An example method includes using a mobile device to acquire a plurality of images of a target object, determining a 3D model based on the images, transmitting a search query that includes the 3D model, and receiving a search query result. In another example method, a server could receive a search query that includes a 3D model of an object, compare the 3D model to a shape-search database, generate a search query result based on the comparison, and transmit the search query result. The search query result could include one or more of: information regarding the target object, information regarding one or more objects similar to the target object, and a suggestion for acquiring additional images of the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Hickman, James J. Kuffner, Jr., James R. Bruce, Anthony G. Francis, Jr., Arshan Poursohi, Chaitanya Gharpure
  • Patent number: 9830798
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for monitoring environmental conditions in one or more environments. In one embodiment, the method includes maintaining a plurality of environmental-condition thresholds, each of which corresponds to an environmental condition and is predetermined based on data corresponding to the environmental condition that is received from a plurality of robots. The method further includes receiving from a first robot first data corresponding to a first environmental condition in a first environment. The method may still further include making a first comparison of the first data and a first environmental-condition threshold corresponding to the first environmental condition and, based on the first comparison, triggering a notification. Triggering the notification may comprise transmitting to the robot instructions to transmit the notification to at least one of a call center and a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Arshan Poursohi, Ryan Hickman
  • Patent number: 9802318
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a status of a component of a device are provided. An example method includes triggering an action of a component of a device, and responsively receiving information associated with the action of the component from a sensor. The method further includes a computing system having a processor and a memory comparing the information with calibration data and determining a status of the component based on the comparison. In some examples, the calibration data may include information derived from data received from a pool of one or more devices utilizing same or similar components as the component. The determined status may include information associated with a performance of the component with respect to performances of same or similar components of the pool of devices. In one example, the device may self-calibrate the component based on the status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: James J. Kuffner, Jr., Ryan Hickman
  • Publication number: 20170280839
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a carry (or carrying) bag is provided that includes an interior, substantially cut-resistant security panel assembly with a matrix of wires secured between or on one or more flexible material layers. Also in various embodiments, the security panel assembly may be positioned intermediate the bag outside wall and a lining of the bag, and in other embodiments, may also take the form of an expansion panel. Second or secondary locking fasteners are also provided to lock first or primary fasteners to or within the carrying bag, to provide security for compartments and pockets. A strap with one or more security cables, and various locking fasteners, may be attached to the carry bag. Methods for forming such security panel assemblies, expansion panels, and carrying straps are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Donald E. Godshaw, Du Hai, Bryce Ryan Hickman