Patents by Inventor Samuel A. Williams

Samuel A. Williams 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).

  • Publication number: 20160282468
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes one or more wheels positioned at a bottom side of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a first light detection and ranging device (LIDAR) positioned at a top side of the vehicle opposite to the bottom side. The first LIDAR is configured to scan an environment around the vehicle based on rotation of the first LIDAR about an axis. The first LIDAR has a first resolution. The vehicle also includes a second LIDAR configured to scan a field-of-view of the environment that extends away from the vehicle along a viewing direction of the second LIDAR. The second LIDAR has a second resolution. The vehicle also includes a controller configured to operate the vehicle based on the scans of the environment by the first LIDAR and the second LIDAR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel Gruver, Pierre-yves Droz, Gaetan Pennecot, Anthony Levandowski, Drew Eugene Ulrich, Zachary Morriss, Luke Wachter, Dorel Ionut Iordache, Rahim Pardhan, William McCann, Bernard Fidric, Samuel William Lenius
  • Patent number: 9425654
    Abstract: A rotatable LIDAR device including contactless electrical couplings is disclosed. An example rotatable LIDAR device includes a vehicle electrical coupling including (i) a first conductive ring, (ii) a second conductive ring, and (iii) a first coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device further includes a LIDAR electrical coupling including (i) a third conductive ring, (ii) a fourth conductive ring, and (iii) a second coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device still further includes a rotatable LIDAR electrically coupled to the LIDAR electrical coupling. The first conductive ring and the third conductive ring form a first capacitor configured to transmit communications to the rotatable LIDAR, the second conductive ring and the fourth conductive ring form a second capacitor configured to transmit communications from the rotatable LIDAR, and the first coil and the second coil form a transformer configured to provide power to the rotatable LIDAR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel William Lenius, Pierre-yves Droz
  • Patent number: 9406153
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for positioning point-of-interest (POI) data in a planar panorama image, generated from a plurality of relatively sequential images. First POI data with a first geo-location and second POI data with a second geo-location can be received for the planar panorama image, and first and second data tags can be created that respectively comprise at least some of the first and second POI data. A cluster geo-location may be identified for the first and second data tags based at least upon the first and second geo-locations, and the first and second data tags can be clustered at the cluster geo-location in the planar panorama image. The first and second data tags can be re-clustered (e.g., moved around) and displayed at different locations within the planar panorama image in response to a zoom operation, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Williams, Timothy Wantland, Gonzalo Ramos, Peter G. Sibley
  • Publication number: 20160202302
    Abstract: Systems are provided to determine a location of an electrical fault in an electrical system of a vehicle. A test apparatus can include a control unit and a plurality of scan circuits. The control unit is configured to electrically couple the plurality of scan circuits to the electrical system and trigger the plurality of scan circuits to pass electrical signals to the electrical system. Each scan circuit is configured to detect a presence of an electrical fault in the electrical system based on an electrical signal passed. Each scan circuit provides information indicative of a location of the electrical fault in the electrical system, when detected, to the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Jared Klineman COOPER, David Michael PELTZ, Nicholas David NAGRODSKY, Samuel William GOLDEN, Jerod Reid SVIDUNOVICH, Keith Allen HEOB, Michael COPPS
  • Patent number: 9368936
    Abstract: A laser diode firing circuit for a light detection and ranging device is disclosed. The firing circuit includes a laser diode coupled in series to a transistor, such that current through the laser diode is controlled by the transistor. The laser diode is configured to emit a pulse of light in response to current flowing through the laser diode. The firing circuit includes a capacitor that is configured to charge via a charging path that includes an inductor and to discharge via a discharge path that includes the laser diode. The transistor controlling current through the laser diode can be a Gallium nitride field effect transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel William Lenius, Pierre-yves Droz
  • Patent number: 9327740
    Abstract: A method includes defining a pre-load zone that has reliable communication along a route. The pre-load zone is associated with a trip of a vehicle traveling along the route. A starting location of the trip is located outside of the pre-load zone. The vehicle is configured to enter the pre-load zone and exit the pre-load zone prior to reaching the starting location of the trip. The method includes receiving a trip request message that identifies the pre-load zone from the vehicle after the vehicle enters the pre-load zone and prior to the vehicle exiting the pre-load zone. The method also includes sending a trip response message to the vehicle that the vehicle receives prior to exiting the pre-load zone. The trip response message includes trip data specific to the trip that is selected based on the association between the pre-load zone and the trip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Terence Murren, Daniel Keith Pagano, Samuel William Golden, Brian Smith, Jared Klineman Cooper
  • Patent number: 9324184
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for creating a three-dimensional model of an image. Image data, comprise a series of images of a location, such as along a route, can be received. The image data can comprise a first image element location for a first image element, where the first image element location may correspond to a three-dimensional point in the image, such as a location in the image with a depth from a point of observation. The first image element can be segmented into a first façade plane using the first image element location. The first façade plane can be merged with a second façade plane, resulting in a three-dimensional model of the image. The second façade plane can comprise a second image element, where the image data comprises a second image element location for the second image element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Williams, Jett Evan Jones, Peter G. Sibley, Don Kim, Sandeep Kanumuri, Jonathan Rosenberg
  • Publication number: 20160100697
    Abstract: A field adjustable mattress system/method allowing a baseline mattress configuration to be ergonomically modified after initial installation is disclosed. The baseline system generally consists of an optional bottom mattress support (BMS) connected to a bottom mattress cover (BMC) that partially envelops a static mattress core (SMC) from the bottom. A top mattress cover (TMC) completes the encapsulation of the foam mattress core and is attached to the BMC using top/bottom mattress cover zippers (MCZ). Field adjustment of the mattress system is accomplished by inserting one or more mattress adjustment layers (MAL) between the top of the SMC and the TMC and inserting an adjustment border panel (ABP) via the MCZ between the TMC and the BMC. The MAL may comprise one or more layers and may be inserted using horizontally and/or split configurations to permit a variety of ergonomic combinations to be supported in a single mattress system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Andrew Antony PROCHAZKA, Samuel William PROCHAZKA
  • Publication number: 20160091320
    Abstract: A method and system are provided to obtain, with one or more processors, a speed profile of a vehicle system for a designated route traveled by the vehicle system. The designated route includes a plurality of segments, and the speed profile includes a planned segment speed for each segment. One or more planned segment speeds are identified that correspond to a point of interest, and respective priorities are assigned to the identified segment speeds based on the point of interest forming prioritized segment speeds. First discrete numeral values are displayed on a display, representing the planned segment speeds of the prioritized segments that are within a predetermined distance forward of a motion of the vehicle system. Second discrete numeral values are displayed on the display, corresponding to remaining segment speeds that are within the predetermined distance, until a predetermined threshold of discrete numeral values is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kapp, Samuel William Golden
  • Patent number: 9299731
    Abstract: Example systems and methods include a receiving circuit and selectable photodiode circuits. Each selectable photodiode circuit includes (i) a photodiode having a photodiode anode and a photodiode cathode, where the photodiode is configured to generate a selectable input, (ii) a bias voltage source connected to the photodiode cathode, (iii) a connecting resistor connected to the photodiode anode, (iv) a switchable power supply connected to the connecting resistor, where the switchable power supply is configured to operate in a high state and a low state, and (v) a PIN diode having a PIN anode and a PIN cathode, where the PIN cathode is connected to the photodiode anode and the connecting resistor, and the PIN anode is connected to the receiving circuit. The selectable photodiode circuit is configured to provide the selectable input to the receiving circuit only when the switchable power supply operates in the low state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel William Lenius, Pierre-yves Droz
  • Publication number: 20160088095
    Abstract: A request associated with a functions that are provided by a server may be received from a client system. A subset of the functions that are provided by the server and that are available based on the request may be identified. Information based on the identified subset of functions may be generated. Furthermore, the information that is based on the identified subset of functions may be transmitted to the client system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Leo Duy Tran, Samuel William Bailey, James Bock Wunderlich, Miguel Canizares, Thomas Pollinger, Elizabeth Balsam
  • Publication number: 20160055450
    Abstract: A system having a display-data server is disclosed. The display-data server is configured to receive from a hand-held scanner a product identifier that identifies a retail product, receive from the hand-held scanner a sign identifier that identifies a digital sign, and route a display data to the digital sign identified by the sign identifier. Other systems are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Eric Nicholas Bedell, Samuel William Gardiner, Andrew Roger Mattice, Brant Dennis Nystrom, Sunil Reddy Ravula, Dean Arthur Sleeper, Forrest Lane Steely
  • Publication number: 20160055449
    Abstract: A method of operating one or more digital signs is disclosed. The method includes reading a sign identifier using a hand-held scanner, reading a product identifier associated with a retail product using the hand-held scanner, and transmitting, from the hand-held scanner to a server, the sign identifier and the product identifier to cause the server to route to a digital sign identified by the sign identifier an advertisement related to the retail product based on the product identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Eric Nicholas Bedell, Samuel William Gardiner, Andrew Roger Mattice, Brant Dennis Nystrom, Sunil Reddy Ravula, Dean Arthur Sleeper, Forrest Lane Steely
  • Patent number: 9261389
    Abstract: An ultrasonic flowmeter comprising an elongate duct through which fluid flows when the flowmeter is in use. Ultrasonic transducers are arranged respectively to transmit and receive ultrasonic pulses propagated through such fluid when the flowmeter is in use. Electronic circuitry is connected to the transducers to provide a measure of the time delay between emission of an electronic pulse from one of the transducers and reception of the pulse by the other of the transducers. The circuitry is constructed to enable an output to be provided which is dependent upon that delay and which is indicative of the rate of flow of fluid through the duct. The transducers are located respectively at opposite ends of the duct and are arranged to transmit and receive ultrasonic pulses propagated through the fluid substantially parallel to the duct from one end thereof to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Gill Corporate Limited
    Inventors: Michael John Gill, Samuel William Birtwell, Oliver Stewart Blacklock
  • Publication number: 20160031459
    Abstract: A method includes defining a pre-load zone that has reliable communication along a route. The pre-load zone is associated with a trip of a vehicle traveling along the route. A starting location of the trip is located outside of the pre-load zone. The vehicle is configured to enter the pre-load zone and exit the pre-load zone prior to reaching the starting location of the trip. The method includes receiving a trip request message that identifies the pre-load zone from the vehicle after the vehicle enters the pre-load zone and prior to the vehicle exiting the pre-load zone. The method also includes sending a trip response message to the vehicle that the vehicle receives prior to exiting the pre-load zone. The trip response message includes trip data specific to the trip that is selected based on the association between the pre-load zone and the trip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Brian Terence MURREN, Daniel Keith PAGANO, Samuel William GOLDEN, Brian SMITH, Jared Klineman COOPER
  • Patent number: 9253375
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides example methods operable by computing device. An example method can include receiving an image from a camera. The method can also include comparing one or more parameters of the image with one or more control parameters, where the one or more control parameters comprise information indicative of an image from a substantially unobstructed camera. Based on the comparison, the method can also include determining a score between the one or more parameters of the image and the one or more control parameters. The method can also include accumulating, by a computing device, a count of a number of times the determined score image exceeds a first threshold. Based on the count exceeding a second threshold, the method can also include determining that the camera is at least partially obstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Peyman Milanfar, Marc Stewart Levoy, Samuel William Hasinoff, Changyin Zhou
  • Patent number: 9195880
    Abstract: An image-stack viewer may switch between images in an image stack based on detected interactions with the images that are displayed in the viewer. In particular, a region-of-interest (ROI) in an image may be determined based on an interaction, and image characteristics of the ROI may be evaluated in two or more images in the image stack where the ROI best represents the evaluated characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Stewart Levoy, Sriram Thirthala, Samuel William Hasinoff
  • Publication number: 20150251676
    Abstract: A system configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle includes a communication unit and a processing unit. The communication unit is configured to obtain first trip information including first location-based operational information. The first trip information includes commands for a positive train control (PTC) system. The communication unit is also configured to obtain second trip information including second location-based operational information. The second trip information includes trip profile information for performing a mission by the vehicle. The processing unit is configured to obtain the first trip information and the second trip information from the communication unit, and to determine combined trip information using the first trip information and the second trip information. The processing unit is also configured to develop control information using the combined trip information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Samuel William Golden, Kevin Kapp
  • Patent number: 9131118
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises projecting, from a projector, a diffused on an object. The method further includes capturing, with a first camera in a particular location, a reference image of the object while the diffused is projected on the object. The method further includes capturing, with a second camera positioned in the particular location, a test image of the object while the diffused is projected on the object. The method further includes comparing speckles in the reference image to the test image. The projector, first camera and second camera are removably provided to and positioned in a site of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: YiChang Shih, Myers Abraham Davis, Samuel William Hasinoff, Frederic Durand, William T. Freeman
  • Patent number: D739101
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Ryan Springell, May Wilson, Samuel William Bennett, Daniel William Carter