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).

  • Patent number: 9880263
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that relate to a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device. The LIDAR device includes a fiber laser configured to emit light within a wavelength range, a scanning portion configured to direct the emitted light in a reciprocating manner about a first axis, and a plurality of detectors configured to sense light within the wavelength range. The device additionally includes a controller configured to receive target information, which may be indicative of an object, a position, a location, or an angle range. In response to receiving the target information, the controller may cause the rotational mount to rotate so as to adjust a pointing direction of the LIDAR. The controller is further configured to cause the LIDAR to scan a field-of-view (FOV) of the environment. The controller may determine a three-dimensional (3D) representation of the environment based on data from scanning the FOV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Pierre-yves Droz, Gaetan Pennecot, Anthony Levandowski, Drew Eugene Ulrich, Zach Morriss, Luke Wachter, Dorel Ionut Iordache, William McCann, Daniel Gruver, Bernard Fidric, Samuel William Lenius
  • Patent number: 9864063
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    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
  • Publication number: 20170371690
    Abstract: Computing systems, database systems, and related methods are provided for supporting dynamic validation workflows. One exemplary method involves a server of a database system receiving a graphical representation of a validation process from a client device coupled to a network, converting the graphical representation of the validation process into validation code, and storing the validation code at the database system in association with a database object type. Thereafter, the validation process is performed with respect to an instance of the database object type using the validation code in response to an action with respect to the instance of the database object type in a database of the database system. The action triggering the validation process can be based on user-configurable triggering criteria, and the validation process may generate user-configurable notifications based on one or more field values of the database object instance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: salesforce.com, inc.
    Inventor: SAMUEL WILLIAM BAILEY
  • Publication number: 20170320960
    Abstract: Provided are novel anti-MFI2 antibodies and antibody drug conjugates, and methods of using such anti-MFI2 anti-bodies and antibody drug conjugates to treat cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: ABBVIE STEMCENTRX LLC
    Inventors: SAMUEL WILLIAMS, LAURA SAUNDERS, HOLGER KARSUNKY, MANDY BOONTANRART
  • Publication number: 20170318233
    Abstract: A plurality of images of a scene may be obtained. These images may have been captured by an image sensor, and may include a first image and a second image. A particular gain may have been applied to the first image. An effective color temperature and a brightness of a first pixel in the first image may be determined, and a mapping between pixel characteristics and noise deviation of the image sensor may be selected. The pixel characteristics may include pixel brightness. The selected mapping may be used to map at least the brightness of the first pixel to a particular noise deviation. The brightness of the first pixel and the particular noise deviation may be compared to a brightness of a second pixel of the second image. The comparison may be used to determine whether to merge the first pixel and the second pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Ryan Geiss, Changyin Zhou, Samuel William Hasinoff
  • Publication number: 20170302840
    Abstract: An image sensor of an image capture device may capture an image. The captured image may be stored in a buffer of two or more previously-captured images. An oldest image of the two or more previously-captured images may be removed from the buffer. An aggregate image of the images in the buffer may be updated. This updating may involve subtracting a representation of the oldest image from the aggregate image, and adding a representation of the captured image to the aggregate image. A viewfinder of the image capture device may display a representation of the aggregate image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Samuel William Hasinoff, Jiawen Chen
  • Patent number: 9778056
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kapp, Samuel William Golden
  • Patent number: 9778264
    Abstract: Markers useful for the identification, characterization and, optionally, the enrichment or isolation of tumorigenic cells or cell subpopulations are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ABBVIE STEMCENTRX LLC
    Inventors: Scott J. Dylla, Marianne Santaguida, Wade C. Anderson, Bob Y. Liu, Samuel A. Williams
  • Patent number: 9778364
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    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: 9774688
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: salesforce.com, inc.
    Inventors: Leo Duy Tran, Samuel William Bailey, James Bock Wunderlich, Miguel Canizares, Thomas Pollinger, Elizabeth Balsam
  • Patent number: 9762589
    Abstract: Techniques and systems for modifying a virtual machine functionality. Archive files each including at least a class files are received. The archive files are stored within the virtual machine. The virtual machine runs on a host system and neither the virtual machine nor the host system are restarted in response to the receiving or storing of the archive files. Files of the host system are scanned to find class files that are not included in a class path for the virtual machine. The class files are copied to a class path for the virtual machine. Neither the virtual machine nor the host system are restarted in response to the copying of the class files. The classes corresponding to the class files are registered in the virtual machine in response to the copying of the class files to the class path. Neither the virtual machine nor the host system are restarted in response to the registration of the classes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: salesforce.com, inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Wood, Samuel William Bailey, Matthew Lucas
  • Patent number: 9749551
    Abstract: A plurality of images of a scene may be obtained. These images may have been captured by an image sensor, and may include a first image and a second image. A particular gain may have been applied to the first image. An effective color temperature and a brightness of a first pixel in the first image may be determined, and a mapping between pixel characteristics and noise deviation of the image sensor may be selected. The pixel characteristics may include pixel brightness. The selected mapping may be used to map at least the brightness of the first pixel to a particular noise deviation. The brightness of the first pixel and the particular noise deviation may be compared to a brightness of a second pixel of the second image. The comparison may be used to determine whether to merge the first pixel and the second pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Geiss, Changyin Zhou, Samuel William Hasinoff
  • Patent number: 9731732
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Samuel William Golden, Kevin Kapp
  • Publication number: 20170219713
    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: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    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
  • Publication number: 20170223282
    Abstract: A plurality of images of a scene may be obtained. These images may have been captured by an image sensor, and may include a first image and a second image. A particular gain may have been applied to the first image. An effective color temperature and a brightness of a first pixel in the first image may be determined, and a mapping between pixel characteristics and noise deviation of the image sensor may be selected. The pixel characteristics may include pixel brightness. The selected mapping may be used to map at least the brightness of the first pixel to a particular noise deviation. The brightness of the first pixel and the particular noise deviation may be compared to a brightness of a second pixel of the second image. The comparison may be used to determine whether to merge the first pixel and the second pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Ryan Geiss, Changyin Zhou, Samuel William Hasinoff
  • Publication number: 20170214458
    Abstract: A device is provided that includes a first platform having a first side, and a second platform having a second side positioned within a predetermined distance to the first side. The device also includes an actuator configured to cause a relative rotation between the first platform and the second platform such that the first side of the first platform remains within the predetermined distance to the second side of the second platform. The device also includes a probe mounted to the first platform, and a plurality of probes mounted to the second platform. The device also includes a signal conditioner coupled to the plurality of probes. The signal conditioner may select one of the plurality of probes based on an orientation of the first platform relative to the second platform. The signal conditioner may then to use the selected probe for wireless communication with the probe on the first platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel L. Rosenband, Pierre-Yves Droz, Min Wang, Etai Bruhis, Adam Brown, Samuel William Lenius
  • Patent number: 9702715
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a trip plan for a vehicle system determine a first trip plan for a trip of a vehicle system from a first location to a second location over a first route that includes a first intersection with a second route. The first trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system. An alternate trip plan that extends along the second route from the first intersection to the second location of the trip of the vehicle system also is determined. The first and alternate trip plans are determined prior to the vehicle system reaching the first intersection. Movement of the vehicle system is controlled according to the first trip plan prior to the vehicle system reaching the first intersection and then controlled according to the alternate trip plan responsive to the vehicle system deviating from the first trip plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jared Klineman Cooper, David Allen Eldredge, Samuel William Golden
  • Patent number: 9694835
    Abstract: A detection system for a rail vehicle includes a control module, which has a sensor input for receiving a signal from a sensor. The control module is configured to receive the signal and to output information responsive to the signal. In operation, the control module and a sensor are deployed on board the rail vehicle. The sensor is configured to generate the signal responsive to detecting a designated condition on board the rail vehicle. When the condition occurs, the sensor outputs the signal, which is received by the control module. Responsive to the signal, the control module outputs the information, such as communicating information of the signal content to another rail vehicle, or to an off board location. The designated condition may be unauthorized use of a handheld wireless device in a rail vehicle, or intruder entry into an unmanned rail vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jared Klineman Cooper, John William Brand, Robert Francis Bryant, Scott William Dulmage, David Allen Eldredge, Robert James Foy, Samuel William Golden, John Welsh McElroy
  • Publication number: 20170176597
    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 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    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: 9686537
    Abstract: A plurality of images of a scene may be obtained. These images may have been captured by an image sensor, and may include a first image and a second image. A particular gain may have been applied to the first image. An effective color temperature and a brightness of a first pixel in the first image may be determined, and a mapping between pixel characteristics and noise deviation of the image sensor may be selected. The pixel characteristics may include pixel brightness. The selected mapping may be used to map at least the brightness of the first pixel to a particular noise deviation. The brightness of the first pixel and the particular noise deviation may be compared to a brightness of a second pixel of the second image. The comparison may be used to determine whether to merge the first pixel and the second pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Geiss, Changyin Zhou, Samuel William Hasinoff