Patents by Inventor Stephen Ernest

Stephen Ernest 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: 12084104
    Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, a mobile apparatus for identifying items within a facility using an omnidirectional imaging system. For instance, the mobile apparatus may include a main frame, a chassis attached to the main frame, a basket that attaches to the chassis in order to prevent the basket from contacting the main frame, and an omnidirectional imaging system providing image data in and around the mobile apparatus. A user may place item(s) within a receptacle of the basket. The mobile apparatus may further include a handlebar module attached to the main frame, the handlebar module including the omnidirectional imaging system and a computing system for identifying items and events in and around the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rachid M Alameh, Stephen Ernest O'Dea
  • Patent number: 11994928
    Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, a mobile apparatus that includes capacitive sensor(s) for detecting the presence of a user. For instance, the mobile apparatus, such as a shopping cart, may include capacitive sensor(s) located proximate to a main frame, the handles, and/or the wheel frame. The mobile apparatus may use one or more of these capacitive sensor(s) to determine that the user is located proximate to the mobile apparatus, in contact with the mobile apparatus, and/or located over the main frame of the mobile apparatus. In some examples, the mobile apparatus may then perform one or more actions based on the presence of the user. For example, the mobile apparatus may activate and/or deactivate one or more devices based on the presence of the user. This way, the mobile apparatus is able to conserve power by using the capacitive sensor(s) to detect the present of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rachid M Alameh, Andre David Brown, Gopi Prashanth Gopal, Stephen Ernest O'Dea
  • Patent number: 11614746
    Abstract: A multi-robot system includes a first a mobile cleaning robot that has a local storage device to store a persistent map of an environment, at least one sensor to sense the environment, and a control module. The control module is configured to: control the mobile cleaning robot to navigate in the environment using the persistent map and sensing data provided by the at least one sensor, share the persistent map with a second mobile cleaning robot, and coordinate with the second mobile cleaning robot to perform cleaning tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Fong, Clifton Eric Smith, Mario Munich, Stephen Ernest O'Dea
  • Patent number: 11556125
    Abstract: A mobile cleaning robot that includes a drive system configured to navigate around an operational environment, a ranging device configured to communicate with other ranging devices of respective electronic devices that are in the operational environment, and processors in communication with the ranging device that are configured to receive a distance measurement from the respective electronic devices present in the operational environment, each distance measurement representing a distance between the mobile cleaning robot and a respective electronic device, tag each of the distance measurements with location data indicative of a spatial location of the mobile cleaning robot in the operational environment, determine spatial locations of each of the electronic devices in the operational environment, and populate a visual representation of the operating environment with visual indications of the electronic devices in the operating environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher V. Jones, Stephen Ernest O'Dea, Philip Wasserman
  • Patent number: 10471849
    Abstract: A circuit breaker/disconnector apparatus for use in a power delivery system comprises a unidirectional DC circuit breaker which has a first terminal and a second terminal and is configured to automatically open during an overcurrent condition in a forward direction and to remain closed independent of current level in a reverse direction. A disconnector switch is in series with the circuit breaker. The disconnector switch has a first terminal for connecting to a first polarity connector of a power supply, a second terminal for connecting to a second polarity connector of the power supply and a common terminal connected to the first terminal of the circuit breaker. The disconnector switch has at least a first position in which the first terminal is connected to the common terminal and a second position in which the second terminal is connected to the common terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Hawker Siddeley Switchgear Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Ernest Lane
  • Publication number: 20190244613
    Abstract: A VoIP server may provide voice-based services when a VoIP device dials a preconfigured number (e.g., “##999”). Similarly, a VoIP device having an additional display and/or function keys may signal that a voice-command communications channel should be opened between the VoIP device and the VoIP server in a different way (e.g., using a dedicated button). The VoIP server recognizes the number being called as a request for voice-based services as it would recognize a call to a voicemail extension as a request for voicemail services. Thus, the VoIP server intercepts the outgoing call and directs the call to itself to begin providing voice-based services (e.g., voice dialing and calendaring services).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Net2Phone, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Joshua Jonas, Simon Malcolm Ritholtz, Nathaniel Ernest Ritholtz, Stephen Ernest Gulics, Elena Marie Papavero, Anthony S. Davidson, Geoffrey Michael Herney, William Joseph Shankle, Jeffrey S. Skelton
  • Publication number: 20190212730
    Abstract: A mobile cleaning robot that includes a drive system configured to navigate around an operational environment, a ranging device configured to communicate with other ranging devices of respective electronic devices that are in the operational environment, and processors in communication with the ranging device that are configured to receive a distance measurement from the respective electronic devices present in the operational environment, each distance measurement representing a distance between the mobile cleaning robot and a respective electronic device, tag each of the distance measurements with location data indicative of a spatial location of the mobile cleaning robot in the operational environment, determine spatial locations of each of the electronic devices in the operational environment, and populate a visual representation of the operating environment with visual indications of the electronic devices in the operating environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher V. Jones, Stephen Ernest O'Dea, Philip Wasserman
  • Publication number: 20190212752
    Abstract: A multi-robot system includes a first a mobile cleaning robot that has a local storage device to store a persistent map of an environment, at least one sensor to sense the environment, and a control module. The control module is configured to: control the mobile cleaning robot to navigate in the environment using the persistent map and sensing data provided by the at least one sensor, share the persistent map with a second mobile cleaning robot, and coordinate with the second mobile cleaning robot to perform cleaning tasks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Philip Fong, Clifton Eric Smith, Mario Munich, Stephen Ernest O'Dea
  • Publication number: 20190175591
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to particles of active substances, methods for preparing the particles, formulations containing the particles, and metered dose inhalers containing such particles or formulations. In one embodiment, a composition of an aerosol formulation is provided and contains a particulate active substance of non-micronized, solid particles having a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 ?m suspended in a hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle at a concentration within a range from about 0.2% w/v to about 5% w/v. The aerosol formulation exhibits a flocculation volume of about 85% or greater about 1 minute after mixing the particulate active substance and the hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle. The particulate active substance contains an alkaloid ergotamine, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, analogues thereof, or derivatives thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Andreas Kordikowski, Stephen Ernest Walker, Peter York
  • Patent number: 10251881
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to particles of active substances, methods for preparing the particles, formulations containing the particles, and metered dose inhalers containing such particles or formulations. In one embodiment, a composition of an aerosol formulation is provided and contains a particulate active substance of non-micronized, solid particles having a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 ?m suspended in a hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle at a concentration within a range from about 0.2% w/v to about 5% w/v. The aerosol formulation exhibits a flocculation volume of about 85% or greater about 1 minute after mixing the particulate active substance and the hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle. The particulate active substance contains an alkaloid ergotamine, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, analogues thereof, or derivatives thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: Andreas Kordikowski, Stephen Ernest Walker, Peter York
  • Publication number: 20170355630
    Abstract: A system for treating a produced water stream to separate the water into a final concentrated brine stream and a final distillate stream includes a first flash vessel for separating the produced water stream into a first distillate stream and a first concentrated brine stream, a second flash vessel connected to the first flash vessel separates the first concentrated brine stream into a second distillate stream and a second concentrated brine stream, a third flash vessel connected to the second flash vessel separates the second concentrated brine stream into a third distillate stream and a final concentrated brine stream, a first pre-heater heat exchanger for heating the produced water stream by the final distillate stream of combination of the first distillate stream from the first flash vessel, the second distillate stream from the second flash vessel and the third distillate stream from the third flash vessel, a second pre-heater heat exchanger connected to the first pre-heater heat exchanger, for heating t
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Mission West, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Ernest Hardwick, David Carol Harris, Nelson David Henry
  • Patent number: 9828328
    Abstract: A method for preparing 3-methyl-2-nitrobenzoic acid is disclosed wherein 1,3-dimethyl-2-nitrobenzene is combined with an oxidation catalyst in the presence of an oxygen source and an initiator, provided that less than 99% of the 1,3-dimethyl-2-nitrobenzene is oxidized. A method for preparing compounds of Formula 7 and Formula 11 is also disclosed wherein the method is characterized by using 3-methyl-2-nitrobenzoic acid as prepared by the method disclosed above. wherein R1 is C1-C7 alkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl or C4-C7 alkylcycloalkyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen Ernest Jacobson, Donald J. Dumas, Rupert Spence, Sarah May Crawford, Venkateswara Rao Surisetty
  • Publication number: 20170327006
    Abstract: A circuit breaker/disconnector apparatus for use in a power delivery system comprises a unidirectional DC circuit breaker which has a first terminal and a second terminal and is configured to automatically open during an overcurrent condition in a forward direction and to remain closed independent of current level in a reverse direction. A disconnector switch is in series with the circuit breaker. The disconnector switch has a first terminal for connecting to a first polarity connector of a power supply, a second terminal for connecting to a second polarity connector of the power supply and a common terminal connected to the first terminal of the circuit breaker. The disconnector switch has at least a first position in which the first terminal is connected to the common terminal and a second position in which the second terminal is connected to the common terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen Ernest Lane
  • Publication number: 20170197907
    Abstract: A method for preparing 3-methyl-2-nitrobenzoic acid is disclosed wherein 1,3-dimethyl-2-nitrobenzene is combined with an oxidation catalyst in the presence of an oxygen source and an initiator, provided that less than 99% of the 1,3-dimethyl-2-nitrobenzene is oxidized. A method for preparing compounds of Formula 7 and Formula 11 is also disclosed wherein the method is characterized by using 3-methyl-2-nitrobenzoic acid as prepared by the method disclosed above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen Ernest Jacobson, Donald J. Dumas, Rupert Spence, Sarah May Crawford, Venkateswara Rao Surisetty
  • Publication number: 20170173006
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to particles of active substances, methods for preparing the particles, formulations containing the particles, and metered dose inhalers containing such particles or formulations. In one embodiment, a composition of an aerosol formulation is provided and contains a particulate active substance of non-micronized, solid particles having a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 ?m suspended in a hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle at a concentration within a range from about 0.2% w/v to about 5% w/v. The aerosol formulation exhibits a flocculation volume of about 85% or greater about 1 minute after mixing the particulate active substance and the hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle. The particulate active substance contains an alkaloid ergotamine, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, analogues thereof, or derivatives thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Andreas KORDIKOWSKI, Stephen Ernest WALKER, Peter YORK
  • Patent number: 9616060
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to particles of active substances, methods for preparing the particles, formulations containing the particles, and metered dose inhalers containing such particles or formulations. In one embodiment, a composition of an aerosol formulation is provided and contains a particulate active substance of non-micronized, solid particles having a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 ?m suspended in a hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle at a concentration within a range from about 0.2% w/v to about 5% w/v. The aerosol formulation exhibits a flocculation volume of about 85% or greater about 1 minute after mixing the particulate active substance and the hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle. The particulate active substance contains an alkaloid ergotamine, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, analogs thereof, or derivatives thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: Andreas Kordikowski, Stephen Ernest Walker, Peter York
  • Publication number: 20140342002
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to particles of active substances, methods for preparing the particles, formulations containing the particles, and metered dose inhalers containing such particles or formulations. In one embodiment, a composition of an aerosol formulation is provided and contains a particulate active substance of non-micronized, solid particles having a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 ?m suspended in a hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle at a concentration within a range from about 0.2% w/v to about 5% w/v. The aerosol formulation exhibits a flocculation volume of about 85% or greater about 1 minute after mixing the particulate active substance and the hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle. The particulate active substance contains an alkaloid ergotamine, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, analogues thereof, or derivatives thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Andreas KORDIKOWSKI, Stephen Ernest WALKER, Peter YORK
  • Patent number: 8828359
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to particles of active substances, methods for preparing the particles, formulations containing the particles, and metered dose inhalers containing such particles or formulations. In one embodiment, a composition of an aerosol formulation is provided and contains a particulate active substance of non-micronized, solid particles having a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 ?m suspended in a hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle at a concentration within a range from about 0.2% w/v to about 5% w/v. The aerosol formulation exhibits a flocculation volume of about 85% or greater about 1 minute after mixing the particulate active substance and the hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle. The particulate active substance contains an alkaloid ergotamine, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, analogs thereof, or derivatives thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: Andreas Kordikowski, Stephen Ernest Walker, Peter York
  • Publication number: 20140037697
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to particles of active substances, methods for preparing the particles, formulations containing the particles, and metered dose inhalers containing such particles or formulations. In one embodiment, a composition of an aerosol formulation is provided and contains a particulate active substance of non-micronized, solid particles having a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 ?m suspended in a hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle at a concentration within a range from about 0.2% w/v to about 5% w/v. The aerosol formulation exhibits a flocculation volume of about 85% or greater about 1 minute after mixing the particulate active substance and the hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle. The particulate active substance contains an alkaloid ergotamine, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, analogues thereof, or derivatives thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS
    Inventors: Andreas KORDIKOWSKI, Stephen Ernest WALKER, Peter YORK
  • Patent number: 8470301
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to particles of active substances, methods for preparing the particles, formulations containing the particles, and metered dose inhalers containing such particles or formulations. In one embodiment, a composition of an aerosol formulation is provided and contains a particulate active substance of non-micronized, solid particles having a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 ?m suspended in a hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle at a concentration within a range from about 0.2% w/v to about 5% w/v. The aerosol formulation exhibits a flocculation volume of about 85% or greater about 1 minute after mixing the particulate active substance and the hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle. The particulate active substance contains an alkaloid ergotamine, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, analogues thereof, or derivatives thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: Andreas Kordikowski, Stephen Ernest Walker, Peter York