Patents by Inventor William A. Walker

William A. Walker 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: 11970161
    Abstract: A motion planner of an autonomous vehicle's computer system uses reconfigurable collision detection architecture hardware to perform a collision assessment on a planning graph for the vehicle prior to execution of a motion plan. For edges on the planning graph, which represent transitions in states of the vehicle, the system sets a probability of collision with a dynamic object in the environment based at least in part on the collision assessment. Depending on whether the goal of the vehicle is to avoid or collide with a particular dynamic object in the environment, the system then performs an optimization to identify a path in the resulting planning graph with either a relatively high or relatively low potential of a collision with the particular dynamic object. The system then causes the actuator system of the vehicle to implement a motion plan with the applicable identified path based at least in part on the optimization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignees: DUKE UNIVERSITY, BROWN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Daniel Sorin, William Floyd-Jones, Sean Murray, George Konidaris, William Walker
  • Patent number: 11962062
    Abstract: Phased array antennas, such as a multi-function aperture, are limited in performance and reliability by traditional air-cooled thermal management systems. A fuel-cooled multi-function aperture passes engine fuel through channels within the ribs of the multi-function aperture to provide better heat transfer than can be achieved through air cooled systems. The increased heat transfer and thermal management results in a multi-function aperture with improved performance and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: William E. Rhoden, Anders Walker, David Cripe, Ross Keith Wilcoxon, Jeremiah Wolf
  • Publication number: 20240116638
    Abstract: An aircraft includes external structures, and one or more thermal emitters integrated with one or more of the external structures. The one or more thermal emitters are configured to generate heat to deice the one or more external structures. The one or more thermal emitters are configured to receive electrical power from one or more of an auxiliary power unit of the aircraft, a power distribution system of the aircraft, one or more engines of the aircraft, or an external power cart that is separate and distinct from the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Everette Albrecht, Richard John Loftis, Marcus Anthony Belcher, Edwin John Smith, Kristofer Logan Peterson, Collin William Childs, Benjamin David Walker, Jonathan William Udell, Doria Pei, Robert N. Jaeger, Sara Jane Lynn, Mirza Mustafayev, Ignas Sabet-Kazilas, Varun Suri
  • Publication number: 20240095767
    Abstract: A method and a computer system for performing the method of determining an initial value or lifetime value for a domain name is provided. The method for determining an initial value includes obtaining, over a communication network, a domain name from requestor; obtaining, over the communication network, one or more inputs from one or more domain name data sources; applying the one or more inputs and the domain name to an initial lifetime worth computer model, wherein the one or more inputs comprise data related to comparable historical domain names, data from a linguistic model analysis, data from a linguistic frequency list, and data related to a second-level domain to top-level domain relationship analysis; determining, by a hardware processor, an initial lifetime worth for the domain name based on the initial lifetime worth computer model; and providing the initial lifetime worth for the domain name to the requestor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: VeriSign, Inc.
    Inventors: William Carroll, Galileo Mark Namata, Andrew Simpson, Scott Walker
  • Patent number: 11891435
    Abstract: The present invention relates to neutralizing antibodies of the human pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide type I receptor (PAC1) and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such antibodies. Methods of treating or preventing headache conditions, such as migraine and cluster headache, using the neutralizing antibodies are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: AMGEN INC.
    Inventors: Neeraj Jagdish Agrawal, Kevin Graham, Agnes Eva Hamburger, Christopher Mohr, Derek E. Piper, Kenneth William Walker, Zhulun Wang, Cen Xu
  • Patent number: 11880501
    Abstract: A user profile generating system for generating a user profile for use with a processing device operable to display content includes: a head motion tracking unit operable to identify head motion of the user, an eye motion tracking unit operable to identify eye motion of the user, and a profile generating unit operable to generate a user profile comprising head tracking and eye tracking information for the user, where the generated user profile is used to modify interactions between the user and a processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick John Connor, Richard James Forster, Andrew William Walker, Matthew William Sanders, Jessica Rose Grant, Hans-Werner Gellersen, Ludwig Sidenmark
  • Publication number: 20230421022
    Abstract: Flywheel assembly for powering an electrical generator including a flywheel connecting a small gear and larger second gear. The flywheel, small first gear, larger second gear, all bearings, rotor and stator are connected via an axle. The path of the flywheel is restricted to a circular or other geometrically confined area through the use of bearings, bearing races and other support structures. The fixed ring gears create and maintain the rotational motion of the flywheel so that it always spins in the same direction, and are positioned on either the outside or inside of the confined flywheel assembly path or area. The positioning of the ring gears is consistent with each other so as to maintain continuous rotation of the flywheel in the same direction at all times. In either event, the flywheel always returns to the original point of origin. On the downward path, utilizing the smaller gear, the flywheel travels down the path and picks up speed with each rotation, storing energy in the flywheel as it goes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Clinton William Walker, III, Tyler Barrett Williams
  • Publication number: 20230403419
    Abstract: There is provided a method of sending a content stream, comprising retrieving a sender framework associated with the at least one attribute, wherein the sender framework defines an arrangement of the plurality of tracks to be included in an output content stream. The output content stream is defined according to the sender framework. There is also provided a method of outputting a content stream on a user device, comprising receiving a content stream as defined by a sender framework, retrieving a user framework associated with the user electronic device, wherein the user framework defines at least one predetermined setting or instruction to be applied to the content stream, and applying the user framework to the content stream to update the content stream. The method may also include providing viewer engagement information and updating the sender framework in response to the viewer engagement information received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew William WALKER, Richard Thomas DOWNEY, Martin Selby GEORGE, Alan Suganuma MURPHY
  • Publication number: 20230401683
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes circuitry configured to: receive an image of a user in an environment; detect an object in the image; perform one of a plurality of user-selectable processes associated with the object, each of the plurality of user-selectable processes being associated with hiding a visual characteristic of the object in the image; and after the one of the plurality of user-selectable processes has been performed, transmit data representing the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd Preston Stemple, Sahin Serdar Kocdemir, Andrew William Walker, Christopher William Henderson
  • Patent number: 11828783
    Abstract: The fifth wheel trailer light testing device is a maintenance device. The fifth wheel trailer light testing device is adapted for use with a trailer. The fifth wheel trailer light testing device comprises the plurality of trailer lights, a plurality of flashing circuits, a plurality of isolation diodes, a plurality of switches, and a wiring harness connector. The plurality of trailer lights, the plurality of flashing circuits, the plurality of isolation diodes, the plurality of switches, and the wiring harness connector are electrically interconnected. The fifth wheel trailer light testing device electrically tests a plurality of trailer lights. The fifth wheel trailer light testing device illuminates the plurality of trailer lights to be sure that each trailer light selected from the plurality of trailer lights is operating. The fifth wheel trailer light testing device is further configured to simultaneously flash all of the plurality of trailer lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: William Walker
  • Publication number: 20230366973
    Abstract: A system for generating and managing maps of a plurality of real-world environments, the system comprising a map generation unit operable to generate a map of each of the plurality of real-world environments, a wireless signal identification unit operable to identify one or more wireless signals at one or more locations in each of the plurality of real-world environments, and to associate the identified signal information with a map corresponding to the same real-world environment, and a compiling unit operable to compile the respective generated maps into a composite map, wherein the respective generated maps are arranged in dependence upon the wireless signals identified in each of the corresponding real-world environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew William Walker, Jake Leigh Clarke
  • Publication number: 20230360341
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes circuitry configured to: receive an image of a user in an environment; determine a region of the environment in the image in which motion of the user is expected, the motion of the user being associated with interactive content experienced by the user; identify one or more attributes of a detected object in the image, a portion of the detected object being within the determined region of the environment; determine a predetermined process associated with the one or more identified attributes; and perform the predetermined process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew William Walker, Sahin Serdar Kocdemir
  • Publication number: 20230344515
    Abstract: An optical wireless communication (OWC) unit for transmitting and/or receiving data installable in a further device comprises at least one transmitter device for transmitting modulated light comprising an OWC signal of said data and/or at least one receiver device for receiving modulated light comprising an OWC signal representative of said data, wherein the at least one receiver device comprises at least one detector. The OWC unit further comprises analogue electronic circuitry for processing electronic signals and at least one power connection and/or at least one data connection for connection to a power source and/or processing resource of the further device. The OWC unit is operable to provide OWC communication under control of said further device and/or so as to transmit data from/provide data to said further device. The OWC unit is for use in an OWC system having an analogue bandwidth greater than or equal to 80 MHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Duncan John William WALKER, Luca CARRARO, Christopher Nigel TATE, Mostafa Zaman AFGANI, Steven Alexander Richard RITCHIE, Arne ROSSIUS, Tamas WESZELY, Istvan Phillipe Bernard CSAJAGHY
  • Publication number: 20230293999
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a storage unit configured to store one or more criteria associated with a video game; an executing unit configured to execute the video game; an input unit configured to receive activity data, where the activity data is data associated with physical activity of a user who is not directly playing the video game; and a processing unit configured to modify one or more aspects of a virtual environment within the executed video game when the received activity data satisfies one or more of the criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: David Erwan Damien Uberti, Estefania Rodriguez Quiros, Andrew William Walker, Michael Eder, Alan Murphy
  • Patent number: 11762459
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a video display to display video images to a user; a gaze detector configured to detect a gaze direction for one or both eyes of the user while the user views the display; a head tracker configured to detect a head orientation of the user; an image processor configured to generate the video images for display by the video display; the image processor being responsive to one or more control functions dependent upon the gaze direction detected by the gaze detector; and a controller configured to detect a predetermined condition and, in response to detection of the predetermined condition, to control the image processor to be responsive to one or more control functions dependent upon the head orientation detected by the head tracker in place of the one or more control functions dependent upon the gaze direction detected by the gaze detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew William Walker, Nigel John Williams, Mandana Jenabzadeh, Rosario Leonardi
  • Publication number: 20230285862
    Abstract: A content modification system operable to modify video game content in dependence upon the time available to a user of a processing device, the system comprising an input receiving unit operable to receive inputs from one or more devices indicative of an expected duration of a function being performed by a respective device, an available time determination unit operable to determine, in dependence upon received inputs, an amount of time available to a user before the completion of the function of respective ones of the one or more devices, a content modification unit operable to modify video game content in dependence upon the determined amount of time, and a processing device operable to present the modified video game content to the user via a display associated with the processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew William Walker, Sahin Serdar Kocdemir
  • Publication number: 20230277939
    Abstract: A system for presenting content to a user of a processing device during a journey, the system comprising a journey identification unit operable to identify one or more characteristics of the journey, a content determination unit operable to select and/or modify content in dependence upon the identified characteristics, and a content presentation unit operable to present the selected and/or modified content to the user of the processing device during the journey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew William Walker, Christopher William Henderson, David Erwan Damien Uberti
  • Publication number: 20230280171
    Abstract: A system for determining a route for a user of a processing device during the presentation of content to the user, the system comprising a content identification unit operable to identify one or more characteristics of the content, a route determination unit operable to determine a route for a journey in dependence upon the identified characteristics, the start location of the journey, and the destination of the journey, and a content presentation unit operable to present content to the user of the processing device during the journey, the journey being undertaken in accordance with the determined route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew William Walker, Christopher William Henderson, David Erwan Damien Uberti
  • Patent number: 11750284
    Abstract: An optical wireless communication (OWC) device comprises: a receiver comprising: a dual-wavelength filter configured to filter light arriving at the receiver, wherein the dual-wavelength filter is configured to pass light of a first frequency and light of a second, different frequency, and wherein the dual-wavelength filter is configured to substantially block light of a third frequency between the first frequency and second frequency; and a photodetector configured to receive the filtered light and to sense modulated light of the first frequency and/or modulated light of the second frequency to produce at least one receiver signal; demodulation circuitry and a processing resource for performing a demodulation and processing with respect to the at least one receiver signal to obtain data encoded in the modulated light of the first frequency and/or data encoded in the modulated light of the second frequency; a transmitter comprising a light source configured to output modulated light of the third frequency; a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: PURELIFI LIMITED
    Inventors: Luca Carraro, Istvan Philipe Bernard Csajaghy, Christopher Nigel Tate, Duncan John William Walker
  • Patent number: 11750285
    Abstract: A display apparatus comprises an at least partially transparent display, the display configured to generate light to form an image for display to a user positioned in front of the display, and at least one light-transmitting and/or light-receiving device positioned behind the display, wherein the at least one light-transmitting and/or light-receiving device is configured to transmit and/or receive light through at least part of the display, wherein the at least one light-transmitting and/or light-receiving device comprises or forms part of an optical wireless communications (OWC) apparatus configured to transmit and/or receive the light through the at least part of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: PURELIFI LIMITED
    Inventors: Dobroslav Tsonev, Istvan Phillipe Bernard Csajaghy, Duncan John William Walker, Ivan Alf Karlsson, Artur Witold Wieczorek