Patents by Inventor William D. Duncan

William D. Duncan 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: 20160320278
    Abstract: A helmet testing apparatus including a movable member, a sensor coupled to the movable member and configured to acquire compliance data regarding a liner disposed within a shell of a helmet through engagement of the sensor with the liner, and a processing circuit configured to determine a rating for the helmet based on the compliance data and predetermined compliance parameters for the helmet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Geoffrey F. Deane, William D. Duncan, Philip A. Eckhoff, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Max N. Mankin, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9474265
    Abstract: A system for directing a bird away from equipment includes an item of equipment and a detector configured to detect a bird that could be harmed by or that could harm the equipment and to determine the proximity of the bird to the equipment. The system also includes an unmanned aerial vehicle and a pilot system configured to control the unmanned aerial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Thomas A. Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160301181
    Abstract: A method of pumping an optical resonator includes directing light generated by a pumping light at the optical resonator, exciting a propagating surface state of the optical resonator at an interface of the optical resonator, and changing a propagating frequency of the light proximate the interface, where the changed frequency corresponds to a propagation frequency of the surface state. The optical resonator includes a photonic crystal and a material, where the interface is formed between the photonic crystal and the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan Kundtz, Ruopeng Liu, Bruce M. McWilliams, John B. Pendry, Daniel A. Roberts, David Schurig, David R. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood,, JR.
  • Patent number: 9456648
    Abstract: A helmet testing apparatus including a movable member, a sensor coupled to the movable member and configured to acquire compliance data regarding a liner disposed within a shell of a helmet through engagement of the sensor with the liner, and a processing circuit configured to determine a rating for the helmet based on the compliance data and predetermined compliance parameters for the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Geoffrey F. Deane, William D. Duncan, Philip A. Eckhoff, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Max N. Mankin, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20160258399
    Abstract: A fuel injector for an engine includes a connection to a fuel source, a nozzle which provides an outlet from the fuel injector, a fuel path from the fuel source to the nozzle, a valve between the fuel path and the nozzle, and a gas injection mechanism configured to insert a gas core into the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Lowell L. Wood,, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160210837
    Abstract: A system for predicting and warning of impacts includes a sensor located remote from a user and configured to acquire user data regarding motion of the user and object data regarding motion of the object; and a processing circuit configured to predict a potential impact between the user and the object based on the user data and the object data; and control operation of a user-wearable warning device to provide a warning output to the user in advance of a predicted time of the potential impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Allen, Philip B. Bayly, David L. Brody, Alistair K. Chan, Jesse R. Cheatham, III, William D. Duncan, Richard G. Ellenbogen, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Raul Radovitzky, Anthony V. Smith, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Nicholas W. Touran, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20160205918
    Abstract: A plant material targeting apparatus includes a light source platform and a light source coupled to the light source platform. The light source is configured to provide a high-intensity light. The apparatus also includes a light transmitter coupled to the light source. The light transmitter is configured to transmit the high-intensity light to a light redirector. In addition, the apparatus includes a light redirection platform separate from the light source platform. The light redirector is coupled to the light redirection platform. The light redirector is configured to receive the high-intensity light from the light transmitter and redirect the high-intensity light toward a plant material target to damage the plant material target. The apparatus further includes a control system that is configured to receive information representative of the location of the plant material target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, William D. Duncan, Phillip A. Eckhoff, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Keith D. Rosema, Lowell L. Wood,, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160209307
    Abstract: A helmet testing apparatus including a movable member, a sensor coupled to the movable member and configured to acquire compliance data regarding a liner disposed within a shell of a helmet through engagement of the sensor with the liner, and a processing circuit configured to determine a rating for the helmet based on the compliance data and predetermined compliance parameters for the helmet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Geoffrey F. Deane, William D. Duncan, Philip A. Eckhoff, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Max N. Mankin, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20160206033
    Abstract: A helmet testing apparatus including a movable member, a sensor coupled to the movable member and configured to acquire compliance data regarding a liner disposed within a shell of a helmet through engagement of the sensor with the liner, and a processing circuit configured to determine a rating for the helmet based on the compliance data and predetermined compliance parameters for the helmet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Geoffrey F. Deane, William D. Duncan, Philip A. Eckhoff, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Max N. Mankin, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20160210836
    Abstract: A system for predicting and warning of impacts includes a sensor located remote from a user and configured to acquire user data regarding motion of the user and object data regarding motion of the object; and a processing circuit configured to predict a potential impact between the user and the object based on the user data and the object data; and control operation of a user-wearable warning device to provide a warning output to the user in advance of a predicted time of the potential impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Allen, Philip V. Bayly, David L. Brody, Alistair K. Chan, Jesse R. Cheatham, III, William D. Duncan, Richard G. Ellenbogen, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Raul Radovitzky, Anthony V. Smith, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Nicholas W. Touran, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20160205917
    Abstract: A plant material targeting apparatus includes a light source platform that is mobile during a non-use state and is at a fixed location during a use state. The apparatus also includes a light source coupled to the light source platform. The light source is configured to provide a high-intensity light. The apparatus further includes a beam director configured to direct the high-intensity light at first and second plant material targets. The apparatus also includes a control system configured to receive information representative of the location of the plant material target. The control system is also configured to provide a control signal to the beam director to control aiming of the high-intensity light at each of the first and second plant material targets while the light source platform is at the fixed location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, William D. Duncan, Phillip A. Eckhoff, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Keith D. Rosema, Lowell L. Wood,, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9396641
    Abstract: A system for predicting and warning of impacts includes a sensor located remote from a user and configured to acquire user data regarding motion of the user and object data regarding motion of the object; and a processing circuit configured to predict a potential impact between the user and the object based on the user data and the object data; and control operation of a user-wearable warning device to provide a warning output to the user in advance of a predicted time of the potential impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Allen, Philip V. Bayly, David L. Brody, Alistair K. Chan, Jesse R. Cheatham, III, William D. Duncan, Richard G. Ellenbogen, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Raul Radovitzky, Anthony V. Smith, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Nicholas W. Touran, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9385503
    Abstract: A method of pumping an optical resonator includes directing light generated by a pumping light at the optical resonator, exciting a propagating surface state of the optical resonator at an interface of the optical resonator, and changing a propagating frequency of the light proximate the interface, where the changed frequency corresponds to a propagation frequency of the surface state. The optical resonator includes a photonic crystal and a material, where the interface is formed between the photonic crystal and the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan Kundtz, Ruopeng Liu, Bruce M. McWilliams, John B. Pendry, Daniel A. Roberts, David Schurig, David R. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9384645
    Abstract: A system for predicting and warning of impacts includes a sensor located remote from a user and configured to acquire user data regarding motion of the user and object data regarding motion of the object; and a processing circuit configured to predict a potential impact between the user and the object based on the user data and the object data; and control operation of a user-wearable warning device to provide a warning output to the user in advance of a predicted time of the potential impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Allen, Philip V. Bayly, David L. Brody, Alistair K. Chan, Jesse R. Cheatham, III, William D. Duncan, Richard G. Ellenbogen, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Raul Radovitzky, Anthony V. Smith, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Nicholas W. Touran, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20160176523
    Abstract: A motor vehicle system includes a motor vehicle including an aircraft landing portion, and an actively propelled unmanned aircraft configured to be supported on the aircraft landing portion. The vehicle and aircraft are configured such that the vehicle can provide at least one of fuel and electrical energy to the aircraft while the aircraft is supported on the aircraft landing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Stephen L. Malaska, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160166930
    Abstract: An electronic game feedback system includes a wearable haptic feedback device and a processing circuit. The wearable haptic feedback device includes a plurality of haptic elements configured to provide haptic feedback to a user. The processing circuit is configured to provide a display to the user associated with an electronic game, the electronic game associated with a primary object and a distal secondary object; receive first positional data regarding the primary object; receive second data regarding the secondary object; and control operation of the wearable haptic feedback device to provide the feedback to the user based on the first positional data and the second data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Ehren J. Brav, Alistair K. Chan, William D. Duncan, Russell J. Hannigan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, 3ric Johanson, Jordin T. Kare, Tony S. Pan, Michael A. Schneider, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood,, Jr., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9364178
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a detection system, configured to acquire data regarding operation of the vehicle, and a robotic driving device, configured to provide robotic control of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a control system configured to determine whether the robotic driving device is activated, such that the vehicle is in robotic driving mode; receive a request by a prospective operator of the vehicle to deactivate the robotic driving device to initiate a manual driving mode; determine whether the prospective operator is impaired based on the data; and selectively grant or refuse the request based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde
  • Publication number: 20160158774
    Abstract: A system for delivering vortex rings to an intended target includes a vortex ring generator, one or more component storage containers, and a component additive mechanism. The vortex ring generator is configured to deliver and air vortex rings. The component additive mechanism is configured to remove a component from at least one of the one or more component storage containers, generate a gas from the component, and to add the gas to a vortex ring after the vortex ring is generated by the vortex ring generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Ehren J. Brav, William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Lowell L. Wood,, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160158399
    Abstract: A system for delivering vortex rings to an intended target includes a vortex ring generator, one or more component storage containers, and a component additive mechanism. The vortex ring generator is configured to deliver and air vortex rings. The component additive mechanism is configured to remove a component from at least one of the one or more component storage containers, generate a gas from the component, and to add the gas to a vortex ring after the vortex ring is generated by the vortex ring generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Ehren J. Brav, William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160153606
    Abstract: A thermal insulator includes a plurality of layers. At least some of the layers include phononic crystals having a phononic bandgap, wherein heat transporting phonons within a selected range of frequencies are substantially blocked by each phononic crystal layer. The plurality of layers thermally isolate a first region from a second region, wherein the first region is at one end of the plurality of layers and the second region is at the other end of the plurality of layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Allen, Jeffrey A. Bowers, Kenneth G. Caldeira, William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Thomas J. Nugent,, JR., Stephen H. Salter, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood,, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood