Patents by Inventor William Graham Patrick
William Graham Patrick 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).
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Patent number: 9671781Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a deployment system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In one aspect, an illustrative deployment system includes a communication system configured for receiving diagnostic data corresponding to an object included in a UAV, wherein the UAV has an expiration condition; and a logic module configured for (i) determining that the expiration condition has been satisfied based, at least in part, on the received diagnostic data, and (ii) responsive to determining that the expiration condition has been satisfied, initiating an action that includes sending to the UAV both (a) navigation data relating to a remedial facility, and (b) instructions to navigate to the remedial facility based, at least in part, on the navigation data.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: X Development LLCInventors: Eric Peeters, Eric Teller, William Graham Patrick
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Patent number: 9576551Abstract: A method and apparatus for gesture interaction with an image displayed on a painted wall is described. The method may include capturing image data of the image displayed on the painted wall and a user motion performed relative to the image. The method may also include analyzing the captured image data to determine a sequence of one or more physical movements of the user relative to the image displayed on the painted wall. The method may also include determining, based on the analysis, that the user motion is indicative of a gesture associated with the image displayed on the painted wall, and controlling a connected system in response to the gesture.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: X Development LLCInventors: Johnny Lee, Eric Teller, William Graham Patrick, Eric Peeters
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Patent number: 9434473Abstract: Embodiments described herein may help to provide support via a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An illustrative medical-support system may include multiple UAVs, which are configured to provide support for a number of different situations. Further, the medical-support system may be configured to: (a) identify a remote situation, (b) determine a target location corresponding to the situation, (c) select a UAV from the fleet of UAVs, where the selection of the UAV is based on a determination that the selected UAV is configured for the identified situation, and (d) cause the selected UAV to travel to the target location to provide support.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2015Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Eric Peeters, Eric Teller, William Graham Patrick
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Patent number: 9436181Abstract: Embodiments described herein may relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigating to a target in order to provide medical support. An illustrative method involves a UAV (a) determining an approximate target location associated with a target, (b) using a first navigation process to navigate the UAV to the approximate target location, where the first navigation process generates flight-control signals based on the approximate target location, (c) making a determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location, and (d) in response to the determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location, using a second navigation process to navigate the UAV to the target, wherein the second navigation process generates flight-control signals based on real-time localization of the target.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Eric Peeters, Eric Teller, William Graham Patrick
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Publication number: 20160244165Abstract: Embodiments described herein may help to provide medical support via a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An illustrative UAV may include a housing, a payload, a line-deployment mechanism coupled to the housing and a line, and a payload-release mechanism that couples the line to the payload, wherein the payload-release mechanism is configured to release the payload from the line. The UAV may further include a control system configured to determine that the UAV is located at or near a delivery location and responsively: operate the line-deployment mechanism according to a variable deployment-rate profile to lower the payload to or near to the ground, determine that the payload is touching or is within a threshold distance from the ground, and responsively operate the payload-release mechanism to release the payload from the line.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: William Graham Patrick, James Ryan Burgess, Andrew Conrad
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Publication number: 20160244163Abstract: Embodiments described herein may help to provide support via a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An illustrative medical-support system may include multiple UAVs, which are configured to provide support for a number of different situations. Further, the medical-support system may be configured to: (a) identify a remote situation, (b) determine a target location corresponding to the situation, (c) select a UAV from the fleet of UAVs, where the selection of the UAV is based on a determination that the selected UAV is configured for the identified situation, and (d) cause the selected UAV to travel to the target location to provide support.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Eric Peeters, Eric Teller, William Graham Patrick
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Patent number: 9412053Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus, system and method for creating light projection solutions for user guidance are described herein. A user may request that projected light be used to assist in a plurality of operations involving objects in the physical space around the user. A user can use voice commands and hand gestures to request that a projector project light or images on or near objects involved in one or more operations. Embodiments of the disclosure perform an image recognition process to scan the physical space around the user and to identify any user gesture performed (e.g., a user pointing at a plurality of objects, a user holding an object); a steerable projector may be actuated to project light or image data based on the user's request and a plurality of operations associated with the objects.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: William Graham Patrick, Eric Teller, Johnny Lee
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Publication number: 20160217695Abstract: Embodiments described herein may relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigating to a target in order to provide medical support. An illustrative method involves a UAV (a) determining an approximate target location associated with a target, (b) using a first navigation process to navigate the UAV to the approximate target location, where the first navigation process generates flight-control signals based on the approximate target location, (c) making a determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location, and (d) in response to the determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location, using a second navigation process to navigate the UAV to the target, wherein the second navigation process generates flight-control signals based on real-time localization of the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Eric Peeters, Eric Teller, William Graham Patrick
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Patent number: 9346547Abstract: Embodiments described herein may help to provide medical support via a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An illustrative UAV may include a housing, a payload, a line-deployment mechanism coupled to the housing and a line, and a payload-release mechanism that couples the line to the payload, wherein the payload-release mechanism is configured to release the payload from the line. The UAV may further include a control system configured to determine that the UAV is located at or near a delivery location and responsively: operate the line-deployment mechanism according to a variable deployment-rate profile to lower the payload to or near to the ground, determine that the payload is touching or is within a threshold distance from the ground, and responsively operate the payload-release mechanism to release the payload from the line.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: William Graham Patrick, James Ryan Burgess, Andrew Conrad
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Publication number: 20160098969Abstract: A method and apparatus for gesture interaction with an image displayed on a painted wall is described. The method may include capturing image data of the image displayed on the painted wall and a user motion performed relative to the image. The method may also include analyzing the captured image data to determine a sequence of one or more physical movements of the user relative to the image displayed on the painted wall. The method may also include determining, based on the analysis, that the user motion is indicative of a gesture associated with the image displayed on the painted wall, and controlling a connected system in response to the gesture.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2015Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventors: Johnny Lee, Eric Teller, William Graham Patrick, Eric Peeters
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Patent number: 9307383Abstract: An illustrative apparatus may include a UAV request apparatus having a housing with at least one interface configured to accept one or more inputs that are each indicative of a particular type of medical situation. A control system may be configured to receive, via the interface, a first input that corresponds to a first type of medical situation in which a defibrillator is configured to provide medical support; and send, via a first network interface to an access system for a network of UAVs, a medical support request including a unique electronic identifier for the apparatus and an indication of the first type of medical situation, such that a UAV delivers a defibrillator to a location associated with the unique electronic identifier.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: William Graham Patrick
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Publication number: 20150353195Abstract: Embodiments described herein may help to provide support via a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An illustrative medical-support system may include multiple UAVs, which are configured to provide support for a number of different situations. Further, the medical-support system may be configured to: (a) identify a remote situation, (b) determine a target location corresponding to the situation, (c) select a UAV from the fleet of UAVs, where the selection of the UAV is based on a determination that the selected UAV is configured for the identified situation, and (d) cause the selected UAV to travel to the target location to provide support.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Eric Peeters, Eric Teller, William Graham Patrick
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Patent number: 9195320Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating dynamic signage using a painted surface display system is described. The method may include capturing image data with at least a camera of a painted surface display system. The method may also include analyzing the image data to determine a real-world context proximate to a painted surface, wherein the painted surface is painted with a photo-active paint. The method may also include determining electronic signage data based on the determined real-world context. The method may also include generating a sign image from the determined electronic signage data based on the determined real-world context, and driving a spatial electromagnetic modulator to emit electromagnetic stimulation in the form of the sign image to cause the photo active paint to display the sign image.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Johnny Lee, Eric Teller, William Graham Patrick, Eric Peeters
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Patent number: 9164596Abstract: A method and apparatus for gesture interaction with a photo-active painted surface is described. The method may include driving a spatial electromagnetic modulator to emit electromagnetic stimulation in the form of an image to cause photo-active paint to display the image. The method may also include capturing, with at least a camera of a painted surface display system, image data of the image displayed on the photo-active paint applied to a surface and a user motion performed relative to the image. The method may also include analyzing the captured image data to determine a sequence of one or more physical movements of the user relative to the image displayed on the photo-active paint. The method may also include determining, based on the analysis, that the user motion is indicative of a gesture, and driving the spatial electromagnetic modulator to update.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2012Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Johnny Lee, Eric Teller, William Graham Patrick, Eric Peeters
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Patent number: 9085354Abstract: Systems and methods for vertical takeoff and/or landing are disclosed herein. An aerial vehicle may include a first propulsion unit and a second propulsion each rotatably connected to a body. The aerial vehicle may include a first wing and a second wing each rotatably connected to the body. And the aerial vehicle may include a control system configured to: position the first propulsion unit, the second propulsion unit, the first wing, and the second wing; operate the first propulsion unit and the second propulsion unit; and rotate the first propulsion unit, the second propulsion unit, the first wing, and the second wing.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2013Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Eric Peeters, William Graham Patrick
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Publication number: 20150158587Abstract: Embodiments described herein may help to provide medical support via a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An illustrative UAV may include a housing, a payload, a line-deployment mechanism coupled to the housing and a line, and a payload-release mechanism that couples the line to the payload, wherein the payload-release mechanism is configured to release the payload from the line. The UAV may further include a control system configured to determine that the UAV is located at or near a delivery location and responsively: operate the line-deployment mechanism according to a variable deployment-rate profile to lower the payload to or near to the ground, determine that the payload is touching or is within a threshold distance from the ground, and responsively operate the payload-release mechanism to release the payload from the line.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: William Graham Patrick, James Ryan Burgess, Andrew Conrad
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Patent number: 9051043Abstract: Embodiments described herein may help to provide medical support via a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An illustrative medical-support system may include multiple UAVs, which are configured to provide medical support for a number of different medical situations. Further, the medical-support system may be configured to: (a) identify a remote medical situation, (b) determine a target location corresponding to the medical situation, (c) select a UAV from the fleet of UAVs, where the selection of the UAV is based on a determination that the selected UAV is configured for the identified medical situation, and (d) cause the selected UAV to travel to the target location to provide medical support.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Eric Peeters, Eric Teller, William Graham Patrick
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Patent number: 9014417Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling themes using photo-active surface paint is described. The method may include capturing image data with at least a camera of a painted surface display system. The method may also include analyzing the image data to determine a real-world context proximate to a painted surface, wherein the surface is painted with a photo-active paint. The method may also include selecting a theme based on the determined real-world context. The method may also include generating a theme image, and driving a spatial electromagnetic modulator to emit electromagnetic stimulation in the form of the theme image to cause the photo active paint to display the theme image.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Johnny Lee, Eric Teller, William Graham Patrick, Eric Peeters
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Publication number: 20150094883Abstract: Embodiments described herein may relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigating to a target in order to provide medical support. An illustrative method involves a UAV (a) determining an approximate target location associated with a target, (b) using a first navigation process to navigate the UAV to the approximate target location, where the first navigation process generates flight-control signals based on the approximate target location, (c) making a determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location, and (d) in response to the determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location, using a second navigation process to navigate the UAV to the target, wherein the second navigation process generates flight-control signals based on real-time localization of the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Eric Peeters, Eric Teller, William Graham Patrick
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Patent number: 8983682Abstract: An illustrative emergency-support system may include multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are configured to provide emergency support for a number of different emergency situations. Further, the emergency-support system may be configured to: (a) identify a request for assistance in a remote emergency situation, (b) identify a remote device associated with the request for assistance, (c) determine a target location corresponding to the emergency situation, (d) control a UAV to travel to the target location to provide emergency support, and (e) enable an otherwise restricted capability of one or more of the remote device or the UAV after controlling the UAV to travel to the target location, wherein the capability is enabled to help provide emergency support in the remote emergency situation.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Eric Peeters, Eric Teller, William Graham Patrick