Patents by Inventor William Graves

William Graves 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: 9868332
    Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more suspension systems of a vehicle may be used to mitigate motion sickness by limiting motion in one or more frequency ranges. In another embodiment, an active suspension may be integrated with an autonomous vehicle architecture. In yet another embodiment, the active suspension system of a vehicle may be used to induce motion in a vehicle. The vehicle may be used as a testbed for technical investigations and/or as a platform to enhance the enjoyment of video and/or audio by vehicle occupants. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to perform gestures as a means of communication with persons inside or outside the vehicle. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to generate haptic warnings to a vehicle operator or other persons in response to certain road situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Zackary Martin Anderson, Marco Giovanardi, Jack A. Ekchian, Olivia D. Godwin, Clive Tucker, John A. Laplante, William Graves, Shakeel Avadhany, Michael W. Finnegan
  • Patent number: 9836596
    Abstract: Examples described may relate to methods and systems for controlling permission requests for applications running on a computing device to access resources provided by the computing device. A computing device may maintain in memory for a given application responses to permission requests. The computing device may receive responses to a first permission request that includes two selectable options to either allow or deny access to a particular resource. The computing device may determine whether a number of the responses to the first request that indicate to deny access exceeds a predefined threshold. If the number exceeds the threshold, the computing device may provide, at a run-time of the application subsequent to presentation of the first request, and based on the application attempting to access the resource, a modified permission request that includes, in addition to the two selectable options, a selectable option to prevent requesting permission to access the resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Poiesz, Andrew Abramson, Roger William Graves
  • Patent number: 9817396
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that may allow for supervisory control interaction by a remote operator to assist with navigation to a target location. The UAV may navigate to a target area and capture and send an image of the target area to the remote operator. The remote operator can then provide a user input that indicates a target location within the target area. Upon receiving an indication of the target area, the UAV can then autonomously navigate to the target location. In some examples, after reaching the target location, the UAV may initiate delivery of a payload at the target location using a retractable delivery system while the UAV hovers above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Leila Takayama, Brandon Alexander, Roger William Graves, Justin Sadowski, Abraham Bachrach
  • Patent number: 9783295
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using an assembly that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The assembly can also include a bystander communication module for generating cues for bystander perception. While the assembly securing the payload is being lowered from the UAV, the bystander communication module can generate an avoidance cue indicating that bystanders should avoid interference with the assembly. The assembly also includes sensors that generate data used, at least in part, to determine when the descending assembly is at or near the ground, at which point the assembly releases the payload. The bystander communication module can then cease the avoidance cue and the UAV can retract the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Leila Takayama, Matthew Ball, Joanna Cohen, Roger William Graves, Mathias Samuel Fleck, Andrew Lambert, James Ryan Burgess, Paul Richard Komarek, Trevor Shannon
  • Publication number: 20170253334
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using an assembly that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The assembly can also include a bystander communication module for generating cues for bystander perception. While the assembly securing the payload is being lowered from the UAV, the bystander communication module can generate an avoidance cue indicating that bystanders should avoid interference with the assembly. The assembly also includes sensors that generate data used, at least in part, to determine when the descending assembly is at or near the ground, at which point the assembly releases the payload. The bystander communication module can then cease the avoidance cue and the UAV can retract the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Leila Takayama, Matthew Ball, Joanna Cohen, Roger William Graves, Mathias Samuel Fleck, Andrew Lambert, James Ryan Burgess, Paul Richard Komarek, Trevor Shannon
  • Patent number: 9700020
    Abstract: An animal flotation device is provided. The animal flotation device is a non-inflatable, semi-submersible flotation apparatus for a dog to stably sit, lay and move about while partially submerged in a body of water of any depth. The animal flotation device may have a peripheral portion defining an interior portion. The interior portion provides a generally rigid area adapted to become semi-submersed within the body of water when supporting the dog, whereby the peripheral portion provides buoyancy and stability to the semi-submersed interior portion so that the dog may move around and feel safe while floating atop the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventors: Ginger Ackerman, Josette Fleszar, Julie Graves, William Graves
  • Publication number: 20170136842
    Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more suspension systems of a vehicle may be used to mitigate motion sickness by limiting motion in one or more frequency ranges. In another embodiment, an active suspension may be integrated with an autonomous vehicle architecture. In yet another embodiment, the active suspension system of a vehicle may be used to induce motion in a vehicle. The vehicle may be used as a testbed for technical investigations and/or as a platform to enhance the enjoyment of video and/or audio by vehicle occupants. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to perform gestures as a means of communication with persons inside or outside the vehicle. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to generate haptic warnings to a vehicle operator or other persons in response to certain road situations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Levant Power Corporation
    Inventors: Zackary Martin Anderson, Marco Giovanardi, Jack A. Ekchian, Olivia D. Godwin, Clive Tucker, John A. Laplante, William Graves, Shakeel Avadhany, Michael W. Finnegan
  • Patent number: 9630715
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using an assembly that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The assembly can also include a bystander communication module for generating cues for bystander perception. While the assembly securing the payload is being lowered from the UAV, the bystander communication module can generate an avoidance cue indicating that bystanders should avoid interference with the assembly. The assembly also includes sensors that generate data used, at least in part, to determine when the descending assembly is at or near the ground, at which point the assembly releases the payload. The bystander communication module can then cease the avoidance cue and the UAV can retract the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Leila Takayama, Matthew Ball, Joanna Cohen, Roger William Graves, Mathias Samuel Fleck, Andrew Lambert, James Ryan Burgess, Paul Richard Komarek, Trevor Shannon
  • Publication number: 20170071806
    Abstract: A telescoping assembly for use on a patient support apparatus. The telescoping assembly comprises an accessory and a telescoping support slidable to extend the accessory. A locking device releasably holds the telescoping support in the extended position. The accessory is manually movable by a user between a stowed position and a use position. The accessory comprises a deactivator portion operable to deactivate the locking device remotely in response to the user manually moving the accessory relative to the telescoping support toward the stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Michael William Graves, Richard A. Derenne, William D. Childs, Bryan E. Garfoot, Connor F. St. John, Christopher Gentile, Michael T. Brubaker, Kevin C. Kropp
  • Publication number: 20170043871
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using an assembly that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The assembly can also include a bystander communication module for generating cues for bystander perception. While the assembly securing the payload is being lowered from the UAV, the bystander communication module can generate an avoidance cue indicating that bystanders should avoid interference with the assembly. The assembly also includes sensors that generate data used, at least in part, to determine when the descending assembly is at or near the ground, at which point the assembly releases the payload. The bystander communication module can then cease the avoidance cue and the UAV can retract the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Leila Takayama, Matthew Ball, Joanna Cohen, Roger William Graves, Mathias Samuel Fleck, Andrew Lambert, James Ryan Burgess, Paul Richard Komarek, Trevor Shannon
  • Publication number: 20170011215
    Abstract: Examples described may relate to methods and systems for controlling permission requests for applications running on a computing device to access resources provided by the computing device. A computing device may maintain in memory for a given application responses to permission requests. The computing device may receive responses to a first permission request that includes two selectable options to either allow or deny access to a particular resource. The computing device may determine whether a number of the responses to the first request that indicate to deny access exceeds a predefined threshold. If the number exceeds the threshold, the computing device may provide, at a run-time of the application subsequent to presentation of the first request, and based on the application attempting to access the resource, a modified permission request that includes, in addition to the two selectable options, a selectable option to prevent requesting permission to access the resource.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Poiesz, Andrew Abramson, Roger William Graves
  • Patent number: 9493238
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using an assembly that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The assembly can also include a bystander communication module for generating cues for bystander perception. While the assembly securing the payload is being lowered from the UAV, the bystander communication module can generate an avoidance cue indicating that bystanders should avoid interference with the assembly. The assembly also includes sensors that generate data used, at least in part, to determine when the descending assembly is at or near the ground, at which point the assembly releases the payload. The bystander communication module can then cease the avoidance cue and the UAV can retract the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Leila Takayama, Matthew Ball, Joanna Cohen, Roger William Graves, Mathias Samuel Fleck, Andrew Lambert, James Ryan Burgess, Paul Richard Komarek, Trevor Shannon
  • Publication number: 20160272285
    Abstract: An animal flotation device is provided. The animal flotation device is a non-inflatable, semi-submersible flotation apparatus for a dog to stably sit, lay and move about while partially submerged in a body of water of any depth. The animal flotation device may have a peripheral portion defining an interior portion. The interior portion provides a generally rigid area adapted to become semi-submersed within the body of water when supporting the dog, whereby the peripheral portion provides buoyancy and stability to the semi-submersed interior portion so that the dog may move around and feel safe while floating atop the body of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Ginger ACKERMAN, Josette FLESZAR, Julie GRAVES, William GRAVES
  • Publication number: 20160236778
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using an assembly that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The assembly can also include a bystander communication module for generating cues for bystander perception. While the assembly securing the payload is being lowered from the UAV, the bystander communication module can generate an avoidance cue indicating that bystanders should avoid interference with the assembly. The assembly also includes sensors that generate data used, at least in part, to determine when the descending assembly is at or near the ground, at which point the assembly releases the payload. The bystander communication module can then cease the avoidance cue and the UAV can retract the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Leila Takayama, Matthew Ball, Joanna Cohen, Roger William Graves, Mathias Samuel Fleck, Andrew Lambert, James Ryan Burgess, Paul Richard Komarek, Trevor Shannon
  • Patent number: 9333022
    Abstract: A tool for extracting a pin from a substrate comprises a first lever arm with a body part having a cavity in which the free end of a pin can be received, and a second lever arm which can pivot relative to the first lever arm. A jaw component is provided within the body part which can be actuated from an unlocked position in which a pin within the jaw component can slide freely past the jaw component, and a locked position in which the pin is gripped by engagement of the jaw component with the side wall of the pin, and a support is provided which can slide relative to the body part, in a direction towards the substrate from which the pin is to be extracted. Initial movement of the first lever arm relative to the second lever arm causes the jaw component to be actuated from its unlocked position to its locked position so that an inserted pin is gripped by the jaw component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: DEPUY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: William Graves, Iain Alexander McMillan, Ray Randle
  • Patent number: 9321531
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using an assembly that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The assembly can also include a bystander communication module for generating cues for bystander perception. While the assembly securing the payload is being lowered from the UAV, the bystander communication module can generate an avoidance cue indicating that bystanders should avoid interference with the assembly. The assembly also includes sensors that generate data used, at least in part, to determine when the descending assembly is at or near the ground, at which point the assembly releases the payload. The bystander communication module can then cease the avoidance cue and the UAV can retract the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Leila Takayama, Matthew Ball, Joanna Cohen, Roger William Graves, Mathias Samuel Fleck, Andrew Lambert, James Ryan Burgess, Paul Richard Komarek, Trevor Shannon
  • Publication number: 20160102024
    Abstract: This invention relates to bio-renewable fertilizer compositions and methods of making and using the bio-renewable fertilizer compositions. In particular, the fertilizer compositions include biodegradable nutrient carriers, which have naturally derived, bio-renewable nitrogen content. The fertilizer compositions also contain biodegradable stabilizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: James Schrader, William Graves, JR., David Grewell
  • Patent number: 9262929
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein may help to automatically create flight plans that incorporate information regarding a number of different societal considerations. An illustrative computer-implemented method may involve receiving societal-consideration data for a plurality of geographic areas over which unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are deployable. For a given geographic area from the plurality of geographic areas, the societal-consideration data may include one or more land-use indications for the geographic area that are indicative of a type of land use in the geographic area. The method may also involve, for each of one or more of the plurality of geographic areas: applying a cost function to the one or more land-use indications for the geographic area to determine a societal-consideration cost of UAV flight over the geographic area; and sending an indication of the determined societal-consideration cost to a computer-based flight planner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Roy, Leila Takayama, Mathias Samuel Fleck, Roger William Graves
  • Publication number: 20150067505
    Abstract: Methods and systems for recommending online media content to other users includes receiving a selection of media content rendered on content page. The media content is identified by a user for sharing. A list of topics associated with the user is generated for presenting on a user interface. The topics are descriptive of the media content selected for sharing. Selection of one or more topics for the selected media content is received from the user. The received selections define the user's relevancy perspective for the selected media content. A recommendation for the selected media content is provided in content streams of users that follow the selected topics for users interactions with the selected media content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Metcalf, Roger William Graves, Alexandre Linares, Pedro Valente
  • Publication number: 20140180836
    Abstract: Techniques are provided, relating to online advertising, in which a special link, which may be a short link, associated with an advertiser, may be provided to a user on a first Web page, such as on a social networking related Web site. The special link may be part of an advertisement or communication from the advertiser. If the user clicks on or otherwise activates the special link, a branded version of a second Web page, including particular content, may be presented to the user, which includes a particular advertisement of the advertiser. Users who arrive at the second Web page via links other than special links will be presented with a non-branded version of the Web page, which does not include the particular advertisement of the advertiser. The particular content may be pre-selected by the advertiser, such as part of a content set associated with an advertising campaign.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: YAHOO! INC.
    Inventors: Sarah Sosiak, Roger William Graves, Michael John Kerns, JR., Steven McClelland