Patents by Inventor William Spencer

William Spencer 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: 9508194
    Abstract: Techniques for enabling an augmented reality system to utilize existing output devices in an environment are described herein. An augmented reality system may include one or more augmented reality functional nodes (ARFNs) that are configured to project content onto different non-powered and/or powered display mediums. In addition to projecting content in this manner, the ARFN may also utilize existing content output devices within the environment to further enhance a user's experience while consuming the content. For instance, the ARFN may identify that a television exists within the environment and, in response, the ARFN may instruct the television to display certain content. For instance, if the ARFN is projecting a particular movie, the ARFN may stream or otherwise provide an instruction to the television to begin displaying the movie if the television would provide a better viewing experience than the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William Spencer Worley, III
  • Publication number: 20160325272
    Abstract: A method of coating a honeycomb monolith substrate comprising a plurality of channels with a liquid comprising a catalyst component comprises the steps of: (i) holding a honeycomb monolith substrate substantially vertically; (ii) introducing a pre-determined volume of the liquid into the substrate via open ends of the channels at a lower end of the substrate; (iii) sealingly retaining the introduced liquid within the substrate; (iv) inverting the substrate containing the retained liquid; and (v) applying a vacuum to open ends of the channels of the substrate at the inverted, lower end of the substrate to draw the liquid along the channels of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Guy Richard CHANDLER, Keith Anthony FLANAGAN, Paul Richard PHILLIPS, Paul SCHOFIELD, Michael Leonard William Spencer, Hedley Michael STRUTT
  • Patent number: 9478067
    Abstract: An architecture includes a system to create an augmented reality environment in which images are projected onto a scene and user movement within the scene is captured. In addition to primary visual stimuli, the architecture further includes introduction of a secondary form of sensory feedback into the environment to enhance user experience. The secondary sensory feedback may be tactile feedback and/or olfactory feedback. The secondary sensory feedback is provided to the user in coordination with the visual based activity occurring within the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Spencer Worley, III, Christopher Coley, Edwin Joseph Selker, William Thomas Weatherford
  • Patent number: 9462262
    Abstract: An architecture includes a system to create an augmented reality environment in which images are projected onto a scene and user movement within the scene is captured. The augmented reality environment is hosted within a surrounding area in which various ambient conditions, external to the augmented reality environment, persist. The architecture monitors the external conditions and controls secondary devices that selectively modify the conditions as desired in cooperation with operation of the augmented reality environment to effectively enhance user experience. Alternatively or additionally, the architecture may inform the user of what changes to make, and the user manually makes the adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Spencer Worley, III, Edward Dietz Crump, William Thomas Weatherford, Christopher Coley
  • Publication number: 20160278622
    Abstract: An illuming device for use in medically illuminating tissue of interest within a patient generally includes a light diffusing optical fiber and an at least partially optically opaque sheath that is mounted over the fiber for selective, sliding movement along the length thereof. By sliding the sheath relative to the optical fiber after it has been inserted into a patient to illuminate a particular area of tissue, the length, size, and/or shape of the light that is exposed to the tissue can be selectively controlled. Such in situ variation of the properties of the exposed light permit use of a single instrument and a single procedure regardless of variation in the size and shape of the diseased tissue being medically treated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: William Spencer Klubben, III, Jeffrey L. Mooney, Peter Gerard Wigley
  • Patent number: 9433960
    Abstract: A dosing device for dispensing liquid from a container (1) in which flow through flow openings (23) to an outlet tube (44) is blocked after controlled delay by an obturator (3) moveable within a control chamber (2) mounted in a container neck (101) behind the outlet tube (44). Movement of the obturator (3) is governed by restricted flow through control openings (28) at the rear of the control chamber. Restoration of the obturator to the back of the control chamber facilitates repeated dosing. An elastomeric element (6) of resiliently deformable material promotes a seal to achieve a cleanly defined dose. In one proposal the elastomeric element coats the surface of the obturator and/or the outlet tube (64) to cut off the flow. Another proposal provides a one-way elastomeric valve element (63) for blocking the flow openings to enable rapid recovery after a dosing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Rieke Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Robert Law, Jeffrey William Spencer, David John Pritchett
  • Patent number: 9422085
    Abstract: A system for stacking freight within a shipping container is disclosed. The system comprises a first pallet configured to be removably affixed below and have vertical relief from a second pallet when the system is in a fully assembled state. The system also includes a second pallet configured to be removably affixed on top of and have vertical relief from the first pallet. The system also includes a plurality of support members vertically arranged to support the second pallet on top of the first pallet and provide vertical relief between the first and second pallets when the movable modular system is in the fully assembled state. A plurality of fasteners are used to removably attach the ends of crossing support members to the vertically arranged support members when the system is in the fully assembled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Inventors: William Spencer Kemmer, Jr., Darrin Labuda
  • Patent number: 9415365
    Abstract: A method of coating a honeycomb monolith substrate comprising a plurality of channels with a liquid comprising a catalyst component comprises the steps of: (i) holding a honeycomb monolith substrate substantially vertically; (ii) introducing a pre-determined volume of the liquid into the substrate via open ends of the channels at a lower end of the substrate; (iii) sealingly retaining the introduced liquid within the substrate; (iv) inverting the substrate containing the retained liquid; and (v) applying a vacuum to open ends of the channels of the substrate at the inverted, lower end of the substrate to draw the liquid along the channels of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Guy Richard Chandler, Keith Anthony Flanagan, Paul Richard Phillips, Paul Schofield, Michael Leonard William Spencer, Hedley Michael Strutt
  • Patent number: 9418479
    Abstract: A virtual overlay alters the appearance of a quasi-virtual object within an augmented reality environment. This quasi-virtual object may display information to the user, accept input from the user via motions or physical interactions between the user and the object, or both. Quasi-virtual objects allow a virtual object to have a physical manifestation within the augmented reality environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Spencer Worley, III, Jonathan Betts-LaCroix
  • Patent number: 9383831
    Abstract: An augmented reality system may generate an augmented reality environment by projecting images onto various surfaces within a scene. A projection accessory display device (PADD) provides known characteristics for projection, and may be configured to simplify generation and maintenance of the projected image upon the PADD. The PADD may also provide one or more input devices which accept input from a user within the augmented reality environment. The PADD may comprise non-electronic passive components, electronic active components, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William Spencer Worley, III
  • Patent number: 9380270
    Abstract: An augmented reality environment allows interaction between virtual and real objects. Wavelength modulated light with a known spectral signature available within the augmented reality environment is used to generate spectral reflectance data for objects within the environment. This reflectance data is used to determine whether objects or portions thereof are skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Spencer Worley, III, Ning Yao, Edward Dietz Crump, Sowmya Gopalan
  • Publication number: 20160165661
    Abstract: An automated mobile vehicle configured to autonomously provide coverage for inoperable infrastructure components at various locations. For example, a plurality of automated mobile vehicles may be deployed to provide emergency lighting, a wireless network, audio, video, etc., at an event area. The event area may be indoors and/or outdoors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: William Spencer Worley, III, Eric Mathew Clayton
  • Patent number: 9349217
    Abstract: An architecture is provided to integrate multiple augmented reality environments to expand user experiences that might otherwise be limited in a single augmented reality environment. The architecture includes multiple augmented reality functional nodes located in separate locations to generate augmented reality environments within respective locations. The nodes are communicatively coupled together through a peer network, via cloud services, or other arrangements. The community of environments allows data, such as captured images, to be ported from one location to another, thereby allowing users to share in common experiences. Examples of such experiences might include team software coding, playing software games, virtually extending line-of-sight beyond physical boundaries, and controlling remote locations by virtually placing oneself in those locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Spencer Worley, III, Edward Dietz Crump, William Thomas Weatherford, Christopher Coley
  • Patent number: 9269152
    Abstract: Objects within a scene are modeled in two- or three-dimensions by acquiring slices of data from a distributed sensor array and generating the model of the object at least in part from those slices. The distributed sensor array may comprise optical transmitters and optical receivers configured such that they may be individually addressed and activated. The system described herein may be used to support an augmented reality environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Spencer Worley, III, Petr G. Shepelev, Edward Dietz Crump, Robert W. Sjoberg
  • Publication number: 20160049096
    Abstract: The present invention provides a training device for training a user to use a pressurised metered dose inhaler (PMDI). The device comprises a body, air expulsion means (e.g. bellows) for expelling air along an air flow path and an actuator for actuation of the air expulsion means. The air flow path comprises a restriction such that upon expulsion of air along the air flow path, an audible signal is generated. The audible signal mimics that generated during use of a PMDI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Ronald John Bruin, David William Spencer, Mark Jeremy Sanders
  • Patent number: 9260028
    Abstract: An automated mobile vehicle configured to autonomously provide coverage for inoperable infrastructure components at various locations. A plurality of automated mobile vehicles may be deployed to provide emergency lighting, a wireless network, audio, video, etc., at an event area. The event area may be indoors and/or outdoors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Spencer Worley, III, Eric Mathew Clayton
  • Patent number: 9251787
    Abstract: Techniques for altering audio being output by a voice-controlled device, or another device, to enable more accurate automatic speech recognition (ASR) by the voice-controlled device. For instance, a voice-controlled device may output audio within an environment using a speaker of the device. While outputting the audio, a microphone of the device may capture sound within the environment and may generate an audio signal based on the captured sound. The device may then analyze the audio signal to identify speech of a user within the signal, with the speech indicating that the user is going to provide a subsequent command to the device. Thereafter, the device may alter the output of the audio (e.g., attenuate the audio, pause the audio, switch from stereo to mono, etc.) to facilitate speech recognition of the user's subsequent command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Hart, William Spencer Worley, III
  • Patent number: 9236000
    Abstract: An augmented reality system may generate an augmented reality environment by projecting images onto various surfaces within a scene. A projection accessory display device (PADD) provides known characteristics for projection, and may be configured to simplify generation and maintenance of the projected image upon the PADD. The PADD may also provide one or more input devices which accept input from a user within the augmented reality environment. The PADD may comprise non-electronic passive components, electronic active components, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William Spencer Worley, III
  • Publication number: 20150344175
    Abstract: A system for stacking freight within a shipping container is disclosed. The system comprises a first pallet configured to be removably affixed below and have vertical relief from a second pallet when the system is in a fully assembled state. The system also includes a second pallet configured to be removably affixed on top of and have vertical relief from the first pallet. The system also includes a plurality of support members vertically arranged to support the second pallet on top of the first pallet and provide vertical relief between the first and second pallets when the movable modular system is in the fully assembled state. A plurality of fasteners are used to removably attach the ends of crossing support members to the vertically arranged support members when the system is in the fully assembled state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: William Spencer Kemmer, Jr., Darrin Labuda
  • Patent number: D746313
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: WHIRLSCAPE INC.
    Inventors: William Spencer Lewin Walmsley, Khai Nhut Truong