Patents by Inventor William Whitney

William Whitney 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: 20260026904
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, an articulating shaft, and an end effector assembly extending from the articulating shaft. Tensioning a first articulation cable and slackening a second articulation cable articulates the end effector assembly in a first direction and the opposite articulates the end effector assembly in a second, opposite direction. An articulation mechanism includes first and second capstans including proximal end portions of the first and second articulation cables at least partially wound thereabout. The first capstan is configured to rotate in a first direction to wind up the proximal end portion of the first articulation cable to tension the first articulation cable and in a second direction to unwind the proximal end portion of the first articulation cable to slacken the first articulation cable. The second capstan acts in an opposite manner to tension and slacken the second articulation cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2025
    Publication date: January 29, 2026
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Zachary S. Heiliger, Russell W. Holbrook, William Whitney, Jason G. Weihe, Dylan R. Kingsley, Crystal A. Adams, Curtis M. Siebenaller
  • Patent number: 12446983
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, an articulating shaft, and an end effector assembly extending from the articulating shaft. Tensioning a first articulation cable and slackening a second articulation cable articulates the end effector assembly in a first direction and the opposite articulates the end effector assembly in a second, opposite direction. An articulation mechanism includes first and second capstans including proximal end portions of the first and second articulation cables at least partially wound thereabout. The first capstan is configured to rotate in a first direction to wind up the proximal end portion of the first articulation cable to tension the first articulation cable and in a second direction to unwind the proximal end portion of the first articulation cable to slacken the first articulation cable. The second capstan acts in an opposite manner to tension and slacken the second articulation cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2025
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Zachary S. Heiliger, Russell W. Holbrook, William Whitney, Jason G. Weihe, Dylan R. Kingsley, Crystal A. Adams, Curtis M. Siebenaller
  • Patent number: 12379199
    Abstract: A method of estimating a velocity of an object using an SMI sensor. The method includes driving a light emitter of the SMI sensor with a chirped waveform. The chirped waveform includes a first chirp and a second chirp separated by a first time interval, and a third chirp separated from the second chirp by a second time interval. The method also includes deriving a frequency-based velocity from an output of the SMI sensor; generating a first comb of possible velocities in response to analyzing an output of the SMI sensor generated in response to the first chirp and the second chirp; generating a second comb of possible velocities in response to analyzing an output of the SMI sensor generated in response to the second chirp and the third chirp; and determining a velocity of the object using the first comb, the second comb, and the frequency-based velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William Whitney, Mengshu Huang
  • Patent number: 12353649
    Abstract: Optical sensors can be used for content generation using an input device without a touch sensitive surface. In some examples, the optical sensors can be used to detect characteristics of the input device including position, orientation, and/or motion of the input device. In some examples, some or all of the characteristics of the input device can be used in processing to generate content, including textual character input and three-dimensional objects. In some examples, the generation of content can use information from one or more additional sensors of the input device and/or from additional devices in combination with the characteristics of the input device based on the optical sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William Whitney, Yuhao Pan, Ahmet Fatih Cihan, Tong Chen, Stephen E. Dey
  • Patent number: 12161386
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft including an articulating segment. A jaw assembly extends from a distal segment of the elongated shaft. A first jaw member can be actuated between a closed configuration and an open configuration. An articulation cable assembly includes a first articulation cable including a first extending portion, a second extending portion spaced apart from the first extending portion, and a loop portion connecting distal ends of the first and second extending portions of the first articulation cable. A first ferrule is positioned about the loop portion of the first articulation cable. A second articulation cable includes a first extending portion, a second extending portion spaced apart from the first extending portion, and a loop portion connecting distal ends of the first and second extending portions of the second articulation cable. A second ferrule is positioned about the loop portion of the second articulation cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Dylan R. Kingsley, Crystal A. Adams, Jason G. Weihe, William Whitney, Russell W. Holbrook, Zachary S. Heiliger, Curtis M. Siebenaller
  • Patent number: 11925406
    Abstract: A surgical end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members configured to grasp tissue. Each of the first and second jaw members includes a proximal flange portion and a distal body portion. The proximal flange portions are pivotably coupled to one another to move the distal body portions between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Dylan R. Kingsley, Crystal A. Adams, Jason G. Weihe, William Whitney, Russell W. Holbrook, Zachary S. Heiliger, Curtis M. Siebenaller
  • Patent number: 11899534
    Abstract: Techniques for providing direct access to backup data can include: receiving a selection of a backup of a file system, wherein the backup is stored on a backup system connected to a data storage system; creating, in accordance with said selection of the backup, a remote copy of the backup, wherein the remote copy is stored on the backup system; generating a proxy file system for the remote copy on the backup system, wherein the proxy file system is mapped by the data storage system to the remote copy on the backup system; and providing a host with direct access to the remote copy using the proxy file system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Qi Jin, Nagasimha G. Haravu, Ashish Sharma, William Whitney
  • Publication number: 20240004483
    Abstract: Optical sensors can be used for content generation using an input device without a touch sensitive surface. In some examples, the optical sensors can be used to detect characteristics of the input device including position, orientation, and/or motion of the input device. In some examples, some or all of the characteristics of the input device can be used in processing to generate content, including textual character input and three-dimensional objects. In some examples, the generation of content can use information from one or more additional sensors of the input device and/or from additional devices in combination with the characteristics of the input device based on the optical sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: William WHITNEY, Yuhao PAN, Ahmet Fatih CIHAN, Tong CHEN, Stephen E. DEY
  • Publication number: 20240003671
    Abstract: An electronic device including an SMI sensor may be operated to predict interference in an SMI signal caused by speckle provided by the SMI sensor and operate the SMI sensor based on predicted interference in the SMI signal caused by speckle. Predicting interference in the SMI signal caused by speckle and operating the SMI sensor accordingly may allow for accurate measurement of physical phenomena using the SMI sensor with reduced power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Mingzhou Jin, Tong Chen, William Whitney
  • Publication number: 20230229559
    Abstract: Techniques for providing direct access to backup data can include: receiving a selection of a backup of a file system, wherein the backup is stored on a backup system connected to a data storage system; creating, in accordance with said selection of the backup, a remote copy of the backup, wherein the remote copy is stored on the backup system; generating a proxy file system for the remote copy on the backup system, wherein the proxy file system is mapped by the data storage system to the remote copy on the backup system; and providing a host with direct access to the remote copy using the proxy file system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Qi Jin, Nagasimha G. Haravu, Ashish Sharma, William Whitney
  • Patent number: 11660109
    Abstract: A surgical end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members configured to grasp tissue. At least one of the jaw members defines a channel. A cutting element reciprocates through the channel to cut grasped tissue. The cutting element may include a first bevel defined along a first portion of a distal edge on a first side surface of the cutting element and a second bevel defined along a second portion of the distal edge on a second side surface of the cutting element. The first and second portions of the distal edge are sharpened to facilitate cutting tissue upon distal advancement of the cutting element. Alternatively or additionally, the cutting element may include a proximal body and a distal fin defining a height greater than a height of the proximal body and including a thinned portion defining a depression within a first side surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Dylan R. Kingsley, Jason G. Weihe, William Whitney, Zachary S. Heiliger, Curtis M. Siebenaller, Crystal A. Adams, David D. Brause
  • Publication number: 20230070733
    Abstract: A method of estimating a velocity of an object using an SMI sensor. The method includes driving a light emitter of the SMI sensor with a chirped waveform. The chirped waveform includes a first chirp and a second chirp separated by a first time interval, and a third chirp separated from the second chirp by a second time interval. The method also includes deriving a frequency-based velocity from an output of the SMI sensor; generating a first comb of possible velocities in response to analyzing an output of the SMI sensor generated in response to the first chirp and the second chirp; generating a second comb of possible velocities in response to analyzing an output of the SMI sensor generated in response to the second chirp and the third chirp; and determining a velocity of the object using the first comb, the second comb, and the frequency-based velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: William Whitney, Mengshu Huang
  • Publication number: 20220079662
    Abstract: A surgical end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members configured to grasp tissue. Each of the first and second jaw members includes a proximal flange portion and a distal body portion. The proximal flange portions are pivotably coupled to one another to move the distal body portions between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Dylan R. Kingsley, Crystal A. Adams, Jason G. Weihe, William Whitney, Russell W. Holbrook, Zachary S. Heiliger, Curtis M. Siebenaller
  • Publication number: 20220079663
    Abstract: A surgical end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members configured to grasp tissue. Each of the first and second jaw members includes a proximal flange portion and a distal body portion. The proximal flange portions are pivotably coupled to one another to move the distal body portions between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Dylan R. Kingsley, Crystal A. Adams, Jason G. Weihe, William Whitney, Russell W. Holbrook, Zachary S. Heiliger, Curtis M. Siebenaller
  • Publication number: 20220079661
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft including an articulating segment. A jaw assembly extends from a distal segment of the elongated shaft. A first jaw member can be actuated between a closed configuration and an open configuration. An articulation cable assembly includes a first articulation cable including a first extending portion, a second extending portion spaced apart from the first extending portion, and a loop portion connecting distal ends of the first and second extending portions of the first articulation cable. A first ferrule is positioned about the loop portion of the first articulation cable. A second articulation cable includes a first extending portion, a second extending portion spaced apart from the first extending portion, and a loop portion connecting distal ends of the first and second extending portions of the second articulation cable. A second ferrule is positioned about the loop portion of the second articulation cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Dylan R. Kingsley, Crystal A. Adams, Jason G. Weihe, William Whitney, Russell W. Holbrook, Zachary S. Heiliger, Curtis M. Siebenaller
  • Publication number: 20220079660
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft including an articulating segment. A jaw assembly extends from a distal segment of the elongated shaft. A first jaw member can be actuated between a closed configuration and an open configuration. An articulation cable assembly includes a first articulation cable including a first extending portion, a second extending portion spaced apart from the first extending portion, and a loop portion connecting distal ends of the first and second extending portions of the first articulation cable. A first ferrule is positioned about the loop portion of the first articulation cable. A second articulation cable includes a first extending portion, a second extending portion spaced apart from the first extending portion, and a loop portion connecting distal ends of the first and second extending portions of the second articulation cable. A second ferrule is positioned about the loop portion of the second articulation cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Dylan R. Kingsley, Crystal A. Adams, Jason G. Weihe, William Whitney, Russell W. Holbrook, Zachary S. Heiliger, Curtis M. Siebenaller
  • Publication number: 20220071724
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, an articulating shaft, and an end effector assembly extending from the articulating shaft. Tensioning a first articulation cable and slackening a second articulation cable articulates the end effector assembly in a first direction and the opposite articulates the end effector assembly in a second, opposite direction. An articulation mechanism includes first and second capstans including proximal end portions of the first and second articulation cables at least partially wound thereabout. The first capstan is configured to rotate in a first direction to wind up the proximal end portion of the first articulation cable to tension the first articulation cable and in a second direction to unwind the proximal end portion of the first articulation cable to slacken the first articulation cable. The second capstan acts in an opposite manner to tension and slacken the second articulation cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Zachary S. Heiliger, Russell W. Holbrook, William Whitney, Jason G. Weihe, Dylan R. Kingsley, Crystal A. Adams, Curtis M. Siebenaller
  • Publication number: 20220071650
    Abstract: A surgical end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members configured to grasp tissue. At least one of the jaw members defines a channel. A cutting element reciprocates through the channel to cut grasped tissue. The cutting element may include a first bevel defined along a first portion of a distal edge on a first side surface of the cutting element and a second bevel defined along a second portion of the distal edge on a second side surface of the cutting element. The first and second portions of the distal edge are sharpened to facilitate cutting tissue upon distal advancement of the cutting element. Alternatively or additionally, the cutting element may include a proximal body and a distal fin defining a height greater than a height of the proximal body and including a thinned portion defining a depression within a first side surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Dylan R. Kingsley, Jason G. Weihe, William Whitney, Zachary S. Heiliger, Curtis M. Siebenaller, Crystal A. Adams, David D. Brause
  • Patent number: 10268419
    Abstract: A hierarchy of multiple levels of storage resources and associated QOS (quality of service) limits and buckets of tokens may be specified. A different QOS limit may be applied to each individual storage resource. The buckets may denote current amounts of tokens available for consumption in connection with servicing I/O operations. Each bucket may denote a current amount of available tokens for a corresponding storage resource of included in the hierarchy. Processing may include receiving a first I/O operation directed to a first storage resource, and determining, in accordance with the buckets of available tokens, whether to service the first I/O operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLC
    Inventors: Dmitry Nikolayevich Tylik, Kenneth Hu, Qi Jin, William Whitney, Karl M. Owen
  • Patent number: 9799554
    Abstract: A method for coating substrates provided with vias uses a first step in which the substrate is conditioned and a second step in which the substrate is coated with an electrically insulating material such that the vias are filled up completely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SUSS MicroTec Lithography GmbH
    Inventors: Katrin Fischer, Florian Palitschka, Darren Robert Southworth, William Whitney