Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Other

Apple Inc.

Design To Manufacturing, Inc.

D2m International Pty Ltd.

Cousin Corporation of America

John Edwin Johnston

Chris Green

Jonah Avram Becker

Bernhard Wildner

David H Titzler

Andrew G Butler

Jeffrey Scott Croyle

Edward J Cooper

Gregg Elliott Zehr

Derek Jenchia Loh

Thomas J Hobbs

Carl Philip Taussig

Christopher C Jones

Christopher Tacklind

Lawrence E Davis

Christopher Lorenzo Dunn

Brian Whitney Lamb

Symon J Whitehorn

Heather Fleming

Daniel R Bauen

Michael G Cousin

Brian Michael Roe

Audrey Caroline Christine Louchart

Jeffrey Cousin

Michelle Marcott

Deborah Campbell

Mark Pezzuti

Jeff Hayashida

Youenn Herve Yann Colin

Christopher Tackind

Omar Sze Leung

William Vincent Oxford

Amish Rajesh Babu

Jateen P Parekh

Robert Allan Yuan

Adam Barry Fineberg

Albert John Yu Sam Chua

Michael S Horito

William R Anderson

Ronald J Moller

Mark Greggory Edstrom

Shyeu-Yang Wang

Wilfred H Anderson

David Jennings Dostal

Paul Leland Mandel

Stephen Anthony Kitchens

Steven H DaPonte

Toby Warren Smith

Dee Jordan

Jose Arnoldo Marin-McDaniel

Greg Zehr

C Lorenzo Dunn

Christopher J Raymond

Chih-Wu Jen

Jaremy J Flake

Robert J Dye

A robotic assistant comprises a plurality of sensors in a compact and unobtrusive form. One or more sensors may be emplaced upon a mast that may be selectively raised and lowered. The mast allows the robotic assistant to acquire images or other sensor data from a greater height, without substantially increasing the bulk of the robotic assistant. For ease of transport from one floor to another or from one building to another, the robotic assistant may deploy a handhold that a human may use to pick up and carry the robotic assistant. Floor characterization sensors may be used to determine characteristics of the floor such as if the floor is wet or dry. The robotic assistant may be used to provide a user with access to network services, to monitor a facility, provide telepresence services, and so forth.

Robotic assistant

A compact angular actuator allows for angular displacement between a first section and a second section. The first section comprises a cam that is circular in cross section and has a wedge-shaped face. The second section comprises two or more constraint components that are in contact with the face of the cam. A hinge joins the first section and the second section in proximity with one another. As the cam is rotated about an axis that is perpendicular to and extends through a center of the circular cross section, the position on the face that the constraint components are in contact with changes. As a result, a force is imparted between the first section and the second section, changing the angular displacement between the two. The actuator fits within a compact volume and allows for precise controlled angular displacement, while allowing that displacement to be maintained without power consumption.

Compact angular actuator

An extensible mast device allows a payload to be supported at a controllable distance from a supporting device. A motor driving a flexible strip provides a force through the flexible strip to extend the mast. The extended strip may have a curved cross section that provides some rigidity. A set of telescoping sections may enclose the strip. One or more of the sections may be flexible. In the event of an impact between the extensible mast and an object, such as a user, the flexible section and the strip yield to the impact and collapse. The extensible mast may be easily reset by lifting it back to a vertical position, with the flexible strip reasserting the curved cross section and the flexible sections resuming substantially the same shape as before the impact. A robot may use the extensible mast to elevate cameras or other sensors to a higher vantage point.

Extensible mast device

Presentation by a display is enhanced by placing the active elements of the display at or substantially proximate to the surface of an electronic device. A protective sheet of the display is extended to cover a front surface of the electronic device. Such placement improves image quality, reduces shadow on the display, improves spill resistance, and minimizes the overall profile of the device.

Surface display assembly having proximate active elements

An electronic book reading device with a configurable keypad is described. The device includes a first display configured to display visual representations of content of an electronic book. The device further includes a second display configured to display a plurality of different button configurations, one button configuration being displayed at a time. The device also includes a switch array disposed under the second display, wherein the switch array is configured to receive user input and provide tactile feedback when the user input is received. The device includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. Instructions are stored in the memory. The instructions are executable to process the user input and change a button configuration on the second display from a first button configuration to a second button configuration.

Configurable keypad for an electronic device

An automatic carriage return for an exhaust removal system having a carriage that is configured to translate along a track tube. The automatic carriage return includes a drive cable spanning along the track tube, and an engagement assembly coupled to the carriage. A drive motor drives motion of the carriage along the drive cable when the engagement assembly is in the engaged configuration. In the disengaged configuration, the engagement assembly is configured to be disengaged from the drive cable to allow the carriage to freely follow the path of the vehicle. Upon release of the extraction hose from the vehicle, the engagement assembly is configured to automatically activate to the engaged configuration to engage the drive cable.

Automatic carriage return for exhaust removal system

Electrical power adapters comprising retractable prongs and/or retractable electrical outputs are disclosed. In one example, an electrical travel adapter includes a power unit having a retractable electrical output and a plug unit coupled to the power unit, the plug unit having a plurality of retractable prongs.

Electrical power adapter

A keyboard layout for a handheld electronic book device is described herein. The device includes a display screen adapted for displaying visible representations of textual or graphic content related to the electronic book. The device also includes a keyboard for controlling presentation of the content. The keyboard includes two sets of keys. A first set of keys is arranged in an arcuate configuration relative to a first point of reference on the device. A second set of keys is arranged in an arcuate configuration relative to a second point of reference on the device. The second point of reference is spaced from the first point of reference on the device. One or more of the first set of keys and one or more of the second set of keys are arranged in a horizontal row.

Keyboard layout for handheld electronic book reader device

An automatic carriage return for an exhaust removal system having a carriage that is configured to translate along a track tube, the carriage being coupled at a first end to an exhaust extraction hose, the second end of the exhaust extraction hose being coupled to a vehicle exhaust for directing exhaust from the vehicle out the track tube. The automatic carriage return includes a drive cable spanning along the track tube, and an engagement assembly coupled to the carriage. The engagement assembly has an engaged configuration and a non-engaged configuration with respect to the drive cable. A drive motor is coupled to the engagement assembly, and drives motion of the carriage along the drive cable when the engagement assembly is in the engaged configuration. In the disengaged configuration, the engagement assembly is configured to be disengaged from the drive cable while the exhaust extraction hose is attached to the exhaust of a vehicle to allow the carriage to freely follow the path of the vehicle. Upon release of the extraction hose from the vehicle, the engagement assembly is configured to automatically activate to the engaged configuration to engage the drive cable.

An extendable edge reference tool is disclosed. A first segment having a extending end and a receptacle end is provided. The receptacle end includes a coupling mechanism for joining a second segment using an over-center locking force to secure said second segment to said first segment. This tool provides for a useful continuous reference edge over extended distances through adjoining segments. Each segment is suitably compact to be easy stowed. The segments are useful individually. The segments can be joined to extend tool to lengths useful in common construction tasks.

Extendable edge reference tool

A multi-line chalk reel is disclosed that may be comprised of three or more line reels disposed in a polar arrangement of parallel but distinct rotation axes that has a single method for engaging and disengaging a single drive arrangement to any one spool. This arrangement provides a variety of advantages, including a package solution of useful dimensions and a low part count to minimize parts in assembly. The single drive arrangement reduces cost, and provides for convenient access to individual spools.

Multi-reel marking apparatus

A page turner is provided for a handheld electronic book reader device. The page turner is configured to detect a human gesture to turn a page in an electronic book that is being displayed by the device. In one implementation, the page turner is configured as a page turning mechanism having at least one tactile member (e.g., ridge, indentation, etc.) and at least one sensor positioned proximate to the tactile member to detect gesture proximity. The tactile member provides tactile feedback as the user passes a finger over the mechanism to simulate a riffle sensation akin to flipping through paper pages in a paperback book. In certain implementations, the eBook reader device has a non-symmetrical shape with a dual display system and QWERTY keyboard.

Page turner for handheld electronic book reader device

Electronic reader device

Growing community of inventors

Redwood City, CA, United States of America

John Edwin Johnston