Nathaniel W Hixon

US Patent:

20200025332, Jan 23, 2020

Filed:

Sep 12, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/568939

Inventors:

- Conyers GA, US
Sean P. White - Reston VA, US
Daniel M. Megginson - Fairfax VA, US
Jenish S. Kastee - South Riding VA, US
Nathaniel W. Hixon - Arlington VA, US
Niels G. Eegholm - Columbia MD, US
David P. Ramer - Reston VA, US

International Classification:

F16M 13/02
F16M 11/18
F16M 11/42
B60M 1/34

Abstract:

A support structure provides two or more axes of intelligent locomotion for a movable object on the support structure. The support structure can include a track system made up of a plurality of identically configured track modules that are connected end-to-end. Each track module can include an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and having two ends. Each end can include at least one beveled edge and at least one track surface extending longitudinally along the elongated body. The track modules can be connected to a power source and include electrical contacts that provide electricity to movable objects that travel along the track system.

US Patent:

20190213368, Jul 11, 2019

Filed:

Jan 10, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/866782

Inventors:

- Conyers GA, US
Nathaniel W. HIXON - Arlington VA, US
Niels G. EEGHOLM - Columbia MD, US
Youssef F. BAKER - Arlington VA, US
Yenpao LU - Cumming GA, US
David P. RAMER - Reston VA, US

International Classification:

G06K 7/10
G07C 9/00
H05B 37/02

Abstract:

A lighting system includes luminaires each having a light source for providing illumination in a space and a radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna. An RFID reader is coupled to the RFID antennas in all the luminaires. The RFID reader may transmit at least one RFID intended recipient message from at least one of the antennas and receive a responsive RFID reply message from a recipient device within the space via a plurality of the antennas. The RFID reader may determine a signal attribute of a reply message signal received via each receiving antenna. The determined signal attributes of the reply message signals received via antennas and information about locations of the receiving antennas are processed to estimate a position of the recipient device within the space.

US Patent:

20190069379, Feb 28, 2019

Filed:

Aug 29, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/689448

Inventors:

- Conyers GA, US
Youssef F. Baker - Arlington VA, US
Sean P. White - Reston VA, US
Nathaniel W. Hixon - Arlington VA, US
Daniel M. Megginson - Fairfax VA, US
Niels G. Eegholm - Columbia MD, US

International Classification:

H05B 37/02
F21V 21/096
F21S 9/02
F21V 23/00
H05B 33/08
F21V 3/00
G05D 1/00
G05D 1/08

Abstract:

A robotic agent swarm system having first robotic luminaire agents, and at least one control processor. Each agent has a suspension configured to hold the agent against an architectural surface, which includes a holonomic operational area; at least one propulsion motor configured to enable holonomic movement of the agent different locations on the architectural surface; a communication system configured to communicate with at least one other agent; a power supply operatively connected to the at least one propulsion motor and the communication system; and a light source oriented to illuminate a region around the architectural surface. The control processor is operatively associated with the agents and configured to transmit operating instructions, via at least one of the agent's respective communication system. The operating instructions include instructions for operating one or more agent's respective propulsion motor to move the agent holonomically within the holonomic operational area.

US Patent:

20190069380, Feb 28, 2019

Filed:

Aug 29, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/689454

Inventors:

- Conyers GA, US
Youssef F. Baker - Arlington VA, US
Sean P. White - Reston VA, US
Nathaniel W. Hixon - Arlington VA, US
Daniel M. Megginson - Fairfax VA, US
Niels G. Eegholm - Columbia MD, US

International Classification:

H05B 37/02
G05B 15/02
G05D 1/00

Abstract:

A method for operating a robotic agent swarm system. The method includes: sending, via a communication network, a reconfiguration instruction from an orchestration controller to a number of robotic luminaire agents, each of the robotic luminaire agents of the swarm system being held at least periodically against an architectural surface comprising a holonomic operational area by a suspension and having a light source configured to illuminate a region in a proximity of the architectural surface. The method also includes changing one or more operating conditions of one or more of the robotic luminaire agents in response to the reconfiguration instruction, including holonomically moving at least one of the robotic luminaire agents from a first position on the holonomic operational area to a second position on the holonomic operational area.

US Patent:

20190049064, Feb 14, 2019

Filed:

Aug 10, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/674119

Inventors:

- Conyers GA, US
Sean P. White - Reston VA, US
Daniel M. Megginson - Fairfax VA, US
Jenish S. Kastee - South Riding VA, US
Nathaniel W. Hixon - Arlington VA, US
Niels G. Eegholm - Columbia MD, US
David P. Ramer - Reston VA, US

International Classification:

F16M 13/02
B60M 1/34

Abstract:

A support structure provides two or more axes of intelligent locomotion for a movable object on the support structure. The support structure can include a track system made up of a plurality of identically configured track modules that are connected end-to-end. Each track module can include an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and having two ends. Each end can include at least one beveled edge and at least one track surface extending longitudinally along the elongated body. The track surface can include a plurality of protuberances arranged in rows that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body, and in columns that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body. The track modules can be connected a power source and include electrical contacts that provide electricity to self-propelled units that travel along the track system.

US Patent:

20190049099, Feb 14, 2019

Filed:

Aug 10, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/674093

Inventors:

- Conyers GA, US
Sean P. White - Reston VA, US
Daniel M. Megginson - Fairfax VA, US
Jenish S. Kastee - South Riding VA, US
Nathaniel W. Hixon - Arlington VA, US
Niels G. Eegholm - Columbia MD, US
David P. Ramer - Reston VA, US

International Classification:

F21V 21/15
F21V 21/34

Abstract:

A self-propelled unit for movable operation on a support structure along a first axis of movement and a second axis of movement that is transverse to the first axis of movement includes a carrier configured for movable displacement on the support structure. A first conveyor assembly is operable to move the carrier on the support structure along the first axis of movement. A second conveyor assembly is operable to move the carrier on the support structure along the second axis of movement. A light source can be attached to the carrier in an operable mode to provide illumination to an area in proximity to the carrier. At least one power contact is configured to maintain electrical contact between the carrier and the support structure.

US Patent:

20180376243, Dec 27, 2018

Filed:

Jun 23, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/631441

Inventors:

- Conyers GA, US
Jenish S. KASTEE - South Riding VA, US
Nathaniel W. HIXON - Arlington VA, US
Youssef F. BAKER - Arlington VA, US
Daniel M. MEGGINSON - Fairfax VA, US
Sean P. WHITE - Reston VA, US
Niels G. EEGHOLM - Columbia MD, US

International Classification:

H04R 1/34
H04R 25/00
H04R 1/40

Abstract:

The examples relate to implementations of apparatuses, such as lighting devices, and a system that uses a speech-based user interface to provide speech-based navigation services. The speech-based user interface provides navigation instructions that direct a person to the location of an item within a premises. The person interacts with a speech-based apparatus to receive the navigation instructions as speech-based directions through the premises from a specified location to the item location, or as static navigation instructions enabling the person to navigate from the specified location to the item location. A directional microphone and a controllable speaker receive audio inputs from and output audio outputs to a specified location or subarea of the premises to a person using the speech-based user interface. The audio outputs are directed to the person in the subarea of the premises, and have a higher amplitude within the subarea than outside the subarea of the premises.

US Patent:

20170200206, Jul 13, 2017

Filed:

Jan 5, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/398831

Inventors:

- Batesville IN, US
Umesh J. RAJANI - Cary NC, US
Robert ROSS - Durham NC, US
Fengshuan ZHOU - Cary NC, US
Jonathan K. LUPTON - Hillsborough NC, US
Jared RUDE - Raleigh NC, US
Nathaniel W. HIXON - Raleigh NC, US

International Classification:

G06Q 30/04
G06F 19/00
G06Q 50/22

Abstract:

A controller of a patient support apparatus is disclosed. The controller includes a processor, an electro-magnetic reader configured to transmit data to the processor, a user input configured to transmit a signal to the processor responsive to an activation of the user interface by a user, and memory. A plurality of instructions are stored in the memory and executed by the processor.