Patents by Inventor Alan Sheridan
Alan Sheridan 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).
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Patent number: 9842268Abstract: A system and method provide for determining regions of interest within an image based on viewer interaction with the image. At least one image associated with a location is provided for display in a viewport, and pose data related to user interaction with the at least one image is identified. Weights are assigned to portions of the at least one image based on the pose data, the weights indicating at least a period of time the portion of the at least one image is generally at a center of the viewport. Based on the assigned weights, image regions of interest of the at least one image are determined.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2016Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Kyle John Krafka, Alan Sheridan
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Patent number: 9841291Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to generating turn-by-turn direction previews. In one aspect, one or more computing devices, may receive a request for a turn-by-turn direction preview. The one or more computing devices may generate a set of turn-by-turn directions based on a series of road segments connecting a first geographic location and a second geographic location. Each direction in the set of turn-by-turn directions may be associated with a corresponding waypoint. The one or more computing devices then identify a set of images corresponding the series of road segments between two adjacent waypoints of the set of turn-by-turn directions, and determine a subset of the set of images to include in the turn-by-turn direction preview. Subsequently, the one or more computing devices may generate the turn-by-turn direction preview based on at least in part on the determined subset of the set of images.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2016Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Alan Sheridan, Daniel Joseph Filip, Jeremy Bryant Pack
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Patent number: 9830745Abstract: In one aspect, a request to generate an automated tour based on a set of panoramic images is received. Each particular panoramic image is associated with geographic location information and linking information linking the particular panoramic image with one or more other panoramic images in the set. A starting panoramic image and a second panoramic image are determined based at least in part on the starting panoramic image and the linking information associated with the starting and second panoramic images. A first transition between the starting panoramic image and the second panoramic image is also determined based at least in part on the linking information for these panoramic images. Additional panoramic images as well as a second transition for between the additional panoramic images are also determined. The determined panoramic images and transitions are added to the tour according to an order of the tour.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Alan Sheridan, Aaron Michael Donsbach, Daniel Joseph Filip
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Patent number: 9569498Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for selecting viewports. A viewport is a sub-portion of an image. For example, a request to select a viewport for a particular image may be received. A set of potential viewports are identified within the particular image, and features are identified within the viewports of the set of potential viewports. A score is calculated for each given viewport of the set of potential viewports based at least in part on a weight vector having a set of feature weights and the identified features within that given viewport of the set of potential viewports. A viewport of the set of potential viewports is selected based on the calculated scores. The selected viewport is then provided in response to the request to select the viewport for the particular image.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Alan Sheridan, Scott Benjamin Satkin
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Publication number: 20170038212Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generating navigation paths between images. A first image taken from a first location and a second image taken from a second location may be selected. A position of the first location in relation to the second location may be determined. First and second frames for the first and second images may be selected based on the position. First and second sets of visual features for each of the first and second image frames may be identified. Matching visual features between the first set of visual features and the second set of visual features may be determined. A confidence level for a line-of-sight between the first and second images may be determined by evaluating one or more positions of the matching visual features. Based on at least the confidence level, a navigation path from the first image to the second image is generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2015Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: Alan Sheridan, Scott Benjamin Satkin
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Patent number: 9551579Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generating navigation paths between images. A first image taken from a first location and a second image taken from a second location may be selected. A position of the first location in relation to the second location may be determined. First and second frames for the first and second images may be selected based on the position. First and second sets of visual features for each of the first and second image frames may be identified. Matching visual features between the first set of visual features and the second set of visual features may be determined. A confidence level for a line-of-sight between the first and second images may be determined by evaluating one or more positions of the matching visual features. Based on at least the confidence level, a navigation path from the first image to the second image is generated.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Alan Sheridan, Scott Benjamin Satkin
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Publication number: 20160265931Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to generating turn-by-turn direction previews. In one aspect, one or more computing devices, may receive a request for a turn-by-turn direction preview. The one or more computing devices may generate a set of turn-by-turn directions based on a series of road segments connecting a first geographic location and a second geographic location. Each direction in the set of turn-by-turn directions may be associated with a corresponding waypoint. The one or more computing devices then identify a set of images corresponding the series of road segments between two adjacent waypoints of the set of turn-by-turn directions, and determine a subset of the set of images to include in the turn-by-turn direction preview. Subsequently, the one or more computing devices may generate the turn-by-turn direction preview based on at least in part on the determined subset of the set of images.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Alan Sheridan, Daniel Joseph Filip, Jeremy Bryant Pack
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Patent number: 9377320Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to generating turn-by-turn direction previews. In one aspect, one or more computing devices, may receive a request for a turn-by-turn direction preview. The one or more computing devices may generate a set of turn-by-turn directions based on a series of road segments connecting a first geographic location and a second geographic location. Each direction in the set of turn-by-turn directions may be associated with a corresponding waypoint. The one or more computing devices then identify a set of images corresponding the series of road segments between two adjacent waypoints of the set of turn-by-turn directions, and determine a subset of the set of images to include in the turn-by-turn direction preview. Subsequently, the one or more computing devices may generate the turn-by-turn direction preview based on at least in part on the determined subset of the set of images.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2015Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Alan Sheridan, Daniel Joseph Filip, Jeremy Bryant Pack
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Patent number: 9342911Abstract: In one aspect, a request to generate an automated tour based on a set of panoramic images is received. Each particular panoramic image is associated with geographic location information and linking information linking the particular panoramic image with one or more other panoramic images in the set. A starting panoramic image and a second panoramic image are determined based at least in part on the starting panoramic image and the linking information associated with the starting and second panoramic images. A first transition between the starting panoramic image and the second panoramic image is also determined based at least in part on the linking information for these panoramic images. Additional panoramic images as well as a second transition for between the additional panoramic images are also determined. The determined panoramic images and transitions are added to the tour according to an order of the tour.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Alan Sheridan, Aaron Michael Donsbach, Daniel Joseph Filip
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Publication number: 20150377641Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to generating turn-by-turn direction previews. In one aspect, one or more computing devices, may receive a request for a turn-by-turn direction preview. The one or more computing devices may generate a set of turn-by-turn directions based on a series of road segments connecting a first geographic location and a second geographic location. Each direction in the set of turn-by-turn directions may be associated with a corresponding waypoint. The one or more computing devices then identify a set of images corresponding the series of road segments between two adjacent waypoints of the set of turn-by-turn directions, and determine a subset of the set of images to include in the turn-by-turn direction preview. Subsequently, the one or more computing devices may generate the turn-by-turn direction preview based on at least in part on the determined subset of the set of images.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Alan Sheridan, Daniel Joseph Filip, Jeremy Bryant Pack
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Publication number: 20150379040Abstract: Tours may be automatically generated that move between geographically-relevant imagery associated with a set of features at different geographic locations. By way of example, in response to searching for businesses or landmarks falling within a particular category and geographic area, a user may be taken on a visual tour of each business or landmark that was found as a result of the search.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Alan Sheridan, Daniel Joseph Filip
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Publication number: 20150379086Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for selecting viewports. A viewport is a sub-portion of an image. For example, a request to select a viewport for a particular image may be received. A set of potential viewports are identified within the particular image, and features are identified within the viewports of the set of potential viewports. A score is calculated for each given viewport of the set of potential viewports based at least in part on a weight vector having a set of feature weights and the identified features within that given viewport of the set of potential viewports. A viewport of the set of potential viewports is selected based on the calculated scores. The selected viewport is then provided in response to the request to select the viewport for the particular image.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Alan Sheridan, Scott Benjamin Satkin
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Patent number: 9189839Abstract: In one aspect, a request to generate an automated tour based on a set of panoramic images is received. Each particular panoramic image is associated with geographic location information and linking information linking the particular panoramic image with one or more other panoramic images in the set. A starting panoramic image and a second panoramic image are determined based at least in part on the starting panoramic image and the linking information associated with the starting and second panoramic images. A first transition between the starting panoramic image and the second panoramic image is also determined based at least in part on the linking information for these panoramic images. Additional panoramic images as well as a second transition for between the additional panoramic images are also determined. The determined panoramic images and transitions are added to the tour according to an order of the tour.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2014Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Alan Sheridan, Aaron Michael Donsbach, Daniel Joseph Filip
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Publication number: 20150310596Abstract: In one aspect, a request to generate an automated tour based on a set of panoramic images is received. Each particular panoramic image is associated with geographic location information and linking information linking the particular panoramic image with one or more other panoramic images in the set. A starting panoramic image and a second panoramic image are determined based at least in part on the starting panoramic image and the linking information associated with the starting and second panoramic images. A first transition between the starting panoramic image and the second panoramic image is also determined based at least in part on the linking information for these panoramic images. Additional panoramic images as well as a second transition for between the additional panoramic images are also determined. The determined panoramic images and transitions are added to the tour according to an order of the tour.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: Alan Sheridan, Aaron Michael Donsbach, Daniel Joseph Filip
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Patent number: 9002647Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to generating turn-by-turn direction previews. In one aspect, one or more computing devices, may receive a request for a turn-by-turn direction preview. The one or more computing devices may generate a set of turn-by-turn directions based on a series of road segments connecting a first geographic location and a second geographic location. Each direction in the set of turn-by-turn directions may be associated with a corresponding waypoint. The one or more computing devices then identify a set of images corresponding the series of road segments between two adjacent waypoints of the set of turn-by-turn directions, and determine a subset of the set of images to include in the turn-by-turn direction preview. Subsequently, the one or more computing devices may generate the turn-by-turn direction preview based on at least in part on the determined subset of the set of images.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Alan Sheridan, Daniel Joseph Filip, Jeremy Bryant Pack
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Publication number: 20120208429Abstract: An interchangeable suspension module for use in a toy vehicle comprising: a suspension block and one or more wheels rotatably mounted on the suspension block. The suspension module is removably mountable on the toy vehicle by a user. The user can modify the performance of the toy vehicle by removing from the toy vehicle one interchangeable suspension module which imparts a certain performance to the toy vehicle, and replacing it with a second interchangeable suspension module which imparts a different performance. A toy vehicle having a chassis that is adapted to receive one or more interchangeable suspension modules is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2011Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: SPIN MASTER LTD.Inventors: Patrick Alan Sheridan, James Franklin Elliott, III, Stephen D. Bond