Patents by Inventor Christopher N. Elsbree

Christopher N. Elsbree 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: 20200133432
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting a display into a touch display. One or more optical sensors are arranged proximate the display. A processor receives a signal from the optical sensor(s) and, based on the signal, executes instructions for: (i) determining a distance between a pointer device and a surface of the display signal; (ii) determining a position of the pointer device on the surface of the display; (iii) when the distance is less than a threshold detection distance and greater than a threshold touch distance, providing an indication on the display that the position of the pointer device has been determined; and (iv) when the distance is less than the threshold touch distance, taking an action indicative of contact between the pointer device and the surface of the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Vojta Kresl, Christopher N. Elsbree, Russell L. Agrusa, Paulo G. De Barros, Petr Altman
  • Patent number: 10452205
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting a display into a touch display. One or more optical sensors are arranged proximate the display. A processor receives a signal from the optical sensor(s) and, based on the signal, executes instructions for: (i) determining a distance between a pointer device and a surface of the display signal; (ii) determining a position of the pointer device on the surface of the display; (iii) when the distance is less than a threshold detection distance and greater than a threshold touch distance, providing an indication on the display that the position of the pointer device has been determined; and (iv) when the distance is less than the threshold touch distance, taking an action indicative of contact between the pointer device and the surface of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Iconics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vojta Kresl, Christopher N. Elsbree, Russell L. Agrusa, Paulo G. De Barros, Petr Altman
  • Patent number: 10152968
    Abstract: Systems and methods for speech-based monitoring and/or control of automation devices are described. A speech-based method for monitoring and/or control of automation devices may include steps of determining a type of automation device to which first speech relates based, at least in part, on a location associated with the first speech; selecting a topic-specific speech recognition model adapted to recognize speech related to the determined type of automation device; using the topic-specific speech recognition model to recognize second speech provided at the location, wherein recognizing the second speech comprises identifying a query or command relating to the type of automation device and represented by the second speech; and issuing the query or command represented by the second speech to an automation device of the determined type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Iconics, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell L. Agrusa, Vojtech Kresl, Christopher N. Elsbree, Marco Tagliaferri, Lukas Volf
  • Publication number: 20170010754
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting a display into a touch display. One or more optical sensors are arranged proximate the display. A processor receives a signal from the optical sensor(s) and, based on the signal, executes instructions for: (i) determining a distance between a pointer device and a surface of the display signal; (ii) determining a position of the pointer device on the surface of the display; (iii) when the distance is less than a threshold detection distance and greater than a threshold touch distance, providing an indication on the display that the position of the pointer device has been determined; and (iv) when the distance is less than the threshold touch distance, taking an action indicative of contact between the pointer device and the surface of the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Vojta Kresl, Christopher N. Elsbree, Russell L. Agrusa, Paulo G. De Barros, Petr Altman
  • Patent number: 9454243
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting a display into a touch display. One or more optical sensors are arranged proximate the display. A processor receives a signal from the optical sensor(s) and, based on the signal, executes instructions for: (i) determining a distance between a pointer device and a surface of the display signal; (ii) determining a position of the pointer device on the surface of the display; (iii) when the distance is less than a threshold detection distance and greater than a threshold touch distance, providing an indication on the display that the position of the pointer device has been determined; and (iv) when the distance is less than the threshold touch distance, taking an action indicative of contact between the pointer device and the surface of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Iconics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vojta Kresl, Christopher N. Elsbree, Russell L. Agrusa, Paulo G. De Barros, Petr Altman
  • Publication number: 20140306889
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting a display into a touch display. One or more optical sensors are arranged proximate the display. A processor receives a signal from the optical sensor(s) and, based on the signal, executes instructions for: (i) determining a distance between a pointer device and a surface of the display signal; (ii) determining a position of the pointer device on the surface of the display; (iii) when the distance is less than a threshold detection distance and greater than a threshold touch distance, providing an indication on the display that the position of the pointer device has been determined; and (iv) when the distance is less than the threshold touch distance, taking an action indicative of contact between the pointer device and the surface of the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: ICONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Vojta Kresl, Christopher N. Elsbree, Russell L. Agrusa, Paulo G. De Barros, Petr Altman
  • Patent number: 8321806
    Abstract: Graphical representations of operational process control data associated with monitored processes is displayed within the context of the geographical locations at which the processes operate, and in a manner as to model individual components of the processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Iconics, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell L. Agrusa, Simone Massaro, Leonardo Altamore, Vojta Kresl, Roberto Vercelli, Alexander Klimov, Roberto Raimondo, Christopher N. Elsbree
  • Publication number: 20090210814
    Abstract: Graphical representations of operational process control data associated with monitored processes is displayed within the context of the geographical locations at which the processes operate, and in a manner as to model individual components of the processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Russell L. Agrusa, Simone Massaro, Leonardo Altamore, Vojta Kresl, Roberto Vercelli, Alexander Klimov, Roberto Raimondo, Christopher N. Elsbree
  • Patent number: 7017116
    Abstract: A software development toolkit automates and eases the task of generating graphical human-machine interfaces that are interactive control modules or software necessary to control a process. A graphical human-machine interface is created on a computer using a first operating system. The graphical human-machine interface can be operated on a portable computing device that uses an operating system that is less capable than the first operating system. The graphical human-machine interface process control modules allow a user to control a process by using the portable computing device as a user control station. The operation of the graphical human-machine interface process control software on the portable computing device can be simulated on the computer that uses the first, more capable operating system. The portable computing device can be a handheld portable computing device. The second, less capable operating system can be Windows CE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Iconics, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher N. Elsbree, Ioannis S. Apostolakis, James Phelps
  • Patent number: 6834388
    Abstract: A software development toolkit allows a user to create one or more real-time interactive control and communication software objects for use in connection with a computer and a machine which communicate pursuant to a standard communication protocol for process control. The toolkit allows, for example, a user to create ActiveX controls that are OPC compliant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Iconics, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher N. Elsbree
  • Publication number: 20030107588
    Abstract: A software development toolkit automates and eases the task of generating graphical human-machine interfaces that are interactive control modules or software necessary to control a process. A graphical human-machine interface is created on a computer using a first operating system. The graphical human-machine interface can be operated on a portable computing device that uses an operating system that is less capable than the first operating system. The graphical human-machine interface process control modules allow a user to control a process by using the portable computing device as a user control station. The operation of the graphical human-machine interface process control software on the portable computing device can be simulated on the computer that uses the first, more capable operating system. The portable computing device can be a handheld portable computing device. The second, less capable operating system can be Windows CE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher N. Elsbree, Ioannis S. Apostolakis, James Phelps