Patents by Inventor Ian W. Freed

Ian W. Freed 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).

  • Patent number: 9368105
    Abstract: Natural language controlled devices may be configured to activate command recognition in response to one or more wake words. Techniques are provided to allow for multiple operating modes in which different recognition parameters are employed in recognizing wake words that activate the natural language control functionality of a computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian W. Freed, William Folwell Barton, Rohit Prasad
  • Patent number: 9232353
    Abstract: An electronic device can utilize image capture technology to detect the presence and location of another device. Using this information, the electronic device can display, in a user interface, a graphical element representing a detected device, along with identity information and the location of the detected device relative to the electronic device. The location of each detected device relative to the electronic device can be tracked and thus the graphical element can be updated in the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Bozarth, Kenneth M. Karakotsios, Gregory M. Hart, Ian W. Freed, Jeffrey P. Bezos
  • Patent number: 9196067
    Abstract: A projection, image, and depth capture system projects content into a scene and captures images of the scene as the user interacts with the content. The system uses depth analysis to determine location and distance of available surfaces in the scene onto which the content can be projected. Due to the complexity of this analysis and the inherent imperfections of the electronic and optical components, depth analysis possesses inherent noise that may adversely affect the accuracy of the projected image onto the surface. The system is configured with noise compensation technology that averages depth information over multiple image frames captured from the scene. The averaged information leads to a more consistent measurement of the distance to the surface, which in turn allows for more accurate focus of the projected content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian W. Freed, William Spencer Worley, III
  • Patent number: 9167404
    Abstract: This application describes, in part, systems and methods that may be used to proactively deliver anticipated data to a mobile device while the mobile device is connected to a wireless network that will not result in a charge for transmitting the data. In one example, data that may be accessed by a user of the mobile device and a time of that likely access is determined. In addition, anticipated wireless network connection events are determined to identify times when the wireless device will likely be connected to a fixed fee wireless network. Based on the determined information, the anticipated data is scheduled for delivery during a fixed fee wireless network connection event that occurs prior to the time at which the anticipated data is requested by the user of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian W Freed, Keela N Robison
  • Patent number: 9058128
    Abstract: An electronic user device can provide intelligent power management. The device can monitor information such as charge level and rate of power consumption, and determine an appropriate time to charge the device. If a device is placed on a charger at a time when the device does not require charging, and the charging could potentially shorten the life of the device battery, the device might activate an internal switch or communicate with the charger to prevent the device from being charged. The device can be configured to notify the user when the device should be charged using any number of notification approaches. If the device is unable to be charged during a certain period, or the rate of power consumption exceeds at least one set value, the device can adjust functionality of various components and/or applications in order to conserve power until the device is able to be charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Keela N. Robison, Ian W. Freed
  • Patent number: 9030419
    Abstract: Techniques for navigating through a user interface with a force-sensitive touch sensor are described. In some implementations, the force-sensitive touch sensor is also a display that presents the user interface. Touches on the force-sensitive touch sensor may be interpreted as indicating a vector direction based on the location of the touch and a vector magnitude based on the force of the touch. For instance, when a user navigates through a collection of photographs on a device having a force-sensitive touch sensor, the vector direction may determine if the user is scrolling forwards or backwards through the photographs and the vector magnitude may determine how rapidly the scrolling occurs. The user may also navigate through a hierarchy of folders and files using touch and force. Selection of a folder and application of force exceeding a threshold may result in display of the contents of a most commonly accessed subfolder or file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian W. Freed
  • Publication number: 20150116212
    Abstract: A computing device can monitor the gaze direction of people around the device to determine whether any unintended viewers are viewing content displayed on the device. A user can activate a privacy mode of the device, such that when an unintended viewer is detected the device can take an appropriate action. In some cases the device can notify the primary user of the device using audible, visual, or tactile alerts. In other cases, the device can modify the display of content such that the unintended viewer is unable to decipher or view the content, or is otherwise notified of the detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Ian W. Freed, Gregory M. Hart, Jeffrey P. Bezos
  • Patent number: 8947349
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and techniques for detecting a location of a medium and projecting content onto the medium at the detected location. These systems and techniques also track the changing location of the medium while continuing to project the content onto the medium as the location changes. A user consuming the content on the medium is able to move the display medium relative to a projection device that projects the content without interrupting the consumption of the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Rawles LLC
    Inventors: Gregory M. Hart, Ian W. Freed, Jeffrey P. Bezos
  • Patent number: 8922480
    Abstract: A computing device can monitor the gaze direction of people around the device to determine whether any unintended viewers are viewing content displayed on the device. A user can activate a privacy mode of the device, such that when an unintended viewer is detected the device can take an appropriate action. In some cases the device can notify the primary user of the device using audible, visual, or tactile alerts. In other cases, the device can modify the display of content such that the unintended viewer is unable to decipher or view the content, or is otherwise notified of the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian W. Freed, Gregory M. Hart, Jeffrey P. Bezos
  • Patent number: 8832319
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the sharing of synchronization information corresponding to content among devices in a communication network. An originating device collects synchronization information related to the presentation of content to a user via the originating device. The synchronization information is defined according to reference points related to the presentation of the content to the user via the originating device, including a current state of the presentation of the content and/or additional information obtained during the presentation of the content. Based on detection of a synchronization event, the originating device transmits the collected synchronization information, resulting in the receipt of the synchronization information by one or more receiving devices. Thereafter, the presentation of the content to the user on one of the receiving devices can incorporate the synchronization information collected and transmitted by the originating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Kessel, Ian W. Freed, Guy A. Story, Jr., Howard Wolfish, Amit D. Agarwal, Nanyan Nicholls, John Lattyak, James C. Slezak, Beryl Tomay, Jeffrey P. Bezos
  • Patent number: 8819030
    Abstract: Suggestions can be automatically provided to a user to enable a user to tag various electronic files or objects without having to think up or manually enter the tags. A tag suggestion algorithm can analyze various types of information, such as location, time of day, objects or persons associated with the file, and tags generated by other users for that type of file. A user can be presented with a list of suggested tags, and can select one or more tags to apply to the file. Once at least one tag is applied to a file, a user can perform a tag-inclusive search to locate that file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian W. Freed, Keela N. Robison
  • Patent number: 8773389
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for outputting entries from supplemental content (e.g., such as reference works) based on an amount of force applied to a touch-sensitive display of a device. For example, a user reading an electronic book (eBook) on a device having a touch-sensitive display may select a word or a phrase within the eBook by touching the display at a location of the word or the phrase. The techniques may determine one or more entries from the supplemental content to output based on a measured amount of force of the selection. To illustrate, the device may output a dictionary definition of the selected word in response to measuring a first amount of force or output a thesaurus entry for the word in response to measuring a second amount of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian W. Freed
  • Patent number: 8736228
    Abstract: A robotic device can provide power management and other functionality for various electronic devices. An electronic device and the robotic device can communicate information such as device charge level, relative position and rate of power consumption and can determine an appropriate time at which the robotic device should cause the electronic device to be charged, either by charging the device directly or transporting the device to an appropriate charger. The robotic device can also cause other functions to be performed as well, such as to enable high-bandwidth data transfer or perform resource-intensive activities when in communication with the electronic device. The robotic device can transport the electronic device to specific locations or to specific users, or as otherwise appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian W. Freed, Jeffrey P. Bezos, Keela N. Robison
  • Patent number: 8700392
    Abstract: A user can provide input to a computing device through various combinations of speech, movement, and/or gestures. A computing device can analyze captured audio data and analyze that data to determine any speech information in the audio data. The computing device can simultaneously capture image or video information which can be used to assist in analyzing the audio information. For example, image information is utilized by the device to determine when someone is speaking, and the movement of the person's lips can be analyzed to assist in determining the words that were spoken. Any gestures or other motions can assist in the determination as well. By combining various types of data to determine user input, the accuracy of a process such as speech recognition can be improved, and the need for lengthy application training processes can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Hart, Ian W. Freed, Gregg Elliott Zehr, Jeffrey P. Bezos
  • Patent number: 8566329
    Abstract: Suggestions can be automatically provided to a user to enable a user to tag various electronic files or objects without having to think up or manually enter the tags. A tag suggestion algorithm can analyze various types of information, such as location, time of day, objects or persons associated with the file, and tags generated by other users for that type of file. A user can be presented with a list of suggested tags, and can select one or more tags to apply to the file. Once at least one tag is applied to a file, a user can perform a tag-inclusive search to locate that file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian W. Freed, Keela N. Robison
  • Patent number: 8477109
    Abstract: Techniques for outputting different reference work entries based on an amount of force applied to a touch-sensitive display of a device. For instance, when a user reads an electronic book (eBook) on a device having a touch-sensitive display, the user may make a selection of a word or phrase within the eBook by touching the display at a location of the word or phrase. The techniques may then determine which of multiple different reference work entries to output based on a measured amount of force of the selection. For instance, the device may output a dictionary definition of the selected word in response to measuring a first amount of force, while outputting a thesaurus entry for the word in response to measuring a second, greater amount of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian W. Freed
  • Patent number: 8447070
    Abstract: An electronic device can utilize image capture technology to detect the presence and location of another device. Using this information, the electronic device can display, in a user interface, a graphical element representing a detected device, along with identity information and the location of the detected device relative to the electronic device. The location of each detected device relative to the electronic device can be tracked and thus the graphical element can be updated in the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Bozarth, Kenneth M. Karakotsios, Gregory M. Hart, Ian W. Freed, Jeffrey P. Bezos
  • Patent number: 8380999
    Abstract: An electronic user device can provide intelligent power management. The device can monitor information such as charge level and rate of power consumption, and determine an appropriate time to charge the device. If a device is placed on a charger at a time when the device does not require charging, and the charging could potentially shorten the life of the device battery, the device might activate an internal switch or communicate with the charger to prevent the device from being charged. The device can be configured to notify the user when the device should be charged using any number of notification approaches. If the device is unable to be charged during a certain period, or the rate of power consumption exceeds at least one set value, the device can adjust functionality of various components and/or applications in order to conserve power until the device is able to be charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Keela N. Robison, Ian W. Freed
  • Publication number: 20130013812
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the sharing of synchronization information corresponding to content among devices in a communication network. An originating device collects synchronization information related to the presentation of content to a user via the originating device. The synchronization information is defined according to reference points related to the presentation of the content to the user via the originating device, including a current state of the presentation of the content and/or additional information obtained during the presentation of the content. Based on detection of a synchronization event, the originating device transmits the collected synchronization information, resulting in the receipt of the synchronization information by one or more receiving devices. Thereafter, the presentation of the content to the user on one of the receiving devices can incorporate the synchronization information collected and transmitted by the originating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Steven Kessel, Ian W. Freed, Guy A. Story, JR., Howard Wolfish, Amit D. Agarwal, Nanyan Nicholls, John Lattyak, James C. Slezak, Beryl Tomay, Jeffrey P. Bezos
  • Publication number: 20120197998
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the sharing of synchronization information corresponding to content among devices in a communication network. An originating device collects synchronization information related to the presentation of content to a user via the originating device. The synchronization information is defined according to reference points related to the presentation of the content to the user via the originating device, including a current state of the presentation of the content and/or additional information obtained during the presentation of the content. Based on detection of a synchronization event, the originating device transmits the collected synchronization information, resulting in the receipt of the synchronization information by one or more receiving devices. Thereafter, the presentation of the content to the user on one of the receiving devices can incorporate the synchronization information collected and transmitted by the originating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Steven Kessel, Ian W. Freed, Guy A. Story, JR., Howard Wolfish, Amit D. Agarwal, Nanyan Nicholls, John Lattyak, James C. Slezak, Beryl Tomay, Jeffrey P. Bezos