Patents by Inventor James B. Miller
James B. Miller 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: 11919720Abstract: A towable conveyor for transporting and elevating articles and a method and system for towing a conveyor and conveying articles up inclines is provided. The conveyor system has an elevating carriage and a plurality of support elements for conveying articles up the conveyor. Specifically, the towable conveyor system comprises a conveyor having a support frame, a plurality of support elements, a drive end with a motor, and an idle end; an elevating carriage having a first end interconnected to the support frame of the conveyor, a second with two or more wheels, and a support member extending upwardly from the elevating carriage; a cable system for raising the conveyor into a position of use and for lowering the conveyor into a towing position; one or more locking mechanisms; and a hitch for connecting the conveyor to a rear end of a towing vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Multilift, Inc.Inventors: Job Bacon-Maldonado, III, Chris K. Miller, Kenneth B. Drost, Job Maldonado, Jr., Clifford J. Cordell, James W. Lord
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Patent number: 11307718Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described that includes providing a watch defining a body and a watch face on a surface of the body, the body having one or more sensors arranged to sense user inputs in an area adjacent to the body. The method further comprises sensing a motion of an object in the area adjacent to, but not touching, the body using the one or more sensors and changing a display of a pointing element on a graphical user interface on the watch in coordination with the sensed motion.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: GOOGLE LLCInventors: James B. Miller, Richard C. Gossweiler, III
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Patent number: 11237660Abstract: A method includes a processor of an electronic device receiving first input signals from a first sensor in response to user contact at a first edge of the device and second input signals from a second sensor in response to user contact at a second edge of the electronic device. The first and second sensors are covered by a housing of the device. The processor determines an external context of the device based on analysis of the first input signals and the second input signals. The determined external context indicates at least a position of the device relative to a user or an orientation of the device relative to a user. Responsive to determining the external context, the electronic device executes a particular user input action.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Tyler Reed Kugler, Alexey Polyudov, Seungyon Lee, Yun-Ling Lee, Philip Quinn, Kishore Sundara-Rajan, Shumin Zhai, Debanjan Mukherjee, James B. Miller, Isaac William Reynolds
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Publication number: 20210041974Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described that includes providing a watch defining a body and a watch face on a surface of the body, the body having one or more sensors arranged to sense user inputs in an area adjacent to the body. The method further comprises sensing a motion of an object in the area adjacent to, but not touching, the body using the one or more sensors and changing a display of a pointing element on a graphical user interface on the watch in coordination with the sensed motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: James B. Miller, Richard C. Gossweiler, III
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Patent number: 10852837Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described that includes providing a watch defining a body and a watch face on a surface of the body, the body having one or more sensors arranged to sense user inputs in an area adjacent to the body. The method further comprises sensing a motion of an object in the area adjacent to, but not touching, the body using the one or more sensors and changing a display of a pointing element on a graphical user interface on the watch in coordination with the sensed motion.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Google LLCInventors: James B. Miller, Richard C. Gossweiler, III
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Publication number: 20200257391Abstract: A method includes a processor of an electronic device receiving first input signals from a first sensor in response to user contact at a first edge of the device and second input signals from a second sensor in response to user contact at a second edge of the electronic device. The first and second sensors are covered by a housing of the device. The processor determines an external context of the device based on analysis of the first input signals and the second input signals. The determined external context indicates at least a position of the device relative to a user or an orientation of the device relative to a user. Responsive to determining the external context, the electronic device executes a particular user input action.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Tyler Reed Kugler, Alexey Polyudov, Seungyon Lee, Yun-Ling Lee, Philip Quinn, Kishore Sundara-Rajan, Shumin Zhai, Debanjan Mukherjee, James B. Miller, Isaac William Reynolds
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Patent number: 10642383Abstract: An apparatus utilizes multiple strain gauge (“SG”) sensing units which are each disposed adjacent an inner surface of the device housing. Electrical voltage generated by the SGs is amplified by one or more amplifiers to maximize the resolution between a voltage output of an SG when in a non-pressed state and a voltage output of the SG when in a pressed state. Additionally, an electronic circuit is configured to identify a baseline voltage output for an SG over a period of time for comparing to a voltage output for the SG when the SG is in a pressed state such that the pressed state of the SG can be identified by the electronic circuit by comparing a current output voltage of the SG to the identified baseline voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Tyler Reed Kugler, Alexey Polyudov, Kishore Sundara-Rajan, Debanjan Mukherjee, James B. Miller, James Aaron Cooper, Kelvin Kwong, Philip Quinn
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Patent number: 10635255Abstract: A method includes a processor of an electronic device receiving first input signals from a first sensor in response to user contact at a first edge of the device and second input signals from a second sensor in response to user contact at a second edge of the electronic device. The first and second sensors are covered by a housing of the device. The processor determines an external context of the device based on analysis of the first input signals and the second input signals. The determined external context indicates at least a position of the device relative to a user or an orientation of the device relative to a user. Responsive to determining the external context, the electronic device executes a particular user input action.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Tyler Reed Kugler, Alexey Polyudov, Seungyon Lee, Yun-Ling Lee, Philip Quinn, Kishore Sundara-Rajan, Shumin Zhai, Debanjan Mukherjee, James B. Miller, Isaac William Reynolds
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Patent number: 10514797Abstract: A method includes one or more processors of an electronic device receiving signals from multiple sensors located along an edge of the device. The signals are received in response to external contact being provided to the edge of the device. At least one processor determines a distribution of forces applied to the sensors based on the input signals. Based on the determined distribution of forces, the processor determines: i) a location of the external contact that is offset from a location of each of the multiple sensors, and ii) a magnitude of the force of the external contact. The processor detects whether sensing criteria has been satisfied based on an analysis of: i) the location of the external contact and ii) the magnitude of the force of the external contact. Responsive to detecting that sensing criteria has been satisfied, the processor executes a user input action.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2017Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Tyler Reed Kugler, Stuart Murray Scott, Alexey Polyudov, Seungyon Lee, Philip Quinn, Kishore Sundara-Rajan, Shumin Zhai, Debanjan Mukherjee, James B. Miller
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Publication number: 20190278437Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing tab bar controls on a mobile computing device are described. In one aspect, a method includes displaying a first tab graphic in a first tab bar control, the first tab bar control being displayed at a first default position on a first edge of a touchscreen display, detecting a user selection in a first region of the touchscreen display, the first region associated with the first tab graphic, detecting user motion, animating the first tab bar control to extend from the first edge of the touch-screen display in response to detecting user motion, determining a measure of user motion, comparing the measure of user motion to a threshold measure, and performing one or more functions on the mobile device in response to the measure of user motion exceeding the threshold measure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2015Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Jeffrey D. Yaksick, David A. Brown, Michael A. Cleron, Amar S. Gandhi, James B. Miller
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Publication number: 20190087012Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described that includes providing a watch defining a body and a watch face on a surface of the body, the body having one or more sensors arranged to sense user inputs in an area adjacent to the body. The method further comprises sensing a motion of an object in the area adjacent to, but not touching, the body using the one or more sensors and changing a display of a pointing element on a graphical user interface on the watch in coordination with the sensed motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: James B. Miller, Richard C. Gossweiler, III
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Patent number: 10139915Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described that includes providing a watch defining a body and a watch face on a surface of the body, the body having one or more sensors arranged to sense user inputs in an area adjacent to the body. The method further comprises sensing a motion of an object in the area adjacent to, but not touching, the body using the one or more sensors and changing a display of a pointing element on a graphical user interface on the watch in coordination with the sensed motion.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: James B. Miller, Richard C. Gossweiler, III
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Publication number: 20180299996Abstract: A method includes a processor of an electronic device receiving first input signals from a first sensor in response to user contact at a first edge of the device and second input signals from a second sensor in response to user contact at a second edge of the electronic device. The first and second sensors are covered by a housing of the device. The processor determines an external context of the device based on analysis of the first input signals and the second input signals. The determined external context indicates at least a position of the device relative to a user or an orientation of the device relative to a user. Responsive to determining the external context, the electronic device executes a particular user input action.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2017Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Tyler Reed Kugler, Alexey Polyudov, Seungyon Lee, Yun-Ling Lee, Philip Quinn, Kishore Sundara-Rajan, Shumin Zhai, Debanjan Mukherjee, James B. Miller, Isaac William Reynolds
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Publication number: 20180300004Abstract: A method includes one or more processors of an electronic device receiving signals from multiple sensors located along an edge of the device. The signals are received in response to external contact being provided to the edge of the device. At least one processor determines a distribution of forces applied to the sensors based on the input signals. Based on the determined distribution of forces, the processor determines: i) a location of the external contact that is offset from a location of each of the multiple sensors, and ii) a magnitude of the force of the external contact. The processor detects whether sensing criteria has been satisfied based on an analysis of: i) the location of the external contact and ii) the magnitude of the force of the external contact. Responsive to detecting that sensing criteria has been satisfied, the processor executes a user input action.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2017Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Tyler Reed Kugler, Stuart Murray Scott, Alexey Polyudov, Seungyon Lee, Philip Quinn, Kishore Sundara-Rajan, Shumin Zhai, Debanjan Mukherjee, James B. Miller
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Publication number: 20180284906Abstract: An apparatus utilizes multiple strain gauge (“SG”) sensing units which are each disposed adjacent an inner surface of the device housing. Electrical voltage generated by the SGs is amplified by one or more amplifiers to maximize the resolution between a voltage output of an SG when in a non-pressed state and a voltage output of the SG when in a pressed state. Additionally, an electronic circuit is configured to identify a baseline voltage output for an SG over a period of time for comparing to a voltage output for the SG when the SG is in a pressed state such that the pressed state of the SG can be identified by the electronic circuit by comparing a current output voltage of the SG to the identified baseline voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Tyler Reed Kugler, Alexey Polyudov, Kishore Sundara-Rajan, Debanjan Mukherjee, James B. Miller, James Aaron Cooper, Kelvin Kwong, Philip Quinn
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Patent number: 10013081Abstract: An apparatus utilizes multiple strain gauge (“SG”) sensing units which are each disposed adjacent an inner surface of the device housing. Electrical voltage generated by the SGs is amplified by one or more amplifiers to maximize the resolution between a voltage output of an SG when in a non-pressed state and a voltage output of the SG when in a pressed state. Additionally, an electronic circuit is configured to identify a baseline voltage output for an SG over a period of time for comparing to a voltage output for the SG when the SG is in a pressed state such that the pressed state of the SG can be identified by the electronic circuit by comparing a current output voltage of the SG to the identified baseline voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Tyler Reed Kugler, Alexey Polyudov, Kishore Sundara-Rajan, Debanjan Mukherjee, James B. Miller, James Aaron Cooper, Kelvin Kwong, Philip Quinn
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Patent number: 9292097Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described that includes providing a watch defining a body and a watch face on a surface of the body, the body having one or more sensors arranged to sense user inputs in an area adjacent to the body. The method further comprises sensing a motion of an object in the area adjacent to, but not touching, the body using the one or more sensors and changing a display of a pointing element on a graphical user interface on the watch in coordination with the sensed motion.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: James B. Miller, Richard C. Gossweiler, III
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Patent number: 9164669Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure provide dial controls on a mobile computing device. In one aspect, a method includes displaying a first function graphic in a dial control, the first function graphic being displayed at a first base position on a touchscreen display of a mobile device, detecting a user selection in a first region of the touchscreen display, the first region being associated with the first function graphic, detecting user motion corresponding to the user selection, animating the dial control to rotate for arcing movement of the first function graphic from the first base position on the touchscreen display in response to detecting user motion, determining a measure of user motion, comparing the measure of user motion to a threshold measure, and performing one or more functions on the mobile device in response to the measure of user motion exceeding the threshold measure.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey D. Yaksick, David A. Brown, Michael A. Cleron, Karl Rosaen, Amar S. Gandhi, James B. Miller
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Patent number: 9110589Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing tab bar controls on a mobile computing device are described. In one aspect, a method includes displaying a first tab graphic in a first tab bar control, the first tab bar control being displayed at a first default position on a first edge of a touchscreen display, detecting a user selection in a first region of the touchscreen display, the first region associated with the first tab graphic, detecting user motion, animating the first tab bar control to extend from the first edge of the touch-screen display in response to detecting user motion, determining a measure of user motion, comparing the measure of user motion to a threshold measure, and performing one or more functions on the mobile device in response to the measure of user motion exceeding the threshold measure.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2010Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey D. Yaksick, David A. Brown, Michael A. Cleron, Amar S. Gandhi, James B. Miller
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Publication number: 20150203955Abstract: The present invention describes the design, operation and performance of a new Composition Spread Alloy Film (CSAF) deposition having a rotatable shadow mask and capable of depositing CSAFs of at least two elemental components. The individual components can be deposited simultaneously from physical vapor deposition sources, such as, electron beams, effusion cells, and sputter sources, thus allowing preparation of CSAFs that can contain most metallic elements of the periodic table and other materials amenable to sputtering and physical vapor deposition techniques. Multicomponent materials with lateral composition gradients are deposited in such a way that both the direction and the amplitude of the composition gradient can be controlled independently for all components.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2014Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY, a Pennsylvania Non-Profit CorporationInventors: Andrew J. Gellman, James B. Miller, Benoit G. Fleutot