Patents by Inventor James H. Foster

James H. Foster 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: 20210345246
    Abstract: Methods for performing power management of a multi-interface transponder (MIT) device, e.g., such as positional tag device. The MIT device may transition between various power states, e.g., based on detected events, such as detecting movement of the MIT device, receiving a wakeup signal, receiving an indication of a transition in transportation mode, and/or detecting that the MIT device may be lost, such as based on a lack of contact with another device for more than a threshold period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: James H. Foster, Marlene Nilsen, Paul G. Puskarich
  • Patent number: 11157072
    Abstract: A direct retinal projector may include a gaze tracking system that tracks position of a subject's pupil and automatically adjusts projection of a scanned light field so that the light field enters the pupil. A control loop adjusts a scanning mirror to substantially center an IR beam on a position sensing detector (PSD). In so doing, the scanning mirror is correctly positioned so that the scanned light field from the projector enters the subject's pupil. In addition, a direct retinal projector may include an adjustable focusing element that adjusts focus of a combined light beam generated by a projector as the light beam is scanned to an ellipsoid mirror that reflects the light beam to the subject's pupil. The focusing of the scanned beam may be adjusted as the beam is scanned across the azimuth angle of the curved ellipsoid mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, James H. Foster, Alexander Shpunt
  • Publication number: 20210325202
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with control circuitry for locating lost items. The control circuitry may determine where an item is located and may use the display or other output device to guide a user to the item. The display may display a visual guide such as an arrow, a sphere, a circle, a compass, or other visual aid that points the user in the direction of the item. The control circuitry may change the size or other characteristic of the visual aid on the display as the distance between the electronic device and the object changes. The control circuitry may change the location of the visual aid on the display as the orientation of the electronic device relative to the object changes. The display may overlay the visual aid onto live images of the user's surroundings as they are captured by a camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Adam S. Meyer, Duncan Robert Kerr, Martha Evans Hankey, Peter C. Tsoi, John B. Morrell, James H. Foster
  • Publication number: 20210314493
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with control circuitry, wireless transceiver circuitry, and a display. The electronic device may be used to provide information to a user in response to being pointed at a particular object. The control circuitry may determine when the electronic device is pointed at a particular object using wireless control circuitry and/or motion sensor circuitry. In response to determining that the electronic device is pointed at a particular object, the control circuitry may take suitable action. This may include, for example, displaying information about an object when the electronic device is pointed at the object, displaying control icons for electronic equipment when the electronic device is pointed at the electronic equipment, and/or displaying a virtual object when the electronic device is pointed at real world object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Adam S. Meyer, Peter C. Tsoi, Duncan Robert Kerr, Martha Evans Hankey, John B. Morrell, James H. Foster
  • Publication number: 20210307093
    Abstract: A wireless communication device may wirelessly control an object, such as a physical device, directly or through interaction with a virtual representation (or placeholder) of the object situated at a predefined physical location. In particular, the wireless communication device may identify an intent gesture performed by a user that indicates intent to control the object. For example, the intent gesture may involve pointing or orienting the wireless communication device toward the object, with or without additional input. Then, the wireless communication device may determine the object associated with the intent gesture using wireless ranging and/or device orientation. Moreover, the wireless communication device may interpret sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the wireless communication device to determine an action gesture corresponding to a command or a command value. The wireless communication device may then transmit the command value to control the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: James H. FOSTER, Duncan R. KERR
  • Patent number: 11119574
    Abstract: An electronic device may include touch input components and associated haptic output components. The control circuitry may provide haptic output in response to touch input on the touch input components and may send wireless signals to the external electronic device based on the touch input. The haptic output components may provide local and global haptic output. Local haptic output may be used to guide a user to the location of the electronic device or to provide a button click sensation to the user in response to touch input. Global haptic output may be used to notify the user that the electronic device is aligned towards the external electronic device and is ready to receive user input to control or communicate with the external electronic device. Control circuitry may switch a haptic output component into an inactive mode to inform the user that a touch input component is inactive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Camille Moussette, James H. Foster, Duncan Kerr, Adam S. Meyer, Per Haakan Linus Persson, Peter C. Tsoi, Stuart J. Wood
  • Patent number: 11047702
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with control circuitry for locating lost items. The control circuitry may determine where an item is located and may use the display or other output device to guide a user to the item. The display may display a visual guide such as an arrow, a sphere, a circle, a compass, or other visual aid that points the user in the direction of the item. The control circuitry may change the size or other characteristic of the visual aid on the display as the distance between the electronic device and the object changes. The control circuitry may change the location of the visual aid on the display as the orientation of the electronic device relative to the object changes. The display may overlay the visual aid onto live images of the user's surroundings as they are captured by a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Adam S. Meyer, Duncan Robert Kerr, Martha Evans Hankey, Peter C. Tsoi, John B. Morrell, James H. Foster
  • Patent number: 11044405
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with control circuitry, wireless transceiver circuitry, and a display. The electronic device may be used to provide information to a user in response to being pointed at a particular object. The control circuitry may determine when the electronic device is pointed at a particular object using wireless control circuitry and/or motion sensor circuitry. In response to determining that the electronic device is pointed at a particular object, the control circuitry may take suitable action. This may include, for example, displaying information about an object when the electronic device is pointed at the object, displaying control icons for electronic equipment when the electronic device is pointed at the electronic equipment, and/or displaying a virtual object when the electronic device is pointed at real world object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Adam S. Meyer, Peter C. Tsoi, Duncan Robert Kerr, Martha Evans Hankey, John B. Morrell, James H. Foster
  • Patent number: 11019567
    Abstract: Methods for performing power management of a multi-interface transponder (MIT) device, e.g., such as positional tag device. The MIT device may transition between various power states, e.g., based on detected events, such as detecting movement of the MIT device, receiving a wakeup signal, receiving an indication of a transition in transportation mode, and/or detecting that the MIT device may be lost, such as based on a lack of contact with another device for more than a threshold period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Chadra Laboratories LLC
    Inventors: James H. Foster, Marlene Nilsen, Paul G. Puskarich
  • Publication number: 20210122335
    Abstract: A system provides a personalized and secure user experience to access a secured asset, such as a vehicle. A first communication is transmitted, and a second communication is received in response to the first communication. An approach vector is determined based on the first communication and the second communication. The approach vector is compared with a known approach vector, a request for authentication is transmitted based on the comparison. A response to the request for authentication is received, and access to an asset is granted based on the approach vector and the response to the request for authentication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: James H. Foster, Duncan Kerr
  • Patent number: 10912136
    Abstract: A wireless communication device may wirelessly control an object, such as a physical device, directly or through interaction with a virtual representation (or placeholder) of the object situated at a predefined physical location. In particular, the wireless communication device may identify an intent gesture performed by a user that indicates intent to control the object. For example, the intent gesture may involve pointing or orienting the wireless communication device toward the object, with or without additional input. Then, the wireless communication device may determine the object associated with the intent gesture using wireless ranging and/or device orientation. Moreover, the wireless communication device may interpret sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the wireless communication device to determine an action gesture corresponding to a command or a command value. The wireless communication device may then transmit the command value to control the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Foster, Duncan R. Kerr
  • Patent number: 10882493
    Abstract: A system provides a personalized and secure user experience to access a secured asset, such as a vehicle. A first communication is transmitted, and a second communication is received in response to the first communication. An approach vector is determined based on the first communication and the second communication. The approach vector is compared with a known approach vector, a request for authentication is transmitted based on the comparison. A response to the request for authentication is received, and access to an asset is granted based on the approach vector and the response to the request for authentication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventors: James H. Foster, Duncan Kerr
  • Publication number: 20200275369
    Abstract: Methods for performing power management of a multi-interface transponder (MIT) device, e.g., such as positional tag device. The MIT device may transition between various power states, e.g., based on detected events, such as detecting movement of the MIT device, receiving a wakeup signal, receiving an indication of a transition in transportation mode, and/or detecting that the MIT device may be lost, such as based on a lack of contact with another device for more than a threshold period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: James H. Foster, Marlene Nilsen, Paul G. Puskarich
  • Publication number: 20200272221
    Abstract: Methods for performing power management of a multi-interface transponder (MIT) device, e.g., such as positional tag device. The MIT device may transition between various power states, e.g., based on detected events, such as detecting movement of the MIT device, receiving a wakeup signal, receiving an indication of a transition in transportation mode, and/or detecting that the MIT device may be lost, such as based on a lack of contact with another device for more than a threshold period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: James H. Foster, Marlene Nilsen, Paul G. Puskarich
  • Publication number: 20200260514
    Abstract: A wireless communication device may locate a proximate object in an environment, such as an electronic device or a resource. During this communication technique, the wireless communication device may receive a transmission that includes an identifier associated with the object. The wireless communication device may determine a range and/or a direction of the object from the wireless communication device. For example, the wireless communication device may determine the range and/or the direction, at least in part, using wireless ranging. Next, the wireless communication device may present output information that indicates the range and/or the direction. In particular, the wireless communication device may display a map of a proximate area with an indicator representative of the object shown on the map. Alternatively, the wireless communication device may display an image of the proximate area with the indicator representative of the object on the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: James H. FOSTER, Duncan R. KERR
  • Patent number: 10602556
    Abstract: A wireless communication device may locate a proximate object in an environment, such as an electronic device or a resource. During this communication technique, the wireless communication device may receive a transmission that includes an identifier associated with the object. The wireless communication device may determine a range and/or a direction of the object from the wireless communication device. For example, the wireless communication device may determine the range and/or the direction, at least in part, using wireless ranging. Next, the wireless communication device may present output information that indicates the range and/or the direction. In particular, the wireless communication device may display a map of a proximate area with an indicator representative of the object shown on the map. Alternatively, the wireless communication device may display an image of the proximate area with the indicator representative of the object on the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Foster, Duncan R. Kerr
  • Publication number: 20200092925
    Abstract: A wireless communication device may wirelessly control an object, such as a physical device, directly or through interaction with a virtual representation (or placeholder) of the object situated at a predefined physical location. In particular, the wireless communication device may identify an intent gesture performed by a user that indicates intent to control the object. For example, the intent gesture may involve pointing or orienting the wireless communication device toward the object, with or without additional input. Then, the wireless communication device may determine the object associated with the intent gesture using wireless ranging and/or device orientation. Moreover, the wireless communication device may interpret sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the wireless communication device to determine an action gesture corresponding to a command or a command value. The wireless communication device may then transmit the command value to control the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: James H. FOSTER, Duncan R. KERR
  • Publication number: 20190349463
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aggregating and sharing wellness data. The wellness data can be received by a user device from any number of sensors external or internal to the user device, from a user manually entering the wellness data, or from other users or entities. The user device can securely store the wellness data on the user device and transmit the wellness data to be stored on a remote database. A user of the device can share some or all of the wellness data with friends, relatives, caregivers, healthcare providers, or the like. The user device can further display a user's wellness data in an aggregated view of different types of wellness data. Wellness data of other users can also be viewed if authorizations from those users have been received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher D. SOLI, Lawrence Y. YANG, Dennis S. PARK, Stephen O. LEMAY, Daniel S. KEEN, James H. FOSTER, Zachery KENNEDY, Michael O'REILLY, Guy L. TRIBBLE, Todd K. WHITEHURST
  • Patent number: 10368378
    Abstract: A wireless communication device may wirelessly control an object, such as a physical device, directly or through interaction with a virtual representation (or placeholder) of the object situated at a predefined physical location. In particular, the wireless communication device may identify an intent gesture performed by a user that indicates intent to control the object. For example, the intent gesture may involve pointing or orienting the wireless communication device toward the object, with or without additional input. Then, the wireless communication device may determine the object associated with the intent gesture using wireless ranging and/or device orientation. Moreover, the wireless communication device may interpret sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the wireless communication device to determine an action gesture corresponding to a command or a command value. The wireless communication device may then transmit the command value to control the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Foster, Duncan R. Kerr
  • Patent number: 10313506
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aggregating and sharing wellness data. The wellness data can be received by a user device from any number of sensors external or internal to the user device, from a user manually entering the wellness data, or from other users or entities. The user device can securely store the wellness data on the user device and transmit the wellness data to be stored on a remote database. A user of the device can share some or all of the wellness data with friends, relatives, caregivers, healthcare providers, or the like. The user device can further display a user's wellness data in an aggregated view of different types of wellness data. Wellness data of other users can also be viewed if authorizations from those users have been received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Soli, Lawrence Y. Yang, Dennis S. Park, Stephen O. Lemay, Daniel S. Keen, James H. Foster, Zachery Kennedy, Michael O'Reilly, Guy L. Tribble, Todd K. Whitehurst