Patents by Inventor Michael J. Smith

Michael J. Smith 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: 9323784
    Abstract: A mobile device searches for electronic content. The mobile device captures an image from a rendered document, and searches for an electronic version of the image using characteristics of the image and using text within the contents of the image. The mobile device receives a result for the search based upon the image characteristics and the text within the context of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. King, Cheryl Grunbock, Claes-Fredrik Mannby, Michael J. Smith
  • Patent number: 9295205
    Abstract: A method for producing a biogas is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a polyculture of aquatic plants to a growth system; continuously providing water, carbon dioxide, air and nutrients to the polyculture contained within the growth system; growing the polyculture for a time sufficient to produce an aquatic plant-based biomass; withdrawing a portion of the aquatic plant-based biomass contained within the growth system; and treating the withdrawn aquatic plant-based biomass to produce a biogas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SSB International, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Smith, Edward William Gaine
  • Patent number: 9286783
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems that involve monitoring presence of items based on context. An exemplary method involves: (i) determining a context for a given user; (ii) determining a proximity framework between a monitoring device and one or more items, based on the determined context, wherein the proximity framework comprises (a) one or more proximity requirements, each proximity requirement indicating a required proximity between the monitoring device and at least one of the items and (b) a notification process corresponding to each proximity requirement; (iii) monitoring proximity of each of the items relative to the monitoring device, based on a presence signal from each of the items, in order to determine when one of the proximity requirements is not met; and (iv) responsive to determining that one of the proximity requirements is not met, initiating the corresponding notification process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Teller, Martin T. King, Claes-Fredrik Mannby, Michael J. Smith
  • Patent number: 9256551
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a peripheral interface controller may include an inline cryptographic engine which may encrypt data being sent over a peripheral interface and decrypt data received from the peripheral interface. The encryption may be transparent to the device connected to the peripheral interface that is receiving/supplying the data. In an embodiment, the peripheral interface controller is included in a system on a chip (SOC) that also includes a memory controller configured to couple to a memory. The memory may be mounted on the SOC in a chip-on-chip or package-on-package configuration. The unencrypted data may be stored in the memory for use by other parts of the SOC (e.g. processors, on-chip peripherals, etc.). The keys used for the encryption/decryption of data may remain within the SOC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Paaske, David S. Warren, Michael J. Smith, Diarmuid P. Ross, Weihua Mao
  • Publication number: 20160035082
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically changing the operation of a mobile device in response to a presence of information is described. In some examples, the system determines an information capture device is proximate to text, automatically changes operation of the capture device to a certain mode, captures the text, and performs an action associated with the captured text.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Martin T. King, Redwood Stephens, Claes-Fredrik Mannby, Jesse Peterson, Mark Sanvitale, Michael J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150356050
    Abstract: An interface emulator for an IC is disclosed. An interface emulator includes a first first-in, first-out memory (FIFO) and a second FIFO. The first FIFO is coupled to receive data from an access port and a second FIFO coupled to receive data from at least one functional unit in the IC. The access port may be coupled to a device that is external to the IC. The external device may write information into the first FIFO, and this information may subsequently be read by a functional unit in the IC. Similarly, the functional unit may write information into the second FIFO, with the external device subsequently reading the information. Information may be written into the FIFOs in accordance with a predefined protocol. Thus, a particular type of interface may be emulated even though the physical connection and supporting circuitry for that interface is not otherwise implemented in the IC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Michael J. Smith, Josh P. de Cesare, Brijesh Tripathi, Derek Iwamoto, Shane J. Keil
  • Patent number: 9202061
    Abstract: An SOC implements a security enclave processor (SEP). The SEP may include a processor and one or more security peripherals. The SEP may be isolated from the rest of the SOC (e.g. one or more central processing units (CPUs) in the SOC, or application processors (APs) in the SOC). Access to the SEP may be strictly controlled by hardware. For example, a mechanism in which the CPUs/APs can only access a mailbox location in the SEP is described. The CPU/AP may write a message to the mailbox, which the SEP may read and respond to. The SEP may include one or more of the following in some embodiments: secure key management using wrapping keys, SEP control of boot and/or power management, and separate trust zones in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: R. Stephen Polzin, Fabrice L. Gautier, Mitchell D. Adler, Timothy R. Paaske, Michael J. Smith
  • Patent number: 9183692
    Abstract: Assisting users with controlling, navigating and performing any number of other operations for a secure storage apparatus is contemplated. The assistance may be in the form of easily navigable instructions/menus/screen and/or printed instructions, which may be optionally tailored to the particular operation contemplated for performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Fire King Security Products, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Smith, David Murch, John Rhoads, Matt Marquardt
  • Patent number: 9113076
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically changing the operation of a mobile device in response to a presence of information is described. In some examples, the system determines an information capture device is proximate to text, automatically changes operation of the capture device to a certain mode, captures the text, and performs an action associated with the captured text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. King, Redwood Stephens, Claes-Fredrik Mannby, Jesse Peterson, Mark Sanvitale, Michael J. Smith
  • Patent number: 9075779
    Abstract: A hardware, firmware, and/or software facility (“facility”) for providing information relevant to rendered documents is described. In some embodiments, the facility identifies multiple versions of an electronic document corresponding to a rendered document captured by a capture device. The facility may then provide a person utilizing the capture device with various ways to interact with one or more versions of the electronic document. In some embodiments, the facility determines that use of a rendered document is restricted, such as by copyright, to some degree. The facility may then offer the person the option to obtain unrestricted use of the rendered document. If the person accepts, the person obtains the right to store captures of the rendered document. If the person declines, the facility automatically discards captures of the rendered document. In some embodiments, the facility may automatically purchase rights to restricted-use rendered documents based upon the person's predefined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. King, Redwood Stephens, Claes-Fredrik Mannby, Jesse Peterson, Mark Sanvitale, Michael J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150170496
    Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems for monitoring presence of an item or items are disclosed herein. An exemplary method may be carried out by a monitoring device having a processor and a memory, and may involve determining that presence data associated with an item meets one or more criteria associated with automatically adding the item to a list of items whose presence is monitored in a particular context, and based on determining that presence data associated with the item meets the one or more criteria associated with automatically adding the item to the list of items whose presence is monitored in the particular context, adding the item to the list of items whose presence is monitored in the particular context.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. King, Claes-Fredrik Mannby, Michael J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150165329
    Abstract: A system and method for connecting users based on common participation, ownership, or interest in a commodity or market, such as common ownership of a player associated with fantasy sports, is described. In some cases, the system presents a page associated with the commonly-interesting player to a user. In some cases, the provided content includes comments provided by other users or content provided by sources other than a source hosting a fantasy sports league associated with the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Michael J. SMITH, Christopher L. ANDERSON, Zoltan SZABADI
  • Patent number: 9047471
    Abstract: An SOC implements a security enclave processor (SEP). The SEP may include a processor and one or more security peripherals. The SEP may be isolated from the rest of the SOC (e.g. one or more central processing units (CPUs) in the SOC, or application processors (APs) in the SOC). Access to the SEP may be strictly controlled by hardware. For example, a mechanism in which the CPUs/APs can only access a mailbox location in the SEP is described. The CPU/AP may write a message to the mailbox, which the SEP may read and respond to. The SEP may include one or more of the following in some embodiments: secure key management using wrapping keys, SEP control of boot and/or power management, and separate trust zones in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: R. Stephen Polzin, Fabrice L. Gautier, Mitchell D. Adler, Timothy R. Paaske, Michael J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150121003
    Abstract: A storage array controller provides a method and system for autonomously issuing trim commands to one or more solid-state storage devices in a storage array. The storage array controller is separate from any operating system running on a host system and separate from any controller in the solid-state storage device(s). The trim commands allow the solid-state storage device to operate more efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel L. Rosenband, Michael J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150096865
    Abstract: Assisting users with controlling, navigating and performing any number of other operations for a secure storage apparatus is contemplated. The assistance may be in the form of easily navigable instructions/menus/screen and/or printed instructions, which may be optionally tailored to the particular operation contemplated for performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: FKI Security Products
    Inventors: Michael J. Smith, David Murch, John Rhoads, Matt Marquardt
  • Patent number: 8990235
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically providing content associated with captured information is described. In some examples, the system receives input by a user, and automatically provides content or links to content associated with the input. In some examples, the system receives input via text entry or by capturing text from a rendered document, such as a printed document, an object, an audio stream, and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. King, Redwood Stephens, Claes-Fredrik Mannby, Jesse Peterson, Mark Sanvitale, Michael J. Smith, Christopher J. Daley-Watson
  • Publication number: 20150046702
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a peripheral interface controller may include an inline cryptographic engine which may encrypt data being sent over a peripheral interface and decrypt data received from the peripheral interface. The encryption may be transparent to the device connected to the peripheral interface that is receiving/supplying the data. In an embodiment, the peripheral interface controller is included in a system on a chip (SOC) that also includes a memory controller configured to couple to a memory. The memory may be mounted on the SOC in a chip-on-chip or package-on-package configuration. The unencrypted data may be stored in the memory for use by other parts of the SOC (e.g. processors, on-chip peripherals, etc.). The keys used for the encryption/decryption of data may remain within the SOC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Paaske, David S. Warren, Michael J. Smith, Diarmuid P. Ross, Weihua Mao
  • Patent number: 8943265
    Abstract: A storage array controller provides a method and system for autonomously issuing trim commands to one or more solid-state storage devices in a storage array. The storage array controller is separate from any operating system running on a host system and separate from any controller in the solid-state storage device(s). The trim commands allow the solid-state storage device to operate more efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel L Rosenband, Michael J Smith
  • Patent number: 8915084
    Abstract: A system and method to extract heat energy from underground heat sources, then transport that heat to the surface in the form of a high temperature liquid or gas, and deliver the contaminant-free heat energy to a surface user of heat. The heat captured in the working fluid of the system is gained by heat transfers and can be extracted from the in situ combustion of any oil sands, heavy oil, conventional or unconventional oil, bitumen, coal, conventional or unconventional natural gas, methane or oil shales, or from various other sources. The invention creates a closed circulation system, in which the working fluid and steam circulating in the system are protected from any direct contact with the hydrocarbon reservoir, and gases produced by the in situ combustion are sequestered in the reservoir by the overlying overburden.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: 7238703 Canada Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Rogers, Michael J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8918655
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for whitening and managing data for storage in non-volatile memories, such as Flash memory. In some embodiments, an electronic device such as media player is provided, which may include a system-on-a-chip (SoC) and a non-volatile memory. The SoC may include SoC control circuitry and a memory interface that acts as an interface between the SoC control circuitry and the non-volatile memory. The SoC can also include an encryption module, such as a block cipher based on the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). The memory interface can direct the encryption module to whiten all types of data prior to storage in the non-volatile memory, including sensitive data, non-sensitive data, and memory management data. This can, for example, prevent or reduce program-disturb problems or other read/write/erase reliability issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Herman, Matthew J. Byom, Michael J. Smith, Tahoma M. Toelkes