Patents by Inventor Michael S. Holford
Michael S. Holford 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: 11921917Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a compact eye-tracking camera assembly. The camera incorporates a lens and image sensor whose principal axis is parallel to the plane of the display surface, and a compound angle mirror configured to redirect incident IR light along the principal axis. The compound angle mirror has a first angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to a first axis, and a second angle of approximately 15-22 degrees (e.g., 18 degrees) relative to a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis. The first and second axes are substantially parallel to the plane of the display surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: EYETECH DIGITAL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Robert C. Chappell, Bryson C Hinton, Michael S Holford
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Publication number: 20210311549Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a compact eye-tracking camera assembly. The camera incorporates a lens and image sensor whose principal axis is parallel to the plane of the display surface, and a compound angle mirror configured to redirect incident IR light along the principal axis. The compound angle mirror has a first angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to a first axis, and a second angle of approximately 15-22 degrees (e.g., 18 degrees) relative to a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis. The first and second axes are substantially parallel to the plane of the display surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2020Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Robert C. Chappell, Bryson C. Hinton, Michael S. Holford
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Patent number: 11047169Abstract: A shutter panel for an architectural opening is provided. The shutter panel may include a frame and a louver rotatably coupled to the frame. The louver may be automatically closable based on an angular orientation of the louver. The shutter panel may include a closure device operably associated with the louver. The closure device may be actuated based on the angular orientation of the louver. The shutter panel may include a damping device operably associated with the louver. The damping device may be actuated based on the angular orientation of the louver. The shutter panel may include a tension device operably associated with the louver.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.Inventors: Michael S. Holford, James M. Anthony, Joseph E. Kovach
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Publication number: 20200387217Abstract: Systems and methods for cloud-based eye tracking with reduced computing and network overhead are provided. Computational latency is reduced by isolating an eye region within a facial image and transmitting it to the remote server for further image processing. Transmission latency is reduced by identifying available servers on the network, assigning transmission latency values to each server based on various attributes, and proactively selecting the server having the lowest transmission latency.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2019Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Robert C. Chappell, Caleb R. Hinton, Michael S. Holford, William B. Whitehead
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Publication number: 20200387219Abstract: Systems and methods for cloud-based eye tracking with reduced computing and network overhead are provided. Computational latency is reduced by isolating an eye region within a facial image and transmitting it to the remote server for further image processing. Transmission latency is reduced by identifying available servers on the network, assigning transmission latency values to each server based on various attributes, and proactively selecting the server having the lowest transmission latency.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Robert C. Chappell, Caleb R. Hinton, Michael S Holford, William B. Whitehead
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Patent number: 10788893Abstract: A method of integrating an eye tracking assembly into a computer display comprises: providing a computer display having a bottom edge, a horizontal dimension H and a vertical dimension V; attaching a backplane to the display such that a first portion extends below the display, the first portion having a horizontal dimension H and a vertical dimension D; and adhering a transparent layer to the display such that a second portion extends below the display, the second portion having a horizontal dimension H and a vertical dimension D; and installing the tracking assembly at least partially inside an accessory region between the first and second portions.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: EyeTech Digital Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert C. Chappell, Bryson C. Hinton, Michael S. Holford
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Publication number: 20190242180Abstract: A shutter panel for an architectural opening is provided. The shutter panel may include a frame and a louver rotatably coupled to the frame. The louver may be automatically closable based on an angular orientation of the louver. The shutter panel may include a closure device operably associated with the louver. The closure device may be actuated based on the angular orientation of the louver. The shutter panel may include a damping device operably associated with the louver. The damping device may be actuated based on the angular orientation of the louver. The shutter panel may include a tension device operably associated with the louver.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2019Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventors: Michael S. Holford, James M. Anthony, Joseph E. Kovach
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Patent number: 10294713Abstract: A shutter panel for an architectural opening is provided. The shutter panel may include a frame and a louver rotatably coupled to the frame. The louver may be automatically closable based on an angular orientation of the louver. The shutter panel may include a closure device operably associated with the louver. The closure device may be actuated based on the angular orientation of the louver. The shutter panel may include a damping device operably associated with the louver. The damping device may be actuated based on the angular orientation of the louver. The shutter panel may include a tension device operably associated with the louver.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Holford, James M. Anthony, Joseph E. Kovach
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Publication number: 20150368959Abstract: A shutter panel for an architectural opening is provided. The shutter panel may include a frame and a louver rotatably coupled to the frame. The louver may be automatically closable based on an angular orientation of the louver. The shutter panel may include a closure device operably associated with the louver. The closure device may be actuated based on the angular orientation of the louver. The shutter panel may include a damping device operably associated with the louver. The damping device may be actuated based on the angular orientation of the louver. The shutter panel may include a tension device operably associated with the louver.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Michael S. HOLFORD, James M. ANTHONY, Joseph E. KOVACH
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Patent number: 8540005Abstract: An apparatus and method associated with the extension and retraction of a covering for an architectural opening. More particularly, an apparatus and method which monitors the extension of a shade to control the extension and position when the extension motion of the shade is interrupted.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: James Baugh, Daniel Fluckey, Michael S. Holford
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Publication number: 20110253320Abstract: An apparatus and method associated with the extension and retraction of a covering for an architectural opening. More particularly, an apparatus and method which monitors the extension of a shade to control the extension and position when the extension motion of the shade is interrupted.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2009Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: James Baugh, Daniel Fluckey, Michael S. Holford
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Patent number: 7982422Abstract: An improved system for controlling motorized window coverings with light control includes an improved control system including a switch with an up button, a stop button and down button to activate a motor to control the configuration of the covering, including the extension or retraction of the covering, and the transmissivity of the covering.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Henk Jan Meewis, Michael S. Holford
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Publication number: 20100109850Abstract: A controller for a device transmitting commands across one or more communication channels. Each such channel may employ a separate medium, such as radio waves and infrared light. The controller may transmit two separate signals to a device, where one signal is sent via radio waves and the other by infrared light. One signal may correspond to a group identifier and the other to an operating command to be carried out by the device. The device may receive both signals and, if the device belongs to a group corresponding to the group identifier, it may execute the operating command. Alternatively, the group identifier may be replaced by a wake command and the device may execute the operating command only if the wake command is received.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2007Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Joseph E. Kovach, James Baugh, Paul F. Josephson, Michael S. Holford
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Patent number: 7401634Abstract: An improved retractable covering for an architectural opening includes an improved mounting bracket, an improved limit stop to prevent over-retraction and over-extension of the retractable covering, an improved battery pack mounting bracket for attaching a power supply to a head rail of the retractable covering, an improved battery pack mounting apparatus for attaching a battery pack to a head rail, an improved control system for the retractable covering, and an improved method of using a wireless remote control or a manually operated switch to activate a motor to control the configuration of the covering, including the extension or retraction of the covering, and the transmissivity of the covering. The disclosed improvements are field retrofittable.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2006Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Joseph E. Kovach, Michael S. Holford
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Publication number: 20070163724Abstract: An improved system for controlling motorized window coverings with light control includes an improved control system including a switch with an up button, a stop button and down button to activate a motor to control the configuration of the covering, including the extension or retraction of the covering, and the transmissivity of the covering.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2007Publication date: July 19, 2007Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Henk Jan Meewis, Michael S. Holford
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Patent number: 7147029Abstract: An improved retractable covering for an architectural opening includes an improved mounting bracket, an improved limit stop to prevent over-retraction and over-extension of the retractable covering, an improved battery pack mounting bracket for attaching a power supply to a head rail of the retractable covering, an improved battery pack mounting apparatus for attaching a battery pack to a head rail, an improved control system for the retractable covering, and an improved method of using a wireless remote control or a manually operated switch to activate a motor to control the configuration of the covering, including the extension or retraction of the covering, and the transmissivity of the covering. The disclosed improvements are field retrofittable.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2003Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Joseph E. Kovach, Michael S. Holford
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Patent number: 6755230Abstract: A powered remotely actuated control system adapted for use in a covering system for an architectural opening and a covering system incorporating the control system are described. The control system includes: (1) a translational drive system for selectively moving a vertically-orientated vanes between extended and retracted positions, (ii) an angular drive system for selectively pivoting or rotating the vanes between an opened angular position and a closed angular position; and (iii) a logic system for determining the relative translational and angular positions of the vanes, as well as, decoding and executing commands received from a wireless remote control.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2002Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Bogdan R. Ulatowski, Michael S. Holford, Joseph E. Kovach, Marek Jarosinski, Gary F. Skinner
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Publication number: 20040118528Abstract: An improved retractable covering for an architectural opening includes an improved mounting bracket, an improved limit stop to prevent over-retraction and over-extension of the retractable covering, an improved battery pack mounting bracket for attaching a power supply to a head rail of the retractable covering, an improved battery pack mounting apparatus for attaching a battery pack to a head rail, an improved control system for the retractable covering, and an improved method of using a wireless remote control or a manually operated switch to activate a motor to control the configuration of the covering, including the extension or retraction of the covering, and the transmissivity of the covering. The disclosed improvements are field retrofittable.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Joseph E. Kovach, Michael S. Holford
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Patent number: 6688368Abstract: An improved retractable covering for an architectural opening includes an improved mounting bracket, an improved limit stop to prevent over-retraction and over-extension of the retractable covering, an improved battery pack mounting bracket for attaching a power supply to a head rail of the retractable covering, an improved battery pack mounting apparatus for attaching a battery pack to a head rail, an improved control system for the retractable covering, and an improved method of using a wireless remote control or a manually operated switch to activate a motor to control the configuration of the covering, including the extension or retraction of the covering, and the transmissivity of the covering. The disclosed improvements are field retrofittable.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2001Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.Inventors: Joseph E. Kovach, Michael S. Holford, Marek Jarosinski
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Publication number: 20030000653Abstract: A powered remotely actuated control system adapted for use in a covering system for an architectural opening and a covering system incorporating the control system are described. The control system includes: (1) a translational drive system for selectively moving a vertically-orientated vanes between extended and retracted positions, (ii) an angular drive system for selectively pivoting or rotating the vanes between an opened angular position and a closed angular position; and (iii) a logic system for determining the relative translational and angular positions of the vanes, as well as, decoding and executing commands received from a wireless remote control.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventors: Bogdan R. Ulatowski, Michael S. Holford