Patents by Inventor Victor Kulik

Victor Kulik 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: 8886980
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for operating motion sensors in a power-efficient manner. An example technique described herein includes obtaining, at a motion sensor, first indications of sensed motion of a device associated with the motion sensor; integrating, at the motion sensor, the first indications of the sensed motion to obtain integrated motion information; generating, at the motion sensor, second indications of the integrated motion information; and sampling, at a processor disparate from the motion sensor, selective ones of the second indications. Another example technique includes obtaining a first indication of a motion state anomaly associated with motion of a mobile device and causing a gyroscope associated with the mobile device to transition between a first operating mode and a second operating mode in response to the first indication, where the first operating mode is a reduced-power mode compared to the second operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Victor Kulik
  • Patent number: 8880373
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described herein for calibration and correction of non-constant sensor errors, and in particular non-constant compass errors, that are based in part on changing software and hardware modes of a host device. The non-constant errors induced in the sensor by each mode and combination of modes is determined in a calibration that may be determined during pre-production testing of one or more host devices. The calibration results can be incorporated into software and/or hardware of the host device. During normal operation, a sensor correction can be applied to sensor measurements based in part on the active mode or combination of modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Victor Kulik, Christopher Brunner
  • Publication number: 20140320641
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a direction based on an angle of a reference wall is provided. A mobile device uses an angle of a horizontal feature from an image to calibrate a sensor and future sensor measurements. The angle of the horizontal feature is determined by image processing and this angle is mapped to one of four assumed parallel or perpendicular angles of an interior of a building. A sensor correction value is determined from a difference between the sensor-determined angle and the image-processing determined angle. The image processing determined angle is assumed to be very accurate and without accumulated errors or offsets that the sensor measurements may contain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Victor KULIK
  • Patent number: 8843290
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for calibrating dynamic parameters of a vehicle navigation system are presented. One method may include determining whether reference position data of a vehicle is available, and measuring composite accelerations of the vehicle. The method may further include generating distance and turn angle data based upon a wheel speed sensors data, computing distance and turn angle errors based upon the independent position data, and associating the distance and turn angle errors with composite accelerations. A second method presented includes calibrating an inertial navigation sensor within a vehicle navigation system. The second method may include determining reference position data and Inertial Navigation System (INS) data, aligning an IMU with the vehicle, and aligning the IMU with an Earth fixed coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Victor Kulik, Joseph Czompo
  • Patent number: 8810649
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a direction based on an angle of a reference wall is provided. A mobile device uses an angle of a horizontal feature from an image to calibrate a sensor and future sensor measurements. The angle of the horizontal feature is determined by image processing and this angle is mapped to one of four assumed parallel or perpendicular angles of an interior of a building. A sensor correction value is determined from a difference between the sensor-determined angle and the image-processing determined angle. The image processing determined angle is assumed to be very accurate and without accumulated errors or offsets that the sensor measurements may contain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Victor Kulik
  • Publication number: 20140226864
    Abstract: Methods and devices for camera aided motion direction and speed estimation are disclosed. The method of determining position characteristics of a mobile device comprises capturing a plurality of images that represent views from the mobile device, adjusting perspectives of the plurality of images based at least in part on an orientation of the mobile device, determining a misalignment angle with respect to a direction of motion of the mobile device using the plurality of images, and storing the misalignment angle and the direction of motion in a storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Subramaniam Venkatraman, Victor Kulik
  • Publication number: 20140180621
    Abstract: Step detection accuracy in mobile devices is increased by determining whether swinging is taking place. According to the invention, swinging can be detected using threshold detection, Eigen analysis, hybrid frequency analysis, and/or gyroscope-based analysis, for example. The determination that swinging is (or may be) occurring can impact how the mobile device reports detected steps for step detection. A count of missteps and/or a level of certainty, based on swing detection, can be provided with a step count.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Sameera PODURI, Disha AHUJA, Victor KULIK, Payam PAKZAD, Ravi PALANKI
  • Patent number: 8694051
    Abstract: A mobile device configured to be used in a wireless communication network includes: an image capture device; at least one sensor configured to measure a first orientation of the mobile device; and a processor communicatively coupled to the image capture device and the at least one sensor and configured to: identify an object in an image captured by the image capture device; use a position of the mobile device to determine an actual location of the object relative to the mobile device; and use the actual location of the object relative to the mobile device and the image to determine a correction for the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Victor Kulik
  • Publication number: 20130040653
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for computing device motion direction and orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Joseph Czompo, Victor Kulik
  • Publication number: 20130006573
    Abstract: Example methods, apparatuses, or articles of manufacture are disclosed herein that may be utilized, in whole or in part, to facilitate or support one or more operations or techniques for reducing power consumption or error of a digital compass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher Brunner, Victor Kulik
  • Publication number: 20130002857
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a direction based on an angle of a reference wall is provided. A mobile device uses an angle of a horizontal feature from an image to calibrate a sensor and future sensor measurements. The angle of the horizontal feature is determined by image processing and this angle is mapped to one of four assumed parallel or perpendicular angles of an interior of a building. A sensor correction value is determined from a difference between the sensor-determined angle and the image-processing determined angle. The image processing determined angle is assumed to be very accurate and without accumulated errors or offsets that the sensor measurements may contain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Victor Kulik
  • Publication number: 20120296603
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for measuring orientation of sensors associated with a mobile device with respect to pedestrian motion of a user of the mobile device. An example technique described herein includes obtaining acceleration information associated with the mobile device, partitioning the acceleration information according to respective detected pedestrian steps of the user, identifying a forward motion direction of the user of the mobile device based on the acceleration information and the detected pedestrian steps, and computing a misalignment angle between the forward motion direction of the user of the mobile device and an orientation of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Victor Kulik, Joseph Czompo, Christopher Brunner, Michael James Wengler
  • Publication number: 20120176413
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided that may be implemented in a mobile device to allow for display mode selection based, at least in part, on a motion direction with respect to an orientation of a display of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Victor Kulik, Joseph Czompo
  • Publication number: 20120022780
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for calibrating dynamic parameters of a vehicle navigation system are presented. One method may include determining whether reference position data of a vehicle is available, and measuring composite accelerations of the vehicle. The method may further include generating distance and turn angle data based upon a wheel speed sensors data, computing distance and turn angle errors based upon the independent position data, and associating the distance and turn angle errors with composite accelerations. A second method presented includes calibrating an inertial navigation sensor within a vehicle navigation system. The second method may include determining reference position data and Inertial Navigation System (INS) data, aligning an IMU with the vehicle, and aligning the IMU with an Earth fixed coordinate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Victor Kulik, Joseph Czompo
  • Publication number: 20110275408
    Abstract: A mobile device configured to be used in a wireless communication network includes: an image capture device; at least one sensor configured to measure a first orientation of the mobile device; and a processor communicatively coupled to the image capture device and the at least one sensor and configured to: identify an object in an image captured by the image capture device; use a position of the mobile device to determine an actual location of the object relative to the mobile device; and use the actual location of the object relative to the mobile device and the image to determine a correction for the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Victor Kulik
  • Publication number: 20110257936
    Abstract: A device for sensing a phenomenon using a dynamic measurement range includes: a sensing element configured to measure the phenomenon using a first measurement range and to provide an analog indication of a value of the phenomenon; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the sensing element and configured to convert the analog indication to a digital indication; and a processor coupled to the ADC and the sensing element and configured to analyze the digital indication to determine a second measurement range for the sensing element and to cause the sensing element to change from the first measurement range to the second measurement range for measurement of the phenomenon, the first measurement range being different than the second measurement range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Victor Kulik, Joseph Czompo, Cristina A. Seibert
  • Publication number: 20110239026
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for operating motion sensors in a power-efficient manner. An example technique described herein includes obtaining, at a motion sensor, first indications of sensed motion of a device associated with the motion sensor; integrating, at the motion sensor, the first indications of the sensed motion to obtain integrated motion information; generating, at the motion sensor, second indications of the integrated motion information; and sampling, at a processor disparate from the motion sensor, selective ones of the second indications. Another example technique includes obtaining a first indication of a motion state anomaly associated with motion of a mobile device and causing a gyroscope associated with the mobile device to transition between a first operating mode and a second operating mode in response to the first indication, where the first operating mode is a reduced-power mode compared to the second operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventor: VICTOR KULIK
  • Publication number: 20110117924
    Abstract: A mobile station determines its position using measured parameters of a wireless signal to improve a satellite positioning system (SPS) enhanced dead reckoning based position estimate. The mobile station uses SPS enhanced dead reckoning to estimate a current position. The mobile station receives wireless signals and measures, e.g., received signal strength and/or round trip time, which is compared to a database to derive a wireless signal based position estimate. The SPS enhanced dead reckoning position estimate and the wireless signal based position estimate may then be fused using corresponding confidence levels. The database may be generated and stored in the mobile station. In another embodiment, the database is generated and stored on an online server that may be accessed by mobile stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher Brunner, Victor Kulik
  • Publication number: 20110106474
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described herein for calibration and correction of non-constant sensor errors, and in particular non-constant compass errors, that are based in part on changing software and hardware modes of a host device. The non-constant errors induced in the sensor by each mode and combination of modes is determined in a calibration that may be determined during pre-production testing of one or more host devices. The calibration results can be incorporated into software and/or hardware of the host device. During normal operation, a sensor correction can be applied to sensor measurements based in part on the active mode or combination of modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Victor Kulik, Christopher Brunner
  • Publication number: 20100318292
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to determining and/or predicting a navigation solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Victor Kulik, Joseph Czompo