Patents by Inventor Alexander P. Powell
Alexander P. Powell 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: 11977684Abstract: Method for generating haptic and audio feedback responses starts with processor causing communication interface for communication session to be displayed on first user interface and on a second user interface. Processor detects first touch input on first user interface and second touch input on second user interface. Processor monitors location of the first touch input on the first user interface and location of the second touch input on the second user interface. Processor determines distance between location of first touch input on first user interface and location on first user interface corresponding to location of second touch input on second user interface. In response to determining that the distance is below predetermined threshold, processor causes first user interface and second user interface to generate an initial haptic feedback response and an initial audio feedback response. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Snap Inc.Inventors: Alexander P. Powell, Mark Thomas
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Patent number: 11962938Abstract: Method for generating haptic feedback responses starts with processor causing communication interface for communication session to be displayed on first user interface and on a second user interface. Processor detects first touch input on first user interface and second touch input on second user interface. Processor monitors location of the first touch input on the first user interface and location of the second touch input on the second user interface. Processor determines distance between location of first touch input on first user interface and location on first user interface corresponding to location of second touch input on second user interface. Processor causes the first user interface and the second user interface to generate a haptic feedback response based on the distance. The haptic feedback response increases in intensity or speed as the distance decreases and decreases in intensity or speed as the distance increases. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Snap Inc.Inventors: Mark Thomas, Alexander P. Powell
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Patent number: 11930298Abstract: Method for generating haptic feedback responses starts with processor causing communication interface for communication session to be displayed on first user interface and on a second user interface. Processor detects first touch input on first user interface and second touch input on second user interface. Processor monitors location of the first touch input on the first user interface and location of the second touch input on the second user interface. Processor determines distance between location of first touch input on first user interface and location on first user interface corresponding to location of second touch input on second user interface. Processor causes the first user interface and the second user interface to generate a haptic feedback response based on the distance. The haptic feedback response increases in intensity or speed as the distance decreases and decreases in intensity or speed as the distance increases. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Snap Inc.Inventors: Mark Thomas, Alexander P. Powell
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Patent number: 11899842Abstract: Method for generating haptic feedback responses starts with processor causing communication interface for communication session to be displayed on first user interface and on a second user interface. Processor detects first touch input on first user interface and second touch input on second user interface. Processor monitors location of the first touch input on the first user interface and location of the second touch input on the second user interface. Processor determines distance between location of first touch input on first user interface and location on first user interface corresponding to location of second touch input on second user interface. Processor causes the first user interface and the second user interface to generate a haptic feedback response based on the distance. The haptic feedback response increases in intensity or speed as the distance decreases and decreases in intensity or speed as the distance increases. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Snap Inc.Inventors: Alexander P Powell, Mark Thomas
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Patent number: 11698681Abstract: Method for generating haptic feedback responses based on gestures starts with processor causing communication interface for communication session to be displayed on first user interface and on a second user interface. Processor detects a predetermined gesture by a first user of the first client device on the first user interface. In response to detecting the predetermined gesture by the first user, processor causes the first user interface and the second user interface to generate a haptic feedback response based on the predetermined gesture. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Snap Inc.Inventors: Alexander P. Powell, Mark Thomas
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Publication number: 20230199147Abstract: The technical problem of generating a video feed that represents a user who is party to a video call in a manner that invokes the sense of visual presence of the caller without communicating the live video of the user is addressed by configuring a video calling system to include an avatar call platform. The avatar call platform is configured to generate and display a video of an animated figure that represents a caller during a call, in that the face of the animated figure moves in a way that matches what the caller is saying during the call.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Laurent Desserrey, Alex Edelsburg, Joseph Engelman, Alexander P. Powell, Arianne Spool, Jeremy Baker Voss, David Whyte
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Publication number: 20230097257Abstract: Method for generating haptic feedback responses starts with processor causing communication interface for communication session to be displayed on first user interface and on a second user interface. Processor detects first touch input on first user interface and second touch input on second user interface. Processor monitors location of the first touch input on the first user interface and location of the second touch input on the second user interface. Processor determines distance between location of first touch input on first user interface and location on first user interface corresponding to location of second touch input on second user interface. Processor causes the first user interface and the second user interface to generate a haptic feedback response based on the distance. The haptic feedback response increases in intensity or speed as the distance decreases and decreases in intensity or speed as the distance increases. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Alexander P. Powell, Mark Thomas
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Patent number: 11531400Abstract: Method for generating haptic feedback responses starts with processor causing communication interface for communication session to be displayed on first user interface and on a second user interface. Processor detects first touch input on first user interface and second touch input on second user interface. Processor monitors location of the first touch input on the first user interface and location of the second touch input on the second user interface. Processor determines distance between location of first touch input on first user interface and location on first user interface corresponding to location of second touch input on second user interface. Processor causes the first user interface and the second user interface to generate a haptic feedback response based on the distance. The haptic feedback response increases in intensity or speed as the distance decreases and decreases in intensity or speed as the distance increases. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2021Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Snap Inc.Inventors: Alexander P. Powell, Mark Thomas
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Publication number: 20220317775Abstract: Method starts with processor causing virtual reality (VR) interface for communication session to be displayed on first user interface of a first head-wearable apparatus and on second user interface of second head-wearable apparatus. Processor detects first touch input from first VR input device and second touch input from second VR input device. Processor monitors location of the first touch input within the first user interface and location of the second touch input within second user interface. Processor determines distance between location of the first touch input within first user interface and location on first user interface corresponding to location of second touch input within second user interface. Processor causes first and second VR input devices to generate haptic feedback response based on the distance. Haptic feedback response increases in intensity or speed as distance decreases and decreases in intensity or speed as distance increases. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Alexander P. Powell, Mark Thomas
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Publication number: 20220317773Abstract: Method for generating haptic and audio feedback responses starts with processor causing communication interface for communication session to be displayed on first user interface and on a second user interface. Processor detects first touch input on first user interface and second touch input on second user interface. Processor monitors location of the first touch input on the first user interface and location of the second touch input on the second user interface. Processor determines distance between location of first touch input on first user interface and location on first user interface corresponding to location of second touch input on second user interface. In response to determining that the distance is below predetermined threshold, processor causes first user interface and second user interface to generate an initial haptic feedback response and an initial audio feedback response. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Alexander P. Powell, Mark Thomas
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Publication number: 20220317774Abstract: Method for generating haptic and audio feedback responses starts with processor causing communication interface for communication session to be displayed on first and second user interfaces. Communication interface includes first area and second area. Processor detects first touch input on first user interface and second touch input on second user interface and determines location of first touch input being in first area and location of second touch input being in second area. Processor causes first and second user interfaces to generate first audio feedback response associated with first area and second audio feedback response associated with second area. In response to determining that location of first touch input is updated to second area while the location of the second touch input is in second area, processor causes first and second user interfaces to generate enhanced audio feedback response and enhanced haptic response feedback. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Alexander P. Powell, Mark Thomas
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Publication number: 20220206582Abstract: Method for generating haptic feedback responses using haptic augmentations starts with processor receiving a media content item from a first client device and receiving from the first client device a selection of a haptic overlay associated with a haptic feedback response to be applied to the media content item. The processor generates a modified media content item by overlaying the haptic overlay on the media content item. The processor receives from the first client device a selection of a second user associated with the second user and causes the modified media content item to be displayed by a second user interface of the second client device. The processor detects a selection of the haptic overlay from the second client device, and in response to detecting the selection of the haptic overlay, causing the second user interface to generate the haptic feedback response. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2021Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Alexander P. Powell, Mark Thomas
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Publication number: 20220206584Abstract: Method for generating haptic feedback responses starts with processor causing communication interface for communication session to be displayed on first user interface and on a second user interface. Processor detects first touch input on first user interface. Processor causes second user interface to display first indicator element at location on second user interface of second client device corresponding to location of first touch input on first user interface. First indicator element is displayed for a predetermined period of time. Processor detects second touch input on second user interface. In response to determining that location of the second touch input on second user interface corresponds to location of first indicator on second user interface and determining that second touch input on second user interface is detected within predetermined period of time, processor causes first user interface and second user interface to generate haptic feedback response. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2021Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Alexander P. Powell, Mark Thomas
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Publication number: 20220206581Abstract: Method for generating haptic feedback responses based on gestures starts with processor causing communication interface for communication session to be displayed on first user interface and on a second user interface. Processor detects a predetermined gesture by a first user of the first client device on the first user interface. In response to detecting the predetermined gesture by the first user, processor causes the first user interface and the second user interface to generate a haptic feedback response based on the predetermined gesture. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2021Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Alexander P. Powell, Mark Thomas
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Publication number: 20220210370Abstract: Method for generating haptic feedback responses starts with processor causing communication interface for communication session to be displayed on first user interface and on a second user interface. Processor detects first touch input on first user interface and second touch input on second user interface. Processor monitors location of the first touch input on the first user interface and location of the second touch input on the second user interface. Processor determines distance between location of first touch input on first user interface and location on first user interface corresponding to location of second touch input on second user interface. Processor causes the first user interface and the second user interface to generate a haptic feedback response based on the distance. The haptic feedback response increases in intensity or speed as the distance decreases and decreases in intensity or speed as the distance increases. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2021Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Mark Thomas, Alexander P. Powell
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Publication number: 20220206583Abstract: Method for generating haptic feedback responses starts with processor causing communication interface for communication session to be displayed on first user interface and on a second user interface. Processor detects first touch input on first user interface and second touch input on second user interface. Processor monitors location of the first touch input on the first user interface and location of the second touch input on the second user interface. Processor determines distance between location of first touch input on first user interface and location on first user interface corresponding to location of second touch input on second user interface. Processor causes the first user interface and the second user interface to generate a haptic feedback response based on the distance. The haptic feedback response increases in intensity or speed as the distance decreases and decreases in intensity or speed as the distance increases. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2021Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Alexander P. Powell, Mark Thomas
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Patent number: 10984578Abstract: A rail manipulator indicates the possible range(s) of movement of a part of a computer-generated character in a computer animation system. The rail manipulator obtains a model of the computer-generated character. The model may be a skeleton structure of bones connected at joints. The interconnected bones may constrain the movements of one another. When an artist selects one of the bones for movement, the rail manipulator determines the range of movement of the selected bone. The determination may be based on the position and/or the ranges of moments of other bones in the skeleton structure. The range of movement is displayed on-screen to the artist, together with the computer-generated character. In this way, the rail manipulator directly communicates to the artist the degree to which a portion of the computer-generated character can be moved, in response to the artist's selection of the portion of the computer-generated character.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2017Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: DreamWorks Animation L.L.C.Inventor: Alexander P. Powell
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Patent number: 10460498Abstract: Systems and processes are described below relating to evaluating a dependency graph to render three-dimensional (3D) graphics using constraints. Two virtual 3D objects are accessed in a virtual 3D space. A constraint relationship request is received, which identifies the first object as a parent and the second object as a child. The technique verifies whether the graphs of the objects are compatible for being constrained to one another. The first object is evaluated to determine its translation, rotation, and scale. The second object is similarly evaluated based on the translation, rotation, and scale of the first object. An image is rendered depicting at least a portion of the first virtual 3D object and at least a portion of the second virtual 3D object.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: DreamWorks Animation L.L.C.Inventors: Alexander P. Powell, Esteban D. Papp, Alex M. Wells
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Patent number: 10453239Abstract: Systems and processes are described below relating to evaluating a dependency graph having one or more temporally dependent variables. The temporally dependent variables may include variables that may be used to evaluate the dependency graph at a frame other than that at which the temporally dependent variable was evaluated. One example process may include tracking the temporal dirty state for each temporally dependent variable using a temporal dependency list. This list may be used to determine which frames, if any, should be reevaluated when a request to evaluate a dependency graph for a particular frame is received. This advantageously reduces the amount of time and computing resources needed to reevaluate a dependency graph.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: DreamWorks Animation L.L.C.Inventors: Alexander P. Powell, Alex M. Wells
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Publication number: 20180197318Abstract: Systems and processes are described below relating to evaluating a dependency graph to render three-dimensional (3D) graphics using constraints. Two virtual 3D objects are accessed in a virtual 3D space. A constraint relationship request is received, which identifies the first object as a parent and the second object as a child. The technique verifies whether the graphs of the objects are compatible for being constrained to one another. The first object is evaluated to determine its translation, rotation, and scale. The second object is similarly evaluated based on the translation, rotation, and scale of the first object. An image is rendered depicting at least a portion of the first virtual 3D object and at least a portion of the second virtual 3D object.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Applicant: DreamWorks Animation L. L. C.Inventors: Alexander P. Powell, Esteban D. Papp, Alex M. Wells