Patents by Inventor Bran Ferren

Bran Ferren 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).

  • Motion-based radiograph interlock systems, structures, and processes
    Patent number: 9170214
    Abstract: A motion-based interlock apparatus, system, and method prevent an x-ray source in an x-ray machine from activating if the current relative motion between the x-ray source and an image receptor would compromise the quality of the resulting plain radiograph. The system activates the interlock based on either or both of the velocity and acceleration of the tubehead, as measured by instrumentation corresponding to any of the tubehead, the extension arm, or off board the x-ray machine. The system may preferably compare the measured motion against one or more acceptable motion thresholds. If the measured motion exceeds one or more of the acceptable motion thresholds, exposure may preferably be delayed until the motion of the tubehead subsides. By ensuring that the image is not exposed while the tubehead is moving substantially, the quality of the resultant radiograph is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: APPLIED MINDS, LLC
    Inventor: Bran Ferren
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING TELECONFERENCING COLLABORATION
    Publication number: 20150281639
    Abstract: An advanced video teleconferencing system facilitates an engaging and realistic video conferencing experience. Key design elements and video, audio, and control capabilities are provided for a video conferencing experience that cannot be attained with conventional methods, which elements and capabilities include careful design of the table and room at each site, supplementary displays showing imagery in a mirrored manner, networked environmental control, an AutoDirector with keyword and gesture recognition, and audio reflection from a display or beam splitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Bran FERREN, W. Daniel HILLIS, Thomas McKNIGHT, Rudy YUKICH, Braddock GASKILL
  • Intelligent graphics interface in a handheld wireless device
    Patent number: 9141199
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention may allow applications and information to be clustered together in ways that simplify and automate various tasks. Other embodiments may present a graphical user interface to the user that allows the user to choose from a matrix of information categories and applications that can help provide that information. Still other embodiments may provide different user interface methods based on status awareness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, Schawn A. Jasmann, Morgan J. Buck
  • Controlled access to functionality of a wireless device
    Patent number: 9134804
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention may be used to verify that a person being authorized by biometric techniques to use a device is a living person and not some form of recording intended to spoof the system. Some embodiments may try to cause a change in a measured biometric feature, and compare images taken before and after the change to verify the change occurred. In some embodiments, multiple stages of verification may be used, either to increase the difficulty of spoofing the security system, or to provide different levels of security for different levels of access to the device's functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Bran Ferren
  • Intelligent graphics interface in a handheld wireless device
    Patent number: 9134805
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention may allow applications and information to be clustered together in ways that simplify and automate various tasks. Other embodiments may present a graphical user interface to the user that allows the user to choose from a matrix of information categories and applications that can help provide that information. Still other embodiments may provide different user interface methods based on status awareness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, Schawn A. Jasmann, Morgan J. Buck
  • MIRRORED INSULATING PANELS STRUCTURES, SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED PROCESSES
    Publication number: 20150252564
    Abstract: Enhanced structural insulated panels, related processes, and related structures and systems provide several improvements over conventional structural panels. Some embodiments of the enhanced structural insulated panels comprise at least one exterior surface that is configured to provide a high degree of spectral reflectivity, such as comprising but not limited to a stainless steel or other material having a mirrored exterior surface. The outer surface may preferably be imparted with a series of waves, such as within a lay pattern, wherein the series of waves may preferably comprise varying wavelengths and wave heights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventor: Bran FERREN
  • Customizable and reconfigurable virtual instrument panel
    Patent number: 9122306
    Abstract: The invention provides an instrument control panel that is easily customized and reconfigured, and yet provides the familiar tactile sensation of physical knobs, sliders, and buttons. The instrument control panel comprises one or more interface components that are removably coupled to an interface display wherein the interface components communicate with one or more control components disposed behind the interface display. The present invention lends itself particularly well to an instrument panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: APPLIED MINDS, LLC
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, W. Daniel Hillis, Randall Adam Yates, Ira M. Lichtman, Clinton Blake Hope
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING SOUND DURING AN IN-BUILDING EMERGENCY
    Publication number: 20150244873
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a building having one or more microphones coupled to a telephone includes a detector configured to detect a triggering event within the building and transmit an activating signal when the triggering event is detected, and a control module configured to receive the activating signal from the detector. The control module is programmed to activate at least one of the one or more microphones to monitor sound when the activating signal is received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Edward S. Boyden, Jesse R. Cheatham, III, William D. Duncan, Bran Ferren, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Stephen L. Malaska, Nathan P. Myhrvold, David B. Tuckerman, Lowell L. Wood,, Jr.
  • Customizable and predictive dictionary
    Patent number: 9092069
    Abstract: A first list of forbidden words is selected from a plurality of lists of forbidden words on a computing device when the computing device is set to a first user mode corresponding to the first list of forbidden words, wherein each of the plurality of lists of forbidden words corresponds to at least one user mode of a plurality of user modes and contains user mode-based forbidden words whose use on the computing device is prohibited when the computing device is set to one or more corresponding user modes. First mode-based forbidden words of the first list of forbidden words are prevent from being be used on the computing device for as long as the computing device is set to the first user mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Bran Ferren
  • Transcoder enabled cloud of remotely controlled devices
    Patent number: 9092798
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to one or more transcoder devices in communication with an input device such as a remote control device and multiple destination devices in which the transcoder device(s) facilitate communication between the remote control and the various destination devices in the vicinity. The transcoder device(s) can also provide the user with an environmental awareness of conditions and events surrounding the user. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bran Ferren
  • Method and system for communication behavior
    Patent number: 9088882
    Abstract: A method and system may include receiving an incoming call from a caller at a mobile device. The call information including one or more of a priority level and a group based on the call; may be received. A call handling rule to apply may be determined based on the call information. It may be determined whether to automatically override the call handling rule based on the call information and an implicit override parameter. Notification may be provided based on the override determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bran Ferren
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING COUPLING JOINTS
    Publication number: 20150165684
    Abstract: A system for providing a joint for connecting a first object and a second object includes a data acquisition device configured to acquire joint parameter data regarding the first object and the second object, and a controller coupled to the data acquisition device and configured to provide joint design data regarding a design of the joint based on the joint parameter data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Geoffrey F. Deane, William D. Duncan, Bran Ferren, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Elizabeth L. Schubert, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Systems and methods for enhancing teleconferencing collaboration
    Patent number: 9058055
    Abstract: An advanced video teleconferencing system facilitates an engaging and realistic video conferencing experience. Key design elements and video, audio, and control capabilities are provided for a video conferencing experience that cannot be attained with conventional methods, which elements and capabilities include careful design of the table and room at each site, supplementary displays showing imagery in a mirrored manner, networked environmental control, an AutoDirector with keyword and gesture recognition, and audio reflection from a display or beam splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: APPLIED MINDS, LLC
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, W. Daniel Hillis, Thomas McKnight, Rudy Yukich, Braddock Gaskill
  • Hair modification using converging light
    Patent number: 9055958
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for hair treatment are disclosed. According to various embodiments, light is used to shave, trim, or otherwise modify hair shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Method of measuring amount of substances in an ambient noise environment
    Patent number: 9046402
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods, devices, and systems that measure a volume of substance in a noise environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: The Invention Sciencefund I, LLC
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Mirrored insulating panel structures, systems and associated processes
    Patent number: 9045902
    Abstract: Enhanced structural insulated panels, related processes, and related structures and systems provide several improvements over conventional structural panels. Some embodiments of the enhanced structural insulated panels comprise at least one exterior surface that is configured to provide a high degree of spectral reflectivity, such as comprising but not limited to a stainless steel or other material having a mirrored exterior surface. The outer surface may preferably be imparted with a series of waves, such as within a lay pattern, wherein the series of waves may preferably comprise varying wavelengths and wave heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: APPLIED MINDS, LLC
    Inventor: Bran Ferren
  • CONTROLLED ACCESS TO FUNCTIONALITY OF A WIRELESS DEVICE
    Publication number: 20150150121
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention may be used to verify that a person being authorized by biometric techniques to use a device is a living person and not some form of recording intended to spoof the system. Some embodiments may try to cause a change in a measured biometric feature, and compare images taken before and after the change to verify the change occurred. In some embodiments, multiple stages of verification may be used, either to increase the difficulty of spoofing the security system, or to provide different levels of security for different levels of access to the device's functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Bran FERREN
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY ENABLING A MICROPROCESSOR-BASED SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150143515
    Abstract: A system for selectively enabling a microprocessor-based system is disclosed. State information that describes the operating conditions or circumstances under which a user intends to operate the system is obtained. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a valid hash value is determined, preferably based on the state information and preferably by locating the valid hash value within a table of valid hash values indexed by the state information. Candidate authorization information is obtained from the user, and a candidate hash value is generated by applying a hashing algorithm to the candidate authorization information, the state information, or a combination of the candidate authorization information and state information. The candidate hash value and the valid hash value are then compared, and the microprocessor-based system is enabled if the candidate hash value matches the valid hash value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Bran Ferren
  • Lumenally-active device
    Patent number: 9011329
    Abstract: Embodiments of a lumenally-active system and method of use and control thereof are disclosed. According to various embodiments, a lumenally-active device is positioned in a body lumen of an organism, where the device may sense a parameter of a fluid in the body lumen and perform an action on the fluid. Control logic and/or circuitry may be located on the device, or the system may include a separate control module. Liquid or gaseous fluids may be treated by embodiments of the device. Actions may include, for example, modification of a body fluid by addition or removal of a material, or by modification of a property of a body fluid or a component thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Searete LLC
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Richa Wilson, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Computing device with sensor
    Patent number: D732526
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, Dimitri Negroponte, Peter Abrahamson