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).

  • Adaptive virtual keyboard for handheld device
    Patent number: 9013423
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the size, shape, and arrangement of keys on a virtual keyboard may be determined based on touchscreen contacts made by the user. Further, the actual contact patch made by the user may be analyzed to interpret which point of contact was intended, and other factors such as spelling and context may also be considered. These factors may be determined based on a calibration session and/or on continuing inputs during operation of the keyboard, and applied to future operational interpretations of the touchscreen contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Bran Ferren
  • MECHANISM FOR FACILITATING MULTIPLE MULTIMEDIA VIEWING PLANES IN MEDIA DISPLAY SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20150106715
    Abstract: A mechanism is described for facilitating multiple multimedia viewing planes in media display systems according to one embodiment of the invention. A method of embodiments of the invention includes using a plurality of multimedia planes corresponding to a plurality of multimedia content types. The plurality of multimedia planes may be integrated to be presented through an integrated user interface at a media processing device. The method may further include selecting, via the integrated user interface, one or more content categories from a plurality of multimedia content categories, and presenting, via a multimedia plane of the plurality of multimedia planes, contents associated with the one or more selected content categories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Bran FERREN, Lakshman Krishnamurthy, Schwan A. Jasmann, David Beal, Pablo A. Maurin
  • AUTOMATED EXTENDED DEPTH OF FIELD IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20150097987
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus and method enables an automated extended depth of field capability that automates and simplifies the process of creating extended depth of field images. An embodiment automates the acquisition of an image “stack” or sequence and stores metadata at the time of image acquisition that facilitates production of a composite image having an extended depth of field from at least a portion of the images in the acquired sequence. An embodiment allows a user to specify, either at the time of image capture or at the time the composite image is created, a range of distances that the user wishes to have in focus within the composite image. An embodiment provides an on-board capability to produce a composite, extended depth of field image from the image stack. One embodiment allows the user to import the image stack into an image-processing software application that produces the composite image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Bran FERREN
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING CONCRETE STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20150069656
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to construction systems, assemblies, and methods. The construction systems can include concrete dispensing assemblies. The concrete dispensing assemblies can be configured to dispense a plurality of discrete units. The concrete dispensing assemblies can also be configured to simultaneously dispense two or more concrete mixtures. One or more dispensing parameter may be controllable, for example, by a computer control system. Additives and/or curing agents may also be used. Exemplary curing agents include carbon dioxide containing materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, Bran Ferren, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Cameron A. Myhrvold, Conor L. Myhrvold, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GUNSHOT DETECTION WITHIN A BUILDING
    Publication number: 20150070166
    Abstract: A system for detecting a discharge of a firearm includes a detection component and an appropriation component. The detection component is configured to detect a discharge of a firearm within a building using one or more sensors communicatively coupled with a central server. The appropriation component configures one or more telephones within the building to gather and transmit audio data to the central server, in response to detecting the discharge of the firearm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: EDWARD S. BOYDEN, 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.
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING SOUND DURING AN IN-BUILDING EMERGENCY
    Publication number: 20150071450
    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: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: EDWARD S. BOYDEN, JESSE R. CHEATHAM, III, WILLIAM DAVID 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.
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING CONCRETE STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20150072068
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to construction systems, assemblies, and methods. The construction systems can include concrete dispensing assemblies. The concrete dispensing assemblies can be configured to dispense a plurality of discrete units. The concrete dispensing assemblies can also be configured to simultaneously dispense two or more concrete mixtures. One or more dispensing parameter may be controllable, for example, by a computer control system. Additives and/or curing agents may also be used. Exemplary curing agents include carbon dioxide containing materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Elwha, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, Bran Ferren, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Cameron A. Myhrvold, Conor L. Myhrvold, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GUNSHOT DETECTION WITHIN A BUILDING
    Publication number: 20150071038
    Abstract: A system for detecting a discharge of a firearm includes a detection component and a location component. The detection component is configured to detect a discharge of a firearm within a building using microphones associated with two or more telephones. The two or more telephones are communicatively coupled with a central server. The location component determines, based on audio data gathered by the microphones, a location at which the firearm was discharged within the building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: EDWARD S. BOYDEN, 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.
  • Fluid-surfaced electrode
    Patent number: 8974939
    Abstract: An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface, which may employ a surface energy effect to maintain a position of the fluid surface and/or to modulate flow within the fluid. Fluid-directing structures may also modulate flow or retain fluid in a predetermined pattern. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey F. Deane, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Compound gesture recognition
    Patent number: 8972902
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method for executing and interpreting gesture inputs in a gesture recognition interface system. The method includes detecting and translating a first sub-gesture into a first device input that defines a given reference associated with a portion of displayed visual content. The method also includes detecting and translating a second sub-gesture into a second device input that defines an execution command for the portion of the displayed visual content to which the given reference refers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: H. Keith Nishihara, Shi-Ping Hsu, Adrian Kaehler, Bran Ferren, Lars Jangaard
  • Fluid-surfaced electrode
    Patent number: 8968903
    Abstract: An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface, which may employ a surface energy effect to maintain a position of the fluid surface and/or to modulate flow within the fluid. Fluid-directing structures may also modulate flow or retain fluid in a predetermined pattern. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey F. Deane, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • DUAL ELEMENT TURBINE BLADE
    Publication number: 20150050159
    Abstract: A turbine blade includes a core element having a base portion, a tip portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the base portion and the tip portion. The intermediate portion includes a non-uniform cross-section and is a high-strength fiber material. The turbine blade further includes a shell disposed around the core element, and the volume between the core element and the shell forms a void.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Caldeira, William David Duncan, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Stephen H. Salter, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood,, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • IMAGING METHOD AND DEVICE USING BIOMETRIC INFORMATION FOR OPERATOR AUTHENTICATION
    Publication number: 20150043789
    Abstract: Essentially coincident with the capture of an image by the imaging device, biometric information indicating the identity of the operator of the device is obtained from at least one biometric sensor. The biometric information and captured image are then stored in a manner reliably associating each with the other. At a later time, biometric information is obtained from a supposed operator of the imaging device. By comparing this candidate biometric information with the stored biometric information, the supposed operator may be authenticated as the operator of the imaging device at the time of capture of the stored image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, W. Daniel Hills, Clinton Blake Hope
  • Customizable and reconfigurable virtual instrument panel
    Patent number: 8952798
    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: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Minds, LLC
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, W. Daniel Hillis, Randall Adam Yates, Ira M. Lichtman, Clinton Blake Hope
  • Controlled access to functionality of a wireless device
    Patent number: 8943581
    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: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Bran Ferren
  • Method and system for determining and displaying a text title
    Patent number: 8942768
    Abstract: A method and system may receive a communication message and determine a text title to associate with the communication message. The text title associated with the communication message may be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Hansen, Bran Ferren
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING DATA IN A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE
    Publication number: 20150007355
    Abstract: Data in a portable electronic device is protected by using external and internal status detection means to determine if the device is misplaced, lost, or stolen. The device then takes, singly or in combination, one of several actions to protect the data on the device, including declaring its location to an owner or service provider, locking the device or specific functions of the device to disable all data retrieval functionality, erasing or overwriting all the stored data in the device or, where the data has been stored in the device in an encrypted format, destroying an internally-stored encryption key, thereby preventing unauthorized access to the encrypted data in the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Bran FERREN, W. Daniel HILLIS
  • Automated extended depth of field imaging apparatus and method
    Patent number: 8913174
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus and method enables an automated extended depth of field capability that automates and simplifies the process of creating extended depth of field images. An embodiment automates the acquisition of an image “stack” or sequence and stores metadata at the time of image acquisition that facilitates production of a composite image having an extended depth of field from at least a portion of the images in the acquired sequence. An embodiment allows a user to specify, either at the time of image capture or at the time the composite image is created, a range of distances that the user wishes to have in focus within the composite image. An embodiment provides an on-board capability to produce a composite, extended depth of field image from the image stack. One embodiment allows the user to import the image stack into an image-processing software application that produces the composite image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Minds, LLC
    Inventor: Bran Ferren
  • Optical capacitive thumb control with pressure sensor
    Patent number: 8907897
    Abstract: A small sensor surface designed to control a smart phone or Mobile Internet Device (MID). The sensor surface may be mounted on the side of the proposed device in a position where a user's thumb or finger naturally falls when holding the device in his/her hand. The sensor surface is simultaneously convex and concave, providing both visual and physical cues for the use of the sensor surface. The sensor may include capacitive sensing, optical sensing and pressure sensing capabilities to interpret thumb gestures into device control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, Charles F. Harrison
  • Multi-mode handheld wireless device with shared mode to support cross-mode communications
    Patent number: 8909915
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention relate to a multi-function handheld user device that may have multiple selectable modes of operation for different areas of the user's life, each mode with its own database, applications, preferences, operational restrictions, and access limitations. Various mechanisms may be provided for switching between modes. Within each mode, context awareness and situational awareness may be used to obtain additional information or perform additional functions not directly requested by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Bran Ferren