Patents by Inventor Brett Bilbrey
Brett Bilbrey 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: 10739868Abstract: There are provided systems, devices and methods for operating a housing for an electronic device as an input/output (I/O) device. In one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing configured to function as an integrated housing and I/O device and one or more sensors obscured by a panel of the housing. The one or more sensors being configured to sense via the panel of the housing. The electronic device further includes a processing unit communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to interpret electrical signals generated by the one or more sensors. One or more output devices are communicatively coupled to the processing unit and configured to provide an output in response to the one or more sensors generating an electrical signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2019Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Nicholas Vincent King, Duncan Kerr, Brett Bilbrey
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Patent number: 10642560Abstract: A tracking system is described having at least two mobile transmitter/receivers (“transceivers”) which sense and respond to at least one tracking transceiver. The signals sent to and received from the mobile transceivers are analyzed to get a distance (range) that each is from the tracking transceiver. This can be converted into a position relative to the mobile transceivers. If there are enough transceivers, and at least one knows its absolute location, the absolute location of the mobile transceivers may be determined. Existing smartphones, cellphones, WI-FI® wireless standard routers, BLUETOOTH® wireless standard devices, and near-field devices that have on-board processors, can be modified to run executable code to implement the current invention. They may communicate using at least one of the modalities for tracking.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2016Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: POSITION IMAGING, INC.Inventors: Edward L. Hill, Brett Bilbrey, Harry Lee Deffebach, III, Krenar Komoni
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Publication number: 20200097724Abstract: A system and method of identifying and tracking objects comprises registering an identity of a person who visits an area designated for holding objects, capturing an image of the area designated for holding objects, submitting a version of the image to a deep neural network trained to detect and recognize objects in images like those objects held in the designated area, detecting an object in the version of the image, associating the registered identity of the person with the detected object, retraining the deep neural network using the version of the image if the deep neural network is unable to recognize the detected object, and tracking a location of the detected object while the detected object is in the area designated for holding objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2019Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventors: Narasimhachary Nallana Chakravarty, Guohua Min, Edward L. Hill, Brett Bilbrey
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Publication number: 20190294166Abstract: Vehicles and methods of navigating vehicles comprise at least three receiver antennae configured to receive radio frequency (RF) signals from one or more RF-transmitting antennae coupled to an object, receiver circuitry coupled to the receiver antennae to acquire the RF signals and to determine timing information from the acquired RF signals, memory storing information related to fixed distances between each receiver antenna and each other receiver antenna, a processor configured to determine a relative position of the vehicle with respect to the one or more RF-transmitting antennae based on the stored information related to the fixed distances between each receiver antenna and each other receiver antenna and on the timing information determined by the receiver circuitry, and a control system configured to control operation of the vehicle in response to the relative position of the vehicle with respect to the one or more RF-transmitting antennae determined by the processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Edward L. Hill, Brett Bilbrey, Harry Lee Deffebach, III, Krenar Komoni
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Patent number: 10402151Abstract: A system for enhancing audio including a computer and an output device. The computer includes a sensor configured to determine a user location relative to the computer. The sensor is also configured to gather environment data corresponding to an environment of the computer. The computer also includes a processor in communication with the sensor and configured to process the user location and the environment data and adjust at least one of an audio output or a video output. The output device is in communication with the processor and is configured to output at least one of the audio output or the video output.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2017Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Brett Bilbrey, Darbey E. Hadley, Martin E. Johnson, Ronald Nadim Isaac
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Publication number: 20190196605Abstract: There are provided systems, devices and methods for operating a housing for an electronic device as an input/output (I/O) device. In one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing configured to function as an integrated housing and I/O device and one or more sensors obscured by a panel of the housing. The one or more sensors being configured to sense via the panel of the housing. The electronic device further includes a processing unit communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to interpret electrical signals generated by the one or more sensors. One or more output devices are communicatively coupled to the processing unit and configured to provide an output in response to the one or more sensors generating an electrical signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Nicholas Vincent King, Duncan Kerr, Brett Bilbrey
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Patent number: 10324474Abstract: Vehicles and methods of navigating vehicles comprise at least three receiver antennae configured to receive radio frequency (RF) signals from one or more RF-transmitting antennae coupled to an object, receiver circuitry coupled to the receiver antennae to acquire the RF signals and to determine timing information from the acquired RF signals, memory storing information related to fixed distances between each receiver antenna and each other receiver antenna, a processor configured to determine a relative position of the vehicle with respect to the one or more RF-transmitting antennae based on the stored information related to the fixed distances between each receiver antenna and each other receiver antenna and on the timing information determined by the receiver circuitry, and a control system configured to control operation of the vehicle in response to the relative position of the vehicle with respect to the one or more RF-transmitting antennae determined by the processor.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: POSITION IMAGING, INC.Inventors: Edward L. Hill, Brett Bilbrey, Harry Lee Deffebach, III, Krenar Komoni
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Patent number: 10248221Abstract: There are provided systems, devices and methods for operating a housing for an electronic device as an input/output (I/O) device. In one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing configured to function as an integrated housing and I/O device and one or more sensors obscured by a panel of the housing. The one or more sensors being configured to sense via the panel of the housing. The electronic device further includes a processing unit communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to interpret electrical signals generated by the one or more sensors. One or more output devices are communicatively coupled to the processing unit and configured to provide an output in response to the one or more sensors generating an electrical signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2017Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Nicholas Vincent King, Duncan Kerr, Brett Bilbrey
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Patent number: 9819898Abstract: A low-cost portable digital video player receives proprietary compressed data from a source such as a personal video recorder (PVR), and displays the data on an integral display. A rewritable non-volatile memory of the player stores the data and a media decoder of the player transforms and decompresses the data. According to one embodiment the decoder transforms the data to a non-proprietary format, prior to storing the data. According to a second embodiment, the memory stores the data in the proprietary format, and decoder transforms and decompresses the data in response to an instruction from a user input device, and transfers the decoded data to a display. A cradle for the player provides communications to the PVR, a power supply and optionally further storage capacity.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Callahan Cellular L.L.C.Inventor: Brett Bilbrey
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Publication number: 20170249122Abstract: A system for enhancing audio including a computer and an output device. The computer includes a sensor configured to determine a user location relative to the computer. The sensor is also configured to gather environment data corresponding to an environment of the computer. The computer also includes a processor in communication with the sensor and configured to process the user location and the environment data and adjust at least one of an audio output or a video output. The output device is in communication with the processor and is configured to output at least one of the audio output or the video output.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Brett Bilbrey, Darbey E. Hadley, Martin E. Johnson, Ronald Nadim Isaac
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Publication number: 20170147087Abstract: There are provided systems, devices and methods for operating a housing for an electronic device as an input/output (I/O) device. In one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing configured to function as an integrated housing and I/O device and one or more sensors obscured by a panel of the housing. The one or more sensors being configured to sense via the panel of the housing. The electronic device further includes a processing unit communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to interpret electrical signals generated by the one or more sensors. One or more output devices are communicatively coupled to the processing unit and configured to provide an output in response to the one or more sensors generating an electrical signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Nicholas Vincent King, Duncan Kerr, Brett Bilbrey
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Publication number: 20170123426Abstract: Vehicles and methods of navigating vehicles comprise at least three receiver antennae configured to receive radio frequency (RF) signals from one or more RF-transmitting antennae coupled to an object, receiver circuitry coupled to the receiver antennae to acquire the RF signals and to determine timing information from the acquired RF signals, memory storing information related to fixed distances between each receiver antenna and each other receiver antenna, a processor configured to determine a relative position of the vehicle with respect to the one or more RF-transmitting antennae based on the stored information related to the fixed distances between each receiver antenna and each other receiver antenna and on the timing information determined by the receiver circuitry, and a control system configured to control operation of the vehicle in response to the relative position of the vehicle with respect to the one or more RF-transmitting antennae determined by the processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2017Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Edward L. Hill, Brett Bilbrey, Harry Lee Deffebach, III, Krenar Komoni
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Patent number: 9600037Abstract: There are provided systems, devices and methods for operating a housing for an electronic device as an input/output (I/O) device. In one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing configured to function as an integrated housing and I/O device and one or more sensors obscured by a panel of the housing. The one or more sensors being configured to sense via the panel of the housing. The electronic device further includes a processing unit communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to interpret electrical signals generated by the one or more sensors. One or more output devices are communicatively coupled to the processing unit and configured to provide an output in response to the one or more sensors generating an electrical signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Nicholas Vincent King, Duncan Kerr, Brett Bilbrey
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Patent number: 9590352Abstract: Security devices and methods of securely coupling electronic devices and peripherals are provided. In one embodiment, a peripheral has a first coded magnet on a first surface of a first device. The first coded magnet has at least two different polarity regions on the first surface. A second coded magnet on a second surface of a second device is also provided. The first coded magnet is configured to securely provide data to a device associated with the second coded magnet, if the first and second coded magnets' patterns are keyed to one another.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brett Bilbrey, Aleksandar Pance, Peter Arnold, David I. Simon, Jean Lee, Michael D Hillman, Gregory L. Tice, Vijay Iyer, Bradley Spare
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Patent number: 9536362Abstract: One embodiment may take the form of a method for providing security for access to a goal including storing a first image and receiving a second image comprising polarized data. The method also includes comparing the first image with the second image to determine if the first image and the second image are substantially the same. In the event the first and second images are not substantially the same, the method includes denying access to the goal. In the event the first and second images are substantially the same, the method includes determining, utilizing the polarized information, if the second image is of a three-dimensional object. Further, in the event the second image is not of a three-dimensional object, the method includes denying access to the goal and, in the event the second image is of a three-dimensional object, permitting access to the goal.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Mushtaq A. Sarwar, Brett Bilbrey, Peng Zheng
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Publication number: 20160254954Abstract: One particular implementation conforming to aspects of the present disclosure takes the form of docking station for a computing device that maintains an indication of a docking station location. The location of the docking station may be utilized by the docking station and/or the computing device coupled to the docking station to configure the functionality and other aspects of the computing device. For example, the functionality of the computing device may be altered in response to the location of the docking station. Additionally, security features, display configurations and the availability of software applications may also be configured in response to the location of the docking station. In this manner, a single computing device may perform the functions of several computing devices based on the location of the docking station, without the need for the user of the device to configure the device manually.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Nicholas Vincent King, Aleksandar Pance, Brett Bilbrey
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Publication number: 20160238692Abstract: A tracking system is described having at least two mobile transmitter/receivers (“transceivers”) which sense and respond to at least one tracking transceiver. The signals sent to and received from the mobile transceivers are analyzed to get a distance (range) that each is from the tracking transceiver. This can be converted into a position relative to the mobile transceivers. If there are enough transceivers, and at least one knows its absolute location, the absolute location of the mobile transceivers may be determined. Existing smartphones, cellphones, Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices, and near-field devices that have on-board processors, can be modified to run executable code to implement the current invention. They may communicate using at least one of the modalities for tracking. These may be implemented in tracking the position and orientation of moving devices, such as a head-mounted display for virtual/Augmented Reality, automobiles, packages in a package delivery truck.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Edward L. Hill, Brett Bilbrey, Harry Lee Deffebach, III, Krenar Komoni
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Patent number: 9395817Abstract: In an embodiment, a haptic feedback system includes a plurality of actuators to provide tactile feedback associated with an input surface. Each actuator is adapted to be activated independently of the other actuators. The system further includes a controller to activate a first actuator of the plurality of actuators to induce a first vibration at a selected input location of the input surface and to activate one or more additional actuators to induce at least a second vibration to localize the first vibration at the selected input location.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Paul Alioshin, Brett Bilbrey, David Thomas Amm
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Publication number: 20160065886Abstract: A low-cost portable digital video player receives proprietary compressed data from a source such as a personal video recorder (PVR), and displays the data on an integral display. A rewritable non-volatile memory of the player stores the data and a media decoder of the player transforms and decompresses the data. According to one embodiment the decoder transforms the data to a non-proprietary format, prior to storing the data. According to a second embodiment, the memory stores the data in the proprietary format, and decoder transforms and decompresses the data in response to an instruction from a user input device, and transfers the decoded data to a display. A cradle for the player provides communications to the PVR, a power supply and optionally further storage capacity.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventor: Brett Bilbrey
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Patent number: 9275810Abstract: Methods and apparatuses disclosed herein relate to backlit visual display elements. One embodiment may take the form a keyboard including at least one keycap, a dome switch layer underlying the keycap, and an encapsulation layer underlying the dome switch layer. The encapsulation layer may include a first printed circuit layer configured to transmit a signal corresponding to the at least one keycap. The keyboard may further include a light emissive layer underlying the encapsulation layer. The light emissive layer may include at least one emissive area corresponding to the at least one keycap and a second printed circuit layer configured to supply a voltage to the at least one emissive area.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2010Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Brett Bilbrey