Patents by Inventor Brian Mark

Brian Mark 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: 9348666
    Abstract: A user interface translation system can provide functionality of translating at least a portion of a user interface of a primary application. The user interface translation system may, for instance, add an overlay interface over a portion of the primary application. The primary application can conduct all the processing tasks. The overlay interface can correspond to user interfaces of well-known applications that users may prefer. In certain embodiments, users can select from a list of overlay interfaces. The user interface translation system can receive user control input from the overlay interface and map the received input to a corresponding command for the primary application. The user interface translation system can also train users to adapt to a change in user interface over a period of time or usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventors: Gary Stephen Shuster, Brian Mark Shuster
  • Patent number: 9342993
    Abstract: A method includes, during a driving session in which a student driver operates a vehicle, gathering driving skill data indicative of at least one of behavior of the student driver, acceleration of the vehicle, braking of the vehicle, or steering of the vehicle, and gathering comments from a driving instructor about the driving session. The method also includes generating a driving session report corresponding to the driving session. The driving session report includes at least one score based on the driving skill data, and the comments from the driving instructor about the driving session. Still further, the method includes causing the driving session report to be displayed on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Jibo He, John A. Nepomuceno, Steve Roberson, Bryan Allen Plummer, Kurtis C. Houdek, Neeraj Jain
  • Patent number: 9329743
    Abstract: A multi-user process receives input from multiple remote clients to manipulate avatars through a virtual environment modeled in a host memory. The environment includes portal objects operable to transport avatars, which are modeled objects operated in response to client input, between defined areas of the virtual environment. The portals are customizable in response to client input to transport avatars to destinations preferred by users. Adjacent defined areas are not confined in extent by shared boundaries. The host provides model data for display of the modeled environment to participating clients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventor: Brian Mark Shuster
  • Publication number: 20160091271
    Abstract: This application is directed to a firearm that is functional, but is not fully functional as it is incapable of discharging ammunition, e.g., causing ammunition to ignite and discharge a bullet. Related methods, techniques, and approaches are also discussed. In embodiments, the firearm is functional, but not fully functional and it is impractical and/or irreversible to alter the firearm to make it fully functional through replacement of interchangeable parts that correspond to that particular firearm model. In embodiments, the firearm is also identifiable as being less than fully functional, e.g., it is incapable of discharging ammunition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary, Department of Homel
    Inventors: Jody Seymore, Jason Edward, Jeffery Browder, Brian Marks
  • Publication number: 20160086367
    Abstract: In a multi-participant modeled virtual reality environment, avatars are modeled beings that include moveable eyes creating the impression of an apparent gaze direction. Control of eye movement may be performed autonomously using software to select and prioritize targets in a visual field. Sequence and duration of apparent gaze may then be controlled using automatically determined priorities. Optionally, user preferences for object characteristics may be factored into determining priority of apparent gaze. Resulting modeled avatars are rendered on client displays to provide more lifelike and interesting avatar depictions with shifting gaze directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Gary Stephen SHUSTER, Brian Mark SHUSTER
  • Patent number: 9279697
    Abstract: Tagged driving events may be generated during a driving session from sensor data collected via one or more sensors and/or entered by an instructor. The tagged driving events may include a description of each driving event and its associated severity or weight as it relates to a scoring process as well as a time and/or a location of the driving event. A driving session report may be generated using the tagged driving events and may include a driver feedback score that is weighted based on the severity associated with each of the tagged driving events and/or the collected data, a map of the driving session route that indicates a map location of each tagged driving event, and/or a listing of each tagged driving event. The driving session report may be displayed such that a user may select a tagged driving event to view information associated with the tagged driving event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Steve Roberson, Abhishek Harish, Hyunji Lim, Matthew James Waughtel
  • Patent number: 9275552
    Abstract: A method includes, for each of two or more driving sessions in which a student driver operates a vehicle, gathering driving skill data indicative of at least one of behavior of the student driver, acceleration of the vehicle, braking of the vehicle, or steering of the vehicle, and generating a driving session report. The method further includes causing the driving session reports corresponding to the two or more driving sessions to be displayed to a driving instructor, and receiving comments from the driving instructor about the two or more driving sessions of the student driver. Still further, the method includes storing the driving session reports corresponding to the two or more driving sessions along with the received comments from the driving instructor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Jibo He, John A. Nepomuceno, Steve Roberson, Bryan Allen Plummer, Kurtis C. Houdek, Neeraj Jain
  • Patent number: 9275417
    Abstract: A method includes receiving and storing sensor data including a first plurality of data points indicative of a plurality of respective states of the environment external to a vehicle at a plurality of respective times, external data including a second plurality of data points indicative of an additional plurality of respective states of the external environment, and synchronization data. The external data is data that was received by the vehicle from a handheld mobile communication device of a pedestrian external to the vehicle via a wireless link, and is indicative of objects sensed by the handheld mobile communication device. The method also includes generating an animated re-creation of an event involving the vehicle using the stored data, and causing the animated re-creation of the event to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Todd Binion, Joe Harr, Brian Mark Fields, Steven Cielocha, Steve J. Balbach
  • Publication number: 20160035132
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for refining virtual objects output within an augmented reality environment. In one example, a method includes determining, by a system comprising a processor, first response data representative of a first response to a first set of object data associated with a simulation of an interaction between a first virtual object and a second virtual object. The method also includes modifying at least one object of the first set of object data to create a second set of object data associated with another simulation of the interaction between the first virtual object and the second virtual object. Further, the method includes outputting data representative of the first virtual object, the second virtual object, and the second set of object data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Brian Mark SHUSTER, Gary Stephen SHUSTER
  • Patent number: 9251616
    Abstract: A method for managing a multi-user animation platform is disclosed. A three-dimensional space within a computer memory is modeled. An avatar of a client is located within the three-dimensional space, the avatar being graphically represented by a three-dimensional figure within the three-dimensional space. The avatar is responsive to client input commands, and the three-dimensional figure includes a graphical representation of client activity. The client input commands are monitored to determine client activity. The graphical representation of client activity is then altered according to an inactivity scheme when client input commands are not detected. Following a predetermined period of client inactivity, the inactivity scheme varies non-repetitively with time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Brian Mark Shuster
  • Publication number: 20150380828
    Abstract: Surface scattering antennas with lumped elements provide adjustable radiation fields by adjustably coupling scattering elements along a waveguide. In some approaches, the scattering elements include slots in an upper surface of the waveguide, and the lumped elements are configured to span the slots provide adjustable loading. In some approaches, the scattering elements are adjusted by adjusting bias voltages for the lumped elements. In some approaches, the lumped elements include diodes or transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: ERIC J. BLACK, BRIAN MARK DEUTSCH, ALEXANDER REMLEY KATKO, MELROY MACHADO, JAY HOWARD MCCANDLESS, YAROSLAV A. URZHUMOV
  • Publication number: 20150371424
    Abstract: A multi-instance, multi-user animation platform includes a plurality of modeled parallel dimensions in a computer memory. Each of the parallel dimensions may be an independent model of a physical, three-dimensional space having corresponding features such that the parallel dimensions are recognizable as counterparts to each other. Avatars are located within corresponding ones of the parallel dimensions so as to prevent over-population of any one of the parallel dimensions by avatars. Avatars are animated within different ones of the parallel dimensions using input from respective users to provide virtual-reality data. A common space is modeled in the computer memory configured in relation to the plurality of parallel instances so that an object located inside the common space is visible from viewpoints located inside each of the plurality of parallel instances. Remote clients may output an animated display of a corresponding one of the parallel dimensions and avatars therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Mark SHUSTER, Gary Stephen SHUSTER
  • Patent number: 9208598
    Abstract: In a multi-participant modeled virtual reality environment, avatars are modeled beings that include moveable eyes creating the impression of an apparent gaze direction. Control of eye movement may be performed autonomously using software to select and prioritize targets in a visual field. Sequence and duration of apparent gaze may then be controlled using automatically determined priorities. Optionally, user preferences for object characteristics may be factored into determining priority of apparent gaze. Resulting modeled avatars are rendered on client displays to provide more lifelike and interesting avatar depictions with shifting gaze directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventors: Gary Stephen Shuster, Brian Mark Shuster
  • Patent number: 9205842
    Abstract: The method, system, and computer-readable medium causes the monitoring of a vehicle operator during the course of vehicle operation to determine whether the vehicle operator is impaired and causes a mitigating response when an impairment is determined to exist. The vehicle operator, the environment surrounding the vehicle, or forces acting on the vehicle may be monitored using a variety of sensors, including optical sensors, accelerometers, or biometric sensors (e.g., skin conductivity, heart rate, or voice modulation). When the vehicle operator is determined to be impaired, an alert or other mitigating response is implemented, based on the sensor data. In some embodiments, mitigating actions may be taken to avoid vehicle operator impairment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Steve Roberson, Aaron Scott Chan, Kenneth Jason Sanchez, Matthew Christopher Jon Donovan
  • Publication number: 20150339527
    Abstract: A gaze tracking system captures images of a vehicle operator's face using an image sensor device positioned within a vehicle. The gaze tracking system may be detect facial features from each image and track the position of facial features over time. The gaze tracking system may use the detected facial features to track the vehicle operator's head pose and gaze direction. The images may be captured and analyzed in near-real time. By tracking movement of the driver's head and eyes over time, the gaze analysis system may predict or estimate head position and/or gaze direction when one or more facial features are not detectable. The gaze tracking system may generate a report regarding the vehicle operator's gaze distribution. The report may be saved to memory and may be graphically displayed at a screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Bryan Allen Plummer, Parker Andrew Brown, Brian Mark Fields, Steve Roberson
  • Patent number: 9180888
    Abstract: Tagged driving events may be generated during a driving session from sensor data collected via one or more sensors and/or entered by an instructor. The tagged driving events may include a description of each driving event and its associated severity or weight as it relates to a scoring process as well as a time and/or a location of the driving event. A driving session report may be generated using the tagged driving events and may include a driver feedback score that is weighted based on the severity associated with each of the tagged driving events and/or the collected data, a map of the driving session route that indicates a map location of each tagged driving event, and/or a listing of each tagged driving event. The driving session report may be displayed such that a user may select a tagged driving event to view information associated with the tagged driving event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Steve Roberson, Abhishek Harish, Hyunji Lim, Matthew James Waughtel
  • Publication number: 20150318620
    Abstract: Surface scattering antennas on curved manifolds provide adjustable radiation fields by adjustably coupling scattering elements along a wave-propagating structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: ERIC J. BLACK, PAI-YEN CHEN, BRIAN MARK DEUTSCH, TOM DRISCOLL, SIAMAK EBADI, JOHN DESMOND HUNT, ALEXANDER REMLEY KATKO, NATHAN INGLE LANDY, MELROY MACHADO, MILTON PERQUE, JR., DAVID R. SMITH, YAROSLAV A. URZHUMOV
  • Publication number: 20150312203
    Abstract: A method for using a wireless receiver may include receiving subscribed messages for a user identified with a user account of a hub, being messages posted by other uses of the hub to which the user has subscribed. The method may include automatically processing the messages to determine content for display on a display device, and displaying the content on the display device. The display device may be configured as two separate screens mounted at separate locations on the user's body. The messages may include user status messages, which are messages posted to the hub by the user, and the user status messages and subscription messages may be displayed on separate ones of the two screens. An apparatus for performing the method may include a processor coupled to a memory holding encoded instructions for performing operations of the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Gary Stephen SHUSTER, Brian Mark SHUSTER
  • Patent number: 9165326
    Abstract: A method includes receiving data about potential impairment of a vehicle operator, wherein the data about potential impairment is generated by: (i) a first optical sensor monitoring a vehicle operator, and (ii) a second optical sensor monitoring an environment ahead of a vehicle operated by the vehicle operator. The computer-implemented method further includes assigning a plurality of scores based on the data about potential vehicle operator impairment, wherein each of the plurality of scores corresponds to a respective impairment indicator, determining an impairment score by performing a mathematical operation on the plurality of scores, and providing the impairment score to a remote device configured to alert the vehicle operator based on the impairment score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Jibo He, Brian Mark Fields, Steve Roberson, Steve C. Cielocha, Jufeng Peng, Julian Coltea
  • Publication number: 20150278677
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for gathering, identifying, analyzing, storing and/or using massive data streams to create a virtual consciousness of a person so as to emulate the person's responses to queries from other people and/or situations after the person is no longer able to communicate are disclosed. The systems, methods and devices determine the appropriate weight to give certain subsets of data based on ambient data and/or sensor data, direct input from the person, media and/or social media, and/or constant feedback throughout the person's remaining life, and utilize computer learning techniques to learn the person's idiosyncrasies, experiences, ethics and morals, attitude, personas, communication preferences, habits, goals, aspirations, beliefs, culture, and other aspects of the person's consciousness to predict the response of the person to the queries and/or situations. The system may utilize encryption to protect data, and employ a permissions system to display certain data to appropriate people.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Gary Stephen SHUSTER, Brian Mark SHUSTER, Charles Marion CURRY