Patents by Inventor Bruce Tognazzini

Bruce Tognazzini 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: 5960126
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for providing relevance-enhanced image reduction in computer systems. Using such a method and system, information including images can be displayed in a display area that is smaller than the display area for which the information was designed while accurately conveying the overall content of the information. A computer system in which the present invention operates includes a computer connected to a display device and a secondary storage device. A reducer is stored in the secondary storage device for execution by the computer. Additionally, data regarding an image to be displayed on the display device is stored in the secondary storage device. In operation, the computer receives data regarding an image to be displayed from the secondary storage device. The reducer reduces the image by first cropping the image and then scaling the image. Lastly, the computer displays the reduced image on the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jakob Nielsen, Bruce Tognazzini, Robert Glass
  • Patent number: 5959946
    Abstract: A disk drive device for driving a hybrid optical disk recording medium includes a read head and a read/write head. The read head detects information recorded in a first area of the hybrid optical disk recording medium in accordance with a standard optical format. The read/write head reads or writes information in a second area of the hybrid optical disk. The information recorded in the second area may be written in a different medium, such as a magnetic medium, and/or a different format than the standard optical format. The information recorded in the first area may be set during manufacture of the hybrid disk. On the other hand, information in the second area may be added or changed by the user of the hybrid disk after manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5914675
    Abstract: A portable emergency locator device includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver generating location data and a wireless telephone transceiver for transmitting the location data as digital data to a called station during a two-way voice conversation via a wireless telephone network (cellular, PCS, or satellite). The emergency locator device can be implemented as a conventional wireless telephone having interfaces for receiving the location data from an external GPS receiver and vehicle status data from external vehicle control systems. The data received from the interfaces is stored in an internal memory for transmission to the called station in response to an emergency event trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5907293
    Abstract: Proximity radar mounted in a vehicle determines the location of other vehicles. Other vehicles detect their own positions and broadcast those positions to all surrounding vehicles. Vehicle position data is plotted on a moving map so the driver can see the location of other vehicles, in some cases with an icon color which matches vehicle color(s). A driver can open a communication link with drivers who are projected to constitute a collision threat. A fixed radar unit can be positioned at blind intersections and broadcast vehicle location information for vehicles not equipped with the ability to track their own locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5906657
    Abstract: A handheld computing device is used to copy files from the screen of a fixed computer. The display of the handheld device is linked to that of the underlying computer and file and directory icons together with their underlying files are copied to the handheld device. Files from the handheld device can also be transferred to the fixed computer. When a user is running a program on the fixed computer, he may capture the state of that computer and transfer everything needed to permit execution of that program to continue uninterrupted on the handheld device. Thus files and executing programs may be lifted from the fixed computer and used on the handheld device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5898423
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, systems and computer program products are disclosed that detect when a user is interested in information presented on a display device. The invention then automatically presents additional information to the user about the information presented on the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Tognazzini, Jakob Nielsen, Robert Glass
  • Patent number: 5894119
    Abstract: A bar code reader, a wireless transceiver, an earphone jack and a battery are integrated into a pen sized device. The bar code reader is used to scan the product identification code or music packaging. The product code is sent to a central computer or a music store where one or more stored digital samples of the music reside in a database. One or more music samples are retrieved and sent to the pen sized device where the sample is converted to audio signals for listening by a user over the earphone jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5886683
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, systems and computer program products are disclosed that determines what information presented on a computer display screen to a user most interests the user. The invention uses this information to correlate the topics of the displayed information and the user's interest to select additional information for the user. This additional information better matching the user's interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Tognazzini, Jakob Nielsen, Robert Glass
  • Patent number: 5884223
    Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program product for avoiding aircraft collisions with stationary obstacles. The aircraft is provided with a simplified uncluttered onboard display of all objects which are in or proximate to the projected path of the aircraft at its particular altitude plus or minus a predetermined increment, such as 100 feet constituting a hazard zone. The display presents the hazards in that zone in geographical relationship to the position and path of the aircraft. In addition to the obstacles in the hazard zone the display may also present topographical features of the underlying terrain. This information is in the form of a muted presentation of a topographical moving map. As the aircraft approaches a hazard in the hazard zone the presentation of the obstacles or hazards within the zone is enhanced to draw increasing attention of the pilot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5872526
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system for a plurality of vehicles equipped with GPS receivers, each broadcasting current location information to other vehicles and receiving and displaying location information from other vehicles, enables a vehicle operator to be aware of the location of the other vehicles. For vehicles not equipped with GPS, and transceivers, information about location is taken from common ground control equipment such as an FAA control station and broadcast to all vehicles. In an aircraft environment, flight plans can be filed and closed out automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5859629
    Abstract: A keyboard contains an input device comprising a linear strip of sensitive material the approximate width of the human finger integrated into the left or right side of the keyboard. The strip is linearly sensitive in only one direction and not to any other direction, such as from left to right. A user operates the device by touching it with his or her finger and varies the input by changing the position along the strip and the pressure of his or her finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5860023
    Abstract: A polling and communications device permits a speaker to interact with an audience in data or voice modes. Questions can be transmitted to the speaker in data form. Alternatively, the speaker can selectively activate a wireless microphone for a particular member of the audience in response to an indication, sent over a data channel that a user has a question. Alternatively, a user can record a voice message and store it in memory for transmission over a data link. Information about a questioner is provided to the speaker from information stored during registration for the event and may also be provided to the audience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5850077
    Abstract: A system for authorizing card purchases includes a portable unit having a card reader for reading a card authorization code and a first wireless transceiver for transmitting the card authorization code to a base unit. The base unit has a second wireless transceiver. Responsive to receipt of the transmitted card authorization code, the base unit causes the second wireless transceiver to transmit a credit approval or denial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5850211
    Abstract: Scrolling of page oriented or continuous information is initiated or controlled based on where a viewer's eyes are looking as detected by an eyetracker. Scrolling rate can be gradually changed based on how far down a screen of text a reader has read, so that a reader will not run out of text. Selection of objects to scroll is also accomplished using the eyetracker. Page and scroll objects can be defined on the display and activated by a user's gaze. A change of background color may be used to make a user aware that a page change is imminent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5835083
    Abstract: An eyetracker is used to control power to an electrical device such as a computer display screen so that power consumption is reduced when a user's eyes and therefore a user's attention are not directed to the device. A motion detector activates a proximity detector and/or an IR detector to ensure that power is applied only when a user is actually present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jakob Nielsen, Bruce Tognazzini, Bob Glass
  • Patent number: 5831614
    Abstract: A large X-Y workspace, such as a table, serves as a support for a viewport flat panel display which moves over the surface of the table. The portion of the viewport display on the table determines the portion of information displayed on the viewport display. When the surface of the table is used as a backlit display, a low resolution image can be projected onto the surface of the table. The viewport display can then show selected information related to the underlying information it covers, such as high resolution views, infrared views and map information. Lifting a viewport off the table surface freezes the portion of the image on the screen. Images on one viewport can be transferred to another viewport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Tognazzini, Jakob Nielsen, Bob Glass
  • Patent number: 5831594
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, systems and computer program products are disclosed to assist a user of a display device to more quickly recover from a distraction causing the user to look away from the display device. The user is also assisted when navigating hypertext documents by the invention indicating where the user last looked in a restored, previously viewed hypertext document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Tognazzini, Jakob Nielsen, Robert Glass
  • Patent number: 5790974
    Abstract: A personal calendaring system includes a portable calendaring system and a complementary office calendar system, each synchronizing calendar entries by two-way wireless transmission. The portable calendaring system includes a GPS receiver interface providing location data. The office calendar system and the portable calendar system each includes a calendar memory storing calendar entries, a wireless paging interface for exchanging schedule change requests and location data, a traffic receiver interface receiving wireless traffic data from an external source, and a perceptual software agent that automatically updates stored calendar entries in response to detected events. The perceptual agents of the respective portable and office systems communicate using the two-way wireless paging interfaces to ensure the stored schedules are synchronized, and to minimize conflicts between schedule change requests entered at respective locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5790949
    Abstract: A paging system communicatively connects a first user initiating a page request using a first telephone to a second user receiving the page request using a second telephone. The paging system includes a paging service transmitter transmitting the page request, and a paging device. The paging device includes a page receiver receiving the page request as a first signal, and a first identification device. The first identification device receives the first signal indicating that the page request was received, and includes an identification transmitter for transmitting a second signal indicating that the second user is ready to be communicatively connected. The paging system includes a second identification device, and receives the second signal transmitted by said first identification device. The second identification device transmits a third signal including a destination number corresponding and addressable to the second telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5787385
    Abstract: A scanning transmissometer is disclosed for use with a large number of reflectors for detecting dense, but very localized patches of fog to permit warnings to be given to drivers in time to avoid accidents. Reflectors utilized to reflect the laser beam from a scanning transmissometer are heated to remove condensation before measurements of transmissivity are taken. In some implementations, heaters for reflectors are initiated upon detection of a prescan illumination of the reflector by a laser beam and a timer is utilized to turn off heating, once condensation has been dispersed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini