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: 5778137
    Abstract: An improved videostream management system. A videostream broadcast or recording includes a relevance level indicator. When a user is unable to view a portion of a videostream, the user may record a highlight videostream. The highlight video is assembled by selecting portions of the videostream for recordation based on the relevance indicator transmitted in conjunction with the basic videostream. The user may then replay highlights of the basic videostream at a later time, without the need for manual editing of the videostream, or for reviewing the entire video stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jakob Nielsen, Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5771484
    Abstract: Systems and methods for traffic control use scanning transmissometers to determine visibility along an extended stretch of roadway. When areas of decreased visibility are detected, such as dense localized pockets of fog, appropriate warning information is provided to drivers over warning devices positioned along the roadway. Information from the transmissometers is used to develop a speed profile, that is an indication of safe speed as a function of position along the roadway. Traffic sensors detect variations in behavior from that specified by the warning devices, such as a very slow vehicle, and modifies the warning information according. A computer readable medium contains a computer program for implementing the systems and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5739512
    Abstract: Digital delivery of receipts overcomes many of the problems associated with paper receipts. Digital receipts can be delivered over a properitary or over an open network such as the Internet. They can be uploaded to a smart card. They can be standardized in format to facilitate automated processing. An e-mail address can be incorporated into a bank card or other machine readable and for automatic routing of the receipt to a payor's e-mailbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5731805
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, systems and computer program products are disclosed that automatically expands the computer displayed information that interests a computer user. Thus making the information easier for the user to see. The computer detects which area on a display device has the user's interest by using a gaze-tracking device to monitor where the user looks on the display. After determining which area interests the user the invention expands the display of the information in that area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Tognazzini, Jakob Nielsen, Robert Glass
  • Patent number: 5708478
    Abstract: A computer implemented method captures advertiser information received from an audio or video signal. The method includes the steps of receiving an incoming video or audio signal, determining whether the incoming video or audio signal includes advertisement specific data of an advertiser, and capturing and storing the advertiser specific data. The method also includes the steps of selectively performing, responsive to the request of a user, at least one of the following steps: printing the advertiser specific data including current and previous advertiser specific data upon request; displaying the advertiser specific data including current and previous advertiser specific data upon request; obtaining an advertiser destination number from the advertiser specific data and automatically attempting to establish voice connection with the advertiser upon request; providing directions to an advertiser location; and determining a geographically preferred advertiser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5703591
    Abstract: An aircraft N-number control system includes a receiver for receiving aircraft identification information signals representing alphanumeric characters corresponding to an aircraft. A microprocessor operating in accordance with stored programming instructions processes the received aircraft identification information signals into alphanumeric codes, determines whether there is a substantial similarity between the alphanumeric codes representing two aircraft and generates an output signal representing the alphanumeric codes only if there is no substantial similarity. The alphanumeric codes representing the aircraft are displayed on a air traffic controller's radar screen in response to the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini