Patents by Inventor Chris Harrison

Chris Harrison 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).

  • Publication number: 20140210788
    Abstract: An apparatus classifies touch events. The apparatus includes a touch sensitive surface configured to generate a touch event when an object touches the touch sensitive surface. The touch event entails a mechanical vibration upon contact with the surface. The apparatus includes a touch event detector configured to detect the onset of a touch, and a touch event classifier configured to classify the touch event to identify the object used for the touch event. The mechanical vibration is created via any one of finger parts including a tip, a pad, a fingernail, and a knuckle, each of which has a unique feature different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Chris Harrison, Julia Schwarz, Scott E. Hudson
  • Publication number: 20140111483
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for monitoring interactions by an input object with an interactive interface projected onto an interface object. That is, an input object (e.g., a finger) and an interface object (e.g., a wall, a hand, a notepad, etc.) may be identified and tracked in real-time using depth data (e.g., depth data extracted from images captured by a depth camera). An interactive interface (e.g., a calculator, an email program, a keyboard, etc.) may be projected onto the interface object, such that the input object may be used to interact with the interactive interface. For example, the input object may be tracked to determine whether the input object is touching or hovering above the interface object and/or a projected portion of the interactive interface. If the input object is in a touch state, then a corresponding event associated with the interactive interface may be invoked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Harrison, Hrvoje Benko, Andrew David Wilson
  • Patent number: 8619049
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for monitoring interactions by an input object with an interactive interface projected onto an interface object. That is, an input object (e.g., a finger) and an interface object (e.g., a wall, a hand, a notepad, etc.) may be identified and tracked in real-time using depth data (e.g., depth data extracted from images captured by a depth camera). An interactive interface (e.g., a calculator, an email program, a keyboard, etc.) may be projected onto the interface object, such that the input object may be used to interact with the interactive interface. For example, the input object may be tracked to determine whether the input object is touching or hovering above the interface object and/or a projected portion of the interactive interface. If the input object is in a touch state, then a corresponding event associated with the interactive interface may be invoked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Harrison, Hrvoje Benko, Andrew David Wilson
  • Patent number: 8546694
    Abstract: A cord management device is provided for storing excess length of electrical cord neatly in a compact space. The device provides a housing having a first open end and a second open end. The first open end and the second open end are each configured for passing a cord therethrough whereby a medial portion of the cord is positioned in the housing. The housing includes a medial portion and a medial opening positioned in the medial portion of the housing. A first access door is pivotally coupled to the housing for selectively closing over the medial opening in the medial portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Chris Harrison
  • Publication number: 20120293402
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for monitoring interactions by an input object with an interactive interface projected onto an interface object. That is, an input object (e.g., a finger) and an interface object (e.g., a wall, a hand, a notepad, etc.) may be identified and tracked in real-time using depth data (e.g., depth data extracted from images captured by a depth camera). An interactive interface (e.g., a calculator, an email program, a keyboard, etc.) may be projected onto the interface object, such that the input object may be used to interact with the interactive interface. For example, the input object may be tracked to determine whether the input object is touching or hovering above the interface object and/or a projected portion of the interactive interface. If the input object is in a touch state, then a corresponding event associated with the interactive interface may be invoked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Harrison, Hrvoje Benko, Andrew David Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120260497
    Abstract: A rod (7) is initially straight. However, the segments (3,32,34,36,38,40 and 42) are able to be moved such that there is a cross over at two locations. Segments (14) can start off with an initial straight shape and can be brought into a curved configuration. The segments are hollow and a camera (54) can be manipulated to extend out through opposed elongate openings (48) in each segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Surgical Innovations Limited
    Inventors: Michael White, Chris Harrison
  • Publication number: 20110285666
    Abstract: An apparatus that includes a conductive surface and an insulation surface disposed on the conductive surface. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to cause a signal to be coupled to the conductive surface such that a tactile sensation is perceived in a digit that slides on the insulation surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Ivan Poupyrev, Olivier Bau, Ali Israr, Chris Harrison
  • Publication number: 20110285667
    Abstract: An apparatus that includes a conductive surface and an insulation surface disposed on the conductive surface. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to cause a signal to be coupled to the conductive surface such that a tactile sensation is perceived in a digit that slides on the insulation surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Ivan POUPYREV, Olivier BAU, Ali ISRAR, Chris HARRISON
  • Publication number: 20040145352
    Abstract: A processor controlled charging platform/arrangement, and process using responsive charging of a battery as a function of internal resistance and environmental conditions of the battery are provided. Both voltage and temperature measurements can be used to determine the particular chemical state of a battery. Voltage data can be obtained by taking measurements across the battery terminals during the charge, and such data can be used to determine when charging is complete. Temperature data may also be obtained using thermal sensors placed on the surface or terminals of the battery, or utilizing sensors integrated into the battery. The charging platform/arrangement and process use a high current charge while the internal resistance of the battery is low, thus producing moderate heat, then self-adjusting to a lower intensity charge as internal resistance increases, so as to minimize the heat produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Chris Harrison
  • Patent number: 6708496
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine (12) wherein combustion conditions are controlled as a function of the humidity of the ambient air (36) in order to ensure stable, emission-compliant performance over a range of ambient conditions. The pilot fuel fraction supplied to a dual mode combustor (10) may be controlled to be responsive to the relative humidity or the specific humidity of the ambient air. Humidity may be measured directly or it may be calculated as a function of other temperature and pressure measurements. A fuel system (44) is controlled by a controller (46) having as inputs the signals from one or more of a relative humidity sensor (62), a barometric pressure sensor (56), a wet bulb temperature sensor (58) and a dry bulb temperature sensor (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Satish Gadde, Richard Holm, Chris Harrison
  • Publication number: 20030217554
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine (12) wherein combustion conditions are controlled as a function of the humidity of the ambient air (36) in order to ensure stable, emission-compliant performance over a range of ambient conditions. The pilot fuel fraction supplied to a dual mode combustor (10) may be controlled to be responsive to the relative humidity or the specific humidity of the ambient air. Humidity may be measured directly or it may be calculated as a function of other temperature and pressure measurements. A fuel system (44) is controlled by a controller (46) having as inputs the signals from one or more of a relative humidity sensor (62), a barometric pressure sensor (56), a wet bulb temperature sensor (58) and a dry bulb temperature sensor (60).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Satish Gadde, Richard Holm, Chris Harrison
  • Patent number: 6647654
    Abstract: A removable cylinder for a revolver according to the present invention includes a plurality of cartridge chambers, each appropriately sized to receive a blank cartridge therein. The cartridge chambers are sealed at their distal end to prevent debris from a fired blank cartridge from entering the revolver barrel. The cylinder may further include passages (e.g., vent ports or grooves) in communication with the cartridge chambers to vent exhaust gases released from the blank cartridges in response to revolver actuation. The revolver may further include a laser transmitter assembly to project a laser beam toward a target in response to revolver actuation to simulate firearm operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Beamhit, LLC
    Inventors: Mike Iten, Chris Harrison, Stephen P. Rosa, Motti Shechter
  • Publication number: 20020116855
    Abstract: A removable cylinder for a revolver according to the present invention includes a plurality of cartridge chambers, each appropriately sized to receive a blank cartridge therein. The cartridge chambers are sealed at their distal end to prevent debris from a fired blank cartridge from entering the revolver barrel. The cylinder may further include passages (e.g., vent ports or grooves) in communication with the cartridge chambers to vent exhaust gases released from the blank cartridges in response to revolver actuation. The revolver may further include a laser transmitter assembly to project a laser beam toward a target in response to revolver actuation to simulate firearm operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Mike Iten, Chris Harrison, Stephen P. Rosa, Motti Shechter
  • Patent number: 6273360
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for converting sheets of paper into cushioning dunnage. The apparatus includes a supply assembly, a conversion mechanism, a cutting assembly and a cutting assembly interlock device. The supply assembly supports the paper which is to be converted. The conversion assembly crumples single ply paper into cushioning dunnage and the cutting assembly cuts the newly formed dunnage into desired lengths, where the dunnage is allowed to fall into a container to cushion an item within the container. The cutting assembly interlock device permits activation of the cutting assembly only when the cutting assembly has fully moved into the proper, cutting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Free-Flow Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris Harrison Robinson
  • Patent number: 6264129
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for converting sheets of paper into cushioning dunnage. The apparatus includes a supply assembly, a conversion mechanism, a cutting assembly and a cutting assembly interlock device. The supply assembly supports the paper which is to be converted. The conversion assembly crumples single ply paper into cushioning dunnage and the cutting assembly cuts the newly formed dunnage into desired lengths, where the dunnage is allowed to fall into a container to cushion an item within the container. The cutting assembly interlock device permits activation of the cutting assembly only when the cutting assembly has fully moved into the proper, cutting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Free-Flow Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris Harrison Robinson
  • Patent number: 6076764
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for converting sheets of paper into cushioning dunnage. The apparatus includes a supply assembly, a conversion mechanism, a cutting assembly and a cutting assembly interlock device. The supply assembly supports the paper which is to be converted. The conversion assembly crumples single ply paper into cushioning dunnage and the cutting assembly cuts the newly formed dunnage into desired lengths, where the dunnage is allowed to fall into a container to cushion an item within the container. The cutting assembly interlock device permits activation of the cutting assembly only when the cutting assembly has fully moved into the proper, cutting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: F.T. Acquisitions, L.P.
    Inventor: Chris Harrison Robinson