Patents by Inventor Christopher Harris

Christopher Harris 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: 8952682
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for calibrating a magnetometer of a mobile device. The method comprises displaying a visual indication of a gestural path on a display of the portable electronic device, monitoring for changes in orientation of the portable electronic device, changing the visual indication in response to the monitored changes in the orientation of the portable electronic device, measuring a magnetic field with the magnetometer, and calibrating the magnetometer in accordance with measurements of the magnetic field acquired at different points along the gestural path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Laura Mahan, Jeffrey Charles Bos, Przemyslaw Abratowski, Christopher Harris Snow, Steve Robert Grenier, Nazih Almalki
  • Patent number: 8946726
    Abstract: A trench metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor or UMOSFET, includes a buried region that extends beneath the trench and beyond a corner of the trench. The buried region is tied to a source potential of the UMOSFET, and splits the potential realized across the structure. This effectively shields the electric field from the corners of the trench to reduce gate oxide stress, and resultantly improves device performance and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Harris, Andrei Konstantinov, Jan-Olov Svederg
  • Patent number: 8948809
    Abstract: Methods of predicting future connectivity of a portable electronic device is described along with systems and devices for implementing the methods. The method includes receiving an indication of a plurality of radio scenes detected at the portable electronic device at different reference times. Each of the plurality of radio scenes identifies transmitters and associated signal strength of signals received by the portable electronic device at the respective reference time. One or more connectivity predictions can be retrieved from a corpus of pairs of a composite signature vector and associated connectivity information. Each of the one or more connectivity predictions can be retrieved based on a similarity between the associated respective composite signature vector and a query composite signature vector. A future connectivity prediction of the portable electronic device can be provided based on the one or more retrieved connectivity predictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Anand Ravindra Oka, Christopher Harris Snow, Ghasem Naddafzadeh Shirazi, Sean Bartholomew Simmons, Gerhard Dietrich Klassen
  • Patent number: 8922198
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for calibrating a magnetometer. The method comprises determining a current quality level associated with magnetometer readings obtained using an active set of calibration parameters; and lowering a quality threshold for a background calibration of the magnetometer when the current quality level exceeds a threshold quality level needed by an application utilizing the magnetometer readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: Nazih Almalki, Christopher Harris Snow, Jeffrey Alton Hugh Dods, Adam Louis Parco
  • Patent number: 8920509
    Abstract: A prosthesis system for replacement of a head portion of a proximal radius can include an articulation component having a first connection portion. A first head component can have a second connection portion that connects to the first connection portion. A second head component can have a third connection portion that connects to the first connection portion. The second head component can have a distinct dimension from the first head component. A stem component can include a fourth connection portion that connects with either of the first or second head components. The stem component can have a stem anchoring portion that connects to the radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Katrana, Thomas M. Vanasse, Adam Finley, William J. Hamman, Robert Metzger, Bryce A. Isch, Christopher Harris Martin
  • Patent number: 8913008
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved generation of images using a handheld electronic device. Motion of the handheld electronic device is detected using a sensor of the handheld electronic device and data, dependent upon the sensed motion, is transmitted from the device to a remote electronic device. An image, representative of the sensed motion of the handheld electronic device and generated from the transmitted data, is rendered on a display of the remote electronic device and provides a user with visual feedback of the motion of the handheld electronic device. The image data may be generated by the handheld electronic device or by the remote electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Robert George Oliver, Christopher Harris Snow, Nazih Almalki, Jeffrey Alton Hugh Dods
  • Patent number: 8909581
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for matching one or more first entities with one or more of second entities. Factor graph representations of the first entities and a plurality of second entities are stored. The factor graph representation of the plurality of second entities includes an identity variable referencing each of the individual second entities. When a request is received from a requesting one of the first set of entities for a match from the second set of entities, the first factor graph and the second factor graph are merged, and the merged graph is solved for a probability mass function for the identity variable to yield a probability vector to be used to identify those ones of the plurality of second entities having the highest probabilities as matches to be returned in response to the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Anand Ravindra Oka, Christopher Harris Snow, Sean Bartholomew Simmons
  • Patent number: 8908978
    Abstract: A system and method for generating an m-dimensional signature vector in a computing device is provided. The signature vector may be generated from a plurality of key-value pairs, each comprising a unique identifier and an associated non-zero value. Each element of the m-dimensional signature vector is calculated based on a summation of a plurality of terms. Each of the terms is calculated from a respective key-value pair by generating a seed based on the key of the respective key-value pair and an element identifier associated with the vector element being calculated; generating a pseudo-random number from the generated seed; and multiplying the pseudo-random number by the value of the respective key-value pair, wherein m<<n.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Anand Ravindra Oka, Christopher Harris Snow, Sean Bartholomew Simmons
  • Patent number: 8896301
    Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided a method for compensating for gyroscope bias on a portable electronic device having a gyroscope, and at least one of an accelerometer and a magnetometer. The method includes determining a first attitude matrix and a second attitude matrix using data from the accelerometer and the magnetometer, determining a difference between the first attitude matrix and the second attitude matrix, estimating a rotational velocity based on the difference between the first attitude matrix and the second attitude matrix, and compensating for an output from the gyroscope to generate a compensated output that compensates for the gyroscope bias using the estimated rotational velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Anand Ravindra Oka, Nazih Almalki, Christopher Harris Snow
  • Patent number: 8873618
    Abstract: A communications system includes a first device with a first display, and a first processor configured to generate at least one coded image according to a selectable encoding scheme from among different encoding schemes, and display the coded image on the first display. A first communications device is coupled to the first processor. A second device includes a second camera configured to capture the coded image on the first display, a second communications device, and a second processor coupled to the second camera and the second communications device. The second processor is configured to send a status message, via the second and first communications devices to the first processor, related to whether the captured coded image is decodable based upon a currently selected encoding scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Harris Snow, Robert George Oliver, Anand Ravindra Oka, Nazih Almalki
  • Patent number: 8855584
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to transmission circuitry of a wireless communication device. The transmission circuitry includes power amplifier circuitry, an output matching network, and impedance control circuitry. The power amplifier circuitry amplifies a radio frequency (RF) input signal to provide an amplified RF output signal, which is passed through the output matching network and transmitted via one or more antennas. As the center frequency of the RF input signal and conditions of operating parameters change, the impedance control circuitry adjusts the values of one or more variable impedance elements of the output matching network in a desired fashion. The values of the variable impedance elements are adjusted such that the output matching network concurrently and dynamically presents the desired load impedances at the center frequency and at one or more harmonics of the RF input signal to achieve a given performance specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Harris, Raymond S. Pengelly
  • Patent number: 8849305
    Abstract: Improved location estimates for transceivers is described. The location estimate of transceivers can be improved for sector transceivers that are co-located at a sectored cell site. The location estimate for each individual co-located sector transceiver can be updated as a centroid of all of the co-located sector transceivers. The location information of the transceivers can be used to provide network location estimation to mobile devices which do not have accurate positioning estimates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Anand Ravindra Oka, Christopher Harris Snow, Sean Bartholomew Simmons
  • Publication number: 20140286582
    Abstract: A system and method for generating an m-dimensional signature vector in a computing device is provided. The signature vector may be generated from a plurality of key-value pairs, each comprising a unique identifier and an associated non-zero value. Each element of the m-dimensional signature vector is calculated based on a summation of a plurality of terms. Each of the terms is calculated from a respective key-value pair by generating a seed based on the key of the respective key-value pair and an element identifier associated with the vector element being calculated; generating a pseudo-random number from the generated seed; and multiplying the pseudo-random number by the value of the respective key-value pair, wherein m<<n.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Anand Ravindra OKA, Christopher Harris SNOW, Sean Bartholomew SIMMONS
  • Publication number: 20140280220
    Abstract: A method of determining a storage device on which to store received data is provided. Data is received. A score indicating a value associated with the received data is computed. A storage device is determined from a plurality of types of storage devices on which to store the received data based on the computed score. The received data is sent to the determined storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SAS Institute Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Spakes, Scott Meredith Chastain, Bryan Christopher Harris
  • Patent number: 8837388
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to perform assignments in wireless communications are disclosed. A disclosed example method to receive resource assignments at a mobile station involves receiving an assignment message from a network and identifying radio block periods assigned to the mobile station. At least one of the assigned radio block periods is separated from a next occurring one of the assigned radio block periods by at least one non-assigned radio block period. The example method also involves processing downlink transmissions from the network based on the assigned radio block periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: David Philip Hole, Christopher Harris Snow, Ayman Ahmed Abdel-Samad, Dinesh Kumar Arora, Nazih Almalki
  • Patent number: 8831878
    Abstract: A vehicle tracking system tracks the position of at least one vehicle and displays the tracked position. The system includes a plurality of beacons, at least one provided on each vehicle, configured to emit a corresponding identifying signal. A camera is configured to generate image data including region data based on a region in which the vehicles may be located, and beacon data based on the identifying signals corresponding to the beacons located in the region. A controller is configured to process the beacon data to generate position data based on a corresponding position of the beacons located in the region and to generate identification data, which corresponds to each of the identifying signals emitted by the beacons located in the region. Also, the controller outputs at least one of the image data, the position data, and the identification data to the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Systec Conveyors, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Harris
  • Patent number: 8830981
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to poll in wireless communications based on assignments are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves receiving a poll from a network during a first radio block period and identifying a resource for use in sending requested information to the network in response to the poll. The resource occurs during a subsequent radio block period, and the subsequent radio block period is separated from the first radio block period by at least one radio block period not assigned to the mobile station for transmission by the mobile station. The example method also involves transmitting a response to the poll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: David Philip Hole, Christopher Harris Snow, Ayman Ahmed Abdel-Samad, Dinesh Kumar Arora, Nazih Almalki
  • Publication number: 20140244191
    Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a system and method for estimating current consumption for an electronic device by obtaining log data comprising a record of at least some activities of the electronic device during a selected time period, parsing the log data into a plurality of component digests, estimating current consumption values for the component digests based on component signatures of the component digests, a current consumption model and a machine learning technique; and processing the estimated current consumption values to estimate current consumption data for the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Anand Ravindra OKA, Sean Bartholomew SIMMONS, Christopher Harris SNOW
  • Patent number: 8818303
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to transmission circuitry of a wireless communication device. The transmission circuitry includes power amplifier circuitry, an output matching network, and impedance control circuitry. The power amplifier circuitry amplifies a radio frequency (RF) input signal to provide an amplified RF output signal, which is passed through the output matching network and transmitted via one or more antennas. As the center frequency of the RF input signal and conditions of operating parameters change, the impedance control circuitry adjusts the values of one or more variable impedance elements of the output matching network in a desired fashion. The values of the variable impedance elements are adjusted such that the output matching network concurrently and dynamically presents the desired load impedances at the center frequency and at one or more harmonics of the RF input signal to achieve a given performance specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Harris, Raymond S. Pengelly
  • Patent number: D713516
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladlena Belozerova, Cory Boudreau, Justen England, Eric Gobrecht, Mark Groth, Christopher Harris, Amelia H. Majerowski, Jonathan N. Mandell, Nicholas Reback, Nathan R. Westphal