Patents by Inventor Dan Newell

Dan Newell 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: 20020083158
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is represented with multiple attributes. In some situations, the providing includes a first computer receiving indications of multiple characterization modules, each characterization module executing on a computer to model an aspect of a current state related to that computer; receiving an indication of one of the multiple attributes of the represented current state; determining multiple of the characterization modules whose modeled aspects are related to the indicated one attribute; and gathering information about the modeled aspects related to the indicated one attribute from the determined characterization modules so that a value for the indicated one attribute can be generated based on the gathered information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Joshua M. Freedman
  • Publication number: 20020080156
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is modeled with multiple state attributes. In some situations, the providing includes receiving from a module a request related to the modeling of the current state with the multiple state attributes. In such situations, the providing further includes, without further intervention related to the request by the module, determining that the request cannot currently be satisfied, and indicating to the module that the request cannot currently be satisfied, monitoring at later times after the indicating to determine whether the request can be satisfied, and indicating to the module that the request can be satisfied if it is determined at one of the later times that the request can currently be satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts
  • Publication number: 20020080155
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is modeled with multiple state attributes. In some situations, the providing includes receiving from a module a request related to the modeling of the current state with the multiple state attributes. In such situations, the providing further includes, without further intervention related to the request by the module, determining that the request cannot currently be satisfied, and indicating to the module that the request cannot currently be satisfied, monitoring at later times after the indicating to determine whether the request can be satisfied, and indicating to the module that the request can be satisfied if it is determined at one of the later times that the request can currently be satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts
  • Publication number: 20020078204
    Abstract: A system for controlling presentation of information to a user based on the user's current condition. In particular, the system monitors the user and the user's environment, and creates and maintains an updated model of the current condition of the user. The user condition can include a variety of condition variables, including abstract concepts such as the user's current cognitive load, desired level of privacy for output information, and desired scope of audience for output information. Upon receiving output information to be presented to the user (e.g., from an application program), the system determines an appropriate output device and an appropriate format with which to present the information to the user, and then presents the output information. The system can also receive description information about the output information that describes relevant factors for determining when and how to present the output information (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Dan Newell, Kenneth H. Abbott
  • Publication number: 20020054130
    Abstract: The current status of a list of tasks to be performed is dynamically displayed. The tasks may be performed by a user (e.g., data entered by the user, words spoken by the user, actions taken by the user, and so forth) or alternatively by a computer (e.g., the steps it follows in carrying out a programmed task). At least a portion of the list is displayed at any given time along with an indication of which task is the next task to be performed. As the tasks are completed, the current status of the progression through the items on the list is dynamically updated so as to readily inform the user (or someone else) as to what the current task is that needs to be performed, as well as what tasks have already been performed and/or what tasks remain to be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts
  • Publication number: 20020054174
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating, modifying, categorizing, modeling, distributing, purchasing, selling, and otherwise using themes and theme-related information. Themes can represent various types of contextual aspects or situations, and can model high-level concepts of activities or states not reflected in individual contextual attributes that each model a single aspect of the state of a user, their computing device, the surrounding physical environment, and/or the current cyber-environment. Such themes specify inter-relationships among a set of contextual attributes, and can have associated theme-related information such as theme-specific attributes, theme layouts used to present information and functionality, CSes that provide theme attribute values, and CCs that process theme information. Disclosed techniques can identify one or more themes that currently match the modeled context, select one of the matching themes as a current theme, and provide an appropriate response (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Johnson Apacible
  • Publication number: 20020052930
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is represented with multiple attributes. In some situations, the providing includes a first computer receiving indications of multiple characterization modules, each characterization module executing on a computer to model an aspect of a current state related to that computer; receiving an indication of one of the multiple attributes of the represented current state; determining multiple of the characterization modules whose modeled aspects are related to the indicated one attribute; and gathering information about the modeled aspects related to the indicated one attribute from the determined characterization modules so that a value for the indicated one attribute can be generated based on the gathered information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Joshua M. Freedman
  • Publication number: 20020052963
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is represented with multiple attributes. In some situations, the providing includes a first computer receiving indications of multiple characterization modules, each characterization module executing on a computer to model an aspect of a current state related to that computer; receiving an indication of one of the multiple attributes of the represented current state; determining multiple of the characterization modules whose modeled aspects are related to the indicated one attribute; and gathering information about the modeled aspects related to the indicated one attribute from the determined characterization modules so that a value for the indicated one attribute can be generated based on the gathered information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Joshua M. Freedman
  • Publication number: 20020044152
    Abstract: A system integrates virtual information with real world images presented on a display, such as a head-mounted display of a wearable computer. The system modifies how the virtual information is presented to alter whether the virtual information is more or less visible relative to the real world images. The modification may be made dynamically, such as in response to a change in the user's context, or user's eye focus on the display, or a user command. The virtual information may be modified in a number of ways, such as adjusting the transparency of the information, modifying the color of the virtual information, enclosing the information in borders, and changing the location of the virtual information on the display. Through these techniques, the system provides the information to the user in a way that minimizes distraction of the user's view of the real world images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts
  • Publication number: 20020032689
    Abstract: A system for computer-based storing of information about a current state so that later recall of the information can augment human memories In particular, when information about a current event of interest is to be stored, a variety of current state information of different types (e.g., video, audio, and textual information) about the environment and about a user can be acquired via sensors and other input devices. The variety of state information can then be associated together as a group and stored for later retrieval. Other information can also be associated with the group, such as one or more recall tags that facilitate later retrieval of the group, or one or more annotations to provide contextual information when the other state information is later retrieved and presented to the user. When information about a past event is to be recalled, one or more identifying recall tags can be received that are used to identify one or more state information groups that match the identifying tags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts
  • Publication number: 20010043232
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating, modifying, categorizing, modeling, distributing, purchasing, selling, and otherwise using themes and theme-related information. Themes can represent various types of contextual aspects or situations, and can model high-level concepts of activities or states not reflected in individual contextual attributes that each model a single aspect of the state of a user, their computing device, the surrounding physical environment, and/or the current cyber-environment. Such themes specify inter-relationships among a set of contextual attributes, and can have associated theme-related information such as theme-specific attributes, theme layouts used to present information and functionality, CSes that provide theme attribute values, and CCs that process theme information. Disclosed techniques can identify one or more themes that currently match the modeled context, select one of the matching themes as a current theme, and provide an appropriate response (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Johnson Apacible
  • Publication number: 20010043231
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating, modifying, categorizing, modeling, distributing, purchasing, selling, and otherwise using themes and theme-related information. Themes can represent various types of contextual aspects or situations, and can model high-level concepts of activities or states not reflected in individual contextual attributes that each model a single aspect of the state of a user, their computing device, the surrounding physical environment, and/or the current cyber-environment. Such themes specify inter-relationships among a set of contextual attributes, and can have associated theme-related information such as theme-specific attributes, theme layouts used to present information and functionality, CSes that provide theme attribute values, and CCs that process theme information. Disclosed techniques can identify one or more themes that currently match the modeled context, select one of the matching themes as a current theme, and provide an appropriate response (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Johnson Apacible
  • Publication number: 20010040590
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating, modifying, categorizing, modeling, distributing, purchasing, selling, and otherwise using themes and theme-related information. Themes can represent various types of contextual aspects or situations, and can model high-level concepts of activities or states not reflected in individual contextual attributes that each model a single aspect of the state of a user, their computing device, the surrounding physical environment, and/or the current cyber-environment. Such themes specify inter-relationships among a set of contextual attributes, and can have associated theme-related information such as theme-specific attributes, theme layouts used to present information and functionality, CSes that provide theme attribute values, and CCs that process theme information. Disclosed techniques can identify one or more themes that currently match the modeled context, select one of the matching themes as a current theme, and provide an appropriate response (e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Johnson Apacible
  • Publication number: 20010040591
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating, modifying, categorizing, modeling, distributing, purchasing, selling, and otherwise using themes and theme-related information. Themes can represent various types of contextual aspects or situations, and can model high-level concepts of activities or states not reflected in individual contextual attributes that each model a single aspect of the state of a user, their computing device, the surrounding physical environment, and/or the current cyber-environment. Such themes specify inter-relationships among a set of contextual attributes, and can have associated theme-related information such as theme-specific attributes, theme layouts used to present information and functionality, CSes that provide theme attribute values, and CCs that process theme information. Disclosed techniques can identify one or more themes that currently match the modeled context, select one of the matching themes as a current theme, and provide an appropriate response (e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Abbott, Joshua M. Freedman, Dan Newell, James O. Robarts, Johnson Apacible