Patents by Inventor David A. Kirk

David A. Kirk 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: 8489569
    Abstract: Retrieval and display of digital media items is described. For example, the digital media items may be photographs, videos, audio files, emails, text documents or parts of these. In an embodiment a dedicated apparatus having a touch display screen is provided in a form designed to look like a domestic fish tank. In an embodiment graphical animated agents are depicted on the display as fish whose motion varies according to at least one behavior parameter which is pseudo random. In embodiments, the agents have associated search criteria and when a user selects one or more agents the associated search criteria are used in a retrieval operation to retrieve digital media items from a store. In some embodiments media items are communicated between the apparatus and a portable communications device using a communications link established by tapping the portable device against the media retrieval and display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Kirk, Nicolas Villar, Richard Banks, David Alexander Butler, Shahram Izadi, Abigail Sellen, Stuart Taylor
  • Publication number: 20130033507
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for constructing an acceleration structure. In use, a plurality of primitives associated with a scene is identified. Additionally, an acceleration structure is constructed, utilizing the primitives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Kirill Vladimirovich Garanzha, Jacopo Pantaleoni, David Kirk McAllister
  • Patent number: 8360028
    Abstract: A piston for a piston-cylinder unit, the piston including two pivot bearings for pivotably supporting two connecting rods at the piston about two connecting rod pivot two connecting rod pivot axes extending in parallel to one another and laterally offset from one another; the two pivot bearings provided at a bearing element which is pivotably supported about a bearing element pivot axis at the piston; and the bearing element pivot axis extending parallel to the two connecting rod pivot axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Neander Motors
    Inventors: Helmut Betzmeir, John David Kirk
  • Patent number: 8330766
    Abstract: A system and method for performing zero-bandwidth-clears reduces external memory accesses by a graphics processor when performing clears and subsequent read operations. A set of clear values is stored in the graphics processor. Each region of a color or z buffer may be configured using a zero-bandwidth-clear command to reference a clear value without writing the external memory. The clear value is provided to a requestor without accessing the external memory when a read access is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: David Kirk McAllister, Steven E. Molnar, Jerome F. Duluk, Jr., Emmett M. Kilgariff, Patrick R. Brown, Christian Johannes Amsinck, James Michael O'Connor, John Matthew Burgess, Gregory Alan Muthler, James Robertson
  • Patent number: 8319783
    Abstract: A system and method for performing zero-bandwidth-clears reduces external memory accesses by a graphics processor when performing clears and subsequent read operations. A set of clear values is stored in the graphics processor. Each portion of a color or z buffer may be configured using a zero-bandwidth-clear command to reference a clear value without writing the external memory. The clear value is provided to a requestor without accessing the external memory when a read access is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: David Kirk McAllister, Steven E. Molnar, Peter B. Holmqvist, Jerome F. Duluk, Jr., Cass W. Everitt, Emmett M. Kilgariff, Patrick R. Brown, Christian Johannes Amsinck
  • Patent number: 8294591
    Abstract: A digital signal processing receiver, a system and/or a method identifies a decoded signal. The receiver, system and/or method extract at least one sequence of one or more symbols from a digital incoming signal to generate an extracted sequence of symbols. The receiver, system and/or method generate a first result based on a comparison of the extracted sequence of symbols and one or more possible matching digital signals of a set of idealized model data according to a Bayesian probability theory. The receiver, system and/or method generates a second result based on a comparison of an equalized version of the digital incoming signal and the one or more possible matching digital signals. The receiver, system and/or method generates a third result based on a comparison of the extracted sequence of symbols and one or more possible matching digital signals of a modified set of idealized model data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Reed, David Kirk Conn
  • Patent number: 8291338
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-usable medium for improved management of object properties in an integrated development environment (IDE). A cursor mode allows the underlying properties of one or more predetermined objects in a graphical editor to be dynamically viewed and modified by a user. One or more object's properties are displayed in an object properties pop-up viewer/editor window adjacent to the cursor when a user “mouses-over” target objects in a graphical editor and are editable upon explicit user gesture. The properties pop-up viewer/editor window is implementable to move with the cursor, i.e., cursor-attached, and to remain open to dynamically display, without additional user gestures, the respective properties of each predetermined object a user mouses-over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael T. Stokes, David Kirk Grotjohn, Lucinio Santos
  • Publication number: 20120258211
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compartment container that includes one or more secondary reservoir package(s). More specifically, the present invention relates to a tubular containers, such as containers made of composite material (e.g. paperboard) with end caps for packaging refrigerated dough products. The tubular containers house one or more reservoir package(s) that are formed from one or more flexible materials (e.g. polymeric films) and are used to retain condiments, fruits, icings, spices, nuts, candies or any other ancillary ingredient(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Matthew W. Lorence, David A. Kirk, Scott Kackman, Diane Phillips
  • Publication number: 20120225169
    Abstract: Described are developed, refrigerator-stable, dough compositions in moderately-pressurized packages and related methods, wherein the dough compositions contain chemical leavening agents that include low and high solubility acidic agents and encapsulated basic agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: David J. Domingues, David A. Kirk
  • Patent number: 8237705
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are presented for a hierarchical processor. The processor comprises, at a first level of hierarchy, a plurality of similarly structured first level components, wherein each of the plurality of similarly structured first level components includes at least one combined function module capable of performing multiple classes of graphics operations, each of the multiple classes of graphics operations being associated with a different stage of graphics processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: John Erik Lindholm, John S. Montrym, Emmett M. Kilgariff, Simon S. Moy, Sean Jeffrey Treichler, Brett W. Coon, David Kirk, John Danskin
  • Publication number: 20120162117
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates enhancing interactive surface technologies for data manipulation. A surface detection component can employ a multiple contact surfacing technology to detect a surface input, wherein the detected surface input enables a physical interaction with a portion of displayed data that represents a corporeal object. A physics engine can integrate a portion of Newtonian physics into the interaction with the portion of displayed data in order to model at least one quantity related associated with the corporeal object, the quantity is at least one of a force, a mass, a velocity, or a friction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew David Wilson, Shahram Izadi, Armando Garcia-Mendoza, David Kirk, Otmar Hilliges
  • Patent number: 8171703
    Abstract: A method for packaging products, such as any solid or semi-solid product, utilizes a horizontal form, fill and seal (HFFS) system, coupled with a method for subjecting the packages to positive pressure differential while packaging. In the HFFS system, product receiving cavities are formed in a lower film, with each product being arranged in a respective cavity. The loaded product receiving cavities are positioned in a sealing unit, with an upper film above the product cavities. The sealing unit is closed and a lower chamber of the sealing unit is pressurized to force the lower film against the product, while the product abuts a standoff member, in order to remove existing headspace. After minimizing the headspace, a sealing head seals the upper film to the lower film about the product receiving cavities. Thereafter, the pressure is released, the sealing unit is opened and the package can be further processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Arlinghaus, David Jordan, David A. Kirk
  • Patent number: 8154524
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates enhancing interactive surface technologies for data manipulation. A surface detection component can employ a multiple contact surfacing technology to detect a surface input, wherein the detected surface input enables a physical interaction with a portion of displayed data that represents a corporeal object. A physics engine can integrate a portion of Newtonian physics into the interaction with the portion of displayed data in order to model at least one quantity related associated with the corporeal object, the quantity is at least one of a force, a mass, a velocity, or a friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew David Wilson, Shahram Izadi, Armando Garcia-Mendoza, David Kirk, Otmar Hilliges
  • Publication number: 20120055443
    Abstract: A piston for a piston-cylinder unit, the piston including two pivot bearings for pivotably supporting two connecting rods at the piston about two connecting rod pivot two connecting rod pivot axes extending in parallel to one another and laterally offset from one another; the two pivot bearings provided at a bearing element which is pivotably supported about a bearing element pivot axis at the piston; and the bearing element pivot axis extending parallel to the two connecting rod pivot axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: NEANDER MOTORS AG
    Inventors: Helmut Betzmeir, John David Kirk
  • Publication number: 20120026175
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are presented for a hierarchical processor. The processor comprises, at a first level of hierarchy, a plurality of similarly structured first level components, wherein each of the plurality of similarly structured first level components includes at least one combined function module capable of performing multiple classes of graphics operations, each of the multiple classes of graphics operations being associated with a different stage of graphics processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: John Erik Lindholm, John S. Montrym, Emmett M. Kilgariff, Simon S. Moy, Sean Jeffrey Treichler, Brett W. Coon, David Kirk, John Danskin
  • Patent number: 8077174
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are presented for a hierarchical processor. The processor comprises, at a first level of hierarchy, a plurality of similarly structured first level components, wherein each of the plurality of similarly structured first level components includes at least one combined function module capable of performing multiple classes of graphics operations, each of the multiple classes of graphics operations being associated with a different stage of graphics processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: John Erik Lindholm, John S. Montrym, Emmett M. Kilgariff, Simon S. Moy, Sean Jeffrey Treichler, Brett W. Coon, David Kirk, John Danskin
  • Patent number: D657938
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: David Kirk Atamian
  • Patent number: D660142
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Kirk, Craig A. Dowd, Thomas M. Hockenberry
  • Patent number: D665250
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Kirk, Craig A. Dowd, Thomas M. Hockenberry
  • Patent number: D665251
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Kirk, Craig A. Dowd, Thomas M. Hockenberry