Patents by Inventor Dennis Hodge
Dennis Hodge 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).
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Publication number: 20210372788Abstract: The amount of resources needed for an electronic device to track and/or interact with a user is reduced by utilizing a predicted relative position of that user. In some embodiments, a full 360° scan is performed using at least one image capture element to locate a primary direction to a user of the device. Once this direction is determined, a smaller range (e.g., 45°) centered around that direction can be used to capture, analyze, or provide information for the user. As the user moves, the determined direction is updated and the range adjusted accordingly. If the user moves outside the range, the device can increase the size of the range until the user is located, and the range can again be decreased around the determined direction. Such approaches limit the amount of image or audio information that must be captured and/or analyzed to track the relative position of a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Dennis Hodge, Allen Ming-kuang Han
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Patent number: 9041734Abstract: Image information displayed on an electronic device can be modified based at least in part upon a relative position of a user with respect to a device. Mapping, topological or other types of positional data can be used to render image content from a perspective that is consistent with a viewing angle for the current relative position of the user. As that viewing angle changes, as a result of movement of the user and/or the device, the content can be re-rendered or otherwise updated to display the image content from a perspective that reflects the change in viewing angle. Simulations of effects such as parallax and occlusions can be used with the change in perspective to provide a consistent user experience that provides a sense of three-dimensional content even when that content is rendered on a two-dimensional display. Lighting, shading and/or other effects can be used to enhance the experience.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2011Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Howard D. Look, Leo B. Baldwin, Kenneth M. Karakotsios, Dennis Hodge, Isaac S. Noble, Volodymyr V. Ivanchenko, Jeffrey P. Bezos
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Patent number: 9013416Abstract: An electronic device including two or more display elements can provide enhanced functionality with improved rates of power consumption. A user can cause information that does not change rapidly to be provided or moved to a relatively static display element, such as an electronic ink display, which enables that information to be displayed for a period of time with little additional power consumption. Similarly, content (e.g., video) that changes rapidly can be displayed on a relatively dynamic display element, such as and LCD or OLED display. Each display can be touch sensitive, such that a user can move content between the displays by pressing on, or making a motion in contact with, at least one of the displays. Various modes can be activated which cause certain types of content to be displayed on the dynamic and/or static display element.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mingjing Huang, Christopher S. A. MacGregor, Dennis Hodge, Isaac S. Noble, Bradley J. Bozarth
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Publication number: 20150019162Abstract: The amount of resources needed for an electronic device to track and/or interact with a user is reduced by utilizing a predicted relative position of that user. In some embodiments, a full 360° scan is performed using at least one image capture element to locate a primary direction to a user of the device. Once this direction is determined, a smaller range (e.g., 45°) centered around that direction can be used to capture, analyze, or provide information for the user. As the user moves, the determined direction is updated and the range adjusted accordingly. If the user moves outside the range, the device can increase the size of the range until the user is located, and the range can again be decreased around the determined direction. Such approaches limit the amount of image or audio information that must be captured and/or analyzed to track the relative position of a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Dennis Hodge, Allen Ming-kuang Han, SR.
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Patent number: 8843346Abstract: The amount of resources needed for an electronic device to track and/or interact with a user is reduced by utilizing a predicted relative position of that user. In some embodiments, a full 360° scan is performed using at least one image capture element to locate a primary direction to a user of the device. Once this direction is determined, a smaller range (e.g., 45°) centered around that direction can be used to capture, analyze, or provide information for the user. As the user moves, the determined direction is updated and the range adjusted accordingly. If the user moves outside the range, the device can increase the size of the range until the user is located, and the range can again be decreased around the determined direction. Such approaches limit the amount of image or audio information that must be captured and/or analyzed to track the relative position of a user.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dennis Hodge, Allen Ming-kuang Han
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Publication number: 20130016102Abstract: Image information displayed on an electronic device can be modified based at least in part upon a relative position of a user with respect to a device. Mapping, topological or other types of positional data can be used to render image content from a perspective that is consistent with a viewing angle for the current relative position of the user. As that viewing angle changes, as a result of movement of the user and/or the device, the content can be re-rendered or otherwise updated to display the image content from a perspective that reflects the change in viewing angle. Simulations of effects such as parallax and occlusions can be used with the change in perspective to provide a consistent user experience that provides a sense of three-dimensional content even when that content is rendered on a two-dimensional display. Lighting, shading and/or other effects can be used to enhance the experience.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Howard D. LOOK, Leo B. BALDWIN, Kenneth M. KARAKOTSIOS, Dennis HODGE, Isaac S. NOBLE, Volodymyr V. IVANCHENKO, Jeffrey P. BEZOS
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Publication number: 20120290257Abstract: The amount of resources needed for an electronic device to track and/or interact with a user is reduced by utilizing a predicted relative position of that user. In some embodiments, a full 360° scan is performed using at least one image capture element to locate a primary direction to a user of the device. Once this direction is determined, a smaller range (e.g., 45°) centered around that direction can be used to capture, analyze, or provide information for the user. As the user moves, the determined direction is updated and the range adjusted accordingly. If the user moves outside the range, the device can increase the size of the range until the user is located, and the range can again be decreased around the determined direction. Such approaches limit the amount of image or audio information that must be captured and/or analyzed to track the relative position of a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2011Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dennis Hodge, Allen Ming-kuang Han
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Publication number: 20120218191Abstract: An electronic device including two or more display elements can provide enhanced functionality with improved rates of power consumption. A user can cause information that does not change rapidly to be provided or moved to a relatively static display element, such as an electronic ink display, which enables that information to be displayed for a period of time with little additional power consumption. Similarly, content (e.g., video) that changes rapidly can be displayed on a relatively dynamic display element, such as and LCD or OLED display. Each display can be touch sensitive, such that a user can move content between the displays by pressing on, or making a motion in contact with, at least one of the displays. Various modes can be activated which cause certain types of content to be displayed on the dynamic and/or static display element.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2011Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mingjing Huang, Christopher S. A. MacGregor, Dennis Hodge, Isaac S. Noble, Bradley J. Bozarth
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Publication number: 20050278062Abstract: A computer software facility for generating and implementing a temporal map depicting a relationship between locations in a warehouse or distribution center is described. The facility tracks the movement in the warehouse, including the time it takes for mobile elements to move between a pair of identifiable locations. Based on the tracking, the facility produces movement time records for multiple location pairs in the warehouse. The facility then generates a map of the warehouse. Where information for specific pairs of identifiable locations is not available, the facility may derive movement time information based on actual movement times for related location pairs. The generated map can be used as part of a computer application for tasks such as scheduling the picking of items, evaluating employee performance, organizing the storage of items in the warehouse, and other uses.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2004Publication date: December 15, 2005Inventors: Philipp Janert, Jonathan Shakes, Nicholas Hanssens, Dennis Hodge
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Patent number: 6581110Abstract: A method and system for reading and propagating accurate time in a worldwide enterprise system through a hierarchical network of time servers, with a single time source at the top of the pyramid, and time source clients at the base. Single source time synchronization is assured by starting with an atomic clock receiver connected to a time source computer. Primary time servers next in the hierarchy access the source to obtain accurate time information. Clients access higher time servers to obtain time information. Time servers operate as multiple hierarchical layers between the clients and the time source, limiting the load on any single server and providing redundant paths to a valid time source. Time servers unable to verify their time through the primary, alternate, or failover servers invalidate themselves, thereby preserving system integrity.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1999Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Shlomi Harif, Robert Dennis Hodges