Patents by Inventor Derek Knee

Derek Knee 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: 9292765
    Abstract: The technology disclosed herein provides various embodiments for mapping glints that reflect off from an object to light sources responsible for the glints. Embodiments disclosed herein are able to correctly map glints to light sources by capturing just a few images with a camera. Each image is captured while illuminating the object with a different pattern of light sources. A glint free image may also be determined. A glint free image is one in which the glints have been removed by image processing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Knee, John Eldridge, Robert Havlik, Ronald Boskovic, Christopher Mei, Gerhard Schneider, Djordje Nijemcevic, David Nister
  • Publication number: 20150193920
    Abstract: The technology disclosed herein provides various embodiments for mapping glints that reflect off from an object to light sources responsible for the glints. Embodiments disclosed herein are able to correctly map glints to light sources by capturing just a few images with a camera. Each image is captured while illuminating the object with a different pattern of light sources. A glint free image may also be determined. A glint free image is one in which the glints have been removed by image processing techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Derek Knee, John Eldridge, Robert Havlik, Ronald Boskovic, Christopher Mei, Gerhard Schneider, Djordje Nijemcevic, David Nister
  • Publication number: 20080055243
    Abstract: A method for controlling a computer cursor involves capturing a plurality of arrays of data in a hand held device representing light entering the device from an environment in which the device resides, processing at least some of the plurality of arrays of data in the device to estimate motion of the device with respect to the environment during each of a plurality of measurement cycles, and sending a series of estimated motion signals to a computer to move a cursor display in response to motion of the device relative to the environment, each such estimated motion signal representing the estimated motion of the handheld device during more than one of the plurality of measurement cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Gary Gordon, Derek Knee, Rajeev Badyal, Jason Hartlove
  • Publication number: 20080048983
    Abstract: A method for operating a hand held optical pointing device, such as an optical mouse, involves capturing a plurality of arrays of data in a hand held optical pointing device representing light reflected from irregularities on a surface, processing at least some of the plurality of arrays of data in the device to estimate movement of the device with respect to the surface during each of a plurality of measurement cycles, and sending a series of estimated movement update signals to a computer, each such estimated movement update signal representing the estimated relative movement of the handheld optical pointing device with respect to the surface during more than one of the plurality of measurement cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Gary Gordon, Derek Knee, Rajeev Badyal, Jason Hartlove
  • Publication number: 20070158531
    Abstract: Multiple pixels within a pixel array share a common output line. Each output line from the array is connected to one or more storage elements. Each of the storage elements receives a counter signal corresponding to levels of a reference voltage within each of the pixels. When an output line signal reaches a predetermined value, a storage element receiving that predetermined value latches the current value of the counter signal. Outputs from pixels of multiple columns in the array may be time-multiplexed onto the output lines or may form a serial scan chain connected to a single output line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Derek Knee, Rajeev Badyal
  • Publication number: 20070103439
    Abstract: An optical mouse images as an array of pixels the spatial features of generally any micro textured or micro detailed work surface below the mouse. The photo detector responses are digitized and stored as a frame into memory. Motion produces successive frames of translated patterns of pixel information, which are compared by autocorrelation to ascertain the direction and amount of movement. A hold feature suspends the production of movement signals to the computer, allowing the mouse to be physically relocated on the work surface without disturbing the position on the screen of the pointer. This may be needed if the operator runs out of room to physically move the mouse further, but the screen pointer still needs to go further. The hold feature may be implemented with an actual button, a separate proximity detector or by detecting the presence of a characteristic condition in the digitized data, such as loss of correlation or velocity in excess of a selected limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: Gary Gordon, Derek Knee, Rajeev Badyal, Jason Hartlove
  • Publication number: 20060139332
    Abstract: A hand operated pointing device for use with a computer includes a movable housing, a source of non-coherent light illuminating a work surface and circuitry in the movable housing using arrays of data related to light reflected by the illuminated work surface to produce values by processing portions of a first array with portions of a second array. One of the values may be identified to represent movement of the housing relative to the work surface. The light may illuminate surface irregularities at an angle of incidence low enough to produce suitable arrays of data for processing from highlights and shadows of the illuminated surface irregularities. The circuitry may produce additional values by processing another selected portion of the first array with portions of a third array or may select a fourth array for processing with the third array. Predictions may be derived from the values. Signal may be sent to a computer related to movement of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Gary Gordon, Derek Knee, Rajeev Badyal, Jason Hartlove
  • Publication number: 20050231483
    Abstract: Movement of a hand operated pointing device may be tracked by providing a source of non-coherent light in a movable housing for illuminating a work surface and providing circuitry for producing a plurality of two dimensional arrays of data related to light reflected by surface irregularities on the illuminated work surface and for processing a first array with a second array to track movement of the housing relative to the illuminated work surface. Circuitry may be provided for processing the first array with the second array to predict further movement of the housing relative to the illuminated work surface. Circuitry may be provided for selecting a different portion of the first array in accordance with the prediction for processing with a third array to track further movement of the housing. Circuitry may be provided for determining validity of the tracked movement and sending a signal to a computer related to the tracked movement unless the tracked movement is determined not to be valid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Gary Gordon, Derek Knee, Rajeev Badyal, Jason Hartlove
  • Publication number: 20050231484
    Abstract: Movement of an optical mouse may be tracked by providing a source of non-coherent light in a movable housing for illuminating a work surface at a low angle of incidence, providing a two dimensional array of photo detectors for producing arrays of data elements responsive to light reflected from surface irregularities on the illuminated work surface and providing circuitry for capturing a first array of data elements from the two dimensional array of photo detectors at a first time, for detecting a characteristic condition in the first array, for capturing a second array of data elements at a second time, and for tracking movement of the housing relative to the work surface by comparing at least some of the data elements of the first array with at least some of the data elements of the second array if the characteristic condition is not detected in the first array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Gary Gordon, Derek Knee, Rajeev Badyal, Jason Hartlove
  • Publication number: 20050179662
    Abstract: A hand operated pointing device for use with a computer includes a movable housing, a source of non-coherent light illuminating a work surface and circuitry in the movable housing using arrays of data related to light reflected by the illuminated work surface to produce values by processing portions of a first array with portions of a second array. One of the values may be identified to represent movement of the housing relative to the work surface. The light may illuminate surface irregularities at an angle of incidence low enough to produce suitable arrays of data for processing from highlights and shadows of the illuminated surface irregularities. The circuitry may produce additional values by processing another selected portion of the first array with portions of a third array or may select a fourth array for processing with the third array. Predictions may be derived from the values. Signal may be sent to a computer related to movement of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Gary Gordon, Derek Knee, Rajeev Badyal, Jason Hartlove
  • Patent number: 6922783
    Abstract: A multiple processor integrated circuit has a first processor-first level cache combination powered by a first power terminal, and a second processor-first level cache combination powered by a second power terminal. There is common circuitry coupled to each processor-cache combination. In a particular embodiment, the processor-cache combinations are capable of receiving independently controlled power over the power terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Derek Knee, Samuel Naffziger
  • Publication number: 20050127274
    Abstract: Pixels in an array of image sensor pixels contain photo-sensors and circuits having inputs connected to the photosensors. The circuits have feedback loops for reducing fixed pattern noise in the array. Output from each pixel is used to latch a multibit counter value supplied by a global counter. Each feedback loop preferably includes a pair of alternately-toggling switching transistors to minimize unwanted charge injection. An image sensor according to the invention can be used for, e.g., motion sensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Derek Knee, Thomas Oliver, Gary Rensberger
  • Publication number: 20050111707
    Abstract: An input device with an optical scanner for use in capturing biometric images such as fingerprints. The user places the biometric image on the platen window. Movement of the platen window causes a scan head to move and allows the scan head to scan the biometric image and capture a series of scan lines. The series of scan lines are combined together to form an image representative of the biometric image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Bohn, Derek Knee
  • Publication number: 20050111706
    Abstract: An input device with an optical scanner for use in capturing biometric images such as fingerprints. The user places the biometric image on the platen window. Movement of the platen window allows a scan head to scan the biometric image and capture a series of scan lines. The series of scan lines are combined together to form an image representative of the biometric image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Bohn, Derek Knee
  • Publication number: 20050103981
    Abstract: Pixels in an array of image sensor pixels contain photo-sensors. In response to illumination of a photo-sensor, an initial signal is generated. Multiple comparison signals are also generated based on the initial signal. One of the comparison signals remains internal to the pixel, and other comparison signals are transmitted to neighboring pixels. Within a pixel, the internal comparison signal is compared to a sum of comparison signals received from neighboring pixels. Based on the comparison, a data value may be latched and used for indicating a relative difference in pixel illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Derek Knee, Thomas Oliver
  • Patent number: 6882179
    Abstract: A CMOS circuit arrangement. In this arrangement, relatively thick oxide devices are fabricated along with relatively thin oxide devices on the same chip. High speed logic circuits are fabricated with thin oxide devices as differential logic operating with a low voltage swing. A current source is fabricated using thick oxide devices to drop a large percentage of the supply voltage, protecting the thin oxide devices from damage caused by large voltage swings. An adaptive bias control circuit receives inputs from the logic circuit or elsewhere to control the bias current available from the current source to permit larger currents to pass through the current source at switching times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Derek Knee
  • Patent number: 6731136
    Abstract: A CMOS circuit arrangement. In this arrangement, relatively thick oxide devices are fabricated along with relatively thin oxide devices on the same chip. High speed logic circuits are fabricated with thin oxide devices as differential logic operating with a low voltage swing. A current source is fabricated using thick oxide devices to drop a large percentage of the supply voltage, protecting the thin oxide devices from damage caused by large voltage swings. An adaptive bias control circuit receives inputs from the logic circuit or elsewhere to control the bias current available from the current source to permit larger currents to pass through the current source at switching times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Derek Knee
  • Publication number: 20040061527
    Abstract: A CMOS circuit arrangement. In this arrangement, relatively thick oxide devices are fabricated along with relatively thin oxide devices on the same chip. High speed logic circuits are fabricated with thin oxide devices as differential logic operating with a low voltage swing. A current source is fabricated using thick oxide devices to drop a large percentage of the supply voltage, protecting the thin oxide devices from damage caused by large voltage swings. An adaptive bias control circuit receives inputs from the logic circuit or elsewhere to control the bias current available from the current source to permit larger currents to pass through the current source at switching times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Derek Knee
  • Publication number: 20030135768
    Abstract: A multiple processor integrated circuit has a first processor-first level cache combination powered by a first power terminal, and a second processor-first level cache combination powered by a second power terminal. There is common circuitry coupled to each processor-cache combination. In a particular embodiment, the processor-cache combinations are capable of receiving independently controlled power over the power terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Derek Knee, Samuel Naffziger
  • Publication number: 20030080779
    Abstract: A CMOS circuit arrangement. In this arrangement, relatively thick oxide devices are fabricated along with relatively thin oxide devices on the same chip. High speed logic circuits are fabricated with thin oxide devices as differential logic operating with a low voltage swing. A current source is fabricated using thick oxide devices to drop a large percentage of the supply voltage, protecting the thin oxide devices from damage caused by large voltage swings. An adaptive bias control circuit receives inputs from the logic circuit or elsewhere to control the bias current available from the current source to permit larger currents to pass through the current source at switching times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Derek Knee