Patents by Inventor Douglas B. Hill

Douglas B. Hill 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: 9052745
    Abstract: A multi-monitor computer system includes a plurality of display devices communicating with at least one computing device executing an application management procedure. The application management procedure enables an application window available on one display device to be moved entirely to another display device by selecting the other display device from a dialog box displayed in response to a pointer-dragging input gesture on the application window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Douglas B. Hill, Michael Rounding, Daniel Mitchell, David Martin, Luqing Wang, Gregory Forrest
  • Patent number: 8576172
    Abstract: A touch system comprises overlapping coordinate input sub-regions defining a generally contiguous input surface. Each coordinate input sub-region generates pointer coordinate data in response to pointer contacts thereon. When a pointer contact is made on a region of a coordinate input sub-region that overlaps with an adjacent coordinate input sub-region, each overlapping coordinate input sub-region processes acquired images to derive pointer data and triangulates the position of the pointer using the derived pointer data. Thereafter, the triangulated positions generated by the overlapping coordinate input sub-regions are processed in accordance with defined logic thereby to determine the position of the pointer contact relative to the touch surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Douglas B. Hill, Scott Yu Tseng Su, David E. Holmgren
  • Patent number: 8325134
    Abstract: A gesture recognition method includes detecting multiple pointers in close proximity to a touch surface to determine if the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture. When the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture, executing a command associated with the gesture. A touch system incorporating the gesture recognition method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Douglas B. Hill, Gerald D. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20120254142
    Abstract: An information display method comprises retrieving, from at least one database, the information concerning a user and at least one other user, calculating a relationship value for the at least one other user, the relationship value being at least partly based on the retrieved information and using the relationship value as a factor during the display of information relating to the user and the at least one other user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventors: NANCY KNOWLTON, DOUGLAS B. HILL
  • Publication number: 20120068955
    Abstract: A touch system comprises overlapping coordinate input sub-regions defining a generally contiguous input surface. Each coordinate input sub-region generates pointer coordinate data in response to pointer contacts thereon. When a pointer contact is made on a region of a coordinate input sub-region that overlaps with an adjacent coordinate input sub-region, each overlapping coordinate input sub-region processes acquired images to derive pointer data and triangulates the position of the pointer using the derived pointer data. Thereafter, the triangulated positions generated by the overlapping coordinate input sub-regions are processed in accordance with defined logic thereby to determine the position of the pointer contact relative to the touch surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventors: DOUGLAS B. HILL, SCOTT YU TSENG SU, DAVID E. HOLMGREN
  • Patent number: 8089462
    Abstract: A touch system comprises overlapping coordinate input sub-regions defining a generally contiguous input surface. Each coordinate input sub-region generates pointer coordinate data in response to pointer contacts thereon. When a pointer contact is made on a region of a coordinate input sub-region that overlaps with an adjacent coordinate input sub-region, each overlapping coordinate input sub-region processes acquired images to derive pointer data and triangulates the position of the pointer using the derived pointer data. Thereafter, the triangulated positions generated by the overlapping coordinate input sub-regions are processed in accordance with defined logic thereby to determine the position of the pointer contact relative to the touch surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Douglas B. Hill, Scott Yu Tseng Su, David E. Holmgren
  • Publication number: 20110241985
    Abstract: A multi-monitor computer system includes a plurality of display devices communicating with at least one computing device executing an application management procedure. The application management procedure enables an application window available on one display device to be moved entirely to another display device by selecting the other display device from a dialog box displayed in response to a pointer-dragging input gesture on the application window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Smart Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Douglas B. Hill, Michael Rounding, Daniel Mitchell, David Martin, Luging Wang, Gregory Forrest
  • Publication number: 20110234638
    Abstract: A gesture recognition method includes detecting multiple pointers in close proximity to a touch surface to determine if the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture. When the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture, executing a command associated with the gesture. A touch system incorporating the gesture recognition method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventors: Douglas B. HILL, Gerald D. MORRISON
  • Patent number: 7880720
    Abstract: A gesture recognition method includes detecting multiple pointers in close proximity to a touch surface to determine if the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture. When the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture, executing a command associated with the gesture. A touch system incorporating the gesture recognition method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Douglas B. Hill, Gerald D. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20100164891
    Abstract: A gesture recognition method includes detecting multiple pointers in close proximity to a touch surface to determine if the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture. When the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture, executing a command associated with the gesture. A touch system incorporating the gesture recognition method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventors: DOUGLAS B. HILL, Gerald D. Morrison
  • Patent number: 7643006
    Abstract: A gesture recognition method includes detecting multiple pointers in close proximity to a touch surface to determine if the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture. When the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture, executing a command associated with the gesture. A touch system incorporating the gesture recognition method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Douglas B. Hill, Gerald D. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20080297471
    Abstract: A gesture recognition method includes detecting multiple pointers in close proximity to a touch surface to determine if the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture. When the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture, executing a command associated with the gesture. A touch system incorporating the gesture recognition method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventors: Douglas B. Hill, Gerald D. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20080284733
    Abstract: A touch system comprises overlapping coordinate input sub-regions defining a generally contiguous input surface. Each coordinate input sub-region generates pointer coordinate data in response to pointer contacts thereon. When a pointer contact is made on a region of a coordinate input sub-region that overlaps with an adjacent coordinate input sub-region, each overlapping coordinate input sub-region processes acquired images to derive pointer data and triangulates the position of the pointer using the derived pointer data. Thereafter, the triangulated positions generated by the overlapping coordinate input sub-regions are processed in accordance with defined logic thereby to determine the position of the pointer contact relative to the touch surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Hill, Scott Yu Tseng Su, David E. Holmgren
  • Patent number: 7411575
    Abstract: A gesture recognition method includes detecting multiple pointers in close proximity to a touch surface to determine if the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture. When the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture, executing a command associated with the gesture. A touch system incorporating the gesture recognition method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Smart Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Douglas B. Hill, Gerald D. Morrison
  • Patent number: 7355593
    Abstract: A touch system comprises overlapping coordinate input sub-regions defining a generally contiguous input surface. Each coordinate input sub-region generates pointer coordinate data in response to pointer contacts thereon. When a pointer contact is made on a region of a coordinate input sub-region that overlaps with an adjacent coordinate input sub-region, each overlapping coordinate input sub-region processes acquired images to derive pointer data and triangulates the position of the pointer using the derived pointer data. Thereafter, the triangulated positions generated by the overlapping coordinate input sub-regions are processed in accordance with defined logic thereby to determine the position of the pointer contact relative to the touch surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Smart Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Hill, Scott Yu Tseng Su, David E. Holmgren
  • Patent number: 6025657
    Abstract: A power operator for switchgear and the like is provided that is capable of either power or manual operation without the necessity of any decoupling or mode selection. The power operator is compact and easily affixed over a manual operating shaft of switchgear. The manual drive capabilities are always coupled for operation without any backdriving of the power source. The power operator includes a drive output affixed to the switchgear operating shaft, a manual operating shaft, and an arrangement for selectively coupling a power-driven input to the switchgear operating shaft. In a specific arrangement, the control arrangement of the power operator senses the position of the drive output and also senses the current drawn by the drive source. When controlling switchgear having a stored energy mechanism, operating positions are detected by sensing the tripping of the stored energy mechanism via the sensed current through the drive source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignees: S&C Electric Company, S&C Electric Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Steve Chung-Bun Lo, Todd W. Klippel, Douglas B. Hill, Terrence S. Kerr
  • Patent number: 5895987
    Abstract: A power operator for switchgear and the like is provided that is capable of either power or manual operation without the necessity of any decoupling or mode selection. The power operator is compact and easily affixed over a manual operating shaft of switchgear. The manual drive capabilities are always coupled for operation without any backdriving of the power source. The power operator includes a drive output affixed to the switchgear operating shaft, a manual operating shaft, and an arrangement for selectively coupling a power-driven input to the switchgear operating shaft. In a specific arrangement, the control arrangement of the power operator senses the position of the drive output and also senses the current drawn by the drive source. When controlling switchgear having a stored energy mechanism, operating positions are detected by sensing the tripping of the stored energy mechanism via the sensed current through the drive source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Steve Chung-Bun Lo, Todd W. Klippel, Douglas B. Hill
  • Patent number: 4930267
    Abstract: A sanding rasp designed to permit the user to readily change the sanding element. The rasp includes a heavy grit sandpaper immovably attached to a substrate which is adapted to be releasably secured to the rasp's support plate. A vibrational sander can be included as handle means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Demand Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Hill, Fredrick J. Newell, Jr.
  • Patent number: D407694
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas B. Hill, Terrence S. Kerr