Patents by Inventor Francis B. MACDOUGALL

Francis B. MACDOUGALL 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: 10216266
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that allow a user to interact with a device using gaze detection. In the provided systems and methods, the gaze detection is initiated by detecting a triggering event. Once gaze detection has been initiated, detecting a gaze of a user may allow the user to activate a display component of the device, pass a security challenge on the device, and view content and alerts on the device. The gaze detection may continue looking for the user's gaze and keep the display component of the device activated as long as a gaze is detected, but may deactivate the display component of the device once a gaze is no longer detected. To conserve power the gaze detection may also be deactivated until another triggering event is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Darrell L. Krulce, Francis B. MacDougall, Shaun W. Van Dyken
  • Patent number: 9646200
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are presented for determining whether a gesture is being performed in a sequence of source images. In some embodiments, a method includes detecting a gesture in each of one or more reference images using one or more gesture models of a plurality of gesture models. The method may also include selecting a first gesture model from the one or more gesture models that most closely matches the detected gesture, prioritizing the first gesture model over other gesture models in the plurality of gesture models for searching for the gesture in the sequence of source images, and scanning the sequence of source images to determine whether the gesture is being performed, using the prioritized first gesture model. If the gesture is being performed, the method may end scanning prior to using another gesture model of the plurality of gesture models to determine whether the gesture is being performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Fitzgerald John Archibald, Francis B. MacDougall
  • Patent number: 9549120
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an adaptive data path for computer-vision applications. Utilizing techniques provided herein, the data path can adapt to the needs of a computer-vision application to provide the needed data. The data path can be adapted by applying one or more filters to image data from one or more sensors. Some embodiments may utilize a computer-vision processing unit comprising a specialized instruction-based, in-line processor capable of interpreting commands from a computer-vision application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Khosro M. Rabii, Francis B. MacDougall, Evan R. Hildreth
  • Patent number: 9448635
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media are provided for use with a system configured to detect gestures. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a first user gesture meeting a first condition to enter a mode of operation. The method may further include exiting the mode of operation. The method may further include detecting a second user gesture meeting a second condition to reenter the mode of operation based on the detecting the first user gesture, wherein the second condition is less stringent than the first condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Francis B. MacDougall, Evan R. Hildreth
  • Patent number: 9261979
    Abstract: Motion of a device is sensed using image data, and a gesture corresponding to the sensed motion of the device is recognized. Functionality of the device corresponding to the recognized gesture is determined and invoked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Atid Shamaie, Francis B. MacDougall
  • Patent number: 9170676
    Abstract: Methods and systems according to one or more embodiments are provided for enhancing interactive inputs. In an embodiment, a method includes concurrently capturing touch input data on a screen of a user device and non-touch gesture input data off the screen of the user device. The method also includes determining an input command based at least in part on a combination of the concurrently captured touch input data and the non-touch gesture input data. And the method further includes affecting an operation of the user device based on the determined input command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Darrell L. Krulce, Francis B. MacDougall, Virginia Walker Keating, Andrew J. Everitt
  • Patent number: 9141197
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for are provided for engaging and re-engaging a gesture mode. In one embodiment, a method performed by the computer system detects an initial presence of a user pose, indicates to a user progress toward achieving a predetermined state while continuing to detect the user pose, determines that the detection of the user pose has reached the predetermined state, and responds to the detection of the user pose based on determining that the detection has reached the predetermined state. The computer system may further prompt the user by displaying a representation of the user pose corresponding to an option for a user decision, detecting the user decision based at least in part on determining that the detection of the user pose has reached the predetermined state, and responding to the user decision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Francis B. MacDougall, Evan R. Hildreth
  • Publication number: 20150229839
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an adaptive data path for computer-vision applications. Utilizing techniques provided herein, the data path can adapt to the needs of a computer-vision application to provide the needed data. The data path can be adapted by applying one or more filters to image data from one or more sensors. Some embodiments may utilize a computer-vision processing unit comprising a specialized instruction-based, in-line processor capable of interpreting commands from a computer-vision application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Khosro M. Rabii, Francis B. MacDougall, Evan R. Hildreth
  • Patent number: 9052740
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an adaptive data path for computer-vision applications. Utilizing techniques provided herein, the data path can adapt to the needs of a computer-vision application to provide the needed data. The data path can be adapted by applying one or more filters to image data from one or more sensors. Some embodiments may utilize a computer-vision processing unit comprising a specialized instruction-based, in-line processor capable of interpreting commands from a computer-vision application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: Khosro M. Rabii, Francis B. MacDougall, Evan R. Hildreth
  • Publication number: 20140267142
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are provided for seamlessly extending interactive inputs. In an embodiment, a method comprises detecting with a first sensor at least a portion of an input by a control object. The method also comprises determining that the control object is positioned in a transition area. The method further comprises determining whether to detect a subsequent portion of the input with a second sensor based at least in part on the determination that the control object is positioned in the transition area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Francis B. MacDOUGALL, Andrew J. EVERITT, Phuong L. TON, Virginia Walker KEATING, Darrell L. KRULCE
  • Publication number: 20140267034
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that allow a user to interact with a device using gaze detection. In the provided systems and methods, the gaze detection is initiated by detecting a triggering event. Once gaze detection has been initiated, detecting a gaze of a user may allow the user to activate a display component of the device, pass a security challenge on the device, and view content and alerts on the device. The gaze detection may continue looking for the user's gaze and keep the display component of the device activated as long as a gaze is detected, but may deactivate the display component of the device once a gaze is no longer detected. To conserve power the gaze detection may also be deactivated until another triggering event is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Darrell L. KRULCE, Francis B. MacDougall, Shaun W. Van Dyken
  • Publication number: 20140267790
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an adaptive data path for computer-vision applications. Utilizing techniques provided herein, the data path can adapt to the needs of a computer-vision application to provide the needed data. The data path can be adapted by applying one or more filters to image data from one or more sensors. Some embodiments may utilize a computer-vision processing unit comprising a specialized instruction-based, in-line processor capable of interpreting commands from a computer-vision application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Khosro M. Rabii, Francis B. MacDougall, Evan R. Hildreth
  • Publication number: 20140282272
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide improved multitasking on user devices. In an embodiment, a method for multitasking comprises detecting a non-touch gesture input received by a user device. The method also comprises associating the non-touch gesture input with an application running in a background, wherein a different focused application is running in a foreground. And the method also comprises controlling the background application with the associated non-touch gesture input without affecting the foreground application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jonathan K. KIES, Francis B. MacDOUGALL, Suzana ARELLANO
  • Publication number: 20140267084
    Abstract: Methods and systems according to one or more embodiments are provided for enhancing interactive inputs. In an embodiment, a method includes concurrently capturing touch input data on a screen of a user device and non-touch gesture input data off the screen of the user device. The method also includes determining an input command based at least in part on a combination of the concurrently captured touch input data and the non-touch gesture input data. And the method further includes affecting an operation of the user device based on the determined input command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Darrell L. KRULCE, Francis B. MacDougall, Virginia Walker Keating, Andrew J. Everitt
  • Publication number: 20130329946
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are presented for determining whether a gesture is being performed in a sequence of source images. In some embodiments, a method includes detecting a gesture in each of one or more reference images using one or more gesture models of a plurality of gesture models. The method may also include selecting a first gesture model from the one or more gesture models that most closely matches the detected gesture, prioritizing the first gesture model over other gesture models in the plurality of gesture models for searching for the gesture in the sequence of source images, and scanning the sequence of source images to determine whether the gesture is being performed, using the prioritized first gesture model. If the gesture is being performed, the method may end scanning prior to using another gesture model of the plurality of gesture models to determine whether the gesture is being performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Fitzgerald John ARCHIBALD, Francis B. MacDOUGALL
  • Publication number: 20130271397
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media are provided for use with a system configured to detect gestures. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a first user gesture meeting a first condition to enter a mode of operation. The method may further include exiting the mode of operation. The method may further include detecting a second user gesture meeting a second condition to reenter the mode of operation based on the detecting the first user gesture, wherein the second condition is less stringent than the first condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Francis B. MACDOUGALL, Evan R. HILDRETH
  • Publication number: 20130271360
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for are provided for engaging and re-engaging a gesture mode. In one embodiment, a method performed by the computer system detects an initial presence of a user pose, indicates to a user progress toward achieving a predetermined state while continuing to detect the user pose, determines that the detection of the user pose has reached the predetermined state, and responds to the detection of the user pose based on determining that the detection has reached the predetermined state. The computer system may further prompt the user by displaying a representation of the user pose corresponding to an option for a user decision, detecting the user decision based at least in part on determining that the detection of the user pose has reached the predetermined state, and responding to the user decision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Francis B. MACDOUGALL, Evan R. HILDRETH