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).
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Patent number: 10216266Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Darrell L. Krulce, Francis B. MacDougall, Shaun W. Van Dyken
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Patent number: 9646200Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATEDInventors: Fitzgerald John Archibald, Francis B. MacDougall
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Patent number: 9549120Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 21, 2015Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATEDInventors: Khosro M. Rabii, Francis B. MacDougall, Evan R. Hildreth
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Patent number: 9448635Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Francis B. MacDougall, Evan R. Hildreth
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Patent number: 9261979Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 20, 2008Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Atid Shamaie, Francis B. MacDougall
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Patent number: 9170676Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Darrell L. Krulce, Francis B. MacDougall, Virginia Walker Keating, Andrew J. Everitt
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Patent number: 9141197Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Francis B. MacDougall, Evan R. Hildreth
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Publication number: 20150229839Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: Khosro M. Rabii, Francis B. MacDougall, Evan R. Hildreth
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Patent number: 9052740Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Qualcomm IncorporatedInventors: Khosro M. Rabii, Francis B. MacDougall, Evan R. Hildreth
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Publication number: 20140267142Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATEDInventors: Francis B. MacDOUGALL, Andrew J. EVERITT, Phuong L. TON, Virginia Walker KEATING, Darrell L. KRULCE
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Publication number: 20140267034Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Darrell L. KRULCE, Francis B. MacDougall, Shaun W. Van Dyken
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Publication number: 20140267790Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATEDInventors: Khosro M. Rabii, Francis B. MacDougall, Evan R. Hildreth
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Publication number: 20140282272Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATEDInventors: Jonathan K. KIES, Francis B. MacDOUGALL, Suzana ARELLANO
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Publication number: 20140267084Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Darrell L. KRULCE, Francis B. MacDougall, Virginia Walker Keating, Andrew J. Everitt
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Publication number: 20130329946Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATEDInventors: Fitzgerald John ARCHIBALD, Francis B. MacDOUGALL
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Publication number: 20130271397Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Francis B. MACDOUGALL, Evan R. HILDRETH
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Publication number: 20130271360Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Francis B. MACDOUGALL, Evan R. HILDRETH