Patents by Inventor Francis MacDougall

Francis 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).

  • Publication number: 20120206337
    Abstract: A multiple camera tracking system for interfacing with an application program is provided. The tracking system includes multiple cameras arranged to provide different viewpoints of a region of interest, and are operable to produce a series of video images. A processor is operable to receive the series of video images and detect objects appearing in the region of interest. The processor executes a process to generate a background data set from the video images, generate an image data set for each received video image, compare each image data set to the background data set to produce a difference map for each image data set, detect a relative position of an object of interest within each difference map, and produce an absolute position of the object of interest from the relative positions of the object of interest and map the absolute position to a position indicator associated with the application program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Evan Hildreth, Francis Macdougall
  • Patent number: 8230610
    Abstract: Orientation-sensitive signal output, in which a neutral position of a device is automatically determined in relation to at least a first axis, an angular displacement of the device is measured about at least the first axis, and shaking of the device is detected. A selection of the first control is received, and an output signal is output based at least upon the selection and the angular displacement or based upon detecting the shaking of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Riten Jaiswal, Francis MacDougall
  • Publication number: 20120139837
    Abstract: Enhanced input using flashing electromagnetic radiation, in which first and second images of an object are accessed. The first image being captured while the object is illuminated with projected electromagnetic radiation, and the second image being captured while the projected electromagnetic radiation is extinguished. A position of the object relative to the screen based on comparing the first and second images is determined. An application is controlled based on the determined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: ATID SHAMAIE, FRANCIS MACDOUGALL
  • Patent number: 8131015
    Abstract: A multiple camera tracking system for interfacing with an application program running on a computer is provided. The tracking system includes two or more video cameras arranged to provide different viewpoints of a region of interest, and are operable to produce a series of video images. A processor is operable to receive the series of video images and detect objects appearing in the region of interest. The processor executes a process to generate a background data set from the video images, generate an image data set for each received video image, compare each image data set to the background data set to produce a difference map for each image data set, detect a relative position of an object of interest within each difference map, and produce an absolute position of the object of interest from the relative positions of the object of interest and map the absolute position to a position indicator associated with the application program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Evan Hildreth, Francis Macdougall
  • Patent number: 8116518
    Abstract: Enhanced input using flashing electromagnetic radiation, in which first and second images, captured on a first side of a screen, of an object and an ambient electromagnetic radiation emitter disposed on a second side of the screen, are accessed. The first image being captured while the object is illuminated with projected electromagnetic radiation, and the second image being captured while the projected electromagnetic radiation is extinguished. A position of the object relative to the screen based on comparing the first and second images is determined. An application is controlled based on the determined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Atid Shamaie, Francis MacDougall
  • Publication number: 20120001722
    Abstract: Orientation-sensitive signal output, in which a neutral position of a device is automatically determined in relation to at least a first axis, an angular displacement of the device is measured about at least the first axis, and shaking of the device is detected. A selection of the first control is received, and an output signal is output based at least upon the selection and the angular displacement or based upon detecting the shaking of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Riten Jaiswal, Francis MacDougall
  • Patent number: 8015718
    Abstract: Orientation-sensitive signal output, in which a neutral position of a device is automatically determined in relation to at least a first axis, an angular displacement of the device is measured about at least the first axis, and shaking of the device is detected. A selection of the first control is received, and an output signal is output based at least upon the selection and the angular displacement or based upon detecting the shaking of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Riten Jaiswal, Francis MacDougall
  • Publication number: 20110050570
    Abstract: Orientation-sensitive signal output, in which a neutral position of a device is automatically determined in relation to at least a first axis, an angular displacement of the device is measured about at least the first axis, and shaking of the device is detected. A selection of the first control is received, and an output signal is output based at least upon the selection and the angular displacement or based upon detecting the shaking of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: GESTURETEK, INC.
    Inventors: Riten Jaiswal, Francis MacDougall
  • Patent number: 7898522
    Abstract: A method of using stereo vision to interface with computer is provided. The method includes capturing a stereo image, and processing the stereo image to determine position information of an object in the stereo image. The object is controlled by a user. The method also includes communicating the position information to the computer to allow the user to interact with a computer application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: GestureTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan Hildreth, Francis MacDougall
  • Patent number: 7827698
    Abstract: Orientation-sensitive signal output, in which a neutral position of a device is automatically determined in relation to at least a first axis, an angular displacement of the device is measured about at least the first axis, and shaking of the device is detected. A selection of the first control is received, and an output signal is output based at least upon the selection and the angular displacement or based upon detecting the shaking of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: GestureTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Riten Jaiswal, Francis MacDougall
  • Publication number: 20100066667
    Abstract: An element is initially displayed on an interactive touch-screen display device with an initial orientation relative to the interactive touch-screen display device. One or more images of a user of the interactive touch-screen display device are captured. The user is determined to be interacting with the element displayed on the interactive touch-screen display device. In addition, an orientation of the user relative to the interactive touch-screen display device is determined based on at least one captured image of the user of the interactive touch-screen display device. Thereafter, in response to determining that the user is interacting with the displayed element, the initial orientation of the displayed element relative to the interactive touch-screen display device is automatically adjusted based on the determined orientation of the user relative to the interactive touch-screen display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: GESTURETEK, INC.
    Inventors: Francis MacDougall, Evan Hildreth
  • Publication number: 20100066763
    Abstract: One or more elements are initially displayed on a display component of an electronic device. After the one or more elements have been displayed on the display component of the electronic device, an image of a user of the electronic device is captured, and an orientation of the electronic device relative to the user is determined based on the captured image of the user of the electronic device. Thereafter, an orientation of at least one of the displayed elements is adjusted relative to the display component of the electronic device based on the determined orientation of the electronic device relative to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: GestureTek, Inc.
    Inventors: FRANCIS MACDOUGALL, EVAN HILDRETH
  • Publication number: 20090262984
    Abstract: A multiple camera tracking system for interfacing with an application program running on a computer is provided. The tracking system includes two or more video cameras arranged to provide different viewpoints of a region of interest, and are operable to produce a series of video images. A processor is operable to receive the series of video images and detect objects appearing in the region of interest. The processor executes a process to generate a background data set from the video images, generate an image data set for each received video image, compare each image data set to the background data set to produce a difference map for each image data set, detect a relative position of an object of interest within each difference map, and produce an absolute position of the object of interest from the relative positions of the object of interest and map the absolute position to a position indicator associated with the application program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Gesture Tek, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan Hildreth, Francis Macdougall
  • Publication number: 20090217211
    Abstract: Enhanced input using recognized gestures, in which a user's gesture is recognized from first and second images, and a representation of the user is displayed in a central region of a control that further includes interaction elements disposed radially in relation to the central region. The enhanced input also includes interacting with the control based on the recognized user's gesture, and controlling an application based on interacting with the control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: GestureTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan HILDRETH, Francis MacDougall
  • Patent number: 7555142
    Abstract: A multiple camera tracking system for interfacing with an application program running on a computer is provided. The tracking system includes two or more video cameras arranged to provide different viewpoints of a region of interest, and are operable to produce a series of video images. A processor is operable to receive the series of video images and detect objects appearing in the region of interest. The processor executes a process to generate a background data set from the video images, generate an image data set for each received video image, compare each image data set to the background-data set to produce a difference map for each image data set, detect a relative position of an object of interest within each difference map, and produce an absolute position of the object of interest from the relative positions of the object of interest and map the absolute position to a position indicator associated with the application program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: GestureTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan Hildreth, Francis MacDougall
  • Publication number: 20090051648
    Abstract: Gesture-based mobile interaction, 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: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: GestureTek, Inc.
    Inventors: ATID SHAMAIE, FRANCIS MACDOUGALL
  • Publication number: 20080235965
    Abstract: Orientation-sensitive signal output, in which a neutral position of a device is automatically determined in relation to at least a first axis, an angular displacement of the device is measured about at least the first axis, and shaking of the device is detected. A selection of the first control is received, and an output signal is output based at least upon the selection and the angular displacement or based upon detecting the shaking of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: GestureTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Riten JAISWAL, Francis MacDougall
  • Patent number: 7421093
    Abstract: A multiple camera tracking system for interfacing with an application program running on a computer is provided. The tracking system includes two or more video cameras arranged to provide different viewpoints of a region of interest, and are operable to produce a series of video images. A processor is operable to receive the series of video images and detect objects appearing in the region of interest. The processor executes a process to generate a background data set from the video images, generate an image data set for each received video image, compare each image data set to the background data set to produce a difference map for each image data set, detect a relative position of an object of interest within each difference map, and produce an absolute position of the object of interest from the relative positions of the object of interest and map the absolute position to a position indicator associated with the application program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: GestureTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan Hildreth, Francis MacDougall
  • Publication number: 20080205701
    Abstract: Enhanced input using flashing electromagnetic radiation, in which first and second images, captured on a first side of a screen, of an object and an ambient electromagnetic radiation emitter disposed on a second side of the screen, are accessed. The first image being captured while the object is illuminated with projected electromagnetic radiation, and the second image being captured while the projected electromagnetic radiation is extinguished. A position of the object relative to the screen based on coniparing the first and second images is determined. An application is controlled based on the determined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: GESTURETEK, INC.
    Inventors: Atid Shamaie, Francis MacDougall
  • Patent number: 7389591
    Abstract: The selection and output of a signal, such as an alphanumeric character, is provided depending upon the orientation of a device, such as a mobile telephone. In particular, a neutral position of a device is determined in relation to at least a first axis, the device including at least a first control associated with a first plurality of output signals, and an angular displacement of the device is measured about at least the first axis. A selection of the first control is also received, and one of the first plurality of output signals is output based at least upon the selection and the angular displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: GestureTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Riten Jaiswal, Francis MacDougall