Patents by Inventor George E. Williams
George E. Williams 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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Publication number: 20240106700Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods for sending event notifications. In some examples, a controller periodically sends messages concerning a status of an event corresponding to the controller. In some examples, at a first time while periodically sending the messages and in accordance with a determination that the status of the event has changed, the controller sends a message concerning data other than the status of the event. In some examples, at the first time while periodically sending the messages and in accordance with a determination that the status of the event has not changed, the controller continues to periodically send the messages without sending the message concerning data other than the status of the event.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Ramy R. ASSELIN, John A. WILKEY, Jamie P. CARLSON, Stephanie L. LEGAULT, Abdul Rahman AL-SHAWA, Anil K. KANDANGATH, George E. WILLIAMS, Jangwon LEE, James D. BATSON, Fabien GONCALVES
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Publication number: 20230412938Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to detecting and mitigating sensor failure. Such techniques optionally complement or replace other methods for detecting and mitigating sensor failure. Some techniques described herein cover a device detecting a sensor failure by identifying a mechanical object in a physical environment and determining that the mechanical object is capable of causing the sensor failure. The sensor failure is then mitigated by modifying an operation of the device. Other techniques described herein cover a device detecting a sensor failure by identifying a portion of the device in an image, identifying an expected characteristic of the portion, and determining that the portion does not currently include the expected characteristic. The sensor failure is then mitigated similarly to above by modifying an operation of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: George E. WILLIAMS, Roddy M. SHULER
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Publication number: 20230401732Abstract: This disclosure provides more effective and/or efficient techniques for determining information about a physical environment. Such techniques optionally complement or replace other techniques for determining information about a physical environment. Some techniques described herein cover switching which cameras are used to calculate a depth of a location in a physical environment. The switch may occur when current images do not have sufficient feature correlation for calculating the depth of the location. Other techniques described herein cover switching which cameras are used to obtain sufficient data for a location within a representation (e.g., a three-dimensional representation) of a physical environment. The switch may occur in response to determining that there is not sufficient data for the location.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: George E. WILLIAMS, Stuart BOWERS, Roddy M. SHULER
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Publication number: 20230376293Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates deploying an application. Some techniques described herein occur during compile time while executable code is being generated from source code. In one example, the executable code causes different operations in an application to be assigned to different compute systems such that particular operations are required to be executed on particular compute systems. The executable code may further include bridges that assist data being transmitted between different compute systems, the bridges generated during compile time. In another example, the executable code causes data to be sent to a recording service during execution of an application. The recording service, though not included in the source code before compile time, is configured to receive copies of data transmitted on a compute system including the recording service. The recording service may also be configured to receive metadata corresponding to operations executed on the compute system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: Ashok AYYAMANI, Mohammad J. ABDELHADI, Ryan J. ALLEN, James D. BATSON, Christopher Y. BROWN, Etienne BELANGER, Karl C. HSU, Jeffrey D. KOFTINOFF, Eric S. LEE, Nur O. MONSON, George E. WILLIAMS
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Method and apparatus for finding and using video portions that are relevant to adjacent still images
Patent number: 10706892Abstract: The invention relates to systems, methods, and computer readable media for responding to a user snapshot request by capturing anticipatory pre-snapshot image data as well as post-snapshot image data. The captured information may be used, depending upon the embodiment, to create archival image information and image presentation information that is both useful and pleasing to a user. The captured information may automatically be trimmed or edited to facilitate creating an enhanced image, such as a moving still image. Varying embodiments of the invention offer techniques for trimming and editing based upon the following: exposure, brightness, focus, white balance, detected motion of the camera, substantive image analysis, detected sound, image metadata, and/or any combination of the foregoing.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Claus Molgaard, Brett M. Keating, George E. Williams, Marco Zuliani, Vincent Y. Wong, Frank Doepke, Ethan J. Tira-Thompson -
Method And Apparatus For Finding And Using Video Portions That Are Relevant To Adjacent Still Images
Publication number: 20190096441Abstract: The invention relates to systems, methods, and computer readable media for responding to a user snapshot request by capturing anticipatory pre-snapshot image data as well as post-snapshot image data. The captured information may be used, depending upon the embodiment, to create archival image information and image presentation information that is both useful and pleasing to a user. The captured information may automatically be trimmed or edited to facilitate creating an enhanced image, such as a moving still image. Varying embodiments of the invention offer techniques for trimming and editing based upon the following: exposure, brightness, focus, white balance, detected motion of the camera, substantive image analysis, detected sound, image metadata, and/or any combination of the foregoing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Claus Molgaard, Brett M. Keating, George E. Williams, Marco Zuliani, Vincent Y. Wong, Frank Doepke, Ethan J. Tira-Thompson -
Method and apparatus for finding and using video portions that are relevant to adjacent still images
Patent number: 10170157Abstract: The invention relates to systems, methods, and computer readable media for responding to a user snapshot request by capturing anticipatory pre-snapshot image data as well as post-snapshot image data. The captured information may be used, depending upon the embodiment, to create archival image information and image presentation information that is both useful and pleasing to a user. The captured information may automatically be trimmed or edited to facilitate creating an enhanced image, such as a moving still image. Varying embodiments of the invention offer techniques for trimming and editing based upon the following: exposure, brightness, focus, white balance, detected motion of the camera, substantive image analysis, detected sound, image metadata, and/or any combination of the foregoing.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2015Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Claus Molgaard, Brett M. Keating, George E. Williams, Marco Zuliani, Vincent Y. Wong, Frank Doepke, Ethan J. Tira-Thompson -
Patent number: 9979889Abstract: Techniques to improve a digital image capture device's ability to stabilize a video stream are presented. According to some embodiments, improved stabilization of captured video frames is provided by intelligently harnessing the complementary effects of both optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS). In particular, OIS may be used to remove intra-frame motion blur that is typically lower in amplitude and dominates with longer integration times, while EIS may be used to remove residual unwanted frame-to-frame motion that is typically larger in amplitude. The techniques disclosed herein may also leverage information provided from the image capture device's OIS system to perform improved motion blur-aware video stabilization strength modulation, which permits better video stabilization performance in low light conditions, where integration times tend to be longer, thus leading to a greater amount of motion blurring in the output stabilized video.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2017Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Damien J. Thivent, George E. Williams, Jianping Zhou, Richard L. Baer, Rolf Toft, Sebastien X. Beysserie
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Patent number: 9860436Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to control a camera from a wearable mechanism device, such as a watch, pendant or other device with its own limited display. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a wearable mechanism device for remotely controlling a camera with an intuitive user interface and sequencing of interface options. In one embodiment, the display on the wearable mechanism changes before a picture or video is taken with the electronic camera. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to partially control a camera from the wearable mechanism device, providing split control.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2017Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: James A. Howard, Eric S. Lee, Hugh W. Johnson, James C. Dovey, Gregory R. Chapman, James D. Batson, George E. Williams, Walker J. Eagleston, Gregory B. Novick, Chanaka G. Karunamuni
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Publication number: 20170310874Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to control a camera from a wearable mechanism device, such as a watch, pendant or other device with its own limited display. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a wearable mechanism device for remotely controlling a camera with an intuitive user interface and sequencing of interface options. In one embodiment, the display on the wearable mechanism changes before a picture or video is taken with the electronic camera. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to partially control a camera from the wearable mechanism device, providing split control.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: James A. Howard, Eric S. Lee, Hugh W. Johnson, James C. Dovey, Gregory R. Chapman, James D. Batson, George E. Williams, Walker J. Eagleston, Gregory B. Novick, Chanaka G. Karunamuni
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Publication number: 20170280059Abstract: Techniques to improve a digital image capture device's ability to stabilize a video stream are presented. According to some embodiments, improved stabilization of captured video frames is provided by intelligently harnessing the complementary effects of both optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS). In particular, OIS may be used to remove intra-frame motion blur that is typically lower in amplitude and dominates with longer integration times, while EIS may be used to remove residual unwanted frame-to-frame motion that is typically larger in amplitude. The techniques disclosed herein may also leverage information provided from the image capture device's OIS system to perform improved motion blur-aware video stabilization strength modulation, which permits better video stabilization performance in low light conditions, where integration times tend to be longer, thus leading to a greater amount of motion blurring in the output stabilized video.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Damien J. Thivent, George E. Williams, Jianping Zhou, Richard L. Baer, Rolf Toft, Sebastien X. Beysserie
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Patent number: 9742977Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to control a camera from a wearable mechanism device, such as a watch, pendant or other device with its own limited display. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a wearable mechanism device for remotely controlling a camera with an intuitive user interface and sequencing of interface options. In one embodiment, the display on the wearable mechanism changes before a picture or video is taken with the electronic camera. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to partially control a camera from the wearable mechanism device, providing split control.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: James A. Howard, Eric S. Lee, Hugh W. Johnson, James C. Dovey, Gregory R. Chapman, James D. Batson, George E. Williams, Walker J. Eagleston, Gregory B. Novick, Chanaka G. Karunamuni
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Patent number: 9706123Abstract: Techniques to permit a digital image capture device to stabilize a video stream in real-time (during video capture operations) are presented. In general, techniques are disclosed for stabilizing video images using an overscan region and a look-ahead technique enabled by buffering a number of video input frames before generating a first stabilized video output frame. (Capturing a larger image than is displayed creates a buffer of pixels around the edge of an image; overscan is the term given to this buffer of pixels.) More particularly, techniques are disclosed for buffering an initial number of input frames so that a “current” frame can use motion data from both “past” and “future” frames to adjust the strength of a stabilization metric value so as to keep the current frame within its overscan. This look-ahead and look-behind capability permits a smoother stabilizing regime with fewer abrupt adjustments.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sebastien X. Beysserie, Damien J. Thivent, Jianping Zhou, Rudolph van der Merwe, Jason Klivington, Xiaoxing Li, Anders Holtsberg, Martin Lindberg, George E. Williams
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Patent number: 9596411Abstract: Techniques to improve a digital image capture device's ability to stabilize a video stream are presented. According to some embodiments, improved stabilization of captured video frames is provided by intelligently harnessing the complementary effects of both optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS). In particular, OIS may be used to remove intra-frame motion blur that is typically lower in amplitude and dominates with longer integration times, while EIS may be used to remove residual unwanted frame-to-frame motion that is typically larger in amplitude. The techniques disclosed herein may also leverage information provided from the image capture device's OIS system to perform improved motion blur-aware video stabilization strength modulation, which permits better video stabilization performance in low light conditions, where integration times tend to be longer, thus leading to a greater amount of motion blurring in the output stabilized video.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Damien J. Thivent, George E. Williams, Jianping Zhou, Richard L. Baer, Rolf Toft, Sebastien X. Beysserie
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Publication number: 20160360111Abstract: Techniques to improve a digital image capture device's ability to stabilize a video stream are presented. According to some embodiments, improved stabilization of captured video frames is provided by intelligently harnessing the complementary effects of both optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS). In particular, OIS may be used to remove intra-frame motion blur that is typically lower in amplitude and dominates with longer integration times, while EIS may be used to remove residual unwanted frame-to-frame motion that is typically larger in amplitude. The techniques disclosed herein may also leverage information provided from the image capture device's OIS system to perform improved motion blur-aware video stabilization strength modulation, which permits better video stabilization performance in low light conditions, where integration times tend to be longer, thus leading to a greater amount of motion blurring in the output stabilized video.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2015Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Damien J. Thivent, George E. Williams, Jianping Zhou, Richard L. Baer, Rolf Toft, Sebastien X. Beysserie
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Method And Apparatus For Finding And Using Video Portions That Are Relevant To Adjacent Still Images
Publication number: 20160358634Abstract: The invention relates to systems, methods, and computer readable media for responding to a user snapshot request by capturing anticipatory pre-snapshot image data as well as post-snapshot image data. The captured information may be used, depending upon the embodiment, to create archival image information and image presentation information that is both useful and pleasing to a user. The captured information may automatically be trimmed or edited to facilitate creating an enhanced image, such as a moving still image. Varying embodiments of the invention offer techniques for trimming and editing based upon the following: exposure, brightness, focus, white balance, detected motion of the camera, substantive image analysis, detected sound, image metadata, and/or any combination of the foregoing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2015Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Claus Molgaard, Brett M. Keating, George E. Williams, Marco Zuliani, Vincent Y. Wong, Frank Doepke, Ethan J. Tira-Thompson -
Publication number: 20160337589Abstract: Techniques to permit a digital image capture device to stabilize a video stream in real-time (during video capture operations) are presented. In general, techniques are disclosed for stabilizing video images using an overscan region and a look-ahead technique enabled by buffering a number of video input frames before generating a first stabilized video output frame. (Capturing a larger image than is displayed creates a buffer of pixels around the edge of an image; overscan is the term given to this buffer of pixels.) More particularly, techniques are disclosed for buffering an initial number of input frames so that a “current” frame can use motion data from both “past” and “future” frames to adjust the strength of a stabilization metric value so as to keep the current frame within its overscan. This look-ahead and look-behind capability permits a smoother stabilizing regime with fewer abrupt adjustments.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: Sebastien X. Beysserie, Damien J. Thivent, Jianping Zhou, Rudolph van der Merwe, Jason Klivington, Xiaoxing Li, Anders Holtsberg, Martin Lindberg, George E. Williams
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Patent number: 9413963Abstract: Techniques to permit a digital image capture device to stabilize a video stream in real-time (during video capture operations) are presented. In general, techniques are disclosed for stabilizing video images using an overscan region and a look-ahead technique enabled by buffering a number of video input frames before generating a first stabilized video output frame. (Capturing a larger image than is displayed creates a buffer of pixels around the edge of an image; overscan is the term given to this buffer of pixels.) More particularly, techniques are disclosed for buffering an initial number of input frames so that a “current” frame can use motion data from both “past” and “future” frames to adjust the strength of a stabilization metric value so as to keep the current frame within its overscan. This look-ahead and look-behind capability permits a smoother stabilizing regime with fewer abrupt adjustments.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sebastien X. Beysserie, Damien J. Thivent, Jianping Zhou, Rudolph van der Merwe, Jason Klivington, Xiaoxing Li, Anders Holtsberg, Martin Lindberg, George E. Williams
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Patent number: 9344638Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media to capture and process high dynamic range (HDR) images when appropriate for a scene are disclosed. When appropriate, multiple images at a single—slightly underexposed—exposure value are captured (making a constant bracket HDR capture sequence) and local tone mapping (LTM) applied to each image. Local tone map and histogram information can be used to generate a noise-amplification mask which can be used during fusion operations. Images obtained and fused in the disclosed manner provide high dynamic range with improved noise and de-ghosting characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Xuemei Zhang, Marius Tico, Yingjun Bai, Farhan A. Baqai, Fabio Riccardi, Juanqing Chen, Paul M. Hubel, George E. Williams, Todd S. Sachs, Yongfang Liang
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Patent number: 9300871Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium for motion sensor-based video stabilization. A motion sensor may capture motion data of a video sequence. A controller may compute instantaneous motion of the camera for a current frame of the video sequence and accumulated motion of the camera corresponding to motion of a plurality of frames of the video sequence. The controller may compare the instantaneous motion to a first threshold value, compare the accumulated motion to a second threshold value, and set a video stabilization strength parameter for the current frame based on the results of the comparison. A video stabilization unit may perform video stabilization on the current frame according to the frame's strength parameter.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jianping Zhou, Sebastien X. Beysserie, George E. Williams, Rolf Toft