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).

  • Publication number: 20160065831
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 9277123
    Abstract: Techniques and devices for acquiring and processing timelapse video are described. The techniques use exposure bracketing to provide a plurality of images at each acquisition time. Images of the plurality are selected to minimize flicker in a timelapse video encoded from the selected images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: George E. Williams, Geoffrey T. Anneheim
  • Publication number: 20150350513
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20150350544
    Abstract: Techniques and devices for acquiring and processing timelapse video are described. The techniques use exposure bracketing to provide a plurality of images at each acquisition time. Images of the plurality are selected to minimize flicker in a timelapse video encoded from the selected images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: George E. Williams, Geoffrey T. Anneheim
  • Publication number: 20150350548
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Sebastien X. Beysserie, Damien J. Thivent, Jianping Zhou, Rudolph van der Merwe, Jason Klivington, Xiaoxing Li, Anders Holtsberg, Martin Lindberg, George E. Williams
  • Patent number: 8958019
    Abstract: Systems and methods process an input received from a remote control. A media stream is presented on a display, and the input from the remote control is received at a local device associated with the display. The local device may determine if the input is intended for the local device or a remote device. If the input is intended for the local device, the input may be processed at the local device. Various interface features, for example, may be managed at the local device. If the input is intended for the remote device, a signal may be transmitted from the local device to the remote device to thereby allow the remote device to respond to the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sling Media, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward D. Malone, George E. Williams, Matthew A. Feinstein, Anant Madhava Kulkarni, Jagadish Dande
  • Publication number: 20130329062
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jianping Zhou, Sebastien X. Beysserie, George E. Williams, Rolf Toft
  • Publication number: 20130269239
    Abstract: Described herein are a system and method for treating bed bugs or other pests within an enclosure. The system comprises at least one heater, at least one fan, at least one temperature monitoring device, and a heat chamber. The method for use comprises sealing at least one heater, at least one fan, at least one temperature monitoring device, and articles for treatment into a heat chamber and heating the chamber to a temperature known to be lethal to the pests for an appropriate length of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: The Steritech Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Whitley, Henry A. Palmer, Daniel A. Baldwin, Noreen L. James, Ahmad K. Sleiti, George E. Williams
  • Patent number: 8350971
    Abstract: Systems and methods process an input received from a remote control. A media stream is presented on a display, and the input from the remote control is received at a local device associated with the display. The local device may determine if the input is intended for the local device or a remote device. If the input is intended for the local device, the input may be processed at the local device. Various interface features, for example, may be managed at the local device. If the input is intended for the remote device, a signal may be transmitted from the local device to the remote device to thereby allow the remote device to respond to the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sling Media, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward D. Malone, George E. Williams, Matthew A. Feinstein, Anant Madhava Kulkarni, Jagadish Dande
  • Publication number: 20090102983
    Abstract: Systems and methods process an input received from a remote control. A media stream is presented on a display, and the input from the remote control is received at a local device associated with the display. The local device may determine if the input is intended for the local device or a remote device. If the input is intended for the local device, the input may be processed at the local device. Various interface features, for example, may be managed at the local device. If the input is intended for the remote device, a signal may be transmitted from the local device to the remote device to thereby allow the remote device to respond to the input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: SLING MEDIA INC.
    Inventors: Edward D. MALONE, George E. WILLIAMS, Matthew A. FEINSTEIN, Anant Madhava KULKARNI, Jagadish DANDE
  • Publication number: 20040128146
    Abstract: A programmable computer device is set up to electronically receive data values sent from remote monitoring devices and sensors located at the site of a turbine power generator. The data is transmitted from the site to the receiving computer via the Internet using TCP/IP or UDP protocol. Received data values are incorporated into a database and/or an electronic spreadsheet program running on the computer device. At predetermined stages during the turbine maintenance procedure, data values are transmitted from the site and upon receipt a computer operator at the receiving computer activates a predetermined key or button to automatically enter and time-stamp the received data values into appropriate cells of the electronic spreadsheet or database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: George E. Williams, John P. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 4982460
    Abstract: A jet fitting for a hydrotherapeutic receptacle includes an internal chamber which functions as a mixing chamber as well as a suction chamber. A primary stream of water is supplied to the mixing chamber in such a manner that a low pressure condition is created within the mixing chamber for entraining a secondary stream of water which flows from the hydrotherapeutic receptacle to the mixing chamber and for entraining air from an outside source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Tobias, William E. Treene, George E. Williams
  • Patent number: 4941217
    Abstract: A jet fitting for a hydrotherapeutic receptacle includes an internal chamber which functions as a mixing chamber as well as a suction chamber. More particularly, a primary stream of water is supplied to the mixing chamber in such a manner that a low pressure condition is created within the mixing chamber for the purpose of entraining a secondary stream of water which flows from the hydrotherapeutic receptacle to the mixing chamber. The combined streams exit the fitting together so as to increase its discharge flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Tobias, William E. Treene, George E. Williams
  • Patent number: 4803639
    Abstract: An X-ray inspection system for manually or automatically performing digital fluoroscopy inspections and/or computed tomography inspections by X-ray examination of manufactured parts incorporates a computer system which automatically analyzes the inspected parts for flaws. The system includes apparatus for automatically positioning the parts in an X-ray machine for obtaining fluoroscopy and tomography views of the part and for acquiring data from the inspections at production rates. The system automatically identifies the location of rejectable flaws in the parts during the fluoroscopy scanning and subsequently identifies those locations for obtaining tomography scans, if the identified flaw location is questionable. The system can automatically reject parts containing flaws identified during the fluoroscopy inspections. This system operates in a real-time environment by providing analysis of one part while a subsequent part is being subjected to X-ray examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas S. Steele, Larry C. Howington, James W. Schuler, Joseph J. Sostarich, Charles R. Wojciechowski, Theodore W. Sippel, Joseph M. Portaz, Ralph G. Isaacs, Henry J. Scudder, III, Thomas G. Kincaid, Kristina H. V. Hedengren, Rudolph A. A. Koegl, John P. Keaveney, Joseph Czechowski, III, John R. Brehm, James M. Brown, Jr., David W. Oliver, George E. Williams, Richard D. Miller