Patents by Inventor Gregory Hitchcock

Gregory Hitchcock 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: 10699072
    Abstract: Electronic reading devices provide readers with text on a display, and enhancements to their functionality and efficiency are discussed herein. Text is provided to the reader in an enhanced contrast mode that highlights the active word and line of the text as well as words of interest in the text so as to improve the functionality of the electronic reading device itself as a provider of textual content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron James Monson, Gregory Hitchcock, Kevin Larson, Robert Matthew McKaughan, Mohammadreza Jooyandeh, Alexandre Pereira, Jeffrey Scott Petty, Pelle Haukali Nielsen, Sebastian Michael Greaves, Valentin Dobre, Mark Frank Flores, Dominik Messinger, Michael Tholfsen
  • Patent number: 10043075
    Abstract: An image of an eye is obtained via a camera. A multi-step filter is applied to the image for multiple iterations. Applying the multi-step filter includes, for each iteration, performing one or more pixel merge operations on the image. The pixel merge operations are controlled based on one or more input parameters to control whether or not the iteration classifies pixels of the image as corresponding to a feature of the eye. The one or more input parameters vary from at least one iteration to another. The iterations each output a provisional output, in which some pixels of the image are deemed as corresponding to the feature of the eye. The provisional outputs provide diverse definitions of the eye feature, and may be combined in various ways to yield a refined output, in which some pixels of the image are deemed as corresponding to the feature of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Martin Bennett, Gregory Hitchcock, Kevin Larson, Paul Linnerud, Tanya Matskewich, Robert Matthew McKaughan
  • Publication number: 20180046331
    Abstract: Electronic reading devices provide readers with text on a display, and enhancements to their functionality and efficiency are discussed herein. Text is provided to the reader in an enhanced contrast mode that highlights the active word and line of the text as well as words of interest in the text so as to improve the functionality of the electronic reading device itself as a provider of textual content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron James Monson, Alexandre Pereira, Jeffrey Scott Petty, Pelle Haukali Nielsen, Sebastian Michael Greaves, Valentin Dobre, Mark Frank Flores, Dominik Messinger, Michael Tholfsen, Gregory Hitchcock, Kevin Larson, Robert Matthew McKaughan, Mohammadreza Jooyandeh
  • Publication number: 20170249292
    Abstract: Conditional determination of glyph substitution (GSUB) lookups or glyph positioning (GPOS) lookups in the process of rendering a string of text as a sequence of glyphs is described. A process can include receiving a string of text comprising a sequence of characters, obtaining a sequence of glyph identifiers (IDs) corresponding to the sequence of characters, and determining that a context of the string of text satisfies a condition. Based at least in part on the context satisfying the condition, an alternate lookup can be determined and executed in lieu of a default lookup. Execution of the alternate lookup causes a GSUB operation or a GPOS operation to be performed on the sequence of glyph IDs to ultimately cause the string of text to be rendered on a display as a sequence of glyphs with a typographical feature applied thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Peter Geoffrey Constable, Sergey Z. Malkin, Shrinath Shanbhag, Robert Matthew McKaughan, Frank Dwayne Robinson, Gregory Hitchcock, Worachai Chaoweeraprasit
  • Publication number: 20170147858
    Abstract: An image of an eye is obtained via a camera. A multi-step filter is applied to the image for multiple iterations. Applying the multi-step filter includes, for each iteration, performing one or more pixel merge operations on the image. The pixel merge operations are controlled based on one or more input parameters to control whether or not the iteration classifies pixels of the image as corresponding to a feature of the eye. The one or more input parameters vary from at least one iteration to another. The iterations each output a provisional output, in which some pixels of the image are deemed as corresponding to the feature of the eye. The provisional outputs provide diverse definitions of the eye feature, and may be combined in various ways to yield a refined output, in which some pixels of the image are deemed as corresponding to the feature of the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Martin Bennett, Gregory Hitchcock, Kevin Larson, Paul Linnerud, Tanya Matskewich, Robert Matthew McKaughan
  • Publication number: 20160371240
    Abstract: A display system comprises a display and a controller operatively coupled to the display. The controller is configured to receive text, parse the text to isolate a segment of the text, compute a time interval for display of the segment, present the segment on the display during the computed time interval, remove the segment from the display following the computed time interval, and repeat the parsing computing, presenting, and removing, for subsequent segments of the text.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Matthew McKaughan, Jason Anthony Grieves, Kevin Larson, Gregory Hitchcock, Michael Martin Bennett
  • Patent number: 9520101
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for creating an image rendering filter that can be used to produce a desired view of an image. Monitor characteristics can be identified for a monitor that is displaying the image, and viewing characteristics of a viewer intending to view the image can also be identified. The monitor characteristics and the viewing characteristics can be used to create the image rendering filter, which may be applied to the input image the monitor, resulting in an “ideal” image for the particular viewer viewing the image on the particular monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tanya Matskewich, Gregory Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 9311896
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for rendering a glyph. Rendering data for the glyph can be received, such as size, shape, color, etc., along with first sub-pixel position for initially rendering the glyph on a display. A first rendering quality can be identified for the first sub-pixel position and second rendering quality can be identified for a second sub-pixel position, which may comprise an alternate rendering position. A sub-pixel position shift can be selected for the glyph based at least upon a comparison of the first and second rendering qualities. The sub-pixel position shift can comprise a difference between the first sub-pixel position and the second sub-pixel position, where the second rendering quality is selected/preferable over the first rendering quality. The glyph can be rendered by applying the selected sub-pixel position shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tanya Matskewich, Gregory Hitchcock, Michael Duggan, Donald David Karlov
  • Patent number: 9245361
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for consolidating one or more glyphs of a font. A common contour, comprising a glyph contour that occurs more than once in one or more glyphs of the font, can be identified. A common simple glyph can be created for the identified common contour. A reference to the common simple glyph can replace one or more occurrences of the common contour in the one or more glyphs of the font. Given that the common simple glyph is generally smaller than the common contour, an amount of font related data for the font can be reduced, thus reducing overhead associated with storing and/or presenting the font.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Linnerud, Gregory Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 8947438
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for reducing font execution instructions for a font, and thereby a file size for the font. The font execution instructions can be scanned (e.g., by examining tables) to identify one or more common instruction sets in the font execution instructions. A function can be defined for a common instruction set, and the instances or appearances of the common instruction set in the font execution instructions can be replaced with a call to the function. Because the call is generally smaller (e.g., comprises fewer lines of code) than the common instruction set it replaces, the number of execution instructions for the font is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Linnerud, Gregory Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20140362104
    Abstract: Technologies are generally provided for a set of data structures and font design techniques residing in a font file that enables the rich use of color that can be scaled for many devices with many resolutions and displayed on many types of colored backgrounds. Glyphs in a font may be ordered to provide z-ordering of layered color data. Multiple palettes may be provided within a font to handle multiple scenarios, including varying backgrounds. Furthermore, operating system text color choice may be integrated with the font designer's choice of colors, and the colored elements in a glyph may be hinted to improve the display of color on many different devices. A fall back to a non-colored glyph may also be provided when color is not supported on a platform or application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Gregory Hitchcock, Niklas Borson, Tanya Matskewich
  • Publication number: 20130222407
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for rendering a glyph. Rendering data for the glyph can be received, such as size, shape, color, etc., along with first sub-pixel position for initially rendering the glyph on a display. A first rendering quality can be identified for the first sub-pixel position and second rendering quality can be identified for a second sub-pixel position, which may comprise an alternate rendering position. A sub-pixel position shift can be selected for the glyph based at least upon a comparison of the first and second rendering qualities. The sub-pixel position shift can comprise a difference between the first sub-pixel position and the second sub-pixel position, where the second rendering quality is selected/preferable over the first rendering quality. The glyph can be rendered by applying the selected sub-pixel position shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Tanya Matskewich, Gregory Hitchcock, Michael Duggan, Donald David Karlov
  • Publication number: 20130057554
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for consolidating one or more glyphs of a font. A common contour, comprising a glyph contour that occurs more than once in one or more glyphs of the font, can be identified. A common simple glyph can be created for the identified common contour. A reference to the common simple glyph can replace one or more occurrences of the common contour in the one or more glyphs of the font. Given that the common simple glyph is generally smaller than the common contour, an amount of font related data for the font can be reduced, thus reducing overhead associated with storing and/or presenting the font.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Linnerud, Gregory Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20130050234
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for creating an image rendering filter that can be used to produce a desired view of an image. Monitor characteristics can be identified for a monitor that is displaying the image, and viewing characteristics of a viewer intending to view the image can also be identified. The monitor characteristics and the viewing characteristics can be used to create the image rendering filter, which may be applied to the input image the monitor, resulting in an “ideal” image for the particular viewer viewing the image on the particular monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Tanya Matskewich, Gregory Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20130033498
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for reducing font execution instructions for a font, and thereby a file size for the font. The font execution instructions can be scanned (e.g., by examining tables) to identify one or more common instruction sets in the font execution instructions. A function can be defined for a common instruction set, and the instances or appearances of the common instruction set in the font execution instructions can be replaced with a call to the function. Because the call is generally smaller (e.g., comprises fewer lines of code) than the common instruction set it replaces, the number of execution instructions for the font is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Linnerud, Gregory Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 7697003
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for adding hinting instructions to a character in order to improve a character bitmap produced from an outline of the character at a certain size and output resolution when the character outline is scan converted. A character is retrieved to be output. A determination is made that the character belongs to a semantic character classifications, and hinting instructions that are associated with the semantic character classification are accessed. The hinting instructions preserve semantic meaning for the character while altering either stroke presence, stroke location, or both for at least one stroke of at least one feature of the character based on a reference character size and output resolution. If the actual character size and output resolution for the character is within a reference character size and output resolution for the hinting instructions, the hinting instructions are executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Duggan, William Hill, Gregory Hitchcock, Beat Stamm, Geraldine G. Wade
  • Patent number: 7583267
    Abstract: Stroke contrast is preserved for a range of font sizes and display resolutions using programmatic constraints or “hints”. One implementation of a “font hinting” approach enforces a regularization of stroke weights such that stroke contrast is preserved for font sizes and display resolutions sufficient to render it. Font hinting instructions determine a stroke contrast threshold, which may be used to decide whether to preserve or omit stroke contrast when rendering the glyph. In one implementation, the stroke contrast threshold is based on one or more stroke contrast relationships associated with the typeface. In other implementations, the stroke contrast threshold is based on a minimum size threshold or lowercase/uppercase stroke contrast relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Beat Stamm, Gregory Hitchcock, Michael J. Duggan
  • Patent number: 7505040
    Abstract: An auto hinting module defines typographically relevant control points and relative offset constraints for use in composite character generation. Control points in one or more dimensions are defined for each glyph component. The control points may be represented as control points on the outline of the component glyphs, although control points may also be represented by control points positioned relative to the outlines, control lines (e.g., vertical, horizontal, diagonal, etc.) that intersect the outlines, etc. A composite character font hinting module enforces offset constraints between the control points, effectively positioning one of the glyph components relative to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Beat Stamm, Gregory Hitchcock, Michael J. Duggan
  • Patent number: 7422092
    Abstract: A damper/strut that can provide variable damping and spring energy storage and dissipation. One embodiment includes an adjustable magnetorheological damper and a mechanically adjustable fluid spring in association with an internal accumulator. A combination of internal and external electromagnets generate the magnetic fields required to activate internally maintained magnetorheological material so that its apparent viscosity undergoes the desired change for a given disturbance. By controlling the strength of the magnetic fields generated in the device, the damping capacity and energy storage of the compressible liquid spring can be affected to provide a semi-active damper that can both dissipate and store energy. The proposed devices can be coupled with a sensor feedback and a control system to provide fast and accurate response force for a variety of engineering applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory Hitchcock, Faramarz Gordaninejad
  • Patent number: 7364022
    Abstract: Variably controllable motion-damping devices are disclosed that utilize a magneto-rheological fluid (MRF). One configuration of such a device includes a first valving region and a second valving region connected to the first valving region. Between the first and second valving regions is a plate having a first surface adjacent the first valving region and a second surface adjacent the second valving region. At least one of the first and second surfaces is treated to impart a significantly increased shear yield stress to columnized MRF particles passing over the surface, compared to an otherwise similar untreated surface. An MRF is contained in the first and second valving regions such that the MRF can flow through the first and second valving regions. Motion of a first object relative to a second object is damped by causing flow of MRF through the first and second valving regions. A magnet produces a magnetic field within at least one of the valving regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: University of Nevada
    Inventors: Faramarz Gordaninejad, Xiaojie Wang, Gregory Hitchcock, Barkan M. Kavlicoglu, Krishna Kiran Bangrakulur