Patents by Inventor Hamish C. Hunt

Hamish C. Hunt 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: 10078783
    Abstract: A method and system for authenticating a user. A first digital representation of an iris of an eye of at least one authentic user is obtained. A second digital representation of at least one authentic overlay pattern is obtained. A third digital representation of a captured image of an iris of a user to be authenticated is obtained, where the iris of the user has been overlaid with a contact lens including a further overlay pattern thereby creating an image composed of the iris of the user and the further overlay pattern. An expected digital representation of an iris of at least one authentic user is generated, by combining the first and second digital representations. Authenticating the user is attempted by comparing the third digital representation with the expected digital representation. An authentication signal indicative of whether authentication of the user has been successful is generated based on the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hamish C. Hunt, Ashley Shea
  • Publication number: 20180234817
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a second mobile device in response to a first mobile device having no connection to a telephony service. A first unique identifier is assigned to the first group by a broker service apparatus that is a computer apparatus. The telephony service is notified of the first unique identifier. In response to receiving a first control signal including the first unique identifier and from the telephony service, the first unique identifier is used to identify the first group. The data is targeted to the first mobile device. In response to the first mobile device not being connected to the broker service apparatus and the second mobile device being connected to the broker service apparatus, a second control signal, which includes the identifier of the first mobile device, is issued to the second mobile device in order to forward the data to the second mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Hamish C. Hunt, Nicholas K. Lincoln, Christopher J. Poole, Mark A. Woolley
  • Patent number: 10049358
    Abstract: Secure passcode entry using a mobile device having augmented reality capability. The mobile device is registered with an authorization server to register an agreed input display algorithm with an initialization seed, and a user passcode is registered with the authorization server. A superset of options is obtained from an input interface device at which a user passcode is to be entered. The superset of options is processed using the input display algorithm and initialization seed to result in an arrangement of characters including the characters of a registered user passcode. The arrangement of characters is overlaid using the augmented reality capability of the mobile device in relation to an input interface of the input interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Simon A. S. Briggs, James K. Hook, Hamish C. Hunt, Nicholas K. Lincoln
  • Patent number: 10042988
    Abstract: A method for viewing a plurality of encrypted code displayed within an integrated development environment with a pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses. A plurality of user login credentials submitted by a user utilizing the pair of AR glasses to access a plurality of encrypted code. The method may determine the user is authorized to access a portion of the plurality of encrypted code based on the received plurality of user login credentials. The method may further decrypt the portion based on determining the user is authorized to access the portion. The method may further include displaying the decrypted portion on a lens within the pair of AR glasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James K. Hook, Hamish C. Hunt, Nicholas K. Lincoln
  • Publication number: 20180197005
    Abstract: A method and system for authenticating a user. A first digital representation of an iris of an eye of at least one authentic user is obtained. A second digital representation of at least one authentic overlay pattern is obtained. A third digital representation of a captured image of an iris of a user to be authenticated is obtained, where the iris of the user has been overlaid with a contact lens including a further overlay pattern thereby creating an image composed of the iris of the user and the further overlay pattern. An expected digital representation of an iris of at least one authentic user is generated, by combining the first and second digital representations. Authenticating the user is attempted by comparing the third digital representation with the expected digital representation. An authentication signal indicative of whether authentication of the user has been successful is generated based on the comparing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Hamish C. Hunt, Ashley Shea
  • Publication number: 20180165922
    Abstract: Controlling transmission of an alert to a user of a device providing audio. An event which is identified as an alert is detected, and it is determined that the alert is a notifiable alert. A movement sensor associated with the user is monitored during a time period after detection of the notifiable alert. During the time period, it is determined whether movement of the sensor has deviated from a prior pattern of movement. A deviation indicates a user response to the alert. An action to alert the user is taken if the movement of the sensor during the time period has not deviated from the prior pattern of movement indicating that the user has not responded to the original alert. There is no such action if the movement of the sensor has deviated from the prior pattern of movement indicating a user response to the alert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Hamish C. Hunt, Nicholas K. Lincoln, Christopher J. Poole, Mark A. Woolley
  • Publication number: 20180109478
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for lossy data compression is provided. The method may also include determining a length and a plurality of bounding characters associated with each data item within the data message. The method may further include encoding each data item within the data message by replacing each data item with the determined length and the determined plurality of bounding characters. The method may also include transmitting the data message to a recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Hamish C. Hunt, Nicholas K. Lincoln, Christopher J. Poole, Mark A. Woolley
  • Publication number: 20180091362
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and computer program products for operating and controlling network-enabled devices. A network-enabled device communicates capability information representative of its set of capabilities. The network-enabled device also communicates a status signal indicative of the status of the device. It may be determined that the first network-enabled device is unable or unavailable to perform a function based on a status signal communicated by the first network-enabled device. A second network-enabled device may be identified to assign a failover function to based on the respective capabilities of the second network-enabled devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: JAMES K. HOOK, HAMISH C. HUNT, NICHOLAS K. LINCOLN, SIMON D. STONE
  • Patent number: 9912624
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for lossy data compression is provided. The method may include receiving a data message from a sender. The method may also include determining a length and a plurality of bounding characters associated with each data item within the received data message. The method may further include encoding each data item within the received data message by replacing each data item with the determined length and the determined plurality of bounding characters. The method may also include transmitting the received data message to a recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hamish C. Hunt, Nicholas K. Lincoln, Christopher J. Poole, Mark A. Woolley
  • Publication number: 20180062913
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and computer program products for operating and controlling network-enabled devices. A network-enabled device communicates capability information representative of its set of capabilities. The network-enabled device also communicates a status signal indicative of the status of the device. It may be determined that the first network-enabled device is unable or unavailable to perform a function based on a status signal communicated by the first network-enabled device. A second network-enabled device may be identified to assign a failover function to based on the respective capabilities of the second network-enabled devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: JAMES K. HOOK, HAMISH C. HUNT, NICHOLAS K. LINCOLN, SIMON D. STONE
  • Publication number: 20170366554
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for generating peer-to-peer augmented reality handlers. The method includes receiving, from a user wearing a pair of augmented reality glasses, an indication that the user intends to place an augmented reality handler at a location where the user is currently looking. The augmented reality handler is for visually associating content with an item of interest to the user. The method further includes determining, by the augmented reality glasses, the location where the user is currently looking. The method also includes creating the augmented reality handler in three-dimensional space at the location and presenting, by the augmented reality glasses, the augmented reality handler to the user. The method additionally includes creating an access control list to determine authorized individuals able to use this handler. The method further includes presenting the augmented reality handler to the authorized individuals, based on the access control list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: James K. Hook, Hamish C. Hunt, Nicholas K. Lincoln, Benjamin Miller
  • Publication number: 20170337359
    Abstract: A method for viewing a plurality of encrypted code displayed within an integrated development environment with a pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses. A plurality of user login credentials submitted by a user utilizing the pair of AR glasses to access a plurality of encrypted code. The method may determine the user is authorized to access a portion of the plurality of encrypted code based on the received plurality of user login credentials. The method may further decrypt the portion based on determining the user is authorized to access the portion. The method may further include displaying the decrypted portion on a lens within the pair of AR glasses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: James K. Hook, Hamish C. Hunt, Nicholas K. Lincoln
  • Patent number: 9816501
    Abstract: A window has a pane of transparent material. A first set of microfluidic channels pass through a first area of the pane, and a second set of microfluidic channels pass through a second area of the pane. Microfluidic planes are in fluid communication with the first and second sets of microfluidic channels. A first pump is in fluid communication with the first set of microfluidic channels, and selectively moves a first fluid having a first level of opacity through the microfluidic planes via the first set of microfluidic channels. A second pump is in fluid communication with the second set of microfluidic channels, and selectively moves a second fluid having a second level of opacity through the microfluidic planes via the second set of microfluidic channels. Moving the second fluid into the microfluidic planes pushes the first fluid out of the microfluidic planes, thereby adjusting an opacity of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Simon A. S. Briggs, James K. Hook, Hamish C. Hunt, Nicholas K. Lincoln
  • Publication number: 20170315629
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for emulating a laser pointer with a mobile device are provided. Aspects include determining a position of the mobile device in a room having a display screen, determining a location of the display screen in the room, and determining an orientation of the mobile device. Aspects also include calculating a line vector originating from the mobile device and modifying a display on the display screen to include an indicator of a point at which the line vector intersects the display screen based on a determination that the line vector intersects the display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: JAMES K. HOOK, HAMISH C. HUNT, NICHOLAS K. LINCOLN, SIMON D. STONE
  • Publication number: 20170286650
    Abstract: A method for viewing a plurality of encrypted code displayed within an integrated development environment with a pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses. A plurality of user login credentials submitted by a user utilizing the pair of AR glasses to access a plurality of encrypted code. The method may determine the user is authorized to access a portion of the plurality of encrypted code based on the received plurality of user login credentials. The method may further decrypt the portion based on determining the user is authorized to access the portion. The method may further include displaying the decrypted portion on a lens within the pair of AR glasses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: James K. Hook, Hamish C. Hunt, Nicholas K. Lincoln
  • Patent number: 9734411
    Abstract: A method assists in locating objects using their images. One or more processors receive a set of one or more machine readable reference images of an object, and then distribute the set of one or more machine readable reference images to a plurality of computing devices, where each computing device from the plurality of computing devices is capable of capturing an image. Each computing device from the plurality of computing devices captures a set of one or more images. For each set of one or more images in each computing device from the plurality of computing devices, machine logic within each computing device determines whether each set of one or more images includes an image portion corresponding to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Simon A. S. Briggs, James K. Hook, Hamish C. Hunt, Nicholas K. Lincoln
  • Patent number: 9674596
    Abstract: A headphone apparatus with selectable sound admission is described including an earphone apparatus. The earphone apparatus includes a housing being shaped to substantially cover an ear of a wearer when the headphone apparatus is worn, a sound emitting component within the housing, a baffle member formed of a flexible, sound-insulating material in the form of an open-ended tube having an outer open end and an inner open end with a central axis through the tube, the baffle member has an open arrangement with the tube providing an open channel and a closed arrangement in which the baffle member is twisted about the central axis to form a closed neck in the baffle member thereby preventing sound from transmission through the tube, and an operating mechanism for operating switching of the baffle member between the open and closed arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Simon A. Briggs, James K. Hook, Hamish C. Hunt, Nicholas K. Lincoln
  • Publication number: 20170153784
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system, method and computer program product for a graphic user interface (GUI) comprising: a GUI controller for controlling a GUI; a graphical cursor engine for projecting a mouse cursor on to a GUI and responsive to a user moving and controlling a mouse to select the graphical controls; a user action recorder for recording sequences of user actions in the GUI in a database of user sequences for a plurality of GUI user sessions; a next action engine for determining, in a particular GUI user session, a next action with the highest probability for a particular GUI based on one or more recorded sequences for that GUI in the database of user sequences and user past actions in that session; and a biasing engine for biasing graphical cursor movement towards the next action with the highest probability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: ANDREW S. FELTHAM, JAMES K. HOOK, HAMISH C. HUNT, NICHOLAS K. LINCOLN
  • Publication number: 20170147179
    Abstract: The present invention relates to controlling at least a motion of a cursor relative to at least two graphically-displayed windows on at least a computer monitor, each window comprising at least a respective interaction area and each respective interaction area comprising at least an interaction point, wherein at least a distance between at least two interaction points is measured, each interaction point being in a respective interaction area of one of the windows. At least an active dynamic margin is provided to each of the respective interaction areas in response to any value up to a predetermined, interaction threshold value being measured between their interaction points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: JAMES K. HOOK, HAMISH C. HUNT, NICHOLAS K. LINCOLN
  • Publication number: 20170127168
    Abstract: A headphone apparatus with selectable sound admission is described including an earphone apparatus. The earphone apparatus includes a housing being shaped to substantially cover an ear of a wearer when the headphone apparatus is worn, a sound emitting component within the housing, a baffle member formed of a flexible, sound-insulating material in the form of an open-ended tube having an outer open end and an inner open end with a central axis through the tube, the baffle member has an open arrangement with the tube providing an open channel and a closed arrangement in which the baffle member is twisted about the central axis to form a closed neck in the baffle member thereby preventing sound from transmission through the tube, and an operating mechanism for operating switching of the baffle member between the open and closed arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Simon A. Briggs, James K. Hook, Hamish C. Hunt, Nicholas K. Lincoln