Patents by Inventor James Samuel Bowen
James Samuel Bowen 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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Patent number: 9961744Abstract: Devices such as electronic book readers, televisions, and so forth may use reflective display technologies. Described herein are devices and methods for ambient light sensing for use in conjunction with displays. A light guide panel is coupled to a light sensor to measure ambient light impinging on the light guide panel. Where the display is reflective, the light guide panel may be configured to provide for illumination of the display.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey B. Doar, James Samuel Bowen, Robert W. Zehner, Allen Lee
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Patent number: 9495915Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses are disclosed to adjust an intensity of light emitted from front lights and/or to adjust a visual representation of content displayed by an electronic device based at least in part on a measurement of light intensity by a light sensor. An electronic display may present a visual representation of objects including text and images, which may be subject to changes in size and contrast due to the measured levels of ambient light. A display controller may also control activation and/or intensity of lights used to illuminate the electronic display based on the measurement of light intensity by the light sensor in addition to or separate from the adjustments to contrast and size of the content.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2010Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Vijay Manyam, James Samuel Bowen
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Patent number: 9478143Abstract: Architectures and techniques are described to provide assistance to read electronic books. In particular, a computing device may receive input from an individual while the individual is reading an electronic book, such as voice input, gaze tracking input, touch screen input, and so on. Based on the input gathered while the individual reads the electronic book, the computing device may determine a particular portion of the electronic book, such as one or more words of the electronic book, that the individual is reading. The computing device may also utilize the input gathered while the individual reads the electronic book to determine whether the individual needs assistance in reading one or more words of the electronic book, such as assistance in pronouncing the one or more words. The computing device may then provide assistance to the individual to read the one or more words.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: James Samuel Bowen
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Patent number: 9355559Abstract: A remote control is used to control one or more media devices which may be in various media device states during operation. Based on media device state data, different media device control profiles may be applied. The media device control profiles may specify mapping of particular buttons on the remote control to particular functions on the media device, designate a communication path to use, and so forth.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James Samuel Bowen, Menashe Haskin, Daniel Christopher Bay, Edward Dietz Crump
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Patent number: 9329679Abstract: A projection and camera system projects content onto a passive, multi-surface projection screen. When a first surface of the screen is oriented to receive the projected images, the system detects this first surface and projects content associated with that surface of the screen. When a second surface is oriented to receive the projected images, the system detects this change from the first surface to the second surface and projects different content associated with the second surface. In this manner, to switch between different content or different applications, the user merely needs to turn the screen over.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Deborah M. Shepard, Menashe Haskin, James Samuel Bowen
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Patent number: 9295004Abstract: A user device receives a command to transmit information at a transmit power level specified by a wireless carrier. The user device determines whether transmitting the information at the specified transmit power level using a first duty cycle will cause the user device to violate a condition. Responsive to determining that transmitting the information at the specified transmit power level using the first duty cycle will cause the user device to violate the condition, the user device determines a new duty cycle that is lower than the first duty cycle, and transmits the information using the new duty cycle.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Varadarajan Gopalakrishnan, James Samuel Bowen, In Chul Hyun, David Woo
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Patent number: 9105966Abstract: A user device having a non-radiating exciter operatively coupled to feed a multi-band aperture antenna is described.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Weiping Dou, James Samuel Bowen
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Patent number: 8933916Abstract: Devices such as electronic book readers, televisions, and so forth may use reflective display technologies. Described herein are devices and methods for ambient light sensing for use in conjunction with displays. A light guide panel is coupled to a light sensor to measure ambient light impinging on the light guide panel. Where the display is reflective, the light guide panel may be configured to provide for illumination of the display.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Inventors: Jeffrey B. Doar, James Samuel Bowen, Robert W. Zehner, Allen Lee
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Publication number: 20140329552Abstract: A user device receives a command to transmit information at a transmit power level specified by a wireless carrier. The user device determines whether transmitting the information at the specified transmit power level using a first duty cycle will cause the user device to violate a condition. Responsive to determining that transmitting the information at the specified transmit power level using the first duty cycle will cause the user device to violate the condition, the user device determines a new duty cycle that is lower than the first duty cycle, and transmits the information using the new duty cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Inventors: Varadarajan Gopalakrishnan, James Samuel Bowen, In Chul Hyun, David Woo
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Patent number: 8792930Abstract: A user device receives a command to transmit information at a transmit power level specified by a wireless carrier. The user device makes a determination as to whether transmitting the information at the specified transmit power level will cause the user device to violate a condition. When it is determined that transmitting the information at the specified transmit power level will cause the user device to violate the condition, the user device dynamically computes a new transmit power level that is lower than the specified transmit power level. The user device then transmits the information at the new transmit power level.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Varadarajan Gopalakrishnan, James Samuel Bowen, In Chul Hyun, David Woo
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Patent number: 8766919Abstract: An electronic device in a low power mode, for example an eBook reader device, may use a fast awake module to quickly update a display. The electronic device may receive an interrupt, begin to awaken, present a cached pre-rendered image on the display, and may resume the low power mode or pre-render additional images to refill the cache before resuming the low power mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2010Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Inventors: Manish Lachwani, Jay Michael Puckett, David Berbessou, James Samuel Bowen, David J. Isbister
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Patent number: 8749478Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses are disclosed to adjust a visual representation of content displayed by an electronic device based at least in part on a measured light intensity. In some aspects, a light sensor may be used to measure a light intensity of ambient light. An electronic display may present a visual representation of objects including text and images. A display controller may control aspects of the electronic display based on at least the light intensity, such as a font size of the text, size of the images, or contrast of the text and the images. In further aspects, the electronic display may be an electronic paper display.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2009Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: James Samuel Bowen
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Patent number: 8577426Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to systems and techniques for reducing power consumption in a mobile computing device. In one or more embodiments, a mobile computing device may be arranged to determine a user environment based on detected antenna impedance or detected current. After the user environment is determined, the mobile computing device may confirm that total radiation power (TRP) for the mobile computing device at an initial conducted power level exceeds the minimum TRP threshold required by the network carrier to receive acceptable quality of service (QoS). Based on the excess TRP for the particular user environment, the mobile computing device may determine a reduced conducted power level to be input to an antenna system. Accordingly, significant power savings may be achieved. To save additional power, the mobile computing device may automatically adjust and/or improve antenna impedance matching based on user environment allowing a further reduction in conducted power.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2012Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Weiping Dou, James Samuel Bowen, Olivier Boireau, Avi Kopelman
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Patent number: 8489162Abstract: A user device having a slot antenna formed in metallic material of a structural member is described.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Weiping Dou, James Samuel Bowen
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Patent number: 8434685Abstract: Described herein are accessory devices that are configured to both perform accessory functions for electronic devices, as well as output content that is supplemental or complementary to content being output by the electronic devices. The accessory functionality of the accessory devices may be far-ranging and may include reading lights, covers, projectors, universal serial bus (USB) drives, cameras, page-turn buttons, audio jacks, expansion headers, Bluetooth devices, biometric sensors, ambient light sensors, and more. These accessory devices may complement the operation of any number of electronic devices. For instance, an accessory device may both comprise a reading light to illuminate a display of an electronic book (eBook) reader device, as well as a display to display content that has been deemed supplemental to the content being displayed by the eBook reader device.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Hannah Rebecca Lewbel, James Samuel Bowen
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Publication number: 20120238331Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to systems and techniques for reducing power consumption in a mobile computing device. In one or more embodiments, a mobile computing device may be arranged to determine a user environment based on detected antenna impedance or detected current. After the user environment is determined, the mobile computing device may confirm that total radiation power (TRP) for the mobile computing device at an initial conducted power level exceeds the minimum TRP threshold required by the network carrier to receive acceptable quality of service (QoS). Based on the excess TRP for the particular user environment, the mobile computing device may determine a reduced conducted power level to be input to an antenna system. Accordingly, significant power savings may be achieved. To save additional power, the mobile computing device may automatically adjust and/or improve antenna impedance matching based on user environment allowing a further reduction in conducted power.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Inventors: Weiping Dou, James Samuel Bowen, Olivier Boireau, Avi Kopelman
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Patent number: 8259982Abstract: A mobile computing device comprises a printed circuit board, a processing circuit, a surface mount microphone, and a vibration attenuation portion. The processing circuit is disposed on a first portion of the printed circuit board. The surface mount microphone is disposed on a second portion of the printed circuit board. The vibration attenuation portion of the board is configured to attenuate vibrations from the first to the second portion of the printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2007Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: James Samuel Bowen
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Patent number: 8224400Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to systems and techniques for reducing power consumption in a mobile computing device. In one or more embodiments, a mobile computing device may be arranged to determine a user environment based on detected antenna impedance or detected current. After the user environment is determined, the mobile computing device may confirm that total radiation power (TRP) for the mobile computing device at an initial conducted power level exceeds the minimum TRP threshold required by the network carrier to receive acceptable quality of service (QoS). Based on the excess TRP for the particular user environment, the mobile computing device may determine a reduced conducted power level to be input to an antenna system. Accordingly, significant power savings may be achieved. To save additional power, the mobile computing device may automatically adjust and/or improve antenna impedance matching based on user environment allowing a further reduction in conducted power.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Weiping Dou, James Samuel Bowen, Olivier Boireau, Avi Kopelman
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Patent number: 8208624Abstract: A device such as a mobile phone includes a device to be hearing aid compatible. The device may include a first speaker for private listening operation and a second speaker that provides both speakerphone operation and hearing aid (e.g. telecoil) operation. The device may include a first use position for normal listening and a second, substantially different, use position for telecoil operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2006Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: James Samuel Bowen
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Publication number: 20120062729Abstract: A computing device can analyze image or video information to determine a relative position of an active user. The computing device can optimize audio or video data capture based at least in part upon the relative location. The device can capture audio using one or more microphones pointing toward the relative location of the active user, and can use other microphones to determine audio from other sources to be removed from the captured audio. If video data is being captured, a video capture element can be adjusted to focus primarily on the active user. The position of the user can be monitored so the audio and video data capture can be adjusted accordingly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gregory M. Hart, Jeffrey P. Bezos, Frances MHH Kwee, James Samuel Bowen