Patents by Inventor Joshua R. Smith

Joshua R. Smith 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: 6584214
    Abstract: Three-dimensional characteristics of a complex physical structure are used to generate a unique identifier. In effect, the characteristics reperesent the basis of a “physical one-way hash function” that faciliates ready derivation of an identifier based on the physical structure, the structure itself being very difficult to reproduce given only the identifier. The characteristics may be read using a non-contact probe and without the need for precise registration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ravikanth Pappu, Neil Gershenfeld, Joshua R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030063772
    Abstract: An inhomogeneous, optically active medium with optically active components, such as, an ink with reflective flakes or a gemstone dust, is included on or embedded in one or more portions of a workpiece. When the portions are illuminated with visible and/or ultraviolet light, the components, which are also anisotropic, provide readily detectable information that can be extracted for a string which is included on or associated with an indicium that is used to authenticate the workpiece. To verify the workpiece, the one or more portions that contain the optically active medium are again illuminated, and the string is then newly generated from various images of the appearances of the components. The newly generated string or, as appropriate, an indicium that is based on the string is then compared with a string or an indicium that is imprinted on or associated with the workpiece. If the previously and newly generated strings or indicium correspond, the workpiece is determined to be authentic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Joshua R. Smith, Eric Metois, Michael J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20030026448
    Abstract: A system for encoding data into and decoding data from a coded pattern using angular symbology in which symbols are represented by angular orientations of data modulation patterns relative to a reference modulation pattern. The modulation patterns are selected to have components that are localized in a Fourier transform domain. An example of a modulation pattern is a sinusoidal linear pattern in which spatial frequency and angular orientation are localized in the magnitude Fourier transform domain. In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more symbols may be encoded in one or more portions of an image by varying a characteristic of one or more elements of the image in accordance with the data and reference modulation patterns. An element may be image pixels, and the coded pattern is represented by variations to the intensities of the pixels. The coded pattern may be reproduced as a grayscale texture or combined with a non-coded image by adding a graininess to the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Eric Metois, Joshua R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20020095306
    Abstract: A system and method for linking data objects and physical objects of various kinds to an identified user is described. The system provides to the identified user information relating to the delivery status of mail pieces directed to or sent by the user, and the user then tracks and traces the mail pieces. The system further provides to the identified user information relating to continued sessions through which the user provides to a postal service system information relating to mailing labels and postage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Joshua R. Smith, Paul Michael Way, Michael J. Murphy, Andrew V. Sutherland, Eric Metois
  • Publication number: 20020042808
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for linking data objects and physical objects of various kinds for a user is described. A particularly useful application of such linkage associates a user identifier with one or more physical addresses to which the user wishes to direct the delivery of the physical objects. Different types of objects may be directed to the same or different addresses, and the association can be changed partly or wholly by the user when desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Joshua R. Smith, Paul Michael Yarin, Michael J. Murphy, Andrew Victor Sutherland
  • Patent number: 6210771
    Abstract: Fabrics are used as integral elements of electrical circuitry—to facilitate control over the operation of external components connected thereto, to serve as substrates onto which electrical components are connected, or as the electrical components themselves. In one aspect, selective, anisotropic electrical conductivity is achieved using conductive fibers running along one weave direction and non-conductive fibers running along the opposite direction. The conductive fibers, which may be continuous or arranged in lanes, serve as electrical conduits capable of carrying data signals and/or power, and may be connected, for example, to electrical components soldered directly onto the fabric. In a second aspect, passive electrical components are integrated directly textiles using threads having selected electrical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: E. Rehmi Post, Margaret Orth, Emily Cooper, Joshua R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6066954
    Abstract: Apparatus for resolving movement of a mass within a defined space utilizes at least one electrode proximate to the space to be observed. An AC signal is applied to the electrode, and the current measured from that electrode and also to any other electrodes included in the system, and which are effectively connected to the ground return of the AC-coupled electrode. A person (or object) to be sensed intercepts a part of the electric field extending beween the AC-coupled "sending" electrode and the other "receiving" electrodes, the amount of the field intercepted depending on the size and orientation of the sensed person, whether or not the person provides a grounding path, and the geometry of the distributed electrodes. Given the nonlinear spatial dependence of the field, multiple electrodes can reliably distinguish among a set of expected cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Neil Gershenfeld, Joshua R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6051981
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for resolving movement of a mass within a defined space utilizes at least one electrode proximate to the space to be observed. An AC signal is applied to the electrode, and the current measured from that electrode and also to any other electrodes included in the system and which are effectively connected to the ground return of the AC-coupled electrode. A person (or object) to be sensed intercepts a part of the electric field extending beween the AC-coupled "sending" electrode and the other "receiving" electrodes, the amount of the field intercepted depending on the size and orientation of the sensed person, whether or not the person provides a grounding path, and the geometry of the distributed electrodes. Given the nonlinear spatial dependence of the field, multiple electrodes can reliably distinguish among a set of expected cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Neil Gershenfeld, Joshua R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6025726
    Abstract: A quasi-electrostatic sensing system surrounds an electrically conductive mass with an electric field, the magnitude of which is sensed at one or more locations to resolve a property of interest concerning the mass. The object intercepts a part of the electric field extending beween the AC-coupled "sending" electrode and the other "receiving" electrodes, the amount of the field intercepted depending on the size and orientation of the sensed mass, whether or not the mass provides a grounding path, and the geometry of the distributed electrodes. Because the response of the field to an object is a complex nonlinear function, adding electrodes can always distinguish among more cases. In other words, each electrode represents an independent weighting of the mass within the field; adding an electrode provides information regarding that mass that is not redundant to the information provided by the other electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Neil Gershenfeld, Joshua R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5936412
    Abstract: A method for resolving presence, orientation and activity of a person within a defined space utilizes at least two electrodes proximate to the space to be observed. A characterization of the position and orientation is obtained by providing a pattern of measurement clusters each associated with a position and an orientation. An AC signal is applied to one electrode, and the current measured from that electrode to any other electrodes included in the system, and which are effectively connected to the ground return of the AC-coupled electrode. A person (or object) to be sensed intercepts a part of the electric field extending between the AC-coupled "sending" electrode and the other "receiving" electrodes, the amount of the field intercepted depending on the size and orientation of the sensed person, whether or not the person provides a grounding path, and the geometry of the distributed electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Neil Gershenfeld, Joshua R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5914610
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for resolving presence, orientation and activity of a person within a defined space utilizes at least one electrode proximate to the space to be observed. An AC signal is applied to the electrode, and the current measured from that electrode and also to any other electrodes included in the system, and which are effectively connected to the ground return of the AC-coupled electrode. A person (or object) to be sensed intercepts a part of the electric field extending beween the AC-coupled "sending" electrode and the other "receiving" electrodes, the amount of the field intercepted depending on the size and orientation of the sensed person, whether or not the person provides a grounding path, and the geometry of the distributed electrodes. Given the nonlinear spatial dependence of the field, multiple electrodes can reliably distinguish among a set of expected cases. The invention can be configured to detect not only static positions and orientations, but also motion through a defined space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Neil Gershenfeld, Joshua R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5844415
    Abstract: A quasi-electrostatic sensing system surrounds an electrically conductive mass with an electric field, the magnitude of which is sensed at one or more locations to resolve a property of interest concerning the mass. The object intercepts a part of the electric field extending between the AC-coupled "sending" electrode and the other "receiving" electrodes, the amount of the field intercepted depending on the size and orientation of the sensed mass, whether or not the mass provides a grounding path, and the geometry of the distributed electrodes. Because the response of the field to an object is a complex nonlinear function, adding electrodes can always distinguish among more cases. In other words, each electrode represents an independent weighting of the mass within the field; adding an electrode provides information regarding that mass that is not redundant to the information provided by the other electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Neil Gershenfeld, Joshua R. Smith
  • Patent number: D450759
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: The Escher Group, Ltd.
    Inventors: Will Crosby, Michael J. Murphy, Joshua R. Smith, Andrew Sutherland