Patents by Inventor Ken W. Heitland

Ken W. Heitland 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: 8471868
    Abstract: System, methods, and computer-readable media for providing a gesture-controlled user interface in interacting with a communication device are provided. Embodiments of the present invention include a communication device that recognizes a gesture made by a person that has one or more transducers attached to their hand. The gesture is recognized by performing calculations on the sound waves received from the one or more transducers. In addition, the gesture may be recognized using a digital camera and image recognition techniques. In one embodiment, the gesture is recognized using an echolocation system that transmits ultrasonic waves and captures the waves reflected off the object making the gesture. In another embodiment, the gesture is made and interpreted in relation to a user interface that is projected from the communication device using a laser projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas Henry Wilson, Carl Persson, Ken W. Heitland