Patents by Inventor Kevin E. Keller

Kevin E. Keller 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: 10846585
    Abstract: This disclosure describes RFID tags configured to fracture when heated, such as when exposed to threshold levels of electromagnetic energy. In some instances, the RFID tags include materials that expand when heated for the purpose of stressing metal antenna traces of the RFID tags. When under stress from these expansion materials that bond to the antennas (e.g., thermoplastics), these antennas may fracture, thus lessening the risk that the dangerous arcing will occur from the electromagnetic energy, such as when an item and corresponding tag are placed in a microwave oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin E. Keller, Ronald Eugene Huebner, Somasundaram Niranjaya
  • Publication number: 20200178027
    Abstract: Approaches are described for controlling and filtering the display of content by computing devices. In particular, a mobile computing device can adjust the playing of media content (e.g., audio, video, images, games, ringtones) according to situational appropriateness and other environmental factors occurring around the device. For example, a mobile computing device such as a smart phone could use image and audio information captured by its sensors to determine that minors are present within the vicinity of the mobile phone, and filter certain portions of media content that would be deemed inappropriate for those minors. The environmental information can be determined based on data gathered by various sensors of the mobile device, including but not limited to cameras, microphones, global positioning system (GPS) devices, light sensors and others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventor: Kevin E. Keller
  • Patent number: 10555116
    Abstract: Approaches are described for controlling and filtering the display of content by computing devices. In particular, a mobile computing device can adjust the playing of media content (e.g., audio, video, images, games, ringtones) according to situational appropriateness and other environmental factors occurring around the device. For example, a mobile computing device such as a smart phone could use image and audio information captured by its sensors to determine that minors are present within the vicinity of the mobile phone, and filter certain portions of media content that would be deemed inappropriate for those minors. The environmental information can be determined based on data gathered by various sensors of the mobile device, including but not limited to cameras, microphones, global positioning system (GPS) devices, light sensors and others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin E. Keller
  • Patent number: 10268945
    Abstract: This disclosure describes RFID tags configured to fracture when heated, such as when exposed to threshold levels of electromagnetic energy. In some instances, the RFID tags include materials that expand when heated for the purpose of stressing metal antenna traces of the RFID tags. When under stress from these expansion materials that bond to the antennas (e.g., thermoplastics), these antennas may fracture, thus lessening the risk that the dangerous arcing will occur from the electromagnetic energy, such as when an item and corresponding tag are placed in a microwave oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin E. Keller, Ronald Eugene Huebner, Somasundaram Niranjaya
  • Publication number: 20170251336
    Abstract: Approaches are described for controlling and filtering the display of content by computing devices. In particular, a mobile computing device can adjust the playing of media content (e.g., audio, video, images, games, ringtones) according to situational appropriateness and other environmental factors occurring around the device. For example, a mobile computing device such as a smart phone could use image and audio information captured by its sensors to determine that minors are present within the vicinity of the mobile phone, and filter certain portions of media content that would be deemed inappropriate for those minors. The environmental information can be determined based on data gathered by various sensors of the mobile device, including but not limited to cameras, microphones, global positioning system (GPS) devices, light sensors and others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventor: Kevin E. Keller
  • Patent number: 9596568
    Abstract: Approaches are described for controlling and filtering the display of content by computing devices. In particular, a mobile computing device can adjust the playing of media content (e.g., audio, video, images, games, ringtones) according to situational appropriateness and other environmental factors occurring around the device. For example, a mobile computing device such as a smart phone could use image and audio information captured by its sensors to determine that minors are present within the vicinity of the mobile phone, and filter certain portions of media content that would be deemed inappropriate for those minors. The environmental information can be determined based on data gathered by various sensors of the mobile device, including but not limited to cameras, microphones, global positioning system (GPS) devices, light sensors and others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin E. Keller
  • Patent number: 9354657
    Abstract: A computing device may operate in various modes, which may include a full operational mode and a reduced operational mode. When operating in the reduced operational mode, the computing device may reduce power, reduce radiation output, and/or power off various components to achieve operation in accordance with an operational policy. While operating in the reduced operational mode, the computing device may restrict user access to or adjustment of the impacted components thereby preventing the user from restoring the computing device to the full operational mode, at least temporarily. In some aspects, the device may initiate or terminate the reduced operational mode in response to a signal from a beacon, parameters from a monitored environment, or in response to user commands. In various aspects, the device may provide messaging to inform the user about the modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin E. Keller, Steven D. McKenney, Paul E. Misener, David Y. Woo, Gregg Elliott Zehr
  • Patent number: 9304621
    Abstract: A computing device can enable and/or provide communication functionality based at least in part upon a type of pressure applied to the device by a user. In some embodiments, a device can attempt to determine a mood or disposition of the user based upon the way in which the user is gripping and/or squeezing the device, and can provide the user or another person with information about that user's current mood. Similarly, a user might be able to use certain motions or pressure applications at one or more locations on a device to cause certain communications to be sent, such as to send a specific message or convey a certain mood of the user. At least a portion of the computing device can have pressure-sensitive material or capability, in order to allow for input on the sides, back, or other appropriate locations on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter A. Wakim, Kevin E. Keller, Parag K. Garg, Adam S. Kidder, Ryan H. Cassidy
  • Patent number: 9288387
    Abstract: Approaches are described for controlling and filtering the display of content by computing devices. In particular, a mobile computing device can adjust the playing of media content (e.g., audio, video, images, games, ringtones) according to situational appropriateness and other environmental factors occurring around the device. For example, a mobile computing device such as a smart phone could use image and audio information captured by its sensors to determine that minors are present within the vicinity of the mobile phone, and filter certain portions of media content that would be deemed inappropriate for those minors. The environmental information can be determined based on data gathered by various sensors of the mobile device, including but not limited to cameras, microphones, global positioning system (GPS) devices, light sensors and others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin E. Keller
  • Patent number: 9262063
    Abstract: A user interface for a touch-screen display of a dedicated handheld electronic book reader device is described. The user interface detects human gestures manifest as pressure being applied by a finger or stylus to regions on the touch-screen display. In one implementation, the touch-screen user interface enables a user to turn one or more pages in response to applying a force or pressure to the touch-screen display. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface is configured to bookmark a page temporarily by applying a pressure to the display, then allowing a user to turn pages to a new page, but reverting back to a previously-displayed page when the pressure is removed. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface identifies and filters electronic books based on book size and/or a time available to read a book. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface converts text to speech in response to a user touching the touch-screen display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Kim, Christopher Green, Joseph J. Hebenstreit, Kevin E. Keller
  • Patent number: 9183258
    Abstract: Various features are provided for assisting users in efficiently locating and viewing network content of interest, including but not limited to particular portions of web pages. The features are particularly useful for users of mobile computing devices having a limited display size, but may be used with any type of client device. Some features identify popular content items by collectively analyzing the interactive behaviors of a population of users, such as zooming interactions. The results of such analyzes can be used in various ways to improve users' browsing experiences. For example, popular content items can be highlighted on a web page, an option to zoom in automatically on popular content items can be provided, popular content items may be rendered at relatively high resolution, and caching of content items may be based partly on a measure of their popularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett R. Taylor, Kevin E. Keller, Andrew Hayden
  • Patent number: 9037975
    Abstract: Various features are provided for assisting users in efficiently locating and viewing network content of interest, including but not limited to particular portions of web pages. The features are particularly useful for users of mobile computing devices having a limited display size, but may be used with any type of client device. Some features identify popular content items by collectively analyzing the interactive behaviors of a population of users, such as zooming interactions. The results of such analysis can be used in various ways to improve users' browsing experiences. For example, popular content items can be highlighted on a web page, an option to zoom in automatically on popular content items can be provided, popular content items may be rendered at relatively high resolution, and caching of content items may be based partly on a measure of their popularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett R. Taylor, Kevin E. Keller, Andrew Hayden
  • Patent number: 8878809
    Abstract: A user interface for a touch-screen display of a dedicated handheld electronic book reader device is described. The user interface detects human gestures manifest as pressure being applied by a finger or stylus to regions on the touch-screen display. In one implementation, the touch-screen user interface enables a user to turn one or more pages in response to applying a force or pressure to the touch-screen display. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface is configured to bookmark a page temporarily by applying a pressure to the display, then allowing a user to turn pages to a new page, but reverting back to a previously-displayed page when the pressure is removed. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface identifies and filters electronic books based on book size and/or a time available to read a book. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface converts text to speech in response to a user touching the touch-screen display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Kim, Joseph J. Hebenstreit, Christopher Green, Kevin E. Keller
  • Patent number: 8698765
    Abstract: Techniques for associating concepts found within content items rendered by electronic devices. By associating concepts in this manner, a user of an electronic device is able to view how these concepts interrelate with one another across various content items stored on or accessible by the electronic device. For instance, a user may associate a first concept with a second concept in an index of the electronic device. Thereafter, the user may conduct a search for the first concept and, in response, the electronic device may reference the index and determine that this first concept is in fact associated with the second concept. As such, the electronic device may return results that include both the first and second concepts, possibly within a certain specified distance of one another within a content item. The user is therefore able to see how the first concept and the second concept interrelate with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin E. Keller
  • Patent number: 8624851
    Abstract: A user interface for a touch-screen display of a dedicated handheld electronic book reader device is described. The user interface detects human gestures manifest as pressure being applied by a finger or stylus to regions on the touch-screen display. In one implementation, the touch-screen user interface enables a user to turn one or more pages in response to applying a force or pressure to the touch-screen display. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface is configured to bookmark a page temporarily by applying a pressure to the display, then allowing a user to turn pages to a new page, but reverting back to a previously-displayed page when the pressure is removed. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface identifies and filters electronic books based on book size and/or a time available to read a book. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface converts text to speech in response to a user touching the touch-screen display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Kim, Christopher Green, Joseph J. Hebenstreit, Kevin E. Keller
  • Patent number: 8621251
    Abstract: A computing device may operate in various modes, which may include a full operational mode and a reduced operational mode. When operating in the reduced operational mode, the computing device may reduce power, reduce radiation output, and/or power off various components to achieve operation in accordance with an operational policy. While operating in the reduced operational mode, the computing device may restrict user access to or adjustment of the impacted components thereby preventing the user from restoring the computing device to the full operational mode, at least temporarily. In some aspects, the device may initiate or terminate the reduced operational mode in response to a signal from a beacon, parameters from a monitored environment, or in response to user commands. In various aspects, the device may provide messaging to inform the user about the modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin E. Keller, Steven D. McKenney, Paul E. Misener, David Y. Woo, Gregg Elliott Zehr
  • Patent number: 8542205
    Abstract: Techniques for outputting different content on a touch-sensitive display of a device based at least in part on an amount of force applied to the touch-sensitive display. For instance, when a user reads an electronic book (eBook) on a device having a touch-sensitive display, the user may select a word and the device may accordingly display information associated with the selected word. Thereafter, the user may apply a greater or lesser amount of force to the selected word and, in response, the device may output other instances or uses of the selected word. This document also describes techniques for refining search results associated with a particular word or phrase based at least in part on a measured amount of force associated with a selection. For instance, the device may refine (e.g., expand or narrow) illustrated search results based on the user providing greater or lesser force on the touch-sensitive display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin E. Keller
  • Patent number: 8471824
    Abstract: A user interface for a touch-screen display of a dedicated handheld electronic book reader device is described. The user interface detects human gestures manifest as pressure being applied by a finger or stylus to regions on the touch-screen display. In one implementation, the touch-screen user interface enables a user to turn one or more pages in response to applying a force or pressure to the touch-screen display. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface is configured to bookmark a page temporarily by applying a pressure to the display, then allowing a user to turn pages to a new page, but reverting back to a previously-displayed page when the pressure is removed. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface identifies and filters electronic books based on book size and/or a time available to read a book. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface converts text to speech in response to a user touching the touch-screen display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Kim, Joseph J. Hebenstreit, Christopher Green, Kevin E. Keller
  • Patent number: 8451238
    Abstract: A user interface for a touch-screen display of a dedicated handheld electronic book reader device is described. The user interface detects human gestures manifest as pressure being applied by a finger or stylus to regions on the touch-screen display. In one implementation, the touch-screen user interface enables a user to turn one or more pages in response to applying a force or pressure to the touch-screen display. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface is configured to bookmark a page temporarily by applying a pressure to the display, then allowing a user to turn pages to a new page, but reverting back to a previously-displayed page when the pressure is removed. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface identifies and filters electronic books based on book size and/or a time available to read a book. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface converts text to speech in response to a user touching the touch-screen display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Kim, Joseph J. Hebenstreit, Christopher Green, Kevin E. Keller
  • Publication number: 20110050592
    Abstract: A user interface for a touch-screen display of a dedicated handheld electronic book reader device is described. The user interface detects human gestures manifest as pressure being applied by a finger or stylus to regions on the touch-screen display. In one implementation, the touch-screen user interface enables a user to turn one or more pages in response to applying a force or pressure to the touch-screen display. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface is configured to bookmark a page temporarily by applying a pressure to the display, then allowing a user to turn pages to a new page, but reverting back to a previously-displayed page when the pressure is removed. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface identifies and filters electronic books based on book size and/or a time available to read a book. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface converts text to speech in response to a user touching the touch-screen display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: John T. Kim, Christopher Green, Joseph J. Hebenstreit, Kevin E. Keller