Patents by Inventor Matthew Bell

Matthew Bell 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).

  • Electronic device including touch-sensitive input surface and method of determining user-selected input
    Patent number: 8384677
    Abstract: A method of determining input at a touch-sensitive input surface of a portable electronic device includes detecting a touch event at the touch-sensitive input surface, sampling touch attributes during the touch event, determining an actual touch location and determining at least one shift in touch location based on the touch attributes sampled during the touch event, and determining an input based on the actual touch location and the direction of shift of the touch location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: David Mak-Fan, Kuo-Feng Tong, Matthew Bells, Douglas Rider, Michael Langlois, Jong-Suk Lee, Jason T. Griffin, Colin Ho
  • Apparatus, and an associated method, for providing and using opaque presence indications in a presence service
    Patent number: 8386769
    Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, enables presence information of a presentity to be retrieved by a watcher. Elements, or portions, of the presence information may be made selectively opaque (unreadable) to any but authorized watchers or other consumers of the presentity information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Bells, Gerhard D. Klassen, Brian Edward McColgan
  • Estimating a location of a mobile device
    Patent number: 8385941
    Abstract: The approximate location of a directed cell of a cellular network is calculated based on locations in the vicinity of which mobile devices were able to detect the directed cell. A mobile device is able to estimate its own location from the approximate locations of one or more directed cells that it can identify. This estimated location of the mobile device may be used to seed its GPS receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Bells, Christopher Wormald, Gerhard Dietrich Klassen
  • Method and apparatus for a touch-sensitive display
    Patent number: 8378798
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for displaying a view of an application on a touch-sensitive display include detecting a touch on the touch-sensitive display. When the touch is at a first force, first feedback is provided and a first function is performed. When the touch is at a second force, second feedback is provided and a second function is performed. The first function and the second function are different. The first force and the second force are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Bells, Jordanna Kwok, Colin Ho, Kuo-Feng Tong, Deepankar Banshilal Jain, Douglas Clayton Rider, Ian Paul Barta
  • SCISSOR LINKAGE MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20130032682
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for an object including a rear mounting plate, a linkage system having first, second, third and fourth links, each of the first, second, third and fourth links includes first and second ends, and a swivel assembly. The first end of each of the first and second links is pivotably secured to the rear mounting plate, the second end of each of the third and fourth links is pivotably secured to the swivel assembly, the second end of the first link is pivotably secured to the first end of the third link, and the second end of the second link is pivotably secured to the first end of the fourth link. The linkage system includes a first gear and a second gear, and the first gear is rotatably connected to the second gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Weber Knapp Company
    Inventor: Matthew A. BELL
  • Facilitating text-to-speech conversion of a username or a network address containing a username
    Patent number: 8352271
    Abstract: To facilitate text-to-speech conversion of a username, a first or last name of a user associated with the username may be retrieved, and a pronunciation of the username may be determined based at least in part on whether the name forms at least part of the username. To facilitate text-to-speech conversion of a domain name having a top level domain and at least one other level domain, a pronunciation for the top level domain may be determined based at least in part upon whether the top level domain is one of a predetermined set of top level domains. Each other level domain may be searched for one or more recognized words therewithin, and a pronunciation of the other level domain may be determined based at least in part on an outcome of the search. The username and domain name may form part of a network address such as an email address, URL or URI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Bells, Jennifer Elizabeth Lhotak, Michael Angelo Nanni
  • System and method for escalating event alerts
    Patent number: 8350681
    Abstract: An event entry is stored in a computing device, the event entry having a start time associated therewith. A plurality of alerts are provided at respective times prior to the start time, and one of a plurality of levels of notification to be associated with each of the plurality of alerts, wherein the plurality of levels are distinguishable from each other to enable the alerts to be escalated by changing the level associated with each subsequent alert. An initial alert is provided prior to the start time, the initial alert comprising a first level of notification and, upon detecting an increased urgency associated with the event entry subsequent to the initial alert, a next alert is provided prior to the start time, the next alert providing a second level of notification to thereby escalate the next alert with respect to the initial alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Matthew Bells
  • CAPTURING AND ALIGNING MULTIPLE 3-DIMENSIONAL SCENES
    Publication number: 20130004060
    Abstract: The capture and alignment of multiple 3D scenes is disclosed. Three dimensional capture device data from different locations is received thereby allowing for different perspectives of 3D scenes. An algorithm uses the data to determine potential alignments between different 3D scenes via coordinate transformations. Potential alignments are evaluated for quality and subsequently aligned subject to the existence of sufficiently high relative or absolute quality. A global alignment of all or most of the input 3D scenes into a single coordinate frame may be achieved. The presentation of areas around a particular hole or holes takes place thereby allowing the user to capture the requisite 3D scene containing areas within the hole or holes as well as part of the surrounding area using, for example, the 3D capture device. The new 3D captured scene is aligned with existing 3D scenes and/or 3D composite scenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Matthew Bell, Dave Gausebeck
  • GRAPHICS STACK SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20130002692
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for drawing graphics, such as to display a user interface on a display of a mobile device. A graphics stack is used to store pre-computed coordinate values to improve performance for drawing graphics, such as to display a user interface on a display of a mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Matthew Bells, Brian A. Young
  • Method and device for activation of components
    Patent number: 8335938
    Abstract: A method and electronic device for activating components based on predicted device activity. The method and device include maintaining a set of device activity information storing data collected from components in the device. The device activity information may be maintained over a predetermined time period and may include times associated with the collected component data. The device activity information may include data regarding scheduled events. Device activity and the appropriate activation state of a component on the device may be predicted based on the current time, current data collected from components in the device and data in the device activity information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventors: Kevin Howard Orr, Matthew Bells
  • DISPLAY WITH BUILT IN 3D SENSING CAPABILITY AND GESTURE CONTROL OF TV
    Publication number: 20120317511
    Abstract: Information from execution of a vision processing module may be used to control a 3D vision system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES HOLDING 67 LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Bell
  • USER CHARACTER INPUT INTERFACE WITH MODIFIER SUPPORT
    Publication number: 20120302291
    Abstract: A user interface suited for use on mobile devices for entering characters which may require one or more modifiers is disclosed. The interface may be implemented utilizing a touch screen interface on which a user engages the interface, is provided feedback, and removes the user's touch to enter a character. The interface presents a series of main, supplemental and modifier keys. Touching an interface button or main key presents a series of “petals” or supplemental keys emanating from the main key. Each petal or supplemental key may in turn present one or more sub petals or modifier keys emanating from the supplemental key. Each petal or sub-petal may represent another character or a modifier action. The characters and/or actions on the supplemental keys and modifier keys provide options for characters or modifiers which are dependent or related to the main input key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Mori, Shinji Morimitsu, Kazuhide Oigo, Takeshi Tanaka, Eric Matthew Bell, Liang Chen, Juan Dai, William Arthur Steward Buxton
  • DEVICE USER INTERFACE TO INPUT EMOJI AND OTHER SYMBOLS
    Publication number: 20120304074
    Abstract: An integrated symbols user interface (UI) provides a collection of different symbols for inputting symbols into messages, such as email message, IM messages, and SMS text messages. The integrated symbols UI may group symbols in a number of different category panes. Additionally, the integrated symbols UI may provide a history pane with previously used symbols. Only a portion of the integrated symbols UI may be displayed on a display screen of device at a time. A user may seamlessly pan over the integrated symbols UI to move between the panes. In some embodiments, the integrated symbols UI may also include a category list pane that allows a user to navigate directly to a particular category pane or the history pane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: KEITA OOI, ERIC MATTHEW BELL, YASUHIKO MORI, TAKETOSHI YOSHIDA, SONGMING HE, LIANG CHEN
  • PROCESSING OF GESTURE-BASED USER INTERACTIONS USING VOLUMETRIC ZONES
    Publication number: 20120287044
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing gesture-based user interactions within an interactive display area are provided. The display of one or more virtual objects and user interactions with the one or more virtual objects may be further provided. Multiple interactive areas may be created by partitioning an area proximate a display into multiple volumetric spaces or zones. The zones may be associated with respective user interaction capabilities. A representation of a user on the display may change as the ability of the user to interact with one or more virtual object changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES HOLDING 67 LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Bell, Tipatat Chennavasin, Charles H. Clanton, Michael Hulme, Eyal Ophir, Matthew Vieta
  • Interactive video display system using strobed light
    Patent number: 8300042
    Abstract: An interactive video display system uses strobing light to allow easy and unencumbered interaction between a person and projected video images. A camera may be synchronized to the strobing light and the strobing light may be in an infrared spectral range. A processing system detects images of a human in the field of view of the camera and controls the display so that the projected video images are changed based on an interaction between the human and the projected video images. The system may project the video images on a surface around the person and may move the projected video images on the surface based on a movement of the person. The projected video images may include computer-generated characters and/or virtual objects that react to the movement of a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Bell
  • Graphics stack system and method
    Patent number: 8296685
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for drawing graphics, such as to display a user interface on a display of a mobile device. A graphics stack is used to store pre-computed coordinate values to improve performance for drawing graphics, such as to display a user interface on a display of a mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Bells, Brian A. Young
  • Method and apparatus for memory management in an electronic device
    Patent number: 8275741
    Abstract: A method of memory management in an electronic device, includes receiving at the electronic device, representative viewable or audible samples of data records, and storing the representative viewable or audible samples of data records in a memory of the electronic device. Each of the representative viewable or audible samples of data records includes one of a compressed version of a corresponding one of the backup data records, and a viewable or audible portion of the corresponding one of the backup data records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Piotr K. Tysowski, Matthew Bells
  • STYLUS
    Publication number: 20120228039
    Abstract: A stylus may have a flat portion on a movable tip at one end for contact with a flat surface, or a stylus may have movable pins adjustable in response to contact pressure for use with a non-flat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Nigel Stephen Daniel Hinson, Thomas Matthew Bell
  • Display with built in 3D sensing
    Patent number: 8259163
    Abstract: Information from execution of a vision processing module may be used to control a 3D vision system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Holding 67 LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Bell
  • LENS SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120200843
    Abstract: A fragmented lens system for creating an invisible light pattern useful to computer vision systems is disclosed. Random or semi-random dot patterns generated by the present system allow a computer to uniquely identify each patch of a pattern projected by a corresponding illuminator or light source. The computer may determine the position and distance of an object by identifying the illumination pattern on the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES HOLDING 67 LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Bell