Patents by Inventor Michael Harville

Michael Harville 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).

  • Publication number: 20050078172
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention recites a coordinating component for creating an enhanced representation of an ongoing event using inputs from a communication session established between a plurality of communication devices. A first input port receives a first input from a first of the plurality of communication devices. A second input port receives a second input from a second of the plurality of communication devices. The first of the plurality of communication devices and the second of the plurality of communication devices do not have a prior association. A generator for selectively combining the first input and the second input creates an enhanced representation of the ongoing event. The enhanced representation is then output from an output port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Harville, Michele Covell, Donald Tanguay
  • Publication number: 20050081160
    Abstract: A system that enables communication and collaboration among individuals using rich media environments. A system according to the present techniques includes a set of rich media environments each having a corresponding arrangement of sensing and rendering components for sensing of and rendering to a corresponding set of individuals. A system according to the present techniques includes an interest thread detector that uses the sensing and rendering components to detect formation of multiple communication interactions among the individuals and that creates an interest thread for each detected communication interaction and further includes a communication provider that for each interest thread captures a set of media data from a corresponding subset of the sensing components and that combines the captured media data in response to the activities of the corresponding individuals and that communicates the combined media data to a corresponding subset of the rendering components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Susie Wee, Henry Baker, Nina Bhatti, Michele Covell, Michael Harville
  • Publication number: 20050015765
    Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting media service providers based on static resource information are described. A type of service to be performed on an item of content is identified. The item of content is identified during a session with a client device. A service provider is selected from a plurality of service providers. The selection is based on static service provider and static network information. The selection of a service provider is further based on service session information if the service session information has been received. Information is provided for transferring the session to the selected service provider. The selected service provider performs the service on the item of content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: Michele Covell, Sumit Roy, John Ankcorn, John Apostolopoulos, Michael Harville, Bo Shen, Wai-tian Tan, Susie Wee
  • Publication number: 20050005025
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method for managing a streaming media service. The method includes receiving a request for a streaming media service from a client. The streaming media service includes a plurality of media services components. Additionally, the method includes determining which media service component of the plurality of media services components to assign to a service node of a plurality of service nodes of a network. The method also includes informing each service node assigned to perform a media service component of the plurality of media services components enabling the streaming media service to be performed on a streaming media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2003
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Harville, Michele Covell, Susie Wee, John Ankcorn, Sumit Roy, Bo Shen
  • Publication number: 20050005019
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method for managing a streaming media service. The method includes receiving a request for a streaming media service from a client. It is noted that the streaming media service includes a media service component. Additionally, the method includes selecting a service manager from a plurality of service managers to provide the request to. Furthermore, the method includes selecting a provider from a plurality of providers of a network to assign the media service component. Moreover, the method includes informing said provider assigned to perform the media service component, enabling the streaming media service to be performed on a streaming media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Harville, Michele Covell, John Ankcorn, John Apostolopoulos, Sumit Roy, Bo Shen, Wai-Tian Tan, Susie Wee
  • Publication number: 20040236826
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method for managing a streaming media service. The method includes receiving a request for a streaming media service from a client and the streaming media service includes a media service component. A service location manager is selected to which to provide the request from a plurality of service location managers. Additionally, a service provider is selected to which to assign the media service component from a plurality of service providers of a network. Furthermore, the service provider is informed of the assignment to perform the media service component. The service provider is caused to prepare to perform the streaming media service on streaming media. Moreover, information is used to determine whether to initiate a handoff of the streaming media service from the service provider to another service provider. If it is determined to initiate the handoff, the handoff is initiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Harville, Michele Covell, John Ankcorn, John Apostolopoulos, Sumit Roy, Bo Shen, Wai-Tian Tan, Susie Wee
  • Publication number: 20040236857
    Abstract: Methods and systems for servicing content for delivery to a client device are described. An item of content is identified during a session with the client device. A type of service to be performed on the item of content is identified. An estimate of resources associated with performing the service is used to select a provider from a plurality of providers capable of performing the service. Information for transferring the session to the provider is provided. The provider performs the service on the item of content upon being transferred the session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Sumit Roy, Michele Covell, John Ankcorn, John Apostolopoulos, Michael Harville, Bo Shen, Wai-Tian Tan, Susie Wee
  • Publication number: 20040236854
    Abstract: Methods and systems for servicing content for delivery to a client device are described. An item of content is identified during a session with the client device. A type of service to be performed on the item of content is identified. A provider is selected from a plurality of providers capable of performing the service. The session is transferred to the selected provider, which performs the service on the item of content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Sumit Roy, Bo Shen, John Ankcorn, John Apostolopoulos, Michele Covell, Michael Harville, Wai-Tian Tan, Susie Wee
  • Publication number: 20040236848
    Abstract: A method and system for managing handoff of media service sessions among service providers in a network are disclosed. Information associated with the media service sessions is received at a service manager. The information at the service manager is used to determine whether to initiate a handoff of any of the media service sessions from a service provider to another service provider. Moreover, if it is determined to initiate the handoff, the handoff is initiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Sumit Roy, Bo Shen, John Ankcorn, John Apostolopoulos, Michele Covell, Michael Harville, Wai-Tian Tan, Susie Wee
  • Publication number: 20040237097
    Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting media service providers are described. A type of service to be performed on an item of content is identified. The item of content is identified during a session with a client device. Information regarding current resource availability is received from a plurality of service providers. The information is ascertained from ongoing resource measurements. A service provider is selected from the plurality of service providers based on the information that is received. Information is provided for transferring the session to the service provider. The service provider performs the service on the item of content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Michele Covell, Sumit Roy, John Ankcorn, John Apostolopoulos, Michael Harville, Bo Shen, Wai-tian Tan, Susie Wee
  • Publication number: 20040236847
    Abstract: Methods and systems for servicing and delivering content to a client device are described. A request that identifies an item of content is received at a portal from the client device. A type of service to be performed on the item of content is identified. A provider of the type of service is identified. Communication with the client device is transferred from the portal to the service provider. The service provider sends service result content to the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Sumit Roy, Bo Shen, John Ankcorn, John Apostolopoulos, Michele Covell, Michael Harville, Wai-Tian Tan, Susie Wee
  • Publication number: 20040218894
    Abstract: A “path-enhanced” presentation is automatically generated from previously recorded “path-enhanced” multimedia based on time and location information associated with the multimedia. The path based on the time and location information is rendered over a two-dimensional map. The presentation indicates position and progress along the path, and at the same time, previously recorded multimedia corresponding to points or segments of that path are automatically played. When the moving icon reaches a location that is associated with multimedia, that multimedia is automatically played.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Harville, Ramin Samadani
  • Publication number: 20040220965
    Abstract: Media from multiple sources is labeled with time and location metadata organized as individual paths and shared in a common searchable database with search tools that take advantage of spatio-temporal relationships between the different paths. This combination of path oriented data and path oriented search tools permits an individual associated with a first path to locate information associated with another spatio-temporally related path. In particular, certain embodiments of the invention can facilitate the use of a given set of path data and/or path-enhanced multimedia to identify other paths and path-enhanced multimedia that overlap or intersect in space and/or time within a specified precision. Path information previously recorded by one user may be used in accordance with the present invention to obtain multimedia recorded on a different path by a different user, but that is close in space and time to a location on the user's own path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Harville, Ramin Samadani
  • Publication number: 20040218895
    Abstract: A “path-enhanced” recorder combines the recording of multimedia data files (typically, but not necessarily, using conventional digital audio, photo, and video recording technology), along with quasi-continuous capturing of time and position data to permit a subsequent reconstruction of the user's entire path, preferably including times and/or locations at which no multimedia data files were being recorded. A “path-enhanced” recorder device thus provides a combined record of not only multimedia data files but also data concerning path traveled between (and possibly during) the capturing of individual recorded media files to thereby create “path-enhanced” multimedia, which in turn facilitates a number of contemplated applications including the Automatic Generation of Presentations; Exploration, Enhancement and Editing of “Path-Enhanced” Multimedia; and Searching of “Path-Enhanced” Multimedia Databases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Ramin Samadani, Michael Harville
  • Publication number: 20040217884
    Abstract: “Path-enhanced” multimedia (PEM) data may be viewed, modified, or interacted with according to user selected views which determine the manner in which at least a portion of the PEM data is displayed. The PEM data is stored in a data structure as a scrapbook object including first data object types corresponding to the PEM data and second object types corresponding to the different view types. The scrapbook object data structure lends itself to displaying portions of the PEM data according to selected views that correspond to a particular time and place or to a particular time ordered sequence of locations (i.e., a particular path segment) and/or can be enhanced with other multimedia content related to that time and place or to that path segment, thereby providing a more interesting and effective display of the “path-enhanced” recorded events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Ramin Samadani, Michael Harville
  • Publication number: 20040189686
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a model of an object, comprising receiving at least one image of the object in a computing device, processing one or more of the at least one image to produce a model of the object, generating feedback information corresponding to the model of the object, and imparting the feedback information to a user of the computing device concurrently with the processing such that a determination is enabled to be made whether the model of the object is of a desired quality while the computing device is disposed to receive a further image of the object. The feedback information can be an image of the model which enables a user to determine whether an additional image is necessary or the feedback information can be direction to acquire an additional image of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Donald O. Tanguay, W. Bruce Culbertson, Daniel G. Gelb, Michael Harville
  • Publication number: 20040153671
    Abstract: Automated physical access control systems and methods are described. In one aspect, an access control system includes an object detector, a token reader, and an access controller. The object detector is configured to detect persons present within a detection area. The token reader is configured to interrogate tokens present within a token reader area. The access controller is configured to receive signals from the object detector and the token reader. The access controller is configured to compute one or more characteristics linking persons and tokens based upon signals received from the object detector and the token reader and to determine whether detected persons are carrying permissioned tokens based upon the one or more computed characteristics linking persons and tokens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Marc P. Schuyler, Michael Harville
  • Patent number: 6661918
    Abstract: Segmentation of background and foreground objects in an image is based upon the joint use of both range and color data. Range-based data is largely independent of color image data, and hence not adversely affected by the limitations associated with color-based segmentation, such as shadows and similarly colored objects. Furthermore, color segmentation is complementary to range measurement in those cases where reliable range data cannot be obtained. These complementary sets of data are used to provide a multidimensional background estimation. The segmentation of a foreground object in a given frame of an image sequence is carried out by comparing the image frames with background statistics relating to range and normalized color, using the sets of statistics in a complementary manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Interval Research Corporation
    Inventors: Gaile Gordon, Michael Harville, John Woodfill, Trevor Darrell
  • Patent number: 6445810
    Abstract: Techniques from computer vision and computer graphics are combined to robustly track a target (e.g., a user) and perform a function based upon the image and/or the identity attributed to the target's face. Three primary modules are used to track a user's head: depth estimation, color segmentation, and pattern classification. The combination of these three techniques allows for robust performance despite unknown background, crowded conditions, and rapidly changing pose or expression of the user. Each of the modules can also provide an identity classification module with valuable information so that the identity of a user can be estimated. With an estimate of the position of a target in 3-D and the target's identity, applications such as individualized computer programs or graphics techniques to distort and/or morph the shape or apparent material properties of the user's face can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Interval Research Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor Darrell, Gaile Gordon, Michael Harville, John Woodfill, Harlyn Baker
  • Publication number: 20010000025
    Abstract: Techniques from computer vision and computer graphics are combined to robustly track a target (e.g., a user) and perform a function based upon the image and/or the identity attributed to the target's face. Three primary modules are used to track a user's head: depth estimation, color segmentation, and pattern classification. The combination of these three techniques allows for robust performance despite unknown background, crowded conditions, and rapidly changing pose or expression of the user. Each of the modules can also provide an identity classification module with valuable information so that the identity of a user can be estimated. With an estimate of the position of a target in 3-D and the target's identity, applications such as individualized computer programs or graphics techniques to distort and/or morph the shape or apparent material properties of the user's face can be performed. The system can track and respond to a user's face in real-time using completely passive and non-invasive techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: March 15, 2001
    Inventors: Trevor Darrell, Gaile Gordon, Michael Harville, John Woodfill, Harlyn Baker