Patents by Inventor Michael J. Vrhel
Michael J. Vrhel 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).
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Patent number: 11303747Abstract: A system and method is provided for limiting, disabling and/or activating a wireless communication device during operation of a vehicle or participation in an activity. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a wireless transmission device that is configured to transmit a first wireless signal toward a first designated region, and a second wireless signal toward a second designated region. A wireless communication device is then configured to receive the first wireless signal and, in response thereto, limit or disable certain features of the wireless device. This can be done by disabling certain features (e.g., cellular service, Bluetoothâ„¢, telephone calls, text messaging, etc.) or disabling (e.g., powering down, etc.) the entire cell phone. The wireless communication device is further configured to receive the second wireless signal and, in response thereto, enable the features that have been disabled or limited via the first wireless signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Artifex Software Inc.Inventors: Miles Jones, Michael J. Vrhel, Scott Sackett
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Publication number: 20200314235Abstract: A system and method is provided for limiting, disabling and/or activating a wireless communication device during operation of a vehicle or participation in an activity. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a wireless transmission device and a wireless communication device. The wireless transmission device, which includes at least one wireless transmitter, a processor, and a memory device, is configured to transmit a first wireless signal toward a first designated region, and a second wireless signal toward a second designated region. The wireless communication device, which includes at least one wireless receiver, a processor, a memory device, a keypad, and a display, is configured to receive the first wireless signal and, in response thereto, limit or disable certain features of the wireless device. This can be done by disabling certain features (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Miles Jones, Michael J. Vrhel, Scott Sackett
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Patent number: 10142457Abstract: A system and method is provided for limiting, disabling and/or activating a wireless communication device during operation of a vehicle or participation in an activity. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a wireless transmission device and a wireless communication device. The wireless transmission device, which includes at least one wireless transmitter, a processor, and a memory device, is configured to transmit a first wireless signal toward a first designated region, and a second wireless signal toward a second designated region. The wireless communication device, which includes at least one wireless receiver, a processor, a memory device, a keypad, and a display, is configured to receive the first wireless signal and, in response thereto, limit or disable certain features of the wireless device. This can be done by disabling certain features (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2014Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Artifex Software Inc.Inventors: Miles Jones, Michael J. Vrhel, Scott Sackett
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Publication number: 20150237195Abstract: A system and method is provided for limiting, disabling and/or activating a wireless communication device during operation of a vehicle or participation in an activity. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a wireless transmission device and a wireless communication device. The wireless transmission device, which includes at least one wireless transmitter, a processor, and a memory device, is configured to transmit a first wireless signal toward a first designated region, and a second wireless signal toward a second designated region. The wireless communication device, which includes at least one wireless receiver, a processor, a memory device, a keypad, and a display, is configured to receive the first wireless signal and, in response thereto, limit or disable certain features of the wireless device. This can be done by disabling certain features (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: ARTIFEX SOFTWARE INC.Inventors: Miles Jones, Michael J. Vrhel, Scott Sackett
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Patent number: 8774842Abstract: A system and method is provided for limiting or disabling cellular telephone usage during operation of a motor vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a wireless transmission device and a cell phone. The wireless transmission device, which includes at least an IR modulation circuit, a processor, and a memory device, is configured to transmit a wireless signal toward a driver of the motor vehicle. The cell phone, which includes at least an IR modulation detection circuit, a processor, a memory device, a keypad, and a display, is configured to receive the wireless signal and, in response thereto, limit or disable certain features of the cell phone. This can be done by disabling certain features (e.g., cellular service, Bluetoothâ„¢, telephone calls, text messaging, emailing, its antenna, its keyboard, and/or its display) or disabling (e.g., powering down, etc.) the entire cell phone.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Artifex Software Inc.Inventors: Miles Jones, Michael J. Vrhel
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Patent number: 8488195Abstract: A system and method is provided for improving color management of DeviceN color spaces in an electronic document. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a memory device for storing a plurality of ICC profiles, and a rendering application operating on a computer, wherein each ICC profile includes a plurality of colorant names and an order in which they are laid down during a reproduction process. The rendering application is configured to render a document having at least one DeviceN color space so that it can be accurately displayed on a color display. The rendering application is further configured to identify a names array in a color definition of the DeviceN color space of the electronic document, compare the names array to the ICC profiles (or colorant names included therein) stored in the memory device to identify an ICC profile from the plurality of profiles, and (iii) use the identified ICC profile to map the DeviceN color space into control values for the color display.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2011Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Artifex Software Inc.Inventor: Michael J. Vrhel
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Publication number: 20130178234Abstract: A system and method is provided for limiting or disabling cellular telephone usage during operation of a motor vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a wireless transmission device and a cell phone. The wireless transmission device, which includes at least an IR modulation circuit, a processor, and a memory device, is configured to transmit a wireless signal toward a driver of the motor vehicle. The cell phone, which includes at least an IR modulation detection circuit, a processor, a memory device, a keypad, and a display, is configured to receive the wireless signal and, in response thereto, limit or disable certain features of the cell phone. This can be done by disabling certain features (e.g., cellular service, Bluetoothâ„¢, telephone calls, text messaging, emailing, its antenna, its keyboard, and/or its display) or disabling (e.g., powering down, etc.) the entire cell phone.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Inventors: Miles Jones, Michael J. Vrhel
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Publication number: 20110242562Abstract: A system and method is provided for improving color management of DeviceN color spaces in an electronic document. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a memory device for storing a plurality of ICC profiles, and a rendering application operating on a computer, wherein each ICC profile includes a plurality of colorant names and an order in which they are laid down during a reproduction process. The rendering application is configured to render a document having at least one DeviceN color space so that it can be accurately displayed on a color display. The rendering application is further configured to identify a names array in a color definition of the DeviceN color space of the electronic document, compare the names array to the ICC profiles (or colorant names included therein) stored in the memory device to identify an ICC profile from the plurality of profiles, and (iii) use the identified ICC profile to map the DeviceN color space into control values for the color display.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Inventor: Michael J. VRHEL
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Patent number: 7489396Abstract: A spectrophotometric camera and method for measuring spectral energy in different wavelength bands at a plurality of locations are disclosed. The spectrophotometric camera comprises: a light source for sequentially producing light in different wavelength bands; an imaging device containing an array of sensors for detecting light at a plurality of locations; and a reference detector and an adjusting device for adjusting the light detected by the array of sensors. Spectral reflectance data from each of the plurality of locations on the surface of a target for each wavelength band in the plurality of light wavelength bands is measured. Spectral reflectance images are created, and features are extracted from the spectral reflectance images.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2006Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: VIE Group, LLCInventors: Michael J Vrhel, Victor L Iseli
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Patent number: 7443508Abstract: A spectrophotometric scanner suitable for producing spectral reflectance images of surfaces of samples for a plurality of wavelength bands is disclosed. The spectrophotometric scanner comprises a scanner head for collecting spectral reflectance data, a positioning mechanism for positioning the scanner head in relation to a surface, and a computing device for controlling the mechanism and recording and analyzing the spectral reflectance data. The computing device directs the positioning mechanism to position the scanner head on a row of locations in a grid of locations of the surface; directs the scanner head to measure spectral reflectance data for each location in the row of locations; records and analyzes the spectral reflectance data; and produces spectral reflectance images from the spectral reflectance data. A light source in the scanner head comprises a plurality of sequentially controllable LEDs, each producing light in a different wavelength band.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2006Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: VIE Group, LLCInventors: Michael J Vrhel, Victor L Iseli
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Patent number: 7295702Abstract: A method for isolating an element of an image made up of pixels comprising the steps of classifying the pixels into different groups based on the color value of the pixel, blurring the image, locating a pixel in the blurred image that has a predetermined color value corresponding to the element to be isolated, and growing a mask from the located pixel.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2003Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Color Savvy Systems LimitedInventor: Michael J. Vrhel
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Patent number: 7057641Abstract: A color measurement device comprising a means for electronically recording a digital color image, a target holder extending from the recording means having a distal end, and a target at the distal end of the holder, the target having one or more reference color regions thereon.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2003Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Color Savvy Systems LimitedInventors: Gary Bodnar, Christopher Pearson, Karl F. Seibert, Michael J. Vrhel
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Publication number: 20040179101Abstract: A color measurement device comprising a means for electronically recording a digital color image, a target holder extending from the recording means having a distal end, and a target at the distal end of the holder, the target having one or more reference color regions thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventors: Gary Bodnar, Christopher Pearson, Karl F. Seibert, Michael J. Vrhel
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Publication number: 20030198384Abstract: A method for isolating an element of an image made up of pixels comprising the steps of classifying the pixels into different groups based on the color value of the pixel, blurring the image, locating a pixel in the blurred image that has a predetermined color value corresponding to the element to be isolated, and growing a mask from the located pixel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventor: Michael J. Vrhel
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Patent number: 6020583Abstract: A sensor for measuring reflective, transmissive, or self-luminous samples, comprises a plurality of light sources, where each of the light sources emit light of a substantially different wavelength band spaced in the visible spectrum; a reference channel photodetector; a sample channel photodetector; an optical cap adapted to direct a first portion of the light emitted by each of the light sources to the reference channel photodetector; a reflector cone for directing a second portion of the light emitted by each of the light sources to the sample; and a receptor piece for directing the diffuse portion of the light reflected from the sample to the sample channel photodetector. Preferably, the reference channel and sample channel photodetectors are identical devices and are mounted back-to-back to share environmental characteristics, and in turn, minimize the variation between their respective responses.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1998Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Color Savvy Systems LimitedInventors: Eric Walowit, Ronald J. Duke, Victor L. Iseli, Long B. Sam, Michael J. Vrhel
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Patent number: 5963333Abstract: A hand-manipulatable device includes a sensor for gathering reflective, densitometric, spectrophotometric, colorimetric, self-luminous or radiometric readings from a sample surface. The device includes a housing having a substantially flat bottom surface and a top surface contoured to fit comfortably in the fingers and palm of the human hand. The housing also includes area on its top surface for seating an index finger of the human hand. Positioned within this area is a pressure-activated switch that is operatively coupled to the sensor circuitry for performing the readings. Preferably, the sensor is mounted into the device such that the focal aperture of the sensor is in axial alignment with the pressure-activated switch. Accordingly, a user will be able to use the device to "point" with his or her index finger to an area of the sample surface, and will then simply press the switch to initiate the readings, using the same index finger.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Color Savvy Systems LimitedInventors: Eric Walowit, Ronald J. Duke, Victor L. Iseli, Long B. Sam, Michael J. Vrhel