Patents by Inventor Michael Kolb

Michael Kolb 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: 9961283
    Abstract: In one embodiment, coloring artifacts of a color image output by a camera are minimized by taking into account a distortion introduced by the lens. Based on the distortion, the color reconstruction determines which pixels in the grayscale image to include in the reconstruction process. Additionally, the color reconstruction can take into account edges depicted in the grayscale image to determine which pixels to include in the reconstruction process. In another embodiment, coloring artifacts in a 360 degree color image are minimized by performing the color reconstruction process on a three-dimensional surface. Before the color reconstruction takes place, the two-dimensional grayscale image is projected onto a three-dimensional surface, and the color reconstruction is performed on the three-dimensional surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Kolb, Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, Rebecca Schultz Zavin
  • Patent number: 9959027
    Abstract: Presented here are systems and methods to enable software applications to display images on irregular screen shapes containing the shape without display functionality. In one embodiment, the shape without display functionality is confined within a bounding shape, which, when subtracted from the irregular screen shape leaves a rectangular area of the screen where the image can be displayed. The area within the bounding shape can be occupied by images provided by the operating system associated with the irregular screen, such as a status bar and/or navigation bar. In another embodiment, the image can be displayed on the full irregular screen, such that the shape without display functionality covers a part of the image. When the occluded part of the image contains a critical object, such as a menu item, a button, etc., the image can be modified to move the critical object out of the area occluded by the shape without display functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Adithya Gajulapally, Michael Kolb, Rebecca Schultz Zavin
  • Publication number: 20180074586
    Abstract: Introduced here are methods and systems to create a relief on an electronic display. In one embodiment, the relief is created by micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) placed above a cover layer of the electronic display. Each MEMS when activated can protrude or depress, thus creating the relief on the electronic display. In another embodiment, the relief is created by a plurality of resistors placed beneath the cover layer. The cover layer is made out of an elastically deformable material that, when heated, expands, thus creating a protrusion on the electronic display. Each resistor when activated heats a section of the cover layer, causing the cover layer to protrude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: David John Evans, V, Andrew E. Rubin, Xinrui Jiang, Xiaoyu Miao, Joseph Anthony Tate, Matthew Hershenson, Jason Sean Gagne-Keats, Michael Kolb
  • Publication number: 20180070033
    Abstract: In one embodiment, coloring artifacts of a color image output by a camera are minimized by taking into account a distortion introduced by the lens. Based on the distortion, the color reconstruction determines which pixels in the grayscale image to include in the reconstruction process. Additionally, the color reconstruction can take into account edges depicted in the grayscale image to determine which pixels to include in the reconstruction process. In another embodiment, coloring artifacts in a 360 degree color image are minimized by performing the color reconstruction process on a three-dimensional surface. Before the color reconstruction takes place, the two-dimensional grayscale image is projected onto a three-dimensional surface, and the color reconstruction is performed on the three-dimensional surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Kolb, Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, Rebecca Schultz Zavin
  • Publication number: 20180042591
    Abstract: A handheld surgical instrument is provided, including a housing, a handle and a trigger mounted on the housing, and an elongated tubular portion extending distally from the housing. The surgical instrument includes a hand grip having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one opening disposed therebetween, wherein the handle of the handheld surgical instrument is insertable into the at least one opening of the hand grip for engagement therewith. When the hand grip is engaged to the handle of the handheld surgical instrument, the hand grip affects a distance defined between the handle and the trigger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Mark Russo, Jin Yong, Jessica Dinan, Michael Kolb, Kevin Sniffin, Brian Laird
  • Publication number: 20170311080
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the technology disclosed herein include generating a virtual sound field based on data from an ambisonic recording device. The ambisonic device records sound of a surrounding environment using at least four microphones having a tetrahedral orientation. An omnidirectional microphone having an audio-isolated portion can be used to isolate sound from a particular direction. Sound received from the plurality of microphones can be used to generate a virtual sound field. The virtual sound field include a dataset indicating a pressure signal and a plurality of velocity vectors. The ambisonic recording device can include a wide angle camera and generate wide angle video corresponding to the virtual sound field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Kolb, Xinrui Jiang, Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, Xiaoyu Miao, Joseph Anthony Tate, Jason Sean Gagne-Keats, David John Evans, V, Rebecca Schultz Zavin
  • Patent number: 9800852
    Abstract: In one embodiment, coloring artifacts of a color image output by a camera are minimized by taking into account a distortion introduced by the lens. Based on the distortion, the color reconstruction determines which pixels in the grayscale image to include in the reconstruction process. Additionally, the color reconstruction can take into account edges depicted in the grayscale image to determine which pixels to include in the reconstruction process. In another embodiment, coloring artifacts in a 360 degree color image are minimized by performing the color reconstruction process on a three-dimensional surface. Before the color reconstruction takes place, the two-dimensional grayscale image is projected onto a three-dimensional surface, and the color reconstruction is performed on the three-dimensional surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Kolb, Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, Rebecca Schultz Zavin
  • Patent number: 9799279
    Abstract: Introduced here are methods and systems to create a relief on an electronic display. In one embodiment, the relief is created by micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) placed above a cover layer of the electronic display. Each MEMS when activated can protrude or depress, thus creating the relief on the electronic display. In another embodiment, the relief is created by a plurality of resistors placed beneath the cover layer. The cover layer is made out of an elastically deformable material that, when heated, expands, thus creating a protrusion on the electronic display. Each resistor when activated heats a section of the cover layer, causing the cover layer to protrude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David John Evans, V, Andrew E. Rubin, Xinrui Jiang, Xiaoyu Miao, Joseph Anthony Tate, Matthew Hershenson, Jason Sean Gagne-Keats, Michael Kolb
  • Patent number: 9757859
    Abstract: Robotic control systems and methods may include providing an end effector tool of a robotic device configured to perform a task on a work surface within a worksite coordinate frame. Unintended movement over time of the end effector tool with respect to the work surface and with respect to the worksite coordinate frame may be determined based on image data indicative of the work surface, first location data indicative of a first location of the end effector tool with respect to the worksite coordinate frame, and second location data indicative of a second location of the end effector tool with respect to the work surface. One or more control signals for the robotic device may be adjusted in order to counteract the unintended movements of the end effector tool with respect to the work surface and worksite coordinate frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Michael Kolb, Jeff Linnell, Anthony Sean Jules
  • Publication number: 20170006972
    Abstract: A modular and customizable tie bar system comprises a tie bar base, one or more tie bar covers, and a fastener. The tie bar base cooperates with a user's tie and comprises at least a mounting surface. Each tie bar cover comprises a cover plate and optional side walls. Each tie bar cover is preferably sized to cover and cooperate with the mounting surface of the tie bar base, has a decorative outer surface, and has an inner surface for facilitating attachment to the base. To facilitate removable attachment of the covers to the base, one or more fasteners such as magnets attach to the inner surface of the cover or to mounting surface of the base or to both. Preferably, several covers with differing decorative outer surfaces cooperate with a single base to allow for interchangeability and customization depending on the user's aesthetic preferences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Kolb
  • Patent number: 8762895
    Abstract: A computing device is described that outputs, for display at a display device, a graphical user interface including a graphical zoom indicator associated with a zoom operation of a camera. The graphical zoom indicator includes an inner fixed circle, an outer fixed circle, and an adjustable circle. The computing device receives an indication of an input detected at an input device, and based at least in part on the indication of the input, the computing device determines an adjustment to a zoom level of the zoom operation of the camera. Based at least in part on the adjustment to the zoom level of the zoom operation of the camera, the computing device updates the graphical user interface to modify a size of the adjustable circle based at least in part on the adjustment to the zoom level of the zoom operation of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Nirav Mehta, Michael Kolb, Christian Robertson
  • Publication number: 20140118563
    Abstract: A computing device is described that outputs, for display at a display device, a graphical user interface including a graphical zoom indicator associated with a zoom operation of a camera. The graphical zoom indicator includes an inner fixed circle, an outer fixed circle, and an adjustable circle. The computing device receives an indication of an input detected at an input device, and based at least in part on the indication of the input, the computing device determines an adjustment to a zoom level of the zoom operation of the camera. Based at least in part on the adjustment to the zoom level of the zoom operation of the camera, the computing device updates the graphical user interface to modify a size of the adjustable circle based at least in part on the adjustment to the zoom level of the zoom operation of the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Nirav Mehta, Michael Kolb, Christian Robertson
  • Patent number: 8447543
    Abstract: Embodiments pertain to devices and systems having simulator circuitry, particularly to simulator circuitry configured to simulate an electric vehicle and test an electric vehicle charger. A test unit is configured to simulate a GFI current via modulator and to simulate electric vehicle loads via switched and combined resistor loads. The test unit provides for reprogramming of the electric vehicle charger via a pilot line. The test unit self-confirms its usability via associating received codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Aerovironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Edward Dickinson, Albert Joseph Flack, Keith Michael Kolb, Scott Garret Berman
  • Patent number: 8232894
    Abstract: Mobile systems are provided for charging electronic toll collection accounts for parking fees. The systems are configured to wirelessly request and receive tag data from an electronic toll device. Some embodiments include a vehicle and a boom, some embodiments include a handheld device, and other embodiments include combinations thereof. Methods of charging an electronic toll payment system are also provided. A mobile scan system wirelessly requests and receives tag data from an electronic toll device on a customer's vehicle which is checked for validity, and then an electronic toll collection account is charged a fee for parking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Traffic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley B. Weiss, Michael Kolb
  • Publication number: 20120192108
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes receiving a first user input comprising a first motion gesture from a first location of the presence-sensitive screen to a second, different location of the presence-sensitive screen, wherein the first location is substantially at a boundary of a presence-sensing region and a non-sensing region of the presence-sensitive screen. The method also includes, responsive to receiving the first user input, displaying a group of graphical menu elements positioned substantially radially outward from the second location. The method further includes receiving a second user input to select at least one graphical menu element based on a second motion gesture provided at a third location of the presence-sensing region. The method also includes, responsive to receiving the second user input, determining an input operation, wherein the input operation executes a operation associated with the selected at least one graphical menu element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: Michael Kolb
  • Publication number: 20120116745
    Abstract: Embodiments pertain to simulator circuitry, particularly to simulator circuitry configured to simulate an electric vehicle and test an electric vehicle charger. A test unit is configured to simulate a GFI current via modulator and to simulate electric vehicle loads via switched and combined resistor loads. The test unit provides for reprogramming of the electric vehicle charger via a pilot line. The test unit self-confirms its usability via associating received codes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Blake Edward Dickinson, Albert Joseph Flack, Keith Michael Kolb, Scott Garret Berman
  • Publication number: 20120036074
    Abstract: Mobile systems are provided for charging electronic toll collection accounts for parking fees. The systems are configured to wirelessly request and receive tag data from an electronic toll device. Some embodiments include a vehicle and a boom, some embodiments include a handheld device, and other embodiments include combinations thereof. Methods of charging an electronic toll payment system are also provided. A mobile scan system wirelessly requests and receives tag data from an electronic toll device on a customer's vehicle which is checked for validity, and then an electronic toll collection account is charged a fee for parking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: TRAFFIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Stanley B. WEISS, Michael KOLB
  • Publication number: 20120022811
    Abstract: Embodiments pertain to simulator circuitry, particularly to simulator circuitry configured to simulate an electric vehicle and test an electric vehicle charger (110). A test unit (210) is configured to simulate a GFI current via modulator (1623) and to simulate electric vehicle loads via switched and combined resistor loads (1800). The test unit (220) provides for reprogramming of the electric vehicle charger (110) via a pilot line (323). The test unit (220) self-confirms its usability via associating received codes (1300).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Blake Edward Dickinson, Albert Joseph Flack, Keith Michael Kolb, Scott Garret Berman
  • Patent number: 8026832
    Abstract: Mobile systems are provided for charging electronic toll collection accounts for parking fees. The systems are configured to wirelessly request and receive tag data from an electronic toll device. Some embodiments include a vehicle and a boom, some embodiments include a handheld device, and other embodiments include combinations thereof. Methods of charging an electronic toll payment system are also provided. A mobile scan system wirelessly requests and receives tag data from an electronic toll device on a customer's vehicle which is checked for validity, and then an electronic toll collection account is charged a fee for parking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Traffic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley B. Weiss, Michael Kolb
  • Patent number: 7512478
    Abstract: To enable operation of an internal combustion engine even without the signals of a phase sensor while nonetheless enabling an emergency driving function in the case of a disturbance of a crankshaft signal acquired by a crankshaft sensor, a cylinder pressure is acquired using a cylinder pressure sensor and it is checked whether the cylinder pressure reaches a prespecifiable threshold value. When the threshold value is reached or exceeded, an angular position associated with the threshold value is inferred. The angular position is then made available for an operation of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kessler, Thomas Bossmeyer, Michael Kolbe