Patents by Inventor Nigel S. Keam

Nigel S. Keam 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: 11061939
    Abstract: A system for dynamic content delivery is provided. The system includes a control component to determine location, preferences, and state of a user. A delivery component dynamically selects and provides content to the user as a function of the user's location, preferences, and state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Shields, William T. Flora, Bret P. O'Rourke, John Mark Miller, Eric P. Wilfrid, Nigel S. Keam, Steven N. Bathiche, Oliver R. Roup, Zachary L. Russell, Marc Randall Whitten
  • Publication number: 20190278790
    Abstract: A system for dynamic content delivery is provided. The system includes a control component to determine location, preferences, and state of a user. A delivery component dynamically selects and provides content to the user as a function of the user's location, preferences, and state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Kevin T. Shields, William T. Flora, Bret P. O'Rourke, John Mark Miller, Eric P. Wilfrid, Nigel S. Keam, Steven N. Bathiche, Oliver R. Roup, Zachary L. Russell, Jon Marcus Randall Whitten
  • Patent number: 10331708
    Abstract: A system for dynamic content delivery is provided. The system includes a control component to determine location, preferences, and state of a user. A delivery component dynamically selects and provides content to the user as a function of the user's location, preferences, and state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Shields, William T. Flora, Bret P. O'Rourke, John Mark Miller, Eric P. Wilfrid, Nigel S. Keam, Steven N. Bathiche, Oliver R. Roup, Zachary L. Russell, Jon Marcus Randall Whitten
  • Patent number: 8100756
    Abstract: A system that facilitates enhancing a game, game play or playability of a game may include an experience component, a game component and an alteration component. The experience component can collect a portion of data related to a game in which the portion of data indicates at least one of a tip or a tactic for the game. The game component can dynamically incorporate the portion of data into the game during game play to enhance playability of such game for a user with assistance provided by at least one of the tip or the tactic. The alteration component may alter the game during game play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Bret P. O'Rourke, Eric P. Wilfrid, Nigel S. Keam, Steven Bathiche, James M. Alkove, Zachary L. Russell, Jon Marcus Randall Whitten, Boyd C. Multerer, Andrew D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7713116
    Abstract: Within a game, a filter is applied to a game inventory based on an attribute of each one of a plurality of virtual items. The filter can be player defined, game developer defined, system programmer defined, or a combination thereof. In certain versions, the virtual items that satisfy the query provided by the filter are displayed to the player. The player can thereupon access any one of the virtual items that are represented by the icons that satisfy the filtering query. In one version, the attributes of the virtual items can be changed using the filtering game inventory system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Nigel S. Keam, Leon Pryor
  • Patent number: 7665098
    Abstract: Monitoring interactions between application programs and data stores for analyzing stability of application programs. A method of the invention intercepts interactions from a plurality of application programs to a data store. The method also identifies pre-execution data relating to each of the intercepted interactions and the intercepted interaction is executed. The method identifies post-execution data relating to each of the executed interactions. The identified pre-execution data and the identified post-execution data from each of the interactions are normalized to create normalized interaction data for each of the interactions. The method combines the normalized interaction data for each of the interactions as a function of the application programs associated with each of the interactions. The method further stores the combined interaction data for analysis of the interactions between the application programs and the data store which is indicative of the stability of the application programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jude Jacob Kavalam, Adam D. Stritzel, Nigel S. Keam, Timothy D. Noonan, Valeriy V. Tsuryk
  • Publication number: 20090150939
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate a more robust experience in connection with content consumption. The architecture can span several mediums by way of distinct content channels in order to deliver contextual content and/or media in which a significant event has occurred. Contextual content or other media can be provided simultaneously with the active media, can be synchronized with the active media, and/or can be output to a single or multiple media devices. In addition, media can be appropriated paused while other media is provided and media segments can be recorded for imminent display, such as media segments that include significant events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Drucker, James E. Allard, David Sebastien Alles, Nicholas R. Baker, Todd Eric Holmdahl, Nigel S. Keam, Oliver R. Roup
  • Patent number: 7515143
    Abstract: An interactive display device employing a flat panel display (FPD). The interactive display device includes a housing, a flat panel display, a light diffusing layer, a visible light illumination system, and a non-visible light illumination system that is used for detecting objects adjacent to the FPD. Techniques are also described for providing uniform illumination of the FPD with visible light, when viewed from a plurality of viewing angles by a user, and for diffusing the visible illumination at a surface boundary of the FPD, such that a coherent image of an interior of the housing is at least partially obscured from view by the user. Non-visible light that has passed through the FPD is reflected from objects adjacent to the display, passes back through the FPD, and is detected within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Nigel S. Keam, Steven N. Bathiche
  • Patent number: 7515822
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a level of direct illumination for an imaging system is dynamically adjusted based on a level of at least one of ambient illumination or displayed illumination. A level of the at least one of ambient illumination or displayed illumination may be detected. The level of direct illumination may be altered based on the detected level of the at least one of ambient illumination or displayed illumination. Operation of a non-visible light-sensitive image sensor of the imaging system may be adjusted based on the altered level of direct illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Nigel S. Keam
  • Publication number: 20090088233
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates enhancing a game, game play or playability of a game. An experience component can collect a portion of data related to a game in which the portion of data indicates at least one of a tip or a tactic for the game. A game component can dynamically incorporate the portion of data into the game during game play to enhance playability of such game for a user with assistance provided by at least one of the tip or the tactic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bret P. O'Rourke, Eric P. Wilfrid, Nigel S. Keam, Steven Bathiche, James M. Alkove, Zachary L. Russell, Jon Marcus Randall Whitten, Boyd C. Multerer, Andrew D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7499027
    Abstract: A light pointer is selectively activated to direct a light beam onto an interactive display surface, forming a pattern of light that is detected by a light sensor disposed within an interactive display table. The waveband of the light produced by the light pointer is selected to correspond to a waveband to which the light sensor responds, enabling the light sensor to detect the position of the pattern on the interactive display surface, as well as characteristics that enable the location and orientation of the light pointer to be determined. Specifically, the shape and size of the pattern, and the intensity of light forming the pattern are detected by the light sensor and are processed to determine the orientation of the light pointer and its distance from the interactive display surface. The pattern may comprise various shapes, such as circles, arrows, and crosshairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Allan Brigham, II, David Joshua Kurlander, Nigel S. Keam, Andrew D. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20090005079
    Abstract: A system for dynamic content delivery is provided. The system includes a control component to determine location, preferences, and state of a user. A delivery component dynamically selects and provides content to the user as a function of the user's location, preferences, and state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin T. Shields, William T. Flora, Bret P. O'Rourke, John Mark Miller, Eric P. Wilfrid, Nigel S. Keam, Steven N. Bathiche, Oliver R. Roup, Zachary L. Russell, Jon Marcus Randall Whitten
  • Patent number: 7359564
    Abstract: Compensation of the effects of uncontrolled light in an imaging system using a controlled light source. Light from the controlled light source reflected by an object and uncontrolled light are detected in a plurality of frequency ranges. Intensity of the uncontrolled light is determined based on the varying sensitivity of an image sensor to light in the different frequency ranges and known emission characteristics of the controlled light source in the frequency ranges. Once the intensity of the uncontrolled light is determined, the total light detected at each point is adjusted to reduce the effects of the uncontrolled light in the resulting imaging data produced by the imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Nigel S Keam, Andrew D Wilson, Donald M Gillett
  • Patent number: 7071835
    Abstract: In a system for communicating over electrical wiring in a house or other building, components are grouped and send messages to each other using a unique group identifier code associated with the group. Each message includes the group identifier code, message data, and a message authentication code (MAC) that is calculated for each message. A receiving component disregards any message whose group identifier code is not the same as that of the receiving component. MACs are calculated using a shared key value and a one-way hash function. The shared key value, in turn, is taken from an ordered sequence of key values that is defined for each component group based on a counter value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gilad Odinak, Nigel S. Keam
  • Publication number: 20040266505
    Abstract: Within a game, a filter is applied to a game inventory based on an attribute of each one of a plurality of virtual items. The filter can be player defined, game developer defined, system programmer defined, or a combination thereof. In certain versions, the virtual items that satisfy the query provided by the filter are displayed to the player. The player can thereupon access any one of the virtual items that are represented by the icons that satisfy the filtering query. In one version, the attributes of the virtual items can be changed using the filtering game inventory system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nigel S. Keam, Leon Pryor
  • Publication number: 20040080427
    Abstract: Described herein is a system for communicating over electrical wiring in a house or other building. Components are grouped and each group is assigned a group identifier code. Components communicates only with components of the same group, using the group identifier code. Each message includes the group identifier code, message data, and a message authentication code (MAC) that is calculated for each message. A receiving component disregards any message whose group identifier code is not the same as that of the receiving component. MACs are calculated using a shared key value and a one-way hash function. The shared key value, in turn, is taken from an ordered sequence of key values that is defined for each component group based on a counter value. To change to a new key value, one component of the group simply starts using the new key value. When a receiving component receives a message that does not authenticate using the current key value, it tries the next key value in the sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Gilad Odinak, Nigel S. Keam
  • Patent number: 6690289
    Abstract: A system for communicating over electrical wiring in a house or other building is presented. Components are grouped and each group is assigned a group identifier code. Components communicates only with components of the same group, using the group identifier code. Each message includes the group identifier code, message data, and a message authentication code (MAC) that is calculated for each message. A receiving component disregards any message whose group identifier code is not the same as that of the receiving component. MACs are calculated using a shared key value and a one-way hash function. The shared key value, in turn, is taken from an ordered sequence of key values that is defined for each component group based on a counter value. To change to a new key value, one component of the group simply starts using the new key value. When a receiving component receives a message that does not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gilad Odinak, Nigel S. Keam
  • Patent number: 6496185
    Abstract: A processing system processes a mesh of triangles represented by a triangle list. A list optimization module rearranges the triangles in the triangle list such that triangle indices for adjacent triangles are stored as sequential entries in the triangle list. For each triangle in the triangle list, a triangle processing module determines whether a current triangle can be treated as a continuation of an current triangle strip. If the current triangle can be treated as a continuation of the current triangle strip, then a single vertex is added to the current triangle strip. The single vertex added to the current triangle strip is the vertex of the current triangle that is not already contained in the current triangle strip. If the current triangle cannot be treated as a continuation of the current triangle strip, then the current triangle strip terminated. After terminating the current triangle strip, a new triangle strip is created starting with the current triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Nigel S. Keam
  • Patent number: 6348875
    Abstract: A system communicates over electrical wiring in a house or other building. Messages between components include a group identifier code, message data, and a message authentication code (MAC) that is calculated for each message. MACs are calculated using a shared key value and a one-way hash function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gilad Odinak, Nigel S. Keam
  • Patent number: 6144291
    Abstract: A system for electronic communications using electrical power lines in a building includes a plurality of components that are connected for communications among themselves through the electrical power lines. A control transmitter is associated with at least one of the components for transmitting a data stream over the electrical power lines as a series of state changes. The data stream has a sequence of binary elements that each have one of two possible binary values. The control transmitter is configured to encode the binary elements as a series of three different state intervals on the transmission medium, depending on the value of the current binary element, the immediately preceding binary element, and the immediately following binary element. A control receiver is configured to decode the original data stream based on the state intervals. The encoding scheme allows a bit rate that is equal to the baud rate of the transmission medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gilad Odinak, Nigel S. Keam, Craig S. Ranta