Patents by Inventor P. Chen

P. Chen 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).

  • Methods and Apparatus for Rendering Labels Based on Occlusion Testing for Label Visibility
    Publication number: 20130321397
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a map tool displaying a three-dimensional view of a map region, where the map tool determines whether or not partially occluded labels within the map region are to be drawn or are to not be drawn. The map tool determines whether or not to draw a label in a map view dependent upon mapping information and upon construction of a three-dimensional model based on one or more two- or three-dimensional data sets. The map tool further determines whether or not to draw a label in the map view dependent upon a measure of occlusion of a label in the map view. In order to determine a measure of occlusion, the map tool may calculate whether a line of sight projection from virtual camera viewpoint for the mobile device intersects, once or more than once, with any objects or landmarks within the three-dimensional model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Billy P. Chen, Jeffrey P. Hultguist, Christopher Blumenberg, Aroon Pahwa
  • METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING VISUAL FEEDBACK OF A MAP VIEW CHANGE
    Publication number: 20130321395
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are described to provide visual feedback of a change in map view. Various embodiments may display a map view of a map in a two-dimensional map view mode. Embodiments may obtain input indicating a change to a three-dimensional map view mode. Input may be obtained through the utilization of touch, auditory, or other well-known input technologies. Some embodiments may allow the input to request a specific display position to display. In response to the input indicating a change to a three-dimensional map view mode, embodiments may then display an animation that moves a virtual camera for the map display to different virtual camera positions to illustrate that the map view mode is changed to a three-dimensional map view mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Billy P. Chen, Patrick S Piemonte, Christopher Blumenberg
  • Methods and Apparatus for Cartographically Aware Gestures
    Publication number: 20130321257
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a map tool on a mobile device for implementing cartographically aware gestures directed to a map view of a map region. The map tool may base a cartographically aware gesture on an actual gesture input directed to a map view and based on map data for the map region that may include metadata corresponding to elements within the map region. The map tool may then determine, based on one or more elements of the map data, a modification to be applied to an implementation to the gesture. Given the modification to the gesture implementation, the map tool may then render, based on performing the modification to the gesture, an updated map view instead of an updated map view based solely on the user gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Bradford A. Moore, Billy P. Chen, Christopher Blumenberg, Patrick S. Piemonte
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HIGHLIGHTING A FEATURE IN A 3D MAP WHILE PRESERVING DEPTH
    Publication number: 20130321403
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering 3D maps may highlight a feature in a 3D map while preserving depth. A map tool of a mapping or navigation application that detects the selection of a feature in a 3D map (e.g., by touch) may perform a ray intersection to determine the feature that was selected. The map tool may capture the frame to be displayed (with the selected feature highlighted) in several steps. Each step may translate the map about a pivot point of the selected map feature (e.g., in three or four directions) to capture a new frame. The captured frames may be blended together to create a blurred map view that depicts 3D depth in the scene. A crisp version of the selected feature may then be rendered within the otherwise blurred 3D map. Color, brightness, contrast, or saturation values may be modified to further highlight the selected feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Patrick S. Piemonte, Billy P. Chen, Christopher Blumenberg, Edward Kandrot
  • METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR DYNAMICALLY GENERATING MAP TEXTURES
    Publication number: 20130321442
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are described to dynamically generate map textures. A client device may obtain map data, which may include one or more shapes described by vector graphics data. Along with the one or more shapes, embodiments may include texture indicators linked to the one or more shapes. Embodiments may render the map data. For one or more shapes, a texture definition may be obtained. Based on the texture definition, a client device may dynamically generate a texture for the shape. The texture may then be applied to the shape to render a current fill portion of the shape. In some embodiments the render map view is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Marcel Van Os, Patrick S. Piemonte, Billy P. Chen, Christopher Blumenberg
  • METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY OBTAINING MAP IMAGE DATA ACCORDING TO VIRTUAL CAMERA VELOCITY
    Publication number: 20130321472
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are described to selectively obtain map image data according to virtual camera velocity. Embodiments may display a map view of a map using a virtual camera. Some embodiments may detect a velocity of the virtual camera. Embodiments may then determine map image data for the map view of the map according to the velocity of the virtual camera and obtain the determined map image data. In at least some embodiments, a level-of-detail may be specified for map image data according to the velocity. Map image data may be obtained corresponding to this level-of-detail from a map service or from accessing local storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Patrick S. Piemonte, Billy P. Chen
  • Methods and Apparatus for Determining Environmental Factors to Modify Hardware or System Operation
    Publication number: 20130324098
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an environment analysis tool on a mobile device which may construct a model of the surrounding environment in order to determine whether or not characteristics of the model implicate a degradation in wireless signal quality. In response to an analysis of the constructed model to determine signal quality, the environment analysis tool may alter the behavior of any number of hardware or software functions to avoid or reduce efforts to receive or use the affected signal over the duration of the mobile device's presence within the environment with the signal-degrading characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Patrick S. Piemonte, Billy P. Chen, Christopher Blumenberg
  • MAP TILE SELECTION IN 3D
    Publication number: 20130321411
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for efficiently identifying map tiles of a raised-relief map to retrieve from a server. An electronic device can use estimates of height(s) for various region(s) of the map to determine map tiles that are likely viewable from a given position of a virtual camera. The device can calculate the intersection of the field of view of the virtual camera with the estimated heights to determine a location of the map tiles (e.g., as determined by a 2D grid) needed. In this manner, the electronic device can retrieve, from a map server, the map tiles needed to display the image, without retrieving extraneous tiles that are not needed. Identifying such tiles can reduce the amount of data to be sent across a network and reduce the number of requests for tiles, since the correct tiles can be obtained with the first request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aroon Pahwa, Edward Kandrot, Christopher Blumenberg, Jeffrey H. Hultquist, Robert R. Cook, Billy P. Chen, Patrick S. Piemonte
  • METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL TRANSITION ANIMATION FOR A MAP VIEW CHANGE
    Publication number: 20130321431
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are described to provide a three-dimensional transition for a map view change. Various embodiments may display a map view. Embodiments may obtain input selecting another map view for display. Input may be obtained through the utilization of touch, auditory, or other well-known input technologies. In response to the input selecting a map view, embodiments may then display a transition animation that illustrates moving from the displayed map view to the selected map view in virtual space. Embodiments may then display the selected map view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Billy P. Chen, Patrick S. Piemonte
  • Computing transitions between captured driving runs
    Patent number: 8581900
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a global approach for computing transitions between captured runs through an intersection. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a transition algorithm receives as input various runs that have been captured through an intersection and an input path through the intersection. The transition algorithm processes its inputs and provides, as an output, a set of points and data such as a direction associated with each of the points. The set of points includes points from different captured runs. The output set of points and associated data indicate which images to obtain from a database and which field of view to create a simulated turn for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Billy P. Chen, Michael F. Cohen, Eyal Ofek, Blaise H. Aguera y Arcas
  • Deriving User Influences on Topics from Visual and Social Content
    Publication number: 20130086063
    Abstract: Analyzing digital content associated with a entity to identifier the entity's interest and influence related thereto. A set of digital content, such as text, pictures, or video, which the entity has submitted to one or more social media services, is identified. A set of interests for the entity is identified. This may be performed, in part, by analyzing a set of pictures to identify a set of visual attributes for each picture. Then, one or more descriptive labels that characterize the content shown in each picture are determined based on the set of visual attributes for each picture. Next, one or more subject categories for each picture are determined based upon the one or more descriptive labels for each picture. Thereafter, a set of actual interests for the entity is identified based, at least in part, upon the one or more subject categories associated with each digital picture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Trista P. Chen, Gabriel A. Matus
  • Cross-pollination synchronization of data
    Patent number: 8386558
    Abstract: A technique and mechanism to effect cross-pollination synchronization of PIM (personal information manager) data to multiple sources. Additionally, a novel feature of the subject invention is the ability to effect cross-pollination synchronization with any number of devices and sources in a network. The invention provides for a user to employ a mobile device or set of devices as a central repository for PIM data (e.g., calendar, contacts and tasks) synchronized from multiple sources (e.g., multiple PC's (personal computers), an exchange server). The invention provides for synchronization of PIM data from multiple types of server sources to multiple devices regardless of the synchronization protocol versions and different schemas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jason E. Schleifer, Gary W. Hall, Garry K. Tan, James P. Chen
  • Content securing system
    Patent number: 8327125
    Abstract: In a method for securing content in a system containing a security processor configured to control access to the content by a main processor, in which main processor being configured to send heartbeats to the security processor, a determination as to whether at least one heartbeat was received within a predicted time interval is made and in response to a determination that at least one heartbeat was not received with the predicted time interval, access to the content by the main processor is ceased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Jiang Zhang, Kun-Pei P. Chen, Alexander Medvinsky
  • Wireless sensing system and method thereof
    Patent number: 8301655
    Abstract: A wireless sensing system and a method thereof are provided. The wireless sensing system includes: a data processing center; and a first sensor module for processing a first source data into a first dynamic counting sketch data structure. The first dynamic counting sketch data structure has a bit length determined based on the first source data. The data processing center estimates the first source data based on the first dynamic counting sketch data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Industrial Technology Research Institute, National Chengchi University
    Inventors: Yao-Chung Fan, Arbee L. P. Chen, Guan-Rong Lin, Lun-Chia Kuo
  • City scene video sharing on digital maps
    Publication number: 20120262552
    Abstract: A video sharing system is described to annotate and navigate tourist videos. An example video sharing system enables non-linear browsing of multiple videos and enriches the browsing experience with contextual and geographic information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Bo Zhang, Ying-Qing Xu, Bill (Billy) P. Chen, Eyal Ofek, Baining Guo
  • Wireless sensor network and data sensing method thereof
    Patent number: 8289150
    Abstract: A wireless sensor network and data sensing method thereof are provided. A prediction model is established according to sensed data. When statistical value of the sensed data is within a user allowable range, the average value of the sensed data is returned to a user based on the prediction model. Alternatively, when the statistical value of the sensed data is beyond the user allowable range, actually sensed data is returned to the user based on the prediction model. In addition, the prediction model may further be dynamically updated according to subsequently received sensed data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Guan-Rong Lin, Lun-Chia Kuo, Arbee L. P. Chen, Yao-Chung Fan, En-Tzu Wang
  • SCREW TERMINAL SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20120108107
    Abstract: A terminal assembly is provided for accommodating stripped wires and ring lugs. The assembly includes a fastener and clamp plate, the fastener being secured to a base by threaded engagement. A wire to be terminated may be inserted through an access window and secured between the clamp plate and base, with the threaded fastener serving to urge the clamp plate downwardly on the wire. For terminating ring lugs, the fastener may be raised to upper position where it is retained by elastic deformation of retaining elements within the assembly housing. Once the ring lug is inserted the fastener and clamp plate may be released and the termination completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peng P. Chen, An A. Wang
  • TURBINE NOZZLE ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS FOR REPAIRING TURBINE NOZZLE ASSEMBLIES
    Publication number: 20120063894
    Abstract: A method is provided for repairing a turbine nozzle assembly with an insert and a support structure. The method includes positioning the insert on the support structure of the turbine nozzle assembly; and plug welding the insert to the support structure of the turbine nozzle assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Robert P. Chen, Dave Elpern, Stephen Vaccarezza, Alvin Powell
  • COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING HEPATITIS VIRUS INFECTION
    Publication number: 20120034238
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating hepatitis virus infection comprising administering to a subject infected with a hepatitis virus an effective amount of a yolk or yolk antibody obtained from an egg of a fowl which has been immunized using Helicobacter pylori as an antigen. In particular, the method is effective in reducing virus titer and/or decreasing a level of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) or glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) in the subject. Also provided is a composition for treating hepatitis virus infection which comprises the yolk or yolk antibody in combination with one or more supplemental ingredients such as Salviae Miltiorrhiza Radix, Oldennlandiae Hb., Zingiberis Radix, Ginseng Radix, Atractylodis Radix, Curcumae Radix, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, bee propolis, calcium lactate, soy proteins, probiotics, and grain bran.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: ASIA HEPATO GENE CO.
    Inventor: David C. P. Chen
  • Compositions and Methods for Modulating Immune Response
    Publication number: 20120009198
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for modulating immune response in a subject, which comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a yolk or yolk antibody obtained from an egg of a fowl which has been immunized using Helicobacter pylori as an antigen. In particular, the method of the invention is effective in enhancing production of IFN-? and suppressing production of IL-4 and IL-5 in a subject. Also provided is a composition which comprises said yolk or yolk antibody in combination with polypore and chitosan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: ASIA HEPATO GENE CO.
    Inventors: David C. P. Chen, Yi-Shu Chung