Patents by Inventor Patrick A. Johnson

Patrick A. Johnson 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: 9164588
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media are described herein related to recognizing a look up gesture. Level-indication data from at least an accelerometer associated with a wearable computing device (WCD) can be received. The WCD can be worn by a wearer. The WCD can determine whether a head of the wearer is level based on the level-indication data. In response to determining that the head of the wearer is level, the WCD can receive lookup-indication data from at least the accelerometer. The WCD can determine whether the head of the wearer is tilted up based on the lookup-indication data. In response to determining that the head of the wearer is tilted up, the WCD can generate a gesture-recognition trigger, where the gesture-recognition trigger indicates that the head of the wearer has moved up from level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Johnson, Mat Balez, David Sparks, Thad Eugene Starner
  • Publication number: 20150268259
    Abstract: A handling device for samples and reagents to be used in testing in a system. Carriers of samples and reagents are loaded on a platform which detects the presence of, and proper loading of, such carriers. The carriers are moved from the platform by a transporter to a bar code reader for identification. A reagent container is rotated during reading to facilitate identification. The transporter further moves identified reagent carriers to a carousel on which the carriers automatically secured for storage awaiting use in testing. The carousel rotates, and selected reagent containers rotate on the rotating carousel, during storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Cordell Kay Gomm, Robert Paul Luoma, II, David Charles Arnquist, Ryan Patrick Johnson
  • Patent number: 9141194
    Abstract: A wearable computing device such as a head-mounted display (HMD) may be equipped with a magnetometer for detecting presence and motion of a hand-wearable magnet (HWM). The HMD may analyze magnetic field measurements of the magnetometer to determine when the HWM moves within a threshold distance of the magnetometer, and may thereafter determine one or more patterns of motion of the HWM based the magnetic field measurements. The HMD may operate in a background detection state in order to determine a background magnetic field strength and to monitor for magnetic disturbances from the HWM. Upon occurrence of a trigger event corresponding to magnetic disturbance above a threshold level, the HMD may transition to operating in a gesture detection state in which it analyzes magnetometer measurements for correspondence with known gestures. Upon recognizing a known gesture, the HMD may carry out one or more actions based on the recognized known gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Keyes, Michael Patrick Johnson, Thad Starner
  • Patent number: 9135915
    Abstract: Example methods and systems use multiple sensors to determine whether a speaker is speaking. Audio data in an audio-channel speech band detected by a microphone can be received. Vibration data in a vibration-channel speech band representative of vibrations detected by a sensor other than the microphone can be received. The microphone and the sensor can be associated with a head-mountable device (HMD). It is determined whether the audio data is causally related to the vibration data. If the audio data and the vibration data are causally related, an indication can be generated that the audio data contains HMD-wearer speech. Causally related audio and vibration data can be used to increase accuracy of text transcription of the HMD-wearer speech. If the audio data and the vibration data are not causally related, an indication can be generated that the audio data does not contain HMD-wearer speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Johnson, Jianchun Dong, Mat Balez
  • Patent number: 9128522
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to proximity sensing for wink detection. An illustrative method includes receiving data from a receiver portion of a proximity sensor. The receiver portion is disposed at a side section of a head-mountable device (HMD). When a wearer wears the HMD, the receiver portion is arranged to receive light reflected from an eye area of the wearer, the proximity sensor detects a movement of the eye area, and the data represents the movement. The method includes determining that the data corresponds to a wink gesture. The method also includes selecting a computing action to perform, based on the wink gesture. The method further includes performing the computing action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Hayes Solos Raffle, Michael Patrick Johnson, David Sparks, Bo Wu
  • Publication number: 20150193977
    Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems are disclosed that provide for the detection and recognition of target devices, by a mobile computing device, within a pre-defined local environment. An exemplary method may involve (a) receiving, at a mobile computing device, a local-environment message corresponding to a pre-defined local environment that may comprise (i) physical-layout information of the pre-defined local environment or (ii) an indication of a target device located in the pre-defined local environment, (b) receiving image data that is indicative of a field-of-view associated with the mobile computing device, (c) based at least in part on the physical-layout information in the local-environment message, locating the target device in the field-of-view, and (d) causing the mobile computing device to display a virtual control interface for the target device in a location within the field-of-view that is associated with the location of the target device in the field-of-view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael Patrick JOHNSON, Thad Eugene STARNER
  • Patent number: 9057714
    Abstract: A handling device for samples and reagents to be used in testing in a system. Carriers of samples and reagents are loaded on a platform which detects the presence of, and proper loading of, such carriers. The carriers are moved from the platform by a transporter to a bar code reader for identification. A reagent container is rotated during reading to facilitate identification. The transporter further moves identified reagent carriers to a carousel on which the carriers automatically secured for storage awaiting use in testing. The carousel rotates, and selected reagent containers rotate on the rotating carousel, during storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Cordell Kay Gomm, Robert Paul Luoma, II, David Charles Arnquist, Ryan Patrick Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150109191
    Abstract: Example methods and systems activate and deactivate a voice interface based on gaze directions. A computing device can define a range of voice-activation gaze directions and, in some cases, define a range of social-cue gaze directions, where the range of social-cue gaze directions overlaps the range of voice-activation gaze directions. The computing device can determine a gaze direction. The computing device determines whether the gaze direction is within the range of voice-activation gaze directions. In response to determining that the gaze direction is within the range of social-cue directions, the computing device can activate a voice interface. In response to determining that the gaze direction is not within the range of social-cue directions, the computing device can deactivate the voice interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Johnson, Hayes Solos Raffle
  • Publication number: 20150099481
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for providing various alert notifications to individuals. More specifically, the embodiments disclosed herein are directed to obtaining an alert notification from an external source and determining a geographic area associated with the alert notification. Once the geographic area has been determined the methods and systems described determine one or more users in the geographic area that meet one or more alert criteria. An alert notification is then generated and is provided to one or more users in geographic areas that meet the one or more alert criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Heather Maitre, Andrew Claiborne, J. Christopher Connelly, Patrick Johnson, Sharon Matthews, Mark Nery, Richard Von Feldt, Victoria Winters, Karie Willyerd
  • Patent number: 8963806
    Abstract: A head-mountable device configured to authenticate a wearer is disclosed. The head-mountable device can receive an indication of an eye gesture from at least one proximity sensor in the head-mountable device configured to generate sensor data indicative of light reflected from an eye area. The head-mountable device can capture biometric information indicative of one or more biometric identifiers of a wearer of the head-mountable device responsive to receiving the indication of the eye gesture. The head-mountable device can authenticate the wearer of the head-mountable device based on a comparison of the captured biometric information and a stored biometric profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Thad Eugene Starner, Michael Patrick Johnson, Antonio Bernardo Monteiro Costa
  • Publication number: 20150038347
    Abstract: Rapid surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) assays for ultratrace pathogen detection are provided. One-particle and two-particle sensor assays (e.g., biosensor assays) are provided. In one implementation, for example, an assay forms and concentrates a DNA hybridization complex incorporating paramagnetic particles and Raman active noble metal (e.g., gold, silver and/or copper) nanoparticles (two-particle sensor) or noble metal coated paramagnetic particles that provide both a SERS substrate and magnetic capture ability in a single sensor particle via a noble metal-coated paramagnetic particle, such as a gold-coated paramagnetic particle (one-particle sensor).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: The University of Wyoming,an institution of higher of the State of Wyoming
    Inventors: Patrick A. Johnson, Hao Zhang, Mark Harpster
  • Patent number: 8873147
    Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems involve chord-based authentication on a touch-based interface. An exemplary method may involve: (a) providing a user-interface on a touch-based interface of a computing device, wherein the user-interface comprises a plurality of input regions; (b) receiving input data corresponding to a plurality of touch interactions on the touch-based interface; (c) determining a sequence of chords from the input data, wherein each chord is defined by touch interaction with a certain combination of one or more of the input regions; (d) determining that the sequence of chords substantially matches a predetermined chord authentication sequence; and (e) responsive to the match, causing a computing device to make at least one function accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley James Rhodes, Michael Patrick Johnson, Sebastian Thrun, Thad Eugene Starner
  • Publication number: 20140244394
    Abstract: A user of a wireless device, such as a mobile phone, can make purchases or obtain information via a network, such as the Internet, using both voice and non-verbal methods. Users can submit voice queries and receive non-verbal replies, submit non-verbal queries and receive voice replies, or perform similar operations that many the voice and data capabilities of modern mobile communication devices. The user may provide notification criteria indicating under what conditions a notification should be sent to the user's wireless device. When purchasing opportunities matching the selected notification criteria become available, the user is notified. The user can respond to the notification, and immediately take advantage of the purchasing opportunity if he so desires. Mixed-mode interactions can also be used by sellers to more advantageously control the marketing of distressed, time sensitive, or other merchandise/services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Aeritas, LLC
    Inventors: Malik Mamdani, Patrick Johnson, Kevin Bomar
  • Publication number: 20140212215
    Abstract: The invention is a walking exercise park with a man-made hill. The hill can contain one or more slopes and steps that can be selected and walked or jogged. The goal of the man-made hill is to conveniently provide improved and expeditious health and fitness benefits as compared with ordinary park or level track walking. A person will be able to easily manage walking path elevation changes and have complete control over their workout on a concentrated footprint in a safe environment. The park can also be used for sports or athletic training or physical therapy and injury rehabilitation. The park can be lighted or covered or enclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: David Patrick Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140106908
    Abstract: The present invention relates to games and methods of playing the games, as well as kits for playing such games, and more particularly to ball toss games played on a playing field surface, by way of non-limiting example on a surface such as a turf field, tennis court, sand field or sand beach, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: George Mark Johnson, Daniel Patrick Johnson, Hugh Gallagher
  • Patent number: 8620364
    Abstract: A user of a wireless device, such as a mobile phone, can make purchases or obtain information via a network, such as the Internet, using both voice and non-verbal methods. Users can submit voice queries and receive non-verbal replies, submit non-verbal queries and receive voice replies, or perform similar operations that many the voice and data capabilities of modern mobile communication devices. The user may provide notification criteria indicating under what conditions a notification should be sent to the user's wireless device. When purchasing opportunities matching the selected notification criteria become available, the user is notified. The user can respond to the notification, and immediately take advantage of the purchasing opportunity if he so desires. Mixed-mode interactions can also be used by sellers to more advantageously control the marketing of distressed, time sensitive, or other merchandise/services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Aeritas, LLC
    Inventors: Malik Mamdani, Patrick Johnson, Kevin Bomar
  • Publication number: 20130256421
    Abstract: The electronic monetary transfer system uses a 2-Dimensional (2D) barcode. The service provider/inventors serve as a functionary for the transfer of monetary funds within the framework of several environments. One environment is defined as from one personal account holder to another personal account holder via a Smartphone. Another type of environment commonly referred to as point-of-sale (POS), is from one personal account holders Smartphone to a vendor/merchant account holder. The environments defined above don't represent the limits by which a monetary electronic transfer of funds using an electronic 2D barcode symbol will or could take place. The interface is a 2D time sensitive, pseudo-random barcode generated and uploaded to the requester's mobile device via a web-based application and is processed by an infrastructure similar to those used to support the processing of credit, debit and gift cards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Keith Patrick Johnson, Mark Reuben Sorrells
  • Publication number: 20130257709
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to proximity sensing for wink detection. An illustrative method includes receiving data from a receiver portion of a proximity sensor. The receiver portion is disposed at a side section of a head-mountable device (HMD). When a wearer wears the HMD, the receiver portion is arranged to receive light reflected from an eye area of the wearer, the proximity sensor detects a movement of the eye area, and the data represents the movement. The method includes determining that the data corresponds to a wink gesture. The method also includes selecting a computing action to perform, based on the wink gesture. The method further includes performing the computing action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Hayes Solos Raffle, Michael Patrick Johnson, David Sparks, Bo Wu
  • Publication number: 20130254525
    Abstract: The present description discloses systems and methods for changing the state of a device. One embodiment may include a device configured to provide a device in a first state, receive a signal indicative of first angular data of the device, and compare the first angular data to a first threshold. The device may then execute instructions to initiate a timer when the first angular data is greater than the first threshold, receive a signal indicative of a second angular data of the device, and compare the second angular data to a second threshold. When the second angular data is less than the second threshold and the time passed is within a pre-determined time period, the device may execute instructions to transition the device to a second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Johnson, Steve Lee, Mat Balez, Nirmal Patel
  • Publication number: 20120253820
    Abstract: A user of a wireless device, such as a mobile phone, can make purchases or obtain information via a network, such as the Internet, using both voice and non-verbal methods. Users can submit voice queries and receive non-verbal replies, submit non-verbal queries and receive voice replies, or perform similar operations that many the voice and data capabilities of modern mobile communication devices. The user may provide notification criteria indicating under what conditions a notification should be sent to the user's wireless device. When purchasing opportunities matching the selected notification criteria become available, the user is notified. The user can respond to the notification, and immediately take advantage of the purchasing opportunity if he so desires. Mixed-mode interactions can also be used by sellers to more advantageously control the marketing of distressed, time sensitive, or other merchandise/services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: AERITAS, LLC (F/K/A PROPEL TECHNOLOGY TEAM, LLC)
    Inventors: Malik Mamdani, Patrick Johnson, Kevin Bomar