Patents by Inventor Peter E. Hart

Peter E. Hart 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: 7672543
    Abstract: A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system and associated techniques are disclosed. The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content and/or web link as a second medium). In one particular embodiment, the MMR system includes an action processor and method, and MMR documents with an associated action. The MMR document structure is particularly advantageous because the ability to specify different actions for different MMR documents, combined with the ability to create any number of MMR documents for a particular location on any media, allows the MMR architecture to serve as a universal trigger or initiator for additional processing. In other words, addition processing or actions can be triggered or initiated based on MMR recognition. The action processor receives the output of the MMR recognition process which yields an MMR document including at least one action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Hull, Berna Erol, Jamey Graham, Peter E. Hart, Dar-Shyang Lee, Kurt Piersol
  • Patent number: 7669127
    Abstract: Techniques for capturing information during multimedia presentations. According to an embodiment, the presentation recording appliance (PRA) receives multimedia presentation information comprising video information and/or audio information. The PRA may also receive information from external sources other than the first source. The audio and video information received by the PRA is then processed and stored in a format which facilitates subsequent retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Hull, Michael Baxter, Pamela Gage, Jamey Graham, Dar-Shyang Lee, Peter E. Hart
  • Patent number: 7669148
    Abstract: A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content and/or web link as a second medium). The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types, such as printed paper as a first medium and a digital photograph, digital movie, digital audio file, or web link as a second medium. Furthermore, the MMR system facilitates business methods that take advantage of the combination of a portable electronic device, such as a portable video player or a portable audio player, and a paper document for the portable electronic device to provide information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Hull, Jamey Graham, Peter E. Hart, Kurt Piersol
  • Patent number: 7653925
    Abstract: Techniques for receiving information during multimedia presentations and for communicating the received information to one or more information access devices. A presentation recorder adapter receives information during a multimedia presentation and communicates the information to access devices. The adapter may receive multimedia presentation information, comprising video information and audio information, from a first source. The adapter may also receive information from a second source separate from the first source during the multimedia presentation. For example, the second source may be an attendee of the multimedia presentation. The adapter may transmit the multimedia presentation information received from the first source and the information received from the second source to one or more information access devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Hull, Michael Baxter, Pamela Gage, Jamey Graham, Dar-Shyang Lee, Peter E. Hart
  • Patent number: 7639387
    Abstract: A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system and associated techniques are disclosed. The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content and/or web link as a second medium). In one particular embodiment, the MMR system provides a method to associate related documents. The method acquires two associated documents and associates the related portions together. When the method acquires a portion of one of the document, it identifies the portion acquired, and provides the related portion of the other document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Hull, Berna Erol, Jamey Graham, Peter E. Hart, Kurt Piersol
  • Publication number: 20090313245
    Abstract: A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system associated techniques are disclosed. The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content as a second medium. The MMR system of the present invention provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types, such as printed paper as a first medium and a digital photograph, digital movie, digital audio file, or web link as a second medium. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including: a method for layout independent MMR recognition, a strip fragment candidate generation process, and a page candidate accumulation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: RICOH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Stephen Weyl, Geoffrey H. Nudd, Peter E. Hart, Jonathan J. Hull
  • Patent number: 7587412
    Abstract: A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system associated techniques are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the MMR system includes a MMR brokerage network having a customer, an MMR broker, an MMR service bureau and an MMR clearinghouse. The MMR brokerage network allows these entities to interact to provide a unified point of business access for the customer who wants to add MMR functionality to a document. Furthermore, the MMR system of the present invention facilitates business methods that take advantage of the combination of a portable electronic device, such as a cellular camera phone, and a paper document. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including: a method for operation of a MMR brokerage network, a method for layout independent MMR recognition, a strip fragment candidate generation process, and a page candidate accumulation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Weyl, Geoffrey H. Nudd, Peter E. Hart, Jonathan J. Hull
  • Patent number: 7573604
    Abstract: A system and method for a printer that receives a data containing multimedia information or a pointer to multimedia content and performs various actions in accordance with the received document. The printer may retrieve the multimedia content based on pointers within the document or the document itself may include multimedia content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Hull, Kurt Wesley Piersol, Jamey Graham, Peter E. Hart
  • Patent number: 7573593
    Abstract: A printing system enables the printing of multimedia received from a media source that is communicatively coupled to the printer. Based on the received multimedia data, the printing system produces a paper or other printed output as well as a related electronic output. Together, the printed and electronic outputs provide a representation of the multimedia. The printer is also capable of communicating and controlling the functionality of the media source. Depending on the desired application for the printer, the printer may include any combination of mechanisms for receiving media data, printing the printed output, and producing the electronic output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter E. Hart, Jonathan J. Hull, Jamey Graham, Kurt W. Piersol
  • Patent number: 7570380
    Abstract: A multifunction printer enables the printing of time-based media and is operated via a user interface. The user interface includes a touch screen for accepting command inputs and providing information to a user. Time-based media data is received by the printer from a media source specified via the user interface. A user specifies one or more multimedia processing functions for the printer to apply to the data. The printer performs the specified functions, and previews the output to the user via a display of the user interface. If the user decides to print the previewed output, the user specifies one or more output devices, such that the printer can print conventional printed output and/or to a specified electronic output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter E. Hart, Jonathan J. Hull, Jamey Graham, Kurt Piersol
  • Patent number: 7551780
    Abstract: A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system and associated techniques are disclosed. The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content and/or web link as a second medium). In one particular embodiment, the mixed media document may also include hotspot images that uniquely identify a user associated with the mixed media document. Such individualized mixed media documents are used to identify users of the mixed media document, when orders for products or services are made using the mixed media documents through the MMR system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Geoffrey H. Nudd, Stephen Weyl, Jamey Graham, Berna Erol, Peter E. Hart, Jonathan J. Hull
  • Patent number: 7528976
    Abstract: A printing system for time-based data enables the printing of time-based media by sharing processing resources on a printer and on an external media processing system such as an external service, for example, a web service. The media processing may similarly be shared, as determined by a resource allocation module, between the printer and an external media processing system coupled via a communication interface to the printer or via a network. An example of such an external media processing system is an external device such as a personal computer or an external service such as a web service. A stand-alone version of the printer with embedded time based data in multiple media is described with a display and user interface so that a user can walk up to the printer and perform multimedia processing at the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter E. Hart, Jonathan J. Hull, Jamey Graham, Kurt W. Piersol
  • Patent number: 7528977
    Abstract: A printing system enables the printing of multimedia received from a device that is docked on the printer. Based on received multimedia data, the printing system produces a paper or other printed output as well as a related electronic output. Together, the printed and electronic outputs provide a representation of the multimedia. The printer is also capable of communicating and controlling the functionality of the peripheral device. Depending on the desired application for the printer, the printer may include any combination of mechanisms for receiving media data, printing the printed output, and producing the electronic output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Hull, Peter E. Hart, Jamey Graham
  • Patent number: 7511846
    Abstract: A multifunction printer enables the printing of time-based media. Based on received time-based media data, the printer produces a paper or other printed output as well as a related electronic output. Together, the printed and electronic outputs provide a representation of the time-based media. Depending on the desired application for the printer, the printer may include any combination of mechanisms for receiving media data, printing the printed output, and producing the electronic output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter E. Hart, Jonathan J. Hull, Jamey Graham, Kurt Piersol
  • Patent number: 7508535
    Abstract: A printing system for time-based data enables the printing of time-based media by sharing processing resources on a printer and on an external media processing system such as an external service, for example, a web service. The media processing may similarly be shared, as determined by a resource allocation module, or as indicated by a user via a user interface, between the printer and an external media processing system coupled via a communication interface to the printer or via a network. An example of such an external media processing system is an external device such as a personal computer or an external service such as a web service. A stand-alone version of the printer with embedded time based data in multiple media is described with a display and user interface so that a user can walk up to the printer and perform multimedia processing at the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter E. Hart, Jonathan J. Hull, Jamey Graham, Kurt W. Piersol
  • Patent number: 7506250
    Abstract: Techniques for determining electronic document information for a paper document. The electronic document information determined for a paper document may include information identifying an electronic document corresponding to the paper document. The electronic document information may also include information identifying a location where the electronic document is stored or a pointer or reference to the electronic document. The electronic document information determined for a paper document may be stored along with identification code information read from an identification tag that is physically associated with the paper document. The electronic document information for a paper document may also be stored in an identification tag that is physically associated with the paper document or physically associated with another paper document generated based upon the paper document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Hull, Jamey Graham, Dar-Shyang Lee, Peter E. Hart
  • Patent number: 7505163
    Abstract: A multifunction printer enables the printing of time-based media and is operated via a user interface. The user interface includes a touch screen for accepting command inputs and providing information to a user. Time-based media data is received by the printer from a media source specified via the user interface. A user specifies one or more multimedia processing functions for the printer to apply to the data. The printer performs the specified functions, and previews the output to the user via a display of the user interface. If the user decides to print the previewed output, the user specifies one or more output devices, such that the printer can print conventional printed output and/or to a specified electronic output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter E. Hart, Jonathan J. Hull, Jamey Graham, Kurt Piersol
  • Patent number: 7493559
    Abstract: The system includes an image display system, a direct annotation creation module, an annotation display module, a vocabulary comparison module and a dynamic updating module. These modules are coupled together by a bus and provide for the direct multi-modal annotation of media of media objects. The direct annotation creation module creates annotation objects. The annotation display module works in cooperation with the image display system to display the annotations themselves or graphic representations of the annotation positioned relative to the images of the objects. The system automatically creates the annotation, associates it with the selected images, and displays either a graphic representation of the annotation or a text translation of the audio input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Wolff, Peter E. Hart
  • Publication number: 20090019402
    Abstract: The present invention uses invisible junctions which are a set of local features unique to every page of the electronic document to match the captured image to a part of an electronic document. The present invention includes: an image capture device, a feature extraction and recognition system and database. When an electronic document is printed, the feature extraction and recognition system captures an image of the document page. The features in the captured image are then extracted, indexed and stored in the database. Given a query image, usually a small patch of some document page captured by a low resolution image capture device, the features in the query image are extracted and compared against those stored in the database to identify the query image. The present invention also includes methods for recognizing and tracking the viewing region and look at point corresponding to the input query image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Qifa Ke, Peter E. Hart, Jonathan J. Hull, Hidenobu Kishi
  • Patent number: 7474791
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to receive an image and to create a smaller representation of the image from a wavelet representation of the image is described. The size of the smaller representation of the image is selected to compensate for the content of the image and physical properties of the display device to display the smaller representation of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kathrin Berkner, Ramesh Neelamani, Gregory J. Wolff, Martin Boliek, Peter E. Hart