Patents by Inventor Peter W. Hildebrandt

Peter W. Hildebrandt 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).

  • Publication number: 20160202878
    Abstract: A collaboration system comprising a first large display screen supported within the conference space and a processor linked to the large display screen and providing an interface thereon that includes a presentation space for presenting session content and a device icon section, the device icon section including a separate attendee icon for each attendee linked to the session via a portable computing device, wherein any one of the portable computing devices is useable to control content presented in the presentation space, the processor programmed to perform the steps of receiving a command to alter the content in the presentation space from any one of the portable computing devices, in response to receiving the command, altering the content in the presentation space and visually distinguishing the attendee icon associated with the portable computing device most recently used to change the content in the presentation space, wherein the portable computing devices are used in an egalitarian fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: MICHAEL H. DUNN, IAN G. HUTCHINSON, PETER W. HILDEBRANDT
  • Publication number: 20160162250
    Abstract: A method and assembly for sharing information in a conference space, the assembly comprising a display configuration including presentation surface area juxtaposed within the conference space for viewing by an audience, the surface area including at least first and second adjacent presentation sub-spaces, a processor programmed to perform the steps of presenting an interface on the surface area useable to generate session images within at least one of the sub-spaces, the interface including a panel section in which a separate panel icon for each of the session images created during a session is presented, the interface further including a separate space on the surface area associated with each of the sub-spaces, the interface facilitating selection and dragging of panel icons to locations associated with the sub-spaces to control the images presented in each of the sub-spaces, wherein, when a panel icon is dragged to a space, an image currently associated with the sub-space is replaced at the sub-space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: MICHAEL H DUNN, IAN G HUTCHINSON, PETER W HILDEBRANDT
  • Publication number: 20150356943
    Abstract: A presentation system for presenting information to an audience within a space, the system comprising a control interface, a master presentation unit including a flat panel display screen and a processor, the screen including a master space and a slave presentation assembly including a slave presentation surface and a first projector for projecting images on the slave presentation surface, the master unit processor linkable to the interface to receive commands therefrom, the processor programmed to monitor for a command from the interface to flip an image from the master space to the slave space and, when a command to flip an image is received, causing the image from the master space to be presented in the slave space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Michael H. Dunn, Ian G. Hutchinson, Peter W. Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 9189107
    Abstract: An eraser is usable in a display system having a display surface. The eraser includes one or more optical detection elements for determining the coordinates of the eraser relative to the display surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Wilson, James D. Watson, Peter W. Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 9116656
    Abstract: An assembly for sharing information in a conference space, the assembly comprising a single large presentation display assembly including a single and contiguous large presentation surface juxtaposed within the conference space for viewing by an audience, a processor linked to the display assembly and programmed to perform the steps of presenting a master sub-space on the presentation surface wherein the master sub-space includes only a portion of the presentation surface, enabling an interface that allows movement of an image from the master sub-space to another location outside the master sub-space, wherein, upon movement of an image from the master presentation sub-space to another space outside the master presentation sub-space on the presentation surface, the processor creates a slave presentation space proximate the another location for presenting the image moved from the master presentation sub-space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: STEELCASE INC.
    Inventors: Ian G Hutchinson, Peter W Hildebrandt, Michael H Dunn
  • Patent number: 9027015
    Abstract: A device and method of connecting an interactive communication system to a processing device. The device is a cable system that includes first and second ends. The first end of the cable system has a leg connector, while the second end of the connector system has first and second arm connectors. The method implements the cable system to load or run software onto the processing device, and includes connecting the leg connector to an interactive communication system; connecting the first arm connector having a memory device to the processing device, wherein the memory device includes predetermined software; loading/running the software on the processing device; disconnecting the first arm connector having the memory device from the processing device; and connecting a second arm connector to the processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Hildebrandt, Ian G. Hutchinson, James D. Watson, Michael H. Dunn, Neal A. Hofmann, Scott E. Wilson, Brent W. Anderson, Louis Ashford, Richard Meissner
  • Publication number: 20150042622
    Abstract: An eraser is usable in a display system having a display surface. The eraser includes one or more optical detection elements for determining the coordinates of the eraser relative to the display surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Scott E. Wilson, James D. Watson, Peter W. Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 8899990
    Abstract: Mounting systems can releasably secure display devices to preexisting surfaces for convenient installation and removal without external tools. A mounting system can comprise lower magnetic assemblies, upper magnetic assemblies, and a mounting sheet. The lower magnetic assemblies can be secured to a rear surface of a display device, for releasably attaching the display device to a preexisting surface. A bottom portion of the mounting sheet can be secured to the rear surface of the display device, while a top portion of the mounting sheet can remain loose from the rear surface. The upper magnetic assemblies can be provided along the loose top portion of the mounting sheet, for releasably attaching the display device to the preexisting surface. The upper magnetic assemblies can retain their connection to the preexisting surface as the display device is pulled away from the preexisting surface, until a threshold condition is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: John Helton, Peter W. Hildebrandt, Michael Boyle, Douglas MacDonald, Paul A. Balogh, Dale Miller, Robert Bergman
  • Patent number: 8890842
    Abstract: An eraser is usable in a display system having a display surface. The eraser includes one or more optical detection elements for determining the coordinates of the eraser relative to the display surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Wilson, James D. Watson, Peter W. Hildebrandt
  • Publication number: 20140198981
    Abstract: Embodiments of a processing systems and methods can unbend an image of facing pages of a bound book. An exemplary processing system can comprise an edge-detection unit, a keystone-correction unit, a flattening unit, and a conversion unit. After an image is received by the processing system, the image can be processed in turn by each unit. The edge-detection unit can identify edges of a document in the image. The keystone-correction unit can reduce or remove keystoning in the image, thereby correcting horizontal distortion of the document. The flattening unit can flatten or straighten text or objects in the image, thereby correcting vertical distortion of the document. The conversion unit can convert the image to a desired color profile. Accordingly, the processing system can process an original image into a more easily readable and digitally manipulable image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: POLYVISION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott E. Wilson, Peter W. Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 8757819
    Abstract: Interactive systems can include various components that are packaged together and easily assemblable. An interactive system can comprise a mount, a display device, a projector, an input device, and a processing device. The display device, the projector, the input device, and the processing device can together provide an electronic display system, while the mount can carry these other various components and assist in connecting them to one another. The mount and the other components of the interactive system can be conveniently packaged and sold as group for convenient installation by one or two persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas MacDonald, John Helton, Dale Miller, Michael Boyle, Peter W. Hildebrandt, Johnny Fuglsang Jessen, Edgar B. Montague, JeanLuc Camarda, Heinrik Soerensen Prang
  • Patent number: 8723815
    Abstract: The present invention includes interactive communication systems that incorporate several beneficial embodiments including an interactive tray system, an electronic presentation messaging system, an interactive podium, and a key drive system. The interactive tray system enables a single, transferable interactive unit to be fastened to a communication medium, turning into a fully interactive medium. The electronic presentation messaging system enables the e-mailing of presentations and notes to and from components of the interactive communication system. The interactive podium increases conventional podium mobility, enabling both the presenter, and podium, to move and be moved about the room without attention to wired connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Hildebrandt, Ian G. Hutchinson, James D. Watson, Michael H. Dunn, Neal A. Hofmann, Scott E. Wilson, Brent W. Anderson, Louis Ashford, Richard Meissner
  • Publication number: 20140085166
    Abstract: An assembly for sharing information in a conference space, the assembly comprising a single large presentation display assembly including a single and contiguous large presentation surface juxtaposed within the conference space for viewing by an audience, a processor linked to the display assembly and programmed to perform the steps of presenting a master sub-space on the presentation surface wherein the master sub-space includes only a portion of the presentation surface, enabling an interface that allows movement of an image from the master sub-space to another location outside the master sub-space, wherein, upon movement of an image from the master presentation sub-space to another space outside the master presentation sub-space on the presentation surface, the processor creates a slave presentation space proximate the another location for presenting the image moved from the master presentation sub-space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Ian G. Hutchinson, Peter W. Hildebrandt, Michael H. Dunn
  • Publication number: 20140006976
    Abstract: An assembly for sharing information in a conference space comprising a contiguous large presentation display assembly including a large contiguous presentation surface, a processor programmed to perform the steps of dividing the large surface into a plurality of adjacent presentation sub-spaces including at least one master sub-space and a plurality of slave sub-spaces and enabling an interface that allows images to be presented via the sub-spaces and that enables moving images among the different sub-spaces, wherein, upon an image being moved from the master sub-space to one of the slave sub-spaces, the master presentation sub-space is left blank to receive another image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Ian G. Hutchinson, Peter W. Hildebrandt, Michael H. Dunn
  • Publication number: 20130343609
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a system for processing a document image is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes an edge-detection unit configured to identify an edge of a document from a document image. The system also includes a keystone-correction unit and a flattening unit. The keystone-correction unit is configured to correct keystone distortion in the document image. The flattening unit is configured to flatten content of the document in the document image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: POLYVISION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott E. Wilson, Peter W. Hildebrandt
  • Publication number: 20130339888
    Abstract: A method and assembly for sharing information in a conference space, the assembly comprising a display configuration including presentation surface area juxtaposed within the conference space for viewing by an audience, the surface area including at least first and second adjacent presentation sub-spaces, a processor programmed to perform the steps of presenting an interface on the surface area useable to generate session images within at least one of the sub-spaces, the interface including a panel section in which a separate panel icon for each of the session images created during a session is presented, the interface further including a separate space on the surface area associated with each of the sub-spaces, the interface facilitating selection and dragging of panel icons to locations associated with the sub-spaces to control the images presented in each of the sub-spaces, wherein, when a panel icon is dragged to a space, an image currently associated with the sub-space is replaced at the sub-space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Ian G. Hutchinson, Peter W. Hildebrandt, Michael H. Dunn
  • Publication number: 20130339880
    Abstract: A method and assembly for use with a display configuration including a master sub-space and a plurality of slave sub-spaces, the assembly for controlling an information sharing session, the assembly comprising a processor linked to the display configuration and programmed to perform the steps of obtaining identification information from information sources usable to generate images on the sub-spaces during a session, presenting an interface via the master sub-space, the interface including a master workspace area for presenting images via the master sub-space and a tool area including source icons and panel icons associated with session images wherein each of the source and panel icons is selectable to create images within the master workspace area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Ian G. Hutchinson, Peter W. Hildebrandt, Michael H. Dunn
  • Publication number: 20130339861
    Abstract: An assembly including a display configuration including presentation surface area juxtaposed within the conference space for viewing by an audience, the presentation surface area including at least first and second adjacent sub-spaces, a first processor linked to the display assembly and programmed to perform the steps of enabling a first interface that allows images to be presented via and moved among the sub-spaces by selecting images in the sub-spaces on the surface area and moving the images to different locations and a hand held device including a device display and a second processor programmed to present a second interface that presents instances of each image presented via the sub-spaces and enabling movement of the images among the different sub-spaces by moving representations of the images to locations on the device display, the second processor communicating wirelessly with the first processor to synchronize images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Ian G. Hutchinson, Peter W. Hildebrandt, Michael H. Dunn
  • Patent number: 8610641
    Abstract: A method and system for configuring electronic presentation units for cooperative activities, the method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of presentation units in a conferencing space including a master unit and other units, electronically identifying the other units present in the conferencing space, enabling a configuration interface for identifying a sub-set of the other units as slave units, receiving input via the configuration interface identifying the slave unit sub-set and enabling a control interface for transferring images from the master unit to each of the slave units in the selected sub-set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Ian G. Hutchinson, Peter W. Hildebrandt, Michael H. Dunn
  • Patent number: 8243028
    Abstract: An eraser assembly for erasing a display surface of an electronic display system, where the display surface can implement a dot pattern. The eraser assembly can comprise a body assembly, which can be in communication with an eraser pad and a sensing device, such as a camera. The camera can be adapted to view the display surface when the eraser pad is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Polyvision Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Hildebrandt, James D. Watson, Ning Hui