Patents by Inventor Philip E. Watson

Philip E. Watson 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: 11710420
    Abstract: A technique for dynamic generation of a therapeutic derivative story includes obtaining attribute data that describes characteristics of a content consumer along with situational details describing an emotional situation involving the content consumer. A relatability score for the therapeutic derivative story is determined. A content data structure (CDS) is selected. The CDS specifies story elements of a preexisting story. The story elements are associated with metadata constraints that constrain modification or use of the story elements. The metadata constraints indicate whether associated ones of the story elements are mutable story elements. One or more of the mutable story elements are adapted based on the attribute data or the situational details as constrained by the metadata constraints and to an extent determined at least in part by the relatability score to generate the therapeutic derivative story.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Philip E. Watson, Julia Watson, Kathleen Watson, Christian Ervin
  • Patent number: 11501079
    Abstract: A technique for dynamic generation of a derivative story includes obtaining content preferences from a content consumer. The content preferences indicate preferences for characteristics of the derivative story. A content data structure is identified based at least in part on the content preferences. The content data structure specifies story elements of a preexisting story. The story elements are defined at one or more different levels of story abstraction and associated with metadata constraints that constrain modification or use of the story elements within the derivative story. At least some of the metadata constraints indicate whether associated ones of the story elements are mutable story elements. One or more of the mutable story elements are adapted to the content preferences of the content consumer as constrained by the metadata constraints to generate the derivative story. The derivative story is then rendered via a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Philip E. Watson, Christian Ervin
  • Publication number: 20220067556
    Abstract: Techniques for controlling virtual agents are provided. In some embodiments that control a first virtual agent, a computing device senses an environment, wherein the environment includes one or more environmental states and a group of other virtual agents. The computing device determines a goal of the group of other virtual agents. The computing device determines whether the first virtual agent should affiliate with the group of other virtual agents. In response to determining that the first virtual agent should affiliate with the group of other virtual agents, the computing device changes a goal of the first virtual agent based on the goal of the group of other virtual agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Philip E. Watson, Christian Ervin
  • Publication number: 20200166766
    Abstract: Polarizing beam splitters and systems incorporating such beam splitters are described. More specifically, hybrid polarizing beam splitters and systems with such beam splitters that incorporate polymeric reflective polarizers aligned with MacNeille or wire grid reflective polarizers are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Philip E. Watson, Yarn Chee Poon, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 10591741
    Abstract: Polarizing beam splitters and systems incorporating such beam splitters are described. More specifically, hybrid polarizing beam splitters and systems with such beam splitters that incorporate polymeric reflective polarizers aligned with MacNeille or wire grid reflective polarizers are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Philip E. Watson, Yarn Chee Poon, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 10310314
    Abstract: A display panel includes an array of display pixels to output an image. The array of display pixels includes a central pixel region and a perimeter pixel region. The central pixel region includes central pixel units each having three different colored sub-pixels. The different colored sub-pixels of the central pixel units are organized according to a central layout pattern that repeats across the central pixel region. The perimeter pixel region is disposed along a perimeter of the central pixel region and includes perimeter pixel units that increase a brightness of the image along edges of the central pixel region to mask gaps around the array of display pixels when tiling the array of display pixels with other arrays of display pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Philip E. Watson, Pey Lung Fu, Hung-Yu Chen, Carlin Vieri, Adam E. Norton, Andrei S. Kazmierski, Serge J. A. Bierhuizen, Nicholas C. Loomis, Behnam Bastani, Yachi Lee
  • Patent number: 10139645
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to beamsplitters useful in color combiners, and in particular color combiners useful in small size format projectors such as pocket projectors. The disclosed beamsplitters and color combiners include a tilted dichroic reflective polarizer plate having at least two dichroic reflective polarizers tilted at different angles relative to incident light beams, with light collection optics to combine at least two colors of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Yarn Chee Poon, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Philip E. Watson, Xiaohui Cheng, Kim Leong Tan, Stephen J. Willett
  • Publication number: 20180217394
    Abstract: Polarizing beam splitters and systems incorporating such beam splitters are described. More specifically, hybrid polarizing beam splitters and systems with such beam splitters that incorporate polymeric reflective polarizers aligned with MacNeille or wire grid reflective polarizers are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Philip E. Watson, Yarn Chee Poon, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 10031260
    Abstract: A sensor comprising a thin film photovoltaic pixel is fitted with optics to provide a field-of-view for the sensing of persons, or other objects, entering or exiting said field-of-view. When a person enters the field-of-view, a processor may sense such entry, then provide signals to other electronic apparatus indicative of such an event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott E. Brigham, Kenneth A. Epstein, Kiran S Kanukurthy, John C. Schultz, Philip E Watson
  • Patent number: 9958699
    Abstract: Polarizing beam splitters and systems incorporating such beam splitters are described. More specifically, hybrid polarizing beam splitters and systems with such beam splitters that incorporate polymeric reflective polarizers aligned with MacNeille or wire grid reflective polarizers are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Philip E. Watson, Yarn Chee Poon, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
  • Publication number: 20170351109
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to beamsplitters useful in color combiners, and in particular color combiners useful in small size format projectors such as pocket projectors. The disclosed beamsplitters and color combiners include a tilted dichroic reflective polarizer plate having at least two dichroic reflective polarizers tilted at different angles relative to incident light beams, with light collection optics to combine at least two colors of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Yarn Chee Poon, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Philip E. Watson, Xiaohui Cheng, Kim Leong Tan, Stephen J. Willett
  • Patent number: 9784985
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to beamsplitters useful in color combiners, and in particular color combiners useful in small size format projectors such as pocket projectors. The disclosed beamsplitters and color combiners include a tilted dichroic reflective polarizer plate having at least two dichroic reflective polarizers tilted at different angles relative to incident light beams, with light collection optics to combine at least two colors of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Yarn Chee Poon, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Philip E. Watson, Xiaohui Cheng, Kim Leong Tan, Stephen J. Willett
  • Patent number: 9594277
    Abstract: A multi-domain liquid crystal pixel array includes two substrate layers and liquid crystal disposed between the two substrate layers. The multi-domain liquid crystal pixel array also includes at least one alignment layer having four or more alignment zones across the multi-domain liquid crystal pixel array. Each alignment zone has a different pre-tilt liquid crystal orientation than the other alignment zones. The alignment zones are configured to generate divergent image light with respect to a center of the multi-domain liquid crystal pixel array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Pey Lung Fu, Mary Lou Jepsen, Philip E. Watson, Behnam Bastani, Carlin J. Vieri, Andrei S. Kazmierski, Adam E. Norton, Ya-Chi Lee, Eddy Giing-Li Chen, Hung-Yu Chen, Shenyi Tai
  • Publication number: 20170045769
    Abstract: A display panel includes an array of display pixels to output an image. The array of display pixels includes a central pixel region and a perimeter pixel region. The central pixel region includes central pixel units each having three different colored sub-pixels. The different colored sub-pixels of the central pixel units are organized according to a central layout pattern that repeats across the central pixel region. The perimeter pixel region is disposed along a perimeter of the central pixel region and includes perimeter pixel units that increase a brightness of the image along edges of the central pixel region to mask gaps around the array of display pixels when tiling the array of display pixels with other arrays of display pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Philip E. Watson, Pey Lung Fu, Hung-Yu Chen, Carlin Vieri, Adam E. Norton, Andrei S. Kazmierski, Serge J. A. Bierhuizen, Nicholas C. Loomis, Behnam Bastani, Yachi Lee
  • Patent number: 9541698
    Abstract: A backlight that includes a front reflector (120) and a back reflector (130) that form a hollow light recycling cavity including an output surface (104) is disclosed. At least a portion of the back reflector is non-parallel to the front reflector. The backlight also includes at least one semi-specular element disposed within the hollow light recycling cavity, and one or more light sources (140) disposed to emit light into the hollow light recycling cavity, where the one or more light sources are configured to emit light into the hollow light recycling cavity over a limited angular range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John A. Wheatley, Michael A. Meis, Rolf W. Biernath, Philip E. Watson, Tao Liu
  • Patent number: 9488859
    Abstract: A backlight that includes an illumination device that has at least one light source, a circular-mode reflective polarizer, and a specular partial reflector is disclosed. The specular partial reflector is disposed between the illumination device and the circular-mode reflective polarizer. Furthermore, the specular partial reflector is in substantially direct polarization communication with the circular-mode reflective polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark B. O'Neill, Philip E. Watson, Matthew B. Johnson, Adam D. Haag, Keith M. Kotchick, Sergey Lamansky
  • Publication number: 20160320525
    Abstract: A sensor comprising a thin film photovoltaic pixel is fitted with optics to provide a field-of-view for the sensing of persons, or other objects, entering or exiting said field-of-view. When a person enters the field-of-view, a processor may sense such entry, then provide signals to other electronic apparatus indicative of such an event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Scott E. BRIGHAM, Kenneth A. EPSTEIN, Kiran S KANUKURTHY, John C. SCHULTZ, Philip E WATSON
  • Publication number: 20160225299
    Abstract: A system for obscuring a sensing device associated with a printed graphic while preserving the device's sensing functionally by use of a piece of perforated film printed to match the printed graphic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Philip E Watson, Scott E Brigham, William J Bryan, John C Schultz
  • Publication number: 20160225031
    Abstract: A system comprising two or more cards, at least one being a sensor card, and at least one being a response card, provide interactivity features for traditional print-type advertising content. The sensor card senses an environmental variable, such as the presence of a person, then wirelessly communicates to a proximately located response card, which initiates an activity based on the received wireless communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Philip E Watson, Scott E Brigham, John C Schultz
  • Patent number: 9250508
    Abstract: A rear projection screen includes an array of pin-hole apertures to pass display light incident from a first side of the rear projection screen through to a viewing side of the rear projection screen opposite the first side. An array of concentrator structures surrounds the pin-hole apertures and defines concentrating optical pathways. The concentrating optical pathways each have an input aperture for collecting the display light and an output defined by a corresponding one of the pin-hole apertures to emit the display light. The input apertures are larger than the pin-hole apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Belle Fu, Serge J. Bierhuizen, Mary Lou Jepsen, Andrei S. Kazmierski, Adam E. Norton, Nicholas C. Loomis, Philip E. Watson