Patents by Inventor Richard J. Shields

Richard J. Shields 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: 11570374
    Abstract: Devices, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed, describing an adaptive, subject-aware approach for image bracket selection and fusion, e.g., to generate high quality images in a wide variety of capturing conditions, including low light conditions. An incoming image stream may be obtained from an image capture device, comprising images captured using differing default exposure values, e.g., according to a predetermined pattern. When a capture request is received, it may be detected whether one or more human or animal subjects are present in the incoming image stream. If a subject is detected, an exposure time of one or more images selected from the incoming image stream may be reduced relative to its default exposure time. Prior to the fusion operation, one of the selected images may be designated a reference image for the fusion operation based, at least in part, on a sharpness score and/or a blink score of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Sun, Farhan A. Baqai, Giancarlo Todone, Gijesh Varghese, Morten Poulsen, Richard D. Seely, Richard J. Shields, Srivani Pinneli, Wu Cheng
  • Patent number: 5257946
    Abstract: A recessed electric outlet assembly with cover plate is provided for a wall having a sheet rock panel and wall studs, and consists of an outlet box placed through an aperture in the sheet rock panel, which is secured to one side of one of the wall studs. An electric outlet is electrically connected to wiring from within the wall and is mounted to the outlet box, so that the electric outlet is recessed with respect to the sheet rock panel. A recessed cover plate is also provided with a back portion connected to the electric outlet. A front portion of the recessed cover plate is generally flush with the sheet rock panel, so that plugs on electric cords can be inserted into the electric outlet and not protrude from the wall to be accidentally dislodged therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Inventors: Donald A. MacMillan, Richard J. Shields