Patents by Inventor Ryan Hickman

Ryan Hickman 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: 8635542
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which syndication spaces for a webpage are identified, each syndication space defining a location on the webpage in which one or more content items are displayed at a client device, and each content item associated with one or more campaign attributes. Display data is generated that causes each syndication space to selectively display a visual indication of one or more of the campaign attributes on the webpage at the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventor: Ryan Hickman
  • Patent number: 8607146
    Abstract: According to a general aspect, a method can include receiving a request, triggered via a consumer account, to access, using a social media application, a plurality of sharer content. The sharer content can be associated with a sharer account using the social media application. The method can include retrieving, in response to the request, a consumer value and a relationship value. The consumer value can represent an interaction with the social media application via the consumer account and the relationship value can characterize a relationship between a consumer identifier of the consumer account and a sharer identifier of the sharer account. The method can include selecting a subset of sharer content from the plurality of sharer content based on a combination of the consumer value and the relationship value, and can include defining a portion of a presentation customized for the consumer account using the selected subset of sharer content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Hickman
  • Patent number: 8601378
    Abstract: According to a general aspect, a method can include receiving a request, triggered via a consumer account, to access, using a social media application, a plurality of sharer content. The sharer content can be associated with a sharer account using the social media application. The method can include retrieving, in response to the request, a consumer value and a relationship value. The consumer value can represent an interaction with the social media application via the consumer account and the relationship value can characterize a relationship between a consumer identifier of the consumer account and a sharer identifier of the sharer account. The method can include selecting a subset of sharer content from the plurality of sharer content based on a combination of the consumer value and the relationship value, and can include defining a portion of a presentation customized for the consumer account using the selected subset of sharer content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Hickman
  • Patent number: 8566150
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a computer-implemented method including receiving a first input from a publisher who has established an account with a content-distributing entity to publish content from others, the first input being generated based on a publisher media item configured to present at least part of the content and including code from the publisher media item for requesting the content. The method further includes obtaining the content from the content-distributing entity including using the code to generate a request for the content. The method further includes generating an analysis view available to the publisher, the analysis view generated using the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoming Chen, Girish Deodhar, Ryan Hickman
  • Publication number: 20130257856
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a view of an object in a three-dimensional (3D) image viewer are described. In an example, a computing device may be configured to receive a 3D object data model that may have a default view for rendering an image depicting an object in a default position. The computing device may be configured to determine, by way of a simulation of movement of the object, a rest position of the object that may describe one or more of a size, an orientation, and a shape that the object maintains when subjected to one or more forces. The computing device may be configured to provide information associated with instructions for rendering in a 3D image viewer a given image representing the 3D object data model of the object, where the given image may depict the object in the determined rest position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Hickman, Thor Lewis
  • Publication number: 20130262511
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining and transmitting applicable lighting information, applicable viewing perspective, and a 3D model for an object in response to a search query. An example method includes receiving, at a server, a search query regarding an object. A 3D model for the object is determined. The 3D model includes three-dimensional shape information about the object. The method also includes determining, based on a plurality of stored images of the object, at least one applicable light field and at least one applicable viewing perspective. A search query result is transmitted from the server. The search query result may include the 3D model, the applicable light field(s), and the applicable viewing perspective(s). A server and a non-transitory computer readable medium are also disclosed that could perform a similar method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Kuffner, JR., James R. Bruce, Arshan Poursohi, Ryan Hickman
  • Patent number: 8525853
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a screen interface for providing a layered display of a robot is provided. A computing device, such as the cloud may receive information associated with a robot and the received information may indicate components of the robot. The computing device may then generate a layered display of the robot based on the received information and provide the generated layered display on a screen interface. The screen interface may show a number of different views of the robot, including a structural view of the robot and a components view of the robot. The interface may provide information indicating capabilities of the robot or capabilities of the components of the robot. The screen interface may also show different layers of components of the robot, such as a functions layer, and a task group layer. The screen interface may further show modified configurations of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Hickman
  • Patent number: 8525846
    Abstract: Methods and systems for material refinement for portions of a three-dimensional (3D) object data model are provided. An example method may include rendering a portion of a 3D object data model, and determining a first appearance metric between an appearance of the portion in the rendered view and a two-dimensional (2D) image. For one or more iterations, a modification to material properties associated with the portion may be determined based on the first appearance metric, and another view of the portion of the 3D object data model may be rendered. Also for the one or more iterations, another appearance metric between and an appearance of the portion in the rendered another view and the 2D image may be determined. Additionally, modified material properties for the portion that are associated with a minimum appearance metric of the one or more iterations may be stored for the 3D object data model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Hickman, James J. Kuffner, Jr., Anthony Gerald Francis, Jr., Arshan Poursohi, James R. Bruce, Thor Lewis, Chaitanya Gharpure
  • Patent number: 8525836
    Abstract: Methods and systems for representing information associated with an object in an area are provided. An example method includes determining a high-resolution representation of information associated with an area in which a robotic device is configured to operate. The high-resolution representation of information may include data associated with an object in the area and an indication of an occurrence of an update to the data. The method may further include determining a proximity of the robotic device to the object in the area. According to the method, when the proximity is less than a proximity threshold or the occurrence of the update is greater than an age threshold, a low-resolution representation of information associated with the area may be determined and provided to the robotic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Arshan Poursohi, Ryan Hickman
  • Patent number: 8515982
    Abstract: Methods and systems for interacting with multiple three-dimensional (3D) object data models are provided. An example method may involve receiving an annotated template of a first three-dimensional (3D) object data model. The annotated template may be associated with a given category of objects and may include one or more annotations to one or more aspects of an object described by the first 3D object data model. The method may also include determining matching correspondences between the first 3D object data model and a second 3D object data model that is a given object in the given category. For the one or more matching correspondences, an annotation that is associated with a correspondence point of the first 3D object data model may be applied as a call-out to a matching correspondence point of the second 3D object data model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Hickman, James J. Kuffner, Jr., Anthony Gerald Francis, Jr., Arshan Poursohi, James R. Bruce, Thor Lewis, Chaitanya Gharpure
  • Patent number: 8497859
    Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying information on or within a three-dimensional (3D) image are described. In an example, a computing device may be configured to determine, based on a two-dimensional (2D) content displayed on a display device, an object depicted in the 2D content. The computing device may be configured to receive information indicative of a request to initiate a three-dimensional (3D) image viewer to view the object in the 3D image viewer. The computing device, accordingly, may be configured to provide rendering information associated with instructions for rendering in the 3D image viewer a 3D image representing a 3D object data model of the object on the display device. The computing device may be configured to provide, in the 3D image viewer, information relating to the object and including at least a portion of the 2D content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Hickman, Thor Lewis
  • Patent number: 8478901
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a first request for a first robot to perform a first task and processing the first request through first and second computing resources to identify instructions for the first robot to perform the first task. The method also includes providing the one or more instructions to the first robot and identifying information associated with the second computing resource, wherein such information includes environmental information related to a location where the first task is to be performed. The method further includes associating the identified information with the first computing resource, receiving a second request for a second robot to perform a second task, processing the second request through the first computing resource, accessing the information associated with the first computing resource, and, based upon the accessed information, providing instructions to the second robot to perform the second task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Arshan Poursohi, Ryan Hickman
  • Patent number: 8471849
    Abstract: Methods and systems for prioritization of display of portions of three-dimensional (3D) object data models are described. An example method may include receiving information associated with a plurality of renderings of a 3D model. The received information may identify portions of interest of the 3D model which are inspected while the 3D model is rendered on a display. The method may also include determining frequencies with which the portions of interest are inspected based on the received information, and determining priority values for the portions of interest based on the frequencies with which the portions of interest are inspected. According to the method, a statistical model for the 3D model may be determined via a processor based on the priority values for the portions of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Hickman, James J. Kuffner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8473838
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which syndication spaces for a webpage are identified, each syndication space defining a location on the webpage in which one or more advertisements are displayed at a client device, and each syndication space associated with one or more attributes. Display data is generated that causes each syndication space to selectively display a visual indication of one or more of the attributes on the webpage at the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Hickman
  • Patent number: 8456467
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a three-dimensional (3D) image viewer in a webpage are provided. According to an example method, a webpage may be provided, and the webpage may include embedded language that identifies a 3D image viewer to be provided within the webpage. Based on the embedded language, a computer having a processor and a memory may request information associated with rendering a 3D object data model in the 3D image viewer. The method may also include providing the 3D image viewer within the webpage, and receiving information associated with rendering the 3D object data model. Additionally, the 3D object data model may be rendered in the 3D image viewer based on the received information. Additional example systems and methods are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Hickman, James J. Kuffner, Jr., Anthony Gerald Francis, Jr., Arshan Poursohi, James R. Bruce, Thor Lewis, Chaitanya Gharpure
  • Patent number: 8452451
    Abstract: Methods and systems for robotic command and operation are provided. In some examples, a robot may be configured to receive a short-form command input that is comprised of an action verb and an object/target, and to analyze contextual/situational data for event outcomes from which the robot can determine an action of a plurality of possible actions to execute. The determination and analyses functions may be performed, in whole or part, through use of a cloud computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony G. Francis, Jr., Ryan Hickman, James J. Kuffner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8436853
    Abstract: Methods and systems for acquiring and ranking image sets are described. In an example, a computing device may be configured to determine a feature-based score that may be based on features of the object including geometry of the object. The computing device also may be configured to receive a plurality of sets of images of the object. A number of respective images of each set of images may be based on the feature-based score. The computing device further may be configured to determine for each set of images a respective image-based score based on a prospective three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the object to be generated by a merged output of that set of images. The computing device also may be configured to determine a respective ranking for each set of images based on the respective image-based score; and select a set of images based on the respective ranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Hickman, James R. Bruce, Arshan Poursohi
  • Patent number: 8428777
    Abstract: Methods and systems for distributing tasks among robotic devices are described. A server may receive from a first device, information associated with an assigned task of the first device. The server may determine whether the assigned task can be executed more efficiently with assistance from additional devices, and may further determine available devices that can assist in executing the assigned task. The determined available devices may be ranked according to an amount of usage of the devices over time, and a second device may be selected from the available devices based on the ranking. A subtask of the assigned task may then be determined from a plurality of subtasks of the assigned task based on capabilities of the selected second device. An instruction may then be sent to the second device, instructing the second device to execute the determined subtask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Arshan Poursohi, James Kuffner, Anthony Francis, Ryan Hickman
  • Patent number: 8416236
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed for calibrating devices used to generate images of a three-dimensional object data model (“3D model”). An initial 3D model that represents an object can be received. The initial 3D model can include a plurality of images aligned relative to one another. The plurality of images can be generated using a plurality of devices. A realignment of the plurality of images can be performed. An updated 3D model can be generated based on the realignment. At least one calibration of at least one of the plurality of devices can be determined based on a comparison of the initial 3D model with the updated 3D model. Calibration data can be provided to a computing device. The calibration data can be indicative of the at least one calibration. The computing device can be operable to use the calibration data to perform the at least one calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Hickman, James R. Bruce
  • Patent number: 8416240
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining and transmitting applicable lighting information, applicable viewing perspective, and a 3D model for an object in response to a search query. An example method includes receiving, at a server, a search query regarding an object. A 3D model for the object is determined. The 3D model includes three-dimensional shape information about the object. The method also includes determining, based on a plurality of stored images of the object, at least one applicable light field and at least one applicable viewing perspective. A search query result is transmitted from the server. The search query result may include the 3D model, the applicable light field(s), and the applicable viewing perspective(s). A server and a non-transitory computer readable medium are also disclosed that could perform a similar method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Kuffner, Jr., James R. Bruce, Arshan Poursohi, Ryan Hickman