Patents by Inventor Sheridan Martin Small

Sheridan Martin Small 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: 20130044128
    Abstract: A user interface includes a virtual object having an appearance in context with a real environment of a user using a see-through, near-eye augmented reality display device system. A virtual type of object and at least one real world object are selected based on compatibility criteria for forming a physical connection like attachment, supporting or integration of the virtual object with the at least one real object. Other appearance characteristics, e.g. color, size or shape, of the virtual object are selected for satisfying compatibility criteria with the selected at least one real object. Additionally, a virtual object type and appearance characteristics of the virtual object may be selected based on a social context of the user, a personal context of the user or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: James C. Liu, Anton O. Andrews, Benjamin I. Vaught, Craig R. Maitlen, Christopher M. Novak, Sheridan Martin Small
  • Publication number: 20130016033
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for displaying electronic communications using a head mounted display (HMD). Each electronic communication may be displayed to represent a physical object that indentifies it as a specific type or nature of electronic communication. Therefore, the user is able to process the electronic communications more efficiently. In some aspects, computer vision allows a user to interact with the representation of the physical objects. One embodiment includes accessing electronic communications, and determining physical objects that are representative of at least a subset of the electronic communications. A head mounted display (HMD) is instructed how to display a representation of the physical objects in this embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Stephen G. Latta, Sheridan Martin Small, James C. Liu, Benjamin I. Vaught, Darren Bennett
  • Publication number: 20120206452
    Abstract: Technology is described for providing realistic occlusion between a virtual object displayed by a head mounted, augmented reality display system and a real object visible to the user's eyes through the display. A spatial occlusion in a user field of view of the display is typically a three dimensional occlusion determined based on a three dimensional space mapping of real and virtual objects. An occlusion interface between a real object and a virtual object can be modeled at a level of detail determined based on criteria such as distance within the field of view, display size or position with respect to a point of gaze. Technology is also described for providing three dimensional audio occlusion based on an occlusion between a real object and a virtual object in the user environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Kevin A. Geisner, Brian J. Mount, Stephen G. Latta, Daniel J. McCulloch, Kyungsuk David Lee, Ben J. Sugden, Jeffrey N. Margolis, Kathryn Stone Perez, Sheridan Martin Small, Mark J. Finocchio, Robert L. Crocco, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120124604
    Abstract: A system for generating passive and anonymous feedback of multimedia content viewed by users is disclosed. The multimedia content may include recorded video content, video-on-demand content, television content, television programs, advertisements, commercials, music, movies, video clips, and other on-demand media content. One or more of the users in a field of view of a capture device connected to the computing device are identified. An engagement level of the users to multimedia content being viewed by the users is determined by tracking movements, gestures, postures and facial expressions performed by the users. A report of the response to viewed multimedia content is generated based on the movements, gestures, postures and facial expressions performed by the users. The report is provided to rating agencies, content providers and advertisers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sheridan Martin Small, Andrew Fuller, Avi Bar-Zeev, Kathryn Stone Perez
  • Publication number: 20120124456
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for delivering content customized to the specific user or users interacting with the system. The system includes one or more modules for recognizing an identity of a user. These modules may include for example a gesture recognition engine, a facial recognition engine, a body language recognition engine and a voice recognition engine. The user may also be carrying a mobile device such as a smart phone which identifies the user. One or more of these modules may cooperate to identify a user, and then customize the user's content based on the user's identity. In particular, the system receives user preferences indicating the content a user wishes to receive and the conditions under which it is to be received. Based on the user preferences and recognition of a user identity and/or other traits, the system presents content customized for a particular user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kathryn Stone Perez, Andrew Fuller, Avi Bar-Zeev, Sheridan Martin Small
  • Publication number: 20120072936
    Abstract: A system for generating a customized advertisement for a user is provided. Multimedia content associated with a current broadcast is received and displayed. The multimedia content may include recorded video content, video-on-demand content, television content, television programs, advertisements, commercials, music, movies, video clips, and other on-demand media content. One or more users are identified in a field of view of a capture device connected to a computing device. User-specific information related to a user is tracked. An emotional response of a user to the multimedia content viewed by the user is tracked. A targeted advertisement is provided to a user based on the multimedia content viewed by the user, the user's identification information and the user's emotional response. The targeted advertisement is automatically customized based on the user-specific information related to the user to generate a customized advertisement for the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sheridan Martin Small, Andrew Fuller, Avi Bar-Zeev, Kathryn Stone Perez