Patents by Inventor Stephen Chau
Stephen Chau 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).
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Patent number: 8751301Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer storage mediums for placing advertisements on photographic images of geolocations. The method includes retrieving a photographic image associated with a geolocation, where the geolocation is based on a user action. An advertisement to place on the photographic image is also retrieved based on at least the geolocation. The photographic image is then analyzed to determine a position on the photographic image for placing the advertisement. Finally, the advertisement is placed at the determined position on the photographic image.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: Stephen Chau
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Patent number: 8704682Abstract: Embodiments relate to road priority and driving directions. In one embodiment, a system includes an object detector module configured: (i) to detect objects of a type in photographic images associated with first and second tracks, and (ii) to determine a first number of times objects of the type appear in photographic images geocoded along the first track, and a second number of times objects of the type appear in photographic images geocoded along the second track. The system also includes a priority score module configured: (i) to generate a first priority score associated with the first track based at least on the first number, and (ii) to generate a second priority score associated with the second track based at least on the second number. The system further includes a driving direction module configured: (i) to select a driving route that includes the track associated with a greater priority score.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: Stephen Chau
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Patent number: 8699800Abstract: A system, computer-implemented method and computer-readable medium for correcting existing coordinates of an image. The image is provided to the client device, the image associated with a first geographic coordinate. A second geographic coordinate is received from the client device representing a location of the client device and an indication that the image resembles surroundings of the client device at the second geographic coordinate, where the second geographic coordinate is different from the first second geographic coordinate. A determination is made as to whether the received second geographic coordinate more accurately represents a location of a camera that took the image than the first geographic coordinate. When the received second coordinate is determined to be more accurate than the first coordinate, updating the first geographic coordinate associated with the image according to the received second geographic coordinate.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: Stephen Chau
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Patent number: 8666815Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer storage mediums for directing a user to an image of an advertiser's geolocation are provided. An exemplary method includes retrieving a first image associated with a geolocation, where the geolocation is based on a user action. At least one advertising unit is also selected based on at least the geolocation associated with the first image. Each advertising unit includes at least one geolocation associated with an advertiser. At least one advertising unit is then placed on the first image. Finally, a second image is retrieved when a placed advertising unit is selected by the user. The second image is retrieved based on the geolocation associated with the placed advertising unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: Stephen Chau
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Patent number: 8600981Abstract: Configurations for processing status-related and time-related signals for activities are disclosed. A given activity can be stored in a global activity database that includes data defining two or more activities. The data for each activity includes one or more global parameters. The global parameters include a timing-related priority. The time-related signal is related to at least one time-related parameter of the one or more global parameters. An activity assistant server can update the timing-related priority of the given activity based on the time-related signal using the activity assistant server. The activity assistant server can determine a subset of the plurality of activities. The activity assistant server can determine a rank for each activity in the determined subset of the plurality of activities based at least in part on the timing-related priority.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Stephen Chau, Andrew T. Szybalski, Stephane Lafon, Andrea Lynn Frome, Jerry Howard Morrison, Derek Prothro, Huy Nguyen
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Publication number: 20130218967Abstract: The subject technology suggests one or more activities based on one or more contacts of a user. In some configurations, a user selects one or more contacts. The subject technology then performs a query determining one or more activities based on the selected contacts that at least a subset of the users have indicated a desire to do a respective activity. For instance, each of the determined activities include a parameter indicating such a desire (e.g., a “want to do” parameter). The activities determined from the query are ranked based on one or more different criteria. In one example, the activities are ranked according to a number of selected contacts associated with a corresponding activity. Additionally, a group message can be provided for each selected contact associated with a respective activity in order to facilitate communication between the user and contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2012Publication date: August 22, 2013Inventors: Stephen Chau, Andrew Timothy Szybalski, Andrea Lynn Frome, Derek King Prothro, Stephane Lafon
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Patent number: 8515207Abstract: A technique for efficient processing of annotations in images such as panoramic images is herein disclosed. In an embodiment, a first user annotation is received for a feature in a first panorama, and a second user annotation for the same feature is received in a second panorama. The coordinates for the feature can then be generated by computing the intersection between data generated for the first user annotation and for the second user annotations.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2007Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: Stephen Chau
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Patent number: 8511229Abstract: A microcavity structure. In an illustrative embodiment, the microcavity structure includes a first substrate, which has a region of interest. A second substrate with a perforation therein is bonded to the first substrate. The perforation coincides with the region of interest. In a specific embodiment, the first substrate is implemented via a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The region of interest includes one or more circuit components, including an actuator, such as a bridgewire, thereon or therein. A smoothing layer is included between the PCB and the actuator. A bonding gasket adheres the first substrate to the second substrate. The perforation accommodates energetic material that is selectively ignited via the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2007Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Inventors: Amish Desai, Bob Melendes, Ming Lu, Brian Fuchs, Stephen Chau
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Patent number: 8428873Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention enable displaying a plurality of driving direction steps that form a driving directions path between a start address and a destination address; receiving input selecting a driving direction step of said plurality of driving direction steps; and displaying a panoramic image of a geographic area where a driving action associated with said selected driving direction step would be performed by a driver. In other embodiments, the panoramic image is replaced and/or complemented with one or more of 3D models, full-motion video, full-motion video of 360 degrees images, and live feeds from video cameras to provide enhanced driving directions.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Stephen Chau, Stephane Lafon, Jie Shao, Andrew Timothy Szybalski, Luc Vincent
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Publication number: 20120120100Abstract: In one aspect, the system and method provides a modified image in response to a request for a street level image at a particular location, wherein the previously captured image is modified to illustrate the current conditions at the requested location. By way of example only, the system and method may use local weather, time of day, traffic or other information to update street level images.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2012Publication date: May 17, 2012Inventor: Stephen Chau
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Publication number: 20110254915Abstract: A panorama viewer is disclosed which facilitates navigation from within the panorama of a larger, structured system such as a map. The panorama viewer presents a viewport on a portion of a panoramic image, the viewport including a three-dimensional overlay rendered with the panoramic image. As the orientation of the viewport within the panoramic image changes, the three-dimensional overlay's orientation in three-dimensional space also changes as it is rendered with the panoramic image in a manner that matches the change in orientation of the viewport.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2011Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: Luc Vincent, Daniel Filip, Stephen Chau, Stéphane Lafon, Zhonghao Yang, Andrew Timothy Szybalski
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Patent number: 7990394Abstract: A panorama viewer is disclosed which facilitates navigation from within the panorama of a larger, structured system such as a map. The panorama viewer presents a viewport on a portion of a panoramic image, the viewport including a three-dimensional overlay rendered with the panoramic image. As the orientation of the viewport within the panoramic image changes, the three-dimensional overlay's orientation in three-dimensional space also changes as it is rendered with the panoramic image in a manner that matches the change in orientation of the viewport.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Luc Vincent, Daniel Filip, Stephen Chau, Stéphane Lafon, Zhonghao Yang, Andrew Timothy Szybalski
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Publication number: 20100293173Abstract: A system and method is provided whereby, in one aspect, advertisements are displayed based on search terms that were selected based on the angle at which a user is viewing a street level image.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2009Publication date: November 18, 2010Inventors: Charles Chapin, Stephane Lafon, Augusto Roman, Xinyu Tang, Shalini Agarwal, Vibhor Nanavati, Luc Vincent, Stephen Chau
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Publication number: 20100250581Abstract: In one aspect, the system and method provides a modified image in response to a request for a street level image at a particular location, wherein the previously captured image is modified to illustrate the current conditions at the requested location. By way of example only, the system and method may use local weather, time of day, traffic or other information to update street level images.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: Google Inc.Inventor: Stephen Chau
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Publication number: 20090240431Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention enable displaying a plurality of driving direction steps that form a driving directions path between a start address and a destination address; receiving input selecting a driving direction step of said plurality of driving direction steps; and displaying a panoramic image of a geographic area where a driving action associated with said selected driving direction step would be performed by a driver. In other embodiments, the panoramic image is replaced and/or complemented with one or more of 3D models, full-motion video, full-motion video of 360 degrees images, and live feeds from video cameras to provide enhanced driving directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2009Publication date: September 24, 2009Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: Stephen Chau, Stephane Lafon, Jie Shao, Andrew Timothy Szybalski, Luc Vincent
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Publication number: 20080291217Abstract: A panorama viewer is disclosed which facilitates navigation from within the panorama of a larger, structured system such as a map. The panorama viewer presents a viewport on a portion of a panoramic image, the viewport including a three-dimensional overlay rendered with the panoramic image. As the orientation of the viewport within the panoramic image changes, the three-dimensional overlay's orientation in three-dimensional space also changes as it is rendered with the panoramic image in a manner that matches the change in orientation of the viewport.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2007Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: Luc Vincent, Daniel Filip, Stephen Chau, Stephane Lafon, Zhonghao Yang, Andrew Timothy Szybalski
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Publication number: 20080292213Abstract: A technique for efficient processing of annotations in images such as panoramic images is herein disclosed. In an embodiment, a first user annotation is received for a feature in a first panorama, and a second user annotation for the same feature is received in a second panorama. The coordinates for the feature can then be generated by computing the intersection between data generated for the first user annotation and for the second user annotations.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2007Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: Google Inc.Inventor: Stephen Chau
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Publication number: 20080276819Abstract: A microcavity structure. In an illustrative embodiment, the microcavity structure includes a first substrate, which has a region of interest. A second substrate with a perforation therein is bonded to the first substrate. The perforation coincides with the region of interest. In a specific embodiment, the first substrate is implemented via a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The region of interest includes one or more circuit components, including an actuator, such as a bridgewire, thereon or therein. A smoothing layer is included between the PCB and the actuator. A bonding gasket adheres the first substrate to the second substrate. The perforation accommodates energetic material that is selectively ignited via the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2007Publication date: November 13, 2008Inventors: Amish Desai, Bob Melendes, Ming Lu, Brian Fuchs, Stephen Chau