Patents by Inventor Stephen E. Hodges

Stephen E. Hodges 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: 12015538
    Abstract: A system of specifying link layer information in a URL is described. In an embodiment, a URL is generated which includes both a link layer network type and information which is used by a resolving device to identify a particular link layer network of the specified type. In various embodiments, the URL includes a link layer network type and a corresponding link layer network name or pairs of link layer network types and corresponding link layer network names. Where the URL comprises more than one link layer network name, the resolving device may determine at runtime which of the named link layer networks to connect to and this decision may be based on criteria or preference information included within the URL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Scott, Nicolas Villar, Stephen E. Hodges
  • Patent number: 11349746
    Abstract: A system of specifying link layer information in a URL is described. In an embodiment, a URL is generated which includes both a link layer network type and information which is used by a resolving device to identify a particular link layer network of the specified type. In various embodiments, the URL includes a link layer network type and a corresponding link layer network name or pairs of link layer network types and corresponding link layer network names. Where the URL comprises more than one link layer network name, the resolving device may determine at runtime which of the named link layer networks to connect to and this decision may be based on criteria or preference information included within the URL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Scott, Nicolas Villar, Stephen E. Hodges
  • Patent number: 10942615
    Abstract: A set of reconfigurable clip-on modules for mobile computing devices includes two or more modules and at least one of the modules has an input button or other control and at least one of the modules can communicate with the computing device without needing to be connected to it via a wire. The input button is mapped to a user input in a program, such as a game, which is running or displayed on the computing device to which the modules are clipped. In an embodiment, user inputs via the buttons or other controls on the clip-on modules are mapped to user inputs in a game running on the device, which may be a touch-screen device, and the mapping between user inputs via the buttons and user inputs in the game may change dependent upon the game being played, user preference, or other criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John Helmes, Stuart Taylor, Stephen E. Hodges, Nicolas Villar, James W. Scott
  • Patent number: 10944132
    Abstract: Techniques for dynamically changing internal state of a battery are described herein. Generally, different battery configurations are described that enable transitions between different battery power states, such as to accommodate different battery charge and/or discharge scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen E. Hodges, Ranveer Chandra, Julia L Meinershagen, Nissanka Arachchige Bodhi Priyantha, Anirudh Badam, Thomas Moscibroda, Anthony John Ferrese
  • Patent number: 10942798
    Abstract: In one example of the technology, via a first independent execution environment of a set of independent execution environments in an integrated circuit, a first watchdog timer is caused to reset on a periodic basis. The set of independent execution environments is configured to have a defense-in-depth hierarchy. The set of independent execution environments includes a first independent execution environment and a second independent execution environment. The first independent execution environment is a most trusted execution environment on the integrated circuit. Via the second independent execution environment: a second watchdog timer is periodically caused to reset on a periodic basis. In response to the second watchdog timer timing out, an interrupt is communicated from the second watchdog timer to the first independent execution environment. In response to the first watchdog timer timing out, at least a portion of the integrated circuit is reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: George Thomas Letey, Douglas L. Stiles, Edmund B. Nightingale, Stephen E. Hodges, Philip John Joseph Wright
  • Patent number: 10936459
    Abstract: The disclosed technology is generally directed to microcontrollers. In one example of the technology, an operating system is run on at least one processor of a multi-core controller. At the operating system, a command that is associated with a manufacturer test mode is received. A permission associated with the command is requested. The permission is based, at least in part, on the status of a one-way e-fuse. Responsive to the permission associated with the command being granted, the command is caused to be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Yen-Cherng Chen, Stephen E. Hodges
  • Patent number: 10903531
    Abstract: Techniques for dynamically changing internal state of a battery are described herein. Generally, different battery configurations are described that enable transitions between different battery power states, such as to accommodate different battery charge and/or discharge scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen E. Hodges, Ranveer Chandra, Julia L Meinershagen, Nissanka Arachchige Bodhi Priyantha, Anirudh Badam, Thomas Moscibroda, Anthony John Ferrese
  • Patent number: 10761612
    Abstract: In one or more implementations, a static geometry model is generated, from one or more images of a physical environment captured using a camera, using one or more static objects to model corresponding one or more objects in the physical environment. Interaction of a dynamic object with at least one of the static objects is identified by analyzing at least one image and a gesture is recognized from the identified interaction of the dynamic object with the at least one of the static objects to initiate an operation of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: David Kim, Otmar D. Hilliges, Shahram Izadi, Patrick L. Olivier, Jamie Daniel Joseph Shotton, Pushmeet Kohli, David G. Molyneaux, Stephen E. Hodges, Andrew W. Fitzgibbon
  • Patent number: 10574560
    Abstract: A system of specifying link layer information in a URL is described. In an embodiment, a URL is generated which includes both a link layer network type and information which is used by a resolving device to identify a particular link layer network of the specified type. In various embodiments, the URL includes a link layer network type and a corresponding link layer network name or pairs of link layer network types and corresponding link layer network names. Where the URL comprises more than one link layer network name, the resolving device may determine at runtime which of the named link layer networks to connect to and this decision may be based on criteria or preference information included within the URL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: James W Scott, Nicolas Villar, Stephen E Hodges
  • Patent number: 10564793
    Abstract: A set of reconfigurable clip-on modules for mobile computing devices includes two or more modules and at least one of the modules has an input button or other control and at least one of the modules can communicate with the computing device without needing to be connected to it via a wire. The input button is mapped to a user input in a program, such as a game, which is running or displayed on the computing device to which the modules are clipped. In an embodiment, user inputs via the buttons or other controls on the clip-on modules are mapped to user inputs in a game running on the device, which may be a touch-screen device, and the mapping between user inputs via the buttons and user inputs in the game may change dependent upon the game being played, user preference, or other criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: John Helmes, Stuart Taylor, Stephen E Hodges, Nicolas Villar, James W Scott
  • Patent number: 10437411
    Abstract: A set of reconfigurable clip-on modules for mobile computing devices includes two or more modules and at least one of the modules has an input button or other control and at least one of the modules can communicate with the computing device without needing to be connected to it via a wire. The input button is mapped to a user input in a program, such as a game, which is running or displayed on the computing device to which the modules are clipped. In an embodiment, user inputs via the buttons or other controls on the clip-on modules are mapped to user inputs in a game running on the device, which may be a touch-screen device, and the mapping between user inputs via the buttons and user inputs in the game may change dependent upon the game being played, user preference, or other criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: John Helmes, Stuart Taylor, Stephen E. Hodges, Nicolas Villar, James W. Scott
  • Publication number: 20190278380
    Abstract: In one or more implementations, a static geometry model is generated, from one or more images of a physical environment captured using a camera, using one or more static objects to model corresponding one or more objects in the physical environment. Interaction of a dynamic object with at least one of the static objects is identified by analyzing at least one image and a gesture is recognized from the identified interaction of the dynamic object with the at least one of the static objects to initiate an operation of the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: David Kim, Otmar D. Hilliges, Shahram Izadi, Patrick L. Olivier, Jamie Daniel Joseph Shotton, Pushmeet Kohli, David G. Molyneaux, Stephen E. Hodges, Andrew W. Fitzgibbon
  • Patent number: 10409381
    Abstract: Aspects relate to detecting gestures that relate to a desired action, wherein the detected gestures are common across users and/or devices within a surface computing environment. Inferred intentions and goals based on context, history, affordances, and objects are employed to interpret gestures. Where there is uncertainty in intention of the gestures for a single device or across multiple devices, independent or coordinated communication of uncertainty or engagement of users through signaling and/or information gathering can occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Meredith June Morris, Eric J. Horvitz, Andrew David Wilson, F. David Jones, Stephen E. Hodges, Kenneth P. Hinckley, David Alexander Butler, Ian M. Sands, V. Kevin Russ, Hrvoje Benko, Shawn R. LeProwse, Shahram Izadi, William Ben Kunz
  • Patent number: 10379587
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide techniques and devices for scheduling power loads in devices having multiple batteries. Loads are characterized based on the power required to serve them. Loads are then assigned to batteries in response to the type of load and relative monitored characteristics of the batteries. The monitored battery characteristics can change over time. In some embodiments, stored profile information of the batteries can also be used in scheduling loads. In further embodiments, estimated workloads can also be used to schedule loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Bojun Huang, Julia L Meinershagen, Thomas Moscibroda, Stephen E. Hodges, Ranveer Chandra
  • Patent number: 10348108
    Abstract: A charging device for one or more input modules for a touch-screen device is described. The charging device comprises a charging mechanism and portions which are shaped to receive an input module. The charging mechanism comprises a power input and a power output. The power input is configured to receive power from an external power source and the power input is configured to provide power to one or more input modules which are attached to the charging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen E. Hodges, Stuart Taylor, John Franciscus Marie Helmes
  • Patent number: 10331222
    Abstract: In one or more implementations, a static geometry model is generated, from one or more images of a physical environment captured using a camera, using one or more static objects to model corresponding one or more objects in the physical environment. Interaction of a dynamic object with at least one of the static objects is identified by analyzing at least one image and a gesture is recognized from the identified interaction of the dynamic object with the at least one of the static objects to initiate an operation of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: David Kim, Otmar D. Hilliges, Shahram Izadi, Patrick L. Olivier, Jamie Daniel Joseph Shotton, Pushmeet Kohli, David G. Molyneaux, Stephen E. Hodges, Andrew W. Fitzgibbon
  • Patent number: 10264346
    Abstract: Wearable audio accessories for computing devices are described. In one embodiment the wearable audio accessory provides a speech based interface between the user and a nearby computing device for the performance of user-initiated or computing device initiated microtasks. Information is provided to the user via a loudspeaker and the user can provide input via a microphone. An audio sensing channel within the accessory continuously monitors the audio signal as detected by the microphone and in various embodiments will trigger more complex audio processing based on this monitoring. A wireless communication link is provided between the accessory and the nearby computing device. To mitigate any delay caused by the switching between audio processing techniques, the audio accessory may include a rolling buffer which continuously stores the audio signal and outputs a delayed audio signal to the audio processing engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen E. Hodges, John Helmes, Matthai Philipose, Nissanka Arachchige Bodhi Priyantha
  • Patent number: 10263421
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses of load allocation for multi-battery devices. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses determine an amount of load power that a multi-battery device consumes to operate. Respective efficiencies at which the device's multiple batteries are capable of providing power are also determined. A respective portion of load power is then drawn from each of the batteries based on their respective efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Bojun Huang, Thomas Moscibroda, Ranveer Chandra, Stephen E. Hodges, Julia L. Meinershagen, Nissanka Arachchige Bodhi Priyantha, Anirudh Badam, Pan Hu, Anthony John Ferrese, Evangelia Skiani
  • Publication number: 20190107875
    Abstract: Latency-based selections of energy storage devices are described herein. In implementations, latency behavior of computing tasks performed by a computing device is predicted for a period of time. Based on the predicted latency behavior of the computing device over the period of time, an assessment is made regarding which of multiple heterogeneous energy storage devices are most appropriate to service the system workload. For example, high energy density devices may be favored for latency sensitive tasks whereas high energy density devices may be favored when latency sensitivity is not a concern. A combination of energy storage devices to service the current workload is selected based upon the latency considerations and then power supply settings are adjusted to cause supply of power from the selected combination of energy storage devices during the time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Anirudh Badam, Ranveer Chandra, Nissanka Arachchige Bodhi Priyantha, Jonathan Alan Dutra, Julia L. Meinershagen, Stephen E. Hodges, Thomas Moscibroda
  • Patent number: 10250049
    Abstract: A charging device for one or more input modules for a touch-screen device is described. The charging device comprises a charging mechanism and portions which are shaped to receive an input module. The charging mechanism comprises a power input and a power output. The power input is configured to receive power from an external power source and the power input is configured to provide power to one or more input modules which are attached to the charging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen E. Hodges, Stuart Taylor, John Franciscus Marie Helmes