Patents by Inventor Stephen Hodge

Stephen Hodge 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: 20110080341
    Abstract: Indirect multi-touch interaction is described. In an embodiment, a user interface is controlled using a cursor and a touch region comprising a representation of one or more digits of a user. The cursor and the touch region are moved together in the user interface in accordance with data received from a cursor control device, such that the relative location of the touch region and the cursor is maintained. The representations of the digits of the user are moved in the touch region in accordance with data describing movement of the user's digits. In another embodiment, a user interface is controlled in a first mode of operation using an aggregate cursor, and switched to a second mode of operation in which the aggregate cursor is divided into separate portions, each of which can be independently controlled by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John Helmes, Nicolas Villar, Hrvoje Benko, Shahram Izadi, Daniel Rosenfeld, Stephen Hodges, David Alexander Butler, Xiang Cao, Richard Banks
  • Patent number: 7860516
    Abstract: A device is described which changes its operation dependent upon the location of the device. The device accesses parameters which are specific to its location and uses these to determine how the operation of the device should be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Hodges, John Chiloyan
  • Publication number: 20100224107
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a table being configured to be arranged in a compact arrangement and being configured to be arranged in an arrangement for use. The table including a table top having a top surface and a bottom surface, a plurality of legs that are arranged below the bottom surface and connected to the bottom surface to support the table top above a floor, a swivel connection that connects the plurality of legs together in a swiveling manner, and a pivotal connection that pivotally connects the plurality of legs to one of the bottom surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Meco Corporation
    Inventors: Darren ALDRED, Stephen HODGES, Stephen J. ZWONITZER
  • Patent number: 7783021
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a centralized, digital, computer-based telephone call management system for authenticating users of a telephone system in an institutional facility. The system includes the capacity to allow an institution to control, record, monitor, and bill and report usage and access to a telephone network. The telephone call management system further includes both accounting and management software for use in controlling, monitoring, billing, recording, and reporting usage and access. Also, it can operate over both a Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) and a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Hodge
  • Publication number: 20100171846
    Abstract: An image capture device is described which is operable in any one of a number of capture modes. The device comprises a camera, a memory and a processor. The memory stores a plurality of sets of capture triggers, with each set of capture triggers being associated with one of the plurality of capture modes. The processor selects one of the plurality of capture modes, such that the device is operable in the selected capture mode. In the selected capture mode, an image is captured automatically when a capture trigger within the associated set of capture triggers is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Wood, Stephen Hodges, Lyndsay Williams, James Srinivasan, Carsten Rother, Antonio Criminisi, John Chiloyan
  • Patent number: 7742581
    Abstract: A secure electronic message exchange system, including a plurality of workstations, a communications medium, and a control platform coupled to a workstation of the plurality of workstations by the communications medium. The control platform includes one or more apparatuses for monitoring, controlling, converting, and billing related to, messages exchanged between a plurality of local users and a plurality of remote users. The control platform also prevents a forwarding of or a copying of a message, sent by a local user of the plurality of local users and received by a remote user of the plurality of remote users, to another party, where the control platform provides authentication of the remote user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hodge, David Woody
  • Publication number: 20090284611
    Abstract: A method of transferring images from a first device to a second device and computer program code for performing this method is described. A connection characteristic for a connection between the first & second devices is determined and at least one image is selected from a plurality of images on the first device for transfer dependent upon both the connection characteristic and image selection criteria. The selected image(s) are then transferred over the connection from the first device to the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Wood, Stephen Hodges, Lyndsay Williams, Mitchel Goldberg, Carsten Rother, Antonio Criminisi, James Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20090276734
    Abstract: A surface computing device is described which has a surface which can be switched between transparent and diffuse states. When the surface is in its diffuse state, an image can be projected onto the surface and when the surface is in its transparent state, an image can be projected through the surface and onto an object. In an embodiment, the image projected onto the object is redirected onto a different face of the object, so as to provide an additional display surface or to augment the appearance of the object. In another embodiment, the image may be redirected onto another object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart Taylor, Shahram Izadi, Daniel A. Rosenfeld, Stephen Hodges, David Alexander Butler, James Scott, Nicolas Villar
  • Publication number: 20090151608
    Abstract: Collapsible tables are not sturdy or attractive, whereas tables with these properties are not easy to store or transport. Thus there is a need for a table which is simultaneously attractive, sturdy, and easy to move or store. According to one aspect of the invention, a table is provided that has legs that fold and nest. The legs are held in the open position by one or more mechanical rotating clasps. According to another aspect of the invention, table is provided that has legs that fold in pairs. When in the folded position, one pair of legs nests within the other pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Meco Corporation
    Inventors: Darren ALDRED, Stephen Hodges
  • Publication number: 20080317386
    Abstract: A method of displaying digital images is described in which a display length indicator is received and digital images are accessed. A set of digital images are selected from the accessed digital images in accordance with the display length indicator and displayed in a predetermined order. The method may be performed by a computer program, which may be embodied on a computer readable medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Wood, Stephen Hodges, Lyndsay Williams, James Srinivasan, Carsten Rother, Antonio Criminisi
  • Publication number: 20080288919
    Abstract: A method of compiling source code is described in which symbol information is retained in the optimized object code and the executable file. This symbol information is retained in the form of function calls which return memory locations and enable an application to query where variable or function data is stored and then access that variable or function data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Hodges, David Alexander Butler, Rahul Balani, Shahram Izadi
  • Publication number: 20080240960
    Abstract: A pump assembly including a gerotor pump having an inlet and an outlet, and comprising an annulus and a lobed rotor, one, but not both, of the rotor or annulus being split axially into two parts, the pump further comprising indexing means for angularly shifting one part relative to the other part, the indexing means comprising a chamber having a first indexing port and a second indexing port, and a partition which divides the chamber into a first portion including the first indexing port and a second portion including the second indexing port, wherein the partition comprises a part which is pivotally mounted within the chamber for angular movement within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen Hodge, Andrew Best, Robin Child
  • Publication number: 20080195735
    Abstract: Methods of controlling the transfer of data between devices are described in which the manner of control is determined by a movement experienced by at least one of the devices. The method involves detecting a triggering movement and determining a characteristic of this movement. The transfer of data is then controlled based on the characteristic which has been identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Hodges, Shahram Izadi, David Alexander Butler
  • Publication number: 20080133791
    Abstract: A device is described which changes its operation dependent upon the location of the device. The device accesses parameters which are specific to its location and uses these to determine how the operation of the device should be changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Hodges, John Chiloyan
  • Publication number: 20080122803
    Abstract: A touch panel is described which uses at least one infrared source and an array of infrared sensors to detect objects which are in contact with, or close to, the touchable surface of the panel. The panel may be operated in both reflective and shadow modes, in arbirary per-pixel combinations which change over time. For example, if the level of ambient infrared is detected and if that level exceeds a threshold, shadow mode is used for detection of touch events over some or all of the display. If the threshold is not exceeded, reflective mode is used to detect touch events. The touch panel includes an infrared source and an array of infrared sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Shahram Izadi, Stephen Hodges, David Alexander Butler, Alban Rrustemi
  • Publication number: 20080122792
    Abstract: A touch panel is arranged to enable communication using infrared signals with nearby devices. The touch panel includes an array of infrared sensors, arranged parallel to the touchable surface of the panel and at least one of the sensors is capable of detecting an infrared signal received from a nearby device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Shahram Izadi, Stephen Hodges, David Alexander Butler, Alban Rrustemi
  • Publication number: 20070162315
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a space reservation system that has the ability to receive occupancy information relating to a space. The occupancy information originates from a sensor. The invention is also directed to an occupancy sensing apparatus for a space reservation system. The sensing apparatus includes a sensor and a processor that determines from the data from the sensor whether the space is occupied. This information can then be sent to a space reservation system. The invention is also directed to a method of reserving a space in which the occupancy of the space is detected and if the space is occupied, a reservation is made for the space for a period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Hodges
  • Publication number: 20070080216
    Abstract: A user interface system for allowing users to initiate events comprises: a plurality of markers each having a marker identity; a plurality of portable readers each having a reader identity and arranged to read said marker identities from adjacent markers, and at least one base station arranged to communicate with said readers in a wireless manner, wherein at least one reader is provided with actuation means which when actuated by a user causes the reader identity of the reader and the marker identity of an adjacent marker to be transmitted by the reader to said base station, so as to cause, for at least one of said markers, said base station to initiate, directly or indirectly, an action which is at least partly determined by the reader identity of said reader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Andrew Ward, Stephen Hodges, Peter Steggles
  • Publication number: 20070004341
    Abstract: A telecommunications device comprises a communication alert system arranged to inform the user that a telecommunications signal has been received. The communication alert system uses one of a number of different indicators. The controller is arranged to control the selection of the one of a plurality of indicators such that the selection is affected by a user selectable component of the received telecommunications signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Harper, Julian Gebhardt, Stephen Hodges
  • Publication number: 20070003026
    Abstract: Disclosed is a voice message exchange system and method for improving communication between an inmate and a third party by enabling the inmate to leave a message when a call is not answered and further allowing the third party who receives the message to reply with a message to the inmate. Additionally, outside parties that meet the institution's requirements can leave messages for inmates at any time. The present invention can be used as an add-on to legacy inmate call management systems or incorporated internally into an inmate call management system. The system also provides monitoring, controlling, recording, and billing means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Stephen Hodge, David Woody