Patents by Inventor Thad E. Starner
Thad E. Starner 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: 10032429Abstract: A computing device includes an interface configured to receive image data that is indicative of a field-of-view (FOV) that is associated with a head-mountable display (HMD). The computing device also includes a computing system configured to determine optical flow from the image data and to determine, based on the optical flow, whether or not the HMD is associated with operation of a vehicle. Further, the computing device is configured to control the HMD to display information in a first mode, if the HMD is associated with the operation of the vehicle, and to control the HMD to display information in a second mode, if the HMD is not associated with the operation of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Thad E. Starner, Michael P. Johnson
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Patent number: 9316481Abstract: Disclosed are a sensor for measuring a tilt angle based on electronic textile according to the present invention and a method thereof. A sensor for measuring a tilt angle based on electronic textile according to the present invention includes a plurality of textile electrodes disposed at predetermined uniform intervals on a textile surface; a textile conductive wire of which one end is connected to a center between the plurality of textile electrodes; and a metal bead connected to another end of the textile conductive wire to thereby be connected to the textile surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignees: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATIONInventors: Hyung Sun Lee, Hyung Cheol Shin, Thad E. Starner, Scott M. Gilliland, Clint Zeagler
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Patent number: 9230501Abstract: A computing device includes an interface configured to receive image data that is indicative of a field-of-view (FOV) that is associated with a head-mountable display (HMD). The computing device also includes a computing system configured to determine optical flow from the image data and to determine, based on the optical flow, whether or not the HMD is associated with operation of a vehicle. Further, the computing device is configured to control the HMD to display information in a first mode, if the HMD is associated with the operation of the vehicle, and to control the HMD to display information in a second mode, if the HMD is not associated with the operation of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Thad E. Starner, Michael P. Johnson
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Patent number: 9223139Abstract: An apparatus for a head mounted display includes a display module for launching display light along a forward propagating path. The apparatus also includes a light relay to receive the display light. The light relay includes a first optic disposed along the forward propagating path. The light relay also includes a second optic disposed along the forward propagating path between the first optic and the display module. The first optic is configured to direct the display light in an eye-ward direction and the second optic is configured to direct the display light in an eye-ward direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Bernard Kress, Thad E. Starner
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Patent number: 9223152Abstract: A head mounted display (“HMD”) includes a display module, an eyepiece, a switchable hologram, and a controller. The display module is configured for launching CGI light along a forward propagating path. The eyepiece is optically coupled to receive the CGI light and direct the CGI light to an eye-ward region of the eyepiece. The switchable hologram is disposed along a surface of the eyepiece and the switchable hologram is configured to redirect ambient light propagating toward the eyepiece, when activated. The controller is coupled to the switchable hologram to activate and deactivate the switchable hologram.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Bernard Kress, Thad E. Starner
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Patent number: 9176652Abstract: A method is provided for providing scroll-wheel functionality on a touchpad without the touchpad predefining a scroll-wheel. The method includes receiving data corresponding to progressive movement of a touch point on the touchpad, determining from the received data that the progressive movement is substantially elliptical, defining an ellipse around an ellipse center. The method further includes detecting, based on the determined movement, continued angular movement of the touch point around the ellipse center, and registering the continued angular movement as one or more scroll events in the computing system.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Nirmal J. Patel, Thad E. Starner
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Patent number: 9021379Abstract: A method is provided for determining a word input by a gesture stroke on a virtual keyboard. The method includes receiving data representing the gesture stroke, analyzing the data to identify a set of dwell points in the gesture stroke, generating a simplified stroke defining a polyline having vertices corresponding with the dwell points of the identified set. The method further includes comparing the simplified stroke polyline with a plurality of predefined polylines each representing a respective word, to determine a closest matching polyline. The computing system outputs the word represented by the closest matching polyline.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Nirmal J. Patel, Thad E. Starner
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Publication number: 20140232651Abstract: An apparatus for a head mounted display includes a display module for launching display light along a forward propagating path. The apparatus also includes a light relay to receive the display light. The light relay includes a first optic disposed along the forward propagating path. The light relay also includes a second optic disposed along the forward propagating path between the first optic and the display module. The first optic is configured to direct the display light in an eye-ward direction and the second optic is configured to direct the display light in an eye-ward direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2013Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: Bernard Kress, Thad E. Starner
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Patent number: 8766940Abstract: A computing device includes a trackpad, which includes a touch-sensitive surface having a touch-detectable pattern. The touch-detectable pattern includes a first feature, and a second feature having first and second side features. The first and second side features start in proximity of the first feature and are positioned on opposite sides of the first feature.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Thad E. Starner, Maj Isabelle Olsson, Matthew Martin, Nirmal J. Patel
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Publication number: 20140028291Abstract: Disclosed are a sensor for measuring a tilt angle based on electronic textile according to the present invention and a method thereof. A sensor for measuring a tilt angle based on electronic textile according to the present invention includes a plurality of textile electrodes disposed at predetermined uniform intervals on a textile surface; a textile conductive wire of which one end is connected to a center between the plurality of textile electrodes; and a metal bead connected to another end of the textile conductive wire to thereby be connected to the textile surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicants: GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION, ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Hyung Sun LEE, Hyung Cheol Shin, Thad E. Starner, Scott M. Gilliland, Clint Zeagler
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Publication number: 20130108229Abstract: Implementations are described of a waveguide apparatus including a proximal end, a distal end, a front surface and a back surface, the back surface being spaced apart from the front surface. A display input region is positioned at or near the proximal end, an ambient input region is positioned on the front surface near the distal end and an output region is positioned on the back surface near the distal end. One or more optical elements is positioned in or adjacent to the waveguide to direct display light from the display input region to the output region and to direct ambient light from the ambient input region to the output region, and an switchable mirror layer is positioned in or on the waveguide to selectively control the amount of ambient light that is directed to the output region. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: GOOGLE INC.Inventors: Thad E. Starner, Edward Keyes, Chia-Jean Wang, Xiaoyu Miao, Mark B. Spitzer
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Publication number: 20020071277Abstract: The image-capturing system and method relates to the field of optics. One embodiment of the image-capturing system comprises a light-emitting device that emits light on an object; an image-forming device that forms one or more images due to a light that is reflected from the object; and a processor that analyzes motion of the object to control electrical devices, where the light-emitting device and the image-forming device are configured to be portable.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2001Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventors: Thad E. Starner, Maribeth Gandy, Daniel Ashbrook, Jake Alan Auxier, Rob Melby, James Fusia
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Publication number: 20020030600Abstract: A combination smoke detector, fire alarm, emergency light, location beacon and inventory sensor incorporated into pre-installed smoke alarms which are already required by building code to be registered on building floor plans, can be powered internally or externally and part of a central system or individual systems responding to local transmissions and thus eliminating the additional expense and need to install and/or possibly maintain addition devices and exploiting advantageously a preexisting logical system of coordinates from which to monitor the loci of rescuer workers and even key security and cleaning staff, if necessary, as well as inventory in hospitals and warehouses.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventors: Thad E. Starner, Daniel Ashbrook
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Patent number: 6236768Abstract: Documents stored in a database are searched for relevance to contextual information, instead of (or in addition to) similar text. Each stored document is indexed in term of meta-information specifying contextual information about the document. Current contextual information is acquired, either from the user or the current computational or physical environment, and this “meta-information” is used as the basis for identifying stored documents of possible relevance.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1998Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Bradley J. Rhodes, Thad E. Starner, Pattie E. Maes, Alex P. Pentland
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Patent number: 5563988Abstract: An electronic system for integrating a user's moving image into a computer-generated pictorial environment, and allowing the user to interact with the environment and objects therein. The environment is rendered on a screen display in a manner that simulates three dimensions, including respect for occlusion relationships among the user and objects in the environment. The resulting image, which changes as the user gestures and interacts with the environment, is projected onto a large screen that the user faces. The environment includes a series of mobile entities, or "agents," which respond to one or more of the user's changing position, gestures and voice, exhibiting context-dependent behavior that appears semi-intelligent.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 1994Date of Patent: October 8, 1996Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Pattie E. Maes, Bruce M. Blumberg, Trevor J. Darrell, Thad E. Starner, Michael P. Johnson, Kenneth B. Russell, Alex P. Pentland