Patents by Inventor Thor Lewis
Thor Lewis 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: 9086757Abstract: Methods and systems for providing functionality of a user interface to control directional orientations of a device are provided. An example method includes receiving an input on an interface indicating a command for a directional orientation of a robotic device, and providing an indicator on the interface representing a location of the input. The indicator may include a representation of the command for the directional orientation of the robotic device. The method may further include determining that the location of the input on the interface is within a distance threshold to a pre-set location on the interface, and repositioning the indicator on the interface to be at the pre-set location. In this manner, the indicator may snap to a location if the input is close to a pre-set location, for example.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Munjal Desai, Ryan Hickman, Thor Lewis, Damon Kohler
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Publication number: 20150165626Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting a velocity profile for controlling a robotic device are provided. An example method includes receiving via an interface a selection of a robotic device to control, and receiving via the interface a request to modify a velocity profile of the robotic device. The velocity profile may include information associated with changes in velocity of the robotic device over time. The method may further include receiving a selected velocity profile, receiving an input via the interface, and determining a velocity command based on the selected velocity profile and the input. In this manner, changes in velocity of the robotic device may be filtered according to a velocity profile selected via the interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2015Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Munjal Desai, Ryan Michael Hickman, Thor Lewis, Damon Kohler
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Publication number: 20150145891Abstract: Instructions indicative of changing a view of a virtual object may be received by a device. At least a portion of the virtual object may be viewable from a viewpoint that is at a given distance from a surface of the virtual object. The device may cause a change of the view along a rotational path around the virtual object in response to the receipt of the instructions based on the given distance being greater than a threshold distance. The device may cause a change of the view along a translational path indicative of a shape of the surface of the virtual object in response to the receipt of the instructions based on the given distance being less than the threshold distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: James Joseph Kuffner, James Robert Bruce, Thor Lewis, Sumit Jain
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Patent number: 9030501Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying a display of a field of view of a robotic device to include zoomed-in and zoomed-out views are provided. In examples, the robotic device may include a camera to capture images in a field of view of a robotic device, and distance sensors which can provide outputs that may be used to determine a distance of the robotic device to an object in the field of view of the robotic device. A display of the field of view of the robotic device can be generated, and as the distance decreases, the display can be modified to include a zoomed-in view of the object. As the distance increases, the display can be modified to include a zoomed-out view of the object. An amount of zoom of the object may be inversely proportional to the distance.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2014Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Munjal Desai, Ryan Hickman, Thor Lewis, Damon Kohler
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Patent number: 8996429Abstract: Methods and systems for robot and user interaction are provided to generate a personality for the robot. A robot may access a user device to determine or identify information about a user, and the robot may be configured to tailor a personality for interaction with the user based on the identified information. A robot may further receive data associated with the user to identify the user, such as using speech or face recognition. The robot may provide a personalized interaction or response to the user based on the determined information of the user. In some examples, a robot's personality or personalization can be transferred from one robot to another robot, or information stored on one robot can be shared with another robot over the cloud.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Anthony G. Francis, Jr., Thor Lewis
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Patent number: 8972055Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting a velocity profile for controlling a robotic device are provided. An example method includes receiving via an interface a selection of a robotic device to control, and receiving via the interface a request to modify a velocity profile of the robotic device. The velocity profile may include information associated with changes in velocity of the robotic device over time. The method may further include receiving a selected velocity profile, receiving an input via the interface, and determining a velocity command based on the selected velocity profile and the input. In this manner, changes in velocity of the robotic device may be filtered according to a velocity profile selected via the interface.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Munjal Desai, Ryan Hickman, Thor Lewis, Damon Kohler
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Patent number: 8966356Abstract: A method includes providing a first Web page including an embedded viewer configured to render a three-dimensional (3D) object data model representing an object to present a first 3D view of the object. The embedded viewer can receive input to change the first 3D view of the object to a second 3D view of the object. The method includes receiving a request to provide the second 3D view of the object. The method includes generating a first uniform resource identifier (URI) that includes view information. The view information is a part of the URI and represents a plurality of rendered features of the second 3D view. The method includes providing, in response to receiving a request based on the first URI, a second Web page including an embedded viewer configured to render the 3D object data model according to the view information to present the second 3D view.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Ryan Hickman, Thor Lewis
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Patent number: 8922576Abstract: Methods and systems for interacting with multiple three-dimensional (3D) object data models are provided. An example method may involve providing to a display device for display a first 3D object data model and a second 3D object data model. Information associated with a modification to the first 3D object data model may be received. Based on the received information, a same change may be applied to the first 3D object data model and applied to the second 3D object data model to obtain a first modified 3D object data model and a second modified 3D object data model. According to the method, the first modified 3D object data model and the second modified 3D object data model may be provided to the display device for substantially simultaneous display.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2014Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Ryan Hickman, James J. Kuffner, Jr., Anthony Gerald Francis, Jr., Arshan Poursohi, James R. Bruce, Thor Lewis, Chaitanya Gharpure
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Patent number: 8918208Abstract: Methods and systems for robot cloud computing are described. Within examples, cloud-based computing generally refers to networked computer architectures in which application execution and storage may be divided, to some extent, between client and server devices. A robot may be any device that has a computing ability and interacts with its surroundings with an actuation capability (e.g., electromechanical capabilities). A client device may be configured as a robot including various sensors and devices in the forms of modules, and different modules may be added or removed from robot depending on requirements. In some example, a robot may be configured to receive a second device, such as mobile phone, that may be configured to function as an accessory or a “brain” of the robot. A robot may interact with the cloud to perform any number of actions, such as to share information with other cloud computing devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Inventors: Ryan Hickman, Anthony G. Francis, Jr., Thor Lewis
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Publication number: 20140362121Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying a display of a field of view of a robotic device to include zoomed-in and zoomed-out views are provided. In examples, the robotic device may include a camera to capture images in a field of view of a robotic device, and distance sensors which can provide outputs that may be used to determine a distance of the robotic device to an object in the field of view of the robotic device. A display of the field of view of the robotic device can be generated, and as the distance decreases, the display can be modified to include a zoomed-in view of the object. As the distance increases, the display can be modified to include a zoomed-out view of the object. An amount of zoom of the object may be inversely proportional to the distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Munjal Desai, Ryan Hickman, Thor Lewis, Damon Kohler
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Publication number: 20140350727Abstract: Methods and systems for providing functionality of an interface to control orientations of a camera on a device are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving an input on an interface indicating a command for an orientation of a camera on a robotic device, and the interface may be provided on a device remote from the robotic device. An indicator may be provided on the interface representing a location of the input, and the indicator may be representative of the command for the orientation of the camera on the robotic device. The method may also include determining that the location of the input on the interface is within a distance threshold to a pre-set location on the interface, and repositioning the indicator on the interface to be at the pre-set location.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Munjal Desai, Ryan Hickman, Thor Lewis, Damon Kohler
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Publication number: 20140340398Abstract: Methods and systems for encoding and compressing 3D object data models are provided. An example method may involve receiving 3D mesh data for an object that includes geometry coordinates for a surface of the object. Additionally, material properties may be associated with the geometry coordinates. The method may also include identifying multiple portions of the mesh data based on the material properties associated with the geometry coordinates. For example, a given group of adjacent geometry coordinates having common material properties may be identified as a given portion. For at least some of the identified portions of the mesh data, the method may further include encoding information related to an identified portion of the mesh data and compressing the encoded information into a file of compressed geometric data.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Ryan Hickman, James J. Kuffner, JR., Anthony Gerald Francis, JR., Arshan Poursohi, James R. Bruce, Thor Lewis, Chaitanya Gharpure, Won Chun
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Patent number: 8875041Abstract: Methods and systems for providing feedback on an interface for controlling a robotic device are provided. An example method includes receiving an input on an interface of a device within an area on a display of the interface. The input may indicate an orientation command and a velocity command for a robotic device. The method may further include providing a display of direction indicators on the interface representing a location of the input based on the location of the input. A location of the direction indicators may represent a direction associated with the orientation command. The method may also include providing a display of a geometric shape within the area on the display representing the location of the input, such that a size of the geometric shape corresponds to a magnitude of velocity associated with the velocity command. In this manner, visual feedback may be provided while receiving the input.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Munjal Desai, Ryan Hickman, Thor Lewis, Damon Kohler
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Patent number: 8854485Abstract: Methods and systems for providing functionality of an interface to include an artificial horizon are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving information indicating a range of motion of a camera on a device, and providing an interface on a second device remote from the device. The interface may be configured to receive an input indicating a command for an orientation of the camera on the device. The method may further include based on the information indicating the range of motion of the camera, providing an artificial horizon at a fixed position on the interface that indicates the range of motion of the camera on either side of the artificial horizon. The fixed position of the artificial horizon may be associated with an orientation of the camera having a tilt value of about zero or having a pan value of about zero.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Munjal Desai, Ryan Hickman, Thor Lewis, Damon Kohler
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Patent number: 8854362Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting data from an object are provided. In examples, a plurality of sensing components are configured to receive information indicative of one or more characteristics of the object. The information indicative of one or more characteristics of the object can be associated with respective data points of the object. The system is further configured to generate a three-dimensional (3D) view of the object based on the information indicative of one or more characteristics of the object and the association with respective data points.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Arshan Poursohi, Ryan Hickman, Chaitanya Gharpure, Thor Lewis
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Patent number: 8836730Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying a display of a field of view of a robotic device to include zoomed-in and zoomed-out views are provided. In examples, the robotic device may include a camera to capture images in a field of view of a robotic device, and distance sensors which can provide outputs that may be used to determine a distance of the robotic device to an object in the field of view of the robotic device. A display of the field of view of the robotic device can be generated, and as the distance decreases, the display can be modified to include a zoomed-in view of the object. As the distance increases, the display can be modified to include a zoomed-out view of the object. An amount of zoom of the object may be inversely proportional to the distance.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Munjal Desai, Ryan Hickman, Thor Lewis, Damon Kohler
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Patent number: 8838276Abstract: Methods and systems for providing functionality of an interface to control orientations of a camera on a device are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving an input on an interface indicating a command for an orientation of a camera on a robotic device, and the interface may be provided on a device remote from the robotic device. An indicator may be provided on the interface representing a location of the input, and the indicator may be representative of the command for the orientation of the camera on the robotic device. The method may also include determining that the location of the input on the interface is within a distance threshold to a pre-set location on the interface, and repositioning the indicator on the interface to be at the pre-set location.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Munjal Desai, Ryan Hickman, Thor Lewis, Damon Kohler
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Publication number: 20140253546Abstract: Methods and systems for interacting with multiple three-dimensional (3D) object data models are provided. An example method may involve providing to a display device for display a first 3D object data model and a second 3D object data model. Information associated with a modification to the first 3D object data model may be received. Based on the received information, a same change may be applied to the first 3D object data model and applied to the second 3D object data model to obtain a first modified 3D object data model and a second modified 3D object data model. According to the method, the first modified 3D object data model and the second modified 3D object data model may be provided to the display device for substantially simultaneous display.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: Ryan Hickman, James J. Kuffner, JR., Anthony Gerald Francis, JR., Arshan Poursohi, James R. Bruce, Thor Lewis, Chaitanya Gharpure
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Patent number: 8831366Abstract: Methods and systems for encoding and compressing 3D object data models are provided. An example method may involve receiving 3D mesh data for an object that includes geometry coordinates for a surface of the object. Additionally, material properties may be associated with the geometry coordinates. The method may also include identifying multiple portions of the mesh data based on the material properties associated with the geometry coordinates. For example, a given group of adjacent geometry coordinates having common material properties may be identified as a given portion. For at least some of the identified portions of the mesh data, the method may further include encoding information related to an identified portion of the mesh data and compressing the encoded information into a file of compressed geometric data.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Ryan Hickman, James J. Kuffner, Jr., Anthony Gerald Francis, Jr., Arshan Poursohi, James R. Bruce, Thor Lewis, Chaitanya Gharpure, Won Chun
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Patent number: 8817021Abstract: Methods and systems for writing, interpreting, and translating three-dimensional (3D) scenes are provided. An example method may involve accessing data associated with a three-dimensional (3D) scene that includes one or more objects of the 3D scene and one or more rendering effects for the one or more objects. Requests for assets and instructions associated with rendering the one or more objects based on the data associated with the 3D scene may be determined and sent to a server. Additionally, the method may include receiving from the server assets and instructions that facilitate rendering the one or more objects based on the one or more rendering effects. According to the method, the one or more objects of the 3D scene may be rendered based on the received instructions and the received assets.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Ryan Hickman, James J. Kuffner, Jr., Anthony Gerald Francis, Jr., Arshan Poursohi, James R. Bruce, Thor Lewis, Chaitanya Gharpure