Patents by Inventor W. Daniel Hillis

W. Daniel Hillis 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).

  • Image Correction Using Individual Manipulation of Microlenses in a Microlens Array
    Publication number: 20140176753
    Abstract: A system constructs a composite image using focus assessment information of image regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: SEARETE LLC, a limited liability corporation of the State of Delaware
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS CONTINUING ACTION OF USER GESTURES PERFORMED UPON A TOUCH SENSITIVE INTERACTIVE DISPLAY IN SIMULATION OF INERTIA
    Publication number: 20140149951
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying user gestures to control an interactive display identifies gestures based on a bounding box enclosing points at which a user contacts a touch sensor corresponding with the display surface and permits use of inexpensive and highly reliable grid-based touch sensors that provide a bounding box to describe contact information. In identifying gestures, position, motion, shape, and deformation of the bounding box may be considered. Center, width, height, aspect ratio, length and orientation of the bounding box diagonal may be determined. A stretch factor, defined as the maximum of the ratio of the height of the bounding box to the width of the bounding box and the ratio of the width of the bounding box to the height of the bounding box, may also be computed. Gestures may be identified based on the changes in time of these characteristics and quantities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Bran Ferren
  • Distributed data store with a designated master to ensure consistency
    Patent number: 8719313
    Abstract: One machine, i.e. computer, on a network, such as associated with a distributed database, e.g. a data store or a partition thereof, is designated as a master, which alone can issue system orderstamps for transactional operations, while other machines associated with the data store or partition thereof act as any of clients that submit transactions to the master, or as slaves that adhere to updates from the master. If a transactional operation on the distributed database is attempted on a client machine, and communication cannot be established with the master machine, the transaction fails. The distributed data store having such a master provides a method that decreases transaction time across the distributed database, and maintains consistent data between separate machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Minds, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Swett, W. Daniel Hillis
  • Rewarding independent influencers
    Patent number: 8712837
    Abstract: A method embodiment includes receiving data indicative of a person accessing at least one of a first network-available electronic content or a second network-available electronic content. Also, receiving data indicative of an involvement with respect to possible matters of interest between the person and a third-party. The involvement being independent of the person activating a link to a site owned by the third-party that is included in the first network-available electronic content or in the second network available electronic content. Further, assessing a behavioral influence by the first network-available electronic content and/or the second network-available electronic content on the indicated involvement with respect to the possible matters of interest between the person and a third-party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Flake, William H. Gates, III, Alexander G. Gounares, W. Daniel Hillis, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Craig J. Mundie, Christopher D. Payne, Richard F. Rashid, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Self assembly of elements for displays
    Patent number: 8711063
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for designing and constructing displays from multiple light emitting elements are disclosed. Display elements having different light emitting and self-organizing characteristics may be used during display assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • RADIOFREQUENCY PARTICLE SEPARATOR
    Publication number: 20140102947
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a mineral from a liquid including a housing and a fluid having a mineral bearing particle and contained within the housing. The apparatus further includes a generator configured to apply a radio-frequency electromagnetic field to the mineral bearing particle. The field produces a temperature increase within a portion of the mineral bearing particle and the mineral bearing particle transfers heat into the fluid, the heated fluid imposing motion-inducing forces on the particle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Baym, Terry Briggs, Clark J. Gilbert, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Conor L. Myhrvold, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Bounding box gesture recognition on a touch detecting interactive display
    Patent number: 8692792
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying user gestures to control an interactive display identifies gestures based on a bounding box enclosing points at which a user contacts a touch sensor corresponding with the display surface and permits use of inexpensive and highly reliable grid-based touch sensors that provide a bounding box to describe contact information. In identifying gestures, position, motion, shape, and deformation of the bounding box may be considered. Center, width, height, aspect ratio, length and orientation of the bounding box diagonal may be determined. A stretch factor, defined as the maximum of the ratio of the height of the bounding box to the width of the bounding box and the ratio of the width of the bounding box to the height of the bounding box, may also be computed. Gestures may be identified based on the changes in time of these characteristics and quantities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: W. Daniel Hillis
  • Lumen-traveling biological interface device and method of use
    Patent number: 8694092
    Abstract: Lumen-traveling biological interface devices and associated methods and systems are described. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices capable of traveling within a body lumen may include a propelling mechanism to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device within the lumen, electrodes or other electromagnetic transducers for detecting biological signals and electrodes, coils or other electromagnetic transducers for delivering electromagnetic stimuli to stimulus responsive tissues. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices may also include additional components such as sensors, an active portion, and/or control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • ASSAYING GOLD WITH A MICROWAVE PULSE
    Publication number: 20140078863
    Abstract: A system for assaying gold in a rock formation includes a transmitter and an acoustic sensor. The transmitter is configured to transmit a microwave pulse into the rock formation. The acoustic sensor is coupled to the rock formation and is configured to detect an acoustic wave emitted from the rock formation in response to receipt by the rock formation of the microwave pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Baym, Terry Briggs, Robert Dunne, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Conor L. Myhrvold, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Method and apparatus continuing action of user gestures performed upon a touch sensitive interactive display in simulation of inertia
    Patent number: 8669958
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying user gestures to control an interactive display identifies gestures based on a bounding box enclosing points at which a user contacts a touch sensor corresponding with the display surface and permits use of inexpensive and highly reliable grid-based touch sensors that provide a bounding box to describe contact information. In identifying gestures, position, motion, shape, and deformation of the bounding box may be considered. Center, width, height, aspect ratio, length and orientation of the bounding box diagonal may be determined. A stretch factor, defined as the maximum of the ratio of the height of the bounding box to the width of the bounding box and the ratio of the width of the bounding box to the height of the bounding box, may also be computed. Gestures may be identified based on the changes in time of these characteristics and quantities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Bran Ferren
  • Self assembly of elements for displays
    Patent number: 8669703
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for designing and constructing displays from multiple light emitting elements are disclosed. Display elements having different light emitting and self-organizing characteristics may be used during display assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Thermal marking system
    Patent number: 8665300
    Abstract: One or more arrays of heating elements are configured with insulating regions to prevent the dissipation of heat to unintended regions of a thermochromic substrate. Methods include printing and arranging impressions on a two-sided substrate avoiding bleeding and other problems more-commonly associated with traditional two-sided thermal printing techniques. A simple and reliable thermal printing system is provided for use in ballot marking, including several mechanisms for receiving and detecting the orientation of a substrate within a thermal printing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Minds, LLC
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Randall Adam Yates
  • Method and apparatus continuing action of user gestures performed upon a touch sensitive interactive display in simulation of inertia
    Patent number: 8665239
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying user gestures to control an interactive display identifies gestures based on a bounding box enclosing points at which a user contacts a touch sensor corresponding with the display surface and permits use of inexpensive and highly reliable grid-based touch sensors that provide a bounding box to describe contact information. In identifying gestures, position, motion, shape, and deformation of the bounding box may be considered. Center, width, height, aspect ratio, length and orientation of the bounding box diagonal may be determined. A stretch factor, defined as the maximum of the ratio of the height of the bounding box to the width of the bounding box and the ratio of the width of the bounding box to the height of the bounding box, may also be computed. Gestures may be identified based on the changes in time of these characteristics and quantities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Bran Ferren
  • Lumen-traveling biological interface device and method of use
    Patent number: 8660642
    Abstract: Lumen-traveling biological interface devices and associated methods and systems are described. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices capable of traveling within a body lumen may include a propelling mechanism to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device within the lumen, electrodes or other electromagnetic transducers for detecting biological signals and electrodes, coils or other electromagnetic transducers for delivering electromagnetic stimuli to stimulus responsive tissues. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices may also include additional components such as sensors, an active portion, and/or control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Method and apparatus for storage and playback of programs
    Patent number: 8649658
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for playback of programs and other works recorded on random access storage media. One embodiment of the invention relates to random access storage media such as a DVD (“digital versatile disk” or “digital video disk”) used to distribute motion pictures and other audio/video programs or works. The invention involves a manner of utilizing secondary storage space of the storage media not used by the primary program being distributed to store secondary programs such as movie trailers and product advertisements, and to present the secondary programs to the user in a topical and interesting manner. In one embodiment, storage space of a random access storage medium such as a DVD is allocated to a number of variously sized programs or program portions called “chapters.” In one embodiment, each primary and secondary program constitutes a separate chapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Lambert, W. Daniel Hillis
  • Image correction using individual manipulation of microlenses in a microlens array
    Patent number: 8643955
    Abstract: A system constructs a composite image using focus assessment information of image regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY ENABLING A MICROPROCESSOR-BASED SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140033302
    Abstract: A system for selectively enabling a microprocessor-based system is disclosed. State information that describes the operating conditions or circumstances under which a user intends to operate the system is obtained. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a valid hash value is determined, preferably based on the state information and preferably by locating the valid hash value within a table of valid hash values indexed by the state information. Candidate authorization information is obtained from the user, and a candidate hash value is generated by applying a hashing algorithm to the candidate authorization information, the state information, or a combination of the candidate authorization information and state information. The candidate hash value and the valid hash value are then compared, and the microprocessor-based system is enabled if the candidate hash value matches the valid hash value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Bran Ferren
  • Thermal marking system
    Patent number: 8638350
    Abstract: One or more arrays of heating elements are configured with insulating regions to prevent the dissipation of heat to unintended regions of a thermochromic substrate. Methods include printing and arranging impressions on a two-sided substrate avoiding bleeding and other problems more-commonly associated with traditional two-sided thermal printing techniques. A simple and reliable thermal printing system is provided for use in ballot marking, including several mechanisms for receiving and detecting the orientation of a substrate within a thermal printing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Minds, LLC
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Randall Adam Yates
  • LIQUEFIED BREATHING GAS SYSTEMS FOR UNDERGROUND MINES
    Publication number: 20140020787
    Abstract: A method of transporting liquefied breathing gases in underground mines includes providing a conduit system that extends within a mine shaft to a work space below ground where the conduit system includes an outlet positioned in the work space, delivering liquefied breathing gases through the conduit system, and vaporizing the liquefied breathing gases at the outlet of the conduit system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Michael H. Baym, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Conor L. Myhrvold, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony Pan, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Touch driven method and apparatus to integrate and display multiple image layers forming alternate depictions of same subject matter
    Patent number: 8624863
    Abstract: An interactive display system, including a touch sensitive display, establishes a first image and at least one secondary image, each image representing various spatial coordinates, the spatial coordinates overlapping at least in part such that each image comprises an alternate depiction of subject matter common to all of the images. The first image is presented upon the display. Responsive to user input including contact with the display, imagery presented by the display is updated to integrate a region of at least one of the secondary images into the display. Each integrated region has substantially identical represented coordinates as a counterpart region of the first image. Further, each integrated region is presented in same scale and display location as the counterpart region of the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Bran Ferren