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).

  • Publication number: 20130284183
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of their use are described herein. In an aspect, an apparatus includes: a structure defining an aperture at an engagement surface configured to reversibly seal to a surface on an individual body, and further defining an isolation field; at least one gas port; one or more gas inlets operably attached to the at least one gas port, the one or more gas inlets oriented to maintain a non-turbulent gas flow traversing at least a part of the surface on the individual body; one or more gas outlets distally positioned on the structure from the one or more gas inlets, the one or more outlets configured to release a gas from the isolation field while maintaining a positive pressure in the isolation field relative to the outside environment of the structure; and at least one sealable access site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Patent number: 8570482
    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: October 29, 2013
    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
  • Patent number: 8562540
    Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying or enhancing vision are described. In exemplary embodiments, neural or neuromuscular activity is analyzed to determine a focus or other quality of a visual input, and the focus or quality information used as a basis for controlling an adjustable lens system or optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Eleanor V. Goodall, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130271552
    Abstract: A view morphing algorithm is applied to synchronous collections of video images from at least two video imaging devices, and interpolating between the images, creates a composite image view of the local participant. This composite image approximates what might be seen from a point between the video imaging devices, presenting the image to other video session participants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: W. DANIEL HILLIS, BRAN FERREN, RUSSEL HOWE
  • Publication number: 20130268900
    Abstract: Touch sensor gesture recognition for operation of mobile devices. An embodiment of a mobile device includes a touch sensor for the detection of gestures, the touch sensor including multiple sensor elements, and a processor, the processor to interpret the gestures detected by the touch sensor, where the mobile device divides the plurality of sensor elements into multiple zones, and the mobile device interprets the gestures based at least in part on which of the zones detects the gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, David Beal, W. Daniel Hillis, Dimitri Negroponte, James Sarrett
  • Patent number: 8542807
    Abstract: In a communications system, after parties form a dial up voice telephone connection, the parties respective communications devices automatically create or leverage machine readable features or content of the telephone connection to identify the parties to each other or to a rendezvous server, and thereafter the communications devices and/or the rendezvous server automatically establishes a data link between the parties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Minds, LLC
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Neal E. Chapman, Russel Howe, Dev Kumar, Randall Adam Yates
  • Patent number: 8533985
    Abstract: The invention provides a simple, yet flexible mechanism for affixing items to a magnetic board such that they are accurately aligned to the board and to one another. Such mechanism allows positioning and repositioning of the items as desired by the user, including stacked configurations. Contact between the items and the board is aesthetically pleasing, and provides a bearing surface that allows for repositioning of items using a sliding motion. Further, aligning the items is convenient for the user and does not distract from the primary task at hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Minds, LLC
    Inventor: W. Daniel Hillis
  • Patent number: 8521440
    Abstract: Systems, methods, compositions and apparatus relating to genome selection are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Robert Langer, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8512219
    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: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    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
  • Patent number: 8508434
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for constructing, configuring, and utilizing displays constructed from superimposed display subunits are disclosed. In one aspect, a display includes a first display subunit including a first plurality of light modulating elements, a second display subunit including a second plurality of light modulating elements, an optical system configured to optically superimpose each light modulating element of the first plurality with a corresponding light modulating element of the second plurality, and electronic circuitry configured to control operation of light modulating elements in the first display subunit to compensate for defective light modulating elements in the second display subunit. Light modulating elements may modulate light in a respective characteristic patterns. Display subunits containing light modulating or light emitting elements may be superimposed physically or optically to form superimposed display elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8499764
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of their use are described herein. In an aspect, an apparatus includes: a structure defining an aperture at an engagement surface configured to reversibly seal to a surface on an individual body, and further defining an isolation field; at least one gas port; one or more gas inlets operably attached to the at least one gas port, the one or more gas inlets oriented to maintain a non-turbulent gas flow traversing at least a part of the surface on the individual body; one or more gas outlets distally positioned on the structure from the one or more gas inlets, the one or more outlets configured to release a gas from the isolation field while maintaining a positive pressure in the isolation field relative to the outside environment of the structure; and at least one sealable access site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Patent number: 8475034
    Abstract: Enhanced compound pendulums provide thermal compensation and/or barometric compensation, such as for a mechanical clock system. The enhanced compound pendulums are simple to construct, and can be more easily compensated than conventional, single-bob pendulums. The enhanced compound pendulums typically comprise material that is added above the point of rotation. Thermal expansion factors for components of the enhanced compound pendulums may preferably be chosen to provide thermal compensation to the first order. In some embodiments of enhanced compound pendulums, volume is added above the pivot to provide barometric compensation, such as by equalizing the moments above and below the pivot, or by providing geometric symmetry above and below the pivot, with a lower density above the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: The Long Now Foundation
    Inventor: W. Daniel Hillis
  • Patent number: 8467510
    Abstract: A view morphing algorithm is applied to synchronous collections of video images from at least two video imaging devices, and interpolating between the images, creates a composite image view of the local participant. This composite image approximates what might be seen from a point between the video imaging devices, presenting the image to other video session participants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Minds, LLC
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Bran Ferren, Russel Howe
  • Patent number: 8460814
    Abstract: An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface, which may employ a surface energy effect to maintain a position of the fluid surface and/or to modulate flow within the fluid. Fluid-directing structures may also modulate flow or retain fluid in a predetermined pattern. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey F. Deane, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8456506
    Abstract: An advanced video teleconferencing system facilitates an engaging and realistic video conferencing experience. Key design elements and video, audio, and control capabilities are provided for a video conferencing experience that cannot be attained with conventional methods, which elements and capabilities include careful design of the table and room at each site, supplementary displays showing imagery in a mirrored manner, networked environmental control, an AutoDirector with keyword and gesture recognition, and audio reflection from a display or beam splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Minds, LLC
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, W. Daniel Hillis
  • Publication number: 20130130067
    Abstract: An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface, which may employ a surface energy effect to maintain a position of the fluid surface and/or to modulate flow within the fluid. Fluid-directing structures may also modulate flow or retain fluid in a predetermined pattern. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Searete LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Deane, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick Hyde, Muriel Ishikawa, Edward Jung, Jordin Kare, Nathan Myhrvold, Clarence Tegreene, David Tuckerman, Thomas Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell Wood, Jr., Victoria Wood
  • Patent number: 8434144
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Bran Ferren
  • Patent number: 8402257
    Abstract: Embodiments include a device, and a method. In an embodiment, a device includes an information store operable to save an execution-optimization information, a first processor, and a hardware circuit. The hardware circuit includes a hardware circuit for altering an execution of a program by the first processor in response to the execution-optimization information. The execution-optimization information created by a hardware device utilizing data collected from a second processor and corresponding to a previous runtime execution by the second processor of at least a portion of the program that was transparent to any software executing on the second processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, PLLC
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, W. Daniel Hillis, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8390668
    Abstract: An advanced video teleconferencing system facilitates an engaging and realistic video conferencing experience. Key design elements and video, audio, and control capabilities are provided for a video conferencing experience that cannot be attained with conventional methods, which elements and capabilities include careful design of the table and room at each site, supplementary displays showing imagery in a mirrored manner, networked environmental control, an AutoDirector with keyword and gesture recognition, and audio reflection from a display or beam splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Minds, LLC
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, W. Daniel Hillis, Thomas McKnight
  • Patent number: 8390537
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for designing and constructing displays from multiple light-modulating elements are disclosed. Display elements having different light-modulating and self-assembling characteristics may be used during display assembly and operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    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