Patents by Inventor W. Hillis

W. 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: 20060184463
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating a plurality of courses of action according to a plurality of decision factors. A system memory contains a decision model comprising a plurality of global influence values and the plurality of courses of action. Each course of action has an associated set of decision parameters corresponding to the plurality of decision factors. An input device is operative to receive input from a user to adjust the values of the global influence values. A computational engine calculates a fitness parameter for each course of action based on the set of decision parameters for the course of action and the global influence values. The computational engine is operative to update the decision model in real time to reflect input from the user interface. A display displays the decision model to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Cook, Patrick Tufts, Terence Ryan, Tomi Pierce, W. Hillis
  • Publication number: 20060151681
    Abstract: Method and systems related to obstructing a first predefined portion of at least one defined wavelength of light incident upon a first photo-detector array; and detecting the at least one defined wavelength of light with a photo-detector in a second photo-detector array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Applicant: Searete LLC
    Inventors: W. Hillis, Roderick Hyde, Nathan Myhrvold, Lowell Wood
  • Publication number: 20060129517
    Abstract: The invention provides an efficient apparatus and method for deleting items within a distributed datastore. In particular, the invention provides an apparatus and method of deletion that uses an already well defined procedure for insertion of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: W. Hillis
  • Publication number: 20060125799
    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: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: W. Hillis, Bran Ferren
  • Publication number: 20060129540
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for limiting the number of results returned by a data store in response to a query. Upon receiving an initial query, the data store returns a page of results that includes a subset of the data items within the data store satisfying the conditions of the query. The data store also provides a marker indicating the extent of the set of data items. If a subsequent query that requests additional results which satisfy the same query conditions and that includes the marker is received, the data store returns a page of results that includes a subset of data items that are disjoint from the initial subset, and provides an updated marker which indicates the extent of the union of the initial and subsequent subsets. If still further results are desired from the data store, an additional query containing the updated marker may be submitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: W. Hillis, Eric Bax, Augusto Callejas, Harry Kao, Mathias Kolehmainen
  • Publication number: 20060122530
    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 this focus or quality information used as a basis for controlling an adjustable lens system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Eleanor Goodall, W. Hillis, Roderick Hyde, Muriel Ishikawa, Edward Jung, Nathan Myhrvold, Lowell Wood
  • Publication number: 20060119968
    Abstract: A method of transferring data of one or more rotatable data storage devices includes but is not limited to rotating the at least one rotatable data storage device; transferring the data between a plurality of stationary data transfer heads and the one or more rotatable data storage devices; and using one or more computer programs to determine which of the plurality of stationary data transfer heads are to be used to transfer a first portion of the data between the plurality of stationary data transfer heads and the one or more rotatable data storage devices and the direction in which the first portion of the data is to be transferred. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application. Other methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: W. Hillis, Roderick Hyde, Muriel Ishikawa, Edward Jung, Nathan Myhrvold, Lowell Wood
  • Publication number: 20060119793
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for improving and enhancing vision are disclosed. Adjustable lenses or optical systems may be used to provide adaptive vision modification. In some embodiments, vision modification may be responsive to the current state of the user's visual system. Certain embodiments provide correction of the subject's near and far vision. Other embodiments provide enhancement of vision beyond the physiological ranges of focal length or magnification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: W. Hillis, Roderick Hyde, Muriel Ishikawa, Edward Jung, Nathan Myhrvold, Clarence Tegreene, Lowell Wood
  • Publication number: 20060122531
    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: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Eleanor Goodall, W. Hillis, Roderick Hyde, Muriel Ishikawa, Edward Jung, Nathan Myhrvold, Lowell Wood
  • Publication number: 20060119794
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for improving and enhancing vision are disclosed. Adjustable lenses or optical systems may be used to provide adaptive vision modification. In some embodiments, vision modification may be responsive to the current state of the user's visual system. Certain embodiments provide correction of the subject's near and far vision. Other embodiments provide enhancement of vision beyond the physiological ranges of focal length or magnification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: W. Hillis, Roderick Hyde, Muriel Ishikawa, Edward Jung, Nathan Myhrvold, Clarence Tegreene, Lowell Wood
  • Publication number: 20060108512
    Abstract: An analog to digital converter and related systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Inventors: W. Hillis, Nathan Myhrvold, Lowell Wood
  • Publication number: 20060095780
    Abstract: A system and method to facilitate importation of user profile data over a network are described. In one preferred embodiment, a request to import the user profile data is received from a user, the user profile data being stored in a source user account within a source entity. Prior to importation of the user profile data, the source user account is authenticated as being associated with the user. Subsequent to the authentication, the user profile data is received from the source entity and is merged within a destination user account associated with the user. Alternatively, the user profile data may be used to create a destination user account associated with the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: W. Hillis, Bran Ferren
  • Publication number: 20060087646
    Abstract: Method and systems related to obstructing a first predefined portion of at least one defined wavelength of light incident upon a first photo-detector array; and detecting the at least one defined wavelength of light with a photo-detector in a second photo-detector array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: W. Hillis, Roderick Hyde, Nathan Myhrvold, Lowell Wood
  • Publication number: 20060087740
    Abstract: A system constructs a composite image using focus assessment information of image regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: W. Hillis, Nathan Myhrvold, Lowell Wood
  • Publication number: 20060076167
    Abstract: A virtual wheel provides a leg pair as a conveyance mechanism for a land vehicle. The virtual wheel propels the vehicle across a surface using a repetitive motion of the legs that contact the ground as would a wheel, due to their geometry. Vehicle embodiments include at least two-, three-, four- and six-wheeled vehicles, both transverse and in-line. Additionally, the invention provides a bipedal walking robot. One embodiment provides a robotic mule—a payload-carrying vehicle. The invention combines the flexible mobility of bipedal vehicles with the stability and functionality of very large-wheeled vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Mark Setrakian, W. Hillis
  • Publication number: 20060069425
    Abstract: A ciliated stent-like system and method of operating the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: W. Hillis, Muriel Ishikawa, Clarence Tegreene, Richa Wilson, Victoria Wood, Lowell Wood
  • Publication number: 20060056729
    Abstract: A method of capturing an image of a target including positioning an optical system to direct a spatial Fourier transform of a region of the target onto a field of view of a detector array; generating an electrical signal with the detector array, the electrical signal representing at least a portion of the spatial Fourier transform; generating a digital representation of the at least a portion of the spatial Fourier transform from the electrical signal; and transforming the digital representation of the at least a portion of the spatial Fourier transform to produce a digital representation of the region of the target. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application. Other methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: W. Hillis, Nathan Myhrvold, Lowell Wood
  • Publication number: 20060034733
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for the separation of particles in a fluid provide for a container to enclose the fluid mixture containing particles and at least one transducer to create a wave action within the fluid. A gradient driver may be included to increase the particle separation. Inlet ports may be attached to add additional components or fluid to the mixture and outlet ports may be attached to remove the separated particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, W. Hillis, Elizabeth Sweeney, Lowell Wood
  • Publication number: 20060031786
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a multi-user interactive display system including a display having a touch-sensitive display surface. A position is detected for each contact site at which the display surface experiences external physical contact. Each contact site's position history is using to compute velocity data for the respective contact site. At least one of the following is using to identify occurrence of one or more user gestures from a predetermined set of user gestures: the position history, the velocity data. Each user gesture corresponds to at least one predetermined action for updating imagery presented by the display as a whole. Action is commenced corresponding to the identified gesture. Responsive to a user gesture terminating with a nonzero velocity across the display surface, action is corresponding to the gesture is continued so as to simulate inertia imparted by said gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: W. Hillis, Bran Ferren
  • Publication number: 20060007411
    Abstract: A system for supporting a projector on a support structure relative to a projection surface includes a plurality of base members connectable with the support structure and having a position adjustable relative to the projection surface. The system also includes a base member calibration system for calibrating the base members to a predetermined position relative to the projection surface. The system also includes a plurality of foot members for supporting the projector. Each foot member has a position adjustable relative to the projector. The system further includes a projector calibration system for calibrating the projector to a predetermined position relative to the foot members. The projector calibrated to the predetermined position relative to the foot members is calibrated to the predetermined position relative to the projection surface when the foot members rest on the base members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventors: Charles Harrison, Bran Ferren, W. Hillis