Patents by Inventor William Ben Kunz
William Ben Kunz 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: 10409381Abstract: Aspects relate to detecting gestures that relate to a desired action, wherein the detected gestures are common across users and/or devices within a surface computing environment. Inferred intentions and goals based on context, history, affordances, and objects are employed to interpret gestures. Where there is uncertainty in intention of the gestures for a single device or across multiple devices, independent or coordinated communication of uncertainty or engagement of users through signaling and/or information gathering can occur.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2015Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Meredith June Morris, Eric J. Horvitz, Andrew David Wilson, F. David Jones, Stephen E. Hodges, Kenneth P. Hinckley, David Alexander Butler, Ian M. Sands, V. Kevin Russ, Hrvoje Benko, Shawn R. LeProwse, Shahram Izadi, William Ben Kunz
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Publication number: 20180003990Abstract: An image orientation system is provided wherein images (rays of lights) are projected to a user based on the user's field of view or viewing angle. As the rays of light are projected, streams of air can be produced that bend or focus the rays of light toward the user's field of view. The streams of air can be cold air, hot air, or combinations thereof. Further, an image receiver can be utilized to receive the produced image/rays of light directly in line with the user's field of view. The image receiver can be a wearable device, such as a head mounted display.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2013Publication date: January 4, 2018Inventors: Steven N. Bathiche, Hrvoje Benko, Stephen E. Hodges, Shahram Izadi, David Alexander Butler, William Ben Kunz, Shawn R. LeProwse
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Publication number: 20150346837Abstract: Aspects relate to detecting gestures that relate to a desired action, wherein the detected gestures are common across users and/or devices within a surface computing environment. Inferred intentions and goals based on context, history, affordances, and objects are employed to interpret gestures. Where there is uncertainty in intention of the gestures for a single device or across multiple devices, independent or coordinated communication of uncertainty or engagement of users through signaling and/or information gathering can occur.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Meredith June Morris, Eric J. Horvitz, Andrew Daivd Wilson, F. David Jones, Stephen E. Hodges, Kenneth P. Hinckley, David Alexander Butler, Ian M. Sands, V. Kevin Russ, Hrvoje Benko, Shawn R. LeProwse, Shahram Izadi, William Ben Kunz
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Patent number: 9134798Abstract: Aspects relate to detecting gestures that relate to a desired action, wherein the detected gestures are common across users and/or devices within a surface computing environment. Inferred intentions and goals based on context, history, affordances, and objects are employed to interpret gestures. Where there is uncertainty in intention of the gestures for a single device or across multiple devices, independent or coordinated communication of uncertainty or engagement of users through signaling and/or information gathering can occur.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Meredith June Morris, Eric J. Horvitz, Andrew David Wilson, F. David Jones, Stephen E. Hodges, Kenneth P. Hinckley, David Alexander Butler, Ian M. Sands, V. Kevin Russ, Hrvoje Benko, Shawn R. LeProwse, Shahram Izadi, William Ben Kunz
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Patent number: 8681127Abstract: In some implementations, a touch point on a surface of a touchscreen device may be determined. An image of a region of space above the surface and surrounding the touch point may be determined. The image may include a brightness gradient that captures a brightness of objects above the surface. A binary image that includes one or more binary blobs may be created based on a brightness of portions of the image. A determination may be made as to which of the one more binary blobs are connected to each other to form portions of a particular user. A determination may be made that the particular user generated the touch point.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Stephen E. Hodges, Hrvoje Benko, Ian M. Sands, David Alexander Butler, Shahram Izadi, William Ben Kunz, Kenneth P. Hinckley
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Publication number: 20130241806Abstract: An image orientation system is provided wherein images (rays of lights) are projected to a user based on the user's field of view or viewing angle. As the rays of light are projected, streams of air can be produced that bend or focus the rays of light toward the user's field of view. The streams of air can be cold air, hot air, or combinations thereof. Further, an image receiver can be utilized to receive the produced image/rays of light directly in line with the user's field of view. The image receiver can be a wearable device, such as a head mounted display.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Steven N. Bathiche, Hrvoje Benko, Stephen E. Hodges, Shahram Izadi, David Alexander Butler, William Ben Kunz, Shawn R. LeProwse
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Publication number: 20130234992Abstract: In some implementations, a touch point on a surface of a touchscreen device may be determined. An image of a region of space above the surface and surrounding the touch point may be determined The image may include a brightness gradient that captures a brightness of objects above the surface. A binary image that includes one or more binary blobs may be created based on a brightness of portions of the image. A determination may be made as to which of the one more binary blobs are connected to each other to form portions of a particular user. A determination may be made that the particular user generated the touch point.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Stephen E. Hodges, Hrvoje Benko, Ian M. Sands, David Alexander Butler, Shahram Izadi, William Ben Kunz, Kenneth P. Hinckley
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Patent number: 8436789Abstract: An image orientation system is provided wherein images (rays of lights) are projected to a user based on the user's field of view or viewing angle. As the rays of light are projected, streams of air can be produced that bend or focus the rays of light toward the user's field of view. The streams of air can be cold air, hot air, or combinations thereof. Further, an image receiver can be utilized to receive the produced image/rays of light directly in line with the user's field of view. The image receiver can be a wearable device, such as a head mounted display.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Steven N. Bathiche, Hrvoje Benko, Stephen E. Hodges, Shahram Izadi, David Alexander Butler, William Ben Kunz, Shawn R. LeProwse
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Patent number: 8432366Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates distinguishing input among one or more users in a surface computing environment. A variety of information can be obtained and analyzed to infer an association between a particular input and a particular user. Touch point information can be acquired from a surface wherein the touch point information relates to a touch point. In addition, one or more environmental sensors can monitor the surface computing environment and provide environmental information. The touch point information and the environmental information can be analyzed to determine direction of inputs, location of users, and movement of users and so on. Individual analysis results can be correlated and/or aggregated to generate a inference of association between a touch point and user.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Stephen E. Hodges, Hrvoje Benko, Ian M. Sands, David Alexander Butler, Shahram Izadi, William Ben Kunz, Kenneth P. Hinckley
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Publication number: 20100225595Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates distinguishing input among one or more users in a surface computing environment. A variety of information can be obtained and analyzed to infer an association between a particular input and a particular user. Touch point information can be acquired from a surface wherein the touch point information relates to a touch point. In addition, one or more environmental sensors can monitor the surface computing environment and provide environmental information. The touch point information and the environmental information can be analyzed to determine direction of inputs, location of users, and movement of users and so on. Individual analysis results can be correlated and/or aggregated to generate a inference of association between a touch point and user.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2009Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Stephen E. Hodges, Hrvoje Benko, Ian M. Sands, David Alexander Butler, Shahram Izadi, William Ben Kunz, Kenneth P. Hinckley
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Publication number: 20100218249Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates authentication of a user in a surface computing environment. A device or authentication object can be carried by a user and employed to retain authentication information. An authentication component can obtain the authentication information from the device and analyze the information to verify an identity of the user. A touch input component can ascertain if a touch input is authentication by associating touch input with the user. In addition, authentication information can be employed to establish a secure communications channel for transfer of user data.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2009Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Andrew D. Wilson, Stephen E. Hodges, Peter B. Thompson, Meredith June Morris, Paul Armistead Hoover, William J. Westerinen, Steven N. Bathiche, Ian M. Sands, Shahram Izadi, David Alexander Butler, Matthew B. MacLaurin, Arthur T. Whitten, William Ben Kunz, Shawn R. LeProwse, Hrvoje Benko
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Publication number: 20100182220Abstract: An image orientation system is provided wherein images (rays of lights) are projected to a user based on the user's field of view or viewing angle. As the rays of light are projected, streams of air can be produced that bend or focus the rays of light toward the user's field of view. The streams of air can be cold air, hot air, or combinations thereof. Further, an image receiver can be utilized to receive the produced image/rays of light directly in line with the user's field of view. The image receiver can be a wearable device, such as a head mounted display.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2009Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Steven N. Bathiche, Hrvoje Benko, Stephen E. Hodges, Shahram Izadi, David Alexander Butler, William Ben Kunz, Shawn R. LeProwse
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Publication number: 20100149090Abstract: Aspects relate to detecting gestures that relate to a desired action, wherein the detected gestures are common across users and/or devices within a surface computing environment. Inferred intentions and goals based on context, history, affordances, and objects are employed to interpret gestures. Where there is uncertainty in intention of the gestures for a single device or across multiple devices, independent or coordinated communication of uncertainty or engagement of users through signaling and/or information gathering can occur.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Meredith June Morris, Eric J. Horvitz, Andrew David Wilson, F. David Jones, Stephen E. Hodges, Kenneth P. Hinckley, David Alexander Butler, Ian M. Sands, V. Kevin Russ, Hrvoje Benko, Shawn R. LeProwse, Shahram Izadi, William Ben Kunz
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Patent number: 7613754Abstract: A piece of software running on either a computer or a calculator for receiving a mathematical expression is described. The mathematical expression is evaluated to obtain its symbolic result. If the symbolic result can be resolved to its numeric result, the software executes to obtain the numeric result. The software displays contemporaneously the symbolic result and the numeric result.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jinsong Yu, William Ben Kunz
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Patent number: 7574465Abstract: A centralized view and management of stored variables for calculators and pieces of software emulating calculators is provided. Users can glance at the status bar and know what variables are stored. A single click then brings up a window within which a list of the stored variables and their values is shown. In this window users can clear individual variables or the entire variable list. Users can be reminded that their calculations contain stored variables by displaying the stored variable names in one or more different colors so that errors can be easily detected and corrected.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jinsong Yu, William Ben Kunz, Robert Scott Dietz, Luke Kelly
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Patent number: 7495666Abstract: Mathematical expressions and functions are graphed using a computer implemented method that automatically determines an appropriate graph range. One implementation of the method begins with determining an initial variable seed range. A number of points within this seed range are randomly selected. The method determines whether the selected points correspond to the mathematical expression (i.e., whether they produce valid results when the expression is evaluated at each point). When the selected points produce valid results, the points can be used to generate and display a graph of the mathematical expression on a user display device, with a graph range based on the seed range. If not, the variable seed range can be expanded until a predetermined number of the selected points correspond to the mathematical expression, so that a graph of the mathematical expression can be generated and displayed.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2005Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jinsong Yu, Seth R. Atkinson, William Ben Kunz