Patents by Inventor William Oliver

William Oliver 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).

  • Patent number: 9623698
    Abstract: A book for use with augmented reality applications includes a plurality of stiff leaves, each side of which forms a page of the book. On each page a respective fiduciary marker is positioned substantially in the middle of the page. Each fiduciary marker comprises a different respective asymmetric pattern capable of indicating the scale and orientation of the book to an augmented reality application and of indicating the respective page, and a non-alphanumeric pattern positioned closer to an outside edge of the page of the book than the fiduciary marker. The non-alphanumeric pattern on a respective page is capable of indicating at least the opposing page pair comprising the respective page on which the non-alphanumeric pattern is positioned, when used in conjunction with the scale and orientation of the book as indicated by a fiduciary marker on a different page to that of the respective non-alphanumeric pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Lucas-Woodley, Nicholas Andrew Lord, William Oliver Sykes, Adrien Bain
  • Publication number: 20160106166
    Abstract: An article of apparel is disclosed. In one embodiment, an article of apparel comprises a front panel, a pouch attached to the front panel, a pocket disposed between the pouch and the front panel, and means for selectively opening and closing a first end of the pocket. The pocket comprises a second end opposite the first end and a body joining the first and second ends. The pocket is attached to the pouch and the front panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Bradley Thomas Buczkowski, Andrew John Lehman, William Oliver Lollis
  • Patent number: 9286724
    Abstract: A book for use in an augmented reality system comprises a plurality of leaves, each side forming a page of the book, with each page comprising a fiduciary marker. The book also includes a cover having larger dimensions than the book's leaves. Thus, the cover's extremhities extend beyond the outer edges of the pages. The inside of the cover comprises a first high contrast pattern along at least a first such extremity. An entertainment device for use in the augmented reality system comprises input means to receive a video image of the book, and image processing means to estimate a position and orientation of the book from a fiduciary marker of the book captured in the video image, to estimate a position and orientation of the first high contrast pattern, and to distinguish between one or more leaves of the book being turned independently of the cover of the book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Lucas-Woodley, Nicholas Andrew Lord, William Oliver Sykes, Adrien Bain
  • Patent number: 9286692
    Abstract: A method of book leaf tracking comprises receiving a video image comprising a book, estimating the current position and orientation of the book within the video image in response to a fiduciary marker of the book visible in the image, estimating the visibility of one or more predetermined features of the book, calculating a range of leaf turning angles that is consistent with the detected visibility of the or each predetermined feature of the book for the estimated current position and orientation of the book, and estimating the angle of a turning leaf of the book responsive to the calculated range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Lucas-Woodley, Nicholas Andrew Lord, William Oliver Sykes, Adrien Bain
  • Publication number: 20160063814
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus which, for each of a plurality of plays of a primary game: randomly generates one of a plurality of different primary game outcomes, displays the generated primary game outcome, and displays any award associated with the displayed primary game outcome. If a bonus triggering event occurs, the gaming apparatus: determines a first part of a constant value, causes the determined first part of the constant value to be provided to a first player, determines a second part of the constant value, wherein the determined first part of the constant value and the determined second part of the constant value form the constant value, and causes the determined second part of the constant value to fund a designated award.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Olaf Vancura, Terrance William Oliver
  • Patent number: 9214044
    Abstract: A method of augmenting a video image comprises the steps of estimating the extent of an identified surface captured within the video image and identifying skin pixels within a test area corresponding to the estimated extent of the identified surface within the video image. The method also includes extrapolating positions for skin pixels within the video image that are outside the estimated extent of the identified surface based upon the identified skin pixels, generating a mask from a combination of identified skin pixels and extrapolated skin pixels, and setting an extent of a computer graphic to be superposed substantially on top of the identified surface within the video image. The extent is greater than the estimated extent of the identified surface. The method further includes superposing the graphical augmentation of the video image responsive to the generated mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited
    Inventors: Graham David Clemo, Thomas Lucas-Woodley, William Oliver Sykes, Amir Reza Safari Azar Alamdari
  • Patent number: 9150043
    Abstract: A book for use in an augmented reality system includes first and second pages. The first page is on a first leaf of the book and includes a first fiduciary marker for indicating the orientation of the book to a recognition system. The second page is on a second leaf of the book and includes a second fiduciary marker for indicating the orientation of the book to the recognition system and also page marker for indicating the page number of the second page to the recognition system. The page marker orientation is ambiguous without reference to a fiduciary marker. The page marker is positioned on the second page closer to an edge of the page than the second fiduciary marker to become visible to the recognition system before the second fiduciary marker, as the book is turned to the second page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Andrew Lord, Thomas Lucas-Woodley, William Oliver Sykes, Adrien Bain
  • Patent number: 9129446
    Abstract: An entertainment device comprises an input, a marker detector and a failure boundary calculation processor. The input is operable to receive a captured image from a video camera. The marker detector is operable to detect a fiduciary marker within the captured image, and is also operable to estimate a distance and angle of the fiduciary marker. The failure boundary calculation processor is operable to calculate at least one of an additional distance and an additional angle from the currently estimated distance and angle of the fiduciary marker at which recognition of the fiduciary marker is assumed to fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited
    Inventors: Diarmid Archibald Campbell, Thomas Lucas-Woodley, Nicholas Andrew Lord, William Oliver Sykes
  • Publication number: 20140295954
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus which, for each of a plurality of plays of a primary game: randomly generates one of a plurality of different primary game outcomes, displays the generated primary game outcome, and displays any award associated with the displayed primary game outcome. If a bonus triggering event occurs, the gaming apparatus: determines a first part of a constant value, causes the determined first part of the constant value to be provided to a first player, determines a second part of the constant value, wherein the determined first part of the constant value and the determined second part of the constant value form the constant value, and causes the determined second part of the constant value to fund a designated award.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Olaf Vancura, Terrance William Oliver
  • Patent number: 8770585
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus which, for each of a plurality of plays of a primary game: randomly generates one of a plurality of different primary game outcomes, displays the generated primary game outcome, and displays any award associated with the displayed primary game outcome. If a bonus triggering event occurs, the gaming apparatus: determines a first part of a constant value, causes the determined first part of the constant value to be provided to a first player, determines a second part of the constant value, wherein the determined first part of the constant value and the determined second part of the constant value form the constant value, and causes the determined second part of the constant value to fund a designated award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Olaf Vancura, Terrance William Oliver
  • Patent number: 8767015
    Abstract: A method of image augmentation for an image of a book includes capturing an image of the book, detecting at least a portion of at least one fiduciary marker of the book within the image, estimating placement of the book's spine based upon the detected portion of the fiduciary marker, hypothesising possible positions for edges of a rigid leaf being turned in the book based upon estimated placement of the spine, processing the book image to identify edges within the image, comparing elements of the identified edges with the hypothesized positions for edges of the rigid leaf, selecting one of the hypothesized positions that best coincides with the compared elements of the processed image as representative of the position of the rigid leaf being turned in the book, and augmenting the book image with a virtual graphic element arranged in accordance with the selected representative position of the rigid leaf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited
    Inventors: Diarmid Archibald Campbell, Thomas Lucas-Woodley, Nicholas Andrew Lord, William Oliver Sykes
  • Publication number: 20140049560
    Abstract: An entertainment device comprises an input, a marker detector and a failure boundary calculation processor. The input is operable to receive a captured image from a video camera. The marker detector is operable to detect a fiduciary marker within the captured image, and is also operable to estimate a distance and angle of the fiduciary marker. The failure boundary calculation processor is operable to calculate at least one of an additional distance and an additional angle from the currently estimated distance and angle of the fiduciary marker at which recognition of the fiduciary marker is assumed to fail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT EUROPE LIMITED
    Inventors: Diarmid Archibald Campbell, Thomas Lucas-Woodley, Nicholas Andrew Lord, William Oliver Sykes
  • Publication number: 20140004933
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus which, for each of a plurality of plays of a primary game: randomly generates one of a plurality of different primary game outcomes, displays the generated primary game outcome, and displays any award associated with the displayed primary game outcome. If a bonus triggering event occurs, the gaming apparatus: determines a first part of a constant value, causes the determined first part of the constant value to be provided to a first player, determines a second part of the constant value, wherein the determined first part of the constant value and the determined second part of the constant value form the constant value, and causes the determined second part of the constant value to fund a designated award.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Olaf Vancura, Terrance William Oliver
  • Publication number: 20130321464
    Abstract: A method of generating an internally consistent model of the state of a book captured in a video image is provided. The method comprises obtaining a plurality of pieces of evidence relating to the state of a corresponding plurality of aspects of the book in the video image, associating a quality score with each piece of evidence, generating an initial model of the state of the book wherein the state of the book is constrained by physical properties of the book and at least the highest scoring piece of evidence, and sequentially constraining the model in response to one or more successive pieces of evidence whose scores meet a respective predetermined first threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT EUROPE LIMITED
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Lucas-Woodley, Nicholas Andrew Lord, William Oliver Sykes, Adrien Bain
  • Publication number: 20130301878
    Abstract: A method of book leaf tracking comprises receiving a video image comprising a book, estimating the current position and orientation of the book within the video image in response to a fiduciary marker of the book visible in the image,estimating the visibility of one or more predetermined features of the book, calculating a range of leaf turning angles that is consistent with the detected visibility of the or each predetermined feature of the book for the estimated current position and orientation of the book, and estimating the angle of a turning leaf of the book responsive to the calculated range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT EUROPE LIMITED
    Inventors: Thomas Lucas-Woodley, Nicholas Andrew Lord, William Oliver Sykes, Adrien Bain
  • Patent number: 8528908
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus which, for each of a plurality of plays of a primary game: randomly generates one of a plurality of different primary game outcomes, displays the generated primary game outcome, and displays any award associated with the displayed primary game outcome. If a bonus triggering event occurs, the gaming apparatus: determines a first part of a constant value, causes the determined first part of the constant value to be provided to a first player, determines a second part of the constant value, wherein the determined first part of the constant value and the determined second part of the constant value form the constant value, and causes the determined second part of the constant value to fund a designated award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Olaf Vancura, Terrance William Oliver
  • Publication number: 20130208006
    Abstract: A book for use in an augmented reality system includes first and second pages. The first page is on a first leaf of the book and includes a first fiduciary marker for indicating the orientation of the book to a recognition system. The second page is on a second leaf of the book and includes a second fiduciary marker for indicating the orientation of the book to the recognition system and also page marker for indicating the page number of the second page to the recognition system. The page marker orientation is ambiguous without reference to a fiduciary marker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Andrew Lord, Thomas Lucas-Woodley, William Oliver Sykes, Adrien Bain
  • Patent number: 8430407
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus which, for each of a plurality of plays of a primary game: randomly generates one of a plurality of different primary game outcomes, displays the generated primary game outcome, and displays any award associated with the displayed primary game outcome. If a bonus triggering event occurs, the gaming apparatus: determines a first part of a constant value, causes the determined first part of the constant value to be provided to a first player, determines a second part of the constant value, wherein the determined first part of the constant value and the determined second part of the constant value form the constant value, and causes the determined second part of the constant value to fund a designated award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Olaf Vancura, Terrance William Oliver
  • Publication number: 20130004934
    Abstract: A method of organizing the populace consisting of forming and maintaining a standardized neighborhood social-safety club for every 50-150 adjacent homes sot that they can be trained on disaster preparedness as a group, be able to rapidly evacuate as a group in ant orderly fashion as part of a city-wide evacuation program involving multiplicities of such clubs, be able to shelter-in-place as a group during a disaster, be able to reduce crime in their neighborhood as a group and be able to increase their sense of community by interacting frequently as a group or sub-group, linked to other standardized neighborhood social-safety clubs across the city, thus coordinating their activities, leading to a city-wide social-safety network linked through in-person meetings, a secure online private network, and a standardized radio system using a combination of walkie-talkies and ham radios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventor: Brett William Oliver
  • Patent number: 8324226
    Abstract: The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds, and more specifically to certain oxy phenyl aryl compounds (referred to herein as OPA compounds), as described herein, which, inter alia, inhibit Checkpoint Kinase 2 (CHK2) kinase function. The present invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and compositions, both in vitro and in vivo, to inhibit CHK2 kinase function, and in the treatment of diseases and conditions that are mediated by CHK2, that are ameliorated by the inhibition of CHK2 kinase function, etc., including proliferative conditions such as cancer, etc., optionally in combination with another agent, for example, (a) a DNA topoisomerase I or II inhibitor; (b) a DNA damaging agent; (c) an antimetabolite or TS inhibitor; (d) a microtubule targeted agent; and (e) ionising radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Cancer Research Technology Limited
    Inventors: Ian Collins, John Jamieson Caldwell, Antony William Oliver, Tony Michael Raynham, Emma Jane Welsh, Cornelius Albertus Johannes Matijssen