Patents by Inventor William Thomas Blank
William Thomas Blank 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: 10580352Abstract: Embodiments relate to testing a plurality of LEDs by applying a voltage difference between anode electrodes and cathode electrodes of the plurality of LEDs using transistors and probe pads on a display substrate. The anode electrodes of the plurality of LEDs are connected to a first probe pad via clamping transistors, and the cathode electrodes are connected to a second probe pad. Responsive to applying the voltage difference, it is determined whether the plurality of LEDs satisfy a threshold level of operability. The display substrate also includes driving transistors and switching transistors connected to the plurality of LEDs, the driving transistors and switching transistors used during operating mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLCInventors: Ilias Pappas, William Thomas Blank
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Publication number: 20200013318Abstract: Embodiments relate to testing a plurality of LEDs by applying a voltage difference between anode electrodes and cathode electrodes of the plurality of LEDs using transistors and probe pads on a display substrate. The anode electrodes of the plurality of LEDs are connected to a first probe pad via clamping transistors, and the cathode electrodes are connected to a second probe pad. Responsive to applying the voltage difference, it is determined whether the plurality of LEDs satisfy a threshold level of operability. The display substrate also includes driving transistors and switching transistors connected to the plurality of LEDs, the driving transistors and switching transistors used during operating mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2018Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Ilias Pappas, William Thomas Blank
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Publication number: 20190347981Abstract: Disclosed herein are display systems and techniques for operating a display in a display system. An output image is formed by scanning a column of light emitters such that emitters in different rows of the column contribute to a same location in the output image. The emitters are driven using pulse-width modulation (PWM). PWM pulses are applied in synchronization with the scanning to cause emitters to emit light at an intensity corresponding to an illumination parameter. The driving includes generating, based on an illumination parameter, a PWM pulse by applying an analog signal in combination with applying a digital signal. The analog signal controls an amplitude of the PWM pulse. The digital signal controls a duration of the PWM pulse.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: Mark Alan HOROWITZ, Ilias PAPPAS, Edward BUCKLEY, William Thomas BLANK
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Publication number: 20190156721Abstract: Techniques are described for collecting feedback on a display comprising a plurality of emitters arranged in a column. Each emitter is driven by a respective emitter cell that generates a driving current for the emitter based on digital data or an analog representation thereof. The digital data or analog representation is sequentially shifted through the entire column. An electrical signal associated with a last emitter to be driven based on the digital data or analog representation is measured, along a feedback path formed by selectively opening or closing a first switch and a second switch, which are respectively connectable to an anode and a cathode of the last emitter. Since each emitter cell contributes to the electrical signal, the value of the electrical signal is indicative of whether there is a problem with an emitter cell somewhere in the column. The subsequently driving of the emitters is adjusted accordingly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2018Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: William Thomas BLANK, Ilias PAPPAS
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Publication number: 20190156720Abstract: Techniques are described for operating a display comprising an array of emitters arranged in at least one column. Data is shifted through the emitters of the column using a data shifting circuit. The data can be shifted sequentially, one emitter at a time. The data shifting circuit includes storage elements for temporary storage of the data as it is shifted down the column. The data can be stored as a charge on a capacitor, where the capacitor is charged to a particular voltage according to a current from a current mirror. The shifting can be performed in synchronization with scanning of the emitters by a scanning assembly, where the scanning produces an output image for viewing by a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2018Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: William Thomas BLANK, Ilias PAPPAS
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Publication number: 20190020858Abstract: A scanning type display device includes a light source that includes multiple rows and columns of light emitters. The display device also includes a rotatable mirror that projects light to different areas of an image field as the mirror rotates. There can be a redundant number to light emitters in the light source to increase the brightness of the pixels in the image field. A data driver may replicate and shift data values among light emitters of the same columns. The light emitters may operate in conjunction with the mirror in a synchronized manner. Owing to the shift in data value and the rotation of the mirror, the mirror may first project light from a first light emitter to a pixel and may then project light from a second light emitter with the same brightness level to the same pixel. The shifting may continue for additional light emitters.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Ilias Pappas, William Thomas Blank
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Publication number: 20180213195Abstract: A “Concurrent Projector-Camera” uses an image projection device in combination with one or more cameras to enable various techniques that provide visually flicker-free projection of images or video, while real-time image or video capture is occurring in that same space. The Concurrent Projector-Camera provides this projection in a manner that eliminates video feedback into the real-time image or video capture. More specifically, the Concurrent Projector-Camera dynamically synchronizes a combination of projector lighting (or light-control points) on-state temporal compression in combination with on-state temporal shifting during each image frame projection to open a “capture time slot” for image capture during which no image is being projected. This capture time slot represents a tradeoff between image capture time and decreased brightness of the projected image.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Sasa Junuzovic, William Thomas Blank, Steven Bathiche, Anoop Gupta, Andrew D. Wilson
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Patent number: 9961315Abstract: A “Concurrent Projector-Camera” uses an image projection device in combination with one or more cameras to enable various techniques that provide visually flicker-free projection of images or video, while real-time image or video capture is occurring in that same space. The Concurrent Projector-Camera provides this projection in a manner that eliminates video feedback into the real-time image or video capture. More specifically, the Concurrent Projector-Camera dynamically synchronizes a combination of projector lighting (or light-control points) on-state temporal compression in combination with on-state temporal shifting during each image frame projection to open a “capture time slot” for image capture during which no image is being projected. This capture time slot represents a tradeoff between image capture time and decreased brightness of the projected image.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Sasa Junuzovic, William Thomas Blank, Steven Bathiche, Anoop Gupta, Andrew D. Wilson
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Publication number: 20170099453Abstract: The interactive and shared surface technique described herein employs hardware that can project on any surface, capture color video of that surface, and get depth information of and above the surface while preventing visual feedback (also known as video feedback, video echo, or visual echo). The technique provides N-way sharing of a surface using video compositing. It also provides for automatic calibration of hardware components, including calibration of any projector, RGB camera, depth camera and any microphones employed by the technique. The technique provides object manipulation with physical, visual, audio, and hover gestures and interaction between digital objects displayed on the surface and physical objects placed on or above the surface. It can capture and scan the surface in a manner that captures or scans exactly what the user sees, which includes both local and remote objects, drawings, annotations, hands, and so forth.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Sasa Junuzovic, William Thomas Blank, Bruce Arnold Cleary, III, Anoop Gupta, Andrew D. Wilson
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Patent number: 9560314Abstract: The interactive and shared surface technique described herein employs hardware that can project on any surface, capture color video of that surface, and get depth information of and above the surface while preventing visual feedback (also known as video feedback, video echo, or visual echo). The technique provides N-way sharing of a surface using video compositing. It also provides for automatic calibration of hardware components, including calibration of any projector, RGB camera, depth camera and any microphones employed by the technique. The technique provides object manipulation with physical, visual, audio, and hover gestures and interaction between digital objects displayed on the surface and physical objects placed on or above the surface. It can capture and scan the surface in a manner that captures or scans exactly what the user sees, which includes both local and remote objects, drawings, annotations, hands, and so forth.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2011Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Sasa Junuzovic, William Thomas Blank, Bruce Arnold Cleary, III, Anoop Gupta, Andrew D. Wilson
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Patent number: 9220416Abstract: Different advantageous embodiments provide an apparatus comprising one or more heating elements, a plurality of sensors, insulation, and a processor. The plurality of sensors includes at least a skin temperature sensor and an oven temperature sensor. The insulation is configured to thermally isolate the skin temperature sensor form the oven temperature sensor. The processor is configured to receive temperature data from the plurality of sensors and to control the one or more heating elements using the temperature data received.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2012Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Molly Annalise Buckley Blank, Michael Jack Sinclair, William Thomas Blank
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Publication number: 20150097928Abstract: A “Concurrent Projector-Camera” uses an image projection device in combination with one or more cameras to enable various techniques that provide visually flicker-free projection of images or video, while real-time image or video capture is occurring in that same space. The Concurrent Projector-Camera provides this projection in a manner that eliminates video feedback into the real-time image or video capture. More specifically, the Concurrent Projector-Camera dynamically synchronizes a combination of projector lighting (or light-control points) on-state temporal compression in combination with on-state temporal shifting during each image frame projection to open a “capture time slot” for image capture during which no image is being projected. This capture time slot represents a tradeoff between image capture time and decreased brightness of the projected image.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Sasa Junuzovic, William Thomas Blank, Steven Bathiche, Anoop Gupta, Andrew D. Wilson
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Patent number: 8928735Abstract: A “Concurrent Projector-Camera” uses an image projection device in combination with one or more cameras to enable various techniques that provide visually flicker-free projection of images or video, while real-time image or video capture is occurring in that same space. The Concurrent Projector-Camera provides this projection in a manner that eliminates video feedback into the real-time image or video capture. More specifically, the Concurrent Projector-Camera dynamically synchronizes a combination of projector lighting (or light-control points) on-state temporal compression in combination with on-state temporal shifting during each image frame projection to open a “capture time slot” for image capture during which no image is being projected. This capture time slot represents a tradeoff between image capture time and decreased brightness of the projected image.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Sasa Junuzovic, William Thomas Blank, Steven Bathiche, Anoop Gupta, Andrew D. Wilson
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Patent number: 8787832Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides for systems and/or methods for a dynamic range wireless access point to initiate deliberate and/or selective communications with one or more wireless devices over a short range radio path. One embodiment of an access point system comprises a processor that transfers one or more wireless devices to a long range radio path once a transition condition has been met. In another embodiment, an access point system may affect transactions between user/customer's smart devices and a commercial place of business where the access point system and the smart devices initiate communications when the smart devices are deliberately placed within the proximity of the access point antenna and/or the smart devices are brought within the vicinity of the access point antenna such as by passing through the entrance or exit to the place of business.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Andrew Herron, Gerald Reuben DeJean, II, Darko Kirovski, Miller Thomas Abel, Craig Scott Brenner, William Thomas Blank
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Publication number: 20130341315Abstract: Different advantageous embodiments provide an apparatus comprising one or more heating elements, a plurality of sensors, insulation, and a processor. The plurality of sensors includes at least a skin temperature sensor and an oven temperature sensor. The insulation is configured to thermally isolate the skin temperature sensor form the oven temperature sensor. The processor is configured to receive temperature data from the plurality of sensors and to control the one or more heating elements using the temperature data received.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Molly Annalise Buckley Blank, Michael Jack Sinclair, William Thomas Blank
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Publication number: 20130090064Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides for systems and/or methods for a dynamic range wireless access point to initiate deliberate and/or selective communications with one or more wireless devices over a short range radio path. One embodiment of an access point system comprises a processor that transfers one or more wireless devices to a long range radio path once a transition condition has been met. In another embodiment, an access point system may affect transactions between user/customer's smart devices and a commercial place of business where the access point system and the smart devices initiate communications when the smart devices are deliberately placed within the proximity of the access point antenna and/or the smart devices are brought within the vicinity of the access point antenna such as by passing through the entrance or exit to the place of business.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2011Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Andrew Herron, Gerald Reuben DeJan, II, Darko Kirovski, Miller Thomas Abel, Craig Scott Brenner, William Thomas Blank
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Publication number: 20120320157Abstract: A “Concurrent Projector-Camera” uses an image projection device in combination with one or more cameras to enable various techniques that provide visually flicker-free projection of images or video, while real-time image or video capture is occurring in that same space. The Concurrent Projector-Camera provides this projection in a manner that eliminates video feedback into the real-time image or video capture. More specifically, the Concurrent Projector-Camera dynamically synchronizes a combination of projector lighting (or light-control points) on-state temporal compression in combination with on-state temporal shifting during each image frame projection to open a “capture time slot” for image capture during which no image is being projected. This capture time slot represents a tradeoff between image capture time and decreased brightness of the projected image.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Sasa Junuzovic, William Thomas Blank, Steven Bathiche, Anoop Gupta, Andrew D. Wilson
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Publication number: 20120320158Abstract: The interactive and shared surface technique described herein employs hardware that can project on any surface, capture color video of that surface, and get depth information of and above the surface while preventing visual feedback (also known as video feedback, video echo, or visual echo). The technique provides N-way sharing of a surface using video compositing. It also provides for automatic calibration of hardware components, including calibration of any projector, RGB camera, depth camera and any microphones employed by the technique. The technique provides object manipulation with physical, visual, audio, and hover gestures and interaction between digital objects displayed on the surface and physical objects placed on or above the surface. It can capture and scan the surface in a manner that captures or scans exactly what the user sees, which includes both local and remote objects, drawings, annotations, hands, and so forth.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Sasa Junuzovic, William Thomas Blank, Bruce Arnold Cleary, III, Anoop Gupta, Andrew D. Wilson
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Patent number: 7958355Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate introducing devices having digital characteristics to one another, to mitigate a man-in-the-middle attack. A keytote component supplies initial session keys for communication between devices, and includes a plurality of interfaces that can facilitate such communication. The keytote component can receive a key from a first device via one of a plulrality of communication interfaces associated with the keytote component. The user can then physically carry the keytote component to the vicinity of a second device for transferring the key thereto. As such, a man-in-the-middle attack can be mitigated, as an encrypted channel can be established in an insecure environment.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2006Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: William Thomas Blank, Robert G. Atkinson
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Patent number: 7956870Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for variable source rate sampling in connection with image rendering, which accumulate and resolve over all samples forward mapped to each pixel bin. In accordance with the invention, the textured surface to be rendered is sampled, or oversampled, at a variable rate that reflects variations in frequency among different regions, taking into account any transformation that will be applied to the surface prior to rendering and the view parameters of the display device, thus ensuring that each bin of the rendering process receives at least a predetermined minimum number of samples. A variety of image processing applications are contemplated wherein variable rate source sampling, and accumulation and resolution of forward mapped point samples can be applied, ranging from 3-D graphics applications to applications wherein images recorded in a recording/storage environment are mapped to the arbitrary requirements of a display environment.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2004Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: John Michael Snyder, John Turner Whitted, William Thomas Blank, Kirk Olynyk