Patents Issued in January 17, 2017
  • Patent number: 9547911
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an image sequence described herein that provides a symmetric displaced frame difference equation. Next, an input image sequence can be received that includes a pair of image frames individually including multidimensional image data corresponding to a plurality of pixel locations at different times. Finally, using at least one processor, the symmetric displaced frame difference equation can be solved using an iteration equation and the image data of the pair of image frames to determine a displacement field describing displacement vectors at half of the total displacement vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 9547912
    Abstract: A method for measuring a height profile of a vehicle passing on a road, said method comprising the following steps: directing a monocular camera from a point above the road onto the road with an angle of aperture that captures a section of the road from above, recording at least a first image of the passing vehicle by the camera at a first moment in time, recording at least a second image of the passing vehicle by the camera at a second moment in time, generating a movement vector image of the vehicle from an analysis of the optical flow between the first and the second image, and creating the height profile of the vehicle from the movement vector image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AG
    Inventors: Christian Kotz, Oliver Rafelsberger, Christian Janner
  • Patent number: 9547913
    Abstract: An information processing device, apparatus, method and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Shibata
  • Patent number: 9547914
    Abstract: A computer-implemented technique for feature extraction includes obtaining an electronic image of an object and performing an edge detection algorithm on the electronic image. The technique further includes performing an edge pooling algorithm and sampling the electronic image edge patches, color patches and texture patches. A set of patches is selected from the edge patches, color patches and texture patches by selecting an (ith+1) patch to be within the set of patches based on a Euclidean distance from an ith patch of the set of patches for each of the set of edge patches, the set of color patches and the set of texture patches. A part selection algorithm and a part pooling algorithm is performed to obtain parts that are registered to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiyu Wang, Edward Y. Chang
  • Patent number: 9547915
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for predicting a pixel block of an image using a weighted sum of pixel blocks belonging to patches of a dictionary from a set of candidate patches, each patch being formed of a pixel block of an image and a causal neighborhood of this pixel block. The method is wherein a subset of candidate patches is obtained from the set of candidate patches and the dictionary is formed of a patch of the subset of candidate patches, called the first patch, and at least one other patch of said set of candidate patches, called the second patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Safa Cherigui, Alain Martin, Dominique Thoreau, Philippe Guillotel, Christine Guillemot
  • Patent number: 9547916
    Abstract: An encoder segments frames of video data and associates metadata with segments. The metadata elements can be associated with the segments that include areas of the frame associated with the metadata elements. A motion matcher can match segments of a reference frame to pixels of a current nonkey frame being encoded when a metadata associator associates elements of metadata with segments of the segmentation of the reference frame and associates a matched segment's metadata elements with matched areas of the current frame. The metadata elements might represent actions to be taken when a user of the video data indicates a selection of an area of an image that has that metadata element associated therewith. The metadata associations can be included in the encoded video data or deduced by a decoder. The metadata associations can be independent of segment indices or other segment changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Adityo Prakash, Eniko Fodor
  • Patent number: 9547917
    Abstract: Methods and systems according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are provided for using augmented reality to determine information. In an embodiment, an augmented reality (AR) system comprises one or more processors, and one or more memories in communication with the one or more processors and adapted to store a plurality of machine-readable instructions which when executed by the one or more processors cause the system to: capture an image view via a viewer; deconstruct the image view into one or more objects; identify at least one object of interest based on specific relevancy information; determine real time information about the object(s) of interest; and present the real time information on a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: PayPay, Inc.
    Inventor: Kamal Zamer
  • Patent number: 9547918
    Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to techniques for reducing the processing demands of shading primitives in rendering a 2D screen image from a 3D model. A device includes a fine rasterizing component to employ multiple screen image samples per screen image pixel to perform fine rasterization to identify a set of visible primitives, a coarse rasterizing component to employ a single shading image sample per shading image pixel to perform coarse rasterization from the same perspective as the fine rasterization to identify at least one primitive along a path of a shading image pixel, and a shading component to shade a primitive identified by a screen image sample of a first screen image pixel as visible within the shading image pixel and identified as along the path of the shading image sample associated with the shading image pixel to derive a color value. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Franz Petrik Clarberg
  • Patent number: 9547919
    Abstract: A display apparatus is disclosed. The display apparatus includes: a transparent display, a scanner comprising a lens array and attached to the transparent display and a controller configured to control the scanner to scan an object viewed through the transparent display using the lens array being slid from a side of the transparent display to another side opposite to the side, and control the transparent display to display information in response to the scanning of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dae-sik Kim, Dong-yeob Lee
  • Patent number: 9547920
    Abstract: When a scene is generated, a content item may identify graphics object service requests associated with the scene. Each scene may have any number of associated graphics object service requests that may be sent to any number of different graphics object services. The graphics object services may be accessible over a network such as the Internet. By requesting object data from graphics object services, a content item may, for example, reduce at least part of the computational burden on a graphics processing unit of a client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Joseph Heinz, II, Jonathan Paul Thompson, Venelin Nikolaev Efremov
  • Patent number: 9547921
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing smooth level of detail (“LOD”) transition for textures in a graphics applications are disclosed. The texture LOD of a first frame of imagery can be compared to a second texture LOD for a current frame. For areas where the second LOD is higher than the first LOD, an LOD fade from the first LOD to the second LOD can be performed to provide a smooth LOD transition. The LOD fade can be implemented by generating a blend between textures at the first LOD and the second LOD. In one aspect, the blend is generated based on an interpolant value calculated based on the difference between the first LOD and the second LOD. The interpolant value can be incremented in subsequent frames to achieve a desired fade rate for the transition. The fade rate can be variable such that the LOD transition time remains constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Rohlf
  • Patent number: 9547922
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for color compensation in an electronic device is provided. The method includes determining, in response to a playback request for content, whether to compensate color data of the content according to color compensation information; compensating, when it is determined to compensate the color data of the content according to the color compensation information, the color data of the content according to the color compensation information; and displaying the content of which the color data is compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jinyoung Choi, Minjin Kim, Jangseong Kim
  • Patent number: 9547923
    Abstract: Computer implemented methods for constructing dynamic relationships between data for presentation on a display are provided. The data is obtained from one or more data sources and managed as a plurality of nodes. The nodes increase or decrease in number over time. One method includes setting a point of view from one of the nodes of the plurality of nodes, and the setting of the point of view acting to order certain ones of the plurality of nodes to produce a representation from the point of view. The method generates visual data that illustrates the representation of the plurality of nodes from the set point of view and provides the visual data for rendering on a display of a device. Certain ones of the nodes contain unique identity data for individuals, and the nodes are associated with other nodes based on relationships between the individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: Rocky Harry W. Nevin, III
  • Patent number: 9547924
    Abstract: Software is provided for functioning in conjunction with a plurality of mission stores and for assisting a pilot of a vehicle with release of the mission stores to achieve a specified number of mission objectives. Each of the plurality of mission stores may be designated for communication with a separate mission reference point or target. The targets may be grouped within a common target area. The software provides processor-executable instructions for determining acceptable timing and location for release of the plurality of mission stores, such as within the common target area, and such that the mission stores achieve communication with the respective mission reference points. The processor-executable instructions calculate and identify a common release area within the common target area, such as a composite launch acceptability region of overlap of separate target regions of each mission store, in addition to identifying an entrance and exit point of the composite region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Katherine Featherston, Vincent A Maglio
  • Patent number: 9547925
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for graphing networks. In one embodiment, a dampening heuristic is utilized to graph networks to increase their stability. Nodes are visualized by finding local and global minima and equilibrium positions. Factors such as the influence of neighboring nodes; attraction and repulsion phases; and dynamism of complex networks are addressed by embodiments of the present invention. The stability of nodes are measured quantitatively using vectors, degree of influence of neighboring nodes on other nodes, and updating dampening heuristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond S. Glover
  • Patent number: 9547926
    Abstract: [Object] To facilitate user's operations. [Solution] An editing apparatus is provided including: a component output unit for outputting a display screen on which a plurality of components are displayed; a node output unit for outputting a plurality of nodes respectively corresponding to the plurality of components on the display screen so that the nodes are displayed along with the plurality of components so as to overlap the display of the plurality of components; and a setting unit for setting, in response to a user's instruction of association between two or more of the nodes, an association between two or more of the components corresponding to the two or more of the nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiroh Kamiyama, Kotaro Shima
  • Patent number: 9547927
    Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to generating a video loop. An input video can be received, where the input video includes values at pixels over a time range. An optimization can be performed to determine a respective input time interval within the time range of the input video for each pixel from the pixels in the input video. The respective input time interval for a particular pixel can include a per-pixel loop period and a per-pixel start time of a loop at the particular pixel within the time range from the input video. Moreover, an output video can be created based upon the values at the pixels over the respective input time intervals for the pixels in the input video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Hugues Hoppe, Neel Suresh Joshi, Zicheng Liao
  • Patent number: 9547928
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for authoring stereoscopic 3D video information comprising a 3D video stream and 3D overlay graphics are described. A depth range in z-space for the stereoscopic presentation of the 3D video stream is determined for a plurality of time codes. A reference plane in z-space for placing the 3D overlay graphics is then determined such that depth conflicts between the 3D video and the reference place are reduced. A comfort zone surrounding a display screen plane and comprising the reference plane is defined, wherein the comfort zone specifies a depth range in z-space for preferable presentation of the stereoscopic 3D video information. It is then determined whether a depth conflict between the reference plane and the 3D video stream remains for the respective time codes and/or whether a depth conflict exists between the comfort zone and the 3D overlay graphics for the respective time codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventor: Jobst Hoerentrup
  • Patent number: 9547929
    Abstract: A system for providing feedback regarding the division of automated and operator tasks is provided. The system includes a display device and a processor. The processor is configured to at least selectively supply image rendering display commands to the display device that cause the display device to simultaneously render an operator pane, an automation pane, and a shared pane. The operator pane displays one or more tasks that have been allocated for execution by a human operator, the automation pane displays one or more tasks that have been allocated for execution by automation, and the shared pane displays one or more tasks that have been allocated for execution by both automation and a human operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Whitlow, Claudia Keinrath, Michael Christian Dorneich
  • Patent number: 9547930
    Abstract: This disclosure presents techniques and structures for determining a rendering mode (e.g., a binning rendering mode and a direct rendering mode) as well as techniques and structures for switching between such rendering modes. Rendering mode may be determined by analyzing rendering characteristics. Rendering mode may also be determined by tracking overdraw in a bin. The rendering mode may be switched from a binning rendering mode to a direct rendering mode by patching commands that use graphics memory addresses to use system memory addresses. Patching may be handled by a CPU or by a second write command buffer executable by a GPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Avinash Seetharamaiah, Christopher Paul Frascati
  • Patent number: 9547931
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for generating anti-aliased images. The method includes the steps of assigning one or more samples to a plurality of clusters, each cluster in the plurality of clusters corresponding to an aggregate stored in an aggregate geometry buffer, where each of the one or more samples is covered by a visible fragment and rasterizing three-dimensional geometry to generate material parameters for each sample of the one or more samples. For each cluster in the plurality of clusters, the material parameters for each sample assigned to the cluster are combined to produce the aggregate. The combined material parameters for each cluster are stored in an aggregate geometry buffer. An anti-aliased image may then be generated by shading the combined material parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Cyril Jean-Francois Crassin, Morgan McGuire, Aaron Eliot Lefohn, David Patrick Luebke
  • Patent number: 9547932
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for splitting primitives. A plurality of primitives is received for a scene and a pre-determined plane that intersects the scene is identified. Bounding volumes of the plurality of primitives that are intersected by the pre-determined plane are split, where a bounding volume that encloses each intersected primitive of the plurality of primitives is split into a first bounding volume and a second bounding volume at an intersection of the bounding volume and the pre-determined plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Tero Tapani Karras, Timo Oskari Aila
  • Patent number: 9547933
    Abstract: A display method and apparatus are provided. The method includes selecting at least one content to be focused of the plurality of content being displayed, adjusting a disparity value so that the selected content has a different depth value from other content, and displaying the content of which the disparity value has been adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hye-won Lee, Hyun-cheol Park, Jung-hyun Shim, Su-jin Yeon, Yeon-hee Lee, Yong-yeon Lee
  • Patent number: 9547934
    Abstract: A method and system for culling a patch of surface data from one or more tiles in a tile based computer graphics system. A rendering space is divided into a plurality of tiles and a patch of surface data read. Then, at least a portion of the patch is analyzed to determine data representing a bounding depth value evaluated over at least one tile. This may comprise tessellating the patch of surface data to derive a plurality of tessellated primitives and analyzing at least some of the tessellated primitives. For each tile within which the patch is located, the data representing the bounding depth value is then used to determine whether the patch is hidden in the tile, and at least a portion of the patch is rendered, if the patch is determined not to be hidden in at least one tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Imagination Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Steven J. Fishwick, John W. Howson
  • Patent number: 9547935
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for building a 3D model of an area of interest on the surface of a planet. The method comprises providing a plurality of 2D images from satellites, where each 2D image out of the plurality of 2D images at least partly covers the area of interest. Also, each subarea of the area of interest is covered by at least two images, taken from different angles, out of the plurality of 2D images. Bundle adjustments are performed for the plurality of 2D images and the area of interest is divided into parts. For each part of the area of interest at least one combination and preferably all possible combinations out of two images covering that part of the area of interest are taken. Said two images are taken from the at least two images, taken from at least two different angles, out of the plurality of 2D images. Further, for each part of the area, point matching correspondence is established for a set of points for each such combination of two images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Vricon Systems AB
    Inventors: Leif Haglund, Ola Nygren, Folke Isaksson, Johan Borg
  • Patent number: 9547936
    Abstract: Methods and computer-storage media are provided for rendering three-dimensional (3D) graphics by tessellating objects using novel structures and algorithms. Rendering utilizing “patches,” configurable functions that include a specified number of control points, allows for computation on a per-patch or per-control-point basis, in addition to traditional per-vertex, per-primitive, and per-pixel methods. This produces a number of advantages over previous tessellation methods, including the reuse of computations across existing vertices and the ability to process at a lower frequency. The operations to compute points are simplified in order to optimize system resources used in the process. Transitions from un-tessellated to tessellated objects are smoother utilizing the present invention, while developers have more flexibility in the level of detail present at different edges of the same patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Amar Patel, Peter-Pike J. Sloan, Craig C. Peeper, Samuel Z. Glassenberg
  • Patent number: 9547937
    Abstract: Embodiments enable a three-dimensional annotation system and method that accepts desired depths for regions of input images and annotates two-dimensional/three-dimensional images with three-dimensional annotations for viewing at the desired depth(s) in any three-dimensional manner. Enables rapid and intuitive specification of desired depth and application of depth to regions in the two-dimensional images, or when editing three-dimensional images, as annotated by the three-dimensional annotations having at least one depth associated with the annotation. Enables rapid and intuitive depth augmentation or editing of an input image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: LEGEND3D, INC.
    Inventors: Jared Sandrew, Jill Hunt
  • Patent number: 9547938
    Abstract: Techniques for augmenting an image of an object captured and displayed in real time with associated content are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method for augmenting the image includes receiving information defining a sampled frame of a video being captured by an electronic device in substantially real time, determining information representative of an object captured in the sampled frame based on the received information, causing the determined information to match stored information defining a plurality of items to locate an item matched to the captured object, retrieving content associated with the matched item, and providing the retrieved content for display with the captured image on the electronic device. The retrieved content may be rendered in an overlay element that overlays the captured image displayed on the electronic device. The rendered content is configured to enable a user to interact with the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: A9.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurumurthy D. Ramkumar, William F. Stasior, Bryan E. Feldman, Arnab S. Dhua, Nalin Pradeep Senthamil
  • Patent number: 9547939
    Abstract: There is provided techniques for improved visualization of wireless devices in a communication network. The techniques include receiving, via an identification device, real-time display data, determining, via the identification device, a location of a network device and displaying, via a display of the identification device, the real-time display data and an indication of the location of the network device relative to the real-time display data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Hittel, Peter Q. Oakley
  • Patent number: 9547940
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for providing augmented reality in minimally invasive surgery includes capturing pre-operative image data of internal organs of a patient, capturing intra-operative image data of the internal organs with an endoscope during a surgical procedure, registering the pre-operative image data and the intra-operative data in real time during the surgical procedure, tracking the position and orientation of the endoscope during the surgical procedure, and augmenting the intra-operative image data captured by the endoscope in real time with a rendering of an internal organ of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Yu Sun, Jaime E. Sanchez, Xiaoning Qian, Bingxiong Lin
  • Patent number: 9547942
    Abstract: A medical imaging system (5) includes a data store (12), a clustering module (22), and a display device (32). The data store (12) includes a first imaging data set and a second imaging data set, each data set created with the same imaging device (10) and the same measured value. The measured value of a first and a second tissue type overlap in the first imaging data set. The measured value of the second and a third tissue type overlap in the second data set. The data sets are co-registered, and an external event changes the measured value of the second data set. The clustering module (22) classifies the tissue type based on a fuzzy clustering of the measured value of the first data set and the measured value of the second data set for each location. The display device (32) displays a medical image which contrasts each classified tissue type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Tobias Ratko Voigt, Andrea Jane Wiethoff
  • Patent number: 9547943
    Abstract: A framework for creating a virtual model of a three-dimensional space includes a server, a terminal device in communication with the server, at least one object supplier in communication with the server, and at least one social networking site in communication with the server. The server generates a three-dimensional space in response to receiving login information from the terminal device, generates at least one room located in a predefined coordinate space of the three-dimensional space, generates at least one object located in a predefined coordinate space of the at least one room, and creates the virtual model including the three-dimensional space, the at least one room in the three-dimensional space, and the at least one object in the at least one room, and displays the virtual model on the terminal device. The at least one object is purchasable from the at least one object supplier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min-Chun Hu, Tse-Yu Pan, Li-Yun Lo, Hung-Yi Lo
  • Patent number: 9547944
    Abstract: A health monitoring system for monitoring a vehicle and a method for operating the same are provided. The system, for example, may include, but is not limited to, at least one sensor configured to collect data corresponding to the vehicle, an interface system, a memory, and a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor, the interface system and the memory, the processor configured to: determine when the vehicle is experiencing an anomaly, collect, from the interface system, data corresponding to the anomaly from a user of the vehicle, and associate, the data collected from the interface system and the data collected from the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Erik T. Nelson, Andrew Peter Vechart, Robert E De Mers
  • Patent number: 9547945
    Abstract: A control system operates an industrial vehicle that includes a propulsion drive system and a guidance and navigation system operatively connected to the propulsion drive system to control motion of the industrial vehicle along a path, in an unmanned, autonomous mode. A wireless communicator transmits vehicle operational data to an asset management computer located remotely from the industrial vehicle, and receives commands from the asset management computer for remotely controlling operation of the industrial vehicle. For example, when the vehicle encounters an obstacle in the path a message indicating that event is sent to the asset management computer where a human operator can send a command which instructs the industrial vehicle how to avoid the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Paul P. McCabe, Timothy E. Donahue
  • Patent number: 9547946
    Abstract: The present invention provides a universal control device for controlling sensors and controllers incorporated in a separate room. The universal control device includes a control logic analyzer adapted to receive a control logic, decompose the control logic into at least one condition and at least one instruction, and identify at least one sensor for the condition(s) and at least one controller for the instruction(s) correspondingly; a control center adapted to retrieve data from the at least one identified sensor, determine whether the at least one condition is met or not based on the retrieved data, and send the at least one instruction to the at least one identified controller for execution when the at least one condition is met; and a uniform interface adapted to couple the sensors and the controllers to the universal control device, and implement communications between the universal control device and the sensors, and the controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignees: Harman International (China) Holdings Co., LTD., Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Qingshan Zhang, Guoxia Zhang, Zeng Yang
  • Patent number: 9547947
    Abstract: An intelligent entrance guard unlocking method includes: transmitting electric energy of a power unit of a intelligent entrance guard in a wireless electromagnetic radiation via a transmit coil; receiving the electric energy via a receiver coil of a powerless smart key; capturing a palm print image and storing the palm print image in a second storage unit of the powerless smart key; controlling a wireless transmit unit of the powerless smart key to transmit a wireless signal containing the palm print image to the intelligent entrance guard; obtaining a predefined palm print image from a first storage unit and comparing the palm print image with the predefined palm print image; unlocking the intelligent entrance guard when the palm print image matches with the predefined palm print image and not unlocking the intelligent entrance guard when the palm print image does not match with the predefined palm print image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Kuei Chou, Hsin-Nan Chen, Chia-Wei Chang, Chih-Chung Weng, Kuang-Yao Liao
  • Patent number: 9547948
    Abstract: The vehicle coin dispenser is a device that is adapted for use with one or more coins. The vehicle coin dispenser is adapted for use with a vehicle. The vehicle coin dispenser is mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle. The vehicle coin dispenser receives coins, sorts the coins received by value, counts the coins received, receives a dispense amount request, and dispenses the collected and received coins such that the value of the dispensed coins equals the requested dispense amount. The vehicle coin dispenser comprises a housing and a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: John D'Elia
  • Patent number: 9547949
    Abstract: A method for examining the optical condition of a value document on the basis of a digital image of at least a specified region of the value document, the image comprising pixels, comprises searching the pixels of the digital image are searched for sets of error pixels which are respectively given in that the error pixels fulfill a specified deviation criterion for an impermissible deviation of at least one specified pixel property, and the distance of each error pixel of the respective set from at least one other error pixel of the same set does not exceed a specified distance that is greater than the distance of directly neighboring pixels of the digital image, and a number of sets found during the search and/or a value for at least one property of at least one of the sets found during the search is ascertained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GIESECKE & DEVRIENT GMBH
    Inventor: Norbert Holl
  • Patent number: 9547950
    Abstract: A vending machine audit system includes a vending machine including a vending machine controller configured to generate device data representative of the operations of the vending machine. At least one peripheral device is operatively coupled to the vending machine and is configured to generate device data representative of the operations of the peripheral device. An audit module includes a data storage component and is operatively coupled to the vending machine controller and the at least one peripheral device. The audit module is configured to receive device data from each of the vending machine controller and the at least one peripheral device and to perform a merging operation to generate a single merged audit data record representative of the operations of the vending machine and the at least one peripheral device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: CRANE PAYMENT INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: William M. Osborne, Carlos Jimenez, Garry M. Knudson
  • Patent number: 9547951
    Abstract: The currency-value converter according to the present invention transmits amount-of-converted-currency data indicating the amount of basic currency identified based on the type of this currency, the amount of the currency and the exchange rate, to a controller installed in a gaming machine, when the type of currency accepted through a currency validator is not the basic currency. The exchange rate is a rate in which a correspondence relationship between an amount of the basic currency and an amount of another type of currency other than the basic currency is set for each type of currency other than the basic currency. Then, a game is played at the gaming machine based on the transmitted amount-of-converted currency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9547952
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter include operations for presenting a lighting show in a wagering game system. The operations can include receiving, over a first network, a playlist identifier that identifies a playlist, where the playlist is associated with a first group of lighting commands for presenting lighting effects on lighting devices in the wagering game system. The operations can also include generating the first group of lighting commands, and receiving, over the first network, a second group of lighting commands for presenting the lighting effects on the lighting devices in the wagering game system. The operations can also include generating, based on the first and second groups of lighting commands, instructions specific to the lighting devices, and transmitting, over a second network, the instructions for execution by one or more lighting controllers connected to the lighting devices, wherein the execution causes the lighting effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Paul J. Radek
  • Patent number: 9547953
    Abstract: Wagering methods, devices, and systems that allow individual participants in a game of poker to opt-in or opt-out of a bad beat feature are presented. For each hand played at a given table, a participant may activate the bad beat feature. Once the feature is activated, the participant is eligible for winning at least part of a bad beat progressive jackpot. This jackpot may be funded by tokens purchased by the participant, a rake taken from the hand's wagers, or by some other means. Apportionment of the bad beat progressive jackpot may be triggered by the participant losing the hand despite having cards that provide the participant with a significant likelihood of winning the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Cork Group Trading Ltd.
    Inventor: Martin Paul Moshal
  • Patent number: 9547954
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include communicably connecting a mobile device to a wagering game server on a wagering game network. The operations can further include associating, by the wagering game server, the mobile device with a selected wagering game machine among a plurality of wagering game machine. The operations can further include providing content to present on the mobile device, the content including a play initiation button of a wagering game played via the selected wagering game machine. The operations can further include in response to the play initiation button being actuated, receiving, at the wagering game server, a command from the mobile device to initiate play of the wagering game. The operations can further include in response to the command, presenting a result of the wagering game on the selected wagering game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Randy S. Demsetz, Mark B. Gagner, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 9547955
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method disclosed herein includes an accumulation sequence and a competition sequence. In one embodiment, the gaming system includes competitor points which determine (i) a competitor's eligibility to participate in the competition sequence and (ii) the competitor's relative probability of success in the competition sequence. In this embodiment, a competitor (which is either representative of an actual player or a virtual, gaming system controlled player) accumulates competitor points during one or more point accumulation sequences which occur in association with designated events. For a subsequent competition sequence, the gaming system determines if a competitor will participate in the triggered competition sequence based on the competitor's accumulated competitor points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Alexandria Estella Ponte Sutich, Lance R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9547956
    Abstract: A method for executing a slots adventure game comprises the steps of displaying a virtual path for the slots adventure game and presenting to a player a first level (unlocked level) linked to the virtual path and subsequent levels (locked levels) linked to the same virtual path. Further, a selected slots game with the current quest task is initiated based on a player's selection. The player is then enabled to pass game levels by unlocking each of the subsequent levels sequentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: DELONACO LIMITED
    Inventors: Maxym Polyakov, Anton Krasnyy
  • Patent number: 9547957
    Abstract: A system and computer implemented method for conducting play of Internet-based lottery games includes providing players with a plurality of different Internet-based lottery games playable on an Internet enabled device in communication with an Internet game site, wherein the games have different game themes and mechanics of play by the player. A selection is accepted from a player for play of a particular one of the Internet-based lottery games. The plurality of different Internet-based games are linked to a common predetermined prize structure associated with a defined set of data files loaded in a secure game outcome generator such that the data files determine the outcome and prize structure of a defined number of game plays regardless of the particular game selected for play by the player from the plurality of different games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Earl Irwin, Jr., Steven Wayne Beason, Michael Jeffrey Brandsma, Andrew Jonathan Mound, James Allan Szendel
  • Patent number: 9547958
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a video poker game with additional winning opportunities. Upon receiving a primary wager, the gaming system provides the player with a quantity of player cards. The gaming system enables the player to discard zero, some, or all of the player cards. The discarded cards are replaced. The player cards are compared to a paytable to determine an award, if any, won by the player. In addition to the player cards, the player is provided five card indicators. If one or more of the player cards matches with corresponding card indicators, then the player is provided an additional win opportunity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: James M. Cole, Michael David Capsouto
  • Patent number: 9547959
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a multi-hand card game wherein the gaming system provides a new draw hand for a designated hand of cards. In one embodiment, the gaming system displays a plurality of wagered-on hands of cards. The gaming system determines and displays any awards associated with the wagered-on hands of cards. The gaming system also determines whether any of the wagered-on hands of cards include any designated card combinations. For any of the wagered-on hands of cards including one of the designated card combinations, the gaming system displays a new hand of cards. The gaming system determines and displays any awards associated with each new hand of cards. In various embodiments, the gaming system repeats this process until a terminating condition occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bradford D. Brown, James Cole, Wendy O'Steen-Wilson
  • Patent number: 9547960
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reusable physical financial instrument and a system and a method for enabling the financial instrument to perform multiple financial transactions. The financial instrument is capable of creating mixed reality experience when it comes in vicinity of the payor or payee device or ATM. Through the created mixed reality experience, the payor and the payee inputs payor-side and payee-side transaction and biometric data which are stored onto smart chip of the instrument and/or on Cloud Storage using cloud computing interface. The stored payor-side and payee-side transaction data are cross-validated and their biometric data is further verified against golden copy at the respective financial institutions or at the Central Authority's repositories for performing the financial transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Tata Consultancy Services Limited
    Inventors: Annie Thomas, Shalin Garg, Sathish Vallat
  • Patent number: 9547961
    Abstract: An automatic banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records corresponding to authorized user or financial account data. The machine includes a card reader for reading data from user cards. The automated banking machine causes financial transfers related to financial accounts that correspond to data read from user cards. The automated banking machine also includes devices that control the supply of power to included devices to avoid exceeding power supply capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems, division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric Toepke, Mike Ryan, Randall Jenkins, Natarajan Ramachandran, Thomas Ertle, Tim Crews, Willis Miller, Nicholas T. Billett, Jr., Steven Shepley, Dave Krzic, Songtao Ma, Victor A. Cogan