Player-actuated Control Structure (e.g., Brain-wave Or Body Signal, Bar-code Wand, Foot Pedal, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/36)
  • Patent number: 10168986
    Abstract: Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
  • Patent number: 10159895
    Abstract: A device directed to a combination computing and input device. The computing device providing a plurality of sides, each of the plurality of sides are disposed between an electronic display screen and a back of the computing device. The input device communicates with the computing device and provides a pair of control modules adjacent to and confining the computing device on at least two opposing sides of the computing device. The input device further provides a structural bridge securing the pair of control modules one to the other, and a touch sensitive input module. The structural bridge adaptively and snugly accommodate the length of the computing device. A first of the pair of control modules features a retention mechanism communicating with the structural bridge. The retention mechanism adaptively secures the structural bridge such that the pair of control modules snugly accommodate the length of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Wikipad, Inc.
    Inventors: Fraser Townley, Kelly D. Gamble, Daniel P. Dooley
  • Patent number: 10163364
    Abstract: A method of providing feedback for a piece of cue-sport equipment, a cue ball or cue stick, during a game play first collect spatial positioning and orientation data from a plurality of measurement sensors that is integrated into the cue-sport equipment. Then, the collected data is analyzed to generate a virtual movement model of the cue-sport equipment as the virtual movement model includes a calculated impact force diagram, an animated travel path, and a calculated absolute orientation for the cue-sport equipment. Then, the player can view the virtual movement model through an external computing device to improve their cue-sport skills effectively and efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventors: Paul Loftsgard, Andrey Dolgov, Petras Avizonis, Johann Ammerlahn
  • Patent number: 10152118
    Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide for systems and methods for delivering experience elements of a digital experience to a participant based on an emotional response, from the participant, to the digital experience. The systems and methods dynamically score a digital experience, such as a virtual reality experience (VRE), for a participant based on the participant's past or present emotional response to the digital experience. The dynamic scoring of the digital experience can, for example, determine a narrative orientation of a narrative digital experience, or can determine experience elements (e.g., cinematic elements) expressed or applied to the digital experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: The Virtual Reality Company
    Inventors: Guy Primus, Kevin Primus
  • Patent number: 10150040
    Abstract: A system and method may include generating, by a computing system, a list of selectable challenge factors for a player to select one or more challenge factors when playing a video game. The player may be provided with the ability to set a plan for each of the challenge factors. A protocol inclusive of the planned challenge factors may be established to be achieved over a time period. A player interface may be displayed for the player of the video game, where the player interface may show the protocol inclusive of at least a portion of the planned challenge factor(s) along with corresponding input elements associated with each planned challenge factor for the player to account for the planned challenge factors by submitting whether or not the player achieved each of the respective planned challenge factors. Achieving the planned challenge factor(s) causes a health condition to be reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventors: Jennifer H. Kraly, Jayce Renner
  • Patent number: 10147564
    Abstract: Axis orientation compensation is provided in a system in which movement of a controlling device is used to control navigational functions of a target appliance by determining which one of plural sides of the controlling device is an active side of the controlling device and by causing navigational functions of the target appliance made relative to at least one of an X, Y, and Z axis of the target appliance to be dynamically aligned with movements of the controlling device made relative to at least one of an A, B, and C axis of the controlling device as a function of the one of the plural sides of the controlling device that is determined to be the active side of the controlling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Gerben Meijer
  • Patent number: 10130878
    Abstract: The present invention enhances the player's gameplay visual, feedback and other experiences by taking advantage of optical adapters, feedback mechanics, advancements in theatrical audio, frame rate throttle, meta-file object framework for storage and retrieval, calibration advancements, vocal command enhancements, voice object lookups, facial/body scan, color/clothing coordination, party or celebration capabilities, noise cancellation, interactive object placement, heart rate monitor, pan-tilt-zoom camera advances, cooperative gameplay advances and programming advancements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Open Invention Network LLC
    Inventor: Carey Leigh Lotzer
  • Patent number: 10127825
    Abstract: A personal intuition-based cognitive assistant system includes one or more components which may be worn by a user as a camera-headset, one or more sensors that capture an intuitive state of the user, a camera that capture videos, a processor that provides a cognitive navigating map for the captured videos based on the captured intuitive states of the user, and an inputter that input notes, comments to the videos linked by cognitive navigating map, and a memory to store all components of the information with links and identified cognitive map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: FUVI COGNITIVE NETWORK CORP.
    Inventor: Phu-Vinh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10092830
    Abstract: A device directed to a combination computing and input device. The computing device providing a plurality of sides, each of the plurality of sides are disposed between an electronic display screen and a back of the computing device. The input device communicates with the computing device and provides a pair of control modules adjacent to and confining the computing device on at least two opposing sides of the computing device. The input device further provides a structural bridge securing the pair of control modules one to the other, a touch sensitive input module, and a full function keyboard. The structural bridge adaptively and snugly accommodate the length of the computing device. A first of the pair of control modules features a retention mechanism communicating with the structural bridge, which snugly accommodates the length of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Wikipad, Inc.
    Inventors: Fraser Townley, Kelly D. Gamble, Daniel P. Dooley
  • Patent number: 10092846
    Abstract: A game device for controlling a game in which a function is applied to a movable object by moving an aiming cursor to be superimposed on the movable object, includes a cursor moving unit for moving the aiming cursor according to a user's operation; a specific region setting unit for setting a specific region on a screen, in which the aiming cursor is movable; a cursor within region setting unit for setting a size of the aiming cursor within the specific region so as to change the size of the aiming cursor according to a location within the specific region; and a specific region moving unit for moving the specific region according to a user's operation before a movement of the movable object is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Sogabe, Keiji Matsukita, Yuji Kawakami
  • Patent number: 10080956
    Abstract: Methods for a mobile device with a front facing camera to use the detected position of the user's face as a game controller as well as a method of displaying the live streaming face within the video with audio within a virtual environment. Using a reference frame which serves as the origin, the subsequent frames of the live streaming video are used to calculate the change in position of the face detected within the video frame, and calculations of position, rotation, speed and distance are used to position a game object. Additionally this is a method for having a live video stream with live audio textured onto 2D/3D objects within a virtual environment with only the perspective cropped face displayed. This provides the appearance of the face as stable and unmoving even when the device's camera and/or user's face are moving relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: BallCraft, LLC
    Inventors: Philip Tolk, Daniel Mosquera, Elizabeth Anne Stallone
  • Patent number: 10022545
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a movement recovery system, and a method of improving the functional motor recovery of a subject with a movement disorder. The present invention provides for a system and method, which in some embodiments can accurately quantify therapy parameters including compliance, task time spent, muscle coordination and functional improvement by utilizing kinetic, gyroscopic or other movement related information, and/or electromyography (EMG) data. In other embodiments, the system and method provide for functional electrical stimulation (FES) to help control the exercise therapy. The present invention further includes the methods of controlling or utilizing the movement related information, EMG and/or FES to detect, monitor, and control the exercise therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Great Lakes NeuroTechnologies Inc
    Inventor: Joseph Giuffrida
  • Patent number: 10010793
    Abstract: User interface approaches to providing help to players by playing back previously recorded inputs. Certain exemplary embodiments involve displaying, with the recorded playback, an input device icon to show where the inputs are occurring and/or where the inputs should occur if the player were to make them. Modifications are made to the previously recorded input to improve the user's ability to see what is happening, as well as making the playback seem more consistent, mechanical, and automatic. The help makes the computer application seem like the user interface is operating itself in a way that is easy to follow, rather than giving the impression that a previously recorded user input stream simply is being played back in accordance with the more organic and potentially idiosyncratic behaviors of the recorded person. The modifications may in certain exemplary embodiments include, for example, path smoothing/correction, automatic snapping, delay periods, speed normalization, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan Johnson, Yukimi Shimura
  • Patent number: 9993733
    Abstract: Some embodiments herein include systems, methods, and software for IR object identification and motion detection. Consumers may project an interactive projection surface on the wall or floor of any room, and when IR object motion is detected, the interactive projection may update in response to the motion. A newly introduced IR object may be identified, and an effect specific to the IR object may be projected into the IR object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Lumo Interactive Inc.
    Inventors: Meghan Jennifer Athavale, Chris Iverach-Brereton, Curtis Wachs
  • Patent number: 9990921
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, involving: receiving, at a device, voice input comprising at least one command; identifying, using an image of the user, a direction of user focus; and responsive to the identifying that the direction of user focus is directed toward the device, performing an action based on the at least one command. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Russell Speight VanBlon, Arnold S. Weksler, John Carl Mese, Nathan J. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9971960
    Abstract: A method for providing gesture recognition services to a user application, comprising: storing sets of training data in a database at a server, the training data received from a sensor associated with the user application, the training data being indicative of characteristics of a gesture, the user application running on a client device; training a gesture recognition algorithm with the sets of training data to generate a trained gesture recognition algorithm, the output of the trained gesture recognition algorithm being an indication of the gesture; storing the trained gesture recognition algorithm in a client library at the server; receiving raw data from the sensor via the user application and storing the raw data in the client library; applying the trained gesture recognition algorithm to the raw data; and, when the trained gesture recognition algorithm recognizes the gesture, sending the indication of the gesture from the client library to the user application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: XESTO INC.
    Inventor: Audun Bjornerud Mo
  • Patent number: 9955915
    Abstract: A method for calculating the location of the center-of-rotation of a joint with an attached member. The method employs an inertial measurement unit (IMU) having an angular rate gyro and an accelerometer and coupling the inertial measurement unit to the member for detection of movement of the member. The inertial measurement unit outputs data representative of angular velocity and acceleration of the member mounted IMU in response to movement of the joint. The method further comprising analyzing the angular rate and acceleration data to determine the center-of-rotation of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: The Regents of The University of Michigan
    Inventors: Noel Perkins, Ryan McGinnis
  • Patent number: 9953486
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to online casino games are described herein. In one aspect, an authoritative image of a remote player is received and stored in a biometrical facial recognition database. The authoritative image can be linked with a player profile of a player tracking card holder. To play an online casino game, the remote player can provide an authentication image. The player's presence in the authentication image can be determined using a biometrical facial recognition software application. Upon successful authentication, a selection of online casino games can be displayed to the remote player. The real-time (e.g., during game play) identity of the remote player can be determined. If an authorized remote player has been replaced by an unauthorized remote player, the game play can be terminated. In another aspect, the remote player provides the authoritative image after receiving an invitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Otho Dale Hill
  • Patent number: 9946333
    Abstract: An accessory facilitating interaction with a projected image at least partially sourced by the image generation device. The accessory receives an input image from a device, and projects at least a derived image of the input image onto a surface on which the accessory sits. For instance, the accessory might project the input image itself, or perhaps some post-processed version of the input image. A camera system captures data representing user interaction with the projected image. Based on this data, an image input event is detected, and then communicated to the device. For instance, if the image generation device were a touch-sensitive device, the device may respond to the user contacting the projected image the same as it would if the user touched the image generation device at the same corresponding location. Embodiments described herein also relate color compensation of a displayed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: MEP TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Mark L. Davis, Matthew Lund Stoker, William Lorenzo Swank, Donald Roy Mealing, Roger H. Hoole, Jeffrey F. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9936912
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (100) for measuring a cycling cadence, a method (500) of operating a device (100) for measuring a cycling cadence, and a cycling cadence computer program. The device (100) comprises a motion sensor (such as, e.g., an accelerometer) for detecting a movement of the device (100) and for generating a motion signal (x, y, z) corresponding to the movement; a cadence determination unit (300) for determining cycling cadence based on the motion signal (x, y, z). The device (100) can be worn on the cyclist's wrist or arm (110). The motion sensor in the device is able to pick up the tiny movements of the arm or wrist that correspond to the cadence. Optionally, an algorithm is applied that can derive the cadence from a noisy signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: David Antoine Christian Marie Roovers, Laurentia Johanna Huijbregts, Alphonsus Tarcisius Jozef Maria Schipper, Felipe Maia Masculo
  • Patent number: 9912775
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for transmitting a message to a secondary computing device are described herein. An apparatus comprises a context processing module, a context-aware message mode module, and a message retrieval module. The context processing module retrieves a context of a user of a primary computing device. The context-aware message mode module identifies a message mode for communicating with a secondary computing device of the user based on the context. A message retrieval receives a communication message at the primary computing device, determines that the communication message is to be transmitted to the secondary computing device of the user based on the message mode, and based on the determining, translates the communication message into a translated message according to the message mode and transmits the translated message to the secondary computing device from the primary computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Lenitra M. Durham, Giuseppe Raffa, Glen J. Anderson, Philip A. Muse
  • Patent number: 9891741
    Abstract: A controller for interfacing with an interactive application includes an interface region disposed on a surface of a body of the controller. The interface region includes a plurality of interface elements for providing input to the interactive application. One of the interface elements is an input surface that is defined by an indentation and is configured to receive touch input. Plurality of sensors disposed under the input surface detects movement of a finger of a user. Processing circuitry is used to analyze the movement of the finger of the user over the input surface and transmit signals that are used by the interactive application to drive interaction in the interactive application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Ennin Huang, Anton Mikhailov
  • Patent number: 9886818
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine that includes a three-dimensional (3D) graphics processor to generate a 3D game environment for a game. A display controller defines a view window of the three-dimensional game environment. The view window defines a portion of the three-dimensional game environment. An electronic display device displays, via a display interface, the portion of the three-dimensional game environment defined by the view window using the 3D graphics processor. A player input device detects a player request interaction input to update the view window to navigate within the three dimensional game environment. In response to detection by the player input device, the display controller updates the view window based on the update action to define another portion of the three-dimensional game environment. The player can navigate throughout the 3D game environment using player request interaction input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: IGT CANADA SOLUTIONS ULC
    Inventors: Vicky Leblanc, Reuben Dupuis
  • Patent number: 9880622
    Abstract: A tactile sensation providing apparatus for providing a tactile sensation based on an operator's input to an object, without wasting an existing application resource constituting a user interface, and a control method for the tactile sensation providing apparatus are provided. A tactile sensation providing apparatus 1 includes a touch sensor 40, a tactile sensation providing unit 50 configured to vibrate a touch face of the touch sensor 40, a display unit 30, and a control unit 10 configured to set a tactile sensation to be provided by the tactile sensation providing unit 50 for an object displayed on the display unit 30 based on information about the tactile sensation supplied from application software and, when detecting an input to the object, to control the tactile sensation providing unit 50 such that the tactile sensation set for the object is provided to a pressing object pressing the touch face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9874964
    Abstract: A controller device to interface with a computer gaming system includes a body having a handle and an object disposed at one end of the handle. A touch surface is disposed on one side of the handle. The touch surface has an indicator that is identified by a surface characteristic on the touch surface. The touch surface provides an area for receiving directionality control in response to interfacing by a finger of a user. In addition to the touch surface, a plurality of buttons are disposed on the body. A circuitry is disposed in the body of the controller. The circuitry is configured to receive data indicative of a directionality control and transmit the data to a game console for impacting an action by a program executing on the computer gaming system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Ennin Huang, Anton Mikhailov
  • Patent number: 9861852
    Abstract: A game system is disclosed that comprises a game processor configured to control game play of an electronic video game, and a game controller in electronic communication with the game processor. The game controller includes a plurality of appendicular members configured for respective engagement with legs and arms of a user, and a resistance control system providing a resistive force on each of the plurality of appendicular members with respect to movement of the legs and arms of the user. The resistive force provided by the resistance control system is adjustable in a generally continuous manner in response to the game play of the electronic video game. The game controller also includes a feedback control system responsive to at least one of a motion parameter, a force parameter, and/or a position parameter of each of the plurality of appendicular members to control the game play of the electronic video game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Quinn, Ivan Kiselev
  • Patent number: 9811313
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer media for generating and invoking voice-triggered macros are disclosed herein. A buffer is configured to receive sensor data for one or more sensors. The sensor data reflects user actions. A macro generator is configured to receive a command to initiate creation of a voice-triggered macro and determine macro actions for inclusion in the voice-triggered macro based on the sensor data in the buffer. The macro generator is also configured to assign a speech key to the voice-triggered macro. When audio input is determined to match the speech key of the voice-triggered macro, the macro actions are performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Zachariah Glen Johnson, Sreekar Choudhary, John Henson, Kandarp Jani
  • Patent number: 9805545
    Abstract: A casino electronic gaming machine cabinet includes at least one display screen, multiple input controls, a dock configured to receive a player's mobile device, at least one communication interface capable of electronic communication with the player's mobile device via the dock while the mobile device executes wagering game software, and control circuitry to receive wagering game input commands entered by the player via the input controls of the casino electronic gaming machine cabinet, transmit, to the player's mobile device via the at least one communication interface while the player's mobile device is docked at the casino electronic gaming machine cabinet, control signals corresponding to the received wagering game input commands. The control signals provide control input to the wagering game software, receive from the player's docked mobile device, graphics output from the wagering game software providing visual components of the wagering game play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: IGT CANADA SOLUTIONS ULC
    Inventors: Stefan Keilwert, James William Morrow
  • Patent number: 9798391
    Abstract: Various techniques are described for controlling a wager-based game played at a gaming system. In one embodiment the gaming system may include a gesture input interface device operable to detect movements gestures associated with one or more persons, and a gesture interpretation component operable to identify selected movements or gestures detected by the gesture input interface device. In one embodiment, the gesture interpretation component may also be operable to generate gesture interpretation information relating to interpretation of the selected movements or gestures. In one embodiment, the gaming system may be operable to automatically detect a gesture by a player participating in a game session at the gaming system; interpret the gesture with respect to a set of criteria; generate gesture interpretation information relating to the interpretation of the gesture; and advance a state of the game session using at least a portion of the gesture interpretation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Harold E. Mattice, Chan Griswold, James Stockdale, Richard Wilder, Chris Gadda, Binh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9795883
    Abstract: Operational management of a multi-media system includes assessing end user performance with respect to operation of a multi-media device in the multi-media system. Upon determining a performance value derived from assessment of the end user performance exceeds a pre-defined threshold value, the operational management further includes identifying accommodation options that specify modifications to the operation of the multi-media device and/or operations of another multi-media device in the multi-media system that is engaged in a media activity concurrent with the end user of the multi-media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John G. Musial, Abhinay R. Nagpal, Sandeep R. Patil, Sri Ramanathan
  • Patent number: 9782671
    Abstract: An example game controller is removably attachable to a main unit. The game controller includes a controller-side slide member. The controller-side slide member protrudes from a first surface of the game controller and is configured to slidably engage with the main unit-side slide member in a slide direction. The controller-side slide member has a first end and a second end in the slide direction, and the game controller is configured to be attached to the main unit by inserting the controller-side slide member into the main unit-side slide member. The controller-side slide member includes a protruding portion and at least one terminal. The protruding portion protrudes from the first end side of the controller-side slide member in the slide direction and has a facing surface that faces the first surface of the game controller. The at least one terminal is between the facing surface and the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kumpei Fujita, Shinji Hirose
  • Patent number: 9776077
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which may receive wagers on one or more paylines. The disclosure relates to an electronic gaming system which allows a player to make one or more inputs via human gesturing, and associated methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Cadillac Jack, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Thompson, Ian Robert Scott
  • Patent number: 9778778
    Abstract: A removable input/output module for a touch-screen device is described. The input/output module comprises a front plate, a rear plate and an edge plate. When attached to the touch-screen device, the front plate contacts with the front face of the touch-screen device, the rear plate contacts with the rear face of the touch-screen device and the edge plate contacts at least an upper part of an edge face of the touch-screen device. The input/output module further comprises a mechanism which provides a force to clamp the front and rear plates onto the touch-screen device and an adjustment mechanism which allows the relative position of the front plate and the edge plate to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John Franciscus Marie Helmes, Stuart Taylor, Stephen E Hodges
  • Patent number: 9773412
    Abstract: A system and a method for providing augmented reality (AR) notification are provided. The system includes a recognizing unit configured to recognize a ground region, which is a region corresponding to the ground, on an AR driving image and a controller configured to add a display element to the ground region and to control a notification output associated with driving through the display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Thinkware Corporation
    Inventors: Min Ji Yoon, Ye Seul Jeong, Youn Joo Shin, Won Jun Heo
  • Patent number: 9764231
    Abstract: A combination computing device and input device. The computing device provides a plurality of sides. The input device providing a structural bridge, a pair of control modules, and a touch sensitive input module attached to the back side of the input device. The pair of control modules confine the computing device on at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides. The pair of control modules adaptively and snugly accommodate the width of the computing device, and alternatively, adaptively and snugly accommodate a width of a second computing device, the second computing device having a width greater than the width of the computing device. The structural bridge secures the pair of control modules one to the other, and, adaptively and snugly, accommodate the length of either the computing device or, the second computing device, the second computing device having a length greater than the length of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Wikipad, Inc.
    Inventors: Fraser Townley, Kelly D. Gamble
  • Patent number: 9766706
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for controlling a group of actuators (2) of a sensitive command surface with haptic feedback of a motor vehicle apparatus, said group of actuators including at least one first actuator and one second actuator, said control device comprising an electronic card (11) and a switching means (12) connected to the electronic card. The reception of touch information (S) by the electronic card leads to the selection of the first actuator by the switching means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: DAV
    Inventors: Anthony Aubry, Stéphane Vanhelle
  • Patent number: 9766709
    Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to using gestures to supplant or augment use of a standard input device coupled to a system. It also relates to controlling a display using gestures. It further relates to controlling a system using more than one input device. In particular, it relates to detecting a standard input device that causes on-screen actions on a display in response to control manipulations performed using the standard input device. Further, a library of analogous gestures is identified, which includes gestures that are analogous to the control manipulations and also cause the on-screen actions responsive to the control manipulations. Thus, when a gesture from the library of analogous gestures is detected, a signal is generated that mimics a standard signal from the standard input device and causes at least one on-screen action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Leap Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: David Holz
  • Patent number: 9767545
    Abstract: A method of improving depth sensor data in real-time based on scene sensor data is provided that includes aligning depth images of depth-scene image pairs generated by a depth-scene image sensor pair with corresponding scene images wherein, for each depth-scene image pair, the depth image is warped such that locations of depths in the depth image are aligned with locations of corresponding pixels in the scene image, and improving at least some of the aligned depth images based on image data from one or more of the scene images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Sanjeev Jagannatha Koppal
  • Patent number: 9757649
    Abstract: A device directed to a combination computing and input device. The computing device providing a plurality of sides, each of the plurality of sides are disposed between an electronic display screen and a back of the computing device. The input device communicates with the computing device and provides a pair of control modules adjacent to and confining the computing device on at least two opposing sides of the computing device. The input device further provides a structural bridge securing the pair of control modules one to the other, and a touch sensitive input module. The structural bridge adaptively and snugly accommodate the length of the computing device. A first of the pair of control modules features a retention mechanism communicating with the structural bridge. The retention mechanism adaptively secures the structural bridge such that the pair of control modules snugly accommodate the length of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Wikipad, Inc.
    Inventors: Fraser Townley, Kelly D. Gamble
  • Patent number: 9757647
    Abstract: An example game controller is removably attachable to a main unit. The game controller includes a controller-side slide member. The controller-side slide member protrudes from a first surface of the game controller and is configured to slidably engage with the main unit-side slide member in a slide direction. The controller-side slide member has a first end and a second end in the slide direction, and the game controller is configured to be attached to the main unit by inserting the controller-side slide member into the main unit-side slide member. The controller-side slide member includes a protruding portion and at least one terminal. The protruding portion protrudes from the first end side of the controller-side slide member in the slide direction and has a facing surface that faces the first surface of the game controller. The at least one terminal is between the facing surface and the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kumpei Fujita, Shinji Hirose
  • Patent number: 9721396
    Abstract: Action of a head around which an HMD main body is worn is related to manipulation of an object in an immersive three-dimensional virtual space. Information on a sight in a virtual space may be determined based on information on head inclination sensed with an inclination sensor; an image of the sight in the virtual space may be generated based on the sight information in order to display the sight image in the head mounted display; an object placed on a reference sight line in the virtual space may be identified, the reference sight line being determined in correspondence with a predetermined position in the sight image; and an object the identified object may be manipulated in response to the identification of the object in accordance with action of inclining in a predetermined direction the head around which the head mounted display is worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: COLOPL, Inc.
    Inventor: Naruatsu Baba
  • Patent number: 9711056
    Abstract: A personal emotion-based cognitive assistant system includes one or more components which may be worn by a user as a headset, one or more sensors that capture an emotional state of the user, a processor that identifies personal meaning of an environment of the user based on the captured emotional state, and a memory that stores the identified personalized meaning with data about the environment in different areas of the memory based on the identified personal meaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: FUVI COGNITIVE NETWORK CORP.
    Inventor: Phu-Vinh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9712937
    Abstract: An apparatus of this invention stably separates a sound source even when the relative positional relationship between the sound source and a sound pickup device has changed. This apparatus includes a sound pickup unit configured to pick up sound signals of a plurality of channels, a detector configured to detect a change in a relative positional relationship between a sound source and the sound pickup unit, a phase regulator configured to regulate a phase of the sound signal in accordance with the relative position change amount detected by the detector, a parameter estimator configured to estimate a variance and spatial correlation matrix of a sound source signal as sound source separation parameters with respect to the phase-regulated sound signal, and a sound source separator configured to generate a separation filter from the estimated parameters, and perform sound source separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kyohei Kitazawa
  • Patent number: 9690392
    Abstract: An operating device includes: right and left hold sections to be held by a user, the right and left hold sections provided with first operating members; and a central section interconnecting the right and left hold sections. The operating device has a second operating member forming an upper surface of the central section. The second operating member includes a touch sensor located between the first operating members of the right and left hold sections, and is so supported as to be capable of vertical movement in response to a user s pressing-down operation. The second operating member is plate-like in shape, so that user s fingers can easily reach the second operating member in a condition where the user is holding the hold sections. As a result, operability of the operating device can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Takeshi Igarashi, Masaho Morita, Kazuyoshi Enomoto, Toshimasa Aoki
  • Patent number: 9684999
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing easily computable representations of dynamic objects so that a graphic systems' physics engine can more accurately and realistically determine the result of physical actions on, or with, such dynamic objects. More particularly, disclosed techniques generate a convex decomposition of an arbitrarily complex polygonal shape that is then simplified in a manner that preserves physically significant details, resulting in an object having a relatively small number of convex shapes that cover the original polygonal shape. The salience of a physically significant detail may be controlled via a threshold value which may be user or system specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Domenico P. Porcino, Jacques P. Gasselin de Richebourg, Norman N. Wang, Timothy R. Oriol
  • Patent number: 9679548
    Abstract: A string instrument that includes a bendable electronic display associated with an electronic device that is bent into a bowed shape. There are external strings that extend across the bow, a camera and a non-transitory storage medium that stores instructions to: form a plurality of virtual strings embedded in the bendable electronic display and associated with the plurality of external strings; receive input from the camera to identify a resting position of each of the external strings and identify a movement of each of the external strings from the resting position; responsive to input received from the camera, map the movement in the external strings to a corresponding movement of the virtual strings; and output the corresponding movement of the virtual strings to produce a sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gopal K. Bhageria, Vijay Ekambaram, Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Patent number: 9654653
    Abstract: A control section includes a track detecting section, a pattern determining section, and a character string display section. The track detecting section detects a track of a touch point on a touch panel by a user. The pattern determining section determines whether or not there is a match between the track of the touch point detected by the track detecting section and any of a plurality of patterns stored by a storage section. Upon the pattern determining section determining that there is a match, the character string display section reads a character string from the storage section that is associated with a pattern determined to match the track of the touch point from among the plurality of patterns. The character string display section causes pasting and display of the character string in an input region displayed by a display section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Uenishi
  • Patent number: 9652063
    Abstract: An input direction determination system includes an input direction determination section that determines the input direction based on a reference point and the indication position, and a reference point change section that determines whether or not to change the reference point based on an angle formed by a first direction that is determined by the reference point and an indication position at a first timing or a timing that precedes the first timing, and a second direction that is determined by the indication position at the first timing and an indication position at a second timing that follows the first timing, or an angle formed by connection lines that connect indication positions at different timings, and changes the reference point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Shigeto Murata
  • Patent number: 9643072
    Abstract: Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
  • Patent number: 9639235
    Abstract: A visualization system for providing a preview of data obtained in a borehole and available for selection and a helmet for visualization and monitoring are described. The visualization system includes a processor configured to process the data based on user input and instructions and provide output for display on a display device; a computer-readable medium configured to store the instructions, the instructions including commands to output values of two or more types of parameters at two or more depth values for display; and a helmet including a visor configured to display the values of the two or more types of parameters at the two or more depth values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Olufemi A. Adegbola, Emad Al-Ajmi, Peter J. Guijt, Sebastian Enrico Ramirez, William W. Scott, Joel W. Tarver, Doron Hetz, Steven Pierce