Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090027334 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR TOUCHSCREEN-ENABLED COMPUTER SYSTEMS - A method for controlling a graphical user interface (GUI) for a touchscreen-enabled computer systems provides a variety of software methods (tools) provide for high-fidelity control of the user interface. The TrackScreen tool provides finger-friendly mouse functions such as scrolling, dragging and clicking. The Magnifier application continuously captures the current screen image, and displays a magnified subset of it. Selecting within this magnified area with a pointing device (mouse, touchscreen, digitizer, etc) causes the application to simulate the action on the portion of the screen corresponding to the point in the magnified image that was selected. A KeyBoard application, a keyboard is rendered on screen, with sufficient size that the individual keys are easily selectable with an unaided finger. The Common Tasks Tool or CTT) allows common keyboard shortcuts, mouse events, and other user interface events to be specified in a configuration file and represented on screen as a large, easy-to-click button. The Touchscreen Task Switcher is invoked using any interface (software or hardware) element, and visually takes up the entire screen. The Touchscreen Snapshot utility ties in with an external camera with a physical button on it. The Window Template Manager (WTM), is used to specify, and then instantiate, the position and sizes of multiple windows for use with a touchscreen display. The Touch Portal is a full-screen application with a set of customizable buttons representing applications and other tools. | 01-29-2009 |
20090074248 | GESTURE-CONTROLLED INTERFACES FOR SELF-SERVICE MACHINES AND OTHER APPLICATIONS - A gesture recognition interface for use in controlling self-service machines and other devices is disclosed. A gesture is defined as motions and kinematic poses generated by humans, animals, or machines. Specific body features are tracked, and static and motion gestures are interpreted. Motion gestures are defined as a family of parametrically delimited oscillatory motions, modeled as a linear-in-parameters dynamic system with added geometric constraints to allow for real-time recognition using a small amount of memory and processing time. A linear least squares method is preferably used to determine the parameters which represent each gesture. Feature position measure is used in conjunction with a bank of predictor bins seeded with the gesture parameters, and the system determines which bin best fits the observed motion. Recognizing static pose gestures is preferably performed by localizing the body/object from the rest of the image, describing that object, and identifying that description. The disclosure details methods for gesture recognition, as well as the overall architecture for using gesture recognition to control of devices, including self-service machines. | 03-19-2009 |
20090116692 | REALTIME OBJECT TRACKING SYSTEM - A real-time computer vision system tracks one or more objects moving in a scene using a target location technique which does not involve searching. The imaging hardware includes a color camera, frame grabber and processor. The software consists of the low-level image grabbing software and a tracking algorithm. The system tracks objects based on the color, motion and/or shape of the object in the image. A color matching function is used to compute three measures of the target's probable location based on the target color, shape and motion. The method then computes the most probable location of the target using a weighting technique. Once the system is running, a graphical user interface displays the live image from the color camera on the computer screen. The operator can then use the mouse to select a target for tracking. The system will then keep track of the moving target in the scene in real-time. | 05-07-2009 |
20090274339 | Behavior recognition system - A system for recognizing various human and creature motion gaits and behaviors is presented. These behaviors are defined as combinations of “gestures” identified on various parts of a body in motion. For example, the leg gestures generated when a person runs are different than when a person walks. The system described here can identify such differences and categorize these behaviors. Gestures, as previously defined, are motions generated by humans, animals, or machines. Multiple gestures on a body (or bodies) are recognized simultaneously and used in determining behaviors. If multiple bodies are tracked by the system, then overall formations and behaviors (such as military goals) can be determined. | 11-05-2009 |
20110102419 | ORIENTATION INVARIANT OBJECT IDENTIFICATION USING MODEL-BASED IMAGE PROCESSING - A system for performing object identification combines pose determination, EO/IR sensor data, and novel computer graphics rendering techniques. A first module extracts the orientation and distance of a target in a truth chip given that the target type is known. A second is a module identifies the vehicle within a truth chip given the known distance and elevation angle from camera to target. Image matching is based on synthetic image and truth chip image comparison, where the synthetic image is rotated and moved through a 3-Dimensional space. To limit the search space, it is assumed that the object is positioned on relatively flat ground and that the camera roll angle stays near zero. This leaves three dimensions of motion (distance, heading, and pitch angle) to define the space in which the synthetic target is moved. A graphical user interface (GUI) front end allows the user to manually adjust the orientation of the target within the synthetic images. The system also includes the generation of shadows and allows the user to manipulate the sun angle to approximate the lighting conditions of the test range in the provided video. | 05-05-2011 |
20120263348 | ORIENTATION INVARIANT OBJECT IDENTIFICATION USING MODEL-BASED IMAGE PROCESSING - A system for performing object identification combines pose determination, EO/IR sensor data, and novel computer graphics rendering techniques. A first module extracts the orientation and distance of a target in a truth chip given that the target type is known. A second module identifies the vehicle within a truth chip given the known distance and elevation angle from camera to target. Image matching is based on synthetic image and truth chip image comparison, where the synthetic image is rotated and moved through a 3-Dimensional space. It is assumed that the object is positioned on relatively flat ground and that the camera roll angle stays near zero. This leaves three dimensions of motion (distance, heading, and pitch angle) to define the space in which the synthetic target is moved. A graphical user interface (GUI) front end allows the user to manually adjust the orientation of the target within the synthetic images. | 10-18-2012 |
20140071037 | BEHAVIOR RECOGNITION SYSTEM - A system for recognizing various human and creature motion gaits and behaviors is presented. These behaviors are defined as combinations of “gestures” identified on various parts of a body in motion. For example, the leg gestures generated when a person runs are different than when a person walks. The system described here can identify such differences and categorize these behaviors. Gestures, as previously defined, are motions generated by humans, animals, or machines. Multiple gestures on a body (or bodies) are recognized simultaneously and used in determining behaviors. If multiple bodies are tracked by the system, then overall formations and behaviors (such as military goals) can be determined. | 03-13-2014 |
20140320486 | ORIENTATIOIN INVARIANT OBJECT IDENTIFICATION USING MODEL-BASED IMAGE PROCESSING - A system for performing object identification combines pose determination, EO/IR sensor data, and novel computer graphics rendering techniques. A first module extracts the orientation and distance of a target in a truth chip given that the target type is known. A second is a module identifies the vehicle within a truth chip given the known distance and elevation angle from camera to target. Image matching is based on synthetic image and truth chip image comparison, where the synthetic image is rotated and moved through a 3-Dimensional space. To limit the search space, it is assumed that the object is positioned on relatively flat ground and that the camera roll angle stays near zero. This leaves three dimensions of motion (distance, heading, and pitch angle) to define the space in which the synthetic target is moved. A graphical user interface (GUI) front end allows the user to manually adjust the orientation of the target within the synthetic images. The system also includes the generation of shadows and allows the user to manipulate the sun angle to approximate the lighting conditions of the test range in the provided video. | 10-30-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080266293 | METHOD FOR CONVERTING POLYGONAL SURFACES TO LEVELSETS - A method for use in computer graphics includes receiving data defining an explicit surface representation of three-dimensional (3D) geometry and casting a ray into the explicit surface representation. For each point where the ray intersects the explicit surface, a direction of the ray is compared to a direction of a surface normal of the explicit surface at that point, and then a count is incremented or decremented based on a first rule that uses a result of the comparison at that point. Then, for one or more voxels corresponding to the ray, data is generated for each voxel that indicates the voxel is either inside or outside of the explicit surface based on a second rule that uses a value of the count at that voxel. Another method includes defining a narrow band of voxels near the explicit surface, and then for each voxel in the narrow band, approximating a distance between the voxel and a closest point on the explicit surface by assuming a set of two-dimensional (2D) distances associated with the voxel and a portion of the explicit surface form a triangle. For each voxel outside of the narrow band, a distance to a closest point on the explicit surface is approximated by interpolating the approximated distances in the narrow band. | 10-30-2008 |
20080266299 | METHOD FOR PREDICTIVELY SPLITTING PROCEDURALLY GENERATED PARTICLE DATA INTO SCREEN-SPACE BOXES - A method for use in rendering includes receiving an input particle system, an instancing program, and a number indicating a maximum number of particles to be stored in memory, providing an input particle count representative of at least a portion of the input particle system to at least one operator for the instancing program, running the at least one operator in a prediction mode to generate an output particle count, comparing the output particle count to the number indicating a maximum number of particles to be stored in memory, and spatially splitting a bounding box representative of the input particle count in response to the output particle count being greater than the number indicating a maximum number of particles to be stored in memory. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270092 | METHOD FOR SIMULATING LARGE NUMBERS OF SPHERICAL BODIES INTERACTING - A method for use in computer graphics includes receiving data representative of a plurality of particles. For each particle, the method further includes calculating a time at which a collision will occur based on a current trajectory of the particle. For pairs of particles that will collide with each other, another operation includes changing a direction of the particles to avoid a collision, wherein the changed directions approximate directions that would result from the collision. For particles in static contact, another operation includes allowing particles to push each other without bouncing. For particles in static contact that were previously moved by being pushed, the method also does not allow the particles to move during future collisions occurring during a time step. | 10-30-2008 |
20090251469 | METHOD FOR DETECTING COLLISIONS AMONG LARGE NUMBERS OF PARTICLES - A method for detecting object collisions in a simulation, which includes identifying a plurality of objects moving along a path within a simulation area, and defining a grid comprising defined regions which individually define a region within which any of the plurality of objects could potentially occupy. For each of the objects, the method further includes identifying which of the defined regions that each of the plurality of object occupies for at least a portion of a time step, and for each of the objects, determining an associated potential collision set by identifying objects of the plurality of objects which occupy common regions of the defined regions during any portion of the time step. In addition, for each of the objects, the method further includes determining an actual collision set comprising objects with which a given object will collide during the time step based upon location parameters of objects included in the potential collision set. | 10-08-2009 |
20150081866 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHARING SPECIAL-PURPOSE PROCESSING RESOURCES - A special-purpose processing system, a method of carrying out sharing special-purpose processing resources and a graphics processing system. In one embodiment, the special-purpose processing system includes: (1) a special-purpose processing resource and (2) a Representational State Transfer (ReST) application programming interface operable to process data using the special-purpose processing resource in response to stateless commands based on a standard protocol selected from the group consisting of: (2a) a standard network protocol and (2b) a standard database query protocol. | 03-19-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110307837 | REGION OF INTEREST TRACKING FOR FLUID SIMULATION - A method of simulation comprises controlling an avatar in an environment. Movement of graphical elements is simulated in a fluid coordinate frame surrounding said avatar, wherein said graphical elements in said fluid coordinate frame obey a first rule set. Said graphical elements and a first region surrounding said fluid coordinate frame are animated, wherein said graphical elements in said first region obey a second rule set. Said fluid coordinate frame moves in response to said controlling of said avatar. In an embodiment, a blending region blends the movement of graphical elements inside the fluid coordinate frame and outside the fluid coordinate frame. | 12-15-2011 |
20120213450 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR REDUCING NOISE IN AN IMAGE USING DEPTH-BASED SWEEPING OVER IMAGE SAMPLES - A system, method, and computer program product are provided for reducing noise in an image using depth-based on sweeping over image samples. In use, each noisy pixel of an image having noise is identified. Additionally, for each noisy pixel, at least one sample included in each of a plurality of neighboring pixels to the noisy pixel is identified. Furthermore, the samples are swept over at least partially in a depth-based order to identify a value for the noisy pixel that reduces the noise. | 08-23-2012 |
20130293563 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR PERFORMING GRAPH COLORING - A system, method, and computer program product are provided for performing graph coloring. In use, a graph with a plurality of vertices is identified. Additionally, the plurality of vertices of the graph is categorized, where the categorizing of the plurality of vertices is optimized. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297605 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR PERFORMING GRAPH COLORING - A system, method, and computer program product are provided for performing graph coloring. In use, a graph with a plurality of vertices is identified. Additionally, the plurality of vertices of the graph is categorized, where the categorizing of the plurality of vertices is optimized. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297631 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR PERFORMING GRAPH AGGREGATION - A system, method, and computer program product are provided for performing graph aggregation. In use, a graph with a plurality of vertices and a plurality of edges is identified. Additionally, aggregation is performed on the vertices and edges of the graph by computing a graph matching, where such graph matching is performed in a data-parallel manner. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297632 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR PERFORMING GRAPH MATCHING - A system, method, and computer program product are provided for performing graph aggregation. In use, a graph with a plurality of vertices and a plurality of edges is identified. Additionally, graph matching is performed on the vertices and edges of the graph by computing a graph matching, wherein the performance of the graph matching is optimized. | 11-07-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100095208 | Systems and Methods for Remote Tracking and Replay of User Interaction with a Webpage - Systems and methods for monitoring user interaction with a remote computer are provided. More specifically, the systems and methods of the present invention allow for the remote tracking and replay of user interaction with a remote computer or webpage. One aspect of the invention allows user interaction data to be replayed on an embedded browser on a replay server. The replayed user interaction data may be converted to a video file to facilitate playback of the interaction data substantially independent of the replay server. | 04-15-2010 |
20110246879 | Systems and Methods for Remote Replay of User Interaction with a Webpage - A system and method for replaying a user's interaction with a webpage by requesting playback of user interaction data from a replay server, receiving a media asset from the replay server to allow playback the requested user interaction data, the media asset being pre-fetched for use by a proxy application, periodically requesting and receiving the user interaction data from the replay server, recreating an interaction visualization from the user interaction data, and playing back said interaction visualization based on data received from the replay server. | 10-06-2011 |
20110313800 | Systems and Methods for Impact Analysis in a Computer Network - In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a computer-implemented apparatus and method is provided for determining the impact of certain actions on the performance of a pre-specified or modeled system is provided. A manifest variable database is utilized for storing manifest variable data relating to user interaction with a system of interest. An imputation module may be coupled to the manifest variable database for calculating any missing manifest variables. Embodiments of the invention may further include a statistical weights calculator for determining strength of correlation among manifest and latent variables, a latent score calculator, a fuzzy clustering module that derives clusters or segments that have their own impacts and scores for a fitted model and constraining impact calculator that determines the impact of certain operations on the fitted model. | 12-22-2011 |
20130132833 | Systems and Methods For Remote Tracking And Replay Of User Interaction With A Webpage - Systems and methods for monitoring user interaction with a remote computer are provided. More specifically, the systems and methods of the present invention allow for the remote tracking and replay of user interaction with a remote computer or webpage. One aspect of the invention allows user interaction data to be replayed on an embedded browser on a replay server. The replayed user interaction data may be converted to a video file to facilitate playback of the interaction data substantially independent of the replay server. | 05-23-2013 |
20140108115 | Mobile Satisfaction Monitor - A method of conducting a survey on a portable device includes obtaining registration information and determining one of at least: (i) a GPS location, (ii) time at the GPS location, (iii) duration at the GPS location; (iii) or frequency at the GPS location. The method further includes invoking a survey on the portable device in response to a trigger, wherein the trigger is in response to the determining one of at least: (i) the GPS location, (ii) time at the GPS location, (iii) duration at the GPS location; (iii) or frequency at the GPS location, and providing an incentive to participate in the survey. | 04-17-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100277900 | GAZING GLOBES AND OTHER DECORATIVE OBJECTS INCLUDING LIGHT SOURCES AND LIGHT-ACTIVATED MATERIALS - A self-contained, glow-in-the-dark decorative article according to the invention comprises a transparent or translucent air-filled, hollow object having a lower rim defining an opening into the interior of the object, with light-activated material deposited on, or embedded in, the object. A base unit on a stake includes a receptacle to receive the rim of the object. The base unit includes a light emitter supported to illuminate the object from the inside out. The base unit further includes one or more solar panels facing into the interior of the object and one or more batteries charged by the solar panels to power the light emitter. The transparent or translucent object may be made of glass, and may be a sphere, a flattened sphere, or a teardrop shape. The source of light may be a light-emitting diode (LED), preferably a violet or ultraviolet LED. | 11-04-2010 |
20110292644 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING GAZING GLOBES AND OTHER DECORATIVE OBJECTS INTO GLOW-IN-THE-DARK PRODUCTS - A light source causes hollow objects to glow in the dark (GID), thereby extending the operating period of light-activated materials in gazing globes and other decorative or ornamental objects. The light source may be provided as part of a conversion kit, enabling objects from different manufacturers to be converted to GID objects following purchase. A base unit includes the light emitter supported to illuminate the object from the inside out. The base unit further includes at least one solar panel facing into the interior of the object, and one or more batteries charged by the solar panel to power the light emitter. A device is used to couple the base unit to the rim of the object. In the preferred embodiment, the device for coupling the base unit to the rim of the object is an elastomeric ring that stretches over the rim of the object, thereby forming a seal. | 12-01-2011 |
20120057332 | SOLAR POWERED ILLUMINATOR FOR PLANTS AND DECORATIVE ARTICLES - A system for illuminating a potted plant, statuary or other decorative articles comprises a base having a plurality of lighting units disposed around the periphery thereof to illuminate the article from below. The base may be circular, having a diameter in the range of 10 to 24 inches. A solar panel generates electricity from sunlight to charge a battery, and switching circuitry interconnects the battery to the lighting units when ambient light falls to a predetermined level. Each lighting unit may be integrally formed with the base, permanently or removably attached to the base, or coupled to the periphery of the base through one or more articulating joints and/or telescoping arms. The base may include a peripheral lip, thereby forming a water-holding tray to support a potted plant. The solar panel, battery and photodetector may be disposed in a remote housing and interconnected to the lights through electrical wiring. | 03-08-2012 |
20130094191 | SOLAR-POWERED HANGING PLANT ILLUMINATOR - A solar-powered illuminator for hanging plants or other articles includes a housing having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an interior. One or more solar panel are disposed on the upper surface of the housing, and one or more light emitters configured to provide downward illumination from the lower surface of the housing. An upper connector is disposed at or above the upper surface of the housing, and a lower connector is disposed at or below the lower surface of the housing. A central member, oriented vertically through the housing, has an upper end coupled to the upper connector and a lower end coupled to the lower connector such that, when the housing is suspended using the upper connector and a load in the form of a hanging plant is suspended from the lower connector, the weight of the load carried by the central member instead of the housing. | 04-18-2013 |
20130300300 | SELF-CONTAINED, SOLAR-POWERED LED ILLUMINATOR MODULES AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - A light source causes hollow objects to glow in the dark (GID), thereby extending the operating period of light-activated materials in gazing globes and other decorative or ornamental objects. The light source may be provided as part of a conversion kit, enabling objects from different manufacturers to be converted to GID objects following purchase. A base unit includes the light emitter supported to illuminate the object from the inside out. The base unit further includes at least one solar panel facing into the interior of the object, and one or more batteries charged by the solar panel to power the light emitter. A device is used to couple the base unit to the rim of the object. In the preferred embodiment, the device for coupling the base unit to the rim of the object is an elastomeric ring that stretches over the rim of the object, thereby forming a seal. | 11-14-2013 |
20140055988 | HANGING LANTERN WITH REMOVEABLE, INTERCHANGEABLE SHADES - A solar-powered hanging lantern includes an interchangeable shade. The article comprises a housing having an upper surface with a solar cell and a lower surface with a light source. A rechargeable battery and electronics within the housing charge the battery using the solar cell and illuminate the light source when ambient light falls to a predetermined level. The housing includes a cylindrical sidewall with a diameter and a peripheral rim extending outwardly form the cylindrical sidewall. A shade is provided having an upper, generally cylindrical opening slightly larger than the diameter of the housing, the shade being installed onto and over the housing such that the cylindrical opening rests on the peripheral rim, with an elastomeric ring being placed onto and over the housing to maintain the shade in position. The ring may be an O-ring and/or may include an inner groove to receive the opening of the shade. | 02-27-2014 |
20140313704 | SOLAR-POWERED, ILLUMINATED DECORATOR BALLS - Decorator balls are illuminated from the inside-out using a self-contained, battery-powered LED module. The decorator ball itself is made from one or more elongated elements creating a hollow form with gaps or apertures in areas where the elements do not overlap. The module has a battery powered light-emitting diode (LED) and a solar panel to charge the battery. The module is coupled to the decorator ball such that the LED illuminates the decorator ball from the inside-out. White LEDs, LEDs of a particular color, or color-changing LEDs may be used. Either the solar panel or an additional photodetector may communicate with electronic circuitry within the module to activate the LED when ambient light falls below a predetermined level. The module may include a hanger for hanging the decorative article, and a reflector may be provided within the decorator ball to diverge and disperse the light from the LED. | 10-23-2014 |
20150036325 | SOLAR-POWERED FIREFLY JARS AND DECORATIVE ILLUMINATED BOTTLES - A solar-powered decorative article includes a module having an upper surface and a lower structure configured for coupling to the mouth of a transparent or translucent vessel. A solar panel is supported on the upper surface of the module, and a battery, disposed within the module, is recharged by the solar panel. A plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are suspended from the bottom surface of the module by tethers. A controller is operative to control each LED from OFF or low brightness to a higher brightness over time to produce decorative lighting patterns. The lower structure of the module may include a stopper configured for coupling to the mouth of a bottle, or threads configured for coupling to a jar having a threaded mouth. Each LED may be covered with a decorative, simulated firefly shell, with the controller being operative to control the LEDs to simulate lighting patterns generated by real fireflies. | 02-05-2015 |