Joseph Richard Howell

US Patent:

8375291, Feb 12, 2013

Filed:

Nov 6, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/614217

Inventors:

Joseph Howell - Portland OR, US
Jerome M. Behar - Los Altos CA, US
Anna Kwok - Union City CA, US

Assignee:

Web Filings, Inc. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

715230

Abstract:

Consistent with embodiments of the invention, computer-based systems and methods for annotating documents with a special type of graphical icon—referred to herein as a tick mark—are provided. Accordingly, utilizing a document annotation tool consistent with one embodiment of the invention, a user can quickly and easily place a tick mark next to an element of a document (e. g. , a word, sentence, paragraph, number, chart, graph or figure) being displayed to visually convey some information about that particular element of the document. A second user, who is viewing the same document subsequent to the first user placing the tick mark, will immediately recognize and appreciate the information conveyed by the placement of the tick mark.

US Patent:

20130139047, May 30, 2013

Filed:

Jan 24, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/748971

Inventors:

Joseph Howell - Portland OR, US
Jerome M. Behar - Los Altos CA, US
Anna Kwok - Union City CA, US

Assignee:

Web Filings, LLC - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

G06F 17/24

US Classification:

715230

Abstract:

Consistent with embodiments of the invention, computer-based systems and methods for annotating documents with a special type of graphical icon—referred to herein as a tick mark—are provided. Accordingly, utilizing a document annotation tool consistent with one embodiment of the invention, a user can quickly and easily place a tick mark next to an element of a document (e.g., a word, sentence, paragraph, number, chart, graph or figure) being displayed to visually convey some information about that particular element of the document. A second user, who is viewing the same document subsequent to the first user placing the tick mark, will immediately recognize and appreciate the information conveyed by the placement of the tick mark.

US Patent:

20230021117, Jan 19, 2023

Filed:

Jan 5, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/757354

Inventors:

- Alberta, CA
Joseph S. Howell - Uintah UT, US

International Classification:

G06T 15/40
G06V 20/20
G06V 10/26
G06V 20/64
G06T 19/00
G06T 7/80
G06F 30/13

Abstract:

A method for incorporating a real object at varying depths within a rendered three-dimensional architectural design space can include capturing data from a real environment, wherein the real environment comprises at least one real object within a physical architectural space. The method can also comprise extracting the at least one real object from the captured data from the real environment. Further, the method can include providing a rendered three-dimensional architectural design space comprising at least one virtual architectural component. The method can also include projecting the captured data from the real environment on a first plane within the rendered three-dimensional architectural design space and projecting the extracted at least one real object on a at least one additional plane within the rendered three-dimensional architectural design space, such that the rendered at least one real object is properly occluded within the rendered three-dimensional architectural design space.

US Patent:

20210004509, Jan 7, 2021

Filed:

Sep 21, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/026723

Inventors:

- Calgary, CA
Joseph S. Howell - Uintah UT, US
Robert Blodgett - Salt Lake City UT, US
Sheldon Smith - Calgary, CA
Tyler West - Calgary, CA

International Classification:

G06F 30/13
G06F 3/01
G02B 27/01
G06F 3/0346

Abstract:

A virtual reality system can comprise a virtual reality headset, one or more position tracking sensors, and a computerized architectural design environment. The position tracking sensors can identify a relative location of the user with respect to a physical space. The computerized architectural design environment can comprise a computer-implemented method for displaying a three-dimensional view of an architectural design to a user through the one or more virtual reality components. The method can comprise receiving a communication from the one or more position tracking sensors, rendering at least a portion of an architectural design file, and transmitting to the virtual reality headset the rendered portion of the architectural design file.

US Patent:

20200312039, Oct 1, 2020

Filed:

Jun 16, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/903212

Inventors:

- Calgary, CA
Joseph Howell - Uintah UT, US
Robert Blodgett - Salt Lake City UT, US
Simon Francis Stannus - Millcreek UT, US
Matthew Hibberd - Sheffield, GB
Tyler West - Calgary, CA

International Classification:

G06T 19/00
G06F 3/0484
G06F 3/0481
G06F 30/00
G06F 30/13
G06T 7/60
G06T 19/20

Abstract:

A computer system for creating architectural schematics within a mixed-reality environment generates, within an architectural design application, mixed-reality rendering data that visually describes one or more virtual architectural elements in relation to a real-world environment. The computer system transmits, to a mixed-reality device, the mixed-reality rendering data, wherein the mixed-reality device renders the mixed-reality rendering data within the real-world environment. The computer system also receives a command from a user directed towards a particular virtual architectural element. Additionally, the computer system constrains a scope of the command based upon an interaction between the virtual architectural element and the real-world environment.

US Patent:

20190230332, Jul 25, 2019

Filed:

Aug 4, 2017

Appl. No.:

16/318680

Inventors:

- Rochester NY, US
Joseph Spencer Howell - Uintah UT, US

Assignee:

University of Rochester - Rochester NY

International Classification:

H04N 13/117
H04N 13/366
H04N 13/305
H04N 13/204

Abstract:

The present disclosure is generally related to capturing a scene and projecting a virtual window to one or more observers. A virtual window may mimic the experience a viewer has when looking through a real window. In some embodiments, for a single observer looking at a digital display or digital screen, a head-tracking camera on the same side of the screen as the observer can determine the position of the observer relative to the screen. The camera may be a 3D camera, stereoscopic camera, a wide angle lens camera, or an array of cameras (e.g., two or more). A camera on the other side of the screen can then image the view on the other side observer is relative to the window of the screen and software can determine the correct portion of the view that should be displayed on the screen to the observer.

US Patent:

20180197340, Jul 12, 2018

Filed:

Jun 9, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/741487

Inventors:

- Calgary, CA
Joseph Howell - Uintah UT, US
Robert Blodgett - Salt Lake City UT, US
Simon Francis Stannus - Millcreek UT, US
Matthew Hibberd - Sheffield, GB
Tyler West - Calgary, CA

International Classification:

G06T 19/00
G06T 7/60
G06T 19/20
G06F 17/50

Abstract:

A computer system for creating architectural schematics within a mixed-reality environment generates, within an architectural design application, mixed-reality rendering data that visually describes one or more virtual architectural elements in relation to a real-world environment. The computer system transmits, to a mixed-reality device, the mixed-reality rendering data, wherein the mixed-reality device renders the mixed-reality rendering data within the real-world environment. The computer system also receives a command from a user directed towards a particular virtual architectural element. Additionally, the computer system constrains a scope of the command based upon an interaction between the virtual architectural element and the real-world environment.

US Patent:

20180197341, Jul 12, 2018

Filed:

Jun 9, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/741488

Inventors:

- Calgary, CA
Joseph Howell - Uintah UT, US
Robert Blodgett - Salt Lake City UT, US
Simon Francis Stannus - Millcreek UT, US
Matthew Hibberd - Sheffield, GB
Tyler West - Calgary, CA

Assignee:

Dirtt Environmental Solutions, Ltd. - Calgary

International Classification:

G06T 19/00
G06T 15/10
G06T 15/04

Abstract:

A computer system for managing multiple distinct perspectives within a mixed-reality design environment loads a three-dimensional architectural model into memory. The three-dimensional architectural model is associated with a virtual coordinate system. The three-dimensional architectural model comprises at least one virtual object that is associated with an independently executable software object that comprises independent variables and functions that are specific to a particular architectural element that is represented by the at least one virtual object. The computer system associates the virtual coordinate system with a physical coordinate system within a real-world environment. The computer system transmits to each device of multiple different devices rendering information. The rendering information comprises three-dimensional image data for rendering the three-dimensional architectural model and coordinate information that maps the virtual coordinate system to the physical coordinate system.