Christopher M Novak

US Patent:

7963833, Jun 21, 2011

Filed:

Oct 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/966824

Inventors:

Christopher M. Novak - Issaquah WA, US
Alistair J. Baxter - Dundee, GB
Billy Thompson - Angus, GB
David Jones - Fife, GB
Peter Wong - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 2, 463 50

Abstract:

The present invention is directed generally toward computer-implemented methods for targeting objects in a gaming system. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a method for targeting an object in a gaming system that includes receiving a soft lock command and applying a soft lock to an object in the game. The soft lock designates an action site on a portion of the object that was proximate to an aiming reference when the soft lock was commanded. The action site is proximate to a location where a selected game action will occur if the game action is commanded. Once the soft lock is applied, the aiming reference can be moved away from the action site. Another aspect of the invention is directed toward a method of targeting an object in a gaming system that includes receiving a command to hard lock a portion of an object, applying the hard lock, and displaying at least one selectable sub-target associated with the object. During the hard lock, the aiming reference remains at least proximate to the portion of the object. When selected, a sub-target includes an action site on part of the object proximate to a location where game action will occur if selected.

US Patent:

20110306426, Dec 15, 2011

Filed:

Jun 10, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/797906

Inventors:

Christopher Michael Novak - Redmond WA, US
Stephen Paul Dolan - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

MICROSOFT CORPORATION - Redmond WA

International Classification:

A63F 13/12
G06F 15/16

US Classification:

463 42, 709204

Abstract:

A method for enabling a user to participate in an activity in a processing device based on user intent is provided. The method includes receiving a wish list of intents from a user on a processing device. The wish list of intents identifies user intent to participate in one or more activities in processing device. A matching list of intents is generated for the user based on the wish list of intents. The matching list of intents includes at least one activity identified by other users such as users in the user's friends list that match an intent in the wish list of intents specified by the user. The activities may include one or more multiplayer games in the gaming system. A selection of one or more other users in the matching list of intents is received from the user. An activity trigger notification associated with the activity may be provided to the user and the other users based on the selection.

US Patent:

20110320536, Dec 29, 2011

Filed:

Jun 23, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/821984

Inventors:

Kenneth A. Lobb - Sammamish WA, US
Shiraz J. Cupala - Seattle WA, US
Omar Aftab - Kirkland WA, US
Christopher Michael Novak - Redmond WA, US
Todd Garnet Wagner - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

MICROSOFT CORPORATION - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709205

Abstract:

A system and method for facilitating social interactions between different individuals. Information available about each of the individuals engaged in a social interaction is used to provide a “social accelerator” for an interaction between the individuals. Social interactions are improved or accelerated by aggregating available information about individuals participating in an information system. When an interaction event trigger is received, the context of context for possible social interaction between the users around the trigger event is determined. A social accelerator is selected from available interest information common to the participating user and the target user, and the social accelerator is provided to one of the individuals.

US Patent:

20120327116, Dec 27, 2012

Filed:

Jun 23, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/167113

Inventors:

JAMES CHIA-MING LIU - BELLEVUE WA, US
STEPHEN GILCHRIST LATTA - SEATTLE WA, US
ANTON ANDREWS - SEATTLE WA, US
BENJAMIN ISSAC VAUGHT - SEATTLE WA, US
CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL NOVAK - REDMOND WA, US
SHERIDAN LEIGH SMALL - SEATTLE WA, US

Assignee:

MICROSOFT CORPORATION - REDMOND WA

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

345633

Abstract:

Virtual images are located for display in a head-mounted display (HMD) to provide an augment reality view to an HMD wearer. Sensor data may be collected from on-board sensors provided on an HMD. Additionally, other day may be collected from external sources. Based on the collected sensor data and other data, the position and rotation of the HMD wearer's head relative to the HMD wearer's body and surrounding environment may be determined. After resolving the HMD wearer's head position, the HMD wearer's total field of view (TFOV) may be classified into regions. Virtual images may then be located in the classified TFOV regions to locate the virtual images relative to the HMD wearer's body and surrounding environment.

US Patent:

20130044128, Feb 21, 2013

Filed:

Aug 17, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/212172

Inventors:

James C. Liu - Bellevue WA, US
Anton O. Andrews - Seattle WA, US
Benjamin I. Vaught - Seattle WA, US
Craig R. Maitlen - Woodinville WA, US
Christopher M. Novak - Redmond WA, US
Sheridan Martin Small - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

345633

Abstract:

A user interface includes a virtual object having an appearance in context with a real environment of a user using a see-through, near-eye augmented reality display device system. A virtual type of object and at least one real world object are selected based on compatibility criteria for forming a physical connection like attachment, supporting or integration of the virtual object with the at least one real object. Other appearance characteristics, e.g. color, size or shape, of the virtual object are selected for satisfying compatibility criteria with the selected at least one real object. Additionally, a virtual object type and appearance characteristics of the virtual object may be selected based on a social context of the user, a personal context of the user or both.

US Patent:

20130044129, Feb 21, 2013

Filed:

Aug 19, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/214037

Inventors:

Stephen G. Latta - Seattle WA, US
Benjamin I. Vaught - Seattle WA, US
Craig R. Maitlen - Woodinville WA, US
Christopher M. Novak - Redmond WA, US

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

345633

Abstract:

The technology provides embodiments for providing a location-based skin for a see-through, mixed reality display device system. In many embodiments, a location-based skin includes a virtual object viewable by a see-through, mixed reality display device system which has been detected in a specific location. Some location-based skins implement an ambient effect. The see-through, mixed reality display device system is detected to be present in a location and receives and displays a skin while in the location in accordance with user settings. User data may be uploaded and displayed in a skin in accordance with user settings. A location may be a physical space at a fixed position and may also be a space defined relative to a position of a real object, for example, another see-through, mixed reality display device system. Furthermore, a location may be a location within another location.

US Patent:

20130050258, Feb 28, 2013

Filed:

Aug 25, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/218298

Inventors:

James Chia-Ming Liu - Bellevue WA, US
Anton Oguzhan Alford Andrews - Seattle WA, US
Craig R. Maitlen - Woodinville WA, US
Christopher M. Novak - Redmond WA, US
Darren A. Bennett - Seattle WA, US
Sheridan Martin Small - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

345633

Abstract:

A see-through head-mounted display (HMD) device provides an augmented reality image which is associated with a real-world object, such as a picture frame, wall or billboard. Initially, the object is identified by a user, e.g., based on the user gazing at the object for a period of time, making a gesture such as pointing at the object and/or providing a verbal command. The location and visual characteristics of the object are determined by a front-facing camera of the HMD device, and stored in a record. The user selects from among candidate data streams, such as a web page, game feed, video or stocker ticker. Subsequently, when the user is in the location of the object and looks at the object, the HMD device matches the visual characteristics to the record to identify the data stream, and displays corresponding augmented reality images registered to the object.

US Patent:

20130093788, Apr 18, 2013

Filed:

Oct 14, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/274136

Inventors:

James C. Liu - Bellevue WA, US
Stephen G. Latta - Seattle WA, US
Benjamin I. Vaught - Seattle WA, US
Christopher M. Novak - Redmond WA, US
Darren Bennett - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

345633

Abstract:

The technology causes disappearance of a real object in a field of view of a see-through, mixed reality display device system based on user disappearance criteria. Image data is tracked to the real object in the field of view of the see-through display for implementing an alteration technique on the real object causing its disappearance from the display. A real object may satisfy user disappearance criteria by being associated with subject matter that the user does not wish to see or by not satisfying relevance criteria for a current subject matter of interest to the user. In some embodiments, based on a 3D model of a location of the display device system, an alteration technique may be selected for a real object based on a visibility level associated with the position within the location. Image data for alteration may be prefetched based on a location of the display device system.