Jeffrey H Alexander

US Patent:

6937289, Aug 30, 2005

Filed:

Dec 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/475832

Inventors:

Craig S. Ranta - Redmond WA, US
Jeffrey M. Alexander - North Bend WA, US
Harjit Singh - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H04N007/00
H04N007/08

US Classification:

348460, 348466, 348473, 348479, 348558

Abstract:

A method and system for decoding and storing encoded control data delivered via the horizontal overscan area of a video signal. An interactive device such as an interactive toy performs behavior defined by control data that can be encoded into a video signal that can be broadcast or played-back from video tape. The interactive device is equipped with a non-volatile memory that permits the control data to be stored for performance subsequent to the transmission session (e. g. , a televised program). The interactive device also may be equipped to perform behavior during the transmission session. The control data is delivered as a series of control data words that include genus codes and sequence codes. Genus codes identify the interactive device to which the data word is directed, so that a particular interactive device will respond (i. e. , perform behavior) only in accordance with the control data words including the appropriate genus code.

US Patent:

7162407, Jan 9, 2007

Filed:

Dec 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/007056

Inventors:

Joshua G. Poley - Redmond WA, US
Jeffrey M. Alexander - North Bend WA, US

International Classification:

G06F 9/455

US Classification:

703 24

Abstract:

In order to test a host's support for peripherals that use a given type of peripheral interface, an interface device communicates with peripheral interface ports of the host. The interface device also communicates with an emulation computer over a local area network. The emulation computer is programmed to emulate one or more peripheral devices by receiving and responding to messages. The interface device passes messages between the host and the emulation computer, using a peripheral interface communications protocol for communications with the host and using a network communications protocol for communications with the emulation computer.

US Patent:

7379842, May 27, 2008

Filed:

Aug 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/207858

Inventors:

Jeffrey Michael Alexander - North Bend WA, US

Assignee:

Drop Zone Corp. - North Bend WA

International Classification:

G01B 7/14
G01B 11/14
G01C 22/00
G04F 1/00
G04F 3/00
G04F 10/00

US Classification:

702160, 702176

Abstract:

The invention disclosed herein relates to systems and methods for detecting, calculating, and displaying the time-of-flight or hang-time of a moving and jumping object such as a skier or snowboarder by using at least one accelerometer secured within a small wearable device. In one embodiment, the inventive device comprises: a static acceleration detection means for detecting the static acceleration of the object over at least first, second, and-third periods of time as the object respectively moves, jumps in at least first, second, and third trajectories, and lands at least first, second, and third times along the surface thereby defining at least respective first, second, and third time-of-flight events; a calculating means for determining the approximate time-of-flight of the object during the first, second, and third time-of-flight events; and a display means for displaying in a readable format the approximate time-of-flights associated with the first, second, and third time-of-flight events.

US Patent:

7418377, Aug 26, 2008

Filed:

Feb 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/064171

Inventors:

Joshua G. Poley - Redmond WA, US
Jeffrey M. Alexander - North Bend WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 9/455

US Classification:

703 24

Abstract:

In order to test a host's support for peripherals that use a given type of peripheral interface, an interface device communicates with peripheral interface ports of the host. The interface device also communicates with an emulation computer over a local area network. The emulation computer is programmed to emulate one or more peripheral devices by receiving and responding to messages. The interface device passes messages between the host and the emulation computer, using a peripheral interface communications protocol for communications with the host and using a network communications protocol for communications with the emulation computer.

US Patent:

7477320, Jan 13, 2009

Filed:

May 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/127916

Inventors:

Craig S. Ranta - Redmond WA, US
Jeffrey M. Alexander - North Bend WA, US
Harjit Singh - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Buresift Data Ltd. LLC - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04N 7/00
H04N 7/08

US Classification:

348460, 348468, 348469, 348473, 348479

Abstract:

A method and system for decoding and storing encoded control data delivered via the horizontal overscan area of a video signal. An interactive device such as a toy performs behavior defined by control data that can be encoded into a video signal. The toy is equipped with a decoder for extracting data from the horizontal overscan portion of the video signal, and a non-volatile memory that permits the control data to be stored for use after the video signal is no longer being received. The control data are delivered as a series of words that include genus codes and sequence codes. Genus codes identify the specific toy to which the word is directed, as more than one toy may receive the video signal. Error grading is used to minimize the effect of such signal deterioration, so the toy will replace previously received words if newer words are of higher quality.

US Patent:

7528323, May 5, 2009

Filed:

Oct 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/588267

Inventors:

Hsinhan Wu - Kenmore WA, US
Jeffrey M. Alexander - North Bend WA, US

International Classification:

H01R 13/72

US Classification:

174 66, 174 67, 439501, 220241

Abstract:

An outlet cover includes an outlet surface and a cord container for convenient cord storage is provided. The outlet surface has at least one outlet opening, and the cord container is disposed corresponding to the outlet opening. The above cord container has a plurality of cord entry/exit holes and at least one passage connecting the plurality of cord entry/exit holes. A power supply cover box includes a body and at least a cord container is also provided. The body includes a first end having at least one outlet opening. The cord container of the power supply cover box has a plurality of cord entry/exit holes and passages connecting the plurality of cord entry/exit holes. The passages have a predetermined width, which is preferably slightly smaller than the diameter of a regular electric cord, to retain the cord within the cord container. The cord container only allows the cord to enter or exit through the cord entry/exit holes.

US Patent:

7617069, Nov 10, 2009

Filed:

Jan 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/325212

Inventors:

Jeffrey Michael Alexander - North Bend WA, US
Erich T. Griebling - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

Drop Zone Corp. - North Bend WA

International Classification:

G06F 19/00
G01P 15/00

US Classification:

702141, 702155, 7351415, 396 53

Abstract:

A hang-timer device is disclosed that is capable of issuing recording instructions to a recording device, such as a digital camera. The hang-timer can measure a static acceleration profile of a wearer of the hang-timer, and based on this static acceleration profile it can issue recording instructions to a recording device. For example, if the static acceleration profile changes from about 1 g to about 0 g, the hang-timer can issue instructions for the recording device to record; additionally, if the profile changes from about 0 g to about 1 g, it can issue instructions to stop recording. Moreover, the hang-timer can issue instructions for the recording device to record some period of time before a hang-time event and some period of time after a hang-time event. Various other such variations on the general notion described above are also disclosed.

US Patent:

7650257, Jan 19, 2010

Filed:

Nov 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/286092

Inventors:

Jeffrey Michael Alexander - North Bend WA, US
Erich T. Griebling - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

Drop Zone Inc. - North Bend WA

International Classification:

G01C 17/00

US Classification:

702150

Abstract:

An enhanced hang-time evaluation mechanism is disclosed, where the mechanism is capable of providing data to a game console for simulation. Such data may correspond to the actions of an object, such as snowboarder, skier, or mountain biker, and then be simulated in a game console. The simulation of such an object may be proportional in accuracy to the types of data gathering devices employed. An accelerometer measuring hang-time via static acceleration may be used. Also, any data gathering device capable of providing spatial positioning data may be used, whether it is a compass providing orientation data, a altimeter providing altitude data, or a global positioning device providing positioning data. Such data may also be stored in a memory module, where the data may be characterized, evaluated, and then provided to the game console, regardless of whether the memory module is internal or external to the hang-time mechanism.