From audio augmented reality to behavior-based identity systems, we take a look at some interesting, recently-granted patents. See which ones make it to our Top Ten list!
1. He’s blocking my view! Well, fuss no more if a 7-feet tall guy sat directly in front of you during your 5-year old daughter’s magnificent performance as Brunhild in her kindergarten school’s epic adaptation of Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen.
US 9,958,678 (“Wearable computing eyeglasses that provide unobstructed views”)
Current and Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
Grant Date: 2018-05-01
Priority date: 2015-12-14
2. Google Assistant, so you think you’re cool because you can identify the name of a popular song by a human playing in the background? But can you tell if a bird is a hoopoe or a quetzal just from listening to the warbles, tweets, and trills it makes? Now, that’s dapper.
US 9,959,342 (“Audio augmented reality system”)
Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
Grant Date: 2018-05-01
Priority date: 2016-06-28
3. Do you feel that your view of life has become a bit constrained since you realized that your phablet’s screen size now seems rather meager? Begone forlorn heart because . . . you can now s-t–r—e—t—c—-h your horizons!
US 9,947,262 (“Display on a stretchable substrate”)
Current and Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
Grant Date: 2018-04-17
Priority date: 2016-06-06
4. Ever used a keyboard that set your heart aflutter? You mean, the same way a bowling ball would entice your English bulldog to leave the comfort of your one-of-a-kind, soon-to-be-auctioned Dragons Chair? Oh, you must not have seen this keyboard.
US 9,946,773 (“Graphical keyboard with integrated search features”)
Current and Original Assignee: Google LLC
Grant Date: 2018-04-17
Priority date: 2016-04-20
5. We warned you already repeatedly. They’re coming!!!
US 9,892,364 (“Method for virtualization of a brain-like computing system”)
Current and Original Assignee: TRANSOFT (SHANGHAI) Inc
Grant Date: 2018-02-13
Priority date: 2013-08-16
6. But if you still don’t believe in the coming of a new age where humans are no more, here’s proof that those things are now able to procreate.
US 9,928,040 (“Source code generation, completion, checking, correction”)
Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
Grant Date: 2018-03-27
Priority date: 2013-11-12
7. Yes, you! How dare you not pay attention while I’m talking!
US 9,955,116 (“Utilizing eye tracking to determine attendee engagement”)
Current and Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
Grant Date: 2018-04-24
Priority date: 2014-03-21
8. So, your girlfriend—who suspected that the woman you repeatedly called to tearfully narrate how you lost your beloved Nayla Cockapoo stuffed dog wasn’t your mom—was able to unlock your phone’s 3D-face recognition security system using your recent selfie photo. Next time you text your mom many times while your gf lurks around, fret not. Help’s here!
US 9,996,732 (“Liveness detector for face verification”)
Current and Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Grant Date: 2018-06-12
Priority date: 2015-07-20
9. But if she was still able to unlock your phone by bribing your evil twin brother to trick your phone’s 3D-face recognition system, fear not. His devious behavior will surely give him away next time around.
US 9,990,481 (“Behavior-based identity system”)
Current and Original Assignee: Amazon Technologies Inc.
Grant Date: 2018-06-05
Priority date: 2012-07-23
10. Finally, before you decide to walk away from it all to find bliss by meditating for the rest of your life under the same Bodhi tree where Buddha found enlightenment, perhaps this one might help.
US 9,949,681 (“Burnout symptoms detection and prediction”)
Current and Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
Grant Date: 2018-04-24
Priority date: 2016-03-09
