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Hoffberg, US

Linda Irene Hoffberg, Acton, MA US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110029922ADAPTIVE PATTERN RECOGNITION BASED CONTROLLER APPARATUS AND METHOD AND HUMAN-FACTORED INTERFACE THEREFORE - The need for a more readily usable interface for programmable devices is widely recognized. The present invention relates to programmable sequencing devices, or, more particularly, the remote controls for consumer electronic devices. The present invention provides an enhanced interface for facilitating human input of a desired control sequence in a programmable device by employing specialized visual feedback. The present invention also relates to a new interface and method of interfacing with a programmable device, which is usable as an interface for a programmable video cassette recorder.02-03-2011
20120017232ADAPTIVE PATTERN RECOGNITION BASED CONTROLLER APPARATUS AND METHOD AND HUMAN-FACTORED INTERFACE THEREORE - A system and method of predicting items likely to appeal to a user, based on data received from a remote site. One or more local systems are provided, along with a remote system, said local systems communicating with said remote system over a network connection. Each local system maintains a set of characterized items. A local processor predicts an appeal of an item to a user based on the comparison with the set of characterized items with, e.g., user preferences. The user may interact through graphical user interface. At least one user-preference predictive algorithm may be employed to present items predicted to appeal to the user.01-19-2012

Patent applications by Linda Irene Hoffberg, Acton, MA US

Nathan G. Hoffberg, St. Charles, IL US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110045847Digital content distribution system for delivering location specific content to an ad hoc group of mobile subscribers - A digital content distribution system and method are disclosed for delivering location specific content to an ad hoc group of mobile subscribers and method of delivering subscriber-requested, location-based content directly to a mobile communication device, such as a cell phone or personal digital assistant (PDA) or other mobile communication device. The system consists of a downloadable application that runs on the subscribers mobile communication devices and communicates with the server-based content composer system. The content composer system manages outgoing content based upon the geographic location reported by the mobile communication device application and the demographic and preference data stored in a subscriber database. Using available messaging technology, such as Short Message Service (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) messaging, relevant sponsored content, mobile emergency alerts, and the ability to facilitate 2-way text or voice based services utilizing Global Positioning System (GPS) mapping is provided to an ad hoc group of subscribers in designated geographic locations. In order to optimize the utility for deaf and hard of hearing subscribers, the mobile communication device may be placed in a low power sleep or hibernate mode instead of a no power mode when the device is turned off. In a hibernate mode, in response to emergency content, the mobile communication device will wake up to an alert even when it is hibernating. Moreover, the alerts take over the portable device no matter what other tasks are being executed. In accordance with another important aspect of the invention, in response to emergency content, the system will cause the mobile communication device to vibrate even if the mobile communication device has been configured with the vibrate feature turned off.02-24-2011

Steven M. Hoffberg, West Harrison, NY US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080262893Multifactorial Optimization System and Method - A method for providing unequal allocation of rights among agents while operating according to fair principles, comprising assigning a hierarchal rank to each agent; providing a synthetic economic value to a first set of agents at the a high level of the hierarchy; allocating portions of the synthetic economic value by the first set of agents to a second set of agents at respectively different hierarchal rank than the first set of agents; and conducting an auction amongst agents using the synthetic economic value as the currency. A method for allocation among agents, comprising assigning a wealth generation function for generating future wealth to each of a plurality of agents, communicating subjective market information between agents, and transferring wealth generated by the secure wealth generation function between agents in consideration of a market transaction. The method may further comprise the step of transferring at least a portion of the wealth generation function between agents.10-23-2008
20100076642VEHICULAR INFORMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A mobile system and method of operation thereof, comprising a radio frequency system, adapted to derive information relating to a position within an environment, based on communications with at least one terrestrial or extraterrestrial transmitter, and remotely transmit to and receive radio frequency information-bearing communications; a memory adapted to store at least a vehicle itinerary or position-related information; a controller, receiving the derived information and controlling a communication of the information-bearing communications relating to at least the stored itinerary or position related information; and a user interface, having a functionality defined by the controller, adapted to interface a user for receipt or presentation of information relating at least one of the itinerary or position-related information and the communicated information.03-25-2010
20100235285GAME THEORETIC PRIORITIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method for allocation among agents, comprising providing to at least two each having a respective wealth generation function adapted to generate a virtual currency; conducting an auction, having an auction outcome with respect to an auction transaction, in which each respective agent bids an amount of the generated virtual currency; and transferring an amount of the generated virtual currency in accordance with the auction outcome, in consideration of an auction transaction.09-16-2010
20100317420SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method providing for communication and reolution of utility functions between participants, wherein the utility function is evaluated based on local information at the recipient to determine a cost value thereof. A user interface having express representation of both information elements, and associated reliability of the information. An automated system for optimally conveying information based on relevance and reliability.12-16-2010
20110004513SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method providing for communication and resolution of utility functions between participants, wherein the utility function is evaluated based on local information at the recipient to determine a cost value thereof. A user interface having express representation of both information elements, and associated reliability of the information. An automated system for optimally conveying information based on relevance and reliability.01-06-2011
20110029922ADAPTIVE PATTERN RECOGNITION BASED CONTROLLER APPARATUS AND METHOD AND HUMAN-FACTORED INTERFACE THEREFORE - The need for a more readily usable interface for programmable devices is widely recognized. The present invention relates to programmable sequencing devices, or, more particularly, the remote controls for consumer electronic devices. The present invention provides an enhanced interface for facilitating human input of a desired control sequence in a programmable device by employing specialized visual feedback. The present invention also relates to a new interface and method of interfacing with a programmable device, which is usable as an interface for a programmable video cassette recorder.02-03-2011
20110156896INTERNET APPLIANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD - An Internet appliance, comprising, within a single housing, packet data network interfaces, adapted for communicating with the Internet and a local area network, at least one data interface selected from the group consisting of a universal serial bus, an IEEE-1394 interface, a voice telephony interface, an audio program interface, a video program interface, an audiovisual program interface, a camera interface, a physical security system interface, a wireless networking interface; a device control interface, smart home interface, an environmental sensing interface, and an environmental control interface, and a processor, for controlling a data transfer between the local area network and the Internet, and defining a markup language interface communicated through a packet data network interface, to control a data transfer or control a remote device.06-30-2011
20110167110INTERNET APPLIANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD - An Internet appliance, comprising, within a single housing, packet data network interfaces, adapted for communicating with the Internet and a local area network, at least one data interface selected from the group consisting of a universal serial bus, an IEEE-1394 interface, a voice telephony interface, an audio program interface, a video program interface, an audiovisual program interface, a camera interface, a physical security system interface, a wireless networking interface; a device control interface, smart home interface, an environmental sensing interface, and an environmental control interface, and a processor, for controlling a data transfer between the local area network and the Internet, and defining a markup language interface communicated through a packet data network interface, to control a data transfer or control a remote device.07-07-2011
20120017232ADAPTIVE PATTERN RECOGNITION BASED CONTROLLER APPARATUS AND METHOD AND HUMAN-FACTORED INTERFACE THEREORE - A system and method of predicting items likely to appeal to a user, based on data received from a remote site. One or more local systems are provided, along with a remote system, said local systems communicating with said remote system over a network connection. Each local system maintains a set of characterized items. A local processor predicts an appeal of an item to a user based on the comparison with the set of characterized items with, e.g., user preferences. The user may interact through graphical user interface. At least one user-preference predictive algorithm may be employed to present items predicted to appeal to the user.01-19-2012
20120036016VEHICULAR INFORMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A mobile system and method of operation thereof, comprising a radio frequency system, adapted to derive information relating to a position within an environment, based on communications with at least one terrestrial or extraterrestrial transmitter, and remotely transmit to and receive radio frequency information-bearing communications; a memory adapted to store at least a vehicle itinerary or position-related information; a controller, receiving the derived information and controlling a communication of the information-bearing communications relating to at least the stored itinerary or position related information; and a user interface, having a functionality defined by the controller, adapted to interface a user for receipt or presentation of information relating at least one of the itinerary or position-related information and the communicated information.02-09-2012

Patent applications by Steven M. Hoffberg, West Harrison, NY US

Steven Mark Hoffberg, West Harrison, NY US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120150651ERGONOMIC MAN-MACHINE INTERFACE INCORPORATING ADAPTIVE PATTERN RECOGNITION BASED CONTROL SYSTEM - An adaptive interface, predicting a desired user function, based on user history, as well as machine internal status and context. An input is predicted, and the predictive mechanism may be is updated based on this feedback. Also provided is a pattern recognition system for a multimedia device, wherein an input is matched to a media stream on a conceptual basis, allowing inferential programming of the device. The system analyzes a data stream for correspondence with a data pattern. The data stream is subjected to adaptive pattern recognition to extract features of interest. Applications of the interface and system include a VCR, medical device, vehicle control system, audio device, environmental control system, securities trading terminal, and smart house. The system optionally includes an actuator for effecting the environment of operation, allowing closed-loop feedback operation and automated learning.06-14-2012