Patents by Inventor Charles B. Owen

Charles B. Owen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20080266323
    Abstract: An augmented reality user interaction system includes a wearable computer equipped with at least one camera to detect one or more fiducial markers worn by a user. A user-mounted visual display worn by the user is employed to display visual 3D information. The computer detects in an image a fiducial marker worn by the user, extracts a position and orientation of the fiducial marker in the image, and superimposes on the image a visual representation of a user interface component directly on or near the user based on the position and orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Frank Biocca, Charles B. Owen
  • Patent number: 4678014
    Abstract: A hand-holdable inflating/deflating device is disclosed which can be used for conveniently effecting inflation or deflation of an associated article. The inflator includes an electric motor which drives a centrifugal impeller, with the motor and impeller carried by a mounting frame. The device further includes a generally cylindrical housing within which the motor and impeller are positioned, whereby operation of the motor rotates the impeller to create axial airflow within the housing. Significantly, the housing of the device comprises a one-piece injection molding, with the housing specifically configured to promote highly efficient assembly with the other components of the device. Further, a detachable, reversibly positionable nozzle is provided which can be fitted to either end of the molded housing, thus facilitating use of the device for either inflation or deflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Siesta Corporation
    Inventors: Charles B. Owen, Charles C. Owen, Steve Lin
  • Patent number: 4594743
    Abstract: A portable and collapsible bed includes a generally rectangular tubular frame and an inflatable mattress with the inflatable mattress having a connecting means that has loose flaps extending towards the periphery of the hollow main flexible body with the flaps having connectors on the ends thereof which can be connected to the tubes of the tubular frame. The tubular frame is formed in a plurality of sections that are easily separable and can be collapsed to a small fraction of the overall size of the unit while the air mattress, in a deflated condition, remains supported on the frame. The unit also includes an inflating unit that can be converted to a deflating unit without any extraneous tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Siesta Corp.
    Inventors: Charles C. Owen, Charles B. Owen, Hsi-Tao (Steve) Lin
  • Patent number: 4349511
    Abstract: An improved air purification apparatus is disclosed including an arrangement for subjecting air to an electrical discharge for generation of oxygen molecules having a heavier than normal molecular weight. The apparatus includes a modular generator assembly including a plurality of flattened coils of metal wire mesh disposed in a side-by-side array with dielectric plates across which an electrical potential is created. The generator includes a unitary housing for obtaining the electrode elements in their array which facilitates assembly and disassembly of the generator, and mounting of the generator on the chassis of the air purification apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1982
    Assignee: Environmental Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Charles B. Owen