Patents by Inventor Eric Judson VanWyk
Eric Judson VanWyk 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).
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Publication number: 20230143009Abstract: A handheld controller may include controls that are actuatable by a user. The handheld controller may further include one or more sensors that are configured to detect an object in proximity to certain controls, and/or that sense a grip or position of a hand on a handle portion of the controller. Based on data from a sensor(s), certain controls may be enabled and/or disabled. The sensors may therefore be used to determine which controls are being used or are intended to be used, and/or which controls are likely accessible or inaccessible to the user based on sensor data, and to cause one or more controls of the handheld controller to be enabled and/or disabled accordingly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2022Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: Eric Judson VanWyk, Walter Petersen, John Ikeda, Benoit Collette, Richard Karstens
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Publication number: 20230085784Abstract: Described herein are controllers with sensor-rich controls for enhanced controller functionality. An example control may include a pressure sensor that is configured to detect an amount of a force of a press on a cover of the control based at least in part on a proximity of a metal layer to the pressure sensor. This control may further include a touch sensor for detecting an object contacting the cover of the control. Additional embodiments disclose, among other things, integrated trackpads and D-pads, as well as backlighting features that indicate a functional state of the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Eric Judson VanWyk, Lucas Allen Whipple, Walter Petersen, Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Scott Dalton, Pierre-Loup Miguel Griffais
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Patent number: 11511186Abstract: Described herein are controllers with sensor-rich controls for enhanced controller functionality. An example control may include a pressure sensor that is configured to detect an amount of a force of a press on a cover of the control based at least in part on a proximity of a metal layer to the pressure sensor. This control may further include a touch sensor for detecting an object contacting the cover of the control. Additional embodiments disclose, among other things, integrated trackpads and D-pads, as well as backlighting features that indicate a functional state of the controller.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Eric Judson VanWyk, Lucas Allen Whipple, Walter Petersen, Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Scott Dalton, Pierre-Loup Miguel Griffais
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Patent number: 11504610Abstract: A handheld controller may include controls that are actuatable by a user. The handheld controller may further include one or more sensors that are configured to detect an object in proximity to certain controls, and/or that sense a grip or position of a hand on a handle portion of the controller. Based on data from a sensor(s), certain controls may be enabled and/or disabled. The sensors may therefore be used to determine which controls are being used or are intended to be used, and/or which controls are likely accessible or inaccessible to the user based on sensor data, and to cause one or more controls of the handheld controller to be enabled and/or disabled accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2021Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Eric Judson VanWyk, Walter Petersen, John Ikeda, Benoit Collette, Richard Karstens
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Patent number: 11458386Abstract: Controllers that allow for adjusting various features of the controller are disclosed. The controller may include may include one or more speakers for outputting sound or audio content. A user may contact one or more of the speakers with a finger(s) to adjust a characteristic of the audio content and/or to adjust audio settings. For example, a user may touch a speaker with his/her finger to change (e.g., increase or decrease) the volume or to mute the sound. In some instances, the speakers may be located on the controller body of the handheld controller for convenient and quick access by the user.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2021Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Eric Judson VanWyk, Lucas Allen Whipple, John Ikeda, Benoit Collette
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Patent number: 11169382Abstract: Systems and methods for providing low latency and high bandwidth wireless data transport for various applications, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, or video applications. A wireless data transport system is provided that includes an electrically steerable antenna, such as a phased-array antenna, that is operative to selectively steer its beam based on control input. The wireless data transport system includes a tracking subsystem that is operative to track a mobile wireless device (e.g., head-mounted display (HMD), tablet computer, smart phone) as the mobile wireless device moves around in a tracked volume. The wireless data transport system utilizes the known position, orientation, or movement of the mobile wireless device receiving the data (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Staci Jane Elaan, Eric Judson VanWyk, Montgomery Vincent Goodson
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Publication number: 20210252388Abstract: Described herein are controllers with sensor-rich controls for enhanced controller functionality. An example control may include a pressure sensor that is configured to detect an amount of a force of a press on a cover of the control based at least in part on a proximity of a metal layer to the pressure sensor. This control may further include a touch sensor for detecting an object contacting the cover of the control. Additional embodiments disclose, among other things, integrated trackpads and D-pads, as well as backlighting features that indicate a functional state of the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Eric Judson VanWyk, Lucas Allen Whipple, Walter Petersen, Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Scott Dalton, Pierre-Loup Miguel Griffais
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Publication number: 20210252386Abstract: A handheld controller may include controls that are actuatable by a user. The handheld controller may further include one or more sensors that are configured to detect an object in proximity to certain controls, and/or that sense a grip or position of a hand on a handle portion of the controller. Based on data from a sensor(s), certain controls may be enabled and/or disabled. The sensors may therefore be used to determine which controls are being used or are intended to be used, and/or which controls are likely accessible or inaccessible to the user based on sensor data, and to cause one or more controls of the handheld controller to be enabled and/or disabled accordingly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Eric Judson VanWyk, Walter Petersen, John Ikeda, Benoit Collette, Richard Karstens
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Publication number: 20210252383Abstract: Controllers that allow for adjusting various features of the controller are disclosed. The controller may include may include one or more speakers for outputting sound or audio content. A user may contact one or more of the speakers with a finger(s) to adjust a characteristic of the audio content and/or to adjust audio settings. For example, a user may touch a speaker with his/her finger to change (e.g., increase or decrease) the volume or to mute the sound. In some instances, the speakers may be located on the controller body of the handheld controller for convenient and quick access by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Eric Judson VanWyk, Lucas Allen Whipple, John Ikeda, Benoit Collette
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Patent number: 11016146Abstract: An equivalent time network analyzer and method estimates a device-under-test's frequency response by acquiring its time domain response through equivalent time over-sampling. The analyzer has a timing system producing two time bases differing in period by less than one part per million, resulting in a linearly varying phase difference. A high frequency stimulus generator, synchronized to the first time basis, creates a periodic waveform that contains energy at harmonics of the first time basis. An output capture cell that captures the response of the device-under-test includes a high bandwidth input comparator, a memory element clocked to the second time basis, and a low bandwidth feedback filter that provides a low frequency analog estimate of the time domain response of the device-under-test as feedback to the input comparator and as output from the capture cell. The analyzer may also include input capture cells, multiple stimulus generators, and/or multiple output capture cells.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventor: Eric Judson VanWyk
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Patent number: 10985555Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing power over a relatively long distance by sending high frequency alternating current (AC) over a transmission subsystem between a sender subsystem and a receiver subsystem. Power may be sent from the sender subsystem to the receiver subsystem over a transmission subsystem that includes first and second conductors, such as pair of shielded or unshielded wires twisted together. The sender subsystem may utilize a resonant converter to provide sinusoidal oscillation, which greatly reduces the radio emissions normally caused in DC systems due to high frequency current draws by a load. The receiver system may include a resonant converter or discontinuous conduction mode flyback converter, which provides DC power to a load.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: VALVE CORPORATIONInventors: Eric Judson VanWyk, Staci Jane Elaan
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Publication number: 20200241306Abstract: Systems and methods for providing low latency and high bandwidth wireless data transport for various applications, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, or video applications. A wireless data transport system is provided that includes an electrically steerable antenna, such as a phased-array antenna, that is operative to selectively steer its beam based on control input. The wireless data transport system includes a tracking subsystem that is operative to track a mobile wireless device (e.g., head-mounted display (HMD), tablet computer, smart phone) as the mobile wireless device moves around in a tracked volume. The wireless data transport system utilizes the known position, orientation, or movement of the mobile wireless device receiving the data (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Staci Jane Elaan, Eric Judson VanWyk, Montgomery Vincent Goodson
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Publication number: 20200083707Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing power over a relatively long distance by sending high frequency alternating current (AC) over a transmission subsystem between a sender subsystem and a receiver subsystem. Power may be sent from the sender subsystem to the receiver subsystem over a transmission subsystem that includes first and second conductors, such as pair of shielded or unshielded wires twisted together. The sender subsystem may utilize a resonant converter to provide sinusoidal oscillation, which greatly reduces the radio emissions normally caused in DC systems due to high frequency current draws by a load. The receiver system may include a resonant converter or discontinuous conduction mode flyback converter, which provides DC power to a load.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2018Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Eric Judson VanWyk, Staci Jane Elaan
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Publication number: 20180284191Abstract: An equivalent time network analyzer and method estimates a device-under-test's frequency response by acquiring its time domain response through equivalent time over-sampling. The analyzer has a timing system producing two time bases differing in period by less than one part per million, resulting in a linearly varying phase difference. A high frequency stimulus generator, synchronized to the first time basis, creates a periodic waveform that contains energy at harmonics of the first time basis. An output capture cell that captures the response of the device-under-test includes a high bandwidth input comparator, a memory element clocked to the second time basis, and a low bandwidth feedback filter that provides a low frequency analog estimate of the time domain response of the device-under-test as feedback to the input comparator and as output from the capture cell. The analyzer may also include input capture cells, multiple stimulus generators, and/or multiple output capture cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventor: Eric Judson VanWyk