Patents by Inventor Robert Hilkes
Robert Hilkes 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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Patent number: 11644671Abstract: Within applications for Near-to-Eye (NR2I) displays, irrespective of whether they are for short-term, long-term, low vision, augmented reality, etc., there is a conflicting tradeoff between user comfort, ease of attachment, minimizing intrusiveness and aesthetics which must be concurrently balanced with and are often in conflict with providing an optical vision system within the NR2I display that provides the user with a wide field of view and high image resolution whilst also offering a large exit pupil for eye placement with sufficient eye clearance. Embodiments of the invention address these issues and provide a high performance optical system through the design of the optical eyepiece design to overcome these limitations within a bioptic configuration with laterally disposed displays.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: eSight Corp.Inventors: Frank Jones, James Benson Bacque, Robert Hilkes, Mehdi Arezoomand Ersdhadi, Mark Harris, Jon Pawson
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Patent number: 10867449Abstract: A method of augmenting sight in an individual. The method comprises obtaining an image of a scene using a camera carried by the individual; transmitting the obtained image to a processor carried by the individual; selecting an image modification to be applied to the image by the processor; operating upon the image to create a modified image using either analog or digital imaging techniques, and displaying the modified image on a display device worn by the individual. The invention also relates to an apparatus augmenting sight in an individual. The apparatus comprises a camera, carried by the individual, for obtaining an image of a scene viewed by the individual; a display carried by the individual; an image modification input device carried by the individual; and a processor, carried by the individual. The processor modifies the image and displays the modified image on the display carried by the individual.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: eSight Corp.Inventors: Conrad Lewis, Daniel Mathers, Robert Hilkes, Rejean Munger, Roger Colbeck
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Patent number: 10778944Abstract: Visual impairment, or vision impairment, refers to the vision loss of an individual to such a degree as to require additional support for one or more aspects of their life. Such a significant limitation of visual capability may result from disease, trauma, congenital, and/or degenerative conditions that cannot be corrected by conventional means, such as refractive correction, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses, medication, or surgery. According to embodiments of the invention a method of augmenting a user's sight is provided comprising obtaining an image of a scene using a camera carried by the individual, transmitting the obtained image to a processor, selecting an algorithm of a plurality of spectral, spatial, and temporal image modification algorithms to be applied to the image by the processor, modifying the image using the algorithm substantially in real time, and displaying the modified image on a display device worn by the individual.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: eSight Corp.Inventors: Robert Hilkes, Frank Jones, Kevin Rankin
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Publication number: 20200225486Abstract: Within applications for Near-to-Eye (NR2I) displays, irrespective of whether they are for short-term, long-term, low vision, augmented reality, etc., there is a conflicting tradeoff between user comfort, ease of attachment, minimizing intrusiveness and aesthetics which must be concurrently balanced with and are often in conflict with providing an optical vision system within the NR2I display that provides the user with a wide field of view and high image resolution whilst also offering a large exit pupil for eye placement with sufficient eye clearance. Embodiments of the invention address these issues and provide a high performance optical system through the design of the optical eyepiece design to overcome these limitations within a bioptic configuration with laterally disposed displays.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: FRANK JONES, JAMES BENSON BACQUE, ROBERT HILKES, MEHDI AREZOOMAND ERSDHADI, MARK HARRIS, JON PAWSON
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Publication number: 20200218096Abstract: A head worn display can be designed with an integrated camera for obtaining an image of a scene, transmitting the obtained image to a processor, modification of the image in substantially real time by the processor, and displaying the modified image on a display device worn by the individual. According to embodiments of the invention various methods are provided for adjusting the position of the displayed video in the horizontal left/right, vertical up/down, and horizontal in/out, and angular up/down dimensions relative to the individual's eyes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2020Publication date: July 9, 2020Inventors: ROBERT HILKES, FRANK JONES, KEVIN RANKIN
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Patent number: 10495885Abstract: A method and apparatus of displaying an electronic video image using a head-worn near-to-eye display in a non-immersive fashion, such that the wearer can choose, through simple adjustments of their neck and eye angles, to either look at the displayed video image or their natural environment. The invention also relates to the incorporation of prescription lenses into the optical chain of the near-to-eye display. The invention also relates to the use of motion and position sensors incorporated into the head-worn device to enable automatic stabilization of the video image. The invention also relates to the use of motion and position sensors incorporated into the head-worn device to automatically adjust the vertical angle of either the camera or the electronic display or both, by sensing the vertical angular position of the user's head.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: eSight Corp.Inventor: Robert Hilkes
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Publication number: 20190304194Abstract: A method of augmenting sight in an individual. The method comprises obtaining an image of a scene using a camera carried by the individual; transmitting the obtained image to a processor carried by the individual; selecting an image modification to be applied to the image by the processor; operating upon the image to create a modified image using either analog or digital imaging techniques, and displaying the modified image on a display device worn by the individual. The invention also relates to an apparatus augmenting sight in an individual. The apparatus comprises a camera, carried by the individual, for obtaining an image of a scene viewed by the individual; a display carried by the individual; an image modification input device carried by the individual; and a processor, carried by the individual. The processor modifies the image and displays the modified image on the display carried by the individual.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: CONRAD LEWIS, DANIEL MATHERS, ROBERT HILKES, REJEAN MUNGER, ROGER COLBECK
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Publication number: 20190199974Abstract: Visual impairment, or vision impairment, refers to the vision loss of an individual to such a degree as to require additional support for one or more aspects of their life. Such a significant limitation of visual capability may result from disease, trauma, congenital, and/or degenerative conditions that cannot be corrected by conventional means, such as refractive correction, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses, medication, or surgery. According to embodiments of the invention a method of augmenting a user's sight is provided comprising obtaining an image of a scene using a camera carried by the individual, transmitting the obtained image to a processor, selecting an algorithm of a plurality of spectral, spatial, and temporal image modification algorithms to be applied to the image by the processor, modifying the image using the algorithm substantially in real time, and displaying the modified image on a display device worn by the individual.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: ROBERT HILKES, FRANK JONES, KEVIN RANKIN
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Publication number: 20190179409Abstract: The majority of applications for head mounted display (HMD) users, irrespective of whether they are for short-term, long-term, low vision, augmented reality, etc. yield a conflicting set of tradeoffs between user comfort and minimal fatigue and strain during use, ease of attachment, minimizing intrusiveness and aesthetics which must be concurrently balanced with and are often in conflict with providing an optical vision system that provides the user with a wide field of view and high image resolution whilst also offering a large exit pupil for eye placement with sufficient eye clearance. Further, individual users' needs vary as do their needs with the general task at-hand, visual focus, and various regions-of-interest within their field of view. To address these issues, it is necessary to provide a high performance optical system, eyepiece design, and system features which overcome these limitations.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2018Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: FRANK JONES, JAMES BENSON BACQUE, MARK HARRIS, ROBERT HILKES
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Patent number: 10223833Abstract: A method of augmenting sight in an individual. The method comprises obtaining an image of a scene using a camera carried by the individual; transmitting the obtained image to a processor carried by the individual; selecting an image modification to be applied to the image by the processor; operating upon the image to create a modified image using either analog or digital imaging techniques, and displaying the modified image on a display device worn by the individual. The invention also relates to an apparatus augmenting sight in an individual. The apparatus comprises a camera, carried by the individual, for obtaining an image of a scene viewed by the individual; a display carried by the individual; an image modification input device carried by the individual; and a processor, carried by the individual. The processor modifies the image and displays the modified image on the display carried by the individual.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: eSight Corp.Inventors: Conrad W. Lewis, Daniel Mathers, Robert Hilkes, Rejean J. Y. B. Munger, Roger Colbeck
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Patent number: 10225526Abstract: Visual impairment, or vision impairment, refers to the vision loss of an individual to such a degree as to require additional support for one or more aspects of their life. Such a significant limitation of visual capability may result from disease, trauma, congenital, and/or degenerative conditions that cannot be corrected by conventional means, such as refractive correction, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses, medication, or surgery. According to embodiments of the invention a method of augmenting a user's sight is provided comprising obtaining an image of a scene using a camera carried by the individual, transmitting the obtained image to a processor, selecting an algorithm of a plurality of spectral, spatial, and temporal image modification algorithms to be applied to the image by the processor, modifying the image using the algorithm substantially in real time, and displaying the modified image on a display device worn by the individual.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: eSight Corp.Inventors: Robert Hilkes, Frank Jones, Kevin Rankin
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Publication number: 20180045964Abstract: Within applications for Near-to-Eye (NR2I) displays, irrespective of whether they are for short-term, long-term, low vision, augmented reality, etc., there is a conflicting tradeoff between user comfort, ease of attachment, minimizing intrusiveness and aesthetics which must be concurrently balanced with and are often in conflict with providing an optical vision system within the NR2I display that provides the user with a wide field of view and high image resolution whilst also offering a large exit pupil for eye placement with sufficient eye clearance. Embodiments of the invention address these issues and provide a high performance optical system through the design of the optical eyepiece design to overcome these limitations within a bioptic configuration with laterally disposed displays.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Inventors: FRANK JONES, JAMES BENSON BACQUE, ROBERT HILKES, MEHDI ERSDHADI, MARK HARRIS, JON PAWSON
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Publication number: 20180012414Abstract: A method of augmenting sight in an individual. The method comprises obtaining an image of a scene using a camera carried by the individual; transmitting the obtained image to a processor carried by the individual; selecting an image modification to be applied to the image by the processor; operating upon the image to create a modified image using either analog or digital imaging techniques, and displaying the modified image on a display device worn by the individual. The invention also relates to an apparatus augmenting sight in an individual. The apparatus comprises a camera, carried by the individual, for obtaining an image of a scene viewed by the individual; a display carried by the individual; an image modification input device carried by the individual; and a processor, carried by the individual. The processor modifies the image and displays the modified image on the display carried by the individual.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: CONRAD W. LEWIS, DANIEL MATHERS, ROBERT HILKES, REJEAN J.Y.B. MUNGER, ROGER COLBECK
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Publication number: 20170235161Abstract: A head worn display can be designed with an integrated camera for obtaining an image of a scene, transmitting the obtained image to a processor, modification of the image in substantially real time by the processor, and displaying the modified image on a display device worn by the individual. According to embodiments of the invention various methods are provided for adjusting the position of the displayed video in the horizontal left/right, vertical up/down, and horizontal in/out, and angular up/down dimensions relative to the individual's eyes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: ROBERT HILKES, FRANK JONES, KEVIN RANKIN
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Patent number: 9720238Abstract: A method and apparatus of displaying a magnified image comprising obtaining an image of a scene using a camera with greater resolution than the display, and capturing the image in the native resolution of the display by either grouping pixels together, or by capturing a smaller region of interest whose pixel resolution matches that of the display. The invention also relates to a method whereby the location of the captured region of interest may be determined by external inputs such as the location of a person's gaze in the displayed unmagnified image, or coordinates from a computer mouse. The invention further relates to a method whereby a modified image can be superimposed on an unmodified image, in order to maintain the peripheral information or context from which the modified region of interest has been captured.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2016Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: eSight Corp.Inventors: Rejean Munger, Robert Hilkes, Marc Perron, Nirmal Sohi
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Publication number: 20170078623Abstract: Visual impairment, or vision impairment, refers to the vision loss of an individual to such a degree as to require additional support for one or more aspects of their life. Such a significant limitation of visual capability may result from disease, trauma, congenital, and/or degenerative conditions that cannot be corrected by conventional means, such as refractive correction, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses, medication, or surgery. According to embodiments of the invention a method of augmenting a user's sight is provided comprising obtaining an image of a scene using a camera carried by the individual, transmitting the obtained image to a processor, selecting an algorithm of a plurality of spectral, spatial, and temporal image modification algorithms to be applied to the image by the processor, modifying the image using the algorithm substantially in real time, and displaying the modified image on a display device worn by the individual.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: ROBERT HILKES, FRANK JONES, KEVIN RANKIN
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Patent number: 9516283Abstract: Visual impairment, or vision impairment, refers to the vision loss of an individual to such a degree as to require additional support for one or more aspects of their life. Such a significant limitation of visual capability may result from disease, trauma, congenital, and/or degenerative conditions that cannot be corrected by conventional means, such as refractive correction, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses, medication, or surgery. According to embodiments of the invention a method of augmenting a user's sight is provided comprising obtaining an image of a scene using a camera carried by the individual, transmitting the obtained image to a processor, selecting an algorithm of a plurality of spectral, spatial, and temporal image modification algorithms to be applied to the image by the processor, modifying the image using the algorithm substantially in real time, and displaying the modified image on a display device worn by the individual.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2013Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: eSight Corp.Inventors: Robert Hilkes, Frank Jones, Kevin Rankin
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Publication number: 20160282628Abstract: A method and apparatus of displaying an electronic video image using a head-worn near-to-eye display in a non-immersive fashion, such that the wearer can choose, through simple adjustments of their neck and eye angles, to either look at the displayed video image or their natural environment. The invention also relates to the incorporation of prescription lenses into the optical chain of the near-to-eye display. The invention also relates to the use of motion and position sensors incorporated into the head-worn device to enable automatic stabilization of the video image. The invention also relates to the use of motion and position sensors incorporated into the head-worn device to automatically adjust the vertical angle of either the camera or the electronic display or both, by sensing the vertical angular position of the user's head.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2016Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventor: ROBERT HILKES
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Publication number: 20160282624Abstract: A method and apparatus of displaying a magnified image comprising obtaining an image of a scene using a camera with greater resolution than the display, and capturing the image in the native resolution of the display by either grouping pixels together, or by capturing a smaller region of interest whose pixel resolution matches that of the display. The invention also relates to a method whereby the location of the captured region of interest may be determined by external inputs such as the location of a person's gaze in the displayed unmagnified image, or coordinates from a computer mouse. The invention further relates to a method whereby a modified image can be superimposed on an unmodified image, in order to maintain the peripheral information or context from which the modified region of interest has been captured.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2016Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: REJEAN MUNGER, ROBERT HILKES, MARC PERRON, NIRMAL SOHI
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Publication number: 20130335543Abstract: Visual impairment, or vision impairment, refers to the vision loss of an individual to such a degree as to require additional support for one or more aspects of their life. Such a significant limitation of visual capability may result from disease, trauma, congenital, and/or degenerative conditions that cannot be corrected by conventional means, such as refractive correction, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses, medication, or surgery. According to embodiments of the invention a method of augmenting a user's sight is provided comprising obtaining an image of a scene using a camera carried by the individual, transmitting the obtained image to a processor, selecting an algorithm of a plurality of spectral, spatial, and temporal image modification algorithms to be applied to the image by the processor, modifying the image using the algorithm substantially in real time, and displaying the modified image on a display device worn by the individual.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Inventors: Robert Hilkes, Frank Jones, Kevin Rankin