Patents by Inventor Stephen Latta

Stephen Latta 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: 20150317831
    Abstract: Various embodiments relating to controlling a see-through display are disclosed. In one embodiment, virtual objects may be displayed on the see-through display. The virtual objects transition between having a position that is body-locked and a position that is world-locked based on various transition events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Michael John Ebstyne, Frederik Schaffalitzky, Stephen Latta, Paul Albert Lalonde, Drew Steedly, Alex Kipman, Ethan Eade
  • Publication number: 20150312561
    Abstract: A right near-eye display displays a right-eye virtual object, and a left near-eye display displays a left-eye virtual object. A first texture derived from a first image of a scene as viewed from a first perspective is overlaid on the right-eye virtual object and a second texture derived from a second image of the scene as viewed from a second perspective is overlaid on the left-eye virtual object. The right-eye virtual object and the left-eye virtual object cooperatively create an appearance of a pseudo 3D video perceivable by a user viewing the right and left near-eye displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Jonathan Ross Hoof, Soren Hannibal Nielsen, Brian Mount, Stephen Latta, Adam Poulos, Daniel McCulloch, Darren Bennett, Ryan Hastings, Jason Scott
  • Patent number: 9161012
    Abstract: Optical sensor information captured via one or more optical sensors imaging a scene that includes a human subject is received by a computing device. The optical sensor information is processed by the computing device to model the human subject with a virtual skeleton, and to obtain surface information representing the human subject. The virtual skeleton is transmitted by the computing device to a remote computing device at a higher frame rate than the surface information. Virtual skeleton frames are used by the remote computing device to estimate surface information for frames that have not been transmitted by the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Mihelich, Kevin Geisner, Mike Scavezze, Stephen Latta, Daniel McCulloch, Brian Mount
  • Patent number: 9147111
    Abstract: A blocking image generating system and related methods include a head-mounted display device having an opacity layer. A method may include receiving a virtual image to be presented by display optics in the head-mounted display device. Lighting information and an eye-position parameter may be received from an optical sensor system in the head-mounted display device. A blocking image may be generated in the opacity layer of the head-mounted display device based on the lighting information and the virtual image. The location of the blocking image in the opacity layer may be adjusted based on the eye-position parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Rod G. Fleck, David D. Bohn, Stephen Latta, Julia Meinershagen, Sebastian Sylvan, Brian McDowell, Jeff Cole, Jeffrey Alan Kohler
  • Publication number: 20150254905
    Abstract: An example wearable display system includes a controller, a left display to display a left-eye augmented reality image with a left-eye display size at left-eye display coordinates, and a right display to display a right-eye augmented reality image with a right-eye display size at right-eye display coordinates, the left-eye and right-eye augmented reality images collectively forming an augmented reality object perceivable at an apparent real world depth by a wearer of the display system. The controller sets the left-eye display coordinates relative to the right-eye display coordinates as a function of the apparent real world depth of the augmented reality object. The function maintains an aspect of the left-eye and right-eye display sizes throughout a non-scaling range of apparent real world depths of the augmented reality object, and the function scales the left-eye and right-eye display sizes with changing apparent real world depth outside the non-scaling range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Scott Ramsby, Dan Osborn, Shawn Wright, Anatolie Gavriliuc, Forest Woodcroft Gouin, Megan Saunders, Jesse Rapczak, Stephen Latta, Adam G. Poulos, Daniel McCulloch, Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 9129430
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to operating a user interface on an augmented reality computing device comprising a see-through display system. For example, one disclosed embodiment includes identifying one or more objects located outside a field of view of a user, and for each object of the one or more objects, providing to the user an indication of positional information associated with the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas George Salter, Ben Sugden, Daniel Deptford, Robert Crocco, Jr., Brian Keane, Laura Massey, Alex Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Kamuda, Zachary Quarles, Michael Scavezze, Ryan Hastings, Cameron Brown, Tony Ambrus, Jason Scott, John Bevis, Jamie B. Kirschenbaum, Nicholas Gervase Fajt, Michael Klucher, Relja Markovic, Stephen Latta, Daniel McCulloch
  • Publication number: 20150212585
    Abstract: A virtual skeleton includes a plurality of joints and provides a machine readable representation of a human target observed with a three-dimensional depth camera. A relative position of a hand joint of the virtual skeleton is translated as a gestured control, and a three-dimensional virtual world is controlled responsive to the gestured control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen Latta, Darren Bennett, Kevin Geisner, Relja Markovic
  • Patent number: 9092896
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to augmenting an appearance of a surface via a see-through display device. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides, on a computing device comprising a see-through display device, a method of augmenting an appearance of a surface. The method includes acquiring, via an outward-facing image sensor, image data of a first scene viewable through the display. The method further includes recognizing a surface viewable through the display based on the image data and, in response to recognizing the surface, acquiring a representation of a second scene comprising one or more of a scene located physically behind the surface viewable through the display and a scene located behind a surface contextually related to the surface viewable through the display. The method further includes displaying the representation via the see-through display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Mike Scavezze, Jason Scott, Jonathan Steed, Ian McIntyre, Aaron Krauss, Daniel McCulloch, Stephen Latta
  • Patent number: 9092600
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to authenticating a user of a display device. For example, one disclosed embodiment includes displaying one or more virtual images on the display device, wherein the one or more virtual images include a set of augmented reality features. The method further includes identifying one or more movements of the user via data received from a sensor of the display device, and comparing the identified movements of the user to a predefined set of authentication information for the user that links user authentication to a predefined order of the augmented reality features. If the identified movements indicate that the user selected the augmented reality features in the predefined order, then the user is authenticated, and if the identified movements indicate that the user did not select the augmented reality features in the predefined order, then the user is not authenticated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Mike Scavezze, Jason Scott, Jonathan Steed, Ian McIntyre, Aaron Krauss, Daniel McCulloch, Stephen Latta, Kevin Geisner, Brian Mount
  • Patent number: 9063566
    Abstract: Various embodiments are provided for a shared collaboration system and related methods for enabling an active user to interact with one or more additional users and with collaboration items. In one embodiment a head-mounted display device is operatively connected to a computing device that includes a collaboration engine program. The program receives observation information of a physical space from the head-mounted display device along with a collaboration item. The program visually augments an appearance of the physical space as seen through the head-mounted display device to include an active user collaboration item representation of the collaboration item. The program populates the active user collaboration item representation with additional user collaboration item input from an additional user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel McCulloch, Stephen Latta, Darren Bennett, Ryan Hastings, Jason Scott, Relja Markovic, Kevin Geisner, Jonathan Steed
  • Patent number: 9041739
    Abstract: Embodiments for matching participants in a virtual multiplayer entertainment experience are provided. For example, one embodiment provides a method including receiving from each user of a plurality of users a request to join the virtual multiplayer entertainment experience, receiving from each user of the plurality of users information regarding characteristics of a physical space in which each user is located, and matching two or more users of the plurality of users for participation in the virtual multiplayer entertainment experience based on the characteristics of the physical space of each of the two or more users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Latta, Kevin Geisner, Brian Mount, Daniel McCulloch, Cameron Brown, Jeffrey Alan Kohler, Wei Zhang, Ryan Hastings, Darren Bennett, Ian McIntyre
  • Publication number: 20150130689
    Abstract: Embodiments for interacting with an executable virtual object associated with a real object are disclosed. In one example, a method for interacting with an executable virtual object associated with a real object includes receiving sensor input from one or more sensors attached to the portable see-through display device, and obtaining information regarding a location of the user based on the sensor input. The method also includes, if the location includes a real object comprising an associated executable virtual object, then determining an intent of the user to interact with the executable virtual object, and if the intent to interact is determined, then interacting with the executable object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Ben Sugden, John Clavin, Ben Vaught, Stephen Latta, Kathryn Stone Perez, Daniel McCulloch, Jason Scott, Wei Zhang, Darren Bennett, Ryan Hastings, Arthur Tomlin, Kevin Geisner
  • Patent number: 9025832
    Abstract: A method of finding a new social network service friend for a player belonging to a social network service and having a friend group including one or more player-accepted friends includes recognizing the player, automatically identifying an observer within a threshold proximity to the player, and adding the observer to the friend group of the player in the social network service if the observer satisfies a friending criteria of the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Latta, Relja Markovic, Kevin Geisner, A. Dylan Vance, Brian Scott Murphy, Matt Coohill
  • Patent number: 9024844
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to the recognition via a see-through display system of an object displayed on an external display device at which a user of the see-through display system is gazing. For example, one embodiment provides a method of operating a see-through display system comprising acquiring an image of an external display screen located in the background scene via an outward facing image sensor, determining via a gaze detection subsystem a location on the external display screen at which the user is gazing, obtaining an identity of an object displayed on the external display screen at the location determined, and performing an action based upon the identity of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ben Vaught, Ben Sugden, Stephen Latta
  • Patent number: 9008355
    Abstract: Automatic depth camera aiming is provided by a method which includes receiving from the depth camera one or more observed depth images of a scene. The method further includes, if a point of interest of a target is found within the scene, determining if the point of interest is within a far range relative to the depth camera. The method further includes, if the point of interest of the target is within the far range, operating the depth camera with a far logic, or if the point of interest of the target is not within the far range, operating the depth camera with a near logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Relja Markovic, Stephen Latta, Kyungsuk David Lee, Oscar Omar Garza Santos, Kevin Geisner
  • Patent number: 8994718
    Abstract: A virtual skeleton includes a plurality of joints and provides a machine readable representation of a human target observed with a three-dimensional depth camera. A relative position of a hand joint of the virtual skeleton is translated as a gestured control, and a three-dimensional virtual world is controlled responsive to the gestured control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Latta, Darren Bennett, Kevin Geisner, Relja Markovic
  • Patent number: 8963805
    Abstract: Embodiments for interacting with an executable virtual object associated with a real object are disclosed. In one example, a method for interacting with an executable virtual object associated with a real object includes receiving sensor input from one or more sensors attached to the portable see-through display device, and obtaining information regarding a location of the user based on the sensor input. The method also includes, if the location includes a real object comprising an associated executable virtual object, then determining an intent of the user to interact with the executable virtual object, and if the intent to interact is determined, then interacting with the executable object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ben Sugden, John Clavin, Ben Vaught, Stephen Latta, Kathryn Stone Perez, Daniel McCulloch, Jason Scott, Wei Zhang, Darren Bennett, Ryan Hastings, Arthur Tomlin, Kevin Geisner
  • Publication number: 20140380254
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable media are disclosed for a gesture tool. A capture device captures user movement and provides corresponding data to a gesture recognizer engine and an application. From that, the data is parsed to determine whether it satisfies one or more gesture filters, each filter corresponding to user-performed gesture. The data and the information about the filters is also sent to a gesture tool, which displays aspects of the data and filters. In response to user input corresponding to a change in a filter, the gesture tool sends an indication of such to the gesture recognizer engine and application, where that change occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Kevin Geisner, Stephen Latta, Gregory N. Snook, Relja Markovic, Arthur Charles Tomlin, Mark Mihelich, Kyungsuk David Lee, David Jason Christopher Horbach, Matthew Jon Puls
  • Publication number: 20140375683
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to operating a user interface on an augmented reality computing device comprising a see-through display system. For example, one disclosed embodiment includes identifying one or more objects located outside a field of view of a user, and for each object of the one or more objects, providing to the user an indication of positional information associated with the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas George Salter, Ben Sugden, Daniel Deptford, Robert Crocco, JR., Brian Keane, Laura Massey, Alex Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Kamuda, Zachary Quarles, Michael Scavezze, Ryan Hastings, Cameron Brown, Tony Ambrus, Jason Scott, John Bevis, Jamie B. Kirschenbaum, Nicholas Gervase Fajt, Michael Klucher, Relja Markovic, Stephen Latta, Daniel McCulloch
  • Publication number: 20140347390
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to placing virtual objects in an augmented reality environment. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method comprising receiving sensor data comprising one or more of motion data, location data, and orientation data from one or more sensors located on a head-mounted display device, and based upon the motion data, determining a body-locking direction vector that is based upon an estimated direction in which a body of a user is facing. The method further comprises positioning a displayed virtual object based on the body-locking direction vector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Adam G. Poulos, Tony Ambrus, Jeffrey Cole, Ian Douglas McIntyre, Stephen Latta, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Kamuda, Robert Pengelly, Jeffrey C. Fong, Aaron Woo, Udiyan I. Padmanahan, Andrew Wyman MacDonald, Olivia M. Janik