Patents Assigned to FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES
  • Patent number: 10706600
    Abstract: A head-mounted display device includes a transparent display for projecting light toward an eye so that images, rendered based at least on the augmented reality contents and a color profile of the wearer, for overlap with real images. The device also includes an infrared light source and a mirror configured to reflect the infrared light and transmit a portion of visible light corresponding to the real images. The device further includes a sensor configured to detect infrared light reflected from the eye for determining a gaze direction of the eye. The infrared light reflected from the eye is transmitted through the transparent display and reflected by the mirror toward the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Youngshik Yoon, Cheonhong Kim
  • Patent number: 10698086
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing illumination for depth sensing are provided. In one example, an apparatus comprises an illuminator, an optical sensor, and a controller. The illuminator comprises a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) and a diffractive optical element (DOE). The PIC including a laser source and at least one waveguide including optical turning features. The at least one waveguide propagates light transmitted by the laser source along a first axis parallel to a top surface of the PIC. The optical turning features diverts the light to form collimated light beams to exit the at least one waveguide and the top surface along a second axis. The DOE can diffract and project the collimated light beams. The optical sensor can detect the collimated light beams reflected off an object. The controller can determine a depth of the object with respect to the apparatus based on the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Zhaoming Zhu, Michael Hall, Qing Chao
  • Patent number: 10686996
    Abstract: Examples of an apparatus are disclosed. In some example, an apparatus may include a photodiode, a first charge storage unit configured to store charges generated by the photodiode, the first charge storage unit having a first capacity; and a second charge storage unit configured to store charges generated by the photodiode, the second charge storage unit having a second capacity greater than the first capacity. The apparatus may further include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit configured to measure a first quantity of charges stored in the first charge storage unit and a second quantity of charges stored in the second charge storage unit, and to generate a digital output representing an intensity of light incident on the photodiode based on a first count representing the first quantity of charges or a second count representing the second quantity of charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Xinqiao Liu
  • Patent number: 10685594
    Abstract: A method and system for calibrating brightness variation in a display involve measuring brightness levels of light emitters in the display. The light emitters are divided into different groups based on the measured brightness levels. Each group is assigned a sub-frame duration. Groups with higher brightness are assigned shorter sub-frame durations than groups with lower brightness. Calibration information is stored for driving the light emitters such that during a frame period of the display, the light emitters are activated for durations corresponding to the sub-frame duration of their corresponding group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William Padraic Henry, Ilias Pappas
  • Patent number: 10687034
    Abstract: Examples of an image sensor are disclosed. In one example, the image sensor comprises a pixel cell, a switchable optical filter, and a controller. The switchable optical filter is configured to select a optical frequency range and allow incident light of the selected optical frequency range to reach the pixel cell. The controller is configured to operate the switchable optical filter to enable the pixel cell to: receive, at different times, information related to incident light of different optical frequency ranges, and generate, at the different times, intensity measurements of the incident light of different optical frequency ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Samuel Berkovich
  • Patent number: 10670929
    Abstract: A light intensity modulator array includes a first substrate with a two-dimensional array of electrodes; a second substrate with one or more electrodes; and liquid crystal located between the first substrate and the second substrate. The two-dimensional array of electrodes is arranged in a first direction and a second direction that is not parallel to the first direction. A respective electrode of the two-dimensional array of electrodes is distinct and separate from a first adjacent electrode and a second adjacent electrode of the two-dimensional array of electrodes. The first adjacent electrode is adjacent to the respective electrode in the first direction and the second adjacent electrode is adjacent to the respective electrode in the second direction. A method for tracking an eye using a device including the light intensity modulator array is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jianru Shi, Lu Lu, Mary Lou Jepsen
  • Patent number: 10664421
    Abstract: Flow logic supports concurrency of multiple threads and/or tag IDs to be concurrently communicated across the interconnect while allowing the one or more target IP cores to be able to reorder incoming request transactions from the initiator IP core in a manner that is optimal for that target IP core while relieving that target IP core from having to maintain the sequential issue order of transaction responses to the incoming request transactions in the thread or tags when processed by the target IP core. The flow logic cooperates with the reorder storage buffers to control an operation of the reorder storage buffers as well as control issuance of at least the request transactions from the initiator IP core onto the interconnect in order to maintain proper sequential ordering of the transaction responses for the thread or tags when the transaction responses are returned back to the initiator IP core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Jeremy Chan, Drew E. Wingard, Chien-Chun Chou, Hervé Jacques Alexanian, Kevin L. Daberkow, Harutyun Aslanyan, Timothy A. Pontius
  • Patent number: 10622519
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for reducing surface recombination losses in micro-LEDs. In some embodiments, a method includes increasing a bandgap in an outer region of a semiconductor layer by implanting ions in the outer region of the semiconductor layer and subsequently annealing the outer region of the semiconductor layer to intermix the ions with atoms within the outer region of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer includes an active light emitting layer. A light outcoupling surface of the semiconductor layer has a diameter of less than 10 ?m. The outer region of the semiconductor layer extends from an outer surface of the semiconductor layer to a central region of the semiconductor layer that is shaded by a mask during the implanting of the ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lauermann, Stephan Lutgen, David Hwang
  • Patent number: 10608101
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a stacked photo sensor assembly where two substrates are stacked vertically. The two substrates are connected via interconnects at a pixel level to provide a signal from a photodiode at a first substrate to circuitry on a second substrate. The circuitry on the second substrate performs operations that were conventionally performed on first substrate. More specifically, charge storage of the first substrate is replaced with capacitors on the second substrate. A voltage signal corresponding to the amount of charge in the first substrate is generated and processed in the second substrate. By stacking the first and second substrates, the photo sensor assembly can be made more compact while increasing or at least retaining the photodiode fill factor of the photo sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Xinqiao Liu
  • Patent number: 10598546
    Abstract: Two separate schemes are used for detecting light intensity in low light conditions and high light conditions. In high light conditions, two threshold voltages are set and the time between the crossing of a sensor voltage at the two threshold voltages is measured to determine the light intensity in the high light conditions. In low light conditions, a comparator is used to compare the voltage level of the sensor voltage relative to a reference voltage that increase over time. The time when the reference voltage reaches the sensor voltage level is detected to determine the light intensity in the low light conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Xinqiao Liu
  • Patent number: 10598936
    Abstract: Examples of an image sensor are disclosed. In one example, the image sensor comprises a dual-mode pixel cell operable in a first mode and in a second mode at different times, the pixel cell including a photodiode to receive incident light. The image sensor further comprises one or more configurable voltage sources coupled with the photodiode. In the first mode, the one or more voltage sources are configured to bias the photodiode to generate a quantity of charges that reflects a quantity of photons of the incident light received by the photodiode within a first exposure period. In the second mode, the one or more voltage sources are configured to bias the photodiode to generate a signal corresponding to a time when the photodiode receives a first photon of the incident light within a second exposure period for a time-of-flight measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Samuel Berkovich
  • Patent number: 10571691
    Abstract: A system includes a head-mounted display, a device including at least one of a computer and a battery, and a strap. The strap includes a first end connected to the head-mounted display, a second end connected to the device, a service loop, and circuitry extending from the first end through the service loop to the second end to electrically couple the head-mounted display with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Phillip Yee, Julian Hammerstein
  • Patent number: 10565738
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises accessing a plurality of images stored in a data store, and for a first image of the plurality of images, determining a color distribution of the first image, wherein the color distribution of the first image is based on a frequency of one or more colors depicted in the first image. The method further comprises, based on the color distribution of the first image, assigning the first image to a particular image class, wherein the particular image class further comprises a second image, wherein the assigning of the second image to the particular image class is further based on a color distribution of the second image. The method further comprises based on at least the first image and the particular image class, determining a particular color profile, assigning the particular color profile to the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Apostolos Lerios, Ryan David Mack
  • Patent number: 10553180
    Abstract: A structured film for use with a display comprises an optically transmissive surface including a plurality of walls. When the film is placed in an operative position with respect to the display, the walls extend away from the display at different heights and surround light emitters of the display. The film operates as a diffraction grating and the walls are configured to generate selected diffraction orders for each light emitter, including generating a diffraction order for a first light emitter and a diffraction order for a second light emitter adjacent to the first light emitter such that a predefined portion of light energy radiated by the first light emitter is permitted to spread toward the second light emitter. The film minimizes the screen-door effect and can be used in combination with local contrast control over a region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Youngshik Yoon, Cheonhong Kim
  • Patent number: 10546471
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating haptic stimulations is provided. The apparatus includes one or more pods coupled to a garment, each pod including: (i) an internal structure, and (ii) an airtight bladder surrounding the internal structure, where the bladder is pneumatically coupled to a pneumatic device that is configured to control a pressurized state of the bladder. Each pod is configured to: (i) have a first degree of flexibility when the bladder of the pod is in a first pressurized state; and (ii) have a second degree of flexibility, less than the first degree of flexibility, when the bladder of the pod is in a second pressurized state different from the first pressurized state. Each pod provides a haptic stimulation to a wearer of the garment when the corresponding bladder is in the second pressurized state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary Daniel West, Aaron Alan Ambuske, John Dietrich Martin, Brian Fletcher, Nicholas Roy Corson, Brian Cox, Charles Stewart, Tristan Thomas Trutna
  • Patent number: 10540870
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating haptic stimulations is provided. The apparatus includes pod(s) coupled to a garment, each pod including: (i) an internal structure including an arrangement of a plurality of protrusions and (ii) an airtight bladder surrounding the internal structure, wherein the bladder is pneumatically coupled to a pneumatic device that is configured to control a pressurized state of the bladder. The internal structure in each pod is configured to: (i) when the respective bladder of the respective pod is in a first pressurized state, have a first degree of flexibility; and (ii) when the respective bladder is in a second pressurized state different from the first pressurized state: curve, at least partially, in a predetermined direction, and have a second degree of flexibility less than the first degree of flexibility, thereby providing a haptic stimulation to a wearer when the respective bladder is in the second pressurized state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary Daniel West, Aaron Alan Ambuske, John Dietrich Martin, Brian Fletcher, Nicholas Roy Corson, Brian Cox, Charles Stewart, Tristan Thomas Trutna
  • Patent number: 10534433
    Abstract: A haptic device is provided that includes a jamming assembly, anchored to the back of a user's hand, having (i) a jamming lever, (ii) an actuator to move the jamming lever from a first position to a second position different from the first position, and (iii) a slidable member configured to move back and forth in response to movement of a first of the user's fingers. The haptic device also includes an elongated element with opposing first and second end portions, where (i) the first end portion is anchored to a predefined portion of the user's first finger, and (ii) the second end portion is attached to an end portion of the slidable member. The jamming lever, when moved to the second position by the actuator, engages with a portion of the slidable member to prevent movement of the member, the elongated element, and the user's finger in a direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Priyanshu Agarwal, Nicholas Colonnese
  • Patent number: 10532277
    Abstract: A hand-held controller for a virtual-reality system includes an antenna, a grip, a cage coupled to the grip, and a plurality of LEDs on an outer surface of the cage. Wireless signals are received from a remote camera via the antenna. The plurality of LEDs is duty-cycled, which includes turning on the plurality of LEDs at times determined using the wireless signals. The times when the plurality of LEDs is turned on correspond to times when the remote camera captures images of the hand-held controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Andrew Higgins, Dov Katz, Paul Buckley
  • Patent number: 10466779
    Abstract: An eye tracking system includes an event camera. The event camera includes an event sensor and a controller. The event sensor includes a plurality of photodiodes that asynchronously output data values corresponding to relative intensity changes of light reflected from a user's eyes. The controller populates an event matrix based in part on data values asynchronously received from the event sensor and positions of photodiodes associated with the received data values over a first time period. The controller populates a change matrix based in part on a threshold intensity value and the photodiodes associated with the received data values over the first time period, and generates an image of the user's eyes for the first time period using the event matrix and the change matrix. The eye tracking system uses the image of the user's eyes to determine eye tracking information indicating positions, orientations and/or movement of the user's eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Xinqiao Liu
  • Patent number: 10459305
    Abstract: A method includes sequentially transmitting, through a beam steering device, light of a first color and light of a second color that is distinct from the first color. The method also includes applying a first voltage to the beam steering device for transmission of the light of the first color through the beam steering device; and applying a second voltage to the beam steering device for transmission of the light of the second color through the beam steering device. A device configured to perform the method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jianru Shi, Mary Lou Jepsen