Patents Assigned to Vega Vista, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6577296
    Abstract: A cursor which is fixed at a point in a display screen, where navigational controls move the contents of display screen rather than the cursor. Preferably the cursor is used in conjunction with hand held displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Vega Vista, Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Flack
  • Patent number: 6445364
    Abstract: A virtual computer monitor is described which enables instantaneous and intuitive visual access to large amounts of visual data by providing the user with a large display projected virtually in front of the user. The user wears a head-mounted display containing a head-tracker, which together allow the user to position an instantaneous viewport provided by the head-mounted display at any position within the large virtual display by turning to look in the desired direction. The instantaneous viewport further includes a mouse pointer, which may be positioned by turning the user's head, and which may be further positioned using a mouse or analogous control device. A particular advantage of the virtual computer monitor is intuitive access to enlarged computer output for visually-impaired individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Vega Vista, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur L. Zwern
  • Patent number: 6364485
    Abstract: The methods and systems of the present invention enable a user to perform eye exercises and training that may aid in relieving eye fatigue and eye strain. In general, the present invention teaches providing movement between associated images having a plurality of objects. When a viewer focuses on a central focal point interposed between the viewer's eyes and the associated images, the viewer perceives, in addition to the associated images, a merged image (also possibly having a plurality of objects) derived from the associated images. Then, by performing one of a number of suitable movements with the associated objects, the viewer's eyes are exercised. For example, by increasing the separation between the associated images along a horizontal axis while the viewer attempts to maintain the perception of the merged image, the viewer's eyes are exercised in such a manner that eye fatigue and eye strain may be relieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Vega Vista, Inc.
    Inventor: Sina Fateh
  • Patent number: 6359603
    Abstract: A virtual computer monitor is described which enables instantaneous and intuitive visual access to large amounts of visual data by providing the user with a large display projected virtually in front of the user. The user wears a head-mounted display containing a head-tracker, which together allow the user to position an instantaneous viewport provided by the head-mounted display at any position within the large virtual display by turning to look in the desired direction. The instantaneous viewport further includes a mouse pointer, which may be positioned by turning the user's head, and which may be further positioned using a mouse or analogous control device. A particular advantage of the virtual computer monitor is intuitive access to enlarged computer output for visually-impaired individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Vega Vista, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur L. Zwern
  • Patent number: 6345893
    Abstract: The teachings of the present invention aid a user in attaining an ergonomic position with respect to a remote object such as a display screen (e.g., VDT) or a manufacturing tool. To that end, various mechanisms which feedback to the viewer information related to position and orientation are taught. A first aspect incorporates a feedback mechanism into a display screen. The feedback mechanism could be formed in a variety of manners. In one embodiment, four lights are arranged such that a viewer in the proper orientation will perceive all four lights. However, as the viewer's orientation varies, one or more of the lights is concealed, thereby indicating to the user that the orientation is improper. In another embodiment, the cluster of lights is replaced with a cluster of four distinct pieces of diffraction grating. The diffraction grating could be such that the intensity of the reflected light varies as the viewer's orientation varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Vega Vista, Inc.
    Inventors: Sina Fateh, James F. Flack
  • Patent number: 6288704
    Abstract: A computer program, system and method to track motion and control navigation and display of an object viewer. Information content generated by a digital processor is mapped into a virtual display space suitable for conveying the information to a user. A certain portion of the virtual display space is displayed using a display device coupled to the digital processor. An image capture device captures an image from which a reference navigation target is acquired. Tracked movement of a display device relative to the reference navigation target is used to update the displayed certain portion of the virtual display space in a manner related to the tracked movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Vega, Vista, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Flack, Sina Fateh, David L. Motte
  • Patent number: 6244711
    Abstract: The teachings of the present invention aid a user in attaining an ergonomic position with respect to a remote object such as a display screen (e.g., VDT) or a manufacturing tool. To that end, various mechanisms which feedback to the viewer information related to position and orientation are taught. A first aspect incorporates a feedback mechanism into a display screen. The feedback mechanism could be formed in a variety of manners. In one embodiment, four lights are arranged such that a viewer in the proper orientation will perceive all four lights. However, as the viewer's orientation varies, one or more of the lights is concealed, thereby indicating to the user that the orientation is improper. In another embodiment, the cluster of lights is replaced with a cluster of four distinct pieces of diffraction grating. The diffraction grating could be such that the intensity of the reflected light varies as the viewer's orientation varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Vega Vista, Inc.
    Inventors: Sina Fateh, James F. Flack
  • Patent number: 6184847
    Abstract: A virtual computer monitor is described which enables instantaneous and intuitive visual access to large amounts of visual data by providing the user with a large display projected virtually in front of the user. The user wears a head-mounted display or holds a portable display containing a head-tracker or other motion tracker, which together allow the user to position an instantaneous viewport provided by the display at any position within the large virtual display by turning to look in the desired direction. The instantaneous viewport further includes a mouse pointer, which may be positioned by turning the user's head or moving the portable display, and which may be further positioned using a mouse or analogous control device. A particular advantage of the virtual computer monitor is intuitive access to enlarged computer output for visually-impaired individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Vega Vista, Inc.
    Inventors: Sina Fateh, James F. Flack, Arthur L Zwern
  • Patent number: 6127990
    Abstract: A virtual computer monitor is described which enables instantaneous and intuitive visual access to large amounts of visual data by providing the user with a large display projected virtually in front of the user. The user wears a head-mounted display containing a head-tracker, which together allow the user to position an instantaneous viewport provided by the head-mounted display at any position within the large virtual display by turning to look in the desired direction. The instantaneous viewport further includes a mouse pointer, which may be positioned by turning the user's head, and which may be further positioned using a mouse or analogous control device. A particular advantage of the virtual computer monitor is intuitive access to enlarged computer output for visually-impaired individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Vega Vista, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur L. Zwern
  • Patent number: 6084556
    Abstract: A virtual computer monitor is described which enables instantaneous and intuitive visual access to large amounts of visual data by providing the user with a large display projected virtually in front of the user. The user wears a head-mounted display containing a head-tracker, which together allow the user to position an instantaneous viewport provided by the head-mounted display at any position within the large virtual display by turning to look in the desired direction. The instantaneous viewport further includes a mouse pointer, which may be positioned by turning the user's head, and which may be further positioned using a mouse or analogous control device. A particular advantage of the virtual computer monitor is intuitive access to enlarged computer output for visually-impaired individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Vega Vista, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur L. Zwern
  • Patent number: 6042231
    Abstract: The methods and systems of the present invention enable a user to perform eye exercises and training that may aid in relieving eye fatigue and eye strain. In general, the present invention teaches providing movement between associated images having a plurality of objects. When a viewer focuses on a central focal point interposed between the viewer's eyes and the associated images, the viewer perceives, in addition to the associated images, a merged image (also possibly having a plurality of objects) derived from the associated images. Then, by performing one of a number of suitable movements with the associated objects, the viewer's eyes are exercised. For example, by increasing the separation between the associated images along a horizontal axis while the viewer attempts to maintain the perception of the merged image, the viewer's eyes are exercised in such a manner that eye fatigue and eye strain may be relieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Vega Vista, Inc.
    Inventor: Sina Fateh