Patents by Inventor Alan Yates
Alan Yates 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: 11933976Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the position of one or more head-mounted display (HMD) system components of an HMD system. The HMD components may carry a plurality of angle sensitive detectors or other types of detectors. The HMD system may be operative to detect corrupted position tracking samples, allowing such samples to be ignored, thereby improving the position tracking process. Control circuitry causes light sources to emit light according a specified pattern, and receives sensor data from the plurality of detectors. Control circuitry may process the sensor data, for example using machine learning or other techniques, to track a position of one or more HMD components.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Evan Fletcher, Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Joshua Mark Hudman, Alan Yates, Gordon Wayne Stoll, Jeffrey George Leinbaugh, Charles Lohr
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Publication number: 20230110716Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the position of one or more head-mounted display (HMD) system components of an HMD system. The HMD components may carry a plurality of angle sensitive detectors or other types of detectors. The HMD system may be operative to detect corrupted position tracking samples, allowing such samples to be ignored, thereby improving the position tracking process. Control circuitry causes light sources to emit light according a specified pattern, and receives sensor data from the plurality of detectors. Control circuitry may process the sensor data, for example using machine learning or other techniques, to track a position of one or more HMD components.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventors: Evan Fletcher, Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Joshua Mark Hudman, Alan Yates, Gordon Wayne Stoll, Jeffrey George Leinbaugh, Charles Lohr
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Publication number: 20220308167Abstract: Optical positional tracking systems that may be used in virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) applications are described. Exemplary implementations comprise one or more receivers and one or more transmitters. Exemplary transmitters contain two orthogonal rotors that each emit a fan-shaped laser beam. Each beam is swept as the rotors are spun at constant speed. Exemplary optical receivers can be relatively small, and mounted at convenient locations on the VR display. These receivers consist of small optical detectors that may be mounted on head-mounted VR displays. Exemplary systems determine position by measuring the time at which each swept beam crosses each receiver/detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Alan Yates, Jeremy Adam Selan
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Patent number: 11442542Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of eye tracking for use in various applications, such as virtual reality or augmented reality applications that include head-mounted display devices. An eye tracking subsystem may be provided that includes a plurality of assemblies that each include a light source, such as an LED, a light detector, such as a silicon photodiode, and a polarizer that is configured to prevent light reflected via specular reflection from reaching the light detectors so that only scattered light is detected by the light detectors. Machine learning or other techniques may be used to track or otherwise determine a user's gaze direction, which may be used by one or more components of an HMD device to improve its functionality in various ways.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2021Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Joshua Hudman, Alan Yates, Gordon Wayne Stoll, Evan Fletcher
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Patent number: 11378655Abstract: Optical positional tracking systems that may be used in virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) applications are described. Exemplary implementations comprise one or more receivers and one or more transmitters. Exemplary transmitters contain two orthogonal rotors that each emit a fan-shaped laser beam. Each beam is swept as the rotors are spun at constant speed. Exemplary optical receivers can be relatively small, and mounted at convenient locations on the VR display. These receivers consist of small optical detectors that may be mounted on head-mounted VR displays. Exemplary systems determine position by measuring the time at which each swept beam crosses each receiver/detector.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Alan Yates, Jeremy Adam Selan
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Patent number: 11209657Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the position of a head-mounted display (HMD) system component, such as a wearable HMD device or a hand-held controller. The HMD component may include a support structure that carries a plurality of angle sensitive detectors that are able to detect the angle of arrival of light emitted from a light source. A processor causes light sources to emit light according a specified pattern, and receive sensor data from the plurality of angle sensitive detectors. The processor may process the received sensor data using machine learning or other techniques to track a position of the head-mounted display component based on the processing of the received sensor data.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Joshua Hudman, Alan Yates, Gordon Wayne Stoll, Evan Fletcher
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Publication number: 20210325963Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of eye tracking for use in various applications, such as virtual reality or augmented reality applications that include head-mounted display devices. An eye tracking subsystem may be provided that includes a plurality of assemblies that each include a light source, such as an LED, a light detector, such as a silicon photodiode, and a polarizer that is configured to prevent light reflected via specular reflection from reaching the light detectors so that only scattered light is detected by the light detectors. Machine learning or other techniques may be used to track or otherwise determine a user's gaze direction, which may be used by one or more components of an HMD device to improve its functionality in various ways.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventors: Joshua Hudman, Alan Yates, Gordon Wayne Stoll, Evan Fletcher
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Publication number: 20210231962Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the position of a head-mounted display (HMD) system component, such as a wearable HMD device or a hand-held controller. The HMD component may include a support structure that carries a plurality of angle sensitive detectors that are able to detect the angle of arrival of light emitted from a light source. A processor causes light sources to emit light according a specified pattern, and receive sensor data from the plurality of angle sensitive detectors. The processor may process the received sensor data using machine learning or other techniques to track a position of the head-mounted display component based on the processing of the received sensor data.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Joshua Hudman, Alan Yates, Gordon Wayne Stoll, Evan Fletcher
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Publication number: 20210232216Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of eye tracking for use in various applications, such as virtual reality or augmented reality applications that include head-mounted display devices. An eye tracking subsystem may be provided that includes a plurality of assemblies that each include a light source, such as an LED, a light detector, such as a silicon photodiode, and a polarizer that is configured to prevent light reflected via specular reflection from reaching the light detectors so that only scattered light is detected by the light detectors. Machine learning or other techniques may be used to track or otherwise determine a user's gaze direction, which may be used by one or more components of an HMD device to improve its functionality in various ways.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Joshua Hudman, Alan Yates, Gordon Wayne Stoll, Evan Fletcher
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Patent number: 11073906Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of eye tracking for use in various applications, such as virtual reality or augmented reality applications that include head-mounted display devices. An eye tracking subsystem may be provided that includes a plurality of assemblies that each include a light source, such as an LED, a light detector, such as a silicon photodiode, and a polarizer that is configured to prevent light reflected via specular reflection from reaching the light detectors so that only scattered light is detected by the light detectors. Machine learning or other techniques may be used to track or otherwise determine a user's gaze direction, which may be used by one or more components of an HMD device to improve its functionality in various ways.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2020Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Joshua Hudman, Alan Yates, Gordon Wayne Stoll, Evan Fletcher
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Patent number: 11045725Abstract: Controller visualization systems and methods for use in virtual/augmented reality environments such as walk-around virtual reality environments are described. The virtual representation of a physical control device may be altered based on the context of the virtual environment. Certain embodiments combine the virtual rendering of the tracked control device with a real-time video representation of part of the operating space. In certain embodiments, the display of additional information relating to the function of interactive elements may be displayed based on context, such as when a specific action is required from a user in the virtual space.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: David Sawyer, Tristan Reidford, Yasser Malaika, Alan Yates, Jeremy Selan
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Publication number: 20190331755Abstract: Optical positional tracking systems that may be used in virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) applications are described. Exemplary implementations comprise one or more receivers and one or more transmitters. Exemplary transmitters contain two orthogonal rotors that each emit a fan-shaped laser beam. Each beam is swept as the rotors are spun at constant speed. Exemplary optical receivers can be relatively small, and mounted at convenient locations on the VR display. These receivers consist of small optical detectors that may be mounted on head-mounted VR displays. Exemplary systems determine position by measuring the time at which each swept beam crosses each receiver/detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Alan Yates, Jeremy Adam Selan
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Patent number: 10338186Abstract: Optical positional tracking systems that may be used in virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) applications are described. Exemplary implementations comprise one or more receivers and one or more transmitters. Exemplary transmitters contains two orthogonal rotors that each emit a fan-shaped laser beam. Each beam is swept as the rotors are spun at constant speed. Exemplary optical receivers can be relatively small, and mounted at convenient locations on the VR display. These receivers consist of small optical detectors that may be mounted on head-mounted VR displays. Exemplary systems determine position by measuring the time at which each swept beam crosses each receiver/detector.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Alan Yates, Jeremy Selan
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Patent number: 10286308Abstract: Controller visualization systems and methods for use in virtual/augmented reality environments such as walk-around virtual reality environments are described. The virtual representation of a physical control device may be altered based on the context of the virtual environment. Certain embodiments combine the virtual rendering of the tracked control device with a real-time video representation of part of the operating space. In certain embodiments, the display of additional information relating to the function of interactive elements may be displayed based on context, such as when a specific action is required from a user in the virtual space.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2016Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: David Sawyer, Tristan Reidford, Yasser Malaika, Alan Yates, Jeremy Selan
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Publication number: 20170249019Abstract: Controller visualization systems and methods for use in virtual/augmented reality environments such as walk-around virtual reality environments are described. The virtual representation of a physical control device may be altered based on the context of the virtual environment. Certain embodiments combine the virtual rendering of the tracked control device with a real-time video representation of part of the operating space. In certain embodiments, the display of additional information relating to the function of interactive elements may be displayed based on context, such as when a specific action is required from a user in the virtual space.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2016Publication date: August 31, 2017Applicant: Valve CorporationInventors: DAVID SAWYER, Tristan Reidford, Yasser Malaika, Alan Yates, Jeremy Selan
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Patent number: 9742319Abstract: A current controller for an electric machine that includes an input, an output, a threshold generator and a comparator. The threshold generator stores a scaling factor and includes a PWM module that operates on a reference voltage to generate a threshold voltage. The duty cycle of the PWM module is then defined by the scaling factor. The comparator compares a voltage at the input against the threshold voltage and causes an overcurrent signal to be generated at the output when the voltage at the input exceeds the threshold voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2010Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Dyson Technology LimitedInventors: John Dunstan Marvelly, Seth Alan Yates
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Publication number: 20160131761Abstract: Optical positional tracking systems that may be used in virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) applications are described. Exemplary implementations comprise one or more receivers and one or more transmitters. Exemplary transmitters contains two orthogonal rotors that each emit a fan-shaped laser beam. Each beam is swept as the rotors are spun at constant speed. Exemplary optical receivers can be relatively small, and mounted at convenient locations on the VR display. These receivers consist of small optical detectors that may be mounted on head-mounted VR displays. Exemplary systems determine position by measuring the time at which each swept beam crosses each receiver/detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2015Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: ALAN YATES, Jeremy Selan
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Publication number: 20100253250Abstract: A current controller for an electric machine that includes an input, an output, a threshold generator and a comparator. The threshold generator stores a scaling factor and includes a PWM module that operates on a reference voltage to generate a threshold voltage. The duty cycle of the PWM module is then defined by the scaling factor. The comparator compares a voltage at the input against the threshold voltage and causes an overcurrent signal to be generated at the output when the voltage at the input exceeds the threshold voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: Dyson Technology LimitedInventors: John Dunstan MARVELLY, Seth Alan Yates
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Publication number: 20050162152Abstract: A test device for testing integrated circuits includes a lid and a base joined at a hinge and secured together with a latch. Within the base is some form of socket body that electrically connects the integrated circuit under test to the item the socket is mounted to (i.e. load board). Attached to the lid are bearing assemblies. An incline cam that may or may not include arresting points along the incline, rotates on the bearings which are attached to the lid. A handle is attached to the cam. A pressure plate is attached to the cam. The cam, which is attached to the handle, provides a rotating means for lowering a pressure plate. The means for lowering a pressure plate may allow incremental lowering of a pressure plate by means of the stop points on the cam. The base may include a sight groove for examination of the integrated circuit and internal socket parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2004Publication date: July 28, 2005Inventor: Alan Yates
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Publication number: 20050164530Abstract: A test device for testing integrated circuits includes a lid and a base joined at a hinge and secured together with a latch. Within the base is some form of socket body that electrically connects the integrated circuit under test to the item the socket is mounted to (i.e. load board). Attached to the lid are cam ratcheting levers. A pressure plate is attached to cam ratcheting levers. The cam ratcheting levers provide a rotating means for lowering a pressure plate by the use of the cam groove within the cam ratcheting levers. The means for lowering a pressure plate may allow incremental lowering of a pressure plate through the ratcheting action of the cam ratcheting levers. The base may include a sight groove for examination of the integrated circuit and internal socket parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2004Publication date: July 28, 2005Inventors: Alan Yates, Olga Stanescu, Sean Galligan