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).

  • Patent number: 11933976
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Evan Fletcher, Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Joshua Mark Hudman, Alan Yates, Gordon Wayne Stoll, Jeffrey George Leinbaugh, Charles Lohr
  • Publication number: 20230110716
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Evan Fletcher, Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Joshua Mark Hudman, Alan Yates, Gordon Wayne Stoll, Jeffrey George Leinbaugh, Charles Lohr
  • Publication number: 20220308167
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Alan Yates, Jeremy Adam Selan
  • Patent number: 11442542
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua Hudman, Alan Yates, Gordon Wayne Stoll, Evan Fletcher
  • Patent number: 11378655
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Yates, Jeremy Adam Selan
  • Patent number: 11209657
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua Hudman, Alan Yates, Gordon Wayne Stoll, Evan Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20210325963
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua Hudman, Alan Yates, Gordon Wayne Stoll, Evan Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20210231962
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua Hudman, Alan Yates, Gordon Wayne Stoll, Evan Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20210232216
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua Hudman, Alan Yates, Gordon Wayne Stoll, Evan Fletcher
  • Patent number: 11073906
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua Hudman, Alan Yates, Gordon Wayne Stoll, Evan Fletcher
  • Patent number: 11045725
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: David Sawyer, Tristan Reidford, Yasser Malaika, Alan Yates, Jeremy Selan
  • Publication number: 20190331755
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Alan Yates, Jeremy Adam Selan
  • Patent number: 10338186
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Yates, Jeremy Selan
  • Patent number: 10286308
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: David Sawyer, Tristan Reidford, Yasser Malaika, Alan Yates, Jeremy Selan
  • Publication number: 20170249019
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: DAVID SAWYER, Tristan Reidford, Yasser Malaika, Alan Yates, Jeremy Selan
  • Patent number: 9742319
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: John Dunstan Marvelly, Seth Alan Yates
  • Publication number: 20160131761
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: ALAN YATES, Jeremy Selan
  • Publication number: 20100253250
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: John Dunstan MARVELLY, Seth Alan Yates
  • Publication number: 20050162152
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventor: Alan Yates
  • Publication number: 20050164530
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventors: Alan Yates, Olga Stanescu, Sean Galligan