Patents by Inventor Ann Lasko-Harvill
Ann Lasko-Harvill 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: 6621472Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2002Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Ann Lasko-Harvill, Michael A Teitel, Jaron Z Lanier
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Publication number: 20030020842Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application. One optical element disclosed is a bicolor polarizer, which allows an lcd to inexpensively provide a bicolor display without loss of resolution.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2002Publication date: January 30, 2003Applicant: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Ann Lasko-Harvill, Michael A. Teitel, Jaron Z. Lanier
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Patent number: 6452574Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Ann Lasko-Harvill, Michael Teitel, Jaron Z Lanier
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Patent number: 6414731Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2001Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Ann Lasko-Harvill, Michael A Teitel, Jaron Z Lanier
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Publication number: 20010009409Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application. One optical element disclosed is a bicolor polarizer, which allows an lcd to inexpensively provide a bicolor display without loss of resolution.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2001Publication date: July 26, 2001Inventors: Ann Lasko-Harvill, Michael A. Teitel, Jaron Z. Lanier
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Patent number: 6124838Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application. One optical element disclosed is a bicolor polarizer, which allows an lcd to inexpensively provide a bicolor display without loss of resolution.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1998Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Ann Lasko-Harvill, Michael Teitel, Jaron Z Lanier
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Patent number: 5850201Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application. One optical element disclosed is a bicolor polarizer, which allows an lcd to inexpensively provide a bicolor display without loss of resolution.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1994Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Ann Lasko-Harvill, Michael A. Teitel, Jaron Z. Lanier
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Patent number: 5588104Abstract: A computer display displays a data flow network as a plurality of interconnected units. An interactive program allows the appearance of the plurality of interconnected units to be changed. The data flow network then is automatically altered to correspond with the visual changes. The interconnected units of the data flow network represent inputs, functions and outputs of the data flow network. Inputs represent control signals to manipulate the data flow network, functions modify the value of inputs according to the type of the function unit and outputs represent the x, y or z value of a point in a three-dimensional coordinate system of the virtual world.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1994Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Assignee: VPL Research, Inc.Inventors: Jaron Z. Lanier, Ann Lasko-Harvill, Chuck L. Blanchard, Joe L. Sparks
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Patent number: 5588139Abstract: A computer model of a virtual environment is continuously modified by input from various participants. The virtual environment is displayed to the participants using sensory displays such as head-mounted visual and auditory displays which travel with the wearer and track the position and orientation of the wearer's head in space. Participants can look at each other within the virtual environment and see virtual body images of the other participants in a manner similar to the way that people in a physical environment see each other. Each participant can also look at his or her own virtual body in exactly the same manner that a person in a physical environment can look at his or her own real body. The participants may work on a common task together and view the results of each other's actions.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1993Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Assignee: VPL Research, Inc.Inventors: Jaron Z. Lanier, Jean-Jacques G. Grimaud, Young L. Harvill, Ann Lasko-Harvill, Chuck L. Blanchard, Mark L. Oberman, Michael A. Teitel
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Patent number: 5102195Abstract: A seating system includes seat and back internal support frames disposed within respective foam-filled seat and back cushions which each have an outer fabric cover. The back assembly is provided with a pair of quick-release clip locks, while the seat assembly includes a plurality of support hooks in combination with mounting brackets and locking mechanisms to facilitate quick mounting and removal of the seat from a support frame such as a wheelchair base. The seat and back assemblies are coupled together in a pivoting manner by means of a handle assembly which allows the seat to be compactly folded and easily carried when removed from a support base. The back inner support frame includes upper and lower support subassemblies pivotally coupled by means of a hinge joint which allows for extension of the lumbar region when the upper support subassembly is moved rearwardly to a reclined position.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1990Date of Patent: April 7, 1992Assignee: Pin Dot ProductsInventors: Peter Axelson, Michael Heinrich, Ann Lasko-Harvill, Michael W. Silverman
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Patent number: 5074507Abstract: A seating system includes seat and back internal support frames disposed within respective foam-filled seat and back cushions which each have an outer fabric cover. The back assembly is provided with a pair of quick-release clip locks, while the seat assembly includes a plurality of support hooks in combination with mounting brackets and locking mechanism to facilitate quick mounting and removal of the seat from a support frame such as a wheelchair base. The seat and back assemblies are coupled together in a pivoting manner by means of a handle assembly which alows the seat to be compactly folded and easily carried when removed from a support base. The back inner support frame includes upper and lower support subassemblies pivotally coupled by means of a hinge joint which allows for extension of the lumbar region when the upper support subassembly is moved rearwardly to a reclined position.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1990Date of Patent: December 24, 1991Assignee: Pin Dot ProductsInventors: Peter Axelson, Michael Heinrich, Ann Lasko-Harvill, Michael W. Silverman
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Patent number: 5052647Abstract: A seating system includes seat and back internal support frames disposed within respective foam-filled seat and back cushions which each have an outer fabric cover. The back assembly is provided with a pair of quick-release clip locks, while the seat assembly includes a plurality of support hooks in combination with mounting brackets and locking mechanisms to facilitate quick mounting and removal of the seat from a support frame such as a wheelchair base. The seat and back assemblies are coupled together in a pivoting manner by means of a handle assembly which allows the seat to be compactly folded and easily carried when removed from a support base. The back inner support frame includes upper and lower support subassemblies pivotally coupled by means of a hinge joint which allows for extension of the lumbar region when the upper support subassembly is moved rearwardly to a reclined position.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1990Date of Patent: October 1, 1991Assignee: Pin Dot ProductsInventors: Peter Axelson, Michael Heinrich, Ann Lasko-Harvill, Michael W. Silverman
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Patent number: 5035467Abstract: A seating system includes seat and back internal support frames disposed within respective foam-filled seat and back cushions which each have an outer fabric cover. The back assembly is provided with a pair of quick-release clip locks, while the seat assembly includes a plurality of support hooks in combination with mounting brackets and locking mechanisms to facilitate quick mounting and removal of the seat from a support frame such as a wheelchair base. The seat and back assemblies are coupled together in a pivoting manner by means of a handle assembly which allows the seat to be compactly folded and easily carried when removed from a support base. The back inner support frame includes upper and lower support subassemblies pivotally coupled by means of a hinge joint which allows for extension of the lumbar region when the upper support subassembly is moved rearwardly to a reclined position.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1988Date of Patent: July 30, 1991Assignee: Pin Dot ProductsInventors: Peter Axelson, Michael Heinrich, Ann Lasko-Harvill, Michael W. Silverman