Patents by Inventor Austin C. Germer

Austin C. Germer 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).

  • Publication number: 20250005864
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system changes a level of detail with which a respective environment is being displayed. In some embodiments, a computer system applies a neutralization adjustment to generate a representation of the physical environment. In some embodiments, a computer system displays a user interface object in a three-dimensional environment with a three-dimensional stereoscopic effect. In some embodiments, a computer system facilitates light blending. In some embodiments, a computer system transitions between three-dimensional environments using visual effects. In some embodiments, a computer system detects a movement in a viewpoint of a user while displaying a portal to a virtual environment, and either maintains or ceases display of the portal based on the amount of movement and/or a direction in which the portal opens. In some embodiments, a computer system outputs a different sound effect when initiating display of different virtual three-dimensional environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: James M. DESSERO, Michael A. BREYMANN, Matthew G. PLEC, Michael A. DUNKLEY, Ryan W. BAKER, Jonathan MOORMAN, Daniel J. RUBENFIELD, Alexander J. HAWORTH, Austin C. GERMER, Peter DOLLAR
  • Publication number: 20210365107
    Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein include devices, systems, and methods that enable more intuitive and efficient positioning of an object in a 3D layout, for example, in an enhanced reality (ER) setting providing on a device. In some implementations, objects are automatically positioned based on simulated physics that is selectively enabled during the positioning of the object. In some implementations, objects are automatically positioned based on simulated physics and alignment rules. In some implementations, objects are automatically grouped together based on criteria such that a first object that is grouped with a second object moves with the second object automatically in response to movement of the second object but is moveable independent of the second object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Austin C. GERMER, Gregory DUQUESNE, Novaira MASOOD, Ryan S. BURGOYNE
  • Patent number: 11099634
    Abstract: In one implementation, a method of manipulating virtual objects using tracked physical objects is disclosed. The method involves presenting content including a virtual object and a virtual representation of a proxy device physically unassociated with an electronic device on a display of the electronic device. Input is received from the proxy device using an input device of the proxy device that represents a request to create a fixed alignment between the virtual object and the virtual representation in a three-dimensional (ā€œ3-Dā€) coordinate space defined for the content. The fixed alignment is created in response to receiving the input. A position and an orientation of the virtual object in the 3-D coordinate space is dynamically updated using position data that defines movement of the proxy device in the physical environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Austin C. Germer, Ryan S. Burgoyne
  • Publication number: 20200241629
    Abstract: In one implementation, a method of manipulating virtual objects using tracked physical objects is disclosed. The method involves presenting content including a virtual object and a virtual representation of a proxy device physically unassociated with an electronic device on a display of the electronic device. Input is received from the proxy device using an input device of the proxy device that represents a request to create a fixed alignment between the virtual object and the virtual representation in a three-dimensional (ā€œ3-Dā€) coordinate space defined for the content. The fixed alignment is created in response to receiving the input. A position and an orientation of the virtual object in the 3-D coordinate space is dynamically updated using position data that defines movement of the proxy device in the physical environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Austin C. Germer, Ryan S. Burgoyne