Patents by Inventor Ben J. Sugden

Ben J. Sugden 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: 9235051
    Abstract: A see-through head mounted display apparatus includes a display and a processor. The processor determines geo-located positions of points of interest within a field of view and generates markers indicating information regarding an associated real world object is available to the user. Markers are rendered in the display relative to the geo-located position and the field of view of the user. When a user selects a marker though a user gesture, the device displays a near-field virtual object having a visual tether to the marker simultaneously with the marker. The user may interact with the marker to view, add or delete information associated with the point of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tom G. Salter, Ben J. Sugden, Daniel Deptford, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Brian E. Keane, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Patent number: 9230368
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying virtual objects in a mixed reality environment in a way that is optimal and most comfortable for a user to interact with the virtual objects. When a user is moving through the mixed reality environment, the virtual objects may remain world-locked, so that the user can move around and explore the virtual objects from different perspectives. When the user is motionless in the mixed reality environment, the virtual objects may rotate to face the user so that the user can easily view and interact with the virtual objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Keane, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Daniel Deptford, Tom G. Salter, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Patent number: 9183676
    Abstract: Technology is described for displaying a collision between objects by an augmented reality display device system. A collision between a real object and a virtual object is identified based on three dimensional space position data of the objects. At least one effect on at least one physical property of the real object is determined based on physical properties of the real object, like a change in surface shape, and physical interaction characteristics of the collision. Simulation image data is generated and displayed simulating the effect on the real object by the augmented reality display. Virtual objects under control of different executing applications can also interact with one another in collisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J. McCulloch, Stephen G. Latta, Brian J. Mount, Kevin A. Geisner, Roger Sebastian Kevin Sylvan, Arnulfo Zepeda Navratil, Jason Scott, Jonathan T. Steed, Ben J. Sugden, Britta Silke Hummel, Kyungsuk David Lee, Mark J. Finocchio, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Jeffrey N. Margolis
  • Patent number: 9165381
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for augmenting a reading experience in a mixed reality environment. In response to predefined verbal or physical gestures, the mixed reality system is able to answer a user's questions or provide additional information relating to what the user is reading. Responses may be displayed to the user on virtual display slates in a border or around the reading material without obscuring text or interfering with the user's reading experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen G. Latta, Ryan L. Hastings, Cameron G. Brown, Aaron Krauss, Daniel J. McCulloch, Ben J. Sugden
  • Patent number: 9128520
    Abstract: A collaborative on-demand system allows a user of a head-mounted display device (HMDD) to obtain assistance with an activity from a qualified service provider. In a session, the user and service provider exchange camera-captured images and augmented reality images. A gaze-detection capability of the HMDD allows the user to mark areas of interest in a scene. The service provider can similarly mark areas of the scene, as well as provide camera-captured images of the service provider's hand or arm pointing to or touching an object of the scene. The service provider can also select an animation or text to be displayed on the HMDD. A server can match user requests with qualified service providers which meet parameters regarding fee, location, rating and other preferences. Or, service providers can review open requests and self-select appropriate requests, initiating contact with a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin A Geisner, Kathryn Stone Perez, Stephen G. Latta, Ben J Sugden, Benjamin I Vaught, Jeffrey B Cole, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Ian D McIntyre, Daniel McCulloch
  • Patent number: 9122053
    Abstract: Technology is described for providing realistic occlusion between a virtual object displayed by a head mounted, augmented reality display system and a real object visible to the user's eyes through the display. A spatial occlusion in a user field of view of the display is typically a three dimensional occlusion determined based on a three dimensional space mapping of real and virtual objects. An occlusion interface between a real object and a virtual object can be modeled at a level of detail determined based on criteria such as distance within the field of view, display size or position with respect to a point of gaze. Technology is also described for providing three dimensional audio occlusion based on an occlusion between a real object and a virtual object in the user environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin A. Geisner, Brian J. Mount, Stephen G. Latta, Daniel J. McCulloch, Kyungsuk David Lee, Ben J. Sugden, Jeffrey N. Margolis, Kathryn Stone Perez, Sheridan Martin Small, Mark J. Finocchio, Robert L. Crocco, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9116666
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for allowing a user to select a region within virtual imagery, such as a hologram, being presented in an HMD. The user could select the region by using their hands to form a closed loop such that from the perspective of the user, the closed loop corresponds to the region the user wishes to select. The user could select the region by using a prop, such as a picture frame. In response to the selection, the selected region could be presented using a different rendering technique than other regions of the virtual imagery. Various rendering techniques such as zooming, filtering, etc. could be applied to the selected region. The identification of the region by the user could also serve as a selection of an element in that portion of the virtual image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tom G. Salter, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Brian E. Keane, Christopher E. Miles, Kathryn Stone Perez, Laura K. Massey, Mathew J. Lamb
  • Patent number: 9105210
    Abstract: A system for identifying an AR tag and determining a location for a virtual object within an augmented reality environment corresponding with the AR tag is described. In some environments, including those with viewing obstructions, the identity of the AR tag and the location of a corresponding virtual object may be determined by aggregating individual identity and location determinations from a plurality of head-mounted display devices (HMDs). The virtual object may comprise a shared virtual object that is viewable from each of the plurality of HMDs as existing at a shared location within the augmented reality environment. The shared location may comprise a weighted average of individual location determinations from each of the plurality of HMDs. By aggregating and analyzing individual identity and location determinations, a particular HMD of the plurality of HMDs may display a virtual object without having to identify a corresponding AR tag directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Mathew J. Lamb, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Brian E. Keane, Christopher E. Miles, Kathryn Stone Perez, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman
  • Publication number: 20150220231
    Abstract: A system for generating and displaying holographic visual aids associated with a story to an end user of a head-mounted display device while the end user is reading the story or perceiving the story being read aloud is described. The story may be embodied within a reading object (e.g., a book) in which words of the story may be displayed to the end user. The holographic visual aids may include a predefined character animation that is synchronized to a portion of the story corresponding with the character being animated. A reading pace of a portion of the story may be used to control the playback speed of the predefined character animation in real-time such that the character is perceived to be lip-syncing the story being read aloud. In some cases, an existing book without predetermined AR tags may be augmented with holographic visual aids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Brian E. Keane, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Christopher E. Miles, Kathryn Stone Perez, Laura K. Massey, Mathew J. Lamb, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman
  • Patent number: 9053483
    Abstract: A system provides a recommendation of food items to a user based on nutritional preferences of the user, using a head-mounted display device (HMDD) worn by the user. In a store, a forward-facing camera of the HMDD captures an image of a food item. The food item can be identified by the image, such as based on packaging of the food item. Nutritional parameters of the food item are compared to nutritional preferences of the user to determine whether the food item is recommended. The HMDD displays an augmented reality image to the user indicating whether the food item is recommended. If the food item is not recommended, a substitute food item can be identified. The nutritional preferences can indicate food allergies, preferences for low calorie foods and so forth. In a restaurant, the HMDD can recommend menu selections for a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin A Geisner, Kathryn Stonw Perez, Stephen G Latta, Ben J Sugden, Benjamin I Vaught, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Cameron G Brown, Holly A Hirzel, Brian J Mount, Daniel McCulloch
  • Patent number: 9035970
    Abstract: A system for identifying an AR tag and determining a location for a virtual object within an augmented reality environment corresponding with the AR tag is described. In some environments, the location of a virtual object corresponding with a particular AR tag may be determined by identifying a predefined object, determining an orientation and a scale of the predefined object relative to a head-mounted display device (HMD) based on a model of the predefined object, and inferring the location of the virtual object based on the orientation and the scale of the predefined object. In some cases, an identification of the particular AR tag corresponding with the virtual object may be acquired by aggregating and analyzing individual identity determinations from a plurality of HMDs within an augmented reality environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Mathew J. Lamb, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Brian E. Keane, Christopher E. Miles, Kathryn Stone Perez, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman
  • Patent number: 9035955
    Abstract: A system for generating and displaying holographic visual aids associated with a story to an end user of a head-mounted display device while the end user is reading the story or perceiving the story being read aloud is described. The story may be embodied within a reading object (e.g., a book) in which words of the story may be displayed to the end user. The holographic visual aids may include a predefined character animation that is synchronized to a portion of the story corresponding with the character being animated. A reading pace of a portion of the story may be used to control the playback speed of the predefined character animation in real-time such that the character is perceived to be lip-syncing the story being read aloud. In some cases, an existing book without predetermined AR tags may be augmented with holographic visual aids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Keane, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Christopher E. Miles, Kathryn Stone Perez, Laura K. Massey, Mathew J. Lamb, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman
  • Publication number: 20150049114
    Abstract: The technology described herein includes a see-through, near-eye, mixed reality display device for providing customized experiences for a user. The personal A/V apparatus serves as an exercise program that is always with the user, provides motivation for the user, visually tells the user how to exercise, and lets the user exercise with other people who are not present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin A. Geisner, Kathryn Stone Perez, Stephen G. Latta, Ben J. Sugden, Benjamin I. Vaught, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman
  • Publication number: 20140368532
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the creation of a perspective-locked virtual object having in world space. The virtual object may be consumed) by another user with a consumption device at a location, position, and orientation which is the same as, or proximate to, the location, position, and orientation where the virtual object is created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Brian E. Keane, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, JR., Daniel Deptford, Tom G. Salter, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Publication number: 20140368537
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying virtual objects in a mixed reality environment including shared virtual objects and private virtual objects. Multiple users can collaborate together in interacting with the shared virtual objects. A private virtual object may be visible to a single user. In examples, private virtual objects of respective users may facilitate the users' collaborative interaction with one or more shared virtual objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Tom G. Salter, Ben J. Sugden, Daniel Deptford, Robert L. Crocco, JR., Brian E. Keane, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Publication number: 20140368535
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying virtual objects in a mixed reality environment in a way that is optimal and most comfortable for a user to interact with the virtual objects. When a user is not focused on the virtual object, which may be a heads-up display, or HUD, the HUD may remain body locked to the user. As such, the user may explore and interact with a mixed reality environment presented by the head mounted display device without interference from the HUD. When a user wishes to view and/or interact with the HUD, the user may look at the HUD. At this point, the HUD may change from a body locked virtual object to a world locked virtual object. The user is then able to view and interact with the HUD from different positions and perspectives of the HUD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Tom G. Salter, Ben J. Sugden, Daniel Deptford, Robert L. Crocco, JR., Brian E. Keane, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Publication number: 20140372957
    Abstract: A head mounted display allows user selection of a virtual object through multi-step focusing by the user. Focus on the selectable object is determined and then a validation object is displayed. When user focus moves to the validation object, a timeout determines that a selection of the validation object, and thus the selectable object has occurred. The technology can be used in see through head mounted displays to allow a user to effectively navigate an environment with a multitude of virtual objects without unintended selections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Brian E. Keane, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Daniel Deptford, Tom G. Salter, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Publication number: 20140368533
    Abstract: A see-through head mounted display apparatus includes a display and a processor. The processor determines geo-located positions of points of interest within a field of view and generates markers indicating information regarding an associated real world object is available to the user. Markers are rendered in the display relative to the geo-located position and the field of view of the user. When a user selects a marker though a user gesture, the device displays a near-field virtual object having a visual tether to the marker simultaneously with the marker. The user may interact with the marker to view, add or delete information associated with the point of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Tom G. Salter, Ben J. Sugden, Daniel Deptford, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Brian E. Keane, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Publication number: 20140368534
    Abstract: A see through head mounted display apparatus includes code performing a method of choosing and optimal viewing location and perspective for shared-view virtual objects rendered for multiple users in a common environment. Multiple objects and multiple users are taken into account in determining the optimal, common viewing location. The technology allows each user to have a common view if the relative position of the object in the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Tom G. Salter, Ben J. Sugden, Daniel Deptford, Robert L. Crocco, JR., Brian E. Keane, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Publication number: 20140347391
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying virtual objects in a mixed reality environment in a way that is optimal and most comfortable for a user to interact with the virtual objects. When a user is moving through the mixed reality environment, the virtual objects may remain world-locked, so that the user can move around and explore the virtual objects from different perspectives. When the user is motionless in the mixed reality environment, the virtual objects may rotate to face the user so that the user can easily view and interact with the virtual objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Brian E. Keane, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, JR., Daniel Deptford, Tom G. Salter, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda