Patents by Inventor Brian Lloyd Schmidt

Brian Lloyd Schmidt 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: 20240137725
    Abstract: A method of presenting an audio signal to a user of a mixed reality environment is disclosed. According to examples of the method, an audio event associated with the mixed reality environment is detected. The audio event is associated with a first audio signal. A location of the user with respect to the mixed reality environment is determined. An acoustic region associated with the location of the user is identified. A first acoustic parameter associated with the first acoustic region is determined. A transfer function is determined using the first acoustic parameter. The transfer function is applied to the first audio signal to produce a second audio signal, which is then presented to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Brian Lloyd SCHMIDT, Jehangir TAJIK, Jean-Marc JOT
  • Publication number: 20240053612
    Abstract: A display system can include a head-mounted display configured to project light to an eye of a user to display augmented reality image content to the user. The display system can include one or more user sensors configured to sense the user and can include one or more environmental sensors configured to sense surroundings of the user. The display system can also include processing electronics in communication with the display, the one or more user sensors, and the one or more environmental sensors. The processing electronics can be configured to sense a situation involving user focus, determine user intent for the situation, and alter user perception of a real or virtual object within the vision field of the user based at least in part on the user intent and/or sensed situation involving user focus. The processing electronics can be configured to at least one of enhance or de-emphasize the user perception of the real or virtual object within the vision field of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Nastasja U. ROBAINA, Nicole Elizabeth SAMEC, Christopher M. HARRISES, Rony ABOVITZ, Mark BAERENRODT, Brian Lloyd SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20240048933
    Abstract: An audio system and method of spatially rendering audio signals that uses modified virtual speaker panning is disclosed. The audio system may include a fixed number F of virtual speakers, and the modified virtual speaker panning may dynamically select and use a subset P of the fixed virtual speakers. The subset P of virtual speakers may be selected using a low energy speaker detection and culling method, a source geometry-based culling method, or both. One or more processing blocks in the decoder/virtualizer may be bypassed based on the energy level of the associated audio signal or the location of the sound source relative to the user/listener, respectively. In some embodiments, a virtual speaker that is designated as an active virtual speaker at a first time, may also be designated as an active virtual speaker at a second time to ensure the processing completes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Brian Lloyd Schmidt, Samuel Charles Dicker
  • Patent number: 11895483
    Abstract: A method of presenting an audio signal to a user of a mixed reality environment is disclosed. According to examples of the method, an audio event associated with the mixed reality environment is detected. The audio event is associated with a first audio signal. A location of the user with respect to the mixed reality environment is determined. An acoustic region associated with the location of the user is identified. A first acoustic parameter associated with the first acoustic region is determined. A transfer function is determined using the first acoustic parameter. The transfer function is applied to the first audio signal to produce a second audio signal, which is then presented to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lloyd Schmidt, Jehangir Tajik, Jean-Marc Jot
  • Publication number: 20230413007
    Abstract: Systems and methods of presenting an output audio signal to a listener located at a first location in a virtual environment are disclosed. According to embodiments of a method, an input audio signal is received. For each sound source of a plurality of sound sources in the virtual environment, a respective first intermediate audio signal corresponding to the input audio signal is determined, based on a location of the respective sound source in the virtual environment, and the respective first intermediate audio signal is associated with a first bus. For each of the sound sources of the plurality of sound sources in the virtual environment, a respective second intermediate audio signal is determined. The respective second intermediate audio signal corresponds to a reflection of the input audio signal in a surface of the virtual environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Jot, Samuel Charles Dicker, Brian Lloyd Schmidt, Remi Samuel Audfray
  • Patent number: 11843931
    Abstract: An audio system and method of spatially rendering audio signals that uses modified virtual speaker panning is disclosed. The audio system may include a fixed number F of virtual speakers, and the modified virtual speaker panning may dynamically select and use a subset P of the fixed virtual speakers. The subset P of virtual speakers may be selected using a low energy speaker detection and culling method, a source geometry-based culling method, or both. One or more processing blocks in the decoder/virtualizer may be bypassed based on the energy level of the associated audio signal or the location of the sound source relative to the user/listener, respectively. In some embodiments, a virtual speaker that is designated as an active virtual speaker at a first time, may also be designated as an active virtual speaker at a second time to ensure the processing completes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lloyd Schmidt, Samuel Charles Dicker
  • Patent number: 11808943
    Abstract: A display system can include a head-mounted display configured to project light to an eye of a user to display augmented reality image content to the user. The display system can include one or more user sensors configured to sense the user and can include one or more environmental sensors configured to sense surroundings of the user. The display system can also include processing electronics in communication with the display, the one or more user sensors, and the one or more environmental sensors. The processing electronics can be configured to sense a situation involving user focus, determine user intent for the situation, and alter user perception of a real or virtual object within the vision field of the user based at least in part on the user intent and/or sensed situation involving user focus. The processing electronics can be configured to at least one of enhance or de-emphasize the user perception of the real or virtual object within the vision field of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Nastasja U. Robaina, Nicole Elizabeth Samec, Christopher M. Harrises, Rony Abovitz, Mark Baerenrodt, Brian Lloyd Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11792598
    Abstract: Systems and methods of presenting an output audio signal to a listener located at a first location in a virtual environment are disclosed. According to embodiments of a method, an input audio signal is received. For each sound source of a plurality of sound sources in the virtual environment, a respective first intermediate audio signal corresponding to the input audio signal is determined, based on a location of the respective sound source in the virtual environment, and the respective first intermediate audio signal is associated with a first bus. For each of the sound sources of the plurality of sound sources in the virtual environment, a respective second intermediate audio signal is determined. The respective second intermediate audio signal corresponds to a reflection of the input audio signal in a surface of the virtual environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Jot, Samuel Charles Dicker, Brian Lloyd Schmidt, Remi Samuel Audfray
  • Publication number: 20230308801
    Abstract: A head-worn sound reproduction device is provided in the form of left and right earphones, which can either be clipped to each ear or mounted on other headgear. The earphones deliver high fidelity audio to a user's eardrums from near-ear range, in a lightweight form factor that is fully “non-blocking” (allows coupling in and natural hearing of ambient sound). Each earphone has a woofer component that produces bass frequencies, and a tweeter component that produces treble frequencies. The woofer outputs the bass frequencies from a position close to the ear canal, while the tweeter outputs treble frequencies from a position that is either close to the ear canal or further away. In certain embodiments, the tweeter is significantly further from the ear canal than the woofer, leading to a more expansive perceived “sound stage”, but still with a “pure” listening experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Brian Lloyd SCHMIDT, David Thomas ROACH, Michael Z. LAND, Richard D. HERR
  • Patent number: 11722812
    Abstract: A head-worn sound reproduction device is provided in the form of left and right earphones, which can either be clipped to each ear or mounted on other headgear. The earphones deliver high fidelity audio to a user's eardrums from near-ear range, in a lightweight form factor that is fully “non-blocking” (allows coupling in and natural hearing of ambient sound). Each earphone has a woofer component that produces bass frequencies, and a tweeter component that produces treble frequencies. The woofer outputs the bass frequencies from a position close to the ear canal, while the tweeter outputs treble frequencies from a position that is either close to the ear canal or further away. In certain embodiments, the tweeter is significantly further from the ear canal than the woofer, leading to a more expansive perceived “sound stage”, but still with a “pure” listening experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lloyd Schmidt, David Thomas Roach, Michael Z. Land, Richard D. Herr
  • Publication number: 20230139901
    Abstract: An audio system and method of spatially rendering audio signals that uses modified virtual speaker panning is disclosed. The audio system may include a fixed number F of virtual speakers, and the modified virtual speaker panning may dynamically select and use a subset P of the fixed virtual speakers. The subset P of virtual speakers may be selected using a low energy speaker detection and culling method, a source geometry-based culling method, or both. One or more processing blocks in the decoder/virtualizer may be bypassed based on the energy level of the associated audio signal or the location of the sound source relative to the user/listener, respectively. In some embodiments, a virtual speaker that is designated as an active virtual speaker at a first time, may also be designated as an active virtual speaker at a second time to ensure the processing completes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Brian Lloyd Schmidt, Samuel Charles Dicker
  • Patent number: 11546714
    Abstract: An audio system and method of spatially rendering audio signals that uses modified virtual speaker panning is disclosed. The audio system may include a fixed number F of virtual speakers, and the modified virtual speaker panning may dynamically select and use a subset P of the fixed virtual speakers. The subset P of virtual speakers may be selected using a low energy speaker detection and culling method, a source geometry-based culling method, or both. One or more processing blocks in the decoder/virtualizer may be bypassed based on the energy level of the associated audio signal or the location of the sound source relative to the user/listener, respectively. In some embodiments, a virtual speaker that is designated as an active virtual speaker at a first time, may also be designated as an active virtual speaker at a second time to ensure the processing completes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lloyd Schmidt, Samuel Charles Dicker
  • Patent number: 11528576
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for capturing audio which can be used in applications such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality systems. Some systems can include a plurality of distributed monitoring devices. Each monitoring device can include a microphone and a location tracking unit. The monitoring devices can capture audio signals in an environment, as well as location tracking signals which respectively indicate the locations of the monitoring devices over time during capture of the audio signals. The system can also include a processor to receive the audio signals and the location tracking signals. The processor can determine one or more acoustic properties of the environment based on the audio signals and the location tracking signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Sanger, Brian Lloyd Schmidt, Anastasia A. Tajik, Terry Micheal O'Gara, David Matthew Shumway, Alan Steven Howarth
  • Patent number: 11477593
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for capturing audio which can be used in applications such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality systems. Some systems can include a plurality of distributed monitoring devices. Each monitoring device can include a microphone and a location tracking unit. The monitoring devices can capture audio signals in an environment, as well as location tracking signals which respectively indicate the locations of the monitoring devices over time during capture of the audio signals. The system can also include a processor to receive the audio signals and the location tracking signals. The processor can determine one or more acoustic properties of the environment based on the audio signals and the location tracking signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Sanger, Brian Lloyd Schmidt, Anastasia A. Tajik, Terry Micheal O'Gara, David Matthew Shumway, Alan Steven Howarth
  • Patent number: 11327312
    Abstract: A display system can include a head-mounted display configured to project light to an eye of a user to display augmented reality image content to the user. The display system can include one or more user sensors configured to sense the user and can include one or more environmental sensors configured to sense surroundings of the user. The display system can also include processing electronics in communication with the display, the one or more user sensors, and the one or more environmental sensors. The processing electronics can be configured to sense a situation involving user focus, determine user intent for the situation, and alter user perception of a real or virtual object within the vision field of the user based at least in part on the user intent and/or sensed situation involving user focus. The processing electronics can be configured to at least one of enhance or de-emphasize the user perception of the real or virtual object within the vision field of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Nastasja U. Robaina, Nicole Elizabeth Samec, Christopher M. Harrises, Rony Abovitz, Mark Baerenrodt, Brian Lloyd Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20220107502
    Abstract: A display system can include a head-mounted display configured to project light to an eye of a user to display augmented reality image content to the user. The display system can include one or more user sensors configured to sense the user and can include one or more environmental sensors configured to sense surroundings of the user. The display system can also include processing electronics in communication with the display, the one or more user sensors, and the one or more environmental sensors. The processing electronics can be configured to sense a situation involving user focus, determine user intent for the situation, and alter user perception of a real or virtual object within the vision field of the user based at least in part on the user intent and/or sensed situation involving user focus. The processing electronics can be configured to at least one of enhance or de-emphasize the user perception of the real or virtual object within the vision field of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Nastasja U. Robaina, Nicole Elizabeth Samec, Christopher M. Harrises, Rony Abovitz, Mark Baerenrodt, Brian Lloyd Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20220109933
    Abstract: A head-worn sound reproduction device is provided in the form of left and right earphones, which can either be clipped to each ear or mounted on other headgear. The earphones deliver high fidelity audio to a user's eardrums from near-ear range, in a lightweight form factor that is fully “non-blocking” (allows coupling in and natural hearing of ambient sound). Each earphone has a woofer component that produces bass frequencies, and a tweeter component that produces treble frequencies. The woofer outputs the bass frequencies from a position close to the ear canal, while the tweeter outputs treble frequencies from a position that is either close to the ear canal or further away. In certain embodiments, the tweeter is significantly further from the ear canal than the woofer, leading to a more expansive perceived “sound stage”, but still with a “pure” listening experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Brian Lloyd Schmidt, David Thomas Roach, Michael Z. Land, Richard D. Herr
  • Patent number: 11294185
    Abstract: A display system can include a head-mounted display configured to project light to an eye of a user to display augmented reality image content to the user. The display system can include one or more user sensors configured to sense the user and can include one or more environmental sensors configured to sense surroundings of the user. The display system can also include processing electronics in communication with the display, the one or more user sensors, and the one or more environmental sensors. The processing electronics can be configured to sense a situation involving user focus, determine user intent for the situation, and alter user perception of a real or virtual object within the vision field of the user based at least in part on the user intent and/or sensed situation involving user focus. The processing electronics can be configured to at least one of enhance or de-emphasize the user perception of the real or virtual object within the vision field of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Nastasja U. Robaina, Nicole Elizabeth Samec, Christopher M. Harrises, Rony Abovitz, Mark Baerenrodt, Brian Lloyd Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11269185
    Abstract: A display system can include a head-mounted display configured to project light to an eye of a user to display augmented reality image content to the user. The display system can include one or more user sensors configured to sense the user and can include one or more environmental sensors configured to sense surroundings of the user. The display system can also include processing electronics in communication with the display, the one or more user sensors, and the one or more environmental sensors. The processing electronics can be configured to sense a situation involving user focus, determine user intent for the situation, and alter user perception of a real or virtual object within the vision field of the user based at least in part on the user intent and/or sensed situation involving user focus. The processing electronics can be configured to at least one of enhance or de-emphasize the user perception of the real or virtual object within the vision field of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Nastasja U. Robaina, Nicole Elizabeth Samec, Christopher M. Harrises, Rony Abovitz, Mark Baerenrodt, Brian Lloyd Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20220046375
    Abstract: An audio system and method of spatially rendering audio signals that uses modified virtual speaker panning is disclosed. The audio system may include a fixed number F of virtual speakers, and the modified virtual speaker panning may dynamically select and use a subset P of the fixed virtual speakers. The subset P of virtual speakers may be selected using a low energy speaker detection and culling method, a source geometry-based culling method, or both. One or more processing blocks in the decoder/virtualizer may be bypassed based on the energy level of the associated audio signal or the location of the sound source relative to the user/listener, respectively. In some embodiments, a virtual speaker that is designated as an active virtual speaker at a first time, may also be designated as an active virtual speaker at a second time to ensure the processing completes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Brian Lloyd Schmidt, Samuel Charles Dicker