Patents by Inventor Eric F. Prechtl

Eric F. Prechtl 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: 9838668
    Abstract: An imaging system and methods for using an imaging system where the operator is able to variably adjust the parallax distance for enhanced stereo performance are disclosed. In addition, by coordinating the parallax distance with the optical settings of the camera, artificial 3D experiences can be created that give a user the perception of observing a scene from a distance different than that actually employed. The imaging system may also include a plurality of stereo camera supersets, wherein a first one or more stereo camera supersets are positioned at a different height relative to a first stereo camera superset. Novel specific uses of the camera system, such as in capturing events of interest are described. Useful techniques for extracting or encoding wide field of view images from memory are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Actality, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric F. Prechtl
  • Publication number: 20170155888
    Abstract: An imaging system and methods for using an imaging system where the operator is able to variably adjust the parallax distance for enhanced stereo performance are disclosed. In addition, by coordinating the parallax distance with the optical settings of the camera, artificial 3D experiences can be created that give a user the perception of observing a scene from a distance different than that actually employed. The imaging system may also include a plurality of stereo camera supersets, wherein a first one or more stereo camera supersets are positioned at a different height relative to a first stereo camera superset. Novel specific uses of the camera system, such as in capturing events of interest are described. Useful techniques for extracting or encoding wide field of view images from memory are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventor: Eric F. Prechtl
  • Patent number: 9578309
    Abstract: An imaging system and methods for using an imaging system where the operator is able to variably adjust the parallax distance for enhanced stereo performance are disclosed. In addition, by coordinating the parallax distance with the optical settings of the camera, artificial 3D experiences can be created that give a user the perception of observing a scene from a distance different than that actually employed. The imaging system may also include a plurality of stereo camera supersets, wherein a first one or more stereo camera supersets are positioned at a different height relative to a first stereo camera superset. Novel specific uses of the camera system, such as in capturing events of interest are described. Useful techniques for extracting or encoding wide field of view images from memory are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Actality, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric F. Prechtl
  • Publication number: 20160029008
    Abstract: An imaging system and methods for using an imaging system where the operator is able to variably adjust the parallax distance for enhanced stereo performance are disclosed. In addition, by coordinating the parallax distance with the optical settings of the camera, artificial 3D experiences can be created that give a user the perception of observing a scene from a distance different than that actually employed. The imaging system may also include a plurality of stereo camera supersets, wherein a first one or more stereo camera supersets are positioned at a different height relative to a first stereo camera superset. Novel specific uses of the camera system, such as in capturing events of interest are described. Useful techniques for extracting or encoding wide field of view images from memory are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Eric F. Prechtl
  • Patent number: 9185391
    Abstract: An imaging system and methods for using an imaging system where the operator is able to variably adjust the parallax distance for enhanced stereo performance are disclosed. In addition, by coordinating the parallax distance with the optical settings of the camera, artificial 3D experiences can be created that give a user the perception of observing a scene from a distance different than that actually employed. The imaging system may also include a plurality of stereo camera supersets, wherein a first one or more stereo camera supersets are positioned at a different height relative to a first stereo camera superset. Novel specific uses of the camera system, such as in capturing events of interest are described. Useful techniques for extracting or encoding wide field of view images from memory are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Actality, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric F. Prechtl
  • Patent number: 8004558
    Abstract: A stereoscopic imaging system incorporates a plurality of imaging devices or cameras to generate a high resolution, wide field of view image database from which images can be combined in real time to provide wide field of view or panoramic or omni-directional still or video images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignees: Axis Engineering Technologies, Inc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Eric F. Prechtl, Raymond J. Sedwick, Eric M. Jonas
  • Patent number: 7982777
    Abstract: A stereoscopic imaging system incorporates a plurality of imaging devices or cameras to generate a high resolution, wide field of view image database from which images can be combined in real time to provide wide field of view or panoramic or omni-directional still or video images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignees: Axis Engineering Technologies, Inc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Eric F. Prechtl, Raymond J. Sedwick, Eric M. Jonas
  • Patent number: 5907211
    Abstract: An actuator having two frames, each frame including a distal end member, a proximal pivot end member or proximal end pivot point, and at least two elongated side members connected between the distal end member and the proximal pivot end member of that frame. A flexure is disposed between an end of the pivot end member of the first frame and an end of the pivot end member of the second frame. A first longitudinal span member is disposed between the distal end member of the second frame and the pivot end member of the first frame, and a second longitudinal span member is disposed between the distal end member of the first frame and the pivot end member of the second frame. At least one of the first and second longitudinal span members is an expansive element having a longitudinal axis along which dimensional strain can be induced in response to an applied stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Steven R. Hall, Eric F. Prechtl