Patents by Inventor Eric G. Marason

Eric G. Marason 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: 9979953
    Abstract: The depth of one or more objects within a scene may be determined utilizing system that includes a single light source, a reflector (e.g., an ellipsoidal reflector), a shutter mechanism associated with the light source, and a camera. More particularly, the light source may output light that is directed towards the scene (a first set of light beams) and towards the reflector (a second set of light beams) utilizing the shutter mechanism. The reflector may reflect the second set of light beams towards the scene. The camera may then capture a first image that corresponds to the first set of light beams and a second image that corresponds to the second set of light beams. The depth of a particular one of the objects within the scene may be determined based at least in part on the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric G. Marason, Christopher D. Coley, William Thomas Weatherford
  • Patent number: 9892666
    Abstract: Within a particular environment, a projection that may include light or one or more patterns may be directed at one or more mirrors. The projection may be reflected by a first one of the mirrors onto the surroundings of the environment, which may include a floor, one or more walls, and/or objects in the environment having a surface. A second mirror may represent an entire view of the surroundings of the environment. As a result, by taking an image directed at the second mirror, a single image may be captured that represents a view of the entire environment without having to rotate the device that captures the image. The single image may then be utilized to generate a three-dimensional model of the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Qiang Liu, Samuel Henry Chang, Eric G. Marason
  • Patent number: 9762862
    Abstract: A device includes a projection and camera system to create an augmented reality environment in which images are projected onto a scene and user movement within the scene is captured. The projection and camera system have a camera to image scattered light from the environment and determine depth of objects in the environment. The system also has a projector to project the images onto the scene. The projection images and captured environment images share a common optical path through the same lens. The system includes an image noise cancelation system to cancel, remove, or otherwise reduce unwanted image noise caused by internal reflection of the projection images from the environment images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Spencer Worley, III, Christopher D. Coley, Eric G. Marason, William Thomas Weatherford
  • Patent number: 9472005
    Abstract: A device includes a projection and camera system to create an augmented reality environment in which images are projected onto a scene and user movement within the scene is captured. The projection and camera system have a camera to image scattered IR light from the scene and compute time of flight values used in depth mapping of objects in the room. The system also has a projector to project the images onto the scene. The projected images and scattered IR light use a common optical path through the same lens. Additionally, an illumination system used to illuminate the scene with the IR light may also use the common optical path through the same lens. In one implementation, the projection and camera system are mounted in a movable head of a table lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric G. Marason, William Thomas Weatherford, Christopher D. Coley, Robert A. Yuan, Miguel Virgen
  • Patent number: 9462255
    Abstract: A device includes a projection and camera system to create an augmented reality environment in which images are projected onto a scene and user movement within the scene is captured. The projection and camera system have a camera to image scattered IR light from the scene and compute time of flight values used in depth mapping of objects in the room. The system also has a projector to project the images onto the scene. The projected images and scattered IR light use a common optical path through the same lens. Additionally, an illumination system used to illuminate the scene with the IR light may also use the common optical path through the same lens. In one implementation, the projection and camera system are mounted in a movable head of a table lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric G. Marason, William Thomas Weatherford, Christopher D. Coley, Robert A. Yuan, Miguel Virgen
  • Patent number: 9204121
    Abstract: The depth of one or more objects within a scene may be determined utilizing system that includes a single light source, a reflector (e.g., an ellipsoidal reflector), a shutter mechanism associated with the light source, and a camera. More particularly, the light source may output light that is directed towards the scene (a first set of light beams) and towards the reflector (a second set of light beams) utilizing the shutter mechanism. The reflector may reflect the second set of light beams towards the scene. The camera may then capture a first image that corresponds to the first set of light beams and a second image that corresponds to the second set of light beams. The depth of a particular one of the objects within the scene may be determined based at least in part on the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric G. Marason, Christopher D. Coley, William Thomas Weatherford
  • Patent number: 9195127
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and techniques for projecting content, periodically or continuously, onto a rear surface of a display medium from behind. The rear projected image is presented on an opposing or front surface of the display medium to a human audience for viewing. Additionally, non-visible light (e.g., IR light) is passed through the display medium to an area in front of the medium. The non-visible light is used to detect human gestures. In this manner, the rear projection arrangement avoids viewer obstruction during projection, yet detects and recognizes gestures made by the viewer in front of the display medium. In one implementation, the display medium comprises a thin sheet of transparent plastic material with arrays of curved optical features to redirect light received on the rear surface out the front surface toward the human audience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric G. Marason, Christopher D. Coley, William Thomas Weatherford, Beverly L. Harrison
  • Patent number: 8982459
    Abstract: A directive projection screen is configured to present images projected from a remote projector in three dimensions (3D) to a viewer. The screen includes a plurality of passive optical elements arranged on a structural substrate. The optical elements are configured to receive incident light projected from the projector and reflect the light such that first portions of the image are directed in a first direction to be viewed by a first eye of the viewer and second portions of the image are directed in a second direction to be viewed by a second eye of the viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Rawles LLC
    Inventors: Christopher D. Coley, Eric G. Marason
  • Patent number: 8933974
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media for determining a distance and an angle of a display medium with respect to a projector are described herein. Based at least on the determined angle of the display medium, the angle of at least a component of the projector is adjusted. The projector then projects light onto the display medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Rawles LLC
    Inventors: Eric G. Marason, William Thomas Weatherford, Miguel Virgen
  • Patent number: 8797439
    Abstract: Two or more imagers having associated frame rates are each configured with a global shutter having an exposure interval less than a frame interval. The exposure interval for a first imager is offset from the exposure interval of a second imager such that the first imager is exposed while the second imager is not exposed. When interleaved, an effective frame rate exceeds the individual frame rates provided by the individual imagers. This interleaved imaging system may be used to recover, at high frame rates, images that are projected from spatial light modulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Rawles LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Coley, William Thomas Weatherford, Robert A. Yuan, Eric G. Marason
  • Patent number: 6177990
    Abstract: A sample substrate for use in a fluorescence imaging system includes a rigid base with a specularly reflective surface, typically metal, on which is deposited a transparent coating layer. The coating layer has a thickness selected so that a particular fluorescence excitation wavelength, corresponding to a specified fluorescent constituent to be sought in sample material, has an optical path from the top of the coating layer to the reflecting surface in the base of substantially an odd multiple of one-quarter wavelength, so that the standing wave of the fluorescence excitation wavelength of light incident on the substrate has an antinode located at or near where sample material would be disposed on top of the coating layer. This maximizes fluorescence excitation of the sample on the reflective substrate. The transparent coating layer may be a dielectric material (e.g. silica) or may be a multilayer structure with a top layer of biologically active material for binding a specified sample constituent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Molecular Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Kain, Eric G. Marason, Richard F. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6008892
    Abstract: A sample substrate for use in a fluorescence imaging system includes a rigid base with a specularly reflective surface, typically metal, on which is deposited a transparent coating layer. The coating layer has a thickness selected so that a particular fluorescence excitation wavelength, corresponding to a specified fluorescent constituent to be sought in sample material, has an optical path from the top of the coating layer to the reflecting surface in the base of substantially an odd multiple of one-quarter wavelength, so that the standing wave of the fluorescence excitation wavelength of light incident on the substrate has an antinode located at or near where sample material would be disposed on top of the coating layer. This maximizes fluorescence excitation of the sample on the reflective substrate. The transparent coating layer may be a dielectric material (e.g. silica) or may be a multilayer structure with a top layer of biologically active material for binding a specified sample constituent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Molecular Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Kain, Eric G. Marason, Richard F. Johnston
  • Patent number: 5179562
    Abstract: A frequency doubled ultraviolet laser comprising means for enabling a beam of coherent electromagnetic radiation to be propagated along an intracavity path, means for holding and translating an anisotropic crystal in this path, means for detecting the crystal temperature relative to the optimum frequency doubling temperature, and means for correcting any shortfalls in the efficiency of ultraviolet generation by adjusting the crystal temperature, crystal position, and/or the intensity of the fundamental beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics Lasers
    Inventors: Eric G. Marason, Jude Katsch, Alfred O. Feitisch, Steve Guggenheimer
  • Patent number: 4729655
    Abstract: A fiber optic (12) and correcting element (18) combination with the property of providing shaped angular response when used in conjunction with a radiometer, and of providing shaped angular emission when used in conjunction with a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Chromadyne Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Boggy, Eric G. Marason