Patents by Inventor Eric James Hope
Eric James Hope 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).
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Patent number: 11786809Abstract: A controller for an electronic system includes a tracking member fixed to a controller body. The controller body has a head that adjoins a handle at a neck region, and that includes at least one thumb-operated control. The controller includes a hand retainer that in a closed position is configured to physically bias the user's palm against an outer surface of the handle. The hand retainer includes a resilient member that biases the hand retainer towards an open position. The resilient member is attached to an anchor that is attached to the head by an adjustment mechanism that permits the resilient member to be moved towards or away from the user's purlicue. The tracking member includes transducers that are coupled to the electronic system by electromagnetic radiation. Proximity sensors, spatially distributed on the handle, are responsive to a proximity of the user's fingers to the outer surface of the handle.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Eric James Hope, Scott Douglas Nietfeld, Carl Conlee, Scott Richard Britt, Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Jeffrey George Leinbaugh, Jeremy Slocum
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Patent number: 11561578Abstract: A head-mounted display including a front, a back, a first actuator, a second actuator, a first adjustable member extending between the front and the back and operably engaging the first actuator, and a second adjustable member extending between the front and the back and operably engaging the second actuator. The first adjustable member and the second adjustable member may be adjustable in length via the second actuator to vary a gap distance between the front and the back. In some embodiments, the head-mounted display may include a wire routing assembly for routing wire(s) between the front and the back of the head-mounted display. Additionally, in some embodiments, the head-mounted display may include a harness for engaging a user.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Joshua Mark Hudman, Clement Gallois, Montgomery Vincent Goodson, Eric James Hope, Carl Samuel Conlee, IV
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Patent number: 11167213Abstract: A controller for an electronic system includes a controller body having a handle portion, a tracking arc that is fixed to the controller body, and a hand retainer configured to physically bias a user's palm against an outside surface of the handle portion. A plurality of tracking sensors is disposed in the tracking arc, and are responsive to electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electronic system. An array of proximity sensors are spatially distributed around the outer surface of the handle portion, and are responsive to a proximity of the user's fingers to the outside surface of the handle portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Jeffrey George Leinbaugh, Eric James Hope, Philip Bryan, Scott Richard Britt, Scott Nietfeld, Claire Michelle Gottschalk, Jeremy Slocum
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Patent number: 11052310Abstract: Various game controller hardware and user interface configurations are disclosed. Some configurations may comprise two circular trackpads, driven by the player's thumbs, which may be clickable, allowing the entire surface to act as a button. Haptic feedback may be based on dual linear resonant actuators (e.g., by means of strong, weighted electro-magnets attached to each of the dual trackpads), capable of delivering a wide range of force and vibration, allowing control over frequency, amplitude, and direction of movement. The haptics-related components in certain implementations may also play audio waveforms and thereby function as speakers. In the center of the controller according to certain configurations may be another touch-enabled surface, this one backed by a display screen. In some configurations this entire screen itself may also be clickable, like a large single button. A variety of other exemplary implementations and configurations are described.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Peter Bellinghausen, Claire Michelle Gottschalk, Eric James Hope, Jeffrey Scott Keyzer, Scott Dalton
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Publication number: 20210129016Abstract: A controller for an electronic system includes a tracking member fixed to a controller body. The controller body has a head that adjoins a handle at a neck region, and that includes at least one thumb-operated control. The controller includes a hand retainer that in a closed position is configured to physically bias the user's palm against an outer surface of the handle. The hand retainer includes a resilient member that biases the hand retainer towards an open position. The resilient member is attached to an anchor that is attached to the head by an adjustment mechanism that permits the resilient member to be moved towards or away from the user's purlicue. The tracking member includes transducers that are coupled to the electronic system by electromagnetic radiation. Proximity sensors, spatially distributed on the handle, are responsive to a proximity of the user's fingers to the outer surface of the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2021Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Eric James Hope, Scott Douglas Nietfeld, Carl Samuel Conlee, IV, Scott Richard Britt, Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Jeffrey George Leinbaugh, Jeremy Slocum
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Publication number: 20210096713Abstract: A device with one or more input devices receives a user input for navigating through a representation of a set of assets, determines that an attribute associated with the received input is above threshold value, and in response, sets a scrolling mode to be an accelerated navigation mode. While the scrolling mode is in the accelerated navigation mode and while scrolling through the representation of assets in accordance with the input, the device provides one or more asset subset identifiers that identify a respective subset of the assets through which the device is currently scrolling in accordance with the input.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: William Bull, Kourtny Minh Hicks, Policarpo Wood, Eric James Hope
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Publication number: 20210080996Abstract: A head-mounted display including a front, a back, a first actuator, a second actuator, a first adjustable member extending between the front and the back and operably engaging the first actuator, and a second adjustable member extending between the front and the back and operably engaging the second actuator. The first adjustable member and the second adjustable member may be adjustable in length via the second actuator to vary a gap distance between the front and the back. In some embodiments, the head-mounted display may include a wire routing assembly for routing wire(s) between the front and the back of the head-mounted display. Additionally, in some embodiments, the head-mounted display may include a harness for engaging a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: Joshua Mark Hudman, Clement Gallois, Montgomery Vincent Goodson, Eric James Hope, Carl Samuel Conlee, IV
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Patent number: 10898796Abstract: A controller for an electronic system includes a tracking member fixed to a controller body. The controller body has a head that adjoins a handle at a neck region, and that includes at least one thumb-operated control. The controller includes a hand retainer that in a closed position is configured to physically bias the user's palm against an outer surface of the handle. The hand retainer includes a resilient member that biases the hand retainer towards an open position. The resilient member is attached to an anchor that is attached to the head by an adjustment mechanism that permits the resilient member to be moved towards or away from the user's purlicue. The tracking member includes transducers that are coupled to the electronic system by electromagnetic radiation. Proximity sensors, spatially distributed on the handle, are responsive to a proximity of the user's fingers to the outer surface of the handle.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Eric James Hope, Scott Nietfeld, Carl Conlee, Scott Richard Britt, Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Jeffrey George Leinbaugh, Jeremy Slocum
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Patent number: 10874939Abstract: A controller includes a body having a handle, and an array of proximity sensors spatially distributed on, in, beneath, or near the outer surface of the handle, responsive to a proximity of a user's fingers to that outer surface. A finger tracker converts the output of the array of proximity sensors to a set of joint angles corresponding to a plurality of the user's fingers. The controller may include a renderer for processing the joint angles to deform a hand mesh that is rendered for display. Values may be calculated to facilitate normalization of the output of the proximity sensor array and thereby generate a set of normalized finger detection data. This data may be processed through curl logic to produce a linear estimate of gross finger curl with respect to the user and thereby generate a set of estimates for a plurality of finger joint angles for the user.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Scott Nietfeld, Jeffrey George Leinbaugh, Eric James Hope, Philip Bryan, Scott Richard Britt, Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Claire Michelle Gottschalk, Jeremy Slocum
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Patent number: 10866718Abstract: A device with one or more input devices receives a user input for scrolling through a representation of a set of assets, determines that an attribute associated with the received input is above a threshold value, and in response, sets a scrolling mode to be an accelerated navigation mode. While the scrolling mode is in the accelerated navigation mode and while scrolling through the representation of assets in accordance with the input, the device provides one or more asset subset identifiers that identify a respective subset of the assets through which the device is currently scrolling in accordance with the input.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: William Bull, Kourtny Minh Hicks, Policarpo Wood, Eric James Hope
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Patent number: 10825338Abstract: Handheld electronic devices are provided that have remote control functionality and gesture recognition features. The handheld electronic device may have remote control functionality in addition to cellular telephone, music player, or handheld computer functionality. The handheld electronic devices may have a touch sensitive display screen. The handheld electronic devices may recognize gestures performed by a user on the touch sensitive display screen. The handheld electronic devices may generate remote control signals from gestures that the handheld electronic device may recognize. A media system may receive the remote control signals and may take appropriate action. The touch sensitive display screen may be used to present the user with information about the media system such as the current volume.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2017Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Eric James Hope, Alan Cannistraro, Policarpo Wood, William Bull
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Patent number: 10549183Abstract: A controller for an electronic system includes a controller body having a head and a handle, and a tracking member that is fixed to the controller body. The head includes at least one thumb-operated control, and the handle has a tubular housing that is partially wrapped by an outer shell. The controller includes a hand retainer configured to physically bias the user's palm against the outer shell. A first plurality of tracking transducers is disposed in the tracking member, the first plurality of tracking sensors being coupled with the electronic system via electromagnetic radiation. An array of proximity sensors is spatially distributed on the outer shell, the array of proximity sensors being responsive to a proximity of the user's fingers to the outer shell.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2017Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Eric James Hope, Scott Nietfeld, Carl Conlee, Scott Richard Britt, Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Jeffrey George Leinbaugh, Jeremy Slocum
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Publication number: 20190344173Abstract: A controller for an electronic system includes a controller body having a handle portion, a tracking arc that is fixed to the controller body, and a hand retainer configured to physically bias a user's palm against an outside surface of the handle portion. A plurality of tracking sensors is disposed in the tracking arc, and are responsive to electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electronic system. An array of proximity sensors are spatially distributed around the outer surface of the handle portion, and are responsive to a proximity of the user's fingers to the outside surface of the handle portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Jeffrey George Leinbaugh, Eric James Hope, Philip Bryan, Scott Richard Britt, Scott Nietfeld, Claire Michelle Gottschalk, Jeremy Slocum
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Publication number: 20190299094Abstract: Various game controller hardware and user interface configurations are disclosed. Some configurations may comprise two circular trackpads, driven by the player's thumbs, which may be clickable, allowing the entire surface to act as a button. Haptic feedback may be based on dual linear resonant actuators (e.g., by means of strong, weighted electro-magnets attached to each of the dual trackpads), capable of delivering a wide range of force and vibration, allowing control over frequency, amplitude, and direction of movement. The haptics-related components in certain implementations may also play audio waveforms and thereby function as speakers. In the center of the controller according to certain configurations may be another touch-enabled surface, this one backed by a display screen. In some configurations this entire screen itself may also be clickable, like a large single button. A variety of other exemplary implementations and configurations are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Jeffrey Peter Bellinghausen, Claire Michelle Gottschalk, Eric James Hope, Jeffrey Scott Keyzer, Scott Dalton
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Patent number: 10391400Abstract: A controller for an electronic system includes a controller body having a handle portion, a tracking arc that is fixed to the controller body, and a hand retainer configured to physically bias a user's palm against an outside surface of the handle portion. A plurality of tracking sensors is disposed in the tracking arc, and are responsive to electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electronic system. An array of proximity sensors are spatially distributed around the outer surface of the handle portion, and are responsive to a proximity of the user's fingers to the outside surface of the handle portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Jeffrey George Leinbaugh, Eric James Hope, Philip Bryan, Scott Richard Britt, Scott Nietfeld, Claire Michelle Gottschalk, Jeremy Slocum
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Publication number: 20190232160Abstract: A controller for an electronic system includes a tracking member fixed to a controller body. The controller body has a head that adjoins a handle at a neck region, and that includes at least one thumb-operated control. The controller includes a hand retainer that in a closed position is configured to physically bias the user's palm against an outer surface of the handle. The hand retainer includes a resilient member that biases the hand retainer towards an open position. The resilient member is attached to an anchor that is attached to the head by an adjustment mechanism that permits the resilient member to be moved towards or away from the user's purlicue. The tracking member includes transducers that are coupled to the electronic system by electromagnetic radiation. Proximity sensors, spatially distributed on the handle, are responsive to a proximity of the user's fingers to the outer surface of the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Eric James Hope, Scott Nietfeld, Carl Conlee, Scott Richard Britt, Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Jeffrey George Leinbaugh, Jeremy Slocum
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Patent number: 10328344Abstract: Various game controller hardware and user interface configurations are disclosed. Some configurations may comprise two circular trackpads, driven by the player's thumbs, which may be clickable, allowing the entire surface to act as a button. Haptic feedback may be based on dual linear resonant actuators (e.g., by means of strong, weighted electro-magnets attached to each of the dual trackpads), capable of delivering a wide range of force and vibration, allowing control over frequency, amplitude, and direction of movement. The haptics-related components in certain implementations may also play audio waveforms and thereby function as speakers. In the center of the controller according to certain configurations may be another touch-enabled surface, this one backed by a display screen. In some configurations this entire screen itself may also be clickable, like a large single button. A variety of other exemplary implementations and configurations are described.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Peter Bellinghausen, Scott Dalton, Claire Michelle Gottschalk, Eric James Hope, Jeffrey Keyzer
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Patent number: 10307669Abstract: A controller for an electronic system includes a tracking member fixed to a controller body. The controller body has a head that adjoins a handle at a neck region, and that includes at least one thumb-operated control. The controller includes a hand retainer that in a closed position is configured to physically bias the user's palm against an outer surface of the handle. The hand retainer includes a resilient member that biases the hand retainer towards an open position. The resilient member is attached to an anchor that is attached to the head by an adjustment mechanism that permits the resilient member to be moved towards or away from the user's purlicue. The tracking member includes transducers that are coupled to the electronic system by electromagnetic radiation. Proximity sensors, spatially distributed on the handle, are responsive to a proximity of the user's fingers to the outer surface of the handle.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Valve CorporationInventors: Eric James Hope, Scott Nietfeld, Carl Conlee, Scott Richard Britt, Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Jeffrey George Leinbaugh, Jeremy Slocum
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Publication number: 20180361234Abstract: A controller includes a body having a handle, and an array of proximity sensors spatially distributed on, in, beneath, or near the outer surface of the handle, responsive to a proximity of a user's fingers to that outer surface. A finger tracker converts the output of the array of proximity sensors to a set of joint angles corresponding to a plurality of the user's fingers. The controller may include a renderer for processing the joint angles to deform a hand mesh that is rendered for display. Values may be calculated to facilitate normalization of the output of the proximity sensor array and thereby generate a set of normalized finger detection data. This data may be processed through curl logic to produce a linear estimate of gross finger curl with respect to the user and thereby generate a set of estimates for a plurality of finger joint angles for the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Applicant: VALVE CORPORATIONInventors: Scott Nietfeld, Jeffrey George Leinbaugh, Eric James Hope, Philip Bryan, Scott Richard Britt, Jeffrey Walter Mucha, Claire Michelle Gottschalk, Jeremy Slocum
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Publication number: 20180104576Abstract: A controller for an electronic system includes a controller body having a head and a handle, and a tracking member that is fixed to the controller body. The head includes at least one thumb-operated control, and the handle has a tubular housing that is partially wrapped by an outer shell. The controller includes a hand retainer configured to physically bias the user's palm against the outer shell. A first plurality of tracking transducers is disposed in the tracking member, the first plurality of tracking sensors being coupled with the electronic system via electromagnetic radiation. An array of proximity sensors is spatially distributed on the outer shell, the array of proximity sensors being responsive to a proximity of the user's fingers to the outer shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Applicant: VALVE CORPORATIONInventors: ERIC JAMES HOPE, SCOTT NIETFELD, CARL CONLEE, SCOTT RICHARD BRITT, JEFFREY WALTER MUCHA, JEFFREY GEORGE LEINBAUGH, JEREMY SLOCUM